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The Rodequoit Irondequoit High School's Student Newspaper March-April 2019 - Since 1921 - No. 3 What goes into Irondequoit’s 96% graduation rate GRADUATION RATES OF SCHOOLS/DISTRICTS IN MONROE COUNTY PITTSFORD SUTHERLAND HS FAIRPORT CSD 98% 92% PITTSFORD MENDON HS RUSH HENRIETTA CSD 98% 90% WEST IRONDEQUIT CSD GREECE CSD 96% 88% PENFIELD CSD WHEATLAND-CHILI CSD 96% 87% WEBSTER CSD EAST IRONDEQUOIT CSD 95% 86% HILTON CSD GATES-CHILI CSD 92% 79% BRIGHTONCSD ROCHESTER CITY SD IHS FRONT LAWN | Diploma IHS graduating seniors will recive on June 16th, 2019. Photo Courtesy of Cameron Goebert. 92% 54% By Cameron Goebert resented by a mathematical data lege essays have been polished to almost Mr. Douglas Lauf. “As you can imag- bring them to class, they are getting News Editor point, unlike the graduation rate. perfection, grades have been sent, and ine a high percentage of students just written up and consequences, and then Simply put, there is no college letters of acceptance (or denial) go along the four year path, they have there are some cases where we keep West Irondequoit’s graduation rate, one thing that makes Irondequoit are pouring in giving Irondequoit senior some normal bumps along the way, dragging people to the finishing line.” according to the New York State Edu- a great place to go to school, as in- class the nostalgia of making the deci- but nothing very out of the ordinary. According to Mr. Armstrong, there cation Department, is 96%. Irondequoit dicated by the some IHS students. sion that can alter the rest of their life. They are going to graduate on time. are instances where students would is ranked 3rd highest in Monroe Coun- That said, do any of these points cor- “I think there is more pressure on But then there are student who are not have earned their diploma if not ty, tied with Penfield, only behind Pitts- relate to increased graduation rates? the students,” says Dougherty. “Our more at risk. I think we really have a for the flexibility of teachers- hint- ford Sutherland and Mendon who are Some might contend that gradua- teachers are and have been really won- culture that just does not quit on stu- ing that there is a pressure on teach- tied for first with a 98% graduation rate. tion rate should correlate to Regents derful and supportive of our kids, so dents, and still works with students to ers to get students across the stage. West Irondequoit’s graduation scores, but it is hard to match up I don’t think our teachers feel pres- earn a diploma with integrity,” he adds. “There is more internal pres- rate, is one of the top in the county. these two factors since a different set sured to get our kids across the stage. “Most of my students do what they sure to pass students for sure. I think However, teacher turnover is sec- of students take the exam each year. I think the way our curriculum for need to do,” says IHS Social Studies there is pressure placed on students but ond highest in the county and Re- At graduation time, many peo- seniors is structured, it embeds a lot teacher Mr. Jamie Armstrong. As a sometimes I don’t think the caring is gents scores are significantly lower ple celebrate the students who have of flexibility within it, and it allows teacher of seniors, he sees first hand there,” says IHS math teacher Mr. Ian than other schools in Monroe County. worked hard for how the district’s Swift. “If they fail I don’t think it’s as How is it possible to have such twelve years of policies around bad for them as it is for teachers. I say a high graduation rate with equal- school. For many “...There are some cases where we keep graduation af- teachers for two reasons: One because ly high teacher turnover and students, the end of fect students. it’s reflected on our grade, our APPR less significant Regents score? senior year is a time dragging people to the finishing line.” In Mr. Arm- score, not that it counts for anything any- To start off, IHS students were to reflect on the strong’s perspec- more; but two is that if you don’t have a asked a simple question: What good and the bad. - Mr. Jamie Armstrong tive, he agrees lot of students passing, you lose a lot of makes Irondequoit so great? The hard and the that most students your funding. A lot of schools, especial- “Diversity and inclusion easy. The fun and boring. The dis- more naturally for teachers to flex for do what they need to do and the cul- ly ours, will go out of their away to give make school fun and great,” appointments and the surprises. kids. So, I