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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

Max Karp

Max Karp, News Editor

This fine lad has already surpassed Zara as the best News Editor in Beacon history. Can be found running through the halls of Big Wil, whether it be to beat his track times or be the first one in his next class. Received an offer to play basketball at Duke next year but will probably decline. Has fantastic hair, but don’t even think about trying to touch it.

All content by Max Karp

DCPS schools closed until April 27

Chloe Fatsis and Max Karp March 20, 2020

DCPS delayed the return to school to Monday, April 27, according to a DCPS announcement today. In the meantime, students will participate in distance learning. Teachers have been creating lesson plans...

Photo courtesy of DCPS

DCPS cancels school through March

Chloe Fatsis and Max Karp March 13, 2020

DCPS is closing schools for the rest of March to help slow the spread of COVID-19, or coronavirus. Spring break will now take place from March 17 to 23 instead of its original April date. During the following...

Photo courtesy of Mayor Bowser's Instagram account, @mayor_bowser

Mayor Bowser declares state of emergency in DC amid coronavirus outbreak

Max Karp, News Editor March 11, 2020

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a state of emergency in the city during the current spread of COVID-19, or coronavirus. The declaration gives the DC government access to increased funding and resources...

Wilson budget set to increase

Nate Belman and Max Karp March 10, 2020

DCPS Central Office released the budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021. Wilson’s proposed budget included a $1.6 million funding increase, accounting for a projected growth in enrollment by 151 students....

Battle of the sections

Battle of the sections

There are eight sections of The Beacon, including visuals, that the average reader diligently scans through as they peruse the paper—and never throw on the atrium floor. For those who ask "ok... but...

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

Student mistakes merit education, not criticism

Last month, disputes broke out regarding the right of college journalists at Northwestern University to publish images of public protesters. Student protestors argued that the newspaper fed off of arrested...

Swastikas found in bathrooms

Nate Belman and Max Karp December 17, 2019

Two swastikas were found in Wilson bathrooms this past month. Principal Kimberly Martin condemned the acts of vandalism, deeming them “unacceptable.” Both swastikas were found by students and subsequently...

Wilson bans food from Tenley eateries

Wilson bans food from Tenley eateries

Max Karp and Nate Belman November 20, 2019

Wilson administration reintroduced a policy in which students are not allowed to bring food from outside establishments into the school. Security officers started to enforce the policy strictly amid growing...

Many students caught drunk at homecoming

Nate Belman and Max Karp October 14, 2019

Wilson plans to make significant logistical changes to the homecoming dance after an abnormally high number of students were caught under the influence this year. A number of students were kicked out of...

Wilson loses over $170,000

Chloe Fatsis and Max Karp September 8, 2019

Wilson is scrambling to make up for more than $170,000 in funding after losing access to an account that for years collected money from renting out the school’s field, gymnasiums, and auditorium. The...

Wilson renovates office amid flooding

Wilson renovates office amid flooding

Max Karp, News Editor September 8, 2019

Wilson’s front office and entire first floor flooded after a large storm in July. Flooding was caused by damaged water pipes that couldn’t hold the excessive amount of rain that the month saw. Main...

Yondr discontinued for next school year

Yondr discontinued for next school year

Max Karp, News Editor June 9, 2019

Yondr bags will not be returning to Wilson next year after the PTSO discontinued funding. Wilson could have used their own funds to continue the program, but chose not to. At the beginning of the school...

Martin named DC Principal of the Year

Martin named DC Principal of the Year

Max Karp and Gabe Solomon June 9, 2019

Principal Kimberly Martin was selected as the 2019 District of Columbia State Principal of the Year. Martin will be honored this fall by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)...

Beloved former principal passes away

Beloved former principal passes away

Nate Belman and Max Karp May 14, 2019

Peter Cahall, Wilson principal from 2008 to 2014, died suddenly on Sunday, May 5 of a heart attack. He will be remembered for his dedicated leadership to the Wilson community. Cahall oversaw Wilson’s...

DCPS rejects Wilson online enrollment idea for next school year

DCPS rejects Wilson online enrollment idea for next school year

Zach Kaplan and Max Karp May 5, 2019

DCPS rejected Wilson’s plan to pilot a new online enrollment system for next school year. The program sought to provide returning Wilson families with the option to enroll their children through the...

