media

MCPS pilots corollary sports teams

By Sebastian Medina-Tayac | Dec. 16, 2010, 2:45 p.m. | In Print News »

This year's inaugural corollary bocce ball team will begin its first season on Dec. 13, coached by science teacher and soccer and basketball coach, John Haigh. Blair's newest team, along with six other county high school teams, is part of an MCPS athletics program to bring in students not usually involved in athletics, including those with disabilities.

Teachers and students form bonds beyond Blair Boulevard

By Simrin Gupta | Dec. 16, 2010, 2:44 p.m. | In Print Features »

It's a bevy of hugs, handshakes and high spirits during lunchtime in math teacher Jacob Scott's room. The room is buzzing as kids clamor over one another to talk to Scott. Unconstrained by class work or lesson plans, Scott and his students discuss anything from world news to students' personal lives, while still finding time discuss the material that will be on the quiz next week.

The leading question

By | Dec. 16, 2010, 2:44 p.m. | In Print Opinions »

This article was written by the Silver Chips Print Editorial Board and is intended to represent the official views of the newspaper. The hallmark of a legitimate, functioning democracy is generally considered to be a fair, enduring voting process, in which the people's wishes translate directly to electoral results. Consecutive peaceful transfers of power are often a good indicator that stability is reigning and that the citizens can breathe a little easier.

Subtracting math acceleration adds to learning

By Claire Koenig | Dec. 16, 2010, 2:40 p.m. | In Print Opinions »

I've got a problem for you. No need to take out scratch paper, it shouldn't be too hard. If 50 elementary school students are placed in an accelerated math class, and 10 of them learn none of the basic concepts they need to succeed in higher levels of math, how many of these students should not have been in the course in the first place?

Two Blazers tear up the turf

By NoahGrace Bauman | Dec. 16, 2010, 2:32 p.m. | In Print Features »

Soccer could be considered the ultimate team sport: Players pass and defend each other to work toward a common "goal.” In a sport that relies on group identity, two dynamic Blair players set themselves apart from the pack. After a stellar season for the Lady Blazers, senior Sofia Read and junior Jamie Kator kicked their way onto the highly competitive All-State Soccer team.

Rise up against rising tuition rates

By Stella Bartholet | Dec. 16, 2010, 2:28 p.m. | In Print Opinions »

Throwing eggs, setting off flares and breaking windows: This is how England reacted to a recent jump in college tuition. The cost of attending an American college has been rising for decades, yet few people have protested.

Country in Profile: Cameroon

By Maureen Lei | Dec. 16, 2010, 2:27 p.m. | In Print Features »

Junior Larissa Sofia Taaga attended the school in her hometown of Yaoundé, the capital city of Cameroon, but she knew that no degree, no certificate and no qualification would secure her a bright future. Without the government connections needed to secure a job, Taaga saw few opportunities in her home country.

Doors do not close when Blazers come out

By Jenny Sholar | Dec. 16, 2010, 2:07 p.m. | In Print Features »

In a classroom tucked away on the second floor, a handful of students gather, leaning on desks and lounging on chairs. They sit at ease, joking and chatting, completely relaxed — a mood that befits the atmosphere of the room. The walls of the room are hung with posters about human rights, equality and tolerance. One features several figures in rainbow neon colors, bearing the legend "Generation Q: Young, Proud, Queer." This room, where the people are friendly and open to all comers, is the meeting room of Blair's Gay-Straight Alliance, or GSA.

Mega Mart

By Jewel Galbraith | Dec. 16, 2010, 12:15 p.m. | In Print Features »

It's noon on a Saturday, and cars are streaming into the back parking lot of a boxy brick building on the corner of Piney Branch Road and University Boulevard. Families get off the Ride On bus that stops directly outside and move toward the building's back entrance, where a dark purple awning that reads "Mega Supermarket” covers a long line of shopping carts. Inside a purple booth under the awning, a woman bundled in winter clothing sells food: tamales, taquitos, pan con gallina. A few feet away, families get Christmas photos taken under a crowded white tent. Shoppers bustle up the steps, past a large bulletin board and a giant, bright yellow advertisement for Del Frutal juice. From just outside the doors, the shoppers can hear the twang of guitar music and Spanish vocals.

Community garden plans blossom

By Claire Koenig | Dec. 16, 2010, 12:14 p.m. | In Print News »

Plans for a new Silver Spring community garden on Fenton Street are underway, with high hopes for an opening in April. The Montgomery County Parks (MCP) service has collected a soil sample from the potential garden space at 7904 Fenton Street to ensure that the soil is safe and fertile enough for plant growth.

Let it snow: Montgomery County is ready

By Larisa Antonisse | Dec. 16, 2010, 12:14 p.m. | In Print Opinions »

As soon as the weatherman predicts snow, children, teens and even some teachers start their snow-inducing rituals. In order to make the fluffy stuff come faster, they wear their pajamas inside out, flush ice cubes down the toilet and sleep with spoons under their pillows. But this winter, snow-loving residents of Montgomery County are going to have to step up their game if they really want a day off, because the new snow removal plan is going to get the streets clear and the school buses on their way faster than ever.

