 Are hours upon hours of homework a thing of the past? by: Danielle Colbath and Shantall Teran
Whether you graduated long ago or are in school now, homework can be remembered as a staple of the high school experience. For something that has been around for so long, the question of its usefulness and impact on the students is still up for current debate. Teachers around Wethersfield High School were questioned to get a closer look into homework and their thoughts. Science teacher Ms. Alexopoulos was asked about her thoughts on homework, “I don't give homework often, if an assignment is not finished in class I will asked them to finish it in class”. Alexopoulos also brought up an interesting point that she includes homework as classwork grades. By doing this she allows for your grade to not be solely impacted by just homework, but instead their overall effort in the class. Mrs. Duggins builds onto this idea. “I hand out homework to all of the classes as necessary, it's not a set schedule, but it's either going to introduce an idea, or inforce an idea that hasn't been completed in class and needs to be finished.” Mr. Sand shared, “I'm not a big fan of very long drawn out homework assignments I understand kids often have 7 classes, if they get an hour of homework from each teacher it can be very overwhelming.” It seemed as though our teachers noticed that prolonged homework isn't beneficial. The four teacher we question told us that in the past years they have changed their policies for homework. Mr. Mangino tell us “I give much less homework for most of my classes than I used to”. Mrs. Duggins also points out an important factor as to why her homework policies have changed. “I think that a lot of high school students are working, watching siblings, have a lot of courses, they have a lot going on in their lives as oppose to years past.” The teachers that were questioned seem to share the idea that the amount of homework depends on the subject. Spanish teacher Mr.Mangino tells us “It's hard to acquire a language unless you're engaged in active conversation or reading.” Time spent doing homework can be tedious and overwhelming. However with the right teacher, understanding of purpose, and a little extra time, it can be done to the benefit of your education. “in college you're not going to have to do homework so it creates the mindset of what does it take to do well in a class” is what Ms.Alexopoulos puts in perspective. What are your thought on homework as student? Let us know!
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 by: Erin Nargi and Taylor Pitchell On Wednesday, February 13, 33 Wethersfield High School students embark on a journey to the beautiful country of Belize. The journey begins by arriving at the airport at 4:15 a.m. and taking off by 6:00 a.m. from Bradley Airport. After a three hour flight to Miami and then another two hour flight to Belize City, the group will reach their initial destination at the first hotel. While there, the group will be staying in three different hotels scattered along the coast of Belize. The second hotel is even located in the middle of the jungle. There will be lots to do including zip lining, cave tubing, scuba diving, hiking, and more. These will all ensure a very busy week for students and their chaperones. A couple days in, the group will travel to a school and bring lots of school supplies for the young kids to use in their school day. They will play games and interact with the children for the majority of the day. Belize is located on the eastern coast of Central America on the Caribbean Sea . The small country has a population of around 375,000 and can be compared to the size of Massachusetts. Although the country is tiny, it contains a dense jungle with thousands of wildlife species and hundreds of offshore islands called cayes. Belize also has centuries of ancient history sourcing back to the Mayans, including several ancient ruin sites. The students attending are very lucky to be able to have this experience and we wish them the best!  By Logan Miller & William Malizia On December 18, Surgeon General Jerome Adams, made an announcement stating, “I am officially declaring e-cigarette use [vaping] among youth an epidemic in the United States.” The amount of students who vape is increasing at alarming rates. It was reported by the FDA in 2018 that 3.26 million highschool and middle school students were currently using e-cigarettes. What’s the Purpose of Vaping? Vaping is supposedly meant to be an alternative to smoking regular combustible cigarettes. With claims like having less chemicals than an ordinary cigarette, but less chemicals is not the same as having none. To further counteract vapes “anti-smoking” ideal, it has been found in studies that people who vape actually have an increased chance of smoking regular cigarettes. As stated by Yale Health Researchers, “Vape devices have not been proven to help adults quit smoking.”  Why is this so Bad?
