Towncrier-Feb2016.Pdf

Paul Revere Charter Middle School February 12, 2016 Volume 60, Issue 3 Revere Leaders Help Readers party, Mr. Carnine’s class won Thousands of books cocoa and cookies and Ms. Pan’s are donated for the class got a sweet surprise. With annual book drive the goal originally set at 2,000 books, Leadership ended up re- hosted by Leadership ceiving a total of 5,810 books. By CHRISTINA KIM On Nov. 20, Revere’s leaders traveled across town on Every year, the leadership a field trip to 122nd St. El- class holds a book drive to help ementary School, where the provide a foundation for a well- books were being donated. Pedram and Dimitri carry boxes rounded education. From Nov. 9 After an approximately 40 min- full of cans to S3. Photo: Judy Zhang through Nov. 18, Student Coun- ute long ride, the school bus cil held the “Milk and Book- pulled up in front of the school, ies” book drive, requesting that the Home of the Bulldogs. homerooms bring in new and At the front of the school, a Cans for gently used books. The three large white, star-adorned poster homerooms with the most donat- was tacked onto a wall, read- ed books received class prizes. In ing “Welcome Paul Revere A 122nd Elementary first grader follows along as Owen reads about the A Cause first place was Mr. Hernandez’s Middle School. Thank you for exciting adventures of Ms. Frizzle and her students. Photo: Anthony Langer homeroom with 435 books, fol- your support,” in large, green Council Club and other lowed by Mr. Carnine with 427 letters. Ms. Bell, the assistant the school and the book drive. tion sheets which will be used Revere groups donate books. In third place was Ms. principal of 122nd St., and After returning to Re- to help fund more book drives to L.A.’s less fortunate Pan’s homeroom with 308. Mr. Courtney, the coordinator of vere, the leadership students across the country in the future. Hernandez’s class won a pizza this drive, said a few words on filled out book drive reflec- (continued on page 6) By AVA KERKORIAN For students and staff mem- COVER STORY bers at Revere, winter is a time of cold weather and holidays. However, many use the winter as a time to give to the less fortu- Mad for Mathematics? nate. Multiple events and drives dedicated to this cause took place Students and teachers share their outlook on how math affects them all around the school’s campus dur- By ANOUK WIJERATNE ing November and December. Mr. Iannucci discusses recent The canned food drive, or- “I love math because it is challenging to do and events concerning school safety. ganized by Mr. Slavin and his really makes you think. You have to use all of your Council Club, is a movement deduction and logical thinking skills to figure out at Revere designed to benefit a problem. When I solve a difficult math question, the area’s hungry people. “The it makes me fell like I’ve accomplished some- Harm Free canned food drive is an outreach thing great,” said Elise Machrone. She is just one initiative by the council home- of the many students on the Revere campus that room to gather food on behalf of love to learn, practice, and teach math. They are Is Priority the Los Angeles Regional Food the braniacs in our generations that find math just Bank, which distributes food as easy as walking, talking, and breathing. How- New school security to soup kitchens and homeless ever, that isn’t always the case for some students. measures affect Revere shelters,” Mr. Slavin explained. Some cringe at the mere thought of math class. The Council Club only ac- This is a common fear in many middle school students and families kids called math anxiety. The idea of numbers on a cepted the canned or packaged Teddy Suisman works on notes. Photo: Nima Rahmanian By CHRISTINA KIM food from Dec. 2 to Dec. 16. page can give some kids the same fear they might The drive set a goal of collect- feel when looking at a spider or climbing a pole. “I know it is not my strongest subject so I get Multiple events involving ing at least one ton—2,000 The idea of math is scary for them and creates worried when there’s a test coming up or stuff public safety have made schools pounds—of food this year, tension and apprehension. Math teachers struggle like that.” Maybe before tests, maybe when an like Paul Revere take extra pre- but the last four years over year after year with the kids who have just given important formula is forgotten, maybe even be- cautions in the name of security. 