November 2011

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

SPORTS page 12: Boys’ Soccer

page 10: IHS Pep Band page 7: Reataurant Review

OPINION:

Bullying

page 8

November 15, 2011 • Estd. 1892 • Vol. 120 • No.3• Published Monthly • www.ihstattler.com • Ithaca High School, 1401 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca, NY, 14850 • FREE

Library Withstands Budget Cuts

PHOTO/SARAH STRUPP-Levitsky

The library clerks greet students at the circulation desk.

By REX LEI

Since Oct. 24th, the Library Department has been open until 4:30 PM Monday through Thursday. Although in the beginning of this year one of the clerks who worked in the library, Lori Backus, left due to lack of payment, Powers agreed to pay roughly $4,000 in order to hire Judy Genova, another clerk, to supervise after-school library.

“There is so much pressure with one less person,” said Nan Bell, head librarian.

Problems have arisen in the department: the book budget has been reduced by 66%, from $24,000 to $8,000, below the original standard of $7 per child to $5 per child. Additionally, the computer labs can’t always be left open--only on demand.

Around eight years ago, IHS had an open library until 7:00pm. Then, three years ago, the library was open until 6:00. In the beginning of this year, after-school library hours weren’t an option, because there was no funding for a supervisor. Along with security, insurance, and book safety issues, it was illegal to randomly choose a volunteer to do a job that would cost so much money. Without having Backus as the after school clerk, the library couldn’t open, and as a result, there was no after school library for students.

Despite budget cuts, the library tried to look for alternative funding

so that they could remain open for more hours. The IHS library applied for grants, like Ithaca Public Education Initiative’s (IPEI) $500 grants.

The district libraries had to be frugal to find supplies and books at cheap prices. The whole district had to be as “thrifty” as possible. “PTA and other associations could help a lot with students who’d like to read books outside of the library,” said Bell.

In addition to the myriad problems brought on by the lack of after-school library hours, many teachers didn’t have the facility to help struggling kids after school. As a result of this, students lost opportunities for printing, checking out books, studying, and working on homework.

IHS Code Red robotics club members frequented the library after-school during the gap between the end of school and club meetings. During the period of no after-school library, Simon Bohn, Code Red VP said, “Code Red is extremely disappointed; we’ve lost an essential resource.”

Thanks to Principal Powers arranging funding for after-school library, students are currently able to access computers, books, and other resources until 4:30 PM. However, with budget cuts and job insecurity, the future of after-school library remains uncertain.

As Bradley Grainger, a BoE member briefly put it, “Predicting the budget this far in advance is impossible.”

Department Changes Spark New Advantages

By MANSI VOHRA

In World Languages, co-Heads Lana Craig and Janet Bowman have transformed classrooms by adding brand new books to their curriculum. French 3 & 4, Spanish 1, and German 2 & 3 have all traded their 1985 hard copies for $85 VISTA Higher Learning books. The new books have online Supersites which allow the student to listen to dialogues, read lectures, and answer homework questions online. “If they need to listen to something 17 times, they can do so,” said Janet Bowman, French teacher and co-Head of the department. “They’re going to feel so much more confident in what they say and how they say it.”

New textbooks have also been a key feature in the Science department. “Four-hundred books had to be scanned on the first day of school, with the help of staff and administrators,” said Science Dept. Head, Carlan Gray. New electives and more lab time have also been added.

Forensics and Marine Biology have added an exciting atmosphere for students, allowing seniors to fulfill their science credits. Additionally, labs are every other day now, rather than only twice in a six day cycle like last year to help students reach the

1200 minute Regents lab requirement. The department is to also expand their use of technology: more computers are to be integrated into classrooms so that students have the option of graphing their data on the computer while doing their labs.

The Gym department is preparing for the completion of the new wellness center, equipped with new fitness equipment and Dance Dance Revolution, which is likely to be completed in the spring. The department is also modifying it’s curriculum. Beginning next year, students will choose from three different gym classes: sport for life, similar to current gym class, fitness for life, focusing on individual fitness, or wellness for life, focusing on lifelong fitness.

“We realize the entire student body would not be into playing handball for three weeks,” said Ms. Maddren, an IHS gym teacher.

Dance, such as merengue, will be incorporated into the curriculum. Community members, gym teachers, and student dancers would teach the unit.

“Students have asked me, ‘Can we dance?,’ and I’m tired of brushing it off,” said Ms. Maddren. “Of course we can.”

Student Services has also seen continued on p. 5

ICSD Upgrades: iPads, WiFi, and New Computers

By MIKE HALL

Educators are always searching for new ways to engage students in their lessons. Dr. Brown, and many educators, believe they’ve found the solution in technology.

Dr. Brown has a three step plan which he believes will revolutionize the way students learn in the Ithaca City School District.

Step one involves ensuring that all schools in the district have the same technology. According to Brown, the current allotment of computers and other technologies is not equitable, and this needs to be corrected.

Step two involves replacing every computer that is over five years old.

Technology grows archaic very quickly, so ensuring that computers are replaced when their lifespan has reached its end is important.

“Some of the computers are 10-12 years old, and that’s not okay,” said Brown.

The third step involves upgrades to the schools’ wireless system. This project, which will be undertaken over the summer, will not only strengthen the district’s existing wireless network, but will expand wireless coverage to the parking lots of the schools.

This will enable students, families, and staff to easily gain access to the Internet and to the schools’ online continued on p. 6

November 15, 2011

Opinion:

Invisible Children & Invisible Help

By MIKE HALL

Charities and non-governmental organizations are prominent among the more affluent countries of the world.

Dealing with issues ranging from water to human rights, the prevalence of these organizations is generally seen as a good thing: a sign of generosity from the world’s better off. Running advertisements on television, radio, and the internet, their purported goal is to help those in need. In theory, it sounds marvelous. But does it work in practice?

Invisible Children is one of the most visible examples of NGO work within our community. The Invisible Children club at IHS was formed in the wake of a film shown to students about the Lord’s Resistance Army’s Insurgency.

The main belligerents, the Ugandans People’s Defense Force (the Ugandan Army) and the Lord’s Resistance Army have been at war since 1987, making it one of the continents longest ongoing conflicts. The LRA abducts children primarily from villages in Uganda, the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and subjects them to traumatic experiences.

Invisible Children wants to help.

Invisible Children has been granted a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This means that Invisible Children does not have to pay taxes, and donors may deduct the money that they donated to Invisible Children from their taxes.

However, Invisible Children has violated some of the standards that the IRS promulgated, thus engaging in illegal activity. The IRS requires that organizations with a 501(c)(3) status refrain from engaging in lobbying activity; that is to say, they may not use the funds they receive from their donors to attempt to affect legislation in the government.

Invisible Children admits to taking an integral role in the passage of HR

2478—The Lord’s Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Ugandan Recovery Act—and to using donor funds to lobby Congress. Invisible Children spokesman Andrew Morgan stated, “We needed the bill to pass (and spent donor money trying to ensure that it did) because Joseph Kony’s capture is crucial to the recovery of northern Uganda.” This is a clear violation of the terms under which Invisible Children was granted a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status by the Federal Government.

They have, in effect, broken the law.

One might inquire into the cost-benefit analysis of such an action. If this law that Invisible Children helped to pass can make a positive difference, why does it really matter that they broke the law? If this piece of legislation had the potential to make a positive difference this would be a viable question for debate. After all, could it not be argued that this is an appropriate form of civil disobedience?

Unfortunately, HR 2478 does not make a positive difference. Congress agreed to appropriate, “up to $10,000,000,” however, it also states that if the US Department of State finds that the, “Government of Uganda is not committed to reconstruction and reconciliation in the war-affected areas of northern Uganda and is not taking proactive steps to ensure this process moves forward in a transparent and accountable manner” the United States should withdraw its offer of assistance.

Transparency International has ranked Uganda as the 51st most corrupt country in the world out of 178 countries.

With such large amounts of corruption, there is little reason to believe the State Department would find that the Ugandan Government was acting in a, “transparent and accountable manner.”

Invisible Children’s financials also reflect disturbing and questionable decisions made by their management.

In 2010, Invisible Children spent $1,324,231 on “General, Development, and Management” expenditures compared to only $7,523,792 on program expenditures. Upon investigating Invisible Children’s record with the US Government (the Better Business Bureau), or one of the many organizations that tracks charities, one finds that Invisible Children has not supplied these organizations with information about their business practices. While some charities, such as Direct Relief International, spends 98% of their money on program expenses, Invisible Children spends under 84% on their programs.

Furthermore, because of Invisible Children’s lack of financial transparency, one cannot even know what is claimed as “program expenses.” It seems that money donated to Invisible Children is not only going to fund the organization’s illegal activities, but a substantial amount of money is not even making it to the people for whom it was meant. Invisible Children’s financials also reveal property in excess of $1.1 million: $685,475 in computer equipment, $220,053 in transportation equipment, $173,463 in video and camera equipment, and $43,194 on furniture and fixtures. This hardly seems as if the organizers of Invisible Children are putting all of their efforts into helping the poverty stricken region of northern Uganda.

It is undeniable that the acts being committed by the Lord’s Resistance Army are egregious violations of international law. Yet, Invisible Children does not have the tools to deal with such problems. The international aid community as a whole needs to recognize that not all work that it does is beneficial, and donors need to recognize that not all charities do what they purport to do. And most importantly, however counterintuitive it may seem, all help is not helpful.

Adieu Paperbacks, Hello Electronics

By LEO WINTERS

Everybody remembers what their favorite book was when they were a kid. Whether it was Dr. Seuss or William Shakespeare, and regardless of whether you’d now prefer to watch “The Real World” on MTV than pick up a book, you had a favorite.

Try to remember the book, whatever it may be. Start with its back and front covers, then its pages and your favorite pictures, providing it was a picture book. Now, take everything you loved about that book and lay it out on an endless, flat moving scroll, sort of like the text from the opening of Star Wars. Not quite as warm and homey, is it?

What you just pictured is essentially the idea behind the increasingly popular Amazon Kindle. It’s an iPod for books, turning all the tangible aspects of a book into an ongoing stream of digital text.

Some may argue that downloading books is much more convenient than going out and buying a physical copy. But actually, physically having a book entitles one to so much more freedom then having one on your Kindle. For instance, with many families and groups of friends, books are circulated amongst each other. You can lend a book to as many people as you want, and when you’re finished with it, you can even sell it to one of those great things they call a used book store. With a Kindle, it’s basically like loaning your iPod to a friend: it’s hard to let them have it for more than a day without getting a little paranoid.

There are also the obvious inconveniences associated with an electronic book. It runs on batteries. A book does not. This means that if you’re at the climax of the novel you’re reading, and the Kindle runs out of batteries, you have to go run and

find the closest available power adapter.

The Kindle is also very fragile and expensive. You can’t inflict the damage and abuse we all love to subject our books to without breaking it, even with the case on. Not to mention how difficult it would be to use the Kindle to research for, say, writing a paper.

