April 2011
Out With The Chairs, In With The Bouncy Balls
CONDITIONAL ZEROES
STUDENT COUNCIL HEROES By Cindy Cornacchia
Starting on April 12th, 2011, conditional zeros will be eliminated from the Mary Ward system. Student Council has proposed a new incentive program to replace them. They believe that students should be rewarded for being on-track or ahead in their units, as opposed to being penalized for falling behind. As of now, the next target date coming up will be for unit 14 on April 12th. On this day, all teachers will remove any conditional zeros previously given out to students. Student Council has raised the issue multiple times with staff, and the student voice is finally being heard. “Conditional zeros only make me feel worse about myself. I’m not encouraged to work harder when my average drops below sixty. I feel like giving up.” says Eumela Nuesca, a grade eleven student. The new incentive program aims to end these feelings among students. The program will work very simply. At each target date, if students have completed the appropriate amount of units, or more, to be considered on-track, they will be given some sort of reward. Their T.A. will determine if students qualify or not. Rewards will include free pizza lunches, civvies days, and permission to be in the hallways more often. However, if students fail to qualify and are falling behind, they will not be punished. Students will be given the opportunity to attend remedial sessions held in the library until they catch up. There may not be much left of this school year, but there is enough time to test out this new program. Based on the results of the remainder of this school year, Mrs. Lesniak, Mr. Chen, and Ms. Keenan have all agreed to consider establishing the program permanently the following year. “This is not just a way to reward students for their hard work, but it is an opportunity for them to learn the value of productivity.” says Mr. Chen.
By:Arianne Claveria
Administration is ordering the replacement of all chairs in Mary Ward with large exercise balls in the new school year. During the last staff meeting, issues pertaining to the damage and lack of chairs in areas were addressed. The purchase of new chairs each year has proven to be costly to the school. To address this, administration has decided to eliminate chairs altogether. Large exercise balls are not only durable and affordable, but according to experts, also have a number of health benefits. Sitting on an exercise ball, instead of a desk chair, has been shown to improve posture, strengthen muscles, and improve circulation to the brain, which will benefit student learning. Sitting on an exercise ball forces students to keep balance, and at the same time, sit upright with the proper posture to maintain this balance. It is proven to increase fitness levels due to the use of core muscles that would not otherwise be activated by sitting on a chair. The movement involved in sitting on an exercise ball burn calories, keeps a student alert and energetic as it encourages position changes. In reaction to the switch from chairs to exercise balls, grade 11 Mary Ward student, Emily James responded, “They’re like big bouncy balls, why wouldn’t I want to sit on one?” When Ms.Keenan was asked about the switch, she said, “It’s an excellent chance for the students to start thinking about their health, and fitness. I sometimes sit on an exercise ball at home, although I’m not very good at it, hopefully the students will be better.”
Sunny Fong, winner of Project Runway Canada season two, has been commissioned to redesign the Mary Ward student uniform. It is inspired by the current Catholic school uniform and the television series, Gossip Girl. The redesign is modern, but maintains the traditional feel. The new design will be unveiled in August 2011, and will be available for purchase and use in time for the 2011-2012 school year. At Mary Ward, a redesign of the uniform has been in discussion for quite some time. In February, administration contacted Sunny Fong, a local designer with an international reputation, to take the bland, outdated school attire and bring it back to life. The conventional Mary Ward wear delivers little desirability for the student body. Students find interest in stylish clothing that brings out their personality. Some have even been seen sporting sweaters or cardigans to accent the normal attire. Since students are more interested in fashionable clothing, the uniform reform was devised by administration to motivate students to wear full and proper apparel at school. Mr. Chen explains, “It is anticipated that the rate of students getting in trouble for unacceptable uniform will decrease due to this change.” Sunny Fong will establish new outfit choices and will reintroduce old pieces to the Mary Ward uniform. Re-introductions to the uniform include white collared shirts for boys and the white polo shirts for girls and boys. New pieces to be showcased are the crisp, wool blazer with the Mary Ward crest and the gray khaki slack. He will be revamping uniform items by adding silk embellishment to tops and making accessories such as striped ties, head bands, bows, knee high wool socks and leather belts. It is expected that these new looks will be a refreshing start to the upcoming school year. Administration hopes that due to this change in design, students will begin to wear the uniform with great pride.
