Students protest Luna's plan

I guess THAT DAY in the artical must be talking about another day instead of what is going on this morning 28 Feb 2011. Now we can hurry up and wait until the Wed paper comes out to find out the whole story, guess this suppose to be a history lesson. Nice job of what is going on today with the High School Students.

The walk-out was not scheduled for "after the fire drill"- it was scheduled at ten. Most students did not even know there would be a fire drill today.

And eagle_eye, they're supposed to write stories in past tense. That's just AP style.

At least they could have capitalized Luna's name.

i was in that protesting and i think we should have a say so to say what is on our minds,,, we have a right to speak whatever is going on and we have a right to know how our school is doin

I'm all for protesting if you believe strongly in something and know all of the facts and both sides of the issue.

However, maybe if the protesting was a little big dignified(hopefully right word choice)? My husband and I drove by and spied a few with shirts off and waving things in the air. It isn't a football rally on a Friday night.

The group was slowly pushing onto the street and cars were switching to the other lane. Thankfully, there are cops patrolling the area to keep things under control.

This article doesn't exaclty describe much of the students WANTS to participate. Yes some of them got crazy, but that's only for wanting to prove their point. A lot of us who were out there for THREE hours in the freezing cold were showing we care about out education. And if it wasn't for education it was for showing what our school is made of. We are made of SPIRIT! Particularly TIGER SPIRIT! MHHS isn't one of the greatest schools in the world, but the willingness of it's students to take a stand is magnificent.

I was out there with a bunch of my friends. We were fighting to save our teachers jobs and to save our own education.

I have hopes for my future and I know my friends as well have them.

I may not be here next year, but it's still worth it to fight for what I believe. Even it doesn't affect me now, it may affect me later. Let's fight for what is right. Just know what you're fighting for.

I will admit that a few students were out there just to get of class, but many were out there for their right to prove what they think is right. It's not just in MHHS where students walked out of class to protest Luna, it was all over the state of Idaho. Kids are actually well informed of the things surrounding the issues of their education. It's also very rude to state that we don't know what we're fighting. Why don't you ask us for yourself. Assumptions aren't always right.

Thanks :D

So what happened to the funding that was already given that was suppose to go for TEACHING THOSE CHILDREN during that time period. Also were those children accounted for as absent without an excuse or did the teachers bother to ask the parents.

So while those students who decided to protest were out voicing their opinion, (which personally, I don't think they should have a say unless they are 18 and voters), my child was inside wanting to be taught and instead ended up doing nothing all day! What a day wasted!

You are children and considered such by law--yes, therefore you do not get a say in matters concerning this! Leave it to the parents to take care of you, they will voice their opinions. Your job is to go to school and learn!!!

Hey now, the students had every right to protest Nomad.

I had every right to fight for the levy last year. Students and teachers are the people most effected by these bills, so therefore it is important to garner our opinions as well.

HOWEVER, it is my opinion that the protest in Mountain Home was not nearly as effective as the protests around the state that marched to town halls and (in Boise) the capitol building.

As for the teachers "advocating" this walk-out: No. My teachers simply said, "well, they have every right to," and continued to attempt to teach. The students that left missed out on an education.

Hey now, then let the kids pay the taxes that help fund the schools, if they want to protest! Oh that's right you can't! So when you are paying the taxes and are eligible to vote then you can protest!

This is my opinion:

Do we as students have a right to speak our minds? Yes. But in all honesty, I'm embarrassed by this so called "protest". It was poorly planned, was directed at the wrong people, and most of the students there were consistent "ditchers" anyway. I think that this kind of protest says nothing. Truly caring about my education, I stuck around to get it while forty or so of my fellow students walked out. Haven't most of these bills passed anyway? What's the point? Honestly, this was ineffective and made little sense for the alleged supported cause (which I highly doubt any of the students knew)

Im sorry but we were out there to help our education. If this bill goes through then how are we going to get help if we dont have teachers there helping us? We know the whole story and we dont like it. If you want to critisize us about speaking about what we think is right for our education then keep it to your self. We were out there for 3 hours just to tell people that we need our education. If they cut our electives that are needed for our choice in college then we wont get in. We cant learn anything from sitting there on the computer. WE NEED TEACHERS!!! And if supervisors dont know what we will be doing how is that help?

