SNOW DAY!!! (1/14)

DAN KATZ '08

At approximately 10:23 pm, Peter Hutton made the decision to cancel school for Monday, January 14th. Hundreds of eager Beavers were glued to their computer and televisions screens, awaiting the prompt updates. Anger spilled out immediately over the delay of the announcement, shown by the comments on the post previous to this one. We, as Beaver Students, are well aware of the administration's hatred of "unneeded" snow days, and we were worried that this storm would fail to phase Mr. Hutton on his 300 ft walk to school. However, the recent announcement of Hutton's decision rekindled our love for our headmaster, only lost during a brief period of doubt.

We at the newspaper were prepared to attack any refusal to cancel school on Monday. As staff member Maddy Kiefer wrote: "As a new driver, I feel that I am compromising my safety in coming to school, so, if we don't have a snow day, I will be forced to choose: my education, or my safety?"

However, now all that is left to do is rejoice! Happy first snow day of 2008!

In honor of snow days of the past: (brought to you by Toph & Willy Tucker)

Read more for "Top Six Things to do During a Beaver Snow Day."

TOP SIX THINGS TO DO DURING A BEAVER SNOW DAY

6. Come to the realization that your local library has a digital checkout system that allows each patron to take up to 99 books out at once. 99 books! Mountains of books! Wonderful books! NO, NOT TO READ! This is a snow day! When you're settled from the excitement, print a list of the 60+ books you somehow carted home and spread them around town: in the snow, in the dumpster, under the car. Then send everyone on a scavenger hunt. Hand out prizes for first book found and most books found in total. Reserve a special last place award for anyone who spontaneously decides to read a book. Double Grand Prize goes to you, in the end, when they all head out to return the books. Then you won't owe $112.50 per day when they all become overdue at once.

5. Take a jog over to Beaver and knock on Peter Hutton’s front door. Ask to come in, and he should comply. Sit him down, and explain to him the need for a school day despite the weather. Let the tears shed as you explain to him all of the knowledge you missed from his decision, and because of that your entire future has been compromised. Today’s lesson on Algorithmic Art could have led to a successful career and fulfilling life. BUT NO! You were forced to stay home and drink hot chocolate, and now all has been lost. In addition, you lost the $165 it costs for a school day at beaver, and you expect someone to refund your money. THANKS A LOT PETER HUTTON!

4. Bundle up and find something--or someone--to ride around on, and force them to make weird squawking noises. Speak into your wrist from time about the desolateness of your surroundings. Then find a polar bear (or abominable snowman), have it eat your friend and take you to its cave, and then escape by cutting off its arm. Collapse in the snow and hallucinate until someone finds you. (Confused?)

3. Come on! Be cliché! Just make a snowman! BUT be creative: dress it up as your favorite Beaver faculty member so you don’t miss them too much during your time away. If you take a picture and send it to us, we will be sure to post it!

2. Recite a Lord of the Rings speech in front of the entire student body as your presidential campaign speech.

1. DO HOMEWORK…and then read the Beaver Newspaper!

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In Anticipation of a Possible Snow Day (1/14)

DAN KATZ '08

UPDATE: CLOSED!!! More coming soon!

We, the newspaper staff, are awaiting Peter Hutton's decision on tomorrow's snow storm. It is 10:20, and Newton and Brookline have both been closed. However, Beaver prides itself on their bravery when it comes to having school despite a storm. It aimed to shed its reputation of frequent snowdays, and has accomplished just that.

Keep posted to the Newspaper's site for snow updates, and tips on how to spend a snow day.

P.S: Mr. Hutton, we beg of you...
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Talent Show looks to become a Beaver tradition

EMILY BELOWICH '11

On Thursday, November 15th, the Beaver student body packed into Bradley Hall to come to Beaver’s first annual Talent Show. Organized by members of student council, this talent show was admittedly an attempt to increase Beaver’s insufficient school spirit. Initially, the organizers for the show were concerned about the level of success the show would bring, primarily because not many people signed up. However, after the performances, freshman class treasurer Kirsten Gute said, “It went really well; it was really enjoyable to watch. We did an awesome job organizing this!” Beaver’s spirit was definitely raised as they watched peers, classmates, friends, and even a teacher, participate in a variety of different talents.

While the whole school attended, only upper school students partook in the show. Such talents varied from Nat Harrington ’10 chanting twelve lines from the Iliad, Aeneid, and the Odyssey, to Raina Jacques ’09, singing a beautiful version of I Know Who Holds Tomorrow. Theo Norton ’08 impressed the crowd with some neat yo-yo tricks, while Ben Jacobson ’09, Ben Patten ’09, and math teacher Kevin Bau rocked out on the bass and drums to The Beatles. During the show Bau comically stated that, although it was a student talent show, he felt like a “student of life.” Emcee Sam Packard ’08 got the crowd laughing with some jokes while students ran into technical difficulties.

In the end, however, Jeff Higgins ’08 walked away with a $100 Visa gift card for his outstanding piano composition entitled "Exceptional Life," dedicated to the memory of Alex Cohn ’07, who passed away last year. He also dedicated the song to other students from his old school, who died in the past few years. This talent show was a great success, and student council is looking forward to planning another one next year to start a Beaver tradition.

