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Is SLA the Safest it can be?

January 4, 2016 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

Arielle Moore

Staff Writer

In the wake of all the terrorist attacks that have taken place all around the world, the country has gone into what seems like lockdown. You might notice that security measures are being increased almost everywhere and to most they seem almost unnecessary. In recent years, schools have become one of the top places where security was tightened due to the many attacks that have taken place. In such a secure environment where students are entrusted with the freedom to keep the community safe and weapon-free, the last thing we think about is an attack on the school and students. But is our trust enough? While SLA has never personally experienced threats to our school, we are still susceptible to many dangers. For this topic, I interviewed SLA’s co-principal Aaron Gerwer about how SLA handles this issue and also what takes place to keep the school safe. “There’s a bunch of stuff we do to make sure you all are safe everyday. I think the advisory program is the most important safety measures if that makes sense. Having an adult in the building who is an advocate and someone you can check-in with prevents a lot of issues before they begin,” he says. “Besides that, at the entry-way officer Byrd is checking to make sure that no intruders enter and that no one is bringing in anything dangerous.” Mr. Gerwer also believes that extreme security measures go against our safe and profile-free environment here. “Yes I do. That is why we don’t have metal detectors. SLA is generally considered to be the safest school in the district and we don’t have uniforms, hall sweeps or, as I said, metal detectors.”

After getting an adult’s perspective, I had to pick the brains of some students who had a bit to say about how they feel on a day-to-day basis at the school. Of all the students I asked, there was a universal feeling of safety in our building. Some felt as if we could be taking more measures to ensure total safety. “The front door should be locked and someone should always be at the front desk,” says Tamir Harper. When asked what measures we should be taking, Sydney Rogers added,“There are some risky behaviors taking place, but not really.” A junior responded, “We should be stricter about who we let into the school. Other than that, I feel safe here.”

Featured Image: http://www.pti-world.com/why-we-need-metal-detectors-in-schools/

The “F” Word?

January 4, 2016 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

The “F” Word?

Kali Taylor

Staff Writer

We all have pet peeves, Whether it’s chewing your food while talking, talking loudly, or endless clicking of pens. Mine, however, would have to be guys spewing out unintentional ingrained misogyny by saying one word: “female”.

There are various reasons as to why you should not identify [young] women as “females”. Identifying women as by this word means that you are only recognizing them only for their reproductive system. According to the dictionary, the word female means: of or denoting the sex that can bear offspring or produce eggs. To me, it seems as if the people who call women females just see them for their biological function, babymakers.

I’m not the only one who feels this way. English teacher Ms. Giknis is also strongly opinionated on this topic.

“First, the word female is a strange one to use in place of woman from a grammatical standpoint. It’s primarily an adjective, which means it needs to be followed by a noun. When someone uses it, they should follow it with what kind of female. A female human, or some other species? Usually they’re referring to a female human, not other species who also use the scientific language of female, and amazingly, we have a word for that in English: woman,” she said.

So, does context matter to her when people do use the word “females” when referring to other women?

“Context does matter, but it’s just not the right way to refer to a woman, period,” Giknis said. She also adds the way the word is used is usually negative and sort of degrading. People rarely make a statement about “females” and say something positive about them. Also, why isn’t the opposite true? Why do we never refer to men as males? This says nothing of what the language does to people who do not conform to these gender binaries.”

Does Giknis label everyone as a misogynist if they use the word “female” when referring to humans?

“Not necessarily misogynistic, but ignorant. It’s not really a single individual’s fault, since I hear that so often that I believe many people (men and women and all) alike are doing it innocuously, with no negative intentions toward women.”

Other people in the SLA community had opinions of their own.

“To be honest it depends on the context,” stated Sophomore Savannah Manns. “if a man called me a “female” and it was in a derogatory way, then I would be upset, but I can not deny what I am, a female and a woman.”

Do the guys of SLA has any opinions on this topic?

“I use that word when I talk about women. I didn’t think it had any negative connotation. But, I will think twice when I speak about girls,” said Sophomore Joseph Lee.

The word “female” is used throughout everyday conversations when referring to an actual woman. Majority of the population does not realize that it is offensive. Even though it has become normalized, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to unlearn bad habits. It may not be your intentions of being offensive, but that doesn’t change the fact that nine times out of ten that you’re probably degrading women.

