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Texting and driving laws Page 2
Taylor Swift album review Page 4
Tuesday, September 3, 2019 Volume 93 Issue 1 St. Louis Park High School 6425 W. 33rd Street St. Louis Park, MN 55426
If you skip class, you may be
Administration hopes new policy improves attendance Marta Hill & Isabel Kjaer martahill@slpecho.com isabelkjaer@slpecho.com
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Photo Illustrations Carissa Prestholdt
SLPECHO.COM
tarting this fall, missing class may affect more than academics for student athletes. According to athletic director Andrew Ewald, the Athletic Office will be tracking athletes’ attendence and hosting meetings with the administration and students. “If we have kids that we’re sitting down with for that first time, we’re able to figure out what are the roadblocks with them, that are keeping them from getting to class on time or at all,” Ewald said. “And then we can work through those and that it doesn’t get to a second or third time.” Student athlete freshman Katie Nelson said she thinks the new athletic attendance policy will motivate student athletes to prioritize school over athletics. “It is especially good for all student athletes who are trying to balance so much like sports and school. If you aren’t in class you’re going to be falling behind, so it’s definitely a good thing they are going to be keeping track,” Nelson said. “It will encourage people to go to class, especially if they want to play their sport.” According to Ewald, the
Athletic Office will be working with the Student Office to track the attendance of athletes on a weekly basis because they see academics as more of a concern than athletics. “Ultimately, (students are) here to go to school and going to class on time should be an easy thing to do,” Ewald said. Ewald said he anticipates the attendance conversations will prevent any further unfortunate repercussions, such as missing competitions. “My hope is that if we have to sit down and have those initial conversations with student athletes that it doesn’t go anywhere and we don’t get to the next step,” Ewald said. According to Nelson, monitoring attendance of athletes can help students balance many commitments, such as athletics and class. “I hope it will have a positive impact, I think it will be a motivator,” Nelson said. “If you want to play and if you want to do well, then you have to still be involved in school and go to class and work hard.” Ewald said the attendance policy is not a hard and fast rule, rather the administrative team will evaluate on a case-bycase basis. “There’s lots of times where there’s reasons for absences, and I really didn’t want to have it be so black and white, that there was a set number with it,” Ewald said. “It really is going to be myself and the assistant principals just looking at attendance.”
New attendance policies initiated for athletes •
If the administration notices a pattern of absences or tardies the first step is a conversation
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If the absences continue after the conversation, the student may miss one or two weeks of athletic competitions
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After a third meeting, the student will miss two weeks of competitions
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The fourth meeting may be to discuss whether the student will continue the sport Infographic Marta Hill & Isabel Kjaer Source Andrew Ewald
Day one schedule: See below for today’s schedule. The rest of the schedule is on slpecho.com. Pep fest
Classes
8:40-9:15 a.m.
9:20 a.m.-12:10 p.m. 9:20-9:40 9:45-10:05 10:10-10:30 10:35-10:55 11:00-11:20 11:25-11:45 11:50-12:10
Period 1 Period 2 Period 3 Period 4 Period 5 Period 6 Period 7
Picnic
12:20-1:15 p.m. Pizza from Parkway Pizza and Pizza Hut will be distributed outside the C doors.
Class competitions
1:15-2:15 p.m. Students will play games and win prizes with their advisory classes.
Mini-carnival
2:15-3:10 p.m. A variety of activities and snack booths will be set up around the school.
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NEWS
Echo Tuesday, September 3, 2019
WEB PREVIEW
I’m excited for (construction changes). It’s going to be a fun new addition to see at our school. Cailee Byrd, junior
Construction continues
Photo Noah Orloff
IB Diploma recipients honored Noah Orloff noahorloff@slpecho.com
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he moment class of 2019 graduate Katie Hardie found out she had received the International Baccalaureate Diploma, she knew she had to thank those who helped her on her journey. “My first instinct was to email all the teachers that helped me get there,” Hardie said.
