Issue #2 January 2022

A Blind Brook High School Student Publication

Issue #2 January 2022

“No Place for Hate”: A New BBHS Initiative

By Ben Messafi

On December 17, Dr. Chirles sent out an email to all high school students regarding an incident with a faculty member, where a cup labeled “Ku Klux Klan Donations” was found in a classroom and used during a class lesson. Along with informing students about this upsetting event that took place at Blind Brook earlier this school year, Dr. Chirles used this disquieting occasion as the impetus to create and present a new initiative for BBHS students, called “No Place for Hate.”

Dr. Chirles also wanted to ensure that all students knew that the school’s Administration was aware of this act and that they in no way supported it. As Dr. Chirles explained in her email, she wants to make Blind Brook a “physically and emotionally safe and healthy environment essential for the growth and development of our students and employees.”

Dr. Chirles also stated that “appreciating differences fosters a common respect for each other’s humanity.” Especially with the recent events going

on in our country, it is essential that we, as a collective, do whatever we can to prevent discrimination and similar actions in our school community.

Dr. Chirles recently established a High School Cultural Awareness Council, with the goal of ensuring that events like this will never happen again in our school and surrounding community, and also so we can promote diversity, equity, and inclusion for all students no matter where they are from or what they identify as. Faculty, students, and parents were invited to join the council, by completing an application that was emailed to all. Dr. Chirles has several visions for this committee, which includes advocacy and educating other students about the dangers of discrimination and what they can do to build the most inclusive environment possible for all students.

To read more on the exact missions and policies Blind Brook High School will follow going forward with this new council, the Anti-Harassment

and Dignity for All Students Act is posted on the Blind Brook website, along with the district handbook. You can also read the mission statements of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which discusses the “No Place for Hate” campaign, more details about the movement, and ways you can get involved outside of school. BBHS is now included in the 1,600 schools around the country that have a committee like this established, to further combat actions of hate and discrimination in schools and in the

community.

It is of utmost importance that students get involved in this committee so all students can feel comfortable and included at school and that BBHS is a safe environment for them to learn. Dr. Chirles stresses the importance of students reaching out to any faculty member if any actions like the events described above happen again, as well as to feel free to reach out to her directly with any questions about the committee or missions for the new initiative that has recently been established.

Photo Courtesy of Dr. Chirles

Inside Focus...

Features

Viewpoints

News

The latest in Blind Brook News.

Block scheduling and a message from the Editor-in-Chief!

An update on Blind Brook’s future construction plans.

Features..........................................1 Viewpoints.....................................2 News...............................................4 Health and Science........................5 Politics........................................6 Art & Entertainment......................7 Sports..............................................8

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Viewpoints

By Josh Rosenblut You may have noticed that we have made a change to the format of FOCUS. We are going to be publishing smaller editions every few weeks instead of just three or four issues a year. This will allow for more timely, relevant articles.

We will have 1 article per section that truly represents what is going on in Blind Brook and the world right now.

Whenever a new issue of

From Our Editor: FOCUS is published we announce it on our social media pages, so be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @focusblindbrook. You may also want to bookmark our website: www.bbhsfocus.com.

We hope you will enjoy reading our smaller editions that will be published more frequently, which will allow for the most pressing topics to be written about in a timely manner.

Josh Rosenblut Editor-in-Chief

Should Block Scheduling be Used in High Schools?

By Abby Meron & Emily Tian

Abby Meron:

The issue of whether block scheduling should be used in school districts is one that is frequently discussed.

Many surveys and google forms have been sent out to get students’ opinions on the issue. In our own district, block scheduling was implemented two and a half years ago, but the real question is whether we should maintain it. Through my overall positive experiences with this more flexible schedule, I believe that it should continue to be utilized. Benefits such as variation in schedules and lengthier periods, make block scheduling popular among the students and teachers, proving it to be a worthwhile pursuit.

