THE SPIRIT - Saugerties Central School District
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Saugerties High School March 2021
THE SPIRIT
Issue 4
Student Government
(Grades 9-12) is hosting a daily
TEACHER TRIVIA Contest that will
continue into April. One student
from each grade is eligible to win our
daily and weekly prizes. At the end
of the month, the student with the
most correct answers will win Saw-
yer Gear. If you have any questions,
contact Mrs. Brennan, Mrs. Milgrim
or Mrs. Stinemire.
Questions posted daily in our Google
Classrooms.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day
.
St. Patrick’s Day History and Traditions
Kristiane Rell
St. Patrick’s Day is annually celebrated on March 17th. It is a commemoration of the life of Saint
Patrick, an Irish missionary and bishop. Saint Patrick was born in Britain during the later years of the
4th century. He came to Ireland on a slave ship after being kidnapped at only 16 years old. He lived six
long years as a slave in Ireland until he escaped. Years after escaping to his homeland, Saint Patrick
returned to Ireland as a missionary and is now celebrated for bringing Christianity to Ireland.
St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration of not only St. Patrick, but of everything Irish. Irish culture is celebrat-
ed on this day in a number of variations. Many celebrate by enjoying traditional Irish music and by eat-
ing many delicious traditional Irish dishes, such as corned beef, cabbage, and Irish soda bread. Anoth-
er popular way to commemo-
rate St. Patrick’s Day is to don
oneself in bright green clothing
and jewelry.
Green is connected to Ireland
for many reasons: it represents
the beautiful green landscape
of Ireland, it is found in the
Irish national flag, and, accord-
ing to legend, keeps you safe
from being pinched by the lep-
rechaun. Another celebrated
part of Irish culture is the
charming traditional Irish step
dancing.
Another aspect of the celebra-
tion of Saint Patrick’s Day is the remembrance of traditional Irish myths and legends. St. Patrick’s Day
celebrations are covered in shamrocks. This tradition started with the legend that St. Patrick used the
three leaves of the shamrock to explain the holy trinity. A four-leaf clover is considered lucky because
the fourth leaf represents luck due to the rarity of the occurrence of a fourth leaf on a clover. Another
commemorated legend is the leprechaun. Leprechauns are mischievous little creatures that are found
throughout Irish folklore and have become an integral part of the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. There
is also the popular legend that Ireland has no snakes because St. Patrick banished them from the is-
land.
1
Important Info from our Music Department
Mrs. MacDougal
The Music department at Saugerties is delighted to offer several elective courses which
include Band, Choir, Piano, Voice and college/ AP Music Theory. These classes are cred-
it bearing and allow our students to reach high levels of success in music.
March is Music In Our Schools Month, and our music teachers are now working with
Feeling WISE? individual students to prepare them for the NYSSMA Solo Festival on March 22nd. Stu-
Mrs. Brennan
dents are given private lessons throughout the week in addition to their regular music
WISE (Wise Individualized Senior Ex-
perience) is a program designed to de- classes and ensembles. We have a very high success rate at NYSSMA due to the sup-
velop skills for problem solving and life port of the community and board in offering and supporting our elective courses. Stu-
-long independent learning. Through dents that receive a near perfect score may be selected into Area All State and All
mentor-guided independent study, sen- State. Most importantly, the feedback given to our students allows them the oppor-
iors choose a topic, typically a career tunity for growth. Students in Saugerties deserve this opportunity and have certainly
and explore that topic through research, risen to the occasion. Saugerties High School has
daily journaling, on-site shadowing been represented at All State and Area All State
experiences and conducting inter- Music Festivals for the past four years. We are
views. In May of their second semes- grateful for all of the support! Good luck to
ter, students will give a 30 minute our singers and instrumentalists as they prepare
presentation detailing their journey. In
for this festival on March 22nd.
the past, we have had students study
various subjects including education,
medical careers, becoming an author, Our ensembles, choir and band, are working on several mini-projects that include lay-
flight, nursing, law enforcement, tattoo ing voices for both our virtual and hybrid students. Students are increasing their indi-
artistry, welding, firefighting and tree vidual skills playing and singing at home and school which will enhance the entire
services. group when we join back together. Hopefully parents/guardians are hearing our music
Students receive one high school credit students practice at home and recording themselves. Daily practice is vital to the quali-
for completing the WISE program; ½ ty of our performing ensembles and will increase individual skills.
credit of Social Studies (replacing either
Economics OR Government) and ½ Piano, Voice and Band students are also working towards their performances for
English credit. Elective credit may be
the Spring Recital which is on Monday, June 14th at 7pm. Hope you listen in to hear
substituted if a student wishes to remain
in his or her Social Studies and English their progress. We are fortunate to have a state of the art piano lab where students
classes. can learn at their own pace. So much progress has been made in such a short time.