Photo Carissa Prestholdt
Work time: Construction workers finish putting in a wall at the north entrance Aug. 26. According to Thomas Bravo, construction has progressed through the summer and will continue on the fitness center throughout the school year.
Locker rooms open, construction to continue on athletic additions Photo Jane Pupeza
E. Coli shuts down beaches Toby Khabie tobykhabie@slpecho.com
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hen E. Coli forced multiple lakes around the Twin Cities to close, sophomore Thomas Hanson was disappointed because he couldn’t complete his sailing licence. “One of the tests we had to do to get our sailing license was in (Lake of the) Isles, but we couldn’t, so I couldn’t get my license,” Hanson said.
Maggie Klaers maggieklaers@slpecho.com
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ccording to school district facility manager Thomas Bravo, most construction projects happening in the school during the summer were related to athletics. “We have gutted out all of the locker rooms and made brand new boys’ and girls’ locker rooms, and the athletic locker rooms for people who play (sports) like volleyball, soccer, football, baseball, and things like that,” Bravo said. “We’ve also started the construction of the new fitness center next to the activity building.” Bravo said attention went into improving the quality and security of the locker rooms. “There’s going to be individual shower stalls, better lighting, nicer lockers and more individualized areas for sports activities,” Bravo said. “It will be highly secure, so that we don’t have
people coming in and out of those spaces.” Athletic director Andrew Ewald said although there is still some work to be done in the athletic locker rooms, they are ready for use. “We’re using the locker rooms, even though there’s baseboard trims that need to be done and our wall graphics aren’t up yet,” Ewald said. “It’s a functional locker room right now.” According to Bravo, construction on the new fitness center will continue into the school year, but will not disturb any students. “The fitness center won’t be done until January, but it won’t impact the school’s start date. Construction will be going on, but it won’t impact anything in the schools,” Bravo said. Ewald said he wants students to be proud of the new additions to the athletic department. “(The renovations are) something (students) can take pride in and take ownership of. The fact that the community put money into these facilities I hope will make them feel a sense of pride in the programs they’re part of,” Ewald said.
Construction update •
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Principal, assistant principal and counselor offices were moved to the old district offices. Their old offices will be converted into classrooms. The Media Center, kitchen, cafeteria and new learning space will be renovated. These projects are a couple of years down the road. Infographic Maggie Klaers Source Thomas Bravo
Stricter driving laws will affect students Photo Lilly Strathman
HGTV highlights St. Louis Park family Lilly Strathman & Noah Orloff lillystrathman@slpecho.com noahorloff@slpecho.com
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eflecting on his recent Home and Garden Television home makeover, Dan Countryman said the renovation, while exciting, came with challenges. “It is stressful, but if you’re going to renovate a house it’s going to be stressful no matter what,” Countryman said. For more content go to slpecho.com twitter.com/slpecho facebook.com/slpecho
Hands-Free Law aims to save lives Ben Sanford bensanford@slpecho.com
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ccording to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, the new HandsFree Law has been in effect since Aug. 1. This means no driver is able to touch a phone in any capacity while in drive. Driver’s education instructor Allison Luskey said there are other ways to answer calls in a safer way. “Now it has to be voice activated, set your directions before you operate the car, those kinds of things,” Luskey said. Junior Lauren Whiteman said she notices the changes the
Hands-Free Law has created and doesn’t find it difficult to adjust her behavior. “It affects me because of simple things, like doing directions, so I always have to have that ready immediately before I go,” Whiteman said. According to Luskey, phone usage while driving is an issue for all ages. “Making sure drivers know that when you’re in the driver’s seat, the priority is safe driving,” Luskey said. “It’s important for us to recognize that something needed to change.” Whiteman said the HandsFree Law is an easy way to make the roads safer. “I don’t really think there’s anything unreasonable about the law because it’s not really that hard to just not go on your phone,” Whiteman said. Senior Jacob Brown said this law will keep drivers more aware of police.
