A popular issue in today’s public schools is the dress code. This is the one issue that school administrations, students, and parents cannot come to an equal agreement about. Schools claim modesty, students claim self-expression, and parents seem to divide between the two. Schools state “their school, their rules” while students claim their tax paying family should have the final say.
Many schools deny that their dress code is based on the fact that certain revealing items can be “distracting to other students”. Despite their denial most people know that schools think that way and that they genuinely feel that a girl exposing her shoulder by wearing a tank top is distracting to the school environment when it truly has nothing to do with school. Many school officials come up with ridiculous reasons for why their dress codes are so harsh but it all comes down to the fact that many administrators don’t like students being able to express themselves and attempt to force them to not be who they are. Whether they like to admit it or not, school administrators are enforcing ridiculous dress codes that have nothing to do with school at all.
Through the dress code students are looking to express themselves and fit in. Students are not coming to school dressing the way that they do because they want to stop other from learning. The two factors do not coincide what so ever. School is a place for children to be themselves and strive to be the best they can be in their own manner. If schools are denying them the right to be themselves with something as little as a revealed shoulder or sarcastic print, what else are they restricting? Another issue is the School’s temperature. Students spend a large part of their year in school so they dress accordingly to the weather. Some schools fail to provide a cool environment during the spring/summer months and students are still forced to abide by the dress code, dress codes that leave them feeling uncomfortably warm. There’s larger issues at hand than a student being “distracted” from learning.
The only answer to dress code issues in schools is to either provide an environment where the students can where clothes that are deemed “appropriate” by the school, or to allow students to wear what they want. Obviously shirts that expose a person’s entire stomach are not appropriate for any situation dealing with school but most shirts worn by students aren’t inappropriate in any way. What it comes down to is that schools have no right to tell their students how to dress if they can’t even make it so that their students are comfortable in the school.
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Monday, May 12, 2014
Everybody's doing it; A Generation at Risk
Sue Wilson, a local suburban mom, is taking new precautions in her bathroom after her son was rushed to the emergency room. This wasn’t a broken bone visit, this was a visit to save her son, Jack’s, life after he over dosed on prescription medication.
Every day 2,500 youth abuse prescription drugs. “It’s a growing problem. They’re easy to access and easy to use,” states Sue. The concerned mom is now locking up all of her medications and keeping count of her pills in each bottle. “I am doing everything I can to make sure that Jack and I will never experience that day again.”
It all started off as a normal day, Sue dropped Jack off at school and was on her way to work. Jack walked home after school and later in the evening Sue returned home with the groceries. “I called up to Jack and asked what he wanted for dinner. He didn’t reply but at the time I thought nothing of it, I figured he had his head phones in or something,” Sue explained.
After she finished up dinner Sue called to him again but still received no reply. At this moment she knew something was wrong, “If he didn’t hear me he at least would’ve smelt dinner. Jack’s a big eater.” Sue laughed. She ran up the steps and without delay barged into his room. “No mother would ever be prepared to see what I saw next,” explained Sue. There was her 17 year old son, passed out on the bed with an empty pill bottle next to him. Jack was unconscious.
The 4’11 foot mom was unable to lift her 5’9 foot son so she dialed 911. “I don’t remember anything except waking up with IVs in my arm and my mom crying next to me. Everyone was trying it, I guess I just didn’t know my limits,” Jack explained. Doctors were doubtful about Jack’s recovery but his mother wasn’t. “The mix of emotions I felt when he opened his eyes was unbelievable. I just think if I hadn’t come home on time, if I hadn’t gone up stairs right away, where would we be?” Sue questioned. The hospital was able to pump the drug out of Jack’s blood flow and he was able to recover in 2 hospital days.
The Wilsons were very fortunate. Roughly, 22,400 drug overdose deaths occurred in the US last year and the numbers are increasing. Parents are encouraged to take precautions. One can deny their child’s usage but it’s out there and it’s happening. “Don’t just assume your Honor Roll student uses their brains all the time. You never know what you’ll come home to. Keep your child and those around them safe,” Sue added. Keep your bottles labeled and counted. Prescription medicine sales are on the rise along with the over doses. Our teens do not fully understand the risks so set out to educate the youth to put a stop to prescription drug abuse. Everyone won’t be as lucky as the Wilsons.
Every day 2,500 youth abuse prescription drugs. “It’s a growing problem. They’re easy to access and easy to use,” states Sue. The concerned mom is now locking up all of her medications and keeping count of her pills in each bottle. “I am doing everything I can to make sure that Jack and I will never experience that day again.”
