January 15

Persuasive

Dear Prosper School Board,

 

My name is Alex Wells, and I am currently enrolled as a grade 12 student at Prosper High School. I am writing to you today to formally inform you of my decision regarding the proposal of a four-day school week. As a student attending the school at this time, I have decided that it is in everyone’s best interest that we change our regular school week into four days. Throughout my letter I will be discussing factors such as a new timetable, benefits financially, and educational advantages. 

 

The first thing that naturally comes to one’s mind when thinking about a shortened school week, is not being able to finish the school year in time for exams; and that should be the main concern: however, regarding this ongoing discussion the Prosper High School have developed a new timetable that runs earlier in the morning and later in the evenings. With this new timetable classes will begin, Monday to Thursday, at 7:55 and will end at 4:04. Due to the extended day schedule they have also increased each block from 65 minutes long to 83; and have decreased lunches by 10 minutes and breaks by two. This shows that by losing a day from the week we gain more hours in our day. By having longer blocks we have more time to go through topics and even move on to a different topic. These extended blocks will help students get the time they need in order to ask questions and clarify information they don’t understand. By adopting this new schedule school may still go on during days that should have been naturally taken off. However, because of this new schedule it will give students and teachers to plan, learn, and teach much more efficiently, thus developing a more engaging learning environment.

 

The second point I will be discussing is the Prosper School budget. In any building, when it is running and occupied by individuals it spends money; money on heating, electricity, water, and much more. However, the less time people occupy the building the more money we save. In the average five day week at Prosper High School we spend around $190 for maintenance, operation, and transportation. With the new schedule, we would spend $166 a week, which is a $24 difference. This may not seem that much, but when $24 is saved every week over the course of a school year it accumulates. This money can then be out towards new equipment for sports teams or a new cafeteria or even an extension to our school. With the money that is saved the possibilities to enhance the students learning opportunities are endless; and that is how we should be viewing this as an opportunity to become better.

 

My third and final factor today are educational advantages. By adopting the four-day week many benefits will arise, and not just for students. Teachers will have more time to create and plan weeks that interest the student and make class time more engaging. This then will result in higher attendance rates. Having the one week day off enables parents to book doctors appointment on that day so that students don’t have to miss class time: and this is the strongest factor for me due to my medical conditions. Throughout my school years I’ve been missing countless hours of school in order to go to the doctors; and because they are specialists appointments they take a very long time to get in, so when you get your appointment and you have a test the same day it is extremely hard to get back from that, especially in grade 12. Another factor that ties in with educational advantages, is having more time to relax. Many students in grade 12 and a high percentage in younger grades are stressing about school and making their lives revolve around school. Students never have time for themselves, have time to relax and focus on other important things in life. When all someone does is stress about one thing it begins to take away from them instead of giving. By having a shortened week students can have time to relieve their stress and anxiety, which statistically speaking makes them do better in school and other extracurricular activities. And who doesn’t want an extra day to complete projects or study or even find a part time job.

 

There are many positive effects that come out of adopting a four-day week schedule; even more than what I have discussed with you today. This adoption will benefit everyone that is involved in this community, not just students getting an extra day off every week. I thank you for taking the time to read my letter and I hope it informs you of all the positivist and benefits it will bring to us.

 

Sincerely, Alex Wells

Category: Jaffar, Sept 2019 | LEAVE A COMMENT
January 15

Persuasive- Prosper High

Kerry Sinclar

1234 Brookes State Ave

Prosper Town

 

December 3rd, 2019

Ms. Sinclair

403-123-4567

 

Dear, citizens of Prosper Town

 

My name is Kerry Sinclair, I had recently graduated from Prosper High School  and the purpose of writing to you today, is regarding the high rising tension involving the local Aurora Theatre. I believe this town has been facing internal conflicts consisting of this present situation, and must reach a verdict, in order to strive for the betterment of this town. That is why I have decided to have finalized, that the Aurora Theatre to have shut down and redeveloped, so what the Prospers Town values most we can invest that into the redeveloped site.

 

Amongst many people living in this town, according to the majority of the citizens  in this town, are formed by the younger generation who potentially have the upperhand. But at a fair point, the residents of the town, 50 plus in age are a portion of the people, that are in favour of closing down the theatre. Along side of the younger residents living in this town also want to close down the Aurora Theatre, according to the Fast Poll results. This is showing us a broad spectrum in which populations of both males and females want the theatre to close down. Especially due to the fact that the majority of the poles are in agreement from the younger ages, and want a change to enhance the ways they can spend their leisure time. However in accordance to the citizens ideal views of closing the Aurora Theatre, it may possibly enhance how improvements of redeveloping the site may better yet, bring more interest and pleasure into the future plans of the new site.

