 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Search |
APRIL 2006Volume 25, No. 09, April 12, 2006 NEWS
IN BRIEF
Board Games Club benefits from P.T.O. grantby G. R. The Day Board Games Club has received a grant from the F. A Day Middle School P.T.O. which they are using to buy nine new games. The nine games are Blockus, Carcassonne, Carcassonne: Hunters and Gatherers, Cartagena, Ra, Rummikub, Settlers of Catan and Expansion, Tangoes, and Tickets to Ride. Advisor Kim Marie Nicols says, “I was thrilled to receive a P. T. O. enrichment grant because the Board Game Club got more games and they’re available to be borrowed by people in school.”
DAYTIME will provide graduation photosby DAYTIME staff The Day P. T. O. and principal Gina Healy have agreed to a proposal by THE DAYTIME to take, and sell, graduation photos for 8th graders. Addressing safety concerns expressed by all parties, DAYTIME’s taking of graduation photos (for a modest fee), will enable parents and visitors to remain in the bleacher seats and not have to scramble up and down for a photo of their graduate. THE DAYTIME will shortly mail details home to 8th grade parents.
Math Team sweeps the seasonby J. T. and M. W. With the final meet of the season under their belt, the Day Math Team celebrates the close 12-point game that kept them undefeated. The meet was at Bigelow Middle School, against all of the 6 teams in the division. The team has won 9 straight meets in a row; 4 last year and all 5 meets this year. “Hopefully we finished 3rd place in the state,” said Brian Marks, the math team coach. The results will come out in a few weeks. Every Thursday the team practices in Marks’ room. They do old math meet packets to prepare for the next meet. It really works, too. The top scorer at the last meet, with a perfect score, was Day’s 8th grade N. G . . The 8th grade has led the team throughout this season. When they graduate the 7th graders will need to take their place. They will need to be the next leaders. Day NurseNurse Larson has useful tips for springby M. V. Nurse Gayle Larson is working hard to make Day a safer, healthier place. Along with sight tests that took place earlier this term, hearing tests for 7th graders took place April the 5th. Kids playing spring sports need to remember to get in a completed physical form to the nurse. Physicals must have been completed within the year. While playing sports kids should, “...use caution,” said Larson. To prepare for allergy season, kids with allergies should stay inside during early morning and during dusk. A good medicine is any over-the- counter antihistamine for pollen.
Newton School Committee votes FY07 budgetby A. G. The budget proposal made by superintendent Dr. Jeff Young, with some changes, was passed by the school committee on Monday, March the 23rd. Changes to the FY07 budget were made possible by a $508,890 savings in health insurance costs. The bottom line of the school budget did not change. These changes included:
subtotal $508,890 The superintendent also proposed a list of “add-backs” should additional funding for the schools become available. The potential add-backs include:
subtotal $491,110 These changes were in the FY07 budget proposal that was passed. The total increase from the FY06 budget is $5,914,446. Whether, or not, Newton will receive state aid is still uncertain. Young told THE DAYTIME that “The State does not complete its budget process for another month or so, so we are likely to be in limbo for a little while.” Nevertheless, “The only permanent solution to the budget problems will come…from the State. Young expressed discontent towards the state government, saying, “ Massachusetts ranks very low nationally when it comes to State support for public schools. I do hope the Governor and the Legislature recognize the impact this lack of support has had on public schools throughout the Commonwealth and acts to change their policies.”
