Seahawk Scoop

ILT to SLT

by: Meghan Carrington

The change from ILT to SLT has been quite different for students and staff. With such a big change, there is a large debate on whether or not STL could be improved for the school’s benefit. Mr. Schidrich, the Hilton Head Island High School Principal, said that originally, ILT was only supposed to be used for academic purposes. However, he declared, “Over time, students were using ILT less. It became more of a social thing.” He continued, “So, what we saw was that fewer students were using it, but the number of fights was increasing.” He then decided that they would need a more structured schedule for further use, so SLT was created. SLT allows students to get the academic help they need while keeping them safe as well. This schedule took 5 minutes out of each class to create 30 minutes going from Monday to Thursday. The four periods go in order throughout the week. Following the change, Mr. Schidrich stated, “You know, I walk the hallways during SLT and the hallways are empty, which is a good thing. That means everyone is somewhere and they're under the supervision of an adult and hopefully, they're all getting some sort of remediation and some help from a teacher.” He agreed that he was very happy with the current results, however, improvements can always be made.

Samantha Montes Castro, a student from Hilton Head Island High School, also gave insight on the positives of SLT. She spoke, “In ILT, I used to walk around whenever,” however, “SLT, I do my work. I think it’s enough time to do my work because it’s thirty minutes. I finish like two assignments and I don’t have homework at the end of the day.” Even though she preferred SLT over the two, Samantha ran into, like many students, the fact that she can’t go to a certain class if needed for SLT to get help during particular days due to the way the schedule is set up. She spoke, “If you are in a class that you have no homework or it’s unimportant, then I should be able to ask my teacher if I can go to my next class or like the class that I need help on.”

While bringing this concern up to Mr. Schidrich, he spoke, “I’m aware that that could be an issue,” he resumes, “As SLT keeps going on this year, as students get used to it, we can then look at, okay, if your third-period teacher gives your first-period teacher a pass then you can go to that third-period class and get that help.” “He concludes, “We’re thinking about that but that's something that we’ll have to explore down the road.”

Furthermore, SLT has been a great success for Hilton Head High School! Though there are still mixed opinions on some concerns, there will always be room for improvement.

What is a 21^ST a Century Learner

By: Jada Green & Nicole Antonio

Q: What is a 21st Century Learner?

Mr. Schidrich, the principal of Hilton Head Island High School, explains the characteristics of a 21st century learner. Mr. Schidrich states that "being a 21st c. learner means that you are more worldly in your knowledge. Being worldly in knowledge means understanding math, science, social studies, and other subjects. Being a 21st century learner also teaches students how to be successful in getting a job in today's economy."

Q: How does the current high school building support the 21st Century Learner?

Hilton Head Island High School is an older high school, but continues to receive technological upgrades to support access to online resources. Plans are being developed to create a modern and technologically advanced school in the years ahead through upcoming referendums. The hope is that a referendum in the next few years will lead to a completely renovated building that will be used to provide vocations that have been developed in the rapidly changing 21st century economy.

Q: How would a new building better support 21st Century Learners?

Mr. Schidrich states that "the building will have the latest technology, the classrooms will be able to stream around the world, and the school will be built with a lot of things some schools already have." He also says that he wants to "bring more C.T.E classes to the new building." The C.T.E classes that are desired for a new high school building are "welding, engineering, and many more. These classes will help expand Hilton Head Island High School and also help the students be more successful with their learning."

Q: What are the characteristics of a 21st Century Learner?

Some of the characteristics include rigorous standards in language arts and math. Other characteristics are learning multiple languages, taking STEM focused classes, and participating in the arts. The skills should include teaching students to be creative, be innovative, and teach problem solving skills. It encourages students to live their life with integrity, to learn to preserve, and develop strong interpersonal skills.

