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The Next Generation: Our Kids, Our Community
Community Forums
Yaakoosge Daakahidi Alternative School Students
February 9, 2007
Question #1:
Describe the learning environment you do not want to see in the high schools:
I do not want non-personal relationships with teachers. I don’t want to be seen as just another student. I don’t want teachers to teach the easiest way for them to grade, and I don’t want them to just leave you to do all the work on your own. I don’t want to learn things I know.
We I want to have an overall community with students and teachers, options on start time like A Block 8:00 a.m., B Block 10:00. I want to see student input and ideas. I want to see more classes that will relate to my future. I want teachers to have the common goal to get each student through their class and make accommodations to help them. I want respect and to be treated like an adult, because then maybe we will learn how to act like one.
Need teachers who will (not to be blunt) take _____ from other students. Kids are like adults who don’t know how to act. We demand respect but rarely give any back. Teachers give up too easy—when a students is talking back, teachers automatically go into punisher mode and totally miss all opportunity to teach the whole class.
I don’t want teachers that just blow you off when you ask for help and take how you feel in consideration. Student, “I need help.” Teacher, “Of course, I’ll help you.”
Math teachers that don’t spend a long time with kids and some kids don’t understand stuff but are expected to still do the work. Mr. ____ is the best history teacher and should never retire. I don’t want them to spend all this money on something that a lot of people want.
I don’t want to split the town up.
Big classes.
No big classes. No required gym class.
Large classes. Small hallways. Bullies. “Wana be’s.” Make JDHS an all boys school. Make the new school all girls.
People, big classes, no smoking. P.S. And yes, I do take this seriously.
Large classes. Small halls. Teachers hovering over students.
Big learning community where students can fall through the cracks, lost, uncared for… Rude teachers. Meaningless classes. Stupid rules.
Don’t want big classes.
Don’t want crabby teachers. Don’t want big classes and waste. Don’t want my tax dollars wasted on useless stuff.
I don’t want huge classes. I don’t want a lot of kids. I don’t want Mr. ____ to ever retire; he is the best math teacher ever. I don’t want a learning environment where you can’t get the one on one attention you need.
Teachers that don’t care. Expensive, useless stuff. They just need to improve the teachers at JDHS.
Mean teachers. Pretty floors. Large classes.
One thing that I don’t want in my learning environment is stupid teachers and drug addicts.
I don’t want old teachers or large classes. Yaakoosge ROCKS!
I don’t want administrators like the ones at JDHS! Or any dumb people who don’t want to learn.
People that are crazy/rude/disrespectful teachers. Too many administrators. Large class sizes.
Strict absurd rules like…Alaskan Amber sweaters not being able to be worn. You’re caught without a pass in the hall and you get a Saturday School ticket. Large class sizes. Lazy, unhelpful, rude, power tripping teachers. Negative learning environment.
Kids to go hungry.
Big classes.
Large class sizes. Teachers who don’t care about students personally. Very strict rules. Drama. Tons of students in the school.
I don’t want administrators like the ones at JDHS.
Teachers who will not help you. Splitting football, basketball, soccer.
Not sure.
Large, monotone, boring classes/teachers. Nazi administrators.
I do not want big classrooms. Teachers that don’t know me or don’t care.
Unengaged students—academically, socially.
Classes we don’t need… too many students in one class…teachers not caring.
I don’t want other kids disturbing others while they are working on anything like class work. I also wouldn’t want mean and not smart teachers, cause that’s all messed up and everything. They sometimes don’t know what to do.
I do not want crowded classes, crowded lunch rooms and hall ways. Detention. Bullies and cliques/preps/norms/druggies/all that junk. Too many educational pictures and such.
Don’t really care about the learning environment. It really doesn’t matter to me.
I don’t want the teachers to favor certain kids and not care about the rest. I don’t want cliques. I don’t want people to be obnoxious just cuzz they can.
Controlling teachers and principals—like everyday they’re on your case. Then you start stressing and the drudge builds up everyday. Then soon you just don’t want to be there because you don’t want to put up with and you just decide it’s not worth it and not go any more.
I do not want a high school that treats students like a number, or does not have time to listen to students that have ideas for how things need to change once the new school has been made.
Hate! Mean teachers! Discomfort.
To not be lame.
A JDHS that’s not crowded. No religion.
I really don’t know. It’s all good.
Not crowded. Non-violent or abusive.
