Fine Arts Classes in a Zoom Classroom
With classes currently all online, fine arts teachers at the School are working on adapting their classes for Zoom. Upper School 2D Art Educator Ann Murphy joins Zoom with her iPad ready and waits for her students to join. Murphy then shows a 2D art technique on her iPad and sends her students (mainly freshman) into breakout rooms to try the technique.
With her advanced art classes, Murphy uses her iPad to show her students how to fix their canvas, set up a pallet, and how to mix colors. “At times, it’s awkward and clumsy,” Murphy says.
Fine Arts Department Co-Chair Harry Muniz said some classes such as chorus and band will be forced to stay online because of the county’s health department requirements. Muniz added that filmmaking was not offered this year because of scheduling constraints, but will be offered next year.
Muniz’s Photo 1 class is using their own smartphone cameras and receiving assignments over Zoom using Keynote (a presentation software). Students in Photo 1 are also beginning to use Photoshop while the more advanced classes are also using Keynote for assignments. Photo 3 and the Honors class have the School’s cameras available to them.“I think [it is] going better than last spring,” Muniz concludes.
Drama teacher, Director of US plays, and Co-chair of the Fine Arts Department Kathleen Ray has been adapting projects and games to fit her online drama classes. “Some [games and projects] work just fine and some we really struggle,” Ray says.
Ray is doing a lot of theatre games and trying to get her students to connect. Even though her drama class is on Zoom, her class still works on diction, projection, and characterization, just as it would during in-person classes.
She is looking forward to doing original projects where students write their own monologues and perform them. She is also looking for 2 person plays, which she hopes to have her students perform via Zoom.
Director of Instrumental Music Josh Tower has been working on pieces for the holiday concert in his music classes. “It’s a [really] slow process, we are definitely moving much slower then we had in the past,” Tower confirmed.
Tower has his students use a new music software called Smartmusic. He is still learning how to use the software to substitute in-person playing. Using Smartmusic, students are able to submit their assignments; therefore, Tower is able to virtually give feedback to his students.“I sit down at the computer at the end of [the] day and I start grading papers [and other assignments submitted through Smartmusic],” Tower said.
With so many changes occurring within our lives, communities, and now fine arts, as well, students are left wondering: “When will fine arts class ever return back to normal?”
Local Restaurants and How to Support Them
In an attempt to curb the coronavirus pandemic, many states have mandated the closure of non-essential bars, restaurants, and local businesses. As businesses try to navigate this crisis, here are some ways you can help your local restaurants from going out of business while still staying at home.
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Order take-out
Just because you can’t eat at your favorite restaurant doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy that restaurant’s delicious food. One option is to pick up a meal or delivery. If you’re craving Chick-fil-a or Bay Area favorite, Zachary’s Pizza, they are still offering takeout and delivery, as well as several other local businesses. Many delivery services are offering to waive the fees for orders placed by essential workers and are also willing to send someone a meal as well. Please remember to tip your delivery person extra, as gratitude for their work.
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Buy gift cards
Support restaurants now and dine at them later by purchasing a gift card. When you buy one, the funds go directly to the restaurant. So make sure to stock up on holiday and birthday gifts for your family and friends. When the restaurants open back up, it will almost feel like you’re eating for free!
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Buy some merchandise
You can support your local business far beyond just buying food. Many of these places offer cool merchandise, such as tote bags, mugs, t-shirts, or comfortable sweatshirts. Even after the shelter in place is over, you’ll still be able to utilize these items and your purchase could have helped keep a business up and running. It sounds like a win-win situation to me!
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Make a donation
Many local businesses have set up Go-Fund-Me pages to raise money for their workers and to keep the business running. Any donation, big or small, could really help, so check to see if there are any local businesses you could donate to.
Claudia’s Movie Recommendations
Movies have always been a source of emotional comfort for me. When I was really young, before I could even walk, my parents would sit me down between the two of them on our worn couch and turn on a movie every Friday night. Now, during these uncertain, anxiety-provoking, and unfamiliar times, I’ve once again turned to watching movies for comfort and distraction. This is a list of some of my all-time favorites, as well as ones I’ve recently watched that I think you should, too.
(Disclaimer: I am in no way a seasoned movie critic, and I don’t really know any movie jargon or anything. These are just some movies I find really interesting/funny/lovely to watch!)
