Chieftain May 2018 | Page 7

Is There Method to the ‘ Madness ’? The pluses and minuses of the new school calendar for 2018-19

By D Thomas Shaffer Chieftain Staff

It was recently announced that the 2018-19 school year would be drastically changed . For students , there is both good and bad surrounding the decision .

For example , we are starting on Aug . 15 , a week earlier than normal . The midwinter break will extend from a long weekend in February to a full week off . First semester finals now will be taken before Christmas Break . And finally , despite these changes , the date for the last day of school ( June 7 ) hasn ’ t changed .

In wake of the April announcement , the Chieftain talked to students and staff about the changes . Junior Niko Mamatas had an interesting perspective .

“ This is madness ,” Mamatas stated . “ I never thought I would see myself returning to school so early .” One of the people behind the new cal-

By Parker Landis Chieftain Staff

From the outside , “ Water Wars ,” the Springtime tradition for Seniors from Brother Rice and Marian , may look fun , with water guns and water balloons . But on the inside , it ’ s an absolute bloodbath . This competition has changed people forever , me included .

I ’ ve seen things I don ’ t think I ’ ll ever be able to unsee , from friends being taken away from me to people sleeping in cars for days on end . The nonchalant , 5-foot walk from my garage to my car has turned into a 45-minute test of nerves and panic .

I ’ ve seen friendships torn apart and looks of insatiable bloodlust in the eyes of people I once considered peers . The

endar , Principal Okuniewski , explained , “ The driving force behind the changes to the 2018-19 school year calendar was first semester final exams ,” he said . “ I heard feedback from teachers , students and parents almost immediately upon my arrival that first semester final exams needed to be before the Christmas break .”

The idea of having finals before Christmas Break is one that has been widely accepted .

“ Initial feedback on the new final exam schedule has been very positive ,” Mr . O said . “ Now Brother Rice , along with every other school in the Catholic League , will have finals before break .”

Personally , I like the new calendar . The information we learn during the first semester will be relatively fresh for exams , and we won ’ t have to stress out about studying over break .

only thing that motivates me to keep going is the urge to hunt and eliminate my opponents – not to win , but solely to stop the executions of my teammates . I ’ ve slept only a few hours in a couple of days and have debated fleeing the 248 bubble and posting up with my grandmother in Grand Blanc .

The promise of the financial reward

Is this the end of Ugly Christmas Sweaters ?

A big negative about the new calendar is returning to school a week earlier . The extra days off in the second semester will be a nice refresher , especially since the last day of school has not changed .

Another depressing downfall is that , due to the new exam schedule , this may be the end of the infamous , annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest .

More Than Just Fun and Games

Water Wars : A ‘ bloodbath ’ for Marian and Brother Rice Seniors

for winning may tear apart the two Senior classes in a way that goes far beyond repair . Teams have channeled their inner Civil War , resorting to guerrilla warfare and ambush tactics that leave behind messes no one should ever clean up .

I wake up in cold sweats with the images of my two “ kills ” lingering in my head . The sadness they held in their eyes will never leave my brain .

I ’ m not sure I will make it out . I ’ m not sure I even have the will power to continue . But I know I must – not for me , not for the money , but to honor the fallen and the sacrifices they have made . Wish me luck as I continue on this journey .

Editor ’ s note : Parker and his team , Reckless Abandon , was eliminated in the first round .

BROTHER RICE HIGH SCHOOL CHIEFTAIN PAGE 7 SENIOR ISSUE 2018