Aug. 18, 2006 by Lafayette High School

Inside This Edition

•Meet the new staff

see page 2

•Stars and Gripes are back with a bite

see page 3

•Sports teams get new digs & Rockwood gets a new exam exemption policy

check out page 6

•Spring sports roundup

turn to page 8

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Friday, August 18, 2006 Vol. 38 • Issue 1

Lafayette High School • 17050 Clayton Road • Wildwood, Missouri • 63011 2008-2009 year will mark major overhaul of high school schedule Aaron Casias • Reporter The Mod Squad will be making a comeback, but not on television. After eight months of committee meetings, students, teachers, parents and administrators decided on a “Flexible Modular” schedule for the 2008-2009 school year at all four Rockwood School District high schools. Originally planned to take affect next year, 2007-2008, the schedule has been postponed until the following year. The plan is now to implement the new schedule by August of 2008. According to an article released on the Rockwood website, the new schedule will call for 17 blocks of time that are 22 to 23 minutes in length, as well as greater flexibility for meeting student’s needs. The Board of Education approved this “Flexible Modular” schedule at a meeting their meeting on June 13, 2006. During the next few months, the committee plans to develop everything necessary for an implementation of the new scheduling system. Committee reports are not expected until October or November of this year. “There exists the possibility of many new and exciting features with the new schedule. However, we must wait until all are studied to insure that we can offer them to the students,” Principal Larry Schmidt said. Until committee reports are finished later in the year, no specifics concerning what “exciting features” will be present during the 2008-2009 school year will be given. “No one wants to promise anything and then find out they cannot deliver,” Schmidt said.

Editor’s Note:

Welcome back students, staff and parents. This is the first edition of the 2006-2007 Image. The Image is a public forum where content and coverage decisions are made by student editors. We are committed to following all accepted journalistic practices and adhering to a set of strict legal and ethical guidelines in our coverage. We welcome your participation as well. Write letters to the editor and let us know when there are people and events we should be covering. -Kevin Pinney, Editor

photo • Alexis Myers

• New View. Construction on the new Commons ran as scheduled throughout the summer, and continued until the start of school. Additional work on the lighting and tile will take place throughout the year. The new area features an upper-level, additional staircases and a new light and sound system.

Grand Opening:

With construction up until the first day of school, new Commons makes its debut Ashley Edlund • Reporter Work continued, days before the 2007 school year began. Scheduled to be completed by Aug. 11 or 12, Principal Larry Schmidt and construction workers pledged the Commons would be ready for the opening of school. Still, there were some doubts as to whether or not the work would be completed. “Oh yeah, there were doubts,” electrician Mr. John Voss said. Although other construction projects in progress due to the passing of Prop K will continue to be finished throughout the school year, students will be able to enjoy a new Commons area. “I believe students will like the new mezzanine area,” Schmidt stated. He added, “It provides us the additional seating needed for our crowded lunch rooms and the stage in the commons will be

used intermittently throughout the year to add programs for the enjoyment of our students.” Changes to the Commons include three new stairwells, which have replaced the main one used before, and an upper-level has been added, where students can eat lunch. A stage has also been added, and will be used for performances such as Coffeehouse through the school year. “It makes the school look bigger,” junior Bridget Ryan said. Although new additions in the building are exciting and considered necessary, some students wondered if the changes needed to be made. “I didn’t know if it was necessary,” junior Abby Orlowski said. She also believes the parking lot will be a challenge to get in and out of, without all projects approved by Prop K completed. “I think its pretty cool,” ju-

nior Rachel Larson said, “[but] i thought it [the Commons] was fine before.” Despite student comments, the administration is looking forward to the new addition to the building. “I just think its fresh and updated,” Assistant Principal Tim Jones said “[It] offers opportunities for performances during lunch [and] more space because of the upper deck, no one needs to be sitting in the hallway.” He is also enjoying the benefits of Prop K with a new office upstairs in the Senior Hallway. Other project included work to the athletic facilities and some improvements to the heating and air conditioning units. In addition to the Commons, construction on a new Welcome Center in the front of the building should begin in September or October. Schmidt said he anticipates the challenge, because the ce-

ment underneath the overhang will have to be removed. “This will force some adjustments in the traffic pattern,” he said. “The plan is to accommodate these changes, but students will need to plan on arriving at school earlier and departure from the parking lot at the end of the day will be more controlled.” Other work will begin later in the year including a total renovation of the Auditorium. Additional improvements will be made to the FACS area. Although construction stayed on schedule throughout the summer, Schmidt said the Commons will still need tweaking. “Some of the tile on the new mezzanine floor will need to be laid after the start of school, and there may also be some adjustments to the sound and light equipment, scheduled to supplement stage activities,” he said.

