Students notice tighter rein on wifi
By: Chloe Rowe
NORTHRIDGE - Since the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year, Northridge students have observed some changes to the school’s wireless internet options.
Password changes have made the student wifi inaccessible except for on school-issued ChromeBooks. The overall purpose of this change is both for education and to open up internet service for other programs.
Director of Technology Mr. Kruse explained that student wifi access has been given only to particular computers and devices for particular uses. For example, he said, that would include “student computers in Journalism, for classes in the media center and science rooms, and also any special devices for kids to help with communication.”
Also, Kruse said guest speakers can access wifi for presentations.
For some students, the lack of access to the student wifi is frustrating - especially once the school day has ended. “The worst part, really,” said Macy Hart (‘22), “is that after school I can’t receive a text from my mom or send one to tell her when practice is over.” Students notice they have far more challenges using Sprint than other cell phone service providers.
Kruse pointed out the district only controls its own internet and not family cell phone data plans.
Teachers and staff members have a separate wifi. “They sign our devices in at the beginning of the school year,” said Mrs. Garee. “I don’t know the staff password, but my laptop is on it.”
Mr. Brian Roberts, who also works on technology for Northridge, said, “We have to prioritize. The internet here isn’t meant for personal, non-educational use. As we add more resources to our network for education, the other stuff has to go. It has to do with bandwidth and utilization.”
The new wifi system is meant to keep students focused on learning and their education. Because of this it prohibits what the students can access. Senior, Darian Dick (‘20) says, “ I have used my time to apply for scholarships rather than playing on my phone this year.”
- Chloe Rowe ('22) is a Journalism student.
By: Chloe Rowe
NORTHRIDGE - Since the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year, Northridge students have observed some changes to the school’s wireless internet options.
Password changes have made the student wifi inaccessible except for on school-issued ChromeBooks. The overall purpose of this change is both for education and to open up internet service for other programs.
Director of Technology Mr. Kruse explained that student wifi access has been given only to particular computers and devices for particular uses. For example, he said, that would include “student computers in Journalism, for classes in the media center and science rooms, and also any special devices for kids to help with communication.”
Also, Kruse said guest speakers can access wifi for presentations.
For some students, the lack of access to the student wifi is frustrating - especially once the school day has ended. “The worst part, really,” said Macy Hart (‘22), “is that after school I can’t receive a text from my mom or send one to tell her when practice is over.” Students notice they have far more challenges using Sprint than other cell phone service providers.
Kruse pointed out the district only controls its own internet and not family cell phone data plans.
Teachers and staff members have a separate wifi. “They sign our devices in at the beginning of the school year,” said Mrs. Garee. “I don’t know the staff password, but my laptop is on it.”
Mr. Brian Roberts, who also works on technology for Northridge, said, “We have to prioritize. The internet here isn’t meant for personal, non-educational use. As we add more resources to our network for education, the other stuff has to go. It has to do with bandwidth and utilization.”
The new wifi system is meant to keep students focused on learning and their education. Because of this it prohibits what the students can access. Senior, Darian Dick (‘20) says, “ I have used my time to apply for scholarships rather than playing on my phone this year.”
- Chloe Rowe ('22) is a Journalism student.
Northridge’s forest to be torn down for new building
By: Kamille Womack
JOHNSTOWN - Northridge High School's woods, which have been part of the property since 1934, are being torn down due to both safety hazards and construction.
Northridge property behind the buildings holds two buildings, a bus garage, and a wooded area about a mile long. With over one hundred trees, this forest has become a home for animals and a shaded running path for athletes. Recently, many of the trees have been dying, and these falling trees have posed a safety hazard to Northridge athletes.
Molly Brannigan ('22) recounts a close call on the running path, stating, “So we were just chillin’, not doing what were were supposed to. We were just walking around and we see a tiny little frog and we start playing with it and named it Kermit and we started making videos with us narrating its ‘life.’ And then all the sudden we hear a giant crash right behind us, and a tree fell like five feet behind us. Then we picked up the frog and ran away.”
