Monday, November 25, 2013

Westside Ski Bus

WESTSIDE SKI PROGRAM


The Westside Ski Program is coming up!   On Friday, January 10th, 24th, 31st, and February 14th, middle schoolers who signed up to ski or snowboard will go off to Snoqualmie at 1:00 PM and return at 7 PM.  
"The ski program started two years ago, so this is the third time that we've done the ski bus," Glyn Jenkins, humanities teacher, said of the ski program. "It was a decision that came around from Don Cunningham, who is now the assistant head of school, and myself.  I had run lots of ski programs before at other schools and there were Westside staff that were really keen about skiing.  It is a great skill and it's also a great social opportunity, so we put it together and it's been popular ever since."
The middle schoolers ski in groups, so if one person gets hurt, another can stay with them while a different person can get help. For those of you who do not know, the slopes are labeled by difficulty by colors, a very convenient system.  According to Glyn, the ski program is a great way to really have fun and give kids a chance to do something that they may not always have a chance to do, not to mention that it is healthy:
"We have about twelve people taking lessons, so that's giving people the opportunity to ski for the first time."
They even rent a huge bus that seats fifty-six people in order to get everyone to Snoqualmie. It all together sounds like a fun time!  If you haven’t had the opportunity to do it, you should.  

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Typhoon Hayian

Typhoon Hayian was the biggest Typhoon ever recorded in world history! It hit the Philippines about a week ago. The Typhoon was recorded as a category five with sustained wind speeds up to 195 mph, and wind gusts up to 235 mph. The death toll was a total of around 10,000.  12.9 million people are affected, that is 13% of the country's population! Over 281,091 people's houses were destroyed and 1.9 million people left homeless. All in all this was a very big tragedy for the Philippines.

But there is a way to help!
Nate's Kung Fu/ Lion Dance Master, is hosting a beneficial dinner for the Typhoon. Admission or donation is 30$ per person. All the money is going to the Red Cross. So tell your parents. If you are a student, a teacher or parent make sure to come and donate to help the people who won't have anywhere to go for the Holidays.
By Connor and Henry

Monday, November 18, 2013

Wind Storm

THE WIND STORM

by Greta


Saturday, Nov. 2 was certainly a crazy day! Oh, you don't remember? It was the crazy wind storm that overtook parts of Seattle. Some people had their lights flicker on and off periodically, and some even lost their power!

There was also a fair amount of destruction. A lot of big branches were knocked off of trees, and my neighbor's skylight got blown off of his roof and shattered-- and it was a 4x6' piece of glass!
Maybe it's just me, but the weather seems to have gone crazy lately. Yesterday we saw an umbrella up on an electrical wire about 15 feet off the ground-- here's a picture.


Wednesday, November 13, 2013

New Teacher Interviews



Henry and Connor recently interviewed some of Westsides’ new teachers, here is what they had to say.......

MARC S


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
Q1:How are you liking it in Seattle and what have you done as a new Seattlite?

A: I like to go on hikes, go to plays, music events, movies and sports.

Q2:What are your hobbies?

A: I like to sketch, do art, swim, do yoga and cook.

Q3:Why did you decide to become a teacher at Westside School?

A: It is like the school I used to teach at and I like the type of approach this school has.  Westside is unique because it's not just all about studying, this school uses a lot of hands on learning which is where you interact such as doing labs.

Q4:Did you play any sports in middle school?

A: I played soccer, lacrosse and I was on the swim team.                                                                                        

MARK H



Q1: Are there any projects you plan to do over the year?
A: I want to put posters up around the room. I also want each student to make their own portfolio for major ideas and what students would like to remember from class. Then, when we get near December, we will do a more split of project.

Q2:What is it like to work with your wife at the same school?

A: It is great and fun.  You know how some families see their family members at morning and night, I get to see Jillian all day long. This is the fourth school I have taught at with Jillian so I am pretty used to it though.

Q3:What do you like to do?

A: I like cycling, road biking, running, hiking and backpacking.

