What is your earliest childhood memory?

“When my clothes caught on fire… I was around eight years old.” – Linda Bonura

“I was a little kid standing in front of the television, holding on to the coffee table in front of me. I think I was watching news of the Vietnam War on TV. I was two.” – Tristan Bodle

“I was in preschool, so like three or four years old. I remember walking around in a circle playing the triangle.” – Susanna Nash

“When my grandmother came to my house every friday. I was probably four.” – Judy King

“It was my third birthday. My dad asked me what it felt like to be three and I told him I didn’t actually turn three until my birthday party.” – Lori Martz

“I was three years old and I went to a professional puppet show of the Wizard of Oz. When Dorothy was yelling ‘help’, I got up on my chair and shouted, ‘Dorothy I’ll save you.'” – Jennifer Olesen

“I remember playing kickball in preschool. It was all about the slow bouncies.” – Alissa Fong

“I was two years old and in a hospital bed. I kept climbing out of the bed so the nurses put a net over my bed. I’ve been claustrophobic ever since.” – Mary Kitchens

“I was three years old and we lived across the street from a pumpkin patch. I wasn’t allowed to cross the street but my older sister was allowed to. One day, she crossed the street so I followed. I fell in the middle of the road with cars coming.” – Paul Grifo

“I was in preschool and I burned myself on the radiator.” – Aaron Wilkerson

“I was either four or five and my family lived in San Francisco. I remember standing at the bottom of the spiral staircase in my house and holding a popgun.” – Jasper Thelin

“Why does anyone care about my earliest childhood memory?” – Jeff Martz

“Sticking a fork through my fingertip when I was three.” – Rod Milstead

“I was either three or four and I remember being stuck in my crib while watching all my siblings run around.” – Mary Buchanan

What would you title your autobiography?

“Recalibrate your expectations.” – Tristan Bodle

“The best of Best.” – Eric Best

“The luckiest man alive.” – Paul Grifo

“Good enough.” – Aaron Wilkerson

“Untitled: the autobiography of Jeffery Martz.” – Jeff Martz

“The best dad he could be.” – Rod Milstead

“The solution starts with me.” – Sue Fox

“The accidental teacher.” – Barton Clark

“Should have done it differently.” – Pat Hazelrigg

“Has the most fun.” – Jolie Jacobs

“Can’t stop, won’t stop.” – Sheila Souder

“Clowning around.” – Mary Kitchens

“The older I get, the more creative I get.” – Doc Wing

“Short but sweet.” – Steve Bluestone

“Adapting to change.” – Martha Cederstrom

“Diving into clear water.” – Beth Cederstrom

“Caffeine first please.” – Hannah Lingrell

Internet Access Allowed, Speeds Restricting

By Eamon Kummert

Since the beginning of this year, our school has been wracked with internet problems. In Advisory, students are treated to endless buffering while watching Pirate TV, preventing them from knowing about the week’s activities. During lunch, the network is lethargic at best because students are using the school’s wifi to get updated about their classmate’s lives.

Teachers encounter the same problem when they’re showing an instructional video in class, sometimes forcing their pupils to look at half-inch-wide pixels. In late November, IT staff (information technology) had to block YouTube in attempt to save bandwidth for the rest of the network. What’s happening to our school’s internet?

The internet has always occupied an important but barely-talked about position at our school. Essential for the bulk of most students’ research, the internet has been a vital tool for years.

Recently, however, online applications such as Google Drive and Prezi have been introduced into classrooms to make schoolwork easier to access wherever a student is—Cooper Clark made Mobius’s Integrated Science classes put a heavy emphasis on Google Docs and Prezi starting in 2011. As opposed to Microsoft Word or Excel, however, Google’s and other companies’ applications are constantly connecting to the internet.

High-bandwidth sites like YouTube and previously blocked sites—Instagram, specifically— have been putting the school’s internet connection under more stress than it can handle. It is still possible to pull up a teacher’s website in a couple of seconds, but every delay prevents students from effectively researching at school. Assignments that require students to listen to an audio clip or watch a video—an increasingly popular device for flipped teaching—are pushed off into after school hours.

Rose Chavira, the district’s Director of IT Operations, addressed this issue in an email to all staff on the 24^th of September: “TamDistrict’s… internet access was upgraded over the summer break.  However, due to configuration issues, the full bandwidth has not yet been accessible.” AT&T, the district’s internet service provider, has been slow to fix the district’s internet problems, citing problems with their network and the schools’.

