The
Saydelphic
March 4, 2014 VOLUME 54 ISSUE 3
The Newspaper of Saydel High School
Saydel High School
Saydel High School @SaydelHS
5601 NE 7th Street Des Moines, Iowa 50313 www.saydel.k12.ia.us
Congratulations For Making it to State!
How would you describe your wrestling experience at State?
I liked it, it was definitely more intense in the atmosphere there than earlier in the season. It was a good experience but I hope I do better next year.
- Austin Moen
What has been most memorable about wrestling?
The most memorable thing about wrestling was competing with my brother and wrestling with him in practice. Going to all the meets and the hype and the adrenaline rush before all the matches.
- Grant Sherman As a senior, what did it mean to you to qualify for State?
It meant the world to me because I've worked my whole life for this one thing. I wanted to go with my brother. If I wouldn't have made it, I would have been so disappointed and angry at myself.
-Jacob Sherman
Prom
by Cassie Lee
When: Saturday, April 26
8 PM11 PM
Where: Science Center of Iowa Theme: STARSTRUCK After Prom: Incredible Pizza
12 AM-4:30 AM
You may be thinking to yourself: should I go to prom this year? Well, the answer is yes, you should. For one, you get to dance the night away with all of your friends and classmates and have a great time! Secondly, you get to find out who the prom king and queen are and see all the wonderful decorations your class officers have come up with. You'll have a fun night and enjoy yourselves!
PS: We are looking for people to help decorate for prom. We have a small time frame to set up, so if you are willing to help out, it would be much appreciated. Please contact Cheryl Smith.
Andrea Seals I am going to visit my grandparents over Spring Break.
Joe Voshell I am going to New York City with the band during Spring Break.
Spring Break 2014
by Riley Hayes Just when everyone starts to get sick of the cold, snow, and ice it seems spring break is on the horizon. Throughout the month of March many families, students, and teachers take a week of vacation to recharge and warm up; except this year may be a little different. In the past, many have flocked to the southern states in hopes of some sunny weather. This year, however, will be a bit colder than what people might be expecting. According to the AccuWeather website, states like Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi are expecting an almost ten degree difference from last year. They say the recent Polar Vortex and ice storms they have been experiencing are to blame. While the weather may be a bit colder than wed like, it wont stop students from sleeping in. A poll done by the Huffington Post shows that nearly 40% of students use their spring break to play video games or sleep in. What will you be doing this spring break? Will you be heading south in hopes of warm weather or will you be enjoying some rest and relaxation? See the survey results below to know what your classmates will be doing over spring break.
What are you doing this Spring Break?
25%
27%
6%
21%
21%
*53 students responded to this survey
by Randa Patrick A nineteen-hour bus ride while the rest of the Saydel students are in class is how the band and choir will be spending their final days before Spring Break. Every four years, the band and choir have the privilege to take a trip over Spring Break. This years trip, as well as the last one that was taken in 2010, will be to New York City. Although students will not be performing while in New York, they will be able to experience a Broadway musical, shop in Manhattan, ride the subway, and attend a concert at Carnegie Hall. Ive never been to New York, so Im a little nervous, but Im most excited to go to Tiffanys and buy some earrings that Ive been wanting, says freshman Molle Sassman. chael Puffett. The parent chaperones going will also take away students cell phones at night to promote sleeping rather than texting. I use my phone as my alarm clock, so Ill have to use something else to be sure that I wake up early enough to get ready each morning, said Molle. The itineraries are packed from day one until the night they leave, so itll be important to get enough sleep and wake up on time.