- Midsommar (2019)
Basic Plot Summary: A couple travel to Sweden to visit their friend’s rural hometown for its fabled midsummer festival, but what begins as an idyllic retreat quickly devolves into an increasingly violent and bizarre competition at the hands of a pagan cult. (Courtesy of Wikipedia)
Holy moly this movie was crazy. Personally, I had been avoiding it because I don’t do too well with really, really gory stuff, and from what I’d heard about Hereditary (Ari Aster’s other big movie), I didn’t think I could handle it. However, quarantine boredom combined with a burning curiosity led me to watch it one fateful night. It was crazy. The gore was intense at times, and there were certain scenes I watched from behind my fingers (like the cliff scene). However, the story was enthralling and disturbing all at once, and I could not tear my eyes away (except for the cliff scene- it escalated quite quickly). The cinematography is beautiful, and the bright colors and beautiful shots almost make you forget you’re watching a nightmare-fueled film. It almost makes me want to join a Swedish cult. If you like movies where you get a pit in your stomach from the first scene that doesn’t leave until the end, then you should definitely watch this one. Just do it. It’s worth it, in my opinion. Except for the cliff scene. That was tough.
Rate: 9.5/10
Where you can find it: Kanopy, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video
- Parasite (2019)
Basic Plot Summary: Greed and class discrimination threaten the newly formed symbiotic relationship between the wealthy Park family and the destitute Kim clan. (Courtesy of Wikipedia)
I watched this one a few weeks ago, and it literally has not left my mind since then. I know it’s gotten a lot of hype because of its award-show success, and let me tell you one thing: it deserves more. I went in blind, and came out at a loss for words. The story is eye-opening and makes a cut-throat commentary on classism and the struggle of the working class. It’s also a really interesting concept for a movie, and I thought Bong Joon-Ho did an incredible job at executing it. I definitely think watching this movie has made me much more open to watching foreign films (not that I was ever against it), and the subtitles don’t take away from the drama at all. I wish I could brainwash myself so that I forgot I watched it just to have the experience of watching it for the first time again.
Rate: 10/10
Where you can find it: Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, Youtube
- Kill Bill, Volume 1 and 2 (2003 & 2004)
Basic Plot Summary: A former assassin, known simply as The Bride (Uma Thurman), wakes from a coma four years after her jealous ex-lover Bill (David Carradine) attempts to murder her on her wedding day. Fueled by an insatiable desire for revenge, she vows to get even with every person who contributed to the loss of her unborn child, her entire wedding party, and four years of her life. After devising a hit list, The Bride sets off on her quest, enduring unspeakable injury and unscrupulous enemies. (Courtesy of Wikipedia)
Okay, so remember how I mentioned how I was bad with gore? This movie probably is the one I’m most surprised I actually made it through. My mom persuaded me to watch it, because a.) she thinks I’m a baby and b.) Quentin Tarantino is one of her favorite directors. I was definitely a little nervous going in, and I will admit that the violence was pretty…violent. However, I’m still happy I watched it. The drama, cinematography, soundtrack, badass female assassins, and satisfying story of revenge made it all 100% worth it. Uma Thurman is really cool, and good at killing people, and I found myself captivated by the story from the first (gun)shot. I would recommend this movie if you’re bored of the usual rom-com or jump-scare Netflix original, because it was really refreshing and, honestly, inspirational. Not the killing part so much, but the perseverance and versatility of the main heroine. Also, it’ll give you a slew of new ideas to murder someone, so there’s that!
Rate: 9/10
Where you can find it: Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video
- Juno (2007)
Basic Plot Summary: When precocious teen Juno MacGuff (Ellen Page) becomes pregnant, she chooses a failed rock star and his wife (Jennifer Garner) to adopt her unborn child. Complications occur when Mark, the prospective father, begins viewing Juno as more than just the mother of his future child, putting both his marriage and the adoption in jeopardy. (Courtesy of Wikipedia)
Doing a complete 180 from the previous movies, Juno is funny, quirky, and cute. I watched it a little while ago, so it’s not as fresh in my memory, but what I do remember is how much I loved it. You immediately fall in love with Juno and become sympathetic to her story, as well as most of the other characters. It’s slightly dramatic, too, as complications arise surrounding the relationships that are made, and jeopardized, over the course of the movie. I personally also really enjoyed the soundtrack and the dry humor of many of the characters. The movie shows an accurate portrayal of what it means to be on the cusp of adulthood and learning what it means to be an adult, because they’re not so perfect either. I’d recommend watching this movie with some friends (over Facetime!) and laughing at the awkward, heartwarming interactions of the characters (especially whenever Michael Cera’s in the scene).
