Luxury to trash

Until a few years ago, the lounge area near the new wing hallway was one of the most useful spots on campus. It wasn't anything fancy, but the lighting was a lot softer than the usual classroom lights and having the vending machines and couches in one spot made it a great place to hang out. It gave students a chance to relax or get some quick socializing done in a space that felt a bit more comfortable than a desk or the cafeteria.

However, that area has been gated off and filled with boxes and extra equipment. What used to be a place for students to sit has essentially become a storage unit. The transition happened pretty suddenly, and now students are left looking at a fence and a pile of supplies. It’s frustrating to see a space that worked so well tobe taken away without much of an explanation.

This change also makes the school feel a lot more disorganized. When you walk down the hall, instead of seeing an open area where people are working or talking, you just see a cluttered storage space. It makes the hallway feel closed in and cramped. A school should look like it’s designed for students, but right now, that part of the building looks more like a warehouse, which isn't a great look for our campus.

Beyond just the way it looks, there’s a practical problem. Since the lounge is gone, students don’t have many places left to go during their free periods. Taking away the couches and the vending machines means more people are just standing around in the hallways or sitting on the floor. It’s hard to find a quiet place to decompress when the main area meant for that is being used for boxes.

To be fair, the school does need the storage space. With new supplies or equipment coming in, the administration might feel like the lounge was the only large, central area available to keep everything organized. But while the need for storage is real, using a student centered area as a permanent closet doesn’t seem like the best solution. There have to be other corners of the building or maintenance areas that could be used instead of a spot that was actually being used by the student body.

At the end of the day, students just want their space back. The lounge made the school feel a bit more welcoming and gave students a place to recharge during a long day. Having it gated off for storage makes the school feel more crowded and less organized than it should be. Panthers hope the administration can find a different spot for the extra equipment so we can get back to using the lounge for its actual purpose.

 Schedule Changes Frustrations

Every morning, we show up at school ready to learn but before we even get inside, we’re stuck outside for a completely unnecessary amount of time. The school’s entry policy or maybe just the total lack of one always leaves us waiting out in the worst of the Dallas weather. We’re talking about the freezing cold when it dips down in December and then brutal, sweaty heat waves in September. We're left standing on the steps while the rest of the building, which is temper controlled and ready for us, stays locked up. It feels completely inconsiderate that we have to tough it out while the adults get to be inside like nothing is happening.

For a lot of us, this isn't just a quick five minute delay. Students who have to take early transportation, or kids like me who are dropped off early because of family schedules, often show up an hour or two before the actual first bell. That means we’re the ones who deal with the weather. Waiting outside for that long when it's 100 degrees or near freezing isn’t just annoying, it’s genuinely bad for our health and safety. We get that there has to be a schedule but the current practice doesn’t seem to care at all about how hard these long, unprotected waits are on us.

The situation gets even worse once they finally do open the doors. All that built up impatience turns the entrance into a super crowded mess. Specifically, the stairs right inside the door is way too small for the hundreds of kids trying to squeeze through all at once. When the crowds merge and people get frustrated from the wait, pushing and shoving is super common. This isn't just a little issue, it's a serious risk where someone could easily get hurt. All of this chaos happens because the policy prioritizes convenience over actually keeping us safe and managing the crowd flow. Then they wonder why kids are tardy to class.

Another major problem is that the school can’t even stick to its own schedule. We’re officially told that the doors open for everyone at 8:30 AM. Being a few minutes late might seem minor to an administrator who is already inside, but when you combine it with the outside temperature and all the building tension, every single minute feels like an hour. We know staff are busy getting ready, and sometimes they do manage to be on time, but the inconsistent schedule shows a clear failure in their plan, one that seems to value the adults morning routine over our well being.

The school might try to argue that they can’t open the doors earlier because they don't have enough staff for supervision, but that excuse doesn't hold up. We aren’t trying to blame the amazing teachers or essential staff they are key to our school. The real issue is the broken operational setup. The school has an enormous, climate controlled building, and telling students who have already arrived that they have to wait outside for hours, regardless of extreme weather, is a choice. We're asking for access to basic shelter so we aren't sick or injured before the day even begins. The problem is the policy, not the people.

Ultimately, the administration should implement a better, easier solution that puts student safety and comfort first. Whether that means opening up a designated, supervised indoor area for us early arrivals, or simply making sure they stick to the 8:30 AM entry time every single day without fail, the current system is unacceptable. Our learning starts the moment we arrive on campus, and that experience shouldn’t begin with an hour or two of dealing with the brutal Dallas climate. We need a clear policy that is both sensible and actually followed, showing that our well being is a real priority.

 Why are we left waiting?

Every morning, we show up at school ready to learn but before we even get inside, we’re stuck outside for a completely unnecessary amount of time. The school’s entry policy or maybe just the total lack of one always leaves us waiting out in the worst of the Dallas weather. We’re talking about the freezing cold when it dips down in December and then brutal, sweaty heat waves in September. We're left standing on the steps while the rest of the building, which is temper controlled and ready for us, stays locked up. It feels completely inconsiderate that we have to tough it out while the adults get to be inside like nothing is happening.

For a lot of us, this isn't just a quick five minute delay. Students who have to take early transportation, or kids like me who are dropped off early because of family schedules, often show up an hour or two before the actual first bell. That means we’re the ones who deal with the weather. Waiting outside for that long when it's 100 degrees or near freezing isn’t just annoying, it’s genuinely bad for our health and safety. We get that there has to be a schedule but the current practice doesn’t seem to care at all about how hard these long, unprotected waits are on us.

The situation gets even worse once they finally do open the doors. All that built up impatience turns the entrance into a super crowded mess. Specifically, the stairs right inside the door is way too small for the hundreds of kids trying to squeeze through all at once. When the crowds merge and people get frustrated from the wait, pushing and shoving is super common. This isn't just a little issue, it's a serious risk where someone could easily get hurt. All of this chaos happens because the policy prioritizes convenience over actually keeping us safe and managing the crowd flow. Then they wonder why kids are tardy to class.

Another major problem is that the school can’t even stick to its own schedule. We’re officially told that the doors open for everyone at 8:30 AM. Being a few minutes late might seem minor to an administrator who is already inside, but when you combine it with the outside temperature and all the building tension, every single minute feels like an hour. We know staff are busy getting ready, and sometimes they do manage to be on time, but the inconsistent schedule shows a clear failure in their plan, one that seems to value the adults morning routine over our well being.

The school might try to argue that they can’t open the doors earlier because they don't have enough staff for supervision, but that excuse doesn't hold up. We aren’t trying to blame the amazing teachers or essential staff they are key to our school. The real issue is the broken operational setup. The school has an enormous, climate controlled building, and telling students who have already arrived that they have to wait outside for hours, regardless of extreme weather, is a choice. We're asking for access to basic shelter so we aren't sick or injured before the day even begins. The problem is the policy, not the people.

Ultimately, the administration should implement a better, easier solution that puts student safety and comfort first. Whether that means opening up a designated, supervised indoor area for us early arrivals, or simply making sure they stick to the 8:30 AM entry time every single day without fail, the current system is unacceptable. Our learning starts the moment we arrive on campus, and that experience shouldn’t begin with an hour or two of dealing with the brutal Dallas climate. We need a clear policy that is both sensible and actually followed, showing that our well being is a real priority.

 Student testing overload

    Students across our campus are highly stressed due to one major thing, the overwhelming testing. What began as a reasonable way to check what we’ve learned so far, has evolved into an exhaustive, pressured cycle that dominates our academic year. What feels like every week, the requirement for a major exam or a quiz hangs over our heads, turning the process of genuine learning into a score focused necessity. This extensive testing schedule isn't enhancing our education, it is actively draining our energy, limiting our creativity, and induces student anxiety.

The source of this exhaustion is the relentless demand for peak performance. This continuous requirement defines our academic structure and leaves almost no intellectual curiosity, collaborative learning, or the necessary mental rest required for long term memory formation. We are consistently forced to prioritize short term memorization just to survive the next check point, a process which sacrifices deep, enduring knowledge for a brief, successful score.

Adding onto our workload is the load of standardized exams. We are routinely expected to prepare for and take the PSAT, the SAT, the ACT, and the TSIA, a large number of mandatory state requirements. These tests are not only time consuming, but they also function as high requirements for college admissions and career pathways. We are effectively required to do two parallel academic orders: doing the daily curriculum while also studying for a separate, standardized challenge.

This constant pressure just increases dramatically at the end of every semester when we face the comprehensive ACPS exams. While these are intended to consolidate our learning, they primarily serve to significantly increase the anxiety we have been managing for months.The final weeks of the semester often become a focus on review packets and quizzes to get ready.

People often argue that constant testing is a necessary thing that ensures academic rigor and provides admin with data to measure our school's performance. We must reject the assumption that more testing equals better education.Therefore, all this testing often measures our capacity to function under unnecessary pressure, rather than our actual level of comprehension. This draining, high pressure is clearly causing student burnout, high anxiety and a genuine loss of enthusiasm for our studies.

We are not advocating for the complete removal of assessments, but rather a crucial rebalance toward quality over sheer quantity. We propose swapping out some of these exhaustive exams for more assessments like projects, and presentations that allow us to demonstrate critical thinking and creative application. It is time to rebalance the focus and create a healthier environment, recognizing that our potential is far greater than the score on any test.

 School bathroom problems

The state of our schools bathrooms is not just mildly disgusting, they are routinely inhumane and often blocked off. From the floor that’s flooded to the smell, the state of our washrooms is a total disgrace. This blame is split directly between the people who use them and the people who are supposed to maintain them. 

Let’s start with the basics: hygiene is impossible here. Half the sinks don’t function, and even the ones that work are useless because there is never any soap. Even worse, the lack of feminine hygiene disposals in certain bathrooms shows disregard for the essential needs of female students, forcing them to deal with an unacceptable situation. 

Then there is the daily scene of chaos. If the bathroom isn't blocked off, it’s probably flooded. The smell of stale water is absolutely awful. This is where student behavior is totally unreasonable. Walking into a stall and seeing an unflushed toilet is a daily occurrence, proving that a basic level of common courtesy is completely absent in some of our peers. This kind of negligence creates a toxic environment that makes the whole space unusable. 

It is easy for staff and administrators to point fingers only at the students saying it’s entirely the students who trash the space. Yes, students are responsible for a lot of the mess, the garbage, the lack of flushing, the general vandalism. That bad behavior is actively enabled by administrative neglect. When a school facility is already broken, foul smelling, and never stocked with toilet paper, it sends a clear message that this place has no value. Why would students respect a space the adults clearly don't?

We know that the custodial staff is doing the best they can. We don't blame them personally for the mess. The real problem isn't the work ethic of the staff; it's the priorities of the budget. Our school only seems to spend money on sports but, somehow, can't have the toilets and sinks fixed. Their budget priorities are creating more of an unpleasant place, and they simply don't care. 

To resolve this monstrosity, we need immediate change and shared accountability. The administration should implement a strict schedule for restocking soap, toilet paper, and repairing the constant plumbing failures right now. Also, every student needs to realize that if you don't flush and you leave a mess, you are part of the problem. This problem ends when every person commits to providing and maintaining a clean space.

 Dress Code

Our school's current dress code is failing its main purpose. While the rules are intended to keep focus in the classroom, they have become an unnecessarily strict, outdated tool that just creates division and shame. It's also defended for maintaining professionalism, but it's actually about control and administration's heavy enforcement is often selective

The most unfair problem with the dress code is that it’s subjective, which is most evident in the policing of girls' bodies. Curvier girls are targeted because their natural shape causes clothing to fit differently. A shirt considered perfectly acceptable on one student can be instantly labeled “too revealing” or “distracting” on another simply because of her figure. This forces students to feel punished for having a developing body, basically saying that your body is a problem that must be hidden or contained.

It is discouraging for students to witness obvious violations, such as revealing tops and short-shorts that go unchecked, while others are pulled out of class for it, further showing that administration is biased. At the same time we notice staff enforce rules they themselves violate. This hypocrisy proves that the policy isn't about professionalism. It shows that the code is truly about controlling students. This selective enforcement teaches us that compliance is random, dictated by the mood or personal biases of the staff. When a policy is only applied to some and those chosen few are often the ones with less privilege or certain body types, the policy suddenly loses all morals and only forces a sense of injustice to the student body.

My own experiences clearly show this broken system. On one occasion, I was stopped for a top that showed only a small gap of my midriff not enough to expose my belly button but enough to be pulled aside. Another time, and even more bafflingly, I was dress coded for wearing shorts layered over thick stockings, a combination permitted as it provides leg coverage. These moments have nothing to do with avoiding disruption; they are taking our ability to be confident and comfortable in our own clothes. We choose what we wear to feel good about ourselves, not to intentionally distract anyone, and we should not be punished for seeking simple self assurance.

These policies are necessary to eliminate classroom “distractions” and be professional. While sometimes I understand that some outfits are genuinely too revealing and should be corrected; however most times it's so unreasonable when someone gets dress coded with an outfit that isn't super revealing simply because their body figure is different from others. Overall , it just misses the entire point. It's a humiliating and isolating process of being called out in front of peers, forced to change clothes, and getting ISS. If the school truly cared about a distraction free environment, they would recognize that the act of policing and punishing minor clothing choices is the single greatest cause of educational disruption.

Moving forward, our school must revise its dress code to focus on equity, comfort, and learning. We deserve to come to school feeling secure and confident in what we wear, knowing we won't be penalized for seeking comfort or for simply having the body we were given. Let us retire the outdated rules that a student’s clothing is a distraction and instead allow us to concentrate on what truly matters in our education.

 computer restrictions

     Since the start of the school year, the rules regarding technology have made our school laptops into bricks. The school has been in a digital lockdown since the new phone ban was announced, blocking almost every website you can think of. Plus, it seems like the admin is treating us like young children who are incapable of using a computer. This building is beginning to feel more like a prison than a place of education, where we have to get permission before we can do anything, including research. All of this is a huge failure that is making school miserable and making it more difficult to complete real work.

        What's crazy is that even educational websites get blocked. We are talking about websites that are required for our class. When you click on a link to a certain research website, google chrome, or informational website all of a sudden you get a screen saying "website blocked" It's a complete headache. Even if the website is solely academic, the filtering software marks it as "unknown" or "inappropriate." After that you have to talk to higher ups, asking to unblock the website and then wait for the site to be approved. Which is so unnecessary and time consuming.

       In addition, all music platforms are now blocked. We are given the impression that our ways of concentration are unimportant. To be honest, music is more of a coping mechanism for many of us. Music can help you tune out the background noise and stress when you're in a noisy classroom and trying to concentrate on an assignment. It's a tool for concentration. The school decided that a ban was easier than acknowledging that different students focus in different ways, so we're left sitting in anxious silence, finding it difficult to focus.

        Also, the filtering system doesn't always work right, which makes the whole thing more bizarre. For example, YouTube is not technically blocked, but the filters are so strict that they immediately block almost any video that even seems like it might be for fun or not related to schoolwork. We can get to the home page, but it's just children's videos or when we search our favorite creators half of their videos are unavailable.That being said, why give us access to such an amazing resource if it can't be used at all? It always feels like someone is watching us and we can't make decisions about how to use the tools we need for school.

        I can understand from the school's point of view. The argument is that they have to block things to keep us from going on social media or playing video games all the time in class. They are in charge of thousands of students and likely believe that a filter is the fastest way to stay safe and keep us "on task." They definitely don’t want parents complaining about inappropriate content getting through. 

      But treating every student like they're always trying to break the rules doesn't teach us anything but how to dislike the rules. We are old enough to learn how to be responsible online, but our district is stopping us from doing it. They need to stop blocking and start coming up with smart solutions. Stop making our school feel like a high-security zone and trust us to use our tools in a smart way so we can learn and concentrate.

 Long awaited schedules changes

The start of a new school year is supposed to be a fresh start, a time to settle into new routines and classes. But for a lot of students, the first month of school has just been one long headache. We're well into the school year now, and so many of us are still stuck with the wrong schedules, sitting in classes we don't need while the ones we actually require are out of reach. This isn't just annoying, it's a huge problem that messes up our learning time and wastes so much time.

The main issue is how painfully slow and difficult it is to get a schedule changed. A month is more than enough time for counselors to make a few changes, especially when a student clearly needs to be in a different class. Students usually need one or two classes changed, only to have their whole day rearranged for one single class. It’s confusing and it makes it impossible to connect with teachers and friends or keep up with new work.

        As a volleyball manager and athlete, I'm dealing with this myself. I need to be in athletics but I'm still stuck in theater class, an elective I most certainly don't need. It's so frustrating to waste my time in a class that has nothing to do with my extracurricular, all while the class I actually need hasn't been given to me. This is a perfect example of a system that’s failing to support students.

        On top of all that, actually talking to a counselor is unnecessarily hard. We often find closed doors and are told they're not available. We only get pulled out of class when it's a good time for them, not when we urgently need to make a change. A student who needs a new class to get ready for college or a career shouldn't have to miss out on learning time just to make a request that should have been handled weeks ago.

       But to be fair, the counselors are probably swamped. They have to deal with hundreds of students and requests and the process is way more complicated than just a simple click. They have to juggle student needs with class sizes, graduation rules, and teacher workloads. The many things they have to manage makes their job incredibly hard and you can see why things get delayed.

       But even with all those challenges, it doesn't excuse the lack of a more efficient and clear system. Students should be the number one priority and a big part of that is making sure we’re in the right classes from day one. I think we  should have a new approach that should have clear communication and acting quickly. Our academic futures depend on a system that works for us, not against us.

Two-party system: Broken

The United States was warned to never split into factions, George Washington re-marked this in his Farewell address. “"The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism". Warning that the continued misuse and split between inside factions will cause a division that both destroys, and weakens a nation. That being said, even during his presidency, internal division and disagreement within the founding fathers caused the birth of America's modern political parties.

