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Table of Contents - 03
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THE Staff Writers
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Alexa Kravitz
Editor-In-Chief
Feature Editor
Joanna Zhuang
Makayla Manning
Editor-In-Chief
Entertainment Editor
Tyrone Carter Taylor Morrison Amit Dadon Lauren Newman Liam Hutton Max Rosenthal Gillian Marton Dante Sacks
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04 - Best of 2015
Failed Focus Let’s be real; you won’t be going to the gym anyways
T
owards the end of the year, we begin thinking of the positive changes we will strive to achieve heading into the next year. New Year’s resolutions, which have been around since the time that the Babylonians made promises to their gods, can range anywhere from improving health to enhancing social skills. We always begin with good intentions, resolving to accomplish our proposed resolutions. However, the rate at which we actually successfully accomplish our New Year’s resolution is plummeting, as the rate at which we fail our New Year’s resolution increases every year, according to Ray Williams’s article “6 Reasons You Probably Won’t Achieve Your Resolutions” published on the Psychology Today website. So why the high failure rate? According to the article, psychologist Peter Herman has identified that the majority of the people that dream about accomplishing their New Year’s resolution suffer from what he calls “False Hope Syndrome.” Herman proposed that these people set unrealistic goals that they either lose track of or simply conclude that the resolution isn’t worth the effort. There’s another theory that people feel that once they make a resolution, such as eating less or working out more, the result isn’t significant enough to further work on their desired goal. In 2014, many MSD students were able to accomplish their social and academic resolutions, while the majority of students with health resolutions failed. One could speculate that the social resolution category success rate was so high because more effort was applied toward the goal. Additionally, occupational resolutions seemed more obtainable for students than those who stated their New Year’s resolution was to lose 30 pounds. “My 2015 New Year’s resolution was to get a job, and after applying for several places, I eventually found someone to hire me, and the feeling was exciting and shocking,” junior Genevieve Kallwitz said. Although there are many problems in accomplishing a New Year’s resolution, Psychology Today has offered many useful tips on how you could defeat those obstacles. Focusing on one resolution, taking small steps and celebrating your success are just some of the solutions provided. The lack of a significant success rate on New Year’s resolutions should not stop anyone from achieving a realistic goal. With the resources available at anyone’s fingertips today, everyone can find success in accomplishing their resolutions, whether they be health, social or academic-related. Story by Dante Sacks
What were your most memorable moments from 2015? “In 2015, I broke up with my runway model girlfriend of two years, won global film awards from Los Angeles, New York and Romania. I lived in the woods for 80 days taking care of kids. I’ve made a lot of new friends and been to a lot of interesting places, but if I could summarize what I learned, it would be through this quote: ‘enjoy every moment because life is meant to be experienced, not calculated.’”
“This was my first year in high school, and it was pretty scary at first, but I have gotten used to it. It’s a lot of work, but I have learned how to manage my time in order to get it all done.”
Casey Sherman, 9 “This best part of my year was volunteering at Camp Jenny, a week long camp, free of charge, provided for kids who can’t afford sleepaway camp in Georgia. You stay with the kids at all times and form a real bond with them. Leaving is so sad because you know that you probably won’t see them again.”
Samantha Schneid, 11
Failed 65%
Health Resolutions
39% of students attempted
27% of students attempted Failed 23% Succeeded 77%
Succeeded 52%
Academic Resolutions
Results from 300 students surveyed about their 2014 resolutions and success rates
Design by Joanna Zhuang
“Going to Cornell University this past summer for a high school summer program was a highlight of 2015. I made so many close friends from around the country. I’m still close with them now, and I learned so much about what college would be like. I had so much fun there, and I even went cliff jumping. It was an experience I will never forget.
Tatiana Pincever, 12
Failed 48%
34% of students attempted
Julia Sherman, 11
“This year I started getting acceptance letters from colleges. It’s exciting and terrifying at the same time. You’re so excited to move and explore the real world, but you’re afraid of leaving your old friends behind. It’s bittersweet.”