Q4: Why did you decide to become a teacher at Westside School, did it have anything to do with your wife teaching here?

A: I had been looking at some other schools but Jillian spoke very highly of Westside and that is how I got here.

Q5:How long have you been teaching?

A: This is my 14th year.



SUSANNAH


Q1: What projects do you plan to do with the 7th graders?  

A: We will be looking at their heritage, they will be interviewing a relative and creating a little autobiography starting with shoeboxes.  Later on they will move on to a more digital way to study their heritage.

Q2:What projects do plan to do with the 8th grade?

A: On Monday the eighth graders are in a Opera Show where they have to take on the personality of Robber Baron from the Industrial Revolution.

Q3:Where did you teach before Westside?

A: In a school in Honduras,Shanghai American School and the American Embassy School in New Delhi, India.

Q4: How long have been teaching?

A: 10 years.

Q5: Where did you go to middle school and was it anything like this school?

A: Yes and no. I went to Sequim Middle School. Westside is similar because the kids stay in the area a long time, so they are at the same school for a while. It's different because Sequim MS was a bigger school and a public school.

                                          
                                                

JEREMY

Q1: How long have you been teaching?

A: I have been teaching for 7 years and counting.

Q2: Why did you decide to become a teacher?

A: I decided to become a teacher because I want to help people have a great future and be educated.

Q3: Where did you teach before Westside School?

A: I taught in Cascade Middle School and also in outdoor fields, teaching science usually.

Q4: We know you're an outdoor person, is there a specific place you like to camp?

A: I like camping anywhere where there are almost no people or no people at all.

Q5: Is there a big project that you plan to do in math with the 5th graders throughout the year.

A: I plan to do the baseball project that Preston did last year.



ALICIA BETTY

Q 1: How long have you been doing art?

A: I have been doing art for at least 10 yrs.

Q 2: Have you taught art anywhere else than Westside?

A: Yes and I still am. I am a teacher at the Seattle Art Museum.

Q 3:Where did you go to middle school?

A: Chinook Middle School in Seatac ( by the airport).

Q4:Who was your favorite teacher?

A: Anne Gale at the University of Washington, she is an art teacher.

Q5:Has any of your art been displayed anywhere big.

A: No place super big but at community art shows and school art shows. Although I have
participated in large works of art that have been displayed in big places.



MIKE

Q1:How long have you been teaching PE?

A: 5 years

Q2:Why did you decide to become a teacher at Westside?

A: I was looking for the position of a P.E. teacher and Westside was open for the job so I took it.

Q3:What are all the school sports at Westside?

A: Cross country, Volleyball, Basketball, Track.

Q4:How has the cross country team been competing?


A: We did very well for the season,we had 40 runners all together for the whole school.



SUE

Q1: What school did you teach at in Hawaii?

A: I taught at Hualalai Academy on the Big Island of Hawai'i

Q2: What could you do in Hawaii that you can't or won't do in Seattle?  

A: Snorkel and body board

Q3: Why did you decide to teach here at Westside?  

A: My kids are both in college so it was a good opportunity to explore a new life adventure!

Q4: Where do you like to go in the Seattle area?  

A: So far I really like exploring the Alki Beach area, Pike Place Market and Capital Hill but I'm looking forward to finding a place to watch the Orcas. I'm also getting into the Seahawks and would love to go to a game.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

8th Grade Service Learning




The eighth grader is taking part in a service learning opportunity and needs your help! This month they are working with a local organization called Survive the Streets. Survive the Streets is a non-profit organization that helps homeless people in Seattle by giving them warm gear and clothing to help them "Survive the Streets" during the cold winter months. What they will be doing to help this program is holding a gear donation drive here at Westside. During the month of November they will be collecting the following gear:
·         Sleeping bags
·         Backpacks and duffle bags
·         Large men’s coats (extra large is the most needed size)
·         New socks
·         Gloves

Although they appreciate that you may have other items to donate, they are asking that you limit your donations to the items above.


Donation bins can be found at the front entrance and down by the library.  All donations must be collected by Tuesday, November 26th.