By Tori Austin
Staff Writer Physical education is an assigned course that students are required to take two days a cycle every year--but that will all be changing next year. During a meeting on Nov. 3, the school board approved a plan that will completely alter the way science labs and gym classes are set up. Under the plan, physical education will become a semester-long course students take every day of the cycle. However, students will only be required to take three semesters of gym class throughout their high school career. This change means that students could have a senior year free of gym class. Meanwhile, Advanced Placement (AP) science classes with double lab periods would move to having a lab period every day for a full year. During the first three marking periods, under Mr. Mark Shue’s outline, the lab period would be used for an extension of classwork. In the fourth marking period, however, the class would explore a specific science elective that the teacher deems relevant to the end-of-the-year AP test.
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By Rebecca Hosier
Staff Writer A priest, a rabbi, and a reverend walk into a high school classroom. No, this is not the start of a joke. World Religion teacher Mr. Vanada has been inviting holy men and women into his classroom to speak to students since 2006. Every year Mr. Vanada has pastors, priests, and rabbis speak to his students about their respective faith. When asked why he finds guest speakers beneficial he called them authoritative and personable. “I have sat at my desk and had to think through some of the things the speakers say,” Mr. Vanada said. Mr. Vanada believes that the speakers add a face to the religion. To him the speakers provide a non-judgmental outlet for students to ask their questions about faith. Many of the holy men and women can enlighten the students without them having to completely immerse themselves in a certain religion. The students can listen and pick what they want to believe. Retired pastor Rev. Patrick Rooney spoke to the students of the Red Lion Senior High School World Religions class on Nov. 14, 2013. He is a former Roman Catholic monk and has been a Lutheran reverend for over 20 years. Rev. Rooney explained the basics of the Lutheran faith and how it differs from its mother church, the Roman Catholic Church. He also answered numerous questions posed to him from the students. The reverend explained Lutheranism and discussed the sacraments, Heaven, the Virgin Mary, and creation. He told the class that the sacraments, in the Lutheran Church, are physical ways to show their faith in God. “Sacraments are God’s way of hugging us and letting us know he loves us,” Rev. Rooney said. The reverend introduced the students to the word theotokis, meaning god bearer. In Lutheranism the Virgin Mary was immaculate and free from all sin. In the Lutheran faith Mary remained a virgin her whole life. He was asked questions from ‘Is Heaven a physical place?’ to ‘Is God still relevant in today’s society?’ Rev. Rooney said that Heaven couldn’t be grasped by the human mind. “Hell is an absence of God,” Rev. Patrick Rooney said. Upon being asked the question, ‘Can Satan be forgiven?’ he countered with a simple question. “Does Lucifer want to be forgiven?” Rev. Rooney asked. Along with the Lutheran pastor Rev. Rooney people of other religions visit Red Lion High School. Buddhist Mr. Bob Hayes spoke to students on Nov. 21, 2013. Mr. Hayes spoke to the students of the historical Buddha, also known as Siddhartha. Buddha was human. He lived and died as a human. “Buddha taught well into his 80’s. He died when he was given poisoned food,” said Buddhist Mr. Hayes. The Buddha was born as Siddhartha, an Indian prince. It was not until long into his adulthood did he became enlightened and become the Buddha most commonly known today. One of the first things said by Mr. Hayes was that Buddhism has no divine deity. To a Buddhist, Heaven and Hell have no meaning. Many Buddhists believe in reincarnation and karma. Mr. Hayes also walked the students through how to meditate and focus the mind. Rev. Rooney and Mr. Hayes are the beginning of a list of speakers and holy men coming to speak to the Red Lion world religions class. Mr. Neff (pictured) has a hands-on approach to his class. Photo by Ben Otte By Claire Krackow Staff Writer Cell Phone Applications Class is significant to students in high school because many students like to entertain themselves with their cellular phones in their free time. Teacher of Cell Phone Applications Mr. Neff explained, “This class is mostly where the students create their own games and things that they would like to have on their smart phones.” “What we use is a program that is an iPhone simulator to see if the apps the students made actually work.” Mr. Neff said. “They can make up any apps on their own, starting with photo albums, address books, and all kinds of different things. The kids seem to really enjoy it.” Neff explains. “Some people don’t have iPhones but they can still take the class because they can still learn how to make the games and things, and they still find it very enjoyable.” “Students use an app on a map to locate where they are and where they have been. The students seem to like that the most.” he added. Cell Phone Applications have become a very popular class at Red Lion High School. It can be a benefit for students who enjoy being on their cell phone. |
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