The Postscript The Park School Brooklandville, MD February 3, 2005 Volume LXV Issue No. 5 Budget deficit leads to personnel changes for ’05-’06 by Anders Hulleberg ‘07 and Ben will be “no impact on classes school has done all it could to “Park,” he said, “is dealing with Hyman ‘06 and sections directly affecting fix the budget problem without a problem that does not simply students.” resorting to cutting personnel. go away.” Park, like other pri- The School has announced Retired Upper School Histo- Said Jackson, “This summer, vate schools around the nation, reductions in full-time and part- ry teacher L. Brooks Lakin is there will be seven athletic must constantly balance what time faculty and administrative one of the part-time employees camps renting our facilities, the Jackson described as “the three positions effective next school who will not return next year. revenue from which will help fundamental aspects of private year as the result of a budget Lakin, who currently coaches the school deal with any finan- school finance: the cost of tu- problem. Economic conditions, seventh grade Boys Basketball cial pressures it may be ition, the quality of teacher demographic trends, and the and teaches Crucial Decade, a experiencing…We have joined a salaries and compensation, and school’s commitment to small history elective course, joined health consortium to help lower the student-teacher ratio of the class sizes taught by talented, the faculty in 1961 and left full- costs when health insurance school.” experienced faculty have con- time teaching in 2002. premiums go up; we have found By nature, these three princi- tributed to budget shortfalls over Dr. Monique Shapiro, also re- ways to lower our electrical ples do not work harmoniously. the past few years. tired, currently teaches one bill.” Tuition is the primary source of Faced with what Head of English class and will be leaving photo by P. Schamp ‘05 “We are looking to minimize revenue for an independent School David Jackson calls “a next year. Shapiro joined Park Head of School David Jackson costs in a manner that has the school, while teacher salaries reviews budget issues for one to two percent budget prob- School in 1981 and taught smallest effect possible on the and attempts to keep the stu- Postscript staff. lem,” or a roughly $200,000 to French full-time until 2003. educational program,” Jackson dent-teacher ratio low are the $300,000 deficit, the school will In the Lower School, the po- he did before switching full-time continued. “In past years, we primary cost factors. A low stu- institute a number of personnel sition of Lower School Science to theater responsibilities in have reduced a number of sec- dent-teacher ratio costs more changes which include involun- specialist will be abolished. Rob 2002. Upper School department retaries and playground aids. money, but a school that offers tary layoffs, reduction in Piper, who has held the position chairs and coordinators who Next year, there will be some a low ratio can safely charge positions by attrition, and the for the last nine years, will currently teach three sections administrators working, not only more for tuition, thus bringing use of administrators and de- move to Middle School science. will be asked to teach a fourth. as administrators, but as part- revenue back up. Low teacher partment chairs to teach classes Other personnel shifts will be Athletic Director Ridge Diven, time faculty as well, which will salaries save money, but if a or add to their current teaching instituted to cover classes. who does not teach classes, will result in a loss in administrative school chooses to cut back on load. Technical Director and Theater step in and teach sixth and sev- staffing.” salaries, it will more than likely With the realignment in per- Manager John Trout will rejoin enth grade physical education. The school has had budget have trouble hiring experienced sonnel, which Jackson the Upper School History De- Arts Director Carolyn Sutton will strains for years and has not faculty. A lack of experienced describes as “prudent manage- partment. Trout will divide his also add teaching to her sched- been able to fully right the ship. ment and nominal budget time between the theater and the ule. According to Jackson, the rea- discipline,” the Head says there history department, something In the last few years, the son for that is complicated. See BUDGET, page 3 Diverse groups raise money for Tsunami relief efforts Community ties to the region add intensity to school’s response by Ben Hyman ‘06 In an internal memo, Head of Service Committee organized a rebuilding the areas it helps. stuff,” explained Rosen. School David Jackson wrote, bake sale under the supervision Senior Nicole Cameron has Upper School History Chair For most Americans, the De- “If we do something, it has to of Lower School teachers Jen- raised between $6,000 and Jon Acheson was born in cember 26 tsunami was just come organically from the stu- ny Harbold and Linda Halpert. $7,000 through personal appeals Bangkok, moved to America and another news story, but for dents and teachers. We can ask The group rose over $1,800, all online. This past summer, she then subsequently returned for a many Park families, the natural some questions, but the students of which went towards the tsu- spent three weeks in Thailand number of years. The Baltimore disaster struck home. Members and faculty should decide.” nami relief fund. Fifth graders volunteering for the Duang Pra- Sun recently ran an article which of the Park community have ris- Students and teachers were responsible for selling the teep Foundation. DPF is an featured Acheson teaching a en to the cause, volunteering throughout the school made baked goods, which had been organization based in the slums class about the region. their time and effort to help aid those decisions immediately, contributed by parents. of Bangkok. “I had been raising Ben Joffe ’06 went to Thai- those who have been affected launching various fundraisers. The Middle School Commu- money and donating to DPF land on vacation with his family, by the tsunami. The Lower School Community nity Service Club showed a since I left Thailand in July, but touring Bangkok, Chiang-Mai, movie January 14 to support the after the tsunami, I raised my Chiang-Rai and Phu Ket. When International Rescue Committee, efforts,” said Cameron. She e- he learned of the tsunamis, he an organization conducting relief mailed friends and family and was dumbfounded. “It didn’t efforts in response to the tsuna- informed them of DPF’s need process. It didn’t seem like I had mi. “We always do a movie for money at this time. “A lot of gone to Thailand. When I sat night for fun, but this year we the people I met this summer down and thought about it, felt that we needed to do some- were directly affected by the these places don’t exist any- thing for tsunami victims,” said tsunami,” she explained. more. It’s hard to describe. You Dawn Lee ‘09, a participant in Connections to the disaster feel fortunate because you saw the Service Club. for some members of the com- these cool things, but you feel The Upper School Commu- munity were more immediate. bad.” nity Support activity held a bake Former Park teacher Toy Park’s connections to the tsu- sale, raising $100. Model UN Jackson is teaching English as a nami extend beyond Thailand’s placed a box in the Upper second language to high-school borders. First grade teacher Rani School office, collecting $200 in students in Bangkok. Wilder is from India. Although blind donations so far. The Film Park alumni Ben ’04 and Society showed movies Tues- Catherine Rosen ‘02 were in See TSUNAMI, page 2 day, Thursday and Friday of Thailand on the heels of the tsu- Immersion Week because, ac- nami and saw its destruction. photo courtesy G. Braden cording to Kate Ewald, “we They flew to Bangkok and were figured that everyone would in the air when the tsunami hit. Eighth graders D. Guberman and D. Roswell play brothers in Second have free time after school.” When Ben and his family arrived Class, a series of short scenes and monologues by Brad Slaight that take place in the halls of a modern high school. MS Drama Chair The group raised $300 by in Phu Ket, an island resort hit Gina Braden directs the annual production, which marks the end of selling food and is giving its pro- by catastrophic losses, the villa Intensive Learning Week. Braden noted that 33 students were ceeds to Americares, which where they were to stay was no involved in all aspects of the production, including technical design delivers medical aid for disaster longer standing, “The hut was elements. For more Middle School news, see page 3. relief and has made a long-term right on the beach. It crumbled financial commitment to in on itself. It was just a pile of February 3, 2005 NEWS Page 2 The Postscript Petition calls for chicken Sophomore In response to a rumor that Morgan, upset by the lack of the cafeteria may no longer of- “all the good stuff”, is unsure of outspells fer fried chicken, Senior Matt why or how this change hap- Morgan wrote a petition and pened. “After winter break was hung it up on the window at the when I noticed things were a lit- the pack end of the B-Hallway. tle different… I probably won’t Currently, it reads “Pe-Chickin go to the cafeteria very much Petition…Who wants chicken?” anymore and I know they’re and lists approximately 100 sig- losing money.” natures of current students, Morgan plans to show the teachers, alumni, and even the petition to Upper School Colonel. Morgan plans to “write Principal Mike McGill before something up” after he finishes proceeding. “I’m going to see if collecting signatures but before he laughs in my face or if he photo by S. Dewey ’05 he submits the petition. says alright.” The Baltimore Road Runners Club co-sponsored a 4.5 mile race. Runners raise $4000+ for Frost medical bills photo by D. Al-Ibrahim ’05 Members of the Park Com- According to Hoitsma, who T. Eccles ‘07 won the trophy in munity joined together last teaches Gemma, 80 Park stu- the fifth annual Upper School Saturday and raised over $4000 dents entered the Fun Run. spelling bee. for Gemma ’16 and Graeme ’13 “There was a huge turnout de- spite the freezing cold,” said Frost, who were seriously in- Correctly spelling pharmaceu- Hoitsma. “There was tremen- jured in a car accident on Hillside tical after junior Eric Baylin dous community spirit. Avenue in November. missed lieutenant, sophomore Everyone was full of hope.” Participants in the fundraising Tony Eccles won the fifth an- Anders Hulleberg ’07 won the event chose between running in nual Spelling Bee Championship regular 4.5 mile race which was a one-mile Fun Run or a 4.5-mile photo by D. Al-Ibrahim ‘05 January 26. Eccles triumphed co-sponsored by the Baltimore race. First grade teacher Ellen Senior Matt Morgan is concerned by what he calls a lack of over a field of approximately 30 Road Runners Club. Hoitsma, Middle School Math “the good stuff.” students in the informal compe- The money raised will go to- teacher Jeff Zerhusen, and par- tition; only three girls wards helping to pay for medical ent Gail Wright organized the Students to lobby for healthcare participated in the event. Spell- effort. bills for the Frosts. Several Park students will advocate for universal healthcare Feb- ers were encouraged to join ruary 17 in Annapolis. The students, organized by Park’s right until the very first word, Bands play extended sets Community Support X-Block, attended a three-hour orientation pri- amble, was easily tossed off by or to the event. senior Yohance Allette. Scheduler Lobby Day will begin with a rally in the center of Annapolis, and Computer Science teacher for Goldsoundz concert which will then lead into a discussion with local legislators. The Kim Baylis presided over the students’ goal of getting the Maryland legislature to pass a bill for event with judges Erynn Lewis universal healthcare is reflected in Lobby Day’s slogan, “More than ’06, Naomi Jacobs ’06 and Sha- just a band aid.” Members of the club advertised for the day by nae Shephard ’06. Winners in putting decorated band aids into the mailboxes of Upper School previous years were Jon Weese students and making announcements in history classes and class ’04, Nicko Libowitz ’05 and meetings, as well as by wearing colorful band aids on their faces. Lucy Novick ’05. Class gift goes to arts, athletics Math Contest Sixty-four Park students filled Parents of the class of 2005 will fund a scoreboard for the Rosen- the Blaustein Lecture Hall Feb- berg Field and new lighting for the Meyerhoff Theater. ruary 1 to participate in the Every year, senior parents designate their annual giving towards a American Mathematics Contest special gift to benefit