World, Local, & School News 

By Sage Martin, Ava Daniels, Ruby Iranmanesh, Rowan Day & Warren Glass

Keep updated with whats going on around the clock!

What News Are We Discussing Today?

What do students have to say? Keep reading to find out!

SCHOOL NEWS

 Bring Back The Vending Machines!

By Ruby Iranmanesh

Carmel Middle School is an overall amazing school and has so many different aspects that make it so great! However, there has been some talk going around the campus about something that might make it not as amazing as it sounds. Now, what is that you may ask? Well, it's that our school doesn't have any vending machines.

A few years ago, Carmel Middle School actually had vending machines that were great for students in need of drinks or a snack, if they were hungry or forgot to pack their own. . However, unfortunately, the school decided to remove them because of the fact that they only gave unhealthy food options. But, aren't some of the school lunch options that we have now, unhealthy? Now, that's a question being asked by many people at CMS including the teachers because if students are being fed unhealthy items such as Lucky Charms cereal or chocolate muffins, then why don't they allow vending machines?

Pretty much every single person on the campus knows how unhealthy and low-quality the school lunch is, however, it never used to be like this. CMS had salad bars, great options, & of course vending machines. It's great that the school provides free lunch for all students, but in exchange, they are feeding the school processed foods such as packaged burritos and mac & cheese.  According to students, the only good school lunch is on Wednesday, pizza day!

Obviously, it's a great thing what our school is doing, providing kids with the lunch they need every day. However, if they are going to provide students with unhealthy options, then taking the vending machines away was pretty much for no reason. Plus, why do we need to fill them up with chips and candy anyways? Sure, there could be some sweets here and there, but what's stopping them from filling the racks with carrots and apples? Or what about energy drinks for kids who have sports after school? Athletics are taking place year-round at CMS and students think it's important that kids will be able to grab a quick snack before practice.

It's been a pretty heated debate. Should we bring them back? Or, should we just stick with what we have now, which basically just consists of high sodium and high sugar foods? Students have got the reasons and at this point, many people are still confused why the school decides not to bring them back. I mean, it's not unhealthy compared to the school lunch already given to us and it's not like we could not just turn it into a supply of healthy foods for students... so what is the reason? Well, kids have initiated changes for the school before, so I guess we'll just have to see if vending machines will finally make a return to CMS once again.

Have some news that you want written about in The Cougar Catch? Make sure to email Ruby Iranmanesh (riranmanesh@cusd.me) or Ava Daniels (adaniels2@cusd.me)!

LOCAL NEWS

Carmel Unified School Board approves stadium lights for Carmel High School

by Ava Daniels

In November of 2022 Carmel Unified School Board approved stadium lights for Carmel High School.

Over Three dozen students and families attended this meeting at the nearby Carmel Middle School’s gym with a passion for change. 

During the meeting, many homeowners near the school argued this would promote drinking, staying up late, and drugs to the students of CHS during the public commenting time. Some also claimed this would assure noise and light pollution to our town.

Students and families did not hold back with their opinion on the movement. Eva, a senior at CHS stated, “These longer practices will keep athletes healthy.” With the lights students will get to enjoy longer sports practices along with night sports games like Friday night football. 

Carmel's Superintendent, Ted Knight gave a lengthy speech at the meeting empowering students to make the change to our community, “I have heard multiple exaggerations, misconceptions, and flat out lies from the small group of homeowners in our community.” Knight recalled. 

Along with four stadium lights, CHS will also be receiving a new storage building for equipment, a parking lot replacing the tennis courts, and new swimming pool lights.

Although this isn't the end of this harsh debate it also isn't the beginning, students are one step closer to getting what they've wanted for years. Until then students continue to spread the message, “LET THERE BE LIGHTS!” 

WORLD NEWS

 Climate Change Awareness

By Warren Glass

Hey Cougars! 

As you should know, Climate change is a long-term change in the Earth's overall temperature with massive and permanent effects. There are some ways you can prevent or slow down the effects of climate change. First I suggest that you could compost some of your food waste because composting lowers greenhouse gasses by removing carbon in the soil. 

Another way you could stop climate change is by going on a low-carbon diet.  According to greeneatz.com, “A vegan diet has the lowest carbon footprint at just 1.5 tons CO2e (Carbon Dioxide Equivalent). You can reduce your carbon footprint by a quarter just by cutting down on red meats such as beef and lamb. The carbon footprint of a vegetarian diet is about half that of a meat-lover's diet.” 

Some other easy ways to make a change are:

• Cut back on flying

• Reduce your energy use, and bills

• Invest your money responsibly. 

So do what you can to make a difference! This planet is the only one we've got!