Another threat that resides in the woods is the overwhelming and rapid spread of Poison Oak and Ivy that grows over the running paths and trees. Since it has been finalized that Northridge will not be holding any cross country meets on campus, the woods have faced neglect. With no one clearing the growing plants and fallen trees, athletes are forced to run through poisonous plants and under trees that sway in the wind, as noted earlier. Brannigan says, “I got really bad poison sumac from running in the woods.”
Construction on the primary school is starting in October and is going to take two years to finish. Without the woods, distance runners expect to spend more time practicing off campus. High School Cross Country Coach Richard Featheringill stated, “It's just something that we’ll have to work out over time, but for now we’re going to work with what we can.”
- Kamille Womack ('22) is a Journalism student.
By: Kamille Womack
JOHNSTOWN - Northridge High School's woods, which have been part of the property since 1934, are being torn down due to both safety hazards and construction.
Northridge property behind the buildings holds two buildings, a bus garage, and a wooded area about a mile long. With over one hundred trees, this forest has become a home for animals and a shaded running path for athletes. Recently, many of the trees have been dying, and these falling trees have posed a safety hazard to Northridge athletes.
Molly Brannigan ('22) recounts a close call on the running path, stating, “So we were just chillin’, not doing what were were supposed to. We were just walking around and we see a tiny little frog and we start playing with it and named it Kermit and we started making videos with us narrating its ‘life.’ And then all the sudden we hear a giant crash right behind us, and a tree fell like five feet behind us. Then we picked up the frog and ran away.”
Another threat that resides in the woods is the overwhelming and rapid spread of Poison Oak and Ivy that grows over the running paths and trees. Since it has been finalized that Northridge will not be holding any cross country meets on campus, the woods have faced neglect. With no one clearing the growing plants and fallen trees, athletes are forced to run through poisonous plants and under trees that sway in the wind, as noted earlier. Brannigan says, “I got really bad poison sumac from running in the woods.”
Construction on the primary school is starting in October and is going to take two years to finish. Without the woods, distance runners expect to spend more time practicing off campus. High School Cross Country Coach Richard Featheringill stated, “It's just something that we’ll have to work out over time, but for now we’re going to work with what we can.”
- Kamille Womack ('22) is a Journalism student.
Homecoming proposals: how they went down
By: Hadley Stermer
NORTHRIDGE - Last week Homecoming proposals were creative (some including live animals), but many students noticed there were not as many people that "asked" this year.
In one clever proposal, Logan Ullom (‘21) asked Claire Shank (‘20) with a poster on his dog that said “Hoco?” Coming up with an idea can be hard, but with some help from friends it makes it a lot easier. Ullom said, “Making it happen took a lot of planning and deciding what I wanted to do on the final draft. Abby Beyer (‘21) helped me. I would send her all my ideas, and she would approve them.”
Knowing the right time to ask is challenging. Ullom decided to ask Shank the week before Homecoming after a volleyball game. Shank approved the timeline, saying, “I would like to be asked a week before the dance.” This gives both people enough time to plan groups and get matching clothes for the dance.
Going in a group of friends is another fun way to enjoy Homecoming without the fuss of a proposal. Lauren Aamodt (‘21) said, “Going with friends is more fun so you don’t worry about your date and if they’re happy or not.” Every year many groups of friends always go together and have a good time.
Some Homecoming groups include people with and without dates. Many students are unsure if they want to go with people that have dates when they don’t. Aamodt said, “Yes, I don't mind going alone in a group that also has couples, as long as I'm not the only one without a date.”
Many students noticed a decrease in people being asked. Were there fewer people going with friends or not all this year? Attendance turned out to be good (Advisor Mrs. Hotchkiss said it was up by about 50 students this year] and Kathryn Nicks (‘21) said, “Homecoming proposals are just a lot more lowkey this year. There haven't been as many big asks as there usually are.”
