Janet Bowman Praised for Hard Work and Student Commit

December 3, 2012 • Estd. 1892 • Vol. 121 • No.4• Published Monthly • www.ihstattler.com • Ithaca High School, 1401 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca, NY, 14850 • FREE PHOTO/\CHRIS DEVENPECK

Judy Cogan, art teacher at IHS, with her motorcycle on a trip with her husband. Judy Cogan Honored Award From Cayuga Radio Janet Bowman Group, Receives Computer for IHS Praised for Hard Work And Twelve area educators received an award at the 22nd annual Apple for the Teachers Student Commit- Award Banquet on Tuesday, November 13, hosted by the Cayuga Radio Group. They in- ment cluded Judy Cogan, an art teacher at IHS, who received a brand new laptop and a new computer for the school. Each fall, the seven Cayuga Radio Group stations, including Lite Janet Bowman, IHS French Rock 97.3, NewsTalk and Classic Rock I-100, deliver apples to public school teachers with- teacher, was honored with one in Tompkins County in order to commence the annual Apple for Teachers Award nomina- of two TC3 CollegeNow facul- tion process. Listeners to the stations submit their teacher nominations, which are then, in ty awards on August 17 at the turn, reviewed by a panel of judges from the seven radio stations. The entire process spans annual professional develop- six weeks, and two award recipients are chosen every week and announced on the air from ment event. ICSD is one of 45 late October until early November. districts which participates in The other eleven recipients are as follows: Pete Aagaard (Homer Jr. High School), Dara this event, and Bowman was Anissi (Lehman Alternative Community School), John D’Antonio (Groton Elementary nominated by students and School), Bryan Ford (Dryden High School), Diane Hallett (Northeast Elementary School), colleagues for her fast grading, Mary Helen Hoag (OCM BOCES), Steve Kirsch (Boynton Middle School), Marian Luce challenging course work, and (Appleby Elementary School), Julie Lundeen (Smith Elementary School), Crista Stark the number of hours spent af- (Barry Elementary School), and Ben Wells (Cortland Jr./Sr. High School). ter school assisting students. -MV -MV 2 December 3, 2012 New AP Killins Here to Stay 2012-2013 This school year, APs have come and gone with each turn of the season. Turn- over rates were becoming so high that interims were replacing interims. But on November 14, Tokinma Killins from Brooklyn, NY stepped up to the plate and Editor-in-Chief secured the position as permanent AP for last names A-L. Killins, who moved back Medeea Popescu ‘13 into the area, saw the available position, came up, shadowed other IHS administra- [email protected] tors for two weeks. She liked the diversity that Ithaca offered enough to take on the News Editor role. Mansi Vohra ‘13 Before this, Killins played a dual role in Brooklyn’s KIPP AMP Academy: she [email protected] served both as a student worker and dean of students. She noted that even though she’s been an administrator for only two years, she’s always been in student support, Features Editor which, she finds, is a key component of AP work. Jensen Lo ‘14 “I understand that it’s the combination of the partnerships between the parent [email protected] and the home and the school and the community that makes the child successful,” Opinion Editor Killins said. Mike Hall ‘13 In addition, Killins hopes to bring a whole new level of support to the IHS com- [email protected] munity: consistency. Killins mentioned that her son, who’s in the eighth grade, is in Arts & Entertainment Editor the school that he’s in only because it’s in the district where he’s grown up. Siena Shickel ‘13 “I come from a place where consistency is important, and just as a student, just [email protected] remembering my own path and journey through schools, consistency is extremely important.” Sports Editor Killins noted how impressed she was with the number of programs available for Rubin Danberg-Biggs ‘14 students here. In Brooklyn, she explained that her school didn’t have a student gov- [email protected] ernment, and she took it upon herself to create a student advisory council, which is Penultimate and akin to a National Honor Society. Back Page Editor As AP, Killins hopes to bring more ideas and programs to the table, as well as Rex Lei ‘14 to ensure that IHS maintains that positive, warm attitude that’s attracted students [email protected] and families to the area for decades. Copy Editor Aryeh Zax ‘14 -MV [email protected] Photography Editors Maya Patt ‘13 The Tattler is the student-run Nico Cancalosi-Dean ‘15 The Tattler newspaper of Ithaca High School. [email protected] The Tattler was founded in 1892, Literary Issue and is published monthly. Layout Editor Anna Fu ‘13 As an open forum, The [email protected] 2013 Tattler invites submissions of opinion pieces and letters to Fundraiser Chair We want to publish your cre- the editor from all members Emily Scarpulla ‘14 ative writing! Submit your poems, of the community. Drop off [email protected] stories, creative pieces, photo- submissions in H134, e-mail Business Manager graphs, artwork, etc. to them to [email protected]. Aleksa Basara ‘14 [email protected] [email protected] Letters can be mailed to Non-electronic submissions The IHS Tattler Advertising Manager can be dropped off in a box in the 1401 N. Cayuga St. Tracy Lai ‘14 main office. All submissions must Ithaca, NY 14850 [email protected] have a name and contact infor- Distribution Manager mation. We reserve the right to edit all submissions. Joasia Sendek ‘13 [email protected] The deadline for all submis- These submissions do not sions is December 20. necessarily reflect the views of The Faculty Advisor Tattler editorial staff. Deborah Lynn [email protected] 3 December 3, 2012 Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Dear Editor,

As a child and adolescent psychiatrist I know that strong, new, and often confusing emotions are at the core of adolescence. Feelings of love, power, insecurity, peer acceptance, self-esteem, idealism, competition and rebellion are good examples. All of this is part of leaving childhood dependence behind and facing the reality of a new sense of autonomy. The increase of stress in our culture has come at a great cost - overwhelmed parents raising overwhelmed kids. Parental support can fluxuate between wanting to shield their children from emotional challenges to overlooking the challenges as “just a part of being an adolescent”. The adolescent responds by either rebelling or feeling abandoned. The key that is miss- ing for these adolescents is coping and self-regulation skills. If adolescents have the tools they need to face the everyday challenges that stimulate an emotional reaction, they face reality with a true sense of autonomy and self confidence. Instead of becoming confused by their emotions and running away from them, acting out or shutting down, they can have a better understanding of what they are feeling and why. There are a number of research-supported methods that an adolescent can practice to sooth their nervous system and calm their minds, but they can’t do this if they do not know what those methods are. With the right tools under their belt, adolescents can manage any number of emotional and mental states with confidence. From anxiety and depression, to concentration problems and bullying, I have seen a number of adolescents develop emotional resilience that will continue to serve them for the rest of their lives. Developing this resilience through healthy practices that support emotional and social development is the cornerstone of a healthy community and society at large. For instance, the holidays are coming up and with the holidays comes elevated stress levels for everyone. Parents and teachers may seem to be a bit on edge and students are eager to get out of school and enjoy the upcoming break. You might feel a little more anxious than usual and unable to focus. Here are three things you can do to help you regulate your emotions during the holiday season: 1. Get your body moving. Physical activity produces endorphins which lessens the effects of stress and increases a sense wellbeing 2. Take a breather. A simple meditation where you just follow your breath will provide a lot of relief, especially when practiced on a regular basis. Sit with your eyes closed and just listen to the inhale and exhale of your breath. 3. Step back and look at the bigger picture. Involvement with a community group such as your church or a volunteer organization gives us an opportunity to forget about our own problems and lend a hand to others in need. This allows our problems to be put into perspective in light of the problems of others. Check out Loaves and Fishes or Love Knows No Bounds, two great organizations that are dedicated to helping those in need.

With Regards,

Dr. Will Wittlin

Dr. Wittlin is a child and adolescent psychiatrist in Ithaca and Skaneateles. He has written columns for the Skaneateles Press and Skaneateles Journal.

I Hate College Apps By MAYA PATT schools are you looking at? What do much at stake in such a short amount you think you want to study? Teach- of time. During this time of year, seniors ers and parents alike will try to show The application process is not as can expect to be constantly asked their understanding of how much simple as it sounds. It’s made much about the college application pro- stress we are put under in this time easier if a student has a school in cess. It’s normal to be interrogated of decision-making, but it makes mind already, but it becomes a much by near-strangers, like your dis- you wonder why we are expected to harder task when you’re not sure tant relatives or your dentist-- what make so many big decisions with so where you want to go or what to ma- continued on p. 3 Ithaca High School half page (10 x 8) Mathnasium 4 December 3, 2012 Math. Confused, Frustrated & Falling Behind?

