NEWS Spanish River's Athletic Honor Society AHS was created by juniors Andres Parada and Ashley Clements in order to recognize the dedicated athletes at River. These students are able to maintain a high GPA, while also participating in athletic events. A word from the President: “I want to reach out to the community with other athletes and give them the recognition they don’t get in other clubs.” -ANdres parada
Art By Michela Mugnatto
October 2014 The Galleon
3
Extending periods for testing causes students to stress Julia Artzi Staff Reporter During the month of October, there were sixteen testing days out of thirty total days in the month. That means that practically half of October was dedicated to testing. 9th, 10th, and 11th graders participated in FCAT retakes, PSAT, EOC diagnostics, and the PBPA. However, October is not the only month that has extended testing days. May is also a busy time for testing due to AP and AICE testing. While testing is not always enjoyable, some see it as a way to get out of class. ”During October there will be three extremely altered bell schedules and in May there may be altered schedules as well due to AP and AICE testing,” Assistant Principal Mara Goron said. Altered bell schedules allow students to come in late after the testing block because some teachers do not want others to fall behind. Goron believes that this will not be an issue this year. In particular, seniors tend to miss school more than the underclassmen.
With “senioritis,” seniors have a bigger urge to miss school. ”I think that the extended testing days will have an effect on seniors,” senior Danny Beckerman said. “Unless the teachers are teaching in the morning, there is no motivation to wake up and attend school.” In addition, if teachers have fewer students coming to class on testing days then that affects their lesson plans. The teachers will most likely fall behind unless they factor these days into their planning. “This really hurts the kids in AP classes because they have a specified curriculum that they must get through by the end of the year and if we have less time for class there is less time to get work done,” Beckerman said. “It would not make a difference because either way you miss the same amount of class.” In order to fulfill state requirements, these testing seasons are necessary overall.
Students voice concern about Ebola Students and teachers discuss their views on the deadly virus
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Ebola is a rare and deadly disease caused by infection with a strain of Ebola virus.” Symptoms include fever, headache, and unexplained bleeding. In order to prevent Ebola, along with other illnesses, always practice careful hygiene.
“I feel that people aren’t treating Ebola as if it is as serious as it actually it and we need to wake up.”
“I’m going to wear a mask every time I go outside.”
-Jean Sala, 10
“We shouldn’t be afraid of Ebola because our country has advanced medicine and treatment.”
“I think that we don’t fully understand Ebola yet, and that there are many unknowns about the seriousness of the disease. I am concerned that, if it spreads, many people may contract it.”
-Taylor Lipsich, 11
-Cecily Fine, 10
-AP Euro teacher Barbara Jones Art By Michela Mugnatto
The Galleon 2014-2015 Editors-in-Chief Ashley Roth Kelsey Spyker Lindsay Mangines
Features Editors Amanda Paige Lauren Villanueva Sydney Luntz
Associate Editor Lauren Villanueva
Sports Editors Sarah Grubman Michael Benrubi Lindsay Mangines
Feature Focus Editor Jack Altman
Art Editor Michela Mugnatto
Entertainment Editors Michela Mugnatto Olivia Schiffman
Photography Editor Carly Mackler
News Editors Rachel Horn Kelsey Spyker
Advertising Director Callie Schiffman Staff Reporters Noah Zylberberg Max Kozlowski Sam Budney Julia Artzi
Adviser Suzanne Sanders Principal William Latson
The Galleon is a public forum. The Galleon is a member of the Quill and Scroll Honorary Society for High School Journalists, the Florida Scholastic Press Association, the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, and the National Scholastic Press Association.