Sometimes the monotony of the school day can make it very difficult for students to engage and participate in classes. Having such a routine schedule can create a sense of boredom for students throughout the school day. According to students Ella Mensch and Sophia Morlino, the variation in classes is beneficial and helps them focus more in class. Switching up the order of classes and

limiting the number of periods in a day gives students a much-needed mental break.

Imagine this, your hardest class is scheduled first thing in the morning every day, leaving you tired, feeling a sense of torment for that first class of the day. With block scheduling, that class does not need to be first every day and that student might be able to perform better due to that unnecessary stress being lifted.

Another upside noted by teachers is the extension of the period. Instead of having 40-minute classes and 8 periods in a day, there are only 6 periods and each class is 50 minutes long. These extra minutes can help teachers teach what they want without worrying about running out of time. They are able to go into more detail about the subjects they love, create more projects and explain concepts more thoroughly. This time can also help when it comes to teachers being able to work closely with each student and address their individual needs. When asked about her opinion on this method, Blind Brook teacher Mrs. Cer-

asoli stated that she likes the length of the period. On top of this teachers will have more time to plan their classes and work on how they are going to develop their curriculum.

Although more time in class might seem daunting for students it allows them to take fewer classes and have less work assigned to them each day. Along with this, the dropping of certain periods depending on the letter day has also proven to have its benefits. If a student has a test or a lot of homework one night, if they do not have that class the next day they have the opportunity to manage their time more effectively. For example, that student could fo-

cus on studying for that test, and then the next night they could finish their homework for the class that was dropped.

Having this flexibility can be a great stress reliever and can help those students perform to their fullest potential.

School has proven to be a stressful environment for students and if there is a way to decrease the level of stress we should seize the opportunity. With many benefits, block scheduling provides a better and more efficient way to learn. Although at first, this change to block scheduling can be hard to adjust to, it is worth it in the long run.

Continued on page 3

Photo Courtesy of Project.co

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Viewpoints

Should Block Scheduling be Used in High Schools?

Emily Tian:

Block Scheduling is a widely known approach used by schools all across the country including our district of Blind Brook. This idea was first brought up by our district in September 2015 and was implemented for the 2019 school year. The Alternate Scheduling Committee at Blind Brook spent a full year on researching and visiting schools that employed an alternative schedule. They hoped to propose a different scheduling model for both the middle and high schools.

After deliberating between different ideas, the committee settled on the block scheduling method which rotated different class periods while also dropping two classes per day. Although this has many advantages for the school, it also contains several downsides for its students.

First off, the lack of continuity between each class leads many students to forget information that they had previously learned. Currently, each one-credit class meets six out of the eight-day cycle while elective courses meet even less with only three out of the eight-day cycle. Several teachers have stated their concerns regarding this issue. Many worry that some students would not be able to keep up with their demanding school work if it is not continuously reinforced. A student’s main way of active learning comes from interacting with their teachers every day, however with that taken away, it can be much harder for them to focus and retain content.

Although more time is given to teachers, it is actually being used for review work, instead of teaching new material.

Another issue commonly brought up with this schedule is the duration of

the class times. Although the long periods may seem beneficial or meaningful to some, they are actually hurting students more. According to a recent study conducted by Brain Balar, the average attention span of a teenager ranges from 28-42 minutes. With block scheduling, the periods are elongated to 53 minutes per class. There is a concern that students have trouble paying attention and absorbing the content for these long classes, resulting in this extra class time being wasted.

Some students at Blind Brook High School even describe the schedule as “monotonous” and “dull”. At first glance the schedule may seem more varied or diverse than the previous schedule, however, it is no different than before. The long class periods have caused the number of classes to decrease due to the school day time limit. Because of this, many students tend to sit in their seats for hours on end without any movement. They become bored, tired, and uncomfortable throughout the school day leading to yet again, poor academic performance.

The block scheduling technique results in classes that are very fast-paced, since students meet less often to learn a certain subject or topic. Because of this, many students feel overwhelmed or stressed to keep up with the newly-paced curriculum. This creates a poor and low-spirited environment for many students and staff members. Without the care and attention that they need, students will perform poorly in their school work. In addition, some research even shows that students who used block scheduling have scored lower in science, biology, physics, and chemistry.

