BrookSpeak

In this academic progressive era that Pebblebrook has become a part of, the class of 2009 is hindering the school from the goals that we have set for ourselves. According to administration, 48.5 percent of the freshman class last year was retained; this statistic is plainly ludicrous.

The immature, irresponsible, and insane behavior of the class of 2009 and their daily disruptions are harming the learning environment of the school. In a classroom with a majority of sophomores, the amount of things accomplished is often kept to a minimum. We have given you the benefit of the doubt, that you are transitioning from middle to high school, but the grace period has long been over.

You cannot continue to baby yourselves in this manner; a new class of freshmen has arrived and is ready to challenge you. The days of just getting by have long gone.

The senior class has raised the bar, and each year the bar should be raised, not lowered. You cannot continue to handle your work so lightly. High school is where it counts; these four years are the beginning of the rest of your lives.

When half of your class fails, you cannot blame the teachers. The insanity of it all is aggravating. Administration should not have to beg students to learn. School is not a socialization ground; your main purpose is to learn.

We are not saying that all of you are part of this madness, but it is a significant amount, which makes the class as a whole look bad. As Principal Regina Montgomery so often states, the one percent shines a negative light on the school. The astounding 48.5 percent makes the class of 2009 look pathetic. The key to success is to help others on the way. Looking out for oneself is good at times, but not helping those around you affects all in the long run.