Photo Illustration Carissa Prestholdt
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It affects me because of simple things, like doing directions, so I always have to have that ready immediately before I go. Lauren Whiteman, junior
“If you’re conscientious of the police and getting pulled over for being on your phone, more people would just not use their phone,” Brown said. According to Luskey, the Hands-Free Law is a significant step forward in keeping the roads safe. “There needs to be something to get all drivers to think more carefully about what we’re doing when we’re behind the wheel,” Luskey said. “Anything that lures us toward safety on the roads and protecting peoples’s lives, that’s important.”
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I am really excited (about the pep fest) to see all of the people and all the energy in the gym. Hopefully we will have a lot of school spirit. Rachel Stein, junior
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Echo Tuesday, September 3, 2019
LETTER FROM THE EDITORS
Editors-in-Chief address some frequently asked questions about Echo
Editors-in-chief: Marta Hill & Isabel Kjaer Managing editors: Gabe Kaplan, Kaia Myers, Noah Orloff, Carissa Prestholdt & Sofia Seewald Photo editor: Emily Ziessman
Design editors: Maggie Klaers, Sophie Livingston, Lucy zumBrunnen
What is Echo? Echo is the student-run newspaper at Park. It is a co-curricular class that meets twice during the school day. What do I do if I don’t agree with an article? Community members can comment on the website (slpecho.com) or submit a letter to the editors using the form on the website. Opinion stories are the opinion of the writer, not the entire staff. Staff editorials are the opinion of the editorial board as a whole. What if something’s incorrect? We strive for accuracy, but understand that factual errors do occur. Please contact us using the form located on our website in that case. A correction will be printed in our next issue and corrected on our website as soon as possible. How do I request coverage? Community members can request coverage for their activities and/or events using the form located on our website.
Copy editors: Emma Leff, Ruth Posada, & Sofie Geretz News editor: Talia Lissauer Features editor: Tamar Gewirtz
Seniors: Editors-in-Chief Marta Hill (right) and Isabel Kjaer (left). Who makes the decisions? Echo is a student-run publication. This means students make decisions regarding content. We work collaboratively to decide how to best cover the local news stories. While we have an adviser, she is there to advise. We listen to her input, but students ultimately make the decisions. Where else does content appear? We publish content on our website, slpecho.com, daily and utilize our social medias. We post on Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and Twitter. What style does Echo use? We use the Associated Press Stylebook when writing all copy. Who writes the Staff Editorial articles? The Echo Editorial Board is comprised of staffers on Echo, including the Editors-inChief and the Opinions Editor.
In-Depth editor: Maddie Schutte
These students work together to create an opinion regarding a certain topic relevant to St. Louis Park which is turned into a story that is not bylined. How can I join? You can talk to our adviser, Lori Keekley. Her classroom is C363. Applications are available in the spring. What class should I take if I want to join? You should take Intro to Journalism, a one semester class that covers the basics of journalism. You do not have to take the class if you are interested in being a photographer or an artist. Where can I get an issue? We distribute throughout the school about once a month. You can also pick up a copy in C275 during first and fifth hours.
St. Louis Park Echo Media Policies 2019-2020 Who’s in charge of the Echo? The Echo is the official student-produced newspaper of St. Louis Park High School. Students make all decisions of content without prior review from school officials or censorship from the adviser. Staff editorials represent the opinion of the editorial board, consisting of the Echo staffers. Additionally, the editorial board should discuss coverage concerns, ensure their voice represents the student body and should be mindful of creating an inclusive environment for all staff members. Because students learn more when they make publication choices, prior review or restraint does not teach students to produce higher quality journalism. The only way to teach students to take responsibility for their decisions is to empower them to make those decisions freely. Additionally, democracy depends on students understanding all voices have a right to be heard and knowing they have a voice in their school and community.
The publications will not shy away from covering newsworthy controversial issues of importance to students. Journalists will work to cover these topics robustly. Reporting in scholastic media that omits essential pieces of information because of review or restraint is an indirect form of fabrication. It destroys not only truth but credibility and reliability.
