A Work in Progress
Brother Rice’s unique Band of Brothers system grows each year
By Charlie Beauregard
Chieftain Staff
The Band of Brothers is unique
to Brother Rice High School. It is the
foundation of what we stand for. Mentor groups are an innovative way to
encourage bonding between upper and
lower classmen. Whether it is through
service or other activities such as Field
Day, everything we do outside of class
is with our mentor groups.
The Band of Brothers was initiated
in the 2008-09 school year. For the past
three years, the school has been participating in an all-school Service Day.
Dodgeball and basketball competitions
will continue this year.
But the Band system has been im-
BEAUREGARD
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iPad for two hours a day on its brightest settings reduces melatonin -- also
known as “the sleep hormone” -- by
22%, according to WebMD. Since then,
I have been using the iPad less and I
have been sleeping much better. Other
students have experienced similar side
effects. One Senior told me, “Whenever
I look at the iPad, my eye twitches.”
There are other negative effects
of the iPad, as well. The iPad is just
another distraction. It is ironic how the
school bans cellphones, yet provides
students with another device that has
more capabilities than the cellphone.
Senior Bobby Powrie says, “It is hard
to get anything done using this ‘game
machine.’ ” A faculty member told us,
“Our students have enough distractions
as it is. I see more guys on games than
anything else.”
From my perspective, the biggest
benefit of the iPads is that students are
more entertained in school, not anything educational. Quite ironic, seeing
that the iPads are supposed to advance
education. This shows that they are
hampering it.
On the other hand, there are many
positive contributions that the iPad has
made, as well. The iPads are definitely
an innovative way of learning. One facB ROTHE R R I C E H I G H S C HO O L C H I E F TA I N
proving by adding new activities each
year. This year, we have added lunch
table dodgeball. Bands receive points
on how well they predict the winners of
these matches. Also new this year is a
contest to predict the MLB playoff winners. Be on the lookout for March Madness and the College Football Playoff.
Last year, we began “traveling”
during mentor group, but students had
a choice whether or not to travel. This
year, everyone will travel, following
this format: The ARC will be used for
mingling with friends and others; the
gym will be used for dodgeball, basketball, or other athletic activities; and the
third day of rotation will be d