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News & ArtsTuesday, January 12, 2010
Crime / Character Study Violence Over Valuable Pencils at Franklin High School
Posted by Unpaid Intern on Tue, Jan 12, 2010 at 12:50 PM
Posted by news intern Sarah Lloyd
On January 6 at 10:18 a.m., school staff at Franklin High School called 911 to report an assault on a teacher by a student, according to a Seattle police report. The teacher had gone home for the day due to being "very emotionally distraught." Apparently the incident escalated over collateral for a pencil. The police report states:
[The student] had no pencil and wished to borrow one. As per classroom policy, [the student] had to hand over an item of value as collateral. He gave over his cell phone. He then proceeded to fall asleep in class. When he woke up the pencil had gone from his desk. He went to ask for his phone back anyway. [The teacher] refused. The suspect became very agitated. He demanded his phone back and swept items from the [teacher]'s desk. He then went into the desk drawers and began to look for the phone. The [teacher] took the phone and left the classroom walking toward the office. The [student] followed the [teacher] and kicked her left foot in an attempt to trip her.
The student, who, according to the police report, had also given a written statement to school security (not quoted in the report) was taken into custody. After being read his Miranda rights, police say, the student confirmed that "he had attempted to trip the teacher but was unsuccessful."
The police report also states that "officers attempted to contact [the teacher] by phone but were unable to do so." WHY NOT? THEY KNOW SHE HAS A CELL PHONE.
2
Well, maybe she just didn't answer it. It's not hers, after all. She probably turned it off in case she accidentally opened one of those teenaged sexts or something.
6
You could probably just post a link to the police blotter web page and save yourself some - more likely very little to no- time and energy. These blotter posts have all been pointless and are consistently a week behind the event.
Or you could act like a real news intern and go get some stories. You will have to actually leave the office to do that. Ask yourself why The Seattle Times has an office at the courthouse less than a mile away from the main building. Answer: you have to be there to get the story or all you are left with are the week old scraps from a police report.
Or you could act like a real news intern and go get some stories. You will have to actually leave the office to do that. Ask yourself why The Seattle Times has an office at the courthouse less than a mile away from the main building. Answer: you have to be there to get the story or all you are left with are the week old scraps from a police report.
7
Can our school district really not afford to give a pencil to a student that needs one? Yikes. Not to excuse the student, but I might be pissed off about having to hock my phone for a pencil, too.
12
God damn, just loan a kid a pencil. Why does everything have to be a Lesson in Institutional Compliance? No, I don't want kids to go around tripping people, but I understand how being treated like that over the long term could drive a person toward petty acts of minor assault.
13
So now "being prepared for class" is institutional compliance and requiring a deposit for loaned supplies would drive someone who isn't already a fuckwit-waste-of-space-future-EITC-shitheel to assault a teacher?
14
10- Don't know, have your intern find it for you. The police don't have it available online? Publish the file and save yourself the time of retyping the police report. Start your own week late Seattle Police Blotter.
Help the girl out and give her someting she can add to her clips.
Help the girl out and give her someting she can add to her clips.
15
@12: I don't know. I teach high school (not at Franklin, though), and on the one hand, yeah, just accept that teenagers have no frontal lobes and give up on getting the pencil back.
On the other hand, teaching at Franklin is a notoriously tough gig, and the kid's response was obviously out of line. It looks like he's the one who chose his "item of value" to be his cell phone, after all.
On the other hand, teaching at Franklin is a notoriously tough gig, and the kid's response was obviously out of line. It looks like he's the one who chose his "item of value" to be his cell phone, after all.
16
@12 It's one thing to give a kid a pencil one time if they forget one or lost it. But when it happens day after day after day and they don't get returned or come back destroyed, it gets expensive, not to mention annoying, and lets the kid continually escape responsibility for being prepared for class. There is undoubtedly some context here that is missing - i.e. this happens daily, the teacher has already purchased multiple packs of pencils that are already gone, etc. Most schools don't provide pencils - or if they do, by mid-year the supply is often gone - thus teachers end up buying supplies (for other people's kids) out of their own money.
Not to say the teacher is in the clear - I'd want to know more about how the pencil disappeared while he was sleeping and the reasons for not returning the phone, as well as previous interactions between the teacher and the student - but obviously the student overreacted in this situation.
Not to say the teacher is in the clear - I'd want to know more about how the pencil disappeared while he was sleeping and the reasons for not returning the phone, as well as previous interactions between the teacher and the student - but obviously the student overreacted in this situation.
17
@7 and @12 Clearly you've not taught in a public school.
No, schools do not supply students with pencils.
