May 2006 - John Adams Middle School

John Adams Middle School – 2425 16th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Vol. 1 Issue 7
May 25, 2006
JAMS FIESTA
A few Saturdays ago, John Adams had their JAMS Fiesta. It was a wonderful event where all the
students were invited to come, have fun, and enjoy the live music. The music consisted of many
different JAMS groups including the Jazz Band, the Jazz Workshop, and the madrigals. There was
a lot of food including cotton candy, popcorn, tamales, and enchiladas. There was also a joust pit
and a giant slide. If you were there you know how much fun it was. If not, you missed out. The
event was sponsored by our PTSA who also held a silent basket auction. Each advisory class was
responsible for making a basket filled with themed goodies. There were baskets for camping,
cooking, gym memberships, sport team items from Santa Monica High School, entertainment, and
music. Many local business donated gift certificates for hair cuts, food, and more. Many parents
worked very hard to support this event
Split Lunch
Star Testing
Autmn Moore
It happens every spring. It’s graded by a computer, and you
have to use a No. 2 pencil, know what that is?
STAR testing is back and split opinions soar out of the mouths
of kids all over the state. The main subjects of this test are
English/Language Arts and mathematics. All together this tests
takes five hours to complete. But what I want to know is,
“What is this test for?”
How is our achievement determined on this test and what are
the opinions of this test with students at our school?
In November 1997, the State Board of Education designated the
Stanford 9 ( CAT 6 tests) as the STAR programs achievement
tests. Since 1998, all of California students are required to take
it.
This program was approved by Senate Bill 376, the Legislature
and the Governor.
How is our achievement on this test determined?
There is such a thing as a national sample. In other words, a
group of kids were selected who statistically represent the USA
and our scores are compared to theirs.
When asked the question, “Do you like testing,” one 7th grade
boy answered, “No, who likes testing!.”
When asked the same question, another 7th grade boy said,
“Sometimes,” and one 6th grade girl said, “Yes, I love testing.”
Despite these three opinions, one after school teacher said that
she did not like testing. Out of the random people I surveyed,
that answered the question, what do you think testing is for,
many people said, to see if teachers are doing their jobs well.
There is one answer from a sixth grade boy that I thought was
interesting because he did not point the finger at teachers. He
said, “It’s a survey of the intelligence of the schools.”
Either way, its over and we don’t have to think about it until
next year. The debate continues.
Pennies for Patients
The National Junior Honor Society sponsored Pennies for
Patients. This year, the club raised over $1,400 to support the
medical needs of Quentin who was diagnosed with Leukemia.
Right now he is in remission. Ms. Woo’s class raised the most
money and were treated to a pizza lunch with Quentin and his
mother.
Ms. Ramos has made a decision: there will be
split lunchtimes next year. One will be for sixth and
seventh graders, and the other will be for eighth
graders. "It is very hard to supervise 1200 kids at
once," she says, "And the lines to get food are
extremely long."
There are going to be many changes next year.
But they are going to be for the better, and we look
forward to finding out what is going to happen!
New Schedule And Split Lunches Next Year?
By Kyra Sweeney
At open house, parents will be providing input on the schedules reviewed
by staff to use next year. There are three options: the schedule we have
now, the block schedule and the four-block rotation.
Current Schedule: Some teachers prefer the schedule we are on now.
They say that it is important to meet with students as often as possible, to
make sure that we do our homework and understand the assignments, and
also have a block period once a week.
Block Schedule: The block schedule is what we have on Wednesdays and
Thursdays, where there are three long classes in a day. Many teachers
prefer this because they would like to work with their classes for long
periods of time.
Four-Block Rotation: This is a new idea. Here is what a four-block
schedule would look like:
Monday:
Periods 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Tuesday:
Periods 5, 6, 1, 2.
Wednesday: 3, 4, 5, and 6.
Thursday:
1, 2, 3, and 4.
Friday: All classes meet
But there are many complaints to this. It would be a little confusing, and
sixth graders would not have humanities every day of the week.
Most students would rather have the block schedule. It gives more time
to understand the lesson. It also gives an extra day to do homework. Others
however, feel that our current schedule works very well, because they don't
like being in one class for a long time.