It’s Time For a New Playoff System in the NFL

December 25, 2015 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

Aaron Watson-Sharer

Patrick Smith, Getti Images — Patrick Smith, Getty Images

The NFL playoff format has been flawed for quite some time. Since the rearrangement of divisions in 2002 and the current playoff format from 1990 has led to mediocre and on occasion below average teams to make the playoffs. These teams can make the playoffs with an even, (8-8) record or sometimes an even worse record. What’s worse is they get to host a home game in the playoffs despite their poor record. The NFL should feel embarrassed that every year, a team or two gets in the playoffs while a real contender lucks out. The NFL playoff system needs real reform to have a reasonable and exciting playoff format so teams can get the playoff sport they deserve.

As of right now, the NFC East and the AFC South are taking advantage of the playoff system. Every year since 2010 besides 2012, there has been a division winner with eight wins or less along with a team with a better record who was unfortunate to not make the playoffs in result. In 2010, a losing Seattle Seahawks team got lucky enough to earn a home playoff game against an 11-5 Saints team. The game was won by Seattle which was a crime to have them apart of the playoffs. The 10-6 Giants and Buccaneers missed the playoffs despite having 3 more wins than the Seahawks. The Seahawks were entitled a home playoff game, which in CenturyLink field makes all the difference.

In 2011, the Denver Broncos clinched the playoffs in the 4th seed with an 8-8 record. The result left a superior Tennessee Titans team from the postseason and once again… entitled Denver to a home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. This game was in Mile High stadium. The Steelers at the were 12-4 and had players sit out because of the inability to breath well enough to play in Denver. The Broncos won a game that should have never occurred. This with the exception the 2013 Green Bay Packers eight win team means every losing team team to get a home game in the postseason walked away victorious. The NFL can’t let teams get in the playoffs solely because of ratings and the region of the country they happen to be in.

In the present moment, the NFC East and AFC South have all four teams without a winning record. Right now that means 2 divisions in the NFL make for over a third of the losing franchises. These divisions all have multiple teams within striking distance for a playoff spot. For any of these teams to have a better record than their wild card competitors, those teams would have to lose for the rest of the season and the NFC East and AFC South teams would need to win their games.

FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 11: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts looks to throw a pass against the New England Patriots during the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 11, 2014 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) — (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The Colts and Texans, currently tied for their division have shown that they can’t compete in quality games. Yes, the Texans got the best of the Bengals and the Colts took down the Broncos but there i no other game that convinces you they deserve to win. The Colts in the past two weeks have been outscored 96-26. That’s an average of being beaten by 35 points per game. The Texans have lost three times by 21 or more points. The Texans have only beaten two winning teams. The Colts have beaten one winning team and have a worst 10 team in every major offensive or defensive statistical category. It’s a shame that one of the Chiefs, Bengals, Jets or the Steelers will miss the playoffs with being superior so one of these bad teams get a home playoff game.

Onto the NFC East, which is just as bad if not worse than the AFC South. The three competing teams, the Giants, Redskins and the Eagles. The Giants have the worst ranked defense in the NFL and it isn’t very close. Offensively the pose a poor running game with a one dimensional passing attack which leads to the not being able to finish games. The Giants have beaten no winning teams while having a very easy schedule and they have only played two good teams. This team has shown that they are not worthy of being a playoff team. Now the Eagles, Chip Kelly seems to be hated and loved on a weekly basis. This team is using popsicle sticks to fix their offensive line injuries but it is still no excuse for being dominated in countless games. When your special teams is several times better than any other component of your team it’s depressing. The Eagles have more potential in this division but Sam Bradford can’t even show that he can be a game manager. Lastly, the Redskins led by Kirk Cousins and not Robert “sweats and clipboards” Griffin III have done just enough to get to 7-7. The Washington Redskins also have not beaten a winning team and finally won a game on the road against a bad Bears team. The Redskins lost to a Dallas Cowboys team a week ago on a muffed punt and more importantly Matt Cassel. On the field that offense looks like is couldn’t score on the Alabama Crimson Tide. This division has a combined 19 wins. The next worst division not named the AFC South would be the AFC North with 25 wins, who have the Browns.

