Oct 17, 2014

image

October 17, 2014 Vol. 46, No. 2 Lafayette High School – 17050 Clayton Rd. – Wildwood, MO 63011

lhsimage.com

Everyone’s story is different.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Some of us will honor it by wearing pink or making a donation, but for many in the Lancer community the awareness extends far beyond October. Lexi Lybarger, who lost her mother to breast cancer, got this tattoo during her mother’s treatment. French teacher Gina Luerding is now cancer-free, but she battled the disease not once, but three times. Read their stories on pages 8-9. *photo illustration by Hannah Martin

Staff & Policies Editors

Hannah Martin--------------------Editor in Chief Jack Rogan-------------------- Managing Editor Megan Rigabar--------------------- Copy Editor Jennifer Butler------------------- Opinion Editor Ben Rachell------------------------Sports Editor Seth Boester---------------- Asst. Sports Editor Delaney Eyermann----------------- Webmaster Alaina Strollo- Asst. Web/ Social Media Editor Madison Kesselring---------Business Manager Nancy Y. Smith, MJE------------------- Adviser

Staff Members Image:

Mary Adcock, Kayley Allen, Patrick Levine, Garrett McBay, Grant Norfleet, Dominic Scaglione, Bryan Woode

Digital Media:

Julianne Beffa, Jimmy Bowman, Brian Gassel, Logan Jordan, Amelia Konicki, Alex Moss, Karina Patel, Colleen Pavia, Shelby Robbe, Mason Smith

Information

Image is published nine times a year by the News Production Class. Subscriptions are $30. Free issues are distributed on campus. The 2012-2013 Image received a rating of First Class with two marks of distinction from the National Scholastic Press Association and was a Pacemaker Finalist. lhsimage.com received a rating of All-American with four marks of distinction. The 2013-2014 Image was awarded the George H. Gallup Award from Quill and Scroll.

Philosophy Statement

The newspaper’s primary obligation is to inform its readers about events in the school and community and of issues of national or international importance which directly or indirectly affect the school population. The newspaper, while serving as a training ground for future journalists as part of the school curriculum, recognizes all rights and responsibilities under the First Amendment.

Operating as a public forum, student editors will apply professional standards and ethics for decision making as they take on the responsibility for content and production of the newspaper.

Contact Us

Located in Room 137A at Lafayette High School, 17050 Clayton Rd., Wildwood, MO 63011. Our phone number is (636) 733-4118 and our e-mail address is lhsimage@gmail.com or visit on the web at: www.lhsimage.com

Policies

A complete explanation of the Rockwood School District Policies and Regulations concerning official student publications and the policies and procedures used by the Image staff can be found on the website www.lhsimage.com under the About

On The Web

For breaking news, check out lhsimage. com and follow @lhsimage on Twitter

&

image

Oct. 17, 2014

NEWS numbers 40,000 CRAZE Estimated number of deaths due to breast cancer in 2014, according to the National Cancer Institute

533

Number of lab books sold so far in the Lancers Landing

$23,066 Average college tuition for four year institutions in the 2011-2012 school year, up from $9, 554 in the 1981-1982 school year *National Center for Educational Statistics

47

Percent of teenagers who own smart phones, up from 23 percent in 2011 *2012 Pew Research study

CANDY 600 million

Pounds of candy Americans buy for Halloween

90 million

Pounds of chocolate candy sold the week of Halloween

2 billion

Amount earned on candy sales in the days leading up to Halloween. This is 10 percent of annual candy sales! *According to Huffington Post

New Cancer Cases

2 misc.

14%

84% = Breast cancer

= All other cancers

*According to the National Cancer Institute

Top 10 College Majors

Language 1.

6. English and Literature 2. Psychology 7. Economics 3. Nursing 8.

Political Science/ 9.

4. Biology/Biological Government Sciences Computer and 5. Education 10. Information Sciences Business Administration and Management/Commerce

Communication Studies/ Speech Communication and Rhetoric

*According to Princeton Review

You Can Quote Me On That!

“

We have a lot of tricks and treats up our sleeves for the dance this year.”

– David Choate, language arts teacher, on the “Monster Mash” themed Homecoming Dance

“

Generally speaking, Lafayette athletics and activities are better than ever. Some of them are coming to a close and we’ve had good representation.”

– Activties Director Steve Berry on the success of Lafayette’s fall sports teams

Chemistry/Physics Tutor Available Retired Teacher High School Level Advanced Classes

636-532-4648

image

Oct. 17, 2014

news 3

Goodbye tenure, hello testing Amendment 3 would require more standardized tests, end teacher tenure kayley allen

How It Will Appear On The Ballot

– reporter –

“I think it does numerous destructive things to schools in general.”

This is the opinion of Paul Stanley, the Rockwood National Education Association (RNEA) President, on Amendment 3.

Amendment 3 will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot, and if passed, will mandate that a teachers’ ability and effectiveness be evaluated by requiring standardized tests in grades K-12, and in every subject within those grade levels. It will also end teacher tenure.

To be placed on the ballot as a Constitutional amendment, 157,788 valid signatures were received by the state. Therefore, on Aug. 5, it was announced by Secretary of State Jason Kander that the proposal would be added the Nov. 4 ballot.

Reaction to Amendment 3 has been very negative among educators and education groups.

“It essentially turns kids into numbers,” Stanley said. “Teachers have to be concerned about students’ scores on a test every single year because that’s how they’re going to be paid and determine whether they keep their job or not.”

In order for all teachers to be equally assessed, standardized tests will have to be created in every subject.

This includes classes that don’t participate in testing now, such as Fine Arts, Practical Arts and Physical Education.

“I can only imagine that if the district was forced to create tests for those classes, you’re going to see the curriculum narrow to reflect and prepare kids for what’s on the test,” Stanley said.

And the number of standardized tests students take could skyrocket. For example, in the Independence School District, the current number of standardized tests a student takes in grades K-12 is 26. Administrators said if Amendment 3 passes that number would jump to approximately 290 tests.

“Rockwood does a lot of standardized testing; some teachers may even agree too much, but there are also a lot of classes where there aren’t standardized testing,” Stanley said.

All tests designed by school districts will have to be approved by the state in order to obtain funding for these tests.

“Approving tests is normally a function of your local school board, but now we’re going to ship those responsibilities off to the state to approve of those things,” Stanley said. “If they disapprove, I would guess that you either rework it or the district doesn’t get its funding.”

Amendment 3 does not provide districts with any funding for these standardized tests. It also states taxes cannot be raised in conjunction with the funding mandates of the amendment.

“If this gets passed, it causes hundreds and thousands of dollars to be spent on the test creation, and I personally don’t know where that would come from if you can’t raise taxes. This means [the money]would come from the general revenue fund of the district instead of spending it on the students,” Stanley said.

Along with requiring more standardized testing, Amendment 3 will also replace teacher tenure with a maximum three-year contract.

Teach Great, the organization primarily responsible for gathering the signatures to get Amendment 3 on the ballot said, “the ballot measure will reward and protect good teachers, ensure administrators are able to support struggling teachers, and make it easier for schools to hire more great teachers.”

In early September, Teach Great announced it will no longer be running an active campaign to get people to vote yes.

“It has become clear that now is not the time to further pursue the Teach Great initiative. While we still believe in the measure wholeheartedly, we will not be moving forward with Amendment 3 this year,” Teach Great spokeswoman Kate Casas said.

Allison Hallums, junior, believes Amendment 3 will not effec-

Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:

• require teachers to be evaluated by a standards based performance evaluation system for which each local school district must receive state approval to continue receiving state and local funding; • require teachers to be dismissed, retained, demoted, promoted and paid primarily using quantifiable student performance data as part of the evaluation system; • require teachers to enter into contracts of three years or fewer with public school districts; and • prohibit teachers from organizing or collectively bargaining regarding the design and implementation of the teacher evaluation system?

Teachers on the ballot In Spanish IV, teacher Deborah Campbell leads a review before a quiz. On Nov. 4, voters will go to the polls to determine if teachers will be evaluated using standardized testing in every class, including world languages such as Spanish IV. (photo by Kaitlyn Wylie) tively evaluate teachers and their ability to teach.

“Some kids are just bad students and test takers no matter how good the teacher is. Kids could perform poorly because standardized tests make them nervous, not because the teacher didn’t do their job,” Hallums said.

If Amendment 3 passes, it would go into effect in all school districts in Missouri on July 1, 2015.

“It’s not fair that during my senior year next year I will be required to take seven standardized tests per semester. I have other things to worry about than a standardized test in art,” Hallums said.

Educators are also concerned that Amendment 3 would give the state too much control over individual districts.

“I think the majority of the teachers are not supportive of the Amendment. Anytime you have outside sources from the educational world trying to dictate how we should do things in our profession for kids and teacher without really taking into consideration the kids and teachers as part of the developmental process, it would lend itself to be concerning,” Principal John Shaughnessy said.

Some would also agree Amendment 3 may affect the curriculum and how material is taught to students.

“I think a lot of what we see in our education now will have to be restructured if this Amendment were to be passed,” Shaughnessy said.

“Do Something With Your Hair” * * * *

Latest Styles & Trends Colors/Highlights Up Do’s Yeah, we have stuff for you guys, too...

