Log
The Northmen’s
Friday, September 25, 2009
Say Aloha to the 2009 senior Homecoming candidates. |p. 4-5
Oak Park High School
Markets bring farmers to town Kansas City provides locally grown and created produce and goods at local Farmer’s Markets all across the city. For more, p . 6
MSHSAA tests athletes by Alex Mallin sports editor
Oak Park has gone through changes in many different areas of curriculum this year. In order to improve academic standings of schools, the Missouri State High School Athletics Association put in to effect a new requirement for all student athletes in Missouri. In past years, students participating in athletics were required to be enrolled and pass 70% of their school’s available curriculum. This year saw a 10% increase and requires students in sports to pass 80% of their available curriculum. “The decision was made by the state,” said athletic director Keith Ross. “MSHSAA designed a proposal and all the schools that are MSHSAA members vote on it.” This change makes it a requirement that seniors, in order to be in athletics, must have seven credit classes not including Study Hall, Teacher Assistant, etc. Freshmen through juniors must be enrolled in six credit classes not also with the exception of Study Hall, Achievement, etc. because they have a required Flex time which takes up one of their blocks. According to Ross, Principal Skretta sent the vote
out last year to contribute to the decision of raising the eligibility expectations which MSHSAA put in to effect and now may enforce. Assistant executive director of MSHSAA Fred Binggeli attended the board meeting where the ballot’s composition took place. “The suggestion was sent in to the board and this year we actually sent the ballots out electronically to the schools,” Bingelli said. “MSHSAA only instigates the rules that the schools vote on.” Senior Laura Hulfield believes the move conflicts with what a lot of seniors should have to handle on their workload. “Many seniors are taking multiple AP and college classes and liked the opportunity to take a study hall to work on their homework,” Hulfield said. “It’s a privilege for seniors to get to be TA’s and everyone enjoys doing it.” So far no one has reported conflicts this semester with eligibility violations. “We have been talking about the MSHSAA change since last year,” said counselor Marlene Nay. “We haven’t contacted all the seniors because we don’t know who is involved with extra-
Musical cast practices for ‘Cinderella’
Rehearsing the songs for the Musical, junior Brooklyn Bowman, junior Stephanie Mora, and junior Molly Maloney sing in the Vocal Music room with the Cinderella cast on Sept. 8. “It’s exciting to be able to redo a classic show the Oak Park way,” Bowman said. photo by Gina Drapela, editor-in-chief
Cast list:
Cinderella - Bekah Bliss Prince - Sterling Robbins Evil Step sisters - Gina Drapela, Rachel Perkins Evil Step mother - Schyler Tate King - Thomas Yoder
curricular activities. When it comes to people changing their schedule we will remind them if they want to do something that will interfere with eligibility.” Senior Mitch Stewart believes that the move contradicts his and many other senior’s original plan of an “easy” senior year, but feels it essential for a change in the education system. “I feel as if it is a little unfair towards the seniors,” Stewart said. “But I agree it is a move that needs to be made. The fact is; graduation rates are dropping and in order for that to stop it is necessary for someone to make the first move towards improving it.” Ross feels if athletes put the same amount of determination towards school work as they do their sport, this rule will not prevent anyone from competing this year. “I think that if students really want to do their sport, they will get their credits and get the classes they need to take,” Ross said. “I think coaches have to put the word out, and coaches need to know this because they need to stress this to their athletes. Anything that helps academically I support, we will just have to see what the results are.”