If you are interested in WISE and Keep up the hard work! Slots are still available for students to take piano and voice
would like some more information, classes next year. If you're interested in learning to play the piano or sharpening your
please contact either Ms. Brennan vocal skills, please sign up with your guidance counselor.
(Room 14) or Ms. Ortlieb (Room
517). Lastly, our Music Theory students have made tremendous progress this year. This
course has the option of obtaining three college credits through SUNY Ulster. AP Music
Theory is also offered this year for the first time at Saugerties High School. One of our
AP music theory students was recently accepted into the prestigious, Berklee School of
Attention Readers: Music. In recent years, music students at Saugerties High School have been accepted in
Eastman School of Music and the Juilliard Pre-College. Again, we are thankful for the
support of the board in giving our students these opportunities to grow in music and
Is there something you would like to be prepared for the next level.
In addition to our music courses which meet during the day and are credit bearing, we
see in our next issue?
offer two clubs after school for our students. Mrs. MacDougall will be starting an
We are always looking for fresh ide- a cappella group and Mr. Zeslamski will be starting a Musical Theater club which will
as! Let us know what you are think- both rehearse after school. A Junior High Pops Band will be offered with the PBIS
ing. Send an email to workshops and Mrs. Trees is looking forward to working with that group. We
spiritpaper@saugerties.k12.ny.us hope these additional workshops and ensembles will enhance the learning experience
Or and love of music in our students.
Join our Google Classroom for The To close out this school year, stay tuned for details for an upcoming spring perfor-
Spirit Newspaper with code: mance by all of the junior and senior high performing groups....
np7ndue and send a message with Saugerties high school is proud to offer music elective courses such as Choir, Band,
Piano, Music Theory and Voice classes for 2021- 2022 school year. Students can sign up
your ideas!
with their guidance counselors. Please reach a Music Department member if you
would like to join our ensembles but are not currently enrolled in a group. We would
love you to join us! Thank you for supporting our music students at Saugerties High
School.
2
Remote Students
Sports Update Playing School Sports
Anthony DaSilva Anthony DaSilva
There has been some controver-
NHL
sy lately about remote students
It’s hard to believe that we are already over a third of the way through the being allowed to play spring
sports. Honestly, I don’t agree
NHL season. This shortened, 56-game season, instead of the normal 82-game season has a
with it, but I interviewed SHS
lot of people messed up. Currently, the Toronto Maple Leafs are in first place, and the Buffa-
Athletic Director, Dominic Zarel-
lo Sabers are in last. The Dallas Stars have not had the season as most ex-
la, for his reasoning. Coach Za-
pected, after being the Stanley Cup runners-up. The Dallas Stars are currently
rella said that remote students
sitting in the bottom half in the league. One surprise is how the new central
are allowed to play sports be-
division is doing, particularly how well the Florida Panthers (17-5-4) and the
cause it is a new state law that
Carolina Hurricanes (19-6-1) are doing this year. This division is very competi-
schools cannot discriminate
tive this year; currently 3 of the top 4 teams, in terms of points, are in this divi-
against 100% remote students.
sion. The Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Tampa Bay Lightning are all
(Not allowing these students to
in this division. New York Rangers LW, Artemi Panarin, is finally practicing with
play spring sports would be dis-
the Rangers again this year. He had to take a two-week leave due to personal allegations
criminating because this would
that a former coach in Russia had against him. Panarin will be playing soon
only allow in-person students to
within the next couple of games.
play sports.)
