GPHS: The Importance of Respect
In this opinion article, Madison Heth discusses the issues of vandalism, disrespect and discipline at Grants Pass High School, along with how students can make a difference.
THE STUDENTS' RESPONSIBILITY OF MAINTAINING GRANTS PASS HIGH SCHOOL: The importance of respect
By Madison Heth
Our campus at Grants Pass High School is one of the nicest in the area, yet students disrespect it continuously. There is no doubt that disrespect and carelessness have become immensely present in high schools all around and, unfortunately, it is a weighing issue in our very own school. A normal day goes like this: you are walking through the halls during the passing period and, as you hurry to your next class, you cannot help but notice the inappropriate language and rude remarks being thrown about carelessly. During your restroom breaks, you are greeted with an unbelievable amount of vandalism and hatred written on the bathroom stalls, whilst trash is sprawled across the floors. How did we let our campus get this bad?
Students have a responsibility to keep our school a happy and healthy place just as much as our school staff does. It is unfortunate, but true, that sometimes people need to experience discipline in order to feel inclined to make a change. Though discipline and consequences can be upsetting and lead to greater student rebellion, there is no excuse for vandalizing our campus and disrespecting our peers. It is our job as students to make a change.
We spend on average 36 hours a week at school. Therefore, is it not true that we should have a clean environment while we are there? The answer is: we should, but it is not just the janitor's job to keep our school clean. Trashing and vandalizing the high school is an issue that needs to be resolved: starting with the students.
As members of society, we have a right to keep our things clean and in order. When we all do our part, there is peace in everything running smoothly; the same translates to schools. Just one walk through our school’s hallways or bathrooms proves the point that students need to up their cleanliness game.
In the bathrooms, the vandalism is not just disrespectful, but sometimes flat-out rude. The stalls are not only littered with scratches and marks, but also an immense amount of cuss words and inappropriate drawings. The bathrooms are supposed to be a place where students can go in and out easily, but with the amount of vandalism, it has turned into a horror scene. The same goes for the hallways, cafeteria, and the quad, which are often littered with trash and spilled food. This is not okay.
Throughout the state of Oregon, the rates of vandalism and campus disrespect have grown tremendously since mid-2020. Sophie Peel, a reporter with the Willamette Week, investigated the issue at a high school in Portland. The school board stated that they had responded to 1,959 separate vandalism incidents and Peel wrote, “The district estimates it has spent upwards $200,000 on graffiti clean up since mid-2020.” Students, we can make a difference. If everyone would stop vandalizing and instead resort to spreading your art on paper or a canvas, plus utilizing the simple act of cleaning up after ourselves, then this could all get better.
Having a clean campus will not only look nice but will also keep students and teachers healthier, promoting an environment where it is easy to focus and learn. The issues of vandalism and trashing our school are not impossible to fix. With teamwork and dedication, we can make a change.
Students need to be more respectful regarding their words and actions towards teachers and peers. Words are the number one weapon of hate and disrespect. Unfortunately, disrespectful actions and words of hatred or inappropriate remarks are all common sights in our high school. Disrespect floods the hallways of high schools all around. Whether students are trying to enjoy lunch in the cafeteria, walk to your next class or focus on completing work in the classroom, a day in today's high school is never free of profanity or disrespectful behavior.
High schools all over are experiencing the same disrespect that is seen in our very own hallways. A senior at Harrisonburg High School wrote in an article for their school paper: “There isn’t a day that goes by in this building where I don’t witness both blatant and passive-aggressive ignorance and unappreciation.” Disrespect hurts people, it causes anger and dislike along with creating a tense environment that no one can be successful in."
Schools are a place to learn to be successful and practice respect, so why not do it? Disrespectfulness is an issue that affects everyone. Whether a remark seems innocent or not, everyone needs to think more before they speak, especially in today’s society. People are vulnerable and easily hurt. A person cannot be expected to laugh at remarks that are inappropriate or accept hurtful words. The ignorant language and rude behavior that is being spread like wildfire around all high schools is leading to the demise of a respectful environment. We, students and teachers, must make an effort to promote civility among peers and students. We must work together to create environments where everyone can be safe and successful. We can achieve this through one simple act: be respectful with your actions and words.
In our school and schools all around, disobedience is a common occurrence. For example, let me take you to a day at school. You are sitting in the cafeteria minding your own business when a group of kids begins roughhousing. Before you know it: food is everywhere, chairs are knocked over and water is spilled across the table and the floor. Shortly afterward, lunch security walks over and, after a load of cursing and anger filling the air from students, the room is calm again. From the disobeyer's point of view, it is never enjoyable to be called out in front of an audience, especially when it is for something bad that you did. Even though consequences are upsetting, that should not be what drags a person down. When we experience trials or obstacles, we persevere and use them to grow. Why can’t we do the same for school discipline?
When a person gets in trouble, there is always a reason behind it and therefore a reason to change for the better. With discipline comes an opportunity to grow and, with an opportunity to grow, comes an opportunity to improve. We should not let obstacles inhibit our ability to become successful for ourselves. Using the same reasoning, we should not let discipline drag us down and cause rebellion but instead use it as a time to reflect and grow.
It is apparent that disrespect and disobedience are a part of society, but it is not an excuse to accept it. When we are disrespectful we hurt others, cause problems and encourage division. Remember the importance of being respectful as you go about your day, week, month and even the rest of your life. When we come together and work to make a change, starting with ourselves; society, and even our school, GPHS, will become a much healthier, happier place to be.
Let us, students and teachers, work together to improve Grants Pass High School through our actions, starting with the most valuable trait: respect.