the school. This year’s senior parents raised (AMC). Students competed in $48,000, which they chose to divide between the athletic and arts either the AMC 10 or 12, ac- departments. cording to their grade level. Seniors brainstormed ideas for gifts prior to the parent meeting. Each contest consisted of a 75 photo by D. Al-Ibrahim ‘05 The most popular included reupholstering the Meyerhoff seats, as minute, 25-question, multiple- A. Jacobs ‘05 and S. Casey ‘06 play as part of Staple This. well as purchasing a loader, a machine for maintenance. Parents choice test. Depending on their did not raise enough money for the chairs and decided against the success in this competition, stu- Rock and roll, jazz, and rap musicians from Loyola and loader because it would not be a permanent fixture at Park. dents may be eligible to take the were represented on stage at last Archbishop Curley. They played The proposal that received the most support from the seniors American Invitational Mathemat- Friday’s Goldsoundz. Only six a 10- minute set. Stephen Cole was to donate the money to Park’s tuition assistance. In keeping ics Examination in March. acts performed, allowing each ’06 performed solo, playing a with this wish, extra money from the Senior gift, as well as more time than usual to play. song by the band They Might money left from Senior prom, will now go to tuition assistance. The second Goldsoundz of the Be Giants. Zack “Articulate” Relief effort school year was hosted by Leacock ‘05 rapped to pre-re- TSUNAMI, from page 1 Lewis Brant ’06 and Laura Gor- corded tracks, and he sold his don ’05. CD during intermission. the tsunami hit a different region The evening kicked off with After the break, LWP (Matt of India than where Wilder’s a newcomer band, Theory of Morgan ’05, Zach Gidwitz ’05, hometown is located, she was Tomorrow, which features Abel Fillion ’05) took the stage, still touched by the tsunami’s Steven Madow ’07 on bass and playing originals as well as a scope: “From my state there three musicians from Mc- cover of “Tequila.” To end the were fisherman who lost their Donogh and Beth T’filoh. night, Staple This (Spencer Ca- lives. It’s heart-wrenching to Goldsoundz was Theory of To- sey ’06, Jon Gill ’06, Charlie see it all unfold on TV so close morrow’s debut, and the band Hankin ’06, Jake Irwin ’08, to home.” Wilder added that, played four original songs. Asher Jacobs ’05) played a set. had her daughter not come Next was Dirty Sanchez and The next musical event will home in the summer from a trip the Pink Socks, a band com- be the un-plugged Cabaret on photo by P. Schamp ’05 to the disaster site, she might prised of Ian Long ’07 and April 1. Rosenberg Field awaits installation of new scoreboard. have been a casualty. Page 3 NEWS February 3, 2005 The Postscript Middle School News: Freshman Winter Production Preview: Learning Week satisfies sprints for The Last Night of Ballyhoo diverse student interests by Michael Roswell ’07 quality. Olympics Meanwhile, Adolph’s niece, Color and sound have entered the lovely Sunny (Toni Adleberg by Emma Gross ’11 by Julian Charnas ’07 the movies. The market has re- ‘06), is reading muckraker liter- During the Middle Elan Hilaire may seem like a covered under Roosevelt’s ature within the elitist walls of School’s Intensive typical ninth grader, but her carefully constructed New Deal. Wellesley, while her zany cous- Learning Week, speed sets her apart. A talented The news brings reports of Hit- in, Lala (Laura Gordon ‘05) which occurs annu- sprinter capable of running a ler’s horrors, Mussolini’s impatiently awaits the opening ally, all regular 400 meter sprint in 55 seconds, madness, Tojo’s threats, and Bol- night of Gone with The Wind – classes are put on Hilaire is just starting the second shevism. Comic Books such as a play which she attempts to hold and students semester of her first year at Superman and Spiderman have mirror her life to. sample a wide variety Park. begun their heyday, and jazz Into Adolph’s lavish southern of activities. This Hilaire is ranked nationally in music has begun to flourish. The home, inhabited by his uptight year, there were 54 the top five female sprinters in Brooklyn Football and Baseball sister (Liza Casey ’06), sister-in- options of activities events ranging from the 55 to teams, both called the Dodgers, law (Alice Barry ‘07), and Lala, to choose from. Mar- 400 meter sprints, and she’s have finished third. Adolph simultaneously wel- ingá Dancing and ranked top in Maryland in the 55 In The Last Night of Bally- comes Joe and Peachy Weil Crèpe-Making were and 200 meter events. She is hoo, Park’s Winter Production, (Nicko Libowitz ‘05), an un- just two of the di- planning to run in the Olympics, Joe Farkas (Michael Roswell married man from “the finest verse activities and though colleges are not ‘07), a first generation American Jewish family in the South.” offered. Workshops technically allowed to recruit her and Eastern European Jew from Adolph manages to maintain began at 8:30, ended until her junior year, they have Brooklyn is hired by Adolph Fre- a business despite a bitter, nag- at 2:15, and ran from photo courtesy C. Nieto shown interest. Hilaire hopes to itag (David Peck Sixth graders A. Cohen and A. Himmmelrich January 24 to 28. run for Stanford or the Univer- ‘08), an affluent busi- Build with Cookies and Crackers during In preparation for sity of Texas at Austin before ness owner living in Intensive Learning Week. the week, students re- fulfilling her Olympic plans. “I’ll Atlanta and an assim- ceived a list of the activities Many of the same classes for probably just concentrate more ilated German Jew. being offered and ranked them Intensive Learning Week are of- on the 400 because that’s my Adolph would in order of personal preference. fered year after year. Some of best event,” says Hilaire when rather not mix with Then, Middle School adminis- the new choices this year in- asked about her future Olympic the “other kind,” the trative assistant Kathy Ford cluded Fashion Designer for a competition. Russian, Yiddish- sorted through the lists and tried Week with Middle School Art It may be unclear why an speaking Jews from to balance out the week’s Teacher Ann Haney, Bridge with athlete with Hilaire’s ability east of the Elbe, if schedule for each Middle Middle School Math Chair Dave chose to come to Park, a school given the chance. School student based on the Lowther, Computer Game not known for its track program, The German Jews photo by M. Levy ‘06 rankings. The students had the Workshop with Park parent Dr. but for her, the choice was easy. have come and made T. Adelberg and D. Peck rehearse a scene. same three to six periods each Deborah Briggs, Hand Bag Mak- She is confident in her abilities, a good name for day of the week. ing with Middle School and because she was already es- themselves in this country, allied ging sister, an awkward, flirta- This year, there was a com- Language Arts and Social Stud- tablished as a great runner in against slavery in the 19th cen- tious niece, and a kind but mittee of teachers to help Ford ies teacher Carolyn Cooper, and middle school, she knew that the tury, built businesses, law firms, clueless sister-in-law. On stage plan for the last part of the day, Flag Foot Ball with Middle high school she chose would and banks in the ‘20’s, and February 24, 25, and 26, The which ran from 2:15 to 3:00. It School Math teacher Jeff Zer- not affect her future as a run- worked hard for their place. The Last Night of Ballyhoo wrestles was decided that the entire Mid- husen. ner. She chose Park because she “other kind” seems to be caus- with the issues of love and re- dle School would gather for an Unlike the Upper School’s likes the students, and the op- ing nothing but trouble, and for jection, the tensions between the assembly where the faculty gave Immersion Week, Intensive portunities and education it all he cares, they might as well groups: German and Eastern different presentations. These Learning Week is not controver- offers. have stayed in the pale of set- European Jews, college educat- group activities included a fac- sial within the Park community. Even though track is a main tlement. ed and dropout, businessmen ulty talent show and sing-a-long Because it has been around for part of her life, it doesn’t inter- Still, he hires Joe, ignoring his and widowed housewives, and planned by Middle School Lan- years, the activities are both in- fere much with other activities. deeply ingrained prejudices, in- those who have a date to the Bal- guage Arts and Social Studies teresting and well organized and, She is occasionally excused ear- stead heeding the businessman lyhoo dance, and those who teachers Mike Fishback and as Ford explained, Intensive ly from school Fridays to drive inside of him, seeing energy, don’t. Ultimately, Ballyhoo ad- Tom Malone, as well as Middle Learning Week “is a nice way to meets as far away as New honesty, and shrewdness that to dresses the constant drive we School Foreign Language teach- for the students to try new York, but still lives a normal life. a salesman meant one thing: have to be accepted. er Carmen Nieto and Middle classes and meet new teachers School Technology Coordinator that they otherwise wouldn’t Samira Philips. have.” Personnel shifts mark next year’s budget BUDGET, from page 1 When it comes to faculty, There are fewer children in the Government effects change faculty makes finding families Park is also at the top of the list four-to-six-year-old range than interested in the school a much compared with peer schools, there were five years ago. This by Emma Bratton ’10 the Healthy Foods Committee more difficult task. both in terms of years of expe- trend is one that is affecting in- and find out what their reasons The discord created by the rience and salary. With an dependent schools around the Since beginning its term in were for banning those foods. If clashing of these three principles average number of years of nation; Park’s not unique here.” September, the Middle School the students find a minimal dif- of finance certainly makes itself teaching at 19, and average sal- Current financial troubles can Student Government has placed ference in nutrition between the heard. Student-teacher ratios of aries $5,000 per year more than be traced back to the recession new clocks in the hallway and banned food and the food cur- Park’s eight Baltimore peer the average teacher from the oth- that occurred after the Septem- sponsored two dances. Though rently being sold, they plan to schools—Bryn Mawr, Boys’ er schools, personnel is a ber 11 terrorist attacks. Five President Katy Sherman ’09 ad- initiate a compromise with the Latin, Friends, Garrison Forest, significant expense. years ago, the economy was mits to a “slow start,” the Committee. The Government is Gilman, McDonogh, RPCS, and Also contributing to Park’s extremely healthy. With the re- government has high hopes for also planning an eighth grade St. Paul’s—range from 14:1 to financial woes of late has been cession that followed, as the remainder of the school year, dance to be held on February 11. 