Meet Your Librarian: Ms. Kiss Tiffany Kiss is new to the Grimsley Media Center this year. By Georgette Beaumont February 26, 2025 Tiffany Kiss has not always been a librarian, and she did not initially think of it as a career path. “I never considered it until I started going to book festivals with one of my daughters,” Ms. Kiss said. “This planted the seed, but then it took me a few years to make the decision to go back to school to pursue my master's degree in library and information science,” At the beginning of the school year, Ms. Kiss transitioned from teaching English at Grimsley to becoming the school’s media specialist and librarian. “It has been very easy,” she said. ”I feel extremely fortunate that I got to teach at Grimsley before transitioning into this role.” Ms. Kiss enjoys the everyday responsibilities of a librarian, which include maintaining the library’s resources, overseeing the clubs at Grimsley, supporting students and teachers, and managing the school’s website. One of Ms. Kiss’s main jobs is to decide which books and resources to add to the library's collection. Each year, she conducts an inventory and analyzes book circulation to determine which genres are popular or in need of updates. She also performs a diversity analysis to ensure that the library's collection reflects Grimsley’s demographics. However, what she finds most rewarding about her role is helping students. “I like helping students find new books to read [and learn] how to utilize their technology resources,” Ms. Kiss said. ”Often, they come to me for help with different things when they aren't sure who to turn to.” Of course, the job comes with challenges. "I think that sometimes it’s hard to balance various levels of comfort with technology and technology fixes," Ms. Kiss said. Despite these challenges, she truly enjoys being a librarian. "I love my new role in the library, and I love working with Grimsley students and teachers!"

Students enjoy music, dancing and snacks in the transformed cafeteria. Photo from Cooper Dunning Student Council Brings Back T.W.I.R.P. Dance Despite challenges, the Student Council hopes the dance will become a spring staple. By Mila Pucilowski April 4, 2024 Doing something for the first time hardly ever goes quite as expected. There are always some problems bound to arise. For many years the T.W.I.R.P. dance, traditionally known as “The Woman Is Requested to Pay,” has been a fun and popular feature at Grimsley. After being discontinued since COVID, this year’s student council decided to bring it back as a spring dance targeted at underclassmen, who can’t attend prom. And their problem was, understandably, spreading the news to the more than 2,000 students at Grimsley. Many students said they didn't go simply because they didn't know until the week of the dance. Because there was very little advertisement until the last minute, many people already had plans or were unprepared. In retrospect, the Council could have done a better job “advertising it to underclassmen and, if we were to do it again, having more preparation on how to sell tickets,” said Sophomore Class President Cooper Dunning. However, despite this, the 250-ticket quota was met. The dance took place in the Grimsley cafeteria with food and music. Many students said it was a great night to get together with friends. “T.W.I.R.P was one of the best nights I've ever had!” said freshman student Zoe Thomas. “It was so much fun hanging out with my friends. I really enjoyed myself.” Though many students enjoyed the dance, they commented that the dance felt empty, with some students leaving after only an hour or so. “Obviously we would like a more well-attended one…there were comments while at the dance that it felt empty, but I think that we can equate that to the fact that the cafeteria is so big,” said Dunning. However, some of the students stayed the whole night until the dance ended, talking and laughing with friends and grabbing snacks on their way out the door. The faculty and Student Council haven't decided whether to continue T.W.I.R.P next year. “I think if we were to continue it in the following years,”said Freshman President Katie Lyles, “it would hopefully have more participation, and become something like a school trend.”

