Issue of February 27, 2004
Vol. 87, Number 8
Click on a story title to view the story
News
Winter Homecoming Dance cancelled
Parking problems leave students frustrated
Got a problem? Peer Assistance can helpOpinions
Are reality shows played out?
Let's have more school activities
Picking up the pieces
Racial Profiling: it could happen to you
Guys should pay for dating costs! DUH!
Guys and gals should share dating costs!
Features
Coming to America (column)
Horoscopes by Madamme Sandie
Problems be gone! Mike the Psyche is in the house
Rate My Teachers.com
Introduction: What it is
Log on and rate 'em!
What about privacy?
What students think
What teachers are saying
Sports
Boys Basketball recap
Boys soccer takes league title
Girls Basketball recap
Girls soccer heads into playoffs
Wrestlers hit the CIF mat
Winter Homecoming Dance cancelled; king and queen crowned at pep assembly
by Victoria Tuey
February 27, 2004Trying to bring the 1980's to the 2000's was this year's winter goal for ASB. Unfortunately, it seems that the big hair era was too far out of reach for their grasp. This year's winter formal was scheduled to be held last Saturday February 21 in our very own Hubbs gym. But due to low participation, a final decision to cancel the dance was made earlier that week. Approximately 19 tickets were sold. After speaking with various students, I discovered that many more people were planning to attend the dance and just putting the purchase of tickets off until Friday.
Even aware of this, ASB did not anticipate enough sales to reinburse the cost of the dance itself. Those who purchased tickets in advance are currently being refunded their money with a smile and apology to go.
Now what is to become of the court? If you were at school on Friday, and where you were supposed to be, you should have witnessed the crowning of King Marcus Cole and his Queen Dana Lugo. (The entire court is shown to the right.) Rumors have it now that the court will be admitted into the 2003-2004 Prom in Anaheim free of charge to enjoy their couples dance and undergo a formal night. More information on the sudden changes will be available at a later date.
Despite the unfortunate cancellation of the Winter annual ball, Homecoming week itself was as lively as any with music filled lunches and spirited cheerleaders creating a prideful environment. Decorations of bright colors and unique outfits helped contribute to mood of Homecoming. Congratulations was also given to the many sports that qualified to finals during their winter season. WIth many student accomplishments leading the way far into a successful future let's not let the circumstances of Colton's winter linger into the Spring. May is coming and hopefully this year's juniors and seniors will make Prom a more memorable experience.
Parking lot problems leave students frustrated, angry
by Sandie Brown
February 27, 2004Have you ever felt that your car wasn't completely safe while it was parked in the student parking lot or any other parking lot at Colton High? Well to those students who stay after school for extra curricular activities such as sports, club events, or tutoring, you have every right to worry about your car that is sitting anywhere on Colton High's campus. Supposedly there are campus supervisors watching the parking lot all day long while we are in school and stay in the parking lot area until a majority of the students are gone, or until about 2:30.
Just recently my car was broken into and my radio was stolen out of it while it was sitting in the student parking lot and while I was at an away soccer game. The campus supervisors are not expected to sit around and watch the parking lot all day, but at least the lights in the parking lot could stay on until it gets dark. When the bus that the team and I were on drove by the parking lot at approximately 7:00 p.m., my car and another player's car were sitting in a dark, unlit student parking lot. Anyone could have done what he or she pleased with either of our cars and no one could have seen what was going on because it was just too dark. According to Plant supervisor J.R. Fisher and Assistant Principal Lynn Sheffield, "The lights in the student parking lot come on at 5:30." If the lights really did come on at 5:30 there would be less of a chance for students' cars to be messed with.
Sheffield also noted, "There is a supervisor assigned to watch the student parking lot all day long. There are also two supervisors that stay at school later, one stays until 4:45 and the other until 5:00, and they spot check the parking lot." Many students may claim that they differ with these facts. There are many times students have to walk around campus looking for a campus supervisor to open up the gate just so they can go home sick because there is not one there when they get there.
Senior Megan Cardoza's car was stolen out of the parking lot directly to the right of the Hubbs Gym while she was at an away soccer game. Only in her situation the team arrived back to the school at approximately 5:30. Her car was stolen out of the parking lot while a basketball game was going on; therefore there were many other cars in the parking lot. She did get her car back; it was found on a side street nearby.
So what can be done? The administration is doing what it can, but if cars are getting stolen and burglarized, it may not be enough. The sad fact is that we all run risks parking on campus, just as we would parking in any other parking lot. It's definitely a good thing that you are required to carry insurance to park in the school lot. It's sad that sometimes you may have to use it.
Got a problem? Peer Assistance to the rescue
by Sarah Hofman
February 27, 2004Got an issue? Here's a tissue, . . .well, not exactly.
When students here at Colton High have a problem or something that they need help resolving they go to the good people of Peer Assistance. Just by looking at the name of the program you can see what their purpose is. They are here to help students resolve conflicts and issues, and to help to understand and deal with diversity through unity. Unity is a great part of the Peer Assistance program; they even hold a big get together of different students in the Hubbs gym called Unity Day. The students that are picked stay in the gym all day and do activities to help them to understand different groups and thoughts that will help them out in the world.
