THE

February 12, 2021POSTSCRIPTTHE PARK SCHOOL OF BALTIMORE | 2425 Old Court Road, Baltimore MD 21208 Volume 78 Issue No. 5

Misconductby ADDIE FLEMING ’21, CALLIE KROSIN ’21, and LIZA SHEEHY roils ’21 Upper School On January 11, in a letter to the community follow- of the administration, Paradis shared that he didn’t recall has only recently been integrated into the school’s pro- ing a morning announcement to faculty, Head of School McGill ever bringing the concerns to his office. McGill tocol for investigating faculty misconduct. The Postscript Dan Paradis shared that Upper School history teacher declined to comment. has found no record of any notes that were taken during John Kessinger had been dismissed for “highly inappro- In an interview with Paradis, Wright, Upper School McGill’s conversation with Kessinger, and is unaware that priate communications” with a former student. Kessinger, Principal Patti Porcarelli, and Associate Head of School any formal report was ever written concerning McGill’s a Boys’ Varsity Cross Country coach, both academic and Priscilla Morales, Paradis confirmed what faculty had conversations with faculty and/or administrators. It’s also club advisor, as well as class advisor, taught in the Upper shared in interviews. “In the past, if a specific allegation unclear what, if any, documents and records were passed School for 18 years. was brought forward about misconduct, I think that the on to the several Upper School principals after McGill. Kessinger’s classes have been taken over by other school, and the administration, had a plan for how we Several faculty brought the ongoing rumors about members of the history department, as well as newly hired looked into that,” he said. “If it was more about appear- Kessinger’s behavior to former Upper School Principal teacher Steve Goldberg. Goldberg has picked up one sec- ances, without any specific allegation coming from an Nancy Dickson in later years. It is unclear to what extent tion of 11th grade 20th Century World History, as well as these rumors were investigated. Dickson, the only long- The Holocaust elective. He currently lives in North Caroli- There had been concerns brought for- term Principal the Upper School has had since McGill,

na, and teaches fully remotely. Athletic Trainer Dan Lopez ward [to administrators at the time] also declined to comment. “I will not comment on per-

is now in charge of Kessinger’s advisory. “ sonnel issues or the departure of any faculty member, past about John [Kessinger’s] interactions In his announcement to the Upper School, Head of “ or present,” Dickson wrote in an email to The Postscript. School Dan Paradis said that the incident occurred “well with a particular student, and that was In 2017 when the school hired T&M Consulting and before any current students’ time in the Upper School.” In addressed with John [Kessinger], but Investigations, the firm used to investigate personnel is- fact, rumors of a past misconduct have plagued the Up- was not pursued beyond that. sues, the administration made them aware of the rumors. per School for years. According to an anonymous alum, “Yes, we were aware over multiple years that there was students and faculty casually discussed Kessinger’s close alleged victim or from someone who claimed to have di- a rumor about John [Kessinger] in terms of a past situa- relationship with a student that seemed, to them, to cross rect knowledge of misconduct, if it was about what people tion...When we [hired T&M] we very intentionally shared traditional student-teacher boundaries. These suspicions were noticing, that was addressed with the teacher.” with the investigators anything that we were aware of,” were not unknown to the administration. In this case, “there had been concerns brought forward Paradis said. “This rumor was shared at the time.”

Several current faculty members shared that, at the [to administrators at the time] about John [Kessinger’s] in- In December 2020, a credible source came forward to

