Are You Prepared?!?

1/25/2019

It took me a while to write this post. It’s been difficult. I started it about a week after our government shut down. My struggle comes from mind-wrestling with my thoughts and what I want to shout out loud about the sufferers of this malady. Nevertheless, however sincere I may feel, my sentiments might be misconstrued as judgmental.

But then, our senior meeting at school happened. Demands were given and privileges were taken. The school’s leadership is providing FREE ACT, SAT, TSI and Advanced Academics study sessions on Saturdays and the students aren’t having it!

The administrators offered that they want to ensure the success of all students in this 21st century global market and economy. The students offered back that we are trying to force something they might not want.

Record scratch.

Who does NOT want success in their life! It saddens me to the point it’s almost laughable that many young people in vulnerable populations have rose-colored glasses on and cannot see past today! Why wouldn’t you want to be locked and loaded with as much education, training, stamina and preparation that you can get to solidify your success? You think luck and prayer is going to get you by? Newsflash: There’s no such thing as luck—just preparation meeting opportunity. And faith without work will not unlock any doors.

Complaints such as, “it’s Saturday” or “I have job” or “we’re going to protest” run the gamut of excuses that I hear students shouting about. However, a job is all they will have if they don’t receive adequate education and training to forge a career. And protest?? Because someone wants to give you an education?? (Go be okay with that.) Right now, I just don’t think students today see the forest for the trees. Their entitlement both startles and devastates me at the same time.

Unfortunately, instead of buckling down trying to be successful on these exams or retaking them to get a better score in order to compete in a 21st century market, our students have been culturally conditioned into believing that mediocrity is okay. That mindset needs to change, now.

When I was growing up, if I received a “B” on my report card, my dad would ask, “Oh yeah? Why isn’t it an A?” And in college, when I did get “A’s,” he’d want to know the points then ask, “Oh yeah? Why a 92 instead of a 100?” At the time, I thought that was harsh. But I realized soon after, is that he was breaking some generational cycles of complacency. The higher I earn, the higher I can go!

So with that, I’m worried that many of the victims of “the shut down” do not have the skills, acumen or wherewithal to just say, “screw it,” and go find another job or create their own wealth as entrepreneurs. Did they not take advantage of opportunities such as the ones our district is offering our students? Did they settle for mediocrity instead of consistently pushing themselves to improve? Did they not load up on multi-industry skills so that changing industries would be as breezy as changing clothes? We may never know. Do you know? How will you prepare to live your best life with the skills and resources that you currently have?

Alas, life is going to hit hard. All human beings will learn one way or another that you have to work for everything you get in this life.

Read the commentary above, then comment intelligently, academically and with fidelity.

1. INCLUDE: First initial AND last name AND class period.

2. Respond in no more than 10 sentences and no less than five.

3. You MUST respond to at least TWO other posts from any student. Your replies cannot be identical comments on different posts and posting shallow comments such as "I agree" or "I disagree" will earn you a zero. Make sure your reply addresses the comment that you are responding to.
Be sure to--

Be clear about your position
Provide specific support for your argument
Use rhetorical devices and other grammar elements
Write EPIC Content-Engaging, Powerful, Informative, Creative

CAUTION!! Do NOT embarrass me, yourself, your class, the English department, the school or your parents with tasteless, meaningless comments. This is for a grade.

DISCLAIMER: If you do not respond AND comment on TWO others, you will not receive credit for this assignment. It's all or nothing.

Due: Fri., Jan. 25, 2019 11:59 p.m. CST

Aamya G 3 pd

1/25/2019 05:06:20 pm

I appreciate the fact that the school is taking precautions and actually caring about the futures of their students. But on the other hand taking everything away from their seniors isn’t gonna give them much motivation. Like being a senior myself I can honestly say that you only look forward to a few things and with the build up of fees, work and responsiblilities we look forward to the few activities we’ve waited 12 years for. Also, some of the requirements are just unattainable many children aren’t good test takers so giving them the ultimatum that either they do good or can’t have a prom is just unfair. So many can’t win for losing in this whole situation.

M. Hollywood 2nd

1/25/2019 05:11:21 pm

Exactly taking away the things we have been waiting on is not a good motivator. Not everyone is able to do well on test so why is everyone being punished for that. I just don't agree with the administration with this decision.

Estevan Salas 6th

1/25/2019 05:48:37 pm

Ms.Webb couldnt care about the “future” of her students BEFORE school started or when we were getting our college stuff prepared in october?!? Lancaster administration at its best!

K.phillips 6th

1/25/2019 06:38:55 pm

Exactly! Taking away activities is only making the situation worse . They fail to realize what type of kids they dealing with . That’s not motivation for them

Jniquea jackson 2

1/25/2019 09:20:41 pm

I agree I fell as the teachers or administrator should understand this day in time . Them taking things away from us is going to make situations worse. Kids now in 21 century once it gone it’s gone . So taking our activities away give some kids a mind set of there’s no reason for me to take any rest now . I say that because every student not attending college after high school so the test is useless to them.

T.Fals 6th

1/25/2019 10:26:51 pm

No seriously there is other ways that they could have punished us instead of taking away the things that make this year memorable.

V Parker 8th

1/25/2019 07:16:11 pm

While I agree with your statement and grievances, I believe that the students could and should be more concerned about their grades and exams. Partying will always be available and half of them already do that during their free time. However, the school could have done better at trying to offer help by doing so earlier in the year and not wasting our precious class time.

R. Mbelwa 6th

1/25/2019 07:44:55 pm

This is true but why should you get something good if you do nothing right. That’s like rewarding your class with and ice cream party after everyone failed a major test. Or giving a kid who shot up a school on purpose a free sentence. You have to earn your keep

Jniquea jackosn 2

1/25/2019 09:22:44 pm

True but why take it from student you have did “good”. Or even the ones who at least tried there best . You can just classify everyone together. Everyone have to be accounted for there self so taking away the activities for all is pointless.

N. Medina 6th

1/25/2019 08:09:50 pm

Yes, students are different and may not want the same things as other so they shouldn’t be forcing them, it isn’t fair.

J.Jackdon

1/25/2019 09:09:43 pm

I agree I feel like they shouldn't be doing certain things such as taking away activities for the seniors. It's there last year and they should be making the best of it not the worse .

D.Gadson 6th

1/25/2019 08:10:05 pm

Seriously ! I’m sure everyone has been waiting to become a senior to experience what the past generations have and enjoy it just as much. The fact we have to take test and pass them all put stress on lots on students thats not very good at taking them.

S.johnson 8th

1/25/2019 10:48:58 pm

Exactly! Half of our class is already stressed from family situations, college applications and even financial issues. This new “Directive” is not fair for everyone.

J Gonzalez 2nd

1/25/2019 08:10:44 pm

I totally agree with you. When kids watch movies and see what prom and senior year is supposed to be like they can't wait until those moments. And for that woman too just take those things away isn't going to give students any type of motivation. Now students would rather not do anything than obligue to her conditions

L.Allen 2nd Period

1/25/2019 09:42:03 pm

I respectively disagree, if taken away your pride possessions as a senior(prom or activities) isn't motivation for you to get better as a individual where it's already hard enough to succeed in life as women then what is really your purpose? To enjoy life now and work the rest of your life or to get a head start filled with opportunities and actually become somebody that can possibly change the world someday.

K. Brown 8th

1/25/2019 10:43:16 pm

Thank you! I get that we should be prepared for the future and that we should appreciate our school wanting good for us but this is very last minute. I took my TSI Junior year and so did many other students, so they have known many of our scores for awhile. And nothing was done about it then. This is a very late notice and yes students are aiming for mediocrity but students will really start to aim for the bare minimum just so that they can get by and attend the senior activities.

S.johnson 8th

1/25/2019 10:47:13 pm

Taking away something that we’ve all dreamed of since little kids won’t make the situation better but just worse.

