May 2007

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BuccaneerBulletin Volume 10 Number 6 May 2007

Bulletins Binge Drinking a Danger at Prom and Graduation Time Pregame tailgating parties,

post-exam celebrations and Friday happy hours -- not to mention fraternity and sorority mixers - have long been a cornerstone of the collegiate experience. But on campuses across America, these indulgences have a more alarming side. For some of today’s college students, binge drinking has become the norm. Underage drinking is always a cause of stress for parents, especially around Prom season. Dangers of binge drinking are huge, but most teens don’t think about them. Alcohol can be especially dangerous when paired with impulsive teens and the excitement of Prom night. Prom is a big night, but if you or someone you know has been drinking, do not get into a car with them; call a sober parent, friend, relative, or take a taxi.

2007-08 Leadership Applications Due Applications for students who

wish to apply for Leadership Oswego County Youth (LOCY) for the 200708 school year are due on May 25 to Mrs. Michelle Lloyd. LOCY is open to all high school students, but preference is given to those entering their freshman or sophomore years. They are looking for youth who have not already established themselves as leaders. High academic, athletic, or musical achievement is not necessary. They are looking for the young person ready to learn, grow and work with others. It is a program that meets once a month where youth can learn skills that will enable them to make a difference in their school and community.

McCrobie Walks the Plank Page 7

Oswego High School’s Student Voice

Enrollment

College Prep Class Studied By Waruguru Gichane Alumni Editor

Graphic by Fred maxon & Sophie rosenbaum

OCSD enrollment statistics have shown a steady decline since 2002 leading to the projection of future decline from now through 2011.

OCSD Building Closure Options Under Review By Sophie Rosenbaum Clublicity Editor

Recently, the Board of Education and two other committees (Reconfiguration Committee and the Capital Project Committee), have brought up a possibility of reconfiguring and redistricting the Oswego City Schools due to the exponential decrease in enrollment. The plans are causing anxiety and controversy for parents, taxpayers, students, and teachers, yet the exploration of the plans has just begun and the options are endless. Each plan outlined by the district calls for different changes made to the building configuration of the Oswego City School District, yet all three plans and even “option four” have left OHS unchanged, calls for-

Prom Trends Page 13

relocating the Education Center for $3 million, and providing safer schools. Plan One, the second most expensive of the plans, lobbies for several changes. It calls for three buildings (Minetto, Riley, and Leighton) to all remain open, but house children from pre-kindergarten through the fourth grade. The OMS would host children from grades five to eight. Plan One also calls for the two oldest elementary schools, Kingsford and Fitzhugh, to be closed. Redistricting would occur with this particular plan. The total proposed cost of Plan One is $15 million. Plan Two, the cheapest of the actual plans presented by the Reconfiguration Committee (not including Mr. Ben Richardson’s Option Four), has one

For most students, the dawn of junior year is overwhelming. Teachers and counselors have warned students about the importance of this time since they entered high school. It’s the year to take the SATs, ACTs and for the particularly ambitious, the SAT IIs. It is also the year to join clubs, engage in volunteer work and join a sports team. However, informing students about all these things is a large task that cannot be conquered in a single “Applying to College Night” or “Junior Presentation.” Choosing a college is one of the biggest choices a student must make during high school. There are a lot of components that go into picking the right school. Size, location, academics, cost, sports teams and diversity are all aspects that must be considered. It’s a decision that determines the rest of one’s future. Making this choice alone is not fair. Oswego High School has six counselors to aid students in the college application process, but they are not able to meet with all students and take them step by step through the process. Many students are left to their own devices. Carolyn Chwalek, a freshman at SUNY Stonybrook stated, “I feel like that high school doesn’t really do much to help.” She ended up applying to schools that were not suitable to her abilities, and she is now transferring to another university next semester. She feels that if she had received more preparation, this situation could have been avoided. Chwalek was initially interested in a school both strong in the sciences and music. Unfortunately, Stonybrook does not have both, and she is now seeking a school with a good music program. Many students enter the college process solely looking at the names of schools. NCAA athletic teams, Ivy

See “reconfiguration” page 2

See “Preparing” page 2

Also Inside ... Tanning . . .Clublicity Point/ . . .Prom Traditions Counterpoint . . .SAT Controversy Page 14


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May 2007 by Buccaneer Bulletin - Issuu