A letter from MHS principal Greg Hoyt
October 26, 2015
Dear Students,
I love this school! Truly, this is MY school! Certainly I don’t own the school … but I sure do have a great investment in it. I graduated from this high school in 1983. I began teaching students mathematics at this school in 1988. I coached athletes in football and track and field from 1988 to 2004, when I left the classroom to become principal at Eisenhower Middle School. I came back to the school in 2013 to be its principal. Yes I’ve seen this school from many different angles, and I LOVE this school!
My dedication and devotion to this school … the students, the faculty, the staff and the parents … will not waver, and I will never apologize for setting and holding high expectations for myself, as well as others. And while 98 percent of what occurs at Manhattan High is very, very good, if not excellent, that still leaves 2 percent for improvement.
On Oct. 2, MHS celebrated Homecoming week with a myriad of activities. Personally, I wish to thank all of the members of Tribe for working so hard to create and support elements of school spirit. The cheer and dance teams were spectacular, and our pep band pumps out the music with the best of them. But I was disappointed with the Pep Assembly. Oh, there were many, many good, even great, elements. But I walked out of the gym that afternoon rather deflated. Permit me to elaborate.
Organizations are defined by the worst behavior that is tolerated and this is what I witnessed. I witnessed team captains from the various sports coming to the floor to speak about their teams and their seasons. And while they did so, a good percentage of the student body paid little or no attention to them. Students didn’t cheer loudly for the teams. Team captains spoke about their teams over the voices of students in the crowd that were talking to each other and not focusing on the captains. Is that how we demonstrate school spirit?
98 percent of the Powder Puff cheerleader performance was GREAT!!! It was GREAT!!! The stunts that were performed … they were GREAT!!! The cheers that were performed were GREAT! And then there was the 2 percent that totally destroyed it for me. I do not think that there is any place … THERE IS NO PLACE … for rear ends to be rubbing up against the front of others. While this kind of “dancing” is prevalent on popular TV shows and video channels, this sexual depiction is in no way, shape or form appropriate in a public school setting. In fact, it’s indecent. And it destroyed the Powder Puff performance for me. We are defined by the worst behavior that is tolerated. I’m not going to tolerate that. And I’ve spent the past three years speaking to the guys that are in the performance, asking, begging, pleading to keep it above the fray. Each time it has been agreed upon. And each time it has failed to live up to standards. The participants are good students. They make good grades. They are pleasant to be around. But the student body response to the 2 percent of the performance that was objectionable … offensive … spoke volumes. Our student body could not, or would not, show excitement for our team captains, but they exploded with cheers and applause for the 2 percent of the performance that destroyed it for me. That pretty much says it all.
I believe in this student body. I believe in our young adults. I believe in the adults in this building, and I believe in this school, but I will not waver on high expectations, both for academics and behavior, and I will not apologize for high standards. Because of the failure to maintain these high standards, the Powder Puff cheerleaders are done. We will not be continuing this part of our Homecoming activities in the future.
What I saw, both in the performance and the reaction from the student body at large, simply is a microcosm of much that occurs in this school. Traditions have a way of being born, and carried on. That’s what makes them traditions. Some traditions are really worthy of carrying on. Others just become nuisances or worse, reflections of a society that is drifting away from civility. Case in point: Junior Takeover Day. There isn’t even “really” a day that’s titled that! And while, for the most part, the hijinks in school have been eradicated, the percentage of students attending school has dropped and the hijinks that occur in the community have grown and in some cases, cross the line from playful pranks in to pure nastiness. That’s not a tradition. That is a travesty.
Recently our new Kansas Commissioner of Education went on a “listening” tour; he traveled the state and listened to community members and business owners. The focus question was “What should a 24 year old know and be able to do? What do Kansas residents expect?” The answer came back that, while academics are important, Kansans want individuals competent in the soft skills: cooperation, loyalty, dependability. We truly live in a great nation; but our nation depends upon the cornerstone of democracy: Our ability to govern ourselves. The same exists at this school. Our school will only be as great as its inhabitants permit it to be; students, staff, parents and yes, the building principal.
I love this school. I love this community. And I want this school to be the best school in the state. The very best school in the state. Maybe the country. Shoot … what about the world?!
