The best stories being published on the SNO Sites network

Best of SNO

The best stories being published on the SNO Sites network

Best of SNO

The best stories being published on the SNO Sites network

Best of SNO

The new-to-PISD table, located toward the front of the lunchroom, seats four students. On the table is a set of cards with questions that help new students get to know each other. I remember what it was like to be a new student with no friends to sit with at lunch, junior Sarah Goddard said. For the first quarter of my freshman year, I sat alone. It’s pretty easy to find the kids who have nobody to sit with — the ones on their phones, aren’t talking to others — and so I just sat with them. Going to a new school is hard for anybody.

Lunchroom table helps new students adjust to PHS

By Lauren Clayton, Prosper High School October 31, 2023

As a brand new year starts at Prosper High School, hundreds of new students swarm the hallways in search of their classes. Out of the 3,434 students that attend PHS, a whopping 350 of them are brand-new...

STAAR gave white students an opportunity to learn about BIPOC history, cultures, and what they could do to fight racism.

STAAR shines bright amid the loss of their leadership class

By Corina Karr, Archie Williams High School October 31, 2023

Students Taking Action for Anti-Racism (STAAR) at Archie Williams puts on beautiful cultural festivals, performances, and informational events to raise awareness on Anti-Racist actions. In the past, STAAR...

|Used with Permission from the Cupertino Union School District|

Students in a CUSD transitional kindergarten classroom learning about the alphabet. Since the 2022-23 school year, expanded access has allowed a greater number of students across the district to attend TK.

A look into California’s transition to Universal Pre-Kindergarten

By Myles Kim, Lynbrook High School - CA October 27, 2023

Two years since Governor Gavin Newsom signed California’s flagship Universal pre-Kindergarten program into law — scheduled for full implementation by the 2025-26 school year — educators across the...

Charlotte Korchak (front and center) poses with listeners of the event hosted by Jewish Club and MESA on Oct. 6.

Educator speaks at Jewish Club and MESA event

By Connor Tang and Justin Tang October 27, 2023

Jewish Club and Middle Eastern Student Alliance (MESA) hosted guest speaker Charlotte Korchak in Ahmanson Lecture Hall on Oct. 6 during lunch. Korchak works for StandWithUs, a non-profit organization dedicated...

Graphic by James R Prizant

D219 responds to unfolding of Israel-Hamas war; works to create safe environment

By James R Prizant, Niles North October 27, 2023

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Middle East has ravaged both the world and this school, especially after Hamas’ invasion of the Gaza Strip and the subsequent declaration of war from Israel on...

Senior Georgianna McKenny won the grand prize in National Public Radios Student Podcast Challenge for her podcast How the Jackson Water Crisis Affects Education.

McKenny named NPR Student Podcast Challenge winner

By Ray Taylor, The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science October 26, 2023

National Public Radio named MSMS senior Georgianna McKenny as the grand prize winner of its National Student Podcast Challenge on June 21. McKenny’s podcast triumphed over 3,300 other podcasts submitted...

With the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war, Lab community members facilitate informed discussions related to both the conflict and its implications.

Classes, community address complex Israel-Hamas war

By Audrey Park and Sahana Unni October 25, 2023

After recent developments in the Israel-Hamas war, Christine Fojtik, AT Comparative Politics & Global Relations teacher, began to include informed class discussions about the conflict — assigning...

PROTESTING LEGISLATION: Texas families attend a protest at the Texas capital in support of transgender Texans, hoping to delay the passing of SB14. The bill went into effect on September 1, despite the immense push-back from the public.

New law bans gender-affirming care for Texas minors

By Charlotte Koellner, James Bowie High School October 25, 2023

Senior Lee Terrell's stomach plunges. His smile drops from his face as he feels the fear begin to claw at his throat. What was just a normal conversation with his friends took a shocking turn, as they...

The trademark “NASA Meatball” sits at the entrance to the NASA Langley Research Center on Oct. 21, 2023.

NASA’s oldest field center opens to the public

By Mahi Sakharpe, Ocean Lakes High School October 25, 2023

The NASA Langley Research Center opened its doors to the public for the first time in six years on Oct. 21. More than 40,000 people signed up to attend the event, which included activities ranging from...

RCHS freshmen William Wu and Jack Xu (center in the blue and white shirts) watch their robot complete different tasks at the Friendship Invitational in Denmark.