There's no excuse for the kid to act that way. None.
No, schools do not supply students with pencils.
There's no excuse for the kid to act that way. None.
19
so you post this and then have next to no information about a double murder in North Seattle? I know you guys think everything north of the hill is practically in Canada, but you really should be embarrassed by your lack of coverage.
20
@15,16,17 Actually, I worked in public schools for 6 years, in a position that had me in every classroom in the (small, semi-rural) district where I worked. My wife taught there for six years also. We both left sick of the entire coercive system. That's my context.
This teacher did in fact supply the student with a pencil. She didn't have to; she could have declined. When it became an issue with the phone, the teacher was the grownup holding the off switch. She chose to take a stand, turn it into a Lesson, and let it escalate, over a 10-cent pencil.
She didn't deserve to be assaulted, and I did say I don't approve of what the student did. Of course, all I know is what's in the report, and my reaction is filtered through my own damaged context.
This teacher did in fact supply the student with a pencil. She didn't have to; she could have declined. When it became an issue with the phone, the teacher was the grownup holding the off switch. She chose to take a stand, turn it into a Lesson, and let it escalate, over a 10-cent pencil.
She didn't deserve to be assaulted, and I did say I don't approve of what the student did. Of course, all I know is what's in the report, and my reaction is filtered through my own damaged context.
21
@20: So she should have just undercut her policy? Then what is the point of having the collateral? Should we really be teaching people from high-school that if they don't follow through on their end of a contract it's meaningless? That if they threaten or do violence they should be acquiesced to? I hope he goes to juvie.
22
Lose, lose.
The kid is a punk. He voluntarily gave up his phone as collateral, and then fell asleep. Dumbshit move. When things don't go his way, his solution is minor assault. Even dumber move. I have little sympathy for the student.
On the other hand, the teacher is an idiot too. Don't they teach teachers how to de-escalate a problem situation? Was it really necessary to let things get this out of hand over a 10¢ pencil? There had to be a hundred better ways to handle it than this.
The kid is a punk. He voluntarily gave up his phone as collateral, and then fell asleep. Dumbshit move. When things don't go his way, his solution is minor assault. Even dumber move. I have little sympathy for the student.
On the other hand, the teacher is an idiot too. Don't they teach teachers how to de-escalate a problem situation? Was it really necessary to let things get this out of hand over a 10¢ pencil? There had to be a hundred better ways to handle it than this.
23
I dunno. I'd be inclined to tell kids who've forgotten a writing utensil to borrow one from someone else, or I'd deduct points for being ill-prepared for class. That way you avoid the power struggle altogether.
24
@20 I taught in the public school system for 10 years, so I dealt with this stuff for quite a while. When I referred to context, I did not necessarily mean your context. Generally when things like this occur, it is not the first time, and there have probably been some other incidents/disagreements between this teacher and this student that have gotten them to this point - among them could be the fact that the kid comes to class continually unprepared. There are some facts missing, thus we only have one side of the story. Regardless, the kid made some poor choices in how he reacted to the situation - trashing the desk and trying to trip the teacher - and does need some consequences as well as some training on better ways to handle his anger.
@22 Yeah, if they've been through a teacher ed program in WA, they should have been trained on how to deescalate a problem situation at some point. However, sometimes a situation doesn't appear to be an issue until it suddenly is - especially with adolescents, who are horribly unpredictable - and hindsight is nearly always 20/20, as is the criticism. Unfortunately there is a delicate balance that teachers have to manage in maintaining some power in the classroom so as to have some semblance of classroom management and getting through the lesson; moving too far across that line in either direction can result in a loss of control of the class. I don't think the teacher is totally blameless, nor do I think the kid is solely to blame, and hopefully they will both do some reflecting and recognize - though perhaps with some help - that there were some other options along the way that might have been better than getting to this point.
@22 Yeah, if they've been through a teacher ed program in WA, they should have been trained on how to deescalate a problem situation at some point. However, sometimes a situation doesn't appear to be an issue until it suddenly is - especially with adolescents, who are horribly unpredictable - and hindsight is nearly always 20/20, as is the criticism. Unfortunately there is a delicate balance that teachers have to manage in maintaining some power in the classroom so as to have some semblance of classroom management and getting through the lesson; moving too far across that line in either direction can result in a loss of control of the class. I don't think the teacher is totally blameless, nor do I think the kid is solely to blame, and hopefully they will both do some reflecting and recognize - though perhaps with some help - that there were some other options along the way that might have been better than getting to this point.
25
I suppose the teacher could have de-escalated the situation, but considering what an asshole the kid was being, it might be better for her that she didn't. She stood her ground, he crossed the line, and now he's out of her classroom. She must be very relieved. I only hope they have a good set-up for dealing with at-risk kids like him.
I think there are times when a kid just needs to be placed in a different classroom. This kid sounds like he needs someone very tough, who can put the fear of god into him, and not every teacher can do that. It's a tough job, and no one can respond perfectly to every situation.
I think there are times when a kid just needs to be placed in a different classroom. This kid sounds like he needs someone very tough, who can put the fear of god into him, and not every teacher can do that. It's a tough job, and no one can respond perfectly to every situation.
27
Franklin has a very strict and specific cell phone policy. The phone would have had to have been picked up by the parent after school, as with all confiscated electronic devices. And yes, teaching at Franklin is a very tough gig. Attempting physical damage to a teacher is a very very bad move for a student, this will get the book thrown.
28
@12 The kids need to learn responsibility in high school. That includes showing up with supplies. That includes returning loaned supplies. That also includes not assaulting people just because they pissed you off. Returning the phone would have taught the entire class that the collateral system is meaningless and therefore instill a lack of responsibility. That is the opposite of the teacher's job.
29
@20: By saying that I'm a teacher, I didn't mean to imply that your opinion wasn't valid, and I'm sorry if that's how it came off -- I was merely offering *my* opinion as a teacher. Parents and students (and ex-teachers) get to offer their opinions, too, and when teachers lose track of that, things go to shit. Inflexibility is not good when you're teaching. (Although, neither is inconsistency.)
And yet, @16 and 22: I agree with pretty much everything you said. Except the part, 22, about "don't they teach teachers how to de-escalate a problem situation?"
The answer is, well, kind of. It's hard to teach, and it's also really hard to do *all the time*, and I promise you that if this teacher teaches at Franklin, she has to deal with "problem situations" all the time. Every now and then, something goes wrong in your classroom, and at the time, it really looks like it came out of nowhere. It's clear to other people where you went wrong, and it's clear to *you* where you went wrong when you look back (all the many, many places) but at the time, it just all happens so fast. The first (and only) (so far) time a fight nearly broke out in my classroom, I spent my lunch hour in tears trying to figure out what the hell happened.
So yes, we know how to manage crisis situations. And yet every now and then, we fuck up. Like humans do. Yes, this teacher fucked up, and she deserves a certain amount of censure for this, and maybe I'm being a little knee-jerk, but too much of the time we are expected to be both sub- and superhuman.
Those of you interested in the "hey, class is going fine, huh, that's annoying HOLY CRAP WHY IS EVERYBODY SCREAMING" phenomenon should definitely check out The Class.
And @23: Yup yup. That's my policy, too.
More...
And yet, @16 and 22: I agree with pretty much everything you said. Except the part, 22, about "don't they teach teachers how to de-escalate a problem situation?"
The answer is, well, kind of. It's hard to teach, and it's also really hard to do *all the time*, and I promise you that if this teacher teaches at Franklin, she has to deal with "problem situations" all the time. Every now and then, something goes wrong in your classroom, and at the time, it really looks like it came out of nowhere. It's clear to other people where you went wrong, and it's clear to *you* where you went wrong when you look back (all the many, many places) but at the time, it just all happens so fast. The first (and only) (so far) time a fight nearly broke out in my classroom, I spent my lunch hour in tears trying to figure out what the hell happened.
So yes, we know how to manage crisis situations. And yet every now and then, we fuck up. Like humans do. Yes, this teacher fucked up, and she deserves a certain amount of censure for this, and maybe I'm being a little knee-jerk, but too much of the time we are expected to be both sub- and superhuman.
Those of you interested in the "hey, class is going fine, huh, that's annoying HOLY CRAP WHY IS EVERYBODY SCREAMING" phenomenon should definitely check out The Class.
And @23: Yup yup. That's my policy, too.
30
D'oh! 24 and 25 beat me to it -- this is what happens when you ramble. Word up to all that and such.
31
That's great, so a fight can break out between the kid whose pencil was borrowed and not returned and the unprepared, lazy fuck.
High school students are old enough to know better. Not sticking to the rules, whatever they may be, ensures mayhem in the classroom.
And, really, what would it take for the kid to get his cellphone back? Going home, getting a pencil, and giving that to the teacher? There's something seriously wrong with this kid that "de-escalation" is not going to solve.
I'd be inclined to tell kids who've forgotten a writing utensil to borrow one from someone else,
That's great, so a fight can break out between the kid whose pencil was borrowed and not returned and the unprepared, lazy fuck.
