The Lion’s Tale February 23, 2015 Leo Junior/Senior High School Volume LVI Issue V 10 EACS implements eLearning days dollar date ideas By Mackenzie Joefreda “It makes everyone hap- ers give us more work, some of tenwein said. “Five days allows py; they don’t have to go longer at which isn’t applicable to what them to do it at their convenience Feature editor the end of the school year,” Kan- we are doing in class, than regu- but still applies a deadline.” tenwein said. “Students get extra lar schools days,” Chaney said. According to Kanten- practice or more information than Hughbanks and wein, his students did very well 8 what teachers sometimes have Chaney both agree that this with the first eLearning days; Things about time for in a regular class setting.” year’s eLearning days have most students did his assign- The East Allen Coun- Assignments for eL- gone much better than last ments right away and submit- Basketball ty School District has now earning are to be a review of year’s eLearning day, though. ted them back within a day. had seven eLearning days. what has already been done Kantenwein, Hugh- Assistant principal Jody There was a sched- in class and nothing new. banks, and Chaney said that Smith said that so far there are uled eLearning day was Hughbanks thinks the allotted amount of time only positives of eLearning. on Pesident’s Day, Feb. 16. the amount of work being as- to get eLearning assignments “The only downside that Days for eLearning are to signed on eLearning days com- done is helpful and appropriate. I could see is if the state fears that 13 Acts in replace making up school days at pared to regular school days “I think it’s a good we are not getting as much of a is about the same; however, amount because they still have day as we would in school,” Smith Leo’s the end of the year. When school is cancelled, teachers are to have Chaney doesn’t completely agree. normal assignments to do, papers said. “The quality of the day could Got their 30 minute assignments on “I do believe some teach- to write, and research to do,” Kan- suffer if it’s not taken seriously.” Talent My Big Campus or Showbie by 9 a.m. Teachers are to be available to answer any questions on the e- learning day between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Students then have five school days from that day to com- 32 plete and turn in the assignments. East Allen County Schools days and Southwest Allen County until Schools are the only Allen County spring districts who have eLearning days implemented. With eLearning, the Break school year will end on May 22. This process has been ap- proved by the state and by East Allen County Schools. According to superinten- dent Kenneth Folks, eLearning is a way to get all of the information Notable taught before all of the major ex- ams that occur in May, rather than adding extra days after the exams. Numbers Senior Ethan Hugh- banks, junior Erika Chaney, and math teacher David Kan- tenwein all agree that eLearn- ing days are better than adding on school days to the end of the PHOTO BY MACKENZIE JOEFREDA year. Students also enjoy getting 1000 to sleep in on an extra day off. Seniors Morgan Poeppel and Dustin Lukemire collaborate on their eLearning. points scored Curtis Smith gains by David wide recognition Hardin Snow days pile up By Corinne Roth Special editor By Lindsey Sharp on normal days, and 8 a.m. on two-hour-delay days. Editor-in-chief The time constraints are in place be- As the weather can be cause if the delays or closings are called any frightful this winter, chief mete- 7 later, then busses must be turned around. orologist Curtis Smith shares his e-learning Though during Folks’ time as superin- thoughts on upcoming weather tendent of EACS there has never been a time in and his “call it off” Twitter fame. Days which they have had to tell all of the busses that Superintendent Kenneth Folks is Smith, who has always were already out to turn around, Folks said that if the ultimate say-so for whether or not EACS been fascinated by the weather, there were dire circumstances in which it would will have school during inclement weath- has been in front of the cam- increase the students’ and staff’s safety to turn all er, but he does not make the decision alone. era since he was a sophomore; of the busses around, the district would do so. Folks has many advisers, such the high school he attended Students often come in late to school due as assistant superintendent for adminis- owned a TV station. Smith to hazardous road conditions or backed-up traf- trative services Kirby Stahly and Direc- shared how predicting weather fic because of car wrecks. These students are giv- tor of Transportation Melvin Falkner. can be difficult, including even en leeway, according to Principal Neal Brown. 50 Assigned drivers go out in each area nailing the next day or two. “We have flexibility on days that road condi- of the district each morning, as well. Accord- “Obviously the fur- year tions are bad,” Brown said. “It’s ultimately my call.” ing to Folks, these drivers know the “trou- ther out into the future, the While some students are late to school anniversary ble” spots and keep a keen eye on these areas. harder it is to be precise on on days where road conditions are hazardous, Folks said that when making decisions the weather,” Smith said, “The of the zoo some students do not attend school on such days. about whether or not to send children out in po- best we can realistically hope to “If a parent feels it’s unsafe for their child tentially hazardous weather conditions, safety identify would be general pat- to come to school but school was not cancelled, is always the main concern. It’s a judgment call. terns and specifics we can focus the child does not have to come to school,” Brown According to Folks, the main ques- on in a short-term forecast.” said. “If a parent tells us that they do not believe tion he and his advisers ask themselves “I think the rest of win- it’s safe for their child to come to school, then we is “Is it safe for our staff and students?” ter will continue to be a little are to excuse them and count them present.” “For example, when it’s foggy, we abide colder than normal, but no- This logic is based upon the inclement by the ‘three telephone poles’ rule,” Folks said. where near last year,” Smith 1982 weather policy and can be found under the admin- said. “We will see average snow “If our drivers can’t see three telephone poles istrative guidelines section of the EACS website. ahead, chances are we will not have school.” totals throughout the region.” year Dr. EACS communicates with parents, staff, Another example Folks offered was Most students, more and students through many mediums about Brown that when wind chills drop below -25 degrees specifically people who use whether or not the district is to have school, in- Fahrenheit, chances are that most schools, Twitter, have become more con- Started cluding advertisements on local television sta- EACS in particular, will not have school. nected to Smith through his Teaching tions, phone calls, and briefs on the EACS website. The “cut-off” time, the point at which EACS weather update posts. Because “I think overall communication is good, must make a decision about whether or not their of this, Smith has become very but sometimes there’s confusion about why school TCID:PP students and staff should come to school, is at 6 a.m. popular in the Fort Wayne area, is or isn’t cancelled,” junior Hailey Seiler said. and he thinks it’s a ton of fun. Febuary 23, 2015 Page 2 NEWS Fort Wayne Runs for Lindsey Marriott By Corinne Roth High School stood out, not in heard about the race taking Michaela Sauer said. “It was yond measure! The love be- their signature blue and white, place, we thought making very cold out and I person- stowed on Lindsey, our older Special Editor but purple tee shirts the cross shirts would be a really neat ally found it hard to breathe, daughter Stephanie, my wife, country team made specifically way to show all of our support but the turnout was great.” Suzie, and I has given us to wear for the fundraiser. “Car- for her,” Metzger said. “I know The event rose strength to get through each Leo sophomore roll XC Runs for Lindsey” was that if it were one of my team- over $14,500 for Marriott. day,” Michael Marriott, Lind- Lindsey Marriott suffered plastered on the front and back mates or I, we would definitely After some healing and sey’s father, said. “We have felt from a brain aneurism, re- of the Carroll students’ shirts. want others to do the same and gaining strength, Marriott was the prayers, encouragement, quiring emergency surgery Carroll High School show their support as we did.” relocated to Parkview North and blessings to be right there while vacationing in Flori- freshman Leah Metzger Many of Leo’s students in Fort Wayne where will be with us through this tough da during Christmas break. doesn’t know Marriott per- and teams attended the event.