Failing a class? What to do ...
By: Karie Smith
NORTHRIDGE- Now that we are finishing the third nine weeks and entering the fourth, some people have been failing classes, in the legendary third nine weeks “slump.” Too often they just don’t know how to bring their grades up.
Not only are there who are failing just one class, but there are also students failing multiple classes at NHS. Why students are failing, as to what Mr. Smith says is the issue is, “Normally they’re failing for two reasons, they're not doing their work or they have done poorly on tests.” When a student is failing a class or two, check what work you need and as Mrs.Garee says, “Talk to your teachers.”
A student at NHS said, “I slack off, that’s why I’m failing.” Once you start hitting that low point in the grade you receive students just give up. Once that happens and Mrs.Rauchenstein, the guidance counselor, has noticed the grade slips, she’ll call that student down and figure out see where they’re headed for the future or as she said, “Find out what their plans are.” She wants to make sure she can do her job by helping out that student.
When a student struggles with their school work and doesn’t know how to talk to the teacher, just go to Mrs. Rauchenstein, as she has said, “I try to help them find out how they can talk to teachers, they have a different structure. If its a shy student, then I will offer to email the teacher for them.” If a student doesn’t do their work all nine week, then it’s would not be the teacher's fault for not helping. As Mrs. Garee had said, “If a student has been trying to turn things around, then, it’s crying shame if the teacher doesn’t help.” As she has mentioned, it’s only a shame if the student truly needs help. But if they weren’t doing anything all nine weeks, then they need to figure something out on their own.
Zoey Stout (‘18) has said some advice for her peers would be “to get help from a tutor, seek some additional help from a teacher, put more effort into some of the work and study more than usual.” Some students really struggle and are afraid of going to teachers for help, but.Garee’s heart breaks when her students don’t go to her, Garee has said that, “the people who do badly in my classes share one common trait: they don’t talk to me, they don’t ask for help, they don’t ask for extensions, they don’t ask what they can do to bring their grade up the thing to think about is, I can only do so much: and I can provide support and as long as someone is willing to take that step, they can pass.” So ladies and gentlemen, if you’re the one struggling then you should talk to your teachers.
All of the teachers here at NHS are willing teachers who just want to help their students pass. Many of them want to help the ones who are doing poorly. But if a student isn’t doing anything, they should pick up the pace because the year is almost over! Hang in there for just a few more weeks. Soon it won’t be five more days until the weekend, soon it will be just summer!
-Karie Smith (‘18) is a first-year Vault Member and Jr. Opinions Editor [email protected]
By: Karie Smith
NORTHRIDGE- Now that we are finishing the third nine weeks and entering the fourth, some people have been failing classes, in the legendary third nine weeks “slump.” Too often they just don’t know how to bring their grades up.
Not only are there who are failing just one class, but there are also students failing multiple classes at NHS. Why students are failing, as to what Mr. Smith says is the issue is, “Normally they’re failing for two reasons, they're not doing their work or they have done poorly on tests.” When a student is failing a class or two, check what work you need and as Mrs.Garee says, “Talk to your teachers.”
A student at NHS said, “I slack off, that’s why I’m failing.” Once you start hitting that low point in the grade you receive students just give up. Once that happens and Mrs.Rauchenstein, the guidance counselor, has noticed the grade slips, she’ll call that student down and figure out see where they’re headed for the future or as she said, “Find out what their plans are.” She wants to make sure she can do her job by helping out that student.
When a student struggles with their school work and doesn’t know how to talk to the teacher, just go to Mrs. Rauchenstein, as she has said, “I try to help them find out how they can talk to teachers, they have a different structure. If its a shy student, then I will offer to email the teacher for them.” If a student doesn’t do their work all nine week, then it’s would not be the teacher's fault for not helping. As Mrs. Garee had said, “If a student has been trying to turn things around, then, it’s crying shame if the teacher doesn’t help.” As she has mentioned, it’s only a shame if the student truly needs help. But if they weren’t doing anything all nine weeks, then they need to figure something out on their own.
