CON: We cannot tolerate zero tolerance
Nora Fellas, Opinion Lead Editor
December 4, 2019
This academic year, as of Oct. 25, just two months into the year, six upper school students had been expelled for violating the school’s zero tolerance substance abuse policy. Sixteen others faced the possibility of expulsion for their involvement in substance use on campus, but were diverted into Sanct...
PRO: Zero tolerance keeps us safe
Annie Rubinson, News Lead Editor
December 4, 2019
In 2008, students witnessed a classmate suffer a seizure in the middle of Mandarin class. When his belongings were searched, it was determined that he overdosed on illegal drugs dealt to him by an upperclassman. In response, Masters implemented a zero tolerance drugs and alcohol policy. Recently, how...
Bring back flex lunch!
Ethan Schlapp, Staff Writer
December 4, 2019
When I first received a copy of the new schedule, I was concerned. No flex lunch, school ending later, the introduction of Masters Hour, and an eight-day rotation were some of the changes I noticed immediately. New goals were outlined by the administration, such as a more consistent class schedule, reduced stre...
The internet makes it easier to exploit children
Sophia Van Beek, Copy Editor
December 4, 2019
I don’t use Facebook often, but it takes only about two minutes of scrolling through my feed until I see a picture of a baby or a child. Cute? Maybe. Wrong? Definitely. Whether it’s a photo of a newborn immediately after birth or a post celebrating yet another milestone of the arduous kindergarten...
I repeated tenth grade, now I can’t compete in sports
Sophie Grand, Opinion Editor
December 3, 2019
While I knew the decision to repeat my sophomore year would change my social and educational spheres, I had no idea that it would prevent me from participating in school sports teams. Mid-way through this year’s fall season, I learned that I would not be eligible to participate in sports for my senior year on account of being a repeat st...
Letter to the Editor
November 23, 2019
Following the publication of Tower Volume 76, Issue 2 on Thursday, Nov. 21, a number of members of the Masters community expressed concern with an image on the front page that depicted the flag of the People’s Republic of China with the logo of TikTok, a social media platform, in the upper left han...
Atwood grabs ‘em by the possibilities
Mattilynn Stone, Photo Editor
October 30, 2019
The Testaments” (2019) is a riveting sequel to “The Handmaid’s Tale” (1985) by Margaret Atwood. It’s a powerful novel about three unlikely women coming together and telling their stories despite the risks. The three main characters are Agnes, the daughter of an important commander who stru...
It’s 10 p.m. Does Masters know where your children are?
Nora Fellas, Lead Opinion Editor
October 30, 2019
On Friday, Oct. 4, Interim Dean of Students Jeff Carnevale sent an email to Masters parents announcing the “new” Safe Homes Agreement (SHA), which seeks to create a network of parents who pledge to host alcohol and drug-free, supervised parties for Masters students at their homes. Although label...
For which we stand, bring back the pledge
Tim Mathas, Opinion Editor
October 30, 2019
“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” Each morning in elementary school, with hands over hearts, my fellow classmates and I recited these 31 words with stre...
Reflections on a vibrant three years at Masters
Jacob Strier, News Design Editor
May 26, 2019
My first Morning Meeting left me in awe. It was on my first day at Masters as a new sophomore, and my heart was pumping out of my chest as I was ushered into the theatre. The next 30 minutes would forever change my view of education, and what student engagement can look like when actually applied. ...
Gun violence in America: an international perspective
Alexandra Bentzien, Editor-in-Chief
April 29, 2019
Whether you read this as a supporter of gun rights or gun control, there are certain facts which mark gun violence an undeniable problem permeating our day-to-day America. It is impossible to ignore the horror of senseless killings in settings from nightclubs to music festivals – and most pertinen...
What is Democratic Socialism?
Buster Scheuer, Blogger
April 15, 2019
In our nifty fifty United States, there has been a growing fear of “socialism” in the political climate as it relates to the policy platform of Senator/2020-hopeful Bernie Sanders. In talking to many of my friends about what socialism and democratic socialism are, I find that not too many fully ...