Sentinel september 2009

The Sentinel St. Luke’s School

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377 North Wilton Road - New Canaan, CT - 06840

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New Teachers Guide

A Winning Coach

Back to School Issue

Dresscode Decoded Caption

Welcome Back Sam Sexton Student Council President

Seniors pictured in the Timothy Cantrick College Counseling Center.

Courtesy of The Sentinel

New College Counseling Center Alexandra Jaffe Editor in Chief

This fall, St. Luke’s is debuting its new college counseling center. In the past, the college counseling offices were tucked upstairs, above the fifth grade hall. For most students, the first visit to those offices was in the spring of junior year.

The new center is right in the heart of the school, next to Mr. Davis’s office, in Mr. Izzo’s old classroom.

“Mr. Davis and I really want to get the kids thinking about the process a little bit ahead of

Ms. Bell in a meeting with Collin Sullivan ‘10.

Courtesy of The Sentinel

time,” said Mr. Yavenditti, Head of Upper School.

He says that the visibility and accessibility of the center will allow for access beyond just seniors.

Ms. Bell, Director of College Counseling, agrees that the center will encourage younger students to start visiting earlier.

“It gives students a chance to come and talk to us before they actually start the process,” said Ms. Bell, “It will help us to dispel a lot of those myths that students and parents have early on because we’ll be accessible.”

Students agree that accessibility is one of the best features of the new center. “It’s more con-

venient location-wise,” said senior Collin Sullivan, “It’s bigger, it’s more comfortable, it’s welcoming.”

The idea for the center came from Mrs. Gabriel and Mrs. Enrique in November of last year.

However, the plan had to overcome several obstacles before it could become reality.

“Because this was a middle school classroom and it turned into an upper school space, we wanted to be very mindful that we weren’t losing classroom space in order to do this,” Mr. Yavenditti said.

Once the plan was approved, construction moved forward very quickly. The center was built within four weeks.

The center is named the Timothy Cantrick College Counseling Center to honor Mr. Cantrick’s 34 year career at St. Luke’s and the college counseling legacy he left behind.

“By having the college counseling center named after [Mr. Cantrick], it meant that a piece of him would always be at St. Luke’s,” Ms. Bell said. The cost of the center was not taken from the normal budget. Rather a six-week fund-raising effort raised over $250,000 to dedicate the center. A formal dedication of the center will take place during homecoming.

The Timothy Cantrick College Counseling Center

Courtesy of The Sentinel

Welcome back everyone! I hope that you all had an amazing summer and you’re ready for the incredible school year ahead! These two and a half months being out of school have been tremendous, but there is a part of me that can’t wait to get back to school and to my typical daily routine.

This summer I have been thinking about the potential of our school and our enthusiastic student body. I have come up with some ideas to make the most of our time here this year. We want school spirit to be at an all-time high this year. I have every intention of being at every game and production that I can attend and I hope you will do the same. I am looking forward to an awesome Spirit Week and Homecoming. I would like to make this year’s Spirit week unlike anything that we have ever had before and I would love to hear your suggestions.

Help us make your year something to remember by supporting Student Government fund-raising efforts. You can look forward to monthly special events like themed dances, another visit Courtesy of The Sentinel from a hypnotist, Sam Sexton, Student Council President an upper school talent show, and many other fun events. All the money raised from these events goes back to funding more fun activities for you.

This year, we also want to show more respect to our school than we have in the past. We need to take pride in our school and keep common areas like the cafeteria, library and student commons clean. It takes a small effort on everyone’s part to accomplish this task and I do not think it is too much to ask. We have a beautiful school, lets keep it that way!

I am excited to work hard to make this year the best year ever for you all. Remember, if you ever have any questions or ideas, do not hesitate ask me, your class representatives or other cabinet members. I will make an SLS upper school group on Facebook to send out messages and keep you guys posted with any important announcements.

Student Government is here to represent all of you and I want to make sure everyone’s voice is heard this year. With more activities to amplify our school spirit and new ways to create a more respectful environment, we will definitely get the most out of the 2009-2010 school year! So welcome back everyone -- this is going to be a great ride.

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HILLTOP NEWS

“Hello class, my name is...”

(New teacher profiles)

This year there are seven new teachers in the Upper School. The Sentinel asked each new teacher to answer several questions about themselves. Consisting of fishermen and poker players, these new teachers chow down on ethnic food and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. They relax by doing everything from reading crime novels to skeet shooting. Read on to learn more about the new faculty.

Name: Corey Gammill Subject: Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 Background:: Graduated from Colby College in 2002.

Taught at Avon Old Farms, an all boys’ boarding school, for five years. Attended grad school in Austin, Texas.

