OPINION

Web Filters at Schools Are Too Restrictive 

By Ashton Amirianfar

If you have a school laptop or tablet, you most likely know that many websites are restricted, and it is for a good purpose but is frustrating in some cases. If you have free time in your class and your teacher allows you to play video games, most of the time, you cannot because most websites are blocked. Students have been using Google Sites as another way to play games, but schools have banned the website entirely. Sometimes, you find an excellent article, but then you click the link, and it's banned.

Restricted websites also frustrate teachers. They are sometimes restricted if your teacher needs to show you something, like some educational websites or a movie. However, specified websites are also for a good purpose. They block you from cheating, playing games, or watching videos when you're not supposed to, and the filter also keeps your laptop safe so you don't get hacked or get a virus. Websites like passwords and home addresses can also steal your information. This is why school filters are essential.

School filters sometimes malfunction, and all websites become blocked. This often happens to me and is very frustrating because I have to forget my Wi-Fi password, restart my computer, and put it back. This isn't very pleasant because I might have to do an important assignment or test.

Some school laptop filtering programs can even allow teachers to watch and control your screen. This is part of what is good, so you do not do anything wrong, but it is also an invasion of privacy. 

Are Vending Machines Healthy To Have In School?

By Ashton Amirianfar

Most schools worldwide have vending machines in their halls, cafeterias, fields, etc. Many students love these machines because they supply food like drinks, chips, chocolates, candy, and many more snacks/beverages. Are these vending machines healthy for the growing student, though? In this article, I will give my opinion about vending machines inside school campuses.

You must know what they carry to determine if vending machines are healthy in school. For example, at BVMS, the vending machines carry drinks like Switch, Izze, and water. The vending machines also have mini Grandma cookies, pop chips, popcorn, pop tarts, Cheez-Its, welch's fruit snacks, Lay's chips, and more. Most of these snacks are okay, and the school should let the kids enjoy junk food for the time being because it will only harm kids as much as adults do.

My school should keep their vending machines because they are pretty good. Many other schools, though, carry way worse snacks like giant soda bottles, which could easily cumulate to over 60 grams of sugar in each bottle, two times more than the amount a growing child needs. The candies in other schools have a high amount of sugar, too. For example, let's take a medium-sized pack of Sour Patch Kids; the serving size is 24 grams of sugar for 12 pieces. Now let’s see how much sugar the whole pack of Sour Patch Kids comes to. It adds up to 84 grams of sugar for 42 pieces of candy, which is ridiculous.

In conclusion, schools should keep vending machines but put fewer unhealthy choices in the machines.

Are Schools Teaching Students Useful Knowledge 

By Ashton Amirianfar

Some child growth specialists are distressed that schools today are not teaching students the necessary knowledge to achieve satisfactory academic success.

Most schools worldwide include less valuable science, History, and PE classes. This is because, for most children, these classes will likely not have any future uses. It is only possible to study history and science if some children pursue that career. For example, would somebody need to use chemistry if somebody is a real estate agent or a McDonald's employee? They most likely would not. Another reason this is History is that it shows little material in adults because it is a less common career. Also, PE is not very useful because it won't help children's brains work better or help with academic success.  

There are many keys to solving this issue, but the one I believe in the most is that children should be able to pick what main classes they want. Instead of science, if you have no interest in using it in the future, it should be the children's choice not to have that class. The children know themselves better than the teachers and counselors, so they should be able to pick how and what they want to learn.

Teachers should be more willing to do what the students want to do. To sum up, schools should provide a valuable learning environment, and if students are not getting their proper education, they should be able to have a say. This idea should be presented to high school students because it is closer to when they become adults when they can pick what they want to pursue. 

Are Electives In School Good For Students?

By Ashton Amirianfar

Many schools worldwide offer electives, but are these electives good for students trying to find new hobbies? First, these electives include STEM, sports and fitness, art, photography, writing, and more. These classes are for students who want to have new experiences or explore their current experiences.

Electives prepare students and give them a glimpse of many jobs and hobbies. They can help students improve their creativity and way of thinking. Electives can also help students in college by assisting them to choose a major they already enjoy and are interested in. 

Electives can also impact students' GPAs, determining whether they have reached the standards or more for a good university or college. This is good because choosing an elective you love can increase your chances of getting into a good school. In most schools, electives are available for middle and high school, not elementary or preschool. Electives are fun, too, because some electives involve experiments, which can be fun for students. To sum up, electives are very good for students and can help them develop many skills in life.