Social Resolutions
Succeeded 35%
Matt Deitsch, 12
John Huang, 12
“I got into Columbia University on a full ride this year. I’m definitelly really excited to go there. I’ve already started preparations. I can’t wait to live in New York and meet the people I’m going to spend the next four years of my life with.”
Best of 2015 - 03
Do You Belieb in Evolution?
A
fter two years of rumors circulating about drug use and countless incidents of unacceptable behavior, many people viewed Justin Bieber as an immature teenager, who lost himself in the world of fame. His obnoxious behavior caused him to loose many supporters from a once sturdy fan-base. However, Bieber used 2015 to get his life back on track. In addition to straightening himself out this past year, Bieber has also proved himself as a true artist by strategically changing the sound of his music. While much of Bieber’s old music maintains a youthful ambiance and falls into the “pop” category, his latest music is EDM-influenced and features many DJ’s such as Major Lazer, DJ Snake and MØ. “I never really listened to Bieber’s music but then he started collaborating with Dj’s and other artists that I was familiar with, so I started listening to his music, and I really like his sound,” freshman Rebecca Schneid said. “This year, he has definitely found his sound and type of music that resonates well with his fans.”
Bieber transforms from child star to global superstar Bieber Fever. From the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2011 to Miami Beach Police Station in 2014, Bieber experiences the trials and tribulations of growing up in the spotlight. (Left) Photo courtesy of Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times/MCTCampus. (Right) Photo courtesy of Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department
Bieber’s ability to successfully transition the character of his music has earned him another new and growing fan-base. “I’ve noticed that Bieber’s music has become really popular,” sophomore Katarina Pincever said. “His music has really evolved and has become more relevant to people of all ages and genders, which has helped him in redeeming himself as an admirable social figure.” By collaborating with other popular artists and creating more mature music than he has in the past, Bieber’s music now appeals to a wider audience as boys and grown men are becoming “beliebers.” “I always felt like Bieber’s music was mostly directed towards girls, but his recent music on his new album Purpose attracts both genders,” junior Ben Fyne said. “I’m now a really big fan of his music and can’t wait to see what he has in store for his audience.” As 2015 progresses and 2016 approaches, Bieber is on track to continue making new, innovative music that appeals to a diverse audience. Story by Gillian Marton
Music Picks 1.
Adele 25 2.
Justin Bieber Purpose 3.
Drake
If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late
4.
J. Cole 2014 Forest Hills Drive 5.
Bryson Tiller TRAPSOUL 10.
8.
9.
Kendrick Lamar To Pimp a Butterfly
Halsey Badlands
6.
7.
Chris Brown Royalty
Miguel Wildheart
The Weeknd
Beauty Behind the Madness
6 - Entertainment
6071 Coral Ridge Dr. Coral Springs, FL 33076
9637 Westview Dr Coral Springs, FL 33076
10641 Wiles Rd, Coral Springs, FL 33076
10374 W. Sample Rd Coral Springs, FL 33065
10288 W. Sample Rd Coral Springs, FL 33065
Artwork by Chloe Anekstein
Moon Thai B-
Tweet Us Is your favorite restaurant missing? Tweet us about it @EagleEyeMSD
Sushi boat from Moon Thai. Photo courtesy of Moon Thai
Design by Lauren Newman
Sitting directly in front of Magnolia Plaza’s Regal movie theater, Moon Thai offers a wide array of both Thai and Japanese food, including hibachi and a sushi bar. While on the slightly expensive side, dishes can cost up to $20-$30, most of the food is worth the price. Their best dish is easily the chicken fried rice. There does not appear to be a bad dish, but the service is average. From it’s appearance to the music, the restaurant has a colorful atmosphere. Review by Amit Dadon
Assorted toppings at Yogurtology. Photo courtesy of Yogurtology
Food Map - 7
Flavor Town Eagle Eye News Staff shares recommendations for local restaurants
