T he L og thelog@taboracademy.org
Tabor Academy’s Student Newspaper Volume 93, Number 1
October 2018
This Year’s Dress Expectations What's new this year everything from 'Business Casual' to 'Aacdemic Mondays' by Jack Marshall and Harper McKerrow
In Life At Tabor, the dress expectations state that every Monday is a “best first impression day,” meaning that the expectation of dress will be more strict than that of the rest of the week. The handbook states, “On academic Mondays, there is an enhanced level of dress expected during the academic day. This day is guided by the subjective response to the personal question: “‘What would I wear if I were interviewing for the job, scholarship opportunity or college acceptance of my dreams, before a group of people I had never met before?’”
Tabor has had a dress code for more than a century, and The Log wanted to investigate how the change was carried out. In an interview, Mr. Quirk summed up the decision-making: “The nature of the decision dictates the process through which change happens, who is involved, what the timetable might be. Generally, strategic, long-term decisions happen at the Board level (though I may initiate them), and more tactical decisions (short-term execution) happen at the administrative level (these could be initiated by anyone, and often are). Also, administrative oversight happens at many levels, all the way down to teams and classrooms – where more ‘local’ decisions are often made. In terms of timing of communication, that too is variable.” The dress code decision qualified as both a board and administrative level discussion as it was a large change, one that was finalized in early August, very close to when students would arrive at school. When asked about the timing of the change, Mr. Quirk said, “For the most part, I think this is a reflection of a busy place trying to grow, improve, hold itself to high expectations – but the timing of communication is always an important message of respect for folks, too. As I mentioned, I would have preferred that I found my way to a better time-frame on the dress expectation change – this would have been helpful in some ways – but I thought the opportunity to try it outweighed the timing challenge.”
Despite contrasting opinions on this new change, in both the students and faculty, the most prominent issue regarding this new dress expectation is the question of how it will be defined and how we will hold each other accountable. With upperclassman and faculty members now sporting a more relaxed attire most days of the week, it could be easy for students to undermine the expected daily dress. However, in
Photo by Gary Lawrence
The change has been easy to spot due to the new “business casual” look instead of last year’s “professional” look. Viewpoints on this change differ, to say the least; some faculty liked the old dress expectations and some are set on the new ones. Tabor’s administration and a few faculty members explained how the change was made and what should be expected with the new dress.
order to fulfill Mr. Quirk’s goals with the new attire, student leaders must enforce the full set of requirements upon their peers. If students are still confused about the new dress expectation, even after the all school fashion show, they can find the suggested guidelines for the new dress expectation in the Life At Tabor under their Student Resources tab, on “My TA,” although a somewhat tedious process. (It took three members of The Log staff roughly two minutes each to find the dress expectations on the website.) In response to the new dress expectation, senior Gabby Barresi explains that she likes the new code because ”[she] thinks it holds us to the same standards” and allows her to have a little more freedom in the morning to choose what she wears. Eli Hjerpe ’19, however, explains that he was “surprised” by the new change and “now Mondays are tough” despite being “used to wearing a coat and tie every day.” Because the expectations require a more formal attire only one day a week, it is easy for students to fall into the trend of being lax in their clothing selection. In the end, the new dress allows students to wear a more relaxed look, but requires a more conscientious effort in the morning, forcing each student to think twice before leaving their room in the morning, asking themselves, “Could I be dress-coded for wearing this?”
If the first few weeks of school are any indication, the community has done a pretty decent job of meeting the dress expectations. Still, many students are still struggling to understand the outlined standards or simply do not like the dress. Those students may find that they are in good company: Many share the same questions or thoughts about what the new expectations really expect.
A New Grading Protocol
Taking a look at what this year's rolling grades mean by Owen Sughrue This year, Tabor is implementing a new grading protocol. Rather than having semester or trimester term grades, as Tabor has had in the past, the new protocol displays one grade at the end of the year.
class.” While grades might be hard to get up if they are low, students are working throughout the whole year for a cumulative grade: One low or one high one will not move a grade that much.
To address the concern that grades might be difficult to move up if they are not where a student wishes them to be later in the year, Ms. Marceau knows that’s true but would also add that, “Students now have the whole year for their grade to be determined. The grade now shows an entire year’s worth of grades in a particular
While a cumulative grade might seem intimidating, Ms. Marceau and other teachers believe it will help students. Students can continue to improve throughout the year, and their grade will reflect that.
