Category: News
Flour Babies Return to Hammond High Once Again
Alara Sheriff
Staff Writer
In the class Human Growth & Development, students were assigned a project in which they carry around a baby made out of flour or sugar to simulate life as a parent of a newborn. The students had the artistic liberty to design the baby to appear realistic, but not all are decorated. Guidelines for this project require students to have their “baby” with them at all times for the span of a school week from January 7th to 11th, which would mean that participants would still do their normal daily tasks while accompanied by a “child.”
To the average teenager, this task may seem daunting; however, the “parents” of the flour and sugar babies did an excellent job, keeping their cool and simulating caring for the child in a calm fashion.
“This project is a simulation of a real life parenting situation where [the students] should be having a 24 hour responsibility of having and caring for a child,” Ms. Lancaster commented.
Most kids seem to think that this is a challenging project because they are not used to taking one thing around at all times with them, unless it is their phone. “This project has made me realize that there is more to taking care of a baby then feeding and providing a shelter,” said Jasmine Britt, a 10th grader.
Level Up: 2023 Hammond Renovations
By: Brian Paul
Co-Sports Editor
In 2023, Hammond High School is set to be renovated for the first time since 2011. In March 2018, former Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman proposed a construction budget of approximately 165 million dollars, which included a 4 million dollar education project set towards improvements here at Hammond High School. The building of Hammond High is about 41 years old, and the mentioned improvements include an overhaul of heating and cooling systems, and a rumored second floor. This rumored new floor would look to accommodate 200 more students, as Hammond is currently designed for 1,220 students.
Superintendent Michael J. Martirano met with the County Council and the Howard County Board of Education in order to advance the target completion date from 2028 to 2023. The original completion date was proposed for 2018, but due to other educational projects in Howard County, the date was pushed back as a result of rapid population growth over the past few years.
Hammond Offers Online Courses
By: Bin Lin
Staff Writer
Not many Howard County students have realized that there have been a handful of classes taken online. At Hammond High School there are not only language classes online, but high level math classes are offered as well.
The way online classes operate is fairly simple. First both the teacher and the students create an account to access Zoom, a screen-sharing app. Then they are to bring their electronic devices (or one will be provided by the school) in order to join the Zoom app using the account they have created. Once the students have joined the session they will be greeted by their teacher and may also see other students that are learning on the program at the same time. Some classes will also have an Instructional Assistant who helps the students in an online class if they have questions related to the class curriculum.
HCPSS Bans International Travel
By: Bin Lin
Staff Writer
Students of HCPSS always have many opportunities to do many different things and one of them is being able to travel to international places such as France or the United Kingdom. However, last year HCPSS had declared Policy 8110 [Student International Education Travel] to be revoked, “The Board passed a motion and voted to rescind this policy.” Thus closing the opportunity for students to travel across the oceans.
Left to right: Amanda Russell, Ms. Barlow, and Tori Vander Putten in London.
Gun Control & Mental Health Public Forum with Superintendent Dr. Martirano at River Hill High School
By: Tigerlily Johnson
Staff Writer
All across the country, students have participated in several walkouts due to the mass school shooting in Florida on Wednesday, February 14th. On Tuesday, February 20th, the Florida state House declined to pass a ban on semiautomatic guns and large capacity magazines. Florida students planned a walkout on Wednesday, February 21st at noon to combat this decision and put pressure on Congress to pass more gun reform, but their determination has spread across the country and pushed other students to do the same. On February 21st at Hammond, many students participated in the walkout and contributed to the protests against gun violence sweeping the nation. There have been several walkouts that have taken place since then, including one on April 20th to commemorate the 19th anniversary of the Columbine shooting. Continue reading
Hammond Named 2017 School of Opportunity
By: Molly Schreier
Features Editor
On January 22, 2018, Hammond High School was named a 2017 “School of Opportunity” by the National Education Policy Center (Boulder, Colorado) (NEPC). The NEPC acknowledges that most school recognition favors schools whose students are affluent and have high access to opportunities. This award instead recognizes schools who close opportunity gaps and are dedicated to equity.
The Washington Post article that announced Hammond’s award described why Hammond won: “Hammond’s impressive curriculum is grounded in rich, project-based learning. The school has eliminated its low-track classes and significantly increased African American enrollment in its AP courses.” Continue reading
The Walkout Against Gun Violence: Why Hammond Students Participated
By Kylie Potter
Editor-in-Chief
All across the country, students have been planning several “walkouts” due to the recent mass school shooting in Florida on Wednesday, February 14th. On Tuesday, February 20th, the Florida state House declined to pass a ban on semiautomatic guns and large capacity magazines. Florida students planned a walkout on Wednesday, February 21st at noon to combat this decision and put pressure on Congress to pass more gun reform, but their determination has spread across the country and pushed other students to do the same. On February 21st at Hammond, many students participated in the walkout and contributed to the protests against gun violence sweeping the nation.
Students gathered in front of Hammond to make their voices heard and stand in solidarity with the victims in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. Some students held up signs, and others gave speeches about the severity of the situation and what they believe needs to be done to fix it. There was also a moment of silence in memory of the 17 victims that were murdered in the shooting. Continue reading
