“Reporting the news, one story at a time.”

Highlander Charter School Warren, RI May/June 2015 Expect Changes for 2015-2016 School Year

BY TATIANA LOPEZ As many of you have heard we have 40 new students--all 7th graders--joining us in the Fall. Other faces will be familiar, includ- ing the return of Mr. John Wolf as a ⅞ ELA teacher and Ms. Blanco-Busam who’ll help Ms. Grant as an acting assistant prin- cipal.

HCS News sat down with Ms. Grant to get the scoop on why so many 7th graders and not other grades?

Q. Why are you adding a new set of kids for 7th grade? When we were looking at other spaces, we only had room for 40 children at each grade level. Since this building is bigger, we added the extra students in order to optimize the building space. Therefore, having the accessibility of wide open fields, aquatic terrains, gym and other amenities conducive for learning and inspiration.

Q. Are there any other grades that are getting a new set of kids? Unfortunately, not at the middle/high school level because Highlander tends to accumulate children at a slower pace in upper school. We will keep 40 children in other grades next year and then each year we will add another 20 to 7th grade that way we only have 20 new students at once. We are also adding 12 new Pre-K openings (at the Providence campus).

Q. How will this addition benefit Highlander? It will allow us as a community to have more programs in State Police Officer Marc Remington invites 9th grader Angel Vidal to share his social media knowledge. sports, more electives and a greater range of classes. The new Pre- Photo by S. Quiles K class will prepare more students academically when they enter kindergarten. State Police “School” Students on Social Media Dangers Q. Are there negative effects that this will put on Highlander? By taylor alcantara If so, what? doing them at least every other or cruel with someone through Recent stats show that 22% of It will make us a little bit bigger, and we will need to acclimate Rhode Island State Police were month,” said Det. Morse, the Internet or text. The detec- girls thru age 13-19 send nude the new students to Highlander’s culture. invited by Head of School Rose- “Sometimes every couple of tives shared that 41.5% of young pictures or sexual texts, while mary Grant to lead an assembly weeks.” people tell no one that they’re boys of the same age-range rank Q. What will have to change as a result? last month following an incident More and Remington also getting bullied and only 38% lower at 18%. Only 11% of kids Nothing will change in Warren, but there will be some classroom involving social media and cell- taught about the stages of pedo- tell another online friend. ages 13-16 boys and girls send changes in Providence to accommodate the new Pre-K class. phones. philia (adults luring children) Some of the information sur- sexualy explict pictures. “After having a sexting inci- on the internet. It starts with prised students. “These things can lead to bul- Q. Do you have plans to add another grade in the future? If dent that involved quite a grooming, which begins in chat “I learned that people need to lying, whether it be in person or so, what grade(s)? few students who were really rooms where the perpetrator be safer when using technology. online. It can reduce someone’s We will not add grades in the future, however every year the unaware of the seriousness of develops the child’s (victim) Something I didn’t know was attendance which is something students in the highest grade will move up. Therefore, the fol- their actions, as well as many trust, then moves to a private that they can take your phone nobody wants,” said Morse. lowing year they will be in 12th grade making the high school cyber-bullying issues, I wanted room and lastly they establish away and go through it if they The consequences of these complete. our students to better under- your full trust. About 70% of wanted, and even if you reset it, things can be jail time, com- stand the implications of their solicitation--when the perpetra- the stuff could still be seen. I’m munity service, juvenile or any- Q. How will these changes affect the staffing? actions, both short term and tor asks the victim to meet them gonna be safer now.” said Bryan thing else the judge wants to give We are hiring more staff to better serve all the students. The extra long term,” said Grant. face-to-face-- happens in while Garcia, 8th grader. you. students will eventually allow us to hire more specialized staff like Officer Marc Remington the child is in their own home. Like the incident at Highland- “They didn’t really say any- music and languages. and Detective Michael Morse Both believe these informa- er sexting is a huge issue, nation- thing I didn’t know but some- from the Rhode Island State tional sessions are extremely wide. Sexting is considered to be thing that surprised me was that Q. How will this affect the schedules? Police Internet Crimes Against important. the act of sending sexual explict adults can’t get arrested for send- I will be working relentlessly on the scheduling over the summer; Children Task Force talked to “We want kids to know that messages and/or nude or semi- ing nudes. I’m glad they did this after I meet teachers to see what worked and what didn’t work. I students about many different other kids can get in trouble for nude photos. for the school,” said Alan Colon, would also like to meet with a few students to see how they liked aspects of the Internet, including things you on the Internet and Alicia Dadeah, 9th grade stu- 9th grade student. this year’s schedule for overall feedback. safety tips and statistics. how to be safe.” dent was not impressed with the “My main goal is to give the According to the detectives, Among the facts shared: 20% assembly. students the knowledge they risks you can face on the inter- of parents don’t supervise their “I didn’t like it. I felt they were need to use technology safely, net are exposure to inappropri- children on the Internet. exposing and subbing (talking make smart decisions and ate material, sexual solicitation, Cyber bullying is also a big about) people instead of inform- understand the long term con- bullying and theft of personal issue according to the detec- ing us. They just made it seem sequences of cyberbullying and identification. tives. Cyber bullying includes like we were just a statistic.” sexting,” said Grant. These assemblies are becom- spreading rumors/gossip about ing more and more frequent in someone else, posting pictures schools says the officers. “We’re without consent and being rude

