Osborne Times Year-end Edition
Editor’s Note Parand Mohandesi Since we are getting closer to the end of the year and this is the last edition of the school newspaper for this year, I decided to write something as the editor of this year’s Lillian Osborne School Newspaper. Many of you do not know me and depending on how many of you actually read the newspaper, I am sure you have lost interest already, but bear with me because I have some rather important things to say. First of all, I wanted to take a moment to say what a great school Lillian Osborne has been for me in this last year, and I truly mean it. I moved to Edmonton in grade 12, and you can imagine how hard it is to find friends and get used to the new environment. But if you are new to this school, let me tell you that you have nothing to worry about. It took me less than 2 days to find amazing
CLASS OF 2016
friends and get to know some great teachers that made me feel welcome to the new school. I am not going to name anyone, but let me tell you even if you are intimidated or scared, they are all kind and thoughtful people who will help you and guide you. Second of all, I wanted to thank all of the people who worked very hard to make the newspaper become a reality from just an idea. Ms. Beebe, and all of the talented authors of the newspaper that you will read about in the last page of the paper (Please go read it), thank you for your hard work and dedication for giving Lillian Osborne its own student led newspaper. Now for my final rant, I am just going to talk about my overall experience and all I have learned this year (please don’t start yawning, I will make it funny I promise). I am not in a position to give you advice,
because I personally did not listen to most of the advice I am going to tell you. However, looking back at my final year in high school, I now understand that if I had listened to those pieces of advice, I would’ve had way less sleepless nights full of crying and sadness and despair. I am going to start off with something I know is familiar to most of you: Procrastination. Yes, we joke and make memes about it, but it is very problematic and never has a good outcome. I know the harder and the more stressful school becomes, the possibility of procrastination increases (that is something the education system has to take care of and I am not in the place to comment on it further) but here is what I suggest you do. When you have a question or something you do not understand, do not “leave it for later”. One little unanswered question might not be a big deal, but once you get into a habit of Continued on page 2
Page 2
Osborne Times
Editor’s Note
“Stay positive even when you think there is nothing to be positive about”
Continued from page 1 ignoring these questions, you will find yourself freaking out before an exam because of this pile of unanswered questions. Same goes with anything else with your life. If you sense you have a problem, do not just push it to the back of your mind and hope it goes away, because it doesn’t; the problems keep piling up and become harder to solve. Do not and I repeat DO NOT procrastinate on seizing opportunities. If there is a scholarship application, if there is an opening for a role in a play, do not say “I will do it later so I can do it perfectly”. A) You probably cannot do it any better than you can right now. B) You will probably not do it, because two things could happen: you end up forgetting and missing the opportunity or doing it at the last minute which usually doesn’t turn out to be good. God knows how many opportunities I have lost like this, and let me tell you, regret is not something you want to feel; especially if it is because of several missed opportunities. My second advice: never stop doing the things that make you happy. It might seem cheesy and also unideal, but trust me on this. I used to love playing music, and I was pretty good at it. This
year, with the new school, IB, and university applications my plate was so full that I had less time to get to my music. I was too tired to play when I had free time, and slowly I stopped playing. It wasn’t very obvious, but it had its toll on my overall wellbeing. Do not ignore your mental health, because trust me when I say you cannot do ANYTHING if you are not happy. You first lose focus, then when you see the negative effects of that, you lose motivation and become even more miserable than before. It is a vicious cycle that you don’t want to be stuck in. That being said, do not depend on people or events to make you happy, because it is you that makes you happy. Make an effort to be happy and If you need help, seek it. You do not always need a therapist to help, you can do it by yourself if you try hard enough. Stop complaining, surround yourself with people you like, do things that make you happy and never be scared of a challenge because you lost the last time you tried. Stay positive even when you think there is nothing to be positive about, and stay true to yourself. Wow, this is turning out to be way longer than I expected, so I am going to try
to finish. I procrastinated on almost everything. I missed opportunities and started to do badly in things I was good at. I slowly lost interest and became unmotivated, and seeing everyone else succeed while I was achieving nothing made things worse. I continued comparing myself to others and decided to leave the things that made me happy and do things they did so I can be successful too. I ended up being unhappy, unmotivated and miserable. Do not be like me, you can be better. I am making changes in my life to be better, and you should too. For those of you just coming to high school, be prepared for a roller coaster of emotions and new experiences. Same goes to all my grads out there, we have a whole new path ahead of us. We made it this far and even though I do not know most of you, I am proud of every single one of you who survived this journey. Thank you for reading this long article and I hope it was not too boring (if it was then you are prepared to read boring passages in your textbooks-I am just kidding). I wish you all the best in your lives and hope you all achieve great things and become the legends you are destined to be. That’s all from me, Perrie out.
