A dump by any other name

I don't think these shirts are disrespectful at all. It's not easy to get high school students to care about their school one way or the other, so good for the administrators for supporting the shirts.

While the shirts do not show a disrespect for the school, they most certainly show a disrespect for the privledge the students of Naperville are given. Referring to the facilities in Naperville as a "dump" is not only distasteful but laughable. Perhaps if these students came from an area where their school was in fact a dump, schools without heat or books or windows, then maybe I would not be so embarassed by the message these t-shirts are sending members of this community and neighboring communities. A "bigger and better" school would help only to satisfy our superficial desires as a community and would neither better the school or Naperville as a whole.

Let me see, if I'm a member of the 203 SB I'm thrilled. The "dump" label advertised by the t-shirts translates to a potential windfall of new monies for upgrades or even possible replacement of the “dump”. After all, this is Naperville!

If I'm a Naperville Central Administrator, I'm embarrassed having invested all that time and money in my enterprise and now it’s being represented as a “dump”. This might suggest that I’m a poor minister to my obligation. The teachers I'm guessing are ambivalent, a new facility to replace or update the "dump" would be wonderful but at what impact to future salaries.

The taxpayer, oh my gosh, no win here! There will those that will push hard to extend the taxes necessary to remedy this horrendous problem and rid us of those despicable t-shirts. Oh the shame, our children being coerced into such a horrible academic environment. We all know that miracles can be performed for just a “few pennies per day” and I would suggest that we all prepare ourselves to hear about how little this particular panacea will cost us. Just when was the last time we faced the imminent destruction of the schools again? Every time money is needed by any taxing body it is only for a cost of “a few pennies per day”. It makes one wonder how our tax bill ever got as high as it is doesn’t it? Others of us will just press on trying to figure out just how the heck we can continue to afford living in Naperville.

Last but not least, our wonderful students. I’m surprised that no grief counselors have been dispensed to provide solace to the unfortunates of the "dump". It is obvious that the kids are having a wonderful time with this and I certainly do not blame them. They eventually will see themselves as instruments of change by alerting all the very generous taxpayers of Naperville of their suffering. These are truly amazing students, their high test scores are still those to be envied even though they are forced to suffer the inadequacies of the "dump". All this fun and notoriety and it won’t cost them one cent. They indeed are the only ones that can't loose.

Let us remember that the phrase "this is a dump" came originally from an adult~a taxpayer who is a NNHS parent! Let's credit the teens for being savvy~have you moticed they are donating the money raised to a less fortunate school? No disrespect is intended and none should be taken!

During a school board meeting earlier this year, Naperville Central math teacher basketball coach Andy Nussbaum addressed the board concerning Central. He too called Central "a dump." His comments were recorded in the meeting minutes. A statment like this coming from a District 203 teacher is pathetic. After all, the teachers' strike threats every three years coupled with a spineless boards' acquiescence has been providing teachers with 7% average raises from 2000-06 leaving little for facilities. Do the math coach. You can't expect 7% raises every year and a Taj Mahal to teach in. Besides, there is no correlation between facilities and achievement anyway. As you've probably told your athletes time and time again, you're just going to have to tough it out coach.

If you haven't been a student at Naperville Central, you have no voice in what you say. I graduated in '07 and was on student council and sac and know whats going on with the plans and everything. I even gave tours to the people who wanted them before a meeting about the school problems. It most definitely is a dump, and we still love it. So what's wrong with a t-shirt? that's what I thought.

Excuse me Will; just how much of your income was spent on real estate taxes to pay for this high school during the course of your high school education? I appreciate your comment and involvement during your brief visit to Naperville Central but to suggest that it precludes the opinion of the taxpayer is just plain ludicrous.

I think most people see the emergence of the t-shirt as merely a method to gain attention by making I trust, a facetious statement. For anyone, ANYONE, to assign the term dump to this well functioning school would serve to illustrate that they do not live in the real world. Have you ever been to a real dump Will? Naperville Central may not be to your liking, but it is certainly not a dump. This wouldn’t be a little Neuqua envy would it?