The Federalist led by Alexander Hamilton and the Anti-Federalist by Thomas Jefferson. Their disagreement over the birth of our nation, is the eternal split down the line that permanently divides us all.

They were, One and Two. Left and Right. North and South. Yet their own differences broke their brotherhood apart.

In the modern age, this division has sprawled into the Two-Party System. The founding fathers of political parties may be gone but the consequences of their product still remain in the modern United States. The Republican and Democratic parties dominate the political landscape of America and have done so for over Centuries. Able to do so by manipulating the way Americans can choose and vote, ballots and elections have grown to be very unfriendly to third and independent parties. Whilst in other countries, multiple political parties can run and often an election map looks like a battleground of different colors. The same It can't be said for America, which is only split between the colors of its flag. Red and Blue. 

There is only two real options, any other will be side-lined by almost ever level of government. The democrats and republicans have an automatic representation in the ballots but any other party has to apply and be allowed to show their vote in every state, a process that is time-consuming and expensive. It drags out an election campaign battle longer and makes it look tougher to a general audience. This pushes voters away and makes a candidate generally unappealing. 

There also isn't the same level of funding and support that most major candidates get, who have a much wider platform to campaign off from. A republican can attend conventions and reunions for their party to garner support and raise funds, as a major party, its involved with many wealthy individuals and powerful people who can shoot a candidate into popularity. A third party doesn't have this existing networking, they work with scraps and have to raise almost everything themselves. One candidate starts ahead of the raise and has his own personal team to cater to his likings, a third party has to run the full track through sheer will power.

It’s worked like this for years because of the domination of the aforementioned parties, The Republican and Democrats. They consolidate power through making sure no candidate can be elected unless its through one of their own portals, which has kept up since there has never been a third party or independent candidate elected into higher office. Only lower levels and small towns can have the success of an independent, this is because there is much less meddling from the other parties and usually easier to convince a smaller group of towns folk than an entire city or country. 

The Two-Party system is set were it benefits either side, its become a fake split and what some call a “messecery” evil. One side will always be good and one side will always be bad in the eyes of everyone, its a simplification, to its core, a “yes or no question”. This means its much easier for a wider public to have opinions and choose, its the mentality of this simplification that has trapped the nation from progressing into more than just two opinions. The parties are too busy disagreeing with each other, although most opinions and policies are just a different side of the same coin. 

The consequences of this are the further division internally, in the modern times of mid-2020’s. Democrats and Republicans cant agree on anything, our founding fathers were split but they knew how to compromise, now the idea of agreeing to disagree ceases to exist in most places. Political ideologies are much more complicated and complex than yes or no, by trying to amplify their voter control and maintain power, the leading factions of the two-parties have threatened America's unity. 

It isn’t the end yet, although our nation seems to push the lines of division, it's important to remember what truly unites us all. At the end of the day, no matter what side someone is on, is that we all do it for the best for our country. Learning to compromise, to understand that opinions will be different and won't correlate to exactly what we believe in. That will be the key to a better future, not a change of laws and not a rise of voice, instead a change in mentality. In the end we do disagree to make a better and stronger America for the future, progress only occurs when we deny an existing rule to improve on it. To continue to be strong, we will have to stand united and not waiver our rationality. 

Courtyard Closed; Now Open After Two Weeks

During your lunch period, you can go to the lunchroom, the library, or the courtyard; however, since the start oof school, the courtyard has been closed, so students have not been able to go outside to eat and enjoy the nice summer breeze. Last year, we were able to go out and eat outside even if it was cold, but not extremely cold, where it was below 30 degrees or raining outside. A lot of people would go out and enjoy the nice fresh air with it being their only way away to avoid a loud crowded lunch room or just to play outside with a soccer ball.

Many people enjoy the courtyard, so when coming back from summer break hearing students weren't allowed to go to the courtyard, a lot of people were confused why it had been closed. They wondered why they not able to go outside to eat during lunch, or be able to enjoy the peacefulness outside with no crowd and no loud talking.

     However, recently, the courtyard has finally opened up after two weeks of it being closed. People are finding out the courtyard is now open and they going outside during their lunch period. Students enjoy being able to go out to eat and relax, so hopefully the courtyard stays open throughout the whole year, unless it's raining or it's very cold outside.

    So at this moment, the courtyard is open for the school year and will hopefully remain open during lunch for the students to be allowed to eat outside, enjoy the beautiful weather and play outside in the courtyard. 

Movie Review: Scott Pilgrim Vs. the world

“Bread makes you fat..It WHAT?!” - Micheal Cera

This iconic line is taken away from the super cool feature film, Micheal Cera Vs. The world… just joking. Scott Pilgrim VS. The World is a 2010 Film directed by the amazing Edgar Wright, based on the Comic Book series of the same name by Bryan O’Malley, co-Staring Micheal Cera and Mary Elizabteh Winstead.

It follows the story of a 20 year old freeloader, Scott Pilgrim, played by Micheal Cera, who leaches off of his gay roommate, Wallace Wells, and also happens to be dating a 17 year old high school girl, Knives Chu. Apart from being in a band with his College roommate, Stephen Stills and ex-ex friend/bad girl drummer Kim Pines, he’s pretty much jobless and is in his mourning stage after a big break up 365 days ago. Pilgrim was living perfectly well in his “Precious Little Life”, until one of his dreams was crashed by a mysterious girl, Ramona Flowers, played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead. Fueled by a mysterious pull towards her, they cross paths again in a house party and begin to go out. Double crossing Knives, the high school girlfriend, was the initial issue until he was attacked by an evil ex! One of SEVEN evil exes that he found out were to be defeated to continue dating his mysterious they/them girl. 

As a 2010 flick, it has carried on the aesthetics and essence of the 2000’s culture via its representation of Punk Bands, Vintage clothing, comic style, music representations and its use of nostalgic y2k core. It's a time capsule in and of itself, tying it back to the cult following it has accumulated over the time by its original lovers and its newer audience. A perfect mix of serious and childish topics that make it both a cinematic entertainment film whilst also hindering on a more subtle series of messages such as self-affirmation, thrust, personal responsibility and growth. This allows it to be catered to a younger and older audience, really pushing the boundaries of restrictions, truly creating a film that can be enjoyed by many people. 

It's a much older comedy, tied to millennials who grew up as young adults in the late 1990s and 2000s, allows it to appeal to its adult audience and allows it to feel nostalgic to them as well. Something that is weirdly tied back to its newer and younger audience, a group of people who were probably newborns or less than 5 years old when the movie was first released, who are now finding a love for it. This is due to a weird phenomenon where Gen X is finding themselves nostalgic towards what was the 2000s, something theorized to be happening because many of our childhoods were based off the dying of that era and the transition into the early 2010s, although we didn't live in the peak years of the era, we saw what little of it carried over into the 2010s and associated it with our early memories. Scott Pilgrim is romanticized by both major age groups over this shared common sense of Nostalgia. 

Cinematically speaking, Scott Pilgrim as a film was beyond its time, usage of intense camera switches, spins, CGI and editing that made it feel both like a down to earth film and pages of a comic book during intense moments. The director, Edgar Wright, has come out to state that this film was one of his masterpieces, although not represented by the initial box office flop, he adores what it has become and never once was disappointed for what he had created. He was deeply involved with collaborating deeply with Cinematographer Bill Pope every step of the way. Always making sure that even the storyboards themselves were true to what would be seen on screen, never backing away from far fetched ideas, since in scott pilgrim, ANYTHING was truly possible within Wright's eyes. 

The magic was truly able to spur through on screen because of the magic that was done behind the scenes. Something that Wright often praises about the film is the feel that was created around its production. The near perfect chemistry between the cast allowed it to be a film that was enjoyable to make for everybody. Michael Cera grew depressed after finishing the filming because he had so much fun and didn't want to leave. Everybody grew close and tight as if they were a family, the young actors kept an email chain to this day that kept the “family” they created alive. It was this email chain that got everyone back together to voice act for the 2023 anime “scott pilgrim takes off”, which had EVERY actor return to reprise their role. 

While Scott Pilgrim is a hidden gem, it’s been thrown into the dirt, hidden behind bigger blockbusters of the time. It wasn’t done right for a movie that fit so perfectly well with its time and aged like a fine wine. Everyone should encourage themselves to watch it. It may be a film that never takes itself seriously, and a really dumb idea for a story; however the magic behind it is that. You may be confused by the first watch, but by the second, you’d fall in love.

 From School to Surveillance

The start of a new school year should be a time of fresh starts and renewed excitement. It’s a chance to see friends, meet new teachers, and get back into the rhythm of learning. But for many students, the energy of a new year has been replaced by a sense of dread. With the implementation of new disciplinary rules, our school is starting to feel less like places of education and more like institutions of confinement.

The new policies are hard to ignore, right at the moment we step through the door, the immediate demand to place our phones in "Yonder pouches" feels like a slap in the face. While administrators might argue this is about reducing distractions, it sends a clear message of distrust. It’s an assumption that we are incapable of managing our own devices, treating us like children rather than young adults preparing for the real world. A recent study out of the University of Birmingham confirmed that school wide phone bans alone are not a "silver bullet" for improving student grades or well being. They did the study to figure out if school wide phone bans actually work, because a lot of schools were doing it without any real proof that it helped students' grades or well being.

    This feeling of constant surveillance is only boosted by the presence of metal detectors and the negative atmosphere created by administrators who seem to always be in a bad mood. A school should be a place where we feel comfortable and secure, not a space where every student is a potential suspect. Research from organizations like the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform has shown that while metal detectors are intended to increase safety, there is "little to no evidence" they prevent school violence, and they can instead lead to students feeling less safe. They did this research to evaluate whether the widespread use of metal detectors actually prevents school violence, or if the policies are ineffective and make students feel less safe. The constant negative vibes from administrators only adds to this tension.

    Perhaps the most frustrating and personal example of this is the strict dress code. I recently experienced this firsthand. Walking into school, I was wearing an outfit that showed a small amount of my stomach, nothing improper, and certainly not enough to show my belly button. No one said a word as I entered the building. Yet, later, I was suddenly confronted out loud and threatened with reset, an act of public shaming. It felt random and hypocritical. The focus on such insignificant matters distracts from the school’s true purpose: to educate us.

      Some say that all this is helpful for students. With the phone policy being a state law, it is understand that it's not really something that schools can control. It's understandable that administrators would feel the need to take such serious measures. They face pressure to ensure student safety in an increasingly harsh world. From their perspective, the new rules are a necessary way to create a structured and secure environment free from the distractions of cell phones and the potential for violence. They might argue that a disciplined learning environment is the only way to ensure academic success and that these restrictions are necessary for student success. While these policies seem well-intentioned, it’s ultimately creating an atmosphere of anxiety and mistrust. 

A school should be a place that fosters a love of learning and encourages personal freedom, not one that crushes our spirits with rules. It’s time for a conversation about what our schools are truly for. Are they meant to prepare us for life, or simply to contain us for eight hours a day?

 Drinking Restrictions

The new school year means new rules are in place. One rule causing an inconvenience is the new drink restrictions. We can't bring partially consumed water bottles, metal bottles must be empty upon arrival, unsealed drinks are thrown out, and coffee, which is most people's lifeline, is now banned as well. Students violating these rules cause the content of their bottles and open drinks to be thrown out.  Not only is water essential for survival, denying it to students is a direct attack on our basic needs and personal freedom, yet the administration decided to make hydration complicated with such absurd rules.

 Let's start with basics, humans need water to survive. Dehydration leads to fatigue, headaches and difficulty concentrating. By requiring water bottles to be sealed or empty, such as metal bottles, the school forces us to ration our water or rely on campus water fountains, which are often hard to locate and frankly, not always clean.

The ban on unsealed drinks is just as ridiculous. Once a bottle is opened it's now “unsealed”, so students are supposed to just chug drinks in one go or have the remainder thrown out? Now coffee is being banned as well, which helps wake students up. Caffeine is a tool for academic success, especially for students who have extracurricular activities.

      These rules don’t just inconvenience us, they dehumanize us. They assume we can’t be trusted to make simple choices about what we drink. The school is infantilizing us, always creating suspicion that every water bottle is a potential threat. Meanwhile, the lack of access to drinks undermines our physical and mental health. If the goal is to create a productive learning environment, these restrictions are doing the exact opposite.

      The administration says these restrictions address students sneaking alcohol in water bottles, metal containers, and coffee cups. Documented incidents of disguised alcohol prompted these measures to ensure a safe, sober campus. While the concern is real, the rules unfairly burdens everyone. The administration argues that these measures, though inconvenient, are necessary to protect students and maintain campus safety. While the concern about alcohol is valid, the current restrictions are too much, punishing responsible students for the actions of a few. 

A better solution would be targeted enforcement like random checks or stricter penalties for offenders rather than blanket rules that make hydration and focus harder for everyone. We need a compromise that balances safety with our right to stay hydrated and energized. Let’s work together to find a solution that trusts students while addressing the school’s concerns.

2024-2025

Europe sending troops to Ukraine

As Europe considers sending troops to Ukraine to aid in the ongoing war, the situation becomes more complex. Since the conflict began in 2022, Ukraine has fought back against Russian forces, with significant help in the form of weapons and financial aid from Europe and the U.S. But now, talks are growing about whether Europe should take a more direct role by sending soldiers to the battlefield. The decision could have major consequences, and it’s important to weigh the risks.

There are arguments in favor of this move. Supporters believe that Europe has a duty to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia’s invasion. Many feel that Ukraine shouldn’t be left to fight alone, and that military support from Europe would send a strong message to Russia and the rest of the world. Countries like Poland and the Baltic states have been especially vocal about the need to protect Ukraine, fearing that Russia’s aggression could eventually spill over into their own borders.

However, there are also serious concerns. Sending troops could escalate the war in ways that might not be reversible. Europe could find itself directly involved in a conflict with Russia, a nuclear power, which is no small matter. As much as people may want to help Ukraine, it’s crucial to consider the bigger picture. Russia may see this as an act of war, and nobody really knows how they would respond if Europe sends troops into the fray. 

It’s also worth noting that not everyone is convinced Ukraine’s leadership is without fault. President Zelensky has been praised for his resistance, but others believe that negotiating with Russia might be the only realistic way to bring peace. Sending more troops may prolong a war that could have been settled earlier, if both sides had been willing to compromise.

Many ordinary Europeans are hesitant, too. The idea of sending soldiers into battle worries people, especially parents who don’t want their children involved in a foreign war. Public opinion in some countries is split, with many questioning whether Europe should risk getting dragged into a bigger conflict.

In reality, both Ukraine and Russia have made their own choices that have led to the current situation. Blaming one side entirely ignores the complexities of the conflict. Ukraine wants to defend its borders, but Russia has its own reasons for taking action, some of which date back many years. The West’s involvement may have added pressure to an already tense situation, and sending troops could make things worse.

In the end, the decision to send European troops to Ukraine is not one to be made lightly. Europe’s leaders need to think carefully about what’s truly at stake. They need to consider whether getting directly involved will lead to a lasting solution or just more bloodshed. Europe is at a crossroads, and whatever path it chooses will have consequences that go far beyond Ukraine’s borders.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP 2 DISMISSAL 

       Entrepreneurship 2 has been one of the most valuable classes I've taken. It really offers real life skills that can help with our futures.It's disappointing to hear that this class is being cut. In a world that values creativity and innovation, It's a major setback for students who want to develop crucial business skills.

     By removing Entrepreneurship, the school is cutting an important pathway for students who wanna bring their ideas to life and gain experience in the world of business. This class not only teaches skills but also encourages creativity and problem solving that is essential for any field, especially entrepreneurship. We worked on actual business plans, came up with our own business idea, going as far as pitching them just as real entrepreneurs do. The class wasn’t just about taking notes; it was about learning how to take risks, solve problems, and be creative.

   In a world where new businesses are popping up and industries changing, we need that class to teach us how to adapt and innovate. Entrepreneurship 2 was one of those classes, helping students build their confidence to create something of their own. Taking that away feels like we're being left unprepared for a world that requires creativity and problem solving.

    We need to ask ourselves, how can we expect to be ready for the challenges ahead if we don't get the chance to learn? Removing Entrepreneurship is a step backward and it's something we should honestly reconsider. This class taught us more than just how to start a business, it taught us how to think differently and face challenges head on. As a student who was lucky enough to take this class it's really disappointing to hear that it's being taken out.

     Some might argue that the class was too niche or that it didn’t align with every student's interest. But the truth is that entrepreneurship isn't just for those who want to start their own businesses, it's for everyone.Cutting that class, the school is essentially saying that those critical skills aren't important, but they are.

       I think this can be solved by gathering some students to talk to the principal to reconsider and keep this very vital class up. Helping students pursue their dreams of bringing their business ideas to life.

Nonchalance is killing our empathy

As a generation, we have collectively stopped wanting to be unique and expressive instead trading childhood sincerity for nihilism and nonchalance. This shift in our culture is caused by many things like the state of our governments, our diminishing hope for a brighter future, and as cliche as it is to say, our phones.

I believe that Gen Z nonchalant behaviour is leading us away from a culture of empathy and into a mundane apathetic future that's closer than we think.

As a whole, we stopped caring about things as much. Any history class you enter will constantly tell you of the feats and impacts young people have had on the world, in spaces like education, civil rights, gender and sexuality inclusion, the young have always been optimistic hope for a brighter future and a beacon of a better future. It is an unfortunate reality that in this day and age kids don't really feel strongly about anything. The world is both much bigger and smaller than it was 60 years ago. Back then there was hope, hope for a better life and future than the ones of your parents. Now we don't have that. We are constantly bombarded by images of war, racism, homophobia, and misogyny all day, everyday and we have become powerless to think we can stop it. We know that our effort means something but if the way the world has gone means anything, it doesn't mean that much in the grand scheme of things.

In the words of our elders, it's really our phones. Compassion fatigue is a case where one becomes desensitized to tragic or unfortunate situations because they are constantly seeing or experiencing it. Everytime I go on my phone, I am constantly faced with the reality that the world we live in is full of problems. Recently the Doomsday Clock was set from 90 to 89 seconds to midnight. The Doomsday Clock is a metaphor for how close humanity is to destroying itself. The clock's position is adjusted annually by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, a Chicago-based nonprofit. I bet a lot of us saw this, thought on it for a second, and scrolled. Our phones are constant sources of gratification and distraction numbing us from the inside out and leaving us craving nothing or desiring to do anything. No one ever felt motivated to do something from scrolling on their for you page.

It's this increasing disillusionment with the world that's caused by lack of care or passion for things. It's the reality that caring about things won't yield the same outcome it would have 50 years ago or even 20 years ago. We have all come to understand that passion doesn't pay. That's why so many students choose careers with more profit behind them rather than artistic degrees or pursuits. Yes, art or theology or anthropology could make you happy but it won't make you comfortable and despite what the older generation might say about following our passions, we've seen what following their passion has led to for them and understand to live on the earth, we live on now we need to sacrifice passion for practicality.

Of course this nonchalance does not apply to the whole of the generation. Many Gen Z’s are actively shifting from this apathetic mindset and being open and passionate about things. Caring about the world, caring about others and exhibiting empathy are things a good portion of us are practising and looking at the generations before us. A lot of us are making decisions to be better than our predecessors, but the majority of us are too concerned with being cool and being ignorant.

This generation needs to look at themselves and understand that not caring and having a hopeless mentality won't change anything and will lead to a cycle of misery. We need to stand up and start caring about the state of the world, the people in it and how it affects us. Becoming sincere is the first step to growing and creating a better future that aligns with happiness for everyone.

We should be scared of ai

We’re all very familiar with ChatGPT. It helped us finish that one essay ahead of time and find the answer to that one question we couldn’t get. ChatGPT as a whole has made the lives of many people infinitely easier by taking our work loads from us.

We've all become comfortable with artificial intelligence mimicking human work, stealing art and enabling us to become lazy and allowing it to do everything for us. It's beginning to sound dystopian how integrated AI has become with the fabric of society. It's because of this I believe that we should all start becoming afraid of AI.

For one, AI has become very good at playing human. You might use and know Spotify, the music listening app. Every year Spotify releases something called a Wrapped, a neat collection of all of the artists, songs and genres you indulged in over the previous year. This year Spotify added a new feature to the wrap where you could listen to a podcast summary of your music listening history. If I wasn't told that the voices were AI I would have firmly believed they were human. The most comforting thing about AI is the fact that you know when AI is being utilized. It sounds funny in videos and AI generated images have mistakes all over that reveal the source. This time the voices sounded so human, so interactive, that I could vividly imagine that there were bodies attached to these voices with a studio set up and mics. Even AI art is becoming indistinguishable from original work and it's taken a lot more effort and scrutiny to tell which is what.

AI learns by being used and a large part of that learning process is utilizing information people ask it for. It's no surprise that AI is able to learn and grow more because people have started using it for every little thing. On top of students using it for essays and finding the answer to homework questions, people have started to use AI to find recipes from ingredients in the fridge, make shopping lists and not to shame, have conversations with. We've evolved from viewing AI as an extension of a search engine to it being used for the most mundane and miniscule tasks.

It may not sound like a big deal but we're slowly losing critical thinking skills when we ask chatgpt to make our grocery list for us insteading of doing it ourselves. It feels like we're manipulating ourselves into depending on our AI overlords.

AI isn't even a fully accurate system. AI and things like ChatGPT can be and are often wrong when they pull out information for you. It is not screened for factual accuracy and if you're asking ChatGPT for a question you don't have the mind to know whether the information you're being given is accurate either. University and high school students frequently talk about the downsides of ChatGPT when given essays to do. Many teachers ban the use of ChatGPT when writing essays but use an AI to scan your work for traces of plagiarism and AI use. That system is both hypocritical and prone to mistakes. Essays students put work into and wrote by themselves got flagged all the time by incorrect AI. AI has even been recorded to have the ability to lie. Even more reason to be wary of AI information.

Of course there are obvious benefits to AI. AI is able to do the things people can't do and it does provide bodies of information that can be used once revised. It is the perfect unbiased form of intelligence and can therefore make fair and determined decisions and it has practical use in schools outside of using it to write essays or detect AI.

It just feels like we've all become comfortable in a world with AI where it is in most cases not needed because you can write your own essays and grocery lists and you can find information in other places . We lived perfectly fine in a world without ChatGPT, and I feel like our recent dependence and comfort in AI is near dystopian.

I feel that we need to draw back our use of ChatGPT and AI and prioritize human work, art, books and videos. We all need to understand that AI is not foolproof and that this tool isn't helping us become stronger or smarter but actually performing the opposite by making us happy with the mediocre work AI gives us. I wouldn't say eliminate it but be wary of what it can do, its faults and how we can minimize our use of it.

LONGER SPRING BREAK

Spring break is something students look forward to all year. It’s a time to take a break from school, relax, and have fun. But let’s be honest, one week isn’t enough. A longer spring break would be great for everyone. 

School can be exhausting. Students have a lot of classes, homework, and tests to worry about. By the time spring break arrives, many are already tired and stressed. One week of break just isn’t enough to fully relax and recharge. Having more time off would give students the chance to rest properly and return to school feeling refreshed and ready to go.

We all know that school stress can take a toll on mental health. Long hours of studying and worrying about grades can make students feel anxious or burned out. A longer spring break would give students more time to focus on their mental well being. They could take a break from worrying about school and spend time doing activities that make them happy and relaxed, like hanging out with friends, going for walks, or enjoying a hobby.

For many students, spring break is the perfect opportunity to travel or visit family. But with only one week off, it’s hard to plan something meaningful or to explore new places. A longer break would give students more time to travel without feeling rushed. Whether it's visiting new cities, exploring nature, or just spending time with family, extra time would make these experiences even more rewarding.

Taking a longer break would help students return to school feeling more focused. After a nice, long break, students would be more energized and ready to tackle their studies. A longer break could also give students more time to catch up on assignments or review for upcoming tests. This means they could perform better in school after the break.

The school year can feel like a never ending cycle of classes and homework. Having a longer spring break would make the academic calendar feel more balanced. Instead of long stretches of non stop work, students would have a chance to break things up and rest in the middle of the semester. This balance would make the entire year feel less overwhelming and help students stay on top of their work.

Spring break is also about having fun and spending time with friends. With an extended break, students would have more time to enjoy activities that make them happy whether that’s going to the beach, hanging out with friends, or doing something creative. It’s important to have time to unwind, and a longer break would allow for more of these social activities, helping students feel more connected and less stressed.

Some may say if students get too many days off they will forget what they're doing and their school routine but a few more days off school wont make students forget about the months they've been in school. Spring break should be more than just a week long. Students need more time to rest, focus on their mental health, travel, and have fun. A longer break would help students feel recharged, ready to study, and able to enjoy their time off without feeling rushed. Giving students a longer spring break would not only make their school year better but also help them live a more balanced, healthy life.

SOCIAL MEDIA TAKE OVER

In our current generation we thrive off virtual connections, but ironically it seems to be intensifying our feelings of isolation. Social media has become something we rely on an unhealthy amount, leading us to spend most of our time on our devices. This decreases the amount of time we spend socializing with others. Teens tend to spend too much time on social media instead of focusing on school leading their grades and communication skills to drop. In order to aim for a better future for ourselves we need to find a balance between the outside world and social media. These social media platforms have been slowly consuming our generation. Even though social media is designed to connect us, it reduces face-to-face communication, it replaces in person interactions, and it can lead to exposure to content that is not age appropriate.

Communicating via messages is considered ideal in almost all situations. When you’re in a time crunch there is no better way to pass a message forward than texting the person, but if we continue to depend on these platforms then won’t we risk losing our face-to-face communication skills? If we continue to rely on solely messaging through platforms, then we will continue to slowly keep losing our communication skills. Once we are older and stepping into the outside world, we won’t be able to go off only communicating via social media platforms.  We need to learn face-to-face communication skills now before it's too late. It is a skill we will not be able to live without if we aim to be successful in the future.  

As a society are we willing to replace in-person interactions with online chats? How are we going to read someone’s tone of voice and body language through messages, we cannot. This is why we need that in-person feel when hanging out together. We shouldn’t let ourselves obsess with the idea that social media will always be here to entertain us. Instead of going out with family, friends, or significant others we continue to doom scroll on apps such as “TikTok” and “Instagram,” if we’re not doing that then we are snapping on Snapchat or twitting on Twitter.  According to Statista, there are 5.56 billion internet users worldwide and according to the Harris Poll out of these internet users 47% tend to spend two to four hours on social media platforms daily. Does this not sound concerning for our generation? 

Social media allows underage kids to easily access content that is not age appropriate by not putting restrictions against it. Even if a few restrictions are placed it is still easily accessible by the wrong crowd. An image may appear censored but at a click of one button it can easily be accessed. A platform well-known for this is Twitter. A child should not be able to easily come across pornography, gore, or drugs. Young kids should not be exposed to such content, not only can it be traumatizing for them, but it can lead to future addiction. It is best to keep kids away from such social media platforms to prevent them from coming across platforms with poor restrictions. Snapchat is another platform that does not censor inappropriate images or harsh language. This app can allow pedophiles to talk to underage children and coerce them into sending inappropriate images or even giving them their location with threats. No one would have to go through this if they just placed restrictions and regulations. 

Parents should monitor their child's social media if they are 13 or younger. As a society we should limit the amount of time we spend on social media and make time for the outside world. Instead of only speaking to your friends online you should schedule a time to meet in person to talk. Even though social media can be helpful, its negative effects have been taking overWe need to call out these platforms in order for them to enforce their age restrictions and make social media safe for a younger audience.

  In summary we as a community need to put in effort if we want our social media invested world to change. Finding a balance between social media and the outside world is key. We need to move forward and change our habits so that we do not risk losing our society to a world consumed by social media. If not, then are we at risk of losing ourselves on social media platforms? Is this generation willing to lose our ability of face-to-face communication, in person interactions, and allow the exposure of nonage appropriate content?  

'It ends with us' disaster

 The film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s “It Ends With Us,” starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has recently sparked controversy. Fans of Hoover’s work were already split on Blake being cast as Lily, the protagonist, but things got messier when her promotion of the film came off as tone deaf. Instead of acknowledging the serious topics the movie was about (like domestic abuse), Blake hyped it up like it was a feel good rom-com, and even encouraged viewers to “wear your florals” when watching the movie. She also took the opportunity to plug her own hair care line, which didn't sit well with many fans.

But that’s not all! Blake, who's married to Ryan Reynolds, seemed to be taking notes from the way Ryan’s upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine movie is being promoted. Fans noticed she was almost treating “It Ends With Us” with lighthearted vibes that felt totally off for a story with such heavy themes. This attempt to use the same kind of hype-y marketing backfired big time and only made it seem like she wasn't taking the material seriously.

Then there’s Justin Baldoni, who plays Ryle and is directing the movie. For a while, people turned on him after rumors started spreading that he was lying and being inappropriate towards Blake on set. Some even backed this theory up by suggesting that his lies were the reason he hired the same legal and PR team that worked with Johnny Depp during his defamation trial, which only made things look worse for him. But as more behind the scenes info came out, it started to seem like Blake might have been the one being difficult during filming.

Things hit another level when Blake filed a lawsuit against Justin, accusing him of harassment and claiming he tried to ruin her reputation. Justin fired back with a counter lawsuit, saying Blake made it all up and that she, Ryan Reynolds, and her PR team were trying to defame him. Oh, and Justin also released behind the scenes text messages and evidence to defend himself, which only added more fuel to the fire.

Now, the internet is divided. Some people are Team Blake, saying Justin’s handling of the whole situation has been shady. Others are Team Justin, pointing out that Blake’s behavior- like focusing on her hair care brand and comparing the movie's promotion to Deadpool- feels dismissive of the story’s heavy themes.

Both Blake and Justin are dealing with the fallout, with reports of Justin losing his talent agency and Blake trying to manage her public image. As of now, things are still super messy and new details seem to pop up every week.

In the end, this whole situation is a reminder to take everything with a grain of salt until more facts come out. With both lawsuits ongoing and plenty of rumors flying around, its hard to say who's really at fault. It looks like this drama isn't wrapping up anytime soon.

LIMITING BATHROOM PASSES, UNETHICAL

Recently Hillcrest High School has decided to implement a limited amount of times students may use the restroom or even step out of class. I'm sure every student has experienced a time when they were given limited bathroom passes. Students already have limited time to get to their next class, so going to the restroom during the passing period meanwhile also trying to get to class on time is impossible. 

After years of waiting for what seemed like hours for my turn for the bathroom, I began to feel frustrated that students are expected to use their passing period to go to the bathroom. I do not want to miss class time but I would have no other choice because there is not enough time to go during the passing period. 

Restricting the amount of times students should be allowed to use to go to the bathroom undermines the basic right and dignity of students. High schoolers are at a stage in their lives where they need to manage their own needs without being controlled. By restricting access to the bathroom, schools are not only infringing on a fundamental human need but also creating an environment of mistrust and control. This approach can lead to many negative effects such as physical discomfort, health issues, and increased anxiety among students. 

Do schools really want this limitation to negatively impact students' academic performance and overall well being? Five bathroom passes per semester is absurd, especially since there are about 90 days per semester. A more reasonable number is 15-20 that way students can find better ways to manage their time and passes. This policy should be more flexible and allow teachers to manage how long students are taking and add consequences to the ones misusing their privilege instead of taking it out on everyone. 

Some teachers and administration may think it is beneficial to limit bathroom passes since some students tend to run off. They assume that punishing everyone for those few students is okay. High schoolers can be unpredictable and misuse their bathroom time and walk around the hallways. These students use the bathroom as an excuse. 

Overall I believe that it is unethical to limit students' basic right to use the bathroom. We are no longer at a point in our lives where we should be controlled over using the bathroom. Schools should prioritize the well being and health of their students by implementing a reasonable bathroom policy. 

Texas Weather

Since the 1930s, scientists and meteorologists have been studying the warming of the Earth and its potential to impact humanity. At that time, the increase in temperature was still an inconceivable difference. However, by 1975, the warming of the Earth was becoming a significant issue and was formally given a name: global warming. Changes in weather patterns, including harsher seasons and more severe weather, are often blamed solely on global warming. However, is there a bigger picture?

Global warming is an important issue. The Earth's temperature rises by an average of 0.11 degrees Fahrenheit yearly. Scientists estimate that this trend has been ongoing since 1850. In total, the Earth’s atmosphere has risen in temperature by 2 Fahrenheit. Unfortunately, the rate at which this occurs is only going to increase.

What we understand about global warming today is that it is caused primarily by human activity, including burning fossil fuels, cutting down forests, and farming livestock. These activities produce greenhouse gases that combine with the naturally occurring gases in the atmosphere, resulting in the greenhouse effect. This effect occurs when the gases in Earth's atmosphere trap the heat from the sun. Altogether, this cycle makes the Earth warmer than it would be without the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. If trends like these continue, the future could look different around the globe, particularly in regions such as Texas.

In Texas, the daily winter temperature is typically 58-69 degrees, according to data from BK Energy. However, as we are in the winter season, many people notice it feels colder than it used to. Although it may seem counterintuitive, this is a sign of global warming. The rising summer temperatures disrupt the polar vortex, causing polar air to escape the Arctic. As a result, this makes the rest of the world colder.

Additionally, summers are much warmer than ever recorded. The summer of 2024 was the hottest summer on record, with Texas experiencing a high of 116 degrees! Another effect of the changing temperatures is more severe storms. According to the Houston Chronicle, the jet stream is dipping closer to Texas, which allows cooler air to mix with our typical tropical climate. Thus, creating the perfect conditions to create storms.

These changes could lead to various health issues, including heat-related sickness, respiratory and cardiovascular disease, and food/water-borne illnesses. In Texas, the effects of global warming could be particularly significant. We may experience rising sea levels, retreating shores, coastal storms, severe rainstorms, tornadoes, strain on water and agricultural resources, wildfires, landscape change, and increased air pollution.

Identifying the root causes of global warming is essential for finding a solution. However, experts seemingly have differing opinions on this issue. Some argue that while human activities make an impact, the contribution is largely imperceptible. They suggest that the climate is constantly changing and Earth is experiencing a natural heat cycle. While this could be true, it is undeniable that CO2 and methane use have significantly changed our environment. 

However, there’s no need to fret; global warming won’t end the world. The future may be different, with the potential extinction of various plants and animals, but we can take steps to lessen these effects. Addressing climate change is a marathon, not a sprint. We can all contribute by reducing car emissions through biking, walking, or public transportation. Additionally, conserving energy and transitioning to electric vehicles will positively affect pollution. Eating more vegetables benefits your health but also helps the environment by reducing reliance on livestock. Lastly, we should focus on shifting our energy sources to clean, renewable options and planting more trees. These combined efforts will help combat global warming and make the world a better planet.

Syrian civil war

 The Syrian civil war has been going on for more than a decade, with so many sides and opinions. But in my opinion, President Bashar al-Assad is the rightful leader of Syria and should be supported. The country needs stability, and only Assad can provide that.

Assad has kept the country together through all the chaos. If he falls, Syria will just break into more fighting factions. The opposition groups have shown they are not united and can’t govern the country properly.

The international interference has only made things worse. Western countries have supported rebel groups, which has dragged the war on longer. Instead of helping, they have just added fuel to the fire. Assad, on the other hand, has the support of Russia, and their help has brought back some stability.

The rebels have been linked to terrorist groups like ISIS. How can people trust them to take over the country? Assad, while not perfect, is a better option than handing the country over to extremists.

Some say Assad is a dictator and should be removed, but they forget that removing him would lead to more chaos. Iraq and Libya are clear examples of what happens when strong leaders are taken down. It's a dangerous path.

The only way to end the war is for the international community to stop supporting rebel groups and let Assad regain full control of Syria.

Supporting Bashar al-Assad is the best way forward for Syria. He has the ability to keep the country united and bring back some kind of normalcy after all these years of war. The best way to end the conflict and restore order in Syria is to support Assad's government.

Georgian EU protests 

The Georgian protests against their government’s decision to not join the European Union has caused a lot of chaos in the streets. But I strongly believe that the Georgian government made the right choice by not joining the EU. There’s too much at stake for the country to rush into this decision.

The European Union has many rules that would limit Georgia's independence. They would have to follow policies that don’t always fit their unique culture and values. Why should they be forced to give up control of their own laws and economy?

Georgia needs to focus on building its economy first before making such a big move. The country still faces high unemployment and corruption. If they rush into the EU, it might hurt their economy more than help it.

Joining the EU would also make tensions worse with Russia. We all know that Georgia has had problems with Russia in the past. Why create more conflict when the government can keep peace and stay out of big power struggles?

Some people say the EU would bring more prosperity, but that's not guaranteed. Many countries in the EU are still struggling, so it's not like joining would automatically solve Georgia's problems. Some also don’t like the idea of making up with Russia, mostly its youthful population disagrees with this. 

Instead of giving into the pressure of protestors, the government should continue making their own decisions without outside influence. Western back oppositions are the ones responsible for most of the organized protest, but they have become very violent in the past few days. 

The Georgian government is acting in the best interest of the country by being cautious and not rushing into the EU. The protestors may be passionate, but the government’s stance is more logical for Georgia’s future. It's better for Georgia to stay neutral in this situation than jumping into the EU without fully understanding all the consequences.

Why does christmaS start in november?

It's almost the most wonderful time of the year but everyone is already in the Christmas spirit, and I wonder why? It seems every year we start celebrating Christmas earlier and earlier and it’s beginning to feel like Christmas is starting in November instead of mid-December.

I understand the reason we love to get ahead on our Christmas festivities, but the way that people haven't even let one holiday pass before preparing for another is concerning.

I think the way we go about preparing for Christmas completely loses the plot and differs from the actual point of the holiday. The focus of buying things and decorating and preparing for one day that will inevitably pass only to begin buying more stuff to prepare for the next Christmas only proves that Christmas is only fun when you have an excuse to buy stuff and decorate. 

That same anticipation for Christmas also bleeds into the mistreatment of other holidays preceding it. Halloween and Thanksgiving are similarly just a day of celebration but neither receive that same over the top anticipation and enthusiasm. Yes we decorate for these, but we don't do it with nearly the same enthusiasm. In fact, most people neglect to decorate or celebrate these holidays in order to prepare for Christmas. Videos of people decorating for Christmas on Halloween and Thanksgiving day just further prove that. This is bad because not everyone can celebrate Christmas in certain religious contexts but are able to celebrate Halloween or Thanksgiving yet can’t get in the spirit because all people want is Christmas

It's also fair to say the anticipation for the holiday, all the decorating and planning, tends to dampen everything when the day actually arrives. Christmas is held on a pedestal and everyone looks forward to it, but this year especially, many people have voiced the feeling that Christmas day doesn't even feel like Christmas day anymore, and outside of maybe getting gifts, the day passed without that same excitement they felt every other year. The emphasis on Christmas to be this magical, joyful and perfect day causes the day to fall flat when it gets here because let's face it, Christmas was just a day made up by the Catholic Church to replace pagan celebrations and now it’s just an excuse to buy things and get gifts and maybe, maybe have dinner with friends and family.

The anticipation for Christmas does make sense however. Kids get two weeks off, Adults don’t have work. In a country as work driven as America, breaks and holidays are seldom and appreciated. People love an excuse not to go to work and to spend time with those they love and the holidays are the perfect way to take a break. It's also just in American nature to consume and try to make this day the best they can because they love it so much.

I still think that people are putting all of their energy in the wrong places and not focusing on cherishing the time they have with their family by spending time shopping and decorating and prepping for a holiday that only comes round once a year. They even overlook other holidays that could be used for further family time.

I fear there's no real solution to the dilemma of the Christmas timeline, but I believe we should really take time to savor our holidays. Christmas is a week out of the year, so cherish it in the time you have. Be intentional in your celebration, family time, trinket buying and gift giving and have a happy holiday!

MIRROR TROUBLES

Imagine going through a whole school day with a weird mark on your face, or something wrong with your makeup and no one telling you? You can't even check in the mirror since your school removed them. Ever since I've been at this school I've always wondered why there weren't mirrors in the restrooms. Is it a distraction to students or does the school think they would be damaged?

   Students dislike not having mirrors in bathrooms, and I'm sure many can agree with me. Mirrors are self esteem boosters. Self-esteem and self-appreciation for a lot of people are strained and difficult during their high school years. In order to make checking up easier and to allow people the certainty of their appearance, mirrors would largely help. It limits students' abilities to practice self-care and feel the most confident and comfortable in their own skin.

        The lack of mirrors also makes the bathroom look depressing and seems more jail like. Not only does it look melancholy, our school also looks a bit poor and just dead overall. The school looks like a jail because it's just sinks and toilet stalls. The mirrors added a little life to the bathrooms, but now we just have to look at the wall as we wash our hands.

     Now not all bathrooms lack mirrors. There are two bathrooms out of four that only have mirrors. One bathroom has mirrors that are all scratched up and are made of different materials. They are a bit useless since you can't even make out your face from how horrible they look. The other bathroom only has 2 long mirrors which are the perfect ones, but the problem is, people like to hog it and take as long as others have to wait their turn. 

        Others say that mirrors shouldn't be put back up because it's only a distraction to the students, and they will vandalize the mirrors. Which could happen, but is it really that serious? Is distraction and vandalism more important than our self-esteem and our self appreciation? 

I think schools should just put the mirrors back so students can feel good about themselves and to prevent vandalism, monitors should be watching the bathrooms.

POETRY: ENDLESS PURPOSE

Poetry, dating back to the 3rd millennium BCE, is an ancient form of writing used by prehistoric life and the earliest shamans. They used to recite poetry as a means of preserving history, genealogy, and law; however, despite poetry’s importance to its early roots, recently, it has been heavily debated, with some finding it too strict and claiming it is a writing style for attention seekers and others believing that it is beautiful and thought-provoking. While it does have occasional structures and rules to follow, poetry is one of the most expressive forms of writing because it is a positive outlet for deep, overwhelming emotions, and it helps writers explore the meanings of words and figurative language, which makes you a better reader overall. 

Poetry is a positive outlet for emotions because it provokes creativity and allows your emotions to flow with no real rhyme or reason. Throughout a lifetime, humans experience many complex emotions, such as pain, trauma, and grief. According to “The Healing Power of Poetry” by Leigh Anderson, these emotions need to be explored rather than confronted directly, and poetry is a powerful way to gain control of your feelings. For example, 2020 was a brutal year for many. People worldwide were dealing with fear, loneliness, and isolation. Throughout the pandemic, Alexa Mikhail, a health and wellness reporter, analyzed data about poetry and its effect on people during lockdown. Mikhal’s examination showed that 46.1% of children and young people engaged with poetry, meaning they read, listened to, or watched poetry in their free time. This shows how many kids were looking for outlets. Sources have called this “Pandemic Poetry” and used it as a calming source for feelings of unhappiness.

Furthermore, poetry makes you a better reader and writer because it helps you explore different word choices and figurative language, enhancing your analytical skills. An essay titled “How studying poetry made me a better writer” by Tania Strauss examines poetry’s emphasis on the aesthetic properties of language as a form of communicating emotion. Poetry enhances visual imagery and other intense sensory information, such as the rhythmic structure of lines, sentences, phrases, and even individual words, and the sound of the writing when read aloud. In addition to the study by Mikhal, another 2021 study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics examined the effects of reading and writing poetry on 44 hospitalized children. The children were given poetry-writing kits with paper, pens, markers, and writing prompts.

Additionally, they received poems to read. Over time, fear, sadness, anger, worry, and fatigue were reportedly lower. The children also reported that reading poems helped them process their feelings and provided a welcome distraction from stress.

Despite poetry's positive qualities, some people say poetry is just feelings expressed in a complicated manner to draw attention; however, poetry is intentional, not purposely made complicated. Even if you don't understand poetry, you can still appreciate it. The Poetry Foundation found that 90% of American readers highly value poetry and believe "it enriches the lives of those who read it,” so although many people don't read poetry regularly, it can still be appreciated and used to enhance your writing abilities.

While some believe poetry is complicated and strict, poetry is essential because it allows you to express and understand your emotions and makes you a better reader and writer. If you are interested in reading poetry, I recommend Some Notes on Love by Marco Cavozos, Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman, and Save Me an Orange by Hayley Grace. If more people take the time to read and understand poetry, society could become more analytical thinkers.

THE FALL OF BLACK FRIDAY

Black Friday is a widely celebrated shopping event in the United states. Its origins date back to the 60’s where officers would have to work longer shifts after thanksgiving due to the chaos created by large numbers of tourists who came into the city for holiday shopping. Black Friday became the "official" beginning of the holiday shopping season over time. Today, though, it seems extremely different. What used to be a whole day of furious in-person shopping has turned into a protracted, commercialized event where internet transactions predominate.

The excessive commercialization of Black Friday is among the most significant shifts. These days, retailers promote sales weeks in advance, and "Black Friday" sales frequently begin prior to Thanksgiving. The thrill and energy that used to characterize the day are diminished by this prolonged sales season. It's become a long, anticlimactic rush for deals instead of a single event.

The experience has also changed as a result of the move to internet shopping. Customers no longer socialize throughout the event or wait in line for hours. Rather, Black Friday has evolved into just another internet shopping day, with consumers perusing sales from the convenience of their homes.

Furthermore, it is impossible to overlook the effect on shop employees. Many workers put in long hours—even on Thanksgiving Day—for meager pay, forgoing family time and dealing with challenging circumstances. While retailers continue to make money, employees frequently receive nothing in return.

One popular counterargument is that Black Friday stimulates economic expansion. Although this is true, the event should weigh ethical issues against financial gain. Retailers can still make money without abusing their employees or promoting unsustainable consumption.

Retailers should support local companies, reduce hours, and pay workers fairly to make Black Friday better. By emphasizing sustainability and community, Black Friday has the potential to become a gathering that benefits everyone, not just businesses. 

SOLUTION OR A BIGGER PROBLEM?

In a feeble and disruptive attempt to combat Hillcrest’s excessive number of hallwalkers, a new pass system has been introduced. 

Through a platform called Pass.Securly, students or teachers now create and submit all passes, whether that be for the bathroom, the library, the nurse, or anywhere else, online and wait for approval. Meaning, for most classes, teachers have to stop administering a lesson each and every time a student needs to leave class. 

Not only do teachers now have to stop class to approve or deny a student’s pass, there was no announcement or training for students to learn how they were supposed to use it. This “soft launch” only caused more confusion and led to more disruptions during class as teachers had to show students how to use the platform. Teachers tell students to submit passes online, but we don’t have access to school laptops unless a teacher is using them for a lesson or unlocks the computer cart, and most teachers take up cell phones. So how can we submit passes online, without access to online devices?

Many understand the need for a system to prevent a free for all with students in the halls, however, this new system seems a bit ineffectual. In the past, students could just signal to teachers, and they could nod and away the student went. Now, the process is much longer, and teachers need to put in more effort to simply let a student use the bathroom or refill their water bottle. 

When asking teachers for their perspectives, most found it disruptive and irritating. One teacher mentioned that they personally don’t have any students that abuse the bathroom rule, but she knows we have a “select few” at this school that we just can’t seem to keep in a classroom. If administrators, teachers and staff all know who these students are, and they all do, why can there not be consequences directed to that small population. Why make everyone else that follows the rules go through unnecessary hoops? We have hall monitors for a reason. Maybe they could monitor those few a little better. One teacher's biggest issue is the five passes that they are telling the kids they have until the end of the semester. She stated that she will never put a student  in an embarrassing situation where they could potentially have an accident. When you got to go, you got to go! And as far as females, some need to understand that EVERY month, they have a menstrual cycle that requires attention for a full week. In the end, as more teachers abandon the system as they realize its futility, this system will probably go away and not stick…like most everything else around here!

I fully understand that the number of people who walk the hallways instead of going to class is excessive and needs to be addressed; however, if this is the way Hillcrest decides to do that, then more communication and effort needs to go into its implementation. Teachers should not be left alone to shoulder the explanation and use of this new technology. An announcement should be made better explaining the way to use this system, as well as exactly why we are using it. As students and teachers become more used to the program, it might become more of an inconvenience than a huge disruptor, but until more thought and consideration goes into it, students and teachers are left to handle the annoyance. 

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT? 

Whether you believe in Santa or not, Christmas is the perfect way to celebrate with your loved ones. Christmas is the perfect opportunity to spend with people you care about and exchange gifts. The holiday is no longer hyped up as much as it used to be in past years, almost as if people's Christmas spirit is slowly fading away. There are many reasons why people's beliefs are declining such as financial issues, modern beliefs, and workaholic parents. 

During the holidays many people may feel the stress of not being able to afford gifts. The fear of not being able to put a smile on their kids, families, and friends faces can cause stress. People may try to pick up extra shifts or hours at work in order to get their loved ones gifts but the pressure put on them is heavy and can lead to them resenting the Christmas culture. 

In the modern generation, family members choose to cut off relatives and lose contact with family members because of personal issues causing them to have less family members to spend Christmas with. This can make people resent the holiday because it just brings bad vibes because you won't have people close to you to spend it with. 

Some children have workaholic parents who are too busy with work deadlines and work phone calls to spend the holiday fully focused on their family. Kids who have these types of parents may be spoiled with gifts but lack the emotional connection with their parents. These kids are more likely to resent Christmas because it can be a constant reminder that their parents have different priorities besides giving their kids the attention they need and crave. 

Some may say that Christmas isn't an important holiday and kids shouldn't believe in Santa because he's not real. These people choose to bring down the holiday spirit and ruin the imagination of young children. This causes more and more people to slowly stop believing. 

We need to show the people the positive sides of the holiday in order to get them believing that it is truly a fun holiday. We can show them all the lights, the baked goods, and the smile on people's faces when they are bonding with loved ones sharing the holiday spirit. 

CALCULATOR CATASTROPHE

Math can either be really easy or hard for someone, but a calculator can make the subject so much easier. One problem is that here in Hillcrest High School they don't allow calculators in Pre Cal, making it harder for students, as pre cal is more advanced than usual math.

      Many students who have pre-calculus have talked about how they are failing the class because it's so difficult without the calculators. Calculators speed up learning, and they help students learn more quickly by increasing the number of complex problems that can be solved. It leaves more time to learn how they were solved. It just makes calculations easier instead of doing them manually.

      Calculators overall allow students to solve complicated problems quickly and in an efficient manner. Additionally, it can reduce the problem to simpler tasks and allows the student to devote more time in understanding the problem. Calculators are able to give students an accurate answer and without any calculators, students can start overthinking their answer and think that they are incorrect.

       Math is a subject that can be so confusing with all the numbers and so many symbols. Many students say that doing it by hand can be so difficult especially with higher numbers and complex formulas to get the answers. 

      Others think that students rely too much on calculators and that it gives them a “false sense of confidence.” Students develop fluent and mental math skills without a calculator and that may be true, but students can learn those things with a calculator too.

     I think this can be solved by at least teaching kids slowly to let go of calculators instead of just suddenly disabling them. It can ruin the students flow and can affect their education.

computer shortage causes stress

By now everyone knows that this year we did not receive personal laptops. The school decided that this year instead of students carrying around their own laptops and chargers that we would instead be loaning them from laptop carts in our respective classrooms. This is in part due to student negligence regarding laptops and chargers for tests and in general.

I personally believe that not having personal laptops is slowing a lot of students and teachers down… by a lot.

For one, it makes doing work on time exceptionally difficult. If you don't have the money to afford your own laptop, you essentially sink or swim when you have homework that requires a laptop. Powerpoint presentations, research, and even articles for the newspaper are delayed because we're all confined to a short laptop session in class.

There's also not a sure form of distribution. At the beginning of the year there were many teachers who didn't even have laptop carts in their classes. This affects the production of work and sticking to a lesson plan. I've been in lessons where because teachers don't have a laptop cart, we’ve had to struggle to do our work properly. And not to mention when teachers are absent and lock their carts making it impossible to be productive because you can’t access laptops that are right next to you.

This also worries me for test taking season because yes, it is true a lot of students neglected to prepare and bring charged laptops and chargers but a lot of students actually brought charged laptops and were generally prepared. Test season is already a chaotic affair without the added stress of laptop distribution. 

Of course there are bright sides to this because students have no excuse not to have charged laptops for class and that relieves a stress on the faculty who can have their work done in the time they allocate for it. Unfortunately the reality is that kids are really lazy and how many laptops that go into the cart at the end of class get plugged in and sufficiently charged. That decreases the amount of open laptops too.

In the end I feel like it would simply be better to bring back personal laptops. I myself can say not having a laptop has stunted my production with things like school work, projects and even preparing for university apps. I also completely understand where the staff and faculty are coming from with student's care for their laptops being poor, but at the end of the day school is a place for students to learn and learning is hard when you have a laptop centred curriculum without laptops.

NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF HOMEWORK

We need to take students' well-being into consideration when assigning homework. A big part of students day to day activities consist of homework. At some point it becomes a routine, but is it really benefiting students? Homework can cause students stress, lack of balance, and struggle to keep up with the rest of their day to day activities. 

At such a young age, students will experience such an overload of school work causing them too much stress at the ages of 15-18. Stress on kids these ages can cause lack of sleep, headaches, and loss of appetite. An average student has 5-8 classes a day, if everyone of those classes were to leave homework, that would leave the student with close to no free time. Not to mention if they get stuck on work that can set them back hours causing them to stay up late to finish on a school night meaning they'd have to wake up early in the morning causing them to be sleep deprived. According to the University of San Diego students with too much homework have elevated stress levels. Students with elevated stress levels are at risk for anxiety, panic attacks and depression.

