Hour of Code

Lindsay Brandt

Technology never seems to be too far from our hands these days. We have smart phones in our pockets; iPads, laptops, and desktop computers for work; and even smart TVs. Although nobody wants their loved ones to be addicted to technology, it is hard to deny that technology is an important and essential tool that every student should learn to utilize.

During the week of December, 8-12, 2014, seventh grade students from Thurmont Middle School participated in the global movement, Hour of Code.

Code is the process of telling the computer what you want it to do. Instead of their usual computer class schedule, students were taught the beginning basics of coding through computer games and lesson programs. Students played games to help them begin to learn the basic steps of code during their 47-minute block of computer class. It would be difficult for the students to become bored, considering the variety of different themes for the students to play and participate in, such as virtual ice-skating with Disney’s Frozen characters, battling ogres, and drawing.

According to the event’s website, Hour of Code is organized by www.code.org, a public 501c3 non-profit dedicated to expanding participation in computer science by making it available in more schools, and increasing participation by women and underrepresented students of color.

Sandy Zimmerman, who teaches Inventions and Innovations class and Communication Techniques class at Thurmont Middle School said, “The field of computer science is growing by leaps and bounds. Today’s student is tech savvy. This helps with critical thinking and problem-solving skills; it incorporates math skills, science skills, and brings in the STEM (Science, technology, engineering, mathematics) initiative. ” 

Mrs. Zimmerman has taken the required services and state tests, dual majored in Early and Elementary Education, and she is certified to teach Technology Education, Business Education, and Family and Consumer Science. She began teaching at Thurmont Middle School in 1998. When asked whose idea it was to become involved in Hour of Code, she replied, “[It was] suggested by our Curriculum Specialist, but not mandatory. However, there is a computer programming component in the Communication Techniques Essential Curriculum.”

Seventh grader, Austin Beard, is one student who has taken a particular interest in learning computer science. Austin stated that he uses computers to browse the web, but with being taught coding, it has been a whole new experience.

“It’s really fun. You get to tell the computer what to do. It came naturally during the couple of sessions I’ve had with it. I had to figure out what to do, but once I got the hang of it, I was able to do a lot more things, because the computer has to do what I tell it to do,” said Austin. Austin is already interested in attending a college that will provide classes particularly for coding and computer science.

As every parent and teacher knows, it is impossible to completely monitor everyone at once, but Mrs. Zimmerman has the ability to view the progress and statistics of each of her students through the program. The students are individually tracked through their personal log. Then the information is sent to Mrs. Zimmerman, who monitors the progression through the system. She is shown different states of completion through checks. A dark green check shows the code was completed as instructed, whereas, a light green check signals that the program was completed, but perhaps with a different way of reaching the final result.

“Its like math,” Zimmerman said, “you have the correct final result, but you may have been using a different formula to reach the correct answer.”

A special guest was invited to view the students working on their tasks. Susan Ferris, of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage – Frederick Branch, was asked to speak with the students and offer help to the students if needed. Ms. Ferris has a degree in Computer Science from Shippensburg University, and she applies her coding skills to her career with Wells Fargo.

“It’s a fun career with plenty of opportunities,” Ferris said. “As frustrating as it can be, that code, those numbers, they are only doing what you tell it to do.” Ms. Ferris enjoyed watching the kids work through the learning games.

Some parents may have concerns about their students being on computers, but the teachers have security blocks to prevent students from venturing to websites that aren’t classroom approved.

This is the first Hour of Code event for Thurmont Middle School, and if it proves to be a success, perhaps it will spread to all grade levels. Globally, 75,237,749 students have participated in the project so far.

2015 CHS Safe and Sane News

The Catoctin High School (CHS) 2015 Safe and Sane Graduation Committee is diligently working to provide a fun and safe graduation night for the Class of 2015.  To date, they have held multiple fundraisers and events and would like to thank everyone who has supported them to this point. They have many exciting events planned and are asking for your continued support.  They are asking all parents of graduates to please get involved; they need tremendous help to ensure their efforts are successful.

On Saturday, January 17, 2015, there will be a Cash Bash and Dinner at the Guardian Hose Company Activities Building in Thurmont. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., with dinner served at 6:00 p.m.; drawings begin every fifteen minutes at 6:00 p.m.  Tickets are $40.00 and admit two people. Please contact Cheryl Phelan (bochph@aol.com or 301-524-3106), Cindy Grimes (cindy_grimes@msn.com or 301-788-5354), or Shannon Wetzel (shanypany328@yahoo.com or 301-748-7068) for tickets or more information.

Wing Night will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2015, at the Vigilant Hose Company in Emmitsburg. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $20.00 each and include meal, wings, and beverages.  Please contact Cheryl Phelan (bochph@aol.com or 301-524-3106) for tickets or more information.

On Saturday, March 7, 2015, Safe and Sane will hold a Sportsman’s Dinner at the Lewistown Fire Hall. More information will be coming.

