But negatives remain: staircase explosions and police state conditions give the school a Boston Public charm. Most disturbing are the Homeland Security measures on Dekalb Avenue-relentlessly patrolled by school security officers who harangue hapless students for stopping to adjust a bookbag or even–give us a break–smoke crack. Sheesh. A visiting reporter (whose identity will remain shrouded in secrecy, but whose initials are Josh Shnayer) was told that he could be “taken to the station” for not walking. More disturbing is the new ID card system that Principal Asher promises will cut down on cutting classes and lateness—students must swipe ID cards to enter the building, swipe again to enter the lunchroom, and—we swear we are not making this up—swipe to enter hallways and leave classrooms.

– Josh Shnayer

– Nick DiFalco

I feel bad that a building fell on Jennifer Panicali’s head, but no way would she be the star of this story if she weren’t a) very young and pretty and b) white.

Here’s the NY Post on her attire: “She’s strolling along, casually dressed in a crisp white shirt, short khaki skirt and white shoes, heading west toward her summer job at Parks Department headquarters in Central Park.”

Can’t the Post writers come out and tell us what they’re really thinking–i.e. we dig this chick and think she’s more interesting than an exploding townhouse.

I’m also intrigued by Jennifer’s first words to Karen Morris–the hero nurse’s aid who tended her wounds and whose photo, oddly, I haven’t seen: “Oh, my God, am I going to be disfigured?”