By: Emma Javor

As you may know, many students in Pennsylvania are required to take the Keystone Exams in order to graduate high school. The Keystone exams are tests given at the end of the year in order to measure proficiency in Algebra I, Biology, and Literature. Here in Kennett, students take the Algebra I Keystone following the course Algebra I, the Biology Keystone following the Biology course, and the Literature Keystone following World Literature. Keystone exams take place during the week of May 15th and conclude May 23rd.

While some students may feel that studying for Keystones is not important, it is because you must pass them in order to graduate. As a student who did well on the Keystones, I recommend looking up past exams and attempting the questions. Each question provides you with an explanation of the correct answer. It also does not hurt to review past classwork. This can help you get ahead in studying for final exams, taking place two weeks after Keystones.

As most students know, the school has inflicted an alternate schedule for the weeks of Keystone Exams. This schedule has students testing from 7:40-9:55. All non-testing students with their own transportation can arrive by 9:55. Classes will continue from 9:55-2:35, with only three classes a day and no AIE. TCHS students will be dismissed at 10:58.

I wish everyone luck and their Keystone exams and please refer to the Schoology calendar for more information about the Keystone schedule.

The History of the British Monarchy

By: Maya Ross

The British monarchy has been around for centuries dating back to Wiliam the Conqueror in the early 10th century. But before that, he was the duke of Normandy which was a northern province in France. This piece of land was given to Vikings, or “Normans”, by the King of the Franks. While the Normans conformed to the culture of the King of Franks, they nevertheless respected the martial spirit.

In 1066, William challenged the powers of the new English king, Harold Godwinson. This sparked an epic conflict in which William and his knights arrived in England and clashed with Harold’s army near Hastings. The English army consisted mainly of troops and a few archers. The Norman Calvary was first unable to break through a shield-made barricade on top of a hill. The battle’s culmination is shown in a 70-meter-long Bayeux Tapestry, where an arrow striking Harold in the eye secures the Norman triumph. His death caused the English army to flee. Thus, William was victorious and crowned himself King of England.

The Tapestry depicting the Battle of Hasting

He was referred to as “William the Conqueror” through a huge book known as the Doomsday Book. It recorded the population and ownership of every piece of land in England. This record is still preserved in the National Archives in London. He also oversaw the construction of several fortresses, keeps, and mottes around England, notably the Tower of London, to ensure that rebellions by the English or his followers failed. Norman’s conquest also led to English being used as the ruling class’s vernacular for roughly 300 years. Though most of the royal family are descendants of William, there are centuries of history that relate them to other major figures.

Sources

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDURHsCjARk&t=711s

https://www.cs.mcgill.ca/~rwest/wikispeedia/wpcd/wp/w/William_I_of_England.htm

https://www.historytoday.com/shot-through-eye-and-who%E2%80%99s-blame