Bluejay - Cimarron High School

The
Cimarron High School
Bluejay
Cimarron, Kansas 67835
Post
February 2008
Non-profit
Permit #41
Cimarron, KS
67835
Vol. 5, No.5
Junior English students use laptop computers
for writing, interviewing, recording senior citizens
By Britnie Jenkins
Ah, laptops. This year, after the Board of Education
bought laptop computers so that every junior and senior
could have one, not only for classroom use but also to
take home, much is changing in the CHS English department. For Junior English teacher Lynne Hewes, laptops
are a blessing.
For the past five years, Hewes has assigned a research
project that includes a personal interview of a senior citizen
in preparation for a research paper comparing decades, a
typed transcript, and a PowerPoint presentation.
“This year with the juniors having laptops, the entire
process is so much easier,” said Hewes. “Before, we could
never get the time in the computer labs because of all the
assessment tests and pretests. Now everyone has his or her
own computer. They can easily do Internet research in my
room, or at home, and they have their own computers to
type their papers. It’s heaven.”
One part of the interviewing process involves the
student recording his or her interview.
“I used to go to Wal-Mart and buy cheap recorders,
which often didn’t work,” said Hewes. “But this year, my
junior class informed me that they did not need my faulty
equipment. They could use their own computers to record
their senior citizen interviews, and then burn them to a CD.
I learned how to do this from my students.”
For extra credit, juniors can also donate their tapes
and transcripts to the Cimarron City Library.
“The city library has a good collection of tapes and
transcripts from CHS juniors,” said Hewes. “Over the
years we’ve put together a fairly impressive oral history
project there.”
In the past several students used their interview tapes
for more than just an English grade.
“A few years ago,” said Hewes, “Alex Brown inter-
viewed her grandmother, Marge
Sauer. Marge passed away shortly
afterwards, and the entire family
wanted Alex to make copies of her
tape and transcript for them as a
memory of Marge.”
Not only does Hewes use
computers with her junior English
class, but she also uses them in her
junior and senior Applied Communications classes.
“I have discovered that when
students first come to me in junior Applied class, English is not
their strong subject,” said Hewes.
“When I ask them to write a
paragraph, they often only write a
sentence. But by the time they’re in
senior Applied, I ask them to write
a five-paragraph essay, and they
say, ‘Okay.’ They write it without
complaining, and the paragraphs
are good and interesting.”
Using school-issued laptops for good: Juniors Stephen Austin and Matthew Kliewer work
With the computer, not only on their project for Mrs. Hewes’s English III. This project has students interview, tape, and
can students actually read their also write a transcript about a senior citizen as part of their junior-year research paper.
words, they can also revise it (Courtesy photo)
easier.
“Tools like SpellCheck, thesauruses, and the ease of
moving sentences around, help the students to revise their
work and make them better writers,” said Hewes. “It also
helps them connect with what they have read. Their laptops
make writing fun, and they’re not afraid to stretch out of
their comfort zones.”
W hat’s Inside
Traditional dance to be held at CHS
By Cassie McDowell
On February 8, CHS will be holding the Miss School
Spirit dance after the varsity boy’s game.
Every year the student body and faculties chose students who show the most school spirit. During half time
of the boy’s basketball game, they announce the names of
those chosen as Miss School Spirit and Mr. Bluejay.
This year’s Miss School Spirit candidates are Seniors
Brooke Fairbank, Amanda Payne, Ellen Blattner, Laura
Johnson and Junior Bekah Harman.
Mr. Bluejay candidates are Senior Jose Trevino,
Adam Hilker, Vinton Dupree, and Juniors David Fisher
and Jordan Toothaker.
Last year’s Miss School Spirit was Senior Alexa
Burns, and Mr. Bluejay was 2007 graduate Kythan Stevenson.
Every year there is a theme for the dance, last year’s
theme was “I’ll Be,” and this year’s theme is “Livin’ Our
Love Song.”