Why you love teaching: “I love teaching because of the energy that exists around campuses.”

What makes you unique as a teacher: “I love pushing kids to ask questions that once made them uncomfortable and helping them learn what they are capable of.”

Likes: Fishing and Keeper, a blonde lab mutt. During the summer, Mr. Gammill is a charter Courtesy of The Sentinel fishing boat captain in Nantucket.

Name: Alec LeBris Subject: AP Chemistry, Honors Chemistry, Physics Why you love teaching: “It’s really simple, it’s tons of fun and keeps me young.”

What makes you unique as a teacher: In my class you can look forward to explosions and lots of impossible problems.

Likes: Food (lots of it), surfing, poker, golf Dislikes: A lack of food Courtesy of The Sentinel Name: John Mendenhall Subject: AP Biology, Biology, senior elective “Heredity, Evolution, and Society” Background:: Originally from Denver (Go Broncos!), Mr. Mendenhall taught at the Nichols School in Buffalo, NY for 24 years.

Why you love teaching: “What I really like is the day to day relationships Courtesy of The Sentinel and interaction with students. And I love bio. I really love bio. And I love sharing what I know with others.

What makes you unique as a teacher: I do imitations of things. Everything has a sound.

Likes: Any foods ethnic, walking, bird watching Dislikes: Gum chewing.

Name: Matthew Perry Subject: Senior elective “Origins of Terrorism” Background:: Mr. Perry is from Seattle, attended college in LA, California and graduate school in the northeast.

Likes: All sports—especially golf, tennis, snow and water skiing, and sailing; all types of food, especially Italian and spicy foods like Indian; Courtesy of Matthew Perry traveling (this summer Mr. Perry was in Argentina and over winter break he will be visiting Costa Rica)

Name: Marlena Rodriquez Subject: Chemistry Why you love teaching: “I love the moment, which sometimes takes most of the year, when a student who has really struggled with some topic, or maybe all topics, has an “A HA!” moment. It is a very rewarding experience.”

What makes you unique as a teacher: “My ability to really break topics down for students and get into their heads to find the problem.”

Likes: Cooking and all types of food (“I am a recent vegetarian”), reading, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café by Courtesy of The Sentinel Fannie Flagg and Wicked

by Gregory Maguire, cycling, swimming, fishing, golfing, watching movies, traveling, listening to music.

Name: Alex Tisch Subject: Physics Why you love teaching: “I enjoy teaching physics because it allows me to show students how physics can be fun and applicable to everyday life.”

What makes you unique as a teacher: “Students can look forward to lots of hands on experiments and understanding how physics shapes the world we live in.”

Likes: Fishing, archery, trap and skeet shooting, steak and mashed potatoes Dislikes: Reality TV Courtesy of Alex Tisch shows and the Michigan Wolverines (“Go Buckeyes!!”)

Name: Philip Van Munching Subject: Senior English elective “The American Western on Page and Screen” Why you love teaching: “I’ve always loved sharing the stuff I’m passionate about.”

What makes you unique as a teacher: Mr. Van Munching was trained as a journalist, worked in advertising, and has been writing books for the past 15 years. “I’ve been around every type of writing you can imagine and plan on covering several of them over the Courtesy of Philip Van Munching semester.”

Likes: “Anything that says “Reese’s” on the wrapper,” movies, crime novels (James Lee Burke, Robert Parker, Lawrence Block, etc.), Springsteen, watching “Lost,” and Wii bowling.

Dislikes: Cooked carrots, movies like “Hostel” or “Saw,” books ‘by’ celebrities, and reality television shows about “spoiled teenagers and their awful, lazy parents.”

The Sentinel Staff Editor in Chief Alexandra Jaffe Layout Editor Jon Salamon Sports Editor Doug Walker Arts Editor Kelly Wendt Graphic Design Maggie Goldstone Contributing Photographer Brenda Meany Faculty Advisor Mr. Flachsbart

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3

HILLTOP NEWS Dresscode Decoded

Because it changes slightly from year to year, the dresscode is sometimes confusing, especially at the beginning of the year. The Sentinel is here to debunk any myths about this year’s dress code.

Tip: Instead of buying an extremely expensive backpack, consider purchasing an environmentally friendly canvas bag. These multi-purpose bags are great for carrying your books or going grocery shopping. One size fits all!

Tip: Keep a sweater in your locker. Wearing jackets in doors is not allowed, and by keeping a sweater at school, you’ll have something to keep you warm if it’s an unseasonally chilly day or the AC is blasting.

Any color or style tie must be worn at all times.

Oxford shirts must be worn until 4th quarter (a polo is not an oxford).

Any solid color sweater can be worn on top of an oxford-styled shirt. Note: the sweater does not replace the oxford.