I don’t think that is far-fetched. I believe that it is do-able. It’s really quite simple. Be great. Or not. The choice is yours.
Greg Hoyt, MHS Principal
Kraig Buffington • Nov 16, 2015 at 12:26 pm
I fell blesses knowing that my children will possibly be educated in a high school guided by your principles. Thank you for all that you do.
Thisthat • Nov 9, 2015 at 11:51 pm
I had to ask my teenager kid to show me the video after I read Mr Hoyt’s long, but not focused letter. I have to say I still don’t quite see why it is such a big deal. Maybe Mr. Hoyt needs to relax a bit more and not be so, shall we say, intolerant! I also don’t understand why he felt justified to punish everyone by canceling something that, according to him, most students seem to enjoy just because he found something offensive. Hey, no one asked Super Bowl to cancel its half time show for good after Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction!
Babagranny • Nov 9, 2015 at 10:44 am
Thank you, Mr. Hoyt. The kids and their parents need to take your comments very seriously.
tickticktick • Nov 8, 2015 at 10:48 pm
“We are defined by the worst behavior that is tolerated”? What a narrow-minded viewpoint. Never mind that, as he states, these are good kids who get good grades. Never mind they may be charitable and kind. They are “defined” by what he calls “two percent” of a show done once a year. It’s gross that an educator would have such a puritanical view of the children in his charge.
spike • Nov 8, 2015 at 6:01 pm
This country has lost its moral compass and it makes it very difficult for young people – who have been basically told there is nothing really “wrong” and nothing actually “right” – to make good behavioral decisions. Even integrity comes into the equation when one has talked to them and told them the expectations and have their agreement – to no avail.
Paul Oehm • Nov 8, 2015 at 2:40 pm
Very well said Greg. A culture evolves and perpetuates over time and the trend you describe will continue if parents allow their kids to do so. If parents know their kids are doing this and are okay with that in their performance, they should be counseled along with the kids.
We attend the high school football games sitting behind the band that our son plays in and see the middle school kids in behind us that never stop talking and throwing items around…one time hitting another parent about 10 feet from us with a partially empty soda bottle. We could not hear what was said for many of the excellent halftime presentations because of the noise from behind us. Of course, we would always prefer to see the marching band perform more but we understand the need for these recognition’s to be done. The band kids prepare hard for these shows so would like to see them have at least enough time to 2 a couple songs at each game. We did not get to see them perform their show this football season except at the Central State Marching Band Festival at KSU.
The middle school kids are future MHS students so the cure to these issues needs to be addressed there as well. Parent involvement in what their kids are doing is essential. Left to their own devices, students seem to compete for attention in social media, the more provocative, the better.
Thanks again for your letter and I hope some real acknowledgement and action on these issues ensues.
Paul Oehm
Terry • Nov 8, 2015 at 7:35 am
“We are defined by the worst behavior that is tolerated”? What a narrow-minded viewpoint. Never mind that, as you, these are good kids who get good grades. Never mind they may be charitable and kind. They are “defined” by “two percent” of a show done once a year. It’s gross that an educator would have such a puritanical view of the children in his charge.
Further, adults have been trying to limit kids’ enjoyment to what they deem appropriate since be-bop hit wax. That the students laughed so loudly at something you found so objectionable suggests they saw it for the joke it was, not a defining failure, as you’ve made it out to be. If anyone has handled this situation badly, it is you.
karla • Nov 7, 2015 at 8:40 pm
I do not know you at all, but I believe in your goals for your students. I wish that our own principal would have sent out a message similar to this about 1 1/2 years ago pertaining to issues it chose to not expose. I also wish they’d of acknowledged and set expectations for all involved, not just the 6 or so they chose to expose. There were two sides…..all good kids, fun to be around. But they were all guilty of wrong doing.
I can’t change that, and I am happy to report my student was not involved. But I do wish you well with your belief in your school and students. As I remind my student and her friends, the good has yo sometimes start with you. Respect goes both ways, but students must first respect themselves, their rlders, and their community. Only then should they expect it back. I’m proud of you for making a change about something that I’m sure most adults agree with. Fun is fun, but it has boundaries just like everything else. These students will thank you someday.