don’t think that teachers, at ture of our staff at IHS, going into every opportunity for students to pass.” says senior Lauralynn Mattice. “Seniors tend to become more emo- least not from me, [have] direct pres- detail about those students who are Administration of- “I would say having good cur- tional towards the end of the year. Gen- sure to [get students to graduate].” somewhat at risk of not graduating. fers a another perspective. riculum and engaging teachers erally, I think a lot of kids have gone As Mrs. Dougherty put it, the “There was a commercial for used “Looking at the county comparison, that make the classes worth tak- to school since kindergarten in this dis- pressure is on to wrap up a 17 year cars, when I was going up, and the our goal is to always be in the top five. ing,” notes junior Daniel Sandford. trict—it’s kind of becomes a home and long task: graduate high school. At statement was push, pull, or drag it in,” We have a great community that is a lit- “Having good athletic programs, and a safety zone. And they’re graduating Irondequoit, in 2018 96% of the stu- adds Mr. Armstrong. “There are some tle more diverse than some of the other everyone having outstanding school from high school which is uncharted dents were able to complete that task. students where you have to push them, districts that are always in the top, those spirit creates a sense of unity throughout territory for them,” says IHS assis- “In a nutshell honestly, [the gradu- they are struggling with the idea of districts are also a little more affluent, the school,” adds senior Becca McGwin. tant principal Mrs. Maria Dougherty. ation rate is] high because we have a graduation, they are nervous, they aren’t they have some more resources, so we When asked, students tended to As senior year rolls on, teacher rec- very dedicated staff that never gives sure what they want to do. Some people are always proud to be in the top speak about topics that aren’t rep- ommendations have been written, col- up on students,” says IHS principal you have to pull them, security has to five in graduation rate,” says Mr. Lauf. Cabinet-makers open doors From the Opinions Section: By Korinne Minton Staff Writer Mental health days The smell of sawdust, and the sound of By Erin Lindsay develop coping skills and a concept of self rock music and power tools is common in Opinions Editor care to help us now and throughout our IHS’s Furniture and Cabinet Making class, entire lives. Taking a mental health day, a new course as of this year. Taught by Mr. As the school year progresses, our whether off of school or just a Saturday Eric Schultz, the class teaches students workload increases and our motiva- or Sunday—that’s right, you don’t have about the basics of furniture and cabinet tion decreases. As stressors elevate, to miss school—can work as a proactive construction. This course represents the our mental health deteriorates. Spring solution to a breakdown. In order to keep technology department’s effort to create a brings renewal and rebirth, but us stu- tabs on our needs, we should recognize the set of courses that cater to student interest. dents are feeling anything but renewed. symptoms of a burnout before we reach it. “Before it was more focused on busi- In the upcoming weeks, the pressure Some signs that you’re approach- ness trade and career readiness,” says Mr. will build, our anxieties will worsen—it’s ing this burnout could include fatigue, Schultz. “This class is more based on stu- important that we are equipped to handle both mentally and physically, causing dent interest, different pieces of furniture the stress that proceeds us. One way we can an inability to focus or lack of sleep, and styles. More of a hobby based class - stay on top and in control is to recognize along with increased anxiety, irritabil- trying to make it more of a lifelong hobby.” when we are approaching burnout and do ity, somber mood, weakened immune Although designed to peak student in- something about it: a mental health day. system, and a feeling of disconnect terest, many career-based skills are taught. One benefit of a heavy school work- from the world. Once you begin seeing Throughout the course, students learn the load is that it prepares us for the heavy these signs, do something about them. basics of carpentry and put their skills and workloads of college and adult life. But For some students, the high knowledge to the use in a form of a final IHS TECH ROOM | Mr.

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