Image provided by: West Linn High School; West Linn, OR
About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2009)
The inauguration of President Barack Obama reminds Americans of their patriotism. - page 4 Is the grass always greener—how does WLHS compare to Wilsonvillle? - page 6 With a 7-2 season game record, the Girls' Varsity Basketball team has broken into Oregon's top ten! page 10 f- LU S g < H CL LU LU “Urinetown" parodies sustainability and spreads message about saving water—opens Feb. 27. - page 15 • - Official Student Publication of West Linn High School Published Since 1921 >- < CO CO LU O o X I— CL A two week snowstorm strikes in West Linn, student photos feature snow days, - page 16 February 2009 - Volume 97, Issue 4 WLHS takes silver award in nationwide competition S ydney H ongo Staff Reporter West Linn High School received a silver medal award in the second annual edition of "U.S. News'" Best High Schools. The nationwide competition awarded 100 out of 21,069 high schools throughout 48 states a gold medal award and an additional 504 high schools a silver medal. "While test scores are by no means the only measures of a good school, they certainly are an indication that we're doing some things right," Todd Jones, Social Studies teacher, said. The requirements were based on the college readiness index, number of AP tests taken, percentage of students passing AP exams and a participation index. To receive Silver or gold medal, the college readiness index needed Students leave school after sixth period. Student perf omance based on the college readiness index, number of AP tests taken, percentage of students passing AP exams and a participation index resulted in a silver award for WLHS from U.S. News' Best High Schools. Photo by Zack Mueller to be over 20%. WLHS stands at 36.4%. "This national rating does not take into consideration other aspects of high quality schools, such as a school's co-curricular program, but there's no way to evaluate it School hopes to open up opportunities with zero periods m M ax H ays Staff Reporter schedule, students would be able to move ahead with early classes and be able to take these electives. Students who have fallen behind can also take advantage of the zero periods by making up classes before or after school to recover credits. "I would much rather get up early to recover credits than take summer school," Travis lies in staffing and having teachers willing to arrive early or stay late to teach a class. "I used to teach at a school that started at 7:25 and we were out of there by 1:50 so I would be all in for getting here early and helping kids," Steve Schramm, math teacher, said. Another aspect of the proposed schedule would allow students flexibility in when they are able to arrive at school. They could come early and leave after fifth period so they can work or participate in anything With high graduation requirements and no room for error or flexibility in student schedules, West Linn High School administrators are looking into the possibility of adding a zero period before and after school. "Right now we are tip toeing through the process. My goal is to have something established by next year if everything falls in place," Lou Bailey, principal, said. The reasoning behind adding periods to the day according to Bailey, is to open up more flexibility Anthoney Chay and Travis Held, sophomores, discuss schedule e^se that changes with Megan Runyon, Guidance Counselor, during Mini interests them, in student Arena on Jan. 12-13. This time next year, students could be applying or they can schedules so for zero period classes, before or after school. arrive late and they can take Photo by Zack Mueller leave after the more classes proposed schedule would later zero period. in order to get Students also would have the ahead. The students that have basically be a expansion option of taking more than packed schedules filled with on early bird classes, but six periods by taking an early instead of just having a select AP and honors classes don't class or a late class, or both have the opportunity to take few classes like Physical if they decide to and wish to Education, there would be a fun electives. take extra electives. ' "I get here early anyway, so wide variety of classes. "Our goal is to open up as that way I would get to take Cost is where the main many possibilities for students an extra elective and leave problem lies. If the classes are to earn extra credits and take early," Jakob Gardner, junior, not funded by the student as many classes as they can," enrollment fee, how will they d. Bailey said. be paid for? Another problem With this proposed besides looking at the number of students involved in all programs offered after school," Lou Bailey, principal, said. In Oregon, Corbett High School was awarded a gold medal. There were five silver medals awarded in addition to WLHS, to Arts & Communication High School, Lake Oswego Senior High School, Lincoln High School, School of Science & Technology and South Eugene High School. There were 24 bronze medals awarded as well. Bronze medals were awarded to 1,321 high schools across America. "The West Linn Wilsonville School district is blessed with a strong community that supports education and has a very strong culture for academic performance," Bailey said. "Our entire community supports our schools with financial resources to support our students." "We have fun, considerate and motivated students who bring good attitudes and strong work ethics to the classroom," Jones said. West Linn is blessed with great administration, teachers, and parent support, according to Jones. The environment most of West Linn's students have grown up with have high academic standards, and they have been taught that excellent academic performance is the norm since elementary school, according to Bailey. "It’s about program and expectations," Bailey said. "[And this award] shows good work in the community, and it is something to be proud of." Foreign exchange student injured in nightclub shooting J ennifer S itton Staff Reporter A nne-Sophie Ri a 11 a n d , junior, w as injured in a shooting that took place Jan. 24, at an underage nightclub, The Zone. Rial land, a foreign exchange student visiting from France, sustained an upper leg w ound from a bullet and is on crutches. A ccording to her host family, she is doing well. A sophom ore from C lackam as H igh School and a Peruvian foreign exchange student died as a result of the gunfire, w hile another exchange student w as in critical condition. The girl w ho w as killed Saturday night w as a good friend of R ialland ’s. The W LH S counseling offices continue to be open for any students w ho may need to talk to som eone about the events. "The other exchange stud en ts h a v e been f r i gh tened, b u t a re m ainly concerned for her safety. (They) need time Anne-Sophie Rialland, french exchange student, was one of six survivors. Photo by Hannah Zaayer to process their feelings (about the shooting). Everyone is planning on staying for now," M ichelle O lson, counselor, said.