Let’s compare finding a specific passage on a Kindle to finding one in a book. On a Kindle, I’m sure it takes a lot of finger strength to mash scroll buttons until you get to the page you’re looking for, while in a book, we have a nice thing called the “dog ear” technique, so we can open the book to whatever pages we deem important with minimum hassle. This is one reason why schools aren’t ready to adopt Kindles in place of literature and textbooks, the other one being that they can’t hand out $400 apiece, school-issued Kindles to students and expect to get them back in one piece.

Do I even need to explain the effect that the Kindle, if its popularity keeps growing at the rate it is now, will have on libraries and Bookstores in general? The exact same effect that Netflix had on Hollywood Videos and Blockbusters all over: they’re all going to close.

Does anyone ever put into play the artistic sacrifices of making things smaller and more easily portable? The answer is often no. Has anyone even listened to an album the whole way through since the iPod was invented in 2001?

A future with the Kindle may not be as bright as it seems. It’s a future without libraries and bookstores, a future in which pilots say, “Please turn off all eBooks until we’re safely in the air.”

We all like new gadgets and fast-moving technology, but can’t we leave books alone?

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advisor@ihstattler.com The Tattler is the studentrun newspaper of Ithaca High School. The Tattler was founded in 1892, and is published monthly.

As an open forum, The Tattler invites submissions of opinion pieces and letters to the editor from all members of the community. Drop off submissions in H134, or e-mail them to editor@ ihstattler.com.

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November 15, 2011

Opinion:

Down With Dangerous Onlookers!

By HANNAH GEORGE Staff Writer

“The Board prohibits bullying.” This is declared on the bottom of page 45 of the Student Handbook, as if the prohibition of bullying by the Board changes anything. As I saw on the last day of September, it doesn’t.

I was walking down F hallway to the library in the usual five minute rush between periods, when out of my peripheral vision I saw the definition of bullying personified. (For the complete definition, please refer to page 21 of the Student Handbook.) A boy in fetal position on the floor. Two others standing over him, being physically abusive. A fourth kid filming the entire scene on his phone. If my assumptions are correct, this particular instance probably would fall into the second of five different categories of harassment/bullying outlined in the Handbook’s disciplinary chart on page 17: HPR or “Harass/Bully (physical/race).”

I did the only thing that was acceptable; I spun around and shouted, “What the fuck?!” as I marched straight to the epicenter of the scene. I had no hands free so I used my organic cotton lunch bag to swat away the offenders as one swats away wasps swarming around a picnic, i.e. waving one’s hand back and forth in the air without actually hitting a wasp. (By coincidence, or perhaps no coincidence at all, my Rebel Green lunch bag’s design of a girl wearing a military-style helmet is called “Peace Girl.”)

“Leave him alone.” Never mind my ridiculous cross country team spirit attire that had me red from head to toe­­- I was dead serious. Perhaps it was the paint on my face, the anger in my voice, or the fact that a senior girl had just called them out, but they backed off and the boy on the ground got up and collected himself. Chaos ended, my work was done. As I continued on my way, a girl that seemed to know the bullies said to them, “Yeah, you don’t even know him.”

I thought about this and the entire incident as I entered the library with my heart pound-

ing since the adrenaline rush it brought was only just starting to kick in. I needed to write an essay that period, but I couldn’t concentrate.

There were just too many things wrong with what had just happened.

First, the bullying. We’re all told that violence is not the answer. This is a great message, but it obviously doesn’t get through to us all. Bullying is mean and hurtful. Is treating your fellow human beings with dignity and respect too much to ask?

Then there’s the fact that it was pointless.

They didn’t even know him. If you’re going to hurt someone (and please don’t), at least let it be the kid that insulted your mother in front of the whole global class or the cheat that photocopied your essay and turned it in as his own, causing you both to get zeros. You do not go walking around school beating up every kid you meet because there are more of you, his skin’s a different color, and you had a bad day. We’re all human. Deal with it.

Even though these things I’ve discussed are serious problems, they aren’t what makes me ticked off the most. I want to know why no one else in that crowded hallway did anything. The kid was on the ground by the time I got there. I missed the first move. We know that the Board prohibits bullying on page 45. But what many of us don’t understand is the quote underneath that section from Albert Einstein. “The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.”

Think back to an incident of bullying you’ve witnessed. What did you do? Maybe you stepped in, and maybe you didn’t. Maybe you meant to, but you couldn’t stop-you’d be late to class, you don’t want to get involved, it’s not your business, you can’t do a single push-up and might get hurt, you’re only average strong and might get hurt, you’re a measly freshman, you’re a busy junior, maybe they’re actually friends, you don’t know what to say, the odds are four

against one.

Guilt is a product of crime, and this crime is easy to commit. An old proverb says, “Many a false step is made by standing still.” Doing nothing silently accepts the hate as a part of life, as something okay that doesn’t need to change.

Allowing it to continue, when it’s within your power to make it stop, is just as bad as joining in, slapping the victim in the face. Every person that walks by silently sends the message that they in fact agree, even though in their hearts they feel differently. I call that cowardly.

So now I urge the goody-two-shoes, the quarterback, the band chick, the future diplomat, the amateur photographer, the hippie, the Republican, the quiet kid, the would-be valedictorian, the computer programmer, the thespian, the hipster, the party animal, the soccer player, the artist, the compost monitor, the second-violinist, the exchange student, and everyone in between to be the positive change the world needs by taking a stand for what’s right, every day of the rest of your lives.

Stepping off the normal tracks set by us creatures of habit takes courage. Just to be clear, I wasn’t always brave. In kindergarten, I was so timid that I cried when I told my teacher that my mom wanted me to bring my naptime blanket home to be washed. I was scared of doing something no one else was doing. But in the thirteen years since then I’ve become measurably braver. Bravery isn’t something you’re born with; it’s learned one small courageous act at a time.

My own actions were not perfect. I could have stopped the bullying without dropping an F-bomb. I’m sorry. I was angry. And if I could redo that entire confrontation, I would also go back and delete the video so that the incident really would have been closed for good, since cyberbullying is harder to end (unless you happen to be a mastermind hacker). But the point is that I did something, and that you can, and should, do something too.

Path of Success Seminar Proves To Be Ineffective

By ARYEH ZAX

PHOTO/PROVIDED

Sophomores had to sit everyother seat in Kulp, which seemed Path of Success is an organizato most of us ironic. It seemed tion founded by Alfred Watts to to suggest that we were adult enable young students to take the enough to plan our “limitless” first step in empowering themfutures, but not mature enough selves and their lives. As part of to sit next to our friends without the program, Watts goes to high breaking down and giggling. At schools and gives students a lecthe beginning of the day, Kulp ture about overcoming peer preswas mostly filled every-other sure and fear of failure, while also seat. By lunch, about half of the telling them how to successfully students had left. set their goals. This combination Overall, most of the students is supposed to give students the did not find the lecture to be time ability to overcome the challengwell spent. Many students simply es they face in society today, in didn’t show, and those who did academia and beyond. come I saw in mainly two types: The pretty picture the previthey either left in the middle of ous paragraph paints is not what the lecture or stayed sitting there I saw.

Alfred Watts presents his life philosophy.. not paying attention.

As a sophomore, I was given a My friends had varied interestbooklet this year, the same booking stories: I played a word game let I was given as a freshman last year. The accompanying PowerPoint pre- on my calculator with friends near me, and a friend in the row in front of sentation was still the same, too. I was dreading sitting through a ‘Step me crafted a Monopoly board on a spare sheet of paper. Other students did Two’ follow-up to last year’s event, but instead it was ‘Step One’ again. more mundane things: listened to music, did their homework, or drew.

There were some small positive changes this year: we got five minutes The pamphlet claims to be part of a ‘fun, informative, and interactive,’ breaks every hour or so to get up and stretch, which made the entire ex- lecture, but it wasn’t any of those. Unless filling in blanks on a piece of perience a bit more bearable. Also, what appears to be Watts’ catchphrase paper is considered interactive. For a considerable chunk of us the experi(“If success were guaranteed and failure were not an option, what would ence was a waste, both of our time and IHS’ money; if there were students I desire to do?”) was used only about 20 times this year, in contrast to the who found it useful, I didn’t see them. Even if there had been new or valu100 or so last year. Yes, we counted. What else was there to do? able information, we probably would have been too bored to listen.

November 15, 2011

Habitat for Humanity Build

By PAUL STOVER

Fourteen IHS Habitat for Humanity members and two community volunteers built picnic tables to help support the victims of the floods in the Southern Tier of Tompkins County. The event took place on Columbus Day outside Lowe’s in Ithaca.

“I love building for the people, because even though I might not immediately realize how beneficial my tiny woman’s hands are to the family, I am always happy when I share the hammer, ruler, or even the saw with the other builders, old and young,” said Mané Mahrabyan, IHS Habitat for Humanity President.

Originally, students had planned to help build a house in Lansing, but the current stage of the house requires the use of power tools which students have to be over the age of 18 to use. Habitat for Humanity plans to donate one of the picnic tables to the flood victims and auction off the other.

During the build, the volunteers divided themselves into two groups, and each was assigned a picnic table to build. The two groups then worked efficiently for about four hours, and the results were two sturdy, stunning picnic tables. Both tables also have one end of the table that extends further than the bench, which allows easy access for people in wheelchairs.

The two adult volunteers were from VISTA and AmeriCore, national community service organizations that fight poverty in America. VISTA members serve full-time and work for a year participating in projects that strengthen the community and improve health services.

IHS Habitat for Humanity also built a shed that will be going to Homer where a house is currently under construction. On October 20 students worked during lunch periods to finish the project in the Kulp Greenery. Any student who filled out a form was welcome to help construct the shed.

World News North and South America Protesters continue to rail against Wall Street. For weeks, protesters have been camped out in a park in Manhattan, protesting the unequal spread of wealth in the country. Occupy Wall Street protests have spread to well over 100 cities in the U.S. and many others throughout the world.

Presidential candidate Herman Cain surged to an unlikely first place for the Republican Nomination.

Students in Chile have taken to the streets to protest rising education costs, the latest development in a youth movement that began in May. Africa Tensions in Central Africa remain high following the murder of 15 Ivorian border guards. Loyalists to former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo living in Liberia are blamed for the deaths. Following the incident, there has been a build-up of Ivorian troops of the Liberian-Ivorian border.

Observers say that the recent Liberian elections were fair and free. Current president Ellen Sirleaf had the most votes, but did not receive the 50% needed to avoid a run-off election.

Muammar Gaddafi was killed October 20 after rebels captured his hometown, Sirte. Exactly how he was killed is still being investigated. The whereabouts of his favorite son, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, are unknown and if still alive, Saif could represent possible insurgency.

Europe Riots and strikes in Greece continued as Parliament attempted to pass austerity measures to keep the nation from defaulting on its loans. Such measures will decrease unions’ collective bargaining rights and will lead to major layoffs in the public sector.

Asia North Korea will be resuming six party talks with the United States, Russia, China, South Korea, and Japan to discuss its nuclear program. North Korea last discontinued such discussion in April of 2009 following the country’s testing of a long-range missile.

PHOTO/PROVIDED

CHANGES

Another Baby for Dr. Brown!

continued from p.1

Habitat for Humanity club encourages everyone in the IHS community to get involved in their projects. Here, the Varsity Girls’ Lacrosse team participates in a Women’s Community Build.

