news2 OCTOBER 2012

calendarOctober – November

Yearbook Picture Day for underclassmen

Report cards distributed

Campaign signs are all over the com-munity to attract voters to cast their bal-lot.

As Hillsborough County School Board elections come to a close in November, the effects of the board become more appar-ent.

The 2012 Hillsborough County elec-tion cycle will end on Nov. 6 and the new school board members will take their po-sitions. The outcome of the race will af-fect students and teachers alike.

“The results of the election will af-fect the school by providing a fresh set of eyes to look at how financial decisions are made,” said social studies department head Danielle DeGregory.

So far, District 7 candidates T. Kem-ple and C. Kurdell are facing a runoff. District 3, Gaither’s district, has elected C.Stuart. The primary elections ended and are waiting for November for the fi-nal decision.

“[It’s] very interesting that Lamb was defeated. Is it a plus or minus that he’s gone? Good question. We won’t know un-til we see how the board reacts. We don’t

School board elections finish in November

know what’s going to happen. Our prima-ry concern is the students. Whatever we do is going to benefit the students,” said social studies teacher Catherine Paunov.

Understandably, everyone looks for different things in a school board mem-ber candidate. But the general principle applies that an elected member should put students and their education before themselves.

“[What I look for in a candidate] is ac-tual knowledge of public education. Not a Politican and not someone who treats it as an elected position,” said DeGregory.

Experience is another important fac-tor.

“Frankly, the idea of a candidate who has, or has had, students in the school system or has experience as an educator shows vested interest. Such as experi-ence with PTSA because it shows their interest,” said Paunov.

Often times people in the community don’t vote in such elections, under the misconception that the school board’s is-sues will not affect them if they are not affiliated with the public school system.

Administration feels that the election is very important.

“Everyone should be involved in any type of election. I turned eighteen my

senior year and I had the opportunity to vote. And it’s a privilege that we have in our country,” said Principal Marie Whel-an.

The school board affects everyone re-gardless of whether or not they are asso-ciated with the school system. It is vital that our community votes in the county elections because tax payers’ money is being allocated towards the school board.

“Our elected officials decide how our tax dollars are spent. Also children are the future, it behooves us to support our future even if you don’t have kids,” said DeGregory.

The outcome of the school board elec-tions could result in some changes to the system. Each candidate advocates for dif-ferent aspects of academics, but the uni-versal purpose of helping students under-lies each of those aspects.

“I would like to see the students’ use of technology used to our advantage...[And assess] how our evaluation system is working, is it making teachers better?” said DeGregory.

It’s not an easy task to be a member of the Hillsborough County School Board and the outcomes are unpredictable.

“We all do this because we have a pas-sion for learners,” said Whelan.

Sahar TakshiCenterspread Editor

A!A!A!

Over the last few years, the school grade has tipped back and forth be-tween an “A” and “B” rated school. knows the requirements and has plans to boost the grade from a “B” to an “A.” In the 2008-2009 school year, the Florida Department of Education rated Gaither as a “B” school, and then jumped back up to an ‘A’ the following year. In the 2010-2011, Gaither dropped back down to a “B” school. Assistant Principal Mat-thew Smith, has high hopes that Gaither will score an “A” this year. “So far the points are in our favor. We hope the remaining points yet to come in are also in our favor,” said Smith. Administration compares other schools in the district. In particular, the school

looks at Freedom, Sickles, and Bloom-ingdale for comparison because the popu-lations are very similar and close enough to measure school success. Many factors are accounted for when deciding if a school meets certain areas of criteria. A critical factor is graduation rates which is now calculated into the grade. The State of Florida is responsible for keeping track of every student and wheth-er each student received a diploma. This can be problematic and time-con-

suming because some students graduate with a diploma at the end of the school year, while some receive a diploma at the end of summer school. Important factors that usually make a school an “A” is how much a student im-proves on test scores, paying close atten-tion to the students that score the lowest. There are penalties for not improving the lowest student by a certain percentage. “This penalty often scored Gaither as a ‘B’ when in reality we were an ‘A’ school,” said Smith. School has plans to try and boost our grade to an “A.” The school is focusing on increasing graduation rate now that ESE and ELL students are accounted for in the school grade. Other plans have been made to work on students developing bet-ter test scores (FCAT, PSAT, SAT, EOC) The most recent grade will be an nounced no later than December of this year.