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Inside Peace Circle Embraces Differences Among Students By Erickson comas The situation forced her to realize that “you cannot “It does work and is very effective” says Beckford- B2 People & Events just give up on people because they chronically get in Joly. B3 Hot Science & Detention has been feeling a little different lately...a trouble. One must find alternative ways to deal with a Assembly bit more peaceful. situation and work together as a community to invoke The Restorative Justice For Oakland Youth in Cali- B4 Ghost Hunting At Highlander change,” said Beckford-Joly. fornia has integrated the Peace Circle as part of the In late January we started using a Peace Circle in school system to assist students in developing conflict detention once a week. The Peace Circle is a conflict She decided to implement the peace circle at High- resolution skills. As a result they have seen a reduction B5 He Said/She Said resolution method similar to a community circle where lander because “it is a start” she says. in the number of students being suspended from school time is spent listening to the perspective of others--in along with the change in students that were struggling B5 Ask Amanda hopes of solving a disagreement without judgement. Alicia Dadeah, 9th grade says she loves how she can be with profound behavioral and social issues. open about things, but dislikes how people don’t respect B6 Get A Job! & Memories “It was through training that I realized that it is a others time to speak. The Peace Circle practice originated with indigenous powerful forum not only for conflict resolution but for people as a method to resolve conflict and it is now positive community growth,” says Nerise Beckford-Joly, Beckford-Joly believes that the Circle is beneficial being more often as an alternative to resolving cer- coordinator of the Highlander Peace Circle. because tain issues within schools without solely depending on the traditional format of punishment (i.e. suspension, The Peace Circle also tries to find similarities between “It allows all parties involved expulsion etc.). students and to embrace differences--appreciate them. The goal is to build bridges of caring and compassion to not only recognize the harm between people who were thought to be very different or even opposing. caused as a result of a particular Massiel Bautista, 7th grade was in detention for mul- action, but it also allows them tiple infractions and participated in the circle. “I love how I got to interact with people but I didn’t like that to repair the harm through people talked without permission during the peace circle,” she says. dialogue and inclusion.”

Beckford-Joly chose to participate in the Peace Circle Although there is no data showing whether the Peace because two years ago her nephew was involved in a Circle method makes a difference compared to other shooting where he almost died. Today he is paralyzed conflict-resolution methods, many strongly believe in from the waist down. its benefits. Kids on Chicago’s West Side Break the School-to-Prison Pipeline with Restorative Circles -Photo courtesy of Yes Magazine B2 HCS News | May/June 2015 People & Events Delivering My Students’ COUNTDOWN TIL LAST DAY OF Meet Ms. Paola Castro Stories to D.C. SCHOOL By Amanda Bourdier By Soljane Quiles

On May 5th, National Teacher Appreciation Day I was in Washington, D.C. with 200 other teachers on the steps of the US Capitol delivering our students’ stories to those in power so they can hear for themselves the things that YOU deal with everyday as a young person in America and in Rhode Island.

