The
FROZEN FLAPJACKS
Tiger HI-LINE
Friday, Feb. 19, 2016
Nine students camp out for IHOP Grand Opening/Page 4 Follow us on Twitter at tigerhiline, Facebook at Hiline and on our website at www.hiline.cfschools.org
Volume 56 Edition 17
Two teachers switching into new careers at CF
Next year, the school district will go through yet another change by implementing a brand new program called Teacher Leadership and Compensation. The purpose of this state-sponsored program is to strengthen instructional practices by recruiting teachers from classes and encouraging them to become leaders by giving them supervisory roles over their peers. In order to implement this program, the school district had to submit a state application to qualify for the funding. For the high school, both physics teacher Kenton Swartley and English teacher Courtney Lubs will be leaving their current jobs to work as the new STEM facilitator and an instructional coach respectively. Swartley’s new job will consist of working with all schools in the district to promote STEM and connect it to other areas such as local community organi-
Courtney Lubs Instructional Coach
Kenton Swartley STEM Facilitator
zations and businesses. “The two parts of this — the community and the STEM — are both things that I’ve been doing a lot of with robotics, and are both things that interest me, so I thought that it would be a new challenge that I would be excited about,” Swartley said. Swartley said he is mostly looking forward to the process of trying to
improve on what’s happening in the school district. “I’ll get a chance to research and learn myself on what good things are being done already in our school district,” he said. “I’ll also select those that are the best and try to promote those in our own schools so we can improve the education.” As for Lubs, she will collaborate with other CFHS teachers to implement research-based teaching strategies and assessments. Additionally, she will also serve on the building leadership team and help to facilitate professional development. ¨It’s different from teaching in that I won’t have specific classes and students I teach but will still be participating in teaching and learning,” Lubs said. “I am intrigued by the possibilities and am excited about the opportunity to learn and to grow.” With both of these teachers switching, the school board will eventually
look for replacement teachers along with deciding which English teacher will be the new head for the department. “Mr. Wedgbury is leading that process on finding a new teacher, but he has asked for my help doing interviews later when that happens,” Swartley said. Although he said he feels mostly excited for the new opportunities that lie ahead, Swartley said that he’ll definitely miss working with his students every day. “I highly enjoy the process of teaching students a lot and developing classroom activities,” Swartley said “I’ll still be involved with that, but it won’t be at the same level where I’m doing it at a daily basis.” Despite not being able to work only in the CFHS building anymore, Swartley still plans to continue working as a mentor for the robotics team next year. By News Editor Sarah
STORTZ
Students, staff contribute to annual fundraisers Shower of Gifts sets record results
DJ joins list of many activities for Dance Marathon
The deadline for the annual Shower of Gifts, an event organized and run by donations of household items donated to military families across the state, was yesterday. The event was organized by senior Makayla Vaughn, niece of Army Specialist Travis Vaughn, and her grandma Kandie Vaughn. Travis, a Cedar Falls native, graduate from the class of 1999 and soldier in the U.S. Army lost his life in February of 2007 at the age of 26. He was traveling in a Chinook helicopter over Afghanistan when the engine malfunctioned, and the aircraft went down. His family celebrates his life and legacy by providing for the men and women serving our country in this annual fundraiser. Makayla took a large role in leading the fundraiser both in and out of school. She took a major lead in the planning and setting up of one of the biggest bake sales at Cedar Falls High School. She also gathered friends and family to help with the raffle, which was on Saturday, Feb. 13. She has been helping with the process of the organization for over five years now, and her grandma Kandie has been working to support troops for eight years since the fundraiser
Cedar Falls High School is hosting it’s fourth annual dance marathon this Friday, at 7 p.m. in the gym. It’s a fun-filled night in order to raise money for the University of Iowa’s Children’s Hospital. All proceeds are going toward the kids, their families, medicine, medical bills, hospitality/care for the patients and much more. The goal this year is to raise $3,000. Dance marathon is a nationwide movement, involving college and high school students at more than 150 schools across the country who raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in their communities. Students learn valuable leadership and social skills while raising funds in a variety of ways and interacting with children’s hospital patients and families. Many colleges culminate the year with a 12- to 36-hour-long event where the students stay on their feet through dancing, games and entertainment in order to celebrate the total amount raised that year.
started. Kandie works hard reaching out to local businesses and public figures to gain discounts, coupons, gift cards, etc. to sell off in the raffle and to put toward the overall fund for items donated. Items donated included personal hygiene items such as shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrushes. Items like socks, T-shirts or other clothing items for both men and women were also acceptable. A full list of eligible items was provided and could be found at kandieskidz. org or on their facebook page. All donations were delivered by truck to Marshalltown, and were on display on a table on Feb. 18 for veterans to line up and gather what they needed. ”We’ve gained $1,000 more this year,” Makayla said. Locations for donating objects could be found in the school library and counseling office. Makayla said she is proud of her role in the events leading up to the big day to celebrate the life of her uncle and his service to the country. As Makayla graduates this year, she plans to continue her efforts in supporting the troops with this event annually with the help of her grandma, Kandie. By Staff Writer Cam
GRUBIC
Four years ago when The University of Northern Iowa came to the high school in hopes try to launch the event for younger students, dance marathon facilitator and counselor Erin Gardner was more than happy to help. “My own son uses University of Iowa hospitals services because he has a genetic eye disorder, so I was very up for helping them out. Every time we go down there, the facilities and people are amazing,” Gardner said. Many teachers and community members have children who struggle with health issues. When such an event is put on, the community comes together for a good cause. Student Body President Sara Ashar recalled why she is fighting for the kids. “I fight for those who can’t. Nothing hurts my heart more than knowing that there are kids much smaller and younger than me who can’t physically make it to another day. It’s not fair. It’s even worse for the families who have to see their babies in pain every day, let alone the financial burden that treatment brings upon them,” Ashar said. This year the high school will be hosting three families,
and their children who are victims of illness attend the marathon and are supported by the school. As the kids walk into the dances, they are reminded that people are out there fighting for them, and there’s no reason to give up. “The smiles on those kiddo’s faces after knowing that there is someone there that cares for them and wants them to live another day is priceless,” Ashar said. The night will be filled with dancing, dodge-ball, DJs, nine square, karaoke, glowin-the-dark hide and go seek and more. Everyone is welcome to come and support. Organizers and participants said the satisfaction from knowing that students’ hard work was worth the time and effort put into it makes the event even better, and that raising hundreds and thousands of dollars for a cause, all while throwing a fun event for fellow students is an incomparable reward. Gardner said,“I’m proud to help with such an amazing opportunity for both our students and kids.” So get out there tonight! It’ for the kids. By Staff Writer Allie
TAIBER