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One man’s attempt to So just how, exactly, Do you have a Heli- help a friend becomes are those parking copter Parent? a national movement. citations issued? FULL SPREAD ON INSIDE: STORY ON PAGE 5 STORY ON PAGE 11 PAGES 2-3 T H E E R N E S T W. S E A H O L M WEDNESDAY,HIGHLANDER MARCH 5th, 2008 - 2436 W. LINCOLN RD. - BIRMINGHAM, MI 48009 - 248.203.3803 - [email protected] SEAHOLM HIGH SCHOOL’S STUDENT VOICE The nation’s largest beef recall reaches all the way to Seaholm, leaving many to ask... The New Contract Where’s the Habitual beef? Ben Kuslits absentees Co-Managing Editor Birmingham Public Schools has fallen victim to the meaty quagmire that has spawned from the can’t lose largest beef recall in the country’s history. According to Marcia Wilkinson, Director of Community Relations for BPS, the district did come credit for into contact with some of the now recalled beef. “We did have a few cases that were pulled,” she said. David Andrejko, BPS’s Sodexho liaison, confirmed skipping, to The Highlander that there were a total of 14 cases spread around Seaholm, Derby, BCS, and West Maple. but now On February 18th, the Westland/Hallmark Meat Company, based in Chino, California, recalled a record 143 million pounds of beef that had been distributed around the country from February 1, face an exit 2006, to February 15, 2008. While no diseases were found in the meat, the recall was prompted by a number of sick cattle who were wrongfully sent to the slaughter house without the receiving the proper exam inspection. Once BPS became aware of the USDA mandate, the district quickly “isolated the cases,” according to Wilkinson. Jordan Kristopik Although the recall was issued promptly once Co-Managing Editor Graphic by Chelsea Bada the company’s negligence became clear, some of the beef in question may have found its way onto First it was the trimester. Then it was the athletic but now it must allow the student the opportunity to Boyer says that the new policy has two main students’ lunch trays. seasons. Now it’s the attendance policy. earn credit in that class, by testing out.” drawbacks. “It is possible that some of that beef was served,” Students of Seaholm — be According to the new law, “Districts are “Number one, if you’re headed to college, you’ve said Wilkinson. “But no illnesses were reported.” prepared for yet another change. responsible for determining the assessments, got to explain how you ended up without a grade in Andrejko reaffirmed Wilkinson’s statement. Assistant Principal Deb Boyer is currently in which can be used for testing out purposes.” the class, but just a pass or fail grade,” said Boyer. “It is important to note that there were not any talks with the Birmingham Public Schools board to To simplify, here’s how the new policy works. “And typically, colleges have always looked at pass/ reported cases of food borne illness due to the finalize the details. A student is put on contract after eight absences in fail as D- when they recalculate GPA.” consumption of this beef,” he said. “This is in response to a change in state laws,” a class. If that student breaks his or her contract, the The other drawback, according to Boyer, is that the The USDA categorized the Westland/Hallmark said Boyer. “Up to now, the law said that if a student class automatically becomes a pass/fail class. In the new policy makes it much harder to pass the class meat as a Class II Product Recall, where there is “a violated a district’s attendance policy, the district old system, the student would not earn credit for the than just to “coast” through it. remote probability of adverse health consequences had the right to drop the student from the class and class, and that would be the end. “When you choose to take a class pass/fail, you from the use of this product.” lose credit.” In the new system, there are many more obstacles only have to pass at a D- to get the ‘P,’ which is a With such an incredible amount of beef being As almost every student is familiar with, the old to overcome. The student must attempt to “test out” 60%. But if you’re on contract, break it, and plan to recalled, many purchasers stand to lose a substantial attendance policy is that if a student misses eight of the class. In order to test out, the student must test out, you’ve got to walk in and do everything at amount of their supply. Fortunately, the district will classes (excused or unexcused), the student is put on earn a 78% or higher on an assessment or series