Whereas, traditional scheduling allows teachers to meet students every day and help them retain information and get the help that they need. These daily communications and interactions are vital in keeping a student energized and focused on their classroom activities.

Overall, it is clear that some refinements need

to be made to the block schedule to create an ideal environment for students and teachers. However, as the Blind Brook School District keeps progressing and advancing, changes will hopefully be made to the high school’ schedule, with it adapting and evolving to the students’ and teachers’ needs.

Photo Courtesy of This Time of Mine

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News

Recent BB Tax Increase to Fund Construction

By Kunjal Kothari

Just recently, the Blind Brook community consented to a tax increase to fund ongoing renovations at the Bruno M. Ponterio Ridge Street School. The voting took place on December 21st at Blind Brook High School.

From a total of 805 voters, 616 voters (79.5%) agreed to the additional tax increase, while 189 (20.5%) disagreed.

As a result, the average annual school tax will increase by less than 1%, becoming a net increase of $124 dollars over the next few school years. This temporary increase will decline by 2025-2026, as the overall debt payments decrease.

The proposal of modernizing and innovating the district was initially approved by voters in 2017. The district disclosed that an additional $4.7 to $6 million dollars was needed to complete the enhancements to the elementary school and build it to its

Photo Courtesy of Ragette Real Estate

highest potential. The district wants its intentions to be clear: they want the smallest amount of debt and for no money to be taken away from the childrens’ education.

The Board of Education stated that without the tax increase being approved, there would not be enough money to complete the project. The construction would have to come to a halt, leaving an unfinished cafetorium. The cafetorium is a large expansive space that can be used as both an auditorium and a cafeteria.

The retractable seat feature will allow up to 350 students to all be together in one area. In addition, students will be given more nutritional lunch options due to a larger and more advanced kitchen. Students will also be provided more opportunities to perform on stage and be collectively present in a large-group setting.

Phases 1 and 2 of the construction project have alr-

Photo Courtesy of Nick Laterza

eady been completed. The last phases consist of completing the cafetorium, courtyard, and remaining structures. The plan is to complete this all before the 2022-2023 school year starts in the Fall.

The amount of funding required for this project has increased from the beginning to now due to architectural changes that have occurred which total $5 million. Also, more architectural and legal services were necessary. Details about these change orders can be found on the district website.

According to the school district, the construction must be completed at this present time for a variety of reasons. If the construction was pushed to a future date, the cost would increase for taxpayers. Reinspections and reinforcements would not only be needed, but overall inflation and rising interest rates would ultimately impact the grand sum.

The facilities committee has been reinstated, with a total of 17 community volunteers divided up into different groups covering various aspects of the construction project. This committee meets weekly to discuss finances and communications/community relations. The district is hopeful that they will receive New York State Building Aid to offset taxpayers expenses.

The construction at the BMP RIdge Street School has been a long and strenuous process, and many people in the Blind Brook community are eager to see the finished product. Aside from the finance perspective, the ultimate goal is to create a safe learning environment for children where they will thrive, live to their greatest potential, and feel comfortable with their peers/teachers. A positive and encouraging ambience is pivotal for future education here in Blind Brook.

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Health & Science

By Zoey Possick

The Pandemic Continues

Photo Courtesy of Jeenah Moon/Reuters

The Omicron variant of Covid-19 has surfaced across the globe. First identified in South Africa in November of 2021, the variant has continued to spread rapidly, infecting those with and without vaccines. However, studies reveal that full vaccination along with a booster shot provides stronger protection against potential infection.

The booster provides key protection that the two doses of vaccine do not supply.

This adaptation of COVID-19 was recognized originally due to its distinct combination of more than fifty mutations! Mutations are randomized events that occur due to an error in DNA replication. When these errors prove to give an advantage to a virus, this gene will be passed down. In the case of Omicron, many mutations in the COVID-19 virus proved to allow the virus to be transmitted more efficiently. Short-

ly after its identification, Omicron was labeled a “variant of concern,” according to the World Health Organization.

