By Sydney Dixon
Siren Reviews Editor

Every year around this time, Hopeless Records releases a new volume of the Take Action compilation, and this year it’s full of hard-to-get-your-hands-on bonus tracks, acoustic versions of songs, and remixes. Not only that, but a great cover song and a handful of already released favorites – and some of the proceeds benefit charity.

The opening song off the album is a track off of the b-side on the Japanese version of The Used’s fifth studio album, Vulnerable, which is being reissued and released in America on January 13 with several b-sides and acoustic tracks.

Then you can hear the first single from Bad Religion’s new album True North, which will be released on January 22. The first part of the album continues with tracks from various bands such as The Wonder Years, All Time Low, and NeverShoutNever.

The second disc kicks off with a cover of Tears For Fears’ 1985 Number One hit, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” by Glass Cloud. This disc gets a bit heavier as the following tracks consist of bands such as I Am The Avalanche, Memphis May Fire, and Ice Nine Kills.

Already released tracks from bands like Balance and Composure, Mayday Parade, Falling in Reverse, Set It Off, Say Anything, and Sleeping With Sirens are also included, and the album winds down with mostly acoustic tracks, as well as a standout track from The Academy Is’s William Beckett:“48 in a Hospital.”

By Shannon Cavender
Siren Feature Editor

Have you ever been asked a question about Lincoln Park and not known how to respond? Well, here’s a guide for a few of the misconceptions we have to deal with.

Do you have academics?

To quote English teacher Edward Wesolowski, “Yeah, it’s great. We even have textbooks and everything.” Lincoln Park students take academics just like every other high school. The only difference is, we take arts classes in addition to our academics. This is a common misconception, because when Lincoln Park was first proposed, the idea was that kids would only attend the school for half a day to study their arts, and then be bused back to their original school districts to take their academics. This plan didn’t work out though, so Lincoln Park became a fully realized high school.

Is your school just like High School Musical?

The first time I heard this question, I couldn’t help but laugh. I said, “No, of course not. That’s so silly.” However, when I came to school with next day, and saw actors practicing their lines, heard singers warming up their voices, and watched dancers practicing their steps in the halls, I thought: Well maybe it is like High School Musical…. Maybe just a little bit…

Were you founded by the band Linkin Park?

This one always gets me. After you’re done peeling your hand off your face from your incredibly justified face-palm, you can kindly explain to them that our school was founded by Nicholas Trombetta. We are called Lincoln Park, because the park located directly behind us is named Lincoln Park. Finally, you can

calmly and slowly explain to them that Lincoln Park is spelled L-I-N-C-O-L-N, not L-I-N-K-I-N.

Isn’t your school an alternative for rich/preppy kids who think they are too good for public school?

The first time I heard this I became a bit annoyed. However, it is a common misconception because it isn’t uncommon for people to think that because we are not a normal school, and we have to be accepted, they think we have to pay tuition. Even if they ask this question rudely, like it has been asked to me so many times, try to understand that they just don’t understand. Charter schools have been around for a while, yes, but they still aren’t that common in this area. Just explain that we are essentially a public school; the only difference is that we have to be evaluated in an arts discipline, and that we don’t have to pay tuition to attend here. It is a free alternative.

Please remember to try your hardest to stay calm and composed while answering these questions. Even if your mind is screaming at you to call the person an idiot, just don’t do it. Be the better person. However, I do not discourage the use of sass. It’s a powerful tool.

By Danielle Turner
Siren Staff

Exhale, juniors. The next wave of the Keystones just washed over you. You
managed to keep your head above water the first time, and you won’t drown now, either.

On a personal level, if you fail the literature, math or biology tests, it doesn’t mean you get to just accept the bad score and go on with your life. You’ll have to retake the test. And it’s bad enough going through that once. Who would want to go for it two times?

But it could be a necessary step so that the school can make AYP, or Adequate Yearly Progress. Keystone scores help determine whether a school is making sufficient progress in the eyes of the state.

“There are a couple steps that would be taken,” Title I Coordinator Dr. Lindsey Rodgers said about the possibility of the school, as a whole, failing to make AYP. “First we would receive a warning. Basically, that means we’d have to change our curriculum to better prepare the students for the tests.”

Hopefully, that’s all the farther we’d have to go, but if we still didn’t manage to pass, the near
future wouldn’t be so bright. “If we got that far, and I really don’t think we will, it’d be a whole
big mess that I don’t want to get into,” said Dr. Rodgers.