What happens if we make a mistake? While journalists strive for accuracy, we know errors can occur. In the event if an error being reported by readers or noticed by staffers, students should first check to see if the information is erroneous. If students deem the material to be incorrect, they should alter any online content to reflect the correction and then print a correction in the next edition. Students should be careful not to restate the error, but to correct the erroneous information. In regard to material appearing on the website, nothing will be taken down unless it’s proven factually false or otherwise legally deficient as of the time it was published.
What are our ethical guidelines?
What do we do with reader input?
The Echo will work to avoid bias and/or favoritism. We will strive to make our coverage and content meaningful and interesting to all our readers. We will make every effort to avoid printing libel, obscenities, innuendo and material that threatens to disrupt the learning process or is an invasion of privacy. We will avoid electronic manipulation that alters the truth of a photograph unless clearly labeled as a photo illustration. In order to strive for objectivity, journalists should avoid covering stories of which they are involved. Journalists should avoid a real or perceived conflict of interest as well.
The publications welcome reader input. Letters must be signed and should be no longer than 250 words and may be e-mailed to slpecho@gmail.com or submitted in room C275. E-mailed letters must be verified prior to publication. We will not necessarily publish all letters received and reserve the right to ask the writer to edit for length and clarity. Anonymous letters wherein the publication name does not know the identity of the writer will not be printed.
PARK TRAIL
Additional policies can be found at slpecho.com
Maggie Klaers maggieklaers@slpecho.com Let’s hear it from the freshies
At the day one pep fest ...
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...and the juniors
...and the SENIORS Yo, where all the juniors at?
BOOOOOOOOO **cr
icke
ts**
Oy, this is going to be a long year.
275 days to summer.
Sports editor: Sadie Yarosh Opinions editors: Maria Perez-Barriga Entertainment editor: Ben Sanford Video/Broadcast editor: Isabella Kanne Special Projects editor: Sam Klepfer Business Manager: Adin Zweigbaum Staff: Selam Anteneh, Ava Ashby, Ryan Barnett, Mushtaq Barquab, Neb Bekele, Humna Belete, Anna Benishek, Svea Bleske, Henry Brettingen, Colin Canaday, Jayde Claussen, Tennam Gyaldatsang, Tenzin Gyaldatsang, Ayub Hassan, Megan Hoenie, Harris Keekly, Tobias Khabie, Phoebe McKinney, Isra Mohamed, Emelia Pearson, Liberty Powers, Ayelet Prottas, Jane Pupeza, Riyan Said, Kate Schneider, Molly Schochet, Annica Schultz, Grace Schultz, Lily Simonett, Grace Stillman, Lillian Strathman, Samuel Swisher, Zuhayb Yassin Principal: Scott Meyers Printer: North Star Media Adviser: Lori Keekley MEDIA POLICIES The Echo is the official studentproduced newspaper of St. Louis Park High School. It is published triweekly for the school’s students, staff and community. The Echo is a designated forum for student expression in which students make all decisions of content without prior review from school officials. The adviser will not act as a censor, but will advise students. Students have the final decision on all content. The Echo will work to avoid bias and/ or favoritism. We will strive to make our coverage and content meaningful and interesting to all our readers. We will make every effort to avoid printing libel, obscenities, innuendo and material that threatens to disrupt the learning process or is an invasion of privacy. We will avoid electronic manipulation that alters the truth of a photograph unless clearly labeled as a photo illustration. Staff editorials represent the opinion of the editorial board arrived at by discussion and will not be bylined. Bylined articles are the opinion of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Echo staff or administration as a whole. The Echo welcomes reader input. Letters to the editor and suggestions must be signed and should be no longer than 250 words and may be emailed to slpecho@gmail.com or submitted in room C275. Emailed letters must be verified prior to publication. We will not necessarily publish all letters received and reserve the right to ask the writer to edit for length and clarity. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Advertisements will be sought from local businesses and school clubs and sports. We maintain the right to reject any ads we believe to be false, misleading, inappropriate or harmful. The Echo does not necessarily endorse the products or services offered in these advertisements.