time, they themselves spoke with Upper School Dean of teractions with a particular student, and that was addressed Students Traci Wright and then Upper School Principal with John [Kessinger], but was not pursued beyond that,” Yes, we were aware over multiple years “ Mike McGill about concerns of a possible inappropriate Paradis said. that there was a rumor about John relationship between Kessinger and one of his students. According to Paradis, there is no record of conversa- “ They worried about the optics of Kessinger’s closeness tions with the student or the student’s family. “We rec- [Kessinger] in terms of a past situation. with the student. According to interviews with faculty, ognize that if we are addressing the appearance of a re- McGill had at least one conversation with Kessinger, but lationship that appears to be inappropriate, or that gives share information about Kessinger’s past misconduct. pursued no further investigation despite rumors. The Post- suspicion of something inappropriate happening, then we T&M, working with school administrators, uncovered script reached out to McGill for comment, but he declined really owe it to the student and the student’s family to in- “highly inappropriate communications.” By early the invitation to speak. In a conversation with members volve them in a more direct way,” Paradis said. This policy January, Kessinger was dismissed. History curriculum reexamined Surveillance pool testing begins by NORI LEYBENGRUB ’21 by CALLIE KROSIN ’21 On December 16, the Upper School summer where the five members of the With the rise in coronavirus cases and ceasing an activity (e.g. athletics, vocal or history department led its first open discus- history department met and contemplated hospitalizations, Head of School Dan Par- instrumental music, etc.), or temporarily sion on its curriculum. Department chair how to best solicit student feedback. The adis and Park’s Coronavirus Expert Advi- closing the campus,” Paradis wrote in his Daniel Jacoby invited students to discuss need for student feedback isn’t different, sory Group has added Covid-19 surveil- announcement of testing to the community the structure of the tenth grade curriculum but this format for obtaining student opin- lance pool testing as the newest tool in the on January 22. in particular, which is titled World History ion is new: inviting all students into a room community’s risk mitigation practices. After saliva testing kits are distributed to World War I. History teacher Katherine at once as opposed to more fragmented The surveillance pool testing will help on Thursday and Friday, students and em- Arner hoped for high attendance and for feedback. illustrate the scope of disease in the com- ployees will provide approximately two students to “without holding back, weigh The meeting was a way “to let students munity and the necessary actions to take milliliters of saliva in the kit over the week- in … about their experience with the cur- know that it wasn’t as if we had carved to prevent an outbreak, all while detecting end. The sealed tests are to be returned at riculum, and to not be afraid to engage any kind of curriculum in stone and that individual infections. The community was school the following Monday and Tuesday, with one another and to engage with the we were blindly following it. Instead, it is divided into four cohorts determined by the depending on which days the community teachers.” The primary goal of this first constantly evolving,” Upper School histo- laboratory with whom the school is work- member is at school. If the school is no- meeting was to start conversations. ry teacher Peter Warren said. The depart- ing. tified of a positive test, members of that The department is open to rethinking ment is constantly discussing and arguing The first testing group was required pool would quarantine while an individual the subjects covered in the curriculum, but changes to curriculum. to submit saliva samples through the first round of tests are taken by members of the only speaking amongst the faculty is not What further encouraged the history weekend of February, and samples will infected pool. necessarily productive. “You don’t really department to hold this type of meeting be collected for four consecutive weeks The testing landscape is truly chang- get out of that rut... Having conversations this year was an open letter to the Upper through simple collection kits provided by ing rapidly: kindergarten through second with students forces us to see things differ- School history department published in the the school. graders piloted a non-invasive test during ently, to either challenge what we are doing September 2020 issue of The Postscript, “Pooling (combining) samples and test- school-wide testing after winter break, in the class, or to see things we might’ve written by senior Vivie Eteme. These con- ing cohort groups is a cost effective way and winter athletes have begun saliva tests not paid attention to before,” Arner said. versations have been a long time coming to help us understand if mitigation efforts weekly as they begin indoor practices. The The push to reexamine the way Park is and Eteme was excited that the department are working or if other measures need to school-wide pool testing is just the latest teaching history began with a FACA last See DISCUSSION P.2 be taken, such as quarantining a cohort, step in keeping the community safe. EDITORIAL Trust. Before even beginning our time in Park obligation to act on information we acquire THE Upper School we were made aware of the over the course of an investigation.” rumors that John Kessinger had an inap- How are we supposed to trust this senti- propriate relationship with a former stu- ment after watching them ignore concerns POSTSCRIPT dent. of misconduct for years? The continuation of this rumor became Students feel betrayed. As the adminis- The Park School of Baltimore almost a rite of passage for incoming fresh- tration has explained, it is the responsibili- 2425 Old Court Road, Baltimore, MD 21208 men. Whether you were told at a preseason ty of educators to create a safe learning en- Tel. 410-339-7070 practice, by an older sibling, or by friends, vironment for all students; they have fallen Parkschool.net/news/postscript upperclassmen felt it was their duty to pass short. See Misconduct Roils Upper School February 12, 2021 this information on to caution new stu- on page one. Volume 78 | Issue No. 5 dents. This entire situation has hurt stu- This rumor, and the jokes that surround- dents both past and present. It is not just Editors-in-Chief ed it, were rampant. Many thought it was Kessinger’s actions that students are grap- Addie Fleming, Callie Krosin, Liza Sheehy just that, a rumor, while many believed it pling with, but rather the administration’s to be true. inaction. All of this is to say that the news of Since the announcement of Kessinger’s News Features Commentary Kessinger’s departure was not a shock to departure over a month ago, there has been Sr. Jacob Hirschhorn Sr. Aaron Hirschhorn Sr. Ethan Adler many of us. When it was announced to no follow-up or further acknowledgement Sr. Lilah Lichtman Sr. Jesse Feller-Kopman Sylvie WolFF the community that Kessinger had been of the situation. Do the adults care to see John Apostolo Samantha Solomon fired for “highly inappropriate communi- how this is affecting current students? Alex Norbrook cations” with a former student, many stu- Students cannot move on from this until dents were not surprised. their concerns and fears are acknowledged. Sports Faculty Advisers Arts and Culture What was surprising, however, is how We have lost trust in the school. It is the Sr. Lucy Demsky Jon Acheson Sr. Darya Zarfeshan the administration has painted this as a administration’s job to earn it back. Sr. Quinn Seidenman Leela Chantrelle Alina Glass new realization. It is not. It was known that This starts with an apology. One that Will Peres Eric Smith there were concerns about Kessinger’s past does not deflect all the blame onto Kessing- behavior, and it remains entirely unclear er, but one that acknowledges the adminis- why it took years to investigate. What was tration’s own shortcomings and failure to School Population: Students—806; Employees—200 Distributed to Mailboxes of Upper School Students and Employees, the hesitation? This is the question that so address this situation. and Lower and Middle School Students by Faculty Request many current Upper School students have We are taught that when we make a mis- Member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Assn. been asking themselves. take, we must own up to it. The same rule In an email to the community on Janu- is not followed by those who enforce it. ary 11, including Upper School students, We cannot see another path towards Paradis wrote: “the care and protection of restoring students’ trust other than the one POLICIES our students is a fundamental responsibil- that begins with apology and remorse. WE WELCOME LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, UNSOLICITED OP-ED PIECES, AND OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS. PLEASE SEND WORK TO [email protected]. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO EDIT ALL SUBMISSIONS FOR LANGUAGE AND ity of each adult in our community; and as There is simply no way around admitting LENGTH. SUBMISSIONS ARE PUBLISHED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE EDITORS. leaders of the school, we take seriously our to your mistake. Discussions begin to restructure history curriculum DISCUSSION from P.1 was finally taking this step towards action and addressing (People of Color), of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous People of what she wrote. “[The history curriculum is] very centered Color). It’s not like there’s any lack of material or stories. on Western history, so European history and U.S. history. There is no excuse.” We don’t really focus at all on the history of indigenous Warren and Arner anticipate the history department re- peoples in North and South America. And of course, we flecting on why the curriculum spends so much time on talk about slavery, but that should not be the only mention Europe and less on Africa. “There remains this sense that of peoples of color in our history curriculum,” Eteme said. people of African descent are represented solely as groups Eteme didn’t know what to expect after hearing about that are acted upon…why can’t we shift the narrative,” the meeting. Tamia Tabourn ’21, co-leader of Black Fe- Warren questioned. male Forum, shared Eteme’s uncertainty. In her letter, Eteme shared that this lack of inclusion “My understanding was that people of color would be sends a message to BIPOC students that their history, and the majority, until I logged into the Zoom, since Black Fe- they themselves, does not matter. male Forum had been asking for this kind of meeting for Her letter stated that it is time to make legitimate chang- quite a while,” Tabourn said. es in an effort to alleviate “curriculum violence,” indica- “I thought it was supposed to start out with mostly peo- tive of the injury BIPOC students feel in the exclusion of ple of color, or people who don’t feel they are represented their own identity from the classroom. in their history classes.” Adjustments are already being made to the core history She reflected that, in fact, the conversation felt mostly curriculum. driven by white students and faculty who attempted to put Collaboration between history teachers Grace Gaha- into words her own feelings and experiences. gan, Liz Proctor, and Arner have led to shifts in History The faculty led the conversation, and Tabourn did not 9 to prioritize stories of resilience among peoples of color feel like they were there to listen. “It felt like just a routine and indigenous groups in U.S. history. for them to get it over with because of the pressure that This discussion was the first of many. There will likely Image courtesy L. Sheehy ’21 was applied beforehand,” she said. be many more conversations involving more students and Alternatively, Arner regarded the conversation as dy- structured around more specific topics. T. Tabourn ’21 joined the December 16 discussion on namic. She had hoped for more students, but was glad Tabourn is eager to continue conversations as well, the history curriculum, and is a co-leader of Black Female when those in attendance weighed in. hoping that future meetings can be “student-led with the Forum, a group that actively pushed for a reexamination of Eteme urges teachers to make the curriculum more ho- history department in the background, because if the facul- the curriculum. listic in addressing the histories of peoples of color: “You ty are the ones that lead and dictate the conversation, how have 20th Century, World, and U.S. history, and in all of will they get genuine student perspective?” those curricula, you can incorporate the histories of POC NEWS 3 Affinity group coalition forms in Upper School by NICHOLAS MILLER ’21 There is a new effort to establish a coali- floor so we can have more voices of color tion between Black Female Forum, Asian/ being heard at Park,” Vivie Eteme ’21 said. Pacific Islander Affinity Group, and Roots In terms of planning WOKE day, the Club, called ‘See Us.’ The two main goals newly planned coalition hopes to change of the coalition are to construct a space in the event to WOKE week. “When we were which all identities–which may or may not planning it, we kept getting ahead of our- fit in the current affinity groups–are- wel selves and we couldn’t actually fit every- come, and to enable members of the group thing into one day,” Tabourn said. WOKE to help plan and advocate for further en- week seeks to alleviate the issue of lack of deavors to make Park a more diverse and attendance WOKE day suffered from. “If open atmosphere. “We want to plan WOKE you’re missing a whole week then you’re (Working on Knowledge and Equity) day, showing deliberately that you do not want make different town halls, and bond the to participate [in] making an effort to close community,” Tamia Tabourn ’21 said. This some of these gaps in our community.” community expands beyond unifying stu- Another possible event run by See Us dents, Tabourn said, “Staff of color don’t would be an International Food Day, in really interact across divisions, and the av- which members both cooked and ordered erage rate that teachers of color stay here food from many different countries. Due Image courtesy J. Clark ’21 is 2.5 years. I feel like if they [need] some to Covid-19 safety concerns, this gathering source of community and support, See Us would have to be postponed to a later date. Black Female Forum is one of the affinity groups in the Upper School leading the charge would be able to play to that as well.” In the future, the coalition plans to have for the See Us coalition. It is led by seniors Vivie Eteme, Janelle Clark, and Tamia Tabourn, Another reason for the coalition’s for- a town hall with all departments on the top- who have been active in the planning of WOKE day for the past few years. mation would be to ensure that all voices ic of inclusion. On a more periodic basis, “It’s good to fundraise and work for have a network before [the seniors] leave, from a multitude of backgrounds are heard. the coalition leaders hope to host and fa- what you have, but definitely financial sup- all of See Us’s work and the work we’ve “Generally every year we–Black Male Fo- cilitate discussions among all members to port [would aid See Us]. Also, more trans- done in our affinity groups won’t go to rum, Black Female Forum–do the assem- plan further action, air concerns, and talk parency with the administration would waste,” Tabourn said. bly for Black History Month. I think there among peers about past experiences con- be helpful. Sometimes it’s hard to really “I think my ultimate goal would be to were some sentiments from other affinity cerning race and background as members gauge what the administrators are think- have the transition from Middle School to groups that their voices weren’t being of the Park community. ing,” Eteme said. Upper School be made easier because of heard as much as our voices. Obviously One hope See Us has is that the admin- A huge concern for the coalition is that See Us. With all the civil rights stuff going this isn’t their fault and no one’s to blame istration will actively support the coalition the majority of current founders and mem- on now, it’s the perfect time for it [to go about that, but we wanted to open up the upon its inception. bers are graduating come spring. “If we into effect.]”

byFaculty OLIVER MACK ’24 begin to receive coronavirus vaccine As of February 5, over 33 million peo- dreds of people there, half working, and ple nationwide, more than six percent of half getting the vaccine.” the U.S. population, have received their Upper School history teacher Grace first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. Mary- Gahagan had more trouble getting the land has entered phase 1C of their plan, vaccination. “I had to get on three differ- which allows for some essential workers ent waiting lists, and I didn’t receive any and adults 65 and older to receive the vac- calls back. The only way I got a spot was cine. Faculty, staff, parents, and grandpar- because Jan Brant, the school nurse, for- ents throughout the Park community have wards these special emails and you have to already begun to get their vaccinations, but respond really fast or else all of the spots the question of what the vaccine will look fill up,” Gahagan said. like at Park is still up in the air. As more people get their vaccine shot, Park’s main focus is getting as many Park may expand its on-campus learning. people in the community vaccinated as are “We are hopeful that we can slowly build eligible. “At this stage, we are working to Image courtesy E. Huntsman more on-campus programming, but of help those faculty and staff who were un- course we are mindful of the many ongo- Image courtesy J. Lee Image courtesy B. Goldstein able to secure an appointment to get sched- ing, and as yet unforeseen, challenges that Image courtesy A. Chhibber uled for the earliest date possible,” Head might require us to take more time,” Par- of School Dan Paradis said. The adminis- adis said. “Of particular concern are new tration is still discussing what they can do variants of the virus and any possible im- to help with vaccination procedures. “We pact that the spread of any of those new have no other plan in place at this time,” variants might have on our planning.” Paradis said, “but will continue to consid- It is yet to be decided whether members er what we can do to assist the communi- of the Park community will be required to ty with vaccinations once we learn more be vaccinated to return to campus once the about the availability and distribution vaccine becomes more widespread. “We plans in the state.” have not yet made this determination. For Upper School art teacher Christine now, we are strongly encouraging all those Tillman is one of the few at Park who has who are eligible to be vaccinated.” Paridis already received the first dose of the vac- stated. cine. After signing up, she drove to the The future of the Covid-19 pandemic Timonium Fairgrounds to receive her vac- continues to be a question for many, but cination. “You sat in a chair after because Park’s faculty, staff, and administration are they wanted to monitor people for the first doing all they can to ensure the safety of fifteen minutes incase you get anaphylac- the students and the greater school com- tic shock,” Tillman said, “There were hun- Faculty in all divisions began receiving their coronavirus vaccinations in early January. munity. NEWS 4 Elizabeth de la Reguera joins US science department by SHANNON LONG ’23 Elizabeth de la Reguera is a new Upper School science teacher specializing in environmental and soil sciences. She first fell in love with soil studies through a special program at Roland Park Country School, and has carried Victoria Garrick this passion throughout her career. Reguera graduated from Dickinson College in Pennsylvania in 2014. After Dickinson, she earned her graduate degree at University of visits virtually by GEFEN NUSINOV ’21 Maryland College Park, studying the effects of rising sea levels on farmland and crops on the lower Eastern shore One silver lining of online learning is the ability to of Maryland. “bring” guest speakers from anywhere in the world to Her love of soil and environmental science will be of school via Zoom. On February 3, 2021, Victoria Garrick large benefit to the science program. “[She is] actually a joined the Upper School student body to speak about her soil scientist. The Core program took on a big soil science journey with mental illness as a collegiate athlete. In 2015, unit and that’s her area of expertise,” Chair of the Upper Victoria walked on to the number one ranked women’s School science department Julie Rogers said. volleyball team at the University of Southern California Not surprisingly, de la Reguera loves the outdoors. “I (USC). As a freshman, she made an appearance in all 36 could be outside [on] any day working in any ecosystem. games and started in 32 of them. Initially overlooked as an That’s who I am. I’m a big outdoor nature person,” she athlete, Victoria went on to play in every single game of said. her four years at USC. De la Reguera also has a passion for exploring new cre- Victoria gave a 2017 TED Talk at USC where she start- ative activities. Most recently, she cross-stitched a massive Image courtesy E. de la Reguera ed to tell her story about her struggles with depression colorful brain for her fiancé. De la Reguera has also taken and anxiety as an athlete. She toured the country, visiting up running. Elizabeth de la Reguera joined the Upper School sci- schools, teams, and conferences to speak publicly about ence department full time this winter. She specializes This will be de la Reguera’s first time teaching high in soil studies and environmental science. mental health issues, the demanding lifestyle of college school full-time, making a mid-year shift after former Up- athletics, and the path to healing. Her honest and vulnera- per School science teacher Clark Zhang left the school. ble talks have impacted many athletes and teenagers alike. “It’s been a really weird experience going from a substi- said. “She’s very creative, open-minded, and she already Sponsored by the Upper School Mentors Club, Victo- tute teacher to a full time teacher all of a sudden,” she said. loves Park students.” ria answered questions through a Q&A format. She also But, while it may have been bizarre, the change was cer- De la Reguera’s favorite part of Park so far is the pos- shared her story and offered the advice she wished she had tainly welcome. “I’ve been learning as I teach, and that itive attitude of the students, especially in adapting to hy- known as a high school athlete. The Mentors Club, built to me is the best way to learn something… you could put brid and distance learning. off of the foundation of Sources of Strength (SoS), shared me in any science classroom and I’d be so thrilled,” de la She is also looking forward to teaching an Ecology with Victoria the SoS wheel and discussed ways to use it. Reguera said. class in the spring semester as well as spending more time Zoom is to thank for Victoria’s memorable and empower- Despite the pandemic, de la Regeura has stepped up to within the community. “I’m excited to be a teacher, and ing visit that will have a long-lasting impact on the Upper the plate in terms of teaching. “She’s super great,” Rogers I’m excited to be part of this really cool community.” School community.