page 2 • news

Meet the Teachers

August 18, 2006

Fresh faces, fresh personalities join the teaching community Jen Apoian and Brad Schelmmer • Reporters

Jennifer Bange

Language Arts •Born in Vannorne, IA •Her third year of teaching, her first at Rockwood •“I love playing with my 15 month old son.”

Tom Beckmeyer

Mathematics

•From St. Louis •His first year in Rockwood •A Lafayette grad

Emily Benner Art

•Born in St. Louis •First year teaching in Rockwood •“I’m completely normal.”

Jodi Davidson Principal

•Born in Cincinnati, OH. •Seventh year as an administrator •Loves sports, especially indoor soccer and softball

Todd Decker

Ashley Dutton

Science

Langauge Arts

•Decided to teach near family, who live in St. Charles. •Formerly taught at Doniphan H.S. •Enjoys stargazing and owns an telescope.

•Born in St. Louis •First year in Rockwood •Scuba dives and wakeboards

The rest of the team... Doug Ell

Social Studies •Born in St. Charles •Ninth year teaching in Rockwood •“I’m an open book.”

Gary Fishgall

Joe Gutowski

•Born in St. Louis •First year teaching •Worked as a theater administrator and actor in New York City and wrote biographies on famous actors

Drama

Orchestra

Pam Hausfather

Language Arts

Steffanie Jarvis

•Born in Muskegon, MI •Taught in Cincinnati, OH for two years prior •“I’m a professional singer.”

•Born in California •Has taught for 15 years •Lived in Japan and taught German and Theater.

•Born in Minnesota •Has taught for eight years •Served in the National Guard for six years

Spanish

Sharon Bigogna—Support staff Debbie Brader—Guidance counselor Anne Fessler—Support staff Brenda Fischer—Registrar Paula Grana—Physical Education Nahed Haddad—SSD teacher Paige Hereford—TAG coordinator Jill Karagiannis—SSD teacher Paul Lapinski—Hall monitor Lynne Litzau—Support staff

Paul Jaycox

Kristen Keune

Sophia Stephenson

•During the 20052006 school year, Jaycox was Ms. Crystal Maier’s student teacher. •Enjoys Renaissance and Medieval literature

•Born in St. Louis •First year teaching •Plays softball and volleyball

•Born in Portsmouth, NH •Taught for 7 years •A Marquette grad

Language Arts

Science

Mathematics

Tom Wade

Social Studies •Taught for eight years •First time teaching AP European History •Coaches soccer

Tim Wilson

Social Studies •Moved a lot when he was young

•Taught for 9 years in Pattonville at Holeman Middle •Has bad taste in music--likes Christina Aguilera

Shalleee Lessmeier—CSS Carold Linder—Librarian Janet Sadowski—Support staff Margo Scanlon—Support staff Toni Thiemann—Guidance

opinion • page 3

the image

stuff these in your rolly backpack

Stars To:

Freedom of speech: something we all believe in.

You have the freedom, so speak This is a high school newspaper. It is not the New York Times, Rolling Stone or Britney Spears’diary. But just because the rich and famous may not be catching up with us monthly doesn’t mean that our voices do not matter. The powers that be listen to student voices, and this year we’re going to get more reader participation than ever before. We know our editors aren’t the only Lafayette students with something to say. So prove it. Here at the Image, we have privileges that lots of school papers across the country are deprived of. We are fully supported by our administration, as opposed to

being restricted by it. So take advantage of it. There’s no better way to do so than writing a letter to the editor. Tell us what makes you angry. Tell us what makes you smile. Talk about school. Talk about us and our articles. Talk about politics. Talk about anything. If you want people to hear you, then let them. Above all, do not be afraid to speak your mind. We’ve done it, taken the hear, and done it again. This is what we do. We’re here for you, as a forum to express your love or dissatisfaction with anything around us. So this school year, make it count. Take a risk. Speak your mind. And see who listens.

editorial Opinions do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints or official policies of the school administration. All editorials (unsigned) represent a majority opinion of the Editorial Board. Signed editorials, columns, editorial cartoons and reviews reflect the views of the author and not necessarily those of the Image Editorial Board.

