Commentary – The Dispatch

Performative activism does not create change; here are actions that will

On May 25, George Floyd was put under arrest for suspected forgery. Protests began after a video was released that displayed the unjustified murder of Floyd after a cop restrained him with a fatal chokehold.

Maya Amador, Dispatch Reporter

June 24, 2020

Six years ago, Eric Garner was murdered by a New York Police Department (NYPD) officer who secured him in a chokehold while arresting him, after it was suspected that Garner was selling untaxed cigarettes. Garner’s last words were the now infamous, “I can’t breathe”. Protests across the country beg...

Are the new, double-blocked practicum classes the best choice for students?

As part of an expansion of course selection in the 2020-2021 school year, several double-blocked practicum classes have been added to the school's curriculum. These classes require the completion of prerequisites in several Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) classes, and offer internships and other career training for students.

Amorah Schultze, Dispatch Reporter

May 27, 2020

James Bowie High School has added several double-blocked practicum classes to next year’s curriculum, including Practicum in Ag-Veterinary Medicine, Practicum in Floral Design, and Practicum in Hospitality Services. They apply to multi-year courses, and even more specifically they take effect for ...

Tristan Howell

May 26, 2020

My name is Tristan Howell, and I plan on attending Austin Community College. I don’t have a planed major so I am using ACC to and complete my required core classes while I search for my one. Coronavirus hasn’t affected me too harshly since I love staying at home and doing things online, and my f...

Online school poses a threat to accessible education

High school students across the nation have had to adjust to a new form of remote learning, online school, as school facilities have been closed to ensure social distancing. In order to increase participation in remote learning, Austin Independent School District has supplied students with Chromebooks and WiFi busses.

Maya Amador, Commentary Editor

May 26, 2020

Public school has its fair share of problems. From bullying to overwhelming amounts of work, students often talk about their grievances with public schools. While those problems are very much real, along with a few others, online school has raised more issues than expected. Due to the Coronavirus, schools in Texas have been out since late March and will be for ...

Tags: Coronavirus

Amanda Schwenke

May 22, 2020

Amanda will be attending the The University of Tulsa to study Psychology with a Neuroscience minor. This unconventional time has taught me to value being with my family before going off to college. I have also learned how much the Austin community supports one another with drive through birthdays...

Texas reopen policy could be harmful if not executed correctly

As of Monday, May 18, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has implemented phase two of his reopening Texas plan. Within phase two, gyms and athletic facilities, office buildings, and non-essential manufacturing sites will be able to resume operations at limited capacities.

Anna Holme, Dispatch Reporter

May 18, 2020

As Texas is beginning to reopen its economy as the stay-at-home order is slowly lifted, there is a lot of uncertainty regarding what this means for the health of Texans and businesses across the state. While I myself am not a fan of self-isolation, I believe that jumping into things too soon can do more...

Tags: Coronavirus

How to maintain mental heath during self-isolation

As students are physically isolated in their homes for a prolonged amount of time, it can be difficult to maintain their mental health amidst uncertain times. However, Dispatch Reporter Anna Holme has shared the methods she has used, and that every student should use, to stay healthy and optimistic.

Anna Holme, Dispatch Reporter

May 5, 2020

As a consequence of the practice of self-isolation and the enactment of Texas’s shelter-in-place order, the amount of people staying in their homes is at an unprecedented number. While some may think this is a relaxing opportunity, many others are concerned with the difficulties that come with thi...

Tags: Coronavirus

United in laughter: how memes can help relieve stress

Dispatch Reporter Brianna Lopez writes about her opinion of the use of comedy to relieve stress during the COVID-19 crisis. One main source of comedy that Lopez references is memes, a form of a social media post that uses a combination of pictures and words to produce a comedic effect.

Brianna Lopez, Dispatch Reporter

April 30, 2020

After students finish up their school work and chores at home, there is not much else to do to keep them busy. In addition to binge-watching movies, tv shows, and videos on YouTube, people have been using memes* to lighten up their day and to pass time while stuck at home. Looking at memes can allow one ...

Tags: Coronavirus

Class ranks are important for college applications

Class ranks are numerical values that represent one’s academic stance in competition with their classmates using the grades students make in their core and language classes. Although class rankings can cause pressure, their ability to alert colleges of the most successful students makes them worthy of keeping for students to compete for.

Corinne Piorkowski, Commentary Editor

April 29, 2020

It’s no surprise that students compete for the highest Grade Point Averages (GPAs) or titles in their classes to impress colleges. Students spend years of school perfecting their assignments and grades to satisfy themselves. Schoolwork is stressful, and feeling pressured to do well in advanced classes ...