Episcopal Academy
Ryan Quinlan ’14 Philadelphia continues to hold the highest homicide rate of the ten most populous cities, with a homicide victim count of 324 in 2011. According to Philly.com, Philadelphia had 20.7 homicides for each 100,000 residents, while Chicago had 15.7 and New York City only had 6.1. Although Philadelphia’s homicide rate peaked in 2006, … Read More “Mayor Nutter’s response to Philadelphia’s high homicide rates” »
Toni Radcliffe ’14 Although Episcopal is not a “nut-free” school, there are certain food allergy requirements and restrictions in place in order to maintain the safety and health of students with documented food allergies. “We can never ensure a certain percent of allergen-free food, but we try to make sure we have systems set up … Read More “Current Allergy Restrictions at Episcopal” »
Michael Quinlan ’14 New regulations concerning Pennsylvania’s teenage drivers receiving their permits and licenses have been effective since December 24th, 2011. The new rules were described as “the proper tools [for our junior drivers] to be safe behind the wheel,” by Republican State Representative Katharine Watson of Bucks County, who was the first to fight … Read More “New law limits number of teenage passengers” »
Chester Thai ’14 Police have broken up Occupy movements in major cities across the country during the few past months due to public health concerns, leading some to question the constitutionality of these evictions. The first eviction occurred mid-November in New York City, the origin of the movement. At 1:00 A.M., the police sealed off … Read More “Police break up Occupy protests throughout country” »
John Flynn ’14 Arlene Ackerman, former Philadelphia School District Head, is now applying for unemployment benefits after receiving a contract buyout. While in charge of the district, Ackerman reportedly had multiple disputes with other government officials. The deficit of the Philadelphia School District under Ackerman reached $629 million, calling for budget cuts and layoffs in … Read More “Ackerman seeks unemployment benefits” »
Ryan Quinlan ’14 The US is currently experiencing a shortage of Adderall, a prescription drug used to treat ADHD, due to uneven distribution, a general increase in demand, and a shortage of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). Both forms of Adderall, instant release (IR) and extended release (XR), are currently experiencing shortages. The extended release version … Read More “Shortage of Adderall causes concern” »
Jeffrey Hu ’14 The Pennsylvania State Senate recently passed a bill banning texting while driving. Despite loud criticism that the ban is backwards and ineffective, the bill will take effect in early March 2012. Pennsylvania is the 35th state to pass a bill restricting the use of cell phones while driving. At the bill-signing … Read More “New Pennsylvania law bans texting while driving” »
Michael Quinlan ’14 Greece’s debt continues to cause serious fiscal problems throughout the Eurozone, despite the European Union’s recent bailout to prevent the country from defaulting on its debts. Greece’s debts and borrowing costs continue to reach record heights; economists and politicians worldwide believe their debts have reached unsustainable levels. In 2010, Greece’s budget … Read More “Debt in Greece calls for bailout” »
Jill Barton ’12 Jerry Sandusky, previously an assistant football coach at Penn State University, has been charged with sexually abusing eight boys over a fifteen year period. While Sandusky and his lawyer maintain that Sandusky only “horsed around” with the boys, Penn State has fired not only Sandusky, but also head football coach Joe Paterno … Read More “Penn State Scandal” »
Toni Radcliffe ’14 Study Skills, a class taught by Upper School faculty members Anna McDermott and Max Kelly, has been offered to the III Form for the first time this academic year. Meeting every other C Block, Study Skills “is a course to help students navigate the Upper School,” said McDermott, a member of the … Read More “Study Skills assists freshmen” »
Due to budget cuts of over $600 million in Philadelphia schools this year, district officials plan to close nine schools due to falling enrolment. During the past decade, the number of students enrolled in the Philadelphia School District has dropped from 500,000 to 150,000. Caused in great part by a movement to charter-school education, the … Read More “Nine Philadelphia Public Schools to Close” »
Student Council is considering revising the rules of the Spirit Week lounge decorating competition in an effort to promote creativity and increase the amount of time students get to enjoy their lounges. Student Council has proposed giving each grade set supplies in order to level the playing field and determine who is most creative with … Read More “Spirit Week lounge decoration rules under review” »