by Kerry Richards
Pembroke High School has been criticized by some students for spending too much money on the arts. Students gripe that the school spent so much on a perfect auditorium, but a faulty gym. They complain that the drama club always has so much money (most of it from PAPA), while other clubs and sports can barely support themselves. Many even suggest that Principal Lynch would rather donate practically the entire B building to the Art department and neglect sports.
Is this worth it? How important are the arts to a high school education?
Our drama department is obviously benefiting as "The King and I" was recently selected to be part of the North Shore Community Theatre Spotlight Awards. They were nominated for Best Choreography, Best Technical Crew/ Execution, Best Leading Actress- Meghan Haskins, and Best Supporting Actor- Matthew Foster.
Jono King and Meghan Haskins will be performing at the Finale production number during the awards presentations.
This is a huge honor and means a lot to Pembroke High School. However, it raises the question of the importance of arts.
Art is no longer a requirement of graduation at Pembroke High, although it is at many others, and many students go through high school with out it.
Perhaps, this should not be the case...
- Secondary students who participated in band or orchestra reported the lowest lifetime and current use of all substances (alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs). — Texas Commission on Drug and Alcohol Abuse Report. Reported in Houston Chronicle, January 1998
- The very best engineers and technical designers in the Silicon Valley industry are, nearly without exception, practicing musicians. — Grant Venerable, "The Paradox of the Silicon Savior," as reported in "The Case for Sequential Music Education in the Core Curriculum of the Public Schools," The Center for the Arts in the Basic Curriculum, New York, 1989
- In an analysis of U.S. Department of Education data on more than 25,000 secondary school students (NELS:88, National Education Longitudinal Survey), researchers found that students who report consistent high levels of involvement in instrumental music over the middle and high school years show “significantly higher levels of mathematics proficiency by grade 12.” This observation holds regardless of students’ socio-economic status, and differences in those who are involved with instrumental music vs. those who are not is more significant over time. — Catterall, James S., Richard Chapleau, and John Iwanaga. “Involvement in the Arts and Human Development: General Involvement and Intensive Involvement in Music and Theater Arts.” Los Angeles, CA: The Imagination Project at UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, 1999.
- Physician and biologist Lewis Thomas studied the undergraduate majors of medical school applicants. He found that 66% of music majors who applied to medical school were admitted, the highest percentage of any group. 44% of biochemistry majors were admitted. — As reported in "The Case for Music in the Schools," Phi Delta Kappan, February 1994
- A University of California (Irvine) study showed that after eight months of keyboard lessons, preschoolers showed a 46% boost in their spatial reasoning IQ. — Rauscher, Shaw, Levine, Ky and Wright, "Music and Spatial Task Performance: A Causal Relationship," University of California, Irvine, 1994
All research points to music and arts having a positive impact. It broadens horizons and even helps students in other subjects. Perhaps, Pembroke should reinstate fine arts requirements. Can it really hurt with all of the courses offered here?
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Save Darfur! Veronica Mars and Gilmore Girls!
by Mary Polleys
Speculation about the cancellation of long running Gilmore Girls and the relatively new but unbelievably clever Veronica Mars both on the new CW has fans, such as myself, panicking about where this will leave the characters they have gotten to know so well over the years, and what they will do with the two hour time gap on Tuesday nights.
Even though Veronica Mars is still in its infancy, on only its third season, the show has caught the interest of many viewers by telling the dramatic story of a teenage girl who doubles as a private investigator. From her cases that often put her in danger, to the sordid events of her, and other various characters, love lives, the show promises action packed episodes every week. So why would they want to CANCEL such a show?
Currently in its eighth season, the hit television series Gilmore Girls is speculated to be coming to its final hour on May 15, 2007. The show, which tells the story of Lorelai Gilmore and her daughter Rory, was a unique show from season one. Its original writers, Amy Sherman, and Dan Palladino began the legacy of quick witted characters and obscure pop culture references, but have since left the show, their departure having a major affect on the quality of the show. However, the show has survived and is on its second season without the pair, who originally planned to end the series with Rory’s graduation from Yale University, which is upcoming in the story line. While it’s understandable for the actors to want to move on to new things and, as much as I hate to admit it, for the series to end, where will the writers leave the characters? Will Rory and Logan get engaged? Are Lorelai and Luke meant for each other? Or will they leave us open-ended, driving fans crazy for the rest of time?
A survey taken by E! online where people can vote for one show they’d like to see return for the 2007-2008 season revealed the two shows at places 1 and 2 on the favorites list, Gilmore Girls just ahead with 36% of voters, and Veronica Mars with 32%.
Other shows on the fence include Supernatural, One Tree Hill, and Scrubs.
Speculation about the cancellation of long running Gilmore Girls and the relatively new but unbelievably clever Veronica Mars both on the new CW has fans, such as myself, panicking about where this will leave the characters they have gotten to know so well over the years, and what they will do with the two hour time gap on Tuesday nights.
Even though Veronica Mars is still in its infancy, on only its third season, the show has caught the interest of many viewers by telling the dramatic story of a teenage girl who doubles as a private investigator. From her cases that often put her in danger, to the sordid events of her, and other various characters, love lives, the show promises action packed episodes every week. So why would they want to CANCEL such a show?
Currently in its eighth season, the hit television series Gilmore Girls is speculated to be coming to its final hour on May 15, 2007. The show, which tells the story of Lorelai Gilmore and her daughter Rory, was a unique show from season one. Its original writers, Amy Sherman, and Dan Palladino began the legacy of quick witted characters and obscure pop culture references, but have since left the show, their departure having a major affect on the quality of the show. However, the show has survived and is on its second season without the pair, who originally planned to end the series with Rory’s graduation from Yale University, which is upcoming in the story line. While it’s understandable for the actors to want to move on to new things and, as much as I hate to admit it, for the series to end, where will the writers leave the characters? Will Rory and Logan get engaged? Are Lorelai and Luke meant for each other? Or will they leave us open-ended, driving fans crazy for the rest of time?
A survey taken by E! online where people can vote for one show they’d like to see return for the 2007-2008 season revealed the two shows at places 1 and 2 on the favorites list, Gilmore Girls just ahead with 36% of voters, and Veronica Mars with 32%.
Other shows on the fence include Supernatural, One Tree Hill, and Scrubs.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Could massacre have been prevented?
by Kerry Richards
In the past week our nation has suffered a tragedy that is virtually incomparable to any past events. Virginia Tech suffered the loss of thirty-three of their students. Thirty-two innocent students and one crazed gunman. This event is the worst act of school violence in memory.
In the past week our nation has suffered a tragedy that is virtually incomparable to any past events. Virginia Tech suffered the loss of thirty-three of their students. Thirty-two innocent students and one crazed gunman. This event is the worst act of school violence in memory.
Could this event have been prevented? I believe it could have been. There were plenty of warning signs. This student was clearly mentally deranged. As seen from papers and skits he wrote and passed in. Teachers should have made a bigger deal of this then what was made. Yes, this work was reported, but more steps should have been taken. As seen from Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris, this work does indicate things that may come. When these two boys handed in a video project revolving around murder in their high school, nothing was done to remove them from schools. The same occurred in this case. The administration in schools needs to become more sensitive to this kind of cry for help. It's a lesson schools should have learned by now.
