<p>Ok heres the deal. A friend of mine and I want to do something, but we are worried about the repercussion it will have, and its possible effect on college admissions. Does anyone know exactly what rights private high schools have over suspension? Can they suspend anyone for any action? Does freedom of speech really not apply in schools? Is it possible to contest a suspension at a private high school on legal terms?</p>
<p>Heres what we want to do. I go to a very religious private high school, and though we have Drama and Newspaper and all those things, every single thing we do is censored and expurgated by the principal. She take an award winning Neil Simon play and removes the word "God" and "sacred" and "hell". She goes over the student newspaper with a fine tooth comb and changes everything, including the content of editorials if she doesn't like what they say. She changed a concert review that said "everyone was cursing along" to "everyone was singing along". I have just grown more and more agitated by the ridiculous censorship she wishes to impose (that is barely the beginning) and my friend and I have decided to publish our own underground newspaper, and distribute it to the students. Nothing pornographic or no bad words, just a little administrative criticism and some political editorials, and perhaps some emotional poetry. Does anyone know the actions that may occur? The consequences? This means alot to us, we really are passionate about it, but we are a little worried about the repercussions. Any help your be appreciated. Thanks.</p>
<p>probably but this could work to your advantage at college apps time lol.
I did something like this
i hated our school newspaper- we have a really racist newspaper staff
i started my own publication and i paid for it and everything,. but now the schooll recnogizes it and pays for it. Who knows? I suggest you go for it.</p>
<p>You are asking for trouble........your parents must want you in this environment or you wouldn't be there. I feel your frustration but you probably have few if any options.</p>
<p>tennisdude, thats the approach I was taking. And no, the parents thing isn't really accurate. First of all I don't tell them anything, and second of all if they knew they'd side with me and third of all I want to be in a religious environment I just don't see that as removing of the word "sacred" from all secular plays.<br>
Yeah and irap3pillows, there is no way that would happen, its the school I'm fighting against, not the newspaper staff. I'm on the newspaper staff but no matter what we do the principal will still change everything she doesn't like.</p>
<p>"Does anyone know exactly what rights private high schools have over suspension? Can they suspend anyone for any action? Does freedom of speech really not apply in schools?" </p>
<p>welcome to high school journalism buddy. Similar issues with my school (well mine is secular, but like our newspaper could basically never mention anything negative about the school except athletic performances) and yes, the school has the right to suspend you for whatever they wish. If you get suspended, given you must report it to colleges, you could explain what you did, and maybe even send them a copy of your paper. I don't think it would hurt you too much.</p>
<p>Visit the Student Press Law Center for advice and support.</p>
<p>I didn't read the content on this site, that's for you to do. My advice is to find a parent in your community, who is an attorney, and ask for some legal advice in advance of distributing anything.</p>
<p>I. Introduction: Going Underground
A What Is an Underground Newspaper?
B. Why Would Students Consider Publishing Underground?
C. How Is an Underground Newspaper Published? </p>
<p>II. Will the First Amendment Protect an Underground Newspaper?
A. How Does the First Amendment Apply to Schools?
B. Does the Type of School Matter?
C. What Happened in Hazelwood? </p>
<p>III. Specific Legal Rights And Responsibilities Underground
A. What Can Be Included in The Underground Paper?
1. General Freedom to Discuss School Issues
2. Effect of Advertising
B. What Should Not Be Included in an Underground Newspaper?
1. Libelous Material
2. Obscene Material
3. Material That Disrupts School
4. Anything Else That Could Get Any Newspaper in Trouble
C. Can School Officials Review And Censor The Newspaper?
1. Courts That Forbid Prior Review
2. Courts That Examine School Policies
a. A Typical Non-School Sponsored Publication Policy
b. Common Flaws in a Policy
3. Due Process Rights for Students
D. How Should the Authors Be Identified?
1. Anonymous Publications
2. Disclaimers of School Sponsorship
E. Can Distribution Be Done at School?
1. General Right to Distribute
2. What Constitutes a Distribution Disturbance?
3. What Is a Reasonable "Time, Place And Manner" Restriction?
4. What About the Distribution of Religious Materials?</p>
<p>Something to think about, when a student at my Ds school is suspended, for whatever length of time or whatever reason, the tests, quizzes, homework due on those days get big fat ZEROS..its like double punishment, so say, you get suspended for three days, in some classes, those grades might not be able to be made up so an A could end up a B, and that could be another consequence, and from the sounds of your school, it doesn;t sound like your principal would give you a break</p>
<p>Does your school do that? That is something to consider, that if you do it, think of the timing, like not before midterms, or term papers or whatever</p>
<p>What about if you just made a website? There'd be no physical evidence, it'd be harder to figure out your identity, and more students could see it. You wouldn't have to distribute it on campus, and no school can dictate what you do at home. (right?)</p>
<p>We have a lot of student based publications in my stuff, as long as they dont promote violence or hatred, my school got no problem with it. And these publications are pretty biased and poltical at times. </p>
<p>Guys, thanks for all your help - I'm still undecided at the moment. We are unsure if we want to proceed via the web or actual distribution. Kind of weighing the pros and cons right now.</p>