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Volunteers help East High School students reach their goals

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By Cynthia Chin
Madison East High School

East High School is home to a diverse and exciting group of young people. They have come to East from a wide variety of family, ethnic and national backgrounds to pursue their education and prepare for adulthood. They will study art, civics, history, languages, literature, mathematics and science, as well as develop career and life skills in areas as diverse as business and fashion. Many find their studies to be challenging. Please come and meet our students; you can help them reach their goals.

Do you like to read, write, draw, paint or sculpt? Do you enjoy math, science, history, literature or programming? Do you speak Spanish, French, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Arabic or Japanese? Do you want to meet some great young people? Then we want to meet you.

Volunteers are needed in all subject areas, all day and after school. Check out these opportunities. Unless otherwise noted, placements are possible Monday‒Friday. Most volunteers come one or two days a week.

Check for updates at www.volunteeryourtime.org, keywords “Madison East High School,” or contact Cynthia Chin, cchin@madison.k12.wi.us , 608-204-1603 ext. 41534.

Art Classroom Aide: Assist art teacher with materials management and art students with exploring and deepening their creative talents. Help brainstorm or validate student ideas, share your experience with technical aspects of various media. Opportunities in both 2D and 3D art, plus photography in the spring. School day hours; contact April Sopkin, asopkin@madison.k12.wi.us.

Vocational literacy: Assist young adults with special learning needs to interact with text as part of employment or life skills training. This volunteer assignment may consist of listening to students or reading to them. Tuesday‒Friday, 9:10 am or 10:10 am, Contact Tom Giddings, tvgiddings@madison.k12.wi.us.

Mathematics, science, social studies classroom aide: Assist individuals or small groups in the classroom with tasks presented by the teacher. Placements are available in tutorial sessions and in teacher-led classes throughout the day. Bilingual skills a plus. Contact Cynthia Chin, 204-1603 ext. 41534, cchin@madison.k12.wi.us or Carmen Lombard, 204-1530, calombard@madison.k12.wi.us.

Mathematics one-to-one match: A one-semester minimum commitment to working with a single student twice a week on first-year algebra or introductory plane geometry. Contact Katie Lillegard, krlillegard@madison.k12.wi.us.

After school homework club: Tutoring help in all subjects is needed from 3:45‒5:30 pm, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact Mayder Lor, 204-1752, mlor@madison.k12.wi.us.

Advanced math help: Help students in AP calculus and statistics. Monday, 2:30‒5 pm; Tuesday‒Friday, 3:30‒5 pm. Contact Cynthia Chin, 204-1603 ext. 41534, cchin@madison.k12.wi.us.

Upward Bound PreCollege Program: Subject area tutoring; times are flexible. Contact Brenda Her, bher@fsc-corp.org.

Computer programming: One-on-one assistance to students enrolled in Introductory Programming. These students are preparing to take Advanced Placement Computer Science in the future and need help with projects that get them started with program design and execution. Tuesday‒Friday, 8:15 am. Contact  Joseph Fanning, 262-818-9479, jjfanning@madison.k12.wi.us.

Korean, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese and Arabic language tutor: Native/experienced speakers are needed to tutor small groups or individuals in beginning conversation, reading and grammar. We also welcome conversations about affiliated cultures in English. Tuesday‒Friday, 9:10 am and 1:45 pm. Contact Kelsey Aouane, 204-1802, kfaouane@madison.k12.wi.us.

Advanced French and Spanish language tutor: Native/experienced speakers are needed to practice conversation with advanced students. Daytime hours; contact staff regarding schedule options. Contact Kelsey Aouane, 204-1802, kfaouane@madison.k12.wi.us.

Centro Hispano@East HS: Volunteers are needed as academic tutors and educational/professional mentors in the Escalera program. Mondays, 2:45‒5 pm, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 3:45‒6 pm. Great opportunity to immerse oneself in LatinX culture. Spanish language skills are a plus. Contact Evelyn Cruz, evelyn@micentro.org.

General academic aide/study hall tutor: Help students improve their writing, math or science skills in a supervised study area. Work one-to-one or provide small group assistance with daily homework completion. We have opportunities throughout the school day. Contact Cynthia Chin, 204-1603 ext. 41534, cchin@madison.k12.wi.us.

