Tide Talk

Join us for part 2 of our conversation with Ms. Bendler, Ms. Nardi, Ms. Devino, Mrs. Simmons, and 11th grader Emma on the topic of "cancel culture" and whether it is bad for America, or just another term for accountability for bad behavior.In this final section, the panel debates the validity of several instances of "canceled" individuals from Alan Dershowitz's book, and gets into some of the controversies involving removal of Confederate statues as well as proposed cancellations of other historical figures such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Follow the English Department in Instagram: @ehs_englishFollow the Everett High School Crimson Times student newspaper on Twitter: @crimson_timesDirect any comments or questions to rmcgowan@everett.k12.ma.us

Mr. McGowan is joined by Grade 11 student Emma along with teachers Mrs. Simmons, Ms Devino, Ms Nardi, and Ms Bendler to discuss the Alan Dershowitz book "Cancel Culture: The Latest Attack on Free Speech and Due Process."In Part 1 of the conversation, the panel gets into whether they agree with Dershowitz that cancel culture is un-American and must be stopped, and debate whether readers should take into account an author's personal biography when considering their ideas.Follow the English Department in Instagram: @ehs_englishFollow the Everett High School Crimson Times student newspaper on Twitter: @crimson_timesDirect any comments or questions to rmcgowan@everett.k12.ma.us

Part 2 of our conversation with Mikayla, Julianna, Geralisha, and Sophia, and their English teacher Ms. Devino, abou the book "The Hate U GIve," a new addition to our sophomore curriculum this year.The major question of this section is, what would the students and teacher say to people who criticized the teaching of this book as being either obscene or anti-police indoctrination? The students reflect on the experience of reading a controversial text rooted in real-life themes. Follow the English Department in Instagram: @ehs_englishFollow the Everett High School Crimson Times student newspaper on Twitter: @crimson_timesDirect any comments or questions to rmcgowan@everett.k12.ma.us

Grade 10 teacher Ms. Devino and four of her students (Mikayla, Sophia, Julianna, and Geralisha) join Mr. McGowan to talk about the controversial novel "The Hate U Give" and their experience of being introduced to the text as well as the film in Grade 10 English class.The overarching question: Why is it important to read and discuss issues of police and community relations in America today? How does this literature advance the dialogue around racial issues in our society?Follow the English Department in Instagram: @ehs_englishFollow the Everett High School Crimson Times student newspaper on Twitter: @crimson_timesDirect any comments or questions to rmcgowan@everett.k12.ma.us

TOPICS FOR 1.9Racism in pop culture: racist jokes, blackface.Why representation matters in pop cultureHow people manipulate language to communicate and spread racist ideasPanel: Christian, Laurie, Jeremy; Ms Dunn, Mr Bailey, Mr Spencer, Ms HooksInstagram: @ehs_englishTwitter: @crimson_timeswww.ehscrimsontimes.org

The powerful Jason Reynolds "remix" of the Ibram X. Kendi book "Stamped" is our panel discussion for this episode. Topics:- Emotional reactions to the book- Historical religious and economic justifications for slavery and how that affects us today- Surprising things from the book that we never learned before- How the author treates Jefferson and Lincoln- Racism, intended or unintended, in pop culture todayStudent guests: Christian and Laurie from EHS; Jeremy from KeverianStaff guests: Ms. Dunn, Ms. Hooks, Mr. Bailey from EHS; Mr. Spencer from Keverian(Originally recorded 3/18/21) Instagram: @ehs_englishCrimson Times on Twitter: @crimson_timeswww.ehscrimsontimes.com

"Find someone who cares about you and latch onto them."In the final part of our School Reopening conversation, Melissa, Nicole, Andrew, Shawn, Christine, and Daniela open up about the importance of taking care of your mental health especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. - The importance of talking to others about your mental health- Why "Just get over it" isn't a good approach to dealing with your problems- Expectations of going back to school and how that may affect student mental health- The unique culture of Everett and how students can expect support from peers and adults- What are we taking with us post-pandemic as things go back to "normal"?Follow the English Department in Instagram: @ehs_englishEHS Crimson Times newspaper: @crimson_times on Twitterwww.ehscrimsontimes.comMrs. Simmons on Instagram: @simm_onymsComments to rmcgowan@everett.k12.ma.us

