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Text “lingo” seeps into school work By Kiarrah Pleas Reporter
Getting that first cell phone is a big step in every teenager’s life. But have you ever stopped to think how that little electronic box will be affecting your life in the future? During class, some students pull out their cell phones and text away. Teachers are starting to see a difference in their work because of that. “They use more shorthand or ‘slang’,” said Creative Writing teacher Mrs. Kristy Harris. “I think we need to teach what [writing techniques] to use.” It can also affect your grammar and the way you type. When texting, most people do not use correct punctuation. Words such as ‘you’ and ‘I’ turn into ‘u’ and ‘i’. Then you and I earn the titles “grammatically incorrect”. “If you text and don’t use proper grammar and abbreviate, it can affect the way a paper turns out,” said sophomore, Kelli Cumberledge. “How you text directly reflects how you write.” It does not seem like a such a big deal when you are actually texting or typing an email now, but consider this: You’re filling out an online application for a potential employer or contacting a professor at a potential college for the first time via email and your natural computer instincts kick in. You start shortenin’ ur words and usin’ abbrev.’s. Most employers and professors agree that proper English is more desirable to read. “To me, a wise person knows that there are different styles of writing,” said Dr. Neal Topp, a professor at UNO Education of Learning. “One for family and good friends, and another (and higher level) style for communication with others.” If you are having trouble keeping that fine line between texting and writing papers unbroken, try forming good habits such as: texting with proper grammar, spelling words correctly, looking up words you don’t know how to spell, and/or taking the extra time to edit what you say.
Check out more of our stories and ‘like’ our Facebook page at signalnews.blogspot.com Volume 88, Issue 8
Yearbook editor goes on strike: yearbook canceled By Kelsi Thurman and Kaylinn Taggart Reporters On March 20, 2013 yearbook editor, Sierra Scheid, announced that there will not be a yearbook for the 2012 2013 school year. “The yearbook staff doesn’t meet any deadlines. It’s already about 2 months behind schedule,” Scheid states. “I don’t see any point in keeping it going.” This “strike” may seem silly to some people, but this means an entire year of Thomas Jefferson High School history will not be recorded. Currently, the only person who has a passing grade in the class is Scheid, everyone else will receive a failing grade for uncompleted work. Scheid has already spoken with her counselor to have the class dropped. Yearbook supervisor Rob Lindquist, who is known as a, “very well-organized and meet the deadline” kind of guy, is having a hard time keeping the students motivated to meet their deadlines. “They’re lazy, incompetent, and barely show up to class,” Lindquist stated. “I fully support Sierra’s decision.” The yearbook class as a whole has not sold enough to even place an order. The
yearbooks which run about $55 dollars a piece will not be refunded. The photographers only have enough photos to cover the first trimester and the beginning of the second trimester. “Well, if the photographers won’t even go to take pictures to produce a yearbook, they shouldn’t have one,” Principal, Lisa Dale said. “Hopefully this work ethic will not carry over into their careers.” “That’s so unfair!” senior, Shelby Jones, said. “Every other high school in the country has one, we should be able to have one as well, plus I’m out $55. not cool...” Because of the lack of effort from the class, the school board has decided to cut the entire journalism department, which includes broadcasting and newspaper. “I honestly don’t even know why we are trying to come up with an issue for May,” student teacher, Doug Flegle said. “The school board will shut us down before we even get it done.”
Graphic by Kaylinn Taggart.
Since the verdict, Flegle will have to redo his student teaching work because he could not complete the mandatory full semester. Though this is very unfair for the students or staff, there is nothing anyone can do about it. As of now there will no longer be yearbook, newspaper, or broadcast class at Thomas Jefferson High School.
So we all have a lesson to learn from this, do your work and meet the deadlines so we can keep the privilege of having classes such as these. We want everyone to have a good April Fools day (in this case, month) and realize that this story is inaccurate. Every quote and “information” in this story is not true and everyone will be receiving their yearbook as scheduled.
Introducing our TJ students win new principal 2013 video contest
By Shelby Jones Reporter
Photo of Dr. Jason Plourde.
April, 2013
Buzzing For More News?
We all know that once one door closes, another one opens. Thomas Jefferson will be welcoming Dr. Jason Plourde as the new principal next year. Dr. Jason Plourde was recommended by Dr. Martha Bruckner. She sent out a brief email introducing him to the staff. Dr. Plourde is currently an assistant principal at Wilson Middle School, and formerly was the principal at Washington Elementary School and assistant principal at AL. He has been working in the district since 1997.
He graduated from UNO with a bachelors degree, and got his masters from Creighton, and his doctorate from UNO. He is also a Milken Award Winner, which is an award given to outstanding educators who make a great impact on their students and to everyone around them. “I’d highlight my interest in establishing and developing new relationships with students, staff and families,” Dr. Plourde says. “Positive relationships are critical to success and being the best we can be.” Current Principal, Lisa Dale, thinks that he will make a smooth transition to TJ. “I would give him the same advice I would give anyone going into a new situation,” Mrs. Dale said. “Be yourself.” Bittersweet goodbyes lead to happy hellos. Plourde is ready to take on this role. “I am very much looking forward to this leadership position at Thomas Jefferson,” Plourde said.
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By Dana Mefferd Reporter
The winners of the “Iowa 2013 Teen Video Challenge” are sophomores Jonathan Ybay, Alex Powders, Dylan Montgomery, Cruz Gusman and junior Matt Powders. The contest was statewide and went through the Iowa Library Services. The five will split the prize of $275.00. The Council Bluffs Public Library will also receive prizes worth $125.00 from Upstart and Collaborative Summer Library Program. An email sent out to teachers
stated, “The ‘official’ announcement won’t be made until the end of this month. A representative will from the Iowa Library Services will come to Council Bluffs and award them their prizes.” Anna Hartman, teen librarian at the Council Bluffs Library, will also receive her prizes at that time. The winning video will represent Iowa in the Collaborative Summer Library Program website and will be posted along with the winners from other states. Congratulations to these five boys on winning Iowa’s 2013 Teen Video Challenge. If you see any of them in the hallways, make sure to congratulate them.
“2013 TVC - IA- Don’t Judge a Book By it’s Cover” photo from YouTube. com.