Farewell readers.

As you know, the end is near.

Ok, not quite the end as you would imagine it. As far as I know, we're pretty safe from the apocalypse so far.

This year has gone by quickly. I know I've changed quite a bit. My writing has improved drastically, and my knowledge of blog maintenance has improved as well. The youtube channel known as Spyderwillster has gained subscribers, and I'm not sure if it is because of Technology 101, or just the more frequent videos I have been posting on it.

Our website has changed. It made the shift over to Blogger fairly smoothly, and overall we have thought that was a good change. Writing and editing has been easier and more efficient, although it does have it's bugs.

I've met more people on this journey as well. Our editors, our journalists, and Mrs. Hooker have all helped me through this year. I have advanced from journalist to IT apprentice, but I still write fairly regularly. But summer is here! I'm off to work, which will prevent me from writing regular articles due to the location of the job. I will continue Technology 101, which has been delayed several times due to ups and downs with school and life.

What I'm trying to say is goodbye. Goodbye readers of our blog, of my articles. Thanks for supporting me through the weeks, commenting and telling me how I did overall. I couldn't be happier to be a part of this.

But don't worry, I will continue writing. And next year, you can sit down and enjoy more articles from the TMJH Park City Post written by a new set of journalists!

So this is the end, but it is just a new beginning to a new chapter of the TMJH journalists.

See you next year!
Will Watkins,
(soon to be) Head IT, TMJH Park City Post.

Goodbye for now readers!

Farewell

Farewell TMJH

TMJH has changed me in  many ways, even though I've only been here for a year I have learned much. My writing has improved over the year and my vocabulary has expanded. I have learned many new techniques in journalism such has how to write an editorial and how to find research. I have written many articles that taught me things about the world that I wouldn’t have known if I didn't take this class.

Treasure Mountain Jr High Post has changed me in many ways. My grammar has gotten better so with writing. Journalism taught me how to correct my errors and mistakes and turn them into something great. I have to thank Mrs.Hooker for teaching me new ways to write.

With my presence in Journalism I have expanded my vocabulary because in my articles I have to use new words that I have never known before. It has expanded my vocabulary and now I can write like an experienced writer.

I have learned so much, such as writing editorials. Before I never knew how to write an editorial now I do since I took this class. Also, finding research, before I struggled on how to find information on my articles, Mrs. Hooker has taught me how to find information and facts to support my writing.

If I wasn't in this class I would not know what would be going on in the world. Researching for articles showed me the complications in the world. If I wasn't researching I would be clueless on whats going on.

By: Sydney Nadler

Cell Phones. Procrastination or Productivity?

A recent argument claims that smartphones are a distraction to the learning environment, and if they were banned from the educational system we would all be smarter.

Is this actually true?

According to news source The Guardian, cell phone bans actually improve the learning capacity of students. Not just good students, but students that aren't doing as well show major improvements without the use of mobile technology. However, a key factor found within the article's information creates an irrelevant argument within the location of our school. The article's information is based off of a survey done in the U.K.

The information presented was shown that removing cell phones from the learning environment will greatly reduce distractions. However, unlike in the U.K, students at our school are provided a laptop to help with school assignments. U.K students also probably don't have access to a computer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week like most of us do. So removing phones would just take away a small portion of distractions.

The district IT office is working on blocking unproductive websites, but their method is far from perfect. I've seen educational websites such as Thigiverse and a blog written by the co-founder of the event known as Makerfaire blocked for some stupid reason. The category they are blocked as is also inaccurate. Example: Thingiverse used to be blocked under Forums.Social_Networking. Considering it's a 3D file library, the category isn't accurate. Websites like Dailymotion, which is a video streaming service similar to Youtube (Which is blocked for students in 7th grade and below) is categorized as pornography.  I've used Dailymotion a few times, mostly to watch full episodes of my favorite TV show and I have not seen anything bad on it. As far as I know, most streaming websites like that enable age filters that block certain videos for users younger than 18 years old.

