Faculty, teachers and administrators - gather near.

My peers and I have a few things to say, which you need to hear.

Let me say first, I realize you are the authority,

But our complaints as students are certainly the majority.

The school is where you work and we all acknowledge that you are in charge.

But as students, our basic civil rights as humans are being held at large.

You use roll able gates to keep some students out and some students in.

We don't like being herded like cattle - this is a school, a place of learning, not a prison.

When students voice their opinions, you often think we're being smart.

But we're simply trying to convey feelings on our part.

I once had a problem with a particular teacher.

He was failing me in class for no legitimate reason.

I tried to speak with him, I wanted him to explain it.

He read off his excuses, told me "tough luck - now beat it".

So I wrote a respectful letter to my school's principal explaining my situation and justified frustration.

The next day at school, while in that teacher's class, I was called to the hall by our vice principal, Mrs. Glass.

Before I could even greet her politely, she jumped down my throat.

She scolded me and called me a liar regarding the letter I wrote.

I waited for her to finish so that I could try and explain.

She cut me off and said "If you're failing, you are the only one to blame".

She sent me back to class without letting me talk.

And my teacher with a prejudice against me smilingly walked.

We know we are young and we aren't yet grown completely like you.

But we are still human beings, and deserve to be treated like so - just as you do.

I hope you can listen to each of the students that you teach.

If you would, you could better help us achieve the goals for which we reach.