opinions


Picking a SMOB

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | March 10, 2015, 6:24 p.m. | In Op/Ed »

As MCPS students prepare to vote on the nest Student Member of the Board (SMOB), we should consider the most important issues that will face them. In evaluating our choice for SMOB, we should consider how they will address the achievement gap, PARCC and other standardized testing, and communication between the SMOB and the student body.


Extra time

By Nicholas Shereikis | March 8, 2015, 7:25 p.m. | In Humor »

After months of intense deliberation and serious debate, the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Board of Education (BOE) has made a momentous decision.


You want the truth? Part One

By Brian Le | March 5, 2015, 3:23 p.m. | In Op/Ed »

Boko Haram has been devastating parts of rural West Africa. Where is the coverage?


Don't walk in the PARCC

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | Feb. 24, 2015, 5:16 p.m. | In Op/Ed »

Common Core and PARCC will undermine education at Blair, Montgomery County and states across the U.S. In order to prevent such an educational fiasco, Maryland should drop out of the PARCC consortium.


Selma's snub: egregious, but unsurprising

By Neida Mbuia Joao | Feb. 22, 2015, 1:49 p.m. | In Op/Ed »

In true Yeezus fashion, I feel I must make a controversial declaration: Hollywood does not like black people. The problems with diversity are not new to the film industry; they've been around since its inception in the early 20th century.


There's no I in 'measles'

By Sarah Trunk | Feb. 15, 2015, 10:19 a.m. | In Op/Ed »

Basic safety precautions should be taken to eliminate the spread of infectious, dangerous diseases.


The chance to grow up bilingual

By Amalia Chiapperino | Feb. 9, 2015, 2:05 p.m. | In Op/Ed »

With the exception of the few immersion programs available in the county, schools are making it more difficult for kids to become proficient in the language they're learning by waiting until middle school to introduce foreign languages into the curriculum.


SCO snoWatch: January 26, 2015 (take two)

By Brian Le | Jan. 26, 2015, 10:42 p.m. | In Humor »

Yesterday's snowstorm left us less than enchanted and wetter than we'd like. Could its second leg give us the snow day we're after?


SCO snoWatch: January 26, 2015

By Brian Le, Zoe Johnson | Jan. 24, 2015, 10:20 p.m. | In Humor »

How-ev-er, before the snow day comes the call, and before the call comes predictions. SCO, of course, is the most accurate predictor of snow days; so stick around for updates on whether we'll be having a snow day this Monday.


Am I Charlie?

By Divya Rajagopal | Jan. 21, 2015, 1:21 p.m. | In Op/Ed »

In the field of political satire there is an implicit barrier between satire and browbeating, between free speech and libelous hate: a barrier that Hebdo crossed a long time ago.


Flipping the classroom on its head

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | Jan. 9, 2015, 12:58 p.m. | In Op/Ed »

So how do we make sure that students know 100 percent of the foundation of a subject and 100 percent of all the concepts after? By flipping the lecture-test model of schooling on its head.


Shut it down

By Robert Pfefferle | Dec. 11, 2014, 8:05 p.m. | In Op/Ed »

Casinos can now be found anywhere from inner cities and beaches to rural farmlands and Native American reservations in 39 different states. But there are plenty of other ways the state could improve education without legalizing gambling.


Shoveling out more snow days

By Brian Le | Dec. 9, 2014, 12:35 p.m. | In Op/Ed »

While this law is a valiant effort in ensuring adequate learning time for students, it ultimately prevents MCPS from using a more effective calendar that does not rely so much on makeup days.


Caring for homeless in the cold

By Zewde Ingram | Dec. 8, 2014, 8:07 p.m. | In Op/Ed »

It is important that throughout the nation we ensure that all homeless people are protected from the elements and have a warm place to stay while the polar vortex approaches.


The rise of the religious left

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | Dec. 5, 2014, 10:31 p.m. | In Op/Ed »

With a growing community of religious progressives among young people, we may be about to see the political and religious tide turning back toward a message of economic equality and social tolerance.


The Strength in Numbers

By Rohan Oprisko | Dec. 5, 2014, 1:18 p.m. | In Humor »

Instead of following the high school trends of under- or overdressing for the cold, all that is necessary is to use layers effectively. To fully understand why using layers instead of a big bulky coat or no coat at all, we will analyze each way to dress.


Hannah Graham not the only thing that went missing

By Aidan Keys | Dec. 3, 2014, 1:40 p.m. | In Op/Ed »

Now, as the story captures America's audiences, portraying Graham less as a person than as a generic story to gain news coverage, she's also the symbol of a telling gap in the politics of American news media.


Uncivil rights

By Sarah Trunk | Dec. 3, 2014, 1:15 p.m. | In Op/Ed »

Civil forfeiture is a law that allows the police to do all of the above, and it needs to be stopped. It is an unfair system that needs serious reformation in order to fulfill its intended purpose and actually help the American people.


A vote for corruption

By Maximillian Foley-Keene | Nov. 9, 2014, 9:43 p.m. | In Op/Ed »

If the American people are able to accept knowing less about their political system, the federal government will be able to address pressing issues with more ease.


Don't edit our history

By Neida Mbuia Joao | Nov. 5, 2014, 1:16 p.m. | In Op/Ed »

Since its release last year, the film 12 Years a Slave has been an important part of how the American public views slavery.


Too much negativity on TV

By Harini Salgado | Nov. 4, 2014, 9:57 a.m. | In Op/Ed »

While negative ads do serve a purpose in our democracy, voters shouldn't be inundated with them every time they want to tune in to their favorite TV show.


Lighten up on Obama

By Robert Pfefferle | Nov. 4, 2014, 9:40 a.m. | In Op/Ed »

Republicans and Democrats alike have grown tired of Obama's indecisive actions on global issues, and are already looking forward to 2017.


The Pink Out's true colors

By James Sleigh | Oct. 30, 2014, 9:04 p.m. | In Op/Ed »

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which once again reminds Americans both about the disease and the controversy surrounding the organizations and nonprofits working for a cure.


America faces biggest threat since the Red Scare

By Nicholas Shereikis | Oct. 29, 2014, 4:16 p.m. | In Humor »

Horrifyingly, yoga pants and other articles of the female wardrobe are slowly becoming extinct in school districts around America. Young women nationwide are being forced to give up their freedom to dress as they choose in order to prevent their male counterparts from becoming distracted.


The clock must rotate faster

By Robert Pfefferle | Oct. 26, 2014, 3:03 p.m. | In Humor »

Blair is home to almost 3,000 students, or, one might say, 3,000 sleep-deprived zombies.

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