March Issue
2014-2015
James M. Bennett High School
A CHANGE IN POLICY : CELL PHONES
Staff Writer: Michael Lynch
This year, the Wicomico
County Board of Education implemented a new technology and
cell phone policy. WCBOE superintendent, Dr. John Fredericksen said, “We’ve talked ever
since 2008 about ways we might
be able to make changes to the
cell phone policy.” Under the new
policy, students are allowed to
have cell phones on their physical being and are permitted to use
cell phones for personal use in the
cafeteria during lunch at James
M. Bennett High School. This is
much different from the previous policy where students were
to leave their cell phones in their
locker or backpack and never take
them out during school hours.
JMB’s dean of students,
Joe Raffa, said, “Allowing
them [cell phones] to be used
in the cafeteria and for learning purposes has been positive.”
This year, a “technology
dot system” is used to put cell
phone use under the teacher’s dis-
cretion. When a green dot is
present in the classroom, cell
phones are allowed to be used.
When a yellow dot is present,
cell phones can be used on a
limited basis, and when a red
dot is present, no cell phones or
technology devices are allowed
to be used. In classrooms,
the cell phones are only to be
used for educational purposes.
Both Molnar and Frederickson see the benefits of Wi-Fi
and say they want to be able
to provide it to students in
the future. Birch is more cauMolnar said, “by hav- tious regarding Wi-Fi, saying
ing more technology avail- “Access to the Wi-Fi could be
able to use in the classroom, beneficial but would make it
teachers can integrate things.” easier to misuse technology.”
menting the new policy.” WCBOE technology professional
development coach Carmon
Molnar also sees benefits.
Sharon Birch, a Spanish
teacher, said, “I was a proponent
of cell phone uses in class for
many years and I was very excited to find out [about the new
policy]. I like the fact that we
can use cell phones for Kahoot
(an online game) where you can
have instantaneous feedback, and
apps like Word Reference which
provide easy access to words.”
Policies differ slightly
from school to school in Wicomico County. According to
Fredericksen, principals had
a conversation with their staff
to adjust the policy in the best
interests of their respective
schools. At James M. Bennett, students are permitted
to use cell phones in the cafAs of now, students and
eteria during lunch, but not
their guardians sign a permission
in the hallways. Unlike JMB,
slip allowing the student to use his
Wicomico High School does
or her cell phone for educational
allow cell phones in hallways.
classroom activities, understandThere have been ben- ing that using cell phones at JMB
efits said Fredericksen. “Dis- means students using their own
cipline referrals have dropped data because the school does not
10 to 30 percent since imple- provide Wi-Fi for its students.
A red dot shown in the media center symbolizing a cell phone free
area. Photo credit: Michael Lynch
While misusing technology isn’t as common of an
occurrence as it was in past
years, Raffa recognizes some
problems that have been seen
this school year while operating under the new policy.
“Some students feel they can
use them [cell phones] any time
they want. Also, some students
have recorded teachers in classrooms via their cell phones.”
Regarding for policy
changes for the 2015 – 2016
school year, Fredericksen
said, “We’ll make a decision
sometime in the spring. We’ll
determine whether it is a
worthwhile tool. The feelings I’ve gotten are positive.”
An interactive Kahoot game shown on the Smart board to one of
Mrs.Eschenburg’s French classes. Photo credit: Michael Lynch
page 2
March 2015
Term Down for What
In college midterms and finals are
not always tests.
They can also be
take home projects like essays and
power points. Brie
Roman, a freshman at Towson
University,
said,
“High school midterms are a joke.”
Lil Jon (D’ Angelo Fosque)
Photo Credit: Brynn Roman
Staff Writer: Brynn Roman
Last year the snow dances and flushed ice cubes
paid off, but at what cost?
The winter wonderland
blew in, battling back the
stress-inducing midterms
until they were eventually canceled. Of course,
not many students looked
upon this as a bad thing.
The purpose of midterms is “to determine the
student’s understanding
of the content” according to assistant principal, Courtney Lewis. In
order to build upon the
material from the first
half of the year, teachers
need to make sure their
students understand and
retain what they learn.
The length of a
college midterm depends on the class.
Midterms for different
classes take different
amounts of time. Some
classes need more than
forty-five minutes to assess the students’ knowledge while others only
need half of that. As mentioned earlier, all a student
might have to do is turn
in a project they already
did outside of the class.
No one can be exempt
from college midterms.
When asked about the
possibility of being exempt Roman just laughed.
