16 minute read
Holding the Line on Demerits (p
Teachers Should Be Uniform
As students have settled into their new classes and become accustomed to new teachers, the disconnect of policies between classrooms has become clear. Issues like dress code, food, and iPad usage are often switching from room to room, creating many issues for students. School policies have been set in place for many reasons, yet girls have found ways to get away with certain issues, depending on their classes and teachers. Once they begin to know their teachers, girls know what each teacher will allow or not allow, regardless of the policies. While some girls may see this as a way to bend the rules and be more comfortable at school, it would be better for the entire school if all teachers kept their policies the same. Keeping the policies consistent in every classroom would encourage girls to stay in order for the entirety of the school day and to avoid trying to get away with breaking policies. For example, sweatshirts and sweatpants are policies that are more heavily enforced from some teachers than others. It would be more beneficial for girls if they were to keep the policies similar when moving from classroom to classroom. Then girls don't have to rush to change what they are wearing based on what teacher they have next. It would be better for them to know that whatever classroom they are walking into will continue to have the same rules and policies on things, regardless who their teachers are. This can lessen the girls’ anxiety when it comes to disciplinary actions that they may receive based on wearing a spirit shirt instead of the uniform shirt. This applies to what girls can bring into the room as well. Some girls try to hide coffee travel mugs if they know they are going to a class where it might not be allowed. Hiding such things in their purses can cause many issues, especially if a spill would happen. Keeping similar policies helps girls to not get caught in a mess that they don't want to clean up because they will stop trying to push the envelope. If they know every teacher will enforce the rule, it makes it a lot harder, and pointless, to try to break the rule. School policies are in place, no matter where the girls are in the school. If all teachers enforce the rules equally, it would create less problems for the girls in the long run. This will also keep the girls from getting demerits in different classes and would take away the anxiety that comes with them.
Lines by Mary By Mary K. Grzybowski
An Eagle’s View A Christmas Wish List for Eagles
Mary K. Grzybowski
This Christmas, the NDA faculty, staff, and students have put together a Christmas list to be sent to the North Pole. The Vista has compiled it here for Santa’s convenience.
Mrs. Chapman requested a set of virtual reality headsets to go with the anamatoge table, so that eventually students will be able to do full-length labs simulating episodes of Grey’s Anatomy. Students are especially excited to be working with the esteemed Dr. Derek Shepherd. In an attempt to apply the same handson learning to their own curriculum, the English Department requested a way for students to virtually experience the books they are reading. Though the initial trials did yield higher test scores, sophomores who read Orwell’s 1984 consequently had trouble in their math classes, insisting that 2+2=5.
Ms. Joseph wants a full-time chef to work in her office and make snacks for the IB girls so she doesn’t have to keep stocking it with candy. Preferably, the chef would prepare something non-spicy, as most of the girls enter the office with tears in their eyes already.
Mrs. Wilkens wants additional time allotted to her chemistry classes so that they can practice Just Dance without it cutting into their studies. AP Chemistry students reportedly had “significant difficulty” taking the AP Chemistry test last year, but didn’t skip a beat when joining the NDA Hip Hop team.
Students who frequently use the elevator request that there be big-band elevator music inside to match with the elevator grill, so that it both looks and sounds like they are in the 1940s.
The Tech Nest wants an automatic messaging system to be added to their phone and emails so that when teachers call, it automatically shoots back “Did you try turning it off and on again?” According to data from last year, this is predicted to boost their efficiency by 150 percent.
Students who have classes in the JA Wing request that the school install airport moving walkways so they don’t have to run through the hallways to get to class in four minutes. This is predicted to reduce walking time by 70%, though this reduction may be offset by time spent in the luggage check line.
Merry Christmas, Eagles!
Mr. NDA Core Team Works for a Great Show
Regan Carnes The Mr. NDA Core Team, escorts, and contestants from SFS and SJJ are preparing for the upcoming Mr. NDA show. Mr. NDA is run by NDA students. Girls in grades 10-12 can apply for the Core Team. If they are chosen, they work diligently to plan and coordinate the event. The core team is divided into four committees: script, social media, photography, and decorations. All members of the Core Team contribute to writing the script, putting together costumes, taking photos, running social media, and building set decorations. “To be a Core Team member, we look for students who can collaborate with others, who are willing to think out of the box for new creative segments,” comoderator Mrs. Jackie Terrill said. Escorts are another key role in Mr. NDA. It takes lots of time and effort to be an escort. “Once they are selected by the contestants, escorts need to be willing to work hard to learn choreography and be open to trying new things. Most importantly, they need to support their contestant,” Mrs. Terrill said. The contestants are twelve boys from SJJ and SFS who are selected for the show by the Core Team. As contestants, the boys will dance with their escorts, demonstrate their talents, tell jokes, and answer insightful questions. “While it could be initially described as a male beauty pageant, it is much more than that,” Mrs. Terrill said. “Mr. NDA is a wonderfully creative show that is entertaining and fun for all.” Mr. NDA meetings are held every Sunday for several hours. Additionally, the Core Team meets at lunch during the school week. “During a normal meeting, the contestants and escorts practice dances on the stage,” Core Team member and senior Emily Dansack said. “The Core Team members usually meet in Fitz Commons, and they group into committees and plan the show together,” Emily said. Mr. NDA has faced some challenges with this year’s show. “Everyone on the Core Team (except for one person) and the moderators [Mrs. Terrill and Ms. Abby Beham] are all new to running the Mr. NDA show. We are learning what it takes to organize, create, plan, rehearse, and bring a show together,” Mrs. Terrill said. "The show is definitely lots of work, but we all have really good ideas, and I know the show is going to be great,” Emily said. In addition to lots of work and dedication, the Mr. NDA team has lots of fun. “One fun aspect [of the show] is to see the creativity of the Core Team. They have such great ideas on what the show should contain, and it will be new and fresh for everyone. “Another fun aspect of the show is that at the end of each rehearsal, the Core Team comes [into the PAC] to watch the choreography that the contestants and escorts have learned that day. We watch them dance to a song and it brings the show to life. Everyone involved is willing to work hard and have fun together,” Mrs. Terrill said.
