Jill Epstein ‘12
Lions and tigers and Snooki, oh my! After countless hours of hard work and practice, the cast and crew of The Wiz succeeded in staging yet another enjoyable THS production.
Originally, The Wiz was a Broadway play based on L. Frank Baum’s novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The tale was adapted in the 1970’s to celebrate African- American culture, and featured an all-black cast throughout its four year run. Just as the original plot was given a cultural spin, Artistic Director and teacher Mrs. Spillane decided to put a modern Trumbull High twist on the script.
As expected, the THS version of The Wiz stayed true to the well known tale of Dorothy Gale, a young girl from Kansas who is swept up in a twister and deposited in the mystical land of Oz. She longs to return home, and journeys to the Emerald City in search of the aid of the all-powerful Wiz. Along the way she befriends the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Lion, and takes them along with her. But you already knew that.
However, The Wiz truly came to life when it deviated from this well known plot. When Dorothy (senior Liz McCormack) first lands in Oz, she meets the perky witch Addaperle (sophomore Jacquelyn Sheehan), enthusiastically armed with a latte, a pink track suit, a colorful pack of texting Munchkins, and, of course a “magical” I-Pad.
This modernization continues as Dorothy teams up with the witty Scarecrow (senior Lucy Flucker and the “lax bro” Tinman (junior Ryan McEniry), whose ax has been replaced with a lacrosse stick and whose oil comes in Gatorade bottles.
The Lion (senior Andrew Tallian) truly steals the show, inserting sassy and entertaining pop culture references to psychiatrists and popular youtube videos.
In a similar fashion, senior Natalie Clift took the stage by storm as Evillene, a feisty parody of Jersey Shore’s Snooki. Her minions slaved away onstage, forced to participate in “gym, tan, laundry,” as she barked orders and pranced to and fro with a sky high hair-do.
And of course, one cannot neglect the Wiz himself, played by the talented junior, Matthew Johnson. As with the rest of the play, the Wiz upheld the modern vibe by bestowing gifts of the 21st Century upon the four friends, and taking the opportunity to crack an Ironman joke.This cast certainly did not lack talent, from the skilled harmonies of the Twister Sisters to the coordinated moves of the dancers, led by Nicole Isaac, Ya’ Monei Teel, and Carly Phillips. Said Isaac, “It was such a fun and amazing experience to be the dance captain this year....It was stressful sometimes, but having that responsibility helped me to get so much closer to the rest of the cast.”
“This show was a risk for us and is a big change from last year’s Fiddler on the Roof, but if I may say so myself, we pulled it off well. All of the late nights, early mornings, coffees and Redbulls paid off in the end, and I couldn’t be more proud of the cast and crew for all that they have accomplished,” said Student Producer Sam Maloney.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
The Performing Arts Center Gives Back
Dan Bond '12
It is easy to receive from others, but to give back is much more difficult of a task. This is not the mind set of those at The Performing Arts Center of Connecticut (PACC) – they believe in the old adage, “It is better to give than to receive.” When collective individuals, under the leadership of an organization, are able to accomplish giving back in their community, it is worthy of recognition and attention. PACC is one such organization.
Located in Trumbull, PACC provides a state of the art facility and top level classes for those wishing to pursue excellence in a multitude of different areas of the arts. In order to give back to the community to which it belongs, PACC, over the last seven years has become a sponsor of two separate benefit concert/ programs: Ali’s Angels who support liver transplant patients at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, as well as the Steven A. Merrihew Performing Arts Scholarship for graduating Trumbull High School seniors.
When asked why PACC founded and supports these two fund raising events, Executive Director, Catherine LaChioma stated, “It wasn't a conscious decision... it was really more of an extension of who we are, it is the mind set of who and what PACC is and the philosophy that it was built upon.”
To support the THS Performing Arts Scholarship and Yale New Haven’s Children’s Hospital Donor Foundation, PACC will be holding two separate benefit concerts featuring Trumbull High students, past and present, as well as other artists from around the area. The first will be Ali’s Angels on Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 7:30 at the Edgerton Center for the Arts which is also co-sponsored by Sacred Heart University. Tickets are $20, or buy 4 get one free.
Ten years ago, Alison Cubbellotti, a Trumbull resident and graduate of THS, was diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) an incurable disease affecting the liver. Age nine at the time, Ms. Cubbellotti was subjected to constant medical tests and procedure until in 2009 she received a desperately need liver transplant, saving her life.