At James M. Bennett
High School students may
be exempt from exams
if they have passed all
of their HSAs and have
missed no more than four
“I don’t think [mid- days if they have an A in
terms] are necessary” the class, three days if
said junior, Emily Della they have a B, and two
Ratta. “They don’t pre- days if they have a C. If a
pare you for college.”
student has a D or lower mon Core the schools
they may not be exempt have canceled midterms
from that class’s midterm. and/or finals in order to
gain instructional time.
The exemption policy emphasizes grades
“I would like to see all
and attendance. It restudents be involved
wards students for comin midterm exams to
ing to class and keepfurther prepare them
ing their grades up.
for the future.”
Lewis supports recog-Courtney Lewis
nizing the students, but Richard Bozza, the exdoesn’t think letting them ecutive director of the
be exempt is the right way New Jersey Association
to go about it. “I would of School Administrators,
like to see all students said midterms and finals
be involved in midterm are the “old standards of
exams to further pre- what can you keep in your
pare them for the future.” head and spit it out.” He
She also thinks that believes the new stanmore hands-on assess- dards are “about how you
ments for the students can apply it, how can you
would
better
benefit show you understand?”
them. The application
The real question is
of knowledge is a better whether exams will be
gauge of comprehension. reformed to better preSome schools in Essex pare students for colCounty, New Jersey are lege or follow those ice
doing away with midterms cubes down the toilet.
and finals like Glen Ridge
H i g h
School,
Livingston High
School,
and Millburn High
School.
With the
new standardized
tests tied Mrs. Parker’s 1st period class taking a midterm
Photo Credit: Brynn Roman
to Com-
March 2015
page 3
Take A Trip Down Driving
Requirements Lane
Staff Writer: Sam McJilton
The US Government
allows each state to set
their own driving requirements, including the age
teens can get a learner’s
permit and a license. It just
so happens that each state
in the Delmarva Peninsula has a different set age.
In Maryland, the minimum age requirement
to get a learner’s permit, which allows teenagers to drive with an
adult over the age of 21
and related to you, is 15
years and nine months.
In order to get a license, the permit holder must participate in
60 driving hours, 10 of
those being at night time
which must be logged
in the Practice and Skill
log and signed off. Teens
also must complete a
Maryland approved driver education program. If
they have done all of the
above, then they can get
their license nine months
after they get their permit.
In the state of Virginia,
teens can get their learner’s permit at 15 and six
months. If someone wants
to get their license on
time, they are also are required to complete a state
approved driver education program. After teens
tine Craddock, a math
teacher at JMB, said that
a positive for teens having
their license is they can get
a job and gain responsibility. And some teens agree.
Brooke Ward, junior, commented, “Driving makes you learn
to do things on your
own. It makes you
grain
independence.”
But Craddock pointed out a negative. “It inTeen, age 16, driving .
O n e creases the chances of
do
this,
Photo credit: Brittany Jackson
teen
at teens drinking and drivthey are
J M B ing and places they can
allowed to
a g r e e s go that the parent’s don’t
get their
license at 16 and three with the set age. Safa know about,” she said.
months; three months Naseem, junior says,
before Maryland can. “It’s a perfect age to
The question popped
learn responsibility and up; is it fair to kids evTeenagers are allowed you get used to the driv- erywhere to have differto get their driver’s per- ing in nine months.” ent requirements? Cradmit at age 16 in Deladock said, “Three months
Stevi Burkett, junior, doesn’t make that big
ware. The permit holders
must have their permit countered by saying, “Nine of a difference. Everyfor a year before they are months is ridiculous. I one is born at different
allowed to get their li- was ready to start driving times anyways, and not
cense when they turn 17. by myself in five months.” everyone goes on the exFoltz also pointed out act day they can get it.”
Casey Foltz, a photography teacher at JMB, that Salisbury doesn’t
Despite the differences
agrees with the set age to haven’t mass transpor- of Delmarva’s driving reget a permit for Maryland tation. “There is no bus quirements, they all have
teens overall, but does grid or subway here.” the same goal: to put safe
wish for some changes. Without mass transpor- and responsible drivers on
“You should be able to get tation, it makes it harder the road. The states make
your license on the day you for people to get around teens take Drivers Ed and
turn 16,” he says. “I think who don’t have a car drive for sixty hours to asyou should get your permit or a ride somewhere so sure that everyone driving
at 15 and six months, and with a license, it allows on the road has enough
have it for six months be- children to be mobile. experience and knows
fore you get your license.”
