Is College Worth the Hype?
The economic recession has put a damper on society's way of living. It affects the way communities run and how efficient life turns out for most. There has been a spike in the unemployment rate nationally. Realistically, this would make it harder for people who have a lesser education and fewer skills than someone with a college degree to get hired. Having a college degree, even though the education is expensive, will help someone achieve the necessary requirements to have a professional career, while also giving an advantage over someone with a high school diploma when looking for a job.
Statistically, according to the United States Census Bureau from 2008-2010, the employment status for people with High School diplomas was at 76.9% while people who had a college or Associate's degree was 79.3%. The numbers for someone who has a Bachelor's degree or higher was 84.6%. It is statistically better to have a college degree of some sort than be fresh out of high school looking for a career.
There are things such as FAFSA (Federal Application for Student Aid), financial aid, and scholarships that can help out this outstanding number per year. If a steady career is established after college, most of these fees can be paid off. The key to success would be going to college and earning a way through debt.
In the United States' history, there have been other times when the economy had a downfall. From 1929 to 1941 the Great Depression overwhelmed America. At its highest, the unemployment rate was around 25% (Digital History, 2012). Currently, our nation is only at an 8.5% unemployment rate. The differences between the two are outstanding. The economy was able to be fixed in a few short years after its worst point. This recession might be affecting the nation negatively now, but it cannot stay like this forever.
College is a big step in the right direction if success is mandatory for someone. Even though financially, it will be tough, there are many ways to relieve debt. A high paying job is more easily attainable if there is some sort of higher education.
Amye Swatkowski
April 2012
Statistically, according to the United States Census Bureau from 2008-2010, the employment status for people with High School diplomas was at 76.9% while people who had a college or Associate's degree was 79.3%. The numbers for someone who has a Bachelor's degree or higher was 84.6%. It is statistically better to have a college degree of some sort than be fresh out of high school looking for a career.
There are things such as FAFSA (Federal Application for Student Aid), financial aid, and scholarships that can help out this outstanding number per year. If a steady career is established after college, most of these fees can be paid off. The key to success would be going to college and earning a way through debt.
In the United States' history, there have been other times when the economy had a downfall. From 1929 to 1941 the Great Depression overwhelmed America. At its highest, the unemployment rate was around 25% (Digital History, 2012). Currently, our nation is only at an 8.5% unemployment rate. The differences between the two are outstanding. The economy was able to be fixed in a few short years after its worst point. This recession might be affecting the nation negatively now, but it cannot stay like this forever.
College is a big step in the right direction if success is mandatory for someone. Even though financially, it will be tough, there are many ways to relieve debt. A high paying job is more easily attainable if there is some sort of higher education.
Amye Swatkowski
April 2012
Nation Wide Gamers
All over the world people are talking about the entertaining apps that are available on the Apple software technology.
With the new Apple gizmos constantly evolving, there are many fun apps that can be downloaded to an iPod touch or an iPad. These apps are more likely to grab the attention of kids between the ages of 11 to 20 years old, but there are rare instances when adults get sucked into the addictive swirl of gaming. These apps clearly have no age limit because they steal the attention of anyone willing to donate their time to playing.
According to the app market in the Apple Company, the top five addicting games of the year are Doodle Jump, Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja, Temple Run and Pocket Run. The best part about all of these games, except Temple Run, is that they cost less than a dollar; 99 cents to be exact.
Many teenagers now spend tons of time playing these time consuming games. A couple of the students here actually agree with this. Their opinions help prove that Apple is right about the top five addicting apps.
Two students at Bolingbrook High School speak about this hot topic. Sophomore, Stephanie Galto, states that “Temple Run is a very fun and addicting too!” Another group of students consisting of various grade levels agree with this decision too. Galto includes that “Once you start you will not stop.”
Another sophomore, Jasmine Wright, explains that “Angry Birds is a very common app and it is very addicting as well.” She had explained that she would spend about two hours playing at a time. Other students have spent longer times playing these games.
With the gaming epidemic that is occurring nationwide, the vast majority of kids and adults in the 21 century will be influenced and addicted by intriguing and interesting apps.
Paulette Robinson
April 2012
With the new Apple gizmos constantly evolving, there are many fun apps that can be downloaded to an iPod touch or an iPad. These apps are more likely to grab the attention of kids between the ages of 11 to 20 years old, but there are rare instances when adults get sucked into the addictive swirl of gaming. These apps clearly have no age limit because they steal the attention of anyone willing to donate their time to playing.
According to the app market in the Apple Company, the top five addicting games of the year are Doodle Jump, Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja, Temple Run and Pocket Run. The best part about all of these games, except Temple Run, is that they cost less than a dollar; 99 cents to be exact.
Many teenagers now spend tons of time playing these time consuming games. A couple of the students here actually agree with this. Their opinions help prove that Apple is right about the top five addicting apps.
Two students at Bolingbrook High School speak about this hot topic. Sophomore, Stephanie Galto, states that “Temple Run is a very fun and addicting too!” Another group of students consisting of various grade levels agree with this decision too. Galto includes that “Once you start you will not stop.”
Another sophomore, Jasmine Wright, explains that “Angry Birds is a very common app and it is very addicting as well.” She had explained that she would spend about two hours playing at a time. Other students have spent longer times playing these games.
With the gaming epidemic that is occurring nationwide, the vast majority of kids and adults in the 21 century will be influenced and addicted by intriguing and interesting apps.
Paulette Robinson
April 2012
Crying Wolf
Everyone will die on December 21, 2012. This is the new date that people have predicted to be the end of Earth, but it is assured there is nothing to fear. Rumors are that the Mayan calendar ends on December 21. The Mayans are an ancient generation of humans who lived in what is now called America many years ago. After a while of research, America stumbled across the Mayan calendar, which
eventually ends.
That is just one of the three myths that people think is proof of Earth’s demise. The Mayan calendar is not a prediction of the end of the world, but it is actually the start of a new time. Just like America celebrates time with New Year’s, the Mayans did as well. Every 1,872,000 days, which is roughly 5125 years, the next chapter of their life starts.
According to nationalgeographic.com “In December 2012, the lengthy era ends and the complicated, cyclical calendar will roll over again to Day Zero, beginning another enormous cycle.”
Another myth is that the sun will have a solar storm that will reach out to the earth and burn all of Earth with its intense solar rays. This is also false.
NASA astronomer David Morrison says “The sun isn't on schedule anyway his cycle probably won't peak in 2012 but a year or two later.” So there will not be any severe solar storms until at least 2014.
This last myth is the craziest of all. A woman claimed to have been spoken to by extraterrestrials. They apparently told her that a planet is going to collide with earth on December 21, 2012. The planets name is Nibiru or “Planet X” as some may call it.
This is obviously false. This same woman said the exact same thing in 2003, and it clearly did not happen.
Senior Ben Gavitt said, “If a planet that big was going to hit Earth so soon we should have been able to see it by now.”That is very true. If astronomers can see stars why would they not be able to see a planet that is less than a year away from earth?
If those are the best three myths, then the Earth isn’t going anywhere any time soon.
Aaron Similton
February 2012
eventually ends.
That is just one of the three myths that people think is proof of Earth’s demise. The Mayan calendar is not a prediction of the end of the world, but it is actually the start of a new time. Just like America celebrates time with New Year’s, the Mayans did as well. Every 1,872,000 days, which is roughly 5125 years, the next chapter of their life starts.
According to nationalgeographic.com “In December 2012, the lengthy era ends and the complicated, cyclical calendar will roll over again to Day Zero, beginning another enormous cycle.”
