Falling Back Into the Groove at ORR, OC, Tabor

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When it comes to fall sports and activities at the high school level, it’s all about participation.

At Tabor Academy, Old Rochester Regional, and Old Colony, September is about sprinkling the seeds for a successful athletic program.

“Our theme goes back to the concept of team,” said Tabor Athletic Director Conan Leary. “We look at three phases – participation, development, and competitiveness. The participation piece is huge, especially at the entry level. We are really more excited about getting the kids involved than anything else.”

Leary, in his second year as Tabor’s AD, noted that about 75 percent of the school takes part in fall team activities, which includes things like drama and dance.

For Old Rochester AD Bill Tilden, “It’s definitely the busiest time of the year, at least in terms of the number of teams. Just think of trying to get all the kids registered, so many of them have never played at the high school level and we want it to go smoothly for them.”

Tilden is proud of ORR’s athletic participation number, which he estimates to be over 450 of the school’s 800+ students in just fall sports.

With girls’ volleyball, boys’ and girls’ soccer, boys’ and girls’ cross country, and football and field hockey all in the mix, there’s always a game happening somewhere once the season gets going in September.

At Old Colony, AD Matt Trahan is happy to see another strong turnout in the fall.

“Where we stand right now is two hundred and twenty athletes in the fall – that’s the highest here as long as I can remember,” he said. “Participation is great, and the kids seem to really enjoy being part of it.

“For me, it’s really fulfilling to see things moving in the direction they’re in,” said Trahan.

Here’s a look at what’s happening on the three Tri-Town athletic fields:

Tabor Academy

Tabor is gearing up for the regular season in most sports, which start midweek, and will be competing in a new league this year: the prestigious ISL (Independent School League).

“We have been wanting to get in for years,” said Leary, a long-time Tabor coach who is in his second year as AD and is still the school’s wrestling coach. When St. Paul’s of New Hampshire left the league, Tabor was one of nine schools to apply.

“Luckily, we were selected, and we were very grateful,” Leary said. “It’s a very reputable league, catches a lot of eyes, turns a lot of heads in terms of recruiting for colleges.

“And a big thing is, just as far as distance, this puts us in a Boston-area league, where we were going 90 minutes, two hours away to play just about every road game. It’s great for the kids, and stretches them and our coaches so much less.”

One athlete who college recruiters are sure to be looking at is Aly Hussein, who won the boys’ cross country New England title last year for Tabor and returns to lead a stacked team.

The football team won the Class B New England title last year, winning at home under the (rented) lights in an exciting affair. They will compete for it again despite longer odds and a tougher schedule, led by running back Angel Santiago (Plymouth) and wide receiver Seth Kourtesis.

“They seem positive and upbeat, they know they’re up against it this year,” Leary said, noting that the team had two scrimmages this week before opening on the road September 23 at St. Mark’s. “My overall evaluation is that they’re athletic but small.”

And Leary says watch out for the girls’ soccer team, which has been on a run since winning the New England title earlier in the decade. Led by scorer Kat Barry and the speed of Jaydah Bedoya, he thinks they have a playoff run ahead under Coach Steve Sughrue.

“They’ve got a great attitude, and they work hard,” he said. “They really work together; they’re definitely the model for teamwork.”

Old Rochester Regional

While Tilden isn’t ready to crown the Old Rochester versus Wareham football opener as the ‘Game of the Century,’ he’d have to admit it was pretty darn good – especially since his Bulldogs came up with the 41-40 Cranberry Bowl win.

The game was a battle of top running backs, ORR’s Harry Smith vs. Wareham’s Isaac Nascimento, with Smith scoring four touchdowns and topping 300 yards in the comeback win. Smith and Nascimento both set school touchdown scoring records along the way.

“Harry is one of those fun-loving kids that’s great to be around, his intensity is great, he’s having a good time,” Tilden said. “I think the kids enjoy blocking for him, they know he appreciates what they do.”

As to the game, which was played at Wareham, “It was pretty electric, the rain showers came through to add a layer to it, and it stayed close all the way through. You never knew what was going to happen. The two offenses were so spectacular,” said Tilden.

And it was good to see the long-time rivals both playing at their peak.

“I was looking at the Cranberry Bowl trophy, and there have been a lot of lopsided games on there,” he said. “But I think everyone knew walking in that these teams have high hopes, and I don’t think losing takes away from Wareham’s – they played a fantastic game.”