The Peer Assistance goal is to teach students things that they can take out into their everyday life. It is not all fun and games with the Peer Assistance program. They are who is called into help students when a tragedy hits our school. They are even called up to go to other schools to help with their students or just to hold a Unity Day there. For instance Colton's Peer Counselors will be going to Terrace Hills Middle School to hold a Unity Day. There was a Unity Day on February 11.
There will be another Unity Day in March. They will also be giving out free smoothes here at Colton to promote alternatives to drugs and alcohol. The Peer Councilors here at Colton are like a big family that should be viewed as a role model. They have a lot of love for each other and for their peers here at Colton High. So if you have a conflict or you just need someone to talk to about what's going on in your life, the Peer Counselors will be there to lend a helping hand.
Are Reality TV shows played out?
by Samantha Coulter
February 27, 2004It seems every time you turn on the TV you see a reality TV show. There are so many, its hard to keep track of all them. There is the Real World, The Bachelor, Nick and Jessica, Temptation Island, and the most recent one My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiancé.
In my opinion I do not think that reality TV shows are played out, because they are fun to watch and always leave you wondering what is going to happen the next week. For example, The Bachelor: millions of viewers tune into to see which lucky girl he is going to pick. Reality TV shows are so suspenseful, you tune into one episode and you're hooked for the rest of season. The Real World, a show on the MTV 10 Spot, has had 13 successful seasons and a 14th on the way. The first episode all the cast members got really drunk and one girl almost cheated on her boyfriend and threw up all over herself. That got me hooked, they're already acting stupid the first night in the house, let's see how they will act for the rest of the four months.
I decided to ask a few people around school to see how they felt about reality TV shows "I think that reality TV shows are played out," says senior, Krista Hinshaw. " because there are too many and they keep getting faker and faker."
"I like reality TV shows, especially Temptation Island because they get down and dirty!" says senior Kym Plumb.
I don't think that reality TV shows will ever get played out, because they are filled with action, drama, and comedy; they are the total package. Yes, I know there are a lot, and there are a few I wouldn't tune into watch, but in all I like them and they are not played out.
Let's have more school activities!
by Lauren Young
February 27, 2004I have been here for the last two and a half years and as far as I can see we do not have that many school activities. Yes, we have carnivals, pep assemblies, and well . . . that is about it. We don't have that many school activities and even some of the ones that we do have you have to have a 2.0 G.P.A. to participate in and some people do not even try, because the activities are really not that fun. If we made them just a little more fun more people would try to get the grades for them. Then it would make everybody happy. I believe that if we did then half the people that feel they need to fight to keep their selves busy would stay out of trouble. The students do not interact with each other, because they are not made to. They just stick with their own little groups and start fights.
"I think school would be a lot more fun if we were to get just a couple more activites, to get way more people involved with each other,"says Junior Dominique Clifton. We all have to go to school for four years of our lives and it would make it a lot more fun if we had a lot more things to do. Maybe if we all got together to make just little activities to do involving the teachers and students, and I do not mean the baseball games that we have, I mean something else that all the students can participate in without feeling embarrassed to do something in front of their fellow students.
Half of the problems at our school come from the fact that we do not communicate with each other, so when it comes down to doing the few activities that we do have, everyone acts shy around each other. Now I know that this school really does not have that much money and that is their excuse, but that is so not true, because there are lots of things that we can do with out having to spend a whole bunch of money and still have fun. Or they can just say that the reason why we do not have that many school activities is because the students don't want to participate in them. Even if that is the case we should do something about it.
We all have to go here for four years we should try our hardest to make the best of it and having more school activities would make it a lot more fun for the students and the teachers. So yes, I do think that we should have more school activities, because this is my school as well as yours: let's make these four years worth it. "This school belongs to all of us for four years, says junior Amber Melini. "Instead of sitting around and doing nothing we should all try to make this school fun for us, so that we all have good memories to leave with."
Pickin' up the pieces (Column)
by Ashley Ellison
February 27, 2004In high school there are three types of relationships: those who cheat and are happy, those who do not cheat and are miserable at times, and those who are single and cannot keep a relationship, even if their life counted on it, yet they are still happy, but lonely.
I am in the single group.
Though I am not in a relationship, I realize it is probably better that I am not involved with anyone. I have seen myself, my friends, peers and acquaintances go through so much pain, and what is it all for anyway? All people do is end up getting their heart broken (well at least that is what always happens to me.) No person is worth shedding tears for and hardly any relationships last forever, or at least until after they graduate high school. People just want to have fun. They grow apart. Some go off to college and some end up staying at home living with their parents for the rest of their lives.