Broomball Adds New Team, More Fun
Chelsea Fall NDA’s broomball team has a boom of new members. The broomball team usually has a small number of girls on one team; however, because of increased interest, about 12 girls have joined the team. This is because many seniors have decided that they wanted to join for their senior year and have a fun time playing a new sport.
Broomball is a club sport that is closely related to ice hockey, going back to the late 1800s. It is played by two teams of six people each, and unlike in ice hockey, players wear ice boots. The aim is to score as many points as possible through the goals on either side of the ice. Each team has one goalkeeper, two defenders, and three attacking players who score the goals. The sport is similar to ice hockey in the physical aspect. “The game is similar to other games like basketball and hockey, so it was easy to pick it up and play my senior year,” said senior Maddie Lenkay. The similarities helped the girls to be able to play even with no prior experience.
The girls who decided to play enjoy the game because of its sense of competition and its fun
spirit. “There are 12 of us on the team and it’s a really fun way for us to get together and have fun,” said Senior Joan Hartlage.The girls love to be on the ice and continue to have fun even if they have no experience playing the game. Broomball has gained popularity among the senior class as many of them have decided to play without much prior knowledge. It creates an easy and fun-spirited game. The practices and games are held at Sylvania Tam-O'-Shanter and are typically held later at night to avoid much conflict with other sports. Our seniors created at fun team who are excited to play without much stress for their senior year.
Every year our broom ball team is given a name, however this years are yet to be determined. Our Coaches this year are Marisa Sturn and Megan Mejia . Marisa Sturn is our head coach and Megan Mejia is our assistant coach. Broomball has been a great opportunity for many Notre Dame girls to get involved in a fun new sport. The similarities it has brought many people in and has continued to be a fun sport for many years. Its recent popularity has shown through the new sense of team and the lively spirit that comes with the new girls on the team.
Chelsea Fall
Every year since 1941 the Toledo Ballet has done the production of The Nutcracker.
Notre Dame girls have been a part of this tradition for many years and have continued to make the story come to life. It allows girls involved in the ballet to show off their talents and use their skills to create a unique retelling of the story every year. The girls involved show passion and hard work, especially during the Christmas season where they perform.
The Nutcracker is loosely based on a story by E.T.A Hoffmann where a girl befriends a nutcracker who comes alive on Christmas Eve and begins a battle against the evil Mouse King. This story is shown through many generations, and many Notre Dame girls have played the parts of many of these characters. “I started off as a mouse my first year in the nutcracker and slowly worked my way up through the main leads. It has been an important part of my life for about 13 years now,” said senior Sadie Evener. She shows the importance of tradition and how doing the show each year has a different effect on the girls.
The Nutcracker requires intense training and a heavy schedule in order to be sure that everyone is well prepared for the show. They go through daily rehearsals and stay long hours at the studio in order to make the show come to life. “I have rehearsal everyday and often stay to teach the younger kids so that they know their choreography and where to stand,” Sadie said. The dedication from the girls is essential to the show's success.
These girls put a lot of time and effort into the show. Through its grueling rehearsal schedules or its intense training, these girls bring the show to life every year. Their use of their time, energy, and skills are important to making the show the best it can be.
