Narrow scope of students fails to recognize the essence of education

As I logged onto Facebook last night, I couldn’t ignore the vast sea of comments about the referendum failing to pass, quickly spreading like wildfire between students.

It saddened me to see such harsh, hyperbolic, depressing statements filling up the virtual lives of much of my friends list. As I scrolled between comment and comment, status and status, I realized just how narrow the scope of many high school students is these days.

Cuts will have to be made, and teachers will lose their jobs. Those are facts of the failed referendum.

However, there are many kids all over the world who receive not even a fraction of the education we receive here in America, and the failed 2011 education referendum is not going to sink our school into those depths. Just because the referendum failed to pass this time around certainly does not mean RB isn’t going to strive to give its’ students the highest education possible.

Will you be able to be in that one club or class you wanted? Maybe not. But you will graduate with a diploma from a strong high school and have a full life and future ahead of you. That isn’t something to be taken for granted.

Everyone needs to understand that the vote wasn’t even marginally close, with somewhere around one yes vote to every three no votes, and I find it sad that many of my fellow students instantly turn to attacking those who voted no. I understand that, as students, they have a much more personal connection with the high school, but ultimately, they make up only a fraction of the voters, and they need to respect the decision of the community. I believe respect is one of the abiding pillars of character of Riverside Brookfield High School.

A school is supported by the community it resides in, and our communities obviously had a point to make yesterday at the polls. It wasn’t just a few people who didn’t support the referendum, but rather the vast majority. Regardless of the reason, whether it is finances, personal opinion, or a desire for an alternate solution, I don’t think it’s fair to say that the surrounding communities have forgone supporting education for personal gain or selfishness, something I’ve seen mentioned multiple times. I think it is an errant generalization to say that just because someone voted no means that they would rather spend their money on food, clothes, coffee, cigarettes, etc. than education.

With a new administration, the school now has an excellent opportunity to reconsider the situation, find out where the community had major disagreements, and create a more realistic proposal that is both fair and straightforward for next year. Trying to pass the same proposal with more drastic cuts next year could lead to an even sadder 2012.

Our communities are fortunate to have a wealth of intelligent minds, and it would be nice to see both the school, community, and students leave the politics of this year behind, and utilize the results of the past, to work towards the future with a smarter, more collaborative proposal.

My favorite quote by Mark Twain says, “I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.”

Education is much more than the clubs and activities at a school, much more than the AP classes offered, much more than any textbook or technology, and for sure much more than something to be lost at the result of a failed referendum. While next year students may not be able to participate in eco club or play water polo, they will experience education, and that is what really matters.

Weighted GPA should require merit

The months of April and May, for many sophomores, juniors, and seniors, are major crunch months for AP classes. This generally means that those AP students looking to do well on their exams and forgo most of their social life, especially during the weekends, as the tests approach.

However, there are other sectors of students who see AP classes in a different light. They join AP classes for one reason: the tasty, juicy, ever-so-appealing GPA boost. These students live by the basic policy of, “Who would want to take a class on a 4.0 scale when you could take one on a 5.5 scale?” Typically, many of these students could care less about one of the main goals behind the AP classes, the test, as long as their GPA stays above a 4.0.

There are a couple of fundamental problems with this mindset, one being that RB’s weighted GPA is incredibly deceiving. A straight C student in AP classes would have a GPA of 3.5. Looks good right? Well, therein lies the problem. Take the grade boost out of the equation and we have a student with a, not-so-desirable, 2.0 GPA.

As a result, many colleges will ask for an unweighted GPA because the grade boost given by AP classes is becoming ridiculous. In my recent college visits and personal visits with admission representatives, all of them stressed one idea: that you not only need to be taking hard classes, but also be doing well in those hard classes. While the boosted GPA looks good, it can potentially give a false representation of achievement in AP classes.

The other significant problem associated with this mindset is that too many students who frankly shouldn’t be in AP classes join them to get the grade boost. AP classes were intended to be college level classes, and many high school students are not ready for that type of rigor.