Sophemores Vivian Peña and Waad Hamad practice crocheting. Photo provided by the Needlework Club. Tight Knit: Grimsley Needlework Club Started by Two Sophomores Club founders want to spread the joy and fun of needlework. By Mila Pucilowski December 17, 2024 With so many clubs at Grimsley, it's hard to pick which ones to pursue. There are clubs dedicated to almost anything from arts to cooking to philosophy. There's something for everyone! With so many differing interests and hobbies, new clubs are popping up every year, like the Grimsley Needlework Club! Sophomores Claire Slate and Faith Chenail founded the club this year. Slate was first taught knitting in third grade by her longtime best friend, freshman Samantha Balkind. She eventually took up crocheting during the pandemic. Chenail also was taught how to crochet by a friend in 7th grade and has been doing it ever since. Being taught by their friends inspired them to want to teach others as well, and so the club was started. After lots of struggle to find a sponsor, Mr. Bretan, the Hebrew and AP Human Geography teacher at Grimsley, agreed to be their advisor. By the end of September, they were finally able to hold their first meeting. “I remember feeling super anxious seeing everyone who showed up for the first meeting”, Slate said. “I was already nervous but there were a lot more people than we expected, but it also made me excited seeing how many people were interested”. For their very first meeting, almost the whole classroom was full. There were students who have been crocheting or knitting for years and ones who were completely clueless about both. The club is inclusive for any experience level. Even for those just starting out, it's a great place to be around friends who can help them learn. Experienced needleworkers can come and pass on their knowledge to others, or just relax with their friends and work on their current projects. The first meeting went over the basics of crocheting with the material they provided for the club members. By the end of the meeting all nervous feelings were gone, and Slate was looking forward to the next meeting. “There was a good energy, which made me excited,” she said. In the meetings since, they have been making progress teaching everyone the basics. In the future, the club leaders want to serve the community. “We eventually hope to work towards making things to donate to hospitals, ideally small gifts and warm things to give to patients,” Chenail said. Where: Room 102, Mr. Bretan When: Every Monday, 4:30-5:30 pm Insta: ghs.needleworkclub Remind code: @grimsleyne or text @grimsleyne to 81010

Mental health or Work: Do you have to choose? Time management can help you have a healthy balance of both. By Vishruth Bhargava December 17, 2024 High school is tough, and many students find themselves stressing and sacrificing their mental health in the name of good grades. In fact, some students report that when they feel overworked and decide to take it easy on the schoolwork and studying, their grade starts to drop, which makes them stress even more. All this seems to be a vicious cycle, so what can stop it? Time is key to a better balance. One student says that because of the amount of time they spend on school work and studying, they are unable to really pursue hobbies and interests that make them happy, thus ruining their mood. Because of this common occurrence, time management is one way to improve your mental health while still getting your work done, and there are some methods to manage your time well that I find work well. Set a to-do list to picture how much you have to do for the day and how long you have to finish it. I recently started to use this method and it has worked wonders for me, especially if you are one to overestimate how much work you have. Limit distraction during work. Excessive distractions during work are usually not mentally rewarding and they just extend the amount of time you need to get work done. If working time extends then the amount of downtime you have shrinks, therefore diminishing your mood and mental health. I did this a lot and found myself with little time to do the things I wanted, until I realized that my phone was a big issue to my productivity. Try not to procrastinate. Procrastination is a big problem with me and, reportedly, with many of my peers. Procrastination is logically redundant because you have to do that work eventually anyway, so why wait? The human brain prioritizes happiness now over more lasting happiness later, according to Solvingprocrastination.com. This is why many people, including myself, procrastinate a lot. Despite this human nature, I recently cut back on procrastination due to something I realized that was dragging my mood. When a person procrastinates, the fun they have in the moment is ruined by the looming feeling that they have work to do, and they feel bad the whole day, but if they do work first and then play, they feel accomplishment after finishing their work, and they can enjoy their hobbies without that looming feeling of unfinished work dragging them down. Increasing productivity when working is an important part of having more downtime, but what you do with downtime is equally as important to maximizing your mental state and your mood. Stressful activities and dangerous activities can lower your mental state even further which is why it is important to choose activities that are soothing, fun, or exciting. Some things that Psychology Today recommends that can calm you down are: Taking a hot bath or shower Painting or coloring Listening to your favorite song Play a game you enjoy like Monopoly or UNO Or doing any other things that bring you joy Like all things in life, balance is key when dealing with improving your mental health. Finding the right balance for yourself can be the difference between a happy high school experience and burnout, so find a balance to maximize academic success and the happiness in your everyday life. Please speak to your counselor if you have any more issues with your mental health or if you have any more questions. Continue reading "Overwhelmed": Grimsley Senior Charlotte Williams overcomes her anxiety.

