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. ...
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: 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...
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...
According to theater director Jodi Schifsky, this year’s one-act will bring many emotions to the audience through the differing relationship stories it tells. “It is unique because it's all two-person...
According to coach Amanda Forsberg, she was satisfied by how her team performed in their weaker events, which led to its win against Richfield Jan. 9. “Kids stepped up in their off events. You couldn't...
In response to an anti-Semitic attack on the seventh night of Hanukkah, Temple Israel hosted an event called Minnesota: No Hate. No Fear. Over 1,400 attended the event. Sophomore Ella Roether said she...
