September Rostrum

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Everything DHS Student section support page 3 Freshman class pushes school to limit page 4-5 How schools prepare for flu season page 8

Photo by Cole Burgess

SEPTEMBER, 2009 VOLUME III ISSUE 1 DEXTER HIGH SCHOOL 2200 N. PARKER ROAD DEXTER, MI 48130

2 Soccer team sports 'shants' Ali Krips staff writer

Many teams try to pick out a new and improved outfit to intimidate their opposing teams. But this year, the varsity boys soccer team decided to take a different route. They are wearing what they call “shants”, a combination of “shorts” and “pants”.

The shants trend was discovered when senior captains Jono Jebson and Kurt Miller traveled to England for their club soccer tournament this summer.

“We liked the European style, of course,” Miller, said.

“Shants are the perfect combination of shorts and pants.”

Similar to capris for men, shants may be a made up term, but most members of the soccer team say they love them.

The style appears to have originated in Europe, where soccer is a dominant sport. But members of the team say shants are meant for all to wear, not just the soccer team.

So the team decided to organize a day for most of the school to participate and wear shants.

A Facebook group was even created to start “Shants Day” “Shants Day equals great success,” senior Nico Warden said on the Facebook wall of the event.

Miller also wrote on the wall: “It’s going to be a shantastic day.”

The team wanted everyone to wear a pair of shants on the first day of school, Tuesday, Sept. 8.

They had a game at 5:30 that night and wanted everyone to wear them to the game, as well, to help support them.

As for Serena Bidwell, she participated in this event by wearing her shants to school and attending the game.

“I really didn’t know what they were until Kurt and Jono were always talking about them, and spilling in the excitement of their England trip,” Bidwell, said. “I wanted to support the team, so I asked Kurt if I could borrow a pair of his.”

And Miller said shants day was a success. He said, “Around 50 people came to school that day with shants. I was excited.”

Photos by Lauren Daugherty

Backpacks or bags?

The decision about what to use while carrying things to class causes debate Morgan Quist staff writer

For some, choosing a school bag is easy. For others, however, the decision between either a tote or a backpack can be a torture.

Senior Amanda Atwell, long-time tote-carrier, has pondered taking the step from tote to backpack and has considered the pros and cons of switching.

“I want a backpack, because I think they’re so cute,” Atwell said.

“But I’m afraid if I dress up (nice) for school one day, the back pack will just kill the whole outfit.”

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trends

September, 2009

Senior Sabrina Letwin has never used a tote instead of a regular backpack for school but was told not to carry a tote by her physical therapist.

“When I went into physical therapy for my hips, they asked me if I used a shoulder bag for school,” Letwin said. “(My physical therapist) told me carrying a heavy bag like that on my shoulder can (alter) the alignment of their spine and hips.”

And although Letwin’s pain in her hip was not caused by carrying a tote, she said she will not switch over to a tote because of the advice.

“Backpacks have more room for my books, anyway,” Letwin said.

The American Physical Therapists’ Associations suggests people should use both straps when wearing a backpack. According to

their website, using only one strap, even with backpacks that have one strap that runs across the body, causes one shoulder to bear the weight of the bag.

By wearing both shoulder straps, the weight of the pack is better distributed and a symmetrical posture is promoted. A backpack that has padded, contoured shoulder straps will also help reduce pressure on the chest and shoulders according to the APTA Seniors Alex Beattie said she prefers backpacks over totes, or shoulder bags, because backpacks provide more room for her heavy books.

“I wouldn’t be able to fit all of my big books into a (shoulder) bag,” Beattie said. “Backpacks are more comfortable and just better.”

Photo by Claire Berger

Members of the boys soccer team sports shants in this group photo.

Members of the team started a Facebook group to encourage people to wear shants to school, and according to senior Kurt Miller, 50 students followed through.

