Steve Harvey Makes a Mistake
Thursday, February 11, 2016
By Lisa Pham ’16
Large crowds of people gather in front of their TVs waiting for the host, Steve Harvey, to announce the winner of Miss Universe 2015. When the crown was finally placed on the head of Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutierrez, the citizens of Colombia all became ecstatic. This would have been Colombia’s second win in a row.
However, all joy came to an end in a matter of seconds when Miss Colombia’ s crown was taken away and given to the actual winner, Miss Philippines, Pia Wurtzbach. Gutierrez was, in fact, only the first runner up. Just like that, this become the most awkward moment in Miss Universe history. Steve Harvey was left to own up to his mistake. He admitted that it was entirely his fault, showing the audience the card, revealing Miss Philippines’s name in fairly small letters. Later that night, he even went to twitter to apologize for his mistake. Meanwhile, Colombians took over various forms of social media to voice their anger. There were posts accusing Miss Philippines for stealing the crown from the true winner, Miss Colombia. Bogotá doorman, Efraín Salinas, spoke to The Associated Press saying that he believed nefarious forces “stole the title”. After winning last year’s Miss Universe we’re a beauty-pageant powerhouse and nobody wants us to win again.”
Ever since this incident, Steve Harvey has been the target of many social media jokes, especially memes. Short videos are emerging all over the web with Harvey’s face photo shopped onto Drake’s Hotline Bling and Justin Bieber’s Sorry music videos. Parodies of the incident are also being posted onto YouTube, racking up millions of views. Miss Philippines, on the other hand, has been very understanding. Although she went through a very embarrassing moment in her life, she is determined to not let it get to her. She is proving that she is happy and okay, posting on her social media sites. She even posted her makeup-free face for the world to see just a day after the incident.
Image Courtesy of USA Today
By Sienna Kwami ‘17
On January 12, 2016, homeroom teachers handed out blue sheets of paper to every student in BLA. These sheets, sent from the superintendent, promised BPS parents and students that the $50 million budget cut would not result in any BPS school closings in the upcoming school year.
It would, however, result in a $500,000 slash to Boston Latin Academy’s budget and almost one million dollars worth of cuts to Boston Latin School.
Many BLA teachers, when asked about budget cuts, blame the system of charter schools for the decrease in budgets. Superintendent Tommy Chang alluded to this in the recent letter to families, “Please note that shifts in school enrollment and programming are also impacting individual school budgets.”
As BPS student enrollment goes down each year and more enroll in charter schools, the budget goes down as well. This is due to the fact that BPS students who attend charter schools are paid for by BPS, but the school district isn't reimbursed for the money lost in paying for charter schools. The cost of reimbursement totals about $18.6 million. That's $18.6 million the state owes the school district.
The cost of total reimbursements along with the decrease of student enrollment, has demolished the BPS budget. Superintendent Tommy Chang, told families in his recent letter that BPS appropriated $13.5 million (which is the largest in BPS history), but many programs will still be cut. One major change to the budget was the decrease of how much money BPS allots each student, “Adjustments were made to the Weighted Student Funding formula that resulted in schools across the system making a total of $10-$12 million in cuts.” With this change, each school’s budget is cut significantly since, on paper, each student doesn't need as much money.
High schools have taken a particularly hard hit as the burden of budget cuts has usually been held by elementary schools. Headmasters and high-school principals offered a 5-page ultimatum to Mayor Marty Walsh and Tommy Chang in protest of the cuts. On January 11th they met with both Walsh and Chang, but no reports of the outcome have surfaced publicly. In his letter, Chang only briefly commented on the meeting saying that “BPS principals and headmasters, along with members of the Central Office, met with Mayor Martin J. Walsh to discuss the impacts of our current fiscal situation.”
The community will be involved in “public budget discussions February 3, and the School Committee is scheduled to vote on the new budget March 23” as stated by Dr. Chang.
Image courtesy of Boston Herald
Because of recent events pertaining to #BlackatBLS, the school has started a platform of discussions regarding issues of race, inequality, and institutionalized racism. The day following MLK Day, everyone was angry about the comments said by some individuals in this school.