RCHS freshmen bring home third place victory from Denmark

By Fozaan Noor and Elika Seifi October 25, 2023

William Wu and Jack Xu, both freshmen at Rancho Cucamonga High School, focus on the task at hand. They’ve been studying different robot designs for so long, and they are confident in the design they’ve...

BBQ club grilling its way into history

By Arjun Ram, Thomas S. Wootton High School October 25, 2023

A staple of the school community for over 20 years, the BBQ club seeks to foster school spirit this football season, while also exploring grilling during other sports seasons. In addition to grilling...

West High’s Sudanese community shares how the current situation in Sudan has affected them.

Sudan’s struggle

By Reem Kirja and Jane Lam October 24, 2023

Television screens flick through various channels, each showcasing unique turmoil— climate change, deforestation and the Russo-Ukrainian war. However, one topic isn't receiving the same extent of coverage,...

Members of the Anderson family stand around a booth at Delawares First Friday event, intending to raise awareness for the rare liver disease PFIC.

Hayes student itches for a cure

By Grace Metz, Rutherford B. Hayes High School October 24, 2023

Hayes senior Athena Anderson was diagnosed with Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis (PFIC) in January of 2023. Since then, she has worked with those in the Delaware community to raise awareness...

Eli West, class of 2023, currently studies at Yeshiva Orayat in Jerusalem, Israel. Despite the current war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, West said he seeks joy in his daily experiences of living with and learning from the Jewish community there.

Recent graduate Eli West lives in war zone in Jerusalem

By Lily Zuckerman, The Masters School October 24, 2023

Upon graduating from The Masters School in June, Eli West '23 knew he wanted to spend time in Israel, the "Holy Land", before heading to New York University to study Judaism. Since late August, West...

Freshman Vivian Quaas works on her first projects of the year during her tutorial period.

Class of 2027 wraps up their first month at Archie Williams

By Quilla Ross, Archie Williams High School October 24, 2023

Archie Williams students close out the first grading period of the 2023-2024 school year. For the freshmen class of 2027, students begin to contemplate whether this new school is an improvement, tougher,...

In the past years, Earth is experiencing for intense weather patterns that experts agree are connected to Climate Change. Locally, Missouri has seen increased temperatures.

Climate Change Leads to Increasingly More Intense Weather Patterns

By Willem Hummel, Marquette High School October 24, 2023

Half of the country is projected to experience higher than normal temperatures for the season this week, with most of Missouri, including the St. Louis area, leaning above average, according to the National...

Staples students and teachers took a poll regarding the restricted websites and how much they used them before they were restricted.

Google places restrictions on websites not complying with CT law; teachers scramble for new ways to present content

By Paige Miller ’24 and Madison Mayr ’24 October 20, 2023

Google will on Oct. 23 impose restrictions on US News & World Report, The Washington Post, Grammarly, LitCharts, Google forms, Spotify and other websites that refuse to comply with Connecticut’s...

The Patriot Jet Team colored the skies over San Francisco in red, white, and blue, but to also honor Dianne Feinstein.

Fleet Week Airshow: Red, white, and blue painted over San Francisco

By Shimon Arai, Amador Valley High School October 20, 2023

The colors of red, white, and blue, a symbol of patriotism, unfurled across the vast canvas of the bay’s skies. Throughout San Francisco, the ground shook as the Blue Angels, painted yellow and dark...

CollegeBoard adds a fourth math course to its collection called AP Precalculus.

“AP Precalculus” reflects longstanding problem of math advancement

By Nina Stadermann, Dougherty Valley High School October 20, 2023

Starting this year, CollegeBoard is finally introducing Advanced Placement Precalculus – raising the question of whether or not Dougherty Valley High School should adopt the newest AP course. Why...

LHS Environmental Justice Club co-presidents Sarah Faik and Chloe Gilmore recently traveled to Washington DC with a group of students working with the Sunrise Movement.

Environmental Justice Club co-presidents advocate for the Green New Deal for schools

By Hazel Thomas and Isabel Bruce October 20, 2023

Seniors Sarah Faik and Chloe Gilmore, two of the Lincoln Environmental Justice Club co-presidents, recently traveled to Washington, D.C. with a group of Portland Public Schools (PPS) students. During the...

An example of a full recycling bin found in Mr. Heffingers room. This bin has been emptied one other time since the beginning of the school year in August. Photo by Haley Reedy.

Full Bins, No Recycling Club: Who is Responsible?

