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SPORTS The Greylock Echo See Page 5 Mount Greylock RHS Williamstown, Mass. February 10, 2012 GREYLOCK JET THE LIBRARY: BOOKS VERSUS 2 in 650: SETTERS: GAP AND COMPUTERS POSTGRADUATE How much is the library really used in this technological age? And An Interview YEARS for what purpose? with Jacob and By KATELIN MARCHAND By PEARL SUTTER Each year about one hundred seniors Hannah Paul graduate from Mt. Greylock and almost all of them attend college. This year not as many seniors will go right to college, be- By EMILY KAEGI cause at least five of them will be taking a gap or a postgraduate year. A postgrad year is another year of high school, while a gap year usually involves traveling and isn’t as academically oriented. Seniors from the class of 2012 that will be taking a gap year include Luke Costley, Tom Dils, and Katie Swoap, while Ryan Mahar will be taking a PG year. What would entice a student not to go directly to college? Greylock seniors had varying motives for taking gap or PG years. Although Katie Swoap already traveled halfway around the world when she lived in Australia several years ago, she still yearns for adventure. Swoap says, “I first Photo courtesy of Jacob and Hannah Paul heard of gap years when I was in Australia, and that is when I knew I wanted to take one.” Swoap will be taking her gap year For this month's 1-in-650, we sat down in Argentina for eleven months through the Photo: Jonah Majumder with Hannah and Jacob Paul. The Rotary Club’s Long Term Youth Exchange The increasing use of technology in schools begs the siblings, although three years apart Program. While she is there, Swoap will be question: are books becoming obsolete? in age, (Hannah a senior and Jacob a attending a local high school and speak to freshman), seem to work together very Argentineans about aspects of American Fifty years ago, libraries were extremely Reference books used to be read all the well, a skill that came in handy during culture as part of her program. “I believe important parts of schools because most of time before computers and the internet con- their recent trip. The two took a week that a gap year can give a person perspec- the information that people needed could tained all of the information. Henry says, off of school to travel to Kingston, Ja- tive as well as provide motivation for col- be found in the books stored there. How- “Teachers used to collect a cart full of books maica. Unlike many people who travel lege,” Swoap said, reflecting on why gap ever, in the past decade with the invention for their classes on particular topics. How- to Jamaica to lay on a beach, they went years have become a new phenomena. of the computer, books are being used less ever, now teachers book the computer labs to help other children in need. While Swoap will be in Argentina, another every day. As Mt. Greylock tries to catch up for their students.” Since technology is so senior, Tom Dils, will be traveling to three to the current technological age by buying popular now, teachers must reserve the li- different regions during his gap year. The new computers and other technology for brary for the computers, instead of reserving Q: How did you get to go to Jamaica? first place he will visit is Frankfurt, Germa- classrooms, the library is noticing changes books for students. Jacob: We went with our dad, one of ny. There, Dils will be playing soccer and occurring in the number of books that are Students see the new computers in the the local Williams College priests and coaching a youth soccer team. He will be borrowed. library as wonderful additions. Sophomore five college students. staying with a family that used to reside in The new rise in technology has particu- Aaron Ziemer says “computers are used Hannah: Our dad is teaching a winter Williamstown. The next leg of his journey larly affected the non-fiction books and the more than books because there is more in- study class at Williams, and part of the will be in the southern United States where magazines. Sarah Henry, one of the Mt. formation on the Internet and teachers do class was going to Jamaica on a service Dils will work on a farm through the World Greylock librarians, says, “the reference not usually tell students to look in books for trip. So we got to tag along. Wide Opportunities on Organic Farming section has become obsolete, and magazines research.” Sophomore Derek Wood agrees. Q: What did you do there? Organization (W.W.O.O.F.) Finally, Dils are no longer read and so they just sit there.” He says, “the technology has become the Jacob: We stayed at Mustard Seed will live in New Haven, Connecticut with The library has stopped ordering magazines most useful part of the library.” Communities. There are many