Rate: 8.5/10
Where you can find it: Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, YouTube
- 500 Days of Summer (2009)
Basic Plot Summary: Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), greeting-card writer and hopeless romantic, is caught completely off-guard when his girlfriend, Summer (Zooey Deschanel), suddenly dumps him. He reflects on their 500 days together to try to figure out where their love affair went sour, and in doing so, Tom rediscovers his true passions in life. (Courtesy of Wikipedia)
Okay, I’m not really a rom-com person (in case it hasn’t been apparent in this list), but this movie will always be an exception. I’m a sucker for people falling in love, and then falling out of love, because I think that’s one of the saddest and most inevitable parts of being in a relationship that isn’t quite perfect. Joseph Gordon-Levitt does a wonderful job at portraying a star-struck romantic trying to love a girl, or maybe just the idea of her, who doesn’t really believe in love at all. The movie is very cute, very sad, but ultimately speaks to the naïvete of young love and how it often makes us blind to reality. Despite the heartache that comes from holding out hope that the two will end up together, despite knowing from the first couple minutes exactly how it ends, this movie is definitely one of my favorites and worth the watch. The soundtrack is also really, really, really good in my opinion. Watch with your friends if you’re looking for a good cry, or with your significant other if you’re looking for an awkward conversation afterwards about why you two might fall out of love. Enjoy, lovebirds!
Rate: 10/10
Where you can find it: YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play
Chicken Breast Recipe
Chicken breasts are delicious and easy, I recommend adding lemon, basil, red pepper or garlic for extra flavor. The following recipe is from AllRecipes.
Ingredients
4 boneless chicken breast halves with skin
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs (thyme, parsley, rosemary) (optional)
2 tablespoons olive oil
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
4 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small pieces
1 tablespoon chicken broth (or water), if needed to thin sauce
Instructions
- Season chicken on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it starts to shimmer. Place chicken breasts in skillet skin side down. Sprinkle with fresh herbs. Do not disturb the breasts until the skin side sears, 5 or 6 minutes. Turn chicken.
- Cook until the internal temperature reaches 150 degrees F, about 5 minutes. Add vinegar and butter to the pan with chicken. Shake pan gently until butter melts and the internal temperature of chicken reaches 160 to 165 degrees F, 2 to 3 minutes more. Add a splash of chicken broth or water if sauce needs to be thinned.
White Fish Recipe
Fish is always a good meal, and for pescetarians like my brother it’s a must. This simple white fish recipe is perfect for lunch and dinner.
Ingredients
4 tilapia (or similar white fish) fillets
4 eggs
scallions
2 tablespoons butter
Paprika
Salt and pepper
Hot sauce of choice (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350. Melt butter and add to a large glass baking dish. Place tilapia fillets in a dish leaving room in between for eggs. Crack eggs and add to pan between fillets
- Season everything with salt, pepper and paprika. Place in the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until eggs are at your preferred consistency.
- Slice scallions and top the eggs and fillets once plated. Add hot sauce if desired.
Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe
Pasta is a delicious and quick dinner meal that you can add your own personal touch to. Whether it be tomato sauce and meatballs, pesto and cherry tomatoes, or just butter and parmesan cheese, pasta is a perfect dinner to make at home.
Ingredients
1-2 boxes of your favorite pasta
Salt and pepper to taste
(For Spaghetti with Meatballs)
One jar tomato paste or store-bought tomato sauce
Basil Leaves
½-1 Pound Turkey/Beef
½ cup Breadcrumbs
1 Clove Garlic
1 Egg
Instructions
- Place a full pot of water on the stove and add in salt and a bit of pepper, then leave it to boil
- Once water is boiling, add in noodles and check the box for required boiling time
- To make meatballs: Place turkey/beef in a large bowl and add in garlic, breadcrumbs and egg along with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine meat and other ingredients until fully integrated, make sure there are no lumps
- Heat a frying pan and add a small amount of olive oil to the pan, sear meatballs until browned on all sides
- In a separate pot, heat up tomato sauce and add in basil, garlic and salt.
- Add in meatballs, leave sauce to boil
- Once sauce is boiling, remove from heat and pour over pasta. Serve immediately
Mediterranean Salad Recipe
This mediterranean salad is amazing and just as easy as chopping vegetables.