Image result for movie theatre

As enforced by the Prosper Town’s Memorandum, states the purpose to permanently close down the Aurora Theatre, in an attempt to sell the land to the highest bidder for ownership of a new project. Especially originating  from the background of the theatre, was previously owned by retiring residents, showing that the site may have potential into becoming something else. Also with the help of the new owners can once again value the Fast Poll results, in order to pertain new ideas and views and invest them back into the building. Thus create something that is well justified and suitable for all citizens to enjoy their leisure time. And hopefully with new ownership of the facility, it can help bring change and adequate levels of precision that will enhance the utilization of this space for the citizens

 

Especially for one of the reasons being that the majority of the citizens want to have the Aurora Theatre closed down, by showing displeasure and dissatisfaction for the interest in it.  But also the major tolls that the Theatre faces, is the expenses that must go into it, to keep it open and running. But despite the fact, they are earning revenue of thousands of dollars, they would also have to reinvest the profits back into the theatre due to the expenses of operational costs, film wages and the pay stubs for the wages given out to workers. So given all the undenying facts of the Aurora Theatre, the question is why keep it open if is barely making end’s meet. However also stated in the Academic journal illustrates that the preservation of the social interaction is key in most society to help prevent anti social behavior. Therefore, since the majority of the younger population, along side of the middle age people want the theatre to be closed, as an alternate option we can utilize that space into something that interests all people. And according to the Academic Journal, we want to prevent anti-social behavior so it’s important to help preserve it.  By doing so as the second preference to keep stability in our town we must have installed leisure interactions such as game rooms, sports clubs, play areas and also performances into the land of the theatre. 

 

To conclude, it is an appropriate decision to close down the theatre and utilize that space into something more leisurely that all of the Prosper Towns citizens can value. By doing so and going forward with this decision we can enhance the preservation of the people social behavior, and decrease the level amount of antisocial behavior and bring together this town in harmony and unity. But also create a community on this site, where all people views and ideals are valued. But also each citizen of Prosper Town can enjoy time with others and themselves in a more leisurely manner. Overall this decision can help utilize the townspeople to spend their time in a more joyful and casual manner. Hopefully my views on this current situation can help delegate you to this important cause for the betterment of this town If you have any questions you can reach me at 403-123-4567 or email me at Kerry.Sinlcar@gmail.com

 

Sincerely, Kerry Sinclair

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January 15

A Dark Past Unfolds A Happy Ending

During my days, serving and practicing in my cult I only found unhappiness and sadness. I thought one day I can escape my reality and find the true path of grace and mercy, but I kept doubting myself of that dream. Each day, upon existing within this undesired cultural veneration, I was instilled upon dark and demonic practices that would lead me to nothing but an unhappy life. I never understood why I continued to live toward  these practices, was it perhaps the passing of my daughter, and how my husband continually abused me day by day, or was it that I never had a true purpose in life.

As my dreams began to tower away from me, and my aspirations and goals grew deep away from my grasp of hope, I had lost my touch in life and turned away from the bliss I once had. It was only to that day, when all hope was lost I had that feeling of great pain and agony, where I felt that there was no purpose to carry on with my regular life. That of which I found this cult just in the inner city of Amsterdam, I thought I could redeem my satisfaction to regain hope, by joining this cult.

Little did I know that I was making a terrible mistake, and the woman I once was no longer existed or even a subtle conscious of my right intentions diminished from my mind. Day by day gaining acceptance and learning the art of this sinister group, it had drained all my emotions and sentiments away, and caused me to adhere from acting like a moral human being. Each day as I continued to live this dreadful life, I thought maybe one day, it will serve to do good by my side. But I knew the inevitably will serve me no justice, of the thought that lingers in my mind, of how I could create a life for this. Ever since the fallout of my family, my poor Angela dying of brain cancer and my sinful husband abandoning me, it felt like an anchor of suffering, dragging me to the bottom of the ocean, and the crushing water surrounding my body lead me to defeat, of not being able to get above the surface. And from that day just 3 months after the death of my daughter I was 45 when I joined that cult and it has been 25 years of dreadfulness and unworthiness.

However I began to think and contemplate that I could no longer live this life, and I have to move on, because I do not think Angela would have wanted me to do this.  And for the longest time I wanted to leave Amsterdam, because it was a capital for being corrupt, and morally an undesired place to live for the . Unfortunately I was bound to live life there, were prostitution, drugs, and other unwelcoming stuff existed. Especially for that fact I wanted to raise my daughter the best I could, I see beyond the cancer she had, and sadly I wasn’t able to give her that life.

I knew I was getting old and fatigue throughout the lonesome days I spent in that god awful city, but I finally knew what I needed to do. I always talked with Angela, about moving to Utrecht a town beyond Amsterdam, that was filled with bliss, peace and beautiful water canals. And so it was that day I informed my cult I was leaving and will not return, they felt betrayed and eagermined to cease me from existence, they threatened to kill me and have a punishment come my way for my betrayal.

I had no desire to reason with them, but it came to the point that my sense of hope was diminishing, but I couldn’t let that hinder my destiny. So the following hour, I ran to my cruddy and dirty town house, packed my personal belongings and got the keys to my 1958 Renault Captur and head straight for the highway. It was four and a half hours until I arrived at Utrecht, and awaiting was a small rustic cabin, with the view of a lush green forest and the beautiful canals, which complimented the town. 

