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The Four-Day School Week: A Shift in Pennsylvania Education

In recent times, a growing trend has emerged in education across the United States, including Pennsylvania: adopting the four-day school week. At the end of last year, Governor Josh Shapiro signed a public school code allowing a four-day school week to emerge from schools in Pennsylvania. Typically, school weeks are managed through a five-day schedule, and the shift has precipitated many debates between educators, parents, and policymakers about whether its impacts are benefiting students or harming them. Many students, myself included, have adapted to this working schedule, and after operating on it for many years they have found what works best for them.

Pennsylvania has seen an increase in competitors for the implementation of the four-day school week. Most supporters of this representation cite few perceived advantages. One notable benefit is that it covers the teacher shortages as it is difficult to obtain and secure good teachers in many areas. During this extra day off, it is known that teachers can use it as a time for professional development or personal well-being, in hopes of reducing burnout and improving job satisfaction. Proponents also believe the flexibility of this schedule could benefit students in the same ways as it gives them time to further pursue their interests outside of school. However, the concerns raised about this topic are quite significant. Many opposers believe their children are not receiving the appropriate education. Researchers have reinforced their worries with evidence that concludes students fulfilling the four-day school week have underperformed compared to students who participate in a five-day week.

As a student in eleventh grade, I am in favor of the people who oppose this idea. While it may sound appealing to have an extra day off, the reality of cramming the same amount of learning into fewer days sounds exhausting. It is too much of a risk to jeopardize my education for an extended weekend. Some weekends, I find myself with too much free time and struggle to find productive ways to fill it. Adding an extra day to this sequence will only exacerbate the problem, leading to procrastination and a lack of motivation. The law expresses schools have a choice to send their students to school for 180 days or 990 hours a week. As I get into periods later in the day, I find myself lacking in the ability to stay focused. After a certain point, it’s hard for me to pay attention and absorb information effectively, extended hours will only affect me negatively. Instead of focusing solely on free time, we should find ways to enhance the quality of education schools deliver within the existing school frame.

The Paris Olympics

Scheduled for the summer of 2024, marks a significant return of the summer games to the French Capital for the first time since 1924. Paris is expecting a lot of visitors this summer, as the anticipation continues to build. The Olympics are set to be a celebration of both athletic achievements and cultural heritage, showcasing the best that Paris and the supporting globe have to offer. This will be the third time Paris has hosted the Olympic games, the first being in 1900, then in 1924, and now in 2024. The return is centennial, imbued in historical significance, and reflecting a century of Olympic evolution. Paris is a city known for its stunning architecture. The city will involve this aspect in the Olympic participation. New facilities have been constructed, to accommodate the various events.

In the summer of 2023, I was in France near the end of June. At this time, the new Aquatics Centre was being built. It is a multi-sport facility with two pools, one for diving events and the other for water polo and swimming. I only got to view the outside, but I could tell from the beginning of construction that it would be a huge upgrade for the Olympic games. This is the only permanent space to be built for the Olympics, as it can be used for future sports competitions outside of the Olympics. As a swimmer myself, seeing France adopt a state-of-the-art facility fills me with much appreciation. This new pool will become a part of the rich Olympic legacy, and sharing this connection fills me with such pride. As cities continue to advance their technology, people will continue to thrive in the dynamic environment. I know if I could compete in this incredible pool, my performance would be enhanced. The energy that it attracts provides swimmers all around the world with a motivating perception. With its iconic views and cultural celebrations, the 2024 Games are set to leave a lasting heritage on the Olympic movement. As we get closer to the date, the world begins to come together, the Paris Olympics express the enduring spirit of sportsmanship and global unity.

Girls Gaming: Challenging Stereotypes and Building a Diverse Future

As a whole, the gaming community has expanded and is transforming into something beyond a hobby. Among the most significant changes is the presence and influence of girls and women in gaming. The community was once dominated by male voices, but the gaming landscape is becoming more inclusive welcoming a diverse amount of players and creators. Early games were often oriented around a “boys only” mentality. Girls who gamed were frequently marginalized, facing stereotypes that questioned their competence and authenticity as gamers. Despite these barriers, games and influencers are rescripting to be more universally inclusive. This shift not only stands against stereotypes but also enhances the community with various talents and perspectives.

In recent years, I have begun to grow an interest in games. It started during the COVID-19 pandemic, I was bored and running out of things to do. It slowly felt like the relationships between my friends and I were beginning to weaken because we never saw each other. We learned that downloading multi-player games would be a way to hang out with each other virtually. It was intimidating at first as many games seemed to be designed for boys. My one friend had mentioned an app called Roblox, and we decided to start playing. This game offered a platform of creativity, inclusivity, and diversity, that my friends and I thrived in. Roblox is a game that stands out for its user-generated content. This means that players of all backgrounds, genders, and interests, can find something that appeals to them. To horror, adventure, fighting, and puzzles, the vast variety of games Roblox provides encourages everyone to be a creator and a participant in the gaming community. In many video games, it was traditional for men to be the protagonists, but my friends and I have conquered games in which women shine as the heroes. Beyond Roblox, we began to dabble in other games, such as Minecraft. As we began to reach further and further into the gaming universe, we were offered expansive worlds where gender didn’t dictate what players could achieve or how they would perform. Gender stereotypes are completely redefined, expanding from the narrow view of what a gamer looks like. As more girls and women contribute their voices, gaming becomes a space that doesn’t revolve around stereotypes and everyone can find their niche.

Trombone Island with Rocco

Reading your article, I was filled with a deep sense of nostalgia and appreciation for the expedition we’ve taken over the years of playing trombone together. It is hard to believe it was 8 years ago we picked up instruments, not even knowing how to play a note. We were tiny fourth graders stumbling through the basics, wondering if this is something we will continue in the future. Your reflection floods me with memories and looking back makes me realize how far we have come. Specifically, I have a vivid memory of a music class from when Rocco and I first began to play. We were still navigating the many elements that went into playing trombone, and our music teacher had put us on our own “trombone island.” Although we weren’t the best players, our bond was strengthened and we familiarized ourselves with the complexities of learning a musical instrument. I think this experience is what prompted us both to continue our musical journey.

Once we started middle school, it felt like we were all just trying to keep up with the notes and rhythms. Yet, through the chaos, there was still a sense of camaraderie that we developed during those rehearsals. At this time, music came about more frequently, we were both into private lessons, and we continued to improve our skills. Our dedication to the craft, pushed us into high school where we began to play in the wind ensemble. As the music got harder, it challenged us in ways we hadn’t anticipated. We stood by each other’s side, pushing each other to go beyond our limits and expand our musical repertoire. Each rehearsal we learned from our mistakes, critiqued each other, and set goals. Whether it was a note or rhythm adjustment, we continued to work towards our goals.

As we enter our senior year, I too am thinking about my plans going into the future. For me, the journey of the trombone may also be coming to an end. I have other focuses and achievements to fulfill. Playing trombone has shaped us into the people we are today, even if we may not fully realize it yet. We grew together, not just as musicians, but as friends who shared a common passion. This bond will last forever and connect us no matter where we end up in life. The thrill of performing alongside you is something I could never forget, and even as we step away from the joys of learning music, I am grateful for every concert and opportunity we had together.