Dear Editor,
In response to the article “A Suggestion for Mr. Morton”, I am not quite sure how asking Mr. Fred Morton to give up a portion of his salary will be a gesture of solidarity. Mr. Morton has worked all his life and has earned several retirement compensations. The man served our country; he is entitled to every dollar he gets.
He worked for other Virginia school districts and VCU; he is entitled to every dollar he gets. Now he has another job, as the director of Maggie Walker Governor’s School.
Either he is an overachiever or a man who loves his job in education. I would think that the $100,000 plus salary he will receive when it comes down to hourly salary will certainly be adequate compensation for all the hours he works, and he will be working his tail off.
I for one am sick of people who think that people who work hard, and earn their dollars, do not deserve all their money they have worked hard to accrue. Mr. Fred Morton is our new director and we will foster a positive relationship with him among the MLWGS family, but not by asking him to relinquish some of his salary.
That is as absurd as asking each faculty member and student to bring in a part of their earnings for the year to make up for the deficit. We will survive these tough economic times.
Debbie Sawyer
A MLWGS parent
Showing posts with label Letter to the Editor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Letter to the Editor. Show all posts
Friday, March 13, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Letter to the Editor: Senior Offers Rebuttal to Recent MLWGS Criticism
Dear Editor,
I wish I could agree with Nate Morawetz’s editorial talking about the burden imposed on MLWGS students. After all, I am in 4 AP classes, leading the robotics team through an incredibly busy season, doing a student mentorship with a biology professor at VCU, have just finished applying to college and taking exams, and am a member of an orchestra.
I must juggle all this with having down-time to spend with my friends and family, and leaving time to sleep. I often cannot find the time, and do not get to spend much time at all with my friends, and frequently go to bed way past midnight. However, as much as I empathize with him, I simply cannot agree.
Morawetz states that if schools were ranked according to happiness and stress level, Maggie Walker would fall in the bottom 20, not top. I strongly disagree. For proof of this, just look around. My friends and I, and all my classmates, are still enjoying life.
While we get stressed out sometimes, we need to realize how much we take for granted. We don’t have metal detectors at the doors. We don’t have faculty getting fired for committing felonies. We don’t have drug busts. We don’t have gang violence. We don’t have teen pregnancies. We don’t have suicides.
True, students at the Governor’s School do not have normal high school experiences. I am not interested in having one, though. If I wanted a “normal” high school experience, I’d go to Cosby, join the marching band, play at the football games, hang out with the band kids, envy the popular kids, go see movies in the evenings, spend all day hanging out on the weekends, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.
While this would probably be nice, I could not survive in this environment. If I were at Cosby, I’d take all the most advanced courses, but I still wouldn’t be challenged, not to the degree I am here. I’m a Governor’s School student. I thrive off of challenge. I’m taking 4 AP classes because I love to learn. I’m leading robotics because I could seriously see myself as an engineer someday.
Yes, I have more than two hours of homework almost every night. Still, I get to have plenty of time with my friends. Although it’s not as often as we’d like, we find time to go to Great Wraps, see movies, hang out, and just enjoy being with each other. We just went on a ski trip, and we’re trying to plan another before winter is over, and in the spring we want to go to Busch Gardens and the beach.
The problem with Morawetz’s argument is that the large majority of his grievances cannot be blamed solely on the school. After all, everyone picks their classes on registration day. If you know you won’t be able to handle an exceptionally rigorous schedule, even with a study hall, then you shouldn’t sign up for so many APs. I realize that there is a lot of pressure, even competition, to take the most advanced courses possible. Resist this! Do not make yourself miserable.
Morawetz claims we are prisoners here, but if we are prisoners at the Governor’s School, we are prisoners of our own device. You, dear classmate, decided for yourself that you would come here, to Millwigs, to learn far more than you could anywhere else in the region. You knew, when you signed up, that ours isn’t a typical high school. You knew there would be more work than normal, and that there would be weeks when you wouldn’t have more than a few hours of free time. Why? Because, in the future, it will pay off.