PART 2 OF OUR SCHOOL REOPENING CONVERSATION - Make sure you go back and listen to Episode 1.5A for the first part of this conversation.Mr. McGowan welcomes colleagues Mr. Fineran and Mrs. Simmons along with students Christine, Shawn, Andrew, Melissa, Sophia, Nicole, and Daniela to talk about their thoughts about the impending possibility of school reopening.Talking points in this episode:- Concerns about the science of reopening schools. Does it take into account student behavior?- How should the adults who run the school address student misbehavior or refusal to follow COVID guidelines?- Will Everett students rise to the occasion as they have in the past?- The vaccination debate and how vaccinating teachers falls into it- Mental health and why simply opening the doors to school is not going to solve all students' mental health issues.Subscribe to Tide Talk on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.Send comments to rmcgowan@everett.k12.ma.us.Instagram: @ehs_english. Mrs. Simmons: @simm_onymsTwitter: @crimson_times for the EHS student newspaper contentwww.ehscrimsontimes.com#MORELESS

Mr. McGowan welcomes Christine from the senior class; Shawn, Andrew, and Melissa from the junior class; Sophia from the sophomore class; and Daniela and Nicole from the freshman class, along with Mrs. Simmons and Mr. Fineran, to talk about the upcoming plans for return to in-person instruction in the Everett Public Schools.We discuss memories of March 12, 2020, thoughts about the prospect of returning to school buildings, and why the senior class should probably be the first group to come back to school.This is the first of a three-part series on school reopening featuring this same panel.Email comments to Mr. McGowan, ELA Department Chair, at rmcgowan@everett.k12.ma.us.Follow the English Department on Instagram at @ehs_english and the EHS Crimson Times newspaper at @crimson_times or ehscrimsontimes.com.#MoreLess

Mr. McGowan welcomes to the panel Breetika, Samaga, and Ana, along with ELA department faculty Ms. Gould, Ms. Judd, and Mr. Wright, to break down the debut memoir from Tara Westover, "Educated." Westover's book, a true story of her upbringing as part of a survivalist party who didn't trust public schools or doctors, resonated with our students and teachers.We talk about how emotion shapes your memory, what parts of Tara's journey we can relate to or cannot relate to, and ask the question to what extent does your family influence who you become in life. Meanwhile, Mr. McGowan has a surprise for the panel at the end of the show.Please direct comments to rmcgowan@everett.k12.ma.usFollow the EHS English Department on Instragram @ehs_englishFollow the EHS Crimson Times @crimson_times or ehscrimsontimes.comThank you for coming to our Tide Talk! #MoreLess

Mr. McGowan talks with EHS Journalism teacher Mr. Wright and Newspaper Club students Kemilly, David, and Emma, about their experiences as student journalists. We talk about how they got into journalism, memorable stories they have covered, why students should take Journalism or join the Newspaper Club, being featured on Channel 5 news, and seeing your name in print. Kemilly shares the story of her interview with Ms. DiNatale, and Emma talks about interviewing superintendent Priya Tahiliani in her first week on the job, merely days before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic causes the closing of school.Follow the English Department on Instagram: @ehs_englishFollow the Crimson Times on Twitter: @crimson_timesRead the Crimson Times: www.ehscrimsontimes.com

Mr. McGowan welcomes back Shawn, Cynthia, and Kiara, who finish the discussion of Ibram X. Kendi's "How to Be an Antiracist" with Ms. Dunn and Mrs. Simmons. The panel discusses their takes on the current state of racial affairs at Everett High School, their own racial awakenings in childhood, their personal action plans for helping to create an antiracist society, and why the Oxford comma can be a barrier to racial understanding.On Instagram:Follow Mr. McGowan/EHS English Department: @ehs_englishMrs. Simmons: @simm_onymsMs. Dunn: @msdunnsreaders

Mr. McGowan welcomes Kiara, Cynthia, Shawn, and Janelle along with English Department faculty Ms. Dunn, Mr. Fineran, and Mrs. Simmons to discuss "How to Be an Antiracist" by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi.We get into the difference between being "antiracist" and "not racist," how "microaggressions" are actually forms of abuse, and everyone reflects on their own moments of racism from their past. Follow @ehs_english on InstagramMs. Dunn: @msdunnsreadersMrs. Simmons: @simm_onyms