The Mane Event, Issue 4

Rodeph Sholom School

Fall 2014

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t n e v E Volume:4, Edition 1 RSS plugs in to new technology program

Love (and Drama) in the air

This fall, students in the middle school put on Thornton Wilder’s classic play Our Town, ​which examines life, love, and death in a small New Hampshire community. In this scene, fifth grader Ari Sussman and sixth grader Natasha Rasnick celebrate their marriage with family and friends.

Eighth grade goes WYLD, camps upstate in new bonding trip Yulia Pleasant, Senior Staff Writer Weeks before the start of their last year at Rodeph Sholom School, the rising eighth graders received a brief email announcing their embarkation on a three day camping trip to Harriman State Park.

As they returned to 79th street for the last time, little was known about the trip that was scheduled for the end of September. The students inferred that it was an opportunity for them to bond as a grade in their final year. But is that all it was?

Many students, including eighth grader Chloe Levin, initially assumed that the trip’s only purpose was to help the eighth grade to get to know one another better.

“We were never told what the trip’s goals were, which I think made a lot of us think that it’s only purpose was to help our grade bond.” Levin said.

While some students wished they had been better informed, eighth grade advisor and trip chaperone Elisheva Gould expressed a different opinion. While she agreed sharing more basic information would have

been beneficial, simply stating goals would not determine the success of it.

“We could have told the students what to think and what the goals were, but I think a big part of the trip was allowing the kids to figure it out on their own through their personal experiences,” Gould said. “As much as it was an opportunity for the grade to grow together, it was also a chance for the students to try new things for themselves.”

The teachers and students who completed the trip had several different opinions on it and its meaning.

Science teacher Corey Dempsey, one of the trip’s coordinators, clarified his intentions in creating the trip.

“The trip essentially had four main goals,” Dempsey said. “One of them undoubtedly being the idea of bonding and connecting the grade as they start their last year here, but its other goals were linked closely to the individual experience.”

He explained that a part of the trip was about giving the grade a

Inside this Issue: News: A Closer Look at 2015 Israel Trip Editorial: School Election Reform The Side Dish: Catching up with Alumni Sports: Real Lives of Student-Athletes

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chance to leave the city and encounter the outdoors and the challenges that come with it. It was about students pushing themselves to their own limit.

While that might mean improving previously developed canoeing skills for some students, it may be overcoming a fear of heights on a group hike for others.

“It’s about becoming a leader in an unfamiliar environment, and teaching the kids how to respond to those types of situations,” Dempsey said.

The values that Dempsey emphasized were highlighted by the challenges students faced.

“The leadership aspect of it Continued on Page 2

Emily Bach, News Editor

Come 2015, the middle school will fully embrace the new century as it prepares to roll out a one-to-one iPad program for seventh and eighth graders. This announcement comes amid many other changes Rodeph Sholom School has committed to make this school year.

This year, the school’s administration made a collaborative decision to add on to RSS’ previous technology plan. In addition to the iPads, students in grades six through eight now have school email accounts and RSS is adapting the 3D printing program.

In addition, the school has updated its laptop computers to the newest Macbook airs, and they will be updated again every three years.

Dr. Jerry Katz, head of school, explained how the new one-to-one program will incorporate iPads into the technology program.

“Every seventh and eighth grade student will have his or her own iPad to use at school and take back and forth between school and home,” Katz said. “We are hoping to start this program as early as this January, but we’re not certain about the date yet.

Right now teachers are using iPads, adapting lessons and figuring out how they can best be integrated into classes.”

Maxine Borenstein, head of the middle school, and Laurie Piette, director of studies, have been leading the effort to bring iPads to the students.

Seventh grader Leo Portnoy said he’s looking to seeing how the iPads improve the school’s technology program.

“I think that this new development will really improve our learning experience because now we will be able to take notes on the iPad and it will be a lot more portable to bring an iPad than it is to bring a computer Continued on Page 3

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The Mane Event News

With war over, students, faculty look ahead to Israel trip Daphne Darwish, Entertainment Editor When New Yorkers live their day to day lives, they feel safe and protected, but can Israeli citizens say the same? And what about the eighth graders going on the upcoming Israel trip?

Over the summer, a war broke out in Gaza. Israeli troops were sent into Gaza to prevent Hamas, the main Palestinian armed resistance group, from infiltrating Israel. Rockets fired, civilians and soldiers were killed, and although the war is now over, many students and faculty think there is a sense of uneasiness in Israel right now. When students were asked if they thought going to Israel this coming June was a good idea, they had mixed opinions.

Ashley Cooper, a sixth grader, said the trip was “definitely not” a good idea. Cooper said she would feel “very unsafe because there has just been a war, and there is still lots of hatred towards Jews.”

Like Cooper, Bradley May, an

eighth grader, doesn’t feel the eighth grade should go on the trip.

He said that he worries there is “still a chance of something happening.”

However, some students believe otherwise. Eighth grader Daniel Vebman comes from an Israeli family that speaks Hebrew at home.

“I absolutely think that it’s safe to go,” Vebman said. “The threat is distilled for now.”

At the same time, Vebman said he would feel most secure in the places that are far from Gaza, farther up north, such as Tel- Aviv. This is because he still feels vulnerable in Israel right now.

Despite students’ apprehension, Robert Levine, head rabbi at Congregation Rodeph Sholom, said he believes that the Israel trip could be “no better bonding experience” and that it helps connect the work students have been doing in Hebrew and Jewish Studies classes all these years.

Hebrew teacher Miri Becher, an Israeli, agreed with Levine.

“It’s a great learning experience for the students,” she said. “In addition, the eighth graders will be completely safe, with the faculty overseeing everything to make sure nothing goes wrong.”

However, the question of whether or not the eighth grade is still going on this trip is being raised.

Maxine Borenstein, head of the Middle School, said there is no official answer just yet.

“We have no official decision yet,” she said. “it will depend on the situation during June. It’s too far away to tell now.”

However, she added, “as of now, the trip is on.”

By the time June comes closer, eighth graders said they hope to feel safe going, and there will be no reason to worry about a potential threat.

RSS tightens security, students’ anxieties heighten Jack Braun, Staff Writer

Security at Rodeph Sholom School has steadily been increasing in the past years, but this year has seen a particular rise with the introduction of police men and reinforced guards, new locks for the computer carts, and overall increases in protection measures. Some students, though, are wondering why security has been such a focus in the first place.

“There’s been a lot of cases [of school security breaches] throughout the U.S.”, said eighth grader Asher Tigay. “Every school should increase its security.”

Although Tigay felt “safe last year,” he felt “safer this year [due to the number of] police around the school.”

Alex Corb, a sixth grader, agreed with Tigay.

“Security was still effective [last year], but not as good as this year,” he said.

Corb pointed out, however, that the number of police could be seen as unnecessary.

“I see the [policemen] whenever I leave or come to school, [but] police are also in the city streets,” he said. “[The security increased] so that no one comes in and does something bad. I think that it has to do with our [Jewish identity].”

Kwynne Schlossman, a fifth grader, also sees the security efforts as being connected to the RSS’ affiliation with Judaism.

“Some people are against Judaism,” said Schlossman. “Maybe the security outside the building [is for] that.”

Regardless of the reason it has increased, seventh grader Juliette Haas said she feels strongly that it’s been a positive change for the school.

“The security has changed a lot because of the recent events that happened in the past year, such as the Boston marathon bombing and the school shooting in Connecticut,” she said. “[The school has] security guards, which I think is good, because they protect us at school.”

Haas said the security presence can make students feel trapped in, however, and suggested some modern solutions.

“[We] should have technological advances [to keep us safe], because when they have security guards outside it makes you feel intimidated,” she said.

But intimidation might just be what Tom Perry, head of Rodeph Sholom security, is going for.

“My contacts within the law enforcement community indicate that it’s prudent to be more vigilant and aware of our surroundings and to initiate security measures that will protect students, staff, and visitors,” said Perry, a former investigator for the New York State police.

Perry said that the school’s heightened level of security is in reaction to several events around the country and the world.

“The main reason [for the security increase] is the nature of recent events against innocent people throughout the world [such as] the Sandy Hook tragedy in Connecticut,” he said. “Specific event[s] showed how vulnerable a school can be, [and] the general threat matrix here in New York City just further convinced me to take additional safeguards.”

Haas reminisced on past security, though, and wondered if simplicity is the key.

“In [younger] grades, I don’t think they had to press [a button] to let you into the school, and there wasn’t always a security guard at the desk,” she said. “The thing with the police officers is really intense so I don’t know if I want that to increase next year, and I don’t know if other people want that.”

Nevertheless, Haas acknowledged that “schools that don’t use [security] have a greater chance of getting hurt, and security [might] increase next year,” despite her hesitation to fully embrace it.

“We’re at a very good place,” said Perry. “However, I keep an open mind to any changes that may be needed.”

Fall 2014

Going WYLD

Continued from Page 1 was something they may take away from the trip without even realizing it,” Dempsey explained. “Considering it was the first year we attempted this trip, I believe that it was an overall success, and the students were able to come away from it having developed new skills and knowledge.”

Students had mixed feelings about the success of the trip. While some felt as though it was the perfect segue into their last year as a grade, others had difficulty crediting it to bringing them closer together.

Among those who felt it contributed to their grade’s closeness is current eighth grader Sam Perman.

“The trip gave us the chance to interact with each other outside of school,” Perman said. “Being able to experience new things together, like hiking and canoeing, allowed us all to strengthen our bonds with each other.

Those types of activities were the best part of the trip, and I would have liked to have had more of them.”

While Perman said he valued the successes of the trip, especially the parts that included adventure and nature activities, other students felt differently.

Fellow eighth grader Annie Epstein felt that several changes would need to be made in order to create an even better and more successful trip.

“I enjoyed being in the same tent as some of my closest friends,” Epstein said. “But I think that rooming with people that we may not have been as close with would have helped to better achieve the mission of the trip.”

She also expressed that being separated into groups that remained the same throughout the duration of the trip worked against its social goals.

“I was around the same group of people throughout the entire day,” she said. “if the groups changed multiple times we would have been able to interact as a grade and not as a group.”

Dempsey agreed with the changes that several of the students suggested.

“Since this was the first year the trip happened, there were bound to be some issues and things that would require improvement,” he said. “Having three nature activities instead of two would be ideal. Potentially having rotating groups and mixing up the tents would both be great additions as well.

The reason they were not incorporated this year was simply because it was the easiest thing to do, and we stuck to easiness and simplicity for the trip’s first run. We wanted to do our best to keep the students comfortable, as they would already be sleeping in a tent on the ground.”

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The Mane Event

Fall 2014

News

In light of Ebola scare, RSS, New Yorkers retain apprehensions Ezra Stern, Photography Editor

In the past year, Ebola has swept across West Africa, infecting thousands, and now it is moving to the U.S. and Europe. The plague has worried heads of states, citizens, hospitals, and now, even the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is worried that U.S. hospitals are not doing their best to prevent the fatal virus.

Within the last few months, the first European person, a nurse, was infected in Spain, and around the same time, two American nurses in Dallas, TX were infected by the deadly disease. People across the world are wondering what organizations like the CDC will do to prevent the disease from spreading to other

areas of America and Europe, as well as South America and Asia.

Rafael Martinez, a foreign language teacher, said he hasn’t “been in touch with the news lately” but has the sense that things are under control.

“I think [the CDC] are doing whatever they can to prevent the disease,” he said.

Like others in the U.S. and non-infected areas, Martinez is not fully informed on the subject. When people are not informed, they may not know the actual threat level of the disease, causing rumors and speculations.

The first reported case of Ebola in Europe was scrutinized in

part because the Spanish government ordered the death of the nurse’s dog, saying it may have contracted the virus. As Spanish men suited up into hazmat gear, protesters signed petitions, made posters, held rallies for the dog’s life, and even tried to bar the police from taking the dog, standing in the way of police cars and rioting. The dog-lovers were pleading with the Spanish government until the last minute.

Scores of Spanish citizens, and other people outside of Spain, wondered whether taking the dog’s life was necessary. Others speculated whether or not the Spanish government knew enough to make an informed decision on whether or not the dog should be put down. After all, its owner was not: she later left the hospital free of the virus.

When Nina Pham, a nurse working in Dallas, Texas, contracted the disease after treating Eric Duncan, a Liberian man who had Ebola, she was quarantined along with everyone else who came into contact with him.

The CDC once again slipped into its airtight hazmat suits and with the help of bleach spray and armed guards, sterilized Pham’s home.

Pham’s Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bentley, was extracted from the house and was quarantined as a precautionary measure, though he was eventually released.

After the first reported cases in the U.S.,Craig Spencer, a doctor in New York, was found to have the virus. He had already rode on the sub-

New Technology Program

around, like a lot of kids in my grade do,” Portnoy said.

