Volume 3 Issue 1 April 20 2011 What All Should Know About the Japan Crisis By Ciara Jacques Everyone has heard a myriad of information surrounding the crisis in Japan, but it’s hard to get a straightforward idea of what exactly happened, and if it can be resolved.

How much damage was there? The tragedy started when a 9.0 magnitude earthquake occurred off the east coast of Honshu, Japan. The last time an earthquake of that magnitude occurred, it was in 2004 in Sumatra, Indonesia. This earthquake in Japan subsequently caused a tsunami, which damaged a 420-mile long stretch of coastal cities across the northeast coast of Honshu (that’s about the distance from Boston, MA to Baltimore, Maryland). Based on a fi eld survey from the country’s Port and Airport Reasearch Institute, it struck one coastal city at 77.4 feet high, and swept away the entire towns Tsunami Caused Unanticipated Damage in Japan of Kuji and Öfunato. www.boston.com The Japanese government has reported an estimated $310 billion The following tsunami destroyed the “operable fans and fi lters to control The opening allowed radioactive worth of damages, while Japan’s death back-up generators, so the nuclear this dangerous mixture,” he says, iodine-131 to spill out and toll now surpasses 12,000, and almost reactors lost all power. “most, if not all, of this dangerous contaminate much of the surrounding 15,500 people are missing. According to Lake Barrett, who led mix of hydrogen gas seeped into the area. the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s reactor building…[and] mixed with Tokyo Electric Power Co. What happened to the investigation of this accident, the air in the upper large refueling fl oor (TEPCO), the owner of these power Fukushima nuclear reactors? cooling operations failed without area.” plants, has been spraying the reactors The massive earthquake that struck electric power, leading to a dangerous Something ignited this mixture, with water in attempt to cool them the vulnerable country shut down the buildup of hydrogen and steam inside and the explosion blasted away the down, but now faces the problem of nuclear power plants in Fukushima. the containment shells. Without the roofs and sides of the top section. where to put all of that radioactive cont. on page 3 Saying Goodbye to Mr. Furnari By Diana Hong and Ciara Jacques of loyalty to students but after a long for the environment? “I was always silence, the worst we could get out of interested in the environment.” He him was “my printer broke.” plans on working part-time at Mount Mr. Furnari recalls many proud Desert Island in Acadia National Park moments strolling down memory after he retires. He is excited to stay at lane. He is especially proud of how Acadia late into the fall, when he can he weaved his knowledge acquired hike among the beautiful foliage. as a biologist at Acadia National Park As brilliant as Mr. Furnari is, he into his biology and ecology classes. too feels that he has learned something All students have gained from Mr. from Pingree. “I was humbled by Furnari’s fi rst-hand experience of my students and their achievements the beauty of nature; he has stirred a and how committed they are to passion for the environment within learning—they went way beyond my students and has built the backbone of expectations,” he says. one of Pingree’s strongest clubs. He gives Pingree one last message: “I am so proud of the students, Team work. “So much is achievable as of how well they incorporated the a team,” he shares. “Ideas that spread sustainability unit into the freshman across many different disciplines biology classes. I was really impressed are much greater than those that just Apart from saving the world one Photo courtesy of Mr. Furnari at the dedication the Pingree students come out of one.” He also wishes plastic cup at a time, science teacher place,” he begins. This is something have put into making the curriculum that humor never comes out of the Mr. Michael Furnari spends his days he would know because he has been a reality… I think anyone coming to school’s mission statement. “Never balancing chemical equations and teaching here for 25 years… Hey Pingree will be really impressed.” Mr. take yourself too seriously and always lighting twenty-dollar bills on fi re. that’s a quarter of a century! There Furnari feels this program provides a have a good sense of humor,” says Mr. Maybe not so much the latter, but he must have been pitiful excuses model to other schools—he believes Furnari with a smile. has shared his passion for science with accumulating over all those years it will inspire others to take action for the Pingree community for quite some under the nose of Mr. Furnari, but Being Green as well. time. if there were any, he is hesitant to Everyone knows he loves the color “Pingree has always been a busy divulge. Perhaps it was his last stand green; but what fi rst sparked his love page 1 Pingree Clubs An Overview of the Day of Silence By Sam Garcia A newspaper by and for the students of Pingree School

