INIWA

Problem inadvertently presents itself

Shandon — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:30:43 +0000

When it comes to hazing, harassment, intimidation, bullying and menacing, “Great Falls Public Schools have a policy of zero tolerance,” said associate principal Heather Hoyer.
Harassment is defined as, “any act which subjects an individual or group to unwanted, abusive behavior of a nonverbal, verbal, written or physical nature, on the basis of age, race, religion, color, creed, national origin, sex, ancestry, disability or marital status,” according to 5226 Personnel of the Student Handbook. Also, under the Title IX of the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, the conduct of the sexual harassment, “must be sufficiently serious that it adversely affects a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the school’s program.”
“It is also important that schools do not overreact to behavior that does not rise to the level of sexual harassment,” according to Title IX of the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, meaning that school personnel need to acknowledge the age and maturity of students in responding to accusations of sexual harassment; such as a high school athletic coach hugging a student who made a goal.
“Any student who has been harassed is encouraged to talk to an adult they trust, such as a teacher, counselor, staff or principal,” said Hoyer. “The complaint and victim shall be timely notified of the fact of and the findings of the investigation and, as appropriate, that remedial action has been taken,” according to 5226 Personnel.
After a student has made a complaint of being sexually harassed, depending on the stature of the individual causing the sexual harassment, can conclude in referral to law enforcement. Staff of the high school, “whose behavior is found to be in violation of this policy will be subject to discipline up to and including dismissal,” according to 3226 Students of the Student Handbook. On the other hand, “Students whose behavior is found to be in violation of this policy will be subject to discipline up to and including expulsion,” according to 3226 students.
To ensure a positive and productive learning environment, the school board, “strictly prohibits sexual harassment and shall not be tolerated in our building,” according to 5226 Personnel.

There has been a correction made to the article. The original article printed in the May 16 Iniwa issue quoted Heather Hoyer, “When it comes to hazing, harassment, intimidation, bullying and menacing, Great Falls Public Schools have a policy of zero tolerance.” The correct quote from Heather Hoyer is, When it comes to hazing, harassment, intimidation, bullying and menacing, “Great Falls Public Schools have a policy of zero tolerance.”

Stewart tramples 35 year mile record

Cantalope — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:33:37 +0000

Senior Rachel Stewart broke Lynn Frisbey’s 1977 mile record. Stewart surpassed Frisbey’s record by over two seconds at the Billings Invitational on April 5.
Stewart won the 800 and 1,600 meter run in a triangular meet against Billings Skyview and Billings West on Mar. 31. She also won the same events on Apr. 3 in a dual meet with Helena High.
Although Stewart set a new record for Great Falls High, first place went to Dani Aragon of Billings Senior, who won the AA state title last spring in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 meter while running legs on the Broncs’ state champion 400-meter and 1,600-meter relay team.
Stewart spoke of her recent accomplishments and said, “I had broken the record a little bit earlier than I had planned, but it works out. I hope to break the 800 record before I graduate.” Stewart responded that the track season was going great, and she said that she hoped that she would do well in state. She aspired to run track while attending Brigham Young University.
Stewart balances her vigorous academic schedule with AP courses while running 4–5 miles a day. Beginning from a young age, Stewart and her family have participated in local running events. Stewart said her love for running stemmed from a young age.

Bison send three to state

Cantalope — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:20:47 +0000

With the Great Falls High Tennis team’s season coming to an end this weekend with the state tournament, the Bison are looking to have a good showing with the two teams they sent to State.
The boys’ tennis team did not do as good as a job as they had hoped for, and had failed to send anyone to State this year. Number one singles player Kyler Clifton was defeated in the first day of Divisionals, along with Tanner Lightborne, Jordan Purinton and Jay Albert.
Boys’ doubles teams came close, but could not get the results they were looking for. Number one team Nathan Sheffels and Jaime Olaizola played a total of eight sets on the first day of Divisionals and succeeded in making it to the second day, along with number two doubles Josh Haagenson and Sam McCormick. However, Nathan and Jaime were quickly defeated on the second day, while Josh and Sam battled for the chance in State in a triple set tiebreaker, but were not successful.
Lady Bison had a better run with two teams successfully going to the state meet. Molly Crum shined throughout the Divisionals meet through the very end of her last match with Katya Kulikova, Glacier’s top singles girl, where she fell in a tiebreaker. Doubles team Katie Cerotzke and Jackie Santin also had quite the run going through divisionals. Although CMR doubles team Lisa Spencer and Lindsay Martinez came out victorious over the two, Cerotzke and Santin will be going to state for one more chance. Also worth noting was doubles team Libbey Fellows and Brittany Basinger, who had the underdog story here of coming very close to going to state, but fell short in the consolation semifinals to the Glacier team of Kirstyn Haugenoe and Kali Mathison.

