The Power of the Written Word

Last week Chase had an English assignment to write an "opinion paper". So Chase decided to write about his opinion on the high school No Backpack Policy. Just as a little bit of background...our high school is overcrowded (as many schools in our nation) but due to the overcrowding Seniors are not assigned lockers. If they want a locker they have to share with a friend, underclassman or stranger. Since Chase didn't have anyone to share with he did not have a locker. Well, the school also has a policy in place that states backpacks are not to be brought to class. Now that put Chase in a pickle...no backpack in class, but no where to put it either...what a conflict. In most instances, when Chase explained the situation to the teachers, they were very willing to work with him and simply asked him to place it by the door as he came in, sit it by the teachers desk, one teacher even told him to put it in the lost and found box next to her filing cabinet. So he was good...until he went to German class. This teacher has an absolute fixation on this rule and is absolutely, positively unwilling to work with the student in finding an "alternative" solution. I have been taken back by her fixation on this Backpack Policy. So instead of acting out, Chase simply wrote his English paper on his opinion of the No Backpack Policy. His paper referenced his understanding of the policy and why it is in place but also outlined why he didn't agree with the policy as it is currently written. His closing statement to the paper was "They [administration] create a situation and don't help with a solution and if the teachers spent as much time worrying about the academic progress of their students and they do on enforcing this policy, maybe the school wouldn't be on the State of Idaho's schools with inadequate academic progress list."

Needless to say, the paper was given to the vice-principal, Chase was called down to the office and was assigned a locker...all to himself.

I couldn't have been more proud of him for voicing his opinion...and the opportunity it gave him to see one voice can make a difference. :0)