News

REGIME CHANGE GOES UNNOTICED

By Julia Carfagno

The election of the first female, first Hispanic mayor of Miami Beach is old news around town, but not around school.

In a 100-person survey conducted on November 27, 2007 at Miami Beach Senior High School, only 20 percent of respondents could identify Matti Herrera Bower as the new mayor. Teenagers ages 14-18, from different backgrounds and all class levels were included in the survey. 13 percent of those surveyed said they followed the mayoral elections, yet only 3 percent could name the 4 candidates that ran.

Mayor Bower was not surprised.  “I think that if you were to conduct this same survey in adults you would find out [that] they wouldn’t be far off on the same percentages,” said Bower. “This is because life is so busy now and people are not really into government.”

But given that Bower cut her teeth in community activism centered on the Miami-Dade County Public Schools, it is ironic that she is so unknown at the local high school. Thirty years ago Bower started the first PTA at Fienberg-Fisher Elementary school, involving herself with the concerns of parents and students  “I learned everything that I know about politics by being involved in the PTA and trying to help the school system,” she said.

Dr. Elise Giuliano, a political science professor at the University of Miami, believes that a teenager’s access to political information depends primarily upon parents. “I think children and teenagers should be aware, but it’s something that happens at home,” she said. “If parents are apathetic and not discussing politics with kids, than where are our teenagers going to learn about it?”

Natalie Hernandez, sophomore, is Bower’s own granddaughter, and believes that teens today are just too into themselves. “High school kids should be involved,” she said.  “But at this age they care too much about how they look, they don’t care about what’s going on around them.”

In a wider survey conducted by the US Department of Education and the National Center for Education Statistics, only 19.1 percent of American high school students could answer five basic political questions.  49.1 percent answered zero or only one question correctly. 

The results of both surveys reflect a lack of interest among teenagers in contemporary politics. In the Miami Beach survey, some students claimed that the new mayor was Arnold Schwarzenegger, President Nixon, or the pimp Bishop Don “Magic” Juan.

One respondent claimed that the new mayor was “Jeff Bush” in an apparent mix-up with former governor Jeb Bush. Another said the new mayor was “Cuban lady Linda Grosz.”  Grosz, who is not Cuban and who did not run for mayor, lost a race for the city commission.

Many students were taken aback by their lack of political knowledge. “Wow, I really can’t believe I didn’t know anything” said junior Frank Targia. Others acknowledged that they were politically unaware.

“I don’t care about mayors,” said junior Jonathan Torres, who left his survey blank.  “I care about presidents.”

In the run-off election between Bower and Commissioner Simon Cruz, only 9,319 people voted out of the 39,883 registered voters.

“It does not surprise me,” said Bower.  “But I am saddened by the fact that a few people control the choice of the many,” said Bower.

One thing she was not sad about was the election’s final result.  “I really am very honored that I was elected.  I didn’t realize that I was making history. I did it because I wanted to help the city.”

STEPS TAKEN TO PREVENT STAPH OUTBREAK

By Joselyn Garcia and Alex Rodriguez

Recent MRSA infections in Miami-Dade and Broward County Schools have sent administrators at Miami Beach Senior High scrambling for ways to keep the infection off of school grounds. 

Regular staph bacteria is everywhere, and is often found in the nose or on skin.  Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus is a type of staph infection that holds a resistance to common antibiotics and can be ultimately deadly. 

“I think it is something we need to be concerned about,” said Principal Rosann Sidener. Beach High has informed students and parents of these recent breakouts through announcements and has sent letters home from the district.

According to Melissa Eisensmith, Beach High’s registered nurse, the most efficient way to prevent staph infection is to practice good hygiene. “The best … prevention is to wash your hands,” said Eisensmith.  “If you have any cuts or scrapes, keep them clean and covered.”

“One of the biggest problems we have here,” said Assistant Principal Ramon Patrice, “particularly with the young male students, is that they use the restroom and don’t wash their hands.”

The administration has taken measures to prevent the infection from spreading within the school’s campus.  Bottles of disinfectant hand soap were placed in every restroom. 

“They should put the soap in the wall because people keep taking the bottled ones,” said Junior Genesis Mileno, “So there actually is no soap in the restrooms.”

“Our custodians are wiping the desks with a chlorine solution,” said Sidener.  “I purchased disinfecting wipes for the teachers so everybody has wipes in their classroom, [and] hand sanitizer for every teacher and secretary to have.”

Special precautions are being taken for Beach High’s Athletic Department.  “We changed our disinfecting of locker rooms from once to twice a day,” said Sidener. “I told coaches that they need to make sure to disinfect all football helmets and shoulder pads.”

