Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Ed Tech Tuesday-Flipboard

Everyone loves a good magazine. I know I get very excited when my Self magazine comes in the mail each month. I enjoy getting new ideas about food and exercise and reading articles that help me diagnose myself with rare diseases. Not really, but don't you read those and think to yourself that you have at least half of those symptoms. “Maybe I do have ...”

Well, along the same lines is my Flipboard account that I use on my phone and iPad. You can create public and/or private magazines made up of articles, videos, music and more based on your interests. You could create a magazine for you students to get them interested in your content, to provide extension/enrichment, or just to give them another way to look at a topic.

Once you have downloaded the app to your device search for Tim Sparacino who has several public magazines including Project Ideas, Common Core and iPad& Apps. Look me up too Chris Long (nolleytoo) and browse through my Notes to Self Magazine. I am new to Flipboard, so my magazine is “emerging,”which is a nice way to say sparse.

Technology shouldn’t be scary. Just play with it and have fun. The attached video gives a basic overview of Flipboard and its capabilities. Best way I have found to learn a new tool is to go online and just google it with the word tutorial after it. I usually get a few hits that I can watch or read through and it gets me started. That is the key. Just get started.

BTW...If you can't see the video through the blog because of flash issues, then go straight to YouTube and search "How to Create a Magazine on Flipboard 2.0."  Have fun creating!

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Medal of Honor Assembly- What an Honor!

The 7th graders at WJHS were treated to a once in a lifetime opportunity on Friday, May 17 when an assembly was held for three Medal of Honor recipients.

The ceremony started with the Pledge of Allegiance being led by 7th grader, Jackson Thompson.

Then, members of the 7th grade Choir sang the National Anthem.

Principal, Tim Sparacino introduced, welcomed, and thanked Joe Quinn from Wal-Mart Corporate Affairs for the opportunity to host the assembly.

Each Medal of Honor Recipient was introduced and had time to address the 7th grade student body.

After their speeches, the Medal of Honor recipients presented Mr. Sparacino with an autographed copy of the book Medal of Honor- Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty.

A brief question and answer session followed the presentation.  Students were allowed to ask questions and the Medal of Honor recipients responded to each question.

Cash Zimmerly then performed a moving rendition of Taps.

Mr. Sparacino made closing remarks and then the students honored our guests with their second standing ovation of the assembly.

There were chill bumps and teary eyes throughout the gymnasium.

WJHS would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our service men and women for what they have done and are doing to keep our country safe.  We extend a very special thank you to the courageous Medal of Honor recipients that graced us with there presence on Friday.

Donald Ballard, Harold Fritz, and Joe Jackson, you are great American heroes and a true inspiration.  Thank you for visiting WJHS and enriching the lives of our students.

Pictures by Tina Geske.





The three Medal of Honor recipients that we had the pleasure of meeting are in the picture below (from left to right):  Harold A. Fritz, Donald E. Ballard, and Joe M. Jackson.


Harold A. Fritz, U.S. Army, First Lieutenant.
When his armored column came under intense fire from a reinforced enemy company, Fritz was seriously wounded.  However, with his platoon surrounded, outnumbered, and in danger of being overrun, Fritz jumped to the top of his burning vehicle and directed his remaining vehicles and men.  Running from vehicle to vehicle, he repositioned his men, assisted the wounded, distributed ammunition, and directed fire.
When the enemy assaulted, Fritz manned a machinegun and routed the attackers.
When a second enemy force closed with his position, Fritz led a daring charge against the enemy.  When a relief force arrived, Fritz deployed it against the enemy.  

Donald E. Ballard, U.S. Navy, Hospital Corpsman Second Class.
When Ballard’s platoon was ambushed by enemy forces with automatic weapons and mortars in South Vietnam in 1968, Ballard unhesitatingly moved across the fire swept terrain to render medical assistance to a wounded Marine. As he was directing the evacuation of the wounded, an enemy grenade landed in their midst.  Ballard shouted a warning to his comrades, and then leapt upon the device. The grenade failed to detonate, so he arose and continued treating other casualties.

Joe M. Jackson, U.S. Air Force, Lieutenant Colonel.
In South Vietnam in 1968, Joe found himself landing his cargo aircraft under heavy direct fire.  With the embattled airstrip littered with debris from exploding ammunition dumps, Jackson rescued a three-man Combat Control Team and carried them to safety.







Friday, May 17, 2013

2012-13 PTO Board Honored

At the final PTO meeting of the 2012-13 school year, the WJHS PTO Board was honored.

Our PTO Board has done an outstanding job this year and we appreciate them so much.

Each member received a certificate of appreciation and a plant.

Pictured below are: Paula Mantel- Treasurer, Mary Smits- Vice President, and Kelly Branca- Co-President.  Not pictured are: Whitney Duncan- Co-President and Andrea Herrod- Secretary.



Thanks PTO Board (and members)!!!  We love you!!!

21C Grants Announced!!!

Four current WJHS teachers were awarded 21st Century Grants this morning.

These grants will supply each teacher with additional professional development throughout the 2013-14 school year and a classroom set of laptops for daily use.

We are so excited for these teachers but even more thrilled for the students that will be impacted by these grants.

Grant recipients are:  Cynthia Cardwell, Tina Geske, Brianna Rentscher, and Sarah Suttle.





Thursday, May 16, 2013

7th Grade Course Request Verifications


Attention Parents:  the current 7th graders at WJHS (who will still be attending WJHS) received their Course Request Verification form today.  Please ask to read and review that form.  If you have changes, please email those changes to Mrs. Matayo at mmatayo@bentonvillek12.org or make the changes on the form and have your child return the form to WJHS counseling office/Mrs. Matayo.

Any changes need to be returned by May 23rd

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Artist Alley

Join us for the unveiling of artwork created by our own Washington Wildcats...Nikkita Nakka, Alondra Paredes and Rachel Harris.

Friday, May 10, 2013

Welcome to WJHS Night Receives Positive Feedback

We had overwhelmingly positive feedback from the parents and students that attended the Welcome to Washington festivities last night.

Visitors were treated to a "Red Carpet" theme complete with visits from world famous movie stars (or at least their life-size cutouts!), a scavenger hunt, prizes, a welcome video, information about clubs and activities, and free refreshments.

We'd like to thank everyone that attended and our wonderful staff members that helped make the night such a success.

A good time was had by all.  Go Wildcats!

Kandi Cowart and Stephanie McDowell at the Welcome Table