Published by The Boston Globe
In the last girls’ soccer game of the season at Maimonides School, an underclassman pulled off her uniform and handed her jersey over to an injured teammate.
Senior player Tifara Ramelson had torn ligaments in her knee during her final season, but Shoshana Ehrenkranz, a seventh-grader, wanted Ramelson to have one last chance to play.
Moments like these permeate the athletic program at Maimonides School, a Jewish day school in Brookline.
For its athletes and leaders, it was no surprise they were recognized for good sportsmanship this year.
“For me it’s not about winning the game; it’s about playing well,’’ said Sophie Edelman, the varsity volleyball captain. “I want to have a good relationship with my teammates rather than show them I’m the best server in volleyball.’’
Today, Maimonides will honor its athletic teams at the opening game of the girls’ basketball season by presenting the District Sportsmanship Award.
The school received the award last month at the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association’s 17th annual Sportsmanship Summit at Gillette Stadium.
The summit recognizes one school in each district for sportsmanship, and Maimonides won the award among private schools, said Peter Smith, the association’s assistant director. The summit has grown in the past several years as more schools are interested in attending, with 1,100 people participating this year, he said.
“This is the type of stuff you take for granted,’’ said Smith. “There are a lot of people out there doing good things, and they’re not things you see in the news.’’
Maimonides won the award after being nominated by Marie Laundry, athletic director at Mount St. Joseph’s Academy, an all-girls Catholic school in Brighton.
“They come prepared all the time. They’re good sports and play hard right up to the last minute,’’ said Laundry, who coaches basketball and soccer against the Maimonides teams. “They never give up, and they encourage each other.’’
Maimonides students, administrators, and coaches all agreed their sportsmanship stems from values the school teaches starting in kindergarten. Half the school day is spent in academic classes, while the other half is spent studying the Torah, administrators said.
Lashon harah, for example, is in Jewish law the prohibition of gossip. It teaches students to be mindful of what they say about others, said Rabbi Dov Huff, assistant principal of general studies.
“In the newspaper, you read about how some schools do terrible things and haze. That just doesn’t happen at Maimonides,’’ said Elan Baskir, a senior who plays soccer, basketball, and baseball.
Baskir said the men’s soccer team made the quarterfinals for the first time in school history this year. It wasn’t easy. One victory, Baskir recalled, came on a freezing, rainy day.
But when the team stood on the brink of losing in those quarterfinals, said Huff, he overheard the players chatting in their huddle, with their captain praising his teammates not only for a great season, but also for respecting others.
“To me, it was shocking. . . . What was on their minds is they did it the right way,’’ said Huff.
Rabbi David Ehrenkranz, who teaches the Bible and the Talmud and coaches varsity softball, said he teaches the same concepts in class and during practice.
“Dignity and self-restraint are second nature,’’ said Ehrenkranz. “I see no difference from students in my class, the way they behave in the classroom, compared to my athletes.’’
Athletic Director Hal Borkow said other schools and referees often compliment him on Maimonides students’ behavior, such as when a tough call is made, and the athletes take it in stride.
“The ref made a point to let me know that the kids behaved like mature young adults,’’ said Borkow.
But not everyone has to study the Torah to promote sportsmanship. Students said one of the most important ways to develop good attitudes is to maintain good relationships with teachers.
Huff, who graduated from Maimonides before becoming an administrator, said every grade has a tradition called shabaton, when students will spend the weekend at a teacher’s house, eating meals together and talking about important issues.
“Teachers in the school as a whole play a big role in how to behave,’’ said Tamar Kosowsky, a senior varsity volleyball captain. “Every school should focus on what it means to be athlete on the field.’’
Administrators said receiving the award meant they were doing the right thing, in and out of the classroom.
Judy Boroschek, general studies principal for the school, said, “It felt very affirming of what we’re trying to accomplish — to think school can have that much of an impact.’’
Showing posts with label Brookline. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brookline. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Monday, April 13, 2009
Taxi driver abused by Brookline man
BROOKLINE—A Brookline man was arrested early this morning for refusing to pay taxi fare, assaulting a cab driver and smashing the cab window with his fist, police said.
Stephen Barber, 37, was found hiding in the attic of his apartment after a Town Taxi driver called police to report the incident, according to a report filed by Officer Robert Disario. The driver had dropped Barber, who is unemployed, off in front of his home at 148 Walnut St.
Police received a call from the driver, a Hyde Park resident, at 12:32 a.m., the report said. He told police he picked up the suspect at a bar in downtown Boston and drove him to Walnut Street. When they arrived, the driver told his client the fare was $22, the report said.
The man left the cab and began urinating on the sidewalk, the driver told police. After a few minutes, the driver got out of his taxi and approached the man, again telling him the fare. The suspect began yelling and swearing at the driver; then Barber pushed with both hands on the driver’s chest, and the driver fell, according to Disario’s report.