Mr. Post Named Teacher of the Year The beloved IB English and Philosophy teacher is held in high regard by both teachers and students. By Ashley Crowell March 14, 2025 You can learn a lot about teachers by their classrooms, and Mr. Evan Post’s room has a lot to say. Full of posters of philosophers, art from students and even a stuffed platypus, his room reflects the varied interests of its occupant. For International Baccalaureate students in English and Philosophy classes, the thoughtful debates, complex books and philosophical concepts Mr. Post teaches make his room come alive. Mr. Post is a loved and respected figure on the Grimsley campus and has earned the admiration of not only his students, but also his colleagues. “He’s literally like a professor,” said Ms. Sarah Lord, an Advanced Placement US History teacher at Grimsley. “He’s extremely knowledgeable, patient, he’s very understanding, and he provides support to all of us as teachers and students. He’s what you strive to be.” His colleagues showed their respect for him by naming him the Teacher of the Year for Grimsley. “It’s nice to get the feeling that my colleagues think a lot of what I’m doing or think I’m doing a good job, particularly given that I think we’ve got so many good teachers here,” Mr. Post said. “Their esteem means a lot to me for that reason.” Mr. Post chuckles as he muses that perhaps when his students return for a 50th high school reunion, they will hobble over to a plaque in the main building, see his name and reminisce. “I do like the idea that, as I’m looking ahead towards retiring sometime in the not too distant future, I’m gonna become one of the ghosts of Grimsley,” he said. But for those who know him, he will be remembered for more than just a few awards. Mr. Ben Barnard coordinates the IB and AP programs at Grimsley and is a friend of Mr. Post. They have taught together for nearly 20 years now. “He works harder than any other teacher I know,” he said. “He’s really good at giving feedback to his students. He really takes their learning to write as his goal. He’s really developed the craft,” said Mr. Barnard, who teaches IB Theory of Knowledge. “I think he really cares about his students, he cares about his colleagues, and he cares very much about what he does.” Noah Levine, a senior in the IB Program at Grimsley, has benefited from Mr. Post’s teaching for two years in English and Philosophy. “Mr. Post is an inspirational teacher and mentor who is generous with his knowledge and his time,” Levine said. “I consider myself fortunate to have had Mr. Post.” Mr. Post engages with his students in his philosophy class, encourages them to ask questions and raise objections, and takes their thoughts seriously. Nikhil Nataraju, a junior in the IB Program who is also in IB English and Philosophy, often participates in the class discussions. “I would describe him as a teacher who strives to make a positive impact on a child’s education,” Nataraju said. Mr. Post has been a teacher for 31 years, and he has been teaching at Grimsley close to 20 years. And while he said recognition is nice, it’s not why he does what he does. “I like learning,” Mr. Post said. “I like to think my students learn, but the thing that motivates me is my own learning. By being in the classroom I’m putting myself in a position of having to keep learning, because I teach very bright students who ask interesting questions, and I’m always trying to be better at helping them understand.” Mr. Post has taught several different classes at Grimsley, including creative writing, and different levels of English including AP. But for the past few years he has been teaching IB English SL and IB Philosophy. In addition, he supports student-led clubs by acting as an advisor for The Whirlie Post and the Philosophy Club. “I love the things that I teach,” Mr. Post said. “I love the books that I teach in my English classes, the ideas that I teach in my philosophy class, the arguments that I teach them and philosophers. These things are nourishing to me. I really enjoy that.”

