By Kristie Ennis
My name is Kristie Ennis, and I am a new student at Minnetonka High School, and the Mini-School program. I have been at Tonka since the beginning of the year, and in the Mini program since winter break. When I first came to Tonka, I sort of had a preconceived idea of what it would be like. Known as the “New Kid” for the entire year, I would be basically ignored by everyone, treated like dirt, the way it would be if you were a new student at Park. Though coming to Tonka was a pleasant surprise. I found myself being welcomed with open arms and made some good friends.
If you had gone to St. Louis Park schools all your life as I had, you would think that all schools are just like Park because that is what you know. Nothing could be farther from the truth! After being at Tonka for the short time I have, I realized what a school is supposed to be like, where there are people there to help you with your problems and find out what works best for you, where people actually care.
Some of you may be wondering why I transferred to Tonka after going to Park all my life, others of you may not care, but I am going to tell you anyway.
On January 4, 1990, I was assaulted in the back of a school bus by a group of other students. The event was not of the silent nature – yet the bus driver never intervened, nor acknowledged the assault. The kids who beat me up finished off by saying that should I tell on them – I would get it worse the next time, so I kept my mouth shut! I arrived at school. My first hour teacher, seeing my swollen and bruising face and head, was under the mistaken belief that my appearance was the result of parental abuse and reported her suspicion. The counselor (and I use the term loosely), to whom the suspicion was reported, pulled me out of class to talk to me. I told the counselor what happened. Then I asked to call and go home, as my head, face, and neck hurt. My request was denied. However, I was never sent to the school nurse, nor was I given ice for my black eye or the lumps on my head. I then asked the counselor to call and tell my parents what had happened, her answer, “That isn’t a very good idea.” I was left alone at that time to listen to relaxation tapes, regain my composure, calm down – then I was sent back to class. The school never contacted the police or my parents. By law any abuse to a minor perpetrated by another minor or an adult has to be reported within 24 hours once knowledge of the abuse is known. I arrived home almost 8 hours after the assault and my parents first learned of the day’s events. To say they were angry would be an understatement! In one of the many conversations my parents had with the school principal, they asked why they were not notified. They were told, “Some parents don’t want to be called, therefore we do not call.” Some policy huh? My parents were livid! Later, the school counselor, during another of our little “talks,” suggested that maybe I brought on the attack because I was feeling sad over the death of my Grandmother. It’s taken me two years and a lot of therapy to realize that what I should have said to this woman was “BULL****!” Did she subscribe to the theory that people who may feel sad – can be beaten up / should be, or ask for it? That being sad justifies an act of violence? The police were informed only after my parents informed the school authorities they were tired of getting the run-around. Four days was long enough to report the assault, my parents would take matters into their own hands.
What happened to me is but one incident where Park failed to be responsible – there have been numerous beatings, tapings, even a stabbing – the police were not called. Park has a “BIG” problem, with violence among its students, drugs, attendance, social problems, and the drop-out rate. Park, a “National School of Excellence,” is not in my opinion. Oh they do spend lots of money: per pupil, administrative/support, building, and bus transportation, some of the highest spending in the state – but the price the students pay because Park chooses to turn a blind eye to any human problems, needs or concerns is high. They are too busy patting themselves on the back saying, look how much funding we are getting, what a good job we must be doing, aren’t we wonderful, how wonderful we are! But what is the cost of this “Excellence?” Park needs to address some tough problems and stop looking through rose colored glasses.
Anyway, here I am at Tonka, an awesome school with a wonderful staff. I can’t say enough about everyone especially all the people involved in and with Mini. It’s nice to be going to a REAL school where people actually care about what’s going on. The differences between Park and Tonka are those of night and day. I know that no school is perfect but I can truly say that I do appreciate what Minnetonka has offered me. Academically, I think Tonka is ahead of Park because when I first came here I really felt dumb, and wasn’t that bad of a student. I have noticed that the teachers here really stay on top of EACH student’s progress. I get the feeling that no student is going to slip through the cracks without a concerned teacher seeing some sign and acting on it.
At Park a program like Mini was for “stupid” kids and looked down upon by others. At Tonka, Mini offers great opportunities to gifted, talented students that you could never get anywhere else. Yes, the program can be abused, but for the students who want to be there and learn, I can think of no better place if the program is right for you. Some students think that you do nothing in Mini and you “buy your credits” by going on trips. This is not the way it is. In the program you do work just like the mainstream. Sometimes you are put on a contract, and if you don’t hold up your end of the deal, you’re out! Mini-School is not a free ride.
To sum this all up, I hope my story will give you something to think about. We are lucky to be here at Minnetonka. Thanks goes out to the Tonka Football team for “Punishing Park!” Also, thank you all for making me feel welcome, and Mini for letting me be part of the “family.”