Thursday, April 9, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
A Tribute to Amanda Johnstad
On Wednesday, April 1st, 2009; Eastview High School mourned the loss of one of its most outgoing and loved students. This beautiful and happy senior was Amanda M. Johnstad. Amanda came to our district in second grade at Oak Ridge Elementary. That was the same year we met, and we didn’t really like each other. We fought, called each other names; we were just two complete opposites. In fourth grade we were put into the same class again and that year something had changed. We had grown up and matured, we became best friends. She became my very first best friend. And we stayed that way for a couple years. But as the years went on, as we grew and matured, as we changed from elementary school to middle school and then to high school, we started to grow apart. We made new friends and hung out with different groups of people. We passed each other in the halls and we stop to say hi and talk for a bit. She was still the way I remembered her; loud, outgoing, happy, always joking around, smart, beautiful, etc, but most importantly unique. And that’s not even the half of it. There are so many good things about her and not enough positive word to fulfill them. Yet, not one of any of the words people could think of could describe Amanda Johnstad.
Amanda Johnstad had a lot of friends. She was known by almost all of Eastview’s student body. She had her own way of doing things. It was very hard to hear that she’s not coming back. Once the teachers were left to relay information about Amanda after the announcement, I left my fourth hour to do some work with my case manager and wasn’t able to hear about it. I had no idea it was her. I then got a text from my friend Melanie Moser, who has also known Amanda since second grade, telling me about it. I was shocked as everyone else at EVHS was. I don’t remember making it to the classroom. I ended up in the commons and then the Media Center where Amanda’s friends were making slips of paper with comforting and spiritual words about Amanda. I was debating about going to Amanda’s service. I hadn’t talked to her in awhile until the day before that day at the end of 7th hour. But then I realized that that didn’t matter. Amanda and I had a past, and her family could use all the support they could get. Amanda said she didn’t want people to wear black to her funeral. I may listen to her. There are shirts being made with her face on the front and you can choose the color for $20. I’m going to buy a neon green one and wear it with black slacks.
To Amanda Johnstad, I’m not good at goodbye letters. I’m not good with the whole emotional crap either. But you were a big part of my life growing up. I will never forget you. You will always be missed. You will always be remembered. You are loved by many, hated by none. And you will forever be in our hearts.
Amanda Johnstad had a lot of friends. She was known by almost all of Eastview’s student body. She had her own way of doing things. It was very hard to hear that she’s not coming back. Once the teachers were left to relay information about Amanda after the announcement, I left my fourth hour to do some work with my case manager and wasn’t able to hear about it. I had no idea it was her. I then got a text from my friend Melanie Moser, who has also known Amanda since second grade, telling me about it. I was shocked as everyone else at EVHS was. I don’t remember making it to the classroom. I ended up in the commons and then the Media Center where Amanda’s friends were making slips of paper with comforting and spiritual words about Amanda. I was debating about going to Amanda’s service. I hadn’t talked to her in awhile until the day before that day at the end of 7th hour. But then I realized that that didn’t matter. Amanda and I had a past, and her family could use all the support they could get. Amanda said she didn’t want people to wear black to her funeral. I may listen to her. There are shirts being made with her face on the front and you can choose the color for $20. I’m going to buy a neon green one and wear it with black slacks.
To Amanda Johnstad, I’m not good at goodbye letters. I’m not good with the whole emotional crap either. But you were a big part of my life growing up. I will never forget you. You will always be missed. You will always be remembered. You are loved by many, hated by none. And you will forever be in our hearts.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
SMART Boards in the Classroom
We all know that education is an extremely important part of society, but after awhile the traditional ways of educating students becomes a bore for both the students and even the teachers. But now the company Smart Tech came up with a new invention call the SMART board. It makes it easier for teachers and more fun for students. SMART boards can change education through a teacher, student, or school perspective for students in prestigious schools as wells as underprivileged or disadvantaged learners with learning disabilities. Testimonials from teachers always praise SMART boards in the classroom and the great advantages these whiteboards hold.