The Climate Leadership Plan: A Step in the Right Direction New policies aim to tackle climate change in Alberta CURRENT EVENTS Alex Hornig In a move to uphold their promises in focusing on climate change in Alberta, the NDP introduced Bill 20 on May 24 a the Alberta Legislature. Continued on page 3
Page 3
The Climate Leadership Plan: A Step in the Right Direction Continued from page 2 Bill 20 is encompassed by the Climate Leadership Plan, a newly introduced policy aimed at reducing emissions and other pollution in Alberta. Supported by a multitude of individuals including energy executives, environmental researchers, and Mayor Don Iveson, Environment and Parks Minister Shannon Phillips announced Bill 20 and the surrounding goals of reducing Alberta’s carbon footprint. Students at Lillian are shaping the future of Alberta and Canada as a whole, thus as the next generation of Canadians, will be affected by decisions surrounding climate change for years to come. In one such case, the implementation of a carbon levy, which is essentially a tax on carbon emissions, aims to target transportation and heating fuels which produce GHG emissions when combusted. The carbon levy, which will target 78-90% of Alberta’s emissions, will come at the cost of increased fuel prices for Albertans. For example, an additional 4.5 cents per litre of gasoline
should be expected in 2017. By 2018, this will rise to 6.7 cents per litre of gasoline. Similar increases will be applied to diesel fuels and natural gas. Many students either drive their own vehicles and pay for fuel, or have plans to purchase a vehicle in anticipation for post-secondary education. Whatever the case, these changes will surely affect you. Although these increases are estimated to cost the average family $400 or more a year, Mayor Iveson phrased it best: “While this change will come at a cost for many of us, it pales in comparison to the cost of doing nothing.” The province plans to reinvest the approximate $9.6 billion collected over the next 5 years into green infrastructure like transit, renewable energy and bioenergy. Edmonton’s Blatchford development, an attempt to create a sustainable community by 2040, is a potential candidate for the revenue. According to Premier Rachel Notley, the Plan will demonstrate Alberta’s capability as a “national leader on climate change”, giving Alberta credibility within international discussions overseeing oil and gas infrastructure, such as pipe-
lines. Evidently, the NDP has received criticism from others in Alberta’s political scene. According to Wildrose Leader Brian Jean, the levy’s impact stands “more around the $1,000 mark per family”, and fails to acknowledge Alberta’s economy at a time of high unemployment and low oil prices. Others, such as Alberta Party Leader Greg Clark, have speculated that the rebate structures impact on nearly “two-thirds of Albertans” appears to be a “wealth distribution tax” rather than a carbon tax. Regardless of the legitimacy of these claims, the Climate Leadership Plan is surely a move in the right direction for climate change and awareness. Though a global issue, it can be tackled simply by starting in our own city and province. Getting involved can be as easy as attending public open houses climate change, or if you’re at least 18, voting is a powerful means of voicing your interests. Whatever your choice may be, it is crucial that we are aware of the changes taking place around us, which will surely affect us and future generations
Studying for Finals - Ideas by Teachers! SCHOOL EVENTS Aysha Ossoble With exams right around the corner, it’s time to start cracking open the textbooks and highlighters. While many of us over the years have created a set study formula, it’s no doubt that the teachers here at LO have more experience in the works. I asked a variety of them for their suggestions around the dreaded 5
letter word that comes back each year. Here are their study tips and tricks. There were three questions asked: 1: What are your tips for students studying in your respective area in particular? 2:What kind of schedule would you recommend? (Breaks, time) 3: Did you have any study tips/ hacks when you were in
school? Here were the responses: Ms. Shwetz “ In English, cramming the night before is a dangerous plan! Rather than focusing all of your attention on 'studying' when you lead up to an assessment, it's a much better idea to slowly build your skills by reading and writing regularly over time. Continued on page 4
