By Joe Smith
For the past 3 years Principal David Angeramo has been at the helm of Salem High’s proverbial ship. Every new year brings new challenges, goals and additions. Just like students, even principals need to adjust, adapt, and grow with each passing school year.
The first day of school can be different for everyone. Angeramo believes that the first day of school this year went off without a problem, and he spent the first day walking around the classrooms, greeting students and staff, and observing opening day procedures.
Angeramo believes being the principal has been an educational experience. With each year he said he is gaining confidence and school awareness. “There is a learning curve that had to be overcome when getting used to the responsibilities and rules,” he said.
A goal that Angeramo would like to achieve this year is to be the standard that other schools will look to. He would also like to keep incorporating the new technology like the projectors, smart boards, and the new computer labs, into the classroom. Angeramo wanted to stress to the staff and students that the new technology are “tools to help out and not the only tool.”
With the school renovation moving forward, the art wing, which still needs updating, will not be addressed this year. Each year the city keeps submitting what is called a phase two proposal for SHS to the state. The state’s response has been that other schools have higher priority over Salem High. “The State pays for a bulk of the renovation,” Angeramo explained. The original plan was to do the whole school at once, but due to previous financial issues the renovations were divided into phase one and two. Phase one was aesthetic and academic updating, while phase two will handle the art wing/tech ed areas.
For seniors it is their last year at Salem High and Angeramo has the following message for them: “It is a very important year and potentially their most important one. Appreciate it.”
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By Madeleine Lutts
There are 25 new faculty members at Salem High School for the start of the 2008-2009 school year. Most of them are replacing teachers in various departments. Ms. Beth Factor, a new teacher in the social studies department, comes to Salem High from Newton South High School, where she taught World History and US History I and II.
“I really like it here. I love the students, and I love that they are all unique and so different from each other,” said Factor. “The faculty also seems very, very nice.” Factor is teaching two US History II classes, 2 psychology classes, and a street law class. She has a strong background in the elective classes she is teaching, and she hasn’t had any problems adjusting to Salem High. “People have been very helpful. I’m also used to the long blocks, so it hasn’t been a problem. I think it’s kind of cool to have longer classes. It gives us more time, and a chance to do fun things.”
The guidance department is also welcoming a new addition, Mr. Martin Ammer. Ammer has been a guidance counselor since 1979. He’s worked in Waltham, Andover, and most recently at Malden Catholic.
“Salem High is a very unique and interesting school to work in,” says Ammer. “It certainly has a very diverse community and is very aggressive in trying to serve that community. I am impressed with the many opportunities and programs that are offered for success.” Ammer has been quite pleased with the administration and faculty. “The students are great, too. I’m starting to understand and learn the idiosyncrasies that are peculiar to Salem without any problems,” he said enthusiastically.
As Ammer begins the college process with many seniors, he has been surprised to see high spirits among the students and faculty. “People here have positive attitudes. Considering all the budget cuts and big changes in Salem over the last year, I was impressed to see such positivity.”
Overall, new teachers seem to have positive feedback from their first couple of months at Salem High. They are adapting to the new environment, and they will be bringing new ideas and energy to the new school year.
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by Katie Wilkins
A new leadership program has been developed at Salem High School! The peer mentors program is in the process of becoming extremely distinguished and involved in Salem High School and the Salem community. Freshman Dean Andy Wulf is in the process of electing teachers to become advisors and aid in leading the motivated students. Through this program a body of committed students will voice concerns appropriately.
Events such as class meetings and freshman orientation are examples of some activities peer mentors help plan and organize. Students involved say that their experience with the program has helped develop their public speaking skills and gave them more confidence and principles. Wulf says that the program “will help teach students to solve problems” by addressing deep issues, creating skills that are not often developed in classes. He hopes that each participant gains that “entrepreneurial spirit!” To join, applications can be found on the first floor, in Wulf’s office.
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Senior Prom, Breathalyzers & Buses
Prom Set for Memorial Day Weekend
By Paloma Sanabria
The Senior Prom is booked for the Class of 09. For starters, it will be held at the fabulous Ferncroft in Danvers, MA. It will be on the same Friday as the senior finals, May 22. This is a good thing since all the seniors dismiss themselves anyway the same day. The price will be approximately the same price as last year, although the price is yet to be determined. And, yes, there will be breathalyzers at the Prom and every dance held at SHS.
There has been some mentioning of bringing all the seniors to Prom on school buses, but the decision has not been officially made. “Not heard definitely from Angeramo, but the bus does give us options, in terms of location,” Senior Class Advisor and English teacher Ms. Megan Cunningham said. “The buses give us more freedom,” she continued. “Right now, this is still in discussion.”
Co-Advisor for the Senior class is English teacher Mrs. Pamela Kessaris.
Even though the decision has not yet been made on whether or not buses will be used, this year’s prom will be a guaranteed good time and safe night for all the Seniors to enjoy!
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Officers Elected
Compiled by Sonny Cooper
Congratulations to the Class Officers of 2008-2009 school year!
