Currently we have a select school lunch menu, with rotating the same few items. But, what if you couldn’t eat those items? What if you were allergic to meat, dairy, gluten or something even bigger? What options would you have to eat in the cafeteria, without ending up in the hospital? A certain scenario was brought to the newspaper’s attention where a student who couldn’t eat meat due to health reasons couldn’t eat lunch because the cafeteria didn’t offer non-meaty options for free, and she didn’t have money to buy from the school store. Many agree that she shouldn’t be denied the ability to eat due to a medical reasons.

Now this leads you to question other things as well, what about religious dietary restriction? The top 5 most participated in religions are Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Half of them have vegan/vegetarian diets, and the other half can have meat, but with certain limitations or restrictions, excluding Christianity, where meat is encouraged. 

Changes seem to be being made though, because we recently got a salad bar option added to the menu. Even with the change of a salad bar we still need more inclusive options. Can the school guarantee the salad bar doesn’t have cross contamination? That the lettuce hasn't touched the croutons which include gluten? What if a kid’s not in a stable enough financial situation to bring lunch from home? Get school lunch, right? But if they have allergies or diet restrictions and can’t eat the school lunch, what do they do then? We should add an allergy-friendly section to the menu. For example, the most common allergies and food restrictions include nuts, gluten, dairy, and of course, meat. One of the teachers at this school, Mrs. Mcllroy, has celiac and crohns, meaning she can’t have gluten. If she was a student and forgot to bring lunch, she wouldn’t be able to purchase anything from the cafeteria.

 She states, “I do think they provide great options for students, most days there are more than 1 lunch option (usually a meat and a vegetarian option) and also the salad bar. However, if students have a dairy, egg, or wheat/gluten allergy or intolerance like I do- most days there is nothing on the menu that they can eat. For example, today was cheese pizza, chicken wrap, or turkey sandwich. If I was a student, I would be hungry today because all of these meals contain cheese and gluten. Cheese falls within my dairy allergy and gluten will send me to the hospital. If I was financially or food insecure and did not have the means to bring my own lunch, this would be a huge problem since I most likely would rely on the food at school to eat every day.”

Some students struggle with this daily, having to choose between being hungry, or making themselves ill by risking eating a food with an allergen or intolerance.

We also wanted to know more about the students' opinions on the menu, so we decided who better than students with a hands-on view, experiencing the cafeteria from behind the scenes. 

One student who works in the cafeteria mentioned, “I think we have limited options because we spend most of the schools money on stuff like flag football, band, aristocrat, and that huge field.” 

Nutrition standards were recently updated to add more mandatory nutrition needs. In a study by CCSD it says, 

“Students have grown to like the healthier school meals. According to a recent survey by Robert Wood Johnson, respondents at 70 percent of elementary schools reported that students liked the new lunches. Across all grade levels, while there were initial complaints in the fall of 2012, by the end of the year the majority of the kids liked the healthier meals.” 

Since This study shows that kids like healthier food, it won't be a waste to spend a bit more money on healthier, fresher food. The new meal mandate is guaranteeing children more whole grains, fruits and vegetables, lean protein and low-fat dairy, as well as less sugar, fat, and sodium. However, shouldn’t those needs include students who have health issues as well? 

School districts are supposed to provide fair and inclusive education and food options for all, but how are they doing that when they aren’t providing food ALL students are eligible to eat; regardless of dietary restrictions, religious exemption, or any other reason.

Rule 1: Cleaning up the floor/picking up trash

This year at Greenspun JHS, there are some new cafeteria rules. One of them is for students to clean up the trash on the floor before they get dismissed to go outside. Each table, depending on the distance they are from the doors, gets dismissed by order. For example: the row closest to the door gets dismissed, then the next row, and so on. For students to get dismissed, an adult would have to come over to the table, and tell them to pick up their trash/trash someone made in the previous lunch. Then, they are free to get dismissed.

            Rule Number 2: Students Can’t Go Outside whenever.