Product forums such as Yahoo Answers that could help me fix a computer problem are blocked under the same category as Thingiverse. I currently own a drone that I'm looking to buy a spare battery for. The website that sells the drones is blocked as photography, even though the only thing they sell that is even remotely similar to photography is a camera attachment for the quad-copters. On the other hand, another drone website that sells the same cameras with the same kind of drones is unblocked.

Unproductive websites have also slipped the filter at times, allowing students to game during class. A clever method using the sites service provided by google allows for some gaming blogs with included games to, in theory, be unable to be blocked. Texting on phones can instantly be replaced with instant messaging services available to internet users.

So back to the original theory of cell phones being linked to better education. Removing them wouldn't remove all the distractions that are keeping some students from learning. They would just create a temporary barrier for distractions that would probably be filled by some other form of procrastination. Cell phones aren't the problem of the learning environment, the problem is teachers jumping to conclusions and just assuming cell phones are the problem. They didn't have them as kids, so they don't understand how incredibly useful they are to students. It's like carrying around a notebook, calculator, drawing pad, textbook, and camera all rolled into one lightweight, small, and convenient device. Carrying around all those things would probably result in a backpack that weights upwards of 10 pounds. According to some research, students are not supposed to be carrying bags that weigh more than 15% of their body weight.

Another reason that phones shouldn't be banned is the short term memory and stature of students. Keeping track of several binders, assignments, and textbooks can be challenging. Having them all available on one device would reduce the mental load on the average student. Forgetting something and then having to visit a locker to get what you forgot can result in learning time missed. Stature of a student also suffers from the heavy supplies required for school every day. As much as professionals claim that phones will damage the neck of users, heavy bags will damage the spine of students. I recently visited San Mateo, California, and walking through the airport, I noticed that the bag I take on a vacation is lighter than the bag I take to school every single day.

In conclusion, cell phones are not the root of all learning problems in the learning environment. Banning them would just cause chaos and not actually solve any problems. All the distractions of a phone can be replaced by the distraction of the laptop computer.

Photo Courtesy of Your's Truly
Spyderwillster

Oh, and most of the links included in this editorial won't be accessible by PCSD students.

Age of Ultron : Movie Review

     Age of Ultron, the second movie in the Avengers films, was released in theaters on Friday, May 1st in the U.S.  It was created by Marvel, starring Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man (Tony Stark), Chris Evans as Captain America (Steve Rodgers), Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Mark Ruffalo as Hulk (Bruce Banner), and Scarlet Johansson as Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff). It also stars Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye (Clint Barton), James Spader as Ultron, Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Quicksilver (Pietro Maximoff), and Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlet Witch (Wanda Maximoff). Stan Lee (creator of Marvel) also takes a small part in this movie, as he does in all other Marvel movies.

Courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter

     This movie is about The Avengers, and their return when a peace-keeping computer program is destroyed and accidentally turns evil. It was created by Tony Stark and Bruce Banner while trying to transform the peace-keeper into a real human. Ultron takes control and has big and demolishing plans.  The reason this movie is different from the rest is the detail. You will find out secrets about the characters, and life-changing backstories.

     I recommend this movie to anyone who loves Marvel and The Avengers. Seeing it in 3-D was a little bit overwhelming and hard to follow in the beginning of the movie. It is two hours and twenty two minutes. The movie is rated PG-13, and that is an appropriate rating because there is some swearing and lots of violence. "I liked the new characters, good and bad, and I enjoyed Stan Lee's short scene." "I thought it was a great action movie and I actually want to see it again," said two TMJH students. Another student said, "I don't love violent movies, but I liked AOU. It put a nice twist on the first Avengers movie."

5 Simple Steps to Get You Through The End of School

As the end of school approaches, the annual "I’m-so-done-with-school fog" is so thick that we can’t see through it and we can’t walk through it… it’s oppressive. Here are a few things to get you through the end of the school year so that you don’t figuratively, or literally, die.

