The Beacon

How to have the perfect snow day

Nati Pinilla, Contributor • February 7, 2025

In early January, two snow days were added, making for an extra long winter break. There are tons of different ways in which Jackson-Reed students spent their extended weekend. Personally, I spent the...

Are you smarter than a brainrotted online freshman?

Javier Thompson and Sarah Rose Wiesenfelder • February 7, 2025

Welcome back to “Are You Smarter than a Freshman?” In honor of Valentine's Day, this edition, we’re taking one random teacher and putting them head-to-head with a brain-rotted freshman in love! Today,...

Advice for students hoping to be educators

Edie Young and Tatyana Parks • February 7, 2025

From classroom management to teaching, there’s a lot you might need help with when becoming an educator. This field may be fun because it enables you to meet and create bonds with new students, but it...

How to stay locked in as school heats up

Clara Doyle, Web Technical Editor • February 7, 2025

It’s officially term three, which means that it’s arguably the worst part of the school year. As the content in classes gets harder, AP tests get a little closer, and stress levels increase, I’m...

Teachers from different cultures share their perspectives

Natalia Weinstein and Grace Harscheid • February 7, 2025

Jackson-Reed has many students and staff from a variety of countries that bring new perspectives on life and learning. To further encourage and benefit from this cultural diversity, it’s important to...

UAV Drone Club holds showcase

Daniel Kaye, Junior Editor • February 7, 2025

On December 19, the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Drone Club hosted a showcase in the gym, featuring two unique drones: a high-performance competition drone built from scratch and a modified test drone....

Jackson-Reed welcomes Ms. Ross to the library

Alex Oh, Contributor • February 7, 2025

If you’ve gone to the library this year to check out a book or simply get some peace and quiet, you’ve probably seen a new face sitting at the front desk. Camille Ross is a new addition to Jackson-Reed’s...

Uneven workload frustrates teachers

Rohini Kieffer, Editor-in-Chief • February 7, 2025

Social studies teachers have expressed frustration over workload disparities as recent data revealed that they teach more and larger classes than their math counterparts. According to data compiled...

French students take on Martinique

Clara Doyle and Elsa McIntyre • February 7, 2025

This past month, on top of the existing Spanish and Italian exchange programs, the French department added an exchange program of their own with Martinique, a French-speaking island in the Caribbean. From...

Are you smarter than a Santa Claus?

Javier Thompson and Sarah Wiesenfelder • December 20, 2024

Welcome to “Are You Smarter than Santa Claus?” In this game, we take one random teacher and put them head-to-head with Santa Claus! Today, our contestants are physics teacher Maria Delos Santos...

The heart behind the stone; discovering Mr. Geremia’s past

Peyton Shum and Jordana Sloane • November 25, 2024

On November 3rd, twenty-one years ago, a teacher walked into a classroom for the first time hoping to make a difference. This teacher was Robert Geremia, who still graces our classrooms today. Mean, tyrant,...

Despite flaws, we should be grateful for our security system

Natalia Weinstein, Contributor • November 25, 2024

Metal detectors, x-ray machines, and security officers are some of the safety features that Jackson-Reed uses to ensure students get in and out of school safely. Not all schools are lucky enough to have...