PG. 2 ~ Essen tial La p to ps
PG. 3 ~ Stu ffed animal dri ve
PG. 4&5 ~ CO U PLES IN LOVE
PG. . 6 ~ M cKenna joins
basketball team
PG. 7 ~ Bourne trilog y
Also see. . .
Th e B LUEJAY CHIX
2
OPINIONS
The Bluejay Post
February 2008
Student laptops get good use, aid education
By Sasha Reed
There are rumors flying around lately about how the junior
and senior laptops may be taken away next year. Some
say this is for the better, others say it’s for worse.
One reason the Board of Education may be talking
about getting rid of the computers is that they don’t realize
that the computer are being used for more than just toys
for the students.
Though they have their fun uses, computers are not
just toys. Students find it easier to do reports and take
notes with their laptops handy. Instead of taking the time
to get out pen and paper every time the teacher says, “You
need notes,” students can simply open their computers and
type. Most people type faster than they can write.
Journalism students have an easier time making deadlines with the laptops because instead of only getting to
work on their stories during school hours, they can also
work on things at home.
Having laptops handy at all
times also helps students get their
homework finished. If they have
been sick or have missed a day for
some other reason, they can easily
do whatever work they need to do
on their laptops and have a little
bit done when they get back to
school.
Though a few may not use
their laptops as they should, that’s
not how all students are. Most of
us get a lot of good use from our
laptops.
We upgraded when we got our
laptops; why downgrade by taking them away?
Eternal Love:
Hope prevails every time
by Kaitlin Unruh
Eternal hope is something all humans tend to gravitate
towards. Eternal hope that good will prevail over evil.
Eternal hope that the snow will make it impossible to go
to school tomorrow.
When a tornado hits, we hope eternally that we will
be all right. Eternal hope--that we will find true love.
Humans will always want to see the brighter side of
things; it’s part of our nature. So every time we have a
bad breakup, we always end up wanting another. Perhaps
just for the reason to feel loved again.
To feel the weak knees, the tingle when that special
person is around, and never being able to stop smiling
because “we really like them.”
Because we are still hurting, often we try to talk ourselves out of liking someone because of what happened
the last time we let someone in. But sometimes the best
way to get over a broken heart is to find another.
Just because we are scared and hurting doesn’t mean
that it will happen again. Just because we don’t get involved with anyone doesn’t mean the loneliness will leave
us. All that will happen is that we will become bitter and
depressed.
So let go, and allow yourself to fall in love.
It’s so much fun, and usually the hurt is worth the
experience and good memories. Think of it as the hurt being the payment for the goods--the memories. It’s always
worth it in the end.
Wow, you
have tons
of folders
on your
desktop!
Yeah, this laptop
is my life! I’d be
so lost without it!
Editorial Board:
Although our editorials
are written by individual board members, the thoughts
and ideas conveyed are that of The Bluejay Post editorial
board. Members of the editorial board are Kaitlin
Unruh, Britnie Jenkins, Haley Lloyd, Shelby Pulkrabek,
and Sasha Reed.
Retraction: We appologize to Forensics Coach Rebecca
Unruh for last month’s story which seemed to imply that
the team attends only a few meets during their season.
Actually, they attend many, many meets from January
through May.
Letter
Policy
The Bluejay Post welcomes letters from readers. We do,
however, reserve the right to edit letters for purposes of
clarity and space, and we regret that we cannot publish
The BluejayPost
2007-2008 Staff
Editor: Chelsea Morton
Assistant Editor: Kaitlin Unruh
Sports Editor: Haley Lloyd
H.S. Organizations, Arts, Music Editor: Shelby
Pulkrabek
Photo Editor: Cassie McDowell
Community News Editor: Sasha Reed
Grade School Editor: Emily Berry
Middle School News Editor: Kimberly Williams
Graphic Arts Department: Cassie McDowell,
Kimberly Williams, and Britnie Jenkins
Advisor: Lynne Hewes
Cimarron High School
Cimarron, KS 67835
February 2008
Volume 5, Issue 5
News
The Bluejay Post
February 2008
3
CHS journalism class holds stuffed animal donation
By Cassie McDowell
Through the month of February, the journalism class
is holding a donation for stuffed animals. They will be
sending these animals to the organization Animal Beacons
of Light. These stuffed animals will be sent to children
in orphanages, shelters, hospitals, and people in nursing
homes.