Nomad: Are you the one getting your education spat on? That's why they ought to be protesting. This issue directly affects them and no adults are protesting for them.

But, I do not think it should have been during school hours

sissy: You need your education, so you skipped class for three hours? I believe this form of protest was critically damaging to the cause, and there was very little help for it to start.

Typical. No you students actually have NO "right" to protest during the school day. You have the privilege of being able to go to school.

In true teacher "we care about the children" form, all the protester kids were not only encouraged to protest but wont be marked absent and their parents weren't contacted by their brother police and told that their kids were truant. The teachers obviously knew that some of their kids were missing and maybe protesting but were they sure that someone wasn't abducted? Did they report the child missing?

I love all the caring and tears that the teachers put into the kids when they encourage them to cut class, make crappy signs, and yell at cars while half naked and completely ignorant of what they're protesting. Or the sugar hugs and snugly butter our HERO teachers use when they send home our grade schoolers after filling them with despair at not having Art or Gym or even Oxygen if Lunas bills pass.

Talk about manipulation of trust. There are ways to protest what you don't like but to use our kids for your own agenda just shows that its really not about the kids and how unheroic you really are.

We are in agreement, AtomicDog. Protest, sure, whatever, but not during the school day.

HOWEVER what teachers are you referring to? I have never had a single teacher that held that attitude.

None of my teachers encouraged the protest- in fact many of them agreed that this was a poor protest technique.

But just because we don't pay taxes does not mean we don't have the right to protest at all. I have an extensive knowledge of the constitution as a congressional debater- the only innappropriate thing about this protest was that it disturbed the educational process- while the shirts off were a bad idea that has no clout in the issue.

Sissy- if you make a spectacle you must be prepared for the criticism. It was a poor choice to cut class- it showed only that the students can't handle their rights. This protest ruined any voice we students had.

I can't wait for my birthday- I'm so ready to vote.

werborg;

is it so hard for you to imagine students taking action out of their own free will? High school students are quite capable of having opinions on any subject, without having to be told what to think by a teacher.

and nomad4;

you directly insult me when you say that i am not entitled to my opinion because i'm not 18. i'm a high school senior. i'm actively involved in our community, i have a job, and i'm a captain on our speech and debate team. I turn 18 in 7 days, yet apparently i have no opinion.

Ask around. Our grade schoolers were being told that the End of Days was near and that Tom Luna, the anti-christ, would rule for a thousand years if these bills past.

You of course do know teachers with this attitude because they were behind the protest last week and this one today. They handed out flyers for a bias meeting in the classes at the grade schools in which only one side was presented.

They allowed a fourth grader that was at that meeting to coerce all his classmates into sign a petition to stop Lunas bill. I don't believe that you high school kids, just like most adults, have read the bill or understand what its about, but at least you have the capacity to comprehend what is going on. While totally cute there is no way that you can tell me that a fourth grader has any idea what is going on He is only being used as a pawn.

I'm sick of hearing how sappy and loving the teachers are and then watch those idiots show up in green "Stop the Lunacy" t-shirts. Self vilification if I've ever seen it. They have been perfectly content to take and take and take and offer no solution. Just like our politicians. That will end because we, the taxpayers, will not stand for it any longer. The schools are going to be real lucky if the pendulum doesn't swing way back the other way this time. This is just beginning.

To all the students: Your poorly disorangized protest did nothing but get some of out school. Instead of putting all your time and energy in on this site trying to tell the adults you already know it. How many of you have read all 3 of Luna's bills and know just what is in them? If you have so much concern why not take all those efforts that was put in the protest and research who is sitting at the State level passing the bills and e-mail them? To cause traffic problems on American Legion and those that were there just proofs kids stuff. If you want to have your say take to the people that control how education works and what is going to take place. It would appear alot of them out on the street wanted to do nothing but skip school, and that really does alot for education. I am tryed of hearing nobody in the school district says anything to the kids about education, all you have to do is look at the school district web site and see where they have tryed to start a war with the State. If you are not going to set in the class room and pay attention you will never get anything out of it. Its not all about what you like in school its a big part of getting you ready for the real world and college if you can go. Just because you believe everything is wrong with the Luna's bills doesn't make it so, there has to be good and bad in all of them and I am not going to try to sort it all out. Thats what we elected those over in Boise in session now to do and they also need to get input back from the public. Spending more money on laptops and the internet is not going to get the job done by itself. We have to have good teachers and students that want to learn and pay attention in class and that surely didn't happen today.