By Haley Reedy, Wadsworth High School October 20, 2023

Many classrooms at Wadsworth High School have recycling bins that have been sitting full, untouched for weeks. With no recycling club, the question is posed, who will take over these overflowing bins? ...

Junior Felicity Jackson volunteers to assist Nothing Bundt Cakes by handing out mini bundts and checking tickets off. She gained hours for National Honors Society in the process. “It’s nice to go through a [list] of things and check them off. It makes it makes you feel productive even though youre only checking things really fast.” Jackson said.

Get a taste of this!

By Keira Lang and Zoya Hasan October 20, 2023

On Oct. 5, Taste of West returned for the first time in two years. The event was hosted in the main gym where students could purchase a $15 ticket to taste foods from different vendors around the St. Louis...

Wanting to inspire students by giving speeches on motivation and effort, Battier starts by talking about their next chapter, in college.

Shane Battier Visits Gables

By Aaron Rojas, Coral Gables Senior High School October 20, 2023

It is July 20, 2012, and the deciding Game 5 of the National Basketball Association took place at the Kaseya Center between the Miami Heat and the Oklahoma City Thunders. With star-studded athletes scoring...

The vigil followed Hamas’ attacks on Israel that killed roughly 1,300 Israelis and captured an estimated 150 hostages.

Jews4Change attends vigil for victims of Hamas attacks on Israel

By Nikhita Dass, Walt Whitman High School October 19, 2023

Whitman club Jews4Change attended a vigil at Congregation Har Shalom to show solidarity with Israel on Oct. 12. The vigil followed Hamas’ attacks on Israel that killed roughly 1,300 Israelis and captured...

Junior Faith Johnston takes practice SAT questions in preparation for the new digital version of the test. In spring 2024, the SAT will effectively be switched from a paper and pencil test to digital.

Standardized testing goes digital

By Kailey Calvo, Hagerty High School October 19, 2023

From the menu of the restaurant down the street to the refrigerator that automatically generates a shopping list and depositing checks, everyday practices are now digitized. This digital age now includes...

Conclusion of writers’ strike doesn’t guarantee start up of your favorite shows

By Nina Bowens '25, Staples High School October 19, 2023

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike officially came to a close on Sept. 27 after 148 days of stopped labor, securing its spot as the second longest writers strike in Hollywood history. The union’s...

College Boards new software to allow students to take the PSAT online did not work properly during testing at LHS last week, causing some students not to be able to take the test.

PSAT: Perturbed Students, Admin, Teachers

By Lily Abrams, Bridget Berry, and Kaylee Mague October 19, 2023

Standardized testing can often be stressful for high school students, a feeling that was compounded by the technical difficulties experienced during the PSAT on Wednesday, Oct. 11. A glitch in Test...

As artificial intelligence use increases in classrooms, teachers have developed countermeasures against its usage. In Coppell ISD, ChatGPT is restricted across district devices.

AI use among students becomes more prevalent, teachers look for solutions

By Yug Talukdar, Coppell High School October 19, 2023

A lengthy, multiple-choice assignment has just been handed out. Students immediately dash to their iPads in search for the answers on the Internet to finish with time to spare for their other assignments. In...

Pleasanton Mayor Karla Brown and City Manager Gerry Beaudin traveled to Sacramento to receive the award at the annual League of California Cities conference.

Pleasanton awarded Helen Putnam Award for its Alternative Police Response Program

By Leo He, Amador Valley High School October 19, 2023

This year, the City of Pleasanton won the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence for its commitment to minimizing uniformed police response to non-criminal incidents related to mental health. “Through...

CESJDS responds to Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel

By Simon Albert and Adin Halbfinger October 18, 2023

At around 6:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, Oct. 7, Israelis woke up to the sound of sirens blaring in the streets. Thousands of missiles, launched from Gaza, rained down on cities in southern and central...

Students learned from Slater about the true story of a harmful incident on social media that disrupted the community surrounding a small high school in California.

Award-winning author Dashka Slater visits Whitman to discuss new book

By Nikhita Dass, Walt Whitman High School October 18, 2023

On October 5, New York Times best-selling author Dashka Slater visited Whitman to discuss her novel “Accountable: The True Story of a Racist Social Media Account and the Teenagers Whose Lives It Changed.”...

Locals gather in downtown Redwood City to rally in support of Israel.

