northridgereporter.wordpress.com March 31, 2014 • Volume 11 • Issue 6
Northridge High School • 2901 Northridge Road • Tuscaloosa, Al• 35406
iBOSS
Accessibility, privacy concerns arise over program Grayson Lent Staff Writer
Photo by: Susan Newell
Defense: Sophie Fairbairn, senior, Douglas Fairbairn, 21, and Rebecca Griesbach, sophomore, put their hands up in a non-aggressive manner at a self-defense class held at Tiger Rock Martial Arts on March 10. The move is a defensive move and allows for one to not look scared or aggressive while still protecting oneself. “I learned a lot about basic protective moves at my visit,” Douglas said. “I truly believe it’s better to learn a skill like this that could prevent something terrible in the future.”
Attack urges students to consider self-defense person from becoming involved in a self-defense class. Holt teaches men and women of all ages, and said you do not have to be physically fit to protect yourself. “In our personal protection classes for women, it is about keeping it simple. Basic everyday movements such as turning a key, clapping our hands and knocking on a door are used and translated into self-defense moves,” Holt said.
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The school was abuzz with talk on Monday, Feb 10, of an attack on a 17 year old female jogger that occurred in Sokol Park the previous day. Emma Jackson, senior, said she was leaving her house to go for a run at Sokol Park right before the attack. “I was in my driveway, about to leave, when I got a group message from the soccer team saying ‘don’t go’ because ‘someone got attacked,’” Jackson said. The news, while alarming to students and faculty, also reached Michael Holt, owner and chief instructor at Tiger Rock Martial Arts in Northport. “[My coworkers and I] are very concerned when people in our community are affected by assaults and other attacks,” Holt said. Holt said he believes better education on the topic of self-defense would help prevent attacks. “The fault is always on the attacker. No one should ever be a victim,” Holt said. “The question is: Are there things that can be done to reduce the chance to someone being a victim? That answer is yes. If someone doesn’t take those steps, it doesn’t mean that they are to blame for the assault. The attacker is always to blame for the assault.” Don McNabb, health teacher, said he believes self-defense is an important skill to learn (especially for high-schoolers, who he said were more at-risk than any other age group). “Teenagers are absolutely more vulnerable because they are not as wary,” McNabb said. “Generally speaking, they have a tendency to trust everybody.”
McNabb’s curriculum does not specifically cover self-defense or protection techniques; instead, he said it educates students on “anger issues” and mental health, which can relate to the problem at hand. “I’m not sure public school is where [students] should learn [self-defense],” McNabb said. “If someone feels the need to protect themselves, there are plenty of places [to learn] around town.” Junior Kayla Lawson attends Taekwondo lessons at her dad’s studio, Strictly Business. Lawson said that although her dad, Harry Lawson, influenced her to take lessons, she has her own reasons for learning Taekwondo. “If I want to survive in life, I have to keep doing this,” Lawson said. Jackson said she thinks self-defense is extremely important, “especially for girls.” “My dad won’t let me run alone anymore,” Jackson said. “But I do have pepper spray for protection.” Holt said survival is a key reason several women seek out his expertise in selfdefense. “We receive phone calls from women after attacks are made public such as the recent Sokol Park incident, but we also are contacted by women who are unfortunately going through a tough divorce or possibly are in an abusive relationship,” Holt said. Holt said taking simple precautions can change a woman’s image of being an “easy target.” “Don’t look like a victim.” Holt said. “Always be aware of the surroundings. Don’t be in a secluded place alone. Walk with [your] head up....not looking down at a phone, etc.).” There is nothing that should keep a
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Rebecca Griesbach News Editor
The school board has installed a system known as SecureUs, better known by the students as “iBoss”. Though this may seem like a new program, it is actually the same one that has been used. Dr. Isaac Espy, principal, said, “The program has been in operation for several years now. [SecureUs] monitors Internet tracking. All our Internet and board issued devices are routed through SecureUs, and it filters inappropriate content.” he said. Several students have had frustrating issues with this program because it blocks sites that are needed to do research for homework or projects at school. Other times, it simply blocks out websites it deems “inappropriate” during advisory or class; the biggest case being YouTube. “We have not had problems with SecureUs,” Dr. Espy said. “The central office receives a daily report as well as alerts.” The program has affected students by being active on their mobile devices, and some wish for this to change. “[I want to be able to have] access to YouTube,” sophomore Mary Long said. There has been speculation of the SecureUs software being able to access any files on your mobile devices and Novell accounts, including camera rolls and private information. “That is a breach of personal privacy”, sMarie Elise Norris, freshman, said. “If Internet traffic on your mobile device comes through our system,” Dr. Espy said. “I would not advise inappropriate correspondence.”
Photo by: Susan Newell
Safety: Michael Holt, instructor at Tiger Rock Martial Arts, demonstrates standard self-defense moves like the “pinch and grab” on March 10.
51 students polled. Information compiled by Renu Pandit. Designed by Renu Pandit.
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Softball Page 7