8 in-depth
thepatriot May 2013
in-depth 9
thepatriot May 2013
THROUGH YEARS the
Religio teacher Jo n h Gallen (fan r right) and forme r his teacher Ro tory Heubeck bert with the 2pose 00 Powderp 1 team that uff they coached.
y Barnes lors Kath in-Shupe e s n u o c e Guidanc 8 and Carol Hefl students. as class of ‘6 dress up Today, technology defines JC. It is used in every class, but different ways. A teacher on The Patriot survey said, “students are learning useful real-world skills [with the technology].” The one-to-one laptop program was first introduced in 2006. The students leased Gateway personal tablets from the school. Science Department Chair Julie Baker, who taught for 11 years at JC, remembers when the laptops were first used, “they really made an impact on what you can do in the classroom,” Baker said. Math teacher of 37 years and class of ’70 Al Ward remembers when the only technology in the classroom was “the overhead and filmstrip projectors. Around 1990, we started using graphing calculators.” Then in the fall of 2009, JC switched to using Lenovo tablets that allow students to handwrite their notes digitally. A teacher who answered the survey said that technology has, “improved the speed of communication, reduced paper use, but has also increased social media bullying.” Math teacher of 43 years George Appleby believes the laptops can be both helpful and problematic. “There are pluses and minuses for the use of technology,” he said. Another teacher said on the survey that students now have “the world at their fingertips,” when asked about changes in tech-
Dean of freshmen Sean Ireton and teacher Tim Perrry promote the foot science ball team.
Although the mission and heart of JC has not changed, its identity has. One response to The Patriot survey said the identity of JC has changed with “the presence of international students.” The international student program expanded in the fall of 2012 to include more students from countries other than Korea and China. Then, this school year, the dorms in St. Joseph’s Hall were opened, allowing more students than ever. “[The dorms have] created a more racially and ethnically diverse student population,” an alumna said in the survey. Dean of Students Brian Powell who has been teaching at JC for 11 years said, “We no longer view ourselves as Harford County’s Catholic high school. We still have a strong Catholic identity, but we attract students from outside the county.” Also, a teacher response to the survey mentioned a change in the school motto. In 2009, the old motto, “Tradition, Pride, Excellence” was replaced with “Considerate, Compelling, Uncompromising.” A teacher answer to the survey said that, “the identity of the school has not changed, only the way we go about fulfilling the Mission Statement has changed.” Ward agrees saying that, “mission is still a primary word.” “A strong sense of belonging,” was how one alumnus described JC.
by In-Depth Editor Madison Meyer
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English teacher Nicholas Attanasio, class of ‘96, sets up a teepee with Vice Principal and Anthropology teacher Garry Scholl.
Jessica Limmer, science teacher of a year and class of ’00, noticed how many more classes are offered today. “I wish we had so many different sciences like Robotics or Anatomy and Physiology. I wish we had the ability to take as many electives as students can today.” A teacher in The Patriot survey noted the “honors and AP expansion.” English teacher of a year and class of ’00 Alison Amato said the major change in classes was that “[students] didn’t use computer labs and technology classes weren’t here.” The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Academy was started in Sept. 2012. The program gives students a chance to go on STEMcentered field trips and listen to speakers. When the students graduate, they earn a distinction on their diploma. Teachers come and go, and there are no longer any nuns teaching at JC after last school year. Ward says, “absent are the Sisters of St. Joseph.” A response to The Patriot survey said that classes have been affected because, “the qualifications of the faculty and staff hires has increased.” Most recently, Cyber Days have been implemented in place of snow days. According to art teacher and class of ’70 Michael Gaudreau, “this is not possible for other schools, because not all of their students have computers. Cyber Days make sure we don’t lose time.” One answer to the survey said, “I’m impressed with the academic growth, with the STEM program, extensive fine arts programs, variety of classes at many academic levels. I’m an alum and a parent, and my children liked choices of classes and felt very prepared for college.”
The dress code and uniform requirements have changed throughout the five decades. “Back in the beginning it was the brown skirt and white shirt in the spring and fall. In the winter it was the herringbone skirt and brown shirt for the girls,” Ward remembers. Limmer wore “a navy blue and forest green kilt with tucked in polos” during her time as a student. “We had to wear nylons, now it’s more relaxed. But the guys could wear more colorful shirts than now. I had friends who would wear bright pink and purple shirts.” “It is [currently] a lot more relaxed. It was more strict when I was here. Girls could wear pants, and we had two skirts to choose from. We had to wear tights in the winter and long sleeves with a collar. We could only wear the polos in the spring and early fall. The girls actually had a winter dress code,” Amato said. Ward said, “the guys had to wear sports coats all the time, Mr. Barker introduced the polo shirts in the early 2000s.” Most recently the uniforms have changed to allow JC sweatshirts to be worn in class. One of the alumna answering the survey said, “I miss the herringbone skirts. Bring back the old uniform!”
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of JC, The Patriot asks faculty, alumni, and students how the school has evolved in its journey through the decades At The John Carroll School, guided by the spirit of America’s first Catholic archbishop and early patriot, we cultivate in each student a love of learning,
a respect for self, and a sensitivity to others. Instilling Catholic values through a challenging
college preparatory program, we educate the whole person: spiritually, intellectually, physically, and socially. Our secondary School community develops young men and women of moral integrity, and prepares them to serve responsibly in shaping a more just and compassionate global
society.
Mission Statement
What many know as the Academic Wing was a part of the original building, along with the Main Office, Upper Gym, Cafeteria, Auditorium, and Library. In the seventies, there was even a smoking lounge for students until smoking on campus was banned in 1975. Powell cited “the Brown Room, weight room, and Lower Gym,” as being added onto the original building. Amato said that “When I was here, they didn’t have the Fine Arts Wing. The other art rooms were in the first floor hallway.” Additionally, “There was no Lower Gym or lights on the field,” Amato said. History teacher of 19 years Rodney Johnson said, “the other addition was on the end of the Academic Wing where the language classrooms are.” The most recent building addition was the Fine Arts Wing in 1999 (see photo below). “The adding of the new Fine Arts Wing was a very big step to making the Fine Arts a primary interest,” Gaudreau said. Another renovations include St. Joseph’s Hall becoming international student dorms for this school year. Also, some of the space was dedicated to the Academy of the Performing Arts, “The convent being a dance studio--how cool is that?” Gaudreau said. Now JC is looking to make many changes in the future with the Master Plan. The Plan will include turf fields and air conditioning in the auditorium and cafeteria.
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Former Traditions Senior Benches Scavenger Hunt Country Fair Tradition, Pride, Excellence Senior Lounge Male Cheerleaders at Powder Puff Faculty Play
New Traditions Senior Project Senior Privilege to leave early Senior Night Summer Reading “God is Good. All the time.” Black and Gold Award Field Day Senior Banners
Lasting Traditions Variety Show Class Color Day Golden Helmet Junior Ring Senior Prom Senior Retreat
technology
identity
CLASSES
dress code
building
In The Patriot survey conducted on April 28, 2014 there were 390 responses with a +/- 4% margin of error.