One word. Nicotine. Between 2017 to 2018, the amount of high schoolers vaping has increased 78% (11.7% to 20.8%), and the amount of middle schoolers vaping has increased 48% (3.3% to 4.9%). Within a one month period, 11% of high school seniors, 8% of sophomores, and 3.5% reported using nicotine with a vape device. These teen epidemic of e-cigarette abuse is similar to the regular cigarette use of teens in the 1940’s and 50’s. One of these e-cigarette companies, Juul, are under a lot of pressure by the FDA for “marketing and sales practices that seemed aimed at teens and young adults” These devices with their sleek design and colorful lights, how can they legitimately say it’s not marketed towards children? And with a harmful and addictive chemical like nicotine, it is dangerous to say the less. How it Affects Us Our young brains are very sensitive to the effects of nicotine. Nicotine can be very damaging to a young individuals brain development, it can impact one's own memory and attention processing. Unlike with cigarettes there are many “health unknowns” with e-cig use. Another serious problem with nicotine is the addiction that quickly follows suit. Becoming an addict is like losing your freedom of choice. You’ll quickly find yourself under the control of your vaping device, not your own free will. As warned by the FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, “We cannot allow a whole generation to become addicted to nicotine” but with companies like Juul, with one pod having the same nicotine content as a pack of cigarettes, the problem has only just begun... WHS and Vaping Vaping at our school is not tolerated. As it states in the student handbook on page 33, it is a second level offense for the “use of tobacco products including e-cigarettes.” So don’t think that the rules only apply to combustible cigarettes, you will still get in trouble. If you’re caught vaping the first referral is two extended detentions, second is two days of in-school suspension, third is a five-day suspension, and getting a fourth referral brings you into the third level disciplinary category which consists of another five day suspension just for the first referral. Any student should also keep in mind that all vape paraphernalia found is confiscated and not returned to the student and/or family. The Law and Vaping After a brief interview with our School Resource Officer, Officer Knapp, the law says that any violation of the law for anyone 16 and under is an arrest. 15 and under is an arrest or the individuals are sent to the Community Review Board (CRB). Students who are the ages 16-17 recieve a $50 fine their first time, but from then on the fine is worth $100. Students that are 17 can be offered to see the CRB. once there it’s up to them what happens. Usually they must do some kind of P.S.A., but they could also be required to do community service, counselling, and drug tests. Students the ages 18 and up are not within any violation of criminal law, so they face school discipline. The biggest advice I can give? Just don’t start. If you have and want help, there are many resources to help you, simply speak to your school counselor, nurse, administrator, or resource officer.  By: Lauren Christie and Maddie Bradbury
Kids wear headphones around the halls, and in class, and it can be an amazing way to focus and essentially make you more productive and efficient. But on the other hand, they can be a major distraction and a way to tune out important information during school. This prompts the question whether headphones should or shouldn't, be allowed in school. How can something like wearing headphones be both beneficial and distracting? Some students argue that headphones increase their focus and attention. In fact, according to the Chicago Daily Herald, “79% of students listen to music to increase their productivity, by keeping them focused on their job. Music keeps the environment you are working in quieter.” To understand these statistics better, we conducted a study and asked a variety of students who wear headphones, how beneficial it is for them. Ariana Tessier, a senior at Wethersfield High School states, “Headphones help me work in a noisy environment”. If students claim headphones help them focus, why do teachers often to tell students to remove them? When kids are seen with headphones, the most common response from a teacher is to put them away, but why? To answer our question, we asked someone who enforces the rule with no exceptions. Mr. Scopetto, P.E. teacher at Wethersfield High School said, “Do I have headphones on when you talk to me? It is not a personal relationship when you have your headphones on.” Sco emphasized that having headphones on during school is unprofessional and rude. Headphones can be an useful getaway and put you in exactly in the right mood to get work done. Evidence shows that music helps with productivity and blocking out a distracting environment. However, there is an appropriate time and place for headphones. If it isn't a safe place to wear them, you shouldn't, and if your teacher isn't comfortable with you wearing them, you could be potentially missing valuable information.  If you're late, make sure to sign in...but don't stop at Starbucks first. By: Justin Biraci
Students are constantly walking in after the bell in the morning with a coffee in their hand. Teachers tend to get the wrong impression, and think the students do not care about their class. Many students who take the morning stop to a place such as Dunkin Donuts are often tardy to class. The coffee in the morning can wait, or you can try waking up earlier. Their craving for coffee gets them on bad terms with their teacher. From the teacher’s perspective, the student could’ve had a better chance of arriving to class on time, if they did not stop for coffee. It makes the student look disrespectful and sends the teacher the wrong message. “If you come to my class late, with coffee, you must leave it at the door” said Marc Pfister, English teacher at WHS. Not only is it disrespectful, but it is interrupting the class when they show up late and walk through the door in the middle of a lesson. By coming in late, the student is saying that they prioritize their breakfast stop over their academic learning for that class. Teachers understand when there is an emergency, or if you just accidentally did not wake up on time. However, if you are purposefully and perpetually showing up late, then it becomes an issue. Some teachers will resort to punishments such as detentions or not letting them in the classroom. Bottom line, try to avoid getting into a bad habit of showing up to class late with a poor excuse such as your coffee stop. If you want to succeed in class, then it is beneficial to have a good relationship with the teacher. The amount of respect you give to the teacher will be the amount you receive in return. Make sure to be on time in order to present yourself as someone who is willing to be engaged in learning.  by: Logan Miller
