| Middleburgh Student Press "The Real Voice of the Students" |
| The |
|
 |
| Tuesday, May 14, 2002 |
| Contact Information If you have questions, comments, corrections, tips, suggestions for stories, or letters to the editor, please contact the Middleburgh Student Press through one of the means below. U.S.Mail- The Middleburgh Student Press Robert Kerley, Editor C/O Mr. Jonathan Bright Middleburgh High School Main Street, P.O. Box 400 Middleburgh, N.Y. 12122 E-Mail- mcsnewsman@yahoo.com Personal Contact- Talk to Robert Kerley |
|
|
|
 |
| Archives |
| Links |
| For weeks past, I've heard teachers squabbling and conversing about the cuts that will be made to school staff and programs funded by the school, if the budget does not pass. The main reason our staff fear cuts at our school is because of statewide cuts across the board. These statewide cuts are accompanied by tax increases. The average budget shortfall to districts in our state will be around 12%. This would be bad enough to cut out school aids, monitors, custodial staff and newer teachers. Some students and teachers in our community participated in a heated debate at the Board of Education meeting held last week, April 23rd, 2002. The board notified the audience of the meeting that program cuts were also expected. One after-school program that is in danger of being terminated is Odyssey of the Mind. This is a creative problem solving program in which a group of 5-8 students of any grade level get together a couple times a week to solve the problem given to them around the month of October. As a student in this community, my opinion is that making cuts of staff will reduce the educational supervision and environment in our school. My music interests could be affected with the possible talk of the cutting of a music teacher. Textbooks and supplies (requisitions) could also be reduced. I feel that the state is to blame for future losses at our school. |
| I have recently learned of a proposed cut of the modified sports program. My opinion on this issue is that to cut the modified sports program is ridiculous. Why would you want to cut a program that represents your school, and in this case through sports on the modified level? There are also more negative views on this issue in my opinion, such as taking away students' chances to be able to play a sport at a lower level to see if they like it and continue with it, or to get more experience for the varsity level. Also, having after-school programs such as sports give students something to do after school. It also gives a sense of school pride. My only question after hearing of this proposed cut of the modified sports program is what's next to be cut, the varsity sports program? |
| Next year Katie Malark and Peter DeBartolo will be studying abroad as Rotary Exchange students. Katie will be going to the country of Sweden while Peter will be living in Spain. On the weekend of May 3-5 both Malark and DeBartolo attended Rotary District 7190's annual conference in Rhode Island. During the conference they roomed with students from those countries which they will be living in, and they learned much about Rotary International and the Youth Exchange Program. District 7190 has been sending students to study in foreign nations through this program for thirty-five years. Students participating in the youth exchange live in the foreign country for one school year and usually live with several host families that help them assimilate into the culture and become familiar with the customs and language. The emphasis of this experience is placed on becoming fluent in a second language and learning how to better appreciate the other peoples of the world through a personal connection. Being an exchange student will be an exciting and educational experience. This year there are nine outgoing American students from Rotary District 7190. These individuals will be going to Bolivia, Brazil, France, Japan, Spain, and Sweden. Every fall the local Rotary Club in Middleburgh takes applications for the Exchange program. Students can go abroad in their junior year, their senior year, or the year directly after they graduate. If this is something that interests you please talk to Middleburgh Rotary President Frank Herodes or the local Youth Exchange Chairperson Vicki Hoerz. |
| Rotary sponsors MCS exchange students |
| FEATURE by Peter DeBartolo |
| Modified sports should not be cut |
| COMMENTARY by Amanda Mercer |
| State cuts affect educational standards |
| COMMENTARY by Evan Durfee |
|
|
 |
 |
| Photo by J. Bright |
| The Rotary emblem |