WESTWOOD
WINDOW Volume 41, Issue 7, March 2014
Get Your Bids In Keeping the Window Open On the Cover: You say you want a revolution‌ 4/5 classes learn about the fight for Independence aboard tall ships at the Ocean Institute
So much to bid on‌
Celebration of Life Annual Auction 2014
‌and a little dog, too! By Tammy Globerman, WWC Auction Co-Chair Sochi is an adorable 4 pound sweet and playful pomeranian mix pup. People who meet him say he looks just like a windup toy and we think that's pretty accurate. He is only 2 months old but is already being socialized with children and dogs. He walks well on a leash and is very eager to please. He loves his toys and is a joy to be around. He will make a wonderful pet for a home with kids big and small and would get along well with other pets. If you are interested in meeting Sochi and spending some one on one time with this adorable pup please contact us at auction@westwoodcharter.org. If you fall in love with Sochi (and how can you not) and want to place your bid to make Sochi a part of your family, join us at our Live Auction Party on March 22nd at the Beverly Hills Country Club. Other exciting items exclusive to the Live Auction Party will be 2 VIP tickets to a taping of CBS' mega hit "The Big Bang Theory", Producer for a Day at the Max and Marcellus show, the always popular Dinner for 8 at our local Fire Station and, for our graduating class, 4 VIP tickets to culmination with reserved seating. We are still deciding on which of our other fabulous items to sell at the Live Auction, so get your tickets now at http://www.westwoodcharter.org/auction-party-ticket - we look forward to partying with you!
Meet Our Auction Dog: Sochi
Online and
In-person AUCTION 2014 - ON-LINE MARCH 14 LIVE GALA EVENT MARCH 22nd
If you are considering hosting a Host-A-Party, please do it they are really fun and a huge part of the money raised for our school. If you're not sure where to begin, or have any questions at all, please contact Yvonne Condes (yvonnecondes@yahoo.com) or Sarah Buchignani (sbuchignani@mac.com) and we'd love to walk you through the process. All auction forms can be found at: http://www.westwoodch arter.org/auction-2014
Our On-Line Auction is going live in about one week (on March 14) and we still need items to add to our catalog. If you have not had a chance to ask your favorite restaurant, spa, store, gym, trainer, vacation spot, hotel connection, ticket connections (sports and entertainment) etc‌ please do so as soon as possible. We would love to make this auction the biggest and best yet. If you have any questions please contact us at auction@westwoodcharter.org. Thank you for placing your Arm Chair Auction bids! They raise a huge portion of our auction funds and your child will have a great adventure with his/her teacher. It will be a day your child never forgets and we will never forget your generosity!
This year marks the final year at Westwood Charter for both Why We Do It long-time Window coeditors Jennie Fahn and Paisley Taylor. Student Press Corps member Arielle Ambrose interviewed them to get an idea what the job is By Arielle Ambrose, Westwood Press Corps like so that a new How did you make the decision to change the set of parents will Window into a mostly student written newspaper? be motivated to Jennie: We needed to keep the Window relevant and step forward into different from the e-mails that everyone gets in their this important inboxes. We thought if students did some of the and rewarding writing, their parents would be more interested in volunteer reading it. We honestly didn’t expect to have so opportunity. Who many wonderful students interested in joining the will it be? press corps! Paisley: We were re-formatting to adapt to new, available technology. And kind of on the side, we just thought we'd invite the students to contribute. We thought maybe a few kids would show up... Maybe twelve.... We were stunned to come into Ms. Garringer's classroom and see 85 students who wanted to participate! It was really exciting and surprising, and it's been amazing to see what the Press Corps has accomplished.
Open the Window
Passing the Baton
What did you hope to accomplish in changing the Window’s format? Jennie: Sometimes things need to change in order to remain relevant. It seemed the old Window format wasn’t accomplishing what it used to do now that everyone has e-mail. (continued next page)
(cont’d) Paisley: In the "olden days" the Window was a printed flyer that went home with everyone. Then we had a website and emails to communicate. Like everyone in publishing, we had to think about what we could do to make it different and interesting - or disappear. Real life is about adapting to change, so it's a good lesson to bring to the students. How long has the Westwood Window been around? Jennie: Gosh, I don’t even know! I’ve been at Westwood 13 years now, and I know the mom who edited the Window before me did it for at least 6 years. I imagine a really long time! What do you know about what it was like when it first started? Paisley: The Window used to be printed only on paper and it came out every two weeks. The copy room would be used for only the Window for an entire day. That’s a lot of paper!