of 78% or above,” said Boyer. “It’s not worth it.” not be losing any money. contract. The contract is determined by Boyer and assessments determined by the class’s department. Another factor of the new policy is that once the “It is my understanding that we will be reimbursed usually allows the student to “miss that class about “It can be a test, a series of tests, and/or papers, student breaks contract, he or she is not allowed for all of the recalled beef,” said Andrejko. “The once a month.” projects, and labs. It’s whatever the district defines a to attend that class or have any contact with the recall of the beef has not affected our supply of However, with the state of Michigan’s more showing competence in the course,” said Boyer. teacher. beef.” rigorous graduation requirements, more students If the student tests out with a 78% or higher, they “What you lose is that you are no longer allowed to are failing classes due to attendance. They want to earn a passing grade—a “P”—in the class, perhaps attend the class,” said Boyer. “Basically, I’m going eliminate the factor of attendance in earning credit. without ever showing up. to say to a student who’s on the verge of losing Inside and In Depth: “What they did is they separated the concept of If the student does not test out with a 78%, a failing contract, ‘So you think you can walk in and do the attendance and grading from the possibility of credit grade is factored into the student’s GPA. They can’t unit test, the projects, and the final with no help?’” Capitol-izing in course,” said Boyer. “The district still has the “drop” the class if they want. They are stuck with right to take away the opportunity to earn a grade, an “F.” PLEASE SEE CONTRACT / PAGE 12 Ba-wreck Oh-Bummer! Road Trip To See Democratic Front Runner Speak Hits Pothole see Obama, despite getting into a wreck less than said. “And we noticed that we were right by the two miles away from the event. stadium that we had been looking for the entire “We were in Columbus,” said Wilkinson, who has time. We saw a bunch of people coming out of the been on Obama’s e-mailing list for months. “We stadium with Obama stuff, and we realized that we were trying to find the stadium, but we turned left Mr. Craig’s AP Government class speaks on and got into a car accident.” Michigan’s Capitol Hill. STORY PAGE 12 The Seaholm seniors left Birmingham at 5:30 “We got lost and couldn’t find in the morning so that they could get some good Rock on! seats. the stadium. We were turning “We made it down to Columbus without any around on 17th Street when we problems,” Wilkinson said. “But when we got there, we got lost and couldn’t find the stadium. We were got hit.” th Nobody was hurt, but the wreck cost seniors Anna- turning around on 17 Street when we got hit.” belle Wilkinson and Rachel Gulley a chance to hear Following a car accident, most students would be Annabelle Wilkinson Barack Obama Photo by Rachel Gulley stressing about their car along with their parents reactions for days, if not weeks. But not these two. missed it.” Andrew Green “At first I was worried about the car,” Gulley This story, however, has added disappointment. Staff Writer said. “But after I calmed down, my worry turned “When we saw the people coming out, we realized Rachel Gulley and Annabelle Wilkinson are huge into disappointment that I might not be able to see that we had driven by the stadium,” Gulley said. Barack Obama fans. Obama.” “There weren’t any signs saying that the rally was So when they told teachers and friends they After waiting for the tow truck to come and get there, so we just kept going. I was so frustrated not were planning to skip class Wednesday to see the their car, they went with it to the station. Following only at the accident, but that we had been there. We Democratic presidential candidate speak in Ohio, their business, they continued their quest to see could have avoided it had there been a sign saying Obama. few were surprised. PLEASE SEE OBAMA / PAGE 12 Meet Seaholm’s rock star para professional. What was surprising was their determination to “We were looking around outside,” Wilkinson STORY PAGE 6 Here Come The Millennials...And Their Parents Workplace Revolution: Tech Savvy Millennials Blaze New Trail Amelia Carpenter us in our life, our career, and our resume.” themselves as a can-do employee, they have to be “[I think that it’s an] absolutely fabulous generation ‘100% committed to learning your organization.’ News Editor from a number of perspectives,” said Crane.