As a result Alison, with the aid of PACC, was able to establish the Ali’s Angels Fund at Yale New Haven Hospital two years ago to help cover the costs of living not covered by insurance for the families of patients with liver diseases. Over the past two years the benefit concert has been able to raise over $18,000 dollars to support the fund. This benefit concert features song and dance – and this year will have the honor of having as their Special Guest Artist, Elizabeth Parkinson (Ms. Parkinson was the lead in “Movin’ Out and in Fosse on Broadway and was a principle dancer with Joffrey Ballet, Feld Ballet, Twyla Tharp and Donald Byrd/The Group).
The Steven A. Merrihew THS Performing Arts Scholarship will be held on Saturday, April 28 , 2012 at Trumbull High School at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $15 or $10 for students, and all proceeds are donated to the S.A.M. THS Performing Arts Scholarship. Six years ago the organization started a scholarship program for all students at THS who would be majoring in the arts at college. Over the past six years $30,000 in scholarships have been awarded to Trumbull High students– the amount awarded each year depends on the proceeds of the concert and number of recipients selected.
The scholarship is named after Steven Merrihew, a graduate of Trumbull High and lover of the arts who tragically died in a car accident five years ago. Steven was instrumental in setting up and supporting the first PACC THS scholarship, it was therefore fitting that the scholarship be named in his memory.
For more information on both benefit concerts, THS Performing Arts Scholarship Applications, and tickets call 203.372.ARTS or go to www.PACofCT.com. On its own, PACC can only do so much, but with the help of the student body, a true impact on the community can be made. By attending both benefit concerts, students are ensured a way to both help out two worthy causes as well as have a good time in the process.
It is easy to receive from others, but to give back is much more difficult of a task. This is not the mind set of those at The Performing Arts Center of Connecticut (PACC) – they believe in the old adage, “It is better to give than to receive.” When collective individuals, under the leadership of an organization, are able to accomplish giving back in their community, it is worthy of recognition and attention. PACC is one such organization.
Located in Trumbull, PACC provides a state of the art facility and top level classes for those wishing to pursue excellence in a multitude of different areas of the arts. In order to give back to the community to which it belongs, PACC, over the last seven years has become a sponsor of two separate benefit concert/ programs: Ali’s Angels who support liver transplant patients at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, as well as the Steven A. Merrihew Performing Arts Scholarship for graduating Trumbull High School seniors.
When asked why PACC founded and supports these two fund raising events, Executive Director, Catherine LaChioma stated, “It wasn't a conscious decision... it was really more of an extension of who we are, it is the mind set of who and what PACC is and the philosophy that it was built upon.”
To support the THS Performing Arts Scholarship and Yale New Haven’s Children’s Hospital Donor Foundation, PACC will be holding two separate benefit concerts featuring Trumbull High students, past and present, as well as other artists from around the area. The first will be Ali’s Angels on Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 7:30 at the Edgerton Center for the Arts which is also co-sponsored by Sacred Heart University. Tickets are $20, or buy 4 get one free.
Ten years ago, Alison Cubbellotti, a Trumbull resident and graduate of THS, was diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) an incurable disease affecting the liver. Age nine at the time, Ms. Cubbellotti was subjected to constant medical tests and procedure until in 2009 she received a desperately need liver transplant, saving her life.
As a result Alison, with the aid of PACC, was able to establish the Ali’s Angels Fund at Yale New Haven Hospital two years ago to help cover the costs of living not covered by insurance for the families of patients with liver diseases. Over the past two years the benefit concert has been able to raise over $18,000 dollars to support the fund. This benefit concert features song and dance – and this year will have the honor of having as their Special Guest Artist, Elizabeth Parkinson (Ms. Parkinson was the lead in “Movin’ Out and in Fosse on Broadway and was a principle dancer with Joffrey Ballet, Feld Ballet, Twyla Tharp and Donald Byrd/The Group).
The Steven A. Merrihew THS Performing Arts Scholarship will be held on Saturday, April 28 , 2012 at Trumbull High School at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $15 or $10 for students, and all proceeds are donated to the S.A.M. THS Performing Arts Scholarship. Six years ago the organization started a scholarship program for all students at THS who would be majoring in the arts at college. Over the past six years $30,000 in scholarships have been awarded to Trumbull High students– the amount awarded each year depends on the proceeds of the concert and number of recipients selected.
