|
In-House inmates
Some enjoy the isolation from the world as punishment for breaking school rules
By Jolynn Amrine & Tomás Ramirez
Staff Writers
Andy slams his head against the desk. A gruff voice bellows
above him, "That's one hour of detention."
"What?" cries Andy.
"Two hours," the voice replies.
"For what?" Andy pleads.
"That's a day in In-House!"
the voice concludes. Angered, Andy retreats from the argument.
But what exactly does a day in
In House mean for Andy? Will Andy come to class a model student the
day after his In-House sentence is done?
Is In-House really harsh
enough to do its job? Senior Jeremy Mohrmann
said, "I don't see how sitting in a room in silence will teach a lesson other
than don't get caught next time."
With the sterile surroundings
and dormant atmosphere, In-House reminds many students of prison. But
they are given minimal freedoms.
Students are permitted two
bathroom breaks and a sack lunch. They are supposed to work on
assignments from the classes they are missing,
but many kids idle their time sleeping, reading magazines, or writing notes
to the friends they are exiled from.
In some instances, In-House can end up being more play
than punishment. "Missing school for a day is not much of a
punishment," said sophomore Jenna Nacht.
Senior Scott Hartman said, "You're not forced to do
anything; you can sit in there and color if you want."
"All you do is sit there and
play games," said junior Josh Aselton.
But to many, this type of
activity doesn't sound like much of a punishment. What can possibly be used
to discipline students instead of missing school?
"Paddling might solve the
problem," Aselton said.
Sophomore Victoria
Elsberry said, "Instead of In-House they [the offenders] should be given more
work or do community service. If they don't get it done they don't graduate."
"Janitorial work would be an
ideal punishment," said sophomore Jacqui Jakoubek.
Most would agree that
students who have truly offended others, whether it be fellow students or
teachers, should be punished. How they are punished is an age-old debate
between educational facilities, communities, and the government.
Some students believe that
the correction instilled now is too lenient, while others insist it is brutal.
In-House works for the kids who take school seriously, but for repeated
offenders other tactics are more effective.
If a person frequently
causes trouble, it is evident that normal disciplinary procedures aren't
working. Junior Chantell Ramirez said, "It
[In-House] has no effect on the student put into it. They continue to
do the same things that put them there in the first place."
So, one day of In-House may be sufficient for some students,
but not enough for others. Mohrmann said, "The punishment
should vary for each crime."
Q&A with the Detention Lady
Carolyn Graham
How many times have you walked by room 301 (aka the In-House room) and looked in to see an unknown lady? For
those who have never had In-House or detention, that lady is Mrs. Carolyn Graham.
Q: How many years have you been the
"Detention Lady?"
A: Eight long years.
Q: What do you do when no one is in In-House?
A: Well, I help with reports, fold the monthly
bulletin, make attendance calls, help out in the Counseling
Center, or various other jobs that need to be done in the office.
Q: How do you describe a typical work day?
A: Some days are like diamonds, and some days are
like rocks.
Q: What plans do you have for the future?
A: I will retire at the end of this year.
Q: What will you do after you stop working?
A: I hope to travel with my husband.
| 
