Later Bell Schedule Helps Teens Get More Sleep, but Limits Activities
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SteinmetzVolume 81, Number 3, January-February 2016 Star www.steinmetzstar.com Parent, staff and student majority dislikes the change Later bell schedule helps teens get more sleep, but limits activities By McKenzie Lacefield [Jacara Adams, Juan Ceballos, Alejandro Hernandez and Maya Robinson obtained interviews; all 1st period Journalism students contributed to the story.] majority of students, parents and staff members who took the Steinmetz Star Bell Schedule survey Ain November indicated that they prefer last year’s bell schedule to this year’s one, which is an hour later. Of Survey Results parents, 68 percent said they prefer an earlier start time. Nearly 1,400 surveys were returned to the Star, with 320 8 – 3:11 9 – 4:11 people including signed comments. Freshmen 143 66 The surveys were distributed to freshmen, sophomores, Sophomores 190 183 juniors and seniors in their English classes and to staff members in their mailboxes. The Star surveyed parents at report card Juniors 133 56 pick-up on Nov. 19, 2015. Seniors 181 150 Staff 76 16 The schedule for next year has not yet been determined. photo Star Parents 142 64 Steinmetz staff members Karena Childs and Laura Jimenez greet parents, who are holding Schedule pros and cons 865 535 the Star survey, at report card pick up on Nov. 19, 2015. Students, sitting at a table closest Students who prefer this year’s schedule commented that the to the door, distributed the Bell Schedule Survey to the parents. More than 200 parents 62% 38% 9 a.m. start allows more sleep and more time to eat breakfast, took the survey, which was like the student survey at top left, but didn’t ask for grade level. get ready and commute to school. “I love the extra sleeping time,” junior Thalia Ocasio said. Shirley Cisneros said. “I don’t have to wake up early and I don’t feel rushed,” Some students said that the late dismissal has adversely The Star ‘Later Bell Schedule’ report, sophomore Alma Carmona said. affected their employment, athletics and after school activities. continued on Pages 10-13, includes: Students who prefer an earlier schedule commented about “Now that school starts later, I have been working fewer • The option for working seniors to leave school at 3:11 (p. 12) the loss of time in the afternoons because of the 4:11 dismissal. hours and even staying up at work till midnight,” senior Vic- • Reasons for the change in schedule Many said they were concerned with safety because it is dark toria Galvin said. • Comparisons with other CPS high schools when they are walking home or taking public transportation. “Athletes get home later than usual due to practices and • Research on teens and sleep deprivation “Now I don’t really have time to do anything at home,” games after school, and they don’t have enough time for home- • Interviews with Principal Stephen Ngo, CPS Network 3 sophomore Michelle Villanueva said. “Staying after school work,” junior Leinaliz Miranda said . “How are we supposed Chief of Schools Randel Josserand and LSC members isn’t even okay. It’s so dark and dangerous.” to participate in after school clubs and activities and sports • Information about past bell schedules at Steinmetz Parents also commented about safety. and have good grades?” • Dozens of student, staff and parent comments on the positive “It’s too dark for the kids to walk through Riis Park,” parent Continued on Page 10 and negative effects of the new schedule Regional science fair winners advance to city Principal Ngo responds to Star ‘censorship accusation’ ereetings, this is Principal Ngo. I’d like to explain Gmy thoughts and actions pertaining to accusations that I censored the school newspaper. Having read the first draft on the story on the late start, I felt that it was rather one-sided. The story needed more balance. I halted the story from running in the Decem- ber issue after explaining to the Rikeya Hargrove by Photo Principal Stephen Ngo answers journalism students that I was questions from Star reporters on postponing the story so that they Jan. 4. Photo by Steven Nunez Steven by Photo could add more balance to the en students represented Steinmetz at the North Rybarska, Liana Perez, Tiyun Harvey, Adrian Espino, story. I made two specific recom- interviewed regarding the health High Schools Regional Networks Science Fair Vincent Fernandez, Jorge Garcia, Abdulkabir Yahya mendations. First, I recommended benefits surrounding more sleep Ton Friday, Jan. 29. They competed with 90 and Lara Banez earned gold medals. All students who that the students interview our and research that shows most teen- other students from 14 different North Side schools. earned gold medals have been invited to compete Local School Council regarding agers in the United States are sleep (From left to right in above): Aleksandra Czernas- in the City Science Fair, which will be held at the the late start. Secondly, I recom- deprived. tek earned a silver medal. Victor Hernandez, Weronika Museum of Science and Industry on March 17.