{"id":5883,"date":"2015-09-02T20:53:58","date_gmt":"2015-09-03T03:53:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stapletonion.com\/?p=5883"},"modified":"2015-09-02T20:53:58","modified_gmt":"2015-09-03T03:53:58","slug":"northfield-high-hires-bullies-to-give-freshman-class-authentic-experience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stapletonion.com\/?p=5883","title":{"rendered":"Northfield High Hires Bullies to Give Freshman Class Authentic Experience"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"High<\/a> High school jock pushing nerd in locker[\/caption]\nNorthfield High School has kicked off its first year, and in the first year, it will only have a freshman class. They will continue to phase in classes over the next three years, and the school will continue to grow after that, until they eventually become the academic and athletic powerhouse in the state. There will certainly be growing pains as there is with any school, but Northfield High seems poised to overcome any obstacles. One concern of the Northfield High staff is whether these first classes will get an authentic high school experience. \u201cWith the freshman class being the oldest class, they are essentially the kings of the school,\u201d said school administrator Lena Johnson. \u201cThere is no one there to keep them in check, like there would be if there was a senior class. So, it kind of throws the whole social system out of whack.\u201d\n\nLuckily, administrators at the school had already thought about this, and made the decision to hire in some bullies to play the part of upper classmen to pick on the freshman and keep them in line, and give them that \u201cfreshman experience\u201d they would not have gotten otherwise. \u201cThe bullies coming in are basically deadbeats from other schools, or dropouts,\u201d said Vice Principal Eric Williams. \u201cWe give them a few bucks, free snacks and lunch, and they do their thing during open hours and in between classes. We won\u2019t start it right away, but by the second month of school, the program should be in full swing.\u201d Aside from keeping the freshman in check, it is also about educating them. \u201cAt one point this class is going to be the senior class, and there will be a freshman class under them,\u201d said Williams. \u201cHow will they know how to treat the \u2018fresh fish\u2019 if they never learned through their experience?\u201d Williams says parents should not be too alarmed, as they are leaving one key element out of the program. \u201cUnder no circumstances are the older bullies allowed to attempt to engage in a relationship with the younger kids. So, none of the older guys will be going after the freshman girls.\u201d\nNorthfield High parents have accepted the program, but with mixed emotions. \u201cWe always try to protect our kids from everything as parents,\u201d said parent Craig Morningstar. \u201cBut, this will be a valuable learning experience for all of our kids, and I am sure it will make them better people in the end.\u201d Brad Geary has a similar opinion. \u201cOf course I don\u2019t like the idea of someone picking on my kid at school,\u201d says Geary. \u201cBut, that is an important part of growing up. You have to learn how to handle those situations.\u201d Williams says the program is completely unique and has never been attempted at any other start-up high school. \u201cWe want to be the leader when it comes to education,\u201d said Williams. \u201cAnd social education is just as important here at Northfield High.\u201d]]>\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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