Eighth grader AnaBella Kalish said that the iPads would be a “positive change” for the school.

“I think the one-to-one program will help everyone become more efficient and organized because we will not be forgetting material,” Kalish said. “The iPads also give teachers more resources because they can use apps and programs that cater to the curriculum.”

This year, RSS has expanded the use of the 3D printers in the library and in room 204, through the sixth and seventh grade digital arts curriculum.

In a change from the past, the seventh grade is no longer learning

how to use Garage Band; instead, 3D printing is taking over.

While Kalish said she enjoyed learning about Garage Band, she thinks that seventh graders can benefit from learning about 3D printing.

“I loved the Garage Band program and thought it was lot of fun, but 3D printing will be a more worthwhile experience,” she said. “Garage Band has been around for a very long time and 3D printing is recent in schools.

Integrating it into the curriculum will allow students to make more creative projects.”

Portnoy agreed with Kalish and looks forward to the new curriculum.

“I have done 3D printing be-

way and gone bowling. This caused a small panic throughout the local and federal government, as well as among citizens of New York.

Dr. Ira Breite, a practicing physician at Westside Medical associates said he is not worried about the spread of Ebola for a number of reasons.

“There is no Ebola in America, there are only cases of American nationals that came to America from Africa with Ebola. The majority of cases are of Americans that were treating others abroad that have the right to be treated here if they want,” Briete said.

“I’m not very worried about Ebola in America.”

Although some people are not worried about Ebola, others are troubled by the disease’s ability to spread. A number of students at Rodeph Sholom School thought that the CDC wasn’t doing enough to prevent entry of the virus.

Asher Tigay, an eighth grader, said that the CDC could be more actively ensuring Americans’ safety.

“I’m not seeing anything in the news about the government trying to stop it,” he said. “I can only assume that they’re not doing anything to prevent the spreading of Ebola.”

Since Ebola hasn’t been at the top of the current news cycle, people all across the United States have been forced to use prior information to decide if the very organization that was formed to protect them from such a deadly virus is doing its job to keep Ebola at bay.

Continued from Page 1

fore and it was very interesting to learn about all the different ways you can work with the printer,” he said. “I think it will be much more interesting than garageband, which most kids in our grade already know how to use.”

This year students in grades six through eight have also received school emails. However, the fifth grade was not given emails. Digital Arts teacher Vanessa Miller explained why this is the case.

“We did not want to overwhelm the fifth grade,” she said. “They already had to go through a rather large transition from elementary to middle school.”

Kalish said that she’s not yet sold on the email addresses.

“I do not feel any more comfortable with the new email system,” she said. “It is more of a hassle because I have to go out of my way to get to the website when I could be using my original email.”

Katz said, however, that he believes there are benefits of having a separate school email.

“It’s important for students to have emails just for school because we can better control and monitor school email and if there is a time when a student is not using their resources appropriately, we can help them learn from that experience,” Katz said. “Another reason is that most adults have a separate email for work and a separate email for private matters, including me, so we want to

teach students to form that same habit and prepare them.”

Katz also described what technology-related achievements he has made since he began working at RSS.

“The biggest goal that I have achieved since I came here a little over a year ago, was to get more teachers learning about technology and thinking about how they can use it in their classes,” he said. “We’re also making sure that our school is keeping in touch with all of the new things that are possible with new technology.

A lot of teachers do professional development by going to conferences to learn about what comes next and think about what we can bring into the school.”

Katz said he believes that “students should know how to use a keyboard efficiently so that they can easily take quick notes and produce words as fast as they can think of them.”

Other than typing, RSS has other skills in mind that graduates should know.

“By the end of the eighth grade, students should know how and when to use different devices, how to use technology safely, appropriately, and privately,” Katz said. “Students should also know how to frame their digital research to get a manageable amount of information and be able to select the relevant information.”

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The Mane Event

Fall 2014

News

Redesigned clubs system offers full year commitment, emphasizes new goals Alex Buzali, Staff Writer

Why have clubs changed so much in the past years? Students and teachers at Rodeph Sholom School have been asking this question and, this year, as clubs head in a new direction, answers seems to be coming.

By far, the most significant change to clubs at RSS occurred two years ago. The old system consisted of fifteen to twenty different clubs, with six to eight people each. In addition, kids changed clubs at the end of each trimester. During last period on Fridays, kids would go to clubs.

Although they participated in the activity, club advisors sensed there was a lot of fooling around. The people in most of the clubs did the same thing every week, and students grew concerned that there was no real purpose to their clubs except to have fun and play around with friends.

Last year saw the start of a new system. This system differs from the old system in the sense that all clubs culminate in a large project that is worked on throughout the year, and the clubs are taken more seriously. In addition, they are a lot

larger, with smaller subgroups within each club.

English teacher Evan HaineRoberts, an advisor to the movement club, offered an explanation as to to why these changes took place.

“Before, clubs were like a video game, with kids going to clubs and playing the same level over and over again each Friday,” he said. “I think that the purpose of clubs is to guide students’ exploration of new areas, but in a less academic and more exploratory environment. I think every teacher would be happy if a kid walked away from their club with an idea of what the topic is about and whether they would want to pursue it more.

Haine-Roberts added that he hopes the new take on clubs gives students a new experience.

“This purpose is being fulfilled, but I think kids are still adjusting to the fact that clubs work better if they let themselves care about it and invest themselves into it,” he said.

Josh Parness, an eighth grader, said that he sees the change

rather differently.

“I do not think that clubs have improved, because I feel that the old system of constantly changing clubs each trimester was a better way to connect with people in other grades and have fun at the end of the week.

Whereas now, the school takes clubs a bit too seriously and it’s not as enjoyable,” Parness said.

Parness said he’s not convinced by the new year-long commitment required by clubs.

“I think they changed the clubs system because they thought the new system would be a better way of learning teambuilding, but I personally believe that it has not made any improvements in this aspect,” he said.

One change made this year is the meeting times for groups that had to meet outside of the set clubs period. In previous years, the Newspaper Club, Glee Club, and Student Council have taken place during advisory and lunch, due to the lack of time for people to do both these clubs and the other commitments

they had during the clubs period.

Now, those meetings have changed to before school.

Those who want to engage even more in certain clubs can also attend optional meetings during the clubs every Friday.

For some, arriving to school at 7:05 in the morning might seem like a schlep. However, other students see the change in a positive light. Jay Robbins, a seventh grader who goes to the newspaper morning meetings and during clubs period as well as morning student council meetings, said she likes the new meeting times.

“I’m really happy that we don’t have to miss advisory anymore for newspaper or student council, because last year I missed a lot of advisory time due to these conflicts,” she said. “I think it’s great that I can work in both the Wednesday morning and the Friday afternoon periods because I can get more work done, write more articles, and I think it makes people that are on the Newspaper more committed.”

84th street renovations change feel of lower school campus Sophia Mascialino, Associate Editor

When first graders came back to school in September, Rodeph Sholom School’s 84th Street building looked very different. Over the summer, the building, which houses students in Pre-K through first grade, was completely renovated. The old steep steps were replaced by accessible ramps, and glass windows were put in various locations as op-

posed to the smaller windows that did not allow much sun. The lobby was also redone, as well as many classrooms.

According to the Renovations Committee of RSS, these changes were made to make the building feel more welcoming. “[Our goal was to] match the reputation that we [the school]–and

our exceptional alumni– have earned over the last few years”, said eighth grade parent and Co-chair of the Renovation Committee Natalie Silverstein.

Every prospective family looking at RSS enters the 84th Street building to be interviewed, and is then given a tour. Because the outside of the 84th Street building is the first component that is seen by prospective families, the renovation committee felt that it was crucial for the look of the building to make a great first impression.

“We have long wanted our public ‘face’ to match the wonderful school inside our walls,” Silverstein said.

It was not just the outside of the school that was renovated to make families feel more welcome, but the lobby was completely redone too.

When people walk through the doors of the 84th Street building, they now walk into a “beautiful wide lobby, full

of light”, Silverstein said.

Although one goal of this renovation was to make a that impression on visitors, the main purpose of this renovation was to make the school a better place for the students and their families. The removal of the entrance stairs was made so that the outside of the building looks nice, but also to make the building more accessible for students with and without strollers.

“It is really hard for the kids to get up and down the stairs, especially when they have strollers,” said Mandy Wynn, RSS’ director of development, prior to the renovation.

Although these changes help the students at RSS, some of the major impacts on student life were the new facilities that were built over the summer.

“The Library, which was small, dark and located in the lower level, is now on the second floor, and has a big Continued on Page 6

Mulitple assessments test middle schoolers’ stress levels Roey Nornberg, Staff Writer

The clock strikes 10:20. It’s break time. Mobs of middle schoolers rush into the library, trying to cram the last pieces of important information for their tests the next period.

Test anxiety: just the words spark concern in students’ hearts. And once this short period of time is over, students drag their heavy feet into the class, dreading the upcoming assessment. This is the life of the common Rodeph Sholom School middle schooler.

Many students throughout the middle school feel the pressure of juggling homework, quizzes, and tests.

But is there really any way to change this? Is there still hope? And what do teachers and the administration have to say about this?

One of the more evident concerns of students throughout the middle school is the amount of tests and quizzes per week. Throughout the

day, murmurs of people asking their friends what grades they got on any given test that was given back just last period can be heard.

Along with those murmurs come groans of “I didn’t do so well” and “I failed! My life is officially over.”

Although these moans might not be accurate, these problems may be partially self-inflicted.

Fifth grader Sarah Shaw said that she “usually just studies for assessments the night before.”

But Shaw is not alone, as many other students have similar study habits.

According to faculty who has seen this kind of anxiety before, some students still need to learn to handle their stress in the most effective ways possible. Head of the Middle School Maxine Borenstein had a couple of helpful tips up her sleeve that may take away some of that stress from

students while they are preparing for a test.

“If a student is feeling anxious before the upcoming assessment, they should go to their advisors and make a plan with them to deal with the stress that they need help with,” she said. “If they need additional help, Dr. Stern, the school psychologist, can also offer tips to students to help to control these anxieties.”

Borenstein added that something as simple as asking an advisor to make a study plan could go a long way.

Seventh grader Ruby Kessler-Karp said she’s been using study plans for years. Kessler-Karp likes to “break [the studying] it up into sessions.” She’ll do around thirty minutes, and then take a fifteen-minute break, then another thirty minutes.

Study plans can vary throughout the grade or the subject, and if one

needs help coming up with the most effective way to study for them they should ask either their advisor of the teacher of the specific class. Another option, according to Borenstein, is the Action Center.

In addition, many students are unaware of the fact that there is a specific science and formula that teachers follow while planning an upcoming assessment.

“The administrators in the RSS Middle School and the teachers discuss what is a proper amount of tests a child can take per week so that the students can accomplish what we want them to achieve,” Borenstein said.

She added that teachers and administrators have a shared goal of wanting students to succeed, and that is not only limited to grades.

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The Mane Event

Fall 2014

News

Seeking diversity, differing perspectives, RSS students look to break the bubble Rachel Landis, Staff Writer

Over and over again, adults have told us to be welcoming to everyone; all races, religions, genders, and ethnicities should be treated equally. However, at an all Jewish school, we do not really get the opportunity to meet kids that are different than us in school.

Here at Rodeph Sholom School, everyone has a different personality, but we are all from the same roots. Most of us are white, Jewish, and have been so for many generations.

However, a handful of students do enough extracurriculars that aren’t connected to school to meet kids from different backgrounds.

Sixth grader Talia Skaistis, for instance, is on a racially diverse swim team.

“On my swim team there is a large variety of kids,” she said.

“There are kids with different religions, and different races, but we all get along. The diversity is great

because I get to hear a lot of different people’s opinions.”

Skaistis said she believes that it’s important for friend groups to have a wide variety of different kids in them.

“A diverse friend group is important because you can learn about others’ customs and daily life,” she said.

Eighth grader Michelle Steinberg does many after school activities, and gets her share of diversity there.

“I do many extracurricular activities, such as MMA [Mixed Martial Arts], that allow me to have a diverse group of friends with many different interests,” Steinberg said.

Steinberg appreciates the diversity outside of school because meeting people from different cultures, religions, and different mindsets is very important to her.

“Here in school, the whole student body is made up of people

just like us,” she said. “But once you leave school you are exposed to all the other types of people in the world, and you realize how small our religion really is.”

Margot Krauss is a seventh grader who also does a number of activities outside of school. However, she said that she doesn’t get as much exposure to other kids as she wishes she did.

“There isn’t much diversity in my extracurricular activities,” Krauss said. “It would be nice if I had more interactions with other kids, though.

Without meeting other kids we’re just in an Upper West Side bubble.”