1. See the bright side of core testing. Yeah, I know, it sounds absolutely ridiculous. There is a bright side, though. The core tests we take at TMJH don’t count for your grades (at least in most classes), and they’re more for the teachers and schools than the students. Although you should try (!), you don’t need to stress about them. Also, you most likely won’t have any homework, which is always a plus.
2. Bring candy to your classes! Don’t let it be distracting, or your teachers may take it (because they have every right to). Make sure you know what teachers would be okay with it and when it’s appropriate to eat it. If all else fails, eat it at lunch.
3. Plan fun things after school so you that have something to look forward to. Even though school may still be a drag, at least afterward will be awesome.
4. Talk to people you don’t see outside of school or don’t normally talk to. If you find someone you actually enjoy hanging out with in school, you’ll be more motivated (maybe even excited!) to go to school. 
5. Try to enjoy your classes. Think of the whole experience of school as being a glass-half-full situation. Overlooking, or even partially overlooking, the bad or irritating things about your day can only make you happier.

Whether or not this helps to get you through the last bit of the school year, remember: we only have 19 days left, so stay strong and study on.

(photo: www.storiesofahappymom.com)

Y de repente... una escuela en Estados Unidos

Y de repente… una escuela en Estados Unidos

Hace ocho meses que atravesé por primera vez las puertas de Treasure Mountain Junior High. Me gusta pensar que mi vida ha mejorado durante este tiempo, en todos los sentidos, en especial en el profesional.

Nunca antes trabajé en una escuela. Mis días habían transcurrido entre políticos, crímenes y teatros. Soy periodista. Me imagino que siempre seré periodista independientemente de cuál sea mi actual ocupación. Ahora, de repente, trabajo en una escuela americana como ELL Assistant (Ayudante de estudiantes cuya primera lengua no es el inglés)

Mi experiencia ha sido enormemente enriquecedora. He trabajado con maestros excepcionales. Incluso yo me siento ahora un poco maestro. Sólo un poco. Para ser maestro se necesita alma, dedicación y experiencia. Yo sólo soy ayundante de maestros. O quizás debería decir ayudante de estudiantes.

Un limbo imaginario

Mi trabajo consiste en ayudar a los estudiantes hispanos. La gran mayoría son norteamericanos de toda ley. Sus padres son mexicanos pero ellos nacieron en Estados Unidos. Algunos ni siquiera saben comunicarse en español. Sin embargo, los ubicamos socialmente en un limbo imaginario; en medio de dos países tan cercanos y alejados al mismo tiempo como son México y Estados Unidos.

La vida les ha dado una oportunidad que no reconocen todavía, aunque todo el mundo les repite consantemente lo afortunados que son. Por mucho que nos empeñemos, es muy difícil hacerles entender que son unos privilegiados. Ven a sus padres, si es que tienen la suerte de tenerlos aquí, aplastados por la necesidad de ganar un dinero que debe servir para mantener a los de aquí y a los de allí. Muchos de sus compañeros viven en casas descomunales, viajan en coches de película y se marchan de vacaciones a lugares paradisiados, mientras ellos comparten un minúsculo apartamento con otras tantas familias. Pero los estudiantes hispanos ni siquiera tienen el derecho de la envidia, porque son unos privilegiados.

Tienen 13 y 14 años. Sólo unos pocos años más les darán una perspectiva más amplia. Lo más importante ahora es que no se salgan del camino hasta un punto irrecuperable. Que pasen estos años de permanente incertidumbre de la mejor manera posible. Que no pierdan la oportunidad formarse para conseguir un buen trabajo. Que el futuro les depare una vida mejor, en todos los sentidos. Que el gran esfuerzo que han hecho sus padres tenga recompensa.

Integración en la escuela

Sólo conozco una minúscula parte del sistema educativo americano. Una escuela intermedia de un pequeño pueblo de Utah. No puedo generalizar. Pero por lo que he visto aquí, la educación se provee de la forma más personalizada posible, alentando el talento de los más avanzados, a la vez que se proporciona apoyo adicional a los estudiantes que lo necesitan. En esto último precisamente consiste mi trabajo. Y por eso afirmo que la escuela hace mucho para favorecer la integración de los estudiantes hispanos. ¿Se podría hacer más? Por supuesto. Pero lo que se hace ahora es digno de elogio.