Redwood City residents rally in support of Israel

By Masha Rozenfeld, Carlmont High School October 18, 2023

In the wake of the Israel-Hamas War, approximately 200 local residents gathered on Sunday, Oct. 8, in downtown Redwood City to protest attacks and voice their support for Israel.  Club Z, a local Jewish...

SONG: During Tuesday’s kumzitz, Rabbi Block (standing) told students to find strength in mindfully fulfilling their normal commitments.

With somber song, Shalhevet stops to absorb tragedy in Israel

By Martzi Hirsch, Shalhevet High School October 18, 2023

On the first day of school after a two-week-long Sukkot break, Shalhevet students and faculty gathered in the gym as one on Oct. 10 for davening and an assembly to acknowledge and process the tragedies...

Randall Ray, custodial head, cleans tables along with other members of the custodial and lunch staffs between lunches. A shortage of custodial workers has prompted the district to pursue hiring students before and after school to help clean the building.

RSD to Hire Students, Teachers for Custodial Positions

By David Moss, Anvi Talyan, and Claire Lowder October 17, 2023

At the end of the month, MHS will lose a custodian, leaving the building with only two janitors during the day and four at night. This total is compared to the five to six day custodians and 11 night custodians...

History teacher Dror Yaron addresses Jewish club members and listeners in the emergency meeting that was held Oct. 9.

School community responds to Hamas’ terrorist attacks on Israel

By Connor Tang, Harvard-Westlake School October 16, 2023

Jewish Club held an emergency meeting during lunch in Ahmanson Lecture Hall on Oct. 9 to discuss the recent attacks on Israel by Hamas — a Palestinian and Islamic militant group —that took place Oct....

A person puts a mask on their face. Covid has recently been returning as a concern to healthcare workers.

FHSD Board Members Discuss Potential Response to the New COVID Strain

By Grant Kilen, Francis Howell North High School October 16, 2023

Many have come to believe that COVID is a thing of the past, but that assumption is now being challenged. According to the New York Times, COVID hospitalizations have increased by roughly 30 percent in...

Amidst a national blood shortage, fewer community than normal participated in this Septembers blood drive.

Few donate blood during September blood drive, as Red Cross declares national blood shortage

By Ayoub Ayoub, Townsend Harris High School October 16, 2023

Both nationally and locally, blood centers have met difficulty trying to reach demands. Back in September, the Red Cross announced a 25% drop in their national supply of blood from early August, due to...

At the Blood Donation Center at the University of Chicago, a worker prepares snacks for future donors. The center is open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. year round.

Life blood: Combination of factors leaves nation short of blood donors

By Jaya Alenghat, University of Chicago Laboratory High School October 16, 2023

Patients all around the world, suffering from diseases ranging from anemia to cancer, require blood transfusions to stay alive. But what happens when the blood runs out? The American Red Cross announced...

Traditional dishes and cultural activity booths were featured at the Langston Centre.

Tri-Cities Chinese Association celebrates Moon Festival, honors heritage

By Sophia Stone, Science Hill High School October 12, 2023

Though the full moon is still days away, Johnson City’s Langston Centre filled with Chinese lanterns, traditional dishes, and cultural activity booths on Saturday in an early celebration of the upcoming...

Estes with his friends in Israel; he was in a Young Judaea gap year program.

Alum is caught in conflict in Israel

By Eshaan Mani, The Kinkaid School October 12, 2023

When Kinkaid alumnus Mr. Canaan Estes, ‘23, flew to Jerusalem, Israel, for his gap year before college, he didn’t expect to be escaping a warzone some months later. Mr. Estes had been participating...

While there was no confirmed tornado in Beachwood, ferocious winds snapped multiple trees in half and bent a power pole on Fairmount Boulevard.

12 Tornadoes Touch Down in Northeast Ohio

By Eli Posa, Beachwood High School October 12, 2023

Trees snapped in half. Power out for days.  On the night of Thursday, Aug. 24, multiple tornadoes struck Northeast Ohio leaving rubble scattered all over the streets. A total of 12 tornadoes in...

FUHSD parents Rosario Rivera and Claudia Camacho listen to a live Spanish translation during the Boards Sept. 19 pre-mapping public hearing.

Facing north

By Giljoon Lee, Shannon Yu, Ellie Wang, and Alyssa Yang October 11, 2023

When Sunnyvale parents Rosario Rivera and Claudia Camacho addressed the FUHSD Board of Trustees on the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 19, both women made a point to thank the trustees for providing two-way...

