HE ISION T VWindsor High School October 2008 Volume 12, Issue 1 New grading system gets mixed reviews from students Obama campaign makes a last-minute by Chelsea Rodriguez Staff Writer Raising the stakes, the stan- stop at Windsor High School dards, and the expectations. These are the reasons Windsor by Taylor Soard & Mandy Vandiver learn about the political views of the has adopted a new grading Staff Writers Democratic party. After Robinson system, district-wide. gave his opening speech, students The new grading scale On Friday, September 26, ap- were allowed to ask questions. divides all graded work into proximately 300 juniors and seniors “We thought the students two categories with different gathered in the auditorium to listen would have questions, and they weights. At the high school, to Major General Hugh Robinson did,” said Duran. “They had good tests, summative assessements, speak about the ideas and views ones.” papers and projects will now of presidential candidate Barack Assistant principal Mr. Jeremy account for 75 percent of a Obama. Moore agreed with Duran on the student’s final grade and Representatives from both po- quality of the questions. “The kids homework/classwork will litical parties were invited to come threw great questions and not soft be worth only 25 percent. speak to students about the opin- balls that he could hit out of the All tests are to be designed ions of the candidates; however, park.” as standardized as possible to only members of Obama’s cam- One student asked, “What is help better prepare students paign replied at the time. The event Obama’s plan for taking troops for college entrance exams and was actually put together within 24 out of the war?” Robinson replied, state testing. Classes like art or hours. The call came on Thursday “Senator Obama hates to see what’s shop will have performance at 2 p.m. that Major General Robin- happening to the men and women based assessments. son would be able to visit and speak in Iraq, and he’s the one who can go The new system may leave with students. in and take us out.” many students wondering why Robinson was a military aide General Robinson explained the scale was changed. to President Lyndon B. Johnson that Obama is going to change prob- “The grades were not in- in 1965. He was the first African lems with the war and the economy. dicative of the learning,” said American General Officer of the When asked to elaborate on Barack’s Dr. Sue Jackson, high school Army Corps of Engineers’, and he plan of change, he replied, “Obama principal. “The new scale will retired as a major general in 1983. has great experience and is a great be more of a reflection on what Dr. Rudy Duran, Windsor Su- young man who knows what to do is actually learned.” perintendent, said he felt that the with this mess.” The reform has some stu- experience to listen to the presenta- As students were listening and dents worried about how their tion would be beneficial for high questioning, representatives from grades will be impacted. school students, many of which are the campaign were circulating the Senior Nicole King said, “I preparing to vote in their first elec- auditorium and helping students think it really won’t help the tion. register to vote. Fifty voters were kids who don’t test well.” “We wanted the students to registered in all that day. However, not all responses learn a little bit about the political Moore said the assembly was a were negative; some appreciate system,” said Duran. good experience for the students to that homework is now worth The assembly was an opportu- see how political things work. less of their grade. Major General Robinson addresses questions and nity for supporters of both parties to “I’m the kind of kid that concerns from students regarding Obama’s platform. knows his stuff but is a bit lazy,” said Junior Tyler Bean. The next big concern was the end of extra credit or “fluff Computer labs get points.” Students, who used You can’t win if you to depend on extra credit to an overhaul thanks to make the grade, will run into state grant a surprise at the end of the don’t lose quarter when they can’t make by Stephanie Schuwerk Windsor organizes “Biggest Loser” weight- up missing assignments with Staff Writer the extra work. loss competition for teachers and staff The change was not de- This summer all three com- signed to only affect the stu- puter labs were remodeled dents of Windsor High School, and furnished with brand new by Andy Tuano no competition.” but the teachers as well. How computers. Students can now Staff Writer Even though many teach- well students do on the tests see the teacher and the smart ers have a competitive streak, is now a direct reflection on board without poles in their way. In an effort to promote most agree that it’s not just how well the information was “I love that I don’t have poles healthy lifestyles, Wind- about winning a pot, but Mr. Kraatz weighs in for the weight loss taught. The new grading scale in my room anymore,” said Ms. sor is holding a biggest really about bettering your- competition. will make the teachers more ac- Sarah Drew, computer teacher. loser competition among self. countable in doing their jobs. The new computers were teachers and staff. “It’s not about winning,” Jackson said, “The problem largely funded by the Department Eighty-three participants said Ms. June Wyatt, high to losing weight,” said Mr. Michael Kraatz, before was that we had kids of Education and twenty-five per- from the entire district have school nurse. “It’s all about shop teacher. Having a competition who had 4.0’s but got a 17 on cent paid for by the district. After joined in the competition. improving your health.” amongst the staff members at the school the ACT. This new policy will the board of education approved, Each paid a $25 entry fee, and Up to this point, partici- was the push in the right direction I have hopefully prepare our kids for Drew wrote the grant, giving the top three losers will split pants have lost 512 pounds needed all along.” the future.” Windsor flat screen computers the pool of $2,100. collectively, an average of 6.2 The competition will run until Novem- in all three computer labs. “They Mrs. Rachel Montgomery, pounds per person. ber 14. are wonderful, state of the art,” assistant principal said, “I’m “Lack of motivation is my said Ms. Sue Navratil computer going to win. There really is biggest issue when it comes teacher. INSIDE OUR VOICE AFTER-HOURS HIGHLIGHTS PLAY HARD The pitfalls of being a Bash strikes back– Check out these Mizzou relies on teachers kid. what can you inexpensive costume power of offense. expect this year? ideas. – page 3 – page 5 – page 6 – page 7 [email protected] Please recycle October 2008 INDEPTH [email protected] 2 THE VISION-ISSUE 1 Teen C.E.R.T. program teaches W.I.S.E. time makes students how to be prepared debut by Megan Franklin Staff Writer by Ethan Swan “The future isn’t what it used to be,” Staff Writer said Yogi Berra. And Windsor’s future is changing as they continually strive to Teen C.E.R.T. (Community come up with new ideas to help students Emergency Response Team) has succeed. been a presence at Windsor for The latest program is WISE, four years. Windsor has the “Working to Inspire Student Excel- proud distinction of having the lence.” Developed by senior coun- first Teen C.E.R.T. program in the selor Jan Speck, the program aims to state of Missouri. This program help students focus on areas that will provides teens with an opportu- benefit them most in their grade level. nity to be trained to help people For example, much of the junior if a disaster were to hit the school WISE time is devoted to ACT and col- and the community. This year, lege preparation, while the freshmen the program was extended to the work may focus on areas that will help middle school, as well. them to better adjust to high school life. Teen C.E.R.T. members receive Every other Thursday each hour is training from Rock Community shortened by eight minutes to form an Fire Protection District, who par- eighth hour between second and third tially funds the program. hours. Students go to the same teach- Ron Harter, Public Informa- ers every time and each grade goes to a tion Officer at Rock, works with specific department. Seniors go to the students one day each month, math department, juniors go to science, providing various types of train- sophomores go to language arts, and ing. The main job for Teen C.E.R.T. freshmen go to social studies. This way students is to keep things under teachers develop relationships with their control until the fire department students, promoting better discussions. or other type of public official Students can easily talk with each other arrives in an emergency. about the lessons and share new ideas. “If the fire department is taxed During these classes, one thing and can’t get there, they [Teen “I believe that C.E.R.T. training will help you students will be learning is educational C.E.R.T. members] can start basic and career planning.