Editorial : District administrators value their own personal vision over widespread community sentiment

Cantalope — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:12:39 +0000

After 10 years of impeccable leadership, Dr. Fred Anderson has been removed as the principal of Great Falls High School and relocated to North Middle School. As this news broke an aura of shock, confusion and sadness reverberated throughout the school, raising questions about not only how, but why this change happened. Through this action, the leaders on the hill have successfully displayed their obvious disconnect with reality. Without warning, without any sort of staff, student, parent or board input, the district office administration dropped this bombshell upon the Great Falls community, as they mindlessly stripped Great Falls High of its beloved principal.
This monumental abuse of authority has garnered questions left and right as to what might be the reasoning for this decision. The purpose of this change, according to the powers that be, cites opportunities for “growth and change,” but anyone looking from the outside can recognize how faulty these claims are. One does not simply remove an award winning, highly looked upon by the community principal on the basis of his need for “professional growth.” According to the Tribune, the swap’s whole intent according to Superintendent Cheryl Crawley was “to give people the opportunity to work next to other people.” However it’s clear that this move was made on the grounds of some sort of personal connection within the district office building. Dr. Anderson has served as an administrator for 40 years. Thirty of those years have been as a high school principal. Not once has his employment been in a middle school setting. Suddenly, he’s moved to a middle school. The pieces just don’t add up. The only thing that truly needs “change” in this community are the names engraved upon the superintendent name plates.
Walking the hallways of Great Falls High only further embodies the stark disapproval of these actions. Students are unhappy. and are assimilating by the hundreds to protest. In their attempt to radically reform Great Falls High, the superintendents have utterly severed themselves from the loop of educational consciousness. They have spat in the face of general disposition, weighing their own personal biases over the common good. In their attempt to be progressive, the leaders on the hill have alienated themselves from the community of Great Falls and Great Falls High School. This egregious measure also diminishes any chance of funding for the multiple projects this administration seeks to pursue. With the building restoration, academy programs, striving readers grant, writing across the curriculum and multiple other innovations to address student progress that require substantial amounts of money, the superintendents have essentially shot themselves in the foot.
In this process, the superintendents have put the incoming Principal in an unfair position, as she won’t likely be received well by the students. We need not forget that Mrs. Gregoire is not at fault is this convoluted situation. It is essential we welcome her with open arms as she makes this difficult transition to a AA high school with such enduring traditions. We are above this autocratic leadership that the DOB is pushing, and above all, we must act civil in this transitonal period.
We need to seek authority figures who actually advocate for the students and community whom they have chosen to represent. This alarmingly foolish decision has polarized a community, hurt students and the leaders on the hill could not be further disconnected from anything that resembles reality. We need to call upon for the resignation of the superintendents should this decision go through because Dr. Anderson and the APs actually stand for students, unlike Mr. Moore and Mrs. Crawley.

Competitive student council race results in new leadership for students

Cantalope — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:09:38 +0000

The results are in and the new student council representatives have been designated.
Jordan Jernigan will represent the student body as class president with Vice President Charli Sullivan, Secretary Emily Hatler, and Treasurer Jackie Santin completing the assembly of governmental youth.
Due to the little campaigning and informing of the runner’s motives, a number of students have felt as if the whole process was little more than an opportunity for the representatives to get a little attention or make social decisions like choosing the Homecoming theme and prom themes. Among those concerned is Junior Colt Tronson, who wishes that “future classes choose their student council members based on what they will do for everyone as a majority.” He was one of the many who regarded this last election as nothing more than a “popularity contest”.
Despite the bad wrap, Jernigan wishes to stay positive and endure the coming year with an optimistic approach.
“I think the stereotype drops when we start doing something.”
So what exactly does the STUCO organization wish to accomplish in the following year?
“I have ideas to change the Freshman involvement and make them more comfortable,” said Jernigan. “I plan on visiting East to talk to the 8th graders and tell them that high school is not what they think, and make them less nervous.”
Each member has different ideas to bring to the table, but they all agree that more student involvement is essential for improving the school. Secretary Hatler believes that the group just needs to keep progressing, and avoid “kicking a dead horse.”
Vice President Sullivan wishes to see more people attend the largely disrespected connections time and “actually connect.”
“A huge part of our cause is to get more kids to want to come to school and bring them to life,” said Sullivan.
Other plans include encouraging upperclassmen to unite with underclassmen, making the school more comfortable for new/incoming students, and continuing the awesome progress of the GFHS food pantry that this year’s council has managed to establish.
Not only will the student council be working to increase more club/sport participation, but they will majorly influence how the student body handles the transition of principles. “Dr. Anderson treated everyone the same and a lot of people are going to miss him.”