Another rule the school added was for students to not go outside, whenever they want to. The only way they are free to go outside is when their table gets dismissed. This takes a really long time, especially if people sit in the back of the cafeteria, because they would have to wait for a while, until they get dismissed, and then they won’t have enough time to hang out outside.

Rule 3: Letting people sit at your table even if they aren’t your friend

A rule that has people struggling when eating lunch is letting random people sit at their table. This causes a lot of trouble for people, because they don’t want to let strangers sit with them, and they can “sometimes get into other people’s business” said Zaria Hicks, 7th grade  and “sometimes they might be unaware of who they are sitting with,” said Shevelle Sala, 8th grade.

Does Everyone Agree With Us?

Every student would have to agree: The rules are unfair to us, but what about the principal of the school? How does Ms. Carducci feel about these rules? Here’s what she had to say: “Last year when students were eating outside, they would make a lot of mess, which was disrespectful to the custodians, since they had to do all of the cleaning, and there were a lot of pigeons, and fights going on because students would go crazy, running around the courtyard for 30 minutes. We got the idea from Bob Miller because we heard that all of the kids would clean up the trash on the floor and table. All students have to be seated at all times, and a table can’t be dismissed with trash on the table or the floor. It’s not required for people to let others sit with them, but it’s nice to do so, because we want people to feel accepted. Students only get 10 minutes to hang outside, because we want to make sure they have time to get food from the cafeteria, or the student store, and students always got dismissed from the cafeteria depending on how close they were.”

By Thea Noorda

The conspiracy theory is that the world flat has a share of the population following this theory believing the earth is really flat. Some of these followers are Nathan Tompson, Patrica Streere, Netta Hagler, lastly the creators of the website “Flat earth society” Daniel shenton, Micheal Wimore, and John Davis.

Even though the modern-day movement started in 2004, it dates back all the way to 1865 with a book named “Zetetic Astronomy: Earth Not a Globe,” By Shamuel Rowotham.

This started not as a big deal, but in 2018 the conspiracy theory blew up again to what it is today. In an interview with some, these “Flat Earthers” all stated they were “Flat Earthers,” meaning they believed the earth was truly flat.

Well why do they believe the earth is truly flat? These people say unless they see it for themselves it's not true, meaning anything they haven't seen with their own eyes or in person, for example the first moon landing, or humankind being in space for the first time they think it is all a hoax or not true. 

Do you think the earth is flat? Are these Flat Earthers just delusional conspiracy theorists, or is there something that only they know? Ordinary people may never know the truth but one thing is certain we won't be labeled as a Delusional psychopath.  

References:

https://theflatearthsociety.org/home/

https://www.newyorker.com/science/elements/looking-for-life-on-a-flat-earth 

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-flat-earth-movement-a-society-of-disbelievers-in-scientific-fact/

On  September  30th  we  had  our  first  dolphin  day  of  October. Mrs. Neiwinski  runs  dolphin  day  also  the Student council helps out with it.   The clubs that did it were the football club, Publications, fine arts, etc. This dolphin day was in the cafeteria. Dolphin day is the first of every month.

Most of the clubs do fundraisers there. The reason we do dolphin day is to build community within the building  and  to  allow  for  many  groups  to  fundraise  and  be  seen  as  what  Mrs. Neiwinski  enjoys  it.  “I  love getting to see all of the groups on campus participate with each other!”

She thinks about how students like it “I think that the students like the variety of options available and supporting their teams/clubs.”We used to have music at Dolphin Day when we were allowed to have it 

outside. She thinks it will be too loud if we do have a DJ in the Cafeteria. StuCo is working with PE to have a field day at the end of the year.  

Do you feel like the dress code at your school is unfair? From a student's point of view, they believe that the dress code is one-sided. From the administrative point of view, the dress code is fair. But by asking a couple of questions, it's easy to show that the dress code is both fair and unfair.