Many of my friends fall into the category of the group of people in relationships that do not cheat. One of my friends is involved with this horrible guy. She feels she is in love or whatever, but I do not even think she is actually happy, at least I know I would not be if I were with him. She is absolutely beautiful and has a wonderful personality. She could do so much better than him, yet she chooses to stay with him. He treats her like she is a child. All of her friends hate him and all his friends think he is an idiot for allowing this beautiful girl not to be able to find a better guy. Yet they are still there for him. I want my friend to be happy, and if that means being with him then so be it. He has ruined some of her friendships and she is wasting important years of her life with him.
A few people I know always end up cheating. Apparently they love being in a relationship, yet they cannot stand the person they are in a relationship with. Fighting day after day is not any fun. I do not understand why they continue with their relationship. It is not love, or even lust. I know it is nice to have someone for security or whatever, but not if they drive you insane.
RACIAL PROFILING: YOU'RE NEXT
by Kyle McKnight
February 27, 2004Consider Chewbacca, a wookie from Kish; yet he lives on Endor. Now why would an eight-foot tall wookie want to live with little two-foot tall ewoks? It does not make sense, yet it is accepted by the populous just as we accept the fact that we are constantly judged by the color of our skin. Everyone is guilty of judging people; placing them in to a certain profile. It can't be helped; we are a product of society. The media brainwashes us into believing racial stereotypes. That's all bunk, we do things of our own free will and the fact that people are racially profiled because of it is a tragedy.
Here is a scenario: a black male driving on the freeway. Now let's say he just so happens to speed up; lets say 2 miles over the speed limit, when he sees a cop behind him with the lights on. So he travels for a few feet then pulls his car over. Now the cop gets out of his car and he is white (I'm talkin' pure Irish stereotype all around). Now the young cat in his car sees this, so instantly he turns down his, I don't know, 50 cent CD blaring from the stereo. So the cop walks up and they get a dialogue going, the cop (henceforth known as The Man) tells the black youth (henceforth known as the Black Guy) that he is being pulled over for speeding and evading arrest. Now the Black Guy has no idea how The Man got this idea in his reflective white skull that he was speeding let alone evading arrest so he questions The Man. Now at this The Man says into his little radio "Suspect becoming aggressive; backup requested." Now the Black Guy is annoyed as he steps out of the vehicle so he gets a tone in his voice and is hesitant when The Man tries to search him. Now the back up rolls up to see the Black Guy step back from the man so they say into their radios "suspect resisting arrest" and pull out their billy clubs and begin to beat him.
Now this may seem ludicrous but scenarios like this take place everyday except only a few are caught on tape and sold to the media for self gain. So I wonder how come it's only racial profiling when a white guy does it to a black guy? Is it not the same thing if I'm rollin' wid my homies and a black cop pulls me over and hears my, uhhh... Metallica.. playing on the radio and the same scenario as above takes place? Ah, now see, here's where it gets weird: if it's a black cop he's just doing his job, but if it's a white cop and a black guy then it's racial profiling. Either way we look at it it's stupid and pointless. We should stop judging and hating people because of the color of their skin instead we should get to know the person and learn to hate them for who they really are…. But I'm kidding. We need to stop the racism, it's pointless and just causes pointless problems.
Should guys be responsible for all the costs of dating?
Come on, guys, ante up!
Junior, Julia Arenas
February 27, 2004I believe guys should pay for prom. Call me old fashioned but it just feels right that a guy should pay. Some things should change. And for all those independent women who scoff at the notion of guys paying, well, good for you. Feel proud that you can pay for yourself, but traditionally a guy always asks a girl and pays her way. There's a certain spark of specialness that comes with the whole package of a date; which is exactly what it is. A date. On dates, guys pay for the girl; some even expect it. So why is prom so different?
Like any one else, people want to feel special, and even though it's a big extravagance, it's sweet when a guy takes a girl out to the prom and he pays for her ticket. It's kind of like an unspoken rule; like when a the guy pulls out her chair, or holds the door open for her. It's being sweet and courteous at the same time. But what if they are going as just friends, some say? Then each pays his or her own way. What's different? They are each going alone but as friends, so they can, if they want to, hook up with some one else. And on a date, do you leave the person standing there because you found someone else? I hope not. What if things are different, and the girl ask the guy? Well then, o.k. , they should just go half on everything. Call it a double standard, but back then there were so many double standards, and harsh ones at that. And most of them came from men. So now women are setting a couple of their own. This just is just one of probably many more to come.
Now that the ticket is out of the way, who pays for everything else? Split it. Though I am for guys at least paying for the prom ticket, I am opposed to the guy paying for everything. It's wrong. Its bad enough the ticket cost half a paycheck each, but then you factor in the limo and the dress and tux. Each should buy their own clothing, but as for the flowers, the girl should pay for his, and he should pay for hers. There's also a bond there when the flowers are bought for each other, so that way they can pin the flowers together. Not to dump on single people, considering I am one, but it's more fun to share the special night with someone else, especially when it's some one that you love.And though the guys complain, what's money for the one that you really love, unless you're just going with some to have a date, then suck it up. But for the lover birds that see stars, well then a guy should pay. Hey, love hurts. But it's just right, some things just shouldn't change.