It all started off as a normal day, Sue dropped Jack off at school and was on her way to work. Jack walked home after school and later in the evening Sue returned home with the groceries. “I called up to Jack and asked what he wanted for dinner. He didn’t reply but at the time I thought nothing of it, I figured he had his head phones in or something,” Sue explained.
After she finished up dinner Sue called to him again but still received no reply. At this moment she knew something was wrong, “If he didn’t hear me he at least would’ve smelt dinner. Jack’s a big eater.” Sue laughed. She ran up the steps and without delay barged into his room. “No mother would ever be prepared to see what I saw next,” explained Sue. There was her 17 year old son, passed out on the bed with an empty pill bottle next to him. Jack was unconscious.
The 4’11 foot mom was unable to lift her 5’9 foot son so she dialed 911. “I don’t remember anything except waking up with IVs in my arm and my mom crying next to me. Everyone was trying it, I guess I just didn’t know my limits,” Jack explained. Doctors were doubtful about Jack’s recovery but his mother wasn’t. “The mix of emotions I felt when he opened his eyes was unbelievable. I just think if I hadn’t come home on time, if I hadn’t gone up stairs right away, where would we be?” Sue questioned. The hospital was able to pump the drug out of Jack’s blood flow and he was able to recover in 2 hospital days.
The Wilsons were very fortunate. Roughly, 22,400 drug overdose deaths occurred in the US last year and the numbers are increasing. Parents are encouraged to take precautions. One can deny their child’s usage but it’s out there and it’s happening. “Don’t just assume your Honor Roll student uses their brains all the time. You never know what you’ll come home to. Keep your child and those around them safe,” Sue added. Keep your bottles labeled and counted. Prescription medicine sales are on the rise along with the over doses. Our teens do not fully understand the risks so set out to educate the youth to put a stop to prescription drug abuse. Everyone won’t be as lucky as the Wilsons.
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Hard News
Emily Fredericks
Hard News
A newly reformed, local band, For All of This is currently recording a music video around the South jersey area for their new song "Snyder Ave."
The band recently lost a few members due to other priorities. However, just as the band lost two members, they've easily gained three other potential members.
"I'm happy we've cut ties with unnecessary ends and we can now, seriously, focus on our new stuff," says For All of This lead singer, Frank Cipriani.
The band recently recorded their first new song, "Snyder Ave" and are in the process of making its music video. "We've taken a turn for the better, and this song and video will prove that," says lead guitarist Trent Amos.
The video will consist of band members and friends "-having fun. It's all about our friendship and [stuff,]" describes Amos.
Producer, Tyler Scharle, believes the video should be completed by the end of May. “There’s so much to include and we’re having so much fun along the way. We don’t want the process to end but we won’t keep you waiting much longer,” explained Scharle.
The group is traveling through their home town and all around South Jersey to include land marks and meaningful places for local fans to connect with. The video is “for those who have supported [the band] from the beginning and know where [they] started,” described Cipriani.
This next step for the band is a chance for the members to spread their name and gain new fans.
Hard News
A newly reformed, local band, For All of This is currently recording a music video around the South jersey area for their new song "Snyder Ave."
The band recently lost a few members due to other priorities. However, just as the band lost two members, they've easily gained three other potential members.
"I'm happy we've cut ties with unnecessary ends and we can now, seriously, focus on our new stuff," says For All of This lead singer, Frank Cipriani.
The band recently recorded their first new song, "Snyder Ave" and are in the process of making its music video. "We've taken a turn for the better, and this song and video will prove that," says lead guitarist Trent Amos.
The video will consist of band members and friends "-having fun. It's all about our friendship and [stuff,]" describes Amos.
Producer, Tyler Scharle, believes the video should be completed by the end of May. “There’s so much to include and we’re having so much fun along the way. We don’t want the process to end but we won’t keep you waiting much longer,” explained Scharle.
The group is traveling through their home town and all around South Jersey to include land marks and meaningful places for local fans to connect with. The video is “for those who have supported [the band] from the beginning and know where [they] started,” described Cipriani.
This next step for the band is a chance for the members to spread their name and gain new fans.
Monday, January 13, 2014
You defiantly need to read this… definitely*
What would one do without spell/grammar check? Forget trying to remember your third grade grammar lessons and spelling lists, spell check has your back. Or does it? Think about it, your typing a resume, texting a cute guy, finishing that 10 page research paper… what are you doing? You're running a grammar and spell check on Microsoft Word. You're relying on your smart phone to give you a replacement word. Sadly, we all trust this system with our reputation. Instead of acquiring knowledge of the english language we become lazy and leave it up to this software.