This was a student who exhibited many warning signs of potential violence. He was reported as stalking two female students. He appeared suicidal, and was even committed at one point. However, this care was listed as outpatient and thus Seung-Hui Cho was allowed to buy firearms.
It appears as if so much could have been done to prevent this tragedy. After Columbine, it seems many actions were taken to increase school security. However, it wasn't enough to stop this incident. What will be done now? School has yet to resume from April vacation, but when it does what's in store could be a much greater increase in how closely students are watched. A massacre like this one should be preventable by now.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Saw 3, The Hills Have eyes 2, is this really necessary?
Chelsey Monks
Why do people like to watch gory movies?
I don’t see any need for watching someone get hung , or watching a mutant rape someone. Really I don’t think there is any need.
Why do people like watching these things? Recently I saw "Saw 3" and honestly I shut it off in the middle where it got way to gory and gross.
Who thinks these things up?
Who sits down and writes a screenplay all about killing people, dismembering people of their limbs , or like Hannibal, eating people?
These movies do lock in to one persons emotions and make their biggest fears come to a reality , well in some sense.
My question is what drives people to be violent?
Could it be the raunchy movies that people watch where killing people in gross ways is a thrill? Or could it be that to us, being scared for some reason make our adrenaline rise and we keep going back for more?
Personally I think people who watch completely gory movies like saw and the hills have eyes and hostile have some viewers that belong in the Loony bin.
Who comes up with those bloody story lines…I don’t know , I guess the old babysitter watching the kids and there’s a stranger in the house and she doesn’t know who he is , is a thing of the past.
Why do people like to watch gory movies?
I don’t see any need for watching someone get hung , or watching a mutant rape someone. Really I don’t think there is any need.
Why do people like watching these things? Recently I saw "Saw 3" and honestly I shut it off in the middle where it got way to gory and gross.
Who thinks these things up?
Who sits down and writes a screenplay all about killing people, dismembering people of their limbs , or like Hannibal, eating people?
These movies do lock in to one persons emotions and make their biggest fears come to a reality , well in some sense.
My question is what drives people to be violent?
Could it be the raunchy movies that people watch where killing people in gross ways is a thrill? Or could it be that to us, being scared for some reason make our adrenaline rise and we keep going back for more?
Personally I think people who watch completely gory movies like saw and the hills have eyes and hostile have some viewers that belong in the Loony bin.
Who comes up with those bloody story lines…I don’t know , I guess the old babysitter watching the kids and there’s a stranger in the house and she doesn’t know who he is , is a thing of the past.
Respect in Our School
Nicholas Papadopolous
It seems that there is very little respect in this school from the teachers or from the students.
With the latest crime of the boy’s bathroom incident, it seems that the students are purposefully trying to deface the school. However, this is only the latest of offences of respect towards the teachers and school that students have committed.
Many students, myself included, wear their hats inside the school day in and day out. This is not a serious offence, however so many student wear their hats that Ms. Szostack has taken it upon herself to collect hats from students, only returning them at the end of the day.
Another offense is the vandalizing of the school building with drawings on the walls. I’m sure everybody remembers the time last year when every hallway had “Lynch *****” or “Ruthless”. Even now, there are stupid drawings of penguins outside near the senior parking lot.
The teachers and principals aren’t completely blameless. The tardy police are insanely harsh, with no room for error. Also, some teachers feel the need to lash out at every student who put a toe out-of-line.
To fix all these problems, I think that students should be more respectful to the school and administration of the building.
In return, I think that the administration should give students more leniency on the tardy policy and don’t yell at every little mistake we make.
It seems that there is very little respect in this school from the teachers or from the students.
With the latest crime of the boy’s bathroom incident, it seems that the students are purposefully trying to deface the school. However, this is only the latest of offences of respect towards the teachers and school that students have committed.
Many students, myself included, wear their hats inside the school day in and day out. This is not a serious offence, however so many student wear their hats that Ms. Szostack has taken it upon herself to collect hats from students, only returning them at the end of the day.
Another offense is the vandalizing of the school building with drawings on the walls. I’m sure everybody remembers the time last year when every hallway had “Lynch *****” or “Ruthless”. Even now, there are stupid drawings of penguins outside near the senior parking lot.
The teachers and principals aren’t completely blameless. The tardy police are insanely harsh, with no room for error. Also, some teachers feel the need to lash out at every student who put a toe out-of-line.
To fix all these problems, I think that students should be more respectful to the school and administration of the building.
In return, I think that the administration should give students more leniency on the tardy policy and don’t yell at every little mistake we make.
Pembroke facts at a glance
Jennifer Bayliss
· Pembroke is located 26 miles southeast of Boston, 16 miles north of Plymouth, and 14 miles east of Brockton.
· The current population is 18,270.
· Pembroke has experienced what can be described as spectacular growth over the seventy-year period 1930 to 2000. During that time the town has increased by over one thousand percent, from a population level of 1,492 in 1930 to 16,927 in the year 2000.
· Most of the growth occurred during the 1950’s when the population almost doubled from 2,579 to 4,919 and from 1960 to 1970 when the population more than doubled again, increasing from 4,919 to 11,193.
· Pembroke is only 23.48 square miles, but only 21.85 miles of land area.
· Pembroke has traditionally been an agricultural and industrial community, but since World War II has become primarily a residential community providing housing for persons working in the greater Boston metropolitan area.
· The Town of Pembroke was formerly part of Duxbury and was established in the year 1712.
· Earliest known settlers of Pembroke were Robert Barker and Dolor Davis in 1650.
· Native Americans settled along the North River to grow crops.
· Most notable of the town’s resources are its water resources which include the North River and Indian Head River; its ponds, Oldham, Furnace, Great Sandy Bottom, Little Sandy Bottom, and Stetson Ponds; and Silver Lake.
· The Town’s ponds, streams and marshes are the home of herring that were prized so much that in 1741, the Town began regulating the taking and preservation of the fish.
· The herring are celebrated each year at the Town’s annual “Grande Old Fish Fry.”
· The ponds and streams also provided power for various mills, including grist, flour and sawmills. Later, shipbuilding and box manufacturing became important factors in the development of the town.
· The Pembroke Iron Works was established in 1720 and used iron dredged from the bottom of the ponds. Ice was cut from the ponds, stored in icehouses, and used in the summer months for food preservation.
· Because of its proximity to timber and location on the river, the Town in its early years was known for its ship building industry. The North River was the location of five shipyards – Brick Kiln Yard, Seabury Point, Job’s Landing, Turner’s Yard and Macy’s.
· Between 1678 and 1871, 1,025 vessels were produced on the shores of the North River. The Brick Kiln Yard was where the Beaver was built; it was one of the ships involved in the Boston Tea party.
· Other famous North River Ships include the Columbia, the Bedford and the Maria. The Columbia was the first ship to sail around the Cape of Good Hope and the Columbia River is named after it, the Bedford was the first ship to sail into a foreign port flying the American Flag, and the Maria is depicted on the Town Seal.
· By 1924 there were 17 cranberry growers in the Pembroke directory, with 14 producers listed as having Bryantville addresses.
· In the same year there were 14 poultry farmers listed indicating that by that time poultry raising was well established in town.
