The Network
Marian High School - 7400 Military Avenue Omaha, NE 68134 - www.marianhighschool.net - Volume 61 Issue 5 - January 2017
Administration opening jail cell on cell phones
susanapettis
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ach Marian girl has a trick when it comes to hiding her phone. Whether it be hiding it in the folds of her skirt, in her backpack or even the old-school phone in the textbook trick. This will no longer be necessary. A new lunchroom policy has been put into effect, allowing students to use their cell phones during the 30-minute lunch block. Now, students can communicate with parents, friends and employers during the school day. This rule has been discussed often throughout the years and was finally accepted for second semester of the 2016-17 school year. The change sent a wave of smiles through the student body when it was announced in December at an assembly. The rule officially went into effect in January. “We were told that the rule would change first semester, but we couldn’t actually make the change until second semester because some work had to be done before that many devices could be used at one time,” senior Student Board member Mallory Grote said. As long as cell phones are only
Food, friends and phones Marian students chat with their friends and check their phones in the Quad during their lunch break. Administration’s recent relaxation on cell phone usage during lunch has granted students more freedom. susanapettis used during the lunch block, no other restrictions have been given. The main concern was a lack of socialization between students. As cellphones become a bigger part of society, a concern when it comes to social interaction has arisen. The purpose of the rule is not to keep students on their phones the
entirety of the lunch block, but to give students more freedom and responsibility when it comes to technology. As soon as the school’s network could withstand more users, phones could be used at lunch. “I think the rule change is fine. We know that girls were trying to be sneaky and look at their phones,
so hopefully this will relieve their angst throughout the rest of the school day. We need to teach our students about digital citizenship. It is important they learn that they don’t need their phone every second,” Principal Susie Sullivan said. However, with more freedom comes responsibility. “Hopefully, this will help girls to self-monitor their phone use,” Sullivan added. The new policy allows students to interact with students in other schools that have the same rule. It opens up the possibility of more widespread communication. “I like it. It’s nice to have the option, but I don’t necessarily take advantage of it,” senior Laura Shaw said. “I think that having our cell phones is a good thing when it comes to different types of interaction. You can snapchat a friend in second lunch if you’re in first, or you can communicate with your parents without having to sneak around.” Students appreciate the new policy, but the change in lunchroom dynamic is small. The quad and cafe are still booming with conversation and laughter.
Students remember M’s Pub fire one year later erinwalter
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his January marks the one year right across the street from M’s Pub that finished about five minutes beanniversary of the devastating fire and saw the fire begin and escalate. “It fore the fire began. “We were all really that tore through the heart of Omaha’s was terrifying,” Heim said. “It didn’t worried. He sent us pictures from the Old Market and obliterated one of its seem like it was real life — I felt like I outside of the restaurant — it looked oldest and most beloved restaurants — was watching a movie.” awful,” Owen said. M’s Pub. On Jan. 9, 2016, the Mercer Senior Sam Schueler was downtown According to the Omaha World Herbuilding went up in flames after an when the fire happened. “I saw all of ald, the blame for the fire’s initiation alleged gas leak and explosion in the the fire trucks pass me,” Schueler said. still is not resolved. Investigators plan restaurant. “I wasn’t sure what was happening, but to carefully and thoughtfully come to a The damage was deep — M’s Pub I learned where the trucks were headed conclusion; precautions are being takand the Nouvelle Eve clothier were soon enough.” en in order to prevent misconceptions burned-out masses in a structure caked There was also a widespread panand false accusations. by ice. Apartments in the building were ic among those who had loved ones As far as rebuilding goes, the shell also destroyed. Nearby businesses of M’s that remained after the fire has working in the Old Market on the day closed. Barricades impeded traffic. of the accident. Freshman Daisy Owbeen undergoing clean-up and reconWhile the night of the disaster was en’s dad was in M’s Pub for a meeting struction ever since March of last year. last winter’s coldest on The restaurant hopes record, the aftermath of to reopen again this the fire left the hearts of summer, with much of many Omaha locals cold the same staff returning, for the next three days. according to the Omaha On this one-year anniWorld Herald. versary, Marian students Omahans are eager to are remembering the see M’s up and running sadness that radiated on again after such a horrifthat day. ic sight was burned into “I was really sad their minds on that cold to hear that M’s Pub night last January. burned down because “M’s Pub is one of my my parents first met family’s favorite places there,” junior Grace in Omaha,” senior Macy Woltemath said. Thonen said. “I’m excitThe fire struck fear in ed for it to reopen and those who were in the return to all its former Old Market area on that glory — I’m sure it will It’s always sunny in Omaha The remains of M’s Pub approximately two fateful night. Junior Lily weeks after the explosion. The restaurant was an Omaha favorite for feel like it never even Heim was eating dinner closed.” almost 43 years before it was gutted by a fire last January. nataliekemler
Women’s March Pg. 2
All-Girls’ Schools Editorial Pg. 4
Curly Hair Concerns Pg. 5
The Arts Pgs. 7-1o