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Sidewalks in Westport are in poor condition, affecting civilians and prompting the new allotment of repair funds.
Westport given new sidewalk repair funds 
Statistics given that allow for Connecticut schools to be ranked 2nd in the country when compared to other schools in US states according to WFSB.
Connecticut schools rank in the top three for education quality
While the town of Westport may originally have planned on seeing all of Staples’ repaved by next year, that appears to not be the case.
Staples’ repaving project incomplete, timetable of completion unknown
On Sept. 13, parents of students in grades 11 and 12 leave the SHS building after meeting with their childrens teachers on Back to School Night. BTSN consisted of teachers introducing themselves as well as discussing their goals for the upcoming school year to parents.
Staples parents attend Back to School Night in-person for the first time in two years
As of the 2022-2023 school year, students will store their phones in holders for each class period.
Administration introduces, enforces new personal device policy
Harry Styles interacting with the crowd at Madison Square Garden while singing Adore You.
Post-concert depression is real, the worst.
Parents look over a youth soccer match (Photo contributed by Katharine Murray)
Parents over-involvement in youth sports detrimental to kids
Students face new, extreme punishments including having phones taken away and immediate Saturday detentions.
New school policies punish students unwarrantly, merit system more suited
Microaggressions are more hurtful than you think
Microaggressions are more hurtful than you think
A stairway at Staples goes empty without students present. Currently, students get nine days and three week-long vacations off during the course of the year, with vacation days more common towards the beginning of the year and vacation weeks more common towards the end.
Extra vacation days prove disappointingly implemented
Jack Marshall ’24 diligently works on his assignments outside of the school’s auditorium.
Different strategies prove effective for completing school work, managing schedules
‘shshallupdates’ returns and so does the mystery of who’s behind the screen.
‘shshallupdates’ account throne passed on
Kaya Law ’24 runs Anya Nair’s ’24 Educate the Elementary club stand. This club had over five pages of students eager to sign up.
Involvement Fair promotes new Staples clubs, increases involvement
Dresses at Winged Monkey, a clothing store in Westport, await the rush of junior girls going shopping for their outfits.
Junior girls count down to Counties
Students in AP Music Theory during period 4, featured in the middle of a busy day with Mr. Giampietro and Ms. Mascaro. Photograph by Audrey Curtis
AP Music Theory blends creativity, challenge for musically gifted students
With Halloween right around the corner, reviews on the most essential horror movies are in to perfect a night of jumpscares, candy and popcorn. Graphic contributed by whatsageek.com
Four to Watch for Fright Night
Two Staples students received All-National Honors, making them the top performing high school musicians in the country. The musicians will travel to National Harbor, Maryland to participate in a prestigious ensemble where they will showcase their talents in the annual ANHE program showcase taking place at the beginning of November this year.
Staples musicians receive ‘All-National Honors,’ deemed top high school musician in country
Toquet Hall is located on 58 Post Road E, Westport and is open to everyone. Whether it be game night, arts and crafts, live music, or drop-in hours, the hall has something for everyone. Photo by Margot Richlin ’23
Students reflect on affordable Toquet Hall musical performances
Satire image describing many viewers’ thoughts on the upcoming season of Disneys “Dancing with the Stars” Graphic by Rachel Olefson ’25
‘Dancing with the Stars’ premiere leaves audiences with mixed reactions
No relationship is perfect, yet the many inappropriate, bigoted traits her characters posess could be destructive to the youth
Colleen Hoover’s lack of viewer discretion harms audience
Staples and Darien show good sportsmanship by high-fiving each other after the game ends.
Girls’ JV field hockey ties Darien
Staples celebrates Matthew Shackelford’s ’23 last minute goal (Photo by Mark Sikorski)
Wreckers come out on top in dramatic game vs Westhill
Parents look over a youth soccer match (Photo contributed by Katharine Murray)
Parents over-involvement in youth sports detrimental to kids
The swimming pool at Staples High School is used for freshmen aquatics and other student extra curricular activities
Return of freshman aquatics creates controversial splash
Isabelle Nahon ’23 and Emma Nahon ’23 are both committed to colleges to continue their athletic journey playing Field Hockey. Isabelle plans to attend Hamilton College while Emma plans to attend University of Pennsylvania.
Committed Staples athletes enjoy stress-free year
Seniors reflect on Homecoming, dance-related stress
Seniors reflect on Homecoming, dance-related stress
Under the cell phone policy, students are required to place their phone into a designated sleeve. However, this policy isn’t enforced in every class.
Students and teachers on new cell phone policy
Appreciating small accomplishments: Finding positivity in times of stress