Most students participate in extracurriculars or work jobs that don't allow them enough time to finish homework for all their classes. Some students may even resort to quitting certain extracurricular activities because they are distracting them from homework. Last year, I participated in powerlifting, theater, and I worked a weekend job. This allowed for little to no time to work on homework. After my extracurriculars, I would get home tired and late leading me to procrastinate my homework last minute and not trying my very best on it. On weekends I worked, and the time I spent off I wanted it to be relaxing or me hanging out with friends but instead it was me slumped on my desk finishing homework. This led to minimal socializing and increased stress. 

Students who juggle extracurriculars and jobs are more likely to lack balance in their life. If a student is left with homework from multiple classes and has extracurriculars after school they are forced between choosing something they love or something that will cause them stress. According to online degrees, excessive homework takes time away from activities that boost students' social and emotional development such as extracurricular activities, hobbies, and socializing. 

Some might say homework is beneficial because it allows students’ to review work from class and get a better understanding, but if students are going to study anyways, why increase the time and cause them to stress out? 

Overall we can conclude that homework works against students and their mental health. It creates a negative impact towards their day to day lives and would be fixed if we removed or minimized the amount of homework we assign students. 

HEADPHONE NECESSITY?

We need to take students' focusing level into consideration when deciding if they should be allowed to keep earbuds in or out during class. It has been debated for a long time whether teens should be able to have headphones in class while doing school work. Students are forced to sit in class and expected to do work while being unable to focus due to their loud surroundings. 

Headphones allow students to be able to block out any noises that cause them distraction. This allows them to focus better on their work. Listening to calming music can reduce students stress and create a more conductive learning environment. Using headphones in your classroom when working on classwork is an innovative solution to keep students quiet and focused, practically killing two birds with one stone. 

Moreover, headphones facilitate personalized learning. Every student has their own unique learning style and pace. Allowing students to have access to their earbuds and listen to what will help them best will ensure they will excel. This personalized approach ensures that each student can learn at their own pace, making their education more inclusive and effective. 

Headphones in classrooms create a quieter learning environment. You won’t have to worry about a loud chatty classroom because all students will be preoccupied listening to music while concentrating on their assignments. Even in a quiet classroom you would still be able to hear pencils being sharpened, keyboards clack, and whispers, but headphones will allow students to ignore those distractions. 

However, some may argue that headphones could be misused, with students taking advantage of their privilege and listening to distracting videos, or be constantly going on their phone to change their song causing them to be even more distracted than how they started. Some teachers may fear that if allowed students will view their privilege to be able to listen to music as a right causing kids to refuse to concentrate and misbehave, but allowing students this small privilege to listen to music would deter them from doing other things on their phone. 

In conclusion, even though the use of headphones may seem unconventional, the benefits will produce a more effective learning environment. From enhancing focus and personalized learning to improving accessibility and reducing stress. Headphones are a powerful tool in today's society. By embracing this technology we are implementing positive learning habits. 

SCHEDULE TROUBLES AT HILLCREST

As of late students have been getting incomplete schedules and end up with classes they have already taken. Others have been double booked, been put in the wrong classes and are missing a big chunk of their schedules! Why is it that even though we have gained more counselors there are still many students who end up with an incomplete schedule, and is it happening all over the school or only to those who are in a program?

As of late many students, including me, have had to change their schedules multiple times. I ended up having to change some classes around because I was missing a very important class that could not have been put in another period. The first time around I didn't even have a 3rd and 4th period for my a-day. Other times I was put with teachers I wasn't supposed to have. 

Are we having schedule problems because there are so many students this year round? If so, how long is it going to take till everyone has the right schedule? Will it take a few more weeks or maybe a month? I noticed that there have been more schedule problems based off the lower your last name is on the alphabet. Then again it could also be because the E-Tech counselor has quit, maybe current counselors who haven’t had to take care of E-Tech students before are now taking on a bigger amount of work now. 

Why aren’t classes which are most important not put in your schedule first? As of late, most students need to change their classes because they are missing important subjects. For normal course kids these classes can be put into any period and can be taken the next year. As for E-Tech students they have college classes that are needed and can absolutely not be put into any other period whatsoever. Some people on programs such as Career Institute (C.I.N) have certain time windows where they aren’t on campus at all and depending on the classes they need will not be able to take them. Counselors should make putting core classes and other needed classes which are mandatory to graduate first before placing electives into your schedule.

     I propose they should take the students with programs who cannot have certain classes in certain times and periods scheduled into place first, after they are done with that they can move lower down the list. It would be so much easier on all of us if counselors were able to tackle the hardest schedules first and then move to the easier ones. 

      Because counselors and vice principals have positive attitudes it made not having classes in your schedule less alarming. As long as staff and counselors stay understanding and positive I think schedule problems should be resolved soon. So just keep up the good work and nice attitude and we’ll get over the most complicated part of the school year. 

THE EFFECTS OF EIGHT CLASSES

The recent change to an 8 period schedule at Hillcrest High School has left many students feeling overwhelmed and frustrated.

While the intention behind the change might have been to provide a more comprehensive education by adding time for core classes, the reality is that the new schedule is taking a toll on students’ well-being, academic performance, and participation in elective classes.

With school already dismissing at 4:30 PM, the addition of two more 90-minute classes has made the day feel excessively long. By the time the final bell rings, many students are exhausted – both mentally and physically. This exhaustion can make it difficult to focus and be productive during those later periods, defeating the purpose of adding more class time in the first place.

For many students, afternoons are filled with extracurricular activities, jobs, and family responsibilities. While this was manageable before, the shift to just 4 classes a day makes the day feel much longer and has thrown a wrench into these already delicate balancing acts, causing unnecessary stress and pressure.

Elective classes, which provide vital opportunities for students to explore interests and develop new skills, are also being impacted. Student athletes, in particular, are facing challenges as a result of the schedule change. Many sports teams require participation in athletics classes as part of their training regimen. With the new 8-period schedule, student athletes are finding their schedules in conflict, forcing them to scramble for solutions. This disruption not only affects their academic planning but also their ability to fully participate in their sports.

Some student athletes have even expressed a desire to return to a 10-period schedule, which would allow for an athletics class and more structured practice time. Despite efforts to adjust schedules, many are finding that the after-school practice sessions are not adequately replacing the in-school training they once had, leaving them feeling at a disadvantage.

Perhaps most concerning, however, is the impact the new schedule is having on Career Institute students. These students already juggle demanding schedules, splitting their time between Hillcrest and the Career Institute. The change to an 8-period day has created clashes and conflicts that are proving difficult to navigate. Rather than supporting these students in their pursuit of career-focused education, the new schedule is creating barriers such as leaving students tired and with schedule problems that must be addressed.

While the desire to enhance our education is commendable, it is crucial that decisions are made with the student experience at the forefront. The 8-period schedule, in its current form, is not meeting that standard. It is imperative that administrators revisit this change, taking into account the feedback and concerns of the student body. By working together, we can find a solution that supports both academic rigor and student well-being, ensuring that all students whether enrolled in core classes, electives, sports, or Career Institute programs can thrive.

Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony Horrors

The Paris Olympics undoubtedly had the worst and most offensive opening ceremony ever presented by the Olympic committee. I am offended by a nation whose deep root in history is Christianity and is now allowing mockery of such a historical event. They not only made a mockery but allowed children to watch grown men wearing very provocative clothing dance in ways no children should see.
As a Christian myself, I noticed that even the smallest of details that were made in the opening ceremony showed different things that can be tied right back to Christian Ideas. For example, when the dances started showing the Men in Drag, they all were at a table, with a woman in blue and a star above her head. This was definitely supposed to be a representation of the Last Supper, even copying the painting that depicts it. Pope Francis himself commented on it. 

Another instance of the mockery faced by Christians at the Paris Olympics was the White Horse. In the Bible, Jesus is to come back as such and wage a war against Satan and his followers. The depiction of this was made so clear, that there was no way of hiding the meaning they were trying to make, many news outlets and even people like Elon Musk made comments saying it was a mockery of such.
This was by far the most offensive opening ceremony I’ve ever seen. The way everything was planned out, the matter in which grown people danced provocatively in front of children, and how Christianity was sadly mocked, everything just seemed so off. French citizens were also ashamed of the Olympics, for allowing and doing such things. On the other hand, some people enjoyed it, as stated by Apollo Magazine, “Supporters, however, praised its boldness and unique integration of French culture, though some moments felt awkward.”

The best way for the Olympics to fix this mistake is to take notes from China and Russia's Olympics, not only were they such masterfully planned and coordinated, but no things of gender, religion, or anything involving race were put to matter, and everyone was able to watch and see such amazing art and choreography take place in such beautiful manner. This is how the Olympics should be, not a joke.  I hope that the next Olympics do not continue mockery such as this one but rather create a peaceful, exciting, and safe environment for all types of people. 

Iran is preparing for a strike that will change the course of history

Iran is preparing for a strike that will change the course of history. This strike is not a political one, but a strike on another nation, Israel
From my standpoint, the pending strike on Israel is supposed to be a retaliatory response to the Illegal strikes on Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran. This is a provocative act that gives Iran full rights to respond back in any way they see fit.
The reason why I believe Iran has the full right for its soon retaliatory strike is because of the constant acts of major aggression by Israel on striking commanders and political leaders aligned with Iran. For example, the assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in 2020 by Israeli intelligence Mossad. The most recent strike that occurred this year which even led to Iran's warning of strikes on Israel was Ismail Haniyeh.

Iran and Israel are at a boiling point, nations in the Middle East are picking their sides and are preparing for the soon global war to begin. The Muslim world sees Israel's war on Palestine as a genocide, the number of civilians killed in merely just months surpassed the civilians killed in the war between Russia and Ukraine that’s been lasting for about three years. 

The United States has positioned its carrier strike force around Israel in preparation for the pending strike by Iran, as stated by ABC News; USS Georgia and the other Carriers strike groups were stationed to send an intended message to deter Iran from possibly taking the Idea of striking Israel, plus, that they are ready and capable of defending Israel if need so.
There is only one way for this to boil down, Israel should hand back all the land not given by the British back to how it was when they first arrived in Palestine, cooperate with the Muslim leaders, and formally apologize for the actions they’ve taken against peaceful nations, same for the other Muslim countries, and war crimes to be addressed, Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Hezbollah should also sign an agreement never to attack Israel and form a pact to better protect against terrorist. Americans on the other hand should completely stop their Imperialistic actions in the Middle East and worry about their people. 

EFFECTS OF EIGHT CLASSES, NEW BELL SCHEDULE    

       It's a new year here at Hillcrest High School,  and they have changed a lot around the school. Even with new policies, this year Hillcrest had a bright idea to change the number of classes, having only four classes instead of five now. I have some mixed feelings about it. Yes, less classes that's cool but I dislike the extended class time. Having to stay in classes for an hour or two was the worst idea anyone can think of, it's boring and it's overwhelming overall.

       With having less classes this year they extended class time, our second classes of A & B days being 2 hours feeling like more. It’s boring, and I start paying less attention. At this point I feel as if the school should have stayed with five classes a day to have better class time. It gets absolutely tiring being in class for even an hour. Some teachers have even complained about the new changes.

       The eight classes really have affected me. It doesn't help with anxiety. Having to sit in a chair for an hour or two and not being able to catch a break is so overwhelming and I'm burned out by the time I get to my third class of the day. I know you can catch a “break” by going to the bathroom but it's not the case anymore. The school has added more rules and even the teachers have followed them. When a student is out for more than five minutes their bathroom privileges are taken away, not being able to catch a break.

        On the other hand, some students and teachers have taken a liking to the new classes and bell schedule. Students are happy that they get more time to get work done and even happy about having more time to learn more, teachers like that they can teach for more time. I understand from their point of view that more work is done but it is tiring.I feel like this can be fixed by going back to five classes a day and maybe even letting us get out earlier instead of 4:30 and having school start earlier.

Advisory: Valuable insight or Waste of time?

Advisory - what exactly is it? This is a question that students have been asking themselves for the past three weeks. Designed to watch daily announcements, Guidance lessons, and possibly use for school work, advisory has left students feeling somewhat aimless. Although administrators have provided guidance on how to use the 20-minute period, students remain unaware of the details due to the news spreading slowly, and continue to attend without a clear purpose. This lack of communication has led to increased work loads, mass confusion, and upset students. Career institute students have been especially affected by this poor communication. 

Advisory takes place during the second period which is also known as the lunch period. Not only does the lack of communication affect how advisory is used, but it also contributes to the sense of an extended period. Students go to lunch as usual starting with A lunch and ending it with D. However, students with D lunch have to go back to their second period where advisory takes place. During advisory, it is very evident the amount of students out of touch with this course. Some use the time to rest and some to complete missing work, yet they are still told they are not using this period correctly. This has caused considerable frustration for students as often times announcements last only a few minutes and the social and emotional lessons happen once a while, leaving the rest of the period somewhat worthless. 

Teachers have also taken advantage of this 20-minute period. With not much left for students to do after announcements, teachers continue their lessons or assign additional work. In some cases, they bypass the advisory period altogether, disregarding its intended purpose and adding to students’ already full schedule. This not only undermines advisories goal but adds on more stress to students and their sense of being overwhelmed. 

When discussing this issue with students in the Career Institute program, it was discovered that originally, when advisory was at the beginning of 2nd period, students with C or D lunch wouldn’t get lunch. Students leave in the middle of second period, before their scheduled lunch, and would arrive at Career Institute North (CIN) after lunch there ended. Now, that is not as much of a problem; however, when advisory was moved, administration never communicated with students what time they should leave class to catch the bus. Students were left completely in the dark, expected to simply know when to head to the bus and communicate that with their teachers, and were put in Reset if they missed the bus. Additionally, there is no longer a class specifically for the Career Institute students, so when they leave class to catch the bus, they are now missing content for that class. 

Administration says that they are taking great measures to ensure that every teacher is taking the advisory period seriously by walking around the halls and checking in at each class. Admin is also aware of the difficulties that Career Institute face with the introduction of advisory and are trying their very best to fix the problem. This, however, does not change the fact that many students continue to remain clueless and that they are left in the dark about schedules changes and courses such as the advisory one. This lack of communication of advisory is what really is affecting students right now. 

This problem has created mass confusion around the whole school when it didn't have to. Fixing communication around the school is not hard to do. One can easily announce to the whole school what advisory is meant to be for. For example, a video on do’s and don'ts for advisory would be a great way for students to be open to the idea of advisory. Administrators could also send emails to parents and students on issues such as the one career institute students were facing. In conclusion, advisory should not be a problem this school should be facing with such easy fixes.

Mandatory Testing DISRUPTS end of year

Testing at the end of the year can be a hassle for both students and teachers alike. Most students become uninterested in the work, and teachers become tired of students not participating in their final activities. The workload at the end of the year can often come in large quantities, with teachers wanting to fill their last grades and seem to be rushing students to complete assignments, while AP testing, and semester final testing is happening congruently. Students should have more time to prepare for testing rather than do assignments that are not beneficial towards them in the graduation process.

Teachers should be more aware of their students' problems. Students sometimes don’t feel like their concerns are acknowledged in a class setting. As the year progresses there is a push to make students do more work, especially in core classes. New graduation requirements were made last minute and it causes frustration and confusion amongst the student population. Teachers should feel more inclined to discuss issues that their students face with administrators to allow more transparency between the higher ups of the school, teachers, and students. 

Administrators should try harder to accommodate students with a better schedule, and have less confusion about important and upcoming tests, or events. When faced with the question of the events of a future school activity or function, teachers often give empty responses, as they do not know what will be occurring either, even if its days or weeks ahead of whatever is supposed to be happening. Testing happens to be one of these topics. No one knows where it will take place, when, and if students will be relocated until the day of. There needs to be better communication amongst staff to solve this. If teachers are left in the dark about important information, then how can students expect to prepare for an important event taking place in the near future. 

Having good test scores allows the school to receive more funding. This is why end of the year exams should be included in the curriculum more. Attendance and grades are the most important factor for receiving funding from the state, and attendance seems to be a bigger issue for the school. Since recent changes to how many hours students must be present in class, attendance declined, therefore the school has had to make adjustments in order to have less absences. This is not the school's fault, but it has allowed them to cut corners in other, more important areas of interest the school should be focusing on including testing. Having high test grades proves that the students are capable of understanding the information presented to them in class. Having a recap at the end of the year wouldn’t be anywhere near harmful. 

Though some students, parents, or staff may feel that the extra work is important to the students success because they will need to find balance in work and life in real world situations, it is untrue because school does not match the demands of jobs of most people once students are in the workforce. They don't have to usually worry about information gathering, as they had already studied for their profession, and have time to fill in their deadlines, due to the subject matter they are covering being similar to what their job entails. Testing should be the primary focus at the end of the school year because it is the students final grade, and one of the most important of the year. It covers the information in a class that they have absorbed and allow the school to see how well students and teachers are fairing. Giving unnecessary work is not beneficial and it just distracts from what should be a main focus of the school. 

A proper solution to this dilemma would be to have students study for their finals for class, and have reviews instead of extra, unnecessary work. There is a decline in focus at the end of the year due to burn out or frustration in accordance with the school environment. There should be a bigger discussion about how giving work is potentially harmful towards students as they already do not feel that it is necessary to complete end of the year work because it is not as crucial to them as their exam grade. To keep students on track of graduating there should be a bigger incentive to focus on studying for the final exam, often given by the district. Doing this would in turn allow students to not be as burned out, and more confident in taking the tests. 

Students should utilize ATTENDANCE for Credit

There are hundreds of people in the attendance for credit list. Way too many people owe hours and not enough are making them up. It is crucial to make them up, especially for seniors because if they don’t, they won't be able to graduate. Time is ticking and half the seniors don’t even qualify for graduation. Attendance for credit is there to help students out and prepare them for the future and not enough students are taking advantage of it. 

Attendance for credit also known as AFC is an academic requirement. Many schools have strict attendance policies tied to credit hours. Failing to meet these requirements can result in academic penalties, such as lower grades or even failure of the course. Students must earn a certain number of credit hours in order to graduate. Falling short on attendance could jeopardize their ability to accumulate these credits and meet graduation requirements. For that reason completing your AFC is very important in order to succeed. 

By completing and making up your AFC, the student demonstrates respect for their teachers, peers and coursework. It shows a commitment to their education and a recognition of the importance of being present and engaged in the learning process. It also improves the overall classroom dynamics and atmosphere. Their presence adds to the richness of discussions, group activities, and collaborative learning experiences, enhancing the educational environment for everyone involved.

In many fields, reliability and accountability are highly valued traits. Making up attendance for missed credit hours demonstrates professionalism and accountability, qualities that can benefit students in their academic and professional pursuits. Consistently attending classes and fulfilling credit hour requirements instills discipline and responsibility in students. These qualities are valuable not only for academic success but also for success in future endeavors, such as careers or further education. What may seem like a small thing as completing your AFC, it is also preparing you for future responsibilities by applying yourself to complete these important obligations, which teach you about responsibility and the importance of deadlines.

Missing a lot of school also takes away from your learning opportunities. Regular attendance is essential for students to fully engage with course materials, participate in discussions, and benefit from hands-on learning experiences. Even though you are able to make up the credit hours in AFC, you’re missing out on the actual in person content you would learn if you did attend regular class. So, finish your AFC, however after you're done with your hours try to attend your classes in order to get a better understanding of what you’re learning. 

Overall, making up attendance for credit hours is essential for students to fulfill academic requirements, maximize learning opportunities, and develop important skills and qualities that will serve them well in their future endeavors. Hillcrest students if you have any questions feel free to reach out to Mr. DeJesus who is currently the coordinator for AFC. He will let you know how many hours you owe, if any, and for which classes. So seniors, this one's for you, complete your AFC ASAP!

IMplmenting mental health into education  

In the aftermath of a global pandemic, mental health concerns among students have surged to unprecedented levels. The necessity for action is urgent, and the solution lies in proactive education. Implementing comprehensive mental health education in schools is not merely an option; it's an imperative.

Incorporating mental health education into the curriculum equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to recognize signs of distress in themselves and others. Early intervention is paramount to preventing the escalation of mental health issues, while raising awareness helps to diminish stigma and foster a culture of empathy and support.

In today's fast-paced world, stressors abound, and young people often lack the coping mechanisms necessary to navigate them effectively. Mental health education provides students with tools and strategies to build resilience, manage stress, and cultivate healthy relationships, empowering them to thrive in the face of adversity.

Addressing disparities in access to mental health resources and support begins with mental health education. By reaching students from diverse backgrounds, we can bridge the gap in awareness and ensure that all young people have the knowledge and resources they need to prioritize their mental well-being.

Critics may argue that schools are already overburdened with academic requirements and cannot afford to dedicate resources to mental health education. However, investing in mental health education is not just a moral imperative but also a strategic one. By addressing mental health issues early on, we can prevent long-term consequences that may ultimately impact academic performance and overall well-being.

To implement mental health education effectively, policymakers must prioritize training for educators, and give sufficient resources, and integrate mental health into existing curriculum seamlessly. Collaboration between schools, mental health professionals, and community organizations is essential to ensure a holistic approach that meets the diverse needs of students.

In a world where mental health challenges are ubiquitous, it is necessary upon us to equip the next generation with the tools they need to thrive. Comprehensive mental health education in schools is not just an investment in the well-being of students but a pathway to a healthier, more resilient society. It's time to prioritize mental health education and ensure that every student has the support they need to flourish.

Yuck or Yum?; School Food

It SUCKS. At least that's what most people say. School food has been a great debate ever since Michelle Obama passed the Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. The legislation originally aimed to improve the nutritional quality of school lunches and address both childhood obesity and hunger. Many students seem to disagree with the statement and just like myself, believe that the school food has done the opposite.

First of all, the school food cannot be discussed without prior testing of the food. I took upon myself to try the breakfast and lunch the school provides free of charge for a week. According to multiple experiences and images provided, I, alongside other students, bit into the school burgers and it was raw! This however is not where the line is drawn. The school pizza is the prime example of what is not good nutritional quality in the school lunches. The pizza is disgustingly greasy, and I can assure you that it is not at all a good alternative to subpar carryout pizza in restaurants. 

The school food has also become open to providing vegan options for students who may want such diets or are required to. One of the biggest items in their menu is the “veggie burger.” This burger looks somewhat like a regular burger, but once a bite is taken, the burger reveals an unnaturally saturated green color. The taste is also horrendous, and it seems as if there was no attempt to make the burger taste even close to regular meat. This food is causing students to throw away resources, and it has led to malnutrition rather than the latter. There is no excuse for these issues to continue occurring while we remain silent.

Many students have taken the alternative choice of bringing their own lunch to school. This choice is popularly a privilege as it adds expenses to low income families that likely cannot afford to give their children lunches. Having a healthy, edible quality lunch is the bare minimum that should be provided to those students that are less fortunate. Sadly, this is not the case in our schools and many students have reported being served “sorry excuses” for lunch. 

Truthfully enough, there were no bad intentions behind the Hunger-Free Kids Act. Michelle Obama intended the act to help children of low income families to have lunches for free. This however had backfired especially in Dallas ISD. The free school lunch was officially offered to all students regardless of economic status. This placed a strain in the District funds and they could not provide lunches of good enough quality. The school lunch program definitely can reach a good point if it is something exclusively for low income families.

It is also important for us as students to rise and take action against these issues against lunch. I invite everyone including teachers to send emails to our district Food and Child Nutrition Services and to call Dallas ISD officials. With our efforts, we can make a difference in the school lunches for children in what hopefully may be the near future.

Far past the masks

     After students headed back to the classrooms after the pandemic, no one quite realized the lasting impact of the virus. The push for the post-pandemic “return to normalcy has been anything but swift, structured, or collaborative. The American Rescue Plan and other federal funds amassed $190 billion for pandemic relief for school districts to aid in student learning during the proposed “catch-up” phase. Regrettably, despite the funding, schools were left with little-to-no guidance from the federal government or even in-state collaboration. With roughly 13,000 school districts doing roughly 13,000 different things, everyone was “left on their own” and “winging it.” Some schools have implemented measures to help students acclimate back into their classroom environments, others have simply reopened doors as if nothing has happened, leaving students who missed out on critical social developments during online learning to fend for themselves. The impact that covid  had cannot be ignored if the goal is to go back to pre-covid environments. How much longer can we accept that that status quo no longer exists, and it’s easier to adapt than to force students into an unattainable goal. 

First and foremost, post-Covid education has taken a significant decline far past the lift of the mask mandate. According to a study from Harvard, encompassing data and other metrics collected from nearly 8,000 school districts across 21 states, math, reading, and history scores from the past three years show that students experienced a significant decline in learning during and following the pandemic. Students leave school with months of unfinished learning; on average, students in K–12 were five months behind in mathematics and four months behind in reading by the end of the school year. Students who stay behind to catch up on missed education are statistically less likely to complete high school and move on to higher education, and students who simply move on miss key knowledge that is necessary in adult life. And apart from simple core classes, students risk graduating without the skills, behavioral developments, and mindsets to succeed in college or in the workforce. Overall. academic achievements from the past few years fall way short of pre-pandemic trends; in order to get students back on track, they would need to make momentous strides to get back on track, and quite obviously, that isn’t happening. Furthermore, post-Covid academic scores are showing an alarmingly quickly growing gap between students from different socioeconomic backgrounds. According to an article from the Brookings Institution, test-score gaps between low and high poverty elementary schools grew by roughly 20% in math and 15% in reading.

Aside from the effects on education, Covid had a devastating and lasting impact on adolescent mental health. Increased levels of anxiety, depression, fatigue and other symptoms reached a high during the pandemic lockdowns and were maintained past the return to the outdoors. Because of these negative mental health symptoms, many teenagers have turned to the use of substances to remedy their stress and loneliness. Research from Columbia University shows that while substance use took a dip due to students being under closer parental supervision, since the lockdown was lifted, substance use has been on the rise. Additionally, suicide rates rose along with rates of self harm. Society claims to care about the “children”, but unless more efforts are focused on the improvement of adolescent mental health, my generation will continue to be the “forgotten generation” we were so lovingly dubbed during Covid. 

Last but certainly not least, Covid-19 had a devastating impact on communication and social development in youth. After spending so much time behind our screens, the transition back into face-to-face communication has been, for lack of a better description, rocky. Teachers have trouble getting students to be engaged and set down their devices; some educators have given up entirely and transitioned into a primarily online curriculum. However, even as our world runs boldly into the arms of technology and industrialization, an individual cannot function throughout adult life without basic developmental attributes. Studies have shown that children as young as four show heightened signs of anger, temperament issues, and frustration from a lack of social interaction. These toddlers that experienced the social isolation are now back in a very tightly packed school environment, never given the opportunity to adjust or learn how to communicate with other children their ages. Teachers throughout K-12 report that students are far more disobedient, disrespectful and less receptive to instruction. Additionally, screens have stayed the norm even past the reintegration of the classroom. This has led to excessive screen time and blue light exposure that is shown to cause eye fatigue and affect circadian rhythms. Furthermore, the moving of textbooks and paper to digital formats led to drastically decreased opportunities for writing with pen a paper - a vital fine motor skill. Increased screen time during and following the pandemic has also shown to cause a sharp decrease in physical activity and exercise and an increase in the risk of obesity.  

It has now been four years since the initial outbreak of Covid, and roughly two years since the lift of the latest mask mandate. The world is finding its new normal, and in order to do that, society as a whole cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the severity of the impact. Funding does exist to assist school districts, but efforts need to be made to productively and efficiently coordinate nationwide efforts to get students back on track. There are a variety of programs designated for academic recovery, including summer school, more affordable tutoring, after-school programs, Reconnection programs to help keep graduation on track, and extended school-day and school-year initiatives have been proven to aid the improvement of education. Aside from education, the decline of mental health will also need coordinated efforts to help reverse these growing numbers. The pandemic did see the rise of Telehealth systems for students to receive counseling and a shoulder to turn to, but more needs to be poured into them in order to see a significant change in the number of students who are struggling within their own heads. Parents need to stray from the “iPad kid” culture that hinders the socialization of their children. It’s cliche, but put down the phone for a few minutes and go outside - enjoy nature. I recognize that our world is very technology heavy, and even I spend a lot of time on my devices, but we cannot let Generation Alpha and the ones that follow continue the trend of unhealthy screen time and a lack of sunlight. Digital devices and social media are sure to remain crucial and important for the foreseeable future, however, they cannot replace face-to-face interaction - and we cannot let them. 

Covid-19 is already showing up in textbooks. In a few years children in school will have quizzes on the pandemic in their history classes. Soon, if not already, Covid will be forgotten and buried beneath other news stories and more pressing issues. However, if society wants to fully recover from the pandemic, we need nationally coordinated efforts on the variety of lasting issues that arose from disease. Ignoring it will not solve the issue, only prolong and potentially worsen the issues. 

FAFSA 2023-2024: FORMageddon

The new FAFSA form just rolled out this year with a soft launch and is currently open for applications. Many questions rose before the release of this form in terms of reliability. Rightfully so, the form is not looking great after its permanent launch.

In the much-anticipated rollout of the FAFSA for the 2023 academic year, we were promised a streamlined and more efficient application process, offering a glimmer of hope for a smoother financial aid experience. However, many students such as myself found themselves entangled in a web of unforeseen challenges. One notable issue that tripped many students up was the complicated task of creating accounts for parents. The process, expected to be user-friendly, proved to be a stumbling block for numerous applicants, leading to frustration and precious time lost. 

Additionally, the submission of applications became a headache for students, combining the late release of the form. The delayed rollout, hovering over the financial fate of aspiring college students, removed from consideration for a more thoughtful and seamless implementation of vital financial aid resources. As the dust settles on this FAFSA fiasco, questions linger about the effectiveness of the changes and their impact on students' financial stability as they navigate the path to higher education.

All issues considered this year, the FAFSA form is far easier to fill out than ever before. The old FAFSA form had over 100 questions while the newly released form comes with less than half the original amount of questions. Additionally, the family size and poverty level will be considered in the amount provided from the Pell Grant. The FSA has also provided a support line for any students or parents struggling in the process of the application. Although the FAFSA form comes with some benefits for easier and better filing, the results of rolling out the new form has come with the opposite effect. There is no way to enjoy the benefits of the new form if not accessible and released in an inconvenient time.

The new FAFSA form definitely comes with its ups and downs. With time, the form will become far better than ever before. For the current students, our hope is that we will receive solutions soon rather than later. We, much like other students, deserve the same opportunity to further our education. At the end of the day, the form is a great concept but needs far more time to be analyzed and changed. I believe it would be great to return to the old FAFSA form until the new form is proven to be efficient and does not bring in the problems it currently has.

Pass the ball; Inequality for women's sports

 If you turn on the TV tonight I can almost guarantee that you'll find some kind of sports coverage. The latest game, a draft, something. Sports are one of the most universally popular things in the world and some of the most watched things on television today. But I must ask you, when was the last time you saw a women's sports team in that primetime spot? Female athletes are so often pushed to the sidelines and many people don’t even realize it. Women have to be their own promoters in the world of sports and it's way past time someone actually brought up the hurdles they have to constantly jump. 

The first of many walls that create such an uneven playing field are a lack of opportunities and access to sports and sporting facilities. The scarcity of co-ed sports and the lack of proper physical education in sports mean many young athletes have to look elsewhere for sports - which very rarely exist or are way too expensive. In fact, according to an article by Shelly Gigante on the average cost of sports a year, the mean cost of youth sports was $693; but even the least-expensive sports had some parents spending over $9,000 per year on one child. Furthermore, these fees do not include the cost of private training or sports summer camps, which can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars more per year. This range in number and many costly aspects of sports are unpredictable, like new equipment if something breaks, is something that many parents cannot justify or sustain that cost over several years of sports. 

Coaches who mainly teach young men often aren't as prepared for training young women, leading to different treatment or even neglect altogether. Not to mention, women are a minority in coaching, especially as the teams get more elite. In youth team sports, there is a shocking 22% gap between girls and boys. And among the top eight college sports, women were less than 15% of head coaches in men’s sports. There are no female head coaches in men’s football, baseball, softball or soccer teams. In contrast, men were 66% of women’s soccer head coaches, 33% of softball head coaches, and 43% of women’s basketball head coaches. In women’s track, tennis, and soccer had less than one-third of head coaches identify as women. Sports claim to be inclusive for everyone, but until more women are in that teaching position there is no way to fully cover that hole. 

Another setback for the promotion and inclusivity of female sports is the ever present social stigma and gender stereotyping. Media sells the false idea that sports can be at odds with a girl’s identity and femininity. Society argues with itself with one side yelling that girls should always be feminine and don't belong in sports, and the other screaming that girls should never be feminine and wearing a skirt is just helping society's “anti-feminist agenda” leave many young women conflicted on what they should do, if joining a sport is worth what people might say about them. The threats of bullying, social isolation and the fear of being judged for being in a sport push many girls out of the game. Young men are encouraged to join a sport because it will “make them more of a man”, but young ladies are told they are unlady-like and gross for wanting to play the same sport. In fact, according to womeninsport.org, only 30% of parents believe playing sports is very important for their daughters, compared with 41% of parents for their sons. The gender role is assumed when they are very young, and in our day and age, the way society perceives women and their roles is very hard to combat. 

In addition, many young women don’t see athletic role models on television. While male dominated sports are on prime time almost every night, female sports are rarely televised, if at all. Professional female athletes are so rarely praised, so rarely in the spotlight, that girls who are looking for encouragement to join or even preserve when told otherwise, often have nowhere to look. We are advancing into the future, yet women’s sports receive about as much airtime now as they did in the 1980s. Men’s sports have consistently been broadcasted more than women’s since broadcast transmission of sports was possible. However from 1989 to 2019, television coverage of women’s athletics only increased 0.5%, and only 5.4% of all airtime are women’s athletics.  

I am not saying that a lack of opportunity and access or even the social stigma don’t also affect young men; however, young women already face so many obstacles preventing them from true equality. And as long as those continue to exist, we cannot let sports and physical activities continue to be a divided playing field. In fact, addressing the disparities that female athletes are facing could lead to a safer and more equal environment for all athletes.

We must actively begin to promote all sports, not just the male dominated ones. We need to give the coverage of women's basketball games, or softball games primetime coverage right next to football and baseball. All sports are loved and have the power to unite thousands across the globe, so it's important to make sure each sport has the opportunity to see and receive that love. By pouring into commercial investment and media coverage as well as working to ensure female athletes receive the same opportunities and respect as their male counterparts, we have the power to make a difference in the equality of one of the most loved pastimes on earth. 

2024-2025 schedule creates alarm for students 

    As we begin the 2024 spring semester, students have accustomed to their schedule by now. Freshmen have come a long way from cluelessly roaming the halls and seniors have earned a vast knowledge about the school. This will all change next fall semester as administrators have confirmed that students will be returning to an eight class schedule. This has caused an uproar amongst students especially in the junior class. 

    The 2024-2025 senior class are the only class who have experienced the horrible idea of an 8 schedule class for their freshmen year. For an eight class schedule to work each class will have to be longer than what they are this year. Students who experienced the eight class schedule say it was a hassle and that middle class periods were exaggeratedly long. Some say school work was finished way before the period ended and teachers ran out of work for them to do. The first and last periods were also a struggle for teachers since they lasted only 50 minutes and felt pressure to cram the work up in only one lecture. 