Next up for the Bulldogs is another road game versus a rival, this Friday night at Apponequet.

While ORR’s “Dawg Pound” was largely in Wareham for the football showdown last week, the girls’ volleyball team was coming up with an equally thrilling 3-2 comeback home win over Fairhaven that went past the two-hour mark.

“We haven’t beaten Fairhaven in a long time,” Tilden said, noting that the game went past two hours. ORR followed it with a 3-1 win over Somerset on Monday, and they play Sturgis on Friday.

“They had high hopes for this season, and this group seems to have jelled very well,” he said, adding that JV coach Jimmy Oliveira, a veteran of the New Bedford High program, was taking over the varsity for the first time.

Off the field, Old Rochester soccer and track athlete Mikayla Gardner was chosen to serve on the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association’s student council, the first member of the school to be chosen.

“It’s just a small group of kids. They meet once a month on rules, tournaments, and it’s really an honor to be selected,” he said. “Mikayla is an incredible kid.”

Old Colony

While the 20-0 defeat in the season opener versus Sacred Heart wasn’t indicative of the type of game the Cougars played, it was still a disappointment.

But AD Trahan knows that coach Brandon Mendez and his staff will get things back on track as they prepare for Game 2 on Saturday versus Holbrook at Brockton High (11:00 am).

“For us, it’s a regroup, recommit type of thing,” he said. “The coaches know it’s about keeping upbeat and emphasize the positive. I saw them in the film room. They were going over what was good and what was off, working together on it.”

New sophomore QB Kyle Schultz is finding his way, and a healthy return by RB Jarred Gagne should help.

The boys’ soccer team lost star Paul Soucy to graduation, but Coach Sergio Pedrosa has younger brother Zach Soucy and sophomore Hunter Soares to fill the void. Their first big test comes next Wednesday versus Upper Cape. “The league’s been between us and them the last couple of years, always a good matchup,” Trahan said.

The volleyball team turned heads with a 3-0 win over Diman (about double OC’s enrollment), and Trahan says the team has record numbers.

Looking ahead, Old Colony is excited about Homecoming Week in October, where a donation of lights from D.W. White means night soccer games (boys’ and girls’) and a Friday night football game.

“We play Saturday morning football, so to have that and the soccer games under the lights is special,” Trahan said. “To be even able to do that is kind of a bucket list thing for us.”

By Jonathan Comey

‘Yays’ Outweigh ‘Nays’ for Farmer’s Market

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The discussion surrounding an agricultural business on Marion Road proposed by Craig Canning of Rochester Farms, LLC went in virtual crop circles on September 12 as Rochester Planning Board members, abutters, proponents, and the developer orbited around topics such as hours of operation, site layout, and what is actually legal on the property as per the bylaws.

Bill Madden, engineer of the project, stood in front silently for over half an hour as Planning Board Chairman Arnold Johnson engaged oppositional abutters and their attorneys in tête-à-têtes, followed by myriad (and at times, trifling) rebuttals from residents who support Canning’s “farmer’s market” and agricultural operation.

Compared to past Planning Board meetings with scant attendees, the almost 100 people in attendance at the Senior Center seemed like a relative unruly mob (sans the actual unruliness). There were eruptions of applause after positive statements made in favor of the project, with one supporter after the other standing in support.

Attorney Donald Fleming, representing the abutter directly across from the project, Marion Cutler of 223 Marion Road, argued that the Planning Board does not even have jurisdiction over the project now that the Zoning Board of Appeals, which issued the Special Permit for the retail use within an agricultural/residential zone, closed its public hearing. He said the bylaw states that the ZBA could only issue a Special Permit after the Planning Board issues its own decision. Furthermore, he argued that the board could not move forward because the ZBA Special Permit does not allow for the particular use Canning is seeking, including a “restaurant,” as Fleming put it, alluding to the service of coffee and prepared foods, along with a “patio” with seating.

As for the ZBA issue, Johnson said it was not the first time the ZBA has issued a Special Permit before Planning Board approval, citing specific examples. “So it’s not unprecedented, and believe me,” Johnson said, “if we were operating outside the realm of our bylaws, our town counsel would be on the phone with me or in my face.”

