VOL. 99 ISSUE. 1
THE
SEPTEMBER 14 2022
DA Y TIMES MEET THE HIGH SCHOOL DIRECTOR:
A conversation with Mr. Corrigan:“The school takes the tone of the students.” by KAITLYN HOPKINS editor in chief
MORE WARM WELCOMES
New faces among faculty by WILLIAM BEACHUM managing editor
Ms. Bowen, New 10th Grade Dean Photo: Courtesy of Ms. Bowen
MR. CORRIGAN ATTENDS senior College Night with the DCDS parents and students Photo: Kaitlyn Hopkins / Courtesy of Mr. Corrigan
On September 1st, I had a delightful discussion with the new Upper School Director, Mr. John Corrigan. I assumed we would talk in his office, but he suggested we mobilize our conversation. As we walked, he told me that he was born and raised in Maine and moved to Michigan from Massachusetts. I told him that I would love to live in the New England area one day because it is coastal, and he said he recently sold a house in Maine within walking distance from the beach. Needless to say, Mr. Corrigan seemed like a pretty cool guy, but not just because he had a beach house in Maine. I got the impression that Mr. Corrigan was already au courant with student demands and has already been responsive and focused on the students’ satisfaction. He said, “It’s always the kid’s school. The school takes the tone of the kids. If they are happy, the school is going to be a happy place.” When Mr. Corrigan and the outgoing student council met over the summer, they talked about some things that could be done to make the DCDS community more engaged. “Assemblies. That was a big thing. I sensed their concern about the lack of engagement. Some kids didn’t even go,” Mr Corrigan said. Assemblies should be a time to give members of the DCDS community an audience, but they lack efficacy
when the audience is not engaged. “I’m a huge proponent of giving kids choices and giving them agency.” He said, “We are turning the student assemblies over to the student council. I told them that if kids don’t go, make the assembly more fun.” Of course, there are boundaries within the privileges Mr. Corrigan would like to offer the student body. “I’m not saying that the kids make one hundred percent of the rules. There are things that you will want that I can’t always provide. But at least you are going to be heard,” Mr. Corrigan said. Moving forward, Mr. Corrigan plans to build a community within the assemblies. “I really liked what Will Beachum said. The students will have ‘Their Moment in the sun.’” Whether it means starting a club or participating in sports, or setting up events that bring the community together, he wants to allow everyone to make their individual contributions to the school. “This is a school with a huge mission. It’s the only mission I have ever seen a school have that states the arts directly in it. The school lives up to it and I wanted to be a part of that. I am excited to meet the students, and be immersed in this community.”
Ms. Mahabir, New Academic Dean Photo: Courtesy of Ms. Mahabir
Not only is the Upper School welcoming a new director, but we are also welcoming in two brand new deans to the Upper School. Last year, Mr.Cappelletti was inaugurated as the ninth grade dean, Ms. Salamin as the tenth grade dean and Mr. Porter as the eleventh and twelfth grade dean. This next year, each grade level in the Upper School will be receiving a dean to their name, with Ms. Stacey Bowen, longtime teacher of both middle and upper school orchestra at Country Day, will be taking over as the tenth grade dean, and Ms. Salamin moving to the eleventh grade dean spot. Ms.Bowen interviewed for the position because she wants to have more of a voice in the school community, and believes an administrative position will help her achieve that. In terms of her plans, she says that she is excited to update the student handbook to make it more concise and simplified. Ms.Bowen will continue to teach the orchestra classes in the high school. Also being added to the list of deans is Ms. Celeste Mahabir, who will be taking on a new position as Academic Dean. Ms. Mahabir, who has taught economics and a wide range of history courses in the Upper School, will take a pause on teaching her freshman honors history course, but will continue to teach macro and micro economics. Ms. Mahabir says that in her new position, she will be “more focused on the curriculum side and faculty side. I am thinking about what we are doing in class, how we are teaching, and how students are learning. We are also trying to send the message to the kids that what’s most important is finding the path that is right for you.”