While most students could probably handle the level of curriculum, they may not be willing to put in the effort that should be required of these classes. As a result, some AP classes are filled with students who aren’t up to the challenge. This lowers the level of discussion and interaction in the classroom and makes the classes easier than they were intended to be. 

I’m not trying to advocate that students don’t take AP classes because I think they can be a positive part of a challenging and mentally stimulating high school career. However, I think that the GPA boost should be reevaluated.

Students should have to score a three or better on the AP exam in order to receive the weighted GPA.

Yes, this would reduce the number of students in AP classes most likely, because students who don’t care about their scores would not receive the boosted GPA, and I’d suspect that kids wouldn’t take the class if they had to try considerably harder only to receive the same GPA. This change would take a step in the right direction towards keeping AP classes up to the high standard for which they were designed.

The AP tests are hard tests, and in many cases, tough to pass. But for the most part, the kids that put the effort into the class pass the tests. Scores of four and especially five may require some innate ability, or an incredible amount of work for some students, but a three should be an achievable goal for, all motivated students in the class.

If a student can’t score a three or better, and is trying their hardest, it is probably an indicator that they would be better served in regular classes. While it sounds harsh, not everyone should be in AP classes. They weren’t created for everyone and there is a distinct reason they are named Advanced Placement.

There are obviously a lot of loopholes and logistics that would have to be worked out with a system like this, seeing as the tests do cost money and some schools don’t take any AP credit, so it’s basically worthless to take the tests for some students. But the basic idea of requiring some level of achievement in the class order to receive the significant boost in GPA is a better system and more accurately reflects the philosophy behind the AP program than our current system. Not only would it help to keep the effort level up in AP classes, but it could potentially help to raise the effort level in regular classes as well by integrating students into appropriate class levels.

While it is by no means a fully conceived out or planned system, the idea behind requiring a three or better on AP tests in order to receive the generous GPA boost is something to be considered. It would redistribute students into more appropriate classes, help to increase effort expectations, and strive to keep AP truly representative of “Advanced Placement”

Bradley’s Birthday Bargain of the Week

Welcome back delightful readers! Media Manager Bradley Wilson back again this week with another bargain for everyone to enjoy.

This week’s bargain is a result of my Spring Break birthday experience. That’s right; your author is now seventeen years old (Happy Birthday to Me!). About a week before my birthday, I was thinking to my self, “Self, I wonder how much free stuff I can snag for my birthday online.” A quick Google search later, and my email box was all set up to be flooded with free birthday coupons.

This is something that I feel needs to be taken advantage of by more people. My firm belief is that, if companies or restaurants are willing to give you free stuff, then you might as well take advantage of it.

Just as a reminder, or in case you are new to the column, the basic format of the article will be a slight introduction (what, where, how, etc.) of the bargain, and then some further information and details about specifics of the bargain, and then on to why the particular bargain grabbed the top spot for the week.

Bargain: Birthday Coupons

What: Free or Discounted Food

When: Birthdays

Price: Generally Free

Where: Local Restaurants, Chain Restaurants

Details and Specifics:

There are a few things worth noting about free birthday coupons. First, you do have to sign up online about a week before your actual birthday prior to receiving the coupons in your inbox. Also, you will want to fill out legitimate information on the companies respective websites because many of the restaurants will ask for an I.D. to make sure that it’s you redeeming your coupon. The e-coupons will be sent to your email inbox starting about three days before your birthday and continue coming all the way through your birthday, depending on the company.

Lastly, the coupons I received did not have to be redeemed on your actual birthday, and usually you had at least a week, if not more, in order to redeem them, although I did end up redeeming five of them on my actual birthday.