The Governor’s School is not “out to get you” with outrageous amounts of work. The course loads may feel like shackles sometimes, but I stress that you will get out of this school what you put into it. If you put your honest effort into your assignments and try your best (and it is possible to do this without becoming a mindless automaton) then your grades, and college admissions letters, will reflect this. If it’s still too much, or if you need more free time, talk to guidance and get your schedule changed. However, if you procrastinate on your homework, BS all your tests, and spend your time in class sending text messages or playing games, then you aren’t learning anything, in class or in the long run.
On the small scale, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by your classes and extracurriculars and despise “the system” in place, which seems all but designed to work us to the bone with no reward. Believe me, it happens to me enough. I urge that whenever you get this feeling, you consider the bigger picture – you’re getting an advanced education, for free, from teachers that actually care about you, in an environment of student-faculty trust unlike any other. At this school, I’m learning college-level material, working with professional engineers, and actually having the time of my life. You can too.
And yes, you still do have friends.
At Maggie Walker, we are so privileged that we sometimes forget just how fortunate we are. Don’t take it for granted.
- Jerry Carlson (‘09)
I wish I could agree with Nate Morawetz’s editorial talking about the burden imposed on MLWGS students. After all, I am in 4 AP classes, leading the robotics team through an incredibly busy season, doing a student mentorship with a biology professor at VCU, have just finished applying to college and taking exams, and am a member of an orchestra.
I must juggle all this with having down-time to spend with my friends and family, and leaving time to sleep. I often cannot find the time, and do not get to spend much time at all with my friends, and frequently go to bed way past midnight. However, as much as I empathize with him, I simply cannot agree.
Morawetz states that if schools were ranked according to happiness and stress level, Maggie Walker would fall in the bottom 20, not top. I strongly disagree. For proof of this, just look around. My friends and I, and all my classmates, are still enjoying life.
While we get stressed out sometimes, we need to realize how much we take for granted. We don’t have metal detectors at the doors. We don’t have faculty getting fired for committing felonies. We don’t have drug busts. We don’t have gang violence. We don’t have teen pregnancies. We don’t have suicides.
True, students at the Governor’s School do not have normal high school experiences. I am not interested in having one, though. If I wanted a “normal” high school experience, I’d go to Cosby, join the marching band, play at the football games, hang out with the band kids, envy the popular kids, go see movies in the evenings, spend all day hanging out on the weekends, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.
While this would probably be nice, I could not survive in this environment. If I were at Cosby, I’d take all the most advanced courses, but I still wouldn’t be challenged, not to the degree I am here. I’m a Governor’s School student. I thrive off of challenge. I’m taking 4 AP classes because I love to learn. I’m leading robotics because I could seriously see myself as an engineer someday.
Yes, I have more than two hours of homework almost every night. Still, I get to have plenty of time with my friends. Although it’s not as often as we’d like, we find time to go to Great Wraps, see movies, hang out, and just enjoy being with each other. We just went on a ski trip, and we’re trying to plan another before winter is over, and in the spring we want to go to Busch Gardens and the beach.
The problem with Morawetz’s argument is that the large majority of his grievances cannot be blamed solely on the school. After all, everyone picks their classes on registration day. If you know you won’t be able to handle an exceptionally rigorous schedule, even with a study hall, then you shouldn’t sign up for so many APs. I realize that there is a lot of pressure, even competition, to take the most advanced courses possible. Resist this! Do not make yourself miserable.
Morawetz claims we are prisoners here, but if we are prisoners at the Governor’s School, we are prisoners of our own device. You, dear classmate, decided for yourself that you would come here, to Millwigs, to learn far more than you could anywhere else in the region. You knew, when you signed up, that ours isn’t a typical high school. You knew there would be more work than normal, and that there would be weeks when you wouldn’t have more than a few hours of free time. Why? Because, in the future, it will pay off.
The Governor’s School is not “out to get you” with outrageous amounts of work. The course loads may feel like shackles sometimes, but I stress that you will get out of this school what you put into it. If you put your honest effort into your assignments and try your best (and it is possible to do this without becoming a mindless automaton) then your grades, and college admissions letters, will reflect this. If it’s still too much, or if you need more free time, talk to guidance and get your schedule changed. However, if you procrastinate on your homework, BS all your tests, and spend your time in class sending text messages or playing games, then you aren’t learning anything, in class or in the long run.