Students will have a chance to provide their input during advisory
Norseman News
Chief Editor ................................. Jivanto Van Hemert
Senor Editors ……………………Ana Frandell, Elizabeth Aspinall
The News Rooms Staff
Elizabeth Aspinall, Helen Davidson, Kelly Merino, Grace Roberts, Emily
Yeskel, Jivanto Van Hemert, Kyra Sweeney, Abby Mahler, Autumn
Moore, Sam Harreschou, Kate Mazur
Advisor ........................................ Ms. Ramos
Norseman News
1
Today is OPEN HOUSE
Our students and teachers have been busy all year with teaching and
EGG BABIES!
The 8th graders have just started
their egg project! You should see a
epidemic of egg babies around
school. Don’t break your egg or
you’ll lose points. Have fun new
Parents!
Oh! LookCierra and her friends LVOE
their babies soooooo MUCH!
Cara, Jessica, and Charley with their eggs
Ana cuddling her baby
Joe’s Pepsie Egg in a
sock and can
John Adams Middle School -8th grade 4 year College Plan
The four-plan can help you make a plan to help you know and understand what classes you will need to take to meet the A-G requirements. Below are examples of programs of
study at Samohi to meet requirements for admission to UC/CSU campuses. Students are encouraged to take the most rigorous academic program they can to improve their
chances for admission to the more competitive campuses.
Rigorous (meets basic UC/CSU requirements) DO THIS FOR SURE!
9th Grade
10th Grade
11th Grade
12th Grade
English 9 P
English 10 P
English 11 P
English 12 P
Algebra P
Geometry 10 P
Inter. Algebra P
4th year recommended
Biology P
Chemistry 10 P
3rd year recommended
Elective - "P" at least
Fresh. Seminar/Health
World History P
U.S. History P
Economics/Government"p (1 semester each)
Foreign Language
Foreign Language
3rd year recommended
Elective - "P" at least
Physical Ed./Sport
Physical Ed./Sport
Art/Music (full year)
Elective - "P" at least
Elective - "P" at least
(2nd year recommended)
Electives
More Rigorous (meets/exceeds UC/CSU requirements) AIM FOR THIS
9th Grade
10th Grade
11th Grade
12th Grade
English 9 HP
English 10 HP
English 11 AP
English 12 AP
Geometry P or HP
Int. Algebra 10 P or HP
Pre Calc/Calc HP or Pre Calc P
Calculus AB or BC or Stats AP
Biology HP
Chemistry 10 P or HP
Physics, Marine Bio HP, Bio AP,
Chem AP or Physiology
Physics, Marine Bio HP, Bio AP, Chem AP or
Physiology
Fresh. Seminar/Health
World History P
Gov. AP or Economics AP (full-year courses)
Foreign Language
Foreign Language
U.S. History AP
Foreign Language or Foreign Lang
AP
Physical Ed./Sport
Physical Ed./Sport
Art/Music (full year)
Any P, HP, AP course as an elective
Elective - "P" at least
Elective - "P" at least(2nd year recommended
Electives
Foreign Language or Foreign Language AP
P: College Prep - These courses have been approved by the University of California to meet their "a-g" requirements.HP: Honors, College PrepAP: Advanced Placement
9th Grade Elective
Foreign Language
Music
Art
Theatre Arts
French
Band
Ceramics 1
Acting
French 2
Orchestra
Drawing Beginning
Introduction Film
Japanese 1
Choir
Painting 1
Spanish 1
Piano 1
Art Foundations
Spanish 2
Guitar 1
Design
Spanish 2 (SS-Spanish Speaker)
Latin 1
Intramural Athletics
Santa Monica High School offers a wide range of interscholastic and intramural athletics to meet the needs and interest of all students. Most sport activities offer three
levels to accommodate all abilities:
Varsity for the Advanced, Jounior Varsity for the Beginners, Freshman/Sophomore for Beginners
FALL
WINTER
SPRING
Cross Country 1(G)
Basketball (B)
Baseball
Cross Country 1(B)
Basketball (G)
Golf 2(B)
Football
Soccer (B)
Softball
Golf 1(G)
Soccer (G)
Swimming 2(B) Swimming 2(G)
Tennis 1(G)
Water Polo 1(G)
Tennis 2(B)
Volleyball 1(G)
Wrestling
Track 2 (B)
Water Polo 1(B)
Track 2 (G)
Volleyball 2(B)
Norseman News
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In the KNOW!
th
8 grade Events
Exit Interviews are part of the 8th grade promotion requirement.
