September 2013 Volume 64, No. 1
Follett Challenge Awarded to MRH Research and Design Center Left: Patrice Bryan (second from left) holds the faux check from Follett in recognition for winning the Follett Challenge. She is surrounded by Principal Kevin Grawer (left), Joseph Hosea, Dave Grossman, and Dr. Deann Myers.
Story by: Kiera Bolden Staff Reporter Imagine winning $60,000 for making a video. This has been a reality for MRH, which recently earned the Follett Innovation Challenge award for an outstanding video about our 4-Cornerstones program. The award money will benefit both teachers and students as it allows for easier access to class resources. Follett Corporation representative, Britten Follett, gave the opening speech at the recent
school assembly. “So this year the Follett Challenge was made better than ever with entries like yours,” said Follett. “Because it originally started as a way for librarians to talk about the great things that they’re in their libraries. And you guys are certainly doing amazing things in your Research and Design Center, however, it’s not just about your R&D Center, it’s about the way you’ve incorporated everything through your Semester of Service, your Cornerstone Program. It’s really, truly one of the most innovative programs in the world.” Cornerstone director Patrice Bryan said that she was inspired to apply for the award because our unique school is exactly what Follett was looking for. “Follett corporation opened up what they called an Innovation challenge for schools across the country to enter, and they were just basically looking for innovative practices for schools that are doing things that are a little bit different than what most schools do,” she said. “It’ll make the access to the material a lot
easier for [the students] because they’ll be able to access what they need on their laptop, which allows me to interface with them technologically more so within the classroom than what I was originally able to do”, said English IV teacher Jennifer Sterkel. “Because not only am I able to teach them the techniques that they’re gonna need to use e-readers and access the text online as well as making it so that I have universal access for all my students, so that I don’t have to worry about whether they leave a book at home or anything like that because I’ll be able to access it online.” “I think the greatest strength at MRH is that we’re small enough to have really good accountability,” said Bryan. “We have accountability for our students, we have accountability for our staff. That means that, you know, you can’t get lost in the shuffle here. I’ve worked for a lot of really big schools, and students and teachers alike kind of get lost in the crowd and that can’t happen here, and that can’t happen here… So I think it’s Follett’s way of basically putting schools like us on the map so other schools can see, you know, get ideas for what they can do.” With the $60,000 award from Follett corporation, MRH can have its cake and eat it, too.
MRHHS Welcomes New Staff Story by: Kiera Bolden Staff Reporter
This year MRH High School has added three new top notch educators to it’s team. All of them bring their best efforts forward to strengthen MRH. From Business to French and even Math, we welcome our newest members to the MRH team: Pam Withers, Joe Spinks, and Michelle Roman. Pam Withers, a former math teacher at Riverview Gardens High School of 16 years, found the diversity of MRH an incentive to make a change. “I was excited about the opportunity [to teach at MRH],” said Withers. She added that MRH’s excellent reputation made the move
attractive. “I was excited to come to a district that values education and a community filled with students that are willing to learn,” said Withers. She currently teaches Intro to Business and Marketing. “I think that business is something that everyone will use at some point in their life,” said Withers. Joe Spinks previously taught at Reeds Springs High School in Branson, MO. In addition to coaching football as well as track and field, Spinks won the Teacher of the Year award in mathematics. “I chose MRH because throughout the interview process it was clear to me that this school is filled with teachers and administrators who are willing to go above and beyond to help their students,” Spinks said. “I hope to bring an energy driven approach to teaching that will engage the students of MRH.”
French teacher Michelle Roman uses her expertise to teach music at the St. Louis Language Immersion School in French. A music teacher of three years, Roman plays the piano, flute and saxophone. She recently transferred to MRH to teach French. “I am looking to bring with me a love of the French language to all of my students,” she said. Roman feels the transition to MRH has been smooth. “Everyone at MRH is friendly and enthusiastic about learning,” Roman said. “[MRH] students are great participators in French class. The faculty have made me feel a part of the team from day one and I feel very supported here.” These veteran teachers have hit the ground running and are excited about working with the students of MRH. They each have unique skill sets that will undoubtedly benefit the students and community.