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I HATE COLLEGE APPS continued from p. 3 jor in. There are 4,168 colleges in the risk of not getting in or being grant- Although the Common App site is United States, including two-year ed enough aid, and it’s also hard to fairly easy to understand, the Col- colleges and those that are for-profit. rely on a fallback school that you lege Board site, which you use to Schools can seem very similar when may not want to go to at all. send SAT scores, is far from user- browsing websites or even after tour- After or before choosing what friendly. ing the campuses-- all green lawns, school to apply to, students have to This decision is one of the biggest smiling frisbee-tossing students, decide which tests to take. It is not we have had to make in our lives. It and plush library lounges. With so just a matter of SAT vs. ACT. SAT will decide where we will live, what many schools to choose from, it can Subject Tests are also generally re- we will eat, who we will see, and almost seem impossible to know quired, and signing up for tests can what we will study every day for where you’ll be happiest at or even start in freshman year. In addition, the next four years or more. While get in to. It isn’t just a question of many colleges will require addi- making such a big decision, study- what you want to study-- the student tional supplements to the formal ing for tests, applying, visiting more body, location, dorms, campus, and application which includes SAT or schools, and weighing chances of get- cuisine are all factors that can de- ACT scores, a transcript, one or sev- ting in, we have to continue keeping cide whether the college is the right eral supplemental essays, and a lot our GPA’s up and maintain a healthy choice. Recent evolutions of the col- of background information. Some social life. Whether you’re regretting lege process, early decision and early really sadistic schools (ahem, Yale) not working harder in junior year or action, aren’t much help. It’s hard to require two full-length additional freaking out about acceptance rates, give yourself up to one school at the essays as well as five short-answer. it is a stressful time for all of us. 5 December 3, 2012 YMCA Seeks Collaboration with IHS, More Changes to Come PHOTO/\PROVIDED

Ithaca’s YMCA, located on 50 Graham Rd. near the mall, has and continues to be a popular destination for IHS students.

By MEDEEA POPESCU starting the popular new Teen Glow of the organization’s mission. Dances. A collaboration with IHS to In 1844, when the YMCA – the The YMCA is more than a fitness create a student-driven program and Young Men’s Christian Association club. As Frank Townsend, new CEO a youth volleyball league is also in the – was founded on the streets of in- of the Ithaca branch, put it, “Presently, works. dustrialized London, the organization the Y is offering everything possible.” In order to fund its scholarship as we know it was almost completely In addition to a cardio room, a dance program, the YMCA relies in large unrecognizable. It was a Bible study studio, a wellness center, a full-sized part on community partners and indi- group primarily for homeless and dis- gymnasium, two pools, racquetball viduals for raising money through its advantaged young men. Throughout courts, and a weight-lifting room, the Invest in Youth campaign. Townsend its 150-year history its core values Y also hosts community functions and especially encourages teenagers to have not changed. It began as a place runs a swim team. As well as being a contribute to the campaign, as 100% for teenagers to find a sense of com- place to work out, the YMCA is also of donations go back to the commu- munity and have the opportunity to the area’s largest organization offering nity in the form of the Open Doors participate in athletic activities – the Y employment to teens by hiring life- scholarship program. is recognized as the originator of bas- guards, swim teachers, and childcare “I’m open to creativity,” Townsend ketball and volleyball, and started one helpers and offering a variety of vol- said. “So if someone wants to sell of the first swim programs in the U.S. unteer opportunities. cookies or someone wants to have a – and today, its mission is the same. However, under Townsend, big dance or someone wants to stand on a “The voice of the YMCA now is changes are underway for the organi- table for a longer period of time than youth development, healthy living, so- zation. He envisions building a third anybody else and get donations for it, cial responsibility,” noted Townsend. warm water pool for infants, seniors, we’re up for it. And they can be as- “Our mission at the YMCA is simple: and the handicapped, and developing sured that all of their money goes to we [give] scholarships [to] individuals a part of the Y’s 110-acre local hold- the Y.” who otherwise couldn’t afford to be- ings to create an outdoor wilderness Donations don’t necessarily have come a member or participate in our adventure zone. Additionally, the or- to be monetary, either – the Y accepts programs. That’s what makes us differ- ganization is working to increase the donations of winter clothes through its ent. There’s health clubs, and you can number of youth members. Early steps Share the Warmth campaign and non- pay ten dollars to go to Planet [Fit- included offering free year-round perishable foods for its food drive, all ness],” Townsend remarks, “but there’s membership to all first graders and part of the social responsibility aspect only one Y.” December 3, 2012 First SWIS 5K Behind the New Teacher Successful Evaluation System PHOTO/\MAYA PATT By SARAH NIXON

Although the weather was cold and rainy on Saturday, October 27, participants of the first annual Strong Women Impacting Society (SWIS) 5K Run/Walk for Cancer were extremely excited to participate. The run was held in the Plantations at Cornell University to raise money for cancer research. SWIS is a club open to all Ithaca High School students. The club, which now focuses on feminist issues and ideas, was originally formed six years ago to help educate and protect women in Africa against female genital mutilation. The club frequently has guest speakers from the community and holds other events throughout the year. These include surveying students at IHS about body image and hosting English teacher Jean Amodeo enlightens her AP Lit students in a class discussion. a walk in April called Take Back the Night. Emily Schwan, the club advisor, said the club has “enthusiastic and effective By DAVID STEIN members and a strong group dynamic.” Although all of the current members are girls, the club is open to everyone, and As seen recently in the majority of core classes at IHS, there has freshman and sophomores are especially encouraged to join. been an increase in benchmark tests given. This increase is a result of Tamar Law, the club president, stressed that SWIS has given the new teacher evaluation system that’s been mandated by New York underclassmen more opportunities to help organize events State. The new system requires that in addition to classroom observa- this year. tions, teacher effectiveness will be based on student test scores. Evalu- Members of SWIS wanted the 5K to be non-competitive. ation based on test scores compare students’ their scores to the scores For that reason, they did not time the race or give out prizes they received on similar tests in previous years. The state is moving to the first few who crossed the finish line. Ms. Schwan said toward a “value-added model.” The new “value-added data” will con- the club wanted the race “to be open to all.” sider other factors that impact student achievement. The club was expecting around 150 participants, but un- Despite controversy concerning the effectiveness of value-added fortunately, due to inclement weather there were only about data, it now counts for 40 percent of teacher evaluations. Studies have 50. IHS students and faculty members made up the major- shown that value-added modeling (VAM) is not a precise science. In ity of the participants, but other members of the community fact, the margin of error for VAM has been known to be as high as participated as well. 35 percent. Teachers whose students do poorly on tests may not be Law considers the event a success nonetheless. “For a first considered for raises and might even be fired. That being said, many time event on a drizzly Sunday morning, I think we did pret- teachers are concerned that they will be penalized for data that does ty well,” she said. not accurately portray student growth. All profit will be going to two organizations: the Ithaca Alternatively, supporters of VAM argue that testing data has the Cancer Resource Center and the American Cancer Society potential to isolate the effects of teachers on students. By comparing for research on female cancers. The club members will be test data to that of other students from similar demographics, VAM deciding how much goes to each organization after they de- can separate factors like family background from teacher effective- termine how much money they have raised. ness. It can also identify disparities between teachers. By identifying Participants decided to run or walk for different reasons. which teachers are most effective, links between teaching styles and Dave Miller ’13 was the first IHS student to cross the fin- student success can be made. This would allow educators to identify ish line and the second runner overall. exactly how students learn best. “My aunt has breast cancer and I thought this would be a Although not everyone agrees on the use of VAM, many educa- good way to show support,” he said. tors believe that new methods must be employed to hold teachers ac- Another participant, IHS student activities’ director Karl countable for their students’ success. There are several alternatives to Mellander, said that he wanted to help SWIS, and, “[the VAM: these range from peer review to principal evaluation. One like- event] was a perfect balance between supporting SWIS and ly option is student review. Recently there has been a great interest in running again.” surveys that help students grade their teachers. Unlike administrators, The club hopes to turn the 5K into an annual tradition. students get an extended period of time in which to form opinions With luck, future races will have better weather and in- and evaluate their teachers. Studies have shown that student evalua- creased participation. tions accurately predict which classes earn the highest test scores. December 3, 2012 Code Red Robotics Makes a Mark This Fall By POOJA VERMA ing teach topography. neering ethos, and close-knit camaraderie Why does a robotics team of high are really what define this program, and it With the school year getting into full school students do all of these activities? has the potential to shape one’s character swing, the Ithaca High School Code Red Nothing about clearing trails has to do and attitude both in the academic as well Robotics team’s presence in the Ithaca with robotics, so why do Code Red mem- as in the personal arena,” said David Lim community has been strong at several bers spend hundreds of hours devoted to ’12, who was active in Code Red while at community venues throughout the fall. community service and demonstration IHS. Code Red members have been active do- events? It’s all in the message of For Inspi- However, Code Red members are ul- ing volunteer work, community service ration and Recognition of Science of Tech- timately robot-nerds at heart, and the projects, and demonstrations for the com- nology (FIRST), the global organization Ra-Cha-Cha Ruckus event in Rochester munity. Code Red is a part of and which stands for was one they could not pass up. Ruckus Their largest volunteer project was at exactly what Code Red tries to promote. is a mini-competition where teams from Taughannock Falls State Park, where more Demonstration events are held specifically around the region are invited to use their than 50 Code Red members spent an Oc- to reach out to young students, to show previous year’s robot in a rehash of the last tober afternoon trimming branches and them about our world of innovation in sci- year’s game; in this case, Rebound Rumble. removing leaves from Ruckus is a way for new the creek bed. The team PHOTO/\ANDREA KURZWELL members (rookies) to also cleared an area that get a chance to drive the the park hopes to use robot in a competition for a wedding gazebo. setting and see what The team made a huge a competition at this appearance at Purity scale can be like. “It gets Ice Cream’s Carrotmob the job done in getting event in September. rookies accustomed to Over 20 members clad robotics,” said Joon Park in red t-shirts came ’13, a senior in his fourth with last year’s robot, year on the team. setting up banners and All of this consti- the robot’s drive sta- tutes the team’s off-sea- tion. Several families son. The build season with children clutch- begins in two months, ing ice cream cones starting at the annual approached the dem- kick-off where FIRST onstration site, where announces the game Code Red members challenge for which the were ready to talk to the team must make a ro- parents and children bot to complete. Teams about what Code Red Members of the Code Red Robotics Team proudly march. then have six weeks of does. Both adults and children alike were ence and technology. Community service grueling work to create the robot. Code invited to drive the robot, as were the Car- is about giving back to the community that Red members work for four hours after rotmob band and mascot. has supported the team for many years. every school day, as well as eight hours on But Code Red members aren’t Code Red mentors several Lego League Saturdays for each of the six weeks. The finished yet. On November 10, they par- teams at area elementary schools, and of- build season starts with design and strat- ticipated in the Family Reading Partner- fers programs for elementary and middle egy brainstorming, then transitions into ship’s Kids Book Fest at Boynton Middle school students to introduce to science and manufacturing and assembling the final School. The team brought along the past technology. Code Red has been instru- robot. year’s robot, Dr. Swoosh, to go along with mental in starting teams in the Ithaca City Code Red prides itself in being almost the theme - Counting on Books. In addi- School District, most recently at Northeast entirely student-run. tion, Code Red members are currently Elementary. The team also mentors teams “We make all of the parts of our robot working on a project that will become an at Beverly J. Martin Elementary, Fall Creek in the district’s machine shop,” said Rishi exhibit at the Sciencenter within the next Elementary, Belle Sherman Elementary, Verma ’15, this year’s head of machining month. The project is creating a Virtual Enfield, Caroline, South Hill Elementary, team. “I think it’s amazing that we can Reality Sandbox, which uses the Xbox Ki- and Boynton Middle School. build an entire competition-ready robot nect to track changes in sand levels, help- “The gracious professionalism, engi- from scratch just in a technology class- continued on p. 8 8 December 3, 2012