The problem is, this system is not always correct. Anyone who uses an iPhone, hopefully, knows that defiantly is not the same as definitely. For the Microsoft Word users, commas are a must in the middle of EVERY sentence. Spell check will often times try to guess what you're going to type next or what you "meant" but only we know… not the program.
It's not all the time that this happens but our culture has become so reliant on this system that it controls us and we trust it more than our english teach, who went to school for many years melting these rules into their brain mind you. I know i have received numerous letters that my school carelessly sent out with out looking over it themselves. Spell and grammar check are marvelous things to lend a helping "optional" hand but one must not let it control their basic knowledge. Or this might happen…
http://whohasthelastword.com/why-spell-check-does-not-always-work
Do not rely only on a software that will allow you to make a fool out of yourself by throwing in a surprise foe for for when you apply for the manager position. Check multiple sources!
The problem is, this system is not always correct. Anyone who uses an iPhone, hopefully, knows that defiantly is not the same as definitely. For the Microsoft Word users, commas are a must in the middle of EVERY sentence. Spell check will often times try to guess what you're going to type next or what you "meant" but only we know… not the program.
It's not all the time that this happens but our culture has become so reliant on this system that it controls us and we trust it more than our english teach, who went to school for many years melting these rules into their brain mind you. I know i have received numerous letters that my school carelessly sent out with out looking over it themselves. Spell and grammar check are marvelous things to lend a helping "optional" hand but one must not let it control their basic knowledge. Or this might happen…
http://whohasthelastword.com/why-spell-check-does-not-always-work
Do not rely only on a software that will allow you to make a fool out of yourself by throwing in a surprise foe for for when you apply for the manager position. Check multiple sources!
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Just Some Food For Thought About The Fat Man In Red
It's Christmas time once again! My favorite time of the year. It's the season of giving and receiving for many. When most people think of Christmas, they think of Santa Claus. For those who don't know, Santa is the fat man in red who lives at the North Pole with thousands of elves. Santa watches over those who believe and places them on either a naughty or a nice list. This determines if you will receive any presents on Christmas. While Santa is watching over you, his elves are busy crafting the toys and objects requested by those who write Christmas lists and send them to the North Pole.
Yes... A fat man is watching you at all times... judging you... deciding whether or not you are going to get presents. It's interesting that this is what children have been brain washed with. Whether it's a lie so that kids will listen to their parents or just something "fun" for kids to believe in... it's interesting. Why a fat man in red? Why elves? Why is he watching over us?!
Santa's image is said to be derived from Clement Clarke Moore's 1823 poem "A Visit From St. Nicholas" and of caricaturist and political cartoonist Thomas Nast in the 19th cntury. Elves were brought about by Scandinavian story writers such as Thile, Toplius, Rydberg. These autors sketched the elves' true role in modern life: fairies that are somewhat mischievous, but the true friends and helpers of Father Christmas. Santa's naughty and nice lists were brought about in the 20th century by the 1934 song "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town."
So now that history has served its purpose for the image of Christmas, the question of society is left. Some "criticism about this deception is not that it is a simple lie, but a complicated series of very large lies."
-Objections include that it is unethical for parents to lie to children without good cause, and that it discourages healthy skepticism in children.
-Some have charged that it is more about the parents than it is about the children. For instance, writer Austin Cline posed the question: "Is it not possible that kids would find at least as much pleasure in knowing that parents are responsible for Christmas, not a supernatural stranger?"
Do not get me wrong, I love the jolly Santa. I am not a Grinch. It is just very interesting, to once more say the least, that such a figure is created for kids to bury their joy, fear, and beliefs in. "You better behave because Santa is watching you!" How about behaving because it is the right thing to do? "I don't want to talk back to my parents because Santa is watching me and won't give me any presents!" How about not talking back because it's disrespectful and trust me presents are the least of one's worries in life. It may be harsh but isn't lying to your kids about a false sense of higher being? Think about when you discovered Santa wasn't real. Then think about how mislead you were. Then think about your kids... just think.
Yes... A fat man is watching you at all times... judging you... deciding whether or not you are going to get presents. It's interesting that this is what children have been brain washed with. Whether it's a lie so that kids will listen to their parents or just something "fun" for kids to believe in... it's interesting. Why a fat man in red? Why elves? Why is he watching over us?!
Santa's image is said to be derived from Clement Clarke Moore's 1823 poem "A Visit From St. Nicholas" and of caricaturist and political cartoonist Thomas Nast in the 19th cntury. Elves were brought about by Scandinavian story writers such as Thile, Toplius, Rydberg. These autors sketched the elves' true role in modern life: fairies that are somewhat mischievous, but the true friends and helpers of Father Christmas. Santa's naughty and nice lists were brought about in the 20th century by the 1934 song "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town."
