The survey says…!

Some of you may have heard there are rumours that Mississippi schools are thinking about doing year-round school in the near future. So that got me thinking, what are the pros and cons? How do the students feel about it? What about the teachers? Are there any schools that do year-round school? If so, how many? These were my many questions coming into this article. So let’s start answering some of the questions, shall we?

If some of you do not know, year-round school is when we go to school for about nine weeks then we get a three week break after, and we get 6 weeks off for summer. When researching this topic I found that there are approximately 3,181 schools in the US that do year-round schooling, and forty-six out of  fifty states have at least one year-round school. In Mississippi, I found that Corinth does year round school, and their schedules look like this,

  • First day is July 26th 
  • September 27 – October 15 is their fall break, and they resume classes on the 18th
  • December 20th – January 3rd is their winter break, and on the 4th they resume classes
  • March 14th – 25th is their spring break, and they resume classes on the 28th
  • Their final day is June 3rd 

Next I was wondering how students felt about having year round school at our school! I’ve heard kids talk about it in some of my classes. This led me to think, what do all of them think? So I got a teacher to send a survey out to the entire high school to see what the students thought. After looking at the statistics 67.6% said no they were not in favor of it and 32.4% said they were in favor of it. A lot of students who were in favor of it said that they forgot what they learned the previous year over the summer so they feel like the shorter breaks would be better. Some kids said they liked it because they got to go hunt when they were able to. Families could go on vacation and not have to worry about it being crowded. Others liked the idea of having all the breaks and having time to release stress during the breaks. 

Now the students who did not like the idea of this were concerned about how sports would work since sports are year round. Even more students said summer is when they work to make money for college, and there was no way to do that with year round school. One student said they would not be able to hang out with their friends in other schools because of the differences in breaks. Another student sent in a lengthy message about her opinion on year round school, which I will not quote entirely, but I will take quotes out of: “school is the MAIN cause of my anxiety and stress, and I’m sure many other kids will agree. Summer is when students can rest and have vacation and detoxify themselves from school. Summer is relief from a year of stress from things we likely won’t use. Summer allows kids to be free. If school is all-year, it will take up too much of our time. School already is labor eight hours a day. No need to add more. At. All.” This person also talked about how hot it is and how many issues would be caused with it. Also that summer is an important part of a child’s life growing up, which wraps up the student part of the survey. Now for the teachers.

The teachers statistics were about half and half with 56.7% saying no and 44.3% saying yes. Teachers who were in favor of it said, “I am VERY in favor for it. I feel students, parents, and students will benefit from it. Studies continue to show how beneficial it is.” This teacher said, “It gives the teachers and students a much needed break, allows for educators to take their families on vacations when it’s not peak season (so not as expensive).” This and a few other teachers mentioned having the three weeks so failing students can have remediation. The same topics were mentioned multiple times: time for remediation, time to go on vacations, having more breaks so students would hopefully not forget as much, etc. However, the teachers who said ”no” had much different opinions. 

This teacher’s response stood out to me the most, “First of all, when the phrase “year round” school is used, many people including teachers and students are against it simply because all they hear is the “year round” part. It, in fact, is just a modified school year. I am for this move and the reason I am for this type of school calendar is that during the 3 weeks in between each 9 weeks, that can be used to do remediation. We have a big gap in student learning and the knowledge that students have or don’t have. We are in a different day and time and it is time to be more innovative… I feel that the modified school year could do this. But, it won’t work if we keep doing the same ole things.” Many teachers also said that summer was their time and that they rather not give that up. Another specific quote from the teachers was this one. “I feel that all schools should have the same calendar. I do not think it is a good idea for schools to operate on different schedules.” That wraps up the teachers. 

So when it comes to the idea of year-round school most of the student body and half of the teachers said they do not like the idea of year round school, and when it comes to my opinion I say “no.” I am not for year-round school, while I like the idea of getting more breaks, but I think why change it now. School has been this way for decades so why change it? So that is the school’s opinion on year-round school.

Throw away your phones! Or should you?

In recent years, technology has come a long way. It’s everywhere: work, the streets, hangout spots, schools, etc. Out of those places, which one do you think always has people debating if it should be allowed? If you guessed schools, you’d be correct. Though for schools, it’s not technology as a whole; it’s just for cell phones. Many people think that they should be allowed while others think they shouldn’t. For me, I agree with both sides. But do you? 

Let’s say you’re in English class, and your teacher says you have to write an essay. Well pretty easy. You’ll  just get your information from the internet. Hate to tell you this, but your teacher says no phones and takes them up. You’re probably freaking out. How are you supposed to start your essay if you don’t have any material to write on, but your teacher points to a bookshelf and tells you that’s where you’ll get your material. You read through all the books, and guess what, all the information is outdated and won’t be accurate. You are in trouble. This is one argument made by people to say that cell phones should be allowed in class. They say you can just get all your information from books, but some books are probably outdated or haven’t been updated in years. So when you write your paper, most, if not all, of your work will be wrong. But, with the use of phones, you can get all of the up-to-date information and get that 100. This is a big reason as to why I agree that phones should be allowed. But…….. 

