The story
We’re back, after an interview with Mr. Fournier, with a little more information about these internal security cameras. Excited?
Remind me
Basically, the school board has a grant for cameras, both exterior and interior. No one has a problem with the external ones, but the internal ones are raising a few eyebrows. They would go outside of the bathrooms. And no, we don’t know why the adults want to watch kids walking to the bathroom either.
Why do we need these?
In case you didn’t know, people like to write bomb threats in the bathrooms. Kids are weird. We hope that this is just a phase they’re going through. Mr. Hagen brought this to the board’s attention last year, but they voted against cameras. Something about too much controversy. We think this past summer brought that word to a whole new meaning, so you’d think it wouldn’t be an issue any longer.
And now?
Now, Mr. Fournier is gathering information. That means talking with different groups: teachers, paraprofessionals, and custodians. You never know, the janitors may be worried about people seeing what they do after hours — blasting music, running through the halls. But, the biggest pushback has been from parents. Don’t you dare act surprised.
Explain
Let us clarify: some parents. Some parents are concerned about privacy (which we debunked two weeks ago), how the cameras will be used, and what they will do when they use them. Like the exterior cameras, only administration and the police will have access to the videos. Students seen on camera when something happens will not be “guilty until proven innocent,” or interrogated. Although, there has yet to be a decision on when the cameras will be used — whether it’s only for bomb threats, or for any incidents. But, to be honest, Mr. Fournier isn’t even sure this is going forward.
Say what?
Due to the concerns and all of the questions, Mr. Fournier is not optimistic that it’ll happen. Even though there was a petition signed by 184 parents for the cameras. And, when our most recent bomb threat happened, people were wondering why we didn’t have cameras. For some reason, cameras seem to equal safety. However, they will not be live-monitored. They will only be viewed after something happens. So, it’s not necessarily true.
What do you mean?
Out of all the years that Mr. Fournier has been here, he can only think of one bomb threat for which they didn’t know exactly who did it. But even then, they still had a pretty good idea. The students writing the threats usually post it somewhere or tell people. As word spreads, someone tells administration. Only at Bedford, right? We’ve got to say, not the brightest bomb threat writers. But maybe that’s to be expected.
What’s the point of the cameras then?
How do you shoulder shrug over text? Homeland Security, the police, and the state task force are pushing for internal cameras as necessities for school safety. But it seems like in a school full of sharers, there’s no need.
The Runaway
We will continue to wait…and wait…and then maybe bug Mr. Fournier again for an answer. But remember, students’ desire for increased school safety last year was made loud and clear. Administration seems to be listening.
What to do…
When you’ve started to feel good again about the happenings around Bedford…
Try to block out this past summer. Well, how could we forget the counselor issue? People seem to be moving on, but we haven’t had any closure. We don’t particularly care what the outcome is, but we feel like we need one. According to Mr. Fournier, it’s almost over with Mulcahey and Mattson. The only thing left to deal with: the no access policy. The school has surprisingly upheld the policy. The two counselors have not done any assemblies or presentations if ‘no access’ students were present. But Fournier is talking to all of these families, and trying to get rid of the policy. He will honor all that requested a change in counselors, but the complete no access is excessive. He personally does not think the counselors are dangerous. We can now cross those two off as people possibly writing the bomb threats. However, Ms. Blaney has been on administrative leave for what feels like forever. It’s because she has tenure, so it takes longer. We’re getting there. Not quite full closure, but partial. Baby steps!
When you can no longer find any seats in the library during managed time…
Conquer Lurgio. Screw this whole crowded kindergarten thing! Do you know how long the snack line has gotten at lunch? #firstworldproblems, we know! But, Mr. Fournier did tell us that BHS is full with its current 1500 students. The school has more students in it than it was designed for. However, he thinks that the enrollment numbers will plateau, and then decrease. Just when we were getting used to two advisories. If the number keeps growing, then, yes, we will need another building, which we interpret to mean that we have the go-ahead to storm Lurgio. So, everyone, hold on to your pitchforks — the day is coming.
When all of your classes have tests and projects due on the last week before break…
Cry and drink lots of coffee. And you know who cares? The school board. They put out a list of district goals for the next three years. There was some stuff about improving school safety, energy efficiency, bullying, and school stress. A survey was given to families at the beginning of the year, and one of their main concerns was student stress. We discussed with Mr. Fournier, and he hopes to create better student-teacher relationships. Students should be able to tell teachers when it’s too much, and teachers should be more aware of the learning environment. So we’re going to test it out this week — tell our teachers that we can’t take a test because it’s just too much.
When you need to find a way to talk about football again…
Eat, sleep, and breathe boys basketball. Apparently, football to basketball is a natural transition. The starting point guard? Thomas Morgan, Harry LeGoullon, Zach Garron, and Tim Greene are all seeing playing time too. Ryan Toscano just didn’t get the memo. Such a shame. However, while our football team finished first, New Hampshire Sports Page’s pre-season ranking predicts they’ll finish 13th out of 20. 13th! But the team feels they’ve only been ranked so low because they were senior heavy last year, and people are unfamiliar with the team. Isn’t that optimism beautiful? Go see their opening game tomorrow against Nashua South at the BHS gym, and see for yourself if that optimism is justified.
Things to Know
Including Everyone
Boys hockey won their first game against Salem, and tied their second game against Londonderry. Girls hockey lost against Souhegan. Girls basketball won against Memorial. So we had an array of outcomes. Swimming and diving has been, well, swimming and diving. We’d love to share those results but have no idea where to find them. (If YOU know, please share the mystery link!)
Calling Anyone and Everyone
Want to report for us? Run our social media? Run our website? Be in charge of advertising? Write for us? Want to be in charge of all sports? All of the clubs? Or just all of the above? We. want. you. Contact us.
Just to Heighten Senioritis
Graduation is June 8th, “rain or shine.” In case you need to start planning what you’re going to wear.
Ba Bye
Happy Holidays! This is our last issue before break. Our idea for the best Christmas present ever? Signing up your loved ones, and even your hated ones, for Runaway Bulldog. But thank you all for reading every week. We’ll pop up in your inbox and annoy Mr. Fournier some more in the new year!