I didn’t like how the teachers stereotyped the students. I did not like how you couldn’t talk about your religion. Staff members don’t communicate, and don’t talk about their concerns with students who need help.
I don’t like how JDHS is a low security prison. Absolutely no visitors or non-students of JDHS. More open and active learning.
Class sizes more than 16 students. Mean/boring teachers. People being naked.
Another number in the system.
I do not want a school that doesn’t care about students, and where students are unappreciated. Where teachers think students are nothing but trouble. Basically, JDHS.
I don’t want it to be like JDHS.
Like JDHS—their teachers are not helpful.
Don’t single people out because of the way they look like or dress.
No large classes.
Large classes, teachers who only care about the rich, preppy kids, unfriendly—too much racist drama, too crowded.
A hostile one. It’s too crowded and the teachers have no interest in actually knowing the students. Mixed grade classes so people actually know each other. No more being just a number in the system. No racist faculty (that act on their racism).
I do not want to see unqualified teachers teaching in the high schools
Don’t know. Don’t really focus on school but what I want to focus, so I don’t know.
Large lunchroom. Many kids. Abusing power. Silence.
Question #2:
Describe the learning environment that you do want to see in the high schools:
Casual yet professional. Hugs. Yaakoosge ‘2.
Everyone is friends with everyone and helps each other. SUPPORTIVE teachers and students. Classes that prepare you for the real world.
Fun and more activities. No school on Fridays.
Smaller classes. McDonalds lunch time. Student lounge. Teachers care.
I think the teachers should be younger because most teachers are old and judge kids just by how they look but mostly by color.
Very small and easy to learn.
I want small classes and good teachers.
It should be like Yaakoosge, in all ways.
Better school food.
Drug free.
I would like to see less set curriculum. I want classes where I don’t have to learn the basics. I’m sick of having to go over everyone’s.
Everybody should know each other. Teachers should treat students with respect and more than just a kid. Classes shouldn’t be bigger than at least 20 kids.
Smaller classes. Caring teachers. Friendly environment. No racial profiling. Teachers who care about rich and poor kids (it shouldn’t matter how much $$ you have; everyone deserves to get an education!) More fun in the classroom, make learning more enjoyable.
Relaxed where students can get away from teachers sometimes, like our commons here-they don’t bother us. It’s nice. Smaller classrooms, more respectful teachers. Teachers that don’t help through judgment. More variety and advanced classes. No school on Fridays. Same strict attendance rules and service work requirements.
Nice, non-stereotyping teachers. Help from teachers.
Top of the line computers.
Smaller class sizes. Classes that prepare you for jobs OUTSIDE of Alaska. Not everyone wants to live or work in Alaska.
Graphic design or graphic arts design. Advanced technology or just technology (ACT).
Cool teachers. To be able to know and be friends with everyone.
I would like to see an environment in which students are able to make any club, or group recreational activities and be able to manage them.
Ethics class to teach some kids how to act.
Pretty much exactly like Yaakoosge. Nothing like JDHS. Small, caring community. Everyone’s opinion matters.
Free food. Less rules about attire. Fair trial prior to suspension.
Longer class period.
Small classes. More art classes. More computer classes.
Small classes.
Better math teachers. Free food. Smaller groups of kids. Teachers who care and don’t complain. Classes that help you in the future. No stupid girls who like drama. No stupid people who think they are in gangs.
I want to see the teachers have more one-on-one time with students. I want to see Mr. ____ come to Yakoosge. I want no year round school.
Elective classes with your future involved. Same dates of school—no year round. That would be the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard in my life.
Fun/pep rallies/small classes. Year round schooling Large library.
Food, fun classes that make us move around. Not sitting for more than 30 minutes.
Easy-going/well organized teachers. Easy to talk to administrators. Small classes. Student parking!!
Auto Shop.
Small classes. Nice staff and teachers.
No attendance. Values and morals. No laptops. Couches in commons. Healthy food (no pizza, greasy food). Diversity in school. Better school dances. Climate controlled. Respectful teachers that are understanding. Coffee/drinks in classrooms. Small classroom sizes. More rooms. Fairness. Variety of classes: more music, off campus classes, fun adventurous classes. Environment such as Yaakoosge. I would like to be able to listen to iPods with learning lessons or something like that. Like have lessons on iPods.
Music should be allowed and computers. A big building. Good teachers.
