EDITORIAL – The Shield

How to Keep a Conversation

May 15, 2019

Do you ever try to have a conversation with somebody but it goes nowhere? It’s hard to learn about a person when they only know a few words or have a limited vocabulary; that will always be just enough to pass by, and without depth. Don’t blame them, it’s the life we live in. People talk through abbreviations and emojis. Times have changed, and so have conversations. However, you can keep a conversation by giving somebody a compliment or bring up timely news to talk about. One easy way to give the conversation some spice is to give someone a compliment. For a thought, try telling them something that’s physical or something about their personality. This might be hard a first because we usually do this...

Why Rebel Against ID’s?

Roshni M., Staff Writer

April 18, 2019

ID badges are important in this day and age to provide security in schools, as stated in the Frisco ISD Memorial High School handbook. ID’s can help teachers and staff identify if a certain person is supposed to be in the school or not. Many people come in and out of school for reasonable purposes, such as photographers for school pictures, electricians, or advisors, etc. It’s easier to determine visitors and students from people who don’t have permission to be in the school. ID badges can also be used for school activities to make it easier for everyone. ID badges can help when checking out a book, buying a lunch, or getting into school related events. This way lunch lines become faster, since the kids can...

Power Points During Advisory

Mai Tran, Staff Writer

April 18, 2019

Going over the slides during advisory with the whole class might make people uncomfortable or even bore them. However, the purpose of these power points is to build social skills, build a comfortable environment, and talk about life skills that aren’t normally talked about in class. For example, it gives students the chance to talk about not only school, but life. Students can learn important skills before leaving high school such as self-care. They are also taught how to help others they notice need help. It might seem pointless now, but what you learn from the power points will most likely become of great use once you leave.

Why Canvas is your best friend

April 18, 2019

Most schools have begun to use the cloud based learning system better known as Canvas. Canvas can be an amazing platform for student-teacher interactions combine that with easily shareable information such as slides or worksheets and you get a great tool for teachers and students alike. However most people students in particular, don’t like canvas and that could be due to the fact that “Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change.” -Mary Shelley and she’s right...

Is Closed Campus lunch really so bad?

April 18, 2019

Off-campus lunch is a hot topic within the student body at Memorial High School, with many students disagreeing on the closed campus policy during school hours. From a students perspective, it would be pretty sweet to get to leave during lunch to go enjoy some good food and take a brain break from classwork, but from an administrators point of view, this would not be a practical or safe idea, having the students best interest in mind. In the FISD Memorial High School Student Handbook, the districts’...

The Benefits of Attending Advisory Tutorials

Lexi Thomas, Staff Writer

March 8, 2019

Every student likes a little extra time to hang out with their friends. Whether crowding around each others’ tables at lunch, exchanging snatches of conversation in the halls, or sending off quick texts before the bell rings, everyone likes a little bit of social time. However, the advisory tutorials should not be ignored or dismissed in favor of having fun and relaxing. Some students feel as though they need the free time that advisory provides to relax a little before their next class, and that it helps them better get through the day. However, the rest of the day would be much less stressful with the knowledge that everything has been taken care of already. FISD feels that advisory should be used for its intended...

Why We Need Mandatory Advisory

Kirsten Shin, Staff Writer

March 8, 2019

High School students in Frisco ISD are required to attend advisory, which is a short class between second and third period, on every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. However, many have complained about it, saying it is unnecessary and they instead should be able to go to tutorials or do something else that is more useful. Although they may not realize it now, advisory helps students in many different ways and teaches valuable lessons. Mandatory advisory provides an environment for students to talk about relevant issues and reflect on themselves. During the advisory period, there is always a power point prepared. It covers varieties of topics related to mental health, stress, anxiety, self-care, coping mechanisms as...

Canvas Lends a Helping Hand

Bri Martinez, Staff Writer

March 8, 2019

The more teachers use canvas the more benefits we see. Canvas benefits students a lot, especially when they are absent and need to catch up or even review a lesson. When students are absent, canvas allows them to go see exactly what they missed so they can address their teacher about it. Also, when you don’t completely grasp a concept canvas allows you to look back on previous lessons from your teacher. Although many say canvas is difficult and not “user friendly,” that's only because canvas is a new software for everyone. When teachers get familiarized with it canvas will be more organized. If you can't find something on canvas just ask your teacher to find it easier. Typically most things are separated...

Limited Phone Use

March 4, 2019

How often do you use your phone? Many students complain about the limitations of phone usage at school. To some, it may seem as though our schools are being oppressive. It’s about time the reduction of phone use enters the limelight. There are many benefits of it that go unseen. With the way technology runs rampant in our society, it’s not unusual to see someone with a cellular device. Adolescents, especially, use the devices often. Phones have become part of their lives and generally where...

Why We Must Wear I.D. Badges

March 4, 2019

Ever since the traumatic acts that have occurred on school campuses prior to the past year, the Frisco ISD school board has enforced that all "students and staff members must wear an I.D. badge, that is issued by the school, while on school grounds", according to the Frisco ISD Student handbook. First, we believe that identification badges are a positive way for students and staff members to be safe. For all we know a complete and total stranger could end up coming into the building and start...

Dress Code Benefits

February 26, 2019

Are student dress codes only enforced in schools for evil? Students and school administrators are conflicted about this issue and have many opposing views on what students should wear during the school day. Student dress codes should be enforced in schools everywhere because they cause distractions, they’re not appropriate, and students are still allowed to choose what they want to wear. Students are allowed to plan and wear whatever they please to school. Kathleen Mader, a middle school and...

Off Campus Lunch is Off the Plate

February 26, 2019

Off campus lunch sounds like a good idea on text but the actual outcome isn't worth the hassle. Picture this: your waiting at a traffic light in hopes of getting those Chick-fil-A nuggets but as soon as you get past that first traffic light after waiting for at least 7 minutes and finally get on to the main road, guess what? More traffic! By the time you get those delicious and somewhat addictive nuggets there is 5 minutes left of lunch and no time to eat the food and get back to school on time....