Tijuana Flats A Tijuana Flats, a great Mexican restaurant, is located in the Coral Landings III Plaza. They have a wide variety of popular dishes to choose from including chicken quesadillas, burritos and churros, all for a very affordable price. The service is great too. It only takes mere minutes for your food to be made and in your hands. The restaurant The Taco Party pack offered at Tijuana Flats. Photo never seems to be too crowded, and is a courtesy of Tijuana Flats good place to go for a sit down meal. It is definitely recommended that you stop by. Review by Taylor Morrison
Guido’s Pizza B+ Guido’s pizza, a small Italian eatery, has a variety of classic dishes like pizza, chicken parmigiana and spaghetti. The environment and the décor that engulfs the walls of the pizzeria provide a comfortable environment for its customers. This restaurant is a great place for families to spend a nice evening Specialty pizza offered at together and enjoy some quality Italian Guido’s Pizza. Photo courtesy of Guido’s Pizza. cuisine. With reasonable prices, family environment and delicious food, Guido’s Pizza is easily one of the best restaurants in Coral Springs. Review by Max Rosenthal
The Melting Pot A 6204 W. Sample Rd Coral Springs, FL 33067
The Melting Pot gives its customers a unique experience. In this fonduebased restaurant, people get to dip their food in heated pots of cheese, chocolate and broth. The strawberries dipped in chocolate is a dessert that should not be missed. The Melting Variety of sweets to dip in the Pot is good for both a fancy dinner chocolate fountain for dessert and just a relaxing meal with friends. at The Melting Pot. Photo Customers can choose to order courtesy of The Melting Pot alacart or they can order off of one of four-course menus, which ranges from $35-$49. Review by Lauren Newman
Hamachi A
Yogurtology AYogurtology, a new self-serve frozen yogurt shop, is rapidly gaining popularity in the Parkland/Coral Springs area. With its proximity to the school, variety of toppings and unique flavors such as Salted Caramel, Hawaiian Cranberry Hibiscus and Pumpkin Spice, it is no wonder why this franchise is so loved by so many people. Customers pay by the ounce, so you can have your yogurt fix on any budget. Review by Lauren Newman
A smaller and somewhat less popular restaurant in Coral Springs, Hamachi makes up for both with its well-prepared dishes and generally amazing food. While it does have similar menu selections as other Thai restaurants in the area along with dishes priced in the $20 range, the One of Hamachi’s sushi atmosphere is much more personal and ambient, with a mix of upbeat and calming platters. Photo courtesy of Hamachi music, along with attentive and friendly service. Also, the restaurant has a noticeably high quality of food, including their phenomenal pad thai, which is easily a top item on the menu. Review by Amit Dadon
08 - Feature
Working on
Design by Alexa Kravitz and Makayla Manning Photo Illustrations by Liam Hutton
Prohormones - 09
Their PHitness Students share insight into the increasing use of PH supplements
10 - Feature
Getting PHysical
Design by Alexa Kravitz and Makayla Manning
Prohormones - 11
I
n 1996, prohormones became legally available over the counter, and testosterone became user-friendly. These products claimed not only to enhance strength and muscle size, but also to improve body composition, bone density, sexual desire and immunocompetence. However, as sales ascended, so did research and knowledge about the effects that these drugs could cause. Different from steroids, which increase the body’s ability to build muscle and burn fat, and testosterone supplements, which cause the body to increase its own production of testosterone, prohormones, also known as PH, lie somewhere in between. Supplements of PH typically come in the form of a pill. Athletes or bodybuilders who seek rapid effects on their physique, such as a quick increase in muscle and weight might choose to take it. According to the Youth Risk and Behavior Surveillance System, there is an estimated 4.9 percent of males and 2.4 percent of females in the U.S. who have used anabolic steroids at least once in their lives. Junior Justin Meiler takes PH when working out in an effort to acquire the benefits of the supplement. “I have a reason for taking the performanceenhancing drugs, because in the future I want to go pro in body building and hopefully become the next Mr. Olympia one day,” Meiler said. Meiler, as well as many young student athletes, takes PH in the hopes that