MLB MLB Spring Training has started; we are meeting the new,
I also talked to him about what
is happening with spring sports.
young players coming up in the MLB. Spring training is a little different this He said that this spring all of the
year; teams will only play four different teams during spring training, (usually normal spring sports will be
it is closer to15 different teams). The MLB regular season starts on April 1st, available.
so keep a look out for some of those spring training rookies to see if they
Cross Country started up last week - eight months later than usual but proud and happy to be back and
running as a team. Aside from the occasional cold and windy day and adjusting to running six miles while
wearing a mask, the season is off to a good start. The first meets were postponed due to weather and
courses not being ready, but it's still an improvement, as opposed to being cancelled due to a virus. Both
the Boys' and Girls' teams have outstanding runners returning for their senior sea-
Sawyer Sports: sons. Evan Sullivan leads the boys and Marcy Candlin is the top girl runner. Both of
them placed in the MHAL Championships back in the Fall of 2019. Sophomore Casey
Cross Country Druskin is the only other returner to medal in that meet, as she came 21st. Other
Coach Buonfiglio strong returners for the boys are seniors Donovan Barros, Clinton Stutzman, junior
Nino Tuccillo and sophomores Kore Ferrendino and Alex Carter. Both squads boast a group of young, talented first
time varsity runners. For the girls', sophomores Gillian Mills, Cassidi Vedder and Ava Arehart have done well. They
are joined by Anna Gramgolia, who has impressed despite being in 8th grade. On the boys' side two other 8th grad-
ers have done well, Liam Boek and Ryan Haberski. They are joined by solid frosh Gilbert Hartrum, Nick Sawchuk and
During these trying times in the Covid Era, one group of dents can find and share this cause in hopes for
Aiden North
Key Club Heroes
students have stood out by making a change. Key Club, donations, which the members can convert into
known for its international work in finding new and innova- hours. Second on their agenda is making sure
tive ways to help the community, has been trying to make the Local businesses in Saugerties stay afloat.
its mark despite all of the issues it’s been vested By showing that they contributed to either
with. Fortunately, while the pandemic halted buying or volunteering for said businesses,
operations earlier this year, the Saugerties Key our members earn hours, and they help
Club has found its step. Currently, they have 3 out our community. Finally, the headliner
programs in place to help the community. The so far for this year has been the Sock
first is one in action is something they’ve been Drive. Headed by Senior Jayden Williams,
working on since the start of February.: the Hy- the hope was to collect over 1000 socks to
drate for 28 Campaign. The goal is to raise give to those in need. This is an activity
awareness of people in need of water by making sure eve- that everyone can participate in as well, not just Key Club
ryone is drinking the amount of water they should be a day members. So far, the Saugerties Key Club has been mak-
(64 ounces). This doubles down as a fundraiser, as stu- ing its mark, and the best, is yet to come.
3
Student Spotlight!
Hannah Mills
Book Review Meet Jayden Williams: The Senior ing for homeless
people because
Madison Appolonia who Started a Sock Drive to Help of how im-
Those in Need portant they are
Hannah Mills to personal hy-
The Fault in Our Stars is about giene.
Hazel Grace who has thyroid Senior Jayden Williams has recently been
conducting a sock drive throughout SHS in Some of the
cancer and how she meets a superpowers
boy named Augustus Waters order to help the Darmstadt Homeless Shel-
who has osteosarcoma cancer. ter in Kingston. When I contacted him via that socks hold
A summary of the story would email to ask some questions about the drive are actually
be Hazel Grace Lancaster, a 16 Jayden wrote, “ I started the sock drive be- quite interesting
year-old cancer patient, meets cause I wanted to find a way to help out and go unrecog-
and falls in love with Gus Wa- people who are struggling and in need, es- nized by the
ters, a similarly afflicted teen general public. They provide protection
from her cancer support pecially because we are in a pandemic. I
found out that socks were greatly need- against conditions like frostbite which can
group. Hazel feels that Gus lead to amputated toes if too severe. Callus-
really understands her. They ed ,and I decided to start a sock drive to
both share the same acerbic help the people in need.” es, hammertoes, and bunions are prevent-
wit and a love of books, espe- So far Jayden has collected four-hundred ed by wearing socks because they provide a
cially Grace's touchstone, "An and forty three pairs of socks, and with thin layer of cloth that lessens the friction
Imperial Affliction'' by Peter “the numbers rising each day,” he hopes to between the foot and shoe. Another
Van Houten. When Gus scores collect one thousand pairs by April first. It astounding defense that socks provide
an invitation to meet the re- comes with the way they defend against
clusive author, he and Hazel may seem like Jayden has organized this by
himself, but he has actually had a tremen- infections and bacteria. Plantar warts, ath-
embark on the adventure of letes' feet, and infectious ingrown nails are
their brief lives. I recommend dous amount of support from his Mom who
this book 100% because it is a helped him design the posters around the some of the results that can come when
book about young teenage school advertising the drive, and drew a homeless people do not have access to new
love. larger audience for it by posting about it on socks.