  For this school, finding something that you love and hope to work on in the future is one of its top priorities. Well, an eight schedule class defeats the whole purpose of this. Students are left with a little to no option to choose classes they are passionate about. This can lead to other problems such as counselors getting frequent complaints and loads of work trying to switch students' classes. This is very inconvenient and can lead to stress for students, teachers, and administrators. This school would be better off keeping the same schedule arrangement.

   This year's juniors are not only annoyed about the schedule change but concerned as it changes STAAR test expectations. If worrying about the SAT wasn't enough, every junior is now expected to pass the United States history STAAR test along with other tests. Because of next year's schedule change, if juniors do not pass their exams they are required to retake their whole eleventh grade year over again instead of retaking only that one class for senior year. This has put so much unnecessary pressure on juniors and even history teachers.  

   Career institute along with not having “enough time” in core classes are some of the main reasons for the sudden schedule change. Administrators say that this year's schedule does not correlate with the schedule in career institute. Instead of the normal one hour and fifteen minutes of class, students in career institute have to spend double the amount of time over there. I believe the career institute issue does need to be fixed but not by changing up the amount of classes students are used to having. On the other hand, some people love the idea of having less classes and less homework to worry about but this also means that credits will be harder to achieve and GPA’s go down due to the lack of core classes and electives being taken at a time. 

   One way this problem could be fixed is by having students who attend career institute to have that class everyday with half the time they would normally spend over there. This is similar to what was done during the 2021-2022 school years although it's more beneficial as only some students will have to revisit the same class every day instead of the whole school. Since the main reason for the schedule change is problems with career institute, it is only fair that people who choose and have career institute on their schedule are the ones to get their schedule mixed up instead of having an entire school do it.

How Metal Detectors Are Inefficient

As the new year starts there have already been complaints from students about waiting in the cold and wind while waiting for staff to set up the area for checking bags. This is all for security, but since the beginning of the year it has been slow and inefficient as a means to properly maintain school safety.

It is a safety hazard to have students standing in one place in the morning. 

There are safety hazards that can come from students standing in a large crowd in a small space in the morning. The doors for the school should open earlier to allow students whose parents have work at an earlier time in the morning to enter school. There are often long lines of students waiting outside for extended periods of time and it can be stressful as the first thing you do in the morning and can spoil moods. To prevent this I believe that a viable solution would be to open doors earlier and have the staff prepared.

To continue, school should also have staff ready at the door to check backpacks. It is important to the school's functionality to be able to swiftly move students through the metal detectors so that they can go to class on time and to get them out of the weather. This involves more student comfort than safety. It should be a priority for students to get to class on time, and feel safe in their environment. In order to achieve this the school should have the staff prepared earlier. 

If it would ever be possible to add additional metal detectors it would benefit staff and students because there are more ways to enter the school. This reduces the amount of traffic, and allows students to quickly enter the school and be on time for classes. Many would argue that this would be costly for the school, but it is better to install metal detectors for the safety of students, even though it would cut into the schools budget. Many would say that students could take advantage of these suggestions because having fewer locations is easier on staff, and acts as a better deterrence for weapons or confiscation. But I disagree. I believe that based on the current state of the school we need more security stations around the school, and more care for the students well being. 

To maintain safety we need prepared staff and better ways of entering and exiting the building, we should provide students with a sense of security, and comfort. There are many solutions and the ones provided seem to be the most effective and viable. 

The impact of social media on mental health 

Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives, with billions of people using various platforms worldwide. While it has many benefits, there is growing concern about the impact of social media on mental health. As a person who uses social media every day and loves it, it is heartbreaking to see the negative impact that social media can have on people's mental well-being. Therefore, I strongly believe that the negative effects of social media should be addressed. The negative effects of social media on mental health can cause emotional distress, which can affect every aspect of our lives.

The constant exposure to idealized images and curated content on social media can lead to increased feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and depression. This can be especially true for those who are prone to negative self-talk and self-doubt. According to a study by the Royal Society for Public Health in the UK, social media is the most detrimental to young people's mental health, with Instagram being the worst offender.

Social media can create a sense of pressure to present a perfect image of oneself, which can lead to feelings of insecurity and low self-esteem. Seeing other people's accomplishments and lifestyles on social media can make us feel like we are not doing enough or that we are not good enough. This can lead to a cycle of negative self-talk and a sense of not measuring up.

The constant stream of notifications and updates on social media can be addictive and contribute to compulsive behavior. This addiction can lead to increased feelings of anxiety and depression, which can be detrimental to one's mental health. It is essential to recognize when social media use is becoming compulsive and to take steps to limit its use.

Some argue that social media can have positive effects on mental health, such as connecting with others and providing a platform for self-expression.

While social media can have some positive effects, the negative effects on mental health are more significant. It is crucial to recognize and address the negative impact that social media can have on our emotional well-being.

To minimize the negative effects of social media on mental health, it is essential to set boundaries and limit social media use. This can be done by setting specific times of day for social media use, turning off notifications, and taking breaks from social media altogether. It is also important to be aware of how social media affects our mental state and to seek support from mental health professionals or loved ones when necessary. By taking steps to manage social media use, we can enjoy its benefits while minimizing its negative impact on mental health.

OFF limits; Hillcrest Track no longer open to public

The Hillcrest track field has been locked up from public use and now is only available to students within extracurricular activities. The track was once an open space for the neighborhood to gather and get some cardio in. After the renovation of the Hillcrest track, it was surrounded by gates and locks to which only coaches and select teachers have access to. I believe there should be some sort of medium met in order to satisfy extracurricular programs and the neighborhood.

Considering the architecture of the neighborhood, there isn't much area to walk. There isn't a park around the corner or a trail for people to walk. Many people around the neighborhood such as myself used the track field to get a workout, or just to have a nice walk. That opportunity however isn't open to everyone anymore.

There are various moments throughout the day when the track is not being used. The track can also be shared in certain moments when it’s not fully occupied. This similarly occurred when the track was still open to the public. People were able to use the track and not bother one another.

Many students do not have access to private facilities in order to work out. These private facilities usually require a monthly subscription or a sort of payment. According to Great Schools, 79% of students are low income which means that 79% of students are unlikely able to make payments to use private facilities. The Hillcrest track being open provides an opportunity for students to work out in a safe environment free of charge. 

As much as it was great to have the track field open all the time for anyone who wanted to go, it did create some issues. It is understandable why the track was locked up considering that it was used for extracurricular practices like football, soccer, marching band, etc… It was very difficult for students and coaches to have practice when a good chunk of the neighborhood was on the track.

Despite the issues it may hold, I believe that a middle ground may be established in order to satisfy both parties. The proposition would consist of advertisement and scheduling. Having a QR code to scan when practices for school teams occur can help people schedule time in their day to go take a walk or workout on the track when it's available. At the end of the day, this issue can be solved by improving the administration of the track so the neighborhood and school can both be catered to.

defiance of bringing blankets to school

As a result of the misuse and safety of blankets, they are now prohibited on the Hillcrest High School campus. However, some students keep bringing their blankets because it gets too cold in certain parts of the school. Students believe that Principal Florie has made no effort into regulating the thermostat around the school at a decent temperature because of how long people have been complaining about it and nothing has been done, so we don’t know when the students will stop bringing their blankets and start following the policy. 

Bringing blankets to school becomes a distraction to the student or their classmates, by being seen as disruptive to the learning environment. For example, if a student spends more time arranging and using the blanket than participating in class activities, it might be discouraged. Also in certain cases, there’s schools where the students have to go through metal detectors and there’s a person searching their belongings, which would be more time consuming due to all the extra fabric of the blanket. 

In some cases, bringing certain items to school like a blanket may pose safety concerns. For example, if a blanket is obstructing walkways or creating a tripping hazard, it could be considered unsafe. In addition, there is a worry that they could be dangerous to have in science classrooms specifically, where experiments involving flame could be used. Or other safety concerns could be students hiding in prohibited items like guns or vapes into school. 

Lastly, bringing a blanket to school might be misinterpreted by teachers or administrators, leading to concerns about the student's well-being or emotional state. In such cases, communication between the student, their parents, and school staff may be necessary to clarify the situation. Because of the simple misinterpretation of bringing a blanket, it could cause it to turn into something big for no reason and waste everyone’s time. 

Although the school’s air conditioning doesn’t work the way it should be, and students use the blanket as an extra layer of protection against the cold, there are still way too many issues regarding the presence of blankets. The risks of bringing a blanket are too high and they’re not worth taking. 

Students will keep bringing their blankets to school unless we do something about the temperature being too low, which could be an easy fix by fixing the thermostat that has been broken for a while now. Letting teachers control their own thermostat would be more beneficial and will help contain the initial problem of students bringing blankets to school.

Why such a high dropout rate for specialized programs? 

Incoming freshmen every year join a specialized program such as the International Baccalaureate Program (IB), the Collegiate program, or the Engineering program. All of these students are promised some sort of benefit if they join the programs. Collegiate students get the chance to take college courses and an opportunity to get their associates degree. As for the IB students, the program helps them to go to some of the highest ranking universities around the world. As freshmen approach junior year, we see a high dropout rate of students in these specialized programs due to many inconveniences. So, why are students who are offered these great benefits dropping out of these specialized programs and how can it be fixed?

A total of 50 students can join the IB program per year and a total of 7 out of 32 IB students graduated with the IB diploma last year. This means 22 out of 100 percent of the students graduated from this specialized program. Most of the students who join IB are athletes or may be in other clubs. This is a problem for them as they are in a time crunch to finish IB work and train after school. This problem has caused many IB athletes to drop out of the program and proceed with their athletic training. This lack of time scheduling is a big factor on the dropout rate not only in IB but in other programs as well.

The scheduling is one factor that increases the dropout rate but the difficulty in these programs is also one. Classes in the collegiate programs are far more complicated, the learning process is faster and more complex. The self-teaching and self-learning are far higher for collegiate students than for normal highschool students. In IB, students are prepared to write extended essays and by senior year are expected to write a 4,000+ essay by december. This of course may be a difficult task for a lot of students to complete as well as the amount of personal time they have to give up. This eventually leads to a high dropout of both collegiate and IB students.

Commitment is something many students lack when joining specialized programs. When students join as freshmen they are committed to the program they joined and vision their future with it. As junior year approaches, they are met with piles of work and the commitment disappears. They see that their work is merely rewarded and the only benefit they will receive isn’t until they graduate. In order to succeed in the programs you have to actually do the work and cut off distractions, something many highschoolers aren't willing to do. 

All of these specialized programs are known for being rigorous. These programs are not for smart people, it's for people who are determined to work at a pace and under pressure. If students lack in that area they may not be the best fit for these programs. Administrators say students should know what they are getting into. Although this is true, when students join many don't know the difficulty and the amount of work they will have to do. Incoming freshmen are not yet fully prepared in working under pressure and when they decide to join one of these programs they are met with a lot of stress. 

   This issue can be fixed and avoided in many ways. One way is by opening up a class that helps students with time management and gives them enough time to go over all of their work that was given to them in previous classes. Rewarding the students is also an important part in avoiding a high drop out of students in specialized programs. They see that their work and efforts are not going to waste, rather they are being rewarded. Lastly, incoming freshmen should be greatly informed about the programs they are about to enter not only by administrators but by seniors who have experienced ups and downs in these programs. 

Low Participation for Senior Nights

For many years in Hillcrest High School, senior year is and has been special, and so is "Senior Night." It's the time when we celebrate our journey and friendships. But this year, fewer seniors are joining in. This is a topic to be addressed to wonder if we can bring back the excitement of unity and celebration, or if events like this are slowly fizzling out among students.

Senior Night is when we seniors shine, get recognized, and get to our school. It's a unique memory many seniors cherish, a moment to leave a mark. 

The low participation rate is an interesting problem. It weakens our school community, however the spirit of the school has not seemed to dwindle, and with the recent homecoming week and football game, seniors are brought together more and more than ever.

But what might be causing this decline in student participation? Perhaps it's due to the ever-increasing demands on a senior's time, with college applications, part-time jobs, and extracurricular activities taking up a significant portion of our days. As seniors, we find ourselves with various responsibilities, which can make it harder to commit to events pertaining to seniors in general.

I believe the senior nights are marketed well, and made even clearer through the morning announcements, so it may be a matter of general interest dropping over time. Some seniors, despite the advertising, may also just not know that the event even exists. If students are looking to see more participation among us, spreading the word would be very beneficial for the events.

 Headphone policy Annoys students

There has been a new policy implemented prohibiting students from wearing airpods, or over the ear headphones on school grounds by Principal Florie to discourage the use of headphones during class. 

To some this policy might seem absurd, but there are scientific studies backing the foundations of this policy. Music playing in the background while you work, especially songs with faster tempos can significantly decrease the chance of the student absorbing the information that the teacher provides. A Western Governors University study suggests that playing music at loud volumes worsens cognitive performance. Specific genres of music such as classical music did not enhance cognitive abilities of the participants, therefore listening to music is not helpful for students' ability to stay on task, listen to teachers and complete assignments. 

I sometimes get disoriented whenever I multitask while listening to music and trying to complete assignments. I begin to walk without intent when I am deep into a song, or am not paying attention to my surroundings. So for students who are unfamiliar with the school, having extra distractions can cause them to lose focus and end up being lost in the school, and missing valuable class time. But for studying, there is evidence that having headphones on is even more damaging to students' focus because many headphones that have ANC adaption (noise cancelation) can result in the user's dizziness, motion sickness, and disorientation. I personally have experienced this. 

It is a social norm to recognize that a person with headphones on or both airpods in their ears does not want to talk. This limits social interaction amongst peers at school. In a school setting it is valued that all students socialize with others in order to develop a higher emotional IQ, and intelligence regarding body language and tones presented in voices. There is a noticeable disconnect between the two, because there is not enough social interaction with other students when they keep to themselves and are focused on their phones. 

Everyone needs time to relax and rewind during stressful days at school with  ample amounts of classwork. It should be understood that students should be allowed to have headphones and airpods in when they have completed their assignments or when there are lunch breaks or during passing periods. When receiving instruction during class there is no logical reason for students to be distracted by their phones and music, because of the many intrusions these devices have on the students academic performance, and sociability. 

Bell Schedule slight change

In the world of education, even the smallest adjustments to the daily routine can create waves of change. At Hillcrest High School, a seemingly minor shift in the bell schedule has sparked discussions among students and parents alike. It's essential to recognize the potential benefits and consequences of this change, especially in the context of a regional decision.

“Hillcrest High School, in a collaborative effort with nearby schools, has made the decision to revise its bell schedule with the aim of keeping everyone within the district on the same synchronized schedule. This comprehensive change encompasses both the A-B day schedules and the time schedules. By doing so, these schools are striving to create a more cohesive educational experience for students, parents, and faculty alike. The alignment of schedules not only fosters consistency but also facilitates opportunities for joint initiatives, such as shared extracurricular activities, professional development, and regional events,” Principal T.J. Florie said. “This unified approach reflects a commitment to enhancing educational standards and fostering a stronger sense of community across the area.”

This decision to harmonize schedules among Hillcrest High School and neighboring schools demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing the evolving needs of students and educators. By maintaining consistency in A-B day rotations and time schedules, students can transition seamlessly between schools, ensuring a smoother educational experience and less disruption to their routines. Moreover, this collaborative effort allows for more efficient allocation of resources and enhanced communication between schools, enabling them to pool their expertise and resources for the betterment of all students in the district. As this initiative progresses, it is expected to not only streamline operations but also strengthen the sense of unity and shared purpose among the schools within the district.

The commitment to a synchronized bell schedule is also emblematic of the schools' dedication to preparing students for the realities of the modern world. In a globalized society, adaptability and collaboration are essential skills, and this regional alignment serves as a practical lesson for students in how different organizations can work together effectively. Furthermore, it reinforces the idea that education is not confined to the classroom; it extends to real-world applications, such as coordination, teamwork, and adaptability. As this initiative unfolds, it is anticipated that the benefits of a shared schedule will extend beyond logistical convenience, shaping students into well-rounded individuals ready to thrive in an interconnected, dynamic world.

The decision to synchronize schedules across Hillcrest High School and neighboring institutions has generated mixed reactions among students and parents. While it offers the advantage of consistency and coordination, some have found the 2-minute shift to be somewhat perplexing and unusual. For students, the change disrupted established routines and led to initial confusion as they adjusted to the new timing. Parents, too, expressed their concerns about the need to adapt their schedules and routines to accommodate this seemingly minor adjustment. However, it's important to note that this initial skepticism is not uncommon when changes are introduced. Over time, as everyone becomes more accustomed to the synchronized schedule, it is expected that these initial reservations will diminish, and the benefits of a more coordinated educational system will become increasingly apparent to all stakeholders involved. This adjustment period is a natural part of any significant change in the educational landscape.

BRAIN ROT FOR BOOKWORMS?

Schools have a fundamental responsibility to provide students with a comprehensive education that exposes them to a wide variety of perspectives, ideas, and viewpoints. One of the most effective ways to achieve this goal is by offering students access to a diverse range of books that challenge their thinking and broaden their understanding of the world around them. Unfortunately, many schools have banned books that are considered controversial or offensive. Between July 2021 and June 2022, the report, Banned in the USA: The Growing Movement to Censor Books in School, found 2,532 instances of individual bans, which covered 1,648 books. About 41% of the banned titles explicitly address LGBTQ themes, which is the major target of these bans. Books involving sexual content (such as stories about teen pregnancy, sexual assault and abortion) account for 22% of the titles. About 21% directly address race and racism, while 40% feature major characters of color. So, should schools ban these controversial topics?

Banning books violates the fundamental right to freedom of speech. In a democratic society, individuals are entitled to express their ideas and opinions without censorship. This right is essential for promoting intellectual freedom and ensuring that diverse perspectives are heard. This restricts individual freedom and undermines the values of an open society.  Robie H. Harris, author of several children’s books including It’s Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing up, Sex, and Sexual Health, stated, “I think these books look at the topics, the concerns, the worry, the fascination that kids have today… It’s the world in which they’re living.” When students are exposed to diverse perspectives and ideas, it challenges them to think critically and form their own opinions. Banning books limits the opportunity for students to engage in open discussions and explore various viewpoints, which is crucial for developing critical thinking and a healthy appreciation for free speech.