How long have you been involved with the Window? Jennie: I started editing the Window 10 years ago, with a one year break since then. Paisley: I started about three years ago. Did you have experience before in writing for a newspaper? Jennie: I wrote for my school newspaper in junior and senior high. Then I became the editor of newsletters at a couple Paisley Taylor different jobs that I have held. Paisley: I was a business owner for about Paisley Taylor ten years and published a Business Journal and a Lifestyle Magazine. I learned how to interview, write, edit, do some basic photography and layout, and of course everything else you learn when bootstrapping a new enterprise. Now I write press releases, business reports, and fiction. (continued next page)
What would you tell kids about why they should be a student reporter? Jennie: It’s great writing experience and learning to work as a team. Also, it’s a great way to overcome your fear of simply talking to someone. It can seem weird or scary to interview someone, but then you just do it, and you can say, “Hey, that was actually really fun and interesting!” Also, you learn to take criticism, hopefully without taking it personally. We sometimes ask our student reporters to make improvements to their submissions. That’s because we know they can do it and we want to make the Window shine! But we absolutely treasure each and every one of our press corps members, whether they try their hand at writing or just show up to the meetings! Paisley: Writing is always a great skill to have. You can use it throughout your life in everything you do. It's great to adventure into the world and see what other people are up to, and it's also great to learn to express yourself. And to communicate about things that are important to your community. The way we run the club is how it works in real life also. If you contribute you get published. If you don't, you don't. Taking initiative is an important skill to learn, so we are proud of all of our Press Corps and especially those who jumped in and wrote articles. How long does it take to edit and produce each Window? Jennie: Sharing the load helps a lot! I would say it takes between eight to twelve hours per issue, depending on how complicated the graphics and editing needs are. Are there a certain number of pages that each Window has to be? Paisley: With the digital format, we are not limited on pages, which is exciting. It changes up the game for us and lets us include many more photos than we could otherwise use. (continued next page)
Jennie Fahn
Are there a certain number of pictures and articles that you try to include? Jennie: We certainly like to have at least five topics covered every month. When did the Window stop being printed on paper? Paisley: We went completely digital this year. What 3 articles would you like seen written for the Window? Jennie: This is tough question. I really wish more volunteers would write about their experiences and motivations so others who might be a little shy about stepping up will become less so. Things like, “Why I Planted the Garden,” or “Why I Sort the Lost and Found.” It sounds funny but everyone has a reason and I think it’s worth sharing! Paisley: Hm. Good question. I'd like to hear more about the drama clubs, music program and student council. Also I think more interviews of teachers would be interesting (did you know Ms. Wu is a concert pianist?). And of other students who have something interesting or unique going on.
7
Reasons Why the Westwood Window is Awesome!
By Colwyn Brainard, Westwood Press Corps As the school year is ending, there are only a few Westwood Window issues left and the editors have not found replacements for next year yet. So I made a list of why the Westwood Window is a useful tool to have around school: 1. It lets parents know what happens behind the school gates from 8:05am to 2:45pm 2. It can make people in the school and outside of school more aware of some issues going on 3. It can help address issues in school 4. It’s also a way the rest of the school can share what they’re doing 5. People in lower grades can read about what future things they will be doing in class and on field trips 6. It’s also a great way to let someone express how they feel about school 7. You can get creative and have fun writing articles! I hope after reading this, you have come to like the Westwood Window a little more, and parents, I hope you might want to be an editor next year!
Making beautiful music
Mr. Gueorgui
Erikachvili
When did you start being a music teacher? Mr. E. I started being a teacher 34 years ago. What is your favorite instrument? Flute.
Yman interviewed Mr. E and learned about how it is to be a musician and what it is like to be in the orchestra! Article and photo by Yman Kamgaing, Westwood Press Corps Mr. E is the school’s orchestra teacher. Orchestra is an optional activity for the 4/5 grade where they can learn how to play different instruments like clarinet, flute, violin and more!
Why did you want to be an orchestra teacher? Because I like to play music and I like to teach music.
Who inspired you as an orchestra teacher? My parents. They both were professional musicians and music teachers. What is your favorite song out of all of the instruments? I like the Ballet Nutcracker. When did you start playing instruments? I started playing when I was 7 years old.
