The school board has officially withdrawn the problematic language in the proposed policy. This outcome reflects the persistence of our community in demanding a more reasonable approach to professional boundaries. We remain committed to monitoring future developments to ensure these positive standards continue.
June 18, 2016
Petition Against Proposed Derry Township School Board Policy No. 824 Until Changes Are Made
Final supporters
UPDATE: Due to the strong support of students, parents, and our community, the Derry Township School Board has postponed a vote on this proposed policy to late June so that our community has had a chance to fully voice their concerns and propose changes to the policy. In May, student leaders met with the administration and proposed specific changes that we believe will make the policy realistic and much more suitable for our students and teachers. This revised language will be put up for 30 day review following the School Board meeting on May 23.
Now is the most important part. We encourage you to fully read the revised policy and submit your suggestions and feedback directly to the school district at bit.ly/DTSDpolicy.
____________________________________________________________________________
The Derry Township School Board is considering a policy that could change the way students and teachers are allowed to interact. Proposed Policy No. 824, "Maintaining Professional Adult/Student Boundaries," was ultimately intended to protect students, but the policy being proposed currently would have damaging and permanent effects on our education system. This petition asserts that we as students, teachers, parents, and a community strongly oppose the current wording of the policy and will not support it until numerous changes are made in the best interest of those to whom it pertains.
Within Hershey High School there is currently a group of class officers, student council members, and other student leaders working to change the policy. In a student-led effort, the group has successfully postpone a vote on the matter, and is considering input from all parties before they propose to the board a list of revisions.
Proposed Policy No. 824 (read here) has several fundamental problems, specifically regarding social interactions between students and teachers. In an attempt to protect students from any potential harm or abuse from teachers, the current version of the draft policy overcompensates and would actually create harmful barriers in many areas of communication, learning, and interacting at a time when we cannot afford it.
The policy essentially outlines a list of behaviors that would become prohibited for school district faculty at all DTSD schools, ranging from obvious and already illegal behaviors, such as sexual contact with students, to even disclosing personal or family matters with a student or class. This policy would be effective if robots rather than teachers were instructing students, but in reality, personal connections and relationships will always be a valuable tool that helps teachers to convey difficult concepts and deliver valuable advice to help guide students in their educational journey.
In addition, one provision of the proposed policy (Social Interactions - 16) states that students who bring up “personal or family” concerns be immediately referred to the guidance office to speak with a counselor instead of a teacher. However, students that engage in personal discussions with teachers build long-lasting relationships that cultivate an open and friendly learning environment. Katie, a recent HHS alumni, stated, “Forming relationships with my teachers who acted as role models and a support system for me was such a huge part of my high school experience.” By eliminating the ability for students to talk about their personal lives with teachers, we are hindering a necessary social and learning experience for all students.
Even if the policy is good-natured in its intent, its overbroad language would create a culture of paranoia and fear where teachers would not risk personal interaction for fear of discipline or termination. Our school district does not need something that tears our community apart, but rather for barriers to broken, and for our community to come together.
As a community, we can let our voices be heard by taking a stand.
- First, sign this petition to support the students working to modify Policy 824. Currently, a group of dedicated students representing the student body, teachers, and the community is working to propose necessary changes to the policy.
- Second, share your feedback on the policy with the School Board through this link so that our community agrees on changes that benefit us all. Also, come show your support at the next School Board meeting on Monday, May 9 at 7 p.m. in the Derry Township School District Office at 30 East Granada Avenue, Hershey. Be there in person to voice your concerns to the School Board about how this policy can be modified.
- Third, spread the word and share this effort with others to help us unite as a community on how to address this matter.
This is the chance to make a change in our community, and to show that when we work together -- students, parents, and our community can effect change on the issues that matter most to us.
Updates
May 3, 2016
The petition has officially reached one thousand signatures. This level of engagement confirms that our community values a transparent and collaborative approach to school policy.
Reached 1,000 supporters
May 3, 2016
Reached 100 supporters
May 2, 2016
April 30, 2016
We are currently approaching one hundred signatures on this petition. Please forward the link to your neighbors to ensure the School Board understands the full scope of community concern. Your engagement is essential for the success of our advocacy.
292 Comments
Moreover, many kids have parents who have the time and ability to help them through issues, but many do not. Some kids don't have parents who will be there for them, and denying them connections with trusted adults is extremely unfair.
My mother passed away my junior year at Hershey. 18 years later almost to the day, I remember all the conversations, cards, flowers and support from these wonderful teachers like it was yesterday, and can't imagine how such a rule would change this for the worse.