· In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, the ponds became an attraction for summer vacationers seeking relief from the heat in the cities. The Brockton and Plymouth Railway co. initiated trolley service from Brockton and facilitated the development of Mayflower Grove in Bryantville as a popular summer recreation venue.
· The attractiveness of the ponds for summer recreation led to the development of numerous, dense cottage colonies built along their shores.
· Pembroke's school system has adapted to reflect the population shifts and changing educational goals of the community.
· Pembroke has expanded to an independent PreK-12 school system to best meet the needs of an enrollment that is expected to increase by 17.32% over the next ten years.
· The newly established Pembroke High School and Pembroke Community Middle School as well as the recent expansion and renovation of the elementary schools are evidence of the community’s personal and financial support.
· The Pembroke Public School System consists of three elementary schools: North Pembroke Elementary, Hobomock Elementary, and Bryantville Elementary.
· In addition, there is a middle school and high school: Pembroke Community Middle School and Pembroke High School.
http://www.townofpembrokemass.org
http://www.pembroke.mec.edu/
· Pembroke is located 26 miles southeast of Boston, 16 miles north of Plymouth, and 14 miles east of Brockton.
· The current population is 18,270.
· Pembroke has experienced what can be described as spectacular growth over the seventy-year period 1930 to 2000. During that time the town has increased by over one thousand percent, from a population level of 1,492 in 1930 to 16,927 in the year 2000.
· Most of the growth occurred during the 1950’s when the population almost doubled from 2,579 to 4,919 and from 1960 to 1970 when the population more than doubled again, increasing from 4,919 to 11,193.
· Pembroke is only 23.48 square miles, but only 21.85 miles of land area.
· Pembroke has traditionally been an agricultural and industrial community, but since World War II has become primarily a residential community providing housing for persons working in the greater Boston metropolitan area.
· The Town of Pembroke was formerly part of Duxbury and was established in the year 1712.
· Earliest known settlers of Pembroke were Robert Barker and Dolor Davis in 1650.
· Native Americans settled along the North River to grow crops.
· Most notable of the town’s resources are its water resources which include the North River and Indian Head River; its ponds, Oldham, Furnace, Great Sandy Bottom, Little Sandy Bottom, and Stetson Ponds; and Silver Lake.
· The Town’s ponds, streams and marshes are the home of herring that were prized so much that in 1741, the Town began regulating the taking and preservation of the fish.
· The herring are celebrated each year at the Town’s annual “Grande Old Fish Fry.”
· The ponds and streams also provided power for various mills, including grist, flour and sawmills. Later, shipbuilding and box manufacturing became important factors in the development of the town.
· The Pembroke Iron Works was established in 1720 and used iron dredged from the bottom of the ponds. Ice was cut from the ponds, stored in icehouses, and used in the summer months for food preservation.
· Because of its proximity to timber and location on the river, the Town in its early years was known for its ship building industry. The North River was the location of five shipyards – Brick Kiln Yard, Seabury Point, Job’s Landing, Turner’s Yard and Macy’s.
· Between 1678 and 1871, 1,025 vessels were produced on the shores of the North River. The Brick Kiln Yard was where the Beaver was built; it was one of the ships involved in the Boston Tea party.
· Other famous North River Ships include the Columbia, the Bedford and the Maria. The Columbia was the first ship to sail around the Cape of Good Hope and the Columbia River is named after it, the Bedford was the first ship to sail into a foreign port flying the American Flag, and the Maria is depicted on the Town Seal.
· By 1924 there were 17 cranberry growers in the Pembroke directory, with 14 producers listed as having Bryantville addresses.
· In the same year there were 14 poultry farmers listed indicating that by that time poultry raising was well established in town.
· In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, the ponds became an attraction for summer vacationers seeking relief from the heat in the cities. The Brockton and Plymouth Railway co. initiated trolley service from Brockton and facilitated the development of Mayflower Grove in Bryantville as a popular summer recreation venue.
· The attractiveness of the ponds for summer recreation led to the development of numerous, dense cottage colonies built along their shores.
· Pembroke's school system has adapted to reflect the population shifts and changing educational goals of the community.
· Pembroke has expanded to an independent PreK-12 school system to best meet the needs of an enrollment that is expected to increase by 17.32% over the next ten years.
· The newly established Pembroke High School and Pembroke Community Middle School as well as the recent expansion and renovation of the elementary schools are evidence of the community’s personal and financial support.
· The Pembroke Public School System consists of three elementary schools: North Pembroke Elementary, Hobomock Elementary, and Bryantville Elementary.
· In addition, there is a middle school and high school: Pembroke Community Middle School and Pembroke High School.
http://www.townofpembrokemass.org
http://www.pembroke.mec.edu/
The messy situation: a story of, well, feces…
Ryan Hennigan
“PHS is sexist,” were the first words that escaped freshman Matt Glancy’s mouth following the announcement on Wednesday, April 11 concerning the closing of numerous male restrooms. Glancy had been waiting patiently in study for his turn to go to the bathroom, but upon hearing the message he decided to wait as to not be falsely accused of “bathroom misconduct.”
As disgusting and serious as the incident is, one can not help to hold back a chuckle or two when thinking about it. The rumors created by students (some disturbingly may be true) range from feces smeared on the wall by hand to them being found in the urinals and the sinks to the culprit creating a paper-towel-and-toilet-paper nest in the middle of the restroom and defecating into the middle of it.
Although some of these possible occurrences may have been forged by the use of one’s imagination, it is also difficult to not imagine the perspective of the janitor or authoritative figure when they first entered the bathroom. The very thought makes one feel sick, however, there are even grosser perspectives to imagine. What if someone, presumably a student, had walked in on the culprit smearing feces on the walls with his hands or crouching down to deliver the deed into the paper nest?
…Enough with the nightmares for a minute, as long as low IQs and rebellious natures exist there will always be disturbed derelicts that want to stick it to the man…with poop. On a more serious note, the questionable matter at hand is how the school handled the incident. They closed every boys bathroom except for one, announced to male students that they could not go to the bathroom without first using a sign out sheet, and took all the male student suspects for interviews with the principals.
The first of several flaws with these actions is that the culprit could have been any disturbing male teacher or janitor or any adult looking to create chaos. If nobody saw the event taking place (which is rather odd seeing as how it is common to have up to four boys in the bathroom at once), this could even mean that girls are not exempt from being suspects. With the bathrooms usually being visited every several minutes by a different student, the chance of the guilty person having enough time to do his dead and leave without being caught is very low. Therefore, since the scene was discovered early in the morning, it could have been done the night before or before school started. Also, if it was performed when school was in session, there could have been an intricate plan with possibly more than one student involved.
Another problem with the actions taken by the heads of the building was the closing of all the boys bathrooms except for one. His clearly does not help the problem; rather it just increases the chance of innocent students wetting their pants in class. It is not like there were feces discovered in the other closed bathrroms or that the feces problem had been a reoccurring one. The action is all the more ridiculous with the fact that girls are allowed to go to any girls bathroom at any moment of the day without signing first.