While the driver called 911 on his cell phone, he said the suspect punched the front passenger side window of the cab, shattering the glass. The man ran down the driveway and turned left behind an apartment building.
Police found a backpack and a set of Nissan car keys in the cab, which the driver said belonged to the suspect. Two Nissans were parked behind the apartment building, and police discovered they belonged to the Nissan Maurano by activating the key’s alarm button, Disario said.
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles listed Barber’s wife as the owner of the Maurano, Disario said. He said he checked the names listed on the apartment building’s doorbells and rang the bell under the wife’s name.
Barber’s wife answered the door and told police her husband lived with her, but he was not home. She let police search her third-floor apartment, but they did not find anyone, Disario said.
However, Disario said he found a wet pair of men’s shoes with snow on the sides in the back stairway. Police checked the basement and did not find anyone. Disario then asked the wife if the apartment had an attic.
The wife led police to the rear stairwell. Disario said they went upstairs and he walked to the back of the attic, where there were piles of storage. He saw a knee sticking out from behind a piece of wood.
Disario said he walked closer and saw a jean-clad leg pinned up against a wall. The piece of wood was hiding a man who was sitting on the floor. Disario said he told the man several times to show his hands and come into the open, but he did not obey.
Police removed the wood, and the man was identified as Stephen Barber, who was not wearing any shoes, Disario’s report said.
Police put Barber’s shoes back on his feet and escorted him out of the house without a struggle. According to the report, as they were walking down the driveway, the cab driver said, “That’s the one. He did it.”
Barber’s wife told police she didn’t know Barber was hiding there, and she paid his cab fare, according to the report.
Stephen Barber, 37, was found hiding in the attic of his apartment after a Town Taxi driver called police to report the incident, according to a report filed by Officer Robert Disario. The driver had dropped Barber, who is unemployed, off in front of his home at 148 Walnut St.
Police received a call from the driver, a Hyde Park resident, at 12:32 a.m., the report said. He told police he picked up the suspect at a bar in downtown Boston and drove him to Walnut Street. When they arrived, the driver told his client the fare was $22, the report said.
The man left the cab and began urinating on the sidewalk, the driver told police. After a few minutes, the driver got out of his taxi and approached the man, again telling him the fare. The suspect began yelling and swearing at the driver; then Barber pushed with both hands on the driver’s chest, and the driver fell, according to Disario’s report.
While the driver called 911 on his cell phone, he said the suspect punched the front passenger side window of the cab, shattering the glass. The man ran down the driveway and turned left behind an apartment building.
Police found a backpack and a set of Nissan car keys in the cab, which the driver said belonged to the suspect. Two Nissans were parked behind the apartment building, and police discovered they belonged to the Nissan Maurano by activating the key’s alarm button, Disario said.
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles listed Barber’s wife as the owner of the Maurano, Disario said. He said he checked the names listed on the apartment building’s doorbells and rang the bell under the wife’s name.
Barber’s wife answered the door and told police her husband lived with her, but he was not home. She let police search her third-floor apartment, but they did not find anyone, Disario said.
However, Disario said he found a wet pair of men’s shoes with snow on the sides in the back stairway. Police checked the basement and did not find anyone. Disario then asked the wife if the apartment had an attic.
The wife led police to the rear stairwell. Disario said they went upstairs and he walked to the back of the attic, where there were piles of storage. He saw a knee sticking out from behind a piece of wood.
Disario said he walked closer and saw a jean-clad leg pinned up against a wall. The piece of wood was hiding a man who was sitting on the floor. Disario said he told the man several times to show his hands and come into the open, but he did not obey.
Police removed the wood, and the man was identified as Stephen Barber, who was not wearing any shoes, Disario’s report said.
Police put Barber’s shoes back on his feet and escorted him out of the house without a struggle. According to the report, as they were walking down the driveway, the cab driver said, “That’s the one. He did it.”
Barber’s wife told police she didn’t know Barber was hiding there, and she paid his cab fare, according to the report.
Brookline woman batters husband, smashes his Lexus
BROOKLINE—A Brookline woman was arrested last night with several charges after abusing her husband in a drunken rage and then ramming her car into their garage, police said.
Michelle Shay, 55, of Newton Street was found lying in the corner of her garage holding a sharp piece of plastic against her throat at 12:51 a.m., according to the report filed by Brookline Patrolman Sean Russell. Police had witnessed her drive a red 2006 Toyota SUV up the driveway and through the closed garage door, hitting a gray 2007 Lexus that was parked there.
Shay was charged with domestic assault and battery, intimidating a witness, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, operating under the influence, operating to endanger, and willful and malicious destruction of property, Russell said.
Shay’s husband called police that evening to report his wife was out of control. Russell said the husband told him his wife was recently released from an alcohol prevention program and began drinking again.
