VOICE OF THE PEOPLE | Nov. 2

The Herald

School has rules for a reason

After reading the letter about Chester High School, I became a bit defensive. I graduated from Chester in 2007, and I am now a junior at Winthrop University. I have also spent time at Chester High School since graduating by volunteering there.

I feel that although Chester High School can improve in some areas, all schools can, the things pointed out were not necessarily things that the administrators can help. Cockroaches are going to be in a building when the doors are constantly open, the school is feeding lunch to hundreds of students, and it is older than a few years. Exterminators can come every day, and roaches still will find their way in.

Boys have to tuck in their shirts because of pugnacious behavior. If their shirts are tucked in, it is easier for administrators to see weapons that they may have concealed in their clothing. IDs are also there for student protection. If administrators see someone without an ID, they will know that person should not be on campus unless he or she has signed in with the office. That rule is in place so that random people do not just come and roam the halls.

As far as the lunch line goes, it may be convenient to have another line to go through. However, with the economy, I am sure it would be difficult to spend money on hiring people to run it and making an area available to do so.

I realize that it has almost been two years since I was a student there, but if I went straight to the line when the bell rang, I always had plenty of time to get my lunch and eat.

I do not think there is much the school can do about that considering the cost to add another line and the fact that you have to spend a certain amount of time in the classroom so they are not really able to make lunch longer.

As a student, you should make it a priority to make it to class on time. If you do that, you would not have to spend that class period in in-school suspension.

In my entire four years at Chester High School I always made it to class on time, and it was never a problem.

The same rule about six absences was in effect while I was a student there, and it was also never an issue. If there is a circumstance that you need to be out of school for more than six days, you should have a doctor's excuse. That would be the only circumstance. The state requires that students spend so much time in a classroom so the student needs to be in the classroom and not absent.

I do feel the school should listen to students' opinions, but students must also think about why the school is doing certain things.

I am sure they have good reasons behind the rules they put in place. They are there to help students feel safe and be able to learn, which is why you are at school.

As a junior in college, I feel that Chester High School fully prepared me for college, and I truly value the education it gave me.

Jenna Darby

Chester

It's time to put the people first

Please put the people first. It is time for our representatives to step up to the plate and stop the nonsense. Mr. President, the world is looking at you to provide leadership and guidance for your people. Step up to the plate for us, Mr. President, and hit a home run. Show them all that you deserve that Nobel Peace Prize.

Elizabeth Otto

Rock Hill

Democrats need to produce on promises

I am a senior African-American veteran who voted for our president, who promised change. He promised a public option in the health reform bill. I am disappointed that he is equivocating. This is not the time for that. We need a public option with no loopholes. If he and the Democratic Party cannot produce, I will never vote for them again.

William M. Davis

Lancaster