Signal The
What’s inside: See Page 3 if you’re looking to donate some facial hair.
Buzzing For More News?
Check out more of our stories and ‘like’ our Facebook page at signalnews.blogspot.com
October, 2013
Teachers have the authority to invade students privacy By Derrick Johnson Reporter
Teachers now have access to a computer program called Hepara Teacher Dashboard that allows teachers to see what you are doing with your Chromebook at all times. It is believed that students waste their time during class using social media or playing games when they should be working. The Hepara Teacher Dashboard allows teachers to see what each student is doing while they are in class, close or open unneeded tabs, and help students manage their Google Drive. Having to adapt to the Teacher Dashboard has been difficult for many of
Photo by Derrick Johnson; Erin Grachek checking Hepara Dashboard.
the TJ student body. Many believe that this program is an invasion of privacy and it is taking away from their freedom. Since not all students are the same, it’s affecting everyone differently. Sophomore Jeffery
Griffin doesn’t like the new program and prefers the way things were last year. He feels that it is unnecessary and the students should be trusted enough to use their own Chromebook without someone looking at them.
Opposed opinions about TJ Reads By Hannah-Grace Northam Reporter
Tj Reads is a certain amount of time put aside for students to read a book or two. The school started using this method roughly five or six years ago as a way to get students interested in reading and to help improve their reading skills. When TJ Reads first started, the teachers and staff were reading during this period to model for students. Recently, teachers and staff began to monitor students to keep them on task. Also, one of the new changes involves students only reading books, not digital readers or magazines and newspapers. Most students have said that they don’t like TJ Reads and they feel that it doesn’t improve their reading skills. While teachers are all for it because they want students to be inter-
Photo by Teah Gilmore; Martina Weaver reading in TJ Reads. ested in reading. “I wish I had a time during the school day when I could’ve sat down and read,” said culinary teacher Mrs. Kathy Straub. “I never had that opportunity.” Junior Eric Ringberg said he does not like to read, but he does think that it helps improve students’ vocabulary skills. Junior Lukas Exline said that he does like TJ Reads because it’s a free
time to think and it gives people time to organize. Although, Exline did go on to say that he is disappointed about how people cannot use any type of digital reading and that students mainly just mess around during the period. As you can see students and teachers have different opinions on the subject, but mainly TJ Reads is here as a way to help students.
Page 1
“It makes us feel like we have no personal space,” says Griffin. “If they can watch our screens, we should be able to watch theirs.” Language Arts teacher Erica Schnepel likes the program a lot and
Volume 89, Issue 1
uses it everyday. Schnepel disagrees with the negative remarks concerning the program and feels that some people are just overreacting. “I think students are here to do a certain job, any tools to help us with that are good,” says Schnepel. She also believes that the program can help students understand how to use the internet when they are at places like school or work in the future. At TJ, your privacy isn’t so private anymore because you give up your First Amendment rights. Its only been a little more than a month into the school year but it seems like the school administrators are making proper chromebook use a major priority.
Tardy observations by Tucker Center By Brooklyn Holder Copy Editer
Are you late? Then you better buzz in. Tucker Center now locks their doors during class time. “It was a decision made for us and I guess the catalyst was the Sandy Hook incident last year.” said TC Principal Cyle Forney, “It caused the entire district to have a renewed focus on school safety.” Although the purpose was for a different reason, the new doorbell also allows the Tucker Center staff to keep track of who is tardy and helps control the “late” situations. If a student who
travels in their own vehicle arrives late, they will have to buzz the main office of TC. There may be a freeby for you, but it depends on the circumstances. “Five or more tardies will result in a loss of driving privileges and those students will have to take the provided buses,” explained Forney. On occasion the buses run late. If this happens then students will need to buzz the office and let them know the bus was late. These students will not be held accountable for something they cannot control. When you are late, you are late. Take responsibility and, if necessary, take the bus.
Better safe than sorry By Alejandro Veiyra Reporter
Photo by Alejandro Vieyra; Students standing outside during
firedrill.
