November 1 Newsletter
1. Rachel P. (15) – School Counselor Breach
I went to a school counselor to talk about some things going on at home. I thought it was confidential, but the next week, my parents got called in. I didn’t know that in some situations, they’re allowed to break confidentiality.
I felt betrayed and completely shut down after that. I wish I had known exactly what was private and what wasn’t before opening up. It really messed with my trust.
2. Jonas L. (17) – Searched Without Consent
I was hanging out outside a gas station when a cop asked to search my pockets. I didn’t know I could say no, so I just went along with it. He found nothing, but it was humiliating.
Afterward, a friend told me I didn’t have to consent unless they had a real reason. That made me feel even worse, like I’d been taken advantage of because I didn’t know better. It made me more anxious around authority in general.
3. Kaylee H. (16) – Misled Into Signing
During a disciplinary meeting, I was told to sign a “statement” just confirming what happened. I didn’t read it properly—I thought it was just a form to say I’d been spoken to.
It turns out I basically admitted guilt in writing, and that led to a suspension. My parents were furious, but by then it was too late. I wish someone had told me I didn’t have to sign anything without them there.
4. Tariq N. (17) – Street Stop Confusion
While walking home from work, I was stopped and questioned by police because I matched a description of someone who shoplifted nearby. I gave them my ID and told them everything they asked.
Later, I learned I didn’t legally have to answer any questions unless I was being detained. No one ever said I was under arrest. I just assumed I had to talk or things would get worse. It felt like a trap.
5. Samantha W. (15) – Dress Code Discrimination
I wore shorts to school on a warm day, just like a few other kids. But I was the only one who got pulled aside and told to change. I didn’t realize how unevenly dress codes can be enforced.
The teacher said it was “distracting” to others, but none of the boys in athletic shorts were told anything. If I had known that I could speak up about unequal treatment, I would’ve pushed back.
6. Leo G. (16) – False Witness
I got dragged into a school fight situation I wasn’t even a part of. When they asked me questions, I thought I had to say something, so I guessed. They used my statement to punish someone else.
Later, I found out I could have said I didn’t know or asked to speak to a parent. I feel really guilty. If I’d understood my rights, I wouldn’t have helped get someone into trouble over something I wasn’t sure about.
7. Maya T. (17) – Guidance Office Pressure
After a conflict with a teacher, I was called into the guidance office. The counselor kept asking me leading questions and writing everything down. I didn’t realize anything I said could be used against me later.
They made it sound like I was in trouble when I wasn’t. Looking back, I wish I had asked for someone to be there or refused to answer until my parents knew. It turned into a bigger issue than it ever needed to be.
8. Diego V. (15) – Bus Stop Interrogation
One morning, while waiting for the bus, a cop pulled over and asked if I had seen anyone spray-painting nearby. I answered every question even though I had no clue what was going on.
I didn’t realize I had the right to say I didn’t want to talk or to ask if I was being detained. I just froze. It was nerve-wracking, and afterward, I felt stupid for not knowing my rights.
9. Alina R. (16) – Instagram Misstep
I shared a meme that made fun of school rules on my private story, and someone screenshotted it. I was called into the principal’s office and told I violated the school’s code of conduct.
They made me feel like I’d committed some kind of crime. I didn’t realize schools can’t punish you for off-campus speech unless it causes major disruption. I deleted it, but I wish I’d known where the line really was.
10. Chris F. (17) – Detained During Protest
I joined a peaceful protest near city hall with my friends. We weren’t blocking traffic or doing anything illegal, but we got stopped and told to move. Some of us were held by officers briefly, including me.
I didn’t realize at the time that I had First Amendment rights to peacefully assemble. I didn’t speak up or ask questions because I thought they had total authority. That experience really opened my eyes.
11. Zara M. (15) – Baited into Trouble
Someone DM’d me pretending to be another student and asked me to share answers for a homework assignment. I did, not thinking much of it. Turns out it was a teacher running a sting for cheating.
I got a zero and a warning for academic dishonesty. I didn’t know schools sometimes set things up like that, and I had no idea I could appeal the decision or have my parents involved before accepting the punishment.
12. Owen S. (16) – Threatened with Arrest
I was skateboarding in a quiet parking lot when a security guard told me it was private property and said he’d call the police. I didn’t know I could just leave. Instead, I tried to explain myself and ended up arguing.
A cop showed up and told me I was trespassing. I got a ticket. I later found out that if I had just calmly asked if I was free to leave, I probably could’ve avoided the whole situation. I let panic and confusion get the best of me.
13. Aubrey K. (14) – Bullied by Staff
After reporting bullying, I was told by a staff member that I should “toughen up” and “stop tattling.” I didn’t know I had the right to have my complaints taken seriously.
I stopped going to that teacher for anything after that. A friend later showed me that schools are supposed to have clear procedures for bullying reports. I felt so unsupported, and it made the bullying worse.
14. Liam D. (17) – Suspended Without Proof
I was suspended because someone said I was vaping in the bathroom. I wasn’t, but I was in there at the time. I didn’t know I could ask to see the evidence or challenge the decision.
They just said it was my word against someone else’s. My parents got involved after the fact, but it was already on my record. I wish I’d known I didn’t have to just accept what they said.
15. Jenna C. (15) – Forced Apology
There was a conflict between me and another student after a group project went bad. The school forced me to write an apology letter even though I hadn’t done anything wrong.
They said it was the “easiest way to avoid drama.” I felt manipulated, but I didn’t know how to stand up for myself. Later, I found out I didn’t have to comply with that without my parent’s consent.
16. Elijah T. (16) – Locked Phone Search
A teacher saw me texting during class and took my phone. They handed it to the principal, who told me to unlock it. I didn’t know I could say no or ask for my parents before handing over my passcode.
They went through everything. I didn’t have anything bad on it, but it felt like a huge invasion. That experience made me way more careful, but it also made me realize how little I understood about digital privacy.
17. Priya N. (17) – Unfair Grading
I challenged a grade that I believed was biased, and the teacher told me I was being “disrespectful.” I didn’t know there was a process to formally dispute a grade or report unfair treatment.
Instead, I just gave up and accepted it. Later, another student told me they had successfully challenged something similar. I felt dumb for not speaking up properly.
18. Jayden H. (15) – Intimidated by Police
I was walking with headphones on and didn’t hear a police officer call out to me. He grabbed my backpack and asked why I was ignoring him. I froze and stammered through an explanation.
I didn’t know I had the right to ask what I was being stopped for. I just thought being polite was enough. The whole thing left me shaky and stressed, like I had done something wrong when I hadn’t.