Being a Jewish school it is hard for there to be a lot of racial, religious, and ethnic diversity. But students are still pushing for the school to help expose them to more cultures.

“Even though there aren’t many ways to do it, there are definitely some things that the school

could do to give us a more well rounded experience” said Krauss.

Steinberg agreed with Krauss and suggested incorporating activities that bring RSS students face-to-face with kids from different backgrounds.

“It would be hard to do, but there are definitely things that could make our community more diverse,” Steinberg said. “We could learn more about different religions and cultures like we did in sixth grade [history class]. That would give us a better understanding of those around us in modern times.”

Skaistis said she saw avenues for diversity in extracurricular activities.

“We could compete against other schools more,” said Skaistis.

“Instead of just sports, we could do science fairs and other academic events like that, or maybe the school could organize events where we can meet other kids.”

New positions, structure invigorate 2014-2015 student council Emily Bach, News Editor

On Tuesday, November 4, middle school students gathered in the gym to exercise their rights and vote for their student council officials.

New positions introduced this year led students to consider what they look for in a good leader.

This year, the cabinet positions changed slightly in order to create a smaller, more dedicated group of students serving as part of student council.

One of these changes is that there are no longer advisory representatives. Instead, student council will now consist of two representatives per grade, voted on by the individual grades. Further, the new position of press secretary has been added. This student will in charge of advertising, announcing events verbally at assemblies, and making posters for various events.

History teacher Noah Carlson, student council’s faculty advisor, said that because there are less class representatives than there were advisory representatives, “students who run for class representative are more interested, enthusiastic, and invested in that position.”

A number of students are glad that the smaller positions have changed.

“Advisory rep’s just sat at the meetings and could not contribute,” said Elizabeth Rosenthal, an eighth grader who served in student council for one year as advisory representative. “While other positions have a designated job, advisory representatives’ only job was to tell their advisory what was discussed. They had no active job during meetings.”

However, other students disagreed with Rosenthal and wish that advisory representatives still existed.

“I liked having a casual position where I could participate but did not have to make a large commitment,” said Annie Epstein, eighth grader and former advisory representative. “As an eighth grader, I did not have time to write a speech or make posters.”

Unlike the grade representatives, the press secretary position will be included in student council’s five core cabinet members. With the announcement of this position, a debate sparked among students on whether or not it mattered if the candidates were experienced with digital design.

Amanda Bosses, a seventh grader who ran for press secretary, said that even though she did not use photoshop outside of school, she “[has] a good imagination and can

learn” to use digital resources. Bosses said that the position fit her personality because she is an artistic and creative person, and that was more important than knowing how to use photoshop.

Unlike Bosses, eighth grader Daphne Darwish, the newly elected press secretary, has been making posters for student council for years.

She took after her brother, tenth grader Eitan Darwish, who made posters for student council before he graduated in 2013.

“What differentiates me from other candidates is that for the past few years I’ve been doing what the press secretary position does before it was an actual job,” Darwish said. “I know what it’s like to be in meetings and make posters.”

While seventh grader Preston Schoenberg agreed that experience can be helpful in student council, he described the benefits of electing a student who has never served before.

“I think it matters if there are inexperienced members on student council because they have new perspectives and ideas to change Rodeph Sholom School’s daily life,” said Schonberg, who also ran in the election.

Carlson said there is an upside to experience, however.

“The older students know the patterns and rhythms of the year,” he said. “They know what’s possible and what’s not possible.”

Other than experience, students also consider many factors when electing candidates.

Spencer Dickman, current eighth grade representative, said that “those who have lost and still pursue positions show determination, which is one of the qualities I look for in a good leader.”

Carlson described the type of student who make a the most of his or her role.

“A successful council member is someone who is organized, responsible, shows up, and contributes to meetings, reports back to their constituents, and is willing to consistently work,” he said. “That could be an eighth grader, a seventh grader, a sixth grader, or even a fifth grader.”

In his presidential speech, eighth grade candidate Alex Buzali mentioned what qualities he believes a good leader should have. He said that “student council needs a president who meets every deadline even earlier than it is set.”

Jenna Freiberg, a seventh grader who was treasurer last year, said that a sense of responsibility is important when it comes to student council.

“Student council is a lot of fun but you have to take responsibility of what you’re in charge of and take a lot of your time outside of school to work on upcoming programs,” Freiberg said.

New President Shade Mazer, an eighth grader, shared her goals for the year in her presidential speech.

“I know we have greater potential as a student body and council, and reaching that potential will be my goal as president,” she said.

New council members said they shared Mazer’s sentiments and look forward to seeing what the newly designed council is capable of accomplishing in the year to come.

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The Mane Event

Fall 2014

News

Breaking down break...

Library noise levels, crowded locker room present mid-morning dilemma Jack Braun, Staff Writer Bags are strewn across the locker room floor, the fruit baskets on both floors have been depleted, the library’s computer cart is empty, and students are everywhere; it must be break time.

Aleah Dacey, middle school librarian, said she sees this scene daily and has an idea of why the library can be such a popular place for students to congregate.

“The library is students’ first place to go, because it is a multi purpose space where kids can sit down, have access to computers, and meet [with teachers],” Dacey said. “[Kids have] many different visions of what break should be.”

Talia Falkenberg, a sixth grader, pointed out some people are taking advantage of break.

“It’s too loud in the library because people are playing games on their computers and not doing work,” she said. “That’s a bad idea because other people need those computers for work, printing, or a study hall.

Dacey agreed with Falkenberg that the misuse of computers can be a problem.

“There is a difference be-

tween using computers for an intellectual activity [versus] using a computer for a social activity,” she said.

But students who use the computers for the latter say that they need the mental release. Leo Portnoy, a seventh grader, said that he plays computer games during break as a form of relaxation and that he hasn’t tried to disrupt anyone.

“I play on a computer to take a break from classes,” said Portnoy.

“I [only] work on the computer when I need to.”

Noah Carlson, fifth grade advisor and sixth grade history teacher, acknowledged that everybody has a different view of break, and that could be just what break is.

“Morning break should be a genuine break [for students],” Carlson said. “If students simply hang out or play [games] or read a book or talk with their friends, that’s what break’s for.”

But Carlson also noted that break can appear to be out of control.

“It gets pretty loud in the [library],” said Carlson. “I know that it’s a space in which students and teachers meet and so conversations are hap-

pening, but there are other students there who are just [talking].”

Zan Kramarsky, an eighth grader, disagreed with Carlson’s belief that the library is unnecessarily loud, and said that the volume in the library is purposeful.

“I think the library is a good place for studying or working, unless you are one of those people that needs a quiet place to study; that [place] is definitely not the library or action center,” Kramarsky said. “[It is] pretty loud with all the kids getting their work done [and collaborating]. But the library is loud for a reason: a lot of things are happening; kids [are] getting their work done.”

Dacey, however, tried to bring both sides to reason.

“It is definitely a concern that the library is too loud, [but] if you are having any conversation whatsoever, [the library] is going to be a loud place,” Dacey said. “We could get noise cancelling headphones.”

Until then, she said, the noise level is unavoidable.

“There’s just no other place in the school that can fit this many students,” Dacey added. ““The library will

84th street renovations window seat and all new shelves and seating”, Silverstein said.

The library now provides students with a livelier and brighter space for them to learn in, which encourages the students to come into the library with an excitement to read. Similarly, the art room has also been moved to the second floor and has much more light now.

According to committee mem-

bers, the new facilities have benefited all students in that building. They give the students lots of room to learn and enjoy their days at RSS. Beyond the value of learning, however, another priority to RSS is safety. The school feels it has an obligation to keep its students and faculty safe, and this obligation played a major role in many decisions about the renovation, made by the renovation committee.

be the first place where kids go [during break, and] students have access to computers.”

Another arising problem is the tight spaces and corridors that break is held in, Falkenberg mentioned.

“Break shouldn’t be too crowded in a specific place so you can just [go with] your friends to talk,” said Falkenberg.

Dacey said she sees Falkenberg’s point.

“People can definitely congregate in the locker room, but that’s not a really functional work space,” she said. “The middle school lobby, however, is a great space to go for break.

The only other solution to think of is finding another space for people to congregate in.”

Dacey also commented on her own opinion of break.

In the end, though, students like Portnoy, have a fairly simple view on break and aren’t sure it should change.

“I like to relax.” Portnoy said.

Adding, “with a computer.”

Continued from Page 4

As part of the renovations, a decision was made to limit the signage of the school name and logo on the inside of the school.

“There is a nice large version of our logo on the front doors of the school,” said Silverstein, but this logo is not as bright and conspicuous as previous signs outside of the school.

Silverstein also explained that this does not mean RSS is not proud to be a Jewish school, but that, in-

stead, safety comes first.

In addition to the limited signs, the front doors are also double locked, and are extra thick to increase the security.

Whether it is smarter security, updated facilities, or increased accessibility, committee members agreed that RSS has made a major effort to make the school a better place in a number of ways this school year.

Seven Ways to Make a Difference this Holiday Season (and Beyond)

Emi Silverstein, Senior Staff Writer

The holiday season is a time when most people in New York City turn to several organizations to provide food and basic necessities to get themselves through the winter. Here are eight easy and inspiring ways to get involved with a number of those organizations and help them achieve their goals.

1. Last year, winter lasted way longer than expected, and many people were left out in the cold with no winter jackets to keep them warm. For over twentyfive years, New York Cares has recognized this problem and taken action.

Donate new or used winter coats to make sure that someone else will stay warm this winter, no matter how long it may be, to the New York Cares Coat Drive. Donation locations are located all over the city so check out newyorkcares.org/coat-drive to find locations and for more information on how to get involved.

2. Do you have a passion for running, and want to use your talent for something positive? Or are you always sitting on the couch watching TV at home and want to be more active, but nothing is motivating you? While there are plenty of walkathons around, if running is not your thing, donate a new pair of running shoes to children in underprivileged areas, which they can use during the running programs that New York Road Runners Youth Program provides. The whole event will go to help children in poverty get active and feel more confident.

3. In their elderly age, some Jewish people have no one to celebrate the upcoming holidays with. To make sure these people are not alone, DOROT stepped in to match other Jewish families with them to spin the dreidel, eat some latkes, and lights the candles during this Hanukkah. When matched with an elderly person, you are given a Hanukkah bag that is filled with goodies for the host. Check out dorotusa.org to find out more. Spaces are limited, so if you and your family wish to help out, you must register immediately.

4. The Pajama Program provides a warm pair of PJs and a new storybook to children living in group homes, shelters, and temporary housing who are awaiting adoption. They collect new pajamas for children sized infant to teen, and new books for children and young adults. The winter is considered “Danger Season” for the Pajama Program, when temperatures begin to drop and children in need are more vulnerable. The Pajama Program has a goal

of providing “One Million Good Nights” to kids in need by December 31, 2015. Visit www.pajamaprogram.org for more information about making a donation or starting your own PJ/book drive.

5. Around the holidays the need for donations to help the hungry and food insecure families is at a critical point. To help make sure every family has a stocked fridge in the cold of winter, you can organize a food drive. This is a very simple way to get the word out about food insecurity and help those who are less fortunate. You can organize one in your building or at your home and spread the word through social media. Or, if you are hosting a party, ask that your guests bring canned or boxed food. Two organizations that would love your donations are City Harvest and The NY Common Pantry. You can find out more by going to both of their websites.

6. At Rodeph Sholom School, each classroom has very expensive supplies within it. Most schools in America are unable to afford such luxuries, and teachers find themselves buying supplies with their own money. Donors Choose is a website that allows you to give teachers the funds they need to help their students succeed. There are so many different projects that you can choose from, including buying Play-Doh to funding iPads and other technology, and the amount you want to contribute is up to you. An even better idea is giving a Donors Choose gift card as a holiday gift to friends or family, so that they can decide what classroom receives their donations. For more info, or to contribute, head to donorschoose.org.

7. The holiday season is a time when people buy and receive gifts from close friends and family. Well why not make that tight knit circle of people a little larger by giving a gift to a child in need, and in return receive the joy of knowing that you made a child’s dream come true? You can do this through an organization also run by New York Cares, called Winter Wishes. You can either fulfill a dream through The Journey of a Letter or through Amazon Smile. The Journey of a Letter consists of receiving a letter from a child in need indicating what they would like for Christmas, buying and wrapping the present, and sending it directly to the child’s home. Completing a wish through Amazon Smile can be done easily, because it is formatted like a wish list and can be shipped directly to the child in need. For more information on how to make a wish come true head to newyorkcares.org/winter-wishes.

Page 7

The Mane Event

Fall 2014

Opinion/Editorial

Into the great unknown...

Staff Editorial

The Role of Student Council in American Politics A candidate recites her speech. All she can think is: Wow. Are they even listening to me? I mean, I straightened my hair for this... at least look like you care. Who am I kidding? I knew it would end up like this.