M. Hollywood 2nd

1/25/2019 05:07:43 pm

The students are not necessarily complaining about coming to the study sessions we are complaining about the late notice. I don't agree that they can plan something 3 days in advance and expect full attendance. I'm fortunate enough to be able to drive however many people don't have that luxury. We want to be successful but why are they just now beginning to try to encourage our success. Things like this should have been placed at the beginning of the school year instead of 4 months from the end. We all want to be successful but the school is just now deciding to "help" students toward a brighter future. That doesn't make any sense.

A. Green 3

1/25/2019 05:24:10 pm

I totally agree with you many of us have jobs especially on the weekend so “calling in” at such a late time can make many feel your not accountable. Also the fact that they spring things on us at such late times shows how disorganized the school really is. I also don’t agree with the decision what so ever.

D jones 3rd

3/1/2019 03:41:39 pm

I agree last minute things make you feel like you have to do it. Even though it wasn’t you who made the last minute choice , you have to deal with it.

J. Griffith 2nd

1/25/2019 05:31:34 pm

I agree because it’s better to get a message at least a week before the event instead of three days before.

T. Jones 2nd

1/25/2019 08:10:08 pm

Lol since it is a 3 day notice we say it’s too soon but if they tell us a week ahead we will say we forgot by the time the day comes around.

T.Falls 6th

1/25/2019 11:31:55 pm

To answer your question I will definitely
Be taking advantage of the opportunity’s that the school is giving because it could help me in the long run by saving me money. I don’t think students have a problem with coming to tutorials but when put on a weekend day things can be questionable. Saturday and
Sunday are the only days we don’t attend school so why take that away. If they change the day to Wednesday after school for 2 hrs the outcome of student participation would increase. I know the school is just trying to help us but but it’s too late we are two far gone.lastly yes I can say that we have become ok with mediocrity because people have let us get away with it causing us to think it’s ok. When in reality it’s the worst trait to have and the hardest to break.

Estevan Salas 6th

1/25/2019 05:41:36 pm

Planning it 3 days in advance as if they expect everyone to show up. The school’s overall lack of communication this ENTIRE school year is rather concerning (yes, that includes student council.)

J earl 1st period

1/25/2019 06:00:18 pm

Planning it so late and expecting us to past this text the first time most of us don’t have comprehension skills give us a Chance to take the test and prove y’all wrong .

I. Florence 8th

1/25/2019 05:47:46 pm

You took the words right out of my mouth. If they wanted us to obtain a certain goal, such as the new ACT requirements, they should have expressed this in the very beginning of the school year. Not last minute. Now we have students who are concerned about whether or not they can attend prom. We should have not to be punished because our school chooses to be unprofessional and stagnant.

T. Jones 2nd

1/25/2019 08:12:54 pm

I agree. If ACT scores were a main priority for her then we should have had a conversation first week of school. Not only that but what happened to the ACT prep classes ? Last time I heard of that class was freshman year.

Jordan bridges

1/25/2019 07:00:32 pm

I agree, like the way I see is if she didn't cancel thing then student might not be this way with coming to school on Sunday

V Parker 8th

1/25/2019 07:18:08 pm

I agree with you. It isn’t plausible for students to be able to perform extremely well on a test they’re ill prepared for and belittling them because they lack motivation won’t encourage them any further. If the school truly cares, they would have been serious about our tests since the beginning of the school year. It’s almost as if they’re scrambling to cover up where they’ve made mistakes and are being held responsible.

N. Medina 6th

1/25/2019 08:13:14 pm

I completely agree, they don’t start to care until time is almost up. They expect so much from students and 100% effort when most of the time when we actually need help they can never seem to come around.

B. Haynes 8th

1/25/2019 10:00:01 pm

I totally agree. I don’t think anyone can complain about free study sessions for two very important tests for our future, but the way this situation is being handled is very late notice. Taking away senior activities won’t motivate students in the end, and definitely won’t rise test scores.

L.Allen 2nd Period

1/25/2019 10:02:16 pm

I respectively disagree, the administration have been constantly encouraging our success since the beginning of the school year starting with introducing us with FASFA, Dallas County Promise, College Fairs, Saturday school for our main courses (math,reading,writing), etc. So if we are given the opportunities and privileges as far as to help our future why are many students so worry about things that don't even hold value in the present. At the end of day, the future depends on what we do in the present and if y'all seniors are making the choices and decisions to not put forth the effort to be successful and have a wealthy life then it's sad especially for African American people.

C. Swann 2nd

1/28/2019 10:25:50 pm

I think that they fail to realize that we have things going on as well. We don’t work for fun. Most of our peers work because they have to and the weekend is where they obtain the most money. This is loathsome.

J. Griffith 2nd

1/25/2019 05:27:18 pm

Students appreciate what the school does for them. Advanced academics better the students chances of getting a higher education. Most students might see it as extra work when it’s really stimulating the mind. The work is for getting the students to think of different ways to answer questions. It also helps to enhance one’s vocabulary.

J earl 1st period

1/25/2019 05:58:51 pm

I understand the points that the school is trying to provide for us . It help us think better and get a better education. But at the end of the day don’t take out chances to have fun together.

M. Hollywood 2nd

1/25/2019 06:48:30 pm

It is extra work when people aren’t notified until 2 days prior. Some people have jobs and although it doesn’t come before school that might be the only way they can provide for themselves. I feel like the school makes decisions without accounting for how we might feel or how it might affect us.

I. Chancellor 8th period

1/25/2019 11:46:31 pm

In agreement, students should appreciate what the school is doing for them. It does because it showed that you tried to challenge yourself. Even though it is a lot, we still have to understand that it is helping us in the long run. To be honest, that is why they created it, so you could think differently from the rest of the regular world. Lastly, it does expand your vocabulary level, which will help you in any job or trade you do.

Estevan Salas 6th

1/25/2019 05:36:10 pm

Regardless of whether or not students “want” success the expectation set in place is immediately unnattainable. For an ENTIRE senior class to show up to something that we became aware of 72 hours earlier is completely unrealistic. Then on top of that make ACT study sessions mandatory in order to go to prom is just ridiculous. Nobody is mad about having these sessions put in place however to hold the prom at stake in exchange for such an attatainable milestone is outrageous. I do not understand your judgement on those affected by the shut down because those people have nothing to do with us and you should not judge them while you are still being paid.

salas 6th

1/25/2019 05:50:32 pm

unattainable* oops!

R. Mbelwa 6th

1/25/2019 07:56:37 pm

So making it mandatory sucks yes right? No it doesn’t. The school is paying for each of these tests right. So say only 5% of the test takers show up to the study session. Then only 5% will know for certain that they have seen a little bit of the test. The other 82% (cause everyone isn’t gonna show) will only go in with previous knowledge and guessing. Say out of that 87% only 15% pass. The people that give the district money for the test will look and say hmmmmmm they suck at test let’s not give them anymore money for test. Hey look at you though, graduated and not caring about the school. But what you don’t see is the future generations that will suffer because of your choices now. Because 2019 bombed the test, 2020 gets no test money and now has to pay for it. You see they may be hurting you but they have to think of the future first.

Estevan Salas 6th

1/25/2019 09:26:34 pm

Considering you addressed nothing i said and instead chose to talk about AP tests in your comment instead of ACT (which everyone pays for or has a fee waiver lol) this becomes invalid. I can assure you 2020 will have the same fee waivers that 2019 was granted mr percentage.

J. Maple 8th

1/25/2019 09:43:03 pm

You get fee waivers to pay for the ACT based on your free/reduced lunch status, not your classes’ test performances. We as a class also know how it feels to have the previous classes’ mistake passed down to you. But many deadlines have already passed and there’s no reason for the last minute ramifications.

J earl 1st period

1/25/2019 05:51:40 pm

I understand that you want us to have an better education but at the end of the day not everyone have the same thinkin mind set . The kids at the high school not want out activities taken that we’ve been waiting on for 3 years. Didn’t y’all have y’all activities! The kids will be successful in like 2019 will prove you wrong. If they don’t deside to do what y’all want us to do then yes they will have us working for what w want in life instead of getting an better education. We come to school five days a week you think we need an extra day of these teacher ? NO THANKS! But if you need the more help then take advantage of it and be successful.

