As we began a new school year, many hoped that after the year that was 2020-21, we could finally return to a comforting sense of “normal.” But now, looking back almost three months into the school year (the time of initially writing this article), it is abundantly clear something is different. Devious Licks. Increased fights in the hallway. Arguments. Kids walking out of class, the list goes on. After spending an isolating year inside, students are desperate for attention and interaction - even if those needs express themselves in unusual or harmful ways.
As the realities of returning to full time, in-person school, became apparent early in the school year, students and teachers alike talked openly about leaving or wishing for a stronger, more cohesive and less chaotic environment. Most immediately connected these unwelcome changes to COVID - that we feel this way because of some pent up energy, or lack of socialization. But is that really it? As we end Trimester 1 and near the end of trimester 2, it is clear everyone is overwhelmed and exhausted. So what is really going on? We asked several students around the school what they thought made this year feel so different. And weather COVID was really there to blame.
Sfwan Bendawi gave his take on Byers this year. Sfwan thinks this year feels “off” because we (especially sophomores) are currently exhibiting different levels of maturity. After over a year of indoor isolation, some of us matured - perhaps even more quickly than normal due to familial needs and day to day demands. Others remained frozen in time - on pause, waiting for the return of school. As Sfwan noted, “there was no settling into the school environment” at the start of this year, “you are directly hit with talking to people face to face and to the people that you thought you knew, but clearly have changed and matured.” The abrupt return to “normal” without so much consideration for the major shifts many experienced over the past eighteen months, as well as the lack of change and growth for others, more starkly highlighted the vast spectrum of behavioral and academic development. Again, as Sfwan notes, “we lost our freshman year which is deeply important to settling into ourselves.” Another Sophomore student, Gavin Hulse, described how he feels about this year. Gavin notes there's less order and everyone seems fed up with one another. As he puts it, “I think this year is way different, for one: it is much less organized. It feels like everything is planned out differently and everyone is rusty because of the long time home due to COVID. It is clear that staff and students are both overwhelmed.” Early in trimester 1, a group of students got into a heated argument with a teacher over said teacher’s policies. The argument lasted nearly an hour with no clear ground gained by either side. Along with that incident, staff-student tensions seem to be on the rise across the building. As we head into fall break and the end of the trimester, it's clear many here at Byers are exhausted and defeated by the new school year.
Less structure being a problem seems to be a sentiment shared amongst many students at Byers. Despite the complaints Byers had gotten in the past for its strict rules-centered nature, several students think the shift to less order isn't much better.
With a different perspective on the issue is Hana Razza. Hana has been a student at Byers since 6th grade and is now a sophomore. Hana notes, “At the beginning of my middle school experience, my biggest criticism of Byers was that harmful events are never taken seriously.” Whether it be discrimination or student misbehavior, Hana sees the increase in troubled student behavior as something that has always been at Byers, at least as long as she’s been here. Students have always had behavioral issues, students complain about their interactions with other students - maybe they get a stern talk too and nothing changes. Hana believes these problems exist in schools across the country, it is not a Byers problem. Hana also notes that strict responses from teachers only goes to further perpetuate and insinuate the problems that have always been part of the culture at Byers. These strict responses specifically target students of color, even in middle school this was true especially, in refocus rooms. As the lack of order has continued throughout the year, more and more teachers have lashed back with stricter policies. When asked if he felt this year was different as compared to others at Byers (aside from culture) Hana stated, “This year is different in ways that I can classify as good or bad. I feel like DSST is going through an identity change?” This sentiment seems to be shared by many, an “Identity Crisis’ is how the situation has been described by various other students. “Culture Problem”
Hana’s perception goes directly against the narrative that has been conveyed previously. This is nothing different than what we're experiencing; it's that we're just only noticing it now. But that of course begs the question, Why are we only noticing now? Is it really as simple as COVID?
We tested this question by putting it to the source.
We were able to get a hold of one of the aforementioned “devious licks” assailants. They have asked to remain anonymous for obvious reasons. They view the situation as much less complex. When asked about their motives they simply responded, “ I did it cause I’m just a p*mp like that and felt like doing it.” So.... maybe there isn't some reason behind these things, people just feel like doing what they want. Even so, it seems for the most part students are happy to be in school even if they don't like the content. When asked about this one student replied, “This year is better than last year because I got to see all the homies.” People are happy to interact with others. Another student said, “After being stuck inside for so long, the opportunity to talk face to face would seem tantalizing to most.” So it would seem after spending a year inside students are simply eager to socialize again. Even if that comes out in a less than ideal way.
Regardless of the source, this problem is something that the school will have to combat this year going forward. Since the start of the year, the school has not calmed down since the start. If anything the situation has only been made more difficult. COVID or not, the school faces a challenge ahead of what it wants to be and how it wants to get there… a challenge it might not be ready for.
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