On the other hand, people say that phones should not be allowed. One argument is that phones are distractions. While I was researching this topic, I came across an article that said, “Research from Asurion found that Americans check their phones every 12 minutes,” ( cited from : https://soeonline.american.edu/blog/cell-phones-in-school ). That is crazy! Classes here are an hour long. How much work is a student getting done if they are constantly on their phones? This reason pulls me to this side of the argument.  And if we think about it, we really don’t need cell phones in the classroom. We already have Chromebooks, so there isn’t really any need to have cell phones. 

Both arguments are right in some areas, so there is no way to say that one is better over the other one. What are some of your thoughts on this topic? Do you think they should be allowed, or do you think they don’t?

Staff writer, Kalei Cassell

Football Roasts

This year at MHS, Mrs. Martin and the other English teachers hold up signs every Friday roasting the football players and coaches. Earlier in the season, they made signs about Freshmen Joe Paul Perkins, Max Ray, Kody Fisk, and John Riley Weeks. Then they made one about Senior Dawson Phillips, saying, “Dawson Phillips > Lance Harbour” and “@ Dawson Phillips you play football?” with a bunch of question marks around it. Then the following week they made signs about Coaches Young and Haynes. They had a picture of Haynes when he was younger doing some karate. Then, a picture of Young wearing a tacky Christmas sweater. They made one about Coach Hood with a picture of him dressed as a girl for a womanless beauty pageant. They also made one about Cooper Blansett saying he was “2 nice 2 have an ugly sign.” 

These signs are a way for the football members to have some fun this year. The teachers enjoy making them, and the students can’t wait to see what signs they have each week. Some students even asked the teachers to make one of them. It’s a fun way to get some school spirit, and everyone looks forward to seeing the future roasts for the rest of football season. 

Staff Writer, Molly Murray

Student Spotlight : Manjot Narga

Manjot is this week’s student spotlight. She plays soccer, tennis, and XC. She also enjoys cooking. She was born in New York and moved here when she was in the first grade. She comes from an Indian background and can also speak three languages! She quotes herself as an, “overachiever and can be very passionate about everything I do.” 

The most important people in her life are her grandparents. She mentions that they are the most inspiring people in her life,and she looks up to them most. Manjot has also been the class president for her junior and senior year. She also won homecoming queen and is on the principal’s honor roll. 

She is in the Beta club, Foreign Language club, Scholars Bowl, MAD club, Unified club, HERd club, Student Council, Diamond Girls, Rotary club, Superintendent’s Advisory committee, Art club, Red Cross club, Recycling club, Jr Civitan club, and Event coordinating committee. She also plans to attend either Ole Miss or University of North Carolina. She wants to major in biology then further her studies by attending medical school for surgery. Manjot is overall one of the top students here at Mooreville High School,and we can’t wait to watch her journey outside of MHS. 

By Grace Eldridge

10 Ways to Survive Quarantine

Getting covid can be boring and long; Especially when you get it. I have to stay in my room being quarantined. It sucks, but it keeps my family safe. If you have to, unfortunately, stay home from everything for 10 days, here’s some tips to survive. 

  1. Get creative!

I love to draw and paint, but being so busy with school and everything else, I find myself hardly doing it anymore. Being stuck in my room has made me want to make some art. Whether or not you have art supplies like paint with you, I’m sure you have some paper and a pen. Just doodle random things and see where it takes you.

  1. Watch movies/ tv shows

I started watching a new show called Ratched on Netflix, and I have been watching all the Spy Kids movies since they are on Netflix now.  I was also fortunate enough to have a tv in my room that I can watch DVDs on. I didn’t have too many movies I currently like on DVD, but I have a lot of old movies from my childhood. I watched quite a few of them as well.

  1. Read

I have not been reading as much as I’d like to since I’ve been quarantined. The book I have is good, but it’s long and gets boring sometimes. I’m sure somewhere in your house you have a book or two, so pick one up and do some reading. 

  1. Get up 

There’s not a lot of moving I can do in my room besides walking around, but that may not be the case for you. Go for a walk if you feel up to it, dance around your room, or do a full out exercise. It doesn’t matter- just get up and do something. This will help you mentally and physically. 

  1. Talk to people!

Facetime some friends. Call your family members that don’t live with you.Text someone you haven’t talked to in a while. Communication will help you feel connected with the world and help you feel less lonely.

  1. Organize/clean

If your room or closet is a mess, now’s the time to clean it. Or if they’re already clean, you can reorganize stuff. This will give you a little bit of a change of scenery and make you less bored.

  1. Go through old stuff

I looked through old pictures and baby albums. I had already seen most of the stuff, but it’s nice to remind yourself of it every once in a while. If you don’t have anything you can physically look at, just look at your camera roll or your social media archives/memories. 