Another myth is that the sun will have a solar storm that will reach out to the earth and burn all of Earth with its intense solar rays. This is also false.
NASA astronomer David Morrison says “The sun isn't on schedule anyway his cycle probably won't peak in 2012 but a year or two later.” So there will not be any severe solar storms until at least 2014.
This last myth is the craziest of all. A woman claimed to have been spoken to by extraterrestrials. They apparently told her that a planet is going to collide with earth on December 21, 2012. The planets name is Nibiru or “Planet X” as some may call it.
This is obviously false. This same woman said the exact same thing in 2003, and it clearly did not happen.
Senior Ben Gavitt said, “If a planet that big was going to hit Earth so soon we should have been able to see it by now.”That is very true. If astronomers can see stars why would they not be able to see a planet that is less than a year away from earth?
If those are the best three myths, then the Earth isn’t going anywhere any time soon.
Aaron Similton
February 2012
A Lesson in Life
High school is a very important step in a teenager’s life, and the choices students make in high school can help or hinder their growth process. Some people believe that being in a relationship is a waste of time and will slow down the process of growth, while others believe they need a relationship in order to grow. Relationships give students more self-esteem and make them more comfortable in school.
Senior Jasmine Venegas says, “In a way, it kind of does help you socially and confidence wise. You also have something to look forward to every day when you are going to school. It’s a nice feeling to have someone there waiting for you.”
Relationships also make a student feel more complete at times as well as happier, and happiness can translate into better performance in school.
Senior Milto Deli says that,“if you have a girlfriend then I guess your grades will be better because you’re happier.”
A boyfriend/girlfriend can also be a partner’s best friend and help along the way. Senior Erik McDowell says, “Some people need someone real close to talk to like that.”
Even if the relationship is not good they will learn more about themselves and know more about what they want in a relationship and what they do not want.
A relationship is an experience more students should do to grow, and people might say things like, “relationships complicate things” or “my partner is so annoying,” but that is all a part of trial and error. The key is to find someone who is worth the complications. If one never tries then one will never know.
The number one thing to remember is that a relationship requires hard work on both sides. Even true love is work and it is getting through the hard times that make both partners stronger, not only as a couple, but also as people. Though there are downsides to a relationship, remember that “what does not kill you only makes
you stronger.”
Aaron Similton
February 2012
The Wrong Tools for the Job
Online piracy is a very common problem on the internet, and the government has thought of a solution in the form of two bills: the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), and the Protect IP Act (PIPA).
With these bills, the internet will be censored heavily by the government and the sites on the internet. Basically, if a mom took a video of her little four year old dancing to Britney Spears, then that video would be shut down. If someone were to post a picture on Facebook that they did not take themselves, then their account could possibly be cancelled. If a website did not watch over their site to make sure a user did not post anything that violated these bills, they could possibly be shut down temporarily or permanently.
These bills were delayed until they can improve them so the internet is not at that stage yet, but they will rise back into the public eye again later on.
These bills are the wrong tool to battle piracy on the internet. They are too extreme and will ruin the flow of the internet. The biggest problem with these bills is the future. People believe if the government takes this much control of the internet now, then they will take more control later on. If they do start taking control then the internet will eventually end up like China’s internet with high privacy laws.
An even bigger fear people have is that we will not be informed as much as we used to be. Nowadays citizens get their information from the internet. An informal poll that was taken in this school showed that 64 percent of the people asked did not even know about these bills while 36 percent of the people who knew about it
heard through the internet. With the government censoring the internet some fear they [the government] will hide more information that they do not want the public to know.
Citizens have taken stands on this issue, and so have websites such as Wikipedia and Google. Students from this very school signed a petition to stop these bills.
Senior Morgan Schea says, “I do not agree at all with what the government is doing. Some piracy is very harmless like a little kid dancing to a song that is not his. They’re not saying the song is [theirs] then what is the big deal?”
That really does not seem like it is that bad. Some forms of “piracy” are very innocent, which is why these bills are too extreme.
Aaron Similton
February 2012
Pirating Music: Who Does it Really Hurt?
It is common practice for people to steal music electronically in today’s day and age with the vast amount of technology that allows people to do so, and the lack of funds that people are experiencing due to the country’s economic instability. The government has been cracking down on music and media pirating recently, charging people millions of dollars on account of copyright infringement, and even condemning people to prison sentences of 25 years or more, which is more than sentencing for crimes such as rape or murder.
There is uproar about the severity of the punishments involved in media sharing. Many believe that music and media are all art and meant to be shared with the public, not to be labeled as a commodity that only serves to make money, which seems to be the bottom line for many artists’ complaints about illegal downloading. However, bands such as Metallica and artists such as Lil’ Wayne make billions of dollars from annual record and merchandising sales, yet complain when some of their music is downloaded illegally.
Senior Isaac Wisinki says, “It should be more about the message you’re trying to convey.”
It is pure hypocrisy on the artists’ side because they are known to frivolously spend money, not only on themselves but just for show. Lil Wayne for example, is known to throw hundreds of dollars in cash around just to watch people scramble for it.
People who cannot afford to buy music try any other ways possible to attain it, because to the consumer, music is not just a product, it is a lifestyle. When caught, these people have to face years in jail, and millions of dollars to pay off in fines, extremely unfair circumstances, especially when one looks at the fact that an
artist does not really lose that much money at all from others downloading their work.
Junior Steph Jandejska summarizes her feelings about music and the whole fiasco of music industry violations in general, saying, “It is [music] definitely more of an artistic thing. If there's any artists that literally say ‘I’m doing this for the money’ I have no respect for them. Music is an art, and should be understood
as an art. You should do it for you, because you enjoy it, not for the money. And if you decide to share it with the world and people like it and pay you to listen to the art you've created, then good for you.”
Even though music may never have a definite definition, the fact remains that it is more art than money and should be shared with the world.
Jakub Misztal
February 2012
There is uproar about the severity of the punishments involved in media sharing. Many believe that music and media are all art and meant to be shared with the public, not to be labeled as a commodity that only serves to make money, which seems to be the bottom line for many artists’ complaints about illegal downloading. However, bands such as Metallica and artists such as Lil’ Wayne make billions of dollars from annual record and merchandising sales, yet complain when some of their music is downloaded illegally.
Senior Isaac Wisinki says, “It should be more about the message you’re trying to convey.”
It is pure hypocrisy on the artists’ side because they are known to frivolously spend money, not only on themselves but just for show. Lil Wayne for example, is known to throw hundreds of dollars in cash around just to watch people scramble for it.
People who cannot afford to buy music try any other ways possible to attain it, because to the consumer, music is not just a product, it is a lifestyle. When caught, these people have to face years in jail, and millions of dollars to pay off in fines, extremely unfair circumstances, especially when one looks at the fact that an
artist does not really lose that much money at all from others downloading their work.
Junior Steph Jandejska summarizes her feelings about music and the whole fiasco of music industry violations in general, saying, “It is [music] definitely more of an artistic thing. If there's any artists that literally say ‘I’m doing this for the money’ I have no respect for them. Music is an art, and should be understood
as an art. You should do it for you, because you enjoy it, not for the money. And if you decide to share it with the world and people like it and pay you to listen to the art you've created, then good for you.”
Even though music may never have a definite definition, the fact remains that it is more art than money and should be shared with the world.
Jakub Misztal
February 2012
Senior Pranks: Not All Laughs
As the students of Bolingbrook High School start their second semester, the realization that the year is ending starts to slowly sink in for the seniors. Adulthood is fast approaching and with adulthood, the joys of being young tend to diminish. This fact is precisely why senior prank days exist, to fully live up to the simple joys of being a child before being ushered off into the “real world.” Water balloons, cherry bombs and stink spray are common items which pop out near the last few weeks of school, wreaking slight to moderate chaos. However, as it tends to happen with most pranks, things do get out of hand.
