1st commentary article

Once you are in high school, you are told about all the freedoms you are going to have and how much fun high school is going to be. One of the things they don’t tell you is that only seniors are allowed to go off campus for lunch. I believe that all grades (freshman-seniors) should be able to go off campus during lunch when appropriate.

Everyone at Bowie High School has 40 minute lunches but seniors get to spend there’s off campus and taking a break from school. They already get to have off periods so I believe that everyone should have the privilege of going off campus for lunch. Studies have shown that kids who get breaks from school are more focused and attentive later into the day. So if all students were able to leave campus and take a break, it would allow for better learning environments for students and better teaching environments for teachers.

Furthermore, many kids don’t have time to pack a lunch in the morning, may not have any food in their homes for lunch, or just may not like, or be able to eat the cafeteria food and wind up not being able to eat lunch. If all kids were allowed off campus, they could choose the food they want to eat and have a lunch. Lunch provides kids with energy to finish the day strong. Therefore those who don’t eat lunch for whatever reason are sluggish and not sharp for their last periods of the day.

Another issue is that not allowing students to go off campus for lunch leads them to make poor choices and try to sneak off campus. I know many students who have gotten in the trunk of cars or just pretended to be a senior so that they could get off campus. Restricting everyone but seniors to the school during lunch is almost challenging kids to see if they can break the rules. This leaves kids with the impression that later in life if they can break the rules and not be caught, then it’s okay. That is not a good mentality to have and is another reason all students should be able to leave campus.

However, I do understand why only seniors are allowed to go off campus. They have been here for four years and deserve some special privileges. Also, many schools are working towards becoming healthier and allowing their students to go off campus and eat fast food would ruin the gradual improvements schools have made to their school lunches. Lastly, schools may be worried that a lot of kids wouldn’t come back after they leave, students would be late for their next class, or students could wind up getting hurt on the streets.

These views may be true for some but lots of kids are active and involved with some athletic activity in or out of school. Therefore the unhealthy food being consumed will not drastically effect the health of most kids.

Also students education is there's. If they choose to skip school and miss class, that is there GPA and future that is being effected. If students decide to skip the rest of the day they will be taught a lesson  by the reflections of their grades. This is a good learning opportunity for them and when they grow up, they will know that it is important to do the right thing and listen to those in charge. 

Futhermore, there are ways to get around most of these problems though. My first suggestion is that once or twice a week, all your students should be allowed to go off campus for lunch. This way, seniors don’t complain that their privileges are being taken away and all other students don’t complain that the lunch situation is unfair.

Schools could also put punishments in place for those who don’t come back or are late to their next class so that they will correct it next time.

Another way to provide this privilege but still keep students under control is having them apply for an off campus lunch pass. To get this pass students would have to have good conduct in their classrooms, acceptable grades, a car or friend to go off campus with, and a parent signature. This way you make sure your student has to earn this privilege.

Again, I believe that all grades should be able to leave campus for lunch and that in doing so, it will provide for a better learning environment, better eating habits, and better mentalities for later in the students life.




SOURCES:
Lunch is important- http://www.tesh.com/topics/kids-and-family-category/kids-need-breaks-to-do-better-in-school/cc/8/id/19968
Kids need breaks- http://www.tesh.com/topics/kids-and-family-category/kids-need-breaks-to-do-better-in-school/cc/8/id/19968

Current events Quiz 2.3

1. Who is the new Speaker of the house and what political party are they aligned with? Page A1 "GOP taps new speaker..."
-Paul Ryan and republican

2. What does the law in Texas specifically say regarding a persons failure to identify themselves? QUOTE directly from the story on Page B1 "Video taker sues in arrest"
-"Failure to identify becomes an offense if the person intentionally refuses to give a name, residence address, or date of birth to an officer who has lawfully arrested the person and requested the information.