On the small scale, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by your classes and extracurriculars and despise “the system” in place, which seems all but designed to work us to the bone with no reward. Believe me, it happens to me enough. I urge that whenever you get this feeling, you consider the bigger picture – you’re getting an advanced education, for free, from teachers that actually care about you, in an environment of student-faculty trust unlike any other. At this school, I’m learning college-level material, working with professional engineers, and actually having the time of my life. You can too.
And yes, you still do have friends.
At Maggie Walker, we are so privileged that we sometimes forget just how fortunate we are. Don’t take it for granted.
- Jerry Carlson (‘09)
Friday, February 6, 2009
Recent Editorial Ignores Board's Effort
Dear Editor,
An editorial printed in the January 16, 2009 edition of Jabberwock speaks to two important issues facing MLWGS. The second of those issues is the one I would like to address.
The writer states. “MLWGS leadership have dragged with the director’s search. Until yesterday, very few details were shared about the hunt for Mr. Hunt’s replacement. Even the information given at Thursday’s meeting was ambiguous.”
Early last fall, the school board/leadership designed a time-line of activities for director recruitment which they shared with all.
They are working exactly to that time-line and are not dragging. I ask you to recall the open town hall held October 27, followed by an online survey asking for constituent input.
Upon review of that information and the data collected, an announcement for this position was created and posted locally, nationally and I’m told, globally. The announcement contained a specific closing date of January 5 to apply. The school board shared the number of applicants received as of the closing and that is all they can share. Names are never made public to protect the confidentiality of the applicant.
The school board committee has now had the opportunity to review the applications and have selected a pool for interview. As the board originally stated when this began, they intend to have the candidate selected by late March/early April. This timeline is consistent with most positions in education due to contractual obligations.
The writer also states, “Without substantial community involvement, consequences of the director’s search may be disastrous.” As a community, we have had the opportunity for involvement and now it is time for the professionals working on this matter on our behalf, to proceed. After all, this is essentially the same group that brought us Mr. Hunt last time.
- Ms. Barbara Marshall
Editor’s Note: The Jabberwock appreciates all letters to the editor. We respect Mrs. Marshall’s opinion and we look forward to Regional Board’s announcement on February 12.
An editorial printed in the January 16, 2009 edition of Jabberwock speaks to two important issues facing MLWGS. The second of those issues is the one I would like to address.
The writer states. “MLWGS leadership have dragged with the director’s search. Until yesterday, very few details were shared about the hunt for Mr. Hunt’s replacement. Even the information given at Thursday’s meeting was ambiguous.”
Early last fall, the school board/leadership designed a time-line of activities for director recruitment which they shared with all.
They are working exactly to that time-line and are not dragging. I ask you to recall the open town hall held October 27, followed by an online survey asking for constituent input.
Upon review of that information and the data collected, an announcement for this position was created and posted locally, nationally and I’m told, globally. The announcement contained a specific closing date of January 5 to apply. The school board shared the number of applicants received as of the closing and that is all they can share. Names are never made public to protect the confidentiality of the applicant.
The school board committee has now had the opportunity to review the applications and have selected a pool for interview. As the board originally stated when this began, they intend to have the candidate selected by late March/early April. This timeline is consistent with most positions in education due to contractual obligations.
The writer also states, “Without substantial community involvement, consequences of the director’s search may be disastrous.” As a community, we have had the opportunity for involvement and now it is time for the professionals working on this matter on our behalf, to proceed. After all, this is essentially the same group that brought us Mr. Hunt last time.
- Ms. Barbara Marshall
Editor’s Note: The Jabberwock appreciates all letters to the editor. We respect Mrs. Marshall’s opinion and we look forward to Regional Board’s announcement on February 12.
Too Much Pressure on MLWGS Students
Dear Editor,
Every year, the administration and some students wait for Newsweek's “Top High Schools” list to come out with baited breath. Not one to disappoint, Maggie Walker tends to deliver, making it onto the list of “20 Elites” almost every year.
