October 2016 The Booster Redux

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game review ‘Mafia III’ doesn’t disappoint Page 5D

The Booster Redux Pittsburg Hig igh School 1978 E. 4th Street Pittsburg, KS 66762 Vol Vol. 99, Issue 3 www.boosterredux.com

Friday, Oct. 28, 2016

letters to sala students take on two shows at once

Photo illustration by Maddy Emerson

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speaking up without saying a word Pledge of Allegiance returns to start school days MADISON NAGEL

Shawn chooses to stand out of respect. “I wholeheartedly believe people should have the right to opt out, and I exercise my right to opt out of saying it every morning. I Every school day nearly 1,000 students and don’t say it, not because I hate America, but staff begin their day by reciting The Pledge of I don’t personally believe I can really pledge Allegiance in unison. full allegiance to the aspects of the American This year the administration has decided to institution I just don’t agree with,” Shawn bring the Pledge back to the daily schedule. said. “I respect America, I respect my fellow Principal Jon Bishop says he wanted to students and I respect our servicemen and revive the Pledge in order to remind students women and so I do stand while the Pledge is of its importance. being recited.” “Just something that has faded, something Brown feels the Pledge is a form of prothat we have wanted to bring back a little moting bigotry. more of a focal point to,” Bishop said. “I “To me, the Pledge is a way to further wake up and watch the news, and see the discriminate against people and single out the little kids doing the Pledge of Allegiance, and people who don’t have the same beliefs as I was thinking ‘you know, we need to start you,” Brown said. our day off with the focal point.’” Shawn feels students need to analyze the Government teacher Patrick Moss feels the words of the Pledge and decipher what it Pledge is on the brink of being forgotten if means to them in order to make a decision. it is not regularly “It’s a decirecited. sion we all need “I feel sayto make for ouring the Pledge is selves,” Shawn very important. said. “No one Anything we do should just or teach is one say the Pledge generation away blindly without from losing it if understanding we neglect to what the words teach it,” Moss they’re recitsaid. “Imagine ing signify. To if KU decided to blindly sit out quit the ‘Rock and to blindly Chalk’ chant, participate are how long would both bad. Either it take before no pledge or don’t, one cared about but make a conit anymore?” scious choice -EVIEE SHAW WN Bishop felt one way or the that during this other.” time, a sense of Brown also unity was needed; and he thought the Pledge believes individuals need to reflect over the was a potential solution. concepts of the Pledge. “As rough as things have been in our “I think it could be symbolic if people really country, dealing with all this stuff going on, thought about it, and for those who really especially with this election year coming believe in it. But I don’t think many people up, we need to have some sense of pride,” have ever thought about the meaning or even Bishop said. the words,” Brown said. Senior Malayna Brown does not see a need Senior Annie Cortes chooses to participate for the Pledge during school. in the Pledge to acknowledge troops. “I think the Pledge can be important to “I mainly do it out of respect and honor of people who have strong feelings of patrio- the men and women in the military risking tism, but I feel there is no purpose in reciting their lives for me to live in a country where something every day that we have memorized I can freely voice my opinions,” Cortes said. since kindergarten,” Brown said. Brown is steadfast in upholding her views. Brown is one of several students who exer“I am an atheist, liberal, feminist who is cises their right to not say the Pledge. going to stand up, or sit down, for what I Despite not reciting the Pledge, junior Evie believe in no matter what and I want others @maddiebagel

To sit or to stand

a place to call home senior battles homelessness, finds shelter Page 7D

i respect america, i respect my fellow students and i respect our servicemen and women and so i do stand while pledge is being recited.

Color guard returns marching band welcomes new performers Page 8D

to know that it is okay to stand out and speak up for what they believe in too,” Brown said.

The 1954 Addition Many students scrutinize the Pledge for containing aspects of religion. According to ushistory.org, the Pledge was revised by Congress in 1954, adding the words “under God.” Former President Dwight D. Eisenhower supported this addition in response to a growing Communist concern at the time. Though she does not believe it coincides with the Pledge, Cortes is grateful to have the freedom of religion that America offers. “I’d rather my religion stay out of politics,” Cortes said. “Based on my beliefs, I’m proud to be in a country where I have freedom of religion but I can worship just fine without the Pledge.” English teacher Melissa Fite Johnson considers the aspect of religion when reflecting on the Pledge. “Hopefully it’s not a political statement to say that I believe in the separation of church and state. For that reason, I have to admit that the words ‘under God’ are a little bit tricky. I think faith is such a personal thing. I think that’s the main part that makes me wonder about it sometimes,” Fite Johnson said. “I worry it puts students in the position of either being a joiner or a protester: there’s no in between. I think the number one priority for me, as a teacher, is to make sure that all students feel safe in my classroom.”

What to consider Fite Johnson feels it is imperative to make a thoughtful decision regarding why an individual may choose to participate or opt-out. “I think it’s really good to have pride in our country. I especially think it’s good to be grateful for the advantages that we have. I don’t want there to be too much of a focus on ‘America: we’re the best!’ As long as it’s being approached with the right spirit, like being appreciative of all the advantages we’re lucky enough to have, [and] being born into a country that’s free,” Fite Johnson said. “One student says she does it out of respect for troops. I think it’s good to really think about why you’re doing it or not doing it. I think that’s true of anything, not just the Pledge.” Though they are not obligated to participate, Moss believes that his first-hour students have a desire to say the Pledge every day. “As far as affecting my class, the kids have been great about it and simply get up and say it,” Moss said. “Several have even commented that they are glad we are doing it

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admin subdues explosive situation School re-evaluates safety protocol after recent bomb threat Kali poenitske @kali_poenitske On Oct. 6, students were directed to meet at Countryside Christian Church in place of school. As they received notice of a bomb threat, the first common question students had was, “why isn’t school canceled?” “[School should have been canceled because] I was scared, and so was my mom, so she didn’t want me coming to school,” junior Michael Smith said. Senior Lydia Winters disagrees with Smith, but was not on the same page as administration, either. “I think that maybe we should have had a later start instead of everyone

come and it be chaotic,” Winters said. “But, I think it was safe to have school.” To deter repeat occurrences, administration decided to not cancel school to prevent future fake threats. “If you give in and cancel school, it’s what they want,” Garzone said. “Once law enforcement say it’s clear, we want kids in school.” Two years ago, USD 250 adopted a new system for the reunification drill. Instead of crouching under desks, students are now encouraged to defend themselves by utilizing the established procedures of alert, lockdown, inform, counter and evacuate otherwise known as ALICE.

“We’ve implemented this [new procedure], and we’ve progressed,” Garzone said. Garzone is one of 12 people within the district who are certified trainers of the ALICE procedures. Teachers see the use in changing the method from ducking under desks to reacting to the situation. “In the past several years we would turn off the lights and hide in our classrooms. That would make us feel like sitting ducks,” English teacher Lyn Schultze said. “Now with the ALICE training, we have a couple of other decisions to make if we are informed there is a shooter in the building. We practice that drill where

if somebody comes in, we fight back because studies have shown you have a better chance of survival if you do that.” The evacuation step in ALICE includes students leaving the school and relocating to Countryside Christian Church, which is the reunification site for those in the north side. To keep students safe during the recent threat, students and staff were directed to the church. This was officially announced to the public on the USD 250 Pittsburg Community Schools’ Facebook page at 6:58 a.m. “PHS STUDENTS & PARENTS: We want to inform you that due to a threat received early this morning,

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