Administrators examine parking lot security - Edmond Public Schools

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EDMOND NORTH HIGH SCHOOL Movin’ on up — NEWS Friday, November 20, 2009 THE EDMOND SUN Page 5 Library construction creates more space, offices By AUDREY DANSER North Staff Writer Over fall break North’s media center packed up books to prepare for the expansion and ren ovations that began on Oct. 21. The library will be completely relocated to the debate room (the largest room available) by winter break. The 30-year-old library, original to North Mid-High, is now functionally outdated. “We’re the last library to be renovated of all of the schools in the district,” said Media Specialist Donna Simmons. The renovations, paid by bond money, will consist of tearing out the south and west walls. These expansions, adding about one-fourth more room, will create a spacious library with an enclosed classroom, conference room and access to the textbook room. Each media specialist will also have her own office. There will be 13 new desktop computers and several new tables, desks and upholstered chairs. The current furniture will be offered to teachers for their classrooms. The south wall of the library was torn down on Oct. 27, and there is now a temporary wall to replace it. Loud jackhammers destroying old masonry have PHOTO BY CONNOR BROADDUS interrupted many readers, making it hard to concentrate. Inadequate space will present a challenge for students Lots o’ boxes: Stephanie Sterns surveys the growing pile of boxes created by the recent relocation. all of the current library material will be available during and the specialists in the temporary location because not When finished, the library will have increased floor the renovations, and free study space will be scarce. space, new rooms and new offices to make learning resources more available. The library will be lo- and prepare for the day in the library, I’m worried about “Since I try to get to school early to finish homework cated temporarily in the debate room. the atmosphere that I’ll have to work in,” sophomore Abby By ANGELA ROYBAL North Staff Writer With the 2009 presentation of Teacher of the Year (TOY), Edmond North has once again chosen a teacher felt to best represent what being an educator is all about. Nominations began with 11 teachers and were quickly narrowed down to three — Bloyd, Debby Greear and DeeAnn Waller. In the end it was Bloyd, who has been teaching Algebra I, Algebra support and Pre-AP Geometry for just four years, who came out on top. “When I found out I had won Teacher of the Year I was really shocked. I felt like the other teachers I was up against really deserved this award too,” Bloyd said. “I’m one of those people who thinks there’s someone else who deserves it more than me, so I was also really thankful.” Shock, however, was not the only emotion experienced by Bloyd. When the moment of truth arrived and the winner was announced, there was also slight confusion. “One day right before the announcements came on, Mr. Pittenger (the assistant principal) came into the room and started telling everyone to be quiet and listen to the announcements. The principal, Jan Keirns, then came on the intercom and was talking about teacher of the year. But right before she announced who the winner was, the bell rang! I had assumed at that point I had won because Mr. Pittenger was there,” Bloyd said. Only after a confusing call to Officer Bryant and another announcement made by Keirns were Bloyd’s assumptions proven true. The entire process for Teacher of the Year takes about three weeks from start to finish and begins simply with a teacher nomination. Recommendations for TOY do not need to meet any requirements; they simply have to be suggested by certified teachers within the school. “Teacher of the Year is honestly based on teacher nomination. It’s a way that peers and other staff members can recognize you. When I choose to nominate someone I look at how they work with the students and how they respond to other teachers,” AP World History teacher and Professional Development Committee-member Mary White said. Edmond schools have participated in this program since 1967. One teacher at North who has been through the process before is AP U.S. History teacher Martin Glendinning. He received the Teacher of the Year award in 2008 along with District Teacher of the Year. Speaking from his experience, Glendinning believes this award is not only honorable but also advantageous. “Recipients get credit and incentives to go to workshops and conferences to improve our knowledge of subject areas and teaching techniques. But more than that, it was all in all a very humbling experience knowing that I was selected by my own peers instead of by a committee that doesn’t really know me,” he said. Although this award is designed to honor a teacher for hard work, Bloyd feels that she won not because of any special teaching method but due to her connection with her students. “I’ve always been really critical on myself to make sure that I find a way for all of my students to understand what we’re learning. I want whatever I do to benefit my students. I Cobb said. Books on select subjects like history, literature and health will be kept in circulation for research purposes and Advanced Placement classes. Computers and laptops will continue to be available as well. Teachers who have been using the library for class research have already felt the effects of the construction chaos and are rearranging their research schedules to accommodate the limited access to books and computers. “Teachers who normally research in the spring are switching to the fall, and teachers that don’t need the reference books felt like they could just use the databases and are delaying research for the spring,” media specialist Stephanie Stearns said. Students who regularly visit the library in the morning, during tutorial or after school will find fiction books and available space limited. “Reading will be a little harder because there won’t be the books that you want,” sophomore Sonya Narula said. “Everyone has different genres they prefer, and it’s impossible to make everybody happy.” As materials are being moved or boxed up, the media specialists will have an opportunity to evaluate books that are outdated or infrequently used. “We have to go book by book, shelf by shelf, evaluating everything for any historical value,” said Simmons. Discarded books will be given to Oklahoma City schools that have indicated an interest in them. With the new, more attractive library to be completed next fall, the media specialists hope to pull in more recreational readers. “Build it and they will come!” said Simmons. Math instructor Jill Bloyd honored as theTeacher of the Year like teaching and they keep me motivated to do a good job,” she said. PHOTO BY CHLOE BASSETT A can-do attitude: Working hard and establishing meangingful, special bonds with her students helped math instructor Jill Bloyd gain the respect of her peers and win Teacher of the Year.
