Lack of coordination around testing unnecessarily increases student workload

Aidan Rogers '22, Staff Writer

March 23, 2020

A week in the life of a Staples student is much like the month of March; it comes in like a lion, and out like a lamb. Checking Schoology on a Saturday night to see three tests and a presentation in the first two days of the week can ruin one's weekend. Then, this chaotic beginning of the week is often...

Staples students should start studying instead of complaining

Jake Navarro '20, Staff Writer

January 2, 2020

Every year before break starts, teachers start to pile on tests in the remaining week. So far, I have accumulated four tests from Monday to Wednesday. Although this puts a lot of stress on students, I think it is a good way to prepare students for the college lifestyle.  High school is supposed to prepare students ...

Assessment center: Is it effective?

Charley Guthartz, Staff Writer

December 2, 2019

Many Staples students get the Assessment Center and learning center confused. These two rooms are put into place by the school to be helpful for students. But rarely students are unaware of where these rooms are so what's the point is having them?  The learning center is where you can go to get extra help from a...

Finals week increases the stress for all students

Shira Zeiberg '22

June 12, 2019

As finals approach, students lose sight of how to keep themselves healthy in the time of stress, as we often find ourselves staying up all night and skipping meals. We need to make sure we are putting our mental health before our grades because one will not thrive without the other. Students need a remi...

First period exams exacerbate student stress

Rebecca Kanfer '21

February 12, 2019

It’s 7:30 in the morning: your eyelids are heavy, you’re moving at a snail's pace and it’s entirely unlikely that you will make it through class without falling asleep. As you sit down at your desk to take your early morning test, your eyes glaze over the equations. You are mentally preparing yourself...

Classes should complete tests before long breaks

Elle Fair '19

December 5, 2018

After a winter holiday break largely comprised of eating, excessive sleeping and endless movie-watching, students do not come back necessarily in the studious mindset that school requires. So, before students and teachers leave for long breaks, all work for the unit that is currently in progress should...

Staples achieves highest average SAT score in Connecticut

September 21, 2018

By Jack Dennison '21 The Staples High School class of 2019 earned the highest average SAT score in the state. Daniel Westphal ’19 was happy to learn of the distinction. “Staples having the highest SAT scores in the state is a reflection of the time and effort the students here have put into the...

Italian teachers take a step toward no midterm testing

January 19, 2018

By Bailey Blaikie '19 Imagine walking into the classroom during midterms and not having to worry about a 200 point test. This year, that is the case for many classes, including Italian. There are multiple teachers who assigned a project instead of giving a test. Mrs. D’Amore and Mrs. Noonan’s...

Smaller quizzes are passing the test

January 11, 2018

By Emma Van Riper ’20 In preparation for a test, all you can do as a student is study your hardest in hopes for a good grade. But, no matter the subject, large tests overwhelm students due to their significant impact on their grade. Spacing out studying would be most beneficial, but realistically,...

Preparing for Finals

June 12, 2017

By: Alexa Moro and Alex Reiner

Students differ on perspectives toward AP exams

May 19, 2017

By Sasha Narang '18 Although May brings warm temperatures and spring fever, it’s also the dreaded month of exams for students who take advanced placement (AP) classes at Staples. While some students are buried in review books at the library until closing hours, others have decided to sit back and re...

Junior year told through GIFS

Blake Rubin, Web A&E Editor

April 2, 2015

  The First Day of Junior Year: It’s a bittersweet goodbye to sandy beaches and hot sun as I trade in my towels for textbooks. It’s junior year, and I have my game face on, ready to tackle the hardest year of my life. End of first quarter: One quarter down and there’s no turning...

In defense of the SAT

Zach McCarthy, Web A&E Editor

March 31, 2015

I took the SAT last weekend and it was fun! No, just kidding. It was actually a gruelling experience where my only guide was the disinterested Fairfield-Ludlowe proctor scanning the room for cheaters (to no avail), my only neighbor was the kid next to me who incessantly cracked his knuckles in the...