Sunny Fong
sheds light on school uniform By Harriet Austria
breaking news NEWS BREAKING
MANDATORY FRESHLY FISHY by Hazel Llanes
HALLWALKING?
After months of extensive deliberation between Mary Ward staff members and TCDSB administrators, it was decided that as of next week, a new school-wide rule will be placed to require all Mary Ward students to devote one period of each day to hall-walking. This new rule is in accordance with TCDSB’s goal to employ Daily Physical Activity (or DPA) in all of its secondary schools by the end of term three. “Making all 1,200 students stretch or jog around the building everyday would likely result in total chaos,” explains Vice-Principal Mr. Chen, cringing at the thought. “The cost of attending to all possible--and probably inevitable--injuries and broken furniture would be too much, so we thought the most practical way to get them moving was to officially allow them to ‘hall-walk’ whichever period they pleased.” Mr. D’Agostino, head of the Physical Education Department, agrees. “Walking is the easiest, cheapest and safest form of cardio workout,” he says. “I don’t know why this hasn’t happened sooner!” Many teachers agreed that this new requirement is well-timed, as morale at Mary Ward Catholic Secondary
School appears to be at an all-time low. There have been numerous reports of students bumping into lockers due to extreme exhaustion and, in rare cases, assuming fetal positions on the floor at random intervals, claiming that classrooms are too confining. “I’ve forgotten the last time I ever laughed”, reveals a sullen boy in grade 10. So not only will hall-walking benefit students physically by managing weight and increasing strength, balance, flexibility, and coordination—it may also be the key to raising energy levels and reducing stress in class. According to Reader’s Digest, “a simple walk can decrease risk of depression, elevate mood, and can give one a sense of well-being.” Studies have also shown that walking is an effective way to organize thoughts and find solutions to problems. “Roaming the halls is my secret to success,” reveals grade 12 student Angela Nisce. “Many times I’ve solved entire calculus problems from my daily trip to the girl’s washroom.” Though allowing students to hallwalk may seem counterintuitive to most, this may very well be the perfect way to get their mental gears going and inspire creativity within all grade levels, and in turn, push more students to submit assignments at a steadier pace. As they say, only time will tell.
FRIDAYS By Alex Sadowski Our cafeteria is now selling sushi on Fridays. The sushi chef from Nikada, Katsu Moriyama, will be coming in every Friday to prepare a seafood lunch for all the raw fish lovers at our school. There will also be a salad bar open every day of the week. Six pieces of freshly made sushi would cost $3.50, while a plate from the salad bar would cost $2.00. The administration at Mary Ward believes this will encourage students to come to school. If the menu is fun an exciting, then students will be encouraged to take the 43 Kennedy bus early in the morning. Students will be able to mix and match with their choices of six the pieces of sushi they purchase. The menu includes a large variety of rolls and sashimi. The staff at Mary Ward is thrilled to hear about the installation of the new salad bar and the weekly visit going to be made by Mr. Moriyama. Mrs. Spearns believes this is an amazing way to encourage students and staff members to keep the Catholic tradition of not eating meat on Fridays. Though she may not be a big fan of sushi, she would gladly purchase a plate from the salad bar at least once a week. Hazel Llanes admits that she will be the first in line for her freshly rolled pieces of sushi claiming she will never get sick of it.