ZBA approved hours of operation for seven days a week, 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. Cutler said these were excessive and, when asked, suggested perhaps 7:30 am to 6:00 pm. However, the board said it would hesitate to overrule what the ZBA approved – yet not impossible.

Cutler, who said she was, in theory, in favor of a farmer’s market, lamented how she has been portrayed as “the bad guy,” even on social media.

“I’m in favor of a farmer’s market, not a retail store,” said Cutler. “We don’t need that in Rochester. We have enough…. We don’t need a retail store here.”

It’s not a Wal-Mart, as one female resident grateful of the fact pointed out. It’s not a supermarket and it’s not low-income housing. “It’s the best use of the land.”

Johnson acknowledged Cutler’s appeal of the ZBA decision, and the hearing was continued until the next meeting.

A Site Plan review hearing for Canning’s other project, Progressive Grower, Inc., an agricultural distribution facility on Kings Highway and Cranberry Highway, was closed and a draft decision will be reviewed during the next meeting.

Much of the crowd remained for the public hearing for the Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. solar farm slated for Rounseville Road and Mendell Road.

An attorney for property owner Gibbs Bray addressed opponents to the solar farm, saying Bray has been mindful of being a “good neighbor,” and he has met all the requirements of the zoning bylaws for the project.

Still, oppositional abutters and residents squeezed in a few last words against the project. In response, Johnson said, “Just because we don’t like it, we can’t outright deny it.”

The board engaged in several back and forth discussions with residents over solar bylaw possibilities and improbabilities, the future of Rochester with solar, the future of solar energy itself…

Now past the two-and-a-half-hour mark in the meeting, the candy reserves of the Planning Board members to the right of the chairman dwindling, Johnson called on the last members of the public to comment or question and ended up defending the Town against one woman’s assertions that the Town was not acting on behalf of the citizens to protect open fields in Rochester, pointing out that the Town had already altered its solar bylaw based on a past application.

“I know that you guys want us to make it go away … but we are making changes and that’s because we are having this discussion, this back and forth,” said Johnson.

Nearing the three-hour mark, the conversation turned to 40B housing, both “hostile” and “friendly,” and the ramifications of that as opposed to large-scale solar farms. Talks then took another turn back to “neighborhood character” and then to the screening fence.

“It won’t be chain-link and it won’t be white. And there’s no barbed wire on it,” said Johnson, adding that the screening and fence would be taken up at the next meeting before continuing the public hearing until then.

Also during the meeting, the board continued the Site Plan Review public hearing for Wellspring Farms at 42 Hiller Road, preferring to keep the public hearing open until the next meeting until the peer review engineer can submit an updated report.

Attorney for Jim and Holly Vogel, George Boerger, asked the board to close the hearing and take a vote with the condition that any pending items are met, but Johnson turned it down.

“Well, we never vote the same night that we close the public hearing,” Johnson said. Usually, he explained, the board closes the hearing, meanwhile a draft decision is drawn up for the next meeting for discussion, and then the vote is held the next subsequent meeting.

Abutter Kathy Mendoza of 32 Hiller Road said she has observed vans backing out into roadway, with video proof, and asked if the board should make the entrance one way. After further comments by Boerger, the board conceded that the drive was adequate as stated on the plan, and if they are found in violation of the egress and ingress of the site, then they would be held responsible.

Having said that, “We’re not going to solve the neighborhood relations,” said Johnson. “We’re not that good.”

In other matters, the board voted to waive the first right of refusal for Chapter 61A property at Alley Road, owned by the estate of Mary Gayoski.

The board also accepted an Approval Not Required request for the same Gayoski property. The land will be subdivided into three buildable lots.

A revised waiver request for Hartley Mills to allow for overhead utility wires instead of underground was approved.

The next meeting of the Rochester Planning Board is scheduled for September 26 at 7:00 pm at the Rochester Senior Center on Dexter Lane.

By Jean Perry

 

Shelter Dedicates Addition to Late Contractor

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Matthew Sherman never got to see the finished product of his labor of love. The contractor who ‘rescued the rescuers’ from a shoddy construction job passed away on July 24 of this year, but not before leaving behind a legacy that dozens gathered to honor on Thursday night, September 7.

