TikTok Sued for Mental Health Damage to Teens

by Josh Pulaski ‘25 TikTok is being sued by 13 different states plus DC under the claims that TikTok’s core design is constructed in such a way as to addict young children and teens deliberately. The states’ attorney generals allege that the TikTok company has been untruthful about the risks of the app to the public. TikTok has claimed that … Read More

MCPS Plans on Enhancing Security Measures

by Laurika Pich ‘27 As the first quarter of the school year comes to an end, MCPS school leaders are continuing to explore new security measures and policies in response to increasing safety concerns. Incidents have occurred in recent years, including bomb threats, student arrests for bringing guns to school, and altercations at football games. The recent high school shooting … Read More

Community Grieves Death of Student

On October 2, the Sherwood community was shaken by a car accident which took the life of senior Sanaa Vil and injured two other students. Sanaa was a star basketball player and active member of the Black Student Union, beloved by students and teachers alike. This terrible tragedy was recognized by the school with a moment of silence held during … Read More

Bathrooms Remain Open

by Shannon Naas ’26 To avoid a repeat of last school year when there were often closures of bathrooms during the school year, the administration is taking steps to prevent the school from having to lock bathrooms because of student misbehavior. The measures include closing bathrooms at certain times of the school day, as well as more frequently monitoring the … Read More

AP Exams To Go Fully Digital

by Nisha Khatri ‘26 An increasing number of AP exams are being moved to the Bluebook digital testing application. College Board states that the new format is user-friendly, improving the focus of students and enabling them to write faster. AP exams at Sherwood that will be digital in May 2025 include AP Comparative Gov, AP Environmental, AP Human Geo, AP … Read More

Student-made App Offers Students Way To Voice Concerns

by Zach Geller ‘25 Closed bathrooms are no strange sight to Sherwood students, but rounding the corner at the start of the 2024-25 year, a team of student software developers is making an app to counteract issues like these, enabling students to report school-wide issues across MCPS. Ripple is an app for students to report problems in their individual schools. … Read More

MCPS Cuts Virtual Academy from Budget and Increases Class Sizes

by Evelyn San Miguel ‘26 MCPS has reduced the budget for the 2024-25 school year, cutting programs like the Virtual Academy, increasing class sizes, and delaying the expansion of the pre-kindergarten program. The cuts come as a result of losses in pandemic relief funds and also a $30 million shortfall of the Board of Education’s funding request. As the 2024-25 … Read More

Student-made App Proposes a Solution to School Neglect

by Zach Geller ’25 Closed bathrooms are no strange sight to Sherwood students, but rounding the corner at the start of the 2024-2025 year, a team of student software developers is making an app to counteract issues like this, enabling students to report school-wide issues across MCPS. Ripple is an app for students to report problems in their individual schools. … Read More

MCPS Ends ‘50-Percent Rule’ for Graded Assignments

by Deepika Shrestha ‘27 A new MCPS grading policy for high school has gotten rid of the so-called “50-percent rule” in which students received an automatic minimum 50 percent on assignments even if they did not work. Beginning this year, students get a zero if they do not attempt the assignment, do not turn it in by the final deadline … Read More

MCPS Cuts Budget as Costs Rise For Schools

by Evelyn San Miguel ’26 MCPS has reduced the budget for the 2024-25 school year, cutting programs like the Virtual Academy, increasing class sizes, and delaying the expansion of the pre-kindergarten program. The cuts come as a result of losses in pandemic relief funds and also a $30 million shortfall of the Board of Education’s funding request. As the 2024-25 … Read More