Academics - MYP & IB

About the Seahawk News Network

By: Angel B. & Angel M. & Angel V.

The Seahawk News Network is going through some changes this school year. “ The News show has been liked by a lot of students and staff members. “As of September 2nd, this is our first-week writing newspaper articles...” Journalism teacher, Ms. Spisz said. It will be interesting to see what the newspaper will look like. The news has been doing well.

The students are still trying to work through some challenges. For example, Ms. Spisz stated, “For SNN we need to work on being able to film in 1 or 2 takes instead of 6 takes. It's going to get more chaotic over the next few months…” The reason the Journalism teacher wants the students to make fewer mistakes is that the news show is going to have more announcements. “I am enjoying the news from the new journalism class…” The Journalism class is enjoyable to watch.

“I did like the first skit we did which was the dress code skit, I did like how a student roleplayed as an administrator.” The news looked better with the skit that was made. The actors were also really good with the parts they played.

Ms. Spisz said that some of the new changes are “last year it was just called the news but this year it's called SNN (Seahawk News Network). This year the news is filmed 4th Block but last year it was filmed 1st Block and was shown 2nd to 3rd Block or Lunch.” The news show has changed a lot from last year. “Last year was skit-based and now we do it like a news broadcast.” The news show does look very good and promising this year.

Seahawk News From TNS to SNN

By: Emeli Perez Morales

The old News Show has been changed and now it is called the Seahawks News Network (SNN). This year’s SNN will be “ a lot more organized." In past years, it was “skit based”, but now it is going to be filmed in the traditional broadcasting style." There are many differences this school year such as there will be a few skits, announcements will be broken down into segments, the news show will now be filmed the day before airing, the pledge of allegiance and the moment of silence will now be included into SNN. SNN will now be showcased during the first block of the day.

There are many future goals for SNN. One of the goals is to “diversify content,” meaning that the new show will not be limited to the journalism class. Students and staff are welcome to be on the news show for interviews. Everyone in the school will be welcomed. Another goal for SNN is to showcase school sports and activities. Such as sporting events, art showcases, and academic activities (competitions). This type of content will “diversify” the news show.

The SNN team started filming on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. The first SNN episode aired on Thursday, August 26, 2021. The content consists of a few skits, sports highlights, announcements, clubs, breaking news, the daily scoop, the pledge allegiance, and the moment of reflection.

In the past, SNN did not have a place where it was consistently filmed. Now there is an SNN studio, which Ms. Spisz built over the summer. It is located inside Ms. Spisz’s classroom. So far, the SNN team has filmed in the SNN studio room, Ms. Spisz’s classroom, a few hallways, the cafeteria, the main office, and many other places.

There have been several interviews with staff members here at HHIHS. This helps students out by helping them meet new staff. It also helps locate certain staff members.

As SNN will now be broken down into segments, this will provide a better understanding for students and staff. It will be, “Clear and easy for all staff and students to understand what the announcement is and what is happening within the show itself.”

SNN will be produced by Ms. Spisz’s fourth block Journalism class. Staff and students may also be featured on SNN.

Leading the Way through Computer Science

By: Caleb Bison

Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is a nonprofit organization based in America that develops Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) programs at schools all over the country. Hilton Head Island High School is lucky enough to be a part of the PLTW Computer Science Program which is made up of four classes: Essentials, Cyber Security, AP Principles, and AP Applications. These classes go more in-depth as the student progresses through them. Through this program, students learn how to code, create apps/games, create software and programs.

Students use programs such as Python and Java. It is a good program for students who are interested in going into a career in computer science and plan to go to college for it. Also through the AP classes, students can earn college credit. All four classes must be taken to complete the full course. The program is available to all grade levels and to take part in the course students must have at least a 3.0 GPA, have passed Algebra 1, or have a recommendation from a teacher.

PLTW was brought to the school two years ago by the district and Hilton Head High’s principal, Mr. Schidrich. Currently, Mr. Best is the head of the PLTW program at HHIHS and teaches the classes. “Mr. Schidrich and the district have been amazing and very supportive when it comes to this program,” says Mr. Best. Mr. Best is a big advocate for the program and was happy to go through the tough training to help bring this to the school. “The goal of the whole program is meant to make kids less intimidated by computer science. To allow them to be successful and help overcome any fears they had going into it.

The projects are fun and meaningful and can be applied to the real world,” says Mr. Best. “PLTW gave me a whole curriculum, which saves time from having to be used to planning it out on his own to being able to have more time with the kids helping them out.” Overall, the program allows everyone to dive deep into Computer Science and help set up a future for anyone interested in going into college, investigating a career path, or even taking it just for fun. PLTW gives students hands-on projects and problems that can be applied to the real world. Challenging, but worth it.

Dance! Dance! Dance!

By: Isabelle Drake

Ms. Monti is the new teacher the school has hired to teach Dance to the students. She was asked many questions about her as a teacher and what she plans for the future. She has been teaching dance for a total of nine years. She plans to add more like a dance two where students focus on harder dance styles like hip hop and tap. She is hoping to add a student choreography class to get people up and moving the entire class. They will have an end of the semester performance so there will be one performance in the fall and one more performance in the spring. As she gets more classes they'll be able to have more dances in the school show as far as classes. She teaches ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, lyrical, modern, and a little bit of ballroom. The school hopes that the dance class will add a new point of relief and fun for the students at HHIHS.