So far there have been no publicized cases of MRSA at Miami Beach Senior High.  However, according to Eisensmith, the school would not necessarily have to report if only one infection occurred. 

“I am not concerned of the infection being spread into Miami Beach Senior High,” said Science teacher Paul Rehage.  “I have good hygiene and most of the students have good hygiene.”

The administration’s efforts to raise awareness about the infection seem to have gotten through.  “Now I am carrying hand sanitizer,” said Freshman Alicia Rodriguez, “[and] washing my hands.”

HAMSTER HEIST GOES HORRIBLY WRONG

A local police officer becomes an unwitting accomplice to hamsternapping, as ransom photos are sent to Justin Cormier's classroom.

By Alicia Sanchez

An innocent prank to kidnap a class pet took a turn for the worse last month, when English teacher Justin Cormier’s hamster, Saki, died shortly after being returned in a hostage style negotiation.   

Mathematics teacher Ben Silva said he came up with the heist after the two teachers hung out together.

“I have a lot of time on my hands,” said Silva, who involved his students in the planning and execution of the prank on September 18. 

Sophomore Stephanie Santana was assigned to distract Cormier, when Sophomore Diana Meneguzzi physically captured the hamster and brought it back to Silva’s room. 

“There were two other kids in Mr. Cormier’s room,” said Santana, “but we told them to keep quiet.”

Junior Alex Rodriguez had written a ransom letter in advance to warn Cormier against involving the authorities.  Silva and his accomplices managed to complete the entire operation by 7:15 AM. 

Silva, who also teaches Chess and advises the Chess club, renamed the hamster “Chesster” during its three-day stay in his South Beach apartment.  During that time, Silva gave the animal a tour of the area, and photographed it alongside the ocean, a police officer, and local residents.  The photos were later planted in Cormier’s classroom to act as clues.   

According to Silva, the hamster was well cared for.

“I thought it was really funny,” said Silva.  “I was pretty happy [with] the plan.”

According to Cormier, the daily photos calmed his worries about Saki’s safety.  “I didn’t feel bad,” said Cormier.

“It felt pretty good actually,” said Silva. “The hamster was having fun, going to the beach and meeting new people.”

As time went on, Cormier followed the ransom note’s directions, only to be frustrated with the delivery of more and more photos.  “I was very saddened and depressed,” he said.  “I was reminiscing [of all] the good times Saki and I had.”

Cormier suspected his own students at first, and admits to yelling at innocent children, thinking that they were responsible.  However, Cormier quickly turned the blame to Silva after a suspicious phone call was made from Silva’s classroom.

On the third day of the prank, Silva left a negotiation letter in Cormier’s mailbox.  According to the letter, the hamster would be returned after one dollar was placed in a mailbox. 

Finally, the two teachers agreed to exchange the hamster for Cormier’s puppet, named Lamb Chop. 

“I hope Lamb Chop is treated well and she’s happy,” said Cormier.  “I cry at times from missing her too much.”

Chesster, formerly known as Saki, was subsequently left in Mathematics teacher Steven Gonzalez’s room, and returned to Cormier the following day. 

Several days later, the pet hamster mysteriously died.  At first, Silva suspected a double cross from Cormier.  “I still haven’t seen a body yet,” said Silva.

The whereabouts of Saki’s body are still unknown.

PEACE CORPS GIVE ADVICE FOR YOUNG VOLUNTEERS

By Josh Dermer

The Peace Corps conducted an informational seminar at the Miami Beach Public Library on Monday, October 21. The process and benefits of joining were explained to an audience of approximately 20 people.

“Getting ready for Peace Corps service is starting to study a foreign language, as well as just getting involved with the community,” said Colleen Scott, Recruiting Director for the Southeast. Founded in 1961, the Peace Corps operates across the globe with people participating in work ranging from education to agriculture.

“Start doing volunteer work now to prepare you for the program you think you would like to become a part of,” said Scott, who herself volunteered in Zambia. According to Scott, every country has a unique need: Eastern Europe needs English teachers, Latin America needs information technology specialists, and Africa needs HIV and AIDS educators.      

Peace Corps volunteers must be at least 18 years old and must be U.S. citizens. Though a high school graduate may qualify, approximately 90% of those currently serving have four year degrees. “[Without a college degree], it’s going to be really hard to be competitive with everyone else that is applying,” said Scott.

“Hands on activity is [what] you can start doing now,” Scott explained. “Anything will help [to] start building those skills that you need to qualify for those programs.” Scott recommended that students volunteer in a wide range of context, from working in a hospital to getting involved in environmental education.