Appreciating small accomplishments: Finding positivity in times of stress
English teacher Alexandra McHale provides insight to her personal and professional lifestyles while tending to her teacher duties.
20 Questions with Ms. McHale: cruising the Staples halls
In the video, students and faculty shared their opinions on superstitions, as well as some superstitions they hold and the weirdest superstitions they’ve heard.
Students share opinions on superstitions
In a report created by Colliers Project Leader for the Westport Finance and Facilities Subcommittee earlier this year, it was recommended that $600,000 of a $8.16 million improvement plan should be used on electrical improvements and repairs.
Long Lots Elementary School fire causes evacuation for students
Bedford teacher Arthur Ellis (pictured above) turned himself in on April 27 due to sexual assault allegations. Ellis was officially charged with sexual assault in the fourth degree and risk of injury to a minor. Ellis has posted bail and is awaiting trial on May 6.
Bedford teacher turns himself into police after sexual assault accusations
Governor Ned Lamont plans to implement the most ambitious reopening plan in the tristate area since the pandemic started last year. Throughout March and April, all capacity limits for most businesses and personal retail stores are being lifted.
Connecticut’s transition to 100% capacity, eased restriction concerns among students
Increased flooding downtown threatens shops through costs and water damage
Increased flooding downtown threatens shops through costs and water damage
A COVID-19 vaccine is currently being developed.
Potential COVID-19 vaccine brings controversy
Under the cell phone policy, students are required to place their phone into a designated sleeve. However, this policy isn’t enforced in every class.
Students and teachers on new cell phone policy
Westport Nutrition held its grand opening on May 21. Its focus is healthy, fueling drinks for the community, targeting athletes.
Westport Nutrition fuels community with healthy options
Most students have plans to travel this summer, whether it is visiting the beach or a foreign country.
Students share plans for upcoming summer break
Seniors preparing to leave Staples think back on all of the memories that made their high school experience.
Seniors reflect, rejoice on favorite high school memories
Staples seniors reflect on past high school memories and gear up to graduate and move onto their next chapter.
Seniors reflect on lessons learned, highschool experiences
In this podcast, we take a look at Colorado Avalanche and New York Rangers playoff predictions.
New York Rangers embark on NHL playoffs
The Staples girls’ lacrosse team played under the lights on the football field for the first time in a regular season game.
Girls’ lacrosse finally plays under the lights
In 2017, the United States had the fastest growing squash population across the globe and saw junior participation grow fourfold, as per US Squash. In line with the national trend, Staples girls’ squash is seeing an increase in involvement, with 22 girls rostered this season compared to 16 last year.
Girls’ squash commences new season, grows in popularity
This past weekend, Gonzalez traveled to Tennessee to meet her All-American teammates and play in an East vs West game, which Gonzalez’s team won 5-0.
Soccer Star Gaby Gonzalez ’22 Scores All-American
Staples gets set to tip off at home against Fairfield Warde on March 28.
Staples Basketball Recap
Westport Nutrition held its grand opening on May 21. Its focus is healthy, fueling drinks for the community, targeting athletes.
Westport Nutrition fuels community with healthy options
Most students have plans to travel this summer, whether it is visiting the beach or a foreign country.
Students share plans for upcoming summer break
Valerie Dreyfuss and Lily Caplan discover what students are listening to.
What’s Staples listening to?
Elle Vail ’23 satirically provides her insight upon this year’s junior prom dresses on the Paris Hilton’s “hot or not” spectrum.
Junior Prom Dresses: Hot or Not Satire
Summer activities to cure boredom
Summer activities to cure boredom
Photo by Shira Zeiberg “Operation Varsity Blues” is a documentary investigating the mastermind behind the scheme to get kids of rich families into top colleges.
Netflix film ‘Operation Varsity Blues’ sheds light on college admissions scandal
Staples students are cautious to travel due to the looming threat of COVID-19.
Students traveling for vacation raises COVID concerns
Each year, students must receive recommendations from teachers to enroll in specific level classes. Though these recommendations are helpful, they also can restrain students from taking classes they know they can handle.
Teacher recommendations do more harm than good
After making our way through the towns best diners and delis, we found that the classic Sherwood Diner breakfast sandwich was our favorite.
Students search for Westport’s best egg sandwich
First Lady Biden brings education to forefront of American politics
First Lady Biden brings education to forefront of American politics
On the Wreckord - Episode Two
On the Wreckord – Episode Two
On The Wreckord - Episode One
On The Wreckord – Episode One
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Being a CIT at my longtime camp gave me the opportunity once again to escape everyday social stressors through a remote lifestyle.