Maria Spiegel Segun Olagunju departs to leaves English department begin new business ventures by GEFEN NUSINOV ’21 by MICHAELA CHAMBERS ’21 After five years of teaching English in Over winter break, Park said goodbye into the school’s courses and establishing remembers driving to Pennsylvania with the Upper School, Maria Spiegel left her to a beloved member of the community: a center for civic engagement. his Advoc8 groups, creating the Design post in December of 2020. Spiegel taught Segun Olagunju. After two and a half years This center would offer opportunities Baltimore class, and bringing Corey Gaber all grades of the Upper School, teaching as Director of Civic Engagement, Olagun- for students to volunteer with outside or- ’03 to campus, who spoke at the Day of both elective and core classes. She also ju has moved on to create two new com- ganizations. Civic Engagement in 2019. spent some time in the Middle School panies. Students have spoken of his numerous In regards to the future, Olagunju has teaching sixth grade English. Olagunju thought of civic engagement dedications admirably. big dreams. “I am building two businesses In English 9, Spiegel was dedicated to as a “redefinition and refocus on the rela- “You can tell that he is so committed to that I hope will bring and create the equi- preparing her students for the rest of high tionships and responsibilities that make us what he does and he is so passionate be- table and thriving communities that I want school and beyond. “Because of freshman a thriving human society.” During his time cause he cares,” Katey Cooney ’21 said. my kids to live and work in,” Olagunju year English, I felt confident and able to at Park, Olagunju also taught social studies “He was so nice and awesome to work said. analyze a text, write a close reading, and in the Middle School. with.” His first business is called AnchorED, lead a discussion. She was a very good Olagunju was active in all different Olagunju’s time at Park was filled with which will provide opportunities for teacher who cared for all of her students,” areas of the school, working closely with significant accomplishments such as host- schools to partner with and serve local Senior Justin Alperstein, who was in Spie- students on a variety of different projects. ing the Diwali celebration and advocating neighborhoods. gel’s class as a freshman, said. Alyssa Alperstein ’21 remembered Ola- for the creation of the Employees of Col- The second, eFacil, seeks to empower Spiegel’s most popular elective was The gunju’s contributions to the Park Service or collective (EoC), which was created to mission-driven organizations and schools Reading or Writing Classroom. “Maria re- Club, which engages students in serving voice the concerns and meet the needs of to bring humanity back to the workplace so ally cared about how we were all doing community partners and achieving person- Park’s employees of color. He also devel- that society, as a whole, can flourish. with our work. She always wanted to make al growth. “Segun was very helpful in the oped a new language and vision for civic Olagunju believes that everyone is re- sure we were all doing well, given the cir- Park Service Club and in helping us with engagement. sponsible for contributing to a fair and cumstances,” Hailey Fried ’21, who just ideas and involving us in the community,” Through this new language, he states compassionate society. His extensive ef- completed the course, said. Alperstein said. that action and competency equals cultur- forts have shown us such. Spiegel plans to stay in Baltimore and Among many other activities, Olagunju ally competent community engagement. He will be remembered as a kind-heart- spend more time with her young children. spent a remarkable amount of time crafting This equation is the recipe for developing ed individual who sought to contribute to a She will be missed in the Upper School, a 50 page slideshow about how Park can understanding and effective communica- more inclusive and just society. and students cannot begin to thank her further participate in civic engagement. tion between cultures. With his future aspirations in mind, enough for her contributions to the com- The slideshow includes ideas such as in- Olagunju will carry pleasant memories Park wishes him success and happiness in munity. corporating community-engaged learning with him from his time at Park. He fondly these next steps of his life. COMMENTARY 5 Adler’s Students need self-defense classes Addition by ZARA CHEEK ’24 Everyone’s had the “stranger danger” conversation, but To snow day, or not to snow avoiding people we don’t know isn’t going to stop them from day? trying to hurt us. Sometimes we think we’ll know what to do in a threatening situation, but we underestimate the strength by ETHAN ADLER ’21 of an attacker and the fear and panic that can arise within us. As the snow began to accumulate on our So how do we prepare for these situations? In previous driveways and porch tops, illuminating our years, Park held a self-defense course in eighth grade gym dull winter landscapes with glistening crys- class. In the 2019-2020 school year, students from the Class tals and silken powder, a time-honored stu- of 2024 couldn’t complete the class after Park’s self-defense dent tradition ensued: praying for a snow day. specialist was unable to teach in the fall. Upper School students put spoons under their “We were hoping to run it in the spring (2020) but due to pillows, wore their pajamas inside-out, and the pandemic and flipping to distance learning, we were un- but only 47.9 percent have been in a self-defense class pro- brushed their teeth with their non-dominant able to offer the class,” Director of Athletics Girls’ Programs vided by Park. hands, hoping for a day off from school. Robin Lowe ’84 said. Everyone who took this survey will be out of high In any other year, closing down the facil- However, Lowe expects that eighth grade students will be school sooner than we realize and only 47.9 percent know ity after wintry precipitation serves to keep able to take it in the future: “Our intention is [to] reintroduce how to properly defend themselves. It’s impossible to live families off of the icy roads––a preventative our eighth grade elective program when it is safe. And yes, in America right now without going through a violent ex- safety measure. The big question in our vir- we hope that the self-defense offering will be in the mix.” perience, so isn’t it better to go out into the world with tual education system this year has been, will Unfortunately, violence won’t wait until the pandemic is a grasp on what to do in those situations? Yes. Students, we continue to have snow days? Practically, over. Conversations about violence and what to do if we find faculty, and administrators need to work together so we there is no reason to cancel classes when we ourselves in a violent situation are necessary for our growth can accept violence in our world and learn how to protect can simply turn on our laptops from the warm and safety. Park is not preparing us for the real world, and that ourselves when we need to. comfort of our own homes, fleece blanket needs to change. I was able to meet with the Middle School Dean of Stu- and hot chocolate mug in hand. Does “Zoom I surveyed the Upper School and eighth grade students, dents Alpana Chhibber to discuss what these conversations School” mean the end of snow days? and received 94 responses. 90.4 percent believe that Park could look like in Middle School. We came up with two Head of School Dan Paradis doesn’t think should be offering self-defense classes, 97.9 percent believe main ideas: to have these conversations in Human Sexu- so. In an email preceding the December snow- there could be situations in the future where they will need to ality, and to have them during the student’s SEAL block storm, Paradis assured us that “snow days are know self-defense, 56.4 percent have already been in a situa- (similar to a life-skills class). In March, Upper School alive and well at the Park School.” However, tion where they would have felt safer knowing self-defense, Dean of Students Traci Wright, with Director of Counsel- despite his previous address, a resilient effort ing and Wellness Krista Dhruv, plan to have conversations from the student body, and the irrefutable ac- about sexual misconduct, intimacy, consent, boundaries, cumulation of snow on the ground, Paradis as well as communication and healthy relationships. The decided to hold only Upper School classes on idea is to invite a speaker to an Upper School assembly, Monday, February 1, using our virtual learn- and then break into groups of varying comfort levels to ing schedule. continue the conversation. With his decision, came backlash from not There are more ways to have conversations about vi- only students, but faculty as well. The com- olence. Every student should have the opportunity to munity argued for a mental health day, a break learn to defend themselves and to be prepared for when from our unusual virtual learning experience. we leave Park. It could be a long process, but something Mental health days are valuable. The bene- needs to change. fits that come with taking a step back from our everyday commitments and simply relaxing are clear and well-documented. However, we must not let ourselves get lost in the pitfall of Departing faculty cause disruption leisure time. I agree with Paradis’s decision to go to by TOMER NUSINOV ’24 school. Following a week in which three out of the five days were designated for mental This academic year is unprecedented. The outbreak of via email, no response was received. health, it was important to return to our educa- Covid-19 in March of 2020 changed the landscape of our Olivia Perry ’24 also dealt with a sudden teacher tional routine. After all, it is for this rigorous, school for much longer than anticipated. In addition to all the change after her English teacher was forced to take an ex- regimented education why we matriculate at changes Covid-19 caused, Park students have also been deal- tended absence. In this case, Perry was left wondering and this school. ing with what feels like a revolving door of teachers. So far, worried about her teacher. “The absence was not planned Park already does an exceptionally good this school year, at least three teachers have left; two have had . . . [and] the circumstances in which my teacher left were job of providing resources to manage our extended absences, and one stopped teaching a class in order shocking,” Perry said. While Perry describes the transi- mental health. We have a day without classes to take over another. tion to a new teaching style as “difficult,” she credits the built into our weekly schedule, several easily At a time when students need consistency and stabili- administration and faculty for doing their best to ensure accessible guidance counselors to talk to, and ty more than ever, there continue to be changes among the an easy transition for students. Unlike Brinckerhoff’s ex- teachers who understand the challenges of an faculty. These departures, prolonged absences, or changes in perience, Perry’s transition was easier and more seamless. asynchronous curriculum. teachers’ classes are out of the school’s control, and perhaps A 2018 Vanderbilt University study found that “‘losing What is a mental health break day, anyway? some of them are, in fact, related to the pandemic in some a teacher during the school year is linked with a loss of And what does it have to do with the weather? way. Nevertheless, these types of disruptions adversely affect between 32 and 72 instructional days,’ which equates to How can we tell the difference between need- students’ learning. one sixth to nearly half of the school year.” Student-teach- ing downtime to recalibrate our psychological Emily Brinckerhoff ’24 was in a class where the teacher er relationships are sacred and take time to build; they are states and simply feeling unmotivated to do was reassigned to a different class mid-year. “The hardest part rooted in trust, mutual respect, support, and validation. our daily responsibilities? Is every day where of switching teachers after the first semester [is] definitely According to the Association for Supervision and we experience a lack of motivation a need for losing that feeling of familiarity with my teacher and feel- Curriculum Development (ASCD), positive and strong mental health attention? ing comfortable asking for help when I need it,” Brinckerhoff student-teacher relationships are also linked to improved No, it is not. Fluxuations in levels of moti- said. “My class had just gotten into the swing of things and self-esteem and self-worth, increased engagement, and vation are normal, and mental health days can now we have to start all over again.” better self-discipline and class management. Furthermore, help us get back on track, but there comes a Brinckerhoff said that her science teacher’s positivity, pa- these relationships often dictate not only how much stu- point where relaxation becomes lethargy. As tience, and ability to meet students’ needs in a safe learning dents enjoy a certain subject, but also how successful they psychologically restorative as it can be to kick space will be missed most. While she completely understands feel and are in the class. back with a pair of snow boots and a glass of the school’s need to make changes, Brinckerhoff simply These connections between learner and instructor can- hot chocolate, it is equally vital to know how wishes that her class was afforded more advance notice and not be taken for granted or easily replaced. Without ques- and when to get back to work. Sometimes, all additional time to process the news. Despite the students’ ef- tion, mid-year teacher changes adversely affect the flow of we need is a cup of coffee and a kick in the forts to express their concerns to Upper School Principal Patti the academic year and force students to re-forge relation- rear end. Porcarelli and Upper School Dean of Students Traci Wright ships with someone new, which is easier said than done. COMMENTARY 6 Head to Head Students should have Zoom cameras on Word by JOHN APOSTOLO ’23 Online learning is frustrating. feels self conscious about what they look like, how their hair on the Ever since that fateful Thursday last is, or what clothes they are wearing both online and in per- March, our way of life has been in- son. Some students and teachers have said that activating the terrupted, and the day-to-day norms “hide self view” feature on Zoom helps, as you aren’t con- Street of school have been turned upside stantly scrutinizing the way you look. Another great resource down. It seems as though all of the little things that make for students who feel self conscious about their background by MARGOT KOHN ’24 school great–playful banter before class, a random high five is to use the “virtual background” (however, a small subset of in the hallway, leaning over to the person next to you to com- computers do not support that). On January 6th, 2021, insurrectionists, plain about your rambling teacher–have disappeared. Even in While some students have claimed they do not have ac- toting Trump paraphernalia, Confederate hybrid classrooms, students’ smiles and expressions are hid- cess to cameras on their computers, all students were issued flags, and other hateful symbols, stormed den behind their masks. When you remove these previously high definition USB cameras at the beginning of the school the Capitol. They broke into the building, mundane interactions from the classroom, school starts to feel year, which function both as document cameras and tradition- forcing the Senators and Representatives more hollow. al webcams. In fact, these HD cameras are higher definition to go into secure locations. The mob had One of the best ways for us as a community to try to bring than the cameras found on most Apple laptop and desktop hoped that they would be able to stop Jo- some of that connection back to online and hybrid learning is computers. seph Biden Jr. from being certified as the with the simple commitment to turn our cameras on whenev- Another major issue is that students who have their camer- President-Elect. This event was the cul- er possible. As Peter Warren, an Upper School history teacher as off start to become forgotten. More and more Zoom users mination of four years under President puts it, “it has become technically possible to hide yourself.” have begun using the feature “hide non video participants,” Donald Trump. He spewed lies throughout There are a few legitimate reasons to not have your camera making any student who does not have their camera on effec- his presidency, but the lies got especially on, but for the vast majority of Park students, teachers, and tively nonexistent in the classroom, which is a major concern. worse after he lost the election. Trump administrators, the need for connection outweighs these con- Given these compelling points about the detractions of a claimed that the election was fraudu- cerns. camera-off attendance, it seems logical to create an all en- lent and that he was the true winner. The A main issue with a “cameras-off culture” is the imme- compassing “camera on” requirement. A mandatory rule, coup attempt further highlighted the need diate drop in conversation and thoughtful debate, something however, is counterproductive. Some students, despite their for movements like Black Lives Matter. that Park used to pride itself on. “When people have their best efforts, do not have access to fast enough internet or a Here are other student perspectives on the cameras off, conversations become very one sided,” Ridgely computer that can make use of virtual backgrounds. In these events that took place: Smith ’23 said. “It’s hard to know whether my classmates un- cases it is the responsibility of the school to use its consider- derstand what I am saying…I get no visual feedback.” When able resources to help these and all students succeed. Shira N. ’24: “In the beginning, I was in students can’t see each other, they can’t learn, understand, It is easy to come up with reasons to justify turning off disbelief that this was happening, and then and grow with each other. your camera. However, we as a community need to determine scared because it was so close to us. I did One main point in the argument to let students keep their whether the potential discomfort of showing your video is not know what these people were going to cameras off is the idea that some students may feel self con- worth the benefits of a class, advisory, or club meeting united. do next.” scious of the way they look, or their background. However, We are all struggling through this pandemic together, and no Peter Warren said it best, “we never let kids walk into the matter the justification, we should not be apart. The loss of classroom in school with a bag over their head.” Everyone connection is simply too high of a price to pay. Molly R.J. ’24: “It was the same day that the Democrats won the Senate, so I felt total disgust, but also a ‘haha, we won you lost’ feeling. I felt that the rioters weren’t Having cameras off can reduce stress going to get anything out of doing these by WILL PERES ’23 violent acts.” With the never ending days of Keeping your camera off during class may actually help virtual classes, teachers have had to you learn and pay closer attention. Krista Dhruv, Director Lindsay R. ’23: “I feel angry and disap- adapt to teaching from a new envi- of Counseling and Wellness, spoke about how keeping their pointed, but not surprised that our country ronment. This has also meant that stu- camera off could be beneficial for some students. “What we has come to this. Investigations have been dents have had to find a new space to know is when somebody is put into an untrusting situation going on, but a lot more arrests should be efficiently learn; a space in their private home which some or a place they’re not comfortable, they are going to be anx- made and people should be held account- people are not comfortable sharing. This prompts the debate ious about that. This then creates interference in the student able.” of whether or not students should be forced to have their cam- learning,” Dhruv said. “When you’re stressed and anxious the “Some seditionists assault- eras on during class. amygdala [an almond shaped central part of the brain] gets Charley D. ’22: ed the Capitol building after dog whistles To make these stressful days a little more simple, you could hijacked, and because you are worried about what people are by the former President. I felt surprised; say that students should always have their camera on during seeing, you are then missing the content of the class.” I was really not expecting it to happen. I class. Yes, it makes it easier for teachers to see if students are In simple terms, for some students, turning their camer- was thinking ‘what the hell, what is going understanding the work or if they are confused. However, the as on during class adds more stress to their brain, making it on?’ I still feel that way. It’s scary to me time we’re in right now is not simple or easy. Other personal harder for them to focus on the task at hand. that so many people are turning their rel- issues arise for students that make it hard for them to keep The issue some teachers have about keeping cameras off atives in. That, to me, is a scary precedent their cameras on. during class is that students do not participate enough. This that someone would turn in their father or A physical issue for some students could revolve around comes down to the student; if they want to keep their camera mother. What kind of event makes people their technology. Some students’ computers do not have a off during class, they will need to talk with their teacher to turn in their relatives?” camera that works with Zoom. This means that they are not figure out a way they can participate in the best way possible. capable of turning their video on for class. In addition, some This could be raising their hand with the Zoom feature, or just students do not have the best WiFi, so when they turn their using the chat. Abby G. ’21: “I felt that I should have been camera on, Zoom becomes slower and harder to understand. To put it simply, virtual school is complicated. Teachers more surprised than I was. I felt that the “The most basic issue that some of us teachers are not always do not know what’s going on in your life. They don’t know defense and preparation was not nearly aware of is poor WiFi. I know students who hear much better the technology issues you could have or what’s happening in enough as it should have been. It was very with just audio because their WiFi is kind of rocky,” Upper your house. They don’t know that with just your camera on, scary that so many people thought this School science teacher Melissa Osquist said. stress can build up, interfering with the class at hand. way and were so passionate about keeping An additional reason is that some students are uncomfort- Everyone has their own problems, so the responsibility is this fascist in power. I also felt frustrated able showing their room to their classmates. This could be the students’. If you’re having a problem where you need to because of the disparity between police because the student has to share a room to work, or they are keep your camera off during class, tell the teacher. Talk to response and general response to the in- just uncomfortable showing their house to the class. Nate Po- them, and explain ways that you can still contribute. Explain surrection and the Black Lives Matter pro- lakoff ’23 explained his concerns with having his camera on. how with your camera off, it’s going to be easier for you to tests. I felt confident that Joe Biden would “Sometimes I’m eating food or my parents are working in learn more from the class. be president, but I was terrified that these the background and it feels weird showing my class what’s The benefits of having your camera off during class need people will so easily resort to violence, happening at my house. I don’t find it to be comfortable,” to be understood and explained so that students are able to and that there are so many people who see Polakoff said. come to class every day a little less stressed. a totally different reality than me.” COMMENTARY 7 Should the vaccine be mandatory for Park? by JANELLE CLARK ’21