A change of place

Cantalope — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:04:40 +0000

District Office Building administrators informed the faculty at Great Falls High, North Middle School, CMR and East Middle School of administrative changes effective for the 2012-2013 school year.
The changes surround six current GFPS administrators. Three Great Falls High administrators: Principal Dr. Fred Anderson and Associate Principals Beth Gerhardt and Paul Culbertson are slated to switch places with Jane Gregoire, principal at North; Julie Tramelli, Associate Principal at CMR; and Brad Barringer, Associate Principal at East, respectively.
The sudden changes created a stir in the communities at the schools and throughout the community. At the May 14 board meeting eleven speakers voiced their concerns, students and parents spoke out about the changes. “Dr. Anderson is a long-standing tradition and GFH, one we have been accustomed to having as a student advocate. The lack of answers from the district is a slam on his reputation and service to this district. I spoke out because all that is necessary for evil to triumph is for no one to speak against it. Someone had to, and I am glad we did en masse.” Said senior Donovan Dennis. Dennis spoke at the meeting about what he sees as corruption in the district.
After hearing accusations of corruption Assistant Super Intendant, Tom Moore said “some factors involved in making the decision would spur debate. Dr. Anderson’s silence could be interpreted [as if the district were corrupt], but there is no corruption.”
“It’s unfair to send someone with [Dr. Anderson’s] qualifications and experience down to the middle school level at the end of his career just to create ‘change,’ It also seems like our school is being unfairly targeted by having three of our administration leave.” Said senior Jacob Strauss.
A predominant reason for the changes remains unclear. Administrators for the district explain the changes as a sharing of talents to move closer to goals of the district. Super Intendant Dr. Cheryl Crawley explains this change as a team building exercise as “it develops teams very well” said Crawley.
Moore said a lot of thought and consideration went into making these decisions. “We felt it was time at Great Falls High School to change that many administrators, based on the decisions and outcomes of the team as well as their individual strengths” Moore said. However Moore does admit “We don’t do this often, I realized this would be somewhat of a shock.” Students, staff, and the administrators themselves all attest these changes did come as a surprise.
Dr. Anderson heard from Moore the day before the announcement that he would be involved in a “secondary school shift.” To Anderson the news came as a “combination of shock and sadness.” For the past ten years GFH has been Dr. Anderson’s home, “I viewed GFH as a calling, it’s something bigger than me, it is truly the bison family” said Dr. Anderson.
“It’s really sad to see Dr. Anderson leaving especially under these circumstances. We aren’t just losing a principal but also a dear friend and the biggest supporter of GFH and its students” said senior Meghan Semmens.
Jane Gregoire said “I was very surprised and also excited at the challenge” when asked about beginning to run a AA high school. Gregoire did not find out she would be transferred until the day before the rest of the faculty. She called the move “bittersweet” explaining “any transition has both challenges and rewards.”
Gregoire said in response to her ability to align with the district’s vision for academies, “You have to start small and grow.” Gregoire has been on the C3 academy committee from the beginning. She says there are many ways it could become a good system. “There are many models to work from and tweak.” However, she said, “There must always be room in mind for change and the program may or may not work.”
Gregoire has had a long relationship with GFH, she graduated from GFH and spent time at GFH as an educator. She hopes to build relationships and honor traditions at GFH. “Change is hard, but also a tremendous opportunity. We’ll have fun,” Gregoire said.

Viral videos rule the web

David — Mon, 14 May 2012 19:50:35 +0000

Viral videos are everywhere nowadays with the power of E-mail, instant and text massaging, and social networking, a video can become viral within minutes of “going live”. Videos on the web are either a flop, or a huge boom, with everyone on the same medium, news travels fast, and if something is good, it is going to be talked about. With YouTube, the 2nd largest search engine on the web, having over 48 hours of videos uploaded to it every minute, you know there is plenty on content to be watched.

YouTube can be seen as a distraction from life, an easy way to get away from things, and just enjoy something, easily, from the comfort of one’s computer, however, if statistics are drawn as to the amount of time teenagers spend watching viral videos in the US, it can become quickly apparent that this time is wasted, as nothing is brought from the viewing of the video, and that it is a great amount of time being wasted. Junior Jordan Purinton said, “Viral videos are a large part of an average teenager’s life”

The question you must ask yourselves is, are the few shorts laughs you may get from the viewing of these viral videos really worth the amount of time that you seem to just be wasting away?

District music for all

David — Wed, 09 May 2012 14:37:21 +0000

District music festival is a great opportunity for music students across the board to show what they have learned throughout their musical careers, and the festival is also a great opportunity for students to learn. While adjudicators judge students on their solos, there are also group sessions, where a panel of judges evaluate the groups’ performances; then, one or more of the judges works with the group on aspects the students need help with.