The scholarship is named after Steven Merrihew, a graduate of Trumbull High and lover of the arts who tragically died in a car accident five years ago. Steven was instrumental in setting up and supporting the first PACC THS scholarship, it was therefore fitting that the scholarship be named in his memory.
For more information on both benefit concerts, THS Performing Arts Scholarship Applications, and tickets call 203.372.ARTS or go to www.PACofCT.com. On its own, PACC can only do so much, but with the help of the student body, a true impact on the community can be made. By attending both benefit concerts, students are ensured a way to both help out two worthy causes as well as have a good time in the process.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Proposed Schedule Bringing Change
Andrew Vojt ‘12
EE Co-Editor-in-Chief
With NEASC, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, coming to evaluate Trumbull High in October, 2013 school year, changes are in order. The plans will address underlying scheduling issues, and this means changes for students next year.
It is necessary for our school to be approved by NEASC. Without their accreditation, our diplomas are no more than a piece of paper. In order to continually improve, NEASC has outlined three areas of improvement for THS: the extensive lunch periods, the lack of scheduled teacher collaboration, and the addition of advisory groups to help provide an adult mentor beyond a guidance counselor.
Primarily, our 47 minute lunch periods are a “...loss of instructional time,” according to Dr. Tremaglio. In order to shorten each lunch period while also maintaining the same duration of each period of the day means a modification of the homeroom system.
Under the proposed plan, students would pass to their scheduled homeroom for the first thirteen minutes of the period and then attend their lunch period for the next half an hour.
Homeroom teachers would depend on teacher’s scheduling for that semester, and the students in that particular homeroom would be un-alphabetized and allocated depending on the lunch wave. The teacher would not stay with the student all four years, and video announcements would be pre-recorded and played.
The second main issue that Trumbull High needs to address for NEASC is greater teacher collaboration, defined as teachers working with teachers in determining what needs to be done to realize continuous improvement. Previously, only two full school days, known as Teacher Development Days, had been set aside for this type of discussion, along with another over the summer.
However, the proposed plan is to maximize the collaboration during school day. Dr. Tremaglio stated that the analysis of professional development needs to be “...different from the way we do it here, so we have to build collaboration in.”
The new schedule will include increased collaboration. Eight days throughout the year may be dedicated to Advisory Days, where students come in ninety minutes late to school, with those ninety minutes set aside for teacher collaboration.
During a thirty minute period after teacher collaboration, students would attend an Advisory period. During this period, the students and a teacher “advisor“ would fulfill “common opportunities” such as career searching, college planning, student success talks, and guidance visits. The advisor would follow their group of students throughout all four years of high school.
This Advisory period provides both a frequent and continuous approach to a need for educational change at THS
“I think we have great relationship with our students and staff and guidance, but NEASC wants a formal piece of that… we have homeroom, but we don’t think it’s enough,” said Dr. Tremaglio.
With the Advisory Homeroom, students cement positive relationships with the staff in the homeroom period. However, this new schedule is not without its implication. Trumbull High has many unique programs, including Aquaculture, Agriscience, and The Regional Center for the Arts (RCA).
Dr. Tremaglio mentioned that having different sorts of schedules “...really wreaks havoc in student’s schedules and how they do business.” Over time, the new schedules, should “...not make a big difference in the day… [they] actually honor the student more than anything else,” said Dr. Tremaglio. However, it could prove difficult to upperclassmen who have adjusted to the current schedule throughout their high school career.
But with efforts to improve the educational process for NEASC, the new schedules give the school “...a much greater chance of being successful,” said Superintendent Ralph Iassogna. Look for instant change at the start of next year.
EE Co-Editor-in-Chief
With NEASC, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, coming to evaluate Trumbull High in October, 2013 school year, changes are in order. The plans will address underlying scheduling issues, and this means changes for students next year.
It is necessary for our school to be approved by NEASC. Without their accreditation, our diplomas are no more than a piece of paper. In order to continually improve, NEASC has outlined three areas of improvement for THS: the extensive lunch periods, the lack of scheduled teacher collaboration, and the addition of advisory groups to help provide an adult mentor beyond a guidance counselor.