You do not attend the high school and I do. I have yet to see a teacher organize a protest. This protest was started by a student who transferred here first semester and decided to take exclusively online classes this semester.

Eagle_eye:

My personal problem with the plan is that we're supposed to be saving money and yet we're dumping money into laptops for what are now required classes. We are firing highly qualified teachers and cutting electives, which we do actually need to get into college. Education is the future of America. And thus far, it is being treated like a privilege. Is it? Because it is my understanding that an education is mandatory to a point in America.

stop acting like the protest is a representation of the entire high school. it's NOT. i happily sat in my warm classroom and decided not to take part because i saw no use. the community already knows we are upset. and traffic problems? i had driven by several times and saw no issue. the police were even there to make sure they kept order.

i thought the 'stop the lunacy' shirts were clever and vividly got the point across. unfortunately, they were sold out when i went to buy one.

i understand that our state is limited when it comes to our education options. however, luna's plan is not the answer, as most people can clearly see. my fellow classmates are trying to show how fired-up they are. although i don't completely agree with their tactics, i know that they are passionate about this issue. most of you are portraying teachers as evil brain-washers. of course they will be upset about he staff cuts, but they are also genuinely concerned about the future of their students' education. ever think about that?

Thanks for proving that you children don't know what you're talking about? You don't know who is going to be fired if anyone. You don't know if electives or extra cirricula items will be cut. The reason you don't know this is because nobody, knows what's going to be cut. The guesses that you may have heard are hyperbole and exaggerations like all the school levy threats. Enjoy your free education which is a privilege and not a right and leave the opinions to those that know what they're talking about.

I, for the record, HAVE read all three bills.

It took me about three hours.

Christy, Laura and I have repeatedly posted on this story trying to remind the voters that THIS WAS A VERY VERY SELECT GROUP of students who did NOT listen to us when we said this was a very bad idea. Over 1,000 high school students did not participate in this poorly thought out demonstration.NONE of the teachers condoned this behavior- and as for the little kids- well I can't speak for them. If their teachers are preaching about Luna, that's just dandy- their parents will decide their opinion on the issue. The students with the loudest voice are the ones not getting preached at.

"Your comments:

Please be respectful of others and try to stay on topic."

That's a reminder for everyone.

When I turn twenty, will anyone's attitude toward me have changed? There is no way that no cuts will be made with these budget changes. I HAVE read the bills, just so you know and thus have every right to have an opinion and do know what I'm talking about. Whether the cuts are electives or staff hardly matters, either way, education WILL suffer. However , I do not believe that the problem started with Luna. I believe it is a national financial situation and our state feels the hurt educationally.

if i left the opinions to "those who know what they are talking about", there would be madness. how about we leave the opinions to everyone, because everyone is entitled to theirs. and i believe that we are not only proving that we KNOW WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, but also that we have rational, informed opinions.

Sunshine I will agree with you on that we are suppose to be saving money and the whole laptop is a big waste of money in my eyes.

Laura if you were setting in that nice warm classroom getting you education, how is it that you were out driving by several times watching the protesters? And you are right I am not in High School I went alot of years ago and as part of my job in the Military my education kept going during my career. Don't set back and tell the people paying for your education how much you really know the real world, you are going to get your chance soon enough to find out what its all about. Like I said talk to the people making the laws not us out here just paying for it.

The protest took place from ten until one. We have open campus for lunch, which runs from 11 to 11:36

Eagle_eye;

lunch hour.

why focus on trying to make my input look illegitimate?

I'm curious to know where these t-shirts were sold and who were the ones that printed the wording on them and if there was a profit made?

the t-shirts cost a reasonable amount, so i assume there was no profit. i'm guessing the cost just covered the cost of making the shirts. and, might i add, they were brilliant.

Ladies,

The group represented the high school. Good or bad, that is the way it is. Read the article above: "Students from Mountain Home High School". Unfortunatly this group represented the entire population of the school.

@laura 2011

I never said you could not have an opinion but the protesting during school hours is wrong! Your parents have the say in this one since in reality, it is your parents responsibility at what kind of education you recieve. If you wanted to hold a protest, I do agree it should have been done after school.