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September, 2009 get involved The Rostrum Student section deserves fan support an analysis piece by Aaron Gilman staff writer

When I go to a football game, I know I’m going to have a good time regardless of the score. It’s because Dexter has a great student section, “The best student section in the SEC,” according to Principal Kit Moran.

Moran said proportionally our student section represents better than those at college football games.

Most students know the football games as well as the basketball games are well represented by the student section, but imagine if all the sporting events at the high school had the same support.

That’s what Athletic Director John Robinson is trying to make happen.

Robinson said he knows how much support the football team gets, and he thinks it would be a good idea to try to spread that support around to other teams.

His idea is a T-shirt that will allow students to get into selected events for free.

The T-shirt costs $12 and Robinson said the money will go to the middle school A and B Photo by Lauren Daugherty At the homecoming game Nate Dunham cheers sports programs.

The T-shirts are available for purchase in on the football team from the student section. the athletic office.

“We tried to include every sport,” Robinson said about which sports students can get in to for free.

Wearing the shirt allows free admission to the following sporting events: varsity and JV football games, volleyball games, girls swim and dive meets, boys soccer games, girls basketball games, hockey games, wrestling matches, boys swim and dive meets, varsity softball games, JV and varsity girls soccer games, varsity baseball games, lacrosse games and track meets.

This sort of support will be uplifting to the athletes who usually don’t see a lot of students at their specific sporting events.

From my experiences in cross country, I know if I saw a bunch of kids show up to a meet, I would get really excited.

In cross country, when people are cheering, the tendency is to run faster, and that translates to other sports as well.

In professional and collegiate sports, the crowd has a huge effect on the momentum of the game. Players can get motivated much easier when the crowd is behind them, and I believe in high school the crowd has an even bigger effect, because the people cheering are friends and family.

The main reason most people play sports

is the thrill of competition. And the stakes are higher when there are more people watching and cheering.

Senior Joe Jansen agrees. “If the student section for football is fun, then the other teams work just as hard as the football team and should get the same recognition.”

I love the thrill of a race and the nervous feeling before the gun goes off, and being able to share that moment with my teammates is a great feeling. But if I were able to share that with even more people it would be that much more special, because it means a lot when friends are being supportive.

I encourage all students to buy a T-shirt to support your peers in hope that they will also support you. The main purpose of attending a sporting event is to have a good time.

That’s something I can guarantee will happen if students participate. Supporting peers is what this is all about, and having a good time is something that comes along with that. When I go to a football cheering in the student section is a lot of fun.

With Robinson’s T-shirt idea, I hope this spirit will translate to other sporting events as well.

Student Advocacy Club works to raise awareness of disabilities Erin McAweeney blog editor

With a group of 18 members behind her, sophomore Amy Moorman is fighting to raise awareness of friends and fellow students with disabilities by forming the Student Advocacy Club.

“I was getting sick of hearing people use the word ‘retarded’ in a negative way. I find it really offensive,” Moorman, who has several friends with disabilities, said. “The goal of the club is to promote awareness of disorders, diseases, and disabilities and to create a better unity in Dexter High School.”

The sponsor of the group, special education teacher Carrie Ragnes, said she hopes by the end of the year everyone in the school knows what the club and its purpose is all about. “The first thing we have to do is create interest in the

club,” Ragnes said adding she also wants to help educate all students of Dexter High School about students with disabilities, “Everyone is unique and have positive skills that they bring with them,” she said.

The group will participate in demonstrations to understand what it’s like to have a disability including wearing socks on their hands while trying to use scissors to simulate poor motor skills and walking through the school blindfolded with a cane to understand what it is like in a blind person shoes.

The club also hopes to visit Bates and other elementary schools. “I want kids to learn at a young age that words like ‘retard’ are hurtful,” Moorman said. The group also runs fundraisers to collect money for charities such as the Tourette’s Syndrome Association, the United Cerebral Palsy Association and the Down Syndrome Association.

