SHS Guidance Hosts 9th Grade Parent Night

Written by: Elise Kerim

It’s back to school time for all - even freshman parents have returned to the halls of high school. On October 4th, 2017, Sparta High School Guidance hosted a 9th Grade Parent Night. The night was designed to help the  parents of our newest community members get acquainted with all Sparta High School has to offer and crucial information parents should be aware of. As we all know, the transition from 8th grade to high school is a big one in every single aspect. The night put parents at ease by learning important names and faces and all the resources Sparta has to offer its students. After the opening welcome session in the auditorium, parents were split into four groups and rotated to different stations that tackled all aspects of Sparta High School. The groups were escorted by volunteers from National Honor Society.

The MRC hosted a Student Panel, providing parents the opportunity to ask upperclassmen any question they had, with responses providing a student perspective on academics, extra-curriculars, and the social atmosphere of SHS. The student panel was comprised of juniors Ashley Minetti and Valeria Molina and the following seniors: Emily Kosker, Michael Trela, Mia Pulido, Sergei O’Sullivan, Mason Minetti, and Sam Mathusek. A hot topic amongst parents was time management - with so many more responsibilities in high school, how do you fit everything within a limited time frame? Mia Pulido executed a realistic and stellar response, stating that, “It’s important that your child remembers that they don’t always have to be busy because truthfully, leisure is extremely important. Don’t be afraid to drop or add things as you progress through high school - I’ve focused on classes, I got a job, then quit that job junior year as it is such a heavy academic year, and of course with clubs thrown in the mix… definitely prioritize your mindset.” All the students on the panel agreed, noting that time management is one of the most important things you learn in high school. Ashley Minetti added that it is important to learn time management as early on as possible, “because as you grow, you add so many more responsibilities. It gets hard, and as you progress through life you have personal responsibilities and then those that your job asks of you. So if you can begin now, it makes things easier in the long run.” A consensus between the group for time management skills was to figure out the best method for you - whether it’s using an agenda, having a calendar on your wall, or keeping your Google drive organized, it will pay off! The student panel did a wonderful job at tackling all questions with so many different perspectives that each parent could feel their child would relate to.

Over in the student resources group ran by Ms. Castornia (Supervisor of Special Services) and Ms. Colte, (Student Assistance Coordinator)  a detailed overview of all the resources the school has to offer was explained. From NHS peer tutoring to special programs tailored-fit to each student, parents were assured that no matter their level of academic need, their freshman student would be able to prosper with Sparta’s emphasis on academics and extensive resources. On the other side of the lecture hall, Mr.Fitzgerald assisted by Mr.Tobin, Ms. Scott and Mrs. Barker explained the broad category of student expectations. With the chromebooks being the newest addition at Sparta, the majority of the discussion was focused around acceptable use. Applicable to all students! While Big Brother is always watching students through GoGuardian (giving teachers ability to monitor what tabs students have open and closing ones that are off-task), no need to rush to put tape over your cameras. The administration cannot view you through your chromebook cameras, nor do they want to, putting an end to those rumors. Student expectation topics also included attendance policies, the ins and outs of Google Classroom and the culture of Sparta High School. Before addressing parent concerns, Mr.Fitzgerald closed out with, “Students grow from their mistakes. It’s important that we (administrator, student, and parent) collaborate because whatever the instance may be, it’s going to be a learning experience.”

Freshman Transition Counselor Mr. Librizzi was in the auditorium informing parents about the guidance process and notable freshman events. Mr. Librizzi emphasized that not only is counselor-parent relationship important, but an open relationship between the counselor and the student is key. Students can easily feel comfortable around their counselor and speak to them about any issue they may have in their classes, or if they just need direction on what path to take up to their senior year, self-advocacy is necessary. With the upcoming underclassman dance in November, Mr. Librizzi (also a student council co-advisor) explained the event to parents and addressed appropriate behavior. “Our juniors and seniors just had their formal dance, in about a month, our underclassmen will have their turn,” Librizzi began, “We’re working towards growing good seniors. Your child may see or hear of dancing, or they may say they’re going to hang out with some seniors at the football game - but that may or may not be a good thing.”

At the end of the night, parents responded to a survey on the back of their agendas. They were welcome for social time in the cafeteria with baked goods and the ability to ask any school officials additional questions that may not have gotten addressed. In all, the goal of 9th Grade Parent Night was achieved: to answer parents questions about the high school transition and ensure parents feel comfortable with the Spartan community.

Students of Sparta: Sawsan Srour

Sparta High, I introduce to you the most lovely freshman you will ever meet with the most stunning mentality. When she was in middle school, she faced the most adverse conditions, from getting her hijab ripped off to a disgusting social media hashtag. But she’s overcome this with the most graceful strength by befriending everyone and pursuing her dream. Not a day goes by that she would even consider holding a grudge towards any of her peers that have treated her as if she was inferior. Read on to learn about Sawsan Srour, the girl who is not just like the next.

