Changes to AP US Sit Well at BHS, Despite National Controversy

By Madeleine Mattson and Rebecca Criscuolo The Advanced Placement United States history curriculum has changed this school year, affecting not only Branford High School students, but students and teachers across America. If the students who took AP US last school year were to walk into an AP US history classroom this year, they would not recognize it. Teachers at Branford aren’t complaining about the new

Hornets Soccer Looking to Claim 1st State Championship

By Ryan Connell The #17 seed Branford High School Boys Soccer team has advanced to the Class L State Championship game Saturday, where they will take on #11 seeded Avon. Branford entered with a 1-0 win over Joel Barlow in the Semifinals; Avon defeated South Windsor 1-0 in the other semifinal. Saturday’s game is a rematch of the 2011 Class L Semifinal where Avon defeated

New Credit Rules Irk Some Seniors

By Brianna Linehan and Rebecca Mancini Branford High School recently raised their credit requirements by 1.5 credits from 5.25 to 6.75. This change means that even if students, specifically seniors, only need a few credits more to graduate, they still have to take a full day of classes. From conversations with several upperclassmen it is clear that this change is causing a more stressful academic

Flu and Cold Season Underway at BHS

By Rebecca Criscuolo Like many schools across the nation, the common cold and flu has hit Branford High School students hard this season. Absenteeism has doubled according to the school’s attendance officer, who says a lot of kids started being absent right after Labor Day. “About sixty students per day are absent,” said Cheryl Alling, the school’s attendance officer. About thirty students are normally absent.The

Up in the Air: Dealing with Air Quality Issues at BHS

By Jennifer Giri and Claire Paterson What caused the increase in classroom temperature to occur in the beginning of the year? To get to the bottom of it, Erik Johnson, the head custodian was willing to explain to The Buzz what happened. “We have two towers. The one that’s over there controls that whole F-wing side of the building. And that basically provides the cool

Model UN Club Starts at BHS, Ready to Debate World Issues

By Andrew Salerno Model UN, one Branford High School’s newest clubs, is for those who enjoy the feel of real time educated debates, and learning experiences they can share with friends. Model UN is a United Nations simulation club, similar to how Model Congress is a congress simulation.It’s a program that is designed to promote knowledge of current international affairs of all different subjects, its

Hornets Notch First Football Win, But Now Prepare for North Haven

By Ryan Connell The Branford High School Football team captured their first win in over a year this past Friday October 10th at Guilford. With a 26-0 shutout win, the Hornets broke a 14 game losing streak which began at the beginning of last season. After a winless season last year, the Hornets stayed focus and hungry for success. They were rewarded for their hard

Upcoming Flu Clinic to Help Officials Prepare for Ebola

By Cassidy McCarns Next week, Branford High School will be holding a clinic to offer flu shots to the community. The clinic, which is offered every year, will also be used to test the health department’s ability to react and address a possible Ebola outbreak at the high school. Although at the moment Ebola has no vaccine or medication, this clinic will provide health officials

Few Freshman Make Leap to Varsity

By Michael White and Damien Maniscalco Even though some freshman students are still getting accustomed to their schedules and class work loads, others are adjusting to the new play styles of varsity sports. It doesn’t just take skill and talent. For the handful of 9th grade varsity players, coming in as underclassmen means that if they want to earn a varsity spot, they have to show that

Why All the Flags? This Year’s New Look Parade of Nations

By Madeleine Mattson The thirteenth annual Branford High Parade of Nations Friday will differ from past parades. What exactly was it before and what will it be now? Where does this BHS flag-waving tradition come from? It goes back to September 11th 2001. The administration at the time – Principal Edmund Higgins, and assistant principals Dave Maloney, Joe Fazzino, and Anna Puglia – felt like