Train of Thought - Banneker High School
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Train of Thought - Banneker High School
Train of Thought Volume 5, Issue 1 Benjamin Banneker Academic High School October, 2011 Presidential Visit Inspires Banneker by Brandon Artis P resident Obama’s annual “Back to School” speech contained no true political content, but instead focused on something more transparent and useful to his young audience: inspiration. The speech, delivered in Banneker’s gym on Sept. 28, was concise and aimed at motivating youth to stay in school. Prior to the President’s entrance, a hush befell the crowd and only anxious whispers and ecstatic gasps were heard. Though the idea of the President’s presence alone was enough to excite the crowd, the audience was there to heed his words of wisdom with regard to staying in school and the attitude students should bring to their studies. This was not the only speech about education from the President since the beginning of the school year. On Sept. 23, he spoke at the White House to students, teachers, superintendents and governors about his stance on the “No Child Left Behind” (NCLB) act and the need for reform of this legislation. President Obama started his speech with a “thank you” to Banneker Student Government Association President Donae Owens, who introduced him “as one president to another.” The “Back to School” speech in Banneker’s gym included recurring topics from the White House speech, including reducing the em- PHOTO BY DANIEL GOLDFARB President Obama reacts to his welcome before his speech in Banneker’s gymnasium. phasis for educators to “teach to the test” and for students to learn that way. The president said he empathizes with the fact that students have “a lot on our plate,” but he said he still expects students to take away substance from their time at school. He emphasized the need to appreciate every subject and to “stay active” and continue to learn beyond high school. “So I don’t want anybody who’s listening here today to think that you’re done once you finish high school,” he said. “You are not done learning. In fact, what’s hap- pening in today’s economy is, it’s all about lifelong learning.” The President added, “you are this country’s future, you are young leaders.” During his speech, President Obama singled out teachers for special praise as the people who have the most impact on student achievement. “Teachers, men and women, are working harder than anyone else these days,” Obama said. But, working harder toward what? And is what they are working toward in the best interests of the student? Schools around the na- tion are mobilizing to accomplish education reform around these questions. President Obama said that Banneker is actually an example of what should be expected. “With 100% graduation rates and college acceptance rates,” he said, Banneker’s teachers are “pouring everything they have into you.” The President encouraged Banneker teachers to continue to encourage their students to “color outside the lines.” The President received the most laughter at his plea for students to get off of “Facebook” and “Twitter”, topics that almost every teen can relate to. The President also let his audience in on a “little secret,” that he wasn’t the man he is today in school. “I was not the best student I could be,” he admitted. Government teacher Mr. Joseph Presley said he thought that overall, the President delivered a good motivational speech. He said his favorite part was the President’s exhortation to learn as many skills in school as possible, rather than simply taking away information. Mr. Presley said he found it refreshing to hear the President say that students “have to know stuff and how to do stuff.” Mr. Presley said he especially appreciated the President’s mention of the importance of his ethics class. OBAMA CONTINUED ON 3 What did you take away from the President’s speech? “ “ [President] Obama didn’t just lecture us and tell us why we should take school seriously, but he gave us insight on how his high school experience was. [President] Obama is down to earth, so when he compares us to his kids we listen and we try to help out our parents -London Conner, Senior ” INSIDE this ISSUE -Katherine Todd, Junior “ ” [President] Obama’s speech was really down to earth and truthful to me; it really had a part connecting to every person. ” -Courtney Thomas, Jr., Sophomore Obama visit --------------------------Tardy Hall --------------------------Mr. Evans ----------------------------Ms. Mingo ---------------------------30 Years Celebration ------------New Sports -------------------------Cheerleading Coach --------------- 1 2 2 2 3 4 4 2 Train of Thought A New Reason to be on Time by Rose Quispe For the first time in recent memory, the administration at Banneker is enforcing “Tardy Hall” as a consequence for arriving late to school. At Banneker that means arriving at 8:42 am, in order to be seated when classes officially start. During the first weeks of school, students were required to report to the auditorium for Tardy Hall after school on the day of the offense. In late September, the rule changed. Now a student must serve detention during the second half of the lunch period on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students were caught by surprise about the new regulation because the student handbook does not specifically address the enforcement of Tardy Hall. Under Chapter 25 of the DCPS disciplinary code, schools may choose to hold a Tardy Hall. Although the concept of Tardy Hall existed at Banneker before, the punishment was not enforced. So why the change? “I came up with the idea but I had to make sure Ms. [Principal] Berger agreed to it,” said Ms. Jemel Hubbard, Banneker’s new attendance counselor. “ I wasn’t about to start it without her consent.” There are no exceptions to the tardy rule, which requires students to sit and write an essay PHOTO BY KATHLEEN BRINKMAN School starts promptly at 8:45 explaining why being early or on time is important. Some