RESPOND. we w ant to

hear

what you have to say

email submissions to:

editor@ihstattler.com

-MIKE HALL

Superintendent Dr. Brown, his wife, Angie, and their daughter, Landyn, welcomed another member to their family! Weighing 7lbs. and 6 oz, their son, Aiden Quinn Brown, was born on Oct. 6th, 2011 at 12:30 AM.

A Death Row Exonerate Visits IHS

By CHRISTINA SEUNG

On Oct. 27 Nathson Fields, came to IHS in order to raise awareness about his experience on death row and his view on the death penalty. Fields was a former gang leader and was wrongly accused of a double homicide. He spent approximately seven years in prison and more than 11 years on death row.

In 1985, while driving, the police pulled him over, asked for his name and without questioning, hand-cuffed him and took him to the police station: He had been charged with double homicide that happened fifteen months earlier and despite his claims of innocence, the judge, Thomas J. Maloney found him guilty and sentenced him to death by lethal injection.

Fields recounted his experience on death row: everyone in shackles, handcuffs and chains and always escorted by two or three personal guards. He explained that the 5’ by 8’ cells were quite decent in daylight: when he asked for papers, pens and envelops, he received them. However, at night, the prisoners would scream periodically, bang on doors for hours, hurt themselves and talk to imaginary people.

Fields recalled the lack of medical care the prisoners received. While on death row, his friend, Frank, started to lose weight significantly and few days later, his teeth started to

fall out so easily that he could pluck them out with his fingers. Fields and others told the guards that Frank needed medical care, but the medical staff said, “Ehh, that’s Frank.” Two weeks later, Frank died of cancer. The medical staff knew about his cancer, due to Frank’s blood tests.

After about 11 years in prison, Fields received a news article about how his judge, Maloney, had been taking bribes from lawyers.

Maloney was found guilty and was sentenced to fifteen years in prison.

As a result, in 1998, Fields was able to get a new trial, in which he was found innocent and received his Certificate of Innocence. He then attended law school in Illinois and represented himself in court to ask for $360 million in compensation.

Although he did not receive the compensation, it still remains as one of his goals. He is now a board member of Witness to Innocence, which consists of death row exonerates who go across the nation to educate people of the death row experience and to obtain compensation.

Fields explained that he particularly enjoys speaking at high schools because students are the future and he believes it’s important for them to be informed that “we’re all human and being human, we all make mistakes,” and no one should be put to death for those mistakes, no matter how big or small they may be.

November 15, 2011

IPEI Celebrates 15th Year

PHOTO/INGRID SYDENSTRICKER

DEPARTMENT CHANGES

IPEI vice-president Jennifer Engel and BoE members Seth Peacock and Robert Ainslie at IPEI’s 15 and Forward Celebration.

By INGRID SYDENSTRICKER

Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI) celebrated its 15th anniversary on October 5th with a gathering of over 300 teachers, students, and district administration.

IPEI is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization which supports ICSD through various collaborations, grants, and gifts. It was founded in 1996 as part of the ICSD Strategic Plan to increase resources available to students.

“IPEI has been extremely important to our own existence,” said Bill Foster, the program director of the Cayuga Floating Classroom, an organization which uses IPEI grants extensively. “We’re a community based organization and we depend on the community to support us.”

The Floating Classroom organizes student field-trips onto Cayuga Lake, to the Water Treatment Plant, to watershed farms, and also brings material into the classrooms such as live trout for student to study.

“These things would not be happening if it weren’t for IPEI in the background,” said Foster.

Andrea Volckmar, a social studies teacher at DeWitt Middle School also shared her gratitude for IPEI: allowing her to explore and be innovative as a teacher and fund valuable projects.

“It’s like a really reliable dance partner,” Volckmar said. “You’re like ‘Want to tango this year?’ and they’re like ‘Yeah! You’re my

partner.’ What I love about IPEI is that it’s a sure thing. It helps me refine my thinking.”

Volckmar has used the teacher grants to create the Scrubs club, a program which allowed 8th graders at DeWitt to shadow workers at the Cayuga Medical Center in departments such as radiology, emergency, and intensive care. IPEI also helped fund visiting musicians, artists, dancers, and art historians during the Harlem Renaissance unit for 8th graders at DeWitt.

“It’s wonderful,” said Volckmar.

“We’ve been doing it for about a decade and the kids just love it.”

IHS Code Red Robotics Team and Project Lead the Way are funded in part by IPEI. “Twenty-first century employers are looking for twenty-century schools to teacher twenty first century skills,” said a representative from Kionix, a microsystem fabrication company. “IPEI supports programs such as Code Red Robotics and Project Lead the Way that do just that.”

IPEI now looks ahead towards further helping ICSD. “You say 15 and forward,” said Millicent Clarke-Maynard teacher at BJM, “You’re going to be here a long time after that.”

“I think there is so much more to happen,” said Jennifer Engel, Vice President of IPEI. “This community is exploding with opportunity and human capital who want to share what they know. We got to all come mingle and share what we know. We’re just at the beginning.”

continued from p.1

new changes to their department this year. With two new psychologists, Mary O’Donnell and Allison Center, the department has expanded from 14 to 16 staff members. As part of their new 2011-2012 plan, Student Services has advised counselors to meet with every senior. In the past, senior conferences used to be optional, but this year, Astrid Brueckner, head of Student Services, is making them mandatory, in order to ensure that “every senior is thinking about college and the next step forward.” Mrs. Little and Mrs. Brueckner, the master schedulists, are also trying to improve course availability despite budget cuts. Although tentative, the department hopes that by 2012, students will recommend which courses they’d like to take via the internet. The course of studies is also to be updated to list currently offered courses and be more user-friendly.

“I hope to have an updated course of studies,”said Mr. Powers.

“We haven’t run Great Books since Moby Dick was a guppy.”

The Fine Arts department is aiming to integrate more technology into their classrooms. In Studio Art, Photography 1 & 2, Drawing and Painting, Ceramics and AP Art, SMART Boards and visual cameras are to be added in order to help students perceive ideas in art more easily.

“We’re looking forward to being more relevant and user friendly,” said dept. chair, Carol Spence.

Art rooms also underwent renovation with new display walls, removable tables, and high stools.

In doing their part to increase the graduation rate, the English department has created two new English electives: English 101 and English 102. Both classes are offered as a dual credit for seniors who need to fulfill their English 12 credit requirements in order to graduate. English 11 teachers such as Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Kennedy, and Mr. Armstrong are also planning on starting English regents preparation early. Regents prep enrollment is accessible on Blackboard for every student. Dept. chair Rebecca Gergely, also added that changes in the number of students per class have impacted teachers greatly this year.

“Some English classes have more than 30 students and it may take a little longer for them to get papers back as well as return emails.”

Despite the increase in class size, with the help of Powers, Gergely has sought to plan out Professional Learning Communities (PLC) work in classrooms. “Our goal is for students to begin working on common course standards,” Gergely stated.

“Finding out where the curriculum alligns with the standards and where it doesn’t.”

The math department has expanded their classes as well. Another Algebra 2 class for seniors will be offered hopefully by next year, for seniors who need a 3rd year of math. This class will offer students TC3 credit as well, and aid students who’ve been struggling years before in Integrated Algebra and Geometry. The math department is facing the re-occuring broken calculator problem. “So far, I’ve received approximately 30 calculators that have been broken,” said Todd Noyes, math department chair. In addition to adding another Algebra 2 class, Noyes hopes to receive calculators in better shape from students.

Changes in the Social Studies dept. were immediately noted when Phil Jordan, the previous dept. chair, stepped down from teaching in order to become IHS’ Dean of Students. Jordan was replaced by Sara Shenk, a Global 1 studies and Government teacher. The department has faced new staff and curriculum adjustments. Two new teachers, Geoff Hinman and John Hind, have been welcomed to the department. Hinman is teaching AP US History and H-Global 1 while Hind teaches H-Global 2 for sophomores. Former Global Combined teacher and current Foods teacher Maryterese Pasquale-Bowen has supplied the department with generous grants in order for students to apply for writing contests. In government classes, seniors had the opportunity to meet Ithaca’s 2011 mayoral candidates and incumbent, Carolyn Peterson.

ADVERTISE email ads@ihstattler.com for more information

November 15, 2011

New IHS AP, District Opens up to Community Resources

By INGRID SYDENSTRICKER

Joe Dhara, a former Syracuse high school math teacher, has been appointed as new IHS associate principal, replacing temporary associate principal, Earlene Carr.

I really wanted to work in Ithaca,” Dhara said. “I’m looking forward to working with the team and learning.”

Dhara will begin working at IHS in mid-November.

ICSD is looking to increase cooperation with the community.

During the October 7 Professional Learning Community (formerly Superintendent’s Conference Day), over 600 ICSD teachers visited the Cornell University resource fair, allowing teachers to connect to 25 Cornell programs representing subjects such as astronomy, art, and plant science.

“This has been perfect,” said DeWitt Science Teacher Laura Van Vleet at the fair. “This has been wonderful to get connected and get ideas.”

Cal Walker, the Cornell Outreach to ICSD director is excited to continue and expand collaborations.

“This is collaboration that is mutually conceived and tied to district curriculum standards,” Walker said. “We want the relationship between the University and the district to be the best there is.”

Dr. Brown said, “We’re looking to have a world class connection. We’re just getting started.”

Connections with Ithaca College are also being made.

ICSD is also looking into furthering its collaboration with the Hangar Theatre.

The Hangar currently works with grades three, four, and seven to create and discuss theatre productions, gives in-school performances, and manages Kulp as a private contractor for the district.

As private contractor, the Hangar manages IHS/ICSD programming and community rentals in Kulp in exchange for the use of the space over the summer.

The Hangar is hoping expand their collaboration by providing more support to the music and drama programs and create district wide theatre programming.

“The systems have to be in place for us to easily provide our resources to the district,” said Lisa Bushlow, the Hangar’s executive director. “We’re here to serve.”

ICSD is also working with the NYS School Boards Association to revamp its policy book to be up-to-date with new state mandates, to legally protect the district, and to digitize the policies. The updates will cost $12000 and will be completed in 18 months.

TECHNOLOGY

continued from p.1

resources.

In addition to this three step plan, Dr. Brown has plans to move the District towards 1:1 computing. This means that the ratio of students to computers will be exactly one to one; essentially, each student will have their own device with Internet connectivity.

This will fundamentally alter the way students engage with the material being taught.

“The days of going to the library to do research are gone,” says Brown.

When every student has an Internet connected device that is able to be used during class, students could research, collaborate with others, and access supplemental material that the teacher has designated all during one class.

Currently, a 1:1 pilot program is being implemented. One hundred and thirty iPads have been leased and will be distributed to students in at least ten classrooms throughout the district. Teachers will integrate the technology into their lessons, homework, and use them as teaching aids.

The pilot program is funded by the district’s current technology budget and no additional money will be spent.

However, given the financial limitations ICSD found itself in last year, some have asked whether or not these new programs are truly the most effective way to spend the District’s funds.