15% off

15% off Services

173 Long Road Next to Wildhorse Grill Chesterfield, MO 63005 (636) 536-HAIR (4247)

Decisions by school districts regarding provisions allowed or required by this proposal and their implementation will influence the potential costs or savings impacting each district. Significant potential costs may be incurred by the state and/or the districts if new/additional evaluation instruments must be developed to satisfy the proposal’s performance evaluation requirements.

Teach Great: Why to vote yes “Ensure teachers are evaluated based on an objective measure: their students’ academic growth; protect great teachers and their students by requiring teachers to be dismissed, retained, demoted, promoted, and paid primarily using quantifiable student performance data as part of the evaluation system; end the unfair “last-in-first-out” rule, which often means that effective teachers are let go, while ineffective teachers stay; require teachers to enter into contracts of three years or fewer with public school districts, so that their performance can be re-evaluated as it would be in any other profession; and protect the rights of educators to collectively bargain for salary, benefits, and working conditions.”

Protect our local schools: Why to vote no

“It would take away local control of our schools from teachers, parents and school districts, and hand it over to Jefferson City politicians, it would take a one-size-fits-all approach to education, forcing teachers to “teach to a test” rather than focusing on actual instruction and learning, and it would force taxpayers to pay for costly governmentmandated standardized tests even though school funding is already a problem.”

Attention Seniors-Juniors ACT/SAT Tutoring

Call Dr. Jack Arnold 314-805-4561 Appointments Tuesday/Thursday Evenings Saturday/Sunday afternoons www.JackArnold.org

stars & gripes Stars: - The Monster Mash Homecoming Dance. We are ooking forward to partying all night Saturday, then skipping Monday for no apparent reason.

- National Teacher’s Day is on a Sunday. What better way to appreciate teachers then to give them a day off.

- Head Football Coach Boyd Manne gets his 100th victory. What else would you expect from a LHS grad?

- Music playing during Tuesday’s lunch. Hold on, this is my jam!

Board investigation of movies unnecessary staff ed Opinions expressed on the editorial pages do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints or official policies of the school administration.

All editorials (unsigned) represent a majority opinion of the Editorial Board. Signed columns, blogs, editorial cartoons and reviews reflect the vies of the author and not necessarily those of the Image Editorial Board.

- New horror movies! The best way to celebrate October is sitting back and getting scared in a dark movie theater.

Gripes: - Michael Phelps was arrested for a DUI in Maryland. “Oh no! Poor man.. how will he survive?” said no one ever.

- A man jumped the fence and breached the White House. Now we know how to get in when we want to check up with Barack and Michelle.

- A Liberian citizen died in Dallas from Ebola. Now one of his nurses has tested positive for Ebola and panic has set in. Once a disease reaches American soil, it’s suddenly an epidemic.

- TV premieres are still happening in October.

C’mon, we have midterms to study for!

- Heading to your counselor for your schedule then the college counselor, then the gifted counselor. I’ll need another counselor for stress after this.

- Tests during Homecoming Week. We can’t study. We’re too busy thinking about how we still haven’t finished planning for Saturday.

Point Counterpoint

image

Oct. 17, 2014

4 opinion

There’s nothing better than a teacher turning off the lights and putting in a movie. But there’s a potential policy on the horizon that could change that.

At the Board of Education meeting on Aug. 4, former Board candidate and co-founder of Rockwood Stakeholders for Real Solutions, Eileen Tyrrell, addressed the board about teachers showing movies before finals in place of continuing to teach curriculum.

This concern was brought to her attention through her daughter’s experience at Eureka High School and an opinion piece from the EHS publication website, EHS-hub.com that complained about classes showing too many moview as filler at the end of the year.

As required by their policies, the Board had to form a commitee to examine the problem that was presented and then determine if it is a valid issue that has a need for a poicy to address it.

It appears likely a new policy will be developed to address the showing of movies in classes.

But does an opinion from two students at the same school really require the Board of Education to review and investigate a policy for the entire school district?

In the experiences of the members of the Image Editorial Board, teachers don’t often show movies unrelated to the curriculum. In some way, shape or form, a film or video clip relates back to the class.

Between the members of our Editorial Board, there were only a handful of occasions where students recall a teacher showing a movie just because their previous lesson plan didn’t work out, a last minute sub plan was needed or some other reason.

We don’t condone the idea of teachers playing a movie for no reason, but that has rarely happened in our years of experience.

Illustration by: Grant Norfleet A big push for this investigation resulted from last year’s extra days because of the snow days added on at the end of the school year.

Both Tyrrell and the EHS opinions writer addressed the extra days, but we don’t believe they fully understood what happened.

Senior finals were still scheduled for their original dates. AP exams were still scheduled for their original dates. Teachers still needed to finish the curriculum before the exams and as a result, we had several free days before the rest of our finals.

While some teachers played movies and held end-of-course parties, for the most part we still reviewed every unit and everything we had learned over the course of the year. Ten days of review gets a little boring, though.

So we had a few movie days. It’s not as big deal as some make it out to be. We needed a break from the tests and reviews.

For the most part, classes that showed movies for those extra days also kept the lights on for those who wanted to study or review.

Even though most of the faculty believe it won’t affect us either way, we shouldn’t have a policy at all.

Rockwood and Lafayette in particular have some of the highest ACT and AP exam test scores. We have amazing teachers who prepare students for exams to the point where they are known for their average 4.2 on an AP exam score.

So there are a couple teachers who show movies every once in a while after a test or before finals, but we deserve that break.

Standardized testing does not accurately measure intelligence grant norfleet – reporter –

Our school has won several awards including two Gold Stars and one Blue Ribbon awarded by the U.S. Department Of Education for excellence in academic performance.

Just this year, 17 of the National Merit semifinalists from Rockwood attend Lafayette. So you would think Lafayette is pumping out geniuses, right?

Unfortunately, the method in which the district measures intelligence does not paint a full picture of academic achievement or potential for all students.

Rockwood is able to maintain its high standards for students by emphasizing quick memorization of a certain topic followed by a stan-

In light of recent NFL controversies involving abuse, do you think professional athletes/ owners should be held to a higher standard and fired if they fail to meet those higher expectations?

dardized multiple choice test where students spew what they “learned” onto a scantron and forget the knowledge they acquired afterwards.

I was able to pass three years of French classes in high school, but if I were to randomly be kidnapped and thrown into the heart of Paris right now, I wouldn’t be able to survive more than a minute.

I got up to French 3 because I was good at regurgitating words that I mindlessly memorized the night before. Lafayette is a competitive school both in athletics and academics, which is fine.

The problem emerges when competitive spirit outweighs legitimate education.

I don’t know how many times I’ve been asked after a test, “What did you get?”

But nobody actually cares if you

did well on a test, they only care if they did better than you. This competitive nature isn’t completely the district’s fault, considering we live in West County, where elitism and a false sense of entitlement are abundant in many of our residents.

With that being said, our school system is still flawed. Students are taught to get good grades as opposed to actually learning the subject material and many fall behind because of this process.

Something that many students do not understand is that getting good grades is not as important as acquiring knowledge that will help you in life.

Students are taught by teachers and parents that getting ACT scores in the 30s and maintaining a 4.0 GPA are the only ways to be successful in life.

Yes, because there are so many “people who look up to [athletes] and I don’t know if they realize that or not, but if [someone is] going to be in charge of an entire basketball team, for example, they should be able to know what’s right and what’s wrong, what they should and shouldn’t say in front of people.

Elly Levy, 10

”

Every person has the potential to become an educated citizen of this country and it is the school’s job to unlock this potential.

I believe we should be assessed through presentations, verbal communications and discussion rather than silently dotting a piece of paper.

Theoretical physicist and philosopher of science Albert Einstein believed the educational system is broken and in need of refinement.

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid,” Einstein said.

I strongly believe Rockwood should take Einstein’s statement into consideration and strive to create a learning environment where students are encouraged to expand their knowledge in order to thrive in the world.

think [athletes] should “ I don’t be held to higher morals because ordinary people don’t get their jobs terminated when they do something bad. Just because they’re famous doesn’t mean it should be held against them to such a degree that they lose their job for it.

”

Lillian Wu, 12

image

Oct. 17, 2014

opinion 5

Students need to know politics, effects of government

know WHAT

YOU

I recently turned 18 and got my license renewed a month ago. With that, I was asked if I wanted to register to vote.

Obviously, I said yes.

Why wouldn’t I register to vote?

Voting is one of the biggest privileges of being an adult; your opinion actually matters.

After four years of being mature enough to have opinions but not actually being listened to because I was still a child, voting is a big thing for me.

And it should be a big thing for everyone.

As teenagers, we are demeaned whether it’s a parent, teacher or the doctor when you go to your first appointment alone.

This year, the nation will have a congressional election for all those registered to vote. Voters will vote for Congressional members and bills.

One of the big amendments on the ballot this year will affect Missouri high schoolers and teachers.

Essentially, this amendment would get rid of tenure, a permanent contract for teachers who have worked in the same school district for five years or more, and replace them with contracts that last only three years.