What Makes a Good Teacher?

By Ashton Amirianfar

Many teachers around the US try to be good teachers to their students, but what makes a good teacher? Well, I am going to tell you today. A good teacher has important qualities like knowing the subject they should teach.

A good teacher also cares about their students and prioritizes them in life. A good teacher wants the best for their students. Good teachers give their students classwork/homework for their level. A good teacher is also lovely to their students and tries their best not to yell at them.

A lousy teacher does not prioritize their students or care about them. They are always mean to their students and yell at them a lot. They do not care about their students' learning and give them bad grades even if they did well. In conclusion, teachers should consider whether they are good teachers for their students.

Technology in the Classroom

By Ashton Amirianfar 

Does technology get in the way of learning in the classroom? Well, I am going to tell you right now. Most school students have phones and a school laptop. Most schools do not allow students to use their phones and require them to turn them off and put them in their backpacks. Students sometimes take out their phones in class and use them, but it would not get in the way of learning because the teacher would find out. 

As I said, schools use laptops for learning in classes. Students use the laptops the school provides to do math, watch assignment videos, etc. Sometimes, students use laptops in class to play video games or watch videos, but that's why schools have filtering programs and can watch their students' laptop screens through an app.

However, technology is needed in the classroom in an emergency. If a dangerous person enters the school, admins can contact teachers through technology like text messages and emails. This is why schools need technology and do not need it. In conclusion, schools need technology, but it has some cons.

Sixth Graders Need Better Computers

By Layla Silvera

Sixth graders need new computers, and we need new computers because almost every day, my friends tell me that their computers aren't working, and it's the same as mine. Seventh grade has amazing computers, and the same goes for eighth grade. But one time, I couldn't even get into my laptop and couldn’t do any of my work for three periods, which was a problem. And I want to get good grades. And do not get in trouble, so Mr.Water, if you are reading this, keep this in mind to get much better computers. 

Is the Dress Code at BVMS Too Harsh?

By Ashton Amirianfar

Many schools nationwide have dress codes imposed on students. Dress codes are designed so children can wear appropriate clothing to school. Although this benefits students and removes distractions, these dress codes can be too harsh. Many students want to show off their fashion, and schools deny it even though it is the student’s body and not theirs. However, as I said, I can see why dress codes exist in schools.

On the BVMS website, the Student Responsibility Contract and the BHUSD Discipline Policy and Procedures Handbook state that Students must wear neat, clean, un-frayed, and in good repair. The students may not wear attire that bears inappropriate logos, detracts from the academic environment of the school, or affects the safety of the individual (headbands, hats/caps, sagging pants, hanging belts, low cut necklines, halter tops, spaghetti straps, blouses or pants that expose the stomach or undergarments, etc.). Lipstick, colored lip gloss, and make-up are not permitted, and student hair shall be neat, clean, and natural-looking in color and style. Students shall not wear thick, bulky chains, inordinately long earrings, or wallet chains. Wearing inappropriate clothing to school may result in the parent being contacted and the student being required to return home to change to more suitable clothing. Many of the above things are wrong, and BVMS should change these rules as they are too harsh on many students.

Let’s start with students who must wear clean/neat clothes, and this is good because it feels wrong for a student to come to school with dirty clothes and holes in their clothes. There are some exceptions if the student has financial problems at home. (Students may not wear anything that displays inappropriate logos) This is good and bad because it stops students from expressing themselves and lowers controversy. (hats/caps, sagging pants) I do not understand why schools ban hats/caps because students may be freezing and probably feel insecure about their heads, so they wear them. I do not see anything wrong with hats and caps, and I agree that sagging pants are not allowed because they make the student look like a gangster and give the school a bad picture. It also states that students cannot show any stomach, which I agree with, and that no makeup is not very good either because some students want to look suitable for school.

In conclusion, schools should relax their dress code and let students express themselves.

Is Teenage Voluntourism Wrong?

By Sydney Goldman

There are pros and cons to teenage volunteering. Teenagers can be helpful or annoying, scared or confused, but volunteering still counts. There are so many reasons why teens help or not, but sometimes, there are problems when someone tries to help but, in reality, makes things worse.