I suggest the NFL make a new playoff format. There are two systems that would be preferable but I prefer an eight team playoff system. With divisions getting a team in but they must earn a top spot, they can be placed anywhere. This would bring a true bracket. All good teams would get in and earn a spot to really see who the best is. No more bye weeks, just more football. It would make for an exciting weekend. Three games saturday, three sunday and two more monday. This would be similar to the NBA format, but unlike the NBA the NFL is more competitive, where you don’t already know who’s going all the way.v

(Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

What would this look like? It would look like the best against the worst based on conference order. The bracket would mean the best team has the easiest road to becoming champions. As it stands now, if a 16 team playoff occurred it could be a bit unique. The Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons would all qualify for the playoffs. The Washington Redskins and Colts would make it as a lower seed due to tiebreakers. This would bring more hungry teams into the mix to become champions.

In the NFL, lower seeds have won championships. In the past 25 years, three have came to become the champions. The 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2007 New York Giants, and the 2010 Green Bay Packers. These teams, like others had to fight to earn a playoff spot just for the chance to be great. More teams need this chance.

Getty Images. AFC Wild Card contenders. Ben Roethlisberger, Brandon Marshall, Alex Smith.

The NFL can’t sit by and reject the truth, division champions in poor divisions shouldn’t be entitled home playoff games when the team they play is far superior. To get into the postseason is an achievement, so let’s make it one. No team should be entitled a spot just because they sucked a bit less than their division rivals to leave a great team going home. The NFL can’t expect people to be satisfied with the competition until the rules are changed and the postseason is expanded to 16 teams.

Muslim Stereotypes Within SLA

December 23, 2015 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

Allison Kelly Staff Writer

In early November, all of our tv’s were tuned in to one of the many news channels trying to learn more about yet another terrorist attack. This specific attack happened in Paris, killing a total of 130 people.

In the evening of November 13, 2015, an organized series of terrorist attacks struck Saint-Denis, the northern suburb of Paris. The attacks included suicide bombings and mass shootings in various locations. It was later learned that this attack was at the hands of Islamic extremists.

As these terrorist events overwhelm the news channels and all topics of conversations, something that can be just as harmful comes along with them, stereotypes of the Muslim community.

Since 9/11 especially, any sort of terrorist attack of Islamic extremists seem to automatically be blamed on the entire Muslim community. This can cause great harm to those who can be identified in public as being part of the Muslim community, specifically women wearing identifying pieces such as the hijab. These women can be victims of very harmful stereotypes and treatment from those who are ignorant enough to believe that the intentions of one terrorist of a certain religion are the intentions of that entire community of. After the attack on Paris, research was done within SLA to see the change in behavior of those towards students of the Muslim community.

Senior, Gabrielle Smullen, was not always Muslim and did not convert until her Sophomore year. When asked about what general stereotypes she faces on a daily basis Gabby states, “When I’m out in public sometimes people will give me strange looks that I did not receive before converting and wearing my hijab out. I can also tell sometimes that people can be uncomfortable to sit next to me on public transportation. It’s really just all little things.” She was then asked about the difference she has seen from people since she has started wearing her hijab. “I feel that I have gained a lot of respect from the people who already knew me since I’ve started wearing my hijab, but some have taken a while to adjust. From people that I don’t know, it’s pretty much just looks that I receive that allow me to know they are judging me based on my religion.” Lastly, Gabby was asked if she has seen a change in behavior specifically after the attack on Paris. “I haven’t really been paying much mind to people I don’t know out in public, but I don’t recall seeing anything other than the normal looks I receive. Within SLA, though, I don’t feel like anyone has acted any differently towards me since the attacks.”

In conclusion, it’s great that students of the Muslim community can attend SLA without feeling as though that they are subject to negative stereotypes especially after attacks like the one in Paris, but, the truth is that, this is not always the case for them when out in society. The stereotypes that these terrorist attacks cause for the entire Muslim community to have to deal with can be very harmful and, as a society, we should be working to educate ourselves on the topic in order to know the difference between the intentions of one person or small group of people and those of an entire community and that these intentions do not have to be, and are usually not, the same.

Eagles Fans: Relax!