3. What two teams are playing in the world series? Page C1
-Kansas City Royals and the New York Mets

4. What are 2 Do's and 2 Don'ts when trying to bring autumn into your home decor? Page SA2 "Bring autumn indoors"
DOS
-Buy seasonal items that can serve as "foundation" pieces for your decor
-Look for unusual conversation pieces ti invigorate and enliven your decor

DONT
-buy seasonal items in colors that aren't part of your current decor
-Don't go overboard with your seasonal decor

5. Of the 5 weekend suggestions, which would you like to do most? Page D2 "The Long Weekend"
-"Living Springs" screening at the Zilker Hillside Theater

SHORT ANSWER

No I have not seen this video but after I write this I will go and watch it.

      I am appalled by what this officer did. A student was being disruptive and he flipped her out of her desk... that seems way overboard to me. First of all, I don't see why an officer was needed in this situation because it started as just a simple classroom disruption. Second, I do think this officer overreacted and should be fired for throwing this student across the room.

      I do think that police brutality is a problem in this country. Most everyday I hear stories about how a police did this or a police did that. Each case is something different and usually it was the police's fault. I think steps need to be taken to improve police methods and lower the police brutality rates.

      I don't think racism is behind most of these issues. Maybe a few, but most of them I believe the police officers just get caught in the moment and react on instinct. Most of the time, their instinct is a more dramatic action than needed for that particular situation so things go wrong. I don't believe this officer intentionally flipped the desk but rather was just his first reaction.

     Many things play a role in these police brutality issues, one of those being social media and cell phones. When things happen and people are around, these events are most always recorded. Whether it be a video, photo, snapchat, etc. they are put out there for everyone to see. When these videos or photos go viral is when the situation begins to look worse. Now I am not saying that there was anything handled correctly in this situation but videos make it look worse because people don't know what happened before and after the video was taken. Viewers can only go off what they can see. 

     I think that it is important that people see these things but I don't think social media is the best way. When things go on social media they explode (go viral quickly) and I don't think everyone needs to see that. I think the best way to inform people of these events is by the news because usually adults watch the news and these events could scare kids.

SNO Online Papers

I DON'T WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE
1. Lauren Mangold
2. How becoming a senior has caused her to stop working hard (learned helplessness) and her concerns and ideas towards college. She talks about how it doesn't matter how hard they try, she always fails.
3. "I just don't know what I am going to do and feel like I am always going to fail"
4. No they did not. This story was basically this girl complaining about her life and how she doesn't really know what to do. I guess seniors could relate to this though.... but she did not state the other sides opinion.
5.No they had a strong opinion about being confused about their future and tired of failure.
6. There aren't any direct quotes
7. First Person

RESTROOM REMODEL NEEDED
1. Ekko Clish
2. How McNeils bathrooms are not the most comfortable or best looking and that they should be redone.
3. "McNeil high school is definitely not known for it's beautiful, porcelain restrooms"
     -He thinks that they really need updated bathrooms
4. Yes they gave both sides of the story. Although he was complaining he complimented the custodial staff and said the money might need to be used elsewhere.
5. No he had a strong opinion that the bathrooms needed remodeling and never swayed from that opinion
6. No direct quotes
7. Third Person

NEW STAAR REVIEW PROCESS INEFFICIENT
1. Editorial Board
2. The fact that students were given multiple chances to pass the STAAR so that they could move to the next grade but now a committee is deciding if these students should be able to graduate or not.
3. "We as the Eagles Eye editorial Board believe that, despite the good nature of the law, it defeats the purpose of the STAAR test entirely"
  -They do not agree with this new policy
4. They do give both sides. They talk about how it defeats the purpose of the test but also that it helps seniors be able to graduate on time
5. They have a strong opinion and stick with it throughout the story
6. No direct quotes
7. Third Person

Personal Essays

1. Make sure you write it so readers can relate
2. Put it in insight to both the small moment and the bigger perspective. Show rather than tell/be specific
3. Make connections
    Have a solid hook
    Think of your essay as a camera lens. Give the small specific details and then open up to the wider            
     perspective.

