HALLWAY MADNESS
Hallway Madness
The poor person who designed the seventh grade Worcester Academy hallway is cursed and loathed on a daily bases by the students. Something must have been lacking when he or she decided to make this particular hallway so small. What possessed this person to make the sixth grade hallway so big when they in particular are so small by comparison is beyond me. The eighth grade hallway is perfect for them. It’s spacious, but not huge and is big enough for them to be able to spend their breaks with no trouble at all. Both the sixth and eighth grade hallways allow easy passage, but the seventh grade’s is a whole other story.
The seventh graders have the worst time getting to their lockers without trampling someone. There is pushing and shoving. It’s a safety violation for goodness sake! Cramming fifty-one students in a hallway that can barely fit thirty comfortably is absurd!
Another issue is getting to class on time. While so far people in general are not late due to the hallway, it is a major problem for the cramped entrance. People are in a rush to make sure they are not late and are shoving their way out while other kids are doing their best to get to their lockers before the five minutes is up.
An easy solution to this could easily be devised. By adding a few extra minutes to the transition time between classes, not everyone would have to crowd the hallway at the same time.
It would be very simple to make this work. By adding twenty minutes to the day, the extra time could be worked into the transitions between classes. Another solution would be to make Help Period ten minutes shorter. The same extra twenty minutes would be added into the schedule without having to make the day any longer. Hopefully, however it happens, a system will be devised to lessen the hallway madness.
Maya Franson ’14
What do you want to say about the 3rd floor hallway in Rader?
TALENT SHOW
Talent Show
The talent show this year was considerably better than the show last year. However, being the critical person I am, I have a few things to say. First of all, water should have been free. I had to pay for a cup of water. If the water was going to cost money, it should have at least been free for the participants. Everything should have been free to the participants. Also, I don’t like the idea of having upper school judges. The upper school judges don’t seem to be familiar with the classical and cultural pieces that some kids prepare. They also seem to overlook the piano pieces because there are so many of them. However, this is not fair to the kids who worked really hard to prepare a classical dance or piano piece. If the judges aren’t able to appreciate music like that, they should not volunteer for the job. Their eyes are more open to classic rock and hip-hop songs and dances because it is of their generation.
Solution? The judges should be WA alums and benefactors.
Andrew Reiter ’13
What do you think about our annual WA Middler talent show?
DANCES
Dances
Here’s a little fact about the last dance, not many eight graders were there. Why? The dances have lost their romantic touch. They no longer seem so fun-and-fancy-free. Why? The first dance was in the gym, and nobody liked having the dance in the gym. It was simply too open and everybody felt exposed. That dance should have been in the Megaron where the Christmas lights shine, there are tables to sit at, and it feels nice and enclosed. Also, nobody’s song requests got played! That is what turns a lot of people away. It’s not like the dances are required! The amount of time for slow dances seems really short. You’re dancing and enjoying your time waltzing around, and suddenly…POOF! Katy Perry comes back.
Solution? The big mistake that turned middlers away this time was the whole dance in the gym thing, but I have a feeling there will be many more people at the Dressy Dance.
Andrew Reiter ’13
React to the comments expressed by Andrew Reiter regarding WA Middler dances.
FEBRUARY AND APRIL VACATIONS vs. MARCH BREAK
February and April Vacations
Vs.
March Break
Public schools have devised a winter and spring vacation system, having one week of break in both February and April. Most private schools have one spring break in March, lasting two to three weeks. Both allow the students to have about an equal time off, but what is better depends only on your preference. I prefer the March break.
Obviously, downsides to both ways can be found by the students and school officials. Snow days interfere with a break in the winter. Sometimes, missing too many days of school causes time to be made up during the break. Even without having to make up for the time lost, many of the teachers and administrators in the school system believe that having a break in the winter makes it harder to teach the students. Repeating lessons multiple times to enforce the knowledge pushes the classes behind schedule. Having a break in April is not a problem.
For March break, usually the only complaints received are from the students. While the long break is welcome, they do not like the long stretch of school between the December break and March and from the end of March break to summer. Having months of school with only weekends can be tedious, but it makes the vacation time much more welcome. A long break in March offers a longer stretch to relax and more time to go away for vacations.
In the end, there isn’t much you can do about your school’s vacation schedule. Whatever it may be, you have to accept it and be thankful for the time away from school.
Maya Franson ’14
Which type of vacation schedule to you think is better?
SCHOOL LUNCHES
School Lunches
This year, as many would agree, the school lunches are not as good as last year. For one thing, where did all of our favorites go? Pizza is barely served once a month, instead of once every other week. In addition to that, the new recipes have not gone over well. Cream of broccoli soup used to be a favorite to many, as were the French fries. Now, the soup is watery and the “homemade” fries seem to be bathed in grease and have no flavor. The salad bar has no rotating items other than pasta salad.
Solution? Bring back the old recipes and schedules.
Andrew Reiter ’13
Share your opinions and suggestions.
EIGHTH GRADE PRIVILEGES
Eighth Grade Privileges
The eighth graders basically have no privileges. They can use the “special” lunch line which is constantly being invaded by the sixth and seventh graders. The rule, I believe, is that once every eighth grader has been served, then, the other students can use this line. Some believe that once they have stuffed a quesadilla down their throat, then they can jump into the line regardless of whether or not the eighth graders have eaten. The eighth graders also get to leave the assembly first.
Solution? The eighth graders should have more privileges…
Let us: -wear “hoodies”
- have no silent study sessions during the after school program
-listen to music with headphones outside of class
…plain and simple. Then, sixth and seventh graders will have something to hope for during their eighth grade year, and everybody will be happy.
Andrew Reiter ’13
Should eighth graders be allowed special privileges? If so, do you have some suggestions?
IMPROVING THE ALADDIN
Our goal is to publish a newspaper that every middler wants to read. Please let us know what you think should be included in each issue.
Welcome to The Aladdin Online!
Now that you have had the chance to read our “never-so-humble” opinions, we want you to share your thoughts.
Please remember to be respectful and to use proper writing mechanics while responding.
