Straws by request will create environmental impact
January 17, 2020
In an attempt to reduce the amount of plastic used by consumers in St. Louis Park, the straws by request amendment was added to the Zero Waste Packaging Ordinance, which went into effect Jan. 1. Under this amendment, food establishment personnel are required to wait for a customer to request a straw rathe...
Staff Editorial: Sale of parking passes inaccessible
January 9, 2020
As finals and the beginning of second semester near, Park administration has announced that parking passes for the remainder of the year will be sold online for the first time. Although this system will likely be more efficient than the one used in the past — where students had to come in to sch...
Staff Editorial: Shortened winter break prompts many perspectives
December 19, 2019
With a shorter winter break, the Echo Editorial Board feels this change may be detrimental to students despite its benefits. For the 2019-2020 school year, winter break will last Dec. 21–Jan. 2, less than the previous year’s winter break which spanned from Dec. 22–Jan. 6. The final day of school for Park this school year is June 4, earlier t...
Staff Editorial: Hennepin County should vote to welcome refugees
December 13, 2019
Following an executive order issued by President Trump Sept. 26, a North Dakota county created local tensions by considering a ban on refugees. Burleigh County attracted national attention over a rule mentioned in the executive order, authorizing both the State and local government to express written co...
Staff Editorial: SOAR meeting sparks important dialogue
December 5, 2019
The St. Louis Park community places significant value on diversity and student voices. This culminated in the meeting of Students Organized Against Racism (SOAR) Nov. 19. The Echo Editorial Board applauds SOAR for creating this opportunity for student voices to be heard. Conversations about race are very impo...
Staff Editorial: U.S. Bank Stadium should prioritize bird safety
November 22, 2019
Although the U.S. Bank Stadium’s transparent exterior design is aesthetically pleasing, the 200,000 square feet of reflective glass is killing over 100 birds annually. Out of the 21 buildings in the Twin Cities metro area, the U.S. Bank Stadium has the third highest bird fatality rate, according to MPR News. Â...
Staff Editorial: Volleyball attendance sets example for how all activities should be supported
November 17, 2019
The girls’ volleyball team made history when it made it to the State tournament for the first time ever Nov. 7. The news was blasted throughout the school, with posters and a pep fest, as it should be. The atmosphere and experience the game was unforgettable. However, this support is not present for all...
Staff Editorial: National Drug Take Back Day collection sites now accepting vapes
October 26, 2019
For the first time since the inception of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Drug Take Back Day nine years ago, people can now drop off vaping devices at collection sites. The Echo Editorial Board sees this as a step in the right direction to combat the vaping epidemic, but a lack of awarene...
Staff Editorial: Local Trump rally sparks division
October 17, 2019
The night of the Trump rally Oct. 10, gloomy skies and flurries of rain complemented the unfolding chaos below as the president spewed hate before a large audience of his supporters inside the Target Center, sheltered from thousands more protesting outside. Although Trump stuck to the basics for much of the rally — focusing on the booming economy, corrupt media and the ongoing impeach...
Staff Editorial: Global Climate Strike week creates opportunity for activism
September 27, 2019
In the past week, hundreds of communities have rallied together as part of the Global Climate Strike. Not only did Minnesota host a strike Sept. 20, but students from Park also have the opportunity to take part in the fight to end the age of fossil fuels. After not being able to rally at the first Global Climate Strike Sept. 20 at the State Capitol becaus...
Staff Editorial: E-cigarette flavors ban serves as necessary step
September 21, 2019
Trump’s proposed ban on flavored e-cigarettes will bring much needed change to combat the vaping epidemic. Without access to appealing types of pods such as mango and mint, many middle and high schoolers will be prevented from ever getting addicted. According to the Center for Disease Control a...
Staff Editorial: New bathroom policy neglects student needs
September 11, 2019
In order to succeed, students must have their basic in-school needs met, including access to a bathroom. However, due to the numerous closures and the poorly thought out release of the new bathroom-pass policy, Park administrators have failed to provide for their students. According to assistant principals Todd Goggl...
What is your role in the city of St. Louis Park? My current role is Human Rights (Commission chairperson) for the city. I was appointed about two years ago and I was reappointed a couple months ago....
Maria Perez Barriga and Jayde Claussen
Junior Hattie Hyland said she appreciated spending time with her peers at the latest German club meeting in which students learned how to make traditional German apple pancakes “I enjoyed hanging...
Reflecting on their meet against Breck, junior captain Maddie Olson said the team was strongest on beam, but will continue to work on the execution of the routines. “Our varsity beam went really well....
After speaking to families at a Jewish commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, chairman of the Human Rights Commission and senior Amaya Fokuo said she was invited to speak to share her views on youth...