People from the community come in to ask the 8th graders six
questions and 8th graders are required to dress appropriately as if they
are going to a job interview. 8th graders have to practice their
interview during their social studies classes. The interviews help you
prepare for all the interviews you may have to do the rest of your life.
“I feel nervous about these interviews. I will probably start laughing
because I always start laughing when I get nervous,” replied one 8th
grader about the process. Another 8th grader stated that, “I always say,
“um, and like, when I get nervous.”
Ms. Rodriguez is coordinating the event by scheduling the interviews
with the social studies teachers.
June 12-16 is Final’s Week
Special Message to 8th grade Students and Families
John Adams takes pleasure in presenting its 2006 promotion
ceremony. Transitioning from the eighth grade at John Adams to the
ninth grade at a high school is a promotion, not a graduation. The
promotion program will be held on Friday, June 23, 2006 at 9:30 a.m.
in the Amphitheater at Santa Monica College. Eighth graders will
report to the college at 9:15 a.m. to their assigned location at the
amphitheater. The College Amphitheater is near Pico Blvd. Seat
cushions and water to drink may make the ceremony more
comfortable for you.
The promotion will include music, speeches and the awarding of
promotion certificates and honors. Our 8th grade class has over 400
students. Therefore, only a limited number of adults may attend the
promotion. Each eligible student will RECEIVE TWO (2)
TICKETS. Ms. Gonzalez will be distributing tickets to students.
There are a very limited number of extra tickets. Families requesting
extra tickets should contact Ms. Gonzalez.
People without tickets will not be admitted. Please do not save
seats for late arriving guests. It makes it impossible to courteously
seat everyone.
After the ceremony students and families will return to the lawn
in front of the JAMS auditorium for light refreshments. Students will
receive their promotion certificates from the teachers on the
auditorium steps.
If there is the slightest question on participation, check with your
child's counselor (Ms. Gonzalez, x207) or assistant principal (Mr.
Ramirez, x209). Parents and students may be concerned about
clothing to be worn at the promotion. Every student can be properly
dressed without undue expense. Your child's best school clothes are
suitable for the occasion.
Promotion dress requirements:
Boys: Dress shirts and slacks; ties, sweaters. Sports jackets
or suits are optional. Please avoid jeans.
Girls: Dresses (long or short) or skirts with blouses or
pantsuits are appropriate. No strapless tops or dresses.
Students inappropriately dressed will not be allowed to
participate. If you have any doubts about your dress plans, please see
Ms. Ramos, Mr. Ramirez, or Ms. Gonzalez.
We are looking forward to a wonderful promotion ceremony.
Important Dates/Events
Thu
May 25 Early Dismissal @ 12:57
OPEN HOUSE 6-8:30 pm
Fri
May 26 8:30-7:00 CJSF trip to
Disneyland
Mon May 29 Memorial Day (School Closed)
Wed May 31 Project Lead (YWCA) 7 pm
Wed June 7 Choir Concert 7 pm
Thurs June 8 VYP End of Year Event 6 p.m.
ELAC Mgt 8:30 p.m.
Tues June 13 Orchestra Spring Concert
Wed June 14 Band Spring Concert
Mon June 19 Immersion to Medieval Times
Wed June 21 Grade Level Pic-Nic, 8th grade to Magic Mountain
Thur June 22 8th grade Promotion at SMC
Fri
June 23 Last Day of School
Norseman News
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2006 Kiwanis Club/ First Federal Bank
Vocal Solo Scholarship
Congratulations to…
Honorable Mention
Elizabeth Aspinall, 8th grade, soprano
Christy Daugherty, 6th grade, alto
Elsie Doolan, 7th grade, soprano
Devon Gaynor, 7th grade, soprano
Remick Minelian, 7th grade, soprano
Ada Prasad, 8th grade, soprano
2nd Runner-up
Ryan Watts, 7th grade, baritone
1st Runner-up
Brittany Joivette, 6th grade, soprano
Finalists
th
Dylan Braun, 8 grade, baritone
Melissa Bravo, 7th grade, soprano
Hannah Brotman, 7th grade soprano
Will Carson-Garcia, 7th grade, alto
Christopher Chappell, 7th grade, alto
Adi Goldman, 8th grade, soprano
May Claire La Plante, 6th grade, soprano
Emily Megane, 6th grade, soprano
Lily Monbouquette, 7th grade, soprano
Ryan Odening, 7th grade, tenor
Madelyn Ross, 8th grade, soprano
Leah Sotelo, 7th grade, soprano
MR. WALTERS
Mr. Walters has been a teacher
for 13 years and has taught in
Texas, Florida, and now in
California. He has taught
elementary and middle school
PE. He was Teacher of the
Year in 2005 at Chapel Trail
Elementary School in Ft.