December 21, 2015 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

Micah Henry Staff Writer

Oh man, oh man not again. Another offseason with expectations soaring high, have so far soared very close to the ground, according to many eagles fans. “We are going to the Super Bowl this year!” “We have the most talented and deep team in the league!” Comments like this suffocated social media over the offseason, and what an offseason it was to remember.

In 2014 the eagles ranked #2 overall in the NFL for their offensive line. Ranking 10th in pass blocking, and 1st in run blocking, however a blemish was 27th in penalties, yet that could have been a factor of injuries. At week 3 during the 2014 NFL regular season, the eagles offensive line situation was kind of a mess. Lane Johnson was in the midst of serving a four game suspension, which he had one more game left to serve, potentially returning in week 5. Jason Kelce suffered a sports hernia and was expected to miss 6-8 weeks. Thankfully he managed to return in week 9 vs. the Texans and after week 9, Mccoy had four games of 99 or more rushing yards for the rest of the season. In total the Eagles finished with 6,348 offensive yards in 2014. Amazing due to the fact, that Evan Mathis was out from week one till week 10 in which he returned and the Eagles trampled the now 12-0 panthers, 45-21. Allen Barbre was also injured, out for the season, but he would most likely be a non factor if he were healthy. In all, the Eagles offensive line suffered greatly yet still managed to have the 3rd best total offense in the NFL in 2014, incredible. Now, the question is what happened to the Philadelphia Eagles? Eagles fans scream, “Chip Kelly has ruined the Eagles!” Yet in reality, he has just made it his team, a team that is learning to play together one game at a time.

In 2015, the Philadelphia Eagles are 5-7. Not what fans expected. Yet that raises another question, what should the fans have expected for this season? Fans should have expected rebuilding. Fans should not have expected a 12-0 start, 500 offensive yards per game, allowed two points per game, melodramatic examples, but the point is understood. We released an offensive lineman, who wanted to leave, in Evan Mathis. Mathis wanted more money but the Eagles, and Chip Kelly, thought it was better for the team to not spend so much on a guard. Mathis is a very talented player, yet Chip thought the Eagles’ money had better use. Another guard to leave the flock this past winter, Todd Herremans. Who was also a great guard for the Eagles. Yet once again, it saved the Eagles money. Also in the offseason, in short, we traded Lesean Mccoy for Kiko Alonso, Nick Foles for Sam Bradford, released the heart of the Eagles defense in Trent Cole, for reasons understandable, released Cary Williams, signed Byron Maxwell, signed Ryan Matthews, signed Demarco Murray, let Jeremy Maclin sign with the Chiefs and sent Brandon Boykin to the Steelers. These being just some of the offseason transactions, but clearly the most important. For as anyone can see, Chip Kelly is making his own team.

Looking around sports, you see teams such as the Kansas City Royals, the Golden State Warriors, the Carolina Panthers. All teams who three or some years ago, were irrelevant as top teams in their respected sports, baseball, basketball, and football. Yet they knew the talent they had and their coaches and GM’s knew it would not all come together in one year, or even two. Building a successful, championship team is a process that could take 3 years or ten, but it will happen if you have the right person behind the scheme, and Chip Kelly is that person for the Eagles.

In an interview with loyal Eagles fan, Jesse Shutter, he stated his firm opinion on Chip Kelly and the 2015 Philadelphia Eagles.

“Chip Kelly is an intelligent guy who devotes his life to football. However, sometimes he makes stupid play calls that might cause the Eagles a game.”

“The Eagles are good guys, as an organization, yet they tend to be choke artists and mess up at the worst times.”

“The Eagles, however, will make the playoffs because they will win their last two games.”

It is rebuilding time for the Philadelphia Eagles. This will be a process, we are not the best team this year, but we have been improving. In a few years the Eagles will be legitimate playoff contender. As everyone noticed, the Eagles lost this past Sunday night to the Cardinals 40-17, the third time the Eagles have allowed 40 or more points in the last four weeks. Amazingly, if we win the last two games of the season, we are in the playoffs. Most likely, we will not do much in the playoffs if we get there, but we will be able to say we did and Chip Kelly would then most likely return for the 2016 season. The whole team is rebuilding. The defense, offense, and coaching staff. In two or three years, the Eagles will come together, and will be a Super Bowl team. Eagles fans, just please, be patient.