When students give their speeches, are people actually listening? Do you actually care about what candidates have to say, or is it simply a popularity contest? In middle school, everyone thinks the problem is that people vote for their friends; however, there is a much greater problem that extends beyond our middle school elections here at Rodeph Sholom School.

When you vote for your friends, you’re making the assumption that you agree with all of their opinions simply because you like them as people.

That seems pretty self explanatory, but the matter is more complex.

In real world politics, there are two main parties: the Democrats and the Republicans. When adults vote for a Democrat, many believe they must agree with all Democratic beliefs, when in reality they might have some opinions that cross party lines.

For example, Democrats typically believe that same sex marriage should be legalized, while many Republicans do not. Some people may agree with Democrats on marriage equality rights, but also share the Republican opinion on the topic of taxation policies. No one truly believes in everything one party believes, and in nothing the opposing one believes--the same way you don’t necessarily agree with every single one of your friends’ beliefs.

Our elections, then, are a microcosm for what goes on in the outside political world.

When we vote for our friends, we most likely already made that decision before hearing any of the speeches. Similarly, when an adult decides he is a member of one party, he may dismiss the opposing party’s candidate before even hearing the campaign platform. This is because there are certain Democratic and Republican ideals that certain people agree with and, therefore, they believe that they will always agree with those ideals so they must always remain loyal to their party and vote for their candidate.

Similarly to always siding with one’s political party, in middle school ‘politics, many people want to be loyal friends more than then they want to be responsible voters and citizens of our community. We’re too stubborn to realize that it is possible to agree with a different candidate--one who might not be a good friend, but would make a good leader.

Furthermore, during the speeches, you might be thinking that your vote doesn’t really matter, because Student Council doesn’t even do anything. Well, that is not entirely true.

Although Student Council has a limited impact on our school, the overall voting process is a learning experience for both the candidates and the voters. It’s an excellent opportunity for younger students to become inspired to run in future elections at RSS or even in high school. It could also serve as inspiration for a career in politics later in life.

For the voters, it’s about acquiring the skills to listen and consider other people’s ideas; to actually understand what someone would do for the student body and understand what kind of person he or she is. That’s the learning experience.

Student Council has the potential to have an impact on students’ views towards their friends, candidates, and politics in general. So the next time you vote, try to listen, and think to yourself: what do I really want from a governing body and what kind of person best matches my true beliefs?

Although many will adhere to their friends or remain loyal to their parties, with a more open mindset, both the United States and middle school governing bodies could become more accountable and, ultimately, more effective.

Surviving the wild with WYLD Katie Fine, Edtor in Chief As I strolled past the pen aisle, overflowing shopping cart in front of me, mom to my right, I started to think about the next few weeks.

They would be spent savoring my last moments of summer, anxiously preparing for my final year at the Rodeph Sholom School, and even thinking about high school. I spent a good minute letting this all sink in, completely ignoring the chaotic scene of back-to-school supply shopping at Staples. Surprisingly, it was quite a pleasant moment, until I heard a loud “bing”.

I was quickly brought back to reality by the piercing sound and my mom’s persistent tapping on my shoulder. I immediately responded “What?” and picked up the first pack of pencils I saw. My mom told me that the “bing” was the sound of yet another RSS email. I could only guess what this one was about; perhaps the attendance policy, or an early reminder to schedule parentteacher conferences. However, to my surprise, I was wrong. It was an email I had never seen before, starkly captioned “WYLD”.

I swiftly parked my cart in place as I was overcome with a newfound curiosity. I grabbed the phone out of my mom’s hand, perhaps a little too aggressively, and swiftly opened the email. It explained that the eighth grade would be going on a three-day, two-night camping trip to Harriman State Park. My eyes continued reading on, but I was already reluctant.

It lost me at the word “camping”. For those of you who know me, I am not a camper; not one bit! I don’t hike; I don’t sleep in a tent; I don’t even like sleep-away camp. How was I supposed to survive full-on camping (not glamping people, but camping), with 40 other people?

I immediately told my mom I couldn’t go. What were they thinking?

What was the point? I was already too busy to stop everything for camping. Once school began, these questions were on every eighth graders minds. They were finally answered when Mr. Dempsey, the trip’s coordinator, explained to us that this camping trip was both a test and a gift.

All I could think was: Great, yet another test and it’s only the second week of school. I couldn’t even imagine how this was a gift. He went on to explain that this was our first challenge, as an eighth grader; that we would go three days without phones, without the pressure of high school admissions, and away from

our normal routine lives.

Questions filled my mind: How would we work together? What we were capable of? How would we survive for three days without our phones?

As I reflected, I began to see my school’s reasons for wanting us to go, but my fear and hatred of camping was still all I could think of.

I spent those next few weeks nervously packing and gathering enough supplies to last me weeks stranded in the wilderness.

Eventually, the day came.

I admit, I had been trying to catch my brother’s cold all week in hopes of being kept home, but my efforts failed. There was nothing I could do at that point. I would have to tough it up. And so I trudged along, duffel in one hand, sleeping bag in the other, almost looking like I knew what I was doing.

About an hour later, we had arrived. Although I was only 45 miles from the city, I felt like I was on the other side of the world. I reluctantly stepped off of the bus and looked at what was around me. That was the thing though, there was nothing. I knew it was going to be a long three days.

After a short hike, we arrived at our campsites. Our first task was to set up our tents. I had no idea how to do this, but if I wanted a place to sleep, I was going to have to try.

After experimenting with different poles, coverings, and pins, my friend and I had finally figured it out. First task complete (almost adequately!).

I was then asked to help prepare dinner. Now this was something I was more familiar with. As I stacked the apple juice cartons (yes, they gave us juice), I began to relax a little. Everything was going pretty well so far and I wasn’t going to mess that up.

The rest of the night was relatively easy to handle. We had a campfire, ate some s’mores, and told some stories. The whole grade agreed, it had been a really fun night.

Now, it was off to bed, even though I would be sleeping on the ground.

Then, my friends and I, naturally, had to go to the bathroom. We searched for it, and unfortunately, were led to it by the horrid smell of I don’t even want to know what. I ran in and quickly ran out! I was definitely not in Kansas anymore.

Needless to say, the next few days I did not dare enter those “bathrooms”.

Continued on Page 13

The Staff of The Mane Event

Co-Editors in Chief Katie Fine Sam Lipin Section Editors Emily Bach, News Arianna Carpati News Daphne Darwish, Entertainment Evan Glick, Sports Shade Mazer, Features

Staff Writers Jack Braun Alberto Buzali Alex Buzali Camila Dangot Kayla Eichmann Romi Hera Nicole Kagan Rachel Landis, Senior Writer Ariella Mendal Roey Nornberg Yulia Pleasant, Senior Writer

Halley Robbins Julia Robbins Cleo Rosen Alexa Schwartz Emi Silverstein, Senior Writer Nate Simon Sophia Wallick Tallisker Weiss Associate Editor Sophia Mascialino

Photography Ezra Stern Art Camila Dangot Romi Hera Faculty Advisors Corey Dempsey Cory Schneider

Page 8

The Mane Event

Fall 2014

The Side Dish

RSS Alumni take “Real World” by storm Nicole Kagan, Staff Writer Maybe it’s because of the many, many extracurricular activities that clog their afternoons, but a number of Rodeph Sholom School alumni have gone off to pursue very interesting and diverse careers all around the country. From professions in writing to art to music and even returning to RSS to teach,, these alumni have worked hard to get where they are today and often thank the school for setting them on those paths.

Tess Leibowitz, an RSS graduate of 2004, moved to California to pursue her career in creative writing, and is now the showrunner’s assistant on the new hit ABC show How To Get Away With Murder. Essentially, she is the right-hand woman to Pete Nowalk, the creator of the series and its head writer.

“RSS gave me the best foundation I could ask for,” she said. “ I learned I loved writing at RSS. It was a safe place to start exploring creative writing, and learn to tell stories on the page.”

Leibowitz went on to attend Riverdale Country Day School and transferred to Westhampton Beach High School. Then she went to George Washington University, where she majored in Communication, and minored in Creative Writing. Leibowitz said she always knew she wanted to have a job involving television, and got to participate in GWTV (George Washington Television), which provided a firsthand experience with how

the television business works. This helped expand Leibowitz’ knowledge of television and gave her the right level of expertise to get where she is today.

For Leibowitz, RSS is the place where her interest in a career as a writer first developed, and she has never forgotten about her experience here.

She said that RSS provided a starting point for her career as it has for many other alumni as well.

Second grade teacher and former RSS student Sophie Mortner said she has always felt a real connection to RSS--so much so, that she decided to come back and teach here. Mortner decided to come back to RSS because she loved school, it’s welcoming community, and its great teachers.

“My teachers inspired me to work in education,” she said. “I felt good about this community. It made me feel good about education and working with kids so I wanted to come back.”

After Mortner graduated from RSS, she went on to Abraham Joshua Heschel for high school. Then she went to Oberlin College and got her

bachelor degree in sociologMortner said she first realized that she enjoyed working with kids in high school, when she would tutor and babysit them. Throughout college she taught abroad, in public schools in her college town, and in the summers she taught underprivileged kids in Harlem.

In the future, Mortner said she would like to start teaching internationally, working with kids in different countries that are living in poverty and don’t have access to schools or books. Although Mortner is still figuring out what exactly she wants to do career-wise, she knows that whatever it is, it will involve education, and that

The Time Warp

is all a big thanks to RSS. Another group of interesting alumni who got their start at RSS are the Bailen family members.

The family consists of two twin brothers, David and Daniel, and their sister, Julia, who are all in a band together. Along with their good friend Pierre Piscitelli, they formed The Bailen Band. They have been playing music and writing songs with each other since they were five years old.

With both cover songs and originals, they go on tours around the world.

The Ballens’ parents, Eliot Ballen and Susan Rotholz, are music teachers at RSS. Eliot Bailen is a cellist and offers after school music lessons. He also composes songs for the yearly fourth grade Midrash Hour production.

Daniel Bailen recently reconnected with the school, and as of this year, he offers an after school bass guitar lesson for the RSS students.

Together, these alumni agreed that RSS helps its students explore different desires and ideas of where they could one day end up.

“I have countless memories of RSS,” said Leibowitz. “In a way, a lot of who I am and the goals I set for myself were probably shaped by RSS.” Katie Fine, Edtor in Chief

Digging up the pop culture treasures you should be consuming

In the past few years, binge-watching has become incredibly popular. Instead of watching shows that are premiering now, people like to watch entire series of older shows on websites like Netflix.

This issue, we celebrate the opening of a, limited time, SoHo cafe that brought on nostalgia by the boatload and reminded us that even when the rain starts to fall, our Friends will be there for us.

Twenty years ago, a group of six friends graced TV screens as they tried to survive as twenty-somethings living in New York City. This iconic and immensely popular show was Friends. After obsessing over this show for years, fans still have hopes that there will be a reunion of some sort. And while that might still be far off, now, all Friends fanatics can sigh a sound of relief. Sort of.

From September 17 to October 18, fans could have sat on the same couch as their favorite friends, listened to hits such as main character

Phoebe’s infamous song “Smelly Cat”, and have a great cup of coffee all in a replica of Central Perk, the coffee shop from Friends.

Any devoted fan knows that the whole gang--Rachel, Ross, Joey, Monica, Chandler, and Phoebe--would hang out at Central Perk at least once an episode. (Rachel even worked there for a while.) So, it was only fitting to memorialize ten years of Friends by bringing back this coffee shop.

In the shop, fans could see various memorabilia from the show, such as Monica and Chandler’s wedding in-

vitations, as well as the original scripts from the show.

After walking through all of the memorabilia, fans could grab a cup of coffee just like their favorite characters would have.

The coffee was provided

by Eight O’Clock, a coffee company that’s over 150 years old, and was a free gift to all Friends fans who made it inside. There was also an opportunity to take photos on the original orange couch from the show, an iconic prop.

However, fans had to decide how desperately they wanted to get

into Central Perk, since the waiting lines were up to four hours long!

One barista working at the shop told fans in line that she had heard multiple stories about how much Friends had meant to various visitors, and had even witnessed a few proposals at the coffee shop throughout the month.

The pop-up Central Perk was not only a tribute to the show, but it seems it was a tribute to the devoted fans, as well.

Page 9

The Mane Event

Fall 2014

The Side Dish

Ready for the close-up...

Middle school film buffs dream of directing stardom, making it big Arianna Carpati, News Editor

Lights, camera… homework?

Though Hollywood may seem a far way from New York, plenty of Rodeph Sholom School students entertain possibility of writing or producing a film. Some are already well on their ways to becoming professional filmmakers and screenplay writers.

Seventh grader Nate Simon has a very strong interest in both writing and making films, and he spoke about how he found his inspiration.