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan now has 200+ books, with thousands of pages detailing what young people like you experience all over this country and world- -regardless of what language you speak or traditions you follow. Copies of these books are now at The Library of Congress as well!

We met with several government leaders and icons such 48 as Patrick Kennedy, former U.S. Representative for Rhode Island’s 1st congressional district (1995- 2011); former HRS!! Speaker of the House Dick Ephardt and Congressman John Lewis. At 23, Lewis stood with Martin Luther King Jr. on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial as he delivered his “I It’s a nice feeling to walk into a building that smells have a Dream” speech. fresh, bathrooms stocked with the necessary paper and classrooms with hand sanitizer to keep us germ-free. “Find a way to get in trouble,” Congressman Lewis told us last month. We can thank Ms. Paola Castro, our Warren campus janitorial director for that. Thanks to Castro, our caf- Not exactly the advice I’d give students, but it made eteria is clean, the garbage taken out and we have clean sense when he told us why. Lewis “got in trouble” for bathrooms and offices. standing up for the equality of ALL. He got in trouble for questioning authority. Lewis is an original Freedom Rider Castro, a native of Guatemala has lived in RI for 33 during the civil rights movement who survived bus bomb- years since 1982. She is a widow with two children, ings and mob attacks while testing desegregation laws in Malcon Morales, 35 and Kelly Santos, 27. She has one the South. grandkid. The trip was sponsored by The Freedom Writers, a group She came to R.I to find a better future. of students and their teacher Erin Gruwell who made headlines in the 1990s when their classroom journals were Working around teenagers reminds her of her own published into a book then made into a movie. teen years. She was married young, around 14-16 years of age and had her first child in her teen years. Her dad died young when she was young so her and her 9 broth- ers and sisters had to stop getting their education so they can get money to support their family.

Castro hasn’t always worked in janitorial services, she used to work as a ring inspector for 12 years! She says the thing she likes the most about her job is that it’s ac- tive--she’s always on her feet and moving and she used to always sit as a ring inspector.

The thing she dislikes is when the students leave a huge mess in the bathroom, so please be considerate.

Paola shared how she would’ve wanted to be a vet- erinarian because she loves animals. When she’s not at work, she enjoys going for walks.

Next time you spot Castro making sure we have a tidy school building, send a smile or polite “Hello” her way.

Top Left: 200+ teachers at the Library of Congress with their students’ stories; Top Right: Ms. Quiles at the Washington Monument; Bottom Left: Ms. Quiles, Congressman Patrick Kennedy and Mrs. Kennedy and Freedom Writer Founding Teacher Erin Gruwell. Student Athletes Score Big in Sports

by carly coburn-sanderson Kadhum looks up to and is inspired by the professional Swedish soccer player, Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Most 8th grade students have goals they’re trying to meet before the school year ends. Eighth-grader In December 2013, Ibrahimovic was ranked the third best player in the world, he is also one of the Mustafa Kadhum has gooooooooooals too! highest paid footballers. Ibrahimovic is said to be one of the best players of this generation. An avid soccer player, Kadhum has been playing on various teams for about five years now. Kadhum looks up to Ibrahimovic because he is “My dad got me into it. When I first touched fast, smart, has strong movements, and has a good the ball I was a baby. I’ve stayed loving it because shot. Another inspiration in Kadhum’s life is his of the movement, the people, the environment, father. “He always encourages me to do my best and the competitive part. It lets you let your stress and to practice often,” he says. out..to relax that,” says Kudhum. Kadhum is making goals on the field while Mass- This year he plays middle field and left forward iel Bautista, grade 7, has goals of her own in the for Bruno United FC (Football club) He also plays ring. for another team--Warwick Firefighters FC. Bautista is on a boxing team called the “Tigers” “I play on two teams to get more exercise and in Cranston, RI. She has been boxing for about two practice” Kadhum explains. years now. She began boxing after watching a fight between two female boxers. “I thought it looked Between both teams, he practices for about 2-3 fun and I wanted to do it too,” Bautista says. hours every day by passing, moving around, sprint- ing, doing suicides which is where you sprint from Bautista practices daily for about two hours. line to line, free kicks, long passes, and short passes. She practices different skills such as punching and After practicing all week, he has games on Fridays, upper cuts. Every Friday other teams come in and Saturdays, and Sundays. they spar each other.