Both Foltz and Chris- the rules of the road.
page 4
March 2015
TO RECYCLE OR NOT TO RECYCLE
Staff Writer: Kierra Owens
To recycle or to
not recycle? That is the
million dollar question.
If one were to ask students and staff at James
M. Bennett, they would
say JMB does not recycle. However according to
Manuel Gattis, the building service manager, JMB
does recycle and not only
do we recycle the traditional material, paper, but
plastic and metal as well.
The recycling
program at JMB brings
up many raised questions
and controversy. The official recycling program,
started by Hemalatha
Bhaskaran, environmental science teacher, shortly
ended because of the lack
of volunteers. It ended because the responsibility of
Recycling bin in the Clippers
Galley
Photo Credit: Arcee Esparza
running the program was
not equally balanced. After
a conversation, Bhaskaran
did agree that if there was
more student interest and
volunteers, she wouldn’t
mind bringing it back.
The only issue is that the
program would become
an after school activity.
With that said, it seems
fairly obvious that she
cares about the environment. “The small changes
add up. Live by example
and practice what you
preach,” said Bhaskaran.
All that were interviewed agreed that
recycling is very important. “Anything you can
do to better the earth is
a plus,” said Kris Quintana, football coach; library assistant, who is
mostly known as Mr. Q.
When conversing
with Steven Grudis, principal at James M. Bennett, he states that James
M. Bennett contributes to
helping the earth by converting to thermal energy
and having a special feature in the glass windows
that traps in the heat to
keep the building cool.
Grudis does pose a great
question. “What is going
to happen to the earth? It
is important to give back
to Mother Earth, but recycling is only a small part”
“Recycling has become
like the orange cones in
the road” said Mr. Killen, the building service
manager. This statement
means
the
recycling
box in everyone’s room
has become so familiar
that not knowing it was
there has minimal effect.
To raise awareness of the importance
of recycling there was a
solution made to start a
recycling committee. The
committee will consist of
If no action is tak- students and staff volunen to inform the student teers. They will collabbody here at Bennett of orate on ideas that will
the recycling program, improve the community
soon they will become and the recycling prooblivious to the impor- gram at Bennett as well.
tance. The amount of
Does our school
trash is increasing and
recycle?
Yes, but the stuthe places to put the trash
are becoming slim. Every dents and staff need to
person on this earth has a be informed. JMB does
job to protect their home. their part in helping the
Waste Manaagement Recycling bin behind James M. Bennett
Photo Credit: Kierra Owens
page 5
March 2015
Changes From HSA to PARCC Testing
While the PARCC
Staff Writer: Emily LeBaron As the county is math tests will be testing
adopting Common Core specific math content, the
standards, one of the English test is different.
changes is in standardized Nancy Turner, the Entesting. Instead of students glish department chair,
taking the High School says, “The English test
Assessment test, they is not testing specific litwill now take the Part- erature. All teachers are
nership for Assessment responsible for practicing
of Readiness for College reading and writing skills,
and Careers test. The HSA not just English teachers.”
was given in English 10, This means that because
Biology, Algebra 1, and of the new PARCC stanGovernment. Now the dards, more is required of
PARCC test will be given all teachers. Whether they
in Algebra 1, Algebra II, teach science or algebra,
and English 10, however they must also emphasize
in the future, tests may be reading and writing skills
created in Geometry, En- because PARCC will test
glish 9, and English 11. more writing and critical
This is the last year HSA thinking skills. Where
tests will be given, start- students used to just fill
ing next year students will in bubbles, they will now
only take PARCC tests. have to write and show
they can analyze texts.
There will be two Students won’t be able to
parts to the PARCC assess- read any specific literaments. The first part will ture to study for the test,
be given March 2 through but they will be asked
6 and 9 through 12, and is to improve their writing
a performance-based as- and reading comprehensessment (PBA). The En- sion in every class.
glish PBA will focus on
Even with all the
writing effectively when analyzing text and the changes from HSA to
math PBA will focus on PARCC, it does not seem
expressing mathematical to be affecting the stureasoning and modeling dents. Keith Donaway,
real-world problems. The math department chair,
second part will be giv- says, “It is not affecting
en in May, and is an end students because they
of the year assessment don’t really know.” The
(EOY). The English EOY only effect this year is that
will focus on reading there will be more stancomprehension. The math dardized testing in genEOY will focus on the ma- eral, particularly for the
jor and supporting content sophomores. Sophomores
of the course being tested. are required to take both
PARCC and HSA this
year along with benchmarks and Student Learning Objectives (SLO).
