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April 16, 2010
Brian Jeon
ASB held an assembly for tenth graders on March 31 to promote higher Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) testing scores, to talk about the upcoming Advanced Placement (AP) tests and to encourage students to give a genuine effort on the I-Search project. Classmates performed skits to help motivate their peers.
Assistant principal Sean Moffatt kicked things off with a speech about STAR testing. He emphasized the benefits of doing well on the test, such as being able to keep the diverse electives that the school already offers. He also listed the consequences of failing to meet adequate scores, including implementation of longer school days.
“[Doing well] tells them you guys are mastering the standards,” Moffatt said.
To further drive the point home, sophomore Blake Barrientos, seniors Seth Neumann, Kim Chatterjee and Sean Chadha held a skit on STAR testing. The skit covered the positives of doing well on STAR testing as well as the negatives of doing badly on it. The skit emphasized the message to “take the test seriously.”
Neumann with sophomores Ruby Miu and Brady Knight performed another skit to provide tips and encouragement to the sophomores about the AP tests.
Chatterjee introduced career counselor Michelene Wittmer to the sophomores.
“She should be your new best friend,” Chatterjee said.
Seniors Seth Neumann, Kaylee Miu, Lauren Floro, Brian Jeon and Reggie Quero each held a miniature speech on the importance of picking an interesting career for the I-Search. Each emphasized a different point on why the sophomore class should take the opportunity to think about a future career, not simply for the sake of doing it.
To augment the assembly’s message and to rally the sophomore spirit, sophomores of the school band, Peter Braun, Michael Liao, Daniel Brown and Allen Liu played a song as Terrance Walker danced to music.
“The sophomore assembly told us a lot of information about upcoming events like STAR testing, and our I-Search projects,” sophomore Kerry Liou said.
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March 30, 2010
Nicole Pham
Those dissatisfied with the school system can leave early by taking the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE), but few Washington students know about it.
Most students drop out, complete independent study or attend an alternative school, such as Robertson. Some students learn about the CHSPE through word of mouth, but the school has not communicated this option to all juniors and seniors.
According to state law, high school principals are required to distribute an announcement explaining the CHSPE to each student in grades 11 and 12. The superintendent is responsible for informing the principals.
Students who pass CHSPE earn the legal equivalent of a high school diploma by obtaining a Certificate of Proficiency, even without the required units for graduation. Those interested must be between 16 and 18 years old. The exam includes math and English language arts sections. Taking and passing CHSPE, however, does not necessarily require a student to leave high school.
“I believe students should be made aware of this option by school staff,” superintendent Milt Werner said, in an e-mail.
Principal Linda Fernandez relies on career technician Michelene Wittmer and school counselors Carol Brahmst, Britny Stewart and Carrie Merfeld to relay information about CHSPE to students.
In her eight years as a counselor, Stewart knows of two students who took the test.
“For most people, it’s not the alternative they want to take,” Stewart said. “They don’t want a full exit.”
English teacher Teri Hu prepared “How Would You Like to Finish High School Early?,” a presentation about CHSPE, at a Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) meeting Dec. 7.
“It is not up to counselors, teachers or administrators to determine if a student would possibly want to take CHSPE,” Hu said.
“At most, maybe a dozen or so kids will take it, but that will be a dozen kids who would otherwise be miserable in high school.”
The test is administered three times a year: March, June and November. Though the March 21 test date passed, those interested can apply for the June 19 test by May 21.
The fee is $92 for regular registration, $120 for late registration and $145 for special registration. Results are mailed July 23.
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January 27, 2010
Simrundeep Kaur
By the time applications have been filled out and sent to colleges, students and parents start searching for scholarships and financial aid packages. Often times the first applications to cross their minds are for the LAM Scholarship, Cal Grant, and FAFSA. However, there are a multitude of other scholarships being offered locally. Best Buy, Kaiser Permanente Asian Association, Washington Hospital Medical Staff and Heald College are only a few of the many being offered. PTSA and Boosters are also offering a scholarship for members. Career specialist Michelene Wittmer has set up a page on the school website dedicated to providing information on scholarships.
The list includes scholarships being offered, the criterion for each scholarship, the amount of money being given and the deadlines by which to apply. Wittmer also added links to relevant websites, which includes Fastweb, one of the largest databases for scholarships in the nation.
“Everything that crosses my desk, I’ve put up on the website,” Wittmer said.
The scholarships can be applied to a vast variety of interests. Some are being offered to those interested in a career in medicine, others to those of specific backgrounds and ethnicities and some for athletes, or those aspiring to be in a career involving athletics.
“I’ve heard of a scholarship for people that are either left-handed or right-handed,” senior Bhupinder Kaur said.
Many of the application forms can be found in the Career Center, while most applications can be found online.
Wittmer also mentioned that if money is still tight, contacting the actual college or university will help.