“I heard about the movie Argo, and so many people kept talking about the script,” he said. “I saw the movie, and thought that writing didn’t seem too hard so maybe I should try it. I saw the format of the script and the way it was written, and I took a book I had read and started writing a script for it.”

As of right now, Simon said he shares his scripts and films that he has created with his friends, and takes classes in which he collaborates with others to make films.

Although he has not published any of his pieces yet, Simon said “ [he] definitely wants to write and make films when [he is] older.”

Fifth grader Dan Buzali is also devoted to filmmaking, although he does not write screenplays. He said he very much enjoys the editing and filming aspects of the film industry.

Buzali said that he does not write full screenplays, but does “come up with original ideas and then [pro-

ceeds to] film them.”

Buzali said he usually films his original ideas, but on occasion he will make a spoof of a movie or a book he has an interest in. He also said he enjoys stop motion animation, and it was the first type of film he made. Although, now he usually doesn’t make full stop motion movies., “I sometimes use an animation as an introduction to my pieces that range from two minutes to ten minutes long,” he said.

Filmmaking has been a hobby of Buzali’s since he was only nine years old, and he said he plans to continue to make films through high school, but is not sure if he wants to do it as a profession.

For those who are interested in pursuing filmmaking, however, there are many films being produced all around a vibrant city like New York. Recently, for instance, Ari Seth Cohen, photographer and producer, released his movie Advanced Style.

The documentary, also produced by Cohen, started out as only a simple blog online. However, once people started responding to it, it became more popular. Eventually it came to be a movie centered around six older women with style of all shapes and forms. Literally: hats and jackets in every pattern, shape, and size imaginable.

Cohen was inspired by his grandmothers, who taught him all about “style, culture and how to be a good person”. One of them once told him that “if [he] wanted to do something creative that [he] should move to New York City.”

Cohen first began to develop an interest in filmmaking and photography after his beloved grandmother passed away, and so he took her advice and moved to New York.

He began photographing older women because he “always had an affinity for older people [and] as soon as he arrived [in New York he] began to notice so many incredibly dressed, vital and creative older people living in the city.”

“This started out as a personal project, but [he] quickly realized that the people [he] was photograph-

What’s App? Sophia’s stellar smartphone suggestions Sophia Wallick, Staff Writer The Hunt

Geometry Dash

Girls, have you ever seen a picture of a dress online or a cute top on Twitter, but not known where to get it? The Hunt is the answer to your fashion problems! This free app is a social media site where you post a picture of an outfit, hairstyle, or other beauty item, and other people on the app will show you where to get what you are looking for. You can also browse the home screen, which shows what other accounts on the app have posted so you can look for things you like. You can also search for specific clothing items, enabling you can shop on the app! This app helps you get over your fashion envy and turn your closet into the envy of others.

If you’re looking for an addictive app to kill time, Geometry Dash is your game. Geometry Dash is a fun game with many different levels where you have to press your screen to jump over different obstacles. On each level there are two modes: practice and normal. In the practice mode, there are checkpoints every few seconds and then, when you die, it will start you at the last checkpoint.

In normal mode, though, when you die, you will have to be started from the beginning. As you get to higher levels, the levels get harder. This app is an absorbing game that is perfect to play on long car rides or to distract you from the more pressing things in life… like homework.

ing had the power to shift our perspective on aging and show how we can be vibrant throughout our lives,” Cohen said.

Although at first filmmaking was a hobby, as it is for most students, as Cohen became more involved with the film business and Advanced Style gained more popularity, he had to change his approach a little bit.

When he first came to New York, he simply asked to “borrow [his] roommate’s camera and began to photograph and interview stylish seniors on the street.”

However, once more people began to follow his blog, he took a photography class and got a new camera.

He was able to learn by looking at photos that intrigued him and figuring out how to capture the photograph he wanted.

The process was not always easy, and Cohen had to find an efficient way to publicize his photography.

“At first I sent it out to my friends and family members,” he said.

“I started thinking about how the fash-

ion and lifestyle media ignored older people and eventually drafted a press release with photos from my project which I sent to hundreds of editors.

A year later The New York Times responded and wrote an article on my blog”

Cohen had some advice for

aspiring filmmakers; people have to be prepared for all of the aspects of filmmaking, whether they are positive or negative.

“Find a subject matter that is really engaging,” he said. “You also have to work with a great team and realize that there are a lot of ups and downs to the filmmaking process.”

Hot summer movies become ideal choices for cold winter nights Nate Simon, Staff Writer

Along with sunshine, free time, and lots of heat, this past summer brought with it many interesting movies. Now, as winter break approaches, these are the films worth considering during the cold nights ahead.

Marvel’s Guardian’s of the Galaxy was one of the biggest movies of the summer. Guardian’s of the Galaxy was a witty action-adventure about a child from Earth who was kidnapped by aliens. The child grew up as one of the aliens and called himself Starlord. He became a criminal across the Galaxy and got himself wrapped up in an imminent war.

It follows the same basic plotline of The Avengers; a group of very different people is brought together to defend humans from an alien invasion. Although the movie was a summer blockbuster, I found the movie a little boring, and to be quite frank, it was nothing new. I had already seen many movies like it.

Although boring, Guardians of the Galaxy was quite comical, with funny scenes sprinkled here and there. I also enjoyed the fact that it had an amazing soundtrack to complement it--all old 70’s music.

The Boxtrolls, based off of the book Here Be Monsters! by Alan Snow, was a charming, funny movie for kids and parents, alike. The Boxtrolls was a stop-motion movie about trolls who live underground in boxes.

These trolls are scavengers who go to the surface at night in a city called Cheese Bridge. One night, the Boxtrolls are accused of kidnapping and then killing a child, and a man named Archibald Snatcher tries to find and kill all of the boxtrolls.

The movie had a few very lovable characters... and a few not so lovable characters, including two henchmen who doubt their evil qualities.

The Boxtrolls is a movie disguised as a child’s movie, because of its wacky and jocular nature, but it had a greater moral about how people react to other people who are different. The movie teaches kids that even though not everyone is the same, you should still love everyone alike (unless they are evil henchmen).

The Hundred-Foot Journey is a movie about competing restaurants in the outskirts of Paris. A family from India moved to France after they’ve lost everything. This family used to own a restaurant in India and went to France in hopes of starting a new restaurant. As they drive in the outskirts of Paris, their car breaks down and they have to stay in a small town, leading them to find an old restaurant for sale. They buy it without knowing it was across the street from a Michelin star restaurant. The family then competes with the restaurant across the street for dominance.

The Hundred-Foot Journey is a sweet movie for the whole family. The romantic side of the movie complemented the background of France and its food. Moreover, the food looked amazing, so don’t see it on an empty stomach.

Although sweet, it was also sad at times because the family had lost someone when they were leaving India But, the movie quickly went back to making the audience laugh at the shenanigans that the two restaurants get into as they fight with each other.

The Mane Event

Page 10

Dressing for success...

Fall 2014

The Side Dish

High school interview attire: the do’s and don’ts Shade Mazer, Features Editor

The interview process isn’t always peaches and sunshine. Being able to choose a favorite outfit from J. Crew and Brooks Brothers can help make up for the stressful experience, however. Once the resume is printed and the talking points are rehearsed, check out these tips on how to rock any interview… look.

and the Gentlewomen:

For the Gentlemen...

Accessories and Makeup; Keep it Light

Tie It Up Try not to go too bulky or flashy with ties and remember that texture is essential. Pastel colors, while bright and fabulous for springtime b’nai mitzvah, may not go over too well in an interview. It’s best to go for simple sophistication on this one.

Take a Second for Socks To up the sock game, go with some classic argyle socks. Remember, everything counts in interview season. Try to match at least one color in the socks to a part of the outfit in order to validate style choices.

Ax the Body Spray This is a spawn of the devil. In all seriousness, try to not wear strong smelling cologne or perfume. Ever, really. But don’t rule out scents all together. Deodorant is still necessary, for one thing. Make it tasteful and not overpowering.

Don’t go overboard with jewelry or makeup, as a heavy hand might suggest superficiality or egotism. Self-representation is important, but sometimes too much really is enough. While it’s good to look well groomed, this can be done with minimal makeup. Keep makeup simple and pretty, and remember that a natural look is best.

Fancy Feet No laces allowed! Try to wear polished flats, ankle boots, or low pumps. These shoes are disaster proof. Trust this: on every tour, there’s more than enough walking for something to go wrong.

Don’t Skirt the Issue Try to get comfortable, but as put together as possible. Some skirts are just for fashion and aren’t appropriate for an interview, so test before buying. Suggested colors are ivory, charcoal grey, and other neutral colors. In general, try to avoid flashy and neon colors. If patterns are a personal favorite, be sure to have a solid color top. Feel comfortable and confident; however stay on the traditional side.

Thirty things to know about... the new middle school faculty Ariella Mendal, Staff Writer

This fall, the middle school welcomed three new teachers: fifth and sixth grade science teacher Amanda Carella, fifth grade Jewish studies and Hebrew teacher Emily Litvack, and fifth grade math and science teacher Mackenzie Merkel. As a kind of initiation, each lovely lady agreed to answer ten random questions to help students know them better.

Ms. Carella

Ms. Litvack

1. My favorite childhood memory was going to Prospect Park with my family.

2. My favorite animal is a Welsh Corgi (that’s a breed of dog).

3. My favorite subject (that I don’t teach) is English.

4. My pet peeve is when I’m washing the dishes and people put the dishes right in front of you or when people wash their hands when I’m doing the dishes.

5. I’ve had a bunch of cats, but my favorite cat was Bandit.

6. One of my favorite places to go is the library.

7. My favorite breakfast food is yogurt.

8. My favorite movie is Singing in the Rain.

9. My childhood role model was Charles Darwin.

10. My favorite ice cream flavor is coconut.

1. My favorite childhood memory was hiking up the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and seeing cool animals.

2. My favorite animals as a child were dolphins and horses.

3. My favorite subject (that I don’t teach) is Science 4. My biggest pet peeve in New York is when people get off the subway before you get on the subway.

5. I had a cat and her name was Kitty.

6. My childhood nickname was Em-sters.

7. My favorite breakfast food is yogurt and granola 8. My favorite movie are Sleepless in Seattle and When Harry Met Sally.

9. My favorite sports are swimming and running.

10. My childhood role model was Jane Goodall.

Ms. Merkel 1. My two favorite stores are J. Crew and Zara.

2. My favorite animals are cats, horses, and squirrels.

3. My favorite subject (that I don’t teach) is English.

4. My pet peeve is when people dangle their prepositions.

5. When I was younger, I had cats and dogs. I’ve had a horse since eighth grade--and I have a lizard!

6. My favorite breakfast foods are oatmeal and home fries.

7. My favorite movie is Edward Scissorhands.

8. I love watching tennis and volleyball.

9. My favorite ice cream flavor is mint-chocolate chip.

10. One of my childhood nicknames was Mac-merk.

Page 11

The Mane Event

Auto-tuned...

Fall 2014

Opinion/Editorial

Students judge musicians on appearances, lose sight of music Romi Hera, Staff Writer I glanced over at the television and spotted Nicki Minaj taking the stage at the MTV Video Music Awards. As she appeared through the bright green lights the crowd went wild, clapping their hands and shouting. While Nicki Minaj strutted across the stage, I noticed her sparkly, green bikini top and tight short shorts. The crowd cheered as Nicki began singing her most recent song “Anaconda.”

Both the song’s lyrics and Nicki’s disturbing dance moves were inappropriate for all audiences, especially for her younger fans.

Nicki Minaj and many other artists, attract fans by dressing in outrageious, and often alarming outfits, as well as creating attention provoking music videos. These tactics guarantee fame, popularity, fans, viewers, and media attention. This makes certain singers more popular than others and it’s not always for the right reasons.

Music fans around the world, including many Rodeph Sholom School students, show interest in an artist’s wardrobe and music videos instead of their voice and song lyrics.

To prove this, I selected two popular songs that were played often on the radio in the past year; Miley Cyrus’s “Wrecking Ball” and Sara Bareilles’s “Brave”. I asked fifteen RSS middle schoolers if they were familiar with these songs and they all replied “yes”. Next, I asked which music video they liked better and was surprised to

discover that 100% of the students had never seen Bareilles’s music video. However, when I thought about this, I realized that it made sense.

Ordinary music videos featuring the artist playing a musical instrument or strangers dancing, as they do in Bareilles’s music video, are no longer interesting to many children and adults People nowadays would rather watch videos, which include disturbing, insane, and strange content. An example is, “23” by Mike Will Made It, where Miley Cyrus is smoking cigarettes in a school bathroom. The actions portrayed in the video have a negative impact on fans and plant ideas and behaviors in follower’s minds. When unfavorable actions such as smoking are mentioned in a “cool” manner fans are more likely to copy those behaviors in attempt to be “cool”.