Shay’s husband told police he noticed she was drunk around 10:30 p.m. last night and confronted her about her drinking problem. She immediately began screaming at him, saying he should not lecture her, and he was “ruining her life,” according to the report.
The husband said after Shay knocked down the hallway and kitchen tables, he was afraid for his safety and ran to the living room. Shay threw a vase, which just missed her husband’s head, and her cell phone, which hit her husband, and started punching his arms and chest, the report said.
Shay then took a kitchen knife from the counter and announced she would kill herself if her husband called the police or family members, according to Russell’s report. She ran with the knife through the house, ripping phone lines from the walls. She continued outside to her car, which was parked on the side of the road, while her husband plugged a phone back in and called 911, Russell wrote.
Shay shouted through the car window that if her husband made any calls, she would run into his car, which was in the garage. Her husband said he responded by closing the garage door from inside the house.
A few minutes later, he heard a crash. He went outside and saw that Shay had driven through the garage door. She reversed,
drove through the interior house wall, and tried to back out but couldn’t because of the rubble behind her.
The Toyota was severely damaged on the front and back end, and the Lexus was damaged on the driver’s side, Russell said in his report.
When police found Shay in the garage, she started screaming that “she wanted to die and it wasn’t her fault,” according to the report. Russell said as he removed the knife from her hand, she became “combative,” screaming she wanted to die several more times and kicking and punching him. Russell said he smelled alcohol strongly on her breath and removed her from the garage to arrest her.
Fallon Ambulance came for Shay, who was still kicking and screaming, and took her to a hospital, Russell said.
The Brookline Fire Department notified the town’s building department to inspect the house’s structural safety. Russell said Shay’s husband called the Worcester Court and got an emergency restraining order on Shay.
Michelle Shay, 55, of Newton Street was found lying in the corner of her garage holding a sharp piece of plastic against her throat at 12:51 a.m., according to the report filed by Brookline Patrolman Sean Russell. Police had witnessed her drive a red 2006 Toyota SUV up the driveway and through the closed garage door, hitting a gray 2007 Lexus that was parked there.
Shay was charged with domestic assault and battery, intimidating a witness, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, operating under the influence, operating to endanger, and willful and malicious destruction of property, Russell said.
Shay’s husband called police that evening to report his wife was out of control. Russell said the husband told him his wife was recently released from an alcohol prevention program and began drinking again.
Shay’s husband told police he noticed she was drunk around 10:30 p.m. last night and confronted her about her drinking problem. She immediately began screaming at him, saying he should not lecture her, and he was “ruining her life,” according to the report.
The husband said after Shay knocked down the hallway and kitchen tables, he was afraid for his safety and ran to the living room. Shay threw a vase, which just missed her husband’s head, and her cell phone, which hit her husband, and started punching his arms and chest, the report said.
Shay then took a kitchen knife from the counter and announced she would kill herself if her husband called the police or family members, according to Russell’s report. She ran with the knife through the house, ripping phone lines from the walls. She continued outside to her car, which was parked on the side of the road, while her husband plugged a phone back in and called 911, Russell wrote.
Shay shouted through the car window that if her husband made any calls, she would run into his car, which was in the garage. Her husband said he responded by closing the garage door from inside the house.
A few minutes later, he heard a crash. He went outside and saw that Shay had driven through the garage door. She reversed,
drove through the interior house wall, and tried to back out but couldn’t because of the rubble behind her.
The Toyota was severely damaged on the front and back end, and the Lexus was damaged on the driver’s side, Russell said in his report.
When police found Shay in the garage, she started screaming that “she wanted to die and it wasn’t her fault,” according to the report. Russell said as he removed the knife from her hand, she became “combative,” screaming she wanted to die several more times and kicking and punching him. Russell said he smelled alcohol strongly on her breath and removed her from the garage to arrest her.
Fallon Ambulance came for Shay, who was still kicking and screaming, and took her to a hospital, Russell said.
The Brookline Fire Department notified the town’s building department to inspect the house’s structural safety. Russell said Shay’s husband called the Worcester Court and got an emergency restraining order on Shay.
Ice pick-pockets make away with toiletries
BROOKLINE—Three Boston women, one armed with an ice pick, were arrested for shoplifting several bags of merchandise from the Coolidge Corner CVS/Pharmacy yesterday morning, Brookline police said.
Frinzetta Thomas, 49, of Matappan, Cynthia Shepard, 45, of Boston and Arlene Wells, 40, of Dorchester were identified by a surveillance photo in which they were stealing 33 items valuing $243.52 from the pharmacy at 294 Harvard Street, according to a police report filed by Brookline Officer Morgan Lee.
The CVS store manager called the police after viewing camera footage of what the manager thought was a black male and two black females leaving with stolen items, Lee said.
