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: Nature center renovation needs re-evaluation
March 19, 2019
This month, the city of St. Louis Park is exploring the use of bonds to obtain $22 million in order to work toward several projects and renovations. The Echo Editorial Board sees this as a misdirected use of funds. The majority of the money will go toward renovating the Westwood Hills Nature Cente...
Staff Editorial: Evicted before convicted program must be stopped
January 23, 2019
Since 2008, the crime-free housing ordinance has been in effect in St. Louis Park. According to the city, it was put in place to address concerns about disorderly and criminal activity in housing units. The ordinance allows St. Louis Park police to tell landlords to evict tenants for reported instances ...
Staff Editorial: March against fossil fuels encourages change
November 1, 2018
On Sunday, Oct. 28 an anti-fossil fuel march was held in St. Paul, Minnesota in solidarity with Youth v. Gov suing the federal government for the cause of climate change. Students organized the march to show they are the future and to stand with the 21 youths who are bringing the case to trial. Acc...
Staff Editorial: Drug Take Back Day needs more promotion
October 20, 2018
St. Louis Park will participate in the 16th national Drug Take Back Day on Oct. 27, a day in which anyone can drop off expired or unused prescription drugs, according to the St. Louis Park City website. People will be able to bring in their drugs to the St. Louis Park Police Department from 10 a.m...
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...
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,...
Climate Plan creates opportunity for student action toward environmental sustainability
February 14, 2018
On Feb. 5, the St. Louis Park City Council unanimously passed a brand new Climate Action Plan spearheaded by Park’s own Roots and Shoots, iMatter, and the St. Louis Park Environment and Sustainability Commission. This Climate Action Plan (CAP) includes the ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality...
Drug policy should be more accessible
November 17, 2017
According to the student handbook, “possession, use or being under the influence of any narcotic, drug or controlled substance, alcohol or other mood-altering substance, while on school grounds” is prohibited. However, the Echo editorial board feels students have not been made blatantly aware of...
Staff editorial: Distracted driving must be addressed, ended
October 2, 2017
The issue of distracted driving resides strongly within our community, with the tragic loss of Officer William Mathews Sept. 8. The editorial board believes now is time to act on safer driving. A current petition brought forth by senior Katie Fredrickson asking to initiate a “hands-free” law has alre...
A number of Park students joined masses of protesters outside of Target Center, where President Donald Trump was holding a rally. Senior Yoni Potter hoped to share his objections against Trump by attending...
Speaking to over 25,000 Minnesotans at a rally on Oct. 10 at Target Center in Minneapolis, President Donald Trump began his speech by telling the crowd that in 2020 he will turn Minnesota red. “For...
After playing on the new tennis courts, senior captain Racquel Fhima said she has had a better playing experience. “(The new courts are) really nice to play on (and) are so much better than the...
With the new policies rolling into action, assistant Principal Jessica Busse said Park pride tasks are meant to restore the damage done by students when they perform simple infractions, such as leaving...