Ms. Marceau explained that the grading system was motivated by “teachers who felt that the old grading system didn’t show students’ growth fairly over the course of a year.” In the old grading system, students “started fresh” at the beginning of every new trimester. The rolling grade generates only one grade, the final one that appears on the transcript. While there are no trimester grades, students will see progress reports to track their improvement or regression over the course of the year.
Please recycle this paper.
Some teachers and advisors have already explained the new grading system to students, but some students do not know about rolling grade. When asked about the new grading system, Georgia Toland said that she had not heard of it. Gabby Barresi, who had heard about it from another student, says, “Part of me thinks it’s good to have the trimester to reset. But now, the system makes students conscious of how their grades average in the end to form their overall cumulative grade, and might put more effort in the whole year.”
Learning about one of this year’s new faculty members, p. 3. Sustainability at Tabor, p. 3.
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This Year’s World News Report New Faculty and Analysis
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Getting to know Ms Williams
A look at what's going on around the world by Peter Murray and Cormac Bruce Event #1: Pope Francis to address claims he reinstated Cardinal McCarrick after being removed from public service by Pope Benedict. Having received many calls to resign and having a plummeting approval rating, the Catholic world looks to the Vatican. As the clerical-abuse scandal continues to develop, many are looking for reform in the Church.
Last August, Pope Francis was accused of reinstating serial predator Cardinal McCarrick after he was reportedly sentenced to a life of prayer and penance by Pope Benedict. The accuser is Archbishop Vigano, the former nuncio to the United States. He says Pope Francis must resign.
The validity of these claims is contested. The head of the USCCB has said it should be investigated, while Cardinal Cupich of Chicago described it as a “rabbit hole.” The Pope previously said on a plane back from Dublin that he would not speak on the matter.
Analysis: Catholics worldwide look to the Vatican as the clerical-abuse scandal, which began unravelling over a decade ago, reached a new climax when former Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Carlo Vigano accused Pope Francis of reinstating serial-abuser Cardinal Theodore McCarrick to public ministry after he was supposedly removed in secret by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Initially, the Pope claimed he would “not say a word” on the accusations, but recent reports suggest that the Pope and his advisors may be preparing to address these claims. With a plummeting approval rating and discontent with the clergy, time may be running out for the Vatican to stop the bleeding.
Photo by Photo Pool
by Leah Kleinfeld
Whether you have had a chance to introduce yourself or not, Ms. Williams is known to many of us for her work in equity, inclusion, and diversity at Tabor. However, she also teaches two entry-level Spanish classes, coaches our dance team, and is a dorm parent in Lillard Southeast. Before she came to Tabor, Ms. Williams worked at a nonprofit that helped to house homeless people; taught Spanish, and coached dance at a school in Texas; and continued to teach Spanish at Fay School in Southborough, Massachusetts, while taking part in diversity work. From her vast and multifaceted experiences before coming here, Ms. Williams aspires to bring affinity groups to Tabor, to help create safe spaces for people to sit and talk about shared experiences. In the time Ms. Williams has been on campus, she has been blown away by the beauty of the school, and finds the nature all around us calming in the face of such a heavy workload. Her main goal for her first year at Tabor is to break stereotypes and encourage students to try new things, especially things that are not typically “for them,” starting with more boys on the dance team and more girls in the Maker Lab. Lastly, Ms. Williams wants us to know that her office is “open for all types of conversation about anything, and sometimes about nothing.” Hopefully, if you have not yet taken the opportunity, you will be lucky enough to introduce yourself soon. From our entire community, welcome to Tabor, Ms. Williams!