Moorman thinks its important for students to join and participate in clubs. “It creates a strong bond between people,” she said. “If you don’t stand for anything, you’ll fall for everything,” Moorman said. This phrase is also used as the club’s motto.

The club meets once or twice a month. There are no requirements to become a member of the club. “People don’t need to have a disorder to get involved. We need everyone’s perspective,” Ragnes said.

Students interested in joining the student advocacy club should contact Moorman or Ragnes.

Moorman said she hopes the club will live on after she graduates. Ultimately, though, she just hopes her message is heard and spread. She said, “One day people will stop using words like ‘retard’. Once they know about something, they won’t find a reason to make fun of it.”

Photos by Claire Berger

Students sign up and discuss various clubs at booths that were set up at lunch on club day. Among the clubs represented were Ultimate Frisbee , Debate, Oceans Bowl, Drama Club, Anime Club and Forensics.

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September ,2009

the spread

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the spread

Computer, USB upgrades arrive this fall

Freshmen class pushes school population to the limit Sirah Camara staff writer

An overcrowded high school could be a problem, but Principal Kit Moran said it is a good problem for a school in Michigan to have.

Not everyone thinks that way, however.

Sophomore Carly Cash doesn’t like the someo of the large classes she has. “I pretty much do hate the big classes,” she said. “They suck.”

Cash said large classes make it hard to concentrate and to get oneon-one help with the teachers “Teachers don’t seem to pay attention,” she said.

There are 314 in the freshmen class and 270 seniors graduated last year. This sets the population at the school at 1219 in a school built for 1200. But Moran said he’d rather have too many students in a school than have too few.

He also sad he has some theories about why Dexter’s growing.

“We’re next to Ann Arbor but not in it,” he said, adding he thinks since Dexter is so close to Ann Arbor, students come to Dexter because they can still have access to the city but not go to a school with a few thousand students like Pioneer.

Moran also said because the school is smaller, he thinks the staff gets to know the students,and this makes students feel as if they are wanted at the school.

Moran also said the district has to follow the teacher contractswhich limits the number of students teachers can have in their classes. If that number is exceeded, teachers get paid extra for every extra student they have.

Moran said there is a “sweet spot” of 20-25 students in a class, meaning there are a certain number of students who can be in a class without the class being too big or too little.

Since 2002-2003 Dexter has seen about a 20percent increase in

students.

One of the biggest classes this trimester is Melania Murphy’s fifth hour Spanish I class with 28 people. “I have students who talk a lot, and it’s hard to lecture,” she said. “It’s a serious problem in a class,where you’re trying to learn another language.”

Freshmen Kathryn Pisano is one of the students in the class, but the large class doesn’t seem to bother her. “I like (the bigger class),” Pisano said.

Pisano said if more people are in the class then there are more people to volunteer and get involved. Though sometimes it gets crowded, she said, “Ms. Murphy can still handle it.”

Health teacher Shirley Bitters also has a large classes, with her largest class being 34 people. And Bitters is not a fan of these large numbers. “It’s harder to give individual attention” she said. “The benefits of having a smaller class is you get to know everyone.”

Coleen Hill health editor

Photo by Jojo Parin

The library is home to 32 new 20” iMacs. In addition, a new technology system allows students to transfer their work between computers using using personal USB devices. Every student in the district received a USB wrist band for this purpose.

Building gets renovations

Elizabeth O'Keefe staff writer

Photo by Sarah Breuninger

Students pass underneath the new glass doorway on the second floor. According to Principal Kit Moran, the doors were built to prevent people from wandering around the building during basketball games or after school.

Photo by Sarah Breuninger

Money from a $55 million bond passed

by Dexter voters last November has led to many changes at Dexter High School throughout the summer.

New things around the school include a cross walk outside the library, science rooms, lights in the gym, technology, a fence around the baseball and soccer fields, a concession stand and doors around the school.