Zoey Stout (‘18) has said some advice for her peers would be “to get help from a tutor, seek some additional help from a teacher, put more effort into some of the work and study more than usual.” Some students really struggle and are afraid of going to teachers for help, but.Garee’s heart breaks when her students don’t go to her, Garee has said that, “the people who do badly in my classes share one common trait: they don’t talk to me, they don’t ask for help, they don’t ask for extensions, they don’t ask what they can do to bring their grade up the thing to think about is, I can only do so much: and I can provide support and as long as someone is willing to take that step, they can pass.” So ladies and gentlemen, if you’re the one struggling then you should talk to your teachers.
All of the teachers here at NHS are willing teachers who just want to help their students pass. Many of them want to help the ones who are doing poorly. But if a student isn’t doing anything, they should pick up the pace because the year is almost over! Hang in there for just a few more weeks. Soon it won’t be five more days until the weekend, soon it will be just summer!
-Karie Smith (‘18) is a first-year Vault Member and Jr. Opinions Editor [email protected]
Students register to vote
By: Savannah Legg
With the election around the corner th is fall many Northridge students who are 18, or who will be 18, are getting anxious to vote. Encouraging to get young voters to register volunteers from the Licking County Board of Elections came out to the high school on February 10th. During their visit around 40 Northridge seniors and juniors registered to vote. When registering to vote, the students were asked to write down their basic information including address, date of birth, etc.
When the volunteers arrived, students who would be 18 by the time of the election were called down to the media center and asked to fill out a form in order to be registered. For those who are not registered to vote, you can register by going to vote411 and typing in your information. Your registration has to take place at least 30 days prior to the election. If you will not be 18 on the day of the election, you can still vote in the primary even if you are still 17.
Leyna Varney (‘16) says “I was so glad that the school allowed people to come in and help us register, because otherwise i wouldn’t have known where or how to register”.
Alex Yebaile (‘17) commented “I’m only 17 now, but by the time the election comes around I will be old enough to vote so I registered anyway”.
Places to vote around the community include the Alexandria LIbrary, the Pataskala Library, and Homer Library. After you have been registered to vote, you can go to any of the places listed above and cast your ballot.
-Savannah Legg (‘16) is a third-year Vault staff member and Photos Editor. [email protected]
By: Savannah Legg
With the election around the corner th is fall many Northridge students who are 18, or who will be 18, are getting anxious to vote. Encouraging to get young voters to register volunteers from the Licking County Board of Elections came out to the high school on February 10th. During their visit around 40 Northridge seniors and juniors registered to vote. When registering to vote, the students were asked to write down their basic information including address, date of birth, etc.
When the volunteers arrived, students who would be 18 by the time of the election were called down to the media center and asked to fill out a form in order to be registered. For those who are not registered to vote, you can register by going to vote411 and typing in your information. Your registration has to take place at least 30 days prior to the election. If you will not be 18 on the day of the election, you can still vote in the primary even if you are still 17.
Leyna Varney (‘16) says “I was so glad that the school allowed people to come in and help us register, because otherwise i wouldn’t have known where or how to register”.
Alex Yebaile (‘17) commented “I’m only 17 now, but by the time the election comes around I will be old enough to vote so I registered anyway”.
Places to vote around the community include the Alexandria LIbrary, the Pataskala Library, and Homer Library. After you have been registered to vote, you can go to any of the places listed above and cast your ballot.
-Savannah Legg (‘16) is a third-year Vault staff member and Photos Editor. [email protected]
Spring art showcase displays teenage talent
By: Emma Scritchfield
NORTHRIDGE- Every year, for nearly a decade, Northridge students’ artwork has been put on display for all to see in the annual spring showcase. Current art teacher and showcase organizer, Mr. Kirtland, sat down to share information on this year’s exhibition and give advice to artists.
The showcase is scheduled for May 10, 2016. “It will display all of the art done throughout the year. Every kid who has participated in an art class this year will have a minimum of one piece in the exhibit,” says Kirtland. “Art will cover the halls from floor to ceiling.”
The mediums that will be featured are: graphite, colored pencil, ink, clay, watercolor, acrylic, and even multi-media 3D sculptures. But how are these pieces judged? “I always have an outside source come in to judge the art. It makes it easier for me and demolishes any chance of me choosing a piece via favoritism,” assures Kirtland.