Bautista had a scary experience when she fought someone much bigger than her. Even though Mustafa has won the championships several she came out with a black eye, she still managed to win the fight. “I was really scared but I ended times. “I was so happy the first time we won the championships,” he said with a smile. It is less up winning,” she admits. exhilarating now that it has happened many times he admits. What’s poppin’? HCS NEWS | May/June 2015 B3 Hot Projects Happening in Ms.Silva’s Science Class

By rasHONA OR Cold soup? Yuck. “Building was my favorite part, because Beverages so hot they burn the roof of your we get to learn how different recycled mouth? Ouch. materials can be used as a thermos,” said Gabriel Irhia. These are serious issues--especially when you’ve been looking forward to that drink or Egypt Cole agrees. “Building was my meal only to find it’s not “just right.” Science favorite part because it was very hands aims to improve everyday life-- it all starts on, and that was interesting, since usually with a thought-- even if it is just to keep we just do boring papers and sometimes something hot or cold. labs when science is supposed to be hands on. And with the thermoses it was really Recently, Melissa Silva’s 7/8 science class hands on and I really got to build some- got their own ideas and created recyclable thing with my group,” said Cole. thermoses. Each group was able to create their “I was really proud of the work that the own successful thermoses, but because students did. They all worked very well the thermoses are made out of recyclable together. They also accomplished their goals materials they are not able to drink out and they continued to make improvements of them. and pushed one another,” said Silva. The class studied several science units Before attempting to create a successful before the project to help prepare them. thermos the students went through a multi- For example, by studying radiation the step process. The first step was research and students used the information to see how watching videos to see how others created they could prevent heat from leaving the thermoses. While watching they took notes thermos. on what worked and what didn’t.

Then the students brainstormed their own thermos designs. Next they created their pro- Jordan Rosario (left) and Ariel Then (right) showing off their thermos. totype or first model and tested it over and Photo By T. Sandoval over, taking notes on what worked and how

they could improve it.

Thermoses created by Silva’s class. 7th/8th working on their thermoses. Photo By T. Sandoval Photo By T. Sandoval

Smart Social Media Usage Internet Safety Tips: Protecting our children. sTATE POLICE ASSEMBLY Keep all your info to yourself, Don’t give out your name, address or phone number to anyone you do not know.

THINK!! before posting a picture, status, tweet, ect. Ask your parents before posting it. If you know your parents wouldn’t like it, don’t post it. Your image is everything, dont let someone else destroy it. Someone can find your location out, by looking at a pic- ture. Check all privacy settings on your device. Never respond to mean or rude texts, messages, and e- mails. Delete any unwanted messages. You may need to delete friends who continuously bother you or post things that are not appropriate.

NEVER share your password with anyone, including your best friend. The only people who should know your password are your parents or guardian.

If you wouldn’t say something to another person’s face, State Police address students at assembly. don’t text it or post it online. Photo By A. Torres

DO NOT download or install software or anything on your computer or cell phone before checking with your parents or guardian.