Along with this prestigious recognition, Maggie Walker is gifted with a framed blow-up of the list with the name of our school highlighted so all can recognize the triumph as they bolt past. What does this award really mean? Plain and simply, that Maggie Walker students are some of the smartest students out there, all thanks to our beloved school. Then why is it that so many of us seem to be unhappy? I mean, look at our PSAT scores! Rather than base their list off of values and scores that essentially mean nothing to the common student, Newsweek should really rank high schools according to student happiness and stress level.
It's not a stretch to say that Maggie Walker would fall in the bottom 20. Obviously, exams are a common time for these emotions to come to the forefront. The sign outside says, “Testing Times are Here. Study Hard,” yet hidden beneath that clever play on words is a grave insult.
What exactly do they (read: administration) think we're doing when we aren't in “testing times?” Are we out seeing a new movie or hanging out with friends? Doubtful. In fact, many of us are locked up in our rooms, tackling the multiple hours of homework that we are bound to have.
Our school loves to praise its abundant “freedoms.” Things like eating lunch anywhere we want or simply signing out to use the restrooms. Yet, that lack of freedom is exactly the problem with our school. We are trapped, constantly chained to school. We carry school with us, just as we carry our 20 pound backpacks on our shoulders. Maggie Walker is robbing us of our real freedom. Many of us no longer have free time, no longer have time for friends, for family, and even, for ourselves.
Next time Maggie Walker appears on the “20 Elite High Schools” list, don't look at it as a triumph, but as a tragedy. Let that ostentatious framed poster be a reminder of all of the wasted hours spent on arbitrary busy work and over demanding tests that could have been used to enjoy life as an actual teenager. Let it remind you that you are a prisoner, and it's not the school doors that contain you.
A new semester. A great time to start fresh. A great time to realize that there's more to life than school. If this semester is the one that manages to keep us off of the “20 Elites” list, then I can guarantee that it will be a semester to remember.
- Nate Morawetz (’10)
Editor’s Note: The Jabberwock would like to remind readers that opinions expressed in letters are solely those of the letter writer. Furthermore, publication of a letter does not represent any sort of endorsement by members of the Jabberwock staff.
Every year, the administration and some students wait for Newsweek's “Top High Schools” list to come out with baited breath. Not one to disappoint, Maggie Walker tends to deliver, making it onto the list of “20 Elites” almost every year.
Along with this prestigious recognition, Maggie Walker is gifted with a framed blow-up of the list with the name of our school highlighted so all can recognize the triumph as they bolt past. What does this award really mean? Plain and simply, that Maggie Walker students are some of the smartest students out there, all thanks to our beloved school. Then why is it that so many of us seem to be unhappy? I mean, look at our PSAT scores! Rather than base their list off of values and scores that essentially mean nothing to the common student, Newsweek should really rank high schools according to student happiness and stress level.
It's not a stretch to say that Maggie Walker would fall in the bottom 20. Obviously, exams are a common time for these emotions to come to the forefront. The sign outside says, “Testing Times are Here. Study Hard,” yet hidden beneath that clever play on words is a grave insult.
What exactly do they (read: administration) think we're doing when we aren't in “testing times?” Are we out seeing a new movie or hanging out with friends? Doubtful. In fact, many of us are locked up in our rooms, tackling the multiple hours of homework that we are bound to have.
Our school loves to praise its abundant “freedoms.” Things like eating lunch anywhere we want or simply signing out to use the restrooms. Yet, that lack of freedom is exactly the problem with our school. We are trapped, constantly chained to school. We carry school with us, just as we carry our 20 pound backpacks on our shoulders. Maggie Walker is robbing us of our real freedom. Many of us no longer have free time, no longer have time for friends, for family, and even, for ourselves.
Next time Maggie Walker appears on the “20 Elite High Schools” list, don't look at it as a triumph, but as a tragedy. Let that ostentatious framed poster be a reminder of all of the wasted hours spent on arbitrary busy work and over demanding tests that could have been used to enjoy life as an actual teenager. Let it remind you that you are a prisoner, and it's not the school doors that contain you.