it will give him the build and muscle that could ultimately lead to a professional career. “I came from being one of the smallest and weakest kids in the gym to becoming one of the biggest and strongest at Douglas,” Meiler said. “I have official sponsors who come up to me in the gym and want me to sign with them when I turn 18. To be able to have those opportunities makes me so happy, which is the most important key to life.” Meiler believes that using PH makes building a better physique at the gym easier and allows him to live a healthier life. “I support the taking of performanceenhancing drugs 100 percent,” Meiler said. “If people don’t like the way that they look, and if they want to make a quick change to their body, it’s more than normal to take the drugs.” On the other hand, Meiler admits that people can get carried away with the supplement and begin to abuse it, ultimately
“
damaging their own bodies. PH is generally milder than steroids, thus resulting in slightly fewer results with slightly lowered risks. PH still leads to enhanced lean muscle and strength, but it also carries most of the same risks as steriods. In particular, medical professionals advise those under the age of 19 to avoid taking PH, as they risk permanently damaging their bodies, including their muscles and cardiovascular system. Senior Cameron Magliozzi holds strong beliefs that PH can only hurt young athletes’ physique and health. As a competitor in bodybuilding competitions, Magliozzi has seen many young athletes use PH and other forms of enhancement drugs when working out. “A lot of guys have taken prohormones for a ‘quick fix’ in order to gain as much muscle mass as they can as quickly as possible,” Magliozzi said. “The difference between an injectable steroid and a prohormone is solely that a prohormone comes in the form of a
qualified bodybuilder, and even uses steroids himself,” Magliozzi said. “When I came to him and asked him if I should take something for my competition, he looked at me like I had three heads. He told me about all of the risks that could involve taking steroids in any form, especially as a teenager, being that I’m still growing, and [that] it could ruin my life.” At a young age, the effects on members of this generation’s bodies can be severe, especially later in life, which makes Magliozzi extremely cautious about PH. “Performance-enhancing drugs are extremely dangerous and stupid, especially when you’re in high school, because the consequences largely outweigh the benefits,” Magliozzi said. Despite the aforementioned risks, prohormones are still incredibly prevalent in gyms and among people devoted to bettering their physique as quickly as possible. As a professional fitness instructor and gym owner, Debbie Didovic understands and is wary of the risks at hand for young athletes wanting to take prohormones. “There are many negative side effects to taking drugs similar to PH, such as asthma, allergic reaction, stomach issues, appetite loss, diarrhea and nausea,” Didovic said. “PH also causes the breakdown of muscle tissues leading to muscle tears. It is highly dangerous for adults and teens alike, as it causes breast enlargement, even in men, heart attacks and death.” Didovic points out that most males are still growing well into their teens or early twenties, so the use of PH at a young age would be damaging to the body at a crucial period in their development. However, she acknowledges the wide spectrum of drugs and supplements that athletes may use to improve their physique. “There is no harm in taking protein shakes of whey as a meal replacement or a supplement before a workout,” Didovic said. “That would be much more beneficial to their bodies than prohormones, which are more controversial. [Prohormones] have many negative side effects and really have not been well studied in athletes under the age of 18, and is therefore not recommended.” The use of PH remains a very controversial topic among teen athletes; however, Didovic and other fitness experts work in pursuit to help young teenagers to meet their physical goal without having to rely on a performance enhancing drug. Story by Alexa Kravitz and Makayla Manning. Photos by Liam Hutton
I have a reason for taking the performanceenhancing drugs, because in the future I want to go pro in body building and hopefully become the next Mr. Olympia one day.