Bullying Tragedy Turns to Learning Experience for Students Story by: Seddrick McShan Journalism Student On September 11th, public figure Tina Meier spoke to the MRH Middle and Elementary schools to talk about her daughter’s tragedy. Seven years ago, her daughter Megan Meier was a 13-year-old girl living in Suburban St. Charles, MO. Like many teens Megan participated in social media with friends. Megan setup a myspace.com account and met a boy named Josh Evans. They carried on an online relationship for about a month until Josh began to bully Megan. Megan became greatly upset and eventually took her own life. As a result, Meier now travels to area schools. She spoke at our district because she wants to bring awareness of online cyber-bullying to MRH students, and said every small gesture and word matters. “My hope overall is that students really listen to the story and really think for a minute. Those simple things that we think are funny because the person is awkward or acts different, says things that we think are a little bit different and everybody laughs,” said Meier. Principal Michael Dittrich believes the rules in place at MRH helps fight this kind of bullying. “I think it’s more than just cyberbullying, but cyberbullying falls under that. I think MRH has a great culture for fighting for other students. So
Tina Meier, above, travels the country speaking out against online bullying. Photo courtesy CreativeCommons.org.
I think that our culture helps us fight bullying and cyberbullying. Whatever social media site our students choose we need to make sure that as a community as a school we protect our kids,” said Dittrich. Meier agreed, saying cyber-bullying cannot be ignored. “It’s important. One thing I realized going through Megan’s struggle and tragedy was that I can’t change what happened, but I can try
to change other kids. We go through ups and downs and we go through maybe being victims of bullying,” said Meier. Dittrich said that one of the biggest impacts of the speech is to let kids know and adults know that every action they have has a consequence. “Just them knowing we provide them with a powerful tool, it could be used as a tool or be very detrimental to somebody else,” said Dittrich.
Joe’s Place Fundraiser Provides Help Story by: Corey Morris Journalism Student
On Saturday September 7, 2013, Joe’s Place held a fundraiser, “Night of Desserts, Dancing & Destination Dreaming” that helped pay for things they might need during the school year. Joe’s Place houses young MRH male students during the school year when they are having difficult times in their lives. According to house dad Dan Reeve, the fundraiser was needed to help with dayto-day operation of Joe’s Place. “It raises money for the operational expenses just for the yearly expenses that happen for the house,” said Reeve. Reeve added that Joe’s Place provides a stable environment for students. “It is a chance for students to graduate high school
like a normal person. It provides them to be able to engage high school like playing sports or activities,” said Reeve. Students with documented need can apply to live at Joe’s Place. Reeve said there is “an intake process. You would have to qualify from the MckinneyVento Act, which shows what qualifies as homelessness”. (The McKinney-Vento Act, a federal law, guarantees homeless children and youth an education equal to that which they would receive if not homeless. The law ensures that children and youth experiencing homelessness can enroll in, attend, and succeed in school and preschool programs. (Legal Services of Missouri)) This is the 7th school year of Joe’s Place, which started 6 and a half years ago
Click on the invitation to see the entire interview with Joe’s Place House Dad Dan Reeve
Transfer Students Fit Right In Story by: Dylan Boyer and Matt Green Staff Reporters
During the 2013-2014 school year, MRH School District has acquired several transfers from various schools in the St. Louis area. Some of the transfers were from the Riverview and Normandy schools, which have now become uncredited. Sophomore Davion Howard feels that MRH can give him more opportunities. “I believe that MRH can provide me with an academic scholarship opposed to my old school Riverview which is now unaccredited,” said Howard. Many families have left these unaccredited school districts for surrounding accredited school districts. The students who have transferred have been adjusting well and are enjoying their new school, and say the aspects they enjoy include the 1:1 laptop program and the close working relationship between the students and faculty. “Having the laptops to get on and do schoolwork makes things a lot easier,” added Howard. They have adjusted so well that many say they have blended in perfectly at MRH. “We shouldn’t even use the term transfers. They are just MRH kids,” said Principal Kevin Grawer.
Above: Justin Luster (12) speaks during his interview about attending MRH High School. “I have a really god opportunity at this school because we do a lot more stuff in my classes to prepare me for college,” said Luster.
MRH Rhythm and Blues Band performs at Weekend on Wheels fundraiser Story by: Natalee Clemons Journalism Student On Wednesday, August 28th, the Blue Devils Rhythm and Blues Band performed live at Ryan Hummert Memorial Park. The students in the band partnered up with the program Weekends on Wheels, which provides food for families unable to get enough to eat, and asked audience members to donate a few cans of food for the cause. “This is a really...good method [for getting cans] because it’s so hot and everyone wants a snow cone, and they’ll bring in food to get one,” said freshman Izzy Lubbers. “Everyone loves music, and it branches out [to more people] than something [else].” If someone brought two cans of food, they would get a snow cone for free, provided by Maplewood United Methodist Church. A representative Weekends on Wheels John Ahn, said that the entire program is donationbased, and all forms of food drives must be attempted in order to make sure that all families are well-fed. The cans donated will go to local families in need. Lots of people don’t even know that Weekends on Wheels exists, Ahn said, and so events like this one help raise awareness of the hungry families of Maplewood. An estimated 100+ people attended the concert. “We draw crowds,” said Mia Rintoul, a vocalist in the R&B band. “And, we’re able to advertise [Weekends on Wheels].”
