What actions lead students to alternative?
February 11, 2020
The actions that lead students from all three district 201 campuses to alternative vary from physical altercations to simply wanting a smaller school environment.
According to Dr. Erin Kelly, principal at Alternative, students located at alternative find different ways to move past their differences knowing they’re going to see each other every day due to school size. At the building, students have a homeroom that used for social/emotional counseling because the goal of alternative is to teach students that “In life, you are going to have disagreements and there are people you’re not going to like but you have to get past it.” Compared to Morton East, Alternative begins their school day at exactly 8:15 am and ending at 3:30 pm. The alternative offers a second chance for students after expulsion. They utilize a restored justice system instead of suspension, which means, ” We try not to make it as a prison, we try to make it positive. We don’t give out many referrals and our counselor makes a huge difference.”
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Samantha • May 4, 2021 at 12:56 pm
Judge: I wish this article would’ve included why students were in there, and if they ever return to their home schools.
Ivan Valle, Belmares • Feb 9, 2021 at 9:22 am
Pretty short but it explains why theres alternative schools and how students got there in the first place
Kinberly Reyes- Belmares • Feb 9, 2021 at 7:47 am
With this article about “What actions lead students to alternative?” helped me understand that being in alternative is not a horrible place as people say. I like that Morton East is trying their best to chnage students life for their own good, giving them second chances.
Samantha Quiroga • Feb 9, 2021 at 7:07 am
BELMARES – I am glad that the writer of this article emphasized the fact that Morton tries to make alternative a positive environment. I feel like many people look down on alternative, but really don’t know what it is used for. The fact that Morton gives it’s students a second chance, makes the student rethink his or hers choices. It is a really great way to shape kids up for the better.
Brandon Rivera • Nov 5, 2020 at 9:17 am
(judge) This is a very good article. I think that alternative schools are a good idea and can help students get back in track with their education. Alternative school is student’s second chance after expulsion to get help and change which I think is very good because people can change and learn from their mistakes.
Andrea G • Feb 18, 2020 at 12:25 pm
Frankfother- The quote should be separated from the rest of the article.
It should be separated to add more attention to it because it is important to the article.
Esmeralda V • Feb 18, 2020 at 10:30 am
Frankfother.
Some students from alternative are here at East this 2nd semester. Direct quotes from them would’ve been reasonable and reliable to support this article.
Brianna B • Feb 18, 2020 at 10:26 am
Frankfother. This article was very good but I do have to say that next time you should try to make spaces between your quotes.
jose ocon • Feb 14, 2020 at 1:30 pm
Genge- One of the main reasons students attend alternative schools is because they don’t learn well in a traditional school. … Alternative schools specialize in using varied and creative ways to teach the material, and their teaching methods are often much more tailored to each student’s learning preferences and student who have bad behavior and and it sucks for them because they get put in a different school like place. my question is if the kids in alternative school could still attend like dances and like be in a sport team.
Leslie Barajas • Feb 14, 2020 at 1:27 pm
Genge: I feel that alternative schools are helping the education system by giving students a second chance to improve their future and themselves. I have researched that people including myself have viewed alternative schools as where “bad kids” go, but that’s not necessarily the case. Many students in alternative schools do not have behavioral problems. They may have attendance problems and need an alternative school to get back on track. The benefits for Alternatives schools is that it was the potential to create a personalized educational experience for the student that is often not possible in a local public school. This type of school can offer smaller class sizes, which benefits the student in multiple ways. A smaller student-to-teacher ratio means more one-on-one interaction that helps a child build confidence. I believe alternative s schools are good to build to help individuals that need help fix their future.
Alfredo M • Feb 14, 2020 at 1:22 pm
“Genge” – An alternative school is usually seen as a school where “bad kids” go to. But its usually due to the fact that some children decide to not come to school and with that, they miss out on all the classes throughout the time that they are absent. in a article by the National Education Association, They say it goes two ways basically. The school usually is able to help the children with their problems in school, mental health and etc.