Pieces students create outside of the classroom, so long as they have been completed within the past year, are also being accepted for the display. “We have had this showcase for as long as I can remember and it is really neat to watch it get bigger and bigger each year. I love watching the kids receive their awards. They are so competitive and it’s fun to watch them push themselves to be their very best,” comments Kirtland.
Awards and ribbons are designed and made by the Northridge High School Art Club. Each piece of artwork is unique and different from all the rest. Individuals awarded for their art will also have the honor of having their name painted above the art room door way. “Hosting this exhibit is a really nice way to round up the school year for everyone, teachers included,” Kirtland says with a smile.
Parents, students, and faculty are encouraged to attend this event to support their own young and local artists.
-Emma Scritchfield (‘18) is a first-year Vault staff member and Jr. Features Editor .[email protected]
By: Emma Scritchfield
NORTHRIDGE- Every year, for nearly a decade, Northridge students’ artwork has been put on display for all to see in the annual spring showcase. Current art teacher and showcase organizer, Mr. Kirtland, sat down to share information on this year’s exhibition and give advice to artists.
The showcase is scheduled for May 10, 2016. “It will display all of the art done throughout the year. Every kid who has participated in an art class this year will have a minimum of one piece in the exhibit,” says Kirtland. “Art will cover the halls from floor to ceiling.”
The mediums that will be featured are: graphite, colored pencil, ink, clay, watercolor, acrylic, and even multi-media 3D sculptures. But how are these pieces judged? “I always have an outside source come in to judge the art. It makes it easier for me and demolishes any chance of me choosing a piece via favoritism,” assures Kirtland.
Pieces students create outside of the classroom, so long as they have been completed within the past year, are also being accepted for the display. “We have had this showcase for as long as I can remember and it is really neat to watch it get bigger and bigger each year. I love watching the kids receive their awards. They are so competitive and it’s fun to watch them push themselves to be their very best,” comments Kirtland.
Awards and ribbons are designed and made by the Northridge High School Art Club. Each piece of artwork is unique and different from all the rest. Individuals awarded for their art will also have the honor of having their name painted above the art room door way. “Hosting this exhibit is a really nice way to round up the school year for everyone, teachers included,” Kirtland says with a smile.
Parents, students, and faculty are encouraged to attend this event to support their own young and local artists.
-Emma Scritchfield (‘18) is a first-year Vault staff member and Jr. Features Editor .[email protected]
Northridge leaders change the world
By: Aili Barbee
NORTHRIDGE- Three Northridge High School students, Aili Barbee (‘16), Trisha McConnell (‘16), and Max Berry (‘17), currently serve as Northridge representatives on the Youth Leadership Council of Licking County with a common goal in mind to change the world.
The Youth Leadership Council (YLC) of Licking County is an award-winning youth-led prevention project comprised of high school students who collectively work to help make Licking County a happy, healthy, safe and drug free place to live, work and go to school. Barbee became Northridge’s first representative ever on the council last year, and McConnell and Berry joined her this year.
The YLC completes the simple task of changing the world by designing different projects based on their four pillars: prevention education, leadership development, civic engagement and community service. McConnell executed a project this year where she had all 53 members on the council each write three letters to deployed-American soldiers which were sent to them during Christmas. Berry is currently designing a video project that discusses the harmful effects of bullying. Barbee is an executive on the Youth Leadership Council and is also on a committee that is planning the second annual Licking County Leader’s Summit.
The council is hosting a $20,000 one-day summit where they will invite all 12 high schools across the county to bring 20 students and two facility to the event. Northridge sent a team last year, and will be sending a team again this year.
English teacher, Kim Garee, was a staff member who joined the Northridge team last year and will be joining again this year. She stated that “Last year’s Summit had a great speaker. Everyone who went really enjoyed it and got excited about coming back and making school a better place.”
Students who attend will be learning leadership skills while engaging in drug, alcohol, and violence prevention workshops. Each school will also be challenged to spearhead their own community service project with the help of a youth-led mentor. Northridge was not able to successfully complete a project last year, but this year’s team is determined to complete one.
Colin Evans (‘16), a returning Northridge team-member for the summit, confirms that he “absolutely loved the hands on activities that we all got to participate in last year. It was fun meeting new people, as well as just seeing how people thought differently, and how they all worked together. I can’t wait to go back to see what all new things they will have for us to do this year!
