Dec 2007 Master
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The Patriot Issue 3 Washington Township High School, Sewell, NJ December 2007 Twp. turns out for toy drive Stephanie Foran ’08 Mrs. Carol Costello. The donations, Year after year during the which are mostly toys, holiday season, Washington first go to disadvantaged Township High School students families in Washington show their generosity motivated Township and then to only by the good feeling of knowing surrounding areas such they helped change someone’s life. as Camden and Salem As the snow and temperature were counties. The money falling on Dec. 6, student’s hopes will be used to purchase remained high as they camped out in gifts mostly for older the Core collecting toys for needy children and teens. Mrs. children. Carol Costello said that “I think it’s exciting because the money normally there’s snow on the ground and all goes towards gift the Christmas spirit said, Ashley certificates to the Sheriden ‘09 Deptford Mall, Wal- Township Toys, also known Mart, and food for the as “24 in the Core” is a school- upcoming months. sponsored toy drive where the One of the biggest Junior and Senior Class Council student donations this spends twenty four hours in the Core year was thirty-eight collecting various toys and cash toys given by Britney donations for needy families in Fera ‘08. Weseley Gallaher ‘08 Township. “It’s good to know This year the drive brought in that kids around here Santa (Alec Swiecinski) takes a break from a long night of collecting gifts. over $2500 and “thousands of toys” are getting toys and it’s great that Mullen ’09. “I would love to surpass last according to Class Council advisor, everyone will wake up on Christmas The advisors had high hopes year’s number. With today’s with a present,” stated Collette for this year’s event. economy and so many people out of work, there are a lot of needy Inside... families out there,” stated Costello. The Odd Couple Teachers on Board to She said the officers for 2007- News -p. 3 2008 were very enthusiastic for the toy drive as well. They made Last minute shopping obtain new contract posters and even created an Features -p. 5 Alyssa Figueroa ‘08 and WTEA’s private meeting to advertisement on the morning Commentary -p. 8 negotiate the contract on Nov. 5 that announcements complete with a On Tues. Nov. 27 teachers, lasted until 2 a.m. Simone said she dancing Santa. Holiday fun secretaries, and other WTEA believed much progress had been Costello, Mr. Steve Swetsky Odds and Ends - p. 11 supporters surely participated in an made, and stated, “I look forward to and Mr. Paul Braciante started the What’s Happening - p. 12 after school activity. That night over a quick, yet fair resolution.” event nearly twelve years ago as a 400 members of the Washington BOE President Gerber then part of their contract as senior class Sleep deprivation Township Education Association announced that remarks made by the advisors. The trio had to think of Lifestyles - p. 13 (WTEA), most wearing red, lined up public were limited to five minutes some way to raise community service Barnes and Noble in front of the 11-12 wing with and should not be of any in the school, thus Township Toys protest signs before they marched “inappropriate reform.” was born. The current trio of advi- Books -p. 14 into the 11/12 Auditorium to face When the meeting was turned sors consists of Costello, Mr. Robert Call of Duty 4 the Board of Education (BOE) and over to the public, WTEA President, Gorski and Mr. Mike Hudock. Tech Talk - p. 15 campaign for a new contract. Mr. Scardino was the first and only The very first year of the fund- Before questions and person to take the floor. Standing raiser didn’t even have to do with Entertainment p. 16 comments were open to the public before the board, he spoke for the toys. That year, the organizers People - p. 18 about the contract, Superintendent hundreds of WTEA members who shaved Mr. Marty Bouchard’s head Dr. Cheryl Simone addressed the were cheering him on. He started by on television to raise money for Winter Sports Preview public with her introduction of the expressing his wish to have had the needy families in Township. The Sports p. 20 situation. She spoke of the BOE See TEACHERS p.2 See TOYS p. 2 2 - News The Patriot - W.T.H.S. December 2007 Teachers on Board for contract From TEACHERS p. 1 holiday, and teachers are required contract settled before it had to work that day. expired on June 30, 2007. “But we “This only can be described were met with concepts and as childish,” stated Scardino, “the rhetoric,” Scardino stated, “and [the BOE approved calendar even states