Mr. Curtis checking dress code
As you have probably noticed, rules and regulations at J’town High School have gotten progressively stricter over the past few years. Not JCYC-strict, but tougher than they used to be according to those who have been around for several years. Only allowing ten unexcused absences, stricter consequences for disobeying the rules, a score of new cameras, a crackdown on hall passes for aides, and having to write a mandatory statement about the rules before signing it are just a few of the changes students may have noticed.
Laying Down The Law
Most of the new restrictions seem to be subtle but numerous. For example, the school buses are required to drive in single file to one place before letting the students off. After exiting from the bus, you will be enthusiastically met by one of the new assistant principals and several other security guards who won’t hesitate to remind you your shirt tail isn’t tucked in. Mr. Pollio also seems adamant about implementing the non-negotiable punishments, like cursing at a teacher.
What Students Think
The reactions to these new regulations are interesting amongst the students. This reporter asked several people, typically seniors and juniors because they’ve been here the longest, the same question, “What do you think about the new guidelines… obsessive or helpful?” Many really didn’t care, while others seemed not to know what to think about them. Senior Alexis Lurry simply responded, “I’m not sure.” She doesn’t think new rules will affect her that much, but only time will tell. Others seemed to be quite content with the rules like Steven Delancey, saying that they are not “…overly ridiculous…”
All in all, the student reactions were very surprising. Normally in any organization, including our federal government, any time there’s a crackdowns in regulations there’s some sort of public outcry, but here at J’town, we don’t seem to be that bothered by the stringent rules. A few students that normally get in trouble (not naming any names) seem only mildly concerned.
What Teachers Think
The teachers were asked the same question as the students. There was a common trend amongst the answers received. The teachers showed some passion in explaining their approval of the new crackdowns, instead of giving the typical textbook response. A math teacher, Ms. Squier, stated, “I think they’re here for us to succeed” while expressing that more rules could only help. “There are ways to avoid it…,” says Squier, implying that the rules aren’t too strict and that it would be possible to avoid the consequences.
A computer teacher, Ms. Jaworski said what several other teachers and school counselors collectively agree upon. “It mimics the real world.” Teachers are worried that when students go out into the real world, they’ll be blindsided by reality and figure out that the real world is much different than the environment they’ve been exposed to for the first eighteen years of their lives.
Even more fascinating, this might show a fundamental change throughout JCPS. While focusing on CATS scores and grades are still important, schools seem to be focusing on behavior more than they used to, possibly because of behavior problems last year, or perhaps a renovation of old behavior protocols. In trying to explore this, many teachers seemed to agree with the latter. After living with the same rules for years, sometimes they need to be updated.
Summing it all up
In conclusion, the teachers obviously seemed to appreciate these new regulations while students seemed to be a bit indifferent. Most appeared to be fine with them, while many more just don’t know yet how it will affect them. Only time will tell, but until then, there are new rules at J’town. This reporter doesn’t know about you, but he would much rather avoid going to “The Wood Shop”.
September 15th, 2009 at 7:39 am
the rules this year are by far waaay harder than last year. i wonder why?
September 15th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Thanks for letting me know what has changed at Jtown. I never liked the rules we had at J-town but I knew they were important to keep this school going. It is sad because jtown students are not self-disciplined enough… I believe if they were, we wouldn’t need the rules and everything would be just fine :] Hopefully that will change really soon
September 20th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
If the issue is that the graduates of Jeffersontown aren’t going to be ready for the real world, there is no need to worry there.
As a graduate of Jeffersontown (CLASS OF 2009
)I can assure you that the teachers are doing their jobs. I was more than prepared for the real world. And to be honest, there isn’t much of a transition. If you have a job, attending classes at night for college credit, or anything along those lines, you are already ahead of the game, much further than I was.
I think our school system underestimates the intelligence that the youth of this generation has. A lot of us are far smarter than our own parents in many areas. We’ve learned a great deal about the real world through our parents.
Some things cannot be taught in a school setting, and must be found out on our own.
The best thing a school setting can provide for students is real world influence, the knowledge to help us succeed, and the ability to lend an ear when no one else is there to listen.
Everything else should fall into place.
October 7th, 2009 at 7:58 am
The changes at J-Town High have been everything but overlooked. I have heard wonderful things about the improvement of the school overall. As a college student, structure and rules within any school does nothing more than prepare you for the “real” world. If anything, the consequences received in school don’t compare to what may happen if the same offense is done outside of school. You all have a group of teachers and a principal that cares about the safety and future of everyone. As a future teacher I have come to realize that teaching can never be looked at as a job but a mission.
October 16th, 2009 at 8:17 am
Excellent comments from students who are now in the real world. I appreciate your prospective and input. It should mean a lot to our current Chargers.
November 11th, 2009 at 6:24 am
Yes the rules are strict but they strict because we are a uniform school. It’s nice having dress down days every once in awhile. I agree with the other comments the rules are alot more inforced this year.