“While this change will come at a cost for many of us, it pales in comparison to the cost of doing nothing.” -Mayor Iveson
Page 4
Newsletter Title
Studying for Finals - Ideas by Teachers! Continued from page 3 Although studying a bit before a written exam can help you to remember specifics about a text when you're writing, it's much more important to have a strong skill set to demonstrate and the only way to do that is by consistent practice. I would recommend reading or writing for at least 30 minutes a night. Also, be sure to switch it up! Make sure that you are alternating between reading and writing and be sure to vary materials so that you are challenging yourself.
“I think knowing yourself as a learner and adjusting your studying based on that is the best tip I can give.”
I think knowing yourself as a learner and adjusting your studying based on that is the best tip I can give. For example, I know that I always study really well with others because I'm less likely to get off track and because talking through ideas is the best way for me to make sure I understand them. That might not work well for someone who can easily get off topic in a conversation or who needs peace and quiet to learn a new concept.” Mr. Fitzgerald: “I've heard a lot of students say that you can't study for English, but I couldn't disagree more. Students preparing for an English final should review all the texts they studied over the course and know the text's essentials: characters, conflicts, and themes. For Social Studies, I encourage students to re-write their notes from the course. Reviewing concepts and putting them into your own words will help you better understand the big picture of the course. It's especially beneficial in full year courses where you maybe haven't seen a topic in a while.
I like to work in 3045 minute intervals and take a quick break after. The best things students can do is put themselves in a space where they can work effectively. I always do my best work in well lit spaces with few distractions. If you're having a hard time starting your studying, try taking a walk outside. Fresh air can help you focus and reduce your stress. Layout everything you need to cover and break it up over a few days. The material will sink in better and you're setting yourself up for success. Improvement in any area only comes from deliberate effort and a schedule can help make your time more intentional. Mr. Ho: “Perhaps my tips may best be summarized by the acronym STUDY: S = Start your review early. Don't wait until the night before an exam. That's called cramming. And it seldom works. Begin with the most important unit or the one that is most distant from your memory. T = Teach yourself. The most effective way to learn is to be your own teacher. Once you've learned a concept, try to teach it to a willing. If your friend is able to understand you, then it's likely that you've understood it yourself. U = Use tutorials to get extra help with concepts that you cannot teach yourself or learn from your friends. Teachers often teach differently one-onone than when they do to an entire class, and it may well be the very approach that will help you make sense of that which didn't at first make sense. D = Do practice questions that target specific learning out-
comes that you have not yet mastered. Choose both routine and non-routine problems that help you assess your procedural, conceptual and problemsolving skills and depth of understanding Y = Yield not to distractions while you're studying. Turn off or remove yourself from your devices. It's more productive to study for, say 30-45 minutes, then take a break, than to be constantly (or instantly) interrupted by incoming texts, etc. I recommend study slots of 30-45 minutes, with each sitting focusing on one or two specific concepts or skills. Begin with the most difficult concepts or important skills that you have not yet mastered. Deliberate practice over several sittings will lead to mastery. I wish that I could say that I was an excellent student in university. I was not. In fact, I became quite a procrastinator. I wished I had followed through with the above "STUDY" tips. Besides the negative consequences of procrastination, I also learned that a good night of rest before a major exam did much more good than doing an all-nighter. So I would advise students not to sacrifice sleep because our brain can be trusted to recall stored information much more effectively when it is well-rested. Giving a special thanks to all the teachers who participated, note all these ideas and make time for yourselves. Happy studying Legends!
