Libertas Letters Issue 1

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0488dfc3.jpg"> <div> <B>BACK</B></div> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=82 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0498dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Mrs. Davies                      Room 206</B></FONT><B>     </B><B>|</B><B>     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mrs. Davies Room 20"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id115.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Journalism 2006/2007"><U>Journalism 2006/2007</U></A>   |   <B>Libertas Letters Issue 1</B>   |   <A HREF="id114.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Libertas Letters Issue Two"><U>Libertas Letters Issue Two</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=398 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0498dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I>Libertas Letters Issue 1</I></div> <bR> <div> D.J. Club</div> <bR> <div> By: Ashley Bossert </div> <bR> <div> Science teacher, Mr. Kevin Ferguson, started a DJ Club. last year.  Mr. Ferguson  previously had started a DJ Club at his last job, and he said that it worked well. He brought the idea to Mr. Strassman who also thought it was a good idea. Mr. Ferguson asked all his classes if they would like to start the DJ Club up and they agreed. </div> <div> There were donations from all grades 9-11<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> grade each had donated $500 and the seniors donated $250, to buy all the equipment and music.   Because of the club, students no longer have to hire an out side DJ. The DJ Club is a group of students that play music at dance and at the school events. Right now there are twenty-five kids in the DJ Club. There mostly in the 9<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> and 10<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> graders. Any one who is interested should see Mr. Ferguson.   There have been no elected officers yet .</div> <div>  Any group who uses the DJ Club is asked to make a donation to help keep the DJ Clue going. If you want any information about the DJ Club, see Mr. Ferguson in room 205. Mr. Ferguson will tell you a little more about the DJ Club</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Senior Lounge</div> <bR> <div> By Mackenze Austin</div> <bR> <div>      Towards the end of the summer a group of devoted seniors got together and began the project that would change the name senior lounge has carried for years.  Who knew a couple coats of white paint could change all of that?  As the school year came to a start, the students began to give up their free time after school to paint two murals on the freshly painted walls.  The two murals consist of a snake that weaves in between the year 2007 and an Indian head.  Both murals represent something that is not only important to the seniors, but represents the student body as a whole.  Of course the murals were painted in red, white and black to go along with our school's new motto, “Liberty Pride.” </div> <div>      During  the second week of school the senior lounge was officially opened!  Starting out with no furniture, the seniors now have plenty.  The class came together as a whole to find people to donate furniture.  Not only is there furniture but cork board triangles, of course red, hanging around the room.  The corkboard can be used for signing and posting information.  A plus about the cork board is it eliminates graffiti.  When you walk in, you can't help but notice the inspirational posters on display.  These four posters were donated by Mrs.Perkowski.  All in all, the senior lounge has changed, in a positive way of course!  The change couldn't have occurred without the dedication, hard work and effort from fellow students, staff, family, and friends.</div> <bR> <div> Any Suggestions?</div> <bR> <div> By: Carolyn Carrier and Brittany Prince</div> <bR> <div>      What's going on with the state of the cafeteria? Have you ever made a complaint? Well, complaints have been made and the problems are being worked on. Since last year many improvements have been made but things can  still get better. With help from students and staff, we can make the cafeteria and everything about it great.</div> <div>      When talking to Gary Sawyer, the director of facilities and supply services, many questions were answered. We found out about the health code which states about how food should be handled among other various laws .Mr. Sawyer was very helpful and has asked our help with any suggestions that may mean improvement. When talking to the friendly cafeteria workers, we found out that they need more help during lunch periods because disorderly student conduct concerning there mess leaves them short handed. If students picked up after themselves, the cafeteria workers' jobs may be a little more pleasant.  </div> <div>       With the food people can't help but wonder is it really all that healthy or whatever else people may think.  