@sissy

So you are allowed freedom speech but I'm not allowed freedom of speech to criticize you?

@atomic dog & bazookaman

Right on!

I do think there are errors with Luna's plan. It only tries to fix "a" problem but not "the" problem in the long run.

I'm glad to hear that there were several students that didn't participate, my child included, and that it wasn't teacher encouraged. But there should have been no excused absences handed out (proving, however so subtly, it was school approved).

saying that the actions of those few students reflect on the views of the entire high school is similar to saying that the views of one blonde reflects the views of every blonde. and i'm quite positive some of you are blonde. :) just a comparison. it's really unfair what you've said. obviously, MOST of the students did not protest today. everyone is their own individual, thinking their own opinions, doing their own actions. those students that protested today certainly do not represent all high schoolers.

And that's why we're posting, because the reporter created the perception that these students had the same ideals as the other 1,000 who stayed in their classrooms.

"So while those students who decided to protest were out voicing their opinion, (which personally, I don't think they should have a say unless they are 18 and voters)....

You are children and considered such by law--yes, therefore you do not get a say in matters concerning this!"

that is a quote from you, nomad4.

@lilmissmelmo

I have a debate topic for you--whether the Dept. of Education is necessary or not? How much Federal education money is wasted in that one Department

Were the shirts sold at the HS? I'm still very interested in how these shirts came about? If I wanted to buy one where would I go to get one?

in addition to creating the millions of education jobs across our country, the department of education EDUCATES people! fancy that. completely necessary.

Good topic. =D Shall we discuss it in a blog?

MsMarylin;

your attempt to find out who produced the shirts entertains me. the shirts are a great form of protest, without standing in the street. perhaps we should have handed them out to the 2 boys without shirts during the protest? seems to me like you're only looking for who made them for the sole purpose of attacking them with harsh words.

@laura2011

You don't have a say in your education--your parents do and by those they elect. You can have an opinion but that opinion should not interrupt school for which you are there to learn. Now those that are 18 and in school, I would leave that to their parents but I would give some leeway since they are considered adults and voters, as long as they do not interrupt school for all the others.

Would be interesting to find out how many in the Dept. of Education have actual teaching experience, wouldn't it?

nomad4: tell me exactly how my opinion is interrupting my schooling? i would love to know.

Laura2011

Are they teaching mind reading in school, if they are you failed the coarse.....

The only reason I want to know about the shirts, is it was brought out that a boy who didn't go to the HS was the one that orchestrated the protest and if that's true where did he have the shirts printed at and where were they sold? Is this something you don't want me to know?

Yes some teachers and staff supported the protest. They supported it by not reporting the students missing when they had prior knowledge of what was going on. By not taking action they provided tacit support for the protesters and were a poor example to the children that didn't protest. The staff should have called the police and reported those kids missing so the parents would know what the children were up to.

the boy who planned the protest had nothing to do with the shirts. i don't believe anyone at the protest was even wearing one.

also, didn't they teach spelling in your school? if so, you failed the COURSE.

@CountryDweller;

hopefully there are some parents out there who would not be outraged by their student voicing their opinion on an important matter that CONCERNS THEM.

@laura2011

How many classes did you miss today, even if it was partial? That is how you interrupted your schooling!

laura2011

I think I do pretty good with spelling at my age, when you get older and been out of school for 49 years you tend to forget what you were taught in school, but it should all still be fresh in your mind... I'm just happy I am still here and can interact with you..... I have a Grandson older then you ! Now that's something to think about !

Laura2011 - Although my child was not out there, I support the effort!!

My point is that the prents don't get a choice. It was made for them by the teachers and staff. THEY ARE CHILDREN. But you, like everyone aganst this, have no problem pimping the kids for your beliefs.

lilmissmelmo has the perfect picture on her blog that proves reform of education is needed (not saying that Luna's plan is the reform that is needed)

Leave it to a bunch of disrespectful kids to prove the reform point for us. Well done children, well done.

So, today will be an excused partial day out. Yet another reason why the MHSD does not need any extra money.

Well done children. How do you think this helped your cause? I guess if we had a rec center none of this would have gone on. Your parents should tan all of your backsides, take away the cars and phones and make you clean the school for a few weeks.

Why not protest after school? Do you realize how much money was wasted today because of this? Certainly the police had better things to do! How disrespectful could you be to your fellow classmates and teachers?

