Monday, October 21, 2013

Example's SHOCKtober event

Example's SHOCKtober event is this Saturday, October 26 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.
Cost: $3.00. North students only.

Here are three reasons that demand your attendance.

1.  Costume Contest:
  Compete in one of the following categories and win fabulous and really good prizes:
Most Creative Costume,
Most Like an LHN Teacher Costume,
 Scariest Costume,
Best Literary Author Costume,
Best I-Just-Wanted-To-Wear-A-Costume-And-Not-Compete Costume,
Best Book Cover Costume
2. Carved Pumpkin Contest
Bring your already carved pumpkin and dazzle your friends by competing in one of the following categories:
 Scariest Pumpkin, 
Funniest Pumpkin, 
Best Dressed Pumpkin, 
Most Creative/Unusual Pumpkin, 
Best TeacherFace Pumpkin.

The pumpkins must be carved.  While Mr. Faszholz may appreciate your drawing skills, we want to appreciate your carving skills.
 

3. Puffy, Sugary Mallow of Marsh Spitting Contest
Due to the squeamish nature of many Internet viewers we cannot be held responsible for any stomach churning reactions.  As a result we refrain from publishing pictures of puffy, sugary mallows of marsh being projected across the gym floor. 

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Do you know Molly?

Below are some disturbing excerpts from a recent article in The Michigan Daily on the dangers of Molly.  Molly isn't a who, it's a drug that functions by "altering brain chemistry and increasing the amount of serotonin present to interact with serotonin receptors." While it may create the feeling of eupohoria, the drug's tragic consequences were evident at a New York City dance music festival in September.  If you are a parent don't assume your children know about the dangers of this drug. Don't assume this drug doesn't show up at weekend parties.  Don't assume that the dangers of drug use are not real.  Don't assume there is nothing you can do.  There is plenty.
Silence is acceptance.
Sure, you may receive an adolescent eye-roll or two, but neglecting to remind your children about the dangers of any drug may have grave consequences. 
"MDMA, Molly, Ecstasy — whatever you want to call it — binds to the transporters so serotonin interacts with receptors for a relatively long time, causing an unnatural response. Because serotonin influences some emotional pathways — such as those controlling empathy and happiness — users experience a heightened sense of euphoria, among other effects. But Molly can change the brain chemistry to a point that can make it impossible to return to a normal level of happiness through sensitization of the receptors — when the receptors no longer cause their expected response due to repeated and long-term exposure to serotonin — making the drug highly addictive.
Because the neurotransmitter is involved in many different physiological pathways, when it causes problems in those pathways the body can lose control. Unfortunately the symptoms — such as kidney failure, high blood pressure and seizures — can have a quick onset, making it difficult if the situation is life threatening to have adequate medical treatment. "
You can read the entire article here.   


Monday, October 14, 2013

Zero Tolerance Teaches Zero Lessons

This story is troubling.
Erin Cox, a 17-year-old student at North Andover High School in Massachusetts, received a call from a friend who been at a party and was too drunk to drive home. She asked Erin to pick her up. The consequences Erin received because she helped a friend are disconcerting.
Read more about this story and watch the video.
Erin decided to help a friend that night.  In the long run her friend's life is more important than five volleyball games and being captain of the school's volleyball team.
Erin's courage and convictions during and after the party is the real lesson.