by Milan Streit

KG CONFESSIONS CONCERNS

An Instagram account using the name “kgss.confessions” has recently been under fire by students and administrators on the platform. The account features a Google form link where you can anonymously write anything about anyone in the school. The Google form answers are then posted publicly around three times a week.

While this has led to some funny and innocent comments like “water fountain water be free of lead and asbestos” it has also led to possible cyberbullying and inappropriateness. Scrolling through the many posts, there seem to be three types of overall trends in the submissions.

The first type is commenting on student and teacher looks.

The next common trend is people trying to cause drama by insulting and using violent, racial, sexist, and homophobic terms against students and teachers. “[censored] got his a** beat by [censored]. His face and shoulders were bleeding so stfu b*tches” referencing a recent fight, “AYO [censored] F*CK YOU DUMB B*TCH F*G”.

Lastly, it seems people have posted accusations about possible sexual assault in the school. This has prompted the owner of the KG Confessions account to step in and say something. The name of the alleged person was blocked by the account and a message was posted as seen in this screenshot. However, it seems the account has flip-flopped and on March 20 posted this, “[censored] is a rapist and a racist and [censored] is a trashy hoe for defending him”.

Many have apparently reported the account for possible cyberbullying and spreading rumors. One post is said to be from the KG administration team. It says, in part, “we’re very concerned with some of the confessions that are being posted. Talk of self-harm, sexual assault, suicide, bullying, gender fluidity, in this forum could potentially lead to some students not seeking help, especially when many of these posts are untrue and potentially very damaging to people’s reputations and well-being. While some of the “this guy is really cute and I’m too shy to ask him out” confessions are very sweet, posting confessions that encourage bullying, hatred, racism, sexism, homophobia or self-harm are against the Criminal Code of Canada, the Vancouver School Board and KG Codes of Conduct, and leave you culpable for any injury, or worse, to a fellow student. You probably aren’t thinking that far ahead, and we get that. Remove this account and posts attached.”

The letter from KG admin team goes on to say, “We have already contacted Safer Schools Together, Instagram, and Google to report our concerns about the content being shared and/or promoted on this account. We would prefer to keep the VPD out of this by giving you the opportunity to close down the account. However, if this account remains active, we will contact VPD, at which point this will not be a school issue and will be handed over to the Police.”

The KG admin team adds “we are not looking to punish you, but we do want to support, not harm fellow students.”

However, KG Confessions remains active as of our April publication day.

HOT LUNCH UPDATE

In the March edition of “The Dragon’s Pen” I talked about the lunch menu in the KG cafeteria being less than stellar. I am now happy to report a review of the lunch policy by the Vancouver School Board is officially happening.

This includes a potential return of the Hot Lunch Program. The program would have students prepare meals and would function as an elective.

I would like to thank Principal Tyler Evens for his cooperation on this issue.