The Future of Safety
Future student forums and the potential for safety talks
The first forum of the school year
At Central Kitsap High School, there is a way for students to participate in school politics called student forums. Student forums may only be two years old, but they are a vital part of student life. They are an opportunity for regular students to make their voices heard by the administration and ASB.
They are not only a CK development though! In Montana, students have used forums to demand that the district include them in safety concerns after discovering a massive disconnect between them, their parents, and the school administration. Since then, the district has made an effort to create a curriculum for all ages.
A forum has a simple set up. The ASB presents a list of topics, students comment, and the administration responds.
“We usually gather 4-5 topics that are in the students’ best interest or have been expressed as a majority concern,” says ASB president Grace Chun. In the past, that includes Chromebooks, school dances, graduation cap decorations, anything that students believe need to be addressed.
Changes have occurred because of the forums. Gender neutral Homecoming and Prom courts for example, are a result of them. They do listen to our suggestions and wants.
With that, with the next forum currently planned for April will most certainly have topics relating to school safety.
Students have many ideas for that.
A common chant for our age
Madeline Grundt, a college bound senior, says she would attend a forum with safety as a topic.
“ It won’t be quick, but with time, these problems and shortcomings can be fixed,” Grundt states. Any number of topics concerning safety would be acceptable: possible precautions, ethical precautions, expansion of current protocols, and a betterment of the school atmosphere.
While politicians battle over gun control, students must help their schools understand their needs. Do they want armed guards or metal detectors? Locked doors or a ban on backpacks? There are limitless possibilities up for debate. It’s up to students to tell the administration. Student forums are the perfect place, so why not do it?