BOE] wouldn’t meet until ‘the that ‘in the event school is cancelled WTEA made significant due to snow or other emergency, proposals.’” school days will be added to the Scardino continued by end of the school year.’” expressing his belief that it is unfair As he wrapped up, Scardino “the children aren’t below average expressed the WTEA’s desire to but the teacher’s salary is,” and this meet before Dec. 11, the next below average salary coexists with scheduled mediation session, to get the district’s “first and second the contract settled. “We’ll meet highest administrative salaries.” He tonight,” he stated. also made known that the board had Scardino received a standing paid a lawyer $25,000 to act as its ovation by the public for his speech negotiating advocate, instead of just to the board. After no one else came coming to a solution on the contract. to the stand to speak, the BOE made Scardino also addressed the no rebuttal, as well as no decision BOE’s past claims that the teachers on meeting sooner than the 11th, and use students as “pawns” to receive quickly voted to adjourn the the contract they desire. meeting. “I resent that statement John Scuilli ‘08 The process is still underway, because the teachers continue to “Settle now” along with other signs such as “Respect now” and and as Simone stated at the meeting, give the highest quality of education “Contract now” were carried by many WTEA members at the “There is no doubt that contract negotiations can be unsettling for in the area,” he said. Nov. public board meeting. Scardino then commented on staff, parents, administrators, board the BOE’s controversial calendar had to add a school day to the Easter Sunday. Although many of education members, the decision. On Nov. 12 there was no calendar, and decided on March 20, Catholics believe it is considered a community and certainly the school in the Washington Township Holy Thursday. holiday, the BOE expressed in their students.” school district because teachers In the Catholic religion, Holy district-wide e-mail that under the To learn about how this matter exercised their rights to observe Thursday is the day Jesus had the expired teacher’s contract, which is affecting students, read p. 3 Veteran’s Day. Since students must Last Supper, which occurred three they are currently working under, “Students react to job actions” in attend school for 180 days, the BOE days before he was resurrected on Holy Thursday is not considered a Issue 2 of The Patriot. Township Toys helps A blue school day less fortunate From TOYS p. 1 We’re very well-prepared this response generated a lot of money year and ‘08 brings a lot of enthu- for the worthy cause. The next year siasm,” said Kevin Ernhoffer ‘08 the class advisors actually slept on As for the human aspect of the top of the Marching Band’s van and drive, Costello states that nothing donators filled it with toys. It was can compare. their biggest drive to date; nearly “The families and foundations six thousand dollars was raised. are so grateful when they pick up “The crazier the ideas, the the donations. My voice even more donations you get!” exclaimed quivers a little!” She said. Costello. For both those collecting and The senior class council those dontating toys, Township wanted to do help with the drive as Toys is a great way of giving back well. The advisors moved to the community. Both the Township Toys from the band bus genrosity and the fun extend long to the Core so the students could into the night. Taylor Cohen ‘08/ The Patriot help too. For the past nine years, Last year channel 6 showed up On Nov. 12, many senior girls wore their junior Powderpuff the senior class council had at four in the morning,” said Ryan jerseys and pants during school to commemorate the Township Toys there, with the Walker ‘08, “ A lot of our friends canceling of this year’s Powderpuff. Some girls also students spending twenty-four are coming in the wee hours of the hours to collect gifts. morning.” decorated the hallways and their lockers. December 2007 The Patriot - W.T.H.S. News - 3 Isabelle’s eyes raise awareness Gina Parker ‘09 “She is an incredibly smart little girl. She is so bright for her age and On Nov. 10, Paris Restaurant she doesn’t let her lack of sight held the second annual ‘Isabelle’s hinder her ability to learn,” says a Eyes’ benefit in honor of Isabelle family friend and contributor to the Nutt. Put together by the Nutt benefit, Cathy Parker. family and close friends, this event “Isabelle is very picky. She is is held to raise awareness and money fussy about what food she eats, she for the Foundation of Retinal doesn’t like to wear denim, and she Research.