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Elementary School Students Fight Back!
by Ciera, 11, of Montana
Posted January 2, 2007
Ruder Elementary School is a very good school and with over 550 in "residency" it is pretty well populated as well. The 550 students, ranging from grades kindergarten to fifth do love their school a good deal, but sometimes, new bans can spark some tension between the students and the staff. Ruder Elementary is pretty fair but on occasion can make some changes and rules that fun-loving students find selfish and unfair to people who play by the rules. Such as the dodgeball ban faced in the 2006-2007 school year, and the placement of dodgeball games.
It was around noon at Ruder Elementary School and students in grades 4, 5 and 2 were enjoying their recess. A duty, whose name is not going to be revealed, spotted a group of 5th grade boys playing dodgeball. Younger 2nd grade students were trying to play as well, but the 5th grade boys, who referred to themselves as the "5th grade gang" were bullying them. The teacher on duty reported the event to the rest of the faculty, and they decided to ban dodgeball. Many students were angry. "I played dodgeball by the rules and never bullied," says then-4th grader Melyssa. "When they banned dodgeball, it made me angry because one group of boys can ruin fun for everyone, even fair players." Many students agreed with Melyssa.
Dodgeball raises anger among students too. A group of 5th grade girls are athletes. Some of the girls are Ciera, Kaitlyn, Winter, Meredith and Emily, and while the dodgeball ban was underway, they got to play basketball. During dodgeball, it is played on the basketball courts. The one left open has no nets and is in bad condition. They did enjoy the dodgeball ban. "I think that by playing dodgeball where you could be playing basketball, the faculty is holding some of us back," says Kaitlyn, a 5th grader. "Yea!" agrees Meredith. "We have just as big a right to play our game as the dodgeball players do." These girls were disappointed when dodgeball was allowed again. "We had to play on the bad court," complains Emily. "You can't practice when the hoops are crooked and the court is rutty!" Ciera suggests, "Maybe they can play dodgeball in the field? It is so big. There would be less injury because of grass, and everyone could get their way."
In conclusion, this elementary school makes some decisions that some people don't like. If things happen in your school that you believe are unfair, consider it. Maybe you could try talking to a trusted teacher or counselor of yours. If you're feeling brave enough, you may even want to talk to your principal face to face. Recess is about you -- the students -- and it should remain that way! Everyone has the right to play games if they play them fairly, and when new events (such as dodgeball) begin, you may suggest to an adult to try placing them in a place where it will only make everyone happy. Then recess can go back to being fun!
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