A Student Publication of the Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School • 1609 Avenue J, Brooklyn, New York • Vol 51, Issue 5 • February 2017 / 5777
Junior Petition Leads to New Schedule Tweaks By Deborah Coopersmith Religion Editor
Yair Chaya, one of many current juniors unhappy about the recently announced changes to the school day for next year, decided to do something about it and created a petition protesting
the new schedule. The petition amassed 213 signatures. He originally planned on 100 to 150 kids to sign it, but his goal was surpassed before the end of the first school day. Later that same week, two students representing the junior grade had a meeting with Rabbi Beyda. After much dis-
cussion, they worked out a way to fix the new senior schedule. “I believe it is safe to declare the petition a success,” Chaya declared. This came as a shock to many students who were not optimistic that their voices would be heard. Many are happy with the newest changes.
In an unprecedented move, the Yeshivah of Flatbush school administration changed the start and end times of all classes and days for the upcoming 2017–2018 school year. School days will begin at 7:30 a.m. and end at 5:15 p.m., with each period lasting 40 minutes. SeContinued on page 3
Many Students Take Elevator Salad Despite Consequences Delivery War
By Frieda Abettan Contributing Writer
New signs inside and outside the school’s elevator reminding students that they are not permitted to ride the elevator without a valid pass appear to be having little effect, as the well-known rule is often broken. Breakdowns of the elevator last semester were due to overuse. Shortly after the last repair, a new banner stating the regulations for usage was hung up inside the elevator. Many students questioned the random warning, since the rule has been around so long. In response, Rabbi Beyda explained, “My hope is that the sign in the elevator is a nice way to say, ‘hey, sometimes we need a little reminder to say please respect the rules.’” When students returned from winter vacation, the same sign was also posted in smaller form on the wall next to the elevator doors on each floor of the school. However, an informal survey con-
ducted by the Phoenix of several dozen students across every grade showed that approximately 75% of those who take the elevator don’t have valid elevator passes. Among those unauthorized riders, around 15% said they have gotten caught and penalized. To get a clearer picture of what really happens in the elevator, an undercover Phoenix reporter rode the elevator at various times. In almost every ride, multiple teachers were present but did not check students’ passes. SeñoraShterenzer disclosed that several years ago, if caught, students had to pay $10. More recently the standard penalty was detention. The penalty was changed once again at the beginning of last year. Now, any student caught riding the elevator without permission is given a lunch hold as punishment, but some students don’t seem to care. Students who ride without passes gave many reasons for their behavior. One student who takes the elevator almost every period without a pass states said it’s a combination of exhaustion and speed: “If a student has a long day, it’s not fair to have to take the stairs from the basement to the fourth floor, then possibly be late to class.” Several other students said that a lunch hold is a light enough penalty to make a ride worth the risk. And if they get to a high enough floor before getting caught, it’s worth the price of a lunch hold. However, several students and ad-
Continued on page 2
In This Issue World News: Waves of bomb threats hit dozens of JCCs Page 3
Entertainment: Reviews of Hitman and Pachinko Page 5
Heats Up By Yvette Antebi Contributing Writer
Yeshivah of Flatbush’s main lunch salad delivery vendor, Jus by Julie, has been facing tough competition from Ouri’s Fruit, a new vendor. Ouri’s Fruit began delivering salads to the high school in early October. Previously, all salad orders went to Jus By Julie. Jus by Julie has been delivering more than 30 salads a day to Yeshivah of Flatbush for over a year now. “I ordered a Jus by Julie salad almost every day this past year, and had no hesitation in spending $13 on a salad because of how good the salads are,” said junior Dubby Sasson. However, Ouri’s Fruit has quickly gained popularity. “It started off with 8–10 orders a day. Before I knew it 20 orders were being sent every day,” said an Ouri’s Fruit employee. Sasson’s classmate Paulette Abraham said that Ouri’s popularity is due in part to its novelty. “People wanted to order Ouri’s Fruit instead of Jus by Julie because it was the new thing,” she said. Junior Sharon Chappan said there’s more to it. “The quality and taste [from Ouri’s] is better, with Jus being so used to Yeshivah of Flatbush’s ‘absolute’ business they got lazy,” she said. “Orders to Yeshivah of Flatbush started to decrease, with no idea why.
We were concerned,” said a Jus by Julie employee, adding that Flatbush orders declined by almost 45%. “Jus was falling behind, so we began sending free drinks with each salad order.” Students say the drop in orders also inspired Jus to improve quality. “They began making their salads with fresher ingredients. We all noticed and now wanted to try the new and improved Jus salads,” said junior Nicole Singer. Several students have been swaying from vendor to vendor. Sasson, for one, finds her loyalties shifting. “Jus began putting more in their portions and Ouri’s Fruit began selling a variety of dressings and even Acai Bowls,” Sasson said. “With all the positives being added by both vendors, I am constantly switching from one to the next.” One thing everyone seems to agree on is that the salad war is benefitting Flatbush students who are now being offered more variety and better quality as each vendor tries to outdo the other. “My friends and I actually enjoy this competition, and love seeing the new food options each vendor has to offer,” said one anonymous student who has bought salads from both vendors.
Fun & Games:
Sports:
First-ever Flatbush Mad Libs Page 6
Isaac Levi manages through four years Page 8