In the next few weeks juniors will take time out in their classes to
complete the New England Common Assessment Program, most commonly known to students as NECAPs.

The passing of this standardized test is now required to graduate from SKHS, as well as all public Rhode Island high schools.

There are four different subjects students are tested on: writing, reading, mathematics,
and science.  Students completed the reading and writing portions last week and will finish the math portion over the next week.  The science assessment will take place in the spring.

To pass the NECAPs students must get a three or higher on the grading scale, although a grade of two is all that is required to  earn a diploma.

Last year 59 percent of students passed the math exam which was an improvement from past years.

“You’d have to be an idiot to fail them, ” said Cecilia Brawley, a junior at SKHS who is currently taking this year’s NECAPs. 

Many juniors this year have commented that the NECAPs seemed dumbed down.  

“I thought the stories weren’t that interesting,” said Julianne Fonseca, another junior, “but it was pretty easy.”

Although the NECAPS have their drawbacks, juniors do enjoy some privileges while taking the standardized tests.

“I’m glad we didn’t have to come in first period,” said Fonseca.

As students pile into the South Kingstown High School Cafeteria Friday, September 23, for their only “free” time during the day, some express their dissatisfaction with the current school lunch menu here at SKHS.

“[The lunch program at SKHS is an] age-specific, customized school dining program that resonates with students,” states the Chartwells site regarding the SKHS school lunch program called Environments.

Opinions vary on school lunch.

After standing in line for five minutes, out of what many consider an already short lunch period, sitting down to eat his lunch, sophomore Alonzo Ferguson said, “I would rather eat my money than the school lunch.”

But, sophomore Anthony Hassell said, “The chicken patties are wicked good,” As he sat down to eat his lunch.

Sitting next to him, sophomore Steven Gallagher chipped in, “The food sucks. I would [rather] use my money to buy a five dollar foot long. We should put a Subway in the school.”

But a SKHS English teacher says, “School lunch is the best deal in town, for two dollars and fifty cents you can get a full meal.”

The idea of having an actual restaurant in school is not a far-fetched idea.

Sophomore Andy Kyhos said that, “The school should have a catering policy like the Monsignor Clark School.”

Kyhos referred to a program at the Monsignor Clark School, which is said to offers students the opportunity once a week to place an order from takeout restaurant Panera Bread,
which is then delivered to the school during lunch the next day.

Sophomore Nick Nauges, a frequent buyer of school lunch, offered advice to students who are new to ordering, “school lunch is like a fine wine, it takes some getting used to.”