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The following are editorials and opinion pieces, they do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Beverly Underground.

Have You Ever Met A Nice School Librarian? 

      In the years a student spends at Beverly Hills High School, he or she is bound to meet somebody that they do not like. It's simply natural that somebody would meet another person with whom they disagree with on most things and who they don’t generally like, be it a teacher, another student, or a faculty member. If you haven't, then you haven't been to the school library. The librarians in the BHHS library are simply some of the most malicious, bitchy, and meanest people on earth. Now I don't wish to pinpoint - so I will make a perfectly viable generalization: there is something about the school librarian profession that changes someone into a scornful hag. Either that or it is such scornful hags that become school librarians. “WHAT?!?!” you may ask. “Those old ladies who sit all day and read books? How can they be mean?”. Believe it or not, the school librarians inspire terror and fear in the hearts of innocent students who wander into the library in their quest for a good education. Unreasonable rules are a reason why the librarians are the way that they are. “Four to a table” is simply unreasonable. The tables at the library were designed to seat more than four occupants. Various school projects require that students work in groups of four or more students. Food and nourishment is as necessary in the library as it is anywhere else too. However, it's not these rules that are the reason for this article, it's the enforcement of these rules. In a sentence: the librarians are as bitchy about the rules as it is humanly possible to be. They sneak up on you to make sure that you don't see them and correct yourself. If they didn't sneak up on you, they might not get a chance to piss students off. And they guard those computers like a prison guard in a maximum security penitentiary. If they see you don't have your ID showing, or that you are on what they deem a non school related page (even checking email is not allowed!!!) then they are as quick to get your fingertips off the keyboard as the FBI is just after they break down the door of a hacker about to crack the firewall in the pentagon computer network. When the librarians catch a student breaking the rules, they tell this to the student in a barely audible noise. The student, responding at a normal sound level, is immediately reprimanded for yelling and complaining. Any further complaints and you could land yourself a 5-minute break from the library or even worse, a ban for the day. In fact, most anything that you ask the librarians will get a bitchy response. It seems that they just can't be nice. It doesn't matter what you say, the talk will turn sour and scornful. If you are ever seen talking to a friend about a book, the librarian immediately suspects that you are plotting to check the book out for the friend, one of the deadliest sins of all. This will earn you an interrogation. In my years at Beverly, I've spent a lot of time in the library. Never have I seen friendly facial expression when a librarian asks a student to push in their chairs or finish chewing their food outside. In fact, I've never seen a friendly facial expression from them at all. Come to think of it, I've never seen any school librarian in my entire life with a smile. What is it, you may ask, that makes the BHHS librarians this bitchy? Perhaps it's the long years of exposure to the oil well, or perhaps it's the long years of living amongst books instead of people that has led the librarians to hate all of humanity. Perhaps its the nauseating slight aroma of glue that is used to keep the cheap carpet stuck to the ground. Whatever it is, it must be changed. For once I would like to get a book and walk out with a smile after a friendly talk with a librarian. Until that day comes - I will continue to wait and hope.

- LSD 

Power Politics in the Heart of Beverly

The following was a letter written to the editor in response to the recent article on Beverly Underground entitled, "Suspicion Surrounds the Termination of High School Staff Members":

As Beverly Underground has reported before, a number of suspicious layoffs have caught the attention of many.
What is the real reason for all of these "retirements" and "non-reelections"?

Power.

Behind his charm and finely polished image, Dr. Dan Stepenosky may have another, unrevealed personality. Let's take a look at who is getting fired, shall we?

1. Mr. Kevin Kung - he poses no threat to the Stepenosky administration... or does he? Mr. Kung is actually studying for a degree in education at UCLA, the same degree that puts the "Dr" in Dr. Step. Could it be that Dr. Step is afraid Mr. Kung is looking to eventually find a place in the administration?

2. Journalism adviser Ms. Jennifer Moulton - the most obvious threat of all. Highlights has not always praised the administration, and perhaps Dr. Step feels a hand-picked, less controversial journalism adviser, one who would censor students, would be more "beneficial" to the school.

