J.Hop Times Special Report: Diversity

JHT

John Hopkins Middle School St. Petersburg, Florida

J.HOP TIMES INSIDE

Cell Phone Photo by AVERY DAVIS/J.HOP TIMES

The corner where Bus 832 stops to pick up students each morning on the corner of 37th St. South. Using innovative technology, students use their cell phones to capture the diversity of their neighborhoods on pages 8-9.

Photo by KRYSTAL MITCHELL/J.HOP TIMES

On Dec. 13 Mr. Morris heads for Mrs. Haverfield’s office, in the media center, with some unwanted books. See page 13 for a look into a day in the life of Mr. Morris, J.Hop’s head plant operator.

J.Hop Times Special Report: Diversity Cover photo

By NEWSROOM 3/J.HOP TIMES

Stereotypes affect many people and most of the time people’s first impressions of others are wrong. Eighth-grader Savannah Elliot said she gets stereotyped, “because I am white, and the music I listen to, and the way I dress, people automatically cram me into a group.”

More students speak up on page 5.

About us

The J.Hop Times is produced four times a year by journalism students. For more news on John Hopkins, check out the J.Hop Times online at: jhoptimes.pcsb.org

February 2, 2011

Page 2

February 2, 2011

Survival Guide To Pressure Tips for dealing with pressure

By TIERNAN ASTRONSKAS, DAKOTAH HAAS, TYLER HOLT and DIANA ROBLES

We all get stressed or have pressure from someone or something. Parents, homework, tests, sports and much more pile on.

Here are some tips to relieve that pressure.

PARENTS • If your family is pressuring you, go outside and take a deep breath. This will help you be patient and not blow up.

• If you are watching TV and your little sibling is going to tell your mom that you are not doing your homework, tell your mom that you are taking a little break.

• When your parents yell at you for not doing homework or chores, watch a funny TV show or call or text a friend

who has a good sense of humor. Having a good laugh helps you relax.

HOMEWORK AND TESTS • Limit your homework. Spread it out over multiple days. This will help prevent freak-outs that come with procrastination.

• Study at lunch or whenever you have free time. Before the test, take a deep breath and look over your study guide as long as you can. Every second of study time counts.

• When you are taking a test, don’t worry so much. When you face a test stressed out, it can lead to a bad grade.

Instead, show up for the test prepared.

And when you come across a question you don’t know, skip over it and come back to it later.

SPORTS • Keep cool in sports; don’t take it so serious. Have fun with it.

• Right before any sport, remember that it’s not all about winning, it’s a game and it’s about having fun.

Tips from the experts

By MIA BARTOLOMEI-NEGRON AND SIERRA LEVY

FCAT, poor grades and teachers are example of what stresses J.Hop students. But there’s no need to worry, the guidance counselors at our school can help. You can visit them in each grade-level office. There’s Ms. Tucker for eighth, Ms. Johnson for seventh and Ms. Carr for sixth.

“First a student comes to me, then we find out if it is academic or personal problems, and then we work together to search for solutions,” said Ms. Tucker.

There are steps you can take on your own to relieve your stress. These tips for dealing with stress and pressure have been shared from our guidance counselors.

Parent Pressure

Cartoon by ALGERNARD BROWN/J.HOP TIMES

When you’re stressed DO: • Talk to people you trust, such as friends, close relatives or trustworthy teachers.

• Use breathing techniques like taking deep breaths and breathing in and out slowly.

• Think of pleasant images (the beach or places that you like to go to).

• Say the alphabet backwards.

• Count backwards.

• Recognize your hot buttons (notice things that make you mad or annoyed and avoid them).

What or who gives you the most pressure?

“Teachers because they want you to be good when I don’t want to. My mom will give me a second chance, but she always yells at me.”

-Jordyn Zentz, 8th grade

“My parents because they are always wanting you to do something and you have to prove it to them.”

-Malik Bentley, 7th grade

“Homework because it’s hard and I don’t understand it.”

-Sherri Mapes, 6th grade

“My mama. She’s nice but she has that look when I do something wrong. She just stares at me with that look.”

-Sherry Williams, 6th grade

Reported by GENESIS FELICIANO, BROOKE KIDD and BRITTANY WEDDLE Photos by GENESIS FELICIANO, QUANASIA WARE, DOMINIC ROSADO, LAMAR HARDEN and GISSELLE ZAYAS/J.HOP TIMES

“My parents because they are always yelling at me” -Marshaad Scott, 7th grade

“My dad because he always wants me to get good grades and do my best. My dad yells at me to do my best and get good grades.”

-Davian Tipton, 6th grade

J.Hop Times

Page 3

Special Report: Race in Education

Filling the void of the achievement gap

By SARAH POHL and JULIA MENDEZ

John Hopkins has a huge gap in the academic performance of our students which has come to be known as the “achievement gap.” Last year’s FCAT results showed that of all the people in the lowest FCAT reading category, 82 percent were black, 7 percent white, 3 percent Hispanic, 2 percent Asian and 6 percent multiracial.

J.Hop isn’t alone with this disconnect of scores between races. The achievement gap is a nationwide dilemma. Across the U.S., black students have the highest dropout rate and lowest test performance.

Pinellas County is one of the worst districts with this problem. We are among the ten worst districts in the nation for black male graduation and have some of the lowest graduating scores for all races, according to Schott Foundation for Public Education. “(When I first found out) it was a real eye opener,” said RTI coach Mrs. Mitchell. “It was kind of discouraging, this big gap between blacks and whites.”

“I found out (about the achieve-

ment gap) because I have to look at students’ reading information,” said eighth-grade reading teacher Mrs. Hedeen. “I think it’s discouraging and that we need to work harder.”

High dropout rates and low test scores can mean a darker future. U.S. Census Bureau data reflects a difference in earnings by ethnicities. The nationwide average annual earnings for blacks is $28,000, whites $35,000, Hispanics $23,000, Asians $37,000 and multicultural $33,000. One census brief suggests a high school dropout will earn just two thirds as much as their peers who have a diploma.

The gap in academic achievement between races may simply come down to money. “I don’t think it’s a racial thing as much as it’s economics,” said J.Hop Principal Mr. Brown.

At John Hopkins 75 percent of the students receive free and reduced lunch. “Parents care more about getting the next meal taken care of than their child’s schoolwork,” Mr. Brown said.

Another idea is that a student may not get the right opportunities. “I don’t think that it’s because of their race,” said intermediate Spanish

teacher Seňora De la Cruz. “I think it’s more of where they come from… how their family supports them.”

Plans to fix the problem are under way. Pre-planned lesson guides for teachers are being encouraged by the county. The school is now receiving Title One and RTI funds to gain extra material and resources, such as tutoring, for lagging students.

“We want to create a comfortable learning environment for both students and staff by making sure teachers are stern and fair,” Mr. Brown said.

Students say it’s not just a teacher’s and principal’s job to help students succeed. The students themselves have to put some effort in and do what is expected of them, said sixthgrader Quentin Kemp. “They (students) could pay attention to what the teacher is saying as well as studying,” said Quentin.

Parents were recently invited to a meeting to learn about Title 1, our school’s government funding program which assists with programs and materials to help eliminate things like the achievement gap. Mrs. Mitchell said a low turnout indicates the gap is

getting very little consideration from J.Hop families.