Donaway says, “More
time is spent testing than
what we would like.”
While PARCC is
not having much effect on
the students, it is affecting
the teachers, some more
than others. Turner says,
“[English] teaching standards are not much different, it’s just making sure
that the students are more
comfortable with those
types of questions.” On
the other hand, Donaway
says, “[For math] they
have a different set of
standards and so we are
teaching different things.”
With all of the
different standards and
material that need to be
taught, is standardized
testing really necessary?
Turner says, “There is
a need for it. There is a
need to evaluate whether
or not things are working
out; it is a way of seeing
how students are performing. It is not foolproof and
should not be the only tool
used, but it is necessary.”
Donaway agrees by saying, “They are important
to make sure teachers are
teaching what they should
be.” The PARCC website says, “The PARCC
states’ high quality assessments will allow parents
and educators to see how
children are progressing
in school and whether
they are on track for postsecondary success. The
PARCC assessment also
provides teachers with the
ability to identify students
who may be falling behind and need extra help.”
The PARCC test
will be given every year
in grades K-8 and in select classes in high school.
Hopefully the PARCC test
will help parents, teachers, and students see what
needs to be improved on
for each individual student.
The PARCC Practice Homescreen
Photo Credit: Emily LeBaron
page 6
March 2015
What Laws You Don’t Know Can Hurt You
Staff writer Tina Adams
There are new
laws that have taken effect this year that will affect high school students.
Mainly, minimum wage,
the possession of marijuana, cell phone use and
other road laws. Minimum wage will increase to $10.10 by 2018
governor Martin O’Malley signed legislation in
January. The current minimum wage is $7.25. Mrs.
Paige Smith stated, “It is
a step in the right direction.” Smith knows, “That
economists are concerned
that it could have a negative impact on the economy. People could argue
that it is hard for people
to make end meet as it is.”
The new law for
the possession of less
than 10 grams of marijuana will be a civil offense
rather than a criminal one.
Civil penalties include
$100 for a first offense,
$250 for a second offense
and is $500 for a third
offense. The law also requires a teen offender to
be evaluated for treatment. Smith said, “I still
have great concerns over
the decriminalization of
Photo credit by Tina Adams
Current price of gas as of 1/30/15
marijuana and the message that it sends to young
people.”Senior
Harley Baker said “I think
it’s fair because nobody
should be doing any drugs
whether they are legal
or not. Punishing people
for this drug is right, you
shouldn’t have it on you in
the first place especially if
you aren’t 18 or older.”
Texting or talking
on your cellphone while
driving is a primary offense meaning you can be
pulled over for this and
not need another reason
to be pulled over.The new
law for texting or talking
on a cell phone while driving and causing a serious
or fatal crash can get you
fined $5,000 and 12 points
on a driver’s license,
compared to the previous
$1,000 fine. This means
a driver’s license can be
suspended, along with
three years of jail time.
Junior Alexis Vickers
said, “I think that it’s fair
because people shouldn’t
be texting or talking on
the phone, they should
be paying attention to the
road, and one person’s
stupidity shouldn’t cost
another person their life,
so if it does the one not
paying attention should
be punished for their idiocy.” Smith said, “I did
know about the new law
and I have great concerns
for drivers who are using
their cellphones while
driving a vehicle and the
dangers it may cause. I
hope the increased penalty will deter use of
cell phones by drivers.”
Along with thenew texting and driving
laws, drivers are now required to move over to
the other lane when a tow
truck is helping assist a
motorists. If not able to
move to another lane then
drivers have to slow down
to a reasonable and prudent speed just like it is
required for approaching
police and other emergency vehicles stopped
Picture credit Law Office of Robin and Associates
Woman driving while on her cell phone
Some privacy advocates say that sort of
forced hand over of phone
information is unnecessary and allows easier access to follow the digital
trail that most Americans
now have. It is important
for high school students to
be aware of these laws as
they are beginning to drive.
on the side of the road. If
drivers don’t they could
face a $110 fine and a
point on driver’s license.
As high school
students start to go into
society, it is vital that
they become aware of
the evolving state laws.
Picture credit Ridge Volunteer Fire Department
Respect tow truck drivers move over
page 7
March 2015
Rock and Roll Revival- Behind
the Scenes and Review
Staff Writer:Billy Stewart The leading fundraiser for James M.
Bennett is just around the corner.
Rock and Roll Revival is a show
put on by the James M. Bennett
students and staff and it starting
the first weekend of February.