I left Palestine when I was two years old. The day I was born, there was a battle between the Christians and Israelis. My grandmother had to fight with one of the soldiers to get a nurse to me and my mom, because as a result, I couldn’t breathe. I hold my country close to my heart. My home is where the poverty is high and the people are in occupation. I know first-hand that everyone grows with a struggle.

Now, my family and I have adapted to the U.S., but growing up I knew that I was different because I wasn’t treated the same. That’s okay though, because you define who you are; no one else can do that for you, and popularity literally does not matter. No one is supreme to anyone else because everyone is contributing something to society, and that’s meaningful. In my time here I want to make an impact. I want people to finally see more than my appearance. I’m different from everyone else, and not because of the obvious, but because of what I value. I like to say that mistake is a bad word to use - it’s better to call them lessons because you always learn something and become a better version of the person you were. It’s important to realize that you are not the only person in the world. There are other people with other needs.  As much as everyone says we should end poverty and world hunger, it’s important for us to start in our own communities. We need our knowledge to start making changes.

I was thirteen the last time I went to visit Palestine. It’s so serene - everyone is down-to-earth and life is so relaxing. It’s more than what people think. I’ve grown to accept and ignore what people say about me. At this point, say whatever you want, but do not say anything about my country. At the end of the day, the fighting is done for the well-being of all humans. It’s horrible, for sure. Israelis are not bad people. They’re not all Zionists. It’s like when people say all Muslims are terrorists, that’s obviously not true. It’s the government that takes out these actions. It’s important to distinguish what’s politically influenced and what’s done by people. People are not bad, but they can adopt bad ideas. We are one people. One country. One holy land.

TEN MOVIE MOMENTS MIRRORED IN SCHOOL

Written by: Lauren Groff

Happy Monday everyone! To describe our Monday feelings, here's a collection of the best ten movie GIFs to sum up our thoughts right now:

1. “Why did I stay up until 2 am watching Netflix on a Sunday night?!”

Ferris Bueller's Day Off, 1986

2. Mom: “How was school, honey?” me, four tests later:

Napoleon Dynamite, 2004

3. When your teacher posts new homework on Google Classroom:

The Purge, 2013

4. “Okay guys, we have a DBQ due next Monday…”

Star Wars: The Force Awakens, 2015

5. Your friends when you tell them you're taking all honors classes"

Clueless, 1995

6. Walking into school with the squad like...

Heathers, 1988

7. “You guys did really well on this last quiz, so I decided to challenge you all this time…”

Matilda, 1996

8. When you have three tests scheduled on the same day:

Mean Girls, 2004

9. “Can we just have one Friday where we have no homework??”

Les Miserables, 2012

10. When you get textbook reading AND questions assigned:

Pitch Perfect, 2012

Hopefully, you can successfully push through your Monday! If you have any article requests or ideas, feel free to leave a comment!

The Secret To A Happier School Year

Written by: Kanita Tariq 

School is in session and in full swing! If you haven’t already begun to plunge in the massive amount of workload, you will soon. Despite the fact that school can be a bit maddening, your top priority should be self-care. Here are a few tips for you to tend more to yourself, for a happier, healthier, and successful school year!

SLEEP!

You may get tired of hearing this all day, but you NEED to sleep eight hours each day. To many of us, this may seem impractical with sports and extra-curriculars and all, but the more sleep you get, the better your performance will be in all of your day-to-day activities.

Tip: Make sure to get all your larger assignments and homework for your morning classes done at home. If it’s getting late, save the work for your afternoon classes to do at lunch. We have two of them - make the most of it!

       DRINK LOTS OF WATER!

Again, you may hear this constantly, but drinking water is super important. Not only is it good for your body, but it’s also great for your skin and can boost your mood and prevent headaches.

Tip: Carry around a reusable water bottle in your backpack. I know we don’t need any extra weight, but trust me, it’ll be a great decision in the long run. End those 6th period headaches before they even start!

EXERCISE!

It's a healthy choice, and can also make you feel good! Try to get some kind of activity at least 2-3 times a week for a happy mind and a healthy bod.

Tip: For all you non-sporty folks (like me), try some yoga! I took one class over the summer and at the rate this school year’s going, I’m dying to continue. Possibly the greatest stress reliever out there!

EAT HEALTHY!

Not that we are always the healthiest eaters out there, but eating healthier is the way to go. Fruits and veggies are really good for you, and you’ll have more energy and a fresher mind in school.