According to Principal Kit Moran, one reason the new doors had to be built was for safety reasons. “Some doors have fire code issues,” Moran said.

Moran also said a reason for the new doors is to try to prevent people from

wandering around the schools after hours and during basketball games.

However these new doors caused problems for some students who had to switch lockers because they had to take lockers out in order to put the new doors in. Senior Elly Mioduszewski got a call in the middle of August about her locker change. “They told me I didn’t have a locker anymore,” Mioduszewski said.

Mioduszewski said she then had to make an appointment with her counselor to get a new locker, which led to another problem.

Her locker was in a location where she never goes during school, and she had to switch lockers again after being put on a waiting list. She now has to adjust to going to a new locker after years of using the same

September, 2009

locker.

“I preferred where my locker was before, but I’m getting used to the change,” Mioduszewski said.

The new projects are not finished yet either. Additional security cameras are going in around the school too. “The reason for the security cameras is to view people when they come into the school from the exterior,” Moran said.

Moran also said the security cameras will help prevent things like vandalism from happening to the school.

Many changes have been made throughout the high school over the summer, and Moran said they are all for the better.

He said, “I do believe that the changes to the school will make it a better place.”

Photo by Jojo Parin

Students crowd through the second floor hallway during passing time. With 1219 students in a building built for 1200, many students say they are feeling the effects of overcrowding.

On the first day of school, senior Alex Carr, yearbook design editor, was stunned at the sight of the 20 new 20” iMac computers in yearbook teacher Barry Mergler’s classroom.

“The old computers were so slow and didn’t work very well,” Carr said. “I just like how big the screens are and all the new programs on the computers.”

Costing about $1200 apiece, the computers were part of a $55 million bond approved by voters last November.

And for Director of Technology Matt Maciag, these machines are central to making Dexter Schools a leader in teachnology, although, as Maciag said, “I was very nervous writing a check for $1.7 million (the total cost of all the new machines).”

Vicki Allie, a Technology Associate at Dexter High School, said the new computers are great.

“Since the computers are all the same now, they’re easier to work with” she said. “Some of the computers used to be on different wave lengths so it was harder to work with.”

And Carr said having the new computers makes yearbook a lot easier.

“We used to have to share computers with The Squall, and it made things a little bit difficult,” Carr said.

With the new computers students also received a portable USB device of their own to use on the new computers.

Maciag said he thought of the idea to solve the technical problems within computers and to offer convenience for students.

“Students don’t have to use the same computers every day now,”

Maciag said. “They can save their work on their USBs.” The USBs also allow students to keep their information to themselves and allow all of ta student’s information to remain with them.

“There were no security purposes before,” Allie said of the new USBs and the new student logins. “Everyone could see anything you saved on the computer. Now everything is more private.”

Carr said she loves the new USBs because it’s easier to transfer documents from school to home.

“It’s just annoying how slow they are when you plug them in,” Carr said. “It’s takes forever for everything to load, but I like how I can bring my school work home with me.”

Along with the new computers and USBs, there is a new setup called Apple Remote Desktop.

This system allows Maciag and Allie to see what a student is doing on the computer, not to spy, they say, but to fix problems.

“This program is mainly used as a support tool,” Maciag said.

“If someone has a problem, I can take over and solve the problem.”

The new system is only connected to the computers, so if a student plugs the USB in at home, no one can see information.

“We can only see it if the student has loaded something on the USB and opened it on the computers at school,” Allie said.

Maciag said he hopes all the students enjoy the new computers.

He said students are supposed to be enjoying them while getting work done.

“I want kids to respect the new computers because a lot of other districts aren’t even close to what we have,” Maciag said. “We need to take advantage of what we have.”

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6 Drama teacher, former student write play Staff Playlist Entertainment

September, 2009

Ashley Burleson staff writer

Dexter High School 2009 graduate David Cooper and drama teacher Matt Martello are bringing Dexter “Back to Reality”.