Julian Betancourt • Feb 14, 2020 at 12:48 pm
Genge-The alternative school does do a great job of giving students a second chance, it also tends to be a better environment for some. Which if it helps others learn then by all means it succeds in its purpose. These kids are leraning emotional management and great life skills for the future.
valeria serrano • Feb 14, 2020 at 12:45 pm
Genge: i think that people just assume that all the students go to alternative because of gang or drug relation but thats not nessesarily true. a lot of the people who end up in alternative is because they let their grades fall back or just simply need a lot of extra help. going to the alternative classes can also help students with their behavior.
Chasity Ruiz • Feb 14, 2020 at 12:42 pm
Genge – When I heard about the Alternative schools I just thought that that’s where all the bad kids or the one’s who misbehave go there. Then I read about how yeah there is kids who misbehave that are there but that the school is to help other kid’s like ones who have it harder to learn and need more help with learning because of there disabilities. These Alternative school’s have helped students grow to be better and become better at learning because even though it was a process for some of the student’s who go there they bloomed like a flower from the help they got at their school.
Abigail Gonzalez • Feb 14, 2020 at 12:40 pm
Genge- I’ve always thought alternative schools where a bad place you did not want to be in because I would hear people saying it was boring and they never did anything and it honestly sounded like a prison. But I’ve done some research and it seems like alternative schools are actually beneficial for students facing behavioral, emotional and academic challenges and it provides them with a second chance.
Juan Lopez • Feb 14, 2020 at 12:36 pm
Genge: Alternative Schools in the United States are mostly seen and portrayed like mini prisons or junior juvie. Alternative schools can be a great place for rehabilitation and growth that a “normal” environment just can’t provide. I do however believe that Alternative schools are like prison in a sense. In an article from the organization Propublica, I read about a student named Logan, who was “left hung to dry” after a misunderstanding with a teacher. Logan was forced to an alternative school where his ADHD needs weren’t addressed or helped. Alternative schools can be good, but can either make or break a student’s life.
Abygail Crespo • Feb 14, 2020 at 12:35 pm
Ms. Genge:
I think Alternative schools are really great opportunities for kids who don’t do so well in school. (Whether it is behavioral or grade issues) It allows for students to see that school isn’t so bad once you get around to just cooperating with everyone and doing your work and just enjoying yourself through it all. Compared to Morton East, I think that the type of counseling, rules and discipline that is at Alternative should be the same as Morton East. A lot of the time, kids are suspended for defending themselves and it isn’t fair to to those kids because usually it is the people who start the actual problems are the ones that get let off the hook. I just think that th rules and discipline that is allowed at alternative should be placed within Morton East High School. Overall, i definitely agree with the rule system and the way kids are treated at alternative.
Angel Ramirez • Feb 14, 2020 at 12:34 pm
Genge: The alternative school is a good place for students who can not handle being in the regular high school. While students can get distracted or get into conflict in East, the Alternative School is a small school which can be effective to go to since its small and there is little to no distraction. Its good for the students who constantly got into fights as they’ll be away from whoever was in the way and can help the distracted failing students get another chance and pass.
Yaremy Orozco • Feb 14, 2020 at 12:33 pm
Genge – I agree with the quote “In life, you are going to have disagreements and there are people you’re not going to like but you have to get past it.”. Alternative school is a place made to educate students who have not been successful in regular schools, often because of behavior, disciplinary and safety concerns. I think this article states the main action that leads to alternative, besides that they did not go further on other actions that might lead students to alternative. Alternative school is a great help for students who can’t do good in regular schools.
Jesus Ayala • Feb 14, 2020 at 12:33 pm
Genge-Many look at alternative school as a housing area for those students who cause trouble but later learn that they’re wrong. Although its meant for students who need anger management, falling behind on credits. I honestly do see the alternative schools as an impact towards students who need and are given a second chance to change.
Jesus Ayala • Feb 14, 2020 at 12:31 pm
Many look at alternative school as a housing area for those students who cause trouble but later learn that they’re wrong. Although its meant for students who need anger management, falling behind on credits. I honestly do see the alternative schools as an impact towards students who need and are given a second chance to change.
kenia Salgado • Feb 14, 2020 at 12:29 pm
Genge- I feel that alternative schools are helping the education system by giving students a second chance to be better and improve their future. There are about 2,00 school dirtricts in the U.S that have alternatative schools. I think that there is a lot of effort put in for these students to get back on track. I just hope that they realize that and contimue their education.