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION
Freshmen and new students get aquainted with the DCDS lifestyle before the start of school by TANISHA KHARE editor in chief
UPPER SCHOOL STUDENTS gather together to welcome the freshmen and the new students to the upperschool community Photo: Courtesy of Laura Korotkin
Every year, a new class of freshmen arrive at the DCDS high school, nervous and excited for their next four years. To help acclimate them to this new environment, New Student Orientation (NSO) provides incoming students the opportunity to meet faculty and other students by simulating a day-to-day school routine. This day includes advisory bonding, class visits, introductions from important faculty members and our Student Council president, and peer groups to broaden new students’ connections to each other and to upperclassmen. This year, Mr. Cappelletti and the student chair for NSO, Catherine Hiemstra, have worked hard to make sure the day runs smoothly.
Hiemstra stresses the importance of trying to make new students’ first day as easy as possible. “We just want it to be fun and helpful! Especially as Covid restrictions continue to lift, having a day to meet new people and start new friendships is important.” NSO offers the opportunity for sophomores, juniors, and seniors to help coordinate advisory bonding, help students find their classrooms, and lead peer groups. These “Big Siblings” make themselves available to answer any questions about the school day, extracurricular activities, sports, clubs, or any other aspects of the DCDS high school experience. Big Siblings are also encouraged to give out their contact information, so new students
have a trustworthy, older student to contact with their questions or concerns. The Open House program gives students information about the clubs, and sports offered in the high school. New students are given time to go around the school and learn about their options. Extracarriculars are essential in finding a community that students relate to and connect with. Freshman Iris Pund says that “the camp was really hands-on and engaging, and I met a lot of really nice people in my grade and in other grades too!”
Editors in Chief: Kaitlyn Hopkins & Tanisha Khare Managing Editors: William Beachum and Sameeksha Sampath Advisors: Heather Huhn and Matthew Sadler Readers are encouraged to submit letters to the editors, guest articles, and original comics regarding the topics covered in this paper. The Day Times will serve the best interests of the Detroit Country Day School community by preserving the freedom of press through honest and accurate reporting.
ENTERTAINMENT SUMMER RECAP
“The Best of Pop Culture in the Summer of 2022” by editor-in-chief kaitlyn hopkins
STUDENT COUNCIL CAR WASH Student government works to raise money by SAMEEKSHA SAMPATH managing editor
Amber Heard v Johnny Depp June 1st The jury awarded $15 Million to Depp and $2 million to Heard. This set the tone for the summer. Liam Payne Shades 1D June 2nd Liam Payne dishes about former bandmates on Logan Paul’s Podcast ‘Impaulsive.’ As always, Tiktok had many opinions. Gentleminions Trend July 1st To Gen Z, the newest Minions movie was a black tie event. Teens worldwide dressed up to see Kevin, Bob, and Stuart do their worst. Stranger Things Vol. II July 1st These teens just couldn’t catch a break from the upside down. Season Four Volume Two’s release caused so much traffic that Netflix crashed! Doja Cat v. Noah Schnapp July 14th Doja calls Noah a snake for releasing DMs about Stranger Things cast member Joseph Quinn’s relationship status. Kim and Pete Split Up August 5th Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson’s whirlwind romance ends. Between the age gap and Kanye, it seems that nobody was shocked. Jennette McCurdy August 9th iCarly actress Jennette McCurdy discusses her experience as a victim of exploitation in the entertainment industry in her memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died. Gabbie Hanna Again? August 25th Gabbie Hanna makes her rounds every once in a while for publicly doing something outrageous. This time, She released upwards of 200 videos in 48 hours.