Public hearing allows Newton citizens input into the school budget processby G. T. On March the 23rd, at 7PM, over 100 people gathered to hear––and share their opinions––about this year’s school budget. To start off the night, everyone present was welcomed and told that they could speak for a little over 3 minutes to make their opinions heard, to which the School Council would listen but not respond. The first speaker was Cheryl Turgel, president of Newton Teachers Association. She spoke about her disappointment. However, she said she was not disappointed in the superintendent, but in the federal and state governments. "I'm disappointed in a federal government that talks about improving public education, but continues to undermine our efforts by cutting back on funding for public education and the No Child Left Behind Act year after year. I am disappointed in the state of Massachusetts that refuses to acknowledge that this state funds public education at a lower level than more than 40 other states in the nation, thus leaving cities and towns to find the funding for their own schools." She continued to explain displeasure with the community’s failure to give more money to the school system rather than trying to “find cost savings in every nook and cranny". She believes that Newton should have the money for smaller classes; updated technology in each classroom; a full time librarian for all libraries; adequate school supplies; new textbooks; plenty of options for electives; fully staffed special education programs; no bus fees; professional development programs for teachers, and finally, a full hour of art class in elementary schools. She concluded her speech by saying, "I would once more like to believe that I live in a community that understands the importance of our children's future as much as I do. Thank you." She sat down to applause. The following 9 speakers were all students from either Newton North, except for one boy who spoke about the cutting of special education teachers; he was an 8th grader at Brown. The other 8 speakers were all girls who spoke about the cutting of a particular class, and some became very emotional. These courses were described by the students as "...some of the most practical classes…(they teach you) how to be a successful person,” and "[students] still need these skills no matter what we major in.” The final student speaker was not in the class, but simply stated that she was disappointed that she would never get a chance to participate in it. After all the students spoke, numerous adults, many parents but several teachers stepped up to the microphone. One art teacher of 16 years in Newton complained that “...art is primary to a child's learning”, and how it “...takes time to teach students”. The PTO co-president is “...concerned about the quality of education”. A music teacher spoke about how learning to read music is like learning a new language, something that takes time. She thought reducing the music and recorder lessons to a combined total of 30 minutes “...[is] taking a huge step backward from which we can never recover.” A parent spoke of how “...[we are] robbing from our students,” and predicted that the new budget will cause people to move out of Newton. The next parent was pleased with Newton’s literacy program but thought it was time to improve math, and was asking for 1 math specialist to be hired this year to cover 2 elementary schools, and then next year the city look over the improvements at those 2 schools. Then the mother of the boy who spoke earlier about the cut of SPED programs stated that “...[these programs] allow him to keep pace with their peers”, and how they are “...not a luxury, but a necessity”. A passionate Newton resident gave a speech describing why the mayor should stop putting away millions of dollars for the new Newton North when, said the citizen, we already have a very good one.
We Won!THE DAYTIME travels to New York , attends conference, wins 6th consecutive CSPA Gold Crownby J. L. At 10PM the night of March 17, 45 DAYTIME staffers, 8 parents, 2 teachers, and one living legend returned triumphant from New York City, having just won its 6th consecutive Gold Crown award from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA). Staffers also attended the CSPA’s 82nd annual convention, learning valuable lessons in editing, writing news, features, and sports, and taking pictures, and layout/design. The trip started with the trip to New York, stopping at Rein’s Deli (see review, page B3). The group arrived at about 9:30, toured Times Square in small groups, and resided in the Crowne Plaza hotel in Times Square. The second day of the trip featured four sessions of conferences and lectures at Columbia University. People knowledgeable in journalism from all over the country set up presentations and lectures that could be attended by journalism students at the convention. Among the people that hosted presentations at the convention were staff members of THE DAYTIME. THE DAYTIME featured a presentation called “Building a Strong News Organization” that was well attended. Layout editor S. S., co-editors in chief S. S. and E. E., photography editor M. A. and business manager M. G. all made contributions and had roles in the presentation. DAYTIME’s webmaster, S. B., conducted a second section, “Make a Web Site for Your Newspaper”, which was SRO. The second day of the trip also featured a brief visit and press room tour of Esquire Magazine. From there, students on the trip ate dinner at Cucina & Co. That night, people on the trip saw the Broadway musical “Spamalot” (see review, page B3) at the Shubert Theater. The third and final day of the trip consisted of four morning sessions at Columbia. Following these sessions, co-editors-in-chief S. S. and E. E. received the Gold Crown award from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. THE DAYTIME was one of two middle school newspapers in America to receive the highest award, an unprecedented sixth consecutive Gold Crown award for this paper. Staff members on the trip enjoyed shopping through the streets of the Soho section of New York, followed by dinner at SPQR, an Italian restaurant in Little Italy.
