The Griffin

Athletic department curbs lateness

November 22, 2017

With the immense cultural influence the athletic program has on the school climate, Director of Athletics Rich Reed is striving to close the gap between athletics and academics. The enforcement of a new athletic lateness policy is the most recent and substantial initiative to enhance this collaboratio...

FBLA students tackle business venture

Karina Wang, Staff Writer

November 22, 2017

Dulaney’s student-run school store opened Oct. 2 after months of careful planning. Because the Gatorade machine broke last year, Director of Athletics Rich Reed approached the Future Business Leaders of America club about running a school store in exchange for a split in the profits. The FBLA offic...

Talks promote countywide literacy push

Olivia Summons, Editor-in-Chief

November 22, 2017

As an idea launched by English department chair Jason Bowman, the first book talk premiered Sept. 25, initiating a week’s worth of discussion, where students had the opportunity to dive into the deeper meaning of their chosen book with the sponsoring teacher. English teacher Maria Hiaasen shared her...

Grades kindle stress in student body, survey shows

Seniors Madi Sedgwick and Sepehr Akhtarkhavari stress over final quarter grades in room 103 Nov. 9. Akhtakhavari described the anxiety grades cause as overwhelming .“The pressure of schoolwork and responsibilities makes you want to curl up into a ball and cry,” he said

Maria Eberhart, Dorrie Gaeng, Emlyn Langlieb, and Anna Mason

November 22, 2017

Increased accessibility to technology and the high-pressure environment of our competitive school have led students to obsess over grades and internalize them as a part of their self- worth. An anonymous survey of 151 students in select English classes found that 59 percent of students rated grades to be ...

Valle retires as other staff departs

Sophomore Jada Nash and English and special education teacher Barbara Valle work on an English assignment May 8 using the school’s laptops.

Dorrie Gaeng, Staff writer

May 18, 2017

English and special education teacher Barbara Valle has decided it’s time to retire after 42 years of teaching, 25 here. “Yes, I am retiring despite colleagues’ predictions that I would be hobbling out of here on my walker or being carried out on a gurney,” Valle said. Valle was known for her...

Teacher inspires senior’s winning essay

Davidson and science teacher Laura Braly catch up after first period in room 216 May 11. “[Braly] taught my paramedical biology class, which is what pushed me to major in biology,” Davidson said. He will attend Stevenson University.

Sophie Bates, Editor in chief

May 18, 2017

It’s not every-day that a student here nabs a $5,000-check for their favorite teacher and the school. Senior Randall Davidson was on a scholarship-seeker website earlier this year, looking for possible contests he could be eligible for. The Barnes & Noble’s ‘My Favorite Teacher’ contest...

Assessing value as catalyst for creativity here, beyond

Claire Vecchioni, Meera Rothman, and Greg Zapas

May 18, 2017

For senior Aliah Walls, one group project stands out in particular. During last year’s policy project in Advanced Placement English 11, clashing ideas caused the simple project to spiral into chaos. “When it came down to it, I felt as if every little decision was an argument,” Walls said. Not...

Admission can bring sticker shock

Meera Rothman, Editor in chief

May 18, 2017

Cost was the pivotal factor in senior Arielle Williams’ decision to attend Howard University next year. “Everything about American was really calling my name from the campus to the classes to different teachers,” Williams said. “My mom wanted me to go to American, I wanted to go to American,...

Shift yields declining suspension rate

Principal Sam Wynkoop signs Honor Roll certificates in his office Feb. 9.

Daniel Longest, Staff writer

May 18, 2017

Changes in the school system’s behavior handbook follow a national trend, veering from zero tolerance, a system of rigid punishments for specific infractions. The result? Figures from the administration show the percentage of students with one or more suspensions has declined to less than 2 percent...

Sex survey finds students tend to be more cautious than liberal

Sophie Bates, Editor in chief

May 18, 2017

While rates of sexual activity in some categories are increasing locally, an anonymous pen and paper survey of students in all grades and academic levels finds that when it comes to sexual intercourse, sexting and oral sex, students here are less active than their peers nationwide. Among the salient...

Reacting to Dance’s departure

Emma Walz, Managing editor

April 27, 2017

Students yelled out in the middle of class as the unexpected news broke around 10:15 a.m. April 18. Staff received an email from Dallas Dance, and the news trickled down to students from social media announcing that the superintendent will resign from his position June 30, according to a Baltimore Sun...

Teachers cope with sleep deprivation

Emma Walz, Managing editor

March 17, 2017

According to a pen-and-paper survey administered to 52 teachers last month, the majority of teachers here, 76 percent, say that lack of sleep has affected how they work and teach. Social studies teacher Julie Marx isn’t surprised by this statistic, attributing sleep deprivation to her weary behavior...

The Griffin

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