Thursday’s teen news – local(∆) and national

Explicit book leads to school review – A Virginia man says he became “infuriated” when he discovered that his 16-year-old son brought home a book,”Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky, he’d been given in school that contained references to homosexuality, drug use and explicit sexual behavior. “I don’t think it’s age-appropriate for anyone,” he said. “I don’t think adults should be reading that junk. It’s pornography. They’re corrupting his mind with this garbage.‘ (Fox News)

(∆) 102 students sent home for dress code – Wilson County high schools instituted a new policy of automatic three day suspension for any students violating the dress policy by having their shirts untucked and their pants sagging. (WRAL)

Do elite colleges discriminate against Asian students? – An examination of test scores and acceptance rates indicates that more-qualified Asians are passed over for lower-scoring minorities, athletes, and rich white students. (US News)

Did school closings lead to Chicago violence? – When Arne Duncan closed schools, he forced students to attend schools across community and gang lines, leading to constant fighting. “You have a trail of blood and tears ever since they launched (Renaissance 2010),” said Tio Hardiman, director of the anti-violence organization CeaseFire Illinois. “There’s a history of violence associated with moving kids from one area to another.”(AP)

Teens recommend ways to reduce teen violence - Chicago teens say their most dangerous time is when they leave school until they arrive home.  Students’ 28-page paper recommend gang intervention and prevention and support for community groups like Cease Fire. “One of the problems is that (adults) are just talking about it and anything we might suggest, they have a problem with,” Gaeta said. “But this is trial and error and since violence is becoming such a big problem, why not try things out and who knows? Maybe it might work.” (Chicago Tribune)

Wednesday’s teen news – local(∆) and national

What happens when the final bell rings – Chicago columnist concludes that “dismissal time is perhaps the most dangerous part of the day for youth.” Sure enough, just as dismissal time approached, a large group of gang members emerged en masse from the park to move into position outside the school.It was explained to me that they were mainly there to protect their own members who attend the school, although you can well imagine how their mere presence could lead to conflicts. You can also better understand how students might find it in their own self-interests to affiliate at least loosely with a gang for protection. (Chicago Sun-Times)

(∆) “Schools? Who Cares?” – On the eve of a historic Wake County school board election that may completely change the make-up of Raleigh schools, candidates attended a forum where only 25 people showed-up, mostly family and media.  Columnist Ruth Sheehan is worried that “if history’s any teacher, a very small, motivated group of voters will decide what happens to my kids and yours.” (News and Observer)

Lynching cartoon causes campus fury – Black cartoonist draws black guy getting lynched asking “You’re doing this because I’m black?” and white mob answers, “See? There you go again! Pulling the race card!”  Students wore nooses in protest of cartoon. “We don’t care if it was a black, white, orange, purple, pink person who wrote this article,” Audrey Foreback, a sophomore, told local radio station WYTV. “They should not have been allowed to print it and publish it throughout the school. It’s just wrong.” (Gawker)

Best cities for young people to move – According to Wall Street Journal: 1. Washington D.C. 1. (tie) Seattle 3. NYC 4. Portland 5. Austin, Texas

Wednesday’s teen news – local(∆) and national

(∆) Why do black males struggle in school? – A column by 17-year-old Damian Graves of Jordan High School. “It is hard for black males to succeed in school when there is too much going on outside of school and we worry about that instead of what’s going on inside of school.” (Durham News)

(∆) Top hoops recruit may choose Duke or UNC – The number one high school prospect in the nation, 6’6″ Harrison Barnes of Iowa, recently announced his final six college choices, including Duke and Carolina.  His mother gave him the middle name Jordan, who Barnes recently met at the UNC alumni game. (News and Observer)

Rice students live in ‘shanty town’ - To bring attention to global poverty, Rice students are living in a makeshift shanty on campus with a budget of $2 a day.  Effective or self-serving? (Rice Thresher)