From Purple Whirlwinds to Navy Whirlies: The History of GHS Even before being named Grimsley, GHS has long been one of the premier high schools in North Carolina. By Georgette Beaumont December 17, 2024 In 1899, Grimsley–then called Greensboro High School–opened its doors for the first time as a separate entity from the elementary school. Today, it stands as one of the oldest high schools in the state, carrying over a century of history and pride. Greensboro High School was originally housed in the former St. Agnes Church, which was located near the Greensboro Public Library on Church Street. The inaugural school year saw only a handful of students being instructed by four teachers in seven courses. However, news spread quickly about GHS and the church soon became overcrowded. In the fall of 1911, the school moved to a new building at the site of Weaver Academy and underwent a name change–this time to Greensboro Central High School. While at the Spring Street campus, GHS flourished. Students participated in a multitude of extracurricular activities–including a strong band and chorus program, sports such as horseback riding and football, clubs, newspaper, and an all-male cheer team. The mascot “The Purple Whirlwinds” was also adopted during this time. Despite the success of GHS, a shocking study done by Drs. G.D. Strayer and N.L. Englehardt of Columbia University in 1920 found that all the Greensboro city schools, GHS included, were physically substandard. Greensboro residents, albeit surprised by the findings, took on the challenge and initiated a school-building program. In 1927, following significant delays due to a lawsuit, the school board purchased a 129-acre property on Westover Terrace and began construction on a revamped Greensboro High School. In the fall of 1929, three decades after its opening, GHS, now known as Greensboro Senior High School, welcomed 1,300 students in grades 9 to 11 to the Westover Terrace campus. Unfortunately, the Great Depression loomed on the horizon and GHS was by no means exempt from its challenges. In 1933, the school’s art, music, drama, and vocational programs were all discontinued, as well as many clubs and services. Teachers were forced to resign in droves, and the school year was reduced to 8 months. However, the GHS community was strong, and emerged from the 1930s and 40s with a distinguished music program, of which the band was headed by the renowned Mr. Hazelman, a wide range of extracurricular clubs, and numerous state championships. The 1950s and 60s are considered to be GHS’s second golden age, during which both academics and student life thrived. The first AP class at Grimsley, European History, was introduced during the 1964-65 school year. The football team continued to thrive under Coach Jamieson, and traditions such as May Day were at their peak. Also during this era, the student body voted to change the school colors from purple and gold to the current navy and white, and the mascot name was changed to be the “Whirlwinds,” more commonly referred to as the “Whirlies.” In 1962, GHS experienced its most recent significant change: a name change. On January 16th, 1962, Principal A.P. Routh was called by the county school officials and told that due to the opening of additional high schools in Greensboro, GHS had to change its name. They warned Routh that if a new name was not selected in three hours, the school board would choose one for them. Routh and his staff, scrambling for an alternative that would allow the GHS moniker to remain, settled upon Grimsley Senior High School, named for Superintendent George A. Grimsley, whose idea it was to establish GHS in the first place. Grimsley has remained the school's name ever since, a reminder of GHS’s long history that continues into the modern day. Special thanks to Mr. Peter Byrd ‘74, Grimsley’s historian, for his assistance in the creation of this article.