The decision to give students iPads raises many questions about how the devices will be monitored, what will happen if they are lost or stolen, and questions of the devices being misused during classes.

Mike Pliss, the District’s Director of Technology explained that the iPads will not be monitored as closely as one might think: the IT staff won’t be able to see what websites students have been on, and for what exactly they use their iPads.

However, given the District’s firewalls, students will not be able to access questionable content or social media while in classes. Furthermore, the iPads will be given to students with applications that were decided by their respective teachers; students will not be able to install whichever apps they choose.

According to Brown, the iPads will be like textbooks. If a student misplaces or damages a textbook, the student’s family will be financially responsible.

However, because of insurance on the devices purchased by the schools, families would not be expected to replace the devices at full cost.

For Jarett Powers, principal of Ithaca High School, the new technology will be welcomed. Looking around IHS’s “Language Lab,” Powers commented, “Think about all the materials there are to learn a world language and then look at what we have here,” referring to the room’s outdated tape recorders meant for student dictation. “We’re teaching you for the 21st Century with 19th Century paradigms about education.”

THURSDAYS after school— listen to announcements!

H-206 Snacks—Guaranteed.

New members—always welcome!

Teacher Testing: No Easy Feat

Man-Up at Manos Diner

By EMMETT KOTLIKOFF and ANWAR OMAR

By MEDEEA POPESCU

PHOTO/MADDIE BROWN

Most students may not know this, but that little building in the teachers’ parking lot near H-Building houses ICSD’s Teachers Union. It’s the local branch of one of the biggest and most powerful unions in New York, NYSUT (New York State United Teachers). The local union has about 600 members, including classroom teachers, specialists like art or music teachers, social workers, counselors, and speech and occupational therapists.

So what does the union do? Going into an interview with Susan Mittler, the union president, all I had were vague memories of the negative press about tenure-granting and lobbying that headlined last year. It turns out that the Ithaca Teacher’s Union is actively involved in negotiations with the school district to create a new contract, as the old one is set to expire this year.

Another controversial issue currently being discussed is the way that teachers will be evaluated.

“This is a tool that is meant to help educators focus their skills and get feedback on the teaching process,” said Mittler. That’s right- teachers are tested too, but the models used are many and varied. The problem is that it’s surprisingly difficult to create general, yet effective, methods for teacher evaluation.

“No one question is broad or inclusive enough,” Mittler said, “How do you assess the progress and growth of a professional?”

The evaluation begins with a pre-meeting, where the teacher explains what’s going on in the classroom and where the students are in the curriculum.

Then, the evaluator sits in on a class and fills out a form- a rubric of sorts, with categories such as Teaching and Learning. How does the teacher deliver the lesson? Do they have appropriate expectations?

Another category is Planning- is the teacher prepared? Are they accommodating and working with students classified as IEP (Individualized Education Plan)? Are they giving the students what they need to succeed?

A third category is Reflective and Responsive Practice. This covers things like making adjustments to teaching and accepting constructive criticism.

Mittler shared a personal anecdote- she sat in on one of Spanish teacher Lana Craig’s classes, on a day when the topic was the subjunctive, a notoriously tricky tense. “I looked at a student, and I was like, I don’t get it! And the kid said, ‘neither do we, but wait.’” So Ms. Craig stopped, recognized that some people weren’t understanding, and explained it a different way.

This is, according to Mittler, a perfect example of what it means to have a responsive teaching style.

Finally, after the in-class visit, the teacher sits down for a post-meeting to go over the results.

Until recently, ICSD was using a revised version of one of the accepted models, created by Dr. Robert Marzano, a well-known educational psychologist.

However, a few months ago the state mandated changes to the system of teacher evaluations- teachers now have to be evaluated more often, and the criteria have changed. All of this means that the contract has to be re-negotiated, and the school administration (the principals, namely) will be a lot busier. It’s required by law that the evaluation rubric includes examples that meet all the criteria, that PLC (Professional Learning Community) days are incorporated in the evaluation process, and that certain data is collected on teacher progress.

It’s a tough job for the union and school district alike to hammer out a new teacher evaluation model that meets all the new criteria and is still concise and targeted enough to be helpful to teachers. Mittler says that the union will support a model if the feedback it gives is “timely, equitable, and honest.”

Two seniors take on a local favorite.

This may come as news to the IHS students who deal with our bland school lunches: there are some pretty interesting foods out there. Sure, pizzas are great and the school does make a mean chicken quesadilla, but we were ready for something new, something familiar but different. It was right after school and in gym we had worked up a scary appetite.

That’s how we stumbled into Manos Diner one delightful afternoon.

As great things tend to be spontaneous, we decided that the most appropriate way to find the destination we were craving was to drive aimlessly around until we reached somewhere we’d never been to before. We like to think that destiny brought us to Manos Diner—not that weird homeless man standing outside.

As food connoisseurs, we know there are several appealing characteristics of diners. First, they’re cheap; second, they’re mostly open at all hours; third, the service is good-looking, funny or both; and fourth (which is

optional), the scenery is interesting—notice we didn’t say good.

Kotlikoff ordered an open-faced steak sandwich with a side of salad and fries, while Omar ordered grilled sole (it’s a type of fish) with chicken noodle soup and spaghetti. Both of our meals individually were around $12.00; we don’t remember the exact price, since we don’t like to stress about money.

The sandwich was a classy yet simple combination—a big, juicy steak on a grilled slice of bread with a hefty side of fries, combining our two favorite elements of food: comfort and elegance. The huge steak was on par with any you’d find at a steak house. But let’s be honest: steak is just cow cooked on a grill—there aren’t that many variables to mess up.

The salad didn’t live up to the steak’s hype, but we didn’t expect much: salads are reserved for the ladies. The sole was delicious, with some unique chili-based sauce that obviously wasn’t homemade but worked. The fish was grilled perfectly and everything tastes good with a hint of lime.

As for the sides, the chicken noodle soup was lacking in size and came in a coffee cup, but we’re not going to be picky, seeing as we’re going through a recession. The spaghetti, on the other hand, was the probably the best choice, strictly based on our wallets. It’s practically impossible to mess up spaghetti and it came in such a huge amount for a side.

The food was great, but the company was even better. We were served by a strapping young waiter: he had really nice hair, awesome facial hair, and nice Chuck Taylors. Along with his stunning looks he was a really nice guy: he suggested what he thought was best for us considering we were planning on working out after our meal.

We wouldn’t recommend Manos if you’re going for a run after your meal, but if you’re into eating (which we know you are), you really should look into Manos. The food is cheap, the service is funny, and if you’re trying to diversify your dining game, Manos Diner is the place for you. It’s located at 357 Elmira Road, across from the Hess gas station.

write email editor@ihstattler.com

Noevemer 15, 2011

Green Team: Some Wonderfully Rebellious Green Teens

Bounced Chapter 3

By HANNAH GEORGE

PHOTO/PROVIDED

Green Team, known as the Environmental Action Club, was revamped last year under my co-presidency. I decided that real change was needed at IHS. An issue that affected every single person on campus was the tragedy of the Quad’s central pine tree. For those of you that haven’t been around long enough to know, a gorgeous pine was partially chopped down in 2006 as a senior “prank.” As a result, it had to be completely removed, stump and all, with only a bald, bare patch left behind to sit and fester as an eyesore, until last year, when we decided that before we left IHS there would be a real tree in the quad.

Under Mr. Creagan’s guidance, the Green Team decided to plant an autumn blaze maple, which is currently a very hot commodity due to its ability to thrive in a variety of conditions. We went to Cascadilla Tree Care to pick one out in the spring.

In the winter, we researched options for benches, taking a trip to the stone quarry one chilly winter morning.

Luckily, funding was not an Students enjoy the new maple in the Quad. issue, since we were working with donations from a fund for a new tree. It all came together in the late spring, and our celebration took place this fall, in the form of the Autumnal Equinox Breakfast.

Aside from planting the tree, we’ve worked with Tompkins County Solid Waste, Acorn Designs, and Developing Bamboo, and have had guest speakers from Cornell Cooperative Extension, Greenstar, and the Master Composters in order to learn about becoming as eco-friendly as possible. Our only vegan member graduated last year, but I’ve since then become a committed vegetarian (alright, pescitarian), and as a team, we’ve experimented with not eating meat for days and weeks at a time. We’ve spray-painted “No Dumping” on the sidewalk near drains, and rearranged trash bins. Can you say rebel?

Green Team strives to make the school a greener place in a variety of ways. On this year’s agenda is composting and educating the school community so that compost becomes the automatic choice for biodegradable waste. As a school, we generate a huge pile of daily garbage, which gets sent to a landfill where it rots away for eternity. I estimate that about half of that garbage could be recycled or composted, or not used to begin with, so the school’s waste stream is already a target for the club.

Every year we host the “Chuck Yo Junk” campaign, which encourages the re-using of school materials every spring for students the next fall. The campaign originated in 2009, when as a freshman I wore a woodchuck costume around the school and carried a box collecting supplies, which inspired the campaign’s name. The woodchuck costume may in fact make a comeback once it is located, so keep an eye out.

Something that is being implemented this year is the weekly phone call to Governor Cuomo about an issue of our choice, which has generally been about encouraging a statewide ban against fracking. In the coming weeks, we plan on helping with a project to do some native landscaping around the school, especially near the highway, and redoing the signs in the cafeteria to be more aesthetically pleasing and helpful.

This is only a small taste of what we’ve done, since new ideas and projects are always coming up. Green Team serves to be the green change we want to see in the school, so new members and ideas are always welcome. Have an idea right this second? Let me know what you want to happen at hgeorge99@gmail.com, or stop by Wednesdays after school in E-45 to join in on the action. The only things you need to bring are positive energy and love for Mother Earth.

By KELSEY SHANG Last month, we encountered Danny Sorrel, an average, suicidal factory-man, who finds his fate entangled with the mysteriously handsome businessman known as, “The Bookie.” After much pestering, Danny finally meets him in the Garden and learns that the Bookie sells and buys years of human life.

The room halted to an unholy silence. For what seemed to be an eternity, Danny’s palpitating heart stopped.

“What did you say?” He trembled, his hand unsteadily groping for nearby support. His sculpted legs began to bend and shake under the weight of this new realization. The Bookie’s pleasant face remained unchanged.

“I help people sell and buy years of their life.” A darker shadow passed over his skin as he commanded, “Come sit back down, won’t you?” Danny’s eyes flickered, dashing from side to side looking for an exit. This man was not ordinary. How he’d found him, he didn’t know. How he knew him, he didn’t know.

The only thing he knew for sure was that it had happened. That was all.

Danny fearfully returned to his seat as if he expected the man to lunge at his face. The Bookie smiled gently, offering Danny a drink to soothe the small fright he had unintentionally given him. Danny held the warm glass in a broken grasp. The melodic fragrance of cream and nutmeg wafted from the brim of the cup, tantalizing the pores of his nostrils. Like a child wrapped in the comfort of a blanket, Danny downed the liquid, feeling the fluent mixture dance along the sides of his stomach.

“Now that you’ve settled, let’s start over,” the Bookie calmly stated.

“Why?” “Why, what?” the Bookie leaned forward.

“Why are you selling human life?”

