Burr and Burton Belltower

“Bully”: Kids Will Not Just Be Kids (Movie Review)

Abbey — Tue, 08 May 2012 10:13:04 +0000

“Bully”: Kids Will Not Just Be Kids

~Abbey Grant, ’14

A heart wrenching and infuriatingly real look at the affects of bullying – at school, at home, and in the community – ”Bully” is a new documentary by Lee Hirsch that leaves us questioning our perceptions of our schools and communities.

“Bully” tells the stories of several young students who have suffered at the hands of bullies; two, Taylor and Ty, have committed suicide, and Taylor’s suicide is the blunt fact that opens the movie, as his father tearfully reminisces about Taylor’s childhood. Things only intensify as other children are added to the mix. One of the main story lines is about Alex, an awkward and sweet 14-year-old boy who is consistently bullied, both at school and on the bus, to the point of strangulation, without the school doing anything to really stop it. His parents remain out of the loop and unsure of where to turn. Wishing for a friend, and confused about what to do, Alex unsurprisingly admits to the camera that “[the bullies] push me so far that I want to become the bully”.

Ja’Meya, who’s story has less focus, has the same sentiments when she, sick of being picked on, brings a gun on her bus and brandishes it. Even without shots being fired, she is charged with over 40 felonies. What the adults failed to see was the fear, the psychological abuse she had endured from those kids, that led her to bring the gun in the first place.

Another girl, Kelby, is shunned in her small, religious town, for being a lesbian, and, although you don’t see her being bullied, she recounts disturbing events of teachers condoning and even participating in the bullying. Her parents stand behind her, but are hurt by the reactions of their friends and neighbors, and by the school’s tolerance for Kelby’s isolation.

The deceased students have their tales told by parents, friends, and photos: Ty committed suicide at 11, leaving behind distraught parents, and an insightful best friend, who used to be a bully himself. Taylor, bullied since he was a kid, hung himself at 17. Both families have since fought to bring about change, which is incredibly inspiring, despite the sad circumstances, and another reason that this movie needs to be seen.
“Bully” isn’t just about the stories – it’s about the similarities and differences between them. How do families and communities handle it? Kelby’s town turns against her, but Tyler’s comes together to demand that their schools do something to stop bullying. Rather than focusing on the actual acts of bullying, Hirsch looks at the psychological effects on the victims, and how their parents and schools react to the complaints of bullying. This purpose makes the movie incredibly disturbing, as some characters are obnoxiously oblivious, hiding behind “kids will be kids”. An assistant principle calls the kids on Alex’s bus “good as gold” even after learning that Alex has been continuously abused by them. While upsetting, the purpose is also portrayed in an uplifting way, because you see how the people filmed have come together to raise awareness about bullying, honoring those who have killed themselves in an movement called “Stand for the Silent”.

Hirsch’s film shows both the depressing and the inspirational, with a message for everyone watching – schools, parents, and kids – and a strong purpose. Even though the film jumps from story to story in an occasionally confusing way, and focuses heavily on some stories (like Alex’s) while only showing other tales in one or two scenes, all remind us that, to stop bullying, we need to come together, be committed.

Everyone should see this movie; the cinematography is both beautiful and heartbreaking; the kids are adorably real – arguing with siblings, laughing with friends – but also a tragic reminder that those so young can suffer too; the parents are bittersweet with their support and confusion; the schools are frustrating because of their denial and unwillingness to truly stop bullying. You leave asking yourself what you would do, how you would deal. How should the kids react to bullying? What is the community’s role? I hope that Manchester will take this amazing opportunity to see this movie, and use it as a starting point for discussions. On top of raising awareness in Manchester, let’s use “Bully” as a chance to unite our town in efforts to stop bullying, because, as Kelby reminds us, we’re the ones “in this town [who] can make a change”.

