Ski Bus Rebuttal

Okay, so now there's a debate going on, and now I need a fair chance to justify my claims, considering that my points were not accurately expressed, or given a fair chance.

First off, I would like to say that MSSM is better than KHS in certain ways, but KHS is better in other ways. I'm not trying to argue that one is better than the other, and I'm not trying to convince anybody not to go there because it may be an excellent fit for them, but just saying that MSSM is worlds better than KHS is a completely unfair statement.

Many of you may be aware of a rating that U.S. News & World Report came out with, that says that MSSM is the #12 public school in the nation. This is hardly fair, and doesn't necessarily mean that the school is actually better. Not only can MSSM choose there students, they also attract more motivated intelligent student, whereas KHS must serve everybody. So, naturally, their SAT scores an such will be higher, because they have a larger percentage of smart people that attend there. So just because they have a higher college acceptance rate, or higher average SAT scores doesn't mean that they are a better school, just that they have a higher average intelligence among their students.

There are of course, good an bad schools. I was not trying to say that there weren't, and (on the contrary to what James' believes) my argument doesn't mean this at all. I am just saying that I have yet to come across compelling information stating that at MSSM you actually get a better education. In fact, the AP exam pass rate is 87.7% at MSSM, and at KHS, last year 88% passed. These results show that KHS courses prepare students just as well as ones at MSSM.

There are obviously good and bad schools, but if one challenges him or herself in their courses, and has the same intelligence as someone at MSSM who also is challenged, then they will probably get a similarly rewarding education. If a school doesn't offer rigorous or challenging courses then it is probably not a good school.

One point that has been made against KHS is that you are less likely to get into a good college. This in my opinion is false. If you are an equally good student, than you will get into a similar college. I've read plenty of articles about what colleges look for in applicants, and guess what? What high school you attend wasn't heavily mentioned in any of them. If James' completely made-up statistic was true, then it would mean you have smarter students at MSSM, not necessarily that it prepares you better.

Next, lets talk about some other factors. MSSM does have a smaller student to teacher ratio, which is a good thing, that I really can't argue with. But KHS, has better athletics, and a larger course selection. When it comes to departments, the only thing I can say for sure is that KHS trumps MSSM in music. Some say that the teachers are better at MSSM. We do have some bad teachers at KHS, but from many of the accounts of bad teachers that I've heard they are mostly personal gripes, or bad learning style fits. For example, I know some people that think our Biology isn't too great of a teacher, but we have learned a ton in that class. You can't say that someone is a bad teacher because he doesn't match up well with you. I, personally like our Biology teacher and his teaching style. And, in this one year of science I've learned more than I probably did in all of the Middle and Elementary School years combined. And, bad teachers do exist. If you aren't presented with lots of challenging or interesting material, and aren't learning anything, than that is a waste of time, and a bad class. But, just like in any school, I am positive that there are bad teachers at MSSM too.

Lastly, if you want an argument to stop because it is, "this is so annoying I don't want to argue," then you shouldn't make a freakin' blog post to continue the argument. If you really want the argument to stop, then never, EVER call an idea "stupid," on a blog post. That will only get you more of an argument, especially if the person you are arguing, likes to argue, and likes having the last word.


James' Post
US News & World Report Ranking

P.S.

This was a response to James' Post. This was mainly directed towards him, so just imagine me talking in my argument voice. If you were confused, then I apologize.

Welcome Back Science!!!

Hey guys, sorry I haven't written in a while, but I've been quite busy. I really couldn't think of too much to write about, but I think one of Obama's actions will give me a sufficient topic. So thanks to President Obama, welcome back science! I know, I know, President Bush mistook you for an Al Qaeda terrorist and ran you out of the country on August 9, 2001. (I would just like to establish that I am not a Bush hater, but I do disagree with many of his desicions.) As many of you know, President Bush banned federal funding for stem-cell research in August of 2001. President Obama just reversed this ban. I don't have too much more to write about this, I'm just happy that President Obama is, in my opinion, doing good things.

















http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7929690.stm
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/10/us/politics/10stem.html?_r=1&hp

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

I know Olbermann is very one-sided, and although I don't always agree with him, I still like him and I feel like he did a good job with this story.