What Middle School Do You Want to Go To? By Mahum Syed and Audrey Bell. WWC Press Corps We asked a few fifth graders what middle school they want to go to or like. We interviewed twenty-four people, and this is what they told us:
Three students want to go to Paul Revere for various reasons: one kid wants to go because he believes it has good teachers and strong academics, another because it has a big campus which includes a farm, and two other fifth graders said they have siblings who attend Revere. Four fifth graders told us they would like to go to LACES. One kid said she was impressed with the school tour and another likes how it has a swimming pool. Three people we interviewed want to go to Emerson. One student told us her mom chose it, another kid likes the Drama program, and another person is going because her sister and her friend are also choosing Emerson. Four kids we interviewed plan to go to The City School. One fifth grader wants to attend City because she has a sixth grade friend who has said good things about it, another likes that it is close by, someone else has friends there and another kid likes that it has smaller classes than most schools. One girl wants to go to Beverly Vista. She said that her mom likes it and is an alum, and cited that the school has a big auditorium. One girl we spoke with wants to go to Archer because it is an all-girl school. Two kids said they want to go to New West, one saying that he has friends there and the other thinks the school seems cool. Six kids are not yet sure what middle school they want to go to. Whatever middle schools our fifth graders end up attending, it’s clear that there are big decisions to be made!
Super Science Slam Comes to Westwood Charter By Jeremy Nelson, Westwood Press Corps On Saturday, April 5th Westwood Charter will host its first Super Science Slam-an afternoon of science exhibits and participant activities. The event will be held from 1pm-5pm. Students will participate in activities grouped for their grade level and see exciting exhibits. I interviewed Betsy Rich, the creator of the Super Science Slam, to get more information about the event.
Q. Why did you decide to create the Super Science Slam? A. To me, science seeks to answer some of the biggest "why" questions about our world. I have a PhD in biological anthropology, a field that asks why our bodies work the way they do. The science activities I did as a kid first sparked my interest in this field. Q. Where is the event held? A. Exhibits will be held on the yard and grade level activities will be grouped around campus. Q. How can people sign up or participate? A. Watch your email for a sign-up genius. Q. How much does it cost to participate in the Super Science Slam? A. The event is free! Parent volunteers will be leading activities and the science exhibits will be both parent and community volunteers. Q. What are some examples of activities and exhibits? A. Each participant will rotate through different projects. Some activities include: K-1st grade- Building the tallest marshmallow tower they can. 2nd and 3rd graders – Make your own tornado. 4th and 5th grader-Build a paper container to protect an egg from breaking when dropped. Q. Who will be some of the exhibitors? A. Westwood parents will also be doing the exhibits. In contrast to the events, the exhibits include more demonstrations and science experiences that don't fit into the event mold. For example, Westwood parent Deniz Cizmeciyan, a professor of chemistry at Mount St. Mary's College, will be demonstrating a number of scientific principles with liquid nitrogen -- bring a flower or small fruit and watch Dr. Cizmeciyan smash it! Q. Do you need more parent volunteers? A. Yes! We need more volunteers. This event is parent organized and run. Betsy Rich is a parent at Westwood Charter. For questions or to volunteer, she can be contacted at betsy.abrams.rich@gmail.com.
Save the date for a new Westwood Charter event: the Super Science Slam! Saturday, April 5th from 1-5 pm on the yard Join us for an afternoon of interesting science exhibits and fun, hands-on experiments for K-5th graders. The Science Slam is a brand new event at Westwood Charter. Developed by Westwood Charter parents who are passionate about science, the Science Slam aims to get kids excited about science and allow them to participate in fun, more complex science experiments than are usually possible during the school day. Many of the volunteers are professional scientists! The Science Slam consists of two parts, which are discussed in more detail below: experiments, which children should sign up for in advance; and exhibits, which are open to all. To volunteer, please contact Betsy Rich (betsy.abrams.rich@gmail.com). Experiments: There are three experiments at each of three levels (Kindergarten & 1st grade, 2nd and 3rd grade, ad 4th and 5th grade). Children will rotate through all three experiments at their grade level. Because this is a new event, we are asking parents to sign up their children in advance to ensure we have enough supplies. Sign-up Genius: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0D4AA9A72CA3F49-science
Biological anthropologist Betsy Rich in rural Tanzania with her daughter, now a third grader at Westwood Charter.
Kindergarten and 1st grade students (1-3pm): Barge Building: Build clay and foil barges and see how many pennies they will hold‌ Color Splash: We're mixing tricky liquids! Who thinks they can predict the outcome? Marshmallow Tower: See how high you can make your marshmallow tower! 2nd and 3rd grade students (2-4pm): Weather or Not: Make your own tornado, snow, and clouds. Your Brain and You: Investigate your brain through optical illusions, reflexes, split brain experiments, and more! 4th and 5th grade students (3-5pm): Egg Drop: Design and build a device to protect your egg from breaking when dropped from a height of 15 feet! Mystery Powders: Use simple chemical tests to determine the identity of mystery powders.
Color Splash: Kindergarteners and first graders will explore the properties of tricky liquids in this fun experiment!
