The new schedule change: is it worth it?

Can these new schedules work for the seventh and eighth graders? For the sixth graders unaware of the recent schedule changes between first and second semester, the seventh and eighth grade students traded schedules. Now seventh grade has lunch at 12:03 p.m. with Encore in the middle of the day, and eighth grade has lunch at 10:30 a.m. and Encore at the end of the day.

This is the first time Peacock has changed schedules in the middle of the year. Granted, the change was noticeable when the schedules were received back in August.

During the past few weeks, however, some inconveniences have appeared which soon may turn into real problems. The eighth grade class now eats at 10:36 instead of at noon. Most of them might as well just bring their breakfast. Just think, on Thursdays they have to eat at around 10:00. During a non-school day that is around the time a good number of the students wake up, and some much later.

A seventh grade student commented, "I hate it. We eat lunch too late and I liked Encore at the end of the day." Basically, it is difficult and disruptive to the students to change schedules in the middle of the year. Will classes and test scores suffer because of this?

The students are not the only ones who have to adjust to this change. Teachers also have to adjust their schedules. Even though there are bells, they still have to make sure
the students complete their lessons. The teachers have had to re-adjust their lesson plans to fit in the time allotted.

At the end of the first week, it was obvious that not all the teachers were happy with the new schedule. The eighth grade teachers, in particular, those who have lunch duty, go though six hours straight with students with no break. It can be a long, stressful workday with a break, imagine a day without one!

The schedule was apparently changed because some teachers were concerned about the faculty of one grade having a better schedule than another. This change of schedule was a compromise. But why couldn't they just alternate the schedule from year to year? It would make the school year easier on the teachers and the students.

Next year, the faculty and administration should more carefully consider the consequences of changing the schedule in mid-year.

Email The Charger about this story.
Translate this story.

One person's opinion

The other day, I was tempted to ask Dr. Nickisch if he really felt zero tolerance and mass punishment worked. But I didn't. Instead, I chose to write an anonymous editorial.

I think zero tolerance equals zero compassion. As for mass punishment, some of the kids at Peacock are no angels (specifically, some of the eighth graders). But most of the kids are pretty good students. Yet, we are all treated the same. Some deserve punishment, but not all.

When you have policies of zero tolerance and mass punishment, you ignore individual differences and let the adults in charge avoid their responsibility to make difficult decisions.

I was always taught never to give in to peer pressure. Be an individual! Yet this is the very thing I am now being told to do.

Email The Charger about this story.
Translate this story.

I Hope
Anonymous

I am a bright and shining star,
Glowing energy.
But alas, it goes unnoticed,
For it's deep inside of me.

I want to tap it, set it free,
And let the others see.
But irons bind my heart,
My thoughts unsettled, flee.

I thought my teachers would inspire,
Or somehow see my soul.
When all they do is ignore or threaten,
And leave me feeling cold.

Oh can't you see? I'm filled with fear!
Afraid that you don't care.
Afraid you'll laugh or hurt me more,
If I let you see what's there.

I think some day I will shine bright,
As bright as bright can be.
I will release the light that's shining,
No thanks to you, just me.
I hope.

Email The Charger about this story.
Translate this story.

Contest Winners

Congratulations to Brittany B., Mike G. and Raymol M., who were winners in the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Patriotic Essay Competition. They answered the following question: How should we honor America's Veterans? The three eighth graders were awarded $50 U.S. Saving Bonds, and they are now competing for the national prize.

Email The Charger about this story.
Translate this story.

New Year's Eve is #1
By Maggie F.

People do different things for New Year's Eve. I went to Aurora, Illinois. At the celebration in Aurora, there were different things happening for all different age groups. You could walk from door to door and get your face painted, learn about old things and other nationalities.

The one activity I participated in was Indian Dancing. I belong to a group of dancers in Explorers, a youth group, and I dance regularly with people. We danced at the celebration in Aurora, and asked people in the audience to participate.

Around 11:45 p.m., everyone gathered on three bridges to see the fireworks go off at midnight. The fireworks lasted for about twenty minutes. This is what happened on New Year's Eve in Aurora.

Email The Charger about this story.
Translate this story.

New Year's Eve 2000, what was all the fuss?
By Ashley S.
Op-Ed Editor

New Year's Eve 2000 is over, and nothing happened!! From the beginning, I really didn't see what all the hype was about. I think that people just wanted something to talk and worry about.

What really happened during the New Year holiday were parties. Some people chose to brave the cold and party outside, while others stayed at home with their families, which, by the way, was what I did.

If you turned on the TV at anytime that day, you probably would have seen one of the networks covering the approaching New Year around the world. Again, absolutely nothing happened, there was no Y2K bug, or at least no problems you could see.

If you watched the Times Square New Year's bash, you would have seen the awesome confetti. I heard that those little squares had a mixture of scents from around the world. I wonder what that was like? I just felt sorry for the people who had to clean all that paper up the next day.

All in all, New Year's Eve 2000 was just another end and beginning of a year. Oh wait, I mean, century. The 90s are over, the Y2K bug is dead, and when 3000 rolls around, I hope people don't act as stupidly as some people did this century.

Email The Charger about this story.
Translate this story.

Cafeteria patrol looks out for nutrition
By Michele B.

You sit down to lunch, pop the top of your Coke, and take a long drink. Ah, refreshing. Maybe refreshing, but definitely not the best thing for teenagers who are still growing.

It's not just that one Coke though, it's the repetition. It is the Coke after Coke, day after day. Do you know what's in a Coke or pop anyway? Absolutely nothing that you need. Even things like cake and brownies have some important nutrients.

Also, it's not just the pop. It's the chips, the candy bars, and everything else you eat that appears under the top section of the food pyramid labeled FATS: use sparingly.

How many times a day do you eat a piece of fruit? Once, twice? You should eat two to four servings daily, and since we are adolescents, we should be eating at least three servings.

And then there are the vegetables. As adolescents, we should eat four or five servings per day, even though the suggestion is two to five.

I could go on, but it's not my job to lecture. I'll let you drink your pop and have a bowl of bagged salad once a day, I'm just hoping that maybe next time you'll think about what I've written. (Also, next time you crave a Coke, try to remember the last time you had a glass of milk.)

Email The Charger about this story.
Translate this story.