Don't change the schedule
By Carl L., News Editor

Recently, our principal, Dr. Nickisch announced a plan for next year's schedule. Classes will be lengthened to ninety minutes each, and there will be only four classes a day.

In some ways, this will be an improvement, less homework, fewer classes and longer classes that some students enjoy more than others.

However, there will also be many problems with this plan. One that many students brought up is whether students can sit through a class like math for an hour and a half. Most students say no.

Also, many students' favorite encore classes, such as FACS, music, and physical education, will not be expanded.

We should keep the schedule the way it is, or at least expand the encore classes as well as the core classes.

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Student investigates the additional day
By Aaron Z.

Are you mad about the extra day being added to the school year? As part of the Itasca Youth Council, I had the opportunity to ask Dr. Acksel about the extra day.

When the appropriate time arose, I told the Superintendent of a rumor I heard about the day he was adding to the school calendar. He told me that the School Board had decided on the school calendar for 2000-2001 in February 2000!

You're probably wondering, "what does this have to do with the day being added on?"

When the School Board set up the calendar they gave the school district five emergency days that, if used, would have to be made-up. If we had used all five days we would be attending school for FIVE extra days instead of one.

So, despite any rumors you may hear, Dr. Acksel wasn't responsible for the extra day. Instead of being mad, we should be glad we only used ONE day instead of all five!

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Homework is driving students crazy!
By Kristen S.

"What do you have for homework?" is what most students ask each other at the end of the day. Most reply, "I have math, social studies, language arts, and Spanish."

Doesn't that seem like a lot to do in one night? Sixth grader, Sarah L., said, "I think we have too much homework. It really gets in the way of other activities!"

Sarah's classmate, Hannah O., stated, "Well, sometimes we don't have a lot, but most of the time we do."

Too much homework is a burden to students, but they still have to deal with it.

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Peacock students are computer stupid
By Matt C., Op-Ed Editor

America is one of the most technologically advanced countries in the entire world. Without a doubt, Peacock supports that fact.

But do Peacocks students support that fact? Everyday in the computer lab, I hear whining about how the computer didn't save work, and how it crashed. Granted, sometimes it is the computer's fault. It is also safe to say, however, that about seventy percent of the computer problems are the users' fault.

If the computer crashes, the student is most likely running too many programs at once, and if work doesn't save, then the student either saved it to the wrong drive, or didn't save at all.

Peacock students lack troubleshooting skills. I have seen students' computers crash many times, and they just sit there like they don't know what to do.

It just doesn't seem right that Peacock buys a massive video studio, when the teachers have to hold students' hands while they work.

Sometimes, it seems as though some of the assets and software Peacock has are just going to waste, PhotoShop especially.

PhotoShop is one of the most powerful programs in existence; you can make just about any picture given the time, but all the kids at Peacock do with it is doodle.

It is cool to have so many programs at out fingertips at school, but it isn't cool to see students misusing the programs.

It is not very hard to get out there and learn how to use PhotoShop, Director, Flash, and many other programs.

Complete my short and easy computer quiz to determine your computer power.

Next time you are on your home computer, put away Napster and your mp3's and figure out how to use some of the programs that we have at school, for my sake.

Computer Power Quiz:

True or false:

1. Html is used to write web pages.

2. Xml is used to write web pages.

3. Binary code is used for programming.

4. Alt-f4 closes a window.

Multiple Choice:

5. What is FTP?

A: For Transferring Pages

B: File Transfer Protocol

C: For Trey Parker

D: F4 Transfer Percent

6. What is Html?

A: Hyper Text Markup Language

B: Hyper Time Mail Language

7. How many K is 14 Megabytes?

A: 14,000 K

B: 140,000 K

C: 140 K

D: 14K

8. What is the general use for CTRL-Z?

A: Save As

B: Open New Document

C: Undo Last Action

D: Close Active Window

9. Which are types of programming?

A: Java

B: JavaScript

C: C++

D: All of the above

0-1 Wrong= Computer Literate

2-3 Wrong= Brush up on some information

4-5 Wrong= Go buy a book

6-8 Wrong= Well, you have some work to do

9-9 Wrong= Shame Shame Shame

Answers:

(1.) T

(2.) T

(3.) T

(4.) T

(5.) B

(6.) A

(7.) A

(8.) C

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Will televised executions prevent crime?
By Bryan C.

What would America be like if capital punishment were televised live to the American public? Some people may say that this is gruesome and immoral. But let's look at it from a different perspective.