Many of the students in the school are lactose intolerant and the majority of the food has a giant helping of cheese product on it.  Why isn't there more choice? Well, at this moment more choices are being spoken about. Maybe the end of the year we will see more selection and better food in general.</div> <div>      Personally, everyone has their own opinion on the school and every aspect of it. It's up to other students, faculty and parents to help make the changes that they want to see. If students have any suggestions they should speak out so then the problems are known. Mr. Sawyer is willing to take any helpful suggestions.</div> <bR> <div> Thought you Were Doing Well in Math and English?</div> <bR> <div> By Michelle Fancher</div> <bR> <div> Liberty High School, among eight other schools, is getting failing marks in English and Math.</div> <div>      According to English Mr. Fleck, an English teacher at Liberty, “It's a load of crock! If they're going to publish articles in a newspaper where many people read it, they should at least publish accurate information.”</div> <div>      There may be issues in the middle school, but as far as the high school is concerned, there is a very high passing rate. Most kids passed the English regents last June. In 1996 only one person passed the regents with above a 90 including the honor students. Not only in Liberty was there a high failing rate, but also statewide many kids were not doing well.</div> <div>      Instead of always pinpointing the low points of Liberty, the media should be focusing on the higher points. In this year's graduating class there are many smart kids with very high averages. Obviously, these kids did well in math, English and all their other classes or they wouldn't have gotten as far as they did.</div> <bR> <div> <I>Welcome Mr. Semo</I></div> <bR> <div> By Megan Eisenberg</div> <bR> <div>      By now, hopefully, all of you know that Liberty High School has a new athletic director. Considering that all the grades have had an assembly with Kaseem Sinceno  that was organized by our new athletic director, there's probably no way that you don't know about Mr. Semo.  He's a very outspoken person-he refuses to use a microphone, and insists on screaming across the auditorium- open about his passion for athleticism and sports. Participation in sports has benefits-it teaches time management, how to follow directions, teamwork, commitment, and dedication. Mr. Semo is a Tri-Valley graduate who played many a sport, including football, basketball, and baseball.</div> <div>      According to Mr. Semo, you don't have to play a sport to be involved. He not only encourages students to get involved with the sports team themselves, but also urges them to use their other interests to take part in the athletic programs. Like music? Sing or play the national anthem. Taking pictures? Become a sports photographer. Mr. Semo's biggest concern, however, is the restoration of Liberty Pride. </div> <div>      Unity has been lost among the sports teams in Liberty. Mr. Semo's hope is that a bond will be created between the students. A big supporter of the Indian, Mr. Semo wants every student to be proud to be part of Liberty. In fact, to promote Liberty Pride, Mr. Semo hands out “pride passes” to all the students, kindergarten through eighth grade, who show up at sports games. The students can hand them in to their teachers and win prizes. Mr. Semo is making some changes to the way Homecoming operates, as well. Instead of it favoring football, the soccer team, who works equally hard, will have their own homecoming game.  </div> <div>      In the future, Mr. Semo is hoping to add more sports teams, such as volleyball, to Liberty. The modified sports team will hopefully lead to a JV, which will hopefully lead to a Varsity team. He also hopes that eventually there will be a Liberty Pride parade, in which every grade has their own float. But for now, he's focused on making what we already have stronger. Hopefully, by the time I graduate in four years, Liberty Pride will be restored and thriving. </div> <bR> <div> SCIL</div> <bR> <div> By Nicole Cuttita</div> <bR> <div> Thursday, September 21, marked the first SCIL meet of the new school year. While many were returning members, the meet also welcomed five newcomers. The new team proved to be the perfect blend of ingenuity and flair. Starting the meet off on the right foot was Matt Arielly and Justin Garritt who competed in the “Rum Run,” where they ran up and down the treacherous hills of Hanofee park to fill a two-liter bottle with water one cup full at a time. Kicking off the treasure hunt was Miranda Hardy and Nicole Cuttita who created a language all of their own using nothing but green and yellow flags. Amarynth Sichel and Leila Zilles assisted them in communicating a secret message from across the lawn. Amarynth and Leila then went on to successfully decode an intricate cryptogram about Captain Hook that led them straight to the treasure chest. Tiffany Brenner and Justin Garritt put their