Students wondered whether the school would address these issues, or if their feelings would be completely disregarded. These doubts were proven wrong with the announcement of our principal, Mr. Henniger, when he addressed how as a school we would take the steps necessary to talk about the taboo topics and make the school a warm and welcoming place. After hearing this announcement, many students felt touched; we felt that the school finally would change for the better. This opportunity for discussion was the beginning.
The following school week, we had an extended homeroom on Tuesday, January 26. When students heard this, we initially viewed it as a positive thing. This was an opportunity for everyone to talk and hash out their own thoughts about topics that they thought needed to be addressed. But unfortunately, this was not what happened. Instead of an opportunity for discussion, we were given a packet that outlined things that you shouldn’t do on social media. Many of us thought of this as a useless and blatant slap in the face. This time could have been used to bring up issues and educate students about the complicated and uncomfortable issues of race, but instead was a wasted opportunity.
Later, there was another announcement that administration was going to allow optional open discussions after school involving many topics including culture and race. On the surface, this seems like a step forward, but BLA needs more. These discussions might help a little, but these conversations of discomfort will only be talked about between people who believe that there is a problem. Those who believe that nothing is happening and choose to blind themselves from topics like this will just not attend. Those who do attend will be on the same page, and then the school and everyone else will write off this problem as if nothing was wrong, which continues this cycle of ignorance.
Marcus Tullius Cicero said to be ignorant of history is to remain always a child. There is a history behind everything that we say and do. If we want our words and actions to create change, then we must be educated about their history. We cannot drive out ignorance with more ignorance; we can only beat it with our knowledge. This lack of education is continuing the cycle of ignorance which is part of what is tearing our community apart. There should not be a lack of education. If we don’t learn, we cannot teach, and then we cannot facilitate change. Education is first, and it’s not something that can or should be optional. Education should never be optional. Education is key.
By: Britney Firmin ‘16 and DT Staff
In response to the #BlackatBLS movement on social media a number of BLA students made some disturbing racist comments. These racist and inappropriate comments ignited a new movement, #BlackatBLA. Then, clash ensued.
In response to the various concerns raised about the racial culture at BLA, Mr. Henninger has called a series of after school roundtable discussions for students to voice their concerns. These discussions include topics such as distributive justice and other activities sponsored by members of the BLA community. With suggested grade levels and a wealth of perspectives within the BLA community, these meetings are centered around the role that race plays at BLA.
On Martin Luther King Day, members of a BLS student organization called Black Leaders Advocating for Change and Knowledge, launched a social media campaign also known as #BlackatBLS, with the mission of spreading awareness on the racial inequalities that are present within the school community.
A Youtube video was posted where two representatives of B.L.A.C.K commented on how many of the racial issues, such as the use of offensive racial slurs, are often overlooked and not acknowledged by the school. Key leaders of this movement sought to address and confront these prime racial issues by empowering peers to partake in the discussion. this campaign was not limited to circumstances existing within BLS alone, but was open to allies and people of color who believe that there is a clear problem with race relations within their own communities across Boston Public Schools.
The most recent commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on January 18th, 2016 holds true in honoring his legacy as a prominent civil rights activist who strove to eradicate the social injustices that racially stigmatized African Americans on a daily basis. The Civil Rights era has historically revealed the racial inequalities that have existed in American society, and as progress was made during this time period, the notion of more work to be done and more progress to be made is an ideal that has manifested itself throughout later generations.
However, when it comes to discussing and acknowledging race relations as we know them in America today, much tension arises especially as individuals strive to carry on a legacy that can serve as the foundation for a more racially cooperative and aware society.
As this campaign gained momentum in the BLS community, students at BLA also took to social media to express their opinions and shed light on the many racial inequities that they find harmful to a more racially conscious and aware society. The #BlackatBLS social media campaign evidently inspired the #BlackatBLA movement as well. This trending hashtag was equipped with personal experiences in regards to the racial injustices that African Americans are facing within the school community and beyond. Many students took to Twitter and Instagram to express their views in support of this movement, while also identifying the many stereotypical and negative perceptions that are often associated with the African American community as a whole. At the same time, there was evident criticism of this campaign on social media from those who believe that these terse race relations are not present in our school communities. Though some critics believed that this social media campaign was unnecessary, the differing viewpoints address the significant and complex issue of institutional racism as we know it in America. It can no longer be merely simplified as the segregational divide between blacks and whites. There are many layers to this discussion that have resulted in differing viewpoints over how exactly it can be seen and manifested amongst our peers and mentors.
