MVTimes January 14, 2016

community B15

The High School View

The High School View is staffed and prepared entirely by students from the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, and published on their behalf
by The Martha’s Vineyard Times, with the generous assistance of the sponsors whose names appear below.

Standardized testing: Pass or fail?

BY LIVIE JACOBS
(This is part one of a two-part
series. Part two will appear in the
Jan. 28 issue.)
harder over the years. With
the growth of academic
testing and the threatened
consequences of failure for
students, teachers, and even
schools, students and their
and Math during two differ-
ent testing periods. While
we were able to schedule it
and administer it smoothly,
it felt like too much time for
students. Before the school
case at our school four or
five years ago. Last year, the
school spent over 19 days
testing, The climate during
testing is very serious. There
is a celebration of scores that
reach the ‘expected’ level, but
I haven’t felt any specific or
overt push to increase scores.”
For many high school stu-
dent has passed the exam. Dunn and seventh grade
Lyndsay Famariss, mother Charter School student, said,
of two Island elemen- “Usually we have an artist’s
tary schoolchildren, said, “I program on Wednesdays,
haven’t noticed an increase but until March, we spend
in the amount of time spent the end of Wednesday after-
preparing or taking the tests, noons practicing for PARCC
but the tests certainly play instead. I don’t see my peers
a prominent role in each becoming more anxious
school year. One teacher because of the tests. During

S
ome see the increas-
ing levels of standard-
ized testing in American
schools as a sort of tide upon
which the learning of stu-
dents will rise. Others see the
unprecedented growth as a
bureaucratic flood that will
drown out creativity, innova-
tion, and individuality.
Locally, in Island junior
high and elementary grades
last school year, there were a
total of six weeks of PARCC
(Partnership for Assessment
of Readiness for College and
Careers) testing between
March and the end of May.
However, according to
some teachers and parents,
extracurriculars in the ju-
nior and elementary schools
may be getting pushed aside.
Nancy Jephcote, a full-time
elementary strings instruc-
tor since 2000, said, “Les-
son scheduling has become
families are given a clear
mandate not to miss any aca-
demic class time. Many of our
students come to lessons dur-
ing recess for this reason!”
Tisbury School principal of
five years John Custer said,
“When I started teaching al-
most 20 years ago, the Massa-
chusetts Comprehensive As-
sessment System (MCAS) was
in its infancy. Until two years
ago, when we began a pilot
PARCC test, administering
MCAS had become pretty re-
liable and consistent in terms
of the amount of testing. My
sense is that while nobody
necessarily looked forward
to MCAS testing, it didn’t
feel too cumbersome or un-
reasonable. The PARCC test,
which we fully implemented
last year, did feel somewhat
overwhelming in terms of
time. Students in grades 3 to
8 took multiple tests in ELA
year ended, explained to prep we usually joke about
PARCC an- my husband how bad the wording of the
Oak Bluffs sixth
nounced and me that questions are!”
grader Jehoshaphat
that testing she would Ms. Jephcote cited recent
Nunes works on
time would spend about evidence of such testing is-
his test during a
be reduced a month pri- sues. She said, “Last year was
science class.
for 2015–16. or to the tests particularly difficult. We had
This year, preparing the to cancel our annual String
our students students. An- Jamboree orchestra field trip
in grades 3 other teacher because the sponsoring Cape
to 8 will take spent more schools had scheduled it on
fewer tests, time, spread- a Vineyard PARCC testing
and all will ing out the week. It was pretty well im-
take place preparation possible for them not to do
during one over many so, since it is an event that
testing win- PHOTO BY MOLLY HOUGHTON months. I felt takes place in the spring. Our
dow. I think that will be an dents, testing revolves around that the latter method added string program is regional,
improvement.” the SATs, which are offered to the students’ nervousness, so our all-Island orchestra at-
Deb Dunn, teacher at the year-round, and Advanced because there was so much tendance was erratic during
Martha’s Vineyard Public Placement (AP) tests in May. tension and build-up prior to all of March, April, and May.
Charter School for 23 years, Students elect to take AP the tests. We made an effort I heard that the band also
said, “My son just started courses knowing they will be at home to emphasize that had this problem. After the
doing ‘test prep’ in seventh required to take the College these tests weren’t such a big testing was finally over, many
grade once a week. This will Board’s test as a measure of deal to us — that our chil- students were too exhausted
likely continue up to PARCC their knowledge and perhaps dren should do their best, and unfocused to learn much
testing dates, and possibly for credit in college. A score but take it in stride.” of anything else during the
increase. This was not the of 3 or above indicates a stu- Elijah Dunn, son of Ms. school year.” HSV

