The Hawkeye
Welcome to Mountlake Terrace High School’s student-produced online news site – a subsidiary of our print publication that has been in existence since September 1960. The Hawkeye is the student publication of record for the high school and its community. As such it has always existed as a true public forum with students making all editorial decisions. The current term for such a publication is a “designated public forum.” The Hawkeye has existed as such a publication in policy and practice since its inception. We are exceedingly proud of this tradition.
Mission Statement
The Hawkeye’s mission is to provide the MTHS community with quality, thought-provoking, student produced publications. In these efforts, the Hawkeye has established several open forums for the exchange of information, opinions, and artistic expression dedicated to those in the MTHS community.
Philosophical Foundation
Freedom of expression and press freedom are fundamental values in a democratic society. The mission of any institution committed to preparing productive citizens must include teaching students these values, both by lesson and by example. As determined by the courts, student exercise of freedom of expression and press freedom is protected by both state and federal law, especially by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Additionally, Article I, Section 5 of the Washington State Constitution reads: “Every person may freely speak, write and publish on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that right.”
Finally, Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 392-400-215, Sec. 2 states: “All students possess the constitutional right to freedom of speech and press, the constitutional right to peaceably assemble and to petition the government and its representatives for a redress of grievances, the constitutional right to the free exercise of religion and to have their schools free from sectarian control or influence, subject to reasonable limitations upon the time, place, and manner of exercising such right.”
Accordingly, public school officials are responsible for encouraging and ensuring freedom of expression and press freedom for all students. Therefore, it is the policy of the Hawkeye, the MTHS Administration and the Edmonds School District Board of Education that the Hawkeye and its subsidiary publications (FACES, theHawkeye.org, special editions, etc.), the official, school-sponsored student print and online news media of Mountlake Terrace High School, have been established as forums for student expression and as voices in the uninhibited, robust, free and open discussion of issues. Each medium provides a full opportunity for students to inquire, question and exchange ideas. Content reflects all areas of student interest, including topics about which there may be dissent or controversy.