The following recipe is from food blog Weekly Wonderful
Ingredients
1 English Cucumber
1 Red Onion
3-4 Vine Ripe Tomatoes
(Optional) Green + Kalamata Olives
Fresh Parsley
Garlic
Dried Italian Seasoning (Rosemary, oregano, thyme and basil)
Crumbled Feta
Olive Oil
Red or White Wine Vinegar
Instructions
- Chop cucumber, tomatoes, and onion into bite sized pieces
- Combine garlic, parsley, seasoning, olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper in a small bowl to make the dressing
- Pour dressing over chopped vegetables and crumble feta over salad
- Serve immediately
Hash Brown Recipe
Ingredients
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter or 6 tablespoons
3 russet potatoes (about 1½ pounds), peeled
Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
Pinch of cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon kosher salt, may need extra
Instructions
- Heat butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until foamy, about 3 minutes. Don’t let butter brown; reduce heat if needed. Skim off solids; discard. Using the coarse grater disk on a food processor or the largest holes on a box grater, shred potatoes. Transfer immediately to a large bowl of cold water; stir until water is cloudy. Drain and rinse potatoes well under cold running water to remove any excess starch, which can make hash browns gummy.
- Transfer to a large kitchen towel. Gather together ends of towel and twist over sink, squeezing firmly to wring out as much liquid as possible (another step that ensures crisp results). Open towel and toss potatoes to loosen. Gather up towels and wring out potatoes once more. Transfer potatoes to a medium bowl and toss with pepper, cayenne, and 1 tsp. salt (make sure seasonings are evenly distributed).
- Heat 4 Tbsp. clarified butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Add potatoes and cook, undisturbed, until a deep golden crust forms on bottom, about 5 minutes. Break up potatoes with a heatproof rubber spatula and continue to cook, turning occasionally with spatula and adding 1–2 Tbsp. clarified butter or ghee if the pan becomes dry or potatoes start to stick, until crisped and browned all over, 8–10 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain; season with salt.
Hash Browns, courtesy of Bon Appetit
Omlet Recipe
Ingredients (One Omelet)
3 eggs, warmed in hot water for 5 minutes
Pinch salt
1 teaspoon room temperature butter, plus 1/2 teaspoon for finishing omelet
1/2 teaspoon fresh chopped chives
Instructions
- Crack the eggs into a bowl, add salt, and blend with a fork.
- Heat a 10-inch nonstick aluminum pan over medium-high heat.
- Once the pan is hot, add the butter and brush around the surface of the pan.
- Pour the eggs into the center of the pan and stir vigorously with a rubber spatula for 5 seconds. As soon as a semi-solid mass begins to form, lift the pan and move it around until the excess liquid pours off into the pan. Using your spatula, move it around the edge of the egg mixture to help shape into a round and loosen the edge. Let the omelet sit in the pan for 10 seconds without touching.
- Shake the pan to loosen from the pan. Lift up the far edge of the pan and snap it back toward you. Using your spatula, fold over one-third of the omelet. Slide the omelet onto a plate and fold over so that the omelet is a tri-fold. Coat with the remaining butter and sprinkle with the chives. Serve immediately.
Omelet, recipe from the Food Network
Pancake Recipe
Pancakes are a staple of a classic breakfast, and they’re super simple to make! You can also spice them up with a variety of additions. I recommend cinnamon, bananas, strawberries, or if you really want a festive pancake, vanilla extract and chocolate chips. The following recipe is from Martha Stewart, and I really enjoy it.
Ingredients
1 Cup Flour
2 Tablespoons Sugar
2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
½ Teaspoon Salt
1 Cup Milk
2 Tablespoons Melted Butter
1 Large Egg
1 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees; have a baking sheet or heatproof platter ready to keep cooked pancakes warm in the oven. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, butter (or oil), and egg. Add dry ingredients to milk mixture; whisk until just moistened (do not overmix; a few small lumps are fine).
- Heat a large skillet (nonstick or cast-iron) or griddle over medium. Fold a sheet of paper towel in half, and moisten with oil; carefully rub the skillet with an oiled paper towel.
- For each pancake, spoon 2 to 3 tablespoons of batter onto the skillet, using the back of the spoon to spread batter into a round (you should be able to fit 2 to 3 in a large skillet).
- Cook until the surface of the pancakes have some bubbles and a few have burst, 1 to 2 minutes. Flip carefully with a thin spatula, and cook until browned on the underside, 1 to 2 minutes more. Transfer to a baking sheet or platter; cover loosely with aluminum foil, and keep warm in the oven. Continue with more oil and remaining batter. (You’ll have 12 to 15 pancakes.)