22:1. Park’s student to teacher a lower-than-usual number of Business Manager Joan Webber most specifically in investigating Sherman reflected on the ratio is 14.6:1. If Park were to admissions into the Lower puts it, “families became less cafeteria changes. government’s progress so far bring its student-teacher ratio up School. Five years ago, there willing to make that 12 year in- The government is collecting this year. “We’re just getting to the midpoint of the range, the were approximately 330 stu- vestment. They began sending nutrition labels from food in the started; the third quarter is real- school would earn up to $1 mil- dents in the Lower School; their kids to public elementary cafeteria and comparing them to ly the time for all of the lion more dollars per year than today, that number is closer to and middle schools, with hopes labels from recently banned fundraising. Then when we it currently does, but would sac- 300. of gaining admission to a private foods to see if the changes were have raised enough money, we rifice small class sizes, a Jackson explained, “That is high school. As a result, the Up- necessary based on nutrition. can have great end of the year significant advantage to its stu- the result of a both regional and per School has nearly exceeded The government will also talk to parties.” dents. national demographic trend. its student capacity.” February 3, 2005 EDITORIALS Page 4 The Postscript Stealing Trust A recent notice in the Upper School morning announcements read “The number of thefts occurring within the main building is increasing… Please remember to secure all valuables in your locker. Don’t leave purses, wallets, I-Pods, cell phones, etc. un- attended for even a few minutes. An opportunist needing money is clever in studying the habits of people and can strike in a mat- ter of minutes. It’s happening and it’s happening now. Finally, if you bring expensive items to school or substantial sums of mon- ey or jewelry, you are setting yourself up as a target.” That such an announcement would appear at Park is ridicu- lous. As the philosophy states, “Since the quality of expectation is most important, the belief that positive expectations produce positive virtues is fundamental to the practice of the school.” Therefore, students and faculty should not be asked to change their expectations—in a community of trust, we should not be told to hide our things because we should not expect that they will be stolen. We should certainly not be told that by trusting others in the community we are “setting [ourselves] up as…target[s].” According to Park’s philosophy, “To participate in the life of The Park School requires trust in…good prospects [and] effort to sustain…positive expectations…” The announcement under- mines both of those goals. It removes trust and positive expectations. Yes, the community does deserve to know that theft is occur- ring, but the goal of that knowledge should be to embarrass the Student Government hard at work thieves and express outrage at their existence rather than to ask by Sarah Raifman ‘05 have been fundraising for their whether or not we should con- us to change our actions and pretend that theft and distrust are respective grades. The seniors tinue Immersion Week, this year the norms. The issue of food in the caf- are selling grapefruits and orang- there were some great activities, The announcement should have read, “The number of thefts eteria has been at the forefront es to raise money for the senior ranging from the study of Viet- occurring within the main building is increasing. It is disgusting of the community since the be- prom. The juniors are selling namese culture to How to be a that this would happen in a community like Park’s. We are em- ginning of this year. There have foam hands at basketball games Guy to Dessert Making to Pic- barrassed to think that people who steal can survive here.” This been many attempts by students as well as hosting a Valentine’s turing Relationships in black and version of the announcement would place the blame on the to be a part of the changes in Day dance to raise money for white photography, that have thieves, rather than on the trusting community. the cafeteria, including surveys, their prom. The sophomores caught the interests of many. protests, and student liaisons to held a “Casino Night” in Decem- Hopefully, this week will have -VE the Healthy Foods Committee ber, providing various games served as an opportunity to en- (HFC). However, frustration still and entertainment for an gage in new activities with new Part-time Teachers lingers among students and fac- evening. They are planning to people and a non-academic ulty. Rachelle Work, Vice host another similar night later mindset as well as to refresh Park School is a place where students and teachers form con- President Brad Mendelson, and this year. The freshmen are both students and faculty for the structive working relationships and meaningful personal I plan to meet with the HFC in brainstorming fundraising ideas, busy semester ahead. Because friendships. We pride ourselves on our close-knit community of the near future in hopes of es- such as a movie night, with the faculty and administration are trust, support, and progressivism. This is possible because stu- tablishing a clearer role for help of older grade representa- taking a serious look at wheth- dents and teachers alike are here all the time, and are available students and faculty to play in tives. They are also working on er or not to continue Immersion for each other when needed. While this is true of most teach- incorporating healthy and tasty organizing a ninth grade day trip. Week next year, it is crucial for ers, some teachers--part-time teachers--are not here at all times. foods into our cafeteria. This year, Immersion Week students interested in the week’s Although these teachers are not personally at fault, this arrange- In our last meeting, the Stu- has instigated serious discus- continuation to speak up and ment is not in line with the philosophy of Park. dent Senate unanimously sion. While some question take action. At the beginning of this year, the faculty discussed and voted decided to extend a hand to the on senior privileges. Many were concerned with the fact that Frost family, victims of a terri- allowing seniors to leave meant that we would be missing from ble car accident that sent two of The Postscript the school too often, and that this would detract from the com- their children, Graeme ’13 and Gemma ’16, to the hospital in munity. But how can our periodic absence be a problem when Brooklandville, MD 21022 critical condition. Eager to help within the faculty itself there are part-time teachers who are miss- February 3, 2005 in any way possible, the Senate ing on a regular basis? attended and helped to advertise The beauty of Park classes is that they take place both inside Editors-in-Chief for first grade teacher Ellen Vera Eidelman, Laura Gordon, Peter Schamp and outside the classroom. Classes meet out of school and even Hoitsma’s run, which raised out of term, and students and teachers attend class-related din- Commentary Editors money for the Park School- News Editors ners, movies, and plays together. We collaborate on X-block and Frost fund. Eric R. Gottlieb, Sarah Raifman Ben Hyman Assistant:: Jenna Breiter, Jen Webber after-school activities. We attend Arbor Day and do community In addition, the Student service as a group. These are things that can only be found at Council is getting an early start Reviews Editors Sports Editors Yohance Allette, Charlie Hankin Brad Mendelson, Sara Welinsky Park because our teachers are devoted to their students and the on Arbor Day this year. On Ar- Assistant:: Rachel Kutler community. bor Day, which is held in May, Assistant:: Ezra Rosenberg Part-time teachers miss out on all that. Since they are only at students partake in various ac- Internet Editor school for one or two classes at a time, they are rarely available tivities to help beautify Park’s Nick Hudkins Photography Editors for out-of-class meetings and do not have time to build the more surroundings, from picking up David Al-Ibrahim Cartoonists Assistants: Michael Levy, Saba McCoy intimate kinds of bonds we cherish here. Do they work on Ar- trash to planting trees. In the Abel Fillion,Ben Ryugo bor Day with the rest of the school? Do they lead X-blocks or past couple of years it has in- volved only Upper School Faculty Adviser meet with students after school? How do they participate in fac- Photography Adviser Susan G. Weintraub, Terry Lansburgh ‘66 ulty meetings and advisories? Are they there in assemblies, students and some have found [email protected] it boring and futile. Therefore, student-faculty forums, and the inevitable class meetings during Contributors which important issues are brought up and in which teachers can we want to begin brainstorming Rachel Berkowitz, Lisa Boscov-Ellen, Gina Braden, Greg Brandt, Emma Brat- really connect with the students? It should be made clear that now for worthwhile activities. We also plan to have the Lower ton, Colin Campbell, Julian Charnas, Marshall Gordon, Emma Gross, Anders part-time teachers are doing nothing wrong. But as leaders within Hulleberg, Mara Irwin, Wes Jamison, Zack Leacock, Rebecca Martin, Carmen and Middle Schools involved this this community, teachers should be here all day, every day—and Nieto,Emmanuelle Noar, Ally Oshinsky, Joe Rosenberg, Michael Roswell, Ben year. as students and fellow faculty, we need them to be. Weinstein, Ayla Zeimer Over the past few months, We welcome letters to the Editors: [email protected] -PJS the Senate grade representatives www.parkschool.net/upperschool/postscript Page 5 COMMENTARY February 3, 2005 The Postscript Immerse thyselves!

by Emmanuelle Noar ’06 tires teachers is regrettable. But but guess what? I took the ini- I think the real concern the fac- tiative to engage myself, and As far as I can tell, these are ulty has is that, after they’ve whadda ya know, I learned the main arguments made by fac- done all this work to pull off something from every one. I ulty against Immersion Week: their activity, a lot of kids go didn’t enjoy all of it, but I (a) many of the activities are not and blow it off—you know, learned something. Yeah, it leave for hours probably would have been more at a time or just fun to watch TV and play com- don’t show up puter games. But I wouldn’t to school. have learned anything, which is But the way I presumably our goal as an edu- see it, our prob- cational institution. lem is not that Park School is all about tak- Immersion Week ing responsibility for your own allows those experience; that’s why we have kids to disen- so much freedom and flexibili- gage, it’s that we ty. And if a critical mass of our have those kids students cannot understand or in the first apply that idea, then that is our photo courtesy Documenting Immersion Week place—the fact problem and we need to start D. Berman ‘05 fine-tunes a model boat. is, many, not the seriously working on it. Wheth- worthwhile, (b) the timing of the majority, but many, of the stu- er we have Immersion Week or week interferes with the rhythm dents do not feel the need to not will change that—not at all. of the semester, (c) it exhausts apply them- faculty, and (d) that would be selves to their okay if a lot of kids didn’t just education in any blow the whole thing off. sense but the photos courtesy Documenting Immersion Week First off, the timing of the narrowest, and, During Immersion Week, Jan. 18-21, students participated in a week can be changed—Kim when it comes variety of activities. In Martial Arts, (top) J. Irwin ‘09 and A. Patel ‘09 taught basic fighting techniques. S. Calvello ‘05 (bottom) gets Baylis has suggested reschedul- down to it, are ready to fire a Smith & Wesson Model 617 .22 revolver during a ing Immersion Week to the week not all that inter- manly day at a shooting range for How to be a Guy. after the seniors leave, when the ested in taking flow of school is interrupted the initiative anyway. That would also help when it comes How to be engaged with the quality of the activities, to their own ed- by Gregory Brandt and it’s our job to create oppor- since we would need fewer ucation. If they US Faculty overall to accommodate all the were, they photo courtesy Documenting Immersion Week tunities for that to happen. A B.Warren ‘05 learns to be a guy by tying knots. Let me begin by saying that few weeks ago, during Winter students, and the budget wouldn’t skip or I don’t presume to speak for Break, a student who was in the wouldn’t be as stressed. Plus, it go haring off to wherever dur- Immersion Week is not our other teachers on the issue of activity and is now a college would be possible to have out- ing Immersion Week. real problem; it’s just the wake whether to keep Immersion sophomore called to ask for di- door activities. I’ve been in activities that up call. Please don’t shoot the Week or kill it. Perhaps if I rections to Raven Rocks; he Now, that Immersion Week didn’t have a real appeal to me, messenger. taught full-year courses instead remembered that morning so of semester electives, I’d be on fondly that he wanted to return the other side, arguing that the to the place in winter with Connect immersion to classwork disruption to our classroom some of his friends. work is just too great. “Sure, This year Kevin Coll and I by Marshall Gordon regards to legitimating activities, and two days off campus” some good things happen dur- ventured with 12 boys on How US Faculty either they could more readily points to a very narrow and ing the week,” I’d write, “but to Be a Guy. We learned self- be incorporated into the second from my perspective unneces- the cost, the loss of momentum defense from Bob Peck and John Roemer’s “Let’s Bury semester’s curriculum or serve sarily restricted view of school. in our courses, exceeds the first aid from Jan Brant. We Immersion Week” in the last to promote one’s becoming a For instance, while juggling pro- benefits.”This argument is rea- taught each other to tie sheet Postscript provided a trenchant more capable learner. vides not only practice with sonable, and it may well prevail. bends and clove hitches and half argument for supporting his ral- For example, Immersion hand-eye coordination, which I advocate preserving Windsor knots. We got the lying cry. To respond to his