Across the board, everyone has noticed: Dover High School is out of control. There are escalating behavior problems everyday. Respecting others is a thing of the past. Clubs and other extracurricular activities are dying left and right.
I can’t pinpoint what’s causing the problem, but I know that it didn’t used to be like this. I used to feel safe in school, but now I’m not so sure. Admittedly, my brush with ear injury has forever altered my view of Dover Plains, but there’s much more to it than that.
I know that I can’t solve the school’s problems, but when directly faced with a related issue, I rise to the challenge. At least, I try.
My Problem
I’m obviously dedicated to Dover’s student body and will be until graduation. I served as my Class President for two years and now serve as the Student Council President. I’ve put in many hours to ensure successful pep rallies, homecomings, dodgeball tournaments, fundraisers, after prom parties, and miscellaneous charities while expecting nothing in return. Far more important than these, however, are the instances where my Student Council has been challenged by bureaucracy and I’ve had to “fight the man”.
It’s true. A student-run organization in a public high school can run into problems with other organizations, including adults and administrative bodies who are supposed to help the students. In the weeks and months to come, I’ll tell those stories; there’s no reason for me not to. Until then, there’s a short-term crisis.
Prior to four years ago, Dover High School had two pep rallies, one in the fall and one in the spring. Although that was “before my time”, I’ve been told they were miserable events. In response, former leaders decided to turn the spring pep rally into a “Leadership Rally” featuring a motivational speaker. The deal was that the High School Student Council would choose the speaker and the school administration would pay for it.
At least, that’s what we thought the deal was. Administration didn’t budget enough money to purchase the services of a motivational speaker this year, and it has been suggested that the High School Student Council pick up the tab. The money isn’t the problem, it’s the precedent.
Precedent is a terrifying thing in Dover High School. If an organization does something once, regardless of what anyone says, it will be expected to do it in the future. I’ve been working through a similar issue already this year, but I haven’t reached a solution. Essentially, financial burdens are being dumped onto Dover’s High School Student Council and the system isn’t sustainable. My treasurer has played with the numbers, and the Student Council can only carry on this way for about five years before running out of funds.
I cannot and will not allow this to happen. But, what can I do?
My Solution
The student body is expecting an assembly with a motivation speaker later this year, and it’s the Student Council’s perceived job to deliver. Student Council, in the past few years, has given opening remarks and let the speaker do his or her thing, despite not footing the bill.
My solution is an ultimatum. Dover High School is in shambles right now. A motivational speaker can’t solve its problems, but it certainly can’t hurt. After consulting my advisors and friends, the key people who rewrote the Student Council Constitution with me, I’ve decided to just say no.
The High School Student Council won’t pay for it. The assembly will occur, but in a crippled form. Although the student body suffers in the short term, the choice makes sense for the future. I refuse to leave this school knowing my Student Council cannot financially sustain itself.
I’ll let you know how it turns out.
Who needs motivational speakers? Yeah, they’re nice, but chances are students probably miss the message anyway. Take the money, some money, and throw out a challenge to your student body – make a 3 minute motivational video on the topic of your choice – college is in your reach, live outside your comfort zone, etc. – and upload it to YouTube. The video that gets the most views wins a small scholarship or something.
Motivation only works if someone WANTS to be motivated. It’s like sales. If someone wants to buy, selling is easy. Convincing them that they want to buy if they in fact do not? Difficult. One of the sales tricks is to get someone to sell an item to themselves.
Get your students to sell themselves on motivation.
I’m proud of you for being so forward-thinking and standing up for yourself and the Student Council. It’s a really intelligent and mature decision. I’m very disappointed in DHS. I agree that not having a speaker is not the biggest tragedy; I couldn’t tell you who came to the school the past two years, let alone what they said.
But hm…I wonder, do you think you could find someone local to make a speech? Like a community member, who would maybe do it for free or at least a lot less than a professional speaker?
Or just do it yourself. I’m sure there are a lot of kids at that school who could do with following your example.
I’m really sorry to hear that your highschool is falling apart, too. Not only has Carmel Highschool had greater numbers of more severe fights this year than others, but crime in my town is ridiculous as well. Thieves smashing car windows to steal iPods and anything else that isn’t attached to the frame, psychopathic genitalia mutilating murderous wives, drug addicts sticking up Rite-Aid with shotguns, and two bank robberies in the past 30 days or so. What’s going on?
Listen Rick… Everyone knows why our school is out of control… The reason starts with the new Administration/Dictatorship… As much as everyone hated Mr. Tierney for his “lack” of discipline look at the difference in our school from last year to this year… The way I see it is that a certain administrator feels the need to increase discipline which is just making the students rebel… I’m a senior and for the past 3 years, for the most part, I looked forward to going to school monday to friday… It was a very comfortable place to learn and hang out… This year however one can feel the sense of change in the school… Someone’s on a BIGGGGG power trip and it needs to stop… Last year I could walk the hallway without being badgered about every little thing but today I walk the hallway and I wonder what exactly am I doing wrong now?… Will I get suspended for walking on the wrong side of the hallway? Or God forbid a student goes to the bathroom… the teachers have to inform the office a student has left the classroom? And most recently students are no longer allowed into the attendance office… How about we just let Jackie into the office in the morning lock the door and not let her out until schools over? Because it’s obvious too many kids enjoy her personality and want to stop IN and say hello… DOVER DAY CARE IS BACK IN SERIVICE… ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?… The school needs to start treating students like high schoolers and less like kindergarteners… Last year, with a few exceptions, the highschoolers were treated, and acted like, high schoolers… Now this year rolls around and all of a sudden I feel like I’m back in daycare and these “high schoolers” are behaving like theyre preschoolers… Please tell me that its not on the “Administration” and its ALL on the students as many were originally so quick to say… Now it seems more people seem to be leaning in my direction… I feel sorry for the teachers who I have talked to me and have said in-directly whos fault it is… My heart especially goes out to our schools beloved hall monitors who obviously cannot stand they way things are being run in our school… Ricky I know youre smart.. How do you feel about this?… Here’s my final statement.. Our new principal is not fit to be a principal.. School is supposed to be a learning caring learning evniornment… I feel like I’m stuck in a Maximum Security prison… Dover High School is on lockdown… Changes start from the top… Lead by example… Something our school is lacking this year
bring in just surrender and i will love you for life
I’ll speak for you.