April 2017
Also in our paper... Jacket Journalism went to Seattle, Washington for a Journalism Convetion. Read Off to Sea the Possibilities to learn about their experience. Page 2 Kids had the opportunity to bond with farm animals for educational purposes at the Council Bluffs Public Library. Read Public Library hosts farm animals to read all about it. Page 2 Thomas Jefferson is upgrading their fashionology class to get students involved Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM). Read Fashionology courses offered at TJ. Page 2
Volume 91
Issue 8
CBCSD names new Superintendent
Check out more of our stories and ‘like’ our Facebook page at cbjacketjournalism.com Or follow us on twitter @TJHSJournalism
CBCSD expresses their ‘All our Kids’ logo for the 2016-2017 year to motivate and inspire students to get their education. Page 3
New CBCSD Superintendent, Dr. Vickie Murillo gives an interview to Jacket Journalism. Photo by : SwarmTV staff “When we met, she identified ily with her passion in education. areas in the performance of stu“She will help build on the dents where she started to have success that Martha created and Morgan Barth questions,” said CBCSD School create a new vision for achieveEditor-in-Chief Board President Troy Arthur. He ment in the district,” said Arthur. continued that other candidates Dr. Murillo also worked at did not approach some of the all levels in education. She was a potential problems and solutions teacher and instructional coach, within the district. and a principal at the elementary Council Bluffs Community The district in which she and secondary levels. Schools announced Dr. Vickie works has around 16,700 Dr. Murillo received her DocMurillo to serve as the next students according to a release torate of Education in Education Superintendent for the district. by Council Bluffs Community Leadership from Baker UniversiDr. Martha Bruckner previously Schools. She has supervision over ty, her master’s degree at Univerannounced she is retiring at the the budget for the curriculum, sity of Missouri, Kansas City, and end of the school year after nine instruction and professional her Bachelor of Education degree years. development in educational at Evangel University. Dr. Murillo was selected departments of assessment, adult “She will want to set high among 57 candidates and five fieducation and literacy, early standards, ” said Arthur. nalists. She is currently the Chief learning, and many others. The School Board confirmed Academic and Accountability Arthur believes that she will Dr. Murillo’s contract on April Officer at Kansas City, Missouri impact the CBCSD district heav11th. Public Schools.
Buzz’s Coffee Brew
Thomas Jefferson hosted College Crossroads in the old fieldhouse on March 27th. Read College Crossroads at TJ Page 3 Morgan Barth goes into detail and shares her story describing her run in with Animal Control regarding the Pitbull ban in Council Bluffs. Read Pitbull Ban in CB: Opinion. Page 3
Buzzing For More News? Follow #TJPride
Iowans are at risk of losing their health coveage, due to the Governor, Terry Branstad proposed to remove Health Insurance. Page 3 The winners of the World Series the Chicago Cubs displayed their trophy at Abraham Lincoln, currently it’s on a tour around the U.S. Read Cami Wagaman’s story to get a closer look. Page 4 Thomas Jefferson’s boy’s track faced Lewis Central at the C.B Relays. Get a closer look at how star players like senior Daniel Carey in the C.B Relays article by Nyamouch Pal. Page 4
Mr. Lindquist has a coffee pot in his room for students that may need an extra coffee throughout the day. Photo by : Morgan Barth
Courtney Jones Reporter Buzz’s Coffee Brew is a new addition at Thomas Jefferson and is held in the Beehive from 7:30 -8:10am for students and 7:30 9:00am for teachers only. Walk - in orders are welcome, but it is recommended that you call and place an order to the Beehive’s extension 1311. The menu offers a variety of
choices including basic black coffee to lattes and hot tea. Not to mention the items are fairly priced ranging from 25 cent toppings up to $3 drinks. Students and teachers are taking time out of their morning to help make this possible include Mrs Ryan, Mrs Parris, McGwire Midkiff, Ruby Morales, Abbi Woodward, Scott Foote, Glenn Walker, and especially Mrs. Busch and Mr. Renshaw. To get involved in the morn-
Page 1
ings and help out with this program you can take pre-rec classes such as entrepreneurship, finance, and marketing. “This provides a learning experience for students of all learning abilities and I hope to accomplish relationships and real life experiences for students” said Stephanie Ryan. This program gives many students here at TJ a way to help out in school and get quality coffee at a low price.
Cami Wagaman goes into detail during her story about a new Netflix original series, 13 Reasons Why. If you have not watched the show, then check out her story to get a look at what the show is about. Page 4
News
THE SIGNAL Editor-in-Chief Morgan Barth
Off to Sea the possibilities in Seattle Morgan Barth Editor-in-Chief For students like Sadhana Ara, a sophomore at Lynbrook High School in San Jose, California, the three day National High School Journalism Convention in Seattle, Washington was an exciting learning experience. “We just got in at 3 a.m, so it’s kind of like an adventure,” said Ara. “I am not sure what to expect.” Ara explained how the convention seemed really impressive and that she was excited to see what it has in store. This was Ara’s first year in newspaper and she talked about how she was ready to sea all the possibilities in the journalism industry. “When we went to the first program there were so many opportunities to learn about things like design,” said Ara. “I thought that was impressive.”