“I heard [them] playing at the Taste of Maplewood and they are awesome,” MRH resident George Tronicek said. “Kudos to Harris!”
Above, right and lower right: The MRH Rhythm and Blues Band performs during the concert at Ryan Hummert Park on August 28. Above: Student Presten Pinnell provides a little rhythm of his own listening to the concert.
Flipped Classrooms at MRH Story by: Katelyn Stevenson Journalism Student MRH Middle and High School students are experiencing a new way of learning in the “flipped” math classroom with middle school math teacher Lauren Fleischer and Algebra II teacher Ryan Rzeszutko. In a normal class, students learn new information during class and practice at home. In these flipped classrooms, the students learn new information at home and practice during the class. “In a flipped class you take those two pieces, the being exposed to new stuff and practice, and switching them around,” said Rzeszutko. “Now outside of class, kids are using the time to be exposed to new content and hear what is going on through a one on one video where they can go at their own pace. Then in class they practice, where I and other students are right there to help them.” Students respond well to the classroom and communication. The advantage is that they are
not understand. Instead of me answering the question, other students would be answering and (that) made for a more richer dialogue between the students,” Fleischer added. Despite the enthusiasm of the teachers, students are having mixed feelings of the flipped classrooms. “I’m always thinking about my other homework, I do algebra really quickly and then move on. The bad thing about this is that I come to school the next day and forget the new material I learned the night before,” said junior Eliza Dent. Many other classes at MRH High School have begun to incorporate flipped classrooms more open to answering questions as they have into their lesson and it is possible for many the teacher or classmates there to answer. other classes to also soon adapt this into their “The communication between students has classroom. “I think it can work in any class. increased,” said Fleischer. “I saw that when The benefit of introducing new material earlier I did a chat room to answer questions for the outweighs anything. Getting kids to own their introduction to new material during homework own knowledge and coming to class ready to go, and then when I did Todaysmeet (their chat ready to learn. Not asking the question ‘What are room) and gave them a forum to talk. I found we doing today?’ vs ‘Hey I saw we were doing that they were talking to other students, (and) this can we talk about?’ is rich in any classroom,” would be asking questions on slides they did said Fleisher.
Mobile Device Geek Out! Story by: Emma Bright and Isaiah Gray Staff Reporters
The constant debate between iPhone and Android has never been settled. This summer Samsung released the Galaxy s4 as a major competitor to the iPhone 5. This week Apple released the new iOS7 and iPhone 5s. The battle is heating up. We took to halls of MRH to see what teachers and students have to say about their favorite mobile devices.
Modern Holocaust in Syria? Editorial by: Noah Snyder Staff Reporter I do not condone war, I don’t think it’s necessary, and it dramatically affects lives in a negative manner. However, my feelings of opposition are abolished by the tragedies in Syria. Without outside intervention, the civil war that’s raging has and will continue to kill hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians. This puts our nation at an impasse; should the United States enter into open conflict with Syria? It seems as though it’d be immoral not to intervene, and yet, it is faced with so much opposition here in America. A recent poll conducted by YouGov states that only 39% of Americans approve of the way Obama’s handling the situation in Syria, and that 45% saw him as the least effective world leader during the crisis. Honestly, I find this stunning. This doesn’t necessarily speak to the morals of our nation or what we stand for, and I’m sure nobody wants to see innocent people die. However, the thought that people
would rather keep their hands clean and stay out of it baffles me. I feel that as an American citizen it is our job not only to protect our liberties, but to protect the liberties of free peoples around the world. I’m not saying we should wage a full scale war, or even put troops on the ground. However, some kind of intervention is necessary. I mean, even a stronger push at a diplomatic resolution would be something, but to stand idly by? Blasphemous. I began to believe in an intervention when the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government became evident. According to a report from a UN inspection team, led by Ake Sellstrom, there is evidence of use of chemical weapons on over 14 occasions in the 30 month conflict, with casualties totaling over 110,000 citizens and soldiers. Sellstrom notes that there was, “clear evidence of the use of sarin gas in the Eastern Ghouta neighborhood near Damascus on August 21st.” In order to understand the gravity of this, you’d have to know the significance of sarin gas. Basically, it’s a colorless, odorless killer, that
Syrian refugees are living in concrete homes built adjacent to a mosque in the border town of Aarsal, Lebanon. Tens of thousands of refugees and rebel fighters in the border area anticipate the Syrian government to launch an offensive to sweep them from the region that links a refugee haven in Lebanon to Syria. (Mitchell Prothero/MCT)
can be lethal with inhalation of as little as 30 micrograms. It’s a nerve agent, therefore it usually causes death through asphyxia. The UN Resolution 687 declared it a weapon of mass destruction, and it was outlawed at the Chemical Weapons Convention of 1993 (Here, it was also classified as a schedule one substance, meaning that it’s illegal
for a country to produce more than 100 grams a year). War is brutal enough in it’s nature, but with the use of illegal weapons on civilians, it’s taken to another level.