Editors Connie Troung Diana Hong Liza Stambaugh Ciara Jacques Editorial Advisor Staff Writers Judy Klein Sneha Prem Gabbi Geiger Sam Garcia Erin Thomassen Editorial Lunch at Pingree Lunch—a highly passionate topic of high school—is one of the many driving Pingree’s Gay-Straight Alliance Group forces of complaints on every campus. At Pingree, too, the subject seems to be Photo by Mrs. Taft alive and well. While many foods are delicious, students sometimes wonder What is the Day of Silence? commonplace in school. The Day of what happened to the amazing sandwiches we were all served when we came Silence is an example of students, from to Open House and Revisit Day. Sadly but apparently, these desirable delicacies The Day of Silence has become the middle school to college, working seem to stay hidden somewhere over the hills of Highland Street once students largest single student-led action towards together proactively to bring attention were enrolled. creating safer schools for all, regardless to the anti-LGBT name-calling, of sexual orientation, gender identity bullying and harassment experienced In addition, at times there seems to be rather narrow lunch options—a or gender expression. It has lead to by LGBT and straight students alike. choice between pasta with sauce and pasta with no sauce, for example. Pizza the organized efforts in over 8,000 and potato salads are certainly appetizing, but others such as cold rice with the middle schools, high schools, colleges consistency of uncooked grains or over-cooked and over-processed fi sh lack and universities across the country, appeal. including Pingree, which is having its fourth ever annual recognition of this Fresher veggies and fruits on the salad bar would be welcome additions. day. Fruits are nutritious and have naturally wonderful taste - they are loved by all (or most, at least). But better yet, a wider variety of color would be an attractive addition to the fruit family. The Commons’ bananas and apples are perfect, but How it came to be… the oranges seem to present an image very different from one’s Before Pingree life. How their peels manage to stay so thin and glued to the fruit seem to be a In 1996, the Day of Silence is born. wonder. Oranges are great - they would just be greater if they could be peeled Students organized the fi rst Day of more easily. Silence at the University of Virginia. With over 150 students participating, The Commons is not Legal Seafood but why are the Open House foods those involved felt it was a great so lovely and the everyday lunch foods not so much? While many meals are success. The day of silence received delicious, there are occasional visits from foods that lack the same appeal as, extensive local press coverage and a say, grilled cheese. Does the grass seem greener on the other side or is it that positive response from the UVA GSA’s Leaders, Bianca Capone the grass is greener on the other side? Small changes in Pingree’s food will community members, motivating and Sam Garcia more than suffi ce because, needless to say, most foods cooked by the staff are Maria Pulzetti to take the Day of Photo by Teah Hayward defi nitely delicious. Daily pasta is wonderful. Cereal, oatmeal, salad bar, hot Silence nationally. food - they’re all here; they just need a slight improvement in their variety and quality. What the day looks like… Why we are involved, number of On the bright note, one piece of great news is that the school is working on a students, strength of numbers and Last Friday, students who new traffi c plan for the Commons and better presentation of food at lunch. support etc… participated remained silent until the end of the academic day in a statement Chants for better lunches echo throughout America - and Pingree offerings The goal of the Day of Silence is against bullying. All participants had are surely at the more luxurious end of school foods. Yet, sometimes one can’t to raise awareness about the silence a T-shirt informing teachers of their help but daydream of a world where lunch every day was as lovely as grilled and isolation often felt by LGBT silence, and speaking cards to explain cheese. If prosperity and success comprise the American Dream, then happier students and to honor those who have their reasons. stomachs may be the Pingree Dream. -D.H. been victimized due to their sexual orientation or gender expression. The Day of Silence speaks not The Day of Silence is an example of only against anti-LGBT bullying, students working together proactively but against all bullying. If you have to bring attention to anti-LGBT name ever felt isolated, insulted, or unsafe, calling, bullying and harassment felt or know someone who has, make a by LGBT and straight students alike. stand to speak out against bullying Hundred s of thousands of students of by participating. The more people all beliefs, backgrounds, and sexual participating, the louder the message. orientations participate in the day of silence. Anti-LGBT bullying and harassment affects all students. Slurs such as “faggot” and “dyke” are

