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AI presents new opportunities and new dangers for schools

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by Wilfredo Portillo Quinones

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being integrated into education. The generative AI interactions that most students are most familiar with involve large language models like Chat GPT, which uses the internet to respond to questions users have and is capable of answering any sort of questions that would normally be asked on Google. A lot of tools have been implemented with AI in order to help students answer questions or understand classwork. It’s also used to help with teaching, which we see a lot now. AI is capable of teaching and helping students who struggle with regular learning. People have mixed feelings about this though. A lot of teachers are afraid of losing their jobs if AI gets too good and replaces them. There is also a concern that AI is negatively impacting learning because it can be used to cheat or take shortcuts instead of taking the time to develop academic skills. Is AI harming education or is it doing a good thing for us?

There are many platforms which are powered in part by AI, including Khan Academy and DreamBox, which adapt lessons to match individual students’ learning speeds and styles. For instance, a math app might adjust the difficulty of problems based on students’ past performances, ensuring they stay challenged but not overwhelmed. Hechingerreport.org states that, “Teachers save time by using AI tools that handle repetitive tasks like grading multiple choice questions, planning lessons, assessing students, grading homework, giving feedback and administrative paperwork.” However, they also say that it doesn’t mean AI is capable of replacing everything teachers do. AI could trim a lot of the work being done so teachers can focus more on helping students learn.

While AI has a lot to offer in this day and age, there are many concerns that we need to take into consideration. One major concern is that students might rely on AI tools or become very dependent on them for answers or learning. That might lead to students not being able to use cognitive skills, critical thinking skills or problem solving skills. If students use AI on homework or for test preparations they won’t be able to use these skills without AI. Another concern is how AI stores information and whether this information is secured, especially with information on many students. With the increase of AI tools people want to make sure their personal information is secure and not at risk of being breached by hackers who might take or use this information for harmful purposes. These concerns need to be taken seriously.

To avoid the misuse of AI or even cheating using AI, students need to be educated on responsible AI use and there should be restrictions on AI usage to safeguard students and to ensure academic honesty. Schools can’t avoid AI tools or AI in general, but responsibility should be taught while using AI.

The pros and cons of social media

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by Mirian Maurizaca

Photo: Shutterstock

Social media can have both positive and negative impacts on high school students. On the positive side, it can help them stay connected with friends, access information quickly, and even find supportive communities. On the negative side, it can lead to distractions, cyberbullying, and privacy issues. It really depends on how it’s used and the guidelines set by parents and schools.

One reason why high school students might be better off without social media is because of the distractions it can cause. Social media can be a major distraction from schoolwork and studying. It’s easy to spend hours scrolling through feeds instead of focusing on homework or studying for exams.

Unfortunately, social media can also be a platform for bullying. Cyberbullying can have serious emotional effects on students. Also, constant exposure to unrealistic images and lifestyles on social media can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression. The pressure to get likes and followers can also contribute to the stress.

Another problem is sharing personal information on social media; it can lead to privacy concerns. Students might not fully understand the consequences of sharing too much information online. Social media can be addictive. Students might find it hard to disconnect, leading to too much use that can interfere with their daily lives and responsibilities. The use of social media, especially right before bed, can interfere with sleep patterns, leading to a lack of sleep which can affect your school life and overall health.

While there are risks, with proper guidance and responsible use, social media can offer benefits to high school students.

One reason why high school students might benefit from having social media is that social media allows students to stay in touch with friends and family, especially if they move or go to different schools. Interacting on social media can help students develop communication skills. They learn to express themselves, debate, and share ideas in a public setting. It can help maintain relationships and build new ones. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube allow students to express their creativity through photos, videos, and other content. This can be a great outlet for self-expression and even finding a career.

There are also educational resources on social media. Many educational pages and groups on social media platforms can provide valuable information, study tips, and resources. Students can join groups related to their interests or subjects they are studying. Social media can offer support groups for various issues, whether it’s school related stress, mental health, or personal interests. These networks can provide a community and support for those who need it.

Social media is a powerful tool for raising awareness about important issues. Students can become more informed about events happening around us and it helps them make their voices heard on issues they care about. Social media can open doors to opportunities that students might otherwise miss out on. 

It’s important to consider these factors and weigh the pros and cons when deciding whether high school students should have access to social media.