(Some tips from http://www.nationalcac.org/prevention/ internet-safety-kids.html) B4 HCS News | May/June 2015 ` Who You Gonna Call?...Ms.Annemarie By de’avion smith Is there a mysterious presence in the school that’s been moving and misplacing chairs, desks after teachers made sure they were organized? Spring 2015 Staff What’s causing things to fall off teacher desks, crash and make sounds? Wilson Tutor Annemarie Pavo has a theory. She has a hobby most Among her many tools are a K-2 meter that makes contact with Reporters students don’t know about...ghost hunting. spirits, a laser grid whose lines will “break” when a spirit is nearby and a thermometer to measure changes in temperature-- it blinks Taylor Alcantara...... Gr.10 She believes she experienced a ghost presence here in school. Pavao red getting closer to a spirit, green if moving away from it. clarified that there is a difference between ghosts and spirits. Ghosts Amanda Bourdier...... Gr.10 are humans that have not crossed over to the other side which was Pavao does believe that there are ghosts in this building, however heaven and spirits are unexplained presences. that is her opinion only. She respects that there are people who don’t Carly Coburn-Sanderson...... Gr.8 believe--skeptics. “I welcome skeptics because I always try to debunk (prove wrong) any claims or experiences.” Jayonna Leary...... Gr. 7 “I was sitting here in my space teaching Resource Teacher Debbie Zolkos was part of the group. ‘’I person- Tatiana Lopez...... Gr.8 Jordan Rosario when all of a sudden we ally didn’t feel a ghost spirit.” She also said that she “thought Pavao and her daughter Krista did a good job leading the group through Rashona Or...... Gr.7 heard a thump and Jordan turned to see the investigation.” what it was and he saw that Mrs. Simp- Zolkos says she’s the type of person that needs proof to be able to believe something. She said being at the school at night was very Columnists son’s trash can was moved to the middle different from being at the school during the day but she said that she wouldn’t have been on the second floor by herself or in the gym Erickson Comas...... Gr.8 of the room and it was tipped over and just incase there was a ghost spirit. Jayda DeWillis...... Gr.10 there was trash on the floor.” Pavao has been ghost-hunting for about 6 years but has been interested in ghosts for as long as she could remember. “I always After experiencing the “trash can incident” and hearing from other watched documentaries I could find on TV,” she said. Photographers adults about unexplained noises or activities when the building was supposed to be empty, Pavao and a few other teachers decided to try Pavao is a fan of the TV show ‘’Ghost Hunters” which is a local Jeshua Benzant...... Gr.7 to confirm if there are indeed ghosts or spirits in the building. team of ghost hunters that go to different haunted places in R.I. and investigate alleged ghost presences. Tyler Sandoval...... Gr.10 Pavao brought in her ghost-hunting equipment one evening and they set out exploring. They came to school on a friday night and You can check out seasons of Ghost Hunters on Syfy or Netflix. she toured the school with other teachers using her equipment. Layout Kennia Castilllo...... Gr.10 De’Avion Smith...... Gr.9

Journalism Advisor Soljane Quiles...... HCS News is always looking for the latest in school happenings, student accomplishments and things of interest to YOU! Drop us a note or stop in M/W/F 2-3 p.m. if you have something you think we should write about.

Ms. Annemarie poses with some of her ghost-hunting equipment. -Photo by S. Quiles