“What’s wrong with it?”

Danny scoffed, incredulous at the response. “It’s human life.

How can you just—” The Bookie interrupted. “I’m running a business, and for the most part, it’s been largely successful. I’m doing what everyone else in this world is trying to do: make a place for myself.”

“By selling lives?”

The Bookie abruptly stopped Danny with the swift motion of his palm. “Buying years of lives as well. What’s the difference of facilitating the trade of apples or years? It’s a consumable product. For the most part, it’s sustainable, desired, and sometimes, it’s the only thing people have. Look at this world. You and I both know that nothing is going anywhere. What is there to do? Make something of ourselves or starve on rations alone?

There’s nothing left for people; there’s no hope. All that’s left are factory jobs where any source of mobility is shut out by industrial-sized windows and turbines.

“I once had an old man come to my services. He was a nice fellow, a very kind person. He told me about his son who struggled to make ends meet. I remember him saying, ‘I have nothing to offer him. I have no money, no house, no job. But I want him to be happy.’ And yes, while he had no material wealth, he was wealthy in intangible spirit. After we made the transaction, I gave him a generous amount, and his son moved his family out of the country. Hey, I don’t get any thank-you cards or holiday greetings, but I know they’re grateful.

“Besides, I’m not forcing anyone to make a choice. I’m giving life value. No, I’m giving it more value than anything else in this garbage heap.” Excitedly, the Bookie rushed forward and grabbed Danny by his shoulders. Wincing in pain, Danny gasped and felt the cold breath against his lips. It felt as if all the arteries and vessels in their bodies sang in unison. He felt sensations of ecstasy rattle the crevices of his skull and trickle down his vertebrae. It was passionate, rough.

“You, Danny, you can change this world. Join me. I know you feel the same way. Fill it with music and simple joys. They need you, they need me. I give opportunities to people. People are starving out there. Or they just need to buy some extra time.

Human life is valuable, and I’m putting it to use. Whatever it is, they’re given a choice, an escape.”

Shaken, Danny left the Garden. A few blocks down, he heard the wailing of a woman. There lay a sobbing woman in the midst of chaos with police officers failing to coax her into a police car, the equally disturbed cab driver pale with shock, and the occasional spectator curious as to what the source of the ruckus was. She was cradling the broken body of a child, smoothing his blood-clumped hair away from his forehead, repeating words and choked phrases of what could have been.

An escape.

Read the next chapter of this story in the December issue of the Tattler!

November 15, 2011

IHS Brain Team

By EMMA PRESTON

By ALEKSA BASARA Staff Writer

Whether it’s Cheryl’s smiling face or Linda’s crazy comments, everyone has something to appreciate about IHS lunches.

Most can agree that the school food is definitely not the typical mush you see in your favorite cartoon or childhood movie, beacause our school lunches have improved over the years. (is this what you mean by : the food has actually changed a lot within the past few years.) Further changes are being implemented to make lunches healthier.

Dave Cornell, head of the IHS cafeteria, said the food department will partner with local restaurants, however, the partnering will mostly affect Boynton Middle School.

The changes coordinate with Linda serving up food at the lunch line. the new government guidelines passed in the early 2000s which restricted or mandated the amount of saturated fat, calorie, and sugar content present in the food that is sold in school cafeterias. That means no french fries or soda!

Denise Agati, the Interim School Lunch Director said that in addition to the new government regulations, the NY Coalition for Healthy School Foods formed a partnership with the ICSD Child Nutrition Program.

The collaboration focuses on including Moosewood restaurant and Cayuga Pure Organics in the planning of school lunches.

The ultimate goal is to make school lunches healthier by incorporating plant-based entrées, such as adding beans to the dishes, and eliminating processed foods. As of now, most of the food at IHS comes from mass-production companies such as Sysco and Maine’s.The tricky part is keeping student acceptance in mind, which is valued highly by the ICSD Food Department.

Maybe in the future IHS will feature organic Moosewood recipes, but for now just eat your leafy greens and say hi to Linda!

Bored after school on Monday again? Can’t decide which club to go to? The answer is simple: Brain Team in H218! Supervised by Benjamin Kirk and Coach Steve Novakovic, the IHS Brain Team meets every Monday to practice for and compete in academic quiz tournaments.

The questions vary, but the topics covered don’t go above 11th grade knowledge. The team has its own buzzer system which is used during meetings.

Novakovic asks the students questions, and when they know, they simply buzz in and answer the question for the team.

“It takes about one meeting to get used to the format, “ Novakovic said. So it’s no problem if you decide to come in mid-year, and you will understand what the club is about after a meeting or two.

The only requirement is that you attend every Monday.

The Brain Team that exists today started in 2002.

Before 2002, students competed in regional and national Academic Challenge Tournaments. Today, the Brain Team attends competitions throughout the year. In the fall, the team journeys to Syracuse for Double Down, and attends another competition at Cornell. Towards the spring, the team competes in the TC3 High School Challenge and the National Academic Championship, where the team travels to D.C. to compete against some of the best teams.

The IHS Brain Team normally finishes very high in these tournaments. “The year before last we had the 3rd highest points per game of any school in the nation,” Mr. Kirk said.

On October 11th, the Brain Team went to Syracuse to compete in a televised quiz competition called Double Down. The host asked the teams questions regarding math, English, history, science, current events, and sports.

“Going there is a lot of fun,” Mr. Kirk said. “It’s a high-quality production studio, and the set feels very professional.”

The players were not allowed to confer in the first round, but during the second round they were allowed to work together, and extra points were available. If a player answered a question correctly in this round, the team had the option of “doubling down.” Should that team want to use one of their three double downs, they would be asked an additional question. If they got it right, they earned 40 points. If they got it wrong, they lost the points they received from the previous question. In the third and final round, a question was asked, and like in Jeopardy, the teams could wager points to try to take home the win.

The host, Bill Baker, asks the students some questions about what they like to do for fun or who they idolize in between the rounds like in Jeopardy.

“Students get the chance to brag about some of the really cool things they’ve done,” Mr. Kirk said .

Sadly, the IHS team made a first-time, first-round exit in the tournament. “In the past, we have made it to the quarterfinals in the tournament,” Mr. Kirk said. This year, the tournament adjusted its format and its difficulty. What was the relatively easy tournament changed into a more difficult tournament, surprising the team into a first-round loss.

The IHS Brain Team welcomes anyone who wants to give the team a go, help out in these competitions, or just come to practices and have fun. “The more people and the wider array of knowledge, the better,” said Mr. Novakovic. The Brain Team is waiting for you in H218 after school on Mondays!

PHOTO/SARAH STRUPP-LEVITSKY

School Food Goes Healthy and Green

Sample Questions from a past Double Down: 1) The border between this country and the United States is sometimes referred to as the “world’s largest unprotected border.” Name this neighbor.

2) What is the inverse operation for addition?

3) What is the name for a depression between hills or mountains?

4) In what country did the Mau Mau uprising of the 1950s, an attempt to drive out British colonial presence, take place?

Answers: 1) Canada 2) Subtraction 3) Valley 4) Kenya

In Rain or Shine: IHS Pep Band

A Brief Lesson In Scary Movie Watching

PHOTO/PROVIDED

By LEO WINTERS

IHS Pep Band gets the crowd going.

By SIENA SCHICKEL

At every IHS home football game, there’s a group of committed fans that comes every time, no matter what the prediction is for weather or success: the Ithaca Pep Band. IHS actually used to have a marching band, but in 1993 the program died out, leaving the pep band to take command of getting fans and players psyched up for each and every home game.

Nicki Zawel, the IHS band director, came from a school where the marching band was a large and important part of each game. “You had to force people to be in marching band, so [pep band] is just a lot more fun for me. I love it. It was an exciting new chapter.”

Although IHS has been left with boxes of marching band equipment from 1993, the pep band has experienced growth in numbers and spirit. According to Mrs. Zawel, the number of pep band players has almost tripled since its formation. While attendance ranged from 18 to 20

students in the beginning, home games will now see around 50 instrumentalists gathered at the far end of the stands, blasting well-known songs like “I Want You Back” or “Hey Baby,” even throwing in the occasional pop song, like “We R Who We R.” What the pep band also has is tremendous spirit. Fortunately for players, caution tape and danger tape match school colors perfectly. Caution tape is left out of the picture for the pep rally due to its association with the upheaval at the 2008 class color day , but it is brought back for the homecoming game.

The pep band has become a well-known part of games for the audience, even doing cheers along with the cheerleaders and earning the occasional photo on the Ithaca Journal website. The pep band even has a fan group, decked out in red and gold and dancing to the song “YMCA.” “The overall spirit has blossomed,” Ms. Zawel said. “Rain or shine or sleet or snow, pep band is there.”

IHS Theater Presents “All in the Timing”

By EMILY SCARPULLA

IHS presents All in the Timing by David Ives; a comedy of vignettes about zany situations that exemplify people and their emotional reactions in extreme situations. This show is a comedy of errors that are illustrated through the theme of time.

“After last year, doing Radium Girls, which was well received, we wanted to do something more upbeat.” says Ms. Tino, director of All in the Timing. “It’s a thinking person’s comedy based largely off of the text but it’s still completely wacky. The students are having a really good time and you should all come see our hard work in action.”

Through outrageous and witty dialogue, this show takes you through underlying problems

with societal and social norms. This production will take the audience on a veritable roller coaster of excitement and exploration from chimpanzees arguing about writing Shakespeare to a first date gone horribly wrong.

All in the Timing will be performed in the black box theatre, a more intimate setting where the chairs will surround the stage making the audience really part of the show.

The cast loves the set up and can’t wait to perform this crazy show. “Everyone works well together” says Sarah Skrovan ‘14, “The sketches are fun and I look forward to performing in the show.”

All in the Timing will be performed in the Black Box Theater at IHS Friday November 18 at 7:30pm Saturday November 19 at 2pm and 7:30pm Sunday November 20 at 7:30pm

Halloween means a lot of things to a lot of people. To me, it means I have an excuse to replace my searching through Netflix for the most recent critically acclaimed films with hours of watching the proclaimed “junk food” of cinema: scary movies.

To be fair, scary movies get a bad rep. Contrary to popular belief, not all of them are completely brainless. It’s true that as of lately, the term “horror” is less of a genre and more of a selling point for boring formulaic torture films and half-baked sequels to once-respectable movie franchises (I’m looking at YOU “Scream 4”). This is why I thoroughly research my scary movies before I view them.

To begin, the 80’s is a pretty shameful era for media critics like me to look back on, and most likely for most of your mothers to look back on too, because from what I’ve seen in movies, all women back then had ridiculously unappealing frizzy hairdos. This shame comes not only from the fact that pop music back then was (if you can believe it) even more artificial and mind-numbing than the hits of today, but from the fact that most movies were terrible. These film atrocities were pretty evenly split between coming-of-age teen comedies and unnecessarily violent horror films.