This year’s theme for Rock and
Roll is “Paint by Numbers”
and
it promises
to be better
than last year.
tor, which lasted 13 years, along
with making the Rock and Roll
program. He states that despite
the large amount of kids they are
extremely independent and productive when given directions.
Rock and Roll, however,
is a lot more than just music and
singing. Katie Nuttle, Rock and Roll
Choreographer, is
in charge of creating the dances for
the show. Nuttle
says that she reChrisceives a CD at
tie
Wersen,
the beginning
the head of the
of the year conRock and Roll
taining all the
committee,
is
songs for that
extremely devotyear’s Rock
ed to making the
and Roll. She
show the best it can
says that as she
be. She attends every practice which Students practice for the upcoming is listening
to the songs
is every day of the
Rock and Roll show
Photo
Credit:
Lauren
Bailey
she sees a
week
according
mental image
to chorus teacher,
in her mind
Ben Reavis, practice starts as early as 5:30 PM of the dance that would go best
and can go as late as 9:00 PM. with that song. A few things she
What some do not know is that says she keeps in mind when
if school is out for reason of pro- creating the dances are tempo
fessional day or minor holiday and pace. Two of the Rock and
then practice runs from 10:00 Roll dance captains Heather
AM to 7:00 PM. Ms. Wersen is Starner and Cassidy Rhoads
also in charge of creating the list say that though it is “time
of songs and the theme of each consuming” it is always fun.
year. She states that she “picks
a few songs I like and build a Chandler Trauger says
theme around those songs.” that the difference between
regular dancers and dance capShe also said that she gets tains is that dance captains learn
some of the theme ideas from the dances ahead of time from
the numerous radio stations. Ms. the choreographer and then
Wersen’s family is also very de- the captains teach the dancvoted to Rock and Roll. Alex es to the dozens of dancers.
Wersen, Ms. Wersen’s son and
full time musician, is taking over
his father’s job as Music Direc-
Rock and Roll Revival
lived up to the hype yet again with
fantastic singing, on the mark
dancing, and colorful lights. The
dancers as a whole were on the
mark and knew where they had
to be, when to be there, and what
to do when they got there. Ms.
Starner stood out in “Itsy, Bitsy,
Teenie Weenie, Yellow Polka dot
Bikini” remaining humble with
her dancing which her character demanded but danced with
total confidence. Josh Dennis
sold his character in “Pink Shoe
Laces” as the goofy guy who
wears shoes with pink shoe laces, clumsily tripping over himself, and dancing spastically.
Mr. Miles also made his debut
as thehomeless man in “King
of the Road” drinking from a
bottle in a brown paper bag.
The singers also showed
off their talent in Rock and
Roll. Joey Kim sang with heart
and was unfazed by the crowd
around him in “Tie a Yellow
Ribbon”. Jeremiah Copeland
fantastically demonstrated his
talent in “Man in the Mirror” receiving a well-deserved standing
ovation. Clark Mitchell’s was
off the charts in “Sweet Child o’
Mine” matching the intensity of
the four guitars playing around
him. Jackson Desjardins nailed
the high note in “One (Is the
Loneliest
Number)”perfectly
mimicing the original song.
The band also demonstrated their musical talents.
Kevin Davis made his appearance in the first song singing and
playing his guitar proving he is
a multitalented musician. Seong
Cho shredded his keyboard like
a rockstar in “One Fine Day”.
Kieran Murphy showed off
his musical versatility playing
the clarinet in “Purple People
Eater” and the piano in many
other songs. The band as a whole
couldn’t resist dancing along in
“Walk like an Egyptian”. Joe
Harrington wowed the crowd
with his psychedelic notes on
his guitar in “Paint It Black”.
The show ended with all
the dancers, all the band members and all the singers coming
together in a collaboration of
spectacular singing, dancing, and
music. The dancers were so precise that even though they were
within a foot from each other no
two dancers ever made contact.
It truly was a fantastic show that
everyone can look back on and be
proud that they were a part of it.
Rafa in “Purple People Eater”
Photo Credit: Paige Cropper and Lauren
Bailey
Rock and Roll 2015 Set
Photo Credit: Lauren Bailey
March 2015
page 8
Photo credit: Tina Adams
“The purpose of the I AM wall is to eliminate stereotypes and appreciate the differences in others. If we
could describe this wall in one way, it would be ‘bravery’ because students
had to be brave to put persoanl things on a wall in the school where everyone can see.” -Kris Quintana
“Mr.