So now that history has served its purpose for the image of Christmas, the question of society is left. Some "criticism about this deception is not that it is a simple lie, but a complicated series of very large lies."
-Objections include that it is unethical for parents to lie to children without good cause, and that it discourages healthy skepticism in children.
-Some have charged that it is more about the parents than it is about the children. For instance, writer Austin Cline posed the question: "Is it not possible that kids would find at least as much pleasure in knowing that parents are responsible for Christmas, not a supernatural stranger?"
Do not get me wrong, I love the jolly Santa. I am not a Grinch. It is just very interesting, to once more say the least, that such a figure is created for kids to bury their joy, fear, and beliefs in. "You better behave because Santa is watching you!" How about behaving because it is the right thing to do? "I don't want to talk back to my parents because Santa is watching me and won't give me any presents!" How about not talking back because it's disrespectful and trust me presents are the least of one's worries in life. It may be harsh but isn't lying to your kids about a false sense of higher being? Think about when you discovered Santa wasn't real. Then think about how mislead you were. Then think about your kids... just think.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
What if?
What if there were no letters. If there were no letters, there would be no alphabet. If there was no alphabet, there would be no words. If there were no words, there would be no sentences. If there were no sentences, there would be -from our present perspective- no intelligent form of communication.
Or would our communication be intelligent? Without words we could use sounds and motions to classify things. This may require even more intellect than when using words. Separating sounds and motions, and we think we have it hard. How do we even think?
But what if there was no way to classify things at all? Without a form of classifying things, there would be no communication. Without communication, there would be no sound.
Well there would be sound but only to the extent of a dish dropping.
Would there even be such things as dishes? Without communication how would we even know what a dish is? Or how to make one? How would we even know that it is needed to hold our food?
How would we even know what food is? How would we even know that we need to eat? How would we know if we don't eat we will die?
How would we know that food can prevent death? How would we know what death is? I wouldn't even be able to call it death because we wouldn't be able to communicate or even have words.
If one were to die, how would we know how to make another? With out another the existing ones would die off. If the existing ones die off, eventually there will be no more people. If there are no more people, then there will be nothing. Or at least not to our knowledge because we won't even have knowledge. We won't even exist to have knowledge.
But... how was there anything in the first place? How did we learn to make another? How did we discover death? How did we learn that we need to eat to stray from death? How did we produce dishes? How did the sound of things, such as dishes, dropping expand into different sounds? How did the sounds in turn, develop into communication? How did we come up with communication? How did we classify this? How did we develop words to classify? How did we connect our communication and classifications together to create words, language, an alphabet... letters? What are letters?
Language is so vital to our lives. We most likely would not exist without it. You may take this as just a ramble or non-sense but is it really? Think about how it all links together. Think about each chain effect. Think for yourself. Just remember, how are you able to read this and think about it?
Or would our communication be intelligent? Without words we could use sounds and motions to classify things. This may require even more intellect than when using words. Separating sounds and motions, and we think we have it hard. How do we even think?
But what if there was no way to classify things at all? Without a form of classifying things, there would be no communication. Without communication, there would be no sound.
Well there would be sound but only to the extent of a dish dropping.
Would there even be such things as dishes? Without communication how would we even know what a dish is? Or how to make one? How would we even know that it is needed to hold our food?
How would we even know what food is? How would we even know that we need to eat? How would we know if we don't eat we will die?
How would we know that food can prevent death? How would we know what death is? I wouldn't even be able to call it death because we wouldn't be able to communicate or even have words.
If one were to die, how would we know how to make another? With out another the existing ones would die off. If the existing ones die off, eventually there will be no more people. If there are no more people, then there will be nothing. Or at least not to our knowledge because we won't even have knowledge. We won't even exist to have knowledge.
But... how was there anything in the first place? How did we learn to make another? How did we discover death? How did we learn that we need to eat to stray from death? How did we produce dishes? How did the sound of things, such as dishes, dropping expand into different sounds? How did the sounds in turn, develop into communication? How did we come up with communication? How did we classify this? How did we develop words to classify? How did we connect our communication and classifications together to create words, language, an alphabet... letters? What are letters?
Language is so vital to our lives. We most likely would not exist without it. You may take this as just a ramble or non-sense but is it really? Think about how it all links together. Think about each chain effect. Think for yourself. Just remember, how are you able to read this and think about it?
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Mom, Who's Johnny and Why Is He At Our Door?