Summer camps help escape everyday social circles

Caitlin Jacob '24, Paper Features Editor • September 21, 2022

When I’m at home on the weekends, a large amount of my time is spent scrolling through social media. But I’m not on Instagram or TikTok looking at the latest trends or where people spent their summer...

Creators on Tik Tok commonly use the app to showcase their talents and skills, in order to make it big. They promote their small businesses and budding careers by using hashtags to get their videos onto peoples’ For You Pages.

TikTok serves as imperative scout for discovering new songwriters, small businesses

Izzy Sareen ʼ22, Staff Writer • May 3, 2022

In today’s day and age, everything seems to start with an online presence. To make it big in entertainment, it is crucial to have a large following on various forms of social media, with the newest imperative...

Many graduating seniors are finding their freshman year roommates through social media messaging. As a result, it can be hard to get a sense of people’s personalities.

Roommate process stresses seniors

Abbie Goldstein '22, Staff Writer • April 29, 2022

Now that many universities offer the chance to choose a roommate for your freshman year, getting accepted is only the first step in a series of networking attempts. By using social media platforms, mutual...

Social media influencers promote the overconsumption of makeup and skincare, leading to unnecessary spending.

Beauty industry, social media encourage toxic overconsumption

Tierney Kugel ’22, Staff Writer • April 27, 2022

As I scroll through my TikTok “For You” page, I can’t help but notice the alarming nature of beauty trends. Influencers who are receiving paid sponsorship encourage their young and impressionable...

Once individuals decide where they are going to college, they can join a facebook group and post a bit about themselves in order to find people in common. In most cases there are actual photos of the person and their friends rather than logos or images of things they like.

Students should reconsider the roommate search; maybe random isn’t so bad after all

Tori Wilson ’22, Paper Sports Editor • March 27, 2022

As seniors decide where they are going to college, the vast majority’s next step is joining numerous Facebook groups, changing their Instagram bios and having their friends post about their acceptance...

Attending the High Mountain Institute, a five week alpine backpacking and creative writing program free of social media, taught me the value of unplugging and self reflecting. It is incredibly healthy, and important, to disconnect from social media in order to learn about oneself and reduce stress.

Social media hiatus reaps substantial reward

Abbie Goldstein '22, Paper Arts Editor • March 10, 2022

“Does seeing that make you happy?” My mom asked me once when she caught me endlessly scrolling through social media. Although I got annoyed and told her to leave me alone, it left me thinking. And...

The massive outcry against “cancel culture” provides us with an opportunity for introspection. It is a reminder to identify our own values and goals and to understand that they are bigger than fleeting public interest.

“Cancel culture” is not the punishment everyone thinks it is

Mimi Casey '22, Paper Opinions Editor • March 2, 2022

The list of supposedly “canceled” figures is extensive and diverse. Real people; fictional characters, companies and corporations, even ideologies––including “cancel culture” itself in a paradoxical...

The casual Instagram trend has led to increased comparison from teens, despite the intentions of making the platform more real.

The trend of casual Instagram is far from casual: instead increasing issues of comparison

Julia Leitner ’23, Web Sports Editor • February 27, 2022

For many of us, checking TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat is a daily routine, which has created unhealthy standards with constant comparison to internet personas. Recently, there has been a notable increase...

Videos like the one above are featured on TikTok and in Instagram reels. They portray a certain beauty standard to the young girls and boys across the world, resulting in negative body image issues to form.

Social media perpetuates negative body standards, impacts young girls

Theresa Vandis ’22, Business Director • January 6, 2022

I open my Tik Tok app to a bright eyed 17-year-old girl smearing a glossy pink tube across her lips and running a blow-dry brush through her wet curly head of hair explaining how to get the perfect beachy...

Contemporary Issues: Student Perspectives

December 5, 2021

In the whirlwind of COVID, social and personal issues have been deemphasized in the news and in everyday life. As 2021 draws to a close, Staples students share their opinions and experiences with contemporary...

Exposed harmful impact of social media prompts underwhelming, passive reaction from users

Karina Murray ’22 Associate Managing Editor and Chloe Murray ’22 Public Relations Director • November 24, 2021

The popular app Instagram recently pressed pause on their mission to create a kid-friendly version of Instagram for users younger than 13.

Instagram for kids destined to construct safer social media environment

Jolie Gefen ’24, Staff Writer • October 15, 2021

In March 2021, Instagram released their idea of Instagram Kids on an employee message board. Instagram Kids, a safer and more controlled version of the original app, would be made specifically for users...

Facebook deemed detrimental, confirms Haugen’s findings

Anastasia Thumser ’22 Web Managing Editor and Lyah Muktavaram ’22 Broadcast Director • October 14, 2021

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