NSPA All-American and Hall of Fame member; 2011, 2016, 2017 NSPA Print Pacemaker Finalist; 2013, 2014, 2015 National Print Pacemaker Award Recipient; 2014, 2015, 2017 National Online Pacemaker Finalist; 2018, 2019 National Online Pacemaker Award Recipient; CSPA Gold Medalist; 2017 CSPA Hybrid Crown Finalist; 2013 CSPA Gold Crown; 2015 CSPA Hybrid Gold Crown; 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 CSPA Silver Crown; JEM All-State.
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ENTERTAINMENT
Echo Tuesday, September 3, 2019
This album was really good for summertime. It fits with sunshine and warm temperatures. Patrick Djerf, senior
Haters will hate REVIEW
Taylor Swift’s new album lacks fresh perspective, creativity Lucy zumBrunnen lucyzumbrunnen@slpecho.com Fair use Republic Records
METRO AT A GLANCE
Ben Sanford bensanford@slpecho.com
Fair use Warner Bros. Studios, Columbia Records, Dualtone Music Group Inc. Photo Carissa Prestholdt
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aylor Swift adopted a pastel color scheme on her Instagram feed, straying from the black and red scheme of her last album “Reputation,” to shed light on her upcoming album. Swift’s new album “Lover” had fans excited for her return with a new, and different style. Although Swift’s latest look has a creative and colorful approach, her album lacked both. I was looking forward to seeing what this album would bring with Swift’s new style change, but I was unimpressed. The album had absence of character and originality, and I felt like I was listening to the same song on repeat. Not only did the album lack a captivating story, it was repetitive of her past albums. I know her inspiration often comes from past relationships and breakups. This album didn’t seem very different from the rest. With artists like Ariana Grande and Lizzo constantly pushing the boundaries of pop music, Swift doesn’t sound like anything special. With the exception of the songs, “You Need to Calm Down” and, “The Man” addressing important issues in society such as sexuality, identity and gender equality, the rest of the album seemed pretty close to the old Taylor — much like her album “1989.”
Along with an unchanging topic in her albums, she had many lyrics that were hard to understand. I became lost throughout songs with lyrics, such as “In the winter, in the icy outdoor pool when you jumped in first, I went in too.” With lyrics like this, the story Swift was trying to tell was incomprehensible and left me uninterested. Thankfully, Swift chose to feature two other artists within the album, Brendon Urie of Panic at the Disco! and The Dixie Chicks. Personally, I’m not a big fan of Panic at the Disco! and I heard the collaborating song “ME!” on the radio so many times I couldn’t bear to listen to it. When I saw The Dixie Chicks on the song “Soon You’ll Get Better,” I was intrigued. Not only have I loved The Dixie Chicks since I was young, but it seemed like a fresh approach for Swift, something I had yet to see in the album. I was disappointed to find out it only included their guitar and violin skills with some background singing. I found a laughable amount of irony within the song with the lyrics, “I hate to make this all about me.” Sorry, but you did. Although this album had a promising introduction, the music itself was a big let down. With the unchanging theme and tone of her songs, it was hard to continue to be interested and listen to the album.
Sept. 6
Sept. 6
Sept. 7
Sept. 13
The horror movie series based off Stephen King’s 1986 book “It” continues the second and final installment of the franchise with “It: Chapter 2.”
15 year-old Grace Vanderwaal visits Minneapolis at the Varsity Theater on her first North American tour titled “Ur So Beautiful.”
The Monarch Festival, hosted at the Lake Nokomis Community Center has food, music and education on the monarch butterfly.
Indie-folk band “The Lumineers” releases its third studio album “III” following “Cleopatra” and a debut selftitled album.