Dear Increscent, February

Dear Increscent welcomes all student questions regarding a number of topics including (but not limited to) school, friends, relationships, or clubs. Questions may be emailed via our Google form (see QR code below), sent to bmhs.increscent@gmail.com or hand-delivered to Mrs. Fink or the editorial staff. We publish them anonymously. For each individual question the editorial team will collaboratively answer them candidly and thoroughly. Let us flex our journalistic skills by offering real-student answers to real-student questions. Please continue sending your thoughts!

What is even the point of school?

This would depend on your point of view. If you approach it from a point of view similar to that of enlightened thinker Jean Jacques Rousseau, school and society just corrupt human nature. Rousseau believed “God makes all things good; man meddles with them and they become evil.” In his ideal world, the people would learn in a naturalistic style to emphasize the “importance of expression to produce a well-balanced, freethinking child.” While this would be a great goal for education today, it has generally been more focused on pushing kids through the system, in a way that could be compared to that of a factory.

-Increscent Editors

Why didn’t the school shut down after the shooting happened on the weekend?

We felt that it was important to make sure that students had access to mental health support needed to cope with the incident and adults who care about and are here to support students. We wanted to be sure all students had the opportunity to process the incident with their classroom teachers. We also know that one of the most effective ways to cope with a tragic incident is through engaging in familiar routines and consistency.

-BMHS Administration

Is it possible to have another martial art other than wrestling?

There would be no way to get another martial arts team that would be competing with other schools. In order for that to happen, it would have to be sanctioned by the WIAA and as of right now, there are no other martial arts on their website. It may be possible to make it more of a club, but that would be up to the school’s discretion. For those desiring physical contact, please come to Breja Fink’s room for Karate Klub! Be prepared to come home with bruises.

-Increscent Editors

Is college a scam?

It depends on what your plans are after high school. If you plan on doing something that requires a two or four-year degree then no, college is not a scam. However, if you do not need a college degree for your desired career, then college might be just a waste of time and money.

-Increscent Editors

What is being done about the issue of the shooting other than improved security?

The school has implemented a new safety protocol for athletics events. The school and district are also researching a variety of new physical safety upgrades.

-BMHS Administration

Why has the school acted like the shooting only affected people the day after and haven’t brought it up since?

We did not get a specific answer to this question when asking the administration. However, we recommend speaking with a trusted adult such as a counselor, teacher, or guardian, to process these traumatic events. Our society, and community specifically, have become quite desensitized to the violence happening around us, and we will only overcome these challenges if we bring awareness to these issues.

-Increscent Editors