Ellie (left) with twin sister Gracie Ellie preparing to dive during a relay Athlete Spotlight Swimmer Ellie Hunt speeds her way through the water to a successful season. By Katherine Medina Jan. 29, 2024 Thanks to our amazing athletes, sports are one activity everyone can enjoy here at Grimsley, whether through participating or watching games. It takes a lot of dedication to balance a sport on top of schoolwork, so the Whirlie Post regularly will recognize a special athlete for their commitment and accomplishments. Swimmer Ellie Hunt is an obvious choice, having absolutely killed it so far this season following the announcement of her commitment to attend the College of William and Mary and compete on their Division 1 swim team. Ellie is a senior here at Grimsley, and with one year left, we are excited to see all the great things she will achieve! Q&A: Q: What got you into swimming? How long have you been swimming? A: My parents signed me up for swimming when I was 4 and I just never stopped. Q: What are your plans for the future regarding swimming? Do you plan on swimming in college or professionally? A: I am committed to swim D1 at William and Mary in the fall next year and I can’t wait!! Q: What are your hobbies/interests outside of swimming? A: I love to read and I recently learned how to crochet. I also play Fortnite! Q: How has your season gone so far this year? A: My season has been pretty great and I’m super excited to see what I can accomplish by March. Q: What are some ways you balance the demands of being a student athlete? A: I try to stay hydrated and eat somewhat healthy so I am energized everyday. I also go to sleep fairly early because I have to wake up for 5 a.m. practice everyday. Q: What do you believe are your major achievements in your sport? A: Continuing to get better each year and never giving up hope even when I’m struggling to compete at my best. Q: What are your pre-game and post-game rituals/routines? A: I tend to eat muffins before swim meets and I’m pretty exhausted after, so I usually get food with my family and go straight to bed! Ellie has had a great swim season, leading the Grimsley Women to an undefeated record so far. She also has qualified in two individual events, the 100 yard freestyle event with a time of 54:47, and the 50 freestyle event with a time of 24:76, for the 4A Central Regional High School Swim Meet in early February at the Greensboro Aquatic Center. She has an amazing future ahead of her, and we wish her the best of luck finishing off her last season with us at Grimsley.

Donuts: A Perspective A look at producer J Dilla and his unmatched legacy. By Jake Acosta April 4, 2024 Hip-Hop has had many era-defining sounds and legendary producers. They have introduced sounds and energies that many have since tried to mimic. Very few have been able to master every recent sonic advancement with flying colors; however, the exception showcases perhaps the most legendary producer of all time. James Dewit Yancey, known professionally as J Dilla, was born on February 7, 1974 in Detroit, Michigan. From a young age, Dilla was surrounded by a widespread variety of music, such as soul, bossa nova, jazz, and RnB. His parents also influenced his musical development, as his mother, Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey, was an opera singer, and his father, Beverely Yancey, was a jazz bassist. These surroundings would provide an early education for Dilla in musical composition. He began making beats at the age of two after receiving a turntable for Christmas, his mother said in an interview with To The Best Of Our Knowledge magazine. Across his many years within the music scene, Dilla produced for many legendary artists, such as MF DOOM, Erykah Badu, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, D’Angelo, The Pharcyde, Slum Village, The Roots, and many others. Throughout his career, his signature style of production can be easily spotted due to its otherworldly essence and charisma. No one did it like Dilla, which is why so many wanted to work with him. While still relatively young, Dilla developed several diseases that would require frequent hospitalizations. He struggled with a rare blood disease called TTC, and the auto-immune disorder lupus, which eventually took his life at the age of 32. Throughout his hospitalizations, Dilla continued to work making the music he loved and the beats that drove him. According to Kelley L. Carter of Detroit Free Press, Dilla told his doctor he was proud of the work, and all he wanted to do was to finish the album. The record he completed while on his hospital bed was Donuts (2006). In the December 2006 issue of The Fader , a magazine known for its intricate dives into music and the voices around it, J Dilla's mother Maureen Yancey spoke of watching her son's daily routine during the making of Donuts: I saw him all day, everyday. I would go there for breakfast, go back to Detroit to check on the daycare business I was running, and then back to his house for lunch and dinner. He was on a special diet and he was a funny eater anyway. He had to take 15 different medications, we would split them up between meals, and every other day we would binge on a brownie sundae from Big Boys. That was his treat. Dilla completed and released Donuts on his 32nd birthday, 4 days before his death, making it his last release during his lifetime. Donuts gained universal acclaim from critics and quickly became a cult classic for devoted hip-hop fans. Dilla wanted to complete this album before his inevitable end, and through his dedication, one of the most amazing and deep instrumental albums of all time was produced, proving his capability and exceeding limits among fellow instrumentalists. Donuts is credited as Dilla’s most personal and honest record ever, as the beats that were featured on the record were some of the most descriptive of his career. Some beats blended classical music with an intense grit and loopy feeling that some would find in underground hip-hop at the time. He even utilized some samples to speak to his audience, most notably his mother. The track Don’t Cry is not only one of J Dilla’s greatest individual works, but was also made as a personal message to his mother after his death. To this day many praise this meaningful track as one of the best in the world. Donuts is an album of explosions and restraint, of precisely crafted balances and absurd breakdowns, displaying Dilla’s ability to contort samples and yet seamlessly thread his ideas into one cohesive song. Dilla uses this album as a “thank you” to hip-hop for showing him and his craft the respect they rightfully deserve.