So while some of us might need to grab our floaties for the math sections, study hard and just keep
swimming.

by Ashley Emanuel
Siren Staff

Peanut Butter Fudge

2 cups sugar
1/2 cups milk
1 1/3 cups peanut butter
7 oz. Marshmallow crème

Stir sugar and milk together in a large saucepan over medium heat. This is very important; if the heat is any higher your fudge will burn. Bring it to a full boil, and let it sit (while boiling) for three minutes. It is unnecessary to stir it during this time.

After those three minutes are up, remove from heat, and add the peanut butter and marshmallow crème. This is the time where stirring it is very important. Keep stirring until completely mixed together.

Stir completely together then pour into a 9 inch by 9 inch pan, and you’re done. You can either let it sit and harden, or put it in the fridge for quicker results. Finally, eat and enjoy.

****TIP****
Measure out all your ingredients first, so when it’s time to add them you have everything ready and don’t have to fumble around to measure out the ingredients before the mixture cools down.

The Siren’s newest Student Spotlight shines on Lincoln Park senior Marissa Rayes!

By Ashley Emanuel

Siren Editorial Editor

It’s hard to sit back and let someone tell you what’s better for you. What you should eat and shouldn’t eat. It’s bad when it happens at school, and even worse when the people telling you are in the government.

Lunch is getting a bit pricey, and part of that price increase is thanks to new federal regulations We can get a vegetable, fruit, milk, juice, and a main meal for $2.50. But we have to pay more if we just get a hamburger a side salad and water. This is ridiculous. I understand that prices for food are going up, but since when did it makes sense to charge more for less?

That leads me to another problem with these new healthier changes. Where is the water choice? I know we can buy water for a dollar. But if the government wants us to eat healthier, then why didn’t they touch on the fact that we have to pay for water? Water is the healthiest choice drink. It’s better for you than milk. It’s better for you than juice. Yet they insist we take both these items with our lunches. I’d rather have water. Which means I have to pay more. Even If I bring water from home, I still end up paying more for less because I’m not getting the full lunch.

I know schools are required to serve milk. I don’t have a problem with milk being served; some people like it. But, what about the others? When the government was planning out these new federal guidelines for HEALTHIER lunches, why didn’t someone say, “Oh, you know water’s pretty healthy, perhaps schools should provide water.”

Normally kids bring water from home, they carry it around with them and drink it at lunch. But if you don’t take milk and juice that you’re actually spending more. If you want another drink, too bad. Hope you bring extra change to lunch.

By Ashley Emanuel

Siren Staff

Everyone has heard, or perhaps complained, about school lunches. Some have even gone to the extent of saying their home districts’ lunches were better than the ones at Lincoln Park. Is this the case? Or are all the complainers just complaining? We looked at three different school menus to try to determine exactly what the differences are, if there are any.

First off, there are a few rules that every school must follow under the new federal guidelines. Every school MUST provide a vegetable and fruit option in order to qualify as a school lunch; they also must require students to take these items as part of their lunch.

The calories associated with each lunch must meet an appropriate calorie range geared towards the different age/grade groups.

Schools are supposed to be reducing the sodium content of meals as well. Schools also have to prepare meals using ingredients that contain zero trans fat.

You might have noticed that there is no longer two percent milk. That is because each school is only allowed to provide fat-free milk (unflavored or flavored), and low-fat milk (unflavored
only).

You can find more information about federal school nutrition standards here: www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/governance/legislation/nutritionstandards.htm

But how do Lincoln Park lunches actually compare to the competition? We looked at the September menus from three neighboring school districts: Blackhawk, Central Valley and Seneca Valley.

What is Similar?

• All three schools offer deli sandwiches
• There are
  pizza selections at Central Valley and Seneca Valley every day
• Salads at all three schools

What they’ve got that we don’t.

• Both Seneca and Central Valley offer a breakfast
  at lunch occasionally.
• Blackhawk and Central Valley offer oven baked
  fries (we’ve never had fries)
• Blackhawk and Seneca Valley offer grilled cheese
  and tomato soup (unlike the grilled cheese and sweet potatoes that we have)

What we have that they don’t.

• Freshly-made deli sandwiches (Yes, every school
  offers deli sandwiches, but as far as can be read from a menu, none of these
  schools have them made to order in front of you.).

If you’ve noticed anything notable about your own home district’s lunches, text it to us here at The Siren at 414-207-4736.

Seniors! Your time at Lincoln Park is about to come to a close. Have you had some unforgettable times here? Tell us about them! Text us at 414-207-4736 with your best Lincoln Park memories. The best ones will be posted on the blog.

Here’s the deal: your trusty Siren staff snoops around the building every week, collecting rare, candid photos of your favorite Lincoln Park personalities. All you have to do is come up with witty captions to accompany each week’s photos, and you could win free Siren swag, as well as the real reward: the undying respect and admiration of your peers.