School itself is not hard for many students here at East High School. The problem is getting students here to learn and do their work. A big part of the problem being that a lot of kids are unmotivated or don’t have the support around them that they need. In some cases students will make it to 11th or 12th grade and start to give up on things. The reason being that by the time students get to those grade levels they start to feel like they have done enough or are just ready to be done. Also some students may get a job and start making money, and they will think that their job is going to support them forever.
Some students can get up every day without anyone telling them to and go to school and get their work done. For others some may need support or just need someone telling them to do the right thing so they can feel good about doing it. In life when we don’t have anybody congratulating us it makes us feel like what we do doesn’t matter. Things aren’t always going to be easy but hard work always pays off. Here at East High School we have a lot of good support. All of the adult staff in the building are here to help and really just want to see all the kids in this building succeed. Being that we have these supports it helps kids get on the right track and feel like they have a purpose for being at school. If it weren’t for all of the help and support I have received from this school I would have given up on school a long time ago. It is my hope that the caring adults at East will continue to help students get on the right track for many more years to come. David Hale
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It’s March, which means that it’s Women’s History Month, and what better time to talk about… Feminism. What is feminism? Feminism is the advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes. Feminism is also one of the most controversial words on the planet. You could mention the word around almost anyone and it’s often a wildfire that gets started whether someone is against it or for it. Most people associate the word with women wanting special treatment, when in all honesty that’s not what it means. The definition is simply believing that women are equal to men and should be treated that way. Now, don’t get me wrong, women’s rights have improved since the 1900’s, because sure we’re not forced to stay home all day with the kids and we have the right to own our own houses without a man, but that doesn’t mean our fight is over. We got our rights, but we still don’t always receive the respect that we deserve. You hear every day about how women can’t even walk down the street without being catcalled or followed, and then being called names when they don’t respond. Or how turning down a date or a drink can get you attacked in an alley and how we have to wear the “right” clothes so no one has the urge to take them off without our consent. Alicia Willie Unhealthy relationships can happen to the best of us. As teenagers we are still figuring out what we want, figuring out who we are, and what we like in people’s personality. There are good, healthy relationships and unhealthy relationships.
Ms. Derizzio, a social worker at East High School, defines an unhealthy relationship as “one person, or actually both of the people in the relationship are not treating each other right.” This is a sign that the relationship might be going downhill. Relationships aren’t always easy to tell if they are unhealthy if you’re the person in the relationship. “What I usually see when the relationship is unhealthy is when the guy, or the girl is controlling in the relationship,” adds Derizzio. “If one person is not benefitting, or the person is not happy, for whatever reason, sometimes that person stays, and deals with the unhappiness, and doesn’t speak up, the couple doesn't communicate as they should.” This is why there are so many relationships fail. When communication fails so does the relationship. The worse types of unhealthy relationship is when there is physical abuse. When a man hits a women they’re too afraid to speak up. Another type of unhealthy would be emotionally or verbally abusive relationships. When a man tells a woman things such as “I am the only one that will care about you” or “No one will love you,” these are things the man says to make a woman stay in the relationship. Women stay because they believe that these things are true, and that the abuse that they are encountering is normal and healthy, when in reality it’s not. If you think you might be in an unhealthy relationship, find someone to talk to who can help you through it. At East High, we have counselors and social workers at every grade level who can help you figure things out. People are here to listen and to help. Remember, you're not alone. Saranne Kaufman Everyone knows that Martin Luther King Jr. fought for a world where everyone should be judged by their character, regardless of the color of their skin. His efforts were rewarded with a national holiday in which we have off school so we can remember his words. He wanted the different races to be able to come together, instead of continuously separating themselves like under the Jim Crow laws. However, just like in the Jim Crow days, schools are still segregated.