- Hadley Stermer (‘21) is a Journalism student
By: Hadley Stermer
NORTHRIDGE - Last week Homecoming proposals were creative (some including live animals), but many students noticed there were not as many people that "asked" this year.
In one clever proposal, Logan Ullom (‘21) asked Claire Shank (‘20) with a poster on his dog that said “Hoco?” Coming up with an idea can be hard, but with some help from friends it makes it a lot easier. Ullom said, “Making it happen took a lot of planning and deciding what I wanted to do on the final draft. Abby Beyer (‘21) helped me. I would send her all my ideas, and she would approve them.”
Knowing the right time to ask is challenging. Ullom decided to ask Shank the week before Homecoming after a volleyball game. Shank approved the timeline, saying, “I would like to be asked a week before the dance.” This gives both people enough time to plan groups and get matching clothes for the dance.
Going in a group of friends is another fun way to enjoy Homecoming without the fuss of a proposal. Lauren Aamodt (‘21) said, “Going with friends is more fun so you don’t worry about your date and if they’re happy or not.” Every year many groups of friends always go together and have a good time.
Some Homecoming groups include people with and without dates. Many students are unsure if they want to go with people that have dates when they don’t. Aamodt said, “Yes, I don't mind going alone in a group that also has couples, as long as I'm not the only one without a date.”
Many students noticed a decrease in people being asked. Were there fewer people going with friends or not all this year? Attendance turned out to be good (Advisor Mrs. Hotchkiss said it was up by about 50 students this year] and Kathryn Nicks (‘21) said, “Homecoming proposals are just a lot more lowkey this year. There haven't been as many big asks as there usually are.”
- Hadley Stermer (‘21) is a Journalism student
Student parking still a mystery
By: Kathryn Nicks
NORTHRIDGE - Students wondering where they will end up parking at the campus throughout the 2019-20 school year aren’t alone - district administrators just aren’t sure either.
As of right now, student parking spots are being sold in the back of the high school, and the teachers are parking in the front. However, it will not be like this for much longer. Since the levy passed at the end of school last year, there is a new primary building being built on the main campus.
Construction for the new primary building is planned to start later this year. Head of Maintenance Dave Liggett explained that construction should start, “possibly in late October.” He later explained that, “If they start excavation of the site in October/November, it will be 22 months from there.”
This is the current plan. However, Superintendent Scott Schmidt explained that “When doing any construction, there is a lot of approval from the county that is needed.” Although this is the current plan, it has the potential to change.
Students are wondering where they will end up parking while the construction is happening and when the existing student parking lot gets closed off. Schmidt said that, “There will be a temporary gravel student parking lot in the back, behind the intermediate school, and students will then enter the school from the back entrance.”
Liggett said that, “Originally, we were going to have to close the current student parking lot, and it looks like now we are only going to have to close off the road toward the practice band field and leave the rest of the parking lot open. Through at least probably March, students will still be parking in the student parking lot.”
So as you can see, only time will tell where students will end up parking, based on how construction rolls out.
Liggett explains that, “The new student parking lot will be in the front of the building, where the current staff parking is.” They will be expanding the current staff lot so that students can eventually park there as well. So, once construction is done and over with, students will be parking somewhere in the front of the high school.
In the face of confusion and questions by the students, the Northridge administration emphasizes that everyone will have a spot to park during this district revamp.
- Kathryn Nicks (‘21) is a Journalism student.
Hallway or Hangout?
How school policies affect foot traffic in the school
By: Olivia Howard
NORTHRIDGE - Students have four minutes to get from one class to another throughout the day; of 20 students recently surveyed, 16 said they would enjoy more time between classes.
"With the bathrooms filled in between classes, it's sometimes hard to get in during the four minutes," said Peyton Liggett ('21).
Liggett says most other students are trying to use the bathroom during that same window, since teachers mostly don't want them to use a pass at the beginning of class.
NHS students say getting to lockers and the restroom and back to class can make the four minutes seem even shorter.
