Monthly Archives: June 2017

Do Cats Really Deserve To Die? 11

Editorial, Science, Stacey School News

Kelsey Bisetti

There is no way to make death okay. That seems to be a generally accepted belief, right? Then, why are we killing millions upon millions of animals each year for classroom experiments and dissections? How can we excuse that as education when there are so many humane options to consider as replacements?

Alright, since you’ll probably just mock any moral argument I make, I’ll start with some facts. Almost nobody remembers what they learned during dissections. I, for example, don’t remember a single idea I learned during the squid dissection I was forced into during sixth grade. More…

Is AR Really Necessary? 6

Editorial, Stacey School News

Screenshot 2017-06-15 at 1.44.20 PM

Oanh Tran

For all reading classes, AR has been a contributing factor to grades, but is it really necessary?  In order to pass a reading class, Accelerated Reader, or AR, is a requirement that needs to be accomplished.  Every Language Arts/Reading teacher sets a minimum point goal for each student depending on their Star Reading score.

Goals over the trimester can lead up to over 150 points per trimester (if in 8th-grade honors) which is tedious to most students and sometimes makes it difficult for students keep up in class.  

“Usually at the end of the trimester, I pay attention to AR making me not pay attention to most assignments due in class. And when I am too busy paying attention to AR my effort is not used for my assignments, and my grade goes down.”, says 7th grade Hailey Penn. More…

#OneLoveManchester 1

Entertainment, Music, World News

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Elaine Tong

Ariana Grande is known to many as a “phenomenal” singer, or as quoted from other people, as “this generation’s best”. Or, perhaps, she is just an ordinary singer with a dream to pursue. On a concert date of this singer, an incident took place on May 22 that lost mothers, brothers, sisters, fathers, and loved ones.

On May 22 towards the end of the show, a suicide bombing was initiated that had 119 injured 22 killed. This action happened around the exit of the arena where many people began to exit. On the night of this day, loved ones received calls, alerts, and messages of what happened. Social media platforms were covered with missing people. This day deeply stirred the hearts of many. More…

Paper and Pencil 10

Editorial, Stacey School News

paper and pencilElaine Tong

With the increasing amount of technology, it not only affects our homes but our school environments.

Technology rules several areas of the world today. Actually, it is safe to say our lives technically (pun?) revolve around it. Let’s face it. We use technology for entertainment, communicating, building, and creating. As if we could not have made it worse, we are now working towards incorporating it within our school education. So how does this harm our school, you ask? More…

The Story Behind The Story 2

Entertainment, Literature

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Kelsey Bisetti

The Outsiders— It’s been deemed the first true young adult novel, it’s the first book to lead to the bestowing of a School Library Journal Author Achievement Award (My goodness, that’s a long title!), and it was actually written based on the upbringing of famed author S.E. Hinton.

Since it recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, let’s get to know a bit more about its background.

Hinton grew up in a small Oklahoman town as someone her book describes as a “greaser.” In fact, the opening scene in which she describes a young boy getting jumped and threatened by Socs was inspired by a similar event taking place at her high school. She says she still feel uncomfortable in many social situations because her hometown was so divided. More…

Ask Sam: Too much Pressure!!! 2

Advice

Dear Sam,

So last year I had a 3.2 GPA. For some reason this year, it is way easier for me to get better grades. I have cumulative GPA of 4.0. My parents were so happy for me, the only problem is that now they are expecting this from me. I got a 4.0 in the first trimester and a 4.0 in the second. Now, this trimester they are obviously expecting me to get a 4.0! Right now I have a 3.7. When I told them, they said, “Get those grades up!” They expect too much from me! I can’t handle all this weight on me!!! What am I supposed to do, I don’t want to disappoint them!

From,

Stressed Pickle

Dear Stressed Pickle,

First off, you need to stay calm. Everything will be alright. Now let’s get to it. It’s understandable that your parents are putting lots of pressure on you. They just want you to do your best. But it’s also understandable that you are just a kid. You shouldn’t be stressed like this. If you really feel like you can’t handle it, it’s best to just talk to your parents. Taking helps way more than you just crumbling under pressure. Tell them how you feel and how a 3.7 is the best you can do. But please remember, your parents just want what’s best for you. If a 3.7 is your best, then that is great. If you know that there is a way for you to get another 4.0, then go for it. Nobody should be over-stressing right now.

-Sam

Three Reasons Why “13 Reasons Why” is Harmful to You 9

Editorial, Health

13 reasons

Mariah Escatel

Are you or someone you love at risk of suicide? Call 1-800-273-TALK for the national suicide prevention lifeline. If you attend Stacey Middle School, please report anyone who is at risk of suicide on the anonymous school hotline.

If you haven’t been living underneath a rock for the past month or two, you know what 13 Reasons Why is. Even if you haven’t read the book or watched the TV series, most people have heard of it.

13 Reasons Why is a book about a girl, named Hannah Baker, who commits suicide. She leaves behind a box of cassette tapes, each side of the tape being a reason why she killed herself.

It has been argued many times if the TV show is appropriate for younger teens. More…

High School Poll 2

Poll

Katelyn Hooker

8th graders are leaving middle school this year to go on to high school next year. They are given a few options for which High School they will attend.

8th graders have the option of going to Marina, Westminster, Huntington, Fountain Valley, or Oak High School. Those are the popular schools around the campus.

Huntington is known for sports and performing arts, but Marina and West are known for their academics. However, Oak is also very well suited school for both academics and sports, and Fountain Valley is best known for music and academics. So 8th graders, which High School will you be attending?

Attention: Talent Show 4

Announcement, Stacey School News

Averi Farren

Attention Cougars! Do you have any hidden talents, or really ANY talents alt all?

Stacey’s end of the year talent show is coming up, June 21st on the last day of school. The talent show auditions were held by Mr. Yohn, Mr. Dandridge, and Mr. Woodruff on Wednesday, June 7th after school in Mr. Yohn’s room.

Although many students take this talent show for granted and think it’s just a fun thing to do on the last day of school, it may be more worth it in the end when you hear what the prize is.

The winner’s prize will be $100, so wish luck to all of the talent show participants and may the best talent win!

We hope to see many Cougars participating, good luck!

Watercolor Art Project Reply

Announcement, Art, Electives

Justin Pham and Evelyn Huynh

Hello, Cougars!

In Mrs. Karsh’s advanced art class, the students started a Georgia O’Keeffe inspired watercolor project! This project should take a couple of weeks. It will be due Friday, June 16th. Students will have to go through various steps in order to complete the whole project.

First, students will review different brush techniques and will also sketch out their design on a piece of A4 paper. Then, after they have finished their design and mastered their techniques, they will lightly draw the same design on a piece of construction paper and start painting their designs! More…