Trash cap vote reversal was a bad decision »
This week, in an unusual decision, the Walpole Board of Selectmen decided to rescind a previous vote to forbid Walpole homeowners from throwing away more than two 30-gallon trash bags per week. The limit was intended to save the town between $41,000 and $137,000 per year, money that could be theoretically used to reduce the [...]
Flawed teacher layoff system reduces education quality »
By Caroline Cohn
Class of 2010
As layoffs loom closer and administrators must decide who should stay and who must go, a major issue in the public school systems once again surfaces: administrators do not decide who is laid off. In fact, neither do department heads, colleagues, faculty members, parents, students, nor anyone else who is [...]
Life of Unborn Child Should Be Protected »
On Monday March 22 Obama introduced a new HealthCare Amendment which grazed the highly controversial issue of abortion. Obama announced that this new amendment would enforce the law that prevents the use of taxpayer dollars for abortion except in cases of rape, incest and cases of pregnancy threatening the life of the mother. Pro-life advocates are [...]
Activism to ban R-word is lost cause »
“Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech” ~First Amendment.
Massachusetts activists, among others around the country, are pushing to ban the use of the word “retard.” When used carelessly, this phrase is rightly seen by some as derogatory and insensitive to those people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. To lead [...]
Punxsutawney Phil Needs To Be Modernized »
It’s a regular winter morning. Your eyes blink open to the sounds of voices and loud music. You attempt to burrow deeper into your bed, but the noise just won’t go away. Suddenly a hand grabs you by your neck and raises you high, up into bright lights and cheering crowds and bearded men in [...]
Ed Connor perfect for taking over Week in Review »
Like excessive homework and incredible sports teams, Walpole has had its share of traditions. One of the most notable and most recognized is each Friday’s Week in Review, a chance for Walpole High School principal Mr. Alan Bernstein to communicate directly with those he served: the students and staff of Walpole High. Mr. Bernstein, who [...]
New elective requirements still hurt students »
The current graduation requirements, which have been deemed inadequate, have been reviewed by a committee seeking to mend former problems as well as improve the school’s standards for graduation. The committee’s proposal for elective requirements, however, seems as though it will only exacerbate past problems and further restrict students’ course selection.
The committee’s recommendation is for [...]
Privilege Cards Should Live Up To Their Name »
By Julie Fortin
Class of 2010
Every year the same question arises from the aggravated, self-righteous student: What is even the point of Privilege Cards if we don’t actually have any privileges? Privilege Cards have always been offered to honors students as an incentive to do well in school; however, these cards have been becoming pointless [...]
Best Strategy is to leave Afghanistan »
Over the last 8 years the War in Afghanistan has made little to no progress. The United States entered Afghanistan to eliminate the terrorist threat, but we have failed. Now eight years after the attacks on September 11, General Stanley McChrystal, Commander of US Forces in Afghanistan, is asking President Barack Obama for a troop [...]
More physical education options needed to promote student fitness »
There is no question that diabetes, heart problems, and decreased life expectancies are becoming an increasing problem nationwide. Statistics from independent researchers show that the number of students who walk or bike to school has decreased substantially since 1969. Thanks to a grant provided last year due to the efforts of P.E. teacher Terri Thornton, [...]