Now, to get things straight, there is a fine line between legitimately unwatchable 80’s horror films and those that are so bad they just come off as funny. Some examples of this include cult classics such as “They Live!,” “Night of the Comet,” “Re-Animator,” and “The Evil Dead,” all of which replace plot and acting with so much gratuitous blood and guts that one becomes desensitized to it, and someone getting their brains mashed in becomes funny rather than repulsive. If you are in the mood for a laugh, these movies are great; if you’re looking to actually be scared, however, you should look elsewhere. Some of the best scary movies, actually, manage to scare audiences without showing a drop of blood. Movies like the classic “Poltergeist,” “The Blair Witch Project” and most Alfred Hitchcock films serve as good alternatives to the typically gore-crazy horror films available.

But if you’re looking for a more modern scary movie to watch, the best ones from the 21st century seem to be coming from countries other than America. So if you’re someone who doesn’t enjoy reading subtitles, then you’re pretty much stuck waiting for “Saw 8” to come out.

Unsurprisingly, Hollywood has still managed to make some money out of the scary movie game by, you guessed it: remaking recent foreign horror films in English! Just a few examples: “Ringu” (1998) - “The Ring” (2002), “Ju-On” (2002) - “The Grudge” (2004), “[REC]” (2007) - “Quarantine” (2008), “Let the Right One In” (2008) - “Let Me In” (2010). I’ve even started to see trailers for a remake of the American horror film “The Thing” (1982). I mean, at least remaking foreign movies can by justified by the difference in language. Although these are all examples of a shameless lack of creativity, Hollywood still manages to draw in large audiences to come see them. These people, I assume, are either unaware that there’s such a thing as movies outside of Los Angeles or are too lazy to look. Don’t be one of these people.

So, to summarize my advice for your scary movie watching: 1. Don’t be afraid to watch crap, it can be as entertaining as any Oscar winner; just know what you’re in for.

2. The best modern horror DOESN’T come from America, and if it did and it was good, odds are it was a remake.

3. If you are super-squeamish but still want your movie to give you a good scare, there ARE options.

4. And lastly, stay away from sequels of any kind, no matter how good the original was.

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November 15, 2011

Joon Park: Bassoonist meets Composer

By SIENA SCHICKEL

Siena Schickel ‘13: How long have you been involved in music?

Joon Park ‘13: My very first encounter with music was back in Korea. I started playing piano during 3rd grade, but quit after a year when I realized it didn’t suit my “always something new” attitude. I hated practicing something over and over again, and that didn’t work out well for piano. Now, this is probably my single most regrettable decision in life. When I came to the States my mom wanted me to start another instrument, so I picked up the bassoon in 5th grade. Since then, I’ve gradually become “more of a musician.” I think the most important point in time for me as a musician was my 7th-grade year. That’s when I started composing.

SS: Why did you decide to start getting involved in music?

JP: It depends on what you mean by “getting involved.” When I started the bassoon, music was just another extracurricular activity. It wasn’t until 7th grade, when I befriended a musical, piano-loving musician, that I really started to delve into music as something I loved to do. And because of my attitude of always wanting to try something new, I gave a shot at composing.

I think, from the very first piece I wrote, I knew that I wanted to be a composer. I just couldn’t admit it until this year, I guess.

SS: What do you like about playing/writing music?

JP: I’ll let Eric Olson answer that one for me: “Music is what life sounds like.” I think music allows a person to convey their emotions in a way that’s impossible otherwise. There’s something so special about it that I can only feel when I’m playing or writing music.

SS: What do you think your greatest musical achievement

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is?

Joon Park ‘13 looms over his piano.

JP: I would have to say that my greatest musical achievement is the fact that I’ve completed, to date, three concert band pieces.

I wouldn’t say they’re all great, but each one carries weeks’ worth of effort. If I had to pick a favorite, it would undoubtedly be my newest piece: “Eclipse.”

SS: As time goes on, do you think you’ll focus more on playing or writing music?

JP: I don’t want to sound as if I would neglect my musical performance, but if I were forced to choose between the two I would definitely choose writing music. So as time goes on, I think I’ll focus more on the composing rather than the performing. But don’t get me wrong: I still love playing music.

SS: Who is your role model when it comes to music?

JP: Oh man, role models... Frank Ticheli, Eric Whitacre and Jim Papoulis are my favorite concert composers, and John Williams, Hans Zimmer and Martin O’Donnell are a few of my favorite media composers. And how can I forget Beethoven and Holst?

SS: Are you planning on continuing your musical education in college and/or beyond?

JP: I can’t imagine composing not being a large part of my life. My plan currently is to be able to major in composition, but I’m facing some parental opposition. Hopefully I can convince them that this is what I really want to do with my life.

SS: If you could play another instrument as well as play bassoon, which would it be?

JP: This is a particularly hard one, because as a composer I’ve learned to appreciate the differences in each instrument. If I had to choose one, it would be the piano. The piano is every composer’s favorite instrument, after all.

Ten Questions with Ithaca Ballet Dancer Claire Derry

Wall Of Sound: Tyler Mahaney’s Top 5

Flying Lotus- Do the Astral Plane PHOTO/PROVIDED

An awesome combination of dance music, scat singing and jazz.

Claire Derry ‘15 dances with Ithaca Ballet.

By CHUNMEI MCKERNAN

Founded in 1961, The Ballet Guild of Ithaca, commonly known as Ithaca Ballet, is Upstate New York’s only repertory company. The ballet is a pre-professional ensemble corps focused on the proper traditional technique of Classical Ballet.

We took a moment to ask Ithaca Ballet dancer and IHS freshman Claire Derry ‘15 about her love of ballet, school and her upcoming performance of Cinderella, which is part of Ithaca Ballet’s 50th performance season.

Question: When did you begin dancing with Ithaca Ballet, Claire?

Answer: I started dancing when I was eight years old.

I wanted to dance ballet and I started in a dance movement class. I really enjoyed it so I kept going.

Q: Why did you chose to study ballet?

A: Ballet gives you a lot of good technique which helps with other forms of dance. I don’t do any other types of dance but in summer camp we get to try modern and jazz styles. Other types of dance look fun though and I love watching them Q: Please tell us about being in the company at Ithaca Ballet.

A: Being in the company is really fun but it’s also hard work. The first two levels at Ithaca Ballet are beginning ballet. Students are just starting to learn the different steps and terms. In the company [auditions for the company start at level seven], we don’t learn as many new things; we work hard improving our technique. I’m an apprentice in the company, which is the first level in the company. Apprentices have to take the most classes. There’s also auxillary, which is sort of similar to apprentice, where you have to take as many classes as you can. Some of the pointe classes are really hard. I think the company classes are the hardest because the teacher Cindy expects more of you so you have to work harder.

Q: Which exercises are more difficult and easy for you?

A In pointe, it’s easier to balance because your foot doesn’t

wiggle as much in a pointe shoe but it’s also very hard because you’re balancing on the tips of your toes. It’s sometimes painful when I get blisters or bruises on my toes.

Q: Is it difficult to balance such an intense ballet schedule with school and friends?

A: Sometimes it’s hard to balance school and ballet because I have a lot of homework and ballet makes me really tired. I take twelve classes a week which is fifteen hours per week, plus rehearsals for various shows which range from a half an hour to an hour and a half.

Q: Please tell us about your upcoming show, Cinderella.

A: I am a fairy attendant, a part on pointe. I help the fairies carry props such as pumpkins and help make sure that Cinderella gets away at midnight. One of my favorite parts about Cinderella is all the fairies dancing because it’s magical and pretty. I don’t like getting nervous before a show though.

Q: What other parts have you played?

A: Last year I got to be Clara in The Nutcracker which was really fun. In The Nutcracker, Clara gets a toy nutcracker that breaks but then comes to life and takes her to the Land of Sweets. Clara is a really fun part because you get to watch almost the entire ballet and you get to do a lot of acting.

Q: Do you have any tips for aspiring dancers?

A: Always try hard in class. Listen to the teacher’s corrections and learn from other dancers.

Q: Are you planning on dancing professionally?

A: I think it would be cool to dance every day but dancing professionally takes up your whole life and I’m not sure if I want to do that. I’m not sure about my future.

Q: Thank you so much, Claire!

Claire: Thank you for having me!

Ithaca ballet is located on the corner of North Plain and Estes Street in Ithaca, New York. Cinderella appeared at the State Theatre from October 15th to 16th, 2011. The 2011 production of The Nutcracker will be performed December 9th to 11th, 2011.

Boonie Mayfield-Mario’s Revenge This guy is an awesome producer from Colorado with a lot of videos on his Youtube. He’s got a new ablum called Black Koolaid.

Dananananaykroyd- Black Wax One of the best songs by a British alternative band with a super long name.

DJ Qbert- Cosmic Assassins This one is a classic, if you’ve ever played Tony Hawk’s Underground you’ve probably heard it.

Chicken Corea- Imp’s Welcome And lastly, a totally weird song for all you totally weird people.

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The Real Football: Boys’ Varsity Soccer

Shelby Hang ‘12 competes for a header.

By TEDDY MORRIS-KNOWER

If you go anywhere else in the world and watch a football game, you might be surprised at what you see. What is known in America as football is unfortunately named; the amount of time the ball touches a foot comprises a very small portion of the game, whereas what we know as soccer is a much better example of a sport called football. In Ithaca, even if you did not know it, there is a state-ranked soccer team who almost made to the state tournament.

Led by first year varsity coach Antoine Gilbert, the Little Red has been a powerful force in Section 4 for a number of years, although usually losing late in the sectional tournament to their main rival, Vestal. Each year, Ithaca and Vestal control the Metro division in the Southern Tier Athletic Conference (STAC), with Vestal slightly edging out the Little Red every time for the past few years.

This year however, the combination of Elmira South Side and Elmira Free Academy as one team has opened up a new slot in the STAC West division, which Ithaca has filled. Ithaca has used this to their advantage and has captured the STAC West title for the first time ever in history, and will be the first Ithaca Boy’s soccer team to make it to the STAC tournament in at least 10 years.

“This team plays with great techniques and tactics; I have never had a team distribute the ball as well as this team does,” Gilbert said.

The IHS Boys’ Varsity Soccer Team is currently ranked 20th in New York State (updated most recently on October 16), and has a record of 11-5-1.

After winning their first 5 games with a full lineup, captain and key center midfielder Tommy Barnett-Young was injured in the Little Red’s 3-0 victory over Horseheads. Playing without such a crucial player was difficult, but the Little Red managed to win clutch games against Corning and 6th ranked Maine-Endwell, allowing them to secure the STAC West title over 2nd place Horseheads.

The Little Red has finished its regular season, and went into the STAC tournament finals by beating previously undefeated Oneonta. The Little Red faced tough opposition against defending champions Vestal, and was defeated by a late second half goal in the last minute of the game. The Little Red started off the sectional tournament on a positive note by handily beating Binghamton 4-1 before losing in a heartbreaking overtime loss to Union Endicott.

Led by captains Anwar Omar ‘12, Barnett-Young ‘12 and Danny Swann ‘12, the Little Red is disappointed at their failure to make it to the sectional finals, but is already optimistic about the future. With 5 returning starters and a number of JV players brought up at the end of the season, the Little Red is already preparing for next year where they hope to go even further. With many of the players playing Indoor and spring soccer on the same teams, the chemistry will continue to build throughout the year.