Kids.

Well I support my son in all the efforts he did today. It's funny how this state is turning more and more into California. To sit there a dis what these kids did and the way they spell is truly disrespectful.

I find it very interesting that as soon as these "children" pay taxes and vote, society see them as wiser and less ignorant. It is not so. They are not children, and psychology has proven this through many cognitive studies. They should be held fully accountable for their actions in some way, even if that is just a truancy on their record. If I had my way, they'd all be suspended for a spell, but that of course would be something of a reward because to my understanding, many parents supported the effort and would not penalize their children for receiving school reprimands for participating.

This really is rediculous. All "us kids" tryed to do today is make a change in the way we have to learn. And "you adults" can't respect that. So what if we don't capitalize his name, we should have, but when its less than 30 degrees outside and you are trying to fight for something you don't agree with, you tell me if you would really have thought of capitalizing his name.

We weren't being disrespectful. This protest was in no way disrespectful. All we did was make a stand against Luna, and our school and fight. We care. So don't say that we were being disrespectful.

Fellow student:

When kids are taking off their shirts, skipping class, and disrupting traffic, that makes you disrespectful.

Eliminate those things, and I may have found you justified.

I think it would be nice if the kids that protested today actually listed what are the things that you do not like about the Education Bills. Here is your chance to tell tell us TAXPAYERS what it is that bothers you about the bills. Be articulate please.

Well if you had a look at the blog posts I and lilmissmelmo have made, you'd see, but it would appear the site has made minor's blogs not viewable by the general public? I don't know, but I think that the computers are a waste of money and don't allow enough actual face time with a teacher. I do not think class size should be increased because student to teacher ratio is directly related to learning. I was home schooled for a few years in elementary school and learned far more there than when I switched to public school but sadly, my mother does not have time and patience to continue homeschooling. I also take issue with the "downsizing". All the teachers that would likely be cut is a problem for me because I truly value my teachers as people. They are still authority figures, but I feel as if I understand people better because of them. And as we saw today, not understanding people and the world around us can cause problems.

So learning, both academic and social, will be significantly impacted in this plan, and not for the better. The plan is called students come first, but this plan is not going to solve our educational system's problems, it will only save a bit of money...if it even does that, seeing as they'll need to get all these new laptops and wifi and supervisors for laptop classes.

I have thought long and hard about this before posting. I have always had a motto when I was in charge during my service years. Here is it "If you choose not to do what I ask of you on our time, then you can do it on your time" In other words the children are supposed to attend school all day and if the elected not to that then they should at least serve some time after school IE detention. I just heard on the news that Caldwell SD handed out 90 AFTER school detentions. I applaud them. If the kids did not want to learn today during normal school hours then let them learn during what be their normal outside of schoool hours.

SunshineChristy,

Where do you propose the money come from to continue to pay for smaller class size? I am neither for or against any of the bills, so my questions are for gathering information on how things could be handled better in your eyes.

If Education doesn't receive the cut, who does?

In all honesty, I think the problem started with Obama. Honestly, education on a national level is starting to feel the hurt and while I do not blame the president directly for, say, my English teacher being fired, I will ask this:

Why should GM get bailed out multiple times while education experiences massive "downsizing"? Honestly, let's eat up those tax dollars on failed businesses instead of investing in making our kids more learned so they don't make the same stupid mistakes. (Note the sarcasm)

Honestly, I don't think we should be blamed for ignorance to political issues if it exists because our education system does not ask enough of us, and under this plan, it will ask even less and almost all students will become painfully ignorant.

In short, I think big business, since the dawn of time, has had too much priority in the economic system. Let is be self sustaining, and if it is not, let it ask for help, but don't had it out to companies that continue to fail at the expense of the country and the future of the country.

I am student at the high school who found out about the protest this weekend. The plan was actually started on Facebook and was circulated to many students in the State of Idaho from friends. I chose not to participate in the protest, not because I disagree with it, but for other reasons.

Absolutely amazing though how citizens of Mountain Home are so quick to bash the MHSD. Once again, have any of you contacted anybody at the high school to get the facts. Obviously not, because everyone of you bashing the protest, the school district, the high school and the teachers are stating lies.