When I parked outside the cabin, I exited the car and sat on the hood with a deep sense of relief, knowing I can start a new life on my terms with the intention to create serenity and grace. I was happy that I had finally left that life of mine, and start a new journey. I knew Angela could not be here to witness the peace and bliss of Utrecht, but I always remember as long as she is no longer suffering, I will always remain happy. Now I can finally say that despite my harsh and dark life I had, it all paid off to be here, because without it I would have never got here with my peace of mind.

 

Category: Kadin | 1 Comment on A Dark Past Unfolds A Happy Ending
January 15

Lit Exploration: A River Runs Through It

What Develops Us Changes Us

 

     Through the span of an individual’s life, they will begin to experience many different situations that play a significant role in shaping them. In these situations one will be able to develop a sense of knowledge; and how their life will soon become. Due to these experiences an individual will form their perspective on life, allowing them to develop a sense of their identity and their morals in life.  Adequately, if these experiences and significant moments shape the very meaning of who we are, then would it not be also possible for a certain moment to change everything? In the film, A River Runs Through it, directed by Robert Redford, it shows the development of Norman; and how his life changed when he came back from university. And as he tries to restore it to the way it was a devastating experience makes sure it never does. In my experience, I witnessed something I never thought I would, and it changed the way I think completely. When an individual uses their experiences to form their perspective on life and develop a sense of who they are, this allows one particular event to have the ability to change their life.

 

 When an individual lives their life developing themselves and creating a home, in the sense of comfort and acceptance, this will become the very thing they come to when life takes a turn. When Norman decides to attend university in New Hampshire, he is forced to move far away from his family and leave everything behind. Through the 16 years that his father invested in him, Norman came out of university with a teaching degree, only to realize that he wanted to work in the forestry industry. After the completion of university, Norman decided to go back home to Montana to see his family after such a long time. While sitting at a dinner with his parents, Norman says that he wishes that Paul was there and his parents agree with him. Here Norman and his family are having dinner silently together, however, Paul is not there due to having to work late. This shows how because Paul isn’t  at the dinner table with everyone, the family sits in silence and only talks momentarily about Norman and his experiences in New Hampshire. This shows that Paul is a very significant part of the family and is the one that always brings joy to their faces. Through this, because of Normans departure 16 years ago, many things have changed, especially moments with his family. While Paul is at work and missing the family dinner, Norman and his parents converse awkwardly and then come to the realization that Paul is a big part of the family. Through the experiences that Norman had in a different part of the country, he became more of an outsider when he came back, showing that even he couldn’t have a pleasant dinner with his own parents. This shows how an individual can distance themselves from their own past and become someone unrecognizable to the individuals most significant in their life. But, through this an individual will try to repair these ties and alter things to be how they were in the past.

 

When an individual begins to fix the ties that they have broken, they will soon realize that not everything can be completely the same as before. After the dinner with his parents, Norman decides to drive so Paul to see him. When Norman gets there, Paul is surprised and refers to him as the Professor. Here Paul is showing the prestigious atmosphere that Norman brings in with him. While sitting at Paul’s desk, Paul offers Norman a drink to break the awkwardness that has developed since the moment they greeted each other. This shows that, because Norman was gone for all these years, awkwardness was even building up between him and Paul. things were never awkward between them: they would always have the ability to talk freely and without sensor. Through the time that Norman stayed in Montana, he tried to fix his connections with everyone that was significant in his past life. Even with his family they would go fishing and enjoy the day together. The fishing they did together symbolized regeneration and forgiveness. By doing this they became closer to each other. However, one devastating event made sure that all of Norman work to fit back in with his family was ruined, was the death of Paul. When Norman was the one to tell his parents that Paul had been beaten to death, everything had changed. This is shown by the fact that they began to eat dinner in the kitchen and not in the dining room, that they wouldn’t talk about anything except Paul. Through this, one can infer that this particular experience, Paul’s death, changed everyone’s outlook on life. And even showed that Paul was the glue holding the family together. This event particularly affected Norman the most, because he wasn’t able to make his parents laugh, help them enjoy events like the church BBQ: that was all Paul’s doing. And because of this Norman was not able to bring back the comfort of home that he built during his adolescence. Through this one can infer that these significant events can have an enormous toll on an individuals life. The decisions we make in our past often times decide our future; even if we don’t agree with them. Having to restore what we had in our past in order to feel accepted may not be the case when trying to; and even though we try our hardest in these situations, they prove us wrong and our lives never return to the way they were. Through this an individual will have to accept what has happened to them and instead of restoring their comfort of the past they must make something new out of it and move forward. 