page 2 orangeslicevideo.com Features Japan cont. from page 1 water. The International Atomic Energy Agency announced that workers had to stop pumping out radioactive water from the basement and into the unit’s turbine condenser, because that was now full. TEPCO looked into pumping the water into a disposal facility on the Fukushima reactor grounds instead, and workers piled sandbags around the area to prevent any leakage into the ocean, which is just a few hundred feet away. The situation remains unsolved, and there is no apparent solution for where to safely store hundreds of tons of highly radioactive water.

How does this affect the people of Japan? The country has had the misfortune to suffer three disasters in a deadly chain reaction, and continual yet smaller earthquakes keep Japan on guard. However, the biggest concern for citizens is the radiation that has been steadily spreading from the nuclear reactors. A TEPCO plant operator reported that the contaminated water being pumped from the power plant was emitting radiation at 1,000 millisieverts www.boston.com per hour, which is 100,000 times normal amounts. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano stated that, and TEPCO Vice President Sakae Muto admitted these are things we buy every day. If I have the “The radiation seems to have come from fuel rods that, “We cannot say at this time how many months chance to buy food produced somewhere else… that temporarily melted down and came in contact or years it will take.” somewhere a long way from Fukushima, I think I with the water used to cool the reactor, steam may In the U.S. even, radioactive iodine has will.” And Ouchi is not the only one. have condensed ... carrying water from within the been detected in rainwater, collected in Ohio, The United States, Europe, China, and other containment vessel.” Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. Fortunately nations have restricted shipments of farm produce Recent readings reveal that contamination has the radiation is found only in trace amounts, and and dairy products in the region, and Singapore spread about a mile into the ocean, at 1,150 times according to the Environmental Protection Agency, has banned all fruit and vegetables from the whole higher than the normal level, and is even higher it poses no concern for human health. Kanto region. Japan’s economy will most likely face levels were found closer to the plant. It is uncertain Meanwhile, Japan’s citizens are facing more hardship on top of this billion-dollar disaster, how long it will be until the area is completely safe, hardships as 200,000 households don’t have and as Satoru Abe, another local farmer stated, “All running water, about 170,000 don’t have electricity, farmers are worried at the moment.” and tens of thousands are relying on shelters. In addition, radiation has been found in their tap Japan is receiving help, notably in the music water, farm products, and dairy items. Though the industry. Lady Gaga made a generous donation of radioactive iodine has a half-life of about eight days $1.5 million total to relief efforts in Japan, and the (meaning that after this time period it is no longer album “Songs for Japan” was released as a charity radioactive), it still poses a health risk as it has been album, with proceeds going to the Japanese Red known to cause mutation and death in cells. Cross Society. Also, Sandra Bullock has donated $1 Farmers working in Fukushima are bracing million to the American Red Cross to aid disaster for future fi nancial struggles, unable to sell their victims in Japan. goods in Japan and other nations. One farmer from The natural disasters they face are tragic, and the area, Tadayoshi Tsugeno said that, “This is despite the kind donations they are receiving, it will exactly the time when we should be harvesting the take a lot of time to repair such extensive damages. plants, but we have no idea whether or not we will Hopefully, Japan will fi nd the resources and be able to sell them… I won’t be able to buy things solutions to end the nuclear disaster in Fukushima, and I’ve got debts to service. It’s going to be hard.” limit economic damages, and stop the further spread Tsugeno planted his fi elds with a prized herb nine of radiation. We must hope, for everyone’s sake, that months ago, and now faces a brutal loss on this the radiation leak is stopped quickly and effi ciently. investment. Many farmers throughout the area are Otherwise, the next time radiation is found in the facing similar hardships. U.S. and throughout the world, it may not be in Customers have their reasons to be concerned harmless amounts. about the products they buy, as contamination in lettuce, spinach, and milk has already been found. Mizuko Ouchi, who was shopping for her family said, “I think we have to be very careful because