Donoway
brought up how to
end some of the
foul language in the
hall. He said the best
way to respond was
with a positive poster. As math teachers
we cannot be the
entire building, but
we try to make our
hallway a nice place.
I’ve noticed my students will call each
other out when doPhoto Credit:Anna Rogers
ing something negative and tell them to shoot for being positive.We are hoping students as
well as teachers will support this and unite together.” -Christine Craddock
page 9
March 2015
Wo rkin g Ha rd or
Taking Advantage of Homework
Staff Writer: Lauren Bailey
Homework is one of the
central parts of a student’s academic career. From the day the
students begin school to their final days in college, homework
goes with them everywhere.
To some, doing school work at
home is seen as a form of torture and a way for teachers to
bring students’ moods down outside of class; but are there more
pros to homework than cons?
The intention of homework was never to be a burden
on students, but a learning tool.
Sophomore, Lilly Adams says
“[Homework] is meant to stimulate the brain.” A teacher can’t
regulate what the student is doing at home therefore has no idea
if the student is reviewing what
they learned in class. Homework simply gives the teacher
insight on whether or not the
student is understanding everything they are learning in class.
While some teachers are great
about making sure students actually gain something by doing
homework, there’s always one
or two teachers who think word
searches and crossword puzzles
are good forms of homework; in
some cases the teacher might just
want to give students something
to bring their grade up. This is
just busy work and is not the type
of homework teachers should be
handing out more than once a
week. A student can only gain a
small amount of knowledge, if
any, from doing busy work. Normal homework assignments like
worksheets, essays and projects
are great ways to take a student’s
education outside of school. Not
only does homework help the
teacher but it also helps the par-
ents see how the child is doing
in school. Homework creates a
connection between a student’s
time spent in and outside the
classroom. Parents play a key
role in a child’s upbringing but
can only do so much to help in
grams, honors societies, and jobs
can all get in the way of doing
homework. For some students,
busy schedules only allow for a
certain amount of time for homework. Many teachers understand
students do things outside of
Abby Collins studies for an upcoming vocabulary test
Photo Credit: Lauren Bailey
the education process of a child.
Homework then becomes the
bridge between school and home.
Working outside of
school teaches a student time
management, responsibility, independence, and organization.
“A certain amount of homework
can be worth doing”, says Adams. With a limited amount of
time in class, teachers can only
cover so much in one sitting.
Homework is a way for students
to keep their mind active even
though they are no longer in
school. This being said, students
doing homework outside of
school can put a lot of pressure
on who participate in extra-curricular activities. Sports, community service projects, arts pro-
school and never intend to keep
them from doing what they love.
Even seniors whose hectic schedules are crazier than ever agree
not all homework can be a bad
thing. Joe Harrington, a current
JMB senior, says, “Homework
never really interfered with applying for colleges. Teachers
know when students are applying and try to work around that. ”
Some homework as-
signments are given to a student
days or even weeks in advance.
The things that sets many students apart from the rest is time
management.
Procrastination
is a problem that gets the best
of many high school students.
Though it’s a hard skill to build,
time management is one of the
many benefits that come out of
doing homework. “In the long
run, I can understand why we do
homework. I may not want to do
it, but I understand why we do,”
says Rachel Bailey, a student
at Salisbury Middle School. As
a student gets better time management skills, they end up with
more free time than ever before.
Grades can be higher, moods
can be better, and the ability to thrive in school becomes
easier and easier every day.
Homework has always
been a major part of a student’s
years in school. Many teachers have different viewpoints
on homework, debating whether
or not students gain something
from it. If you set aside the fact
that the student will actually
have to put in an effort outside of
school, students will always gain
more out of doing homework
than sitting around watching
their grade drop. From essays to
long term projects, teachers only
want to see the students succeed.
Working independently builds
up the student and prepares
them for life after high school.
If you would like to submit an editorial for
publication, please send your letter of no
more than 300 words to:
[email protected]
*All letters are subject to editing*
page 10
March 2015
Hardly Working
Staff Writer: Anna Rogers
Homework conspiracy? Is homework
really everything people
make it out to be? What effect does homework really
have on students as well as
adults? Is homework really the end of the world?
Consider the following hypothetical situation. Your teacher gave
you an assignment that is
due the next day. You cannot get started on it right
away because you have a
club meeting after school.
Then afterwards you have
a sports practice. When
you finally get home it is
almost six pm. Now you
only have three hours before it is nine o’clock and
if you stay up past nine you
won’t have the proper nine
and a half hours of sleep.
You begin your
other class’s homework.