For the most part, teenagers even try to help out. They are helpful, get things done quicker, and are suitable for colleges because colleges look at community service and volunteering, which is useful when applying. Some teenagers are kind and make people smile when doing their jobs. They may have made someone's day after doing that, which makes it better.

Teens can volunteer, but they may volunteer in a different place. If they volunteer somewhere, they may feel unsafe, which may cause them to freak out and slow down the thing they are doing or working for. Also, teens tend to mess around a lot, so if people try to do something or play a game, they would make fun of them or mess around, not doing their job.

There are bad and good things about teen volunteering. Some teens do well at what they do, but some don’t take it seriously. If you are around a teen and you think you will mess around while helping out, don’t volunteer. If you want to do it for the opportunity and have fun doing it, too, then do it! It is all about their behavior and their focus.

Should the School Day Start Later and Weekends be Longer?

By Layla Silvera

Should the school day start later and weekends be longer? It should be. Kids need sleep,p and seven and six o'clock in the morning is too early. When I was in kindergarten, we had early birds and later alligators, and it was good. It was the perfect schedule, and we were all well-rested and learned a lot better than that. It is also unfair when we only get a two-day weekend. That means you only get five working days and only two resting days. Many people have said this before, but I am bringing this to my attention again. Also, some people can’t sleep well at night, or something terrible happens to them, and they are scared or worried. Therefore, the extra hours of sleep will help with that. When kids are in class, they sometimes get tired and need to rest. Just imagine what it would be like; if you couldn't sleep at night, you could always catch up on sleep and then focus the whole day and not be tired. For example, if you get a great night's sleep but forget to study, you can study in your free time. Also, a more extended weekend would be better. It’s like the same sleep schedule kids need to rest; two days is not cutting it.

The Unrealistic Expectations of a Barbie Body

By Bri White

Girls at a young age should not be worried about their weight, appearance, or anything of that nature. Making them self-conscious looks pretty wrong. Worrying about your appearance causes health issues. You can be pretty in a variety of ways. Making elementary and middle school kids worried about their appearance is going too far. First, worrying about your appearance causes health issues. Ten to twelve-year-old girls should be concerned about what they consume; they should be worried about having fun and being with friends. 

Additionally, girls can be something other than a specific way to be pretty. Most girls think they aren't enough because their hair looks a particular way and they weigh more than others. Many girls have things they dislike about themselves that others don't even notice. Thankfully, there are ads on TV that highlight differences positively. For example, one ad shows girls of different races and sizes, some playing sports, and one in a wheelchair advertising, "I'm beautiful the way I am." 

Finally, making young girls worry about appearance is going too far. Young girls should not be concerned about what they consume; they should be worried about having fun and being with friends. City officials cited evidence in The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing that more than eight percent of ten-year-old girls are afraid of being fat, that girls' self-esteem drops at age twelve and does not improve until age twenty, and that that is tied to negative body image. Overall, society has gone too far with the stereotypical image of girls and women, as some people would call it, "Barbie bodies." Let everyone be themselves, whether girl or boy.

Why You Should Visit Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

By Ashton Amirianfar

Are you planning a summer vacation but need help knowing where to go? I will tell you why you should visit Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The city is in the state of Jalisco, surrounded by a stunning mountain range. Puerto Vallarta is known for its incredible culture, sightseeing, hotels, activities, and more.

Puerto Vallarta is right next to the Pacific Ocean, but that part of the Pacific Ocean is very warm. The Pacific Ocean is warmer in Mexico because the warm waters from the Caribbean Sea travel to this part of Mexico. However, the Pacific Ocean is colder here in Los Angeles because Alaska's cold seas are being pushed down to SoCal. This is one reason why going to Puerto Vallarta is suitable for vacation. You do not need to worry about stepping into freezing waters. There are also many jet ski rentals here, so you can go and explore caves and different beaches. You can also rent boats and explore the ocean filled with marine life, like sea turtles and stingrays. Be careful because the stingrays stay near the shoreline, and I almost got stung by one. You should also explore the city part of Puerto Vallarta and go to stores and restaurants.