Dan Rather discusses the newsby A. G. and J. L. Dan Rather is an American journalist who served as anchor for the CBS Evening News from March 9, 1981, until March 9, 2005. After having retired from his position in 2005, Rather is now a correspondent for 60 Minutes. On Thursday March the 9th, Dan Rather spoke at the J. F. K., Jr. Forum Hall at The Institute of Politics at Harvard. He touched upon many topics, including the media, news, Jon Stewart, and more. When presented with the topic of what news really is, Rather said, “News is something the public needs to know, that somebody somewhere doesn't want them to know.” Many people have used the term “What the people need to know.” Rather discussed what this term really means, and whether or not it is always a valid thing to say. Rather said, “The better the citizens are informed, the better it is for the country.” Rather also discussed what a person who wants to pursue journalism should know. Rather said, “Writing is the absolute foundation of journalism.” He also said, “If you pursue journalism, you must love the news.” Self-censorship was another topic of discussion. “The possibility of self-censorship is a real and present danger,” stated Rather.
The Day school dance…a second chance?• Attendance plummets by M. W. and A. W. Perhaps in response to principal Gina Healy’s new dance policy, perhaps because of other conflicts, tickets sold for last Friday’s dance dropped from a high of 457, at the last dance, to 171. Only a handful of 7th and 8th graders attended, so the dance became a sixth grade event by default. Healy had scheduled the school dance last Friday to replace the one canceled on March the 24th due to unacceptable behavior at the January dance. Attendance at Friday’s dance was contingent upon a signed permission slip by which parents and students acknowledged a set of ground rules concerning acceptable/unacceptable behavior. Healy felt that the permission slip would help because it would raise awareness, and let the parents have an idea of what's going on. Healy never opposed dances, only unacceptable behavior. In fact, she stated that she felt dances are important social events, which help students get to know each other better, and allow them to have a good time. First on the list of the permission slip: students from schools other than F. A. Day are strictly prohibited. Ticket guidelines and other information, such as when they will be sold, are included in the second regulation. This rule states that the form must be signed by a parent or guardian and presented at the time of ticket purchase. Since there appeared to be some confusion about the starting and ending times of the last dance, the third rule reminded everyone that dances are intended to be about 2 hours, lasting from 7:30 - 9:30PM. According to Healy, she had planned on leaving the school at 10:30PM, but had noticed students still waiting for rides at the intersection of Minot Place and Walnut Street. "I felt it was my duty to make sure those students got home safely before I left. They were reluctant to call parents,” said Healy. Accordingly, the new rules also include a notice to parents and guardians picking up children and that cars must stay out of Minot Place, therefore necessitating the establishment of a meeting point. At the January dance 457 students bought tickets. To assure that the same dilemma did not occur at the approaching dance the administration monitored the number of tickets sold, but did not attempt to cap the number, Healy said. The fourth policy explains that students must obey the faculty chaperones’ directions. After that comes the fifth guideline: students will dress appropriately, and follow the dress code in school. Administrators at the dance will decide whether a student's attire is suitable. Lastly, the sixth instruction is the expectation to not dance in forms of "grinding". Once more, faculty chaperones will determine whether dancing is appropriate, or not. When asked if the inappropriate dancing at the last dance would cause parents to forbid students to go, Healy replied that she doesn't think this will happen; rather, the subject of inappropriate dancing should prompt parents to have discussions with their children, which is her intention. If a student abuses the rules, a parent or guardian will be contacted immediately and the student will be sent home from the dance. As for using the permission slip policy for future dances, Healy is considering implementing it for the first dance of each year. There were correspondingly fewer faculty chaperones at last Friday’s dance. As a last word, Healy states, "I hope that we're able to have social activities which are appropriate for kids, where people can have fun and interact, and also at the same time feel that they're in a comfortable environment." [Assisting in the preparation of this article was M. W.]