GIVING XHOSA A WARD WELCOME By Agatha Choy
T h e Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and the Cadillac Fairview Corporation have made an agreement in which shuttle bus service will be provided to 135 public and Catholic high schools in Toronto. Beginning in April 2011, the shuttle buses will transport students after school to numerous Cadillac Fairview properties across Toronto, including the Eaton Centre, Fairview Mall, Toronto-Dominion Centre, Sherway, and Promenade. These shuttle buses would provide Mary Ward students with easier access to entertainment and shopping, allowing students to get to Fairview Mall, the closest Cadillac Fairview property, in only 14 minutes. It’s a great idea,” says
Rowena Rollon, a grade 11 Mary Ward student. “If I ever wanted to go to the mall, it would be faster and easier since I can take those buses instead of taking the TTC.” Mary Ward students can patronize the businesses, watch movies at SilverCity, eat in the food court, and have a place to socialize with friends. “This arrangement between OTPP and Cadillac Fairview will not only bring benefits to the students of Mary Ward and other high schools, but also Ontario teachers,” said Mrs. Lesniak. Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan fully owns Cadillac Fairview Corporations. On December 31, 2009, one of OTPP’s major investments in Cadillac Fairview grew up to $17.2 billion. The investments made are to secure the retirement income of 289, 000 current and retired Ontario teachers.
The TCDSB has started a new program where selected schools are given a new language course and luckily for Mary Ward, Nelson Sebezela will be joining us for the remainder of the 2010-2011 school year. “Molweni!” says Mr. Sebezela during our interview with him. “That means ‘hello!’ in Xhosa.” He has been chosen to be Mary Ward’s new Xhosa language teacher from Port Elizabeth, South Africa! Xhosa is known as the “clicking language” where clicking your tongue will be necessary to speak this language. This course will be open to all grades, but you will have to register quickly as there is only a limited amount of spots. Registration opens starting on Friday, April 1st to Wednesday, April 6th, all day in room 326. Just find Mr. Sebezela, greet him with a “Molweni!” and give him your name. Classes will start on April 12th. VOLUME 16 / ISSUE 2 mwplanet 02
breaking news NEWS BREAKING Under enormous pressure to expand from the vast amount of students wishing to enter, the school approved the construction of a fourth floor set to be completed by October of next year. The new building level began its construction during March break, and will feature new department areas designed to better suit Mary Ward’s self-directed learning system with roomier floor plans and moveable walls for seminars. As to which departments will hold these new areas is still unclear. Many believe that the fourth floor will include an extension of the French, English, and science departments, as well as a separate area dedicated to grade 11 and 12 math. Details confirmed include a second computer lab, which will be first filled with older PCs before slowly being replaced by newer ones, and a 400 meter indoor track made from recycled rubber soles. Rejected was the co-ed locker room, a proposal made a small male student interest group of which the writer of this article is not involved.
Though the legendary Harry Potter book series is over, this hasn’t stopped fans and athletes alike from introducing the sport of Quidditch into Mary Ward. “It’s sort of a mix between basketball, dodgeball, and tag,” explains team captain Cormac McGee, “Except that players must have a broom between their legs at all times.”
Although it is to be known as the fourth floor, this extension for the school will not be located above the top floor of the building. Instead, the fourth floor will be built in another dimension. The Toronto Catholic District School Board as well as the Provincial and Federal government has teamed up with a Ukrainian company, ESMA, in forming the first inter-dimensional structure after their success in sending a dog into another dimension. Using this new technology, the Inter-Dimensional Matter Transporter, or IDMT Portal, students will go in and out of the fourth floor with ease, according to ESMA. There are to be two points of entry, portals, giving access to the alternate dimension: One on the short length of wall across from the Music Department, and another on the pillar in the middle of Communications Tech. It is indeed an exciting venture for Mary Ward CSS, an already awesome school.
“I could not believe it when my son asked to use a broom,” says one parent, “that is, until I found out that it was not for doing his chores, but to play this odd sport.”