Week could include a “week” of may or may not have value for Immersion Week because, in my straight dope about dress clothes concerns would seem worth our film genre study where each oneself other than the sheer en- experience, remarkable things from Ray Mays, manager of the efforts because it provides op- film is introduced by a different joyment, more completely, when happen in those four days that local Jos. A. Bank Clothiers, and portunity to work to construct faculty. And after each film is reflected upon, such a challeng- don’t often happen when we’re about cars from Robert Frankel. a more just and viable Immer- viewed and discussed by that ing activity can serve to develop caught up in the quotidian. Do We went up to Roemer’s in a sion Week program. faculty member and the attend- one’s greater psychological ca- they happen to everyone? Of snowstorm to hear about gun I heartily agree with him that ing students, students could pacity to deal well with course not. Would some stu- safety and fire revolvers, rifles, requiring the rather complete sketch out reaction papers, and problematic situations — those dents get more out of a week of and—hell, yes—a submachine consumption of the time and en- after lunch see the movie again that initially seemed more than regular classes? Absolutely. gun. We built a fire with Jim ergy of faculty, which it was to determine if their theses what one could do but were But in the three years I’ve Howard. (He lit the matches.) explicitly not to be, makes clear would still be considered well overcome successfully, and as planned and led activities, I’ve We watched an archetypal guy that the notion has turned into its argued or as sensitive as they such such an activity could seen great stuff. In 2003, for movie together and learned that opposite. And too, there seems could otherwise be. Over a pe- have positive implications for example, as part of Journeying “Sometimes nothin’ can be a to be value in considering how riod of three days, three films students’ “real school” efforts. and Journaling, my group hiked real cool hand.” there could be greater connec- sharing some cinematic com- In closing, I would add that a snowy mile along Gunpowder I emphasize the we here be- tive tissue between Immersion monality, with three different there is need for working more Falls and then climbed Raven cause that’s how it felt—we Week activities and school as faculty presenters, would pro- closely with students new to the Rocks. Beside a frozen water- were in it together, satisfying usual, perhaps requiring recon- vide for a unifying collection of Immersion Week experience, for fall, the students pulled out their our curiosity and telling stories sideration of the borders of the film analyses that could be they could well have a difficult journals and spent half an hour and figuring things out. Nearly “school experience.” worked with further in English time negotiating the ride, not sketching and writing in the sun. all our presenters told me they’d As a general response, facul- or film class when the usual having enough experience It was 20° F and I hadn’t rarely been asked so many ty could gain time to work on school returned. wherein their personal and so- planned a stop for journaling— thoughtful questions about their their second semester offerings This is not to say that every cial time and energies would be I figured the kids would think fields by anyone, let alone a by having students immerse Immersion Week project must so completely called upon. With I’d gone crazy if I even suggest- bunch of boys in high school. themselves in some activity, but fit into the school program as it that inclusion, it would seem to ed it—but they gave themselves Was all this worth missing four with just enough faculty in- is. Indeed the comment by stu- make Immersion Week worthy to the experience. That’s en- days of class? What do you volvement to ensure valuable dents during Gender Week that of everyone’s dedicated time and gagement in meaningful work, think? Keep Immersion Week. interchange with students. With there were “two days of school energies. February 3, 2005 COMMENTARY Page 6 The Postscript Eliminating food choices teaches nothing about healthy eating by Mara Irwin ‘06 and Lisa At an age when students are so Atkins diet is healthy, while the decisions. Education about nu- go without lunch. Students Boscov-Ellen ‘06 susceptible to developing eating Tufts Health and Nutrition Let- trition and an environment that who do buy from the cafeteria disorders, this low-carb, low-fat ter recounts that, “As to allows choice are the necessary often do not have the informa- We applaud the goal of pro- attitude is not what we should whether it is possible to follow factors involved in promoting tion needed to make informed viding the opportunity for be advocating. the Atkins diet healthfully or long-term health. decisions about nutrition, so healthy eating. However, we A commonly accepted way of tweak it to make it safe and Having a few parents and a they don’t always get the nutri- feel that the process was not diminishing low body image in healthful, the answers are no headmaster that lack the scien- ents necessary. Some teachers handled correctly, and the re- children is to allow tific background have remarked upon the conse- sults are not consistent with them to make deci- to make this de- quent fatigue and inability to current research. As an educa- sions while making cision acting as concentrate they see in students tional facility, Park must have sure that nutritious dictators for the in the afternoon. Other students the science right and not simply meals are available. whole school bring lunch from home, result- follow rumors and diet fads. A recent article in simply does not ing in a catastrophic loss of Obesity is a problem in the the American Psy- work. Healthy money for the cafeteria, and thus United States and, recently, there chological eating is impor- the school. has been a push to involve Association Moni- tant, but the This change does not benefit schools in addressing this issue. tor reported success current situation anyone physically, mentally, or However, when making this de- in teaching children in the cafeteria is economically. The core problem cision, it is important to look at to have healthier far from healthy. with the decision lies in the pro- the population of the school. long-term eating Taking away, cess. All of the ensuing issues While obesity is increasing, so habits by educating without provid- stem from the fact that there are eating disorders, and both and encouraging ing appealing was not adequate consultation are serious threats to health. kids to eat more replacements, with professionals and students. Although it is less conspicuous, fruits and vegeta- hasn’t worked So here’s what needs to happen: eating disorders are far more bles rather than by well for anyone. we need to work some of the prevalent in our Upper School taking away or even Many students previous food choices back in, than obesity. asking for the re- feel that the food implement an educational pro- The general attitude of the moval of sweets. photo by D. Al-Ibrahim ‘05 is either unappe- gram, and consult a nutritionist changes made in the cafeteria Education instead Healthier foods replace unhealthy options. But is the change tizing or and a psychologist to help set up and some of the foods that have of elimination is re- itself healthy, or can it lead to an increase in eating disorders? overpriced, and a reasonable, healthy, appealing, been made available, such as the ally what’s called decide to simply and varied food program. Light ‘n’ Fit yogurt (which does for. The study covered by the and no.” This is just one exam- not constitute a healthy meal), American Psychological Associ- ple of the common promote unhealthy attitudes and ation Monitor stated that “many misconceptions. The Cafeteria: behaviors. According to the fourth-graders considered mac- The purpose of a secondary National Association of Anorex- aroni and cheese to be a school education is to prepare ia Nervosa and Associated vegetable and Kool-Aid to count its students to enter the world. A Capitalist Solution Disorders, at least 11% of high as a fruit.” The majority of students in by Eric R. Gottlieb ‘06 problems run so much deeper school students have been diag- You might laugh, but the Park’s Upper School, the ones than soda, any improvement in nosed with an eating disorder number of erroneous beliefs that have had free choice about During my four days in the healthiness of cafeteria has and 90% of those who have eat- about nutrition that plague the their meals in the past, have a Washington D.C. over Immer- been marginal. In order to real- ing disorders are women Upper School is shocking. For maximum of four years until sion Week (January 18-21), I ly reform the cafeteria, we need between the ages of 12 and 25. example, many believe that the they will be making independent had quite the experience. I took to challenge it. One way to do on the NRA from the offices of that is to create choice—com- the Brady Campaign to Prevent petition. Healthy food directives now in place: Gun Violence. I also got a fleet- If there were two companies ing glimpse of the President of serving lunch, say an additional Out with the junk, in with the juice the United States. But most no- sandwich or snack bar as well, tably, I made an important and the cafeteria would simply have by Jenna Breiter ‘06 changes were made hoping to teria there are juices now, not completely unrelated realiza- to be better to compete. The improve our situation, and not just Vitamin water. Our newest tion—the way to revitalize the food would have to be healthy Just last week a petition was to offend anyone. The diet food addition is the Naked smoothie cafeteria. and appealing. The prices would posted at the end of the B-hall- that faced us early this year was drink. There you go; you got it. When we walked out the have to be lower. way petitioning the loss of many a mistake, a misunderstanding. Smaller, fresher looking salads door of the building where the In exchange, the quality ex- students’ beloved fried chicken. But look where that diet food await students in the refrigerat- Brady Campaign has its offices, perience it would offer would We have made it to January and brought us. ed areas, along with sandwich we had a choice of where to open the market up to a larger our junk food, our snack food, The Healthy Foods Commit- wraps and cut up fruit bowls. eat. There was a Quiznos, a student body, including the chil- is gone after a slow process. It tee hoped to move all food We even have a basket of fresh Soho, a McDonalds, and a Cosi. dren of parents who currently is hard to miss the bright wrap- found in the cafeteria to a con- fruit by the checkout isle. We The first day, we went to Cosi object its unhealthiness and high pers of our candy-filled ice dition closer to its natural state. hope to someday have a salad where I had a mouth-watering prices. This could more than cream and the greasy cartons of They hoped, for example, for bar. These changes are impor- mozzarella and tomato melt and make up for the business lost to our fried-chicken balls. Not to chicken to be grilled instead of tant. All this food is real. It even a satisfyingly sweet caramel hot competition and the elimination forget our first loss: soda. fried, and for there to be fresh tastes good. cider. of candy and soda. You might ask, what is there fruit without any added sugar. Yes, we may have liked the Sitting there, I thought about In addition, the student body, to eat instead? Well, at first, They worked towards obtaining fried foods, the greasy foods, why Cosi serves good food. It’s still up in arms over the regula- there was nothing. Our cafete- 100% fruit juices instead of the the sugary foods, but we need not because it has a Park tion of the cafeteria, would be ria was infiltrated with diet juices loaded with sugary addi- to have an open mind now. Schoolesque internal desire to satisfied with greater choice foods – Splenda cookies, light tives. Those foods are gone, and they do so, but because it has to while unknowingly being coaxed and fit yogurts, and Vitamin wa- Now, when you walk into the are not coming back. So if you compete with Soho across the into eating better and healthier ter. Yum? Not quite. After cafeteria, you are immediately are unhappy with what is in the street. And I wondered: what if food. hearing only once last spring confronted by parfaits, regular cafeteria now, speak up positive- the cafeteria had a similar impe- At Park School, we should about changes, we arrived at yogurts, and frozen fruit bars. ly. What more do you want to tus for making its food healthy not be regulating what