“It was horrible,” she said. “About 10 parents showed up, out of the 1000+ kids we have here.”

Staff members say we need to bring everyone’s attention to the problem. By getting the message across people might care about the situation.

“If you know better, you do better,” said Mrs. Mitchell.

Who Am I? •

•

•

•

If I am a white student in Florida, then I have a 59% chance of graduating high school.

If I am an Asian student in Florida, then I have an 82% chance of graduating high school.

If I am a black student in Florida, then I have a 43% chance of graduating high school.

If I am a Hispanic student in Florida, then I have a 54% chance of graduating high school.

Source: Alliance for Excellent Education - Year: 2005-2006 school year (most recent available)

FCAT reading levels for the entire school in 2010 broken down by race.

Level 1 (lowest) Level 3 (mid) Level 5 (highest)

Graph by JAMARI GRAHAM/J.HOP TIMES

Schott Foundation for Public Education/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

The Facts • •

Pinellas County is one of the Top 10 worst performing districts for black students.

Florida is one of the lowest performing states for people of all races.

Source: Schott Foundation for Public Education.

Page 4

February 2, 2011

Around J.Hop Translation appreciation

By TATIANA D’PARDO

The Duong family goes to buy their groceries. Ms. Duong heads to the deli area to get the pork they need for dinner. She points to what she would like. The man at the counter asks her, “How many pounds would you like?” He follows it up with “Anything else I can get you today?”

She has confusion written all over her face and looks down to her side at her daughter. She talks to her daughter, Kelly Duong, in Vietnamese. Kelly then turns to the deli man and says, “Four pounds please.

That will be all.”

J.Hop students like Kelly translate for their parents when they do everyday tasks.

Kelly, an eighth-grader, translates for her parents who don’t know much English. Every week Kelly helps her mom at the grocery store and at home over the phone.

When Kelly isn’t there to help her mom understand she said her mom will “hit up the phone and call me.”

Chelsey Chen, a seventh-grader, also helps translate for her parents, who are from China. They speak Mandarin, Chinese and Fuchonese. She helps them “when they have to read some mail and I have to explain what it’s about.”

Chelsey said she doesn’t really like translating because “they ask what it’s about all over again as I explain what it was about.”

But when Chelsey gets tired her older brother will come and translate for her parents.

Eighth-grader Alvaro Espinaco helps his mother (Ms. Porra), who works in the school cafeteria. His family is from Cuba and speaks Spanish. In Alvaro’s home they don’t speak much English. Alvaro helps his parents over the phone when they are speaking with someone.

“Words I don’t know he translates,” said Ms. Porra.

He also helps translate for his dad, who

Photo by CHRISTIAN GRANT-ROBINSON/J.HOP TIMES

Eighth-grader Alvaro Espinaco translates from English to his native language of Spanish for his mom, Ms. Porra, who works in the cafeteria.

is a carpenter.

When Ms. Porra is at work in the cafeteria or when she’s somewhere that people only speak English she said, “it’s hard because sometimes you can’t express yourself as you want to.”

“She tries her best,” Alvaro said of his mom.

She’s grateful she has a son like Alvaro to help her out with her English.

“I like it when he helps me, but I feel bad because I can’t do my part. He can do it and I have to force myself more. I wish I could do it myself,” Ms. Porra said.

Editor’s note: The interviews with Ms. Porra were possible because reporter Tatiana D’Pardo knows Spanish, so she was able to speak with Ms. Porra in her native tongue. Tatiana also helps translate for her mother at home.

Stick your nose in a book

By DE’ASHYA ROBERTS

Have your eyes in a book this month because you might just get something FREE at the upcoming book fair. John Hopkins’ book fair will be Feb. 7 through Feb. 11. Family night will be held on Feb.9 from 4:30 until 7:30.

At the book fair you can buy bookmarks, books, pens, posters and more. There will be five different cases of books for sale.

New to the book fair this year, Mr. Brown will be handing out scholastic dollars to any student he catches reading Feb. 7-11. These scholastic dollars are worth money, like $5 dollars to spend at the book fair. You may use the scholastic dollars to get a $5 book or you may get things like a pen and a poster--anything that adds up to $5.

Also, now in the library you may donate money to help students who can’t afford to buy books. Students can help this cause by purchasing a “one for books” ticket, which are only 50 cents each.

For more details, go to hhtp://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/J.Hop. On the website you may make a wish list of all the books you’d like to get.

Page 5

J.Hop Times

Special Report: Labels

-Renae Paraiso, 7th grade

-Nick Salvo, 8th grade

“Rapping is a hobby of mine and I do it a She said she doesn’t always get A’s.“I don’t pay attention to teachers; I talk to my lot. It’s just fun for me. I’ve performed as a rapper before and people told me I did friends and doodle.” really good.”

-Quindon Nolton, 8th grade

-Malak Mahjoubi, 8th grade

“I am a skateboarder and I don’t do that stupid stuff.”

“I’ve never ever done something to hurt or kill somebody which makes no sense to label me or anybody under Muslim religion (as a terrorist).”

Stereotype struggles: First impressions aren’t always right

By JULIA MENDEZ

-Madison Andrews, 8th grade “I feel like they shouldn’t call somebody something if they don’t even know them.”

We have all done it…turned to our friends and whispered something about someone else because of the way they look.

It’s human nature to stereotype. Stereotyping is when a person judges someone based on their first impression. People stereotype others because of the way they dress, their race and their religion.

Malak Mahjoubi, eighth-grader, has been labeled as a terrorist because she is Muslim. “I would never kill anybody under any circumstances,” she said.

Students also stereotype because of race. They sometimes assume that black males sell drugs. But Quindon Nolton, an eighth-grader who is black, says he is the opposite of this.

“I am different. I want to make a change in the AfricanAmerican society by overcoming the statistics in the AfricanAmerican male community,” he said.

Sometimes students judge others because of where they live. Nyquel Alexander, eighth-grader, has been stereotyped as being in a gang because he lives in South St. Pete. He said that when people do that it makes them look kind of stupid because he is not in a gang and receives A’s and B’s. “I’m on the basketball team, played on the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) basketball team, and (have been in) 5,000 Role Models for four years running.”

Stereotypes do more than hurt people’s feelings. “People (who’ve been stereotyped) are more likely to be aggressive after they’ve faced prejudice in a given situation. They are more likely to exhibit a lack of self-control. They have -Nyquel Alexander,8th grade trouble making good, rational decisions. And they are more likely to over-indulge on unhealthy foods,” said Michael He said he would never be in a gang “because sports Inzlicht of the University of Toronto in Canada in a recent are my life and I ain’t got time for it.” study that was published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

Savannah Elliot, eighth-grader, said stereotyping “definitely can hurt them, but we all do it, we are all guilty of it.”

*** Editor’s note: The students photographed and interviewed for this project were chosen because the J. Hop Times Staff feels they break stereotypes.

Photos by BENJAMIN KETMANY, HANNAH MAYER, DANIEL OLIVER, JAMES THOMAS-BOWLES AND JAJUAN WEBSTER/J.HOP TIMES.