“Back to Reality”, a play written by Cooper and Martello, goes up Oct. 21-24 at 7:30 every night in the Center of Performing Arts. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased at the door.

The show is about a drama teacher in Marquette, Mich. Who comes in second on a game show, and goes home with nothing.

Cooper said, “This sends him in a social spiral. It’s really about accepting your station in life and keeping your ego from running too rampant at the expense of your friends.”

“Back to Reality” was created mainly

by Martello and Cooper. “I had the idea to write ‘Back To Reality’ about a year and a half ago. I shelved the project due to time constraints and writer’s block,” Martello said. “I approached Dave Cooper about helping me write it during the third trimester last year. He was always showing me fragments of scripts that he was working on, and I’ve always enjoyed his writing. I wanted him to help me finish the script.

He took an independent study class for me third trimester; he would write a little,

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I would write a little, and we would collaborate in that fashion. When Act One was written, we sought out a test market of about 15 students and faculty members. We made revisions based on the comments we received and went from there.”

The main characters, according to Cooper, are the drama teacher Brent Majewski, played by junior Alex Sloan, his fiance Kelly Howe played by junior Ruby Grammatico and the more notable teachers and acquaintances roles played by junior Corey Bowen, senior Catherine Photo by Claire Berger Cook and sophomore Paige Juniors Alex Sloan and Ruby Grammatico rehearse for their Driscoll. According to Martello roles in the play “Back to Reality”. Drama teacher Matt Marthere are more than 35 people tello and 2009 graduate Dave Cooper wrote the play. in the cast.

Cooper said he has very high hopes for the fall play is an afterthought and not a this production. “My goal is for our play to priority. I would like to change this drabe a great success with a great turn out,” he matically with this particular production.”

According to Martello, the DHS faculty said. “We want it to look good, feel good band Progress Report will make an appearand keep people interested.”

Martello said he also hopes this produc- ance during the play too.

“We’ve worked hard on it,” Cooper said. tion does well. “While I have written and produced many of my shorter works, this is “Now, please be our guest. Come on into my first full length play,” he said. “My goal DHS’ Center of Performing arts some night is to have a lot of people involved with the between Oct. 21 and 24 and enjoy DHS drafall play this year. Too many times at DHS, ma’s fall production of ‘Back to Reality’.”

Dan Flowers

Rating: R entertainment editor Run Time: 100 min.

Cast: Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Heather Graham, Ken Joeng, Justin Bartha, Mike Tyson Director Todd Phillips pulls together an insanely hilarious cast, along with a cutting edge comedic script, written by Jon Lewis and Scott Moore. It brings a unique twist on a “what happened last night” film. After traveling to Vegas for a bachelor party, the three groomsmen wake up with no recollection of the night before and the groom is no where to be found. The trio runs all over Vegas finding out small amounts of Rating: R Run Time: 81 min.

Sacha Baron Cohen is back and getting away with more than ever. After his 2006 smash comedy "Borat”, Cohen has found a new character to travel around the world making every situation as awkward and graphic as possible. Cohen’s new character, Bruno, is a gay Austrian fashionstar wannabe who leaves his country to become a world-famous celebrity in L.A. Along the way he also makes a stop in the middle east, where he attempts to make peace with Israel and Pakistan, which might be the funniest part of the movie. The two representatives from there

info about the night before, and they pick up a baby and new wife on the way. Your sides will be splitting and eyes will be tearing up from laughing for the entire hour and a half. With a baby in a closet, Mike Tyson singing Phil Collins, a small Asian pimp and everything in between, this is definitely a must-see for anyone who has a sense of humor. It may require multiple viewings, as so much of the movie can be missed simply because you are laughing too hard. If you haven’t seen it yet, you’ll understand when you do.