The emotional bond for students with teachers is imperative. They are together daily......sometimes the studenthas no one else to confide in.Hence, the student could suffer from abuse or neglect. A guidance counselor does not share that type of bond with the student.
I am a 1981 graduate of HHS. I currently live in Lititz, PA, where they recently enacted a similar policy. It has been very detrimental to the students here as well as the staff. This is a very poor policy choice for the Derry Township SD.
While boundaries need to exist, students need to be able to confide in teachers. My relationships with my teachers could not be replicated with a counselor I would see once or twice a year. I want my children to be safe, but this is excessive.
As a former educator, I can attest to the significance of student / teacher interaction beyond the classroom. It is those connections and caring that students take with them beyond the classroom that let them know they are real people becoming members of our adult society and culture, and are the future models by which we dmonstrate the qualities of "being a good and decent human being". The most prominent example of teacher / student communication outside the classroom is a teacher being an advisor or leader for one of those same student's youth groups or religious organizations. There is plenty of arguement for the separation of church and state, which are valid, however, consider the following scenario: A student having a difficult time attends a youth group. An advisor (also a teacher) attends to this student to help him/her with said issue on the grounds that are not associated with a school or for "educational purposes" on perhaps a Sunday evening. Does that same person / teacher / adult now forced to NOT discuss the issue with said student? Is the school now presenting a policy that will remove healthy interactions between the student / teacher when the student is at a critical junction of need / support / conversation from this very same adult? Another: Perhaps the teacher and the students parent are friends outside of the educational environment and exchange pleasantries on Social Media. Maybe the student's parent is suddenly taken seriously ill, or perhaps is killed in an auto accident. The teacher possesses specific knowledge of the parent that the student is already aware of, and by having a policy like this in place is now prohibited by language in assisting this student in a non-educational situation? Perhaps the teacher is even a neighbor, and able to offer the student something as simple as a ride home after missing a bus, or having an unnecessary delay from departing school. A policy like this would under
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The school board has officially withdrawn the problematic language in the proposed policy. This outcome reflects the persistence of our community in demanding a more reasonable approach to professional boundaries. We remain committed to monitoring future developments to ensure these positive standards continue.
June 18, 2016
Petition Against Proposed Derry Township School Board Policy No. 824 Until Changes Are Made
Final supporters
UPDATE: Due to the strong support of students, parents, and our community, the Derry Township School Board has postponed a vote on this proposed policy to late June so that our community has had a chance to fully voice their concerns and propose changes to the policy. In May, student leaders met with the administration and proposed specific changes that we believe will make the policy realistic and much more suitable for our students and teachers. This revised language will be put up for 30 day review following the School Board meeting on May 23.
Now is the most important part. We encourage you to fully read the revised policy and submit your suggestions and feedback directly to the school district at bit.ly/DTSDpolicy.
____________________________________________________________________________
The Derry Township School Board is considering a policy that could change the way students and teachers are allowed to interact. Proposed Policy No. 824, "Maintaining Professional Adult/Student Boundaries," was ultimately intended to protect students, but the policy being proposed currently would have damaging and permanent effects on our education system. This petition asserts that we as students, teachers, parents, and a community strongly oppose the current wording of the policy and will not support it until numerous changes are made in the best interest of those to whom it pertains.
Within Hershey High School there is currently a group of class officers, student council members, and other student leaders working to change the policy. In a student-led effort, the group has successfully postpone a vote on the matter, and is considering input from all parties before they propose to the board a list of revisions.
Proposed Policy No. 824 (read here) has several fundamental problems, specifically regarding social interactions between students and teachers. In an attempt to protect students from any potential harm or abuse from teachers, the current version of the draft policy overcompensates and would actually create harmful barriers in many areas of communication, learning, and interacting at a time when we cannot afford it.
The policy essentially outlines a list of behaviors that would become prohibited for school district faculty at all DTSD schools, ranging from obvious and already illegal behaviors, such as sexual contact with students, to even disclosing personal or family matters with a student or class. This policy would be effective if robots rather than teachers were instructing students, but in reality, personal connections and relationships will always be a valuable tool that helps teachers to convey difficult concepts and deliver valuable advice to help guide students in their educational journey.