 

In my personal experience, I had a situation where a particular event changed my life completely. As a young boy I would always see homeless people walking around in their torn up clothes asking for money with a garbage bag on their backs. And me, and innocent child would give them money; whatever I had with me at the time. However, after my mom saw me she told me something I didn’t want to hear. ̈ ̈When you give them money, they don’t go buy food with it. They go and spend it on drugs and alcohol.̈ And from then on I didn’t give anyone anything. Until one day. I was walking in the park alone and saw this homeless man in a tent just sitting down doing nothing. So I decided to give him a twenty dollar bill and see what he would do with it. He thanked me and started to walk away. After several minutes of distantly following him, he walked into a nearby ghetto liquor store and came out with a big black bag. Me, jumping to conclusions thought it was a bunch of beer cans, but, after following him for a bit I saw him reach into the black bag and begin to hand out bags of chips and water to other homeless people in the park. I was in shock. I was in shock because all those years I would see homeless people smoking directly behind my house, and taking the money they got from people for granted. But not this man. This just proves to show that not everyone takes the money they get for granted. So from then on when I would see someone homeless sitting on the sidewalk in front of a convenience store, I wouldn’t give them money, I would go to buy food and give it to them. This way I knew I was making a difference in people’s lives and helping them out. And maybe my acts of kindness would influence them to do the same in other individuals’ lives. 

 

The steps we take and the actions we do in our early lives, determine the way we view the world. This is how an individual develops their character and the way they chose to live their life. In the film, A River Runs Through It, Norman moves away in search for a brighter future. To his surprise when he comes back nothing is the same. In his attempt to fix things to the way they were, he is hit by a significant event that with never allow him to bring himself back to the past. His brothers death. And because of this he is forced to develop a new sense of comfort with his own family. These experiences that we go through in our lives are the very things, if we know it or not, they develop who we are and change who we are.

Category: Jaffar, Sept 2019 | 1 Comment on Lit Exploration: A River Runs Through It
January 14

Persuasive Four Day Week

Dear prosper school board,

 

My name is Alex wells and I am a grade 12 student at Prosper High School. I am writing to you in hopes that I may be able to influence your decision on the proposal to adopt a four-day weekend. Having a four-day weekend would mean staff and students would now have Friday off, however I think we should reject the proposal and continue with a five-day week. I am part of many things around Prosper like the school play, Music Jam TeenFit! and orienteering while doing this I also have a job at Rosie’s Flowers having 8 hour days with short breaks would only cause stress for me and many other students I know who are in my shoes.

 

As a high school student who often stays after school for different extracurricular activities I know firsthand how it feels to have long hours and very little sleep. The schedule sent out to parents showing what the new school schedule would look like shows that students would be in their first class at 7:55 am and their last class would end at 4:04 pm. Most kids already struggle with balancing their social lives and school lives at the same time making it difficult to have time to rest. Especially for those kids who do extracurricular activities like myself would now have to have a three-hour rehearsal then have to go home to eat and finish homework that was given during the day as talked about on Fastpoll.com by Casey Schram who is a basketball player. During this day and age, it’s hard for kids to go to bed at an appropriate time since we spend the whole day having our brains stimulated by the world around us. As teens we also deal with stress more than any other generation because of the constantly changing world. Being in grade 12 has taught me how to balance this but how are kids just coming out fresh out of middle school supposed to adjust to having longer classes and shorter breaks this wouldn’t help our education system get better. The Academic Journal has recently reported that researchers have recently noted a connection between sleep and learning. They discovered that cutting one hour of sleep drops mental alertness by one third and though a three-day weekend seems promising attempting to catch will only wreck your sleep cycle worsening your sleep deprivation.

 

School tends to have kids on a particular schedule where they see their families very little spending a lot of time studying and doing whatever activities they are involved in during the school year. With a three day weekend families will now be able to spend time together and go on the getaways that are marketed by www.costlinetravel.com. The cost of having the school open only for four days is projected to be less than what it is now with the current five-day week but concerned parents like Kristina Oudet have pointed out the fact that they want their kids in school from Monday to Friday while they are at work, leaving their kids unsupervised on the Friday of is not an option. This is an opinion shared by 64% of the parents who voted on FastPoll.com. When considering whether or not to accept or reject the proposal I urge you to consider all parties involved including the students, staff, and parents. About 82% of educators would want to see a four-day weekend so they may be able to see some of the benefits like more time for teacher planning and higher attendance rates. Though there would be a projected higher attendance rate it would come at the cost of having fully awake and aware students who are prepared to learn, adolescents need more sleep as they grow and develop to maturity meaning it would have the greatest effect on them with 33% of students saying no to this change.

 

As a working student the time I can have trying to make money is very important to me since I am trying to go to university next year. Currently at Rosie’s Flowers I work from 4-6 on Monday to Friday and 10-5 on Saturday, making about none dollars an hour for fourteen hours per week making one hundred twenty-six dollars per week. If the new change was to be implemented had I still been in school, I would have made the same amount of money per week as before. Working students would have no break for themselves if this change were to happen they would instead go to school for four days having eight hour days and then when the weekend came would work for the majority of it making the same amount as they had before. I know firsthand that maintaining a schedule like this and keeping grades were they need to be would be draining for many especially high school students whose brains are still developing.