Seventh grader Ilana Golberg explained why she favors Iggy Azalea more than other artists.

“I really like her music videos”, she said. “Especially her one for ‘Black Widow’. It was just really crazy and you didn’t understand what was happening.”

After interviewing many students, I began to see a pattern in their responses. Most RSS middle schoolers admire singers due to their sense of style, behaviors, and crazy music videos, instead of their musical talent or the quality of their songs.

“What a singer wears is im-

portant because clothes catch people’s attention. If they don’t have a good sense of style no one will think they are cool”, sixth grader Caroline Press said. “If Katy Perry wore boring outfits, she wouldn’t catch people’s attention”.

Many other RSS middle schoolers share this opinion. They think that an artist should catch people’s attention with their unique outfits, but what should ultimately catch our attention is the artist’s voice.

In an ideal world, all musicians would be judged, not by the way they dress or look, but rather by their musical ability and the messages their songs portray. Musicians should be looked up to and admired for modeling positive behavior that helps make the world a better place. If this were the case we would see a lot more music videos and songs which inspire people to help feed the hungry, be healthy or help make the world a safer place.

If positive behavior was considered “cool”, then more people would be encouraged to model such behavior.

“Make A Wave” by Demi Lovato is a perfect example of a song that has a positive message that encourages fans to “go green” by doing things such as cleaning up the ocean and recycling. If this was the way we judged musicians, than maybe people in the music industry would no longer feel the need to glorify inappropriate behavior in their lyrics and music videos to gain attention. This would supply us with better quality music and better music videos.

Fifth grader Ari Sussman explained why he prefers Taylor Swift to other artists.

“She has really good songs,” he said. “I don’t really judge singers by anything other than their songs. I think

the only reason what a singer wears is important is if they present themselves well. I don’t like when singers wear crazy outfits.”

Many RSS students have watched or heard of a reality television singing competition named The Voice.

This show is famous for its one-of-akind blind auditions in which singers are tested for their singing ability rather than their appearance.

If this were the way everyone judged musicians, there would be more

artists with actual talent and not just physical beauty. This would shift the focus of the music industry away from the surface level appearances toward a deeper appreciation for the voice, the lyrics, and music. It might also provide more opportunities for those that are not physically beautiful in the traditional sense.

We RSS students need to learn how to look past music videos and singers’ attire and instead evaluate artists based on their musical ability, song lyrics, and the emotional impact a song has on us. If we approach music in this manner, we would all benefit by having music that has meaning and substance. We would be able to connect to the lyrics of these songs and appreciate these songs for more than just the appearance of the artists that sing them.

On the digital down low...

Savvy students seek social media privacy in wake of celebrity leaks Cleo Rosen, Staff Writer Over the past year, an influx of celebrity-based scandals has swept over the news. After a highly talked about iCloud hack, celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence, Kim Kardashian, Kate Upton, and Selena Gomez, among many others, fell victim to their private photos being spread throughout the internet. This caused outrage among Apple users who questioned the safety of the iCloud system and whether their own private information and photos are accessible to hackers, too.

If celebrities couldn’t keep their personal photos safe, users asked, then how could anyone?

This may have become a concern for some, but according to the Pew Research Center, still only 9% of teens show noteworthy concern over how private their social networking accounts are. According to the poll, the reality is that a majority of teenagers are either unaware or don’t care about their online safety. Case in point: the news is full of stories about teenagers getting into trouble because of the increasingly provocative photos they post.

As more and more of these celebrity photos are leaked, more and

more teenagers are exposed to the inappropriate nature of them. Growing up in a time where the Internet has always been a key part of society may sometimes lead to teenagers becoming desensitized to some of these important topics. An impressionable teenager may see a picture of his or her favorite celebrity in an inappropriate photo and think that it’s okay to take one of him- or her.

Scandals like the iCloud hacking situation, then, highlight the struggle is learning to be safe in an environment where it’s nearly impossible to be.

However, fortunately, in the Rodeph Sholom School community, not many scandals or issues with teens and their photos have surfaced.

This is mainly because RSS students are highly informed about the dangers of the Internet and how to stay as safe as possible, which sadly isn’t true for all teenagers.

Various RSS students from the middle school agreed that keeping social networking accounts private is very important, if not crucial, to being safe on the internet.

Nora Marcus, an eighth grade Instagram user, believes that teens should have “control over who follows them [and] who comments.”

Being aware of who can see your photos and comments can lead to smarter posting and talking online.

However, eighth grader Josh Parness, a slightly more infrequent Instagram user, said he believes that keeping an account private isn’t that important.

“Having a private account doesn’t really ensure that you’re safe, and having a public account doesn’t mean you’re at risk,”he said. “Either way you have to be careful about what you post.”

Despite an overwhelming majority of RSS students saying that it’s vital to keep an account private, Parnass brings up the question of just how much of a difference it makes.

To many, the quality of the photo is just as important as who sees it. And even photos from private accounts can get leaked.

Although I am a convert to private social networking myself, I can understand why having a private account can make you feel a bit more

secure. My main motivation to switch was, despite not having a big effect on your privacy, it’s much easier to keep track of and filter your followers and who can and can’t see your photos.

This may not guarantee safety, but sometimes awareness is just as important as safety, and perhaps they’re even the same thing.

A leaked photo from an RSS student probably wouldn’t be as big of a scandal as Jennifer Lawrence’s photos being leaked, but teenagers being safe on the internet is still extremely important, despite it’s difficulty.

Many people forget that social networking accounts are easier to access than they seem and you really never know who can see them. In fact, some high schools and colleges look at teenagers’ accounts and can see the photos they post now and have posted in the past. Remembering to post responsibly is crucial with or without a private account.

In the end, everything done on the Internet is permanent. So why not leave a positive mark?

Page 12

The Mane Event

Fall 2014

Editorial/Opinion

Americans, put your pride away...

Antiquated holidays require reform, modernization Julia Robbins, Staff Writer As we feast on sweet potatoes with marshmallows, douse our turkeys with gravy and cranberry sauce, and munch on green beans, we reflect on all the things we have to be thankful for. About 400 years ago, the Native Americans and European settlers joined together for the first Thanksgiving. This was quickly followed by an outbreak of deadly disease and the almost complete destruction of the Native American people.

Unless when we are dousing our turkeys with gravy, we are thinking about the unfair treatment that was heaped unto the Native Americans, or that the green beans represent how poorly the Natives looked because of the way they were treated by the Europeans, then we are not thinking about Thanksgiving or Columbus Day in it’s entirety.

Columbus Day commemorates the founding of the New World.

Christopher Columbus landed in the Bahamas in 1492, so of course we honor his incredible discovery in American history. Columbus did find the Americas and bring them into the light of Europe, right? Wrong! Well, he did bring the New World into the the eyes of Europe, but he by no means discovered the Americas in any way.

Some historians believe that Native Americans could have been inhabiting the Americas for some 10,000 years before Columbus ever docked in the Caribbean.

Thanksgiving lauds the bond between the Natives and the Europeans. The only problem with this is that the Europeans tortured, killed, and destroyed the Native American population and their land. They would cut off the Native American’s hands and then hang them around their necks. This is the truth of the matter, and it’s important to realize that American history is not all heroic and incredible.

All of this begs the question, why do we celebrate these holidays?

In my opinion, we probably shouldn’t, or at the very least, we should modernize these holidays so they stand for something worth celebrating.

I think that it is very important to have holidays that unite Americans all throughout the country, like Thanksgiving and Columbus Day. These holidays brings together families and friends.

Nonetheless, we should not be misidentifying these holidays, saying that they stand for the discovery of America, or the relationship between the Europeans and Natives.They should be celebrated for what they have come to represent; the coming together of family and friends and the recognition of our fortunes.

Many places in America, other than New York, have started to change their take on Columbus Day, and now have more historically accurate holidays.

Sadly, it is very unlikely that

New York will change its stance on celebrating Columbus Day in the near future.

One of the places that has changed their stance on Columbus Day is South Dakota. Instead of celebrating Columbus, they celebrate Native Americans in a holiday fittingly named, Native American’s Day. Having a holiday that celebrates an often forgotten culture seems like a much better way to go about things, than to celebrate the destruction of that culture.

Other places in America, like California, have their own customs on how they celebrate Columbus day, but the majority of America still celebrates Columbus Day traditionally.

One reason as to why most people still believe in celebrating Columbus Day is strictly tradition.

For many years, people have spent Columbus Day having barbeques at their country houses, going out to the park with friends and family, or just relaxing at home. And who am I to say that we should break these traditions?

The next reason is obvious: no school! Now I know that we all love school, but we still like to have our breaks, and Columbus Day gives us just that; a time to rest and reflect on why on earth we get a day off of school to honor such a terrible man.

As for Thanksgiving... we feast, we watch arguably the most famous parade in the world, and again we get off from school. Additionally, a

lot of people have added their own family traditions.

Jake Freeman, a sixth grader, shared a very interesting tradition he shares with his family.

“My family goes bowling because when you bowl three strikes, it’s called a turkey.”

This tradition seems very fitting with the theme of Thanksgiving and stuffing yourselves with turkey.

Another major traditions is football. On Thanksgiving, after we’ve gorged ourselves with turkey and stuffing, we gather in front of television and watch the traditional games.

Some families have even put together their own game.

The Friebergs, are one of those families. Jenna Frieberg, a seventh grader said, “We like to organize a Thanksgiving family football game for seven or eight different families at our Hampton’s house”.

But the best part part this tradition is that she “bakes all kinds of treats for the partakers in the game”.

In the end, Thanksgiving and Columbus Day have very little chance of being reborn into purer and more meaningful holidays, so the least we can do is recognize the impurities and make the holiday represent something meaningful to us.

We should also realize that a Native American’s float at the Macy’s Day Parade is not going to make up for history.

Vegetarians enjoy reasonable lunch options, picky eating habits get in the way Halley Robbins, Staff Writer

As noon arrives, some kids wait patiently on line leading into the cafeteria, while others groan. It is a meat day. Every meat day vegans and vegetarians face a major predicament. The question that arises is whether Flik, the school’s food provider, offer enough choices for kids who choose not to eat meat, and do kids take advantage of the foods they are provided with? Is the studentss palate at Rodeph Sholom School open enough?

Erica Coven, an eighth

grader at RSS, believes that there is a lack of options for vegetarians and “it forces vegetarians to have a bagel or a little piece of fruit instead of a good hot meal.”

The Head of Food Service, Chef James Fox, did not agree with Coven’s point of view and instead discussed the palate of the typical RSS middle schooler.

Fox, said that there is a reason why some kids do not like what they eat at school.

“Many types of food that kids

eat outside of school develop a palate for young kids based on sweets,” Fox said. “They associate [many] foods with sweets, and when they come to school and actually have really clean food, it doesn’t taste the same as what they might be used to.”

Based on Fox’s reasonings, if kids were to become more educated in the health of particular foods they eat, this might open up their palates and help them try healthier foods, like what Flik serves at RSS. In fact, Fox did say that lunchtime at school is really an academic period. Kids are learning how to eat in ways that may prove beneficial to them, partly because the chefs say they have worked very hard to sway the students towards more nutritious options.

From the perspective of a vegetarian student at RSS, the pros and cons of not eating meat at school was apparent, as well as problematic.

Sixth grader Phil Levin believes that there are enough options, because “there is a consistent base of salad, bagels, pasta, and vegetables.”

Agreeing with Levin, seventh grader, and vegetarian, Jenna Freiberg, said that for the most part, Flik has enough vegetarian options.

While Freiberg said that there is a lack of vegetarian hot meals, she does think that the pre made salads are a good option for vegetarians, and “there should be at least two pre-made salads everyday.”

Unlike Freiberg, who thinks that kids get enough nutrition through the salads, Coven believes that many students who don’t eat the hot meals are not getting enough nutrition.

Coven said that too many kids just eat bagels, and this is partly because some of the non-meat options are “too gourmet”. Some kids can be very picky about what they eat.

Although Fox tries to steer kids to more balanced meals, he does acknowledge the fact that some kids are picky and are not willing to be open when selecting which new foods to try, which is why Fox tries to stay positive with the kids, and does not want to intimidate them with food.

Fox said that another beneficial feature that Flik provides for vegetarians is that they display if there is dairy or meat on the menu so that it is visible for everyone in the cafeteria.

This allows vegans and vegetarians to know what is in each specific part of the meal. That way they don’t just assume that something has meat or dairy.

If Fox and the rest of the chefs keep encouraging kids to try new things, then the students might become more open to what they eat, and hopefully be more mindful about what is healthy for them in the future.

