OC HIGH / STUDENT NEWS & VIEWS : Making a Move

If you think you might want to attend a different high school next fall, now is the time to act.

Under a new state law, students can attend a school other than their neighborhood school. The open-enrollment policy stipulates that transfer students be selected on a random, or lottery-type, basis.

Most districts have put together brochures or flyers to explain the new policy. Deadlines for applications by prospective transfer students are rapidly approaching (and deadlines in some districts have passed).

Open-enrollment information and applications are available by calling your district office.

Looking for a Cure

If you have some ideas about how to curb school violence, put those thoughts or slogans on paper; you might win a cash award for your effort.

A slogan and essay contest sponsored by the Americanism Educational League is open to all Orange County high school seniors, according to Stephen R. Knott, league president. Knott is a partner in Knott’s Berry Farm, founded by his grandfather, who started the contest in 1971.

This year’s 300-word essay topic is “School Violence: The Causes, the Cure.” Essays by seven students will be published in a brochure that will be circulated nationally. First prize is $300. The three top slogan winners will receive $650, $450 and $300. Seventeen additional winners will receive from $250.

Deadline is April 22. Entry forms are available from high school English teachers or by calling the league office at (714) 522-7671.

Speaking of Violence

The Shamrock, the student newspaper at Kennedy High School in La Palma, recently asked students if criminal executions should be televised.

Some of the responses: “Yes, because the people . . . deserve punishment. I think it’s right because it (will) prevent other people from making the same mistake.”

“I don’t think so, because little children (would be) able to see it and it would be a bad influence on them.”

“No, it’s not right because it provokes more violence.”

“If it’s OK with the person getting executed, then sure, why not?”