Since elementary school, students have practiced safety drills. But there is more to safety drills than a student would think. It is more than just knowing what to do incase of an emergency. These drills could save someones life. Every year students complain about doing safety drills, but students don’t know exactly why we do these drills. “It’s required by the district also the state of Iowa says you need to do a certain amount of drills,” said school administrative manager Dan Merriam. “I have been here for six years and there has never been a serious incident.”, said Merriam. So even though not a lot of
Book Review: Black Rabbit Summer
By Ikran Ahmed Reporter
Black Rabbit Summer by Kevin Brooks is a tense murder mystery that has friendship, love, and class, all in one. The characters Pete, Pauly, and twins, Eric and Nicole, were really close friends and now they have grown apart. Before one goes to work and the others move, they get together for a goodbye party. In the end their past feelings and personal histories surface, soon, the party is over and they all leave, separating into the noise and chaos of the summer carnival.
different drills in different places. While there are gaps in the system, it’s always better to know more about the safety drill procedures. If you have questions you could ask a students or teachers. Teachers also have safety binder that has information on these procedures.
5 tips to follow during safety drills
students here have experienced an emergency first hand, it is still good to be prepared. There have been other schools that have had disasters, such as shootings or other disasters including the Moore, Oklahoma tornado earlier this year, that destroyed two elementary schools. It would be understandable to do these drills 1. Listen to an administrator. if they get new students that may not be here. Dif2. Stay with your class so you ferent states have different are counted for. procedures. It is good to have everyone prepared. 3. Don’t run, walk. “That’s a gap in our 4. If you are not in class, let an safety procedure because adult know whose class your in. when new students come in we need to go over those 5. Be calm. procedures”, said Merriam; because they might have
Volleyball coach changes By Morgan Wooton Reporter
This year at Thomas Jefferson there has been a couple of changes in the volleyball department. Do to former coach Jamie Perkins leaving her position as assistant coach on Varsity with head coach, Michael Bond, they needed to find a replacement. Last years Junior Varsity coach Stephanie Ryan has moved up to Varsity assistant and they have hired a new Junior Varsity(JV) coach, Cindy Onkka. “I want the same team involvement and seriousness
on and off the court,” said coach Stephanie Ryan. “I enforced it a lot last year, to bring all of our Junior Varsity to be leaders and role models around our school and I will continue to do so this year”. Our players also had something to say about the changes of coaches. “I think if we listen to our coaches and continue to work hard, along with pushing ourselves to be better, the volleyball program should have a really great season,” said sophomore Teah Gilmore. The new coaching changes this year can help improve the volleyball program.
Photo by Alan Rodriguez; TJ Varsity volleyball team being coached by Mike Bond.
Augmented awesomeness By Hannah-Grace Northam Reporter
Aurasma is a free app available for Androids, iPhones, and iPads, which uses high-powered technology to warp the real world by using videos and animations called “Auras.” According to Sophomore Alejandro Vieyra, the yearbook staff is using Aurasma this year because they wanted more ideas and wanted to have videos in the book along with photos. This is an enhancement to the yearbook that will allow schools to bring
pictures in the yearbook to “life”. With the free Aurasma program, schools can create videos and animations that will appear when someone uses the aurasma app and places it over a picture. “I don’t think anyone has seen a video in a book before. Hopefully it will make people buy a Yearbook because it could be one of the coolest things in their high school experience,” Vieyra said. The yearbook staff is planning to use the app by spotlighting people. Which means, if a person sees a student’s picture that
Read more about this book on The Signal’s website: signalnews.blogspot.com
Page 2
Photo by Angela Gardner; The Aurasma App.
has a purple arrow by it, that person can use the app and it will turn the photo into a video. “There is so much that happens in a school each year by including video/animation.It will allow schools to add a
new dimension to your yearbook as never before,” teacher Colleen Arneson announced. “It does make me want to buy a yearbook because I think it’ll make it more interesting,” Junior Zack Dixson stated.
