Category: Opinion

Essay writing is a huge part of school and a good chunk of the classes you take in it, whether you’re a middle schooler or working towards your masters. Getting good at it obviously comes from lots and lots of practice, but there are many different tips and tricks that can help spice up your writing, fix your flow, or organize your structure.

1. Understand your topic – Understanding the topic you’re writing about can prove to be more difficult than you’d assume in some cases, so make sure to do a lot of research (if necessary) until you’ve collected all the information you need and understand your topic. Make sure to think through what you’re going to write!
2. Make an outline – Making an outline may seem useless or like a waste of time when you already have your ideas in your head, but mapping your essay out properly is really helpful to get an idea of what you’re covering in each paragraph. From there, one way to organize your topics is by making bullet points so you know exactly what you’re covering.
3. Write a rough draft – Or two! The great thing about writing a rough draft is that you can finally begin writing your actual essay and get all your ideas out on paper, no matter how messy or all over the place they are. The important thing is that you’re actually writing it and beginning to develop a structure for the paper. It’s also a good idea to write a rough draft so that after completing it, you can critique your work and change anything that doesn’t sound right.
4. Get critiques from friends, family, and peers – After rereading your paper for the 50th time, it can begin to sound bad or like you’re repeating things, when you’ve actually just been reading the same essay for an hour and a half and have become completely numb to it entirely. It can also be really easy to not catch the mistakes in your own writing, so getting a fresh view on your essay and new ideas from someone can be incredibly beneficial to taking your essay to another level.
5. Look up synonyms of repeated words and use elevated language – I find that in rough drafts I often repeat words, but this is a super easy fix today in the age of technology thanks to google and thesaurus.com. Make sure to also scan the essay and look for words that could be replaced with a vocabulary word or a different word that sounds a lot smarter.
6. Make sure you’re following guidelines and doing what’s required – Throughout this entire process, it’s important to remember what your goal is, and to stay on the topic of your essay the whole time. It’s easy to drift away from the original prompt when you have a lot of ideas, but make sure that you’re reeling yourself in when necessary.

For a lot of people writing an essay is a hard task, but the hardest part is often starting it. From there, it will only get easier, so make sure that you stick with it and focus!

It’s generally known around campus that students aren’t very big fans of tardy sweeps. When the bell summons students to class and the announcement jingle rings, students wait intensely to see if there’s going to be a tardy sweep. Students who are still in the hallways rush to make it into class before their teachers lock the door, fearing lunchtime detention.

Despite students’ dislike of tardy sweeps, the administration insists that it’s for our own good. Since the establishment of tardy sweeps at McClatchy, there have been significantly less tardies, which means that more students are making it to class on time, and subsequently, the administration argues, their education is improving.

However, there are aspects of tardy sweeps that not only get in the way of education, but also violate student rights. Tardy sweeps would be more effective for student education if they underwent specific reforms that would comply with student rights. Tardy sweeps should focus less on punishing students and more on encouraging student education.

The first aspect of tardy sweeps that violates student rights is the bathroom policy which goes along with it. Teachers are advised not to allow students to use the bathroom during the first ten or last ten minutes of class in order to avoid confusion about who is late to class and who is using the bathroom (even though these students should have passes from their teacher anyway).

However, this policy is a violation of student rights. According to The California Education Code, refusal to allow students to go to the bathroom is considered corporal punishment and is therefore illegal.

Not only is it a violation of rights, but it also disrupts education. The first and last ten minutes of class are usually the best times to use the bathroom because it’s when the least important things are happening. Things are still getting set up in the beginning of class and in the last few minutes things are winding down. But because of this policy, students are forced to wait until the middle of class to use the bathroom, which means they end up missing more important parts of class. This completely negates the point of tardy sweeps, because it makes students miss more important class time than they need to be missing.

The other questionable aspect of tardy sweeps is lunchtime detention. Students who get caught in a tardy sweep automatically receive lunchtime detention for that day. The California Education Code says that students cannot be required to stay in the classroom during lunch, but that a school board may adopt “reasonable rules for teachers to restrict students for disciplinary reasons during recess.” The administration considers lunchtime detentions reasonable as discipline for tardiness.

So while lunchtime detentions are technically legal, they still serve as a punishment rather than a thoughtful way of assisting student education. Students who don’t get lunchtime as a resting period during the day will likely be restless during 5th and 6th period, leading their education to suffer even more.

The tardy sweep system should be reformed so that it no longer violates student rights. But more than just the legal violations, systems put in place by our administration should always have the ultimate goal of improving upon student education, rather than solely punishment. While punishment may be necessary in certain situations, it shouldn’t be the first step in dealing with an issue, especially when the issue might just be a student stepping into class 15 seconds after the bell rang because they had to use the bathroom. When, then, does the administration think students should use the bathroom?