New perspectives in an old city

BY KAELA VECCHIA-ZEITZ Recently, 10 seniors and
three teachers toured Boston.
through each structure, they
observed a life-size timeline
with quotes from Holocaust
survivors. The glass sides of
the structures rose into the
students were assigned to find
10 paintings that reflected
the five themes of the class’s
curriculum — Interaction of
Europe and the World, Pov-
riods was really beneficial, their stories impart,” said Ms.
and gave me references to Fairchild-Coppoletti.
use on our upcoming test.” Ben said, “I always learn
After the Gardner, students better hands-on. When they
took a European walking happen correctly, field trips

B
oston is generally
thought to be filled with
American history. But
the regional high school’s
Advanced Placement Mod-
ern European (APME) His-
tory and AP Literature class-
es decided to dig a little
deeper — back to the times
of this nation’s European
mother countries.
History teacher Leigh
Fairchild-Coppoletti said,
“I planned the Boston trip
because the city is, in many
ways, a child of the European
Enlightenment. Throughout
the city, architecture, art, and
memorials reflect Renais-
sance and Enlightenment-
era values. I hope students
gained a deeper understand-
ing about ways the past is
infused in our present.”
The first stop was the New sky, etched with endless rows erty and Prosperity, Objective
England Holocaust Memo- of numbers used to replace Knowledge and Subjective
Visions, States and Other
Institutions of Power, and
Individual and Society. The
literature students focused
more specifically on find-
ing art that correlated with
Shakespeare’s “King Lear.”
“My favorite part of
the trip was being at the
Gardner Museum, where
students had time to explore
the rooms of the former
private residence,” said Ms.
PHOTO COURTESY OF LEIGH FAIRCHILD-COPPOLETTI
Fairchild-Coppoletti.
Senior Benjamin Davey
From left: Seniors Salem DeGeofrey, Connor Downing, Isabelle said, “Visiting museums
Crawford, Ben Davey, Emma Riemer, and Sarah Chickering always makes learning easier
observe the Holocaust Memorial in Boston on Friday, Jan. 8. for me, personally. Being
rial, where six dome-like the prisoners’ names. able to reinforce what we
structures represent the 6 The second stop was the already knew about the five
million Jewish lives that were Isabella Stewart Gardner themes of APME through
lost. As the students walked Museum. The APME history the artwork of the time pe-
tour. Along the way they can improve academic per-
stopped at the Old State formance and knowledge.
House, the King’s Chapel, We are free to take in the
Old Corner Bookstore Build- sights and paintings with-
ing, the Omni Parker House out worrying about con-
Hotel, the Irish Potato Fam- stant notes or a test halfway
ine Monument, the Massa- through.”
chusetts State House, Boston To end the day with a little
Common, and the Public irony, the field trip went
Garden, Trinity Church, and to an Ethiopian restaurant
the Boston Public Library. — Ethiopia being the first
“Considering academic African nation to ward off
ideas outside of the class- European colonization.
room offers opportunities for Ben said, “My favorite non-
context that make the ideas academic part of the trip was
more meaningful. Seeing the the Ethiopian dinner. I know
hotel where the young Ho that sounds weird consider-
Chi Minh once baked bread ing we were on a modern Eu-
and where Charles Dickens ropean field trip, but I think
gave his first public reading that the intellectual conversa-
of ‘A Christmas Carol’ con- tions we had as a group, out-
nects us more personally to side of the classroom setting,
the people who shaped our were more valuable than a
world and the timeless lessons museum visit.” HSV