Curious about the Art Department, I interviewed one of the High School teachers, and asked some questions about any important dates, recent happenings, and generally how it’s doing. To start off the art department has been doing very well lately. Some students have won some awards in the Connecticut Regional Scholastic Art Awards. Their work will be hung up at Capital Community College as a part of the National Art Program. Teachers are very proud of their students who are in the Scholastic Art Awards, and the Gold Key work will be judged nationally. Some upcoming art events include a Winter Paint Night planned for February 21 and then an Art Extravaganza with performance, art making, and exhibits on display of student work for the Youth Art Month. This will be on March 27th. There will also be a National Art Honors Societies members exhibit at the Wethersfield Public Library, there will be work on display also at CCSU for the statewide art celebration, and a district wide art show in May, but those dates are yet to be confirmed.  By: Kareena Khadar
Have you ever set eight alarms just to snooze all of them in the morning? As much as waking up before sunrise should be illegal, there are a surprising amount of ways to help yourself wake up easily and on time. Here are some tips: Have a Better Sleeping Environment:
Getting the right amount of sleep is very important for your body's health so it just might be a good idea to adjust your sleep schedule to tie in some of these tips and tricks. By: Auna Foster and Melanie Cohen
On February 28 during Period 4, Mrs. Duggins and the Brothers and Sisters United (BSU) are holding a “Hair Show” at Wethersfield High School. This show is one of the many segments being held at the school to celebrate Black History Month. This show is meant to inform the students of Wethersfield High School of the history of black hair in America, and the many different hairstyles that are popular in the African American community. Not only will students be able to see all the unique hair designs, but they will also be informed on different “do’s and don’ts” when it comes to addressing black hair and asking questions about it. According to Time Magazine in 2017, a 17 year old Massachusetts high school student named Jenesis Johnson was told by a school administrator that she could not wear her hair in an afro because it was “extreme and faddish and out of control.” Another occurrence happened within the same year in Kentucky, where a school attempted to ban dreadlocks, cornrows and twists but never succeeded. There are many positive outcomes with this show. Not only will the show address hairstyles but also share the history behind them. This is a great way to bring awareness to students about embracing your natural hair, especially with it being a way to break the stigma many people of color face. Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to come to this event, in hopes of both educating the bright student of WHS, and building a bridge when it comes to culture shock, and diversity.  by: Tanya Messenger
In Super Bowl LIII, the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams will battle it out on CBS Sunday, February 3 at 6:30 pm. I interviewed students and teachers from WHS to see who they will be rooting for in Super Bowl LIII and how they are preparing for it. Marc J. Mirizzi is a WHS staff member who is rooting for the Patriots at his house on Sunday. He is hoping that if Patriots win, Tom Brady will retire. Mirizzi will be “relaxing on the couch with chips and salsa and soda” to watch the football game. Staff member Jacklyn Malizia told me in her interview that she is rooting for the Rams at her house in Wethersfield this weekend. Malizia’s husband and “his friends were Rams fans through thick and thin.” Mr. Malizia’s friends will come over on Sunday and they will have stromboli, chicken wings, and drinks to watch the big game. Stephanie Breglio (class of 2020) is rooting for the Patriots at her friend’s house in Wethersfield. She watches the Super Bowl because it is a tradition, she has been watching it “since she was a little girl.” They will have appetizers and soda. Interviewing senior Maddy Hickey, she was so excited to talk about the Patriots. She will be with her friends at First Church of Christ in Old Wethersfield watching the game and she said, “I’m going to have an emotional breakdown because the Patriots need to win again.” She watches the game because she has been a Pats fan her entire life. Maddy will be watching it on the big TV with all her Pats gear this Sunday. My third interview with a student was Devon Sienna, who will be rooting for the Patriots. He will be watching at home in Wethersfield, CT. He said, “The only reason I watch it is because there will be food.” His dad will be watching it too, Devon probably will watch it on his computer. Most students and WHS staff members will be rooting for the Patriots. If you enjoy playing or watching football, then this weekend on CBS at 6:30 pm get your friends and family to watch the two best teams battling to win. Who do you think will win?  by: Jimmy Luiz, WHS Basketball Guard
