Literature class takes field trip to watch Death of a Salesman
Teacher Marilyn Brewer took her Advanced Placement and regular Communication Arts IV classes to the University of Missouri-Kansas City to view “Death of a Salesman,” put on by the The Kansas City Repertory Theatre.
The play details the life and times of Willy Loman, a traveling salesman, who is forced to confront his past demons and his sons.
The play is directed by Artistic Director Eric Rosen, and features Kansas City’s own Gary Neal Johnson and Merle Moores as the desperate Willy and Linda Loman.
The classes previously read the play as part of their curriculum.
Senior sweetheart royalty will be announced Friday, Feb. 15 during the basketball game against Blue Valley North.
Nominees for Queen are seniors Maddy Hisle, Meg Huwe, Madi Kupchin, Paige McKinzie and Anna Welch.
Nominees for King are Ben Lewis, Tanner Lund, Colton Miller, Anthony Miller and Dylan O’Dell.
The Sweetheart dance is 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16.
Dr. Chris Jenson named 2013 Horizon Award winner
At the beginning of September in 2012, Dr. Chris Jenson was nominated to be a recipient of the Horizon Award for the Blue Valley School District.
The Horizon award is an annual recognition for a first year teacher who has demonstrated exceptional teaching at either the elementary or secondary level from each district in the Kansas area.
Jenson is one of 32 teachers from across the state recognized as an exemplary first year educator with this award.
Jenson was nominated by principal Scott Roberts for his accomplishments last year.
“It was an easy choice,” Roberts said. “It was a combination of things. He spent his first year at CAPS, but I knew what he had done as a student teacher and I worked with Mr. Ralston over at CAPS to nominate him.”
To be eligible for the Horizon Award, teachers must have completed their first year of teaching. Teachers must also have found a way to distinguish themselves as outstanding in comparison to all the other teachers.
“I was really flattered to be nominated,” Jenson said. “There are lots of really good first year teachers in Blue Valley.”
Jenson, having found out about the nomination in January, is invited to attend the Kansas Experience Education Network (KEEN) Feb 21 – 22 in Topeka.
“He’s an exceptional teacher,” Roberts said. “What he did establishing Foundations of Medicine goes above first year teachers.”
After sending its proposal to Principal Scott Roberts, the National Art Honor Society received clearance to improve recycling procedures in the art wing. Rooms 101, 102, 103, 104, 114 and 116 will be receiving two new bins –– one for the disposal of aluminum and the other for plastic.
“I didn’t want the group to take on the whole school, and the art wing seemed like a nice place to start since it is the National Art Honor Society,” NAHS sponsor Robert Putnam said.
Students who do not attend classes in any of these rooms should feel free to stop by before or after school to dispose items into the appropriate bins. Each container will be decorated and labeled by the members of NAHS, who meet at 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays in Room 101.
Spread the word to end the word
March 6 is National Awareness day, sponsored by the Special Olympics, to stop the use of the R-word. In order to spread awareness, shirts will be sold on the week prior to March 6 by students of the Interpersonal Skills Class during all lunch hours. Sizes S to XL will be priced at $15 and sizes above XL will be $17.
For students to guarantee that they have a shirt to wear on March 6, students can pre-order by dropping off cash or check, along with a note detailing your name and size information, to Room 207.
Scholastic art winners announced
Among the many contestants that entered the 2013 Scholastic Art Midwest Regional-At-Large Competition, three students took home awards. Honorable mention went to senior Katie Curry for her colored pencil and oil painting titled “Sweet Freedom.” The Silver Key was awarded to freshman Katharine Penrod for her colored pencil drawing, “Airheads,” and junior Johnny Tapp for his colored pencil drawing, “Colorful Candy.” Students can view these award-winning pieces on display in the art gallery.
The Glitter Girls hosted their own dance clinic for students Pre-K through 5th grade on Jan. 29. There, they taught children how to perform a routine and prepared them to be future glitter girls. Registrants also received T-shirts and framed pictures of themselves with the Timberwolf mascot and the team. After the clinic, participants showed off what they had learned during Halftime of the Feb. 4 varsity girls basketball game.