It is the beginning of a new year. 2021 holds promise like. and a new future for all of us. After the overwhelming Middle We must begin, though, by examining a smaller scale nature of the millions of Covid-19 cases, the loss of many School mandate. The Park Community agreement states that: lives and what has been called the ‘new normal’ due to history “All community members must commit to: Adhering to the pandemic’s first wave, everyone has one single desire: teacher all community-wide guidelines, including: Receiving the good news. Pailin Gaither seasonal flu vaccine and future vaccination for Covid-19 Since the beginning of the nation’s quarantines and receives her first the global lockdowns, everyone has been dreaming of the First and dose of the arrival of the Covid-19 vaccine. The good news has finally fourth grade Covid-19 arrived, providing some sense of hope for an end to the teachers wait vaccine. virus. A few vaccines have been cleared for emergency in line to public use, including ones by Moderna and Pfizer. recieve their The wait time to get the doses might be long, but it will Covid-19 be worth it to get back to a semblance of regular life. As a vaccine. student–as much as I would like it to happen–life won’t be going back to normal just yet. Image courtesy P. Gaither Image courtesy E.Altschuler In order to go to school, travel to see family or go anywhere freely, the vaccine will most likely be mandatory. ethics on a mandatory vaccine. when available.” But should it be? Why make the vaccine mandatory? Shouldn’t it be The handling of the Covid-19 pandemic for schools It is clear that some struggle to wear masks and social the people’s right to choose whether they want to be has been a smidge chaotic, and uncertainty lingers over distance. This has shown the nation is not entirely willing vaccinated or not? the days that students get to come in person and how long to do what it can to keep others safe. Many questions will Though it seems naive or unrealistic, individual choice they’ll get to stay in person. arise should the vaccine become mandatory by schools will be a point that is brought up to counter against making With the vaccine, there is a little more hope in the air. and essential businesses. What can we expect from society it mandatory. A mandatory vaccine is necessary for community as a whole? This point is logical, but it also perjures itself because safety.We have already found a way to make vaccines There are anti-vaxxers, anti-maskers, and people who of the cons of it not being mandatory. mandatory at Park. are desperate to be around others in a normal sense. For example, over the past year, wearing masks People have adhered. If the vaccine was not mandatory– There is a strong divide between anti-maskers and those in certain states has not been mandatory. This lack of in masks even–would you still do it? who keep themselves and others safe with masks. requirement led to the upward trend in cases. If we want It feels troubling to doubt the moral integrity of a This is a problem that will pose a threat to the potential to get back to normal life so bad, why not take the vaccine community, how much they might care about others who for a major downward trend in cases. and mask up? All of these difficult questions speak to the have suffered from this virus, but that is what the situation Above the mask debate, comes a larger problem of the broader scope of what a mandatory vaccine would look requires: a judgement of your moral integrity.