Students Dive Into Navy Presentation

shape, but it prepares you for dangerous situ- Eisenbarth shared a story with students on how he ations underwater. Academic skills required of and his team went under the sea to take off parts of you in Navy Diver schools are algebra, physics, the USS Monitor to take to museums. It was an iron- and physiology. hulled steamship built during the American Civil War and the first ironclad warship commissioned by the Another big skill needed is a team player men- Union Navy. tality. Completing the missions requires a lot of equipment Navy Divers are assigned partners who they such as a yellow breathing mask weighing 32 lbs, but must rely on to provide more oxygen and quickly which feels weightless under water. make their way back to the surface when their oxygen is cut off or have gotten injured. In times “It feels like wearing a basketball cap underwater,” like this they are trained to stay calm and main- says Strausse. Connected to the mask is a communica- tain their oxygen. tion cord used for talking back and forth with others out of water. All the officers spoke of the global education they’ve received as well. They have been stationed The full diving suits used for missions weigh 280 lbs., in places such as Japan, Thailand, Philippines allowing divers to travel to depths of 300 feet. There and Guam. “You get to see a lot of cool places are dangers associated with deep-water dives however. and experience cool new things,” said Chief The oxygen can become very poisonous and deadly Strausse. after a certain depth. Navy divers use different tanks and depending on the length of the dive may carry Leannie Martinez gets a close-up look at Navy gear. -Photo by S. Quiles two tanks and usually have an extra oxygen tube in By Jayonna LEary case their diving buddy or someone else runs out of air or a tank breaks. Imagine being part of the team that pulls an “After learning what they do and how the airplane wreckage out of the ocean or gets to training is I thought it would be very good for Surprisingly, most students questions to the divers pull up an old Civil War battleship. Well, those me. As someone who struggles to focus going dealt with their lives outside the water. are some of the missions Navy divers get to do there would be good for me because they could in addition to covert operations against enemy straighten that all. For me I know I would push “How often do you get to visit your family?” asked fighters. myself as hard as I can go to succeed there,” Taylor Alcantara, 10th grade. It depends on where you says Ramos. are stationed replied the divers. “It’s a delicate process,”says Navy Diver 3rd Class Frank Ormonde as he talks about having It isn’t an easy process to become a Navy “Can you be on social media?” inquired 10th grader to recover ships. It took a few weeks to recover Diver, says Seidler. They have to have learn Alex Torres. It turns out that the divers actually can. It is the USS Georgia civil war shop as a team, he many skills before entering a mission. Each their main form of communication with their families, says. year many people are accepted into Navy Diver commonly using Facebook. Schools, but a large percentage--60-70%--don’t During an assembly, on Wednesday, May finish. The presenters are all stationed at the Mobile Diving 27th Navy Divers Chief Andrew Strausse, Navy and Salvage Unit 2 in Little Creek, Virginia. Divers 2nd class Alex Ondina, and Nick Seidler, “The training is not only physical but mental. 1st Class Ben Eisenbarth, and Lt. James Adams You don’t just have to look the part, but play it and Ormonde visited the Warren campus as as well,” said Seidler. part of Career & College Week. Alex Torres, grade 10, tries on a Navy diving mask To prepare for missions, each and every one during a recent presentation. Wilson Ramos, a 10th grade student has of them go through extremely tough train- always been interested in the Navy. ing. The training doesn’t just get you into to Entertainment HCS NEWS | May/June 2015 B5 “He Said” “She Said” Fellow sophomore Alex Torres partly agrees with Ramos. “I think we should because although the summer is for fun By Jayda Dewillis it helps you not forget things,” he says. Should Highlander students Domingo Lora, also a sophomore thinks he has a better get summer homework? idea. “I think we should pick the subject we want to have the homework in.” The girls’ opinion Angel Vidal, freshman, says “It takes away from my time in the summer while I could work toward my future School’s almost done, but will our school work be? achievement.” As the final bell to the last day rings, letting us know our summer has begun and we are free from school work, Alan Colon doesn’t mince words.“The summer is to have are we really free? fun away from school not for homework and half of the For some students, summer break doesn’t actually mean By Erickson Comas kids don’t do it anyway...it’s just a waste of time,” says the break at all...it’s all about work for them. Highlander gives I’m sure many other students in our school freshman. summer work to students every year and they have a lot feel the same as Baker. When we walk the halls say about it. on the first day of school we feel as if everything “We shouldn’t have summer work because we have we’ve ever learned has slipped our minds. Should Highlander school for 9 months and only 2 months of summer. That’s According to http://www.summerlearning. students get summer the only freedom we have and they want us to bring work org/, “All young people experience learning HCS News is looking for with us?!?” says Jailyn Pujols, 9th grade. losses when they do not engage in educational homework? Fellow freshman Diamond Queateh, agrees. “Summer activities during the summer.” Just because reporters and columnists! is a time for fun, not for work. That’s why we go to school we do not like the idea of summer homework The fellas’ opinion for 180 days.” doesn’t mean it doesn’t benefit our future edu- Sophomore Kennia Castillo agrees with both Queateh cation. Do you like talking to and Pujols and sure did have a lot to say about this topic. There has always been discussing around “I feel like we get a lot of work during the school year summer homework, should we really have it already and summer is supposed to be a time for relaxing or not? Will students be engaged and actually people? and a break from school work which could be stressful.” do the summer homework? Many students and It seems most of our students feel this way about parents have been debating whether or not to Getting the “scoop” on summer work. have summer homework for many years now. We would rather use summer break for a time of relax- Here’s what our students at Highlander think what’s happening in and ing and getting away from school for a while since we about summer homework. do go to school for 180 days. Even though a majority of our students rather spend the summer hanging out with Freshman Amadiel Lora feels strongly.“No, around school? friends, there are a few students who don’t mind having because it is summer and the summer is meant summer work. as a break from the school work.” Apply to join our staff “Yes, we should have summer homework because it keeps our brains stimulated over the summer so when Sophomore Wilson Ramos says “I think we we come back we aren’t clueless.” Says Emari Baker, grade shouldn’t because we spend enough time in in the Fall. 8. However, if she could create her own summer home- school, however the benefit is that you would work she said she would give one page from every subject have all the knowledge of all the subjects when instead of getting whole packet of work to do. returning to school. “ Ask Amanda

