February Issue.Indd
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Joe Paterno’s living legacyy rememberedremembered 116A Legalization of Writing across the marijuana debated curriculum 1B-4B 6A The Students’ Newspaper of Neshaminy High School Volume 80 Issue 5 February 14, 2012 www.playwickian.com 2001 Old Lincoln Highway Langhorne, Pa. 19047 Neshaminy presents ‘Phantom’ By Shealyn Miles News Editor NEWS FLASH On Feb. 8 students stole the spotlight, taking the legendary “Phantom of the Opera” to the Neshaminy stage. From the performances right down to the incredible atmosphere, students proved they were FCS Receives Nutrition Grant worthy of such a diffi cult production. “A lot of work was put into this The Family and Consumer Science production, it was the most difficult Department’s Nutrition Program role I’ve ever had to play,” senior Grace received the Consumer Wellness Sweeney, who plays Carlotta said. Center’s Nutrition Grant of $2000 for Indeed, this particular play had been the third consecutive year. The grant is a step up in the level of emotion and currently being funded for the 2011-2012 outstanding vocals from the cast. Students school year from applicants all over the kept their professionalism throughout country. Neshaminy was selected once the entire performance, wowing even the again due to the thorough reporting in many original “Phantom” fans. previous years that contributed to the Perhaps it was the prestigious props on-line CWC Natural Newsletter. that were utilized. Some of which included the boat that actually moved Annual Food Drive Begins Christine and the Phantom across the stage, the mirror in which the Phantom Interact and Gym Night have teamed stole Christine away in, and who could up again this year with a food drive. forget the chandelier that hung high on Non-perishable foods will be collected the ceiling, crashing down in spite of the between Feb. 22 and March 1 in the Phantom’s rage? Art Gallery located across from the “The most rewarding part of doing main offi ce. All cans will benefi t the these plays is when the curtains open, and blue team, while all boxes will benefi t you realize that we all worked together the red team. Whichever team with the Raul (Chris Perugini) sings with Christine played by Megan McArdle in Neshaminy’s to put on this production,” sophomore most items on March 1 at 2:14 p.m. will Feb. 8 - 11 production of “Phantom of the Opera” in the Kloos Auditorium. Samantha Fario who plays Christine, be awarded a point going towards their said. Gym Night total. Photo/ Jess Lykon See Phantom pg 2 After 4 years Superintendent Muenker retires Now we must focus more on student achievement and classroom instruction,” McGee By Kathryn Kochanowicz stated in an email sent to staff. Staff Writer Muenker has learned a lot from his experiences as superintendent. “It’s a huge responsibility because you are overseeing the instruction of all students, employees, The Neshaminy School District Superintendent Dr. Louis Muenker recently and the budget for the district,” Muenker said. “It requires dedication and realization, announced his retirement after four years in the leadership position. it’s a 24/7 responsibility, there is no set work time for me. I have to be ready to attend Muenker has been working faithfully and diligently in the district for 21 years. to any problems at anytime.” He started in 1990 at Herbert Hoover Elementary as the guidance counselor. Over There are problems in the district. “Whenever you have a change in leadership, the years he has been assistant principal at Poquessing Middle School, a Walter you must take the steps necessary to acclimate them to the job. You must convey to Miller principal, the Pupil Services Director, director of human resources, and fi nally them the challenges ahead, such as the labor union situation,” Meunker said. Superintendent of Schools. No one knows yet who the next superintendent will be; it’s far too early to know. This prompts the question of who will be taking his place. “No one knows yet “In all likelihood, there will be a posting, the school board will screen the applicants, who will be the next superintendent, it’s been posted, and there are always rumors, and then invite the best qualifi ed for an interview,” Muenker stated. but nothing has happened yet,” Principal Dr. Rob McGee said. Some of the qualifi cations for being superintendent are that you must hold a Tension has been running high in the district, as we are all aware, “Muenker has led diploma from a college or university approved by the Department of Education, six us through a very diffi cult time here at Neshaminy. I wish him well in his retirement, years of successful teaching experience and not less than three years in supervisory and I’m glad that he will be enjoying the time with his family. Its comforting to know or administrative capacity. that he will always be only a phone call away, ” McGee added. Muenker is looking