Log
The Northmen’s
Friday, August 28, 2009
Freshmen have their day, see pages 3 and 8.
Oak Park High School
Issue 1, Volume 45
Peer Helpers seniors Brittany Caravella and DeDe Colen lead the Peer Helpers in teaching freshmen the color shout during freshmen day Monday, Aug. 17. photo by Gina Drapela, editor-in-chief After their skit, Peer Helpers seniors Lucas Favreau and Mathew Badami rock out the color shout for the freshman. photo by Gina Drapela, editor-in-chief
Helpersdeliverlaughs by Gabrielle Young editorial editor On Monday, Aug. 17 -- freshmen day -- Peer Helpers performed a skit called “A Day in the Life of an Oak Park Freshman.” As the title states the skit took the audience through a freshman’s first day. Topics within included dressing appropriatley for school, finding classes and respecting the teacher. “I loved all of it,” said Peer Helper senior Dede Colen. “I liked the comedic parts.” The skit was only a demonstration of what the Peer Helpers do.
To prepare for the skit, members went to a retreat in July at a Missouri camp called “Camp Hope.” They completed Peer Helpers training and worked in groups; each group received an assignment to see what issue they would act out. Members then pooled their assigned issues together into one skit. The students edited their skit multiple times in order to perfect it before freshmen day. “We met again on freshmen day at 6:30, and we rehearsed again another half-hour,” coordinator Kathleen Poehlman said. “Everyone was a little nervous; it was a good day to show some serious
points.” Freshmen day isn’t the only time Peer Helpers help out around the school. They also help out with new students; giving them tours and having lunch with them. “They’re a helping resource.” Poehlman said. For one, the decision to become a Peer Helper was simple. “I wanted to get more involved in school,” said senior Justin McAfee. The Peer Helpers are looking to expand their help around the school. “We’re going to have a meeting discussing how to go forward.” Poehlman said.
Falcons come Freshmen show home to roost excitement from first by Courtney Light writer
As the lights went on the fields lit up, they realized this was their new stadium. The navy blue and white that once stained the jersey they wore was now coated with a dark green and black. As they looked out into the crowd they saw all their friends painted in blue, but cheering for them, the green. This fall, they returned to the blue. When the district announced Staley High School the newest high school would be operational for the school year of 2008-2009, there were many mixed emotions. “I know for a lot of students it was a tough thing. And for a lot it was an exciting thing,” said principal Fred Skretta. The opening of Staley included students who wanted to be at one school or the other even though they resided in the opposite’s atten-
dance area. “I think there was an effort by the district to make the move easier, but at some point you have to have a limit somewhere with someone,” Skretta said. After giving Staley a full school year, some students still weren’t happy. ”They set impossible and unreachable goals for us,” senior Lauren Phillips said. She attended Oak Park her freshman and sophomore years, was moved to Staley, then transfered back for this year. She was not alone, several students have switched colors in the last few weeks. When the students here heard how some of the Staley kids were returning, they had reactions as well. “I think having these kids here shows how exceptional Oak Park is and how we are willing to accept them regardless of where they came from,” sophomore Alex Stompoly said.
As last year drew to a close, students began to hear about a new class called advisory. They heard it started this year, and would take the place of seminar. Now the new year has begun and students find themselves asking what advisory means. A 20-minute class between second and third block, advisory provides a time where students meet with teachers, senior mentors and other students in their grade to sort through parts of their lives and high school careers. Students will have the same advisory class and teacher throughout their four years of school. “Advisory, in terms of curriculum, is openended,” said principal Fred Skretta. Though students do not receive grades in the
News Briefs
Junior Kyle Quatrochi and senior Autumn Daugherty anchor the first two weeks of live Blue in Review shows. photo by Gina Drapela, editor-in-chief
Blue in Review runs live daily
The end of freshmen day came with an assembly featuring cheerleaders, Pommies, color guard and the Marching Northmen. Freshmen, including freshman Asher Fairbrain, were eager to show their school spirit. photo by Gina Drapela, editor-inchief * For more photos, see page 6.
Daily advisory replaces seminar by Jessica Nichols features editor
*For more photos, see page 6.
class, advisory helps them gain a strong understanding of the high school environment. “Think relationships,” Skretta said. Three advisory goals deal with the bonds students make during their high school experience. The class’ design helps students learn how to develop positive relationships with their peers and advisor, while gaining a sense of belonging at OP. Students can get the support they need to succeed in academics, attendance and citizenship through the fourth advisory goal. Teachers will check the grades and attendance records of their advisory students every Monday. Students have the opportunity to travel through the school on Tuesdays and Fridays. They may use this time to see their teachers for additional assistance they need or to make up work. Teachers will hand out advisory passes for students in need of assistance on advisory “travel
Advisory schedule: * Monday - grade and attendance checks * Tuesday - travel day * Wednesday - advisory time with advisor * Thursday - no advisory time due to early release for collaboration * Friday - travel day days”. “All students and teachers have advisory at the same time, guaranteeing teacher availability,” Skretta said. The normal advisory schedule will begin next week, following the guidelines laid out in the “Advisory Program Overview” by the teacher team and Principal’s Advisory Council.
Starting a new year, “Blue in Review” has changed things up. Last year the broadcast was shown at the beginning of second block. Now BIR plays the last 10 minutes of advisory, more than an hour later in the day. BIR also changed to live format, which can be more of a challenge for the staff. In addition, there are 14 staff members, four members short of last year. “The biggest challenge that we have is there are so many new staff members,” said junior Kyle Quatrochi. “We all had to learn how everything worked so quickly.” In addition to going live and the staff decrease, BIR will have weekly segments including a weekly weather forecast, clubs reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, special interviews and a weekend sports update. “This staff has gelled super quickly, and stepped up to a huge challenge,” said adviser Christina Geabhart. “I’m so impressed by their professionalism and ability to work as a team.”