Daniel Villanueva • Feb 14, 2020 at 12:21 pm
Genge-The idea of a alternative school is great because even though it is thought to be a school for troubled people some of the reasons are just for people who are not capable of big environment i’ve met people who are in the school and it shows that with care and just more emotional support it shows that there can be a second chance.
claudio • Feb 14, 2020 at 10:42 am
Genge- Alternative schools are designed for students to get a second chance and change their behavior and their old ways. in an article it said that a teacher who was teaching them considered them as her kids she also said that she seen many kids not go to prison and succeed after their years in alternative school so i agree that alternative school help students get back on track.
Fernando Guel • Feb 14, 2020 at 10:32 am
Genge- At first I thought that alternative schools are for misbehaving kids however I’ve learned why alternative schools exist, how they give the students there a second chance, and why they are helpful. I agree that alternative schools are helpful because they teach the kids that are there that they’ll meet people they don’t like but they’ll have to move pass it.
Daniel Martinez • Feb 14, 2020 at 10:30 am
-Genge 2nd hour
I think Alternative school are great and play a big part in getting people on track. My best friends uncle actually was on a very bad path and was sent to alternative. There he was focused on as a human due to the small environment and is now doing his part in society and is steps away from being a Chicago police officer.
Nathalie Sedano • Feb 14, 2020 at 10:29 am
Genge- Alternative schools are usually seen by students as a place where students who have a bad record go. But there is more to that. Alternative schools are used by students the are falling behind on credits, need special education, or a student just wants a setting that is not too crowded like public schools. Alternative schools that try to personalize for the students that go there instead of being so abroad with clubs and activities.
Jason Israel Chirino • Feb 14, 2020 at 10:20 am
Genge: I researched from an article that gave me some very good information allowed me to compare both situations. For example,” The word “alternative” implies a choice. But in an era when the freedom to pick your school is trumpeted by advocates and politicians, students don’t choose the alternative schools to which districts send them for breaking the rules: They’re sentenced to them. Of 39 state education departments that responded to a ProPublica survey last year, 29, or about three-quarters, said school districts could transfer students involuntarily to alternative programs for disciplinary reasons.”(How students Get Banished to Alternative Schools, Paragraph 6)This let me see how our school is giving us a choice of going to school even when expelled such as another opportunity, while this school sends their students to whatever alternative they choose. No choice of doing so and mainly forced to face the consequences. Yes, I believe that students should be sent to alternative schools since they learn from their actions and gain help from counselors but not in the way that school organizes it. Though having programs would be a good idea to get back on track. Though, I like our schools disciplinary system since the administrative isn’t ruff with their students and want them to succeed even after being expelled. I truly prefer our schools doing of choices and actions.
Lexany Lara • Feb 14, 2020 at 10:16 am
“Genge”- I think its amazing that we have alternative schools because it’s a great opportunity for students that are having trouble with normal school, to get a second chance to get their stuff back up and still graduate while they work on internal problems. I read an article that said it wasn’t necessarily bad kids going to alternative school, but it could be ids with good behavior just has trouble with attendance. I think it’s good to have alternative schools because it gives students having a hard time with regular school a second way of continuing their education.
Jose A. • Feb 14, 2020 at 10:15 am
Alternative schools are a way to prevent as many students as possible from dropping out of school. I always thought of it as a second small school that’s for the students that cause trouble, but with this article I have a better understanding of what the Alternative really is. I enjoyed this article
Sarahi Bustamante • Feb 14, 2020 at 10:14 am
Genge- Alternative schools are good way to teach students how to get used to the fact that not everyone gets along. Keeping the school small and having them pass each others in the hall is also an effective way of helping them ignore others that they might have problems with. Sending teens to alternative as one more opportunity to get it together instead of leaving them without an education is a way to show these students that there are people out there that care about their education and future.
Joshairys Rodriguez • Feb 14, 2020 at 10:08 am
Ms. Genge- I like the idea of alternative schools because it provides a different environment for kids who can’t act with propriety in such a big and claustrophobic environment. They give students who cant survive in a traditional environment an opportunity to graduate. This is crucial because is getting more and more important and jobs are requiring higher education for jobs that you could’ve done 20 years ago with a high school diploma.