heads together to come up with an ingenious approach to allow for six members of the team to safely `walk the plank' without a single drowning. Matt Baxter calculated a tide chart that would have made Archimedes look twice. Brittany Melchick and Taylor Jardine led the team in answering two pages worth of pirate trivia. Jeff Simpson and Kelly Hamlin proved to be the teams craftsmen when they built a pirate ship that left all others in the dust. The highlight of the meet was the Cannonball firing, where the cannon, built by Jeff and Kelly, was put to the test. When worried teammates noticed that another school had a cannon that suspiciously resembled their own, a confidant Matt Baxter reassured them. </div> <div> “Don't worry,” he said, “they don't have the (cannon) balls to back it up.” </div> <div>      The day was ended right as an ecstatic team cheered as Jeff and Kelly's design succeeded in sinking the most pirate ships. All in all Thursday was a huge success and gave much hope for this years SCIL team.</div> <bR> <div> Is the Dress Code Too Strict? </div> <div> By: Leslie Hernandez</div> <div> Is the dress code too strict? Today students witnessed the assistant principal walk into a working classroom, interrupt and pick out certain students because their shirt covered their pockets. Do you think this is going to the extreme? Or since we have so many rules and regulations for the dress code that we should we have uniforms? Is this necessary? Mrs. Weigand recently discussed the dress code.          “If we get an email or phone call from a staff member about a violation. We will go to the room to check it out. The students have to change the clothes to fix the violation. If they do not, they can call home to get something from home. They return to class until something is brought into school. Students usually cooperate and comply with the hand book . Also, we will pull them out to address them personally. The dress code was sent home over the summer with the schedules. It was addressed at the grade assemblies the hard copy is in the student's tracker.” Students' opinions vary from a lot of different points. </div> <div> One student said,  “Uniforms are a good idea, there wouldn't be so many rules and no competition with each other to see who looks better or who has better clothes.”</div> <div>  The dress code is put into effect for the safety of our school, children and faculty. Some teachers and kids think that it's a good idea and that the new dress code makes our school look better and more educated, so the new rules and dress code doesn't bother them.  So is the new dress code to strict? You decide.</div> <bR> <div> Let's Take a Field Trip</div> <bR> <div> By: Ariana Burd</div> <div>      Culture is the world around us, shouldn't students at Liberty High School be able to experience the world around them? Cultural opportunities include seeing shows, visiting museums, and taking trips to different places that may have a historical or interesting and educational background to them. At Liberty High School many students have no idea what cultural experiences are available for them to participate in and what we can do to bring more culture to Liberty High School. </div> <div>      Mr. Sincaore, LHS vice principal explained the many different options and the many different ways teachers and students can bring culture to the school.  As students you may not know that the school receives certain grants, which can be used for educational field trips outside of the classroom. English Teacher Mrs. Davies wants to take advantage of the grant and was approved to use part of this grant to take some of her students to see a Broadway show. The problem though is that New York City has been on and off Orange Security Alert and when NYC is on an alert like this the state will not permit school activities in NYC meaning the grant cannot be used. Mr. Sinacore explained that we can use the grant to see a Broadway style show in places such as Albany, its not Broadway but I'm sure it would be a great show! Other teachers may apply for field trips as well. The rules of applying for a field trip are that the plans or itinerary for the trip must be handed in for approval at least three weeks before the planned trip. The plan must include a way to fundraise for the trip if the school cannot cover the entire cost. Fundraising, it seems that as students we are always fundraising for everything! Well that's what must be done if you want to go on certain field trips and cultural experiences. The reality is that the school cannot pay for every trip with wish to go on. If a class decided they wish to go on a field trip of sorts they should come up with a creative idea in which they could raise funds to cover costs, which the school cannot. Teachers, if you would to get students excited and motivated to fundraise Mr.. Sinacore suggests incorporating the field trip idea into your lesson. Many students think all museums are boring or that they have to be a really Broadway, musical type person to see a show. If students learn about where they are going to visit, they might be more motivated and excited to get there!