December 2019 Volume 20 Issue 2
Year Two of Scintilla By Jacob Ross
In the 2018-2019 school year, Harvey introduced Scintilla, which took place at the end of the school year, as finals were moved to March instead of having them in November and June. Scintilla groups are learning communities of your own choice, where students can focus on topics they enjoy. Dean of Academics Dianne Mahony first introduced this concept in September 2018 at a morning meeting.
Featured in this issue: l Reports
Last year, Scintilla was six days long, from approximately 8:10 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. Although, there were breaks for meetings and lunch. Each group had at least 10 students and two teachers. Some even had 20 plus students. For example, the Game Show Scintilla group had over 20 people, so they used two different classrooms. Learning communities varied in topics such as cooking, movies, outdoor exploration, and paranormal activities. The Pulse interviewed some students about their views on Scintilla last year and how they feel going into year two.
l News from The Harv
The first student interviewed was Rion McLaren, a senior who participated in the Game Show Scintilla learning community. McLaren stated, “Before the start of Scintilla, it was confusing not knowing exactly what it was, and the thought of doing something for seven The game show Scintilla. Photo courtesy of Jacob Ross. hours a day for six days was too much at first, most part, students seemed to enjoy the but once we understood experience, but they also had ideas about it, it went a lot better.” He continued by how the process could be improved. saying his favorite moment from last year was the presentation in front of the Student Council President Dan entire school. “It was really rewarding to Galgano was the last student who was hear everyone’s positive feedback.” interviewed by The Pulse, and he par Another student who was inter- ticipated in the Criminal Justice Scintilla viewed was Harry Galloway-Kahn, a ju- with Mr. Cook and others. Galgano nior who participated in the Architecture stated, “It went pretty well. It can be better though, if each student forms a and Design Scintilla group. He spoke detailed schedule of what they will do in about his thoughts before, during, and after Scintilla. “I was worried about how these long days.” much we would be able to do in those Additionally, The Pulse asked six days. However, it went pretty well, and we went to New York City.” For the Galgano what the student government Year Two of Scintilla: cont. on back cover.
Literature and Coffee
l Reviews
By Daniel Patrick Galgano
At the beginning of the year, Librarian and Media Specialist Jillian McCoy announced the continuation of the Upper School Book Club.
are allowed to keep their copies. In their October meeting, Book Club members elected to read “Unnatural Creatures,” a collection of fantasy short stories collected and edited by New York Times bestselling author Neil Gaiman.
The Book Club is often overlooked by students and faculty, partially due to the fact that it does not meet during the standard Thursday club meeting time, but instead, it convenes before classes start. The Pulse was able to interview Ms. McCoy, who runs the club, and talk about the Book Club and its future at Harvey.
According to the book’s publisher, HarperCollins Publishers L.L.C., sales of “Unnatural Creatures” benefit the Washington D.C. charity “826DC.”
The modern Book Club was first brought into existence two years ago, upon Ms. McCoy’s entry onto the Harvey campus, and has since played a significant role in the workings of the Mennen Library.
The Harvey School 260 Jay Street Katonah, NY 10536
“826DC is a nonprofit orga-
Photograph of the Upper School Book Club during their nization dedicated to supporting students ages 6-18 with their creative Oct. 31 meeting. Photo courtesy of Librarian and Media Specialist Jillian McCoy. and expository writing skills, and to
While Ms. McCoy is the founder of the Book Club, the idea for the organization was “inspired” by Upper School Dean of Academics Dianne Mahony, who encouraged the library to form a club or extracurricular activity. The Book Club meets once each month at 7:30 a.m. The club typi-
cally meets on a Friday, so that students can sleep in the next day. Ms. McCoy allows for the Book Club members (who consist of both students and faculty) to vote on the book that the club will address. Although members are not restricted to specific genres, mystery and thriller books generally win out in those votes. According to Ms. McCoy, although the Book Club does not maintain an independent budget, the Library will acquire copies of the book through the departmental budget, and the members
helping teachers inspire their students to write,” according to 2017 forms filed with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. In the Book Club’s Oct. 31 meeting, multiple faculty members, including Ms. Mahony, English Chair Jeffrey Seymour, English teacher Amy Baxter, English teacher Megan Taylor, history teacher Sarah Zeigler, Latin teacher Samantha Saraniti, school registered nurse Kerby Lewis, and Director of College Guidance Christine Cahill were all in attendance.