This article was written by Jennifer López, a junior at San Benito High School in Hollister. The article is part of BenitoLink’s Junior Journalism Project which is partially funded by United Way of San Benito County.
Youth Alliance and San Benito High School students collaborated to create a forum, which took place March 27 from 3:15-5:00 p.m. to discuss school safety. Accomodations were made for the small group of about 11 students.The forum was set up so that the main leaders of the group, who were also scribes, asked the group three main questions. Originally 50 students were expected but instead only 11 attended, allowing them to work all together in a close group..
The three questions asked were:
“Are you aware of the resources at your high school?”
“Where on campus do you feel safe/unsafe? What can the school do to improve this?”
“With the pressures of being judged, what kind of help could students benefit from?”
Many of the students were unaware of the resources available to them. Most did not know that San Benito High School has a school psychologist available for walk-in visits, or that they could ask for emotional support at the Youth Alliance in room 396, or talk to a coordinator like Mrs. Ana in room 196.
Even ASB kids knew were unaware that students have had a drug treatment program for five years, despite being so involved with the school.
One of the problems Principal Adrian Ramirez mentioned was that if everyone knew where the drug treatment program was located, students actually struggling with the issue wouldn’t want to walk in there because other students could easily figure out that they were having an issue with drugs.
Ramirez said they are trying to come up with a way to have students become aware of the programs the school has, but to also to create an environment where students aren’t ridiculed or put down in any way because of their own personal struggles.
When discussing the second question on school safety, the students agreed it wasn’t a particular area on campus that they felt more safe, but that it was the people they were with who made them feel safe. For example, having campos and trained professionals around helped create a feeling of safety for students. They agreed that students need staff to be supportive emotionally, not just physically.
Students prefer to have teachers, coordinators, and administrators be involved with them. Students want authorities to build actual relationships with the students, to ask them how their day went, and what their plans are for the future.
Students also mentioned that they feel safer in closed campuses, where intruders aren’t likely to come into the school.
The third question asked what kind of help did students needed. The students agreed that the school needs to hire more counselors for the 3,000+ students who attend the school. Another idea that arose was to have a dedicated time during the bell schedule to provide more support. As well as having restorative justice for both student and teacher problems. Students asked that students and teachers be taught to recognize the signs of people in emotional distress.
The Youth Alliance leaders explained that main reason for the forum was to listen to the youth’s voice and take it out into the community. The group of students who did come out to the forum were thanked. And there was talk about having another forum for the students of San Andreas Continuation High School.
BenitoLink wants to thank Jennifer López for reporting for BenitoLink on campus safety, asking tough questions and developing her journalism skills.
About the BenitoLink Junior Journalism Project- BenitoLink is interested in hearing from community members and invites young (and old) writers and photographers to give journalism a try and attmept to communicate a story that matters to them. This is the first year of the Junior Journalism Project and BenitoLink thanks United Way of San Benito County for the support they have given this endeavor.
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