We have had a solid run the last few games, but these next are the most important by far, We have 5 games left and we need to win 3 out of the 5 to get into states. If we win all 5, we have a chance at CCCs, but our goal is states. We have Rocky Hill and Newington still to play for the second time this year, We have beaten Rocky Hill before and Newington we have not beat yet. If it comes down to it, Newington is the last game of the regular season. Hopefully we get 3 wins before we play them but if we have 2, that last game we will need everyone at that game, These games are so important, we need everyone talking about it and as many people as possible at those games cheering us on. I remember playing against Windsor this year and when we had the crowd we were able to keep up with them and actually have the lead against them for a really good amount of time. Windsor is considered the best team in the state right now and that crowd helped us stay in that game. What I’m trying to say is that with a big crowd anything is possible and especially against the teams that we are supposed to win against, blowing them out makes a statement and that’s what we need going into these last 5 games.  by: Kenan Mujic and Matthew Zapata
The Journalism Club, led by Bryce Cox and Kayla Platania, is a club that writes for the Eagle Eye, the school paper and meets after school every Monday from 2-2:30 pm in Room 30. Sophomores Platania and Cox, graduating in 2021, created the Journalism Club at the beginning of 2018-2019 school year as they were very interested in writing for the school paper, so they turned to Mr. John Martin, an English Teacher at Wethersfield High School, to help them create and run the club smoothly. Cox describes this club as an opportunity to learn more about Journalism without any academic school work or stress outside of school grounds. It gives students the opportunity to take the class without actually taking the class. Cox also mentioned that this club gives underclassmen and juniors the opportunity to do some sort of journalistic writing without taking the actual class, as Journalism is only offered to the seniors and not underclassmen and juniors. Co-Leader Platania is currently urging students to join the Journalism Club as it gives students a voice and the club gives them an outlet to speak their minds. The club gives students the opportunity to promote events and issues that are currently present in the school. There are currently about eight to ten members of the Journalism Club, and Cox and Platania are always looking to bring in more members to the club to add more depth and stability. Be sure to be on the lookout for flyers posted around the school containing information about the club and who you should contact if you are interested in joining or have any questions. If you are interested in joining the club or have any questions about how it works, please be sure to stop by Room 30 or contact Sophomore Co-Leaders Cox and Platania at coxbryce@wethersfield.me and plataniakayla@wethersfield.me. Cox and Platania look forward to seeing new and motivated faces next Monday, February 4th, 2019 in Room 30 right after school!  by: Dylan Gutierrez, Mike Messina, and Kavi Khadar
Students at Wethersfield High School now have a variety of healthy and tasty foods during lunchtime thanks to surveys and studies done by the school. To decrease rates of childhood obesity, the school has implemented a system on creating a full and nutritious lunch for everyone. The school takes an extra step to promote healthy eating by providing a free milk box and fruit of the students choosing to go with their lunch. This method makes sure students are getting key parts of daily nutrition on their palette. Students can get most of their dairy and fruit needs from these simple snacks. WHS also made a huge effort in getting a good protein source to the lunch room by providing Boars Head meats at the sandwich area. There's a variety of meats, cheeses, and vegetables which knocks out a good part of the pyramid. When it comes to the junk foods, there are some choices in the cafeteria to balance out cravings but, they’re all made with wholesome ingredients. All bread and tortillas on sandwiches and wraps are whole wheat. The pasta and pizza dough are completely wheat, the pasta also usually comes with asparagus, green beans or mixed steamed veggies. Fried foods like the chicken tenders are also made with lean white meat. As far as beverages go, WHS never serves sugary sodas to its students. Instead they’re offered zero calorie carbonated drinks and fruit juices/smoothies that help students get necessary vitamins. Having healthy foods accessible to you at schools is a game changer in student health. I know for my friends and I, we never have time to pack healthy lunches which takes awhile to put together. So it’s definitely nice to be able to rely on healthy foods from the school cafeteria. We believe having healthy choices at lunch is important because our high school is always trying to set a perfect example. So instead of having junk foods with no healthy options, we are trying to set good examples that you could hopefully carry on at home and in the near future. Overall, we wanted to address this topic because we believe it’s not brought up enough. We hope from the following article that you have found ways to increase your health to not only look good but also feel better!  by: Alexis Szymecki and Matt Iallonardo
Students all around the country struggle to keep themselves on track after winter break ends and the new semester starts. Using these five simple tips, however, can make your life a lot easier, allowing a much less stressful half of the year. Get yourself Organized Organization can be one of the most difficult, but most helpful aspects to a successful semester. Having a color coded folder and notebook for each class is a great way to keep your work in safe places so that it doesn’t get lost. Having the colors for each class makes it easy to find what you need while searching your backpack. Time Management Along with organization, time management is an important factor, not only in your teenage life, but throughout life. If you are ever feeling stressed about your work, it is very helpful to take a step back and make a list deciding most important to least important. Using that list create a schedule for your day, and check things off as you go. Knowing you are getting your work completed helps relieve stress. Get Assignments Done Early Keeping