MJ leads his students in a vocal exercise. Beloved Teacher Makes Musical Magic at Grimsley Marshall “MJ” Johnson celebrates his 20th anniversary leading vocal music at Grimsley. By Ashley Crowell May 23, 2024 In Marshall “MJ” Johnson’s classroom, there are many different flags, posters and memorabilia from years past that show the history and character of the Grimsley vocal music program. But one sign perfectly captures the spirit of the vocal music and modern band director. “NO- you may not draw on the board when I am not here or without my permission. EVER. Love, MJ,” the sign reads. MJ’s students know they can feel at home in his classroom and express themselves, but that there are limits. His classroom is a safe place, where they have a teacher who listens and will always be there for them. He’s also got a lot to teach them. “If a student believes that the person they are learning from truly cares that they learn that thing and they are going to benefit from it, that’s the magic sauce,” MJ said. He’s also a teacher who insists everyone, including staff and students alike, call him by his nickname. As he likes to say, “No one knows who Marshall Johnson is, but everyone knows MJ.” MJ has experience creating a culture where students can thrive. He first worked at Grimsley as a student teacher while studying at UNCG. After teaching music in schools in Myrtle Beach, Raleigh and Ohio, MJ returned to Grimsley 20 years ago to take over the vocal music program when the previous teacher retired. He was drawn back to Grimsley by the Madrigal program. “That was the thing I was most excited to come here for,” MJ said. “I specialized in early music as a professional singer, so I was singing a lot of medieval and renaissance music professionally in New York and in San Francisco.” The Madrigal Singers are a long tradition at Grimsley, beginning in 1966, and perform a cappella Renaissance music in period costumes. They are well known in the community and often perform at the NC Renaissance Festival, Biltmore House and many local events, including Greensboro’s Downtown Festival of Lights every December. Sophomore Bridget Schoultz has been in the vocal music department since freshman year, and this was her first year as a Madrigal. Schoultz described how her high school career wouldn’t be the same without MJ. “With MJ, I was able to find a loving community which he cherished and that made me feel comfortable,” Schoultz said. “Without MJ, my high school life so far would be so different and I am forever grateful for that.” Along with teaching the Madrigals and Concert Choir, MJ also leads IB music and two classes of Modern Band. These classes focus on teaching music students to perform on modern instruments together as well as operate sound and lighting equipment. Open mic nights are a popular part of the modern band curriculum. Several times a year, MJ’s classroom is transformed into a concert venue, complete with fog, professional lights and talented student performers. Not only does MJ teach a wide range of music at Grimsley, he also is involved in several different projects outside of school. One of his bands, Flash Jackman, released an album on Christmas day last year. MJ plays with another group, Bandemic, in the community and also leads the modern worship service at West Market Street United Methodist Church. From Renaissance music to modern rock, MJ cultivates a love of all kinds of music for his students. “I just have so many different interests and things and I am just so passionate about music and about teaching and learning,” MJ said. “Teaching is teaching. It’s all about relationships and how you convey information to other people in a way that is meaningful to them that they can connect with.” Freshman Kennedy Goree, a student in his concert choir, knows firsthand the magic of being in MJ’s classroom. She’s excited to have been tapped to join the Madrigals as an alto next school year and continue as his student. “MJ is always in a good mood!” Goree said. “His energy is contagious, and after a long day at school there is nothing better than to walk into his class and feel instantly welcomed!” By teaching a diversity of subjects, MJ has the opportunity to build relationships with students from all kinds of backgrounds. But they all find a place to belong in MJ’s classroom. “It’s a pretty simple formula,” MJ said. “It’s not complex. It’s just being kind and being open, and being authentic in every way that you can. People want to be known and people want to know you, and if you allow that, then there’s real magic that can happen in a classroom.”