Should guys be responsible for all the costs of dating?
Two words: "Dutch Treat"
Junior, James Walker
February 27, 2004Why, in this age of equal opportunity for men and women in the business world, should guys have to pay for everything? Maybe because it's traditional and expected from a guy; but if you think about it, you'd realize that the reason it's traditional and expected is because in the past women didn't have the money, mostly due to a lack of jobs that they were allowed. However, now a woman can go apply for a job and get it with no more difficulty than a man could, exceptions being a professional football player or something of that nature. So why, this taken into account, should women expect men to cover all the costs? If the woman has the money then she should atleast try and help with the money, or if she asks him on the date she should taken the overall responsibility of paying for things.
As for examples to this, take a small date to the movies, but the woman invites the guy. They meet at the the theater, or one picks the other up, and they step up to the ticket booth. Remember that the girl did the inviting here as she orders the tickets and stands there waiting for her date to pay for them. Is this right? She wanted him to come with her but then she stands there and expects him to pamper her like it was the other way around. And that's the way it can be sometimes. It would be an entirely different case if she were a few dollars short of getting tickets and snacks, or if he offered to pay for it, but at the most basic level of hosting, this is impolite. And besides, what happened to women's independance from men?
Now, if it were I, and I had the money or invited her, I would pay, but that's me. Under my own code of ethics it would be inexcusably impolite for me not to at least offer to pay for something, but it is wrong for the girl to just expect it from me. It should not be, under any situation, a given.
So do I think guys should cover all the costs? No, I do not think so and neither should you. Things like guys being required to pay the cost of everything is irrelevant in today's world. You're being duped if you hop on this bandwagon. You're losing money when you could be equal. Girls are throwing away the independance their mothers and/or grandmothers fought for. Don't let outdated tradition like this one govern you and your life. Don't buy in to it because there is no longer a need. If you want to give a gift then do so, but a gift isn't going broke. But then again, if you feel that paying is right, don't discard your ethics.
Coming to America
a German Exchange student’s tales of culture shock
by Justine Boenke
February 27, 2004Hey guys, now the day of love has bee with us.. The Valentines Day. But what is the Valentines Day exactly? Where did it come from? St. Valentine is considered the patron of lovers and especially of those unhappily in love. The feast day became a lovers’ festival in the 14th century, probably as an extension of pagan love festivals and fertility rites celebrated in mid-February. Today it is marked by the exchange of romantic cards (valentines), flowers, and other gifts.
In my German school they have a big party and dating “call lines” on this special day. “Dating call lines” means that you get a heart with a number; if you like someone you go to the dating call line station and leave a message on his heart number. And with a little luck you will find the big love. After the Final exam, we need this day. We in Germany don’t have Final exams, not after 9 weeks. Our Final exam is only for the students who want graduate from High School, kind of like your High School Exit Exam.. And then they are very hard. Not so easy like everybody wishes but we can’t change that. So we’re pretty lucky in Germany. We don’t have lots of Finals every year like in America.
We have also, (after my last article where I apologize that it was so old,) new classes. I got some very good classes. I love my new Biology class. Super Teacher and also very super students. Which make me laugh the most of the time. It is a very good class.
Most of the people who know me asked me about the German music styles. And I must say that we don’t listen so often to German music, our German bands sing most of the time in English and not in German. We also listen to Spanish, Italian, and Grace music. But the most of the time we listen to American bands. The few bands, which sing in German, like Rammstein, are not so popular in Germany. Rammstein sings very stupid songs, but we have also some who sings almost love songs, which are the best German songs in Germany.
Thus I hope you all had a beautiful romantic Valentines Day . And perhaps I would write you the next time over my February 14th. Happy Valentines Day
Horoscopes by Madamme Sandie
by Sandie Brown
February 27, 2004Pisces (Feb. 18- March 19)
Today you may finally be feeling a lot more energetic after a very tiring last few days. And when you are feeling good, everything is fine!
Aries (March 20- April 19)
It’s hard to get people to listen to you at the moment. The people around you may even be slightly annoyed by hearing all your new ideas. You won’t get anywhere if you aren’t a little cleverer about getting your ideas across.
Taurus (April 20- May 19)
You may not have been taking very good care of yourself lately. Don’t overwork yourself, don’t drink too much coffee and try to eat light.
Gemini (May 20- June 20)
You need to relax, to be taken care of, and to close you eyes and dream or fall asleep. Leave those daily tasks behind you. You need peace and quiet. Lie down and empty your mind of all your worries.
Cancer (June 21- July 21)
Don’t hesitate to put a padlock on your refrigerator, and to stay far away from your favorite stores. You need to think about using a bit more self-control as far as eating too much or spending money is concerned, if you want to get back into shape physically and mentally.
Leo (July 22- Aug 22)
The period you are in at the moment is about getting ahead. If you have been dissatisfied with some aspect of your life over the last few months, you can’t wait any longer to do something about it.