I
Going for gold By Eric Garringer Reporter
You A Question the opportunity to have a little furry friend on their face, but girls have to work It’s the time of extra hard? Everyone is difseason when your face is ferent though, some people going to get cold, facial have soft mustaches, some hair could be the answer are rough, some are long, to all your problems. For and some are short. some people its a lot harder “The first time to grow facial hair, for oth- I decided to grow out a ers it’s quite easy. It’s not mustache was last year for like you can just go out and baseball season,” said sebuy a real mustache. Some nior Erich Hilske. “I grew people do not even have to it out mainly for good luck try to grow a mustache, it because baseball players just comes naturally. are superstitious.” Mustaches really One person chooses get people thinking, why to change their look based can boys grow them faster? on superstition, many other Or what makes a mustache people may change someso furry? Why do guys get thing about themselves for By Isabella Moore Reporter
different reasons. In 1999, a volunteer-run organization started in Los Angeles to grow out mustaches for children charities. According to their website, a minimal pledge of $50 for a designated charity should be the goal. Then, grow away. There is a chapter set up in both Iowa and Nebraska, just go to their website http://www. mustachesforkids.org. “Yeah, a lot more people ask me how it is going. They ask me about my mustache. But when I don’t have one, they don’t really say anything to me,” said Hilske.
Everyday at lunch we see Dr. Jason Plourde, the new T.J. principal, award a student with a gold coin. While these coins are only worth one dollar, the meaning is symbolic for each student who receives them. These awards are given to students for accomplishments throughout the school community. The coins go hand in hand with Plourde’s emphasis on “Gold,” as each student saw at the assemblies on the first day. These coins are made of real gold, not just plated, and students are stressed to keep them upon receiving them.
Photo by Janette Gonzalez.
Wreckless parking lot
Tanya Windham: New freshman principal By Eric Garringer Reporter
By Megan Carroll Reporter
Photo by Eric Garringer;Tanya Windham working on the computer.
Late this summer, the freshmen of Thomas Jefferson discovered that their new principal, Ms. Tanya Windham, is ExMilitary. This could make her a very intimidating figure, with seven and a half years active duty with the Army, almost four years with the Armed Guard, and being overseas twice in Germany. Being the first in her family to graduate high school, and even afraid to go to college, going into the military built Wind-
ham’s confidence, taught her discipline, and provided a way to go to college. Windham says she came to Thomas Jefferson because she liked what she heard about the school and the district. Windham works closely with the other principals and administrators, saying they are “A team,” and that “It’s not one person who’s the boss, we all jump in as we’re needed.” “I’m happy to be here. Everyday provides new challenges and rewards.” Windham went
Plourde says students can “Absolutely” receive more than one coin. These awards are presented to students who show one or more of the GOLD standards. Up until now the awards have been given for multiple in-school achievements, this is expected to change in the near future. It isn’t just Plourde who can present these coins. All administrators carry them around and are encouraged to present them to a student daily, weekly at the very least. A recipient of these coins won’t always be known. Administrators can choose to present them to students privately or publicly.
on to say that she wants to build relationships with each student because she cares. She also wants to learn about the district. All this being said, Windham still has big expectations for the students. She says that she wants to see students take advantage of the education they’ve been given, and each student needs to give their best. Windham said she wants to see “everyone of the Freshmen walk across the stage in 2017.”
Page 3
Growing up can be a pain, but being a teenager can also have thrills. Driving is always an exciting thing for teenagers, but it can cause adults to have opposing opinions. The majority of students at Thomas Jefferson High School have experienced this “driving stage” and with driving comes responsibility. Many people do not take it seriously. Students and staff have either seen or heard about students driving skills in the parking lot. Each person has a different perspective of what happens. Senior Melissa Dushanek said, “I think for the most part they drive pretty bad.” But Freshman teacher Michaela Gray disagrees, she says “I think most students do a really good job of driving responsibly.” Having that thrill
of driving can lead to good and bad things, depending on the driver. As a teenager that “thrill” feeling increases behind the wheel. “It’s exciting for them, it’s kind of the thrill of the moment, it makes you look cool.” says Gray. As a non driver, Freshman Autumn Sullivan comments that she’s never seen any reckless driving in the parking lot. “It’s a mental skill, they don’t want their cars getting hit.” Growing up takes time and so does driving. As a teacher, parking in a lot full of high school drivers can be scary. But according to Gray, “It doesn’t really bother me very much, I’ve never had any issues.” Even though becoming an adult and learning new things can take time, patience is the key. In high school, you learn to trust, teach, and enjoy each other. Driving is just another skill students, and staff will have to adapt to.