</div> <div>      Cultural experiences are things that can teach kids about the world and environment they live in. Being able to go out and do things students and  teachers a break from the traditional classroom. It's not to say that we should be on a field trip everyday but wouldn't it be nice to go to Albany with all of your friends and learn about something gin person instead of from a text book even it was only once or twice a year? A suggestion is get motivated and ask questions, as students and teachers. If students and teachers don't ask we wont know if its possible for our school to experience the many places out there just waiting for us to visit.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Welcome Newbies!</U></B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> They're tall, they're really quiet, they dress nice, they have a weird way of talking and they sit right next to you in homeroom! Who are these mystery people… they're the newbies to LHS.  They were probably told “don't look anyone in they eyes.” That may be true in most schools but Liberty's weird in the way that no matter who you are you'll find a group or teacher or activity that makes you happy.  There are the cliques. There are the Punks, the Goths, the Over Achievers, the Honors group, the kids you can count on to get a referral, the Jocks, the Music Gurus, the Glamours, and the miscellaneous. There are endless amounts of activities you can do: sports, independent studies, clubs, maybe even yearbook committee. To all those newbies out there: yes, you can look us in the eyes, no we won't shove you in a locker. Word of advice: Be yourself, get involved, the more you do the more opportunities there are for you to meet great people and find something you love. To the returning students: find a new kid, introduce yourself, invite them to sit with you at lunch, make them feel like they'll be able to survive this year. They may look weird but you never know how much you might have in common with them. </div> <div> Those are just the students. What about new teachers? They have to come to a new school in a new area with new co-workers and at least one hundred new names to memorize. Our new teacher this year is Mrs. Licis. She is our new English AIS ninth and tenth grade teacher. She was born and raised in Dearborn Michigan, has three brothers and three sisters, married, has three children (one daughter and two sons), and has two grandsons.  She's not like every other teacher she was in a ballet company for fifteen years, plays the guitar, writes her own poetry and music, and has already written two children's books that are in the process of being published. When asked if she liked Liberty, she almost fell out of her seat when she responded “I LOVE IT!!!” When asked why, she simply responded with “The students. They're a pleasure to teach, they're so intelligent, creative, and gave me such a gracious welcome.” She looking forward to a “successful and fulfilling year in this rich learning environment.” Let's all welcome Mrs. Licis and chip in to make this year all she hopes and more.</div> <bR> <div> To the newbies, the new teachers, and the veterans. Make everyone feel welcome; you never know you may find yourself a great friend.</div> <bR> <div> New Year, New Rules</div> <bR> <div> By Josh Maier</div> <div>      </div> <div>      This year in Liberty High School students have recently noticed that the enforcement of disciplinary rules and procedures has dramatically intensified. When a student was late to class during previous years, the consequence would be a simple T1 visit. Now, the student will not be sent to T1 but will be charged with a “late”. Multiple offenses will result in disciplinary action. If students arrive to class five or more minutes late, a referral will be written. </div> <div> Also new this year, students may not visit a teacher for academic help during a study hall without a pre-signed pass. Mr. Anthony Sinacore, one of the vice principals here in Liberty High School discussed these drastic changes. He stated that the reason for the seemingly harsh enforcement was due to the extremely large number of students that would take advantage of the T1 policy and be purposely late to class. Also, if a student is being sent out of class for being late, then he or she is missing out on the lesson which is only hurting there own academic career. As far as the pre-signed pass to see a teacher goes, this is just an extension of the library pre-signed pass rule which simply states that a student will only be allowed to visit the library with a pre signed pass. To limit the congestion in the hallways, this rule has been extended for seeing teachers also. </div> <div> While these rules and disciplinary actions may seem harsh and unfair at first, the enforcement is only to ensure the students a safer and academically friendly environment </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>