Margaret H. Marshall, Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Courtby A. H. Before Ruth Abrams became the first woman to serve on the Supreme Judicial Court in 1978, the name of a woman on the wall of the courthouse’s marble walls would have provoked outrage. After Abrams, the idea didn’t really change. Men were into law, while women were into knitting. And the kids. And cooking. When Justice Marshall became the first woman Massachusetts Chief Justice and second woman to serve on the Supreme Judicial Court in September of 1999, that idea about women changed . Marshall grew up in South Africa at a time when women weren’t given a lot of opportunities. Marshall’s plans for the future were to become a wife and a mother. “I didn’t think I would have anything like a career,” Marshall stated. After graduating from Witswatersrand University (located in Johannesburg) in 1966, Marshall was elected President of the National Union of South African Students. In 1968 Marshall moved to the United States to pursue her graduate studies, but found much more. “I really wanted to learn as much as I could about the United States. And several people said I should go to law school,” says Marshall. Marshall started graduate studies in 1973 at Harvard University. Not only did she receive a master’s degree, but she became the first woman General Counsel of Harvard, and served as Vice President for the University. “I came to this country as an immigrant, and I don’t think I would have been given the same opportunity that I was given here in any other country.” Marshall also received her J.D. from Yale University. “The first week I was in law school, I knew I was in the perfect place for me. I never thought I would be a lawyer, and I certainly didn’t expect to be a judge.” When Marshall was at law school, 17% of her class were women. In fact, when some of Marshall’s colleagues went to law school, the schools didn’t admit any women at all. Since then, a lot has changed. The classes in law schools like Yale are pretty much even between men and women. On the Supreme Judicial Court, there are 4 men, and 3 women. Before Marshall (aside from Abrams), the justices were all male. After serving as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court for 3 years, Marshall was appointed Chief Justice, an incredibly high honor. “The United States has a remarkable system of justice, despite many challenges it faces. It’s very rewarding to be able to participate in that.” Of course, Marshall did have to deal with discrimination because of her gender along the way. “I faced fewer challenges because of the work and efforts of women…going back many generations.” As a Chief Justice, Marshall is the head of one of the 3 branches of state government. She also has many financial and administrative responsibilities. As the Chief Justice, Marshall is responsible for making sure that all of the cases of the court are considered by the judges. “I hope that I have made it easier for there to be many other women Chief Justices.” Marshall was not sure about her future when she was younger. She says that one was lucky if one knew what one wanted to be as a kid. “Don’t worry if you don’t know what you want to become, it will find you,” Marshall says. Marshall does not have a lot of free time, because she is very busy. “I generally arrive at the court at about 8 o’clock,” says Marshall. Before she has arrived, she has begun to check her voice mail. “As I walk in, my assistant who works with me [she comes in at 7:30] meets me, and she starts with a long list of questions, things she has to discuss with me. Because she knows she has to catch me as I come in the door.” On the days that the court is not sitting, Marshall has “...pretty much back-to-back meetings.” These meetings begin at 9AM, and generally continue until 5. In-between, Marshall is making telephone calls, answering telephone calls, writing letters, preparing speeches, responding to inquiries, preparing testimony, meeting with staff, and talking to judges. “Somewhere about 5 o’clock things begin to quiet down a little. In the next couple of hours, [I work] on my opinions. And then I go home, and after supper I start working on my opinions again!” Marshall said with a laugh. “On the days that the court sits, I come onto the bench at 9 o’clock in the morning, and usually we’re finished at about noon.” Marshall reads the briefs before a hearing. “It’s a busy life.” As Chief Justice, Marshall also has an opportunity to share her opinions, which usually leads to taking action. So it was in the Goodridge case, a monumental decision that affected the lives of many Massachusetts citizens. Goodridge was the case in which Marshall argued for marriage equality, and same sex marriage. Her view became the law, making Massachusetts the first and only state in the country where any people who love each other have the legal right to get married. Naturally, many people were very unhappy about it, and took action. “Everyone is free to criticize judges, because we are part of the government. But when people want to punish judges, they are setting off on a dangerous path,” says Marshall. One person who was greatly affected by Marshall’s decision is David Wilson, one of the plaintiffs from the case. He spoke at a fundraiser for MassEquality (a group which argues for equal marriage rights), and told the audience about his life. When his first partner had a heart attack and was in the hospital, the doctors would not let Wilson see him because they said that he had no relationship with his partner. “As fellow human beings, we share the right to love another person. And what marriage equality has done for us as a couple, it has given us the same legal right as all other couples,” says Wilson. Now Wilson is happily married, thanks to Marshall. “If you think about your own life, and you think about how your lives have been enriched by the relationships you are in, we share that.” Margaret H. Marshall made a huge difference in our country by standing up for what she believes in, and being a trailblazer for women everywhere. “I sometimes think that people that are born in the United States take justice for granted. I sometimes say that justice is like oxygen. When you have it, you don’t notice it. But when the supply is cut off, it is very dangerous.” Marshall believes that if one sees anyone not being treated with respect, one should try to help in any way that one can. Marshall ’s advice to middle school students is, “Certainly listen to the advice of parents and teachers, but ultimately decide for yourself what makes you feel the most fulfilled.” Marshall also advises to, “Pursue education so that [you] learn how to discuss persuasively, based on real information.” Anyone can make a difference, if it’s by doing what one thinks is right, or getting one’s portrait on the wall of the courthouse. “It’s little steps that accumulate to make a big difference.”
