David Derbes Resigns in Protest As Faculty Chair
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UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL • UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO LABORATORY SCHOOLS 1362 EAST 59TH STREET,U-High CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60637 APRIL Midway 25, 2017 VOLUME 93, NUMBER 8 David Derbes resigns in protest as faculty chair initial three-year reached following discussion be- were contacted but declined to Insufficient information following probationary pe- tween the department head and comment, citing confidentiality riod without pro- the administration, and that they regarding personnel matters. non-renewal spurs resignation viding a reason. usually come to the same conclu- Mr. Derbes noted that while he Mr. Martino’s sion. doesn’t think that his resignation by Clyde Schwab ings. The other five members de- probationary “What was very remarkable will result in the reversal of the ad- editor-in-chief cided to share leadership for the period was ex- was that there was absolutely no ministration’s decision, he hopes it David Derbes has resigned as remaining meetings. Learning co- tended an addi- discussion between the adminis- can serve to prevent this from hap- faculty chair and from the steering ordinator Kevin Van Eron will fill tional year, mak- tration and the department,” Mr. pening in the future. committee. In an email sent to fac- Mr. Derbes’ seat for the remainder ing this his final David Derbes said. “It’s one thing to have “In all candor, I don’t think any- ulty on April 4, he said his resigna- of the year. year. However, Derbes a disagreement. We understand thing can be done or will be done tion was to protest the non-renew- Mr. Derbes said in an interview Mr. Derbes wrote that the manner the administration has the right for Mr. Martino,” he said, “but al of science teacher Matt Martino. that Principal Stephanie Weber of the non-renewal was “in utter to make this decision. No one is maybe we can prevent the next Mr. Derbes’ email denounced should have communicated more disregard of past practice.” faulting their authority to do that. very promising young teacher what he said was a lack of com- about the reasons for Mr. Martino’s “There is a standard procedure … That it was reached without any from being dismissed in such a munication from the administra- non-renewal. Mr. Derbes is also a by which third-year teachers are involvement whatsoever of the de- cavalier fashion.” tion regarding Mr. Martino’s non- member of the science depart- evaluated,” Mr. Derbes said in an partment is very disturbing, and a According to Mr. Martino, he renewal. ment. interview. really dangerous precedent.” received no feedback during Ms. The steering committee sets the The administration may choose He explained that in his experi- Both Interim Lab Schools Di- Weber’s series of observations in agenda for monthly faculty meet- to not renew any teacher during an ence a decision has always been rector Beth Harris and Ms. Weber the winter quarter. Interfaith leader stresses need for diverse opinions said. Create a club that brings together Mr. Patel strongly encourages students to form an interfaith club different faiths, Eboo Patel says at Lab as a way to broaden their community. by Natalie Glick “The activities that the club arts editor “ That’s the ideal of a should focus on is everything from Building a bridge between faiths diverse democracy. It’s people sharing aspects of their is no easy task, but it’s something not creating like-minded own religious tradition to creating Eboo Patel wants students at U- groups of people with awareness weeks across the school High to attempt. interfaith service protects,” Mr. Pa- The Lab Schools Parents’ As- different ethnicities, races, tel said. “It’s a space for people who sociation brought Mr. Patel to religions, nationalities. An really care about a topic to come campus April 4 for a series of talks ideal diverse democracy together regularly and then two or throughout the day open to the is a place that can create three times a year that group does community. a big event for the whole campus.” Based in interfaith leading, Mr. spaces where people The campus needs leaders who Patel has seen all kinds of con- who have different very are passionate about interfaith is- flicts between different groups of different and divergent sues and view fixing problems as people, but he has learned how viewpoints can come their responsibility, Mr. Patel rec- to help groups learn how to build ommended. bridges instead of barriers. Mr. Pa- together in respectful and During one of his class visits on tel worked closely with the Obama relational ways.” April 4, Mr. Patel said he noticed administration on interfaith issues — Eboo Patel that certain viewpoints were ac- and now runs the nationwide In- cepted as the mainstream opinion terfaith Youth Core, which focuses