Gaither crosses fingers in hopes of “A” school

“We are hoping for an A school this year. Our fin-gers are crossed.” – Assistant Principal Matthew Smith

Reports show the school is on the verge of returning to high grades

Emily Charlow Copy Editor

With elections heating up, schools brace themselves for new representation

Illustration by Marc Costello

Sep. 15 – Oct. 15• Hispanic Heritage Month

Saturday, Oct. 6• Sat

Wednesday, Oct. 17• PSAT

Thursday, Oct. 18• Quarter 1 ends• Perfect Attendence Lunch

Friday, Oct. 19• No School

Oct. 29–Nov. 2• Character Education Week

Monday, Nov. 5• Blood Drive

Thursday, Nov. 8• Report cards distributed

Monday, Nov. 12• Veteran’s Day, No School

Tuesday, Nov. 13• Progress Reports Distributed

Thursday, Nov. 15• Great American Teach-In• Conference Night, 4:30-7 p.m.

Nov. 19–23• Thanksgiving Break

Hispanic Heritage Month

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Happy Birthdayto our staff members!

Amber Razzano- Sep.26

Rachelle Mourra- Sep. 26

Camila Acosta - Sep. 30

Sabrina Olivier - Oct. 4

Kevin Sardja - Oct. 12

Jessica Lawless - Oct. 26

Marc Costello - Oct. 26

Emily Charlow - Oct. 29

Taylor Yonke - Nov. 8

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THE PONY EXPRESS news 3South parking lot reassigned to school bus parking

With the elimination of FCAT Science this past school year, stu-dents are questioning the situation regarding their senior exemption policy.

“Seniors cannot exempt midterm exams any longer unless they grad-uate in January,” said guidance de-partment head Myla Uppercue.

Not all students are thrilled about this recent change.

“I don’t really think it is fair since all the other seniors before us got the same privilege,” said senior Alison Harbutte.

This can be an inconvenience for students’ study habits.

“I could have had the opportuni-ty to focus on my other exams and achieve a higher grade on them.” said Harbutte.

According to the Hillsborough County School District student handbook, the exemption policy for second semester stays the same as last year.

Seniors must earn three quality points, with one of those points com-ing from the second grading period, in order to exempt their exams.

Students must also have no more than five absences in a class and a suitable conduct record.

Senior examexemption policy changes for first semester

Story by Julianne Chechanover

School board elections finish in November

As of last year the south lot has been closed due to renovation being done to the school. It was announced that the south lot will not be opening due to superfluous parking spaces in the north lot.

“We do not need it, the north lot has 600 parking spaces which are not all full and haven’t been for a couple years.” said Assistant Principal Henry Strapp.

Although the south parking lot did re-quire the five dollar parking pass some students did use the junior lot when it was available.

“I used to park there every day when I started driving to school. It saved time going to school since I didn’t have to sit

through all the crazy traffic in the morn-ings,” said senior driver Maryann Good-let.

The south lot was convenient for other reasons as well.

“I have swim practice and work some-times after school at the YMCA and was able to get there quickly. But now I have to sit through all the north lot traffic which takes a long time,” said Goodlet.

Not only is the south lot not opening due to unnecessary spaces but also it’s a matter of security.

“When I first started driving to school as a sophomore I was always worried about parking in the south lot since it’s so isolated from the school, I didn’t want anything to happen to my car,” said se-nior driver Rudy Dominguez.

Having all the student drivers park in one area makes it easier for administra-tors to control where the students are and if they are leaving during school.

Now that the south lot is closed there is no other alternative parking for stu-dents. Students who leave for OJT will have the gates open for them which ever period they leave.

For students who come to school late and know will be getting signed out early will have to park in the first two rows closest to Dale Mabry.

Parking passes are available for junior and seniors students for five dollars and must purchase one to park in the north lot.

A fine will be given to students who do not have a decal on their car.

Marc CostelloNews Editor

Due to additional parking availability in the north lot, the south lot will not re-open for student parking

Gaither crosses fingers in hopes of “A” school

Parking in the south lot closed to all students two years ago due to school renovations. Students will now be re-quired to park in the north lot adjacent to the auditorium.

Drake Wikstrom/Pony Express