Both students and chaperones alike are excited for all of the adventures theyll have in New York. Im really looking forward to being able to see Radio City Music Hall. Ive always wanted to go there, shares MaKayla Handeland. Students will also get to take a ferry to Ellis Island and see the Statue of LiberAmong all the excitement and anticipation, ty, as well as take a dinner cruise. Both Mr. Michael many preparations have been made. Students spent Puffett and band instructor Mr. Eric Layden are both all summer and fall fundraising for this trip. Every looking forward to the exact same thing: The Philharsummer, students are in charge of cleaning the New- monic Orchestra will be at Carnegie Hall while were ton Speedway and the Iowa State Fair Grandstands. there, and the students will have the opportunity to Some of the money earned there was set aside to see them. Thats something the students who went help fund the trip. The students also sold Butter Braids the last time never saw, they both shared. to help meet each of their payments. The rest, they I hope that they are able to comprehend had to earn on their own. I put in some extra hours what a great opportunity this trip is for them! Unless at work and took on a few babysitting jobs to help they travel in college, they will never again be able to cover what I owed on the trip. My family lives in New take a trip like this with all of their friends and peers. York, so Ive been there a couple times, but I wouldnt Going on this trip will hopefully strengthen the bond pass up another opportunity to go. I absolutely love between these students, which will improve their the city, says senior MaKayla Handeland. friendships and make the band and choir stronger With all of the good thats going to happen, groups! Mr. Layden expressed. there are bound to be a few mishaps and issues along The band and choir students will leave on the way. To help reduce all possible risks, the coordiWednesday, March 12, and be on their way back on nators of the trip have banned energy drinks from be- Monday, March 17. ing consumed. We would rather have the students sleeping well at night than being hyped up for a while, then crashing and being cranky later, shared Mr. Mi-
by Sam Bullock The word speech leads to a common misunderstanding; most people hear speech and think it is communications class. However, it is actually just a smaller format of acting. Some choose to do speech because they had no confidence in their singing ability, such as senior Paige Schmidt: Freshman year I really wanted to do drama, but I didnt want to sing; I had zero confidence in my singing ability. I came to speech, because Olivia was in it and told me it was basically different acting categories but without singing. Paige enjoys speech very much and recommends it for anyone who has a flare for drama, who likes to film or write, who wants to wave invisible coffee cups in the air, or sacrifice their friends to the llama gods. Most of those examples are from Paiges favorite category, improvisation. Improvisation is making up a story on the spot. At contest, your team gets three scenarios, and as a team you pick one scenario and you have two minutes to plan out what you are going to do in five minutes or less. In improvisation, your only props are five chairs. This years improv- During an improvisation skit, junior isation group was made up of junior Max Max Kayser and Senior Cody GilleKayser, and seniors Cody Gilleland, Olivia land have an interview on what life Hockey, and Paige Schmidt. They did an is like as conjoined twins. amazing job at Districts, and made it to State. State is the second round in speech competitions. Although they did not make it to All-State, they did a phenomenal job at contest and practices. Improvisation isnt the only category in speech. There are many other categories such as short film, musical theater, coral reading, and radio. This years radio group made it to State with an amazing radio broadcast. For this years radio group, Saydel had freshman Angela Pitt and senior Caleb Primrose record themselves telling about some events that have happened throughout 2013 and January 2014. Although they also did not make it to State, their broadcast was very fun to listen to with all of its sound effects. During an improvisation skit, junior Max Kayser tries to teach his granddaughter, senior Olivia Hockey, how to put a worm on her fishing hook. was just a very fun experience. The short film team gets together around the fall with some ideas for an interesting film. They all collaborate and choose an idea they like best. Then one or a few people make a script for the team to act out on camera. This years theme was no continuity, or a whole bunch of random scripts that dont make sense put into a film. That film can be up to five minutes long, but no longer. This years film did not make it past Districts, but it is a fun four minutes and fifty seconds to watch. If you are interested in seeing the short film, it will be playing at this years Variety Night. Speech isnt an extracurricular communications class, but it is a very interesting and fun acting competition. Andrea says, I would recommend everybody to join speech, anyone who is outgoing and likes new things. Adam Sparks says hed recommend speech to Jack Lande because Mrs. Newton is always saying he needs to be a part of it since he is very funny. If you think you would enjoy any form of acting, speech is for you. But speech doesnt stop in high school. When you go on to college, you can have the option of participating in college speech, otherwise known as forensics. Seniors Olivia Hockey and Paige Schmidt both say they are very likely to participate in speech in college. Olivia Hockey states, Oh yeah, I didnt know college speech was a thing until this year. Whatever university I go to, I hope they have forensics available. I havent gotten through all of the categories, there is still a bunch I could do, I dont know what Im going to do. Probably short film though. Finally, the last category that our school was involved in this year was short film. Short film consisted of freshmen Angela Pitt and Andrea Seals, sophomores Caitie Fagen and Sam Bullock, juniors Adam Sparks and Jose Carrera, and seniors Olivia Hockey and Caleb Primrose. Short film tends to be our schools largest group. Most students start out in short film because they dont want to perform in front of anyone. As junior Adam Spark states, My favorite category used to be musical theater, but this year it is short film, because I did the script for it this year, and it
Junior Adam Sparks turns to the camera with a sad mask on, after filming one of short films skits, Sad Mask.