In order to adjust the purpose of tardy sweeps to focus less on punishment and more on education, the administration should first abolish the illegal aspects of the tardy sweep system. Additionally, instead of conducting tardy sweeps directly after the bell rings, waiting even 30 seconds to a minute after the bell rings to do a sweep would be more effective in dealing with students who aren’t even close to being in class on time, and it would cut down on punishing students who step in just moment after the bell rang because their last teacher kept them in past the bell or they had to use the bathroom or get something from their locker. These passing period tasks become especially difficult when you factor in the extensive size of McClatchy’s campus. Students already struggle to make it all the way from the social science hall to the D-wing in seven minutes, so many students don’t consider locker or bathroom stops an option under the current tardy sweep system.

At the end of the day, students who value their education and actively try to get to class on time shouldn’t be terrified of being 10 seconds late to a class. Students shouldn’t be afraid to use the bathroom or go to their locker during passing period. And students who don’t try to be in class on time shouldn’t be subjected to punishments such as lunchtime detention, but should instead be individually consulted with in order to work on getting to class on time.

Last year, McClatchy’s Student Union focused on reforming tardy sweeps. They succeeded in encouraging the administration to abolish first period tardy sweeps, citing them as unfair because of complications out of student control which can occur on the way to school.

Students can always voice their feelings about issues like these in the Shared Decision Meetings of teachers, administrators, and students, which are held every last Monday of the month.

 

Logging into Twitter, you’ll find a community of people around the ages of 13 to 20+ that have a celebrity as their profile picture. Those people, referred to as “stans,” have cultivated an online environment considered distinctive to people who aren’t a part of the culture. Instead of using a laughing emoji to express themselves they would say “sksksk” and use words like “sis,” “skinny,” and “wig.” Just like any other culture, there are good and bad parts, but recently the bad seems to be overshining the good.

“Cancel” culture is a part of “stan” Twitter and it’s nothing good. People on Twitter will dismiss someone for doing something that majority of them believe is problematic. An example of someone being cancelled that makes sense is Jeffree Star, a white makeup artist and guru that said extremely racist things against black people in his 20s. But, “stan” twitter seemed to have lost track in who is actually problematic and what behavior should and shouldn’t be “cancelled.”

For example, Ariana Grande will express her opinion about something that concerns her, tell her side to a story, feel emotions, or even defend herself and all of Twitter will be at her throat, claiming it’s for attention or that what she said was out of line. She has done a few things that can be seen as problematic, like using Japanese culture as an aesthetic and licking a donut (I guess), but when people deem her as a problematic celebrity for making a harmless joke about Kanye West and Drake’s beef and then automatically apologizing or because she’s headlining Manchester Pride this year but when she headlined Pride back in 2015 no one said a thing, that’s when it draws a line. Grande is now constantly saying sorry after showing any form of emotion, probably worried that people will just assume the worst because of a hate bandwagon behind her that has no legitimate reason to be that way.

Another aspect of “stan” Twitter that is an issue is how they tend to bully celebrities for no good reason and sometimes even make them get off social media. An example being Alessia Cara, who got told she was a “flop” constantly, that she wasn’t a good artist, and plenty of bad jokes about her career. Cara hasn’t done a thing besides make music and perform her songs but “stan” Twitter liked to make fun of her, which all caused her to break down on stage a day after complaining about all of the hate she gets daily.

After Lady Gaga won her first Oscar recently for the song “Shallow” from A Star Is Born, I saw tweets claiming that she needed this movie to resurrect her career, which completely takes away the fact that she is talented. People place her against Beyoncé and Rihanna, saying they’re more talented than her and don’t need a movie to continue being relevant. Gaga hasn’t done anything wrong besides live her dream, why does she deserve constant bullying after receiving a huge achievement?

One last issue that bothers me about “stan” Twitter is how much fat shaming, slut shaming, and just pure hatred that people will spew at an artist just because they see them as competition against their favorite artist. A few accounts that are fans of Taylor Swift that I’ve seen constantly attack Ariana Grande for being in the number one, two and three spot on the charts, claiming she doesn’t deserve it and putting out unnecessary hate just because another woman that isn’t Taylor is succeeding, instead of congratulating her for her achievements or keeping quiet. “Stan” Twitter will pit women against each other just to keep their bias that they have toward their favorite artist, some saying very vile things out of anger, thinking that they’ve done something to defend them from someone who doesn’t feel the same way about the artist.

“Stan” Twitter doesn’t seem to grasp the concept of loving your favorite artist and being supportive by buying their music, going to shows and voting on award shows without attacking other artists and their fans. They need to learn how to mind their business and like who they like instead of attacking someone they claim to not like.

Twitter is a really toxic place to step into at this point since people “cancel” many of the wrong people and allow some of the bad ones to slip under the radar and continue to have a career. People are still fans of people like Chris Brown and R. Kelly, but will tell Demi Lovato she’s problematic for laughing at a harmless joke that everyone else laughed at. These morals don’t make any sense. People need to be more open-minded and educated before deciding what their opinion on a celebrity is.

 

February 14th, 2019 marked one year since the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida. A gunman opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, killing seventeen students and staff members and injuring seventeen others.

The gunman was identified as nineteen-year-old former student Nikolas Cruz. He was arrested in shortly after he escaped the scene. Cruz confessed to being the perpetrator, and was charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder and 17 counts of attempted murder.