There were quite a few injuries from last years’ pranks, including students who had slipped in the hallways after water balloons were thrown on the floors, and even a teacher who fell down the stairs after slipping on a staircase lubricated with baby oil. The school forbids any and all prank-related activities, but that has not stopped anybody yet.
So the senior population has to consider, just when should the line be drawn in terms of pranks? Or furthermore, should it just be stopped altogether?
When asked if senior pranks should be a tradition that is left behind, senior Monserrat Rocha answered that the pranks “Should just stop.”
Furthermore, she expressed her concern with the amount of action the school has taken to stop these pranks saying that they must be ended because “You never know [a pranksters] intentions, and whether you could hurt someone or not,” said Rocha.
Senior Andrew further elaborated upon the same concern stating that the school should “possibly add more cameras to the entire school,” in order to have a more stern watch on the students.
Senior pranks also seem a tradition that is slowly becoming much less glorified as many students who were interviewed in response to the question “Are pranks overrated in high school?” answered within responses such as “They are so lame now.”
As people who are slowly peeking into adulthood, there needs to be a simple fact recognized: our behavior should reflect what is expected of adults. The expectations of general human kindness and dignity in which we aim not to trick or harm another, but come closer together and learn to work with each other, forgetting about seemingly harmless forms of unkindness and leaving them in the past with our childhoods where they
belong.
Jakub Misztal
February 2012
When is it enough?
Did you know that spreading rumors is a form of bullying? And is it not true that only
boys bully?
In high school there is not a day that goes by without somebody else’s business being
spread around the school. Rumors are hurtful, mean, generally false comments about a person. These rumors can potentially ruin a person’s reputation. It is not just girls that spread rumors though, boys are just as responsible. When people spread rumors it is socially attacking that person which can lead to long-lasting mental scars. These name calling and hurtful comments are forms bullying.
What exactly is bullying? Bullying is name-calling, rumors and rude comments directed towards a specific person. Whether one is a bully themselves or they have been bullied, it is a series problem.
There arefour types of bullying that can occur: verbal, social, physical and cyber. Verbal includes name calling and teasing, social is the spreading of rumors, physical is hitting or hurting someone and cyber bullying includes using the internet to harm others. Bullying is found everywhere, and it needs to be stopped.
Students everywhere are being bullied, even maybe the ones reading this. It can be stopped. There is always someone available to help, whether it is a teacher, a friend or even one’s parents, somebody is always
there to help.
According to stopbullying.gov, it is a myth that everybody grows out of bullying. Bullying sticks with a person for life. It is like a scar that never goes away.
When asked how he thought bullying affected other people sophomore Mohamed Elhrisse responded with, “Bullying hurts anybody and everybody. It leaves an emotional and a physical scar on people…the slightest bit of bullying can be someone’s breaking point…” He also states how we are all beautiful and deserve to be loved. Such wise words should be acted upon.
Bullying is a crime and it needs to be stopped. Next time you think about making fun of someone that is not very small or not as skinny as average, think about that emotional scars you are about to leave.
Emily Stoll
February 2012
Get to Class! Do Not Be a Bum
Most seniors are working hard in school and trying to prepare for the college life.
Yet there are a few others who have started to come down with a case of senioritis. What is senioritis though, and how do you know if you are being dragged in?
Senioritis is a “disease” that many seniors come down with during their second semester of their senior year. They have been working hard for three years, doing homework, taking tests and completing a load of projects. So they think “why bother doing any work when I am about to graduate?” They already know what they are going to do after high school, so they fall into a slump senior year.
What seniors need to realize is that they are not done yet. Though they may have already been accepted into that school they have been dying to attend since freshman year, senior year is not over until June. Many people do not know that colleges often do an end-of-the-year checkup to see how their senior year went and to make sure they still qualify to attend their school.
Seniors need to stay focused and not be lazy. When no homework is being done and classes are almost being failed, something has to change.
As Stanley E. Henderson said, “It is like how you would want to be in top condition for the start of an athletic season, so you should be in top condition for the academic season.” (Quoted from www.collegeboard.com)
When senior Brittany Shroba was asked what she thought the symptoms of senioritis were she
responded with, “Just being tired of school and wanting to leave.”
Senior Maritza Guzman was asked the same question and she stated, “Not wanting to go to class, getting lazy and just leaving school [ditching].”
Senior year is not just all fun and games. Even though it is okay to have some fun, it is vital to not forget the importance of academics as well. Stay focused and keep your senior year on track.
Emily Stoll
February 2012
Yet there are a few others who have started to come down with a case of senioritis. What is senioritis though, and how do you know if you are being dragged in?
Senioritis is a “disease” that many seniors come down with during their second semester of their senior year. They have been working hard for three years, doing homework, taking tests and completing a load of projects. So they think “why bother doing any work when I am about to graduate?” They already know what they are going to do after high school, so they fall into a slump senior year.
What seniors need to realize is that they are not done yet. Though they may have already been accepted into that school they have been dying to attend since freshman year, senior year is not over until June. Many people do not know that colleges often do an end-of-the-year checkup to see how their senior year went and to make sure they still qualify to attend their school.
Seniors need to stay focused and not be lazy. When no homework is being done and classes are almost being failed, something has to change.
As Stanley E. Henderson said, “It is like how you would want to be in top condition for the start of an athletic season, so you should be in top condition for the academic season.” (Quoted from www.collegeboard.com)
When senior Brittany Shroba was asked what she thought the symptoms of senioritis were she
responded with, “Just being tired of school and wanting to leave.”
Senior Maritza Guzman was asked the same question and she stated, “Not wanting to go to class, getting lazy and just leaving school [ditching].”
Senior year is not just all fun and games. Even though it is okay to have some fun, it is vital to not forget the importance of academics as well. Stay focused and keep your senior year on track.
Emily Stoll
February 2012
Christmas Really Naughty, not Nice
As cool winds of November slowly depart, and the leaves finish browning and falling off
of the trees, the unforgiving cold of December sneaks in again. The stupor of
Thanksgiving break has worn off and everyone’s mind is abuzz with thoughts of
one holiday only: Christmas. It is this time of year that students and adults
begin to plot what to buy each other as gifts, worrying whether or not they have
made the right choices, wondering if their gifts will be appreciated or left in
closets. Christmas used to be a time of joyous celebration, in rejoicing through
being with family and friends around a table with good food, creating even
better memories.
However, it seems that those memories have to come at a cost that is very detrimental to
one’s bank account. In today’s time the emotional and family values of Christmas
have become forgotten only to be replaced with the crazy materialism that our
society is famous for. Christmas is much too commercialized and has strayed far
too much from its humble family roots to encompass and change an entire
generation into a consuming machine.
With the economy as bad as it is, one does not need to spend unnecessary money and worry
on trivial things like gifts. Stress about Christmas is common during this time
and senior Kire Dennis demonstrates this when he says that gift shopping takes
up at least “…thirty five percent of his time at least once a day,” which
clearly demonstrates how time and thought consuming shopping is.
Every day people are bombarded by advertisements specifically for Christmas from special
sales to special items, to ads on TV all coercing one’s materialistic
conformity.
A teacher whose identity is withheld claims that, “the breakdown of the nuclear family
placed the higher emphasis on commercialism.”
No matter what the cause is, the fact remains that we have forgotten how to be happy and
full of cheer, content and happy for one’s friends and family, and not just the
things one owns.