Current Events Quiz 2.2

1. What are the two potential causes of the Hidden Pines fire in Bastrop? Page A1 "New Hidden Pines..."?
- An overheating Shredder or a burn pile on the farm

2. Why was Alan Guckian nominated for a music educators award from the Grammy Foundation, according to the man who nominated him? Page B1 "Eastside band director...."
- Guckian is awesome and SaulPaul, the man who nominated him was impressed with how he interacted with the kids. He knows his craft and has a passion for music

3. Who is the favorite to win the F1 race to be held in Austin at the Circuit of America this weekend? Page C1 "Hamilton nearing  F1 season crown"
-Lewis Hamilton 

4. Name 3 types of apples mentioned in the story on page SA1 "Fall in love with apples"
-Honeycrisp, McIntosh, and Jonagold

5. Which of the 8 items in the "worthy of splurging" sounds like something you would like to try? Page D3 "Healthful foods are worth price tag"
-Real Vanilla because it adds the true flavor to the baked good or food

SHORT ANSWER

    My parents nor I have purchased a real textbook to have along with the digital copy  but I definitely have considered getting one. Every time the internet stops working or the book site is down I always tell myself, you need to get a textbook. 
    Not having a textbook hasn't hurt my grade yet but there are many times where I have to work extra hard to study for a test or finish the assigned homework. When the textbook isn't working I have to text a friend and ask them to send me the work or write an email to my teacher telling her that I couldn't do the homework. Furthermore, if I want to study something other than my notes and the textbook is down I just have to trust that what I'm reading on the internet is true. 
    I don't think going all digital was a good idea. I think it's okay to have the option of an online copy but the internet is not the most reliable thing and textbooks need to be easy to access and always available for you to use. 
     I do think that this trend will continue throughout the united states because it goes along with being green. Online textbooks don't require the use of paper so trees aren't being cut down. These days most everything can be done on your phone and that does make it convenient but I think that textbooks are just something that should be physical.
    I think the district decided to get rid of textbooks for two main reasons. One being that they don't want to waste paper and the online copies do just that. Two being the fact that a lot of kids are not responsible so the textbooks that are checked out to them either never get returned or come back ruined. Having an online copy makes it easy because it is available to everyone and there is no problems with getting the textbooks back.

Opinions Writing Preview

STUDENT SHARING, TOO MUCH CHANGE OR GREAT OPPORTUNITY?

1. Editorial

2. The vote for a change in F.I.T times, the pros and cons to FIT, and student sharing.

3. "I think it more likely would have gone the other way, with most students favoring the everyday FIT schedule."
"While I think we should have FIT everyday, I don't think FIT is more valuable than class time."
She likes FIT but thinks it is poorly executed.

4. Yes they gave the opinions of those who like fit and those who want it gone.

5. No there opinion was strong. They stuck to one belief and had very good arguments for their points.

6. There are no direct quotes

7. 1st person

THE OFFICE WELCOMES THE DAWN OF THER TECHNOLOGY AGE

1. Kelsie Stella

2. The main office has made things more convenient for parents and students by switching to virtual methods.

3. "I think that moving toward a more technology-based system for these two documents, especially at a school like this, is going to prove to be extremely successful."
-Kelsie likes this technology advance

4. Yes they talked about students who don't have internet access at home and can't get these online forms.

5. No her opinion was stated at the end and the facts throughout the story supported one opinion.

6. yes, "the goal... is to provide easy access to people who are in need of their V.O.E for driving purposes."

7. Third Person

I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM..

1. Nya Martin

2. Blue Bell's recalled ice cream issue and the three deaths caused by the ice cream

3. : I will not be consuming any of Blue Bell's products. I would prefer my money going to a more humbled creamery."
"This company will forever be responsible for this scary mishap."

4. Not very well. They only state why Blue bell is bad and should not be consumed. She should have talked about those who just issued blue bel ice cream.