Please continue to practice social distancing by SAMANTHA SOLOMON ’22

As we transitioned into the second se- understand why they’re not as careful as or on campus. Park-like” to enforce rules, Covid-19 can mester, Park students were eager to take other students are. I am constantly worried Rubin also questioned their safety in create serious consequences for the safety their new courses on campus as well as see about infecting my family, as four of five the Upper School hallways. “When I am of our community. friends, classmates, and teachers. members are immunocompromised.” in class I don’t worry about my safety re- In an email sent to the Park commu- Though this excitement is palpable, Several students have been warned garding Covid-19, but in the hallways I am nity, Head of School Dan Paradis, stated, worries about Covid-19 protocols, rules, about their potentially harmful habits, but nervous. “Should we become aware of violations of and consequences have overtaken the stu- is a simple warning truly enough? Everyone walks in tight groups and is these terms of the Community Agreement, dent body. Sophia Rubin ’24 thinks that the admin- clumped together. There should be a rule or others, through reports of those behav- The administration has kindly asked istration needs to enforce specific rules. that prevents people from congregating in iors, photos on social media, or direct ob- students to continue to practice social dis- “For certain situations like clothing and the hallways,” they said. servation, students may be prohibited from tancing, but throughout the year, non-com- expression, Park doesn’t have strict rules At lunchtime another difficult situation participating in on-campus activities.” pliance has This is a resulted in clear warning little to no to members of consequenc- the commu- es. nity. For many 6‛ The ad- students, it ministration is can be hard working their to feel safe hardest to en- in class while sure every- knowing one’s well-be- their peers ing, and it is may not be following Covid-19 protocols because it helps us really learn about life. arises regarding how closely the admin- our responsibility as students to care about recommended by the Centers for Disease In this case, it’s legitimately a matter of istration should monitor the distance be- the safety of our community. Control (CDC) and the Park administra- someone’s life and there need to be stricter tween students. The implementation of randomized tion. consequences,” Rubin explained. “I don’t know anyone who has sat in testing has begun, which is a collection of Haley Kramer ’22 explained that feel- While reporting a close friend or class- their assigned lunchrooms past the first more data to ensure the safety of students ing safe at school isn’t always easy. mate may be tough, it is necessary. Stu- week of school. I like sitting with friends, and staff. “Recently I’ve seen a few groups of dents suggest an anonymous form to sub- but we need to have rules enforced,” one Please continue to practice social dis- Park students on social media hanging out mit information, photos, etc. regarding anonymous student suggested. tancing, mask wearing and other necessary without masks,” Kramer said. “It’s hard to unsafe actions of other students outside of While it may seem stereotypically “un- safety measures. FEATURES 8 Baltimore City recycling resumes after six months by ALEX NORBROOK ’22

At the beginning of the Covid-19 pan- would gather up their recycling and drive material Bell went through. term fix put in place to lessen the impact of demic, Baltimore City’s trash and recy- down to the drop-off center to get rid of “It did make me realize how much stuff America’s gross culture of overconsump- cling pickup workers were contracting it. Their neighbors also used drop-off ser- we order and we consume on a daily ba- tion. “Recycling is like a band aid, but it’s Covid-19 at alarming rates, and stayed at vices. Even so, Jacoby still had a lot of re- sis,” he added. an expensive band aid, and really the most home to recover. cyclables sitting around because they were Curbside recycling resumed on January effective solution is [to] consume less,” In August, almost two thirds of the disposed of less frequently. “Our carport 19 and was received with much enthusiasm Fuchs said. “It’s ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ in city’s waste workers couldn’t make it to for a while looked like a recycling depot,” all around. “It’s been amazing,” Gamble that order for a reason.” work because they were ill. Thus, the city she commented. said, “I never realized how great [curbside] Reducing waste can be difficult for an was faced with a dilemma: not having Others did not find drop-off recycling as was until I missed it.” Jacoby agreed. “It’s individual to do because companies con- enough waste staff to fully collect trash, comfortable. definitely easier,” she commented. trol disposable product production, and or stop curbside recycling pickup and re- “When they stopped coming to pick Bell was relieved to see that his garage therefore consumption. assign recycling workers to trash units to [recycling] up every week, it was really was still there after clearing his recycling Zero waste companies exist but only fill worker vacancies. City Council chose difficult,” Cara Gamble, first grade teacher, out, even if he found it a bit strange to walk for limited numbers of products. The City the latter, and on August 31, curbside recy- said. around in the newly-rediscovered space. Council and environmental groups an- cling ground to a halt. It would not resume She dropped her recycling off at a cen- Recycling has been touted as an effec- nounced a plan in February 2020, just days until late January, nearly six months later. ter every week. Although Gamble’s recy- tive way to reduce our overall waste foot- before the Covid-19 pandemic struck the “We started to get a serious pileup after cling center was fairly close, her trip took print while simultaneously providing a region, to move to zero waste and shut the first month,” Alex Bell ’21, a Baltimore anywhere from 20 minutes to an entire semi-renewable source of materials. down the Russell Street incinerator. City resident, recounted. hour because of long lines and Covid-19 Importantly, recycling can turn waste Those plans are on hold. In addition, His family relegated all of their recycla- safety procedures. “It was a whole ordeal,” plastic (which can take thousands of years The single-use plastic bag ban which the ble waste to the garage, where cardboard she said. to degrade fully) into new, usable products. City was on the verge of implementing in boxes, paper bags, and plastic bottles For some, the lack of curbside recycling However, critics of recycling are skeptical 2020 has been postponed indefinitely due quickly accumulated and absorbed most of pickup in the city added to the awareness of some of these claims. to Covid-19. the space in the room. of their consumption of packaged products “Recycling for some materials is very Despite recycling’s controversies, Bell lacked any means to properly dis- that produce waste during Covid-19. useful, and then for other materials a bit Fuchs is supportive of curbside recycling pose of the recycling, and he sometimes “The pandemic was making me rethink overstated,” Sophie Fuchs ’21, co-leader pickup. “If we didn’t have curbside re- threw away recyclables “just to keep some where all of this stuff was going,” Rebekah of Park’s Climate Change Collective, said. cycling, it would be going into the trash, semblance of room in the garage.” Geller ’23, a city resident whose recycling “Plastic is where it starts to get complicat- and it would be bloating the landfills even Baltimore City increased their number pickup was interrupted, said. ed.” more,” she said. of recycling centers, as an attempt to make Having to put material that could be The process of recycling plastic releases To curb pollution and consumption, our recycling more available to residents. recycled into the trash was a powerful a lot of toxic emissions. Furthermore, plas- institutions and businesses must shake off Laura Jacoby, Lower School science reminder of how much the Geller family tic thrown away in the United States may their reliance on waste and disposability. teacher, found the option a convenient al- threw away in the first place. end up being recycled in other countries. However, in the intermediary step ternative. “The trash can would be so much fuller It is likely that this recycling is simply between today and a zero-waste fu- “We were lucky because… there was much faster,” she said. Similarly, the large burned, releasing both toxic chemicals and ture, recycling services provide a way to one right near our house,” she said. mountain of recycling in Bell’s garage pro- greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. deal with waste without filling up land- Every month, the Jacoby household vided a constant reminder of how much Moreover, recycling is only a short- fills or needlessly polluting the planet.