An important thing is not that every child should be taught, but that every child should be given the desire to learn. By teaching the youth, the future of their life, their family, their community, their country, and their world can be shaped, as well as ours. While technologies have been introduced and improved throughout our society, today one of the most ground-breaking technological advancements has been shown through schools all over the world, known as the SMART board. This board increases the interactive classroom atmosphere, and increases the learning experience in return. By simply connecting the board to your computer, the two devices communicate interchangeably so the teacher can project their notes and slideshows on the board. So instead of becoming a one-sided lecture, it becomes a two-sided learning experience. The students can edit and make notes on the screen, or answer questions directly in the screen allowing them to play a larger role in the discussion while absorbing more from the lesson being taught.
The surface of the SMART board uses digital vision touch (DViT) technology allowing users to use their finger or a digital pen to write on the board while the screen, which is extremely durable and anti-smudge/anti-glare, has digital cameras that help track the contact and the touch sensitive screen produces the images being drawn or written. There is a digital tray at the bottom of the board that includes the pens, erasers, and buttons for an on-screen keyboard or a right click. The pens also have the ability to write on the board and the computer then translates it to type, producing images and saving them.
The SMART board is a revolutionary whiteboard because the interactivity, flexibility, and the easiness of use the produces. There has been a significant increase in teacher productivity and student performance observed. It is the goal that one day; the SMART board will take the place of textbooks for they can be used repeatedly and come with updates of information. These whiteboards have made great contributions to the learning experience. It is said that education opens doors for the future. By educating our youth, training our teachers, helping the disadvantaged students, and by bring in a new technology, our world can be shaped and molded into a better place. By putting time and effort into changing some student’s way of learning, we can revolutionize the way that they learn and grow.
An important thing is not that every child should be taught, but that every child should be given the desire to learn. By teaching the youth, the future of their life, their family, their community, their country, and their world can be shaped, as well as ours. While technologies have been introduced and improved throughout our society, today one of the most ground-breaking technological advancements has been shown through schools all over the world, known as the SMART board. This board increases the interactive classroom atmosphere, and increases the learning experience in return. By simply connecting the board to your computer, the two devices communicate interchangeably so the teacher can project their notes and slideshows on the board. So instead of becoming a one-sided lecture, it becomes a two-sided learning experience. The students can edit and make notes on the screen, or answer questions directly in the screen allowing them to play a larger role in the discussion while absorbing more from the lesson being taught.
The surface of the SMART board uses digital vision touch (DViT) technology allowing users to use their finger or a digital pen to write on the board while the screen, which is extremely durable and anti-smudge/anti-glare, has digital cameras that help track the contact and the touch sensitive screen produces the images being drawn or written. There is a digital tray at the bottom of the board that includes the pens, erasers, and buttons for an on-screen keyboard or a right click. The pens also have the ability to write on the board and the computer then translates it to type, producing images and saving them.
The SMART board is a revolutionary whiteboard because the interactivity, flexibility, and the easiness of use the produces. There has been a significant increase in teacher productivity and student performance observed. It is the goal that one day; the SMART board will take the place of textbooks for they can be used repeatedly and come with updates of information. These whiteboards have made great contributions to the learning experience. It is said that education opens doors for the future. By educating our youth, training our teachers, helping the disadvantaged students, and by bring in a new technology, our world can be shaped and molded into a better place. By putting time and effort into changing some student’s way of learning, we can revolutionize the way that they learn and grow.
Monday, March 16, 2009
"Voices of Hope" Sing-a-Thon
For the very first time in Eastview High School’s history, a sing-a-thon was hosted on Friday, February 20, 2009 from 8am to 12am to benefit the Angel Foundation. The name of the exciting event that was preformed is known as “VOICES OF HOPE.” Event coordinator, Judy Sagen says, “The charity embraced the mission to improve the quality of life throughout the cancer experience by providing financial assistance, education, and support to cancer patients and their families throughout the community.” The money from this event went to families in the Eastview Community who need financial support with rent, mortgage, grocery bills, gas, and utility payments that affect their care and treatment.
Judy Sagen, EVHS Women’s Chorale director, came up with the idea of people in the community using their talented voices to raise money for cancer patients. “As a choir, they realized how much the power of music can provide the hope that is essential to the well-being of cancer patient and their families”, says Sagen. Many students at EVHS have been affected by knowing someone who has had cancer. These students came together to create an eventful fundraiser and the money they raised was through performance fees, participant sponsors, corporate sponsorship, ticket sales, and merchandise and food sales.