3. Assistant Principal Gayla Rabin - one of our school's kindest administrators. What could Dr. Stepenosky possibly have against her? Ms. Rabin, however, could still mean bad news to Dr. Stepenosky - her loyalty to him is not absolute. Unlike Ms. Dana Berk and Mr. David Hoffman, Ms. Rabin has not been appointed by Dr. Step himself.

4. Last but not least, Mr. Eliot Bowles - the ambitious new counselor is yet another threat to the Stepenosky administration. Perhaps Dr. Step thought he was a little too ambitious for his own good.

It seems Dr. Step has eliminated many threats except the greatest one of all: free speech. After all, he can't eliminate all the students at Beverly, now can he?

- Agent Smith

Stepenosky Tries to Make Highlights a Public Relations Vehicle

The following was written by the former Highlights Advisor in a letter written to www.bhweekly.com (printed here with permission)

What does it take to be the “right fit” for the journalism teaching position at Beverly Hills High School?

Apparently possessing professional journalism experience (reporter for the Los Angeles Times and Orange County Register, as well as editor-in-chief of her college newspaper), teaching advanced English courses on the college level, producing quality publications and television newscasts, and receiving positive classroom evaluations couldn’t save Jennifer Moulton’s job.

She wasn’t the “right fit.”

She allowed her journalism students the unpardonable sin of practicing their First Amendment rights, guaranteed by California law.

Principal Dan Stepenosky said in [Beverly Hills Weekly's] March 3 “pink slip” story that the district would not reveal why a teacher is not re-elected and, in general, the district seeks “the right fit.” Board of Education member Barry Brucker said in [Beverly Hills Weekly's] article that “administrators sometimes have a ‘gut feeling’ that a teacher many not be a ‘good fit’ for the district.”

It’s time for a gut check.

The right fit, as it appears to me, is to find a journalism teacher willing to avoid covering controversial stories who will allow the newspaper to become a public relations vehicle for the administration. To paraphrase the New York Times motto: “All the good news that fits we will print.”

How else to explain former Principal Ben Bushman’s displeasure when student journalists covered the campus oil well toxin story, which made headlines in the local and national media? Journalism students were expected to act as if this story didn’t exist?

Bushman once asked me why Highlights couldn’t print an edition with 100 percent good news. Had I been on probation under him, I probably wouldn’t have been “a good fit.” 

I never felt that Bushman understood or appreciated the tremendous deadline pressure producing responsible, quality journalism products. The job is analogous to coaching football, basketball, and baseball teams simultaneously.

My advice to the next journalism teacher seeking tenure is to fit in and avoid controversial stories (and forget about journalistic integrity). 

My advice to the superintendent and Board of Education: Get more actively involved in the evaluation process so that you don’t lose quality teachers like Jennifer Moulton.

In the final analysis it is the journalism students who are the big losers.

- Gil Chesterton

Student Responsibilities Contract Revisions 

The Rules Make No Sense!

Rules exist to bring order to what would otherwise make chaos. It is not uncommon, however, that the creators of these rules are flawed in their vision of what is necessary to maintain order. When that happens, unfair rules are made. Just as workers in the first half of the twentieth century had to succumb to “yellow dog” business contracts (rules) preventing them from joining a union, and blacks in the south had to follow unfair segregation laws, the students of Beverly are forced to sign a contract to stay in school, a contract filled with oppressive and unfair rules. Here's why EVERY SINGLE RULE in the contract is flawed:

1. To remain on campus at all times during the school day as defined by my school program, including lunchtime, leaving ONLY when authorized to do so by a school official.

A student should be free to leave school at lunch. The food offered by the school is low in nutritional value and fails to satisfy most tastes. Health concerned student who forget their lunches at home are ignored by this rule.

2. To arrive on time for all classes. Absences and tardiness impact student performance. Detention will be assigned for excessive absences and tardiness.

One should not be forced to arrive for classes on time because some classes simply start at unreasonable times. A tardiness is a miniscule distraction to the class and the only one affected is the student.

3. To attend all my classes except for legally excused reasons (illness, bereavement, quarantine, or medical appointment). SPECIAL NOTE: Schools receive funding only for days in which a student is in attendance. More importantly, good attendance results in greater success in school.
I understand that I must clear all absences and that the procedures are as follows: (many, many lines of procedure - omitted)

The procedures for excusing an absence at school are needlessly long and pointless. Most students will either forge a note or get their parents to write one. Sometimes the attendance office doesn't even have the parent's phone number, only the students - so the parents are never notified.

