These so-called "evaluations" are nothing but exams under a different name, and they are going to be a great problem for all of us.
These exams are only called evaluations because exams must be accompanied by exam days. By calling these evaluations, the school board need not worry that they will be in trouble by decreeing that all "big tests" can be written while classes are still going on. We write tests all the time during a regular school day so big tests shouldn't be any different.
Another thing annoying me is the way everyone says that they're trying to improve or maintain the quality of education we receive, yet they still mess us up by creating the ever-unpopular evaluation. These were created to make up for the strike. We could have cut a couple days off Christmas holidays and March Break to allow for the correct amount of educated time.
I say if sounds like a duck, smells like a duck, and looks like a duck, then it must be a bear.
Smutton
You may have noticed that your teachers yesterday were wearing black. This was not a hip fashion statement. It was a statement of another kind.
The infamous Bill 160 was supposed to have passed today, but due to technical difficulties (a brave, militant teacher sabotaged the printer, in my opinion), the Bill will be passed on Monday.
And, yes, it will pass, mark my words. This government is evil, and does not care about the good of the people. It only cares about cold, hard cash, and power. (Hey, sort of like MacNews!)
MacNews
On Wednesday, at four o'clock, teachers from all over Scarborough gathered in the auditorium here to listen to Earl Campbell, the Director of Education for the Scarborough Board.
He told the teachers that he respected their determination while fighting for a good cause against a government where "there was no listening to the people." He also told them not to back down, even though teachers "have been battered like no other profession has been battered in a long time."
He mentioned the international test scores, and compared our education system to that of Singapore. He said a system like Singapore's, where discipline and pure academics is more important than a well-rounded education, is what the residents of Singapore want, but "I don't agree with that, and I don't think most citizens (of Ontario) do."
Earl Campbell also referred to the government's opinions on the education system: "It's a big lie. It's a big lie that this system is not working."
For me, the most memorable part of his presentation was when he said, "I've been working in education for 34 years, and I'll be damned if I let someone destroy it under my nose."
This presentation boosted the morale of many teachers. It showed that the senior administration of the Scarborough Board of Education cares for its teachers, and supports their cause.
Nony LaSouris
'Batman', 'Flipper', 'Leave It To Beaver', 'Star Trek' - where have they gone? Where no man has gone (oops - no person; it is the nineties) has gone before. In other words, to late night programming available only to those who suffer from insomnia or those who have no life and stay up simply to watch them. Either way, fans such as us are doomed to new shows 'Days Of Our Lives' and 'Melrose Place'.
What has happened to our quality programming from the sixties, seventies, and eighties? A personal favourite of ours has always been 'Kids In The Hall'. After years of hard work and dedication to real comedy, the only shows left to support gay humour are - well - Ellen. Cough.
And as for this so-called 'Comedy Network', we would justb like to !$@*! May we point out that the only good shows that get us motivated to fishing the converter out from the couch to watch are shows from - that's right! Our past! Old 'Saturday Night Live', with real hosts, (sorry Pamela Lee), or Jim Carreys' ever-famous 'In Living Colour'. 'The Cable Guy' made me want to call my cable guy and do a little re-wiring.
For those of you out there who understand and agree with us - both of you - we need your support! We will not let the eighties values slip from between our fingers. We need to keep the greed, slef centeredness, climb to the top attitude alive in all of us. There is only one way to do this. With the greatest influence of all time. Television.
Crunchy Spam and Enigma
Okay. How many of you guys are sick of hearing the lame music that the office plays in the morning before class? Look, I have nothing against listening to some music after I wake up to get me going, but what they've been playing has been utter bull!!! If you don't know what the heck I'm talking about, maybe you should get off your lazy arse earlier in the mornin' and actually LISTEN to the freakin' music! Or should it be called "noise?" Well, if you do know what I'm talking 'bout, you could go to the office and offer 'em some suggestions. Anything, I mean ANYTHING is better than the OMC they played last year! I certainly wouldn't mind hearing some of Rage Against The Machine's politically driven lyrics before class. Or maybe some high-energy West-Coast Canadian punk-rock! People have suggested Our Lady Peace, more Spice Girls, Offspring, Prodigy, Chemical Bros, Great Big Sea, Silverchair, even Oasis have been recommended several times! Sooo, let's go to the office, and demand better music, using tghe threat that if they don't we'll support Stoopid Head's "Naptime" movement. If we get our (fine, MY) way, the student body won't have to put up with the dreary melancholic mix of music-like stuff we hear every morning.
Desperado
By yesterday, the Australian band INXS should have been on their world tour. Not only was there yet another album to promote, but they were to also enjoy the fruits of their labour after staying together as a group for twenty years. Instead, family, friends, and fans of the lead singer Michael Hutchence gathered in Melborne, Australia to bid farewell to the 37-year-old singer, who was found with a belt around his neck "in the shower" at a ritzy Sydney hotel last week.
The events of the past week were definitely a far cry from twenty years ago, when Hutchence and several of his "mates" formed the band that would later be known as INXS. While they scored their first big hit in 1986, it wasn't until 1990-1991 that hits like "Suicide Blonde", "Disappear", and "Bitter Tears" finally made them superstars. Sadly, things for INXS started to go downhill after the advent of Seattle grunge rockers like Nirvana and Pearl Jam. However, things were starting to look up for him: he and Paula Yates (the ex-wife of Bob Geldof) were to have married in the new year in the presence of their 15-month-old baby. So why wasn't he happy? While police have yet to determine whether Hutchence's death was either due to suicide or to murder, one thing's for certain: he died the death of a celebrity: "in-excess". While he is now gone, the music of INXS will live on.
Farewell, "mate".
Kathy Tam
No, it's not really that bad...however, there is a certain council in this school that I've seen go down the toilet. I'm referring to the infamous Music Council.
A few years ago, it was a democracy...the executive listened to ideas and concerns fron the council members, and took them into consideration. Nowadays, the executive decides what the fundraisers are (always the same, anyway) and what special events will take place. When a member expresses a concern or shares an idea, the exec opens one ear, and it goes right on through the other. It's time that we stand up for our rights to GET OUR VOICES HEARD! We have ideas too, eh? (Imagine that!!) In most cultures and countries, this would be considered DICTATORSHIP!! Now, comparing the council to Hitler is rather severe...they don't want to kill anyone, and we are not forced to do anything we don't want to do. However, I still consider it dictatorship, because the members don't have a say in what goes on in their department. Thoughts from the Council Exec are more than welcome. See ya'll in 2 weeks.
The Critic
Where will you be tonight at 12:05 a.m.? The correct answer should be sitting in front of your TV, which is tuned in to Global. That's when South Park comes on. IT RULES! Although it's not politically correct, and [censored] to that we can't write any quotes from it [censored] just [censored].
The Degenerates
It's starting to get colder outside now that it's November. The temperature has dropped, the leaves have fallen, and so has some snow. So why have everybody's spirits fallen? What is it about winter that makes people moan and groan and whine about little things like, "Ohhhhhhh gawd! There's FROST out there!!!!"
Chill out (pardon the pun)!
I happen to think that winter time is way better than summer. Close up your jaws! I like getting a chilled nose and the rosey cheeks. I like playing in the snow, making snowmen and angels and snow castles. I like wearing the elaborate costumes for the weather (i.e. big, wooly coats, huge boots, fat mittens, and awfully floppy hats!) But mostly, I like CHRISTMAS (or Hanukah for my Jewish buddies)!
So stop griping about the cold weather. If I hear one more person complaining about the snow, I'll have to break out a SNOWBALL FIGHT!!!!!!
Heh heh heh... just kidding!
-(: CHEEKY :)