Safe and Sane meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Catoctin High School Media Center. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. For a listing of their current events, please “like” them on Facebook: Catoctin High Safe and Sane 2015 or visit their website at www.catoctinsafeandsane.com.

Catoctin’s New Year Resolutions

Ashley McGlaughlin 

Although 2014 has ended, our home town school of Catoctin High School (CHS) is beginning 2015 with a lot of new year resolutions. Many of the resolutions remain consistent with an overall inspirational goal. Administrators, educators, and students have a positive outlook on Catoctin’s start to the second semester of the school year. This means that there is much in store for students to learn, and even more activities in which to succeed.

January not only brings a new year, but it also brings HSAs (High School Assessment) and PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) assessments. The education system in Maryland has recently changed, replacing HSAs in subjects like English and mathematics with PARCC testing. PARCC is a new efficient way to test students. This is leaving only biology and government HSAs. The teachers at Catoctin are ready to receive and develop a way of teaching with the new curriculum headed their way.

“Teachers have strengthened their professional practice through professional development, and they have a grasp on all the changes that have occurred in their curriculums,” said CHS Vice Principal, Marcus Allen.

Educators at Catoctin all wish for students to do their best. Since PARCC is new, there is no scoring benchmark.

Catoctin has been having some difficulties with electricity; some of the school is still part of the original building, built almost fifty years ago. Over Christmas break, electrical work was completed by many entities, but mainly the folks at the Dixie Electric Company.

“The town of Thurmont, Dixie Electric, and Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) have done great work together to update some equipment that is part of the original building that has lastled nearly forty-six years. This is really complicated and difficult work, and hats off to the Town of Thurmont for the job they have done in making sure the school has continued uninterrupted. We will have one last big electrical update that will be finished over Christmas break,” said CHS Principal Bernard Quesada.

This electrical update is another resolution, so there will not be any more issues with the electricity. 

To make sure students know their opinions are important to the CHS administration, the administration surveyed the students to see where they need to make improvements the most.

“We surveyed our students about a month ago to listen to where we can improve, so we are always looking to reach the needs of our kids. That being said, we work with FCPS to keep our school system policies relevant and consistent,” stated Quesada.  This commitment will continue to be a resolution in 2015.

Also, new rules have been added for behavior issues, bullying, and so on to protect the students at Catoctin High School. “Two new changes at CHS include a FCPS update to the Bullying, Harassment and Intimidation Process, and a revision to the Discipline Regulation. It contains a much greater latitude in providing a variety of consequences than the prior version of the regulation,” stated Allen.

Another New Year resolution from Quesada is: “Our entire staff has been working hard to keep improving our school culture and level of rigor in the classroom. Our school is great, and we want to keep moving forward so that our students will be able to compete academically with anyone from anywhere. Every new achievement raises the bar a little higher; we don’t believe in complacency.”

Everyone at Catoctin High School wants to keep having a powerful school spirit, a safe environment, and to keep spreading the positive attitude for years to come. These New Year resolutions will lead to another awesome year here at Catoctin, and many years to come. Have a safe and happy New Year, from Catoctin High School!

STEM Club Makes Learning at Lewistown Fun

James Rada, Jr.

One fun way to get students interested in science and math is to let them put it to use. Members of the Lewistown Elementary STEM Club are building boats, creating with Legos, and making mag-lev train race along tracks.

“The premise of the club is that we can use STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) to close the achievement gap. The hope is that we will be able to increase our students’ math and science scores,” said Principal Shirley Olsen.

The club is in the second year of a three-year grant that allows three teachers to work with thirty students on Monday afternoons for an hour after school.

“They use a wide variety of methods to engage students in science and technology,” Olsen said.

This month, for instance, the students are using magnets to create levitating trains. It’s the same technology used to build high-speed trains. Tools like Legos or Engineering is Elementary are used regularly to connect with students. They are building wind devices and holding a boat regatta, learning about science and math without realizing it.

“STEM tends to be a more-dynamic way to engage them and also tends to be more transdisciplinary,” Olsen said.

The school also sponsors a STEM night in March to bring in community members to demonstrate different occupations that use STEM. Olsen said that she wants students to see the real-life connections to STEM. The evening event also allows students to show off projects they have been working on during the year.

Along with club projects, the students can also get help with their science fair projects.

Last year, Olsen said there was an increase in students’ math and science testing scores, but it wasn’t as much as had been hoped.

“We didn’t make the gains we had set goals for, so we have adjusted the program to do more math,” said Olsen.

She said that teachers are tracking the data about student performance regularly and even making interventions during the school day to help students if necessary.

“The students seem to be pumped up and excited about the program,” Olsen said.

This includes students whose behavior during the school day can be very challenging. “They typically do well in STEM Club,” stated Olsen. “That says to me that they are involved and engaged.”

The students don’t mind as long as they are having fun, and they seem to be.

For the teachers, the grant also allows for them to get professional learning opportunities to learn how to reach different types of students in order for them to perform better.