Whether you agree with the protest or not is one thing, but to blatantly lie on this blog about what you "think you know," especially blaming teachers and thinking it was on their agenda to discuss Luna's plan or to plan the protest,is horrible. You all sit in your houses at your computers and can't wait to pounce on something to do with the school district. You are all like vultures just waiting to come up with your version of the story so that you can post it.

Most of you attended high school, and I am sure have fond memories, however that may have been 20, 30, 40 plus years ago. Things today are not the same as they were when you graduated. Our economy is horrible and I feel that our nation is being led by someone who doesn't know the first thing about what needs to change. Unfortunately the State of Idaho is also being led by people who know nothing about Education and other things and are making poor decisions that are truly hurting our district and all the others.

I speak for many students at the high school who are passionate about their education, but yet scared about the future because of how our country is being led. We will however, take a stand against people who choose to bash any of us and OUR school, that includes teachers and administration. We truly don't care what you say about any of us. You can lie and point fingers, but we all know the truth. There are absolutely wonderful things going on in this district and I am proud to be part of it as are many of the students at the high school.

So before you post something against me or anybody else that loves this district, ask yourself, "is this the truth, or am I just wanting to be vindictive and nasty towards someone, to make my day?" (that is truly what it comes down to...making your day.) Hmmmm!

Hmmmmm!:

I agree that a lot of people on hear have not been in the school district environment a lot and thus are speaking based on rumors. But how new are you to this forum? Many of the members of this meeting go to the school board meetings and do in fact get the straight facts. And I'm sorry to burst you bubble by telling you that, no, it's not about making their day, it's about doing what the protesters did and making their concerns heard. They have to pay taxes to pay for your education. So by all means, tell them what you think it ought to be but don't you even DARE for a second think that they are just a bunch of pathetic people with nothing better to do but crush the school district. It's more complicated than that. I will stand up for the district, students, and teachers as due. And I will admit, some people on here can be very, VERY stubborn, but when you get on hear and make long posts about how they're "vultures" that really doesn't help our cause at all. I was on here when the levy issue arose and it was a lot of the same thing. Try to understand, their concerns are just as valid as yours, but also remember that your education is in fact very important, as it is the future of this seemingly doomed country.

I was involved with the protest that took place earlier this morning. I saw nothing wrong with voicing our opinions. It didn't get out of hand, and we kept it under reasonable limits. This was not a chance for us to simply just "get out of school." It was a chance for us to stand up for what we think is right for our community. We were not the only school involved in this protest. Schools from all around the state were voicing their opinions as well.

One of Luna's plans is to give every upcoming freshman a laptop so they can prepare for college by getting used to technological advances. Personally when I hear this statement I can't help but to laugh. How many people would honestly question "kids" abilities to use technology? The main reason for this proposal is to save money. It's time we think about our education as a learning environment, not as a budget. Teachers make such an impact on our lives as students, and replacing them with computers is ridiculous. As students we need extracurricular classes to be successful. They present us with numerous job opportunities, as well as something to look forward to when times are rough.

Here are a few questions to keep in mind:

* Who is going to pay for the maintenance on the laptops if something happens to them?

* How can we present the idea of laptops when almost every room in our high school leaks when it rains?

* Can laptops teach respect, honesty, loyalty, manners, and other necessary items needed to be successful in life?

My point is laptops work in college settings because the "students" want to be there, and they are more responsible. Not all students will progress to college, but most will finish out high school. As a country we are moving fast enough in our technological advances; there is no need to put a rush on them.

Another concern I have with this plan is the increase in class size. Many of our classrooms barely have enough room to hold the students we currently have. It would disrupt our learning environment to cram even more people into these already tight spaces. On top of the "cramming issues," class sizes do affect our learning abilities. Whether Luna agrees or not, studies have proven they do.

I highly disagree with the idea that this plan is promoting education.

- Colby Hall

Class of 2012

Colby-

I'd like you to do some reading on supreme court cases-

Kuhlmeier v. Hazlewood

Bethel school v. Fraser

"bong hits for Jesus"

These are famous cases that set the precedent for student first amendment rights. What was wrong with the protest? It took place during school. The supreme court has ALWAYS supported violations of the first amendment if ithey disrupted the educational process. That is what Christina, laura, I, and the adults on this forum have wrong with the demonstration. These are things students have to understand BEFORE they hit the streets.