Seniors from Jacket Journalism, along with advisor Rob Lindquist, pose for a photo while in Seattle for the National Journalism Convention. All photos by: Morgan Barth The convention had many opportunities for students who were looking to do things more than just write for a paper. From how to write captions, to activating women’s voices in Journalism. Professionals gave students tips and tricks to help them during their struggles. Since Ara was three years old, she has always had a passion for writing, this caused her to join the newspaper for a bigger vari-
ety in writing. “This is a start to a new dream,” said Ara. Even for Tandy Versyp, an Exhibitor at Savannah College of Art & Design in Savannah, Georgia the convention was a learning experience. Versyp held a display table for the Savannah College to help convince journalism students to join their program. “It’s nice for the students to go around and look at different col-
leges,” said Versyp. “The students can get a real look at where they want to go.” Nowadays, Journalism is playing a part in many different roles. Tips that many professionals gave out was to be good at many things but to be great at one. Versyp agrees with this saying, he believes that there are many things that journalist will need to learn to succeed. “There are many things you will learn,” said Versyp. “Journalism is an area in today’s world that is struggling.” From one on one meetings with professionals around the United States, to four floors of rooms for a variety of jobs in journalism, the Seattle convention had a lot in store for students who wanted to further their background in journalism. Next year the convention will head to San Francisco, California to again give students the opportunity to expand their background in Journalism.
Copy Editor Cami Wagaman Paginator Morgan Barth Adriana Ibarra Cami Wagaman Staff Madasyn Davis Abigail Edie Courtney Jones Maxine Mass Nyamouch Pal Shae Wilson Adviser Rob Lindquist Phone: 712-328-6493 Facebook: CBJacketJournalism Twitter:@TJHSJournalism Web: cbjacketjournalism.com Snapchat: tjhsjournalism
The Signal is a school-sponsored publication of Thomas Jefferson High School 2501 W. Broadway Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501. The Signal’s office is located in room C128. The Signal is printed by OH-K FASTPRINT in Omaha, NE. The Signal is a schoolsponsored-publication and therefore recognizes its responsibility to stay within the boundaries that the school administrator sets. The Signal will therefore inform its readers using a high standard of morals and ethics. The Signal encourages readers to respond in the form of letters to the editor, which can be sent to room C128. The Signal’s editorial staff reserves the right to edit the letters for grammatical errors and to remove any profanity. The editors also reserve the right to exclude letters that are false in their statements or accusations. The Signal will not accept advertisements that promote activities illegal to minors. Advertising rates are available upon request.
NSPA Member Publication IHSPA Member Publication
Public Library hosts farm animals
Fashionology courses offered at TJ Substitute teacher Kyle McGlade shows off his Cow socks in the Journalism room. Photo by: Morgan Barth.
Courtney Jones Reporter On Wednesday, March 22nd, many young children were filled with joy, as they got to interact with live farm animals at the Council Bluffs Public Library. This is the second year the public library has hosted live animal viewings for students. The education of younger students is a high concern for the public library. They host many events that allow different learning experiences. Currently, every Wednesday there is an event that
serves educational purposes is held at the public library in the morning from 10:30am - 11am. A different theme is planned for each week, and the events aso include art, music, and dance to entertain the little ones. 11 year old Asha Goodman, and her mother first volunteered last year to bring in their own farm animals as part of Asha’s Girl Scout Bronze Award Project. Before the children entered the room to play and interact with the animals, each animal was placed in a blue kiddy pool in different stations. The animals shown at the event included baby
chicks, a ten day old boer goat, bunnies, and two adult chickens. The public library also holds events during the summer for teens to help toward their future goals and careers. Some of their upcoming events are bingo night, game night, MineCraft themed arts and crafts night, and love on a leash night. The Council Bluffs Library takes pride in children and young adult’s education and continues to host as many fun learning experiences as they can to help out. To find out more information and event dates and times, visit the CB Public Library website.
Page 2
Morgan Barth poses for fashionology photo Photo by: Cami Wagaman
Abigail Edie Reporter Thomas Jefferson has been working to upgrade from only having a fashion class, to having a nine week Fashionology course, filled with sessions to help students gain an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM)
careers, which would include the process of coding “smart fashion”. Although it is not yet official, the school district is still trying to partner with Google for this after school fashion club. The club doesn’t start until fall, but Darcie Capo, the 21st Century teacher, is looking for interested students. If you are interested there is a form you can fill out at https://goo.gl/forms/ Zf2jli30S7Z5lMHM2.
