Four Lower Merion High School students came to the School Board Meeting on Monday night (January 24) to air their grievances, which were primarily aimed at the school’s new interim principal, Jim Scanlon. Scanlon is in the difficult position of trying to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, Sean Hughes, who was killed in a car crash on November 13.
Aden, who said he was “kind of like the class president, sort of, not really,” talked about being brought into the auditorium and informed about “a good number of new rules.” He also said he was “accused of storming around the hallways, cursing people out, causing a ruckus.” “I was belittled in front of the school – my name was read out loud on the loudspeaker, not once but twice,” he added. Aden claimed, “I did absolutely nothing wrong.”
Paul spoke in defense of the Lower Merion “Dawg Pound,” (a school spirit group) acknowledging that “there’s some things that we’ve done that could be considered disrespectful.” He apologized and went on to say, “all we’re trying to do is to cheer on our boys, our classmates – “As an athlete myself,” he added, “there’s honestly nothing better than seeing a huge student section behind you, when you’re playing against Harriton, when you’re playing against Radnor.”
Bryce said he thought that Dr. Scanlon “was stripping Lower Merion’s sense of community.” Bryce objected to not be able “to play games on the TVs anymore – during our “frees,” by the way, not, like during class time.” He added, “for these things to be taken, it just feels like you’re taking away our sense of community at Lower Merion.”
Aden claimed that the new principal has been “talking about how the students here have too much freedom.” Aden objected to students having to come to school during “Midterm Week,” even if they don’t have any exams scheduled that day. “I feel like by doing that, it’s not using Midterm Week efficiently.”
Superintendent Khalid Mumin responded after the last of the boys spoke. “We applaud you for having the courage to exercise voice. That’s something that we really appreciate,” he said. Mumin promised to take their concerns back to the principal and “talk through them, a little more.” The superintendent praised the boys for suggesting some solutions to problems that they were addressing.
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what exact school in the district was Mr Hughes Princiile of?
Lower Merion High School
As a former student of LMHS (class of 2008), what made Sean Hughes an amazing human being and principle was his ability to let kids be teenagers. He could really see kids and embraced the ones who maybe were more impulsive or creative or maybe even the quiet ones, by drawing them in with warmth, some humor, and kindness. These students need time to grieve and come together in community in the spirit of joy and connection amidst the pain of losing a beloved leader. If this new interim principle plans on clamping down on certain freedoms that Mr. Hughes embraced, he’s going to have an uphill battle. Maybe Mr. Scanlin’s main concern is safety, and if that’s the case, then he needs to be transparent about his concerns and make his intentions of creating safe competition and rivalry known. He needs to build trust, and that doesn’t begin with creating an environment of distrust. Maybe he needs to carry out a principle’s advisory committee like Mr. Hughes had, get some pizzas, sit down and get to know these kids. These past few years have been so hard on everyone, but especially students. I would imagine a gentler approach could be the bridge to creating a better working relationship between leadership and students.
Mainline classic., the entitlement keeps on giving…
When I was in grade school in the nineteen fifties I noticed this beautiful white building on the corner of Lancaster Pike and Bryn Mawr Ave. It was Caty-korner from my library. The letters in bold print read: The Bryn Mawr Trust. I was delighted. ! I thought now people will know where Bryn Mawr is.
You have a new leader with new rules. Follow the rules. Your going to have changes for the rest of your lives. Get used to it. In the service you get a new commander, in business you get a new CEO . Follow your leaders, back them up You sound like whinny little girls. Get with the program. In the Marines you do what your told,otherwise, people get killed .When you’re the boss, you make the rules. Until then, suck it up butter cups.
Schools are NOT equivalent to, nor analogous to the military. Students are not soldiers and teachers are not sergeants or officers. No one dies and the objective is not preparing for mass killing.
Pick another analogy, Buttercup.
Well schools are indeed to prepare you for life after —-careers and being held accountable in the world. Every where you go there will be rules you may or may not like or agree with, but must follow. And whether you work for another or self —-authority will always exist. Consider this prepping ground to sometimes being uncomfortable. “it is what it is, until it’s not.
Butch, in your world there would be no leaders because they are all followers. The CEO gets to be the leader because he thinks independently, has leadership skills, and is firm in his convictions. Also, your grammar stinks which shows that you didn’t really engage in your education when you had the chance. It’s pretty funny that you think that you know how to run the show, Buttercup.
This is a biased and out of context summary of the actual events. Everyone should watch the full videos for more detail.
To whom or what is it biased in favor of or against?