Newton Free Library’s “Spring Fling” was an evening for library lovers• Six current authors share their most recent works by C. A.-L. Many gathered at the Newton Free Library on Saturday, March the 11th to attend a group book reading dubbed by its creators as the “Spring Fling.” Here, authors Julia Glass, Stan Grossfeld, William Landay, William Martin, Megan Marshall and Tova Mirvis read selection from their most recent books. The annual event, chaired by NPR’s Tom Ashbrook, was also a silent auction; the proceeds help the library continue to supply Newton with free books, from classics to the latest best sellers. The Fling itself took place in the Library’s main hall. The black and grey tables that usually filled the vast space had been removed, replaced with circular tables covered with green and blue cloth. At the far end of the hall was a podium set on a platform. About 7 by 4 feet, the platform stood 2 feet off of the ground, and from it one might easily view the whole of the hall. William Martin, a striking figure of considerable height, who is slightly allergic to mushrooms, spoke with the DAYTIME about his latest book, BACK BAY. An historical mystery, the book revolves about the Pratt clan, a family with an obsession. Through six generations, the Pratts have pursued a lost Paul Revere treasure, and the obsession has taken its toll on them all. When questioned about the historical accuracy of the book, Martin said that he attempted to make the book as accurate as possible, but that in book writing, one should “Never let the facts get in the way of a good story.” Since its publication in July of 1992, says Martin, BACK BAY has sold over 1 million copies. Megan Marshall, another one of the authors reading that night, spent 20 years researching her book, THE PEABODY SISTERS. The sisters, Elizabeth, Mary, and Sophia, were all married to famous individuals. But more than that, Marshall says that they were all “brilliant” women. Elizabeth, the oldest, was intellectually precocious, learning Hebrew as a child so she could read the Old Testament; Sophia was a painter of exceptional quality; and Mary was an abolitionist. The book recently won the Mark-Lynton non-fiction award. Stan Grossfeld, photographer of LOST FUTURES: OUR FORGOTTEN CHILDREN, created the book because “Children don’t have a voice.” LOST FUTURES consists of 120 black and white photographs, illustrating in graphic detail the plight of children around the world. On one page a child of the Gaza Strip is holding her glass eye, its empty socket staring back at you; and on another children march with guns through the streets of Northern Ireland. The provocative book might well set new standards in photojournalism, or even shock people out of their feeling that “...everything is all right.” Grossfeld says, “More children are killed in war than soldiers.” In addition to William Martin, Megan Marshall, and Stan Grossfeld: Julia Glass read from her book 3 JUNES, which follows several fascinating characters over a period of 3 summers, describing the coincidences leading to their meeting and their separate and together lives. William Landay read from MISSION FLATS, a book about a murder mystery, and the journey of Ben Truman, Chief of Police in the town of Versailles, Maine, who goes on to solve it. Finally, Tova Mirvis read a passage of her story THE OUTSIDE WORLD. Her book follows Tzippy Goldman, the eldest daughter of an Ultra-Orthodox Jewish family. The book takes on weighty themes like religion, family, and personal expectations. The Spring Fling continued for 3 hours, during which time all of the 6 authors shared their books with an audience of near 100 people. For that night their voices broke the calm that usually hangs about the building. But at 10PM the Spring Fling ended, and soon the library was quiet once more.
|
Thank you for understanding.
©THE DAYTIME ©2004-2006
http://thedaytime.org/04-06/news.html
Last updated: September 16, 2006