In response to the #BlackatBLS movement on social media a number of BLA students made some disturbing racist comments. These racist and inappropriate comments ignited a new movement, #BlackatBLA. Then, clash ensued.
In response to the various concerns raised about the racial culture at BLA, Mr. Henninger has called a series of after school roundtable discussions for students to voice their concerns. These discussions include topics such as distributive justice and other activities sponsored by members of the BLA community. With suggested grade levels and a wealth of perspectives within the BLA community, these meetings are centered around the role that race plays at BLA.
On Martin Luther King Day, members of a BLS student organization called Black Leaders Advocating for Change and Knowledge, launched a social media campaign also known as #BlackatBLS, with the mission of spreading awareness on the racial inequalities that are present within the school community.
A Youtube video was posted where two representatives of B.L.A.C.K commented on how many of the racial issues, such as the use of offensive racial slurs, are often overlooked and not acknowledged by the school. Key leaders of this movement sought to address and confront these prime racial issues by empowering peers to partake in the discussion. this campaign was not limited to circumstances existing within BLS alone, but was open to allies and people of color who believe that there is a clear problem with race relations within their own communities across Boston Public Schools.
The most recent commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on January 18th, 2016 holds true in honoring his legacy as a prominent civil rights activist who strove to eradicate the social injustices that racially stigmatized African Americans on a daily basis. The Civil Rights era has historically revealed the racial inequalities that have existed in American society, and as progress was made during this time period, the notion of more work to be done and more progress to be made is an ideal that has manifested itself throughout later generations.
However, when it comes to discussing and acknowledging race relations as we know them in America today, much tension arises especially as individuals strive to carry on a legacy that can serve as the foundation for a more racially cooperative and aware society.
As this campaign gained momentum in the BLS community, students at BLA also took to social media to express their opinions and shed light on the many racial inequities that they find harmful to a more racially conscious and aware society. The #BlackatBLS social media campaign evidently inspired the #BlackatBLA movement as well. This trending hashtag was equipped with personal experiences in regards to the racial injustices that African Americans are facing within the school community and beyond. Many students took to Twitter and Instagram to express their views in support of this movement, while also identifying the many stereotypical and negative perceptions that are often associated with the African American community as a whole. At the same time, there was evident criticism of this campaign on social media from those who believe that these terse race relations are not present in our school communities. Though some critics believed that this social media campaign was unnecessary, the differing viewpoints address the significant and complex issue of institutional racism as we know it in America. It can no longer be merely simplified as the segregational divide between blacks and whites. There are many layers to this discussion that have resulted in differing viewpoints over how exactly it can be seen and manifested amongst our peers and mentors.
BPS Budget is Slashed by $50 Million
Monday, February 1, 2016
By Sienna Kwami ‘17
 |
| Chart shows the budget cuts |
It would, however, result in a $500,000 slash to Boston Latin Academy’s budget and almost one million dollars worth of cuts to Boston Latin School.
Many BLA teachers, when asked about budget cuts, blame the system of charter schools for the decrease in budgets. Superintendent Tommy Chang alluded to this in the recent letter to families, “Please note that shifts in school enrollment and programming are also impacting individual school budgets.”
As BPS student enrollment goes down each year and more enroll in charter schools, the budget goes down as well. This is due to the fact that BPS students who attend charter schools are paid for by BPS, but the school district isn't reimbursed for the money lost in paying for charter schools. The cost of reimbursement totals about $18.6 million. That's $18.6 million the state owes the school district.
The cost of total reimbursements along with the decrease of student enrollment, has demolished the BPS budget. Superintendent Tommy Chang, told families in his recent letter that BPS appropriated $13.5 million (which is the largest in BPS history), but many programs will still be cut. One major change to the budget was the decrease of how much money BPS allots each student, “Adjustments were made to the Weighted Student Funding formula that resulted in schools across the system making a total of $10-$12 million in cuts.” With this change, each school’s budget is cut significantly since, on paper, each student doesn't need as much money.
High schools have taken a particularly hard hit as the burden of budget cuts has usually been held by elementary schools. Headmasters and high-school principals offered a 5-page ultimatum to Mayor Marty Walsh and Tommy Chang in protest of the cuts. On January 11th they met with both Walsh and Chang, but no reports of the outcome have surfaced publicly. In his letter, Chang only briefly commented on the meeting saying that “BPS principals and headmasters, along with members of the Central Office, met with Mayor Martin J. Walsh to discuss the impacts of our current fiscal situation.”
The community will be involved in “public budget discussions February 3, and the School Committee is scheduled to vote on the new budget March 23” as stated by Dr. Chang.
By Chelsey Skeete ’16
As America calls for improvements in homeland security, gun control, healthcare, and the economy, the 2016 Presidential race gets tighter. BLA students are demonstrating their interests in the presidential election, especially since many seniors will be 18 years old and eligible to vote.
Tales staff surveyed 50 BLA students about who they would like to be president. About 62% of the surveyed BLA students said that they would love to see Bernie Sanders as their next U.S. President.
Sanders can be described as a democratic socialist who believes in defending the middle and lower class citizens of America. Sanders promises to expand social security and healthcare, reduce college student debt, and create more job programs for youth.
Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton is currently beating Sanders in Iowa by a three point lead. Approximately, 35% of surveyed BLA students would like to see Clinton as the next U.S. President. Clinton recently attacked Sanders over gun control claiming that Sanders made a senate vote granting gun manufacturers immunity from prosecution when a gun is used in a crime.
Still, the BLA community seems to be in strong support of Sanders. Zahraa Chouman ’16 states, “My top candidate would be Sanders because he’s fighting for equal rights and equal opportunity for everyone in America. He is looking for effective and efficient alternatives for changing America by creating an effective system for putting illegal immigrants on a pathway to citizenship rather than deporting all 11.6 million of them.”
Chouman believes Sanders has a more effective plan on foreign policy than Donald Trump and will do more for the middle class.
To say the least, Trump is not a favorable candidate here at Latin Academy. Only 3% of surveyed BLA students (just one student) said they want Trump to be the next President.
Speaking against Trump, Aidan Gillis ‘21 stated, “Clinton has the most experience whereas Trump has none.” Christina Clauson ’16 stated, “As long as Trump doesn’t win, everything is cool.”
Aisosa Omere ‘17 emphasized during the survey, “I feel that Clinton’s opinions demonstrate a good leader. Compared to Donald Trump she is more likeable.”
Despite these early polls, it is still uncertain how the tables will turn later this year when people actually in the presidential primaries and general election. The results may dramatically change as more people pay
attention to the race in preparation for voting day.
As America calls for improvements in homeland security, gun control, healthcare, and the economy, the 2016 Presidential race gets tighter. BLA students are demonstrating their interests in the presidential election, especially since many seniors will be 18 years old and eligible to vote.
Tales staff surveyed 50 BLA students about who they would like to be president. About 62% of the surveyed BLA students said that they would love to see Bernie Sanders as their next U.S. President.
Sanders can be described as a democratic socialist who believes in defending the middle and lower class citizens of America. Sanders promises to expand social security and healthcare, reduce college student debt, and create more job programs for youth.
Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton is currently beating Sanders in Iowa by a three point lead. Approximately, 35% of surveyed BLA students would like to see Clinton as the next U.S. President. Clinton recently attacked Sanders over gun control claiming that Sanders made a senate vote granting gun manufacturers immunity from prosecution when a gun is used in a crime.
Still, the BLA community seems to be in strong support of Sanders. Zahraa Chouman ’16 states, “My top candidate would be Sanders because he’s fighting for equal rights and equal opportunity for everyone in America. He is looking for effective and efficient alternatives for changing America by creating an effective system for putting illegal immigrants on a pathway to citizenship rather than deporting all 11.6 million of them.”
Chouman believes Sanders has a more effective plan on foreign policy than Donald Trump and will do more for the middle class.
