By KATIE KISSINGER
Editor's note: This editorial marks the first in a series entitled "Breaking the Bubble" - the series aims to promote awareness of current events within the "bubble" of the Advanced Studies Program community and will feature editorials, podcasts, and follow-up discussions on three separate topics over the next three weeks.
On June 2, 2005, President George W. Bush stated that a genocide was happening in Darfur, becoming the first sitting president in United States’ history to speak out against an ongoing genocide. So why do we hear about it so little in the media today?
To find out whether or not people were informed about the current happenings in Darfur, I recently interviewed a select number of students and faculty taking part in the Advanced Studies Program (ASP) at St. Paul’s School. In gauging their knowledge about the issue, it became clear that a number of the students were not familiar with the topic as a whole, even mistaking it for a different problem in the world.
Those students who were slightly familiar with the genocide were still unable to identify some of key issues of the situation. Soon, however, it became clear that it was not the student’s fault they were misinformed, but it was the fault of the media.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Construction Raises Concerns over Noise
By JAMES GRAHAM
Advanced Studies Program students have expressed concern regarding the noisy construction, on the both the Schoolhouse and the new Lindsay Family Center for Mathematics and Science, and its affect on the classroom setting.
A primary issue is that the loud noises emitted from the heavy machinery and the construction vehicles are distracting and make class discussion and lectures hard to hear. Last week, a common sound on campus was the drone of a hydraulic hammer, used to pound holes into the ground.
Mike Derryberry, an ASP student whose Artificial Intelligence classes meet in the Payson Science Center said that the walls in his class would shake so much that keyboards from computers would start to shake, vibrations from the drill could be felt from anywhere in the classroom, and that when the noise from the hydraulic hammer outside got so bad, they had to move their class to the schoolhouse. When in the Schoolhouse, dust from workers on the roof would drift into their class through the open windows and cover their desks in dust.
Mr. Derryberry summed up his sentiments by saying that the construction “(is) annoying.”
Advanced Studies Program students have expressed concern regarding the noisy construction, on the both the Schoolhouse and the new Lindsay Family Center for Mathematics and Science, and its affect on the classroom setting.
A primary issue is that the loud noises emitted from the heavy machinery and the construction vehicles are distracting and make class discussion and lectures hard to hear. Last week, a common sound on campus was the drone of a hydraulic hammer, used to pound holes into the ground.
Mike Derryberry, an ASP student whose Artificial Intelligence classes meet in the Payson Science Center said that the walls in his class would shake so much that keyboards from computers would start to shake, vibrations from the drill could be felt from anywhere in the classroom, and that when the noise from the hydraulic hammer outside got so bad, they had to move their class to the schoolhouse. When in the Schoolhouse, dust from workers on the roof would drift into their class through the open windows and cover their desks in dust.
Mr. Derryberry summed up his sentiments by saying that the construction “(is) annoying.”
Dorm Pride Unites ASP Students
By JOHN RETTEW
“North, North!” yelled the crowd of boys emerging from the woods.
They were on their way to the square dance that marked the unofficial closing of orientation activities at the Advanced Studies Program (ASP) and everyone in the group was decked out with bandannas, flannels, and other ‘square dance’ clothes.
The boys were not just dressed up and shouting because they were excited for the dance, though: their actions and appearance were their way of expressing their pride for the dormitory in which they lived, North House.
Many teenagers arrive at the ASP having never spent over a month away from home. Almost all are placed in dorms with other unfamiliar kids that they are forced to get to know and learn to live with for five weeks. For many, the ASP can be hard to get used to, which is why interns, house supervisors, and assistant directors all work to encourage and foster a sense of dorm pride.
“North, North!” yelled the crowd of boys emerging from the woods.
They were on their way to the square dance that marked the unofficial closing of orientation activities at the Advanced Studies Program (ASP) and everyone in the group was decked out with bandannas, flannels, and other ‘square dance’ clothes.
The boys were not just dressed up and shouting because they were excited for the dance, though: their actions and appearance were their way of expressing their pride for the dormitory in which they lived, North House.
Many teenagers arrive at the ASP having never spent over a month away from home. Almost all are placed in dorms with other unfamiliar kids that they are forced to get to know and learn to live with for five weeks. For many, the ASP can be hard to get used to, which is why interns, house supervisors, and assistant directors all work to encourage and foster a sense of dorm pride.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Cancellation of Classes Creates Mixed Feelings Among ASP Students
By TAYLOR LEONARD
After releasing the application for the 2010 session, the Advanced Studies Program (ASP) eliminated three major courses due to the withdrawal of Master Teachers.
A few teachers could not take part in this year’s program either due to other job offerings or because of commitments associated with sabbaticals. The ASP administration was unable to replace teachers in a timely fashion, resulting in the termination of three courses: Introduction to Engineering; Psychology; and German & Germany.
Some students found that their first choice of course was canceled, but only after initially gaining acceptance into the program and being placed in that very class. Jacklyn Clement was originally slated to participate in the ASP as a student in Psychology; the class was ultimately scratched from the program because of the teacher’s inability to return to the school this summer.
“The fact that I received my first choice and then it was canceled made me question attending the ASP with my (second-choice) course, Marine Biology,” said Ms. Clement.
