Newspaper Article: Convincing Dr. D isn't so easy!!!

I know all of you remember this day like it was yesterday! January 17Th, 2008 a big brawl started in the school's IMC. People were suspended, taken out in hand cuffs, parent conferences were scheduled etc... After everything was resolved the school scheduled a 10Th grade trip to go to Baltimore. The permission slips were passed out on February 1st and the trip was on February 27Th. On the permission slip it said a student may not have more than 1 pink slip, no UN-excused lateness or absences and no outstanding funds owed to the school. It also said the principle makes all final decisions on who goes and who doesn't. Some of the people who were involved in the brawl paid for their trip and met all requirements to go so they were excited to go. On February 25Th, 2008 they were called to the principle's office and was told they were not permitted to go on the trip because of their participation in the big brawl that had happened. It got a little loud in their since all the kids were eager to go and the permission slip said after February 1st. Everyone was arguing their points why they should go but the principle was arguing why they shouldn't be able to go. Some of the student arguments was the permission slip, comparing other events and how they suffered their consequences already. The principles arguments was the permission slip, how big the fight was and how it took an major impact on our school. After all that arguing Dr. Davidson was mighty clear on his decision they was not allowed on the trip no matter what the student arguments was he made the final choice. He gave all the kids their money back and went on with his day. The students were furious. Since they was not able to go they started convincing their friends not to go. People had comments on Dr. Davidson's decision. Sophomore student Marquis White said "that's not right, that fight was in January and how is he going to tell them 2 days before the trip". Sophomore student Morgan Williams said " I think they had enough consequence why still punish them. It just is not right...Is everyone getting equal treatment because the way I look at it they are not". Sophomore student Charifa David said "That's not fair they paid already, their hopes were high then how he's just going to shoot it down, the fight was in January come on". All day the friends of the people were mad and were deciding not to go. Dr. Davidson was at a meeting so he was UN-aware of the way people felt about the situation. Later on that day last period. Dr. Davidson called the gentlemen back into his office apologizing about the earlier disagreement. He said he thought hard about it and he decided the gentlemen was in fact allowed on the trip. He said a lesson was learned from this " a decision that's not made to be changed is a bad decision overall". The students were glad Dr. Davidson changed his decision sophomore Demetrius Bernard said " I am so glad he changed his mind...I was about to get my money back". Sophomores Charifa David and Morgan Williams both said "I am so happy its great". I think this shows how this school is really a democracy. What school you know can change a principle's mind?

NHD reflection

Title: The Rise and Fall of the Philadelphia Black Mafia By: Charles Turner & Demetrius Bernard

This year for NHD I chose the black mafia. Going into this years NHD me and partner knew almost nothing only thing we did know they were black males and they were of Nation of Islam. We knew we would have to look deep into our sources to find a compromise.
We learned that the black mafia originated in North Philadelphia. We learned they murdered people for numerous reasons from not doing what was told to talking about someone of the Nation of Islam. We learned they not only murdered but they were so scary they got taxes from stores, they owned more than 60% of Philadelphia drug trade and they struck fear in the hearts of the citizens of Philadelphia. We learned they not only murdered people in Philadelphia but they would travel for an example they murdered a family in Washington, Dc. We learned the black Mafia had some compromise. They opened a school which still is opened, they opened barber shops, grocery stores and even community centers.
Our successes from this years project is that our documentary was the right length. It was divided into chapters so it would be easier to keep track. We had the right amount of sources and we conducted our time right. The best success of all is that we made it to CITIES!!!
Some challenges we faced was. We had to drop a group member not that we were deep into the project when it happened but it changed some things. It was very hard finding someone to interview since many people did not want to talk about the situation. Some suggestions I have for next year is that to pick the right partner. Pick someone you know will contribute and do work. Timing is everything. Do not make your documentary to long or too short because if too long it becomes boring but if too short you make your viewers want to know is that it.