  1. Bake or cook

I know if I could go into my kitchen right now, I’d bake something to get me through these times. Even if you’re not good at baking or cooking, just look up recipes. If you follow one step by step, it shouldn’t go too horribly. 

  1. Stay caught up with work

Don’t get behind because you chose not to do your schoolwork. I have yet to do any of my algebra work and I know when I go back I’m going to be so behind. Don’t be like me; do your schoolwork!

  1. Lastly, stay safe

Staying safe is super important. I know you may hate to live in isolation in your room, but think of your family. What if one of them got it from you? That wouldn’t be too great, would it? Wear a mask around your family members, and sanitize your hands. Keeping you and your family safe is important.

A must read from Mrs. Martin

Welcome back readers! Need another recommendation? Well I’ve got another. This one is also from one of our English teachers, but this one is from Mrs. Martin. She recommends “Promise” by Minrose Gwin. Like the last recommendation, I asked her to share with us what made this book so great.

She said that the book is a fictional story set in Tupelo during and after the 1936 Tupelo Tornado. She adds that the author takes care to remain true to the actual setting of Tupelo. I also wondered what made her select this book. She replied that her sister is constantly giving her books to read. She says that if you like historical fiction and a suspenseful plot, then you would like this book. “Minrose Gwin grew up listening  to her grandparents tell stories about the Tupelo Tornado. Her memories of their stories inspired her to research more about the event and then write a novel set in the 30’s with the Tupelo tornado as its main conflict. A subplot is the relationship between a white family and a black family during this time.” 

I wanted to know if she had a favorite part of the book. She said that she didn’t have a favorite part of the book. However, she added that she “had heard about the tornado, but the book really showed how race played a role in the treatment and recovery of the victims.” Although she didn’t have a favorite part, I still asked her if she disliked a part of the book. She replied saying that some parts were a bit predictable, but her interest remained because she knew the setting so well. I wanted to know her opinion on the ending, to which she replied, “It was predictable, but I did not care.” She adds that she was captivated by the details of this tornado that killed 216 people and injured 700. She adds more by saying that she usually, “doesn’t like historical fiction, but since this one took place in my hometown, I was intrigued.” She wraps up her review by saying that there are pictures in the back of the books showing the damage left behind by the tornado. Hope you like this recommendation as well and give it a try. 

Staff writer, Kalei Cassell

Student Spotlight: Dawson Phillips

Dawson Phillips - Hudl

Dawson Phillips is the quarterback of the Trooper football team and has been since his freshman year. His highest record of touchdowns was during his sophomore year at twenty-nine. Dawson broke his past highschool record of seven touchdowns from two years ago against Mantachie. His new highschool record is nine.  The Outside of highschool football, his favorite NFL team is the Steelers because he and his father have always watched them since he was a kid. 

The most important person to him is his dad because of what all he has done for . Dawson  credits his father for all he has taught him throughout his childhood that has carved him into the player and teammate that he is.  Some of Dawson’s hobbies are watching tv, mowing yards, and playing xbox. He mows yards as a job, but also really enjoys it. Dawson plans on going to college and playing football. Although he has not decided which college yet,he wants to go to a junior college and further his education. Everyone will enjoy watching him go through his journey and becoming a successful alumni of Mooreville High school.

Grace Eldridge

Something’s in the Water

Mooreville High school has several sets of twins running around.  MHS holds ten sets of twins. We interviewed some of these twins and came to find out there are only two identical twins. Although most of the pairs look alike, the rest are fraternal.  We interviewed some of the twins, and four out of the nine said twins do run in their family. Although, none of the twins we interviewed had parents that were twins. 

To get a better view on the twins, I asked them a little more personal questions. For example,  like did they ever dress alike? The Capps, Olivers, Mackins and Lands all confirmed they have dressed alike on multiple occasions when they were younger.

 Lastly, I asked them to share any funny stories they have. Ian Mackin responded back and said, “I remember we were both six years old. I had a girlfriend whom I was dating, I’m not sure where I was but I wasn’t with my brother. He was with my girlfriend kissing her in her mom’s car. He told her he was Ian and to kiss him, he told me this story eight years later so I wasn’t mad at all. I thought it was funny.” Ally Oliver also said that she and her twin Abby will sometimes finish each other’s sentences or say something the other one was about to say. 

Although twins mostly do look alike and get along, Emma McCollum shared a funny story where (if you ask her brother, Richard) he will still say she was in the wrong. “One time we were playing on the storm shelter (for some reason) and the door was open so that we could air out the storm shelter because there was supposed to be bad weather that night. So there we are, and I pull out my hot pink nerf gun and aim to shoot him, and he pushes me in the storm shelter??!! Seven feet into the ground on top and stairs and spider webs and everything! I could have died; he could have killed me!!” 

To have this many twins is a shocker for sure, but for the most part really cool. It’s awesome Mooreville gets to have this many twins. 

Staff writer, Grace Eldridge

Skip to toolbar