Exhibits The yard will be open to everyone! Stop by and see these wonderful exhibits and demonstrations organized by Westwood Charter parents: Bring your own flower or small fruit or veggie and watch scientists dip them in liquid nitrogen and smash them! Charles' Law: See what happens to an inflated balloon dipped in liquid nitrogen. What do you predict? Can you build a tower that won’t collapse when we shake it on the Earthquake Table? What is sublimation? Watch an experiment with dry ice and find out! Curious about the properties of polymers? Come experiment with stackable bubbles! Hear your heart and measure your blood pressure at the Medical Station! How do you build stuff? See how to cut metal, bend plastic, and print in three dimensions. See a Mathematical Magic show! Can you see patterns in vibrating powders and liquids? What's inside that DVD player? Take apart household electronics.
See this exhibit on the yard
Spontaneous pattern formation of table salt resting on a vibrating loudspeaker. When subject to vibration, powders can behave like liquids and certain liquids can behave like solids. In many cases, complex pattern will emerge spontaneously. (photo courtesy Dr. Maarten Rutgers)
WHAT’S UP AT EMERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL Emerson & UCLA: A Beautiful Partnership By Maureen Feldman Through an MOU (memorandum of understanding) between LAUSD and UCLA, UCLA faculty and staff that do not live in the neighborhood may enroll their children in Emerson Middle School. In exchange, UCLA provides a variety of in-kind resources and support for programs at Emerson. Emerson Sports Academy (ESA) has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with UCLA. Each year, ESA students make numerous treks to UCLA sports games and get to discover what it is like to be a Bruin for a Day. UCLA athletes frequent the middle school and play sports with the students, too. In the STEM Academy, professors and grad students collaborate with Emerson teachers to bring science enrichment programs and to Emerson. In February, UCLA’s Brain Institute brought actual human brains and spines for students to touch. The students observed effects of disease and gunshot wounds on the brains, and learned about the nervous system using their visceral senses. UCLA’s engineering club mentors students in Emerson’s afterschool robotics club and even USC provides two grad students to coteach a video game design class with science and math teacher, Amber Popp. UCLA also contributes resources to Emerson’s Arts & Media Academy. UCLA provides one of its top speech and debate competitors to assistant coach Emerson’s decorated Speech & Debate team. And last year, two UCLA theater majors interned with Emerson’s drama program. Throughout the year, grad students in UCLA School of Music perform for Emerson classes as part of their performance requirement. Finally, members of UCLA’s Bruin Corps can be found on campus each week, volunteering in math classes; once a year dozens of Bruin Corps students spend a day painting, repairing and beautifying campus.
SHOP to Support Westwood Charter!!! Help raise money while you shop online or at the mall! You may already know that you can earn School Cents points for our school by shopping at the Westside Pavilion and Santa Monica Place. What you may not know is that you can earn
DOUBLE POINTS in March!! Simply bring your Westside Pavilion and Santa Monica Place receipts to the Guest Services/Concierge desk at either mall, to earn DOUBLE School Cents points for Westwood Charter. The school with the most points wins $5,000. We are currently in 2nd place.
If you prefer to shop online, don't forget to click on the little brown Amazon.com box on westwoowcharter.org!! Clicking the box brings you to Amazon.com. If you get there this way, Amazon will send 4-8% of the purchase price back to our school! This turns into thousands of dollars for Westwood Charter that can be used to support art, gardening, music and lots of other amazing programs. We only benefit if you click through from our homepage so please start there every time you want to make an Amazon purchase.
Shopping is an easy way to help Westwood win! You can also visit westwoodcharter.org/fundraise-while-you-shop for even more ways to raise money. Thanks for supporting our school!
Simple cafeteria tips:
Nicole’s Safety Tips
*Remember if you spill something ask an adult for a paper towel to clean it up for the safety of students. *Don't drop food on the floor *Clean after you finish eating. *Don't squash something with your feet and avoid making a big mess. *Don't waste your food
By Nicole Aslemand, Student Press Corps Often in the cafeteria, there is lots of trash and food leftover on the floor. Students must be responsible to clean after they finish eating. Leaving the floor messy, sticky and slippery can be dangerous for students. Be safe and respectful – cleaning up after yourself also makes it easier for the janitor to clean the cafeteria.
WESTWOOD PRESS CORPS PAGE STUDENT PRESS CORPS MEETINGS March 11 April 8
STUDENT PRESS CORPS SUBMISSION DEADLINE March 21 April 25
12:30, Tuesdays Ms. Garringer’s Room Attendance is not required to be part of the Press Corps.
WESTWOOD WINDOW PUBLISHING DATES April 4 May 9
Does editing the Window and helping the amazing members of student press corps sound like something you’d like to do? Contact Jennie or Paisley at westwoodwindoweditor@yahoo.com today!