Prep News TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2020
RICHLAND, NEW JERSEY
Richland Reimagined: The Pandemic Transition pandemic. Covid has made the school year even more challenging for the freshman class in particular. Freshmen are facing a different “Saint staff writer Augustine Prep experience” as their older Hermit brothers. For example, students are required to use hand sanitizer when walking into each of It is September of 2020. Imagine you are about to make the transition to St. Augustine Prep with the uncertainty of a global pandemic looming their classes, and are given the choice when they leave class. “Geling in and out”, as dubbed by the Prep’s teachers, is key in keeping the Prep a over your head. On your first day, you realize that while you will experience most of what the Prep has to offer, your freshman experience safe environment for all. Students are also required to wear facemasks will be different than previous incoming students. You knew it was going and practice social distancing. At lunch is where the pandemic restrictions come into play. The use of shields at the lunch table, as well to be an unusual year, especially with the fact that the Prep was one of as boxed lunches and the temporary removal of some lunch items take the only schools in New Jersey going back to full in-person learning. away the fun and “magic” of lunch at the Prep. The “three people per table” rule is an awkward change for the freshmen trying to make new The 2020 academic year has been challenging for both students friends. The campus experience is different from the Shadow day and and teachers, especially with the growing threat that is the Covid-19 Open House that the freshmen experienced last year. By Connor Bogan ’24
Answering these challenges, the Prep implemented changes to the schedule, and added class time activities. We created a new “Core Values Day”, held every Wednesday and containing fun activities that help to build on the three core values of Saint Augustine, Veritas , Unitas, and Caritas. The “Core Values Day” was created to foster the Brotherhood, allow time for enrichment, and promote mental health. In addition, the Prep also held its yearly “Brotherhood Ceremony”, an inaugural event for the freshmen/ transfers that serves as a proper welcoming to the Prep and the Hermit Brotherhood. This year’s ceremony was held outside, instead of in the Rodio Gym. Despite these changes, and several delays due to weather conditions, it was a sunny, beautiful day for the ceremony. While campus changes have been necessary, and while the first few months have been different, the faculty and teachers have been working to keep us safe and make our on-campus lives as normal as possible. We can only hope that next year will turn out to be even more fun, and less restrictive, than 2020 has been!
Photo Credit - Karrie Davis P’22 ’23
Arabic program immerses students into Middle Eastern culture By John Sooy ’22 staff writer
St. Augustine Prep is widely known for its unique academic opportunities and programs. The Prep offers a myriad of courses and programs which are unique in nature. Prep’s offering of Arabic language classes is one such example of this.
Currently, four classes are offered: Arabic I, Arabic II, Arabic III, and Honors Arabic IV. The courses are taught by Mr. Jacob Snyder, a 2013 Prep alumnus who has taught the subject since the 2015-2016 school year. During his time as a student, Mr. Snyder spent the summer of his junior year in Marrakesh, Morocco, where he studied Arabic under the State Department-sponsored National Security Language Initiative for Youth scholarship. Mr. Snyder believes that the study of the Arabic language is extremely important for the future of both the United States and the world, as the language can be utilized for many purposes involving foreign relations and communications. “Arabic is recognized as a critical language by the United States, meaning that the US needs more speakers of Arabic for political and diplomatic affairs,” said Snyder. When Jackson Tinari ’22, was asked his thoughts on the Arabic program he shared, “Through the Arabic program I’ve been
IN THIS EDITION
Album Cover Art - Jerry Klein ’22
Arabic classes were first offered at the Prep during the 2011-2012 academic year. The course aims to give students a firm understanding of the Arabic language, focusing on both conversational and written Arabic. Modern Standard Arabic, or Fushaa, is the dialect that is taught. It is widelyused across many Arabic-speaking countries, and the main dialect used in journalism and news.
Photo Credit - Karrie Davis P’22 ’23 able to immerse myself into a subject and culture that isn’t normally offered at schools.” The offering of Arabic classes at the Prep provides a unique opportunity for young men to acquire a skill which can be utilized for a variety of communicative purposes. Through classes such as Arabic, St. Augustine Prep aims to prepare students for a growing world by providing unique opportunities for learning.
UNDER THE DIRECTION OF MR. STENSWOLD, THE PREP PERFORMING ARTS DEPARTMENT HAS RELEASED “A VERY HERMIT CHRISTMAS” JUST IN TIME FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON
A DAY IN THE LIFE: ROB PAPADEAS ’22
TEACHER SPOTLIGHT: MRS. MCHUGH