#139, Code
"Julian Singh," he said, extending his hand. No one (a) introduces himself and then (b) extends his hand to be shaken while (c) wearing shorts and (d) knee socks and (e) holding a genuine leather book bag on (f) the first day of school.
-The View from Saturday (p. 66)
code n. a systematic collection of laws or regulations
Julian Singh, the newest student at Epiphany Elementary School, breaks several parts of the school code before he has even stepped foot in school. Ethan Potter, a student who is clearly very knowledgeable of Epiphany's code, precisely lists each of Julian's violations in the quote. There is not a school meeting in which this code is specifically discussed nor a sheet paper in which the code is listed. Nevertheless, most students are aware of its existence (except poor Julian).
The code has several dimensions.
(b) extends his hand to be shaken → Epiphany Code: Students should not shake hands to introduce themselves.
(c) wearing shorts → Epiphany Code: Students should wear jeans or some other type of pants, especially on the first day of school.
(f) the first day of school → Epiphany Code: There are times one may introduce himself or herself, but certainly not on the first day of school.
Over time, the unwritten code at a school or job gradually reveals itself. Conversations and interactions with one's peers or co-workers reveal hidden information that organizes itself into a code. At your school, there exists a code just like the one at Epiphany Elementary School.
For this Journal response, complete the following tasks,
Imagine that Julian will start attending your school in May. Write a letter to Julian that describes the code of your school. You may write about the code of an academy instead.
e.g., Dear Julian, Listen up new kid, I'm writing this letter so that you survive your first day of school. I hear you're from England. You may have a cool accent, but that won't save you from jerks like Hamilton Knapp and Michael Froelich. Here's the deal...
Comment on one of your peer's responses.
-Brenden Lee Teacher
act like you've been there before