Senior Class
President- Monique Gallant
Vice-President- Miguelina Mesa
Secretary- James Towey
Treasurer- Juan Carrasco
Advisors- Ms.Cunningham and Mrs.Kessaris
Junior Class
President- Zachary Broughton
Vice-President- Erin Burke
Secretary- Chrisanthe Theodorakakis
Treasurer- Adelaide Majeski
Advisors – Mr. Massey and Ms. Raymond
Sophomore Class
President- Janice Dominguez
Vice-President- Stephanie Giunta
Secretary- Kellie Sacco
Treasurer- Sandra Castillo and Benjamin Sax
Advisors- Mr.Marcoux and Ms.Coleman
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Homecoming Court Takes Center Field
Congratulations to the Homecoming Court of 2008!
Freshman- Kaira Colman and Jabari Tovar
Sophomore- Janice Dominguez and Jeffrey Turben
Junior- Drew Hammond and Jenaya Marshall
Senior- Jennifer Sobotka
King and Queen- Patrick Swift and Ishrat Raji
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Student View
For One Day, SHS Unites and Witnesses History
By Michaela Jordan
Salem, being a historic city in itself, decided to let the high school students witness history by streaming the inauguration of Barack Obama, the United States’ first African-American president, in the auditorium and IMC. Any teacher who wanted to bring their students was welcome to come.
It all began with a request to administration from Mrs. Pamela Kessaris’ Journalism class. Students recognized that this was a moment that nobody should miss because it is one that will be remembered for the rest of their lives. Teachers had the option of watching it on the internet, but if the inauguration were to be streamed into classrooms by several teachers (say, at least 25), the internet system could crash and shut down, preventing anyone from watching the historic event. After discussion, the administration gave the OK to the idea, and set a time and place.
When the clock struck noon on January 20, 2009 in Salem High School, teachers walked their classes down into the auditorium where students took their seats and watched as the projector showed this ground breaing event. Then came the big moment; President Obama made his innaugural address. He discussed the economy, education, homes, business, money, programs, the past, the future and hope. He also brought up the fact that America has gone through many struggles and it’s now time to pick up the pieces and move forward.
The auditorium roared with cheers, claps, even a few whistles. Some simply yelled “Yeah Obama!” while others chanted the “Obama-Obama-Obama” song that became famous over YouTube. What made the experience more meaningful was the amount of diversity. Not just of color, but of age, beliefs, and political views. The room was filled with many different people, but for a little while everyone became united. Maybe Salem High’s ability to come together as one can someday be adopted by the United States. This is one of President Barack Obama’s hopes. Let’s see how our historic leader can make it all happen.
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Spirit Week Brings Nerds, Literature, and Ninjas
By Joe Smith
School spirit is something every Salem High student has. Combine the student body with a week of class events and the result is Spirit Week. This year Spirit Week began on the 21st of November with the Powder Puff game.
The Spirit Week competition continued with the annual Jar Wars event. The results this year were in 4th place the sophomores, in 3rd place the freshman, and in 2nd were the seniors, leaving the Juniors to take 1st place and the sum of their jar. The money raised in the remaining three jars will go to the Salem Public Schools.
Dress As A Class Day is another activity during Spirit Week. This year, the freshman dressed “inside out and backwards.” Sophomores dressed as ninjas, and juniors acknowledged the AIDS awareness effort by wearing red and selling red ribbons. Seniors, on the other hand, chose to “nerd it up” and dress as geeks.
The highlight of the festivities is the Deck the Halls decorating contest. This year’s overall theme was Literature. The freshman on the 3rd floor did the Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. On the 2nd floor with Doctor Seuss were the sophomores. The juniors decorated the 1st floor as the Wizard of OZ. In the main office hall, the seniors recreated literature through the ages, covering favorite stories from the Polar Express to Holes and the Great Gatsby.
Spirit Week ends with the annual Pep Rally and School Colors Day, during which students dress in red, black, and white. The Pep Rally features the announcement of the Spirit Week results and the rallying of the school behind the football team going into their annual Thanksgiving Game against our rival, Beverly. The conclusion of the Pep Rally marks the beginning of the Thanksgiving break for the school as students get ready to enjoy their 4-day break!
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Baby Boom!
By India Cobb
Oh baby! Well, obviously in the English department. Not one but two little ones were born to English teachers!
Kevin Richard the new born son of Mrs. Renee Marshall, and Olivia Byrne, the new born daughter of Ms. Kim Parker and Mr. William Warren, will probably be extremely smart and know their Shakespeare with parents who are high school teachers.
Little Kevin was a Thansksgiving gift for the Marshall’s, being a November baby. He was born November 5 and he weighed in at 6lbs 13oz. Marshall has returned from her maternity leave.
Olivia brought joyfulness to Christmas for the Warren family. At 10:50am December 16, she was born and weighed in at 7lbs 12 oz. Parker will be returning to school in mid-March.
In another department, Health teacher Ms. Lisa Mansfield welcomed 6lb 11oz Jacob Dylan on February 25.
Congrats to the families and good luck to the PROUD NEW PARENTS!
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