Copley High School Wednesday, Drumbeat November 24, 2010 Vol. 5 Issue 1 A look inside: High school head honchos From Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter: trumpets to the good, the bad, tackles, and the ugly Page 3 there is more to Copley’s new Pep rally administrators and than meets the football photo eye essay By Abigail Grable Page 8 A changing of the guards has occurred once again at Copley High School. What seems to be standard “It’s operating procedure is slight- t-shirt ly different this year, since our time!” school is welcoming a new Page 11 principal and a new vice prin- cipal. As most students do not strive to spend most of their time in the office, gauging the personalities of administra- tors can be a challenging task; however, Principal Cameron Hide yo’ kids, Ryba and Vice Principal Rick Principal Ryba (left) and Vice Principal Gurski (right) demonstrate their hide yo’ wife, Gurski encourage students to respective passions. Photo by Abigail Grable Lil’ Wayne is back get to know them. Neither Ryba nor Page 12 teacher. Similarly, Gurski went to col- you can see, each realized that his respec- Gurski foresaw himself sitting at an lege primarily to play football and was tive choice wasn’t the correct fit. administrator’s desk. Ryba’s passion encouraged by his mother to enroll in throughout high school and college pharmacy school. After experimenting Continued on Page 2 was playing the trumpet, so he initially with their prospective career paths, as See ADMINISTRATION planned on pursuing a career as a music CHS students and staff embrace technology takeover By Amanda Wanner and Iman AbdoulKarim ish teacher Mrs. Denise Broda says it’s a tremendous help in the classroom because it imme- diately focuses the attentions of her students. However, staff members underwent extensive With all of the training in order to become familiar with the new equipment. Those who have received new new technology ap- technology in their classrooms were required to complete training sessions and take work- pearing in Copley High shops that were geared toward the different types of technology. School, it seems as if Furthermore, the upgrade spread to the Main Office when several of the adminis- we have evolved from trators received iPads. the Flintstones to the “The big thing is now ‘How can we make Copley more portable?’ This year, our Jetsons in a matter of main goal as a staff is to best utilize the website while integrating our technology. We want weeks. to make the students and parents more involved,” shared Principal Ryba. “You can always Students and spend money. I personally see the technology as a permanent investment into preparing our teachers at CHS have students for post-high school life.” become increasingly The cafeteria has recently experienced the impact of new technology, and accord- comfortable with, what ingly, the new payment system for school lunches has been causing quite a stir. Rather than we can hardly call gradu- paying with cash, students put money on their school IDs and use them as debit cards. al, changes in the build- “The administration wanted us to get the new lunch card system. A lot of schools ing. With new SMART have had them for years and Boards, ELMOs, Blue we were running behind,” Rays, iPads, and elec- head cook Darlene Richmond Math teacher Mr. Douglas Boerema takes full advan- tronic lunch cards, it said. tage of his new SMART Board. seems that every aspect Although there are still Photo by Amanda Wanner of our learning environ- some kinks to be worked out ment is undergoing ad- in the system, staff member vancement. Patty Petit says that if each stu- The high school is the last building in the district to receive new equipment, so dent memorizes his or her ID these shiny new toys have been following this year’s freshmen throughout their middle school number, the lunch lines and education. waiting times will undoubt- “I feel comfortable with all of the technology because we’ve had it since middle edly shrink. school,” freshman Joey Rodriguez admitted. The new technology is Although this equipment represents unchartered territory for many seniors, they money well-spent in the eyes are welcoming the changes. of Copley’s administration, “The new technology makes class go by way quicker. Adding a graph is now just a students and staff. Copley is button away thanks to the SMART Boards. My favorite thing about the new technology is officially living in the twenty- that there are no more dried out markers or nasty chalk that breaks every time you use it,” Sophomore Jayln Tyler uses new ID card to pur- first century and is kissing the senior Nancy Huszti explained. chase lunch. Stone Age goodbye. Students are not the only ones who are benefiting from the new equipment. Span- Photo by Iman AbdoulKarim November 24, 2010 Copley High School Drumbeat 2 School