•Seeing old friends again. Sure, the start of school means you have nine months left of stress and sleep deprivation, but it’s time to catch up with all those people you never got around to seeing this summer. •We’re loaded with new stuff. New Commons, new track and soon a new Theater. And have you heard that new sound system? Maybe a couple of new staircases will stop the epidemic of freshmen being unable to walk at a steady pace through the halls. Thanks, Prop K. •Lafayette’s own Ryan Howard won the All-Star Home Run Derby this year. He continues to make us proud with his sweet home run powers. •This year there’s a new policy on iPods and other mp3 players. Rather then being outlawed all together, it’s up to the teacher as to whether or not you can use it in class. No more wiring your music through your clothing.

Gripes To:

•Freshmen. Sure, we were all there once, and we were all a pain once. But exactly how difficult is it to keep your mouth shut, dress modestly and walk in the halls? •Summer is finally over. Back to the late nights of homework, early mornings of zero hour, and more pressure than you can handle. Welcome back. •New exemption policy for final exams. At least it’s not based on grade point average anymore, but only one exemption, no matter what? So now we’re motiviated to only get an A in one class. Rock on.

Three years later, and nothing to show for it It’s all come down to this. Here I am, at the start of my senior year. I’ve been looking forward to this for years, and now that I’m here, it’s kind of frightening. This is my last year here. And what have I gotten out of it? I’ve complained about this school every single day since I got here. All I’ve learned is what passing period is best to go buy cookies. But I guess I’ll miss it once it’s all over. This year is my last chance for everything. My last Homecoming. My last pep assemblies. My last chances to write a controversial column and end up getting my car egged. After this, I’m moving out and moving on. So I feel it’s my duty as a senior to tell everyone the things I wish I would have known during my previous years in this fine establishment. Juniors, make this year count. For most of you, it will be your hardest year. You’re probably loaded with AP classes and you’re starting to feel the pressures of college. If you’re like me, you’ll blow it off. You’ll have the mindset that you still have another year, so why worry now? Well, don’t do that. It’s not a good plan, and you’ll just be destroying your grade point average. Sophomores, have fun. This is your last year that you have much room to screw around. Take advantage of your easy classes. Have fun with your friends. And don’t worry too much about your future yet. You’ve still got time. And don’t call them stupid freshman. You’re barely older than them. You don’t have the right yet. And freshman, people will tell you all year just how stupid they think you are, so I’m

image info Staff

Editor in Chief • Kevin Pinney Opinion Editor • Mary Belzer Artist • Kasey Klimes Adviser • Nancy Y. Smith MJE Staff: Jen Apoian, Kendall Brewer, Ryan Bueckendorf, Aaron Casias, Nicole Castellano, Devynne Cull, Alex Davis, Ashley Edlund, Brett Hamlin, Josh Handler, Matt Hibbard, Sydney Miller, Britt Peters, Brian Ruyle, Brad Schlemmer, Sarah Southerland, Nancy Stiles, Brooke Thibodaux and Nina Walters

not going to bother with that right now. But I will tell this: don’t be obnoxious to let everyone know that you’re a freshman, don’t dress like a prostitute to pretend you’re older, and above all, walk in the halls. We all did it when we were freshman, so please just try and be the class to change the by Mary Belzer trend. As for my fellow seniors, let’s make this year the best one of our lives. We don’t have a lot of time left, so don’t get bothered by little things. Have fun, let loose and don’t forget your friends. For some of you, all that I just said may be completely useless. You might already know what I’ve told you. But if you remember nothing from this column, remember this: take risks this year. Cause controversy. Speak your mind. And don’t be afraid to hear you’re wrong. Because there’s nothing better than using your voice. I know you’ve got one. I know you’re keeping quiet. Let me hear it.

