The Patriot Issue 1 Washington Township High School, Sewell, NJ October 2006 The heat is off 11/12 warms up to new air conditioning Erin McFadden ‘07 The fans are considered too loud by many teachers, who have found After more than a year of themselves speaking much louder anticipation and several months of than normal while instructing. restricted access to the 11/12 due to Students, too, have found the construction, students and faculty noise disruptive as it prevents many alike were anxious to begin this from being able to hear from their school year in the newly air assigned seat. conditioned building. While this “It’s just a pain because I can excitement was nearly unanimous, never hear. It’s actually put me the response to the system’s initial behind in class,” said Steph Brettman performance has not been so ’07 who is seated next to the air consistent. conditioner in several classes. The installation of air Teachers’ relief from the noise conditioning in all schools without they have been fighting comes when HVAC (heating/ventilation/air the blower systems shut off. As this conditioning) systems was included has been happening in rooms—or in a package of school and district sometimes entire halls—seemingly improvements voted upon by Erin McFadden ‘07/The Patriot at random, students find themselves Students learn in Mr. Jerry Cullen’s much cooler classroom Washington Township residents in traveling between extreme heat and 2004. This referendum also allowed “Some units were left in test This concern about the noise cold as they change classes. for the placement of synthetic turf mode. Ours blew out so much air, created when the HVAC units emit Lauren Kienzle ’07 on two high school fields and the it sounded like a jet,” said Mr. air into classrooms is shared amongst commented, “The past three years, renovation of the 11/12 auditorium. Jerry Cullen. many members of the WTHS staff. See AIR Page 3 After state assistance, tax payers contributed approximately ten million dollars to the projects. Breathalyzer invited to dances While much money and time Josh Bennett ’07 has been spent on the project, those who spend much of their days in the Beginning with the 2006-2007 11/12 have found that there are still school year, all school dance several kinks in the system that need participants will now be subjected to be worked out. to breathalyzer testing upon entry. Furthermore, you may even be tested once inside the dance and as you are walking out as well. Inside... Mr. Joseph Bollendorf, 11/12 Candy banned p. 3 Executive Assistant Principal, Class of ‘10 in the house p.4 outlined what could be done, “We can actually do three things: first, Battling the memory of “06 test everyone, second, conduct photo courtesy of Arielle Milstein ‘07 random testing and third, simply Students pack the dance floor at last year’s junior prom. Commentary p.6 test those we think may be under the influence due to our own school basically got curious, did “Coming under the influence is Gaming, television, and observation.” some research and found out they not tolerable. Drinking is not Snakes on A Plane According to Bollendorf, the truly are reliable, and relatively appropriate.” He said. Entertainment p. 8 decision to introduce these new tools inexpensive, costing just $400 each. It should also be noted that was made in response to a lot of Even though only a few people because of these changes, there may Field hockey a hit, publicity about other schools who were caught at last year’s junior be a number of checking-in delays. It had started to use kits in an effort to prom, out of roughly nine hundred takes about fifteen seconds to test each Tennis triumphs ensure the safety of all students attending, Bollendorf insists it is person, and the presence of four to Sports p. 10 attending their school dances. Our still a problem for the school. See POLICY Page 3 WTHS The Patriot Page 1 Driving violators warned Stricter Police to issue tickets in parking lots drinking Laura Marder ‘07 it also makes you feel like you’re ing that the police are too strictly driving in a safer environment,” said enforcing rules. People are being policy Ever since new drivers have Kim Lebb ‘07. stopped for speeding, not stopping roamed the Washington Township Washington Township has a at crosswalks, having too many in place parking lots, there have been a couple security staff that really cares people in their cars and not wear- accidents. about the students well being. Of- ing a seatbelt. POLICY from page 1 In effort to lessen the amount ficer Lori Postiglione is one of “Right now I’m being easy on five breathalyzers is most probable. of fender benders the Washington