A member of Club L'Amitié writes her letter. Photo by Kevin Massey Cher Ami Club L'Amitié Internationale at Grimsley is building international relationships through pen pal letters. By Juliet Fisher February 11, 2025 Have you ever had a penpal? What about a penpal across the world? Well, students participating in the L'Amitié Internationale club (International Friendship) do! The club was started by Grimsley Junior Shalyce Watson-Carrington. Watson-Carrington is a member of the IB program at Grimsley, and one of the requirements for the program is leading a CAS project, or Creativity, Activity and Service project. “I started hearing CAS project ideas through my peers, and I like the idea of starting a club and incorporating my love for France and the French culture and language,” she said. However, starting the club was not an easy process. Watson-Carrington searched the internet for schools in the same cities in France she thought would participate with her. She wrote dozens of long emails to the schools, and a handful answered. “Reaching out to the schools has been the most difficult part,” she said. “Communicating has been difficult due to the time difference and language barrier.” The club is more than just a school project. It's helping students learn more about French culture and connecting with other students across the ocean! “You're not just looking at one school's perspective, but gaining more knowledge of French culture as a whole,” Watson-Carrington said. Club sponsor Madame Johnston-Kerns, a French teacher at Grimsley, agrees with her. “The fact is that young people corresponding across the world is so motivational,” Mme JJK said. “The kids will see that real people speak French and learn actual vocabulary and it's not just for school.” “I like how it's giving global connections, and giving us a chance to connect with another culture and make a new friend I normally wouldn't connect with,” Club member Kennedy Goree said. The club meets every Monday and Wednesday. Right now, the students are working on their first letter to send to their pen pal. As for the future of the club, Watson-Carrington hopes it will continue even after her project is over. “Letters are a lost art. I have all the letters from my past pen pals. They mean so much to me,” Mme JJK said. “I love letter writing and hope the students can learn to love it as much as I do.”

Meet Your Teacher: Ms. Ostrander Jessie Ostrander knows that math isn’t for everyone, and she’s ok with that. By Ashley Crowell December 17, 2024 Jessie Ostrander has a teaching philosophy that may seem counterintuitive for a math teacher. “Math is not as important as I thought it was,” the first-year Grimsley teacher said. “I’ve learned a lot more about how there are so many different kinds of students in my classroom.” Ms. Ostrander has realized that some students will never love math or use it all the time, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be successful in life. “There are so many different kinds of success and ways to be successful, and that is just one tool in one kind of success,” she said. Ms. Ostrander is new to Grimsley; in fact, she is new to teaching. This is her first year ever teaching. She had previously worked in IT after majoring in computer science at college. “I just got tired of working a 9 to 5 job where I sat at a computer, and I didn’t talk to people, and I worked from home most of the time,” she said. Ms. Ostrander had wanted to be a teacher ever since she was 12 years old. Ms. Ostrander remembers being in middle school and thinking, “If I was a math teacher, I would do things this way…I’ve just always had that thought in my head, that I want to be a math teacher and I want to teach things this way.” While she may have had a clear idea of how she wanted to teach when she was 12 years old, Ms. Ostrander still struggled this fall finding her teaching style. “I want to get to the end of the year and have a really good idea how to set up my next school year,” she said. “Every day is a learning opportunity, and each time I teach something, it is the first time I’m teaching this. I’m kind of trying out a bunch of different things.” Though there have been many challenges in the transition, Ms. Ostrander has found unexpected joys along the way. She enjoys the conversations she has with students, learning about their interests and the ways they learn. “Finding something that I could talk to the student about that has nothing