”
pill, and is also much easier to obtain than real steroids, being that you can get them over the counter at a supplement store. Nonetheless, they’re still really dangerous.” Magliozzi points out that PH can ruin a person’s ability to generate their own testosterone in their bodies, give people horrible acne, cause the growth of breast tissue, or ‘gyno’ and increase their risk of stroke, as they build up plaque in their arteries. “Since I’ve competed in a physique and bodybuilding competition, a lot of people believe that I’ve taken some type of prohormone,” Magliozzi said. “After seeing the side effects of taking the drugs in my friends and speaking to my coach about using something for my competition, there was no way that I ever would.” Taking PH can lead to an imbalance of horomones in the body, as our bodies regulate our hormone levels and adding PH supplements can impact the body’s ability to regulate those levels on its own. “My coach that I used for my bodybuilding competition is a nationally
12 - Sports
Staggerd Salaries Broward County coaching salaries vary widely across sports; fan attendance, team size and level of physical contact impacts salaries
F
or the longest time, there have been a major salary disparities between coaches of different sports, causing one to ask, does this merit a foul? According to ESPN, football is the third hardest sport to play, behind boxing and followed closely by basketball. However, one thing that does not follow as closely is the wage that the coaches of these sports receive. According to USA Today, the highest paid head coach of a college football team, Nick Saban from the University of Alabama, is paid $7 million per season. In contrast, the head coach of the University of Alabama’s basketball team signed a contract for about $2.8 million per season. High school sports are a small scale reflection of the disparity among coaching salaries. A significant difference in the wages of Broward County coaches exists between the football coaches and the coaches of lesser known sports, such as water polo. A head coach for a Broward County water polo team makes a mere $1,185, while a Broward County assistant football coach is paid eighty-three percent more than that, at $2,169. “I don’t think it’s unfair, but I don’t know how fair I think it is,” basketball coach Mike Marino said. These wages are negotiated with the district by the Broward Teachers Union, a union which has the mission to “engage and unite members to to improve their professional and personal lives through their collective voice.” According to Damian Huttenhoff, Broward County’s Director of Athletics and Student Activities, the wages they have negotiated have remained the same for the last four years, yet have not gone uncontested. However, the fact that they have not changed is most likely do to the fact that the BTU prioritizes teacher salaries rather than stipends. “It’s a delicate art for the Broward Teachers Union to determine what they will prioritize,” Huttenhoff said. “Although they would like to negotiate better stipends, the number of teachers not receiving stipends outweighs those who receive supplemental pay. Yet, the union has to recognize the added responsibility and time taking after school commitments has on teachers.” According to an Education Professionals Contract Negotiations Update on the BTU website dated Nov. 16, 2015, the union has proposed increasing all supplements by 10 percent, since according to the BTU, they haven’t been raised in over 10 years. The District and the BTU are currently at an impasse in their negotiations. Multiple calls and messages requesting comment from the BTU were not returned. Although there seems to be a disparity between salary and
Whistle While You Work
$3,038
$2,761
stipends, the bigger difference is the pay of coaches depending on the sport. One of the determining factors may be the viewership of each sport. The coach of the football team, which has the greatest attendance of the MSD sports makes more than the coach of a team that brings in less fans, like golf. However, the capabilities to bring in fans differs between sports – just look at national statistics. According to NBC, the biggest football event of the 2015, the Super Bowl, had 114.4 million TV viewers. The biggest golf event of 2015, the PGA Tour, had 14 million viewers for the final round. So, applying this knowledge to local salaries, it makes sense to some that the head coach of a Broward County football team makes $1,853 more than the head coach of golf team. “I think that it is still unfair that coaches get paid differently based on viewership,” junior Rachel Perwien said. “Some sports are more interesting to watch than others.” Another difference is the time that coaches put into the game. Most working people look at salary from an hourly rate. If coaches did the same thing, the difference in the amount that some coaches are paid compared to the seemingly unending hours that they pour into making the team the best it can be, would appall most. “Do I think the pay is equivalent to the time and effort that is put in? Absolutely not,” softball coach Andrea Kowalski-Rospierski said. “I mean, you are talking weekends, evenings, nights. Some coaches are constantly attending clinics, trying to