Jakub Mitzal
December 2011
Gone like Smoke
Everyday students pile into Bolingbrook High School in a slow, melancholy daze, still waking up from the morning and readying themselves for a day of school. Some students however are not so ready for the school and have other things in mind, or other things with them.
More students have been bringing cigarettes into the school, and more students have been ditching classes, this month more so than ever before. Are cigarettes and ditching class related?
Students that are of legal age are bringing tobacco products to school, despite the risk of getting caught. Even if they are caught, if the students are 18 years of age, then the cigarettes must be returned to them. It seems that the two problems are related to each other.
An anonymous student gives their opinion on the subject as. “Well, people that ditch classes most likely don’t ditch to smoke, but ditch because they don’t want to go to class.”
Inevitably, there are some students who must feel the urge to smoke and leave school either early or in between classes. The school has random courtyards between commons and hallways which are destined for such a thing. Students, who are of a legal age, should be permitted to use those courtyards to smoke to decrease the number of students who do ditch to smoke.
Another anonymous student said that “I smoke daily and bring my cigarettes to school every day.” When asked how much they ditch they answered, “Almost every day, when I feel up to it.” The student also answered that they do leave school early just to smoke. There is an obvious connection between nicotine cravings and absences in class. The more a student smokes, the more they will be tempted to leave class to smoke. There is one obvious solution to the problem, and that is to allow the use of the school courtyards in order for students of legal age to smoke, and prevent them from ditching class, and instead of a lunch or homeroom give them a smoke break.
Jakub Misztal
January 2012
More students have been bringing cigarettes into the school, and more students have been ditching classes, this month more so than ever before. Are cigarettes and ditching class related?
Students that are of legal age are bringing tobacco products to school, despite the risk of getting caught. Even if they are caught, if the students are 18 years of age, then the cigarettes must be returned to them. It seems that the two problems are related to each other.
An anonymous student gives their opinion on the subject as. “Well, people that ditch classes most likely don’t ditch to smoke, but ditch because they don’t want to go to class.”
Inevitably, there are some students who must feel the urge to smoke and leave school either early or in between classes. The school has random courtyards between commons and hallways which are destined for such a thing. Students, who are of a legal age, should be permitted to use those courtyards to smoke to decrease the number of students who do ditch to smoke.
Another anonymous student said that “I smoke daily and bring my cigarettes to school every day.” When asked how much they ditch they answered, “Almost every day, when I feel up to it.” The student also answered that they do leave school early just to smoke. There is an obvious connection between nicotine cravings and absences in class. The more a student smokes, the more they will be tempted to leave class to smoke. There is one obvious solution to the problem, and that is to allow the use of the school courtyards in order for students of legal age to smoke, and prevent them from ditching class, and instead of a lunch or homeroom give them a smoke break.
Jakub Misztal
January 2012
A Vow of Silence
Once a year the national Day of Silence rolls around for schools everywhere in the U.S. Bolingbrook High School is not an exception from this event. The Day of Silence is a day where students take a vow not to speak for a whole day in support of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
The silence represents the harassment and oppression experienced by LGBT people everywhere. It is also meant to remind people what it would be like to not have the “silent” people in their lives and what it would be like if they were gone—but is it really the way to go, and is it really that effective? To admit silence is to admit defeat. One has to fight for their rights in order to gain them, and to stay silent would not be an action of rebellion to an oppressive force, but a fall into obscurity and a fading away.
However, another take on that is that it is simply a form of peaceful protest. In this day and age, violence is the most frowned upon method of getting one’s point across, and as such would not get far as a protest. Taking after the style of Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi’s methods of civil disobedience, the Day of Silence does just that with the simple practice of students not speaking for a day.
The general consensus is that the event does actually seem to draw a lot of attention to the struggles of LGBT people. Junior Steph Jandejska summarized what the majority of students thought by saying, “Well, every time I've done it, I've gotten others to tell me it's a good cause and that they will participate next time it comes around. I'd say it achieves much knowledge of the struggles of LGBT people quite well.”
Many people have also wondered if this day achieved anything or if it has served a purpose. Sophomore Anthony Cruex says, “Yes, it does [since] actions speak louder than words.” There is little doubt that the Day of Silence is ineffective as a method of protest.
Jandejska makes it known that the greatest idea between DOS and all other pro-LGBT protests by saying “There are plenty of other ways that LGBT people are voicing their rights, such as the “No-H8” campaign and the annual pride parade. No way is more or less better.” Overall it does not matter how we protest, as long as we do not stop to fight for the equality that the LGBT community deserves.
Jakub Misztal
January 2012
The silence represents the harassment and oppression experienced by LGBT people everywhere. It is also meant to remind people what it would be like to not have the “silent” people in their lives and what it would be like if they were gone—but is it really the way to go, and is it really that effective? To admit silence is to admit defeat. One has to fight for their rights in order to gain them, and to stay silent would not be an action of rebellion to an oppressive force, but a fall into obscurity and a fading away.
However, another take on that is that it is simply a form of peaceful protest. In this day and age, violence is the most frowned upon method of getting one’s point across, and as such would not get far as a protest. Taking after the style of Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi’s methods of civil disobedience, the Day of Silence does just that with the simple practice of students not speaking for a day.
The general consensus is that the event does actually seem to draw a lot of attention to the struggles of LGBT people. Junior Steph Jandejska summarized what the majority of students thought by saying, “Well, every time I've done it, I've gotten others to tell me it's a good cause and that they will participate next time it comes around. I'd say it achieves much knowledge of the struggles of LGBT people quite well.”
Many people have also wondered if this day achieved anything or if it has served a purpose. Sophomore Anthony Cruex says, “Yes, it does [since] actions speak louder than words.” There is little doubt that the Day of Silence is ineffective as a method of protest.
Jandejska makes it known that the greatest idea between DOS and all other pro-LGBT protests by saying “There are plenty of other ways that LGBT people are voicing their rights, such as the “No-H8” campaign and the annual pride parade. No way is more or less better.” Overall it does not matter how we protest, as long as we do not stop to fight for the equality that the LGBT community deserves.
Jakub Misztal
January 2012
Problems with School After-hours
One problem students have brought to the attention of many is the activity buses. Students that ride activity buses are involved in some sort of after school activity. Bolingbrook High School after school activities include many different groups, ranging from band to tutoring to a test retake, from BLT to Foreign Language Club. These after school activities require a way to get kids home safely from school.
Although transportation for school is a necessity, schools must provide activity buses. The school has the discretion to choose who can actually ride the activity bus.
At Bolingbrook High School, a certain system for activity buses is used. Everyone who stays after regular school hours does not have the option to ride the activity bus; only those who can prove to they stayed after for an activity are permitted on a bus. To show proof a student actually participated in an after school activity, the supervisor of the activity issues a “bus ticket” to that student. That student then presents the ticket and their student ID to the bus driver and is allowed to board the bus.
Some problems presented with activity buses are that there is not enough space for all the kids who need to ride them. Many students feel buses are meant to provide a quick route home. Many kids ride the same bus, but they are all going to different places. There are over 30 buses used for transportation directly after school, but there are only five activity buses - this causes activity buses to be extremely crowded, and it forces them to stop at many different places.
Simone Beckley, a sophomore at Bolingbrook High School, says, “I’d prefer to walk than take the bus, or I’d call for a ride and wait longer at the school, rather than ride a bus making many stops before mine.”
More activity buses are needed to please the students, but enough are provided to actually meet the needs of the students.
Another problem present with the activity buses is that sometimes the activity runs later than expected and does not allow enough time for the student to make it on the bus before time of departure. Basketball practices sometimes run later than expected and coaches do not always let their players leave in time to catch the bus; the student than misses the bus and transportation is unavailable for that student.