“PHS is sexist,” were the first words that escaped freshman Matt Glancy’s mouth following the announcement on Wednesday, April 11 concerning the closing of numerous male restrooms. Glancy had been waiting patiently in study for his turn to go to the bathroom, but upon hearing the message he decided to wait as to not be falsely accused of “bathroom misconduct.”
As disgusting and serious as the incident is, one can not help to hold back a chuckle or two when thinking about it. The rumors created by students (some disturbingly may be true) range from feces smeared on the wall by hand to them being found in the urinals and the sinks to the culprit creating a paper-towel-and-toilet-paper nest in the middle of the restroom and defecating into the middle of it.
Although some of these possible occurrences may have been forged by the use of one’s imagination, it is also difficult to not imagine the perspective of the janitor or authoritative figure when they first entered the bathroom. The very thought makes one feel sick, however, there are even grosser perspectives to imagine. What if someone, presumably a student, had walked in on the culprit smearing feces on the walls with his hands or crouching down to deliver the deed into the paper nest?
…Enough with the nightmares for a minute, as long as low IQs and rebellious natures exist there will always be disturbed derelicts that want to stick it to the man…with poop. On a more serious note, the questionable matter at hand is how the school handled the incident. They closed every boys bathroom except for one, announced to male students that they could not go to the bathroom without first using a sign out sheet, and took all the male student suspects for interviews with the principals.
The first of several flaws with these actions is that the culprit could have been any disturbing male teacher or janitor or any adult looking to create chaos. If nobody saw the event taking place (which is rather odd seeing as how it is common to have up to four boys in the bathroom at once), this could even mean that girls are not exempt from being suspects. With the bathrooms usually being visited every several minutes by a different student, the chance of the guilty person having enough time to do his dead and leave without being caught is very low. Therefore, since the scene was discovered early in the morning, it could have been done the night before or before school started. Also, if it was performed when school was in session, there could have been an intricate plan with possibly more than one student involved.
Another problem with the actions taken by the heads of the building was the closing of all the boys bathrooms except for one. His clearly does not help the problem; rather it just increases the chance of innocent students wetting their pants in class. It is not like there were feces discovered in the other closed bathrroms or that the feces problem had been a reoccurring one. The action is all the more ridiculous with the fact that girls are allowed to go to any girls bathroom at any moment of the day without signing first.
NOG-BLOG
Mel Nogler
This week has been a mess ever since Mrs. Lynch went away to China.
There have been bomb threats in the boys bathroom, and some really nasty things while they are in there.
I thought we all were grown ups here. We are all in High School!
This is not Elementary school anymore. All these kids should grow up.
It’s really pathetic when we cannot use the bathroom anymore because certain students ruin it for us. It’s really sad to see freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors to sign out to use the bathroom.
I remember when I was a freshman in Silver Lake back in 2003. And there were so many threats in the girls and boys bathrooms, that it was really sad that someone would ruin other people’s lives, Its really ridiculous being in this school.
It seems like if Mrs. Lynch was here none of this “monkey business” would be happening, but I heard some kids in my study class say that Mrs. Stozstak does not know how to be like Lynch, and that she had no control of what to do. What is she supposed to do? All these young kids are immature, they don’t know what life is like, they don’t know ANYTHING yet.
Until they are out in the real world. And being a senior, then see how they really act, Which all these young kids look up to the older classmen. All these problems are giving us a bad name. All these kids want to be seen and be heard. Even if it has to put peoples lives in danger for their stupidity. This brings back the topic of the girl’s bathroom in march how some girls wrote threats, and saying they are going to “blow up Pembroke High...” that is really stupid.
All these kids want attention. And yet since this problem with the boys bathroom, so many kids are upset that they can’t use the bathroom anywhere. You wonder WHY!! It really makes me upset.
This week has been a mess ever since Mrs. Lynch went away to China.
There have been bomb threats in the boys bathroom, and some really nasty things while they are in there.
I thought we all were grown ups here. We are all in High School!
This is not Elementary school anymore. All these kids should grow up.
It’s really pathetic when we cannot use the bathroom anymore because certain students ruin it for us. It’s really sad to see freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors to sign out to use the bathroom.
I remember when I was a freshman in Silver Lake back in 2003. And there were so many threats in the girls and boys bathrooms, that it was really sad that someone would ruin other people’s lives, Its really ridiculous being in this school.
It seems like if Mrs. Lynch was here none of this “monkey business” would be happening, but I heard some kids in my study class say that Mrs. Stozstak does not know how to be like Lynch, and that she had no control of what to do. What is she supposed to do? All these young kids are immature, they don’t know what life is like, they don’t know ANYTHING yet.
Until they are out in the real world. And being a senior, then see how they really act, Which all these young kids look up to the older classmen. All these problems are giving us a bad name. All these kids want to be seen and be heard. Even if it has to put peoples lives in danger for their stupidity. This brings back the topic of the girl’s bathroom in march how some girls wrote threats, and saying they are going to “blow up Pembroke High...” that is really stupid.
All these kids want attention. And yet since this problem with the boys bathroom, so many kids are upset that they can’t use the bathroom anywhere. You wonder WHY!! It really makes me upset.
Mystery man is baby daddy
by Katie Jochems
Larry Birkhead has been officially titled Dannielynn’s father through a paternity test. This comes after months of debating who the real father is and many men came forth claiming it their’s. Birkhead is a 34 year old good-looking guy from Kentucky who no one knows anything about.
It came as a shock to a lot of people when finally the results were announced, but it makes sense, and poor Howard K. Stern can no longer call himself Dannielynn’s real father, even though he is listed as such on the birth certificate.
Stern says he is going to push for Birkhead to have full custody of Dannielynn, which is totally understandable. This unfortunate man had to raise this little girl by himself for some time while the trial was going on, now this goon from Kentucky waltz’s up and takes her away because he was stupid enough to knock up Anna Nicole Smith. Birkhead was even quoted saying “I told you so” to the camera’s after he found out the news, and all I can say is grow up Larry. I hope with all my heart Dannielynn can grow up to be normal and have a good life, and I hope Birkhead can begin to understand the amount of responsibility just placed on his shoulders. My deepest sympathies Mr. Stern.
Larry Birkhead has been officially titled Dannielynn’s father through a paternity test. This comes after months of debating who the real father is and many men came forth claiming it their’s. Birkhead is a 34 year old good-looking guy from Kentucky who no one knows anything about.
It came as a shock to a lot of people when finally the results were announced, but it makes sense, and poor Howard K. Stern can no longer call himself Dannielynn’s real father, even though he is listed as such on the birth certificate.
Stern says he is going to push for Birkhead to have full custody of Dannielynn, which is totally understandable. This unfortunate man had to raise this little girl by himself for some time while the trial was going on, now this goon from Kentucky waltz’s up and takes her away because he was stupid enough to knock up Anna Nicole Smith. Birkhead was even quoted saying “I told you so” to the camera’s after he found out the news, and all I can say is grow up Larry. I hope with all my heart Dannielynn can grow up to be normal and have a good life, and I hope Birkhead can begin to understand the amount of responsibility just placed on his shoulders. My deepest sympathies Mr. Stern.
"What about the hungry kids in Arkasas?"
Chelsey Monks
Recently I've been working with Mr. Mallon and a couple of classmates to begin a fundraiser that would help build a school in Sierra Leone. This is a country in West Africa with the highest death/crime rate from a group called the rebels and where the average life span is 38 for men and 41 for women.
