Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Is that a camera I see?

 Is That a Camera I See?
"Afternoon class, we have a special speaker coming in today. His name is Carl the camera (See Figure 1). He has a lot to explain about his job and how he helps us in school. He has some awesome facts that many of you never knew! So make sure to take a few notes down and be sure to pay attention!" 
(Figure 1 http://www.hdwalls.xyz/images/cartoon-camera-kid)


          Carl introduces himself, “Hello everyone, my name is Carl the camera. A lot of you look very familiar. It's probably because my cousins and I see all of you every day. Now you may be wondering, What does Carl mean, "see all of you every day"? Well let me explain. My cousins and I all work here at your school. We work inside and outside watching all of you throughout the school day. Our main job is keeping all of you safe". 

Johnathan asks, "Mr. Camera why are you watching us?"
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Carl explains, "I'm here to keep you all safe. Safety is my middle name, for those who didn't know. My cousins and I make sure that strangers don't come into the building while all of you are learning (5). I make sure to look at their face to make sure our school knows who they are. Remember kids don't talk to strangers or let them into the building. Another purpose I serve here at school is bully watching. Bullies are mean people and sometimes they get away with being mean. My job is making sure no one gets bullied. If I see it, I spit out a recorded tape for our principal Mr. Garrison to see. Once he sees who the bully is they get in trouble and don't act mean anymore. Lastly I make sure no one is harming the school. Remember how mom and dad told you no using crayons on the walls at home? I do the same here at school. We want to make sure that our school stays clean, and new. Save the crayons for the awesome art classes here with Mrs. Cole".

Susan asks," Where exactly are you and your cousins at in school Mr. Camera?"

(Figure 2 
http://www.sparshsecuritech.com/uploads/image/Solutions/School%20Surveillance.png )
 Carl explains, "Well Susan we are put all over the school. Were put in your classrooms, in the gymnasium, the cafeteria, hallways, offices, band rooms, playgrounds, parking lots
entrances/exits, and even your buses! Honestly it depends on what skill each of us have. All of my cousins have lots of special skills that make us all different. Just like all of you students. All of you have a special power that makes you different. Just in case you all are confused here's a small map of where my cousins and I are located at school (See Figure 2). Even though were located in different spots we all have one main concern. That's your safety!".


Billy asks, "But Mr. Camera are you and your cousins allowed to watch us in school like this?"

Carl clarifies, "Well Billy, in life there are certain rules and laws that tell us what we can and cannot do. Just like back at home when mom tells you to do your homework before video games. You know you're not allowed to play video games unless you follow the rules. You see, just like home schools have certain rules and laws they have to follow. Under this law called the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act my cousins and I are allowed to watch all of you in school (6). Of course we don't watch you in the bathrooms, or the changing rooms of any kind. That would be silly, weird, and against the rules" (7). My cousins and I are here to keep you safe!"

Carmen asks, Who are your cousins Mr. Camera?"

Carl explains, “Well overall Carmen my cousins have a lot of different skills and abilities (4). There is Benny the Bullet. Benny usually sits on walls and takes pictures of one specific area. Then there's Dan the Dome. Dan's main job is making sure adults coming into the building know they are being watched. Dan loves to be seen! Then there is me Carl the Covert camera. I go from desk to desk in each classroom making sure everyone is well behaved. Next is our ninja looking cousin known as Derek the Discreet. Derek loves to hide all over the school. He could be a clock, a smoke detector, or even a motion sensor! Just like a ninja Derek loves to stay hidden so that he can catch bullies and other strangers coming near or in the school! My next cousin is Irene the infrared. She likes to stay at school when everyone leaves to watch outside. Irene keeps the school safe when no one else is around at night. Did you know that Infrared means being able to see images in pitch black? Only Irene can see in the dark, just like your pet cats from home! Talking about strange skills, I forgot to mention my cousin Veronica the Varifocal. Veronica usually sits outside with Irene but watches people during the day. Veronica has the ability to see really far away and really close up. So if a stranger is seen from a far distance Veronica an make sure to let the principal know. Even though there are so many of us, we all want to make sure you children stay safe." 


Gary asks, Does anybody get to watch you Mr. Camera? Do you have a boss?"
(Figure 3http://www.bppd.com/divisions/operations/divisions/sro.php) 
Carl explains, "Well Gary I actually do have more than one boss. My bosses would be your principal Mr. Garrison, and the police officers you see in the mornings and afternoons. Mr. Garrison usually has to come and look at the tapes I spit out if anything bad happens at school. This would be stuff like bullies, strangers, or a student damaging property. Remember to always respect school property or one of my cousins will catch you! The lovely police officers you see at school are called (SRO) School resource officers (See Figure 3). Did you guys know that schools have police officers specifically for the school?! It's crazy stuff! These police officers continue to check on my cousins and I through out the school day. They make sure we are working hard and catching any mysterious or bad behavior at your school (2). The School resource officers keep the school extra safe. They go above and beyond to make sure everything is running smoothly here at school .The crazy thing is, watching us is not their only job. They do a variety of things that you can all learn about on the internet. You can check out this awesome site about SRO's with your parents' permission at home. So make sure you thank them when you see them in the mornings and afternoons! 

"Well class Mr. Camera has time for one last question". 

Jake asks, "Mr. Camera does everyone like you here at school?"

Carl explains," Well Jake you have to understand that not everyone is going to like you. It may be because of the way someone dresses, the way they talk, or what they eat at lunch etc. A lot of people see the negative things in life and forget to appreciate the positives. This has always been a struggle for my cousins and I. We love watching you all learn and grow up in school, but a lot of people don't agree with our jobs. People say that we are taking away your rights as a student (1). Your rights are what you have from the US constitution. These are the laws that give you awesome powers and explain what can and cannot happen to you. People think us watching you is wrong and should not be aloud. The second reason is because we are not the most cheapest workers to pay or to take care of. Just between two cousins it costs around 900-1000 dollars to pay us (3). That is like having a lifetime of your allowances! That could mean a big amount of money your school has to pay. People have to remember we may cost a lot, and may watch you all over school but it's all for your safety

Carl ends, "I hope you all got to learn a little more about my cousins and I today. So when you see a camera above your head and ask yourself, Is that a camera I see? Remember what hard work my cousins and I do to keep you children safe! Thank you!".
References
            1. Chen, G. (2011, December). Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security? [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://www.publicschoolreview.com/blog/surveillance-cameras-violation-of-rights-or-improved-security 
2. Citrus County Sheriff’s Office. (2013). School Resource Officer Program. Retrieved from http://www.sheriffcitrus.org/students/sro.aspx
3. Fixr. (2015). How much does it cost to install security cameras? Retrieved from http://www.fixr.com/costs/install-video-surveillance-cameras
            4. Knott, J. (2011, April 01).  12 Common Types of Security Cameras [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://www.cepro.com/article/12_common_types_of_security_cameras
            5. Siasoco, R. (2013, October). Tighter security for schools. Retrieved from http://www.infoplease.com/spot/schoolsafety1.html
            6. U.S. Department of Justice. n.d. Legal aspects of the use of video cameras in schools. Office of Justice Programs National Institute of Justice. Retrieved from https://www.ncjrs.gov/school/ch2a_18.html
7. Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. (2015, February 01). Surveillance Cameras. Retrieved from

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