Schools may soon sell naming rights – Cash strapped schools around the country are considering selling naming rights (football uniforms, computer labs, etc.) in exchange for much needed school funding. “I’m hoping we can use this as a stepping stone to get sports back in middle schools and keep sports going,” board member Al Williams said. “Advertisement is all around us. If you don’t misuse it or abuse it, it’s not a bad thing.” (News Journal)

Successful black men host town hall – Meeting pairs successful black men in Philly with black high school students from schools where dropout rate is well over 50%. Eagles fullback Leonard Weaver recalled growing up without a father, and how it motivated him to pursue a better life than his dad’s. Weaver’s childhood friends were caught up in gangs and drugs. “I had to say, Is that going to help me to get where I want to be? If your goals are here, bro,” he said, holding his hand high above his head, “then you’ve got to let those friends go. You’ve got to separate yourself.” (Philly.com)

Wednesday’s teen news- local(∆) and national

Obama speech featured Chicago student – Despite bouncing from foster home to foster home in the toughest part of Chicago, Shantell Steve found work at a health care center, started an anti-gang program  and is on-track to graduate with honors.  Obama said, “They aren’t any different from any of you. They face challenges in their lives just like you do. In some cases, they’ve got it a lot worse off than many of you. But they refused to give up.They chose to take responsibility for their lives, for their education, and set goals for themselves. And I expect all of you to do the same.” (Sun-Times)

(∆) Clayton votes against teen curfew – Town council changed their mind after hearing from town residents. Mayor Jody McLeod said some business leaders feared a curfew would deter new businesses from coming to Clayton. “There is a stigma that goes with youth-curfew ordinances,” he said. (News and Observer)

L.A. Times review of ‘Glee’ – Although there are definite problems, “it’s one of the best shows of the fall season.” (LA Times)

(∆) Michael Jordan as a NC kid – As MJ gets inducted into the Hall of Fame this weekend, the News and Observer goes to Wilmington to see where it all started. “I don’t care what you did with him, he wanted to be No. 1,” Neher remembered. “If we ran laps, he wanted to be the first one to finish them. When we laid down bunts, he wanted do the best on the most. Between innings, after getting the third out, he’d be the first one in the dugout; that’s just the way he was.” (News and Observer)

Houston: Highest teen pregnancy rate in US – Houston Chronicle editorial criticizes Texas’ “Just Say No” Abstinence Program that has cost taxpayers $1 billion while the teen pregnancy rate continues to raise.  Instead, the editorial favors a program called Education Works. (Houston Chronicle)

Vick tells Philly students of his ‘dark side’ – Speaking without notes, Michael Vick told high school to avoid the dangers of peer pressure and to never just follow the crowd. “I was influenced by so many people when I should have been a leader, not a follower.” (AP)

Thursday’s teen news – local(∆) and national

 Marching band t-shirts causes fury – “Brass Evolutions 2009″ shirt depicts the evolution of man holding brass instruments in hand. School superintendent banned the shirts and said, ““If the shirts had said ‘Brass Resurrections’ and had a picture of Jesus on the cross, we would have done the same thing.” A complaining parent said, “I don’t think evolution should be associated with our school.” (Sedalia Democrat) 

 Teen nominated for Liberty medal – 16-year-old Aisatou Toure organized a tutoring and mentoring program by alumni at her old middle school in Harlem. “I just want to let them know females can do anything,” said Aisatou. “I want to tell them to just believe in yourself. Anything is possible. You have to have the drive and motivation for it.” (NY Post)

 

 

 14-year-old Howard student eyes Obama’s job – Also wants to attend law school and medical school, started learning Chinese at 4. (NBC)

 

 

 The dangers of energy drinks for students – Diarrhoea, hyperactivity, dizziness, nausea, an increased heart rate and addiction. “Of course as soon as you stop having the product you have a headache and the best way to get rid of that is to have more product, and that’s the definition of dependency.” (ABC News) 

 Chris Brown speaks to Larry King – Without going into detail, Chris Brown deems this experience as ‘possibly’ the worst experience in his life.  Because of the restraining order, Brown hasn’t seen Rihana but says he still loves her.  Next to his teared-up mom, he denied rumor of any previous physical confrontations between him and Rihana.  (MTV)