11,000 pounds—over five tons— up, no matter how many times the teacher break fore math class is when the anxiety strikes. But After the terrorist shooting of cans have been donated. it down or try new and creative ways of teaching. there are many teachers on campus who are in San Bernardino on Dec. 2, The “Yes We Can” drive start- “I do get anxious when doing math. I don’t willing to help. Revere has Homework Help be- Mr. Iannucci, the school’s prin- ed five years ago when some of like it very much, and it is not my strongest sub- fore and after school, as well as during lunch. cipal, reminded the Paul Revere (continued on page 4) ject. Therefore, I have to work harder in math and The different classes students can take at community of the students’ well- that would give almost any kid anxiety, not just Revere depend on four main factors: teacher being while they are at school. me,” explained seventh grader Sydney Banks. (continued on page 2) “While the recent events in our local community and San Ber- INSIDE: nardino has given many of us a moment to pause,” he wrote to parents, “I want to assure you that your children are safe and secure while on our campus.” On Tuesday, Dec. 8, the en- tire campus went into a lock- down during second period, when an upset visitor entered the campus without permission. In a message Mr. Iannucci sent Taken with Bacon 10 out afterwards, he said, “At no Mr. Slavin holds up a picture of one point did any students come in of his favorite things in the world. contact with this individual. At this point I felt it best to secure all students as a precaution in their classrooms to assure that everyone was safe and sound. This is a reminder that we need to be vigilant and aware of our surroundings at all times. Please remember to report any suspi- cious activity or concerns. We are so fortunate to have amaz- A Walk to Remember 11 ing staff at the school who are Sixth graders participate in Buddha prepared to deal with any situa- Walks, a play hosted by Spirit Series. Ava Gardner looks over Morgan Hillenbrand as she draws bar graphs in math class. Photo: Maygol Mohammadi tion.” (continued on page 5) 2 February 12, 2016 Paul Revere Charter Middle School COVER STORY Math Not Adding Up for Some Students (continued from page 1) recommendation, their grades, the end of the year assessments, and mental maturity. All sixth graders start out in Math 6, either proficient or honors. Then there are three different tracks students can take in seventh grade: Algebra, Honors Math 7, and Math 7. In eighth grade, Patriots can take Geometry, Algebra, or Math 8. Paul Revere is one of the few schools in LAUSD that still has the accelerated program with Geometry and Algebra as courses available for students, but for the kids who struggle, the majority of them ask why they need to take these classes. In a survey conducted by the Association for Psy- chological Science, new research showed that parents’ math anxiety could weaken their children’s achievement in math. Math anxiety can affect not only grades and test taking, but also everyday mathematical skills and self-esteem. Many students can relate to hav- ing math anxiety, whether over a math concept or an upcoming test or quiz. But as the study has shown, the more the math-anxious parents tried to work with their children, the more their grades slipped, almost a third lower than the grade level of their peers. Mr. Hernandez, a sixth grade teacher, looks over a student’s math workbook as he leads the class. Photo: Christina Kim “We often don’t think about how important parents’ own attitudes are in determining their children’s or ‘this stuff makes me nervous,’ kids pick up on this mon Core standards were frustrating parents whose academic achievement. But our work suggests that if a messaging and it affects their success,” University of kids were struggling with the concepts. parent is walking around saying ‘oh, I don’t like math’ Chicago psychological scientist Dr. Sian Bedrock ex- Speaking of the Common Core Standards, there plained. This is true in many cases. When new meth- are plenty of mixed opinions about it. ods of learning math are introduced at school, parents’ “It’s better for the students who want to be chal- math anxiety worsens, including the new Common lenged and worse for the students who are already Core standards. This can result in a troublesome effect challenged,” said Mr. Nardini, who teaches Math 8 on their child’s academic achievements, especially in and Algebra 1 for eighth graders at Revere.

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