Editors in Chief: Christopher Aring, Olivia Jacobs, Kaela Vecchia-Zeitz • Assistant Editor In Chief: Casey McAndrews, Zachary Bresnick • Art Editor: Sophie Bonneau Web Editor Jack Davin
Photography Editors: Molly Houghton • Assistant Photography Editor: Elizabeth Dourian • Masthead Art: Sophie Bonneau • Faculty Adviser: Dan Sharkovitz

George A.
Santos, Jr. O.D.
Law Office Of
GeorGe B. Brush PRIVATE! Martha’s Vineyard
M U S E U M
H.N. High School View
Hinckley
com8 s
MVTiMe
May 24, 2012

School View

It’s between
The High
nity
commu

Get recognition
B8 on their behalf
and published
High School, below.
Vineyard Regional appear
the Martha’s sponsors whose names
students from the ball
Interns play
entirely by assistance of and
and prepared with the generous the Deep”
View is staffed Vineyard Times, “Rollin’ in
The High School by The Martha’s dition of perform-
achieve- Anna Yukevich’s Girl’s Best
well as
their senior are a By Marc
Natichioni
of stu-
lenges as ance of “Diamonds a handful
said, “See- shows en- This summer,regional high school
es ments. McNeely
Junior Taylorhave a lot of new
peo- Friend.”audiences for both dents from
the
their days their
on the

dazzle audienc
The performances.
ing as how
we pleased the students’ junior Brad will be spending they fulfill the
I was really It was joyed field as

Minnesingers
to see them this year, member,
good. I know
with

Exploring
out. playing
wonderful and ple how it all turned Audience
“It was very in it, internships colle-
“It’s always mature able to come Segel said, people who were summer Vineyard’s sec-
watch them Min- with how we were all

Adult & Children Civil Litigation

work Martha’s is the
grow and roles,” said cool it off.” some of
the
much hard cou-
Sharks, team. This of-
take on
leadership and pull agreed. know how giate baseball the Sharks have
By Lily Bick Janis Wightman. to- together Samantha Chaves before so I in the past that
of the Minnesingers’ nesingers
director
the program Junior rehearsal they did,
especially ond year to high school

& Sons, Inc

By the end performance was putting bar and the dress fered this
internship in
“While I to raise the kind of
worried said, experience

you and us –
two-hour “During ple of weeks.” John Nelson our who seek
performance the student “saints” I wanted we were wouldn’t Biology teacher bring joy to
be- gether, themselves.” the show, that we
students
last weekend, of the show had them challenge these chal- But Is- sports management. and sports
half Their help recognized pull through.it felt “The Minnesingers and the
wonderful to business
of the first “sinners.” the- The singers and an op- According Josh Bur-
group of the we did great school They give teacher a
come a highlighted she said. stu- management will entail
amazing,” land community. talented internship
transformation of the dance for musically here on our goyne, the and expe-
For the portunity glow
matic contrasts Min- shine and responsibilitiesof aspects,”

for your
of the variety of
portion dents to a lot
high school annu- Wight- Island.” current riences.
“It covers be doing
any-
45th show, Ms. beautiful fell, the “They could to tak-
nesingers’ open to As the
curtain drew to
a
he said. burgers,
performance, man was cooking up as the
al spring from Minnesingers thing from
Sinners.” suggestions They year of to dressing
“Saints and was divid- said ing inventory, wide range of
tasks
the students. that close. so fast,”
The show went by I have an-
The in busi-
parts. The chose songs “The year “I’m glad
mascot.
good experience
ed into two a saintly tradition- who makes for
were less Taylor McNeely.miss the seniors

