Staff Editorial: BARR Conference, program beneficial to community but needs improving
April 10, 2019
The morning of April 11 will be a crowded one for Park, as around 500 educators from around the country will be coming together for the National Building Assets, Reducing Risks Conference hosted by the school. Building Assets, Reducing Risks (BARR) contains policies that are meant to create teacher-stu...
Staff Editorial: Districts’ attempts at collecting feedback limited
February 18, 2019
Recently, St. Louis Park superintendent Astein Osei met with the Student Leadership Advisory Council to discuss possible changes to the start and end times of the schools in the district. During the meeting Jan. 16, the district was able to collect student recommendations. The Echo Editorial Board commends the superi...
Staff Editorial: Student election judges present opportunity in politics
October 25, 2018
As Election Day approaches, high school students in St. Louis Park have been contacted about applying to be a student election judge. The jobs are available to students all around Minnesota. The Echo Editorial Board also see the election opportunity as a way of exposing young citizens to the voting...
Staff Editorial: Discrimination lawsuit needs more attention, student input
October 11, 2018
Last fall, the district was charged by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights for discrimination against students of color and disabled students for disciplinary action. Suspensions and expulsions of these groups were found to be higher than white and non-disabled students at Park. According to...
Staff Editorial: City should commit to change Columbus Day to Indigenous People’s Day
October 8, 2018
In 46 states, the second Monday in October is celebrated as Columbus Day. But in the past few years, there have been initiatives to focus on celebrating native culture instead and rename the holiday Indigenous People’s Day. According to Time, the change has gone into effect in Minnesota, Vermont, Alaska and South Dakota, as well as some other individual cit...
Staff Editorial: Voter registration drive educates students on civic duty
September 25, 2018
As the November midterm elections approach, students have organized an assembly to register eligible seniors to vote. The ACT club ran the event, with the help of a few independent student leaders. The assembly will occur during Advisory Sept. 24. It will include three guest speakers, one of whom i...
Staff Editorial: Trump’s attack on journalists provides motivation
September 17, 2018
After President Donald Trump’s statement naming journalists “the enemy of the people” July 31, the Boston Globe spurred a movement Aug. 15 to showcase that the enemy is not the journalists. This movement encouraged publications nationwide to write staff editorials highlighting the significance of free press. ...
School now enforcing Pledge of Allegiance law
May 6, 2018
Park administrators began enforcing Minnesota Statute 121A.11 on April 18, which mandates a weekly recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance school-wide. Despite dissenting reactions from students, the editorial board believes the administration’s action is justified. As established in West Vir...
Islamophobia needs to be recognized, addressed
April 26, 2018
The Park community prides itself on diversity and respect, yet the editorial board feels that students and staff can do more to ensure Muslim students feel comfortable and safe in our school and our community. Although our school seems diverse and inclusive, Muslim students still experience events o...
Assassins game appears insensitive
April 14, 2018
Every year, two seniors organize a game of assassins — an activity centered around students hunting other students with Nerf guns. The current educational and political climate brings new layers to the context of the game that cannot be ignored, including increased awareness of gun violence. ...
March amplifies voices
March 16, 2018
In light of the recent Parkland shooting, activism surrounding gun violence is on the rise with students at the forefront. Because of this, the voices of teenagers are more important than ever. The recent walkout, organized by students, stands as an excellent example of the power of student action ...
Students must understand consequences, reasons for walkout
March 12, 2018
Students who wish to participate in a walkout during school hours should be aware of the consequences which come with this protest. Those who walkout of class will be marked absent from the classes they miss. According to American Civil Liberties Union, the students are required by law to attend class,...
With the renovations completed, senior Cole Nugteren said he is looking forward to seeing the reactions of incoming students with the reopening of the Nest. “We have our street done now so that's...
Sofia Seewald, Emmy Pearson, and Annica Schultz
After hearing juniors Leo Dworsky and Amara Foner perform Aug. 24 at Three One Six Bar + Grill, junior Megan Raatz said she was astounded people her age were already performing in a public setting. “It...