Administration’s response to tragedy met with criticism

Administration’s response to tragedy met with criticism

Max Karp and Ellida Parker May 5, 2019

Principal Kimberly Martin led an open meeting with students in the library last Friday during STEP to address student concerns surrounding the administration's response to the murder of Wilson sophomore...

Wilson considers implementation of seven-period day

Max Karp and Sophia Hosford April 1, 2019

The administration is considering returning to the seven-period schedule next school year. Under the proposed schedule, first-period classes would take place every day for 45 minutes. The remaining three...

Mayor Bowser announces summer school improvement projects

Sophie Ludgin and Max Karp March 4, 2019

DCPS will implement structural repairs at 21 DCPS schools over the summer,  announced Deputy Mayor for Education Paul Kihn in a letter to DCPS families on January 25. At Wilson, the turf field will be...

At last year's Student Television Network convention, pictured above, Wilson students took home multiple top prizes.

Anonymous payment saves mass media trip

Max Karp, News Editor February 27, 2019

Wilson’s Mass Media program was not adequately funded by DCPS for an end-of-school-year convention held in Seattle. The convention, Student Television Network (STN), showcases students’ media work...

Wawa still coming to Tenley despite delay

Wawa still coming to Tenley despite delay

Max Karp and Ethan Leifman February 17, 2019

The opening of a Wawa store in Tenleytown has been delayed. The popular Philadelphia-area convenience store chain has recently been expanding across the East Coast, with numerous locations opening in Florida...

Wilson under watch, awaiting fire safety repairs

Wilson under watch, awaiting fire safety repairs

Max Karp and Elie Salem January 26, 2019

The DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department put Wilson under “firewatch” on December 8 after the Fire Inspector found that the fire alarm control panel and fire alarms were not functioning....

DC passes bill to make city 100 percent renewable by 2032

DC passes bill to make city 100 percent renewable by 2032

Max Karp, News Editor January 25, 2019

The DC Council unanimously voted to pass a bill making DC’s electricity 100 percent renewable by 2032. The DC Chapter of the Sierra Club fought to have the legislation passed. The ‘Clean Energy DC...

"Free Solo" highlights dangerous climbing feat

“Free Solo” highlights dangerous climbing feat

Max Karp, News Editor November 11, 2018

In National Geographic’s captivating look into the life of one of the outdoors’ craziest athletes, “Free Solo” details the journey of Alex Honnold and his climb of Yosemite National Park’s El...

Lack of English books leaves students to buy their own

Max Karp, News Editor November 10, 2018

DCPS did not give Wilson’s English department enough books this year, requiring students to buy their own copies for many units. Wilson teachers and administration stated that the lack of books was...

Personal information of 2,000 students mistakenly exposed

Personal information of 2,000 students mistakenly exposed

Max Karp, News Editor October 8, 2018

DCPS officials accidentally leaked the personal information of 2,000 DCPS students experiencing homelessness. The data, which included students’ names, ID numbers, schools, attendance history, housing...

Personal data of 2,000 homeless DCPS students accidentally exposed

Personal data of 2,000 homeless DCPS students accidentally exposed

Max Karp, News Editor September 23, 2018

Two thousand DCPS students experiencing homelessness had their personal information publicly available online for six months earlier this year. The data included students’ names, ID numbers, schools,...

Parents and students express frustration at division of DCPS budget

Asher Friedman-Rosen and Max Karp June 14, 2018

After raising the budget for schools across the District, DCPS is facing backlash from parents and teachers in response to the persistence of high staff cuts. Those protesting believe that because teachers...

Women’s History class added to Wilson

Women’s History class added to Wilson

Max Karp, News Editor June 9, 2018

Wilson will be adding a new Women’s History class for the 2018-2019 school year. Women’s History will be a semester-long course touching on a wide range of topics concerning the role of females in...

Changes Made to SGA Election Process

Max Karp and Zach Kaplan May 9, 2018

The Student Government Association (SGA) made significant changes to the election process this year, including more campaigning from candidates, improved live speeches, and a new voting system. The elections,...

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