High school students are old enough to know better. Not sticking to the rules, whatever they may be, ensures mayhem in the classroom.
And, really, what would it take for the kid to get his cellphone back? Going home, getting a pencil, and giving that to the teacher? There's something seriously wrong with this kid that "de-escalation" is not going to solve.
32
@21: No, she was stuck. She shouldn't have made a side deal that required even more compliance enforcement in the first place. (My original point.)
@29: Thanks! I didn't take it personally. You're probably right that it wasn't the first incident with that student, which raises the question of why he was still there at all. It's hard to imagine what good it does anyone to keep a student in a class or school where he's disruptive.
Three thousand years ago when I went to Eckstein Middle School, there was a pencil vending machine. Problem solved.
@29: Thanks! I didn't take it personally. You're probably right that it wasn't the first incident with that student, which raises the question of why he was still there at all. It's hard to imagine what good it does anyone to keep a student in a class or school where he's disruptive.
Three thousand years ago when I went to Eckstein Middle School, there was a pencil vending machine. Problem solved.
34
She should have booted the brat's ass out of class. He was unprepared. When I was in school, if you came to class unprepared you got sent to the principal's office and then on to detention, which ended when your parents came to pick you up. Teachers have to buy hundreds of dollars in supplies each year out of their own pockets because the school doesn't supply jack shit and the parents, who have plenty of cash for smokes and beer, don't have any for school supplies. Eff that noise. If the kids don't come to class, with their books, papers, pencils, and whatever, just kick 'em out till they get their shit together. High school age is old enough to have a job and buy their own crap, if their parents are too lazy to get their asses to k-mart and buy that 99 cent box of pencils.
35
Ok to be fair to this teacher. I started out the school year (8th grade) with around 100 pens and pencils to hand out to students that needed one. All I asked was that they put them back into the pencil box at the end of each class day. Hah! I was decimated of writing utensils within a month.Trust me, it isn't that they can't afford them, (I mean they're pencils, c'mon). Teenagers are just super lazy and forgetful. They won't bother to keep track of anything unless you impose actual consequences.
I understand the knee jerk reaction to the teacher's policy, but you have to understand the behavior she was reacting to as well. I love my students, but they just aren't able to behave with the same level of responsibility as adults. Teachers have to respond accordingly.
I understand the knee jerk reaction to the teacher's policy, but you have to understand the behavior she was reacting to as well. I love my students, but they just aren't able to behave with the same level of responsibility as adults. Teachers have to respond accordingly.
36
So this kid's baby mama makes sure he has mobile phone at school but not a pencil.
Well, I guess the world needs garbage men and chip fryers….
Well, I guess the world needs garbage men and chip fryers….
37
What kind of world are we living in when a cell phone is considered a reasonable collateral for a pencil? Are they planning the kids for a life of visiting check cashing joints and pawn shops? Wouldn't it be better to just give the kid a bailout and hope he grows up to be a banker?
If the school/teacher can't/won't afford to just give the students pencils when they need them, why don't they institute a policy where the student has to give up something different of value: like money. Or don't give 'em pencils at all, and I guess they'll fail whatever they need a pencil for that day. Back in my day, if I didn't have a pencil, I borrowed one from another student who did.
The whole incident is just a sad tale of what our schools have devolved to, where teachers have to run pawn shops in class and students think it's acceptable to assault said teachers.
If the school/teacher can't/won't afford to just give the students pencils when they need them, why don't they institute a policy where the student has to give up something different of value: like money. Or don't give 'em pencils at all, and I guess they'll fail whatever they need a pencil for that day. Back in my day, if I didn't have a pencil, I borrowed one from another student who did.
The whole incident is just a sad tale of what our schools have devolved to, where teachers have to run pawn shops in class and students think it's acceptable to assault said teachers.
38
Oh, and I'm sure arresting a student for trying to trip his teacher (not exactly a full-on assault, if you ask me) will improve the circumstances that led to his delinquency. Nothing like an arrest record to brighten up a kid's future.
39
@6 - Most of the reports are not online - you have to pick them up from your local police station and, depending on your location, they're not received/processed for a while.
40
While I don't believe the teachers way of handling this way great the student showed he was a major fuck up. Would I have been pissed off if I were him? Yeah. Would I have gotten all thuggy? no. typical ghetto dweller
41
Sounds like the teacher really cares and is doing a fine job. It's the shitty teachers who don't follow through with the lesson.
Well done!
Well done!
42
It is ironic that this south seattle high school felt this incident warranted police action, yet when another south seattle high school was informed that a disabled young woman was sexually assaulted in the building by two students, that did not warrant police notification.
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