Adam Eckstein (‘16), will be joining the Northridge team, for the first time, this year. I’m looking forward to learning new leadership skills and how to express those skills in different situations,” he said.
Kaycee Campbell (‘17) is applying to be on next year’s council. “I really want to join this group because I want to be able to have an impact in my community,” she confessed.
Berry plans on applying to be a second year council member for next year. He admitted that “At first, I joined the YLC because it would help me with college. But, I’m reapplying because of all of the incredible people, the love for the community, and the passion that this group has It’s a part of me now.”
The application process for next year’s council has already begun. To apply, freshmen, sophomores, and juniors must fill out the application, receive three letters of recommendation, write a letter of intent, and participate in an interview. The application is live now and is due March 25. Those who apply will find out if they have been selected in early May. Applications can be found online at kidscaretoo.org, in the guidance office, or from Aili Barbee.
-Aili Barbee (‘16) is a third-year Vault staff member and the Print Editor-in-Chief. [email protected]
By: Aili Barbee
NORTHRIDGE- Three Northridge High School students, Aili Barbee (‘16), Trisha McConnell (‘16), and Max Berry (‘17), currently serve as Northridge representatives on the Youth Leadership Council of Licking County with a common goal in mind to change the world.
The Youth Leadership Council (YLC) of Licking County is an award-winning youth-led prevention project comprised of high school students who collectively work to help make Licking County a happy, healthy, safe and drug free place to live, work and go to school. Barbee became Northridge’s first representative ever on the council last year, and McConnell and Berry joined her this year.
The YLC completes the simple task of changing the world by designing different projects based on their four pillars: prevention education, leadership development, civic engagement and community service. McConnell executed a project this year where she had all 53 members on the council each write three letters to deployed-American soldiers which were sent to them during Christmas. Berry is currently designing a video project that discusses the harmful effects of bullying. Barbee is an executive on the Youth Leadership Council and is also on a committee that is planning the second annual Licking County Leader’s Summit.
The council is hosting a $20,000 one-day summit where they will invite all 12 high schools across the county to bring 20 students and two facility to the event. Northridge sent a team last year, and will be sending a team again this year.
English teacher, Kim Garee, was a staff member who joined the Northridge team last year and will be joining again this year. She stated that “Last year’s Summit had a great speaker. Everyone who went really enjoyed it and got excited about coming back and making school a better place.”
Students who attend will be learning leadership skills while engaging in drug, alcohol, and violence prevention workshops. Each school will also be challenged to spearhead their own community service project with the help of a youth-led mentor. Northridge was not able to successfully complete a project last year, but this year’s team is determined to complete one.
Colin Evans (‘16), a returning Northridge team-member for the summit, confirms that he “absolutely loved the hands on activities that we all got to participate in last year. It was fun meeting new people, as well as just seeing how people thought differently, and how they all worked together. I can’t wait to go back to see what all new things they will have for us to do this year!
Adam Eckstein (‘16), will be joining the Northridge team, for the first time, this year. I’m looking forward to learning new leadership skills and how to express those skills in different situations,” he said.
Kaycee Campbell (‘17) is applying to be on next year’s council. “I really want to join this group because I want to be able to have an impact in my community,” she confessed.
Berry plans on applying to be a second year council member for next year. He admitted that “At first, I joined the YLC because it would help me with college. But, I’m reapplying because of all of the incredible people, the love for the community, and the passion that this group has It’s a part of me now.”
The application process for next year’s council has already begun. To apply, freshmen, sophomores, and juniors must fill out the application, receive three letters of recommendation, write a letter of intent, and participate in an interview. The application is live now and is due March 25. Those who apply will find out if they have been selected in early May. Applications can be found online at kidscaretoo.org, in the guidance office, or from Aili Barbee.
-Aili Barbee (‘16) is a third-year Vault staff member and the Print Editor-in-Chief. [email protected]
New IT opportunities available for students
By: Katelyn Darby
NORTHRIDGE- Northridge students now have the opportunity to take real world IT classes. The new program offers a series of classes from CTEC, including hardware and software, app development, and web design. This is the first year of the new classes, all taught by Shawn Decker.