Jordan bridges

1/25/2019 06:54:51 pm

Big facts. So many students and parents did so many things to get to this point for what? all the deserving and hard working students aren't getting anything and that's sad and messed up.

J.Jackson

1/25/2019 09:14:51 pm

I agree I feel like students at Lancaster work to hard and for things to be cancelled and things to be taking away isn't right .senior year is supposed to be full of memories I understand there trying to do it for the better but at the end of the day it's the students who deserve better .

J. Griffith 2nd

1/25/2019 08:20:19 pm

The kids might prefer to learn at a steady pace than at an advance pace in which their not used to doing.

T.Falls 6th

1/25/2019 11:08:57 pm

Please tell me who gives them the power to determine what success should mean to me. There is more then one career path so why are they forcing college down everybody throat.

C.Swann 2nd

1/28/2019 10:30:35 pm

I agree with you bud. Kind of. I feel as though this is what separates the scholars from the mediocre human beings. You wanna better yourself? Show up. And if not then we’ll see your scores in the red

K.phillips 6th

1/25/2019 06:37:14 pm

Personally I find that taking away everything isn’t going to solve anything with kids these days it’s only going to make things worse . Once we see things taken from us it upsets us and makes us get rowdy. I’m sure there is another way you can get kids to come to the study session and retake ACT and pass the TSI . And as students who claim that we want to succeed should be willing to do those things but if not taking away activities isn’t the way either . The school also claims they was to see us “ succeed “ but every time you ask an administrator or college advisor for help when it come to FASFA , applications and more the first question is “ did you do Dallas country promise?” That’s not success!!!!! That’s taking the easy way out . No offense to anyone who wants to do it but making that a top priority for us is annoying! I’m trying to do bigger and better things for myself I want a full college experience . I know where kids but being asked “ what can I do for y’all in order to come out this Saturday or something like that may have helped but who knows Lancaster is always filled with surprise. IT NEVER FAILS

A. Green 3

1/25/2019 07:22:48 pm

I totally agree taking away everything from the kids won’t make them fall in line rather more rebel. Because just like now they’ll see it as we already don’t have it might as well not go anyways. And they should give us more of an overview of what’s planned rather than springing something on us last minute in order to so say “better ourselves” when it wasn’t even put into play earlier this year.

F. Aleman 8th

1/25/2019 08:14:44 pm

I agree. And I don't think that this should apply to everyone because some people actually try. If the school wanted to improve the scores they should of started this new system earlier or even last year.

Z. James 8th

1/25/2019 10:28:07 pm

Our only option shouldn’t be the Dallas County Promise. Scholarship or no scholarship we should be able to attend whatever university we want. Our preference is OUR preference.

D. Hearne 8th

1/25/2019 06:46:55 pm

These test are placement test and they show the level of learning that each person is at. If we keep taking the test over and over again to get a higher score, it’s not showing the actual placement that the student is in. When college rolls around, each student is placed into a class based on the scores they got on those test. If the test scores are fabricated then the classes that the students end up being in won’t be accurate to the skill set that they possess. If I’m crap at math and my TSI test shows it, then I’m just going to have to take those remedial classes; it is what it is.

J Gonzalez 2nd

1/25/2019 07:40:00 pm

Wooooww.. I never really thought of it that way. That honestly makes a lot of sense. If whoever makes a certain score on the test, it is what it is, They can keep taking it over but they won't actually get true results. But on the other hand its kind of like running track. You get a time at a meet that you don't like so you train even harder to drop that time. So if we take the test and get a certain score, how do you not know that student wont work even harder to get that score up?

F. Aleman 8th

1/25/2019 08:06:35 pm

I think if you're going to take the tsi at least aim to pass and not just take remedial classes. I don't think you get credit for remedial classes so why be okay with paying for those classes and not get your college credit.

D. Hearne 8th

1/25/2019 10:50:14 pm

Well, in my situation, I don’t have to pay for those classes so I will get the extra help I need.

D. Hearne 8th

1/25/2019 10:58:22 pm

Also, with any test you should “aim to pass”. Its not like I’m walking in there like “Meh, who cares.” I wouldn’t be where I am with that mind set.

Jordan bridges

1/25/2019 06:51:28 pm

I do understand where people are coming friend not wanting to thing like go to school on Saturday for the TSI boot camp. Now people who are going to school tomorrow and really want to get a good score on the TSI coodooz to you...but to really sum this all up, I'm just saying that is us students have been waiting to be apart of these big events of our senior year just to get it taken away from us and now we have to do thing we don't want to do. I understand that we're not required to do have these things go on but just for all this hard work and money just to go to waste is messed up.

D. Hearne 8th

1/25/2019 07:49:03 pm

Did you use the microphone feature to type this?

I. Jones 6th Period

1/25/2019 07:02:36 pm

I understand that the school is trying to help us by holding study sessions for the TSI, SAT, and ACT tests but what they do not understand is that not every student needs to take those tests, certain colleges require certain test scores. I personally don’t find the point in taking all these tests if our desired college/career doesn’t require for us to take them . Taking away our senior activities and prom isn’t going to solve anything but will make us really not want to try on those tests. It’s not 100% our fault that we can’t pass the TSI, SAT, etc. have you looked into the teachers ? Math for example, we do not have any good math teachers, that’s just period . You can’t put all the blame on us when we don’t have good teachers to teach us .

D. Tonche 8th pd

1/25/2019 07:48:38 pm

You are right taking away senior activities is not going to motivate students to work harder on the test, they just gave students a reason to rally against the school.

D.Gadson 6th

1/25/2019 08:29:27 pm

I agree about the teacher part , Lancaster doesn’t have a good pick on math teachers. Of course taking away our activities isn’t going to solve anything but more problems from parents and students.

H Aleman 8th period

1/25/2019 08:29:43 pm

Exactly, oh my god. It almost seems like Lancaster cares only for their image and not for our wellbeing. What they're doing now only proves this theory.

K. Banks 6th

1/25/2019 08:50:52 pm

Most colleges have a certain ACT score needed to attend, so it’s unnecessary for a high school to want a score not essentially needed.

R. Garcia 8th

1/25/2019 11:43:37 pm

The thing is you can never be too sure, what if you don't get accepted? Or what if you change your mind? I think it's best to be prepared and not end up regretting not taking a test later on.

V Parker 8th

1/25/2019 07:21:50 pm

The least of my worries is the lack of a prom and other school sponsored activities. I’m not comfortable enough with my peers or staff to attend school functions like this. I find my peers rallying against it to be comical but concerning because while they may have “secured the bag” with a minimum wage job and a few scholarships, they aren’t taking into account their academic futures as college students and the careers they’ll lead. However, the school isn’t entirely free from criticism either. Why are they only worried about our ACTs, SATs and TSIs so late in the year? What are they trying to hide? It seems like they’re trying to keep up the facade of being a perfect school district so they can get awards and more money for themselves. This school teaches students how to be selfish slaves to capitalism more than it teaches them important subjects about life and this only proves that.

T.Tate 8th

1/25/2019 07:48:36 pm

I mean that is a good question , what are they trying to Hide ? But i don’t think it’s bad that they are trying improve the district, but the way they are doing it is horrible .

D. Hearne 8th

1/25/2019 08:02:55 pm

Not everyone wants to go to school and would rather go into the work force. My mom is an entrepreneur with a high school degree. No, it’s not some grand franchise but it brings in money and it help provides for the family she has.

C.Capel 6th

1/25/2019 09:20:19 pm

I see your point of view .It’s honestly saddening that the school cares more about money than whether the children are actually successful. Then they want to blame us . I don’t get it.

J Gonzalez 2nd

1/25/2019 07:24:12 pm

I understand that the school is trying to help us go to college and be able to give us the tools we need to better ourselves in the future when the time comes to make those hard decisions we know what choice to make. But they are trying to force us to loose all our activities if we do not attend the saturday sessions. I'll take the ACT and SAT and im confident enough that ill make what I need to, but I refuse to go to 6 days of school.