Real Estate, Land Use

first featured choral mod- year. I’ll see

Vision Care,
of al and more “The other excited to ness.” to these
responsibili-
in
program from but I’m up In addition be involved
ern, including are leaving, will come interns will
arrangements in- to rep- group that ties, the relations
the world, Lazy Song” “Gold the new the and community also be
around They will
traditional resent sloth, next year.” said, “From ex- marketing Sharks. to work
cluding England, to exhibit Ms. Wightman involved, my for the
Digger” opportunity
pieces from “Canni- to the adults and surpassed. given the administra-
and Den- greed, and the Sharks’

Island
Lithuania, glut- kids were met an op-
next portion bal” to conveypieces pectations team effort.” alongside to execute
mark. The in order
an amazing tive team the season. man-

we promise!
of the show
spotlighted tony. Several – It was plan for
the soloists the general
sides of SILBERSTEIN
featured
erational
came to
the sinful through PHOTO
BY TRUDA senior Jerry Murphy, team,
including ren- depart- the sports last Mon-
performers
dances that the culinary ager for
songs and “Gold Digger,” Amalie Tinus’s This June, a competition, fund- high school
the seven the song the regional with Mr. Burgoyne’s
perform said Ms. host Savings in-
portrayed West. lunch menu,” ment will Vineyard day to
talk class and
sins: wrath, The Minnesingers by Kanye the school Martha’s will submit
deadly recorded ed by the sports management
envy, greed, originally the Chefs in which
students
meal ideas. of the employment McAn-
Buhrman. form studentsJunior Sean
gluttony,
and pride. in May 2010, is part of Bank, own recipes for
out at lunch said, “It
lust, sloth, options Founded program Let’s their will be given and two win- opportunity.
new menu
applicant,

public
to Schools If

Criminal Defense
pota- Move Obama’s a hopeful
and sweet Samples me to apply. be
Students judge
to judge, on the drews,

Vision Therapy
fish tacos Lady Michelle aims to solve for students will be served inspired it will
pling of Jaime Hamlin First initiative, which epidemic of the definitely this summer,
caterers, been Move! ning recipes before the end that
toes. These have both obesity I’m an intern experience
Jan Buhrman, Well- the childhood lunch menu professional background for
By Eva Faber community and high school's generation. of frozen and meet great
efforts of with the contract within a year. have to me a good life.”
the regional working and lunch a lot into school of the meals so it’s a
will give do with my interned
Due to the Committee and great- “We’ve seen work their way “All I want to
and students, will de- ness foods trying to
standards, more what Maseda
members lunch program more nutritious processed and we are
nutritional
the students said Junior Brendan year. His
duties
school meals this to bring to the cafeteria. lunches “In strict to get last and
high they school Buhrman. way food,”
of new tasting meals offered samples, said Ms. al- great of what’s in their for the Sharks score online to
but a variety “Kids are love it, change that, a lot has changed aware Jeff Rothwell. keeping prior
from majority year, of dining director culi- included up several hours
spring. caterers if a great to put on the last vocational did it as
two local vote, and [director has encouragedin the showing set up. “I
Last week, of Agriculture’s a large recipe ready because Floyd is so commit- Mr. Rothwell to participate pitch to be hard
Department program vis- we create Leslie foods to the first and it can it
the U.S.
to Schools services] fresh, local nary students second job, “I did it because
a sam- deli- my
Chefs Move school to offer ted to adding competition. tacos I tried were work,” he
said.
I pursue
in col-
high
ited the the menu.” has worked to improve “The fish Nathaniel be something anything, I did

History
said sophomore program mightBut more than

ACE Hardware
Ms. Floyd at the
offered
options get- cious,” “If the
lunch
that, lege. game.”
the meal always a challenge love of the