by ALINA GLASS ’22 Image courtesy Rachael Kaplan Although Valentinograms will look dif- said. in Love” by The Cure, and “Can’t Help Valentine’s Day spirit to school and uplift ferent this year, Upper School a cappella The groups considered alternatives, Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley. our peers,” Josie Eteme ’22 said. groups, the Eightnotes and Vocal Chords, such as sending the videos to students indi- Of course, more than just the actual Val- There is also an amusing awkwardness have found creative alternatives to pre- vidually or taking classes into the hallway entinograms changed this year. Normally, that comes with Valentinograms. “I like serve the well-loved tradition. On a nor- to perform. They decided that the most fun Eightnotes would rehearse after school seeing people’s faces when they’re being mal, Covid-19-free Valentine’s Day, the and logical option was prerecording videos at group members’ sung to,” Claire Charlow Upper School soprano-alto and tenor-bass and interrupting classes. “We liked the idea houses and even ’22 said. a cappella groups would burst into classes of going into the class and saying ‘here’s have a sleepover all day long to deliver the gift of a song a Valentinogram for this person,’” Lucy the night be- to students. To adapt to the hybrid sched- Demsky ’21, another Eightnotes leader, fore. This year Typically, Eight- ule, the groups will instead “zoom-bomb” said. “That’s just part of the fun.” there was also notes dresses up in red to celebrate classes and play recorded versions of the The a cappella groups started by re- a much tighter the holiday. Outfits songs. hearsing and filming all of their perfor- time crunch, will look a little Once again, Covid-19 has interrupted mances. Group leaders and soloists will as the goal was different this year the usual way of doing things and required go into Zoom rooms and screen share and to complete the as they celebrate virtually. students to adapt and problem-solve cre- present the videos to the class. videos by the be- atively. Due to the cohorts that divide the “We’re trying to maintain as much of ginning of February. Upper School, not everyone is on campus what makes a Valentinogram as possible, The groups would ordi- “I also like getting to on the same day. Safety, always the top which is why we’re going into Zoom rooms narily have until the night spend time with everyone in concern, would be compromised by bring- and taking over class,” Kaplan explained. before the holiday to rehearse Eightnotes. We have a lot of fun.” ing 14 extra students into the classroom. Eightnotes has around 14 songs in total and perfect the songs. With the live interaction between the “It’s not safe to sing inside unless you’re this year, each around 90 seconds in length, Despite all of these alterations, groups and the intended recipients gone, wearing an N95 and properly spaced,” Ra- as each member of Eightnotes arranged Kaplan still talked about the experience it’s hard to imagine what the day will look chael Kaplan ’21, one of Eightnotes’ lead- their own song. glowingly. “It’s always an incredible bond- like. The group leaders are still confident ers, said. “Arranging is basically just writing out ing experience for the group,” Kaplan that it will be one for the books. “I think it The groups were determined to find a all the parts that everyone’s going to sing,” said. “We have a bunch of sophomores in will definitely be a year that’s memorable,” solution to these Covid-caused complica- Kaplan said. Some top hits include “Holy” the group, and it has been fun to have that Fuss said. tions. by Justin Bieber, “Night Changes” by One community that’s not just with juniors and “I’m excited to see how it plays out,” “We went into it like ‘we want to do Direction, and “Just the Two of Us” by Bill seniors.” Demsky added. this.’ We’ve been doing it for years, and we Withers. Like Kaplan, other group members Get ready for a fun day of class inter- wanted to continue doing it,” Nathan Fuss Vocal Chords has nine songs, including have expressed their joy for the school tra- ruptions thanks to the Eightnotes and Vocal ’21, one of the leaders of Vocal Chords, “Wonder” by Shawn Mendes, “Friday I’m dition. “It gives us all a chance to bring the Chords! FEATURES 9

Standardized testing and preparation begins for the junior class

by PENNY CELTKNIEKS ’22

As the senior class finds their college-search journey well you actually understand all of it.” coming to a close, the junior class is realizing that college “It’s just one test and they put so much value on it,” seems to be just around the corner. Colleges that are now test Inglesby said. He also explained how some people don’t While the senior class was cursed with quite possibly have access to tutors, and that can make it much more the weirdest and most mysterious college process, they optional for the class of 2022: difficult for those people to improve their scores. were able to have one thing guaranteed; no schools Freedman, on the other hand, had a less opinionated required an SAT or ACT. But for the juniors, it is a little bit Boston College point of view. “I have to do it,” he declared. “I don’t know more complicated. if I would say I’m in favor or against it, it is what it is.” Standardized tests (SAT/ACT’s) have not always Case Western Reserve University When the students were asked if they felt that their Park played a huge role in college acceptances. education had prepared them for these tests, there was If you were to ask your parents and grandparents, they Columbia University definitely a pause for thought. would probably tell you that for them, standardized tests Eckerd College “Maybe in the English a little more,” Goldstein said. were not that big of a deal. Inglesby remarked how he “basically had to learn a lot of However, recently the test prep industry has exploded, Elon University the math with the tutor.” Goldstein, Doyle and Inglesby all raising the bar for the tests in general. Harvey Mudd College agreed that their preparedness for the math was lacking. Students now feel that it’s not just about getting good “That’s not to say that I wouldn’t have learned the stuff grades or if you have something to offer to the school, it is Loyola Marymount University that I had learned from my tutor later in my junior year, about how high you can score on either: but I think there were some gaps in what Park taught me,” An epically long, tragically boring four part test, with Mercer University Goldstein said. two math sections (one of which calculator usage is Stanford University Doyle also explained how she felt a similar way, since prohibited) and two English sections surrounding analysis Park strays away from standardized testing in general, and grammar skills (we usually don’t hear Park and Towson University causing a possible disadvantage in test taking skills. grammar in the same sentence) that just so happens to take University of California System Once again, Freedman had a more subtle response up about four hours of your life that you’ll never get back. when asked if he thinks he will be prepared. “I would say Or there is the same test, but with some science University of Massachusetts so,” he stated simply. questions. Oh, and there’s less time to complete it. As the testing landscape continues to change, the If you can’t see why students despise these tests, then Both of these students decided to take the early route students were asked how the idea of a test optional college I haven’t done them (or the misery of my peers) justice. and do test prep over the summer. might affect their choices when forming a list of schools. While some colleges will remain test optional for Their practice schedules, however, were very different. the Class of 2022, many have not yet announced their Goldstein completed one session a week for about an plans. This leaves the junior class as well as the college hour and fifty minutes (plus homework), only doubling counseling office in an uncertain state. sessions as the test date came nearer. Goldstein felt the Students Different students have had different responses to this amount of studying she did was “just right.” preparing new situation. On the other hand, Inglesby started his test prep by for the SAT Some have already started test prep and have even doing about three to four hours a week. “I would get about and ACT practice taken a few tests, while others are waiting to take Park’s three hours of homework and then have an hour session,” math, SAT in April. Either way, students in the Class of 2022 are Inglesby said. English, waiting to see how important standardized testing will be “It was a lot, maybe too much,” Inglesby affirmed, science, in their college process. especially when he started to do practice tests over the and reading to become Since this summer was somewhat uneventful due weekend closer to the actual test date. comfortable to restrictions on travel, a few students used it as an “While I understand the desire to start early in the hopes with the opportunity to start studying for their desired test. of getting it over with, starting earlier isn’t necessarily material “I’ve been working with a tutor since the beginning of better,” Co-Director of College Counseling Liz Hirsch on these exams. Both the summer through my first actual SAT test, which was in said. tests last December,” Gabby Goldstein ’22 said. Most students take the tests more than once, and often about three “I took my first SAT in November and my second in get their best score in the fall of their senior year. hours, and December, and I had a tutor from late August up until my Starting early can simply make the process longer for include four sections. second SAT,” Luke Inglesby ’22 said. some. Inglesby explained that he is done taking the SAT, while Goldstein plans to take her second test in April. Unlike Goldstein and Inglesby, most members of the junior class have not yet taken a standardized test. Colleges that are test Park’s April SAT is the first opportunity for many students, including Alice Doyle ’22 and Danny Freedman optional permanently: ’22. Both Inglesby and Goldstein felt that a test optional Both students have not yet done any test prep. Doyle school would be nice, but since they already took the test, Colby College plans to begin some sort of prep soon. it wouldn’t have a large effect on their decision. “I plan on either doing it independently in a prep book Doyle and Freedman also felt somewhat the same, as Davidson College or looking for tutoring,” she explained. both would prefer a test optional school just because it Dickinson College Like Doyle, Freedman is also planning on doing some would be less stressful, but it wouldn’t be a final deciding test prep in the future through Khan Academy. factor. In recent days, a number of additional colleges have Indiana University Although all four students are in very different places declared that they will remain test optional for the Class of George Washington University with their plans for the future, most of them felt strongly 2022. This is good news for anyone who is skeptical about about standardized testing in general. standardized testing. Marquette University “Honestly, I think they’re really stupid,” Goldstein Some schools are also test-blind, meaning that they Pitzer College remarked. “I hate them,” Inglesby scoffed. “I’m not a fan will not consider tests at all. Unfortunately, most students of them,” Doyle said. will likely feel the need to take the tests and extensively Smith College Goldstein and Doyle both mentioned how they felt prepare for them anyway. University of Chicago the test wasn’t “a good demonstration of someone’s “I think Covid-19 has given colleges the opportunity knowledge, intelligence, or understanding of a topic.” to seriously reconsider the role of standardized testing in University of Rochester Doyle also spoke on the timed aspect of the test.“It their admissions process and I hope this results in long makes it sort of about how fast you can do it, and not how lasting changes,” Hirsch said. FEATURES 10