Es un placer para mí trabajar con ellos. Son alegres, inteligentes y creativos. Igual que el resto de estudiantes.Y lo mismo puedo decir de todo el mundo que trabaja en la escuela. Gente valiosa que prioriza la educación de los estudiantes por encima de cualquier otra cosa. Es un placer trabajar con todos vosotros.

Antonio Ortiz. ELL at Treasure Mountain Junior High

And Suddenly... an American School

Since entering the doors of Treasure Mountain Junior High School for the first time, eight months ago, every aspect of my life has improved.  My professional life changed entirely.

I never worked in a school. My days were filled with politics, crime and theater.

I am a journalist.

Regardless of my current job, as an English Language Learner paraprofessional, I guess I'll always be a journalist.  I have to write this story.

My experience has been enormously rewarding. I work with exceptional teachers. I feel like a teacher. To be a teacher, one needs heart, soul, dedication, and experience.

I’m in class to help teachers.  But, really, I’m there to help the students.

An imaginary limbo

My job is to help Hispanic students. In reality, the vast majority are Americans, born in the United States.  But, most parents were born in Mexico.

Some of my students have never been to Mexico and are not literate in Spanish.

However, we place them in an imaginary social limbo; between two countries, so close and distant at the same time like Mexico and the United States.

Life has given them an opportunity they do not recognize yet, although everyone repeats constantly to them how lucky they are. We try hard, but it is very difficult to make them understand that they are privileged.

They see their parents, if they are lucky enough to have them here, crushed by the need to earn money. Their parents work two or three jobs to support relatives both here and in Mexico.

Many of their friends live in huge houses, travel in luxury cars and go to paradisiac places for vacation. Typically, they share a tiny apartment with many families. But these students do not even have the right to envy, because they are privileged.

They are 13 and 14 years. In a few years, their perspective will broaden.

For now, we need to keep them making choices that will harm them down the road, limit their opportunities, and disappoint their families. 

The future holds for them a better life, in every way. The great effort made by their parents deservse a reward.

Integration at school

I only know a tiny part of the American educational system—a middle school in a small town in Utah. I cannot generalize. But from what I've seen here, education is provided in the most personalized way possible, encouraging the talent of the most advanced, while it provides additional support to students who need it. In the latter consists precisely my work. So I say that the school does much to promote the integration of Hispanic students. Could it do more? Of course. But what is done is now praiseworthy.

It is a pleasure to work with them. They are cheerful, intelligent and creative. They are the same as the rest of the students. The same can be said of everyone who works at the school -- valuable people that prioritizes student education above anything else. It is a pleasure work with you all.

Antonio Ortiz. ELL at Treasure Mountain Junior High

From a Pinhole to a Photo

Pinhole photography is a little-known and rarely used art form. Any form of photography that requires developing photographs in a darkroom is considered by many a task best left to the experts. But why? Pinhole photography is as easy as finding a container in the pantry. 

First of all, what is pinhole photography? What does that mean? Well, pinhole photography is a form of photography in which the camera consists of a lightproof container with a hole poked in it by a pin.

The following are steps to make your own pinhole camera. First, you need to start with a lightproof container. This is very important; if your container is not lightproof, light will get in and ruin the photo paper inside before you’ve even begun to develop your image. If you have a semi-lightproof container, such as a cardboard oatmeal container with a transparent lid, you can lightproof it with lightproof tape. Second, drill hole in the container. The size of this hole doesn’t really matter, it’s just so you don’t have to line up a pinhole with a pinhole later, which could prove to be difficult. Third, poke a hole in a sheet of copper (or probably anything like it that you can find. Experimentation is the key to creating great art!) with a sewing needle. The size of the needle depends on the distance from where the pinhole will be to the back of your container (where your photo paper will be located). The longer the distance, the larger the pinhole needs to be, but again, experiment. Pinhole photography, or any kind of art, really, isn’t an exact science. Fourth, smooth out the rough edges of the copper with steel wool or a fine sandpaper. Fifth, tape the small (about 1”x1”) piece of copper sheet to your container with lightproof tape so that it is lined up with your drilled hole. Sixth, make a shutter, or something to cover your pinhole. This can be made out of any lightproof material, so long as no light can reach or get in through your pinhole.