I love Naperville Central. And has everyone forgotten that it was the Dean, Mr. Seiple, who said the quote? And has everyone forgotten that Mr. Casey Berner s donating the proceeds to the Big Shoulder Fund, which supports Catholic schools in the neediest areas of inner-city Chicago? They're T-shirts. Let it go.

Question: What brings people to Naperville? Answer: Low crime rate and excellent school districts are the top two reasons. Question: What will lower property values? Answer: Increased crime and decline in quality of school district. NCHS is a "dump," whether folks want to acknowledge it or not. Seems the people screaming the loudest against a new school are people who haven't stepped inside the school in years (or maybe ever). Take a tour of the school before you speak out against the necessity for a new building. The need for a new school isn't us yearning for some new bauble. If the school was in good shape, the school board wouldn't be considering rebuilding it.

The t-shirts are not the issue. The issue is the manipulation of students to push the agenda of the administrators and Board of District 203. I'm a long-time Naperville resident, one whose child attended District 203 schools. My wife and I put countless volunteer hours into the schools and school-affiliated organizations and, at one time, had great faith in our school system. But that faith has been rocked.

The Board and administrators have blatantly misled taxpayers in pushing unneeded referenda, then refusing to return taxpayers' money once their deception was discovered. They have repeatedly bent to unreasonable salary demands by the teachers union, only to be rewarded with diminishing returns. Laughable curricula, gang violence in the halls of our schools, and an unrelenting demand for opulent facilities have caused many in the community to lose their faith in the District.

If I might be so bold as to suggest the blasphemous, perhaps we shuld look to our lavish expenditures on non-academic endeavors (like the 19 coaches for Naperville North's varsity football program) and re-examine whether the priorities of the District are truly aligned with those who pay the bills . . . or more importantly, whether they truly serve our children who attend District 203 schools. It seems we are all victims of a mentality that eschews academic excellence for the superficial.

As the actual creators of these shirts, we would like to make this very very clear: The quote "It's a dump, but it's our dump!" is pulled directly from an administrator at NCHS who himself was correcting what a NNHS mother said about Central's facility. The idea behind these shirts was that while people may be calling NCHS a "dump" (notice the quotes), we as a school were not okay with that. While NCHS may have its noticeable draw backs, this facility is where we have to go and learn everyday. It's 100% a message of pride, and not some other convoluted idea of students overpassing administration, like others have said above. The ENTIRE point of these shirts was to get the message out about renovating NCHS. I (Casey Berner) am a member of NCHS's Student Advisory Council and the School Improvement Team. I work first hand with administration on how to improve Central.

It is obvious that we do not see central as a dump (notice the lack of quotations). To say that I "don't live in the real world" (see above) without even knowing the entire story makes me think if you live in the real world.

Central is one of the TOP facilities in the country for academics and sports, but, and this actually happened, when students can't start there own clubs because there is no room, red flags should be popping up everywhere! Our steeper team has to practice in a lunchroom that has been transformed to also be a dance room. Wrestlers have to practice in the dance room because thats the only place to fit the mats. There are other groups that are forced to practice at off hours because the two basketball courts are ALWAYS in use. The main gym is only allowed to hold just under 3000, but we cram almost 4000 during all school assemblies.

I think the reason students seem to be yelling the loudest about how poor Central is, is because they are there everyday. They are exposed and notice the draw backs of Central's facility. I agree that the people yelling the loudest AGAINST a new school are people who have never been inside, or at least not for very long.

I don't understand why when students stand up for something and try to get people to notice an issue, people try to bash them down. Students at NCHS know full well that whatever decision is picked for renovation for our school, that it wont impact them because they will have graduated. They are thinking about the future, shouldn't you?

Only in Naperville would people think that kids are causing a problem by wearing T-shirts.
First Amendment Rights.

They have every right to be advertising the fact that Naperville Central is in fact, a dump, and was called so by a NCHS dean!
ASBESTOS IN THE CEILING
COCKROACH INFESTATION
OVERCROWDED
they could be doing a lot worse than simply coming together as a school and recognizing the facts that their school IS a dump, and accepting that lovingly and showing that even though the school is a dump, they are still one of the top academic schools in the country.

As a student at Central, i'm disgusted that they would actually call the school a Dump.

