February 2019
Volume 93
Issue 5
Trade Works at Council Bluffs Schools
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Governor Reynolds visits TJHS
Mataeo Freeman showing Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg what he has been working on during the school year.
Photo by: Rob Lindquist
Chrystina Winchell Reporter Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds came to Council Bluffs this Thursday to observe the Thomas Jefferson High School TradeWorks Academy. The governor has always been passionate about education. This year, Reynolds has focused on an initiative called Future Ready Iowa. This program’s goal is to have “70 percent of Iowa’s workforce to have education or
training beyond high school by 2025,” according to the official Future Ready Iowa website. “She [Reynolds] is here to see what kind of Career and Technical Education programs are going on around the state,” said Paul Hans, Thomas Jeffersons Career Education Coordinator, noting how he hopes the Governor will “shed some light on other places.” “We’re putting this on steroids by starting students as freshman, which a lot of schools aren’t doing,” stated Hans. “When students leave here, they’ll have two pieces of paper and be so well prepared to enter
the work world,” stated Reynolds, discussing how greatly students would benefit from the Future Ready Iowa plan. Part of the programs mission is for students to have the opportunity to earn certificates, degrees, or other credentials rewarded by Iowa postsecondary institutions that provide jobs in the high-demand trade field. Some examples of trade careers being plumbers, nurses, cooks, electrical workers, welders, and much more. Council Bluffs School’s Chief Communications Officer, Diane Ostrowski, showed her support
Governor Reynolds visits and communicates about TradeWorks and Future Ready Iowa to TJHS students and media. Photos by: Rob Lindquist and Alex Luna
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for Reynolds’s plans. “Future Ready Iowa is a priority for her. We’re proud that we’re able to showcase an example of her priority in Council Bluffs, Iowa,” said Ostrowski. “She’s already done a lot,” said Dr. Vickie Murillo, Council Bluffs Community School District Superintendent. “She’s asked for them [state legislators] to fund schools by 2.33%, which is an increase. “She believes that every school should offer this type of program for their students.” Over half of current skilledtrade workers are over the age of
45, so a program like this could be the future for Iowa. “If we’ve learned anything from the passing of these public servants, it’s this: working together, with deep resolve, we can achieve more than we ever dreamed possible,” Reynolds stated during her Condition of the State address on January 15th. This program has already proven to be a success for the future with around 300 students already being signed up for next fall in the district. “The future is now,” said Reynolds.
News
Building Bonds with your Teammate The Teammates program was eating pizza and having conversations to get to know one another better. Photo by: Heather Giovannoni
Heather Giovannoni Reporter The teammate’s mentoring program is a program where an adult can come in and build a relationship with students. This teaches students how to build a relationship with adults that they otherwise wouldn’t. This program is made up of mentors and mentees, some students have trouble at home and are lacking that adult figure and the mentor comes in to help provide that. “Some kids don’t come from great homes and they might not see the best way that other adults in their lives have lived and we can get these mentors in here that maybe have been very successful and very caring and they can see that there’s another way that you can grow up and be an adult and
be successful.” said by the building director for the Teammates program Jen Clark. The mentors pick a time and a day to come in, and they sit in the counseling center with their mentee. They play games together and talk about what is happening in their lives during that period of time. On Wednesday, January 23rd, they had a pizza party and it is something they do once a year, every year. Where all the mentors and mentees get together and eat pizza and talk to other mentors and their mentees. “The purpose of the pizza party is just to get together and say thank you to the kids and adults who put their time out to be apart of teammates, it’s just a big thank you part basically.” stated by Jen Clark who is the building director for the Teammates program.
Jen plays a very important role in helping the mentors and the mentees, “I get all the visits set up and make sure the kids are here and if they are not here I contact the mentors to let them know, so I’m kind of the in-between, between the mentors and the kids.” the mentors and mentees are unable to communicate with each other through email and or social media. If you are wanting to be a part of this great program, you can be nominated by someone or you can nominate yourself. You will have an interview with the head director of the program, and based on your answers to the questions and the answers that the adults give they will match you based on your likes, dislikes, and your personality. To become a mentor they have to fill out an application, then a background check is done.
The Middle Schools are getting renovated The middle school renovations are about to be underway. Photos provided by cbschools. org
With the application, they write down things they like and dislike and what they are trying to get out of teammates and how they are trying to help, and then they match that person to an appropriate kid.” There are several benefits not only for students but there are also some for the adults who come in. “It’s always good to have some adult with a different perspective sometimes kids can reach out to said adult if there are problems, if there’s just things they want to talk to get a different way of thinking on life or another solution to a problem.” stated by Jen Clark Jen then said “Kids don’t always want to talk to their parents so this is another person that can benefit. Some kids also like to see that this person’s job is this, they benefit by seeing how you can get into that position and be successful later in life that way.” There are also several long term effects of this program Jen explained that “Some of our mentors are still friend with some of the kids they had from years ago now that they are adults and they will still meet for lunch. It’s just another way to form a relationship outside of just your own family dynamic.” Being a part of this program personally, I hope that someday I will have that close relationship with my mentor, and meet for lunch every now and then. I hope this a relationship that will stick with me forever.
