INSIDE
ST-Dont
THIS
New STD awareness group focuses on spreading knowledge on sexually transmitted diseases
ISSUE:
From childhood to motherhood
Student views on gym clash
Sophomore Ashley Kasper deals with raising a daughter and balancing school
Despite receiving over a $100,000, gym department continues to struggle with unmotivated students
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[ PG. 4 ] Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press or of the right of the people to peaceably assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances
HOOVER PUBLICATIONS 4800 AURORA DES MOINES.IA. 50310 515.242.7313 9.25.09 V.43 I.1 WWW.HOOVERCHALLENGER.COM
Change in date sparks ques�ons Many aspects play part in later graduation for class of 2010 BY PAYTON QUINN NEWS EDITOR
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New code in effect year-round Recent change to extracurricular code of conduct monitors students 24 hours a day, 7 days a week BY ALEKSANDRA VUJICIC SPORTS EDITOR
T
he recent update to the code of conduct for Des Moines Public Schools includes the rules being in effect all year, not just during the season. Students involved with extracurricular and co-curricular activities will have added violations and consequences to consider before risking their ability to play or participate. Activities director Dan McClannahan helped create the changes to the policy, in order for Des Moines schools to stay consistent with surrounding schools. “I felt that there was a need for students in extracurricular activities to be more representative of their school and community throughout the whole year,” McClannahan said. The need for an alcohol or drug assessment (counseling) before being able to return to the sport or activity has also been an update. Only three situations are exempted from the code including consuming alcohol in a foreign country where the activity is legal.
Code of conduct Violations include mere presence at a location involving illegal activity or committing any act that is deemed unlawful, regardless of whether the student was cited, arrested, or convicted of the act(s).
As for consequences, a student’s first offense will get them suspended from participating in one third of the season. If a student gets up to four offenses, they will be suspended from competition for the rest of their high school careers. Sophomore Mary Stewart believes that students will most likely rebel against the policy rules, though she believes the consequences are reasonable. “I think the consequences are fair because people should get punished for the rules that are made clear,” Stewart said. Evidence may be given by witness reports, police reports, information posted on MySpace or Facebook or students may report themselves for a lesser consequence. “I think there’ll be a lot of police reports but mainly self reporting because the consequences are put down to sitting out for 10 percent of the season instead of one third. But people might be scared of the police reports so they’ll fess up,” choir teacher Anna Wolf said. The policy affects choir, drama and other fine arts activities as well. “All the fine arts teachers are on a committee to decide what a fine arts student, that violates the code, will sit out
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on. Consequences will not include graded things,” Wolf said. Sophomore Nick Clark is involved with the drama department and feels that the code has its positives and negatives. “As for positives, people involved with extracurricular activities shouldn’t drink or smoke in the first place, but the negative is that it affects all the other people involved with that activity,” Clark said. The question that remains is whether students will actually make an effort to follow the code or if they’ll learn to be more secretive. “Students will become more secretive because they’re not just going to stop their bad habits if the school board tells them to,” Stewart said. McClannahan disagrees and feels that students work hard and don’t want to miss out on any activities or games. “Our hopes are that it will deter by peer pressure and knowledge of the consequences. Students have been informed, and after being informed it will be up to them to make decisions,” McClannahan said.
PURPOSE Students in the Des Moines Public School District who are involved in extracurricular and co-curricular activities represent themselves and their school whether they are away from or at school. The must understand that they are expected to conduct themselves in a way that serves as an example to others that will favorably reflect on their school...
Seniors have a minor graduation setback this year. Graduation will be June 4 at Vets Auditorium instead of the end of May. Vice Principal Mel Green helps the seniors plan and deal with senior events and fundraisers. “Seniors will be graduating a little bit later this year because school started later. We had a verbal agreement with the state fair that we start later and Vets had a prior event. We couldn’t get the auditorium until that date,” Green said. Senior Cody Sargent thinks it’s a big deal because seniors want to get out of here. “I honestly think we are graduating later because we started later but it’s ridiculous our class always gets this crap,” Sargent said. Although it may seem like a big change, Green doesn’t seem to think so. “I don’t think it’s a problem. The main thing is that you guys (seniors) are graduating,” Green said. “You will still have time to go on vacations and do the things you do in summer.” Senior Mariah Goodson doesn’t think it will matter when it comes to prom planning and even planning. “I don’t think anything will change. We just graduate later,” Goodson said. Green clarifies that it will make no change to prom plans and that actually prom is actually earlier this year than it was last. “It’s just a little bum in the road of May vs. June. Some people may look at that and think June is summer and graduation is normally the end of May,” Green said. “What matters is the hard work of the senior class and their cooperation through this; it will make the year go by smoothly.” Sargent thinks it’s not that big of a deal it just might mess with some things. “Every graduating class has different goals and things they want to achieve,” Green said. “They choose what legacy they want to leave behind.”
Seniors
Seniors have showed much cooperation in the change with graduation things, and what they are willing to accomplish,” Vice principal Mel Green said. “The year should go smoothly and with the seniors working hard to get things done, it’s exciting working with them. PAYTON QUINN SIDEBAR
CONSISTENCY Any penalty will travel with a student transferring within the District. It is the responsibility of each school to deal with all violations at the school. Non-enforcement issues will be handled by a committee of district athletic directors. Any violations will also transfer with a student moving into the Des Moines Public School.
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