PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

Strike spoils students’ school year
by Rossilynne Skena Friday, Oct. 28, 2005 at 12:05 PM
reskena@yahoo.com

Analysis of how Penn-Trafford High School students, especially seniors, are being affected adversely by contract negotiations and strike. (readable version)

Strike spoils students’ school year
-By Rossilynne Skena
Penn-Trafford High School Senior

At precisely 12:09 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2005, the bell to end 5th period rang and ostensibly signaled the transformation of the halls of Penn-Trafford High School from a passage to travel from 5th period to 6th period to a corridor for chaos. Students pushed, shoved and shouted, “Party at my house Friday! It’s a 26-day weekend!” Teachers, some of whom had not yet heard the news, seemed dumbfounded by the students acting as though anarchy had just been declared.

Students, who eagerly anticipated noon on Thursday to declare if they would have days off of school, crowded around computer screens to be the first to see the District post word of the “work stoppage.”

While some students vehemently support their teachers, others feel just the opposite; for some, the strike is just an opportunity for days away from school. All students, regardless of their opinions, however have already been affected by the contract negotiations and will soon, if not already, be affected by the repercussions of the strike.

All mornings at P-T begin in relatively the same manner – arrive at school around 7:05, put books in locker, sit half-awake in homeroom until 7:35, then trek drowsily to 1st period. This year, however, a wrench has been thrown in the system. Teachers will not open the doors to their homerooms until 7:15, which is when their day contractually begins. Thus, students mill around the halls checking their watches. During September, worried of liability issues with the students being unsupervised, the school tried a new approach – cramming approximately all 1,500 students into the cafeteria and the hall adjoining the cafeteria. This debacle ended in a vast amount of peeved students and hoarse administrators. After this fiasco, students seemed to realize waiting in the halls didn’t seem so inconvenient.

Extracurricular activities for P-T students have been changed as well. Clubs whose sponsors had a contract prior to June 30 may still exist. For instance, groups such as SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), CAP (Community Action Program) and Yearbook may continue because their respective sponsors had a contract. However, groups that were sponsored by a teacher who did not receive monetary compensation for sponsoring may not exist. This includes organizations such as the language clubs, Young Democrats and InterAct. These clubs without teacher sponsor may continue to exist with a parent who has Act 34 and 151 clearances to volunteer to “facilitate” meetings.

Unfortunately for seniors, many had hoped to hold officer positions this year to showcase their responsibility to colleges. Moreover, 3-year extracurricular commitments wane on applications in comparison to students from other school districts who will have 4-year commitments.

Another issue that most affects seniors comes in the form of letters of recommendation. While most teachers did write recommendations, some declined to write them without a contract. Students vying for admission into the most prestigious colleges without letters of recommendation fall behind their competitors. Principal Scott Inglese is sending a notice of explanation with applications lacking recommendations, but no notices, letters, nor applications can be sent right now without guidance counselors at work.

Because the guidance department is striking as well, seniors are forced to hold off on submitting their college applications. Unfortunately, the strike falls on what is a crucial time for applicants. Regular decision deadlines fall anytime between Nov. 1 and Jan. 2; the strike pushes all applicants back in sending their information. Though students can apply online, they still need their counselor to fill out the mandatory form explaining the school’s grading scale, students’ class rank, official transcript information, etc. None of this can be completed until school is back in session.

In preparation for college, some seniors and juniors have enrolled in college or Advanced Placement (AP) courses. AP courses require students to take a national exam in May to determine whether they can earn college credits. Dates for the exam are in the first week of May; the dates will not change for P-T even though students here have not had the same number of days of learning as other students nation-wide. Because AP courses are on such a rigorous schedule, losing a week in an AP English course, for instance, could mean losing the time it takes to read and discuss an entire novel.

Regardless of personal opinion, it is obvious that the repercussions of the strike most affect the students. P-T’s current situation is a far cry from the District’s touted adage of “effective, efficient, quality education.”