August Issue

ORACLE

the

Stratford High School • Friday, August 17, 2018 • Vol. 46 • Issue 1

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Read all about the change from six to nine-week grading periods.

.04-05

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Get to know some of the Learn some interesting over 30 new teachers with facts about Coach Rankin, a fact-finding activity. the new athletic director.

news

The Oracle • August 17, 2018 Aug. 3: Grand jury indicted Arkema

News in Brief COMPILED BY MCKENNA TANNER

PHOTO BY DAN TATULESCU

Aug. 17: Stratford plays Cy-Springs

in first home game at 6:30 p.m.

Aug. 29: Pictures for seniors who who did not get theirs taken over the summer are taken all day.

Aug. 31: Green Out pep rally for game against Alvin takes place.

Sept. 3: Students and teachers get a day off for Labor Day. Sept. 4: Stratford holds Back to School Night.

Sept. 5-6: Pictures are taken of underclassmen Sept. 14-15: Stratford plays Spring Woods in Homecoming game and holds Hollywood Homecoming dance.

LOCAL

STRATFORD

A New Generation

chemical company almost a year after fire and explosions at the plant injured 21 during Hurricane Harvey.

NATIONAL

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PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC NEWS Aug. 9: First responders to the Santa Fe school shooting received a Certificate of Valor for their life-saving actions during the shooting.

Aug. 25: Harris County residents vote on $2.5 billion bond to pay for flood safety projects such as buyouts, building repair, and drain renovation.

Nine is the new six

The switch to nine-week grading periods is intended to lower grade-induced pressure on students WRITTEN BY MCKENNA TANNER In an effort to reduce pressure on less likely to all take place in one week. teachers and students rushing to turn “It seemed as though that sixth in grades for report cards, Stratford week was always jam-packed,” Wolf has switched to a nine-weeks grading said. “Now, I imagine that major period system. assignments will now be spread Building Principal Chad Crowson said throughout the nine-week period.” that the strain teachers experienced With the change, Pre-AP or AP when trying to get enough grades on students can only switch to academic the books after Hurricane Harvey last classes after the first progress report year partially affected the decision. of a semester or at the end of the first “That was difficult semester. For the first “I’ve realized that on teachers as well grading period only, UIL as students who were eligibility is determined with nine weeks I’ll working overtime to by the sixth-week have more time to get the assignments progress report. recover my average done and study for Junior Caleb Oliphant tests, many of which said he feels the extra for that grading were piled on top of time will act as a period if I have a each other due to time cushion for bad grades. rather unfortunate constraints,” Crowson “At first I was rather said. “The pressure of critical of the six weeks test grade or two.” that situation is what to nine situation but initially got us thinking about moving lately I’ve realized that with nine to a nine week grading cycle.” weeks I’ll have more time to recover Under the new system, which was my average for that grading period if I discussed with the administrative team, have a rather unfortunate test grade or teachers, and parents before being two,” Oliphant said. implemented, progress reports will Junior Franco Grimoldi Calo takes the go out at the third and sixth weeks of opposite view. each grading period, and Crowson said “I think the change could potentially he expects teachers will likely assign lower student GPA[s] because they three major grades per grading period. have more time to make mistakes This set-up, Crowson said, will allow during each grading periods,” Grimoldi teachers to have more flexible lesson Calo said. “Changing it to nine weeks plans. will only make students stress out “While there are still the same more.” number of days in the school year, Counselor Crystal Arrington says she with longer grading periods, there is believes the change will not negatively hopefully space for some changes,” affect students if they keep up with Crowson said. “For example, teachers their work. that like the idea of assigning a project “I think that, first and foremost, it’s as a major grade but also want to have very imperative for students to stay two traditional tests in each grading on top of their grades, make sure that period will now have more time to fit they’re turning in assignments, and the project in before report card time.” make sure that they’re prepared for English teacher Megan Wolf said she tests so that their grades will always believes a major benefit of this system reflect their best effort,” Arrington for students will be that tests will be said.

Link Crew leaders Carol Gebhardt, 12th, and Sophie Rustam, 11th, show incoming freshmen around Stratford’s halls.

Aug. 1: A video of a 2-year-old with

spinal bifida learning to walk went viral and drew positive messages from people around the world.

