The Story
Two neighboring schools just had some close calls with school shooters. So, the Runaway had a little chat with Mr. Jozokos and Officer Spike.
Back up
A week ago from last Friday, on September 21, Pinkerton had a shelter-in-place due to a student made bomb threat or school shooting. Two weeks prior, on September 7, Central faced a lockdown lasting until almost 10 p.m. due to a shooter in an apartment with a sightline to the school.
So what does this have to do with us?
Last year, after the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, school shootings were brought to the forefront of everyone’s mind. Remember our scenic walkout? Or the jolly security brainstorming session with Mr. Hagen? How about the just-for-fun lockdown drill where we barricaded the doors? We’re all now hyper-aware that school shootings are a pretty common occurrence, and NH had two “almosts” in the month of September.
Are we safe?
According to Spike, the school is as secure as it can be. His only two complaints: a lack of live-monitored cameras, and side-door-openings-to-mysterious-people. If someone “unexpected” comes in, cameras would make it easier to quickly identify a problem. The latter refers to students letting people, both adults and other kids, into the school through side entrances. And it’s true. If you see someone banging on a side door, you don’t want to be ‘that jerk that just leaves them stuck outside.” But, usually, no one really knows who exactly they are letting in, or thinks about why they aren’t going to a main entrance.
So what else?
This year, the school district is implementing the run-hide-fight procedure for teachers and students. It’s pretty self-explanatory. In the case of a school shooter, teachers will make the decision for their class to run, hide, or fight. Jozokos made it clear that the ‘run’ option is really only valid for first floor classes, so sucks to suck second and third floor. As far as fight goes, essentially everyone throws something/runs at the shooter, rather than just sitting there. Maybe chromebooks will actually have a good use. Teachers will go through training soon, and it’s expected that students will near the end of the year.
What now?
Just do your thang. Act natural. Be that typical high school student. But, a message from Spike: report any suspicious activity (anonymously if you wish). Kid posting pics of a gun on his Snapchat story? Something might be wrong. And you know why we’re a great school? Now, we’re sure that you hear this everyday, but the answer this time is that no other school reports things. Students at BHS actually go to administration to tell them that there’s going to be a fight after lunch. So, either we’re a great school, or the biggest snitches. You choose.
The Runaway
Tensions were high last year, and no one has forgotten. If you have, start remembering. Keep your eyes open, and be that jerk that doesn’t let in the helpless person at the side door.
What to say…
When you haven’t paid any attention to football all season…
It doesn’t matter－hop on the wagon. We are currently 5-0, and are predicted to be number one in tomorrow’s power poll (suck it Pinkerton). We have four games left in the regular season, three of which, Nashua South, BG, and Keene, should be easy wins. Our only chance of a good game is Merrimack. The team is 4-1, and lost to Central, who we beat last Friday 45-0. We’re still a little bitter because Roger Brown predicted a close game. That’s just embarrassing to be that wrong. Now, let’s talk playoffs. The best team in each conference (north, west, south, and east) will automatically qualify for playoffs. Two other teams from each partnered conference (north/west and south/east) will also qualify, putting a total of four teams per a conference partnership in the playoffs, eight teams in total. We will without a doubt be the champions of the north conference. Jury’s out on who will be the winner of the west conference, but it looks like the four teams going to the playoffs from the north/west partner conference are Bedford, Central, Merrimack, and Nashua North. On the other side of the tracks, Winnacunnet will definitely be the winner of the East conference, and the winner of the south conference is still up for grabs. However, the fours teams that will most likely go to playoffs from the south/east partner conference are Winnacunnet, Pinkerton, Salem, and Londonderry. Anyone else predicting a championship for Bedford?
When that spider you stepped on just won’t die…
Sounds like the counselor issue. Last Monday, at the school board meeting, Superintendent Mike Fournier made a last minute add to the agenda: the no access policy. Better late than never, right? Nope. To many, never would be better. So what is this ‘no access policy?’ Mr. Hagen not only allowed students to change guidance counselors upon request, but restricted counselors Mulcahey and Mattson from leading assemblies, classroom presentations, and supervising college sessions. Last Monday, Fournier had rethought the decision (whether it was initially his or Hagen’s), since the two counselors are no longer under investigation. Fournier concluded that revising the no access policy would not harm any students. So how did the audience react? Not well, not well at all. One person felt that the last minute change of agenda was not right, and two claimed that they had been subject to “Mulcahey’s retaliation.” A BHS senior wisely noted that these events that parents want the counselors to be restricted from do not occur very frequently. And, weirdly, one parent supported Fournier and the school board on revoking the no access policy. Who would’ve thought it could’ve happened? No decision has been made yet, so it’s another cliffhanger.
When your advisor keeps nagging at you to join some clubs…
RBD, help! We’ve got you covered. We’re hoping that you went to the club fair last Friday－either way, we’ve organized the clubs into a neat, little guide to help you out. However, to keep it fun and suspenseful, we are releasing one grouping of clubs at a time. The first one is right here, and the rest will be released throughout the week. Keep an eye out on Twitter @RunawayBulldog.
Things to Know
Taking HS Football to the Next Level
Because we all like the numbers to see who’s the best, we created a TD tracker to keep track of our top scorers. And, if you plan on putting some money down on who’s going to be our top scorer next week vs. Nashua South, you’re going to want to reference it. (Pssst Ryan Toscano is a safe bet.)
Taking Your College Apps to the Next Level
Want something interesting on your college apps? Write for us! We’d love to have you.
Since You’re Curious
We’re now on Instagram @runawaybulldog. We post the most amazing pictures of…running bulldogs. Who wouldn’t want to see that?