THE SIGNAL
Editor-in-Chief Emily Eikenberry Paginator Emily Eikenberry Staff Kayleigh Cooper Riah Davis Heather Giovannoni Katelyn Gwennap Carter Harold Chrystina Winchell 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 the upper library. The Signal is printed by OH-K FASTPRINT in Omaha, NE. The Signal is a school-sponsored-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.
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Phase three for Broadway Chrystina Winchell Reporter
Katelyn Gwennap Reporter The two district middle schools Kirn and Wilson are getting renovations. On September 11, 2018, Council Bluffs Community School District residents voted in favor of the district issuing a General Obligation Bond to fund improvements and renovations at the two schools. “Renovations will address areas of concern identified during a year-long facility audit by a committee of teachers, parents, administrators and representatives of an architectural firm,” stated Cb-schools.org. By beginning the two district middle school renovations the schools are trying to improve security and safety, accessibility, building systems and energy efficiency and to improve the learning environment. “One of the things we are
hoping to accomplish is to really make a transition from junior high to true middle school philosophy,” said Corey Vorthmann, chief academic officer,” stated The Daily NonPareil, Tim Johnson. The schools won’t be arranged like High Schools anymore, they are going to be arranged based off of the Association for Middle Level Education guidelines. Kirn’s renovations will take place first starting the summer of 2019 and estimated to be finished by the fall of 2020. After that Wilson’s renovations will take place starting the summer of 2020 and is estimated to be finished the fall of 2021. The districts elementary schools and high schools have all gone through renovations but the two district middle schools have patiently waited their turn. Kirn hasn’t had a renovation
since the 1990’s and Wilson’s last renovation was finished in 1999. “Both of the buildings, when they’re renovated, will be designed to hold 1,100 students,” said Diane Ostrowski, the district’s chief communications officer,” stated the Daily NonPareil, Tim Johnson. Not everything is getting redone, some of the things are the way they want them and do not need it. They are just fixing up the things that they want to change about the schools. During the 19-20 school year Kirn will be relocated to the former Target building at the Mall of The Bluffs, which is being transformed into a school. During the 20-21 school year Wilson will then be relocated to the former Target building while the construction at Wilson is underway.
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The Council Bluffs City Council voted 3-2 to approve phase three of the Broadway median plan in their meeting on January 28th 2019. Council members Sharon White, Nate Watson and Mike Wolf voted in favour of the plan. Members Melissa Head and Roger Sandau opposed. This project will total to around $9 million, paid for by the Iowa West Foundation. In addition to the beautification reasons of the project, the city believes that this will decrease safety concerns for vehicle operators as well. Although this project is believed to be for the good of the city, some residents and business owners still oppose the idea. According to the Daily Nonpareil, Jimmy Johns owner Mark Mitchell called the plan “an unpleasant situation,” noting how he would have never opened a business there if he had known
about the plan. Krispy Kreme owner Jim Hoskinson says there will be “a decline in business.” Along with both business owners, about 25 people stood in the crowd during the discussion which lasted from 7:30 until around 9:30. The Nonpareil reported that phase three of the project will include the replacement of pavement, traffic signals, storm sewers, street lights, and of course medians, from 28th street to just west of 24th street according to City Engineer Matt Cox. Along with the big changes, the project also includes pedestrian lights, streetscape amenities, ornamental fencing, ornamental arms for street lights, concrete pavers in crosswalks, and decorative paving in the center turn lane at key intersections - much like what was done on 35th street. The phase will begin in the Spring.
NEWS
New Faces with student teachers
Starting Fresh -
New student embarks on TJ journey
Kayleigh Cooper enjoying TJ and explaining what it’s like to be a new kid. Photo by: Katelyn Gwennap
Kayleigh Cooper Reporter
Heather Giovannoni and Katelyn Gwennap Reporter This year at TJ we had the opportunity to bring in student teachers. Two of these student teachers Clarie Kennedy and Lyle Nichols are here learning from Mr. Tworek. Each student teacher has there own reasons for wanting to become a teacher. “I started as a business major,
Chrys Winchell Reporter
Thomas Jefferson High School is a school that is widely known for being inclusive and diverse. But, when student Jaiden Ballantyne wrote “Hail Satan” on his teachers board, he didn’t realize the boundaries he was testing. Jaidens teacher took a picture of the writing and told him it was offensive. The student was later called into Assistant Principal Tanya Windham’s office. In the United States, the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment states that, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”. This means the school cannot make restrictions stating that students are not allowed to participate in religious activities or display religious views. Jaiden was wearing a hooded sweatshirt with a pentagram illustrated on the front. “She said my hoodie, and I quote, ‘offends me personally and as a Christian,’” Jaiden said. “She said ‘look around my office, you don’t see me bringing my religion in here.’” That’s when Jaiden pointed out a Christian-related plaque
History majors doing student teaching at TJ. Photo by: Emily Eikenberry
i want to be a teacher when i was little, I played school and everything. I learned how much and was like no,” said Kennedy. Another student teacher also shared why he wants to become a teacher. You can read more of the story on the bit.ly/SignalNews.