Sources:
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com http://www.ncregister.com https://www.vox.com https://www.ydr.com
Event #2: On September 17, a Russian plane was destroyed by a Syrian anti-air missile intended for other Syrian targets. The plane went down over the Mediterranean Sea, killing the 15 servicemen on board. Russia blames Israel, saying that they knew about the strikes and did not inform the Russian jet until moments before the missile launched. Russia has not released its side of the story; however, a Russian spokesperson said that “the Israeli planes deliberately created a dangerous situation for surface ships and aircraft in the area.” Israel claims that its jets were back in safe airspace when the jet was attacked, blaming the attack on Syria and tweeting “Israel holds the [Syrian President Bashar al-]Assad regime, whose military shot down the Russian plane, fully responsible for this incident.” This incident has added more tension to Israel’s already heated relationship with Russia. Sources:
https://www.bbc.com
https://www.cnn.com
http://www.foxnews.com
Event #3: On September 5, 2018, Nike released an advertisement featuring Colin Kaepernick, the first football player to take a knee during the national anthem. As quarterback for the 49ers, Colin Kaepernick took a knee to call attention to police brutality, saying, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.” His refusal to stand resulted in mass controversy about whether he was allowed by NFL rules to kneel during the anthem. In Nike’s new ad, Kaepernick narrates professional athletes’ stories from Serena Williams to Shaquem Griffin, a one-handed linebacker for the University of Central Florida. The ad suggests that we should not give up on our dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem. This message is similar to Kaepernick’s perseverance to stand by his decision, despite the threats he received. Some people are boycotting Nike, accusing them of taking a liberal stance on politics. Several videos were posted to a variety of social media apps of people burning, cutting, and defacing their Nike shoes. Nike’s stock took a 4% plunge on the day of the release, but Nike has also made an estimated $6 billion since then. Sources:
https://money.cnn.com
https://www.nytimes.com
T he L og Co-Editors: Leah Kleinfeld Abby LaCasse Jack Marshall Owen Sughrue
The Tabor Log is the student produced newspaper of Tabor Academy. The Log is distributed to students, faculty and staff. The Tabor Log welcomes letters to the Editors. Please send submissions of fewer than three hundred fifty words to thelog@taboracademy.org. The Log reserves the right to edit submissions for space and/or clarity.
Questions to Debate Questions to Debate
Q8 Nike's Colin Kaepernick ad? Q8 Nike's Colin Kaepernick ad?
Editorial Board: Ben Ackerman Kelly Chang Harper McKerrow Eari Nakano Tayler Rogers Cat Shakin Photography: Photo Pool
Surv SurveyMonkey
Answered: 84
Answered: 84
Skipped: 0
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Inspirational Inspirational
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Faculty Advisor: Helene Sughrue
Offensive Offensive ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
Inspirational
Offensive
38.10%
Offensive
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11.90%
ANSWER CHOICES No opinion
RESPONSES 50.00%
TOTAL Inspirational
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32
3 How Tabor Students Take Care of Our Environment
Students share their initiatives to help make a greener world by Gabby Bao
Riley Richardson gives plastic straws a thumbs down. Photo courtesy of Gabby Bao
Tabor students have devised a working list of steps we can take to reduce our ecological footprint. Recycling is a common way to sustain resources, usually by dumping folded cardboard and plastic bottles in the bright blue recycle bins or dumpsters. But sometimes we are “aspirational recyclers,” hoping that a plastic fork or a dirty plastic cup is recyclable when they actually are not. “Pizza boxes should not be recycled,” said Angela Battiata, “because cardboard often absorbs greasy oil.” We can also recycle transparent plastic cups usually for iced coffee or smoothies from the Beebe only if we rinse out the remaining drinks, but plastic forks, spoons, and straws are not recyclable. To reduce her use of plastic, Angela said, “I try to use metal utensils in the dorm.” Plastic straws produce waste and should be used as infrequently as possible. Riley Richardson, who takes oceanography at Tabor, says that the straws will end up “painfully stuck in the nose of sea turtles.” A video from the Plastic Pollution Coalition recorded the heartbreaking moment when researchers tried to remove a clogged straw fragment from a sea turtle’s nostrils. This year, the Beebe stocks paper straws for students who opt not to bring their own reusable metal straws. In the dorms, students can work to reduce water usage. Kellie Navarro, co-head of the Environmental Club, shares a tip she learned at the Island School in the Bahamas. Due to the scarcity of fresh water there, she adopted the navy shower, a one minute shower that conserves water. Though the conditions at Tabor are less severe, Kelli recommends that we try not to “leave the water running before entering the shower.” In addition, Shemi Adams suggests that we can turn the shower off while “shampooing our hair” or “close the tap water while brushing teeth.” While some of these initiatives may seem hard to implement at first, even incorporating a new habit once a week can yield far-reaching Questions to Debate progress for the environment. Questions to Debate
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Questions to Debate
SurveyMonkey Q6 What is the correct way to put on socks and shoes
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"c" or the "s" silent in the word "scent" Answered: 82
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TOTAL
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TOTAL 60 Questions to Debate SurveyMonkey Questions to Debate SurveyMonkey SurveyMonkey
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RESPONSES
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Shemi Adams and Angela Battiata recycle in the Acky. Photo courtesy of Gabby Bao
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ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES RESPONSES ANSWER CHOICES ANSWER NoodlesCHOICES 8.43% 8.43% 7 Noodles Noodles Soup 91.57% 76 91.57% TOTAL Soup Soup 83 TOTAL TOTAL
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RESPONSES
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Musical Seawolves Catching up with alumni who enjoy their careers in music
A Review of a Musical Album A student's opinion of Kid Cudi's Kids See Ghosts with Kanye West
Photo courtesy of Spencer Zahn Takashi Murakami’s artwork for the Album Cover of Kids See Ghosts
by Eari Nakano
Music is a part of Tabor. Whether that may be in the form of all-school performances, dances, or karaoke night, music always brings the community together.