Page 5
Exam Season at Osborne SCHOOL EVENTS Sophia Janmohamed With the many exams and assignments that come with this time of year in high schools, stress among students is very common. Luckily, Osborne is remarkably exceptional at recognizing and acknowledging the difficulty that face many of us when it comes to exams. Whether it be the invariably welcoming Student Services, the numerous understanding teachers, or our very own students, there is always someone to speak to if one finds themselves dealing with anxiety. This article serves as a
friendly reminder to stay positive, and talk to others during times of academic stress, or any stress for that matter. It is commonly known that studying hard leads to good grades, but taking short, frequent breaks has shown to reduce stress while taking very little time out of your busy study schedules. It is also beneficial to try to get 7-8 hours of sleep each night during exams. Don’t disregard significant factors in your life such as meals, friends, and hobbies. These help people stay focused and relaxed through times of abundant pressure. Making sure to balance your life and not over-
schedule can help you survive that seemingly insufferable exam. Most importantly, do not keep the stress to yourself. Building up all of that tension and pressure is dangerous and harmful. It is much more advantageous to seek help, or vent to a friend. Making it through exams with the help of others is much easier than going it alone.
Nothing left to say Creative Writing Emmet Harvey Imagine you’re just sitting at home enjoying an amazing cup of tea, occasionally jumping at the sounds in the house, the ones you should be used to but really you aren’t. You’re watching The Breakfast club and texting friends. You’ve got a pretty good idea, right? Everything is perfect. Judd Nelson is smoking marijuana, branches are talking in Morse code as they tap your window. Your tea was steeped perfectly and you have the house all to yourself. Then, the phone rings. You groan because it’s just getting to the best part of the movie, where the freak is telling the princess she’s a nymphomaniac. You reach over to the coffee table and grab the phone. Hello? you ask, trying to mask the irritation in your voice. The
person on the other end speaks your name like Bailey? as though they’re asking a question. Yeah it’s me, you reply, followed by a Who’s this? The voice sounds familiar but to assume would be rude. It’s Emily. Listen Bailey I need to talk to you, you hear them say, but you don’t listen because you’re freaking out inside as you finally realize who’s calling and how you haven’t spoken to them in months and it dawns on you just how much you miss them but while you’re thinking this all you say is Jesus Em you sound like crap what’s wrong? because you realize that beyond the initial excitement of talking to them they sound like they’ve been through hell. And then you realize they have been when they Say Noah’s dead Bailey. And all you can think is, Who the hell is Noah? Then, you remember. You
remember the last time you saw him. You remember his brown hair falling over his eyes as he told you to Drive safely and come visit soon okay? We’ll miss you around here. And then you said, yeah of course I’ll come visit. I promise. Then you drove away and never looked back. Oh holy hell, you say, wanting to run away and shrink into the depths of the darkest cave, denial etched into every cell in your body. What the hell do you mean he’s dead, Em? What do you mean? You’re still calm, still holding yourself together. But then you hear the sniffle from the other line, that one heartbreaking sound of sadness. The sound of people trying like hell not to cry when it’s all they want to do. Continued on page 6
Page 6
Newsletter Title
Nothing Left to Say Continued from page 5 And then you realize that this isn’t some sick joke. You realize that Noah is dead that Noah is dead that Noah is dead and he’s never coming back never coming back never coming back. And your hands are shaking as you try to keep yourself together. Then, I’m sorry Bailey I wish I
was joking swear to God I do but Bailey he’s dead he’s dead Bailey Noah is dead and you find yourself shouting shut UP goddamnit Emily just SHUT THE HELL UP and then you realize that you’re crying and your teardrops are spilling into your cup of tea. Your beautiful, perfect cup of tea.
site end of the couch. Suddenly, The Breakfast Club doesn’t seem as great. The noises in your house aren’t as loud as they were. The trees are now mute and your tea is salted with tears but not really you just think it is and your hands are shaking and you’re crying and you realize you have
I need to go, you say, hanging up just as they start to protest. Your phone sails to the oppo-
Nothing left to say.
