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The School Newspaper of Winston Churchill High School.

The Observer

The School Newspaper of Winston Churchill High School.

The Observer

The School Newspaper of Winston Churchill High School.

The Observer

Elementary school students cluster in their designated color-coordinated groups to compete against each other.

Field days can be a game-changer for WCHS

By Isabel Vorabhanda, Opinions Editor December 19, 2024

Field day: a day of games, color themes, competitions and activities that take place under the warm sun and end with ice pops. These strong memories associated with the term “field day” are  created...

Parents often fill the parking lot at dismissal. This is a major inconvenience for students as the parking lot becomes incredibly crowded at this time.

Finding a spot: navigating the student parking lot dilemma

By Rebecca Dean, Features Editor December 13, 2024

After a busy day of schoolwork, WCHS students are ready to head home. For many, it is imperative that they get home quickly to finish homework or start extracurricular activities. If a WCHS student drives...

Mrs. Jennifer Miller's family's Christmas tree was set up with festive lights and gifts surrounding the tree for 2023 Christmas.

Beyond the classroom: teachers open up about their holiday rituals

By Sydney Stern, Subscriptions, Promotions, and Communications Manager December 13, 2024

As the clock ticks closer and closer to winter break, WCHS students look forward to having a hiatus from school and celebrating their favorite holidays. However, not just students look forward to this...

Many students at WCHS use tracking apps such as Life360. Many parents use this as a way to make sure their kids are safe and it makes pickup times easier.

Under surveillance: the rise of tracking apps

By Isabel Vorabhanda, Opinions Editor December 13, 2024

In today's digital world, tracking apps such as Find My or Life360 have proven essential for many teens and kids. From parents tracking their kids' location to coordinating picking them up or making sure...

During Veterans Day, it is typical for Americans to come together to join in on patriotic activities to respect and honor those who served in the military.

Honoring heroes: why students deserve Veterans Day off

By Lily Chadwick, Observations Editor December 13, 2024

Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Presidents Day and Memorial Day. These are just a few holidays that MCPS gives students and teachers off yearly. Although all of these holidays are significant for their own reasons,...

Speech therapy is a widely used and relied on resource for students who are in school. Now, with the MCPS speech therapist and pathologist shortage, it is harder for students to get personal attention concerning their speech which can hinder their learning and prevent them from reaching their full potential.

Words left unspoken: tackling the speech therapist shortage in MCPS

By Isabel Vorabhanda, Opinions Editor December 13, 2024

Speech is a part of everyday life. It is used to communicate with one another and even now with the rise of technology, speech is a crucial part of clear communication. Without being able to clearly communicate,...

WCHS's annual themed concert Blast has run for a third of a century. Programs from across that period are on display outside the auditorium.

Musical memories: tracking the roots of BLAST

By Ray Guan, Subscriptions, Promotions, and Communications Manager December 13, 2024

As the spring of 2025 creeps closer, it brings Blast 35: Coloration. Over its three and a half decades, students have performed and largely led the performance. Blast budded from the choir’s spring concert....

The CEOs of Discord, Snap, TikTok, X, and Meta at a congressional hearing in January of 2024.

Not just a TikTok ban could be looming over U.S. teens

By Maximus Wang, Opinions Editor December 13, 2024

On Nov. 28, legislation introduced in Australia that would ban social media access to minors under the age of 16 passed in both the Australian House of Representatives and Senate by significant margins....

MCPS students discuss financial topics in a classroom. While it has not always been a graduation requirement, many MCPS schools have offered classes on economics.

Faceoff: school finance courses offer little practical benefit for students

By Isar Uslu, Features Editor November 21, 2024

“When are we ever going to use this stuff in real life?” Since the dawn of time, students around the world have wondered why they learn about derivatives and Shakespearean English rather than filing...

High schools students are interested in learning about financial topics, as it can help them to have better finial habits and reach their financial goals faster. WCHS adoption of a personal finance course, is a great first step for students to become financially literate.

Faceoff: add financial literacy into the curriculum

By Ava Van Vuren, Assistant Features Editor November 21, 2024

Papers are scattered all around a desk. The calculator shuts down after being exhausted from processing billions of numbers. Statements upon statements screaming “OVERDUE” cover the floor. When it...

Starbucks and Dunkin' released their new holiday beverages in time for the Christmas season. Items range from peppermint mochas to a cookie butter doughnut.

Cheers to the season: a guide to the best holiday beverages

By Ella Carnathan, Subscriptions, Promotions, and Communications Manager November 20, 2024

It is beginning to look a latte like Christmas! November marks the beginning of the holiday season, and with it comes festive drinks and snacks from Starbucks and Dunkin’. These coffee shops are a great...

WCHS English classes have long incorporated both in-paper and online assignments. The return to entire handwritten essays adds a sizable chunk to that.

The pen is mightier: a shift from keyboards to notebooks in education

By Ray Guan, Subscriptions, Promotions, and Communications Manager November 20, 2024

The clicking of keystrokes fades into scratching pencils and gliding pens as WCHS English classes respond to artificial intelligence. In sophomore English classes especially, assignments that would have...

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