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Binders are a hindrance
Thursday, August 7, 2008 5:32 AM PDT
The new binder policy for Lodi High is flawed and ineffective.
For a large number of students, the mandatory use of a single behemoth binder is becoming a hindrance. Although the intention for this course of action is understood, I, along with many peers, know the policy has done little for those it intended to help: the unorganized percent of our student body.
For many organized students, this policy will obstruct an already efficient system of organization. Right now, scores of crisp, new white binders lay in campus trash cans — a testament to those unwilling to follow the newly established rule. Although not the best course of action for irate students to follow, it shows the protest given by a large number of students.
However, there are still quite a few students who find the new binder tolerable, and for some, this free binder may be welcomed as a helpful system of organization; but not all share such contentment. I fear for those who have been using their own systems effectively for years; being forced to change personal organization styles will make us less organized and efficient. We belong to a school that preaches non-discrimination and an embrace of all learning styles, so why does that same school force us into one method of organizing?
We are not trying to challenge the school's authority; we only want a system that works for us. Many of us are rather flexible when it comes to changes, but with change like this, it is quite difficult to adjust — especially when the change is not the best of ideas to begin with. As any student can attest, these large three-ring binders are difficult to keep organized and are known to break under pressure — say the pressure of six periods of homework, quizzes, tests and notes all crammed into its slim, skinny, aluminum rings. More so, we are expected to divide this binder into not only six categories for our periods, but further divide those divisions into more divisions for the specifications of our individual teachers. These binders are cumbersome and don't fit into backpacks.
The student body speaks and respectfully asks for a better system or even better, a choice. I will proudly carry this opinion every day to school; that is, if I have any room to carry it.
Brendan Pinder
Lodi
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Jess wrote on Aug 11, 2008 3:07 PM:
edumacation wrote on Aug 11, 2008 11:56 AM:
2) Is the seller related to anyone in the LUSD?
3) I hope its not a GOB binder deal? "
WY wrote on Aug 10, 2008 5:07 PM:
dyan wrote on Aug 9, 2008 10:33 AM:
dyan wrote on Aug 9, 2008 10:31 AM:
mainframe wrote on Aug 8, 2008 9:38 PM:
crashcup wrote on Aug 8, 2008 7:40 PM:
Lodian wrote on Aug 8, 2008 11:57 AM:
Lodian wrote on Aug 8, 2008 11:56 AM:
I'd say, "YES"! It seems like backpedaling doesn't it? Kinda saving face after a failed plan. "
Lodian wrote on Aug 8, 2008 11:53 AM:
girard74 wrote on Aug 8, 2008 11:24 AM:
Curious. "
Lodian wrote on Aug 7, 2008 11:05 PM:
girard74 wrote on Aug 7, 2008 7:24 PM:
I wonder if this controversy could have been avoided had this information been conveyed to the student body prior to distribution of the binders. Since I do not know for certain whether or not such instructions were announced at the school, I think I'm going to side with the school on this one (until proven otherwise) because after considering the matter a little more I cannot imagine how they could have actually forced anyone to use the binders.
No matter who 'dropped the ball' in this little episode, the fact remains that there were too many students who opted to behave in a most immature fashion by throwing their binders in the trash rather than just hand them back and say, 'No thank you.' "
Cogito wrote on Aug 7, 2008 6:18 PM:
Lodian wrote on Aug 7, 2008 5:58 PM:
Seriously, a "binderless" kid is not going to die. After all, binders can easily be available just for the asking. This really isn't that hard. "
Crashcup wrote on Aug 7, 2008 4:49 PM:
Zinfandel wrote on Aug 7, 2008 4:28 PM:
Zinfandel wrote on Aug 7, 2008 4:08 PM:
Lodian wrote on Aug 7, 2008 3:31 PM:
Lodian wrote on Aug 7, 2008 3:29 PM:
Zin: Now that you have shared what year, and where, you went to high school would you like to amend your statement regarding "ALL" the students?
Okay, I know you were stretching the truth to make your case/point, but let's be realistic here and stay in the present, not back in the day. "
Lodian wrote on Aug 7, 2008 3:26 PM:
"Lodian, since you seem to be so interested in my life..."
LOL! Funny stuff. "
Lodian wrote on Aug 7, 2008 3:25 PM:
zinfandel wrote on Aug 7, 2008 3:20 PM:
The one binder system was more common in those days then it is now. There may have been some students back then who had several...the majority in the OLD days had one.
How many high school students were attending then. I am not sure, but, I am positive not as many as attend our local high schools now.
P.S. Glad to hear that your "knickers are not in a twist" LOL "
Lodian wrote on Aug 7, 2008 3:13 PM:
Lodian wrote on Aug 7, 2008 3:10 PM:
I agree.
Oh, and you couldn't get my knickers in a twist if you tried. LOL "
Lodian wrote on Aug 7, 2008 3:04 PM:
midtowner wrote on Aug 7, 2008 1:31 PM:
Trite: yes "
zinfandel wrote on Aug 7, 2008 1:16 PM:
" Zinfandel wrote on Aug 7, 2008 9:09 AM:
"I personally think that one binder is more practical and takes up less room in a backpack. When I attended high school all the students had only one binder and the system worked well."