“Often times the schools are willing to help in covering some of the costs or setting up payment plans, especially if you are going to go there,” Wittmer said.
Economically, Wittmer has definitely seen a change in the number of scholarships being offered, but no significant difference in the amount of money being offered. One that has dropped significantly, however, is the LAM scholarship, which went from $10,000 to $4,000.
The information is accessible and extremely helpful to those that need it, and Wittmer encourages all seniors to apply for scholarships even if it is not a necessity. Some scholarships have earlier deadlines than others and require essays, or letters of recommendation, whereas others only require an application to be filled.
Photo Credit: Reggie Quero
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December 14, 2009
Htoo Htoo Lu
Laughter. Hugs. Enthusiasm. Team work. There was a sense of unity as ASB leaders bonded with special education students by decorating cookies together. Rather than baking cookies during the allotted time, the sweets were prepared beforehand to give students more time to decorate the treats. During the holiday celebration, they also made Christmas tree ornaments out of paper.
“We are trying to establish a relationship with these special education kids by recognizing them more,” activity director Helen Paris said. “It’s like Link Crew, except ASB is linking with special education kids.”
ASB held the Christmas feast Dec. 10 as a continuation of their efforts to reach out to special education students. Instead of wearing the usual Thursday business attire, ASB students wore red and green.
“It was wonderful. [ASB students and special education students] all got to know each other really well,” special education teacher Mary DeLeon said. “Now they would greet each other even outside of classroom.”
Since the feast, special education students have been dropping by the student center and helping around on occasion. For example, they helped clean the student center and around the campus.
“When the sprinklers near the amphitheater were broken, they watered the plants by hand so that the plants won’t die,” Paris said.
Special education students showed their appreciation for this feast by making placemats and thank you cards for the ASB leaders and teachers who helped make the event possible.
“I loved the feast. I loved them. I can’t wait to see them again,” senior Alex Haro said.
ASB began this tradition four years ago as a way to reach out to special education students.
Often times, special education students do not have the chance to participate in any clubs, sports and other extracurricular activities. Until four years ago, this feast has always been held in the student center. Over the past four years, the feast has expanded and moved into the cafeteria.
In the future, ASB plans to get an ASB-special education wing on the campus in which both the ASB leaders and special education students will work together to grow plants and flowers.
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November 28, 2009
Paige Castren
With requirements tightening and admission rates dropping, it is important for students to pay attention to dates and deadlines regarding college. College and career specialist Michelene Wittmer gave a college and financial aid presentation at a well-attended PTSA meeting Nov. 12.
Even though most college deadlines have passed for seniors, juniors should take notice of these for their approaching senior year. Wittmer emphasized visiting college campuses because she can’t believe how many students apply to colleges without ever stepping foot on campus. She also said that California State University, East Bay, should be everyone’s back-up option because Alameda County residents get priority.
Wittmer suggested that students take both the ACT and the SAT to see which one they do best at since most schools accept either. Students should take the SAT subject tests in their best subjects even if it doesn’t have anything to do with their major. She reiterated that students should only send their scores the last time they take the SAT. They have four free score reports to send to colleges that they apply to.
Seniors should take the time to apply for scholarships because it is worth the effort. Wittmer has a binder of scholarships that students are welcome to look at in the Career Center. Wittmer said that fastweb.com is the best online source for scholarships and that scholarship applications should never cost money. Students should apply for financial aid even if they do not feel that they can qualify. Wittmer is trying to schedule a Financial Aid Night.
Wittmer is more than willing to meet with students and parents throughout the whole school day.
“Whatever dreams they may have- hopefully I can assist them,” Wittmer said.
She is hoping to have her presentation on the Washington High School website soon.
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November 10, 2009
Chase Glenister
It’s November, and the feelings of stress and fatigue are once again on the rise for seniors, due to college applications and SATs or ACTs. Here are just a few facts and pieces of advice that may help you ease the stress of November:
For all seniors applying to CSUs: use CSUMentor! It’s easy, fast, and everything can be done online! You just have to fill out one application, and the site does the rest, excepting Cal Poly and Ponoma, and even then, it is made much easier by CSUMentor. Visit and apply at www.csumentor.edu and get things done.
“Don’t slack off. I know a few people who slacked off and got rescinded from colleges,” WHS alum Jonathan Pham said. “Make the most out of senior year. It’s your final year in high school.”
Don’t view all the assignments, chores and applications you have to do as a whole, or else you will stress out about how much you have to do. Take it in little bits; view it as a staircase. Take one step at a time.
If you are having a lot of trouble with college applications, go get help. Our school counselors can be a mine of information. If you are interested in scholarships, see the career counselor, Michelene Wittmer.
It is an established, yet not well-known, fact that getting your eight to ten hours of sleep is more important than a night’s worth of study. While sleeping, your brain records the events of the day, integrating the events of the day for future use. If you stay up all night, you won’t integrate all you studied into your memory. Thus, go to sleep!
