se115+citizenship+credits

Dear Mr. Swan
= = =Bedminster Township Public School has been debating whether we should start offering Citizenship Credits. Different schools have started to offer this. What is this? Citizenship Credits program includes girls and boys being able to get extra points on there report card, when they tell if they see any inappropriate behavior around school. Since they are offering points it is possible grades will improve. Pretty simple, right? Maybe it, sounds nice, to you! I believe the Citizenship Credits program does not belong in Bedminster Township Public School.=

==A major problem is, people would start to spread rumors just for points. How do you think rumors are spread? They are spread not because people are saying things that are true, but by making things up or twisting the truth. One scenario you need to imagine is, George needs some points to bump up his grade. His grade is a 69. If he does not get a C he will not be allowed to play his favorite sport, basketball. Meanwhile, his school just started the Citizenship Credits program. Lately, he has not seen much unsuitable behavior that he could report. So, he lies and makes up rumors to get at least one point. You might think most children are honest and will not spread rumors, but kids all over the world don't think things through. Which means innocent people will get in trouble for nothing at all! Can you see why he did that?==

==Classmates may be erroneous about misbehavior groups apparently witnessed. Like a misconception! What if I see Johny slap Lucas on the back? How am I suppose to know it was a very friendly pat on the back? Now, my notebook is out and I am writing Johny up for slapping Lucas. Johny is at the principal's office explaining, but no way does anyone believe him. Expelled is what he is now. How do you know what they are doing is right or wrong? Offices of the principals would be filled with pupils crying, trying to explain that it wasn't what the person thought it was. It may feel right to think something, but sometimes it is good to know the facts beforehand.==

==Another reason that this policy is not right is that kids will not work as hard to get good grades and not learn anything. Think of it as Kendall, a really smart student, sees kids getting tons of points for reporting people and barely paying attention in class. After seeing how much less everyone works and gets the same grades as she does, Kendal does the same. Her grades are doing great. All of the sudden her school gets rid of the program and that day she has a science midterm. None of the questions she could answer. While it's true that some kids would be smart enough to do the work, you also need to consider that kids are not fond of work and do not make smart choices often. Down drops her grades. How hard would you work if you can get a good grade by doing nothing?==

==Worst of all, friendships could be destroyed. For example, Ally and Allison are best friends since the first grade. Allison spots Ally tripping someone who is mean to her and Allison reports the scene. Ally is now in a huge amount of trouble and gets frustrated. Best friend necklaces of theirs really now are a broken heart and not half a heart that connects to the other. If you are willing to get a good friend in a boat load of trouble for one or two points, you must really not care about them as much as you think. At first friends may not snitch on each other, but later when friends may need the points and aren't thinking straight. Do you think you will still be friends with someone placed you in a predicament? I have seen friends tell each other to stop doing something, but getting them in serious consequences is a little bit over board.==

==Even though people may say extra points on my grade is great, but what they didn't think of is all of the flaws. Halting students from cursing may be outstanding, but is it worth back stabbing your friends. What would you pick, friends or points? Without a doubt, I would pick friends. Problems may disappear with this policy such as bullying, cursing, and breaking school rules, but even more problems would be caused by this policy. It is time to decline this program before little liars cause little learning. For the sake of the students, please do not bring==