Tip: Make small changes to your diet each week. You’ll be eating healthy like a pro sooner than you think!

TREAT YOURSELF!

Pamper yourself. Be selfish. You deserve it! All your hard work needs a reward, after all. Indulge in a small thing or two just for yourself.

Most importantly, don’t forget to smile, have fun, and just chill out. As long as you’re happy, you’ll do your best, in school and after.

THE ORACLE'S SCHOOL SURVIVAL GUIDE

Written by: Lauren Groff

New to the Sparta High community? If you decided to play a fall sport, chances are you've gotten the chance to meet some upperclassmen who have proved to be familiar faces in the hallway this first week. If you can't relate to this, don't panic! You may not recognize many of the older students walking the hallways, but soon you will find that navigating SHS isn't as daunting as it seems. Most likely, your teachers have given you some of their “tips and tricks” for the school year.

The truth is, sometimes the best advice comes from student to student. We were in your position very recently and experienced it ourselves, so let The Oracle staff give you some helpful tips and advice. Here's your school survival guide…

1. On days you don't have lab, use lunch to your advantage.

The library is more than just walls of books and a printing station. On days that you have a test or just need to catch up on some homework, grab a comfy chair in the MRC and take some quiet time to get ahead if you know you have a commitment after school. You'll thank yourself later!

2. Depending on its location, you may only get to stop at your locker once or twice a day, so bring everything you need in a backpack to carry around with you.

You may not think it's important now, but when we say bring everything, we mean it. BRING EVERYTHING! Chapstick, hair ties, a water bottle, an extra sweatshirt, your student ID, and more. “I probably won't need it, though…” You will. Just trust us on this one.

3.  Phone chargers become gold.

Unless you're one of the lucky few who invested in a charging phone case, (we will be forever jealous) phone chargers become a highly sought-after necessity. If you don't have one, you'll be asking for one. And if you do have one, more people will be asking you for it than that little cousin who keeps asking “do you have games on your phone?”. It gets old real quick.

4. Pack your lunch if you can.

As you can imagine with a schedule that has all four grades eating lunch at the same time, the lunch line gets ridiculously long. Chances are, you'll be waiting in the panini line to longer than it takes you to actually eat said panini. Pack your lunch the night before and skip the painfully long line.

5.  If you sit in the student section and there's a theme, FOLLOW THE THEME!

For big games, the student section will have themes such as hawaiian shirts, flannels, or 'murica. Whatever it is, if you're going to sit with everyone, JUST FOLLOW THE THEME. Don't be that person.

6. Always have an extra sweatshirt.

Refer back to point number 2, but seriously, why is our school randomly cold? None of us can seem to figure it out, but at random times you'll find yourself more frozen than Leo in The Revenant. When in doubt, pull over that sweatshirt.

7. Failing one test or quiz isn't going to keep you from your college dreams.

It may seem like the end of the world at the time, and surely upsetting, but just remember - all of your grades are averaged out at the end of the marking period, and then at the end of the year. All that will appear on your transcript is your final grade for the year, which is all four marking periods plus your final exam. So don't flip out. As long as you try your best, it will be okay.

8. You're not the only one who is stressed out beyond belief.

Ask any one of your friends, and there's a 99.9% chance that they're feeling the exact same way. You're definitely not alone. Just take a deep breath, push through your assignments, and then give yourself a break for a little while. Always, always ask for help, whether it's from your locker neighbor before homeroom, or straight to the teacher.

9. Older friends who pick you up Dunkin' are keepers.

If you happen to be lucky enough to befriend an upperclassman who will pick you up Dunkin' on their morning commute, be forever greatful. And most importantly, don't forget to pay them back.

10. If you forget to pack food before a game, snag something from the vending machine.

Don't freak out if you realize last period that you didn`t pack any food for that game 45 minutes away. We have a vending machine that's always got your back- if you can rummage enough quarters from the bottom of your backpack.

11. You may have a class that you cannot succeed in, despite the hours of long work you put in.

It may have seemed fine on the first day of school, but it won't take long for you to realize if the course load seems a little...difficult. Before you decide that the teacher is plotting against you, confide in some classmates and see if they're experiencing the same thing. Be respectful to your teacher, but keep in mind that you can always head over to the guidance office.

12. Pay attention to what classes you do and don't enjoy.

This may seem like a weird piece of advice, but pay attention to your favorite and least favorite subjects. Once you figure out what you enjoy the most, it may give you some direction on what you want to major in when college comes around.

13. Keep all of your school supplies organized.

Everyone's methods of organizations are different - whether it's binders, notebooks, or folders, find your method and stick to it. Keeping everything together will make everything easier when you have a test or quiz to study for.

