THE COUNTRYSIDE HIGH SCHOOL
PAW PRINT 3000 SR 580
Friday, September 22nd, 2006 - VOLUME 28, Issue 2
Clearwater, Florida
New nutrition plan creates awareness beccaMORALES
staff writer
Thousands of fast food joints stretch across the state; all of which offer a quick fix for the time crunchers who can’t find the time or energy to prepare a home cooked meal. Nevertheless, when America’s increasing obesity problem is taken into account, few fast food consumers seem concerned. More than 20 percent of school aged children are estimated to be obese. When does someone step in? And who? In 2004, President George W. Bush passed the “Child Nutrition and WIC (Women, Infant, and Children) Reauthorization Act,” to be implemented later this year. The act requires all American schools to include physical activities, nutrition education, school-based wellness lessons, and nutritional guidelines for all foods served on campus as a part of the curriculum. Most schools complied with three of these requirements, (physical activities, nutrition education, and other schoolbased wellness lessons) even before the passing of the act. Countryside has always offered physical activities and nutrition education, however, lacked in presenting nutritional guidelines on all foods available. In previous years, Countryside has been very generous with the portions sold during lunch and the fifteen-minute break. Fries overflowed from containers, requiring students to maneuver gracefully around campus to ensure that not a single fry would land on the ground. However, the act makes it clear that schools are to avoid serving any deep fried food such as french fries, tater tots, and chips. Instead of simply eliminating such potentially harmful foods, the county has opted to limit food portions. Now, fries are served in smaller servings and students may only purchase one tray. Other popular foods such as the mozzarella sticks and Gatoraid drinks have also shrunk in portions. “I feel that the cafeteria is giving us very little portions
for what we pay. I used to get the fries, but since they reduced the size and kept the same price, I have stopped buying them. Even though the school reduced the amount of food we receive, the [students] will still find a [loop]hole through it and keep eating,” said senior Kim Yeung. The Nutrition Act dictates that food that falls under the category of bakery items, such as cookies and fries, should have no more than eight ounces per portion. Also, the act states that candy and chips students purchase between classes should not be permitted when nutritional food is available, such as during lunch and the fifteen-minute break. The policy makers want students to make wise decisions, but feel that Paw Print photo by Kaitlin Montgomery students will not with the ever ophomore (front) Anthony Minutolo and freshman Evan Miller (back) present temptation of junk food. devour a new small portion tray of the school’s french fries while awaiting The new nutrition guideline the bus home. not only affects food, but drinks as physical activities should be part of a student’s daily routine. well. Low sugar fruit drinks have Throughout the state of Florida, schools require students replaced several soda options offered in vending machines. to complete at least one credit of physical education: half According to the policy, all drinks must contain less than of which is earned in personal fitness, the other half in a 30 grams of sugar per eight ounces. physical education class of the student’s choice. Last year if a muffin enticed a student’s tastes buds, Can the new policy succeed when schools are only that student could simply walk up to the revolving vending enforcing one part of the program? machine and had a choice of two small muffins for a dollar “Though the requirement has always been one credit, or a large muffin for the same price. Now, the only option most students have participated in more [physical is to purchase one small muffin for a dollar. education classes] simply [because of the interest] in tennis “This is horrible. They shouldn’t raise the food prices, or basketball or other physical activities that we offer. they should lower the price of healthy food,” said freshman However, with the plan in place, the state will more than Rainy Chamberlin. likely raise the requirements in the future,” said Assistant The other main component of the act states that Principal Cynthia Saginario.
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Airport security tightens to a stranglehold alexHARRIS
people realize that terrorism just isn’t going to disappear, and its more than just a national issue, with the proposed terrorist attacks taking place across the globe,” said Senior Since the infamous 9/11 attack, flight security has Tara Brown-Ogilvie. The attempt has brought back the once declining fear continued its ever tightening chokehold on America. and hesitation of flying. New security measures are now in However, the maniacal measures recently instated are eff ect around the globe. Most of the focus is on U.S. and a direct result of the August panic, when British and British flight security, as these are very evident terrorist Pakistani authorities thwarted a massive airborne terrorist targets. For the first time the U.S. has raised the security risk attack. for British bound The terrorists planned to flights to red combine a British sport drink, alert, the highest with a gel-like substance, and he security was tightened during 9/11 possible threat then carry the concoction onto and the fact that it was tightened scared level for terrorism. planes. It is speculated that the The U.S. has catastrophic mixture would later people, because it made it clear that there was also adopted more be set off using a cell phone, a serious threat and problem. A lot of people stringent carry-on iPod, or other electronic devise. forgot about the World Trade Center terrorist restrictions, though Authorities are concerned not quite as strict by this new sophisticated attacks, but now that the new liquid band has as England’s. No method of terrorism, as it taken affect, people realize that terrorism just liquids are allowed will be harder to combat and isn’t going to disappear, and its more than just to be taken along require implementing stricter for the ride (with regulations. a national issue, with the proposed terrorist the exception of In accordance, more attacks taking place across the globe baby formula and restrictions equate to longer medications, which security lines. Carry on luggage must be inspected). is limited to wallets, passports, Instead they must be stowed away in checked luggage. and the barest of necessities, contained only in translucent Th e airports are going to ask passengers more intrusive plastic bags. If you are planning on a visit to England, questions and conduct more invasive searches. expect to leave your cell phone, iPod, keychain, and even Unfortunately, all of this thoroughness takes a great your laptop in your suitcase. deal of time and like it or not, passengers have to arrive “The security was tightened during 9/11 and the fact at the airports much earlier. Major airlines such as Delta that it was tightened scared people because it made it recommend that passengers arrive three hours in advance. clear that there was a serious threat and problem. A lot Th e new flight procedures make flying a more time of people forgot about the World Trade Center terrorist consuming, and less care-free way to travel. attacks, but now that the new liquid ban has taken effect, news editor
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Newly Banned Items on Airplanes Aerosol spray bottles and cans All creams and lotions including mediacted ointments Bubble bath balls, bath oils or mostiurizers Bug and mosquito sprays and repellents Deodorants made of gel or aerosol Eye drops-no more than four ounces Hair styling gels and sprays of sorts, including aerosoles Hair straighteners or detanglers Lip gels Liquid lip gloss Liquid bubble bath, including gel or liquid filled bottles Liquid sanitizers Liquid soaps Saline solution Shampoos and conditioners Toothpaste Scissors with metal blades longer than four inches Wrenches or pliers longer than seven inches