By Rachel Vigil

This year, as with many before, began with the class meetings that all upperclassmen are well used to at this point.

However, this year had the unusual addition of a contract that every student was expected to sign. The few students who bothered to read it before signing may have noticed the inclusion of the Culture Club. Other students may have seen the posters in all classrooms that bear the mark of the Culture Club.

Whether or not you’ve noticed this new group on campus, a determined group of students, teachers, and counselors will probably ensure that you will by the end of the year. Its purpose is to create more respect in and around Wheat Ridge High School, especially among the students.

Assistant principal Margaret Stanley says that it started with teachers who were, “Noticing in the hallway, the language, the disrespect to adults… so teachers wanted to do something to address those issues.” These teachers then arranged for a meeting with both students and fellow staff members who gave their input.

The result is what is supposed to be a school-wide effort to renew respect in the hallways and classrooms. Those contracts that were signed at the class meetings were meant to hold students accountable for the actions of themselves and of their peers. An actual group of students to enforce the principles of the Culture Club is in the process of forming with teachers currently trying to recruit more potential members.

Although the contracts stated that violations of school rules would warrant a referral to the Culture Club, an actual club has yet to truly be established. Despite this, when asked if she thought the Culture Club had helped with school conduct, Stanley stated, “I think so. I think it’s going to take the whole school staff and students to work.” While it tries to work out its kinks and become a functioning enforcement body, it’s impossible to tell whether or not the contracts are affecting conduct in the school.