Verdict: Funniest movie of the summer. respective countries unite during 'Bruno's song of Peace' and their views on the war change from the Austrian's touching melody. Through all-male nudity and graphic attempts at comedy, there is quite a bit of humor (if you can sit through it), especially the ending credits, where music artists Bono, Sir Elton John, Slash and even Snoop Dogg come together with a song fit for the final minutes of “Bruno”. I won’t be renting this movie anytime soon and unless you don’t mind being bombarded with scenes of male genitalia, I don’t recommend it to you either.

Verdict: Male-nudity comedy not actually funny ... more creepy.

“Gay Fish” by Kanye West/South Park “I’m a fish stick lover.”

Jack Nixon Staff writer

“Wild at Heart” by Gloriana “It was my favorite summer song, and I miss summer.”

Caitlyn Rize Trends editor

“Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus “I love the beat, and it’s irresistably catchy.”

Ryan Baese History teacher

“Vacation” by Young Jeezy “Weekly I’m feeling stressed. This song makes me think of all those relaxing moments.”

Jessica Kreeger Science teacher “History” by Jay-Z “Amazing. Listen to it. And check out ‘More Than a Game’ soundtrack.”

Dan Flowers Entertainment editor

“Underdog” by Spoon “Because Keepon is the cutest robot. Plus it’s a really happy song.”

Coleen Hill Health editor

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Entertainment

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September 2009

VMA controversy shows Kanye’s ego Dan Flowers entertainment editor

We’ve seen it before: the on-stage antics of hip/hop star Kanye West at award shows, where he has done nothing more than make himself the most unpopular person in show business.

It’s bad enough the rapper can’t take losing for his own video. During the 2006 MTV European Music Awards he stormed the stage making a huge scene after “Never be Alone” by Justice took home the best video award. But now he’s going after awards for other people.

He came out of no where and stole the microphone from Taylor Swift during her acceptance speech for Best Female Video at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards. What goes through his head before he does that?

“Taylor, I’m really happy for you. I’ll let you finish,” Kanye told an obviously stunned Swift. “But Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time, one of the best videos of all time.”

If you ever wanted to kill the moment for someone, this is how you do it. Not to mention that after he gave the mic back to Swift, her time was up, and she couldn’t finish her speech until later in the night after Beyonce won Best Video of the Year.

Beyonce graciously called Swift back to the stage, and Swifth was greeted by a standing ovation from the crowd.

West has since apologized on The Jay Leno Show for his actions, but his words fell on deaf ears for many. There isn’t much you can say after you steal the spotlight during an award you’re not even up for.

How concerned is he with fame? Really, now, when the president comes out and calls you a jackass, you’ve really done something stupid.

If he hasn’t gained enough negative attention yet, rumors about his new tour with Lady GaGa are circulating the tabloids. People speculate the tour, ironically entitled “Fame Kills”, would be delayed from the PR wreck West created

during the VMA’s but is now scheduled to continue from November through January, according mtv.com.

Hopefully West has learned a little a something, but I doubt it, about showing up to public appearances intoxicated. After his debacle in Europe, he blamed the incident on “a little sippy-sippy”, and the VMA’s were no exception as he was on the red carpet with a fifth of Hennessy in his hand.

There is also speculation that this VMA incident was a planned stunt by MTV to stir up controversy. All the media clips of the incident have been taken off sites like Youtube

by MTVs parent company Viacom due to copyright. And I wouldn’t put this past MTV, knowing they’ve done something like this in the past when Sacha Baron Cohen, dressed as his character Bruno, dropped, butt in face, on top of Eminem during Mathers’ performance last year.

Looking closer at the evidence, you can see how a stunt like this benefits all those involved, except West who is just the jackass.

Jay-Z, who was set to perform at the end of the show, told MTV he wouldn’t perform unless his wife, Beyonce, was made to look real good, and she was. photo from mtv.com/fair use By calling Swift back up to finish her Kanye West steals the mic from Taylor Swift at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. speech, she is now seen as the angel who saved the new girl.