track of your assignments using a list can lead to extra time in your day. Use that time to get assignments done early and then reward yourself with a relaxing break. Getting assignments done early not only ensures no late penalties from your teacher, but it also creates a relief knowing you won’t be pressed for time the night before it’s due. Go Outside Outside of school, it’s important to have times with friends allowing yourself a break. The second semester is always hard work, so it’s good to go out and let off steam while having a good time with friends. Being able to get your mind off of your work for a few hours can be very effective, because you can come back, and be ready to go. Get Some Sleep As teens we are overworked and often times don’t allow ourselves the amount of sleep we need. Getting a good night’s rest can help to refuel your body and allow you to start the next day feeling new and ready to take on your tasks. Again, resting your mind allows you to have a fresh look on your assignment when you come back to it. These five tips will help you stay stress free during your second semester. Allow time for yourself, while staying organized and completing assignments early by managing your time. We hope you enjoy your last semester before summer begins.  by: Tea Hima and Kelly Scales
Wethersfield High School Debate Team participants are filled with nervousness and excitement as they prepare for the Osterweis Debate competition at Yale University on April 7, where they will face some of Connecticut's most fierce and challenging teams. The WHS Debate Team has been around for decades and it is currently a member of the Connecticut Great High School Debate, which is sponsored by Civil First. Although the team has a small number of members, the WHS team is well known because they meet regularly in preparation for tournaments and for having sponsored a novice debate tournament in previous years. Teams from around Connecticut participate in debate tournaments monthly and compete for different awards such as¨Best Speaker.” Team awards are based on how high each judge rat them and on how many points they are willing to give based on their presentation. Traditional monthly debates use different debate techniques than the ones at the Osterweis competition. The traditional debate has three rounds, where participants debate the affirmative and negative side of the resolved, as well as a side of their choosing for the third round. The Osterweis Debate has four rounds and is in what is called a parliamentary format, where the two sides debated are the government and opposition. Much like the affirmative side in traditional debates, the government must support the motion, while the opposition opposes it. If you enjoy debating political issues, then join the WHS Debate Team for their tournaments and the Osterweis Debate on April 7. Please contact Mr. Pryor at jpryor@wethersfield.me with any questions or to join the Debate Team.  by: Valentino Fazio
At WHS, I am an ALS Aide which gives me an opportunity to help kids with learning and physical obstacles in their classroom everyday. I really enjoy being an aide because it makes me feel really good to help someone out that needs it. Everyday when I walk through the door and see the smiles on the kids’ faces it puts me into the best mood. ALS aide and WHS senior Maddy Johnson said, “Being an ALS helper is fun but educational at the same time because you’re learning more than you would in other classes. It helps you learn responsibility and patience which are good skills to have in the real world. I love having it in the middle of the day because it breaks up my other academic classes by having somewhere to go that brings positive vibes to the day. Everyone is always smiling and welcoming. They are their own little family within the school and I love being apart of it and it really shaped my senior year and helped me.” Senior Mark Accarpio added, “Being able to help out at the same time while having fun with these kids really brings joy to my day. Taking this class during my senior year has been one of my best decisions as it teaches me responsibilities that could be used throughout a lifetime. There is always positivity spread throughout our school and huge part of it is because of these kids in ALS.” Being an ALS aide for me is fun and teaches me life skills at the same time. I enjoy my time helping out the kids and would recommend everyone to take this class if they get the chance.  by: Grace Detrick
So far this 2018-2019 winter season, WHS hasn't had a snow day and it brings the question, does our senior class even want a snow day knowing it would push back the date of graduation? With a few more cold months approaching, it gives us a chance for some snow days. Some students see snow days as exciting because we get a day off from school to relax and stay in. However, other students would rather be in school during the cold weather and enjoy the day off in the warmer months. Not having a snow day yet this winter season is surprising to most students and faculty since we usually get many days knocked off our summer due to snow days. I used to want snow days and enjoyed the time off in the winter since obviously we don't have any huge breaks like we do in the summer. As a senior this year and having snow days push back the graduation date, I can say I don't feel the same way about snow days anymore. I asked some more WHS seniors their thoughts on the situation and these were their responses. Senior Megan Keleher says, “I think I would rather have a snow day now and push back graduation even though I want to graduate because in the winter you want to have more time off.” Another senior, Maddie Bradbury has a different opinion. She said, “I do not want any snow days because I would rather graduate sooner and have a longer summer.” Senior Kylie Judson said, “I would rather get out of school earlier and not have any snow days.” Senior Maddy Johnson said, “I would not want a snow day at this point because I want to have a longer summer with my friends before we all leave for college next year.” Finally, senior Valentino Fazio said, “I personally don't want any snow days because all it’s going to do is push back graduation. Yes, maybe a day off here and there is nice, but I'd rather get out of school sooner.” After asking five seniors, four of them said they would rather have no snow days and graduate on June 13, which would be pretty early for us. Hopefully the snow will continue to hold off!  by: Amanda DeJesus and Jenna Colon