Jennifer Butler, Opinion Editor

While I know some people agree teachers shouldn’t get tenure just because of seniority, the amendment would change how teachers are evaluated for contracts. And let me tell you, I’m happy I won’t be in high school next year...but not for the usual reasons.

If the amendment passes, all teachers starting next school year will be evaluated by standardized tests.

Art classes, foreign language classes, even journalism classes will require tests.

Currently, our students are required to take 26 standardized tests between kindergarten and senior

year of high school.

It’s estimated that students would have to take 290 standardized tests in their school lifetime if this were to pass, about 22 a year in addition to the 26 mandated tests.

But wait, there’s more.

The creation and production of testing material adds up. Someone needs to pay the people who come up with the test. Someone also has to pay for the printing of the test and test material.

But Amendment 3 states that the money to pay for it will not be provided by the government.

That means that taxes wouldn’t

go up, which is a good thing.

But if the government isn’t paying for it, the district’s general revenue has to. Money that should go to rewarding students or improving technology will instead go to creating tests that no one wants.

Currently, high schools in our district offer 234 classes, ranging from Algebra III to First Aid/Responding to Emergencies.

But would we have all of these classes when the district has to create and a standardized test for each of them?

The district will probably start cutting the “unnecessary” classes that we have, which means we won’t have any classes like engineering, fine arts and business. The district would get rid of classes that we look at for career guidance. A business class would tell me whether or not I want to major in business. AP Calculus AB just reminds me that I hate taking derivatives.

My advice is, if you are registered to vote, please do. Learn about the politicians up for election, the policies and their effects. Take a stand for your fellow and future students because these bills affect us, our community and education as a whole.

Popular Opinion What is your favorite part of Homecoming?

Should teachers be evaluated on their students’ academic performance?

Homecoming Dance

Powder Puff/ Homecoming Game

(10%)

Pep Assembly

Yes

(4%)

(54%)

What monster were you afraid of when you were little? kayley allen – reporter –

“The monster under the bed.

I was always afraid it would grab my leg.”

Jordan Pfitzer, 9

“The Boogieman because one time my cousin put a picture of him on my pillow.”

Gabe Montgomery, 10

“Randal from Monsters Inc.”

Allison Hallums, 11

#2

#1

Your Turn

“I was afraid of werewolves. My brother always told scary stories about them.”

(40%)

Hannah Taylor, 12

“Werewolves.

My parents didn’t let me watch scary movies.”

Theme Days (15%)

No (46%)

Parade *poll of 163 students

#3

When are you too old to trick or treat?

= 10 students *poll of 100 students

39 37 24

(31%) *poll of 167 students

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Jodie Shead, Social Studies

“Freddy Krueger and Chuckie.”

hIGH SCHOOL NEVER

“Homecoming PSA” By Megan Hardie, Cartoonist

Jon Sumner, Social Studies

Oct. 17, 2014

6 news

image What’s wrong with your phone?

Taking advantage of technology Students in Jodie Fowler’s 4th Hour Principles of Engineering class use desktop computers to work on their assignments. (photo by Seth Boester)

Tech Upgrades

“I was doing a cartwheel and it flew out of my backpack and hit the wall.” — Georgia Miranda, 9

Rockwood focuses on five to six year cycle for updates bryan woode – reporter –

Lafayette’s technology has vastly changed over the past few years with new upgrades and features to enhance school productivity.

This year, Lafayette received 324 new Chromebooks that are available for students to use.

Chromebooks are small, laptop-like devices that operate on Google services.

Students can check out chromebooks in the library to use for school work.

All of Google’s services are included with the chromebook by default.

With this, any files, documents, or updates on google drive will update and save automatically.

This is a new feature that has been added to Lafayette that intended to replace the aging netbooks.

However, changes are organized, planned and periodic. The Rockwood School District (RSD) Technology Department manages all the computers, laptops and other devices within the school.

Instructional Technology Specialist Robert Deneau said, “The Technology Department works on a five to six year plan that governs the direction of technology.”

The goal of these plans is to refresh the devices after those years and keep track of the amount time they use them.

At the end of the cycle, the Technology Department has a choice to replace the technology if it’s starting to age only if they have the appropriate funding.

Before new technology is implemented in Lafayette, the technology department tests out the new devices to ensure that the specifications meet the school’s requirement.

When considering new technology, the school district ensures that it’s compatible with current technology and supports the Rockwood network.

Also, they select technology that does not require high maintenance.

Although Lafayette has upgraded technology, it’s nearly the same for all of the RSD schools. This way, there isn’t any unbalanced distribution of technology.

“Every school works with the Technology Department to ensure that all of the Rockwood schools have the same technology,” Principal John Shaughnessy said.

There are certain computers, laptops, tablets and other devices that each high school in the district is allowed to buy.

Every Rockwood computer operates

on Windows and all other mobile devices operates on Windows or Android.

“When schools want to purchase new technology with district provided funds, they must purchase items from the district approved list.” Deneau said.

For example, Marquette High School chose new laptops while Lafayette chose new chromebooks.

In the future, Lafayette hopes to add new Samsung Galaxy Tablets for staff members Physical Education department.

Before Lafayette added new chromebooks, students were permitted to utilize their own devices in school.

The Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) feature Rockwood adopted not only let students use their devices for school work, but also opened up new learning and instructional possibilities.

For example, Project Lead The Way (PLTW) classes have a website called the Learning Management System (LMS).

The LMS lets teachers easily give and grade assignments online while also allowing students to receive, manage and turn in their assignments.

The LMS is accessible on any device with an internet connection which makes it possible for students to manage their school work anytime, anywhere.

“I was playing raquetball and the ball smashed into my phone at about 60 mph and it fell onto the gritty concrete.” — Devon McCoy, 10

“I was riding my horse and when I hit a jump, it fell out of my pocket.” — Lucy Chillson, 12

What devices do we have? Phoneless desktops

342 47 324 1881 total chromebooks 295 other

873 laptops

tablets

alaina strollo

– asst. webmaster/social media editor –

Unlike most people, Paul Krull, math teacher, doesn’t own a cell phone. Instead, he depends on simpler things: a home phone, his car, and at times, his bicycle.

He has yet to purchase a cell phone because of the financial factor. Also, he doesn’t like the commitment of carrying things around.

However, not owning a cellular device occasionally causes problems.

One inconvenience for Krull occurred when his bike malfunctioned on his way to school. Instead of being able to call for help, he had to run the remaining five miles to school.

Still, Krull said the positive effects outweigh the negatives. For example, he has more free time.

“My life isn’t tied to a phone. I don’t have to check it every minute to see if I’ve gotten a text,” he said.

Though the idea hasn’t yet come to fruition, Krull does potentially intend on investing in one.

“I suppose I will eventually conform and get one,” he said, “But right now I survive just fine without.”

image

Oct. 17, 2014

news 7

TAKING SAFETY INTO OUR OWN HANDS New safety procedure gives more power to staff and students in the face of danger megan rigabar – copy editor –

In effort to maintain effective school safety policies, Rockwood is introducing a new “optionsbased” training plan to be used in response to intruders and other school threats.

This new plan will replace the current intruder alert strategy in which students and teachers gather in a corner of the classroom, turn off the lights and lock the door.

Instead, the new system aims to give teachers and students more flexibility to adapt to a threatening situation rather than being tied to a fixed plan.

“We have been talking about options-based training which is teaching staff members and students things other than just hunkering down and locking doors. [This] is something that the district is wanting to do and we’re trying to work that out this year,” Beth Knes, Interim Executive Director of Student Services, said.

To develop this new policy, a team of 60 Rockwood staff members have attended crisis meetings alongside firefighters, parents, police officers and other community members.

These staff members will then return to their respective schools and train the rest of the staff and the students.

“There’ve already been members trained to teach this to others. Dr. [Kirti] Mehrotra was there, I was there, [and] there’s a couple of others that were there from each school and what we will do is we’ll train the staff. After we train the staff, we’ll also get to help talk to the student body and then the teachers will also help train the students, ” School Resource Officer Bernie Widdis said.

At crisis meetings, attendees are divided into tables and given different scenarios. For each scenario, everyone has to decide each person’s individual role in solving the crisis.

This practice emphasizes the ability of each person to choose their own strategies.

“Right now, with just a single option, that may not be the best answer. You’re

giving your staff and students more options and then they get to choose. ‘Here’s the information I have, what should I choose?” Widdis said.

While there are members from each school who have participated in this new training, it has yet to be transferred to the entire staff and student body.

“You’ll hear more about it as the year goes on. When we think of how we have over 22,000 students in Rockwood, most likely it will be next year that [this] really trickles down to students.

With that being said, if staff members do end up going to a training this year, you may see some pockets of trained students within the district,” Knes said.

Still, this new training initiative marks an evolution in Rockwood’s safety policy.

“Rockwood tries to take a very proactive approach from what I’ve seen. When they first hear about stuff, they try to learn as much as they can about it and then after they learn about it, then they decide ‘Okay, let’s see if this will work into our system’,” Widdis said.

However, Rockwood is not alone in making safety strategy changes.

“I think that this is something that a lot of the suburban districts have been considering. Some have gone ahead with training, some have decided not to train in that way and some are in the process of arranging for training, so we’re kind of all in different spots,” Knes said.