Virgo (Aug.23- Sept. 21)
You may feel the sudden urgent need to take a very close look at your financial situation, your wardrobe, what you have in your cupboards, the oil in your car, etc. You need to make a list of things to do in order to fix those things over the next few days.
Libra (Sept. 22- Oct. 22)
Whether you are already in a relationship or trying to make one happen, you are in a mood to seduce your partner with just a touch of sophistication.
Scorpio (Oct. 23- Nov. 21)
It is in your activities with others that you will get the most satisfaction today. Therefore, you should take initiative and propose what you and your friends could do together.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22- Dec. 21)
Today you will be like a good luck charm to your family and friends. It’s up to you to motivate people to get going and have some fun together.
Capricorn (Dec. 22- Jan. 19)
If you are unable to fulfill your more artistic tendencies in the work that you do, today is a good day to make things more well balanced and satisfying for you.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 17)
If you let yourself be dominated by your emotions, the day could be extremely trying on you. Protect yourself from the anxiety inside you by talking things over with a friend or someone else close to you.
Problems be gone!!! “Mike the Psyche” is here
by Shauna Pardo
February 27, 2004I bet half of our readers out there had no clue that we have a real psychologist on our school campus. Really! Mike Gagnon, our school psychologist, at our services. Some are probably asking, what exactly does a school psychologist do? Well a brief definition says that school psychologists tailor their services to the particular needs of each child and each situation. “Mike the Psyche,” as he is also known by, gives support to students with his background of training he has received. He helps students with issues such as anger management, a crisis, violence, suicide, and conflict mediation. “I’m just an additional resource,” Mike the Psyche adds. The reason why most of you haven’t seen him or even heard of him because he assists with the special Ed students a lot. “Just because you’re in RSP doesn’t mean you’re slow, a learning disability may just means you’re not working to your full potential,” Gagnon states. And for this guy’s background, he has been teaching in special Ed and science subjects for 10 years, since he was 18, before becoming a school psychologist. Now he has been a psychologist for 8 years not only at our school but at other school campuses as well.
To be a school psychologist you have to earn your Bachelor’s degree and 3 years study in that particular subject. Psychologists study and test your mental health with background of study and also put in their own point of view. Gagnon is not a clinical psychologist; his specific training in school psychology is limited to mainly school problems and issues. If it would require more attention, there would be more options to other resources.
Now don’t think that when you want help, the first you should run to is Gagnon. First you have to talk to your counselors. They are also specifically trained to help with your problems. “Some people need to recognize, having a school psychologist is another person you can talk to,” Gagnon says. But the cool thing about this guy is… he likes Colton High! Yes, Mike the Psyche thinks Colton High is great. “Colton High School is exciting, I’ve never had a boring day.” It’s nice to know that lots of the authorities on campus actually care about the students. I know it’s hard to believe, but its true.
Another thing that Gagnon has championed here at CHS is his new suicide prevention program. Believe it or not there are student that feel there are no alternatives to suicide--which is completely and utterly not true. You have people and places to go for problems. “Last year, I had a student that actually tried to kill [themselves] on campus with pills,” said Gagnon. You know those are some of the worst experiences you could face but as I asked Gagnon about some of the best he said, “When people are at their worst then seeing them be successful.” So there are other things you could turn to. What would happen when you would go and see your counselor about a problem they keep complete confidentiality, but by the confidentiality rules. Yes, there are rules to the confidential part. In the time when you talk to a counselor they will enforce it until it gets dangerous. When you have severe depression, commit self-mutilation or put danger to other people that would become involved. There are many things you can do for yourself or you peers around you besides just going to your counselors. They can recommend an outside source and you could receive help there. Other than that you can go to the counseling office and pick up a “Teen Aid” card and have many resources to go too. For those of you that feel alone out there, don’t. A school psychologist is merely one of the many things you can do for help, but some of Gagnon’s advice, may be the only advice you need.
RateMyTeachers.com:
Appetizer: What it is, how it works
by Sean Durdle
February 27, 2004Feel like your opinions about school matters and teachers are gong unheard? The website RateMyTeachers.com was created for this sole purpose. The website allows people to write comments on their teachers. The reason for the creation of the site is so that students from middle and high schools have the ability to "rate" their teachers anonymously in order to give other students an inside perspective. Not only is it for the students, but for the teachers themselves. Its idea is for students and teachers to both grow educationally.
According to RateMyTeachers.com, the website has three views and goals on its agenda. The first is to "help facilitate a positive change in the way parents, students and teachers look at the educational system." With this goal they hope to achieve changes in the way teachers conduct themselves, if necessary. The forum is free for all students to log on and be able to give constructive criticism towards their educators. The second idea is to have "a place for students to have their opinions validated." Apparently, student's opinions are going unnoticed. Administrators don't see the teachers in action nearly as much as a student who has to endure them every day in class. The website is designed so that student's comments can finally be heard and recognized. The third idea is to inspire teachers. "By studying their ratings, the teacher can often adjust their methods, helping create that environment of mutual respect."