Before donations can be made there are certain guidelines that have to be followed.
“Wash the stuffed animals on a warm wash, cold rinse
setting,” said Ellen Henson, Founder of Animal Beacons
of Light.
This organization does not accept some stuffed
animals.
“No Barney, Garfield, Pokemon, Teletubbies, war
animals, or mechanical animals are accepted,” Henson
said.
Drop off boxes will be placed at the high school and
Racy’s Medical Center on Main Street.
Guidlines For Donations:
•
•
•
•
•
Stuffed animals from beanie babies size (~6”) to the size of a one year old child (~<2.5 ft).
New and gently used, clean, soft stuffed animals, made of fur, plush or soft cloth.
Have stuffed animals be ones which are in good condition, are cute and even cuddly.
Have them free of mechanical parts or inserts. Pull or wind-up baby musical ones are fine.
No Garfield, Barney, Pokemon, Teletubbie characters, as well as any war
•
Remove all manufacturer’s labels (including care instructions and construction material descriptions)
that are sewn onto the stuffed animals.
CHS dance team starts off with bang
By Cassie McDowell
After many days of long, painful and sweat-filled
hours of practice, the CHS Dance Team performed
January 11. With a new coach in charge, the girls had
to make changes to adjust.
“Going from having practice whenever we all had
time to having a set schedule has been an adjustment to
all of us,” Junior Katilin Unruh said.
The new coach, April Burkhart, has pushed the girls
to show up to practice and to make them better dancers.
“As a former dancer I expect the girls to work hard
at practice,” Burkhart said.
All of their hard practicing paid off when they saw
the reaction of the crowd when they came out in their
new uniforms.
The girls held a concession stand at regional tennis
and sold Avon to help pay for their new uniforms.
By Emily Berry
Forensics season kicks off early in January
By Cassie McDowell
The forensics team starts off with an early beginning.
With only a few weeks before the first tournament, returning students stress about finding pieces to perform.
Not only do the students stress, but Forensics Coach
Rebecca Unruh also gets stressed out.
“ I spend a lot of out of school time going to forensics meets,” Unruh said. “We get up early and don’t get
back till late.”
This year there are 23 students in forensics. Out of
those, seven are returning students.
“With a strong leadership from the returning team
and having such a large group, we will do a great job this
year,” Unruh said.
The forensics team will be attending approximately
CHS KAYS club
has productive
year
10 tournaments this year, not counting their state meet.
Break a Leg: Junior
Ja n i e Ja c o b s o n
performs her prose
piece to the class.
Forensics team will
be attending about
ten tournments this
season. (McDowell
Photo)
Kansas Association for Youth, also known as KAYS,
is one of the major clubs offered in our school. It is an
organization that meets on a monthly basis, or as needed,
usually during opportunity or activity period.
“During our meetings we usually discuss upcoming
service projects,” said Shelly Baublits, junior high KAYS
sponsor.
Throughout the year KAYS perform community
projects and attend conferences. This semester the high
school KAYS club hopes to plan a volleyball tournament
in the spring. Recently they also sold shamrocks for muscular dystrophy.
“The shamrocks were sold at the last home game,”
said Pando.
This year, for the first time, KAYS will host a conference. The 2008 KAYS conference will take place on
Wednesday, February 6.
“I’m looking forward for us to be representing our
school in the best way we can,” said Norma Pando, high
school sponsor.
