November 2012

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Technology Changes How Students Learn

Noise Boyz Cheer on the Girls Volleyball Team

November 2012

MavLife staff writers engage in a blind taste test in a quest to find the best croissant.

Students in all grades are using technological devices to enhance their learning.

Male “cheerleaders” both encourage and distract. News

The Hungry Maverick

MavLife Page 5

Features Page 8

Entertainment Page 15

La Costa Canyon High School, One Maverick Way, Carlsbad, CA 92009

Moonlight Beach Undergoes Construction New rest rooms and more open beach space among the changes

Volume 7 Issue 2

Students and Teachers Approve of New Late Start Schedule School provides eight days for teacher collaboration

T A sign at Moonlight Beach details some of the improvements that will happen as a result of the construction project.

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Kara Gibson Staff Writer

nown by residents and vacationers from around the world as one of the best family-friendly coastlines in California, Moonlight Beach is home to world-class surfers, professional volleyball players, and the choco-taco. In a report issued by “National Geographic” this year, Encinitas was named “One of the World’s 20 Best Surf Towns,” and as the largest beach in Encinitas.

In an effort to keep up with the beach-lovers, the city of Encinitas has begun a large renovation project that will result in more volleyball courts, a larger beach area, a new and improved snack shack, and a lifeguard equipment area. Students have already noticed that the bathrooms, fire pits, and snack shack have already been demolished. “We are very excited because there are going to be more volleyball courts and we will be able to play more,” seniors Ciana and Morea Wagner said.

Photo by Kara Gibson

“These changes were necessary because everything was just getting too crowded and the snack bar and bathrooms were just getting too old.” According to Encinitas City records, the total beach renovation will cost $4.8 million, most of which will fund a new concession stand and bathroom area that will total 3,600 square feet. Drawings from the Encinitas City Council

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English Teacher Janet Berend Conquers the Ramp The newly-published author encourages young writers to persist

English teacher Janet Berend holds a copy of her new young adult novel “Vertical.”

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Dani Tomassetti Staff Writer

ost English teachers spend a significant portion of their spare time grading papers and planning lessons. But for at least one member of the English department, writing and publishing a

Photo by Chase McAllister

novel has become a big part of her life, on top of all her other duties as an educator and as a mom. Janet Berend recently wrote and published her first book, “Vertical,” a young adult novel that follows a boy who finds the courage to confront what he

dreads most. One of Berend’s current students, junior Jesse Aguayo, had nothing but praise towards his English teacher for being a published author. “It’s really cool, and she deserves it because I know how hard she works,” Aguayo said. “She told us that she had published the one book, and is working on a second.” After eight months of submitting her story to publishers and receiving rejections, Berend had lost almost all hope of getting her book out, but something pushed her to keep trying. “My friends who read it said it was a great story, and [not to] give up,” Berend said. The setting of Berend’s book is the Encinitas and Leucadia area. It follows a skateboarder, Josh, as he struggles to make the right decisions not only externally but internally as well. “Skateboarders work their way up every day to get higher on the ramp, and I think doing something scary is the same process,” Berend said. “In this book, skateboarding is a metaphor for facing your fears.” Berend feels that she is no different than how she was before the book was in stores, and that being an author has had

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Natalie Engel Staff Writer

he special Tuesdays and Wednesdays that students enjoy have changed over the duration of summer break. Administrators at the start of the new school year surprised the student body with an even later start on late start school days. In previous years, class would begin at 8:40 a.m. on late start days. However, as of this school year, class does not start until 9:16 a.m. To accommodate a later start, the school reduced the number of late start days from ten to eight. “The late starts have most definitely affected me and my schedule in a positive way,” senior David Chisholm said. “Not only do I get to sleep in but also I have time for a decent breakfast. I feel more prepared for school, and not so tired by the end of the day.” After school hours don’t allow teachers enough time to meet with one another and collaborate on what they are currently teaching. Teachers, who often felt rushed during their meetings under the old schedule, appreciate the extra time in the morning even though they do not get to sleep in. “I’d say I’m satisfied with these changes,” Spanish teacher Analuz Ramirez said. “It gives us teachers more time to collaborate. Overall, we get more done. I assume the students are satisfied too.”

UPCOMING LATE START DATES: DEC 11 & 12 MAR 5 & 6 MAY 21 & 22 FUN THINGS TO DO DURING LATE START: 1. Sleep in 2. Go to Coffee Bean 3. Eat a nice breakfast 4. Hang out with friends 5. Do homework/study


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November 2012 by MavLife - Issuu