A new semester. A great time to start fresh. A great time to realize that there's more to life than school. If this semester is the one that manages to keep us off of the “20 Elites” list, then I can guarantee that it will be a semester to remember.
- Nate Morawetz (’10)
Editor’s Note: The Jabberwock would like to remind readers that opinions expressed in letters are solely those of the letter writer. Furthermore, publication of a letter does not represent any sort of endorsement by members of the Jabberwock staff.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Letter To The Editor
Dear Editor,
Everyone knows about the recent contest to get the band “The Maine” to come to Richmond, and for Maggie Walker students to get free tickets to the show. This could have been a great unifying event for the whole school, even those who dislike the band, if certain students had not overstepped the line.
These students took email addresses from the student directory and entered other students into the contest, without their permission. This was private information given out for use in the Maggie Walker community only, intended to help members of the MLWGS community to contact one another.
This misuse of information is irresponsible and totally unacceptable. I hate to think that I can't even trust my classmates and friends with my email address, and I'm not alone. I love this school, and would normally get behind my friends on this thing, but using others' private information is just going too far.
Never before have I had less confidence in my fellow classmates. This is not an okay use for the private information of other students, and I am disappointed that these individuals did not realize that.
Sincerely,
Holly Brown (’10).
Everyone knows about the recent contest to get the band “The Maine” to come to Richmond, and for Maggie Walker students to get free tickets to the show. This could have been a great unifying event for the whole school, even those who dislike the band, if certain students had not overstepped the line.
These students took email addresses from the student directory and entered other students into the contest, without their permission. This was private information given out for use in the Maggie Walker community only, intended to help members of the MLWGS community to contact one another.
This misuse of information is irresponsible and totally unacceptable. I hate to think that I can't even trust my classmates and friends with my email address, and I'm not alone. I love this school, and would normally get behind my friends on this thing, but using others' private information is just going too far.
Never before have I had less confidence in my fellow classmates. This is not an okay use for the private information of other students, and I am disappointed that these individuals did not realize that.
Sincerely,
Holly Brown (’10).
Friday, December 19, 2008
Letter to the Editor: Sports
Dear Editor,
Since the beginning of our public school brainwashing, we have all been forced into playing sports. Random protests to this are greeted with such replies as “It will build teamwork” or “You need the exercise.” But how can something that forces competition be good for us?
Let’s examine some common knowledge. There are always some students, the “jocks,” who excel at sports and plan their whole lives around them. Then there is the entire community who also takes part in this: the cheerleaders, the devoted fans, even the moms who prepare meals for the athletes.
In school there are even monstrous “pep rallies,” designed only for the sole purpose of getting people more obsessed with athletics. By why does every school system set aside entire days for this purpose?
Recently, the answer has become very clear to me. If everyone is preoccupied with fighting their neighbors, then any nefarious government plot will go un-noticed. The whole idea of sports is to get the entire populous to become so obsessed that they completely overlook serious problems. Essentially, the government wants people to fight each other, rather than fighting the system.
So what can we do to stop this? Although it may seem that there is nothing that can be done, there are several options. First of all, you can refuse to participate in Phys. Ed. class. It just takes one person not caring to make everyone else realize the pointlessness of the class. And remember, the next time you want to go see a game, imagine the economy you are feeding.
Sincerely,
Quinten Marsh (‘11)
*Note, the Jabberwock would like to remind its readers that the opinions expressed in letters to the editor are solely the thoughts and words of the letter writer.
Since the beginning of our public school brainwashing, we have all been forced into playing sports. Random protests to this are greeted with such replies as “It will build teamwork” or “You need the exercise.” But how can something that forces competition be good for us?
Let’s examine some common knowledge. There are always some students, the “jocks,” who excel at sports and plan their whole lives around them. Then there is the entire community who also takes part in this: the cheerleaders, the devoted fans, even the moms who prepare meals for the athletes.