Surprisingly enough, the scientists over at ESMA are willing to provide this technology for free, asking only to observe our school on a monthly basis starting upon the completion of the fourth floor. Come to think of it, no one has really heard from the dog that was sent to another dimension. The Ukrainian scientists really shouldn’t allow such new and expensive technology be used without compensation, unless of course another word to describe the IDMT is “experimental”. Perhaps, then, we are all their guinea pigs, and opportunity to test the other dimension is all the compensation they need. If so, the school board and the government shouldn’t sanction something so risky, despite the tempting fact that it is for free. Have they become desperate enough as to subject us to a dangerous lab experiment? Are there such risks? Perhaps the real questions are: “Why propose a co-ed locker room in the first place?” or “Why did such a flawless proposal get rejected?” Perhaps that last question has an obvious answer.
Like in the fictional world created by J.K. Rowling, Muggle Quidditch (or nonmagical Quidditch) requires four types of players for each team. In order to score a point, three players acting as chasers must throw a ball, called a quaffle, through one of three hoops protected by a keeper. Two beaters target another ball, called a bludger, towards the chasers to distract them from scoring, and one seeker must search for and catch the snitch, represented by a player wearing all yellow, to gain an extra 30 points and end the game.
Mary Ward is not the only school to have its own team. Four other secondary schools in the province play Quidditch and, unbeknownst to most, there exists an International Quidditch Association as well as a World Cup tournament involving over 45 teams, held in New York City last November. “This is an intense sport that is not to be underestimated,” stresses Cormac, “Positions will be filled only by the most exceptional players.” So gear up and don’t forget your brooms, Mary Ward! Tryouts begin April 15th.
Residents of Scarborough can expect to lace up their skates by late December this year when the new $23 million Olympic-sized artificial ice rink opens up behind L’Amoreaux Community Recreational Centre.
It has been called “confusing”, “irrational” and “a tease”, approximately 90% grade nines get lost in it every year, and last year three people suffered broken noses from walking into the random wall. But now, twenty-five years in the making, the north-west stairwell beside religion finally leads to the basement. CSAC voted at the end of last year to make the change, and throughout the summer workers will be knocking down the wall and adding a whole new set of stairs for student’s convenience. “It would have saved me a lot of time in grade nine,” says Brandon Pasquale, a frustrated grade 12 student, “if it doesn’t lead to the basement, maybe put a big sign or something so I don’t look like an idiot.” There was controversy about the plan because if the stairs continued on their path, the wall displaying the Incognito art show logo would have to be destroyed to make place for them. Instead, the stairs are going to take a fun twist around the tech room and exit through the east wall between the tech and video rooms. The new “hallway” over tech will be long enough to paint the next six art show logos on. Tech is also getting an elevator directly into the department. Although it will cut down the size slightly, it will be beneficial for all the materials needing transportation. The elevator beside the Communications Department will be clean nicely and will only be used to transport students once all this work is finished. Construction is set to begin July 1st and be finished for September 20th.