to do with math, it’s just so great to get to know people as people,” she said. “That makes it easier then to be a teacher when you have that kind of relationship built on human interaction.” “I’ve always known at least in theory that what works for one person doesn’t work for everybody, but knowing that and knowing it because you’ve experienced it and seen it are very different.” These student interactions have really changed Ms. Ostrander’s perspective on teaching. She is implementing this philosophy not just in her teaching style, but even in her classroom itself. By adding lamps, posters and other decorative touches, Ms. Ostrander hopes to create a better learning environment for her students. “I don’t want people to come in here and immediately have their mindset affected before they even have to do math,” she said. “I honestly think that having just a little bit of a different lighting and cozy touches here and there can completely reset your mind and the way you feel about a math class the moment you step into the door.” Ms. Ostrander has noticed that since she made the changes to her room, her students have been more present and engaged in class. Whether it is how to structure her lesson plan or how to decorate her room, Ms. Ostrander always keeps her students at the forefront of her mind. “They’re people who have so much going on outside of their classes,” she said. “And there’s something I can do as their teacher to help support them through that, no matter what kind of thing they’re going through.”

After a decade of silence, Grimsley's student voice returns. Reviving a century-old newspaper legacy, The Whirlie Post connects Grimsley's vibrant community. Through self-expression and camaraderie, we build our future upon the foundations of the past. What Happened to the School Newspaper? Join us as we dive into the history of the High Life. By Heidi White Jan. 29, 2024 Have you ever heard of family members getting school newspapers or have you seen them on TV shows? The high school newspaper is a popular fixture of American culture. “The newspaper is a greater treasure to the people than uncounted millions of gold,” said Henry Ward Beecher, an influential clergyman of the 19th century. Many students may not know that Grimsley once had a newspaper called High Life. It ran in the school from 1920 to 2013 and would include school events, sports, local news stories, stories about athletes, and the issues students cared about. Several editions featured letters to the editor concerning Vietnam War protests, illegal drug use, and even opinions on the student dress code. A special edition was dedicated to the graduating seniors and included popular features such as the senior class's will. Ms. Lynn Rozelman, a fixture at Grimsley from 1998 to 2021, taught Yearbook, Newspaper and English. Yet as Grimsley grew, more core classes were needed, and Ms. Rozelman was assigned to teach additional English classes. The elective newspaper class was cut, causing the High LIfe to cease publication in 2013. Ms. Rozelman attempted to bring back the High Life digitally with a creative writing class in 2015, but after that school year the creative writing class was cut as well. For many years, Grimsley was without a newspaper. Newspapers serve an essential role in communities, and have done so for hundreds of years. As Thomas Jefferson said, “Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.” School newspapers serve an important role by providing information about clubs and extracurricular activities, events happening at the school and building community among the students by sharing ideas and personal stories. After several years without this integral part of Grimsley, a new newspaper, The Whirlie Post, will take up the mantle of the High Life and continue providing the essential services of a school newspaper. Though it is not yet a class, The Post is a club that desires to grow more and more through new members and more influence, to truly embody the spirit and community of Grimsley. Participating in a school newspaper provides an outlet for self-expression, and a way to “be a part of history,” said Ms. Rozelman. She remembers “the camaraderie of the students” as one of her favorite parts about teaching the newspaper class. If you are interested in being a part of building a community at Grimsley High School, contact Ms. Hunt-Ward in room 217, or Mr. Sharpnack in room 200. Ashley Crowell contributed to this article.