November 11th, 2009 at 6:29 am
The rules don’t seem hard to me,just have your shirt tucked in.
it takes like 2 seconds,i don’t like it but i’ll do it
November 11th, 2009 at 6:57 am
I think the teachers are just trying to prepare the students for the real world. Good pic of curtis though….lol
November 11th, 2009 at 7:00 am
I think the rules are okay…
November 11th, 2009 at 7:13 am
all i have to say is, im glad im a senior! after this year i do not have to deal with the rules here. i understand why we have it.but some are stupid. like bathrooms. i feel like im in elementary school. i cant go to the bathroom without a teacher being there to hold my hand! if we are being prepared for the real world, then let us have that freedom to go!
November 11th, 2009 at 7:15 am
the rules are okay i guess
November 11th, 2009 at 7:16 am
at the end look at test scores got higher, fighting rate got low, and all the other things got way better
November 12th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
I really don’t like these uniforms. This is the only school where I’ve had to wear them. I don’t understand why we can’t wear what we want; with uniforms we can’t express ourselves. It’s like the school board is trying to make us all the same when we’re not. We are all unique and different individuals. I think next year we should have no uniforms and with that the students know not to dress inappropiately or else they won’t have the privilege anymore. And if this uniform thing is to help low-income families it’s really not helping them since they have to go out every new school year to buy new uniforms. Without uniforms they could wear the clothes they already own and not spend as much money
November 14th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Im glad that the teachers are enforcing the uniform rules more. I hate seeing guys and somtimes girls hanging out of their pants or their school shirt down to their knees but I do agree with ralph when he says the school board is trying to make us all alike.
November 20th, 2009 at 6:21 am
i dont like the dress code
November 20th, 2009 at 7:22 am
The uniforms are a nuisance to me, in my opinion, I say either two ideas:
1. Have a dress down day every Friday, or atleast 2 days out of the week.
2. Nullify the uniform and those who dress inappropriately will have to dress in uniform, it can be non-negotiable.
These are simple ideas, just a basis, I know there are pros and cons to them. So dont try to insult my intelligence
November 20th, 2009 at 7:23 am
Thew new rules this year really havent affected me. Still, I dont see how some of the rules prepare us for the real world. I mean 2 hall passes per semester? Really? Thats just rididculous. I am a female and us females definetely need more than 2 hall passes per semester. The whole shirt tuck in thing I can understand. People look sloppy when they let their shirt hang out. No one wants to see your boxers.
November 20th, 2009 at 8:52 am
The dress code is stricter, but maybe it helps us out.
November 20th, 2009 at 11:48 am
i think its wrong and a violation of the 5th amendment.
November 20th, 2009 at 11:48 am
I think our school is cluttered. People just stop in the middle of the hallway when you’re trying to get somewhere, it gets so annoying!
November 20th, 2009 at 11:49 am
We should be able to wear any color socks we want. Do you agree? And we should be able to wear more than white t shirts under our uniforms
November 22nd, 2009 at 8:46 am
I agree with other students that the rules really aren’t that bad and that punishment can be avoided pretty easily. I know that Jtowns reputation was not good a couple years before i attended Jtown and also when i started as a freshman my mom was ridiculed by my family for allowing me to go there. But since the rules i see a significant amount of change in the student body and the amount of trouble we have around school. I think the rules shaped Jtown for true success in JCPS.
January 12th, 2010 at 9:28 am
I like the fact that we have a disipline code, also known as uniforms
but if u realize that all the kids are happier and more comfortable without.
January 12th, 2010 at 10:12 am
andd i think its stupid that we have to have a white shirt only under our school shirts, i get cold nd it would be nice to be able to wear a long sleeve shirt under my uniform shirt as long as its a solid color. cas i dnt always have a clean hoodie and then i have to be cold wen i get to school. and the fact tht our socks have to be like white? thats so dumb you cant even see our socks and if you could, why does it matter if theyre white, black, green or aqua marine? like really its not tht big of a deal. these rules are gettin rediculous and im sick of them. eastternn next year sounds really goodd.
January 12th, 2010 at 10:25 am
GOOD JOB!
January 12th, 2010 at 10:25 am
i think that we should be able to walk around wit our shirts untucked who cares if its tucked or untucked
January 12th, 2010 at 11:24 am
I agree with you they need to back off in jtown they are trying to be too strict which isnt even called for, but you do what you think you got to. the kids are going to do what they want regardless and the seniors really dont care they know they graduating as well REGARDLESS!
January 14th, 2010 at 6:05 am
yung curt be on his job hands down best security here
January 14th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
“Government can easily exist without laws, but law cannot exist without government.” -Bertrand Russell
Well the quote I meantioned is true, well in a smaller way. I personally believe The rules are fine, but one rule I could never wrap around my mind is belt rule.
January 21st, 2010 at 6:59 am
rules are definately way stricter this year
January 21st, 2010 at 7:12 am
i likE dha SECURitY GUARdS tHEir kOO & YUh CANt GEt MAd Et thEM fOR dUiN thEiR jOb .
January 21st, 2010 at 8:41 am
jtown is a good school i love the rules here it keeps us disciplined isap is very good for us cuz it teaches us to be better and love ourselves more i like jtown alot and i love my boyfriend who goes there hes adorable and i like the administratives because if we need their help they are sure help i love the uniform because u cant judge people by the way they dress u have to actually get to know them and i like that