2020 YEARThe year of bread baking,IN protests REVIEW for social justice, and organization by CATE COCHRAN ’23 and ZOE PICKARD ’23

2020 was quite a year. It was filled with hardships and attending local marches, and engaging in meaningful di- Otterbein and Plotnick also found an increase in their struggles, yet Park students still managed to look on the alogues,” Upper School Student Government President self-confidence. Otterbein believes that the time she spent bright side, and make the most of difficult times. Lance Greenberg ’21 said. thinking about “where I’ve been, where I’m going, and For Democrats at Park, a major positive event that took Political and social action is just one of the positive what matters most to me,” allowed her to become a differ- place in 2020 was the presidential election. President Joe outcomes of Park student involvement in 2020. Mann ex- ent person from who she was when the pandemic started. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris made history, as plained that the best choice he made in the past year was Plotnick explained that she has become more confident in Harris was elected the first woman and first Asian and Af- joining the Park community. Greenberg felt that his expe- reaching out to friends and being the first one to connect. rican American to become Vice-President of the United rience performing and attending a conference in New Or- Many new trends also emerged during quarantine in States. leans with the Park Jazz Collective was, “definitely one of 2020. Popular entertainment series included the Netflix For Isabella Otterbein ’22, the best part of 2020 had the most impactful and memorable parts of high school.” series, Tiger King, anime, Tik Tok, and the video games to do with the presidential election. In efforts to attain a Otterbein also added that she felt lucky to have been able “Among Us” and “Animal Crossing.” Buying blue light fair election by educating voters, Otterbein and her family to learn how to produce and film the Park school musical, glasses and Yerba Mate, making whipped coffee, and canvassed and protected voting rights at the polls. POW- Out of the Woods. bread baking also fit into the mix. ER, an Upper School club that Otterbein co-leads, wrote Although Covid-19 is a hardship we all have to endure, Otterbein and Plotnick both said that their favorite over 400 letters for voters in battleground states. globally, quarantine has had positive outcomes. For many, quarantine trend was bread baking, and for Otterbein, it it was a time to rest, learn new skills and spend extra time has even become a routine. “My dad fully picked it up and with family. POWER, the Many stu- Upper School dents attend- club focused ed marches on women’s and protests empower- in support ment wrote of the Black letters this fall Lives Matter to voters in movement battleground this summer. states. Letter Some marches writing was were led by just one way students from for students schools all who can’t vote around Balti- to get involved more. in the electoral process.

Upper School Turning jazz musicians Forced outdoors due to social distancing and safety towards the had the guidelines, the musical took a different approach by ‘new normal,’ opportunity filming. Students in the musical took avantage of the many students to attend a many outdoor spaces on campus, including the woods. have taken festival and advantage of conference in outdoor activ- New Orleans, ities such as Louisiana last hiking, skiing, year. Special and running. events like these are halted due to the pandemic.

Images courtesy Otterbein and Carrie Wyman we now have a fresh loaf of bread almost every week and The outcome of the election has had a positive effect he’s taught my brother and me too,” she said. in many ways, including the environmental welfare of Even though Park students managed to make the most the planet. As Greg Mann ’24 enthusiastically explained, of an unusual year, their hope for the future is that the “We’re finally rejoining many environmental treaties, world will return to normalcy. which is great.” Otterbein and Mann share the hope many others do, Looking back to the spring and summer before the Students were active in mask making efforts this spring. which is to experience Park as they did before the pan- election, the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement gained Realizing that many people were without masks, groups demic, by hugging friends, meeting new people, playing such as Otterbein’s acted fast to help those in need. a lot of support following the death of George Floyd in sports, and attending club meetings and theater produc- May. tions. Alana Plotnick ’23 and Otterbein both agreed that the Students also have claimed to see all sorts of positive Many people across the nation hope that some normal- surge in awareness of the BLM movement is a great thing, change within themselves during quarantine. Both Mann ity will occur in the months ahead with help from the new as it is crucial in eliminating systematic racism in Amer- and Greenberg said quarantine helped them improve their Covid-19 vaccines. ica. time management and organizational skills. “I am looking forward to the vaccine being dispersed Many Park students took part in BLM protests and “Although that [improvement in time management] and the curve flattening so that we can achieve herd im- other forms of advocacy across the nation for justice and sounds like the opposite of what would happen, I’ve had munity,” Plotnick said. equity. all this time during quarantine to decide what I want to do, As we look ahead and put 2020 in the past, we can ap- “I have noticed that the Park community has become and what I want to learn, and how I want to change, and preciate the positive changes that it brought. 2020 was a more politically outspoken. People have been using their I think having the time to organize has been a big plus,” year filled with dramatic highs and lows but we, as a com- social media platforms to advocate for positive change, Mann said. munity, are looking forward to what 2021 will bring! ARTS & CULTURE 11 FEBRUARY REVIEWS Swift’s evermore will stand the test of time by LUCIA KELEMAN ’24