Vacation!!!

It's vacation time!!! I get lots of really important things done during vacation. Like on Saturday I slept in until noon and then went online to find something funny for you. I am a big fan of google, and their suggestions can be quite funny, so I thought I should share them with you...

Rodrigo

My life is quite uneventful at the moment, but I've had plenty of time to think lately. I'm a happy person but my life is rather stagnant and my mind won't allow for me to settle on something. I always have to argue in my mind, I always must raise questions, and even though many say I am opinionated I am always conflicted. I've been a bit stressed lately because of school and music, and today I just decided to get out. I took my dog for a walk and I was walking towards the forest when we came across a severed birds wing laying in the snow. It wasn't gory or gruesome, but I found it extremely disturbing, and sad. It is late now, and I am tired. I could continue with my thoughts, but I will leave it for another day.

For those of you that know me well, you know that I love nothing more than playing music and, I've nothing funny to share, but would like to share my favorite concerto. It was written by a blind man named Rodrigo, after his child was born dead. Words are not my strong point and I find music to be much more expressive. This movement is long, but just stick with it, and pay attention to the phrasing, mood, and harmony. I really love this movement, it is melancholy, but beautiful, strong, and soft, and I find it amazing that a man that could never see actual beauty could be inspired to write such a thing. (Sorry but there is speaking in this version, if it distracts you too much I would suggest listening to John William's version, or download another version on ITunes) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdMScY0rEhQ&feature=channel_page

Pink Wig

As of now, I have nothing very exciting in the life department to talk about, so I decided to check the poll that I put up expecting that it would still have 1 vote, and it actually had 4! Now a poll of the day is winning by a very decisive 1 vote. But, I had already looked online for something interesting to share with you. So, I'm just going to do a Whatever Lauren Wants to do of the Day! The following isn't a fact or anything but I found it entertaining, creepy, and pretty funny.

Kitty Wig!



I find this interesting for a number of reasons.

1. It is so freakin' ugly.
2. People actually buy these.
3. The cat's name is Chicken.
4. What happened to its ears?
5. They come in different colors.
6. And finally the description from the site, "Pink is the color of fantasy. Our model, Chicken, looks like her mind is elsewhere when she wears this wig -- somewhere in a land of cotton candy and pinwheels where the air smells like sugar kisses."

If you want to look at the other colors, or buy one then visit http://kittywigs.com/wigindex.html.

And just for those that did want a poll, here you go.

Phobias

Okay, so today was a pretty uneventful day. If I were to rate the level of boredom from 1 - 10, with a 1 being not boring at all and a 10 being French class where we watch C-Span, I’d say it was about a 6.5. I’m one of those people that sleeps in really late, and I didn’t even wake up until 2 p.m. Unfortunately I had to face one of my major fears today. (Suspensful Da da dum) I had to clean my room. I’m not a neat person, and I feel like room cleaning is one of mankinds worst discoveries/inventions, it is easily right up there with furbys, Miley Cyrus, and rap. (Sorry to all of my phresh, gangsta rappers out there. I just don’t find your beats very funky.) Cleaning my room isn’t a legit phobia of mine but I’m always afraid that I will find the body of Jimmy Hoffa in it or something. But, my fear of cleaning has given me an adequate segue into the Random Fact of the Day!

Today’s theme is phobias. Did you know that xanthophobia is the fear of the color yellow? Octophobia is the fear of the number 8. And alektorophobia is the fear of chickens. So if I have any readers out there that have any of the problems, just stare at the photo below and you will be cured in no time.

You’re welcome,

-Lauren

Poll Time!