to come out of your pocket so they would tell you to put it away. Some teachers just don’t have the same feelings towards things as us students so they don’t really understand how it feels to get something taken away or to get in trouble over something senseless like being in the bathroom too long, etc. Some teachers understand the bigger story as to why students do certain things. I’m not saying it’s okay to take advantage of rules, but sometimes there are certain things students get in trouble for that only certain teachers would understand because they have either been through it or know how it feels--so they sympathize with you and the situation.

Dear Amanda, How do you feel about people disrespecting school property? Dear Anonymous, I feel it’s very unnecessary to disrespect school property. For example, a current issue that has been happening is students are trashing the bathrooms. They take toilet paper and paper towels and they wet it and throw it everywhere on walls, ceilings, the floor, etc. First of all, what do you gain from that? You’re trashing your own bathrooms that you use. Second of all, think of the people that have to clean the bathrooms, put yourself in their position. Would YOU want to spend your day cleaning wet paper towels thrown everywhere? And third of all, this is our first year in

Sophomore Amanda Bourdier answers your everyday teen questions and concerns. Photo by T. Sandoval this building, this is OUR school, our bathrooms, our classrooms--we as students should make sure we keep it clean and set an example for others to prevent this from happening and evolving into something worse. Dear Amanda, Is it bad to have a crush on someone who’s taken, even Dear Amanda, though there’s a tiny spark between us. How do I get over body image issues? Dear Anonymous, Dear Anonymous, No, I don’t think it’s bad because you can’t really control how you I think you should just not worry about what anyone has to say about you and how you look. feel or how the other person is making you feel. It pretty much depends As long as you’re happy with how you look then you shouldn’t be worried about what others say. on the situation. If you know the person who is in a relationship with The way you look doesn’t prevent you from doing anything or becoming what you want to be. the person you have a crush on then it’s pretty difficult because there Just be happy with who you are and accept how you look because that’s how God created us. will be drama depending on how much the person is invested with the other person. But if you strongly feel like there’s a spark between you Dear Amanda, then maybe that person has a crush on you too. I think the best thing What do you think about boys exposing girls? to do is wait and see if it’s not just a passing phase. See if the way you Dear Anonymous, feel about that person is consistent. Don’t mention anything to anyone I think it can go both ways--girls can expose guys too. But I think it’s ridiculous. If someone is until you’re completely sure that you like that person and that person willing to trust you with something of theirs why would you expose them? If you were that good likes you back. DO NOT MAKE ANY ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT THE of a person to show that you were trustworthy why would you do that knowing people would find SITUATION. Don’t assume that they like you without you knowing for out you’re the one exposing him/her. You don’t gain respect from that, you don’t get cool from sure. It’ll turn everything in a knot because once people hear something that, people lose respect for you, they lose trust for you--you’re an embarrassment with the fact they like to interpret it in a negative way. If you know that that person is that you would really do that to a person who trusted you. It’s immature and I think people need in a relationship DO NOT INTERVENE because that will start conflict. to grow up and fix their morals.

