Editor’s Note: This piece is one-half of a duo debating whether or not the class of 2022 should’ve written their mission statement before committing infractions. The sister-article which argues in opposition can be found here.

For the last two years, the freshman grade heads and the administration made the decision to have the 9th grade class write a vision statement for their grade after something happened that was inappropriate.

The approach of writing this statement before an action takes place will, in the long run, work better. Entering into high school and not having a clear outline of what your grade’s reputation is, will allow too much inappropriate behavior.  

For those who do not know, a vision statement is something an individual or group of people use as a guide for how they should act and accomplish their future goals.

The writing of the vision statement started when the current junior class were freshman. After a display of immature and disrespectful behavior by a group of students, the Assistant Principal Ruth Jurgensen and at the time acting Head of the Upper School knew something had to change.

Jurgensen partnered with English teacher Cory Zeller and Science teacher Ryan Zaremba, who are the 9th grade heads, to have the freshman class write a vision statement determining what their grade wants to be known by. The statement included their grade’s goals, values, and how they will treat others within the Parker Community.

They expected the students to follow the statement and stand by it, but after another year of writing the statement after bad behavior occurred, the administrators realized it might not have the outcome they wanted.

In an effort to make it more effective for my freshman class, we wrote a vision statement at the start of the year to set boundaries and goals for the next four years of our high school career.

In contrast to past years when only a small group of volunteers wrote the statement for their grade, our entire class was given the opportunity to express their thoughts for what should be on the vision statement. During grade room one week, my classmates used a Google Doc to write down what they wanted to see on our class’s vision statement. Using the Google Doc as a guide, a large group of student volunteers wrote the class’s statement which voiced everyone’s ideas. It is beneficial to have everyone’s input because that way there is a better chance the grade will abide by the statement.

The only way to be consistent from year to year is to have a clear outline of what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior which means the statement should be written at the beginning of the year rather than after something happens that is deemed inappropriate.  

Personally, I don’t find the vision statement as a helpful guide for how I act in high school. I automatically follow the spoken and unspoken rules of high school after being at Parker for eleven years. although I do understand the reasoning behind the administration reminding incoming high schoolers what their expectations are. By each individual signing the vision statement, it is a clear indicator that they respect and honor what the statement says and how it can benefit the student body.

I believe it is important for the administration and grade heads to try and stop issues before they occur. Why have a method implemented if it has no impact on the student body? The administration tested the writing of the statement after bad behavior happened and it was not effective, so why continue the same way?

I find it more likely that students would read a vision statement when they are entering and adjusting to high school because they want to make a good first impression on their new teachers and Upper School heads. Once students get comfortable, they might not care as much about their reputation and will possibly become careless in their actions.

When the vision statement is put in place as a new class enters high school, it allows for a written document that the grade heads and administration can cross check to make sure that grade is fulfilling their responsibilities as members of the community.  

I briefly read and signed the vision statement, but it is hard for me to say so early in the year if it will actually change my behavior as a high school student.

After talking to my classmates in the halls, many of them believe that the change of the timing of writing the statement is a reflection that the administration doesn’t trust us and doesn’t think we can act in a mature manner. I don’t think this is the case. Obviously, in years past the method they started with did not work, and the administration wanted to test out something new. By joining high school the students have an obligation to be a mature and respectful member of the Parker Community.