Quite

Contrary

Publication Information

The Image is published nine times a year by Lafayette’s Newspaper Production Class. Subscriptions are $25 per year. Free issues are distributed on campus. The 2004-2005 Image was named an International First Place winner from Quill And Scroll, Superior by the Sponsors of School Publications of Greater St. Louis and received an All-American rating with four marks of distinction from the National Scholastic Press Association. It was also a 2004-2005 NSPA Pacemaker finalist.

Philosophy Statement

The newspaper’s primary obligation is to inform its readers about events in the school and community and of issues of national or international importance which directly or indirectly affect the school population. The newspaper, while serving as a training ground for future journalists as part of the school curriculum, recognizes all rights and responsibilities under the First Amendment. Operating as a public forum, student editors will apply professional standards and ethics for decision making as they take on the responsibility for content and production of the newspaper. While the student staff encourages constructive criticism of any part of the newspaper, authority for content rests in the hands of the student members of the newspaper staff. Students will not publish material considered to be legally unprotected speech, or libel, obscenity, material disruption of the educational process, copyright infringement, or unwarranted invasion of privacy.

How To Reach Us:

We are located in Room 213 at Lafayette High School, 17050 Clayton Rd., Wildwood, MO 63011. Our phone number is (636) 458-7200 ext. 2338 and our e-mail address is smithnancy@rockwood.k12.mo.us Information is also available on our website www.lafayettepublications.com

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2006-200 Class Offi LANCER PARENT ORGANIZATION

Senior Class President: Brian VP: John Buttram Secretary: Caroli Treasurer: Joey M

Junior Class President: Cole D VP: Kyle Haberb Secretary: Erin P Treasurer: Leann

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Focus St. LAFAYETTE HIGH SCHOOL STAFF

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Boys & Girls State Representatives Kate Aderman Rachel Bader Drew Bishline William Collins Dave Heeren Aaron Raidt Ryan Senciboy* Tyesha Wade

*named Governor

Missouri Fine Arts Academy David Sajewhich

St. Louis County Leadership Program Brian Holthouse

Publications Editors Image: Kevin Pinney Legend: John Cox DVD: Nathan Loseke

HOBY Award Winner Leann Tracy

Renaissance Student Steering Committee Alyssa Auld* Elizabeth Baker Andrew Bornholdt Tori Burwell Jasmine Cross* Joe Deavenport Megan Drissell* Daniel Flavin Charlotte Gaw Alex Holder Brian Holthouse Annalise Lyons Alex Mace Ashley Mace Keely McCaskie Joey Meyer* Christina Napper* Sean Peterson* Drew Petry* Erin Petry* Sarah Southerland Ashley Zerr

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page 6 • news

August 18, 2006

School athletic complex back on track

Ryan Beuckendorf • Reporter Incoming freshmen are always in danger of getting lost in their new school. The new surroundings always make for a difficult transition into our large campus. This year, however, returning students and teachers had better watch out as well. With last April’s passage of Proposition K, the additions to Lafayette have created an entirely new look for the school. For athletes, perhaps none were more significant than the resodding of the varsity field and the resurfacing of the track and tennis courts. While the Common’s addition may make the school look better, no athlete would have argued that resurfacing of the track and tennis courts, along with the resodding of the field were absolutely necessary. The Rockwood School District recognized this necessity, and allotted the track $200,000 and the field $100,000 of Prop K bond issue money. “The Lafayette attendance area represents about 30 percent of our District,” David Glaser, Rockwood’s Chief Legislative and Financial Officer said, “so having the support of parents and students in that area is very important to the District.” The priority system for Proposition K did not rank the schools, said Glaser, but rather the individual projects. “This recommendation is

made by the district’s long range planning facilities committee, which includes representatives from throughout the District, and includes Rockwood employees, parents, and community members,” he said. He added, “They establish a list of needs and then work through them to prioritize such needs. Their recommendations are then submitted ultimately to the entire Board of Education for their approval.” Problems with the track and field were both connected due to the field’s drainage system. The track, which had developed significant potholes and cracks since its last resurfacing job, was a victim of deficiencies of the field’s drains. The field, whose previous turf was suffering due to heavy usage from the various varsity teams, also had lost some of its initial quality. “The drainage system for the old field was inadequate. It was running underneath the track, forcing the track to ripple,” Principal Larry Schmidt said. It was the result of long-range planning that they were both able to be done around the same time, with both projects scheduled to be completed by Labor Day. The track’s surface will be made of similar material as the older version, but will regain much of the rubber cushion that it had lost over the years. Runners will no longer be affected by the problems created by the

photo • Brett Hamlin

•Fantastic Field. The new track and field features improved rebound for athletic means. Fall Fanfare has been canceled because the field will not be ready for use until Labor Day.

