By Ramsey Wall
Staff Writer Phone usage by students at Lakeridge Junior High is increasing during class and passing periods. At Lakeridge,` phones aren’t allowed during the school day. If you are caught on your phone it will be taken away. Many people aren’t listening and are sneaking their phones into class and into the bathroom. The office assistant at our school, Mrs Steger had this to say about phones “phones are a distraction,” and “students need to learn to socialize and interact without phones.” She thinks that phones should not be allowed during school because they will keep students from listening and the kids won’t talk as much. However, Mrs Steger also said “Phones are a necessary communication tool to parents.” She thinks that students should have phones but not be allowed to use them during school. When asked about phones, Ben Napierala said “I think phones can be used for academic purposes” and “they can also be distracting.” Ben thinks that phones should be allowed in case someone wants to search something on the internet or listen to music so they can study and learn. Our school custodian, Ms Sierra said “they can be used in really creative and helpful ways and they’re good for the lunch room.” She thinks that phones should be allowed during lunch. In conclusion, students and some teachers believe that phones should be allowed during times like lunch. Those same students and teachers said that they could also be a distraction. Many teachers stand by the rule that phones should not be allowed during school hours. By Paige Hebert
Staff Writer On September 18, three seventh graders at Lakeridge Junior High from C lunch were asked whether they enjoy having lunch at the later lunch time. Seventh and eighth graders at Lakeridge Junior High have either B lunch earlier in the day around 12:30 pm depending on the day, or C lunch later in the day around 1:00 pm or later, again depending on the day. A member of the LJH press walked around the cafeteria during C lunch and asked students if they enjoyed the later lunch time. They were very willing to share their thoughts. From the answers they gave, they have different opinions on their lunch time. Some students claim they like C lunch because they think B lunch would be too early and they would be too full from breakfast to eat anything. Others like C lunch because it’s a fun social time toward the end of the day and it makes the day go by fast. Caroline Woodcock said, “I like C lunch because by the time it’s over, the day feels like it’s pretty much done.” Another student, who would like to remain anonymous, liked C lunch because he would be full for the later part of the day. He said, “I like late lunch because I do sports right after school and I stay full until I get home late and can have dinner.” Other students think C lunch is too late in the day and that in their 5th period class just before lunch it’s hard to concentrate because their stomachs are growling asking for food. One seventh grade student Cordelia Joslin noted, “I don’t like having C lunch because it’s very late so during class I’m hungry and can’t think.” This student felt the later school lunch may affect her learning. Students also disliked C lunch because they felt there were a lot of kids in it and it was too crowded in the cafeteria. The seventh grade students at Lakeridge Junior High have different opinions about the later C lunch with some liking it, and others not. Some students were more passionate about their opinions and others seemed willing to accept their assigned lunch. One thing is for sure, the students at Lakeridge Junior High are still getting used to this year’s schedule and assigned lunch times. What do you think? Do you think a school lunch starting around 1:00 pm or later is too late? Does this affect student learning? By Emma Carnese and Molly Cole
Staff Writers Reporters asked some 6th graders how easy it is to transition into middle school. Here is one of the 6th graders that we interviewed. “ It’s really different but it's quite a bit easier than I expected for it to be," said Presley. Another question the press asked was: Is it hard transitioning to different classes? Are the passing times too short? “Usually it is pretty easy except when i have to go to the main building because my lockers in d pod so, if I have to go back to my locker i have to run sometimes a but it's not too hard.” Reporters also asked some people if it is easy getting to classes on time because of the shortage of passing time. Question: what is it like transitioning to other classes? “Well they took away more time so instead of 5 minutes it's only 4 minutes it's a little bit stressful especially with my 1 class in d pod but i mean it's not that bad,” said Ryan. When we asked kids what they think about passing time they all said that there should be more time to get to class. Also the halls are super crowded and there all a lot of kids so it makes it harder to get to classes. The writers hope this article has helped readers learn that coming into middle school is not that hard it! Everyone has to do it and in the end it helps everyone "Embrace Different!" By Mia Chelico
