Cape Codders’ Importance in History
Katharine Lee Bates was born in Falmouth, Massachusetts, on August 12th, 1859. She was an American poet and educator. She taught at Wellesley College as a professor of English Literature. She was most famous for writing “America the Beautiful” which was first published in 1895.
Although President John F. Kennedy was born in Brookline, Massachusetts, he was truly a Cape Codder. The Kennedy Compound right here in our backyard was known as “the summer White House.” In fact, he gave his famous presidential acceptance speech at the Hyannis Armory on November 9, 1960. He was responsible for signing the legislation that established our beautiful Cape Cod National Seashore that we all enjoy today.
Captain William E. Sturgis, the namesake of our beloved school, was born on February 25, 1782, in Barnstable Village during the American Revolution. He was an international merchant and ship captain who circumnavigated the globe four times engaged in the Northwest and China Trades. At sixteen years old, he went to sea and later became a Massachusetts State Legislator.
These figures are just a few of the many Cape Codders who made an impact in our country’s history. Who knows? Maybe the next notable Cape Codder will be a Sturgis student!
StormWatch Editor-in-Chief Nominated for U.S. Presidential Scholars Program
Congratulations to our Editor-in-Chief, Caroline Curran! On behalf of the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars and the United States Department of Education, Caroline has been named as a candidate in the 2021 United States Presidential Scholars Program. According to the Commission, of the nearly 3.6 million high school seniors graduating in 2021, Caroline is one of only 4,500 students to receive this honor. President Lyndon B. Johnson created this prestigious honor in 1964 by Executive Order of the President. It is one of the highest awards which a student can receive in the United States. Caroline was named a nominee for her academic accomplishments, strong leadership, and service to her school and community. Congratulations again! |
IB Art in a Remote Setting
The unorthodox nature of our lessons this year has opened up room for independent media experimentation. Some positive effects of this unprecedented class environment include the ease of working in an at home environment, as well as the greater opportunity to explore art types that might not be as accessible in a classroom environment. Large sculptures, long-term projects, and materials that require more care are all made easier with working at home. Embroidery, woodworking, and clay sculpting, for example, have been explored by members of the senior class this year.
The Process Portfolio gives students an opportunity to experiment with mediums, prepare and document pieces, and explore the styles of other artists. They are placed on Google Slides and can either be digital or handwritten.
For the full two years of the IB Standard Level and Higher Level Art courses, students have been working on personal exhibitions to organize their work for the IB. This year the pieces may be put into a digital art exhibition rather than a physical one. Works will be pasted as pictures on an image of our choosing, ranging from flat walls to more exquisite rooms. Alternatively, at-home exhibitions may be set up and photographed. Each piece will be presented with a title and placed in an aesthetic layout. Three dimensional pieces will be uniquely placed in this environment, made to appear as if they are on the floor of a room. | Digital art exhibition created by an IB Art student on Sims 4 |
Although IB Art students are certainly experiencing unique challenges this year, they have ultimately adapted and excelled while showcasing their diverse talents.
How the Pandemic Is Affecting Standardized Testing
At our school, for instance, juniors were supposed to take the PSATs in October. It was called off, then rescheduled for January, whereupon it has been cancelled indefinitely. As things stand right now, it is unclear whether juniors will be able to take the PSATs at all or when they might be able to take the SATs or ACTs.
Though many colleges have dropped the requirement for SAT or ACT scores on applications in light of recent events, this is still a nerve-wracking situation for high school juniors and seniors. How will admissions be affected when standardized tests, which are normally such an important factor, are removed from the equation? Some students may feel like this puts them under more pressure. Now that the issue of standardized tests is up in the air, there will likely be more emphasis placed on grades, activities, and application essays. Students who still want to take the SAT or ACT to give themselves an edge in the admissions process might not be able to do so. There are far fewer tests taking place this year than normal, and testing sites have limited capacity. In any case, all of this uncertainty might only add to the stress of the college admissions process.
How to Stay Safe as a Teen Driver in the Winter
The New England winter weather is upon us! The winter season comes with new driving challenges, especially for teens for whom this may be their first winter driving. It is crucial to prepare ahead for poor weather conditions such as ice, snow, and slippery roadways. Before bad weather hits, you might want to practice with an adult. Practice slow speed maneuvers and braking in a snow-covered or ice-covered parking lot. Don’t let a blizzard be your first driving experience in bad weather conditions. Practice as much as possible. | A snowplow clears the roads in Bourne |
Always know the road conditions and forecast before heading out on the roads. Allow yourself more room and time to control the car. Remember to slow down for the conditions you encounter. Sliding on black ice can be very dangerous.
Whether it’s the Mid-Cape Highway, Route 6A, Route 28, the Airport Rotary, or the Bourne and Sagamore Bridges, there is no shortage of challenging roadways on Cape Cod. When bad weather hits, the best course of action is to stay home. Unfortunately, this isn’t always possible. When heading out in bad weather, please adhere to these driving safety tips to remain safe on our roads.
First, be sure to stock your vehicle with the necessary winter equipment. To prepare for cold temperatures, check your antifreeze and keep your washer fluid full. If possible, change to winter wiper blades and snow tires. Clean off your windshields and lights and remove any snow from the roof or hood. Also, keep your tires inflated properly.
Don’t forget to pack a shovel and snow brush in the car. Keep your gas tank at least half full and prepare a winter emergency kit. This should include items such as an extra cell phone charger, warm clothes, gloves, heavy socks, blankets, water, and snacks. Remember to keep your cell phone charged.
When you are on the road, always pay full attention to driving. Wear your seatbelt and slow down when bad weather hits to avoid accidents. If you follow these recommendations, you will be more prepared to take on our New England winter weather!