April 2015
Volume 90
Issue 8
Buzzing For More News? Follow #TJPride Check out more of our stories and ‘like’ our Facebook page at cbjacketjournalism.com
Prom “All that jazz” Theme: 1920’s/ The Great Gatsby Where: Durham Western Heritage Museum 801 S 10th St. Omaha, NE 68108 Tickets: $25 per person, any non-TJ students must be signed up to attend. When: 7 p.m Saturday, May 2nd
Dr. Plourde’s departure He will now be taking
Derrick Johnson Kerry Newman’s position in Editor-in-Chief the central office. Next year, it has been announced that TJ’s principal, Dr. Jason Plourde will be the district’s new Director of Secondary Education. Abraham Lincoln’s Todd Barnett will be the new principal here next year. Plourde has been the principal here at TJ for the last two years and has played a big role in trying to turn the school around.
Starting next June, the new “year-round school” schedule will begin for the 2015-2016 school year. Having this new schedule would mean shorter breaks more often, such as a summer vacation only lasting two weeks. Although this change has been disproved by students since it was first thought of, some still believe it is best for education. One of the reasons on deciding to have a year
With his future position, he hopes to help both the middle schools and high schools in the city and take them to the next level. “We already have great schools, with great teachers, students and families; I am just looking to help build on the good things we are already doing.” said Plourde. Plourde feels that with his role, he can play a bigger role outside of the
“As we all know, TJ is a special place. And the truth is, I miss it already. TJ Pride.” -Dr. Plourde
Year round school starting Ana Aguilar Reporter
Or follow us on twitter @TJHSJournalism
round school year is due to research done by the National Summer Learning Association. Their studies show that during the summer, students forget what they have learned during the school year, due to lack of practice during the summer. Junior Collin Belt heard about the change and is actually fine with the new schedule and its possible benefits. “I think that is will help us in not forgetting the...
(Continued on page 4)
Photo of Dr. Plourde.
office, walking around and interacting with the students and teachers in the school. Dr. Plourde has already been showing Mr. Barnett around TJ and introducing him to the new students and staff members he will work with next year. Although, Plourde may not
The Purple Project Adriana Ibarra Reporter
Tyler J. Smith was a highschooler who lost his life to synthetic marijuana . He ingested cherry flavored incense, purchased legally one block from Bellevue West High School. This substance was believed to be flavored tobacco, and was sold as a legal substance. Statistically, one out of twenty high school students have done synthetic drugs, and twelve know friends who have done them. The popularity of these drugs has caused many bad encounters, the first case showed up in 2009. Since then, there have been 15,018 cases. Synthetic cannabinoids are man-made chemicals that are applied, often sprayed, onto plant material and marketed as a “legal” high. Synthetic drugs are now the second most frequently illegally used
Page 1
drugs among high school seniors after marijuana. Synthetic cathinone products often consist of methylenedioxypyrovalerone, a psychoactive recreational drug with stimulant properties that act as a dopamine re-uptake drug and a psychedelic. Only four short days after Tyler had purchased the substance, he lost his life. In those following four days he became very ill, had brain damage, cyst formation and was in a prolonged state of psychosis. Kali Smith, Tyler’s mom started The Purple Project to raise awareness of the war against synthetic drugs, purple being Tyler’s favorite color. “Our mission is to prevent another life from being lost; to spread awareness and prevention of first time use of synthetic drugs, and further abuse of synthetic drugs,” said Kali
be in the building as much next year he still hopes to play a crucial role in TJ’s progression. “You will definitely see me around TJ helping in any way I can,” said Plourde. “As we all know, TJ is a special place. And the truth is, I miss it already. TJ Pride.” Smith. “We also promote hope - Tyler saw that there was a world of hopeless people, mainly his peers, and he wanted to be known for making the world a better place where others felt and believed that they were valuable.” Tyler’s Law was written and passed nine months after Smith’s passing. It took synthetic drugs out of convenience stores all across Nebraska and made it more difficult to teens to buy them. Tyler’s Law made a huge impact because it made people really start to take notice the effects synthetic drugs are having on teens. They started working with juvenile diversion, probation, school administrations, and behavioral health groups, in 12 states. Tylers law got rid of most synthetic drugs, until generation eight came along. “We have not only had a huge impact on just...
(Continued on page 4)