Installment+14

South of Denver

Chapter 14 - February 17, 2005

Not for the first time, I wished I owned some Apple stock. Christmas brought a shower of iPod gifts for Rock Canyon students, and suddenly what used to be just the occasional student bopping into class enjoying some secret music became a torrent of kids enjoying their private music libraries at school.

But there is still the urge to share a favorite tune, and that's where I first noticed ear-bud sharing. Two students each stick one "bud" in an ear and start boppin'. I started thinking of them as iPod People, with their personalities being slowly sucked into a machine.

When we were talking about this phenomenon during story brainstorming, I had the temerity to suggest that we were sure to see a variety of ear infections soon, what with all the indiscriminate ear-bud sharing. Someone added that perhaps we should advocate for some sort of ear-bud prophylactic. Eventually the staff decided that "iPod Culture" was worth the front page of the February issue.

Susie, the page manager, vetoed the whole ear infection thing. "That's just gross!" Probably just as well, though it had the virtue of being provocative, at least.

I have developed the view that being intellectually provocative is beyond most freshmen and sophomores. Here is a paraphrase of our discussion of possible editorials:

Adviser: "So, what are kids upset about out there?"

Class: "Ummm. Well, I know some girls who are really ticked at some boys."

Adviser: "What would be our point of view on that issue?"

Class: "Well. No one really cares, I guess."

Adviser: "What are our students happy about, then?"

Class: "There's a dance Friday."

Sigh. Eventually I hauled out what I thought might be a hot topic: the district transportation director had recently told the principal that we will be starting school at 7:15 next year to accommodate bus schedules. (We currently start at 7:45). There was no discussion.

Most of the class just stared. I was surprised. Even if the time change is a fait accompli, shouldn't there be voices raised in righteous indignation? Can there be anyone who is unaware of the legion of studies showing that high school students need to start school later, not earlier? Aren't we tired of our educations being damaged for reasons having nothing to do with education?

A couple days later, Chelsea had settled on the new school start time for the lead editorial, and had assigned David to write the piece. There may be hope, if only David can summon up some anger.

Maybe it's just that time of the year, but I'd give about anything for a passionate outburst right now.

If I have to wait much longer, I may need to provide my own outburst.

Jack Kennedy

Rock Canyon High School

Highlands Ranch CO 80124

jkkennedy@comcast.net

jack.kennedy@dcsdk12.org

Note: This is part of a series of columns on working with a completely untrained staff. It is cryptotherapy for me. It may occasionally provide something positive for you. It's all uncharted territory, that's for sure.