Deaf History Month

lmiskovsky — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:23:44 +0000

American Sign Language or ASL is a language that many people who are deaf or hard of hearing use to communicate. Deaf History Month is from March 13th to April 15th. In 1960 American Sign Language was officially declared a real language, not simply a gesture system. Just like any culture, the American Deaf community views themselves as a cultural group bonded together by a common language. In the early 1800’s Yale graduate and hearing minister Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet made friends with a deaf girl named Alice and her family. Alice’s father wanted her to learn sign language so they together with Gallaudet traveled to France to learn the language. ASL originated in France. After Alice successfully learned Sign Language, her dad convinced Gallaudet to open a deaf school in the U.S. Through long travels around Europe Gallaudet finally got some assistance from the director of the french institute of Paris. Together they created the first American School for the deaf. Today, there are over 100 deaf schools in the US, the American School for the Deaf (ASD) being the oldest. About 2 to 4 of every 1000 people in the United States are functionally deaf and approximately one million communicate through Sign Language across America. Sign language is its own language and it has become popular in educational institutions throughout the United States. If you get a chance look up some sign language and learn your favorite phrase or your name in sign!

Real Drivers: Mr. Kelly’s Subaru Impreza STI

David Rose — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 11:43:44 +0000

Most of the students on PK’s various sports teams are probably familiar with his car (or cars, since he has a well-restored pickup in addition to this Subaru), and it’s easy for novelty to fade when you see something rare every day. But as it turns out, this Impreza WRX STI is a fairly uncommon car, and one that makes a great addition to my “Real Drivers” series. If you haven’t already seen the episode on Mr. Tashjian’s BMW M3, see it here.

Spring is Here!

lmiskovsky — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 19:18:07 +0000

Spring is Here Following Exciting Finish to Winter Sports!

The winter sports come to an exciting close with three state championships: the Boys Alpine Ski Team, Boys Snowboard Team, and the Varsity Girls Ice Hockey Team!

The Girls Ice Hockey Team had an exciting win on Tuesday the 6th 3-2 in triple over time filled with exhilarating ups and downs. Throughout this game there were goals scored, penalties given and even a penalty shot given to Megan Miskovsky. Throughout this all the Bulldogs were able to pull out one more goal made my Erin Thompson in what became the 6th period! In the final game up at UVM on Monday versus Stowe the Bulldogs yet again showed their true talent and passion on the ice with a magnificent win of 4 to 1 with goals scored by Abby Marmer, Erin Thompson, and Jordan Harmon. Luckily enough, everyone got week off in-between winter and spring sports with some amazing weather.

Not only are Spring have spring sports begun this week but also the play Chicago has started their long days of rehearsal and will continue until the performances in the spring. Roles were given out last week – the leads being Ray Cole, Sophia Guglietta, and Kristin Somple.

Should be a week full of sunshine and teams reuniting, Go Bulldogs!

One Acts: BBA Style

Abbey — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:40:50 +0000

Image By Gary Baker

~Bree Lalor ’14 and Abbey Grant ’14

Did you get a chance to see the One Acts Symposium on Sunday, January 29th? I think that everyone would agree that it was an amazing showcase of talent and creativity, on the parts of the actors, the writers, the directors, and everyone else who helped make the show happen. From tragedy to comedy, there were so many different shows put on, each one of them acted out and directed by students, and written by students and teachers. Whether the act made you think or made you laugh, they were all awesome and a great overall representation of BBA performing arts.

No matter which play it was, the act wrought emotion from the audience; “Aunt Flow” (written by Bailey Ring) had the audience roaring with laughter, and “Angels” (written by Jim Raposa) had everyone in the theater tearing up. The acts showcased witty lines, humorous circumstances, and a variety of talented actors and directors, from freshmen to seniors.

“It was a new experience; it was hard, but I learned a lot” says Stella Oh, one of the cast members. The One Acts were certainly a time to try new things, and they seemed like a great opportunity to explore acting or writing plays, in a cool and different way. The plays this year incorporated so many different topics- robberies, Woodstock hippies, cops, family pressures, academic pressures, PMS, and 9/11, and, while some were amusing, some dramatic, and some depressing, everyone could relate to at least one play there. That relatability shows true talent, because it provides a connection between the audience and the performers, the writers, and the directors.

