Alex Carr's The Jaguars' Spot column for Wed., Oct. 21, 2009

Forget love ... FLU is in the air!

Know what kind of season this is, Jags? No, don’t go get yer huntin’ rifle! Instead, go huntin’ for a box of tissues and some cough drops. I know a ton of kids who were out sick the last couple of weeks -- not H1M1 (at least no one who has it is coming to school), but just lots of everyday colds and flu.

While I am not a doctor, I DO recall PLAYING doctor once or twice when I was six-years-old! So you can believe me when I tell you what REAL doctors say: The best thing you can do to protect yourself from sickness is to wash your hands a LOT, pretty much any chance you get (with soap, of course) and keep them away from your eyes and nose.

Now, I know some kids who have actually TRIED to get sick so they can miss school, but don’t do that. School is really important. You can miss some big stuff. For example, I myself was sick a few days last week and missed my PSAT test (I’m a sophomore, but our class can take the test a year earlier than usual as a sort of preparation for the real PSAT next year). Unfortunately, when I got back to school, I found out from my counselor, Jennifer Rubio, that VCHS does not offer a make-up for the PSAT. Period.

“What you’d have to do,” she said, “is go to another high school and take the test there -- if you can find one.” Quite a hassle for being unlucky enough to catch a cold!

Give ‘til it helps!:

Next month is all about donating. The first two weeks is the canned food drive. If you have any extra cans of (good) food lying around, bring them to school, Jags. There are people out there who are really need, so lend a hand.

Once the canned food drive ends, the Children’s Hospital Teddy Bear Drive begins. Bring ANY stuffed animal (not necessarily teddy bears) to school. Think of a little child lying in their hospital bed at the Children’s Hospital and how happy they would be to get a furry friend you aren’t using anymore (please, no live animals!).

Look for the bins in your classes or ask at Administration.

Tell me about it!:

Lots of kids have been telling me about “Bang Bang You’re Dead,” the play the drama department has been putting on for more than five years, now.

“Bang Bang You’re Dead” is a powerful story that deals with teen killings and the problems encountered by the kids who survive. I hear that every time it is shown there are plenty of tears in the audience and kids who have been in past productions tell me that it has been a life-changing experience for them.

Freshman Mindy Paul, one of the play’s leads, told me, “When I read the script it made me cry and I feel privileged to part of something this important.”

Every Jag will see “Bang Bang You’re Dead” during school hours. Parents and other members of the community are welcome to see it as well at the Maxine Theatre Nov. 2-5. Make sure to get a seat early because it often sells out. Call the school at (760) 751-5500 for more information

Got a great item for this column? Tell me about it! Catch me on campus or go to my web page and shoot me an e-mail (www.carrfamily.com/alex).