To say the least, Trump is not a favorable candidate here at Latin Academy. Only 3% of surveyed BLA students (just one student) said they want Trump to be the next President.
Speaking against Trump, Aidan Gillis ‘21 stated, “Clinton has the most experience whereas Trump has none.” Christina Clauson ’16 stated, “As long as Trump doesn’t win, everything is cool.”
Aisosa Omere ‘17 emphasized during the survey, “I feel that Clinton’s opinions demonstrate a good leader. Compared to Donald Trump she is more likeable.”
By Dimitrios Moshovitis ‘16
When students returned to school after winter break, a new pass policy was implemented. Students who want to leave the classroom, for reasons such as going to their locker or to the bathroom, have to take the red and yellow pass that includes the teacher's name and room number written on it.
The goal of the pass is to decrease the number of students in the hallway, so that more students remain in class. But is this new policy effective?
Many students were immediately upset about the new policy, and even questioned its effectiveness. When asked what she thinks about the new system, Mariel Rojas ‘16 says, “I think it's less efficient than the past system we had before because it's unrealistic to only expect one student to leave the classroom at a given time. Also, some people are not treating it very well, and it's kind of gross at times.”
The pass system resembles the pass system that some students used back in elementary school, so it is natural for older students to get upset when they like they are treated like they are grade schoolers.
Also, when students bring the pass to the bathroom, a very unsanitary place, it can be exposed to different kinds of bacteria. Since the pass is shared among many students throughout the day, it's bound to become dirty and gross. Sharing it will only lead to the spread of bacteria.
When commenting about bringing the pass to the bathroom, Hodman Abshir ‘16 says “I think it’s very unsanitary. Some people don’t wash their hands. Also, teachers don’t wash the passes at the end of the day, so the passes are just collecting more and more germs.
Ashley Lewis ‘16 says “It's nasty. It harbors bacteria, and it’s an unnecessary way of monitoring hallway traffic. Sharing a pass that travels in and out of a bathroom grosses the majority of the students out.
Using the blue books as passes for all purposes seems to be the most favored option by students. Still, the idea of the pass system is justified. It is obvious and reasonable that the school would want students to remain in class and learn, instead of having multiple students out in the hallway. However, the actual implementation of the pass system has flaws. It is unsanitary and ineffective.
Perhaps the school should have created another way that limits the number of students in the hallway, without using a physical pass. If students use the bathroom pass, they really should use hand sanitizer afterwards.Or wash their hands.
 |
| Ms. Roche's bathroom pass. |
The goal of the pass is to decrease the number of students in the hallway, so that more students remain in class. But is this new policy effective?
Many students were immediately upset about the new policy, and even questioned its effectiveness. When asked what she thinks about the new system, Mariel Rojas ‘16 says, “I think it's less efficient than the past system we had before because it's unrealistic to only expect one student to leave the classroom at a given time. Also, some people are not treating it very well, and it's kind of gross at times.”
The pass system resembles the pass system that some students used back in elementary school, so it is natural for older students to get upset when they like they are treated like they are grade schoolers.
Also, when students bring the pass to the bathroom, a very unsanitary place, it can be exposed to different kinds of bacteria. Since the pass is shared among many students throughout the day, it's bound to become dirty and gross. Sharing it will only lead to the spread of bacteria.
When commenting about bringing the pass to the bathroom, Hodman Abshir ‘16 says “I think it’s very unsanitary. Some people don’t wash their hands. Also, teachers don’t wash the passes at the end of the day, so the passes are just collecting more and more germs.
Ashley Lewis ‘16 says “It's nasty. It harbors bacteria, and it’s an unnecessary way of monitoring hallway traffic. Sharing a pass that travels in and out of a bathroom grosses the majority of the students out.
Using the blue books as passes for all purposes seems to be the most favored option by students. Still, the idea of the pass system is justified. It is obvious and reasonable that the school would want students to remain in class and learn, instead of having multiple students out in the hallway. However, the actual implementation of the pass system has flaws. It is unsanitary and ineffective.
Perhaps the school should have created another way that limits the number of students in the hallway, without using a physical pass. If students use the bathroom pass, they really should use hand sanitizer afterwards.Or wash their hands.
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