G r a c e
K i n g
H i g h
S c h o o l
Irish Eyes
Volume 45 Issue 3
Upcoming Events December 14-19
King Hosts Tournament p.8 4301 Grace King Place, Metairie, LA 70002
Friday, December 14, 2012
English only instruction laws may infringe on native culture
Exams
Grace King earns a “B� from State By Shanzay Chaudhry Staff Writer
December 15 Winter Formal
December 17 GK vs. Haynes @Haynes 3:30pm
December 19 GK vs. Brother Martin @Brother @ Martin
6:00pm
December 20January3 Winter Break No school
January 4 Staff Development No school
Janurary 4 GK vs.
Riverdale
@Riverdale
January 9 Report cards issued
January 13 GK vs. Jesuit @Jesuit
6:00pm
January 17 GK vs. Mount Carmel @King
6:00pm
January 19-21 LASC Convention
Bianca Shrestha
Among the highest performing students at Grace King are members of the Executive Board. Widely considered the leaders of the school, the board is comprised of mostly non-native English speakers.
By Jessie Chen Managing Editor
With the steady increase of the Hispanic population, school districts around the country are divided in addressing the needs of non-native English speakers. For example, California and Arizona have laws that require English only instruction in the classroom. Some may fear that this action will cause students to lose their culture while being assimilated into the American custom. Others strongly believe that a part of them will always be influenced by their native country, even if they are adjusting to the American lifestyle. “It is such a strong part of who they are and they have so many friends that they share the identity with. They cling to their cultural identity, [so] I don’t think they will lose it,� ESL Teacher, Janine Slotwinski Samah Hammad said. According to Students in Janine Slotwinski’s ESL class are recent arrivals to America. the latest census
Bianca Shrestha
Some Hispanic students choose to speak Spanish outside of the classroom.
data, 15.98 percent speak a language other than English at home, compared to the 8.8 percent statewide. Rafael Saddy, the Founder and Event Coordinator of the Latin American Civic Organization of Louisiana (LACAL) expresses his beliefs. “For Hispanics to become literate in the English language and for a higher education, educational leaders, civic organizations, federal and state agencies should look for ways to increase the number of bilingual Hispanic teachers. This will help the Hispanic student to become not only bilingual but also biliterate, encouraging them to continue to cultivate their own native language and heritage, but to also integrate into the English speaking educational community.� See Bilingual education, News 3
In recognition of improved test scores as well as factors that determine a school’s performance score, Grace King received a grade of “Bâ€? by the Louisiana Department RI (GXFDWLRQ 7KLV LV D VLJQLÂż FDQW improvement from last year’s grade of “D-.â€? Griffon credits part of the success of the school to the staff and how their ability to adapt to the drastic changes she implemented. In order to turn the school around, Griffon’s goals included to improving the school image and raising test scores. ,Q KHU Âż UVW VWHS WR FKDQJH WKH culture of the school, Griffon took initiative. Repainting classrooms and getting new desks were ways she altered the school environment. The addition of new computer labs helped teachers give instruction to students. This better prepared them End of Course exams. Furthermore, Griffon reinforced the tardy and uniform policy. In a effort to ensure student attendance, the amount of time between classes were shortened. While some of these changes may not be directly linked to test scores, Griffon believes it changed the overall attitude of both students and teachers. “The students that I encounter on a daily basis, I see them walking a little taller and a little happier,â€? Principal Meg Griffon said. Once King achieved this, a new set of challenges facced by administration. As a result of many of these changes, Grace King showed a 25.1 percent growth, one of the largest improvements for high schools in Jefferson Parish. In fact, King had the highest rate of improvement for traditional public schools, moving from a grade of “D-â€? to a “B.â€? The second largest growth was John Ehret High School, See School report card, News 3
Louisiana proves a popular location for major Hollywood studios California and New York,â€? Hamp Overton, Director of Film By Eric Sheu Editor-in-Chief Program at the UNO said. In the 10 years since Filming in New Orleans has Louisiana introduced the Act, film production has increased become a big industry. Since 2002 when Louisiana VLJQLÂż FDQWO\ LQ WKH VWDWH ZKLFK introduced the Louisiana Motion has been dubbed “Hollywood Picture Tax Incentive Act, a tax Southâ€?. This can be seen by the LQFHQWLYH IRU Âż OPV DQG WHOHYLVLRQ number of high budget movies SURGXFWLRQV WKH Âż OP LQGXVWU\ KHUH shot here such as “Looperâ€? has grown tremendously. The Act starring Bruce Willis and Joseph provides that the state defer up to Gordon-Levitt. In addition to the state 30 percent of production costs for incentive, Jefferson Parish offers any budget over $300,000. “Louisiana is the third largest a 3 percent rebate on production state for production behind costs.
Tax incentives and the use of digital media has helped the industry grow. Digital format has allowed for more chances to enter the film industry and PRUH PDQLSXODWLRQ WR WKH Âż OP DV opposed to mechanical effects. The popularity of filming here has lead to places such as the Nims Center Studios, which offers three studios ranging from 7,000 to 20,000 square feet. The facilities offer state of the art motion capture 3-D animation and a digital cinema studio. See Films, News 2
Eric Sheu
Graduate Jake Hoyson tests lighting equipment at UNO.