February 2, 2011

Page 6

People and Programs

Coming from oceans away

By ALEXUS BARNHART

When a lot of people think of Cuba they think of Cuban sandwiches. But here at J.Hop we have our own link to Cuba. Mr. Martinez, seventh grade geography teacher, grew up there and came to the states when he was 15 years old. He said his family moved here “for better opportunities and to be free.”

“I wanted to help students,

especially those with the same problems I had.”

-Mr. Martinez, Geography and World HistoryTeacher JHMS

His journey started when his family left Cuba in 1977. After leaving Cuba, they made a pit stop and lived in Spain because his mother had relatives there.

After living there for close to two years, they traveled to Miami, Fla. When he entered the United States, he didn’t know English. This made it hard for him to socialize. He said, “I didn’t have many friends because I

couldn’t communicate well, but there were students that were willing to help.” They assisted him by translating for him. They also helped him learn the rules as well as get to know the school.

He learned English through a program known as ESOL that helps students who have a first language other than English.

His parents found jobs while he was in school. His mother was a pharmacist, and his father worked in a factory.

After living here for awhile, Mr. Martinez developed interest in baseball.

He said, “My first goal was to be a professional baseball player, but I later realized that I needed a better plan for myself.”

Baseball is one thing that that the states and Cuba have in common. But the countries are different in many ways, such as the days and nights are opposite from one another. The biggest difference is there is almost no freedom. He said in Cuba you can’t “express yourself, go where you want to go, study what you want to study.”

Photo by DE’QONTON DAVIS/J.HOP TIMES Ms.Marshall talks to students about a summary they are writing in response to a Time For Kids article during AVID class on Jan. 5, in 3rd period.

Preparation for the future

By MYAH ALVAREZ AND ROMESHA SMITH

The AVID program at John Hopkins Middle School is helping bring up the low rate of graduates among black male students and is helping students of all races get ready for college.

AVID is a national program in grades 4-12 that helps students with “test taking skills, organization skills and things like that,” said Ms. Marshall, the teacher in charge of AVID.

With his freedom as a U.S. citizen, he enjoys many things that he wouldn’t be able to do if he lived in Cuba. He has traveled to many places such as Spain, Canada, almost half the states in the U.S., Puerto Rico, th Dominican Republic, Mexico, Venezuela, Jamaica and the Virgin Islands.

His favorite thing of all about being in America Photo by JALEN MIDDLETON/J.HOP TIMES is all the opportunities he Mr. Martinez, a geography and world history teacher at J.Hop, has. He said if he were sits in front of the Cuban flag in his classroom during sixth still in Cuba, there are period on Dec. 9. He came to America as a young teen from many things he wouldn’t Cuba. be able to pursue because and uncles and cousins living in Cuba. they don’t have freedom The thing that Mr. Martinez wants over there. He wouldn’t have been able people to know most about him being to become a geography teacher.

Cuban is “It is important to be differHis inspiration for becoming a ent. It makes things exciting.” teacher was his history teacher in high school, Mr. Harrigton.

Mr. Martinez has dreams of returnJazmon Arnold contributed to this ing to Cuba, but he says he will not go back until the government changes and story. his country is free. He still has aunts

It also helps kids be successful. It “gives them the skills they need for college,” said Ms. Marshall.

The program has been at J.Hop for five years and consists of mostly minority students. In the program there are 31 black students, five whites, one Asian and one Hispanic student.

Students say AVID helps them do better in other classes. Seventh-grade AVID students have to have at least one advanced class, and eighth-grade AVID students have to have at least four. To help them achieve in their advanced classes, tutors come in every Tuesday and Thursday. There are seven students to each tutor.

Maddison Reynolds, eighth grade, says AVID helps her get organized and take better notes.

Eighth-grader Reggie Harris has been in AVID for two years. AVID has also helped him with keeping himself organized in his other classes. One way he does this is by using his AVID binder. Every student in AVID has a binder where they keep work for all their classes. “Everything they need is in there,” said Ms. Marshall.

AVID helps kids succeed in life. According to the AVID website, 92 percent of the 2009 AVID graduates planned to attend college; 60 percent to a four-year college and 32 percent to a two-year college.

Photo by DE’QONTON DAVIS/J.HOP TIMES

Eighth-grader Linda Corbett, left, listens during AVID class in Building 6-119 on Jan 5. AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination.

The achievement gap by the numbers

In 2010: • 21 percent of black male students in Pinellas County earned diplomas after four years of study.

• 50 percent of white males in Pinellas earned diplomas after four years of study.

How AVID helps

Of the 2009 AVID graduates: • 92 percent of students in AVID planned to attend college • 60 percent to a four-year college • 32 percent to a two-year college Sources: Avid.org and the Schott Foundation for Public Education.

J.Hop Times

Page 7

Faces of J.Hop

All mixed up

By SAMANTHA HERNANDEZ

What do Tiger Woods, Halle Berry and President Obama have in common? They all are multiracial. This is someone who identifies themself as being more than one race.

There are a growing number of people nationwide who fall in this category. The 2000 U.S. Census gave Americans the first chance to check more than one box for race.

Nearly 7 million people declared themselves to be multiracial that year. The U.S. Census is predicting that the number of people who identify themselves as multiracial will increase when the 2010 Census data is reported.

Here in St. Petersburg, there are 4,470 people who call themselves mixed race. There are 58 students at John Hopkins who call themselves multiracial.

“It feels good to be mixed, just to be different from a lot of people,” said Stephon Williams, an eighth-grader who is mixed with both black and white races.

He said his dad is black and Cuban, and his mom is White, Puerto Rican and Indian. Stephon said there are benefits to being mixed. “You get to be in more programs like Multicultural Committee and 5,000 Role Models,” he said.

Another student who is mixed is seventh-grader Tyra Finelli, whose mom is mixed-race with black and white and whose dad is white and Italian. She said one advantage is, “I guess I can have more friends,” and a disadvantage “is that black people call me white and white people call me black.”

Black, Italian and white are the ethnicities that Riley Baker, eight-grader, identifies with. Riley thinks this is an advantage, because “the people here at this school won’t bully me because I’m both races.”

Seventh-grader Jalen Middleton sees himself more as black than Hispanic. He is mixed with black from his dad’s side and Hispanic from his mom. He said there aren’t any disadvantages to being mixed. He feels there is an advantage. “You have more than one culture to talk about.”

Photo by HANNAH MAYER/J.HOP TIMES

Alexus Barnhart walks across campus to her sixth period class on Jan. 7. Alexus is a seventhgrader fighting Cerebral Palsy. She leaves her classes five minutes early because she has a difficult time walking in crowds. Alexus said, “I think [leaving early] is good because other kids don’t pay attention and they like to run, and they run into me.”

Determination

Seventh-grader refuses to be limited by Cerebral Palsy

By OWEN DYCHES

Photo by HANNAH MAYER/J.HOP TIMES

In Mr. Williams’ sixth period math class, Kelly Bellinger, seventh grade, helps Alexus pick up her crutches after they fall.

Chances are you’ve seen Alexus Barnhart around J.Hop. You may not know her by name, as a lot of kids know her as “the girl with the crutches.” Alexus, a seventh-grader, uses crutches because she was born with the muscle disorder Cerebral Palsy.

Cerebral Palsy refers to a number of disorders of the developing brain affecting body movement, posture

and muscle, according to the advocacy group United Cerebral Palsy.

