VIEWER
Mounds View
http://mvviewer.org Friday, February 10, 2012
Volume 59
2011-2012
Issue 7
<editor@mvviewer.org>
Safer on Two Wheels
INSIDE
D lunch cancelled for next school year photo by Max Wang
MV students speak with legislators about a new bike path by John Ke and Max Wang managing editor and news editor Post-secondary options you have in high school
See Sadie’s Week’s royalty
The intersection of Highways 96 and 10 is notorious for accidents for both cars and bicycles. Yet, a bike path lining the entire length of Highway 96 abruptly stops a few hundred feet east of the intersection, endangering those who wish to travel on two wheels rather than four. Two Mounds View students are involved in a plan to change that. Patrick Sullivan, 12, and Samantha Kalsow, 12, in coordination with local organizations and government officials, have started preliminary talks to build an overpass over that intersection. Last summer, Kalsow first contacted Metropolitan Council council members John Doan and Sandy Rummel, who represent the area around the Mounds View School District, presenting images
of the intersection and providing information about state transportation. According to Sullivan, even before they had met with these officials, there were “already plans for an overpass.” Sullivan and Kalsow pointed to the potential dangers with the intersection. Leif McLellan, 12, was almost hit by a car while crossing the intersection, and his brother was hit twice, according to Sullivan. Kalsow also said, “Synergy wanted a bike to school day, but wasn’t allowed to,” citing the dangers of biking to school. While they were no statistics available for accidents at the intersection, during conversations with public officials, the two pointed to these experiences. Their idea has been shared with Jill Chamberlain of Blue Cross Blue Shield, Rachel Callanan of the American Heart Association, and Dorian Grilley of the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota, as well
as Senator Barb Goodwin, who is on the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee and James Andrew of the Metropolitan Council. According to Sullivan, there are plans to meet with state legislators over coffee, and a potential opportunity to testify at the State Capitol. In addition to these organizations and politicians, the two have gained support from inside Mounds View. Teachers Dan Butler and Graham Wright, who both occasionally ride their bikes to school, offered their support for the plan. Other students also agree with the plan, stating that a new bike pass would definitely help. Preliminary plans estimate the cost of the bike path from $25,000 to $50,000. There were estimates that a new trail could by finished in the next two years, providing effective transportation for students who want to save a little gas or improve their health.
Doubling up? New classes at MV lead to problems in scheduling by Peter Olson staff writer Every semester brings scheduling problems, but this spring semester seems to be worse than most. Some students report having double classes, two classes in one period. In addition, there are a number of “overbooked” classes. Having two periods in the same hour is problematic. Even though the conflict can be resolved, it may result in a student having to drop a class that he or she wanted to take. Aris Utatalum, 11, had to drop Psychology through Literature to be able to resolve his scheduling conflicts.
“I would’ve preferred Psych Through Lit, but I don’t mind College Writing Lab,” said Utatalum. There are many overbooked classes this semester, including AP Language and Composition, Honors Chemistry, and AP Macroeconomics. Having a lot of students in one classroom makes learning more difficult. “It’s hard to hold a discussion in a discussionbased class with 36 students,” said English teacher Gretchen Nessett. Some believe that scheduling conflicts will become worse in upcoming years, because of new classes and programs, such as Early College. They argue that more
classes means fewer sections of each course, which in turn makes arranging class schedules harder. According to Principal Julie Wikelius, though, this semester’s troubles will be “a one time thing.” “I think part of the reason for this year’s problems was that we started off with three new deans at the beginning of the year, so the personnel change caused some confusion,” said Wikelius.
photo by Youngjun Park
This chart--in Bullinger’s office--shows all of the classes offered at Mounds View. It’s complex.