Page 13

The Mane Event Opinion/Editorial

Redskins controversy sheds negative light on storied NFL franchise Evan Glick, Sports Editor A new and long awaited trend has swept through sports, as players, owners, and franchises are being monitored more closely and held accountable for both their behavior and image.

Recently, for example, there has been a large debate and call for reform against the Redskins franchise as both their logo and name are strongly offensive to Native Americans. And, in light of Donald Sterling’s racist tirade, which was a prime example where disciplinary action was enforced, it’s clear that although sports sometimes seem to exist in an untouchable “realm,” their hurtful and offensive aspects need to be changed.

Historically, the Native Americans were treated cruelly through both the European settlement of North America through the early years of the United States. This connection is taught in the Rodeph Sholom School’s seventh grade American history course. In fact, History Department Chair Ira Glasser said that “all aspects of the life of Indigenous Native Americans pertaining to the establishment and livelihood of the United States of America are covered.”

Native Americans, although generally forgotten and disregarded, are ingrained in the history of our country. It’s for this reason that we need to be sensitive to our treatment and portrayal of them. Christopher Columbus, the man famed for discovering America enacted a mini-genocide on the Native Americans. Fast-forwarding past colonial times and the early years of America, Andrew Jackson’s policies uprooted them from their homes for economic gains. The Native Americans were forced on a death march from their land on what has now been deemed the “Trail of Tears.”

The Native Americans still

make up two percent of our population and are generally confined to small reservations given to them by the U.S. government. The history of the Native American people and the treatment of their culture, then, are not something to be mocked.

In the sports world, although many team names are not derogatory toward Native Americans, such as MLB’s Cleveland Indians, and the NCAA’s Florida Seminoles, their logos and team traditions often are. The Cleveland Indians’ mascot is named “Chief Wahoo” and presented as a stereotypical warrior, while the team’s fans are referred to as Chief Wahoo’s tribe and their version of cheering is the stereotypical Native American war cry.

For the Washington Redskins, their logo and team traditions follow the same tendencies as the Indians and Seminoles, but their name presents a further issue; Redskins is a racist slur.

“All of these teams glorify stereotyped Native Americans in elaborate headpieces with spears at hand,” said Glasser.

This image and mindset is plainly and clearly racist. This mindset presents an image of all Native

Americans as being tribes of violent warriors. Contrarily, Native Americans are a valued part of society and should be seen treated as equal, instead of belittled by tags placed on them by athletic franchises. Although many underplay and disregard the cruel qualities of the Redskins Logo and names, this is equivalent to an Israeli Basketball team with a picture of a Hasid with long pais as the logo.

As this heated issue has come to the steps of NFL executives, only small actions have been taken through the expulsion of the Redskins’ copyright. This act stays in the news for a week or two and then gets hidden by the constant flow of “more important” (or more recent) stories.

The only real solution is choosing a new team name.

This will eradicate, at least in this instance, another extremely racist term. The possibilities for a new name are endless and can invigorate a somewhat lacking team.

From this, though, arises a problem: sports teams, and especially football ones, pride themselves on their heritage. This spans the number of championships won to the number of hall of famers played on their team.

As such, the logo remains a staple of a historic and well known team. The only problem is that most are focusing on the wrong history: the superficial one surrounding the sports franchise rather than the ancestors of our country. This is merely laying salt in the already open wounds of constant discrimination and racism.

Instead of adding to this cruelty, the Redskins should be urged to change their name and educate the public on the cruelty of derogatory slurs they’ve perpetuated, as well as on the important history of Native Americans. With constant pressure on the NFL, one can only hope that something will be changed.

Addicted to phones...

New scientific research shows effects of iPhone use Tallisker Weiss, Staff Writer

Recently, I was running late to school and was freaking out about not having my phone. It was as though I had lost an arm and could not function without it. I realized then, I might have an addiction. To my phone.

According to sixth grader Alexa Schwartz, she has a difficult time being away from her phone.

“The longest I’ve ever been without my phone is about three hours,” Schwartz said.

Sixth grader Alison Gorman, is similarly troubled without her phone, although she once said she managed an entire day without it.

So, why is that little box with the lights and apps so important?

“I love the games and social media. My phone is just like one of my friends,” Schwartz said.

While our phones can certainly improve our lives and provide us with important information, they can also become a very dangerous distraction. Texting while driving has become a major issue in the United

States. In 2011, 23% of all auto collisions involved cell phones. However, at this point, the majority of people know that texting and driving kills but it’s possible that our phones our having internal effects.

A new study about teenager’s attachment to their phones showed that their brains were under stimulated and they had a lower heart when separated from the phone.

This is the same reaction that people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol experience when they’re in withdrawal.

Another problem is keeping phones in your room as they can have a significant effect on sleeping patterns. Professor Debra Skene, a neuroendocrinologist at the University of Surrey, discussed these effects in a recent interview with M.D. online.

“The light emitted by phones, tablets and e-readers contains a great deal of blue light - this means it has a more stimulating effect,” Skene said.

“We know that because of a pigment

called melanopsin, the cells in the retina are most sensitive to blue light.

This can affect you because all artificial light, has been shown to trigger the release of melatonin, keeping us awake longer; it might also trigger insomnia and other sleeping problems.”

This means that reading on a Kindle, or an other electronic device, before going to sleep, is more likely to keep you awake than reading a physical book with a light.

Sleep experts advise not to look at a screen two to three hours before bed. A phone’s light interferes with our body’s rhythmic systems and can sometimes make people think that night is actually day.

While it is clear that there are numerous internal side effects from our cell phones, no research says that any of these conditions are life threatening.

For now, as long as you remain safe while driving and walking the streets of New York City, our phones remain a useful tool and a sometimeswelcome distraction.

Fall 2014

Surviving with WYLD

Continued from Page 7

Now, it was really time to sleep. I knew tomorrow was going to be a long day.

After many tosses and turns, a few kicks from my tent mates, and a lot of spiders later, it was time to wake up. I piled on as many layers as I could find and headed off to breakfast.

My group was hiking first.

This was the moment I had been dreading. I kept asking the teachers “how hard is this hike exactly? Because, I have a legitimate fear of hiking,” (which I really do).

I have to admit, even though I got through the hike, it was difficult for me. I had to find ways to get around humongous rocks and climb up them without falling over, face first.

I definitely would not have been able to do this without the guidance of my teachers and the constant cheering on from the rest of the group.

I thought I was going to be embarrassed, but I couldn’t have been farther from that. It felt empowering to have such strong support from everyone.

Since I had gotten through the scary part of the trip, I was now ready to have some fun! It was time to canoe, and canoeing was my specialty! My friend and I aimlessly sailed the sea, well more like lake, for a good three hours without a care in the world. We had water fights with the rest of the group, sang at the top of our lungs, and even tried to swing from a rope we found. That part didn’t work out too well.

As we arrived back on shore, greeted by teachers and friends, I couldn’t even remember why I had a doubt about going on the trip. The rest of the day was tons of fun and we all just hung around. I had gotten adjusted to the “outdoorsy” life and I kind of liked it.

The next morning before we left, we had a Shabbat service on the water. The whole grade agreed that it was one of the most beautiful Shabbats we had had. During the service, our teachers told us that the they were proud of us. We showed them that we could be mature and we went above their expectations. This meant a lot to me because I genuinely agreed with them.

Aside from overcoming our own obstacles (both literal and figurative) and maintaining an open mind, I also saw that the rest of the grade showed a tremendous amount of support and kindness to one another, and we acted as a strong and connected community.

I think the trip bonded us as an eighth grade and as friends in ways we hadn’t before.

I am really grateful for the experiences I had on this trip and I hope our grade can continue to grow and act with the same attitudes towards one another throughout our last year at RSS. If we do this, this year will be more meaningful and memorable than any other one and I now believe, more than ever, that we are capable of achieving this.

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The Mane Event

No soft serve-ing...

Fall 2014

Sports

Both girls volleyball teams hit highs in successful season Julia Robbins, Staff Writer This year, Rodeph Sholom School had two very strong volleyball teams. One of those teams just happened to be exceptional: the fifth and sixth grade team won all five of their games. Meanwhile, the seventh and eighth grade team had two wins and four losses.

Cory Schneider, a seventh grade history and English teacher, has been coaching the seventh and eighth grade volleyball team for the past two years. He said he has seen a lot of growth throughout the team.

“I’ve been so impressed by the way the seventh and eighth grade volleyball team played together,” Schneider said.

Schneider added that the players “understand how to be on a court together,” which is a vital component to creating a great team.

Being a part of the volleyball team means that players have

to respect each other both on and off the court, said seventh grader Maya Singer. She observed that, this season, he team “came together.” She said she thinks that the players on the team have “grown... as supportive teammate[s]”.

While the seventh and eighth grade volleyball team did not win all of their games, Singer said, it is definitely improving as a whole.

Fifth grader Ava Krauss says that part of what made the fifth and sixth grade volleyball team so successful was that the players “didn’t care about what grade they were in.”

They were able to play as a solid unit, she said, and were not divided by age.

This was a key aspect as to why they went undefeated this season.

One of the other main aspects as to why they won all of their games was, players said, without a doubt the coaching.

“If the players hit the ceiling [with the ball] or [said] ‘I can’t,’ [the whole team] [would] have to do wall jumps or push ups,” said sixth grader Talia Falkenberg.

This idea was put into place by the two coaches of the fifth and sixth grade volleyball team, English teacher Christopher Bottomley and Coach Keris Timol.

While the practice may sound painful, Falkenberg said that it helps to “unify the team.”

Players aid going through this pain together made them closer as a team because they have shared these experiences. Being able to work through lows and highs in the season is what connected the team and made members understand each other more as players.

And while the teams have been coming together as friends and teammates, they also bonded by im-

Small in numbers, fall track proves big in Student Athletes competitive ice skaters, agreed with athletic prowess Sam Lipin, Editor in Chief As the days in the first trimester grew cooler and hours of light grew shorter, the strides of the fall track team members grew longer and stronger. Despite having few participants, fall track managed a season filled with both successes and chances to sharpen skills.

Led by librarian and seventh grade coordinator Aleah Dacey and Coach Han Wu, the team consisted of sixth graders Simon Yellen, Alexander Corb, and Tallisker Weiss, as well as eighth graders Shade Mazer and Ezra Stern. The team usually traveled to Central Park for practice and, a couple of times, to Riverview.

There, they worked on establishing the proper form for racing: working on their foot placement, arm stance, and body positioning. They also worked on breathing, endurance, distance, and flexibility.

The team participated in six different track meets this season, all at Van Cortlandt Park. Although the upper and lower teams are normally separate, this year they had to be combined because of numbers. This new configuration led to unexpected results: the more inexperienced sixth graders shone.

Weiss, a sixth grader, had the most success, finishing second in many races consisting of mostly seventh and eighth graders.

“Since fifth grade I have always acted as a leader, I lapped everyone in races, and I have been running since I was really little,” Weiss said.

Weiss said she was annoyed fall track was only for seventh and eighth graders, because she felt she was just as good as kids in the older grades.

“Although we may be younger, we are just as fast and mature,” she said.

Weiss added that she was glad to show her older counterparts her skills.

Eighth grader Stern has been

running his entire life, as well, and said he felt the competitive spirit with his younger teammates.

“All of the sixth graders are good, but I’m still faster,” he said.

Stern said that despite his busy schedule with high school applications, he felt he needed to take on more of a leadership role. He tried to do as much as possible to help the other kids rather than focusing on winning.

Mazer, the only other eighth grader on the team, has been running her entire life, and is also a successful gymnast.

“I really liked being able to mix with the other grades,” she said. “ Talli definitely brings a new light into women’s track. The whole sixth grade brings so much more energy to practice and to the meets. It’s ridiculous.”

Mazer said she had no doubt the sixth graders were successful during meets. But she didn’t mind finishing behind them because she felt that, like Stern, eighth grade is focused on helping the younger kids.

Dacey said she thought she had succeeded in making each kid a better runner. In her eyes, each runner had set a new personal record for themselves, both sixth graders and eighth graders. She agreed the sixth graders had a very strong showing this fall.

“While the eighth graders absolutely worked as leaders within the team, the level of competition really motivated everyone to push through the last stretch of long practice runs,” Dacey said. “But honestly, as cheesy as it sounds, nothing pushed our runners harder than their parents cheering from the sidelines during meets.

For a few of our runners, this translated as an improvement of twenty seconds or more.”

She added that she didn’t think the competition had caused any serious tension. Overall, she said, she was proud of how far her runners came.

Bleiberg. Mascialino skates five days a week and Pleasant skates three days a week. Aside from weekly practices, there are frequent competitions, sometimes occurring every other weekend during some months.

Mascialino said it’s really important to stay on top of commitments.

“I try to keep a schedule with skating events and academic events, and to use my study halls wisely.”