The owners of the Rochester-based cat shelter It’s All About the Animals hosted a cocktail party to celebrate the grand unveiling of the new addition and “catio” (a screened-in patio for cats) at the Marion Road rescue cat shelter. Pam and Oren Robinson held the invitation-only event as a way to thank those benefactors and volunteers who made it possible, and to honor a special man, Sherman, of Sherman Construction, who loved cats and eventually took over the management and construction of the new addition after the prior contractor allegedly ran off with the Robinsons’ money and left behind an unfinished and unsafe work site.

On the wall of the new wing at the shelter is a plaque dedicating in Sherman’s name the new addition space now used for housing and caring for rescue cats and kittens. Sherman, age 39, died unexpectedly before finishing the construction.

“He was such a wonderful man,” Pam said. “None of this would have happened without him.

Invited guests joined the Robinsons in raising their glasses and toasting the memory of Sherman, whose parents, Craig and Christina, were present to uncover Sherman’s plaque and celebrate his life, along with the shelter’s fortunate conclusion to a cat-astrophic construction calamity – for which Pam Robinson says was all due to Sherman’s generosity and kindness.

The catio features another plaque dedicating it to the memory of Georgia D. Chamberlain, donated by her daughter Ester-Ann Chamberlain.

In addition to the space – which includes a coffee station for volunteers, a kitchen area, and a laundry room, the cats and kittens enjoy a series of brand new cat trees, kitty condos, and cubbyholes to hide in (although several enjoy the simple surroundings of the small eaves in the catio ceiling).

Pam says she has a number of kittens available for adoption, as well as a number of adult cats in need of good homes. And if you do visit the shelter on Saturday or Sunday during business hours, we dare you to leave without an application.

(And IAATA, we think you may have a great new fundraising concept to exploit – sipping wine while petting a kitten in a roomful of wandering cats? Please take our money…)

By Jean Perry

Susan “Sue” G. Hardy

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Susan “Sue” G. Hardy, 52, of New Bedford, died Sept. 18, 2017 at St. Luke’s Hospital. She was the wife of Jerome C. Hardy and the daughter of the late Alexander and Delores (Santos) Pina.

She was born in Wareham and lived in Marion and Wareham before moving to New Bedford.

Mrs. Hardy was devoted to her husband, children, and grandchildren. Compassionate and hardworking, she worked as a CNA at New Bedford Health Care Center for 13 years. She took pride in caring for others and went above and beyond for her residents. She loved to laugh, loved to cook, and loved being with family and friends.

Survivors include her husband, Jerome C. Hardy; 4 daughters, Ebony Fernandes of Dartmouth, Susan Hardy of Fall River, Katherine Dunn of New Bedford, Delores Hardy of New Bedford; a son, Jerome C. Hardy, Jr. of New Bedford; her step children, Tawana, Jacqueline, Crowletta, Jerome “Tony”; many grandchildren with more on the way. Survivors also include 3 aunts; Rosalie Brewster, Wanita London, Lilian Monteiro; 1 uncle, Samuel Santos; and many cousins.

Her funeral will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017 in Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Hwy., Wareham. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Marion.

Visiting hours are from 5 to 8 pm on Friday at the funeral home.

Veronika Ross

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Veronika Ross of Fairhaven passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, September 16, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 52 years old.

She was born on June 6, 1965 in Innsbruck, Austria, the youngest of three children. She travelled to California in 1989 as an au pair, during which time she met and fell in love with her husband of 26 years, John M. Ross, originally from Mattapoisett. The couple also lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico from 2007 to 2012 before moving back to Fairhaven.

She is survived by her husband John, father Luis Huber and mother Anni Huber who live in Innsbruck, Austria; brother Markus, sister Sabine, and several nieces and nephews, all living in Austria. She also leaves behind her beloved dog, Larry.

Veronika worked at Walmart in Fairhaven from 1997 to 2007, then later as a personal care attendant. She was a talented Suminagashi artist and the proprietress of Veronika’s Scarves and Silks. She enjoyed playing on the Friday Mixed Bowling League at Bowlmor Lanes in Mattapoisett and was also a member of Art on Center in Fairhaven. She was a great animal lover, often seen walking through Fairhaven Center with her dog Larry and stopping for a friendly chat.

She loved creating, painting, playing sports, animals, spending time with friends, trips to the casino, and eating steamers at Turk’s.

Always positive, always smiling, Veronika will be missed by many and remembered for her kind spirit, unselfishness, and contagious laugh.