Diego Andrade • Feb 14, 2020 at 9:36 am
Genge – Alternative schools is a place for students who don’t fit in in a normal school weather it be because of behavioral issues, medical needs or becuase of an expulsion. According to health of children, “In general, alternative schools have more comprehensive educational and developmental objectives than conventional schools. They often have curriculum elements that focus on improving student self-esteem , fostering growth of individuality, and enhancing social skills. Alternative schools are more flexible in their organization and administration, which allows for more variety in educational programs.” I think that people assume alternative schools is a place for bad kids, but it’s not. It helps those students find there self esteem. I feel like Morton does a good job at showing that.
Karina Perez • Feb 14, 2020 at 9:30 am
Genge- Alternative schools are supposed to help student better their behavior and overall character. To be sure, many students are sent to alternative schools for major offenses involving drugs, alcohol, weapons or violence. It is very important that these students get a second chance and that they can find ways to fix their mistakes and learn from their actions.
Esmeralda Ramirez • Feb 14, 2020 at 9:25 am
Genge- Alternative schools really do help students grow and strive to better themselves. At NEA.org, parents, students, and teachers talk about their experiences at alternative school and how it helped them. Therefore leading me to believe that the Morton Alternative School is also trying to do what is best for the students and benefit them in numerous ways.
Francisco Roa • Feb 14, 2020 at 9:14 am
Ms.Genge
While doing my research i would like to add that most kids in the us get sent to alterantive because they are a “threat”
Antonio Aguilar • Feb 14, 2020 at 9:05 am
Genge- In recent times the Alternative School is always seen as the type of school where merely all the bad kids go to in which I also thought of to be true as well. As I read other articles I came to realize that in 1970’s they were designed for students who merely had learning disabilities, mental issues, medical conditions and behavioral issues. Thanks to this article I came to realize that its not simply just for fighting and punishment for it but simply a second chance after expulsion in which the district actually cares about the students education. They actually wanna see the kids get back on track back to success, they also provide many emotional and social programs to better the student in both aspects.
Yasmin Rodriguez • Feb 14, 2020 at 9:02 am
Genge- I have a personal connection to this article because I personally know many students in Alternative. Not every student is in there for causing trouble in school, some fall behind in credits and need extra help, and others just simply want a smaller school environment. I enjoyed this article because it gave students a better understanding on why their peers are in Alternative. This school helps and benefits students, if there was not such an opportunity, many students will drop out. Now they have a second chance, in continuing their education.
Jenaro Barajas • Feb 14, 2020 at 7:32 am
While I believe that the system in place at Alternative is indeed quite positive and in the long run good for the students involved. I believe that simple counseling could likely do much of a job already being done by the realization of what expulsion means.
Nailea Chavez • Feb 14, 2020 at 7:32 am
Genge: Alternative schools are a way to prevent as many students as possible from dropping out of school. Alternatives schools around the country help students who might not have enough credits, get on track for education. Many alternative schools also offer students a different and more comfortable environment to continue their education.
Julia Ariza • Feb 14, 2020 at 7:19 am
Genge – J. S. Morton Alternative Highschool is the little building thats near the Freshman Center on 55th Ave. I always thought of it as a second small school that’s for the students that cause trouble, but with this article I have a better understanding of what the Alternative really is. It does amaze me how a second chance can be given, their quote “In life, you are going to have disagreements and there are people you’re not going to like but you have to get past it.” proves that the school system just wants the best for the students.
Antonio Acosta • Feb 14, 2020 at 7:16 am
Genge ~ As I compare this to other articles alike to this I see similarities as to explaining alternative and what it does for students. Why didn’t you guys talk about kids that are in the alternative school to see what they think. I can make a connection because I know family members that went to alternative.
Itzel Barraza • Feb 14, 2020 at 7:10 am
Genge – Since the 1970s, more and more alternative high schools have been constructed in the United States. Alternative high schools are not only for students who were at risk of being expelled or falling academically, but it is also for students with special educational needs. In some cases, being transferred to an alternative high school has proved beneficial for many students as they learn to adapt to their environment better.