Once you finish it is seven thirty. So you start your
project. By the time it is
nine o’clock you have only
written the thesis. You
have two options now:
pull an all-nighter, or stay
home from school the next
day to finish your project.
Now this may not
be your exact night every
night, but most everyone
has nights like this at one
point or another. In high
school, students have
many classes and many
assignments. It is hard
to juggle after school ac-
H.O.M.E.W.O.R.K. (Half of My Energy Wasted on Random Knowledge)
One teacher, who
tivities with homework. asked to remain anon
Ashley Eschen- ymous, commented on
burg, a French teach- the negative effects of
er at James M. Bennett homework.
“Teachers
High School, explains her go overboard on homeviews on homework. Es- work assignments.” This
chenburg believes in dis- teacher continues by stattributing less homework ing, “Some of the teachbecause, “Students are put ers give homework that
at a disadvantage if they is over an hour long.”
have an after school life.”
The teacher does
She states, “I am aware that studies report that the point out when homework
current workload for stu- is helpful, “If homework
dents is pretty intense.” is to be given it needs to
Eschenburg continues by be meaningful. If a student
c a r e s
explainabout the
ing why
class they
she does
will actunot ofally comten give
plete the
homeassignwork.
ment.”
“I don’t
like busy
work, I
Freshfind
it
m e n ,
Homework
disreK a m e rPhoto Credit: Anna Rogers
specton Hopful, I don’t want to waste
pes,
was
more
than
willanyone’s time including
ing
to
share
her
opinion
my own when I have to
collect it and grade it.” about homework. “Who
even likes homework? No
Many teachers at one. And if someone says
James M. Bennett are not they do they are lying.”
comfortable talking about When asked why she and
their homework policies. many students actually
Only two out of the sev- hate homework, She said
en teachers who were ,“Well we are already in
interviewed were okay school for one. Then they
with sharing their opinion expect us to participate in
on the matter. The other extracurricular activities
five teachers feared retri- to get into good colleges.
bution and did not want It’s like they didn’t teach
their position as a teacher us enough in class already
to become endangered. so they give the rest of
their lesson plan at home.”
Hoppes continues by explaining why homework
puts her at a disadvantage
at home. “I don’t sleep.
Ever. I average maybe
four or five hours a night.”
A study conducted by The National Sleep
Foundation has determined that lack of sleep
can be harmful, even
deadly. It can make people
look bad, feel moody, and
perform poorly. Sleepiness can make it hard to
get along with family and
friends and hurt scores
on school exams, on
the court or on the field.
Teens need about eight
to ten hours of sleep each
night to function best.
Although Hoppes
and many students alike
share this negative opinion about homework, it
poses an interesting question. Is homework really
that bad? Studies by The
American
Psychological Association (APA),
in Washington, DC, have
proven that the average
high school student today
has the same level of anxiety as the average psychiatric patient in the early
1950’s. What does that say
about schools and teachers? Maybe these studies
suggest that the homework and class workload is a overwhelming.
page 11
March 2015
Midterms: 2014 vs. 2015
Illustrated by Dominique Ramsey
List of Clubs
ACE Mentoring Club (Mrs. Verbits)
Math Team (Mr. Donoway)
American Red Cross Club (Ms. Elliot)
Mock Trial (Mr. Portier)
Art Club(Ms. Cook & Ms. Riser)
Mu Alpha Theta* (Ms. Ludke-Jones/Mrs. Slatcher)
Project 7 Bible Club (Ms. McCaskill)
Muslim Student Association (Ms. Gharbi)
Bleacher Creatures (Mr. Q)
National History Club (Mr. Hesen)
Botany/Greenhouse Club (Mrs. Kellerman) National Honor Society* (Mrs. McCain)
Chess team (Mr.Hitchens)
National Junior Classical League (Ms. Kantzes/
Debate Team (Mr. Garlock)
Ms. Neal)
Destination Imagination (Ms. Wilde)
National Science Honor Society* (Mr. Macintosh)
Drama Club (Ms.Murray)
Red Cross Club (Ms. Elliot)
Enviromental Club (Ms. Bhaskaran)
SAT Club (Mrs. McCain)
Fellowship Of Christian Atheletes (Ms. Crad- Student Government Association* (Mrs. Feeney)
dock)
SMART (Mr. Kroon/ Ms. Bhaskaran)
Finer Things Book Club (Ms. McGann)
Spanish Honor Society* (Ms. Birch/ Ms. Carey)
French Honor Society* (Mrs. Eschenburg) STEM Club (Mr. Liley/Mrs.Venos)
Healthcare Providers Club (Mr. Frey)
Upward Bound (Ms. King)
It’s Academic Team (Mr. Bock)
WEB DuBois Honor Society (Mr. Kroon/ Mr. MorJMB Memorial Garden Committee (Mrs.
ris)
McCain)
WJMB TV Studio* (Mr. Davis/ Mrs. Webster)
Marching Band/Color Gaurd* (Mr. Miles) *There are requirments to be accepted into these clubs
page 12
March 2015
“What is your opinion of
homework?”