So MTV got Jay-Z to perform, Beyonce it. The way I look at this is simply Kanye being Kanye and looks humble, and the world falls in love with Swift. Possible making a fool of himself yet again because things didn’t go set-up? Absolutely. his way.

However, this time I see it a little differently. The sheer This most likely won’t be the time we see West’s name on awkwardness on Swift’s face was a dead give away. If it was the news for some kind of thoughtless behavior, but i guess a pre-planned stunt, she obviously didn’t know a thing about that’s how he will be remembered. Rap-star, celebrity, idiot.

Summer/fall concerts provide variety of entertainment Steve Ferguson staff writer

People of all ages crowded into Comerica Park in Detroit on July 31 to see one of the most anticipated concerts of the summer: Warped Tour. With bands like 3OH!3, The Architects, These Green Eyes and P.O.S., who could resist seeing this show live?

“There were tons of bands with a ton of different sounds, and there was always someone playing that you wanted to hear,” senior Ryan Steinbach said.

Another summer concert that was a success was The Rothbury Summer Music Festival, which was held July 2-5 in Rothbury. Some artists who played included The Dead, The Black Crowes and Bob Dylan.

For all the hip-hop fans out there, Lil Wayne and Young Jeezy had their

America’s Most Wanted Fest on Aug. 30 at the DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston.

Another good concert over summer was the Blink182 with Fall Out Boy on Aug. 22, which was also at the DTE Energy Theater in Clarkston. This concert had a really good turn out with tons of people rocking out to songs like “Panic At the Disco” and “I Guess This Is Growing Up.” “It was amazing,” sophomore Emily Pap said.

“Best concert I’ve ever been too. They played all of my favorite songs by them. I had a lot of fun.”

Lastly, Detroit-born music star Kid Rock had a concert on Aug. 15 in Boyne Falls.

The summer is not the only time that students go to concerts. There are also some good concerts coming up in the fall. For all the MIMS fans out there, he has a concert at the Hayloft in Mount Clemens on Oct. 14.

There will also be a Jay Z concert on Oct. 21 at EMU, which is part of his new album’s hype “The Blueprint 3” with the hit from the album “D.O.A. (Death of AutoIllustration by Gabe Altomare

Tune).”

“Jay Z’s song “Run This Town” is awesome.” sophomore Claire Tewskbury said.For all the metal heads who want some place to mosh, there will be a Five Finger Death Punch concert on Oct. 15 at the Crofoot Ballroom in Pontiac. They will also be featuring some songs from there new album “War Is the Answer.”

“This is going to be different since their new CD moves away from their old screaming style to more singing,” senior Kyle Hargrove said.

Out of the metal scene and into the more soothing music, there will be a Colbie Caillat concert with Howie Day featuring their new album “Sound the Alarm” on Oct. 9 at the Royal Oak Music Theatre.

“Colbie Caillat has a really soothing voice and her lyrics are really meaningful,” junior Kelsey Heilman said.

Lastly Cobra Starship will perform with Boys Like Girls and The Main n Pontiac on Nov. 14. “I’m really excited for it, because they’re one of my favorite bands, and I am looking forward to hearing ‘Good Girls Go Bad’ and ‘Guilty Pleasure’,” Pap said.

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The Rostrum

health

September, 2009

District prepares for flu season

School nurse helps prepare for possible H1N1 outbreak Lauren Gardner staff writer

As Dexter Community Schools prepares for the upcoming flu season, district nurse Aileen Kernohan is keeping busy.

With several flu viruses expected to spread this season, Kernohan said there is a lot to be done. With the recent development of the H1N1 virus (swine flu), there is not only more to worry about but more to get ready for.

“We have a pandemic flu plan in effect, in coordinates with the Center for Disease Control and the State Health Department,” Kernohan said. “It’s very fluid, so there will always be a plan for different scenarios.”

Parts of this district-wide plan include staff encouragement to students to keep up good hygiene, letters and e-mails keeping parents informed, and custodians working to keep the schools extra clean.