Stop by your locker to pick up your books before each class because you can’t carry backpacks from class to class.

Skirts can be any solid color and must be of modest length—no skirts that you wouldn’t want to see your grandmother wearing.

Belts must be worn at all times.

Sweatshirts, including St. Luke’s sweatshirts, cannot be worn at any time.

No food is allowed in class but you can bring a water bottle (especially an environmentally friendly reusable bottle like this one!)

Tip: On snowy days, make sure to wear sturdy, waterproof shoes so that your walk to the art building or CLAB doesn’t result in wet, cold feet.

Courtesy of The Sentinel

Shoes must be closed-toe and no sneakers, slippers or Crocs.

Day in the Life Kelly Wendt Arts Editor

Many of us know Mr. Bailey as the guy who rearranges the schedule for us all and the middle-school math teacher.

But we don’t all know what he does during his day!

I sat down with him to figure just that out.

During the summer: Q: What time do you wake up?

6:00 AM What’s your morning routine?

I walk down to the corner to get coffee, a bagel and newspapers, then I walk back home and eat and read. I then try to make time to exercise by either taking a long walk outside or a combination walk/run on the treadmill. It’s easier to fit into my summer schedule.

What time do you eat lunch?

Noon.

What do you do in the afternoon?

We now live within walking distance of downtown Stamford, so in the summer especially, my wife and I will now walk downtown to eat alfresco. We’ve also become members of the Avon Theatre, where independent movies are showcased, and we will occasionally take in a flick. Such ventures are usually timed so as to not interfere with any Yankee games on the tube.

Tip: During the winter, corduroys are a good option instead of khakis. The thicker material keeps you warm and corduroys come in lots of fun colors.

During the school year, Mr. Bailey’s schedule is slightly modified, of course!

What time do you wake up: About 5:00 AM, I arrive at SLS at about 7:00.

What’s the first thing you do when you get to your office?

Check email, voice messages, put some music on in my office.

What’s your favorite lunch served at SLS? I’m usually a soup and sandwich guy… sometimes a salad…

When do you leave SLS/arrive home?

Usually between 5 and 6 What do you do before you go to bed?

Watch Jeopardy and the Daily show, or the Courtesy of Brenda Meany Yankee game if it’s on. I do some reading then I make sure I’m all set for the next day.

What time do you hit the sack?

10:30ish

Resolutions Thoughts from the Editor...

For us students, September is like New Year’s Eve. It’s the time of the school year that’s full of hope and possibility. Grades, sports teams and drama productions are endless opportunities.

September is a clean slate.

But then, as the year progresses, we lose sight of the goals we set when school first resumed.

Facebook and AIM become a little too addicting.

We absolutely need to talk to the friends that we saw at school just a couple hours ago.

Homework becomes tedious. We become sloppy and less diligent about getting assignments in on time. Really, a B is just as good as an A right?

Sports practice, play rehearsal and club meetings become too time-consuming. Video games and reality TV shows are much more entertaining (and productive!) ways to spend our afternoons.

As September fades into winter and then into the dreariness of post-winter break, our good intentions disappear with our summer tans.

This year, let’s break that cycle. Our challenge is to follow through. If we can complete our September resolutions, we will be able to look back on this year with no regrets. This June, let’s be able to look back with pride at our accomplishments.

How can we break our lazy habits and complete our goals? It won’t be easy. First, each of us needs to identify what our goals are for this year.

Maybe you want to find an older student to tutor you in chemistry so you can work up to that B+. Maybe you want to get more sleep on school nights.

Once you set your goals, follow through.

Now, that’s much easier said than done, but keep the end in sight and stay motivated. Make this your most successful year yet.

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HILLTOP NEWS

The “Winningest” Mr. Favre, Your Emmy Awaits Doug Walker Coach Sports Editor

In the past two years the football team has gone 2-15, but is looking to reverse its odds this year.

The difference this year is the addition of Coach McDougal. Although it seemed afCourtesy of Jessup Daniel ter the graduation of so many seniors that the team was in for a rough season, the arrival of one of Connecticut’s greatest coaches as the Defensive Coordinator has

Courtesy of The Sentinel

Coach McDougal with his dog, Coach, on the football field.

changed things, and the football team is extremely grateful.

Coach McDougal led Trumbull High School to three FCIAC (Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference) championships, three state titles, and at the time of his retirement in 1998 was the winningest coach in Connecticut. McDougal’s most admirable trait as a coach is his knowledge of the game, and already the players and coach have been learning a great amount. He also adds a spirit of tenacity and seriousness that certainly bolsters the program. “He makes us respect the game as a competitive sport instead of just an afternoon activity,” says junior fullback and linebacker Henry Nelson. One may see Coach McDougal on the football team wearing his straw hat and sporting shorter than usual shorts with his Black Lab, Coach, nearby, but don’t let his unassuming appearance fool you. This man is all business.