Every year consists of two conferences, one in the fall
for the officers, and one in the spring for the club.
The conference this year will have multiple random
sessions, and a group service project called “Area 5” that
will consist of the club members making valentine centerpieces for their local nursing homes.
“There will be about 11 schools attending, which is
a total of around 275 students,” said Baublits.
4
The Bluejay Post
February 2008
FEATURES
n
i
t
h
e
a
i
s
r
i
e
v
as Valeno
L
Can’t find your special Valentine?
Try checking out your Data Match Results
By Shelby Dawn Pulkrabek
A lasting love:
Sophomore Ryan Bryant
and his girlfriend Junior Lindsay
Underwood sit in the hallway before
school. Bryant and Underwood
have been together over a year and
a half. (Pulkrabek photo)
Can you feel the love:
Sophomore Karla Farias gazes
into the eyes of her boyfriend, Junior
Alonso Beltran. They have been
together for two and a half months.
“We met at the park,” said Farias.
(Jenkins photo)
Love is in the air as Valentine’s Day approaches. Some CHS students are worried about being
alone on the holiday of love, so they’re turning to
the data match program to help find that special
someone.
The data match results are a fundraiser SADD
[Students Against Destructive Decisions] has been
doing for six years.
“At the end of the year, all the money SADD
makes is donated to a chosen charity,” said Sue
Wiseman, SADD sponsor.
It’s not the most profitable fundraiser ever, but
it’s still fun.
“At the most, we make about one hundred
dollars,” Wiseman said.
Students came up with the idea for
the fundraiser.
“Some students went off to a
Student Council conference, and
they brought the idea back with
them,” Wiseman said.
As with everything, there’s
Together forever: Sophomore Saige
Martinez and his girlfriend Eighth Grader
Avery Burns linger for a picture in the
hallway before school. Martinez and
Burns have been together a year and a half.
(Pulkrabek photo)
always a favorite part.
“My favorite part is the reaction on the students’ faces
when they open up their results and see who made their
list,” said Wiseman.
Sometimes students are kind of shocked to see who
made their list.
“I’ve gotten people I like on the least likely list and
people I really don’t care for on my most likely list,” said
Sophomore Crystal Pena. “Last year I had a person that
I didn’t really know. It was kind of weird.”
Are these data match surveys likely to strike up new
relationships around the school?
“For me, it would depend on who the person at the top
of my list was and how much I liked them as to whether
I would ask them out or not,” said Sophomore Melynda
McDonald.
Data Match is also a way for new students to find out
who they have things in common with.
“It will be cool to see who likes the same things as
me,” said Sophomore Torrie Edmonson, “but I don’t want
to look at it as far as who I should date.”
Some people have their doubts to the
FEATURES
The Bluejay Post
February 2008
h
e
c
s
a
o
r
a
t
p
p
C
a
y
HS
a
D
Couples in love:
5
Relationships seen around CHS hallways
By Britnie Jenkins
out and play Guitar Hero,” said Sophomore Saige
Walk down a hallway at CHS, and we may find many Martinez.
young couples holding hands, gazing into one
For some
another’s eyes, or even just sitting on the
people, relafloor, finishing up some of last night’s
tionships take
homework together.
priority over
Of the many couples, most genfriends.
erally met at the same place.
“We gen“Lindsay [Underwood, junior]
erally spend
and I met at school,” said Sophomore
more time with
Ryan Bryant.
each other than with
Though most couples met at
our friends,” said Unschool, there are some who did
derwood.
not.
Even though there are those
“Alonso and I actually
who spend more time with each other,
Stolen my heart:
didn’t meet at school,” said
some do equally split their time.
