The Churchill Observer- February 2017

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Montgomery County Public Schools Winston Churchill High School 11300 Gainsborough Rd. Potomac, MD 20854

thechurchillobserver.

February 21, 2017

Volume 41 - Issue 5

A National Blue Ribbon School

n o i t a g i t s e v n I t p m o r P s t c A e v i t c Destru

By Rebecca Jackson Online Features Editor Julia Lescht Social Media Editor

Police are currently investigating various incidents of vandalism that have been reported over the past month at CHS and Walter Johnson High Schools. The initial vandalism incident at CHS was reported on Friday, January 27th when school employees arrived that morning to see profanity spray painted across the stadium, concession area and the sports field dugouts. A large amount of the graffiti contained anti-CHS and pro-WJ rhetoric, depictions of male genitalia, and other profane statements. “A prank is one thing,” Principal Joan Benz said. “This was no prank. This was criminal behavior.” According to a Feb. 7 Montgomery County Police Department press release, another incident was reported on WJ property, Monday, Jan. 30, followed by yet another

incident on the CHS campus on Tuesday, Jan. 31. According to Benz, both schools’ administrations are actively investigating the vandalism, and if they find the student responsible then “there will be a police arrest and both principals will recommend expulsion.” The Montgomery County Police Department is offering a tremendous reward of $10,000 to anyone who brings forth credible information. Whoever committed the vandalism will potentially face criminal charges for the damage done. They will also be held responsible for the cost of graffiti removal and a new scoreboard for CHS. According to a Jan. 31 NBC Washington article, the graffiti resulted in almost 100,000 dollars worth of total damages at both schools. So far, officials have been unsuccessful in finding those at fault, as neither school has security cameras outside or near the targeted areas. According to Benz, the culprits did not park

their vehicles near CHS so the security cameras on Gainsborough Road were unable to identify any license plate numbers. Although no evidence has been brought forward, CHS and WJ are continuously working to uncover more. “[Principal] Baker was extremely angry. It’s super embarrassing for her, as the students of WJ represent everything in the school, including administration,” WJ senior Bella Vasconcelos said. “She [made] an announcement at dismissal letting the students know that WJ and CHS are working hard to find out who did it and that they will eventually find out who was involved.” The CHS athletic department and sports teams worked with administration after the incident to enforce a zero tolerance policy—meaning that neither school will condone any inappropriate behavior regarding school spirit such as violent chants or gestures. Leading up to the varsity home basketball games against WJ, multiple announcements were made outlining acceptable ways

to express school spirit and warning that there would be consequences if these were not followed. “At the basketball game against WJ, administration brought in extra security,” junior Sofia Camp said. She added that the crowd was kept calm by the extra adults in attendance. According the MCPD press release, “Detectives believe that the vandalism are related to a sports rivalry between a group of students from both schools.” Nonetheless, there is no definitive evidence that the crimes were committed as the result of a rivalry between either teams or individual athletes from the schools. Officials are exploring all possibilities. “I do not believe that this was an athlete versus athlete incident,” Benz said. MCPD investigators are still seeking information and ask that anyone who has information contact the 1st District Investigative Section or report anonymously by calling Crime Solvers of Montgomery County.

New Programs Implemented to Close Achievement Gap By Jake Herman Online Opinions Editor Maya Rosenberg Opinions Editor As a way of providing a space for student input and discussion about important issues in the school, CHS has implemented a student focus group program and the Minority Scholars Program (MSP). MSP is an MCPS-based program that focuses on closing the achievement gap among minorities and is led in a focus group type setting. “Although the program has the name ‘Minority’ in it, it is open for any MCPS student to join,” guidance counselor and MSP sponsor Makeyda Soriano said. According to Soriano, MSP has been active in MCPS for 11 years, and currently exists

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PHOTO COURTESY OF SYDNEY BROWN.

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According to guidance counselor and MSP sponsor Puja Sharma, there will be a retreat at Northwood High School Feb. 23 open to all MCPS students interested in participating in MSPsponsored programs, such as TED talks and student-run workshops. Sharma hopes that CHS students attending the retreat will be able to lead these programs in the future. According to Soriano, the students who are committed to leading the program now will help ensure its success in the future. Although the MSP program is new to CHS, partcipants say that it is an important step towards making the school a better place for all students. “[MSP] is so necessary to create a community where all feel welcome,” Mangat said.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF JESSE SMITH.

Features

According to Benz, she hopes that by attending the meetings, CHS administration will increase their understanding of issues facing people of different cultures, as well as relate better with the students. One of the most important goals of MSP is to bring minority students together across the county to share educational and leadership opportunities. According to Soriano, MSP also aims to provide scholarship opportunities to students, including a college fair for historically black colleges. In addition to providing students with resources and opportunities to discuss important issues to minority students across MCPS, MSP also seeks to equip students with the tools to lead these programs themselves.

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MSP student leader and junior Hana Mangat said. “Students work to decrease the achievement gap and develop an effective relationship with administration and staff.” Students, teachers and members of administration attend MSP and focus group meetings. Their attendance and contributions to discussions are a key part of making sure student ideas are reaching all groups of the school. “[MSP] offers a safe space for students to give honest feedback and to create a community where all feel welcome,” Mangat said. “It is essentially a platform for student voices.” While MSP is focused on decreasing the educational opportunity gap for minorities, the group is open to students of all ethnicities, races, and walks of life.

PHOTO COURTESY LINDSEY.

News

in 16 high schools. However, prior to this year, the program has never been implemented at CHS. CHS administration along with Superintendent Jack Smith have both pushed for the expansion of MSP and cultural proficiency focus groups throughout the county. “The purpose of MSP is to enhance opportunities and promote communication in an exchange of ideas across the county for students of color,” Principal Joan Benz said. “[Superintendent] Smith is providing budgetary support for MSP in all [MCPS] schools.” Even though funding is being provided by the Board of Education and MCPS, it’s the students who are meant to be the true leaders when it comes to planning schoolspecific programs. “MSP is an incredible opportunity for students,”


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