When Lee broadcast descriptions of the suspect, another officer heard and recalled seeing someone fitting one of the descriptions board a route 66 MBTA bus at Harvard/Marion Street. The officer broadcast to check for suspects matching the descriptions on all route 66 buses in the area near Brookline Village, according to Lee’s report.
Wells was originally thought to be a male, described as wearing a black jacket with a blue hood, wearing black pants and a black hat, according to the report. Shepard was described as a black female wearing a black jacket and a black hat with a white logo, “S3.” Thomas was described as a black female wearing a gray sweatshirt, a black leather coat, a headband and a shirt with a picture of President Barack Obama on it.
Det. Wagner stopped a route 66 bus, number 2277, at the Walnut/Boylston street stop. The report said Wegner entered the bus and saw two people matching the descriptions of Wells and Thomas, as well as a clear CVS bag under Thomas’ seat containing items from the store.
When Wells said Wagner looking at the bag, she said it belonged to Thomas. A passenger on the bus pointed out Shepard as another possible suspect, and Wagner removed the three women from the bus, said Lee.
The three suspects were identified at the scene as the shoplifters from the surveillance photo and arrested between 11:16 a.m. and 12:26 p.m. They had several bags of CVS hygiene products with them, said the report.
When Officer Hingston handcuffed Wells, she felt an object in her left inside coat pocket. When Hingston discovered the object was a homemade crack pipe, Wells attempted to kick the officer, Lee said.
Wells, who lives at 43 Devon St., Dorchester, also had a 10-inch ice pick in her purse, which was seized for evidence, the report said. She was charged with shoplifting, a warrant for failure to appear in court, possession of heroin, carrying an unlawful weapon and assaulting a police officer, Lee said. She had five guilty counts of shoplifting on her criminal record.
Shepard, who works at Madison High School on Washington Street in Boston, was carrying a glass pipe, a hypodermic needle and a contaminated spoon in her purse, the report said. She was charged with shoplifting, possession of heroine and four warrants for failure to appear, according to the report.
Thomas, who lives at 22 West Selden St., was charged with shoplifting, Lee said.
The personal items were sent to a lab for analysis, and the stolen items were returned to CVS, according to Lee’s report.
Frinzetta Thomas, 49, of Matappan, Cynthia Shepard, 45, of Boston and Arlene Wells, 40, of Dorchester were identified by a surveillance photo in which they were stealing 33 items valuing $243.52 from the pharmacy at 294 Harvard Street, according to a police report filed by Brookline Officer Morgan Lee.
The CVS store manager called the police after viewing camera footage of what the manager thought was a black male and two black females leaving with stolen items, Lee said.
When Lee broadcast descriptions of the suspect, another officer heard and recalled seeing someone fitting one of the descriptions board a route 66 MBTA bus at Harvard/Marion Street. The officer broadcast to check for suspects matching the descriptions on all route 66 buses in the area near Brookline Village, according to Lee’s report.
Wells was originally thought to be a male, described as wearing a black jacket with a blue hood, wearing black pants and a black hat, according to the report. Shepard was described as a black female wearing a black jacket and a black hat with a white logo, “S3.” Thomas was described as a black female wearing a gray sweatshirt, a black leather coat, a headband and a shirt with a picture of President Barack Obama on it.
Det. Wagner stopped a route 66 bus, number 2277, at the Walnut/Boylston street stop. The report said Wegner entered the bus and saw two people matching the descriptions of Wells and Thomas, as well as a clear CVS bag under Thomas’ seat containing items from the store.
When Wells said Wagner looking at the bag, she said it belonged to Thomas. A passenger on the bus pointed out Shepard as another possible suspect, and Wagner removed the three women from the bus, said Lee.
The three suspects were identified at the scene as the shoplifters from the surveillance photo and arrested between 11:16 a.m. and 12:26 p.m. They had several bags of CVS hygiene products with them, said the report.
When Officer Hingston handcuffed Wells, she felt an object in her left inside coat pocket. When Hingston discovered the object was a homemade crack pipe, Wells attempted to kick the officer, Lee said.
Wells, who lives at 43 Devon St., Dorchester, also had a 10-inch ice pick in her purse, which was seized for evidence, the report said. She was charged with shoplifting, a warrant for failure to appear in court, possession of heroin, carrying an unlawful weapon and assaulting a police officer, Lee said. She had five guilty counts of shoplifting on her criminal record.
Shepard, who works at Madison High School on Washington Street in Boston, was carrying a glass pipe, a hypodermic needle and a contaminated spoon in her purse, the report said. She was charged with shoplifting, possession of heroine and four warrants for failure to appear, according to the report.
Thomas, who lives at 22 West Selden St., was charged with shoplifting, Lee said.
The personal items were sent to a lab for analysis, and the stolen items were returned to CVS, according to Lee’s report.
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