might call Tardy Hall “punish ment;” others, a useful way to help students who are consistently late to school. Principal Anita Berger said that Tardy Hall was instituted many years ago at Banneker. However, when Ms. Sheila Kingwood, the former attendance counselor, became ill, she was no longer able to supervise Tardy Hall. “Tardy hall is a policy from the DCPS disciplinary code, Chapter 25,” said Ms. Berger. She said Chapter 25 even allows tardy students to be suspended from school. Ms. Berger said that Banneker administrators sent a letter home informing parents and students of Tardy Hall before it was instituted. The only way Tardy Hall will be discontinued, Ms. Berger said, is if students stop arriving late. Even in the first month that Tardy Hall has been enforced, Ms. Berger said, the number of students arriving late has already dropped. “Students have started to be proactive to come on time,” she said. Introducing New Administrators Mr. Ahmed Evans Ms. Jocelyn Mingo by Reniya Dinkins The newest addition to Banneker’s administration is assistant principal Ahmed Evans, a veteran teacher and administrator from Northern Virginia. Students have surely noticed him already with his towering height, his booming voice and his sharp suits. His job, Mr. Evans said, is to provide teachers with instructional support and to handle student disciplinary issues. But his goal at Banneker also, he said, is “to be a positive African-American male role model.” Mr. Evans graduated from Gonzaga High School in Washington. He received his bachelor’s degree from Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, N.C., and his Masters in Educational Leadership from George Mason University. Mr.Evans works with a student in the cafeteria He taught high school history in North Carolina and Fairfax County. Prior to coming to Banneker, Mr. Evans worked as an administrator at Francis C. Hammond Middle School in Alexandria. Mr. Evans said he has been pleased with “how positive and helpful everyone has been” at Banneker. He also said he is surprised that Banneker’s school community is so close. He said he wants to bring new ideas to Banneker that could improve the school, and he hopes to make a difference by helping teachers and students. Mr. Evans finds time for some relaxation and fun outside of Banneker. “I occasionally play golf, go to the movies, and play basketball with my friends,” Mr. Evans said. He also said that he trains high school athletes on the weekends and that he enjoys travelling. PHOTO BY RENIYA DINKINS PHOTO BY WHITNEY WASSO by Whitney Wasso Another new face at Banneker this year is our Special Projects Coordinator, Ms. Jocelyn Mingo. What exactly is a Special Projects Coordinator? Ms. Mingo said she is an instructional coach, assisting teachers with individual learning cycles (ILC). She also monitors the after school tutorial program and contributes to the routine operation of the building. Ms. Mingo said she also assists in planning and implementing specific education programs, and assists with site visits to community lab sites. Before she came to Banneker she was at the Woodson Business & Finance Academy, a school within Woodson High School. The Woodson Business & Finance Academy was an autonomous school that had a separate governing board. Ms. Mingo was there for 18 years, and has been in the DCPS school system for 33 years. Ms. Mingo worked for 20 years at Fletcher-Johnson Education Center, then for 4 years as an English teacher at the Academy, and 4 years as its director. “Banneker is a model school for everyone,” said Ms. Mingo. “People here have high self-esteem, and are accountable to the rules and regulations. The behaviors in other schools differ from Banneker’s.” She said she grew up a typical teenager. She agreed that she could have done better at school, but she said she was a voracious reader which lead to her degree in English and secondary education. She said she still likes reading, gardening and do-it-yourself projects. She said she also enjoys traveling and has visited several states. 3 Train of Thought OBAMA CONTINUED FROM 1 that President Obama’s speech reinforced what she called the “bigger picture” of Banneker’s goals. Banneker students will find it hard to forget the events of Sept. 28, 2011. Sophomore Amiah Young was impressed by the President’s message to students that they shouldn’t “give up on any- Mr. Presley said he can appreciate the usefulness of using broad questions to discuss “different methods to obtain the same goal.” Banneker Principal Ms. PHOTO BY DANIEL GOLDFARB Naomi Stanford sings the National Anthem before the President’s speech. PHOTO BY DANIEL GOLDFARB SGA President Donae Owens introduces President Obama. Anita Berger said she thinks that the good reputation of Banneker students is the reason President Obama visited the school. She also attributed a lot to the class of 2011 and how “impressed the White House Office was by their efforts with the commencement challenge submission.” She said she believes PHOTO BY TRAIN OF THOUGHT STAFF Secretary of Education Arne Duncan accompanied Obama to Banneker. thing in the long run even if it’s not your favorite thing to do.” “Young people may have better ideas than our old people,” said President Obama. “You are charting the course of our history.” PHOTO BY DANIEL GOLDFARB Taylor Lofton recites the Pledge of Allegiance before the President’s address. What did the President say that had special meaning for you? “ “ Stay in school, go to college and get an education. We don’t have to be perfect, but the best that we can. ” -Nelly Quintanilla, Junior “ ” -Johnice Patterson, Sophomore “ Stay in school and go to college. Don’t just graduate from high school but do something after. Have a positive attitude towards learning because we are the future. ” - Thomas Nash, Freshman ” -Tierra Sales, Sophomore Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence by Brianna Little Benjamin Banneker Academic High School opened in August, 1981 “on a wing and a prayer,” according to the Washington