her social media accounts to spread the A final message that Jayden wanted to say
word. If you watch the morning announce- to our audience is that, “thank you Sawyers
ments on the Sawyer News Network, Jay- for helping out by contributing socks to help
den has also been announcing to spread me achieve my goal of donating socks to
awareness. Recently, Jayden has also been the Darmstadt Homeless Shelter in King-
working on a small video to add into the ston.”
morning announcements that will advertise So if you happen to be out this weekend,
the Sock Drive further. pick up a pair of socks to help Jayden reach
One would think that starting a his goal!
campaign for socks would be hard consider-
ing the circumstances that we are dealing
with regarding the corona virus and the
regulations that come with it, but when
asked about
how this has
affected the
Sock
Drive, Jay-
den gave a
pretty posi-
tive response
stating that,
“coronavirus
restrictions
Contributors
have benefitted me more because more
to this Issue people are now online, so the word spread
Mrs. MacDougal quickly”.
Madison Appolonia Mrs. Krom
You might be wondering why socks are an
Anthony DaSilva Mrs. Brennan
item of interest when homeless shelters ask
Olivia Elliot Dr. Catalano for donations, and the answer is really quite
Espia Dunkley Coach Buonfiglio interesting. It is well known that when old
Matthew Lewellyn clothes go out of style, or are outgrown,
Hannah Mills Advisors— most people donate them to thrift stores or
Kristiane Rell Mrs. Murphy & Mrs. shelters which is a good practice, but it
Jones leads to a few issues. Socks are usually in a
higher demand than most objects of cloth-
4
Building Connections with Each Other: A special feature introducing some questions and answers with our
school’s GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) to help us bring education and understanding to our school community. Being an LGBTQ+ person in
today’s world, while experiencing more acceptance than ever before, is a struggle in its own right. The source of this struggle is primarily
a lack of education amongst those who are not a part of the community. Here are questions posed to our GSA students and some re-
1. What is the importance of asking people their pronouns? 4. What kind of allies do you need in your teachers?
“It makes them feel safe and comfortable with their “It’s important to me that teachers actually listen to what
gender identity.” students say to other students, and if they say something
“The importance of asking people their pronouns is so offensive, they put an end to it, so that we know we are
you do not mis-gender someone. Using someone's correct protected in the learning environment.”
pronouns can be a small thing for you to do, but is a massive “Teachers should be supportive and understand your
thing for the other person if they are transitioning or situation. Teachers do not need to tell your parents who
figuring out who they are. “ you are or try to set you up with someone. Students
2. What is it like to be LGBTQ in our school and deserve privacy.”
community, the country, the world today? “Students need a teacher who is open minded above all
“You are always being doubted, people make things and willing to try. Although many of my teachers
you feel as though you have to prove your struggled with my name and pronouns initially, they kept
self.” trying and got them down eventually. It was the
“Being part of the LGBTQ+ community in our school continual trying which meant the world and helped a great
and community can be difficult. Sometimes I feel deal to reaffirm me in my identity. We need teachers who will
suffocated and trapped inside myself, even though I respect our identities and not reveal our past experiences and
know who I truly am. I do feel like our country and world identities to other people without our consent. For example,
today are still not open to the thought of LGBTQ+. There ‘dead-naming’( referring to someone by their birth name
are people who do not believe that love is love , but that after transitioning).
you have to stay how you were born even if it is not 5.Is there reading material people can use to help learn?
who you truly are.” Something that may Shock and Discredit You by Daniel
Mallory Ortberg
“To be in the LGBTQ+ community is not something that is
easy, as many are quick to make assumptions about LGBTQ Foundation website at: http://lgbt.foundation/
who you are, and people who aren't very open minded
This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson
are quick to turn you away. We are very lucky for the
day and age that we live in though, as people are be- The ABC's of LGBT(+) by Ash Hardell
coming more and more educated and more open to GSA's media library at: https://tinyurl.com/wjaca9a2
different identities and expressions.”