Lauderdale, Florida. He was
interviewed by Joanna Martin
and here is what he has to say.
Who is your hero?
My parents, because they have always given me the support
and motivation no matter what they think.
What is an experience you will always remember from
your childhood?
I was a competitive gymnast for five years and that enabled me
to be more disciplined and to make wiser decisions as an
adult.
Who is your favorite celebrity and why?
Madonna. Because she has done everything from music and
acting to writing children novels. She has never let outsiders
influence her decisions. That’s why, in my opinion, incredibly
smart in business decisions and that why she has stayed on
top.
What colleges did you go to?
Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas where I earned a
Bachelor Degree in Kinesiology and Nova Sout East Winward
University where I earned a Masters in Educational
Leadership in Fort Lauderdale.
What is your motto?
“You can’t throw your problems out the window, you have to
walk them down the stairs.”
What advice do you have for us?
Go with your intuition in making decisions, because your heart
can be too soft, and you mind can be too strong.
Ineligibles
By Ana Frandell
Eighth graders have worked hard for 3 years and now they are finally graduating! The rewards for working hard and coming to class on time
and prepared are special events like taking a trip to Six Flags and crossing the stage.
It would be a shame if someone were ineligible to participate in the traditional graduation ceremony and have fun with his or her friends at
amusement parks. Sometimes, kids do deserve to be ineligible and not receive the rewards, but other times, the rules can be a little too harsh.
I can understand if students become ineligible by receiving about 10 to 20 referrals for talking back to teachers, cutting class or worse. Did
you know that if you are tardy to class several times, you could also become ineligible? I have Mr. Ruttenberg for advisory and for those
whom don’t know were his class is..its room 25. As you all know, after advisory we have to book drop in our 5th period class and then head
out to lunch. Well, my 5th period is in the 90 wing, behind the gym and it takes a while to walk all that way.
Lots of other eighth graders have to walk across campus and if they get off to a slow start, they might be late to their next class. After you
are late about six times you automatically gain a referral. If this keeps happening, you will be ineligible for the fun.
Lots of kids at JAMS have older siblings that attend SAMO. The AM classes at SAMO only start 10 minutes before the AM classes at
JAMS and the schools aren’t a block away from each other. Sometimes students might come late to their AM because they were rushing
over to the high school to drop their older brother or sister off.
Some staff members or parents say, “leave a little earlier therefore you won’t be late.” The AM classes are already early in the morning, and
high scholars are staying up late studying for test and finishing homework. From a student’s point of view, I would like to have as much
sleep as I can possible get and I don’t want to wait around early in the morning, by myself at SAMO. Therefore, that would not be a very
good situation.
Although, when students are late to class because they decided to talk to their friends, or buy something to eat then it’s not acceptable. I
think that students should not be punished for minor issues, but only for disrespect and low academic scores.
Animation Club
The work of Karina Ortiz and Thomas Chorney
The Animation Club meets
with advisor Ms. O’Meara to
create designs and art in a fun,
learning environment.
Congratulations to Karina and
Thomas for their featured
work in the May Issue of the
Norseman News.
Thomas Chorney
Karina Ortiz
Please
Stop!
Big Glup!
Movie Review: Stick It
By. Abby Mahler
17-year-old trouble maker, Haley Graham (Missy Peregrym) is
an ex- gymnast who walked out on the sport. Now, since she
rode through a window on her bike at a construction site, she is
given a choice, Texas Military Academy, or V. G. A.,
Vickermen Gymnastics Academy. She quickly chooses the
military, but is sent back to the sport that she walked out on
years ago. She soon realizes that she loves the sport. With her
renewed success, she convinces her fellow gymnasts that they
can control the out of date scoring at the National
Championships.
Too Cool
Norseman News
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