Patterson High School honors “Pioneers of Change” for Hispanic/ Latinx Heritage Month

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Photo: Patterson Press

by Kennet Garcia

Patterson High School celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15-October 15, highlighting this year’s theme, “Pioneers of Change.” The celebration ended with a special event on Wednesday, October 16th, 2024 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. The main purpose of the event was to bring students, teachers and families together in appreciation of Hispanic and Latinx cultures.

The support of the Art Department teachers and their students was evident even before the celebration, from a variety of decorations in the Cafeteria created by Mrs. Marchewka’s art students and the posters around the school by Ms. S. Jones, the Graphic Design teacher. During the event the Patterson band performed three amazing Latin American songs. Two other students, Maria Celeste Huertas and Jose Gonzalez, performed a Colombian folk dance called  “El Sanjuanero” under the direction of Ms. Hamm, our new dance teacher.  Other groups  also performed during the event.  

The group “Juventud Latina” presented several folk dances from Central America directed by their founder Mrs. Flores where they integrated the staff and the families that were there.

Bailes de Mi Tierra,  a Mexican folkloric ballet group directed by its founder Mr. Jose Reyes, closed the performances by thanking everyone for the opportunity to build a partnership with Patterson and inviting the students to join the dance group every Saturday at the dance studio in our school. The classes are completely free for Patterson High School students. Mr. Reyes and Bailes de Mi Tierra were recently recognized at the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Awards at Baltimore’s City Hall. 

Various organizations informed the students and their parents about the community services they offered completely free. This included the PHS community resources partnership and the Y of Central Maryland. Mrs. Reid provided information about the mentors program, careers and colleges, school community partners, the food bank and the school closet.

Community organizations like CASA de Maryland and local businesses like Oriented Healthcare and Jaskot Law were in at the event offering information about their services to Hispanic communities with academic tutoring, case management, college and financial aid support, guidance on immigration laws/policies and more. 

In the month leading up to the big event, the school celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month in a variety of other ways. In addition to highlighting Hispanics who made important contributions to history on the morning announcements and playing Latin songs during lunch, “various resources of educational and creative opportunities were shared with the school community, such as door decoration ideas and strategies to support the schoolwide writing initiative called “The Writing Revolution” through informational sources of important Hispanic pioneers of change,” said Mrs. Perez. “Patterson has more than 500 Hispanic students from 14 Spanish-speaking countries, plus our Hispanic Heritage students. We plan to continue holding this event in our school, to honor the legacy of our pioneers, to value and support our students and their families, and to recognize the contribution of many Hispanics/Latinx to this country.”

The Hispanic Heritage Month celebration was a great event. It helped people to know more about Hispanic/Latinx music, food and culture.

EMT pathway provides career opportunities

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Photo: Baltimore City Public Schools

by Breon Thacker

One of the many career pathways students can choose at Patterson High School is the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) pathway.

“I enjoy giving students the opportunity to have a good career”, said Mr. Casey, the EMT teacher.

Mr. Casey has been teaching EMT classes for 13 years now. His main focus is to help students gain opportunities to do what he loves to do.

The Patterson EMT program has been around for 10+ years. The program trains and teaches cadets (students) things that happen in the field and in real life situations. 

The Program provides great opportunities for students when they get out of high school, such as getting a job right after graduation.

“When you get out of high school, you can become EMTs or you can go to community college.”, explained Mr. Casey.

There are opportunities for students to volunteer in the summertime at their local firehouses, providing them with different work experiences.

The EMT program is a great option for students who want to go into the field as an emergency healthcare provider or have the drive to help others and want to be a difference maker.

Patterson destroys Douglass in Homecoming football shutout

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Photo: Quaron Walker-Bey

by Quaron Walker-Bey

The Patterson Clippers varsity football team defeated the Douglass Eagles by a score of 42-0 at Patterson’s Homecoming game on Saturday, October 21.

Even before the game began, the team was excited and determined to win. “ It’s our homecoming we’re not losing, everybody is here, the crowd is live, and it’s a good day to play football!”, declared #5 QB/WR/S Te-lin Cabean. Cabean also stated that this was his first homecoming game as a Clipper so he was looking to make a good impression.

The Clippers came into the game hot and rolling for their Homecoming game against Douglass High school. Everyone was there: fans, students, the band, and alumni. It was just a great experience. From the jump, Patterson had the momentum. The first two plays were head top catches by Cabean–1 being for about 40 yards, and the other for a 30 yard touchdown. Normally Cabean would be the Quarterback, but the Clippers made a big change to their offensive lineup, bringing in Sophomore #22 Donnell Richardson and moving Cabean to Wide Receiver.

