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Internet can unveil FFHS policy violators
Like Eden Prairie, Web has alerted administration to some wrong-doing.
Published Saturday, January 12, 2008
Days after students at Eden Prairie High School were interviewed about suggestive photos on the social networking site Facebook, administrators at Fergus Falls High School say they, too, share concerns about what students post on the Internet.
In the case of the Eden Prairie students, photos on Facebook suggested students were consuming alcohol at a party, prompting interviews and disciplinary action on the part of administrators and a walk-out by roughly a dozen students Thursday.
Fergus Falls High School Principal Greg Winter said local staff simply don’t have time to peruse the Internet for potential offenders.
“We do not go looking for those things, in all honesty,” he said. “But certainly if that information does come forward, as a school, we have to investigate it.”
That has happened a handful of times in the three years Detective Kevin Sonstebo has served as the school’s liaison officer. A couple years back, Sonstebo said, online photos showed students holding cans and bottles clearly marked as alcoholic beverages. This year, photos on MySpace showed a Fergus Falls student smoking a marijuana pipe.
In both cases, Sonstebo said, the students’ peers reported their behavior to school officials.
“That’s the main resource that we have — students looking out for other students,” he said, explaining that high schoolers may come to staff with concerns about the health of their friends.
When an incident is reported, Sonstebo said, parents are notified and students are referred to Jim Schaffer, high school social worker.
“We try to be as fair as possible and talk to those students,” Winter said, “but we already have procedures and consequences that are put in place for those things that students are well aware of, especially student athletes.”
Athletes and participants in other activities under the Minnesota State High School League are subject to the League’s zero-tolerance drug and alcohol policy year-round, Sonstebo said, recommending all students be smart about Web use.
“They’ve got to understand that everything on the Internet is available (to nearly everybody),” he said. “Those pictures are not just their property. All somebody has to do is cut and paste them.”
Winter said he thinks the school does a good job of educating students about the consequences of poor choices on the Internet.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by BobWilliams (Bob Williams) on January 12, 2008 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"All somebody has to do is cut and paste them."
It isn't possible to cut and paste on the internets.
Just try it.
Posted by TomTom (anonymous) on January 12, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bob,
It is very possible to cut and paste with text. It is also very simple to either right-click pictures and save them or do a simple print screen command and paste that into a text or picture editing software. If you're going to correct someone, make sure you're right.
Posted by Norse (anonymous) on January 12, 2008 at 6:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
LOL, nothing is sacred or 'protected' on the internet. If you can see it on your monitor, you can capture it save it and do what you will with it.
Where is Larry's bar when you need it? I guess it has been replaced with a sandpile in which they choose to insert their heads.
Posted by TomTom (anonymous) on January 12, 2008 at 9:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sorry, to correct myself, you can copy and paste, not cut and paste. But the idea is the same. Norse has it right, once it's on the Net, anybody can get their hands on it.
Posted by Norse (anonymous) on January 13, 2008 at 1:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Was somebody really being THAT anal to pick at the word 'cut' and then ignorant enough to use the word 'internets' in the same breath?
Posted by ffprofessor (anonymous) on January 13, 2008 at 4:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Norse, check your own posts before you shoot your big mouth off. They are not that stellar.
Posted by BobWilliams (Bob Williams) on January 13, 2008 at 6:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Nice self-retraction there TomTom. Tough guy.
Posted by BobWilliams (Bob Williams) on January 13, 2008 at 6:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Boy, you people are really sad. Get out of the house.
"Internets" is a Bushism-turned-catch phrase used humorously to portray the speaker as ignorant about the Internet or about technology in general, or as having a provincial or folksy attitude toward technology. United States President Bush used the word publicly during the 2000 election campaign; however, the term gained cachet as an Internet humor meme only following Bush's use of the term in the second 2004 presidential election debate on October 8, 2004.
Posted by BobWilliams (Bob Williams) on January 13, 2008 at 6:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So you see, in essence, it was a very humorous and incredibly precise use of the word.
And I don't care what you say. Cut and Copy are two completely different things.