6. What can people who aren't members of the LGBTQ+ Commu-
3. What can people do (or not do) to show their support in terms nity do to strengthen your voice?
of coming out as LGBTQ+?
“The most important thing I think is to let the person know “Show support by wearing a pin as an ally, talk to friends and
you accept them and to stand up for them if anyone gives family openly about LGBTQ and help them understand things
them a hard time no matter who it is.” that maybe they weren't aware of in a polite, respectful man-
ner. Don't judge someone by what pronoun they go by; be
“Definitely show support by using proper pronouns and
accepting and show kindness.
their correct name. It doesn't matter what someone "was
born;” it matters what they are now. If you flip-flop back “People who are not part of the LGBTQ+ community can help
and forth with pronouns or names it's very disrespectful, strengthen our voice by showing up to events like Pride,
even if that was not the intention. Be mindful and kind. No sticking up for people if they are bullied for who they are;
even just posting support on social media can be extremely
judgement. After all, who is anyone to judge?”
effective.
“Things that people really should not do is stereotype some
“People who aren't members of the LGBTQ+ community can
one, ask ‘Are you sure?’, ‘Can I be your gay best
best support their fellow members of their community by
friend?’ and definitely do not try to "test" if their coming
educating themselves! It is also important to note that one LGBTQ
out is true. There are things you can do to be supportive person does not speak f or all LGBTQ people, and that
towards someone coming out: be there for them, make while it is important to spread the word on things like respecting
sure they know you accept them, create a safe space for someone's pronouns, just be
them to talk about their feelings, and just be their friend; cause you have educated your
“It is always important for people to ask questions. That being self does not equip you to
said, it is equally, if not more important for people to be speak for the whole commu-
respectful when asking those questions and not being mad nity. Rather, it is your response
when the person cannot answer something. Unfortunately, ability as an ally to listen.
we are not walking encyclopedias who can answer every “JOIN GSA!” It is open to all.
thing. Everyone is different , and different identities mean
different things to everyone.”
5
paint’em red
Matthew Lewlellyn
i can’t believe that it took me so long to realize what it is that looms over the horizon.
Because sometimes, the horizon is just ordinary.
No beautiful colors,
nothing more beyond it.
there is,
though,
something that isn’t quite so ordinary.
that
is what is right here.
i can’t believe that it took me so long to realize that I had to stop romanticizing a wistful longing
for a horizon that will never come to me for that very reason.
because I am longing.
because i am waiting.
instead, i’ve stopped waiting.
i am creating my own world.
horizon’s may stretch in every direction,
but truthfully i may never get there.
why?
because when i do,
there will always be a new horizon to catch my eye.
a new horizon.
another carrot on a stick
dangling over my head.
and worse?
there is nothing that i can do about it.
so instead
i am going to create my own world.
i will paint my own streets red.
instead of an ordinary horizon
i will create an extraordinary now.
an extraordinary present instead of an unknown future.
in the end,
tomorrow will never really come.
because tomorrow will always be today.
i will not chase this infinite tomorrow,
but today i will revel in my sheer, unadulterated contentment.
SPRING off anything, but the fact that Movie Review
blue heels are able to pop with Ben Rappaport
Fashion such a neu- Recently I saw the movie Wolfwalkers on Netflix with my family. Plot-
By Shana Nerone tral outfit is
so powerful. wise it was simple, reminiscent of a classic fairytale. Even with the sim-
Spring Fashion is Photo three ple plot, it still was touching and emotional in ways I was not expecting.