Music and computer able to listen to every day.
Positive learning environment. Helpful. Respectable teachers. More music classes. Good drinks and food. At your own pace attitude. Eating and drinking in the classrooms. No strict rules.
Small class sizes. Teachers who actually care. Very comfortable furniture. Pretty. Not cluttered. No strict rules. Modern look.
An environment like choice or YDK!!! Oh yeah, music is important. Eating ok!!!
Smaller classes and being able to listen to music while you work!!
The learning environment that I would want is comfortable and you can listen to your music whenever you feel like. You should be able to eat food whenever also.
I want no gangs and free blankets.
For teachers to pay more attention to the kids. To have more interesting classes. More student parking.
One school campus. Two different lunches for 45 minutes. After first period have time to do homework that you didn’t finish. Only have up to 15 kids in a class. Should provide little calendars.
Opportunities for all students to be involved in school.
Focused teachers that know me to some degree (and care). They should have a quarter system. Vocational classes.
Smaller classes. More computer classes. More p.e. classes. More English classes.
I do want to see a diesel class.
Nice teachers, high school students should be more mature and have the will to graduate. Have laid back, but not slacking off. Make learning hands on and fun. New classes. Certain career choices.
I’d like for every single teacher to help and pay attention to all the students no matter what kind they are.
More classes that we could use in life.
I want it to be like Yakoosge where the teachers care and the classes are small. The subjects are interesting. Fast paced classes and good rules with rewards, our own area.
The way I see this…The new HS should just be a Yakoosge, only in a huge building.
More academic choices. More advanced classes. Teachers who care.
Smaller classes. The teachers actually caring for you, not just worrying about getting paid. More like the Yakoosge classes and teachers. They tend to look out for you, your education and safety, but not all heavy strict except for attendance.
Question #3:
Describe a student when he/she graduates from high school:
They should feel prepared and have the information and resources to go on to further their education and or enter a career. They should have the social skills. They should feel they earned it…it’s not just handed to everyone.
Not stupid.
Go to college. Get a job.
Smart, sexy, drives when I can’t. Pretty eyes and goes to college to be an orthodontist/metal singer.
Raising kids. Jobs.
Has more opportunities than someone who dropout and got their G.E.D. For example: colleges, jobs, etc. More Money!!$$
Has more opportunities. Great career, lots of money, go to college.
Good person. Good job, big money or college if wanted.
They should just be happy.
Happy, proud to go to college. Good with a lot of skills.
The same thing.
Incorporate vocational school in high school
Goal oriented. Run and respectful. Has a set plan. Able to go to college.
Someone who has met the state’s requirements.
Good: get a job, have kids, get married. Bad: bums, drug addict, drunk.
I would make $1500 more than I would without a high school diploma.
I do not know anything really, but they have to be smart to learn or do anything.
Ready for the work of life, technology.
I want a democracy and qualified teachers. Smaller class sizes. A choice of classes we want and have the teachers work around the students’ needs, even if that means having 8 periods a day in a certain classI would like to see people working together. Helping the people that don’t understand and not just give up on them if they are saying they can’t do it and don’t want to. To help them realize that they can do it. I guess support each other.
For the teacher to study individually with the students, one-on-one.
So he earned 21 credits.
Graduates should look like someone that has knowledge of personal finance and be ready for living on their own. WE all need to know about technology and have 21 credits.
Should have a good mind of what they are going to do after high school
A graduate should be someone who worked hard and knows basic living skills. Know how to use computers and they should have a steady income. Should be close enough to school to come back and visit.
Responsible. Have a plan after high school. Appreciate other cultures. Value education.
Have good vocabulary words. And scholarships to show their accomplishments.
A person with a diploma who is trying to figure themselves out.
Someone who works hard and is dedicated. Who’s driven and has a plan. They should be working and not just sitting ob their butt. They should be ready for what’s next. They shouldn’t have a credit card! Most college kids who have credit cards aren’t financially ready and they build themselves into debt.
I like it here at YD because you get recognized and get an opportunity to give a speech…to you. It motivates me…Give them opportunities.Someone really trying to be the best role model.
A student that graduates has completed a requirement for a social and economic well being, and it gives them a chance to see what they can do on their own.
I think that completely depends on the person. Some people will go to college. Some won’t. They should have learned all the basics they need for life and be motivated enough to work for their career.
