Geography Bee

Quick, what's the capital of the United States?  Everyone probably got that one pretty easily.  (Washington, DC, if you had any doubts). 

How about this one:  What empire, stretching from the Pacific Ocean to Eastern Europe during its zenith in the 13th century A.D., used the ancient city of Karakorum as its headquarters?  Well, if you were a middle school student participating in the 2010 National Geographic Geography Bee, you might just be expected to identify that empire.  For those of you who don't know, it is the Mongol Empire.  (Don't worry, if I didn't have the answer key I probably wouldn't have known it either.)

Thanks to the efforts of sixth grade social studies teacher Jessica Miller, Woodglen's sixth, seventh and eighth graders have an opportunity to participate in the Geography Bee annually. This year, our students participated in the 22nd annual National Geographic Bee which was sponsored by Google.  The process is quite extensive as students begin with a qualifying test before moving on to the school-wide bee.  Thirty-seven students qualified for the school level bee, a number which included 16 sixth graders.  These students were asked a series of questions to answer orally and the field was narrowed to nine.  The questioning continued until four students earned spots in the semi-finals:  Kaya Cousin, Philip Dacey, Connor Heft and Andrea Jindracek.

What does it take to win the geography bee?  Well, it helps to be able to answer following:

1. In which African country, founded by freed American slaves, is mask-making an art form often related to social status?
2. A North African country, with coastlines on the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, allocates about 20 percent of its budget to state-sponsored education.  Name this country.
3. Which country is the world's leading producer of silver?
4. Founded as the southern terminus of a railroad line to Chattanooga, Tennessee, what city is now the major transportation center for the Southeast region?
5. What large body of water separates the Delmarva Peninsula from the southern part of New Jersey?

In the end, Woodglen is proud to announce that Andrea Jindracek is the 2010 School Geography Bee Champion.  Our runner-up, who also deserves accolades, is Connor Heft.  Andrea now moves on to take a qualifying test to determine whether or not she moves forward to the State Bee.  Only 100 students state-wide qualify for this level of participation.  Last year, Andrea not only won the school be, but moved on to state-level competition.  State Bee winners then move on to the National Finals, which are held in Washington, DC.

I want to congratulate our four semi-finalists, and wish Andrea the best as she goes forward in the competition.  The staff and students of Woodglen are proud to have such an outstanding representative.

Oh, by the way, in case you were looking for the answers to the questions above, and I know you were,

1. Liberia
2. Morocco
3. Peru
4. Atlanta, Georgia
5. Delaware Bay (if you said Delaware River, you were incorrect, sorry!)

Link to the National Geography Bee Website

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
-The Declaration of Independence

As we get set to enjoy a three day weekend, I want to urge everyone to take a few moments to reflect on why we are off on Monday.

In April, 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr. traveled to Tennessee where he was shot and killed by an assassin's bullet.  The day before his death, King delivered a prophetic speech, his famous "I've Been to the Mountain Top" speech (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1L8y-MX3pg&feature=related). 

Martin Luther King, Jr., born on January 15, 1929, grew up in Atlanta, Georgia.  At the age of 15, King enrolled in college.  He earned degrees in sociology and theology and became a pastor in Montgomery, Alabama where he organized a boycott of city buses in response to the treatment of Rosa Parks, who refused to give up her seat to a white passenger.  The result of this boycott was a US Supreme Court ruling that deemed bus segregation unconstitutional.

In August of 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. led the famous March on Washington, where a crowd of more than 250,000 blacks and whites heard his famous "I Have a Dream" speech (http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoID=1759663481).

The legacy of Dr. King lives on today, more than four decades after his death.  It is difficult to grasp the fact that in my lifetime there were Americans who were not able to enjoy basic rights in their own country.  It is difficult for me to come to grips with the fact that, while we teach about the abolition of slavery in 1863, over 100 years later, and in my lifetime, there were Americans who were not given the equality granted by the Declaration of Independence.

As a former history teacher, I know that most students look at history as a study of things that happened a long time ago.  Our children look at the mid sixties as "a long time ago."  My guess though is that most of you were alive in the mid 1960's.  Right?  As you think about the work of Dr. King, remember that he led the fight for equality for all Americans during our lifetime.  The Montgomery bus boycott took place in 1955, not 1855.  The "I Have a Dream" speech was not delivered in the time of Abraham Lincoln, it was delivered in the time of you and me. 

We live in a largely homogenous community - a very white, very middle to upper middle class community.  There is nothing wrong with that, my children have grown up in the same environment.  When we live in this type of community, however, it is easy for racism to creep into our lives.  When there is so much "sameness" it is easy for us to be critical, judgmental and scared of "differentness."  I have to say, it is refreshing to see that our students have not fallen prey to the evils of racism.  While that is a credit to their upbringing, I want to remind you that the battle cannot be considered won. 