Spring Fest Newsfl ash: Ice Cream Winner

Junior Ian Shain announced the winning ice cream fl avor for the Spring Fest: PEGASAURUS! This is blue vanilla ice cream with green M&M’s and a fudge swirl! The ice cream will be served at Spring Fest!

page 3 Features Pingree Extends Earth Day to a Full Week of Events By Sneha Prem is always appreciated, such as theme, the lunch will be served a opening up the compost bin to little differently, with items such recycle unwanted food, instead of as butter beer, Algerian stew, and being lazy and just tossing it in many more to be made that day. the garbage. Or, when you come Also, to symbolize our faith to the back from home, and insist on cause of a “greener” earth, a mural taking a 30-minute shower, cut it is being made by our talented down to ten minutes, because as artistic members of environmental some might not know, 50 gallons club to showcase what they view of water are wasted every fi ve Earth day to be. During the week, minutes in the shower. Simple we will also set up activities mundane acts are the stepping during activities period that are stones to a “greener” earth refl ect not only environmentally savvy how much courtesy, respect, and but will be incredibly fun and love we must have to keep our intellectually stimulating. We will beautiful home, or planet, clean be making bracelets from wrappers and tidy. So, enough ethical of common food items, like chips, Pingree Goes Green lectures and let’s continue to the and decorating your own water pilates-pro.com Earth Week celebrations. bottles, so instead of reaching for Pingree will host our best Earth that paper cup, you can grab your Earth Day? So what? that although environmentalism Day yet, full of fun festivities that handy dandy, customized water It’s that time of the month has become a priority, it still will not only serve us physically bottle, and walk in style. Lastly, and year. The annual Earth Day sometimes gets pushed back to end but intellectually as well. April 22, our guest speaker Wendy Williams is coming up. Earth Day was of the “to do” list and needs to get 2011 is the offi cial Earth Day, but will share with everyone about originally founded by Senator more awareness. And that starts Pingree, being the hard working many environmental controversies Gaylord Nelson who thought with us. school it is, will extend it over the she has witnessed from the United this vital topic was not getting Of course, the natural response duration of a week from April 18 States and has documented her considerable attention in politics. is “why us?” How can we do to 22. During that magical time, fi ndings in her books, which will As a way to raise awareness and anything that can signifi cantly some of the challenges we offer be offered for all to be signed from shed some light on this low profi le make a global impact?” Well, is our Harry Potter-themed bike hers truly. topic, he spoke with Attorney it’s not just you, specifi cally; ride. So, pull out your cloaks Earth Day is lived every day, General Robert Kennedy as it’s you and all your friends and and wands for Pingree faculty since all of our days are lived well President John F. Kennedy family, over the world who will is battling against the fearsome on this beautiful planet. So, about conducting an 11-state help you in your endeavors to Pingree student body in a race treat every day with respect and conservation tour. In September of change Earth for the better, into to see who can bike the most. kindness to the environment that 1963, this topic was put on to the a clean, well-kept environment We shall see who the winner is. always supports your step every political agenda and so fl owered that has witnessed disaster, wars, Oh and the prize, of course, is a time you walk out the door for it is the ever blossoming “Earth Day.” but also human progress and scrumptious ice cream sundae, your most prized possession that The fi rst recorded “Earth Day” innovation. No one forces you fi lled with all the good things ice should be kept properly, so we can was celebrated on April 22, 1970. to uphold this mentality; it is all cream should have. So bike, if you continue to prosper for many years However, Senator Nelson realized up to the individual. Any change dare! To continue the Harry Potter to come. Interview Conversation with British Guests By Liza Stambaugh

A New Columns reporter had RI-- the houses were huge, and they H&S: It’s not better or worse, it’s the chance to interview three of the were cool because the all had an ocean just different. And there’s much more New Columns: What is different British exchange students about view. of it. between Pingree and your school? their experience in America. While here, they went to Quincy Market J: It doesn’t taste that different, it’s H&S: Pingree is much more laid in Boston, on a windy boat ride in New Columns: What were you saltier and you just get so much of it. back, we are very structured. We have Gloucester, to the historic seaports of most surprised at? The fast food is wicked greasy. uniforms and a one week schedule. Rockport, Marblehead, and Salem, We also don’t mix with the other and to some other places with their H&S: That you do actually have years as much, and we don’t have a hosts. Hannah Mitchell, Susie Collett, a one dollar coin--it’s just that no New Columns: What American commons like you do. Each year has and Jonny Thompson answered some one uses it. And all of your houses store was your favorite? an area. Pingree is much smaller, and questions. [HS is Hannah and Susie, are made of wood and each has its we don’t have as many sports--the day who answered together, J is Jonny.] own plot of land. In England almost H&S: Oh, probably a tie between ends at four and that’s it. Well, we all houses are brick and they’re Abercrombie and Forever 21. But have some sports but not as much. We New Columns: What was your connected. Dunkin Donuts was the best. also don’t have chocolate milk, we’ll favorite part of America? miss that. J: All the students look so old here J: Dunkin Donuts, defi nitely. Hannah and Susie: We loved at Pingree, they look like adults! And I J:Pingree has much more attractive Quincy Market; there was so much got used to the driving pretty quickly, girls, since I go to an all-boy’s school. food we loved to eat. There were so it was just that in England the fast lane New Columns: What will you If I had the choice between Pingree many different shops as well. on the highway is on the right and in miss the most? and QEGS I’d go to Pingree, the Jonny: Dylan and I went to a America it’s on the left. arts are amazing. I loved the music Bruins game last night—that was H&S: Besides our hosts, Dunkin programs and coffee house was awesome. My least favorite part of New Columns: How does Donuts. We don’t have anything like awesome. America was how wet my feet were American food compare to English it, there are donuts everywhere here! all the time. We also went to Newport, food. cont. on page 6 page 4 Horoscopes Horoscopes by Ciara Jacques and Diana Hong Drawings by Lisa Truong

December 22-January 19 January 20-February 18 February 19-March 20 March 21-April 19 You are a natural at debate: you are You are friendly and honest but You are not practical; your You love freedom and will accept rational and logical and have excep- you can sometimes seem unemotional whims are short-lived but when any challenge, making you a great tional concentration skills. You will or overly opinionated. You’ll make a you choose to stick to something leader. Your strong-minded attitude be a good doctor, lawyer, or accoun- great researcher or scientist. You’re a you are completely into it. You are leads to trouble compromising. tant. People born with this sign are natural at aviation. People born with imaginative but gullible. Others with People born with this sign are Orlando Bloom, Bill Gates and Kate this sign are Oprah, Jennifer Aniston, this sign are Drew Barrymore, and Robert Downy Jr. and Emma Middleton. Rihanna, Justin Timberlake. Justin Bieber. Watson.

A big assignment is coming up You might trip down the stairs You seem a bit confused lately. Don’t Be careful of milk in the soon—you’ve been pretty well off sometimes this month. Rainboots will worry about your next step and relax. Commons during cookie recently but remember, good grades help you stay on your feet so wear You will, believe it or not, survive the Mondays—wear pink or green and don’t fall out of the sky. bright colored ones! year. Just remember to breathe. you will be safe from clothes from the nurse.

April 20-May 20 May 21-June 20 June 21-July22 July 23-August 22 You are refl ective and thorough of You are scholarly and polite. You You are caring and enjoy chatting You are feel strongly about all your decisions, making you slow have an uncanny ability to lie when and gossiping. You day-dream your own views but you are very to act. Sometimes your temper will everyone’s convinced otherwise. frequently and tend to be somewhat generous. You’re very ambitious explode and you take it out on the People born with this sign are Johnny sickly most of the time. People born and want to be the best at whatever wrong person. People born with this Depp, Angelina Jolie and Natalie with this sign are Tom Cruise and you do. The best way to win your sign are George Clooney and Jessica Portman. Jessica Simpson. favor is by fl attery. People born with Alba. this sign are Ben Affl eck, Hayden You will be feeling a creative urge You’re in a good mood this Panetierre and Jennifer Lopez. You might be hard working this this month. Start a project and you month! Enjoy your happiness when month but all your endeavors may will be happy with your achieve- you feel it because stress seems to be You may be easily offended this go unnoticed. Wear bright colors and ments. in your near future. month but if you don’t take anything people will see you more! too seriously you will be fi ne.