According to Scott, helping people is important but the real job is the exchanging of ideas and cultural practices. “They are there to learn about you, as much as you are there to learn about them.”

WORKERS AND STUDENTS QUESTION CONSTRUCTION DEADLINE

Working hard or hardly working?

By Amanda Epstein, Joselyn Garcia and Roberta Roberts

The first wing of a new campus at Miami Beach Senior High is set be completed in December, 2007, according to the school’s administration. However, on-site construction workers are expressing doubts that the deadline will be met.

“You guys will probably be out of college,” said a foreman for Suffolk Construction, the company that holds the contract with Miami-Dade county Public Schools. The deadline has been continually moved back since the project was first announced.

Principal Rosann Sidener expressed confidence that the timeline would move according to plan. “December 16 is the drop dead date,” she said.

Sidener insisted that the construction would not interrupt the top priority of the incoming administration – classroom instruction. “If we don’t move in December,” she said, “we are not moving until after FCAT, so they are going to set their entire project back three months.”

She pointed out that Suffolk Construction has financial incentives to complete each phase of the project according to the established timeline. “If they’re late on the project, they have a fine every day,” she said.

According to Principal Winston Whyte, Suffolk Construction finished the construction of Howard D. McMillan Middle School on time and under budget. “I was pretty satisfied about how they performed,” commented Whyte.

However, construction problems specific to Beach High have made Suffolk representative Dagoberto Diaz less than confident that the success of McMillan Middle can be easily replicated.

“The school district considers this project to be one of the most difficult,” said Diaz. “We have to lift these panels when there are no students in school, which could only be done on Saturdays, after hours or on a school break.”

Diaz also noted that other schools were accelerated in order to open by the beginning of this school year.

Many students have expressed frustration over the inconveniences of ongoing construction and the repeated delays of years past. According to Senior Rachel Rodriguez, “It has limited the student body in many ways and has made the years at Beach High uncomfortable.”

Senior Ashley Casal agreed. “The school’s overcrowded. Everything is dirty. Cleanliness has been ignored,” she said. “The water system has been limiting our ability to drink water, use the toilets and sinks.”

According to Sidener, the construction of the new facility should open up space for several hundred new students. The entire project is scheduled to be done by August 2009.

“The only building that’s not getting renovated is the 900 building,” said Sidener. “The 400 wing … will become a temporary cafeteria… They are going to tear down the cafeteria, the 100, 200, and 300 wings and the music rooms. After that gets torn down, and the new gym and new cafe are built, then they’re going to tear down the gym and that’s going to become a court yard.”

According to the Suffolk foreman, there are currently 150 workers on site working 48 hours a week.

PEP RALLY CLOSES OUT SPIRIT WEEK

The football team is pumped for tonight's game

By Amanda Epstein, Wendy Goya, Maria Guzman, Vanessa Vigne and Alessia Pizzorni

Today’s pep rally marked the end of spirit week and the beginning of this year’s Homecoming ceremonies. 

“I liked all the activities, the variety, the kids dressing up,” explained Assistant Principal Ramon Patrice.  “It was great.”

The theme for Monday was “Twin Day”, and all day, all that was seen was doubles. Tuesday, students dressed in their tackiest and most outrageous outfits. Wednesday was a sea of college names while on Thursday students experimented with the style of a different era.  To end the week, students showed how much spirit they had by wearing the school colors, scarlet and silver. Throughout the day, faces painted with hi-tide pride roamed the school.

“This is the last game before the players come home,” exclaimed Senior Tatiana Soto, the enthusiastic master of ceremonies.  “We’re going to win!”

The Homecoming game is on tonight at 7:00 PM in Flamingo Park, and students are optimistic about an upcoming victory.         

“Beach High is going to win” gloated Senior Ryan Beilstein.  “It’s going to be a nice little surprise for the guys at South Miami”

During the pep rally, the Sparkling Rubies entertained the crowd with their upbeat dance moves, followed by the cheerleaders and the football team.  Meanwhile, the crowd was eagerly screaming and stomping their feet to the rhythm and doing the wave.          

The experience excited the students and the athletes for tonight’s game. 

Senior Hafitd Trejos declared, “We’re going to whoop [South Miami].”

DR. PAGE SHARES COLLEGE SECRETS WITH STUDENTS AND PARENTS

By Margaret Cohn

Florida’s public universities were the topic of discussion for College Assistance Program advisor Dr. Jon Page, who held a meeting for students in the Miami Beach Senior High Media Center on October 4. Almost 100 people were in attendance, and Page was excited to see so many grades represented.