It states in the dress code, "shorts and skirts must be the finger-tip length, blouses and shirts also can't be see-through, spiked or studded clothing, jewelry, and/or accessories are prohibited." The dress code, also states that "dress that the teachers or the admin think are a distraction to the educational performance of students are not allowed." From a student's point of view, this may make them feel like they can't express themselves.

As students, we are also not permitted to wear any headgear on campus. Headgear includes hats, hoods, and bandanas.  Even though some may feel this would restrict their style or creativity, the rule is there to keep us safe. Any student can quickly be identified in case a dangerous person comes on campus. Remember if you see something, say something! We are also required to wear shoes with soles and house slippers and shoes with wheels are not permitted.  What? Why? But they're so comfy! No one wants to be slammed into while some kid wants to “wheelie” through the hall.

Another rule…  "slogans or advertising on clothing, jewelry, buttons, and/or accessories that by their controversial, or obscene nature disrupt the educational setting are prohibited. Any clothing, jewelry, buttons, and/or accessories that promote illegal or violent conduct or affiliation with groups that promote illegal or violent conduct are prohibited. Any type of leg wear that is sagging and doesn’t fit is prohibited.”  A school cannot allow children to wear things that would insult another person. Or maybe be illegal!

I asked a couple of teachers if they believe the dress code is fair here is what they said. "I believe the dress code is fair because nobody can wear tank tops with straps less than 3 inches wide," said Mrs. Regin. "Yes, it is free dress pretty much. The things you cannot wear are not things I regularly wear anyway (Hats, tank tops, beanies). "I really don't think it is restrictive," said Mr. Watnem. Mrs. Matthews stated, "Yes it is fair, because it sets standards and expectations for our school community, and for appropriate attire. All the teachers interviewed agree that our dress code is fair and believe that it is here for a reason."

In conclusion, the dress code is fair and not fair depending on your point of view. When you disobey the dress code, it shows the school you have no respect for what they teach. So always remember you can be yourself without disobeying the dress code. While we all have to wear things that may not be our style, we have to maintain a uniform standard. And we wouldn’t want to HAVE TO wear uniforms, would we?

Greenspun's NJHS  is one of the many groups at Greenspun. Although it is a very influential group here, not many people know what they do or even who they are. NJHS has been around since 1929, and is for outstanding students to be recognized. Anyone can be a candidate for NJHS. Although there are characteristics that the school looks for in a candidate. These usually consist of five characteristics: scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. The Greenspun website defines these characteristics. Scholarship is having a 3.0 GPA. Service being able to make and have made voluntary contributions, without compensation. Leadership, when someone is a “good problem solver, idea-contributions and depenible”. Character is when someone holds up good ethics or moral standard. Citizenship is is a student who has civil involvement.

The teacher for Greenspun NJHS is Mrs. Vandyke. She was a NJHS teacher at the school she worked at before coming here, which is why Mrs. Carducci chose her specifically.  Besides only teaching NJHS she is also a 7th grade English teacher. Some people might think that Mrs. Vandyke picks the students in NJHS, but she really has no say in the matter. She said “I do not get to choose who gets to go into NJHS. Students have to qualify based on the national guidelines. Students must have a 3.0 GPA, all O’s or S’s in citizenship, they must have no detentions, RPC’s, or suspensions. Anyone who meets these guidelines can apply, and they must go through a rigorous application process that involves letters of recommendation and an essay.” The students that are in Greenspun NJHS work extremely hard to get in and stay in.

Some of the main things NHJS does is community service work, holiday grams, and service projects. For example, the holiday grams can be flowers, charms and letters/notes. Recently we had “Boo Grams” where you write a message to your “boo” and Greenspun NJHS will deliver it. These “boo grams” came with the option to give a flower or a ring with your message. They don’t just do this for Halloween they have it for Valentines day and many others. 

NJHS also does community service. For example, they do food drives, donations, volunteering etc.

Greenspun NJHS goes on a annual leadership trip to Disneyland! This Disney trip is a great way to teach and is a fun reward. Mrs.Vandyke and all the kids of NJHS work so hard to help our school and our community.