Baseline Assessments Meant for Student Growth, But Raise Controversy By REX LEI a transition from the old to the new system. Over the summer, work was done to prepare the school’s staff for the implementation of the new “This quiz doesn’t count for a grade. It’s okay if you don’t know all teacher evaluation system this year. the answers, just do your best.” “A lot of time, energy, and money [have] been spent on trainings These were the words of every teacher for every class, as they and implementation of the new requirements,” Piasecki said. handed their students their baseline assessments in late September and The baseline assessments have two main roles. First, they play a early October. part in teacher evaluations that determine the effectiveness of a teacher.

Due to recent changes re- PHOTO/ED DITTENHOEFER Second, they inform teachers of garding public education, the their students’ abilities in differ- Ithaca City School District has ent areas of the course, so that the been mandated by the state to in- teacher can adjust their course stitute baseline assessments at the content to provide more efficient start of the school year. education. For a student, this “The purpose is to measure means that teachers can use the student growth,” said Adam Pi- assessments to adapt the course asecki, President of the Ithaca and focus on the concepts that Teachers Association (ITA). students don’t know well, as op- By having students take a posed to spending excessive test at the beginning and end of time on something that students the school year, the state has a already know. quantitative way to measure and Despite the theoretical compare student improvement. advantages of baseline assess- From this data, schools hope to ments, there have been some gain insight into the effectiveness complaints from teachers. The of teachers, classes, and education new system has placed very as a whole. Ithaca Teachers’ Association President Adam Piasecki and Superintendent Luvelle specific requirements on assess- The 2012-13 school year is Brown discuss new educational policies within ICSD. ments, causing some disagree- the first to implement standard- ment. ized baseline assessments. Prior to this change, teachers did similar as- “The frustration most have felt is not the test itself but the state’s sessments, but without much regulation. In addition, previous evalua- idea of what the test should or should not be,” said Lana Craig, Span- tions did not take student growth and achievement into account. The ish teacher at IHS. “It’s understandable that the public wants high ac- lack of standardized results made it difficult to compare student growth countability with regard to student achievement. However, in the state’s between different teachers. attempt to respond to public opinion, it has created a cumbersome and “Now there needs to be more consistency and an approval from the somewhat punitive system to measure that accountability.” superintendent on what is being used for the baseline data,” Piasecki As the addition of baseline assessments and other changes to said. teacher evaluations stem from New York State, it is unlikely that the In fact, the changes to the teacher evaluations as a whole started measures will be revoked. It appears that administration, teachers, about two years ago. After the state proposed their new plans, teach- and students must learn to accept baseline assessments for the coming ers, principals, and upper administration have been working to make years.

CODE RED ROBOTICS MAKES A MARK THIS FALL continued from p. 7 room.” ing a completely new and innovative robot gagement, collaboration, gifts, and grants. However, the students are not alone. each year,” said Verma. For further information on Lego The team has over 20 mentors; experts in Code Red Robotics is an IHS student League, FIRST, and Code Red Robotics, their respective fields who give their time organization that is also an affiliate of the please email to help move the process along. But as op- Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI). [email protected]. posed to doing the work for the students, IPEI is a not-for-profit organization that mentors encourage forward-thinking and believes the education of every ICSD stu- **Pooja Verma, a senior at IHS, is the problem solving. “We can’t do it without dent is enhanced through community Student Public Relations Officer for Code mentors. Their experience and encourage- connections and support facilitated by Red Robotics. She can be contacted at: ment are essential in the process of design- IPEI for students and teachers through en- [email protected]. 9 December 3, 2012

