northridgereporter.wordpress.com
February 15, 2012 • Volume 10 • Issue 5
Northridge High School • 2901 Northridge Road • Tuscaloosa, Al• 35406
‘Math review’ implemented Alex Hauser Editor-in-Chief
Math teachers were informed the Friday before the semester started that they would have to spend time at the beginning of each class doing math review with their students. The city board created the math review curriculum, along with rules and procedure teachers must follow. Students must fold their paper long-ways, put stars for correct answers and stand up after writing a reflection on each problem solved. Casey Miller, a senior in Patsy Lowery’s analytical math class, said she likes the math review. “I think it’s fun because it’s interactive, and it’s a break from lecture, notes, worksheet, then test. It’s good to stand up and take a break every once in a while,” she said. “It’s good to go back and revisit this stuff because not everyone made a perfect score on the quizzes. We’ve forgotten the basics, even if they didn’t realize it. It’s good review for college or even the ACT and SAT.” Scott Johnson, math teacher, said he is “thankful that [the central office has] stepped in to help.” “I am happy that our central office has not only mandated that 10-12 minutes of each 47 minute period be spent on review of previously taught and assessed math skills, but they have also saved us the worry of deciding the method and structure of how this review is to be delivered,” he said. Hannah Loper, senior, who takes PreCalculus, said that although the review is beneficial, there are flaws in the method. “Sometimes it just helps to review things, [but] classes are already so short. You have to do the review in a certain way and check it and go over the answers. It gets timeconsuming,” she said. Johnson said it would be “nice if math teachers were given some ownership in the process by providing input and ideas.”
Seniors surprised with missing credit
The
Journey to graduation
Illustration by: Alex Hauser
Raiha Naeem Managing Editor With graduation approaching, seniors and administrators are working to make sure that all students meet their credit requirements for graduation. As a result, some seniors have to take a short computer course for an “online experience” that they missed out on if they took BTA their freshman year, and that is required for graduation. Jennifer Box, assistant principal, said the change in graduation requirements started with the class of 2013. “It was not incorporated into any of the subject matter that [ninth grade] year, so there’s a gap for students as far as meeting that online expectation,” she said. “Some students who took BTA as tenth or eleventh graders, or took an Access or Early College course are okay.” Box said the addition of the online experience is due to the use of technology in our everyday lives. “Obviously, as society is shifting more
towards online and technology centered work, we have to make sure that students are prepared for working that way when they go to college or enter the workforce,” Box said. She said the course shouldn’t be hard on students and should be finished by the end of February. “It worked out pretty well that bonus allows us to not have to change the students’ schedule completely,” she said. “Our computer teachers have stepped up and made it possible to get these requirements done before graduation.” Sonia Blunt, BTA teacher, is one of the teachers who has seniors come in during advisory to finish their credit. “I can see the sense in having it because in college they have several classes online,” Blunt said. “They just want students to be prepared so they know how to use that online technology when they go to college.” Charlie Gross, senior, said he was frustrated he had to take the course even though he took BTA his freshman year. “It’s annoying to know that a credit I was told to take my freshman year ended up not counting anyway,” he said. “Hopefully, it helps in some way.” Walter Hall, senior, waived out of the BTA course after passing the waiver exam in middle school. “Our senior class has been continuously [screwed] over,” Hall said. “I think it’s absurd that this is a necessary requirement for graduation.” Taylor Goodall, senior, said he sees the class as busy work. “I get on a computer, watch videos and then answer basic questions about them. It requires no thought,” he said. “I take a break every now and then to play Tetris.”
Graduation ceremony breaks tradition; moves to Coliseum Renu Pandit Feature Editor
The graduation ceremony, traditionally held on the football field, has been relocated to the Coleman Coliseum on the University of Alabama’s campus. Jacqueline Hudgins, guidance counselor, said the decision was made due to a build-up of issues with having the ceremony on the field over the years and was finalized after consulting the Graduation Planning Committees at the three local high schools, the central office and the University of Alabama. “An agreement was made to relocate to an indoor facility that could house the crowds that we have at each graduation,” Hudgins said. “Overcrowding, traffic, parking and weather have been major concerns for the past several years.” Hudgins said the cost is minimal because of the assistance of the University. “This fee is being paid by our board of education, so
Review
Les Miserables Page 3
there is no additional cost to the students,” Hudgins said. of pictures, so I’m wondering how good those’ll look,” Alex Smith, senior, said she is excited for the ceremony Alex said. “And, what if I go to the University of Alabama to be held at Coleman Coliseum since “people won’t be and graduate in the same coliseum, then the pictures will piled on top of each other.” be the same, and my kids will be like, ‘Mommy which “It’s still graduation; it’ll be awesome no matter where one’s from high school and which is from college?’” it’s held,” Alex said. “But it’ll be kind Dr. Isaac Espy, principal, said the of sad not to have one last goodbye on coliseum is a “very nice venue.” the field.” Alex said the new location “There are other convenience would bring many benefits. It’s still graduation; it’ll be awesome factors, such as having UA secu“People won’t be crammed; they’ll rity for all three schools’ graduano matter where it’s held. actually have good seats,” Alex said. tions,” Espy said. “Girls can wear heels, which we Espy said graduation at the couldn’t do before since they would “‘old’ Central High School” was Alex Smith, senior sink in the grass. We won’t get all held at the coliseum for years. sweaty since the ceremony will be indoors, so we’ll still “These were typically very nice look good for pictures.” events and well done,” Espy said. However, Alex said she has a few concerns about the Jamel Smith, senior, said he is fine with the ceremony relocation. being held at the Coliseum. “I’m a bit worried about the guests being too far from “I’m still graduating, and that’s all that matters,” Jamel the stage. Also, there won’t be like grass in the background said. “It’ll be great to have air conditioning though.”
Snow Day Page 8
Sports
Conditioning Page 7