October 2013

Page 1

OCTOBER 2013

FOREIGN EXCHANGE>>p.5

SANDPOINT HIGH SCHOOL, SANDPOINT ID

WISHES p.8<<WALL

SEASON STANDINGS p.7 >>

VOLUME 91, ISSUE 2

Recently at SHS

9th grade tech class

NEW TECHNOLOGY

DOES NOT COMPUTE Students and staff adapt to new software and DESI STORKS | PHOTO EDITOR

platforms for grades, assignments and more basicallyspeaking:

Emily Chatburn Staff Member Alicia Walker Staff Member

The Lake Pend Oreille School district rolled out three major technologies for the 2013-14 school year: Schoology, Google for Education, and FamilyLink. LPOSD tech director Randy Wittwer said Schoology is what is known as a learning management system, abbreviated LMS. “It’s a platform that allows the communication between teachers and students and students and peers,” Wittwer said. One of the biggest advantages of Schoology is that it allows students to see all assignments and classes in one place. Junior Kenny Kovalchuk has logged in and liked what he found. “I think that School-

ogy is a great tool for learning and staying organized ... it is like an agenda book you can’t lose, and and already filled out for you!” Eventually, students will also be able to access grades on Schoology as well. “The move to FamilyLink will transition to Schoology by the first of next year,” Wittwer said. Though the technologies provide new features, students such as junior Paul Sundquist have met frustration with the multiple log-ins required and lack of directions for using the new programs. “Honestly I haven’t even tried it yet because I have no idea how it works, I never received any instructions,” Sundquist said. Whittwer said the district is working toward a more unified login system in the future.

LPOSD is also joining school districts across the country who are rolling out email addresses to students, through Google for Education. “It allows students and staff a place to communicate and work in a safe environment. We have plans to expand way beyond Gmail and Drive in the future,” Wittwer said. Google Drive replaces student U:\ drives by providing students 30 gigabites of cloud storage. The district has also replaced Schoolmaster PASS with a new program called FamilyLink. “FamilyLink is what’s called Web 2.0 compliant and also allows parents to access different information than students,” Wittwer said. FamilyLink also allows families with multiple students in the District to see all progress with one login.

WHICH WEB IS WHICH

“I don’t like Schoology and I didn’t even know we had a Gmail account. I liked the old system--it was easier.” KATIE SMITH • Grade 9 “It’s confusing. I don’t exactly understand how to use it.” ERIC ULBREDTCH • Grade 10 “I think they should have kept it the same as last year. It sucks.” RIKKY JO JOHNSON • Grade 11 “I like Schoology. I like having assignments in one place and online ... I also like the Gmail accounts.” SPENCER FREEBAIRN • Grade 12

Keeping track of which website or service is for which purpose. TYSON BIRD | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Ac as ces sig sin nm g en Ch ts e gr ck ad in es g Lo g las in: lp t.firs os t d. @ or g Sa pa me ss w or O d nl i n st e or ag e Av a at ilab ho le m e Cr e do atin cu g m en Co ts pe nta er ctin s g Co te nta ac ct he ing rs

Applies

What do you think of Schoology?

May apply Does not apply

Schoology Google Apps FamilyLink S

OCTOBER 2013: DATES TO REMEMBER

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7

T 1 8

13

14

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20 27

M

21 28

22 29

W 2

T 3

F 4

9

10

11

16

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23 30

24 31

S 4 No School 5 5 SAT 12 10 Senior project draft due

12 MUN international dinner

19 16 School-wide testing day 25 26 16 Early Release (1:15 pm)

26 Volleyball Regionals/ACT 31 Halloween

SHS LIST : WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT FALL?

“Sweaters.” “Drinking cocoa again.” -Sage Jeffries, Grade 10 -Kaylee Kiebert, Grade 12 “The smell of the leaves.” “The colors of fall.” -Dawna Townsend, Grade 11 -Rachel Seifert, Grade 11 “I like the trees.” “PSL’s, baby!” -Ben Leas, Grade 12 -Katie Maddux, Grade 12 compiled by Jordan Garrett, Staff Member

This year freshmen are strongly recommended to take a technology class. The recommendation is intended to prepare students for the upcoming SBAC test. However, students are not required to take a technology class. If a student believes they have the skills they should know, parents can sign a sheet to excuse their child from the class. These courses cover a variety of topics, including Google Drive, Microsoft Word, web design and more. Students use resources like newer versions of Microsoft Office and high-end computers to teach technology skills as well as earning a PTE credit.

-Dylan Kuzmich, Staff Member

SHS surpasses SAT Last year, Sandpoint High School placed first in the three categories of the SATs for a 4A school in Idaho. SHS earned an average 500 on the reading portion of the SAT, beating the state average which was 454. SHS students tested in math at 490, again beating the Idaho average of 453. Writing averaged 492 at SHS, and 447 in Idaho. Post-Secondary transition counselor Jeralyn Mire said, “It shows how committed our students are. They really took advantage of their resources to do their best.” This year, all students except Seniors will take a preperatory standardized test on October 16 to prepare for exams like the SAT.

-Dylan Kuzmich, Staff Member

Senior project expo Seniors this year will again complete a senior project to fulfill a state graduation requirement. Students choose a topic of interest to them, ranging from career exploration to news topics. Seniors will present their projects at an expo on Nov. 6 at Sandpoint High School. Advisers have been assigned to groups of seniors. They will meet with the groups on October 10 and 30.

-Dylan Kuzmich, Staff Member

• • •

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