HOWL HERITAGE

The most recent teachers at Heritage to become National Board Certified are Tom Baldwin, Nancy Keller, and Shawn Perez. All three worked tremendously hard to accomplish their goal. They were in agreement that it was a very difficult task to go about, as becoming a board certified teacher one must demonstrate advanced teaching knowledge, skills and practices.

According to a statement from the National Research Council, “The evidence is clear that National Board Certification distinguishes more effective teachers…with respect to student achievement.”

 There are a number of teachers at our school who have previously labored over becoming board certified. Some of these teachers are Joel Bieker, Miranda Brothers, Rosemary Fryer, Luke Glassett, and Mary Thompson.

 Baldwin had said that once you become board certified, it basically means that you have become accomplished in your career and, “it is nice to know that you are considered accomplished.” He went on to say, “The process of becoming board certified was like graduate school. Very difficult, but I wanted to engage my mind and stay up to date with what is cutting edge in student counseling.”

Perez said of the experience, “It was more challenging than I wanted it to be. I aged a lot, but am glad to have it.” She survived with the support of both her family and fellow teachers.

 Keller went into elaborate detail about the actual process of becoming certified. She noted that one of her most challenging parts was a massive test she had to take because she isn’t the best test taker. She took the test three years ago but became ill and didn’t pass. But as she always says, “If at first you don’t succeed just try, try, again!” This time, however, she passed the test.

 Congratulations to all who have taken the plunge and spent the numerous hours working on reaching this achievement and contributed to our district’s having the fifth largest number of board certificated teachers in the state.

 Becoming a National Board Certified teacher benefits the students they teach.

The new season brings with it, in addition to icy roads and mittened hands, a very new schedule.

As you’ve likely noticed, rather than the usual hour-long break time that non-tutorial students have been granted the past two years, the new tutorial change—attaching tutorial to second period rather than third or fourth—essentially forces all students to have study time.

While this change was made to increase student-teacher accessibility, there are much larger things to consider as well.

Many students, including myself, use the whole block of tutorial and lunch to finish major work, work requiring the entire hour.

Often, the hour is merely a continuation of what students are already working on in class. This is very common in the arts classes, especially for students who are behind.

In newspaper and yearbook, classes preceding and following tutorial, it was very convenient to call students and teachers in for interviews; now, it will be extremely frustrating to schedule these meetings.

Not to mention, students are less than satisfied with the move. Senior Amber Lucas used to go home at lunch, but now she doesn’t “have the time to drive there, eat, and drive back and still be on time”.

Senior Kristine Madsen also has experienced some difficulty with the time allotted to get things done, “The teacher I need to access doesn’t have enough time to help me,” Madsen said in frustration.

The tutorial change does take care of what it was intended to, though. Mr. Adam Strong, video production and digital photo teacher, agrees with the change, along with 77 other teachers, out of 87 surveyed. “I’ve found that most of my students who are doing poorly in my class have second lunch [while I have first]. I definitely prefer to have access to all my students at once,” Strong said supportively.

Overall, this change will take a lot of getting used to, for both students and staff. Only one lab will be opened to the hundreds of students who don’t have tutorial, limiting the kind of work students will be able to accomplish. The reason we implemented two lunches in the past was to cut down on overcrowding, which invited dangerous situations.

But with this new schedule, there are only so many places students can be (the den, library, or computer lab), which may easily stir up this problem once again.

Students should be allowed to leave campus because that will free up space inside the school, and potentially create a safer environment during the half hour we’re forced to spend out of class.

Only time will tell if this new schedule will stick; the trend of the past points to a no, since we’ve had various different schedules from year to year. Student and teacher reception, along with academic and safety information, will be the ultimate deciders here.

Hopefully, in the future, we’ll be able to find and stick to a schedule that will benefit everybody.

Security guard, John Liljedahl, is retiring December 16, 2011. He has been at Heritage since the doors opened in 1999. John has had a positive impact on all the Timberwolves. Students and staff will miss him a great deal.

Maria Campbell and Mike Taylor worked closely with John as security guards. Maria says she can’t imagine him not being at Heritage and being a part of the “team”.

“He has been my friend, my teacher, my inspiration, my support when needed, and most of all, my hero,” said Campbell. “Thank you for all the wonderful memories, uncontrollable laughs and all the great home-cooked lunches.”