Horror fiction, it can be traced all the way back to the 18th century. This genre has been apart of our world for a very long time. Topics such as murder/death, the afterlife, evil, the demonic have been a guilty pleasure of humanity. From Mary Shelley's Frankenstein to James Wan's The Conjuring, the horror themes seem to thrill or scar their viewers. Have you ever wondered why this is? Why is it that, as humans, we enjoy watching murders, exorcisms, and hauntings?
Horror has been derived from folklore and religious traditions throughout history. It can be traced back to 'The Castle of Otranto' and subtitled 'A Gothic story' by the English author Horace Walpole in 1764. This led to a gothic horror genre that contained both horror and romance. Horror has existed in books, movies, music, and daily life ever since.
So... why horror? Why do some of us, even those who are mentally sane, enjoy these horrifying stories? Why did Paranormal Activity 3 gather a big $54 million in the box office? (The most ever for a horror film). Studies show that people view horror for the thrill, not because they're afraid. In other speculations, it has been said that audiences endure the horror simply for the euphoric sense of relief they feel at the end. However, authors Eduardo Andrade (University of California, Berkeley) and Joel B. Cohen (University of Florida) argue that humans experience positive and negative emotions simultaneously. The feelings of thrill, relief, and fear would be occurring throughout the whole encounter with this form of story, not just at the end. Opinions vary and studies change. We may never truly know exactly why Chuckie is our Friday night flick, we are all different. Some view horror to criticize a book or a film, some do it because they lead ordinary lives, and some figure they can get a cheap thrill that won't be detrimental... but is that true?
Think about a world without horror. Halloween would be filled with kids dressing up as dumb, corny, super heros with all treat and no trick. Books would be filled with sappy love stories. Boys wouldn't have an excuse to put their arms around scared girls at the movies on their first date. There would be no thrills and chills in orchestras. Would there be as many fears and phobias? How about crime? Does horror inspire murderers? Maybe The Texas Chainsaw Massacre invokes a crazy inside us all. Without this genre, the freaks of nature would not have an order. Maybe the world would keep turning just fine.
It is interesting that such themes appeal to the mentally stable, or anyone for that matter. We can experience fear, thrill, excitement, and even joy while encountering evil or death. Horror sends us on a roller coaster of feelings, and after it all we're still together. There's a reason society has kept this type of literature around for hundreds of years. Our minds love it for different reasons. Mike Meyers going on a killing spree may be crazy but then again so is traveling through the seven levels of the Candy Cane Forest to find your dad.
Horror has been derived from folklore and religious traditions throughout history. It can be traced back to 'The Castle of Otranto' and subtitled 'A Gothic story' by the English author Horace Walpole in 1764. This led to a gothic horror genre that contained both horror and romance. Horror has existed in books, movies, music, and daily life ever since.
So... why horror? Why do some of us, even those who are mentally sane, enjoy these horrifying stories? Why did Paranormal Activity 3 gather a big $54 million in the box office? (The most ever for a horror film). Studies show that people view horror for the thrill, not because they're afraid. In other speculations, it has been said that audiences endure the horror simply for the euphoric sense of relief they feel at the end. However, authors Eduardo Andrade (University of California, Berkeley) and Joel B. Cohen (University of Florida) argue that humans experience positive and negative emotions simultaneously. The feelings of thrill, relief, and fear would be occurring throughout the whole encounter with this form of story, not just at the end. Opinions vary and studies change. We may never truly know exactly why Chuckie is our Friday night flick, we are all different. Some view horror to criticize a book or a film, some do it because they lead ordinary lives, and some figure they can get a cheap thrill that won't be detrimental... but is that true?
Think about a world without horror. Halloween would be filled with kids dressing up as dumb, corny, super heros with all treat and no trick. Books would be filled with sappy love stories. Boys wouldn't have an excuse to put their arms around scared girls at the movies on their first date. There would be no thrills and chills in orchestras. Would there be as many fears and phobias? How about crime? Does horror inspire murderers? Maybe The Texas Chainsaw Massacre invokes a crazy inside us all. Without this genre, the freaks of nature would not have an order. Maybe the world would keep turning just fine.
It is interesting that such themes appeal to the mentally stable, or anyone for that matter. We can experience fear, thrill, excitement, and even joy while encountering evil or death. Horror sends us on a roller coaster of feelings, and after it all we're still together. There's a reason society has kept this type of literature around for hundreds of years. Our minds love it for different reasons. Mike Meyers going on a killing spree may be crazy but then again so is traveling through the seven levels of the Candy Cane Forest to find your dad.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)