Teachers, students cram before semester exams

By Tolu Salako Staff Writer I am sure that I am not the only one who has been bombarded with tests and quizzes this past week. Teachers at CHS have been cramming in assessments this week in order to have a certain amount of grades put in for the third six weeks grading period. I am aware that the cramming of test and quizzes is normal when the six weeks period begins to end, however the fact that exams are just around the corner does n not give me enough time to study for finals over the week. I am sure that many CHS students are taking their fair share of difficult AP classes which…

Putting effort in school gets you more than the grade, Cowlishaw says

By Ben Cowlishaw Online Copy Editor CJ Wilson, first in the Rangers’ starting pitcher rotation, has a career ERA of 3.60. My GPA has fallen nervously close to that number. Most freshmen go into their first year of high school hearing the promise from upperclassmen: “freshman year doesn’t matter”. Most still put forth their full effort, make good grades and get a high ranking. There’s a few, including me, that took those words to heart; it has taken me up until now to realize the ramifications of what I’ve done, and more importantly, what I haven’t. Counselor Chastity Lansdell knows that many students have the impression that their freshman year doesn’t matter, however, it sets…

Editorial: CHS Students try to outdo peers

Michelle Pitcher Opinions Editor There are some things in life that should be considered a competition: football and soccer, UIL and All-State, Debate and Oral Interp. Learning, however, is not a competition, and the halls of CHS are not our personal battle arena. We at the Sidekick feel that the competitive atmosphere that engulfs our school is not conducive to a healthy learning environment. With so many bright, driven kids in one place, there is bound to be some feeling of competition – that cannot be avoided. However the need to outdo one’s peers should not be the driving force that controls a student’s every action. In light of the recent registration frenzy and the…

The Curse of GPA

By Ashleigh Heaton Entertainment Editor For some reason, I am in AP Physics. Anyone who knows me knows that, when it comes to math, I kind of crash and burn on a regular basis. So anyone who knows me must also ask, “Why in the heck are you enrolled in one of the most difficult, math-intensive courses at the high school?” GPA, my friends. GPA. GPA has become the norm at competitive schools such as our own. Everyone is concerned about their rank, getting into college and getting ahead. In reality, GPA is statistic determining the boom or bust of a student, fuels the competitive fire. This has become a rat race for placement in…

AP IB Council held to address complaints

by Melissa Brisco staff writer For years, juniors have filled their schedule with as many AP classes in a quest for a spot in the top 25 percent, top 10 percent or even top 10 students. This year, with the introduction of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, the GPA race has become is becoming even more intense. Some students which decided not to join the IB program, and opted for AP classes instead think their class ranks are being negatively affected as a direct result of the IB program. Therefore, CHS administration decided to hold a GPA council to address the complaints. “Anytime students feel something is not fair, especially an issue as important as…

IB program creates concerns over junior class ranks

Rebecca Neumann Staff Writer Though many may not know it, a struggle over GPA and ranking is underway within the junior class. On one side, there are the IB students, who some believe have benefited from a rise in GPA because all of their classes are worth 6.0 credit. On the other, AP students are distraught with their slipping ranks and a situation that they believe gave unfair advantages to the IB students. This problem is not just confined to parent e-mails and counselor conferences. The hallways are filled with estranged friends, not speaking due to arguments caused by the fairness of the updated ranks. Principal Brad Hunt realizes the conflict and reminds juniors the…

Cheater, cheater, pumpkin eater: Why we cheat

By Daphne Chen Editor-in-Chief Every student and teacher knows the telltale signs. A yawn and a stretch. The ever-so-slight glance of eyes to the left and right. The glint of an iPhone held casually beneath the table, away from the prying eyes of teachers. It’s cheating. And to some, it’s also a survival technique. In the words of one sophomore student, “If you care about it enough, you cheat.” The Pressure In 2003, a survey conducted by UCLA’s Higher Education Research Institute found while the percent of high school students who maintained an A average in 1968 was 17.6 percent, that number had inflated to 46.6 percent in 2003. Essentially, students who make straight As…

Naviance eases college prep stress

by Ashley Attanucci Staff Writer As Juniors find senior year approaching, Naviance Family Connection serves as a great all-purpose tool for anything and everything related to college. Earlier this year, students should have set up a Naviance account with their counselors and teacher -the username following the format of the student’s older school e-mail (ABC2345@students.coppellisd.com) and password (mm/dd/yy). With the three main categories of college, career and “about me”, Naviance users can have access to information on upcoming college visits, scholarship opportunities, college maps; career choices and personality and interest tests; and history about you, the student. With the “about me” feature, students can access their recorded favorite colleges, favorite careers, their personality type, resume,…

Senior bid first semester goodbye, look ahead to second

Maddie Walters Staff Writer For 713 of CHS students, Winter break has never looked so promising. Not only has ‘senioritis’ officially kicked in, but with the close of the first semester comes the knowledge that there is only 36 school weeks separating them from their glorious (parental free) higher education. For most seniors, winter break means time spent finishing the last of college applications and for some, receiving their first letters of acceptance. Personally, I was accepted to both of my top schools by the beginning of December thanks to early application. But for most students, acceptance/rejection letters will begin to flood mailboxes around March. Another reason seniors love senior break is the guarantee of the class rank…