School ID´s can be a hassle to some people, but there are upsides and we're here to tell you what they are. 1. Safety Reasons Student ID´s allow people to know who attend Wethersfield High School, they allow them to feel safe since there aren't any unknown intruders. If someone isn't wearing an ID it is assumed that they don't attend that certain school, yes this may not always be the case but most of the time it is. Staff and other students should be allowed to question whoever does this. 2. You get to know people You ever want to know who some people are but you´re afraid to ask them because you don´t want to offend them? Wethersfield High School and many other schools help out with this by including the names on the ID´s. In WHS you're also able to see the grade level depending on the color on the ID, green is freshmen, red is sophomores, yellow is juniors, and dark blue is for seniors. 3. You have to get used to them Many careers require people to wear ID´s once you get a job there or visit the building. You can object, but there isn't any point because everyone would be wearing them. An ID will allow access in and out of the building with no problems and WHS became very strict about this, this year. 4. Some students have different opinions Current senior, Kailey Guancha feels that, ¨Student ID´s are unnecessary because many situations that make people want ID´s are because of the students at that school.¨ Although another senior, Morgan Pacheco has totally different views and stated, ¨They keep us safe and their intentions are good, but sometimes they take it too seriously when they don't allow people they know go to the school into the building without an ID or at least temporary one.¨ Whether we like it or not, it is our best interest in safety to wear them. Wear your ID’s today!  by: Sedina Begic and Nyah McCall
Technology has become an important part of our everyday lives. It’s important to keep up with the latest technology as it is always changing. Here are four reasons why a computer class should be taken in high school. Reason #1. Most occupational jobs require basic computer skills. It’s important to know how to at least use Microsoft Word to be able to write down important reports. As technology advances, the expectations of computer knowledge will too. Reason #2. Want to become better at problem solving? Take a computer class! Taking such classes will further your creativity and improve your way of thinking. This will help you out in the long run so that you look at things outside of the box. Reason #3. Communication! Some students don’t know how to write a formal email to a teacher. This is a super important skill to attain. You can’t start an email to your CEO saying “Hey Joe..” It’s just not professional. Knowing how to construct a professional email is very important. Reason #4. It’s fun! Taking a computer class will have you more interested than you think. You will always be engaged in activities that are hands on. It is definitely more fun than writing a bunch of notes on U.S. History. So if you are thinking of expanding your knowledge on technology overall, take a computer class. It will benefit you more than you know.  By: Paige Contenta & Kaitlyn Swoverland
Whether it’s halfway through the year and you’re taking your midterms or it’s simply the end of a unit and your teacher hands out a big test, it’s important to approach it properly and confidently. Many students rush through multiple choice tests and circle whichever answer they first think of, not paying close attention to keywords or phrases within the question and answers. 1. Use the test to take the test. Within the test there are clues that give away answers. The test may have similar questions with the same answers or even have a statement in the question that gives away an answer to a previous question. For example, a question might say “Neurotransmitters are a chemical substance that is released where?” and another question might say “What is a neurotransmitter?” and an option could be that it is a chemical substance that is released at the end of the nerve fiber. By using the test to take test it can help lead you in the right direction and is helpful for reassurance if you are unsure of a certain question. 2. By elimination, you are crossing out answers that are definitely not right to increase your chances of approaching the right answer. By eliminatinating answers that don’t correspond with the question you are narrowing down your choices, and you can use an educated guess to decide which answer you believe works best. If you are given four possible correct answers to a question and you know that two of them are not right, then you can cross those answers off and have a 50 percent chance of approaching the correct answer. 3. Answer the questions you know first. If you are given a five page long test, it can be very overwhelming and stressful. By answering questions that appear to be easy, you are getting that out of the way so you can focus more on the ones you don’t know. If you have a certain time limit to complete the test, you don’t want to spend too much time on any one question, so by answering the questions you know first it allows you to save time for harder parts of the test that requires more time and thought. 4. Check your work. If you have enough time after you finish your test, you should go back through each question and make sure you have the right answer that you think. While taking a test many people may rush through and think of one answer and accidentally fill in the wrong bubble not noticing. It is very important to skim back through your test to make sure you filled in the correct bubble that you intended. 5. Make sure that you get a good enough sleep the night before the test. This is a big part in your performance for the next day. If you get a good night's sleep your memory recall will be much better and you will remember more things that you studied, then if you didn't get a good night sleep. You don't want to be tired during a test and doze off, and circle the wrong answers. Getting a good sleep is a big part in making sure you are prepared and ready for the test. These five tips will apply to and help a lot of highschool students. Every student wants to do well on tests and studying the right way is the biggest part in achieving that goal. Making sure you study is a push in the right direction when approaching a test. By: Caleb Skowronek and Jacob Malicki