The range of so many different and diverse topics and themes also shows talent; it was pulled together really well to create a whole arrangement of plays. This was a wonderful show and just one great example of what BBA’s Performing Arts can do- there is so much more to see, like the Prisms concert, coming up in March, or the Winter Showcase, which was also awesome! The One Acts Symposium was well executed and fun to see; if you’ve never been, you should definitely check it out next year! It’s a great idea, a great experience for everyone in it, and it was a great collection of so many different and relatable subjects- overall, the performance was amazing!

Teacher Quotes

cmcleish — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:32:57 +0000

"We all make our own sandwiches in this life." -Dan Millman

"I once complained about having no socks ... then I met a man who had no feet."

“Things which do not grow and change are dead things.” —Louise Erdrich "Baby, we can choose you know we ain't no amoebas." —John Hiatt

"Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it" -P.J O' Rourke

"Sometimes in the winds of change you find your true direction." -Unknown

If life seems jolly rotten; There's something you've forgotten; And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing. When you're feeling in the dumps; Don't be silly chumps; Just purse your lips and whistle - that's the thing. And...always look on the bright side of life... Always look on the light side of life... (Monty Python's 'Life of Brian')

Photos By Claire McLeish

Real Drivers: Mr. Tashjian’s BMW M3

David Rose — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:22:50 +0000

-David Rose ’14 You may or may not know that the Headmaster here at Burr and Burton is a bit of a car enthusiast. That black BMW you see in the parking lot from time to time in the fall and spring? That’s his. There are some stories behind his Bimmer, too – check them [...]

Crossfire: Bottled Water vs Tap Water

Jimmy Woodard — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:28:37 +0000

Crossfire is an online debate on the Belltower Website. BBA Students, Faculty, Staff & Community are invited to share their own opinions using the comment section below. What is your opinion?

+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+

Submitted by: Jimmy Woodard

UVM students have recently requested to ban the sale of bottled water on campus. UVM believes it will save 200,000 bottles per year by doing so. However, some students don’t like the idea.

~Excerpt from WCAX NEWS~

UVM to ban bottled water sales on campus

Click Here to view Video

BURLINGTON, Vt. -

“Gregory Francese is a student DJ and an environmental activist. He uses the airwaves at the University of Vermont to get his message out about bottled water.

For the last four years, Francese and his colleagues at the Vermont Student Environmental Program, or VSTEP, have battled to take back the tap by stopping the sale of bottled water on campus. With UVM’s beverage contract with Coca-Cola

nearing its end, these student activists got their first taste of victory.

“The administration decided that with this existing exclusive contract expiring that it was time for us to do it,” said Richard Cate, the vice president for finance and administration at UVM.

“This is student activism success,” Francese said. “I mean we’ve had our problems. We’ve had our setbacks. We’ve had people tell us it can’t happen.”

But starting January 2013, the sale of bottled water from UVM’s vending machines and campus eateries will be banned. The administration says the new policy is sure to put a dent in the more than 1 million bottled beverages it sells annually. UVM says it will save 200,000 water bottles each year by doing away with water bottles sales on campus.

“We believe that we can provide good, cold, fresh water here in Vermont without having to purchase it from some other place,” Cate said.

The plan is to retrofit all 75 water fountains on campus. They’ll be converted to bottle filling stations like one in the Davis Center. The project comes with a $100,000 price tag– an investment the administration says is money well spent. But the taste of tap remains a concern for some students.

“Bottled water to me always tastes a lot smoother and there isn’t an aftertaste,” said Jesse Mosello, a freshman.

Francese disagrees and says the perceived taste difference is a marketing scam; one that he works to dispel with his public service announcements. He says the policy is a bold move that puts the university ahead of its time.

“You’re going to see a lot more of this in the future, in workplaces and universities, people in general just not buying bottled water because they’re going to realize how wasteful it is,” Francese said.

Although this college senior will never see the policy in action, it’s a legacy he’s proud to be a part of.

The new policy also calls for one-third of drinks offered in vending machines to be healthy options.“-Jennifer Redding, WCAX

+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+

What would you do if BBA decided to do the same thing? Are you in support of banning bottled water, or do you like having bottled water available for purchase in the cafeteria at BBA? Comment below with your opinion! We want to know what you think!