IT, the abbrieviation for information technology, is by definition the use of computers, storage, networking and other physical devices to create and process forms of electronic data.
The new classes can be very beneficial to students hoping to go into the field of IT. Through taking the courses offered, students can take a career certification test to add to resumes and promote them in job searches. Taking the classes offered at Northridge can also decrease the amount of classes needed in college. Student Caleb Cordell (‘17) says the classes are helping him understand more about the world of IT.
The new classes should be very beneficial to students. Decker remarked that IT is everywhere in the world, so a head start in this field of work should open up job opportunities and prepare students for the work force.
Decker hopes the class will, “Give people a real world experience of IT.” Decker has worked in the field of IT and hopes to pass along his experience to the new learners. Cordell claims that Decker is a great teacher for the subject. He adds, “Mr. Decker is a great teacher a great problem solver. He is one of the teachers that will take the time out of his day to help you with concepts that you do not understand.”
Last year the option was available to take this class with junior and senior year courses. The new program, with a series of four different courses, will open up opportunities to freshmen and sophmores as well as juniors and seniors, while also giving more specific learning objectives.
To find out more about the new IT opportunities and what each class has in store, head to the high school website and look under the “clubs” section. Here you will find descriptions of all the classes offered at Northridge.
-Katelyn Darby (‘18) is a first-year Vault staff member and the Jr. Web Editor-in Chief. [email protected]
By: Katelyn Darby
NORTHRIDGE- Northridge students now have the opportunity to take real world IT classes. The new program offers a series of classes from CTEC, including hardware and software, app development, and web design. This is the first year of the new classes, all taught by Shawn Decker.
IT, the abbrieviation for information technology, is by definition the use of computers, storage, networking and other physical devices to create and process forms of electronic data.
The new classes can be very beneficial to students hoping to go into the field of IT. Through taking the courses offered, students can take a career certification test to add to resumes and promote them in job searches. Taking the classes offered at Northridge can also decrease the amount of classes needed in college. Student Caleb Cordell (‘17) says the classes are helping him understand more about the world of IT.
The new classes should be very beneficial to students. Decker remarked that IT is everywhere in the world, so a head start in this field of work should open up job opportunities and prepare students for the work force.
Decker hopes the class will, “Give people a real world experience of IT.” Decker has worked in the field of IT and hopes to pass along his experience to the new learners. Cordell claims that Decker is a great teacher for the subject. He adds, “Mr. Decker is a great teacher a great problem solver. He is one of the teachers that will take the time out of his day to help you with concepts that you do not understand.”
Last year the option was available to take this class with junior and senior year courses. The new program, with a series of four different courses, will open up opportunities to freshmen and sophmores as well as juniors and seniors, while also giving more specific learning objectives.
To find out more about the new IT opportunities and what each class has in store, head to the high school website and look under the “clubs” section. Here you will find descriptions of all the classes offered at Northridge.
-Katelyn Darby (‘18) is a first-year Vault staff member and the Jr. Web Editor-in Chief. [email protected]
First year mock trial team
By: Olivia Carpenter
NORTHRIDGE- A group of Northridge Students recently competed in a mentally demanding sport: Mock trial.
Directed by Kathy Trimble, the parent of Haley Trimble and a skilled attorney, the Mock trial teams had a great season. The first competition took place on January 29th at Licking County common pleas court in Newark, Ohio. The students were split into two teams and played the roles of police officers and teenagers in a mock court case. There were two teams: The Grey team and the Green team. On the Grey team, was Zach Weaver, Victor Weaver, Mckenzie Johnston, Olivia Carpenter, Abigail Travis, Kaleb Pugh, Mich-ele Ferry, and Jordan Wolfe. On the Green team, was Haley Trimble, Zach Smith, Alayna Curran, Kaelin Curran, Graham Garee, Adam Eckstein, and Colin Evans. Also, Jesper Lund was a time keeper.
These teams worked extremely hard every week, preparing for the trial as if it were real. The attorneys were required to memorize and write an opening statement or closing statement, a direct examination, and a cross examination. The opening statement told the judges what was going on in the trial and the closing hammered home a point either team was trying to prove throughout the entire trial. The Direct examinations were a list of questions created by the attorney to extract information from their witness (person testifying against another team). And the cross examinations were a list of questions created by the attorney to extract information from an opposing team’s witness.