RateMyTeachers.com was in no way designed to be used as a slanderous tool. All derogatory comments generated by students are screened and expelled. "60% of ratings are favorable," the website declares. Over three million students have logged on and placed their ratings since the website's inception about two years ago. But no matter what the rating may be, they are meant to be helpful and inspiring. "The education system will move forward into the 21st century, integrating the power of technology with the power of teaching to improve the experience and value of our children's education," the site declares. The website's main goal is to be integrated into the educational system in order to give comments for the bettering of both students and teachers alike.
Interestingly, the founders of the website are educators themselves. They feel their website is a good way for them to get some feedback from their students. They feel the anonymity of the comments is helping students speak more freely about stuff they might not want to say first-hand. "Opponents of the website clearly believe that their students are not [smart] enough to form a valid opinion," they say. Every student has his/her opinion and now they are able to express it freely.
Some schools have found this website libelous and offensive. Because of this, many schools and districts around the country have blocked access to this site from their campuses. Included on the website is a section entitled the "Wall of Shame." In this section, all of those schools which have blocked access have been written down. Teachers who find their ratings unfavorable tend to be hurt by it. The website may not be for everybody, but the site has an answer to those who take it too personally. "RateMyTeachers is a useful resource to the teacher who is open and self-assured enough to face the opinions of their students." Despite controversy, the site will most likely stay up for hopes in educational changes.
Soup and Salad: Log on and rate 'em!
by Sean Durdle
February 27, 2004Want to be able to rate your teacher? Once you create an account you can go on RateMyTeachers.com and write the comments you wish for your teacher of choice. First, log on to the website RateMyTeachers.com. Next, scroll down until you see the giant map of the United States. Choose the region in which state your school is in. A screen with two options is given; either put in the first initials of your school or choose which state the school is in. For the second one, you are given a list of all the schools in the state. After finding the school you are looking for, you are taken to a page where a list of the teachers in the school is. If there is a happy face next to the teacher's name, then they have been given a good quality rating. If there is a plain face, then the rating is average quality. Finally, if there is a sad face the teacher has been given a poor quality rating. Also if the face has a pair of sunglasses on them, it means that they have been rated popular as well. These ratings are an average of all the ratings for that specific teacher, unless there has only been a few people to rate them.
To create an account on the website, all you have to do is fill out a few things. There is no charge for any signing up. First you go to create account, and a window will come up. Fill out the required information (e-mail address, gender, name and password) and submit the form. Soon afterward, an e-mail will be sent to you with a web link. Click on the link and you will be taken to the site to validate your account. You will now be allowed to log on as your name and account. Once logged on you will now be able to rate any teacher of your choice. When rating a teacher, you are given three categories to rate in: easiness, helpfulness and clarity. There is also an option for filling out a comment box for the teacher. When people go to look up the teacher, they will be able to see what you have said about the teacher. Although it is somewhat censored by others. All profanity and offensive material are removed by a volunteer student staff.
There is also an option to add teachers to schools. To add a teacher, there is a box with empty spaces in the rating section. It is entitled Add a Teacher. The boxes ask for the name of the teacher and the subject they teach. Once filled out, you submit the text. After the teacher has been added anyone with a membership will be able to rate them. The website is rather easy to navigate. There are links at the top and bottom of each page to help anyone get to certain parts in the site. There is even a help option in case you have trouble finding your way around.
RateMyTeachers.com is a pretty easy site to get around on. If there are questions that you have about something on the site, there a FAQ (frequently asked questions) section on the website. Questions range from difficulty in signing up to getting in contact with those who run the site. There are few to no hassles within the entire site. The only slightly annoying thing is the advertisements on the side of the screen in some pages, which undoubtedly pay for the site. One of its best qualities is it's free, no hassle membership. Nothing on the site is of cost to the user. Not everything can be relayed to you through this article, so sign on to the website and experience it for yourself. See what it's all about
Main course: What about Privacy?
by Kyle Mcknight
February 27, 2004Ratemyteachers.com's privacy policy is not really all that private. I happened upon their little scheme one autumn day and ever since I've been trying to shut them down. See, what they do is they ask for your name, zip code, e-mail address, birth date, and gender. This place has more security than Liza Menelli's cat. Seriously though, I see no reason to join.
It's not like you enjoy the high life when you join, everything just stays the same except now you have to log in. It is an extra-unneeded step, which just preempts the end result; your comments being banned. That's right, it appears they don't even allow any comments unless they give a super happy kudos to the teacher. Even when a teacher is given a negative rating, negative comments are generally nowhere to be found.
So anyways, their privacy policy allows them to install "cookies", not real cookies you Nazis, spy ware. Spy ware that monitors your activities online, then sends the info back to their affiliates and bingo they know what to sell you and how.
The website says they will not send your information to anyone unless your consent is given. In this case at times it may be true; however they go on to state that if needed they will give your info to their sponsors. This contradicts their earlier statement saying they would keep all things private. So can we really trust these people? I guess it's o.k. if you don't care that your personal information is being used for the gain of huge corporations.
