Students may remember the BYOD day back in mid-December before Holiday Break; “Bring Your Own Device Day” was used to promote the School Climate Survey that members of the Scituate High School Council helped to create. Members of the council voiced concern about the current environment at Scituate High School and wanted to gain student perspectives about the issue, thus creating the survey.

As it happened, the climate survey took place only a few weeks after the Sandy Hook tragedy, which explains some of the data on “Student Safety” in the school, like only 60% of the population at SHS feeling safer because of the security cameras. With these results and more displayed at the most recent High School Council meeting, concerns arose among parents, teachers, and students, and administration now wants to address the most pressing issues.

Five year High School Council member Mrs. Ciulla expressed her own concern. “If students don’t feel safe, they are not capable of learning any new material. This should become a priority for teachers, working on these numbers. More importantly, I’d like to know why; is it the unlocked doors or bullying in the hallways. What is it?” Ciulla said.

On the day of the survey, only about 74% of the student population was in school, and because of this, some of the data could potentially be skewed, but in a section summary of the statistics reported, there was both good and bad news regarding the student body at SHS. For example, 59% of students surveyed participate in extra-curriculars, 71% participate in athletics, and 43% in both. This shows a high interest in school-sponsored events, and reflects positively on students. Senior Jake Brady agreed. “I know a lot of my friends are athletes or involved in academic clubs. Kids here are pretty involved,” he said.

However, data also shows unpleasant statistics that could be potential problems for the SHS environment. 30% of students feel that their teachers are not respected by students in the classroom. Although not a striking number, almost a third becomes a significant amount when it comes to student-teacher respect. Conversely, 89% of students feel that teachers respect them, which is promising.

Additionally, and perhaps most importantly, 31% of students report that bullying, including cyber-bullying, is an issue at Scituate High School. 92% of students here are aware of the SHS anti-bullying policy, and still around a third of the population reports physical or verbal tension between students.

As of now, administration is attempting to figure out in which classes teachers are disrespected or where the majority of bullying, at school and on-line, is happening. “Our plans are to talk with students in their non-academic classes, like studies or in the library. We want to invite students to the senior cafe space to have a conversation and get some feedback.” Assistant Principal Ms. Grindle said.

The reality is that many students know which teachers will crack down on discipline, and where bullying can be most prevalent.

Right now, something needs to be done to change these numbers. Students spend six, if not more, hours a day at 606 Chief Justice Highway, and it should be a place where everyone feels not only accepted, but safe. We may be praised because of our participation in extra-curriculars, but there are issues much more concerning than that that need to be evaluated, and students are the only one that can make the change.