Being a new kid may seem scary, but is it really as bad as it seems? A lot of fear comes with moving schools no matter how old you are. I have moved schools twice, one time when I was in fourth grade the other time was just after christmas break of this year. In freshman year, a lot of people have their friend groups already so it may seem like it would be hard to fit it or even make friends. Well since I have moved to TJ, everyone has been super kind and welcoming towards me. They are all beyond helpful and overall genuinely good people. Being a new kid isn’t as scary as it may seem, the teachers are very understanding and will help you out. I switched in the middle of the trimester which means that
they were already in a middle of a unit, but the teachers made sure to get me on track with what we were learning. You do have to adjust yourself to the school however. For me there are less classes at TJ and you start later which was definitely a plus. You also have to memorize a whole new school. Considering i’m a freshman (moving from middle school to high school), I had to get used to a new layout twice. Another positive thing about switching was that the lunch here has a lot more options, and since it’s split up into three lunches instead of two, like my old school, there isn’t as many kids.
Being a new kid isn’t like how it is in the movies. The kids don’t look at you when you walk by or talk about you, they aren’t mean, and everyone tries their best to make sure you feel included. Personally the best way to go to a new school is to have a positive attitude and to be open to changes. Change isn’t a bad thing by the way, I’ve made some really great friends already and I haven’t even been here for two weeks. I also realized that there are a lot of other new kids as well. So don’t be scared of a change. There’s always gonna be a positive side to it. And if you know someone’s new, try your best to make them feel welcomed - it makes a difference.
(non)Religion in the classroom sitting on her shelf. “After Jaiden pointed it out, I took it down,” Windham responded. The situation didn’t end there. “I told her [Windham] I bet if a Christian wrote ‘I love Jesus’ on the whiteboard, they wouldn’t get in trouble like I am now.” A couple days later, Jaiden had a friend write “I love Jesus” on his same teacher’s board. According to Jaiden, the teacher “didn’t do anything.” According to the official FindLaw website, students have “the right to display religious messages, to the extent that students are permitted to display comparable secular messages, or wear religious garments.” Meaning that Jaiden was in fact able to write the message on his teachers board and allowed to wear his hoodie. However, although the Establishment Clause states that the school can’t restrict students display of their religion, this doesn’t mean that teachers can’t
discipline a student for disrupting classroom activity. For example, in the Fleming v. Jefferson County School District case in 2002, students at Columbine High School created art pieces as part of a permanent display to memorialize the shooting in 1999. A few students titles their pieces as, “God is love.” When the school told the students they couldn’t display their titles, the students sued the school. The supreme court ruled that if the school allowed these titles, they would also have to allow “distasteful” messages such as, “God is hate.” Therefore, the school attained the authority to ban the titles. In essence, if the school allows one aspect, it would have to allow others. Windham explained the legal side of the situation. “I cannot discuss religion with minors,” she said, explaining how staff members are allowed to physically display their spirituality, but not allowed to verbally
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show it. According to the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Establishment Clause, teachers are allowed to talk about religion as long as it’s being taught in a secular and neutral manner. For example, an English Teacher can read out of a religious book such as the Bible or Quran, but preaching or persuading any personal interest in a religion is strictly prohibited. “I can wear a cross necklace, for example,” she said, “I just try to avoid any chance to offend someone.” “There are a lot of kids that I’d love to share faith and hope with,” Windham stated, “but I can’t.” “I think it has some good reasons behind it, and I can understand that,” Jaiden said, “but I think it contradicts itself. If that’s the law, I didn’t do anything wrong.” Jaiden discussed how people could find offense in his philosophy.
“I am not a Theistic Satanist, those people worship the devil - they’re weird. I am an AtheistSatanist,” Jaiden explained, “When other people think of Satanism they always think of the devil worshiping and sacrificing goats - it’s not that. It’s just about everyone changing for the better. “I think of it as humanism.” The separation of church and state in public schools has always been a tricky issue. Jaiden’s actions were legal, but students should take into consideration that teachers and staff members are humans too, and whether or not they are allowed to display their spirituality, doesn’t mean they don’t have one. Thomas Jefferson High School is a place of acceptance, so discouraging or discriminating others because of their religious views is not allowed. If you have any more questions of what you can and can’t do regarding your religion, please visit ACLU.org, or revisit the first amendment.
