Journalism

News Story 2

Applications for Governor Rick Perry’s pilot school at Leaguetown High School are due Monday, April 11.

“Our goal is to ensure that students have mastered a set of basic requirements and reduce the number of high school graduates who need remedial courses when they enroll in college.” Perry stated. “More than 1 million college freshmen across America must take remedial courses each year, and many drop out before getting a degree.”

The pilot school is a program allowing students to graduate with a diploma early and go to a community college before a four year plan at a university.

“I will not hesitate to apply,” freshman, Holly Daro said. “It is perfect for me. I love school, but I could live without the social aspect of school. I never caught that school spirit bug. I had planned to go to community college for the first two years and then move to a four-year university.”

Graduation now depends on whether a student has acquired enough credits and passed the TAKS test. They are looking for students who are highly motivated and won’t miss being able to participate in athletics or clubs.

Many students love the entire high school experience-pep rallies, football games, proms, clubs, etc…

“This new school sounds boring to me. I play football, basketball, and run track. I have no interest in that school,” freshman, Phil Howard stated. “Plus, I don’t want to attend a community college. I plan to play football in college.”

Students will be notified by April 25 on whether or not they were selected. They also will be required to return to school a week earlier than the kids not participating in the pilot program for orientation.

“Leaguetown is so lucky to get this program. This is the type of high school I wished I attended,” Terry Updike, English teacher said. “I never bought into all of the extras at school. I wanted to take my classes and move on.”

To advance into community college, students must pass all exit test-English, math, social studies, science, and a foreign language test.

“Our faculty will push the students academically harder and faster than they have ever been pushed,” principal of Early High School, Marci Tucker stated. “The test will be hard, but I have no doubt our students will be prepared.”

News Story One

    The school board will meet Monday to review junior Jim Stack’s request denied by principal Tonya King to grow out his hair.

    “Had I approved Jim’s request, then I would have students every day asking if they also could break the dress code,” King said. “The school would be in chaos then.”

    King denied Stack’s request because, the school dress code says male students’ hair “must not be longer than collar-length” and must be of natural color. King said she would love to help with a fundraiser.

    “She [president of Locks of Love] said that the best way I could help would be to grow out my hair long and donate it to the group for a wig,” Stack said. “Not very many donate hair. Anyone can donate money, but it takes time and dedication to grow your hair and donate it.”

    Locks of Love is an organization that collects hair to make wigs for children with cancer. Every month they have to reference parents to other organizations because they don not have enough hair.

    “We desperately need human hair for our wigs,” Gisel Roco, president of Locks of Love, stated. “Every month we receive about 200 request from families who cannot afford a wig for their sick child, and every month we have to turn down about 150 of those request.”

   The Student Council wrote a letter to the School Board in Support of Stack. It was signed by 350 students along with a separate list of 150 students, seventy-eight who are male, who are willing to grow out their hair as well.

    “It won’t be hurting anyone when my hair gets longer,” Stack said.

    Stack agreed to tuck  the hair into his shirt so it would not be a distraction to the other students.

    “I think it’s cool that Jim wants to do this,” Castillo said. “I don’t see what the big deal is anyway. Rules were made to be broken, and this is a very good reason to break one.”

    Castillo backs Stack on his decision to grow out his hair. He states that “Girls have long hair, and no one is distracted.”

    Bill Valdez, school board president, says no comment as he waits until Monday at the meeting.

    “We will discuss it at the board meeting next week,” Valdez said.