M. Chavez 2nd pd

1/25/2019 07:59:45 pm

I agree, it’s helpful and people who need it should take advantage of it, but to FORCE it on us was the wrong approach. We only want a smooth sailing senior year, as we prepare for the rest of OUR lives, not the schools, not the administrators, OURS.

K. Brown 8th hour

1/25/2019 11:10:51 pm

Many students are in advanced classes and college classes. So most of the time they are often using there time to combat the piles upon piles of school work. So many of these students do things ahead of time and go out of their way to ensure that they will have a peaceful conclusion to their senior year. So them taking away many of these activities and forcing students to attend yet another day of school seems semi-excessive.

B. Haynes 8th

1/25/2019 07:24:30 pm

The fact that seniors were told about our scores the second semester makes me feel, as a student, that this will not better our chances at passing. If they wanted improvement in ACT and TSI scores, maybe they should have started this junior year when they noticed the pattern of inadequate scores—not last minute. It’s also important to consider the circumstances of every student; not every job is an “excuse.” Taking away something that students have been looking forward to for years is not a good incentive to make us work harder. If anything, it causes an uproar of disagreement like what’s happening now. Considering the government shutdown, we don’t know if the victims were skilled enough to survive a tribulation such as this, and you’re right, that’s life for you. It hits you hard like a tornado, and while there some tactics we can use to escape, last minute notices are not one of them. No one is mad about the opportunity to have a chance at better scores, we’re mad because it’s a deficient approach to an unattainable outcome.

T.Tate 8th

1/25/2019 07:42:22 pm

I agree, why wait this late when the school year is almost over with .They could have at least did this first semester.

Marqueshia Richardson

1/25/2019 10:01:21 pm

yes but i feel like maybe it is because they are busy especially the counselors they are trying their best to prep us its just the amount of kids not taking their test i feel like that is the problem.

D. Tonche 8th pd

1/25/2019 07:46:17 pm

Haynes I completely agree with you, I recall in my junior year overhearing administrators complain that students weren't passing the TSI test. That was a year ago, why are you attempt to mend students scores at the end of senior year?

C. San Roman

1/25/2019 11:22:41 pm

That goes to show how much they care.

M. a chavez 2nd pd.

1/25/2019 07:57:55 pm

I agree 100%. Making us meet certain scores to participate is not going to help us it’s going to make us defiant and angry.

J. Maple 8th

1/25/2019 09:23:33 pm

I agree. Some students actually need jobs and try really hard to juggle work, school, and extracurriculars.

T.Tate 8th

1/25/2019 07:39:13 pm

I will prepare to live my best life by using the skills and resources I have . I will make sure I put all the tools I have to reach my goals that I set as I gone on in life to ensure that my life will be the best for me . I’m not saying I won’t struggle to get to live my best life but won’t stop or give up . I will make sure I strive and work my hardest to live the best live because once I get to live it .I’m going to live it up because I know I deserve it at that point in my life . In order for me to prepare now I need to cut out all the bad habits before even moving on to the next step because all the bad habits are going to do is push me back.

R.Mbelwa 6th

1/25/2019 07:39:54 pm

Education is one of the most important things in life now. Especially as me, a black male, I need to get education to not only protect myself but to give my knowledge to others and pass it on. I’m hurt to see my fellow peers and schoolmates trying to riot an education. I could never. It’s just like in math you can use many different steps but still get the same solution. That’s just like life too. But what they have in common is not just the multiple paths but also you have to learn something at some point.

D. Tonche 8th pd

1/25/2019 07:42:26 pm

Since joining IB I learned if you want to be the best you are going to have to work for it. You don't want to disappoint your teacher nor parents. So it doesn't matter if you have to stay up till 4 am to get your assignment done, you are going to get it done. However, at times it feels like I am not working hard enough on my assignments or that have too many assignments. Then, I ask myself is this really worth it to put all of this time and devotion to a program that my parents dont even know about. Its not about them, its about me. Its about what I want to achieve in life and outstanding personal records. So if the school wants be to improve my ACT score, that's fine because I want to also.

M. Chavez 2nd pd

1/25/2019 07:56:20 pm

In all honesty, the Lancaster Highschool administration is so last minute, somewhat unprofessional, and unprepared, not all but most. We have less than 5 months of school left, and to notify the seniors that their senior activities are at stake, the LAST semester, is highly irritating, and i’m not only speaking for myself. I understand that or grades and futures are very important, but to threaten us will not make us strive to do better, it makes us frustrated. Many of us have taken our ACT, TSI, and SAT, and received our scores, there are not many test dates, or fee waivers left, so it’s extremely irritating that we’re being told last minute to do better. I agree that we should take advantage of these opportunities, but punishing us for not making a certain test score is uncalled for. I feel like i’m hardly making sense, but i’m that upset about it. Senior year is the year we all look forward to, Junior year was the year we all visited our asses to get where we are, and if students didn’t do that, that’s on them. LASTLY, the fact that our “Senior handbook” was barely sent out last week says a lot. NEARLY ALL OF THOSE DATES HAVE PASSED.

M. Chavez 2nd

1/25/2019 08:02:39 pm

**Busted. Not visited- whoops.

H Aleman 8th period

1/25/2019 08:22:47 pm

You're making perfect sense. I don't think the administrators understand why we're angry because they aren't in our position. Especially for those of us who have worked really hard, only to be told that it wasn't hard enough.

C.Capel 6th

1/25/2019 09:17:43 pm

Thank You. Honestly they’re only thinking about themselves in this moment and it’s saddening. I’m stressed enough already. Riddle me this though,if we take our TSI next week what’s the reason for coming every Saturday ?

C. San Roman 2nd

1/25/2019 11:19:44 pm

If i remember correctly, Mrs.Webb said that after taking the TSI, they will be focusing on the ACT and SAT

D jones

3/1/2019 04:00:45 pm

I agree !!!! I feel the same way they move when they want to move. Forget everything else

F. Aleman 8th

1/25/2019 08:01:15 pm

You can't want a education for someone if they do not want it themselves. And even if they do, no school should wait the second semester of a student senior to tell them the requirements they need to meet. Also people have to take it to consideration that people can't change their work schedule especially two days before hand. Personally, I don't have a job so I have a flexible schedule but some of my friends do and actually have jobs to help their parents pay bills. They can not just miss. If you want to better a student education at least take in the circumstances of each students.

S. Pirzada 6th

1/25/2019 10:34:07 pm

People understand that others have to juggle their time. This session is already scheduled by people who has this job, too. If any student is not attending, they going to shrug then say "so be it," regardless who's accountability it is.

C.Jones 6th

1/25/2019 11:10:28 pm

This my second comment ms.d. And I dont know what she talking about.

R. Garcia 8th

1/25/2019 11:28:01 pm

While I completely agree that notifying students at the last minute was not a good choice, based based on your first sentence, you have to understand that while they can't force students to get an education if the student doesn't want one, they are still going to encourage it. It is something that comes with the job of being an educator.

N. Medina 6th

1/25/2019 08:03:38 pm

I am definitely grateful for the school and for giving me the opportunity to be able to attend these sessions. But on the other hand I believe Ms. Webb and teachers have to be more understanding that not everyone can go to every single session. There are certain situations in which we cannot attend. Making the study sessions mandatory is making students less motivated to go to the senior activities and not try on the TSI, ACT, and SAT. With everything they expect from students in order to have the senior privileges they might as well cancel the activities.

H Aleman 8th period

1/25/2019 08:19:58 pm

I sincerely appreciate all of the opportunities that I've been given at this school, however, I can't help but to feel some type of way about the ideas that Mrs. Webb has proposed. It's the second semester. The test is in less than five days..and you want to have TSI boot camp? That's fine, I guess. But do NOT discredit students who work or have other lively obligations because you wanted to last minute your way into TSI bootcamp. Especially since you called a mandatory bootcamp with only two days notice. Thats HILARIOUS. Some of these kids work to eat and pay bills. Some of these kids have kids and some of these kids have family to take care of. Anyways, no matter what my scores reflect, I care about my education and I'm trying my best to work with what I've got and make the beat out of it. Sometimes I feel like everything is coming at me at full speed (it is) but I've learned to work around the pressure.