Primarily, our 47 minute lunch periods are a “...loss of instructional time,” according to Dr. Tremaglio. In order to shorten each lunch period while also maintaining the same duration of each period of the day means a modification of the homeroom system.
Under the proposed plan, students would pass to their scheduled homeroom for the first thirteen minutes of the period and then attend their lunch period for the next half an hour.
Homeroom teachers would depend on teacher’s scheduling for that semester, and the students in that particular homeroom would be un-alphabetized and allocated depending on the lunch wave. The teacher would not stay with the student all four years, and video announcements would be pre-recorded and played.
The second main issue that Trumbull High needs to address for NEASC is greater teacher collaboration, defined as teachers working with teachers in determining what needs to be done to realize continuous improvement. Previously, only two full school days, known as Teacher Development Days, had been set aside for this type of discussion, along with another over the summer.
However, the proposed plan is to maximize the collaboration during school day. Dr. Tremaglio stated that the analysis of professional development needs to be “...different from the way we do it here, so we have to build collaboration in.”
The new schedule will include increased collaboration. Eight days throughout the year may be dedicated to Advisory Days, where students come in ninety minutes late to school, with those ninety minutes set aside for teacher collaboration.
During a thirty minute period after teacher collaboration, students would attend an Advisory period. During this period, the students and a teacher “advisor“ would fulfill “common opportunities” such as career searching, college planning, student success talks, and guidance visits. The advisor would follow their group of students throughout all four years of high school.
This Advisory period provides both a frequent and continuous approach to a need for educational change at THS
“I think we have great relationship with our students and staff and guidance, but NEASC wants a formal piece of that… we have homeroom, but we don’t think it’s enough,” said Dr. Tremaglio.
With the Advisory Homeroom, students cement positive relationships with the staff in the homeroom period. However, this new schedule is not without its implication. Trumbull High has many unique programs, including Aquaculture, Agriscience, and The Regional Center for the Arts (RCA).
Dr. Tremaglio mentioned that having different sorts of schedules “...really wreaks havoc in student’s schedules and how they do business.” Over time, the new schedules, should “...not make a big difference in the day… [they] actually honor the student more than anything else,” said Dr. Tremaglio. However, it could prove difficult to upperclassmen who have adjusted to the current schedule throughout their high school career.
But with efforts to improve the educational process for NEASC, the new schedules give the school “...a much greater chance of being successful,” said Superintendent Ralph Iassogna. Look for instant change at the start of next year.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Say Neigh to Horse Slaughter
By Dominique Martin '12
The bill HR-2112 was passed on November 18, 2011 and re-legalized horse slaughter in the United States. While the reopening of slaughter house plants in the America gives a place for unwanted horses, the institution of slaughter is, on a whole, flawed. People do not adhere to slaughter regulations and practices, and at times, can be cruel. If slaughter is to be allowed in the United States, there has to be a move to ensure that horses are treated humanely and that humans actively make informed choices when owning equines.
After being banned in the United States since 2006, the slaughter of horses for human consumption was re-legalized in the United States. This was part of bill HR-2112 which was signed into law by President Obama on November 18, 2011. The law would allow for slaughter plants to re-open in the United States that would process horse meat for human consumption.
The meat would primarily be shipped overseas to foreign markets where it is regularly consumed. Countless citizens across the United States were outraged, but others believed that slaughter in the United States gives an outlet for all the surplus horses.
When horse slaughter was banned in 2006, the United States no longer had an easy outlet for all the unwanted horses. The hope was that the ban would stop horses from suffering painful and cruel ending. However, the 2006 ban did not stop slaughter, and instead, horses were shipped over incredibly long distances to Canada and Mexico. At times, the animals were inhumanely shipped in trailers with low ceilings meant for cattle. These did not allow the horses to stand comfortably during the trip, and the animals were exposed to countless cruelty on their way to the less regulated slaughter houses of neighboring countries. They were hit in the face with whips or with charged cattle prods and not given any food from the time they were shipped to the time they were slaughtered.
HR-2112 re-allows horse slaughter and was also signed in order to help boost the economy says Laetitia Mailhes who wrote Horse Slaughter Expected in America. Horses, along with citizens of the United States, are feeling the effects of the economic slump. They are being turned loose and left out to fend for themselves by owners who can no longer afford them. Horses are expensive to care for, and the industry has no outlet for all the unwanted animals. There are not enough horse rescues and buyers to care for the surplus of equines. Although horse slaughter does give an outlet for the extra animals and prevents inhumane shipment across borders, the practice of slaughter still relies on relatively medieval and cruel methods.