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November 15, 2011

Ithaca Girls’ Varsity Tennis

By ALEKSA BASARA Staff Writer

Every morning, among a variety of things, IHS sports are mentioned in the daily announcements.

Ithaca Girls’ Varsity Tennis is one of those sports. From the daily announcements, we get only so much information. We learn the results from the last match, who the team will play next, and occasionally will hear of excellent performances by a player or two. However, that is where the information stops before the topic is turned over to another sport.

Playing at first, second, third, and fourth singles are Sierra Denesevich ‘14, Lucy Duan ‘12, co-captain Emma Logevall ‘12, and co-captain Caroline Estill ‘12. Mansi Vohra ‘13 and Sunyoung (Sunny) Joo ‘12 have been paired up to lead the doubles teams. Ina Joo ‘14 and Jenna Wentzel ‘13 play second doubles.

For most of the season, Rachel Pollak ‘12 and Laurel Maley ‘13 have played at third doubles. Whenever some starting players are unable to compete, Ace Tun ‘12, Risa Park ‘12 and Zoe Merod ‘16 step in and help out.

Coach Falkson mentioned that the team did pretty well this season, and has “secured finishing second in the STAC West division behind Horseheads.” He continued that some of the highlights were “winning both matches between division opponents Corning and Elmira as well as against STAC metro opponents Binghamton and Maine-Endwell.”

With such wins, one would not think that only last year’s third and fourth singles players returned, and four starting doubles players. Going into their last match against Vestal, the team has compiled an 8-5 record.

Despite having lost many players from last year, the coach is happy about the season. Falkson said, “The team has done well to come up with a winning record on the season and to finish in second place in the STAC West division.” Clearly, there has to be some secret behind all of this success. After being asked about what he does during practices, Falkson said, “I have tried to focus on movement and improving footwork.” The first two doubles teams both have winning records. He said, “We have also worked a lot on doubles strategy and positioning.” Ina Joo, a second doubles player, expanded on this idea, saying, “We are split up and usually do drills or games that pertain to what position we play on the team.”

When asked what challenges the team have had to face this season, Coach Falkson was quick to point out the “good deal of rain this fall, which has caused rescheduling of matches and practice cancellations.”

When Ina Joo was asked what challenges the players had to face, she too commented on the weather.

“Mother Nature’s really obnoxious around this time of year,” Joo said. She commented on the rainfall, and how the floods forced some matches to be rescheduled. “The sun and humidity leave everyone sweaty, sunburned, and with annoying sock tans that make any pair of flip-flops look hideous.”

Even with rainy weather, Coach Falkson has managed to find what makes it all worthwhile. After asked what about the job he likes the most, he said, “What I enjoy most about coaching is working with committed and enthusiastic athletes and seeing players improve during the practices and then apply their new skills in matches against other teams.”

Ina Joo, when asked what she enjoyed the most, referred to the “close-knit group that we’ve managed to form.” Joo later explained that, “I’ve really gotten the opportunity to get to know everyone; we’re all great friends.”

Despite having only 16 players this year in contrast to the 26 they had the year before, the remaining players have managed to step up and hold their ground against the tough teams out there.

Coach Falkson said, “The team also focused a lot on consistency during practices, and many players improved on this a lot, with the smaller number of players at practices being more productive this year for the whole team.”

IHS Football Defeated at Homecoming, Gives Valiant Effort

By CASHEL STEWART Staff Writer

After the pep rally, the IHS Varsity football team took on Elmira at Homecoming on October 14. The rain drove away many IHS fans; however, a decent crowd stuck out the continuous shower.

After the team arrived, Rachel Kannus ‘14 sang our national anthem.

The game started with Elmira stunning the crowd by scoring an early touchdown and a well-executed 2-point conversion. Ithaca scored on a seemingly effortless 60+-yard touchdown drive by Ithaca’s Tyrel McKoy ‘13. Elmira, despite a nice stop by Mike Gilmore ‘13, scored another touchdown, putting them up by ten points.

Following a reception by running back Eli Lasda ‘13, Ithaca was able to score their second touchdown, along with a successful 2-point conversion. The Lil’ Red took the lead when Elmira fumbled the ball on the 1-yard line, practically giving the team a touchdown. They made up for the unsuccessful 2-point conversion with an interception caught by Jaedon Henderson ‘13. The scoreboard read 20-16, a lead at halftime for the first time this year for Ithaca.

Entering the second half, Ithaca wasted no time extending the lead to 28-16. Ithaca’s quiet offense allowed Elmira to take the lead, 32-28. With time running out, Ithaca was desperate for a touchdown. They failed on third- and fourthdown conversions, turning over the ball on downs with only two minutes remaining.

Elmira ran down the clock, defeating Ithaca. The pep band played one last song showing respect for the players and their valiant effort. Ithaca came surprisingly close to a first win for the season and despite the loss, fans were glad they came out: they saw the cheerleaders, heard the pep band get the fans revved up, and saw an exciting game. Ithaca’s quarterback Chase Venuto ‘12 commented, “I think we played very well both on offense and defence. Most importantly, we played as a team. Something Coach Redmond has stressed since he has been here [is] playing together, and tonight, it really showed in the game.”

Fantasy Football Facts

By RUBIN DANBERG-BIGGS

Already well into the 2012 professional football season, one thing has to be said: good thing there is no lockout. What would we do without football? There are so many great things about it and one of the best has to be fantasy football.

Fantasy football is an interactive, online contest of who can put together a team of their favorite professional football players to play other teams with different player combinations. It is a way for fans to enjoy themselves and prove their supremacy to their friends.

Yet there is nothing worse than being at the bottom of your league. So here is a list of my top NFL players, ranked from 1st to 3rd at each position, to keep you from sinking to the bottom.

Running Backs:

Wide Receivers: 1.

Calvin Johnson (Detroit Lions)—

Quarterbacks: 1. Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers)— Over the past three years, Rodgers had gradually asserted himself as the best quarterback in the league. With his ability to run, in addition to his strong offensive weapons, he is clearly the best fantasy quarterback you can have.

2. Tom Brady (New England Patriots)— With one of the best games in NFL history under his belt this season, Brady should be the top quarterback in the league. However, he has come back to Earth somewhat, throwing four interceptions in a game against Buffalo. It cannot be denied that Tom Brady is a prolific quarterback, but his lack of a multitude of superstars to back him up keeps him out of the top spot.

3. Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints)—The Super Bowl hero of America from two years ago, Brees is still one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. He has declined somewhat; and with far fewer offensive weapons than Rodgers and Brady, Brees is clearly third. But he remains an amazing fantasy player to have.

PHOTO/DAVID LIM

1. Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings)—Despite having down years in 2009 and 2010, Peterson is right back at the top with the second most rushing yards and the most touchdowns in the NFL. 2. Arian Foster (Houston Texans)—Even while recovering from his hamstring injury, Foster immediately started putting up strong numbers, and Andre Johnson’s injury only helps his rising numbers.

3. Ray Rice (Baltimore Ravens)—Being by far the best offensive player on the Ravens, Rice will continue to get enough carries to keep him near the top of the league in yards and touchdowns. Rice’s ability as a receiver also makes him a top-tier fantasy player.

Johnson has been dominating the league in receiving yards and touchdowns. With no other comparable offensive weapons on his team, he should continue to lead the league as long as Matthew Stafford stays upright.

2. Vincent Jackson (San Diego Chargers)—With a top quarterback throwing to him, the injury to Antonio Gates, and a lack of a solid running game, Jackson has asserted himself as a top wide receiver.

3. Wes Welker (New England Patriots)— As one of the best quarterbacks in the league, Welker gets consistent high yards and touchdowns. His big play capability keeps him high in points every game. One of the most talented slot receivers in the league, Welker is a must start.

The IHS Varsity Football Team prepares for the snap.

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November 15, 2011

Disc Golf

Cornell’s New Scoreboard: A Chance to Revamp the Team

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By CASHEL STEWART Staff Writer

Disc Golfer spins his disk toward the “hole.”

By JOON PARK Staff Writer

No, it’s not called frisbee golf, for the same reason that ultimate is no longer called ultimate frisbee. Frisbee is a trademark, not a sport. But what is disc golf, anyway? Surely nobody would have had the idea to take the two most ridiculed sports in history and combine them. Well, of course someone did, because that is exactly what disc golf is: golf with discs.

And let’s be honest: many of us have always had that secret desire to be a golf champion. No? Not really?

Well, check out disc golf anyway. Some may have noticed some strange-looking steel baskets with chains hanging above them around Ithaca. Those are actually disc golf “holes.”

The game is played in an identical manner to golf, using flying discs instead of balls and the previously described baskets. They even have their own set of disc types, including a driver, a mid-range, and a putter!

Not surprisingly, Ithaca has its own disc golf club called Disc Ithaca. Before you argue that you can’t have a club for something that is not a real sport, I assure you that there is a Professional Disc Golf Association.

Yes, it is a real sport. For those of us lucky enough to play disc golf in gym the past unit, we got a taste of a new and interesting experience.

The Cornell football team, which only held two wins last year, needed a larger crowd to boost their performance and popularity. A brand-new scoreboard was installed at Schoellkopf Field, which will certainly pique curiosity and contribute to higher attendance.

The monstrous scoreboard, featuring a massive video screen, spans 38 feet across and stands 40 feet high. Similar to many boards at professional stadiums, it has many effects to rev up the fans, such as “make some noise” or “on your feet” slogans that flash when the team needs some affection or when the action is at a climax.

No longer will you have to listen to your friend teasing you because you missed the play of the game, since there is now an instant replay feature. In addition, the new scoreboard sports the ever-popular “Kiss Cam” that films fans who are brave enough to kiss each other. The scoreboard was a hit in the seasonstarting, alumni-filled Homecoming game.

Saturday, the Big Red hosted the Bucknell Bison

in a night game. Last year, Bucknell was one of Cornell’s two wins, so confidence was running high through the veins of the Big Red when the two teams met again.

Schoellkopf Field, one of the oldest stadiums in the nation, was packed with Cornell alumni and students. Cornell got off to good start, leading 10-7 at the half.

Unfortunately, due to poor planning, a B.o.B. concert was scheduled at the same time as the game. More than half of the crowd dispersed after the 2nd quarter, leaving the Big Red to fall behind 13-10.

But Jeff Mathews, quarterback for the Big Red, struck back and stunned the Bison by throwing a 64-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Shane Savage. Savage had 99 yards in the game. The defense closed the game by stopping Brandon Wesley, quarterback for the Bison, on 4th and 3rd late in the fourth quarter.

Since the first game played with the new scoreboard resulted in a win, perhaps a new scoreboard was all Cornell football needed to get their game back on track.

IHS Golf Just Misses Division Title

By PETER FREY

At IHS, like at many high schools across the United States, football, track, basketball, and other sports are put in the spotlight while other teams, regardless of merit, are pushed aside. One of many teams that is sometimes overlooked at IHS is the Ithaca Varsity Golf squad. Fearlessly braving each match-up in what the team describes as “sexy sweater vests,” the golf team goes mostly unnoticed despite their considerable skill.