If Bolingbrook High School is only trying to meet the requirements of the district for transportation, then they go above and beyond. If Bolingbrook High School is trying to meet the requirements of what an individual student says is acceptable for their comfort, then Bolingbrook High School is truly lacking.
Nioles Beckley
January 2012
Although transportation for school is a necessity, schools must provide activity buses. The school has the discretion to choose who can actually ride the activity bus.
At Bolingbrook High School, a certain system for activity buses is used. Everyone who stays after regular school hours does not have the option to ride the activity bus; only those who can prove to they stayed after for an activity are permitted on a bus. To show proof a student actually participated in an after school activity, the supervisor of the activity issues a “bus ticket” to that student. That student then presents the ticket and their student ID to the bus driver and is allowed to board the bus.
Some problems presented with activity buses are that there is not enough space for all the kids who need to ride them. Many students feel buses are meant to provide a quick route home. Many kids ride the same bus, but they are all going to different places. There are over 30 buses used for transportation directly after school, but there are only five activity buses - this causes activity buses to be extremely crowded, and it forces them to stop at many different places.
Simone Beckley, a sophomore at Bolingbrook High School, says, “I’d prefer to walk than take the bus, or I’d call for a ride and wait longer at the school, rather than ride a bus making many stops before mine.”
More activity buses are needed to please the students, but enough are provided to actually meet the needs of the students.
Another problem present with the activity buses is that sometimes the activity runs later than expected and does not allow enough time for the student to make it on the bus before time of departure. Basketball practices sometimes run later than expected and coaches do not always let their players leave in time to catch the bus; the student than misses the bus and transportation is unavailable for that student.
If Bolingbrook High School is only trying to meet the requirements of the district for transportation, then they go above and beyond. If Bolingbrook High School is trying to meet the requirements of what an individual student says is acceptable for their comfort, then Bolingbrook High School is truly lacking.
Nioles Beckley
January 2012
Shop ‘Til You Drop
The holiday dedicated to “shop-a-holics” has come and gone. For some, the day after Thanksgiving is just an ordinary day to sleep in and relax, but for people who love to shop, the day after Thanksgiving is a highly celebrated event known as Black Friday.
For those who do not know, Black Friday is a day in which many stores dramatically lower their prices and have outstanding sales on their products. The great thing about Black Friday is that it does not only apply to one type of product or one type of store; it applies to stores all over the country, ranging from shoes and clothing to furniture stores and even to electronic stores. Products of your desire can go up to as much as 85% off.
“Last year I bought four Toshiba laptops for only $1,000,” said Otha Thurmmond, a senior of Bolingbrook High School and an annual celebrator of Black Friday. Toshiba laptops cost about $400 each, so Thurmmond saved $600. What a deal!
Although Black Friday might sound like a “Heaven on Earth” for those addicted to shopping, it is important that they know what they are getting themselves into. Due to the big deals that the stores are having and the popularity of it, many of the stores are packed beyond belief and the lines are literally out of the door; therefore, patience is a virtue.
“My friends and I had to wait in the line for two hours at Forever 21, but we definitely got our money’s worth. I would do it all over again,” said Zenah Frield, senior from Bolingbrook High School.
Do not let the big crowds and chaos discourage you from participating in the event. It only comes around once a year, so why not? Black Friday is not only used for self-motivated reasons, but could also be used to start Christmas shopping for friends and family.
In the long run, less Christmas shopping would have to be done and less money would have to be spent, so if you are not too full from Thanksgiving meals, celebrate Black Friday and buy all the things you desire for lower prices.
Kymbriona Taylor
January 2012
For those who do not know, Black Friday is a day in which many stores dramatically lower their prices and have outstanding sales on their products. The great thing about Black Friday is that it does not only apply to one type of product or one type of store; it applies to stores all over the country, ranging from shoes and clothing to furniture stores and even to electronic stores. Products of your desire can go up to as much as 85% off.
“Last year I bought four Toshiba laptops for only $1,000,” said Otha Thurmmond, a senior of Bolingbrook High School and an annual celebrator of Black Friday. Toshiba laptops cost about $400 each, so Thurmmond saved $600. What a deal!
Although Black Friday might sound like a “Heaven on Earth” for those addicted to shopping, it is important that they know what they are getting themselves into. Due to the big deals that the stores are having and the popularity of it, many of the stores are packed beyond belief and the lines are literally out of the door; therefore, patience is a virtue.
“My friends and I had to wait in the line for two hours at Forever 21, but we definitely got our money’s worth. I would do it all over again,” said Zenah Frield, senior from Bolingbrook High School.
Do not let the big crowds and chaos discourage you from participating in the event. It only comes around once a year, so why not? Black Friday is not only used for self-motivated reasons, but could also be used to start Christmas shopping for friends and family.
In the long run, less Christmas shopping would have to be done and less money would have to be spent, so if you are not too full from Thanksgiving meals, celebrate Black Friday and buy all the things you desire for lower prices.
Kymbriona Taylor
January 2012
Do’s and Don’ts of Halloween
Autumn is here and Halloween is approaching right behind. This time of the year is very exciting for children and even teens. They get to express themselves with their costumes and have the day to be anything and anyone that they want to be. With this being said, one could understand how it is easy to get carried away on this holiday and be a little over-the-top. So, a few of the Bolingbrook High School students set down some ground rules and created the ultimate list of things to do and things not to do on Halloween and the preparation for it.
Jessica Liddell believes that it is important to not be selfish on Halloween so the first thing she put on the Do’s List was:
“Take the younger kids trick-or-treating”.
Children should be accompanied to houses just to ensure their safety, so be sure to take that younger sibling or even a couple of kids in the neighborhood to tag along with some responsible friends. Safety comes first!
Although Halloween is a time to dress up as anyone or anything, Philip Wilson claims that boundaries and standards should be established. “People still need to maintain self-respect on Halloween. Not showing too much skin and not doing anything that they would regret later on in life.”
More Do’s
· Lanise Branch: “Party! Party! Party!”
· John Howard: “Buy lots of candy.”
· Tevin Brown: “Eat all your candy.”
Do not let the pressure of finding a costume discourage you from going to Halloween parties or trick-or-treating. Dajae Young reminds young celebrators not to stress out if they cannot find a costume.
“If you cannot find the perfect costume, be yourself” says Young, who plans to do just that this year.
The option of giving someone a trick or treat as they ring the doorbell is pretty self-explanatory, however Dalacy Anderson suggests
“Don’t be mean to the trick-or-treaters. Give them lots of treats and less tricks.”
More Don’ts
· Ashley Walker: “Don’t ruin other peoples’ decorations.”
· Vannesa Ewings: “Don’t walk alone. The Boogeyman might get you!”
· Ceirstan Quarles: “Don’t let anyone ruin your night. Live it up!”
Those are just a few suggestions of what to do and what not to do on Halloween
Kymbriona Taylor
28 Novemeber, 2011
Jessica Liddell believes that it is important to not be selfish on Halloween so the first thing she put on the Do’s List was:
“Take the younger kids trick-or-treating”.
Children should be accompanied to houses just to ensure their safety, so be sure to take that younger sibling or even a couple of kids in the neighborhood to tag along with some responsible friends. Safety comes first!
Although Halloween is a time to dress up as anyone or anything, Philip Wilson claims that boundaries and standards should be established. “People still need to maintain self-respect on Halloween. Not showing too much skin and not doing anything that they would regret later on in life.”
More Do’s
· Lanise Branch: “Party! Party! Party!”