S o p h o m o re A m b e r
Sophomore Karla Farias. “We
“We spend as much time with friends
Thomas and Sophomore
met at the park.”
as
we
do
each other,” said Eighth Grader
D i A n d re D u n i g a n
Most often when we think
Avery Burns.
sit at a table to talk
of two people “dating,” we often
In some cases, a relationship may be a little
before school. (Jenkins
think of a romantic dinner or the
distracting to schoolwork.
movies. But for most high schoolers
“My relationship does kind of get in the
dating just means hanging out.
way of studying,” said Farias. “Just a little bit
“Usually me and Avery [Burns] just hang
though.”
How sweet it is:
Sophomore Issa Garcia
and her significant other,
Senior Brandon Scott, take a
moment to gaze into each other’s
eyes on their way to their first hour
class. (Jenkins photo)
St. Valentine’s Day is born: The origin of Valentine’s Day
By Sasha Reed
There are many different stories as to where Valentine’s Day came from. Some tales are that of fantasy that
everyone wants to believe because they’re so romantic.
Others seem to come from pure fact and are more believable but not as fun to hear about.
The most realistic story was at www.pictureframes.
co.uk. It tells about how St. Valentine was a Roman martyr who defied his king, Claudius II, by refusing to give
up Christianity. Valentine later was imprisoned and died
on February 14, which came to be known as Valentine’s
Day.
This version of the story wasn’t as interesting as
the one found at www.thefunplace.com. This story was
way more romantic and fit the mood of Valentine’s Day
a little better.
According to that story, the evil Roman King Claudius
II –or as he was known at the time, “Claudius the Cruel—
fought in many bloody battles, requiring many soldiers.
However, the soldiers didn’t want to go
and fight for him, and he thought this was
because they didn’t want to leave their
loved ones and families.
Claudius the Cruel then cancelled and
banned all engagements and marriages.
After this went on for a short time, a
Christian priest named Valentine secretly
married couples behind Claudius’ back.
When Claudius got wind of this
scheme, he threw Valentine into prison
where he stayed until he died on February
14. Later, Valentine became a Saint, and
Valentine’s Day was born on February 14
hundreds of years later.
The day was to represent one’s love
for another in honor of St. Valentine.
Whether either of these are true no one
may ever know. The true origin of Valen-
Because of
this, there will
be no more marriages!!!
No!
I like
your hat.
B u t
I love my
boyfriend!
B u t
Claudius!
6
SPORTS
The Bluejay Post
February 2008
CHS to host 3-A Sub-State Tournament
By Haley Lloyd
DEFENSE! CHS men’s Bluejay team plays tough defense
against their opponent. The Bluejays continue to work
hard in practice and on the competitive end. (Courtesy
photo)
On February 25, the Cimarron Bluejays will step onto
familiar ground entering the 2008 Sub-State Tournament.
The Bluejays have the honor of hosting this year’s tournament on their home court.
Will having this advantage over the other seven teams
be a positive or negative for the Jays?
“I believe having home-court advantage will be a
positive because we will be in our home town,” said Senior
Brooke Fairbank. “So many fans will be there supporting
us, but also we have to think about the pressure of doing
well and reaching our ultimate goal.”
Still, there are different opinions about the whereabouts of the tournament.
“It will be good, obviously, to have the tournament
here,” said Coach Doug Minneman, “but no matter where
it is, the boys’ side of Sub-State is an extremely tough
competition and we will have to play our best.”
Players and coaches alike anticipate the upcoming
tournament in Cimarron. This tournament also gives the
high school itself an unusual opportunity.
“Having the tournament at CHS gives us a chance
to showcase our facilities,” said Athletic Director David
Ediger.
The Cimarron Bluejays will leave everything they
have out on their home floor with no regrets, and, they
hope, come out on top.
Just one of the Team
Three year old demonstrates love for game
By Haley Lloyd
Over the Christmas break, the Cimarron men’s basketball team added a new member. McKenna Minneman,
daughter of head coach Doug Minneman, arrived to practice with the boys during the winter vacation.
At three years old, this little girl, weaves in and out
of the boys during their usual conditioning drills.