The Clippers began to pour it on, adding more touchdowns by Richardson and #1 Kevin Evans, and also big plays by #84 E’Montae Austin and #52 Machi Thompson. They kept adding points to the scoreboard with back to back fumbles and touchdowns. Finally, the beating was over with Patterson taking the 42-0 Homecoming win.

After the game it was a good scene: the fans were hyped, the players were hyped, and it was just a great day to be a Clipper. It was also Senior Night, so all of the seniors were congratulated with a poster and pictures with the team and family. After the game, the new quarterback, Donnell Richardson, said, “ We just looked to have fun and play hard for our Homecoming and come out with a win, and that’s what we did. And we look to prepare for a great Mervo team at home next week”.

Students and staff showcase their fashion creativity on Spirit Week

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Photo: Patterson Press

by Zander Hatzigeorgalis 

Spirit Week is held every year, once a year. It is a Patterson tradition where we can express ourselves, having fun by dressing up and being silly. This year Spirit Week happened on the week of October 7-11.

Usually Spirit Week is held on the week of Homecoming. However, this year was an exception. According to Ed Associate and Senior Class Advisor Mrs. Blankenfeld, Spirit Week was scheduled for the week before Homecoming week because there were SATs and PSATs during the week of Homecoming.

Each day during Sprit Week students and staff dressed according to different themes; Monday’s theme was “Dynamic Duos”, Tuesday’s was “Student/Teacher”, Wednesday’s was “Holiday Spirit”, Thursday’s was “Anything But a Backpack”, and Friday was “Cohort Colors”.

Mrs. Blankenfeld helped with Spirit Week but she wasn’t the one who came up with the idea. “Ms. Myrick, Mr. Sankofa, Jazzy [Blessett] and Coach Blum made Spirit Week”, Mrs. Blankenfeld explained. These were four of the people who were in the meeting that came up with the themes and Spirit Week itself. Since she wasn’t in the meeting she only knew a little about the planning process.

The fun on Friday didn’t end with wearing cohort colors; there was a pep rally in the afternoon followed immediately by a soccer game. Then there was a Homecoming dance on October 17th and a parade and Homecoming football game on Saturday, the19th.

Kindness and communication can help prevent bullying

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Photo: Canva

by Daniela Acosta

Bullying has been a big issue in America for a long time now, involving children, teens, and even adults. Bullying can affect someone’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Bullying involves aggressive behavior physically or verbally.

With modern technology, bullying has increased and taken new forms. According to Panda Security, a cybersecurity company,  55% of students between the ages of 13 and 17 have experienced cyberbullying in their lifetime.

Bullying can put fear in people and cause them to not want to go to school, work or any social setting. Bullying not only impacts victims but also bystanders and bullies themselves.

Preventing bullying requires motivating efforts from individuals, schools, families and communities. The first step is understanding how to prevent bullying, what to do if you’re being bullied, and how to stop if you’re engaging in bullying behavior. With a better understanding of bullying, we can create a much more safe and secure environment for everyone. 

Encouraging kindness and respect is one way to prevent bullying. 

According to Patterson Health teacher Ms. Mahoney, “Bullying can seriously affect one’s mental health and can lead to suicide. You do not know what trauma you are causing to other students.” She suggests the best way to prevent bullying is to have conversations. Ms. Mahoney believes that the key to stopping bullying is “education, discussing, having conversations with teenagers, because sometimes, especially in this day and age with texting you don’t know what damage you are causing.” 

When children witness adults being judgmental, aggressive, and dismissive, they may mimic these actions in their interactions with peers. Additionally if parents or guardians don’t foster open communication or create a supportive home environment, children may feel unable to discuss bullying situations, allowing the issue to escalate. Parents can also unknowingly enable bullying by not setting clear expectations for kindness and empathy in their children’s behavior.

Adults, especially parents, play a huge role in preventing bullying by modeling respectful, compassionate and non-aggressive behavior towards one another. 

Spreading kindness and positivity can help prevent bullying. You never know what someone could be going through and spreading kindness could play a huge role in making our community a better and much safer place, whether online or in person.

Teen drug abuse may be more widespread than you think

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Photo: Canva

by Daniela Acosta

Teen drug abuse is a growing concern as many teens are experimenting with substances like alcohol, cannabis (weed), and prescription drugs. While some teens are driven toward drug abuse by peer pressure, others use drugs as a coping mechanism. Many teens nowadays experience high levels of stress due to family issues, emotional issues, school, etc. Many don’t have the opportunity to speak to someone or find healthy outlets for their feelings, and this leads them to look for other ways to deal with these emotions, which in turn can lead to teens to drugs as a way to cope with everything.