get better at what they do, researching, getting more certifications, and they get paid the same as someone who just shows up.” Despite all of this, the most substantial evidence for the difference in pay wage may be the danger each sport poses. In a 2014 article, Fox News named football the deadliest sport to play. Basketball came in third and baseball forth. This progression of safety is reflected in the salaries of Broward County workers. “The pay each coach gets depending on the sport is universal,” Huttenhoff said. “Not every coach should get the same amount of money. For example, a golf coach may have only ten golfers, and it’s a non-contact sport. An average football coach is in charge of about 70 players, and the sport is prone to much physical contact, such as concussions. The scope of responsibility is greater.” Despite the varying opinion of the pay for each sport differs for each coach, one thing all MSD coaches agreed on is their mutual love of the sport. “Although we should get paid more, we don’t do it for the money,” head baseball coach Todd Fitz-Gerald said. “We do it for the love of the game.” Story by Gillian Morrison and Lily Skopp
$2,604
$2,169*
$2,169* $1,579**
$1,185
Soccer Track Baseball Softball
Golf
Lacrosse Cross Country Waterpolo Tennis Flag Football
Comparison of Broward County coaching salaries
$1,579**
Key: Each = $500
Football Swimming Basketball Wrestling
Design by Lily Skopp and Gillian Morrison
Volleyball
Tweet Us Do you think these salaries are fair? Tweet us about it @EagleEyeMSD
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1216 - News
Blocked As majority of Broward County high schools change to A/B block schedule, MSD locked in unresolved dispute over school schedule vote
A
s of Dec. 15, 2015 educators at 21 of 30 Broward County high schools voted to change their current schedules to a block schedule, which includes fewer classes per day with longer periods, instead of the current “straight 7,” in which students attend seven classes a day for approximately 50 minutes each. The new block schedule would require students to take the same seven classes, as well as a study hall period, and alternate each day, taking four 90-minute classes each day. This “A/B Block” option was negotiated between the Broward County School Board (BCSB) and the Broward Teacher’s Union (BTU) and added as a viable option for the 2014-2015 school year. “From the teachers’ standpoint, they felt that they were just always going at a fast pace,” a director of the district’s Office of School Performance & Accountability Alan Strauss said in a December 2015 Sun-Sentinel article discussing the overwhelming support for the new block schedule. “So we heard that, and just teachers saying they felt beat down, worn down at the end of each day.” Supporters of the “A/B Block” point out that teachers will have nearly double the amount of planning time, students will have essentially half as much work each day, and most importantly, there will be a greater attention to detail in each class. Also, the new schedules were proposed to help alleviate some of the work and extra stress the “Straight 7” adds to teachers’ lives. Some teachers believe that the negative repercussions of the new schedule far outweigh the positives. “I do not think we should change the schedule because some teachers feel overworked,” physics teacher Robert Rosen said. “Our job is to teach and we should focus on that rather than how we feel during the da y.” Opponents suggest that with students missing their class every other day, there will be a lower level of retention of the material. However, teachers who have taught on block point to its successes. According to debate teacher Ryan Cole, who previously
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taught on a very similar block schedule, the benefits of the new schedules outweigh the negatives. At Nova, following the transition, every aspect of academics improved. “The proposed schedule provides us teachers with much needed planning time, which benefits teachers, and in turn benefits students,” Cole said. “Also, all of the pull-outs for school pictures and what not would occur in the study hall class, giving even more time for hands-on instruction.” By contract teachers are permitted to vote to determine their work-day schedule. To acquire a new schedule at school, two votes needed to be held by a representative body of faculty members. The first vote decides whether to explore the idea of a new schedule, and the second vote determines whether to adopt said schedule. Additionally, at least 80 percent of the faculty must participate in the vote. When the original vote took place on Oct. 23, 2015 to decide whether to even discuss a new schedule for the 2016-2017 school year, 56.3 percent of the faculty voted in favor of exploring the option. According to the teachers’ contracts, specifically, Article 16, section K2 and K6 a majority is enough to start the exploration. However, the teachers were told by the district that 56.3 percent was not enough and that they would need a 66 2/3 percent approval from the faculty to vote to explore the new options. In the meantime, the BTU instructed the teachers to continue the exploration process. The schools’ union stewards, five teachers elected by faculty union members in order to represent the faculty at the school, moved to form a Faculty Council. The Faculty Council is comprised of the school’s designated Head BTU steward, five teachers that are union members, and five teachers elected by the faculty at large. On Nov. 23, 2015, teachers Robert Rosen (Science), Jeff Foster (Social Studies), Gus Turner (Social Studies), Ernie Rospierski (Social Studies) and Kim Johnson (Literacy) were elected to the council. Shortly after, faculty members Teresita