Spanish teacher Jillian Anderson, senior Joanna Guerrero, senior Miranda Geest, junior Emma Kisgen, junior Sammy Bryan, junior Ryan Tomlinson, and senior Alexandra Cabello (left to right) participate in Spanish bingo. This event was hosted in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. “Every month here we celebrate a certain tradition and one of the traditions we started celebrating in September is Hispanic Heritage Month,”  resident services director Libby Kieslar said.” And we wanted an educational and generational event, so that’s when I reached out to Mrs. Anderson [to set this up].”

Bingo! SHS brings smiles to seniors

By Joanna Guerrero, Ankeny High School October 11, 2023

On Thursday, Oct. 5, Spanish Honor Society (SHS) played Spanish bingo at Rock Creek Senior Living Center in Ankeny. Instead of just numbers, the bingo cards had color squares with designated numbers written...

Freshmen cheer from the Class of 2027 float. Volunteers covered graffiti on the float so it could run in the parade.

Parade marches on despite racist graffiti

By Ylin Zhu and Andrew Ma October 7, 2023

Three class floats were found vandalized with racially charged graffiti last Friday morning, just hours before Cal High’s annual homecoming parade that was part of the school’s 50th anniversary celebration. ...

Posing next to her 2015 Hyundai Sonata, junior and Celebrities Dance Team Second Lieutenant Sophie Poulsen holds up her license. Poulsen’s car was stolen on Aug. 28 from the school parking lot, and was missing for a day before police recovered it. “I was shocked,” Poulsen said. “I never expected, especially in Cedar Park, for my car to get stolen. I still don’t know who [stole my car], but I wish I knew. I don’t think the cops are going to figure it out, because there’s no point. It already happened. We’re probably never going to know. I feel like it was a student, but who knows? [Nevertheless], Cedar Park is not that [kind of place].”

Swiper, No Swiping!

By Kacey Miller, Cedar Park High School October 5, 2023

Students safely leaving their cars unattended in the school parking lot during the school day has not been an issue in recent years. However, with two stolen car cases on record this year in the span of...

The PPS Climate Crisis Response, Climate Justice and Sustainable Practices Policy’s (CCRP) core goals. Passed by PPS in March 2022, the policy is one of the most holistic climate policies in the nation.

Portland Public Schools takes on climate crisis

By Erika Leung, Lincoln High School - OR October 5, 2023

Smoke covered skies, suffocating heat waves and displaced communities. The catastrophic effects of climate change have become increasingly pressing. This summer, Portland faced consecutive days of record-breaking...

Berry-Ivy has taught broadcast since 2019.

WTHS adviser, Katrina Berry-Ivy, named JEA Rising Star

By Kara Graham, Tupelo High School October 5, 2023

It is 11:03 a.m. on Wednesday, August 23. For broadcast adviser, Katrina Berry-Ivy, it is just like any other second block. She helps her students edit, write, and proof their stories for their weekly...

House Bill 100 failed to be approved as lawmakers couldn’t reach a compromise on implementing school vouchers into Texas education. The implementation of school vouchers has been a widely debated topic in Texas over the past few years.

To vouch or not to vouch?

By Sri Achanta and Anushree De October 4, 2023

Nine years old.  That is how old Philadelphia resident Anthony Samuels was when he saw his first shootout with his own eyes. But Samuels recalls that the violence did not end there.  “When I...

An issue one yard sign sits in a yard. The vote on issue one caused a range of reactions among different parties and political affiliations.

Delaware reacts to Ohio Issue One vote

By Grace Metz, Rutherford B. Hayes High School October 4, 2023

On August 8, 2023, a special election was held in all 88 counties in Ohio to decide whether Issue One would redefine how the state’s constitution is amended. Issue One set out to raise the percentage...

Maya Daley (’26) uses Wikipedia to look up information during an AP Computer Science Principles class. The U.K.’s new Online Safety bill faced backlash from Wikimedia Foundation, Wikipedia’s parent company, as Wikipedia will no longer be able to function to the same extent.

UK Online Safety Bill sparks debate surrounding privacy, protection

By Yasmine Rivera, The American School in London October 4, 2023

The Online Safety Bill, which regulates harassment, illicit content and encryption standards,  entered the final stages of approval in the U.K. Sept. 19, according to GOV.UK. The bill was developed over...

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