Our kids are still young - most of them pre-teens.  As they move forward, they will be exposed to a world that is less and less tolerant.  It is true that today, in 2010, we are closer to the "dream" of Martin Luther King, Jr., but, sadly, the dream has not been totally realized.  Hate groups exist.  Racism exists.  Sexism exists.  We constantly hear about people who wield hatred and violence against others based on their religion, their color, or their sexual orientation.  As our kids move forward, we need to equip them with the tools to fight the hatred that exists outside of the protective fortresses that we have created to protect them - our schools, our churches, our homes.

Regardless of your personal morality, I am sure we all share the belief that all human beings, whether they are the same as "us" or different from "us," should be treated with respect and with the rights endowed by our creator.  As Americans, we all have a responsibility to continue to fight for Dr. King's dream that one day our children "will live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."  As Americans, we all have a responsibility to leave our children with an America where men and women stand together despite their differences.  As Americans, we all have a responsibility to assure that our country lives out the idea that "all men our created equal."

In a recent interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Rev. Samuel "Billy" Kyles, who was there when Martin Luther King, Jr. was fatally shot, shared his thoughts on the state of King's dream.

"Each generation must find what it can do to help keep the dream alive," he said.  "As a witness, I can confess that you can kill the dreamer, but you cannot absolutely kill the dream.  The dream is very much alive," he said.

I Have Been to the Mountain Top

I Have a Dream

"Dream is Very Much Alive," Says Friend of Martin Luther King, Jr.

What do we teach our kids?

This past week I read two different articles about high school sports.  They were both interesting and both could teach a lesson.  The two, however, could not have been more different.

On Tuesday night, January 5, Yates High School in Houston, the nation's top high school boys basketball team, posted a 170 - 35 victory over their opponents, Houston (Lee) High.  As if 170 points weren't enough, Yates scored 100 in the first half.  (http://highschool.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1036676)

"I feel very disrespected right now," Lee coach Jacques Armant told Jenny Dial of The Houston Chronicle. "I don't understand why Yates just kept scoring and pressing when they were up so much. These are kids. It isn't good to do that to other young men."

Yates coach Greg Wise didn't apologize for his team's play.  "We practice running, pressing, trapping every day," he told The Chronicle. "If we get to a game and I tell them not to do what we do in practice, I am not coaching well. I am not leaving my starters in the whole game. We have 15 guys, and all 15 play."

Obviously there is a difference between playing hard and running up the score.  In the end, the embarrassment was too much for Lee.  In the third quarter, one of Lee's players intentionally fouled an opponent that led to a fight on the court.  Approximately 20 players were ejected and both teams had to finish the game with only five players each. 

Whose fault is a brawl like this?  I would say it lies firmly on the shoulders of Wise, Yates' head coach.  This is the kind of thing that is wrong with youth sports.

Contrast this fiasco with the other story I saw this week.

On Monday night, Kirkwood (Missouri) High and Coach Bill Gunn demonstrated the kind of thing that is RIGHT with youth sports.  (http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/columnists.nsf/bryanburwell/story/85971FDCA335EF3C862576A20018DAB0?OpenDocument)

David "Chubbs" Stillman, a four-year team manager and special needs student, took the court as a player.  So many people stepped up to make Monday night a night that "Chubbs" would never forget - Gunn who planned this night nearly two months ago, opposing coach, Chris Wilkerson of Fox High who, along with his team, set the stage for Stillman to end the game with a 3-point shot, Miles Artis, the Kirkwood teammate who gave up his number 23 jersey for the night so that "Chubbs" could wear Michael Jordan's number, Ahmad Hicks, a Kirkwood senior who lobbied the coach to get back in the game in the fourth quarter so that he could pass the ball to David Stillman, and the students and fans of Kirkwood who made the night truly unforgettable with cheers, chants and a storming of the court following the game.

I've attached both stories so that you can read them for yourselves.

The lesson, here, that I learned, is that we as adults have so many opportunities to affect the lives of young people.  Whether it is through athletics, or through our daily lives, parents, teachers, coaches and adults often forget the tremendous power we have in influencing kids.  The story of David Stillman also reminds us that even kids have the chance to make a difference in the lives of others.

Today, and every day, please be mindful of the fact that our kids learn not really from what we say, but what we do.  Kids are much more astute than we give them credit for being and they will pick up on every cue - intentional and unintentional.

The two men in the attached stories taught many lessons to young people.  You and I do that every day as well.  What kind of lessons do you want to be teaching?  We all need to think carefully before we speak, and, more importantly, before we act. 

Yates High School Scores 170-35 Victory Over Opponent

"Special" Is the Right Word at Kirkwood

Special Night for Stillman in Missouri

Thanksgiving

The school year seems to be flying by faster than ever. It is hard to believe that we have completed a marking period and are finishing up conferences. As we try to keep up with the many things that occupy our busy lives, I always look at Thanksgiving as the time we are given to slow down, for even just a day or two, to reflect and to give thanks.

While many people are struggling this Thanksgiving, plagued by a down economy or the loss or threat of loss of a job, there is no better time to look past the challenges to discover that even in the toughest times, there are always blessings. While economic issues often lead to high anxiety, it also allows us to look past our "stuff" to find that there are much more important things for which we should be thankful.