New Missouri law arms teachers while Rockwood opposes implementation

Widdis makes school safety top priority; will lead school in new options-based training

State lawmakers have passed a bill allowing teachers to carry concealed weapons, overriding Governor Jay Nixon’s veto.

However, arming teachers is not mandatory and each district has the power to choose its course of action.

In Rockwood, implementation of this new law is unlikely. On Sept. 18 meeting, the Board of Education decided not to arm teachers and staff.

“I think that that’s something that we would rather avoid if we can. I think that Dr. [Eric] Knost has made it pretty clear how he feels about teachers or staff members carrying weapons within the building,” Beth Knes, Interim Executive Director of Student Services, said.

The proximity of emergency personnel plays a major role in school emergency response. Rockwood’s

School Resource Officer Bernie Widdis is a man who wears many hats. On any given day, he is seen patrolling the halls, supervising the Commons or chatting with students. But what role does he play in an emergency situation?

“The role of the school officer is a lot different for me than people think it is. My job is a hundred percent safety and security for the school every day,” Widdis said In an emergency, Widdis’ job is to be the first responder.

“If it’s a school violence event, my job is to get to where the violence is and to stop the violence,” Widdis said.

Still, he would not be expected to singlehandedly halt a crisis.

“Other police officers will be responding because I’ll be calling for more help and their job is to come help me start evacuating the school. My main job on would be I have to get to where the violent act is happening and stop that violent act from continuing,” Widdis said.

suburban location makes this response quicker and more reliable.

“Response times for suburban areas are a lot shorter than, lets say a rural area, where they might be 15 minutes away by driving from a police department or fire department,” Knes said.

Furthermore, the police presence in schools already acts as a detterent to outside threats.

“My perspective —based on being superintendent of the largest school district in the St. Louis area — is that police officers are present when we need them and response times are fabulous,” Knost said.

While this law presents an alternative course of action, Rockwood is not currently looking to seize the opportunity to arm additional teachers and staff.

STUDENT STANDPOINTS Q: Do you feel safe at school?

“Absolutely. There’s not really a lot of crime in West County. I feel everyone here is pretty stable.” — Caleb Martin, 12 “Generally speaking, yes. I don’t think about it; I don’t think it’s super likely to happen here. It’s kind of hard to feel like something’s going to happen when nothing ever does.” — Katherine Schroeder, 12 “I think the school is really safe.

We’re in a good part of town, so I think it’s good here.” — Maggie Maloney, 10 Do you think a new intruder procedure is necessary?

“It could be good for us, but depending on what it is and how they do it, it could be safer. [It is] necessary right now, maybe because of all the stuff going on around the world.” — Josephine Lang, 9 “I feel like it would be better than just sitting in a corner and hoping that a shooter doesn’t come in and light up the room.” — Luke Finley, 11 “I think the new policy would be beneficial because not all situations would be the same. I feel like there are situations where more people’s lives could possibly be saved if we got out of the school as fast as possible or if we fought back, whereas just everybody sitting in a corner and cowering in fear wouldn’t really benefit every situation.” — Chase Rose, 12 Have security updates, such as requiring visitors to buzz in through the Welcome Center, have an impact on safety?

“I think it’s made a difference. You have those news channels go around to other schools in the area and they would just go inside and they weren’t stopped or anything. You at least know in this school that they’re going to be stopped.” — Katherine Schroeder, 12 “I guess it made a difference in the fact that there’s more safety, there’s more caution. I don’t think we’ve had the opportunity for it to be in effect in an actual intruder situation, but I feel like if we did, it would make a difference.” — Chase Rose, 12 “I feel like it sort of has, but you could make up something and still get in. It sounds good, but I [think] it could be easy to get through.” — Maggie Maloney, 10

Let Me Help You With...

ACT/SAT PREP College and Scholarship Essays, Research, Writing and Editing

Retired LHS Teacher/Journalist Carol Otis (636)-391-8054

08 cover story

Oct. 17, 2014

image

Oct. 17, 2014

Reality behind the While many are able to overcome it, breast cancer claims the lives of thousands each year and doesn’t just impact those diagnosed with the disease. Both French teacher Gina Luerding-Looten and senior Lexi Lybarger have witnessed breast cancer up close.

Support groups, friends help senior during mom’s cancer battle, death hannah martin – editor in chief –

“My mom called me and told me, but she didn’t call me until she was for sure diagnosed.”

That phone call would change that summer, high school and the rest of senior Lexi Lybarger’s life.

The summer going into her first year of high school, Lexi was visiting her sister in Oregon when she got the phone call that her mom, Lori Lybarger, had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

The next three years would be filled with treatment, countless hospital visits and cancer.

However, Lexi, her mother and the rest of the family stayed positive through it all.

To maintain a hopeful outlook, Lori joined many support groups on Facebook to help herself and others who were battling cancer stay optimistic.

“People would call her and she would tell them it was going to be okay even when it wasn’t okay for her and that they would make it through. It would really help them when they had bad days,” Lexi said.

Lori focused on helping others most during a time she was in need.

Lexi said that being there for everyone else was her mom’s top priority and felt that was most important.

Lori was stage four when she was diagnosed and was told she would go into remission, a temporary recovery.

She went in remission for six months during

the first semester of Lexi’s sophomore year.

After a re-diagnosis, the cancer had metastasized (spread) to her spine and a few other organs.

At first, doctors gave Lori five years to live.

She continued doing chemotherapy, but it was unsuccessful and therefore, the cancer continued to spread.

Five years suddenly turned into three.

Doctors kept trying new treatments, but nothing seemed to be working.

Three years turned into one.

Lori took advantage of the time she had left.

“She was always so happy and wanted to go do stuff all the time and didn’t want to sit in the house and dwell on the fact that she was sick,” Lexi said.

In July of 2013, Lexi got a tattoo of a pink bow with a breast cancer ribbon inside of it.

“I got the bow because I didn’t want just a traditional breast cancer ribbon,” Lexi said.

The hardest part of seeing her mom go through treatment was witnessing the physical pain it caused her.

“It really put it into perspective not to complain a lot because she was in more pain than I was in,” Lexi said.

One year came down to final weeks and last goodbyes.

Lori was sent to the emergency room this past May and was admitted to the hospital where she stayed until the third week of June.

She was released from the hospital and spent three weeks at home with her family before she passed away.

“I was at my boyfriend’s house that night—just hanging out when my mom called me and told me she needed me,” Lexi said.

On July 23 at 3:15 a.m., Lori lost her battle to breast cancer.

Lori might not have one won the fight against breast cancer, but Lexi said she admired how her mother kept her sense of humor the entire ride.

“She used to do really stupid stuff like singing in the car and when my friends would come over.

She would be really funny and that was probably my favorite thing,” Lexi said of her mom.

Lexi says she misses calling her mom on her way to work and talking about how her day went or texting her mom when something big happens.

Ribbon

Teacher’s cancer diagnosis turns into 6-year fight against disease jack rogan

– managing editor –

all smiles Lexi Lybarger and her mother, Lori, pose for a casual selfie. The two took many pictures together during Lori’s battle with cancer. (photo courtesy of Lexi Lybarger) One thing that helps Lexi cope with the loss of her mom is to talk to others about it.

“It helps to talk. Even if you don’t think your friends care, just talk anyway because they listen.

Even if you think they don’t care because it’s not their parents or their family, it really helps me a lot,” she said.

Lexi’s story is not uncommon. Breast cancer affects the victim’s family, friends and everyone around them.

Lexi carries with her the lessons she learned from her mom about spreading awareness and helping others, even if it’s indirectly.

“A lot of people ask me what happened and I always just tell them because my mom’s big thing was just to get it out there because that could help someone who’s going through something similar. Even if its just one person, it’s still an impact on their life,” she said.

ONE IN

EIGHT

women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. *provided by Susan G. Komen

cover story 09

French teacher Gina Luerding was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1996, after a bizarre set of circumstances.

After discovering a lump, Luerding visited her doctor and had a mammogram.

A mammogram is a technique using Xrays to diagnose and locate tumors in the breasts.

While the lump that she discovered did not appear on the mammogram, a cyst did, so Luerding’s doctor conducted a sonogram (ultrasound).

After she had the sonogram, the radiologist confirmed the suspicious area was only a cyst and asked Luerding why she was even there.

After explaining the lump she had found on the other side, she was instructed to have a biopsy done, just to be safe.

After the biopsy, Luerding’s doctors determined the lump she had felt was, in fact, cancerous.

“It was weird because no one expected it to be cancer,” she said, “Had [the radiologist] not walked in, who knows how long it would’ve been.”

After hearing the news, Luerding instantly focused on what she needed to do to beat the disease.

“Really, what went through my mind was, ‘what are the next steps? I really wasn’t all that emotional even though this was probably my biggest fear,” Luerding said.

Several weeks later, she shared her diagnosis with her family.

“I remember two specific occasions. I told my sister while we were at the mall. I remember sitting down at the food court to tell her, which I had planned. When I told my dad, I went over to his house, which was really hard because my mom had passed away about four years earlier, nothing to do with cancer, but it was difficult,” Luerding said.

She told her colleagues in the Foreign Language Department one day during lunch, when the entire department was present.

