January 2011

Page 1

Sandpoint High School

Volume 88, Issue 5

Munchies

The king

NEWS

January 2011

Remembering the man who changed the face of the country. Recognize why Marting Luther King Day is more than just a day off school.

A&C

Page 2

Skijoring

With the Super Bowl in due course, the most steadfast way to impress friends and family is with your new found cooking skills.

OPINION SPORTS

Page 4

Controversial Changes Luna seeks drastic reform to Idaho education system concern of many teachers. “I believe human interaction and dialogue are Editor-in-Chief valuable parts of the learning process. It is important to have someone who is responsive to you as person, Idaho Superintendent of Education Tom Luna someone who can differentiate instruction, someone recently proposed a plan for complete reform of the who cares about you as an individual, and that is current educational system. The plan is intended to difficult if not impossible to replicate online,” said maximize student achievement and opportunities Brian Smith while minimizing fiscal stress upon the struggling Another contested portion of SCF is the proposed economy. increases in class sizes in order to save money. The Beginning in 2013, all incoming freshmen will larger classes are expected to save $37.8 million in the receive a state funded laptop with which they will first year. Arguments arise; however, when considering complete the two mandatory online classes. By 2017 whether that makes students come first. all high school students in Idaho will be required to “Superintendent Luna has repeatedly said that take the two online classes per the single most important factor in a student’s success is a year. quality teacher. I’m unsure how The plan, Students Come computer cannot eliminating educators, thereby First (SCF), was deemed the only A viable alternative to extensive replace the necessary face increasing class size and reducing one on one contact, is in any tax increases, said Luna during to face time students need way consistent with that point of the presentation of the idea. However, many find the plan with good teachers to be view,” Brian Smith said. Luna’s plan has many to be placing the emphasis on successful. -Debbie Smith instructors worried about the conserving money rather than increasing opportunities for history teacher retention of their jobs with the increase of class sizes and the students. addition of online courses. Luna and the state legislature “Lay-offs are always a concern. have yet to determine the kinds The Lake Pend Oreille School District is one of the of classes that will be offered online. “We must hit the reset button we must create a largest employers in the county. When a significant customer-driven education system – a system where amount of jobs are lost that money is no longer spent in the local community,” said Brian Smith. “And in the Students Come First,” said Luna. But not everyone is convinced this is the way the case of Superintendent Luna’s plan, taxpayer dollars reform should occur. The addition of the online that would have come back to our communities are requirements is the most contested portion of SCF being siphoned away to support other parts of the plan.” by teachers and administrators. Funding for SCF will also include a “pay for Sandpoint High School Principal Becky Meyer performance” bonus for teachers and administrators said, “My concern is that two mandatory online classes is not what is best for all students’ learning that show dedication to improving the quality of styles. I feel that students learn best when they have Idaho education. Upper-classmen who have met graduation requirements will also be able to highly qualified teachers present to assist them.” take dual credit courses at the The teachers agree. expense of the state. “A computer cannot replace the necessary face to face time students need with good teachers to be successful,” said history teacher Debbie Smith. President of the Lake Pend Oreille Education Association (LPOEA) Brian Smith sympathizes with the

Jessie Webster

The Numbers Proposed budgets if state legislature approves Luna’s Idaho education reform

Senior Year Dual Credit Phase in laptops for HS students

Pay for performance Other budgeted expendatures

Page 6

top

The

10

things to do with your new laptop if SCF passes state legislature

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Plug In because it’s necessary.

Connect

FY2012

because it’s the internet!

Wallpaper

98.8% 1.2%

unicorns and hot babes

iTunes

FY2013

transfer music to new comp. 66.7% 3.6% .67% 29%

Download possibly illegally

Stickers because they are neat

FY2014

A skiier or border pulled by a horse through a course with gates and other features. More information on the 700 year old sport inside.

60.1%

3.3% .6% 36%

Graphics by Max horn & Jessie Webster

Password always use protection

Runescape pretend to pwn noobs.

WoW

actually pwn noobs

Sell

ditch your old computer


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