This shooting has been regarded as one of, if not the, deadliest mass shootings that has taken place at a high school in the United States. It even surpasses the Columbine High School massacre of 1999.

The Parkland shooting took place during a time of prominent gun control awareness and advocacy, and followed closely behind other mass shootings, like Las Vegas and Sutherland in 2017.

Needless to say, the tragedy that happened at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School was a turning point in the nation’s awareness around gun control and sparked a national movement: the March for Our Lives.

High schoolers across the nation saw their lives transformed in the year after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Much of the debate surrounding gun violence prevention and school safety was prompted by student led activism, including the March for Our Lives which has been considered a spearhead of the gun control movement.

March for Our Lives was a direct response to the Parkland shooting. A primarily student led charge, its purpose was to raise awareness of gun violence and voice active support for gun control. The demonstration took place on March 24, 2018, when nearly 1.2 million people nationwide were moved to march for gun control, with anywhere between 200,000 to 800,000 people in Washington D.C alone.

Although nearly a year ago, the effects of Parkland and March for Our Lives can still be felt across the nation. In the year since the massacre, Congress has yet to pass new federal gun control. While it has improved the sharing of mental health and criminal records by federal agencies, and has provoked the passing of sixty-six gun control bills, many believe this isn’t enough change nationwide.

The Prospector spoke to Arin Wise (‘20), president of the Students Against Mass Shootings (SAMS) club, about what she believes should be done, both in the school and across the nation. “As far as our school goes, I think it begins with awareness that this is a big issue, and that we can solve it, rather than remaining helpless and hopeless,” she said. “The more voices we have banding together and the more willingness there is to save our own lives, then real change can happen.”

Regarding how the issue should be addressed on a federal level, Wise said, “As far as our government goes, more congress women and men need to be talking about this and making it a number one priority. Overall, more focus should be put on this issue.”

Wise’s biggest priority in the face of this issue was not only raising awareness, but taking action. She emphasized the need for real change to occur, and stated that most of the power to do so comes from the students, not the lacking government policies. “There needs to be more action, rather than just talk, prayers, and sympathy,” she said. “And that begins with us.”

When looking to the future, Arin hopes that the government and conflicted nation will put aside their political differences and recognize the issue as a national emergency that affects everyone.

“The government needs to know that the future of their nation is being compromised as it literally, and figuratively, is dying,” said Wise. “In addition, the survivors are losing faith in their government who expects them to save their own lives. There needs to be an acknowledgment that we aren’t just over dramatic kids…and we need our legislation to reflect our desperation and recognize our struggles.”

When asked specifically about Parkland’s one-year anniversary, she said, “This is only the beginning of the fight, and I hope C.K.M. realizes that this is a fight we need to join. I hope students realize this isn’t an inflammatory issue, but one that affects all of us and all of our livelihoods. We have to realize this before our school is next. Change begins with the individual, and we can make change. We aren’t just kids, we are young adults with our own lives and our own minds. That’s what March for Our Lives taught me: that I can make a change, and so can you.”

Eventually, Wise and the members of SAMS club hope to organize marches and fundraisers, but now they’re more focused on drawing in new members. The club meets every Thursday in Mr. Starace’s room, 216.

McClatchy itself is familiar with the paranoia around school shootings and threats against the school. Just this school year alone there’s been at least three threats, in which many students have stayed home, worried about the fate of their lives, friends, and the school.

Monday, February 25th, threats from an Instagram account “aimbotfordays_” were targeted towards numerous SCUSD schools, including McClatchy. The posts implied both shootings and the detonation of explosives would be happening the following morning at numerous SCUSD campuses.

The police report stated that “patrol officers, school resource officers detectives, and dispatchers conducted follow-up on no less than 100 related calls for service related to this vital internet post.”

On February 26th at approximately 3:00 a.m., officers detained the person of interest, who was in turn arrested for terrorist threats related to the incident. The person in question in a teenage male, and his identity is unable to be released.

Even with the arrest of the person in question, many students at McClatchy stayed home, afraid of what could happen. Since the shootings in 2018, specifically the high school shooting at Parkland, feeling unsafe at school has increased exponentially.

Wise reflected on her personal feelings about going to school in such a volatile time by saying, “My feelings are many, and constant. There’s always the constant fear when I walk into school that this could be the last time I walk in, the last time I say goodbye to my dad and mom, the last time I see my friends. It may seem dramatic, but it’s a real and tangible fear that I’m sure all of us have felt with the countless shooting threats. It’s a fear that’s become normalized, often ignored, so that we can live our lives as kids without worrying if we’re going to die when we come to school or not.”

This fear, the fear for our lives, the fear that at any time, any place, everything could end because of a misguided individual, is unbearable. Especially unbearable as there’s many possible ways to prevent such atrocities from taking place, through the government, through stricter gun control laws and enforcement, but change has yet to prevail. Walking in the hallways, going from class to class, with the question of making it to the next period, let alone the next day, isn’t a way anyone should live.