people school seeing only: diet, diet, Has anyone tried the yogurt par- see? Why let our school be part and tasty? eat, not out of any longwinded diet. Not only were we un- faits? They are incredible! The of America’s obesity plague? As long as I’ve been at Park, philosophical objection, but be- healthy, but we were fat? How fruit tastes fresh, the yogurt is Can’t we be slightly ahead of the the cafeteria has achieved only cause it doesn’t work. While could the parents involved in not clumpy, the granola is common American and see what low standards of excellence. The introducing a competing compa- this food upheaval ask for our crunchy… not only all this, but will be better for us in the long food is greasy, the hot food is ny is just one solution and support in this decision to rid us the container has a sticker pro- run? Can’t we make the jump often cold, and the drinks are understandably somewhat im- of our adored junk food, and call claiming its due date – when and accept that eating healthy unhealthy. Reminiscent of their practical, we need to find a us fat in the process? Well, as have we ever had the luxury of now will be helpful later on? liberal political roots, the parents viable way to increase the over- part of this food committee knowing how fresh our food is? Can’t we start to see that responded by regulating away its all quality of the food and we myself, I have to say that all Towards the back of the cafe- healthy food is good too? profit margin. But because the need to be creative to do it. Page 7 COMMENTARY February 3, 2005 The Postscript Class gift deserves more Religion : Principle vs. Practicality thought, less glamour by Sarah Raifman ‘05 it still affects us today. Are these ac- Isn’t it absurd that the last gift by Ayla Zeimer ‘05 To what extent is it possible tions a secular school given in our names by our par- to be a purely secular school in should be taking? For a school in which tradi- ents should be tangible, today’s society? Religion is con- While religion is tions are shunned, it seems materialistic, and self-indulgent, stantly pushed in our faces, something everyone necessary that we question re- that it should be something we whether we welcome it or spurn should learn about and curring obligations, such as the can put a plaque on? Of course it. Do we offend believers by discuss, how much is annual senior gift, in order to re- the gift should be a donation to putting secular education before too much for a secu- our Park community, for, af- religious responsibilities? And if lar school like Park? ter all, isn’t the purpose of a so, should we just back off and Secularism is de- class gift to give our parents let secularism yield to the sa- fined as “religious the opportunity to show their cred? skepticism or indiffer- gratitude for our high school The lines which we have dif- ence, the view that experience here? photo by L. Schleider ‘07 ficulty defining are often the religious consider- However, as it is now, the most important ones. The line ations should be excluded from pectations as a secular school. gift’s value is cheap, despite between the secular and the sa- civil affairs or public educa- Students who apply to Park do the many thousands of dollars cred has been disputed for tion.” If we schedule school so knowing that it is a secular paid. All this said, who thousands of years. Around the events around religious ones, are school; they therefore should wouldn’t be pleased with do- world today, there are between we really a secular school? expect that the school will take nating the senior gift money 25 and 30 wars being fought, all There is a difference between a responsibility for each student’s to an established tuition assis- of which are due to religious school that accepts, respects, education and not for their reli- tance fund? conflict. Here in America, is it and adheres to all religions and gious practice. Mike McGill explained to appropriate to be reminded, day a school that accepts, respects, What makes this debate so us in a senior class meeting in and day out, that George and adheres to no religions. complicated, so sensitive, and that this donation wouldn’t Bush, as President of the Unit- Currently, it seems that Park so difficult is that Park is a com- photo by D. Al-Ibrahim ‘05 make as much of a differ- ed States, is a born-again falls into the former category; it munity that tries to respect and establish the integrity and con- ence as we would hope, for the Christian? Why does religion so is neither secular nor tradition- include everyone in everything. firm the motive behind what process of financial distribution often fall to the forefront of our ally sacred. Why is this the It is a supportive community might just be a habit. Our is quite complicated. However, community? case? Why are we reluctant to that works to help everyone in parents have already made a I believe the gesture is enough At Park, too, we struggle embrace secularism, so afraid it feel comfortable and accept- decision for this year’s gift, in itself. After one child has re- with the concept of secularism of stepping on too many differ- ed. Sometimes, though, Park voting to use their contributions ceived the benefits of a Park in our classrooms and in the ent toes? should not succumb to outside ($48,000 in total) to finish the School education, shouldn’t his community. Recently, Dr. Jack- Dr. Jackson’s actions, as well pressures; sometimes, the ef- lighting project another class or her parents’ reaction be to son wrote a memo explaining as many others similar to his forts to be politically correct are started in the Meyerhoff Theatre help share this experience with his plans to compile a list of hol- within the school, are most def- overwhelming. and to purchase a scoreboard others? idays celebrated by members of initely out of consideration and Is it not possible to be for the Rosenberg athletic field. We must remember that the community in order to practicality. Although this is considerate, respectful, and ac- Therefore, all I can do now is when giving a gift, it’s the schedule school events around worth acknowledging, it is not cepting while maintaining a share my opinion and hope that thought that counts, so I en- them. On Martin Luther King Jr. an excuse. While we should be purely secular educational envi- the issue will arise again next courage you to rethink this Day some groups gathered to considerate and while we must ronment that acknowledges year, or the years after. practice for future years. discuss the impact of King’s re- be practical, we should not lose religious beliefs but does not The Assembly Chore ligion on his influence and how site of our original goals and ex- schedule around them? Non-disciplinary Assistance Group: by Jake Loewentheil ’05 which the tail wags the dog. The Upper School has two I have a problem with what assemblies each week. More Chicken Soup for the Troubled assembly has come to mean in than 70% of those assemblies the Upper School, something seem to be spent watching fill- Fifteen minutes out of a stu- by Rachel Berkowitz ‘07 On the other hand, I feel un- that was driven home during the er material, which generally dent’s day to talk to teachers comfortable knowing that joke of an assembly on January involves some student who has You’ve been nagged. The about something that may or someone, other than a close 31. In brief, it consisted of the been asked to perform musical- Non-disciplinary Assistance may not be true is harmless. It friend of mine, could go to head of Amnesty International ly to use up the allotted time. Group (NAG), which now con- doesn’t seem like the teachers NAG and voice concerns about making a joke of his own activ- The way things work, assem- sists of faculty members Kevin care whether you have a prob- me. This is not because I don’t ity, and asking us to care about blies are automatically built into Coll, Tina Forbush, Tim How- lem or not—they are just there appreciate being noticed by oth- and even give to it, as he belit- the schedule and people must be ell, Ileana Imhoff and John to communicate to you that ers, but because, on an issue of tled the plight of those people he found to fill the open spots. Not Kessinger, is here to respond to someone in the school cares. I that nature, it seems intrusive. I was supposedly out to protect. only do many students feel as student am not a radical or enthusiastic have faith that my friends would Once that task was accom- though a lot of these assemblies con- supporter of NAG, but I can come to me directly if they had plished, we were subjected to waste time that could be used cerns find no good reason to be a problem—I don’t feel like it’s what can only be called 20 min- more productively, but they also about against it. anyone else’s business. utes of purposely-created devalue the concept of assem- the drug From my point of view, feedback amazingly achieved by blies as a whole. and alco- NAG is like chicken soup; such talents as running a micro- Instead of assembly signaling hol use it might not help, but it phone across an amp, and something of import, or at least of their can’t hurt. turning amp dials while rubbing interest, it is now just another friends It is an extra step for guitar strings. weekly chore. Even when Park andpeople in truly helping photo by D. Al-Ibrahim ‘05 This description comes from has a truly amazing speaker or peers. friends or peers that do someone whose daily alarm issue to present, many of us I admit that when I first indeed have a problem. I clock is set to The Animal Col- seem to tune out automatically. heard about NAG in ninth grade, call NAG “an extra step” lective, a group made primarily The problem is a schedule that I laughed at it. The idea seemed because, if a student’s of ex-Park students who are pi- allots this much time to manda- so easy to take advantage of as drug or alcohol problem is oneers in some of the weirdest tory assemblies. I don’t want basis for a good joke. Howev- serious, it will be taken up music of our time. They make assemblies to end; I don’t want er, after I thought about it, I with Dave Tracey or Kris- what we heard on stage seem two more free periods a day. All started to see the group in a dif- ta Dhruv. This means normal. Hence, this is not so I want is for someone to say, “Is ferent light. that, by law, his or her much a criticism of this assem- what we are about to make Though some people might parents will find out. If bly’s specific content, an all too people sit through beneficial? Or not like the idea of NAG, I still the problem is not serious, photo by M. Levy ‘06 easy job, but rather a critique of are we just doing it because the have not heard a good reason then it will fade out and John Kessinger and Tina Forbush what I believe is a system in time is there?” why. nothing more will happen. stage a NAG meeting for Postscript. February 3, 2005 COMMENTARY Page 8 The Postscript Resilient Israel: A Safer Place than Baltimore Streets by Joe Rosenberg ‘06 lematic areas that most people peaceful and lovely. There are ing in 1948, Israel has had to them even when they are off tend to avoid. Baltimore has malls in Israel, and there are overcome a lot. Because of the duty. This, along with the fact “Don’t die,” was the com- drug-related violence, and Isra- nightclubs, and bars, and odds against her, Israel’s gov- that most public establishments mon response from my friends el has Israel-Palestinian-related schools, and there is even an ernment has taken measures to have guards and metal detectors when I told them that I, along violence. area that resembles 5th Avenue ensure Israel’s safety along with at the doors, only adds to one’s with Mica Fidler ‘08, Gabby From hearing about Israel with its designer stores. the safety of her citizens. All of sense of security there. Lessans ‘08, Tyler Weinberg through the news in America, To be perfectly honest I felt Israel’s citizens actively partici- Whatever your politics are, ‘06, as well as over there is no disputing this: The 120 other members of Jewish people have been one of the Baltimore Jewish the most hated groups since the community, was going beginning of religion. They to Israel for winter have had to endure a lot, and break. I have to admit even though they don’t have a that hearing this from huge country, it isn’t in a great my friends upset me a area, and it doesn’t have any great deal. Not because allies nearby, Israel has flour- I didn’t like them giving ished. me a hard time about The resilience of the Jews my travel plans, but be- (and more specifically the Is- cause they were under raelis) is literally awesome. the false impression that Israel doesn’t have many merely traveling to Isra- friends in the world, and it el was practically needs America’s support. Not suicide. only do the Israeli people need The American media, the support of their fellow for the most part, tends American Jews, they need the to have an anti-Israel support of all Americans to sur- bias. Because of this vive. bias, the American me- Traveling to Israel is a risk, dia portrays Israel in a but, just like crossing the street, negative light, and only it is a calculated risk. Your odds dwells on the terrorism of being killed in Israel by crime Israel faces. It is impor- or terrorism are actually less tant to understand the than they are in the United situation in realistic States. terms; Israel has its se- I urge everyone to find out curity issues, but photo courtesy J. Rosenberg ‘06 more about Israel. I’ll be going J. Rosenberg ’06 and his group sit on an Israeli tank. Rosenberg felt safe travelling throughout the country. everyplace else does back this summer with some too. Israel as a country is sim- one might picture Israel as a safer in Israel throughout most pate in the military after High friends from Baltimore that I ilar to Baltimore as a city: war zone. That assertion is very of the trip than I feel when I School, and every Israeli citizen went with over winter break, There are nice areas in both far from the truth. The reality is drive down certain parts of Park is in the military reserve. Most and we would love for anyone places, but there are also prob- that most of Israel is incredibly Heights Avenue. Since its found- military officers carry guns with that is interested to join us. “The time has come,” the Walrus said, ”To talk of many things...”

