Shortly after making an incredibly insensible decision I had found myself hearing the words, “45 days minimum DAEP (Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs).”   Disappointed, upset, and hurt do not begin to describe the looks on the faces of the ones who care most about me when they found out what had happened.

I had made a decision that will affect me for the rest of my high school career and I have to face the consequences of my actions. This was the beginning of my life in the silent room otherwise known as DAEP.

It did not begin immediately following 9-11-2013 (the day of the event that resulted in my arrival at DAEP). It began four days later at 8 a.m. at Lovejoy Elementary.  Walking up the ramp to the DAEP portable on day one of my 45 day term, I had no idea what to expect from this place. When I walked in I saw two teachers and their desks and 5 desks for students.

Week one is referred to as your orientation period and the guidelines are as follows:

• Students work alone at his or her desk and desk faces the body of the classroom.
• All breaks are scheduled and supervised.
• Students will eat lunch at his or her desk
• Students may receive reinforcement at his or her desk. (teaching instruction)
• All Activities are supervised and monitored by the staff.
• Other constant rules for DAEP in general:
• You may not talk unless granted that freedom during your 30 minute lunch period.
• You must complete and turn in all assignments for that day and provide quality work.
• You may NOT have ANY form of cellular device or communication.
• You may use the restroom whenever needed. (located inside classroom)
• You may not have free time. Always work hard.

Also you have 3 levels of behavior which are categorized as such:

• Green- Great behavior no reminders
• Yellow- Good behavior with few reminders
• Red – Decent behavior with several reminders

If a student stays in the green for all five days of the week, the student gets a day taken off their sentencing.

Students lose a lot of freedoms when entering the DAEP building and the first two days of my new educational program were probably the most difficult days of my school career.

Constantly being babied and treated like a threat; being patted down and searched every morning sucks. Having other people determine your every single move is not how I like to live. I never would have thought this before, but seeing teachers is the most exciting part of the day because at least someone is concerned enough to take the time out of their own day to help you in your education.  When I realized that, I started to make some connections and realized that these people really are here to help me become a better person.

What I did not realize during those two days is what a great place this can be.  Not having your phone and not being able to talk is far from ideal, but my grades were already rising and my attitude was already changing. Getting good grades is becoming fun again and doing good for the people that take time to ensure success is a rewarding feeling. The very best part is no homework after school.

Week one started out as a horror, but what I am realizing is that this place is designed to get you back on track.  It is not intended to be fun or exciting, and I do not know what the next seven weeks have in store for me. What I do know is that this place is really not such a horrible punishment after all.