Free Speech Questions

Should class officers be able to put controversial slogans on class T-shirts as long as they are not offensive or obscene? Yes: 79% No: 21% Even if the slogans on the shirt are not obscene or deliberately offensive they can be limited if the administration believes that the saying could cause disruptions in classes. Should a school play be permitted … Read More

Teachers Tread Carefully Voicing Opinions

by Diana McDermott ’13 Teachers have their own political opinions just as most people also do, but educators are in a unique position of molding young minds. Therefore, teachers are tasked with a tricky balancing act of getting students to think about the world around them while not telling students what they specifically should believe. Accordingly, MCPS policy states that, … Read More

MCPS Explores Limiting Teachers’ Social Networking

by Kendall Proctor ’11 The MCPS User Responsibilities for Computer Systems, Electronic Information, and Network Security regulation is a nine-page document explaining the elements of computer security for teachers and students. Noncompliance with this regulation will result in disciplinary actions for employees that may include a conference, warning, letter of reprimand, loss of privileges, suspension without pay, demotion, dismissal, restitution … Read More

Tweeting Away the Generation Barrier

Since its debut in July 2006, the website Twitter has gained popularity worldwide and is estimated to have over 190 million users, generating 65 million tweets and handling more than 800,000 search queries per day.

Amazon Kindle Tops All E-Readers

But today’s youth has been classified as a generation of technology and e-readers are intended to convert old-fashioned books to electronic, portable and attractive devices. As the technology continues to improve and get flashier, e-readers such as the Kindle and the iPad are overcoming teenagers’ suspect reading habits.

Droid Proves to be Smarter than the Rest

Amongst the many smart phones available from each wireless carrier, the iPhone, BlackBerry and Droid stand out in the crowd. But to find out which smart phone of the three leaders in the market truly is the best, we turned to students with smart phones to be the judges

Technology Infiltrates the Classroom

“I think [technology use] is a problem at Sherwood because it makes it easier for students to cheat. People text each other during tests … Personally, I think, with the increase in technology that we have, it encourages students to cheat; it enables students to cheat,” said senior Matt Smith, who has noticed inappropriate technology use occurring in his classes.

The Students Have Spoken! Their Favorites Are…

With a wide variety of apps in the available, students have access to hours worth of digital entertainment. Truly, with such useful and addicting apps such as these and many others, it is not surprising to see why some students spend hours just fiddling around with their iPods, iPhones or whatever else they use daily.

Boys’ and Girls’ Thoughts on Opposite Sex

Why is it that a guy can be obnoxious in class and it’s okay, but if a girl does it it’s noticed right away?

“I think it’s funny when a girl is outgoing and funny, it makes them seem chill.” Sean Hutchinson ‘12

“It’s just normal for guys.” Nathan Tagg ‘12

AP Credits Transfer with Ease, Provide Flexibility

In 1952, a rudimentary version of the Advanced Placement (AP) program was introduced, offering accelerated instruction in 11 areas at three different prep schools. The mission of the program, created by way of a grant from the Ford Foundation, was to allow high school students to complete college level coursework and, upon the completion of a standardized examination, receive college-credit. The program, in the hands of the College Board since 1955, now presents students with 30 different courses to choose from and students from across the country participate. In 2008, for example, more than 345,000 students took the AP U.S. History exam, which was the most popular.