Inside Applegate
By Mrinalini Keskar, ‘22
Disclaimer: We hope it is obvious that this is a satirical commentary. Xoxo, CatlinSpeak staff
Image by Mrinalini Keskar
Catlin Gabel School (CGS) Head of School Tim Bazemore was caught eating an apple for lunch inside during a meeting with coworkers, breaking CGS’ COVID-19 protocol, and students are reeling from the aftermath.
In an email sent December 9, 2021, at 9:18 PM, Bazemore issued an apology. The email, titled ‘Covid Protocol apology’, aimed to console the student who caught Bazemore in the act and serve as an apology.
“I want to share that today I made the mistake of eating my lunch (an apple) in the Upper School science lab during a meeting with five colleagues,” the email wrote. “A student saw this and made an anonymous report on the school’s Tipline, expressing his/her/their discomfort. I appreciate reading this report and understand the student’s concern. The rules apply to me as well as everyone, and I am sorry for making this mistake.”
CGS students have mixed feelings about the incident.
Sophia Fields, ‘22, noted a blatant disrespect of doctors in this act.
“Im [sic] honestly offended,” Fields wrote in a text exchange. “They say andapple [sic] a day keeps the doctors away and Tim was obviously trying to partake in this, which is not okay. Doctors are essential workers and on the frontlines of the pandemic and for him to have a phobia of [doctors] and try to “keep them away” is very insensitive especially during this time.”
Even alumni caught wind of Bazemore’s actions and expressed disdain.
“Though I’ve recently graduated, I find it appalling to call myself an eagle,” said Sophie Feldman, ‘20. “I had more faith in this community, that we respected one another enough to eat apples [outdoors] during this enduring health crisis.”
Some students wished to retain anonymity in their comments.
“I feared what would happen to me if I spoke the truth,” one student said in response to why they chose to remain anonymous.
“Tim’s actions were absolutely unprofessional and reckless. As a student, I feel as though my personal health and safety has been violated as a result of Tim and his naughty apple,” said another anonymous 12th grader.
Students also raised another point of concern - an apple as an adequate lunch.
According to the Harvard School of Public Health, a healthy and balanced meal consists of vegetables, whole grains, fruits, healthy proteins, healthy oils, and water.
A singular apple only fits one of these categories.
“It was worrying to me that Tim thought just an apple was an adequate lunch. You need more fuel than that to get you to dinner time!” exclaimed CGS junior McKenzie Compton.
“An apple is not enough for lunch and people could get the wrong idea that it is,” added Claire Williams, ‘23.
Bazemore noted in his email that the meeting had taken place in the science building, but it is unclear which classroom in particular was involved.
CGS has strict policies about consuming food in science spaces. At the beginning of each year, students in all science classes read, review, and sign the Flinn Scientific Student Safety Contract.
“Do not eat food, drink beverages, or chew gum in the laboratory,” the contract reads under the ‘General Rules’ section.
The barring of food consumption is a necessary rule in science safety.
“Food ingestion and chemically contaminated drinks are sources of chemical exposure. Bringing food or beverages or storing [them] in chemical refrigerators or cabinets causes such contamination. Storing food or beverages in chemical cabinets/refrigerators facilitate chemical absorption by vapor. Thus, chemical exposure takes place upon consuming food or beverages stored with chemicals,” reads Sabanci University’s Laboratory Safety protocols.
Therefore, by consuming his lunch (an apple), Bazemore not only disrespected CGS’ COVID-19 protocols, but also science safety protocols, putting himself and others at risk.
“I was just surprised that the truth finally came out,” said an anonymous student. “I’ll tell you this much, there’s a dark underside to what's going on here. I’m afraid I can’t share all the details, but let’s just say it goes a lot farther than one apple. Think orchards.”