Many students tend to forget that teachers have personal lives outside of school. Contrary to popular belief, teachers are often into the same things that the students are into. They watch movies, they play video games, go to the gym, binge on Netflix, and many more relatable things. Teachers are always seen as the ¨bad” guys when it comes to school, because they’re the reason some of us fail or pass. They control whether our parents yell at us or not. In reality, teachers are a lot like us. We interviewed several teachers around Wethersfield High School and asked what they do in their free time. We interviewed Mr. Martin, an English teacher on the first floor in room 30. This is what he had to say when we asked what he does in his free time: ¨I do a lot of reading, I watch T.V., like everybody else. I think I have watched "The Office" like seven times. I'm really into playing and listening to music." He also said, “I'm guilty of playing video games like everyone else.” Martin finished the interview by saying, “Teachers don't get a ton of free time, our time is largely dedicated to you guys as students.” Another teacher we interviewed was Ms. Horvath, a math teacher on the 5th floor. “I like to play volleyball, I like to go to the gym, and I love going on hikes with my dog.” She later added that she coaches the offseason girls Husky volleyball team. Mr. Rioux, the choral director said, “Well I play with my bird, it's a grackle, and I’ll fly him around which is fun. I like trying different restaurants and I like eating out. Movies are great as well.” Lastly, we interviewed Mrs. Kapalczynski, a math teacher in room 504. “One of my favorite things to do is to go hiking, she said. “I also really enjoy board games, and I play in a rec volleyball league.” We later found out Kapalczynski’s favorite board game is called “Ticket to Ride.” At the end of the day, teachers are still kids at heart. They all have relatable hobbies outside of school, between flying around their grackle, binging "The Office", coaching, and playing board games.  Avoid having to park like this, get here five minutes earlier! By: Dimitri Shaposhnikov and Ryan Zwick
Sometimes, students at Wethersfield High School have a tough time getting to school in the morning on time. With traffic at an all time high and full parking, everyone is rushing to get into the school. We have investigated and found that getting to school on time can be quite rough based on several factors. Students in their parent’s cars are waiting to be dropped off near the school in the long traffic line. We have investigated and found that on average, it can take about six minutes just to drive up to the school. We can solve this problem by having everyone wake up at least 5 minutes earlier. There will still be traffic, but if everyone gets on time, then everyone can make it to class. No matter how long traffic takes, driving earlier can solve the problem. While WHS has 185 students registered to park at the school, not all students are registered and still park where they aren't supposed to. Students who arrive to school later are forced to park in a dirt parking lot, another 4 minute walk from the school. To solve this problem, we need to make sure that people who are parking in that parking lot get checked to see if they have their registration, as that would make it more fair. If you would like to get a registration, it is super easy. Go to the office and register, which is completely free. Let's get this straight, everyone knows that the bell sometimes doesn't always ring at 7:40am, but sooner. Sometimes it is possible that the bell rings at 7:38 or even 7:37, which is another reason to try to get to school a bit earlier. Basically, it all comes down to having the students make a change. If the traffic is to be improved, you need the majority of people agreeing to try to solve the problem. Emma Moore  Listen up, this is dire.
Walking. It’s the simplest task, yet people continue to screw it up. I know it sounds funny, that I’m making a big deal over walking in the halls, but it’s way more of an issue than one would think. For the last 3 and ½ years I’ve unfortunately been stuck in the worst school traffic, been behind the slowest students, and have gotten slammed into on numerous occasions. The most frustrating part is that kids don’t seem to realize or understand what they’re doing, why it’s bad, and how their actions affect others. I’m just trying to get to class on time and with only 4 minutes even the smallest thing can make us late. There are a few unofficial rules when it comes to walking in the school. The school is a mess when it comes to walking and I’m here to remind people of those rules. I may only have a semester left, but I want to at least try to make the issue with walking either less of an issue or none at all. Rule 1- Walk on the right side The hallway is like the road and the people are like the cars. We drive on the right and we walk on the right. Everyone who walk in one direction should all be on the same side of the hall therefore, making room for people who are walking in the opposite direction (their right) and preventing collisions. Rule 2- Don’t take up the entire hall with your friends Many friends like to walk in groups all together, but they tend to line up horizontally so they’re can all walk next to each other. Don’t do this. We get it you want to be with your friends, but if you’re all taking up that space, you’re affecting all those behind you and those walking towards you. You make it difficult to pass or break through the line, and then stop to move and make way for others. If you’re one to do this, well you can’t get mad if