It’s December, and thus, the holidays are approaching. Stockings are starting to be hung up, hardware stores are selling themed decorations of all sorts, and…
Posts published in “Opinion”
Why Showing Work on Math Problems Should Be Optional
By JULIA KLEINBERG on December 2025
Since we started doing math in kindergarten, we’ve been taught to show our line of reasoning, whether it’s moving blocks from one pile to another,…
Why You Should Stop Procrastinating
By JAIDA BURKE on December 2025
Have you ever found yourself intentionally putting off doing your homework or assignments because you didn’t have the motivation to complete them? Or, have you…
Negative Effects of Extreme Class Sizes
By THE TATTLER EDITORIAL BOARD on November 2025
Recent budget cuts to ICSD, compiled with staffing shortages and low teacher retention, have forced the implementation of minimum class size requirements which have led…
Controversial Takes: The Impacts of Caffeine on High School Students
By MIA CHO, VIVIAN JIANG on November 2025
“In this world, nothing can be certain, except death and taxes.” These are two inevitabilities noted by none other than Benjamin Franklin. However, for approximately…
Why You Should Stop Doomscrolling
By JAIDA BURKE on November 2025
Have you ever found yourself scrolling for hours on your phone, while you could’ve been using that time more productively? This is known as doomscrolling,…
Why Apple Pie is Superior to Pumpkin Pie
By OLIVIA HAO on November 2025
Recently, the leaves have begun changing colors, and a chill breeze has settled into the crisp autumn air. It’s the season of oversized sweaters, pumpkin…
Most Choose Rigidness, But You Should Choose Boredom
By SOPHIE TEMPLIER on November 2025
About two students per high school apply to the Ivy League every year. This doesn’t account for the fact that some schools foster many more…
California Cannot Kill Leno’s Law
By JACK PIERETTI on October 2025
Leno’s Law, formally known as Senate Bill 712, was recently struck down by the California Assembly Appropriations Committee on August 29 after a year of…
Controversial Takes: Should You Be an Early Bird or Night Owl?
By CONNIE ZHENG, MIA CHO on October 2025
The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese. Although the lark (early riser) vs. owl (late risers) debate isn’t the…
What Are the Best and Worst Ways To Learn a Language?
By LEE CHO on October 2025
If you’re reading this article, you probably want to learn a language. Maybe it’s because you are going on a trip, or you are planning…
Should Foldable Smartphones Become The New Normal?
By MATHILDE VAN OSSELAER on October 2025
In 2013, the first prototypes of the foldable smartphone were introduced to the public, and in 2019, they started to become available in stores. This…
Evaluating the Future of ICSD’s Phone Policy
By THE TATTLER EDITORIAL BOARD on October 2025
Starting this school year, public schools across New York State implemented bell-to-bell phone bans in accordance with the provisions of the 2026 Fiscal Year Budget.…
Honest Reviews: Breakfasts to Energize Your School Day
By CONNIE ZHENG, MIA CHO on September 2025
It has been statistically proven that eating breakfast every day makes you smarter. Additionally, with the new phone ban in place, our education is being…
The Dark Side of AI in Education
By ASHLEY PARK on September 2025
In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) usage in schools has become a controversial topic. As students become more dependent on AI, the question arises: Is…
Pay Teachers What They’re Worth: ICSD Needs a Better Salary System
By THE TATTLER EDITORIAL BOARD on September 2025
Teachers in Ithaca schools face mounting expectations with abysmal pay. High turnover rates and fatigue caused by unreasonable hours increase the disconnect between students and…
Controversial Takes: The Craze Over Labubu Dolls
By MIA CHO, VIVIAN JIANG on September 2025
Social media is notorious for popularizing trends and short-lived fads that captivate millions of users. From various dances and foods, to even water bottles, this…
Coffee Drinkers, Try Switching to Matcha
By LILY WANG on September 2025
During the school year, I, like many high school students, depend on caffeine to keep me awake during long nights of studying. I used to…
How Music and the Arts Hold the Power to Preserve Democracy
By CORALLUS MEEKS on September 2025
Undeniably, the previous generation’s understanding of democracy will clearly be different from the next’s. As this nation’s long-standing form of governance is being actively outmaneuvered,…
Controversial Takes: The Gen Z Protein Craze
By CLAIRE PARK on June 2025
In recent years, protein has transformed from a basic food group to a full-blown cultural obsession among members of Gen Z on social media. Creators…
Things You Must Do Over Summer Vacation
By VIVIAN JIANG on June 2025
School is officially wrapping up soon! This means that the majority of us will have a lot of time to spare. Instead of using this…
Kidfluencing… Has It Gone Too Far?
By MIA CHO on June 2025
Content warning: sexual assault. Recently, I sat down to watch Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing on Netflix. The three-episode series centers around social…
Honest Reviews: Months of the School Year
By CONNIE ZHENG, MIA CHO on June 2025
It’s hard to believe that we are near the end of the school year. Time has flown—seniors will be graduating, the technology trailers in the…
There is no overstating the importance of a good teacher on a student’s education. Having a good relationship with a teacher can provide students with…
For decades, Americans have been taught to be wary of the government. In 1986, then President Ronald Reagan stated his famous quote: “The nine most…
You know what they say—“April showers bring May flowers and AP exams.” These exams are the climax of most Advanced Placement (AP) classes and are…
Strengthening Suicide Prevention Resources in ICSD Middle Schools
By THE TATTLER EDITORIAL BOARD on May 2025
Trigger Warning: The following content discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline…