“If nothing else, value the truth” VOLUME LXXIII ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2008 ISSUE 17 School switches from K12 to Small fire in PowerSchool programs Matt Bettonville new software combines all three previous theatre found programs’ functions into one, more user- Core Staff friendly program. eachers switched to a new electronic on Friday “From a teacher’s standpoint, (Pow- Conor Gearin Tschool records program called Pow- erSchool) is … a much simpler system to erSchoolwhen the new semester began use than anything we’ve done before,” said Core Staff on Tuesday. PowerSchool replaced the computer teacher Tim Rittenhouse, who ran ith fortitude and a clear mind, the old MacSchool software, a school record the technical side of the transition. WSt. Louis U. High community dealt database, as well as the electronic grade- “Everything is all in one package,” said with a small fire in the Joseph Schulte book eClass, and the online parent inter- Assistant Principal for Administrative and Theater early last Friday. The only dam- face K12Planet. Technological Services Tom Becvar. He said age was the loss of one trash can and a According to Academic Assistant that although some minor things may have Masonite board of the theater stage floor. Principal Mark Michalski, the switch came changed, all basic functions of the school’s Head of Maintenance Rick Figge, who because Pearson Education, Inc., the com- software carry over completely into the new does building rounds on weekday mornings, pany that offered MacSchool, was phasing system. snuffed out the threat of further damage to the product out in favor of the “more intui- “What we need it for, it’s able to do,” school property. He smelled smoke when he tive” PowerSchool. K12Planet and eClass Becvar said. “In the long run, most people will was in the cafeteria area, and, following the also needed updates because they worked be very pleased with this new system.” scent down the band hallway, Figge at last specifically with MacSchool. However, the see TECHNO, 9 saw some smoke in the Danis Lobby. Entering the hazy theater, he traced the smoke to its source and located the smoldering remains Plainsong under fire from of a trash can. He saw no flames, but there were red embers on the floor. anonymous letter to parents “There was a fire (extinguisher) on tion. After one parent notified Principal John Luke Chellis the wall … but there were no flames, so I Moran last Saturday, Moran met with English just took buckets of water and got it under Core Staff Department Chair Terry Quinn to formulate control,” said Figge. The burning material n anonymous letter sent to many par- a response. Their collaboration resulted in was extinguished by about 5:30 a.m. after Aents of current sophomores sparked an e-mail-blast sent to all sophomore parents he had used an estimated four to five gallons anew the discussion questioning the teach- on Tuesday night that outlined their position of water. ing of Kent Haruf’s Plainsong in sopho- both towards Plainsong and the anonymous By that time, the fire alarms had gone more English classes. letter. off and the firemen were on their way. The letter, addressed to “fellow SLUH The letter noted that some parents had “I was going to call them off because I parents” from “fellow SLUH parents,” sum- requested that SLUH remove Plainsong knew (the fire) wouldn’t go anywhere,” said marized the previous objections of some from the curriculum, or that “at a minimum Figge. However, the fire department was parents to Plainsong, attributed its concerns (SLUH) offer an alternate book for their already in transit, and Figge showed them to “a good number of parents,” and included sons to study while Plainsong is taught in the site of the fire upon their arrival. “some of the (selected excerpts from the the classroom.” The minor blaze inconvenienced the book) to which parents have most strongly The English department and the SLUH SLUH wrestling team, who had scheduled objected.” administration have no plans to drop the a special practice at 6 a.m. that morning. Be- This letter was not sent to the school or book, however, or to offer an alternative. cause of faculty meetings and senior projects to any member of the faculty or administra- see HARMFUL, 10 see OLIVER WENDELL, 9 2 News January 23, 2009 Speech team maintains slim lead in standings with stellar performance in home meet Eric Mueth the season, Cor Jesu Academy nearly caught blue in prose reading; junior Kevin Kickham Reporter up. Nearly every SLUH competitor earned and senior Pete Winfrey added a blue ribbon he Speech team finished last Sunday’s a blue ribbon, earned for scores of 46 to 50 in duet acting. Freshman standout Patrick meet with a five-point lead over sec- points out of a possible 50. Probst earned a blue in stroytelling. ondT place competitor Cor Jesu, winning Senior Jack Erbs led the team, earning SLUH holds a slim lead heading into the 285-280. The meet marked the end of the blue ribbons in poetry reading and prose finals, which seven total teams have qualified season, and the team now turns its atten- reading. Junior Mike Meyer and senior Jack for over the course of the three season meets PHoTo By Matt SCIUTo tion to the league fi- in the Christian Interscholastic nals. Speech League (CISL). This year’s team Whitaker said she has enjoyed the has been especially en- team’s “wonderful spirit” through thusiastic, according the meets and practices. “They are a to moderator Kathryn lot of fun to be around,” she said. Whitaker, who added Whitaker recognized the hard Speech that many seem to work of the entire team, noting, The speech enjoy practicing. The “They keep improving in their respective categories.” team gathers team will send all 13 of its performers to The speech team looks forward for Mrs. the finals scheduled to the Feb. 8 finals, practicing and Whitaker’s for Feb. 8 at Incarnate preparing for what they hope is a “Birthday” Word. The speech team gathers for Mrs. Whitaker’s “Birthday” after the CISL Speech meet last Sunday. first place finish to the season. after the CISL SLUH hosted Sunday’s competition for Leahy took blue ribbons in storytelling and Speech meet 150 to 175 people. humorous/serious interpretation, respec- Though SLUH held its overall lead for tively. Junior Andrew Kresyman earned a last Sunday. Jones ’09 recieves Archdiocese MLK award Ben Kim students from different St. Louis area high award after consulting with Evans. With Core Staff schools and parishes. Rockers’ letter of nomination, Jones sent in enior C. David Jones was one of 14 “They have the Archbishop May award his application and was notified on Jan. 12 high school students and the first St. for service. This (award) is different in that he had received the award. LouisS U. High student to receive the arch- regards to what are (the recipients) doing “When I applied for the award, I was diocesan Martin Luther King, Jr. Model of to mimic some of the ideas that Dr. Martin thinking, ‘This is something that SLUH stu- Justice Award on Sunday in the Cathedral Luther King, Jr. stood for: reconciliation, dents deserve to win,’ and I definitely want Basilica. This award is given every year to class, things of that nature. So this is more to bring it to the U. High,” said Jones. students who show a strong commitment of a social justice award,” said Evans. “He is a very capable young man, and to serving humanity in their community. In November of 2008, theology teacher he has a worldview that is clearly justice- “I was definitely honored to receive the Colleen Rockers nominated Jones for the oriented. I was very pleased to be able to PHoTo By ALEx BoESCH award. It wouldn’t have happened with- nominate him because I think he has done a out Mr. Evans and the faculty at SLUH,” lot,” said Rockers. said Jones, who also thanked his fellow Throughout his high school career, members in the Association for Cultural Jones has attended and participated in many Enrichment at SLUH (ACES). events committed to social justice, espe- According to Director of Diversity cially through ACES. During his freshman Robert Evans, the Archdiocese of St. year, Jones attended the first National Jesuit Louis formed a committee two years ago Diversity Leadership Conference in Dallas. whose job was to find “a way to honor As Jones became more involved with ACES, students who are committed to social he was invited to go to the Midwest Jesuit justice.” Evans, who was a committee Diversity Leadership Conference in India- member, and his colleagues established napolis as well as the national conference in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Model of Jus- Denver as a sophomore and a junior. tice Award to recognize these particular Senior David Jones was awarded the Model of Justice Award see JONES, 10 by the Most Reverend Robert J Hermann last Sunday January 23, 2009 News 3 Second retreat of year cancelled Freshman- Nick Fandos switch, the majority of students adapted to the Reporter change and attended this week’s retreat. Sophomore he junior White House retreat sched- Junior Padrick Mulligan had to switch uled for Feb. 9 was cancelled this from the Feb. 9 retreat to this week’s retreat, dance to be week.T Retreat director Brian Gilmore and said of his experience, “The (retreat) was forced to call off the retreat because was full of a lot of interesting memories … added in of a lack of interest, making February’s I would have regretted not going.” He did retreat the second retreat cancellation of note, however, that he was a bit upset to miss the year.