someone knocks into you because, you and your friends are at fault. Just walk behind each other, you aren’t missing out on anything with your friends. Rule 3- Do not walk at a speed of .0005 mph Please do not walk slow. When you’re barely walking, you’re giving everyone behind you a headache. Everyone is just trying to get to their class and you’re the one who is about to make them all late. We all walk our own speeds, but you need to be aware that there are a stream of people behind you. If you’re going to constantly walk at a slow speed you have to at least make room for people to pass you. Rule 4- Do not stop in the middle of the hall I have to be honest, this one makes no sense. There is no reason for you to come to a dead stop in the middle of the hall. There is no reason to scream and stop to talk to your friends- you can talk to them whenever you want, you can even walk and talk at the same time. When you come to a brief stop everyone behind you has to stop and find someway around you and your friends taking up the entire hall. Rule 5- No one likes hugging the corners For no reason should you be hugging the the corner, especially when you’re walking in the hall during class time. There is no one in the hall, but you decided it’s okay to hug the corner. There’s an entire hall to walk in. The worst is when you’re just walking and turn the corner and someone just ramps into you. Why would you ever do that? Rule 6- Let people merge The hallways mirror roads minus the stop signs and lights. The main staircase is the most congested area I’ve ever been in. People can’t make it to the staircase from lunch, or people decide once the lunch bell rings that you can walk down both sides of the staircase, not leaving any space for people to get up the stairs- if they’re even able to make it to the stairs. You have to squirm your way up the stairs against everyone and direction of traffic. Just let people by, we don’t want to all collide with one another. For the most part, walking is easy and plenty of students can successfully do it, but everyone has their off days. This is just a little guide to help the school run a little smoother. When you’re walking just try to remember these few unofficial rules and I promise you those short 4 minutes between classes will be better. Kelvyn Perez  Mid term week is around the corner and this is the point that stressing out comes in handy. It is ridiculously hard to be studying while you can be on your phone or watching Bird Box like everyone else at the moment.
It takes a lot to get in a tone that allows you to study without any distractions. Here are some simple tips that literally anyone can follow to be successful at getting a good grade on your tests;
At the end of the day, if you do what you need to and stay focused, you will do great on your exams! Best of luck next week! Ajla Ahmetovic  A great way to show our WHS pride and support our school is to purchase some school apparel. Buying apparel like hoodies, sweatpants, beanies, windbreakers and long sleeved shirts is a great way to keep yourself warm during classes and especially the cold winter months.
If interested, see Mrs. Belanger in room 502 to pick up an order form. Cash and checks are accepted. All order forms are due back to Mrs. Belanger by Wednesday, Feb. 13. The proceeds will have a great benefit as they will go towards the Class of 2020!  Hannah Nardella and Alyssa Prosperi Mr. Sand is a US History, International Studies, and Current Issues teacher here at Wethersfield High School. He has been a teacher for 29 years, starting at E.O. Smith for 10 years and now has been here ever since. He went to UCONN and got his Bachelors in Science and Education and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction. He’s been married for 23 years and has two children.
Mr. Sand is one of the few teachers at WHS who does school trips, he’s been doing them since 1995 (a very long time), over the past 24 years he’s gone on eight trips including Belize, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Greece. Usually 30 students and 4-5 chaperones attend a trip together. Out of his many trips Belize and Costa Rica have been his favorites. Next month we have the pleasure of joining him for Belize and we couldn’t be anymore excited. It’s not all sunshine and sand though, as Mr. Sand has had to deal with some hard times, for example when one of his students was terrified to do the sea trek. That’s when you put a helmet on and walk across the ocean floor. He dealt with it by having her best friend go down first to tell her she’d be ok and then Mr. Sand went to the bottom and walked along it with her. When asked why he takes the time, energy, and effort to plan and organize these trips he replied with, “I do everything for the students, my main goal is for them to enjoy their vacation but get an educational piece out of it as well. I love to give students experiences they will never forget.” Like I mentioned, earlier Alyssa and I are both attending the Belize trip coming up next month but Mr. Sand has more than just that planned for the future. He’s planning trips to Australia, New Zealand and Costa Rica as well. Sadly, he has informed us that after 24 years he will be done with the school trips and Costa Rica will be his final one. He has a former student who accompanies him to his Belize trips and has been since she graduated. We asked him what some tips would be for people planning trips for high school aged kids and he said, “Make sure you’re doing it for the kids.” Mr. Sand also left us with a funny story to share. On the way back from Costa Rica a couple of years ago, some students bought hot sauce forgetting about the 3 oz rule for planes. A student was stopped and questioned about the more than 3 oz of liquid in her bag. After some freaking out and a scare that she might not be able to fly home, everything turned out fine and the students were still able to enjoy some hot sauce! If you are interested in attending a future school trip, please go see Mr. Sand and talk to him about it! |
About UsWritten, edited, and produced by Wethersfield High School students, covering all news and events. Archives
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