Jenny River, 9
“It’s stressful. I hate it
its the dumbest thing
because it doesn’t help
us at all. I don’t like it at
all.”
Kayla Beale, 9
“I hate it. I don’t like it,
it takes too much time.”
Spencer Tilghman, 12
“Often teachers look
for an excuse to assign
homework and don’t
consider whether or
not it will be valuable.
Students often have
busier schedules than
teachers realize. It can
be difficult to keep up”
Jaybreah Palmer, 9
“Not really, I don’t
really do homework.
The teachers give me
homework, I just don’t
do it.”
Steven Ringer, 12
“Along with sports and
jobs it can be stressful” a possible solution
“could be more classwork”
David Wells, 12
“I like it because it
further expands my
knowledge which it
was assigned on the
subject.”
Will Brink, 11
“I do it on the bus” sees
it as a good way to “review what we learned
in class”
Jairae Williams, 12
“It’s like studying, and
I’m not the type of student to study. It does
not help me in any
way.”
March 2015
page 13
Bleacher Creatures Attack!
good time in general. Over 150 about the Creatures and on
Staff Writer: Arcee Esparza
students are a part of the student January 7th, 2015 it was published
in The Daily Times newspaper.
“Best thing that’s ever section.
The Creatures do a lot In his article he talked about a
happened to Bennett,” says
Abbas Yarali via Twitter. for the school and also the team regular students school life, and
Bennett’s Bleacher Creatures as well. Coach Dustin Mills, how stressful it can be but once
have taken over, not only at boys’ assistant coach stated it’s game time the students have
escaped their misery thanks to the
James M. Bennett
form of the Bleacher Creatures.
high school but all
Ahmed Osman had a chance to
over the county.
speak to the man who made it all
To be a Bleacher
possible, Kris Quintana, also
Creature you must
known as “Coach Q.” Coach
have
passion,
Q mentioned why he started
creativity,
and
the Creatures, his comment
school spirit. What
was “To spark enthusiasm for
are the Bleacher
Creatures?
The
Creatures are a
group of students
who dress up into
different themes
according
to Photo Credit: Kris Quintana
the teams boys The Creatures first home game, JMB theme night
varsity basketball
play. The group of students on WBOC’S Final Score that,
are responsible for getting “When the creatures get going
the Creatures a few times and
dressed up as Bennett’s mascot,
“Clippy the Pirate.” During the
game against Stephen Decatur
on Tuesday January 13, 2015
the Bleacher Creatures were
crowned by Scott Abraham for
being Delmarva’s best student
section.
Not only do the Bleacher
Creatures support our boys’
varsity team, they also support
each other. The Creatures
discovered Steven Ringer’s
mother was diagnosed with
leukemia. “They offered their
Photo Credit: Kris Quintana
Bleacher Creatures after the Red Out game against Stephen Decatur high school
our teams in our school and
revive school spirit within the
entire community.” Receiving a spot in
the newspaper isn’t the only
thing the Creatures have
earned. During the Governor’s
Challenge, the Creatures made
an appearance not only grabbing
Photo Credit: Kris Quintana
the crowd’s attention but also
Bleacher Creatures holding up a “Ringer Strong” sign for Steven Ringer and
Scott Abraham’s, WBOC sports
his family during the game against Stephen Decatur
director. The Bleacher Creatures
the crowd hyped, supporting the boys get going, and that the were announced fans of the
the boys during every home boys love the energy they bring.” week seven times in a row. Scott
game, and mainly having a Ahmed Osman wrote an article Abraham has participated with
support to the Ringer family,
mainly being there for Steven
when he needs it,” mentioned
in the Steven Ringer story on
Delmarva.now. Coach Q started
a donation for his mother and
raised over $233. They’ve even
donated a sign for every home
game for Coach Sully’s father,
Sully is the boys’ basketball
coach. The Creatures sure
know how to have fun and
also be supportive at the same
time. Way to go Creatures!