THE PAW PRINT Fall 2018 • Wilde Lake High School, 5460 Trumpeter Rd. Columbia, MD 21044 • Volume 46, Issue 1
Administration Looks for Long Term Solutions to Behavior Problems By Rebecca Nason In an attempt to reduce suspension and detention rates, while also improving relationships between students and staff members, Wilde Lake administration is training teachers to implement a new community building model called restorative justice. According to Mr. Wilson, students should expect less referrals and more conversations. According to Mr. Wilson, restorative justice aims to show why an action was wrong, how it hurt others, and how students can work to repair that hurt. Through engaging in community building activities such as class circles and open discussion teachers aim to build strong relationships with students. Understanding why a student acted in a particular way is emphasized. Mr. Wilson said that “In [restorative justice], we’re aiming to do stuff with students, rather than doing stuff to students. The administration is working to form a firm foundation with the staff, rather than starting with the students. As staff learns about restorative justice and begins to use its policies
in their classrooms, Mr. Wilson believes that, long-term, “A lot of positive outcomes will come [from restorative justice].” Some worry about the transition period and overall effectiveness of restorative justice. “Short term, it looks frustrating for teachers because it looks as though students are getting a free pass,” said Science teacher Ms. Alcaraz. Senior David Gaiano said, “People think they can get away with more now because they won’t get punished.” G/T resource teacher Ms. Dixon believes that restorative justice will positively impact her classroom dynamic. “There’s less attention on the little things, so teachers can focus.” Sophomore Joselyn Cruz agrees, saying that, “Repeat offenders who get detention just keep doing what they do, so it doesn’t really matter. I think through restorative justice they’ll realize it does.” In Ms. Volpe’s G/T U.S. History class, freshman Jocelyn Hibbard has seen improved classroom dynamics as a result of restorative circles, “Because we get to know each other Ms. Volpe (third from right) leads her US History in a restorative circle. A ball is passed better,” she said. “The teacher knows more around to indicate that it is the speaker’s turn to talk. (Photo by The Paw Print staff) about us and we know more about the teacher. “It causes more respect among everyone.”
In Response to Safety Concerns, Wilde Lake Locks Its Doors to Early Arrivers
Students arrive as early as 6:30 and wait outside of locked doors until 7:10. (Photo by The Paw Print staff)
By Rachel Henry and Hope Kahn Every morning at 7:10 a.m., the Wilde Lake doors unlock and students cram together to enter the school building. This year, administration is not allowing students to enter the building until 7:10, the contracted teacher start time. According to Mr. Wilson, this is to ensure the safety of the students “It minimizes the opportunity for someone who doesn’t belong in Wilde Lake to be in our building,” he said. Last year, students were allowed to enter the building as early as 6:15. Students gathered on mainstreet,
went to the media centered to hang out and complete work, and visited teacher classrooms. This year, bus riders wait on busses until they are released and walkers wait outside the doors until 7:10. Junior Zoe Davidson waits on her bus for 15 minutes after arriving at school. “I wish the buses would come later to my house so that I could have more time in the morning,” she said. When winter weather conditions worsen, administration says they will allow students to congregate in an appropriate area such as the cafeteria instead of waiting outside. According to junior Haley Lynch,
there isn’t enough time to meet with teachers and prepare for the school day. “There’s only a maximum of 15 minutes from the time I enter the building until I have to be in class. I need a few more minutes to get to my locker and to get breakfast. I used to be able to do everything, but now I don’t have time,” said Lynch. The media center has also made changes to their morning. Library specialists Ms. Bailey and Ms. Palmateer are changing their rules for the first time in years, and all for the benefit of students. “It’s a big change,” said Ms. Palmateer. “There are pluses and minuses. I like that there aren’t already students in the media center who have been unsupervised. On the other hand, the media center was a good social situation,” said Ms. Bailey. “We could help people, and it wasn’t the rush we have now. It’s hard on [the students] because if you came to the media center last year we were strict to the bell, but now we let kids come to the last minute.” Mr. Wilson knows there’s been controversy about the new policy. “But its for the safety of our students,” he said.
Administration Relaxes Outdated Hat Policy “When students come to school, they don’t want the first thing they hear to be take your hat or hood.” -Mr. Wilson By Preeta Singh This year, administration relaxed the policy on hats and hoods, an update that comes after decades of disagreement between students and teachers over headwear. According to Mr. Wilson the revision to Policy 9210, which once prohibited headwear in the building, now allows students to wear hats and hoods and religious coverings during the school day. Wilde Lake is the only school in the county to make this change. According to Mr. Wilson, other schools are considering changing their policies too. “The policy is outdated,” said Mr. Wilson who feels we are headed in the right direction.
G/T Research teacher Ms. Dixon now allows hats in her classroom and believes that this new dynamic will “allow less attention on the little things, and put more attention on content in class,” she said. “Education shouldn’t be affected by the hat you wear.” For some students, this new idea has made them feel more comfortable to be their own individual. “I really like that I can cover my head,” said Collins Tadjou, an 11th grader who was wearing a hood. “It’s nice that I am free to wear what I want in the building.” According to Mr. Wilson, when students come to school, they don’t want the first thing they hear to be ‘take your hat or hood off.”