Monday, July 7, 2008

Irving ISD bans phones and terrorism, awards do-gooder recyclers

By Chad Jones

At its most recent meeting last month, the Irving ISD School Board approved some changes to the Student Code of Conduct.

Talk to your children about cell phones.

"Yeah, I went over the numbers yesterday but—what? Tommy? No. I know, but—Tommy doesn't know what he's talking about. I looked at the numbers YESTERDAY."

Drugs

First, they removed suspension as one of the disciplinary actions for drug offense. Meaning, a student who is found guilty of possessing, distributing or taking drugs will either be placed in an alternative education program or expelled. One of the two. In addition, a student may be referred for prosecution and/or for completion of an appropriate rehabilitation program.

Cell phones

The Board also fully banned cell phones and electronic communication during the entire school day.

All devices now must be kept in the student’s locker or concealed in the student’s backpack, purse, or pocket in a deactivated mode (turned off) during the school day. The device must be kept out of view at all times. If They (the big "They" - teachers and other evil administration officials) see students in violation of these guidelines, the devices will be taken up and not returned until the end of the regular school year, or, less seriously, if the student/parent pays $15.

A new weapon in the battle against the YouTube generation: the Board also added the act of "staging, filming, videoing a fight or event that could cause injury or harm to other students" to the list of Phase II Misbehaviors. A new weapon in the war on terrorism angsty teens wanting attention: the Board has added a new Phase II Misdemeanor, that being if a student creates a false alarm or issues a "terroristic" threat against a public school.

Recycling Awards

Amongst other things, the Board also honored winners of the Recycling Awards Program.

Mr. Doug Sevier and Townley Elementary School were the winners of the "Mascot Award," which is $1,500 towards the purchase of a new school mascot costume. This was awarded based on being the campus with the best overall performance throughout the school year; they produced the greatest amount of recycled material over the course of the year. They also participated in all aspects of the program, recycling paper, aluminum and electronics. They educated their students and community about the importance of recycling and supported their campus “Green Team” in leading a terrific charge all year long.

Mrs. Maria Elena Coronado and Lee Elementary School were the winners of the "Green Principal Award." They were awarded $1,000 for being the campus that performed the best in all aspects of the recycling program for the final three months of the school year. This contest was a way for all campuses to wipe the slate clean and have a chance in the end even if they struggled early in the year. Schools competing in this contest had to fly their green campus banner on the flag pole, attend all recycling meetings, perform well in the recycling effort, recycle all types of materials in the program (paper, aluminum and electronics) and maintain an active “Green Team” to the end of the year—all of which requires the support of a Principal who acts as the recycling nucleus. In the end, Lee was able to claim victory.

Recycling and low waste is good and all, but if the Earth keeps sweating like this I think we're doomed.

The other three award winners were Nimitz High School, Houston Middle School and Britain Elementary School. Each of these campuses represented the winner of the EcoPhones Award for $750. They represented the top performing school at each level for recycling electronics.

And, to fend off sore losers when all was said and done, Keep Irving Beautiful also awarded all other EcoPhones contestants with $75 for participating in our newest area of recycling. These schools were:

• Barton Elementary School
• Brandenburg Elementary School
• Clifton Early Childhood School
• Stipes Elementary School

This was first year IISD was able to offer monetary awards, which came courtesy of a grant from the Embrey Family Foundation through Keep Irving Beautiful.

See more stories in:

• Environmental Issues
• Irving ISD