Inside L-S

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One of the goals of the LSNews.org editorial board is to delve into complex issues that face students at L-S as well as the L-S community at large. To that end, each month, LSNews.org will run a series of articles that shed more light on that topic, all of which will run under the banner "Inside L-S". With any questions or suggestions, readers are invited to contact us at lspioneernews@gmail.com.

September: Exploring Mental Health

Series Coordinator: David Johnson

Announcing a new series on mental health at L-S (September 2, 2015) -- Benjamin Pontz
  • Editor-In-Chief Benjamin Pontz announces that the first Inside L-S series will explore the issue of mental health.
What is mental health? (September 9, 2015) -- David Johnson
  • Series coordinator David Johnson interviews school psychologist Ms. Kristin Glass and students to help answer the question: "What is mental health?"
  • Editor-In-Chief Benjamin Pontz analyzes a policy the School Board passed during National Suicide Prevention Week aimed to address suicide awareness and prevention.
Editorial: Mental health awareness is crucial (October 2, 2015) -- The Editorial Board

  • Series coordinator David Johnson shares his personal story in an inspiring piece that highlights the importance of mental health awareness.

October: Haunted Houses

Series Coordinator: Alyssa Van Lenten

  • On a lighter note than the September series (or at least a different note), Alyssa Van Lenten takes two fellow LSNews.org editors on a trip to Field of Screams.
Bates Motel offers haunted thrill -- Alyssa Van Lenten
  • In installment two, Alyssa heads over to Bates Motel, where she got to interview the owner to learn how it all comes together.
  • Alyssa Van Lenten checks out Jason's Woods, perhaps the closest haunted attraction to L-S.

November: School Safety

Series Coordinator: Justin Burkett

  • Editor-In-Chief Benjamin Pontz announces that LSNews.org will explore school safety for its November series.
L-S overcomes threats -- Benjamin Pontz
  • Ben Pontz writes a detailed recap on how L-S handled the threat situation from September, and interviews students to gauge their reaction to it all.
  • The next installment of the series looks at the biannual PA Youth Survey, the primary justification for district drug policy, and its disputed accuracy.
Cameras aim to protect students, but have other uses -- Justin Burkett and Benjamin Pontz
  • Ben Pontz interviewed HS principal Mr. Spencer, and Justin Burkett conducted a large survey of L-S students and staff. Together, they wrote an article about cameras at the high school.
  • To conclude our series, Justin Burkett analyzes the ALICE protocol by interviewing Dr. Feeney to explore what L-S would do in case of emergency.

December: Technology in the Classroom

Series Coordinator: Benjamin Pontz

  • Editor-In-Chief Benjamin Pontz announces that our December series will focus on the evolution of the District's technology department, with interviews from key staff.
Goodbye Craptops! --Benjamin Pontz
  • Editor-In-Chief Benjamin Pontz discusses the departure of the venerable (and beloved) "craptop", and also gets a behind the scenes tour of the venerable NOC.
  • Editor-In-Chief Benjamin Pontz chats with technology director Mr. Bill Griscom about future plans for technology in the classroom.
  • Editor-In-Chief Benjamin Pontz talks with Mr. Griscom about content filtering, and how there has been a paradigm shift in recent years.
  • To conclude our series, Benjamin Pontz talks with Mr. Griscom about the history of learning management systems at L-S, and why Schoology seems to be the one of the future.

January: A changing landscape

Series Coordinator: Benjamin Pontz

  • Editor-In-Chief Benjamin Pontz announces that January's series will explore the effect of changing demographics on the District's educational output.
  • Editor-In-Chief Benjamin Pontz interviews Mrs. Ilse Medlock, founder of the L-S Community Closet.
  • Managing editor Justin Burkett talks to Ms. Michelle Holland, the district's social worker, about how her job has developed and evolved in recent years.
A district in transition -- Benjamin Pontz
  • Editor-In-Chief Benjamin Pontz spoke with Mrs. Shelley Snow, a local realtor, and Mr. Ed Krasnai, the high school guidance department head, on how the changing real estate landscape affects the district's educational program.

February: Course selection

Series Coordinator: Justin Burkett

  • For the February "Inside L-S" series, we will focus on the ins and outs of course selection.
What to take -- Justin Burkett
  • We spoke with guidance counselor Ed Krasnai on the best courses to take and strategies to get the courses you want.
The cartography of the master course map -- Benjamin Pontz and Justin Burkett
  • A lot happens between the time students turn their course selection sheets and the time they see their schedules. We explore what exactly that is.
  • At L-S an AP course carries far less weight than it does at other schools; we explore how and why.
  • To close the series, our editorial board takes a stand, suggesting that the current course weighting system at L-S rewards those who don't give their best effort and penalizes those who do.

March/April: Religion in the Schools

Series Coordinator: Justin Burkett

  • Ben Pontz shares some exciting upcoming features -- including this series -- for LSNews.org.
That's "spring break" to you -- Justin Burkett
  • Justin Burkett discusses the custom of having spring break over the Easter holiday as well as one of the final vestiges of religion in the school.
  • In a personal op-ed, our editor-in-chief Ben Pontz explains why Holy Week is so monumentally important to Christians worldwide and tries to answer some common questions. 
  • Managing editor Justin Burkett sat down with someone who does not believe in God, but does not think the term "Atheist" is helpful in describing her views.
Rise and shine for FCS! -- Justin Burkett
  • Justin Burkett interviews officers of the Fellowship of Christian Students

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