To take a photo with your camera, tape a piece of photo paper to the opposite side of your container as the pinhole. Make sure you load the paper in a darkroom so as not to damage it. Now, you can go out and take a photo! Place your camera with the pinhole facing the direction in which you want your image taken. Open your shutter and close it again. The time between the open and the close of the shutter will vary depending on the amount of light in your picture-taking environment. Generally, the more light there is, the less time you will need to have your shutter open. Shutter speeds for pinhole cameras can vary from less than a second to… however long you want, really! Again, experimentation and “failures” can only help you to learn and grow. Break all of the rules.

Once your picture has been taken, it simply needs to be developed in a darkroom. If you don’t know how to do this, you may want to find someone who does, as it requires the use of chemicals.

Pinhole photography is a little known art form that is largely awesome and fairly easy to carry out if you have the right tools. All you need to take amazing photographs is a lightproof container and a few other supplies. If you try this out, please send your photos to tmjhpcpost@gmaill.com.

(photo: blogs.egusd.net)

(photo: users.rcn.com)

(photo: me)

(photo: me)

Upcoming Makerfaire

Most people in today's world are very skilled with technology. And I actually mean skilled as in able to use a smartphone or tablet. But are we creative enough to get together and celebrate creativity?

Creativity. An attribute that not many people think is necessary. Now I am not hating on the school district, but by the time we reach 5th grade, the education system has dampened our sense of creativity. If you give a first-grader a piece of paper and ask them to draw something, they will most likely go to work. If you give a fifth-grader a piece of paper and ask them to draw something, however, the result will most likely be a long string of questions such as, "What should I draw?" or "But I am not good at drawing!"

Now, as Dale Doughetry stated in his TED talk (Seen here) he states that "All of us are makers!" I couldn't agree more, we are all naturally born with a desire to create.

Makerfaire is a celebration of makers. Held in many places every year, you can see anything from drones to 3D printing. Home automation to knitting, and even men standing in cages while being zapped with huge amounts of electricity.

The Bay Area Makerfaire in San Mateo, California will be taking place Friday, May 15th through Sunday, May 17th.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Stay tuned for a full report on the faire in 2 weeks!

Computer Policy's 101

Courtesy Of TMJH Journalism Class

All students at Park City School District sixth grade through twelfth grade get their own Macbook Air for the school year. These computers are a great help to students and teachers for lessons, tests, grades, homework and much more. Although, the computers are watched very closely when it comes to what they do on they that is not school related. If you look up something inappropriate you may get in all kinds of trouble depending on what you did. Millions of firewalls are up all around the web and breaking them also leads you to trouble. Most students know what not to do but here is a breakdown of it in a simpler fashion. These are some rules that students need to follow.

   1.  Searching inappropriate content
   2.  Playing games or watching movies during class
   3.  Listening to music with inappropriate content such as swear words
   4.  Cyber bullying
   5.  Watching movies with inappropriate content (stay around P-G to stay safe)
   6.  Trying to go around firewalls

         According to teachers and faculty these are some problems we have with computers. “A problem with streaming movies is that kids have no battery at the end of the day for important things like Sage tests and online activities,” says Julie Hooker, 8th grade teacher. “School laptops should be used for school related activities at all times and not used for entertainment. When students are not using it for school related things it becomes a distraction,” states Ali Gallagher TMJH Computer and Technology Specialist. Problems that students face, have to do with the battery life, and other technology related issues. “My computer is very slow and has problems with the wi-fi,” says a Treasure Mountain Junior High student, Hannah Varechok.


By: Corrine Sullivan and Kate Young