Rebecca Guterman


Name: Rebecca Guterman
Position: Print Managing News Editor & Public Relations Director
Graduation Year: 2010
Rebecca Guterman loves being on Silver Chips! In what little spare time she has left over, she loves to play the piano, dance really badly, and listen to music. Above all, seeing and talking to friends 24/7 is a must. Even though most of her life has been taken over by school, she also loves watching TV and movies. Anyone who does not like the shows Gilmore Girls, House, and the West Wing should not come near...along with anyone who hates Johnny Depp. Rebecca believes that everyone should visit El Salvador before they die, especially the village Cacahuatal, which is the most awesome place on the face of the planet and should take Spanish, not French, because El Salvador will be a little more fun if you know some of the language. Any questions? Email me at my BILL account because I'm too paranoid to post my personal email. I'm really a very nice, mostly normal person despite this bio and I hope you enjoy reading my stories for Chips!


Stories (24)


Assembly votes for cell phone ban, gang prevention

By Rebecca Guterman | April 22, 2010, 12:05 p.m. | In Print News »

The Maryland General Assembly met from Jan. 13 to April 12 this year to pass 810 bills and passed three particularly relevant to the Silver Spring community and students, concerning lowering the voter registration age, reducing gang activity and banning cell phone use while driving, all of which will take effect by July 1.

University of Maryland raises tuition

By Philipa Friedman, Rebecca Guterman | April 22, 2010, 12:01 p.m. | In Print News »

The entire Maryland universities system will raise tuition three percent for the 2010-2011 school year, ending a four-year freeze supported by the state budget, according to Monica West, director of budget for the University of Maryland.

Sweeps prove effective in reducing tardiness

By Rebecca Guterman | April 22, 2010, 11:45 a.m. | In Print News »

Almost two months after the hall sweeps have been put in place, the administration, security team and teachers are contributing ideas to improve the system while also recognizing the noticeable effects it has had on students, according to assistant principal Andrew Coleman.

Ineligible students increased

By Rebecca Guterman | March 11, 2010, 12:27 p.m. | In Print News »

An electronic survey was distributed to faculty asking for ideas on decreasing the school's increasing ineligibility rates, according to assistant principal Andrew Coleman. He distributed the survey in late February, after analyzing data based on last year and the first semester of this year.

Old Blair funding reexamined

By Rebecca Guterman | March 11, 2010, 12:17 p.m. | In Print News »

Two Montgomery County Councilmembers have mounted efforts to revise the current capital budget to include $8 million for the Old Blair Auditorium Project (OBAP), Inc., which strives to renovate the auditorium currently on the campus of Sligo Creek Elementary School and Silver Spring International Middle School. In addition, two Maryland House of Delegates representatives have proposed renewed project funding at the state level.

MCPS applies for snow day waiver

By Rebecca Guterman | March 11, 2010, 12:05 p.m. | In Print News »

MCPS has applied for a limited waiver offered by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) that could excuse five of the nine snow days from earlier this year, according to MCPS spokesperson Dana Tofig.

Security implements hall sweeps

By Rebecca Guterman | March 11, 2010, 11:49 a.m. | In Print News »

Extensive hall sweeps implemented by the security team began on March 8. Penalties for tardiness have been distributed since March 9, according to assistant principal Andrew Coleman. The hall sweeps began because of an increase in the number of students tardy to class since the start of the school year.

Anti-gang task force formed along county border

By Rebecca Guterman | Feb. 5, 2010, 11:49 a.m. | In Print News »

A new anti-gang task force along the border of Montgomery County and Prince George's County will form this year with the help of newly attained federal funds, according to special investigations division director Captain David Gillespie of the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD).

Blair dropout rate rises

By Rebecca Guterman | Feb. 5, 2010, 11:44 a.m. | In Print News »

Blair's dropout rate has been steadily increasing for the past decade, despite a decrease in Maryland's overall dropout rate, according to the 2009 Maryland Report Card. The Report Card which records state, county and individual school statistics regarding standardized tests and graduation.

MOE requirements not met

By Rebecca Guterman | Dec. 17, 2009, 11:25 a.m. | In Print News »

The Maryland State Department of Education may withhold funds from the current MCPS Fiscal Year 2010 budget because the county did not meet maintenance of effort funding requirements (MOE) for this fiscal year, according to Marc Hansen, deputy county attorney for Montgomery County.