Drugs can have serious long-term consequences. Drug abuse can interfere with brain development, and lead to legal problems. It can also affect the relationships people have around them; it can cause damage to family relationships, friendships, and more. It can even lead to death. According to U.S. News & World Report, an average of 22 U.S teens die each week because of drug use.

There are many ways that we can help teens that are struggling with these issues, and help prevent it from happening more. Preventing teen drug abuse requires education, communication, comprehension, and support. Parents, schools, and communities can help prevent teen drug use. Building strong relations with teens can make it easier for them to ask for help before their problem becomes unmanageable.

Patterson guidance counselor Mr. Hawkins expresses how it all starts at home. “Parents make it seem okay. It makes the teens think it is okay.”, Mr. Hawkins explains.

According to Mr. Hawkins, drug abuse is a very widespread problem. “It is a very high usage amongst those who use drugs; it’s more prevalent than people assume.”

He advises students to seek help and seek change in order to overcome struggles like this. “My advice is to admit you have a problem.”, states Mr. Hawkins. “Students who don’t realize they have an addiction do not want the help.” 

Speaking to trusted adults can allow a teen to feel open enough to speak about these issues. “Change your environment with power[ful] supporting people and surround yourself with the right people to restrain from drug use.”, Hawkins advises.

Many teens and adults dealing with drug addiction suffer in silence, but being that support system for someone can go a long way toward helping them break free from their addiction.

Assistant principal runs to raise money for senior activities

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Photo: Mr. Sankofa

by Ashley Sarmiento Rodriguez

Patterson High School Assistant Principal Mr. Sankofa has been running to raise money for Cohort 2025 senior activities.

Mr. Sankofa traveled to Richmond, Virginia and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to participate in running events. At “Run Richmond”, he ran 16.19K, clocking in at 1 hour and 39 seconds with a pace of 9.53 per mile. In “The Great Race” in Pittsburgh, Mr. Sankofa ran 10K, clocking in at 52 minutes with a pace of 8.25 per mile. So far, he has
raised approximately $400.00 from families, Patterson colleagues, and friends who pledged to donate if he ran.

Mr. Sankofa began running in middle school and has been an avid runner ever since. He enjoys running for our school because he gets to work on his fitness and raise money for our school at the same time. His main supporters are his brothers because they also enjoy running together.

In my opinion, everything Mr. Sankofa is doing for us seniors is amazing. He’s doing something he enjoys and also rising money. It takes a lot to decide to take on a big role like that but he did it and he is definitely succeeding. This will help pay for senior events, prom, dances, etc.–anything we need money for.

“Running for Patterson was a great way for me to reach my fitness goals and also raise money for Patterson”, said Mr. Sankofa.

I appreciate it and I know many other seniors and teachers in our school appreciate and are very thankful for what Mr. Sankofa is doing for Patterson High School.

Patterson football team defeats Edmondson in overtime

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Photo: Quaron Walker-Bey

by Quaron Walker-Bey

The Clippers varsity football team looked to get their first win at on September 26 against their crosstown school rival, Edmondson-Westside High School. The game took place at Patterson.

“We just look to be physical today, and play our game of football the way we know how to and go out and get a win”, said DL/OL Machi Thompson before the game.

The game started a bit slow, with both teams’ running and passing games failing to rack up points. In the second half, both teams picked up the pace, with the Clippers scoring two passing touchdowns and Edmondson rushing for a touchdown.

Photo: Quaron Walker-Bey

The game almost got a little ugly when the referees and coaches didn’t agree on certain calls on the sideline, while on the field the tension between the players started to rise as the stakes of the game had gotten higher and higher as the game went on.

At this point, in the 2nd half of the game, the Clippers and the Red Storm traded blow after blow. There was a span of plays on the drives where the Clippers made a big play then turned the ball over to the Red Storm, and then the Red Storm made a big play and fumbled the ball. The game was so competitive that it went into overtime. Edmondson started with the ball in overtime until the Clippers received the ball back. The Clippers ended the overtime with a touchdown, giving them their first win of the season.

“We just played our game the way we know how, trusted our coaches and each other, and listened to our coaches, and we came out with our first win today”, said Thompson after the game.

The final score was 20-14 as the Clippers claimed their first victory of the season.

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