them, I’ve only stopped about 7 to Students found under the and unsafe driving Township Police 8 cars since the beginning of the influence will not only be sent home, Washington “It ... makes you feel officers who patrol school year,” said Postiglione. but also receive the usual 10-day Township police like you’re driving in the parking lots; Officers will be starting to is- suspension. Additionally, they will have been keeping a safer environment,” she has been an of- sue tickets and warnings soon also be barred from all dances for a close eye on the ficer for 13 years. because the rules have been laid down the remainder of the year as well as parking lots be- -Kim Lebb ‘07. She and Officer and everyone should know by now the entirety of next year. fore and after Leone make sure that the police are serious about keep- Supporters of the new policy school. Tickets will start to be is- rules are being followed in the park- ing the parking lots safe. believe this is just another technique sued to those who break the laws. ing lots before and after school. “The main thing I look for is to try to leave an impression on stu- You are lucky if a ticket costs you “I was stopped for having too seatbelts, that’s one of the main dents in hopes that they will decide under one hundred dollars. many people in my car, I know its reasons for us to stop you,” ex- not to come to the dance under the The fines and hassle can be not allowed because I have a provi- plained Postiglione. influence. However, student’s opin- avoided with safe driving. sional license but a lot of people do “I automatically buckle-up ions seem to be mixed on the matter. “It’s kind of nerve racking to it and I drive safely,” explained Dana when I get into the car so the seatbelt “If they really want to go to know cops are always watching Dean ‘07. law isn’t an issue for me,” explained the prom drunk, they’ll find some our driving in the parking lot, but Many students are complain- Lebb. This small but significant law way,” Says Tony Pragosa ‘07, “It’ll is a little hassle to obey, but a big definitely cut down on the amount hassle if broken. of people doing it, but it won’t stop New air system WTHS has hundreds of new some people.” drivers out on the street. Some say Andrea Meritt ‘07 comments, this is a scary thought. However if “I think people will just come high.” requires adjustments everyone remembers the laws we “There’s not much we can do memorized in Driver-Ed sophomore about that. My hope is that we’ll AIR from page 1 glad to have the air conditioning, year, it won’t be too bad. It could pay close attention when giving these I knew it would be hot, and would and we understand that they’re still save you a lot of money, stress and tests in hopes of catching those who dress appropriately. This year, I don’t in the process of regulating it.” even your life. choose to do so.” said Bollendorf. know if my classes will be hot, cold, Considering the concerns of or in between… No matter how I dress, faculty and students, administration it’s wrong for more than one class.” stands firmly in support of the new The Patriot Despite these common system. complaints, some students and 11/12 Executive Assistant Issue 1 - October, 2006 teachers see the bright side of finally Principle Mr. Joseph Bollendorf Editors having central air in the 11/12. believes “this is a ‘no pain, no gain’ “Having to talk a little louder is situation,” saying that this period of Josh Bennet ‘07, Rob Cavella ‘07, Melissa Cheng ‘07 worth not having to sit in gross adjustment is necessary to Richie Elles ‘08, Kaitie Fernandez ‘07, Alyssa Figueroa ‘08 heat,” said Arielle Milstein ’07. experience the long-term positive Laura Marder ‘07, Erin McFadden ‘07, Sunny Sawhney ’07 agreed. “I effects of having an HVAC system. Lauren Meloni ‘09, A.J. Nisbet ‘08 don’t even notice the noise if it’s When the problems in the always on. You get used to it, and system are finally worked out, he Printing - Mr. Steve Whalen & Advanced Graphics the air is just more comfortable for anticipates that the 11/12 wing will Advisor - Mr. Jim Evangelisti students,” he said. become a “healthier, more The Patriot is published by the students of In the 11/12 gymnasiums, productive” learning environment. Washington Township High School. where students had become While the school year 529 Hurffville-Cross Keys Road, Sewell, NJ 08080 accustomed to working up a sweat progresses, WTHS students and The opinions expressed in the Commentary sections in previous school years, the faculty can expect to see maintenance and all articles labeled as opinion, as well as all reviews inconsistency in temperature is most on the HVAC system continue.