Aug. 6: The California wildfire known as the Holy Fire ignited, eventually forcing the evacuation of over 20,000 people.

Aug. 9: NFL players for the Dolphins, Eagles, Jaguars, and Seahawks resume protesting as the 2018 preseason begins.

life

The Oracle • August 17, 2018

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Stratford by the Instagram Welcome Wellness The top 5 Instagram accounts to follow to keep up with school news and events, as determined by follower count COMPILED BY CHARLOTTE BENES

#1

@shsoracle

Follow the Oracle’s Instagram and stay up to date with school news and goings on around Stratford and the district. This is one of the best ways to find out about the affect of dire weather circumstances on any last minute school cancellations.

@stratfordspartans

#2

This Instagram account is dedicated to recounting memorable football highlights. They may not have posted since March 24, 2016 but who knows, 2018 could be a year of revitalization for this oldie but goodie.

#3

@shs_spartacus

Follow this account to keep up with the antics of our beloved Spartan mascot.

Run by the legend herself, Senior Isabella Terrazas, posts on this Instagram are sure to bring a smile to your face and an urge to show your Spartan pride, come gameday.

Stratford welcomes a new wellness counselor

WRITTEN BY BLAKE TODES Students undergo a large amount of stress throughout the school year.

What many students do not know is that there is someone here at school to help students learn to cope with and alleviate their stress. Amanda Thompson is Stratford’s new wellness counselor. She works for Community in Schools (CIS), and she wants you to know that she is here to help.

Wellness counselors are licensed professionals that are always around to help every student who may be dealing with any type of problem, from academic pressure to mental health.

These counselors give feedback and advice with an unbiased opinion and help students set realistic goals.

Thompson graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Texas at Austin and a master’s degree in social work from Texas State University, and worked with another CIS wellness counselor at Memorial High School last year.

One of her goals at Stratford is to try to build student’s groups slowly, including a girl’s group with a purpose to build a healthy environment of support between peers by promoting healthy relationships, increasing self esteem, and empowering each other, mental health groups, and a general, large student group that promotes general wellness and health support.

Thompson wants students to know that anyone can be a part of these groups.

Thompson wants students to know that if they need anything she is available as she can, and they can come down to her office located in the nurse’s office at any time, e-mail her with any concerns, or even stop her in the hall and ask when they can talk.

Thompson realizes that many students struggle with serious mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, self harm, and suicidal thoughts, and wants to spread awareness about these issues in order to ensure that students feel comfortable coming to her about these problems. The most important thing Thompson says she wants students to know is that Community in Schools is an amazing organization that helps students with whatever they need.

Thompson says her favorite part of her job is when she gets to help a student who comes in with a problem, and then is able to calm them down, be supportive towards them, show the student that she cares about them, and then develop tight connection with the student.

If you want to learn more about Community in Schools and what they do, visit www.spartans4spartans.com.

Sudoku

COMPILED BY BLAKE TODES

@stratfordyearbook

#4

Keep up with the goings on of the Stratford yearbook staff and stay up to date with their coverage of school news.

With this account in your feed, you certainly wont forget to buy your yearbook on time!

#5

@stucostratford

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be in StuCo to follow this account! There is plenty to gain from having StuCo news in your feed, and it’s a great way to stay up do date with spirit happenings around school and news about the student section at football games.

So so many more!

There are so many different groups here at Stratford and Instagram is a great way to stay up to date with events and meetings. Make sure to find out whether or not any of the clubs and activities you’re involved in have an account and follow them to keep up with the goings on.