potholes and ripples of the old surface. The field has been resodded with Bermuda grass, which is much more durable than its predecessor and much more conducive for playing football, soccer and lacrosse. The possibility of laying down synthetic turf has not been eliminated. The District awaiting cost feasibility studies in order to proceed further. Pros of synthetic turf include elimination of most of the maintenance costs required by natural

grass and increased durability, but in the meantime Bermuda grass is a significant step up from Blue Grass. The synthetic turf is a possibility for the whole District, according to Activities Director Steve Miller. All renovations are part of Proposition K’s three year plan. The $47 million bond initiative passed with a 67 percent approval rating within the district, with every school in the District, including the Early Childhood centers, recieving renovations and new equipment.

All of Rockwood’s high schools’ athletic complexes are enjoying similar benefits with work being done on all four running tracks and varsity fields, and extensive re-grading work on the various practice fields. Several schools, Eureka and Marquette in particular, are receiving entirely new fields through the bond initiative. Lafayette students, teachers, and parents, meanwhile, are set to start enjoying the benefits of a revamped campus and, especially, track and field.

District establishes final exemption policy Exemption now available for only one class; eligibility based on course grade rather than Renaissance status Matt Hibbard • Reporter

In past years, the final exemption policy at Lafayette gave students with higher GPAs the privilege to exempt one to two finals each semester. Lafayette’s previous plan was proposed to the Board of Education by the Renaissance Steering committee, was approved and was in place for several years. Other Rockwood high schools based their final exam exemptions on other areas such as MAP scores. However, the district wanted a uniform policy for all four high schools, so a committee made up of representatives from all the schools worked to create a new policy that goes into effect for all students this school year. “The other schools preferred moving to a new policy that would reward students for grades earned

during the present semester of work,” Principal Larry Schmidt. He added, “Since all schools did not have a Renaissance Program, the Renaissance exemption policy did not have as much bearing on their schools.” The new Rockwood policy allows all students, who have maintained an “A” in the course, one exemption per semester. However, freshmen may not exempt from any exams first semester. Seniors will still be able to exempt from all courses in which they have earned an A during their last semester. The policy encourages students to step up and enroll in AP classes and take the AP exam. “It was decided to give exemptions in all AP class-

es if the AP exam was taken in the second semester,” Schmidt said. The AP exemptions work as follows: No exemptions are allowed first semester. Also students will be exempt from final exams in all AP courses in which he/she takes the AP exam and is earning at least a “B” (80%--non-weighted) in the class at the time of the final. Teachers have the final decision in deciding whether to exempt a student that has a weighted grade “B” from the course. es in which they are earning an “A” (90%) at exam time. Students qualifying for the AP exemption(s) may still exempt from one non-AP class final as stated previously.

Just asking... photo opinion

This month the Image asked “What do you think of the new final exam exemption policy?” -compiled by Brett Hamlin

David Sajewich, 12 “It’s ridiculous. It ends the reward for trying hard, so it will stop the urge to try hard“

Megan Drissell, 11 “The district wants it to be fair, but it ends the competitiveness and encourages slacking.”

Alex Mace, 10 “It gives people the opportunity to exempt; if you’re really strong in one subject, you can be rewarded.”

Ashliegh Grammer, 9 “What is the exemption policy?”

Ms. Catherine Dantin, Language Arts Teacher “I like the new one. Everyone can be rewarded for already showing proficiency.”

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Welcome back Lancers! Start the school year off right by joining STUCO!

The first meeting is August 22 @ 7 p.m. in the Library

Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Your Hero?

Student Council Presents Homecoming 2006

Superheroes

page 8 • sports

August 18, 2006