very different from pictures Vic- The story is that Mehb (the protagonist) goes to Ireland with her father,
last year, more fun. In my toria Justice a hunter by trade, where the lord commander pays him to exterminate
opinion, 2021 fashion is mak- in a denim romper with wolves. From there she meets and befriends a wolfwalker, a creature
ing a comeback from past sleeves. Denim hasn’t made a
years. In the first photo, Ash- huge return within Spring similar to werewolf. Without spoiling too much, it had strong themes of
ley Benson is pictured wearing fashion of this year, but it’s friendship, perseverance, and family. The characters are fun and relata-
a gold and black dress with still one of the greatest fashion ble throughout the film, which breathes a nice tonal balance through-
shoulder pads, they are making trends that we have. If you out. Though honestly, the plot is not the main selling point of this mo-
a huge comeback and to be look below her outfit, she is
vie. The main attraction is definitely the art style. If you care about art or
honest I’m here for it! I think wearing white knee high boots
the look of them overexagger- which are adorable and have want to look at something visually interesting, I could not recommend
ates looks and makes them made one of the biggest come- this movie more. The film has a beautiful earthy and vibrant color pallet
stand out so much more. Photo backs this year. White knee with an art style straight out of a storybook. Watching this movie feels
two shows Hailey Bieber high boots can similar to being read Where The Wild Things Are as a child. Though I
wearing a tan/white pansuit be paired with
anything be- personally wouldn’t watch this movie by myself, I cannot recommend it
with teal heels. The tan and off
white colors have very much cause of the more to anyone who has a love of art or is looking for a great film to
sprung within the last few color they are watch with their family. The movie is a fun
months, even I’m starting to and with their and wholesome hour and forty-three mi-
wear these colors. These tans height they nute romp through the mystical and magi-
are the best and go with every- make any outfit
thing. Hailey Bieber can pull look classy. cal, all set to the backdrop of beautiful art.
6
Student Opinions...
We have added a new feature to the paper which polls students to learn their opinions on
various matters. This issue, we are looking at student opinion about the recent move by
Dr. Seuss Enterprises to remove six Dr. Seuss books from circulation. Students were asked
to express their thoughts on this,. They were asked the following questions : Mrs. Krom
What do you think about the fact that some Dr. Seuss books have been taken out of circu-
lation du to alleged racial biases? Choose one answer that bests fits your thinking:
Students in Grades 9 and
Out of 88 students surveyed, the responses were as follows:
10 taking Ms. Krom’s
Earth Science classes
I think people today are too easily offended and are spending too much time looking or
recently participated in a
things that are wrong instead of focusing on legitimate issues: 36
friendly poster competi-
tion by showing their un-
I think that was not necessary; Dr. Seuss books are not racist or biased: 8 derstanding of the
Earth’s water cycle. The
I think that the company removed the books because they felt they e were racist depic- water cycle is the contin-
tion in them, and they needed to do that: 44 uous journey water takes
from the sea, to the sky,
Comments from Students: to the land, and back to
the sea. This cycle is
“ People are trying so hard to ‘cancel’ everyone and everything . I feel lie I always have to powered by the sun and
watch what I say or post venues someone will always have something negative to say is happening all the time
about it” through evaporation,
condensation, and pre-
“Children and adults have read these books for years, and now ty are just finally being cipitation. Here is this
remove d,, after being published years ago. But the books are racist, but nobody would've year’s winner and second
really noticed it if they weren’t looking for it.” and third runners-up.
Cont...
“ There are many other Dr. Seuss books that are appropriate to read to children. However,
I think the company made the correct decision by removing the books that had outdated
and offensive picture s and descriptions. I don’t think people “too
easily offended “ I think people are starting to realize wat’s good and what isn't. The depic-
tions of minorities in Dr. Seuss’s books were not okay, and the company decided to remove
some of it’s own products of the better.”
“This is book-burning of the modern age.”
“I have not read the books that have been taken out of circulation, and do not know what
exactly the racist content was, but I have been aware of an ongoing discussion of Dr. Seuss
being racist for some time, and believe that there is racist content in some of his books.”
“Some Dr. Seuss books are racist and have racist depictions in them. It’s from books peo-
ple have probably never even heard of before. They aren’t even banning them or anything,
they’re just being taken out of circulation. The American people need learn how to, With a
lack of biter words, suck it up and focus on the real issues that are going on. You won’t be
affected with six less Dr. Seuss books in your live. Get over it.
“I believe that they should be taken out of circulation for children, but still available for
study and not fully banned., If we erase all memory y of a not so
good past, we’ll never learn for the future. At the same time, chil-
dren are too young to understand that these beliefs are inappropri-
ate today, and they might learn harmful ideas from them.”
“Dr. Seuss books are for kids and they don’t pay attention to wheth-
er the characters are white or black. This generation is ridiculous
and should be focusing on more serious issues.”
