The Story
The school board just found out that high school students aren’t perfect little angels.
Explain.
Remember the Youth Risk Behavior Survey that was handed out two years ago in advisory? The survey asked some riskay questions about drugs and alcohol, sex, weapon possession, and bullying. Well, the results are out, and the school board is not happy.
Hit me with it.
Let’s just say there are some problems at BHS. The first one: Drugs and alcohol. The school board is stressing that students need “friends they can turn to.” 48.3% of students have friends who totally support them smoking weed, and 16.1% have friends who support them taking prescription drugs for recreational use. Were those the friends you were talking about?
And guess what else?
106 students have been raped at some point in their lives－that’s 42 of the juniors and seniors. Just a tad disturbing, don’t ya think? And to go with it, 60 students reported having sexually assaulted someone, which is three times the state average. THREE! It’s no wonder all of the other towns hate us. We’re rich, good at sports, and don’t understand that no means no.
Is there more?
Oh, yes. 76 students carried a weapon on school property in the month before taking the survey. 28 of the 76 are still going to our school. Hey, Mr. Hagen, where are those new safety measures?
The worst…
31% of students did not drink 100% fruit juices in the past week before the survey. THE HORROR. Seriously, that was a question. And “fruit juices” is not code for alcohol.
And what does the school board think?
There’s a bullying crisis. Yes, that’s what we were worrying about too. In the 2016-2017 school year, 22.2% of the BHS student body reported being bullied in that year. Our new superintendent is taking action against issue (see below). But, this is great! Everyone should feel safe going to school. We’re just a little more concerned that 209 students considered killing themselves in the year prior to the survey, and 106 actually attempted suicide. But yes! Bullying!
So now what?
The school board created both a bullying task force and a sexual assault task force. So at least they understand one of the bigger issues. However, for some odd reason, the bullying task force is addressing bullying throughout the district, when this was strictly a BHS survey. Sorry, fifth graders, maybe you’ll get a talk about consent too. Also, back in July when Chip McGee (aww, weren’t those the days?) presented the results, he was really only concerned with those that were above the state average, because those are just embarrassing. Who cares that 10.1% of Bedford students use prescription drugs without a doctor’s prescription? It’s 1.4% lower than NH.
The Runaway
The survey reported some unsettling numbers on some unsettling things. The school board is trying to take action, because every time the survey is handed out, those numbers are getting higher.
What to Say when…
You can’t tell which football player just scored…
It was probably Ryan Toscano. Toscano had two TDs last Friday against Nashua North. He was declared the best player on the field, and even the opposing coach gave him creds. Thomas Morgan and Harry LeGoullon also contributed TDs, and Maddy Lucontoni a field goal. Now, can we please have a moment of silence for Cole Wheeler and Tim Galamaga? The two starting offensive tackles were both taken out with knee injuries during the game. So, how’s D1 looking? The division favorites, Manchester Central and Pinkerton both won their games. And the possible contenders? We beat Nashua North, and Salem beat Exeter, and all four are considered teams to watch. Goffstown, a possible contender, lost to Merrimack, who wasn’t even listed in the preseason top ten. That’s just embarrassing. But you know who else isn’t supposed to be a contender? BG. Doesn’t that just make you smile? Now you’ll have a good rest of the day. You’re welcome.
You get a concussion during Wellness…
It must be bullying. This summer, the school board had a meeting that was focused on bullying. Freshman, Hannah Guillemette, who started an anti-bullying campaign two summers ago called “I’ve got your back,” and her mom gave a presentation at the meeting. Last Monday, our new superintendent, Mr. Fournier, outlined a bullying task force that will have around 20 people including a parent from each school and maybe even students from BHS and Lurgio. Their goals? Review policies, introduce the necessary skills to reduce bullying, try to control cyberbullying, and decide if Bedford’s bullying policy should apply to staff as well, because stealing lunches is a huge problem in the teacher lounge. We’ll help you out, Mr. Fournier: Bring back Kelso the Frog.
You receive more time for you to waste…
That’s what school’s all about, right? The new double advisory schedule gives everyone an extra 20 minute “managed time.” Did you note the quotations? We don’t know about you, but there is no way anyone is going to get anything done in those 20 minutes. So, more time to waste! Mr. Jozokos explained that we need this strange schedule because there are too many advisories and not enough rooms. The solution? Conquer Lurgio.
You’re hungry at school…
Is it lunchtime yet? But, what if you don’t have your ID? And no cash? At the end of last year, credit card scanners were added to school vending machines. They also work if you have your credit card on your phone. So you don’t have to be hungry anymore, which is always something to worry about when you live in Bedford.
Things to know
1905 Adolescence
Our fall musical is Fiddler on the Roof, the story of a Jewish man who deals with three boy-obsessed daughters and a Russian tsar who has some sort of problem with Jews. Sounds like a mixture of IB History I and 10 Things I Hate About You.