To Larkin Students:

 

We started this year intentionally emphasizing going to college. We also created more opportunities for students to show responsibility by giving some new freedoms. Additionally, the new administrators worked to connect relationally. At first, the response was positive and productive, but the message of more freedom was quickly turned into an opportunity to engage in destructive behaviors. “Going to college” were shallow words thrown around by some students who weren’t doing anything remotely connected to what students do to prepare for college.

 

A few weeks ago, I addressed the student body and spoke of some issues. I said that we would do random tardy sweeps and electronic devices would be banned if patterns continued. While some positive trends emerged, they were temporary. Over-all, tardies and other defiant behavior increased. Fights continued to occur over seemingly trivial conflicts. Tardies and truancies persisted at an alarming rate. I researched our attendance data and learned that 42% of all students are on Step 2 or higher. That means that almost half of our students are not going to class on time, or not at all. The worst part of the behavior displayed by some is the outright disrespect for teachers and each other. When ID’s are requested, inappropriate use of electronic devices are addressed, or directions are given, students walk away or respond abusively. Innocent students are sometimes bullied or threatened for accidental contact in crowded hallways. There is nothing honorable about such behavior.

 

While it is important for students to respect one another, it is equally critical for students to respectfully interact with teachers. Students need to understand that adults in the building have a tremendous responsibility to prepare them for life. Without guidance, direction and even protection, your future could be in jeopardy. It is completely part of our role to direct or redirect students in order to maintain a safe and productive environment. It isn’t about a need to control. It is all about teaching students self-control. Right now there is a shortage of that for many students. In retrospect, many Larkin students were not ready for the freedoms offered from the start. The freedoms were not taken as responsibilities to protect, but instead were viewed as a license for destructive behavior. It is unfortunate for the students who have handled the freedoms well and are suffering from the immaturity of others. The fire alarms were a great example. Students were looking for a cheap thrill even though these acts were not only illegal but inconsiderate of others. Students serious about their learning were impacted negatively. Another outcome of so many students disregarding the real purpose for their time at Larkin, is the percent of students failing classes. Almost half of Larkin students are failing a course. That is not going to get anyone into college.

 

Last week was a touching portrayal of The Miracle Worker. It is the story of a girl named Helen Keller. She was blind, deaf and could not talk. Her parents loved her, but they didn’t expect her to accomplish anything in life. They pitied her and allowed her to act like little more than an animal. That was until Anne Sullivan entered her life and demanded her to engage in productive behavior that would allow her to flourish. It wasn’t easy, but she not only learned new behavior, but she learned to communicate. She even graduated from college!

 

 

I realize that we don’t have students who can’t see, hear or talk, but many face tremendous obstacles. 57% of our students qualify for free/reduced lunch. That means that they live with extreme financial challenges. Statistics suggest that one out of six girls in our school have been sexually abused and one out of ten boys. The reality is probably more. Additionally, over 10% of our students have been identified with learning disabilities, and many more struggle because of lack of experiences or background knowledge. Many of our students are being raised by one parent, relatives or someone else. Many of our students live a life that right now feels like a bad movie that isn’t ending.

 

Over the last few years, our student issues have increased, and our approach has been to enable students who come from difficult situations. We allow students to “get away” with behaviors that are destructive to both them and others around them. This dynamic clicked with me as I watched our students perform the play last week. If we are committed to sending more of our students to college so that they can not only change their future, but the future of their children and grandchildren, then we have to expect more. “Making it REAL” needs to be more than a slogan. It has to be a reality. Respectful behavior, high expectations, safety and connectedness and challenging academics are not nice options. They are critical to our success. I want our students to know that the adults in this school care about their future. Sometimes they show it in interesting ways and it might not always feel like it, but I am convinced more than ever that there really is compassion at the core of our teachers, staff and administrators. To that end, we are going to take some different approaches to “Making it REAL”. We are going to target some behaviors that are particularly destructive and barriers to your success. It will be frustrating for some, encouraging for others and downright infuriating for a few. I want you to know that it is your future and the success of our school which are driving these efforts.

 

“We are Larkin” is not just a rap video. It is a chant of extreme pride. I am proud to be part of our school and the Larkin journey. It is time for resolute work around our goals to make this school a true source of pride, and a launching pad for great accomplishments. The following efforts are designed to ultimately take us closer to our goals as a school and our goals to successfully attend college:

 

1.                                                                                                            Tardy crackdown – 3 days of intensive sweeps which will gather all students not in class and take them to one location for processing. (November 16 - 18.)

2.                                                                                                            Temporary ban on electronic devices – Any devices being used from the start of school until the end will be confiscated and held until the end of the day. 2^nd offenses will be kept overnight. The ban will last until after Thanksgiving vacation when the ban will be revisited based on student cooperation.

3.                                                                                                            Wearing ID’s will be required – Students will have to wear ID’s at all times.

4.                                                                                                            Respectful Behavior – Any student responding disrespectfully to adults following through with school safety and discipline will be disciplined appropriately.

5.                                                                                                            Consequences for fighting - Students who fight will be suspended for 5 to 10 days minimum.

6.                                                                                                            Abusive verbal confrontations – Students will be suspended for a minimum of one day.