Issue 1

Page 1

THE

PROSPECTOR

801 WEST KENSINGTON ROAD, MOUNT PROSPECT, ILLINOIS 60056

THE VOICE OF PROSPECT HIGH SCHOOL SINCE 1959

VOLUME 58, ISSUE 1

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2018

New semester, new security BLANCA ESTRADA Executive News Editor

I

t was Alexi Kotis’s first day of senior year, and, like the rest of his class, he was exhilarated to start his last year at Prospect. After a 10-week break of not seeing his friends, he walked toward Door 30, hoping to spot one. Unexpectedly, he was stopped by a security officer asking for an ID. He had read the email sent by Principal Greg Minter the day before, stating that students need to show their IDs starting this year, but Kotis did not believe that was going to be endorsed. “It was definitely an excitement killer. … It should feel like a fresh start with teachers welcoming you back, not ruining the welcome by making you pull out your ID,” Kotis said. The administration informed students regarding security changes on the second day of school during every gym period so students could ask adminis-

My biggest fear is waking up to a school tragedy in our community.” -Dr. David Schuler, D214 Superintendent

trators questions in person. Students need to show their IDs when entering school and that Door 30 and Door 6 are the only doors available for student use. Minter and Rondeau identify the Parkland shooting as being a main reason these changes were implemented. “When an incident like that occurs, everywhere around the country, you saw people rethinking their current security measures, and we are no different,” Student Resource Officer Chris Rondeau said. This past summer, District 214 hired an outside firm to do a security audit to make recommendations on making the campuses safer. The recommendations were later reviewed by the Superintendent Leadership Team, which lead the district on new projects and initiatives, and Superintendent Dr. David Schuler. Schuler then made the final decision on which changes would be carried out. “My biggest fear is waking up to a school tragedy in our community,” Schuler said. Changes include blue emergency lights on the exterior walls, an extra police officer, five new security guards and locking Prospect’s doors during football games. Rondeau also suggested that students can only be dropped off at Door 6, so that he will be able to monitor the building better. Parents were also informed that students should be dropped off between Doors 2 and 3. While similar, changes are not homogeneous at every District 214 school. For instance, Rolling Meadows High School locks the doors at 3:30 p.m, so students would only be allowed to enter through Door 1. They have also extended their

LOOKING IN ALL DIRECTIONS: School Resource Officer Chris Rondeau stands in the middle of the commons in order to monitor the students as they head to first period. (Photo by Marion Bensing) security team hours until 7:15 p.m. Since the administration monitors exits, they feel the building is more secure than before. “The students I have talked with have expressed that they understand the changes were made to enhance safety and security in the building,” Rolling Meadows Principal Eileen Hart said. “We care about the well-being of all students and staff members.” Senior Mitchell Rutledge sees the benefits of these changes, especially since he participated in the anti-violence school walkout in March of 2018. “I haven’t had any issues with any of [the new security measures],” Rutledge said. “I have no complaints especially after we got what we wanted: a stronger secu-

rity.” Kotis acknowledges that the changes come with positives, such as being safer, but he still feels slightly uneasy when he walks through the doors in the morning. “When they have a police officer and a teacher, it makes you feel intimidated. [You feel like] either you are the threat or the school isn’t safe,” Kotis said. Since the security changes are new, the consequences for disobeying them are still in the works. For right now, exiting a door that is not Door 6 or Door 30 will result in a student-to-administrator conversation. If it becomes a persistent matter, a student may receive a detention. Minter explained that there will be a lot of changes occurring

in the future. For example, closed campus is a likelihood, but it is not a priority at the moment. Nonetheless, during second quarter, the administration is planning to scan IDs at Door 6 and Door 30. According to Schuler, there is a probability of backpacks screenings and more security audits in the future, but the district will routinely switch security companies so they have different people with a different set of eyes looking at the buildings. “If I have children, it will be like, ‘Better safe than sorry,’” Kotis said. “As a parent, of course I will be OK with it because they will be safe, but being a student right now, I understand the difference between being extra safe and what is necessary.”

District mourns Lindgren AMANDA STICKELS Editor-in-Chief Every year Hersey teacher and girls’ water polo coach Megan Brownley hangs up an email in her classroom from Rob Lindgren that he sent her in 2009. The “classic Rob email” from her mentor, former water polo coach and friend said, “Thanks for all you do to help. Coaches like you motivate athletes and other coaches to be their best. It is a pleasure to work with you.” The email was an encouraging reminder to Brownley that Lindgren appreciated her and that her work mattered. On July 15, Lindgren passed away after fighting pancreatic cancer. Lindgren’s encouragement and caring nature is something that Brownley will think of when she thinks of him. “One thing that I’ll always remember is that he was always confident in me and always made sure to tell me that every time

he talked to me and every time we emailed that he appreciated me,” Brownley said. “Sometimes you wonder why you’re doing what you’re doing, and he was someone that always made sure that you knew he appreciated your input and you being there and that you were respected and regarded.” Although Lindgren spent the past three years at Prospect, his influence has been felt throughout the district. He began in District 214 27 years ago as a security guard at John Hersey High School. Since then, he has served as a social science teacher at Hersey, Athletic Director at Hersey, Social Science and World Language Division Head at Buffalo Grove High School and a social science teacher at Prospect High School. Social Science and World Language Division Head Christina Athanasopoulos got to know Lindgren when she began working at

SEE LINDGREN, page 2

REMEMBERED: Rob Lindgren poses with his two daughters, Hersey water polo players Annie Lindgren (left) and Katie Lindgren (right) before the PanCan Games, a water polo game dedicated to Lindgren, on April 23, 2018. Lindgren passed away on July 15, 2018 of pancreatic cancer. (photo courtesy of Michelle Fonsino)

WHAT’S INSIDE?

05 Prospect parents pass own high school experience to current students.

09 A delayed release date, fan controversy and rumblings behind the scenes surround the upcoming release of Battlefield V.

12 Senior Tengis Tulga travels between Mongolia and the U.S. playing soccer.


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Issue 1 by The Prospector - Issuu