The group says that 764,000 children and adults in the United States have symptoms of Cerebral Palsy. About 10,000 babies in the U.S. develop the disorder every year.

Alexus says her symptoms include bad balance, shooting pain in the muscles, and sometimes, the inability to move her legs. “The pain hurts the most after my Botox shots, because my muscles tense up,” she said. Most of us think about Botox treatments in terms of Hollywood facelifts, but Alexus said her shots loosen her muscles.

In elementary, kids would make fun because they thought that she looked weird, Alexus said. When she’s at stores, little kids often ask their parents why she looks the way she does.

Alexus said that her disorder doesn’t really affect her social life.

She likes to listen to country music and some hip-hop. Her favorite TV show is American Idol and her favorite movie is The Notebook. Alexus likes to read, write and ride horses in her free time. Horseback riding is good for Alexus’ legs.

Eventually, Alexus would like to be a reporter for the St.Petersburg Times.

She also wants to publish a book that she is currently writing. The story is about a pack of wild wolves, but Alexus doesn’t have a title for it yet.

Like in everybody’s life, there are people who are rude to Alexus. Every once in a while people say rude things or shoot nasty looks at her. But it

Photo illustration by HANNAH MAYER/J.HOPTIMES

Eighth-graders Stephon Williams (top left), Riley Baker (top right), and seventh-graders Tyra Finelli (bottom left) and Jalen Middleton (bottom right) represent the 58 students that are mixed race at J.Hop.

doesn’t really bother her, because “all of it is just stupid,” she said.

Sixth-grade geography teacher Mr. Frump said that Alexus “did everything that any of the other students could do. She always found a way.”

Mr. Frump also said that he never heard any bullying either directly to Alexus or indirectly to her.

Last school year Alexus had to walk across campus because Mr. Frump’s class was in the portables and she had to carry a very heavy backpack -- but she was never late.

“It’s not her disability that makes her special,” Mr. Frump said. “It’s her ability.”

Photo by HANNAH MAYER/J.HOP TIMES

Alexus Barnhart, seventh grade, stands outside Mr. Williams’ classroom after taking the elevator upstairs.

Neighborho

Page 8

Our view

J.Hop students live in neighborhoods all over Pinellas County. They decided to display where they live by taking pictures with their cell phones and interviewing their neighbors. Take a glimpse into our neighborhoods.

NAME: CARLOS ORTIZ AGE: 21 YEARS OLD BARTLETT PARK Q: What makes your neighborhood special?

A: The birds and the wood peckers that be coming around and the trees.

Q: What is something you’re proud of in your neighborhood?

A: That we have a neighborhood watch, because it makes me feel safe.

Q: What’s your favorite hangout spot in your neighborhood and why?

A: The football field because I like to watch the kids have fun and enjoy themselves.

Q: Where do you spend your money in your neighborhood and what do you buy?

A: McDonald’s and Wendy’s and the store to buy food.

Q: What do you like to do in your neighborhood and where?

A: I like to BBQ in the yard and park and playing music.

Q: What’s your favorite place to eat in your neighborhood and why?

A: Chattaway because the food is good and it’s a nice place to relax.

Q: How is your neighborhood stereotyped and what do you think of that?

A: They do a lot of shooting and ducking as well as police chasing. It’s like watching an action TV show.

NAME: PHILONDRE WAINWRIGHT AGE: 14 CHILD’S PARK Q: What makes your neighborhood special?

A: That there is always something to do in my neighborhood.

Q: What is something you’re proud of in your neighborhood?

A: That it is not a bad neighborhood and it has some

popular sports like basketball and football.

Q: What’s your favorite hangout spot in your neighborhood and why?

A: The recreation center because some of my friends are there like you.

Q: What do you like to do in your neighborhood and where?

A: Play football at the recreation center’s football field.

Mia Bartolomei-Negron: Clearwater

Clearwater

Q: What do you spend your money on in your neighborhood and what do you buy?

A: I go to a corner store and I buy candy and a soda.

Q: What’s your favorite place to eat in your neighborhood and why?

A: A seafood place across the street from the corner store because I love seafood.

Tiernan Astronskas: Old Northeast

Mia BartolomeiNegron: Clearwater

Q: How is your neighborhood stereotyped and what you think of that?

A: I think when people hear about the neighborhood they think of fights and shooting.

NAME: LATARSHA AHMAD GANDY Q: What makes your neighborhood special?

A: There’s so many places to go and so many things to do.

Q: What is something you’re proud of in your neighborhood?

A: The quiet hideaways because after a long day’s work it’s nice to have some peace and quiet.

Q: What’s your favorite hangout spot in your neighborhood and why?

A: The spa, it’s a place to relax.

Q: Where do you spend your money in your neighborhood and what do you buy?

A: Goodwill is where I shop, and antiques is what I buy.

Q: What do you like to do in your neighborhood and where?

A: Go to the beach. I like to look at the water and touch it.

Q: What’s your favorite place to eat in your neighborhood and why?

A: I love my own gourmet kitchen because I love to cook.

Q: How is your neighborhood stereotyped and what do you think of that?

A: The dog track area because it is bad for the neighborhood.

Brooke Kidd: Pinellas Park

Pinellas Park

Seminole Genesis Feliciano: Seminole

Tyrone Mariah Stine: Tyrone Quanasia Ware: Melrose

Gulfport

C

De’Janique Burden: Gulfport

Sierra Levy: Gulfport

Avery Davis: Childs Park Avery Davis: Childs Park

ood Snapshots

Page 9 NAME: CATHLEEN STEIN AGE: 52 OLD NORTHEAST Q: What makes your neighborhood special?

A: The neighbors are friends, we share things and we cook for each other.

Jaya Nair: Gandy

Dominic Rosado: Old Northeast

Jaya Nair: Gandy

Gandy

Old Northeast

Q: What is your favorite hangout spot in your neighborhood?

A: The Vinoy because it is historic and it has a lot of stories behind it such as it was a hotel, then became a military hospital and then back to a hotel.

Q: Where do you spend your money in your neighborhood and what do you buy?

A: I spend most of my money on food and I like to go to restaurants such as Outback Steakhouse and Panera.

Chelsey Chen: Venetian Bay

Venetian Bay

Chelsey Chen: Venetian Bay

Childs Park

Bartlett Park

Antwoine Reid: Bartlett Park

Trevon Gammage: Bartlett Park

Q: How is your neighborhood stereotyped and what you think of that?

A: I think our neighborhood is stereotyped as rich, but I don’t think that’s true. The economy has changed so people are having to work harder to keep the houses that they have.

NAME: DONQUAN WARE AGE: 8 MELROSE Q: What makes your neighborhood special?

A: My neighborhood is Melrose, and it’s special because we are close to Tropicana Field.

Q: What is something you are proud of in your neighborhood?

Lakewood Alexa Gammage: Lakewood Tyler Holt: Lakewood

Avery Davis: Childs Park

Q: What do you like to do in your neighborhood and where?

A: I like to play tennis at the Vinoy when I have time.

Q: What’s your favorite place to eat in your neighborhood and why?

A: My favorite place to eat is Outback Steakhouse because it has such high quality food.

Quanasia Ware: Melrose

Melrose

Q: What is something you’re proud of in your neighborhood?