Board Discusses New Roots, Special Education By ARYEH ZAX when weather or other factors are not on ber 27 meeting, he was right on schedule; the teachers’ side. the ICSD website now contains a link to the The Ithaca City School District (ICSD) Report cards were sent home to IHS Dropbox, which anyone can peruse. Brown Board of Education (BoE) held its bimonth- students in mid-late November for the also mentioned the board’s website, Face- ly meetings on November 13 and 27. first quarter, which ended on November 9. book, Twitter feed, and YouTube account. The Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency re- School sports have transitioned from the IHS has recently welcomed two new cently put forward a recommendation that Fall to Winter season, and the winter sea- APs. Tokinma Killins started on Novem- the downtown space used by the former son’s kickoff was held on November 14 in ber 14 after shadowing other APs for a few Masonic Temple be renovated for public Kulp Auditorium. weeks, and Martha Hardesty is scheduled use. The non-profit group that owns the The first cycle at Lehman Alternative to start as an AP in early December. State Theater would take on the project, Community School (LACS) ended on No- The Dignity for All Students Act teacher which would cost about $1.3 million over- vember 9. training took place on November 9, to help all. Various community benefits include in- “Teachers have been hard at work writ- teachers better deal with bullying among creased space for the State Theater’s not-for- ing student evaluations,” said LACS repre- students. profit works and a cafeteria and auditorium sentative Bernard Anderson. “[They’re] a The Continuous Improvement Plan for space for the New Roots Charter School. way to send out a small form to say, ‘This Special Educa- tion was a major topic In a recent an- PHOTO/\MAYA PATT at the first meeting. nouncement, New Teaching styles often Roots announced reinforce the idea that that, “based on the some students don’t analysis of evidence have to involve them- from [their] May 2011 selves in the class- evaluation visit, New room - teachers often Roots is on trajectory teach in the center and [to meet] its qualitative front of the classroom, benchmarks.” Unfor- and well-intentioned tunately, New Roots teachers who refrain is falling short of its from calling on stu- absolute, quantitative dents with special benchmarks. For ex- needs end up sending ample, New Roots has, the message that those in general, failed to Board of Education members prepare for one of their monthly voting meetings on Nov. 27. From left students don’t have to meet its goal of having to right: Dr. Brown (superintendent), Judy Maxwell (member), Rob Ainslie (President), Seth Peacock (Vice participate, which isn’t at least 75 percent of its President), and Jay True (member). the intention. Last students achieving 65 year, a ten-point plan percent or higher on state Regents exams. is all the things that your student has done was developed to help improve district- “Let the data do the talking - according this past cycle.’” wide special education. to this data, New Roots is meeting neither In addition, students will be participat- “When we go into classrooms, we’re still of its vital benchmarks for the year,” said a ing in school clubs during the school day dealing...with [the perception of low achiev- representative to the board. next cycle, ranging from extracurriculars ers and high achievers],” said Lee Ginenthal, Academic achievement at New Roots is to homework help. LACS’s annual pasta who spoke to the board on the topic. “As an important issue which needs to be dis- dinner will be held in the IHS Cafeteria on long as this belief system continues, [teach- cussed and resolved soon. December 5. ers] might have the tools in the kit, but Four Ithaca teachers - Steve Kirsch, Dara The Facilities Committee has been dis- they’re using them deferentially.” Anissi, Judy Cogan, and Diane Hallett - cussing the state of the pool and gym, both “There are some significant cultural were recognized at Apple for the Teachers of which could use renovation - for example, shifts that need to occur [in order to elimi- Award Banquet on November 13. the gym’s floor was warped due to a broken nate the achievement gap],” said Brown. Adam Piasecki, president of the Ithaca pipe, though the pipe has been fixed and the In addition, the board a series of its poli- Teachers Association, brought up a concern basketball court is okay for in-season play. cies which deal with the BoE’s self-evalua- about start times at elementary schools be- Superintendent Luvelle Brown ad- tion, evaluation of the superintendent, and coming earlier, having gradually moved dressed the BoE’s virtual presence, especial- the district’s equal opportunity and nondis- from 7:55 to 7:20 am - a change which, in ly its Dropbox, which contains important crimination policy. The board did a second addition to altering morning schedules public files discussed at meetings. Initially reading with minor revisions at its Novem- for teachers, can be hard to accommodate announced as coming out for the Novem- ber 27 meeting and passed the series. write email [email protected] A Blast from the Past: Are Teachers Overshadowed by Administrators?

Although the title below may seem positive, don’t be deceived; a closer look into the contents of this 1981 news piece of The Tattler indicates that IHS teachers weren’t satisfied by any means when it came to both ICSD and high school administrations in the eighties. The questions that educators here might be asking themselves after reading this is if their relationship with the administration has improved -- if the programs and opportunities they’ve voiced at the table have been put into action -- or if everything has really just gotten worse.

-Mansi Vohra News Editor Teachers generally satisfied (December 1981)

By ANNE LOEHR AND DAVID MARTIN

Do teachers like their jobs? What do they think of the students? How do they feel about the relationship between themselves and the administration? The Tattler polled roughly 25 percent of the faculty, 25 teachers, 12 of whom responded. Has teaching turned out to be what you expected? In general the teachers answered that they felt that teaching has been very rewarding for them. Some interesting responses: “I’ll lecture and 30 heads nod vertically in a mime of understanding... and in essence I have said 30 different things.” The few teachers who did not find teaching here rewarding felt that way because of all the trivial paperwork required of them and lack of apprecia- tion from the students and administration. As for the negative aspects of the job, the administration received all the blame, while the students received none. What they felt was lacking was “professional encouragement” and backing. The administration would say they wanted new, “ideal” programs, but in the end never supported the programs or the teachers who had worked on them. Also, the pressures of public criticism on an increas- ingly difficult job was an added discouragement for the teachers. How do the students of today compare to the students of the past decade? The general response was that students today have poorer study skills and a shorter attention span than earlier students. Along with these ideas there were optimistic viewpoints such as, “I’ve seen a complete return in the swing of the pendulum. Today the atmosphere, interests, activities, are more closely parallel with those of the mid-sixties. There was a real breakdown in the early and mid-seventies.” What is the relationship between the teachers and the administration? This question received quite a variety of answers, but most of them tended to center on a negative view of the present relationship. One general feeling was that teachers participate minimally, at best, in making major decisions which affect them. Cooperation between teachers and the administration has been difficult. Because of this the teachers feel powerless. All who responded said that there was definitely room for improvement. But here, again, there were some doubts such as, “I would hope there would be room for improvement, but the administration cuts out supplies for Xerox and then blacktops the area where they put pebbles that got kicked around... what is the future?!” Of all the teachers who responded to the survey, the only one who had anything positive to say about the teacher-administration relationship felt that John Caren [then incumbent principal] has brought “stability” and “openness” to the high school.

12 December 3, 2012

Club Feature: Teacher Feature - Aquarium Club Chris Bell BY SARA SKROVAN By CONNOR COUTTS

If you’re interested in marine biology, Walking into her room is almost unbelievable: pink walls, a large col- learning about and caring for different spe- lection of dream catchers strewn along the walls, a refrigerator, two tables cies of fish, and just having a good time in stacked with food, a hot water jug, computers, more food, and to top it off, general, Aquarium Club might just be the a pantry full of food. No, this is not some kind of lunch room. It’s the IHS place for you! I sat down with club president testing room and its keeper is Chris Bell. For those who have never been to Julia Wang ’14 to find out more about this the testing room, it’s pretty surprising. A tiny room tucked away in the Sci- cool club and what kind of opportunities a ence section of E wing, filled with snacks and staffed by a laid-back smiling member of Aquarium Club can have. woman at a desk with long red hair, flip flops, a sweatshirt, and sweatpants. I sat down with her to try and get to know Bell and her awesome character Sarah Skrovan: When and where are better. Aquarium Club meetings? Julia Wang: Aquarium Club meets Friday Connor Coutts: Usually children don’t grow up wanting to be testing room mornings at around eight, in Mr. Johnson’s supervisors. What did you initially want to do? room, downstairs H [room H104]. Chris Bell: Besides doing this? Initially, be a veterinarian.

SS: What do you do at a typical club meet- CC: Where were you educated? ing? CB: Somewhere down South in my elementary school days, and Dryden. JW: At a typical meeting, we generally monitor the health of the fish tanks, clean CC: Did you like being a teen? and maintain the tanks, purchase and take CB: Yes and no, because I had to grow up too fast. care of fish, do some bookkeeping for our fundraising, and of course, we hang around CC: Describe your job at IHS in one word. and chat a bit. CB: Exciting.

SS: Speaking of fundraising, I’m sure we’ve CC: For some who come into the testing room, it may be surprising. You all noticed the candy boxes that Aquarium have just about everything in here that may be found in an apartment and Club has been selling around school recent- the decor is very loud- why do you like to keep it that way? ly. What do the profits benefit? CB: Because I like it. JW: We use the candy boxes to finance tank upkeep and new fish purchases, as well CC: The users of the testing room and the support staff are forever grateful as a trip for next year. We don’t know for sure that you provide food and coffee- but why do you do it? where we are going, but at this point it looks CB: I do it because I like to be helpful; I enjoy pleasing other people. like Cape Cod is our most likely candidate. CC: The idea of tests are seen as dreadful to a majority of students do you SS: What is a success that Aquarium Club like being surrounded by them daily? has had? CB: To be totally honest, I need my breaks from them sometimes. JW: Last year another club wanted to do a “goldfish game”, [where a goldfish in a plas- CC: What is your least favorite thing to do? tic CB: Could be a gazillion things. One thing I hate is leaving my house once bag is given out as a prize for the winner I’ve gotten home. to take home] and we were able to prevent this from happening and thus the animal CC: What is your hobby? cruelty inherent in it. CB: [Being] with my dogs.

