Football comes out of losing streak, bright future ahead, PG.12
The Student Prints Sylvania Northview High School
5403 Silica Drive Sylvania, Ohio 43560
Volume 87, Issue 1
September 18, 2012
OPINIONS
Electronics approved
New policy allows students to use devices regularly PRO/CON: SOCIAL MEDIA PG.4
FEATURES
WORLDLY WILDCATS PG.6-7 A&E
THE SOUND OF MUSIC PG.9 SPORTS MELICK
TAKING FULL ADVANTAGE of this year’s new technology policy is sophomore Abbey Pawlak. “Some of my teachers don’t let us use our phones during class so lunch, hallways, and study hall is when I’m able to use it. The new policy is great and a lot easier to communicate with friends,” Pawlak said.
>> Juanita Vasquez [staff writer]
COREY BOWMAN FEATURE ATHLETE PG.12
New flex rules create difficulties >> Mandy Binz
[Business Editor] Flex scheduling is the ultimate upperclassman perk, but the school is changing the ease of leaving early or coming in late for the new school year. Unlike years past, in order to qualify for flex students must have a legitimate reason to leave school, including volunteering or employment. “Post Secondary was created to help better students and make them more prepared for life by working in the real world,” said Guidance Counselor Stacie Wachowiak. Scheduling was also more complicated this year when it came to flex. Previously, students were allowed to drop classes in order to move into an open schedule, but this year it was not allowed because of staffing purposes. “When students register, we base the numbers for faculty, so if everybody dropped to add flex, that affects staffing,” Mrs. Wachowiak said. In addition, to sort through the large amount of students, students had to wait a week before being able to flex in and out of classes. “It was quite aggravating because I had to miss the morning classes here despite flex, because I come from classes at the University of Toledo. So I was counted absent and had to deal with a million questions by the staff,” said senior Mick Roby. While the school is allowing an open campus atmosphere and believes in perks for the upperclassmen, their priority still remains in the education of their students. “I like my flex schedule because I like my job and like being able to work more hours,” said senior Heather Homrich.
Under tables, in purses, behind books, and even behind backs for those with dexterous thumbs. What do these things have in common? These are the ways students would attempt to use phones in class. Those days are over, as Northview’s new technology policy has changed and now technology devices, such as phones, iPads, kindles and so on, are permitted in school. Although some teachers may not allow technology use in their class, it is permitted as long as the teachers’ consent. However, with freedom comes responsibility, as students are expected not to text and to use their technology for education purposes only. If a student is caught disobeying these few rules, teachers can confiscate the item
for the day. Superintendent Brad Rieger and the NV and Southview staff have been talking about changing the policy since last fall, and positive outcomes are to be expected, according to Principal Steve Swaggerty. “When [the students’] generation enters the collegiate and work worlds, technology will be a part of almost everything you do, so they need to be prepared for that,” Mr. Swaggerty said. He also said that with the changes of society, technology has become a lifestyle. He mentioned how there are some powerful methods of learning involving technology, and the school board wants to harness those. NV should be getting wifi some time during the fall semester, and work on the wiring has been continuing for approximately a month. The word about the new technology policy and wifi have excited students, “I love it because I can look things up that I
don’t know and it makes things a lot easier,” freshman Taylor Peer said. Although this seems like just another change of high school, upperclassmen seem to be looking forward to the new changes as well. “I think that the new wifi will be pretty cool because it is useful and it makes study halls more enjoyable,” junior Skylar Gilbert said. For the seniors, the new technology policy and wifi is coming in right on time, as they now have the chance to experience the new changes before graduation. “I think getting wifi is a good idea because our school is finally getting up to date with the rest of society,” senior Paige Williams said. Teachers also share the same opinion and are anticipating the arrival of the wifi. “We are bringing NV into the modern era. If used correctly, [the technology/wifi] is only going to benefit the school,” math teacher Greg Christy said. “It’s the best thing to happen to NV since air conditioning.”
HSTW wins prestigious award >> Geeta Rao [staff writer]
While the nation’s athletes were competing at the summer Olympics, the nation’s schools were showing their talents at the High Schools That Work Summer Conference. Northview brought home the gold with the High Schools That Work Platinum High Achievement School award in July. The conference was held in New Orleans, Louisiana for one week this past summer. NV was represented at the summer conference by teachers Amy Schloegl, Dan Dick, and former NV Assistant Principal of Curriculum Julie Sanford. This is the first year that NV has received this award since joining the HSTW initiative in 1998. The Platinum rating is the highest rating any school can receive and only 16 schools were awarded the Platinum rating this year. “It brings a sense of pride; the Class of 2012 lived up to the reputation of NV. I am
happy for the students, the teachers and all of NV,” Principal Steve Swaggerty said. The summer conference is an annual opportunity for teachers to attend workshops and six different learning sessions that incorporate new core standards for the nation’s schools, according to Mrs. Schloegl. In joining the initiative, NV receives a grant of $5000 that helps schools reach their fullest potential in leadership and curriculum. In order to receive the award, 60 students were randomly selected to take a standard national assessment that included questions about interests in colleges and an individual inventory, along with standardized math, science, and reading tests, according to Mrs. Schloegl. At NV, 37 students received the highest rating on the HSTW standardized test. “The award is a symbol of willingness and readiness of NV staff always striving to do the best for students, it justifies how our teachers meet the needs of students
Photo courtesy of HSTW
PROUD WINNERS OF HSTW platinum award, Northview staff Amy Shloegl, Julie Sanford, and Dan Dick accepted the award in New Orleans this July. “This award reflects all the hard work NV staff has done over the years to improve NV,” Mr. Dick said.
and is proof that Northview High School’s approach is working,” Mrs. Schloegl said.