Wills & Trusts, Probate

food like it for my
usu- Horwitz. offer more
school. “It’s things, but we wants to to try it.”
to try new third time than willing

Contact Lenses
ting kids be more your
second or on,” I’ll and photo
captions,
us to
ally by the new, it catches headlines allowed
hard work Eng-
try something to Jim Osborn talent and in the All-New Eng-
Thanks togeth- Place
she said. journalism. View First New
us put The all win from the
for helping land category

Family Planning of MV
answering Press Association.
Safford for
Thank you
Doug Dan
er, to Susie and to land Scholastic faculty advisor,

support
questions, making space our brilliant for providing
of our
Gowell and generously Times every To thank you
Cabral for The Sharkovitz,
advice,
By Warren for us in and students endless support,
Holley available us with the we needed to achieve
EmmaJean issue, we the faculty thank read-
this is our last week. To high school, article and humor to all of our
Since opportunity regional Finally, to
to take this gratitude to at the providing us with our best. for giving
meaning
would like for and constructive thank you is for you.
our deepest supported you like ers, this paper
to extend helped and this ideas,
interviews, especially efforts —
all who have High School View We would who our you.
feedback. students
The Vineyard all of the — Thank
us with to to thank this year
The Martha’s to The View articles to
year. To you for continuing re- contributed and
Times, thank and sponsor this in from mastheads Sadowski
accommodate interested : Victoria
students ART EDITOR
source for Katherine ADVISER
Donegan : Dan Sharkovitz
Lily Bick, FACULTY
EDITORS: Sadowski
BY THORPE
KARABEES
Eva Faber
ASSISTANT ART: Victoria
MASTHEAD OF
LAW OFFICE RUSH
Alyssa Adler,
Sterling Meacham
B. B
: Anna Yukevich,
IN CHIEF Elias Wortmann,
EDITORS:
EORGE · Real Estate G
EDITORS
Hall WEB

517 State Road, VH • 508-693-1208

Gowell A
SSISTANT

638 Main St., Vineyard Haven

Charlotte
Holley, Warren Dylan Brockmeyer,
Civil Litigation

Beach Rd.,Vineyard Haven

: EmmaJean · Probate
IN CHIEF
Wills & Trusts
Truda Silberstein,
33
insurance
EDITORS EDITORS: martha’s
vineyard
Jr. O.D. 508-693-77

459 State Road, West Tisbury

PHOTOGRAPHY – 508-693-1254
A. Santos, Vineyard Haven– 508-627-7111
George Adult &
Children
Edgartown 508-693-1900
Vision Care, –
H.N. Hinckley
508.627.4266 Oak Bluffs

High School
Vision Therapy com
Lenses
Contact
www.mvbank. Hardware Inc.
Haven Shirley’s
is just around & Sons,
American Association

View
Optometric

St., Vineyard
638 Main Help
508-693-7222 the corner
State Road, Ace Hardware
Haven • 508-693-0075
Vi n e y ard Haven Beach Rd.,Vineyard
Mar t h a’s
Vineyard
U M Sales & Service
M U S E
508-693-3070
for Computer Supplies & More
ry Office & Art

59 School St., Edgartown

Get recognition sto
Island Hi

friendsoffamilyplanning.org
· educompmv.com
your public
support Exploring Edgartown 4 State Rd, VH
· 508 693 0803
59 School St.,

508-693-7222
space www.mvmuseum.org
Limited advertising
508-627-4441
00

508-693-7733
Call 508-693-61

www.georgebrush.net Now open alternate Tuesdays 4:30-6:30 pm 508-627-4441 www.mvmuseum.org 508-693-0075 Call 508-693-6100

JOHN KEENE
EXCAVATION
Mon.–Fri., 7:30am–5pm • Sat., 8am–12noon • Old Stage Road,
across from Takemmy Farm in West Tisbury • 508-693-5975 or 508-693-0025