Smallville Torch — Season One

WORN-OUT BOOKS = UNSATISFACTORY LEARNING

By Pete Ross

Are you curious about scientific advances in the last 10 years? Are you perplexed because the President Bush in your social studies textbook isn’t the one you see giving State of the Union addresses? Or are you surprised that your computer science book makes no mention at all of a little thing called “the Internet”? 

Students and teachers at Smallville High are already well aware that their books aren’t just used goods–they’re VERY used goods. “My math book is taped together just to keep the spine from falling off,” junior Valerie Tate said. “Of course, considering the copyright date is 1979, it’s a miracle this book has lasted this long.” 

Valerie’s situation is not unique. Students in Mr. McKone’s world history class are using books that were published 15 years ago, during a time when the Soviet Union was still in existence, and Germany was still split in two. “It’s pretty outrageous,” Mr. McKone told the Torch. “The students are supposed to learn what’s going on in the world, but they don’t even have an accurate record to study.” 

Bad textbooks are a national problem. Some critics claim that more attention is paid to sports programs and school reconstruction than education, which should be the primary concern. A recent undercover investigation by the Torch shows that even struggling Siegel County may be in better shape than Lowell County. When Smallville High Principal James Kwan was asked about the textbook situation, he cited several recent repair expenditures, such as damage to the gym after an automobile accident and fires in the locker room and the Torchoffice. 

When questioned about the recently added computer lab, a donation from LuthorCorp, Kwan refused to comment. 

“Personally, I find it disgusting,” said Christopher Tanaka, father of sophomore Dean Tanaka. “The kids go to school to learn, and here they’re not given the proper means to do so.” 

However, one faculty member, geology teacher Mr. Summers, takes a surprisingly alternate view. “It’s tough to fight for new books for the kids when they obviously take such bad care of the ones they have. You should see the graffiti in our geology books.” But one could counter Mr. Summers with the argument that we’d probably take better care of our geology books if the Apollo 17 moon rocks weren’t the last great geological discovery written about in them. 

The Torch wants your ideas on how to alleviate the book funding problem. You’re invited to e-mail Pete. There will also be a meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at Reeve Hall to discuss the situation. All parents, teachers and students are invited to attend. Reeve Hall is located at 24 Salkind Lane.

DANCE THEME RUNOFF AND YOUR MUSIC CHOICES

Oh the fun of the Internet–because of your responses, we’ve got a ton of good ideas for themes, and we’ll be able to play the music YOU want to hear. As for themes, there are three finalists. Please select the one you want the most:
1. A Barn Dance–we’ll rent out someone’s barn and throw down–totally casual.
2. Superhero Theme–everyone will come dressed as his or her favorite superhero.
3. Old School Hollywood–we’ll transform the gym into a Hollywood Nightclub circa 1940–guys will dress in cool suits, and women will wear elegant gowns (time to raid your grandma’s closet). 

As for music, here are your top choices to play:
1. Lifehouse–Everything
2. The Calling–Wherever You Will Go
3. Remy Zero–Save Me
4. Five for Fighting–Superman
5. Perry Ferrel–Song Yet to Be Sung
6. Enrique Iglesias–Hero
7. Alien Ant Farm–Movies
8. India.Aire–Part Of My Life, Video, Ready for Love
9. Foo Fighters–My Hero, Learn to Fly
10. Any Song by Michelle Branch, Sum 41, Hoobastank, and Incubus 

e-mail your theme choices to Ellen