A: I’m proud of the history, that it’s an older neighborhood.

The houses have been here a long time and that the trees have been here so long that they have grown large and they are beautiful.

A: The area is getting quiet.

Q: What’s your favorite hangout spot in the neighborhood and why?

A: In the alley of Melrose, because I can ride my bike and play with my friends.

Q: Where do you spend your money in your neighborhood and what do you buy?

A: My neighborhood store, Sweetbay, and I like to buy candy, Skittles and Starburst.

Q: What do you like to do in your neighborhood and where?

A: Walk to the gas station by Three Brothers, which is a food and corner store.

Q: What is your favorite place to eat in your neighborhood and why?

A: McDonald’s, because we get toys that I like such as Transformers.

Q: How is your neighborhood stereotyped and what do you think of that?

A: It’s quiet and nice.

NAME: BRITTANY BIRD GULFPORT Q: What makes your neighborhood special?

A: I think the unique houses make my neighborhood special.

Q: What is something you’re proud of in your neighborhood?

A: I am very proud of all the arty people!

Q: What is your favorite hangout spot and why?

A: I like to hang out at the beach because it is super quiet!

Q: Where do you spend your money in your neighborhood and what do you spend it on?

A: I spend my money on all the art work.

Q: What do you like to do in your neighborhood and where?

A: I like to walk the art walks!

Q: What’s your favorite place to eat in your neighborhood and why?

A: I like Smoking J’s.

Q: How is your neighborhood stereotyped and what do you think of that?

A: Arty and I really like that people think that.

Reported by TIERNAN ASTRONSKAS, TREVON GAMMAGE, SIERRA LEVY, JAYA NAIR, QUANASIA WARE and DORIAN WILLIAMS Cell phone photographer’s names are listed with their neighborhood under their images.

February 2, 2011

Page 10

Our Culture

Passion for religion

By JULIA MENDEZ, HELEN NGYUYEN, PHO NGUYEN and DE’ASHYA ROBERTS

For some kids, religion is about more than going to church on the weekend. It’s a part of their everyday lives. Here are three students of three different religions who are passionate about their beliefs.

Le’Zaire Reese, 8 grade th

Q: What is your religion?

A: Christian/Baptist.

Q: What does your religion mean to you?

A: It means a lot to me. I take it very seriously.

Q: What makes it special and unique?

A: Well, my religion makes it sacred what I believe in -- that we believe in God, and because my family brought me up in it.

Q: How does your religion affect your life?

A:I go to church every Sunday. I pray at least once a day or more. I sing in the choir and I am a youth leader.

Q: Has your religion ever led to any hardships or obstacles?

A: People came to me saying, “Hey, church boy,” but it really doesn’t get to me.

Photo by CASSIDY KLIER/J.HOP TIMES Le’Zaire Reese, eighth grade, holds a Bible representing the holy text of the Christian faith.

hardships or obstacles?

A: Yeah, people nowadays call Muslims terrorists in America. People blame Islam for the world’s problems.

I brush it off ‘cause there is nothing you can do really. I lost friends and close family. They stopped talking to us. They only talk to us by force.

They have the mentality that Islam is bad.

Elijah Ba, 8th grade Q: What is your religion?

A:Islam.

Q: What does your religion mean to you?

A: Enlightenment—to make inner peace with yourself.

Q: What makes it special and unique?

A: I think Islam is unique ‘cause it is a culture. Also it is a way of living.

Many countries define themselves as Islamic states, so their culture is influenced mostly by Islam.

Q: How does your religion affect your life?

A: Well you don’t eat pork, and your holy day is Friday and you’ve got to pray five times a day. You pray when you wake up, you pray when you eat, before you go to sleep, once at noon, and once at 4:00 for people who follow the Qur’an.

Q: Has your religion ever led to any

Photo by KENIJAH COLLINS/J.HOP TIMES

Elijah Ba, eighth grade, holds a Quran, which is the sacred text of the Muslim faith.

Emily Seltzer, 8th grade

Q: What is your religion?

A: Jewish Q: What does your religion mean to you?

A: It means a lot to me because not everyone is Jewish and it makes me special.

Q: What makes it special and unique?

A: We don’t believe in Jesus. It’s unique because not all people are Jewish. Sometimes it’s annoying, like

Facebook fanatic

By HANNAH MAYER

Send your shout out!

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to go to synagogue (Jewish church).

I go on weekends and can’t hang out with my friends sometimes.

Q: How does your religion affect your life?

A: Wednesday nights after school I have to go to a special program called Hebrew high school at my synagogue, and it teaches me further in Jewish studies. I also have to attend services, and it takes up time and effort.

If it didn’t mean anything to me, I wouldn’t do it.

Q: Has your religion ever led to any hardships or obstacles?

A: Sometimes there are Jewish holidays on weekends or other days and instead of hanging out with friends I have to go to synagogue or a family member’s house.

Once a year, Time Magazine gives the honor of “Person of the Year” to an important person who has made a mark on history. In 2010 the honor went to Mark Zuckerberg, who’s more commonly known as, “the dude who made Facebook.”

Mark is the CEO and co-founder of the popular social networking site. Mark created Facebook when he was a sophomore at Harvard. At 19, he launched a Web service from his dorm called “TheFacebook.com.”

In 2010, Facebook became so popular it surpassed Google on the most visited websites list, according to Experian Hitwise, a global information services company.

As reported by Time Magazine, of all American page views, at least one of four was to Facebook in the month of November. Last year Facebook welcomed its 550 millionth member.

One of every 12 people on the planet has a

Photo by KENIJAH COLLINS/J.HOP TIMES

Emily Seltzer, eighth grade, holds a Star of David necklace, a six sided star representing the Shield of David.

Facebook account. About 700,000 people open a new Facebook account every day. The people of Facebook spend a collective total of 700 billion minutes each month on Facebook and speak 75 different languages. Many students of John Hopkins are contributors to the large numbers of the Facebook visitors. Eighth-grader Ryley Baker said she’s on it “24-7, every day, every night, all day. I’m addicted.”

Jasmine Plaza, eighth-grader, thinks Time Magazine’s naming of Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg as Person of the Year was a good call. “[Mark Zuckerberg] is cool, and better then Tom from Myspace.”

The reasons J.Hop students say they use Facebook range from talking to their friends, sharing what’s on their mind to just viewing and posting photos. Jonah Free, eighth-grader, likes to look at old family photos and chat with people. Jonah’s favorite thing is, “that you can chat with people far away,” keeping people connected through the miles. He estimates that he spends 14 hours a week on Facebook.

Page 11

J.Hop Times

World Culture

Say what?!

At J.Hop there are many different languages spoken. The only way to learn a new language is to pay attention to the words and movements that are not familiar to you. Here are examples of diversity in translation.

Boy

Girl

You are beautiful

Thank you

No

I love you

Photos by KENDRICK AUTY, DE’QONTON DAVIS AND CASSIDY KLIER/J.HOP TIMES

French

English

Italian

English

Hello

Bonjour

Thank You

Merci

Thank You

What’s Your Name?

Quel est Votre nom

What’s Your Name?

See You Later

A plus

See You Later

I Love You

Je t’ame

I Love You

Boy

Garcon

Boy

Girl

Fille

Girl

Thank You What’s Your Name?