14. Care less about what people think.

High school is only four years of your life... are you really going to look back as an adult and wonder “did she like my new pair of jeans?”. Hate to break it to you, but you won't. Wear what makes you confident, join whatever clubs you're interested in, and do whatever makes you happy because at the end of the day, other people's opinion is not important.

15. Have fun!!!

You're only here for four more years before you leave town for college, so take in every moment and enjoy it! School may seem unbearable sometimes, but in the midst of working hard, make some time to immerse yourself in all Sparta has to offer and embrace it!

Let's have a great school year!

Local Ideas For A Fun Summer

Written by: Brandon Drapeau 

There is a week left of school and summer is right around the corner. One of my biggest problems is that I am so excited for the summer, but when it comes around I always end up home never knowing what to do with myself. So now I am taking time to think of things to do this summer and sharing them with my peers, these are not in any specific order.

1. Go Bowling!

Lucky for us, we have a perfectly well-functioning bowling alley right in the town center. You can go with some friends, bowl, a game, and maybe grab some dinner at one of the many surrounding restaurants.

2. Play Spikeball!

The best way I can describe what Spikeball is, is that it is 2 versus 2 volleyball condensed down onto a trampoline. In volleyball, you hit the ball over the net, but in Spikeball you bounce the ball off the trampoline. The twist is, you can hit the ball in any direction, so make sure you rotate with your partner to keep the ball alive. There are many beaches around Sparta, so finding a place to play will not be hard. Last year, me and 3 pals played on the beach for 6 hours and I ended up getting horrible sun burn, but it was well worth it.

3. Go To The Boardwalk/Playground!

While this may seem boring, believe it or not, spending a day at the boardwalk can be a lot of fun because you may see a lot of people you know and they have a pizza and ice cream locations within 100 feet of each other. Chances are, you have probably already done this so it's nothing new to you, but it's always a hit.

4. Go Down The Shore!

Yes, I know most of you reading this can’t just go to the shore, they have to plan it and mostly likely stay somewhere with a parent, but it is very fun and something to spend time at during your summer (and it’s also a great place to play a competitive game of spikeball.)

5. Go To Mountain Creek!

Last year I bought a season pass to Mountain Creek and I didn’t use it as much as I should’ve. It has a lot of fun water rides and very large wave pool to cool off. My most favorite thing to do was the cliff jump. It’s very thrilling, but with our next option, there is a free version of this.

6. Go Bridge Jumping!

I AM NOT TELLING YOU TO DO THIS! I am just shedding light on a possible activity you can participate in, if you so choose. The bridge is about 15 feet above the water and is so much fun to jump off and land in the refreshing lake, not that I have tried it or anything! You can climb up the side of the bridge and do it for hours... if you don’t get caught. Be careful if you do choose to do this, and again, I am not telling you to if you get caught by the security or boat police.

This is a short and simple list of things I thought you could use to make your summer a little bit more fun. During the summer, have fun, and enjoy yourself, and make sure to apply sunblock. Can’t wait till next school year where I will write about what I did over the summer!

The True Diary of Freshman Year

Written by: Kanita Tariq 

I’ll be honest- freshman year was hard. 

Whether it was the boatload of assignments I put off until the last possible minute, or the uncertainty of who I could or couldn’t trust, my freshman year was a big learning experience for the next three years of high school. 

I was excited about starting high school. Finally- I was a grown-up. I felt independent, smarter, and a whole lot cooler. My whole life, I’d watch high schoolers on T.V. looking so cool as they smoothly navigated their way through, with an army of friends and supporters behind them. 

This was not my reality. In the real world, I had to deal with deadlines, quarterlies, as well as the struggle of maintaining a social life in between. I was tossed into the realm of Google and its helpful resources, along with a string of technical difficulties that often outweighed the good. I attempted to push away the horrific reminders of final exams, which is not something I can forget about anymore. 

I thought I could steer clear of the drama that came along with the transition of high school. As frivolous as my issues seemed, they meant the entire world to me. People changed. I changed. With a hectic end to the year, I found myself saying goodbye to some old friends. That doesn’t mean anyone’s a villain- it just means that some relationships aren’t meant to make it past middle school. 

It wasn’t all as gloomy as I’m making it seem. I solidified some old friendships, made new ones, and maintained good grades (for now… fourth marking period isn’t over yet!). I met some teachers that changed my life forever. 

The biggest takeaway was that I learned. Not just about the makeup of an organism or Napoleon’s rise to power, but about how to treat people, how to make a difference in the world, and how to be the best person I could ever possibly be. So while I cringe at the thought of setting my alarm for 5:30 A.M. every morning for another three years, or the big, bad final exams I have to face in just a few weeks, I can rest with the thought that I can walk away with a better heart and a better mind.