The American Veterinary Medicine Association states that the most common way to slaughter horses is through captive bolt, and this is said to be humane. With this, horses are loaded into the kill box and then hit on the head with a bolt until rendered unconscious. However equineadvocates.org states that at times, the methods to slaughter horses are horrific because the animals are sometimes still conscious as they are being strung up and having their throats slit.
“There is too much cruelty and unnecessary pain and torture these poor animals go through. Not to mention they don’t go quick, I have watched documentaries on this subject, and it usually takes 3-4 hits before the animal goes down. Half the time the animals are still breathing when they shackle them up and start to skin them. It is sick! I don’t know how anyone would think it was a good idea to start this again, it took so long to shut them all down in the first place and now with the flick of a switch Obama is bringing it back,” remarks Shannon Pleines, a professional horse trainer and founder of Shannon Equine.
Horses, unlike cows and other stock were not bred for food. They are animals raised to be ridden and enjoyed by humans rather than eaten for supper. The horse has become iconic and is prominently featured as man’s trusty steed in popular western films.
Remarkable bonds form between human and horse, but there are still people unwilling to overlook this and endorse slaughter. Dana Kelner, Trumbull High Senior and avid horse rider states that, “I think it is completely horrible that horse slaughter has been legalized in the U.S. They are beautiful creatures and deserve a good life unharmed by the food industry.”
Along with Pleines and Kelner, there are countless people who are opposed to this new proposition. Animal rights groups and private parties put in unimaginable effort to ban horse slaughter in 2006. Efforts have been made to fight against the new law.
The cruel practices and lack of emotion towards equines outraged people across the nation. Many slaughtered horses come from owners who over-breed their animals or who do not fully consider the financial means necessary to properly care for them. Race horses are bred to run for two or three years and then practically thrown away once they can no longer perform. The industry is competitive and many professionals look for the absolute top animal and discard a perfectly good horse that could be well suited in a different home.
To truly make a difference, people have to push for an overall change in the horse industry. When purchasing a horse, a person needs to be fully aware of the time, responsibility, and financial means necessary for their care. Horses should still be attended to and cherished even later on in life when they are no longer able to be ridden. Owning a horse is a life time commitment. In addition, surplus and unregulated horse breeding has to be put to an end. Cranking out foals for the slight chance that one will be the next Secretariat is a foolish practice. People have to make informed choices when bringing a new horse into this world for racing or sport.
Commonly used slaughter practices need to be revised. “As a Professional in the horse industry I am absolutely against Obama’s reinstatement of equine slaughter houses in the US. I personally have seen the horrors of what happens inside a slaughter house. A lot of good animals end up there because of people’s neglect and lack of caring or emotion,” stated Shannon Pleines. Horses could be saved unimaginable pain and suffering with better regulation of the cruel practices in slaughter houses. There is a feasible way to end the surplus of horses in America. A more active stand against people who use and discard horses as well as a push for humane methods in slaughter houses has to be established.
The bill HR-2112 was passed on November 18, 2011 and re-legalized horse slaughter in the United States. While the reopening of slaughter house plants in the America gives a place for unwanted horses, the institution of slaughter is, on a whole, flawed. People do not adhere to slaughter regulations and practices, and at times, can be cruel. If slaughter is to be allowed in the United States, there has to be a move to ensure that horses are treated humanely and that humans actively make informed choices when owning equines.
After being banned in the United States since 2006, the slaughter of horses for human consumption was re-legalized in the United States. This was part of bill HR-2112 which was signed into law by President Obama on November 18, 2011. The law would allow for slaughter plants to re-open in the United States that would process horse meat for human consumption.
The meat would primarily be shipped overseas to foreign markets where it is regularly consumed. Countless citizens across the United States were outraged, but others believed that slaughter in the United States gives an outlet for all the surplus horses.
When horse slaughter was banned in 2006, the United States no longer had an easy outlet for all the unwanted horses. The hope was that the ban would stop horses from suffering painful and cruel ending. However, the 2006 ban did not stop slaughter, and instead, horses were shipped over incredibly long distances to Canada and Mexico. At times, the animals were inhumanely shipped in trailers with low ceilings meant for cattle. These did not allow the horses to stand comfortably during the trip, and the animals were exposed to countless cruelty on their way to the less regulated slaughter houses of neighboring countries. They were hit in the face with whips or with charged cattle prods and not given any food from the time they were shipped to the time they were slaughtered.