K. Banks 6th

1/25/2019 08:46:04 pm

I know a few people who do help provide for their families, so missing work wouldn’t be beneficial to them.

M Martinez 3rd

1/25/2019 09:44:55 pm

People who have jobs and can't attend school tomorrow is something the principle can't understand. Everything is always so late notice in this school.

R.Leal

1/25/2019 09:50:13 pm

I agree. While I do appreciate the effort they put into giving us these resources, it is always rushed. Some kids don't have transportation, others have jobs, and others may have family events or sport events. If they would have informed us of this maybe a week before we would have been better prepared and kids could have told their coahces, bosses, or family members they could not make it.

T. Jones 2nd

1/25/2019 08:20:55 pm

The 2019 class appreciates the efforts that are being done to help us. But in my opinion I don’t think there was ever enough communication the entire year. The only thing I can say the school was good at was sending out scholarships for us to do. We had 1 class to help us for college which was college transition and all they enforced was to apply to schools & to actually take the test. They never broke down the ACT to us nor showed us questions from the ACT. We was suppose to do that on our own right ?

K Eagans 3rd

1/25/2019 09:26:42 pm

I feel the same way. No test has ever been explained to us to help us pass. They teach us for the STAAR test and completely forget about college readiness test.

R.Leal

1/25/2019 09:45:09 pm

I agree. They attempt to fit everything important and college crucial our last year in highschool. Honestly, they should have started preparing us a long time ago.

Marqueshia Richardson

1/25/2019 09:45:16 pm

I understand that part and for the people who already took their TSI i think they even got their study in and took it. AS for me they never called my name for the TSI or anything so i feel its not fair cause i don't have much time but then again i do get a fresh study and the information does not leave my mind so quick.

M Taylor 1st period

1/25/2019 10:16:08 pm

Yea again they know about these types of things before hand why enforce it last minute.. they want the best for us and our future supposedly so why not have better set ups and planning for things so the last year can be “a breeze” as said... full of fun yet useful and educating... yet.. our senior year is as is (shaking my head)

K. Banks 6th

1/25/2019 08:43:53 pm

Even though I appreciate the oppurtunities being given, the administrators decision to call a mandatory TSI study session a few days prior to the actual test is inane. Although the study session would be very useful, trying to fit every sense of knowledge needed to surpass these expectations is unreasonable. So some students should have the right to be upset. Learning takes time and a few days just isn’t enough. Therefore I don’t think it’s based off not wanting to succeed, but simply not being given enough time for it.

T.harris 6th

1/25/2019 09:56:38 pm

Yes they should of came out weeks before the test to tell us about this . Organization is the key and Lancaster lacks that in any parts .

B. Haynes 8th

1/25/2019 10:09:22 pm

You stated nothing but facts. I loved the idea behind implementing study sessions, but in such little time, what can be accomplished? It’s not like we don’t want to succeed, but not everything can crammed in over these few days students have before the TSI.

M Taylor 1st period

1/25/2019 10:09:25 pm

Yea I am more than positive they knew about this TSI thing wayyy before they announced about it... like they did last year yet they still told us a day before the test was supposed to be taken.... maybe one of the reasons why our scores aren’t as good as they should be because we didn’t know about it and most didn’t take it

D.Gadson 6th

1/25/2019 08:50:12 pm

Overall I can say Lancaster isn’t very organized because we take our TSI next week, yet we have last minute Saturday study session. That’s DEFINITELY not enough time ! Everyone doesn’t need to take TSI, ACT, and SAT becasuse of some of their academic progress they completed in the years before. Therefore all the students shouldn’t be forced to attend Saturday school and take test. Also taking away our senior prom isn’t fair that’s a tradition for all seniors. The more they take away things from the students the more upset we get.

K Eagans 3rd

1/25/2019 09:22:57 pm

I agree. Why are we just now being notified about this test a week before we have to take it. Why do we have to cancel our plans to go to a Saturday school because we were told late.

S. Pirzada 6th

1/25/2019 10:22:28 pm

Aren't these activities were priviledges in the first place? I see a cycle going "You get something out of me if I get something out of you." Like Ms. Webbs announced that she wants us to act in these procedures on the line for certain people's sake. That's probably the one of many options to could comes up with.

C.Capel 6th

1/25/2019 09:14:30 pm

I just have to ask why haven’t they been trying to do things as such ,and why are Seniors the only factors? I have no problem with attending to further my education on a Saturday. It’s just the fact of the matter they wait until basically the end of Senior year to start pushing things that should’ve been pushed from the jump. Most kids have even got accepted into the schools they wanted to go to so turning around to retake a test is kind of a waste . Ecspecially since the school didn’t care this much in the beginning. But now they want to enforce success in this short amount of time we have left...if students don’t get it by now you can’t make them have it. I just feel like whenever they look bad they want us to automatically just jump on it . I can say I’ve never been prepared for these tests until now , which is sad.

T. Young 2nd period

1/25/2019 09:52:42 pm

I agree with you this issue or “their help” should’ve been give way before 2nd semester and even before senior year.

J. Maple 8th

1/25/2019 09:17:04 pm

I am appreciative of the opportunities that the school has given us as far as furthering our education. But the goal that Ms. Webb has set is wholly unrealistic. First, your test scores don’t reflect the type of student you are, and colleges are aware of this, which is why they ask for so much in an application. They want the hollistic view of a student. Second, there’s really no reason to take it so late. Most schools are not accepting applications anymore, and by the time we would see our results, we couldn’t do anything with them. This event is so last minute and that’s the cause of the skepticism and backlash. And taking away something that students have been looking forward to is not something that will incentivize students to want to do better.

M Martinez 3rd

1/25/2019 09:42:30 pm

You’re completely right I don’t know why she wants to change something so late into the year. Taking prom away won’t solve anything at all in the long run like you said.

J Butler 5th and 6th

1/25/2019 09:46:02 pm

I agree. Even tho actually MOST schools are still open for applications, it’s still too late to try and apprehend kids over the score YOU want them to have. It’s unfair.

D.Molo 8th

1/25/2019 10:59:59 pm

If you haven’t done it by now you more than likely too late. So what’s the point?

T. Young 2nd period

1/25/2019 09:50:48 pm

I totally agree with you the administrators should have been pushing this issue and be more realistic about the scores because there’s no guaranteed that everyone will pass.

I. Florence 8th

1/25/2019 10:24:28 pm

Prior to this event, me and my friend took our ACT test and received our scores more than a month after we took the test. The next ACT test is April 19, 2019, prom is May 18, 2019. If it takes more than a month for some of us to receive our scores, how will we know if we met the ACT requirement before prom? We won't.

D.Molo 8th

1/25/2019 10:59:01 pm

I understand your frustration. It makes no sense to do that at all. The situation is out of line.

M. Cain 2nd

1/25/2019 10:35:44 pm

I agree with the timing being terrible. The deadline for this months ACT has already passed and the next test is in April which would most likely be too late for any college application.

K Eagans 3rd

1/25/2019 09:21:09 pm

I don’t believe that most government workers work for the government because they didn’t take advantage of their free education. I also don’t think it’s right to take away our prom because of a test that doesn’t apply to half the senior class. I understand the leaders want us to take this test to help better our education, but threatening us isn’t going to solve any problems. It will just make situations worse than they already are.

Jniquea jackson 2

1/25/2019 09:28:10 pm

This shut down was a grief for some . There where some out of money and everyday government help. As in also my senior class some have work so hard to be a this point for our achievements to be token away. I dowith or without the senior activities we should still strive to do good . Yes this ruling is unfair . But after high school it doesn’t stop . We should all seek the help they are giving to make passing score to go to college. When attending college we will be able to get a degree and live our best lives.

M Martinez 3rd

1/25/2019 09:40:32 pm

The school provides many “luxuries” of education but some people just dont see themselves attending college after graduation. Taking something away from seniors won't help solve the problem away, it’ll just make them more angry. Being informed of the bootcamp for this saturday is very delayed especially for people who have a job. Prom being taken away to the students who complete everything they need to do and be held back by the people who don't care is unfairly and stupid. The principle can't expect the students to change when for years the principles didn't care about anything but a paycheck.