Pleasant skates mostly in the mornings when she wouldn’t be doing academic work, but it is still difficult to wake up very early and then go to school after a strenuous practice in 15 degree weather. Pleasant said she feels that although she is practicing a lot, she still is not able to get to the rink as much as she would like to because of high school inter-

proving their skills.

Sierra Lavine, a sixth grader, said that her coaches “taught [the team] to call for the ball”. Falkenberg added that, overall, her teammates have ”definitely improved [their] serving.”

Both of these teams have also been taught to learn from their mistakes and not sulk at failure. “[The coaches] created a team where there is no failure,” Schneider said. “It is safe to make mistakes.”

This positive environment made the players excited to improve and not worry about messing up. The coaches used mistakes as a learning opportunity.

“After every game we talked about what we did well and what we could have done better, and we used that as an opportunity for our next game,” Singer said.

Continued from Page 16 views and classes.

“I’m unable to come [to the rink] the morning of an interview, or when I have to make up a test one day because I missed it for an interview,” she said. “I also have to work on essays and other things on the weekends so I can really only do mandatory team practices” Pleasant and Mascialino’s strategies are similar to Bleiberg.

Pleasant keeps one calendar and writes all her academic commitments and skating events there so she can keep track of everything and ensure that she is not overwhelmed.

These RSS athletes agreed that, despite the stress, sports give them enjoyment and help to teach life lessons that can only be acquired through experience on the field (or the court or the rink).

The Mane Event

Page 15

Fall 2014

Sports

RSS students choose fantasy over field this fall Roey Nornberg, Staff Writer During these upcoming fall months, football and basketball season are finally starting up again and the fantasy football and basketball craze has hit Rodeph Sholom School once again.

Students throughout the grades partake in different fantasy leagues, with some leagues even having students that are spread out throughout multiple grades.

In addition, sports-enthusiasts throughout the country are taking a part in ESPN or Yahoo run fantasy sports leagues. In these leagues, there are eight to fourteen teams.

The owners of these teams partake in a draft in which they select the most successful player available at the time. Using these players and the option to trade for new players, owners build their fantasy sports team with the goal of winning anything from bragging rights to money.

Fantasy sports come in many different shapes and forms.

In fantasy basketball, statistics and player’s successes are based off of points, assists, blocks and steals. In

fantasy football, stats differ based off of the position of the player. For example, for a certain positions in football such as wide reciever, success can be measured by catches, yards, and touchdowns.

The owners of fantasy teams can choose their starting lineup, which could be anywhere from five to ten players depending on the type of league that the owner is partaking in. In addition, every league and it’s settings may be customized, making fantasy sports more attractive and exciting for people to play.

People who partake in these leagues may be particularly motivated to do their best in these leagues because of rewards. Many students find that even with no reward, playing such games can be beneficial to their general knowledge of the sport.

Fifth grader Daniel Russell states that he thinks that fantasy football is a great way to “follow football and what’s going on that week [in sports]”.

Russell feels that the greater rewards of playing these games is

helping understand the sport more in depth.

Although many valuable experiences may come out of these games, some students think that these games may cause conflict between the team that one supports and the players that they are starting against those teams in that week.

Seventh grader Gabriel Feldman, an avid football and New York Giants enthusiast expressed this sentiment.

“I try not to start [any player] that’s playing against the Giants,” Feldman said. “I do a pretty good job of not letting fantasy interfere with my passion for the Giants.”

For many students, this is the case. Although their favorite team may be playing against their star quarterback or wide-receiver that week, team owners start don’t start these players because of superstitions, or hope that their favorite team will win.

In addition to fantasy football, fantasy basketball follows a specific formula to succeed as well. In these cases, team owners would not want

to own a player that takes a lot of shots and misses many of them because it lowers their points for those specific matchups. Because of this, players are not determined only based off of points, but also off of assists, blocks, rebounds,steals, field goals made and free-throw percentage.

The owners of these teams may need to filter a wide variety of statistics in order to play their best players. The player that may be the most successful in real life may not be as successful in fantasy sports leagues, depending on the specific league and it’s points values.

In the event that a player does not know much of the sport that they are taking part in, sports websites such as ESPN, Yahoo, CBS Sports and Bleacher Report offer rankings of players based on predictions of stats and point values.

A game of fantasy sports does not require much skill, and almost anyone can play it. Because of it’s wide appeal to sports-enthusiasts and casual fans alike, fantasy sports has become a hit throughout the country once again.

Dwindling numbers threatens ultimate frisbee team, opens door to change Alberto Buzali, Staff Writer

Ultimate frisbee has always been one of the smaller sports at the Rodeph Sholom School, as it practices only once a week and doesn’t compete in games. Now, however, the team faces a new challenge: building a more consistent roster.

Although the regular players said they are excited about playing with English teachers Chris Bottomley and Evan Haine-Roberts every Friday, the lack of attendance has created the possibility of not having enough people to hold practices.

In addition to this, some players would like to have games with other schools in the city, though that is unlikely as most other schools do

not have a team.

Eighth grader Henry Kates, a long-time participant of ultimate frisbee, expressed his frustration about the recent developments.

“I am very disappointed, because ultimate frisbee deserves to be treated like any other school sport,” Kates said. “I am also saddened by the fact that a lot of younger children are losing interest in this amazing and unique sport.”

Kates said it could be the lack of competition that his dissuaded students from joining.

“I understand that our situation does not allow opportunities to play against other teams because

Strange Sports Ferret-legging (a.k.a., Put ‘Em Down)

“Five, four, three, two, one! Now stick a ferret in your pants.”

Well, that might not be exactly how it goes, but it is close enough. The sport known as “Ferret-Legging” or “Put Em’ Down”, may sound like a silly little game, but things get more serious when creatures with sharp teeth get to roam free in your pants.

Ferret-Legging does not have a definite origin. Some believe that it was created in England when poor animal smugglers had to hide the ferrets in their pants so that no one would catch them illegally stealing animals. They might have also been trying to keep their captured animals warm during cold weather. Others believe that this game was actually originally created as a sport in pubs.

Since then, the game has evolved into a more vicious game. Not only do the ferrets have super sharp teeth, but also to make it even worse, the competitors must not wear underwear while playing, and they have to tie the bottom of their pants so the ferrets do not have any shot of escaping.

The object of the game is to try and withstand the pain of a ferret biting and scratching you longer than your other opponents. The current world record is five-and-a-half hours, which is over five hours longer than the world record that stood in 1972.

It seems that each generation is getting better at this game, but even if that is true, it’s not recommended that anyone go into the sport of Put Em’ Down because there’s no winning. The ferret will somehow always get its way, so who is the real opponent?

Halley Robbins, Staff Writer

other middle schools do not have frisbee teams,” Kates said. “However, I enjoy scrimmaging against the rest of the team, because I get to play with and against my friends, peers, and teachers.”

Another dedicated member of the ultimate frisbee team, seventh grader Ethan Rothschild, said he shares Kates’ opinion.

“I’ve been to every single ultimate practice,” Rothschild said. “I think it’s cool because our school has an ultimate team, which is not very common and I really love ultimate frisbee. I’d be really sad if it were to end.”

Rothschild also said he’d be willing to advocate for more players.

“I’d try to get some more people to join if we didn’t get enough people, because I want to it to continue,” he said. “I think it would be better to have games more often, even though there is only one more school that has a team.”

While most players have the desire to play more games, they still hope that the team continues practicing and solutions are being thought through to keep the small ultimate frisbee team alive.

These players said that, for their sakes and the school’s, hopefully these new solutions open up room for an interest in the sport and secure the future of the team at RSS.

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The Mane Event Sports

Balancing many commitments, student athletes study hard, play harder Arianna Carpati, News Editor

It is after 6:30 pm, and you just got home from sports practice.

You stuff yet another frozen dinner into the microwave while attempting to multitask and pull your English stuff from the overwhelming sea of loose papers in your backpack.

When you finally fish out your copy of The Catcher in the Rye, the microwave timer goes off and you are interrupted, yet again. Now you are reading Chapter 15, ensuring that your post-it note includes imagery, all while dripping ketchup from the not fully thawed out chicken nuggets onto the page. Once you are finished with your homework, including reading that chapter for the second time because you realized you had to do two post-its, you look at the time on your phone: 10:30. You missed the season premiere of your favorite show, but have no fear; you did not forget to record it. After managing to fit in one episode, you doze off before you can reach the TV remote to turn down the volume; your copy of The Catcher in the Rye still on your lap, the pages now permanently stuck together.

This is a day in the life of a Rodeph Sholom School student athlete.

How do these student athletes manage everything? There must be a balance between academics, sports, and for some, the high school admissions process.

Everyone has different methods that work for him or her; it’s just a matter of finding out what works and what

doesn’t.

Seventh grader Maya Eskenazi plays on the RSS Lions basketball team, as well as for Momotion, an intense basketball program. RSS practice is on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Momotion practice occurs on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, totaling twelve hours of practice each week.

Eskenazi said she has had a lot of experience balancing basketball with other aspects of her life since she has been playing since Pre-K. “Being in seventh grade doesn’t make it harder for me to balance things,” she said. “Basketball is at a convenient time, I can do my homework and then go to basketball practice” RSS alumni, Emily Bleiberg, is a highly competitive ice skater, competing at levels close to Olympic.

Having very successfully balanced her unbelievable skating schedule with high school and regular academics, she shared that the right attitude is crucial to handling the workload.

“As long as you don’t let [balancing everything] become a major thing mentally, it’s much easier to manage it,” Bleiberg said.

Because of her positive mindset, Bleiberg said that ice skating didn’t make balancing everything as difficult as she thought it would.

However, because she was practicing very frequently, and at all hours of the day (including very early mornings before school), she had to use

other techniques and strategies.

“What helped me out the most was attempting, as difficult as it sometimes was, to purely focus on what I was doing at the specific moment and not letting thoughts about the application process and school work infiltrate my mind while skating and vice versa,” she said.

Bleiberg added that she had a very specific and detailed schedule and that she planned what she wanted and needed to complete in specific time frames in order to meet all deadlines--whether that meant studying for a test the next day or ensuring she was prepared for a rigorous competition that weekend.

Throughout the year there were times during which school assignments became nearly overwhelming, and times that were more easygoing. Bleiberg said that the more difficult times were the week before admissions responses were mailed and when she was deciding which high school to choose.

“I remember standing paused at the edge of the rink the Monday before decisions were received, completely overwhelmed,” she said. “But I think it was definitely vital for me to have an outlet separate from school [...] where I could go to release stress and almost distract myself.”

Having a sport to keep busy can be beneficial according to Bleiberg. Looking back on her time at RSS, she realized that while in the midst of the high school admissions

Fall 2014

Soccer kicks back into action in the fall sports season Evan Glick, Sports Editor As the year in sports kicks into high gear, another successful soccer season has wrapped up with the Rodeph Sholom School teams performing impressively.

The fifth and sixth grade boys and girls teams had great seasons.

The boys ended up with a 5-1 record while the girls finished with a 3-3-1 record. Both teams said they enjoyed the experience of playing soccer with their peers. For sixth grader Jonah Lewis, the fall sports season is one of his favorites.

“I enjoyed playing with my friends and learning many new skills from my coach,” he said.

Likewise, sixth grader Mimi Winters said she got a lot out of the season.

“I had a great time playing through both the wins and losses. It was very challenging at times but fun at others.”

The seventh and eighth grade co-ed team, again, came so close to a championship. It completed the season going 3-3-1 coached by seventh and eighth science teacher Corey Dempsey. It missed a chance to go to the championship game with a few hard fought losses toward the end of their season to Loyola and The Heschel School.

Dempsey said he was satisfied with his team’s results.

“Our players have great skill and talent we just need to work on our cohesion as a unit. I have some plans, and if we achieve this goal we can reach the finals and maybe even win a championship in the league,” he said.

For some eighth graders this was their last chance to play on a RSS soccer team.

“It’s saddening that we couldn’t go farther but I still had lots of fun,” said eighth grader Henry Kates process and balancing academics and skating, she missed out on some of the little moments at RSS. “In retrospect, one thing I would want to do better is appreciate all the small, exciting moments occurring at RSS in the first part of the year.,” Bleiberg said. “Because I was constantly visiting other schools and skating, I was running around a lot and it’s easy to get caught up in the plethora of exciting opportunities you’ll have next year. But, if you become so absorbed in the year to come, you’ll miss savoring so much of what’s special and unique to your last year at RSS.” Bleiberg emphasized that, although staying organized and managing schedules is crucial, it’s important that student athletes not forget about what’s happening now. When it is all over, she said, they’ll realize how much has happened that maybe they missed when they were too caught up in admissions, academics, or sports in general.

Eighth graders Sophia Mascialino and Yulia Pleasant, also Continued on Page 14