Discipline
Was Unequal

A few weeks ago I acted in an irresponsible way and skipped approximately 10-15 minutes of my Spanish class at Randolph Union High School. As punishment I had to spend the remainder of class in the office.

On the disciplinary report I received, it was indicated to me that the time I missed was a "period cut" and I had to serve a one-hour detention after school. I am not complaining about the discipline I received. An acceptable punishment was given to me that I deserved.

It saddens me, however, that a large group of students at our school can skip class for at least a half hour to protest war with Iraq and receive no consequence. Students were not held accountable for the time they missed from class.

It’s not right for the school to pardon these students’ actions just because they had a cause based on personal values. Throughout life we are held accountable for our own actions, whatever they may be, for whatever cause. My school acted in unfair and poor judgment. The protest itself has shown me nothing new. I have known for a long time many of my peers are against war. It has shown me the poor decision-making in the high school that allows for inappropriate actions such as these to occur.

Jeremy Frost

Grade 11, RUHS

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