M. Cain 2nd

1/25/2019 10:31:06 pm

I completely agree, they are expecting a change overnight but not being consistent. Students that get their work done shouldn’t be penalized for those that don’t care.

J. Mills 2nd pd.

1/25/2019 11:00:39 pm

I completely understand about the statement you made about people who don’t see themselves in college. Even though the school is only trying to help us, some people just simply don’t see collge in their future. That’s not to say they won’t be successful because you don’t have to go to college to be successful. There is a plethora of careers a person can fulfill without going to college, and the people who don’t take the extra may already know this.

S. Lara 6th period

1/25/2019 11:03:29 pm

I agree especially about your argument for those who have already passed and those who do not plan to go to college. These test scores do help us however are not necessary in every situation.

C Jones 6th

1/25/2019 11:07:15 pm

Then you can't get mad at the principal for wanting to see you succeed.

marqueshia richardson

1/25/2019 09:42:48 pm

I will be honest and tell the truth even though i did have a problem with not wanting to go to the Saturday tutoring i thought about graduation and the college i wanted to go to. so as far as the TSI, ACT, and SAT i'm just going to just do it.

T.Harris

1/25/2019 09:55:25 pm

Understanding but when it comes to Saturday’s people work nobody knows how they are living. It might be a mandatory work schedule & they have to miss for a test they probably passed .

S. Lara 6th

1/25/2019 11:00:34 pm

Thats great for you however letting us know 3 days beforehand they should not expect the whole senior class to be present. Most of us have jobs or don't have transportation.

R.Leal

1/25/2019 09:43:30 pm

I do agree that we should be grateful and take that help given to us to pass the exams. However, taking away traditional events that everyone has been looking forward to since the beginning of their highschool career is not the way to go. Intimidating the students into "success" is not an intelligent move. While success should be earned it should also be wanted by the student.

I. Chancellor 8th period

1/25/2019 11:59:24 pm

In agreement, we should take the help that is being given to us, by the leaders of Lancasterisd. In disagreement, graduating with more than a diploma, is something people should have been looking forward to. With all honesty, they did not intimidate us, they only tried to lay out a plan, that our class rejected. Sometimes in life, you have to be pushed to greatness, because if you are not pushed, then you will live below your means. With that being said, Lancasterisd and high school officials are only trying to push us to greatness.

J. Butler 5th and 6th

1/25/2019 09:43:43 pm

The schools consideration for trying to give a us a fair opportunity to score well on the test or even caring enough to help us is well appreciated in my book. But everybody shouldn’t have to take the test ‘or else’. It’s unfair to those who don’t want to go to college, have done fairly on the SAT, or to the ones who are content with their score. It’s too late to have consequences for something people have spent extreme amounts of money on just to live a dream they grow up seeing, prom, and telling them just “oh well”. No one should be punished for their inability to score a certain mark on an exam.

T. Young 2nd period

1/25/2019 09:47:28 pm

Students should take every suggestions or options given to them for a better success. However, you can not be mad at the students only, because these administrators are now choosing to “change” things OUR senior year. Kids are not wanting to take the requirements now because they feel there’s an injustice happening, being that none of this has happened before and now they’re forced to do it. Every kids dream is to become a senior, go to prom and graduate possibly having any of those taken away pisses people off. It’s becomes very aggravating to students when they’re constantly bombarded with school work and then work because they may have to provide for themselves, which none of these administrators nor counselor (which is part of their job title) try to recognize. This situation is suppose to help kids be better but in my opinion it’s just to make them “look better”.

T.Harris 6th

1/25/2019 09:53:03 pm

I believe if the help is needed we should take it but to take things away as if we are in time out isn’t the solution. Why force something on people who know they don’t want to go to college and also for the ones who have already passed. It makes no sense to Take things we look forward to for months just because something isn’t going their way. Being forced and wanting to do something is a BIG DIFFERENCE if we dont want to won’t do it . Our school is unorganized in many ways this last minute stuff is UNACCEPTABLE ‼️

Z. James 8th

1/25/2019 10:23:37 pm

Exactly! It is our choice if we want to succeed in life. These adults need to stop letting these numbers buy them. They need to actually focus on the improvement of students.

J James 6th period

1/25/2019 10:39:06 pm

I completely agree. We aren’t in kindergarten we are literally steps away from adulthood.

J. Mills 2nd pd.

1/25/2019 10:56:36 pm

I agree with how you said to receive help if it is needed, however, I also think extra help with something you already know wouldn’t hurt either.

M Taylor 1st period

1/25/2019 10:03:17 pm

It’s not that we the students have a problem with getting free opportunities for education.. not everyone is complaining but majority knows how to make there complaints be heard... the excuses such as my job.. isn’t a reason.. there’s multiple days of the week and the Saturday school isn’t going to last all day so there’s plenty of opportunities to go in and get your hours.. were a very lazy generation and most wants to fit in with the social status of everyone and it’s just a mess but i don’t think threatening our prom was necessary.. because know people’s money is being messed with and people aren’t right in the head so yea
but also most aren’t going to college and they know that for a fact so why waste time for something useless towards their future you know.. a lot of things are necessary but most are unnecessary and people process things differently than others as well as see things differently oh well

S. Pirzada 6th

1/25/2019 10:05:22 pm

I find it unfortunate that the principal given us a late notice among this issue. Not just herself, but the school board and district. Truthfully, I see how students feel entitled not to join these session is resulting to they're not up for the competition or when life gives you lemons. But these people are picking seniors from what happened last year and are manipulating our traditional school actvities to enforce students to prepare ourself for these tests. I applaud to our school, because they're really challenging us.

J. Perez 6th

1/25/2019 11:08:40 pm

It really should have been taken care of earlier but it shouldn't have been a problem to begin with honestly. Students just dont care, they dont take advantage and just chose the easy route. Barley anyone passed the TSI which are centered around basic Math, reading and writing skills and that says a lot. So many kids say they're going to attend such and such school but havent gotten good scores, applied for scholarships or even applied with deadline fast approaching.

K.Brown 2nd

1/25/2019 11:56:34 pm

“Eggzacklee.” It does kinda feel like our class is being punished for the issues that the previous class has shaken up .The fact that they weren’t as successful as us academically but weren’t threatened about prom this early says a lot . Our principal let them get away with a lot of things and is deciding to to tighten up on us .

L.Allen 2nd Period

1/25/2019 10:20:39 pm

In my opinion, I believe that everything that Mrs.Webb and LISD staff is doing is on point and reasonable because the students don't have no motivation, most of the students don't have a plan b or c, and we as seniors need to have options on what we want to do in life besides taking the fast and easy way out. Do I believe these rules and regulations will work, maybe not because most don't care. I will say this is a great opportunity to take life serious and take advantage of the things most people don't or did have in their school days. Even though people say "close mouths don't get fed" neither do close minds and lack of work ethic.
"You can't have a million dollar dream with minimum wage work ethic."- Unknown

Z. James 8th

1/25/2019 10:22:01 pm

I feel like there is a uproar because it seems like the Seniors are being knocked back to square one. Take your ACT/SAT, apply for college, scholarships, housing, acceptance, blah, blah, blah. I feel like if they really wanted to help us they should have provided us with Scholarship writing classes or certain classes that will teach us money management in college. The gesture was utterly late and irrelevant to what phase that we are in now. How is me improving my ACT score helping me secure housing? This should have been reconsidered and appeal to the Seniors.

K.Brown 2nd

1/25/2019 11:46:15 pm

Agreed.If only 97%,so to speak , passed the TSI math portion ,can we really say it’s all on the students to blame ? If we were given classes that actually focused on preparation for the TSI like we do the ACT it would’ve a better outcome .