Be sure to check your answers online at shsoracle.org

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in•depth 5

in•depth

The Oracle • August 17, 2018

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The Oracle • August 17, 2018

meet the spartan

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•

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DESIGN BY MADDIE SUERTH PHOTOS BY MADDIE DAWSON GRAPHIC COURTESY OF ETSY.COM

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From left to right: Magdalena Lopez - Foreign Language, Nicole Harris - Registrar, Kyle Cusimano - CATE / Football / Baseball, Alex Reed - Football / ISS, Austin Kent - Social Studies / Boys Basketball / Boys Track, Tina Roensberg - Science, Brad Boland - Social Studies / Football / Girls Track, Courtney Carter - English, Josh Hall - Science / Football / Boys Basketball, Lindsey Waltson - English, Kendall Jones - SPED / Cheer, Lowyn Hendrickson - English / Tennis, Julie Bean - Math, Sandro Cantu - CATE / Football/ Boys Basketball, Matthew Lee - Science, Meriem Mason - Foreign Language, Marie Juarez - SPED, Zach Veliquette - Social Studies / Football / Girls Track, Mathew Ache - Social Studies / Football/ Boys Basketball , Darryl White - R-Z Counselor, Jennifer Shock - Postsecondary Counselor

Can you guess which fact matches the teacher?

1

My great grandfather and his brother were the first brothers to play against each other in the 1920 World Series between the Brooklyn Robins and the Cleveland Indians.

2 3 4

I am currently training for the Disney marathon in January.

When I get gas in my car I always make the price a palindrome.

I went solo on a seven day cruise to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica.

5 6 7

I enjoy rollercoasters, waterslides, bunjee jumping, and skydiving.

I am currently training for my third marathon.

I was the mascot (buffaloes) my Junior and Senior year of high school. I love to work on and build cars, I like to knit, and I am the creator of HEB Buddy. I worked there during highschool and college.

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I went on my first cruise to Alaska summer and got to explore an ice cave on a glacier.

9 10 11 12

Aside from teaching and coaching I enjoy spending my time painting.

I am originally from Norway.

I have a mustache.

13 14 15 16 17

I have an identical twin sister.

I auditioned for the voice in 2014 and even made it to the third stage.

I enjoy watching and playing golf.

I am left handed and struggled with my handwriting when I was younger, but now I love the art of handwriting. Both of my children are left handed too and look nothing like me.

I was Texas High School Football 1st Team All-State Cornerback.

My life is pretty boring.

18 19 20

All first born males in my family have been named Charles for the past 400 years.

I attended about 4 different colleges and have coached for 16 years.

My birthday is on Leap Day, February 29, therefore I have a birthday once every four years. So technically you could say I am only 6 1/2 years old.

21

I am a Stratford graduate.

Check your answers and find the rest of the spartan rookies online at shsoracle.org.

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sports

The Oracle • August 17, 2018

meet the new athletic director:

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THINGS

1

Coach Jeffory Rankin has been coaching and teaching for 25 years. He was most recently the Offensive Coordinator and QB Coach at Klein Collins. He also taught Freshman Geography for most of his years. Here, he plays the role of Campus Athletic Director and Head Football Coach.

2

Rankin attended Alief Hastings for high school where he played football and ran track. He held the position of tight end, but decided not to continue football in college.

Instead, he continued to pursue track, running the 400 hurdles.

3

Rankin sees tremendous potential in this years upcoming team. He thinks that the way they work is going to cause them to improve throughout the year and continue to get better. While a lot of teams tend to peak out in the second or third game, this time will continue to get better and better.

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to know about coach

RANKIN

Rankin’s favorite memory from coaching football was back in 2003 when he was coaching at Northshore High School. That year, his team was fortunate enough to win the state championship.

Achieving that goal took a lot of hard work and sacrifice from the players and from the coaches.

6

Rankin attended college at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Science and Kinesiology.

7

Rankin loves Stratford because of the community support and the students. He loves how the community is always offering their support and how the kids are always trying to live up to their expectations.

5

Rankin is looking forward to getting into a routine this year. He is excited to meet more teachers and students, since he was hired at the end of the year last year and never got a chance to. He wants to get involved with the school environment and see a lot of things that happen around the school.

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Rankin has 3 kids, Nash, London, and Lexington. All three of them are Novemeber birthdays that occur within a week. Nash is on the 7th, London is on the 5th, and Lexington is on the 2nd .

For only $50 this space could be yours!

