Meeting the New Teachers at CCI
By: Nia Kollyade Put yourself in your teachers' shoes for a minute so you know what it’s like being a teacher. This year at CCI we have 5 new teachers some of the teachers you have but some you may not know. Mrs. Gonzales, our new ESL and TWI teacher, has been teaching for 17 years. Ms. Gonzales had a lot to say about her great kids. In fact, she said the only hard part of teaching this year is, “The periods are too short.” Mrs. Gonzales said she chose to teach because, “I had the chance to do what I like.” Mrs. Penrod, 7th and 8th grade Culinary Arts teacher, said, “I have only been a teacher for 8 years.” She said the hardest part of teaching is when, “students are not doing their work.” Mrs. Penrod said that teaching is, “all I ever wanted to do.” Mr. Stuart, the new band teacher, said, “I have been teaching kids for 4 years.” He said, “The hardest part of teaching classes is fitting everything into 45 minutes.” Mr. Stuart said he chose to become a teacher because, “I love teaching kids greatness.” Mr. Johnson, 6th grade teacher, teaches math for 6th grade. Mr. Johnson said, “The hardest part of teaching my classes is finding different ways to teach the kids.” Mr. Johnson chose teaching because he has, “a passion to educate.” But wait there’s one more new teacher. Coach Poston, our new football and gym coach, said “I have been a teacher for 20 years!” Coach Poston said he likes teaching at CCI because, “It’s my home and I love working with kids.” Welcome to all our new teachers. I politely Disagree! Zapped By: Ally de Vera This year our school has the ZAPPED (zeroes are not permitted) policy. I personally am for ZAPPED because it can easily boost up someone’s grade and it also helps when you are absent, or have a lot to do the night before, like football, volleyball, or any out of school activities. Parents will also be less stressed about their children’s grades. The ZAPPED program is also beneficial to the students because if this happens enough times they will learn to get it done the first time, and they will be learning the material. The teachers give the work to you for a reason. In conclusion this program is helpful to students and parents so ZAPPED is a good program and these are just a few reasons that ZAPPED should stay at our school. By: Katie Peterson At school ZAPPED is a new program where if you get a zero on an assignment, you go to Mrs. Penrod’s class and make up the assignment. I am against ZAPPED because it is not fair to the teachers to do all that extra work if the student didn’t bother to do the assignment. If the student didn’t do the assignment it’s their problem, not the teachers. When the student receives a zero because they weren’t responsible enough to do the assignment, they should at least be responsible for the zero in the gradebook. Teachers shouldn’t be having to fill out the ZAPPED forms and printing new copies in their free time. It’s not fair to the teacher and the students shouldn’t be getting even more chances to get their grades up. Laptops/Tablets By: Madison Plotner This year at CCI, 8th graders received a Dell laptop, and 6th and 7th graders received Dell tablets. I think it’s great that all grades get a device and that the 8th graders upgraded to laptops. These devices make projects and schoolwork in general so easy for the students, especially the ones who can’t afford their own laptops at home. Unlike my laptop at home, the laptops have newer PowerPoint, Word, and other software that help with projects and other classroom activities. The laptops automatically connect to the school Wi-Fi and gives us access to internet at school. The laptops can also connect to internet at home if you have access to it so you can do any schoolwork that requires online access at home. The CCI Wi-Fi does block some websites, which is sometimes for the better. It keeps students from getting distracted by websites while they do their schoolwork. Bringing these devices into classrooms has definitely helped when doing projects. I can start a paper or PowerPoint at school and finish it at home. We also do testing on our laptops, which saves teachers time so they don’t spend all of their time grading students tests. These new devices have made teacher’s lives, along with ours, much easier. By: Morgan Severson I think that the laptops and tablets are an inconvenience for students. I would rather use my own device instead of using the school’s device. If I were to damage a school device, my parents would have to pay and they would not be very happy about it. The laptops and tablets also have a filter on all web browsing and activities. I also think it is a major inconvenience when the websites we need for educational purposes cannot be accessed. For example, my class had to take notes on a video for math when the teacher was out, but the video was blocked. None of the students were able to take notes and we were confused on the homework assignment. I think that students should be allowed to use their own devices, when it is necessary to use them. The tablets and laptops are always breaking or having technical difficulties. Broken devices mean that students cannot complete their work. The laptops and tablets also have a very low battery life and are always dying. In class mostly all students have to charge their devices but there are not enough outlets to let the whole class charge their devices and when the students devices are charged, students always play games instead of completing their work. At lunch everyone is one their devices instead of socializing and it makes it a lot harder to make friends. |