Maria’s emotion of sadness for John leaving may be overpowered by her happiness that he will enjoy every day of his retirement but she knows it’s the best for him.

Mike Taylor, his other partner, wishes him a happy retirement and a good life out on the golf course. “It’s good that he’s bailing out while you can still enjoy life,” said Taylor.

Jeff Broome, Dean of Students, two years ago, enjoyed  working with John for several years. “I learned what it means to do everything you can to support kids in need from John,” said Broome.

John is an avid golfer and was the girls and boys golf coach for years, due to health issues, Mr. Patterson and Mrs. Myers took over the teams.

He also plays the bass in a blues band called, Triple Threat. Now that he is retiring he can spend more time with his band and golf, two of the things that he enjoys the most.

Students and staff say good-bye

Liljedahl is her favorite person at Heritage. “He is the most amazing person in the whole school. He is so nice. And he makes good cookies.” said Kunze.

He won’t only be missed by staff but students. “He has made a huge impact on staff and students throughout Heritage. I’m going to miss his jokes the most,” said Baylee Larson.

“Dear John, I remember the very first day I came to Heritage. You visitied my office and let me know “how it was going to be around here.” Eleven years later I have many memories of you helping students, me, other staff and other parents. It’s been my privilege to work with you. Thanks for all the training! Thanks for all the laughs! Thanks for your friendship! Most of all, thank you on behalf of every student you have helped and supported; you’ve definitely impacted hundreds of students in a very positive way. Heritage will not be the same without you. I can’t imagine HHS hallways or that south side gate without you and your charming self. Take care and enjoy your retirement. I know the place to find you. On the golf course somewhere. Keep in touch! Stay healthy. Always your friend…Sosky”

“Words are not adequate to express how much I enjoy working with you, John. You are a natural – great at reading to people, knowing when a student needs support or a stern “talking to”. I always know you have a keen eye out for students heading down the wrong “path”. As a counselor, I apperciate your referrals to me and your perspective on what’s going on. You’ve ‘been there, done that’ so you know the score and can be frank and knowledgable in talking to kids who are taking chances that could change their lives forever. You keep our campus safe. Thank you.”  – Renee Coyle.

Heritage wishes you a happy retirement.  Have fun relaxing, playing golf, rocking out in your band and spending time with your family. Don’t be a stranger to Heritage.

Greeting people as they walked toward the front doors of the school for this year’s holiday bazaar on November 26^th was the delicious aroma of kettle corn popping from the big machines. The kettle corn was being sold just outside the entrance, and it seemed like no one was going in without first purchasing a bag. On the other side of the walkway, wood-working projects were being crafted and finished before our very eyes. Inside the doors were tables set up for buying raffle tickets, donating to the food bank, and an additional table for the giving tree. Gift wrap was also available for any item that was purchased and destined to be placed under the tree either at home or that of a friend’s.

Other items sold at the bazaar were varied, colorful, and full of holiday spirit. There was a huge assortment of foods, as well as many different kinds of jams and even pinecone fire-starting kits. Spread throughout the halls were multiple tables covered with all kinds of hand-made knit and crochet items, like mittens, gloves, hats and baby blankets. There were all kinds of ornaments decorated individually, stockings for fireplace mantels, and cute Santa Claus or snowman displays. Each booth had its own personality and the displays screamed Christmas. The three-foot tall wooden snowmen covered in tiny, twinkling lights (of course available for purchase) had a wintery charm about them. For those who like brightly colored, hand-blown glass sculptures, there was a nice selection of those as well. Jewelry tables were abundant and covered in beautiful pieces that were all one of a kind. Heritage’s own Mr. Berrigan and Mrs. Blessley had pieces for sale. Mr. Berrigan’s booth consisted of calendars and greeting cards of his northwest photography while Mrs. Blessley sold pottery pieces and CD’s of her harp music.

There was something for everyone at the holiday bazaar which helps pay for the senior’s drug and alcohol free graduation party.

The bazaar was a great way for the senior parents to earn money for the graduation party as it can get quite expensive, depending on the number of students. Having a graduation party for the senior class is a way to say ‘farewell’ to all those leaving us, and the holiday bazaar was a cheerful kick-off for the raising of funds for this end of the year event.