Evergreen THE
May 14, 2014
Volume XLVIX, Issue 6
Also in this issue... Views Summer Philosophy With summer around the corner, The Evergreen investigates students’ rationale in allocating their precious free time. p. 3
Crime & Punishment It’s not black and white
News Clearing the Desks As Greenhill faculty retire, Arts Editor Catherine Leffert explores how their desk sheds light on them and their time at the Hill. p. 4
Features Laundry Lessons Greenhill is college-preparatory, but how prepared are students for real-world challenges, both big and small? The Evergreen accompanies seniors to the laundromat to find out. p. 7
Senior Section Leaving the Nest See where the class of 2014 is heading for college. p. 10-11
Arts A Hidden Talent Find out what treasures Brian Donnell, band director, crafts in his woodshop at home. p. 14
Sports Twelve-Timer Senior Brent Rubin has amassed 12 varsity letters, playing football, soccer and baseball. Asst. Arts Editor Arhum Khan investigates what it takes to accomplish this feat. p. 17
Backpage Deconstructing $9k Greenhill Business Club made $9,000 this year from their investment portfolio. Take a look at what that figure means on a Greenhill scale. p. 20
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tudents at all schools have, in moments of poor judgment, looked at a neighbor’s paper during a test, left campus without permission, lied to their teachers, or taken something that is not theirs. Greenhill students are no exception. In determining how to punish these disciplinary infractions, Greenhill has a choice: either implement a rigid disciplinary policy, or look at each case individually and holistically. Greenhill chooses the latter. The school’s disciplinary philosophy involves talking to the students directly to understand exactly what happened and why. Only in determining the consequence does past record or probationary status come into play. “There is no hard-and-fast rule,” said Laura Ross, Head of Upper School. “Every student’s story is different. It’s very Greenhill.” Once a case has been reported, the first step is a conversation between the suspected perpetrator and Mrs. Ross or Jack Oros, Dean of Students. Honor Council advisors Dan Kasten and Genie Burke are often sought out for advice. What others have to say about the student or the case are not a factor. “Greenhill is very student-centered,” Mrs. Ross said, comparing Greenhill to other schools that have a one-and-done disciplinary policy, where there are set consequences for specific infractions and no second chances. Possible disciplinary punishments include probation (which is most common), letters of apology, reflections, suspension and expulsion. Expulsion is reserved for cases with a breach of trust so severe that the school feels the student can no longer remain in the community. “Greenhill gives a lot of trust to students, so when they take advantage of [it], they break the trust of the community,” Mrs Ross said. When suspension or expulsion are on the line, the decision is made by Mrs. Ross, Mr. Oros and Head of School Scott Griggs. Suspensions and expulsions go on the student’s permanent record, but other than those three adults and the parties involved, the sentence is kept secret.
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While the disciplinary process is largely handled by administration, students often are the ones who report honor code violations. The cases’ confidential handling can result in speculation amongst the perpetrator’s peers. “I think the policy is really lenient,” said junior Remya Menon. “I see these offenses on a daily basis, and I know some students report them, but a week later, [perpetrators] are committing the same offense. Then the student body feels like there is no point in reporting, because even if students suffer consequences, they are not learning from them.” Greenhill does not use consequences as a deterrent, meaning one student’s mistake (and the resulting consequence) is not used to scare other students out of making poor decisions. “There are times I wish students had the facts right, but I value the privacy of students involved in any disciplinary infraction more than I worry about gossip,” Mrs. Ross said. As a suspected student goes through the disciplinary process, he or she is expected to behave honorably. “Kids are kids—they make mistakes,” Mr. Oros said. “What I hope we have taught each of [them] is to own up to [their] mistakes. It is a matter of character.” If students choose to hide the truth, it usually comes back to hurt them. “Sometimes I wish I could save students from themselves,” Mrs. Ross said. “They are so caught up in justifying or denying [their actions] that they don’t always recognize that if they apologized and told the truth, they could end up with a lesser punishment.” But sometimes it is the parent who encourages their child to be dishonest. According to Mr. Oros, parents have commonly told their children not to fess up to their transgression in order to avoid suspension, which they worry would put a dent in their permanent record. “Families are concerned that a suspension will have far reaching consequences on a child’s future. We believe that there is much to be learned at this age from many types of disciplinary consequences. A suspension may
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be what is needed to turn the student around,” Mr. Oros said. The root of the fear lies in college applications. Most colleges require both the school and the student to report any suspensions or expulsions in a written essay. College counseling works closely with these students to help turn their lapse in judgment into proof of character education. “I always encourage my students to think about what they learned, what the experience has taught them and who they want to be,” said Jennifer Kincaid, college counselor. Greenhill allows students to reapply after expulsion. After facing their consequence, students and parents have come to Mrs. Ross to thank her for the wake-up call. “When kids have been suspended and have to report it to colleges, Every it is filled with a lot of student’s fear. It’s powerful every story is year when [students] get different. [The in [to college]even with disciplinary an infraction as part of policy] is very their record,” said Mrs. Greenhill.” Ross, who has worked in college admissions and as a college counselor. “If a student made a mistake, wrote about it well and the school supported it, it can actually really be a positive for the student,” she said. While some may think the school’s policy is too lenient and not realistic, Mrs. Ross said she thinks Greenhill’s disciplinary policy is actually in keeping with real world procedures. For example, all students must sign an agreement at the beginning of the year, which signifies that the student has read and understood everything in the student handbook and that he or she agrees to abide by the honor code. “We’re not naïve,” Mrs. Ross said. “We know [students] often don’t read the handbook. But a signature means something. When you sign something, that comes with responsibilities.” story by Sera Tuz graphic by Sera Tuz and Ariana Zhang
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