While she waited a little longer to tell her students, she was nonetheless up-front about her situation.

“I just told them, ‘this is what’s hap-

pened, I’m going to be going through treatments.’ Basically, they wanted to ask me if I was going to die, but they just beat around the bush with questions. It was getting toward the end of the year, and kids were thinking about their schedules and if I would be teaching them next year. I told them I was planning on it,” she said.

Luerding knew she could beat the cancer, but feared the possibility that it could return.

“I thought I would get rid of it, but I’ve always lived with the expectation that it’s coming back. I always have that morbid expectation in the back of my mind,” she said.

During Luerding’s first round of cancer treatment, she received about eight rounds of chemotherapy and 22 rounds of radiation. She didn’t lose any hair, but gained weight due to the steroids that prevented her from getting sick.

After treatment, doctors said she had beaten the cancer.

However, just 18 months later, it returned. This time, her cancer had metastasized, or moved, to her neck.

“The cancer had become very aggressive. I basically had a bone in my neck that crushed like a Coke can and was pushing on my spinal cord,” Luerding said.

She had to first undergo an operation to repair her neck, which involved the placement of a cadaver bone and a titanium plate to hold the bone in. Once the operation was completed, she received radiation. “[The radiation] was probably the worst thing that happened, because it was at the neck, and it would come through and irritate my vocal cords and I would get hoarse a lot. Being a French teacher, that’s very difficult. I taught for about two years using a microphone speaker system,” Luerding said Once her radiation was finished, she underwent about four rounds of chemotherapy in an attempt to get rid of anything cancerous.

During the summer, she began stem cell replacement.

“The best way to describe [stem cell replacement] is a bone marrow transplant where you donate your own bone marrow.

They hook you up to this machine, cycle your blood out, spin it, and set the spinner so that just your stem cells fly out. They

collect those and keep them, then give you chemotherapy that wipes out everything, good cells and bad cells,” Luerding said.

She then underwent blood transfusions, where her stem cells were put back into her body to recreate necessary cells, and rid her body of cancer.

Unlike during the first round of treatment, her hair fell out. She expected this to take place during spring break of 1998.

“During the regular chemotherapy is when my hair fell out. It was 1998, and Lafayette was going to the quarterfinals in basketball. I knew that my hair was going to fall out over Spring Break. I had my hair shaved really short and I had my brother shave in two letter ‘L’s in the back of my head,” she said.

However, her hair did not fall out as early as she had anticipated.

“I was walking around with these big ‘L’s in my head for several weeks. People thought I was weird,” Luerding said, “But, it was fun. You have to enjoy what you can, and I enjoyed that.”

After completing her stem cell replacement during the summer, Luerding was back at work in the fall, surprising everyone.

“It even surprised my doctors. It can take up to a year and a half to recover from that,” she said.

It had been almost five years since Luerding’s last treatment when, in 2003, her doctors discovered a spot between her shoulder blades and her spine.

However, all it took was a switch of medication, and the cancer disappeared.

“They switched me from one drug to another and it went away. That was it, just taking a pill everyday. I still take that pill,” she said.

Luerding has been cancer free ever since.

She and her husband adopted a son, who is now 7 years old.

“I was put into an early menopause, and had it not been for all the stuff I went through, I wouldn’t have my son. He is awesome,” she said.

After battling cancer three times, Luerding has been forced to think positively, and embraces her survival.

“I think a lot of good things have come from this. You see what’s important in your life. It’s my story and I’m here to tell it,” she said.

image Chemicals Beneath Us Quick Facts After dioxin-contaminated soil removal, future plans for Bliss-Ellisville Oct. 17, 2014

10 news

Superfund site could include use as recreational or residential land mary adcock – reporter –

Juniors Anna and Tim Casey both live a minute away, but are unaware about the past of the property they live on.

From April to August 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) removed approximately 1,500 tons of soil contaminated with dioxin and other chemicals from a neighboring property, at 173 Strecker Rd. Beginning in the 1960s and stretching into the 1970s, oil transporter Russell Bliss buried drums full of oil wastes over his 11-acre property and surrounding properties in Eureka, Wildwood and Ellisville.

The Times Beach and Bliss-Ellisville Superfund sites were added to the National Priorities List (NPL).

The publicity derived from this issue sparked the government to pass Superfund legislation for this area and other areas suffering pollutant and contaminant damage.

Additional clean up occurred in 1996 and five years later the Times Beach Superfund site was removed from the NPL. Since June of 2014, the Bliss-Ellisville Superfund site has been considered for delisting from the NPL, which Ellisville resident Elizabeth Schmidt brought to the attention of Ellisville City Council.

Schmidt believes the reason for possibly delisting the area was because of cost to maintain it, not that it is no longer hazardous.

Being on the NPL allows sites to be recognized

Glossary

•Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): An agency established by the United States government to coordinate federal programs aimed at combating pollution and protecting the environment.

•National Priorities List (NPL): A list of national priorities among the known releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants throughout the United States and its territories. The NPL is intended primarily to guide the EPA in determining which sites warrant further investigation.

•Superfund site: An uncontrolled or abandoned place where hazardous waste is located, possibly affecting local ecosystems or people.

•Dioxin: A highly toxic compound produced as a byproduct in some manufacturing processes, notably herbicide production and paper bleaching. It is a serious and persistent environmental pollutant. Its dangerous effects include damage to the immune system, interference with hormones and increasing risk for cancer.

*dictionary.reference.com, epa.gov, merriam-webster.com, who.int History

Clean up During April-Aug. 2014, the 173 Strecker Rd. lot was cleared of dioxin and other

chemical contaminated soil. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was responsible for the cleaning, involving excavation, transport and disposal of the contaminated soil. (photo by Mary Adcock) for containing dangerous contaminants and allows the possibility for further investigation by the EPA, including regular monitoring and removal actions. Schmidt and the City of Ellisville still see these as priorities for the Bliss-Ellisville Superfund site.

“The Bliss-Ellisville site is comprised of at least several distinct ‘sub-sites’. One of the sub-sites, the Callahan property sub-site, is (still) being considered for partial delisting,” U.S. EPA Region 7 Chief

of Planning and Preparedness North Hazardous Material, Oil and Disaster Response David Williams said.

Representative Williams with Shawn Grindstaff of the EPA Region 7 presented at a Wildwood City Council meeting Sept. 8, 2014.

“The September Council Meeting was only a Preliminary Presentation and an opportunity for questions to be asked, but we have not yet received a final report from EPA,” Wildwood Director of Public Works/

City Engineer Ryan Thomas said.

Williams said the presentation’s goal was to inform the Council and community members about the removal actions at the site and of future plans for the land, as a residential or recreational site.

As for now, the City of Wildwood will continue to wait for the EPA’s report deciding the fate of the BlissEllisville site. A report should be released in December or January.

•1960s-1970s: Oil transporter Russell Bliss buried almost 1,000 drums of wastes, including the chemical dioxin, on his 11 acre property.

•1982-1983: 265,000 tons of dioxin were removed from the Times Beach area. Residents were evacuated and buildings demolished because of the dangerous effects of dioxin. The contamination helped spark passage of superfund legislation, therefore was added to the NPL. •1996: Additional clean up was done.

•2001: Times Beach removed from NPL. •April-Aug. 2014: Clean up of Strecker Forest area took place.

•June 2014: Bliss-Ellisville site is considered for delisting from the NPL.

What can be done?

Without further help from the EPA, some options are still available: •Fencing off contaminated sites.

•Requiring realtors to disclose information about the contamination to buyers.

image

Oct. 17, 2014

news 11

Film Studies

Rockwood could create policy to regulate movies shown in class garrett mcbay – reporter –

After complaints from a resident of the community regarding the productive use of class time, the Rockwood School District (RSD) created a Problem/Issue/Need (PIN) committee to form a policy about whether or not teachers should be able to show movies or media not related to the curriculum during instructional time.

Earlier this year, a complaint was lodged by Eileen Tyrell, a parent of a former Rockwood student. Tyrell filled out a PIN form and submitted it to the district to formally state her belief that using class time to watch movies or play games unrelated to the class was a waste of time.

That has resulted in the creation of a PIN committee comprised of teachers, administrators and faculty from across the district.

Steve Klawiter, social studies teacher, is part of the PIN committee.

“What [a PIN committee] does is they look over an area where we might need a policy but there is not one in place, so they bring in teachers and administrators to try to look at other districts and see if anything needs to be done,” Klawiter said.

The major issue that the PIN committee investigated was whether or not Rockwood should create or modify district policy to regulate how a teacher should spend class time, specifically if it should be used to view movies unrelated to what was being taught.

Currently, Rockwood has no policy regulat-

ing how class time should be used.

The committee came to the conclusion that because of the lack of policy, it would be best to create policy to protect a teacher’s ability to show movies related to the curriculum and regulate how a teacher could show non-related movies in class.

Klawiter believes using related media can help students learn and become intrigued about a subject.

“Students studying the Vietnam War can see live footage through archival news reports.

Another class might engage in higher level analysis by comparing a Hollywood film to the novel or historical situation that inspired it,” Klawiter said.