5. Yes. They have a very strong opinion and all the information leads to the point where they state they will never eat blue bell

6. No direct quotes

7. First person


THE PROBLEM WITH PEP RALLIES

1. Annika Holm

2. The problems with Pep rallies

3. "The problem with pep rallies is that they don't inspire pep, nor do they rally support for the school."
-She thinks that pep rallies are pretty useless the way they are but with a few changes could actually do what they are supposed to.

4. Yes. She was  saying all the things wrong with pep rallies but then provides ways to fix these problems.

5. No. They stuck with their opinion of pep rallies need to be fixed and gave ways to improve them.

6. No direct quotes

7. third person

A CALL FOR ATHLETIC EQUALITY

1. Amaya Marquez

2. This story is about how other sports besides football, basketball, volleyball, and baseball also deserve recognition.

3. "Our campus features other sports that as well represent our school, why is it that those sports get ore attention then others?'
-She believes that all sports deserve recognition

4. Not really. She only gives her views of the sports that don't receive recognition and mainly talks only about lacrosse. She should have included most sports that don't receive recognition and why those big 4 sports are the only ones that receive recognition.

5. Yes they stuck with their opinion. The whole way throughout he story she provided examples of sports that have major accomplishments but aren't receiving any recognition.

6. "I definitely feel like we should get just as much attention just like other sports."

7. First person

EMOTIONAL LEARNING EFFECTIVE?

1. Melissa Weprin

2. This story is about Social and emotional learning and how students aren't remembering the skills they are being taught their freshmen year.

3. "While the skills can be helpful, the students aren't even fully aware of the benefit of the skills they are being taught."
-She believes we need the skills but they are not being taught in the best way

4. Yes they addressed that the skills were helpful and ways to improve the teaching of the skills.

5. no. Her opinion stayed the same throughout the story and she provided evidence of the failure to teach these skills and how to fix that.

6. No direct quotes

7. first Person

FINAL QUESTIONS:

A. I think the main differences between a hard news story and an opinions piece is..
-The structure (opinions pieces didn't go transition, quote transition, quit)
-The information needed (Opinions are just your opinion while hard news is the facts and no opinions
-The order the information is presented (Opinions don't have an order they just write until they justify their point while hard news follows the inverted pyramid)

B. I think that there aren't very many photos on the page because opinion aren't really things that are current or picture worthy. They are thoughts. Furthermore they are fun to read so you don't really need the picture to pull you in.

C.  -Digital Textbooks
      -Only seniors allowed to go off campus
      -PSAT testing Days

Earthquake story

Monday, October 19, 2015 at 8:12 am an earthquake rocked the San Francisco Bay area causing two deaths, and six injuries from a building collapsing and the assistance of firefighters and the Red Cross.

“I was eating my breakfast when the room started rolling. I dove under the table just as I heard an explosion outside and a chunk of cement flew through my kitchen window. That’s when the screaming start across the street.” Hayward resident Mike Beamer said.

The building that collapsed was home to McHenry's Auto supply and firefighters used ropes to stabilize the shop so that they could search the building and fix a gas leak they had detected.

"Twenty-one fire personnel, 12 police and five American Red Cross workers responded to the building collapse, with some arriving within four minutes of the quake," Jennifer Vu, a public information officer from the Hayward Fire Department said.

Due to this quick response from the fire department and American Red Cross only two were killed and six were injured in the duration of the building collapse.

"Three of the six people injured were hurt seriously enough to require hospitalization and were transported to Hayward General Hospital," Vu said. "No other serious injuries have been reported in Hayward."

According to Penny Gertz, the epicenter of the earthquake was under the Hayward Hills.

"The quake was a strong one and it occurred on the Hayward fault, which runs under the hills," Scientist Penny Gertz from the U.S. Geological Survey in Menlo Park said.

This earthquake had a magnitude of 6.4 on the Richter scale

"People as far south as Los Angeles and as far north as Redding felt the quake," Gertz said.

Those who were injured are in the hospital receiving treatment but we do not know who they are.

"Names of the dead are being withheld pending notifications of families," Vu said.


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