On March 29, 2011, accompanied by the City of Toronto Parks, Recreation and Forestry staff, Scarborough-Agincourt MPP Jim Karygiannis and Premier Dalton McGuinty were on hand to release the groundbreaking announcement. Premier Dalton McGuinty, stated that this is was an economic booster for all residents in the northeast Toronto community. MPP Karygiannis mentioned the collaborative efforts done in connection with the Scarborough community. “Truly, this new project was made possible through support of the residents and local businesses. It’s about time that the residents of Scarborough, of all ages and cultures, had easy access to a skating rink in the winter and a reflective pool and fountain in the summer.” Local residents responded and received the expecting project with great reviews. Vu Wong, a 32-year-old resident living in Ward 39 smiled from ear to ear with excitement. “I think that this is great. I’m very excited for the ice rink. My kids can remain active in the winte r season and we can all enjoy the air.” Students from Mary Ward are eagerly awaiting. Christian Perez, a grade 10 student mentioned his approval. “I’m so excited for this skating rink to finally open. I can’t wait to go skating after-school.” Plans are already being made to incorporate this new skating rink into the Physed courses at Mary Ward says Athletic Director Fred Dever. “Essentially, we would like to have students stay active and instil a sense of healthy living. We’re planning to have units in the grade 10, 11 and 12 personal fitness courses by January 2012 where they can benefit from the new rink.” Construction started last month with a draining and diversion contracted by Blue Construction Ltd. Cement trucks dumped over 350 cubic feet of concrete to fill the base. The next phase is landscaping to create user-friendly paths by ATL Architects. VOLUME 17 / ISSUE 2 mwplanet 03
Students attending public and Catholic schools in the Toronto area will now be able to use cell phones in class, Premier Dalton McGuinty said Wednesday at a press conference. After a controversial debate emerged last September on cell phone use in schools, McGuinty finally decided to terminate the cell phone ban, and to institute it in all Ontario schools. “For now, however, we will limit it to schools in the TDSB and TCDSB as a pilot project. Since they are two of the largest boards in Canada, we will be able to determine if this is feasible in other school boards. If it works, we can eliminate the ban in all other schools in the province,” said the Premier. TDSB spokeswoman Maddie Paul said cell phones equipped with today’s features are a great way of quickly obtaining important information. “Like the computer, it can be used to meet the students’ needs for learning, whether it is to take notes in class, or to research for projects.”
breaking news news breaking
The TCDSB, along with 20 other school boards across Canada, has banned water bottles from being sold within schools. The ‘Water Bottle Free Zone’ campaigns ran by Catholic students around the GTA has been so successful that it is now upsetting major bottled water companies worldwide. When the TCDSB adopted the campaign, it has created a ripple effect among other Canadian school boards and even some workplaces. It is estimated that this movement will remove 32 million water bottles from landfills in Canada. Major water bottle corporations are After much discussion with the TCDSB, Mary realising the large upset in their sales and they Ward now has the permission to offer cheerleadare desperately trying to regain their profit from ing as another athletic extracurricular. This new high-school students. team will begin tryouts as early as June 2011.
Major water bottle distributors have been trying to make deals with the TCDSB to try and Grade eleven Mary Ward student, Eumela Nuesredistribute their bottled water products. TCDSB ca, has mixed feelings about this upcoming law. has declined the offers several times, they are “It’s good, but it would distract me.” sticking to their moral and ethical beliefs of water. A minority of companies have become “I think this is a great thing, especially at a selfso desperate that they have raised the prices of directed school,” commented Media teacher, Nitheir products. This is wake-up call to those who cole Powell. “It allows teachers and students to exclusively drink from plastic water bottle to start communicate with each other. If students miss a drinking from their taps. school day, teacher advisors can text them any TA mail they may have received. Students can This change from water bottles to stainless steel even ask teachers for help when they’re not on water bottles has created a large amount of profit the floor.” for companies such as Klean Kateen and Sigg. The profit being made by these corporations “We should embrace the current technologies is inspiring them to install wells in villages that we have,” McGuinty concluded. “There used in developing countries that lack a source of to be a huge controversy around calculators in clean water, such as Mozambique, Uganda, and classes, and look at them now.” Bolivia. By Rowena Rollon
By Dorothy Manuel
By Eumela Nuesca
Mary Ward had a cheerleading team from 1990 to 2003, however it was discontinued after those years. Supervisors on faculty were no longer available and insurance became costly. Due to the risky routines, the potential for accidents was high. The TCDSB is now allowing this sport to proceed because of recent petitions held by determined students. Due to the overwhelming number of signatures, the school board has decided to hire not one, but two trained professionals to teach the sport, giving cheerleading a second chance at Mary Ward. “This is a great opportunity for our students to combine athleticism, choreography, and school spirit,” says Ms. Largo, who volunteered to supervise the team. “Also, the uniforms are really cute!” Ms. Largo has a background in circus training. By Alex Sadowski
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