"There should be more time. People getting their things from their lockers don't have enough time to get to class on time," said Lyndsey Stocks ('21).
NHS is considering a rule in the 2020-21 school year that no backpacks will be allowed in classrooms so lockers must be used. This idea already has some students worried about the amount of time between classes.
"If next year we have to use lockers, then we will need a longer time to get to class," said Bella Severns ('21).
However, two out of the 20 students surveyed think students do not need extra time because of the size of the school.
"We have enough time in between classes. We are a small school and we don't have many hallways to walk to," said Kathryn Nicks ('21).
By comparison, bigger schools like Granville and Newark, which have 859 and 1,453 students respectively, only have five minutes in between classes, which is still only one more minute than Northridge.
Meanwhile, two other students in the survey are torn between the two arguments.
"We should at least get one extra minute to go to the bathroom and get a snack. Although, on the other hand, people could be lingering in the hallways," Kamille Womack ('22).
Not only do students seem to fret over the hallways time limits, but teachers give their opinions on the overall effect the hallways give off to the students. As the teachers stand in the halls, they see the struggle kids have to go through to be on time due to lockers.
"When I stand in the hallway, I see the freshman trying to get in and out of their lockers with the locks and racing to get to class," said Freshman English Teacher Mrs. Jennifer Ulery.
Sophomore English Teacher Ms. Kelsie Rinard reasoned that, "Four minutes is pretty realistic. My high school was similar to this, and we only had three minutes between classes."
Only time will tell how students will handle the time limit and how the future atmosphere in the hallways will be affected.
- Olivia Howard ('21) is a Journalism student at NHS.
How school policies affect foot traffic in the school
By: Olivia Howard
NORTHRIDGE - Students have four minutes to get from one class to another throughout the day; of 20 students recently surveyed, 16 said they would enjoy more time between classes.
"With the bathrooms filled in between classes, it's sometimes hard to get in during the four minutes," said Peyton Liggett ('21).
Liggett says most other students are trying to use the bathroom during that same window, since teachers mostly don't want them to use a pass at the beginning of class.
NHS students say getting to lockers and the restroom and back to class can make the four minutes seem even shorter.
"There should be more time. People getting their things from their lockers don't have enough time to get to class on time," said Lyndsey Stocks ('21).
NHS is considering a rule in the 2020-21 school year that no backpacks will be allowed in classrooms so lockers must be used. This idea already has some students worried about the amount of time between classes.
"If next year we have to use lockers, then we will need a longer time to get to class," said Bella Severns ('21).
However, two out of the 20 students surveyed think students do not need extra time because of the size of the school.
"We have enough time in between classes. We are a small school and we don't have many hallways to walk to," said Kathryn Nicks ('21).
By comparison, bigger schools like Granville and Newark, which have 859 and 1,453 students respectively, only have five minutes in between classes, which is still only one more minute than Northridge.
Meanwhile, two other students in the survey are torn between the two arguments.
"We should at least get one extra minute to go to the bathroom and get a snack. Although, on the other hand, people could be lingering in the hallways," Kamille Womack ('22).
Not only do students seem to fret over the hallways time limits, but teachers give their opinions on the overall effect the hallways give off to the students. As the teachers stand in the halls, they see the struggle kids have to go through to be on time due to lockers.
"When I stand in the hallway, I see the freshman trying to get in and out of their lockers with the locks and racing to get to class," said Freshman English Teacher Mrs. Jennifer Ulery.
Sophomore English Teacher Ms. Kelsie Rinard reasoned that, "Four minutes is pretty realistic. My high school was similar to this, and we only had three minutes between classes."
Only time will tell how students will handle the time limit and how the future atmosphere in the hallways will be affected.
- Olivia Howard ('21) is a Journalism student at NHS.
