A Chance to Chew Gum in School
By Josie Painter
For over 25 years, gum has been banned at Pierce High; however, it may be making a comeback, as on April 13, gum has a chance to go on trial.
In February, the student council discussed changing the gum policy in an all-member meeting. A few members, including Eleanor Bauermeister, Meredith Krienert, Josie Painter, Sydney Kuper, and Emily Endorf, worked together to create a persuasive argument to present to principal Mark Brahmer who agreed to ask the teacher panel if they thought allowing gum was a good idea.
The panel agreed to a trial run of gum with a few stipulations. The trial will start on April 13, but only if students can prove that they will not chew gum before then. As of now, the trial is still planned, but after Brahmer picked up several gum wrappers and had to clean a piece out of the carpet, he is more inclined not to allow it.
If the policy changes, some rooms, such as band and choir, will be gum-free, and gum will always be allowed at the teacher's discretion. Of course, gum will at some point be found under the desks or in the carpet, but it was decided that every two weeks, student council members will check under desks and clean up any gum found anywhere but the trash.
Regardless of whether the policy changes or not, a few students will chew gum. Some chew discreetly, but others know that most teachers are not willing to pick that battle. Melissa Legate, an English teacher, says, “I am a teacher who does not pick the gum battle, unless it becomes a hindrance to the learning environment. To me, there are other more important impediments to learning.”
Others, such as Les Piper, a science teacher, are not a fan of chewing gum in school. He says, “I have stepped in it four times this year, and I had it on the bottom of my shoe. If you were a true gum chewer, you would never throw it on the floor. That’s the only reason I don’t like it.”
Students, be sure to keep gum out of school for a few more weeks, and if the trial occurs and the policy is changed, put the gum in the trash!