In school there are even monstrous “pep rallies,” designed only for the sole purpose of getting people more obsessed with athletics. By why does every school system set aside entire days for this purpose?
Recently, the answer has become very clear to me. If everyone is preoccupied with fighting their neighbors, then any nefarious government plot will go un-noticed. The whole idea of sports is to get the entire populous to become so obsessed that they completely overlook serious problems. Essentially, the government wants people to fight each other, rather than fighting the system.
So what can we do to stop this? Although it may seem that there is nothing that can be done, there are several options. First of all, you can refuse to participate in Phys. Ed. class. It just takes one person not caring to make everyone else realize the pointlessness of the class. And remember, the next time you want to go see a game, imagine the economy you are feeding.
Sincerely,
Quinten Marsh (‘11)
*Note, the Jabberwock would like to remind its readers that the opinions expressed in letters to the editor are solely the thoughts and words of the letter writer.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Letter to the Editor: Books by the Barrel
Dear Editor,
This year MLWGS Peer Mentors are working to build their community by reaching out to young people. To celebrate National Young Reader’s Day, students visited Highland Springs Elementary School, where they read children’s books to kindergarteners and first graders.
Ms Arnold, Ms. Davis, and I facilitated this activity, which promoted interaction among scholars of varying ages. Because of the generous influx from the MW student body, three barrels of gently used books were donated to young pupils, who were able to select titles that appealed to their individual interests. “Students are so excited about this,” commented the Highland Springs Elementary School librarian. To conclude the visit, Peer Mentors helped pupils create bookmarks, which included pictures of Maggie L. Walker, school namesake and one who epitomizes perseverance, education, and community involvement.
Note: a special thank you to Mr. Brown, Mr. Charles, Ms. Hawkins, Ms. Deck, Ms. Sheppard, and Mr. Zweerink for their assistance with this activity.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Lisa Williams, MLWGS English Teacher
This year MLWGS Peer Mentors are working to build their community by reaching out to young people. To celebrate National Young Reader’s Day, students visited Highland Springs Elementary School, where they read children’s books to kindergarteners and first graders.
Ms Arnold, Ms. Davis, and I facilitated this activity, which promoted interaction among scholars of varying ages. Because of the generous influx from the MW student body, three barrels of gently used books were donated to young pupils, who were able to select titles that appealed to their individual interests. “Students are so excited about this,” commented the Highland Springs Elementary School librarian. To conclude the visit, Peer Mentors helped pupils create bookmarks, which included pictures of Maggie L. Walker, school namesake and one who epitomizes perseverance, education, and community involvement.
Note: a special thank you to Mr. Brown, Mr. Charles, Ms. Hawkins, Ms. Deck, Ms. Sheppard, and Mr. Zweerink for their assistance with this activity.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Lisa Williams, MLWGS English Teacher
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Letter to the Editor: New Opportunities for Essayists
Dear Editor,
This year MLWGS will offer a unique opportunity for students to display and earn recognition for their writing talents. Each month from September to April, an in-house essay contest with a particular cultural theme will be open to all students. For the first contest, which celebrated National Latin American Heritage Month, students were to read a book by a Hispanic author and describe how the work served to heighten their sense of social awareness. Contest winner, senior, Kelly Diaz, received a certificate and a gift card to a local bookstore. In her essay, Kelly states, “The individual cultures that make up America’s melting pot are just as crucial as the unified American culture as a whole, and, for this reason, Hispanics and Americans cherish what they learn from each other.” Indeed, Kelly’s interpretation aligns with the mission of the Governor’s School, which promotes cultural examination across the globe.
Lisa Williams
AP English Teacher
MLWGS
Kelly Diaz. Photo by Danny Yates.
This year MLWGS will offer a unique opportunity for students to display and earn recognition for their writing talents. Each month from September to April, an in-house essay contest with a particular cultural theme will be open to all students. For the first contest, which celebrated National Latin American Heritage Month, students were to read a book by a Hispanic author and describe how the work served to heighten their sense of social awareness. Contest winner, senior, Kelly Diaz, received a certificate and a gift card to a local bookstore. In her essay, Kelly states, “The individual cultures that make up America’s melting pot are just as crucial as the unified American culture as a whole, and, for this reason, Hispanics and Americans cherish what they learn from each other.” Indeed, Kelly’s interpretation aligns with the mission of the Governor’s School, which promotes cultural examination across the globe.
