The beat on Auburn Schools

On December 7th the Auburn School District held a congressional meeting with two local state representatives. Out of the four legislators invited, Representative Skip Priest and Representative Pat Sullivan attended. Senator Claudia Kauffman and Representative Dan Roach, did not.

Topics of importance included the future of financial aid for school districts, better representation and coordination towards other programs and where money for the district should come from. Teacher, staff and district representation was also a hot topic.  Both Representatives Skip Priest and Pat Sullivan praised the school board for arranging this meeting stating that communication between them greatly improves on what should be focused while drafting bills. In addition, two school board members from surrounding communities also attended the event. Kent school board member Debbie Straus, and Federal Way public school board member, Amye Bronson-Doherty.

The next board meeting will be held at December 14^th, 7:00pm at the James P. Fugate Administration building.

The Auburn School district is having a competion within the school’s to see who can come up with the district’s new logo.  The logo must include the districts new slogan “Engage Educate Empower.” and fit within the other required guidelines. Designs must be sumbmitted by Friday, January 8, 2010. For more infomation vist this link.

The Troy InVoice just publlised it’s 2nd issue of the year. I’d like to showcase this opinion from one of our editorial staff. The paper will be published online soon, if you wish to have a hardcopy stop by Auburn High School’s main office and ask for one.

Pledge provides a moment to reflect

By Robin Ball

 “I pledge allegiance [giggling], to the flag [laughing], of the United States of America [talking].” Has this ever happened to you? The bell in first, second or third period rings, you hear the beep and someones voice asking you to stand for the flag salute. How many people stand in your class? Do you stand for the pledge? Not only do they not stand but they talk, laugh, and gossip for the entire 15 second salute.

Sure only 15 seconds people say. Why should it matter if its only 15 seconds right? Well I have to ask why people can’t shut their mouths for 15 seconds, stand, put their hand on their heart and pledge to the freedoms they have been given. I want to know the excuses people have to be flat out rude.

Here’s one I’ve heard “It’s my right to not stand for the pledge.” Wow, lets look at the irony in that statement: I wont stand for the pledge because it’s my freedom not to stand. Think for a second, you were given that freedom by the flag that you aren’t respecting. Would you completely, purposely disrespect your mother? When she was the one who gave you life? Now I know that there are some people who think they are smart saying “Yeah I would disrespect my mother.” I’m being serious here.

Remember when we were in the 4^th  grade or so and your teacher was shaken up and on the verge of tears, he or she said “Two buildings in New York city have just been hit by planes.” We didn’t truly understand then, but somehow we knew that something tragic had happened. We knew it had to do with our country, and that flag we salute everyday. For years after, I know that everyone stood to that flag and pledged to it. They didn’t try and be smart because it was not the time, we were united for once by the losses our country suffered.

How about the rude people who say that they don’t need to pledge because this is not their country? Although the majority of them are living here for the freedoms the land allows.

 I don’t know if it’s just me, but this just doesn’t make sense. It’s 15 seconds to pledge to all the men and women who have died for this country. Many of us take it for granted, and I just want all of you to look at what your wearing, that phone in your hand or on your desk, those headphones in your ears attached to that iPod in your pocket. Even this paper that you are reading right now, and so many other things that you wouldn’t have with out the symbol that flag represents. I know I sound like a sad commercial, like there should be sad music playing in the background, “For only a penny a day you could save this little girls life.” Well here’s a new quote for you to hold in the back of your head. “For only 15 seconds a day, you could show respect for your country.”

Firstly sorry for taking so long to update this blog. Being super busy at school, I’ve had a lot of other events going on. Thus speaking I think the biggest new story for the district right now is the Capital Levy Improvements that you the voters passed this last election.  Even at Auburn High the surprise and excitement of having the levy pass is evident. 

Although hardly an improvements will be made to Auburn High (the district is planning for the bond to replace Auburn, Olympic and Terminal Park in a few more years) the stadium across the street is slated for some big improvements. Among those including new stadium turf, equivalent to that of the Seattle Seahawks.  ADA seating, new speakers, new track surface and other various improvements will also be playing. I might remind that an Auburn High School player contracted MRSA due to the conditions of the current turf.

Over at the district pool huge improvements are also in the works, rusty lockers from the 1970’s will be replaced, the boiler will be replaced, and the front office will now have adequate spacing and furniture among others.  The Troy InVoice will be publishing an article soon on the full details of the levy, for right now as the ‘voice’ of the district, Thank You Voters!

I’d like to say,  Hello.

For the most part I’d imagine that the majority of Auburn Reporter readers do not know me.  

Starting on those grounds I suppose I should give a sentence or two on who I am. Firstly, my name is Matt Arquitt.  I’m 6’1 and a Junior at Auburn High School.  As of the moment I am the design editor for the school newspaper “Troy InVoice”. Before that I was a staff reporter for Auburn Mountainview’s paper “InView”. And before that I was the editor for the “Spartan Voice” at Cascade Middle School.  I’m involved in Martial Arts at the A.K.E.A in downtown Auburn, (you should check them out) and have been since 2002. I am currently a purple belt.  Other then that, I enjoy being around my girlfriend Michelle. (09 grad of AMHS)

So you might be asking, what can I expect in this blog?

1. News.  To be more exact news you can use. Cheesy and over used? Yes.  Does it get the point across? Yes.
2. A real look at what it’s like inside the district. From someone who actually is a part of it. (Myself)
3. Articles, ideas, and opinions from others, including from the “Troy InVoice”. ( Granted it’s not crazy, and will get me into trouble)

What can you NOT expect from this blog?

1. Bad Journalism. Just as a general journalistic rule you want to be un-bias.  In 2^nd grade language, don’t pick sides. Something I really don’t like. So I don’t do it.
2. The deep inner thoughts of my brain. Their mine, so stay away. Besides that would then make this a blog about Matt. Not Auburn High School or the district.
3. Lastly but no least, it’s not a blog about what my friends are doing, what cool band is coming to town, and if I should really spray paint my truck pink. The answer is no, I shouldn’t.

So there it is a nutshell. If you have any question comments, ravings, or ideas about what I should write about feel free to e-mail me.  And to that, I lay final piece.