Hello AP/IB Boosters!
Contents
Purdue University’s Online Writing Center (OWL)
"In the past 10 years, the Purdue OWL has become a complement to classroom instruction, a supplement to face-to-face tutorials, and a stand-alone reference for thousands of writers worldwide. As one of the first OWLs in the world, it has become a benchmark and a reference for writers, readers, and scholars all over the world. Visitors from other universities regularly visit the Purdue University Writing Lab to consult with the Writing Lab and OWL staff about how to start or improve their own online writing labs."
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/
AP Environmental Science
We would like to see the science programs improved, significantly, in the Everett School District. An interesting course to consider adding at the high school level is AP Environmental Science. The course (and national exam) includes a study of volcanoes and hurricanes – two awesome forces in nature in the news of late. But the course includes much more. The following is an excerpt from a College Board article by Dean Goodwin.
"The overall theme of the APES curriculum can be seen as balance in nature; a balanced system is sustainable and survives, while an imbalanced system deteriorates and collapses. This is the key to understanding and preserving the complex systems and cycles that make up planet Earth. These ecological balances are critical and cannot be ignored. The solutions lie in understanding and tailoring our endeavors in a way that will restore and sustain these balances. The basic goals in the APES course are to show how everything in nature is interconnected and to provide the information in an accurate, unbiased, and interesting way. The course allows teachers to show how environmental education begins in our own back yard and to instill a sense of place in each student."
http://www.kua.org/academics/facultynews.html
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/article/0,1281,151-162-0-4357,00.html
Credit is granted for qualifying AP Environmental Science exam scores at the University of Puget Sound, University of Washington, and Whitman College just to name a few Washington institutions of higher learning. This means that students could earn substantial effective scholarships if given the opportunity to enroll in this course.
The College Track, 3-Part PBS Mini Series, Shown Sunday, October 3, 2004
KCTS televised the documentary "The College Track" on Sunday, October 3, 2004 from 10 AM to 1 PM.
"The three-part series examined how low expectations and lack of rigorous preparation limit students' choices and hamper their chances for success. The series illustrated how innovative programs designed to bridge gaps can make all the difference."
The following Web site will help parents, students and concerned members of the community to find answers to questions raised by the program.
http://www.thecollegetrack.com/
If you missed the KTCS showing of this program, contact the AP/IB Boosters to borrow a tape of this series.
Jackson High School Study Club
Starting Monday (10/4), Jackson High School will proudly begin a Study Club in the Library. The sessions will be set up to provide assistance with homework / studying (and will also provide a location for any needed Credit Makeup sessions due to excessive unexcused absences).
The Study Club will run from 2:10 - 3:10 in the Library Monday through Thursday most weeks. Our two advisors/supervisors are Margaret Armstrong and Rich Fortmann who will each take two days a week.
Please encourage your students to attend if they need additional help, and also please encourage your academic leaders to volunteer some time occasionally as peer tutors. They can receive community service and/or Honor Society hours for their efforts.
Also, parents, please consider stopping by occasionally yourself to lend a hand to a "needy" student.
Please contact Jackson HS Assistant Principal, Larry Fritts, for details.
Walkabout Program: Jackson High School
Jackson High School needs approximately 75 adults to be involved in their new Walkabout program. One hour a month is the minimum participation level and the maximum is unlimited. What a great opportunity to get plugged-in and connected to the JHS community. Your commitment level can change on a monthly basis. Just contact Larry Fritts Assistant Principal by the 25th of each month, with any changes for the following month. Help is needed throughout the day 7:15 am-2:10 pm.
To sign up or if additional information is needed please contact Larry Fritts: lfritts@everett.wednet.edu
Senior Family Night: Jackson High School
Thursday, October 7, 2004
"Helping all students achieve their post-high school goals"
Welcome, Introductions, & agenda review 7:00 – 7:05
Senior Parent Panel "2003 7:05 – 7:20
Workshops (Families can attend two of the four workshops)
Session 1: 7:25 – 7:55
Session 2: 8:00 – 8:30
Workshop session topics to choose from:
Financial Aid and Scholarships Commons
Lynn Carnagie
NW Educ. Loan Association
Military Room C142
Sergeant Fernando Hernandez
U.S. Marine Corps
IC1 Jared Horrell
Navy & ROTC Program
Community Colleges Room C131 & C134
Jeff Omalanz-Hood
Shoreline Community College
Four Year Colleges Room C122 & C124
Debbie Cossey
JHS Counselor
Heatherwood Middle School Study Skills Workshop, Wednesday, Oct 6, 2004
The AP/IB Boosters and the Heatherwood PTA are cosponsoring an evening Study Skills Workshop primarily to help parents help their kids with providing a conducive learning/studying environment at home, learning time management, studying for tests, and assisting their kids with mathematics homework among other topics. This workshop is planned for Wednesday, October 6, 2004, at 7 PM.
In our opinion, this is a great issue for the PTA to address. Our thanks to the Heatherwood PTA and the Heatherwood Middle School staff. We encourage all middle school families to join and participate in their school’s PTA.
Nationwide Reading and Discussion of Orwell’s Novel Planned for October 2004
"The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) is sponsoring a nationwide reading and discussion of George Orwell’s classic novel 1984 in October 2004. Educators and students in high schools, colleges, and universities, and citizens in libraries, community organizations, and book discussion groups are invited to read the book and discuss its prophetic nature and what it might teach us about life in the contemporary United States. The ‘1984+20’ project aims to promote awareness, discussion, and debate about the key roles of language in politics and culture."
http://www.ncte.org/about/press/rel/116297.htm
History Now
Excerpt from the College Board
"The Gilder Lehrman Institute has launched a new online journal for history teachers and students. History Now features articles by noted historians as well as lesson plans, links to related Web sites, bibliographies, and many other resources. In each issue, the editors bring together historians, master teachers, and archivists to comment on a single historical theme."
Online Event, "Special Topic: The New SAT"
The College Board sponsors online events for educators and counselors. This one is for counselors.
"First Session: October 7 at 3:00 p.m. ET
Second Session: November 11 at 3:00 p.m. ET
‘Special Topic: The New SAT’ will be a series of sessions to help participants better understand the changes to the SAT that will begin with the March 2005 test. Offered every month (except December), Brian O'Reilly will give a brief presentation each month and then answer questions.
The October session will be focused on the SAT essay. Hear how the College Board will read and grade three million essays a year without compromising the timely receipt of scores, as well as how colleges will use the writing score (and perhaps the essay itself). Practice materials are already in the schools, students will be registering for the new test, and Essay Readers are signing up. Will the addition of the writing section, and especially the essay, affect scores? For which groups?"
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com
Central Market in Mill Creek
We are considering asking the recently opened Central Market in Mill Creek if we can host a table near the entrance. We would like to distribute our educational materials on AP and IB and academic events such as the Study Skills Workshops that we are cosponsoring. It is well known that the AP/IB Boosters members appreciate a wide variety of excellent school course choices for our kids and your kids. Your hardworking board members also appreciate a wide variety of excellent food choices. So if you haven’t tried Central Market, it is superb. Bon Appetit!
http://www.central-market.com/millcreek/aboutUs.php
Thank you.
Executive Board
AP/IB Boosters
Advanced Placement Opportunities for All Students
www.apibboosters.org
info@apibboosters.org
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