On October 16^th, Ms. Chavira sent another email to all staff: “[AT&T] do not have an ETA on when [their issue] will be resolved.” The district has started to evaluate other internet providers because of AT&T’s slow response to the problem, a process that could take many months.

However, the AT&T’s failure to upgrade our school’s service is only part of the internet speed problem. The freshman/sophomore academies’ iPads have added strain to a network that awaits higher promised speeds. The mobile iPad and laptop carts can be reserved but are generally sluggish because of unrealistic demands on our school’s current wifi network. For many students, there are two options: use the slow wifi on their new computers or use slow computers on a more reliable but barely faster internet connection.

There are ways for teachers to avoid the difficulties of slow internet access. Showing videos on one screen instead of thirty will lessen the load, as will placing documents or programs on the N-drive, our location for sharing files with teachers. A more strict observance of the internet usage policies by everyone would also provide more bandwidth for legitimate school activities.

However, these are all temporary fixes to a larger problem. Over the past few years, internet providers have been on a free upgrade spree in the San Francisco area, improving internet speeds in households by 50% on average according to speedtest.net. It’s a matter of fact that Facebook, Instagram, and other sites are becoming parts of many people’s lives, in school or out of it. For internet speeds, there’s only one way to go—up.

Theft of Master Key Leads to Re-Keying of Entire School

By Amelia Rosenberg and Nick Seminerio

Update – November 21, 2013

New estimates of cost and number of locks that have been replaced are now available.

The cost to re-key the entire school is $17,000, according to Tamalpais Union High School District Head of Maintenance Tony Catrino.

Greg Farley of Transbay Security Service, the company installing the new locks, said that over 500 new locks have been installed so far.

The work is scheduled to be completed shortly, according to Assistant Principal Chad Stuart.

——

The theft of our school’s master key in late September has prompted the decision to re-key the whole campus in late November to early December, according to Assistant Principal Chad Stuart . Not every staff member has a master key, that can open any door on school grounds.

On Thursday, Sept. 26th, a teacher reported that their keys had been lost, according to Stuart.

Leadership teacher Kendall Galli refused to comment when asked if her keys were the ones stolen.

The next day, Friday, Sept. 27th, Spanish teacher Hannah Lingrell’s wallet and phone were stolen out of her locked classroom.

On Saturday, Sept. 28th, Lead Custodian Robert Amaral happened to find the key ring, which was missing the master key, in a trashcan. “Whoever took it knew what they were doing,” Amaral said.

Administrators then made the assumption that the lost keys and theft were connected, according to Stuart. Stuart is guessing the suspect is a student, but can’t release any more details on the case because it is an open investigation.

“It’s a sad situation; my feeling is [that] Drake, between staff and students, is one of the most connected schools I’ve been at, and this is one of the biggest breaks of trust that one student chose to make,” Stuart said.

Although the theft of the key hasn’t impacted students, staff have felt the effects, especially those who are involved. After her wallet and phone were stolen out of her locked classroom, Lingrell felt that her privacy was violated.

“It’s horrible when you are used to a place being safe and then it’s suddenly not safe. It makes me feel differently when I come to work now. I feel like I have to be overly cautious and lock everything up tight and be really wary of my surroundings. Most of the students I teach are really great though and sweet, and I just have to remember that when I’m feeling upset about what happened,” Lingrell said.

Amaral gave a low estimate that at least 100 doors will have to be re-keyed. “[The] money could have been spent on [equipment] for the kids,” Amaral said.

With the master key and suspect still on the loose, and new leads unlikely, administrators notified staff that the entire school would be re-keyed. The work is scheduled to be completed by winter break, according to Stuart.

This is an ongoing story, and we will update it with more information as we receive it.

What is your biggest student pet peeve?

“When they don’t come to school.” – Ben Varvil

“When they don’t put their name on their work. They deserve an F- for that.” – Jasper Thelin

“When they gather around the door before the bell rings.” – Charlie Ehmann

“When students don’t take care of the classroom and materials around them.” – Cooper Clark

“When they don’t take advantage of learning or they don’t try.” – Tristan Bodle

“When they go to the bathroom at the wrong time. Unless you have a bladder condition or are extremely old, you should be able to hold it.” – Fred Beale

“Phones. Why can’t students just turn their phones off?” – Francie Salle

“When students make weird bubble noises with their mouths when they are bored.” – David Smith

If you were stuck on a deserted island, which three teachers would you bring with you and why?

