Volume 5, Issue 6

A WARRIOR STUDENT MEDIA Publication

McHenry Community High School | Volume 5, Issue 6 | December 1, 2023

Superstar expectations

See side two for the full story NEWS

Photo by: John Katsilometes / Las Vegas Review-Journal / TNS

States protect abortion on Election Day

Voters in Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia and other states voted to protect abortion rights last month Aika Villa Page Designer

OPINION

Starting on Dec. 7 of this year Ohio has recently passed a law to protect abortion rights and make it more accessible. As of this moment Kentucky has also reelected a new democratic Governor Andy Beshear.

Statistics shown by the New York Times The colored parts of Ohio represent yes or no, the blue parts being meaning “Yes, protect abortion rights.”

And the red parts meaning “No, don’t protect abortion rights.”

The percentage of blue was a total of 56.6%, those places being Columbus, Cleveland, Akron, Toledo, Dayton, and also Cincinnati, and also some parts that surround those cities in Ohio. And then the rest of the part of Ohio was red and the total of that was 43.4%. Virginia elected more democrats because they wanted to reduce Youngkin’s power.

Many things are now changing in Ohio, Kentucky, and Virgina. In Ohio the criminalization of an abortion is when after a heartbeat is detected.

“The disinformation and misinformation — that is a hallmark of the Ohio Republican Party,” Democratic Rep. Emilia Sykes, the former Ohio House minority leader, said at a recent rally according to The 19th News. “They have been doing this for a very long time.

They cannot win on their own merits — they have to cheat to win.”

Pulina Borowski Social Media Manger Abortion rights supporters in Columbus, Ohio celebrate winning the referendum on the rights to abortion in Ohio's Constitution, on Nov. 7, 2023. | Photo by Megan Jelinger / AFP / Getty Images / TNS

It has been mentioned about the confusion about the process of abortion.

Many people stated that this would go against the amendment that it would allow abortions throughout the nine months of pregnancy. But in actuality the amendment allows abortion until there is a heartbeat detected, a total of 90% of abortions are before 12 weeks of pregnancy. Rarely ever is there an abortion much more later in pregnancy.

“Just under 30% — 28.4% — said they supported it, while a shade under 17% said they were ‘unsure,’” a spokesperson for Beshear’s campaign told the Herald Leader, adding that the poll shows “voters oppose this extreme ban with no exceptions and politicians like Daniel Cameron who support it.”

Andy Besher had a total of 52.54% of votes for Kentucky governor. And his competitor Daniel Cameron had a total of 47.46%.

“Our victory on Tuesday allows us to work with these majorities to advance a constitutional amendment that will be on Virginia’s ballot in 2026 when we keep an abortion-rights majority in 2025,” Jamie Lockhart told the Virginia Mercury News, executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia.”

In the state of Virginia, the constitutional amendments have been passed out by the General assembly for two years into the world. Meaning that the General assembly has passed abortion rights amendment in 2025 and also 2026. And in 2026 voters will have a say in.

Giving teacher the option to blend all classes next year will be positive for students and staff A student walks into their math class, excited because it is now labeled as "blended." They expect that they will be able to set their own pace in the class, making it easier for them to learn. They know that just because the class is labeled as blended, flexing is not the key characteristic. Since blended classes are all about making it easier for kids to learn and customize their experience, many will benefit from all classes being blended next school year.

Blended classes are characterized by the fact that students are able to customize the pace of how they learn. A common misconception is that if a class is blended, students will not have to be in class often. The kind of days where students don't have to attend class are called "flex days," and many students opt for blended classes because of this.

Teachers themselves will determine whether to flex

Empowering minds Grade 9-12 students who meet or exceed state standards in ELA, math or science will be placed in accelerated placement programs

Opinion: Blended is beneficial

Michalina Sotka Print Managing Editor

FEATURE

at all. When students actually take blending for what it is supposed to be, they will benefit greatly from it. Since they will be able (in most cases) to set their own pace for their classes. They will be able to fit their classwork to their learning style, this is along with time constraints, i.e. finishing one unit in the span of 3 weeks.

Carl Vallianatos, assistant superintendent for learning and innovation administration, states, “We want everyone to really focus on the idea that blended is an instruction delivery philosophy where students have some exposure and choice over the time, pace, path and place of their learning.”

The overall change in instruction can help students greatly, as they all learn in different ways. If a student benefits from taking the information of a unit gradually, they can feel free to do so. The same goes for students who prefer a quicker pace. Since teachers will always be around to help, students will not be forced to be independent.

“It is important to remember that all students may not want or need to flex as a method or privilege,” Vallianatos states, “and therefore can remain in class with the teacher at all times.”