College Crossroads at TJ
NEWS
Pitbull Ban in CB: Opinion
From left to right: Chicago and Blue, both full-blooded Pitbulls were taken from their home by Animal Control. Photo by: Morgan Barth
Morgan Barth Editor-in-Chief During a video shown during START, Carla Hartenhoff talks about the importance of College Crossroads. Photo by: Rob Lindquist Underwood high schools. “It takes a lot of peoMadasyn Davis Over 60 booths from colleges, military branches, and even vocaple to put an event like Reporter tional schools were represented this on. Thank you to on Monday night. On Monday, March 27th, those that volunteered TJ was hoping for at least 300 Thomas Jefferson High School people to show for the Crossat stations, presented in was able to host a College Crossroads event. roads event for students. sessions, sought prize “Because of your believing College Crossroads is a college in this event as much as I do, donations, worked fair with informational sessions we were able to have 527 people that explain scholarships, Free concessions, checked in from 11 different area schools Application for Federal Student with people, and encourgain information about colAid (FAFSA), SAT, ACT, etc. ages students to attend.” lege and career readiness” says Metro Area schools grades Hartenhoff. 8th through 11th were invited -Carla Hartenhoff, College Crossroads has been including Abraham Lincoln, the only college and career readiTJHS counselor. Lewis Central, Saint Albert, and ness fair, this large, held at TJ.
CBCSD’s “All our kids”
Since 2005, Pitbulls have been banned from Council Bluffs, Iowa. Last year, 25 people attended the City Council’s meeting in hopes to lift the ban, however, nothing has happened. After being a Pitbull owner, I also believe that the ban should be lifted. In 2014, I was walking my dog, Chicago, when Animal Control stopped me and told me I was walking my dog incorrectly. The lady had told me that I was required to have a muzzle on my dog, and that I had to change the leash I was using, because it didn’t look strong enough. Animal Control asked for my address, and almost a week later had taken all three of my dogs into the pound. They went under testing to make sure they didn’t have rabies, and we were prom-
ised they would be returned. However, when we got our dogs back, Animal Control showed up once again to take them. Since my dogs were fullblooded pitbull, they were taken away, and the dogs were 1-3 years old when they were put down. However, my family and I were told that we could be sued if we tried to fight against Animal Control taking our dogs. Pitbulls were banned for the simple fact that they are considered dangerous, however, I am a firm believer in a dog only behaves violently because of the way they were raised. According to City Council, at least three of five members must agree to lift the ban, although Marissa Head is the only member to have agreed to lifting the ban. Nothing further has happened in regards to lifting or protesting the ban.
Iowans at risk of losing health coverage
Newspaper staff stand hand in hand to support the district theme, “All our kids”. Photo by: Morgan Barth Citizens of Iowa are concerned with their health coverage being revoked. Photo by: Morgan Barth.
Madasyn Davis Reporter The Council Bluffs Community School District looks at the theme, “all our kids” as the slogan for the 2016-2017 school year. “The theme of ‘all our kids’ really developed over the past few months. I was in a several-month workshop about supporting English learners,” said Superintendent Dr. Martha Bruckner. “They called their conference ‘Our Kids’ with the message that English learners were ‘our kids’ just like other students.” The slogan for CBCSD is to
be able to go to somebody and ask for help, or even just to have someone to talk to. In Robert Putnam’s book Our kids: The American Dream in Crisis, he states a couple quotes that stick out to Bruckner and the CBCSD. “...America’s…kids do belong to us and we to them. They are our kids.” Bruckner believes that kids need to be taught up to the top standards, because they are the next generation. When they have people who care for them and are there for them, they will try much harder. This year the CBCSD strives to be the best by helping their kids and being there for them.
Nyamouch Pal Reporter Iowa stands to lose $7 billion in federal funding for Medicaid, financial assistance, and CHIP, leaving 230,000 Iowans at risk to lose their health coverage. There are approximately 43,000 Iowans who receive assistance to help pay their health coverage, however, now they will lose this help and there will no longer be any affordable coverage options. Iowans (322,000 children and 572,000 seniors) with private health coverage will lose guaranteed access to free preventive
Page 3
care, like immunization, cancer screening, and blood pressure screenings. Terry Branstad, Governor of Iowa, has spoken extensively about the possibilities recently. In January, Branstad had proposed to remove health insurance from collective bargaining negotiations and instead shifting all of Iowa’s public workers into one health benefit program. “When you have public employees getting Cadillac benefits and paying virtually nothing, $20 a month, and the taxpayers are paying in some cases over $23,000 for health insurance… it’s not fair.” Branstad stated to reporters. “It needs to be ad-
dressed, and that is why we are going to continue to work with the Legislative and labor committees in both houses to address it.” Medicaid expansion has brought $967 million in federal dollars into the state economy, in over the course of a year and a half. The loss of federal medicaid fundings will affect hospitals, business, and health care providers. According to a hospital association The Affordable Care Act could leave many citizens of Iowa without healthcare insurance and many believe the change can destabilize the entire Medicaid system that serves poor and disabled people.