 

This decision of changing the school week would greatly impact those students who are a direct reflection of the town’s education system. If we make this step, we would be the first to do this and all the other towns are looking to us to see if this would work and that’s why I have to the Prosper High School Board in hopes that I may sway you to decide to reject this proposal. Accepting the proposal will pose the problems of lack of sleep in students, increased stress and a hectic schedule that would be very difficult to handle. I urge you to reject this proposal for the betterment of this town. Thank Prosper High School Board for listening to my opinion on the matter.

Sincerely,

Alex Wells

 

 

Category: Sept 2019, Tyra | LEAVE A COMMENT
January 14

The Power of Experience

https://www.google.ca/search?q=family+over+everything&rlz=1C1GCEA_enCA787CA787&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjtg7-61r7dAhUH-J8KHUDGABwQ_AUIDigB&biw=1920&bih=974#imgrc=jd5F9xLJYIK7YM:

Experiences have the ability to make or break someone; many of them shape who we are as individuals. When we go through something often we carry the lessons from it. It is the bad experiences that we remember and learn from, the experiences that bring great adversity within our lives. In A River Runs Through It, written by Norman Maclean, we are introduced to the Maclean boys Paul and Norman who as they grow up face many adversities but deal with them differently leading to a tragic ending to their story. Even though experiences have the ability to alter someone’s life it is how the individual deals with it that truly alters who they are.

 

In A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean it can be seen that throughout his life Paul Maclean is always seen as someone who made and followed their own rules but as he grows older he becomes darker getting involved with drinking and gambling at Lolo’s leaving those around him worried. Norman offers to help but his help is refused by his brother after he reveals his truth and his darkness to Norman. This experience with his brother left Norman feeling like he had failed to fill his role as the “brother’s keeper” though Paul is an adult and has the capability to deal with the consequences that come with his decisions. In the beginning of the film Norman says “My father once said to me Norman you like to write… Maybe one day you can write our story and only then you will understand what happened.” Norman like much of his family

ignored many of the problems that followed his brother Paul only quietly fearing what would happen to his brother. Not understanding what had happened to his brother Norman is left with the constant feelings of shame and guilt that he was not able to save his brother from his own demise.

 

After Paul’s death the Maclean family became more distant rarely ever talking about what had happened to Paul. When reverend Maclean and his wife are sitting in the kitchen at the table eating but not looking at each other, it is clear to the audience that Paul had been the glue of the family and having loss him they had lost a way to talk and connect with each other. Much like Paul his parents had a difficult time connecting and talking about the problems that come with losing a child especially one like Paul who often entertained and brought conversation to the dinner table that had been silent so many nights he hadn’t been there. Leaving a feeling of emptiness within the family.  Often families are brought together by loss and not torn apart, throughout the movie it is shown that the MacLean’s rarely ever address any problems pushing them to the side which could be seen as the driving force behind Paul’s death. This experience brought a

feeling of defeat within reverend Maclean who had been a man who walked proudly of who he was but now was hunched over by the time he had delivered one of his last sermons where he said “But we can still love them. We can love them completely without complete understanding” showing that though he does not understand his son he had come to terms with his death and loved him unconditionally.

There have been many experiences that have permanently altered my life. From the age of five to thirteen I had been bullied throughout all the schools I went to. It was like no matter where I went I wasn’t able to escape the demons that enjoyed torturing me. The feeling of being in a situation where your feel alone and like no one understands you makes your push into isolate yourself in fear of vulnerability. Opening up became a big fear of mine leading me to have constant anxiety and letting others take away my happiness. These very experiences helped me become who I am today. For many years I tried to run away from it until I hit a brick wall and had to fight back and find me. Building up my core values and showing that I am strong and capable but most importantly I have the power of being resilient. Like the MacLean’s I come from a culture where we push things under the rug: if it’s never mentioned it’s not a problem. The lack of understanding is often defeating but it is the unconditional love that I am given that keeps me going and pushing me into the right direction.

 

How an individual reacts to experiences alters who they are. It allows them an opportunity for growth and learning if not taken it can lead to a tragic ending like that of Paul Maclean. In A River Runs Through It, written by Norman Maclean the audience is shown through Normans actions with his brother along with the lasting effect Paul’s death had on the family that negative experiences have the power to make or break you. The repercussions of the experience shape who you are and the individual you will eventually become.

Category: Sept 2019, Tyra | LEAVE A COMMENT
January 14

4 Day Week Persuasive

Dear Prosper School Board,

 

    I am Alex Wells, a grade 12 student at Prosper High School. I am grateful for the invitation to this issue, and for allowing me to be able to suggest my perspective on this proposal about adopting a four-day school week. I believe that it would benefit the students and the teachers overall if the proposal was accepted, because two days off just for the weekends is not always enough for some people, especially when the middle or end of the senior semester is ticking by.

