The Newtonite v Monday, Sept. 18, 2017 • Volume 96
Newton North High School, 457 Walnut St., Newtonville, Mass. 02460
Students share concerns over push for new norms Samantha Fredberg “I genuinely did not know where to go,” said senior Eva Checkoway. “It was pouring outside, the cafeteria was overflowing with freshmen, students were taking up every inch of wall space on Main Street,” Checkoway said. During a lunch block free the first week of school, Checkoway said she was told that the “View,” one of the balconies overlooking Main Street, was not an acceptable hangout space. “With the size of our student population, closing all of these spaces is not only inconvenient, but I don’t think it’s a possible response,” she said. Students expressed confusion and frustration about the temporary closures of the Library Learning Commons (LLC) and other social spaces during the first week of school. North families received an email notifying the community of the closures Sunday, Aug. 27. The changes occurred this year as a response to overcrowding and a particularly tense environment last year, according to vice principal Amy Winston. “I’d be happy for them to clarify their expectations, but not going to the extent of shutting down the library,” said senior Bronwyn Turner. “Keeping the library open and having a school-wide assembly establishing behavioral norms I think would be the best way to tackle this situation.” Beals House dean Scott Heslin explained rules regarding social spaces available in lieu of the LLC. “When there’s no lunch going on, kids are supposed to hang out in the cafeteria, outside, or in Newtonville, but they are not supposed to be in any hallways, not on Main Street, just the cafeteria.” While the only official social space is the cafeteria, Heslin noted that students are allowed to be on Main Street during crowded lunch blocks, but never with food. Winston explained that this school was designed to house around 1,800 students, but currently has over 2,000. “I think we need more spaces in the school that aren’t just the cafeteria,” senior Maya Renneker said. “It is way too loud to do work there, but not everyone wants a super quiet library all the time if it’s just a free block.” Winston said, “My understanding is that because freshmen and sophomores are required to go to the cafeteria during cancelled classes, juniors and seniors perceive it as a space for freshmen and sophomores, which I understand. “However, the cafeteria has nice light, there are electrical outlets, there are big tables, and it can be a nice social space,” she added. “Right now, while the weather is nice, I would encourage students to go outside,” Winston said. “We have great space around the building including the picnic tables outside of the Tiger’s Loft.” During the senior class assembly held Wednesday, Sept. 13, seniors Chris Matthews and Julia MacDonald addressed the class and spoke about their favorable experience workby
ing with a group of students, faculty, and library staff to form new behavioral expectations in the library. House deans assembled a select group of students from each grade Monday, Sept. 11 to develop behavioral expectations and norms to be posted in social spaces, according to Winston. On the same day, the LLC opened for silent study and printing. According to senior Sam Kesselman, who attended the meeting, the group addressed issues of mutual respect between librarians and students, but they will need to meet again to create a list of norms. “Nothing concrete was established, but at least we have a framework and goals to work with,” he said. Winston explained that the meeting was a good starting point for this year’s discussion of social spaces. “We were tight on time, and it is hard work, but I think we made some good progress,” she said. Though he appreciates the outreach, Kesselman explained that having the discussion at the end of last year or before the first day of school would have been more effective. “Proactive beats reactionary any day of the week,” he said. Last year, senior Ian Reid formed a subcommittee of the Student Faculty Administration (SFA) focused on social spaces at North. “We passed a bill I wrote that opened up Main Street and the entrances, at first for a trial period this semester and then hopefully for good starting next semester,” he said. Kesselman, also an SFA member, explained that the bill has not been recognized this year. “I felt the SFA’s authority was not followed,” he said. At press time, the library is open for silent study, and no further meetings have been scheduled. Turner said that many students felt as though they did not know exactly what they did wrong in these social spaces last year to deserve revisions of behavioral expectations According to librarian Erin Dalbec, last year was defined by poor communication between some students and librarians. Dalbec explained that in her experience, some students would often disrespect or ignore librarians, especially when they were with large groups of friends. “Communication is a big thing, and I think that sometimes it is on all of us,” Dalbec said. “As a librarian, it’s hard for me to remind myself that students might be having a hard time, and students might not realize that we’ve had a difficult day in the library. I want to work on respect. I want to work on that myself, and I want students to respect me too.” According to Winston, the issues in the library extend to other areas of the school. “In the old building, students were allowed to eat on Main Street, but everyday it was just strewn with lunch trash,” she said. “It’s not what you want in your school, so whatever we do, we are doing it in baby steps and holding clear expectations so we can protect the beautiful building that we have.”