• mended that the school nurse be Continued on Page 4 In this Issue News: 1-2, 4-7, 9-13 Opinion: 2-3 Valentine’s: 8-9, 14 Arts & Entertainment: 14 Sports: 15-16 Photo by Dr. Mojgan Majdzadeh Dr. by Photo Photo, Eyerusalem Coleman-Kitch Eyerusalem Photo, Photo by McKenzie by Lacefield Photo Letter to the editor and column Mendrano courtesyPhoto Mr. On the campaign trail, p. 4 about guys’ clothing choices, p. 3 Shout outs, pages 8-9 Review of RuPaul’s Drag Race, p. 14 Bowling, p. 15 2 Star News Staff and students mourn with Steinmetz senior over loss of mom Star Steinmetz College Prep High School 3030 N. Mobile, Chicago IL 60641 773-534-3030, Star office (x) 25241 www.steinmetzstar.com Email: [email protected] The Steinmetz Staris a student publication of Steinmetz Many of Alicia Urquizo’s IB classmates, pictured in an art class photo, and other friends, attended services for Cynthia Urquizo. College Prep High School. Our goal is to inform the Photo courtesy Urquizo Photo Alicia Steinmetz community of news affecting the students of country, cardio club and track teams expressed their our school. The opinions expressed are not necessarily By Diana Lagunas sorrow and admiration for her mom. those shared by the editors or faculty and administration. “I knew Alicia’s mom from her rides to school in the ith an outpouring of love and care, dozens morning and coming over to her house,” senior Kienna The Steinmetz Starwelcomes letters, corrections, com- of students and staff members attended the Bariso said. “She was extremely funny, using sarcasm ments, and articles from all members of the Steinmetz Wwake and funeral for senior Alicia Urquizo’s and always being real. She was like the older version of community. mother Cynthia, who died at age 50 on Jan. 26. Alicia. She had a loving personality, and I really felt she Friends of Alicia from her senior IB class and cross acted as a second mother. She had a very loving heart.” Co-editors-in-chief: • Alejandro Hernandez and Zaneta Marcinik College Café available for Senior Seminar assists Section editors and copy editors: Agape Alfaro, Lesli Avila, Ashley Komperda, McKenzie underclassmen during lunch in application process Lacefield, Jailene Torres, Daria Velazquez By Brian Geans Journalism class reporters: Jacara Adams, Natalia Aguilar, Juan Ceballos, Valery ince the fall of Champion, David Ciechanowski, Yesenia Deluna, Kara 2013, Senior Dziadosz, Ronald Evans, Brian Geans, Paris Glispie, Luis SSeminar has Gomez, Venice Gonzalez, Rikeya Hargrove, Gerardo Jerez, been a required class Angelo Jones, Daniel Lozeau, Rosemary Mcgurn, Wiljali- for most seniors. Ms. Serritella sha Mollfulleda, Anthony Morgan Kitch, Giselle Mendoza, Students in IB and Photo, Brian Geans Olivia Nunez, Elizabeth Patino, Camila Pina, Lisette OneGoal don’t take Pravinchandra, Flor Renteria, Maya Robinson, Eduardo Sophomores and teacher Beth Perez at the College Café the class. Vazquez, Imari Walker It has been taught by several different teach- Photos by Tony Morgan-Kitch ers, counselors and even Principal Stephen Ngo. Newspaper Club reporters: By Monica Marroquin This year, English teachers Victoria Serritella Karen Bahena, Victoria Boccia, Eyerusalem Coleman- and Stephanie Walker teach the nine sections. Kitch, Frederick Crittendon, Kimberly Degante, Kala hat do you expect The Star interviewed Ms. Serritella about Geralds, Elise Guillen, Ahmad Hamdan, Luz Herrera, from college? Do you the class. Allyza Inson, Everett Jennings, Monica Laddaran, Diana Weven plan on going to What is Senior Seminar about? Lagunas, Gerardo Martinez, Monica Marroquin, Jamara college? If you do, what are you It is a class designed to assist students to the McGarry, Tyffani Quintero, Alina Afzal Qureshy, Jacque- going to major in? college application process, including obtain- lyn Rodriguez, Emony Tate Don’t worry. Many kids have ing scholarships, completing the FAFSA and the same question as you do. understanding college financial and educational The Newspaper Clubmeets on Tuesdays and Thursdays Honestly, many of us have an Matais Kirk (2015) speaks to obligations. in Room 333 during 3rd and 4th period lunch and after ideal life planned out, but what students about his experi- Why do we have it? school. ence at Northern Illinois are our choices to get there? University. In the past college enrollment was really low What is your plan to succeed in due to students’ lack of knowledge of the college Star adviser: Ms. Sharon Schmidt your dream job? application and admission process. College Café is a place where freshmen and sophomores can How does Senior Seminar help? Membership: Scholastic Press Association of Chicago go on Wednesdays and Fridays during third and fourth lunch It help the students 100 percent starting by periods to set up their future.