The Story
BHS had an active shooter drill this past Thursday.
Huh?
In the 46 weeks of 2019, the US has seen 45 school shootings. The Bedford district decided they wanted to address this common issue and make sure the students know the correct procedures if need be. Teachers had been trained last year and over the summer, and Mr. Jozokos decided that students should be involved.
So what went down?
The lockdown only lasted for a couple of minutes, just for students to understand what to do if a school shooting happens in second block and to learn to strike, scream, run… Students then asked questions and discussed with their teachers and advisors.
How does everyone feel?
Conversations have been positive yet disturbing－it’s not exactly a happy subject. Most students felt like it was good practice. But the fact that there was a school shooting in California at the exact time of our drill wasn’t great.
What is being done about it?
There is a district wide team, including Mr. Fournier, Mrs. Noe and Mrs. Palmer, that is coming up with solutions. And get this－they’ve been in touch with the FBI and Homeland Security where they discussed more measures the school could take to protect the students (door barricades, fire ladders, etc.). Go big or go home eh?
The Runaway
On a more serious note, if you see something, say something. And we’re forseeing another discussion. On why breathing is important. It seems like some students are forgetting.
What to say…
When you’ve noticed a change in our lead story…
WHAT ABOUT THE HELMETS?! You’ve caught the plague. Who knew you could be so invested in head protection for a (sorry) not-super-popular-among-the-spectators sport? We’re thinking about devoting ourselves to the drama of basketball knee pads since the helmet thing is finally over. Yep, believe it. The school board voted 3-2 to mandate helmets for girls lacrosse last Tuesday. Three players, a parent and a longtime coach spoke against the motion, arguing against the board’s right to make this decision, both in their knowledge of the sport and in the jurisdictional power of the board. But it didn’t seem to matter, though the players did flip Cindy Chagnon, who originally intended to vote in favor of the helmets. Chagnon and John Schneller wanted to wait to vote until next year, when the US Lacrosse study was finished. But alas. Bill Kassler’s data trumps all. So girls soccer－you’re next!
When you are trying to find something to do for forced family fun time…
Don’t count on the musical. This year, the BHS Theater Company’s production is The Wedding Singer. If you saw one of the four shows last weekend, you may have noticed that the musical is rated PG-13. This is the first time a BHS musical has needed a definitive rating. Why? Apparently, they didn’t censor much. According to performers in the show, the only word taken out of the script was the F-bomb (staying consistent with principal goals). Everything else, from sex jokes to every other word imaginable, is still performed onstage. Performers from past musicals say that previous productions have included drug references and the occasional profanity, but not to this extent. So we guess it’s a new era for the BHS Theatre Company. How did this even get approved, anyway? This may come as a surprise, but every musical at the school is given the green light by Mrs. Noe. We find it hard to believe too.
Things to Know
In case you forgot…
You can go see The Wedding Singer this coming Friday or Saturday at 7:00.
If you’re free…
Vaping will be unveiled tomorrow night at 6:30 at BHS. Go to find out whatever the heck that means.
Like & Subscribe!
Mr. Fournier is vlogging. There. We said it. Nobody else has acknowledged it so here we are. We’re waiting for the next tutorial: How to Deal with Angry Bedford Parents.
For the civically engaged:
Or monetarily motivated: budget meeting tonight at 6:00! Woohoo. Yay.