M. Cain 2nd

1/25/2019 10:27:34 pm

I get that the administration is trying to help us academically but I feel as though they are going about it the wrong way. I definitely feel like they’re abusing their power. First of all everything with this school is done last minute, if they were serious about helping students raise their test scores then this should have been pushed in the beginning of the school year. But they wait till February to enforce these study sessions.. I just don’t see the point. Also I’m not sure why they continue to make the masses deal with the consequences of a fraction of students.

J James 6th period

1/25/2019 10:37:03 pm

I agree with you when you say the school lacks promptness. If this was such a pressing issue we should’ve learned about the Saturday sessions in December, not 2 days before the first session.

J.perez 6th

1/25/2019 10:59:49 pm

You're right, why start enforcing it now? It should have been enforced earlier on in the year. It would have been way more effective and more seniors could have had their things together by now. The reason they're taking prom away is because they're desperate for seniors to get better scores and actually care about their education. In a way its good but it should have been taken care of earlier.

R.Hannon 6th

1/25/2019 11:36:18 pm

1st semester should have definitely been the right moment to tackle all of this instead of last minute study sessions for test that happens in April and then not only stressing and worrying to pass , the consequence is not going to prom , not receiving graduation tickets or even cancellation of our events that our Student council has work hard to put forward to.

J James 6th period

1/25/2019 10:35:36 pm

In doing this that has never been done before, there is going to be some backlash about it. People are thinking of these sessions as burdens but in actuality, there are helping us. Although I believe the threatening is a bit extreme, I appreciate the intuitive the school district is making to make sure we leave LISD with ‘more than a diplomia’. The sessions will actually help better understand where we are going wrong with these tests. There is a better way to handle this certain situation. Not threatening and scaring people with the thought of their senoir activities getting taken away.

D Gibson 1st period

1/25/2019 10:44:47 pm

Yes, I understand y’all are trying to get us ready for college but some students don’t think college as an option others may use the Army, or straight to job Corp after they graduate. Then again everyone else got to enjoy their senior year go to prom and do everything of being senior when we are being force to take test and attend Saturday school knowing people have work. Me personally I passed my tsi and haven’t took my act but others that are not attending college should not be force to do this.

S.Johnson 8th

1/25/2019 10:45:53 pm

I appreciate what the school has to offers as in terms of high school success. However waiting this late to implement something that should have been thought of our junior year is not acceptable. How can someone take away something we’ve been looking toward in a matter of seconds. I understand that the school means well but I think some more thought should have been put into this decision. The next test to the ACT is in April. So that’s means that a Student has to wait four months to know if they have a chance at prom Also some of our classmates do not have the money to pay for tests all the time. Yes we have fee waivers but they run out fast. In conclusion, the idea they are shooting for is nice but the timing is very far off.

R.Hannon 6th

1/25/2019 11:33:08 pm

I believe that adults are not really fully understanding how the class of 2019 feels. You are most definitely feeling how I am about the events because of last year as the class of 2019 had a junior week and now we finally reach the best momen to shine, have fun and enjoy the rest of our senior year with nothing but ease. But , no not today. We waited for this and now it’s like a government shutdown but with education. The idea they are stressing is truly good but the consequences we are being faced with and with just a bit of time is most definitely outrageous.

J. Mills 2nd pd.

1/25/2019 10:53:53 pm

The way I will live my best life with the resources I have right now is to simply use them to the best of my ability. For sometime now, I have been working on changing my mindset. The reason I add that is because I feel like a better mindset will help to not only be successful in the future, but also it will help me now by making me realize what’s important. A better mindset will give me discernment on the choices I make. I want to one day be able to leave my trivial habits that won’t make me successful behind. I know that in order to one day live my best, I will need to do what’s necessary now.

K. Brown 8th hour

1/25/2019 10:54:55 pm

Preparation and plans are more than just an important necessity, they are a survival tool that will slowly lead into skills that will be a thriving tool. Schools can help encourage students to want to do better for themselves and have plans if they are going to attend college or not. However, this is not a tactic that should be implemented as a form of punishment nor at the last minute and so suddenly. If you want to see progression in at least some of the students there has to be a build up to it. Because from what I see it seems that Lancaster is only bent on statistics to make the school look better.

J. P 6th pd

1/25/2019 10:56:26 pm

What the school is doing is understandable. They just want to give us more oportunities. But they could have done it sooner. They waited until the last minute to help when they could have started it from the beginning and have had a chill second semester. However its also the students responsibility to take care of what they need to do, making sure their grades are good, exams taken care of, and applications completed.

D.Molo8th

1/25/2019 10:56:37 pm

I am keen to the open doors that the school has given us to the extent encouraging our training. Be that as it may, the objective that Ms. Webb has set is completely farfetched. In the first place, your test scores don't mirror the sort of understudy you are, and schools know about this, which is the reason they request such a great amount in an application. They need the hollistic perspective of an understudy. Second, there's extremely no motivation to take it so late. Most schools are not tolerating applications any longer, and when we would see our outcomes, we couldn't do anything with them. This occasion is so a minute ago and that is the reason for the suspicion and backfire. What's more, removing something that understudies have been anticipating isn't something that will boost understudies to need to improve the situation.

S. Lara 6th period

1/25/2019 10:56:50 pm

These requirements were given to us last minute and I believe it is unfair holding it over us with our senior activities. Of course everyone wants to be successful but you do not need a certain score to say you will be successful. In addition it is unrealistic. You can't expect a whole class to receive a 21 or higher on the ACT and you should not punish them for it. Even with Saturday school that score is not guaranteed.

C.Williams 6th

1/25/2019 11:52:17 pm

Getting a great score on the ACT REQUIRES more than a couple of Saturdays, it requires extensive practice.

Ant Breedlove

1/26/2019 12:03:38 am

That too I agree with, why so late? School is over in 4 months and they throw that out now

C.Jones 6th

1/25/2019 10:59:21 pm

Everybody wants to be successful without a doubt but most of us dont want to be stuck in a cubicle all day. How are we suppose to reach success without money. You can't start a war without some and you can't start a dream without some. Yea, we should be grateful for the chances and take advantage but we shouldn't be forced.

C. San Roman 2nd

1/25/2019 11:10:17 pm

Although i do appreciate the fact that the school is ''offering'' all these extra classes to help us in our upcoming test, i still can not understand as to why the administration is pushing all of this now instead of around the time we started signing up for fasfa (october). Im not trying to say you are wrong Ms.D but put your self on our shoes for a few seconds, would you not be irritated at how unorganized the school is when comes to handling events. If the school does not want teenagers to rebel, then the administration should give them selves some time to prepare and most important of all, GIVE A HEADS UP, as to what is going to happen. You cant expect for everything to run smoothly if you leave it at the last second, i would know

C.Williams 6th

1/25/2019 11:47:56 pm

EXACTLY!! Why now and not in October, we have no time to prepare for such demands.

R.Garcia 8th

1/25/2019 11:21:05 pm

I've never been a fan of standardized tests nor of systems that define your abilities by a number. I think these systems often undermine and dilute a person's true intelligence and abilities, and one of Ms. Web’s comments during the meeting gave me yet another reason to dislike these systems. While informing us of our overall performance in the TSI and ACT exams, she questioned what these scores said about us. Her comment grabbed my attention because the truth is other schools and people outside of the district judge the school based on these scores. They see the low scores and automatically think the school lacks skills and intelligence, and ultimately dismiss the school, and relating to the commentary, this makes it harder to compete with other schools. So I do understand and agree with teachers being upset about the student's reactions to the events.

M. Mason 1st

3/4/2019 08:01:05 am

I understand that teachers get upset because we may not pas a test, but they should help us as much as we can if they see that.

R.Hannon 6th

1/25/2019 11:25:40 pm

This is like an outrage breakout of Ebola but instead it’s an outrage breakout in education. Little do the administrators know, they’re only making things worst by forcing rules with consequences. This strategy will only make kids rebel even more than. Don’t get me wrong , it is great to see they are not giving up and they are willing to give on opportunity to retake test for free for college. The motto is “More Than A Diploma” but as of right now it’s seems to us students it’s just been “More Than Enough”. It feels like we’ve been grounded or even on academic probation. One wrong move and your out.