Taylor Swift’s unexpected album experienced, making the fictionally-based percussive guide. A rhythmic pulse folk-pop genre that Taylor Swift recently folklore was released on July 24 of 2020, evermore a musical risk. Although one composed of a heavy, full sound allows for became enamored by. Within evermore’s and it serves as a perfect example of Swift’s may expect an unsatisfying lack of depth a sense of structure, but simplicity gives finest is one striking track that solidifies tendency to reinvent her musical style. in evermore, considering that Swift has listeners room to breathe and softens the the album’s reputation. The breakthrough The record fascinated listeners, topped always remained heavily grounded in blow. The majority of evermore’s tracks tune in question is the smug, “no body, charts with surprising speed, and has since reality, Swift exceeds expectations with stand upon a strong musical foundation, no crime,” featuring the pop rock trio been named one of the greatest alternative her captivating lyrics. Evermore’s second but there is one glaring outlier in which HAIM. Every aspect of the track helps tell albums of 2020. However, despite the song, titled “champagne problems,” is an the percussive pillar vanishes suddenly: the haunting story of an unfaithful lover, high praise that folklore received, Swift early, impressive example of evermore’s evermore’s seventh track, “happiness.” a suspicious acquaintance, and malicious still felt inclined to further explore what evocative verses, with lyrics such as “Your This song seems to forget that a gentle tone revenge. Swift’s vocal performance is the she describes as the “folklorian woods,” heart was glass, I dropped it / Champagne is not meant to support the heavy load of first of many commendable elements of the or, in other words, the mystical sound that problems” and “You had a speech, you’re a dramatic ballad. Throughout the piece, a track, and her expressive tone brings to life she has stumbled upon. This urge was speechless / Love slipped beyond your soft piano accompaniment and monotone the song’s many clever lyrics: “She says, soon indulged with the surprise release reaches.” Their dramatic and descriptive guitar attempt to lay a foundation for the ‘that ain’t my merlot on his mouth / That of Swift’s 11th studio album, evermore, nature allows for the fabricated scenes ambient chords, but their delicacy proves ain’t my jewelry on our joint account.’” which is a “sister record,” or continuation, to materialize before the listener’s eyes. weak against the emotional crescendos. Moreover, the chilling instrumentation of its predecessor. Through enchanting, Furthermore, this track’s story of a fickle With this lack of percussive aid, showcases an impressive use of dynamics, fairytale-like lyrics, refreshing themes, lover overcome with guilt moves at the “happiness” crumbles under its orchestral and gives the track a seductive swing. Swift and hyper-realistic worlds of wonder, right pace. The angelic instrumentals weight and loses its intended impact; has communicated, through her creation of evermore proves that the magic of the folk- allow for the listener to process the drawing the attention away from the story two sister records, that she’s found a new pop genre has not faded since folklore’s burden the character is describing. All this that Swift is telling. This song pales in style in which she thrives. release. Its emotionally vulnerable themes emotion is communicated over a calming, comparison to the rhythmically assisted There are thousands of other tales to be blend perfectly with evermore’s simplistic yet bittersweet piano and a strikingly ballads like “gold rush,” and “willow,” but told with her newfound sound, so before production, and although Swift seems to passionate cello, creating a simplistic yet “happiness” teaches the essential lesson Swift ventures further into the fantastical briefly forget the importance of rhythmic powerful masterpiece whose raw intensity that creating a simplistic masterpiece is folklorian woods, I urge her to never foundation, evermore as a whole will stand cannot be denied. more difficult than it seems. underestimate the power of her pen, the the test of time. Minimalism is a recurring theme in While not every song on this record importance of foundation, or the impact The vast majority of Swift’s past songs evermore’s instrumentation, which pairs is an example of perfection, the stronger that this project has had on the music are rooted in events that she herself has well with the tracks that have a strong tunes of evermore are the epitome of the world. Binti: Home does its predecessor justice by ERIC SMITH ’22 Even well thought out science fic- tion acts under the guise of being realistic, and barely making it out of the journey of complex yet vague; they made sense tion often exudes a feeling of wrongness. while fantasy embraces its phantasmagori- alive–has finally arrived at the prestigious without letting the reader get caught in Books that are able to articulate a futuristic cal attributes. interplanetary Oomza University. She is deep minutiae. Instead, the novel focused world full of intricate contraptions reek of I first read Binti over a year ago in Up- there with former potential terrorist, but on the characters and the dialogue, which analysis paralysis. Science fiction writing per School English teacher Greg Brandt’s now turned friend, Okwu, a jellyfish-es- was funny yet emotional at the right mo- is sucked into a paradoxical whirlpool in Short Novel class (which I highly rec- que alien called a Meduse. After helping ments. which one explanation requires another ommend). While I was enamored by the orchestrate a peace treaty between the Me- As someone who often reads books convoluted explanation, which requires an 81 page novel, we finished the book only duse and Oomza University, she is ready to written well over a century ago, I often even more elaborate explanation to make it a short time before the pandemic hit and come back to her roots and visit her fami- deal with choppy and archaic language seem “real.” And for what purpose? This is I forgot all about the story. It was only ly. She fears that she is too far gone, and that I have to re-read repeatedly to proper- simply a figment of the author’s imagina- during the recent community reading week that perhaps her experiences have worn out ly understand. This book is beautiful in the tion at work. It would be better to stick to that I remembered the book I had read such the soil of her plant and left her ground- aspect that I could keep my eyes and my flying creatures and eldritch magic in order a long time ago. I elected to reread Binti, less from her society and culture. Binti: mind moving in sync with the story. to focus on the plot and character develop- and I soon found it was a trilogy containing Home is about Binti’s reconciliation with Binti: Home is a sequel that does its pre- ment. Ironically, even though my first book two other short novels, each longer than the drastic changes in her life, and how one decessor justice, and is a startling success review for The Postscript was a piece of the last. Naturally, I had to review the next can come to accept such changes. in a sea of science fiction novels. science fiction, it has been difficult to find book in the series Binti: Home. The brevity of the novel only made me I highly recommend this book, and am science fiction that appeals to me. I have The titular protagonist Binti, after leav- enjoy it more. The technological and scien- excited to start reading the final book of the found it to be haughty fantasy; science fic- ing her family and beloved Himba tribe– tific explanations were the perfect mixture trilogy.

“The History of Swear Words” is f****** funny by BRANDON ZAYON ’22 What happens when you give comedi- its significance. The episodes can include containing the word f*ck, or is visibly un- rushed because of how short the episodes ans, musicians, lexicographers, a cognitive anything from the parental advisory label comfortable saying b*tch, his segments are are, and could have gone into more depth. scientist and Nicolas Cage a Netflix show? and how it affected music and culture, the highlights of each and every episode. If my biggest complaint with a show You get an amazing documentary called to the evolution of the use of the word Unfortunately, Cage doesn’t appear for is that I want more of it, then the direc- “The History of Swear Words.” b*tch. the entirety of the show. The episodes–only tors must have made something amazing. Each episode in this six episode minise- While the information is interesting, the 20 minutes long–are mostly the comedians This show is perfect to watch when you ries tackles the history and cultural impact show would be severely lacking without its and professionals explaining the words. are bored and have some time to kill–the of one swear word. The episodes go over incredible host, Nicolas Cage. While it was still fun to watch, I often show is easily bingeable at only two hours f**k, sh*t, b*tch, d**k, pu**y and damn. His signature move is performing funny found myself waiting for Nicolas Cage to in total length– or if you just want to learn Surprisingly enough, along with the bits of skits that help explain the significance of reappear. about such a unique topic. Give this show comedy the show sprinkles in, each word a word or convey the message of the ep- In addition, I felt like some of the ep- a try, you won’t f*****g regret it. is given an air of respect when discussing isode. Whether he quotes famous movies isodes like “B*tch” and “Pu**y” were 9.5/10 SPORTS Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Permit #1262 Spring Sports Preview Baltimore, MD Not an ‘all or nothing’ season On the by JOSH SOLOMON ’24 Seidlines With the short indoor winter sports season coming to Coach, a close, the Athletic Department is beginning to focus on not cannibal plans for the spring season. By nature, spring sports are played outside, which by QUINN SEIDENMAN ’21 decreases the risk of the spread of Covid-19 dramatically, The magic of National Football League and allows for safer play. However, while some sports press conferences is unmatched across are naturally socially distant, like baseball, softball, and sports. From Herm Edwards screaming tennis, other teams cannot practice normally if distanced. about the playoffs to Bill Belichick’s All precautions previously taken for outdoor fall and classic unflappable demeanor, open forum winter sports will continue this spring, including mask discussions with the press serve as a head wearing. coach’s chance to effect public discourse “At this point, yes, masks will be required,” Direc- about themselves and their team. tor of Athletics Girls’ Programs Robin Lowe ’84 said. If the coach does a decent job handling “Everything will depend on what the metrics are as the their interviews, they will go relatively season begins. We will then determine the protocols.” unnoticed. If not, the soundbites will be Due to its distanced nature, singles tennis will not gobbled up and propagated throughout need much time or planning in order for students to be Twitter. able to play. Unfortunately for newly minted Detroit Tennis courts are 78 feet long and there is rarely a Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell, his first moment when competitors are closer than six feet. press conference in his new job was not Doubles tennis, however, will require more vigilance received kindly by the internet. One rant as it is more likely that players will have to approach about his desired “toughness” identity each other. for the team, in particular, seemed far “We should definitely be wearing masks for dou- more concerning (and cannibalistic) than bles,”Aaron Hirschhorn ’21 said. His brother and team- inspiring. mate Jacob Hirschhorn ’21 agreed. “I think an abundance The full quote is too lengthy to be of caution is best,” he said. printed, but in short, Campbell stated that Similar to tennis, softball and baseball are mainly biting kneecaps, “taking hunks of the Image courtesy A. Hirschhorn socially distant sports. They will also require masks for opponent,” and kicking the opponent in safety, and it is still uncertain whether the 9th and 10th, the teeth would be “the mentality” of the and 11th and 12th cohorts will be allowed to mix for Seniors A. Hirschhorn and J. Hirschhorn at a Detroit Lions going forward. outdoor sports. championship match during a pre-Covid-19 In all honesty, I watched the clip of Senior softball player Lucy Demsky hopes to be able Boys’ Varsity Tennis season. Campbell’s absurd tirade multiple times to to play with students of all grades. “I really hope we are verify it wasn’t an SNL sketch. able to play with the underclassmen,” Demsky said. “As For starters, biting an opponent’s an underclassman, one of my favorite parts was getting to kneecap cannot possibly hurt the involved play with the juniors and seniors, and the underclassmen Pictured: Girls’ Varsity Softball game in the leg more than the mouth. It speaks to can’t do that right now.” spring of 2019. Softball will require few Campbell’s innovation that he could think Another uncertainty of the spring season is the deci- accomadations due to Covid-19. As shown, of a less logical method of fighting on the game is naturally distanced. sion to compete against other schools. In the fall and win- a football field than punching someone ter, Park decided not to participate in the interscholastic wearing a hard helmet. league seasons.With the upcoming outdoor season, and He must realize his players aren’t real more confidence in the school protocols, safe competition lions, right? may be more feasible. Watching that clip made me immense- “The end goal would be to compete against other ly thankful for the coaching at the Park teams,” Hirschhorn said. “Tennis is one of the few sports School of Baltimore. This school has where it’s pretty safe to play.” fielded good teams without that kind of Seniors have not had the chance to compete against abrasive and unconstructive vocal erup- other schools in the fall or winter in their last year as tion of bizarre violence from their coaches Bruins. “As a senior, I would love to have the chance to and will continue to do so. play games in my final spring season, and final season as The coach’s role is to be the team’s a Park athlete” Demsky said. strategic and motivational mastermind, However, with some sports requiring close contact, not the leader of a violent cannibalistic it is uncertain whether some athletes will be able to cult. have the season they hoped for. “I’m really hopeful that Looking back at my time as a Park everyone is going to be playing sports this spring, at least athlete, I have been blessed with focused, in some fashion. Especially because they’re all outside,” caring, and intelligent coaches. The atten- Demsky added. tion to detail goes beyond practice plans Some students may worry that they will not get a com- and gameday logistics. A coach’s rhetoric petitive spring season, due to the close contact nature of can be a key motivator or downer for a other sports. However, an ‘all or nothing’ season, where team on the brink of success. either all sports compete or none do, is not something to Although we should not rush to worry about. “I would imagine Park will evaluate the risk judgment about Dan Campbell’s future in of each sport and make a decision independently of the Detroit based on one interview, he clearly other sports,” Lowe said. did not exhibit those qualities. With all of the uncertainties of the spring season, we Time will tell whether the Lions’ can only hope that winter sports finish smoothly, and that knee-biting mentality brings them their the wishes of students for a spring season will be ful- elusive first Super Bowl win, but until filled. Images courtesy Communications then, Campbell’s words remain toothless.