Image & video credit: Michael Firer '09
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Mixed-grade advisories increasingly a relic of the past

MADDY KIEFER ‘08

Most seniors remember the mixed grade advisories that were mostly disbanded in September 2005. Incoming freshmen used to be put in advisories with upperclassmen, which, although daunting at first, was eventually an experience that many of them appreciated. Today, this system is almost entirely phased out. For more information, read the editorial, "The Fall of the Mixed-Grade Advisory."
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Spotlight: The Water Fountain Roundup

TOPH TUCKER '08

Not all Beaver water fountains are created equal. In fact, they used to be downright erratic. Many of you must remember that before this year, the water fountain in the library was incredibly overpowered and super-sensitive. The fountain by the preschool used to be dismal. Ah, but remember the old one by Sawtell Gym? (I reckon very few of you do.) I was always a fan of that one, although I seem to remember a bit of controversy about that.

Since then, the fountains have become markedly more consistent. Here's my roundup. Frankly, there's not a lot to say. The water quality generally seems identical. But I include the peak stream height (measured from the point it leaves the faucet), accessibility information (according to the Americans with Disabilities Act), and some other interesting information. Most of you will know all this by now, but it's critically important information for newer students.

Miscellaneous Trivia

All fountains are manufactured by Halsey Taylor, "Satisfying thirsts since 1912"--a mere 8 years before Beaver was founded!

These are all technically water coolers, not water fountains, because they do refrigerate the water. They are all intended to provide water at 50° F.

The brand name of the water fountain/cooler by the cafeteria is "Voyager." Ironically, a painting entitled "The Voyager" hangs over the library fountain.

1st Floor, Arts Building [double set]:

OVL-II-SER-Q; meets legal accessibility requirements

Peak stream height: 8 cm (tall one) / 10 cm (short one); somewhat disappointing water; note that they cannot both run simultaneously, but instead are reduced to a slow trickle.

1st Floor, by the "cafeteria-style dining hall":

HTV8Q 1; meets legal accessibility requirements

Peak stream height: 8 cm; nice and cold and quite satisfying, but the whole unit is awfully low; buttons are easiest to press, but also easy to accidentally bump into.

1st Floor, by the preschool [double set]:

HAC8FSCBL0; meets legal accessibility requirements

Peak stream height: 10 cm; pretty good water; unlike the OVL series, both can function simultaneously without interruption.

2nd Floor, Arts Building [double set]:

OVL-II-SER-Q; meets legal accessibility requirements

Peak stream height: 7 cm (both); essentially identical to set on 1st floor, except for stream height; again, they can't run simultaneously.

2nd Floor, Middle School Wing:

S500-5D-1* (*best guess); does not meet legal accessibility requirements

Peak stream height: 7 cm; all around, pretty average; an old favorite of mine from my middle school days; thumb-push button is not as easy as, say, the HTV Series; height can be an advantage for some and a disadvantage to others.

2nd Floor, Upper School Wing:

S500-5D-1; does not meet legal accessibility requirements

Peak stream height: 7-8 cm; all around average; sister fountain to the Middle School Wing one. It lacks the small stool that the Middle School fountain features.

Library ("The Voyager")

WM8AQ_1Q* (*best guess); does not meet legal accessibility requirements

Peak stream height: 9-10 cm, impressive but still a serious downgrade from last year; aside from height, the water is downright delicious; likely the best water fountain in the whole school; height of the unit is especially nice; button action is superb.

Outside the Library

WM8AQ_1Q; does not meet legal accessibility requirements

Peak stream height: 7 cm; sister fountain to The Voyager, but not nearly as good; still, a major improvement over past years, when getting more than a trickle out of it was nearly impossible

Language Wing / S5 [double set]

HACBL-A L/R; meets legal accessibility requirements

Peak stream height: 10 cm (both); can run simultaneously; sister fountains to the preschool pair

Conclusions

"The Voyager," in the library, is the one clear standout in the crowd. Others are satisfying; some are disappointing.

Average quality has improved dramatically over the past few years. Of course, accessibility remains an issue, and quality could easily lapse again. I hereby call for a survey of the school's water fountains every four years, in order to ensure that future generations can enjoy the same consistent water supply that we do today.

Personally? I recommend we get a few of Halsey Taylor's Explosion Proof Coolers. You know, just in case.

P.S. I realize that I am missing the water fountains in the gyms. This is just for the main building, but don't worry, that's coming soon!

Update 6/Dec/07: corrected a couple things pointed out by Nick and Mr. Manning. (Unfortunately, the "cafeteria" language in the poll is already set in stone.)

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Senior's niece featured in Gap contest; vote now!

Senior Kelly Kretschmar's niece Marley has been chosen out of 860,000 submissions to be one of five finalists for the next babyGap model! Help her out--vote every day until December 15 at the follow site:

http://www.gap.com/castingcall
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Alumni Watch: Matt Selman, Simpsons writer & producer, has a few choice words for Rockstar

TOPH TUCKER

Those of you who were at Beaver during the last Red Sox World Series victory may remember Matt Selman. A writer for The Simpsons, he remains one of the most legendary speakers in recent memory.

With the videogame The Simpsons Game nearing release, certain parties have enthusiastically objected to some of the game’s satirical content. Specifically, Rockstar, the makers of Grand Theft Auto, asked the creators to remove a parody called “Grand Theft Scratchy: Blood Island.” Or, as Mr. Selman puts it, “they spazzed out like little babies.”

Further reading:
Simpsons Producer and Writer Matt Selman ’89 Visits BCDS
Joystiq: Simpsons writers say Rockstar ‘spazzed’ over GTA spoof [with video]
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