All those interested in joining Aquarium CC: You are loved by many students and staff due to the environment you Club can talk to Julia or any club member have created and your warmth - how do you feel about that? for CB: I feel great about it. more information, or just stop by at one of the meetings that take place every Friday CC: What is one piece of advice you would give to graduating seniors? morning in H104. Go fish! CB: Don’t take life for granted because it’s too short. 13 December, 2012

HomemadeBY RACHEL SALLY Oreos

Regardless of whether you’re a one-bite wonder, a slam dunker, or a twist-and-shouter, you’ve gotta love Oreos: crunchy dark-chocolate cookies that are slightly salty and bitter combined with a sweet and creamy filling. Add in a glass of milk and you’re in cookie heaven. It’s really hard not to like Oreos. Looking at the ingredients list, it gets a little easier. Are all of the additives and preservatives really necessary? In truth, they are, to maintain the Oreos’ nine month shelf life-- not quite on par with the indestructible Twinkie, but even so, cookies that don’t go bad raise eyebrows and concerns. The solution is clear: make your own. Your cookies will be tastier, fresher, free of preservatives, and will make you proud. They’ll impress your friends and terrify your enemies. And they won’t last longer than ten minutes. I promise. Recipe (Adapted from Stella Parks, pastry chef of Table 310) Ingredients

For the cookies: PHOTO/\RACHEL SALLY 6 ounces butter, room temperature 7 1/2 ounces sugar 3 ounces brown sugar 1 tbsp kosher salt 3/4 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 2 tsp instant coffee powder 1 tbsp vanilla extract 5 egg yolks 8 ounces all-purpose flour or rice flour, sifted 6 ounces extra dark cocoa powder, sifted cocoa for rolling out the dough a few teaspoons of hot water or coffee For the filling: 6 ounces butter or shortening 10 ounces powdered sugar, sifted 1 Tbsp vanilla extract If Jesus was a cookie . . . 1/4 tsp salt Directions: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cream the butter, sugars, baking powder and soda, espresso powder, salt, and vanilla just until combined. Dump in the flour and cocoa all at once and mix until a stiff dough forms. Dust a clean countertop with cocoa powder and roll the dough out to 1/8 of an inch thickness. Cut out two inch circles and place on cookie sheets. Once you’ve cut out as many circles as you can, gather the remaining scraps and mix with hot water until a thin paste forms; pipe this onto the cookies. Bake for nine minutes; rotate sheets once if your oven temperature isn’t even. Making the filling: Cream everything together for 5 minutes (set a timer). Place one teaspoon of filling on every other cookie. Press another cookie on top. Enjoy! Don’t Think or Judge, Just Listen By MANSI VOHRA does it feel?), etc. But, what you don’t definition of alternative rock. The Re- know is that this one right here is a placements dedicated this particular Get out those headphones, do a Dylan classic. As in most Dylan songs, song to anyone who’s a “regular” any- little downloading, and enjoy some he’s either saying Adieu to a broken where. Although the rhythmic tones rock-folk-indie-jazz-classical [eclec- relationship or describing some 1960s and acoustic guitar may channel sor- tic] music. political fiasco. In this one, he’s bid- row -- the lyrics reassure that a regular ding farewell to the titular “Baby Blue” is never really alone, because they’ll If you need some of that old rock whose identity still remains in ques- always be remembered at their café, and roll... tion. store, shop, etc.

1. Dani California, Red Hot Chili 4. Thank You, Led Zeppelin: Be If you’re in the mood to jazz things Peppers: Black bandana, sweet Loui- patient with this song; it takes tons of up... siana, robbin’ on a bank in the state replays and rewinding to get adjusted of Indiana -- In this song, RHCP im- to former lead singer Robert Plant’s 8. Let’s Do It, Ella Fitzgerald: Birds mediately gives you that Midwest-hip- high and low octave shifts. But make it do it. Bees do it. Even educated fleas pie-loving vibe that you’ve known but past the refrain and on to Jimmy Page’s do it! Let’s do it; let’s fall in love. That forgotten; a life’s worth of “Call Me guitar solo beginning at 1:50 and you voice, that singer, it can only be the one Maybe” can do that to you. “Dani Cali- won’t be sorry. and only Ella. In her album “Pure Ella” fornia” is about a girl named Dani and Fun fact: Plant wrote the lyrics for -- a combination of two of her other her story from when she was born in his wife, Maureen. 1950s albums -- America’s beloved Mississippi to when she was killed by jazz and song vocalist fills the air with a man “gunnin [from North Dakota]”. If you need to be relaxed and her rich voice. Next time you listen, follow closely soothed... and figure out what happened to the 9. You Make Me Feel So Young, girl the group has featured numerous 5. Love and Some Verses, Iron & Frank Sinatra: Big band, big swing, times in their songs. Wine: It’s infectious; Sam Beam’s gen- big everything. If you love jazz, you tle voice and soft guitar strums find love Sinatra. 2. Rock ‘n’ Roll, Lou Reed: We all you during fourth period and become know about the smash hit that swept locked inside your ears for the rest of 10. I’m In A Dancing Mood, Dave the 1970s: Lou Reed’s “Walk On the the day. Although Beam (stage name: Brubeck Quartet: The tune of this song Wild Side.” But, don’t forget that the Iron & Wine), is recognized by his initially sounds a lot like “Love Is Here former Velvet Underground leader calm, mellow tones, this song in par- to Stay” -- a song recorded numerously had other classics up his sleeve, too. ticular will ease those tense muscles. by Ella, Louie, Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Reed’s scat-like vocal approach in this and many others. Yet, towards the song is akin to that of the Beatles in 6. Bookends, Simon & Garfun- middle of this piece, the quartet (Dave “Hey Jude” and the Rolling Stones in kel: The combination of the lyrics and Brubeck on piano, Paul Desmond on “Sympathy for the Devil”. acoustic guitar produced by this fa- sax, Joe Morello on drums and Eugene mous 1960s duo is haunting. Although Wright on bass) surprises you and If you’re feeling old-timey... it’s a short song -- only 1:19 minutes adds their own twists and turns to the long -- the lyrics are dense enough old jazz standard -- making the tune 3. It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue, in meaning for it to be five times that all the more enjoyable. Bob Dylan: When you listen to Dylan length. you probably listen to his most famous: **If you want to get into that Chris- “It Ain’t Me, Babe”, “Mr. Tambourine 7. Here Comes A Regular, The Re- mukkah spirit, download Michael Man”, “Like A Rolling Stone” (how placements: This 1970s band is the Bublé’s entire “Christmas” album. 15 December 3, 2012 A& The Chapman Our Own Jury

Stick By KUPONO LIU

On Friday October 19, 2012, the Ithaca High School drama department pre- sented The Jury, a modern rendition of Twelve Angry Men, in the black box theater. A large amount of anticipation led up to this event, which sold out in every showing. An eclectic audience attended. ranging from young children, the elderly, parents, and teenagers. Despite the diversity in the crowd, the audience as a whole was very responsive and engaged. Ithaca High School’s The Jury took a modern perspective on Reginald Rose’s classic Twelve Angry Men by having women and men cast. A possible motive for this decision was to disregard the all- male selected juries of Rose’s time and to make this play more applicable to today’s society. It was very interesting to see which jurors were kept as men and which ones were made into women-- Jurors Two, Five, Seven, Ten, and Twelve were male but Jurors One, Three, Four, Six, Eight, Nine, and Eleven were female. Although this play was accurate to the original for the most part, this rendition failed to do the original justice in certain aspects. One aspect was the charac- terization of Juror Three, who was played by a woman. It was interesting to see a woman play this abrasive character, but in this production, it appeared as if Juror Three was just a little crazy or unstable. Another aspect that lessened the inten- sity of Reginald Rose’s original play was the fact that the directors left out Juror By SIENA SCHICKEL Three’s final monologue at the end of the play. In this production, Juror Three had no monologue and simply gave in to the majority. This decision rushed the If you know anything about guitars, you ending of the play and failed to bring it to an effective conclusion. Juror Three’s probably know that all of the sound from an monologue in the original play was the most crucial scene, because it displayed acoustic guitar comes from the body of the in- and summed up all of the harsh emotions and prejudices in the American court strument (the hollow part). Even electric guitars system. Although the play was very good, it would have been stronger if it had have a body made to feel like an acoustic guitar. included this crucial emotional scene. But what if you just took the body of a guitar Despite a couple of shortcomings, there were several bright spots in this pro- away? Add about four or six more strings, hook duction. For example, Caleb Harris ’13 did a phenomenal job as Juror Ten. He it up to an amp, and you’re looking at the basic embodied Juror Ten’s character spot-on. His acting showed years of experience idea behind the Chapman Stick. and it appeared as if Caleb understood his character. He showed the emotions In the early 1970’s, Emmett Chapman devel- and gestures accurately, and nothing in his acting seemed to be forced. The stage oped a guitar technique called the “Free Hands” crew did a commendable job with the stage setup, lighting, and sound. They tapping method, where both hands are used made the most of a small space and said a lot with little props. This made the play to make sound from a guitar, rather than hav- focus on the ideals of the play rather than the physical setting. The lighting made ing one hand form chords with the other hand the play more dramatic and the sound was of high quality. strumming. The first model of the Chapman Overall, Ithaca High School’s production of The Jury was a very commendable Stick was shipped in 1974. Since then, pickup undertaking. It was an interesting rendition of the original play and was overall (electric) models and versions with different very entertaining. This was yet again another stellar performance by Ithaca High numbers of strings have been developed, giving School’s drama department and will contribute to Ithaca High School’s reputa- a wider range of tones for this modern instru- tion for having an elite drama program that is well beyond its years. ment. When classifying the Chapman Stick, it’s hard to put it in just one category. Although it has its roots in the guitar family, the Chapman Stick is played like a piano, with the same con- cept of hitting the strings with “hammers.” One more thing that is unique to the instrument is the range of notes that can be played. Usually, musicians play either a baseline or melody. With a Chapman Stick, a baseline and melody can be played simultaneously, making solos sound like a room full of guitars. 1 December 3, 2012 A&