Examples of using non-related media include showing a movie in an Advanced Placement (AP) class after their exams are over, or as an incentive after a class has completed a hard test or incentive.

“This committee is going to safeguard the ability for a teacher to show any movie that they want or any clip that they want that is tied to the curriculum. There likely will be a policy that protects that, ” Klawiter said.

He added, “For teachers who would like to show a movie that isn’t related to the curriculum but as an incentive, they can still do it, but we’re still figuring out the details on how that will work,” Klawiter said.

Rockwood is currently working on how the policy will be presented, so no details have been set on what exactly it will cover.

“This is all in the draft stage, so nothing is

October Lit Link Crossword

finalized yet,” Klawiter said.

While this policy will affect how movies are shown in the classroom, they will not affect extracurricular activities or clubs.

“This committee is only making policy for instructional time, so things like Film Club would be okay,” Klawiter said.

Some students believe watching unrelated films is a waste of time, while others believe that watching movies as incentives is acceptable.

Will Cohen, junior, considers using media to reward students at the end of the year an acceptable way to use time.

“At the end of the year, especially if it’s only a week until school ends, everyone is tired.

Most of the teachers have already completed teaching their curriculum. I feel that if there’s nothing else to do, it’s appropriate to do something fun,” Cohen said.

However, Gretchen Lee, junior, believes spending time on movies that are not connected to what the class is doing is a misuse of time because she experienced this use of time at her previous school.

“I would watch movies that had nothing to do with what we were doing a lot. We would always watch movies in math. We would watch movies periodically throughout the whole year.

A lot more at the end of the year, but at other times too,” Lee said.

Lee believes spending time on something other than the curriculum hindered her ability to learn in class.

“It was definitely not appropriate. I could

Across

3. ravenous, greedy 5. incapable of being defended 6. fear, apprehension 10. plain, very clear in meaning 11. done secretly, sly, stealthy 12. taking the place of another 15. to waver, to fluctuate 17. reckless boldness, rashness 18. habitually untalkative, laconic 19. wordy, tedious

-Turn in completed to stage at lunch for fun and prizes!-

see how it was affecting my learning skills.

When I went to go take my ACT I couldn’t get a better score because I couldn’t retain the things we were supposed to. Instead we spent that time watching movies,” Lee said.

Though Lee is against watching random films during the year, she does agree that watching a movie that links to the curriculum or using movies as an end of year incentive is acceptable.

“If at the end of the year [if] a teacher wanted to do like a class party, maybe, but definitely not all of the time,” Lee said.

Another student, Jenna Hocker, junior, agrees with Lee, but admits that she does enjoy watching unrelated movies as well.

“As a student I love watching movies, it’s a break from learning. But from a teacher’s viewpoint, I see how it isn’t appropriate at all, we should be learning,” Hocker said.

However, Hocker does think that there are times that movies unconnected to what is being taught is acceptable.

“If you just took a test and you haven’t started new content yet, or if a teacher is a sub, I could see watching movies as okay,” Hocker said.

In the end, Klawiter believes not only that media and movies can be beneficial to the learning process of students, but they should be a part of the learning process.

“Ultimately, [media] is another way to get kids excited about the subject matter,” Klawiter said.

Down

1. vengeful 2. one who tries to win favor by flattery 4. haughty,arrogant 7. the highest point, acme, apex 8. changeable, evaporating readily at normal temperatures 9. extremely biting or caustic, bitter 13. concise 14. to regard with reverence and respect 15. able to live or exist 16. courteous, suave

Word Bank -succinct -supercilious -surreptitious -sycophant -taciturn -temerity -trepidation -unequivocal -untenable -urbane

-vacillate -venerate -verbose -viable -vindictive -vicarious -vitriolic -volatile -voracious -zenith

*Paid advertisement brought to you by Renaissance

image

Oct. 17, 2014

12 life

Almost There Fall play Almost, Maine promises unique acting and storytelling dominic scaglione – reporter –

This fall, the Lafayette Theatre Company will perform Almost, Maine

by John Cariani on Oct. 23-25.

This production features a small cast who will be playing multiple characters in various short scenes that each tell a different story of love or heartbreak.

“It’s a smaller cast. It’s more challenging as far as character development, but there is less blocking and set. This show is giving them a little bit more acting challenges than they have had in the past,” director Natasha Toro said.

The cast includes returning LTC actors seniors Smrithi Mani and Connor Stephens and juniors Becca Leslie and Manuela Kalamboukas.

There are a few new actors including senior Miguel Moss, juniors Drew Cusumano and Chris O’Connor, sophomores Alex Dederer and Keilah Moore and freshman Liam Newman.

“I was honestly scared to join a new drama program, but everyone here was so welcoming and nice. I love being apart of Almost, Maine because it’s so real and raw and I’ve never been a part of a show like this before,” Dederer said.

The cast is much smaller compared to past productions Toro has directed at Lafayette.

The difference has resulted in more time to dive into character development. Almost, Maine is much more emotionally involved than shows these actors have done in the past.

While the show has uplifting scenes about newfound love, there are still multiple scenes about heartbreak.

“The emotions of this show really challenge me and allow me to experience things I may not personally relate to. This show has really furthered me as an actor and helped develop my skills,” O’Connor said.

The backstage crew also benefits from a small cast size.

Normally, the set and lighting crews have to work around the actors while they rehearse, but this production allows for multiple days that are completely actor-free.

Almost, Maine features a simple yet versatile set, abstract lighting and practical costumes.

“I really like the set because it is simple, but helps tell the story well.

I also love how it’s going to snow and I think it will really help tie in the perfect romatic scene,” Katie Phipps, stage crew head, said.

One unique aspect of this production’s backstage crew is the Assistant Director senior Madison Kesselring.

Because Kesselring plans to attend college with a directing degree, Toro has allowed her to direct a

The Cast of Almost, Maine From left to right: Manuela Kalamboukas, Drew Cusumano, Chris O’Connor,

Connor Stephens, Keilah Moore, Smrithi Mani and Becca Leslie. Not pictured: Alex Dederer, Liam Newman and Miguel Moss. (photo by Madison Kesselring)

scene entirely on her own. She has been by Toro’s side throughout the entire production, from casting to final notes to working with the actors.

“It’s been a wonderful experience working along side Toro. I love diving in deep with my actors, Chris and Alex. Their characters have grown so much and I’m so glad to have been a part of that,” Kesselring said.

All these aspects of the show have given Toro the confidence to

have Almost, Maine adjudicated for the International Thespian Society (ITS) Conference.

Every year many Missouri schools travel to attend the Missouri Thespian Conference in January.

Before the event, the Missouri State Board accepts applications from theatre companies that wish to have their show judged.

They then send one professional critic to the high school’s production

STUDY SKILLS

4 1 0 2 g n i Homecom

M AT H

S AT / AC T P R E P

to review it and then choose the top three shows to perform.

If Lafayette is selected, they will perform Almost, Maine again at the conference in Kansas City, MO in January.

“My kids are working a little bit harder than they have in the past for this production and they deserve to have a larger audience see them and recognize how hard they’re working,” Toro said.

WRITING

READING

HOMEWORK HELP

Mika M. AGE 16

Thanks to Sylvan, I was ready for the big test. And I reached my goal.

$35

The Path to College Success Starts Here A R E Y O U R E A D Y F O R T H E A C T ®?

l a i c e p S Dance Updo Mini manicure tion ca make-up appli

1 . Ballwin, MO 6301 15435 Clayton Rd

636.394.7335

The college admissions process can be a nail-biting experience. (Bet it’s stressful for your child, too!) Our SylvanPrep for ACT can help reduce your student’s stress and increase test scores for one of the most important exams of his or her academic life. Students get: • skills and strategies needed to score high on the ACT • 24/7 online access to thousands of video lessons • interactive vocabulary builder with hundreds of common ACT words • multiple full-length, timed practice tests

Valid only at the Chesterfield Sylvan Learning Center.

• flexible scheduling Registration is under way for test prep sessions, so call today!

Chesterfield

- 9:00 am-5:00pm

Mon/Tues/Fri/Sat-

e d u c at o r s . n of licensed ect supervisio ents under dir d u t s by d e m r erfo All services p

636.537.8118

y.com

www.xenonacadem

-8:00pm

Wed/Thurs -- 9:00am

$100 off a Sylvan ACT/SAT Prep program

chesterfield@sylvantutors.net ®ACT is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc.

SYLVANLEARNING.COM

image

Oct. 17, 2014

life 13

Students Find Loop Holes

Since implementation of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 students have found ways to adapt to sugar-free zone at LHS A Typical Rockwood Lunch

madison kesselring – reporter –

“When we began our Let’s Move! initiative four years ago, we set one simple but ambitious goal: to end the epidemic of childhood obesity in a generation so that kids born today will grow up healthy. Research indicated that kids needed less sugar, salt and fat in their diets, so we revamped school lunch menus accordingly,” Michelle Obama said in a New York Times article.

The general guidelines for the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA) are based around the Dietary Guidelines for Americans with the intent of enforcing healthy eating habits at a young age and increasing the amount healthful foods children consume throughout the school day.