Staff Writer The morning is busy with teens ripping through the hallways of Ljhs struggling to get to their next class. The ljhs press has interviewed students in all grades, hoping that this will notify the teachers and staff that these students are working very hard just to get to class. First they spoke to 8th grader AK Colbert, “ I don’t know it’s just challenging to get to my classes.” Colbert sighed. They heard from many others including seventh grader Will Burgess. “It’s pretty bad and really short, I don’t have time to get to my locker so I'm mostly late.” Being marked late can cause lunch detentions from teachers after a certain point. What some students don’t realize is that it’s hard for the teachers too. To show their side of the story, the press asked them. “I think the four minute passing period is hard for kids and some teachers that are getting to P.E. or other classes, especially if they are coming from west campus near the pods they almost always arrive late but otherwise I enjoy it. Mr. Stoddard says. Though some of the staff thinks a bit differently. “I think that a lot of kids are using the shorter passing periods a an excuse to be overly late to class," Mr. Quarterman explains. With all this said everyone hopes that this school year will still be great knowing that at first the new schedule will be challenging. By Emily Barrett and Callie Walton
Staff Writers Being a sixth grader can be very scary. New school, new people, and having the responsibility of lockers. When asked, ‘what were you most nervous for this year?’ Current sixth grader, Mateo Clarke, said, “ I was most nervous for opening and closing my locker, but still being on time for class.” On the 26th of August, incoming fifth graders from, Westridge, Hallinan, and Rivergrove, entered the school, Lakeridge Junior High. The new school is a hard transition because of having many new classes and responsibilities all at once. Suddenly they are expected to do so much more, either for homework, or around the house. These kids, growing up so fast and made it into junior high. The first day of school is always the scariest because there is kids from all the schools and all of the older kids in different grades. Teachers have a huge effect on how these kids feel toward going to school. They can feel scared to show up to class, or excited to be at school. When asking five sixth graders, they all said Mr. Jarone was their favorite teacher, because of his humor and teaching style. Sixth grader Davis Reardon stated, ”I like Mr. Jarone because he's funny and super nice.” Overall, 6th grade is a scary year, everything is new for everyone, just be nice and know it will get better once gotten into a routine. By Jordan Bowermaster
Staff Writer Every year Lakeridge Junior High students compete in the battle of the books. This year in February, once again, LJHS students will read 16 books and test their knowledge. The Oregon Battle of Books is a program in which students can broaden their reading and reading comprehension. Students in teams are responsible for reading 16 books and then competing in competitions showing the reading comprehension. Emma Rodenkirch, a 7th grader at LJHS, says, “I think Battle of the Books is a great experience and is a good way for students to open their variety of books.” These competitions “battles” will take place in February, 2019 so the students have a few months to decide who will read what and then read those books. Even if a team hasn’t read all of their books they still have to participate in the battle so if your doing battle of the books make sure to read your books early! Lots of students around Oregon can participate in the Battle of the Books as long as their school is participating. Lucky for many students here, LJHS is participating! Here, sign-ups will be in the library. Most of the battles will take place at Lakeridge Junior High, but then the winner at LJHS will go to the regional competitions. This team ends up playing teams from all over Clackamas County. ”I like the teamwork in, like getting to work with your friends in school,” says a student at LJHS. By Henry Crawford
Staff Writer Most students at ljhs love to chew gum, but what do the teachers think? Reporters asked students, office attendants, our custodian, and the principal, Mr.Schultz of their opinion on gum in class. Student Cam Lipp explains how he loves to chew gum but he finds it very disturbing when he reaches under his desk and feels a piece of chewed up gum. ”Don’t stick your gum under the desk, and throw the wrappers away.” Some students use gum to help them focus on the work in front of them. Although some student like to have gum for distraction purposes. Mr.Schultz explains “Sometimes you need something to fidget gum might be a good idea.” Although Ms. Easterly, and Ms. Steager have a different opinion on gum.” I think it’s disgusting, and it can wait for after school.” Mr.Kelly, a language arts teacher at LJHS, says that “It’s a cleanup concern, and it reflects the inability to cleaning up for some of our students.” Kelly also states that “For some people it helps them not get distracted, but at the same time, when people drop it on the ground, I am the one who has to pick up.” Our custodian Sierra has explained how she thinks that gum is a “A custodian nightmare.” Students love to chew gum Quinn Hoey explains that the thinks “Gum should be allowed because it help not only be but others focus.” Gianna Lafond, an avid gum chewer, talks about how “I love to chew gum, just having something to do while im in class really helps.” “Every class should allow gum but people shouldn’t stick it under desks” said Ramsey Wall and eighth grader at ljhs. Most students love to chew gum but teachers and administrators don’t have the same idea. By Emma Rodenkirch
