The Pitch Online

Written by Julia Cinquegrani · March 6, 2012  

High school, with its constant testing, rigid scheduling and peer pressure, is a challenge for everyone. For students with disabilities, it can be even harder. That’s why the novels in Christine McArdle’s classroom are different from the books found in other classrooms. Her tenth grade... (more...)

Written by Julia Cinquegrani · November 22, 2011  

On Oct. 18, MCPS’s new superintendent of schools, Dr. Joshua Starr, met with reporters from high schools across the county. Below are excerpts of questions asked by reporters and Starr’s answers. Q: What is the biggest problem that MCPS has? A: Variability [among schools] is the biggest... (more...)

Written by Julia Cinquegrani · November 22, 2011  

It is a well-known, if infrequently discussed fact, that underage drinking is prevalent among teens. Recent studies that track trends in alcohol consumption among teens show no signs that the rate in alcohol consumption among teens is decreasing, which is a cause of public concern. According... (more...)

Written by Julia Cinquegrani · November 21, 2011  

Tom Murphy, a father of two WJ graduates and former PTSA president, was shopping for groceries at Giant one day a few years ago during WJ’s lunch period when he saw several WJ students conceal products in their belongings and their clothing and leave the store without paying. “It reminded... (more...)

Written by Julia Cinquegrani · November 19, 2011  

Since July 2011, when Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett proposed a youth curfew to the Montgomery County Council for passage, debate has raged over the issue. On Tuesday, Nov. 15, Councilmember Phil Andrews, who has opposed the youth curfew bill since its proposal, added to the debate... (more...)

Written by Julia Cinquegrani · June 6, 2011  

A recent proposal to cut the School Resources Officer (SRO) program, prompted by budget deficits, caused the Montgomery County Council to consider the necessity of having Montgomery County police officers working at middle and high schools. The County Council voted on Dec. 14 to continue funding... (more...)

Written by Julia Cinquegrani · June 3, 2011  

The increasing use of illegal club drugs, which is frequently associated with the growing popularity of house music, techno music and dubstep, is causing mounting public concern. For many who frequent the venues where these types of music are played, the full rave experience can include the... (more...)

Written by Julia Cinquegrani · June 3, 2011  

President Barack Obama hopes to make extensive revisions to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002 (NCLB). Among his goals are to change the way that school performance is gauged by using broader measurements than students’ test scores to track student growth, giving schools more flexibility... (more...)

Written by Julia Cinquegrani · May 27, 2011  

In the final issue of the Pitch from the 2010-2011 school year, we sat with Dr. Garran for an interview about leaving WJ. Unfortunately, the Print Pitch could not fit his entire interview into the newspaper, so we provided it below for your enjoyment. How has your opinion of and view of WJ... (more...)

Written by Julia Cinquegrani · May 25, 2011  

Crystal Dovman Special Education math teacher Crystal Dovman is transferring to B-CC High School at the end of this year after teaching at WJ for six years.  At B-CC, Dovman will be the Special Education Resource Teacher, whereas at WJ she spent three years teaching in the Learning Center... (more...)

Written by Julia Cinquegrani · April 26, 2011  

With the ubiquity of cell phones, iPods and other electronics that all contain clocks, it seems that teenagers who wear watches are becoming increasingly difficult to find. But for members of WJ’s Horology Society, created last November, this generalization does not hold true. Horology,... (more...)

Written by Julia Cinquegrani · February 1, 2011  

When most people discuss the world of competitive sports, it is safe to say that the sport of Yo-Yoing does not generally factor into the conversation. This cannot be said, however, for junior Seth Gottlieb, the founder and president of WJ’s first-ever Yo-Yo club which was created at the... (more...)

Written by Julia Cinquegrani · November 10, 2010  

WJ’s push to increase student enrollment in Advanced Placement courses has become more noticeable this year, as WJ opened enrollment in AP United States Government and Politics (AP NSL) classes to non-APEX freshmen for the first time and eliminated all on-level English classes for twelfth... (more...)

Written by Julia Cinquegrani · October 28, 2010  

A recent nationwide spate of suicides committed by gay and lesbian teenagers, considered to be caused by the constant harassment and bullying committed by their peers, has renewed attention on the effects of peer bullying. During the month of September, six gay and lesbian teenagers throughout... (more...)

Written by Julia Cinquegrani · October 11, 2010  

With its modernization finally complete, WJ now boasts new athletic areas, Promethean boards in most classrooms and the ability to accommodate a student body of 410 more students. Before the school’s modernization, which began in 2006, WJ’s capacity for students was 1,990. After its modernization,... (more...)