by Mrs. Brenda Browns reading class, student council, ESL students, and iJAG
The Saydel student body has participated in a survey to assist the district in determining what type of readers we have within the district. Students will acknowledge the 2nd Annual Read Across America Monday, March 3, 2014, by taking a moment out of their day to read. Students, parents, staff, and community members are encouraged to donate a book in exchange for a Crazy Reading Dollar that can be used on Monday, March 10, 2014, to purchase a slightly used book from all the donations. The following information was obtained through student surveys: * Only (5) participants out of 283 students surveyed decided not to respond!
Grade 9th 10th 82 surveyed Yes-23 No-35 Sometimes-24 1st-Romance 2nd Mystery 3rd-Fiction 11th 88 surveyed Yes-27 No 29 Sometimes-32 1st-Fiction 2nd-Fantasy 3rd-Mystery 12th 43 surveyed Yes-16 No-23 Sometimes 4 1st-Science Fiction 2nd-Horror 3rd-Suspense
70 surveyed: Yes-23 No-28 pleasure? Sometimes-19 1st-Mystery What genre do you 2nd-Horror 3rd-Fiction prefer? Do you read for Favorite author?
Jane Austen, Stephen King, Dean Koontz
Nicholas Sparks, Dr. Seuss, James Steven King, Jodi John Green, Steven Patterson, Veronica Picoult, John Knight Roth Green Of Mice & Men Hunger Games, Great Gatsby, Of Mice & Men Twilight Series Pride & Prejudice Night Fall, Black Hawk Down, Bone Walk Pride & Prejudice
Book that may have inspired you. Last book you read.
To Kill a Mockingbird Divergent
Hunger Games, Hatchet, Willow
All-Night Party, Slam, 13 Reasons
Book you read over and over. How you choose a book to read.
The Hobbit Cover, less than 100 pages, pictures
Willow Read back, friend suggests, teacher makes me. At night
Author (read other Read the back, read books), teen list of the last page, have good books, sound access with my Kindle ed like a good book On weekends When ever I can fit it in to my schedule Keep my mind sharp
When do I read?
At school
Why do I read?
Entertain myself
Broaden my mind
Because I can
by Mrs. Brenda Browns reading class, student council, ESL students, and iJAG
Marcy Davidson has been an educator for 37 years. Both her parents are educators. She has always had a desire to teach art. Her earliest memory of books is the one her third grade teacher read to the class: Island of the Blue Dolphins. She indicated that she has read so many books she can not pick just one as a favorite. Currently she is reading The Best Kept Secret. Her favorite genre is fiction and the one thing she would like to tell students is to listen to books on tape in your car if you do not have time to read. Her final thought; I havent always liked to read, but, I wish I would haveIve learned so much more because of books.
Brett Hersom has been an educator for 17 years. He wanted to coach and mold young minds. His favorite childhood book was Green Eggs & Ham by Dr. Seuss, but his favorite adult book was Reach for the Summit by Pat Summitt; he thought it was very motivational. He stated that he actually was not reading anything currently, but he enjoys books about wars and will be picking one up soon. He believes that reading lets one explore new things and experience things they may not have without reading. Reading allows for learning, no matter what the age. His final thought; Read about what interests you.
