gator bites - Pembroke Pines Elementary

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S E Q U O I A C L U B SPIRIT WEEK 2012 Ramsey Fernandez, junior, dressed up as the West Broward High bobcat for the pep rally skit against Al. E Gator. [PHOTO TAKEN BY MARCELA MARRUGO, JUNIOR] Maria Brito, senior, creatively expressed herself during spirit week with face painting. [PHOTO TAKEN BY FABIOLA PINA, FRESHMAN] The varsity cheerleaders performed a routine during the pep rally to hype up students for the homecoming football game. [PHOTO TAKEN BY JANIER PENA, FRESHMAN] Saud Hasnain, Alejandro Sobrino, Rachel Hollands, Alyssa Connor, Viviana Maleno, Elissa Quesada, and Diana Lizarralde, sophomores, went all out in sophomore class green for color wars. [PHOTO TAKEN BY JANIER PENA, FRESHMAN] C8
By Laura Caicedo Gator Editorials Editor From Florida’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA), to students in the state, many people are showing their outrage regarding the new race-based goals set by the Florida Board of Education. The State Board of Education has approved a six-year plan regarding student achievement goals based on race, income, disability, and English proficiency. According to Benjamin Fearnow for the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) news, these goals stem from the fact that only 38 percent of African American, 53 percent of Hispanic, and 69 percent of Caucasian students are reading at the level of their respective grades. Florida Education Commissioner Pamela Stewart stated that students do not all start at the same level of proficiency, so progress should be based off of where their current level starts. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2002 set the objective of having all students up to their grade level’s standards by 2014. However, since officials in the state think this is unrealistic, they are hoping to get a waiver for penalties using this new plan. The plan hopes to get 74 percent of African American, 81 percent of Hispanic, 88 percent of Caucasian, and 90 percent of Asian E D I T O R I A L S Race-Based Student Goals students reading up to level by 2018, with similar percentages for math proficiency. Cheryl Etters, a Florida Department of Education spokesperson, says that this plan is not meant to lower expectations for specific races, but to set “realistic and attainable” goals for all students. Opposition to the goals is based around the fact that the unequal standards for each race will promote racial stereotyping and racism as a whole. According to John Padget, a Board of Education member, the differentiated race or ethnicity-based goals are very offensive. They send the wrong signals to all Floridians. In a statement on Tuesday, October 16, Governor Rick Scott said the six-year plan “did not clearly articulate our shared commitment to fully close that achievement gap for all students, regardless of race, geography, gender or other circumstance.” Despite officials’ efforts, however, these plans clearly show the fact that some races are held to a higher standard than others. Good intentions do not erase that aspect of the goals from Florida students’ minds. Calls for revision of the goals have been clearly stated. Now it is up to the Board of Education to rethink their seemingly racially stereotypic plan. The Politics of A Leader By Rhea Brown Gator Reporter Social skills, patience, fair judgment, consistency, and perseverance are traits that political leaders should have in order to sustain a country. Communicating with the citizens of the country and understanding their social and economic circumstances may inspire more positive responses from the public whenever a leader attempts to make changes to the country. A leader must also be patient and fair when dealing with their country. Exercising concern for the people who will be affected by decisions that leader makes is crucial because they cannot lead without supporters. No one will follow a leader that is not involved with the people. According to the article, “Great Leaders Are Made, Not Born,” by Marshall Goldsmith, leadership is, "working with and through others to achieve objectives." Maintaining civil structure in society requires consistency in improving the country itself, as well as its citizens’ quality of living. A leader’s mark is made in history depending on the changes they made to lives of the people. “One of the most important things a great leader will do is to identify those people in a company who are the leaders, and then change the management structure to promote those leaders,” said Kenneth Chenault, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of American Express. Faith in one’s country influences the changes that occur within it. Establishing pride in the hearts and minds of the people is the mark of a great leader. What was the most important issue in this year’s election? Mrs. Rosario Gonzalez, science teacher The most important issues for me was workers, and gay and lesbian rights because this group seems to be oppressed by current laws. Sky Rodriguez, senior The most important issue for me was the loss of America’s moral values because America’s strength comes from its beliefs. By Brandon Mercurius Gator Reporter Melissa Mansaive, senior The most important issue for me was no abortion because I feel no one has the right to decide who should live and who should die. Adoption is always an option. Yannelyn Alvarez, senior The most important issue for me was the plans that the candidates had for college education funding since I will be going to college next fall. D9
Page 1 and 2: GATOR BITES VOLUME XX ISSUE II Ever
Page 3 and 4: Band and Color Guard’s First Comp
Page 5 and 6: Paranormal Activity 4: Hit or Miss?
Page 7: S E Q U O I A C L U B SPIRIT WEEK 2
Page 11 and 12: Mayor’s Cup Remains in Patriots
Page 13:   Editors:  Jennifer Wills 

gator bites - Pembroke Pines Elementary

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