NEWS ANALYSIS: On bus fees, Montgomery County drives down a dangerous road

By Biruk Bekele | Dec. 16, 2010, 12:07 p.m. | In Print News »

In early December, Maryland State Senator Richard S. Madaleno withdrew a bill that aimed to allow the school system to implement bus fees for optional programs including magnet, immersion and consortium programs. According to Madaleno's Chief of Staff Adam Fogel, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) advised Madaleno that the bill was not sufficient enough to allow the county to implement bus fees, prompting the senator to withdraw the bill.

Teach for America heads the class

By Natalie Rutsch | Dec. 16, 2010, 12:02 p.m. | In Print Opinions »

When an educator brings up school reform, the words "achievement gap" are never far behind. In a time when a dismal half of low-income students graduate high school, the need for dramatic educational reform has never been more urgent.

Pro/con: Should military recruiters be allowed to promote enlistment in high schools?

By Claire Boston, NoahGrace Bauman | Dec. 16, 2010, 11:56 a.m. | In Print Opinions »

Section 9528 of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 requires public schools to allow military recruiters in schools where college recruiters are also permitted. Opponents of the provision argue that recruiting in high school unethically takes advantage of students, while others claim that military recruiters simply inform interested students of possible career options.

3:00 buses overflow

By Biruk Bekele | Dec. 16, 2010, 11:33 a.m. | In Print News »

Due to issues of overcrowding on local magnet and activity buses serving the Takoma Park Middle School and Eastern Middle School areas, Blair has implemented a bus pass system. According to Magnet Coordinator Peter Ostrander, bus drivers have seen a sizable increase in the number of non-Magnet and non-CAP students who want to ride 3:00 and 4:30 buses.

Undemocratic championship system threatens America's iconic sport

By Maggie Shi | Dec. 16, 2010, 11:30 a.m. | In Print Opinions »

On New Year's Day, millions of college football fans around the country will tune in to the Rose Bowl, the first of five bowls in the Bowl Championship Series (BCS). But even as spectators cheer on their favorite teams, a glaring issue remains in the backs of their minds. Football is uniquely American, and the national championships should reflect the values of the nation — equality, fairness and the opportunity of success. Ironically, however, exclusivity and inequality in the BCS make it simply impossible for "America's new pastime” to reflect these American values.

Delays freeze plans for ice rink

By Claire Sleigh | Dec. 16, 2010, 11:28 a.m. | In Print News »

Montgomery County officials have determined Tri-State Management, LLC as a potential contractor for the yet to be opened Downtown Silver Spring ice rink, following weeks of negotiations with multiple rink contractors. The county has tentatively set late December as an opening goal for the ice rink.

Majestic unveils IMAX

By Srividya Murthy | Dec. 16, 2010, 11:21 a.m. | In Print News »

On Nov. 19, Regal Majestic opened its first IMAX theater with "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I." This is the first IMAX theater to open in Montgomery County, and is the first of four new IMAX theaters to be built in the Washington D.C., metropolitan area, according to Kirby Lawson, associate manager at Majestic.

Two Blazers tear up the turf

By NoahGrace Bauman | Dec. 16, 2010, midnight | In Print Sports »

Soccer could be considered the ultimate team sport: Players pass and defend each other to work toward a common "goal.” In a sport that relies on group identity, two dynamic Blair players set themselves apart from the pack. After a stellar season for the Lady Blazers, senior Sofia Read and junior Jamie Kator kicked their way onto the highly competitive All-State Soccer team.

The mind-body connection

By Jenny Sholar | Nov. 11, 2010, 2:41 p.m. | In Print Features »

Freshman Bronwen Tursman breathes deeply, eyes intent on the screen in front of her. With every inhale and exhale she takes, her character in the video game takes another step through the fantastical world on screen. But this is no game - it's an alternative therapy Tursman uses to manage the illness that leaves her in constant pain.

Blazers sticking to their guns

By Claire Sleigh | Nov. 11, 2010, 2:35 p.m. | In Print Features »

The walls of the room are laden with upwards of 300 guns, including rifles, pistols, shotguns and revolvers. And no, this is not a military operation. This is a shooting range.

He may be young, but this freshman isn't green

By Srividya Murthy | Nov. 11, 2010, 2:28 p.m. | In Print Features »

At fourteen years old, freshman Victor Adamson is small and slight. He isn't built like a linebacker, but he has exceptional athletic talent. As a star freshman golfer on Blair's golf team, Victor shows that his size and age are no shortcomings for his gift - an inherent talent and potential for golf.

Blazer volunteers widen the circle of giving

By Stella Bartholet | Nov. 11, 2010, 2:18 p.m. | In Print Features »

A sofa or bedside table can easily be taken for granted. But at A Wider Circle, a non-profit organization in Bethesda, furniture has the power to change lives - including the lives of Blair students.

2010 Election guide

By Biruk Bekele | Nov. 11, 2010, 1:24 p.m. | In Print News »

BSA cuts back academic program and tightens security

By Stella Bartholet | Nov. 11, 2010, 1:01 p.m. | In Print News »

Budget cuts and new security expectations forced the Blair Sports Academy (BSA) to make changes in its program this school year, affecting the study and recreational habits of students. After school, Blazers now have less time in the Media Center and must sign into the BSA in order to use the Student Activity Center (SAC).