“We’re also trying to insure that every classroom has Kleenex and hand sanitizers,” Kernohan said.

Another part of the plan that is new this year are the procedures when students leave school sick. Now, students will be given a half sheet of paper, reminding them of common symptoms associated with the flu and swine flu and tips to get better.

Also, in PowerSchool, instead of having an “E” placed in for excused attendance in classes, an “F” for flu will be placed instead.

“This will allow us to look in a single glance to see how many students are out sick,” Kernohan said, adding she hopes this will make the cases easier to track, rather then figuring them out from just excused absences.

In the past, students and teachers have been able to get flu vaccines from private pediatricians, physi-

cians or clinics. However, the swine flu’s expected circulation will not allow everyone to receive the necessary shots.

The demand could lead to a long waiting list in October and November for those not already on a priority list according to Bridie Kent, a spokesperson for the Kent County Health Department.

This year, the district is providing an alternative dispensing site, where vaccines will be given out free to students and families who want them.

While the CDC and State Health Department both recommend students get both the flu and swine flu shots, Kernohan said it is a personal choice.

“It should be a decision that a family makes,” she said. “There are complications with both shots, as with any shot, but they do protect families from getting sicker than they normally would.”

Senior Cora McCugh gets her flu shot every year, as her doctor recommends.

“I’d rather get the shot than end up getting sick, “ McCugh says.

She said she is also preparing by purchasing hand sanitizers for her backpack.

“I went to Bath and Body Works and bought mini hand sanitizers at the five for five sale,” she said. “Now, I have five delicious hand sanitizers to help prevent me from getting sick. I’m trying to be extra careful and wash or sanitize my hands more often.”

In the meantime, the CDC has recommended some daily steps to help prevent the flu: cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap, avoid touching your face, and stay home if you develop any symptoms.

“For (high school) students, the key to staying healthy is really just boosting your immune system: getting adequate sleep, proper nutrition and using basic health precautions,” Kernohan said. “Really, truly, by practicing good hygiene and taking care of your health goes a long way to protect you from getting sick.”

Convienient flu shots offered Matt Libersky staff writer

For many, fall comes with a flu shot.

Whether you're absolutely terrified of needles or completely indifferent, going to a clinic to get the annual shot can be inconvenient.

However, in an attempt to solve that problem, Huron Valley Ambulance is offering drive-through flu shots at their office.

The shots will be administered in HVA garages by HVA paramedics and Washtenaw County Health Department workers, outside their office on 1200 State Circle, Ann Arbor.

They will be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Oct. 10.

The program is available to anyone 18 or older, but as always, those over 50, health care workers and those with chronic illnesses are especially encouraged to receive the shot.

Many pharmacies are also offering walk-in clinics.

Walgreens is offering shots for $25 at all of their locations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Also, the CVS location at 2100 W. Stadium is offering vaccinations to anyone 9-years-old or older from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 6.

Photo by Sarah Breuninger

Custodian Maria Mast cleams off a DHS door handle. Custodians say they have been extra vigilant in cleaning door handles and tables to help prevent the spread of viruses this fall.

Swine flu survey •

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If a vaccine for swine flu is made, are you going to get vaccinated? 599 total

275 Yes

219 No

105 Maybe, but I am scared of needles If your friend contracted swine flu, would you visit him/her? 543 total

206 Yes, I am a good person

116 Yes, only if they are wearing a mask

221 No, I don’t want swine flu

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Is there too much hype going on about the swine flu? 578 total

457 Yes, the media is going crazy

121 No, it is a serious issue

• Do you practice good hygiene? 575 total

23 No, I rarely wash my hands

380 Yes, I am always washing my hands or using sanitizer

142 Sometimes, but it takes so long to wash well

30 When I’m not washing my hands, I’m thinking about it

Illustration by Gabe Altomare, survey by Nck Baron