HR-2112 re-allows horse slaughter and was also signed in order to help boost the economy says Laetitia Mailhes who wrote Horse Slaughter Expected in America. Horses, along with citizens of the United States, are feeling the effects of the economic slump. They are being turned loose and left out to fend for themselves by owners who can no longer afford them. Horses are expensive to care for, and the industry has no outlet for all the unwanted animals. There are not enough horse rescues and buyers to care for the surplus of equines. Although horse slaughter does give an outlet for the extra animals and prevents inhumane shipment across borders, the practice of slaughter still relies on relatively medieval and cruel methods.
The American Veterinary Medicine Association states that the most common way to slaughter horses is through captive bolt, and this is said to be humane. With this, horses are loaded into the kill box and then hit on the head with a bolt until rendered unconscious. However equineadvocates.org states that at times, the methods to slaughter horses are horrific because the animals are sometimes still conscious as they are being strung up and having their throats slit.
“There is too much cruelty and unnecessary pain and torture these poor animals go through. Not to mention they don’t go quick, I have watched documentaries on this subject, and it usually takes 3-4 hits before the animal goes down. Half the time the animals are still breathing when they shackle them up and start to skin them. It is sick! I don’t know how anyone would think it was a good idea to start this again, it took so long to shut them all down in the first place and now with the flick of a switch Obama is bringing it back,” remarks Shannon Pleines, a professional horse trainer and founder of Shannon Equine.
Horses, unlike cows and other stock were not bred for food. They are animals raised to be ridden and enjoyed by humans rather than eaten for supper. The horse has become iconic and is prominently featured as man’s trusty steed in popular western films.
Remarkable bonds form between human and horse, but there are still people unwilling to overlook this and endorse slaughter. Dana Kelner, Trumbull High Senior and avid horse rider states that, “I think it is completely horrible that horse slaughter has been legalized in the U.S. They are beautiful creatures and deserve a good life unharmed by the food industry.”
Along with Pleines and Kelner, there are countless people who are opposed to this new proposition. Animal rights groups and private parties put in unimaginable effort to ban horse slaughter in 2006. Efforts have been made to fight against the new law.
The cruel practices and lack of emotion towards equines outraged people across the nation. Many slaughtered horses come from owners who over-breed their animals or who do not fully consider the financial means necessary to properly care for them. Race horses are bred to run for two or three years and then practically thrown away once they can no longer perform. The industry is competitive and many professionals look for the absolute top animal and discard a perfectly good horse that could be well suited in a different home.
To truly make a difference, people have to push for an overall change in the horse industry. When purchasing a horse, a person needs to be fully aware of the time, responsibility, and financial means necessary for their care. Horses should still be attended to and cherished even later on in life when they are no longer able to be ridden. Owning a horse is a life time commitment. In addition, surplus and unregulated horse breeding has to be put to an end. Cranking out foals for the slight chance that one will be the next Secretariat is a foolish practice. People have to make informed choices when bringing a new horse into this world for racing or sport.
Commonly used slaughter practices need to be revised. “As a Professional in the horse industry I am absolutely against Obama’s reinstatement of equine slaughter houses in the US. I personally have seen the horrors of what happens inside a slaughter house. A lot of good animals end up there because of people’s neglect and lack of caring or emotion,” stated Shannon Pleines. Horses could be saved unimaginable pain and suffering with better regulation of the cruel practices in slaughter houses. There is a feasible way to end the surplus of horses in America. A more active stand against people who use and discard horses as well as a push for humane methods in slaughter houses has to be established.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
School Budget: Why You Should Care
By Erin Walsh '12
As of January 4th, 2012, the Trumbull Board of Education approved a budget increase of 5.07% which makes the budget for the 2012-2013 school year $91,878,405. A typical student might think, “That’s a nice chunk of change, but why should I care?” Frankly, deciding the school budget is an important process that requires participation from teachers, administrators, and students alike. This proposed budget increase is going to result in several changes within the Trumbull community.
