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The Student Newspaper of Jackson-Reed High School

The Beacon

The Student Newspaper of Jackson-Reed High School

The Beacon

The Student Newspaper of Jackson-Reed High School

The Beacon

Cole Zich, Written Content Editor

All content by Cole Zich

Ranked-choice voting passes in the District

Cole Zich, Written Content Editor November 25, 2024

In the 2024 election, DC passed Initiative 83, a ballot measure establishing ranked choice voting and open primaries, both of which will take effect in June 2026. With over 70% of the vote, the initiative...

Jackson-Reed test scores improve, District scores continue to suffer post-pandemic

Cole Zich, Written Content Editor October 21, 2024

Last school year, DCPS introduced Comprehensive Assessments of Progress in Education (CAPE) testing, replacing the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers as the city-wide standardized...

Wilson Aquatic Center repairs remain at a stalemate

Cole Zich, Written Content Editor June 11, 2024

The Wilson Aquatic Center has been closed indefinitely since August 2023, due to necessary repairs to the HVAC and cooling systems. However, a lack of communication with staff and students from the Department...

A look into JR and UDC’s new Writing Center

Cole Zich, Written Content Editor April 15, 2024

The English department at Jackson-Reed has established a new Writing Center that provides tutoring services for struggling students in English classes. This new initiative is spearheaded by students from...

OUR OWN GRAMMY NOMINEE - Academy acclaimed Mr. Petillo joins the JR social studies department.

JR’s own Grammy nominee: Mr. Petillo’s musical past

Cole Zich, Written Content Editor March 29, 2024

When History teacher Matthew Burgoyne left for paternity leave on March 13, famed and Grammy-nominated student teacher Michael Petillo took over his classes. Petillo has come to Jackson-Reed after spending...

Mental health support staff increased to promote student well-being

Cole Zich, Written Content Editor October 11, 2023

Jackson-Reed has hired three new social workers, hoping to provide students with easier access to mental health support. It is unclear whether this will be enough to meet the needs of students, however...

Students preparing for the next school year grapple with class sign-up changes

Students preparing for the next school year grapple with class sign-up changes

Cole Zich, Written Content Editor June 21, 2023

This year a new course selection process has been implemented at Jackson-Reed to alleviate stress on counselors at the start of the next school year. Students select their classes and receive a copy of...

DCPS hires a significant number of permanent substitutes

Cole Zich, Written Content Editor June 12, 2023

As of July 26, DCPS announced that it would move workers from Central Office to schools to serve as substitute teachers. The substitutes are supposed to fill spots while permanent teachers are searched...

Principal Brown holds a coffee talk regarding school’s security

Cole Zich, Written Content Editor May 25, 2023

Principal Sah Brown hosted a coffee talk for parents on November 19 in the College and Career Center.  This was intended to be a general meeting, but due to recent events was primarily about the shooting...

ACT vs SAT vs Test-Optional

Cole Zich, Written Content Editor May 24, 2023

The SAT and ACT are staples of the college admission process. Since COVID though, many colleges have begun to allow students to apply without submitting standardized test scores. Even so, SAT and ACT scores...

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