Random Acts of Dialogue Story Creative Writing M.D.M. I sit on the back of an ambulance. Blue and red lights flash around me. Blankets are draped on my shoulders to keep out the chill night air. There was no need for them. I’m incredibly hot. My mind is racing; I can barely hear anything over the pounding thumpthump-thump of my heartbeat. A man comes over, kneels so we’re at eye level, and rests his hand on my shoulder. He says something. I stare at him. He repeats what he said. “There’s a python. It’s what the bones do.” I reply. A look of confusion passes across his face. Turning to his partner, he murmurs words. I catch “in shock,” and “hospital.”
I nod my head in understanding; the men get up and talk to people in uniforms. Neighbours glance my way as they answer questions about the recent – very recent – murderer of dear old Betty and Paul Worthington. My parents. Someone walks by with small bags; evidence from the crime scene. One has a note, it’s words cut from magazines. It says the killer is going to come for me to finish what he started tonight. The next one holds the murder weapon. Someone cries out. Paramedics file out of my house with two gurneys’. Body bags shield my parents from the outside world. Neighbours and media can’t get a picture of what act has been committed. The bodies of my parents are wheeled to two other ambulances and placed inside, now completely hidden from the view of onlookers.
repeats, her voice rising to a crescendo. The man that had talked to me before appears beside her. He asks her to leave. She’s distressing me. Miss Patty Dobbler turns on him and screams bloody murder. Apparently I am a psycho because I murdered my parents. The paramedic takes her away. People are watching me. Well, let them. I’m only an eight-year old girl. Let them see what kind of a person I am. I hope they’re watching... they'll see. They'll see and they'll know, and they'll say, "Why, she wouldn't even harm a fly..." I sit still, just in case anyone suspects me. Someone helps me lay down on the gurney. The EMS doors close. I’m alone.
“I know what you did.”
A smile creeps onto my lips. I think I have one of those faces you can’t help believing. If you could read my mind, I’m pretty sure you’d be traumatized for life.
Both men glance at me, then share a look. The one who kneels speaks. “Just a few more minutes, darling. We’ll take good care of you.”
I twist to the left and see Miss Patty Dobbler. To put it simply, we don’t like each other. Her words hang in the air. I sit, unmoving.
Hahaha. If only they knew the truth.
They think I’m going crazy.
“I know what you did.” She
I ask, “Did your buddy impale you?”
Did you know I’m utterly insane? Some people may use the term psycho.
Page 7
Art Anna Goplen
Congratulations Class of 2016!
Business Tagline or Motto
Editor: Parand Mohandesi
Contributors: Alex Hornig Aysha Ossoble Sophia Janmohamed M.D.M Emmet Harvey Anna Goplen Special thanks to Ms. Beebe who has supported the newspaper this year and thank you to the yearbook for sharing their photos with the newspaper!
The 2015-2016 Lillian Osborne Newspaper Club (From left to right—upper row: Lutfi Mohammed, Aysha Ossoble, Simin Popat, Maha Mahmood, Alex Hornig, Amrin Virji, Ms. Beebe. Left to right lower row: Alyssa Malli, Parand Mohandesi, Madyson Mathews and Sophia Janmohamed). Thanks to all these lovely people, Lillian Osborne was able to have its first student newspaper. Most of the group (including the editor) would be graduating this year, but the newspaper will continue to flourish in the following years ! We hope to see more new faces to join the club next year !