Only one out of every five children lives in this country and parents don't name their children until their first birthday so they don't get attached to their kids and wont we as emotionally distraught if there kids die, which happens more likely than not. This fundraiser will be called "A Nickel a Day" and will start in September.
I was talking to my mom yesterday about how I will be helping in this fundraiser.
She said to me, "Okay, well what about the hungry children in Arkansas?"
Honestly I think she should shut her mouth, I'm doing something to help others which is way more than what she can say for not helping anyone, not even the hungry children in Arkansas that she claims are more important than those who are suffering from genocide in parts ofAfrica.
Our generation is one that needs to make change. Thinking about global warming, the amount of murders, hungry and homeless is rising, if our generation doesn't change anything, than who will?
We have come so far as a society from slavery to building a whole country, now we can only make it better, fighting ice ages and bring peace to other third world countries, and also taking care of our own country are all things that we need to do.
The more people taking part in these things, the more we will get done, all in all if you aren't doing anything to help stand your ground and support your opinion, then don't judge those who are.
Recently I've been working with Mr. Mallon and a couple of classmates to begin a fundraiser that would help build a school in Sierra Leone. This is a country in West Africa with the highest death/crime rate from a group called the rebels and where the average life span is 38 for men and 41 for women.
Only one out of every five children lives in this country and parents don't name their children until their first birthday so they don't get attached to their kids and wont we as emotionally distraught if there kids die, which happens more likely than not. This fundraiser will be called "A Nickel a Day" and will start in September.
I was talking to my mom yesterday about how I will be helping in this fundraiser.
She said to me, "Okay, well what about the hungry children in Arkansas?"
Honestly I think she should shut her mouth, I'm doing something to help others which is way more than what she can say for not helping anyone, not even the hungry children in Arkansas that she claims are more important than those who are suffering from genocide in parts ofAfrica.
Our generation is one that needs to make change. Thinking about global warming, the amount of murders, hungry and homeless is rising, if our generation doesn't change anything, than who will?
We have come so far as a society from slavery to building a whole country, now we can only make it better, fighting ice ages and bring peace to other third world countries, and also taking care of our own country are all things that we need to do.
The more people taking part in these things, the more we will get done, all in all if you aren't doing anything to help stand your ground and support your opinion, then don't judge those who are.
APs Cost
by Jennifer Bayliss
AP exams… oh the joys. Paying $83 per exam is such a wonderful price. By the way, did I mention how much I adore sarcasm? The increasing prices for these exams are maddening. Though I know the exams ultimately save me money in college, they don’t always tend to do so. Some colleges do not recognize AP classes or if they do, it does not get you any further then a few credits. If you don’t pass an exam or get only a three, some colleges won’t count the class you took in high school as an AP course.
Students can not always afford to pay such a grand amount for these exams, even if in some cases discounts are offered. There should be a cap implemented for the exams, in my wee opinion. Some students may feel that because you are required to take the AP exam at the end of the year and can not afford the steep price, that they can not take the class.
The increasing pressure on students to take AP classes is also resulting in higher class sizes, when AP classes are meant to be smaller for the students who can handle such material. Higher class sizes result in less learning because there is not enough individual attention given to students or in some cases not as much material can be covered before the AP exam in May.
Anyway, returning to my oh-so-lovely sarcastic view of the cost of the exams. It’s such a super bargain!
AP exams… oh the joys. Paying $83 per exam is such a wonderful price. By the way, did I mention how much I adore sarcasm? The increasing prices for these exams are maddening. Though I know the exams ultimately save me money in college, they don’t always tend to do so. Some colleges do not recognize AP classes or if they do, it does not get you any further then a few credits. If you don’t pass an exam or get only a three, some colleges won’t count the class you took in high school as an AP course.
Students can not always afford to pay such a grand amount for these exams, even if in some cases discounts are offered. There should be a cap implemented for the exams, in my wee opinion. Some students may feel that because you are required to take the AP exam at the end of the year and can not afford the steep price, that they can not take the class.
The increasing pressure on students to take AP classes is also resulting in higher class sizes, when AP classes are meant to be smaller for the students who can handle such material. Higher class sizes result in less learning because there is not enough individual attention given to students or in some cases not as much material can be covered before the AP exam in May.
Anyway, returning to my oh-so-lovely sarcastic view of the cost of the exams. It’s such a super bargain!
Sleep in
Lauren Mulkern
I have come to realize that my daily schedule has no time for me to relax in it. I wake up, get ready, go to school, stay after for practice which is sometimes at 4:30, and get home around 6:30. Then I have to do my homework.
I feel like I have no time to relax and gain some energy so I can restart the whole procedure the next day. I feel like I am constantly on the go.
I wish that school started at a later time so I could sleep in and gain some needed sleep. This would help the way I perform the next day. I always get everything done but I am so tired while doing it. The tasks that I complete come out nice but I am exhausted after doing them.
I think to solve this problem we should have more time in between all activities. For example, school should start at a later time or get out earlier. Another possible solution is to make practices so students don’t have to stay at school so long.
Of course, there is the situation with sharing the gym. However I think 4:30 is to late to have to stay here so long.
For now, I just have to look forward to the weekends when I can just relax.
I have come to realize that my daily schedule has no time for me to relax in it. I wake up, get ready, go to school, stay after for practice which is sometimes at 4:30, and get home around 6:30. Then I have to do my homework.
I feel like I have no time to relax and gain some energy so I can restart the whole procedure the next day. I feel like I am constantly on the go.
I wish that school started at a later time so I could sleep in and gain some needed sleep. This would help the way I perform the next day. I always get everything done but I am so tired while doing it. The tasks that I complete come out nice but I am exhausted after doing them.
I think to solve this problem we should have more time in between all activities. For example, school should start at a later time or get out earlier. Another possible solution is to make practices so students don’t have to stay at school so long.
Of course, there is the situation with sharing the gym. However I think 4:30 is to late to have to stay here so long.
For now, I just have to look forward to the weekends when I can just relax.
Oh deer!
by Melissa Nogler
This week has been really rocky, with the bomb threat, and the code yellow.
I do not know where to begin. But on April 4, 2007 at a little past 7:00 A.M my bus was on its way to come to school when suddenly my bus collided with a deer.
All I knew was my bus went “THUMP...” and a “bang” and we didn’t know what happened until we looked out the window and saw a huge deer that was lying on its side twitching.
I didn’t know what to think. I was shocked. My bus driver was so upset, I thought she was going to make a huge scene.My heart jumped out of my throat.
I poked my eye with my eyeliner while I was putting on my makeup.
This week has been really rocky, with the bomb threat, and the code yellow.
I do not know where to begin. But on April 4, 2007 at a little past 7:00 A.M my bus was on its way to come to school when suddenly my bus collided with a deer.
All I knew was my bus went “THUMP...” and a “bang” and we didn’t know what happened until we looked out the window and saw a huge deer that was lying on its side twitching.
I didn’t know what to think. I was shocked. My bus driver was so upset, I thought she was going to make a huge scene.My heart jumped out of my throat.
I poked my eye with my eyeliner while I was putting on my makeup.
