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Select students to earn rewards for improved attendance
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Bet on it! HSM2 is a hit
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Exchange students from Germany and Norway come to Greenwood
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Heat challenges athletes, band members
ith the school attendance average dropping from 97 percent in 2006 to the state minimum of 95 percent last year, Mr. Marlowe Mullen, assistant principal, decided to take matters into his own hands. Mr. Mullen’s plan pinpoints students who lost three or more credits last year due to absences. He has given each of these students an opportunity to earn a “paycheck” for attending school this year. “I really think the way to improve attendance is to focus on those students who have a problem attending school,” Mr. Mullen said. “Students with perfect attendance don’t go to school for a prize, they go for an education. So, if there is extra money to be spent, I’d rather it be spent on that small percentage of students who may need a little more incentive.” Students invited to participate have been split into teams by grade level with each team working together to earn gift certificates. The team with the best attendance during the first quarter will earn $150. The team members in second place will earn $100, and the team members in third place will each earn $50. “Basically, I split these students up into teams of 10. At the end of the nine weeks, we will total all period absences for each team and divide a certain amount of money among members of the team with five absences or less,” Mr. Mullen said. The purpose of these teams is for students to motivate each other and to find
Athletic Director resigns for new opportunity
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By Shelby Fink
By Shannon Veerkamp
fter 23 years of coaching and teaching, Mr. Paul Collier, athletic director, has resigned from GHS to make a career change. “Everyone gets to a point where you feel like you’re ready to do something else,” Mr. Collier said. “This is a very demanding and difficult job for one person. The hardest part of this job is being what everyone wants. You’re being pulled in so many different directions. It’s difficult for people to understand how much is expected. The difficult part for me is balancing all that and still feeling like doing what I’m out to do, and that is helping the kids. That’s what the job is all about.” A large budget cut in the Athletic Department caused extra stress for Mr. Collier’s already 15-18 hour-a-day job. Coaches and staff have appreciated Mr. Collier’s dedication. He has managed approximately 500 athletes, 53 coaches, and athletes’ parents. “I was very shocked and upset by the news,” Coach Melissa Swickard, girls soccer, said. “If the incoming athletic director does half as good as Paul, we’ll be just fine. He’s been a part of Greenwood athletics for many years. Some people are upset by it, but there are others on the other side of the spectrum that are happy he’s gone. A lot of people enjoy change because they think change means moving and growing.” At the end of the Fall season, the Athletic Department will have some “very large shoes to fill,” according to Assistant Principal Todd Garrison. “You miss a lot of dinners as an Athletic Director,” Mr. Garrison said. “It takes a good communicator who works with all the kids, coaches, and parents. It’s not just having one specialty in one area. You must put in a lot of time and be very organized. That’s why it’s tough to find someone.” Resigning from GHS will give Mr. Collier more time to watch his own kids engage in athletics. “It will be weird watching my son play and not having to be in charge,” Mr. Collier said.
Kayla Straw / illustration
In this issue...
outside sources of motivation. Mr. Mullen hopes the gift certificates will provide an outside source of motivation. Currently two of the four teams have found sponsors. Students from the sophomore and junior classes have drafted Mr. Keaney Sloop, social studies, and Mrs. Andrea Campbell, science, as their sponsors. The remaining two teams do not have sponsors. While the freshman team is seeking one, the seniors wish to stand alone. “The teams can find a sponsor themselves,” Mr. Mullen said. The sponsors are teachers. Many of our staff members are able to identify with students easily and may have the ability to inspire students to attend class,” Mr. Mullen said.
Mr. Mullen met with these students on August 23 to discuss the new idea. Some of these students intend to try it out with sure money rather than a drawing for prizes, the technique the administration has used for the past few years to increase attendance. “I think it’s a new approach. It’s better than gift card drawings given to people who don’t miss school because if you miss one day you’re out of the drawing so who cares about the rest,” senior Josh Jennings said. “I’m definitely going to give it a try.” Other students have a more pessimistic attitude. “I’m probably not going to participate because I’ve already missed two days and Continued on Page 2
Immaturity results in new set-up
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By Rebecca Newbrough
he first few days of school often consist of figuring out the best path to new classes and finding help for jammed lockers. One change students faced involved new locker positions as the administration got rid of locker banks designated for juniors, sophomores and freshmen. Instead, all three grade levels were combined to spread students through three separate locker banks. Seniors still claimed a locker bank to themselves at the front of the school. “There were many suggestions from the upper level teachers for this placement,” said Assistant Principal Marlowe Mullen. “There were large groups congregating together in the morning just to stand and talk with each other, blocking most of the hallway.” Mrs. Sandy James, social studies, helped supervise underclassman locker banks last year and noted the problems. “We had some problems last year,” said Mrs. James. “This concept was made to help the traffic flow of the students. Now, students are meeting each other in their classrooms to talk and socialize while under supervision.” Some students have issues with the new set-up. “My locker is three down from the one I had last year,” said junior Jordan Miller. “I was hoping to be in a new area this year. Where I am upstairs is inconvenient for my schedule downstairs.” Junior Brooke Olson agreed. “I had much more room in my old locker,” Olson said. “I like the old locker arrangements. My locker is upstairs, and I’m mad because almost all of my classes are down-
stairs. I also just don’t like being with the freshmen.” Rumors circulated that problems with the freshman class caused the change. Mrs. James squashed those rumors. “This is not intended to be a punishment,” Mrs. James said. “This concept has been in the works for years. The seniors have earned their own locker banks. They’ve served their time and deserve to have their own spots.” Mr. Mullen agreed. “This has been an ongoing problem,” said Mr. Mullen. “It’s not because of the new grade coming in. We just decided to change it all this year.” The maturity of some underclassmen was another deciding factor. “Freshmen are just immature in general,” said Mrs. James. “It’s because of their age. Putting them all so close together in one locker bank is just a bad idea.” Miller sees that immaturity every day. “Some are still learning,” Miller said, “and don’t know what they’re doing, and don’t show a lot of respect to the upperclassmen. They’ll be talking to their friends and be crowded around my locker.” Will this arrangement continue after this year? “Yes,” Mr. Mullen said. “It disperses the younger students throughout the upperclassmen so they can look to them as role models and, hopefully, the maturity will spread.” Eventually, talk of this change should wear off. “Any change from traditions at a school is going to cause some whispers throughout the student body,” Mr. Mullen said. “I haven’t personally been complained to about any of it yet. Later in the year, this will all wear off and the students will have gotten used to it.”
Community to honor 9/11 victims at Forest Lawn By Macey Moreland
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ept. 11, 2001 may have been six years ago, but Mr. John Bart is determined to promote the patriotism that day evoked. The first Spirit of Freedom Memorial Service will be held tomorrow at Forest Lawn Funeral Home Grounds, located on 135 just
south of Stones Crossing, to remember those who died in the 9/11 attacks and celebrate what American came to appreciate. “America is a great country to live in. It’s easy to forget what great things we have, such as the freedom to go to church,” said Mr. Bart the event planner. “We have many special events going on
that day.” The whole community is invited; local organizatios have come together for a parade. “We’re planning on having motorcycle police, Boy Scout troops, bag pipers, and many other groups,” he said. Forest Lawn expects 200-500 people with a few special guests, including the
mayor. “We want the whole community to participate. There will be an open space for people to bring their lawn chairs,” said Mr. Bart. The event will offer live music, a special program and a dove release. The event is planned for tomorrow so everyone can join in.