See You Later I Love You Boy Girl

Gracias

Thank You

Hasta luego Te amo Chico Chica

Photos by VIOLET BYRD and KRYSTAL MITCHELL/J.HOP TIMES

Arrive derrci

Ti voglio benc Ragazza

English

Como te’ llamas

Qual’e il tuo nome

Ragazzo

Spanish Hola

Hello

Grazie

Photos by DE’QONTON DAVIS and ROYANNA STREETER/J.HOP TIMES

Photos by CAYLIN SCHAFFER and ISHMAEL SNEAD/J.HOP TIMES

English

Ciao

Hello

Slang

What up?

Hello

Thanks bro

What’s Your Name?

See You Later I Love You Boy Girl

What’s yo’ name?

Aight bro

Luv yo bo Brah

Baby Photos by ARTIZ FLOWERS and YANCEY THOMAS/J.HOP TIMES

Page 12

February 2, 2011

Fashion

Simple solutions to a bad hair day

By HAILEY VAUGHAN

I’ve got the 411 on how to fix a girl’s worst nightmare…a bad hair day. I have had many bad hair days, especially those rainy humid days. One day I came to school with hair straightened at the top and curled at the bottom. By the time school started my hair looked as if I had just woke up!

But I survived because I had my hair spray and a comb. Always keep a comb and mini bottle of hair spray handy and follow these simple solutions to turn a bad hair day into a fashionable day.

Solution 1: A Snooki updo--perfect when your hair is frizzy or has low curls I took all my bangs and put them on my head like a poof, and I didn’t need a clip, I used hairspray to keep it in place. Then I took two small pieces of hair from both sides of my head, and one at a time wrapped them around my finger. Then, I squirted the hair spray on both sides of my finger, let go, and there was a little curl. Then I repeated on the other side.

Finally I take the rest and throw it up in either a side pony tail or a high bun. Then squirt the bun, add a hair bow if you have one and waaahhlaahh!

Solution 2: Bangs freaking out?

If it’s just your bangs that are the problem, then ask for a clip or bobby pin from a friend, go to the bathroom in free time and braid your bangs, twist them or just leave them plain and clip them to the side. This look is popular even when your bangs are fine. It gives you a unique touch up.

Solution 3: Basic braids to help extra freaked out hair.

This simple hairdo hides all types or frizz and unwanted curls. It makes for a perfect hairstyle, so you can show off without turning off. Just simply split your hair in two, braiding one side at a time.

Add rubber bands at the end of both braids, even silly bands work! It’s as simple as that. Then take your bangs and either make a poof, braid, twist or throw them off to the side. You can even just leave them down if they’re behaving for you.

G’z on your wrist

By JACOB LAND

Color is popping up all over J.Hop. Red, pink, orange, blue and white watches are on students’ wrists. G-shock watches have become a popular trend in fashion.

These watches were purposely created for military, sports and outdoor adventure. Teens like the way they look. Tyrik Robinson, a seventh-grader, said, “They are durable, shiny and cool looking.”

G-shocks were created by Casio and are unique because of the technology that is inside. Some of the features include stopwatch, countdown and they even tell you what type of moon is out and some of them get charged by the sun.

Devonte Hinton, an eighthgrader, has a G-shock that is black and red. He has had it since December. “Mine Is different because it is mud resistant and has special features like alarm clock, stop watch and countdown,” he said.

They cost about $100 a piece.

You can buy these watches at Finshline, Walmart, Macys and other particiapating watch shops.

Before

After Photos by TABRIA SMITH/J.HOP TIMES

Danielle Russell, seventh grade, models solution 3, wearing braids down each side. Braids are a simple way to hide frizz and unruly curls.

CROSSING INTO FASHION Photos by ANTHONY EDWARDS and JAJUAN WEBSTER/J.HOP TIMES

On Dec. 14 seventh-grader Jordan Shorter, (left) shows off his beaded rosary. He said, “I like rosaries because I like God.” Cross necklaces are one of the new fashion trends around J.Hop. Eighth-grader Sedale Hudson, (bottom right), said he wears it, “because it’s for fashion.” On the necklace there is a small statue in the shape of a cross. “I think this trend started by one cool person,” said Jordan.

Photo by CHRISTIAN GRANTROBINSON/J.HOP TIMES

Eighth-grader Sam Hilld sports his all black G-Shock watch on Dec. 15.

Sam said, “It’s black and it tells you a lot of information. It’s completely waterproof.”

Page 13

J.Hop Times

People

Photo by KRYSTAL MITCHELL/J.HOP TIMES

Mr. Morris J.Hop’s head plant operator, receives a request from his co-worker outside near the bus parking lot during third period on Dec. 13.

Janitor’s journey: A day through the janitor’s eyes

By MELISSA DONES, MORGAN LEVY and NILAJA KING

Fingers getting stuck, getting electrocuted, cleaning up graffiti and picking up trash. This is all part of being a janitor. J.Hop Times reporters spent three periods to see firsthand what Mr. Morris, the head plant operator (or janitor), has to deal with on a daily basis.

Mr. Morris is in charge of 11 janitors. He works from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. There is also another shift of janitors who work from 3 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. The janitors work year around, even in the summer. On the students’ vacations they have to work on Mondays and Tuesdays to prepare the buildings for the students’ return and do jobs that the janitors can’t normally get done during the course of the school day.

Mr. Morris has been a janitor for 30 years and has been working at John Hopkins for 19 years.

“I kept getting promotions that eventually led to my current position as head plant operator,” he said.

Photo by KRYSTAL MITCHELL

Mr. Morris checks on the Chiller Tower for the A/C unit outside near the bus circle on Dec. 13.

Photo by KRYSTAL MITCHELL/J.HOP TIMES

On Dec. 13, Mr. Morris uses the Billy Goat to pick up trash outside building 5.

In his office he keeps pictures of his staff, past and present. He is constantly checking his email because teachers write work orders for him, such as fixing projector screens or delivering tables.

He is always on the move. “There’s a lot of walking involved,” he said. An everyday thing that he finds is trash all over the ground, graffiti and messed up bathrooms.

There are some risks being a janitor. He used to work at Shore Acres Elementary and he got his finger stuck in a lawn mower. He also got electrocuted. “I was on the roof repairing an air conditioning unit, and my tool hit a live wire,” Mr. Morris said.

Mr. Morris also works some crazy hours. He gets called into the school in the middle of the night “quite often.” He said, “About 2 a.m. to 3 a.m., I get called.” He receives calls because the fire alarm malfunctions or the school’s alarm gets activated from posters falling off walls or things hanging from the ceiling. It’s his job to come out to the school and make sure that everything is alright.

The janitors have their own workshop at the school. They are tinkers; they fix things. “We always get stuff to repair,” he said. Janitors use the workshop to fix things such as paper shredders and tables. If it’s too complicated to fix, it goes to the school system’s maintenance department in Largo, where it is repaired and returned.

Mr. Morris has to fix more items than he used to because of budget cuts.

He said his favorite thing about being a janitor is “knowing that the campus is presentable.”

The hardest part about being a janitor is when he doesn’t have enough staff to accomplish certain tasks.

Mr. Morris’s staff enjoys working with him.