Quit griping and do something!
by Katie Jochems
One of the most annoying things I am seeing recently around our school is that students complain way too much about Pembroke. Almost every day now I hear “God this school sucks” or “I hate Pembroke,” and its disconcerting in a way.
Pembroke is not that bad, and seriously, how bad can it be to live in a upper middle class small town in the suburbs of Boston? These kids either need to get a grip on reality, or just need to get a smack in the mouth.
If a student truly does feel like this about Pembroke, then why aren’t they doing anything about it! Its not enough to constantly complain about the school and the town. Find what is so bothering, and fix it!
If these spoiled brats could take a look around them and not just care about when they get to leave this town, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad for them to live here.
And where are the parents of these children? Did they honestly not teach them how to respect and be grateful for everything they have?
There is a brand new school in this town, and yes, it may need slight touch up here and there, but don’t let your children run around talking about how much they just want to leave this “hellhole.”
Grow up, and if there are students out there who legit do not like this place, then please, by all means go complain to your parents and get the heck out.
One of the most annoying things I am seeing recently around our school is that students complain way too much about Pembroke. Almost every day now I hear “God this school sucks” or “I hate Pembroke,” and its disconcerting in a way.
Pembroke is not that bad, and seriously, how bad can it be to live in a upper middle class small town in the suburbs of Boston? These kids either need to get a grip on reality, or just need to get a smack in the mouth.
If a student truly does feel like this about Pembroke, then why aren’t they doing anything about it! Its not enough to constantly complain about the school and the town. Find what is so bothering, and fix it!
If these spoiled brats could take a look around them and not just care about when they get to leave this town, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad for them to live here.
And where are the parents of these children? Did they honestly not teach them how to respect and be grateful for everything they have?
There is a brand new school in this town, and yes, it may need slight touch up here and there, but don’t let your children run around talking about how much they just want to leave this “hellhole.”
Grow up, and if there are students out there who legit do not like this place, then please, by all means go complain to your parents and get the heck out.
Fantasy sports
Ryan Hennigan
Millions of young children throughout the world dream of becoming professional athletes and then never succeed. They play sports throughout elementary school and high school, but then come to an abrupt end in sports on the last game of their senior seasons. However, for these inspiring high schoolers who dream of being out their throwing down a slam dunk or slugging a long ball out of the park in the bigs, they can have the next best thing.
Fantasy sports have become a big influence to high school students since their invention. No longer is it considered unusual for one to walk down a high school hallway and hear a friendly argument about who drafted the better players or how badly one fantasy team is crushing the other.
“Fantasy sports are a lot of fun. I’m playing fantasy baseball right now and I always get a kick out of it. It’s a great way to compete with your friends and share a couple laughs,” said sophomore Ryan Grindle.
Ryan Grindle is one of a large group of fantasy managers of a team that you can unknowingly come across in the high school hallways at every corner. Grindle spoke of a league of his friends that he was in, consisting of nine other PHS students and one from a private high school. Leagues can contain up to 20 teams and there is a large amount of leagues containing PHS students. Three of the many leagues with PHS students include The Super Cereal Manbearpigs [league], Damon is Lucifer, Not Jesus [league], and The Goldarn League 2007.
“I like them because I get to be in control of my own team and also because I can harass my friends when I beat them. I’m in like three leagues at the moment,” said John Prendergast, a Super Cereal Manbearpigs member.
Fantasy sports are growing in popularity with high school students because they are fun and competitive, yet this can sometimes have a negative effect in school terms as junior Kevin Daly jokingly admitted that he probably spends “more time on yahoo.com playing fantasy baseball than I do doing homework.”
Millions of young children throughout the world dream of becoming professional athletes and then never succeed. They play sports throughout elementary school and high school, but then come to an abrupt end in sports on the last game of their senior seasons. However, for these inspiring high schoolers who dream of being out their throwing down a slam dunk or slugging a long ball out of the park in the bigs, they can have the next best thing.
Fantasy sports have become a big influence to high school students since their invention. No longer is it considered unusual for one to walk down a high school hallway and hear a friendly argument about who drafted the better players or how badly one fantasy team is crushing the other.
“Fantasy sports are a lot of fun. I’m playing fantasy baseball right now and I always get a kick out of it. It’s a great way to compete with your friends and share a couple laughs,” said sophomore Ryan Grindle.
Ryan Grindle is one of a large group of fantasy managers of a team that you can unknowingly come across in the high school hallways at every corner. Grindle spoke of a league of his friends that he was in, consisting of nine other PHS students and one from a private high school. Leagues can contain up to 20 teams and there is a large amount of leagues containing PHS students. Three of the many leagues with PHS students include The Super Cereal Manbearpigs [league], Damon is Lucifer, Not Jesus [league], and The Goldarn League 2007.
“I like them because I get to be in control of my own team and also because I can harass my friends when I beat them. I’m in like three leagues at the moment,” said John Prendergast, a Super Cereal Manbearpigs member.
Fantasy sports are growing in popularity with high school students because they are fun and competitive, yet this can sometimes have a negative effect in school terms as junior Kevin Daly jokingly admitted that he probably spends “more time on yahoo.com playing fantasy baseball than I do doing homework.”
Thursday, April 5, 2007
It’s a High School Musical world and we’re all just living in it
by Mary Polleys
½ cup school spirit
1 cup catchy tunes
¼ cool dance moves
2 tablespoons cute boys
1 teaspoon Disney magic
And voila! The phenomenon that is High School Musical is born. And if you think only children through pre-teens are entranced by the film, think again. High schoolers, to college students, to fully developed adults fall prey to its trap.
Just saying the name High School Musical immediately prompts an outbreak of “We’re All in This Together,” by some fan or another. Zac Efron as Troy Bolton, practically household names due to the Disney channels far reaching influence.
Disney is even already advertising a High School Musical sequel, where the viewers supposedly get a choice in the major twists in the plot.
So what made this Disney movie so much more successful than the others? The fact that it was a musical was surely a factor, seeing as most Disney channel originals are not musicals. The story line seemed far more thought out, and the actors more carefully chosen, naturally because they had to act, sing (or pretend like they were), and dance.
High School Musical is the Grease of our generation. The story is of a boy and a girl, who meet on a vacation outside of school and (go figure) end up singing. The boy however, is the captain of the basketball team and doesn’t want his buddies to know that he’s found a new passion in singing. They have to overcome the cliques formed at their high school (“Break Free,” so to speak) to achieve their goals and end up together again for the happy ending. Sound familiar?
Despite its similarity to Grease and predictable nature, it has become the kind of movie that you watch over and over again, while memorizing the lyrics and learning the dance moves. Ipods allow you to have the entire songs complete with music videos with you at all times, and many people take advantage of that opportunity.
If you tune into popular adolescent shows at all, you’d know a couple of the characters from the shows. Sharpay is also known as Ashley Tisdale who is also known as Maddie on The Suite Life of Zach and Cody. Troy Bolton, also known as Zac Efron, played a supporting role of Summerland, a television show that also starred music star Jesse McCartney. Chad Danforth, also known as Corbin Bleu, went on to star in the Disney Channel original movie Jump In! With their all star cast and award winning director and choreographer Kenny Ortega, money machine High School Musical will not soon be forgotten.