Leigha (Bolton) Kern • Nov 7, 2015 at 8:30 pm
Well said, Mr. Hoyt. My apologies for the ‘Lord of the Flies’ analogy, but it sounds like the students didn’t listen to the sports captain ‘Ralph’s’ but decided chose to follow the Powderpuff Cheerleader ‘Jacks’ instead. Those who have read the book (I’m guessing Mr. Ficke still teaches it) will understand the dangers of losing all sense of decorum and civility. I commend you on your pride for MHS and high expectations for the student body.
Ruth Ann Warren • Nov 7, 2015 at 7:34 pm
Thank you, Greg. Well spoken!
Deborah Price • Nov 7, 2015 at 6:40 pm
My dear nieces, nephews and parents,
My brothers and sister graduated from MHS, then my nieces and nephews and now my great nieces and nephews continue the tradition. Principal Hoyt thank you for your letter I fully agree with you. I am so tired of seeing boys pants down to their knees and girls looking like under dressed young ladies that is now called “the new normal” .All it says to me is not only do I not respect myself I do not respect anyone else. If you do not respect yourself no one else will. Parents stop buying “everyone else does it. They do it on TV, in the movies, that’s all they have in the stores.
Teach your children to have empathy, consideration and manners. How would you like to make a speech and no one will listen, in fact they just try to talk over you. If it was done to your child how would you feel. There are wonderful young adults out there MHS 2% pattern yourself after them.
God bless you all and may the rest of the school year be successful.
Principal Hoyt hang in there I am proud of you.
With love for you all
A sister and an auntie.
PS I thank God everyday that my loved ones were in the 98% because no one would let them be anything less.
Keith Eyestone • Nov 7, 2015 at 6:37 pm
Mr. Hoyt,
I truly enjoyed your letter and I am proud of you and your vision for our high school. I know that you will lead the school to great accomplishments.
My very Best,
Keith Eyestone
MHS Class of 1980
Janet Swander • Nov 7, 2015 at 4:26 pm
Amen!
Louise Jahnke • Nov 7, 2015 at 4:05 pm
MR. Hoyt
Thank you for telling it like it is. As a retired teacher, I agree with you when you spoke about the behavior of some students. It is not just st MHS, it is on other high schools as well. Thanks for taking s stand.
Craig Padgett • Nov 7, 2015 at 3:52 pm
I could not agree more. I wasn’t at either event in question but I take you for your word as to what took place. I was so excited to learn you were leaving Eisenhower to be the high school principal. . Your core values and expectations of our youth are what comes first. When out youth are asked not to do something and continue to do just that, is a huge problem. I get this from my daughter at times. Not trying to keep her from being herself but she too has rules to follow. I fully appreciate your taking the time you take to be informative to others, for that I say “THANK YOU”….
Kendra Cecil • Nov 7, 2015 at 12:25 pm
Being a 1990 grad of MHS, I remember how much fun the pep rallies and Powder Puff were. It’s unfortunate that this tradition has to end, but it is obvious the time has come. Thank you for not turning your back on indecency as a sign of the times that we live in. Thank you for being a man of integrity that expects more from your students. They will be richer for it. We need more leaders in young lives like you. Thank you, Mr. Hoyt!
Laurie Curtis • Nov 7, 2015 at 12:05 pm
Well said, principal Hoyt. We are all known by our actions and I am so grateful that you are committed to doing what is best for “our” kids and their futures. These students are the future of our state and therefore high standards of excellence in both academics and behavior is essential not only for each one of our kids- but for the welfare of our community as well.
Shirley Hearn • Nov 7, 2015 at 11:21 am
Thank you, Greg for having the courage to say and do what needed to be said and done! Too much of this sort of behavior has been allowed for too long and contributes to where society is today. Thanks for being a leader – we all need to see this in our world today! It starts at home here in Manhattan; we can’t expect it in our country if we don’t show it in our every day actions!
Sharon Burns-Runyan • Nov 7, 2015 at 10:45 am
Principal Hoyt,
Thannnnk you! Thank you for expecting and teaching excellence from and to our young people.
Keep up the great leadership to both the adults you lead and the youth you teach.
God Bless,
Sharon Burns Runyan
MHS Class of 1982