On the day of Districts, the two teams separated to compete against another school. They battled the wits and memories of the other teams and would only emerge to move on if they maintained a better presence than the other team, had better arguments, and proved overall to be more experienced than the opposing team.
Northridge Grey moved on to regionals after defeating a team that matched their intellect and stride, and Green was randomly placed against one of the best teams in the state. They fought a hard battle and only lost by mere points.
After the competition, Alayna Curran (‘19) said : “What on earth is an errata sheet?” The opposing team had brought in materials unknown to the Northridge teams altogether.
When asked if Mock trial was a good experience, many members responded differently, but the most often response was: “I’d do it again.” Hopefully the legacy these teens created will be continued in the years to come, and maybe, just maybe, Northridge will make it to States next year.
-Olivia Carpenter ('18) is a first-year Vault staff member and Jr. Web Editor-In-Chief. [email protected]
By: Olivia Carpenter
NORTHRIDGE- A group of Northridge Students recently competed in a mentally demanding sport: Mock trial.
Directed by Kathy Trimble, the parent of Haley Trimble and a skilled attorney, the Mock trial teams had a great season. The first competition took place on January 29th at Licking County common pleas court in Newark, Ohio. The students were split into two teams and played the roles of police officers and teenagers in a mock court case. There were two teams: The Grey team and the Green team. On the Grey team, was Zach Weaver, Victor Weaver, Mckenzie Johnston, Olivia Carpenter, Abigail Travis, Kaleb Pugh, Mich-ele Ferry, and Jordan Wolfe. On the Green team, was Haley Trimble, Zach Smith, Alayna Curran, Kaelin Curran, Graham Garee, Adam Eckstein, and Colin Evans. Also, Jesper Lund was a time keeper.
These teams worked extremely hard every week, preparing for the trial as if it were real. The attorneys were required to memorize and write an opening statement or closing statement, a direct examination, and a cross examination. The opening statement told the judges what was going on in the trial and the closing hammered home a point either team was trying to prove throughout the entire trial. The Direct examinations were a list of questions created by the attorney to extract information from their witness (person testifying against another team). And the cross examinations were a list of questions created by the attorney to extract information from an opposing team’s witness.
On the day of Districts, the two teams separated to compete against another school. They battled the wits and memories of the other teams and would only emerge to move on if they maintained a better presence than the other team, had better arguments, and proved overall to be more experienced than the opposing team.
Northridge Grey moved on to regionals after defeating a team that matched their intellect and stride, and Green was randomly placed against one of the best teams in the state. They fought a hard battle and only lost by mere points.
After the competition, Alayna Curran (‘19) said : “What on earth is an errata sheet?” The opposing team had brought in materials unknown to the Northridge teams altogether.
When asked if Mock trial was a good experience, many members responded differently, but the most often response was: “I’d do it again.” Hopefully the legacy these teens created will be continued in the years to come, and maybe, just maybe, Northridge will make it to States next year.
-Olivia Carpenter ('18) is a first-year Vault staff member and Jr. Web Editor-In-Chief. [email protected]
Stay connected after graduation with the alumni page
By: Daniel Neff
NORTHRIDGE - If you haven’t already heard, Northridge’s website manager, Mrs. Shoe, has set up an alumni page on the school website to keep all Northridge alumni connected with the school and each other. The page has registration for alumni, class directories, photo galleries, and news for each class that has ever graduated. The goal is to keep every Viking graduate in touch with each other, whether they live on Northridge Road or on the other side of the world.
The idea came about last summer/fall. The school maintenance found a bunch of old class pictures from past graduate classes. Mrs. Shoe sat down with Mrs. Anderson and Dr. Briggs to decide what to do with them. The website provider Northridge uses, SchoolPointe, already had a preset alumni page that just needed activated to show up on the school website. So they decided to activate the alumni page, and Mrs. Shoe set it all up. The class photos haven’t been put on the page yet. The pictures are huge, and Mrs. Shoe doesn’t have access to any scanners that will be able to scan the pictures yet.