The Log interviewed two Tabor alumni who have continued to make music a part of their lives after graduating. Mr. Garris is not only Associate Director of Admissions, but he is also a part of a band, The Black Kennedys. For his senior project, he created an entire album, revealing to the entire student body his passion for producing music. During his time at Tabor, he was always surrounded by fellow students who shared his interest, which inspired him to dedicate his last project to music. He says, “It might sound cheesy, but the senior project allowed me to break out of my shell, and share with the whole school a part of me I never really put out there.”
He describes Tabor as a school where students are encouraged to pursue and develop their strengths and passions. His love of music intensified because of his experiences at Tabor, which provided him with a supportive environment to develop as a musician. Even today, the Black Kennedys perform in local bars, as well as opening for Nappy Roots, and Arrested Development. Spencer Zahn, another Tabor graduate, is a professional musician. For him, music became an immense part of his Tabor career, and throughout his time here, he was able to pursue his growing passion.
“I started a Wednesday night concert series in the lobby of Hoyt. I would host an evening of live music after study hall for students to listen to my band play and all hang out together,” he explains. Tabor gave him the opportunity to build relationships with faculty. “Phil Sanborn was a huge influence on the direction that I chose to take in music. He introduced me to a lot of my favorite artists and records that I still listen to today,” he says.
Spencer Zahn recently released his solo record, a combination of modern electronic sounds infused with the spirit of jazz. He advises current Tabor student musicians, “If you want to pursue music as a career you absolutely should. It is so much work, really hard work, but it’s very rewarding on so many levels. I get to travel the world, performing for people in places I never imagined I would go, and I record music with all types of musicians and artists that inspire me continuously.” You can listen to both Mr. Garris’ and Spencer Zahn’s music on Spotify.
by Ben Ackerman
On Kids See Ghosts by Kanye West and Kid Cudi, the long-time friends deliver a concise look into their struggles with mental health issues. The seven track, 23-minute album is the third of five albums Kanye contributed to this summer, and it was released directly after his personal album ye. While ye felt unfinished and sloppy, Kids See Ghosts is excellent across the board. The production is vintage Kanye, using unique samples and march-like drums to drive through heavy subject matter. Both rappers speak in depth about their experiences with mental health problems; Cudi sings and raps about his longtime battle with depression while West details his apparent bipolar disorder diagnosis. With a serious, comprehensive message present throughout the project, the most impressive part of the album is the overall music quality. While there aren’t any songs that are “light,” Kids See Ghosts is surprisingly easy to listen to. With consistent production and intricate rapping, no song is easily skipped. One standout is “Reborn,” where Cudi sings “keep moving forward” as West embraces his recent chaotic behavior, characterizing his unmedicated state as “an awesome thing.” After West’s verse, the song continues as Cudi demonstrates his unique ability to create a catchy hook with repetitive singing and humming.
With hopes of driving up streaming numbers, many popular rappers recently have leaned towards lengthy, themeless albums made up of disorganized hits and filler tracks, such as Culture II by the Migos or Scorpion by Drake. On the contrary, Kids See Ghosts leaves no room for extra tracks, with only one song slightly dragging behind the rest—ironically, the one titled “Kids See Ghosts.” This style fits the project perfectly, as each song leads into the next. Because of the cohesion of the album, it is best listened to as a full project, rather than song by song, in order to fully understand West’s and Cudi’s intentions.
Kids See Ghosts is an important listen for all fans of hip-hop, especially those who
enjoyed Cudi’s pre-2010 music. It represents a brilliant comeback after years of lackluster music for Cudi, as well as reassurance for Kanye fans who were worried after his shaky ye release. Score: 9/10