Vikings running late
Bus challenges impact athletics
By: Macy Renae Hart
NORTHRIDGE - Olyvia Ashbrook (‘21), state qualifier last year in Cross Country, ran right off the bus and arrived, out of breath, on the starting line at the Utica Invitational. It was because the team's bus couldn't leave until after 4 p.m., regardless of the meet's start time. This caused her to not be able to stretch before her 5K race.
Some days, buses simply aren't available for sports teams until other routes are done at 4 p.m. The Cross Country team isn’t the only one affected. Volleyball games are starting late, as well, when the Vikings do not arrive on time.
Athletic Director Mr. Mike George explains that, “They [Peterman] are short bus drivers. They are diligently hiring drivers at this time. They simply are doing the best they can do, and they have been trying very very hard. They do a good a great job trying to accommodate our needs.” Mr. George also explained they “have set contracts” for leaving times.
Another Cross Country runner, Kamille Womack (‘22) said she hopes the bus garage can find new drivers soon so no one gets hurt. "We did not do well at Camp Ohio [Utica's meet] because we did not have time to stretch," she said. Womack felt she “could have done better if there was more time to warm up" and has been dealing with shin splints throughout the season. "Warm up is important," she added.
“They are hiring drivers as we speak," George emphasized. Additional bus drivers means no more problems leaving in plenty of time, he said.
- Macy Hart is a Journalism student for The Viking Vault [email protected]
Bus challenges impact athletics
By: Macy Renae Hart
NORTHRIDGE - Olyvia Ashbrook (‘21), state qualifier last year in Cross Country, ran right off the bus and arrived, out of breath, on the starting line at the Utica Invitational. It was because the team's bus couldn't leave until after 4 p.m., regardless of the meet's start time. This caused her to not be able to stretch before her 5K race.
Some days, buses simply aren't available for sports teams until other routes are done at 4 p.m. The Cross Country team isn’t the only one affected. Volleyball games are starting late, as well, when the Vikings do not arrive on time.
Athletic Director Mr. Mike George explains that, “They [Peterman] are short bus drivers. They are diligently hiring drivers at this time. They simply are doing the best they can do, and they have been trying very very hard. They do a good a great job trying to accommodate our needs.” Mr. George also explained they “have set contracts” for leaving times.
Another Cross Country runner, Kamille Womack (‘22) said she hopes the bus garage can find new drivers soon so no one gets hurt. "We did not do well at Camp Ohio [Utica's meet] because we did not have time to stretch," she said. Womack felt she “could have done better if there was more time to warm up" and has been dealing with shin splints throughout the season. "Warm up is important," she added.
“They are hiring drivers as we speak," George emphasized. Additional bus drivers means no more problems leaving in plenty of time, he said.
- Macy Hart is a Journalism student for The Viking Vault [email protected]
Made with love
Student self-portraits encourage positive self image
By: Halleigh Carter
NORTHRIDGE - At the beginning of the school year, Mr. Andy Kirtland is having all of his art classes make a self-portrait. By doing this, he is trying to have his students see their growth throughout their high school career.
Kirtland said, “Self portraits are good because you can see growth every year with yourself growing from freshman to senior, and you can look at your first self portrait to your senior self portrait to see the change.”
Some students like the idea of creating their own self-portrait but acknowledge that it could be challenging.
Hayden Reese (‘22) stated, “I feel like it will be fun, but it will be hard because of the way Kirtland is having us create them and add all the details we need.” Specifically, students have to choose not only their image but also put thought into the background of the portrait.
Contrarily, some students already think the project will be a struggle.
Hadley Stermer (‘21) said, “I felt like it was going to be bad because I don't know how to paint, and it has to be abstract and has to be a good idea. It took a long time to come up with an idea.” Stermer ended up using blocks of color as the background for her portrait, and she said she was happy with the way it turned out despite her initial doubts.
Kirtland estimates the project to last two weeks. After that, self-portraits will be featured in the display case near the front office.
- Halleigh Carter (‘22) is a Journalism student for The Viking Vault [email protected]
Student self-portraits encourage positive self image
By: Halleigh Carter
NORTHRIDGE - At the beginning of the school year, Mr. Andy Kirtland is having all of his art classes make a self-portrait. By doing this, he is trying to have his students see their growth throughout their high school career.
