A message to the graduating eighth graders

Dear Class of 2000:
It is difficult to believe that in a short few weeks, you will be graduating from Peacock Middle School. I have known most of you since pre-school, and since then you have gone through so many changes and have faced many challenges.
It seems like just yesterday you thought that being in first grade and having to stay all day in school was so grown-up. You then went through the changes of grade level schools; switching from Washington to Franzen, and of course entering Peacock.
You were so nervous starting sixth grade. You were filled with anxieties: "will I be able to get to class on time... three minutes isn't very long." "Will I remember my locker combination?" "What will I wear to the dance?"
It wasn't long though, and you were pros. . .You settled in the new routines with ease. "What was I worried about? Three minutes to my next class? piece of cake" . .
Without hesitation, you became involved with different activities; whether it was sports, music, or running for Student Council.
Now you are facing a new exciting challenge, High School. I have seen the enthusiasm of choosing your classes, electives, and wondering what sports or clubs you are going to join.
You are going to meet new friends, and of course, homecoming and prom to look forward too; and I know you can't wait for Drivers' Ed (although I am sure your parents can).
I am confident that you will meet these challenges with eagerness because you have the love of your parents, friends, and are so fortunate to have had the best teachers who have encouraged, inspired, and have taught you to strive to always do your best.
I had a good time and really enjoyed chaperoning all the dances; and helping out at different Peacock activities; not just as your PTO President, but as a mom, too.
You are Awesome! I am going to miss all of you, and I wish you all the best in High School.
Congratulations Class of 2000!
Love,
Mrs. Ecklund

Email The Charger about this story.
Translate this story.

Testing - do we really learn anything to help us?
By Allie G.

I asked some kids if they thought what our teachers taught us was useful on the ISAT test. I asked this because testing was a current event. It also seemed interesting.
Some of the students I asked were kissing up to all you teachers. But as far as I can tell, most signs point to well, you'll see.

Yes, because the social studies part I never would've known without Mrs. Kabat teaching.-Nat C.

Yes, because the teachers make us take reading comprehension worksheets and Mr. Behrendt was doing the same thing with math.-Giovanni C.

Yes, because all the teachers helped us study for it and gave us practice tests.-Jayme D.

Not really, because you can't be prepared for a test like that.-Lora C.

No, I don't think so. They really didn't go over it to much.-Alyson K.

No, because you don't know what's going to be on the test. I don't know!-Bobby G.

Yes, because Mrs. Laughlin and Mrs. Agnello kept making us do these uninteresting and pointless worksheets.-Alicia N.

No, no one teaches anything well. Either that or I wasn't paying attention.-Michael H.

No, because it's totally different stuff. And they taught it a long time ago and I probably forgot.-Kelly M.

No, because what they taught didn't have to do with the test.-Alex C.

No, because it was pretty easy stuff.-Alyson D.

Email The Charger about this story.
Translate this story.

Six Flags and the new advisory policy – This isn't fair! students complain
By Michele B.

"This is just not fair," commented a fellow seventh grader, "Why do they have to do this to us of all people!" As eighth graders, the trip to Six Flags is something everyone looks forward to. Now that it is canceled, one of our very few end-of-the-year-lets-just-have-fun activities is gone.
What do we have to look forward to now? We didn't do anything and now we're being punished for it. Like she said, "it's just not fair!"
Now for another source of discontent: "Why me! I hate my advisor!" commented several people in unison. No offense, but we would rather have variety than to be stuck with the same teacher again.
I know why this is, but it is not very reasonable. We're told that it is so we can be comfortable discussing any problems and more "personal stuff" with a teacher we know well. I'll tell you one thing, I'm not discussing anything "personal" with any teacher, and I'm sure no one else is either.
Variety is what switching classes is all about, and I like it that way. We come here to get several different teachers everyday, and instead we are stuck with the same one for twenty minutes a day, five days a week, forty weeks per year, for three years! That is equal to twelve thousand minutes, or two hundred hours!
Taking away our hard-earned end-of-the-year treat is one thing, but sticking us in the same advisory is very wrong.
Punishing us for no apparent reason is just not fair. I thought that our older, more mature leaders cared about what we as the student body thought. Maybe not.

Email The Charger about this story.
Translate this story.

Advisor says thank you for another great year

I would like to thank all the students who contributed to The Charger this year and helped to make it a success. I would also like to thank the editorial staff for all their hard work and creativity.
The editors will receive a CD-ROM version of The Charger as a token of appreciation. Any student who contributed to two issues of The Charger will receive a certificate of merit.
I wish the eighth graders luck in their high school careers and hope to see the rest of you again next year.
I would also like to mention two students who merit special recognition for their outstanding effort, Elizabeth F. and Michele B. Elizabeth and Michele had substantial stories, on a variety of subjects, typed and in on time, for every issue.
Elizabeth has been a model news editor over the past two years. She anchored the paper. I relied on her willingness to tackle challenging interviews and complex subjects, and to take on last-minute assignments.
Michele was a welcome addition to the staff. Her stories were creative, interesting, and always extremely well-written.
I would be remiss if I did not thank the administration and teachers for their support and Mrs. Denise Doyle and Mrs. Linda Purtell for all their help and patience in copying The Charger each month.

Email The Charger about this story.
Translate this story.