They then go on to say that you can configure your browser not to use cookies. This is at best a temporary solution as often cookies are completely integrated into your system without you knowing then hidden among your ordinary everyday files without you knowing<cough>hacker<cough>. Personally not many people care what happens to their information online. However those of you out their paranoid about your information being out on the net, just know that you don't need to register to post.
In reality a site like ratemyteacher.com is just a filter for people oblivious to the truth. Comments on the site are looked over with a fine-toothed comb for anything negative.
I simply made a post containing the words "I am not a duck;" it was taken out, they said it was too vulgar! Still to this day I have no idea why they took it out (what do they have against ducks?) Now this is where security is king; it's like the church lady is going through the posts while her friend Satan tells me to post more; the whole thing is just being over-protective.
Their security toward posts is insane versus when they consider the security of our privacy. Anyway you look at it you're bound to end up with a at least a few cookies whereever you are on the net. So check out the site; it's not like your privacy is a big deal on the Internet. All in all, the entire site is okay for those of us oblivious to the truth.
Check it out if you want to be censored and solicited.
Finishing up your meal: What students think
by Julia Arenas
February 27, 2004I did a survey, asking 10 students campus how they feel about rateyourteacher.com. It was not a good turn out, as all 10 students haven't even heard of this site. When explained what it was, only two students looked interested. Six out of 10 said they don't really care about this website. Along with six others, Geraldine Linares feels that students wouldn't judge fairly about their teachers. According to Linares, "I don't really think students would judge fairly, but it all depends on the teacher." Surprisingly, seven students do believe that this site is a good idea, but when concerning them, they don't really care about it. Ratemyteacher.com, though a good idea, is not overly used by Colton High students.
Dessert: What are teachers saying?
by James Walker
February 27, 2004
I spoke with a number of teachers about the website, Ratemyteacher.com, both pro and con, and got a fairly standard response from many of them when I started: they don't like very much. These teachers seemed to believe that a site like this was only like the number of other vents for the student who wants to let out their rage at a teacher they feel have done wrong to them, or the little brownnosers who hope and pray the teacher will see their post and be uplifted or give them a good grade, though the logic of that would stump most since it's rather hard to recognize someone as being the anonymous person on a random forum somewhere online. The ironic thing is that they're correct, and to their credit most of them have never seen the site nor are they on it, so their opinion is fairly unbiased. One such teacher who had never seen the site, though had heard of it, and disagreed was Jeannie Folta, a mathematics teacher, who said, "Only two kinds of people would go to a thing like that: people who really hate a teacher or who really love a teacher." She went on to a say a little more in elaboration, but her ultimate decision is that "It's not really valid."
But as I went on there were also equal amounts of teachers who agreed with the idea, believing it to be a good idea as long as there was no open harassment of the teachers. These too, had never seen the site and none had ever heard of it. One of these was Kristen Tornero, an English teacher, who said, "The doesn't bother me, but I would like to think I'm approachable and if they do have a concern about my teaching that we could disciss it and resolve it. I think there's always room for improvement and I would welcome students ideas and possibly re-evaluate my teaching." Another similar, but then again very unique opinion, amongst them all was from the English teacher, David Rainey, who said, "I'm all for freedom of speech…" and went on to say, "…but in this case it's not a two-way street. I would like to see a website called "Ratemystudents.com" but as soon as a site like that was made and teachers started calling students blathering idiots and selfish jerks parents would start filing lawsuits and saying 'How could you say that? You should be fired!' "
So the end thesis is that teachers' opinions seem to be split down the middle on the idea of a website where students can vent their feelings or voice their opinions or just complain like immature children. Some teachers like the idea and others think its a truckload of cow dung. And as for the ones who dislike it, they dislike it for either factor, complaining or complimenting, for no other reason than they think it's wrong, goes against their principles and ethics, and those who agree feel that freedom of speech is important and so is the students opinions.
Boys Basketball recap
by Eric Marks
February 27, 2004A rough season comes to the close for boy's basketball. The boy's basketball team closed with a 3-20 record for the season, but the effort they put in was sheer determination. They kept playing through the season, working as hard as they did when they started. "It was a tough season," says Coach Peter Goldkorn. Although the boy's basketball team did have a tough season we can only hope for the best next season when they return. I asked Coach Goldkorn what would he change for the season if there were anything, and he answered, "More wins." That is a reasonable answer to how this season ended.
The last game that the boy's basketball team played was with San Gorgonio. And with this, the basketball team has a lot of practice on their hands to prepare for next season. "I don't think the season went too well for us," added Varsity basketball player Joe Beard.
"I don't know what to say; it wasn't a good time for us," Gerrold Young says.
Boys soccer takes league title; loses in second round of CIF
by Paul Heredia
February 27, 2004The boy's soccer team brought the San Andreas League Title back to Colton for the first time since the 1999 season. They made it to the second round of the CIF playoffs, but fell short, losing to Coachella Valley High on Wednesday by a score of 3-2.