different his aunt and uncle and work at their restau- because many of them have not been read Since many students need current in- locations around the world, but mostly rant. “This is an opportunity to do some- since last year. Kathleen Share, another formation for projects, the Internet offers in Jamaica. thing fun and unique,” says Dils. Although Greylock librarian, says “some sections are them the most updated and usually the many are eager to immediately attend col- Hannah: Mustard Seed Communities going to start to get smaller because they most accurate information. Books that provide a home for orphaned kids and Continued on Page 2. just aren’t read anymore.” Continued on Page 2. young adults who are disabled, men- tally and/or physically, or have HIV/ AIDS. Their developments are mostly EATING HEALTHIER IN THE CAFETERIA situated in Kingston, Jamaica and the By NAOMI DAY surrounding cities. Mustard Seed is a Catholic based organization and, their daily lunches. These changes are the buying from sellers near the area. Rich- although you don't have to be Catholic result of the new MA School Nutrition Bill, mond Bakery in Pittsfield, where the whole to work or volunteer there, prayer is which goes into effect in August 2012 and wheat products in the cafeteria come from, contains certain stipulations on what kinds has been extremely cooperative with Rich- definitely an important part of what of foods and beverages can be offered in ardson’s efforts: it will customize what they do. schools. These changes seem to result from it makes for her needs. When possible, Q: What did you do at these Communi- the pressures of today’s society wanting Richardson purchases organic vegetables, ties? healthier options for children. which make up about one third of the to- Hannah: We did a lot of physical labor Students may notice informal signs in the tal vegetables served in Mt. Greylock. The there. There were two days where we cafeteria outlining the changes that have cafeteria has also been trying to make as just made concrete and made footings been implemented. These changes include much as they can from scratch. The goal for a fence. And then we did some gar- serving only whole grain bread and home- is to eliminate as many processed foods as dening and landscaping. We also got to made soups, replacing commercially pro- possible. And, as Richardson says, “It is talk to the kids and hang out with them. cessed foods such as chicken nuggets with the right thing to do.” Since they don't really get out of their healthy alternatives, buying more organic However, while most people would compound that often, they like it when vegetables instead of canned versions and agree that bringing healthy foods to the people come in and talk to them. "The increasing the assortment of fresh fruit. lunchroom is a fantastic idea, there are Wheels on the Bus" was sung too many Although the MA School Nutrition Bill re- budget constraints. Healthy eating is cost- quires these changes by next August, the ly: there are shipping costs, extra costs for times to count! Mt. Greylock lunch staff has been working every box of fresh fruit, and extra costs that Jacob: We also read them a lot of sto- to introduce many of the healthier foods stem from buying whole wheat products ries. The cafeteria has been implementing before that deadline. from Richmond Bakery. Although it can Q: What was it like to see all those kids more changes than just the nicely deco- The head of the cafeteria, Judy Rich- get expensive, these changes are certainly in need of help? rated walls. Most students who buy school ardson, says she wants the students to be meals have probably noticed changes in as healthy as possible. She has also been Continued on Page 3. Continued on Page 2. SCHOOL ASSESSMENT VIETNAMESE? Zavi Sheldon reports on the community forum held in collaboration with THE OSCARS the International Center for Leadership in Education. Alina Fein & Grace Singleton Nate Taskin and Maggie visit a unique Asian restaurant See Page 2. Crane offer their takes in Williamstown. on this year’s Academy Awards. See Page 3. WONDERFUL TOWN See Page 6. Will Walter gives a rundown of this year’s musical. See Page 3. The Greylock Echo February 10, 2012 Page 2 NEWS LIBRARY USAGE Continued from Page 1. says, “are more essential as books because vides people with independent study class- 2 in 650: you can’t replicate them and they always es, work periods, and free periods a silent were published in the twentieth century do contain different styles and techniques that place to work and concentrate.” An Interview not always contain the most updated infor- do not get outdated as information in sci- Despite its popularity, technology is not mation.

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