In addition, one provision of the proposed policy (Social Interactions - 16) states that students who bring up “personal or family” concerns be immediately referred to the guidance office to speak with a counselor instead of a teacher. However, students that engage in personal discussions with teachers build long-lasting relationships that cultivate an open and friendly learning environment. Katie, a recent HHS alumni, stated, “Forming relationships with my teachers who acted as role models and a support system for me was such a huge part of my high school experience.” By eliminating the ability for students to talk about their personal lives with teachers, we are hindering a necessary social and learning experience for all students.
Even if the policy is good-natured in its intent, its overbroad language would create a culture of paranoia and fear where teachers would not risk personal interaction for fear of discipline or termination. Our school district does not need something that tears our community apart, but rather for barriers to broken, and for our community to come together.
As a community, we can let our voices be heard by taking a stand.
- First, sign this petition to support the students working to modify Policy 824. Currently, a group of dedicated students representing the student body, teachers, and the community is working to propose necessary changes to the policy.
- Second, share your feedback on the policy with the School Board through this link so that our community agrees on changes that benefit us all. Also, come show your support at the next School Board meeting on Monday, May 9 at 7 p.m. in the Derry Township School District Office at 30 East Granada Avenue, Hershey. Be there in person to voice your concerns to the School Board about how this policy can be modified.
- Third, spread the word and share this effort with others to help us unite as a community on how to address this matter.
This is the chance to make a change in our community, and to show that when we work together -- students, parents, and our community can effect change on the issues that matter most to us.
Updates
May 3, 2016
The petition has officially reached one thousand signatures. This level of engagement confirms that our community values a transparent and collaborative approach to school policy.
Reached 1,000 supporters
May 3, 2016
Reached 100 supporters
May 2, 2016
April 30, 2016
We are currently approaching one hundred signatures on this petition. Please forward the link to your neighbors to ensure the School Board understands the full scope of community concern. Your engagement is essential for the success of our advocacy.
292 Comments
While it is necessary to prevent inappropriate relationships between students and teachers this proposal seems to limit ALL relationships with teachers. Teachers are vital to the climate of Hershey High School and this will greatly upset the balance at our school.
Moreover, many kids have parents who have the time and ability to help them through issues, but many do not. Some kids don't have parents who will be there for them, and denying them connections with trusted adults is extremely unfair.
My mother passed away my junior year at Hershey. 18 years later almost to the day, I remember all the conversations, cards, flowers and support from these wonderful teachers like it was yesterday, and can't imagine how such a rule would change this for the worse.
The emotional bond for students with teachers is imperative. They are together daily......sometimes the studenthas no one else to confide in.Hence, the student could suffer from abuse or neglect. A guidance counselor does not share that type of bond with the student.
I am a 1981 graduate of HHS. I currently live in Lititz, PA, where they recently enacted a similar policy. It has been very detrimental to the students here as well as the staff. This is a very poor policy choice for the Derry Township SD.
While boundaries need to exist, students need to be able to confide in teachers. My relationships with my teachers could not be replicated with a counselor I would see once or twice a year. I want my children to be safe, but this is excessive.
As a former educator, I can attest to the significance of student / teacher interaction beyond the classroom. It is those connections and caring that students take with them beyond the classroom that let them know they are real people becoming members of our adult society and culture, and are the future models by which we dmonstrate the qualities of "being a good and decent human being". The most prominent example of teacher / student communication outside the classroom is a teacher being an advisor or leader for one of those same student's youth groups or religious organizations. There is plenty of arguement for the separation of church and state, which are valid, however, consider the following scenario: A student having a difficult time attends a youth group. An advisor (also a teacher) attends to this student to help him/her with said issue on the grounds that are not associated with a school or for "educational purposes" on perhaps a Sunday evening. Does that same person / teacher / adult now forced to NOT discuss the issue with said student? Is the school now presenting a policy that will remove healthy interactions between the student / teacher when the student is at a critical junction of need / support / conversation from this very same adult? Another: Perhaps the teacher and the students parent are friends outside of the educational environment and exchange pleasantries on Social Media. Maybe the student's parent is suddenly taken seriously ill, or perhaps is killed in an auto accident. The teacher possesses specific knowledge of the parent that the student is already aware of, and by having a policy like this in place is now prohibited by language in assisting this student in a non-educational situation? Perhaps the teacher is even a neighbor, and able to offer the student something as simple as a ride home after missing a bus, or having an unnecessary delay from departing school. A policy like this would under
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While it is necessary to prevent inappropriate relationships between students and teachers this proposal seems to limit ALL relationships with teachers. Teachers are vital to the climate of Hershey High School and this will greatly upset the balance at our school.