Students who use their flex time in a way that will benefit them academically often gain the most from flexing. Due to the fact that activities are not moderated by a teacher during flex days, students sometimes just don’t use their time wisely. Therefore, flexing is only beneficial when used in a certain way.

Students have to be able to time manage and prioritize school work in order to be successful with flexing.

With that, only students who have these qualities and are able to exhibit them will gain positive results from flexing. And since blended classes are popular as of now due to their contrast to traditional classes, it is looking like the changes set up for next year will be impacting students in a very positive way, both in the classroom and outside of it.

As MCHS students dive into course selection for the next school year, this brings bustling classrooms of highperforming students with an air of intellectual curiosity and determination, where new eager minds absorb the challenges and rigor to advance their academic achievement.

The Illinois State Board of Education has enforced the Accelerated Placement Act in 2017 which placed students in an educational setting with a curriculum that is usually reserved for students who are older or in higher grades than the student.

An update to the Act has been enacted in the spring of 2021.

The update specifies that by no later than the beginning of the 202324, a school district’s accelerated placement policy, grades 9-12, will enforce automatic enrollment to the next most rigorous and advanced course level if the student meets or exceeds state standardized test scores in English language arts, math, or science.

Placement of exceeding students will be a new change that MCHS will enforce for the 2023-24 school year, challenging students through a new way of course selection and teacher recommendation.

“So the new law it's an Illinois state law. It's not a McHenry high school thing. It's a state initiative if a student meets or exceeds in a certain part of the SATs, either the math or E RBW. They automatically have to be placed in the next rigorous course up, so an honors or AP course as opposed to a regular course,” says counselor Nicole Bacigalupo.

It may be challenging for students to adjust to a new placement of coursework if they are willing to accept the challenges that it may bring.

“I mean, it's going to be challenging. We have to develop the mindset though, that you can do this.

That this is a place of academia.” says MCHS principal, Dr. Jeffery Prickett.

While it may excel some students to try, students may fear that they may find themselves in a position that is not ideal to them.

See “PLACEMENT” on side two

“PLACEMENT” continued

SPORTS

“I think it will allow some people to take the classes they want to take. Some people just don’t do well with assignments and excel with tests. So I think it gives a lot of people a lot of opportunities,” says junior Lex Bach, “but for me I have no interest in taking any ‘AP’ courses and will have to make the effort to change my classes next year to fit the schedule I want.”

The staff at MCHS want to see students succeed and challenge themselves, but they also recognize the capability of students.

“We have to recognize that student is really struggling, and the content is just too much and they've done everything they can. Then there has to be a time where you say, okay, let's get this student into a more comfortable spot where they can succeed,” adds Prickett.

Staff and counselors understand the balance necessary for each individual student.

“Here’s what we believe; you are capable of in each department and placed in the most rigorous courses we have in all those areas.” explains College and Career Counselor Curtis Menke.

“However, that's where the balance piece comes in, and is it in someone's best interest to accelerate in all

The Illinois State Board of Education has updated the approach to students' course selection with the Accelerated Placement Act that automatically places students in the most advanced class appropriate to their previous academic performance. Course level changes can be requested. Photo by Leylah Moreno

of those areas, based on their time and in and out of school, responsibilities, and priorities” Regardless, students and their families are still able to opt out through communication through counselors and the completion of a level change request form.

“The good part is there are still checks

and balances like if a student is going to be moved up, the parent and student will be notified in the parent and student can still go through that level change process to advocate to go back into a regular level class,” says Bacigalupo.

Administrators and divisionals sift through class recommendations and view students who scored above and

go back and change those courses.

But, the Illinois Board of Education and, more specifically, MCHS want to challenge students by pushing them to do their best and show their growth.

Prickett concludes, “I don't want people to panic…This just gives more kids I think, an opportunity, whereas they might not have had it before”

Chicago Cubs expected to be big buyers this offseason

Adele on opening night of "Weekends With Adele" at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Nov. 18, 2022.

She and other musicians have decided not to do encores at the end of concerts. | Photo by

With the hiring of manager Craig Counsell, the Cubs are expected to be in the running for current MLB superstars Hunter Blake Sports Editor The Chicago Cubs have become the talk around the MLB so far during this offseason, as their surprising 83-79 finish shocked many around the league. With the hiring of new manager Craig Counsell, it seems the Cubs are now ready to make the jump to legitimate World Series contender that fans have been waiting for since 2019, and now seem in a good position to spend the money needed to acquire the correct players.