“I love having McKenna at our practices,” said Senior
Adam Hilker. “I have to slow down to miss her.”
Amongst all those “large trees” running line drills,
McKenna has to watch out for their enormous frames.
“One time they almost ran over me,” said McKenna.
After near disasters, McKenna has thought of a technique to swerve in and out of the running boys.
“She puts her hands up and out and makes sure she
starts back the other way before the boys get too close,”
said Senior Paige Addison, who witnesses the little girl’s
basketball skills. “She’s the cutest little girl ever!”
The other benefit to having a little one around during
practice is the fact that she’s the coach’s daughter.
“Coach isn’t as tough on us when McKenna’s
around,” Hilker said. “He seems to be nicer.”
Having the blonde around in practices helps for a
better mood for all, but it’s not only on CHS court that
she practices her skills.
“We have basketball practice in our downstairs,” said
Doug Minneman. “She really enjoys playing.”
This busy three year old balances her play time
with work time, and it’s only time before this youngster
becomes a star on the court.
GO TEAM! Cimarron Bluejay’s head coach David
Minneman and band director Jamie Minneman’s threeyear-old daughter McKenna Minneman is an avid fan of
Bluejay sports teams. McKenna can be found cheering
her heart out at all events before her bedtime. (Courtesy
photo)
Coach Meneley shoots for best game
By Kaitln Unruh
With a record of nine wins and three losses, the eighth
grade boys’ basketball team is doing very well.
The new coach has been drilling them to perfection.
“I’ve coached basketball for about nine years, but
this is my first at Cimarron,” said Steve Meneley, a social
studies teacher and eighth grade boys basketball coach at
Cimarron High.
With experience on his side, Meneley has helped our
students achieve many goals.
“We’ve been improving all year, so for our last game
I just want us to play our best game,” Meneley said.
The next year looks promising according to Coach
Meneley.
“I look forward to watching the eighth graders in high
school, and also to coaching the seventh graders. We have
a lot of talent,” he said.
HARD WORK! Eighth grade
head boys basketball coach
Steve Menely works hard in
and out of the classroom. Menely continues to push his
team to perfection and looks
for best game of season to
come soon. The eighth grade
boys will soon be approaching
their League Tournament with
high hopes. (Unruh photo)
Wrestlers to compete at regionals
on February 15
By Cassie McDowell
On Friday, February 15, the CHS wrestling team will
travel to Wakenney for regional wrestling.
Head coach Lance Walker remains hopeful that many
of the wrestlers will make it on to state.
“With having such a big team, we will have a better
chance of having at least three or four boys make it to
state,” Walker said.
In the past tournaments the team has placed third in
two of the meets.
NNEWS
eweColCHS students celebrate 200% goal
By Emily Berry
“There were about three things I was absolutely
positive. First, Edward was a vampire; second, there was
a part of him – and I didn’t know how dominant that
part may be – that thirsted for my blood; and third, I was
unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.”
That is the pull quote on the back of New York Times
Bestseller Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. It’s books like
this that intrigue CHS students to get hooked on reading.
“Some of the books we have on hold in the library
are books by Meg Cabot, Nicholas Sparks, and James
Patterson,” said Shelley Baublits, CHS librarian.
A lot of books that attract students are about knights
in shining armor; dangerous serial killers, or people finding their one true love. All these types of books have at
least one thing in common: they’re adored by millions of
people from all over the world.
“Some of the books that I like to read are about love
and friendship,” said Tess Trahern, freshman.
Each nine weeks everyone is expected to reach a
certain reading percentage. However, some strive to go
far beyond their goal. These people are rewarded by
receiving a 200% reading party.
“The reading party is something the teachers and I set
up for the kids that work harder than everyone else and
reach 200% or more of their goal,” said Baublits.
A lot of these students have a passion for reading;
therefore, once they pick a book up, they can’t seem to
put it down.