August 23-September 22 September 23-October 22 October 23-November 21 November 22-December 21 You are talented in many fi elds, in- You are charming and cheerful You are bold and adventurous but You are honest, reliable, and cluding language, math, and art, and and you will be good in counseling sometimes too reckless. You are a independent. You love freedom and have a good memory. You have much professions. You are gifted with good passionate person, often acting before have a good sense of humor but charm and dignity, and take great looks and an outstanding judge of thinking, driven by emotion. You are sometimes can be blunt or talk too care with your health. People born character. You usually don’t show a good leader and loves power but much. You will be a great teacher with this sign are Keannu Reeves and anger and people are very surprised can be easily offended and have a or scientist. People born with this Beyonce. when you are so. Others who were very big sense of pride. People born sign are Tyra Banks, Brad Pitt, Jake born with this sign are Zac Efron, with this sign are Leonardo DiCaprio, Gyllenhaal, and Taylor Swift. You might not be getting along with Gwyneth Paltrow, and Will Smith. Gerard Butler, and Anne Hathaway. some people but if you open up a bit You will become very close with more they will too and you will fi nd You will get a grade that is higher You will fi nd what you’ve lost! someone unexpected! Just wear red they’re actually great people. than what you’ve hoped for on your Walk around with change and your socks on Mondays! next math test--just make sure you belongings will come back to you! write your name in blue on it! page 5 Fashion Donʼt Let it Rain on Your Parade! By Gabbi Geiger April showers bring May Classic fl owers…but that doesn’t mean you Keep in mind: basic beige isn’t the have to look drab! Spring is the only color for a standard trench coat. perfect chance to sport a cute raincoat Black, white, and navy are neutrals and fi erce rain boots in a variety of that will go with any outfi t and are colors, patterns and styles. Choose worth an investment because they will your style (classic, trendy, or sporty) work for years to come. Feeling bold? and I gave some ideas of coats and Try a fun pastel like rose or robins boots at different price points to mix egg blue to keep this style youthful and match! and fresh! Use your boots to standout with a basic coat, and look for metal Cynthia Steffe “Bailey” Anorak; K-Way Hooded Jacket in accents or vintage-y treatments. bluefly.com, $225 Turquoise; Nordstrom, $95 Quilted or leather details give a posh vibe. Trendy Sporty Keep in mind: This is a style that Keep in mind: Being sporty and requires you to really just express sassy is easy especially with raincoats yourself and have fun with color and because most athletic brands make pattern- but keep in mind what you colorful and fun jackets! Play with are putting your coat over. Don’t buy details like zippers and pockets that a pattern that will clash with most of are both useful and make it unique. your wardrobe so you can grab and go Bright colors, like neon green or with any outfi t you wear! Experiment cobalt blue are universally fl attering also with different styles other than and are perfect for spring events! the classic trench and boot. Anoraks Another way to play with textures is are the hottest thing in outwear so try in your boots- vinyl or shiny rubber one out for a funky look. keeps you looking bold. Steve Madden “Tsunamii” Boots in Fleur-De-Lis Rain Boots; Red; stevemadden.com, $79.95 Target, $19.99