½ cup school spirit
1 cup catchy tunes
¼ cool dance moves
2 tablespoons cute boys
1 teaspoon Disney magic
And voila! The phenomenon that is High School Musical is born. And if you think only children through pre-teens are entranced by the film, think again. High schoolers, to college students, to fully developed adults fall prey to its trap.
Just saying the name High School Musical immediately prompts an outbreak of “We’re All in This Together,” by some fan or another. Zac Efron as Troy Bolton, practically household names due to the Disney channels far reaching influence.
Disney is even already advertising a High School Musical sequel, where the viewers supposedly get a choice in the major twists in the plot.
So what made this Disney movie so much more successful than the others? The fact that it was a musical was surely a factor, seeing as most Disney channel originals are not musicals. The story line seemed far more thought out, and the actors more carefully chosen, naturally because they had to act, sing (or pretend like they were), and dance.
High School Musical is the Grease of our generation. The story is of a boy and a girl, who meet on a vacation outside of school and (go figure) end up singing. The boy however, is the captain of the basketball team and doesn’t want his buddies to know that he’s found a new passion in singing. They have to overcome the cliques formed at their high school (“Break Free,” so to speak) to achieve their goals and end up together again for the happy ending. Sound familiar?
Despite its similarity to Grease and predictable nature, it has become the kind of movie that you watch over and over again, while memorizing the lyrics and learning the dance moves. Ipods allow you to have the entire songs complete with music videos with you at all times, and many people take advantage of that opportunity.
If you tune into popular adolescent shows at all, you’d know a couple of the characters from the shows. Sharpay is also known as Ashley Tisdale who is also known as Maddie on The Suite Life of Zach and Cody. Troy Bolton, also known as Zac Efron, played a supporting role of Summerland, a television show that also starred music star Jesse McCartney. Chad Danforth, also known as Corbin Bleu, went on to star in the Disney Channel original movie Jump In! With their all star cast and award winning director and choreographer Kenny Ortega, money machine High School Musical will not soon be forgotten.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
by Mary Polleys
The new Harry Potter movie, based off of the 5th book, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix of the series is scheduled to hit theatres July 13, 2007.
Daniel Radcliffe, the original actor cast to play Harry Potter, remains on the scene as well as Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) and Emma Watson (Hermione Granger).
Newly cast is the actress to play Cho, the girl which in the novels, was supposed to be present in every year up until now, but has been MIA in the films. Those who also read the novels know that this year is the book in which Harry gets his first kiss, with Cho, which makes her a very important casting choice. True Harry Potter fans will be waiting for that scene.
Also introduced in the new movie is Dolores Umbridge, a perfectly detestable character, played by award winning actress Imelda Staunton who also played Mrs. Blatherwick in the movie Nanny McPhee.
The rest of the returning actors include Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall, Gary Oldman as Sirius Black, Alan Rickman as Severus Snape, Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid, and Michael Gambon as Albus Dunbledore who has played in the series beginning with Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire.
As most Harry Potter fans hope, the fifth installment of the movie portrayal should follow that of the book very closely. As Dolores Umbridge takes control of Hogwarts, Harry’s world begins to fall apart. The question is, will Harry be able to save the day, or will he have to sacrifice the life he has been dreaming of?
Also in question is the fate of the beloved series. Will the series end after the formerly projected seven novels, or will the success drive the series on for more of Harry’s life after Hogwarts? If J.K. Rowling does decidedly end the series, will she end Harry’s life in the process? As proven in previous books in the series, Rowling will stop at nothing to shock her readers. The title of the seventh, and perhaps final, book of the series is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which leans toward an unhappy ending for the students of Hogwarts and the fans of the imaginative series.
However, the fans won’t be entirely without Mr. Potter if the series ends, because the three main actors for the movie portrayal have already been signed and announced for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows scheduled to enter theatres in 2008 and 2010 respectively.
The new Harry Potter movie, based off of the 5th book, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix of the series is scheduled to hit theatres July 13, 2007.
Daniel Radcliffe, the original actor cast to play Harry Potter, remains on the scene as well as Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) and Emma Watson (Hermione Granger).
Newly cast is the actress to play Cho, the girl which in the novels, was supposed to be present in every year up until now, but has been MIA in the films. Those who also read the novels know that this year is the book in which Harry gets his first kiss, with Cho, which makes her a very important casting choice. True Harry Potter fans will be waiting for that scene.
Also introduced in the new movie is Dolores Umbridge, a perfectly detestable character, played by award winning actress Imelda Staunton who also played Mrs. Blatherwick in the movie Nanny McPhee.
The rest of the returning actors include Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall, Gary Oldman as Sirius Black, Alan Rickman as Severus Snape, Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid, and Michael Gambon as Albus Dunbledore who has played in the series beginning with Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire.
As most Harry Potter fans hope, the fifth installment of the movie portrayal should follow that of the book very closely. As Dolores Umbridge takes control of Hogwarts, Harry’s world begins to fall apart. The question is, will Harry be able to save the day, or will he have to sacrifice the life he has been dreaming of?
Also in question is the fate of the beloved series. Will the series end after the formerly projected seven novels, or will the success drive the series on for more of Harry’s life after Hogwarts? If J.K. Rowling does decidedly end the series, will she end Harry’s life in the process? As proven in previous books in the series, Rowling will stop at nothing to shock her readers. The title of the seventh, and perhaps final, book of the series is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which leans toward an unhappy ending for the students of Hogwarts and the fans of the imaginative series.
However, the fans won’t be entirely without Mr. Potter if the series ends, because the three main actors for the movie portrayal have already been signed and announced for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows scheduled to enter theatres in 2008 and 2010 respectively.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Spring sports start up again
By Chelsey Monks
Recently spring sports have started up again. High school athletes are into their old ritual of waking up early… really early, then off to school where our brains almost explode, then stay after to make things up, tests, quizzes, etc. And then off to practice for two to three hours of running, catching, throwing, and hitting, then home to take a shower to wash the sweat off, eat dinner, and do homework. Teen lives are absolutely crazy and the fact that parents complain about being tired is crazy. It may seem cliché but they couldn’t stand one day in our shoes. School is getting harder every year and the stress of getting into a good college or university doesn’t seem to help. Parents, coaches, teachers, and friends all challenge our patience and its not our fault that sometimes we explode. Wouldn’t you? Balancing a good relationship with parents, keeping on good terms with teachers, playing hard for coaches, and dealing with the ever so difficult social life is making me dizzy just talking about it.
However, at the end of the season and the school year and after finals are over, students are ready to embrace the summer. Thank goodness we have two months to collect ourselves before the cycle starts over again, if not I think all us teens would be basket cases by now.
“I have a bomb”
by Ryan Hennigan
Graffiti in the boys bathroom read “I have a bomb” on Wednesday March 27. Oh Joy, here we go again…
A code yellow, a police squad, bomb dogs, a hired detective, and an arrest were among the chaotic events that followed. And all over a small little note written in a stall right next to “Mike was here” and “50 cent sucks”.
The bottom line is someone needs to put an end to this. There needs to be another solution for events like these that don’t include bomb dogs. As long as there are kids who are looking for a day off of school, there will always be fake bomb threats. The reality is, if a person was considering bombing a school, they most likely would not let it be publicly known or at least not in script it in the bathroom stalls.