The books being removed from circulation are: And To Think Tat I Saw It on Mulberry
Street, If I Ran the Zoo, McElligot’s Pool, On Beyond Zebra!, Scrambled Eggs Super, and
The Cat’s Quizzer.
If you would like to submit a topic for a future poll, please send it to
spiritpaper@saugerties.k12.ny.us
7
Habitat for Humanity
Olivia Elliot
Discover more about the field of engineering, gain Michelle
real-life experience in construction and contracting, and Rosu have
move to help those in need with the community service pro- been work-
gram Habitat for Humanity at our very own high school. Led ing on the
by Michael Catalano and Ulster Habitat project manager home since
Peter Tirc, Habitat for Humanity first started when the or- January. In
ganization rolled into Saugerties. It began as a favor: to help the spring,
families in need build three houses in Glasco, New York, but they will finish up work with the addition of lighting, outlets,
when an electrician was needed, Dr. Catalano, a licensed switches, cover plates. They will also be doing painting, land-
master electrician, was put on the outfit, spurring the in- scaping, flooring, and many other parts of the construction
volvement of students from BOCES, and students at Sauger- process. Students travel to the work site on asynchronous
ties High School. As stated by Catalano, “I reached out to learning days to sharpen their skills and learn from profes-
Mr. Jones, Electrical Construction Teacher at Ulster BOCES, sionals in areas including carpentry, painting and masonry at
and I invited year 1 and 2 students to help, which many the work site. According to Ben Rappaport, “As well as the
did. We did this for house #2 of 3 as well.” rewarding feeling of helping the community, Habitat for
The house will be built for home applicant Craig Humanity offered me a good chance to experience working
Storm, who is supported by his wife, Kristel, and their chil- with my hands while gaining knowledge from the field of
dren. Every Ulster Habitat family must meet three criteria: a electrical engineering.”
need for housing, the ability to pay an affordable mortgage To join for work in the spring, you must be 16 years or
and a willingness to invest between two hundred and four older. Experience is not necessary as there will be experts guid-
hundred hours of sweat equity for hard-earned rewards. ing you every step of the way. Those who are trying to com-
One of their children, a two-year old, is handicapped and plete their community service hours in Government class, a
therefore needs adjustments like the height of light fixtures CDOS pathway, or Credential (graduation options) can volun-
and ease of access to household appliances. Another reward teer to earn credit. Proper clothes required include: closed-
of working on the site is the gratitude of good folks such as toed shoes, heavy-material pants or jeans and a mask. Work is
these. Craig Storm was touched by the students’ generosity. done outside, so workers must dress accordingly for the weath-
“This is amazing that they are willing to give up their Satur- er conditions. This is a chance to not only wire a house, but give
days, and they have a good attitude and good energy.” back to something bigger than yourself, meet new people with
The current construction is for the last of the three similar interests, and gain real-life skills in construction and
1500 square-foot ranch houses with four bedrooms, a living engineering to become successful when entering the world of
room, dining room and kitchen, as well as two bathrooms, work. As said by Peter Tirc, “They are always ready and willing
washer and dryer hookups, a front porch and a back deck. to jump in and help out; they always come to work with smiles
The work consists of the installation of a new 200 amp ser- on their faces.”
vice underground, a utility meter and electrical panel, and Further acknowledgement and grati-
all circuits to house and cable TV in all the bedrooms and tude goes out to Mr. Reinhardt, Su-
the living room. This lies on top of a concrete slab which has perintendent, Mr. Erceg, Human
radiant heat throughout, and a heat pump or air conditioner Resources Director, Mr. Reid, the
will also be installed. The electrical boxes for outlets have Principal, and Christine Brady La-
been raised to 20 inches and wall switches down to 40 inch- valle, Executive Director for Habitat
es as well. Google voice activation devices and Alexa’s will for Humanity, for their support. For
also be added for convenience. more information Dr. Catalano can
Those participating in the project include seniors be reached at 845-247-6651, Exten-
Kaitlyn Lennon, Dylan Senor, Jonathan Toth and juniors sion 1803 or
Dale Wolgamuth, Ian Foster and Ben Rappoport. The stu- mcatalano@saugerties.k12.ny.us.
dents, their instructor Robert Jones and teaching assistant
8
You can also read