Chipi (Science), Lauren Rosen (Clerical), Penny Pagano (ESE), Stacey Lippel (Language Arts) and Brandy Hermosillo (Math) were appointed by Head Steward Gregory Pittman. One of the responsibilities of the council is to recommend an alternative schedule option for the faculty to vote on. The option put forward by the Faculty Coucil is the only option that teachers can vote on. On Dec. 1, 2015, the Faculty Council met for the first time, discussed the schedule options and voted. Three members voted for the “A/B Block.” Three members voted to stay on the current “Straight 7” Schedule. Five members voted for the “Rotator 7” option. The Faculty Council’s vote proposed the “Rotator 7,” despite the fact that the other schools in the county voted on the “A/B Block.” Before the entire faculty could vote on the “Rotator 7” option, the District halted the process, again citing the failure to reach 66 2/3 percent approval in the very first vote on Oct. 23. The BTU responded by filing a class action grievance against the school, on behalf of the entire faculty because they received many complaints from teachers who felt that the entire process was mishandled. There are issues over the limited information the teachers received regarding the new schedules, as the school held no meetings nor did they provide information via email. Additionally, there are questions of corruption, regarding voting procedures. Specific teachers have even filed individual grievances for “the mishandling of the high school voting process and voting irregularities in our school’s faculty council election.” The BTU also contends that the District has misinterpreted the language of the teachers’ contract. The district is currently reviewing the claims of mishandling, but it is unclear when the situation will be resolved and if the process will begin anew, or continue where it left off. It seems that the odds of a block schedule for the 2016-2017 school year are slim to none. Story by Zachary Kaufman
What do you think about high schools going to block schedule? What schedule do you prefer? Tweet us about it @EagleEyeMSD
Design by Zachary Kaufman and Julia Corin
Editoral - 17
Stuck with Straight Seven
Advantages of block schedule far outweigh negatives; offers much needed relief for overwhelmed students
W
ould you rather have seven classes a day or four? Don’t answer that out loud... I can’t actually hear you. Well, as of Dec.11, 21 of the 30 public high schools in Broward County voted to revamp their schedules with a shift into the new, four class block schedule. Everyone except for Marjory Stoneman Douglas. Douglas just had to be that guy. I will outright say that I am easily in favor for a change in schedule. Along with a butchered vote conducted by our lovely school, we as students had virtually zero say in the voting process, despite the fact that we would be impacted significantly by this change as well. Block schedule is a better alternative to our current class structure. We would be taking the same amount of classes, but instead of seven in one day, it would be four on day A and three with a study hall on day B. Granted, each class would be 90 minutes, but so would the study hall. The studying is only lightly implied. But on a serious note, that extra time set aside for studying and regaining a little control in our academics would be tremendously helpful. Even better, the epidemic of sleepdeprived students can be fixed. According to the National Education Association, block schedule provides students with more time to prepare with less information to process over
the course of a school day, increased time for teacher planning and the ability to strengthen the bond between teacher and student. This is real, it is a thing, and yes, it is beautiful, stunning, even. Just ask the 21 other decently normal schools. One of the main criticisms of the block schedule is its negative effect on students’ retention of material which, according to Dr. Steven Kramer from the University of Maryland, is most apparent in math and foreign language classes. Kramer, who studied over 25 years of block scheduling and its relation to student achievement, says that gaps in instruction can make remembering what students have learned difficult. However, his findings still showed the schedule had virtually no long-term negative effects. According to the district, teachers would even get payed much more than what is currently given. This is a change we need to make, and although it is too late for such a change to help me as a junior, since the schedule for the next year is already set, a shift in schedule is definitely needed for Douglas’ future students. Seven classes is just too much for one day, and the daily mass amounts of homework and preparation are not helping. On the dimly-lit side, while other schools have already completed the