One big discrepancy is the racial separation between city and suburban schools. According to the data of the US Department of Education, African American students make up 75% of high poverty schools, and Caucasian students make up only 6%. In low poverty schools, African American students make up a remarkably low 5%, while Caucasian students are 5 times more likely to attend a low poverty school than high. According to data reports posted on Urban.org, “Poor, segregated schools are a symptom of a broader array of racial equity issues that flow from neighborhood segregation and housing discrimination, legal barriers to school desegregation…” Is this what Martin Luther King dreamed of? Finding a solution to ensure students of all races have the same educational opportunities would honor his legacy but is a very complex issue. One way this problem can be solved would be for next generation schools focus on recruiting a more diverse student population. Furthermore, suburban teachers may not have the experience of working with students in poverty, so a multicultural training would benefit all educators, not limiting them to the experiences with the students they have taught so far. Dr. King’s vision was to unite the races and move beyond color lines. While we’ve made some progress in the country, there is still a problem with segregation in urban schools. We as the next generation are responsible for developing a solution and moving toward truly realizing Dr. King’s vision Tyjhan June Finishing up high school, some of you might be turning 18. This means so many different things! You get to apply for your driver’s license, and vote for your first time, among other privileges. But some newly found privileges aren't as good as they seem to be. One trip to the corner store or gas station and you are bombarded with tobacco. Different products like cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, e-cigs, and vaporizers. You can now buy them, but why would you?
The decision is up to you. But remember, cigarettes and other tobacco-related products are basically designed to kill you, due to the fact there are no actual health benefits and they are full of toxic substances. The risks of smoking completely outweigh any possible positives. Cancer, throat and lung damage, gum disease, and heart disease are among the consequences of tobacco use. Also, you stink. Hate to say it but smokers reek. Anyone who smokes can be found by the distinct smoky odor around your clothes. Smoking marijuana is another temptation among teens, even though it’s definitely not an 18-year-old privilege. The devil's lettuce, kush, chronic, it comes in many names and many forms. It makes you high and smells like skunk. But before you go and spark up that blunt, think about is it even worth it. At our age, many different studies have shown that smoking marijuana can decrease grey matter in your brain. This damages sensory and muscle control. Also, smoking anything isn't good for your lungs. It also happens to be completely illegal. Now remember, you are legally grown up now, so the choice is yours. Are you going to do what’s best for your health or are you going to suffer the consequences? Henry Davis Here at East High School, some students have gotten used to skipping their classes. And it has become a huge problem, not just for the students but also for the teachers and staff members around the schools. Many students come to school so they’re marked present for the day, but rarely attend certain classes, so there are whole subjects they’re missing out on.
There are many reasons why kids skip class. East High secretary Ms. Turner sees a lot of kids in the office. She said “some kids skip class just to go hang out with their friends. Others go to class just to be put in the attendance at present and then leave.” She goes on to say, “Some kids have trouble learning and get frustrated so they end up walking away. Others don't like the way the teacher teaches.” There are many places where kids go when they’re skipping, such as the hallways, auditorium, the halls near the Student Support Center or the stair well. Even if a student doesn’t like a particular class or a certain teacher, they’re hurting themselves by not going and learning what they need to graduate. SSO’s have been doing hall sweeps every period in an effort to try to make sure each and every student is in class on time. Students are even getting ISS for repeated skipping. Hall sweeps have been successful lately so hopefully kids starts to notice that their education matters and they should take it more seriously Mariangely Cotto Many students at East feel as though the school’s dress code is overly enforced for girls, and hardly or barely enforced for boys. Girls are addressed for what school thinks is “inappropriate” which is mainly not having their stomach/mid drift covered. The dress code also states that buttocks and chest must be covered. However, boys sag their pants and show their chest all of the time without getting addressed. They even walk around with no shirt on sometimes. Yet, girls are being sent home and missing out on their education for showing their stomach.