Mr. Ervin, one of the janitors, said he likes working with Mr. Morris because he is “a kind man.” He describes Mr. Morris as someone who is “respectful, self disciplined and loyal.”

Besides being a janitor, he has children and a wife. Even though his job is to clean, he doesn’t mind cleaning at home. “I got children and they have chores and everyone helps, so no I don’t hate it,” he said. He also likes watching sports, playing sports and playing the piano and drums.

He plays drums for a marching band.

Photo by KRYSTAL MITCHELL/J.HOP TIMES

On Dec. 13, Mr. Morris reaches for the J.Hop welcome flag, in a work room located near his office behind the Cafeteria.

February 2, 2011

Page 14

Opinions Reaching for a higher level

My experience in Haiti

In their native language of Creole, Haitians say, “Ayiti sa ki yon kote ki bèl.”

That translates to “Haiti - what a beautiful place.”

Because that is ANDREA what it is.

WILLIAMS I am high in the sky on the plane early Friday morning. I wake up from a fourhour nap to look out the window and see lots of little objects and huge mountains. My mom and I were arriving in Haiti to visit my grandparents.

Those little objects I saw were actually thousands of tents housing the people whose homes were ruined in the earthquake of Jan. 12 last year. This 7.0 magnitude earthquake killed more than 200,000 people and left more than 1 million homeless. Even though it’s been a year, lots of people are still living in tents.

On the plane, people were saying how they wish more people would take the time to really see the country’s beauty despite what happened. Making things worse was a hurricane.

My mom and I walked off the plane into a jammed airport with people bumping and shouting.

There was music playing when we came in called, “Haiti, What a Beautiful Place.” We got our bags and walked outside.

When I arrived in Haiti I prepared myself to see the worst,

Photo by ANDREA WILLIAMS/J.HOP TIMES In Haiti’s capital, Port au Prince, there is little left of the buildings. The space they do have has turned into tent cities. Tents are housing millions of people who have lost their homes during the earthquake.

but actually it was way different from that. I saw markets and could smell food and everyone looked so happy. We were driving down the street and could see the rubble and people rebuilding, so you know that they were trying to make some progress. There are big dips in the road, but everyone is used to it or they try to make the best of it because it is their home and they are proud of it.

There are certain parts in Haiti that are worse than others. The part where my grandparents live is ok because their house is still standing. Sunday morning when we went to another part of Haiti, where the news says the earthquake caused the most severe damage, we started to see a lot more rubble.

But the part that was the worst was the capital, Port-au-Prince, because when we drove down

the street we saw no people and no lights, even the presidential palace where the president lives, was heavily damaged and is still evacuated. There are absolutely no buildings standing.

Everywhere we saw marks on buildings that symbolized the condition of the structure. A green mark meant it that it was sturdy enough to stay there. A yellow mark meant that the structure was ok, but it may fall at any given time. A red mark meant it was in bad condition and unsafe.

The pictures on TV and in the newspapers did not reveal completely how horrible the situation is. However, I watched as the people got up every morning and did what they had to do. Haiti is filled with strong people who are proud to be Haitians. Because of these people, Haiti will always be a beautiful country no matter what.

Photo by ANDREA WILLIAMS/J.HOP TIMES A man walks through a tent city as he leaves his home to venture out into the streets. Six months after the 7.0 earthquake, people are still building make-shift tents.

Photo by ANDREA WILLIAMS/J.HOP TIMES Haitians reach for water as men from the Dominican Republic hand out drinking water in Haiti. Some of the people begging for supplies have not had any water in days, some even in months.

In my Algebra 1 Honors class of 19 students, there are only three black, one mixed-race, one Asian and the rest are white. As a black student, this makes me feel out of place when I walk into the classroom.

Even though blacks LINDA CORBETT make up 59 percent of our school, there are 10 percent fewer blacks in advanced or honors classes than whites. It’s not a huge gap, but it could be better.

When you look at the test scores, however, it’s sad. Just look at the results of the FCAT from last school year: In 2010, John Hopkins had 296 students score a Level 1 on the math portion of the FCAT, which is the lowest score students receive. Of those Level 1 students, 86 percent were black compared with 6 percent white.

On the other hand, 148 J.Hop students scored a Level 4 or 5 on the math FCAT, and of that group, 17 percent were black compared with 57 percent white.

Although the FCAT scores demonstrate a huge achievement gap, the good news is that some black students are attempting advanced or honors classes. Forty-two percent of the 475 students that are in honors or advanced classes are black. This compares with 52 percent whites and 5 percent Asians, so really, black students’ intentions are not the problem.The problem is the low FCAT scores.

There are many ways to get the numbers up. One is to give kids in regular classes a challenge by letting them see what goes on in advanced classes, such as the work and classroom etiquette. Also, teachers can give harder work or even go at a faster pace, which is what honors classes do.

Another way that we can get the numbers up is that some more black students can get into AVID, which stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. AVID is designed to help close the achievement gap between black and white students.

In AVID there are 31 blacks, 5 whites, one Asian, and one Hispanic student. You are required to have at least two honors or advanced classes. It helps you to become more organized and it could really help a lot of black students get their test grades and FCAT scores up.

We need to work harder to get the numbers up so we can have more Level 5 black students.

J.Hop Times

Page 15

JHT Staff

The J.Hop Times is produced four times a year by students at John Hopkins Middle School.

1st Period, Newsroom 1 Reporters: Tiernanan Astronskas, Tyrick Baker, Mia Bartolomei-Negron, De’Janique Burden, Miranda Fritz, Dakotah Haas, Lamar Harden, Tyler Holt, Hydeia Kegler, Ayzhiah Lawson, Sierra Levy, Latavia Nelson, Diana Robles, Destyni Watkins, Brittany Weddle, Jakia Wilson Photojournalists: Illea Conrad, Genesis Feliciano, Alexa Gammage, Brandon Garcia, George Holloway, Demetrius Jackson, Brooke Kidd, Gabriella Rokosz, Dominic Rosado, Ashton Taylor, Quanasia Ware, Gisselle Zayas 2nd Period, Beginner Newsroom Reporters: Dialvin Brown, Kevon Buxton, Daesha Campbell, Avery Davis, Kayla Kurleman, Jayakumari Nair, Alexander Persechino, Antwoine Reid, Mariah Stine, Angelo Taogaga, Chrisiah Ware, Corlenzo Williams, Sacaree Wright Photojournalists: Lavantai Blake, Chelsey Chen, Joseph Diest, Trevon Gammage, Xavier Jaudon, Tristen King, Christian Miller, Krysta Muehlendyck, Javonte Newkirk, Eric O’Doherty, Dorian Williams 3rd Period, Newsroom 2 Reporters: Myah Alvarez, Dahlia Boone, Melissa Dones, Nilaja King, Jacob Land, Morgan Levy, De’Ashya Roberts, Romesha Smith, Sierra Taylor, Tycin Tyler Photojournalists: Kendrick Auty, Violet Byrd, De’Qonton Davis, Reginald Flournoy, Artiz Flowers, Cassidy Klier, Krystal Mitchell, Caylin Schaffer, Ishmael Snead, Royanna Streeter, Yancey Thomas 4th Period, Newsroom 2 Reporters: Alexus Barnhart, Kabrielle Boyd, Algenard Brown, Owen Dyches, Kahil Holmes, Kenya Howard, Helen Nguyen, Pho Nguyen, Hailey Vaughan, Jacquel Waller, Andrea Williams Photojournalists: Kenijah Collins, Anthony Edwards, Julian Gonzalez, Chase Lewis, Jalen Middleton, Josh Simon, Tabria Smith 5th-6th Period Block, Newsroom 3 Editor in Chief: Julia Mendez Reporters: Linda Corbett, Tatiana D’Pardo, Samantha Hernandez, Sarah Pohl Director of Photography: Hannah Mayer Photojournalists: Christian Grant-Robinson, Benjamin Ketmany, Daniel Oliver, James Thomas-Bowles, JaJuan Webster Director of Marketing and Advertising: Jamari Graham The opinions on this page are the opinions of the writers who try their best to get all sides of an issue before writing.