forward to retirement after dedicating his whole life to the But don’t worry folks, “I am eligible for the position, but I am not considering fi eld of education. “It hasn’t quite hit me yet, I’ve been working in education for 38 it. There is still much work to do at NHS. We have rebuilt the building and made years, and I haven’t yet processed the reality of what’s happening. But I’m sure it signifi cant improvements in the student climate. Student and parent satisfaction is up. will be wonderful.” News Special Features Sports NHS teams up with Sunlogics Love Lines 8A-9A Neshaminy athletes celebrate 2A college signings 15A Op-Ed Student Life Entertainment Necessity of PSSA requirements Neshaminyalumni releases Senior Jacqueline Riccardi questioned 5A acoustic EP 7a dances and sings 12A Page 2A The Playwickian News February 14,2012 District and Sunlogics enter a solar contract By Melanie Matyi Other schools around the country have already employed this money-saving News Editor teaching-tool. With the addition of solar panels an Arizona school district was able to produce Neshaminy School District voted at the school board meeting on Jan. 24 to team 70% of their power. Buckeye School District installed the panels for reasons similar up with Sunlogics in a 20 year solar power contract. Solar panels will be installed to Neshaminy. upon the roofs of Maple Point and Neshaminy High School courtesy of Sunlogics. “This addition will play an important role in meeting the district’s electricity “Installation is free,” facilities and operations director, Paul Minotti stated. needs and will serve as an educational tool for our students to learn about solar energy “They provide solar panels and we buy the power at a set price which should be cheaper production,” Dr. Beverly Hurley, superintendent stated to the Phoenix Business than the PECO price,” he continued. Journal. Although there are too many lurking variables to perfectly estimate the district’s New York City public schools have joined the ranks of environmentally friendly potential energy costs—therefore hindering their ability to estimate savings—solar schools that stand to reap great benefi ts. Not only does the installation of solar panels energy prices are lower than normal electric prices and are expected to continue falling cleanly produce electricity at a drastically reduced cost but they could also produce according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. jobs. “The key is we know how many kilowatts we use a year. With a set price we will “Solar energy installations and public schools are a perfect match. This is an idea know how much to budget for power costs,” Minotti said. whose time has come—a cost-effective, sensible program that will create jobs, lower Neshaminy is confi dent that the twenty year contract does not overreach the rapidly energy bills and save tax dollars for decades to come,” Manhattan Borough President progressing technologies available or the predictable rates of energy. “An engineering Scott M. Stringer said in a report. fi rm looked at the concept. They thought it was good,” Minotti stated. According to an analysis by the advocacy organization, New Energy New York, Because solar panels are installed on roofs, any roofs with questionable conditions solar installations on New York’s City’s public school roofs could create an estimated will be fi xed by the company at no cost to the school district. At this time only the 5,423 “green collar jobs.” roofs of the high school and Maple Point will be utilized, as they consume the most In entering a contract with Sunlogics, Neshaminy is not only aiding themselves power making them the most cost effective locations. through reduced costs but also supporting technological advancements. As Sunlogics Therefore there are other benefi ts involved. “The project will be educational for is an international company focused on partnering with corporations, they focus on students. The solar panels will become a teaching tool of how the sun is turned into innovation. This partnership thrusts Neshaminy into the ever changing innovative electric power,” Minotti explained. world—a patron of technology. PHANTOM: hard work pays off in successful production Continued from page 1 Anonymous reacts to Working from late November on, after school every day, and even on some Saturdays, everyone put in a lot of their time, all for a total of fi ve performances. Leading roles even came to rehearse during the two weeks of strike among the Mega Upload shutdown teachers. database, stealing credit card information “I would like to thank the students for their dedication to the show. The cast By Jackie Henry and other sensitive details,” and company made sure that rehearsals ran non-stop since the end of November and Copy Editor Although the SOPA bill is still being that helped make our show more refi ned and polished,” Kristen Nichols, director, debated, the general public believes that said.