The page can be found by going to Northridge’s main website, and looking on the left under “Quick Links” for “Alumni.” Mrs. Shoe is hoping to hear from people from every class that has graduated, from 1963 to 2015. So far though, she has only heard from the classes of 1965, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1993, and 2012.
Chris Wilkowski, who graduated in 2014, said, “I think this is a great idea! I can stay connected with the school and all of my fellow graduates with such ease now. I’ll go sign up as soon as possible!”
The page has five different tabs: Alumni News, Reunion Information, Registration, Directory, and Photo Gallery. All of these tabs are pretty boring though since there’s only seven people registered and Mrs. Shoe doesn’t have much to put on there. There's not really any way to advertise this page, other than just putting it on the school website and hope alumni see it. So encourage anyone you know who has graduated from Northridge to get on there and sign up! Even seniors can go on and sign up right now so they can get news about Northridge for years to come.
The class of 1995 just recently had their 20th class reunion, which ultimately got Mrs. Shoe thinking what she could do to keep Northridge alumni in touch with the school. Mrs Shoe states, “It’s a great way to stay connected to the past, while also looking into the future.” She also mentioned how “this area is entrenched in history.” She said how, through this, she discovered how her mother and the middle school’s Mrs. Ashbrook’s mother were in the same class together.
With the five tabs on the page, there's only so much to do. Mrs. Shoe would like to add more, but she can’t with the restrictions from the website provider. Since it was a preset page, she can’t customize it. That doesn’t mean the page isn’t fun, though. The admin recommends seniors or alumni get on there and connect with fellow high school graduates!
-Daniel Neff (’16) is a second-year Vault staff member and Entertainment/Senior Spotlight Editor. [email protected]
By: Daniel Neff
NORTHRIDGE - If you haven’t already heard, Northridge’s website manager, Mrs. Shoe, has set up an alumni page on the school website to keep all Northridge alumni connected with the school and each other. The page has registration for alumni, class directories, photo galleries, and news for each class that has ever graduated. The goal is to keep every Viking graduate in touch with each other, whether they live on Northridge Road or on the other side of the world.
The idea came about last summer/fall. The school maintenance found a bunch of old class pictures from past graduate classes. Mrs. Shoe sat down with Mrs. Anderson and Dr. Briggs to decide what to do with them. The website provider Northridge uses, SchoolPointe, already had a preset alumni page that just needed activated to show up on the school website. So they decided to activate the alumni page, and Mrs. Shoe set it all up. The class photos haven’t been put on the page yet. The pictures are huge, and Mrs. Shoe doesn’t have access to any scanners that will be able to scan the pictures yet.
The page can be found by going to Northridge’s main website, and looking on the left under “Quick Links” for “Alumni.” Mrs. Shoe is hoping to hear from people from every class that has graduated, from 1963 to 2015. So far though, she has only heard from the classes of 1965, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1993, and 2012.
Chris Wilkowski, who graduated in 2014, said, “I think this is a great idea! I can stay connected with the school and all of my fellow graduates with such ease now. I’ll go sign up as soon as possible!”
The page has five different tabs: Alumni News, Reunion Information, Registration, Directory, and Photo Gallery. All of these tabs are pretty boring though since there’s only seven people registered and Mrs. Shoe doesn’t have much to put on there. There's not really any way to advertise this page, other than just putting it on the school website and hope alumni see it. So encourage anyone you know who has graduated from Northridge to get on there and sign up! Even seniors can go on and sign up right now so they can get news about Northridge for years to come.
The class of 1995 just recently had their 20th class reunion, which ultimately got Mrs. Shoe thinking what she could do to keep Northridge alumni in touch with the school. Mrs Shoe states, “It’s a great way to stay connected to the past, while also looking into the future.” She also mentioned how “this area is entrenched in history.” She said how, through this, she discovered how her mother and the middle school’s Mrs. Ashbrook’s mother were in the same class together.
With the five tabs on the page, there's only so much to do. Mrs. Shoe would like to add more, but she can’t with the restrictions from the website provider. Since it was a preset page, she can’t customize it. That doesn’t mean the page isn’t fun, though. The admin recommends seniors or alumni get on there and connect with fellow high school graduates!