Hence my point.
Some of you just amaze me.
Posted by mgdbottled (anonymous) on January 13, 2008 at 6:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The school is suppose to teach our kids reading, writing and arithmetic. That's it! Stay out of our kids personal lives. That's the job of the parent(s). What's going on? Since when does a school have to hire a full time counselor? Since when is it the schools job to spy on our kids? What's with drug tests? Why a police liason officer? What's that all about? What the H E L L is going on in these schools. Teach the kids the skills they need and quit wasting our tax dollars. IDIOTS! If a kid breaks the rules, either suspend them or expel them. That's the end of a schools authority over a kid. Personally, I'm sick of hearing about young people entering the job market who can't spell or add and subtract, even with a calculator. IMHO, the schools have failed our kids miserably. I give just about every public school in this country a big fat "F". The solution is simple. Fire everybody except the few good teachers and go back to the basics. It worked well in the past and is the schools only purpose.
Posted by Norse (anonymous) on January 13, 2008 at 7:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's time everyone STOPPED paying lip service to the fight against drugs and alcohol in our youth, and in our culture.
Yeah We ALL know who is doing it. Most of US understand that it is ILLEGAL (and for a reason). High School Sports and other extra-curricular activities carry with them a policy to uphold a certain level of law abidance. It really doesn't matter HOW someone finds out that one of the students isn't living up to those standards, rather if the standards are not being met, then the prescribed actions must be taken.
On the cut versus copy....Get a LIFE! And stop sending e-mails which only confirm your contemptuous anti-social attitude.
Posted by BobWilliams (Bob Williams) on January 13, 2008 at 7:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You asked for it. Throwing "ignorant" around when you should have been saying it in a mirror.
Posted by Lucky33 (anonymous) on January 13, 2008 at 8:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it's good for these kids to know the repercussions of posting photos like that on the internet. It's all fun and games until a potential employer, spouse, or parole officer comes across it and the party's over. Once it's out there, it's out there forever. Good lesson for them to learn earlier rather than later.
Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on January 13, 2008 at 8:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Norse, I bet you really hurt Bob’s feelings calling him “anti-social”. Wow, what a cut, you cut him to the quick. Bob, if you need a bad-aid call me I’ll be right over. Norse must be a surgeon during his spare time.
Norse, if I ask pretty please could you teach me to gain such a quick razor wit and rapier tongue?
Posted by andtongs (anonymous) on January 13, 2008 at 8:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Chipmunk, nobody needs smart remarks or advise from you.
Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on January 13, 2008 at 8:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You are wrong A.T. someone always needs my advise.
Posted by tracy (anonymous) on January 13, 2008 at 8:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Chipmunk, I need your advise. I’m currently dating a real Neanderthal from Underwood and I can’t seem to get rid of him, what should I do?
Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on January 13, 2008 at 8:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dear Tracy, inter-species dating is froth with perils not common in more traditional relationships. The opportunity for social “Fous Pas” are manifold. Should you stand when meeting his mother? Should you crouch or stand when eating? Is it socially acceptable to groom each other for lice during a concert at the center for the arts? For the answer to these questions I refer you to a new book “I married a Neanderthal” by Laura Bush. As far as getting rid of him I suggest you plan a trip to Wahpeton , North Dakota. As you pass over the Red river ask him to stop on the other side so you can stretch your legs. Then distract him by throwing a stick into the brush, while his attention is diverted, surreptitiously attach one of those pine tree car deodorants to the hairs on his back. Then tell him you think you saw a lion approaching, this will cause him to hide in the weeds, when he does you can swim across the river and hitch a ride back to Fergus. He will never be able to follow you because the pine tree smelly thing will confuse his sense of smell. Good Luck with your next boyfriend and stay away from Larry bar.
Posted by andtongs (anonymous) on January 13, 2008 at 9:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Chipmunk, that is NOT funny and you misspelled LARRY’S bar it’s not larry bar. I bet tracy is not a real person and you put her up to asking you in the first place. You are pathetic.