The Lost and Found Shop By SIENA SCHICKEL player,” which looks like a hybrid of an old box TV and a flatscreen. There’s an unexpected twist here, which I won’t When you go to the movies, you typically expect to see give away, and the little girl runs off with her memory as something for around two hours, but in reality those fea- happy as ever, while the rest of the people in The Lost and ture-length films are actually only a fraction of the viewing Found Shop look on, absorbing the shock of this plot shift. possibilities out there. This short little film Many short films have PHOTO/\PROVIDED gained international been produced that are recognition, winning worth noting, one of “Best Short Film” in them being “The Lost both the National Film and Found Shop.” Festival for Talented Directed by nine- Youth (NFFTY) and teen-year-old Caleb the CineYouth Film Slain, this short film Festival (part of the starts in a strange shop Chicago International where everything lost, Film Festival), among from a jacket to a child, other awards. can be found with the Although the act- help of an impatient A frame from the film. ing is cheesy at some and irritable man. The points, there was some story continues to follow a little girl’s search for a mem- very nice camera work, and the story came full circle, giv- ory she lost, and with the help of a little bit of cash, the ing the end a nice sense of closure. Shot in about two days shopkeeper agrees to look for it. When they finally do find on a budget of $1,200, “The Lost and Found Shop” is an the memory, they play it on something called a “memory impressive piece, and it is definitely worth watching. HELP WANTED photographers, The Tattler needs and most of all, email [email protected] cartoonists, for more information writers. The Tattler accepts submissions of poetry and creative writing write email email [email protected] [email protected]

respond. ADVERTISE we want to hear what you have to say. email submissions to: with us form [email protected] to the Editor Or pick up a outside The Tattler office in H Courtyard. email [email protected] The Win Column

By PETER FREY Steelers fans are using their yellow be his last year on the team. On the Staff writer towels to mop up tears. The Ravens ground, Danny Woodhead is easily have lost all momentum after their able to slip between the monstrous National Football Conference: star defensive player, Ray Lewis, took blocks of leviathans Nate Solder and There are quite a few teams who have a season ending injury. And the Tex- Sebastian Vollmer. If you’re having the potential to make deep playoff ans, who were supposed to dominate trouble picturing Vollmer, imagine runs this year. The Packers, Saints, the AFC, barely came back against that Drago dude from Rocky but on and Falcons all have good players the dismal one win MJD-less Jag- steroids and not a Russian. Stevan and solid potential; however, in the uars. Don’t worry though, because Ridley is the new LT, and it’s hard to end, my I’d bet on: all is not lost. This conference still imagine his body ever touching the CHICAGO BEARS: Matt Forte is has a savior. turf. Meanwhile on Defense Vince an animal, and it’s undeniable that NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: “Big Man on Champus” Wilfork is he’s one of the best rushers in the This team isn’t just good in the AFC. putting blockers on the ground like league. Coming off of a fairly seri- It’s not just that they can step up to nobody’s business. Brandon Spikes ous injury, Forte has been racking the table with the big boys. They and Jerod “the New Juice” Mayo can up league-leading stats. Brandon raise the bar. Some would say that play zone or crash the middle and Marshall is a capable receiver, and it should be illegal to start a quarter- produce either way. And don’t wor- the last time he played with Jay Cut- back as magnificent as Tom Brady, but ry about the weak secondary. Rookie ler they combined for his most pro- so far his pinpoint end zone bombs Denard has been playing admirable ductive season ever. Incidentally, have gone unflagged. On the receiv- defense, and new acquisition Aqib this is also their greatest weakness- ing end of these passes is a group of “No Respect for da Police” Talib has - Jay Cutler keeps trying to throw to weapons so skillful that if Jerry Rice been picking and sixing almost non- people who aren’t Forte or Marshall. in his prime was on the roster he’d stop. Did he stab a taxi driver in Devon Hester is acceptable, but Earl ride bench. Gronkowski is notori- Tampa, or did he just intercept his Bennett has no place holding the ous for going up over cornerbacks torso with a knife? football. The team should be able and linebackers alike and dragging That’s about it. Except for the to overcome these inexplicable deci- multiple players behind him for a ten most important component of all, sions though, because their defense to fifteen yard minimum. Brandon that is. Bill “the Second Coming of is no less than stellar. Led by Brian Lloyd has best hands since Handrew Jesus” Belichick is as sharp as ever. Urlacher, this downtrodden squad Jackson, and tippy toes in bounds for If it weren’t for him, there would be of misfits has come together to be- a cool twenty yards in a pinch. Often hardly any players/coaches in the come the most successful defensive overlooked, Julian “the Rough-Ridin’ NFL whose dreams of stardom were group in the league. Don’t count on Tackle-Breaker” Edelman is a danger crushed with such elegance and fi- them getting rings; there is more to to himself and those around him nesse that they can’t help but become the season than just making it within whenever he touches the ball. This fans. He’s still drafting all-stars, he’s sight of the Lombardi. many players haven’t been pushed to still reppin’ the hoodie, and he’s still the turf by one man since Corey Dil- blowing off other coaches with the American Football Conference: lon. Unfortunately, all is not peach- handshake. Quake in fear Chicago, This conference is a joke. Peyton es and cream. Welker, formerly the Buffalo, Green Bay, New Orleans, Manning is a living legend, and it’s leader of this attack, and often de- Denver, and any other teams out all he can do to keep the Broncos de- scribed as a demon in the slot, has there. They are very, very real, and cent. With Ben Roethlisberger out, a bad case of the drops. This may they are coming for you. 18 December 3, 2012

Tour de Lance: Take Me Out to the Armstrong Stripped Ballgame; of Titles in Doping cheerful song or grim Scandal reality? By ARYEH ZAX By RUBIN DANBERG-BIGGS

