Vol. 17, No.5, June 2002
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aSSlC 149-11 Melbourne Avenu~, Flushing, NY 11367 .
Townsend Harris High School at Queens College
·Campaign poster vandal.ism unnerves community by Daniel Bloch An election campaign poster ofjunior Jaime Sackett, a religious Jew and newly-elected Student Union President, was defaced with a swastika, the infamous Nazi emblem, during sixth band on Thursday, May 16. Drawn neatly in black ink, the swastika, approximately three inches in diameter, arouseq anger and shock among many members, Jewish and non-Jewish, of the school community. The incident was the most vicious of several incidents of poster vandalism that has marred this year 's student elections. Adam Stonehill, Coordinator of Student Activities (COSA), said that he ·
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saw ii and froz.e," she said. "I didn't know how to react." Jaime first went to Joan Walsh, Assistant Principal ofGuidance, who informed Jaime that an investigation to find the vandal, or vandais, would be opened at once. _ Principal Thomas Cunningham confirmed that an investigation was under way, though he declined to comment on the details of the search. "Every complaint about discrimination is taken very seriously," he said . Mr. Cunningham . added that although a culprit has yet to . be found, there would be "severe consequences" to face when he or she is identified. "This here brings shame to all of ,
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was aware of two or three cases of us, said Ms. Walsh In an Interview vandalism, a number, he said, that was con.ducted a week after the defacing of "two or three more than usual ," · · Jaime's poster.. "We share collective Jaime noticed the swastika while s~e guilt for allowing this to happen. Any was returning from sixth band lunch. "I kind of hateful bias, whether written or
The people have spoken:
Student Union announces officers by Jennifer Gong
ately" next year, referring to the vanThe ballots ·are _in and the winners dalism of campaign posters. have been chosen for the Student Union Communication seemed to be the (SU) government of 2003. Leading the theme for this year's SU election. At the student body will be Jaime Sack~tt as debates, candidates pinpointed the main SU President and Maryann Tan as SU deficiency of the SU as being a lack of Vice President. Harrisites placed their effective ways to publicize school votes on Wednesday, May 29, follow- · events to the student body, which results ing a warning from unopposed SU sec- in a low attendance to such social ac. retary Angel Yau, given ·at the candi- tivities. Thus, its improvement was a dates' debates, that she would "send main campaign goal for the candidates killer robots after [them] to eat [their] for SU Presipent (Arianna Freyre and Jaime Sackett) as well as for those runbrains" if they didn't vote. According to Coordinator of Student ning for SU Vice President (Rita Ratner Activities (COSA) Adam Stonehill, 459 and Maryann Tan). Jaime would also students, or about 53% of eligible vot- like to see an increase in school spirit. ers, visited the polls on election day. ·who won? This was a little better than last year 's SU President: Jaime Sackett "disappointing"Jigure of roughly so%. SU Vice President: Maryann Tan Mr. Stonehiii hopes that the debates held SU Secretary: Angel Yau the previous week helped students SU Treasurer: Susan Chang "make educated decisions." Senior Vice President: Rachel "The elections are not about popuNept>muceno larity, but about who is the best candiJunior Vic-e President: Mol'lie Laffindate and will best meet the needs of the Rose Freshman/Sophomore Vice President: students," he added. Windell Cadeiina Though there was a better voter tumConsultative Counciltepresentative: out than in previous years, the issues Rachel Schiffman involved with campaigning were tough PUblic Relations~ Shanay Freeman this year; said Mr. StonehiiL The candiJunior QSAC: Linda Luu and Jennifer dates "needed more time" to present 'I'eckneci themselves to voters. He also said that Junior Sehool Leadership Team: Venus . "students need to act more appropriCheung
verbal, betrays the Ephebic Oath that we all take and brings dishonor to our won-
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Newly elected Student Union .President Jaime Sackett, junior, talks business with Coordinator of Student Activities (COSA) Adam Stonehill.
· · · derful schooL" Sophomore David Belsky noticed the swastika on Jaime's poster as he was
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I was so sur·. prised," Jaime said, reacting as many Harrisites did to the event "[The swastika] has so much Continued on p. 10
Carbone. departs, citi·n g co·nflict with administration
by Jamie Gullen and Sarah Schnee Conflict between English teacher
the different sides of an issue.
Michael Carbone and the administration regarding the method and content of Mr. Carbone's teaching 'has led to his decision to accept a position at Cobble Hill High School of American Studies in Brooklyn beginning in the upcoming · fall term. He publicly announced to his English classes in April that he would be applying for a transfer. After receiving complaints from parents about Mr. Carbone's teaching, the administration reviewed . the allegations and conducted an investigation. Assistant Principal of Humanities Lynne Greenfield declined to comment on the nature of the complaints, saying "What happens between parents and supervisors and teachers is really a private matter." To further investigate the situation, Ms. Greenfield questioned a sample of students from Mr. Carbone's classes. "Ms. Greenfield asked rrie how English was going. She said ·she was taking out students randomly to ask about E-6 [English Level 6)," said junior Alexandra' LoRe. "Everyone is given a fair shake," said Principal thomas Cunningham, commenting on the way in which the__ administration goes about listening to
Carbone's methods. The administration advocates the developmental style in which the teacher leads class discussions by presenting an aim that is concluded at the end of each lesson. Ms. Greenfield . stated that it is the preferred method of the New York City Board of Education. Mr. Carbone regularly uses the seminar style of teaching, in which the students control the discussion in a debatefocused style that he describes as being similar to a college classroom. Ms. Greenfield never told Mr. Carbone that he had to change the way in which he teaches, but rather discussed what she thought was most effective and why. Regarding this meeting, Mr. Carbone said, "The development~\ lesson has _ been an issue with Dr. Largmann, Mr. Cunningham, and Ms. Greenfield. [The idea of sitting in] the rows was suggested . by Ms. Greenfield and confirmed by Mr. Cunningham. The hand-raising policy was strongly encouraged by both. I have been criticized many times about this [the seminar sty!e], so I knew what was implied by the meeting ." After the meeting, Mr. Carbone changed his method · and began to use the developmental style .
Score Choice Eliminated
~e.w York Times
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walking up the stairs from sixth band lunch with friends, but added that he had not seen the graffiti when he passed the poster at the beginning of the band. When he saw it, he said, "my . jaw dropped," and he ... . immediately noti., E0 fied guidance . :;, c o u n s e I o r ~ AntoinetteTeague, :who promptly ripped down the 0 ] poster.
Food Allergies . p~ 11 .
A conference was held to discuss Mr.
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Sports pgs. 14-16
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