You were being disrespectful. According to students and teachers in the school at the time on your way out many were screaming in the halls making that mad dash for the doors. When Mr. Johnson asked you students to stop, you did not. You disrupted the students who made the choice to stay in class---where you all should have been.

If your education was so important, you would have demonstrated after school and at least attempted to get the most from the teachers who were in school to teach YOU.

What you children did was very disrespectful. It is sad that some of you cannot see why. Some of you posting on here are very smart. You will one day, with some life lessons, be very good leaders I am sure. However, the majority of KIDS on here should have remained in class.

You do have the right to protest. Nobody on here will deny that. However, you should have been more respectful in the way you went about this, IMHO. 20 plus years ago my parents would have wooped my backside with a belt and grounded me for weeks...no car...no video games...etc. The school should hold each and every one of you kids/children accountable. It is how you learn that choices have consequences. Life lessons.

Posted by Jacie_Gina2014

"This really is rediculous. All "us kids" tryed to do today is make a change in the way we have to learn. And "you adults" can't respect that. So what if we don't capitalize his name, we should have, but when its less than 30 degrees outside and you are trying to fight for something you don't agree with, you tell me if you would really have thought of capitalizing his name."

Yes, by all means, were I planning to stand out in the freezing cold to make a point, I would most definitely make sure I looked like I was serious about my convictions.

When you stand out in the public view and want to be taken seriously, you should act accordingly. If you want to voice your opinion, you go right ahead, but you need to be prepared to for the opinions regarding your actions. Apparently not all of the students at the school approved of your actions and the way you carried yourselves yesterday. This doesn't mean that they don't feel strongly about the situation and agree with you. It just means that they know how to pick their battles, on what field to fight them, and how to make their voices heard all while being taken seriously at the same time. These are the students that will be the leaders of the future.

Wow, first of all could you guys back off these kids for doing something they believed? They're taking a stand for something they see an issue with because no one is paying attention. I don't think they did ANYTHING wrong except miss a couple hours or a whole day of school. With these cuts to education quite frankly who cares? I don't. I come here to check up on the daily blog and who do I see discouraging these kids? OpinionMissy, back off the kids, they're doing what they need to try to get people's attention. Drastic times for drastic measures, I applaud everyone of these kids who took a stand for education. I don't believe you did anything wrong, personally I've been watching the news lately and I'm disgusted with all these cuts they're making to education. It really shows that if you care about an issue, staying in the shadows is not the place to be!

http://www.mountainhomenews.com/blogs/1493/entry/40193/

Outstanding, lilmissmelmo!

More and more we see students unable to read, unable to do even the simplest math, and we hear, " there is just not enough teachers to help individually with the students". What the??

You go students!! Maybe with a little help from adults supporting you, it might make a difference. If I lived among you, I would have been out there as well. Seniors can come out in droves when necessary, especially when it comes to children, grandchildren, neices, nephews...you bet, I support you all the way.....

As I sit here, I see legal adults commending us for our efforts, and I thank you. But I would also like to urge you to educate us in a tactful manner on the issues at hand. Many of the students do not understand this problem in full. If we are to make the best possible statement in the best possible way, we need to be better educated, and this is something no amount of school or budget cutting in that area will ever teach us. Tell us WHY some voters think it's a good plan. I can see SOME improvements but it has blaringly obvious flaws. Tell us WHY an educated population is not the most important part of America's future. Or maybe, minors and legal adults are in agreement and it's all getting lost in translation...and skewed by misguided events like yesterdays protest.

Are you really that ignorant? There is no more money you fools. You think people are in the shadows? The people are why these cuts are happening and will continue to happen. The money sucking vocal minority has awoken a sleeping giant. Welcome to the revolution.

I use to trust that when my kids were at school, they were at school. The people in charge there had my confidence. No more. No matter what the "cause" there is no excuse for allowing those kids to be out of the supervision of the school. It is a betrayal of trust and if there is no repercussions then it school sanctioned as well. What if one of those kids would've got hit by a car while concentrating on how to spell "murding" or "No more Luna"(is there a grunt after that?)? They've obviously been paying attention in class.

Maybe we should fund a class on how to safely and responsibly pimp out your students for your ideological beliefs. Woohoo! Woodstock lives! Power to the people! The sixties are over so shut your face and smoke another bowl.