In the U.S, Omicron accounts for seventy-three percent of new covid cases.

It is expected that this rise in cases will burden hospitals across the country and throughout the world. Having been identified in more than ninety-eight countries, Omicron has proven to spread two to three times as heavily as previous variants, including the Delta variant. Delta’s peak within the U.S. was capped at 164,418 cases per day. Omicron has surpassed that, even though it was only recorded in the U.S. less than two months ago! The cases involving Omicron have doubled every two to four days since its discovery. Researchers have not yet determined why Omicron in particular spreads so rapidly, although they have explored possibilities concern-

ing its capacity to invade and multiply within cells. Further discoveries communicate that the antibodies do not hinder Omicron’s ability to invade cells, supporting its rapid escalation, even among vaccinated people. Scientists have concluded that the mutations causing the Omicron variant have changed the shape of its surface proteins. This is the site where antibodies attack the coronavirus. The variant’s spike proteins contain a multitude of anomalies found within other mutations of the virus that are believed to increase the infectiousness of SARS-CoV-2.

Booster shots have been one of the few effective preventative measures proven to fight against Omicron.

Those that received boosters of Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech indicated that boosted antibodies have helped block Omicron from invading cells.

Researchers have found evidence indicating that two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech had effectiveness of a mere thirty-four percent, while a Pfizer-BioNTech booster more than doubled one’s protection against Omicron infection.

Whether one has had Covid-19 or not, all are susceptible to the variant. Rate of infection will continue to increase as Omicron continues to spread, meaning there will be an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 associated with the emergence of

Omicron. Overall, it is estimated that the risk of reinfection with Omicron stands at approximately five times higher in comparison to other known variants. While the symptoms of different mutations vary, it has been recorded that the prominent symptoms as a result of Omicron include sore throat, fatigue and congestion. Many of these symptoms overlap with symptoms pertaining to common colds, causing confusion whether a sickness is Omicron or just a cold.

Omicron has become the dominant variant compared to others, and will remain a steadfast infector. Health professionals recommend vaccination against coronavirus and continue to stress the importance of wearing masks, which offer protection against all variants. Self-tests have become available across the country, enabling people to determine within fifteen minutes whether they have contracted the virus. These, however, are not always able to detect if a person has COVID-19, and a PCR test is still the most reliable method of testing. The World Health Organization emphasizes opening windows to improve ventilation, avoiding crowded spaces, being mindful of one’s personal hygiene, and maintaining social distance.

The pandemic is not over, and neither should be the safety precautions we take against it.

Photo Courtesy of Weill Cornell Medicine Newsroom

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Politics

By Anna Vnenchak

The Threat to Roe v. Wade

Photo Courtesy of Mark Peterson/Redux

On January 22, 1973 abortion was uniformally legalized in the United States through the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Roe v.

Wade. Abortion had already been legal in many states but because of this case, it was made official that all states must now allow people to receive abortions. It was deemed unconstitutional for women’s rights and privacy to be compromised, which inevitably led to a considerable amount of controversy in both the short and long term. Today, almost 50 years later, the topic still triggers a great deal of disagreement. More recent threats to the rights secured

by Roe v. Wade are causing many to worry about what the future may hold for women’s reproductive freedom.

In Mississippi, officials are attempting to declare abortion illegal after fifteen weeks of pregnancy. As expected, this caused a massive uproar among many residents of the state. Protests were organized throughout Mississippi, and the case, Dobbs v. Jackson

Women’s Health Organization, was naturally taken to the Supreme Court. Currently the case is pending, and the outcome could impact the established right to abortion that the United States abides by today.

Former Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg believed that women should have the right to make reproductive decisions for themselves, and that the objections to the topic of abortion were rooted in sexism. Ginsburg described her feelings to Senators during her four days of questioning by the Senate Judiciary Committee during her confirmation hearings, “It is essential to women’s equality with man that she be the decision maker, that her choice be controlling. If you impose restraints that impede her choice, you are disadvantaging her because of her sex.” Ginsburg’s opinion, however, is controversial.