ROTC Announces Leadership Library

By: Matt Korneulk & Michaela Elam

ROTC has started a leadership library. It is intended for cadet leaders to learn lessons from wiser figures. Leaders choose a book to read from the library and write a one-page summary. This is optional but highly encouraged. Books deal with current events, military strategy, military history, and similar topics. The books are drawn from lists made by the Chief of Naval Operations Michael M. Gilday and Commandant of the Marine Corps David H. Berger. According to Commander Pheiffer, “ROTC helps students navigate high school and graduate with a plan.” The Leadership Library is looking for more books, if interested in donating please contact Commander Pheiffer or Sergeant Major Wyatt.

Seahawk Traditions at HHIHS

By: Emeli Perez Morales

There are many traditions at Hilton Head Island High School. The first two are the homecoming game and the homecoming dance. Before the homecoming game and dance, there is “ a week of events'' and also Powderpuff Football.

The homecoming hall decoration is another popular tradition. For the homecoming dance they "crown a homecoming king and queen." Mrs. Austin said, "leading up to that dance and game are a week of events, so we do powder puff football." Which is a football game were girls in all four grade levels team up. Where the "freshmen play the seniors, the sophomores play the juniors, and then it's a championship match."

There is also a prom for all juniors and seniors. There is a prom for juniors and seniors. "If we do have a prom this year we were aiming for Hilton Head Beach Tennis," said Mrs. Austin. Prom has also been held in the gym.

There is also graduation for the seniors and also parking spot painting.

There is also a Coming Home game and dance for basketball. During the winter, there is a Coming Home game and a Coming Home dance for basketball. For the dance, they "crown a king and a queen again." There is "some hall decorating but it's a little bit less."

There is at least one pep rally per sport season. There are also many pep rallies at Hilton Head Island High School. The "regular dances" usually take place in the cafeteria.

These events are usually planned by the Student Government Association (SGA). They plan these events throughout the year. Some of these events are class sponsored and the sponsors help plan the events as well. Due to the pandemic, many of these events were canceled last year. Prom hasn't happened in "two years."

It is still uncertain that any of these events will be held virtually. Last year, none of these events were held virtually. Last year, there was no prom due to the pandemic, instead, the seniors had a field day.

Mascot Tryouts at HHIS

By: Brody Cooke

9th Grade PBIS

By: Isabelle Drake

PBIS- what is it? This year teachers have decided to give the freshmen some incentive to behave and do good deeds. PBIS started as an incentive for students to behave better in classes or just in general. PBIS lasts all the way until the end of the year. The weekly rewards are small treats students can eat. For each month there is a raffle drawing and the student wins a free pass to a home sports game. At the end of the year, every student who qualifies is able to go on a trip to Carowinds. Each student gets a small card with five spaces each day teachers check either dress code, tardy, ID’s, or if you have your computer. Everyday students get a stamp for doing something nice or being a good student and following all the rules.

Banned Book Week at Hilton Head Island High School

By: Emeli Perez and Caleb Bison

Banned Book Week is a week where banned books are shared and appreciated. Although many banned books have inappropriate or graphic content they are important for society. Ms.Robinson said, “Banned Book Week is a time where libraries around the world and around the country celebrate and discuss books that have been banned from libraries for certain reasons.”

The reason Banned Book Week was created was because it brings awareness to banned books and to try to keep as many books in schools as possible. Ms. Robinson said, “most people think of libraries as a place where everybody can come and learn about anything they want to learn, so when you take books out of the collection its taking away people's right to learn and to read. Most libraries want to keep as many books on the shelves as they can.” Banned books help bring awareness to previous mistakes made by society and help us prevent those events from happening again. When you take books out of libraries they are limiting people to learn more.

The Hate You Give and To Kill a Mockingbird are a few examples of banned books. The Hate You Give covers the topics of police brutality, racism, and activism. The reason this book was banned was because it showed police in a bad way. To Kill a Mockingbird covers the experience of racism. The reason the book was banned was because of the multiple racial slurs and many parent complaints. Many books have been shared with students through SNN.