“I’m really happy to see kids below twelfth grade,“ said Page.  “One of the problems in our school is that in the past I have only gotten to speak to juniors, and I have not gotten to speak to freshman and sophomores.”

The meeting was called to inform students on the twelve Florida state schools.  Page distributed a handout outlining university’s 2007 freshman profile, school attributes and school contacts.

According to Page, Beach High students seem to know about one Florida school in particular – The University of Florida, located in Gainesville.  “Most of us are kind of familiar…with that little tiny school in Gainesville.  What is it?” he asked.   “For kids at this school that’s kind of it. There is no other college in Florida.”

Page ordered his talk alphabetically, so that the University of Florida came strategically at the end.

“Many of us are considering attending a Florida school only if it is UF,” said Junior Hannah Snitzer. 

Page encouraged students to look beyond Gainesville, if only to comparison shop.  He gave especially high marks to New College in Sarasota and Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.

“It’s new, not as many people have heard of it, and it doesn’t win all of its football games. They’re just not as popular,” said Page regarding FAU.

Although the most popular university was only touched upon, the overall feeling of attendees was that the meeting was informative and successful.

Karen Rivo, Parent Teacher Association president, encouraged parents to join the Beach High PTA.

“I think it [the meeting] went excellent,” she said.  “A lot of good information… and I hope we can continue these kinds of discussions with students about the next part of their life.”   

2007 CROWN AND CAPERS - IT'S ELECTRIFYIN'

Danny rides off with Sandra Dee

By Miriam Kolker, Margaret Cohn, Josh Dermer, Roberta Roberts and Sara Bogorad

The afternoon of October 18th brought a crowd of students attired in pink skirts and black leather jackets to the Miami Beach Senior High School gymnasium for the annual Crown and Capers, initiating this year’s Homecoming ceremonies.

The opening act portrayed a scene from the classic movie Grease, with the Pink Ladies gathered on one side of the gym and the T-Birds huddled on the other. Principal Rosann Sidener strolled in as Sandra D, as the crowd’s attention was turned to the roar of Attendence Officer Ed Cobin’s motorcycle.

“I’m so cool you need a blanket when I’m around,” joked Cobin.

The song “Summer Loving” was blasted through the gym, and ended with Dr. Sidener riding out on the back of Cobin’s motorcycle.

“I’m not too crazy about riding on motorcycles,” said Sidener, “ but I will do it for the cause.”

The Sparkling Rubies, a new dance group coached by Attendence Secretary LaRosa LeGree, kept the crowd going in their shiny scarlet and silver costumes. According to LeGree, they practiced from 3:00 to 4:30 PM, five days a week, for two and a half months.

Cheerleaders then showed off their school spirit with choreography and acrobatics, alternating 50s music with contemporary tunes to jazz up their routine.

Juniors Joselyn Martinez and Michelle Granados entertained the crowd with the rest of the Rock Ensemble.  Songs included Grease’s “You’re the One that I want,” Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock and Roll,” and Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll.”

“[It was] good to kick off the year with such well known songs,” said senior bassist Adrian Benavides.

According to activities director Marysol Rivero, the Student Government Association stayed after school every day to produce the event. “When people see the show, they only see the final product, not all the work that goes on behind the event,” she said. “Every show, every event is a learning experience.”

When it came time to announce the Homecoming Court, the gym fell silent. As each name was announced, the drum rolls and cheers grew louder and louder.

“I feel amazing! I’m kind of surprised,” said Jeffery Martinez, Homecoming Court’s Freshman Prince.  “They called my name and I was like, ‘Wow!’ I think they’re going to give me a car.”

Tomorrow night’s Homecoming Game will reveal the Homecoming King and Queen.

“It was great!”  said Senior Patricia Rodriguez.  “[My favorite part was] the teacher’s skit.”

“I want to thank all my Hi-Tide brethren for inviting me to that fantastic show,” said Cobin. “I want to do it again tomorrow.”

DRESS CODE AIMS TO CREATE PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT

No flip flop has gone unseen this year.  Almost...

By Ariela Zuniga

While most students sighed in disappointment as the first day of school approached, a handful sped to the malls, energized and thrilled for ‘Back to School’ shopping and sales.            

Yet upon arrival to school, students at Miami Beach Senior High were drowned in newly enforced rules and regulations, including bans on iPods, cell phones, and inappropriate clothing. According to the dress code, prohibited items now include sheer or see-through clothing, midriff baring tops, skirts and shorts above arm’s length, backless sandals, flip flops, tank tops, low-cut, spaghetti strapped, strapless or sleeveless clothing.