“Rene Ayala because he’s so fine, Jeff Martz because he’d tell us what to do, and Lori Martz because she would make our clothes.” – Linda Bonura

“Ben Varvil because he could build me a house, Mary Buchanan because she could start a fire, and Sandy because she can cook food.” – Paula Berry

“Doc Wing because he is resourceful and we get along really well, David Smith because he’s funny and poetic, and Francie Salle because she knows her food.” – Cooper Clark

“Sheila Bennett-Newton because she has good books, Doc Wing because he can help us survive, and Lori Martz because she would knit us clothes.” – Raquel Nelson

“Jasper Thelin and Rod Milstead because they are both funny and Cooper Clark because he’s practical and like a boy scout.” – Marlene Kandall

“Amity Hotchkiss because she’s my buddy, Mary Jane Jones because she’s funny, and Ben Varvil because he could build things.” – Diana Winkler

“Three of Jeff Martz.” – Jasper Thelin

“Three of Lori Martz.” – Jeff Martz

“Ben Varvil because he can make things, Jasper Thelin because he reminds me of Tom Hanks in Cast Away, and Liz Seabury because we would need a leader.” – Tristan Bodle

“Alyssa Fong because I like her company, Mary Boston because she makes me laugh, and Judy King just because.” – Susanna Nash

“Three of Jeff Martz.” – Lori Martz

“Mary Kitchens to keep me company, Jasper Thelin because he’s so fun, and Doc Wing because he would get us off the island.” – Paul Grifo

“Paul Grifo because he would scare away wild animals, Doc Wing because he knows his biology, and Jasper Thelin because he is pure entertainment.” – Mary Kitchens

“Jeff Martz, Judy King, and Paul Grifo because that would be a crazy group.” – David Smith

“Greg Doherty because he makes me laugh, Shelly Norstad because she could take care of me if I got sick, and Rene Ayala because he would keep me fit.” – Francie Salle

“Chizzie Brown because we’ve been partners for 13 years, Kathleen McCormick because she’s like a sibling, and Rod Milstead because he could 3D print us a boat to get off the island.” – Dan Freeman

News Segment on Jaywalking Students Causes Concern

By Samantha Gilbert and Nick Seminerio

A television segment on students jaywalking across Sir Francis Drake Blvd during lunch aired Thursday, Oct. 24. on Kron4 News. It was part of the Kron4 News segment “People Behaving Badly,” produced by reporter Stanley Roberts.

The segment focuses on catching people behaving badly, such as using fake disabled parking placards, according to another segment on Roberts’ YouTube channel.
Two of the students shown in the jaywalking segment expressed concerns about being filmed by Roberts and not seeing him. The segment appeared to show Roberts filming from his car on Calumet Ave facing students running across Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
“Where was the guy filming me from and why didn’t I see him?” Junior Eli Sylla asked.
Students had simple reasons for not using the crosswalk. “[If] it’s an open street I may as well cross then, instead of walking to the crosswalk and having to wait,” Junior Jake Kordick said.
Students were not the only ones who had concerns with the segment. Administrators did not know the segment was being aired nor did the news network reach out to them beforehand. The tip for the story came from a viewer email, according to Roberts. “We were disappointed because we did not have an opportunity to respond. I would urge community members to contact the school directly if they have safety concerns, so we can immediately address the student body,” Assistant Principal Chad Stuart said.
Students jaywalking during lunch has been a regular issue, according to Campus Supervisor Lena Herrera. She said supervisors will be making more of an effort to monitor jaywalking students following the segment. Also, she urged parents to talk to their kids about safety because they won’t be able to monitor the issue all the time. “I’m a parent too, [and] I told my daughter to use the crosswalk,” Herrera said.
Tell us your thoughts about the segment in our poll above.

Who is your celebrity crush?

“Harrison Ford.” – Susanna Nash

“Justin Timberlake, Adam Sandler and Jemaine Clement.” – Jolie Jacobs

“Brad Pitt circa 1990s.” – Alyssa Fong

“My husband.” – Lena

“Kelly O’Donnell because she looks like a leprechaun.” – Tristan Bodle

“Katy Perry.” – Ben Varvil

“Sister Wendy Beckett.” – Jeff Martz

“It’s a toss up between Adam Levine, Cee Lo Green and Christina Aguilera.” – Martha Cederstrom