Posted by ffprofessor (anonymous) on January 13, 2008 at 9:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sage advise chip. Hilarious also. Andtongs must be a graduate of the norse school of quick wit.
Posted by tracy (anonymous) on January 13, 2008 at 10:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks for the advise chip but I can't swim.
Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on January 13, 2008 at 10:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Then Tracy, by all means avail yourself of the bridge, and stay away from Larry’s bar.
Posted by Paul (anonymous) on January 13, 2008 at 11:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Chipmunk, I married a woman with the nick name andtongs. Any advise?
Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on January 13, 2008 at 11:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dear Paul, yes, go to a hardware store in some town you have never been before. Wearing a disguise, and using cash, purchase a new double blade axe. Keep this purchase under your bed. Some evening when your mind is clear you will be inspired to new endeavors.
Posted by Norse (anonymous) on January 13, 2008 at 11:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Chip I just gotta ask...What is a "Fous Pas"?
See BobWilliams for counsel.
Sounds like some kind of table soccer.
Frau Eggen would be so proud!
Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on January 13, 2008 at 11:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Norse, when spelled correctly “Faux Pas” it means social blunder.
Posted by Norse (anonymous) on January 13, 2008 at 11:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So Why did you spell it fous? Et Oui Je comprends
Posted by BobWilliams (Bob Williams) on January 14, 2008 at 12:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If you want to fix it, why not cut the proper spelling there in comment #26 and paste it in comment #18.
Posted by OldHippy (anonymous) on January 14, 2008 at 12:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You are all to be congratulated for staying on topic. Well done Fergus Falls
Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on January 14, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Norse, were you really being that anal to pick on one word misspelled? See your own post at 1:55 pm.
Posted by ffprofessor (anonymous) on January 14, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Norse, quit while you are behind.
Posted by brau0156 (anonymous) on January 14, 2008 at 2:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hate to disturb the current direction of this comment stream, but I will be referring to the article at the top of the page just above the dating advice.
Facebook and other such sites are the new way to communicate just as this stream is. They are all meant to be free spaces where we can express our ideas and concerns in order to retain the thoughts of others on the subject. Whether we like or dislike the content of these is something of our own personal concern. Since each individual site is open to the occupant's personal views there is not much room for outside enforcement. Keeping in mind these ways of expressing ourselves hold no real physical space they will naturally allow individuals to express themselves in more shocking and elaborate ways. They allow users to distinguish themselves from group thinking or conformity. Monitoring these sites by any other person than the parents would be the end of their usefulness as a way for like minds to communicate. It is each parents right and responsiblity to decide what their child is exposed too. Schools are there to educate our children in disciplines that will help them succeed in their chosen path in life. Schools should not be expected to raise children as well. Parents must take the roll of moral educators.
Anyways, isn't a school, punishing a child for acts done off it's premises, taking the roll of a parent. If a child is using marijuana or drinking shouldn't the parent be the one to handle the situation. We live in a society that likes to blame things for unhappiness and discontent. Too many laws and too many regulatory bodies. Everything is worth lobbying for, or against. I wonder if we actually spent time with our kids and families if we would have time to worry about so many things.
Posted by Norse (anonymous) on January 14, 2008 at 3:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
At least I don't play the role of a horse's behind like some who can only post personal attacks and insults rather than contribute to the subject matter. Professor of what? Some may ask.
As for the free spaces, rotfl, welcome to Amerika...Think all you want, but the second a person posts a sentence phrase or word which might be perceived as illegal or immoral, somebody will extract it and present it to the authorities, if not to follow the law, simply for their own pleasure or gain.
It is illegal for persons under the age of 21 to consume or possess alcohol. It is illegal for persons under the age of 18 to possess or consume tobacco products. It is illegal for anyone to possess or consume controlled substances or related paraphernalia with residue of controlled substances.
It is against the rules of high school sports for participants to engage in such activities regardless of location.
Posted by BobWilliams (Bob Williams) on January 14, 2008 at 6:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't sell yourself short Norse, you're a tremendous horse's behind. It's this thread which proves it best. You just can't let it go.
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