(April 26, 2002) — The last issue of the Chronicle , and especially the staff editorial concerning school dances, gave rise to a surprisingly large number of responses to the newspaper and staff concerning the role of a school newspaper. Many who read the staff editorial “Casual Dance Failures Demonstrate Need for Change” believed it to be an attack on the Associated Student Body, when the issue was one of cancelled activities and did not concern ASB itself. Others were upset as they felt the Chronicle heavily criticized the school. The majority of responses received since the last publication expressed anger towards the Chronicle for making the school look “bad” to others. The role of a high school newspaper is not to preoccupy itself with whether or not it makes the school look “bad” to others, but to report objectively all relevant news concerning the school and the student body. The newspaper—especially the opinion section— is the think tank of the student body, and if it does not question authority, the school policy or the actions of administrators, teachers and students, then who will? The newspaper’s main job is to be the voice for the student body, presenting all areas of concern without regard to the opinions outside readers hold about the school. A number of students believe that the paper has a responsibility to present the school in a strictly positive light because those who read the paper—especially incoming freshmen and students in the other high schools in Glendale—will form a negative impression of the school if the paper does otherwise. However, the paper’s chief responsibilities include confronting problems such as these failed dances and student etiquette and making these issues known to the general public so that improvements can be made. Those who do not agree with or have comments about the contents of the Chronicle are encouraged to send letters to the editor. Of late, many have not been writing to the paper and have instead been personally confronting staff writers and editors. It is surprising that both teachers and students alike would ask staff members to apologize on behalf of the staff in front of a crowd of people and that they would attack staff members’ characters and personally insult them. Clark prides itself on its professional environment, and this is not the appropriate manner in which to respond to articles of dissent. There is no excuse for offensively approaching writers and harassing them with unfounded accusations. Frequent communication must exist between the members of the school body and the Chronicle staff. This increased communication will better help the staff and various clubs improve the school, a far better alternative to the current amount of time and energy spent on misunderstandings that arise from a number of issues concerning the content of the paper and its purpose. The Chronicle will make every effort to include all relevant letters in the next issue. Students need to participate actively in helping to improve all aspects of the school, and communicating with the paper so that concerns can be conveyed to the rest of the student body is an important responsibility that must be exercised.