One of the people who rejected Ginsburg’s view was the well known Mother Teresa, who describe her feelings as follows, “America needs

no words from me to see how your decision in Roe v. Wade has deformed a great nation.

The so-called right to abortion has pitted mothers against their children and women against men.” It is clear that the differences in these opinions have caused great division.

The consitutional inability of a pregnant woman to have an abortion would raise a whole set of issues. First, if the loss of abortion rights is sustained in the Supreme Court, there will be a cascade of protests. This will surely lead to a large amount of conflict and debate, plunging the U.S. into a state of social chaos.

Furthermore, with the banning of abortions, it is inevitable that numerous unsafe self-abortions will take place in an illicit, unregulated market. If this happens, many pregnant women seeking to abort will be in serious danger. The severe health risks that could follow something as drastic as a self-abortion are immeasurable. People should take into account the consequences of self-inflicted and unregulated abortions when they consider the impact of abolishing a

constitutional right to abortion.

From the alternate standpoint, it is evident that many people believe that the pros outweigh the cons of ending uniform abortion laws.

Some believe that aborting a future child is completely unethical and immoral, and should not be allowed. There are differing opinions as to at what point in a pregnancy an abortion should be allowed.

Many think that it should not be allowed after fifteen weeks of pregnancy, and some believe that there should be no abortions altogether. Either way, this side of the debate all comes down to morals, and how a person perceives the status of a fetus or embryo.

In the end, it is clear that there are multiple differing views on abortion and the Roe v. Wade decision, but unless and until the Supreme Court decides otherwise, the right to abortion will remain legally protected. Whether one is pro choice, pro life, or simply indifferent, all can likely agree that the Supreme Court’s decision on the fate of Roe v. Wade will have a lasting impact in the years ahead.

Photo Courtesy of Allison Bailey Murpho

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Art & Entertainment

Digitalization of the Arts & Entertainment Industry

By Olivia Zahl

The Arts and Entertainment industry is buzzing.

As our world continues to move forward and modernize throughout the 21st century, this industry has yet to fall behind- mostly through immense digitization. What we now call the world of Arts and Entertainment has not always been what is presented in front of us.

The Arts and Entertainment industry is a compilation of many different mediums and products. To be considered part of the Arts and Entertainment industry means to provide and meet the cultural, entertainment, and recreational interests of humans. This involves things such as live performances, events, and exhibits - all intended for the public viewing. Additionally, something that is part of the Arts and Entertainment industry could be objects that represent historical or educational interest. This is just scratching the surface; all of the pieces that make up the Arts and Entertainment industry goes into much more depth and detail.

The technology we live with today is high quality and absolutely phenomenal; it is nothing that this world has ever seen before.

Artists have taken advantage of this technology to push

the barriers of their imagination and creations. With this, there are many different ways to see how the world of Art and Entertainment have gone digital. We have been introduced to mechanisms such as 3-Dimensional (3D) art and printers, virtual reality, high definition video games, computer graphics, and so much more. Editing applications such as Photoshop have allowed artists to create pieces that they once never thought possible. Through keeping up with the times and adapting to the new technology our world produces, Arts and Entertainment is constantly evolving and updating.

Many people have been impacted and affected by the digitization of the Arts and Entertainment industry. Artists, however, have been impacted the most. One reason this is true is because of our unlimited access to computers and the internet. With this, artists are able to publish and post their creations online to be seen by people all over the world. This allows patrons to witness, or even purchase, a vast amount of artwork and creations. Artists are exponentially gaining popularity and accessibility, something that was never possible be-

fore the internet was created.

Moreover, artists are now able to go beyond limits they never knew existed. New techniques and crafts have been introduced to the world. For example, artists can now “paint” on an iPad just as well as they can paint on a canvas with a paintbrush. Artists can now connect with each other online, build off of each others’ ideas, and expand their horizons.