“Reading is a good pass time. It helps the clock move
quicker,” said Nicole Marshall, freshman.
The most recent reading party took place on January
11, during opportunity period, from 2:20-2:42. The treat
involved everyone making their own ice cream sundae.
“My favorite part about the party is the food, “ said
Chloe Day, freshman.
The next party, at the end of the third quarter, is planned
to take place at Clark’s Drug Store. There is also the pizza
party at the end of the year for the fourth nine weeks.
Recently I have been drawn to the Bourne
Trilogy, a movie series staring Matt Damon about
a former assassin who has suffered from amnesia,
trying to recover his long lost memory and the
identity he had before becoming Jason Bourne.
The first in the series is The Bourne Identity,
which was released in 2002. In this film we
meet Jason Bourne, unconscious, floating off at
sea where an Italian fishing crew discovers him.
The only clues he has to his identity are the bullet
wounds in his back and the bank account number
imbedded in his hip.
The second movie in the series is The Bourne
Supremacy, which was released in 2004. The
February
Students of the Month
JordanToothaker
works hard on every
assignment and is not
afraid of a challenge,
giving every responsibility
his best effort.
--Mr. Lightner
Amanda Holt deserves
recognition for her
dedication to academics.
I’m impressed with
the respect and kindness
Amanda displays to fellow
classmates and teachers.
--Mrs. Wiseman
Read On! Nicole Marshall is deep in thought as she reads
Pretties, by Scott Westerfeld. Marshall has always loved
reading, and feels like it’s a good way to pass time. (Berry
photo)
The Bourne Trilogy
By Shelby Dawn Pulkrabek
7
The Bluejay Post
February 2008
Miguel Jimenez is
always willing to go beyond
the norm and help with other
classroom tasks. I appreciate
Miguel’s motivation and
willingness to do his best.
--Mr. Giebler
By Shelby Pulkrabek
Cowgirl Corner
movie starts off with Bourne is hidden with his girlfriend,
Marie, on an island. He thought he had escaped his past,
but was mistaken. His past caught up with him when he
was wrongly accused of an assassination half-way around
the globe. After Marie is accidentally caught in the deadly
range of fire during an assassination attempt by one of
Bourne’s former coworkers, he sets off to find out why his
old company, Treadstone, is trying to track and kill him
instead of leaving him alone.
The third installment of the series is The Bourne Ultimatum, which was released in 2007. In this movie Bourne
returns to New York City, where it all began, to try and
discover how it all began and recover his true identity as
he is being trailed by a new generation of highly
skilled killers.
The three movies are all action-packed and
filled with intense fight scenes, narrow escapes, and
cunning plans to run from the assassins who wish
to kill him. They wrap you up so intently that you
are glued to the edge of your seat from beginning
to end. Time seems to stop as the movie rolls on.
The two hours spent watching the movie seems to
go by unnoticed.
So if you don’t mind a few shaky camera
angles and you love heart-stopping action movies,
the Bourne movies are for you.
8
The Bluejay Post
February 2008
ADMINISTRATION NEWS
The Principal’s Perspective
Morning Walks
As I take my my walk around the halls each morning, I see an assortment of people who are engaged in all
types of activities. Usually, students are busy talking with
friends/teachers, getting books from their lockers, or just
‘hanging around’ until the bell rings to begin classes.
However, from time to time, I see an activity that
disturbs me. Namely, I see students copying their homework from another student. They are working feverishly
to copy the answers from another’s paper so they can ‘get
the grade’ in class.
With your permission and kind attention, I would like
to share a few observations concerning this topic. First, when a person cheats by copying homework,
they are only setting themselves up for further (and usually,
larger) problems.
For example, by copying the homework, the student
may be successful in ‘getting the grade’ on the assignment.
However, how will that person be able to complete future
assignments? How will they fare on the chapter test? I
believe that, by cheating on one assignment, they are setting themselves up to cheat on successive assignments.
