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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

WCHS recently implemented a rule where students could not get zeroes, but when caught under fire, reversed the policy back to students being able to receive them

Administration & MCPS don’t see eye to eye on no zero policy

By Jeremy Fredricks, Assistant Opinions Editor October 21, 2019

For a brief period in the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year, WCHS had a policy where students could earn a minimum grade of 50%, not 0%. The policy would have applied to students who submitted nothing,...

Traffic at WCHS during pickup and drop off is intensified by the amount of buses in the parking lot.

WCHS drivers stressed by parking dilemma

By Austin Vinner, Photo Manager October 17, 2019

With hundreds of cars, many of which being driven by inexperienced student drivers, the WCHS parking lot can be a dangerous place. The fewer car accidents are thanks to the security and police officers...

WCHS Principal Brandice Heckert addressing the WCHS Class of 2019 during their .graduation ceremony.

WCHS graduation festivities begin for the Class of 2019

By Cherri Tung, Arts Editor June 4, 2019

It’s the time of year. seniors are finally ready to graduate and head into summer before embarking on their next chapter. But before they go, WCHS had planned many events for the seniors such as the...

As the number of students in cohort increase per school year, graduation rates decline. The correlation between the two exist as the number of students per school year include students of potential language barriers and homelessness.

High school graduation rates decline rapidly

By Hannah Zozobrado, Arts Editor June 4, 2019

For the past 3 years, graduation rates among Montgomery County Public Schools have experienced a gradual decline. The statistics in the 2017-2018 school year have decreased to 88.4%, the lowest in graduation...

Because WCHS students have direct access to our nation’s capital, there are many opportunities for them to get involved politics. Instead of just attending marches and walkouts. students now have the chance to work as an Election Worker.

Elections offer new opportunities for WCHS students

By Charley Hutton, Advertising & Subscription Manager June 4, 2019

“Do More Than Vote”, and get paid while doing it. Teens are constantly being urged to get involved in the community, and becoming an Election Worker is a great way to do so. With the close proximity...

The new "Speak Up" campaign at WCHS aims to be a medium for students to use their voices and express their feelings and experiences in a safe space. The campaign began with a group of students from various clubs and organizations at WCHS and has since grown to reach other students with similar interests, experiences and goals.

Speak Up inspires WCHS to stand up to bullies

By Ava Freeman, Features Editor May 10, 2019

Teasing is an inevitable part of growing up: almost everyone goes through it. However, when this teasing becomes repetitive with the intent to hurt someone, it becomes a more serious issue. According...

The Maryland General Assembly passed two new bills that aim to increase minimum wage and to allow public school districts to choose when to start school. The two bills were met with opposition from Gov. Larry Hogan, who vetoed both bills but were both overridden by the State House and Senate.

Md. Minimum wage increases beginning 2020

By Brandon Li, Senior Writer May 9, 2019

When looking for a part time job, most will value salary over enjoyment and experience. However, with the new increase in minimum wage, that tradeoff may not exist anymore. The Maryland General Assembly...

(Left to right) Jackson Will, Amiel Bengert, Gloria Herman, Veronica Starchenko and Anastasia Avrine, all level 3 Russian students, stand with a Russian Soviet Flag at Russian Olympiada.

Scholars go for gold in Russian Olympiada in Baltimore

By Victoria Park, Opinions Editor May 9, 2019

Zdrastvuyte! That is Russian for “hello,” and if you think that is difficult to pronounce, just ask one of the many WCHS students taking Russian to help you. Their skills were recently tested on Apr....

MCPS total enrollment is predicted to rise to 168,480 students by 2022. Redistricting will resolve this issue.

MCPS redistricting considered to quell inequity issues

By Fatima Yazdi, Editor-in-Chief May 8, 2019

Montgomery County Public Schools such as WCHS have consistently ranked among the best in the country and are growing at high speeds, though a great divide exists between schools in wealthy areas and schools...

The use of vapes and e-cigarettes at WCHS have grown into a harmful and dangerous situation, and for this reason the administration is considering taking new precautions to prevent their use at school.

Administration attempts to puff out vaping

By Bryan Fletcher and Benjamin Pham May 8, 2019

Following recent, notable events at school involving THC addictions and the use of vape pens, the WCHS administration is looking into new policies restricting the presence of drugs on school grounds and...


Rideonbus drives in downtown Rockville.

New Ride On bus initiative to transport students for free

By Max Kandel, News Editor April 1, 2019

As of now, the Montgomery County Council has a plan in place to expand the Kids Ride Free program. However, they must wait to see if Montgomery County allocated enough money to allow expansion. Currently,...


On March 14, there was a walkout against gun violence where MCPS students protested in front of the White House.

MCPS student activists walk out for gun reform

By Riley Hurr, News Editor April 1, 2019

Thousands of high schoolers walked out of their classrooms and onto Pennsylvania Avenue March 14 to protest gun violence. With posters reading “Enough is Enough” and “Policy and Change” which caught...

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