STEM STUDENT Announcements for 2/11/13

GRYPHON ANNOUNCEMENTS

For Monday, Feb 11, 2013

"N" Schedule Day

Enrichment Day

In recognition of Black History Month (February):

Today’s spotlight is on James Herman Banning, the first African American to receive a United States Department of Commerce pilot’s license and the first to complete a transcontinental flight across the United States.  He literally built his own airplane so he could earn the solo hours he needed to become a pilot!  To learn more, visit: www.jameshermanbanning.org

·      Big congratulations to the L&N Aquatic Gryphons!  They made a great showing at the state swim meet that was held in Knoxville this weekend.  As a team, they finished 22^nd out of 116 teams competing!  Paul Bretscher and Alli Lapps both got to stand on the medal podium with 6^th place finishes in diving and backstroke, respectively.  Be sure to congratulate all the swimmers and divers – they all improved personal records at this important meet!

·      Spring tennis tryouts are today (Monday) from 5:00 – 6:00 at Tyson Park.  In the event of rain, tryouts will be same time on Tuesday at the same place.  Reminder to all those that are planning on trying out, you MUST have a physical form completed by a doctor in order to participate.  Forms can be found in the office at the front desk, in Mr. James’ room (M052) or online at the STEM Tennis fusion page and at knoxschools.org.  Again, if you do not get a physical form completed you CANNOT tryout Monday, however you can swing by at 5:00 and watch but keep in mind this is not going to be the only time you may tryout so keep that in mind as well.  If you know you want to play but cannot get this done by Monday let Coach James know asap as well.  **If you have already played another sport and had the physical then you are good to go as long as you find that form or let Coach know which sport you played so we can find it**   GO GRYPHONS!

·      Interested in Venturing?  Did you know the L&N has a career exploration group for STEM careers, called a Venturing Crew?  They meet every Thursday night from 5:30 – 7:00 in room 202.  For more info, see students Ryan Gardner or Eric O’Reilly.  This is a co-ed club, both boys and girls welcome!

·      Want to make a friendship or romantic gesture for Valentine’s day? Support the Prom Committee and buy a carnation for $2 to send to that someone special.  You can order during lunch in the Commons and fill out a message card.  Flowers will be delivered on Valentine’s day (Feb 14) during Advisory.

·      Juniors – see announcement below about college recruiter this week.

·      Track team meeting (with parents) tonight (Monday), 6:00 p.m. in the Commons.

·      Feb 4 – 15: Bring canned food and peanut butter to put in the Second Harvest barrels in the office and Commons.  You can also contribute change and dollars at lunchtime to the Jason Jablonski Memorial Food Drive to benefit Second Harvest food bank.  Every school is judged based on pounds of food/$ collected per student so we have a chance to show the bigger schools we are the Gryphons – we’re here and we care!!  Please participate.

·      Water polo anyone?  Interested in joining a newly-forming water polo club team?  Email S045202@student.knoxschools.org for more info.

·      Order your yearbooks now!  Click here for link.  Cost is $70.  Order now!

·      Juniors – plan on attending a meeting with your parents/guardians on Tues, Feb 19, from 5:30 – 6:30.  We’ll be discussing senior year planning, college application process, and rules around spring field placements and campus freedom.  Be here!

·      Fancy yourself a writer? An aspiring author? A budding songwriter? A journalist, screenwriter, or poet in the making? If so, consider attending the 20th Annual Brian N. Conley Young Writers’ Institute (YWI). The YWI is planned for Saturday, March 2, 2013, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the UT-Knoxville campus. This FREE, one-day institute will offer writing workshops in poetry, fiction, journalism, screenwriting, songwriting, and performance poetry. This year, workshops will be led by nationally recognized performance poets Daniel Roop and Jonathan Clark (Courageous), poet and songwriter R.B. Morris, fiction writer Matthew Brock, journalist Terry Shaw, songwriter Brent Thompson and multi-genre writer Kali Meister. A free lunch will also be provided to all participants. Students will be responsible for finding transportation to and from the UT campus.

To pre-register for the event, email Ms. Hoffman (angela.hoffman@knoxschools.org) no later than 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 12. Be sure to include your full name, preferred email address, and your top three workshop choices, ranked from #1 - #3. Workshop options include Poetry; Performance Poetry, Screenwriting; Fiction Writing; Songwriting; and Journalism. Email Ms. Hoffman with any questions.

·      Students are you aware that there is help if you need new clothes or shoes but cannot afford them?  Email or let Ms. Patterson know in the front office and our social worker will get you set up with shoe and/or clothing vouchers to be used at local merchants.  We’re here to help!

Brown Bags:  RSVP to Mr. Smith

o   Feb 15:  Dr Ian Anderson from ORNL

College/career news:

·      ACT Question of the day http://www.act.org/qotd/

·      If you’re filling out testing or college paperwork, our school’s CEEB code is 431118.  See Mrs. Salerno or the Guidance page on our web site for more.

·      MTSU will have an admissions counselor here to present general information, programs offered, and highlights of the Honors Program in the STEM space in the Depot during Advisories next Tuesday, Feb 12.  You MUST reserve space by emailing Mrs. Salerno (sarah.salerno) if you wish to attend.

·      Big Orange STEM Symposium:  High school juniors are invited to the University of Tennessee's Big Orange STEM Symposium on Saturday, April 6th from 10:00am-3:00pm at Hodges Library.  This program will introduce local high school students to careers and research exploration in STEM disciplines through active engagement, networking, and hands-on presentations from experts in the field and community.  Registration opens online at 10:00am on February 18^th, http://wp.lib.utk.edu/BOSS/
Please see Mrs. Salerno for more information (Mrs. Ashe is keynote speaker!)

·      MTSU Honors College Open House--On Monday, February 18th, MTSU Honors College is hosting an Open House for interested students and parents on MTSU's campus.  Please visit the following link for more information.  
mtsu.edu/honors/OpenHouse.php

Club Meetings:

·      Asian Culture & Language Club (ACLC): Wednesday during Enrichment in D223.

·      Chess Club meets on Wednesdays from 8:45 to 9:15 a.m. in the media center.  

·      Gryphon Studios, film club, on Thursday afternoons 4:45 – 6:00 PM, in Room 214 in the Station.

·      Teens for Christ: Mondays from 8:45 – 9:15 in D113.

·      Young Life: Wednesdays from 8:45 – 9:15 in the Mezzanine.

Quote of the day from former Secretary of State, Colin Powell,

Have a vision.  Be demanding.

Practice L&N Habits every day: Collaboration, Critical thinking, Design, Innovation, Inquiry, & Professionalism