On October 22, Lance Armstrong was stripped We’re all too accustomed to hearing tragic stories from Britain and else- of his seven Tour de France titles (won from 1999 where in Europe of fans being maimed and killed in stadiums, but over the to 2005) due to his involvement in a massive dop- past several years these “freak accidents” have made their way across the ing scandal. pond. When anywhere from 20 to 100,00 people are placed in tight con- To say that this is a heavy blow to cycling is fines there is always the presence of danger. When you add to the equa- an understatement. Armstrong, the come-from- tion copious amounts of alcohol and high tension over the outcome of the behind cancer survivor who rose to the top of the game, the chance for injury becomes very real. However, there has been sport, has long been cycling’s poster child; he’s the a definite increase in the frequency of such incidents recently, which begs first person who comes to mind when cycling or the question; are our stadiums becoming unsafe? the Tour are mentioned. Now his image is perma- First we should visit Hillsborough, England in 1988 for bit of perspec- nently marred, and the sport has taken a heavy tive. A Football Association cup semifinal match between the Liverpool hit. It doesn’t help that the Tour de France titles and Nottingham Forest soccer clubs ended in disaster as a massive wave can’t just be redistributed to the second place win- of fans mobbed one another in a small space resulting in 96 deaths and ners the years that Armstrong won, since 19 of the 766 injuries, in what is now known as the Hillsborough Disaster. Back in other top 21 top three finishers in those years have the states it has never been this severe; however, in this NFL season a fan also been caught doping. fell twenty feet off an escalator at Metlife Stadium in New Jersey. It doesn’t Armstrong has stepped down from the head stop there-- in the summer of 2011 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington a man of his cancer foundation, and his corporate spon- toppled over a railing, falling headfirst to his death between the wall of the sors have all severed ties with him. Pat McQuaid, field and the bleachers. In August of 2012 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, president of the International Cycling Union, said a man fell sixty feet to his death during a Texans vs. Vikings NFL game. of Armstrong, “[He] has no place in cycling and he deserves to be forgotten in cycling.” The list of incidents continues and the evidence that stadiums are unsafe In recent years, performance-enhancing seems to mount-- stadiums are without question more unsafe than they drugs (PEDs) have become a much larger problem used to be. Unfortunately for stadium-goers it is because of a combination in professional sports. Many high-profile base- of two very fun aspects of stadiums: alcohol and how massively, amaz- ball players - including Alex Rodriguez, Manny ingly, mind-bogglingly enormous they are. Of course the rate of alcohol Ramirez, and of course Barry Bonds - have had consumption is not significantly greater than in years prior, and it’s worth their careers destroyed by their use of steroids and noting that both Major League Baseball and the NFL have rules about how other PEDs. Major League Baseball only started late in the game one can consume alcohol. However, these rules are some- testing for PEDs in 2004, and already 67 players what ridiculous as everyone knows that anyone who wants to can get just have been suspended. That doesn’t count players as drunk in two and a half hours as they can in three. The issue that has de- who’ve made it past the tests or those whose drug veloped has not come from a change in drinking habits but rather a change use came to light via whistleblowers. in the sheer altitude at which people are sitting and the intricate patterns PEDs are used for many reasons - athletes can of escalators and stairs that one must traverse to reach the bottom floor be under too much pressure to perform, or just of a new professional stadium. In the past two decades, twelve new NFL be looking for an unfair edge over the competi- stadiums have opened and more are on the way, each bigger than the last. tion. The Tour de Lance isn’t the first scandal cen- This isn’t to say that drunk fans simply topple over railings while walking tered around an all-star athlete, and it won’t be the down to use the bathroom, but as tens of thousands of people push down last. If the professional athletics scene is going to escalators to get to their cars, it becomes far more likely that one impaired change, it doesn’t just need harder, more frequent fan will lose his or her balance. What it comes down to is the propensity of drug testing. It needs to stop producing a culture fans to overdrink and the disregard of this fact by stadium designers. that encourages athletes to take moral shortcuts So if you’re planning on heading to a professional stadium, be safe and for improved performance. How and if that’ll hap- be sober and you should be alright in any stadium you choose. Except pen isn’t clear, but until it does, professional ath- Texas. Don’t go to Texas. Twice in two years? Come on. Also don’t go to letes will still dope. Cleveland. That’s just a bad place to be. ------There are three categories offa categories three are There Germany, Team Although find a local chapter near you! near chapter local a find competitive. 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Karl that to referring am I yes, and ing, World Beard and Moustache Champi Moustache and Beard World world’s ofthe gathering This onships. competitors moustache and beard top behemoths hair facial by is frequented thusiasts from all over the world gather gather world the over all from thusiasts in of one to year contend other every The insport: competitions fiercest the you’re not alone. In fact, facial hair en hair facial fact, In alone. not you’re other producer, EFX, the product will claimed “harmonize with the that explained,“PowerBalance designedis to resonate with and respond naturalto energythe field of the An body.” flexibility. In an attempt to nicatecommu the consumer about how theywork, the US Power Balance website company,is aproducer ofthese bands We all know the basic claim that bandsthe improve balance, strength, and Clearly, their popularity isn’t in ques tion; however, their performance is. letes during appearances or matches. In fact, these $30 usediconsby such asKate Middleton, power bands are Robert DeNiro, and Shaquille O’Neil. wristscountlessof celebrities andath What party should you throw this winter? By TOVA WILENKSY e. A half-eaten bag of chips Results Staff writer (you got hungry) 7. What movie will you see Mostly a’s: Throw a sled this winter? party! Stock up on tons of 1. It’s a snow day! How do 4. On a cold Saturday, the a. Skyfall different kinds of sleds, find you celebrate? roads are closed because of ice, b. Breaking Dawn Part II a good hill, and invite your a. Run outside and play in so you’re stuck at home. What c. Tinkerbell and the Secret friends! the snow do you do? of the Wings Mostly b’s: Create an in- b. Invite all your friends over a. Try to skate on the ice in d. The Hobbit: An Unex- door “beach” in your home to see a movie the street pected Journey and throw a “Summer in c. Decorate the house with b. Spend the whole day on e. Wreck It Ralph Winter” party! Tell your paper snowflakes the phone and use up your guests to bring beach towels d. Get ahead on homework phone bill limit… 8. What is one goal you want to sit on and watch a sum- for the next day c. Go on a cleaning frenzy to accomplish by the end of mer movie while eating e. Go back to sleep! and clean the entire house 2012? popsicles and drinking lem- d. Curl up with a thick book a. Improving your victory onade. 2. You are meeting your and plate of warm cookies dance for when you win a Mostly c’s: Have a snow- friend at the ice rink but they e. Watch TV and pay your championship man-building contest! Have are late. What do you do before little brother $1 every time he b. Watching the world NOT a supply of branches, car- they get there? makes you hot cocoa end rots, scarves, and hats. Have a. Practice your skating on c. Finding buried treasure in a parent or someone else be the ice 5. Your aunt always gets you your backyard the judge for all the snow- b. Start a conversation with great holiday presents. This d. Reading between 902 and men to judge the guests’ the skate rental guy year, you are hoping for: 1,379 poems total this year creations. The winner gets a c. Try and figure out how to a. A neon striped duffel bag e. Memorizing lines from giant pack of hot cocoa mix. put your ice skates on and get b. Bags of gummy worms in an entire season of Big Bang Mostly d’s: Throw an ig- tangled up in the laces bulk, to share with your friends Theory loo party! Invite people over d. Read all the flyers about c. Bacon-scented lip balm to build a snow igloo out- winter skating programs and d. A bright polka-dotted 9. It is a Thursday afternoon side, and make it big enough compare prices book light and it just snowed two feet. so everyone can sit inside it. e. Buy a sticky cinnamon e. A fuzzy fleece pillow What would you do? When it’s done, bring every- bun from the concession a. Make a maze in the drive- one inside it for hot cocoa! 6. During the winter, which way by shoveling snow Mostly e’s: Have a snow- 3. For the holidays, you’ll will you miss the most? b. Make a long line of snow cone party! Invest in choc- probably give your parents: a. Swimming! angels olate, strawberry, butter- a. Warm winter gloves b. Not having to wear a coat c. Build a giant snowperson scotch, peanut butter, and b. Money for a special night c. Being outside a lot d. Draw doodles in the maple syrup to put on the out d. Going bird-watching in fogged-up windows snow cones. Add other top- c. A card with your gift wish- the park e. Turn the TV to the Weath- pings like Oreos, sprinkles, list in it e. TV programs that AREN’T er Channel to see if there will be chocolate chips, and fruit as d. New books Christmas specials a snow day well. HELP WANTED photographers, The Tattler needs and most of all, email [email protected] cartoonists, for more information writers. 21 December 3, 2012 PENULTIMATE Cartoons

The Tattler Literary January Issue 2013 needs cartoonists! If you’re interested in submitting your own original cartoons, please email [email protected] or drop off your submission in the box in the main office by Dec. 20.

If you like what you see (or don’t), submit your Advanced Dental Technology own content! Submit cartoons, photography, OF ITHACA II, PLLC questions, comments, stories, letters of complaint (or praise), or literary pieces. Hey, maybe you’ll see your name printed on this THE gentle care YOU WANT, page. Drop off your stuff at THE personal attention Backpage Editor E-mail: THAT YOU DESERVE.S M [email protected] Dr. Marcia Zax So what are you waiting for? I’m waiting for 1301 Trumansburg Road Suite S, ITHACA my soufflé of your thoughts. Chop chop. 607-273-5940 www.advancedentaltech.com 22 December 3, 2012 PENULTIMATE Ask Danelle: Dear Danelle, fection is through a Secret-Santa sys- it. Works every time. Christmas is coming up and there is tem. Find (preferably rich) friends So you acted, and for some rea- someone I really like. How do I make and force them to join, including son you’re still following my advice. my life a Christmas love story? your love interest. Here comes the Great! Now you might have realized Sean easy part. Rig each Secret-Santa card you hate your true love, and want to so that you give your soon-to-be lov- get rid of him/her. Be sure to first try Dear Sean (pronounced “seen”), er a present and everyone else gives hurting their feelings. If that doesn’t their present to you. (The key is to work, you’ll have to not hurt their Don’t worry, everyone faces this make sure that no one notices.) feelings, which is very ineffective challenge. Fortunately, over the years, Then, when Christmas comes, and bad. one of Earth’s greatest species has de- pick every present except the worst Nevertheless, it’s still possible. I veloped simple and easy guidelines one and keep it. Give the worst one have a patent pending for conver- to woo the opposite sex. I’m talking to that special someone. That’ll get sation enders. Here are a few good about, of course, the dolphin. There his/her attention. ones: are only three easy steps: Now, to act. By this point, your “In a world...” and continue with First, express interest. Get your beloved should know who you are. anything hypothetical. significant-other-to-be to notice Once again, you could just be boring “I should have gone for plastic you, for who you are. Let that person and say “I love you,” but that’s direct wrap, not tinfoil.” know you are a fun, creative, and in- and straightforward. An equally bad “If success was guaranteed and teresting person who looks to me for but much more entertaining way to failure was not an option, what would advice. Stress the looking to me for confess your love is by a note in their I desire to do?” advice part. locker. Unfortunately, statistical Also, you could pretend to have Second, act. Make your move. analysis shows that you’ll fail miser- a disease. Go for STDs, they’re some Don’t be late, procrastinate! Or ably and put the note in the wrong of the creepiest. If you’re ever caught something like that. locker 9 times out of 10. (Sample was without a disease, there’s a simple Third, panic. This step is optional. taken from TV shows.) formula to make one up. Generally, If you realize that you actually hate The best way, by far, is by using they go along the lines of: Adjective this person and everything about the arts. Sing a song, write poetry, + Noun + Disorder. Some great ones them, now is a good time to panic. paint a picture, etc. If you choose to are: Saturday Night Palsy, Slapped- Then get out of the sticky situation. do a song, write the lyrics and pick Face Disease, and Supernumerary Let’s get into more detail about a well-respected tune, like Rebecca Nipple Syndrome. each step. Black’s “Friday.” An equally respect- (Note: Do not google image There are plenty of ways to ex- ed tune is Nicole Westbrook’s “It’s these. Some things cannot be forgot- press your interest. You could just Thanksgiving.” Nothing says respect ten.) google it and find some answers on- like a red lightsaber where the likes If you follow these steps, there line, but people who write advice are normally are. If you choose poetry, is no way you won’t ever not never generally stupid. *Pause*. You could be sure drop lines from “The Note- have not a bad Christmas wonder- resort to something simple, like mis- book” like nobody’s business, be- fully. Maybe. tletoes and chocolate, but why would cause every love quote on the inter- you want to be normal? That only net is from that movie. If you have to Wishing you nothing more than a leads to sustainable, healthy relation- draw a picture, and you can’t draw, Merry Christmas and a Happy New ships and nobody wants that, right? just print out something by Michel- Year, One great way to show your af- angelo or da Vinci and say you drew Danelle Agular

