Volume 80 No. 2
Grimsley High School
801 Westover Terrace
Greensboro, NC 27408
Wednesday, October 22 2003
1^-' .'’
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Booster club
fundraiser proves
successful
Sixty-nine golfers and nine corporate
sponsors participated in the newest
Booster Club fundraiser. The charge to
play was $40, and sponsoring a hole cost
$250. All the first-place winners were
non-Grimsley students. Bothparents and
students were involved in order to benefit
the weight room.
The earnings totaled $2,994.08, while
only $25,000 was needed to finish
updating the weight room. The Booster
Club Golf Tournament took place at Pine
Knoll’s Golf Course in Kernersville, on
September 27, 2003.
Cooper Photo
Article page 14
School bond referendum to
eliminate funding problems
With the November voting day
approaching quickiy,Guilford
County citizens must vote on a
$300 million bond for betterment
of the schools.
By Holly Sharpless
Reporter
Guilford County Schools have not been
immune to the economic problems of the
county, state, or country. Facing a rapidly
growing student body, the school board is
under pressure to keep up in terms of facili
ties and equipment.
According to the Guilford County
Schools website, over 450 “portable class
rooms,” otherwise known as trailers, help
to accommodate more than 64,000 students
at over 100 facilities.
This year, another 15 increased that num
ber to 465. In spite of the referendum passed
in 2000, the county’s needs in terms of edu
cation are far from being met. New con
struction to accommodate a growing student
body in the county is becoming increasingly
important.
As voters head to the polls on Election
Day in November, they will find on their
ballots a referendum for a $300 million
school bond.
On August 5, 2003, the school board ap
proved a list of construction projects to be
included in the bond. If passed, the bond
would provide funds for construction and
renovation projects in schools throughout
the district.
One of the largest provisions in the bond
is for a new Northern High School, capable
of accommodating 1600 students. Construc
tion of a Northern High School would help
to alleviate pressure from the already over
crowded Northeast and Northwest High
Schools.
Other high schools to receive funding in
clude Southern, Southwest, Ragsdale, and
Northeast. Most of the construction and
renovations at these high schools relate to
expansion.
Grimsley was not included in the bond,
as many of its construction needs were met
with the provisions of the bond in 2000.
The bond is expected to pass in Novem
ber with work beginning over the next few
years.
Specific plans for the construction of the
new high school have not yet
been finalized.
School violence decreases
in ‘03-’04 from years past
Despite the allegations of
increasing gang violence on
Grimsiey’s campus, the actual
confrontations occuring this year
are declining.
By Brian Gould
Reporter
This school year has been blanketed with
numerous rumors, both accurate and fabri
cated, ranging from bomb threats to gang
violence. But why is this year so much dif
ferent from years past? A socioeconomic
view of the situation may prove effective in
answering students’ questions.
A common misconception is that the
number of physical fights on campus has in
creased. Actually, “there have been fewer
violent fights...while the number of verbal
altercations between females has risen,” said
Mr. Gasparello.
Much of the student body has heard ru
mors about the relationship between the al
tercations on campus and neighborhood
issues.
According to Freshman Seam Ray, whose
mother lives in Hampton Homes and father
lives in Staimount, the same number of al
tercations between kids occurs in both
neighborhoods. According to the admin
istration, that is one of the reasons for the
disputes that have taken place.
In less affluent economical neighbor
hoods, social disputes after school and on
weekends have caused concern at
Grimsley.
“On Mondays, we occasionally receive
calls concerning weekend altercations in
the community,” said Gasparello.
The school recognizes there is a major
problem and has taken proactive measures
to help reduce tensions between groups
of students. For instance, a three-day
ninth- grade orientation has seemed to
help ease the transition into high school,
preventing possible violence among many
students.
Staff and faculty have been trained in
identifying, preventing, and dealing with
volatile situations. When a group of stu
dents lingers, it increases the likelihood
of altercations and disruptive behavior, so
teachers try to keep students moving dur
ing class changes.
Continued on page 3
Disappointed
Student
Senior Jack McDonald writes
a letter concerning disrespect
at assemblies.
Page 3
Homecoming
Court
Senior girls elected to the 2003-
04 Homecoming Court present
themselves on a personal level.
Pages 7-8
Football for
Dummies
Complexities of the game of
football becomes clear for
individuals still left in the end
zone. „
Page 15
News 1
Editorial 4
Features 7
Sports 15