Most people who live in Naperville, no offense, are snobs who are expecting others to be rich beyond belief. The shirts are just encouraging students to have to rebuild an entire new school when some people can't even afford it, and it wouldn't affect them at all.

On the other hand, there are MANY renovations that could be done to the school. There are no water spouts on the third floor in case of a fire, and there is asbestos. There are roaches and mice in the pit, and theres no A/C in the gymnasium. It's torture sitting through a whole assembly, crammed in between students you don't even know in the incredibly overcrowded school. I remember a friend whose locker was flooded and all their stuff ruined-but not flooded with water, but some sort of green goo. It's disgusting.

What i'm basically saying is, we don't have to rebuild an entire school. Because most people can't even afford it. It's not fair to us.

And Mr. Seipel, one of the deans, was the one who quoted the shirt, after all. I think you guys should just leave the whole subject alone.

Kyla, i am actually disgusted that you would make such an assumption that most residents of naperville expect others to be rich beyond belief, what is that supposed to mean? every one has humble origins, and i DO take offense to that statement. Our school was built more than 50 years ago, i think its fair to call it "run down" or even a "dump." Saying that you go to central, you know the condition that it is in. you cannot deny, like you said above, that it could be a ton better. For the amount of work needed to be done, i think it is fair to say, our school is a "Dump"

Kevin:
Have you actually driven around town, seeing all the old houses being torn down and then rebuilt into huge mansions that nobody can afford? It's ridiculous, and we don't have the extra money just "laying around" to rebuild an entire new school. My family is actually quite poor, we can't afford this kind of stuff. It's not going to affect me so why should I care? Just put up the stupid renovations we dont need a whole new school

ok, look, this whole argument is:
a)pointless
b)makes alot of adults in naperville look ignorant and stupid
and c)gives people this idea that they can boss kids around
not only do we work our asses off EVERY DAY to meet Naperville's standards but then the second that we slack off and get a B or something in a class, we have to go home and put up with our parents.
honestly, are there people out there that have nothing to do with their lives but sit down and write about how they are against a T Shirt....
A T SHIRT!!!!
we didnt start a riot, we didnt refuse to go to school, we didnt hold a sit in, nothing
WE WORE T SHIRTS! i mean if we cant choose what we want to wear to school then why not make it so that all of Naperville's perfect little schools are private. It makes alot of students at NCHS wonder where you adults will draw the line for letting us live our lives. and seriously, we appreciate that you worked hard and got us to the Naperthrill bubble so we can have a good life, but you need to follow through on that exact idea...a good life...a free life...a fun childhood.
My whole point is just give us this one thing, does it really affect u in the end?

Kayla, you say to leave the subject alone and that “…no offense, are snobs who are expecting others to be rich beyond belief.” not everyone lives in three story houses and lives off of starbucks. Also if you mean no offense don’t add an insult into your comment. If you want us to drop the subject and yet you (like many, MANY other students) point out some of the many flaws of our school. I was really disgusted by your attitude and how hypocritical your comment is but not nearly disgusted I am about the dump some people call NCHS. Also your comment on how, “the shirts are just encouraging students to have to rebuild an entire new school when some people can't even afford it, and it wouldn't affect them at all.” The shirts are raising awareness of how our school is in horrific conditions. No where on the shirt does it say, “build a new school or raise taxes.” I will agree that any renovations or a new school will not effect me, yet I am thinking about the future student, not myself. Teachers and parents are not jumping with joy to empty their pockets for a new school. On the post dated, December 31, 2007 08:03 PM, I support you one how students didn’t start a riot, no one got hurt, and everyone can go to school fine. I’ve gotten a lot of bad talk about these shirts but I know I am supported by my family and most (I say most new because I have never herd a student not support their peers on this subject, like Kayla) of the students and (I think all ) the faculty at the dump. Faculty know the worst of the school and to my surprise they supported us when the shirts came out (it was a little weird when I had 3 teachers owe me money). The students and faculty have found a common subject they support. One teachers (I will not name) used the “It’s a dump… but it’s OUR dump” quote on his/her introduction PowerPoint for the new semester, the teachers support the students. Instead of viewing this common interest as a good thing, on how the children of the future can unite with their peers (student and faculty) for a cause they believe in, adults and people who don’t go to the dump view it as a bad thing, probably because they don’t go to the dump 5 times a week. If you have not been to the dump in the last few weeks then you don’t know what you’re talking about, my locker is literally falling off its hinges. Neuqua valley envy, as far as Neuqua is concerned I feel pity for them mostly for their poor theatre program. I will quote from what my friends and I said before “Only in Naperville would people think that kids are causing a problem by wearing T-shirts.”

