What Students and Faculty Have to Say About the New Block Schedule
How does Jenks' new change from regular schedule to block schedule correlate to the amount of stress students gain? A lot of students and teachers have a lot of opinions on it.
Cyclospora Infects Lettuce Worldwide: What Is Jenks Doing to Keep Students Safe?
You're hungry. You go to the cafeteria to get a bite to eat, but what will you get? A chicken sandwich? A burrito? Maybe even some nachos? But then you see it… at the front of the lunch line, a delicious salad. You take it, pay for it, and take a bite. Well, congratulations, you may have Cyclospora.
Alt Subcultures: Negativity Towards The Scene
Imagine this: you’re sitting at lunch across from your friends, when suddenly people start talking about you guys. “Weirdos” you hear, along with “Oh my, look at her shoes,” they say while laughing together. This is how many people in the community feel everyday or have felt before. Not such a good feeling, right?
Freshman Academy: What's the Purpose?
The Freshman Academy has more than doubled in size, from around 50,000 square feet to over 133,800 square feet, with a recent addition this past year to accommodate more students. But why is more space needed? With more freshmen enrolling each year, it became evident that more classrooms would be needed.
Is Block Schedule a Bust?
Has the block schedule lived up to our expectations? Block schedule has been a hot topic in the past months. Jenks students have openly shared their opinions on block schedule from the moment it was announced. And many of the responses were negative, but is it as bad as people decided it would be? This month, I interviewed teachers and students alike to find the first impressions of the block schedule.
Digital Mentors: How Teachers Use A.I.
Why are toasters helping teachers!? AI is becoming more common in our school. Some teachers, not just students, use AI to help them create coursework and brainstorm lesson ideas. The use of AI by teachers and students is a cause for both praise and criticism. Some might question how AI is used in teaching and whether it is ethical.
A Little More for Little Snack
How often do you think students spend their pocket money on everyday school snacks and vending machines? Pretty often, don’t you think? But aren’t you also curious on how some of some of the prices of the snacks change? Our student favorite lunch stand snacks are the Hershey Triple Chocolate cookie. Last year at Jenks High School, Hershey triple chocolate cookies were 75 cents. Now, they are 1 dollar.
Dead Bodies & Tea Parties: Jenks Theatre’s First One-Act Competition
Did somebody poison that tea? Jenks Theatre Department is bringing “Any Body for Tea?,” a dark comedy play, to the Union One-Act Festival. A few weeks of rehearsal is almost unheard of for a show, but the play is being rushed along to go to competition. The dedicated actors have been hard at work memorizing lines, practicing movement, and mastering an elderly lady voice for the show, and the best part is that you can watch!
Beauty in Chaos: Nature’s Interception with Downtown Tulsa
It’s very rare to find a lone building without capturing some nearby greenery. Parks, plants and trees now invade the area that some would consider chaos. This chaos refers to no place other than our very own, Downtown Tulsa.
Overconsumption: A Look Into The Closets of Jenks Highschoolers
Fashion trends are something that cycle through over and over no matter the time period. Even in the 1800’s there were certain gowns and waistcoats that were trending and if you weren't wearing them you weren't “it”. Because of these cycles, people end up with things in their closets that they haven’t touched in years. Nowadays, trends are cycling through even quicker so it makes it 10x harder to get rid of things you don’t wear anymore. What if those chunky white shoes come back in style in a couple years?
Unlikely Bonds: A Friendship Between the Young and the Elderly
When someone says the words preschool and nursing home, in your head you probably think of two different establishments. What if I told you that there's a place in Jenks where they coexist? Grace Living Center, located a short two minute drive from the high school, houses Jenks’ multigenerational program. Everyday a class of pre-k and kindergarten students participate in their normal school work, but there are also spaces in their day cut out where they hang out with the residents of the home, who they call “grands.”
Study Spots and Coffee Shops
Coffee shops are many students go to study space. Whether it’s the cozy atmosphere, the aroma of brewing coffee, or the caffeine perks, coffee shops create a unique environment that can foster both focus and creativity. Coffee shops are a fun change from your usual study environment and a place for you to make the most of your time. Studying in these bustling, yet often quiet, spaces can inspire you to plan and be productive.
The Heart of a Small Town: The World of Teen Programming at The Jenks Library
This month’s dedicated story genre was “Personal Experience,” I really struggled with finding something to try for the first time that would be fun and useful for both me and the Jenks student body to read and write about. Obviously, I could write about doing a workout class, or listening to an album for the first time, but I wanted something that was equally as relevant to the reader as it was interesting to me.
Hidden Gems: Historical Finds in Red’s Mercantile
In the heart of Jenks, just on the end of main street stands Reds Mercantile, an antique shop filled to the brim with hidden historical gems. Items ranging from early 1900’s edition books, to old Dr. Pepper bottles, and even a stunning relic of a wedding dress - Red’s mercantile is home to little pieces of American history. Right in our hometown. Red’s is owned by very kind and lovely women who were very helpful in my journey through time in their store. Despite the recent modernization of main street Jenks, with eclectic shops being replaced by pink boutiques and popular bars, pieces of the history and originality of Jenks still stand the tests of time.
The Impact of the Federal Grant Freeze on Nonprofit Organizations: A Focus on New Hope Oklahoma
According to The New York Times, in late January 2025, the Trump administration announced a temporary freeze on federal grants and financial assistance, aiming to reassess funding allocations in line with new policy directives. This decision has had widespread implications for nonprofit organizations across the nation, including those in Oklahoma.
Her Voice: Unveiling the Power of Women in the Church
The question of women leadership in the church has been debated for centuries. As society grows to accept women's voices, the question resurfaces: Should women hold a position of power in the church?
A Very Utica Square Christmas: A Review of Your Favorite Shopping Center’s Christmas Decor
Welcome to Tulsa’s very own Utica Square at Christmas: Known for its classic charm and holiday spirit, Utica Square becomes a winter wonderland each December. This review features the most iconic pieces of the Utica Square festivities and most accessorized stores. Be prepared to take a journey through Pottery Barn, Amber Marie, and Glacier Chocolate to explore their Christmas decorations for the 2024 season with a few surprises here and there. Be on the lookout for the holidays most memorable nut-cracking tool.
7 Brew: Review of a Coffee Shop Coming Near You
Like many other high school students I have a severe caffeine addiction and usually can’t go a day without consuming some form of it. Whether it be coffee or an energy drink I have tried so many different kinds. We’ve all tried the current chain coffee shops by our school like Starbucks and Dutch Bros, but a new phenomenon is currently being built, and it's known as 7 Brew.
Hanna’s Hustles: The Go-To Girl of Jenks
From coach to teacher, photographer to entrepreneur, Hanna Giddens does it all. Whether you find yourself at a Jenks Basketball game, in need of epic photos or looking for a great history teacher, she’s your go to girl. “Coach Giddens” as most Jenks students refer to her as, is a powerhouse within the Jenks High School community.
The Outlet Mall: Pros and Cons
Imagine you’re in a hot desert. The heat makes the people around you multiply, seemingly thousands of people are surrounding you. All of them go in separate directions in search of the best deal. This isn’t your average desert; this is the new Outlet Mall.