Brits Cont. from page 4

the digital 24 hour clock-- we say “half four” and nobody gets that Summer is Almost Here! we’re saying ‘four thirty’. We also don’t understand why you have drive through banks. Does it take too long to walk into the building? We also 31 School days until vacation! don’t have full serve petrol stations [gas stations]; we have to pump our own gas. Which Means... sacredwaste.com J:Anything I can do to stay here that won’t put me in prison I’d do. New Columns: Who were your 210 Class hours left (exclud- favorite staff members? ing Spring Fest, Late Starts) New Columns: Did you try any H&S: We really liked Dr. American foods? Johnson because his smile was very encouraging. Mr. Erickson and Mr. H&S: We went to the cheesecake 12600 Minutes... Furnari were both very nice and factory and had cheesecake, which funny. Mr. Esty always said hi to us in 756000 Seconds! was incredible. I (Susie) had red the halls. velvet--there wasn’t much cheese in it, it was mostly cake, but it was brilliant. J: Mr. Taft was cool. Mr. Medvitz We also had things like chowder, was also very cool and nice. Spanish which I (Susie) loved, I had seconds. was really fun with Ms. Carps. It’s not common in England, it was a new experience. We also had Mac and Cheese, American cookies, Boston New Columns: Is anything else pretzels, and bagels. The bagels different? are different-- our bagels are kind of knock-offs of American bagels. H&S: We were very impressed There’s a brand called ‘New York’ with the range of activities you offer, bagels, which we have sometimes. from sailing to choir. Everyone is always trying new things. J: I tried clam chowder which was great, it tasted like chicken. New Columns: Is there anything you miss from the U.K? New Columns: Thanks for answering some questions! H&S: We miss Cadbury chocolate, you guys are really missing out on that. And no one here understands page 6 Interview Mr. Lee and Ms. Davis Go to Israel By Diana Hong and Ciara Jacques schools we visited seemed to be deeply committed to educating their students about their rights and privileges as Israeli citizens. The excitement and passion of nationalism and citizenship was palpable in such a young country.

Q. What was the most interesting food you ate there?

ML: I personally loved the fresh salads! Before I went, I knew that Israel is located in the Fertile Crescent geographical region which is where human civilization and agriculture began. So I expected fresh vegetables. But my gosh, they were unbelievable! And only seasoned lightly with really fresh lemons and olive oil!

The hummus and seafood were also terrifi c. There were so many other terrifi c local dishes we tried that we didn’t even eat falafel until the fi nal night. When I bit into that piece of falafel, I nearly yelled out in delight.

Riding Through the Desert MD: The most interesting and yummy food was Photo courtesy of Mr. Lee the stuffed zucchini. This dish consisted of zucchini stuffed with ground meat and rice, then boiled. It For Pingree’s fi rst exchange with schools int he there, a large misconception that Arab Israeli and was delicious! Middle East, history teacher Andrew Lee and dance Jewish Israeli populations are so polarized that instructor Crystal Davis travelled to Israel during they can hardly contain the contempt. Sometimes March Break to visit Arab and Jewish schools. They I think our news reports can over-simplify or over Q. What, if there were any, were the most shared their impressions with the editors of the New exaggerate cultural differences in other cultures. awkward or embarrassing moments of your Columns. From my experience, the differences there are very trip? much human differences that some of us in this country could possibly relate to. MD: I was visiting the birthplace of Mary, Q. What would you like the Pingree mother of Jesus, and became fascinated by the fact community to know about schools in Israel? that families still lived in the building with small Q. What was the most shocking moment of children of their own. As I began videotaping the Mr. Lee: There is a large diversity of different your trip/the most shocking fact you found out church and the entrance to the building where a schools in Israel. This refl ects the demographic about the culture? young child played the woman attendance sternly diversity of Israel, which includes Jewish and Arab notifi ed me that the only baby I should videotape students, but also Druze students (the Druze are a MD: The pace of life was a bit slower than our was baby Jesus, not the young child playing. Whew! small religious minority in Northern Israel). lives here. People didn’t seem to be pushed to work Pretty awkward. Fellow tourists, a word of advice. relentless hours or be in a hurry to fi t everything Always be mindful of what and when you record or We visited 6 schools there - 2 public and 4 into their schedules the way we do here. Maybe I take pictures. You may be offending others around private. 3 of them were Jewish schools, 2 of them didn’t meet those incredibly busy people though you. I of course deleted the footage out of respect were Arab schools consisting of Muslims and because they were always working. for the attendant’s wishes. Christians, and 1 was a Druze school. All of the schools featured students and faculty who were passionate about and committed to learning about Q. What places did you go and why did you Q. Anything else you want to share? different cultures. decide to go on such a trip? ML: One of the schools we visited, the Ms. Davis: The schools in Israel are very much ML: The purpose of the trip was to make Jerusalem Arts School, featured an art exhibit by all like urban schools here in the city both public and connections with 2 schools in Haifa and explore the of the seniors. I was blown away by how beautiful private. The one thing I would say is different possibility of future student exchanges with them. In the paintings and sculptures were. is that school ends by approximately 1:30pm or addition to Haifa, we also visited schools in Sajur, before there. That is pretty signifi cant because most Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and a regional high school MD: The people we met in Israel were gracious, schools as a result don’t have school lunches or for kibbutzim outside of Jerusalem. kind, and a joy to meet. I would hope everyone a cafeteria. Some schools do have a store where would get the opportunity to travel to Israel. students can purchase snack though. MD: We stayed in the cities of Haifa, Neve Shalom (aka Wahat al-Salam), and Jerusalem, though we visited so many different cities during Q. What, in your opinion, was the biggest our days there. misconception about their culture/or them in general that we as Americans hold? Q. What did you think were the most ML: A common misconception, fueled by the outstanding differences in the schools compared media’s focus on issues of confl ict, is that Israel is to the ones here? an unsafe war zone. There are certainly areas that are more dangerous, particularly around the Gaza ML: One thing that stood out: sports are much Strip, but the vast majority of the country is safe. less emphasized in schools there than here. We traveled to the 3 largest cities and into the West Bank, and we felt safe at all times. MD: I found the vigor and energy around civics classes in the schools to be a common theme Classroom in Israel MD: I think that it is, from my experiences important in both Jewish and Arab schools. The Photo courtesy of Mr. Lee page 7 Features