Now that a presidence has been set I suppose we can look forward to the little urchins protesting whenever they get emotional about a subject, get prompted by their teachers, or just, are like, totally bummed about being in school dude.

Back off? These kids got exactly what they wanted which is attention. Just because everybody doesn't agree with what they did or more importantly how they did it, well too bad for them. They made a conscience decision to leave school, and apparently disruptively so, and to make a public appearance without clearly thinking through the process on how it may or may not be perceived. It sounds like it was almost more of a "mob mentality" simply because students in other cities across the state were doing it. They chose to ignore other students that probably would have rallied with them had they been more mature in their actions. I may or may not agree with their feelings on this subject, but I can respect the students who chose to stay in school and who have learned that there is a time and place for everything. There is always a process for change. There are apparently many students who are very much aware of how the process works and they follow the rules. Others should follow their example.

Why is everyone bashing on our protest we stood uip for what we beilieved in so leave us alone what we did and said was right we dont care what other people say we know what we did and it wasnt a "mob mentailty" so back off we were right for what we did we did what we wanted our education to be so back off and leave us alone!!!

Wow Kookie - I hope that was not English you missed yesterday. When you "truly believe you are right" you should not exert yourself making additional points as you should not need to justify yourself. If you "truly believe the actions of what you did" then that should of been enough. Thats what I tell my grand kids. Be sure the first time because doing the back stroke sometimes does not get you to where you meant to be!! Think, stop and then think it through again!!

KOOKIE_MON$TER,

I think maybe you are one of the students who should have stayed in class, instead of protesting. You are a perfect example of what our schools do not teach, how effective they are, and how they push a student through even though they should have been held back. Look at your own sentence structure, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling.

Last year when the budget was bad I suggested that the Governor raise the sales tax a penny or two to raise the money for the schools,The Governor didn't agree and every school in the state was impacted by his lack of vision and mountain home tax payers passed a bond of two million dollars to supplement the school budget for two years.We are still in the same mess and still no one see's a need to raise money,but instead lay off the teacher's by the hundreds and spend millions on computers to teach students.It cant get any better folk's and I really no longer support Governor Otter or Tom Luna as they have no vision for the future of the schools.

Yes, everyone has the right to stand up for what they believe in. You made the choice to make a public statement and to take your battle into a public arena. If you expected everyone to agree with what you did, or more importantly how you did it, than you were poorly mistaken. You picked your battle, yes, but you didn't consider the consequences of your actions or how best to convey your message to the public. And, when some disagree with your actions, including your own peers, you are unable to maturely handle the criticism that you brought upon yourself because of the choices you made.

If you choose to make a public statement be prepared for both public support and/or criticism.

The issue with raising more money, is that there is no more money. Just like every responsible citizen has to live within their own means, so does the government. I wish we could keep every teacher and every possible oppurtunity for these kids, but we can't; there is not much choice in the matter.

As for the protest, I think every student should be given at least detention for skipping classes. I have no issues with the ones that participated during their lunch time.

What people fail to realize is that the silent majority supports the change. That is why your elected represenatives are voting for it. Just as Senator Corder stated on his blog, in refrence to communication with him, 90% of all respondents were teachers. Most people do not protest or complain when the agree with an issue, only when they don't. You can add up the total of every person that has attended one of these protest in Idaho and they don't come close to even 1% of the population. Protest all you like, on your time. Don't do it on the time I am paying for you to be educated

KOOKIE:

You should look into these people's problems with your protest. The root of the problem is not our belief, it is how you and some of the other students chose to exercise it. Getting on here and yelling at them to "back off" in a grammatical nightmare of a post will not help things. I have seen you as a little sister for years, and for your sake, I suggest you find a different forum as an outlet for your frustrations. Please do not perceive me as being rude. Let me say, if the protest were NOT during school, I may have been there, but since it was, I chose not to attend. The main issue of debate here was the way the opinion was expressed, not the validity of its existence.

Another example of students who feel as you do, Kookie, but want to make their statement in a mature manner and in the right way in order that their views will be taken seriously and respectably. I admire students such as Christy and Melodie and have the utmost respect for the way these young ladies handle themselves and present themselves to the public.

What the Statesman has put online.

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/03/01/1546611/a-statewide-student-walkout.htm...

hopefully the students will graduate and make enough money so they can pay taxes to satisfy everyone wants. pay the poor people first,as they will be the ones without a good education.