The NJROTC Program

By: Stella Piccoli & Lola Gallagher

NJROTC stands for Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps. This program counts as a P.E elective credit. NJROTC teaches students the values of citizenship, self-discipline, and leadership skills during their high school careers. This program is led by a former marine, Sergeant Major John Wyatt, and former Navy Sailor, Lieutenant commander Matthew Pipher. Commander Pipher teaches the upperclassmen and Sergeant Major Wyatt teaches the underclassmen.

One of the ROTC leaders, Lieutenant commander Mathew Pipher, states why he enjoys teaching students, “They will have a plan, they will either go to start working full time, go to college, maybe join the military. We are trying to help the students so that they will be prepared.” The ROTC students have the same routine each week. For three days a week, they learn academics. The students are taught American history and naval science. On Wednesdays, the students have a uniform check. The upperclassmen and the leaders will check the underclassman, and ensure that they are wearing the uniform properly and correctly. After the uniform check, they will go into the aux gym and do drills and marches, which teaches the students discipline. One day is physical training.

This program isn’t just for people who want to go into the military, but if students decide to go down that path, this program can help you know more about joining. JROTC is a wonderful program that helps students to figure out what they want to be and prepares them for having the best future that lies ahead.

Offering IB Diplomas

By: Alyssa Spurling

Q: What is the IB Diploma?

Ms. White: "The IB diploma is a two-year program that students start in 11th Grade and end in 12th Grade, it requires a series of classes that you take, they are International Baccalaureate classes and if you do all the requirements successfully you earn an international diploma in addition to your SC high school diploma."

Q: Who can apply/join?

Ms. White: "Anybody can be an IB Diploma candidate, and we highly encourage students who are motivated to learn and do well in school, there is no application. You don't have to be gifted, you just have to be a hard worker, as long as we can get you scheduled to work, then you are good to go."

Q: How does this affect a student's academic career?

Ms. White: "Oh, it's fantastic for a student's academic career, most of our valedictorian, salutatorian, kids in the top ten/ fifteen percent of the class are IB Diploma candidates. When they go onto college, we receive reports about how our students do in their freshman year in college in SC. Our IB Diploma graduates have always fared very well in their first year, and continue throughout their college careers."

Q: If a student wants to try, is it hard or all you have to do is study?

Ms. White: "It’s challenging, but I wouldn't say super hard. IB Diploma candidates are allowed to have study halls so, if we can work that into the schedule, they can have a little break in the day or do some work, there is also lots of support. I always tell kids if you're thinking about it, try it in your junior year, and if you feel like it's not the best fit for you, you’re really only committed for one semester. You can stop doing the full diploma program in January of your junior year or at the end of your junior year, if it is not working out for you, really though most people stick with it once they start."

Q: Could this help you save money from college?

Ms. White: "It absolutely can help you save money for college. Every year depending on where the students go, every year I get emails saying:” I started as a second year freshman, I am starting as a somore”, so yes you can save you can earn many of thee IB courses, that translate into less money you spend at college"

Q: If a student starts struggling, who can they go to for help?

Ms. White: "They come to me if they start struggling, their teachers are very willing to help, but sometimes it is tough for them to approach their teachers. Start with their teachers first, but either me or their teachers is the way to go. I am kind of known in the group as IB mom, and this is because I look after them an I help them when they hit walls, we usually get through it okay."

AP vs. IB Classes

by: Meghan Carrington

There is a large debate and confusion on which classes one should take to get into good colleges. When entering AP and IB classes, students would be taking the most difficult classes the school can offer. Meaning, after getting the college credit, these students have a higher chance of getting into more rigorous universities. When entering high school, some wonder what the difference is between them, and what colleges accept certain credits? Mr. Schidrich, the Hilton Head Island High School principal, kindly explained these concerns and more.

AP classes are less offered than IB, though, Mr. Schidrich said, “IB has a similar rigor level as AP.” Hilton Head High allows more IB classes since the International Baccalaureate program is only offered in certain high schools. When taking IB, it is a more unique class than AP, since Advanced Placement courses are offered in most schools in the US. Some other differences are IB credits are accepted internationally. Though AP is accepted in other countries most of the time, it is less attractive than IB credits.

Even though these classes are at similar rigor levels, there are differences in the tests. Mr. Schidrich explains, “AP is a lot of reading, it’s a lot of analyzing things, but most of the tests are multiple choice. There are some free response questions.” He contrasted, “Where as in IB, is all writing. There is no multiple choice on an IB exam. So, you’ve got to be able to think, organize your thoughts, then write it out.” These classes get students college credit based on their score on tests. To determine whether they can get a college credit, one would have to score a three or higher. Even if a student scores above three, popular colleges may only accept higher scores, such as five. Students will get the multiple college credits if their school accepts it.

Students that want to go to college should definitely be interested in taking AP and IB classes. If one is interested, they should contact their guidance counselor.