Veronika will be cremated, and a celebration of life gathering will be held on Saturday, September 23, at 12:15 pm at The Century House located at 197 South Main Street in Acushnet.

In lieu of flowers, Veronika has requested you make a donation in her memory to your local animal shelter or to the MSPCA.

Raymond Mello

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Raymond Mello, 67, of Barefoot Bay, FL, formerly of Rochester, MA passed away suddenly on Saturday September 16, 2017 at Tobey Hospital. He was the husband of Kathleen A. (Moniz) Mello.

Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Carlos and Deolinda (Soares) Mello, he was raised in Dartmouth and lived in Rochester for most of his life before retiring to Florida.

Mr. Mello was a cranberry grower for many years until his retirement.

During the Vietnam War, he served in the U. S. Marine Corps.

He was a member of the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans.

He is survived by his wife Kathleen; two sisters, Lorraine Oliver of Colorado Springs, CO and Diane Mello of New Bedford; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was the brother of the late Donald Mello and Eileen Nelson.

His Memorial Service will be held on Sunday September 24, 2017 at 11 am at the Seamen’s Bethel, 15 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford. Visiting hours are omitted. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Veterans Transition House, 20 Willis St., New Bedford, MA 02740. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

 

Marion Police Respond to Shots Fired

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On Monday, September 18, 2017 at 6:53PM, the Marion Police Department responded to Mill Street (Route 6) in Marion for an apparent domestic violence call involving shots fired. The female victim reported she had been shot at, while travelling along Route 6 westbound in the area of Sparrow Lane.

A few minutes later, officers responding to the call, located the suspect vehicle, a black Ford Mustang, travelling eastbound on Route 6. The operator of the Mustang failed to stop for police and continued east on Route 6. He then turned onto Spring Street northbound and then onto Route 105 northbound. As he tried to exit onto Route 195 westbound, he lost control of the vehicle on the on-ramp and crashed into several trees. Officers were able to take the suspect into custody, without further incident. A handgun was located in the vehicle.

The suspect was transported to the Marion Police Station for booking. No one was injured in this incident and no shots were fired by police. He has been charged with 2 counts of attempted murder, as well as other assault, firearm and motor vehicle charges. He was held, without bail, at the Marion Police Station and will be arraigned Tuesday morning at Wareham District Court.

A six year old child was in the vehicle at the time of the incident. Both the female victim and child were unhurt, as a result of the shooting. Investigators located evidence at the scene on Route 6, as well as evidence the victim’s vehicle had been struck by the gunfire. The corrected location of the incident is Route 6 in the area of Gifford’s Corner Road. The firearm recovered was a 9mm handgun, for which the suspect was properly licensed at the time.

Assistance was provided by Mattapoisett Police, Rochester Police, Wareham Police, Massachusetts State Police, Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services, Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Marion Fire/EMS.

 

Marion Police Department Press Release

Rochester Council on Aging

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On Thursday, September 28 at 2:30 pm at a forum at the Rochester Senior Center, the Rochester Council on Aging will launch its year-long initiative to seek national senior center accreditation from the National Council on Aging. We are encouraging anyone who wants to learn more about the process, or who may be interested in volunteering to take part in the process, to attend that day. Anyone of any age who participates in the senior center is welcome to participate. The more the merrier. It’s not difficult. You can do it! Don’t worry! We will guide you through it! We want and need your input!!! We need your help to do this!!!

The self-assessment phase of the process, which is approximately a nine-month commitment, consists of organizing nine (9) committees of volunteers to review the senior center operation over the past five (5) years, using nine (9) basic standards: Purpose & Planning, Governance, Administration & Human Resources, Community Connections, Program Planning & Implementation, Fiscal & Asset Responsibility, Evaluation, Records & Reports, and Facility & Operations.

Following the self-assessment process, a five-year strategic plan is developed, which incorporates and is based on the results coming from those nine (9) committees. Additionally, a portfolio notebook containing required documents and reports, including the strategic plan mentioned, is assembled and submitted to the National Council on Aging for review.

Lastly, an on-site Peer Reviewer (a current or former Senior Center Director from an accredited senior center) will visit our senior center for a day, after reviewing our portfolio notebook, and will speak to those volunteers and staff members who assisted in the self-assessment process.

The Peer Reviewer consults with an off-site Peer Reviewer and together they compile a lengthy report, which is submitted to the National Council on Aging, with their recommendation for full Accreditation. Shortly thereafter, we will be notified as to whether or not we achieved full accreditation status.