The meeting of the Board of Education was long, with the fifty participants locked in discussion until midnight. The budget increase they agreed upon addresses several key issues within the Trumbull Education system, the first being the elementary orchestra program. Led by Board Member Tom Kelly, the participants acknowledged the high cost of elementary participation in orchestra, which is currently the fifth highest in the state at $325. A portion of the budget was decided upon to relieve the cost. Additionally, a central issue of the meeting was the preservation of full-day kindergarten. This motion went unchallenged and this as well as the orchestra propositions ultimately passed.
The issue that could most directly benefit Trumbull High School students is the addition of two teaching positions. The Board felt these additions were necessary because of the lack of staff growth despite a 126 student population increase. Board Member and Trumbull High School principal Robert Tremaglio addressed which departments could receive these additions; “Science has been an area of concern because cut-offs have had to be made to coordinate labs. This past year we saw an appetite for Latin among our students, but despite its high demand we simply did not have enough teachers.” Dr. Tremaglio also mentioned how the high school may use one of the two positions to establish a permanent technology liaison. These potential additions to the Trumbull High School staff would allow for greater student enrollment in otherwise over-booked courses.
A critical part of deciding the school budget is the contributions of student representatives. For the 2011-2012 school year, Trumbull’s student representatives are Seniors Emma Connolly and Patrick Curtin, who are both heavily involved in Board of Education decisions. “Board members do ask us for input into certain things about student life that just can’t be communicated in numbers and data,” said Connolly, “They really do want to hear how certain changes could affect students.” Unfortunately, student voice is not always heard by the town. Curtin commented, “[While] we do stay informed of all major votes, on the town side, there are fewer opportunities for student input.”
However, both students maintain that in regard to the education budget, students should be more involved. Connolly expressed that, “…it would be beneficial for students to be more active in the budget process. Each meeting begins with a public comments session, and I think the Board would be enthusiastic to hear from any student who is willing to advocate for something.”
Though the final school budget will not be definitely set until late April, it is important for students to remain informed and involved, as these decisions affect the course of their education.
As of January 4th, 2012, the Trumbull Board of Education approved a budget increase of 5.07% which makes the budget for the 2012-2013 school year $91,878,405. A typical student might think, “That’s a nice chunk of change, but why should I care?” Frankly, deciding the school budget is an important process that requires participation from teachers, administrators, and students alike. This proposed budget increase is going to result in several changes within the Trumbull community.
The meeting of the Board of Education was long, with the fifty participants locked in discussion until midnight. The budget increase they agreed upon addresses several key issues within the Trumbull Education system, the first being the elementary orchestra program. Led by Board Member Tom Kelly, the participants acknowledged the high cost of elementary participation in orchestra, which is currently the fifth highest in the state at $325. A portion of the budget was decided upon to relieve the cost. Additionally, a central issue of the meeting was the preservation of full-day kindergarten. This motion went unchallenged and this as well as the orchestra propositions ultimately passed.
The issue that could most directly benefit Trumbull High School students is the addition of two teaching positions. The Board felt these additions were necessary because of the lack of staff growth despite a 126 student population increase. Board Member and Trumbull High School principal Robert Tremaglio addressed which departments could receive these additions; “Science has been an area of concern because cut-offs have had to be made to coordinate labs. This past year we saw an appetite for Latin among our students, but despite its high demand we simply did not have enough teachers.” Dr. Tremaglio also mentioned how the high school may use one of the two positions to establish a permanent technology liaison. These potential additions to the Trumbull High School staff would allow for greater student enrollment in otherwise over-booked courses.
A critical part of deciding the school budget is the contributions of student representatives. For the 2011-2012 school year, Trumbull’s student representatives are Seniors Emma Connolly and Patrick Curtin, who are both heavily involved in Board of Education decisions. “Board members do ask us for input into certain things about student life that just can’t be communicated in numbers and data,” said Connolly, “They really do want to hear how certain changes could affect students.” Unfortunately, student voice is not always heard by the town. Curtin commented, “[While] we do stay informed of all major votes, on the town side, there are fewer opportunities for student input.”
However, both students maintain that in regard to the education budget, students should be more involved. Connolly expressed that, “…it would be beneficial for students to be more active in the budget process. Each meeting begins with a public comments session, and I think the Board would be enthusiastic to hear from any student who is willing to advocate for something.”
Though the final school budget will not be definitely set until late April, it is important for students to remain informed and involved, as these decisions affect the course of their education.
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