Banning books limits students' exposure to diverse ideas and perspectives. By removing books that are considered controversial or offensive, schools are preventing students from developing a nuanced understanding of complex issues. This narrow-minded approach can lead to a less-educated society that is unable to navigate the complexities of our increasingly diverse world. Neil Gaiman, author of the frequently challenged novel Neverwhere, stated, “Books build empathy…You get to feel things, visit places and worlds you would never otherwise know. You learn that everyone else out there is a me, as well. You’re being someone else, and when you return to your own world, you’re going to be slightly changed. Empathy is a tool for building people into groups, for allowing us to function as more than self-obsessed individuals.” Many of the books that are banned deal with controversial topics such as racism, sexism, and political oppression. By banning these books, schools are ignoring the realities of our society and the historical events that have shaped it. This approach fails to prepare students for the challenges of living in an increasingly diverse and complex world.

Lastly, banning books stifles critical thinking and inquiry. Students need to be able to question and analyze the world around them, and access to a wide range of books is essential for developing these skills. By banning books that are considered controversial, schools are preventing students from engaging in meaningful discussions about important social issues. Banning books also undermines academic freedom. “Book bans violate the First Amendment because they deprive children or students of the right to receive information and ideas,” explained David L. Hudson Jr., a professor at Belmont University College of Law and a First Amendment law expert. Teachers and educators have a responsibility to teach students about important social issues, even if they are controversial or uncomfortable. By restricting the books students are allowed to read, schools are limiting the academic freedom of teachers and educators to teach and discuss these topics. This undermines the trust in the educational system, which should be a place of open dialogue and intellectual exploration. 

Some people believe that books containing controversial or offensive content, such as profanity, sexual content, or violence, should be banned from schools because they believe that exposing students to such content could be harmful or morally wrong. Some may advocate for the banning of books that conflict with their political or religious beliefs. Parents or administrations may argue that certain books should be banned from schools because they are not age-appropriate for the students. 

An alternative to book banning in schools is to encourage open and honest discussions about the controversial or challenging themes presented in the books. Teachers can use these books as opportunities to foster critical thinking, empathy, and understanding among students.

1. Parental involvement: Schools can involve parents in the process of selecting books for the curriculum. This can help ensure that parents are aware of the content and can make informed decisions about whether they want their children to read certain books.

2. Trigger warnings: Schools can provide trigger warnings for books that contain potentially upsetting content. This allows students to make informed decisions about whether they want to read the book and prepares them for any potentially challenging themes.

3. Contextualization: Teachers can provide context for controversial or challenging themes by discussing the historical or social context in which the book was written. This can help students understand why certain themes are present and can help them develop a deeper appreciation for the book.

4. Alternative assignments: Schools can offer alternative assignments for students who do not want to read a particular book. For example, students could be given a choice between several books with similar themes, or they could be given the option to write a research paper on a related topic instead of reading the book.

ULTIMATE GUIDE TO MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN; REGULATION OF CORPORATIONS

The United States is in a condition of wickedness. In 2030, the estimated amount of the population who will become obese will be half of the population. Food and in general the quality of products in the United States are an embarrassment compared to other first world countries. Additionally, the actions that are done by these companies in the United States are terrible, where lies, manipulation, corruption, and utter greed run among them. How have we not thought of the consequences of allowing corporations to run the United States of America, to which we call this country the best of the best? It all follows and connects to one reason only which is in the idea of American company policies towards the population to prefer greed and profits over customer satisfaction and positivity. There must be accountability against these devilish corporations and if that cannot be done a full restrictive system must be implemented to prevent their grubby little hands from committing heinous crimes against humanity.

If you were to ask anyone what they remember of food advertisements, all they would speak of are wacky, exciting, and happy mascots of junk foods that are all around appealing. The concept of these advertisements are just made to greatly encourage people, especially children to consume these items. In fact, they would always show the benefits of these items rather than the negatives to further entice children to eat these products like the nutrients and proteins, yet not discussing the incredible amount of fats, sodium, and sugar. In fact, focusforhealth.org released their article on “The American Food Supply: Not Fit For European Consumption” speaks of the terrible regulations on food that is outright illegal in Europe: “Perhaps an important factor in the differing approach to food quality in the EU and the US can be explained by their respective regulatory approaches. Europe takes a cautionary position and will pull a product or additive off the market if it has reason to believe it could cause harm; more of a better safe than sorry approach. The US operates under the innocent until proven guilty model.” For instance, the widespread use of Potassium Bromate, a preservative that allows the flower dough to rise higher was found to increase benign and malignant tumors in the thyroid gland through animal studies. The EU, Brazil, and Canada deemed this information to be sufficient enough to prove the dangers of this preservative. The U.S did not. 

The quality and overall safety of products, especially in food are just disappointing. I have a personal experience realizing this utter downgrade of quality in food when I traveled from the United Arab Emirates to the United States of America. For example, my favorite soft drink is Fanta and of course, was ultimately ruined in the United States. The taste of Fanta in the U.A.E was astonishing as it uses real oranges in their drinks, therefore it had the taste of oranges; however, as I took a sip of American Fanta all I could think to myself was that it tasted like chemicals and nothing more. The primary reason is that the United States has limited regulations on what you can put in these products, and so artificial oranges alongside other random chemicals that I cannot even pronounce on the first try were used. So why is that? The main reason again falls under lenient regulations, faster and cheaper cost of production to generate as much profit as they possibly could. This is unacceptable, and not only ruins my personal enjoyment with these products, but also creates worry knowing that what I am consuming is just threatening to my overall life expectancy. From Food Babe.org, a health source that compares the ingredients of such products of the United States to the United Kingdom can be shocking. Quaker Oats in the United Kingdom contains ingredients that are as expected in a usual product such as Sugar, Rolled Oats, and frozen fruits. This seems up to the standard until that product is compared to the American version where countless chemicals and preserves are used. The American version contains no real fruits and instead uses preservatives to mimic the taste and smell of it. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom refuses to accept a product of garbage from American companies and are required to change such ingredients. The reason is simple: The European Union takes a "precautionary approach" towards food additives that can be potentially risky unlike the United States, where the government allows food companies to largely police itself, deciding which ingredients, chemicals, and additives are “safe” to use in their products. The population of the United States are literally being treated as lab rats, so would you want to consume a food product that will literally drain you of your vitality? I don't think so.

Now of course, we cannot talk about massive corporations without speaking of the lies, corruption, and unadulterated crimes that have been committed upon the population. In The New York Times with the article “Companies Falsely Labeled Their Products “Made in U.S.A” speaks of the numerous lies that American companies have done to reap of the profits from unsuspecting patriotic people: “Two California-based manufacturers of deployment bags, tactical gear and other merchandise marketed to active and retired American military personnel sold the products online as #MadeInUSA, and inserted “American Made” tags into its products. In reality, most of the products were manufactured entirely in China, according to the Federal Trade Commission.” Surprisingly, these companies were not penalized for this action by the FTC which then follows another issue that U.S corporations have taken advantage of and that is the lobbying of government officials.  Source from The Atlantic, a center-left news agency reported on the constant discrepancy through the article “How Corporate Lobbyists Conquered American Democracy” stating: “Corporations now have spent an estimated $2.6 Billion a year for lobbying expenditures - more than the $2 billion we spend to fund the House ($1.18 billion) and Senate ($860 million). What makes today so very different from the 1970s is that corporations now have the resources to play offense and defense simultaneously on almost any top-priority issue.” Multiple surveys from numerous corporate lobbyists reported that the primary reason for their actions is to “Protect the company against changes in government policies.” Another example provided by The Atlantic was the aggression shown by large pharmaceutical companies who have long opposed the idea for the government to add a prescription drug benefit to Medicare, which ultimately allows the government to bulk purchase these drugs, lowering the total profits pharmaceutical corporations could muster. There are additional examples and real world events that are related to the ones mentioned above, but that can be researched on your own. 

In terms of counterarguments, some would argue that the restrictions and regulations of food corporations, in fact, all corporations in general interfere with their freedom. Additionally, they would claim that the addition of preservatives allows companies to make these products cheaper.Yet this cannot be farther from the truth. The United States is ranked 52nd in terms of freedom behind Slovakia and they also rank 20th in standard of living. The other argument has some merit as preservatives/processed foods have a lower price market than natural foods but remember that in bringing down prices so are you pulling your own longevity. Our economic system is built upon exploitation of workers and to create wealth for the richest of the rich. Most of the workers who create these products are developed in China for the purpose of cheap labor when we can truly use American workers who are looking for jobs. The point is that when arguing for price drops, you are throwing away standard of living, life expectancy, obesity rates, and ultimately wealth distribution. In fact, I brought up the wealth gap because the cheap costs not only allow companies to generate greater profits to stuff their pockets but forces lower income individuals to buy these cheap products which results in greater determent. There will be a time later in the future where the poor, middle, and upper-class individuals will fall as the Elite will prosper. So tell me... what do you truly prefer? 

There must be change, and change is ultimately the way of life and development. It is inevitable that without change will the consequences of our actions hit us back. Obesity rates continue to increase, longevity decreases alongside standard of living, and the wealth gap continues to stray away. Those who look to the past and present will certainly miss the future. The government follows this principle and continue to support corporations which will slowly but surely roll over as a ball of snow that grows and grows until the time to act is lost. 

We as the population must act. We must speak upon the local, state, and federal government. We need the help of lawyers to ultimately force the government to ultimately regulate these corporations to stop. We must as the generation who comes into a new age to change these policies and will most likely occur when newer generation individuals take up government and corporate positions. I have hope for the future that change will occur, but it must be done before this whole damn structure falls apart on all of us.

STUDENTS HURT BY GRADES

The traditional system of assigning number grades to students has been a staple of education for decades. However, in recent years, educators and experts have increasingly called into question the efficacy and fairness of this system. Many argue that number grades do not accurately reflect a student's abilities or potential, and can even be detrimental to their overall academic growth and well-being.

One of the main arguments against number grades is that they are often arbitrary and do not provide a comprehensive picture of a student's performance. A single letter or number cannot capture the complexity of a student's achievements or struggles in a given subject. Additionally, grading is often subjective and varies from teacher to teacher, making it difficult to compare students across different classes and schools.

Furthermore, the pressure to achieve high grades can lead to a "grade-focused" culture, where students are more concerned with achieving a certain score than actually learning and understanding the material. This can lead to a lack of engagement and motivation, as students may feel that they are simply working towards a meaningless number rather than a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Another issue with number grades is that they can be especially harmful to students who struggle academically. Low grades can erode a student's confidence and self-esteem, making it more difficult for them to succeed in the future. Additionally, low grades can be a source of shame or embarrassment, leading students to avoid seeking help or taking risks in their academic pursuits.

Instead of relying on number grades, some educators advocate for more holistic and individualized assessments of student learning. This could involve a combination of self-reflection, peer evaluation, and teacher feedback, as well as a focus on project-based learning and other experiential approaches. By taking a more nuanced and personalized approach to assessment, schools can better support each student's unique learning journey and foster a more positive and inclusive academic environment.

Arguments could be made to back the number grade system as it is an international indicator of your performance if you want to study abroad, as well as being a motivator to try harder in your studies. However, if your motivation for trying harder and forcing out work is just to feel the appeasement of getting a high score, there ends up being less knowledge consumed making you unfit if you were to go and study abroad. The thirst for knowledge has been overpowered by the expectation of making high marks to the extent that the churned out work gets overwhelming and ceases that thirst via burnout.

In conclusion, the traditional system of assigning number grades is becoming increasingly outdated and problematic. While there may be some benefits to this approach, the limitations and drawbacks of number grades outweigh any potential advantages. By moving towards more holistic and individualized assessments of student learning, schools can better support student success and foster a more inclusive and engaged learning community.

Internet  Restrictions  impacts  students

In today’s era, the use of technology has been prominent among students and teachers. Our school district has gone so far with the inclusion of technology as to give every student a laptop. But there are many downsides to using it; there have been many restrictions on websites and many other restrictions in them. This problem may even cause students to not get the right information they are looking for, and it may also have an effect on their grades.

     Most likely, if a student is doing a presentation for a class, they will usually be graded and prompted to add pictures. Usually, when a student goes on the internet and searches for images, they get what they asked for, whether that is a picture of a product, place, person, and so on. But for a DISD student, after searching for those same things on the same browser, they will quickly notice that there is something wrong. When searching for images at DISD, the results are frequently limited in number or unrelated to the query. Now, if a student who was going to be graded on adding pictures to his presentation added these limited and unrelated pictures that were available to him, they would most likely not be able to receive a good grade from it.

     Not only can restrictions on pictures shown to students be negative to them, but also the restrictions on websites are proven to be bad for them. To DISD students there are many restrictions on websites and videos that might have been resourceful for them in understanding or doing research on a topic. With a limited array of sources it might even cause them to get a biased understanding of the facts, causing a negative or confusing understanding of what they are learning.

     And it doesn't just end with restricting websites to students, recently the restrictions have gone to a new extent when recently the USB access on school laptops has been changed. Since the introduction of school computers to students teaching and learning has gone through immense change. However there have been many changes to what can be allowed and what is prohibited for students to access in them. Recently the usb access to computers has been blocked causing problems to many students.

     While many argue that it is reasonable for inappropriate websites to be blocked many argue it is not reasonable to block usb access from those same computers as many schools among the district have begun to do. This will impact the ways in which students transfer files from their USB’s to the computer. It will also cause many inconveniences to many students who also use their computers for other purposes that require USB access.

    Nonetheless there is a way that can help ease the restrictions and benefit students and teachers. While it is understandable that teachers don't want students to access inappropriate sites, and often feel more secure knowing that there are restrictions, there are websites that are imperative to students' learning and to help them receive the information they are looking for. A solution that may benefit both parties can be a system where students petition for a resource to be unblocked, after said petition is submitted adults can go over it and decide whether it is a good idea to grant access to the requested resource.

     Overall this system of blocking anything that ever so slightly a student searches is causing more harm than good, a change is in need, while it is reasonable that inappropriate sights need to remain blocked,those that halt students academically don't need to. Easing restrictions will also give the students the ability to have a broader range of information they can learn from, which is what schools should aim for.

Students need extra time for studies

 In school, students try to balance school work and a personal life with many other things like extracurriculars and even jobs. Unfortunately, there is a point where it just becomes too much to handle, leading students to experience a downfall in many things, especially grades. The solution to that problem is a study hall here at Hillcrest. To those unfamiliar with the concept, a study hall is a period of time during the school day when students just work on their work from other classes and even study for tests. They can also receive help from teachers or other adults. It is a quiet time for students to work on their assignments and prepare for tests. The implementation of this will not only give students a place to study and work on classwork, but it will also give students a place to relax, which is a must for everyone, especially high school students.

Many students find that they learn better in a study hall than they do in a regular classroom. They can take their time and really understand the material. They can also get help from their classmates if they need it.

Having a designated time for studying can also help students manage their time more effectively. This is an essential and important skill to develop as it will help them further in their academic career. With so many activities and responsibilities, it can be hard for students to find time to study. Having a set time each day for studying can help them stay on track and avoid falling behind.

Study halls are also a great place to socialize. Students can catch up with their friends and make new ones. During class, students are expected to give their undivided attention to what they are supposed to learn, leaving little or no time to socialize and talk to other classmates. In a study hall, students can find a balance between both activities. Not only will this help students socialize, but they can also ask another classmate for help during study hall. They can also play games and have fun, or just relax if they are finished with their work. 

However, there are many that argue that it will be ineffective as many students will not follow its original purpose of doing work and studying, and that instead they will just spend the time playing games and not using their time in the study hall wisely. Nonetheless, it can be set up for certain grade levels to be in them, or even an application process to be made in which students are determined if they can be placed in a study hall. Overall, a study hall is a great place for students to learn and socialize, which is why it should be implemented in our high school.

Whether you are struggling in school or just looking to get ahead, a study hall can be a great resource. It is an opportunity to get extra help and focus on your studies. With the right attitude and effort, you can make the most of your study hall and set yourself up for success in the classroom, which is why it should be made available for students here at Hillcrest.

Schedule  changes  are  inevitable, inconvenient

     With the start of the new school year students have been requesting schedule changes, those of which can be overwhelming and time consuming for counselors. The process of schedule changing is often overlooked, but there is more to know about it. Counselors also deal with a huge number of course change requests, which can be overwhelming. Not only do they have to deal with all of this but they also need to keep track of the multiple ways that students may contact them. This process can be improved to ease the work of counselors and to make the process more efficient for everyone in order to make scheduling faster and easier.

     The process of doing a schedule change is exhausting as counselors have to not only change the schedule but they also have to make sure that the schedule change fits certain requirements. Some requirements that need to be met are to make sure that there is enough space for the student in the class he is requesting. Not only do they have to make sure that there is space available, but they also need to make sure they won't drop out of any important classes. For example if a student wants to take an elective class in 1st period but has a class required for graduating the counselor will have to deny the request or move the schedule around so that both classes can be included.

     The request for schedule changes usually rises in the beginning of the school year and at the beginning of the second semester. Usually counselors can be reached through email or by going in person to their office. At times this might be overwhelming to them as they need to track two ways that students are trying to reach out to them, causing them to sometimes lose track of some students requesting schedule changes. This can also affect the student as it can lead to them being stuck in a class they are not supposed to be in or that they have already taken.

     This process can be made more streamlined by offering a catalog either online or in person where students can view what classes are available to change to, after choosing their choices may be taken up with the counselor where the counselor can make sure the choices they made are beneficial for the student and the counselor. This will highly impact the process of schedule changing as it will make it more convenient for students to check what classes are available. It will also help counselors keep track of everything as students will come prepared upon meeting up with them. This will save time and confusion for everyone and will make the scheduling process easier for everyone.

                 No Calculators In Math Class