NOTE: this comment are my personal beliefs and are not to be related to Casey Burner and/or Jimmy Steele

I wear my “It’s a dump… but it’s OUR dump” with pride
-David Tarsha, student at the dump

YOU ALL HAVE NO LIFE ITS A SHIRT GET OVER IT

hey anonyous, if you really think so they why dont you tell us who you are?
p.s. you're a t-shirt

You know, it seems to me that whether you think the school needs improvement or not, the shirts really aren't that big of a deal. I personally think the school is fine as is, but what's the harm in wearing a t-shirt to express your point of view? It's not that the student body isn't grateful for what it has, just that some students think there's room for improvement. And on top of that, the money raised from the shirts goes to a good cause. Kids are getting involved and trying to express their opinions and in the process helping other schools that really need it. Quite frankly, I'm not sure what the problem is.

Every adult I know always tells us to "Make a Difference" or "Do Something Different with Our Lives." We go to NCHS to break out of the mold, to grow up and be something... to raise awareness.

The "It's a Dump" T-shirts were made and "money-organized" by TEENEAGE JUNIOR BOYS. Do you know how often that happens? Instead of wasting five hours playing video games or surfing the web, they stood up, and decided to make something out of their time. They made T-shirts that a. provided a good laugh out of most people and b. ROSE AWARENESS. Our school is a dump. It NEEDS to be fixed. Anyone who disagrees with that should go there and walk up our "express stairs," or fall face-first on our 3rd story abestos-filled carpet.

I know Dave Tarsha and Casey Berner. They are fine boys, and they would (I don't think) do anything to outright disrespect the school. And honestly, I'm glad this IS being mad into a big deal. It gives us something to talk about, right?

The T-shirts are a fine example of what we teenagers can do if we put our minds together, have a fun yet pure heart, and get creative.

Plus, I've never had any spirit wear before, and thanks to the T-shirt, well, now I do!

wow guys your talking about a school here saying how terrible it is and for the opposers how if you havent been there in a while then its not bad have you guys left the city. i do realize the schools old your right, its not new so its going to have problems. here in naperville compared to other schools nchs is not pretty. but it does function. there are prolbems that can be fix. they can be fixed. it doesnt need to be torn down. it doesnt matter some kids mades some shirts with a quote on it. its thier choice even if it was disrespectful. which it wasnt. it doesnt matter the shirts were made and worn. the tax payers, for all you talking about money, have voted and that ship has sailed. you dont like it move.

as a member of naperville central, i can easily say that i believe that these shirts show no disrespect. in fact, we are showing pride by saying that it doesn't matter what condition our school is in, it is OUR school. and from a student standpoint, our school is pretty dumpy at the moment. there are roaches everywhere, the ceiling is crumbling in places, we have a leaky roof in the cafeteria, there are holes in the wall, and the hallways are unnavigable during passing periods due to the narrowness of some of the halls. the "tour" naperville central recently gave to show the darker side of our school was only a taste of how dumpy our school is. because in order to see it in the right light, you have to see it when packed with all of the students. so, whilst our school isn't the worst school in the country, nor the best, at least we have pride for what it is.

You guys seriously.

Do you have nothing better than push the students around?

For crying out loud, Big Brother much?!

Let us wear our damn shirts and raise awareness. We have leaky ceilings in the cafeteria (I got nearly plowed in the head by falling ceiling tiles a couple weeks ago).

Last year my locker leaked, but not with water. With some green goo. All my stuff got ruined.

We have cockroaches in the pit. There is a preschool run in room number 3, there are cockroaches and mice, do i have to really say anything more?

We need serious renovations. And if it's so embarrassing to Naperkill then fix it! A vast majority of Naperthrill has the money, and everyone here knows it.