STUDENT COUNCIL SPENDS a saturday afternoon washing cars for the DCDS Community. Photo: Solene DeGaynor / Courtasy of the
Every summer, the members of the Student Council organize a carwash fundraiser. The success of the fundraiser depends on the support from the members of the DCDS community, including volunteers. The student council held the car wash this year on August 27th at the lower school. The fundraiser is a great way to raise money for the school year, but participants found better value in the teamwork and unity the event required. “In order for any team to succeed, they have to be able to communicate and combine efforts to complete a task. Washing cars was a great way for Student Council members to test run our teamwork and see how well we could collaborate under a time crunch,” said senior StuCo representative Solene Degaynor. The fundraiser was also fundamental in increasing school spirit and pride. “While there was a good amount of turnout from total strangers, there were
also a lot of DCDS students, faculty, and parents who showed up to support their community, which I think is really essential for our school,” said senior volunteer Shakuntala Balusu. Junior StuCo representative Will Thompson also expressed how the fundraiser involved members outside the Student Council. “We connected with other students in our school community and invited them to help wash cars on that Saturday, which allowed us to work with other people to make this fundraiser possible,” said Thompson. “My favorite part of the fundraiser was spending time with my fellow students. I hadn’t seen many in a while, so it was good to catch up.” The success of the fundraiser extended beyond the funds raised; the unity it instilled within StuCo members was a monumental aspect of the carwash and resonated most with the participants. “We were able to exceed the fundraising that we did at last year’s car wash,
which helped indicate that not only our we maintaining the quality of our work, but actually improving upon ourselves year after year,” said Degaynor. “My favorite part was seeing Student Council and non-Student Council members working together and having fun. One of the special aspects of Country Day is the familial community that we have. Being a part of a group of students from all grade levels working so well together truly reinforced just how strong this community is.” The dedication and generosity of all participants in the carwash were truly admirable. The fundraiser exceeded all fundraising goals, but the main takeaway of the carwash was more than just the money. Since the event started, it has been a way for Student Council to grow and work together to serve our community best. Additionally, it has helped unite the DCDS community while illustrating the connections and bonds at Country Day.
COLLEGE SUMMER CAMP
Seniors get information about college applications by TANISHA KHARE editor in chief
#euphoric will prob delete August 27th Trisha Paytas is the internet’s favorite problematic Icon. On the 27th, she recreated the ‘probs offensive’ King Tut video. Olivia Wilde Controversy August 27th ‘I think this might be a bit of a wake-up call for Miss Flo.’ Fans are mad at Wilde for lying about firing Shia Lebeouf, who revealed that he quit. Yung Gravy & Shari Easterling August 28rd Addison Rae’s mom Shari Easterling was Yung Gravy’s plus one at the 2022 VMAs. People had very mixed opinions. Midnights August 28th Taylor Swift says, “Meet me at Midnight” as she announces her tenth studio album at the 2022 VMAs. Midnights will be out on October 21st. Leonardo DiCaprio Breakup August 31st Fans joked that when Leo’s girlfriend turned 25, he would break up with her. Turns out...they were right. Some things never change.
SENIORS ATTEND THE summer college counseling camp. Photo: Mrs. Fradeneck / instagram.com @jackets2college
The summer before senior year is usually full of college visits and campus tours, making college lists, and finally starting to apply to colleges. To ease some of the stress that comes with the college process, DCDS’s College Counseling Team, including Mr. Greenwald, Ms. Stahl, Ms. Penkala, Ms. Jackson, Mr. Callery, and Ms. Sullivan organized a three-day college counseling camp. Students were welcome to come into school and get help completing their college applications while learning what colleges were looking for in their applicants. The college counseling team made this exciting, interactive, and productive program to help students with the Common Application, essay writing, interview skills, resume writing, and
college supplements. The counselors made themselves available for one-onone meetings to enhance the level of students’ applications. Some students have expressed gratitude for this camp, as it has majorly sped along their application process. “I gained a lot of direction in terms of the college application process, and the camp definitely decreased the pressure and made the process seem a lot less complicated and overwhelming,” said senior Shakuntala Balusu. One of the main goals of this camp was to help seniors navigate the Common Application website and manage their time to complete their essays. This helped to significantly reduce the stress of a lot of seniors who were unfamiliar with the process.
An informative part of this camp was when Kelly Cox, the Senior Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Michigan, was brought to the DCDS campus to talk to students about how the University of Michigan looks at applications. Mr. Cox gave insight into how important test scores, GPA, and extracurricular activities are to showing universities how an applicant is a well-rounded student. He helped students understand what colleges were looking for, helping to shape better and more successful applications. The college counseling camp was a truly informative experience that helped students get the ball rolling on their applications.