Contact thestratfordoracle@gmail.com for more information

perspectives

The Oracle • August 17, 2018

ORACLE

New Year, New School, New Goals

the

STAFF EDITORIAL PHOTO BY DAN TATULESCU

Editors-in-Chief

How to Improve Study Habits, Take Care of Yourself, and Enjoy High School Welcome to a new school year, Spartans. Everything is all fresh and shiny and brand-spanking new. You’re probably still wandering the halls getting used to your new schedule, toting new backpacks filled with new school supplies. Most freshman are still learning to find their way around their new school. Some of you are new in town, new to the district, or even new to America. There are new policies to celebrate and/or gripe about, like the change from six to nine week grading periods. We have over 30 new teachers and a new athletic director to boot. We here at the Oracle even hopped on the bandwagon and decided to put some new features into our publication this year and rework some of the old ones.

There is an infectious air of newness all about the school that will hopefully carry us through the first few weeks, but what happens after that? Going into the new year, it’s important to set goals for yourself and plan ahead to ensure that you are setting yourself up for success even after the positive effects of that exhilarating newness begin to wear off.

Before we begin, we just want to put out a public service announcement.

These goals for the new year aren’t just for people who are new here. Sure, Freshmen can benefit from these, but so can Sophomores, Juniors and even Seniors, because the thing about goals is that there is always time to make new ones.

Be smart about how you study

Everyone goes into the start of the year wanting to make good grades and be on top of their school work. So how come when the second grading period comes around, our dreams of organization and time management have all gone out the window?

Spartans, how about this year we actually stay organized and on top of our school work. If you are struggling with staying organized, your teachers

would be happy to help. All you have to do is ask.This year, let’s make it a goal to clean out our binders and write our assignments down. Let’s highlight and rewrite our notes until we know we can’t get a single question wrong.

Whether you’re a Freshman, just starting to figure out that your grades matter from here on out, a Junior, shuddering at the prospect of the hardest year of high school, a Sophomore ready to slum it after familiarizing yourself with the school, or a Senior, just trying to make it through this semester before your GPA is locked, it’s important to take your Academic record seriously and start out the new school year with a plan of attack for staying on top of your grades.

Take care of yourself

Spartans, this is the year to prioritize self care. Don’t be the student that literally makes him or herself sick with stress and then doesn’t allow his or her body the time it needs to heal itself through rest. We’re not saying to neglect your schoolwork or blow assignments off under the guise of “self care.” Let’s be honest, you don’t need to watch twelve episodes of Friends in order to take care of yourself. Just be realistic about the amount of time your body needs for rest and plan ahead to ensure that you’re allowing yourself that time to recuperate each night.

Some ways to make sure that you’re taking care of yourself is to utilize our awesome blocked schedule and get your work done ahead of time.

That way, you can go to bed an hour early or watch an episode of your favorite TV show without any guilt or underlying school stress getting in your way.

Another important aspect of selfcare is to realize when you’re biting off more than you can chew. We know that there’s just so much to be done and it’s better to get involved than

just scrape by all four years of high school without involving yourself in any extracurricular activities, but be realistic about when you need to take a step back from over-involving yourself. This way you can save some time to treat yourself to a full night of sleep every once in awhile.

Enjoy high school

Our final challenge to you this year is to live in the moment and enjoy high school. Join a club or two on club day, and get involved. After all, it is never too late to participate.

Get to know that guy or girl that has sat next to you in math class for the past three years that you have never spoken a word to. You never know what you might have in common.

Create a high school bucket list with fun things you want to do before you leave. After all, high school is only four years of your life, so you might as well make the most of them.

These are important years of your life, years to make mistakes, to learn from them, to meet new people and try new things, to put yourself out there and not get too far ahead of yourself. You only get four years of high school, and these really are crucial character building years So as we dive head first into the new school year , remember to make it a great year or not Stratford, the choice is yours.

Mission Statement

“By the students. For the students. About the Students.”

F

rom its founding in 1974 to this coming 2018-2019 school year, the mission of the Stratford High School Oracle Newspaper has been the same: to develop the skills and follow the standards of professional journalists, and to present stories about and for the students — our primary audience.

To provide a forum for student writing, photography, and art — the Oracle creates a community of students who share a common passion for many of these skills through group learning, mentorship,and fostering an atmosphere of creative collaboration.

To provide training for not only journalism, but in marketing and business — the Oracle is completely self-

funded and must sell ads to promote local businesses in order to compensate for the price of printing. Members of the ads staff practice their business techniques by speaking to other businesses in pursuit of securing finances that allow the production of the paper to continue.