· John Howard: “Buy lots of candy.”
· Tevin Brown: “Eat all your candy.”
Do not let the pressure of finding a costume discourage you from going to Halloween parties or trick-or-treating. Dajae Young reminds young celebrators not to stress out if they cannot find a costume.
“If you cannot find the perfect costume, be yourself” says Young, who plans to do just that this year.
The option of giving someone a trick or treat as they ring the doorbell is pretty self-explanatory, however Dalacy Anderson suggests
“Don’t be mean to the trick-or-treaters. Give them lots of treats and less tricks.”
More Don’ts
· Ashley Walker: “Don’t ruin other peoples’ decorations.”
· Vannesa Ewings: “Don’t walk alone. The Boogeyman might get you!”
· Ceirstan Quarles: “Don’t let anyone ruin your night. Live it up!”
Those are just a few suggestions of what to do and what not to do on Halloween
Kymbriona Taylor
28 Novemeber, 2011
Leaving the Popular Opinion
Most high schools in Illinois are known to have a grading system in which the percentage range of an “A” is 92-100 percent a “B” is 83-91 percent’ a “C” is 74-82 percent, a “D” is 65-73 percent and an “F” is 0-64 percent. This grading system has always been used by Bolingbrook High School and other schools in the Valley View School District (VVSD); however some students fantasize of a more common grading scale that is primarily used in more urban school districts and schools in different states.
This grading scale was shaped in which an “A” is 90-100 percent, a “B” is 80-89 percent, a “C” is 70-79 percent, a “D” is 60-69 and an “F” is 0-59 percent. Many students question if this scale would be more efficient than the current and popular opinion of VVSD.
“I doubt it!” says Peter Shim, an African American Literature teacher at Bolingbrook High School. Shim believes that this grading scale would not benefit the students and it would diminish their work ethic. “If they have already gotten into the habit of aiming high and working hard to reach their desired grade, why change that?” says Shim.
One could perfectly understand why Shim and other teachers would express that thought; however, they also need to consider the logic of their favored grading scale. If a student were to take a test that had ten questions on it and were to only get one wrong, according to VVSD grading scale, it would automatically be a “B” due to the fact that nine out of ten is 90 percent; whereas with the more common grading scale, only getting one wrong out of ten would still be an “A”. With this comparison, teachers need to focus on the big picture. Is it more important that a student got one wrong or nine right? There is no standardized grading system in the United States. Should Bolingbrook become a part of the more common grade system or should they continue to encourage the student to aim higher?
Kymbriona Taylor
28 November, 2011
This grading scale was shaped in which an “A” is 90-100 percent, a “B” is 80-89 percent, a “C” is 70-79 percent, a “D” is 60-69 and an “F” is 0-59 percent. Many students question if this scale would be more efficient than the current and popular opinion of VVSD.
“I doubt it!” says Peter Shim, an African American Literature teacher at Bolingbrook High School. Shim believes that this grading scale would not benefit the students and it would diminish their work ethic. “If they have already gotten into the habit of aiming high and working hard to reach their desired grade, why change that?” says Shim.
One could perfectly understand why Shim and other teachers would express that thought; however, they also need to consider the logic of their favored grading scale. If a student were to take a test that had ten questions on it and were to only get one wrong, according to VVSD grading scale, it would automatically be a “B” due to the fact that nine out of ten is 90 percent; whereas with the more common grading scale, only getting one wrong out of ten would still be an “A”. With this comparison, teachers need to focus on the big picture. Is it more important that a student got one wrong or nine right? There is no standardized grading system in the United States. Should Bolingbrook become a part of the more common grade system or should they continue to encourage the student to aim higher?
Kymbriona Taylor
28 November, 2011
The Spirit of Halloween
The chilly weather and the bitter winds blowing through the streets not only signal the coming of fall and October, but also the fast approaching and much anticipated Halloween.
The young and even some of the old are preparing for the holiday, eagerly looking forward to decorating their homes and giving out candy or going trick-or-treating. However, some are not.
It seems now that there are less teens trick-or-treating and less students showing up in costumes to school. Why would this be happening? Could it be that as teens grow older they simply begin to view Halloween as more of an ordinary day rather than a night to be filled with adventure?
Interviews with the students showed what they really thought of Halloween. Junior Chris Roberts summed up his opinion quickly. He celebrates Halloween, although he no longer trick-or-treats. He does not feel it is immature to celebrate it, as he goes out and does other things on Halloween, such as going to parties.
Sophomore Maria Awarez said that she goes to parties on Halloween too. When asked if it was alright for older students to celebrate Halloween instead of leaving it to the much smaller children she said, “Everybody deserves to celebrate it.”
Senior Ryu Gahol sides with the other students as well, saying that he celebrates Halloween because it “is one of those days where I get to go out and get candy.” He also thinks it is for all ages and a lot of fun, something celebrated no matter what age.
They all make good points, that teens should have fun while they can and that perhaps childish traditions are good to upkeep sometimes. Clearly the consensus is that perhaps Halloween spirit is not dying. Maybe despite age it is still alright for to go out and trick-or-treat with friends, to have a fun night filled with adventures wandering off into the dark of the night.
It would seem that the spirit of Halloween lives within the students themselves, their laughter and their shared memories on this special night, not found in obscene or trashy costumes. It would seem that the students of Bolingbrook High do have spirit after all.
Jakub Misztal
22 November, 2011
Stretched too Thin
Over the past few years, a new fad has arisen from obscurity in the student population of Bolingbrook High School. The process known as “stretching,” more commonly referred to as “gauging,” has made its way into BHS.
This process entails the stretching of the standard earlobe piercing (though any piercing hole can be stretched) to sizes that vary from a little bit bigger than a regular piercing hole, all the way up to four inches.
It is done by inserting slightly bigger tapers, which are long cone-shaped pieces of jewelry used to stretch earlobes, in the ear until the desired size is reached. The teens definitely love it, claiming that the jewelry enhances their appearances and allows them to express their attitudes and their styles. Adults, however, do not see that in the way that teens do.
When asked about how other teens and adults view her due to her half inch lobes, senior Jamie Dodson says, “Most kids and teenagers don’t look at me any differently, but the majority of adults automatically assume I’m a bad influence.”
This is evidently not true as there are many students in the school who have stretched ears and they all range from “good” straight-A students to those who do just alright in their classes. However, it is not so much the adults that are a big problem now.
The more important thing here is that after a point of 00g (10mm) there is no return. This means that if the student decides to let their ears close up after that point they will not go back and will remain at that size. This is known as the process of downsizing, or letting the holes shrink or close up. This is a problem after high school in the workplace.
In today’s times, things such as piercing and tattoos amongst many other bodily modifications are looked down upon. Many employers find these bodily modifications as either juvenile or uncivilized. Professions as such as law, medicine and business do not hire people with these modifications.
When junior Cheryl with one inch plugs too big to ever close up again, was asked what she wanted to do for a living, and she said she wants to be a tattoo artist. This is one of the few business professions which allow such modifications.
However, there is the aspect that any body modification is alright and acceptable as long as its wearer loves it. It should not matter that someone has big plugs or largely stretched ears. Even if it hurts to stretch, even if others look down upon those who have them there, remains the fact that they are a personal choice, and as such adults and employer should respect the choices of those who wear them. Ear stretching is a form of bodily art, and like any art, should be appreciated.
To stretch or not to stretch? That is all up for the students to decide, depending on what they want to do in the future, and just how much they like their plugs.