Junior Lydia Brimhall said, “”The Delpian Choir did a great job at district. We did really well on our prepared music, but we struggled a little with our sight reading.” As part of the festival students in the Delphian Choir were able to work with one of their judges, on their pronunciation of vowels, after their performance.

Barrack’s reelection case, to beat a nutcase

Cantalope — Fri, 04 May 2012 20:50:35 +0000

Currently, our country isn’t in the ideal position. However, through President Obama’s leadership and reforms, our economy has stabilized and become more frugal than 4 years ago, thus securing his bid for the upcoming election.

The common Republican (and Mitt Romney) generally believes in “hands off” government, more specifically, one that lets the private sector take care of things. Romney’s campaign slogan “Believe in America” certainly illustrates this as his “vision” for America revolves around sitting idly by. This idea that government intervention is a bad thing is simply outlandish. If Obama had sat idly by during his presidency and not enacted his sweeping reforms, this economy would look worse than Greece. Laissez Faire economics are the last thing we need when amidst a depression. Did FDR embrace this notion? Absolutely not. He introduced his New Deal and got the country back on its feet. Think of it this way : If you have a cut, and it’s showing no signs of healing, do try to patch it up. or just let it bleed out? Unless you’re insane, you are going to attempt to heal that wound.Thankfully, Obama has not let this country “just rub some dirt on it.” Through his reforms of the Auto, Credit Card and banking industries, Obama has enabled positive job growth in the private sector for the past two years, and sustained the previously tanking economy. A truly legitimate president takes action, rather than sitting back and hoping for the luck of the draw.

Obama took a drastic step in reforming the way Americans access medical coverage. In response to the downward spiral of the economy, Obama understood that healthcare was a pressing issue and needed reform. For a long time, poor people had been getting the short end of the stick and Obama saw it through to ensure universal healthcare to all. Now certainly this enactment came at a price, but one that overall benefits the country. No longer will patients be denied for a pre-existing condition, and no longer will Americans go without health coverage. The presumptive Republican candidate Mitt Romney even enacted a plan just like this in Massachusetts as Governor. His plan, in fact, was the model in which Obamacare was based around. But now, he’s trying to distance himself from it as it has become connected to Obama. No matter what political response it yields, any politician should remain accountable for his or her actions. The fact that Romney has distanced himself from his own policy is simply pathetic and only further reinforces his bleak personality and worldview.

The other complete advantage that Obama has lies in his personality. Through his humble beginnings, outstanding charisma and humorous tendencies, Obama is able to get on a level with Americans that Romney can’t, and will never be able to do. After President Obama went on The Jimmy Fallon Show to “slow-jam” the news, Republicans and FOX news lashed out on him. Yet this criticism is purely for political gain. Politicians go on entertainment shows all the time, and in this instance Obama did it on a semi-serious note in order to promote his policy on Financial Aid for college students. As for their speaking abilities, Obama wins hands down. His communication level makes one feel as though he’s speaking directly to you. As for Romney, his statue-like appearance, awkward laugh and generally foolish talking points induces vomiting, as you’re unsure which side of the issue he’ll embrace on that day. Romney panders excessively as well, hoping to relate to as many folks as possible by talking about “cheesy grits” in Missouri and saying “who let the dogs out” whilst taking a picture with a group of African American kids (both of these scenarios happened.) His vast wealth doesn’t help his case either, as his eight-figure salary removes ability to fully relate with the middle class. In addition to being a powerful policy maker, a strong President needs to get on a personal level with Americans, rather than confusing them with political pandering and bad jokes.

To put it simply, Obama is the stronger candidate politically and personally. He isn’t afraid to introduce radical change for the good of the people and sticks up for the middle class, unlike. The economic times are tough, but Americans can sleep better at night knowing we’ll have a savvy commander in chief for the next four years in Barrack Obama.

Andrew Kromarek

akromarek — Fri, 04 May 2012 15:38:03 +0000

Hi, my name is Andrew Kromarek, and I’m a writer for the Iniwa staff. I first started to write for the Iniwa in my second semester of the 2011-12 school year, when I was a Junior. So far, it has been quite the ride! Mostly I write for the Op-Ed pages, but I do write for other categories, like entertainment and sports. Next year, I hope to write again for the Iniwa and the Iniwa’s website, but will also work on editing the pages and such. A few things I enjoy doing is playing my violin, playing tennis, camping and being outdoors and playing board games with my friends. I have one brother, Kevin and four sisters, three of which live in Helena and the fourth in Canada. I love them very much.