Commack High School Commack, New York
Vol. 22 Issue No.3 February 2010
Students respond to teacher reassignment
By Marissa, Publicity Editor and
Saba, Asst. Sports Editor
The recent reassignment of a teacher and coach of 42
Helping Haiti years, Sebastian DiRubba, resulted in heated reactions
from students and community members alike.
In a district website announcement, DiRubba was
reassigned due to allegations regarding an incident that
took place at a sporting event. An investigation is being
conducted.
Students and parents expressed opposition to the
school district’s decision to reassign DiRubba at the Board
of Education meeting on Jan. 21. The Board of Education
listened to speakers’ thoughts, but could not comment on
these circumstances due to legal restrictions.
Sophomore Francesca spoke about DiRubba at the
board meeting.
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Francesca. “There are so many things in my life that I
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On Jan. 21, when DiRubba did not return to his
Photo by Morissa
classroom, signs were posted around the school request-
ing DiRubba’s immediate return. Some students even
wore T-shirts in support of DiRubba.
Facebook groups were originally created as places
Glee hits where students could honor the beloved teacher, coach
and mentor. Nevertheless, some used the public forum as
high note a way to lash out on the situation.
DiRubba’s concerns lie with the students.
“I was upset [about how upset students were], espe-
cially at this time of the year when the kids are ready to
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teacher taken away, and two of my classes are going to
take the Regents in June. Who’s going to prepare them?
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Some students feel that DiRubba has always been
concerned and supportive.
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Some students were not surprised that DiRubba’s ca-
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“As a person, he was a good guy to talk to. He is very
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varsity soccer player junior Alex . “As a coach he has a
strong passion for the game and really enjoys coaching,
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A decade of sports Other athletes that worked with DiRubba comment-
ed on the coach’s character, as well.
history
Violation or protection: banned websites
By Jackie, Editor-in-Chief “But the only thing it mandates is
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component of district and federal images harmful to students, whatever
policy, but it is debatable as to what that means. Obviously to encompass
extent our district should block things greater than pornography and
websites from their students. harmful media is [illegal.] I think when
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accessing certain sites from school
computers. Facebook, YouTube,
sites allowing e-mail access and
Page 14 gaming sites are just a few among the
many censored by the school. This
censorship questions the purpose
and legality behind it.
Photo by Max Greenberg
The Child Internet Protection Act
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Suzie, senior and four-year girls varsity golfer. “He is a
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There is no dispute that this removal sparked major
controversy within the building.
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principal Russell Stewart. “You have many different emo-
tions and feelings that people have, and I try to respect
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According to DiRubba, he taught at Commack High
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School South when it was a high school from 1968 to
1988, and continued to work at the high school after the
schools merged in 1988 until this year. He has coached
boys varsity soccer since 1969 and girls varsity golf since
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DiRubba has been named League Coach of the Year
six times, with the boys varsity soccer team making the
playoffs 16 out of the past 17 years. The soccer team had
also reached the Suffolk County Finals eight times since
1994 and been victorious twice. In 1995, the team won
the Long Island and New York State Championships. This
past year, DiRubba was named both League I Coach of
the Year, and N.Y.S Large School Coach of the Year.
According to DiRubba in a Jan. 27 interview, his re-
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retirement papers yet, despite reports in Newsday.
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If he should retire, DiRubba has plans to spend more
time with his grandchildren, play more golf, attend ath-
letic events and visit Italy.
of the parents as their reasoning
behind blocking them.
“There is content that parents
at home might not allow their
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assistant superintendent of
secondary education “The school
has an obligation, when children
are in school to follow the wishes of
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The censorship of
networking sites, such as Facebook
social
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sites that are not required by CIPA to
be blocked.
&,3$ ZKLFK ZDV SDVVHG LQ  “The question of social networking
2009 imposes requirements in schools and sites raises questions not just about
Columbia libraries to address the restriction content, but issues of potential
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Scholastic federal law requires that a policy said Weiss, “I think it’s different
Press be implemented that addresses the
inappropriate material on the Internet
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than just talking about the Internet
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Association and block images that are obscene, PRVWRIWKHÀOWHULQJKDVQRWKLQJWRGR According to Goldstein there is
child pornography or harmful to ZLWKIHGHUDOODZµ government restriction called the
Gold Circle award minors. 0DQ\ RI WKH ZHEVLWHV WKDW DUH ‘rational relationship.’ It requires that
winner “The federal law requires schools blocked in the district do not clearly there be rational reasoning behind
getting any type of federal education fall under any of the categories policies.
for Editorial IXQGLQJ WR ÀOWHU WKHLU ,QWHUQHWµ VDLG mandated by the CIPA. The district “Blocking Facebook in fear of a
Writing Adam Goldstein, attorney advocate attributes the lack of educational
for the Student Press Law Center. purpose and not being in the interest
pedophile is a pretty clear example of
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Continued on page 3