I. Florence 8th

1/25/2019 11:31:11 pm

After talking to a teacher, I now realize two things I did not take into account. Not enough students did not and will not take accountability for our lack of initiation over prior and free ACT tutoring offered by our school, and how our lack of initiation affects our teachers, principle, and school. I do not support the way the situation is being handled, but I am trying my best to understand perspectives that are contrary to mine. There is nothing wrong with our school expecting a certain percentage of seniors to take the ACT, and there is nothing wrong with our school expecting us to make a specific score/s on the ACT. But to wait four months before prom, and when there is only one ACT test date available before prom, to establish certain criteria may not have been the best way to handle this situation. And yes, prom is a privilege and we may believe we are entitled to. But I think our way of showing disappointment is unintentionally causing our sense of sense of entitlement to overdrawn.

I. Florence 8th

1/25/2019 11:34:20 pm

*...causing our sense of entitlement to be overdrawn.

K.Brown 2nd pd

1/25/2019 11:37:57 pm

My thing is why make students retake a test for a score that their high school deems “good enough” ? If a student has already been accepted to the school of their choice ,that means they have met the requirements .What’s the point of spending another 80 dollars on a test your dream school has already approved of ?I could understand the TSI retake because that goes towards whether or not your college will put you in remedial classes .

I. Chancellor 8th period

1/25/2019 11:38:02 pm

With all honesty, Lancasterisd and high school officials, only want to do what is right by us, even if it looks harsh or not. Them pushing us so hard, only helps us meet the requirement of the quote, which says,” Students graduate with more than just a diploma.” To be honest, we are conditioned to strive for less and as a result of having this ideology, it makes us miss the opportunities that could have taken us to greatness. I think seniors of Lancaster High School, should have influenced their counterparts to comply with authority, because having more than a diploma, can make us prepared for anything, because everything in the future is not guaranteed and can change. Lastly, I think that Lancaster High School and Lisd officials are only trying to make our future lives, a good one.

Ant Breedlove

1/26/2019 12:02:22 am

Exactly, they just want the best for us and forcing it will be great

M.Robinson link

1/25/2019 11:38:45 pm

C.Williams 6th prd

1/25/2019 11:45:20 pm

The administration is crazy to think that we’ll have a 100% turn out with such a late notice. Like how do you expect everyone to attend when you tell Us 2 days before?, we didn’t even have time to prepare for this. Especially for the ones who have to work that morning. There are many people who hasn’t even registered for the next upcoming ACT, and there are many who have already took the ACT, gotten the score they needed to get into college. Some people find it pointless if they are already on the right track. There are even some who don’t even plan on going to college, why would anyone waste their time for ACT study session. This should have been set and stone at the beginning of the year not months before senior events and prom. I’m pretty sure we still would have felt some type of way but we would’ve been over it by now.

S. Sanders- 1st Period

1/26/2019 08:56:51 am

You know before I replied I thought about it, but you know you’re right that having advance notice would give one a greater chance to prepare. I realize that some opportunities will come and go. I will get to take advantage of some as well miss some. This sounds like how life goes. Whoever miss this opportunity will have to take another.

S. Sanders- 1st Period

3/4/2019 06:45:11 pm

Ant Breedlove 3rd

1/26/2019 12:01:09 am

I honestly like the fact that we the opportunity to do what has to be done. Everyone is so focused on something that isn’t going to matter in the future so stop complaining and take action!

S. Sanders- 1st Period

1/26/2019 08:50:43 am

There are so many opportunities in the world even in our area that we can use to help eliminate us from being mediocre or not reaching our goals. I agree it’s like Nike slogan, “Just Do It”!

S. Sanders- 1st Period

3/4/2019 06:46:56 pm

There are so many opportunities in the world even in our area that we can use to help eliminate us from being mediocre or not reaching our goals. I agree it’s like Nike slogan, “Just Do It”! We have a tendency to make unnecessary excuses for reaching our goals. Talking isn’t moving or acting.

S. Sanders - 1st Period

1/26/2019 08:48:50 am

Well I don’t know how I will prepare, but I do know I have to try. To live my best life with the skills and resources that I currently have I must perfect myself in so many ways even if it seemed hard. I realized I must do what it takes although I forget at times, but to meet all requirements to graduate. After graduating high school I must get a college degree because without it I may not get a decent paying job to try to have a career to live my life own. I am determined now to make and strive to reach goals to succeed in life unlike my parents. My Aunt has been inspiring me to push through. She tells me all the time if I don’t try and achieve that I will have to work minimum wage jobs, won’t have insurance at a lower paying job most likely, and I won’t be able to by the things I desire such as a nice car. I agree that some, maybe even most are taught to be mediocre for instance youth who do not learn how to be independent or adults. Most leave home having to get a job, get out of there parents house not even attending college causing one to work and not getting a degree because bills must be paid to live life in adulthood. I am striving. I will have what I desire. I will take advantage of the opportunities put before me such as the TSI test support from the school. We must learn to make good decisions to have a best life.

D jones 3rd

3/1/2019 03:59:32 pm

I agree you don’t have to have a plan but you have to have in you head that you have to try.

C. Swann 2nd

1/28/2019 10:18:52 pm

I don’t believe that you have to work hard to get what you want, but to keep it you will. I also don’t believe forcing people provides better results. Most of the students that have a problem with the ultimatum that was given don’t understand the reasoning behind the TSI. Maybe if they had been educated on its purpose, they could’ve taken it serious the first time. Just like it would be frowned upon for someone to sign a contract without reading, it should be frowned upon that they aren’t elaborating on the reasoning behind these standardized tests.

D jones 3

3/1/2019 03:55:01 pm

I think you have to have the mindset to get what you want. Not necessarily work hard.

D jones 3

3/1/2019 03:51:53 pm

I appreciate them thinking about us but you can’t make people want to be successful. They are forcing us to do this. You can’t make a person want to take the test if they done want to . Then if they don’t want to they try to take our senior events away.

M Robinson link

3/3/2019 08:08:52 pm

M. Mason 1st

3/4/2019 07:59:54 am

I agree not everyone can pass those tests. I feel like it’s for certain people to pass.

LaDavia Richardson-5th per

3/4/2019 05:21:26 pm

Teaching is the partial blame for us not obtaining all the knowlsdge needed to gain success. We also have other tools at the high school to ensure we have access to at least something to try and better the situation.

M. Mason 1st

3/4/2019 07:59:00 am

The school has made sure they had prepared us for all the tests necessary for graduation. Personally I have not felt prepared for the tests. The TSI is that hardest test I’ve taken yet in high school. If they see that some students acannot pass this test why continue to force us to take it until we pass it? I think it’s all for money.

Ricardo Montoya

3/4/2019 09:41:01 am

I don't agree that they can plan something 3 days in advance and expect full attendance. I'm fortunate enough to be able to drive however many people don't have that luxury. We want to be successful but why are they just now beginning to try to encourage our success. Things like this should have been placed at the beginning of the school year instead of 4 months from the end

LaDavia Richardson-5th per

3/4/2019 03:01:53 pm

I agree. Poor planning plays a huge role in attendance to things of this nature. Due to us having jobs and other responsibilities on weekends, we should have had this all planned out at the beginning of the year. She can't just pop up in the middle of the school year, making demands and having consequences she can't take away.

LaDavia Richardson-5th per

3/4/2019 02:58:34 pm

At first, I'm not going to lie, I was a little taken back by all the demands given at one time; but then i thought about it. She's only trying to help better us and our futures. She's simply providing us with the tools needed to survive in this black and white world. Nobody askes the students from a more upscale school to study for tests they know they need in order to succeed at tasks set out at hand. These Saturday sessions are actually more helpful than harmful. Me taking out a little time in the mornings on Saturdays has helped me with the little school work during the week, as well.

S. Sanders- 1st Period

3/4/2019 06:48:10 pm

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Mixed Ink is our class blog, the window into our souls. It was designed to improve students' writing, critical thinking and communication skills by giving them a platform to provide meaningful content based on their interpretation of what they see.

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