News Welcoming new faces to the CHS family Mr. Brian Falhamer Mr. Clark Pope Ms. Melani Fragge Ms. Kathy Carter Favorite band/artist: Dave Matthews Band Favorite movie: The Breakfast Club and Hobbies: Knitting, crocheting, sewing, How long have you been teaching: I’m a Why did you decide to start teaching: My Blues Brothers scrapbooking, photography and kayaking “rookie.” whole family teaches, so I grew up with a Where did you attend college and what’s What makes you different from other Why did you decide to start teaching: I teacher’s mentality. your degree: I received a bachelor’s degree teachers: I don’t teach! had a brother with disabilities, and he was Favorite movie: Tommy Boy in marketing from Miami University and How long have you been teaching: This is and always will be my inspiration. Why did you choose to teach at Copley: a master’s degree in special ed. from Notre my first librarian-related job. Hobbies: Spending time with my family This community reminds me of home and Dame College. Favorite Food: Indian and friends, gardening, and fantasy football. has a great staff. Favorite band/artist: Jimmy Buffett Why did you decide to take this job: I How is Copley different from your previ- Favorite food: Chipotle Why did you decide to start teaching: To love books and kids. ous school: It’s smaller and “warmer.” Where have you previously taught: Swans- impact students and to teach them how to Favorite band/artist: Southern Culture on Favorite Food: Spaghetti boro, North Carolina think the Skids Favorite Movie: Benny and Joon Hobbies: Softball and golf Best thing about your job: The students Where did you attend High School: Idaho Where did you attend high school: Gar- What’s your favorite unit to teach and Favorite food: Low processed foods, such as Best thing about your job: The kids and field why: Kinetic and potential energy because handmade sausages, cheese, etc. the books. What’s your favorite subject to teach and of the fun activities and labs. Why did you choose to teach at Copley: What’s your favorite unit to teach and why: I tutor in all subjects, but eventually How long have you been teaching: This is It is a highly-rated school system with a why: Information literacy because there is I’d like to teach Career-Based Intervention; my second year. diverse population that is consistently mov- too much information and too little time to I enjoy helping others achieve self-sufficien- ing forward. filter it. cy. Ms. Karen Smith Ms. Andrea Andryscik Ms. Jodi Mirman Mr. Jacob Sexton How long have you been teaching: 12 Favorite movie: Pride and Prejudice with How long have you been teaching: 14 Where have you previously taught: I was years Colin Firth years a student-teacher at Holy Family. Favorite band/artist: Queen, Mercy Me, How is Copley different from your previ- Hobbies: Running, biking, tennis, basket- Favorite food: Enchiladas...of course David Crowder Band ous school: It is close to my house. ball Best thing about your job: I like listening What makes you different from other Favorite food: Chipotle burritos Why did you decide to start teaching: to all the funny things my students say. teachers: I have taught at an in-patient How long have you been teaching: Three I love people and the idea that I can help Hidden talents: I used to be a musician. psychiatric center. years young people contribute to society in posi- Why did you decide to start teaching: I Hidden talent: I can juggle. Hobbies: Tennis tive ways. love working with kids. Best thing about your job: Being able to Where did you attend high school: North Favorite food: Sushi Where did you attend high school: Fire- work with students one-on-one Royalton Favorite unit to teach: Ecology because it stone Favorite movie: It’s a Wonderful Life Where have you previously taught: San- links all living organisms together. How long have you been teaching: About Where have you previously taught: I dusky High School Favorite band/artist: Green Day two months taught at Garfield High School and also did What’s the best thing about your job: The job-readiness training with adults through moment a student lights up because they ADMINISTRATION While college was more exciting Summit County at Goodwill ERC and The understand something they didn’t before; for Ryba, he enjoyed high school just as well, Akron Urban League. the look on their face is the best part about Continued from Page 1 attributing his fondest memories to having my job. “friends in all different facets of high school Ryba always knew that he wanted life” and having “the opportunity to go to be an educator because of the environ- play (trumpet) with a lot of the prestigious ment in which he grew up: His mother is a bands in the area.” Gurski’s most special high retired teacher, and he attended the school school experience was a bit more unconven- in which she taught.