Page 6 THE EDMOND SUN Friday, November 20, 2009 NEWS ‘Play hard and win’ together By LAUREN GOEDECKE Santa Fe Staff Writer PHOTO BY JASON GRIFFITHS Spiking the competion: Senior Randi Merritt spikes for a point against her parents team. “It’s not how long you live, but how you live and what you leave behind” This quote, printed on the wall at Santa Fe and imprinted on bracelets worn by many, was the quote Heather Harkness lived by. Although on Sept. 9, 2008 she left behind many loved ones, she also left behind an impact on many people’s lives. “Heather was an all-around great person and student. She was the kind of person that would make you laugh even in the worst of times,” senior Randi Merritt said. “She started playing volleyball in WINNERS PHOTO BY PROVIDED BY SF DECA Tammy, Jimmy and Mason Agnello. Erick and Katie Bradford, and Phillip Sherwin. the sixth-grade and developed a love for it at a young age.” Harkness played volleyball almost her entire life and before she passed away she was a member of the Lady Wolves volleyball team. “She was an awesome teammate,” junior Alex Hodges said. “Sometimes when you mess up on the court your teammates will give you a look. But Heather was always like ‘No it’s cool, keep going and high-five you.” Many agreed that there was no better way to make a tribute to Harkness’s life than to play her favorite sport, volleyball. Last year, Santa Fe’s DECA chapter took an opportunity to hold a volleyball tournament in Harkness’s honor, which would raise money for the winner of the Heather Harkness scholarship. The winner of the scholarship will be announced on Harkness’s birthday, Apr. 9. “This is not mourning her death, but celebrating her life,” senior Jacob Cossey said. The tournament has brought together many people from the community. People of all ages were welcome to join the event, and it was DECA’s job to let the community know about the tournament. “Many of the DECA members went out to different businesses to spread the word,” DECA sponsor Leslie Campbell said. “We also had radio public service announcements, posters and flyers circulating and there were some television promos as well.” In order to make sure the tournament ran smoothly, Campbell and various students put in many hours of hard work. There was a large amount of planning, including team registration and local business outreach as well as putting the final details together. “It took intense preparation to prepare for the tournament, and the most networking I have ever done in my life,” Cossey said. “I did countless phone calls and infinite number of e-mails.” In last year’s tournament, about 30 teams were formed and around $13,000 was raised. This year the number of teams that participated in the tournament dominated last years count, by having 50 teams play in the tournament. “My favorite thing about last year’s tournament was seeing the community come together and support each other during such a hard time. Oh, and watching my parents’ team kick my friends’ hineys,” Merritt. There were a few new things added to the event this year. Vendors attended to sell their merchandise and a silent auction was held. “No one expected there to be a volleyball tournament in memory of a person,” Hodges said. The tournament was held Nov. 7, and matched last years amount by raising around $13,000 for the Heather Harkness fund. “I absolutely see this tournament continuing ten years from now,” Campbell said. “We hold this tournament to honor and celebrate the life of Heather Harkness and bring the community together.” CONGRATULATIONS Undefeated two years in a row: Team ‘Family and Friends’ proved that they were the team to beat once they won the first Heather Harkness tournament. This year the team they swept the competition, winning first place once again. PHOTO BY JASON GRIFFITHS EDMOND SANTA FE HIGH SCHOOL Mama mia, that’s some good food: Senior Landon White enjoys one of Harkness’s favorite meals, Sweet and Sour chicken with friend rice. Other meals searved were chicken nuggets with mashed potatoes and hotdogs and chips. Youth in Edmond -make more than a difference By JASON GRIFFITHS Santa Fe Staff Writer In our everyday lives, people all around us give up their precious time to help their community or someone in their community, for the sole purpose of making a difference. In recent years, the city of Edmond has participated in a nation wide community service day called “Make A Difference Day.” This event was created by the USA weekend magazine, which holds an event in every state of the country. “Edmond has participated in this event before, but has never focused on getting the youth in Edmond involved,” Edmond Mayor Patrice Douglas said. Focusing on increasing the number of youth in Edmond involved in such a renowned service event is the main goal for Douglas, who is the first mayor in Edmond’s history to have kids in the Edmond district, which also influences many of the goals she has as mayor. “One of my main focus points is the kids and I want people my age to realize how much teenagers can give back to their community,” said Douglas. Compelling today’s teens to step up, lend a hand, make a difference and show that today’s youth are a generation that can give back is not just the goal of the Edmond mayor, but also the goal of Edmond Santa Fe’s principal Jason Brown. “We need to know the spirit of this event and the spirit is that this is our community and we need to step up and own up to our town’s reputation,” Brown said. This event was attended by PHOTO BY JASON GRIFFITHS many school organizations from all three Edmond high schools such as DECA, Environmental Club, Business Professionals of America and many more that jumped on the wagon to make the difference. “I hope that the spirit of this event won’t just be a one time thing and students continue to give back to their community,” Brown said. Along with the many high school clubs, youth sports organizations throughout Edmond made the effort to join in on the fun and show their appreciation for their community. The Edmond rugby club is one such organization. Although new in town, the Edmond rugby club came out to increase its reputation, clean up the Edmond community and show that athletes can give more than just a good game. “I know the boys had a lot of fun and it’s a really good thing that they were so willing to come out and take time out of their weekends to give back,” head rugby coach Greg McFadden said. The rugby club, along with the Oklahoma Christian University’s men’s Basketball team filled in holes on the rugby fields and laid down new grass, which was much needed on the bare patches. “I enjoyed getting dirty, laying down the grass, and I feel that as a team we really helped not only our team but also our community,” Edmond rugby player Skylar Godwin said. The city of Edmond and its vast assembly of leaders will continue to organize and coordinate many more community service days in the future.
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