Join us on September 28 at 2:30 pm and find out what it’s all about. Refreshments will be served.

Bristol Aggie Hurricane Relief Effort

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Bristol County Agricultural High School has always stepped up and helped local community members who are in need. In the wake of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma, Bristol Aggie would now like to make a difference on a national level.

The Animal Science Department at Bristol Aggie is teaming up with Operation Bullpen (with Curt Schilling) to help people in need by establishing a donation center where they will collect donations of animal feed and supplies that will be delivered to Texas, Florida, or any other areas that have animals in need from these devastating hurricanes. Needed supplies include: food, toys, treats, collars and leashes for cats and dogs; livestock feed, hay, halters, crates and blankets; water, feed bowls and pans, and animal beds; medical and unopened cleaning supplies; and work gloves, shovels, brooms, wheelbarrows and ropes. Although their first priority will be to collect animal supplies, they will also take supplies for people as well. A complete list of requested animal and human supplies can be found on the Bristol Aggie Animal Science Facebook Post at https://www.facebook.com/Bristol-Aggie-Animal-Science-Department-806666166071187/.

Bristol Aggie’s goal is to fill an 18-wheeler truck full of supplies to help the animals and people in need. These supplies will be driven down to hurricane devastated areas and put directly in the hands of people and shelters that need them. The first truck will leave the school campus on Monday, September 18. With access to as many trucks as can be filled, Bristol Aggie hopes to fill more than one.

Bristol Aggie is hoping to make this a large-scale effort in a short amount of time. Donations can be dropped off at Bristol Aggie Animal Science Department, 135 Center Street, Dighton, MA 02715. If you prefer to schedule a local pick up/drop off or would like more information, please contact one of the following Tri-Town Bristol Aggie students:

– From Rochester: Hannah Smith (774-271-2793), Hannah Johnson (508-728-1251), or Melanie Beaulieu (774-281-8070)

– From Mattapoisett: Lauren Paine (860-782-1574)

The Bristol Aggie Animal Science Department can be reached at 508-669-6744 ext. 129.

Building the Bulldog Block

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This week, ORRHS launched its new schedule with a specialized period called the “Bulldog Block.”

Announced last school year, the Bulldog Block is a shared school-wide period aimed towards making academic help and clubs more accessible to students – things that usually take place after school, meaning that conflicts between sports, multiple clubs, and jobs often occur.

The Bulldog Block ran for 35 minutes each day on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday of last week (Monday was a holiday and Thursday was a late start for the high school).

Here’s how the Bulldog Block works:

During the first school day of each week, students will meet with their assigned advisor and plan out what they will do during the period for the rest of the week. Students can also be pre-assigned by teachers on certain days to make up tests or attend a club meeting.

Members of the Dreamfar club, which trains for and runs a marathon each year, were one of the first groups to plan a meeting during the Bulldog Block.

“We discussed new team names and colors because we’re forming a separate SouthCoast high school marathon club,” said senior Hannah Powers.

In addition to extra help and clubs, student meetings are also slated to take place during the block. For example, on Friday the freshman class had an assembly on the roles of the student government positions ahead of their class election. The National Honor Society also had their first gathering of the year, coincidentally on the subject of NHS elections as well.

With their first week of Bulldog Blocks under their belt, many voice their support for the budding program. In a class of 18 seniors, all unanimously agreed that the Bulldog Block was generally helpful for them.

“It’s convenient for meetings, but not so much for working on homework assignments,” said senior Grace Stephens. “With only thirty-five minutes, it’s not feasible for getting anything major done.”

The general consensus among teachers was positive as well. In multiple subjects, teachers have begun organizing certain days of the week for different levels of their courses to come for help.

“I spent time helping a third-year student today and it went really well,” said Latin teacher Judy Pretat. “At the moment, the Bulldog Block makes the day feel really long, but once we get used to it, it will be fine. I honestly think it’s a really good idea, especially since it’ll keep us from pulling certain leadership club members out of classes for meetings.”

ORR’s new technology teacher MJ Linane said, “I think it’s a much better management of after school activities.” He continued, “When people have to plan in advance about what they’re going to do for each day, they make a much more thoughtful choice. I’d like to see the directed studies become a version of this.”

By Jo Caynon