Tips to Improve Study Habits, Grades
Regan Carnes Whether it be practicing successful study habits or working on organization skills, there are several opportunities at NDA for students to improve their grades. One effective way to improve your grades is to always properly prepare for tests. Class grades are often weighted, meaning your test scores are the most important and prevalent aspect of the course. “Compare studying to practicing basketball. Every chance you get, you grab the ball and practice free throws. It can get frustrating when you miss, but you keep trying until you can get 10 in a row. This is the same as studying, your brain is always making connections, so the more you look at an idea or concept, the more it will become part of your knowledge base,” Mrs. Jessica Beaverson, Dean of Students, said. An efficient way to prepare for tests is by spacing out your studying. If you cram for exams the night before, it will be an overwhelming process. To prevent unnecessary stress, it is important to take breaks and review the material over an extended period of time. This method allows you to be fully present and pay attention while you study. “If you review what you did in class each night, [the material] will stick with you longer,” Mrs. Beaverson said. Another productive way to study is to test yourself. Forcing yourself to recite the information you need to study ensures that you have the material memorized for your test. That being said, make sure you are understanding the information, not just memorizing it. “My favorite way to study is by making Quizlets and testing myself,” senior Lauren O’Brien said. You can stay on top of your studies by staying organized. Always keep your planner updated and use binders, colors, and labels to keep things neat. Studying will go faster if you know where to find all of your notes and assignments. One of the most important things to do is see your teachers. They are always available to talk and answer questions during Student Flex Time. Additionally, math teachers are able to help during Math Lab. Math Lab takes place after school on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursday until 4:15 and in the mornings from 7:30 until 8. “I see my math teacher at SFT to review before tests. It is very helpful and helps me to get better scores,” sophomore Lindsay Carnes said. Peer tutors are also a useful resource at NDA. They can monitor your progress and studying habits and give you feedback and advice along the way. Mentored Study is another tool at NDA. Anyone can take the course, and benefits include “a designated time to meet with a tutor as well as study and organization skills,” Mrs. Beaverson said. The most important thing to remember when trying to improve your grades is to never give up. There is always something you can do to raise your grade. “Yes, it is frustrating when you get a grade you didn't expect, but it is part of the learning process. Each time, you should reflect on what you can do better next time,” Mrs. Beaverson said.
The Rant: Christmas Movies
In recent years, we have seen a decline in older Christmas movies with many of them beginning to do reboots due to a lack in their popularity. However, many people only watch the newer movies and forget about the past classics that were loved for many decades. Movies such as White Christmas and It's a Wonderful Life are no longer hit movies and are often forgotten and are replaced by movies like Elf . We should be sure to continue to appreciate the works that came before our time.
Movies like White Christmas and It's a Wonderful Life are timeless movies that need to be appreciated during the Christmas season. The traditional Christmas movies have a sense of nostalgia that newer Christmas movies don’t bring. They focus on heartwarming and happy stories while newer movies focus on adding the TV “magic” from the latest technology. It is important that we focus on the stories rather than the ‘wow’ factor of today's movies.
Most Christmas movies today are movies that have already been done. Reboots that are done today are not as good as the original based on the fact that the story has already been done. These movies typically only add a new technological update which only takes away from the original story. Movies like the grinch share the original Dr. Seuss story that everyone can appreciate. In the new Grinch movie, it gets rid of the original rhyme scheme of the book and takes away from the actual story. Older Christmas movies share the sense of tradition that brings people together on Christmas. It is important to share that sense of family throughout the holidays and these movies not only bring people together but share a message of Christmas spirit that can be enjoyed by everyone in the family. These stories share lessons that are important today even if the movies were from a long time ago. These movies are important to the Christmas season and bring back a sense of nostalgia and happiness that everyone can enjoy. With the timeless stories that have told heartwarming stories for generations and focus on the story rather than the artificial “Christmas magic” that can be added. Watching these movies is an essential part of the holiday season that everyone should enjoy.
Roving Reporter Teacher Edition: Roving Reporter Student Edition:
What Would You Like To Get Pep Points For?
Regan Carnes
“I’d like to get pep points for singing at Mass!” – Mrs. Lauren Moor
“I would like to get pep points for dancing to the Kahoot lobby music! The ‘adventure’ theme is the best!” – Mrs. Kate Caventer
“I would like to get a pep point every time a student has an 'Ah Ha! I get it!' moment in my class.” – Mrs. Jackie Sperling
“I would like to get pep points for every time a student says ‘we have a test today!?’” – Ms. Shiloh Jackson
“I would like to get pep points for the number of people I can get to smile in a day!” – Mrs. Jessica Beaverson
“I'd like to get pep points for taking a 5-minute mental health break during the day! ...or for getting to work on time.” – Ms. Abby Beham
“I would like to get pep points for each Post-It note I use!” – Mrs. Beth Corrigan
“I would like to get pep points for writing college recommendations.” – Mrs. Laura Gallaher “I really want to have a nice mop at my house for Christmas.” - Senior Marley Wilhelm
“Fuzzy Blankets are the number one thing on my Christmas list this year.” - Sophomore Audrey Wittkop
“The #1 thing on my Christmas list is some corduroy pants from urban outfitters.” - Junior Ava Foor
“I really want some new fuzzy blankets this year.” - Freshman Bella Calamuggio
“Starbucks gift cards are the number one thing on my Christmas list this year.” - Sophomore Maurin Gaubert
“I want a mini photo printer for Christmas.” - Senior Grace Sanford
“The #1 thing want for Christmas is a bunch of bags of spicy Doritos” - Junior Jordan Tracy
“Gift cards to American Eagle and some new sweatpants are at the top of my list this year” - Freshman Kaitlin Diggins
What’s at the Top of Your Christmas List?
Chelsea Fall