Jakub Misztal
22 November, 2011
Vending Machines: Not So Sweet
As it does every day in Bolingbrook High School, the sound of dropping soda cans, Pop Tarts and ice-cream echoes throughout the Commons during the passing periods. Many of the students in BHS use the vending machines due to their easy access and convenience. They allow for a quick snack to fight off the distraction of hunger that arises during class. However, most students do not know just how unhealthy the concessions really are.
For example, the diet sodas are sweetened with sucralose, which is scientifically proven to contain cancer causing chemicals. The rest of the items such as the ice-cream, Pop Tarts, gummy worms, cookies and candy bars are loaded with unhealthy sugars and fats that clog arteries and adds on a few extra pounds.
The idea of the school selling these snacks is dumbfounding enough, but what is more confusing is that students continue to use these machines regardless of the risks they may pose to their health.
When asked if they were aware of diet soda containing chemicals that cause cancer, seniors Lucas Geciauskas and Alisha Hogsett both replied that they were aware, but said they continued to drink the sodas anyway.
Lucas Geciauskas also added that the machines cause a negative self-image. How so? They fill our pressured need to be thin, a trend which society has been enforcing for quite some time now. It is obvious that if we drink something which has “no calories,” we will feel free to eat anything more sugary or unhealthy like a Pop Tart or candy bar considering that the diet soda is seen as a buffer.
However, aside from the concessions themselves, what proves to be more shocking is the hypocrisy of the school itself by placing these items here. BHS has upped the strictness in gym classes with a harsher dress code and less tolerance for not participating in physical activities.
BHS is striving to be a healthy school, but only with the positive self-image of its student population. The quandary here is how can we really say so when our Commons are lined with vending machines filled with unhealthy snacks?
Jakub Misztal
October, 17,2011
For example, the diet sodas are sweetened with sucralose, which is scientifically proven to contain cancer causing chemicals. The rest of the items such as the ice-cream, Pop Tarts, gummy worms, cookies and candy bars are loaded with unhealthy sugars and fats that clog arteries and adds on a few extra pounds.
The idea of the school selling these snacks is dumbfounding enough, but what is more confusing is that students continue to use these machines regardless of the risks they may pose to their health.
When asked if they were aware of diet soda containing chemicals that cause cancer, seniors Lucas Geciauskas and Alisha Hogsett both replied that they were aware, but said they continued to drink the sodas anyway.
Lucas Geciauskas also added that the machines cause a negative self-image. How so? They fill our pressured need to be thin, a trend which society has been enforcing for quite some time now. It is obvious that if we drink something which has “no calories,” we will feel free to eat anything more sugary or unhealthy like a Pop Tart or candy bar considering that the diet soda is seen as a buffer.
However, aside from the concessions themselves, what proves to be more shocking is the hypocrisy of the school itself by placing these items here. BHS has upped the strictness in gym classes with a harsher dress code and less tolerance for not participating in physical activities.
BHS is striving to be a healthy school, but only with the positive self-image of its student population. The quandary here is how can we really say so when our Commons are lined with vending machines filled with unhealthy snacks?
Jakub Misztal
October, 17,2011
Lunchroom Chaos
Many students wait all day in anticipation for their lunch period. However, when you have to wait ten extra minutes for that spicy chicken sandwich, that is when hungry teenagers start to become a little agitated. Many have been buzzing about a new lunchroom policy recently put in place for the current school year. This year, security is cracking down on students who attempt to ditch class and forget their IDs, in hopes that they may remember more in the future.
Walking towards the lunchroom, students will be cramming into two different doors. Once inside, security checks IDs and sends the students on their way. Students without ID’s are directed towards a “holding pen” where they have to wait until all students with IDs are inside the cafeteria. After all other students are in, they are directed to re-enter the cafeteria and write their name and ID number on a sheet of paper.
“We need to verify that you are in the cafeteria during your designated time,” says security guard Tom Fink.
According to security guard Kim Raber, having a limited number of doors open for access to the cafeteria “it takes more time, but it is as efficient as possible.”
When asked about why temporary IDs are no longer available, both Fink and Raber explained how crowded D201 gets and how it is “overburdening” their office.
Students like senior Cherell Hill, on the other hand believe that this policy is, “unnecessary.” Hill goes on to add, “It’s just because they want to prevent ditching, but other students have to give up their time because they’re so focused on catching people who probably don’t care about their education anyway. They’re going to do what they want to do.”
Regardless of whether or not this is the most effective way to prevent skipping class, all school policies go through Principal Williams and for the time being, this policy is permanent. Instead of fighting this policy, buying a new ID may be the best decision for the individuals who simply lose their IDs or forgot them at home.
The cost of a new ID is five dollars which can be paid on the spot or the charge will be added to one’s school fees. A student can obtain a new school ID in room D201 before or after school.
Kelsey Surla
october,17,2011
Walking towards the lunchroom, students will be cramming into two different doors. Once inside, security checks IDs and sends the students on their way. Students without ID’s are directed towards a “holding pen” where they have to wait until all students with IDs are inside the cafeteria. After all other students are in, they are directed to re-enter the cafeteria and write their name and ID number on a sheet of paper.
“We need to verify that you are in the cafeteria during your designated time,” says security guard Tom Fink.
According to security guard Kim Raber, having a limited number of doors open for access to the cafeteria “it takes more time, but it is as efficient as possible.”
When asked about why temporary IDs are no longer available, both Fink and Raber explained how crowded D201 gets and how it is “overburdening” their office.
Students like senior Cherell Hill, on the other hand believe that this policy is, “unnecessary.” Hill goes on to add, “It’s just because they want to prevent ditching, but other students have to give up their time because they’re so focused on catching people who probably don’t care about their education anyway. They’re going to do what they want to do.”
Regardless of whether or not this is the most effective way to prevent skipping class, all school policies go through Principal Williams and for the time being, this policy is permanent. Instead of fighting this policy, buying a new ID may be the best decision for the individuals who simply lose their IDs or forgot them at home.
The cost of a new ID is five dollars which can be paid on the spot or the charge will be added to one’s school fees. A student can obtain a new school ID in room D201 before or after school.
Kelsey Surla
october,17,2011
Better Safe than Sorry
What is the average number of emergencies and urgent situations that occur in a high school? Unfortunately, there is no correct answer to this question.Many schools fail to report their numbers due to the fact that it is not mandatory in the United States.
Bolingbrook High School consists of nearly 3,700 teenagers, making them more prone to undesirable events due to its size and population. If something bad were to happen, how would the student get help right away? Many people would just say run and tell a teacher, but that consumes too much time. The timelier and more effective thing to do would be to call 911 with their cellular device; however, in Bolingbrook High School, that action would not be as easy as it sounds.
BHS has a very strict phone policy for their students. They are to put their phones in their lockers fifteen minutes before first period and it is to stay there until the school day is over. If an emergency were to occur, these students are in a weak position because the time that it would take for them to find help could result in a negative effect of a situation due to the lack of urgency. DeChira Mitchell agrees that if something bad were to happen the students would be in danger.
It is understandable why most teachers would be in favor of the school’s phone policy. According to Cheryl Constanty, a teacher in the Spanish Department, “Phones would be too much of a distraction for the students, so I think it would just be better if we kept it out of the learning environment.”
Although this is a valid point, the staff needs to take into consideration of the risk that they are continuing to take. Anything could happen at any time and a delay in receiving help could be avoided with a single and immediate phone call.
“They should at least give us a chance to prove that we are responsible enough to have our phones during school and knowing when to and when not to use it” said Mitchell, who reveals that BHS has always had a strict policy since her freshman year.
Like Mitchell, many students believe that it would not be a bad idea for the students to be able to have their phone during the day, but the staff continues to ignore the students’ plea.