Post. The school opened as an alternative high school for 170 academically gifted A and B pupils whose main goal was to get into college. The nationally recognized Benjamin Banneker program has successfully remained in existence as one of Washington, DC’s best public schools for 30 years. There will be a series of events commemorating the opening of Banneker’s model academic high school at the end of October. The idea for this celebration came from current Ban- neker principal Ms. Anita Berger. “I want everyone to come out and join the celebration, not only to see what is being done with the Banneker program today, but also in years past,” said Ms. Berger. Part one of the Thirty Years of Excellence Celebration took place at Rita’s Italian Ice on Sept. 16, 2011. “Celebrity staff members” raised money for the bigger celebration on Oct. 29. Banneker will also receive a percentage of the funds collected at Rita’s. According to organizers, the honored “celebrity” guests were Banneker’s past and present staff and administrative faculty members. The main event is a dinner celebration to be held at Montgomery Blair High School on Oct. 29, from 5 to 9 p.m. Tickets are available online and in the main office for $60. Donations greater than $60 allow the donor to target their area of support, such as the AP/IB Honor Societies, Community Lab Support, and IT, SAT and Science materials, etc. Donors can even create their own scholarship for Banneker students. For more information, see the website at: http://banneker30.com. 4 Train of Thought New Team Sports Options Offered by Cherrie Coachman and Nijah Armstrong Sometimes a strike is a good thing and sometimes a club isn’t just for dancing. At Banneker this year, that will become clear with the introduction of bowling and golf as the school’s two newest sports. “They are far from the norm for most DCPS schools but will give Banneker students a new outlook on different techniques while broadening their mindsets,” said Athletic Director Richard Strong. “Banneker students will be able to experience sports in which new techniques and strategies will challenge them.” Students were excited when the announcement was made this school year about the cre- PHOTO BY ROSE QUISPE Banneker Athletic Director, Richard Strong will be creating two new sports teams this year. ation of bowling and golf teams. The idea came from Mr. Strong who said he wanted to include bowling and golf as part of the Banneker Athletics Department because he believes the two sports are very diverse. He said he also believes that they offer great college scholarship opportunities for students. Mr. Strong said he made a proposal to add swimming as well, but it was not approved by DCPS. Principal Anita Berger said she believes the new sports will “give Banneker students a new adventure and outlook.” She said that former 2008 Banneker graduate Kelly Dove received a bowling scholarship to a college of her choice. Bowling, which will be offered only to females, will begin this Fall and continue through the Winter. Practice will be held at a location yet to be determined. Mr. Strong said golf will be open to males and females. For those who are interested in golf, the tryouts will be held in spring. Practice will be held at the Langston Golf Course, located at 2600 Bennington Road NE in Washington. All competitions and games will be against DCPS schools. Cheerleaders Welcome New Coach by Oni Crawford By four o’clock on school days the hallways fill with nervous girls counting from one to eight in their most militant voices praying that they don’t forget to clap on five and clean on six. It’s cheerleading try-outs, one of the most nerve racking of many teenage girls’ high school experiences. Banneker’s prospects however, have something in common with the person they’re shivering to stand in front of at the moment - they’re both new. Until this school year, the Banneker cheerleading team has had the same coach with the same procedures and only team members changed. This year, everyone must try out to be on the team. Lisa Alexandera, otherwise known as Coach Lisa, heard about Banneker’s cheerleading team through one of her old coaches. Though she’d never seen nor heard of the Banneker team, she got to know them by watching numerous PHOTO BY ONI CRAWFORD Banneker’s new chearleading coach, Lisa Alexandra YouTube videos of previous performances. As someone who’s been cheering for 17 years non-stop, she has a lot to offer the mix of old and new team members alike this com- ing cheer season. Impressed by her great attitude and her welcoming smile, the team is happy to have her as well. Coach Lisa said that some of her plans for the team include teaching the “one band, one sound” philosophy, improving already acquired skills, and overall starting fresh. As the realities of high school life hit them with a bang, freshman cheerleaders are optimistic about the season to come and have felt welcomed by the seasoned upperclassmen. Sophia Bankett (Grade 11), a veteran cheerleader said, “I actually like Coach Lisa. I think she is what we needed to bring some type of structure and organization to the team.” Bankett and many other cheerleaders from previous years feared that there would no longer be a team without the return of former coach Ms. Marnetta Bradley, who no longer works at Banneker. The Banneker Bulldog Cheerleaders will be on the sidelines of soccer and basketball games throughout the rest of the year. Train of Thought is a student publication. The views expressed are those of individual writers and do not necessarily represent the views of DCPS, the school, its faculty, or its students. Train of Thought welcomes comments, letters, queries, and contributions of work. Please e-mail us at : [email protected]. STAFF Reporters Brandon Artis, Nijah Armstrong, Detrick Campbell, Cherrie Coachman, Oni Crawford, Reniya Dinkins, Brianna Little, Rose Quispe & Yolande Zagre Editors Armonte Butler, Nnedimma Ugochukwu & Mitzi Vivar
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