This tenacity is no doubt good for the team and should Courtesy of Jessup Daniel serve as solid fuel for the team this season.

Strategically, this year’s team revolves around the defense, the idea being that by creating stops, the offense can take over. Junior running backs Jeff Joseph and Zaire Reiph provide a solid one-two combo, and seniors Andrew Bradley, Jessup Daniel, Collin Sullivan, Daniel Chung, Peter Katsos, Ryan Giggi, and Rashidi Virgo are all pushing this team into a new age of St. Luke’s football. At the core of the offense are the two running backs, Joseph and Reiph, but also quarterback Andrew Bradley will look to throw the long ball to wide receivers Jessup Daniel, Colin Sullivan, and Steven Johnston.

Scrimmages against Moore Catholic and Sacred Heart have also served as ample opportunities for team growth, and the squad is confident approaching the season opener against Riverdale on Thursday, September 17.

The man’s gone from icon to iconoclast.

Quarterback Brett Favre first entered center stage as a sterling young man who had dramatically come back from a near-fatal car accident, which resulted in the removal of 30 inches of his small intestine, only a month after it occurred, to lead his underdog Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles to a rout over favorite Alabama on September 9, 1990.

Favre finished his career at Southern Mississippi leaving with a stout repertoire, breaking five of the school’s passing records.

Eight months later the Atlanta Falcons drafted Brett Favre as the 32nd overall pick in the draft. Favre threw four passes the entire 1991 season with the Falcons, half of which were intercepted, and one of the intercepted passes was even returned for a touchdown. An abysmal start but nevertheless his golden boy sheen remained.

In what, at the moment, seemed like a stupid trade on the Green Bay Packers’ part, the Falcons swapped a green (no pun intended) Brett Favre for the 19th overall pick in the 1992 draft. After a miserable performance in the second game of the 1992 season and fumbling the ball four times, it looked like young Brett had little hope against the Cincinnati Bengals down by six with 1:07 left on the clock. He began a series of plays that resulted in a touchdown with 13 seconds to go. Once again Brett made a comeback, this time from the ashes of gridiron failure and distaste: Brett the phoenix.

His ascent continued. In 1995 he won his first Most Valuable Player award, a Super Bowl in 1996, and another MVP in 1997. Each game that passed, his zealots grew and so did his legacy in Green Bay. He also came to be known for his boyish passion for the game, exemplified by fist pumps scattered throughout a game, and his desire to win.

Brett’s real apotheosis came the day after his father died of a heart attack on December 21, 2003. Going to a game the day after the death of his father had every cheesehead bowing in awe, but Brett didn’t stop there. In the first half alone Favre threw for four touchdowns and finished the

game with 399 passing yards. He even received a standing ovation from the notoriously vicious “Raider Nation” and an award at ESPN’s award show, the ESPYs, the next spring.

In professional sports retirement must come. For an athlete there is an age where he cannot handle the emotional and physical stress.

For a football quarterback it’s usually mid to late thirties. Like a player’s on field performance, how a football player retires leaves a mark on his career.

Five seasons later, following a heart-wrenching end to what seemed to be a dream season for the Packers and Favre, he retired. Brett was all tears at the press conference. “I am honored. I hope everyone knows how special this is and I truly appreciate the opportunity, and as they say all good things must come ... come to an end,” Favre sputtered in short pitiful staccatos. I felt bad for the guy at the time, but six months later, no way. Initially, when asked about the possibility of a return, Brett told the media to disregard the rumors. It wasn’t long until Brett came back knocking. Unfortunately for Brett, the Packers were already committed to young gunner Aaron Rodgers. Brett didn’t like the fact that they were giving him the cold shoulder, and requested to be traded. That summer Brett donned a different green uniform – a Jets uniform.

In doing so not only did he betray his long running allegiance to Green Bay, but also lost respect for returning after such a lachrymose farewell.

At first things seemed to be going well. His first few starts were successful but as the season progressed his performances gradually grew worse.

A Jets team that was favored to make the playoffs didn’t. His legacy suffered further. This spring Favre once again announced his retirement, only to spoil it, once again, by un-retiring a month ago His legacy suffered even more. Only a month ago Favre signed with the Vikings, Green Bay’s traditional NFC rival. Why would a grown man with any self-respect throw away his legacy? Perhaps his childish on-field demeanor carries over into how he makes decisions. We may never know. At least he’s a great thespian. Mr. Favre, your Emmy awaits you. Congratulations.