Mike Yeoman has been an educator for 9 years. He wanted access to education and the opportunities that education has to offer. His favorite childhood book was Charlotte's Web because it allowed him to spend time with his family and he liked the characters. His favorite book of all time is 1984 because it makes him feel as though there are others in the world who think the same way. He indicated that reading is something that you can do your entire life, gives opportunities to connect with other readers, and be able to share your opinions. His final thought: Reading is an activity that fills time while making you smarter.
43 Staff members were interviewed. Only 5 of those interviewed indicated they did not read for pleasure; that means 89% of our staff are pleasure readers. Some of the most popular childhood books: Where the Red Fern Grows, The Easter Egg Artist, Boxcar Children series, Little House on the Prairie series, Nurse Nancy, Old Yeller, The Outsiders, and Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys Mysteries. Examples of the most popular adult books: Tuesdays with Morrie, Twilight series, Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Stand, The Hunger Games, Bridges of Madison County, The Da Vinci Code, Grapes of Wrath, and A Child Called It. Reasons to read: its entertaining, mystical, educational, relieves boredom, keeps you away from TV, keeps you out of trouble, makes one sleep better, broadens vocabulary, increases intelligence, provides conversation starters, and opens doors to ones future!
by Nicole Axtell
Saydels High ScorerChris Jones
Highest Score Achieved-205
What is the deal with the Flappy Bird? You may find yourself wondering the same questions that we did. It took only moments for the game to be known through the halls of Saydel and only a week later for the game to be removed completely from app stores. So what caused such an abrupt discontinuation?
Did you hear about the Chicago teenager arrested for killing his brother over Flappy Bird? If you did, you probably heard something along the lines of a 16 year-old boy stabbing his 17 year-old brother over a higher score of 17 and about how he was charged with first degree murder and detained in the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center while awaiting his trial. You may also have heard that the boy, Gary, supposedly told investigators, Anyone who has played that game would know why I did it." However, this was a hoax exposed by Zachary Stieber in Epoch Times. The story came from a site called Huzlers.com, where they make up stories. This caused the confusion for many of those who did not know about Huzlers.com. The story that was believed by so many was liked over 14,000 times on Facebook. If youve heard the hoax, and youve played the game, youve probably heard the stories about Flappy Bird being removed from the app stores. This story, however, is not a hoax. Dong Nguyen made Flappy Bird in only a few nights, unlike many other apps, such as Angry Birds, which had hundreds of programmers. The game was making $50,000 a day just from advertising. The game was currently the most popular free app of both the App Store and Android Play Store. On February 8, it was announced that the developer was taking the game down at midnight on Sunday. The game was based off of Nintendos Mario Bros; rumor also said that Nintendo had sent Nguyen a warning letter that would lead to a lawsuit. Nguyen announced on Twitter,22 hours from now, I will take Flappy Bird down, it is not anything related to legal issues. He added, I just cannot keep it anymore. He also apologized to Flappy Bird players. He had also written, I cannot take this anymore. It appears Flappy Bird's death will be just as spontaneous as its rise to the top. So what happened to the man behind it all? (If you were too busy playing Flappy Bird, you probably didnt hear the inside scoop.) Eli Langer tweeted, The creator of popular mobile app Flappy Bird is receiving death threats and suicide notes for deciding to remove the game from the app stores on Sunday. Now that the game is gone, you may have noticed or heard that the phones that still have the app downloaded on them are worth big bucks on eBay. However, if you look at the phones listed for thousandths of dollars such as the famous $99,900 iPhone, you can see that there are not in fact any bids on the items your phone is not going to sell for more than its worth. For those of you who are still searching for some action on this addictive game every day, new knock-off games are being made such as Flappy Pig, Flappy Parrot, Happy Bird, Clumsy Bird, Floppy Bird, Squishy Birds, Flapping Birds, Fatty Bird, and many, many more. Everyone is trying to get a piece of the action form this deceased bird.