LIVE in HD – London National Theater

nfreebern — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:10:26 +0000

Students, Cinematographers, historians, film buffs and actors check this out.

TRAVELING LIGHT

A new play by Nicholas Wright… From London to the Riley Center Stage in HD!

In a remote village in Eastern Europe, around 1900, the young Motl Mendl is entranced by the flickering silent images on his father’s cinematograph. Bankrolled by Jacob, the ebullient local timber merchant, and inspired by Anna, the girl sent to help him make moving pictures of their village, he stumbles on a revolutionary way of story-telling. Forty years on, Motl – now a famed American film director – looks back on his early life and confronts the cost of fulfilling his dreams.

Following Vincent in Brixton and The Reporter, Nicholas Wright’s new play is a funny and
fascinating tribute to the Eastern European immigrants who became major players in
Hollywood’s golden age. The award-winning Antony Sher – whose previous work with the
National Theatre includes Primo and Stanley – returns to play Jacob. Learn More.

Showing February 17th @ 6:30 PM

Hosted by Green Mountain Academy for Life Long Learning &

Burr and Burton Academy’s Media and Performing Arts Department

Send an Email to mpa@burrburton.org and get a free ticket!

Two Simple Chinese New Year Recipes

Stellashuai Qu — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:28:57 +0000

“Two Simple Recipes of Chinese New Year Eve Dishes” By Stellashuai Qu

The night of Jan.22nd was the 2012 Chinese New Year Eve in lunar calendar. In general, all the family members will gather together to have a festive and rich dinner on the New Year Eve, just as a combination of Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinner. This dinner is regarded as the most important dinner of the all year around , because busy family members may have a chance to come back home for a family reunion. Children may follow the historic custom to get money in red envelopes from their elders (the color red in Chinese tradition stands for happiness and good luck), and the family will ignite fireworks to celebrate. In addition, everyone at the table is supposed to make great wishes for the next year and say blessing greetings to others.

Therefore, the food on that day must be the most exciting and respectful. Of course, the way to cook a dish depends on the way that each family prefers, so different families may have different recipes for the same dish. The following dishes are just some parts of the dinner, and the way I expressed the recipe may not be as professional as a restaurant cook, so please pardon me.

#1 The word “fish” in Chinese pronunciation stands for “rich and lucky.” Also, fish is rich in nutrition, which is good for health.

One of the ways to cook the fish called carp is the following:

TEMPEH CARP

Materials:

carp, Spices: salt, starch, ginger, green onion, cooking wine, vinegar, sugar, tempeh paste

Steps:

1. Clean the fish and marinate the fish inside and outside with salt and a thin layer of dry starch.

2. Heat the pot on the stove to smoke, pour a little amount of oil and sprinkle a proper amount of salt into the pot. wait for the oil is heated, then put the fish inside. Turn down to a small fry fire, wait for a few seconds. Flip the fish over, then wait for a few seconds to flip over again as a period. Later, take the fish out of the pot.

3. Leave a little bit oil on the bottom of the pot, stir the green onion and ginger slices inside the pot until you can feel the fragrance, and then put tempeh paste inside, too. Add a bowl of water and rest of the spices, like vinegar etc.

4. Put the fish in the pot again. Cook for a few minutes.

5. Melt the starch in water and pour into the pot, turn up to higher heat, then turn off the fire. Sprinkle the fish with chopped green onion.

Corn and pine nuts stand for wishing a big harvest.

CORN & PINE NUTS
Materials:
grids of corn , pine nuts , 100 g green onion, 1 green pepper, 1 small red pepper, salt , 50 ml milk , 1 / 2 teaspoon sugar

Steps:
1. Chop green peppers and green onion into little pieces

2. Put the pine nuts into pan without water or oil , bake on a small fire slightly , and then get out of the pan into a bowl to cool down.

3. pour olive oil in hot wok, add chopped green onion until feeling the fragrant, then stir the corn into the wok with bigger fire quickly for a few seconds. put pepper and milk inside, stir well, and finally transferred to the stir fry with putting the rest of the spices in.
4. before the milk is about to dry, pour pine nuts in and stir

5. turn off the fire to finish cooking.