-Daniel Neff (’16) is a second-year Vault staff member and Entertainment/Senior Spotlight Editor. [email protected]
Post Assessments Looming
By: Sven Stalder
NORTHRIDGE- Students at Northridge are preparing to take post assessments in almost all of their high school classes on the last three days before Spring Break.
On March 16 to March 18, students of Northridge are going to take a 75 minute exam for all their classes that require one. All the standard classes are going to have a post assessment, but only some of the elective classes have one, and college classes don’t have one.
The first testing period starts at 7:45 am and lasts until 9 am. After a 15 minute break the next testing period starts. The last testing period ends at noon on Wednesday and Thursday, and at 10:30 on Friday.
On the first day, first period classes are going to have their assessment first, followed by eighth and fifth. On Thursday, second, fourth and sixth period are going to have post assessments, and on Friday third and seventh period exams are scheduled.
On each of the three days, a lunch is offered at 12 pm and exams can be made up at 1:05 pm. If a student doesn’t have a post assessment in a class, a form, signed by a parent, can be turned in the office before the first day of testing. If the form is not filled out and turned in before the first day of testing the student has to stay at school the whole school day, until 2:25 pm. Students with missing work can also not leave the school early. Caily Thorpe (19’) says, “I love post assessments because I get to leave early on the last days before spring break.”
Post assessments count ten percent of the second semester grade. The other 90 percent are made up of 40 percent third nine weeks , 40 percent fourth nine weeks, and ten percent finals at the end of the semester..
In the first week of a new high school class, students take pre assessments, so the teachers can see how much the class knows and what they need to teach. Each department grades the tests differently, however all departments have to write a SLO, Student learning Objective, that expresses how much their students will improve over the semester. This SLO is checked by the district to make sure the progress is enough. Teachers need to have 90 percent of the student reach their SLO to get the highest level of accomplishments.
English Teacher Mrs. Garee says, “Our evaluations are based on how well the students do on the post assessment, compared to the pre assessment.” The success of student makes up half a teacher’s evaluation; the other half are observations.
-Sven Stalder (‘18) is a first-year Vault staff member and Jr. Public Relations Manager. [email protected]
By: Sven Stalder
NORTHRIDGE- Students at Northridge are preparing to take post assessments in almost all of their high school classes on the last three days before Spring Break.
On March 16 to March 18, students of Northridge are going to take a 75 minute exam for all their classes that require one. All the standard classes are going to have a post assessment, but only some of the elective classes have one, and college classes don’t have one.
The first testing period starts at 7:45 am and lasts until 9 am. After a 15 minute break the next testing period starts. The last testing period ends at noon on Wednesday and Thursday, and at 10:30 on Friday.
On the first day, first period classes are going to have their assessment first, followed by eighth and fifth. On Thursday, second, fourth and sixth period are going to have post assessments, and on Friday third and seventh period exams are scheduled.
On each of the three days, a lunch is offered at 12 pm and exams can be made up at 1:05 pm. If a student doesn’t have a post assessment in a class, a form, signed by a parent, can be turned in the office before the first day of testing. If the form is not filled out and turned in before the first day of testing the student has to stay at school the whole school day, until 2:25 pm. Students with missing work can also not leave the school early. Caily Thorpe (19’) says, “I love post assessments because I get to leave early on the last days before spring break.”
Post assessments count ten percent of the second semester grade. The other 90 percent are made up of 40 percent third nine weeks , 40 percent fourth nine weeks, and ten percent finals at the end of the semester..
In the first week of a new high school class, students take pre assessments, so the teachers can see how much the class knows and what they need to teach. Each department grades the tests differently, however all departments have to write a SLO, Student learning Objective, that expresses how much their students will improve over the semester. This SLO is checked by the district to make sure the progress is enough. Teachers need to have 90 percent of the student reach their SLO to get the highest level of accomplishments.
English Teacher Mrs. Garee says, “Our evaluations are based on how well the students do on the post assessment, compared to the pre assessment.” The success of student makes up half a teacher’s evaluation; the other half are observations.
-Sven Stalder (‘18) is a first-year Vault staff member and Jr. Public Relations Manager. [email protected]