Staff Writer Four minutes isn’t enough time for students at, Lakeridge Jr high, to get to classes. Many of the teachers let you pack after the bell rings while others give you tardies if you aren’t in your seat when the bell rings. This is making many of the students very stressed this year. Last year students had plenty of time to get from D pod to the end of the hallway in the main building. This year most students have to sprint to classes to make it on time, though some students can’t even make it on time when sprinting. Many students have been late to their classes because of how short passing period is. Students are either forced to go to their lockers or they have to walk a long distance to classes. Jordan, a seventh grader has to sprint to D3 from room 26. She is always late even when she sprints. The hallways are another factor of being late. They are to small and people stop in the hallways to talk blocking the hallway and making way to much foot traffic. Many students are upset like, Jordan Bowermaster who said, “It is stressful getting from class to class especially when you have to walk far.” The five minute passing periods were changed to four minutes at Lakeridge jr high. About two years ago the first recent schedule change happened. Monday, Tuesday, and Friday were all the same while Wednesday and Thursday were block days. This year they changed the schedule again. The eighth graders this year have had three different schedules during their time at LJH. This can get confusing. “I think that it wasn’t a very good idea to change from five minutes to four minutes because people were already late, so it doesn’t make sense to change it to four,” says a seventh grader at LJH. This year in, 2018, they made advisory shorter and on Monday and Thursday there is no advisory. Making it so students have to do homework at home. This can be difficult especially when they have after school activities. LJH should make a schedule where there is five minute passing periods. This year there will be a lot more lunch detentions. Lunch detentions happen when you get three tardies and because of the four minute passing periods. This can make students very stressed and stress can cause many other problems if it doesn’t go away. Students shouldn’t have to worry about being late. By Carly Clayton
Staff Writer At Lakeridge Junior High School, the 2018-19 school year many students from C lunch (out of A, B, and C lunch) have been complaining about the very late lunch period. This is a problem because students have to wait a long period of time in between the average breakfast and lunch. So the slow first half of the day can be a struggle for most. By fifth period, many students are complaining about their hunger for food. Many others also have to wait in the long lunch line before they can sit down and eat. A local reporter interviewed multiple students that have C lunch at LJHS and many had a similar opinion. “I don’t like C lunch at all because everybody in my fifth period class complains about being really hungry and it distracts them,” says 7th grader Emma Rodenkirch. “I don’t really like C lunch because I get very hungry and I can’t focus because I am focusing on my hunger,” says Jordan Bowermaster. When C lunch students are waiting around for most of the day for their lunch to start, teachers recommend to eat in the hallways in between classes but with our very short passing periods this year, students say that having time to eat and getting to classes on time almost seems impossible. By Cameron Lipp
Staff Writer The new school year at Lakeridge Junior High School brought a whole new schedule to the school that consists of no block days, long periods, and less advisory. Is that a big deal? For most people not. What kids, teachers, and the office is concerned about are the 4 minute passing times instead of 5 minutes. Ben Napierala, an 8th grader at LJHS states, “It’s hard because the 1 minute taken off makes me late to most of my classes,” Napierala and Henry Crawford, another 8th grader, agree that the 6th grade pods that most 7th and 8th graders have classes in, are hard to get to in 4 minutes. Most of the students would agree that the 4 minute passing time is hard. Kurt Schultz, the principal at LJHS was interviewed. Mr. Schultz explained, “For most people it’s a reasonable amount of time,” Mr.Schultz thinks that the 4 minute passing time is working and that it is hard to get from D pod to room 23, but those teachers might have more slack for kids who have a hard time. This is mostly true and kids really appreciate it. One of LJHS’s office secretaries and attendance monitors, Sue Steger, points out, “If there’s a little less socializing and a little more motivation to get to class, it should be plenty of time,” Ms. Steger believes kids can get to class on time easily when they aren’t packing up their bags for 8th period and chatting with friends. The new 4 minute passing time is good and bad to different people. Kids might be late a few times to class, but are expected to use their time wisely. If teachers can understand that kids making a long distance walk, give them slack, and if kids use their passing time wisely, then the 4 minute passing times will work for everyone. |
LJHSLakeridge Junior High School is an award-winning academic institution located in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Archives |