Here’s how you can be heard Write a column or letter or draw a cartoon (keep it clean, no profanity or name calling.)

Spell and fact-check your work. We reserve the right to correct any factual or grammatical mistakes.

Sign your work and bring it to the newsroom, 5-113.

Note: There is no guarantee your work will be published.

Opinions Uniforms: Why the school board is wrong

The school board has decided to try to make all students kindergarten through eighth grade wear school uniforms next year.

They think it will make schoolwork our main priority and will lead to less discipline issues. But what they don’t realize is SARAH POHL that making us wear school uniforms would make us all identical robots rather than student body individuals.

As a soon-to-be victim of this plot, I feel strongly against it. For one, I don’t understand the way the school board wants to distribute it. Just K-8 will have to follow it. What about high schools? If they don’t have to wear them, then the younger kids shouldn’t. Clothes are more of a distraction in high school than anywhere else. After all, they’re the ones who care about relationships.

Uniform restrictions would force everyone to spend their money in order to gain the proper wardrobe for school, which could cause a financial burden on families. I personally don’t feel like buying clothes that I’d hate wearing, rather than re-wearing the clothes from last year.

Another problem is the hassle. If a student nowadays is caught with unsafe shoes or a graphic jacket, that’d be easier to fix in school than making them change their whole outfit.

It’s not like students are going to feel just fine and dandy putting on clothes that don’t suit

them. Doesn’t the school want to focus on our individuality? It’d be hard to be unique when we’re all wearing the same thing.

This rule might interfere with our rights.

The first amendment in the Bill of Rights says, “Congress shall make no law… abridging the freedom of speech…” Freedom of Speech means the right to express ourselves through verbal, symbolic or visual communication, including what clothing we wear. The founding fathers meant for us to be the melting pot, not identical school-crazed adolescents.

I understand that the school board wants to get rid of distractions in school. But I don’t see how making us wear uniforms would help our education. There is no evidence proving it. In fact, an article published in the St. Petersburg Times said that research shows, “…there is no evidence that they (uniforms) are responsible for fewer disciplinary issues or better grades.”

Another thing is that the school board thinks students are distracted by the clothing itself, when in reality, it’s the brand. By making us all wear the same thing, kids will still talk about brand names. Instead of, “I got my skinny jeans at Hollister,” it’ll be “I got my khaki pants at Hollister.”

Uniforms are almost definitely going to be mandated by the school board, and I’m just hoping that students’ voices will be heard.

Students will focus more on schoolwork if the school board will help them in more creative ways, like more hands-on activities in the curriculum, not by making them into bleak, similar school drones.

Fun or hurtful?

Journalism teachers: Jennifer Butkus, Luanne Dietz Journalism assistants: Kim Kenda, Tedral King Journeys In Journalism coordinator: Cynda Mort Program development/marketing consultant: Jaye Ann Terry Volunteers: Bill Dureya, Marian Krauthamer, Leanora LaPeter, Ben Montgomery, Kameel Stanley, Jerry Stockfisch, Lottie Watts Journalism Advisory Board: Gretchen Letterman (St. Petersburg Times, chair); Gelareh Asayesh, (community volunteer); Barry Brown (principal, John Hopkins); David Cook (manager TV operations); Pinellas County Schools; Kathryn Cox (community volunteer); Goliath Davis (St. Petersburg deputy mayor); Lisa Easler, Trenam Kemker; Leslie Gilchrist (parent); John Just (assistant superintendent of management information systems for Pinellas County Schools); Nicole Robinson (parent); Oscar Robinson (principal, Melrose Elementary); Norm Smith (associate dean/director Center for the Applied Liberal Arts, Eckerd College); Robert Vicari (principal, Lakewood High); Nancy Waclawek (St. Petersburg Times); Wendy Wallace (The Poynter Institute); Kurt Wynne (assistant principal, Melrose Elementary).

John Hopkins Middle School

701 16th St.S, St. Petersburg, FL33705 727-893-2400 Principal: Barry Brown Assistant principals: Christina Fields, Michael Vasallo, Nicole Wilson

Cartoon by BENJAMIN KETMANY/J.HOP TIMES

Page 16

February 2, 2011

Campus Spotlight

Dancing with style

By DANIEL OLIVER

Eighth-grader Montrell Haymond is easily spotted on campus because of his bright skinny jeans, his hats and his “fresh” glasses.

He’s also known for dancing. He is the only boy in the advanced dance class.

He’s been dancing since he was a toddler. Back then, he said he wasn’t doing ballet; it was hip-hop. When he moved from Georgia to Florida his mom asked him what he thought of ballet. He was unsure. “And then I came here and I fell in love with it,” Montrell said.

He’s done ballet since he was 11. One reason he likes being in John Hopkins dance focus is “all the girls.”

But it’s much more to him than that.

Montrell feels that dance isn’t something that everyone can do because “It’s a lifestyle, it’s not a hobby.

You have to feel dance, and you have to live it. Live your character. You’re supposed to

bring life to the character, to the dance,” he said.

Montrell describes himself as “smart, creative, funny and stylish.”

He plans to keep dancing in high school. He wants to go to Gibbs-PCCA. After that he wants to attend the Juilard School in New York and dance with a professional dance company.

In addition to dancing, he skates. He said, “Skating is my fallback, so if dancing doesn’t work out, I’d like to go professional.” Dance is something he loves and wants to do. “Without dance, I don’t know what I would do.”

Photo by DANIEL OLIVER/JHOPTIMES

Eight-grader Montrell Haymond stands center while his classmates dance around him on Dec.2 in Ms. Mervet’s dance focus class.

Photo by BENJAMIN KETMANY/JHOPTIMES

Montrell Haymond walks up the stairs carrying his dance bag after his dance focus class on Jan.14.

Photo by DANIEL OLIVER/JHOPTIMES

Montrell Haymond uses the portable dance bar while standing in fifth position waiting for instructions from Ms. Mervet on Dec. 9.

Photo by DANIEL OLIVER/JHOPTIMES

On Jan.4 Montrell Haymond leans against the dance bar while his classmates Hannah Mohr, left, and Jaclyn Wong, far left, practice pirouettes.

Photo by BENJAMIN KETMANY/ JHOPTIMES (Top) Montrell Haymond sits in Mr. Gist’s math class on Jan.12. Along with dance, Montrell is a dedicated student. (Right) Montrell laughs with his classmates before the bell rings in Mr. Gist’s math class.

Photo by BENJAMIN KETMANY/JHOPTIMES