After releasing the application for the 2010 session, the Advanced Studies Program (ASP) eliminated three major courses due to the withdrawal of Master Teachers.
A few teachers could not take part in this year’s program either due to other job offerings or because of commitments associated with sabbaticals. The ASP administration was unable to replace teachers in a timely fashion, resulting in the termination of three courses: Introduction to Engineering; Psychology; and German & Germany.
Some students found that their first choice of course was canceled, but only after initially gaining acceptance into the program and being placed in that very class. Jacklyn Clement was originally slated to participate in the ASP as a student in Psychology; the class was ultimately scratched from the program because of the teacher’s inability to return to the school this summer.
“The fact that I received my first choice and then it was canceled made me question attending the ASP with my (second-choice) course, Marine Biology,” said Ms. Clement.
World Cup Fever Strikes the ASP
By MEAGHAN MACDONALD
Living in a place with no familiar faces can be both daunting and intimidating. In an effort to overcome these feelings, the new students of the Advanced Studies Program (ASP) found the World Cup a common ground for bonding and making friends.
“The coolest part of the World Cup is that it is a common language that literally brings the whole world together,” said Courtney Jackson, a former collegiate soccer player and Assistant Director at the ASP.
Although this international tournament connects the entire world, it has also effected communities like ASP on a much smaller scale.
“Watching the games helped me to meet people,” said Evan Leith of North House. “I probably would have been in my room reading if I hadn't been with my friends watching the game.”
Living in a place with no familiar faces can be both daunting and intimidating. In an effort to overcome these feelings, the new students of the Advanced Studies Program (ASP) found the World Cup a common ground for bonding and making friends.
“The coolest part of the World Cup is that it is a common language that literally brings the whole world together,” said Courtney Jackson, a former collegiate soccer player and Assistant Director at the ASP.
Although this international tournament connects the entire world, it has also effected communities like ASP on a much smaller scale.
“Watching the games helped me to meet people,” said Evan Leith of North House. “I probably would have been in my room reading if I hadn't been with my friends watching the game.”
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
The Scoop on Laundry
By MEG JONES
Since arriving to the St. Paul's School campus some students in the Advanced Studies Program (ASP) have had difficulties with their laundry.
“These washers are really ruining my experience here at (the) ASP,” said Artificial Intelligence student Neil Oczechowski. Recently, Mr. Oczechowski attempted to put his laundry through the dryer. However, he accidentally pressed the incorrect buttons forcing him to pay more and add additional cycles to his dryer.
Similarly, Abidjan Walker, a student in Conover 20, paid before loading the washer and consequently ran an empty load of laundry.
Although Celia Honigberg and Ana Bealo, two residents of Wing, had no trouble with the washing and drying machines themselves, they expressed fear when describing the creepy hallway they must brave in order to get to the laundry facilities. Both described the laundry room as a place where they would expect a horror movie to take place. Ms. Bealo said she armed herself with her laundry basket on her way to the laundry room, expecting a monster to jump out from behind the pipes lining the hall. Thankfully, no student has yet been harmed in the process of doing laundry.
Since arriving to the St. Paul's School campus some students in the Advanced Studies Program (ASP) have had difficulties with their laundry.
“These washers are really ruining my experience here at (the) ASP,” said Artificial Intelligence student Neil Oczechowski. Recently, Mr. Oczechowski attempted to put his laundry through the dryer. However, he accidentally pressed the incorrect buttons forcing him to pay more and add additional cycles to his dryer.
Similarly, Abidjan Walker, a student in Conover 20, paid before loading the washer and consequently ran an empty load of laundry.
Although Celia Honigberg and Ana Bealo, two residents of Wing, had no trouble with the washing and drying machines themselves, they expressed fear when describing the creepy hallway they must brave in order to get to the laundry facilities. Both described the laundry room as a place where they would expect a horror movie to take place. Ms. Bealo said she armed herself with her laundry basket on her way to the laundry room, expecting a monster to jump out from behind the pipes lining the hall. Thankfully, no student has yet been harmed in the process of doing laundry.
It's a Long Walk to Swim
By ABIGAIL CRANE
Students in the Advanced Studies Program (ASP) have limited resources when it comes to swimming, and now only one option exists if they want to cool off.
To the dismay of students, Director of the Advanced Studies Program, Michael Ricard announced on Tuesday during the program's morning chapel service that using the Lower School Pond dock for swimming will be prohibited.
In addition to the closure of the Lower School Pond, students will not have access to the pool in the Athletic and Fitness Center because of construction taking place on the roof this summer. As a result, students are left with only one resource for cooling off: Turkey Pond.
Students in the Advanced Studies Program (ASP) have limited resources when it comes to swimming, and now only one option exists if they want to cool off.
To the dismay of students, Director of the Advanced Studies Program, Michael Ricard announced on Tuesday during the program's morning chapel service that using the Lower School Pond dock for swimming will be prohibited.
In addition to the closure of the Lower School Pond, students will not have access to the pool in the Athletic and Fitness Center because of construction taking place on the roof this summer. As a result, students are left with only one resource for cooling off: Turkey Pond.
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