4. To refrain from unlawful use, possession or sale of drugs or alcohol on or off school grounds, when involved in any school activity, or when on the way to or from home/school. I understand that violation of the District drug/alcohol policy will result in my suspension from school, notification of the Beverly Hills Police Department, a parent conference, and possible initiation of expulsion procedures. I understand that return to school may be contingent upon enrollment in an approved drug education/counseling program.

Possession of drugs and alcohol at school is completely warranted. Simply because one possesses an object does not mean that one is going to use it. If you own a gun, will you kill somebody? Probably not. And isn't the school persisting for students to take entrepreneurial endeavors into their own hands (...hello - drug deals)?

5. To refrain from bringing any type of weapon (includes pocket knife or sharp object) to school. I understand the penalty for violating this section is my suspension from school and initiation of expulsion procedures.

Weapons at school are also unreasonably banned. But say that one day you were taking a break at the lavatory and a malicious bear happens to wander in. The school wants you to simply surrender and be KILLED by this bear. I don't know about you but I certainly wouldn't want to be killed by a bear.

6. To dress appropriately for school, recognizing that school is a place of business and that I must respect the guidelines set by my individual teachers. The following are considered inappropriate and may not be worn: any clothing that suggests gang affiliation, bears inappropriate logos, or detracts from the academic environment.

Dress is a way of expressing yourself. Banning “inappropriate” clothes prevents students from expressing themselves. Banning clothes with attractive logos prevents commercialism and hurts the economy. And if one wishes to associate themselves with a “gang”, there should be no reason to not express gang spirit.

7. To refrain from behavior that disrupts school activities. I understand that actions such as inappropriate classroom conduct, profanity, and lack of respect for classmates and adults are unacceptable behaviors and may result in suspension and/or expulsion.

Behavior that disrupts school activity is very often necessary. If one wishes to disturb the class to announce a potentially life threatening situation one should be allowed to.

8. To refrain from the unauthorized sale of any items on campus.

This is possibly one of the sillies rules. If you posses an object or have the potential for service you should be able to exchange this for money. Selling products has been the basis for capitalism for hundreds of years. Who do the cocky politicians in the district think they are to hinder hundreds of years of human progress?

9. To refrain from possessing, using, and/or supplying others with matches or tobacco products or fireworks. Students may not smoke anywhere on campus. I understand that these are unacceptable behaviors and that the Beverly Hills Police Department may issue a citation to me.

As with #4, possession of matches does not mean that you are going to smoke. What if you need to burn something down? Without matches it will be hard. Banning fireworks contradicts the beliefs of many cultures and prevents school spirit and festivity, and thus, general happiness. Is the school trying to suppress happiness?

10. To refrain from using cellular phones, pagers, or other electronic signaling devices in classrooms, offices or the library. 1 understand that these items may be used only before school, at nutrition or lunch and after school. I understand that if I use such a device at inappropriate times or places, it may be confiscated.

If the teachers can use them during class then why cant we? Banning use of electronic signaling devices in classrooms is simply silly. Say the country is under attack and the government can only send out signals through wireless telegrams. What then? While the school is reasonable in asking students to turn off phones in class, who the fuck gave them the right to TAKE SOMETHING THAT BELONGS TO YOU?

11. To refrain from using any type of recording device at school, with the understanding that taking pictures of other students or staff members with cameras, camera phones, video recorders or any other type of image capturing device without their permission is forbidden. I further understand that if I do so, my equipment may be confiscated.

Why would the school district ban recording devices (ie camcorders) at school? If everything is going as it should, why would somebody not be able to film it? Perhaps it's because the school has something they want to hide about the conspiracies, the educators, or the staff...

12. To refrain from using the elevators on campus. I understand they are for adults only. In case I am injured I will obtain a pass from my Assistant Principal or the school nurse in order to use the elevators.

If students are not to use elevators, why should adults get to use them? Simply because they are lazier than students. Students have to worry about getting to class on time. A teacher has little use for the elevators.