Finally, and most importantly, to open dialogue and give students a voice. In few other outlets do students have the ability to inform and express to a large audience. Whether an article is about a student giving back to the community or a discussion at the latest board meeting, a student’s voice will be heard.

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staff

*Charlotte Benes *Maddie Suerth

Associate Editors *Isabella Waltz *Rachel Dietert

Photo Editors *Dan Tatulescu *Maddie Dawson

News Editors Yasmin Talbi McKenna Tanner

Life Editors Blake Todes Amora Flores

Sports Editors Ana Sofia Meyer Jackson Allred

Perspectives Editors Alexis Garza Libby Grizzell

Reporter Amaris Smith

Photographers Ashley Calahan Eamonn Fitzpatrick Bowen Jackson Meghan Martinez Makowski Alex Nica The Oracle newspaper is the official, schoolsponsored student media of Stratford High School, 14555 Fern, Houston, Texas 77079, 713-2513454. The Oracle is published monthly by the Journalism Department and is also available online at shsoracle. org. The newspaper is a member of Columbia Scholastic Press Association, National Scholastic Press Association, and Interscholastic League Press Conference.

The Oracle serves as a public forum of student expression

Ivy Martinez Miles Harper Becca Dawson Nathan Siciliano Jeanie Sidler Eleanore Williams Ally Weidman

Photography Managers Caroline Dina Lauren White

Ads Editors Samantha Wagner Joy Meyers

Ads Staff Hagen Bach Sara Duvall Isabella Moreno Hannah Timmreck Hannah Tyler Mary Claire Vatterott Kaitlyn White

Design Editors Andrew Tyler Benjamin Siciliano

Building Principal Chad Crowson

Advisor Janice Cummons *Editorial Board

Members

and is open to contributions submitted by the readers.

Readers may submit material via e-mail to info@ shsoracle.org.

All letters to the editors must be typed and contain the author’s full name, grade and signature.

Submitted material is subject to editing based on space and/ or content.

The opinions expressed are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors, the staff, the administration or the school district.

Publication costs are covered through advertisements.

For more information, contact thestratfordoracle@gmail.com OR call at 713-251-3454

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photos

The Oracle • August 17, 2018

Stepping Into A New Year PHOTOS BY MADDIE DAWSON AND DAN TATULESCU

Putting on the Pads

Starting Early

Through out the summer the Staratford football team has been working hard in the Houston heat. Due to the fact that the football team did not play a Spring Game they were able to start practice a week early. With new coaches and new routines they had to work extra hard. The Spartans are excited and ready to start the year off strong. The first game of the season is a scrimmage against Cy-Springs on Aug. 17 here.

Once the football team gets acclimated to the heat they put on their uniforms and pads and get prepared for the grueling season ahead.

Marching to the Beat

Even with the Houston sun beating on their backs, the band students continued to practice their routine before the beginning of the year. Band students were encouraged to stay hydrated.

Taking the Shot

On August 13, the Stratford tennis team held a home tournament against Klein High School.

Yo Kimura, 11th, prepared to hit a volley during her doubles match.

Stratford lost to Klein 12-7.

Cafeteria Rehearsal

The students participating in the Newsies musical had rehearsals over the summer.

Once teacher inservice started, rehearsals had to move locations. The show opens in January.

2018-2019 Pep Rally Schedule Friday, August 31 ST - GREEN OUT the Yellow Jackets (vs. Alvin) Friday, September 14 th - Make the Tigers See Stars (Hollywood Homecoming vs. Spring Woods)

Monday- ‘Merica Monday Tuesday- Tiki Tuesday (beach) Wednesday- Wildlife Wednesday (favorite animal, anything outhdoors) Thursday- Throwback Thursday

Friday, September 29 th - Give the Cougars the boot (vs. Cy-Creek Cougars) Wednesday, October 10 th - Blackout the Mustangs (vs. Memorial) Friday, October 26 th - Pink Out the Eagles (vs. Cy-Falls Eagles) Friday, December 7 th - Winter Wonderland (Winter Sports Pep Rally) Friday, February 15 th - Spartans LOVE Spring Sports