Lodian, if you had taken the time to read the rest of post you would have seen that I said the following:
Each student should decide what works best for them.
Next time read the complete post before you get your knickers in such a twist! "
girard74 wrote on Aug 7, 2008 12:49 PM:
I wonder then what the penalty is for any student not using this school-provided binder. How will this affect their lives at Lodi High School?
Rather than chuck them into the garbage (which is indicative of an incredible lack of respect), they should have simply continued to utilize whatever organizational tool(s) that they see fit. Their parents (including me) should sit down with our children and discuss the matter to arrive at a well-thought out decision. If then they decide that not using the binder is worth whatever penalty that may follow, allow the system to take its course. At 13 or 18 (or any age), people need to understand that there are consequences for our choices. When they come, this is when their characters become revealed in the way that they handle those consequences. Surely this should be part of the 'educational' portion of going to school, wouldn't you think? "
Lodian wrote on Aug 7, 2008 12:26 PM:
Lodian wrote on Aug 7, 2008 12:24 PM:
girard74 wrote on Aug 7, 2008 12:12 PM:
By the way, I DID listen to what Brendan had to say; I simply responded to what I believe to be flaws in his thinking processes. In case there are those who don't realize it, this forum exists solely to discuss what is published in the LNS. It is not designed to act as a child/senior-care service nor a platform for others to spew forth their vitriol and hatred. In the spirit of debate, Brenden needs to understand that very soon people will not simply sit back, read his words and nod their heads in unanimous agreement. I suggest that if he (or anyone else) expects this to be the case this letter would have been better off published in the school newspaper. "
Lodian wrote on Aug 7, 2008 12:11 PM:
Nope, doesn't apply. "
Lodian wrote on Aug 7, 2008 12:08 PM:
midtowner wrote on Aug 7, 2008 10:34 AM:
Lodian wrote on Aug 7, 2008 10:31 AM:
Lodian wrote on Aug 7, 2008 10:26 AM:
Lodian wrote on Aug 7, 2008 10:23 AM:
midtowner: In that case I think you should address your concerns toward the administration as they spent the money. I do not run a high school full of thousands of children, but I could have told you immediately, upon knowing of this binder idea, that a lot of these binders would end up in the garbage can. It's unfortunate, but true. Let's be more careful on how the money is spent. Think before spending. Remember, a lot of these kids are being raised in a "throw-a-way" society that most of America has created. "
Lodian wrote on Aug 7, 2008 10:16 AM:
You said, in reference to the kids that threw away binders, that "This smacks of innate immaturity". Well, of course it does! They are immature! LOL! Some of these kids are 13 years old for Gods sake. They are kids. They should not have thrown the binders away (obviously), but lets not be shocked when learning they dumped the binders. This could be corrected by NOT handing out binders to all students and allowing the students that want a binder to stop by and pick one up. Easy, huh? That would save money too! The administration needed to think this through a little more.
I say make these binders available, but not mandatory, for organization. "
Lodian wrote on Aug 7, 2008 10:01 AM:
"I personally think that one binder is more practical and takes up less room in a backpack. When I attended high school all the students had only one binder and the system worked well."
Zin: You "personally" think the binder is more practical. Well, that's just it! It's a personal decision on how to keep oneself organized. The binder idea was a nice ides, but not thoroughly thought out. And you cannot tell us that when you went to high school "...all the students had only one binder...". That's just ridiculous, unless you went to a school with only 5 people and you counted the binders. :-) Lodi High has thousands of students and there is no "one way" for everyone when it comes to organization. "
Zinfandel wrote on Aug 7, 2008 9:09 AM:
When I attended high school all the students had only one binder and the system worked well.
Each student should decide what works best for them. And if they decide that they do not want to use the binders provided to them, then turn them into the office so that others may use them. Throwing them away is a waste of tax payers hard earned money! "
girard74 wrote on Aug 7, 2008 8:52 AM:
Moreover, what does it really say about those students who toss an item of at least some intrinsic value into the trash simply because they don't 'like' what the school has attempted to do 'for' them? This smacks of innate immaturity that needs to be corrected quickly.
Also, were you actually chosen to speak for the entire student body as you seem to suggest in your last paragraph? My own daughter hadn't mentioned that there have been any special elections held since the start of school. Speaking for all students seems rather bold.
Finally, I marvel at the notion that the distribution and expectation of use of these binders is in any way discriminatory toward anyone. Its downright silly. "
midtowner wrote on Aug 7, 2008 8:23 AM:
One thing that irritates me to no end is the little punks who threw away their binders. That is my tax money which is being trashed and, frankly, it ticks me off! "
sam wrote on Aug 7, 2008 8:19 AM:
Everyone has different organizational methods that work for them. I can understand Lodi High trying help it's students discover and develop their own personal organizational skills, but to mandate one method for all is wrong.
Keep speaking out, Brendan. I hope your voice will be heard. "
Bulldog wrote on Aug 7, 2008 7:36 AM:
Don't let the establishment at LHS beat you down on this. You have articulated a valid complaint in a respectful manner. They should listen, and you should not back down. "
Comments on this story are now closed.