13. To refrain from littering in the halls and in the cafeteria. I understand that the only areas for eating include the cafeteria, second and third floor patios, the math patio, and the upper tier of the front lawn. I understand that if I litter, I may be assigned clean-up duty, detention, or cited by school officials or the police.

Littering? Perhaps if the school will stop littering my lungs with the poisons of the oil well and my mind with the poisons of crappy teaching, then I'll stop littering in the hallways... actually, maybe I should stop anyway - I don't particularly like slipping on people's homework.

14. To behave honestly and ethically at all times. I understand that violating the District Cheating Policy will result in a failing grade on the assignment for the first offense and a failing grade in the class for the second offense in that same class.

Honestly and ethically? Who defines that? I think cheating is ethical (see is Cheating Okay? Sure It Is!).

15. To refrain from unauthorized possession of school property such as keys, examinations, or equipment. Unauthorized possession may result in my arrest, suspension and/or expulsion.

Well you need the keys to get those tests before they are given.

16. To refrain from defacing property with graffiti or through other acts which damage school property. 1 understand that the penalty for such damage may be suspension from school, notification of the Beverly Hills Police Department, a parent conference, my being responsible for reimbursement of the costs associated with repairing the damage, and, in serious cases, initiation of expulsion procedures.

Only on the cars of those punks that think its cool to pull 40 mph down Heath Ave is graffiti warranted.

17. To refrain from fighting or from inciting others to fight. I understand that the penalty for violating this section may result in suspension from school for up to five days and/or arrest and/or expulsion from school.

Sometimes a good ole' fashioned fight is the only way to solve a problem. All this “discussion” and “counseling” is just to damn queer for some people. If somebody never fights for themselves they will go through life thinking that they can talk their way through anything and will probably end up getting eaten by a bear.

18. To refrain from sexual harassment of others, whether verbal, written or physical. Any student found guilty of sexual harassment shall be subject to disciplinary action.

Sexual harassment at an early age can lead to many well paying and quite fulfilling careers.

19. To refrain from any illegal use or activity with computer hardware and software. This includes cheating in classes, changing grades and/or attendance for myself or others and inappropriate use of the Internet.

Computer hacking is learning. If one wishes to “investigate” the structure of the school network and learn, why should this be prevented. Besides, it's not the student's fault if the administrator is unable to secure his network. If he can't handle a challenge, too bad. Don't punish the students.

20. To submit to the Principal or his designee for review and for permission to circulate petitions, circulars, and other printed material at least one day prior to distribution. Unapproved distribution of printed
material may result in suspension from school activities and possible expulsion.

Petitions, circulars and other printed information handed out without permission is how this country got started. If students have to get permission for everything they circulate, no reasonable material denouncing school authority will be allowed.

21. To respect the diversity of our student population. I understand that racial, ethnic, sexist, or other inappropriate comments or actions will result in immediate disciplinary action.

I completely agree with the message behind this rule, but not the legal merit. What happened to our freedom of speech?

22. To refrain from any type of hazing activities that would be likely to cause bodily danger, physical harm or personal degradation or disgrace to another student. Any student found guilty of hazing will be subject to suspension and/or expulsion and may be referred to the Beverly Hills Police Department.

This rule doesn't even need to be on the list. Its like congress passing legislation prohibiting people from slaughtering holy cattle. Violent hazing activities just don't happen around here. Hell, you cant even find a good party in this city.

23. To refrain from loitering on campus after my school day has ended.

I don't see the big deal about standing around in the school buildings after the day is over ( also known as “loitering”). The school treats the students like a bunch of hooligans who do nothing but destroy. It's unfair.

24. Seniors must maintain good attendance and grades (must pass five classes) to participate in senior activities and will be required to sign a separate senior contract.

Why not allow seniors to slack off? Seniors are leaving the school anyway and it's unfair to force them to work hard if they don't want to.

25. Skateboards may not be ridden anywhere on campus. They will be confiscated.

Skateboards are the original symbol of rebelliousness and radical beliefs. Banning skateboards just goes to show that the administration at the school wants to oppress the kids and assimilate them into an army of boring drones. Besides, what's so wrong about transporting yourself on a piece of wood with wheels that's not also so wrong with bikes?

Remember, if you don't agree with the contract - then don't sign it!

- Lithium