Dear Amanda, Dear Amanda, How do you deal with mistrust? Why are teachers so unsympathetic? Dear Anonymous, Dear Anonymous, If you trusted someone and they took advantage of that trust then you just need to watch who I don’t think all teachers are unsympathetic, but those who you think you trust, don’t automatically trust someone right away, even after a couple of months. Trust are it may be because they have a role to fulfill as an adult and as a takes time to be built, it can take years in order for you to actually know the person completely. teacher and must follow the rules. For example, if your phone acci- Be very careful... you never know if someone is faking to be get close to you in order to get dentally falls out of your pocket when you sit down, a teacher who is something out of you. If they consistently act like that for a long time then they are a good unsympathetic would automatically take it away because of the rule of friend. If you see that the person you told something to hasn’t said anything to anyone then they it being seen or heard. A sympathetic teacher would understand that it are trustworthy. If you hear that someone knows about what you told your “friend” and they were was an accident and you obviously didn’t intentionally want your phone the only person you told then you know they’re not trustworthy. B6 HCS News | May/June 2015

Consider Adding J-O-B to Barbecues, beaches and booze: Your Summer F-U-N By De’Avion Smith Summer fun can be deadly

Summer’s less than two weeks away. Want those new kicks or that cute bag? A letter from the Editor Don’t just sit around and do nothing, get a job! This school year is coming to an end which means the summer of 2015 is quickly approaching. Some of you are moving up into the There are many summer employment oppor- high school, which is a new chapter in your life and comes with many tunities for 14 year-olds and older. It’s recom- new experiences, while the rest of us are halfway through with our mended you fill out an application soon because high school years. you never know-- that one job you really want The summer time can be a very fun time but not being safe can may be given to another person because you end terribly. waited to long. I want to caution all of you to be careful as often we tend to have so much fun in the summer that rules may go out the door. I was curious “There are a lot of great jobs that can tie about the behaviors of Highlander middle and high school outside of into the 9th/10th ELO’s. Be aware however, school especially with the 2 month break we’re about to begin, and summer jobs can not count as your community here’s what I found. service hours if you are getting paid,” warns Ms. Only 49 of the 132 students in grades 7-10 completed the survey. Simona Simpson-Thomas, who helps oversee 65.31% of middle schoolers and high schoolers have never used student ELOs. drugs before but... 57.14% have consumed alcohol. Summer jobs are a good opportunity to meet other teens and to get the experience on the This is a high number, and scary to me especially as some of our process of getting a job, from application to upper-classmen are in the process of getting their permits and driv- interviews to managing your time. Having a ing. I want to inform you of the safety risks there can be while in a job is a big responsibility. If you get a job you vehicle and under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Many of you need to learn how to balance school and work probably don’t know the danger you put yourself in. In 2005, 7,420 job if you decide to keep your job during the teens died or were injured in DUI (driving under the influence) car school year. accidents in the U.S.

There are child labor laws meant to protect 38.78% of students responded that they’ve been in a car with working teens. According to the article ‘’Getting someone who has been under the influence of drugs or alcohol. a Summer Job’’ a teenager 14 and older cannot work past 11:30 p.m. if they have school the Peer pressure is another big concern. It’s natural to be curious about next day. things your friends are trying especially when you know it’s things that can be dangerous, yet seem cool. You want to know how things taste, If you are at least 14 and have questions about how they feel, or how they work but you need to be careful. Don’t do summer jobs, check in with Simpson-Thomas. something you don’t want to do just to fit in. Be you and you could If you do land a job, try to save some money or still have fun. spend it wisely while enjoying the sun and sand Although 83.67% of students said they’ve never been pressured this summer. to do such things, it’s very easy to cave in. You try it once, but once becomes twice, then three times then you may become addicted and Make sure to check out the poster that accom- at such young ages it could be harmful and deadly. panies this story for RI youth labor laws. We know you want to live your life to the fullest, and we know you want to fit in, you’re young, we get it...But your life comes first.

-Taylor Alcantara

“Live above the influence.”

That’s the Spirit! Thanks For The Memories

See you back in August! It’s been a great first year here in Warren!