Freshman Friday Support Specialist: Assist with a weekly academic catch-up program for ninth-graders. This position is equal parts logistical assistance and tutoring, requiring clear communication skills and the ability to meet and escort students throughout the building as they receive early intervention for academic challenges encountered during the course of the current week. Fridays during the school day. Contact Kyle Mayne, kcmayne@madison.k12.wi.us.

East High School is located at 2222 E. Washington Ave., between Fourth and Fifth Streets. On-street parking is available within one or two blocks of the school. 

Note: Board of Education policy requires all persons working directly with students to complete a form authorizing a basic background check, the results of which may impact eligibility for placement.

Scouts learn service, community involvement and leadership skills

By Justin Sargent
BSA Troup 127

While Scouting is a fun and challenging program for all, there are some youth that doggedly pursue attaining the top scout rank of Eagle Scout. It takes hard work. It is not easy. There are many obstacles, including work, sports, competing interests and sometimes even health concerns that make getting to Eagle a challenge.

Scouts from our troop have given back to our community in enduring ways. From native pollinator boxes across the Northside to the community garden expansion, to stairs at Lakeview School, neighborhood shade trees, church gardens, art displays and collection boxes for American flags, our youth have left a positive impact that improves our neighborhoods.

Troop 127 has a number of young scouts who are within reach of this lofty goal and will begin looking for their own way to make a positive impact in our area through their Eagle Scout project.

Sports, clubs, even video games, can offer our youth some benefits but none match the community involvement and citizenship that the scouting program offers. A youth you know could benefit from the scouting program and better our community as they grow and gain experience. The scout program is welcome to all.

Beyond learning leadership skills through these community improvement projects, our scouts are excited at their upcoming winter overnight cabin outings. They are also planning to hike Isle Royale this summer, in addition to a weeklong overnight fun camp. There is room on all of these adventures for youth you know. For the BSA program, they need to be 11 years old or done with the fifth grade.

We meet weekly on Thursday nights at 6:30 pm. Call or email for details. 608-220-2342, iscuba@sbcglobal.net.

Black Hawk Middle School PTO needs you

By Renae Huffman
Black Hawk PTO

The Black Hawk Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) is parents and teachers working together to support and enrich all students. We support school staff, help promote student self-esteem and assist in efforts to solve school needs through volunteering and funding.

What is the PTO and who can be a member?

The PTO is made up of several officers: Renae Huffman, president; Sheila Williams, secretary and Dawn Henkel, treasurer, and includes our wonderful school staff, parents and volunteers. So, who is a member? If you’re a father, mother, guardian, volunteer and/or a person who teaches or instructs at Black Hawk, then you are already a member.

PTO Meetings are bimonthly on Thursdays from 6–7pm in the Black Hawk Library. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for Nov. 21 (Principal Report), Jan. 30 (Principal Report, Multicultural Night, BOSS Fun Run), and April 23 (BOSS Fun Run, Student Showcase, Eighth Grade Completion Celebration and Teacher Brunch).

PTO Programs and Fundraising

Our primary objective as a PTO is to provide our school with funds, programs, resources and services that will enrich and maximize the education of every child and to benefit the school. To meet this important objective, we fundraise by collecting Box Tops and Tyson labels, volunteering at Culver’s and our Election Day bake sale. All of the money raised goes back to Black Hawk. Some of the programs we sponsor and/or support are Open House, Teacher Appreciation, Eighth Grade Completion Celebration, BOSS Fun Run, Family and Community Engagement nights and the Carnival.

Why you should get involved

Here at Black Hawk, we strive for excellence, and what better way than to become involved. We are in need of growth and are seeking volunteers to continue re-establishing the organization. The PTO is a team effort; we cannot succeed on our own. Please join us at a meeting or contact Renae Huffman at 608-206-2153 or renae.huffman@att.net.

VSA Wisconsin’s new name embraces ARTS for ALL Wisconsin

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By Mike Lawler
ARTS for ALL Wisconsin

VSA Wisconsin has changed its name to ARTS for ALL Wisconsin in order to make it clearer what the organization does and to create a name that opens more doors for potential participants, audiences, donors and collaborators.