This year the major goal for the golf team was to perform well enough in their division to go to the Southern Tier Athletic Conference (STAC)

Tournament, and play well enough there to compete in States this spring. Although Vestal went home with the glory, Ithaca performed well, with David Studin ‘12 coming in fourth individually.

The top individual scorer was Vestal’s Pat Milkovich, ranked number one on his team this year.

Led by coach Dan Miller and co-captains Dave Studin ‘12 and Wes Feeney ‘12, the team was only a few games behind division leader Horseheads.

Facing off against Horseheads on October 11th at Willowcreek, the team was close to regaining the division title, losing to Horseheads 204-222.

Despite the loss, the IHS Golf team ended the season on a high note with a final record of 10-2.

A Sea of Troubles: IHS Pool Needs Improvement

By ANNALI VERNON

There has been construction for the past three years at IHS. In 2010 and 2011the Performing Arts Center was built, and this year the new field house and locker room went under construction. But no work has been done on the pool.

The only thing that has been fixed in the pool is the lane line terminals, which have already begun to fall out. The School Board, over recent years, has been true to the idea of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” This makes very little sense, because while the pool does its basic job of keeping water from spilling everywhere, the pool is in bad shape.

The Girls’ Varsity Swim Team noticed the main problem during the summer, while the construction was going on and the swimmers were practicing for most of the day. Many girls began coughing and needing to leave practice for a minute or two in order to get a breath of fresh air away from the dust and pollen. This stems from the ventilation problem: the air vents around the pool are old and outdated, and the vents are high in the ceiling. Therefore, they only move the air near the ceiling, which is not where the people are.

The problem of air circulation can be fixed quickly and inexpensively if there

were four slow-moving, five-bladed fans installed at varied heights in the pool area. Unfortunately for the swimmers, only two high-speed three-bladed fans were put in.

Another problem that could be easily fixed is the lighting on the pool deck.

While there were new lights installed around the diving area of the pool, nothing was done about the fact that 18 of the 33 pool lights are dead and have been for years. This makes it difficult for swimmers to see where they are going in the lanes and when they need to do a flip-turn on the wall.

The third large problem is thechemical content of the pool. Any pool, when left alone, becomes acidic due to chemical imbalance. This can cause skin burns. For the past few years, Roy Staley, coach of the IHS Girls’ Swim Team, has called in a friend to put sodium bicarbonate in the pool to balance out the pH and personally fix the problem. Now he has been forbidden from doing so by the school, who says that this is the job of the maintenance people. Passing a problem along a string of people based on indifference or ignorance is not a solution.

The swimmers deserve a pool adequate to train in and the gym classes deserve a pool adequate to learn in. Next time IHS renovates, fixing the pool is a must.

Mindbenders 1. You leave your house and travel one mile south, then one mile east, then one mile north, and find yourself back at your house. Where do you live?

There are multiple answers; pretend the Earth is a perfect sphere.

2. Find the next member of the following sequence: 1, 11, 21, 1211, 111221…

3. Imagine a quart of water and a quart of oil. A cup of the water is poured into the oil, and then the oil is mixed thoroughly. One cup of this new mixture is poured into the water, so that there is again one cup of each mixture. Consider the percent composition of the primarily-water mixture by volume of water and the primarily-oil mixture by volume of oil. Are those two numbers the same? If not, which is greater? Why? 4.

A baseball team manages to win a game, 9-0, without a single man on their team scoring a run. How?

5.

Starting at one and going up, how high would you have to count before you used the letter “a” when spelling a number?

6.

Use one set of letters in the same order to fill in the blanks in this sentence (one letter per blank).

A _o_a_l_ doctor had _o _a_l_ and so he was _o_ a_l_ to operate.

Quiz: What to Do to Make Your Birthday Party Fantabulous?

By ANNELISE RAYMOND and NAOMI RAYMOND

1) You’re getting together with your family for Thanksgiving. How do you simultaneously entertain your five little cousins who are all clamoring for your attention? a. Play sardines. Unfortunately, you have trouble fitting into the small spaces they choose as hiding spots. b. Play dress-up until the boys get bored. When they run off to play with the dog, paint the girls’ nails. c. Storytime! Read them a book. You can all cuddle on the couch. d. Play octopus tag outside. It’s cold, but exercise will warm you up quickly. e. Play video games with teams.

2) Which of the following “drivers” would you rather be? a. A taxi driver b. A limousine driver c. A mail truck driver d. A racecar driver e. A go-kart driver 3) Which of the below school events would you be most likely to attend? a. The Link Crew Ice Cream Social b. The cheerleaders’ spaghetti dinner c. A band concert d. The handball tournament e. The Code Red LAN (Local Area Network) Party 4) What would be your ideal TV appearance? a. A contestant on Minute to Win It

b. Part of a dance troupe in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade c. A pastry chef on Cupcake Wars d. A football player doing a sports interview on ESPN e. A contestant on Jeopardy!

5) You’re adopting a cat at the SPCA. Which of the below do you choose? a. A fat lap cat b. The pretty calico c. A quiet, calm cat d. A playful kitten e. The three-legged cat with the awesome cat wheelchair 6) You’re driving to Grandma’s house for Thanksgiving dinner, and it’s far, far away. How do you pass the time in the car? a. Sit in the backseat and text your friends b. Make friendship bracelets c. Read a book d. Play road games: road sign scavenger hunts, license plate sighting games, etc. e. Play with your Rubix cube 7) If you were to open a shop, what would you sell? a. Ice cream and homemade pies b. Flowers c. Books d. Sporting equipment e. Computers and iPads

8) You’re at the mall waiting for a ride home. You have some extra time. What do you do? a. Look at the kittens at the SPCA Annex b. Get your nails done c. Head straight to the food court for a snack d. Practice on the sample golf green at Dick’s e. Play a few games at GameStop 9) Which comforter is most “you”? a. A reversible comforter with one of your favorite colors on each side b. A fuzzy one with frilly stripes c. A simple color with paisley designs — a sophisticated look d. Show off support for your favorite sports team with a team comforter! e. Techno: black with a neon green border Which letter did you get the most? a. Have a sleepover with your friends! Eat ice cream, sing karaoke, and watch movies until daylight. b. Relax with a day at the spa! Get your nails done, then shop for some outfits to match. c. Have a food-oriented party! Take a few friends out to dinner, or invite them over to make cookies and cupcakes. d. Build up your friends’ appetite for that big birthday meal. Go swimming or bowling, or stay home and play flashlight tag in your backyard. e. Do your friends spend their days playing Call of Duty? Get together for a video game tournament! Have everyone bring their favorite games. That’s what all the cool kids do.

Yogi Bear by Chris Chang

Horoscopes Scorpio (October 24 to November 22): If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. Can’t stand the cold? Why are you in Ithaca?

Sagittarius (November 23 to December 21): Throwing drinks in a movie theater is a good way to show disapproval of the film being shown. Prepare to slosh and be sloshed.

Capricorn (December 22 to January 19): This year, just like always, you’ll get a combined present for Christmas and your birthday. It’s hard candy. Again.

Aquarius (January 20 to February 19): The stars know a lost cause when they see one.

Pisces (February 20 to March 20): Don’t let yourself settle into a funk.

Worse times are always on the way – why bring them in prematurely?

Aries (March 21 to April 19): You will dissect this Thanksgiving’s turkey...while it’s still alive.

Taurus (April 20 to May 20): Looking for a few words of inspiration? Here: “ins”, “pi”, “rat”, “ion.”

Gemini (May 21 to June 20): You’re the awkward one sitting in the back of the class who doesn’t know what’s going on but is afraid to look stupid by asking.

Don’t hide! We all joke about your supreme idiocy behind your back.

Cancer (June 21 to July 22): Meeooowwww. (Editor’s note: Bark, bark! Woof!)

Leo (July 23 to August 22): You have a close friend who thinks they haven’t

JEZIBEL:

the

been appreciated enough recently. Cue a school lockdown when they take hostages.

Virgo (August 23 to September 22): You’re really not a winter person. Don’t worry about getting cold; sometime during the frigid months your body will up its internal temperature 7 degrees to make sure you’re nice and toasty.

Libra (September 23 to October 23): You’re pretty much a real-life Batman.

Act as such.

Want a good horoscope next month?

Find a discreet way to give me the following: sign, general theme of horoscope, and $200 or more in unmarked, nonsequential $20 bills.

LOVE DOCTOR

Dear Jezibel, I’m going over to my girlfriend’s house for Thanksgiving to meet her parents. What can I do to give them a good first impression?

-- New BF Dear Newbie, Ah, the first impressions! I have fond memories of the Thanksgiving dinner my parents and I shared with my first boyfriend, Karl! We were in high school at the time, about the same age (20). Of course, my parents got a little less welcoming with each of the next six men I married in between divorce settlements, but the dinner with Karl went as well as it possibly could have. Here’s what I remember of his visit.

Although I didn’t know it at the time, Karl had talked to my dad beforehand about proposing that evening, which was the reason he was sporting two beautiful black eyes to match his $1000-tux. It was still a sweet thing for him to do, but make sure you’re prepared. Pack some boxing gloves when you go to talk.

Arrive in style. Karl came in a 25-foot limousine, and you should come in no less. If you don’t show your girl’s parents how well-off you are, why would they ever let you marry their daughter? To that end, gild your teeth with gold to get an invaluable, sparkly smile for the folks.

Once you get in, make sure you’re doing all the talking. They invited you over so that they could meet you. It’s all about you!

Mention all the new power tools your Dad got recently to show that you mean business, then segway into how you aspire to control every aspect of your girl’s life. Talk football with her Dad after dinner; say how impressed you were with the Dolphins’ 1000-1 win over the Packers last week. (If you didn’t get to see it, this was really a much closer game than the score would indicate. Don’t forget to put that in) Don’t forget the women! It’s crucial that you win her Mom’s support too. Bring her a nice bouquet of flowers. When she finds an adorable porcelain vase for them, knock it over (make it look like an accident), but don’t apologize. It’ll show that you’re completely comfortable with who you are, which is really all women look for.

Have I mentioned cologne? Don’t wear any. Instead, bring a spray bottle of Axe and apply it to yourself liberally throughout the meal. It’ll show that you’re aware of your manly odors and always prepared. Spray some axe on your gracious hosts’ plates, too, so you can all enjoy some fresh goodness.

Steve Jobs

Occupy

Plymouth 1621

School Spirit

Hot cider

Helvetica (totally not Harrington is way cooler)

Emily Dickinson

Early Decision

Best of Luck, Jezibel M.D. of LOVE Need LOVE advice? Email your problems to backpage@ihstattler.com to see your quandries in print. I DO NOT CLAIM RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANYTHING YOU DO UNDER JEZIBEL’S ADVICE. NO ANGRY LETTERS OR LAWYERS KNOCKING AT MY DOOR AT 3AM THIS MONTH. I HAVE A SUPER SOAKER

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Drop off your stuff at: backpage@ihstattler.com Don’t worry about sending this stuff to me before my deadline. It’s not important, in the same way that having an explosionfree Thanksgiving isn’t.

7 Billion Gallon jugs of water Wet Dog Wet Cat Homecoming in the rain Parents on Facebook