Security increases due to recent incidents

By Rebecca Guterman, Urja Mittal | Dec. 17, 2009, 11:08 a.m. | In Print News »

Security measures and enforcement on school grounds have increased after several incidents of student misconduct in the past few weeks, according to assistant principal Andrew Coleman. School security has focused on deterring students from going off-campus during the school day and preventing thefts within the building, he said.

Thefts and other incidents lead to increased security

By Rebecca Guterman, Urja Mittal | Nov. 24, 2009, 1 a.m. | In Local »

Security measures and enforcement on school grounds have increased after several incidents of student misconduct in the past few weeks, according to assistant principal Andrew Coleman.

Teachers reflect on difficulty of Bridge Plan

By Jenny Sholar, Rebecca Guterman | Nov. 12, 2009, midnight | In Print News »

One year after the High School Assessments (HSA) Bridge Plan was first introduced, some teachers are questioning the standards of the HSAs and the HSA bridge projects as graduation requirements. The bridge projects are designed to provide a way for students who have trouble succeeding on the tests to fulfill their graduation requirements, which many teachers view as a necessary option for students.

Administration asks teachers to log academic support times

By Rebecca Guterman | Nov. 12, 2009, midnight | In Print News »

The Blair administration has established a new policy requiring all departments to record the names of students attending lunch time academic support and is providing additional school wide support to meet their School Improvement Plan (SIP) goals, according to assistant principal Edith Verdejo.

Blair meets AYP for second consecutive year

By Rebecca Guterman, Urja Mittal | Oct. 8, 2009, midnight | In Print News »

Blair met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) requirements for the second year in a row for the 2009-2010 school year, which has led to the removal of Blair from Year Two School Improvement status, according to Principal Darryl Williams.

Your one-stop guide to health care reform

By Rebecca Guterman | Oct. 8, 2009, midnight | In Print News »

Nearly every day, the media broadcasts a news update on health care reform. Whether it's the new bill propositions or the disgruntled citizens in town halls, so many different issues at hand can overwhelm even the most savvy observer. So much information can be daunting to anyone trying to follow the reform, so here is a breakdown of the current reform proposals and debate.

Texting while driving now illegal

By Jewel Galbraith, Rebecca Guterman | Oct. 8, 2009, midnight | In Print News »

Text messaging while driving is now prohibited by state law and punishable by a fine of up to $500, according to Maryland Delegate Frank Turner (D-Howard).

"Is the installation of artificial turf a positive change for Blair?"

By Rebecca Guterman, Rebecca Novello | June 5, 2009, midnight | In Print Opinions »

This summer, the Montgomery County Department of Parks and Planning will install artificial infilled turf in Blazer stadium to replace the natural grass field. The turf will be made of a mix of recycled rubber and other chemicals and will be installed at Blair because the natural grass field was deemed overused. Detractors protest its environmental impact while athletes welcome its even surface.

Students asked to retake HSAs

By Rebecca Guterman | June 5, 2009, midnight | In Print News »

Some students have been asked to take the High School Assessments (HSAs) again despite achieving the minimum combined score required to receive the Maryland state diploma, according to Assistant Principal Linda Wanner.

Wanner retires after 24 years at Blair

By Rebecca Guterman | June 5, 2009, midnight | In Print News »

Assistant Principal Linda Wanner will retire at the end of this year after 24 years at Blair to spend more time with family and pursue other interests, she said.

State education waiver denied

By Rebecca Guterman | June 5, 2009, midnight | In Print News »

The Montgomery County Council recently approved the Fiscal Year 2010 (FY 2010) budget, which takes effect July 1 of this year, despite cuts across the board due to a rejected maintenance waiver to the state.

Singleton courses may be cut

By Rebecca Guterman | Feb. 7, 2009, midnight | In Print News »

The administration is considering offering some single-section courses every other year due to anticipated budget and scheduling setbacks, according to Principal Darryl Williams.

Playing against the traditional team

By Rebecca Guterman | Nov. 11, 2008, midnight | In Print »

A polished 42-pound rock rests on the ice, waiting to be slid 146 feet toward a circular target called "the house." "Sweepers" equipped with long brushes stand in wait, prepared to clear bumps on the ice that might slow the rock's momentum. Junior Gilad Kempenich pushes off the ice to gain speed and gently releases the rock, spurring the sweepers to action.

Kaluta resigns as sponsor of the stage crew

By Rebecca Guterman | Oct. 3, 2008, midnight | In Print »

Magnet research teacher John Kaluta has stepped down as the sponsor of Blair's stage crew after 15 years in the position, citing a desire for more free time.