--The Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll by Michael Roswell ‘07 Burkina Faso. In Africa alone, underground aquifers at such water, and even faster, out of 630 of the roughly 6,000 peo- exorbitant rates that toxic chem- petroleum. We drive around in I’m sitting comfortably 10 km ple who died of AIDS today icals such as arsenic, lead and what are known in other coun- in the air, checking out a light- were kids. This year, 2.2 million cyanide leak in, in such enor- tries as cruise ships, tanks and show the designers of Disney’s people will die of AIDS. mous quantities that wells need limousines, all of which use tons Diversity Celebration at Epcot As if places like Sudan, Ethi- to be dug dozens of feet deep to of gas, which is usually still, af- would envy. I’m approaching opia, and Côte D’Ivoire didn’t avoid the impure water. Either ter taxes, $2.00 per gallon. I Panama City, but I’m not already have enough issues. As way most of it evaporates, and can’t ship books that much. thinking simply of stars, if child slavery isn’t bad enough. the water tables that have exist- The really scary part is that cross-continental canals and As if governments demanding ed since before the ice age are in most of these instances we rainforests. I’m focusing on the that their people grow devalued depleted at a pace never before either elect to spend our money issues of too much war and coffee as a cash crop rather than seen. so that problems like AIDS, AIDS and too little water and oil. the staples they need. As if civil The water that’s left for war, water, and oil are ignored, photo by D. Al-Ibrahim ‘05 The real question is “why or we elect officials who create doesn’t America care?” the problems for us. Recently at BWI, my mom We vote to continue cyanide by the toxins in our air, water, talked to a kid who has dreams ...food and oil are temporary con- leach and open strip mining. We and food. The FCC can work of going to U-Mass. He was vote for those who repel the against free speech, and the heading to navy boot camp to cerns. We’re running out of water. need for progress in the Patriot Act will make up for any- begin his five-year contract with electricity industry, and permit thing not in the media. But I’ll the navy’s helicopter division. He companies to put precious met- be damned if two folks who graduated high school last spring als like mercury into our air, our live together are allowed to mar- and discovered quite a way to wars over religion and oil that drinking is mostly owned, of water and, therefore, our food. ry in court. buy an education. have made thousands of people course, by companies like We vote for wars and for So let’s keep caring about im- His situation pales in compar- into refugees while the rest of Coca-Cola and Pepsi, who have money to fight them even when portant issues, and remember ison to the more-than 1,000 the world looks away aren’t bad bought up countries’ infrastruc- we don’t plan on doing so. Yet, next election to put someone into Americans killed in Iraq since enough. tures as foreign debt forces them in eleven states, the true sense office who will increase the na- March 2003, which, in turn, is But food and oil are tempo- to privatize at a disadvantage to of perdition comes when people tional debt, make it harder to get dwarfed by the thousands of rary concerns. We’re running the people and environment, but consider two men or two wom- out of personal debt, forget en- Iraqis felled by friendly and un- out of water. Nearly 80% of its definitely not the multinational en marrying each other. We tirely about the schools we go friendly fire. consumption goes to agricul- conglomerate. don’t care so much about peo- to and neighborhoods we live in, But that’s war. Even without ture, diverted from rivers. If this And Americans are really ex- ple getting killed by guns we’ve and pay stringent attention to war, people are being killed in isn’t viable, it is pumped from cited that we’re running out of given them or used ourselves, or destroying our planet. Page 9 REVIEWS February 3, 2005 The Postscript 99.1 says good-bye to 36 years of HFS’s alternative rock by Charlie Hankin ‘06 oneers such as Nirvana and plete with the Junkies. Morning there will be another one this internet_radio/whfs). They’ve Pearl Jam, and Alternative mu- programming went from genu- year, but it may very well be the updated their programming, too. It took me 10 months to stop sic blossomed into a plethora of inely appreciating Alternative last). There’s been a push toward old- listening to WHFS after its usu- accessible, socially acceptable music, to distorting that music, If the HFStival does, in fact, er material, such as music by al morning music was replaced music. to making fun of it, to ignoring die, it will certainly be the sta- The Clash, The Police, and solely with talk. The station that Flash forward to the begin- it. tion’s biggest loss, and not just REM, as well as stuff by bands had brought Alternative rock to ning of this in terms of reve- that thrived in Alternative’s hey- Baltimore was now home to the decade. HFS nue from ticket day (think early Weezer, Bush, Junkies, HFS’s first and only bleeds Nickel- sales. Besides the and Radiohead). While this is talk-radio show. Composed back, Staind, and staple bands of certainly an improvement over strictly of sports, trivia, and call- Papa Roach. the post-Alterna- their playlists from the time they ins, it had no business being on There is no long- tive era, the went off the air, there are good my radio, and I had no business er anything concert has also bands being ignored altogether, listening to it. So, nearly a year “alternative” about showcased some independent groups in need of after they showed up, I turned Alternative music. legitimate, hard- an outlet now. In my opinion, a off the Junkies for good. To make matters working, step back is a step in the wrong Then on January 12, WHFS worse, the trend freethinking direction. Still, the station is lis- went off the air altogether. A toward sameness groups, including tenable now, which is, frankly, rock station since 1968, it rose, in music has car- Interpol, Black wonderful. peaked in the early nineties, and ried over into the Rebel Motorcy- The mortal wounding of HFS ultimately fell, along with its disc jockeys re- cle Club, The is indicative of the decline and brand of Alternative Rock. Sta- sponsible for Roots, and Hot fall of post-Alternative music. If tion 99.1 is now “El Zol,” an delivering our image courtesy El Zol Radio Hot Heat. It any popular music is to survive all-Spanish language station. music. “The Aq and Kath Show” Perhaps what will be most should be noted that these bands on the radio, major format How did this happen? ended in the mid-nineties, then sorely missed about HFS is the were usually relegated to the changes need to be made. Lis- “Alternative Rock” was the Rob Tim left, followed by Wea- HFStival. The HFStival was an smaller sidestage. teners are ever so slowly tuning bandwagon onto which every- sel (a DJ since 1969), and we institution of sorts, attracting the But WHFS is not completely in to web radio, or simply for- one was jumping in the early were left with interim DJ’s like big name bands that started the gone. Through popular demand saking the medium in favor of nineties. At the time, Metal mu- Lew Brutus. ball rolling on the Alternative and petitioning, HFS’s program- more convenient individual song sic was in the midst of a gradual These DJ’s came and went, movement, but it ended up de- ming is now available at night downloads, or buying music decline, and soon grunge put the and HFS moved its program- generating into the largest annual and on weekends on 105.7. You through iTunes. The future of proverbial final nail in the cof- ming in the direction of the outdoor mental demolition der- can also listen to the station on- my generation’s music on the fin. Soundgarden, Alice in shock-jocks of other stations. by in town (for those of you line on Radio@AOL (http:// radio is either bright or non-ex- Chains, and others followed pi- The metamorphosis was com- who go every year, fear not, music.channel.aol.com/ istent. In Good Company: Thumbs up, Thumbs down Good-humored romance Underdeveloped, flat and lackluster by Ally Oshinsky ‘06 actor, Topher’s portrayal of by Rachel Kutler ‘06 But the potential for a chick- what they do together, how Carter is much like Eric Forman flick hit falls flat, resulting in a they deal with their drastic life- In Good Company is not of That 70’s Show; basically, he The previews and commer- lackluster bust. First and fore- style differences. This is your run-of-the-mill, tiresome is a nervous awkward boy we cials for In Good Company most, each character was especially difficult for the viewer romantic comedy. Unlike many can’t help but love. Much of the promised a hit in the box office, underdeveloped and lacked dy- when the dialogue and chemis- movies that center around two movie’s humor comes from especially with the ladies. The namic personalities. Alex, the try between the actors feels people who are romantically in- Carter’s quirky personality. Be- story focuses on the unexplored most prominent example, was forced and scripted. volved, the heart of this movie tween Quaid and Grace, the territory of boss-employee rela- having trouble deciding between When the relationship ends is the friendship that forms be- laughter in the theater was al- tionships and beyond. Dan a career in tennis or creative (as abruptly as it began), Carter tween Carter Duryea (Topher most constant. Foreman (Dennis Quaid), a long writing. Johansson plays the role recovers as if it never happened. Grace) and Dan Foreman (Den- Scarlett Johansson shows a time sales-representative for a as a genuinely wholesome “dad- The love story was simply a nis Quaid). lighter side of her acting abilities sports magazine finds his high dy’s girl”, confused about what mechanism to bring some “Hol- Still, romance finds its way in this film. She looks uncon- ranking position (after some cor- she wants to do with her life— lywood” into the into the plot when Carter falls in ventionally beautiful and plays an porate outsourcing) re-filled by so confused in fact, that movie—neither Carter nor Dan love with Dan’s 18 year-old integral part in the Johansson spends actually seems to have been af- daughter, Alex (Scarlett Johans- plot. Still in the ear- her time on screen fected by the relationship. In son). This movie, rated PG-13 ly stages of her either smiling or fact, an entirely new conflict is well suited to most people. acting career, staring longingly concerning the workplace is Scandal and seduction are there’s no doubt into the camera as if created in the end to seal Dan present but kept to a real and that she will be rec- she needed a good and Carter’s friendship. tasteful level that allowed my ognized for her punch in the face to Any speck of a decent mov- mom to enjoy this movie as performance as a take off that always- ie is lost in the last 15 minutes, well. sweetly genuine girl perfect lip gloss. when cliché Hollywood endings Despite personal and profes- who comes into her Quite suddenly, unfold—Dan gives