Whitney Butler, Writer
Current CMHS 8th graders and their parents have been working with advisors to plan and fundraise for their end of year trip, tentatively set for some time in May. Students were asked to vote on the destination of their choice, a couple options being Colonial Williamsburg or the traditional Washington DC trip.
Advisors of the trip stated that prior to giving the students these options it was discussed with previous superintendent Kelli Whytsell and given the green light to allow the students to choose. Ballots were sent out and the students answer was clear, they chose Colonial Williamsburg.
Parents were notified and fundraising began. This trip is funded solely by advisors, parents and students working together to raise the funds necessary for as many students as possible to go. Weeks after the vote, advisors received word that there would be no choice, regardless of what students voted for, the 8th grade trip would be to Washington DC.
As I’m sure you can imagine, parents like myself are furious. This trip will be taking place shortly after the primary elections, which if we are all being honest could bring forth a political nightmare. Parents understand the need for history lessons and learning about our government, but in todays world half of the history we learned as kids has been rewritten or erased to fit into this new political culture. And while I do think Washington DC has a lot to teach our children, there are other factors that should’ve been considered and discussed with the people who are essentially paying for the trip.
But, once again school administrators are using their power to dictate what is in the best interest of our children, without ever actually speaking to anyone. It is becoming all too common a practice lately for administration to speak for the children in our school system instead of listening to them. It always seems our children’s opinions are irrelevant, when in reality the children today have, at times, a broader understanding of what is going on in the world than we do as adults. Their experiences and exposure are vastly different than that of kids their age ten years ago. But because they are in fact, just children, their thoughts and opinions don’t hold near as much weight as they should.
Working with kids at the middle and high school levels has shown me that while they may still be children, their eyes are wide open, they see the world for what it is, through slightly less bias than we do as adults. And if you treat them as miniature adults, their level of conversation and quite frankly respect of those in authority raises astronomically. They are human and are constantly seeking validation in a world of adults who don’t always value their experience and opinions.
And while to some this whole ordeal may seem trivial, imagine being a kid, living in a world of constant politics, riots, COVID lockdowns, walking on eggshells trying not to miss label how someone identifies themselves, threats of more Covid lockdowns, former and current presidents under extreme political scrutiny…. Would you want to take your trip to where all the controversy began, or would you rather go somewhere where you can still learn about our nation’s history while still making memories with your friends?
The next school board meeting is set for October 16th at Arnoldsburg Elementary School. Several 8th grade parents, myself included, plan to attend this meeting should we not be granted a special meeting before then.