“Ryan Gosling, Daniel Day Lewis, and Key and Peele.” – Diana Winkler

“Sting, Robert Downey Jr., Zac Efron, and Idris Elba.” – Raquel Nelson

“Maria Sharapova.” – John Hayden

“Jennifer Conelley.” – Charlie Ehmann

” Brad Pitt and Carrie Fisher circa 1983.” – Cooper Clark

“Sure as hell ain’t Miley Cyrus.” – Pat

“Eddie Vedder.” – Kay Cavan

“Raquel Welch circa 1970s.” – Brad Katuna

“Johnny Depp.” – Steve Bluestone

“Harrison Ford circa 1980 and James Hemsworth.” – Laurie Hailer

Recent Bike Thefts Prompt Administrative Response

By Nick Seminerio

Update – Monday, Dec 16

Four more bike thefts have occurred in the last couple of months, according to Assistant Principal Chad Stuart.

The recent thefts have broken the trend of the bikes being stolen during school hours. These thefts have occurred at night or during the weekend, Stuart said.

Stuart cautioned students for leaving valuables on campus after school. “[You] put yourself at high risk of losing an expensive item if left outside unsupervised,” Stuart said.

—-

A recent outbreak of bike thefts has prompted administrators and campus assistants to have more of a presence on campus. There have been three bike thefts since September, and all have occurred during school hours, according to Assistant Principal Chad Stuart.

The first theft occurred on Sept. 5, when a bike was stolen from the racks in front of the main office. However, Stuart believes the latest two thefts, on Friday Oct. 11, and Tuesday Oct. 15, and both at the fieldhouse bike rack, are related. “We do believe these two are related…[Our] investigation tells us that on both of those two thefts, it was an adult, a non student. The adult rode on campus with a cheaper bike, dropped that off, cut the lock of a more expensive bike, and rode off,” Stuart said.

The investigation is ongoing, so Stuart isn’t able to provide a description of the suspect or share any more details. Administration is working with the Central Marin Police Authority (CMPA) on the case.

Our school is not the only one to have been victimized by bike thieves. Redwood High School has seen similar thefts, and the CMPA is investigating to see if those thefts are related to the ones on our campus, Stuart said.

Additionally, Mill Valley Police have arrested two suspects for stealing bikes at Tamalpais High School. Stuart does not know if there is a connection in that case.

The recent thefts have prompted campus supervisors Rich Blasewitz, Pat Hazelrigg, and Lena Herrera to be out in the hallways more, looking for suspicious activity. Blasewitz added, “We’re keeping an eye out for an adult, anyone unusual hanging around the bike racks,” he said.

In addition to increased patrols, Stuart is asking students to call 911 immediately if they witness a bike theft, and give as much of a description of the suspect as possible. He added that students should then tell an adult, but not try to stop the theft.

As for students who ride their bikes to school, locking the bike and parking it in the rack in front of the main office is better, according to Stuart. He pointed out that the more expensive the bike, the bigger of a target it is.

The investigation is ongoing, and we will update this story with more information as we receive it.

If you could have any kind of competition with a historical figure or celebrity who would it be and what would the competition be?

“I’d want to have an Enlightenment rhetoric battle with the Founding Fathers to persuade them not to include slavery in the original Constitution.” – Paul Grifo

“I’d play platform tennis with Chris Evert, Steffi Graf, and Martina Navratilova. It would be fun because they are all great sports and they would pick up platform tennis quickly but I would be the one teaching them which would be super cool.” – Chizzie Brown

“I would love to be on the trail with Lewis and Clark. We would split into two teams and race across the United States and back. I’d have Patchen Homitz and Eric Saibel on my team. It would be like survivor because we would have to figure out our own routes, how to travel, what to eat, and how to deal with potential hostile Native Americans.” – Dan Freeman

“I would mud-wrestle Jesus. I could take him.” – Tristan Bodle

“I’d like to have an intellectual debate with Alexis de Tocqueville on perceptions of America past versus present.” – Liz Seabury

“I’d have a song writing competition with Stephen Sondheim, the composer of Sweeney Todd.” – David Smith

“I would have a debate with senator Ted Cruz about economic policy. Everyone says he is really smart, but I’d like to test that for myself.” – Fred Beale

“I would play scrabble with Mark Twain.” – Francie Salle

“I’d like to have a singing contest with Louis Armstrong.” – Shelly Norstad

“I’d have a sideburn growing contest with Elvis Presley.” – Aaron Wilkerson

“I would arm wrestle Charles Darwin.” – John Hayden

“I’d like to have a hotdog eating contest with Takeru Kobayashi.” – Cooper Clark

“I would challenge Leonardo Da Vinci to a facts of the human body contest.” – Paula Berry