Take the Timothy McVeigh case. His execution was scheduled for May, but is now rescheduled for June because of certain problems with the evidence.

McVeigh said that if there was one execution to be televised live, it should be his.

Maybe this fool has a good point. Would televising executions help America? Sure, if people take it the right way. Some people may watch for the entertainment, but some may watch to educate themselves.

Televising executions may help people to think twice before committing a crime. It shows people that there are consequences in this world for everything that we do.

For younger viewers, this may place a picture in their minds that this could be me if I don't work hard in my school work and at other things that I do.

It may help Americans to become better people by becoming better behaved citizens. And as a result of this, there would hopefully be less crime.

People have many different ideas about a televised execution, but it may help us in the long run.

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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.

I was very happy with the increased quality and variety of stories and wider student participation this year. I was also very pleased with two other innovations: color printing and advertising.

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, Gina M. and Michele B.

Gina has been on the newspaper for the past three years. She has consistently contributed splendid artwork from "Mr. Dinosaur Dude" cartoons to full color center spreads. Her obvious talent and unique sense of humor have made her an irreplaceable member of The Charger staff.

Michele B. conducted several incisive interviews with leading figures in our community including the school principal, Itasca mayor and Illinois governor. She asked hard questions and made the most of her stories.

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.

Nicole A.

Kyle A.

Farah A.

Jim A.

Kelly B.

Amanda B.

Ryan B.

Elysia B.

Sunny B.

Laura B.

Michele B.

Izabela B.

Bryan C.

Christa C.

Caitlyn C.

Kimberly C.

Ashley C.

Matt C.

Ashley D.

Allyson D.

Samantha D.

Nicole D.

Karina D.

Maggie F.

Allie G.

Mark G.

Stephen G.

Angela G.

Steven G.

Christine H.

Ashley H.

Trisha H.

Emma H.

Nicole H.

Alyssa J.

Alyson K.

Mike K.

Carl L.

Carly Le.

Kaitlyn L.

Brittany L.

Kelly M.

Gina M.

Nancy M.

James M.

Melissa M.

Lyndsey M.

Jacek M.

Skyler M.

Alicia N.

Paige P.

Paul P.

Lara Pu.

Laise Q.

Sarah R.

Kristen S.

Savanna S.

Ashley S.

Jaclyn S.

Shannon T.

Missy W.

Lora W.

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Teacher says goodbye

Dear Peacock Students,

It saddens me to say goodbye to all of you, but I want you to know how special each and every one of you is to me. I have many wonderful memories of our times together and have truly enjoyed being your Family & Consumer Sciences teacher.

I hope you will remember some of the many lessons I have taught you and will keep the "FACS of Life" close to you for many years to come. Remember to always keep a smile on your face and celebrate life with a high click of your heels!

You are all very important to me and I will miss you very much. I will keep you close to my heart and I hope you will never forget being a "Knudsen Kid"!

I Love You All,

Mrs. Knudsen

To The Encore Staff Members,

It is very difficult for me to find the words to say goodbye to my colleagues and friends. Over the years we have truly blended to become a very special family.

You are by far the finest group of educators that I have had the privilege to work with. It is your talent, dedication, and support that has made being your team leader a rewarding and fulfilling adventure.

I want to thank you for your friendships and will always remember the fun we had planning our many special events.

I will miss the laughter at the lunch table and the special social times we have shared away from school.

Each and every one of you will always be in my heart and I truly wish you the very best in your future endeavors.

Love Always,

"Mama" Knudsen

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Did you expect this year to go by the way it did? Why or why not?
By Izabela B.

No, it went by really fast. It was fun being in the eighth grade, because it's my last year. (To think that I'm graduating this year!) - Jimmy S.

No, I was hoping it would be more fun! But I will miss Peacock! I was hoping we would do so much more stuff. But I still had a great time at Peacock! - Savanna S.

No, student council could've done more to make this year more fun. The year went by really fast, and being an eighth grader was cool. - Shannon H.

No, it was really fun and I got to know many new people this year. I wish I could be in eighth grade one more year. - Lissete B.

No, this year went by really fast. I was also disappointed about our spirit days. There weren't enough spirit days. - Matt D.

Yes, all the other years went like this one, why should this one be different? - James D.

We all agree that this year went by fast. It was also fun being eighth graders. But we don't like how there weren't any spirit days for the eighth grade, or the school overall. - Sarah R., Diana W. and Holly B.

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Congratulations!

The following Charger staff members brought in advertisement revenue this year. Great job!

Maggie F.

Jimmie A.

Mark G.

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