voting process, ours is still pending due to a class-action grievance filed by the teachers union on behalf of Douglas teachers against the school itself for mishandling the vote. In other words, there is still hope. We deserve a say in our own schedule just as much as the teachers do, and ignoring our opinion just makes a bad decision even worse. Editorial by Amit Dadon
7 Ways Block Will Improve Your Life 1. More study time 2. Only four classes a day 3. Less homework each day 4. Teachers have more time to grade 5. Strengthens studentteacher relationship 6. More time to review confusing material 7. Disliked classes are not attended every day
18 - Entertainment
Elf on the Shelf. Freshman Adam Berman,as the Elf on the Shelf, bursts into his rendition of “All I Want for Christmas is You.� Photo by Brandon Arboleda
Douglas Night Live! - 19
! e v i L t h g i N Douglas
Douglas Drama presents:
A
s the entire cast danced across the stage to the infectious rhythm of bShap’s “Wallet, Phone, Keys,” deafening cheers and applause cut through the auditorium. It was the perfect end to Douglas Night Live!, a night filled with amused giggles and howling laughter. Inspired by the hit television series, Saturday Night Live!, Douglas Drama’s performance showcased the talent of not only the students of MSD, but also the administration. Principal Ty Thompson opened the night with smoothly-delivered mock morning announcements, complete with witty quips and desperate pleas to follow him on Twitter. Despite his lack of experience as a performer, save for a few cameos in Grease during his time as a teacher at Plantation High and in Ruthless at MSD, the crowd erupted with laughter on more than a few occasions. “Usually, I don’t get too nervous because I talk in front of people all the time, but I’ll tell you I was standing up there right before the curtain opened, and I did kind of get the butterflies, but once the curtain opened, I started talking, and it was back to normal,” Thompson said. “Overall, it was a great night.” However, the night had just begun, and so had the laughs. Using SNL’s format, the drama students demonstrated a penchant for humor in a whirlwind of skits, many inspired by some of the most notable sketches on SNL. “My favorite skit of the night was Elf on the Shelf,” senior Thomas Neira said. “The ending, with the elf belting out ‘all I
want for Christmas… is this job,’ and the other Christmas puns always make me crack up.” The Elf on a Shelf skit was just one of the many hilarious sketches that brought the house down, one of which was the brunch scene. Featuring seniors Kaitlyn Pipitone and Brendan Duff, the hysterical skit involved two middle-aged best friends gossiping over brunch, which ended up developing into a physical brawl over a boy. What the audience may not have realized was that much of the scene was improvised, with only the basic framework of the scene planned. All the other skits, on the other hand, were created by the drama students. “All of the skits were student-written and directed, and I personally thought they were all hilarious,” senior Bridget Foley said. “Everyone is so talented, and the fact that students came up with the idea and brought it to life is really cool.” The production also featured drama teacher Melody Herzfeld, whose hilarious onstage portrayal of a phone-obsessed student had the crowd bursting into uncontrollable laughter. “She’s a great teacher and actress,” senior Thomas Neira said. “She’s the kind of teacher who you can tell is really passionate about her job and genuinely cares for her students, so having her as an addition to our cast was a really fun and great experience.” The night was a roaring success, and will undoubtedly resonate in MSD’s history as one of the most memorable nights of comedy. Story and Design by Joanna Zhuang
Thomas Neira, 12
Dylan Redshaw, 9 Dylan Baierlain, 11
Kelsey Healey, 12
Brendan Duff, 12
Taylor Fish, 11
Bradley Thorton, 12 Photos courtesy of Kayla Goldfarb
20 - Photo Essay
Show Your
Colors
In His Arms. Juniors Luis Acevedo and Maria Cardona perform together in the bachata portion of the show. “I wanted to be a part of the show because I love dancing. But the bonds you make with friends at rehearsals is irreplaceable,” Acevedo said.
Spanish Honors Society holds annual multi-cultural assembly
(1.)
Silouhetted. Seniors Matt Silva and Jholyn Guitierrez dance to merengue, a type of music and dance originating from the Dominican Republic. “I wanted to express myself in another way. I wanted to show people in school how many different cultures are here and how we can express ourselves,” Silva said. All Smiles. Arianna Ortega performs in Samba, a Brazilian dance authentic to African peoples of Brazil.
(2.)
On Display. Senior Lixana Gamboa shows her colors. Gamboa, one of the coordinators of the show, performed in five acts. Break it Down. Junior Alan Alfano performs during his part of the Hip-Hop dance, the opening act of the show.
All Smiles
Silouhetted
Take a Bow. The entire cast of the multi-cultural show lines up to take a bow. The dancers practiced two hours per day, five days a week for three months.
On Display
Break it Down
Take a Bow Photos and Design by Liam Hutton