While I realize that a responsible school can not ignore the occurrence, I believe that there is a better and less disruptive way of going about it. For instance, the school could acquire a ready detective to access the seriousness of similar events. The detective could be given the authority to decide upon whether or not the threat is worth taking serious action. This would prevent the inevitable chaos that occurs every time some derelict decides to vandalize the bathrooms.
While I don’t believe this put an end to the threats or the chaos, I do think it would greatly reduce the occurrences. The school is giving the culprit exactly what he wants when they flip out and call the police or call school off. With the possibility of this being eliminated, students would have less motivation to take part in this type of ridiculous behavior.
The student-athlete’s life
by Nicholas Papadopolous
Homework causes student severe stress and causes them to live hectic day-to-day lives. In a poll taken about how much homework students have per night, I asked 15 student athletes and 2/3 of them said they have around two hours of homework each night.
With an average practice starting at 2:30 and ending at 5:30, student-athletes aren’t having enough free time to relax from their silly lives. After getting home at 6:00, students are eating, then doing homework, then showering, then going to bed, only to repeat the day tomorrow.
There aren’t many solutions coaches or teachers have about this problem. Many coaches urge their players to do some of their homework before practice, then yell at them when they lose track of time. Teachers often say “It should only take you half of an hour”, but when all six teachers say this, it adds up pretty fast.
I myself play High School hockey and baseball in the winter and spring respectively. Sometimes, I find that I forget to do some of my homework because I am too busy worrying about tomorrows game or today’s practice. Some of my teachers don’t understand the amount of pressure us student-athletes have to handle our lives.
On nights where the student-athlete has a project, an essay, a gorilla, and a book report due the next day, they can suffer academically and physically. Sometimes, I am forced to skip "South Park" just so I am not staying up until 1 a.m. finishing my homework.
Since there are no reasonable solutions to the problem at hand, the student athlete can do nothing but complain and try to survive.
Homework causes student severe stress and causes them to live hectic day-to-day lives. In a poll taken about how much homework students have per night, I asked 15 student athletes and 2/3 of them said they have around two hours of homework each night.
With an average practice starting at 2:30 and ending at 5:30, student-athletes aren’t having enough free time to relax from their silly lives. After getting home at 6:00, students are eating, then doing homework, then showering, then going to bed, only to repeat the day tomorrow.
There aren’t many solutions coaches or teachers have about this problem. Many coaches urge their players to do some of their homework before practice, then yell at them when they lose track of time. Teachers often say “It should only take you half of an hour”, but when all six teachers say this, it adds up pretty fast.
I myself play High School hockey and baseball in the winter and spring respectively. Sometimes, I find that I forget to do some of my homework because I am too busy worrying about tomorrows game or today’s practice. Some of my teachers don’t understand the amount of pressure us student-athletes have to handle our lives.
On nights where the student-athlete has a project, an essay, a gorilla, and a book report due the next day, they can suffer academically and physically. Sometimes, I am forced to skip "South Park" just so I am not staying up until 1 a.m. finishing my homework.
Since there are no reasonable solutions to the problem at hand, the student athlete can do nothing but complain and try to survive.
AP Fees
by Kerry Richards
The time has finally arrived for us to pay our dues for AP exams. How much does it cost for a student to try to go above and beyond? That’s right, 83 dollars every time a student tries to go beyond just the average. What is that for the three exams I have to take this year? 249 dollars.
How is this fair in any way? Because we, as students, choose to take classes that go above the norm, we are required to pay astronomical amounts for testing. Along with the fees for SAT’s, SAT II’s, and the ACT, of course. Sure, everyone claims it will save us on college tuition in the long run. However, I frankly don't see this happening. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel completely unprepared for any of my AP exams. There is just so much material to cover and practically no time left until exams. It seems utterly hopeless to hope for a four, let alone a five. It is possible, it’s been done, and at Pembroke no less, but that doesn't ease the fear that I've just wasted 249 dollars.
It seems as if this is a cost Pembroke High should attempt to cover. I understand that that is a lot of money. However, it seems unfair to make students pay this fee. Isn’t there some way to raise this money in a much better way? There must be a way through fundraisers or the such.
The time has finally arrived for us to pay our dues for AP exams. How much does it cost for a student to try to go above and beyond? That’s right, 83 dollars every time a student tries to go beyond just the average. What is that for the three exams I have to take this year? 249 dollars.
Next year, with my five exams, that comes to 415 dollars.415 dollars!! That’s three months of car insurance payments, 18 dinners at a restaurant, almost seven weeks worth of work.
How is this fair in any way? Because we, as students, choose to take classes that go above the norm, we are required to pay astronomical amounts for testing. Along with the fees for SAT’s, SAT II’s, and the ACT, of course. Sure, everyone claims it will save us on college tuition in the long run. However, I frankly don't see this happening. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel completely unprepared for any of my AP exams. There is just so much material to cover and practically no time left until exams. It seems utterly hopeless to hope for a four, let alone a five. It is possible, it’s been done, and at Pembroke no less, but that doesn't ease the fear that I've just wasted 249 dollars.
It seems as if this is a cost Pembroke High should attempt to cover. I understand that that is a lot of money. However, it seems unfair to make students pay this fee. Isn’t there some way to raise this money in a much better way? There must be a way through fundraisers or the such.
Monday, April 2, 2007
Term Ending Blog
by Katie Jochems
Now that terms have closed and I’m getting my grade for each class I’ve realized how bad it’s getting. I am slowly spiraling into the end-of-the-year student who does work merely to get a passing grade. I guess you could call it bare minimum. The worst part is, I really don’t feel too concerned with how this year is going to finish, and I have faith that I can end the school year with a passing grade in each class.
I don’t quite know what to call this because it’s the first year that I’ve had such a procrastination problem. Maybe I have an early case of senioritis, which doesn’t bring much hope for next year. I’m finding it way to comfortable to push things off until last minute, and my grades don’t seem to show that I’m struggling or anything, so the mystery illness continues. Junior year is coming to a close and I hope that as it does this motivation, or the lack thereof, doesn’t get any worse or my grades will begin to slip. And hey, vacation is only a couple weeks way, so why push myself to the brink when I can have all vacation week to catch up on work? Yep, this is getting bad.
by Katie Jochems
Now that terms have closed and I’m getting my grade for each class I’ve realized how bad it’s getting. I am slowly spiraling into the end-of-the-year student who does work merely to get a passing grade. I guess you could call it bare minimum. The worst part is, I really don’t feel too concerned with how this year is going to finish, and I have faith that I can end the school year with a passing grade in each class.
I don’t quite know what to call this because it’s the first year that I’ve had such a procrastination problem. Maybe I have an early case of senioritis, which doesn’t bring much hope for next year. I’m finding it way to comfortable to push things off until last minute, and my grades don’t seem to show that I’m struggling or anything, so the mystery illness continues. Junior year is coming to a close and I hope that as it does this motivation, or the lack thereof, doesn’t get any worse or my grades will begin to slip. And hey, vacation is only a couple weeks way, so why push myself to the brink when I can have all vacation week to catch up on work? Yep, this is getting bad.
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