September 2012

Page 1

northridgereporter.wordpress.com

Northridge High School • 2901 Northridge Road • Tuscaloosa, Al.• 35406

September 24, 2012 • Volume 10 • Issue 1

Rate of

Do you like the seven period schedule? 69

Yes

81

No

Which schedule do you like the most? 23 %

B A/

Change

7P erio 20%

d

Block 57%

150 students polled Designed by: Alex Hauser Information compiled by: Jakailah Cooper

New schedule implemented, gets mixed reviews Photo by: Alex Hauser

Alex Hauser Editor-in-Chief

For the second consecutive year, the school’s schedule has changed. After the disapproval of the A/B block schedule, the school decided to implement a seven period schedule. “The initial reason for changing the schedule had to do, in very general terms, with overall student performance. We felt as if the block presented barriers to student learning that could be corrected with year-long classes,” Isaac Espy, principal, said. Espy said the block schedule had two main disadvantages—consistency and the length of class. “Many students found it difficult to concentrate for an hour and forty minutes,” he said. “The pace, at times, tended to be slow.” Espy said another benefit to the seven period schedule was having class all year because it “eliminates semester and year-long gaps in crucial areas of study.” “The seven period day is a ‘normal’ school schedule. George Washington had a seven period day when he was

in high school. [And] thus far, the schedule has been well received,” he said. Espy said the new school year will be “re-energized” with a faster paced schedule, although Kearston Wells, senior, said the classes are “pressed for time.” “I like that the classes are shorter, and you don’t lose focus. But it’s too short because the teachers are stressed and struggle trying to get everything done in that time period,” she said. Wells said another downfall is the inconsistency in class times. “It’s really unfair because first [period] is super short with announcements and fire drills and second [period] is really long if you keep your bonus period. So the only class you really get the most time in is second,” she said. “So teachers are like ‘Oh I have more time I can teach you and do fun activities,’ but the other classes are so pressed for time, they can’t get as much done and have to cut out all the fun stuff and get straight to work.” Nancy Reed, history teacher, said she prefers the seven period schedule. “I like the consistency that it provides, and I believe it

Cash in your scores

serves most students the best. It also helps alleviate discipline issues in the classroom from my experience,” Reed said. “For someone like me who loves to lecture [the seven period schedule] just works best for me.” Scott Johnson, math teacher, said he “think[s] [he] likes the seven period day.” “I think it’s better for the kids to have math and reading [all year]; there’s not as many gaps,” Johnson said. “I’m hoping [scores] will go up.” Amanda Burns, senior, said she likes the seven period schedule, although there are some flaws. “I’ve only had seven periods my whole life, and when I came to Northridge they were on the block, and I hated it,” she said. “[With the new schedule] I don’t like the bonus, and I don’t like how we lose a credit because we don’t have eight periods like we used to.” Burns said she likes the shorter classes, and it will just take time to adjust. “Teachers have to adjust to the time change, but I think it will work out. Only time will tell,” she said. Continued on page 6 See Schedule

AP passing rate beats area schools, AP students earn cash

Site helps students contribute to yearbook

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Sixty-two percent of the 231 students that took AP exams passed. Dr. Isaac Espy, principal, said that Northridge surpassed other schools in West Alabama like Bryant, Central, Hillcrest and Tuscaloosa County High school, whose passing rates were 21%, 2%, 46% and 47% respectively. “I am extremely proud of the great work of our students taking AP courses, and the teachers who worked with these students,” Espy said. “I was honestly stunned at the results.” Espy said the passing rate two years ago was 67%, but that only 173 students took AP exams. “We had a 26% increase of students passing tests,” Espy said. “We pushed far more students out of their comfort zone and into a major challenge.” The AP Grant that was initiated last year promises a $100 reward to students who pass an AP English, math or science exam.

Espy said the money will be rewarded to Hudgins said she feels students who do the appropriate students at an assembly the well on the AP exams are properly recoglast week of September. nized. Jane Yu, senior, took and passed the “Especially those who are named AP AP Composition, Statistics, Calculus scholars,” Hudgins said. “I would love for BC, Physics and Chemistry exams in the us to do more, but funding receptions is spring. nearly impossible.” “The AP Grant has helped make AP Zoe Bakker, senior, took and passed the classes more appealing for students be- AP Calculus, Chemistry and Composition cause of the incentive the money reward exams in the spring. gives,” Yu said. “The money reward didn’t have a huge However, Yu said she would have want- affect on me, but it was a nice bonus,” ed to pass her exams even if there was no Bakker said. “I would have wanted to pass Julia Hocutt monetary reward. even without it.” “AP courses are helpful when it comes However, Bakker said she believed the Staff Writer to getting ready for colleges. I’ve already money reward is what “caused a rise in ReplayIt is an interactive, community figured out what I like to do because of students joining AP classes, many of which wide picture sharing website. Students can them,” Yu said. “Also, I think it’s a once in didn’t even pass.” a life time opportunity to explore as many “When you have a class of 35 people, and upload personal pictures from their phones, subjects as you want without the huge cost at least five don’t even want to be there, it computers and other devices to the ReplayIt “time capsule,” so the school yearbook of tuition.” makes it hard to learn,” Bakker said. Jacqueline Hudgins, guidance counselor, Upon hearing that the school’s passing staff members have more picture options to said it’s too early to tell if the money had rate was 62%, Bakker said the school needs put in the school’s yearbook. With the program, student body mema serious effect on increase in AP students to put more focus on people who do well. and AP passing rates. “The school system puts so much focus bers who aren’t apart of the yearbook com“We ho mad always have students who on people who fail the graduation exams. mittee now have the opportunity to help e w fi work hard because they made Rather than changing our o made th out their staff and participate themselves. ts h f en who “I really like how the whole school ud have a determined nts schedule to help a n w e can get connected and involved,” yearwork ethic, and few people with d book editor Katherine Duckworth, juthey understand their graduation nior, said. the value of AP in exams, we should do “ReplayIt is a great way for students to preparing for college,” what’s best for the whole share their pictures with other classmates. Hudgins said. “However, school,” Bakker said. Being a member of the yearbook staff, who wouldn’t want $100 for Designed by: Alex Hauser I would love students to upload their fun passing a test?” Information compiled by: Jakailah Cooper pictures,” Hallie Young, junior, said. St ud e

Renu Pandit Feature Editor

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September 2012 by Susan Newell - Issuu