respond. we want to hearto what say. you have

write [email protected] form Letter to the Editor email [email protected] Or pick up a outside The Tattler office in H Courtyard. 23 December 3, 2012 PENULTIMATE What Can I Do at IHS Outside of Classes? Here’s a list of IHS’s extracurricular activities that ALL IHS students can join! See the advisor for questions, and check out the Student Activities bulletin board in H building near H-111.

Civic Engagement and Leadership Fiddle Club (Tues, Orchestra Room, Ms. Hecht) Mock Trial Club (Tuesday, E-31, Mr. Barnes) Inklings (Mon, Library Lab, Mr. Reiff) Model UN (Thursday, G-212, Mr. Hind) Morning Strings (Thurs, Kulp, Mr. Antoine) Site Based Council (Thurs, 6:30pm , Library, Mr. Mellander) The Players (Starting Jan., Mr. Scarpulla) Speech and Debate Club (Thurs, H-213, Ms. Seifert) Urban Art Club (Tues, D-5, Ms. Lutter) Student Council (Mon, H-107, Ms. Zolnik) The Tattler (Thurs, E-25, Mrs. Lynn) Science, Math, Technology WIHS Announcements (M-F, 8:45 am, B-3, Mrs. Linton) Aquarium Club (Fri, 8:05 am, H-104, Mr. Johnson) World Affairs Club (Tues, G-202, Mr. Benjamin) Baking Club (Mon, G-205, Mr. Thompson) Yearbook (Tues, F-3, Ms. Amodeo) Brain Team (Mon, H-218, Mr. Kirk) Code Red Robotics (Tues, E-1, Mr. Krywe) Helping Others Green Team (Mon, E-45, Mrs. Benenati) Gay-Straight Alliance (Thurs, G-213, Ms. Cole) Math Team (Tues, H-211, Mr. Deppe) Habitat for Humanity (Mon, G-208, Mr. Thompson) RC Car Club (Tues, E-11, Mr. Sauve) Invisible Children (Mon, G-110, Ms. Gorbold) Science Olympiad (Mon, H-113, Mrs. Jewett) Key Club (Mon, H-206, Ms. Gefell) Tech Student Association (Mon/Thurs, E-11, Mr. Sauve) Liberty in North Korea (Tues, H-214, Ms. Sheridan) TV Production (Wed, Various locations, See Mr. Nunn) Love Knows No Bounds (Wed., The Hub, Ms. Reitenbach) Red Cross Club (Tues, G-219, Mr. Ballard) Athletics and Games SWIS (Thurs, G-208, Ms. Schwan) Archery Club (Mon, 8:05 am, New Gym, Mr. Stone) Hip Hop/Jazz (Monday, Dance Studio, Dr. Nunn) World Culture Intramural Basketball (Tues 8:05 am, Thurs 3:45 pm, Sat 7-9 African-Latino Club (Thurs, D-7, Mrs. Richardson) pm, New Gym, Mr. Nunn) Asian-American Club (Thurs, G-204, Ms. Redfield) Intramural Soccer (TBD, see Mr. Carver or Ms. Cole) French Club (Mon, K-1, Mrs. Bowman) Juggling Club (Thurs, York, Ms. Maddren) German Culture Club (Mon, K-4, Mrs. O’Dell) Ping Pong Club (Thurs, Activities, Mr. Jordan) International Club (Tues, K-19, Mrs. Bergman) Rock Climbing (Thurs, Interactive Gym, Mr. Dumont) Jewish Culture Club (Tues, K-102, Mrs. Kennedy) Ski Club (Thurs, Greek Peak, Mr. Noyes) Strength and Conditioning (Tues/Thurs, Weight Room, Mr. The Arts Desouza) A Cappella Club (Thurs, 8:05 am, H-109, Mr. Lesser) Tiddlywinks Club (Tues, G-202, Mr. Drix) Choir (Tues/Thurs, Choir Room, Mr. Loomis) Ultimate Frisbee Club (Thurs, Activities, Mr. Mellander) Drama Productions (Mrs. Tino, Ms. McKown) Zumba (Thurs, Dance Studio, Mrs. Grainger)

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email [email protected] Horoscopes Sagittarius (November Cain 2006.5!) Leo (July 23 to August 22): 22 to December 21): So last Aries (March 21 to April Samsung or Apple? Chicken month the stars changed their 19): Christmas is coming or the Egg? Democrat or Re- Gay James Bond alignment or whatever the up! Be sure to grub all your publican? Coke and Sprite or explanation for horoscopes friends, family, and relatives Pepsi and Sierra Mist? Leo or is and... anyways a different for presents, and when you a different horoscope? An- Ms. Petrillose when she set of stars wrote the horo- “forget” theirs give them the swers: Yes, yes, yes, yes, chick- straightens her hair scopes, leading to confusion ones you don’t like! A Christ- en mcnuggets. for which ones were whose... mas miracle. Virgo (August 23 to Sep- so this month will be less con- Taurus (April 20 to May tember 22): I foresee you be- Gary Johnson’s 1% voting fusing, and the horoscopes 20): If you personalize a horo- ing tardy for the class that party will have more meaning. scope on a horoscope web- requires you to pass through BTW HaPPy biRTHdAY! site, and you call yourself a G-hallway. Don’t fret, it can be Capricorn (December 22 bad word, it’s like the website avoided if you bring your cat- Submitting creative to January 19): How will you calling you a bad word. tle prod, Calvin and Hobbes writing to the Tattler for react to this horoscope? Here’s Gemini (May 21 to June edition. the literary issue the breakdown: 5%- ugh; 20): In these tough times, Libra (September 23 to 10%- I don’t know; 105%- in- teens become addicted to October 22): Libra sounds ception. many things, including the like Libya. There’s a revolu- CYBER MONDAY Aquarius (January 20 to deadly solitaire, minesweep- tion over there. In other news, February 18): Spend the day er, or hearts. Why can’t we your cat just pooped on your brainstorming New Years res- convert the bad energy and front door. Don’t have a cat? Seth Cohen olutions. Make sure that they be addicted to helpful things Get one, so it can poop on are reasonable, require dili- like being lazy and procrasti- your front door. gence, and are easy to break. nating? Scorpio (October 23 to The amount of weight Pisces (February 19 to Cancer (June 21 to July November 21): You will read Jordan Hill lost March 20): OBAMA! And 22): SAT season is approach- every word of the Tattler. something else about perse- ing! Here is your daily math Write a creative piece on your verance, racism, and Donald review problem: If two work discussing your inner Pancake breakfasts Trump. Unless you are a Re- wrongs make a right and feelings regarding the paper publican, Green, Libertarian, three lefts make a right, than as a whole, and turn it in for or Pokemon-closing-movie- do three diagonals and seven homework (and send it to Tests the day before theme-song fan... (Herman ups make a soda? us). break udoku S Grey Thursday

November Solution: Surprise brown spots on bananas