With the surprising "breakout" season from former MVP Cody Bellinger and a decent lineup due to free agency pickups by the Cubs last offseason, many fans seem to think that they might land superstars Juan Soto or Shohei Ohtani; the unanimous American League MVP last season. The biggest question surrounding the cubs is are they willing to spend the money to pick up those superstar names, and this is the time for them to do it after a successful season.

The Cubs' single biggest target this offseason will be the re-signing of Cody Bellinger out of free agency, as his one

The McHenry Messenger is McHenry Community High School’s student-written and -edited newspaper.

Launched in 2019, The McHenry Messenger is the student-run and student-edited school newspaper at McHenry High School in McHenry, Illinois.

Student journalists have the right to exercise freedom of speech and the press in high school media. The McHenry Messenger benefits from these rights. We hope to use this platform to inform and engage the students and staff of McHenry High School as well as its broader community.

As an open forum for student expression, the McHenry Messenger hopes to maintain editorial independence from that which we cover while continuing to foster connections to the community.

year contract has expired. There are other big names such as the San Diego Padres All- star Juan Soto, and American League MVP Shoei Ohtani, these players would require the Cubs to spend a lot of money now available to them after the Jayson Heyward contract (which was disastrous). While Ohtani and Soto are top 5 favorite landing spots to the Cubs, they may be out of reach for the Cubs to acquire, but as of now the Cubs are engaging in trade rumors around signing Shane Beiber from the Clevand Guardians and Tyler Glasnow from the Tampa Bay Rays.

According to Cubs Insider, “According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, the Cubs are among the teams active in trade conversations for Shane Bieber and Tyler Glasnow. Both pitchers are entering their final year of control with their respective teams and have been connected to the Cubs with some degree of speculation for at least the last year. The Reds were also mentioned specifically, though Morosi’s wording indicates other teams are involved.”

While Glasnow and Beiber would be helpful for the Cubs rotation, the biggest rumor surrounding the Cubs would be a deal with superstar Shoei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels who recently became a free agent. Many speculate since the hiring of former Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell the Cubs are now dead set on making a playoff run, and with Cubs outfielder Seiya Suziki having a friendship with Shohei, many think Ohtani would have no problem fitting in the Cubs clubhouse. The Cubs also have the money available to get Ohtani, but it would come at a very high asking price, and being in competition with the Los Angeles Dodgers to acquire him it should be interesting to see potential moves the

Cubs will make in pursuit of him.

According to ESPN, “There will be plenty of competition for Ohtani this winter, but at least Chicago has the DH to offer this time around. It also just hired widely respected manager Craig Counsell to take over an 83-win team that just missed the postseason in 2023. Additionally, the team has payroll coming off the books in the form of Jason Heyward($21 million) and Cody Bellinger($17.5 million), leaving money for a massive deal.”

With the Cubs being seen as buyers going into this offseason, and their disappointing play down the stretch that cost them a playoff spot last season, fans and even their players feel that a change is happening in the organization, and on a very positive note.

According to Yahoo Sports, Cubs Shortstop Dansy Swanson said, “With how we finished people are going to think it’s further off than it actually is,” Swanson continued after their final game. “There’s a lot of really, really talented players not only here but obviously in the lower levels that can contribute and then in offseason free agency, there’s plenty of moves that can be done there as well that could really get us over the hump and rolling in the right direction. But definitely a good step this year, definitely confident with things moving forward.”

With the MLB winter Meetings taking place on Dec. 4 in Nashville this season, this will be the biggest opportunity for the Cubs to make their moves this offseason, and with the moves already made by the Cubs, this offseason shouldn’t be the question of “who can we sign?” but rather “when can we sign them?”, and it will be an exciting experience for Cubs fans to experience as they make their push to be a playoff contender for the 2024 season.

Editorial Leadership

Staff Writers

Section Editors

Brooke Danz, Copy Editor Maggie Demski, Copy Editor Aika Villa, Page Designer

Mackenzie Sroka‭, ‬Editor-In-Chief Lola Cassidy, Online Managing Editor Michalina Sotka, Print Managing Editor Grace Crockett, News Editor Lily Adams, Features Editor Lydia Lawrence, Opinions Editor Hunter Blake, Sports Editor Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor

Multimedia Team

Leylah Moreno‭, ‬Artistic Director Paulina Borowski‭, ‬Marketing Director Grace Bellavia, Social Media Manager Olivia Smith, Social Media Manager Grace Hunt, Business Manager

Zach Benton‭, ‬Sam Bodden‭, ‬Eli Frommes‭, ‬Trevor Gutierrez‭, ‬Ellie Henry‭, ‬Lexi Januk‭, ‬Elijah Latronica‭, ‬Breiton Mackey‭, ‬Kiera Miller‭, and Parker Mackellagn

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