Cubs trophy tour
SPORTS Boys track takes second place in CB Relays Nyamouch Pal Reporter
The Cubs Championship Trophy went on display at Abraham Lincoln on Saturday, April 8th. Photo by: Cami Wagaman
Cami Wagaman Reporter On Saturday, April 8th, the Cubs’ World Series Championship trophy visited Abraham Lincoln High School. Journalism Adviser, Gerry Appel, worked hand in hand with the Mayor of Council Bluffs to bring the trophy to Council Bluffs. Originally, the Cubs had decided to cancel the stop in the Council Bluffs area, but they had a change of heart, and added Council Bluffs back to the list on the tour.
The line of fans stretched down a long hallway before doors opened to view the trophy. The trophy was available for viewing from 3-4:30, and the line quickly died down, due to the quickness of the staff that were helping to care of the trophy during the tour. After the visit to Council Bluffs, the trophy appeared at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Monday, April 10th. Currently, the trophy has another appearance on Wednesday, April 19th. As of April 11th, there are no upcoming tour dates after April 19th.
The Thomas Jefferson boys track team landed second place in the CB relays, with a score of 149, falling short of Lewis Central, who had a score of 208. TJ boys won a total of eight events including individual victories by sophomore Cameron Baker (discuss, 154-10), junior Cesar Salazar (1,600, 5:06.34), senior Daniel Carey (800, 2:01.68), junior Archie Powders (3,200, 10:59.06) and junior Jeron Sampson (400 hurdles, 56.60). Carey, having a great lead while running the open 800 meter coming in first, although, explaining that he would like to improve his time in order to qualify to run at Drake Relays. “I did not run as good as I wanted to in my 800,” said Carey. “To get to Drake relays I need to run at least a 1:58 which is three seconds slower than I ran at CB relays.” Carey ran on both the winning 1,600 relays (Reggie Evans, Daniel Carey, Jake Axtell, Jeron Sampson) and distance medley (Cameron Lukavsky, Emilio Rubio Jake Axtell, Daniel Carey).
Top Photo: Junior Kyle Soriano sprints down the track, trailed by Saint Albert and Lewis Central runners. Bottom Photo: Senior Daniel Carey, who recently signed with Morningside, races down the track during the open 800 meter dash. Photos by: Nyamouch Pal
ENTERTAINMENT
Show of the year? 13 Reasons Why Cami Wagaman Reporter Recently, the media has blown up about a new Netflix Original series, 13 Reasons Why. The new show has been wildly popular with teenagers, as the whole series revolves around a high school student who commits suicide, and instead of a
play the main character, Hannah Baker, but instead she declined, and accepted a position as coproducer. Gomez has gotten a lot of backlash for the production of the show, as it has been viewed to romanticize suicide, as one of the main characters was in love with Hannah, and was convinced that he couldn’t save her because he was afraid to love her.
show. The producers were given tips on what not to do, which was discarded. The show had gone against the tips and information handed to them, and showed a gruesome scene, and had showed many graphic details to the plot. Although the show placed trigger warnings, they have gotten a lot of heat from the public. Although it has not yet been
A photo submitted for Monarchs Disappearing in the March Issue the caption in the photo stated the photo was taken by Morgan Barth. However, the photo was uploaded from Wikipedia and the caption was not changed. On behalf of the editors, we apologize for the mistake, and it is our mission to make sure it does not happen again.
The Cubs Championship Trophy went on display at Abraham Lincoln on Saturday, April 8th. Photo by: Cami Wagaman Poster photo for 13 Reasons Why, a Netflix original series that has caused a lot of controversy. Photo by: themedia.com 13 Reasons Why has a rating confirmed if the show will be aptypical suicide note, she leaves of 91%, which is a 4.5 star rating, proved for a second season, there behind 13 tapes. 13 reasons why on Rotten Tomatoes. has been talk about and author she killed herself, explaining her The production of the show Jay Asher agrees for a second death to everyone that made her has been frowned upon by many season. The Netflix original series feel as though it was the only way suicide prevention organizations, has been viewed as a very controout. because the creators of the show versial show, and it is unclear if it Singer and actress Selena had reached out for ways to exwill get another chance at tying Gomez was originally going to press moments portrayed in the the loose ends of the story plot.
Even more stories online! Visit bit.ly/SignalNews
Page 4