“We have changed our name a few times over the years, but never our fundamental mission,” said longtime Board President Jason Stephens. And the same is true for this more significant name change. “Today language is changing faster than ever and we do find ourselves questioning words like disability,” said ARTS for ALL Wisconsin Executive Director Christina Martin-Wright. “Challenged, special needs, differently-abled — these words, this perspective, have been on our minds a great deal as we examine things like branding and colors and tag lines,” she said. “What stays? What goes?” 

Headquartered on the Northside since 2011, it isn’t the first name change the organization has undergone, but it is the first iteration without a direct tie-in to Very Special Arts (VSA). ARTS for ALL Wisconsin was founded in 1985 as Very Special Arts Wisconsin with the mission to expand the capabilities, confidence and quality of life for children and adults with disabilities throughout Wisconsin by providing programs in dance, drama, creative writing, music and visual art. In 2010 it became VSA Wisconsin in accordance with the Department of VSA and Accessibility at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Recently, Governor Tony Evers wrote that ARTS for ALL Wisconsin has “remained committed to reflecting on their own legacy, embodying the idea that inclusion begins with self-reflection.”

The new name reveal party took place Aug. 25, and attendees were resoundingly supportive of the new name and the logo designed by Madison firm Art & Sons.

ARTS for ALL Wisconsin works statewide in a variety of ways, including six choirs, artist residencies, a traveling exhibition and a call for art that draws submissions from over 60 communities. ARTS for ALL communities include Appleton, Janesville, Madison, Milwaukee, Mosinee, Oshkosh, Plover, Stevens Point, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, Watertown, Wausau and Wisconsin Rapids.

You can find out more about ARTS for ALL and the work they do at artsforallwi.org.

Thoughts About Littleton Tragedy

Dear Northside News: 

There were many discussions in the hallways and classrooms surrounding the tragic events in Colorado. Recently in classes at Black Hawk Middle School, we have been expressing our ideas and opinions about how we can prevent this devastating situation from ever occuring agin in our nation’s schools. We have put together an article containing students thoughts on this sensitive issue. We give our deepest sympathy to the people who were affected by this tragic event. 

Our classmates wrote about the many influences on teenagers today. We felt video games, violence on TV, bad neighborhoods and parental neglect are reasons for student outbursts of anger against their peers. Many talked about peer pressure that causes depression and a feeling of not fitting in. Nicole feels that teens have a lot on their minds such as school, family problems and friends. People don’t realize that when kids get teased it really hurts inside. Teenagers with problems should talk to someone to express how they feel. 

Nick says that adults think kids are influenced by video games, but for him video games are a way to take out his anger without directing it towards other people. 

Liz feels that teens turn to violence because they can’t figure out how to communicate with people. They misinterpret when someone says the wrong thing and since they don’t know how to handle their anger, they get frustrated and do something drastic. 

Many of our classmates feel that some teens feel like they don’t fit in and have low self-esteem due to what their peers think of them. 

Geenah thinks there needs to be more after school activities for kids. She said parents should pay more attention to their children and talk to them about how to handle their anger and what the results are for handling their anger in an unproductive way. 

Tyler believes parents should spend more time with their kids. Parents should take their kids camping or fishing and just talk to them to show them how much they love them. 

Another person believes parents need to have more control over their own children. More importantly, there needs to be rules to keep guns and bullets locked up.

Molly said it is important to do little things to make people feel good about themselves. She adds, “If you walk down the hall and see someone who is feeling unhappy, say “Hi” to them to brighten their day.” 

Heather thinks parents need to make positive comments about their children and make them feel good about who they are. She also said that she thinks it would be helpful to have counselors come in and talk about how to solve problems without fighting and without using negative words that hurt the other person’s feelings. 

Rachel’s opinion is that we can prevent teens from turning to violence by having guidance counselors to discuss their problems with. She thinks that schools should invite college students to talk with teenagers so they can confide in someone more their age. There needs to be discussions, Rachel writers, about the consequences of expressing their anger in a negative way. 

Since teens crave attention, schools need to create classes for them and acknowledge their accomplishments and let them know they are important. 

Many questioned whether schools are safe. Most students said they feel safe at Black Hawk, but there are things that should be considered affecting their safety, such as security, gun control and supervision of students. We hope everyone will realize how serious this problem is and take steps to help prevent this serious event from reoccuring. 

Sincerely, 

Chloe Moushey and Molley Holzem
7th Grade, Black Hawk Mid. School