East High emphasizes strong attendance and students getting their education. We're getting sent home for clothes that they think is a distraction to other students. Boys not wearing shirts are just as much of a distraction to students as girls wearing half shirts. So why is it acceptable for boys to walk around without a shirt or sagging their pants –making everyone look at their underwear—when the dress code clearly states “Cover buttocks, stomach/midriff and chest.” Our dress code is logical and was obviously made for the benefit of all students but if it is not being enforced on every student equally then it should not be put into action until there is a real plan to address every student. There should be a plan ensuring that every student is dressed appropriately according to the school dress code. It’s becoming a big controversy, because many girls feel singled out when they are being addressed about their clothing while a boy sagging their pants or even another girl would be walking by with “inappropriate” clothing on and not be addressed or sent home. It’s unfair and something needs to be done about it, especially with warm weather on its way. I have experienced this and I was very disappointed because my grades were being jeopardized because of a poorly enforced, sexist rule. If East is committed to a climate of community and exemplary behavior, then all rules should be enforced fairly. Sonyalice McGrew Everyone knows how chaotic this year’s election has been. Many feel that neither candidates, Donald Trump nor Hillary Clinton, deserved to be the next president of the United States. In many other opinions, people felt that the Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton was a better opinion to lead this country over the Republican candidate Donald Trump and vice versa. This year’s election has been a trending topic in both my U.S History and Participation in Government classes, so I hit the halls of East High to find out how our scholars and staff felt about Donald’s victory over Hillary.
Ms.Villane, art teacher in our E wing of the building, offered thoughts about president-elect Trump. “I honestly have a lot of mixed feelings, but no matter who was elected it’s a time for us to come together. In the end, we are all in this together and want the same things for our country, to be a better and safe place.” Honor Roll student and senior, Jason Acao, stated, “Donald Trump is a man who is very arrogant and very condescending and I believe that he will be not be a very fit president for the United States.” Many students and staff members expressed serious concern and disappointment about Donald Trump leading our country for the next four years, but since he will be now, it’s time for everyone to put racial division aside to benefit our country and unite us as one. Tyjhan June When parents send their children to school, they expect the school officials to take care of them. Parents want their kids to be safe at what is supposed to be the safest place for a child. However, schools are also places where every kid’s rights should be protected. The country has seen an increase in peanut allergies in the last 10 years or so. Many schools like East High have taken the precaution to prohibit the eating of peanuts. Students cannot bring any edibles that contains peanuts due the risk that some students might have a severe allergy.
But the big questions are: Is it right to prohibit the consumption of peanuts? Is it a violation of the rights of the students? And why can’t the student with the allergies bring their own EpiPen in case of emergency? For sure it is for the safety of a few, but in a way stepping on the rights of others. Prohibiting the consumption of peanuts is a violation of the rights of an individual. Should the safety of a few infringe on the rights of many? It surely is food for thought. Hanzell Carillo Dear Editor,
Black Lives Matter is a movement that was enacted after the murder of Trayvon Martin. Black Lives Matter supporters believe that African Americans are targeted by police to destroy the black community. African Americans are discriminated against and experience police brutality. African Americans rights are limited and they are quicker to be convicted than any other race. They are immediately seen as a suspect of a crime they may have nothing to do with. For example, once an African American is convicted they receive harsher and longer sentences compared to white offenders. One in three black men can be expected to go prison in their lifetime. However, one in seventeen white men can expect to go to prison. This statistic clearly shows how black men are discriminated against. Due to the color of their skin and stereotypes they are immediately found as the guilty party. Police brutality is experienced mostly by African Americans. I have heard many cases where they are not read their rights, they do not know what they are being arrested for, or they are shot without probable cause. When law enforcement officials dealing with an African American their first go to is to pull out their weapon even if they accused is not presenting any danger. This is the main focus for the Black Lives Matter movement. To combat and fix all the problems that are being addressed in this movement I believe that all law enforcement officials should have to wear cameras on their uniforms. These cameras will be turned on every time an official is in contact with a civilian and the tapes and audio recorded will be able to be shown to higher authority and be shared with the public. This suggestion will be a solution to two things; the first is it will allow people to see that not all police are bad and they are following the laws and procedures taught to them while being in contact with a civilian and also it will whip any law enforcement official into shape if they were abusing the power granted to them by the government to uphold the peace in Rochester, New York and every other city or state throughout the United States. Sincerely, Stephanie Garrido |
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