We should have a great education ready to go on to college or whatever they choose to do and be content with what they’ve learned in high school. I think most kids aren’t!
I think that graduating is a giant step into adulthood. Are they ready? At JDHS I don’t think they are always ready. At Yaakhoosge, we get to do things that help make us feel grown up and get us introduced to things we do when we grow up.
I want them to feel that they completed one step in the marathon of their life. That they have an endless hallway at 2007. I want them to feel overwhelmed with the amount of opportunities open to them. I want them, if they don’t.
Proud. Happy. Amazed. Relaxed. I think they should be thinking, not slacking.
Well educated. Strong ethics. Prepared. Experienced.
I don’t really care about how students “look” when they graduate. It’s no business of mine. It depends on the person.
I want them to have a plan for after school.
Have an idea after graduation of what they want to do.
They will be smart. Honestly, I cheated so much at JDHS, skipped so much, and still passed, that I don’t really feel I am ready to graduate. I don’t feel like I’ve leaned what I should have
They need to have an idea what they are going to do after school.
They say “Thank God, I’m done with that headache.” Most people don’t have a plan. Some get a job.
Happy/sad to leave/want to expand their education.
They have an idea and plan of what to do when they’re out.
I don’t think it would be any different.
Prepared academically and socially to become a valuable member of society.
I see myself going to college.
I would want to look like a confident, curious to learn other things, and very excited, have a variety of learning skills.
When I graduate I’ll be happy and relieved, interested in stuff that means things (content).
Learning about cars. Having the ability to speak a language.
Going to be interested in activities after high school.
I would look like a big boy that can get a good job.
Question #4:
What advice to you have for making the best learning environment happen?
You shouldn’t need geometry to get out of high school. More hands on stuff. Less kids per class.
Care about your jobs!
Something like YDK or choice. Lax rules and just comfortable environment.
Clean halls/rooms. Music allowed. Computer access. Good teachers, teachers capable of student teacher relationships. “Friendly relationships.” Lenient. School starts at 9:30-10:00.
The advice I would give for the new school would be to have a friendly on-the-students-side-faculty and not be too strict. Maybe a little, but not too harsh and small classes.
Small classes. Nicer teachers. Music. Computers. School starts later on in the day—10:00.
Have small classes that are comfortable. Pick teachers that are actually going to care about the students→ not just about getting paid. Don’t have super strict rules.
Take into account each student as an individual and their needs.
Something like Yaakoosge and the Choice Program. Start from 9:30-3:30 p.m.
Friendly work places.
Something like Yaakoosge with small classes, younger teachers, later classes that start at 10:30-4 would be nice, and school has lessons on ipods or laptops.
School start later at 10:00 a.m. Small classes.
The best would have to be making you feel comfortable when you come to school every morning, knowing you can listen to music or eat food whenever you want.
Kids need to care about their education.
Less kids in the class.
Make it fun!
To have off campus.
Listen to students. Don’t quit on students.
Have one-on-one time with kids. Give them a chance before you judge.
Get to know the kids.
Younger teachers.
One-on-one learning.
Pay more attention to the kids.
Expanded horizons. Open beliefs.
Make it a place where people care about everyone and you have support at school. And classes that prepare you for the real world and college…And that after you graduate…tell them they have the opportunity to go to college and they can make it happen.
Don’t do drugs.
Get teachers from out of state!
Care about the kids and put enough effort into these kids so they get what they need.
Not controlling teachers and principal.
Good environment.
Listen to students!
Good stuff.
I want the students to make it and know exactly what they want to do and to get what they want and want to go do something. Pick better teachers—nice ones!
Find dedicated honest caring teachers!
Go by the same structure and guidelines Yaakoosge goes by.
Don’t hire racist teachers. Not long lectures.
I think they should just care. Really, just care about the students. Don’t treat us like we’re dumb or stupid.
Stick with it. Don’t give up. Make it seem cool.
Kept with school.
No traditionalism. No Racism (Healing Racism in American should be recommended.)
Choose good teachers.
I got nothing really. You guys are smart and already got everything you got for a learning environment.
Support vs. care about how we feel, take our opinion into matter. Don’t just listen. Do it!
Communication. Use Yaakoosge’s rules.
Fun, open talking. More field trips because they’re fun. Big party after the semester.
Less kids per class.
Understand that everyone learns at their own pace!!Talk with each student to see how they learn.
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