    Accepting the proposal is an amazing idea. It gives the people who are busy with projects and tests bunched up in a week or a day more time to study and prepare for those tests, and finish what needs to be done for their upcoming due dates. That extra time also allows students to take more time to relax and relieve some stress, maybe also use that extra time as an opportunity for extra rest. Students that work while attending school may also be able to split up their shifts for an easier and more subtle schedule, or add even more time to their weekly hours for more money. According to the source, “Educational Advantages of Four-Day School Week Summary,” Monica Pham’s presentation to the school board, it mentions that teachers will have more time to plan and prepare the course for the students, and that having a weekday off lets student-teacher interviews happen without interfering with a school day. It also says that there is more time for volunteering and cultural activities. This is proof that extra time would benefit the school and the people involved with it because it essentially allows students to do extra curricular things that would benefit their future with the extra time that they currently do not have, especially when it comes to creating a resume for a job. Teachers getting more time to plan out what they want to teach throughout a week will allow them to teach better, because they will be more sure of what needs to be done and by when. They might also use some of that extra time to assess feedback from students about their teachings and to provide more feedback for students struggling on assessments and projects. While the teachers do that, students have more time to study and catch up if they need to, and to finish projects with more passion and effort. Having only two days and five different subjects creates a struggle for some of the slower working students. Even for the fast workers, every student will be stressed if they have a project or a test for at least three of the five subjects to study for and finish within two days. They have to compromise between their input of effort over time.

    Some students that love to work hard and do good in school, or may possibly be struggling and always want to seek extra help with teachers, argue that having five days a week is more beneficial to them, because it gets them through more learning. Some parents back this up because of their lack of trust in their children’s responsibilities. Multiple sources have been considered, and those are the letter to the parents from Prosper High School containing the draft schedule for the 2017 to 2018 year, the fastpoll website surveying the parents, high school staff members, and its students, along with some comments, and finally, Rosie’s weekly hour schedule. Rosie’s schedule used to be from four to six after school every weekday, and ten to five on saturdays. This totaled to fourteen hours a week with nine dollars per hour. With a friday off, they do not need to work every weekday, and are able to work from nine to six straight on a friday, and keep the same ten to five on a saturday. This way, they still get the same amount of hours per week, and have mondays to thursdays doing anything else they want to do, which means that having a friday off gives some people more freedom and less stress throughout the week. Next, the letter containing the 2017 to 2018 school year draft timetable, shows that school will start 35 minutes earlier, and end 39 minutes later than their current schedule. Their breaks, including lunch, will be shortened by a grand total of 12 minutes. For the students that argue that having school on a friday gets them more time to learn, the time they believe is lost if there was no school on a friday is compensated by the longer blocks of the new schedule. Teachers even have the friday to plan out how much of the course they want to go through per day. On the fastpoll website, majority of the parents voted against the proposal, and most of the high school staff voted for the proposal. One of the parents that argued against the proposal commented that they wanted their kid in school on Mondays to Fridays when they are not at work rather than in front of the television all day, and that the thought of them being unsupervised on Fridays gives them nightmares. First of all, it is the parent’s responsibility to take care of their children, anxiety about them being irresponsible when they are unsupervised means that the parent is not doing a good job at being responsible for their children. A second comment from a student says that they have basketball practice at 4:15, and the new schedule ends at 4:04. They ask how they are supposed to practice, get home, eat, and do homework without being up until midnight and repeating that schedule at 6 in the morning on the bus. Time management is something all of us have to adhere to, whether we like it or not. It is something we have to do with the current schedule too. The benefit for him, is that he gets more time to practice and do his homework on Friday, because there will be no school that day. With the current schedule, the time he has for all of the things he listed is still crunched up, and he has less time overall to work on all of those tasks because Friday is currently a school day.

    Budgets are quite a concern too. With a five day schedule, the costs of operation, maintenance, and transportation for a bus costs a grand total of around 190,000 dollars out of the Prosper High School’s budget. Under a four day schedule, the total will be reduced by 24,000 dollars, which is 24,000 dollars that the high school can use for everything and anything else that can improve the learning of its students. This is what was predicted from the source, “Prosper School Budget Maintenance, Operation and Transportation Costs.” This extra 24,000 dollars could be used to support scheduled community activities like volunteering, orienteering, youth programs, as stated from, “Community groups see benefits to four-day school week.” On top of that, textbooks, workbooks, and course materials need to be purchased for students that register for certain courses and electives, so having 24,000 more dollars on the budget would help compensate for the increasing amounts of students attending on an annual basis. Quite often too, I hear classmates in Physical Education classes complain about the rusty quality of the sports equipment we use, everyone often ends up competing, pushing and shoving for first grabs to get the least worn out equipment for the sports we do. Maybe that extra 24,000 dollars could help out there too?