in the community. For example, on creating strong interfaith lead- students said the phrase, “I am ers within their school communi- can openly express their religious pro-choice, but…” before express- ties. opinions, but he didn’t offer any ing an opinion that their peers He said the IYC works within solutions to fix that problem. I left might see as controversial. He said colleges and universities and with a sense of wanting change, the phrase was used as a badge places like Lab that are nurturing but not knowing how to,” Amanda of honor, which is a problem. Di- young people to become interfaith said. “I’m not saying Eboo had to versity is important, Mr. Patel leaders. tell us exactly what we should do, stressed, but not just diversity that “Which to say is acquiring an but some suggestions would have every student likes. For good dia- appreciative knowledge of differ- been helpful. Overall though, I logue to happen, you need to hear ent religious traditions, knowing would say the talk was worth go- all viewpoints. something about the history of ing to because he asked questions “That’s the ideal of a diverse interfaith cooperation in America, that made me think more about democracy. It’s not creating like- midway photo by sam fleming reflecting on their own connection the issue.” minded groups of people with dif- to religious tradition and what role Much of the success of Mr. Patel’s ferent ethnicities, races, religions, COLLABORATING BETWEEN FAITHS. Eboo Patel visited the that plays into their life,” he said. work involves students stepping nationalities,” Mr. Patel said. “An school on April 4 and had an interview with the Midway. He A lunchtime discussion left ju- up and meeting the challenges of ideal diverse democracy is a place spoke at lunch to a packed room of students at an Muslim Stu- nior Amanda Levitt both confused being an interfaith leader. This role that can create spaces where peo- dents’ Association-sponsored event, where he said that inter- and intrigued. requires them to take time learn- ple who have different very differ- faith intiatives are diffcult, but they need to happen. Throughout “Eboo Patel brought up a very ing about other religions and the ent and divergent viewpoints can the day, Mr. Patel talked about the need for different opinions to interesting conflict that we don’t history behind religious corpora- come together in respectful and have many spaces where everyone tion leadership within America, he relational ways.” be talked about, even if they are unpopular. Student Council election speeches begin tomorrow by Katerina Lopez April 27. from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. using an on- 3:30 to 4 p.m that same day, and the end of every period. midway reporter On April 26, current Class of line system, which was new to Lab vocally announced at the same No campaigning is allowed With Student Council elections 2019 candidates will give speech- last year. The system was created time. within 20 feet of the voting area. around the corner, speeches for es. On April 27, current Class of by current senior and all-school To vote, students will log onto Current student council officers candidacy will begin April 27. The 2020 and Class of 2018 candidates president Jonathan Lipman. sc.ucls.uchicago.edu with either who are also candidates cannot all-school candidate positions will will give speeches. Results will be tallied by the sys- their personal computer or one set serve as election judges during any be held at lunch in Café Lab on Voting will take place April 28 tem and posted online between up in the high school lobby during period. inside 4 • ARTS 6• FEATURES 7 • FEATURES One thing’s for sure, To honor animals, junior Hyde Park is changing the spring musical will Arjun Dhar taxidermies — again. Is the not be drowsy, despite them. He preserves neighborhood repeating being called “The Drowsy animals regularly using its history or moving Chaperone.” The musical different methods from toward forming a more will be performed May stuffing to wet specimen, diverse community? 18-20. a water alchohol mixture. NEWS • TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017 2 U-HIGH MIDWAY • UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL, CHICAGO Relocation, migration dominate Social Justice Week by Priyanka Shrijay assistant editor From sharing migration stories to breaking down community bar- riers, U-High Social Justice Week, which took place April 17-20, of- fered students the chance to dis- cuss political and social issues, with an emphasis on relocation. As part of Social Justice Week, Rachel Cohen, a University of Chi- cago professor, collaborated with the Shoe Empathy Project and led a workshop on April 21 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Arts Incubator in col- laboration with a colleague. Ms. Cohen said she wanted to help U- High students to tell their own or others’ migration stories.