Student Council
By: Leah Burnam Do you want to make a difference at your school? If so Student Council is the place for you. There are multiple committees that you can join to fit your personality. If you like helping out the earth you can join the recycling committee, you can even join the birthday committee, if you like celebrating. There are many different committees to fit what you want to make a difference in. Currently, Student Council meetings have 20-30 people in attendance that are interested in helping out our community and school. Jacob Reeder said, “I love the part of being in a group of almost family members to help change not just our school, but our community.” Student Council gives you a chance to meet new people. “I have met many new people being in Student Council. I’ve also met many people from other schools as well. So far it’s been pretty fun,” said Jacob. He added, “Running for treasurer was really fun. It’s made me even more interested and excited about what’s to come in the future for us.” Bia Costa is in 8th grade and a returning Student Council member. This is her second year in student council. Bia said her favorite part of Student Council is, “Helping other people and trying to actually make a change, it gives me a thrill.” Having a confident person in Student Council is important in the process. “I wouldn’t care if someone made fun of me for being in Student Council. If I did then I would have to let it go because that’s just a couple people’s opinions.” She definitely knows what she would do in that kind of situation. Bia is already thinking of amazing, and cool committees to add to the Student Councils list of committees. “I would probably start an after school electives committee. Where those people who may love their electives can come after school for a couple hours of fun. For free.” Who doesn’t love free stuff? So is it too late to join Student Council for those people that still want to join? “Not at all. All students are welcome to join at any time. We always love having new people,” said Mrs.Silvas. That’s great news, if you have been wanting to join but you thought it’s too late. It’s not, step right up and join. This is probably the largest amount of people to join CCI’s Student Council, since the past couple of years. Mrs. Silvas’s goals for Student Council are to, “To provide a safe environment, where students feel they have a voice, as well as to make a difference.” So do you want to make a difference in your school and or community? If so, it’s never too late to join our CCI Student Council. If you would like to become a part of the family, go to see Mrs. Silvas in Room #201 Dear Abby Dear Abby is an advice column started by Pauline Phillips in 1956 under the pen name "Abigail Van Buren" and written today by her daughter, Jeanne Phillips. The CCI Journalism staff has created their own Dear Abby. If you would like advice, submit your questions to the “Dear Abby” folder outside of room 113. Q: My teacher is ignoring me and I don’t think she likes me at all! What should I do? A: I highly doubt that your teacher hates you, or even dislikes you. Keep in mind that your teacher has multiple students and she might not even realize that she’s ignoring you or hurting your feelings. Try being more involved during class, your teacher will most likely pay more attention to you. Q: There’s a rude kid that keeps harassing my little brother, what do I do to make this stop? A: Try talking to your counselors, they’re the best way to go when it comes to you (or in this case your little brother) and another student having issues. Q: My mom is constantly giving me chores and I don’t have any time for myself. I really would like some time to relax, what should I do? A: Ask your mom when she’s in her best mood. Ask her if you could possibly spread your chores out throughout the week so you have a little more time for yourself. Q: I have a really low grade in math and my parents are starting to get mad. What can I do? A: In JUMPS you can get tutoring from teachers. Every day after school in the commons teachers are there to help you. You can improve your grades, get snacks, make new friends, and play games! I feel like JUMPS could really help you. |