Hopefully it does not take anything too serious to make the staff realize that it would be safer for the students to have their phone in their possession during the school day.
Kymbriona Taylor
October ,17,2011
Bolingbrook High School consists of nearly 3,700 teenagers, making them more prone to undesirable events due to its size and population. If something bad were to happen, how would the student get help right away? Many people would just say run and tell a teacher, but that consumes too much time. The timelier and more effective thing to do would be to call 911 with their cellular device; however, in Bolingbrook High School, that action would not be as easy as it sounds.
BHS has a very strict phone policy for their students. They are to put their phones in their lockers fifteen minutes before first period and it is to stay there until the school day is over. If an emergency were to occur, these students are in a weak position because the time that it would take for them to find help could result in a negative effect of a situation due to the lack of urgency. DeChira Mitchell agrees that if something bad were to happen the students would be in danger.
It is understandable why most teachers would be in favor of the school’s phone policy. According to Cheryl Constanty, a teacher in the Spanish Department, “Phones would be too much of a distraction for the students, so I think it would just be better if we kept it out of the learning environment.”
Although this is a valid point, the staff needs to take into consideration of the risk that they are continuing to take. Anything could happen at any time and a delay in receiving help could be avoided with a single and immediate phone call.
“They should at least give us a chance to prove that we are responsible enough to have our phones during school and knowing when to and when not to use it” said Mitchell, who reveals that BHS has always had a strict policy since her freshman year.
Like Mitchell, many students believe that it would not be a bad idea for the students to be able to have their phone during the day, but the staff continues to ignore the students’ plea.
Hopefully it does not take anything too serious to make the staff realize that it would be safer for the students to have their phone in their possession during the school day.
Kymbriona Taylor
October ,17,2011
Tardies in the Halls
The sound of hurried footsteps echoes throughout the hallways of Bolingbrook High School as students rush to their first period classes before they are swept. The reason for their rush is fear for the newly reformed tardy policy, put into effect with the arrival of our new principal Fabby Williams.
The policy states that students who are not in their classes by the bell are to be swept into a study/sweep room for the duration of the period instead of being placed into class. Some teachers may see this as a blessing as they do not have to write constant referrals for repeatedly truant students, nor do they have to deal with interruptions in the middle of class but from a bigger perspective, the negatives outweigh the few positives.
All the policy does is keeps students out of their classes, away from their work and away from their education.
Student Elizabeth Gardener says that, “The students who are usually in the Sweep Room, are the ones who normally ditch class anyways.”
It would seem like all the policy does is enforce the bad habits of the students, to not do their work and not go to their classes because they can go to a sweep room and just sleep for the period. From what has been seen, being swept into one of these rooms for first period shows how evident the tardy policy is and how it does not support a learning environment. Students were not writing their assignments down, but sleeping. They were not learning, but staring blankly ahead at a board in the front of the room. School is a place where students are to get an education, but nowhere in that room was an education possible.
Security is affected by these sweeps as well. Security guard Percy Williams was asked about how the policy affected him work wise.
He stated, “It takes more time which I could spend monitoring the hallways to look out for other things that could be happening.” So while security rounds students up, who knows what could be happening? People fighting, selling drugs?
The school’s tardy policy is not exactly the best thing for this school because it deters from the learning that is supposed to occur in school, and it hinders the security from making this a fully safe environment. The policy should be changed, and students should be kept in class, not sent to an empty room for nap time.
Jakub Misztal
October, 17,2011
The policy states that students who are not in their classes by the bell are to be swept into a study/sweep room for the duration of the period instead of being placed into class. Some teachers may see this as a blessing as they do not have to write constant referrals for repeatedly truant students, nor do they have to deal with interruptions in the middle of class but from a bigger perspective, the negatives outweigh the few positives.
All the policy does is keeps students out of their classes, away from their work and away from their education.
Student Elizabeth Gardener says that, “The students who are usually in the Sweep Room, are the ones who normally ditch class anyways.”
It would seem like all the policy does is enforce the bad habits of the students, to not do their work and not go to their classes because they can go to a sweep room and just sleep for the period. From what has been seen, being swept into one of these rooms for first period shows how evident the tardy policy is and how it does not support a learning environment. Students were not writing their assignments down, but sleeping. They were not learning, but staring blankly ahead at a board in the front of the room. School is a place where students are to get an education, but nowhere in that room was an education possible.
Security is affected by these sweeps as well. Security guard Percy Williams was asked about how the policy affected him work wise.
He stated, “It takes more time which I could spend monitoring the hallways to look out for other things that could be happening.” So while security rounds students up, who knows what could be happening? People fighting, selling drugs?
The school’s tardy policy is not exactly the best thing for this school because it deters from the learning that is supposed to occur in school, and it hinders the security from making this a fully safe environment. The policy should be changed, and students should be kept in class, not sent to an empty room for nap time.
Jakub Misztal
October, 17,2011
No Effort, Bad Grade
Have you ever been in gym class working hard and participating, but when you look around you notice that you are the only one trying?
Many students at BHS do not try during gym class because they believe the physical education curriculum is too difficult. Some do not even bother getting dressed, and they would rather fail than put in some effort.
At Bolingbrook High School, there is a unique system for gym classes. If a student does not dress three times, they are failed out of gym. However, the teachers offer a rental room where you can rent out shoes, shirts and shorts.
During the week there are two fitness days which test a person’s fitness level and skills. On the other three days of the week, a student participates in the class they signed up for. The classes range from dance and aerobics to weight lifting. At the end of every semester, students take the final consisting of the 1.5 mile run, push-ups, sit ups, sit-and- reach test.
The problem with the gym classes is that many students believe the standards and expectations from the school are too high.
“In class we should just do what we signed up for. No fitness day, and no meeting high standards. We’re all not athletes.” says Lanise Branch.
Many students do not believe they have to try in gym. Not meeting standards is not as crucial as the students not trying at all. Most people are scared to sweat or to go out of the comfort zone while exercising, but in the end, they are really just hurting themselves.
Gym teacher Mr. Gonzalez states, “Students lack motivation and don’t take interest in their physical well-being.” Many students do not understand that exercise is vital for a healthy life. The gym curriculum is not too hard; students just want the easy way out of exercising.
Even if a student cannot meet the standards, the effort is all that matters.
Mariah Hamrick
October, 17,2011
Many students at BHS do not try during gym class because they believe the physical education curriculum is too difficult. Some do not even bother getting dressed, and they would rather fail than put in some effort.
At Bolingbrook High School, there is a unique system for gym classes. If a student does not dress three times, they are failed out of gym. However, the teachers offer a rental room where you can rent out shoes, shirts and shorts.
During the week there are two fitness days which test a person’s fitness level and skills. On the other three days of the week, a student participates in the class they signed up for. The classes range from dance and aerobics to weight lifting. At the end of every semester, students take the final consisting of the 1.5 mile run, push-ups, sit ups, sit-and- reach test.
The problem with the gym classes is that many students believe the standards and expectations from the school are too high.
“In class we should just do what we signed up for. No fitness day, and no meeting high standards. We’re all not athletes.” says Lanise Branch.
Many students do not believe they have to try in gym. Not meeting standards is not as crucial as the students not trying at all. Most people are scared to sweat or to go out of the comfort zone while exercising, but in the end, they are really just hurting themselves.
Gym teacher Mr. Gonzalez states, “Students lack motivation and don’t take interest in their physical well-being.” Many students do not understand that exercise is vital for a healthy life. The gym curriculum is not too hard; students just want the easy way out of exercising.
Even if a student cannot meet the standards, the effort is all that matters.
Mariah Hamrick
October, 17,2011