INKLINGS Feb. 28, 2011
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Volume 75 Issue 6 • Crown Point High School • 1500 S. Main Street Crown Point, IN 46307 • inklings@cps.k12.in.us
Egypt A struggle over leadership in Egypt has left CPHS students feeling worried for their families in Egypt.
What’s weighing down your backpack?
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Carrying around backpacks stuffed to the brim can leave students complaining about back pain. We break down what is in these backpacks and how much each item weighs, leading to these adverse effects on students’ backs.
Vegetarianism Some students give up steak dinners for salad entrees when they choose to be a vegetarian.
the
IN know Athletes earn individual, team accolades
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Education reforms
Proposed education changes lead teachers, parents to rally
Senior Marcus Trybula celebrates his swimming win.
The number one state ranked Bulldog wrestling team had two individual state champions, junior Jason Tsirtsis and senior Eric Roach. Three other wrestlers placed at the IHSAA state finals. Senior Tyler Croell won the sectional in diving. Twelve other swimmers qualified for the IHSAA state meet. Sophomore Johnny Lynk, junior Michael Kukurugya, and seniors Marcus Trybula and Blake Yeager won the sectional in the 400 Free Relay, and also set a new pool and school record. Swim coach Doug Norris was voted the Sectional Coach of the Year for 2011. Senior Michael Albrecht became a 1,000 career point scorer for the Bulldogs varsity basketball team in a victory over Lowell. The dance team placed fourth in pom and ninth in kick at nationals.
By Kelly Rostin managing editor Indiana public schools have seen change, and experienced scare, with the budget cuts that plagued corporations throughout the state. But different financing isn’t the only change that schools are now facing. Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels and the General Assembly have made several proposals with a call to action on educational reform. “New things are being proposed everyday,” math teacher Michael David said. “Some may not even be in writing yet.” The reform agenda has spurred controversy. House Democrats left the state to prevent voting on bills they say will have a negative impact on workers and public education in the state. “We (as teachers) are not sure there’s a clear picture of what these changes will accomplish and make better for students,” David said. “We’re not opposed to change, but we like to talk
about the change so we can buy into it and understand it and its benefits.” One of the first changes that created waves was the House’s 59-39 vote in favor of charter school expansion on Feb. 8. Charter schools are public schools that are free of certain state requirements and, often times, are free of union contracts. Not all teachers in these schools must be certified or have any background in education, and the funding for these schools comes from the surrounding public community schools’ funds and taxpayer money. “The premise of charter schools is to provide an opportunity for failing students to go somewhere else to be educated within their own community,” David said. The funding for these schools is being questioned at a time where public schools are already dealing with low funds and a budget crisis. “Charter schools would take from the pot of money we use for public schools and thin it out,” David said. Social Studies teacher Paula Barancyk echoes David’s statement.
Donate blood for community service The Crown Point Community Foundation’s blood drive and volunteer fair will take place on March 5 at the CPHS Cafeteria from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Students can get one hour of community service, as well as a free pair of pants.
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Photos Provided Teachers and parents gathered at the Capital building in Indianapolis on Feb. 8 to rally against the charter school reform. The House voted in favor of charter school expansion in a 59-39 vote. Other reforms include having teachers’ salaries be based off of merit pay.
Reforms on the table
Free prom dresses given out on March 5 Students who are not able to buy a prom dress can get one for free on March 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 3120 115th St. in Highland. Students must bring their school I.D.
“Charter schools would use public funds (tax payer money) to fund them. Our schools have already seen big cuts in funding ($300 million worth), so we would see even further cuts to our funds,” Barancyk said. “Public teachers believe in public education.” Out of the 25 lowest performing schools in Indiana, 21 of those were charter schools according to a recent listing of test performance. “Unfortunately right now in the state, charter schools are in the lowest performing schools,” David said. “It’s still a fairly new concept.” “(Charter schools) are not a proven solution to the problem of improving education],” Barancyk said. The charter school bill still needs to go to the Senate before approval. During the duration of that time before it gets there, there’s a chance that changes could be made to it. “Not everything is a done deal, and not all proposals may go through,” David said.
Limited collective bargaining
Superintendent licenses
• Union representatives may only negotiate wages salary and wage related fringe benefits and prohibits certain subjects from being bargained collectively. • Repeals provisions concerning minimum salary and salary increments for teachers.
• A superintendent of schools is not required to hold a teacher’s or superintendent’s license • Repeals a requirement that a county superintendent of schools must have five years of successful teaching experience and hold a superintendent’s license.
Merit Pay • Experience may count for only 33 percent of pay • Teacher evaluations will be tied to student test scores and performance. • No automatic pay for master degrees • Teachers may evaluate other teachers • If a teacher is rated as “Needs Improvement” or “Ineffective,” they cannot receive a pay increase for the next year.
Charter schools • Allows charter schools to purchase or lease an under-utilized building owned by school corporations for $1. • Allows up to 50 percent of the teachers in a charter school to be unlicensed. • Requires uniform and consistent transfer of credits for students who transfer from a charter school to a public school.