Mental Health Within the School

By: Alyssa Spurling

Mental health affects many teens today. Approximately 6.1 million kids have ADHD, approximately 4.4 million kids have anxiety, approximately 1.9 million kids have depression, as of 2012 (CDC). Currently mental health days are a widespread unexcused absence reason. However, “in the last two years alone, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Nevada, Oregon and Virginia have passed bills permitting children to be absent from school for mental or behavioral health reasons, efforts that were often aided or spearheaded by students.” (NYTIMES).

The new councilor, Mr. Timothy Keck said:

“I do think it is good to take care of your mental health, I know some parents let their kids take a day here and a day there. I don't think the school or the district will allow it, but I like the thought, because mental health is under represented throughout this whole thing.”

If we had the option and the area, could kids go somewhere to take a “brain-break” at school, what do you think about that?

Mr. Keck states, “Other schools do have that in places, but there will always be some kids who take advantage of it. That is the issue you run into as a school, is trying to find that balance between the kids who don't use it, the kids who use it, and the kids who take advantage of it.”

Ms. Spisz says “I think that could be a possibility in the future, especially if we get a new school building, I think that could be part of the architectural plans, but with the way the building is currently set up, and the fact that we are currently at max capacity, so at the moment I don’t think it possible with right now. But I do think that is a good idea for students to have that space and an opportunity to do so”

Mr. Schidrich was asked the same question, “That is an idea, however there is a seat time requirement. For example, if a student needed to go to a break room, they are not in class, therefore they are absent and would need to move up that time for feeling well or not in the right headspace, we have them sit with a school counselor. If they are really struggling we will call a parent. We could provide a brain break room, but a student might be better off with a parent or guardian, or have the parent or guardian take them to see a doctor. We can recommend a variety of resources, which is what we do.”

But should schools provide that option, even if it will get abused?

“I am going to say that the school will definitely say no. But as a counselor, I do think having that ability to give students that responsibility to take care of their mental health is important,” Mr. Keck tells the Seahawk Times.

Ms. Spisz continues, “A lot of discussion I have had with students has been centered around mental health and emotional awareness, so I think that the younger generations are more aware of their needs mentally compared to the older generations. I think that as long as they’re taught coping and self-awareness toward their mental health , I don't think it will be abused.”

HHIHS JROTC program

By: Stella Piccioli & Lola Gallagher

NJROTC stands for Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps. This program counts as a P.E elective credit. NJROTC teaches students values of citizenship, self-discipline, and leadership skills during their high school careers. This program is led by former marine, Sergeant Major John Wyatt and former Navy Sailor, Lieutenant commander Matthew Pipher. Commander Pipher teaches the upperclassmen and Sergeant Major Wyatt teaches the underclassmen.

One of the ROTC leaders, Lieutenant commander Mathew Pipher, states why he enjoys teaching students, “They will have a plan, they will either go to start working full time, go to college, maybe join the military. We are trying to help the students so that they will be prepared.” The ROTC students have the same routine each week. For three days a week they learn academics. The students are taught American history and naval science. On Wednesdays, the students have a uniform check. The upperclassmen, and the leaders will check the underclassman, and ensure that they are wearing the uniform properly and correctly. After the uniform check, they will go into the aux gym and do drills and marches, which teaches the students discipline. One day is physical training.

This program isn’t just for people who want to go into the military, but if students decide to go down that path, this program can really help you know more about joining. JROTC is a wonderful program that helps students to figure out what they want to be and prepare them for having the best future that lies ahead.

Drill Team is the Dream Team

Saraya Graham & Jake Ferguson

The drill team is a part of the ROTC class. Jack Pavelka, who was interviewed, said that “Drill team occurs Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and cadets do different forms of drills; the arm drill with rifles, unarmed drill, and in that there are other breakthroughs like the squad and platoon.” He also stated, “we practice certain drill cards which we get from other schools that illustrate what we should be doing like all the different movements since the competition amongst all the schools to perform that part perfectly.”

Jack said that, “The drill team is open to everyone who is in ROTC, if you are currently in ROTC or in a future semester of ROTC, you can join the drill team.” Jake also said, “Drill team is a team effort, if one person messes up, it’s obvious.”