Contributors 1. How do you feel about Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s plan for longer school days in Chicago schools? 2. If you were a wealthy philanthropist with millions to give away, what cause would you give it to and why? 3. If you could make one suggestion on how to help our educational system, what would it be and why? 4. Do you think more teen employment can help decrease the crime rate? Why or why not? Fredrick Jones Junior, Simeon Career Academy Junior Freelance Graphic Design 1. We should have longer school days, because there are many students that hang out in the streets after school and that sometimes leads to big trouble such as going to jail, following people that are a bad influence, and you could even put your life in risky situations. 2. If I had millions of dollars, I would give it away to people who really need money such as homeless people, shelters, Africa, Japan, etc. I will give it to them because they’ve been through hell and they are struggling to survive, so why not give them a little help. 3. We should have more parent volunteers at the schools, because they can be good role-models, give children wisdom to keep them on the right track, and to look out for the students. 4. In my opinion, more teen employment could reduce the crime rate, but it’s like 50/50 because you know teens these days are lazy. Well some of them, but if there was more teen employment the crime rate will surely decrease. Christopher Summers Graduate, Al Raby HS Sales and Marketing 1. I feel that Rahm Emanuel’s plan for longer school days is going to be hard on some Chicago students. But it could help keep kids out of trouble. 2. I would help fund cancer research, because when I was younger I watched my grandfather fight and die of lung cancer. 3. I will suggest a better way of hiring teachers. We need teachers that are dedicated to helping the urban youth improve their everyday lives and teaching beyond the textbooks. 4. Yes, because filling the free time of any person regardless of age will make them less likely to have the time to commit a crime, and putting income in their pocket will reduce their economic NEED to commit a crime. In today’s society, teens are the most involved in crime and it would keep them off the streets. Jerome Harris Freshman, Indiana State University Photography Team 1. I strongly agree with longer school days. This fall, I will be an incoming college freshmen and I believe longer school days would have helped sharpen my skills and helped me more in my preparation for college. 2. This summer I volunteered as a referee and a coach for a basketball camp; the kids had a lot of fun. I would allocate 2 million dollars to a talent camp that would help kids with their future using whatever talents they may have. 3. Based on my experience, I would like to say most of my teachers were exceptionally good at teaching, but there were some that did not fulfill there job description. So all teachers should be well-qualified and simply do their jobs. 4. Teen employment is the perfect way to decrease the crime rate. This gives them job experience, along with giving them a chance to put there time and effort in to something positive.
Alexander Stockstell Freshman, Columbia College Chicago Freelance Editorial 1. Longer school days are not the answer for anything really. Sure, if the students stay in school longer they learn more right? One would think that, but I think otherwise. The only way students excel in school is through good teaching and challenging curriculum. 2. I would create a program that would send 50 students that I call “Under Achieved Learners” in every major city in America to a college of their choice for free. Under achieved learners would be any student who has just below a 2.0 GPA, but shows an interest in learning by other means. They could write, create presentations or videos to show how they have a passion in something else and that their learning can be done in other ways. 3. We need a real national standard of equal education in America. Inner city students do not necessarily have to learn the same topics as suburban students, but they should be learning on a same level. This type of environment challenges our children to be better students, and breaks everlasting statistics. This also creates more college graduates and new ideas for our society to benefit from. 4. Yes, I do think teen employment could potentially fight the crime rate. The time that is crucial for a student is between the hours of 3-6 p.m. on weekdays. Outside of homework and studying, a student needs this time to be filled with productive things to do. Programs like After School Matters understand this and offer jobs to help fill this time accordingly, but these programs come far and few and many students are still left out with nothing but the streets to occupy their free time. Ikea Johnson Senior, Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School, Radio Team 1. Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s plan for longer school days in Chicago is bittersweet. I understand that it is to keep youth occupied, but I feel that not only should Chicago Public Schools go through this but also private and charter schools as well. 2. If I was a wealthy philanthropist with millions to give away, I would honestly start my own foundation to give it to. This foundation would be specifically geared towards at-risk youth, providing them with means and tools of expression, while also helping them get to college. This foundation would also have a section specifically dedicated to young men, just based on the simple fact that more women than men go to college. 3. If I could make one suggestion on how to help the educational system it would to recruit new, young, passionate teachers. I say this because a young teacher can relate a lot better to the circumstances of those they teach. Just as the world evolves, the educational system needs to as well. 4. I do not think more teen employment can help decrease the crime rate. I understand an idle mind is the devil’s workshop, but if somebody wants to fight someone they will fight regardless. Kia Smith Senior, Harlan High School Southside Editorial 1. I think Rahm Emanuel’s plan is RIDICULOUS. However, if we were able to start school later, for example 9 a.m. vs. 8 a.m., then I wouldn’t mind as much. 2. I’d give to a variety of causes, but I would give graciously to True Star Magazine because I love the opportunities they give to the youth. They inspire so many, and there needs to be more causes out here like True Star. 3. To make the education system better, I think standardized testing needs to be taken away. Standardized tests are racially biased and I honestly disagree with test taking to demonstrate one’s intelligence. There are lots of intelligent people who simply do not test well, and I believe the education system should give everyone a chance. 4. I really do think crime would decrease because if more teens had jobs, we wouldn’t be so angry and tempted to do illegal things to get money and attention. Teens are basic. We need/want/love money and we need/want/love attention. If we have more jobs, we’ll get both.