Here’s a brief list of all the coupons I signed up for and received:

Culvers- Free 1 Scoop Sundae

Baskin Robbins- Free Scoop of Ice Cream

Ben and Jerry’s- Free Scoop of Ice Cream

Coldstone- Free Creation with One Mix-In

Fuddruckers-Free Value Meal

Flattop Grill- Free Stir-Fry

Famous Daves BBQ-Free Meal

Qdoba- Free Burrito

Auntie Annies Pretzels- Free Pretzel with Purchase of Another

In addition to these, a few of the companies sent me free stuff just for signing up to the birthday or e-club. If you go to the website heyitsfree.net, you can find many more companies and restaurants that are willing to give you free stuff.

Why Birthday Coupons are my bargain of the week:

What’s better on a birthday than lots of free food? Nothing. Okay, well maybe some things, but free birthday food can’t hurt. I was pleasantly surprised when I Googled “free birthday coupons” to see how many results came up. It is a fabulous feeling to be able to walk into a restaurant, use your coupon, and not have to even struggle for your wallet in your pocket. It’s also nice that the coupons are redeemable for many more days than your actual birthday. I wish you all luck in getting as much free food on your birthday as possible.

DISCLAIMER: Don’t expect the people to wish you happy birthday when using your coupon.

This has been your birthday episode of “Bradley’s Bargain of the Week.” Check back next week to see what bargains I’ve found.

Renovation doesn’t merit cost

Over the past couple of years, RB has undertaken a significant construction project that has renovated much of the building. Among the improvements include a new pool, fieldhouse, entrance, classrooms and labs, library, cafeteria, and auditorium. Needless to say it has been quite the renovation process.

The construction process started small and evolved to the point where major construction was going on during school days. The entire project was constructed in different phases to allow school to continue despite the construction. In the summer of 2009, McHugh construction made a big push to finish a majority of the construction. Although the summer construction did end up getting finished, it caused a late start that has put considerable pressure on many class schedules.

When the construction is complete, RB will be pretty much completely renovated. This will be nice for incoming students who get to reap the benefits of the construction. My class has been receiving some benefits from the construction, but has also had to suffer through incredibly loud and distracting construction noises and parts of the building being completely walled off.

This construction project has not come free; RB has spent millions upon millions of dollars in order to improve “the quality of education” at our high school. One of the main questions that arises from that is simple: has this multi million dollar construction project improved the quality of education?

The short answer is no.

Sure, our school has received state of the art facilities that not many other students have the option to take advantage of, but does that really improve the quality of education in the building? If education is something based on quality of facilities then RB’s construction project has strong merit.

However, education isn’t something based on quality of facilities. Having things such as strong teachers are much more important to education than having state of the art facilities. I’m definitely not trying to state that RB doesn’t have strong teachers either, because I have had many wonderful teachers that I feel like I’ve learned a lot from and will probably remember for the rest of my life.

My main complaint with the construction project is that our school, which is essentially the taxpayers of the surrounding communities, has spent millions upon millions of dollars on a construction project that in my opinion hasn’t changed the quality of education at this building. The facilities are state of the art and have been nice to be able to take part in, but even so, I don’t feel like the cost has been merited.

Some of the renovation process has been necessary, in order to accommodate the ever increasing enrollment at our high school. I’m completely supportive of these changes and very happy that our school chose to expand rather than attempt to pack classes with the current space. It’s all the glamorous changes that are my main complaint. While having luxuries are nice, there is a time and place to have them.

I feel like the money used for the construction could have been better spent, or even not spent at all. In a time of economic crisis, is the best option to be improving a school that is completely functional? Even before the construction, RB’s facilities outshined many other schools and we were able to offer programs that other schools couldn’t even think about offering.

It doesn’t make sense how RB can merit spending millions of dollars to improve a building that didn’t need most of the major improvements, especially in troubled economic times. I know that additions to expand class space and a few other additions were necessary, but the question is whether or not all the construction project as a whole merits it’s cost?

The answer is no.

Who wants to be an AP scholar?

Welcome to “Who Wants to be an AP Scholar?” In this episode, one student will attempt to gain eight college credits, all while maintaining some mild form of a social life and balancing practices and matches for his sport. This week’s contestant hails from the small town of Riverside, Illinois where he attends the incredibly prestigious Riverside Brookfield High School.