In short, the United States Department of Agriculture on Food and Nutrition outlines the HHFKA requirements by stating that all foods and beverages sold anywhere on school property from midnight until

30 minutes after school must follow the nutrition instructions chosen from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Rockwood has taken the guidelines and created an outline for their student lunches. High school students are given a large selection of every food group.

In order for students to receive the $2.55 meal, they must select at least three of the five food groups, and they must include a fruit and a vegetable.

However, high school students

can still purchase extra items or an incomplete meal for a higher price.

“Believe it or not we have been implementing [the lunch reforms] slowly, so it wasn’t such a big shock to [students]. A lot of the different changes have affected the school store, the cookie stand and things like that, so that’s where you guys took a hit.” Kim Moore, Cafeteria Manager, said.

The cookie stand and Lancers Lancing also have to comply with HHFKA guidelines.

Renabucks gain popularity with real sugar Entree

(Meat/ Meat Alternative) Includes: Daily entree special, deli sandwich, grilled cheese sandwich, etc.

Grains: Whole grain biscuit, whole grain bread stick, whole grain pasta, etc.

Vegetables:

fresh vegetable, hot vegetable or tossed salad

Fruit:

canned, fresh or frozen fruit or 100% fruit juice

Milk:

1% white, chocolate, vanilla, cookies and cream, skim white or strawberry milk

madison kesselring – reporter –

HHFKA was written with the intent of no loopholes, but Renaissance has found one: even though schools cannot sell sugar to students, they can give it away.

Four years ago, Renaissance started a new program called “Renabucks” as an added incentive for students to receive A level grades. Because of the health reforms, Renabucks have found a way to take off.

“The health reforms really have changed the dynamics of the Renaissance Committee. The school cannot sell the sugar and we are allowed to give away real candy and soda. This has helped grow the Renaissance Committee, specifically the Renabucks system,” junior Chris Foley, Steering Committee member, said .

Every other Tuesday, Renaissance members station themselves on the Commons stage to allow students to buy candy and soda with their earned Renabucks.

Renaissance has the ability to “sell” products with real sugar because the “money” they are exchanging it for isn’t real currency.

Now, Renaissance is one of the few sugary gold mines in the school.They have amped up their game this year and made sure to get the most popular banned foods such as Dr. Pepper, Sour Punch Straws and Snickers.

“Renabucks is still a new idea. Therefore, it has a lot of growing to do and we are always taking suggestions. Our goal has been to include other prizes along with the more popular candy and drinks students liked not only from Renaissance Tuesdays but from the school store as well,” senior Tanner Meyer, Steering Committee member.

AFJROTC members also find a way around policy for fundraising madison kesselring – reporter –

Members of the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) has sold chocolate bars on school grounds for years to help promote and raise money for their program.

This year, they’ve hit a snag. Because of the HHFKA’s reforms, they are no longer allowed to sell candy on school grounds.

ROTC member Johnnie Glover realized that students can not buy candy at school, but they may accept candy that is given to them.

So he had an idea to keep his fundraising efforts alive.

Glover simply asks students and teachers if they would like to donate any sum of money to AFJROTC. If they choose to donate, it doesn’t mean they’re getting a chocolate bar.

Because Glover bought all his chocolate bars for himself, it is up to him whether or not he chooses to reward donors for their gifts.

“I didn’t have to give them a chocolate bar if they donated. Likewise, they didn’t have to donate if I gave them a chocolate bar. Therefore, the selling aspect has been taken out of that situation,” Glover said.

So far, Glover has had donations

anywhere from 25 cents to $5.

His money making process has become more of a pro-AFJROTC campaign rather than just trying to sell candy. Thus far, it has been a successful motive.

“I’ve made about an extra $60 per box,” Glover said.

Glover is not the only AFJROTC member who has noticed an increase in sales.

Junior Josh Waitsman said, “Johnnie’s methods have been particularly effective, but overall sales seem to have gone up. I know mine have. I think it may have something to do with the new rules about candy and how we are one of the only places you can get it from.”

In his opinion, Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign may have more negative effects than it does positive.

Glover agrees. “It’s like how the prohibition happened when they told people that they couldn’t buy or sell alcohol, and I feel like that’s what Lafayette is going to be like nowadays. I know people who are buying up Skittles and Snickers and selling it out of their lockers,” Glover said.

johnnie Glover

Oct. 17, 2014

14 sports

image

Boys cross country ready to take on post season hannah martin – editor in chief–

GOING FOR GOLD Dylan Quisenberry

heads toward the finish line during the final stretch of the Parkway West Invitational. He took first place overall at the meet. He was unable to run in the Conference Meet due to an injury.(photo by Hannah Martin)

It’s no doubt that the boys cross country team can run.

Most recently, they have been ranked number three in Missouri by momilesplit.com and are determined to carry their dominance into the rest of the season.

The team started strong and haven’t missed a beat since. The two first meets of the season put the boys in a good place with two team titles.

The most anticipated regular season meet is the Forest Park Festival where some of the best schools in Missouri come to compete.

The Lancers made a great showing and took fifth place.

The victories didn’t stop there. The team then made its way to Kansas and raced in the Rim Rock Invitational, another meet full of tough competition.

Quisenberry and Haines placed fifth and sixth and the Lancers walked away with the team title.

The next weekend, the boys would do

the same at the Parkway West Invitational.

Quisenberry beat O’Fallon’s Dorrian Gordon after finishing right behind him in their last two battles. Quisenberry finished with an impressive time of 16 minutes, 1.7 seconds to aid the Lancers in their team title, making it their fourth this season.

Four titles won’t settle with the Lancers, though. The team is aiming to go to State and come back with a win.

“We all just really want to hold up that trophy and say we’re the first Lafayette cross country team to win the State meet,” Meyrer said.

The past two years, they boys have competed at State and placed third, so they’re more than ready for the top spot.

As for strategies, it all depends on the course.

“Honestly, every race is different. Each race leaves you with something new. There’s always a new strategy on the course and against your opponents,” Quisenberry said.

Quisenberry is going for an individual win at State. Their biggest competition at State will be Rock Bridge, SLUH and West Plains, but he is ready.

Most of the boys success comes from what they do on the course and in practice, but aside from that, they are a close team and that contributes to their prosperity.

“We always hang out as a team. We’re all best friends and probably the closest team at Lafayette. No one ever argues and we love eachother,” Haines said.

The boys have worked hard all summer and throughout the season with the goal in mind to go to State and win.

“We want to prove to not only ourselves, but to everyone else at our school that cross country has the ability to win titles and carry the reputation as well,” Meyrer said.

On Oct. 11, the boys raced in the Suburban West Conference Meet. While Quisenberry got the day off, Haines took first place with Meyrer and sophomore Austin Hindman coming in behind him.

The team placed first overall.

Next up, the boys compete in the Sectional Meet on Oct. 25 as they continue their run for State.

Go to lhsimage.com for coverage of the Patriot Classic from last night at Castlewood.

Girls rank first in Missouri as they make at run at State title ben rachell

– sports editor– The number of runners on the girls cross country roster dropped from last season, but that hasn’t slowed them down at all.

In fact, this season has been one of the best. Their success has gotten them a place above all other teams in their conference. Not only do they outrank all local opponents, but they are the highest ranked team in Missouri.

Senior Elise Larson has been running cross country since the 7th Grade. She was selected by her coaches to run for her local middle school back in Kansas, before she moved to Missouri.

Once she moved to this area and began attending Lafayette, she quickly flourished.

Larson said, “I ran cross country in with my middle school, and then started training for it around a year after.”

Not only has her year round work ethic helped the team, but every individual has contributed to the team’s success in individual meets.

Juniors Sarah Nicholson and Anna West combined fantastic times in the Forest Park XC Festival, but unfortunately, they fell just short losing to a school in Kansas.

Then, in October, they took first place at the Parkway West meet.

Larsn continued, “It’s going very well, we’ve had an awesome team. Our girls are very committed this year. Our numbers are a little bit smaller this year, but that talent is there.”

Ever since Larsen arrived junior year, she has been a dominant force on cross country.

She has become a staple on the team’s roster, helping the team consolidate their success and capture the top spot in the state.

However, all of the achievements they’ve garnered this season have not come without a challenge.

With postseason action beginning, the team agrees that they need to quell their ego and take it race by race, putting in the same effort for each meet.

“As we move into State qualifiers, our team just needs to make sure we don’t let our confidence affect our racing. Being ranked at the top is such an honor, but if we let that go to our heads, it could really negatively impact our running. We need to train like we’re in second and race like we’re in first” West said.

Not only will they need to maintain their composure, but they will need to continue to be in proper shape.

“For training, we vary distance with interval speed workouts. Some days we’ll go on long runs and have recovery after that. Some days we’ll go and do some sprints or mile repeats or 800 repeats, and then a recovery day after that” Larson said.

This routine will be useful even if she never runs cross country competitively after high school again, but her intentions are to continue to advance and run in college.

However, getting into a school can be difficult because of the high amount of runners that are interested in participating.

“I really want to run in college. I’ve been looking into some D2 schools” Larson said.

But now, the primary focus keeping on track and to work as hard as possible in order to achieve their goal of winning a State title.