Lisa Williams
AP English Teacher
MLWGS
Kelly Diaz. Photo by Danny Yates.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor of the Jabberwock,
It has recently come to my attention that the MLWGS email accounts assigned to us by the administration will no longer be able to receive email from any private accounts. I’d like to take advantage of the school paper to express my dismay, confusion, and disagreement with this recent decision by our esteemed technology administrators.
I personally, as well as many of my friends and peers at Maggie Walker, email most of my assignments to myself from home, so that I can print them out at school in the morning. This strategy works well for me; I don’t accidentally leave my homework on the bus, I don’t have to spend money on my own printer’s ink cartridges, and I get my work in on time.
The school website says that we should use our school accounts on both ends of situations like this, which would nullify the problem completely if the school email application worked on my computer. I have rarely been able to access my school email account at home (for whatever reason), even following the directions presented on the website. The few times I do accomplish this feat, the application is insufferably slow in sending or opening emails that don’t include attachments (for whatever reason). I can only imagine my frustration were I trying to email a ten page Microsoft Word document to myself. I’m sure there are others who can relate.
As convenient as the school account may be for certain tasks, it’s simply not as efficient, easy to use, or high quality as Gmail, Yahoo, AOL, or any of the other email clients most students employ. The school network is (for whatever reason) notoriously unstable, and prone to become completely inaccessible to all students for hours, or even days, at a time. Last year alone, I can remember at least two separate incidents that directly affected me.
I could list a number of other situations in which not being able to receive mail from non-MLWGS email addresses could be a major hindrance (contacting college admission offices, contacting sources for science projects, etc.), but I know that all Maggie Walker students understand this issue just as well as I.
All of this leads me to several questions. Is there a lack of trust involved, here? Are we being punished? Does the administration suspect us of abusing our technological privileges? Is this a way of weeding out the clutter plaguing the Maggie Walker network? More importantly, what can we, as students, do to work with the administration to fix this problem?
Jimmie Lee Jarvis
Class of 2010
It has recently come to my attention that the MLWGS email accounts assigned to us by the administration will no longer be able to receive email from any private accounts. I’d like to take advantage of the school paper to express my dismay, confusion, and disagreement with this recent decision by our esteemed technology administrators.
I personally, as well as many of my friends and peers at Maggie Walker, email most of my assignments to myself from home, so that I can print them out at school in the morning. This strategy works well for me; I don’t accidentally leave my homework on the bus, I don’t have to spend money on my own printer’s ink cartridges, and I get my work in on time.
The school website says that we should use our school accounts on both ends of situations like this, which would nullify the problem completely if the school email application worked on my computer. I have rarely been able to access my school email account at home (for whatever reason), even following the directions presented on the website. The few times I do accomplish this feat, the application is insufferably slow in sending or opening emails that don’t include attachments (for whatever reason). I can only imagine my frustration were I trying to email a ten page Microsoft Word document to myself. I’m sure there are others who can relate.
As convenient as the school account may be for certain tasks, it’s simply not as efficient, easy to use, or high quality as Gmail, Yahoo, AOL, or any of the other email clients most students employ. The school network is (for whatever reason) notoriously unstable, and prone to become completely inaccessible to all students for hours, or even days, at a time. Last year alone, I can remember at least two separate incidents that directly affected me.
I could list a number of other situations in which not being able to receive mail from non-MLWGS email addresses could be a major hindrance (contacting college admission offices, contacting sources for science projects, etc.), but I know that all Maggie Walker students understand this issue just as well as I.
All of this leads me to several questions. Is there a lack of trust involved, here? Are we being punished? Does the administration suspect us of abusing our technological privileges? Is this a way of weeding out the clutter plaguing the Maggie Walker network? More importantly, what can we, as students, do to work with the administration to fix this problem?
Jimmie Lee Jarvis
Class of 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)