an inspira- sional misfortune, 52-year-old own by the movie’s without any real de- tional speech and eventually gets Foreman remains sarcastically conclusion. velopment of her his job back, the token “bad witty. Forced to play “wingman” As for the end of character and only a guy” receives the fate he de- to Carter’s position as “boss- this movie, don’t montage of scenes serves, Carter and Alex end on man,” Dan’s struggle not to expect anything with her and Carter resolved terms, and Carter is offend the higher powers who sappy or cliché. photo courtesy Universal Studios spending time to- ambiguously happy, running out- preached about synergy and Keeping with the theme of the Carter Duryea (Topher Grace), gether, she seduces him into side. It is important not to be cross-advertising is portrayed film, the ending focuses on the a 26-year-old with no experience coming to her dorm room. For fooled by this upbeat ending with more comedy than pity. dynamic between Carter and in this particular field. Carter, a the remainder of the movie we since many crucial questions are The humor and authenticity of Dan. The movie wraps up more lonely, recently divorced worka- only see quick glimpses of Alex left unanswered. For example, his character are especially ap- realistically than what is com- holic is drawn to Dan’s and Carter together—so quick what does Carter want to do preciated by adult viewers who mon in romantic comedies, functional family, including that there is seemingly nothing with his life? How is Alex and can relate to frustration he went boldly forgoing the cookie-cut- Dan’s college-age daughter, to their relationship. The view- Dan’s relationship after the Cart- through. ter ending. Still, it keeps its Alex (Scarlett Johansson). Con- er is left to imagine just about er fiasco? What has Dan learned Grace also puts in an all-star promise of fun by concluding flict arises when Carter and Alex every aspect of their relation- from Carter? These questions performance. Truly a character on a credible but happy note. begin secretly dating. ship—why they like each other, leave the audience hanging. February 3, 2005 REVIEWS Page 10 The Postscript Of terrorists, opera, and love: Grisham’s Last Juror: Ann Patchett’s Bel Canto no thriller, just filler by Rebecca Martin ‘06 house with music, the terrorists terrorist attacks. Ann Patchett by Yohance Allette ‘05 swampland), Traynor launches and their hostages begin to bond. gives each of the terrorists full a crusade to ensure that the un- Bel Canto, by Ann Patchett, Young terrorists, impoverished consideration, endowing each The Last Juror, the newly re- repentant murderer is brought to is a tale about finding beauty in and illiterate, put down their one with a distinct character and leased John Grisham suspense justice. unexpected places. In the house arms and explore their talents— motivation. novel, fails to meet the stan- The main problem with The of the vice president of an un- one can play chess, another can The unlikeliest people fall in dards set by The Firm and The Last Juror is that it ends up be- named country in South sing. As they cast off the stress- love, and we pray that their Runaway Jury. Instead of being ing less of an exciting thriller and America, a birthday party is be- es of ordinary daily life, captor star-crossed relationships will a heart-stopping, red-hot thrill- more of a study of Clanton and ing held for a Japanese and captive alike take pleasure in last. Intense friendships emerge er, The Last Juror ends up being a biography of its inhabitants. businessman, Mr. Hosokawa, in small enjoyments: playing the pi- too, and every relationship and lukewarm and low-energy, There are some twists that keep an attempt to lure him into build- ano, peeling an eggplant and character is memorable, from much like Clanton, the town in the reader on his or her toes, but ing a factory in the country. watching the rain through a the Vice President who cheerful- which the story is set. they are too few and far be- Because Mr. Hosoka- ly cares for his The novel takes place in tween to really change the end wa is an avid opera fan, guests and eventual- 1970, and begins when a small result of the book. the world-famous so- ly comes to view town newspaper, The Clanton In my opinion, the story is prano, Roxanne Coss, one of the youngest Times, goes belly up. With finan- heavily laden with somewhat is also invited. What terrorists as a son to cial assistance from a rich meaningless filler about the begins as a political the hulking Russian relative, it is purchased by 23- town. This filler may be won- gala turns into much who feels a need to year-old Willie Traynor, formerly derfully written, but it does not more when a band of tell Roxanne Coss rebels takes Roxanne he loves her without Coss and all the male expecting anything in guests hostage. return. I can only recommend this book to The terrorists and At times, the read- those who are strapped for a new captives find them- er may question the selves cut off from the realism of the story: book to read. outside world, save for is it really possible a single Red Cross ne- that Gen, the only gotiator who brings translator and the the paper’s cub reporter. Soon help move the story along or them supplies. Their main protagonist, afterward, his new business re- solve the other problems with isolation creates a min- would know all the ceives the readership boost it the book. iature world. Unlike the languages spoken by needs thanks to his editorial The Last Juror cannot be con- grim Lord of the Flies, the many diplomats efforts and coverage of a par- sidered a flop by any stretch of in which a plane crash and businessmen ticularly brutal rape and murder the imagination. The descrip- creates a similar social present? Isn’t there a committed by a member of the tions in the book continuously experiment, Bel Canto single opera-hater in town’s reclusive, shady, boot- paint a vivid picture of the en- takes a refreshingly the house, who legger family, the Padgitts. vironment surrounding Willie optimistic view of hu- would get irritated The Padgitts are much like Traynor and the thoughtful man nature. by Roxanne Coss’s the mafia in Clanton; they’re in- character development makes The confrontation is photo courtesy HarperCollins Books daily performances? volved in everything, own every character realistic. How- initially tense and cha- Does it make sense mostly everything, and consis- ever, this is not enough to create otic, but over the course of the window. But above all, they that not one hostage would tently attempt to increase their a great suspense story. I can novel the culture taking shape form connections with one an- make a serious attempt to es- territory. However, rather than only recommend this book to inside the house is surprisingly other. cape? shy away from reporting on the those who are strapped for a wonderful. The beauty of Rox- These connections between Questions like this fade when subsequent open-and-shut trial new book to read. anne’s singing is the catalyst for unforgettable characters drive the reader remembers that this like most of the town (most You’re not missing anything transformation. When she re- the novel. It revels in people and is not realism; rather, it is an ab- likely due to the fact that those new by passing this one up. All sumes her daily morning their emotions, not the politics sorbing tale about human who oppose the Padgitt family in all, it’s a nice read; nothing practice sessions and fills the or violence that accompanies possibility. turn up dead in the area’s more and nothing less. Bossman puts Baltimore on the mainstream map by Zack Leacock ‘05 has recently had the city on doubt many of you have heard records. Not only do the potent and Order, as it does have a few lockdown with his hit, “Oh”. other local acts who seemed to lyrics, varied subject matter, and missteps. For instance, “Blam, At any given moment, you After dubbing Charm City the be on to something, but fell to fluid delivery draw you into Blam”, the super thugged-out can hear the sounds of St. Louis “Land of the Oh”, he pounded the wayside (like B-Rich, Tim these songs, but the beats are collaboration with Hots, wasn’t “country grammar” pride, the airwaves with a barrage of Trees, Hots, Q, and Backland). some of the best I’ve heard necessary. Although the beat is “crunk” shouts of hometown hits, including “Did it For Real”, Only time will tell if Bossman’s from local talent. head-nodding and the two rap- love for Atlanta, and proclama- “Off the Record”, and “Stay buzz will fizzle out like the oth- The singles exhibit these qual- pers’ flows are on point, it tions of what it takes to be from Together”. ers; but, if Law and Order is any ities, and getting deeper into the doesn’t really fit with the more “New York, New York” on 92Q. With Bossman’s tracks mov- indication, it appears that he is album takes the listener further well-thought-out songs on the Now, there’s nothing wrong ing up the ranks and receiving here to stay. into Bossman’s many sides. For album. This and a few other with a little hometown patrio- hourly rotation, it appears that Listening to his aforemen- instance, on “Crazy World”, he similar songs would be better tism, but what about Baltimore? 92Q is finally behind a local rap tioned singles, it’s clear that and other NEK artists tell of how suited for a mix-tape and could We Baltimoreans can’t go act 100 percent. Capitalizing on Bossman isn’t just a regular their children keep them ground- have been left off the album. around singing “I’m from New the station’s support, Bossman “shoot-‘em-up-bang-bang” type ed. Over another exceptional Also, several long, pointless, York, New York!” Why can’t recently dropped his debut al- of rapper. “Did it For Real” sonic backdrop, Bossman de- humorless skits disrupt the flow we have anthems that get heavy bum, Law and Order, on NEK sheds light on his sister’s tribu- clares, “If it wasn’t for my of the album and could have rotation? Entertainment, a longtime local lations, “Off the Record” offers baby/ where would this life of been left off as well. This year, we might - this record label. It seems that he is some thoughtful insights into re- mine take me”, and it isn’t hard Despite these blunders, Law may be the year that Baltimore on the brink of a major record ligion, and “Stay Together” is a to see the importance of his and Order is still a very solid al- artists get more rotation and label deal, and possibly national heartfelt message to his special child in his life. Another stand- bum and I strongly encourage support from 92Q, as it marks stardom, all with the city of Bal- lady. Showing more depth than out cut is “It’s Hard”, which everyone to go out and support the emergence of Bossman, the timore at his back. The question many nationally established art- tells of the importance of good good local hip-hop. This could self-proclaimed “King of Balti- is, does Law and Order have the ists, Bossman is easy to connect fathers in the lives of their chil- be the year of Bossman, along more”. While I wouldn’t call power it takes to get the national and relate to, which is important dren. with other local acts such as him Baltimore’s king, Bossman spotlight aimed at our city? No for anyone planning to sell All is not perfect with Law Clayway, Cooli Hi, and Da Bloc. Page 11 SPORTS February 3, 2005 The Postscript Fresh-Soph battles in B-conference by Ben Weinstein ‘06 to stay in the playoffs. cently had a three game win- Park is currently ranked sixth ning streak which included a The Fresh-Soph basketball in the always competitive B-con- decisive 42-35 win at home team posted an impressive ference. The Fresh-Soph team is versus Curly on January 27, victory over John Carroll on the only Park Basketball team to and a 51-38 win over Key. January 21. John Carroll came compete in this conference. The streak ended with a out very aggressively and forced With a strong finish, Park could tough 33-40 defeat versus the Bruins to step it up in the sneak into the playoffs. The vic- first place St. Paul’s. first quarter. The team struggled tory over John Carroll was the Coach Roger Seidenman initially, but made a strong team’s second conference win. ’85 says, “In the words of comeback in the second quarter. The team’s overall record of The Boss, ‘We’ve had the By halftime, Park had a 17-point 4-7 is very misleading. The team diamond hard luck of a co- lead. has only been beaten by more bra.’” He then added, “But John Carroll kept it close the than 10 points twice all sea- following the wisdom of entire second half, but Park held son—once in a game against Gloria Gaynor, we have sur- on for a 44-41 victory. The key A-Conference Gibbons, and vived.” The team’s main to the win was strong defense