by Courtney Hill
You may remember earlier in the school year taking an assessment on the computer. This is called the MAP Test. It is a computerized assessment to help determine student knowledge in the areas of math and reading. What makes the MAP test unique and unlike any other tests you may have previously taken is that the questions that one may receive are given based on his/her responses. What this means is if a student gets a question right, he/she may in turn get a slightly more difficult question. On the other hand, if students get a question wrong, they will get simpler questions. This allows you to get a more personalized test based on the things that you know and understand. Another positive about MAP tests is that there are instant results; no waiting for a couple months to find out how you did. Students know results right away. You might say, Well whats the point? Why do I even have to take this test? There are several reasons. First, this test allows teachers to see the common strengths and weaknesses throughout all of the students and allows them to make educational decisions for the classroom. Mr. Joshua Heyer adds, District -level personnel can begin to track student achievement and determine if our students are making academic gains. This is always good to do before our school takes the Iowa Assessment test in April. This brings us to our second point. The MAP test can prepare students tremendously for other tests that they may plan on taking in the future, for example, the Iowa Assessments. Also as high school students, we know that the ACTs are coming up and it can be very stressful. But this test can be great practice and help take some of that stress away. Preparation-wisethe test gives students an accurate score of their ability in the content being tested. MAP representatives have done extensive research and found that MAP scores have a strong correlation with ACT scores. This means that if you take the MAP test (which is free) you could find out an approximate ACT score, explains Mr. Heyer. All in all, the MAP Test is pretty cool and unlike any other standardized tests. Not only does it help teachers and staff adjust their learning based on what the students know, but it also helps students get practice and preparation for future tests.
If youve gone to class at all this year, chances are youve seen Mrs. Dia Fenton, Mr. Joshua Heyer, or another teacher sitting silently in the corner of a room with a clipboard. These teachers are evaluating other teachers as part of TAP, the Teacher Advancement Program (although TAP technically stands for nothing anymore), which made Mrs. Fenton and Mr. Heyer Master Teachers at the start of this year. TAP focuses on accountability in instruction, and it lets us look at data to make sure students are growing, and how we can help them grow, said Mrs. Fenton. Theres more opportunity for professional development under TAP if youre a teacher. There is also a small financial reward for good teaching. TAP was founded in 1999 by billionaire Lowell Milken and has now spread to schools across the country. Saydel is ahead of the curve in the way its implementing TAP. Were one of only two schools in Iowa that has implemented the career ladder that we have, Mrs. Fenton said. The biggest change in the career ladder is the creation of the Master and Mentor Teacher positions. Master Teachers spend all day supporting other teachers and facilitating professional development. Mentor teachers spend part of the day doing that. How does this program affect you, the students? Mrs. Fenton says, We asked students and they think there is a clearer idea of what students are supposed to be learning in class than before. Some say they've been held to a higher standard. We're hoping that teachers are becoming more strategic about their teaching methods. Not everyone supports TAP, however. A common criticism is that there is a lack of evidence of TAPs effectiveness. In its latest research summary, TAP cites only three independent studies showing positive
TAP
At Saydel
by Nick Dolan
results for TAP, and one of them is unpublished. TAP lists 18 more research papers on its website; however, 11 of them were released by the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET), which owns TAP. None of them are identified as being peer-reviewed. The master teachers dont know for sure whether TAP has been a success or not, and we wont until next year. Because we're in the first year of implementation, we haven't taken enough tests to see growth. We don't have any student data yet. Its anecdotal, Mrs. Fenton said. Their goal is that next year, proficient students will see a 5% increase in reading scores on the Iowa Assessment, formerly the ITEDs. Were optimistic about what well see with that data. Sometimes you see whats called an implementation dip, where you see a small decrease before the large increases. Were still hoping that well meet our goal.
Doors aren't shut anymore. It's more of a community, and we'll learn and improve together.
Dia Fenton
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