The event was a major success and is hoped to become an annual event here at Eastview High School. The sing-a-thon reached their goal of over $25,000. "We all will continue to serve as a bridge between despair and hope,” comments Sagen.
Judy Sagen, EVHS Women’s Chorale director, came up with the idea of people in the community using their talented voices to raise money for cancer patients. “As a choir, they realized how much the power of music can provide the hope that is essential to the well-being of cancer patient and their families”, says Sagen. Many students at EVHS have been affected by knowing someone who has had cancer. These students came together to create an eventful fundraiser and the money they raised was through performance fees, participant sponsors, corporate sponsorship, ticket sales, and merchandise and food sales.
The event was a major success and is hoped to become an annual event here at Eastview High School. The sing-a-thon reached their goal of over $25,000. "We all will continue to serve as a bridge between despair and hope,” comments Sagen.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Voices of Hope Lead
On Friday, Feb 20th, Eastview High School presented a sing-a-thon that went from 8:00 am - 12:00 am called "Voices of Hope." This performance was to benefit the Angel Foundation. “Voices of Hope” was created to improve the quality of life for cancer patients and their families throughout the community. This event will raise money to help these families with financial support.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Feature Story Info
Theme Statement: SMART boards in the classroom make learning and teaching easier and more efficent.
Sources:
1. Mr. Griffith
2. Mr. Kiekbusch
3. Mrs. Benedict
Questions:
1. How much are the SMART boards worth?
2. How much easier is it to teach with SMART
boards?
3. What can a SMART board do?
4. What influenced SMART boards to come into schools everywhere?
5. How is it helpful to the students?
Sources:
1. Mr. Griffith
2. Mr. Kiekbusch
3. Mrs. Benedict
Questions:
1. How much are the SMART boards worth?
2. How much easier is it to teach with SMART
boards?
3. What can a SMART board do?
4. What influenced SMART boards to come into schools everywhere?
5. How is it helpful to the students?
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
NOTES: 2/18/09
TINKER STANDARD (does not support):
-Unlawful speech (i.g. sending death threats to the president)
-Physically disruptive speech (i.g. confederate flag on school grounds)
FRASER STANDARD:
-School President that talked about sexual induendos (spelling?)
FREDRICK STANDARD:
-Princpal cancelled school for reglious protests on school property.
-"Bong Hits 4 Jesus"
YOUR RIGHTS OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL:
-"There is no legal justification for censoring a students expession in the privacy of his own home."
-can publish a newspaper a pass it out as long as it's not on school property, as long as it doesn't have lible or slander things that are not illigal. same with a blog.
-more rights a person outside of school
THREE TYPES OF STUDENT WEB SITES:
-sites that are offensive, obnoxious and insulting
-sites that are offensive, obnoxious and insulting, and also contain some sort of veiled threat of violence or of destruction of property
-sites that contain outright blatant threat (post Columbine)
LIBLE (An Oversimplified Definition):
Publication of a false statement of fact that seriously harms someone's reputation.
THE CATCH:
Knowing something is true and proving it's true can be two different things (sucks, right?)
-Unlawful speech (i.g. sending death threats to the president)
-Physically disruptive speech (i.g. confederate flag on school grounds)
FRASER STANDARD:
-School President that talked about sexual induendos (spelling?)
FREDRICK STANDARD:
-Princpal cancelled school for reglious protests on school property.
-"Bong Hits 4 Jesus"
YOUR RIGHTS OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL:
-"There is no legal justification for censoring a students expession in the privacy of his own home."
-can publish a newspaper a pass it out as long as it's not on school property, as long as it doesn't have lible or slander things that are not illigal. same with a blog.
-more rights a person outside of school
THREE TYPES OF STUDENT WEB SITES:
-sites that are offensive, obnoxious and insulting
-sites that are offensive, obnoxious and insulting, and also contain some sort of veiled threat of violence or of destruction of property
-sites that contain outright blatant threat (post Columbine)
LIBLE (An Oversimplified Definition):
Publication of a false statement of fact that seriously harms someone's reputation.
- Publication: articles, headlines, photo captions, etc.
THE CATCH:
Knowing something is true and proving it's true can be two different things (sucks, right?)
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