Making Art with Students in Lynn By Erin Thomassen

During March break, instead of their pants. Most of the kids, and jetting off to Florida, 28 Pingree especially senior Jennah Maybury, students and seven faculty members enjoyed getting their hands dirty, and had the opportunity to help out at quite colorful. The Pingree students the Tracy School Art Project for two got quite used to scrubbing paint weeks. off of the little ones’ hands with Though waking up at 6 a.m. sponges, and going home at night certainly wasn’t a favorite amongst with “avatar” hands. the volunteers, it was worth it to More than 100 masterpieces of know that 238 elementary school pandas, “turtle-men,” and Amelia students in Lynn were having, as one Bedelias were created during those girl put it, “the best day ever!” two amazing weeks. Surely, the The kids were certainly kids will love seeing their creativity enthusiastic about painting—painting displayed on the walls throughout with their hands! One group of their school. This participant already boys decided to be “paint ninjas” misses those adorable kids, and and splatter their paint onto their hopes that Pingree will have the canvas from a few feet away. They opportunity to work with them again Pingree Students Work with Kids to Create Art were even more excited to fi nd out next year! Photo by Emily Hawthorne that most of the paint ended up on A Volunteerʼs First Hand Experience By Connie Troung

On the fi rst day that I walked into Ten minutes into the session, she was the Tracy School, I had only one thing happily painting away--so much that in mind: sleep. Being as tired as I was, she accidentally smeared pink paint on I considered calling my mother before her pants. the day’s end “with intense hand It was then as I washed the cramps” in search of relaxation in the remnants of paint off of her pants comfort of my home as the remedy to did she begin to speak. When asked cure my fatigue. whether or not she enjoyed the art However, as the day progressed, session, this young artist eagerly I found painting with the children answered that she loved having the as a remedy in itself; the daily visits opportunity to paint with the Pingree became three invigorating hours volunteers. in which I could feel at ease while Before the volunteers and I left painting with the exultant young on the fi nal Friday, we visited each artists. The children’s thankful thirst classroom to thank the students for the for the painting sessions quenched wonderful experience in which we all my own selfi sh desires to sleep until shared. With one last goodbye and one Kent, an Amazingly Talented 7-Year Old 11 o’clock, as I was always warmly foot out the door, the same little girl Photo by Emily Hawthorne greeted by smiling, talented young who was once a timid artist ran out artists. of her seat to hug me and fl ashed the In one instance, a timid young same warm smile that other students artist stood studying her feet, secluded had shared with me. Her fi rm hug and from the other young painters. With whispered “thank you” resonates with a little encouragement, I was able to me to even this day, and when I look persuade the guarded little girl her to back to my experience at the Tracy pick up a brush and begin to paint. School I cannot help but to smile.

A Colorful Fish Another Work of Art Photo by Emily Hawthorne Photo by Emily Hawthorne

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