Most of us have food on our tables. For those who don't, our local food pantry continues to be a bastion of light. Our own students have had the great opportunity to work with the food pantry, giving back to the community while learning that there are struggling people in our own township. As you eat dinner during the holidays, don't forget to give thanks and remember those who are going hungry.

Most of us have a warm coat to wear this winter. For those who don't, local organizations are stocking up on donated coats. Many of you contributed to our recent coat drive - parting with a coat that has been sitting in your closet so that someone may be warm this winter. As you put your coat on each cold morning, don't forget to give thanks and remember those who are cold.

Most of us have a home to live in. Throughout the United States, many people have lost everything, including their homes due to the economy. As you sit in your heated house this holiday season, don't forget to give thanks and remember those who are sleeping on the ground outside.

There are so many little things that often get overlooked because we cannot see through or beyond our stuff. As stuff becomes less available and far less important, it becomes easier to find what is really important. Those who have experienced a reduction in salary can still give thanks that they have a job. Those who see their child is not bringing home straight A's can still give thanks that they have a healthy child. Those who cannot buy the large flat screen television or laptop can still give thanks that they have their families intact. Those who have loved ones fighting overseas can still give thanks that they are alive and are willing to sacrifice for our freedom.

In 1789, George Washington gave the first Presidential Thanksgiving Proclamation. Since then, nearly every United States President has done the same. Take a moment to check out this link to see how our leaders have given thanks throughout the history of our great nation.

http://www.pilgrimhall.org/ThanxProc.htm

This Thanksgiving will be a tough one for many people. I encourage you though, to focus on what is good in your life rather than what is going wrong; focus on what you do have rather than what you don't have; focus on how your life may have become better due to the economy rather than how it has become worse. It is by giving thanks that we teach our children to help others, to cherish blessings and to have hope.  If anything positive can come out of the current recession, maybe it can be that we examined our lives to determine what is truly important.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Veteran's Day

Today, November 11, is Veteran's Day. 

Originally proclaimed at Armistice Day in 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson, the eleventh day of the eleventh month at the eleventh hour was set aside to remember those who served in World War I. 

In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11 as Veteran's Day, honoring all men and women who have served in the military.

Some facts about US Veterans:

• Over 48 million Americans have served in the military during war and peace since 1776
• There are currently about 25 million living veterans
• Over 155,000 veterans are currently homeless

Please take some time to give thanks to and for the many servicemen and women who have served and currently are serving our nation.

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.

Terra Cotta Warriors

As many of you know, our sixth grade social studies classes study world history.  Included in the curriculum is a study of ancient China.  Mrs. Miller, our sixth grade social studies teacher, wanted to let students, past, present and future, know about an exciting once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

A selection of artifacts from one of the greatest archaeological finds of the 20th century, China's Qin Shihuangdi's famed Terra Cotta Army, will be exhibited at the National Geographic Museum in Washington, D.C. from November 19, 2009 until March 31, 2010. The exhibit includes 20 Level 1 artifacts ( highest ranking in terms of rarity and value). This is the largest number of artifacts of this kind China has ever allowed to travel abroad.There will be 14 human based terra cotta figures, including a horse and two replica chariots ( the gold ones are forbidden to leave China).

The terra-cotta army of Qin Shihuangdi was buried to protect the emperor in his afterlife. It was discovered in 1974 and is still under excavation. Each year two million people travel to China to view the army. Woodglen School's sixth graders study Ancient China and this important treasure.

National Geographic Musuem
1145 17th Street NW ( at M Street)
Washington, D.C. 202-857-7588

You can find more information about this exhibit at the National Geographic website:  http://www.nationalgeographic.com/terracottawarriors/

Student Council Community Service

Today marks the start of the Woodglen School Student Council Coat Drive.  From now through November 20, students can drop off new and / or gently used coats in the main lobby.  Coats will be delivered to NJ Cares in Newark (http://www.njcares.org/). 

The coat drive is just one of the many community service projects that our student council will participate in this year. 

From November 30 to December 4, Woodglen students will be encouraged to "Feed the Pig" to support the NORWESCAP Food Bank (http://www.norwescap.org/).  Students can bring money and / or non-perishable food to fill the giant "piggy bank" in an effort to help fill the ever-decreasing shelves at local food pantries.  NORWESCAP is the major supplier of food for the Lebanon Township Food Pantry.

Speaking of the Lebanon Township Food Pantry, the Woodglen Student Council, under the supervision of Mrs. Suzette Dilzer, works with the Lebanon Township Food Pantry volunteers each month to help unload and stock the food that is delivered from NORWESCAP.  Our students have provided much needed "manpower" at the food pantry for the past two years.  In addition to helping the food pantry volunteers, this partnership has led to stronger relationships with students and the mostly senior citizen volunteers.

The Student Council, led by co-presidents, Jane Compton and Jane Hinkle, vice president, Cari Gadisch and treasurer, Colin Pfenninger, sponsors four major community service activities each school year (one per marking period).  The activities are chosen and implemented by the membership which is made up of students from grades five through eight.  

Please look for future community service activities sponsored by the Woodglen Student Council as these young people continue to make a difference!