Issue 2, Volume 45
International exchanges endure setbacks in numbers by Mandy Nichols entertainment editor
Those scanning the halls for international exchanges may find themselves having to look closer this year. Foreign exchange students within these halls have shrunk down to two from the eight in the past. Various factors may be to blame. One reason for the shortages roots itself in district lines. Previously ‘blue’ families now don green jerseys, taking potential host families from Oak Park’s stock. “There are two AFS students at Staley who, but for redistricting, would be at Oak Park,” said AFS volunteer area-coordinator Deanna Wise. Others blame the economic climate. “I personally think it might be due to the economy right now, King said. “If you’re not feeling that comfortable with your financial situation, it’s just another responsibility that maybe people aren’t prepared to take on. That’s part of it.” Host family shortages delayed Thai student Chaisiri Suthapradit’s arrival onto American soil. King decided to provide him with a home for the year. “My husband and I have been considering becoming a host family for several years, but we weren’t sure about making such a big commitment,” King said. “Then this past summer, I studied in France and lived with a family there for a month. It was a really positive experience, so I wanted to help provide that for someone else.” Despite the early confusion and delays, every exchange student in the area has a suitable home. “We’re looking at next year right now,” King said. AFS/IC club hopes to meld students from all district schools in order to keep club activity from dropping and to provide a warmer
welcome to the district’s international residents. Students district-wide received invitations to the club’s pizza party kick-off on Monday, Sept. 14. “With only two exchange students it’s harder to encourage everyone to get out and meet them as a group,” said AFS/IC president Kara Johnson. Sponsors hope districtwide international club collaboration could fuel club participation. “We’re making a bigger effort this year because there are fewer by trying to coordinate our activities more,” King said. The party brought together students throughout the district. After dining on the Papa John’s pizza and drinks provided, club members played various getto-know-you games before international mingling commenced. Though in the past AFS has facilitated much of the exchange students’ stays, the school has received students through other organizations as well. Japanese student Tom o y o Hasegawa arrived here student Tomoyo Hasegawa t h r o u g h AFS visits Kansas City from Japan AFS while this year. Madina Damir came through the Academic Year in America program. Damir traveled from KyrB o t h Madina gystan through the AYA program. programs gain support from volunteers, each placing foreign students into American homes. “Area coordinators will interview you, give you forms to fill out and biographies of various students to try to match your family’s dynamic with their personality,” said AFS sponsor Mary
Interested in hosting exchange students? Contact: afs-816-676-6480 aya-816-420-9713 cwjacobsen@ prodigy.net
Langner. The Jacobsen family has hosted exchange students for more than five years. This year they provide a home for Kyrgyzstan native Damir. AYA volunteer coordinator Laurie Jacobsen feels she takes something from the experience. “These exchanges help you become a better American,” Jacobsen said. “I’ve taught them to cook, and I’ve learned from them. They really are like my own children.” Jacobsen keeps in touch with her “children.” This summer, her former hostdaughter from Italy Carlotta Benassi returned to visit her American family and friends. “Right when they get here, we go and make them their own key for the house,” said Jacobsen. “We tell them to keep it so they always have a place to call home here. Carlotta had hers when she came this summer, saying ‘I still have my key, mom.’” Members currently encourage students and their families to look into hosting for next year in an effort to avoid host family shortages. Host families need only provide lodgings, some food and whatever they feel responsible for as a temporary family to their exchange student. The students pay for anything else with spending money sent from their homes abroad. “They just find out about American teenage life,” Langner said.
Learning labs offer help by Gabrielle Young editorial editor Students struggling in certain subjects now have learning labs available to them. Each lab helps students in the specified core subject. Last year, only the math lab, reading lab and the literature lab ran. The science lab adds to the list this year. Before these labs, students had conflictions with coming before or staying after school. With labs though students go during their flex time with their blue pass to the designated teacher. “We noticed that students were struggling a lot in science classes,” said science teacher Katie Gerhold. “So we wanted to give them another opportunity to get help and math had a successful lab.” Students can make up tests, get help in a lab, or receive additional tutoring. The tutoring is through a program study island available online that re-teaches concepts students may have struggled with, including ways to test students on information, or to play a game while answering questions. “Some of the information is hard so they need to be able to ask questions, with one-on-one help,” said Gerhold, “It’s more personalized if a students is good with hands on we do that, most of the instruction in class is visual or verbal and they need hands on or explained in a different way.” With the science lab being a new addition many don’t know about the availability of the lab. “I think teachers need to recommend their students to it, because we don’t get a lot of students or students need to ask their teachers if they can come here,” said Gerhold.
Math teacher Julie Coffey helps a student with her homework in the MIB room on Sept.18; this is where students in need of math tutoring find help. “I felt like students needed help with math because not all students could make it after school,” Coffey said. photo by Gina Drapela, editor-in-chief
The math lab has been available for three years; with 12 to 15 in a math lab, the most turnouts compared to others. “I love, love, love doing the labs,” said math teacher Julie Coffey. “I like working with the students. It’s a really comfortable atmosphere helping students get to understand what’s happening in their math class.” The literature lab started the second semester of last year, with about 1 to 5 students in a lab. Students can receive help on writing essays, with step-by-step instructions or critiqued in ways to improve the essay. “I get a crazy amount of satisfaction seeing kids project in their skills,” said reading teacher Callie Smothers.
The reading lab has been in session the longest for four years, with attendance of about six students a lab. “The literature lab is more writing based focused on weak writing skills,” said reading teacher Marilee Frailey. “The reading lab focuses on vocabulary development and comprehension skills.” Students in the lab work on reading strategies and class assignments. “I like the diversity in the needs of kids everyday is different,” Frailey said. “I like seeing the improvements kids make and the success they feel.” Students this year can now feel successful in their classes with a place to go for help, available throughout the day.