Journalism

Four students who used the internet to buy research papers got suspended for seven day. The school board will meet on Tuesday to determine whether the students can return to normal classes.

“It’s unfortunate these students felt they had to cheat to succeed in this class when all they had to do was to put in the time it takes to create a quality research paper and they would have passed,” principal Susan Aleman said.

These students who bought the research papers were suspended for seven days and were given the opportunity to re-write their research papers and receive a maximum of a 70 as a final grade. They may not make up work for other classes, however they may spend their suspension in the library, re-writing their research papers.

“It is written in the agreement that if they are caught buying one [a research paper] they will be punished…” English department chair Clara Barton said. “All four broke the honor code of the English class by doing this. I think their punishment is equitable for what they did.”

All of the students read and signed the agreement, however they broke the rules of the honor code. Barton thought that the consequences they got equaled out with their choices.  

“I admit,I was one of the people who bought a research paper. It was one of those things, though, that I had to do,” senior William Jefferson said. “I have to work 30 hours a week to help supplement the family’s income since my dad got laid off two months ago.”

Jefferson and the three other students who bought the papers all went to court and they lost the case because of their actions.

“The agreement we sign is like everything else in school. They stick it under our noses, and we sign it without really reading it,” senior Sandy Peoples said.

Every student signed an agreement at the beginning of the year stating the rules that the four students broke. The school board will decide if the students should carry on with their suspension or to return to their normal classes.  

“I guess kids will start reading what they sign from now on.” Peoples said.

Junior Jim Stack wants to grow his hair out for a charity. Principal Tonya King denies his first and second request. The school board will vote Monday at 7p.m. to see if he can.

    “Donating my hair to Locks of Love is very special to me.” Stack said.

Locks of Love is an organization that makes wigs for children battling cancer. He wants to grow his hair out to makeup for what the group did for his little sister. The family was in a bind they could not afford a wig so the group gave her one.

“Had I approved Stack’s request, the school would be in chaos.” Principal Tonya King said.

King did not approve the request because trouble happening throughout the school will be a hassle.

“I can’t bend the rules for one student.” King said.

   The dress code states that there is not allowed to be hair longer than the shirt collar on male students.  King wants to follow the rules and mind the dress code because she does not want to cause any trouble.

    “Rules were made to be broken, and this is a good reason to break one.” said Gilbert Castillo, the student council president.

    Commenting on King’s statement, Castillo  disagreed on her choice to deny his second request.

    “I hope the school board understands. I won’t be hurting anyone when my hair gets longer. I even agreed to tuck it into my shirt so it won’t be so noticeable.” said Stack.

    Stack shows how he really cares and wants to grow his hair out for a good cause. He even suggest ways to better the situation.

    “We will discuss this at the board meeting next week.” school board president, Bill Valdez said.