We're Loud Sharks, We're Proud Sharks!
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Shark BitesApril 5th, 2017 6th Edition Gulf Coast High School 7878 Shark Way, Naples, Fl 34119 FSA: Florida Stressful We’re Loud Sharks, We’re Assessments? Not Anymore Proud Sharks! By: Sophia Vellozzi Madelyn Morey It is that time of year where will improve critical reading school picks up, with an at- and writing skills by providing tempt to race toward the finish students with various strategies line. Well, the year is not quite and advice when taking these over yet. The most important immense state tests. Someone assessments of this year are yet must demonstrate a proficiency to come, one of them being the in reading and writing in the Florida Standards Assessments classroom so that they build a (FSA). positive habit that will turn out The English FSA is yet to be second-nature to a student another test that is an intrinsic when it is time to take the FSA. part of the year and the years Stay involved in the classroom, to come. The teachers are dil- and ask a multitude of questions igently preparing the students that will eventually aid in these for these upcoming tests, but cumulative tests. individual work from the stu- In addition, students dent must also be applied in should use the most abundant preparation for the exam. One resource at their fingertips: the of the simplest and effective internet! Go online and practice ways of preparing is to read. reading passages or articles and Reading will open one’s mind answering the corresponding The Shark Fins club at Gulf Coast students buying tickets to the foot- to numerous types of literature, questions. This will expand a High School was created to pro- ball games during season and cre- and subjects someone to varied student’s reading skills espe- mote school spirit to all students ated a sense of school unity through sentence structure and eloquent cially for the reading portion at major Shark sporting events and school pride. vocabulary. While reading, pay of the FSA. Freshman Student school functions. The Shark Fins During sporting events, the special attention to the gram- Faessa Dorival comments, “My are responsible for the themes such members of Shark Fins would try to mar, language, and conven- English teacher prepares us by as pink-out and neon night during “pump up” the crowd with stream- tions the author uses. The more giving us multiple packets of the football season to assist fellow ers and confetti. The student sec- someone exercises this ability, practice questions to answer students in displaying their Shark tion of the Gulf Coast stadium was the more apt that person is to based on various articles. She pride. Additionally, Shark Fin filled with students participating in apply and utilize this knowledge had done this for our midterm, members have raised awareness for the theme for that specific game and on the English FSA, especially and I felt thoroughly prepared.” school events to increase attendance also cheering for their fellow for the writing component. Teachers will most definitely at these events. students alongside their friends. Focusing in class will facilitate their student’s reading At the start of the school The Shark Fins set up a one of a consequently deem a student abilities by taking such actions, year, the Shark Fins brainstormed kind school environment were the ready for the English FSA. but some require extra practice different ideas in a group setting masses can all support Gulf Coast Teachers expose their students outside of the classroom. during their meetings every week. High School with Shark pride. to a variety of writing styles that As the Florida Standards As- Members then planned out how Within the club meetings, can be practiced through writing sessment approaches, don’t be they would approach spreading Shark Fin members use team-based essays. Freshman Student Kayla nervous. Ease nerves by prepar- their message of school pride. After skills to cooperate with one another Mathai explains, “My English ing through reading and writing. deciding on focusing on raising in order to accomplish their goals. teacher is intent on us improv- If a student does as follows, they attendance to sporting events they Everyone is able to put in their ing our writing skills. Through will feel less stressed on the day organized how they could success- opinions or ideas so that all mem- reading excellent literature, we by merely taking responsibility fully attract even more students to bers are participating and have a say are learning the various com- for their own success and ac- participate in their special themes in their next project. This helps all ponents that go into a finished tively learning! for sporting events. of the members develop a respect or writing piece.” The teachers With this, the Shark Fins understanding for one another even continued their work asking other though they have different mind- students to wear certain clothes to sets as they work together on proj- sporting events, such as all black. ects that will benefit their school This effective strategy helped them and the student body as a whole. spread their message fast and even Finally, utilizing social media for helped in selling t-shirts that pro- good, the Shark Fins spread the moted their club and other organiza- word on student news surrounding tions at Gulf Coast. All around, the school events and functions that are Shark Fins increased the amount of important. Photo Courtesy of Google Images Features In GC’s Library: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher By: Isabella Napoles Jay Asher is an American writer who spe- Jessica was the third person to re- cializes in contemporary novels for teens. ceive the tapes. She was a girl that Alex com- He attended Cuesta Community College in pared Hannah to, and she slapped Hannah in his hometown of Arcadia, California, where the face after Alex’s list was published. She he wrote his first two children’s books for a left a permanent scar on her face that ironi- Children’s Literature Appreciation class. He cally represented her emotional pain. then attended California Polytechnic State Tyler was the fourth, and he used to University to become an elementary school take pictures of Hannah through her bedroom teacher, but he left during his senior year in window in an attempt to “catch her in the act” order to pursue a serious writing career. From of doing what everyone in the school knew working as a salesman in a shoe store to a li- her for. brarian in a bookstore, many of Asher’s work The fifth person who heard the experiences influenced his writing. He has tapes was Courtney, who used to be Han- published two books: Thirteen Reasons Why nah’s friend. Hannah realized that Courtney (2007) and The Future of Us (2011). only used her to gain popularity. Courtney Thirteen Reasons Why has re- had been known as a sweet girl until she ceived five stars from Teen Book Review as spread rumors that Hannah sent her sensual well as praise from other notable authors such messages, which was untrue. as Ellen Hopkins, Gordon Korman, and Chris The sixth person to get the tapes Crutcher. Netflix has created a miniseries was Marcus, who took advantage of Hannah based on the book with executive producer when he asked her to go on a date with him Selena Gomez that will premiere this year. It then proceeded to physically violate her a is the story of a teenage girl named Hannah number of times. Baker who committed suicide, and it is told Zach was next. He pretended to through the eyes and ears of a boy named comfort Hannah after her date with Marcus, Clay Jensen. but she later found out that the only reason he Clay is a shy high school student helped her was because he was dared to. who comes home one day to discover a box Ryan was the eighth person to hear of cassette tapes at his front door. He finds the tapes. He was the editor of the “Lost N that they were recorded by Hannah, a girl he Found” column in the school newspaper. He had a crush on, who committed suicide two gained Hannah’s trust by befriending her, weeks prior. On the tapes, Hannah explains then he stole a poem of hers that detailed her the thirteen reasons why she decided to end personal problems. He published it in his col- her life, and Clay is one of them. umn anonymously, but people easily figured The first person to receive the tapes out that she was the author and mocked her. was Justin, who was one of the first people Clay was the ninth person to re- Hannah met when she moved to town. They ceive the tapes. As he listens to them, he kissed once, but when Hannah developed walks around town and goes to all he places feelings for him, Justin spread untrue rumors she mentions while reminiscing about what that they did more than kiss. This resulted in could have been. the ruining of Hannah’s reputation before she What do the tapes say about Clay? even began school. Does he pass them on to the next person on The next person to get the tapes Hannah’s list? How does he deal with ev- was Alex, who used to be friends with Han- erything she has said? Discover the answers nah. Alex ruined his friendship with her when to these questions and others by reading the he published a “hot or not” list that objecti- heartbreaking and moving novel Thirteen fied her and furthered her tainted reputation.