Second, parents become confused. Often, when I
see a student copying homework, I will go back a week
or two later, check their grades, and see how they did on
the recent test. Frequently, I learn that the student failed
(or scored low) on the test.
Parents then learn of the grades and become concerned. Occasionally, parents will call me to blame the
teacher, request a schedule change, and so forth. In short,
when a student consistently cheats, the parent begins to
think that the teacher is not of good quality. (Side note:
it simply amazes me how many times I hear the parents
say, “They do well good on all of the homework, but they
just fail the tests.”)
Third, the teacher is perplexed. When students arrive
with their homework completed and receive a good score,
it is only natural for the teacher to believe that the students
are learning the material. As such, the teacher will progress
to the next chapter/section. However, when the test scores
reveal that the students don’t understand, the teacher just
can’t seem to understand why the students are not scoring
better. They begin to question their teaching ability, pacing of the class, the difficulty of the test, and a whole host
of other factors.
Fourth, when one person cheats off of another, I
believe that person’s peers begin a negative impression of
the person.
For example, they might begin to question: “If they
are immoral in this area, how will they act in other circumstances? Can I trust them to keep a secret? Will they keep
their promises to me? If they cheat behind the teacher’s
back, what do they do behind my back? What lies have
they told me?” Questions such as these naturally rise to
the surface when students see others cheating.
Finally, the students begin to question their worth
and abilities. For example, if a person gets into the habit
of copying Algebra 1 homework, they will soon arrive at
a point of not understanding any of the concepts. Then,
when the time comes to enroll in future math classes,
they will avoid classes such as Geometry, Algebra II, and
Advanced Math.
They mistakenly assume that they don’t have the ability. However, such may not be the case. They might have
been able to take upper-level courses if they had put forth
the effort to learn the basic concepts.
So, the choice is yours … will you cheat? Will you
allow others to cheat off of you?
I would like to encourage you to take the high road.
--Mr. Brown, CHS Principal
Counselor’s Corner
What a busy time of year! There is so much going on here
at school.
Assessments:
Soon we will begin the testing season for State Assessments. In the past, we have tested in Reading, Math and Writing. This year students will not only take Reading and Math,
but also Science and Social Studies.
Please try your best on each test. State Assessments are
similar to a student report card. They show how well our school
is doing academically.
Pre-enrollment:
Soon I will begin pre-enrollment for next year. Begin
thinking about what classes you need or what to take.
Summer School:
If you failed a required class first semester, you will will
be taking summer school. Summer school is taught the month
of June from 8:00 to 12:00.
ACT Prep:
The ACT prep workshop was cancelled due to lack of
participation. If you are wanting materials to help you prepare,
please stop by and see me. I have several resources available
for you.
As always, here are some dates for you to mark on your
calendar:
Feburary 6
Feburary 9
Feburary 11
March 7
March 7
March 10-11
No School
ACT test
A-team banquet
ACT deadline for the April test
End of the 3rd nine weeks
Parent-Teacher conferences
I want to finish with a quote by Ann Landers:
“When life’s problems seem overwhelming, look around
and see what other people are coping with. You may consider
yourself fortunate.”
Remember my door is always open if you need me.
Mrs. Millershaski, CHS Counselor
1 JaLena Lentz 7 John Sandoval 16 Greta Giebler
1 Megan Mahurin8 Callie Losey 16 Wyatt Richard2 Callie Fisher 9 Joe Riley
son
2 Sharon Garcia 10 Nate Baublits 16 Taylor Siek
2 Josh Meis
10 Elizabeth Sharp16 Tyler Siek
5 Mario Barraza 11 Emily Payne 19 Kyle Anderson
5 Kaitlynn Lentz 11 Micheal Stefan21 Allyson Le6 Haley Lloyd 12 Bailey Schafer Rock
7 Whitney Hoban 14 Chelsea Dupree22 Jared Root