Kirtland said, “Self portraits are good because you can see growth every year with yourself growing from freshman to senior, and you can look at your first self portrait to your senior self portrait to see the change.”
Some students like the idea of creating their own self-portrait but acknowledge that it could be challenging.
Hayden Reese (‘22) stated, “I feel like it will be fun, but it will be hard because of the way Kirtland is having us create them and add all the details we need.” Specifically, students have to choose not only their image but also put thought into the background of the portrait.
Contrarily, some students already think the project will be a struggle.
Hadley Stermer (‘21) said, “I felt like it was going to be bad because I don't know how to paint, and it has to be abstract and has to be a good idea. It took a long time to come up with an idea.” Stermer ended up using blocks of color as the background for her portrait, and she said she was happy with the way it turned out despite her initial doubts.
Kirtland estimates the project to last two weeks. After that, self-portraits will be featured in the display case near the front office.
- Halleigh Carter (‘22) is a Journalism student for The Viking Vault [email protected]
Media Design planning school-wide interaction
By: Chris Curran
NORTHRIDGE - Mr. Decker plans to incorporate new projects from the Media Design classes to involve more of the school as a whole. This includes putting posters of upcoming sporting events, social gatherings, and announcements for the school. In addition to this, Mr. Decker is also focusing more on the basics for his students. This means more in- depth projects with Photoshop and Editing tools.
In the past, the Media Design class has taken the lead on designing programs for the Middle School musical. When asked about this, Decker said that, “If asked, they'll make the programs and put the ads in.” Eventually, Decker plans on having the students “make lesser known programs more visible.” This would improve school participation with other programs such as Board Game Club and Wrestling, for example.
In order for Media Design students to be able to participate with the school, they need to be taught how to use the programs. To do this, Decker is focusing on “teaching students how to use layers and gradients as well as photoshop tools.” Teaching students how to use Photoshop and Adobe would increase their skills in those areas, resulting in better and better projects.
Kamille Womack (‘22), a current Media Design student had a few things to say about the class. When asked about how the class was, she said that it is “very fun, laid back" and "there’s lots of freedom, -we can do any ideas and projects if they follow the rules.” We asked her what projects she was looking forward to. Womack responded: “Designed personal Air Force One, a gradient project, 10 slides about ourselves, a Frankenstein project, and we made a logo that was a play on words.”
- Chris Curran (‘20) is a Journalism student for The Viking Vault.
By: Chris Curran
NORTHRIDGE - Mr. Decker plans to incorporate new projects from the Media Design classes to involve more of the school as a whole. This includes putting posters of upcoming sporting events, social gatherings, and announcements for the school. In addition to this, Mr. Decker is also focusing more on the basics for his students. This means more in- depth projects with Photoshop and Editing tools.
In the past, the Media Design class has taken the lead on designing programs for the Middle School musical. When asked about this, Decker said that, “If asked, they'll make the programs and put the ads in.” Eventually, Decker plans on having the students “make lesser known programs more visible.” This would improve school participation with other programs such as Board Game Club and Wrestling, for example.
In order for Media Design students to be able to participate with the school, they need to be taught how to use the programs. To do this, Decker is focusing on “teaching students how to use layers and gradients as well as photoshop tools.” Teaching students how to use Photoshop and Adobe would increase their skills in those areas, resulting in better and better projects.
Kamille Womack (‘22), a current Media Design student had a few things to say about the class. When asked about how the class was, she said that it is “very fun, laid back" and "there’s lots of freedom, -we can do any ideas and projects if they follow the rules.” We asked her what projects she was looking forward to. Womack responded: “Designed personal Air Force One, a gradient project, 10 slides about ourselves, a Frankenstein project, and we made a logo that was a play on words.”
- Chris Curran (‘20) is a Journalism student for The Viking Vault.