SPORTS
Three to State Wrestling Cameron Baker taking his place on the podeum, after winning his weight class at districts. Photo by: Neyla Walton
Jacket Varsity bowling teams on the road to Districts Carter Harold Reporter
Katelyn Gwennap Reporter On Saturday the 9th of February Thomas Jefferson’s varsity wrestlers had districts at Glenwood High School. The schools that attended were, Glenwood, Treynor, Abraham Lincoln, Waukee, DallasCentral Grimes, Lewis Central, Indianola and Ankeny.
We had three state qualifiers: Mason Allen; weight class 113, Jacob Byers; weight class 195, Cameron Baker; weight class 220. Mason Allen and Jacob Byers took second in their weight classes and Cameron Baker took first. Thomas Jefferson took 6th out
of the eight schools attending the meet. Aiden Keller; weight class 132, Dalton Flibotte; weight class 138 both took third place in their weight classes. Now it’s time to prepare for state. Way to go Jackets!
News
Drivers Ed here to help teens Riah Davis Reporter
An average of 9 teens ages 15-20 are killed everyday from a motor vehicle accident, according to www.edgarsnyder.com. Taking a drivers ed class will inform young drivers what to do or how to avoid getting into a accident. Of course you learn about the rules of the road, i.e. what signs and lines mean, being a good defensive driver, and why you shouldn’t text and drive. However, one of the most important things students learns in drivers ed is wearing a seatbelt. “Seatbelts are important because they keep you safer than without one,” said Kermoade. “ 80% of people ejected from a car, die” While taking the class, students get hands-on driving experience. When driving, the
Jackets Varsity Girls Team Conference Champs three years in a row
instructor guides you on where to look, where to place your hands, and other tips towards becoming a better driver. “In the car always look down the road 10 to 12 seconds, scan sides, check mirrors every 3 to 5 seconds,” said Kermoade, giving an example on what he would teach a student. “When at an intersection, look left, right, left, and decide to go or not. When backing up, always check for kids and cars. Don’t forget to identify hazards, always predict the worst, decide what to do, and execute.” Kermoade talked about a time when a student got the drivers ed. car stuck in the mud. “I had to climb under the car to hook up the chain,” said Kermoade. “I got very muddy.” “I told the student, Connie, that she should get a four wheel drive truck when she got a license. When I taught her son how to drive 20 years later, she had a truck.” Basic skills are also taught in the driving program. For
example, a student learns how to drive in residential areas, on a highway, gravel, an interstate, in a downtown area and how to lane change and park. “The biggest issue with parking is that most people do not signal or take the right angle to park,” Kermoade stated. At the end of the 7 week class, students prepare for a written and physical driving test. This test incorporates all the material learned that the pupils learned previously. If you pass, you are able to get your school license if under 16, but at least 14. If you’re 16 or older, you receive your official drivers license. “The best part is driving during the class. But, at the end, it’s going to be receiving my license,” said student Shaeley Bose, noting how “drivers ed is easy, if you have some experience.” If you are interested in receiving this piece of freedom, visit streetsmartsdriversed.com . The only way to sign up for the class is online. And don’t forget to sign up fast!
The boys and girls bowling teams had a meet on the 5th of February at Rush lanes in Sioux City, Iowa. The girls took first place and the boys got second. The top girls bowler was Emily Eikenberry with a 358, Followed by McKenna Rethmeier with a 318. The girls Average baker score was a 149. The top bowler for the boys
was Andrew Chavarria with a 430, next was Jacob Schuster with a 424. The Average baker score for the boys was a 192. Emily Eikenberry got first out of the girls followed by two teammates McKenna Rethmeier, and Kaylynn Oliver. The Jackets also had the top two boys bowlers with Andrew Chavarria who took first and Jacob Schuster who took second.
Full break!
Katelyn Gwennap Reporter For this 2018-2019 school year our Spring break will not be cut short because of making up snow days! That means our Spring break will be a full 6 days, from February 28th - March 5th. Superintendent Dr. Murillo stated that “Given the lack of snow days to date and the review of the extended forecast, we will not plan to use any of the
designated days at the end of the second trimester as make-up days,” We do have June 3rd and 4th designated as potential make-up days if needed at the end of the school year. “The bus company, nutrition services and Kids & Company are prepared to accommodate a late start schedule,” according to Superintendent Dr. Murillo. Stay warm these cold winter days, and get ready to enjoy our full Spring break!
Even more stories online! Visit bit.ly/SignalNews
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