Digital technology has

helped artists, and all humans, to enhance creative processes towards paths that have yet to be explored. Humans have the ability to express themselves through painting, drawing, sculpting, music, poetry, live performances, and more. Technology acts as a right-hand man to the Arts and Entertainment industry, allowing people to achieve greatness and explore things that were once unimaginable.

Photo Courtesy of Rob and Nick Carter

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Sports

Blind Brook Men’s Varsity Basketball Starts Off Strong Despite Covid Setbacks

By Jonny Hamburger

As fall sports have come to an end and winter is now upon us, the Blind Brook Men’s Basketball season has officially begun. Blind Brook’s 2021-2022 team has 15 total players and 9 of them are seniors playing their last basketball season at Blind Brook. When asked how the team felt heading into the season, Senior Captain Jack Kohn stated “Heading into the season all of us were really excited to be back playing as a team again in front of our fans. We all are extremely motivated to have a great season, especially us seniors who really want to have a great last season”.

Blind Brook tipped off for the first time this season on December 8th at Children’s Village. The team started off the season with a dominant 72-33 win with captains Jack Kohn, Keith Koningsberg and Jack Miller leading the way in scoring. Kohn finished with 18, Konigsberg with 11 and Miller with 10. finished with 18, Konigsberg with 11 and Miller with 10.

About a week later on December 14th, Blind Brook faced Putnam Valley in their home opener. The home opener was a special game because it was the first time

in over a year that the team was playing in front of a full set of home fans. The Trojans were able to pull off a 58-49 victory with the home crowd there to cheer them on. Miller led the way with 14 points and Sophomore Eli Zimmerman followed with 13.

Over the next two games, Blind Brook was able to stay red hot with commanding wins on the road over Tuckahoe and Sleepy Hollow. The final score against Tuckahoe on December 16th was 60-38 and Konigsberg was the leading scorer with 15 points. The following day, the final score against Sleepy Hollow was 48-20 and Eli Zimmerman led the way with 13, all in the second half. At this point, the team was 4-0 to start the season with 3 wins on the road.

The boys then took on a tough and physical Bronxville team on December 20th.

The final score was a loss, 59-56, and Jack Kohn led the Trojans with 21 on seven three pointers. Blind Brook was disappointed to end their win streak, but bounced back with wins the following week.

Over Blind Brook’s Winter Recess, the Basketball Team stayed busy practicing and preparing for the

Photo Courtesy of Zachary Taub/ZT Productions

Photo Courtesy of Zachary Taub/ZT Productions

Weston, Connecticut Holiday Tourney. However, over the break, Blind Brook was very short on players. 7 players entered Covid Protocols and 1 player was injured, leaving the team with only 8 healthy players eligible to participate in the Holiday Tournament.

Despite being short-handed, Blind Brook managed to pull off two wins and take home the Weston Holiday Tournament Title. In the first tournament game, Blind Brook picked up a 59-29 win over New Fairfield and senior Hunter Zuckerman led the way with a career-high 14 points. In the final game, Blind Brook defeated Weston and Eli Zimmerman led the charge.

Zimmerman won all Tournament MVP while Kohn made the All Tournament Team.

On January 6th Blind Brook moved to 7-1 after a 55-26 victory over the Leffell School. When asked about how it feels to start out 7-1, Senior

Captain Jack Miller said “It feels awesome to be 7-1, but we have a long season ahead of us and the schedule only gets harder from here so we need to stay motivated and ready”.

On January 11th the Trojans played in a game against Briarcliff, a game that was expected to be challenging. The boys left it all out on the court yet were unable to pick up a win. The final score was 5436 with Konigsberg and Zimmerman scoring 9 points each.

Blind Brook’s regular season continues until February 11th, with Homecoming expected to be played on January 21st against Pleasantville. Starting off with a strong 7-2 record is a great accomplishment for the entire team but there are still many games to play and the team is not yet satisfied. The Varsity Boys Basketball Team has had a phenomenal start, it will be interesting to see how the season progresses.

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