If you need to know what hotels to visit in Puerto Vallarta because you need to see if they are good or bad, then I will tell you. I have been here many times, so I know the two best hotels to visit. In second place is Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa, which is an all-inclusive resort that is more on the cheaper side. It is located on a beach on the south side of Puerto Vallarta, with a rating of 5 stars. In first place is Grand Velas, which is also an all-inclusive hotel with a rating of 6 diamonds, which is incredible; it is on the expensive side, though. Grand Velas is also located on a beach but in Riviera Nayarit, which is more on the North/Middle side of the city. If you want to visit good beaches in Puerto Vallarta, visit beaches near Grand Velas because they are clean, and the beaches near Garza Blanca are pretty dirty. In conclusion, you should visit Puerto Vallarta for your next vacation.

Is Cheer a Sport

By Layla Silvera  

Although some may argue that cheerleading is not a sport, it is a sport. To prove that cheerleading is a sport and not just a hobby, so you see, cheer is considered a sport. (https://cronkitenews) Cheer is a sport because athletes attend practice, work together as a team, and must be in perfect shape to do the stunts so they don’t get hurt. 

Cheerleaders attend practice so they know the dances to do for the game. Like soccer, you must go to practice to rehearse “...routines that include stunts such as a basket toss, which involves throwing a cheerleader twenty feet in the air.” It is a sport because of how physical cheerleading is and how much practice it requires. Cheer is a sport because cheerleaders need to be in perfect shape so they don't get hurt when they perform their stunts. Like basketball, you need to be in excellent shape so you don't get hurt when you do stunts. According to Cronkite news it says “When you’re just out of surgery, missing school for doctors appointments every two days, and you’re trying to work your hardest to come back into the gym, it almost feels like what you’re doing doesn’t have a purpose. It’s frustrating. Just because I’m a cheerleader doesn’t mean I’m not strong.” This proves that you must work out a lot to be in cheer.

You move around, just like any sport. You must move around a lot, like soccer, basketball, and football. Like any sport, you move around, so you need to be in good shape and attend practice. According to Cronkite News, “injuries can result in permanent disabilities or shortened lifespans.” This also proves that you move around a lot. You can't get hurt if you don’t do anything, but you get hurt if you do move around. Cheer is a sport and not just a hobby. Now you know that cheer is considered a sport. If you cheer and someone says that cheer is not a sport, you know what to say.

Why Trump Should Win the 2024 Presidential Election

By Ashton Amirianfar

The 2024 presidential election is happening soon, and Trump should win and become the next president of the United States. Inflation is very high right now, gas prices are up, people cannot afford to provide for their families, and everything is so expensive. In 2019, when Trump was still president, gas prices on average were $2.60/gallon. Gas prices now are $3.30-4/ gallon, which is ridiculous. Trump is also at peace with Vladimir Putin and Kim Jun Un. If Trump became president, there would be a lower chance of war because he is at peace with them.

Kamala Harris wants to remove the borders, and she wants even to make illegal immigration legal. I understand that immigrants come here illegally to have a better life, and sadly, they are being separated from their families. Still, if Kamala proceeds with this, then Drug rates are going to go way higher in America because of the cartels. Kamala even wants to give immigrants lower tax prices, and immigrants are not even citizens of America. What’s the point of being a citizen if she goes through this?

Many people voted for Kamala because she would be the first female president. That does not matter; what matters is whether the president will benefit our country. Trump is hilarious, unlike Kamala Harris. Also, in the debate between Trump and Kamala, Kamala made several lies and chose not to answer some of the essential questions that Trump asked her. (Note this was written before the election).

The Sentinelese Tribe Needs to be Left Alone

By David Rad

You may know of the famous uncontacted Sentinelese Tribe on North Sentinel Island. People always try to contact the tribe, but today, we will determine whether it is correct.      

If you need to learn what North Sentinel Island is, it is a remote island right off the coast of India. The island is known mainly because of the highly uncontacted tribe that inhabits the island. They are known to be aggressive and hostile among other people trying to go to the island. Almost very little is known about the island's population, as it is challenging to go near. After numerous occurrences in which people tried to contact the Sentinelese, many thought nobody should go to the island. People want the Sentinelese to be left alone, as they have lived on the island for around 60,000 years. We should avoid North Sentinel Island as much as possible to preserve its lack of modern technology because it deserves to be left alone.

There are many instances where people who tried to go to the island failed. The most recent was the John Allen Chau Incident. He wanted to go to the island to spread Christianity but was brutally killed by a hostile sentinelese. This proves that they are incredibly hostile toward outsiders.