once against conference power- problem continues to be re- and patience; the Bruins with- house Boys Latin. bounding; it is a relatively stood the initial difficulty and The Bruins’ defeat at Beth small team. If Park can con- stayed focused. T’filoh was by a two-point mar- trol the boards and continue This was a solid victory, gin, and the loss to second place to play strong defense, it will photo by D. Al-Ibrahim ‘05 which the team needed in order Curly was by only four. Park re- succeed in the conference. B. Levin ‘08 searches the court for an open man. New JV Soccer succeeds Boys JV stays undefeated in conference by Sara Welinsky ’05 standing defense, aggressive play, and beating St. Paul’s to Park’s brand new Girls JV the ball,” said Glesgow. The Bruins reach for third straight championship indoor soccer team has demon- team has upheld this level of play by Brad Mendelson ‘06 However, when the Bruins teams have battled twice and, strated to the school and the since that triumphant game played in the championship of both times, Park came out with league that it belongs. Last Fri- against St. Paul’s. Boys JV Basketball started its Bowling Brook’s tournament, the win, but only after an intense day, the team beat Key School. “For being the first JV indoor season with one goal: a cham- they got what Coach Dave fight. In the second game With eight wins and two losses, team ever, we haven’t only im- pionship season. Tracey described as a “comeup- against AACS, captain Ezra the Bruins are proving that their proved as individual players, but With a few weeks left, the pance.” The Bruins were Rosenberg ’06 played a great ability and determination is a rec- also as a unified team as well,” team is on pace to reach that destroyed, suffering a 50-13 game for the Bruins, leading the ipe for success. says Sam Zerhusen ’08. The goal, as it is 13-0 in conference loss. team to victory along with big This young team, consisting team has learned how to work and 18-1 overall. Captain Eric Baylin ’06 re- men Ian Long ’07 and Johnny mostly of freshmen, has chem- as a unit and not to depend on On Friday night the team flected, “It was a real wake up Weiss ‘07. istry and “a great nucleus of individuals. “Everyone does defeated Chapelgate with an call, and I think in the long run The team’s undefeated status players,” said head coach Simon their part on the field and steps overwhelming score of 82-41. it will be a good thing.” Indeed shows that Park is once again Glesgow. The girls work hard in up when necessary,” notes Trey Boone ‘07 racked up 23 Baylin was correct, as the squad the frontrunner for the JV practice and it shows on the Glesgow. points, one of four players scor- has since picked up its level of crown. The entire team feels game field. The team’s hope for the rest ing in the double digits. While intensity in both practices and good about its chances. As One of the team’s most sat- of the season is to win its final the Bruins have made gigantic games. Rosenberg said, “Our goal is a isfying games was its match-up games. The girls are pleased strides, they still have to work It appears that as the Bruins championship, a third straight against St. Paul’s. The Bruins with the success they have had, hard to reach the title. make the run to the champion- one.” In fact, this squad stands were victorious, with a 3-2 win and hope to carry on their win- The JV team began the sea- ship, their biggest opposition to travel where no other Park over the Gators. Park overcame ning ways for the rest of the son with an impressive 9-0 will be the Annapolis Area Chris- team has ever gone—three the Gators’ strengths with “out- season. record. tian School Eagles. The two straight championships. Girls JV Basketball grabs success after move to C-conference Team more confident about current season with new coach by Wes Jamison ‘05 year, saying simply “last year solve. Beth T’Filoh was up by we had a different coach and it two with only six seconds left. The Girls JV Basketball team was a bad year. This year will Sophomore Lauren Schleider began its season with a com- be different.” had the ball under the basket and pletely new slate this year. The Fairfield has introduced some she went up in hope of being team has a new coach, Kirk new terminology to the team: fouled. She tossed up and, as Fairfield, and has also moved Stealing is known as “taking the buzzer rang, the ball rolled down to the C-conference after their lunch money,” and picking around the rim and fell in. In winning only one game last year is called “jumping into their overtime, Park conquered Beth in the B-conference. kitchen.” Messing up a play is T’Filoh. Now the Bruins are 9-2 in referred to as “going katawonk- The team is evenly spread out conference and have solidified is” or “heck in a hand basket.” among grades, which means their position on top of the con- The opposing players are called that it will have experience in ference. “evil doers.” the future, but the Lady Bruins The team’s last game was In their first match-up of the are focused on the present. “We Friday; the Bruins faced Key season, the Lady Bruins beat are a lot better than last year. We School, beating them 21-9. Baltimore Lutheran 25-19. Un- have a new coach, we play bet- Captain Julie Hoffman ’06 is fortunately, in the team’s last ter as a team, and we are just excited and hopeful for her match-up against Lutheran, only better all around,” said Schleider. team. “We are having a strong seven Park players showed up. The team is thriving as a result season because our new coach Playing against a full Severn of its move into the C-confer- is promising. We work well to- team and unable to overcome ence. gether, work hard in practice, their lack of depth, the Bruins The Bruins will face Oldfields and we have some good ath- lost the game. today and Mt. Carmel on the photo by D. Al-Ibrahim ‘05 letes.” In a recent game against Beth seventh to close out their regu- J. Hoffman ‘06 takes a shot off a rebound. She declined to discuss last T’Filoh, Park showed its true re- lar season schedule. February 3, 2005 SPORTS Page 12 The Postscript Boys Varsity Basketball charges toward quarterfinals Winning season boosts hopes for B-conference championship

by Colin Campbell ‘05 posite end of the court, the de- fense took hold in Annapolis Area Boys Varsity Basketball is Christian School’s final offensive charging ahead this season de- possession. The whole team spite two disappointing losses. united to shut down their men, Friday night, Park annihilated eventually forcing a turnover, Chapelgate posting an 84-56 and crushing the Eagles’ hopes. score in front of a packed home After starting the season with crowd. an incredible 12-0 record, the The dominant season that boys came into the New Year varsity has posted so far this with a lot of momentum. But year resembles that of the soc- with this energy came overcon- cer team’s incredible one-loss fidence and a feeling of season. Hopefully, the basket- invincibility. It showed in com- ball team will avenge the soccer petition. They suffered their team’s loss in the playoffs and first loss to league leading Mt. carry this into the finals. Carmel on January 7, and fol- In their closest and most lowed that with a loss to Beth competitive game, the Varsity T’Filoh over Immersion Week. basketball team was able to pull “It’s a long season, and I out a close victory over Annap- worry about the intensity of the olis Area Christian School on players as the season drags on January 24. With this 46-45 into its third month,” stated victory, the Bruins kept up their Coach Josh Wolf. “Since those photo by D. Al-Ibrahim ‘05 impressive record to what is two losses, I have become ex- Junior A. Brooks fights for position amid tough defense in home game. now 17-2. This win also im- tremely cautious—I want to erages a team-leading 7.9 offensive output, with a total of the end of the boys’ work. proved their record in the MIAA think no farther than today.” rebounds per game, and is 35 points. “We really have to The quarterfinals of the play- C-conference, raising it to 13-2 This modest yet intense atti- certainly a dangerous and ag- focus on how to handle a zone offs start February 15, in a and keeping them in second, be- tude is reflected in the players. gressive inside force. defense because now that Beth single elimination tournament. hind Mount Carmel. “We won’t lose again,” stated The biggest concern, aside T’Filoh has shown how weak The fact that the Boys Varsi- The home game against AACS Alex Brooks ’06 boldly. Brooks, from the inconsistent concentra- we are against it, we will see a ty Basketball team can be beaten came down to the wire. The who Wolf considers one of the tion and intensity, is the team’s lot of zone for the rest of the was “brought into reality,” said Bruins finally came alive when most consistent players on the offensive production against a season,” says Wolf. Brooks. But managing these trailing by nine points with four team, is averaging a team-lead- zone defense. The last regular season bas- losses will define them as a team. minutes left in the game. Trail- ing 13.4 points a game, just In Park’s loss to Beth ketball game, called Program The Upper School mourned as ing 44-45, with 24 seconds left, ahead of senior Captain Paul T’Filoh, the team managed to Night, will feature stats and in- the Boys 2004 Varsity soccer Phil Porter ’05 drove the basket Weitz’s 12 and junior Zach score a dismal 10 points in the formation of all the players. team fell short of their potential, and finished with a resounding White’s 10. “The two losses first half. This happened be- Everyone is encouraged to sup- and this inspires the basketball dunk. This score put the Bru- have put us in our place and have cause Park faced a zone defense port the team in this event on players to fight through the dif- ins ahead. put everything in perspective,” for the entire game, which add- February 11, which recognizes ficulties in order to avenge its Just seconds later on the op- Brooks continued. He also av- ed up to the team’s worst the athletes, but it will not mark loss. Girls Varsity Basketball trounces Lutheran, extends streak by Ezra Rosenberg ‘06 of their own fans.” contributed in key ways to With the win, Park took a half Park’s success. Girls Varsity traveled to Bal- game lead over Baltimore Luth- Ashley Robinson ’07 is aver- timore Lutheran January 14 to eran and improved its record to aging over 6 points a game and, take on the first place Saints in 8-1 in conference and 8-4 over- according to Coll, “is soon go- their own gym. The game, all this season. Girls Varsity went ing to be unstoppable inside the which would decide first place, on an eight game winning streak paint.” turned into an IAAM C-Confer- after losing its C-Conference Freshman Claire Elwanger ence battle of epic proportions. opener to Lutheran. has also been key, averaging 6 The first three periods of the An instrumental part of that points a game. game were close, but the fourth streak has been captain Sarah Erica Gelb ’05 is providing quarter belonged to Park. The Gold, who is averaging over 13 senior leadership for the team, Bruins, led by junior Sarah points per game. She strength- which is made of a mix of Gold, pulled away, winning by ened her bid for being named all younger and older players. a final score of 39-28. Coach IAAM with 20 points in the win The team’s success has also Kevin Coll was ecstatic about over Lutheran. been impressive considering the the game, saying “There is noth- The Bruins have now beaten absence of co-captain Sarah ing greater than beating the first photo by T. Lansburgh every conference opponent, Dewey ’05, who has missed place team in front of over 200 C. Elwanger ‘08 waits for a freethrow. showing dominance of their three weeks due to an ankle new conference, which they sprain. switched to this year. The team The Bruin’s win streak came Non-Profit Organization The Park School of Baltimore has been playing aggressive de- to an end against third place St. Brooklandville, MD 21022 fense and has gotten better over Timothy’s on January 27, 36- U.S. Postage the last eight games after a chal- 40. Park traveled to Key the lenge issued by Coll to play following day and suffered its Permit No. 2 better each and every game. third conference loss of the sea- Gold stated proudly, “We have son. The game was the team’s come together as a team since fourth of the week, which might the beginning of the season, de- account for their slow start, 6- veloped our team chemistry, 6 score at half time, and and are working together more subsequent inability to score in as a team.” the second half. The Girl’s Throughout the team’s win- record now stands at 9-3 in ning streak, other players have conference and 9-8 overall.