Fall Sports Builds Excitement Story by: Isaiah Gray Staff Reporter This upcoming sports season is pivotal for MRH athletics. This fall, the girls volleyball team, the football team, the boys soccer team, and the newly added cross country team will face their rivals in the forthcoming weeks. MRH Blue Devils volleyball team captain Mariah Russell is optimistic about the approaching season. “I’m actually really excited for this season. I think we’re going to do great,” said Russell. “Our ultimate goal is to be conference champions, but I hope that we go very far in districts this year.” With their new outstanding on court leaders, junior Gracie Biedenstein and sophomore Maja Eernisse, the Blue Devils volleyball team is a shoo-in for a successful season. The Maplewood soccer team has progressed extensively with a gain of over 10 players. The team did a lot of off season training and are well prepared for the challenges to come this season. Head coach Jamie Frisella said, “We’ve got about 25 guys coming out consistently,” and that, “(they’ve) improved dramatically” since the start of the year. On the gridiron, the MRH football team has a great core group, full of on field leaders, youth, and lots of energy. Junior linebacker Rakid Hill is eager to show others the talent on his team. “I feel good about the upcoming season,” said Hill. “I’m ready to surprise a lot of people.” As a team the Blue Devils’ goal is to focus on winning districts and their conference. After that, they plan to take it game by game in the playoffs. This year, the Blue Devils has added a cross country program. Head coach Ryan Rzeszutko
is excited about his team, and feels as though they have a motivation to grow as a team and a program. Rzeszutko’s views are illustrated by runner Zach Arias who is excited about the program. “I think we have the potential to grow as a team and as a program,” said Arias. Starting small, Arias thinks that just working hard is the team goal for the returning team. “Some goals we have are everyone showing up to practice on time, everybody working hard, and just keeping it real.” said Arias. All of the fall sports have been making great progress through the first few weeks of school. All of the athletes know that they must remain focused to stay successful.
Above: The Varsity Football Blue Devils run exercise drills on the field after school. Below: Kendall Nelson (10) defends against his Eagle counterpart on November 2, 2013.
Cross Country Begins Running Tradition at MRH Story by: Joy Robinson Journalism Student A cross country team has been assembled for the first time at Maplewood Richmond Heights High School. Ryan Rzesutko will coach the team and get this new program off the ground. “I think we have a lot of potential. I like having the flexibility to establish its future,” said Rzesutko. Students are ready to put some miles on this program and to set a tradition for the rest of Maplewood Richmond Heights history. Senior Essence Brewer said she is serious about the program. “I just plan to eat right and go out there and be hydrated and, I got sleep last night so that I can perform my best, and just go out there and set a record,” Brewer said. Freshman Karmel Brewer is also excited about the pre-season. “I plan for it by training every day monday through friday, and maybe potentially saturday and I just really work hard to strive and get better milage, and just to stay strong for that 5k,” said Essence’s younger brother Karmel. Despite all the enthusiasm, Rzesutko wants the student athletes to stay focused on improving their goals.
Above: Paul Meuser (11) is thumbs up during his race on October 12. Above, right: Joey Tronicek (9) and Meuser start off their JV Cross Country race on October 12.
Rzesutko said the focus of this program is to get in shape and get faster times. Since this is the first year of the program, Rzesutko said he would not know what teams we would be able to beat. “I have never seen the other teams and they have been running for years while our team has not,” said Rzesutko. Rzesutko challenges his runners to be the best they can be and wants everyone to know that running can be for anyone. Freshman Joseph Tronicheck thinks crosscountry fits him well. “I don’t really like soccer or any other sport and I have really good endurance, so I did choose cross country,” said Tronicheck. The MRH Cross Country meet schedule can be found on www.mrhsd.org.