The proud and glorious JV2 soccer team is having a wild season. We are not doing great as far as our record is concerned, but of course that's not what really matters. We also don't have a big attendance rate at practice, so we have been practicing with JV the last couple times. On Wednesday we had a game, and it was pouring rain out, we ended up having to move from the turf at halftime to a field which was basically just mud. I had forgotten my cleats and basically had to run on my tiptoes to keep from slipping with my running shoes on, and even the referee fell at one point. As the soccer season comes to an end all the kids get ready for basketball, cricket, squash, wrestling, etc. I hope JV2 will end the season with a couple W's.
Secret. Subtle. Stealthy. Under the radar, and gnawing away at our budget like an unstoppable canker. Few know of it, and fewer have more than a mention.
It's the Tea Problem. Ever heard of it?
by Peter W. and Jack S.
Last week, we had the opportunity to interview Ed Cecere the Technology Coordinator in the Upper School about his job and the current state of technology in the Upper School right now. Most importantly, though, he is Petie's advisor. Here's our interview.
Q: What is one the biggest and most consistent things you deal with?
A: We at the tech office help students fix problems with their technology. We also help teachers use technology in the classroom in an effective way.
Q: What is one of the most annoying things students do?
I generally don't like being treated like a second grader, and certainly not some sort of inmate, so I was ill-flattered, and then totally irritated, while walking up to the cookie platter in the dining hall at lunch on Wednesday.
There has long been a decree in the dining hall that each student only take one piece of dessert, and that's fine. Desserts are – unfortunately – typically unhealthy and not exactly the kind of food you want students eating in the middle of the school day.
There also frequently isn't enough dessert for everyone, sometimes not even enough for everyone in the high school to have one piece.
Hence the piece of dessert per person rule. The problem isn't with the rule. It's the way it has recently been enforced.
When attempting to learn interesting material, engage with education, and better ourselves, scoliosis is not a welcome study aid. The snagging of the rear of a pair of trousers is not educationally optimal. Sliding around on one's hindquarters while attempting to puzzle out complex mathematica is as ridiculous as it sounds.
Which begs the question: why are our chairs (the Scholarcraft model 157) so ineffectual?
The ergonomics of seating are a major problem in OES. The human spine is designed to best function when actually in a position resembling straight. No medically knowledgeable individual supports the 'square knot spine' theory. No decently educated person would make a pretzel out of their backbone. And even the most cranially vacuous of lowlifes would balk at the prospect of articulating their vertebrae as a trigonometric teaching tool. Simply put, the backs of our chairs are at a suboptimal angle – more than five whole degrees (from the vertical) greater than the norm. These five degrees cause students to lean forward in order to work, thereby increasing their slouch.
Jack S.- We have two new, 9th grade faces on the community board, Sara B. and Aidan W. Sara had the convincing slogan "don't be a loser, be a chooser" and Aidan gave a memorable speech, making it hard not to pick them (especially since only two members ran for two spots.) Lets see in with Aidan to see his vision for OES in the future.
Question: What will you change?
Aidan: I just want to have a positive influence on the community.
My name's Regina, I'm a junior this year, and I'm excited to be running for the Identity rep position on stuco.
I'm an incredibly involved, dedicated and passionate member of each group I belong to. I've spent most of my 5 years at OES being somehow involved in diversity related work, and this will be my second year as an ISA member. I attend morning coffee bible studies along with my lunch time involvement in Ephesus. And last year, I bonded with Tay over our interest in gender dynamics and feminism leading to the small group dubbed "Gender Lens," which continues to transform as we (students and teachers) solidify and clarify our place in the OES club community.
I would really want to bring the concerns of our Identity as the OES community to the forefront of discussions on Policy board. Not only the identities represented in each group, or that I belong to, but any and all that apply to the student body as a whole. So to anyone who has been involved in ISA, JSA, Spectrum, Gender Lens, and Ephesus – I hope that you will vote for me to represent the identities of you and the greater OES community. Thank you!!