In the SAL league championship game, Colton went up against San G. on Thursday February 12. Going into the game Colton was in first place, and need a tie or a win, to hang on to the number one rank. Colton came out strong, getting an early goal from junior forward Seth Diggs. But with about five minutes left in the game the ball was in Colton's box and San G. snuck one past junior goalie Mike Land, tying the game 1-1. With both teams working hard to get another goal, the game ended in a tie, giving Colton its first title in five years. Finishing the regular season with a 8-2-3 record, Colton went into its first playoff game.
On Friday February 20, Colton went into the first round of the playoffs against West Valley High from Hemet. The game getting started a half-hour late due to weather conditions, was played in rain. It was a tough game for both teams, since the game was literally played on top of water and mud. Taking a 1-0 lead at the end of the first half with a goal by Diggs, Colton came out strong with two more goals taking a 3-0 lead. But, West Valley sneaked two goals past Land. Colton was too strong and kept the lead winning the game 3-2, advancing on to the second round. In the second round Colton played at Coachella Valley in front of a crowd of 300 people. It was a hard fought game going both ways. Falling behind 1-0 at the end of the first half, Colton came out strong with a goal by junior captain Paul Heredia to tie the game 1-1. In the last ten minutes of the game Colton fell behind as Coachella scored. But, Colton came back once again with a goal Diggs to tie it 2-2. With less then 2 minutes left Coachella got a goal on a free kick, to put Colton away and advance to the next round.
Girls Basketball recap
by Eric Marks
February 27, 2004Girls Basketball's season has come to a close like most winter sports. The Girls Basketball team's last game was here at Colton High School on February 13 against San Gorgonio High School. The team went in league with high hopes, put in effort and determination, but still gained no wins in league out of 22 games.
Danie Aguila's thoughts on how this season went were, "It was an exciting season and it brought us closer together." The girl's basketball team didn't have just one captain, but all the girls had an equal opportunity to change for the captain position. "We had good games," says Jessica James, "and we had good practices."
Coach Franklin Marmolejo thinks his girl's basketball team did well and says, "It should have gone better and they had positive attitudes." When I talked to the girl's basketball team and Coach Marmolejo, they all seemed full of energy and I quote myself when I told them this "a fun bunch of people."
Girls soccer loses in CIF playoffs to Sunny Hills, looks back on amazing season
by Shauna Pardo
February 27, 2004Girls soccer has now come to an end. After a long, trailing season they have completed their league. The girls came in third place overall. In league their record was 8-3-2. The girls had a very good year, the only true battles were against Arroyo Valley, Yucaipa, and Cajon. But our girls did fight till the end, in fact they beat the first place team; Cajon, 2-0. Because they did so well during the season they went to playoffs. Unfortunately they weren't as successful as they'd hoped. They played in Fullerton against Sunny Hills and lost 4-1.
"We could have done better," commented Megan Cardoza. "Just some of the girls wanted it and some didn't." The captains, Megan Cardoza, Sandra Brown, and Krista Hinshaw, all believe that they were better this year than last.
"Although we did better this year, I think that we could have taken first place. We were the best team out there, in my opinion anyways." said Brown. They also believe that they had the talent, they just were not mentally focused.
Wrestlers hit the CIF trail, score victories
by Ashley Ellison
February 27, 2004In Corona last Friday, February 20 and Saturday, February 21, our own Robert Precie and Josh Ferrer took home championships at the CIF Central Division wrestling Tournament at Centennial High School. Colton finished in the eighth place in the overall team standings.
Greg Ferrer was defeated in the championship at 135 pounds. Abel Ortega placed fifth at the 103 pounds, giving Colton four qualifiers to the Master's meet today and Saturday. To move on to the State Championships, they must place in the top eight in the Masters meet. Precie was a very surprising winner to some, at 130 pounds, because he entered the tournament at the number seven spot, yet finished at number one. His overall record was 28-4 overall and in league he finished 6-0. "The goal is to qualify for State Championship," said Precie, "and as a senior this is my last shot, there is no 'better luck next time,' this is it and that is something that I have been driving off of. Despite my broken hand and my bad ear, I just know that this is my last year and I am going to go all out, with nothing left."
Then on Wednesday, February 12, Colton took home six championship belts to lead the way in the San Andreas League wrestling finals, held at San Bernardino High School. Adrian Silva helped give our Yellowjackets their advantage with a takedown of Cajon's Manny Clapp, with 10 seconds left in the double overtime of their 142 pound match. Silva has a 15-7 record going into the tournament. Colton won the SAL team championship even though Steven Luna didn't take over as head coach until well into the season. Josh Ferrer won at 154 pounds with an 11-2 decision over Arroyo Valley's Jeremiah Cureton. Ortega at 105 pounds and Chris Garcia at 147 pounds, both won belts with pins. Precie at 132 and Greg Ferrer at 137 also added very impressive victories for Colton. Precie, who won the 40 school Upland Tournament earlier this season, won a 12-0 decision over Cajon's James Palacois, despite wrestling with a broken hand. Greg Ferrer won his medal over Cajon's Nick Avila, in only his fourth match of the season.