This week’s 1^st question comes from AP US history, a course designed to prepare students for what a college level history class may offer.

Q. During the closing decades of the nineteenth century, farmers complained about all of the following EXCEPT?

            a. rising commodity prices

            b. high interest charges

            c. high freight weights

            d. high storage costs

            e. large middleman profit

A. The correct answer to that question would be A, rising commodity prices.

I can’t even begin to explain the historical and modern day importance of this question. Not only does it encourage critical thinking skills, but it shows exactly what skills are needed of a college level class: the ability to recall seemingly random information at any given time.

The key word in the previous sentence being seemingly; one never knows when you will need to know about those nineteenth century farmers. Our modern school calendar was based off an agrarian agricultural society, so we deserve to give them at least a little respect, right?

I could go on and on with increasingly dull and boring questions, but I think you get the point.

I strongly believe that many AP classes have become nothing more than a simple game that requires spitting out facts or knowledge that are useless at this point in time. I know that AP classes are intended to prepare high school kids for the challenges of college, but if our AP classes reflect what actual college classes are like, then it’s a pretty sad statement on what college has become. AP classes should be teaching kids how to think, and how to critically examine the subject matter involved.

I know targeting AP US history is easy because the amount of random knowledge you have to know is simply unreal. You would think that the College Board would want to encourage students to appreciate history and to understand the impact that it has on our lives, rather than teach them to spit up random facts that no average person will ever be expected to know.

It is completely understandable that AP level classes require an ability to know information that relates to the subject area, but at least the College Board could make a better attempt to make the questions relevant. I have no problem with difficult questions as long as they are at least somewhat useful.

AP classes have spun out of control, and many have resorted to making students memorize random information in order to pass a test that theoretically correlates to taking the actual class in college. While a good idea on paper, tailoring classes to a single test of random facts and essays and calling it college credit turns out to be ridiculous.

Much of my Advanced Placement experience has become nothing more than a game of who can recall the most random information.

When asked about AP classes, History teacher Mark Gouwens said, “Proving you know the subject matter is one part of the equation. The other being that you acquire the specific skill set necessary to be a successful learner.”

While AP classes may require you to be a successful learner, I think that the College Board’s definition of a learner has been tainted, and that too much importance is placed on random facts.

If you take AP US history, you will be required to know insane amounts of history minutia, and if you take AP Language and Composition, you will be expected to know what synecdoche is and pinpoint its usage in a text. These things are not bad in themselves. They might fill the dictionary definition of education, but I don’t believe that most AP classes are the answer to a challenging and stimulating education.

While there isn’t much that RB can do directly because much of the AP program largely resides in the College Board’s hands, I think that kids need to know what they are getting into before taking the classes.

I urge all students to think when you hear the statement “take the hard class,” why the class is hard and whether or not you want to play “the game” so to speak. I’m not trying to say it’s a bad game necessarily, but don’t take AP classes just because they have two fancy letters in front of them. That isn’t what your high school education should be about.

Would you sign up to be on a history game show if you didn’t like history?

Borderlands – the unknown Game of the Year

With Call of Duty, Modern Warfare 2, and Left for Dead 2 scheduled for November release dates, many other first person shooters aren’t getting much press. Every year, a few staggeringly good games get overshadowed by more popular games that receive almost all of the press coverage. Borderlands, Gearbox’s new RPS (Role Playing Shooter) is an incredible game that has been overlooked by many players in lieu of many other highly anticipated shooters. Borderlands is available on the PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3.

Borderlands is an incredibly unique experience that combines a first person shooter and a role playing game. Although many comparisons have been made to Fallout 3, Borderlands fully captures the essence of both genres.

The graphics were not engineered to look realistic, but have an almost cartoonish effect. The graphics make use of a technique called cell shading and fit with the presentation of the game. Although they definitely don’t look spectacular in screenshots, they are quite impressive on an actual TV.

