Harvard-Westlake • Studio City • Volume 33 • Issue 3 • Nov. 15, 2023 • hwchronicle.com
School reacts to terrorism By Alex Dinh
In response to the Israel-Hamas war, the school and Jewish Club held a series of mandatory and optional speakers. History and Middle East Studies Teacher Dror Yaron spoke to all sophomores, juniors and seniors about the history behind the conflict. In addition to the mandatory class meetings, Yaron and StandWithUs Senior Educator Charlotte Korchak have both spoken to Jewish Club. The day after Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, President Rick Commons and Head of School Laura Ross sent an email to the school community. Commons said he and Ross decided to officially designate and recognize the attacks as terrorism. “It was our decision that what took place Oct. 7 was terrorism,” Commons said. “Clear and simple. We decided to announce that it was terrorism and not to shy away from naming the moral wrong that had taken place and taken so many innocent lives in that horrific experience.” In the email, Commons and Ross also wrote that the the school will be working to provide resources to students struggling with the tragedy. Head of Upper School Beth Slattery said the school’s main priorities are informing and aiding the student body. “Schools are about education and support,” Slattery said. • Continued on A2
CONNOR TANG/CHRONICLE
WITHOUT FURTHER ADO: Elise Fried ’24, as Margaret, teases Jack Smith ’26, as Benedick, after finding him secretly attempting to write a love letter to her friend, Beatrice. Margaret ends up helping Benedick profess his love to Beatrice, resulting in their wedding at the end of the play.
Performing Arts Department puts on modern production of “Much Ado About Nothing” By Mia Morgan and Hannah Shahidi
The Upper School Performing Arts Department opened the fall play “Much Ado About Nothing” to audiences Oct. 26, 27 and 28. The show follows two couples as they overcome obstacles and eventually marry at the end of the play. First performed at the Globe Theatre in London and written by William Shakespeare, the play is over 400 years old. The school’s production features a
Field Day Festivities: Community and Prefect councils organize a relay race, Raising Cane’s and activities for Field Day.
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them as plays that are meant to be seen and heard. This play in particular is so playful and funny and sarcastic. For me, it was sort of a no-brainer to do it in modern times because my hope was for students and our community to see it through that lens.” The modified version of “Much Ado About Nothing” featured the traditional dialogue and stage directions with added dance numbers and songs. “I’m a dancer and choreographer, so [the script] spoke to me to include dance,” Washburn
said. “I also think it’s a nice brain break for the audience who have been listening to this different kind of English. Watching the dance gives their brains a moment to relax and look at something new.” The plot of the play is driven by the villain, Don Jon, who attempts to break up the intended marriage between Hero and Claudio with accusations of infedelity. Clara Berg ’25, who played Hero, said the moral of the play can applied to modern times. • Continued on C1
Administration sends email about parties
IN THIS ISSUE
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plot set in the present and touches on current events, according to Director and Performing Arts Teacher Sabrina Washburn. Washburn said she created the modern adaptation to help audience members better understand the plot. “I wanted to do a modern adaptation of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ because I believe that we often treat these plays like they’re some untouchable, old thing that [needs] to be revered and respected as classic literature,” Washburn said. “But I see
By Connor Tang
B4-5 School Sweethearts: Teachers who are married to each other discuss their experiences sharing homes and workplaces.
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Losing Literacy: Title Takedown: Community members reflect Field hockey defeats Bonita High School, winning the on their relationships with reading for pleasure, and the title at the Sunset League difficulty to make time for it. Tournament of Champions.
The school heightened its concern regarding student parties amid increased reports of illicit substance use, according to an email sent by Head of Upper School Beth Slattery on Oct. 30. Multiple student gatherings in the 2023-2024 school year have resulted in the involvement of paramedics or the hospitalization of students due to drug and alcohol consumption, the email read. Slattery also warned about the possible consequences for both students and parents who continue to engage in the distribution and illegal use of substances, at the discretion of the school. President Rick Commons said the school is taking stronger action towards drugs and alcohol than previous years. “The subject of student parties, alcohol and drugs before was unspoken,” Commons said. “We used to say, ‘Be safe, take good care of yourselves and don’t do anything too risky.’ Now, in the 11th year of my role, we’ve sent out warnings in the past, but they’ve never been quite as direct [pertaining] to the issues of parties and especially the safety of
students. We had not yet spoken by parents and that some have publicly to the community spe- helped plan parties for their kids. cifically about the exclusionary Commons said that involvement nature of the parties or the liabil- of parents has further put students at risk of alcohol misuse. ity laws of parents.” “Some parents [involved with Slattery said the dangerous behavior at parties has parties] are making the deciled the school to take ac- sions,” Commons said. “They tion in keeping students safe. either turn a blind eye [to alco“This is the first year where it hol], or they actually provide it, feels like parties are ramping up on the principle [that] it’s better to pre-pandemthat [their kids] ic proportions,” drink [at a party] Slattery said. than drink at a The subject of club somewhere “It’s been hard student parties, alcohol or in some place to hear from parents or kids and drug before [this that isn’t as safe that somebody as their home. email] was unspoken.” went to the [It’s imperative] hospital, and parents — Rick Commons that it’s just really unify around President the principle of terrifying. Now, in the current keeping alcohol landscape of as far away from what we’ve already been through, student gatherings as possible.” I wake up almost every day terriSlattery said parents have a fied to look at my phone [and see] responsibility to protect their whether I got a text in the middle children by engaging in conversaof the night [about a student]. It’s tion and not being judgemental. very emotional for me because “I understand kids are gonmy whole job is to keep kids safe.” na go to parties, and kids might According to Slattery and drink, but [it’s horrible] to Commons, the school has been know that [some] adults are notified that in some instanc- facilitating it,” Slattery said. es, alcohol has been provided • Continued on A5
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