    With a four day school week, the school saves up quite a lot of extra money from its transportation costs, which could be used to benefit the school in terms of repair, improvements, materials, and equipment for the students. Teachers and students get more time to be better prepared for impending assignments and significant dates, exceptionally more beneficial to those who have to cram study and rush their projects and assignments over the course of the weekend when they have five different courses being taken on at once. Teachers and students also get more time to relax and relieve themselves so that they could potentially increase their performance on assignments, and also have more time to put more effort into their projects. Even though some may argue against the four day school week because of the time missed that could be used for learning, that missing time is compensated by the extended duration of school per day. The friday off every week could allow teachers to evaluate how much they have gone through, if they met their goal, and what they need to go through on a daily basis, in fact, the friday off also lets some teachers work only two days a week and still eek in fourteen hours per week, giving them less stress when doing their jobs. Come on, who would not want a longer weekend every week? As much of a worker and learner I am, as much as I support the idea of having more time to get tutored by teachers, we can do that through the internet. Every beneficial thing that comes from having a four day school week outweighs the cons of a four day school week, and in fact, having a four day school week lets students and teachers accomplish more with better effort and quality spliced into it within a weeks time. I’d like to thank the Prosper School Board for inviting my perspective on this proposal and taking the time and attention to consider whether the proposal should be accepted or rejected.

Sincerely,

Alex Wells

Category: Henry, Sept 2019 | LEAVE A COMMENT
January 14

December option B: The truth of society

Why is it we all treat others so harsh? Look at the past, how the treatment of African American was so unjust or the mistreatment of individuals such as Elie from the novel Night. If deep down everyone is truly kind and merciful how did such events occur? I write this persuasive piece to show the true heart of the world and how individuals only really care about themselves and have discontent towards certain individuals. Just take a look outside and you’ll still see the unfair treatment of certain religions,races, and cultures. I ask all these questions knowing there will never be a correct answer or that there will even be answered.

 

There is no individual one may put forth that will be willing to give up their own fortune for the sake of someone they do not even know. We can put a facade up showing a false image of ourselves but no matter how good our false identity is when put to the test no one will pass. I don’t say this with passion and joy of demining everyone but with sorrow for how weak man truly is. This can be proven with such a vast amount of examples, the first example that is most recent is the Uyghur Muslims in China who are being placed in internment camps. How is it possible in this day and age after watching the mass murder of millions of Jews and the regret and sorrow that comes with the Holocaust we still cant recognize the present day Holocaust? Why is it no one has taken action or done something, how is it world leaders watch this injustice continue with a blind eye. If we were really good people wouldn’t we have done something now other than just posting something on our Instagram and forget it. Mankind has evolved from the dawn of time from the en-slavery of non-whites to the multiple genocides. This can also be proven with the huge gap between the rich and poor, how is it with all the wealth billionaires and millionaires have we still end up with poor people can’t they just give some of their money for the poor. There’s one simple answer greed, everyone is full of greed and doesn’t really care about anyone but themselves.

Category: Aazab | 1 Comment on December option B: The truth of society
January 13

Persuasive- 4 day week

Dear, Prosper School Board

    My name is Alex wells, I am a grade 12 student at Prosper High school. I am writing this letter to discuss the matter of whether there should be a four-day week or not. I will be advocating the acceptance of this proposal. Due to this, I am a current student and I know the frustration of not being able to get my full sleep and then attending school with uneasiness, which leads me to not paying enough attention in class. Having a four-day week would have many benefits for our townspeople.

        There is going to be a huge amount of stress relief for the students and teachers. The students will have the advantage of catching up with their classwork, if falling behind, getting more time to study for exams. There has also been a comment on the Fastpoll.com website on how students can get more work hours if needed. Students will have the advantage to get the same amount of hours for work, over the weekend instead of working weekdays. If you take a look at the Academic Journal, it states that if students don’t get a good amount of sleep it affects their emotions, attention and academic performance for the whole day. Therefore, being able to catch sleep, many students’ attendance records will increase drastically. This means that their academic marks will improve. Although the school days are longer this can be an advantage to the students getting more time to complete assignments and tests with the amount of time they need.

          Although many parents would be disappointed in this matter because they wouldn’t appreciate their kids at home being on electronics, while at that time, they should be attending school and gaining an education. But this is a great opportunity for the teachers who have a family at home. Every parent wants to spend as much time they can with their family sometimes the holidays aren’t enough. Teachers, however, don’t get that opportunity, because even when they get home they need to finish their paperwork for the next day. This type of household where the parents aren’t giving their children the attention they need, which leads to awkwardness and isolation in the family and creates problems. This would be a tremendous opportunity for teachers to help the students who need or want extra help on Fridays. Also, this will allow teachers to catch up with the paperwork for marking or creating new resources and materials for students, and still manage to get a good amount of sleep for the week. Teachers have the most stress in school because they practically have two lives with children, one at home and another at school. The high school teachers need the energy to be available and help their students achieve the marks they desire for post-secondary education and provide resources for the students towards their path.