Players follow one of four characters, all with different strengths, who are treasure hunters searching for alien loot in the desert wasteland of Pandora. As the story progresses, the characters delve deeper into the wasteland in search of “the vault,” a location said to house legendary alien treasure. Although there is a main story line, with quests that eventually lead to the conclusion of the story, the world of Pandora is entirely open and players can explore as they see fit.

The world of Pandora houses many creatures and enemies that are trying to keep you from progressing towards the treasure. As a shooter, the game incorporates a typical screen layout and the standard shooter controls. However what sets Borderlands apart from other shooters is the diversity in weaponry. There are over seventeen million different guns in the game. Yes, you read that right, 17,000,000. Granted, the guns are randomized from different parts, but the developers took special care into making every weapon model unique. It is incredibly unlikely that players will ever see the same gun twice.

The game incorporates a loot system similar to many RPG’s. Players of games like World of Warcraft and the Diablo series will be right at home with the loot system. Guns are indeed numerous, but Gearbox has made it incredibly easy to compare the guns and quickly select which ones are upgrades to what a player may currently be carrying.

Borderlands interface is set up around quests. Players may progress through the main story line or complete many of the side quests available for extra weapons, cash, or just plain fun. These quests are incredibly fun alone, but even more fun with friends.  Borderlands features two player split screen cooperative play, and four player cooperative online play. Both the split screen and online coop are of a “drop in, drop out,” style meaning that players can leave or join games at any time and the other player’s game is not affected. All loot gained while playing with friends can be taken back to the single player game.

The enemies are vast and are incredibly smart. Gearbox took a lot of time to carefully make every enemy behave in a different way then the rest. The enemies also become more frequent and difficult when more players are present. The difficulty of enemies scales as the player progresses and levels up. Borderlands definitely isn’t a cakewalk, but it isn’t so difficult to the point where it gets frustrating.

Although the story isn’t really anything to speak of, execution is where Borderlands really shines. The game is almost flawless and really feels like a full first person shooter and a full role playing game. I’ve heard that there are some framerate issues on large scale battles on the PS3 and 360, but I have encountered nothing to date. All the weapons feel right, and the controls are neither sluggish, nor too responsive. The unique graphical presentation really fits with the style of the game, and the humorous writing is a nice touch.

Borderlands is a gem of a game, and I would fully recommend this game to anyone that’s a fan of either shooters or RPG’s. It’s a shame such a good game has been mostly unnoticed. I’d give this game a 9.5/10, and although I haven’t finished it yet, I plan on putting many more hours into it. This game really immerses the player into the environment and is a blast to play. Although the game is much more fun with friends, it is a blast single player as well. All in all, Borderlands is really a complete package, and I think it will be able to compete with highly anticipated games such as Modern Warfare 2 for game of the year.

RB Boys soccer makes history

On Saturday 24^th, the Boys Varsity Soccer Team made history, winning a regional title for the first time. After a lucky first round bye, the boys destroyed St. Francis in a 6-2 championship victory.

The Bulldogs exploded on offense, scoring six goals, an incredibly high number for high school soccer games. Senior Ruben Chavez led the Bulldogs attack putting three shots into the net. The team’s defense shined as well, with great efforts by senior defender Jerry Brown and senior goalie Mark Benya.

Benya, who hopes to continue playing soccer at the University of Chicago after high school, said, “The regional victory was awesome. It was especially nice because we were so close last year, and it was nice to be able to redeem ourselves.”

This is quite a historic event, being the first time that the team has taken a regional title. Although the Bulldogs fell to Chicago High with a score of 2-1 on Tuesday, October 27^th, the team considers the season a raging success.

The Bulldogs have had a very successful season, going 8-2 in conference play and 15-4 in overall matches. To add to their success, the team beat Nazareth Academy on Senior Night.

Junior Elliot Louthen said, “The season as a whole was extremely successful. We set our goals of winning conference and regionals at the beginning of the season and we completed them.”

“Our team has been playing together long before high school and we have great team chemistry. It was nice to see our work come together in such a historic event,” added Benya.