Keller
Inside the Action:
A Game of Chess
By: Dylan S.
Chess is a one-on-one game which requires a good base of strategy and creativity. Students in the Keller’s chess club can be seen competing in a serious manner, while others play in a group just for fun. Each spot on a chessboard has a name which is marked in a pair of a number and a letter. For example, there are letters going from a to h and numbers going from one to eight. This is the basic information of chess club.
Ever wonder why students like joining the chess club? Some of the students partake in the activity as a place to socialize and because it is a game of strategy. Some kids like to play with their families, so this can be a way for them to improve their skills. In an interview with Mrs. Heldt, the chess club mentor, she helps better answer these questions and several others:
Reporter: What makes chess such a difficult game for students?
Mrs Heldt: There are many rules, it is not like many other games and it takes time to build up strategy.
Reporter: How do you organize this club?
Mrs. Heldt: Round-robin style. The students start over every new meeting due to new players. We use brackets to keep track of who plays who.
As I left the room, students were having fun and laughing. Some kids were working on homework. The club has a relaxing atmosphere and students with any skill level can join.
Wildcat Engineering Team
By: Munya N.
Are you interested in any kind of technology? Music? Engineering? Then FUSE club will be an interesting topic to read about. FUSE club is a mini version of STEM. As you may know, STEM includes Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. FUSE is like that but a little bit different. This program is powered by Northwestern University to ensure the students education in all of these four elements, in both a fun and optimistic way. On the first day of FUSE club for Keller Junior High students, they looked through the engineering challenges provided by Northwestern University on fusestudio.net. Then they were asked to consider their three favorites and find others in the club they wanted to work with. From here, they got to work! Students were programming, building in CAD software, and building robots before the end of their first session.
Students join the FUSE club so they can have an opportunity to try a variety of challenges in different areas of engineering. There are no deadlines and students can choose from 20 different challenges. It is a nice, relaxed atmosphere and an opportunity to hang out with friends. The Keller Junior High students are also encouraged to be innovative with the challenges and try their own ideas with the materials. It is important to give students an opportunity at real hands on engineering in a fun, relaxed environment.
As soon as students choose a challenge to work on, they follow the online videos and written directions provided by Northwestern. They have cupboards of equipment specifically for the FUSE challenges, which commence immediately. When the students first start their project, they are asked to sign in to fusestudio.net. When students enter the website, there is a worldwide challenges that is waiting for them. For every project, there is a level one where students are provided with a video attached with their challenge. The video supports the students to learn more about their project and to understand it.
After the students go beyond their challenge in level one, they take a video of their final result and they upload it to the FUSE website. After achieving the challenge in level one, the students have the option to move on to level two. The nice thing about FUSE is that if the student doesn’t like the challenge, they have the ability to move on to another challenge.
FUSE is a flexible club where students can join at any time. It is a good way for members to share their thoughts about their challenges with the group. It is also helpful because they’ll have the opportunity to be cooperative with new peers they never worked with before. Now after reading about FUSE club, think you might like to join?
Leave Your Creative Stamp in Art Club
By: Madeline S. and Hailie P.
Attention all young artists! If you are interested in expressing yourself through different mediums of art, then this is the club for you. Art club meets every Tuesday from 2:20-3:50 p.m. in room 136. Make sure to see Mr. Polanco for information on the second session starting in February. Here’s an inside peek of the happenings from Mr. Polanco himself.
Why do you keep continuing this creative camp each year?
Mr. Polanco: I continue with this group of lovely people because it is a chance for students who don’t get to experience art everyday, get a chance to experience being artistic and creative once a week.
How long has art been your passion?
Mr. Polanco: I started in 2002, but I have been doing artwork since I could hold a pencil. Did you know I actually wanted to be a chef at first? That didn’t work out well, so I continued with art as my passion. My sister actually inspired me to do art and it just grew from there.
What is you favorite medium to work with?
Mr. Polanco: I like the classic pencil and paper.
What do you like to do assignment wise?
Mr. Polanco: I like to not assign specific projects and let the artist choose their own projects.
How come you let kids design and decorate your room?
Mr. Polanco: I like having every kid leaving their stamp in my room. “You’re everything and remember you are my spirit animal.”
Whether you take full year, trimester, or don’t take art at all, make sure to stop by Mr. Polanco’s room and ask him if the permission slips are ready for next session. Or you can stop by and visit for a day as long as you ask first. Have fun and enjoy the life of Polancoland!
A team of creative artists living in the realm of Polancoland.
Struggling to Get Your Homework Done? We've Got the Solution.
By: Hailie P.
After school study is a place for kids to be able to stay at a supervised, safe, and quiet place to get work done and to get help. Mrs. Roppo decided to run the after school study hall in order to make sure that the kids are able to stay at a quiet place and to get their grades up if they’re not doing too well. Students that are having a hard time in school and think they’re not going to finish in their class period time, or think that they won’t get their work done at home, can just go to study hall. This way they can get all the work they need to do done and also have the help if they need it from any of the supportive teachers around them.
After school study takes place in the library on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:20 until 3:50 p.m. A few other teachers that run it are Mrs. Painter and Mrs. Sitko. These teachers will gladly help and support you if you are struggling on an assignment or just need teacher support. After school study encourages kids to get their grades up and helps kids get missing assignments done. If you or a friend have missing assignments or poor grades, I encourage you to visit after school study and talk to your teachers about what else you can do to fix your grades.
If you need to study for this one important test that can have so many points on your grade and you think your going to fail, then come to study hall where the supervisor will gladly help and prepare you for that test. This way you won’t be as worried and scared about it. Instead, you're going to feel more relaxed and prepared to be ready for that test of theirs. Students can come home all relieved and free since they're all done with their work and study. Now they can push that aside and do what they want to do!
If you're having trouble with homework and just don’t get the answers that well, then go to study hall so they can help you with all the questions before you go home. They will try their best to answer the concerns you have prepared for them.