“Last year, the security guards only sent you to CSI for your clothes if they knew you were a troublemaker,” said sophomore Joselyn Martinez.  According to Martinez, many students were unaware of the dress code because, “[students] were allowed to come to school in whatever we wanted.”  But this year, enforcement has been more uniform.  Reprimands, warnings, and afternoons in detention have been issued to students that refuse to comply.

“I can’t wear shorts.  I can’t wear sweaters that are open, even when I have tank tops under,” senior Sarah Mendez complains.  “I can’t wear dresses that are comfortable that are spaghetti straps.  I can’t wear sandals.  I can’t wear backless shoes.”  Many students have found it difficult to adjust to the new enforcement because of the lax
atmosphere of years past, argues Martinez. 

“I’ve enforced the dress code policy because it’s my belief that school is preparation for life, school is your work,” said Principal Rosann Sidener.  “You are a worker, and your job right now is to go to school.”  According to Sidener, professionalism is key.  “I want to set a professional tone in the school,” she said, “so the students feel they are coming to a professional setting.”

Student tempers flared earlier in the year when the air conditioning system was routinely breaking down.  Ever since building construction moved lunch outside, concerns about a lack of shade during lunch have also contributed to student unrest over dress code enforcement. 

Some schools have adjusted their rules to be even tighter on what is deemed appropiate clothing.  Skirts are only allowed to be worn for religious reasons at Dr. Michael Krop Senior High, while Miami Central, Booker T. Washington, North Miami, American, Miami Norland, and Miami Senior High Schools maintain a strict uniform policy.  Students in violation are not even allowed on the premises.

NEW PRINCIPAL COMBATS 'D' SCHOOL IMAGE

Principal Rosann Sidener explains her strategy to raise Beach High's FCAT scores.

By Alessia Pizzorni

Falling FCAT scores have educators and administrators at Miami Beach Senior High School scrambling to identify the causes and corrective measures for the school’s poor test performance. Dr. Rosann Sidener, Beach High’s incoming principal, has implemented a number of strategies that were effective in raising short term achievement levels at her previous post. A major part of the plan includes having teachers utilize shared instructional strategies while teaching different academic content.

When it was announced that Beach High’s state assessment fell from a ‘C’ to a ‘D’ last year, Dr. Sidener called teachers from all departments together to align the school’s curriculum. For one week in June, participants pored over the benchmark tests that measure student progress on material that needs to be taught before FCAT testing every March.

One outcome of this meeting is the new school-wide Focus Calendar, which contains strategies and benchmarks that each class should be working on in accordance with weekly timelines. According to Dr. Sidener, each classroom should display a copy so that both students and teachers can monitor their advancement. Whether students are in Science, Math, Health, Spanish or Social Studies, the teacher should be helping them to apply common strategies.

“What we’ve done is taken a look at the schools’ performance and how the kids did on the eight tested benchmarks in reading,” said Dr. Sidener in a September 14 press conference. “We picked the one that the kids had the most trouble with,” she said. “That’s the one we emphasized first. We are teaching the teachers a strategy that is shown by research to be very effective.”

Dr. Sidener implemented a similar program as principal of Booker T. Washington Senior High School. That school’s state assessment initially rose from an ‘F’ to a ‘D’, but later fell back to an ‘F’ when Dr. Sidener came to Beach High.

Teachers and students expressed a wide array of opinions concerning the drop in Beach High’s state assessment. Math teacher Ms. Perez believes the school lost interest in academics. “Academics should be the number one priority in any school,” said Perez. “It’s great to have activities, it’s great to have field trips, but it’s … even more important to have the academics progress.”

Some students also believe that student disinterest in the FCAT’s science portion, which counted for schools’ state assessments but not for students’ graduation status, contributed to the problem. According to Senior Ryan Beilstein, “Nobody was prepared for it, because nobody took it seriously.”

To instill an ethic of seriousness, the new administration is enforcing old rules. “Students are not running around in the hallways, they’re not talking on their phones so much,” said Assistant Principal for curriculum Jodi Robins. “I think we have already seen a lot of improvement.”

History teacher Kevin Simon agrees. “I think that Dr. Sidener and her team have better planning, they have higher expectations, and they are going to monitor what goes on much more than the previous administration.”

According to Robins, the new administration’s top priority is for students to want to come to school and learn. “If there is a sense of pride, a sense of ownership,” said Robins, “then [the students] want to do better.”

There is a philosophy that Dr. Sidener wants students to consider every day at school. “As a person, as a human being, I want to be better tomorrow than I was today…I might make a mistake today; I’ll reflect on it tomorrow and I won’t repeat that mistake.”