Teachers pets By Derrick Johnson Reporter
Teacher’s pets are always in the classroom, but we’re not talking about the smart kid. From turtles to tarantulas, each school pet adds a little personality to every classroom. Science teacher Ms. Lori Williams has a pet turtle named Myrtle. While she uses Myrtle for educational purposes, she loves the interactions that happen between Myrtle and the students. She has had Myrtle for more than 18 years, and many students have met and grown to like the turtle over the years. “I have a kid who is poking at her,” said Williams. “Other than that, it [classroom interaction] is good.” Sophomore Candice Mayfield had biology with Ms. Williams, and her turtle, Myrtle, last year. “I think it’s pretty cool that a teacher has an
animal in class while they have to pay attention to kids too,” says Mayfield. “I walk back to get my binder and I kind of want to chill with the turtle.” Although there are good times with the classroom pets, they can become a hassle when kids start to become a little too immature. Another science teacher, Mr. Mark Brown, has a couple of “fearful” pets like snakes, spiders, and other various insects, and deals with problems daily.
“Students will try to scare each other with the pets,” says Mr. Brown. “Then they end up crashing into things.” Being in a class with a pet is a little different from the what students usually expect. Having a pet in the room with you brings a new element to a traditional classroom by adding interactions and helping students understand the meaning of life. It could be agreed that the idea of having one is a little risky.
Photo by Derrick Johnson; Myrtle The Turtle.
By Megan Carroll Reporter
Nearly a year ago, we received a new Activeties Dirtector, Jeremy Stukenholtz. As with most new positions, he came to improve upon what was being done. He has been progressive and motivational towards the students. “I think there is a lot of accountability that he wants to put on the student athletes, as well as the coaches,” said football coach Mark Puev. Training can be challenging for high school students. Students have been encouraged to lift weights before and after school. This has started to improve the way that student athletes play. Stukenholtz has been supportive to all the sports at TJ, trying to get more and more students involved. “We’re hoping this
By Eric Garringer Reporter
By Hannah-Grace Northam Reporter
Photo by Eric Garringer; A senior honors pass.
these passes, Seniors are exempt from TJ reads and tend to gather in the commons. During this time, Seniors can be loud and rowdy, distracting students and teachers. Teachers tend to think that Seniors don’t need these passes and shouldn’t be privileged for doing what they should do anyway. Curtis Weber, a teacher at Thomas Jeffer-
was kind of like a disease, kind of spreads into other people who want success.” Puev said. Not only is Stukenholtz trying to get students involved, he is trying to infuse more positivity with our programs. Being positive allows students to enjoy themselves, and their school, while influencing other people to try new activities. Jeremy Stukenholtz has given Thomas Jefferson a reputation. The reputation of not giving up and putting forth all effort to succeed. “I think he’s trying to raise the bar,” said Puev. “He has motivated us a lot because he wants us to become better athletes,” stated junior Wyatt Hancock.
Cliques in class
Seniors honors pass Starting at the end of last year, Juniors were given “Senior Honors passes”. These passes excuse them from TJ reads, finals, and gave them off campus privileges. Now, the new Seniors have gotten their passes from last year, and they have blended in near seamlessly. These passes act as hall passes, off-campus lunch passes, and excursion from TJ reads. These passes need to be redeemed every trimester by maintaining a certain G.P.A. and attendance level, so Seniors can lose them if they are careless. One event with the passes that causes controversy is TJ reads. With
Stukenholtz scores
son, thinks otherwise. “I think everyone should try hard, but an incentive for doing well can help.” Weber goes on to say that He thinks Seniors are responsible enough to handle the privileges without abusing them. While the Seniors love the passes and will continue to use them at any given chance, there is still debate as to whether or not they are necessary.
Cliques exist everywhere: at your work, in your neighborhood, in church, and at your school. All through history, society has been divided into classes and cliques. A clique is a small group consisting of people that share similar interests, spend time together, and don’t readily allow others to join them. “The secret that these groups don’t want anyone else to discover is that most of the members are terribly insecure.” Accord-
ing to psychcentral.com Most people don’t know that psychologists differentiate between a click and a clique. People who are drawn together by a mutual interest or value system constitutes a click. People who join together by the need to be popular or sense of belonging constitutes a clique. Clicks can be positive, while cliques are usually negative. Some psychologists say that there are positive aspects to a clique. Maybe the final determination of a clique is the intentions of its members.
Photo by Dylan Montgomery; Group of TJ students conversing in the hallway.
Page 4