2 Blueprint
NEWS
March 11, 2016
DGS calendar change could impact feeder schools the calendar change by altering their schedules to that of the schools’. Math Teacher Kris Klaron talks about the District 99 has delayed the calendar conflict between the schedules of his change to the 2017-2018 school year children and that of the district’s. because of the unpredicted effects on “The hope is [that the schools that the district and surroundfeed into DGS] will comply ing area. and have the same calenSuperintendent Mark dar. If they don’t, I don’t McDonald’s research about know what I will do for school calendars revealed daycare for the difference that there needs to be at of weeks. It will probably least 85 days in a semester cost a lot of money, and we for students to learn all will have to find [a babythe material necessary for sitter], which is not easy their classes. That leads to to do [since they have to] a conflict with summer and stay with the kids all day,” winter breaks aligning with Klaron said. the elementary schools in Junior Joseph Marley the area. shares his opinion on the Although the school district’s decision to postcalendar won’t change next pone the calendar change. year, it may in the future. “I think the calendar The main reason McDonald change is dumb. I feel like is skeptical on changing the juniors got cheated out the calendar next year is of it because it seemed like because DGN and DGS are In the upcoming 2016-17 school year, while Hinsdale Central and Naperville Central start school on Aug. 17, DGS a good idea, and everystudents will have an extra week for their summer vacation and start school on Aug. 29. about fifty percent air conthing seemed to work out Photo by Gabrielle Bartkevicuite ditioned. McDonald shares pretty well. It should have his experience of teaching in non-air the school has all the infrastructure are factors in the probably been a majority conditioned schools in August. in place for air conditioning from the district’s hesitance toward a calendar vote of the juniors or maybe the teachStarting school two weeks early 2013-2014 boiler construction project, change next year. McDonald shares ers could help out too, but not just is an option, but in 2017-2018 the but the cost is holding the district his feelings of uncertainty towards a to the Board [of Education],” Marley district is also exploring the option of back. Associate Principal Omar Davis calendar change during a time of big said. starting school four to five days earlier shares his knowledge on the prices staff adjustments. The district will not change the and beginning winter break the day of an air conditioning installation “I think [there are] going to be schedule next year due to a large retirbefore Christmas. project. more people [effected] than you might ing staff and a lack of air conditioning, According to McDonald, DGS is not “In my experience, prices for these think, and I’m not going to be here to but a future calendar for the 2017going to change the schedule next types of projects vary a great deal, help because I’m going to retire at the 2018 school year is in the making at year. There will be meetings with Dismainly due to the in depth assessend of June. So I won’t be here for all DGN and DGS. trict 99 staff to develop a 2017-2018 ment needed for such a large project. I of this, I’m going to leave it here for Contact Gabrielle at school calendar that will be presented have been fortunate enough to experisomeone else, and I’m not comfortable gbar1713@csd99.org to the Board of Education in May for ence another air conditioning project with that,” McDonald said. voting. installation at a nearby school district Teachers will also have to adjust to By Gabrielle Bartkevicuite, Entertainment Editor
“I can remember teaching in 90 degree heat when I was a teacher, and I don’t have fine memories of that,” McDonald said. According to Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds Michael Reyes,
so I have firsthand experience. The numbers for this project would more than likely be in excess of one million dollars,” Davis said. The large retiring staff this year and the new superintendent next year
Mosquitoes suck: the outbreak of the Zika virus By Grace Chaplin, Opinions Editor Near the end of January, the Emergency Operations Center was activated due to the outbreak of the Zika virus in the Americas and the newly discovered risk it puts on pregnant women and their children. The Zika Virus is spread from mosquitos and has been recently found that it can also be transmitted sexually. AP Bio teacher Jenni Wolf explains how globalization and modern day factors are helping the spread of the Zika Virus. “We are a global community and mosquitos can be stowaways in differ kinds of moving things such as ships and planes. It’s even possible that these mosquitoes are traveling [towards the US]. As our climate continues to get warmer, we’re making a more hospitable environment for other kinds of organism,” Wolf said. Prior to the recent outbreaks of Zika, it was only found in Africa, Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands and most recently in Brazil. Previously, the virus had been a major threat. The Chicago Tribune reported the third case of the Zika virus in Illinois. Two of the three infected are pregnant women. There is no vaccine for the Zika virus as of now, and that is concerning for many individuals and students here at DGS. According the New York Times, only
one in every five people who contract the virus show the symptoms: fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes. The only way this virus can be detected is through a blood or tissue test to detect the virus on a molecular level. AP Bio student Emily Zaprianov
uses her knowledge from biology to talk about the Zika Virus. “Viruses are not cells. A virus is a chain of DNA and needs a host to stay alive. When a virus comes into contact with a cell (human) it releases its’ genetic material into the cell,”
The Zika virus has been crawling it’s way throughout the U.S. with nearly 107 confirmed cases, including one in the Chicagoland area. Graphic by Kirsten Gard
Zaprianov said. However, the most recent concern associated with the Zika virus is those who are pregnant. Those who contract the Zika virus during pregnancy have a higher risk of delivering a child with birth defects. The Center for Disease Control has reports from mothers whose babies are now suffering from a severe brain defect called microcephaly, which can be described as abnormal smallness of the head-- a sign that the brain isn’t developing properly. There is no vaccine for the Zika virus as of now, and that is concerning for many individuals and students here at DGS. DGS Senior Monika Ziogate explains her fears about the virus. “It’s really scary to think that people are affected so close to home. Hopefully there will be more progress and research about it to help treat it in the near future,” Ziogate said. Although there is no cure for the Zika virus currently, it doesn’t mean those diagnosed with it are faced with deadly conditions. The World Health Organization advises people sick with Zika to get plenty of rest, drink enough fluids and to use over the counter medicines to treat any discomfort or fever. Contact Grace at gcha0641@csd99.org