        This change can be really beneficial for saving more money and actually spending somewhere where needed. The transportation cost of the school is extremely high on regular five weekdays, whereas, on the four day week the school can save at least fifteen thousand dollars. This extra money can go into improving the academic resources for students who are not able to learn the same ways as others. Or for those students who need a different tool to gain knowledge for certain courses or content. For example, if students can get access to tablets or laptops in their school. This can be useful for those who can not or don’t like writing a lot of notes during class can easily type them up. Or for many students that are shy to ask questions, it will be easy for them to just quickly search it up on the electronics. If the electronic idea isn’t an insightful idea with the money, we can put the money in for activities on Fridays and get access to different programs to come join in our school and have fun.

         However, having the classes eighteen minutes longer would allow students to get their work done in class on-time work or at least it means less homework over the weekends. I can’t always get my homework done but when the weekend comes I am all caught up with my classes. But I get no time for myself or any activities, so with this proposal students can actually have time to do extracurricular activities. As for parents, they need to understand that were teenagers, this is the age for us to learn who we are? what do we want to do for our future? So with this extra day will have the opportunity to go and volunteer and gain experience and prepare themselves for the reality outside of school.

          Thank you, for taking the time to read my letter on behaving the proposal of adopting the four-day week, if you have any concerns or questions please contact me through my email (Alex-50@hotmail.com) or call me at (403-999-9999).

   Sincerely, Alex Wells

Category: Aneeqa, Uncategorized | LEAVE A COMMENT
January 13

Lit exploration

 

When an individual has lived through a life-changing experience, it can alter their life negatively or positively. Depending on the situation, it can result in a life full of passion and happiness or a life filled with regret and sorrow. Their perspective on life can change the way a particular experience has affected their own life. The people who are around them can also be affected by their choice of action and have to also deal with them in the future. Sometimes it’s inevitable and can’t get away from it. 

 

In the film, A River Runs Through It, Paul was the son of the minister and the younger sibling of Norman. They had always been together and played with each other all the time. One day their father had introduced “Fly Fishing” to both Norman and Paul. Once they actually got into the water, paul fell in love with fly fishing. He had told Norman one day that when he grew up he wanted to be a fly fisherman. This particular experience had a big effect on paul when he became older. He became a master at “fly fishing” and loved the skill that he had mastered throughout his life. Paul had such a burning passion for fishing that he had made his own type of fishing called “Shadow Casting”. In the film, Norman had said that it had become an art rather than just a skill that paul had mastered. For paul, whenever there was any awkwardness between him and his brother, he would always give the idea of fishing. Fishing was Paul’s way of ignoring the problems that he had and to just focus on what he loved doing the most.

 

Paul became a very mysterious character in the film. When Norman comes back from university, paul wasn’t there to greet him after 6 long years of being away from his family. He would leave late at night and sometimes not come back after a very long period. Norman eventually grew suspicious of Paul but didn’t think of it. Later on in the film, Norman had continuously heard about paul got to “Lolo’s” every night. The majority of people knew that paul went to Lolo’s at night and stay there. As we figure out, Paul gambles at Lolo’s and had a huge debt towards the people that he gambles with. But instead of trying to pay the people, he continues to play and play until he has a bigger debt than when he had started. This experience changed the way Paul lived his daily life. He would go to work during the day and then go gamble at night. He would often miss family dinners and go off gambling. This cycle that he was in, eventually had gotten out of control because, at the end of the film, he gets jumped and beaten to death.  His death had taken a toll on his family and they were never really the same ever since paul had died. Because was in major debt with the people that he played with at Lolo’s. Paul had been so caught up with his addiction that it had changed his lifestyle completely. Paul had even said “There are three things that you should never be late to work, church and fishing. But there was an instance where he was late for fishing. Being a hypocrite to his own words that he had spoken. It showed that gambling had taken a big toll in his life that he was late for fishing, which he is never late too. This life-changing experience for paul had severe consequences which eventually lead to his death. Small decisions can make a big impact on our future.

 

On September 12th, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called psoriasis. This particular event in my life had changed the way I think about things. I struggle with my skin every day. I take two or three medications and light therapy to treat my skin. It is not a cure but a way to suppress the disease and to make my life more livable. Doing daily activity takes a lot of effort and having to go to school can be the most difficult thing to do at times. This experience has changed the way I think. It makes me realize what I take for granted in life and to always be grateful for what I have. Even though I am sick, I don’t let that get in the way of me, as a strong individual, to do what I have to do to be successful in life.  I always tell myself that people have it worse in this world and that’s what keeps me going. It is what drives me to go to school and get the education that most people in the world don’t get. After I had experienced the worst of what could possibly happen to my skin, I am more grateful that I can mobile. That I can move my body when I couldn’t when I had a horrible skin infection that rendered my use of my limbs. Even though I am still going through many hardships today, I still keep going and look forward to the beautiful future that is up ahead.

 

When an individual has had a life-changing experience, It can affect the individual positively or negatively. However it is, it can change how an individual looks at the world and how they want to live there life. It can make an individual or break them depending on what type of experience they had faced in their lifetime. It can also be a way to appreciate life a little bit more and to be more grateful for what an individual has instead of thinking about what they don’t have.

Category: Rania | LEAVE A COMMENT