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Teddy Everett
Senior Nai Abelenda and sophomore Christina Giglao perform the ‘Awesome’ at a football game against Waltham Friday, Sept. 8.
Club day displays wide variety of opportunities for students v Club listings 2017-2018 v 3D Design Club
What: Students will learn the basics of 3D design and work on projects of their choice. When: Wednesdays after school in 217. Goal: “To allow members to harness their creativity in a unique way through the fundamentals of 3D design. These skill are the foundation needed in Hollywood special effects, architecture, video games, advertising, and more,” said senior Reese Farquhar, an officer. Officers: Farquhar and senior Jonathan Jasperse. Adviser: To be determined. Contact: reesef908@gmail.com, zombeeturkee@gmail.com, or the Facebook group “NNHS 3-D Design Club.” —Rose Skylstad
Agriculture Club
What: Students learn about gardening and garden throughout the year in the school greenhouse. When: Every other Thursday X-blocks. Goal: “To show how fun gardening can be and explain why it is important,” said senior Abraham Sharooz, an officer. Officers: Sharooz and junior Ben Borhegyi. Adviser: Science teacher Barbara Gibson. Contact: abesharooz@gmail.com —Rose Bostwick
Anime/Manga Club
What: Students watch and discuss anime and manga. When: To be determined. Goal: “To get ready to go to Anime Boston, which is an anime convention. We try to let every who wants to go so we fundraise,” said senior Maya Dunn, an officer. Officers: Dunn and junior Angela Lin. Adviser: English teacher Mike Schlegelmilch. Contact: angelalin1313@gmail.com —Rose Skylstad
Animal Rights Club
What: Students volunteer at shelters, learn about problems afflicting animals through guest speakers, and sometimes visit the zoo
or aquarium. When: Monday X-blocks in the Tiger’s Loft. Goal: “To raise awareness and educate people about why it’s wrong to mistreat animals,” said senior Susanna Hamel, an officer. Officers: Hamel and seniors Alexia Lancea and Emma Nephtali. Adviser: Culinary teacher Lisa McKinney. Contact: susannahamel@gmail.com, alexialancea@hotmail.com, or emma.nephtali@ gmail.com —Amy Morrill
Archery Club
What: Students practice archery skills with no experience necessary. When: Wednesday after school in 325 or by the storage closet in the athletic wing. Goal: To “have fun while practicing our target shooting skills,” said senior Christine Collins, an officer and internal communications manager. Officers: Collins, senior Robin Lu, and junior Joe Huang. Adviser: History teacher Jamie Bal. Contact: nnhsarchery@gmail.com and Facebook group “NNHS Archery.” —Rose Bostwick
Asian Culture Club (ACC)
What: Students discuss points of interest in the Asian community and plan the Asian Culture Day and Night events. When: Monday X-blocks in 353. Goal: “To educate others who don’t know much about Asian culture and help them understand what it’s all about and help those with Asian culture feel proud of their heritage,” said senior Carrieanne Mamba, an officer. Officers: Mamba, seniors Seika Ghavidel, Michael Lee, Wendy Li, and Sheil Mehta, and sophomores Jenny Huang and Dian Dian Jonas-Walsh. Adviser: English teachers Charlene Beh and Michele Leong. Contact: Facebook group “NNHS ACC 2014-2017.” —Jackie Gong v continued on page 3