Let It Snow! - Convent of the Sacred Heart
Let It Snow! - Convent of the Sacred Heart
Let It Snow! - Convent of the Sacred Heart
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10<br />
features<br />
Cleanliness craze<br />
deidre miller<br />
staff writer<br />
In recent months, <strong>the</strong> publicity regarding<br />
methicillin-resistant staphylococcus<br />
aureus has been overwhelming. More<br />
familiarly known as MRSA, this staph<br />
bacterium, previously thought to be found<br />
only in hospitals and nursing homes, has<br />
surfaced in many new settings including<br />
schools and gyms.<br />
MRSA is an organism predominantly<br />
known for causing skin infections. <strong>It</strong> is<br />
primarily spread through physical contact<br />
with a person or object infected with<br />
<strong>the</strong> staph bacteria. In order to prevent <strong>the</strong><br />
spread <strong>of</strong> this “superbug,” it is important<br />
to practice basic hygiene and use common<br />
sense. MRSA can be prevented by washing<br />
hands and not sharing towels, clothing, or<br />
equipment.<br />
“We have been stressing good hygiene<br />
practice and common sense. The two go<br />
hand in hand,” said school nurse Ms. Mary<br />
Students are expected to wipe down athletic equipment after use.<br />
Walsh. “We are just trying to get back to<br />
<strong>the</strong> basics to contain and prevent any in-<br />
fections.”<br />
In response to <strong>the</strong> outbreaks, <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Convent</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Sacred</strong> <strong>Heart</strong> community<br />
is taking action to provide a safe, sterile,<br />
and healthy environment. The cleaning<br />
staff is diligently working to keep <strong>Sacred</strong><br />
<strong>Heart</strong> sanitized and clean. Purell instant<br />
hand sanitizing dispensers were placed<br />
“<br />
We have been<br />
stressing good hygiene<br />
practice and common<br />
sense. The two go hand<br />
in hand.<br />
”<br />
-School nurse Ms. Mary Walsh<br />
throughout <strong>the</strong> school building. In addition,<br />
each division <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> school was individually<br />
informed <strong>of</strong> precautions students<br />
may take to prevent staph.<br />
“I think that <strong>the</strong> actions <strong>of</strong> our school<br />
are very responsible,”<br />
said sophomore<br />
JoJo Golden. “I’m<br />
glad that we’re being<br />
overly cautious,<br />
especially when it<br />
comes to athletics. I<br />
know that many o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
schools haven’t<br />
even recognized this<br />
problem, and are<br />
putting <strong>the</strong>ir students<br />
into danger.”<br />
Certain procedures<br />
were instituted<br />
for all athletic teams,<br />
including <strong>the</strong> routine<br />
use <strong>of</strong> sanitary wipes<br />
to clean both hands<br />
an equipment.<br />
“Due to <strong>the</strong> infection<br />
alert, we have<br />
chosen to be more proactive in preventing<br />
staph by instituting protocols,” said athletic<br />
director Ms. Kelly Stone.<br />
olivia ruggiero<br />
Election 2008<br />
Giuliani’s fight for <strong>the</strong> Oval Office<br />
hea<strong>the</strong>r grehan<br />
staff writer<br />
As mayor <strong>of</strong> New York City, Rudy<br />
Giuliani was able to cut crime rates and<br />
keep <strong>the</strong> city under control during <strong>the</strong><br />
9/11 attacks. But now that he has joined<br />
<strong>the</strong> race for president, people wonder<br />
whe<strong>the</strong>r his policies are right for <strong>the</strong><br />
White House.<br />
“I think he did a wonderful job for<br />
New York City at a very very tough time. I<br />
admire <strong>the</strong> leadership he was able to lend<br />
from <strong>the</strong> time <strong>of</strong> 9/11 on but I have always<br />
thought that what it takes to be mayor<br />
<strong>of</strong> New York City is very separate from<br />
what it takes to be President,” said Upper<br />
School chemistry teacher Mr. Kevin<br />
McElroy.<br />
On June 11, 2007, Giuliani released<br />
his twelve commitments, a speech <strong>of</strong><br />
twelve statements which he plans to uphold<br />
if elected. He promised to stay on<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>fensive in <strong>the</strong> war on terrorism, end<br />
illegal immigration, stop wasteful spending<br />
in Washington, cut taxes, impose<br />
accountability on Washington, bring<br />
American energy independence, improve<br />
healthcare, improve life for all children,<br />
reform <strong>the</strong> legal system, prepare <strong>the</strong> nation’s<br />
cities for terrorist attacks and natural<br />
disasters, improve education, and improve<br />
America’s reputation around <strong>the</strong><br />
world.<br />
Currently it seems that people think<br />
that he will uphold his promises and that<br />
his policies will work for <strong>the</strong> White House<br />
because Giuliani is ahead in <strong>the</strong> Republican<br />
national polls. But it seems that<br />
Giuliani’s campaign has been ridden with<br />
controversies from <strong>the</strong> very start. The<br />
controversies started with his lack <strong>of</strong> support<br />
from his family, particularly his son.<br />
According <strong>the</strong> CNN.com his son does not<br />
want to be part <strong>of</strong> his fa<strong>the</strong>r’s campaign<br />
and would ra<strong>the</strong>r work on his golf game.<br />
Then, most recently, <strong>the</strong>re have been<br />
questions about his use <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> New York<br />
Police Department to chauffer his wife<br />
and friends around <strong>the</strong> city. According<br />
to <strong>the</strong> New York Daily News, <strong>the</strong> police<br />
department drove his <strong>the</strong>n “mistress”<br />
Judith Nathan to visit her parents all <strong>the</strong><br />
way in Pennsylvania on <strong>the</strong> taxpayer’s<br />
money.<br />
“I do not know how he will do in <strong>the</strong><br />
election with all <strong>the</strong> controversy with his<br />
family. I do not think it looks good for<br />
him,” said junior Lindsey Festa.<br />
Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, in <strong>the</strong> Republican debate<br />
that was broadcast on YouTube.com,<br />
<strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r candidates, particularly Romney,<br />
questioned whe<strong>the</strong>r his New York<br />
policies are right for <strong>the</strong> presidency.<br />
One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> first topics up for debate<br />
was <strong>the</strong> mayor’s policies on illegal immigration<br />
and o<strong>the</strong>r candidates questioned<br />
whe<strong>the</strong>r he would make his New York<br />
policies <strong>the</strong> nation’s policies.<br />
“The policies <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> mayor in pursuing<br />
a sanctuary nation, in pursuing a<br />
sanctuary city are frankly wrong,” said<br />
Governor Mitt Romney, opposing candidate<br />
for <strong>the</strong> presidency.<br />
Giuliani responded to Romney’s<br />
comment by claiming that New York City<br />
was not a sanctuary city, despite a lawsuit<br />
that he had against <strong>the</strong> federal government<br />
to maintain its sanctuary status.<br />
Then he pointed <strong>the</strong> finger at Governor<br />
Romney by claiming he had a “sanctuary<br />
mansion” when he employed illegal immigrants<br />
at his home.