Moving forward Juniors Anna West (left), Sarah Nicholson (middle-left), Emma Riordan

(middle-right) and senior Elise Larson (right) gear up for the Forest Park Festival. The Lady Lancers performed admirably, finishing in second place out of 33 teams, their best performance out of their three years competing in the meet. (Photo by Marie Rogan)

O’Connor’s training pays off as he qualifies for Boston Marathon grant norfleet – sports reporter-

Cross country coach Sean O’Connor has spent the majority of his life in motion.

Since his freshman year of high school, 16 years ago, O’Connor has devoted countless hours to running competitively in races and marathons.

The amount of physical activity O’Connor takes part in on a daily basis is not ideal for the average joe.

Balancing coaching and teaching creates a busy atmosphere for the Lafayette cross country coach. Despite his full schedule, O’Connor still manages to fill the minimal free time he has with what he loves.

On April 20, O’Connor will attend one of the biggest events in the sport of cross country, and the country for that matter, the Boston Marathon.

Training for the race was half the battle for O’Connor, considering he had to run a marathon to qualify to run in the actual marathon.

“

“All I need is a Clif bar and coffee and I’m off.”

– Sean O’Connor In order to qualify for the Boston Marathon, O’Connor had to run a local marathon here in St. Louis.

Going from coaching cross country at Lafayette to training individually for the Boston Marathon was not easy for O’Connor.

“The qualifying race in June was very brutal.

I had to balance school, running and personal running and it was definitely a lot of hard work,” O’Connor said.

Being faced with these challenges did not prevent O’Connor from pursuing his dream. In

fact, nothing did. Many people fear the upcoming event because of the tragic bombings that occurred at the 2013 Marathon, but O’Connor is too determined to run the marathon to worry about a possible terrorist threat.

“I am not particularly worried about another attack. People do stupid things all the time, but that does not mean we have to live in fear,” O’Connor said.

Instead, O’Connor spends his time preparing for the Boston Marathon by doing what he does best, running marathons. Before a race, O’Connor has a set prep routine which he follows religiously.

“My prep routine the day before a race consists of a lot of relaxing and a protein-packed dinner. Chicken is always a good choice, but really any lean meats are great for a pre marathon meal,” O’Connor said.

The morning of a race is a lot more simple for O’Connor, considering he focuses more on running the actual marathon than preparing for it.

“All I need is a Clif Bar and coffee and I’m off,’’ O’Connor said.

O’Connor has run marathons before, but the Boston Marathon is an entirely different arena.

The Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon as it was organized in 1897 and ranks as one of the world’s most prestigious road racing events, attracting an average of about 30,000 registered participants each year.

This marathon is equivalent to the Super Bowl to many of the runners.

With that being said, missing one day of work to venture to a city he has never been to in order to run the world’s most famous marathon will prove to be an exciting day for O’Connor.

“I’m as excited as someone who is about to run a marathon would be,” O’Connor said This will be O’Connor’s first time running the Boston Marathon, but not necessarily his last.

O’Connor has not planned to run the Boston Marathon multiple times but he is not ruling out any possibilities.

“I have not really thought that far, but I know myself well enough to say I will probably return some time soon,” O’Connor said.

image

Oct. 17, 2014

sports 15

Number One

Lady Lancers dominate diamond during regular season patrick levine – sports reporter –

The number one ranked Lady Lancer softball team has had a dominant season so far.

They finished the regular season 17-3 and won their games by an average margin of five runs.

They scored 113 runs and only allowed 54.

Assistant Coach Ashley Lewis said the team’s success is due to their commitment and talent throughout the lineup.

“When the top of the order isn’t hitting well, the bottom of the order picks it up,” Lewis said.

“They are, from top to bottom, the best lineup that we can put out.”

Senior pitcher Maddie Seifert agrees with Lewis.

“Our team is solid all around. We have a really good infield and a really good hitting lineup, so we’re solid throughout offense and defense,” Seifert said.

Seifert has had a great season herself. Her record is 15-1 this year and she has an ERA of 0.89. She completed every game that she started.

“I love softball because of the mental aspect,” Seifert said. “To pitch on such a high

level is even more fun.”

However, the team has had its fair share of obstacles to overcome. They lost to Fort Zumwalt North, Oakville and Parkway South during the regular season, and they sometimes struggled offensively.

Senior Marissa Gress said, “Some games we haven’t been making good contact.”

Lewis said, “There was a couple games where we came up to bat when were down by a couple runs, but we turned it right around and came back. Really, there haven’t been many struggles. Its been a phenomenal year.”

Looking ahead to the postseason, the team is very hopeful. Gress said the District tournament should be easy if the Lancers can beat Eureka.

“I’m really excited. I’m nervous, because at any point it could be over, but I really think this team has the potential to do great things,” Lewis said.

“We’re always shooting for State,” Seifert said. “that’s what we want, hopefully we wont have to settle for less.

The Lancers played Eureka on Oct. 13 for the District championship. Check lhsimage.com for updates.

Pink POWER The Lancers prepare for their annual “Pink Out” game against Marquette at Ellis-

ville Athletic Association. The teams play this game every year to raise funds for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Lafayette defeated the Mustangs 7-1. (photo by Nick Horstmann)

Am I Right? Why I Love Sports, And Why You Should, Too hannah martin –editor in chief –

A few years ago I came across one of Rick Reilly’s columns about why he loves to write about sports.

Every now and then I go back to that article whenever I need some inspiration.

I’ve always known that sports are a good thing to be a part of and you can learn a thing or two from them, but Reilly went about it in a way that really showed what sports mean to him and made me realize how much they impact not only certain people, but everyone.

So, here’s why I love sports, and why I think you should too.

No matter where you go and where you end up in life, sports will be a part of it. Sports are the greatest thing you’ll ever come across in your life for a million and one reasons.

They have their own unique impact on our unparalleled lives, which is the coolest thing I’ve learned about sports.

For one person, sports could just be his or her source of happiness and enjoyment.

But to someone else, sports could be the reason they got to go to college, or their motivation to stay in school.

Sports can be your best friend and worst

MysticHD UV FREE Tans - $9 Custom Airbrush UV FREE Tans - $29 RedLight Therapy & Fit Body Wrap 1hr Session - $49 Student Tans - $1 Chesterfield Valley 636-519-8267

North O’Fallon 636-474-8267

STLSUNTAN.COM Why Tan Anywhere Else When You Can Tan With Us For FREE??!!

enemy at the same time.

But as soon as they do something to make you angry, they turn right around and give you something that makes you remember why you fell in love with them in the first place.

Sports have these certain moments. And if you’ve witnessed one then you know what I’m talking about.

David Freese’s Game 6 performance?

That’s a moment. Michael Jordan’s last shot during the 1998 Finals? That’s a moment too.

Watching LeBron James win his first ring, that was my favorite moment.

Sports have this uncanny ability to bring people together. Just think about all the

people you have in your life today and how many of them you wouldn’t know if it wasn’t for sports.

Some of the best friends you will ever have are people that are your teammates or were at one time.

But when I think of sports bringing people together, I think of tragedies that we have faced as a country and what sports do in the aftermath.

After the Boston Marathon bombing last April, the Boston Red Sox won the World Series a few months after. You can’t just make those things up.

So, thank you sports for being beautiful.

the feed

page 16 October 17, 2014

lhsimage.com

Bringing the hottest trends to the Lafayette community as well as reviews, interactives alaina strollo

delaney eyermann

– asst. webmaster/social media editor–

– webmaster –

School Snoozin’ Studies show naps have therapeutic value and have restoring powers 20-30 minute nap 1. Aprovides improved

can enhance 3. Naps performance and reduce

2.

4.

alertness and performance.

If you take a nap too late in the day, it might affect your nighttime sleep patterns and make it difficult to fall asleep at your regular bedtime.

likelihood of mistakes and accidents.

Weekly, 28 percent of high school students fall asleep in school, 22 percent fall asleep doing homework.

5.

Naps lasting longer than 30 minutes can leave people with sleep inertia, or the feeling of grogginess.

*Information from of WebMD, the National Institute of Mental Health, and Consumer Affairs

Top Box Office Earning Horror Films

1.

World War Z $202 Million

2.

Fatal Attraction $157 million

6.

Taking a nap is better than drinking caffeine which can decrease memory performance

3.

What Lies Beneath $155 million

4.

Gremlins $148 million

5.

The Blair Witch Project $232 Million

Source: IMDb

6.

The Conjuring $137 Million

Pumpkin

Spice

& Everything Nice

Hits:

•Dreyer’s Pumpkin Ice Cream •Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte •Pillsbury’s Pumpkin Spice Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls •Dairy Queen’s Pumpkin Pie Blizzard •Bread Company’s Pumpkin Muffies •Einstein’s Pumpkin Shmear

Would You Rather...

Tweet your responses to @LHSimage with #thefeedLHS and #lhsimage.

The first 10 people to tweet will receive a Halloween goodie bag!

Misses:

or Be chased by a spooky monster?

Be abducted by aliens and taken to their planet?

• Pringles’ Pumpkin Spice Chips • Smoothie King’s Pumpkin Smoothie • The Green Head’s Pumpkin Juice •Hershey’s Pumpkin Spice Kisses • Trader Joe’s Pumpkin O’s •Pumpkin Spice Yogurt Pretzel