Image provided by: West Linn High School; West Linn, OR
About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2007)
^007 9 Features Music and Arts Partners keep arts in school L ogan K elly program at various levels. Lynne Detrick. The group Donations from corporations Sports Editor recommended a parent-run What would school be like organization be formed as one such as the Marie Lam from without the group of so-called of the solutions. Charitable Foundation and "band geeks," who are always the Juan Yung Trust have The original five members perform at school assemblies also been secured. The from the task force started a and who always seem to be organization is recognized by program called "The Mus| in the band room. Imagini the Internal Revenue Service Boosters." "Each membei a life with canned orchestra to be a 501c3, n ^ p p ro fiij^ thlew $25 into a hat. We music blaring as the droves of smarted w|f]| just $125," Lynne organization. students march into the gym '*Detrick, ¿¡ecutive Board Building on trreir looking for their spots on the original live members, Member and Membership bleachers. It would be a very the organization now has Coordinator, said. m different from the feeling of teir board size to 15 live orchestra music. to save me btfifigs ¡prop?am. In 1995 the Strings has sponsored such Now, going by the name of Sfiffiging pianists program almost collapsed Music and Arts P a r t n L i John Nilsen and Michael and could have possibly MAP, they have successfully Allen Harrison to schools, made the above scenario a granted over $300,000 to art reality. In an attempt to save giving 30 violins to a primary and music programs around school Strings program, and the struggling program, the in the district. MAP changed bringing a top class conductor district assembled a task force their name from Music in to help join the West Linn to come up with solutions. Boosters to the Music and middle schools and high The task force consisted of Arts Partners to better reflect school choir together. five members: Karen Pixton, the true intentions of helping "MAP has provided me all of the arts programs. Over Barbara Richmond, Dana with the funds I needed to 250 families sponsor the Edvalson, David Buddi and & jump-start the new fiber arts class. Their support has helped me create a wide variety of fiber media available to the students, such as knitting, embroidery, weaving and spinning," Diane Gauthier, Pine Arts teacher, said. O Started as a tasl to sal^a struggling program, MAP has growl Any artsjjeacher in the IsffJK^arts help to create well-rounded students. Students who take music, score higher on their SAT's, and if the arts are not continued in middle school, parts of the brain literally shut down. It is our goal to give students as many different arts opportunities as possible and to keep the arts in our district thriving," Sarah Wright, MAP co-president, said. "The arts are what we look at most when understanding what a society has valued throughout the ages," Lynn Pas^ art teacher, said. "People be involved in the arts roughout their lifetimes—it enriches our lives!" Scientists have also proven that without music and art, a developing child has a greater chance of being challenged in math. This district almost lost a crucial program which aids in the development of students and an organization stepped up to the plate. "MAP’s hopes to have a long relationship with the district as an organization which truly supports— financially, emotionally and physically—the arts in all of our schools," Pass said. Technology Department lends helping hand to students, teachers u HiLLI ClAVARELLO________________ Staff Reporter Ever wonder how the computers get fixed or the printers get unjammed? Students might not know that the Technology Department staff keeps an eye out for all the mishaps- of modem day technology. Angie H am m o n d , sure the technology in our classrooms work. They know that it just doesn't make sense for an expensive piece of equipment to have a faulty light," Gary Eppelsheimer, science and photo teacher, said. They also have a way to help students and teachers using the thing they know best, technology. By making, "Techbytes," a computer help folder on their desktop, students and teachers can get help without getting up themselves or adding to the 50 e-mails a day that Hammond and Ares already receive. "Techbytes is a good place to start, when you don't understand what you’re doing," Hammond said. In addition of being committed to helping students and teachers understand technology already available to them, they also strive to secure the best technology possible for the school. Things like Smart Boards, an interactive whiteboard and document cameras, cameras that allow 3-D objects to be shown to an entire classroom, have been brought to the school to enhance learning. "A good classroom used to have a chalk board and a TV. Now we want a data projector and a Smart Board in every room to make learning a little more interactive for students," Ares said. The only thing that truly bothers the Tech Department is vandalism. Things like dismantling mouses, switching keys on keyboards, and others things have been happening more often than they would like. "Students are only cheating themselves, because the money that could have gone to a new digital camera or a new printer now has to replace something that didn't have to be broken in the first place," Ares said. Even with the negative aspects of their job, the duo knows that the only thing that's worse than a broken computer is a confused student or teacher that they can help. a D iana S impson _____________ they read with friends and family- the resounding answer from the 10th graders was that they don't have the time for it. On the other hand, there were also some definite differences shown between the classes. Sophomores and Juniors strongly dislike the books in the curriculum, while Freshman and Seniors are more neutral in their opinions. Also, the lower- classmen prefer to read magazines in their free time, while upper-classmen enjoy novels better. Students dislike assigned reading in class Contributing Writer Angie Hammond, Information Technology Specialist, continually checks e-m ail to answer questions from students and staff. The Tech Department receives hundreds of e-mails each week asking for assistance. Photo by Cole Fiala Specialist, and Jon Ares, Media Tech Aide, and their seven, application only, tech aides keep the unwanted viruses from making our computers sneeze. "The only thing we don’t like dealing with is the unexplained—the things that we can’t fix," Hammond, Technology Department chair, said. But there isn’t much they can’t fix. Throughout the day students and teachers receive help from these tech gurus on everything from fickle mice to stupid Smart Boards. "They are completely /mmitted to making "And now Harry, let us step out into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure." The lights are dimmed, the room is deathly silent. Sitting with bated breath, book in hand, you turn the page and delve in to the unknown of the next chapter; fingertips tingling with anticipation... Is this you? Recently, one english class from each grade were given a survey, to discover their reading habits and opinions on book-related topics. Of the 73 students polled, 31 said they dislike the books assigned to read in school, 34 said they make a habit of reading for pleasure, and 16 listed the Harry Potter series as their favorite books. Though most of the student's answers were quite varied, there seemed to be a few patterns. All grades, 9th through 12th, agreed that a good place to read is on their beds, where it's nice and quiet. All but the sophomores fessed up to having discussed what iligiaMHppppHHpfg What grade did you learn to read? Freshman 1st grade (57%) F a v o rite c h il dren's book? Captain Underpants Opinion on books in classes Favorite genre? Books vs. Magazines Sophomore 1st grade (46%) ag& Junior Senior 1st grade (57%) 1st grade (37%) g is Magic Tree House Cat in the Hat series ' ' A // '' ‘ t 1 Dislike them Some are okay Dislike them (50%) (44%) (58%) Action Clifford and- Goodnight Moon V' Some are okay (42%) Fantasy / Mystery Sci-Fi / Romance Fiction/Fantasy Magazines Magazines Books Do you read for pleasure? Yes (57%) No (54%) Yes (50%) Have you re-read assigned books? No (77%) No (85%) No (79%) No (84%) Where do you find Public & School what you read? libraries Bookstores Friend's recomendations Bookstores Do you discuss Yes, with family what you read? No, not enough time Favorite place to read? Favorite book? Living room Bed and other quiet places Harry Potter To Kill a Mocking bird/Harry Potter Books r-"- • Yes (58%) Yes, with friends Yes, if it was good Bedroom Harry Potter Bedroom Princess Bride/ Harry Potter
