Words are Powerful...

So we watched the Boondocks "Return of the King" episode.  MLK slips into a coma, rather than dying, and awakens in our present day (actually 2004 or so).  The man who had a gift with words and electrifying a crowd seemed a bit disappointed, right?  I really hope you discuss the episode with friends, family, and each other.  There is MUCH MORE to it than we even explored in class.  I have changed the Google Calendar to give you the schedule over the next 2 weeks.  Don't forget to write and submit your essay - email a copy TO YOURSELF in case you have difficulties and I can help you before or after school on Monday (due by 11:59 pm).  And use the link that Tenzin included in yesterday's post!  Arrivederci...
  

Election Judges Needed!

Read last night's post about the test.  I am suggesting that you google the publisher and name of your textbook.  You might find some useful things...amazed that I had to be the one to show you...and a bit disappointed...I am pasting the information requesting election judges below:

Dear Southwest High Student,

Once again, SW kids have the opportunity to train and be hired to serve as STUDENT ELECTION JUDGE through the City of Minneapolis.   Voting is on November 3rd.  You can be excused from schoolon that day.

1.  Earn $7.25/hour or earn Community Service CAS credit!
2.  You can request a specific polling location.
3.  Required training at SW on Tuesday, Oct. 13, periods 1 and 2.
4.  YOU MUST BE 16 YEARS OLD, A U.S. CITIZEN and IN GOOD ACADEMIC STANDING.

5.  SIGN UP IN THE IB OFFICE:  First come, first served.  A maximum of 45 students may sign up.
6.  Tell your friends.  All qualified students are welcome to sign up.

Questions?  See Dick Schwartz, IB Diploma Program Coordinator in the IB Office (behind the welcome desk in the West Building).

Dick Schwartz, IB Diploma Program Coordinator, Southwest High School

Struggles, Luck, but Victory

If anyone complains that things are not fair, there are too many obstacles, and/or that it's just too difficult, I'm gonna have you chat with some of the girls soccer players.  They worked for 70 minutes with a squad of little freshmen (and I mean little - like 80lbs. little - Sydney #2 would bounce off, fall down, and spring right back up) nipping at their heals, causing havoc and annoying them.  The Washburn girls came darn close to taking the lead with a rocket from the far side of the field that came back off the crossbar only to be muffed with an open net awaiting the ball.  But things cam through for us (yeah, "us" being Lakers - still weird for me at times) with a set piece - I know the goalie.  She was NOT going to be beaten with shots from distance or even breakaways - crosses and angled shots (Ashley almost beat her with the left foot at one point).  So, they persevered, used some luck, and won a hard-fought game. 

You too will have to plow through some drudgery, feel things are unfair, complain, whine, and voila - you'll use your skills to find a crack and exploit it to your advantage.  Read, Learn, Know, Study.  Control, Pass, Run, Shoot, Score.  That's life.

Your quiz on Friday for Ch. 6 will have 15 multiple choice, 5-10 fill-in-the-blank, and 1 short answer (3-8 sentences).  We will be in the computer lab 2 weeks from Friday - have ALL of your work ready to upload and store (so maybe you should email your essays to yourself, just to make sure you have access...do it...NOW!).  Sayonara...

NO Exceptions - Sorry.

I cannot make ANY exceptions to the essay expectations.  I have seen and heard many tears and pleas - but I have to hold EVERYONE ACCOUNTABLE to the SAME STANDARDS AND EXPECTATIONS.  Write and submit the current essay BEFORE confirmation next Monday.  I may be open to accepting late submissions for the Constitution Change Essay at the end of the quarter - but only if/when I have reviewed EVERY other piece of work assigned and submitted ON TIME, and then even only worth 10% at best.  I am a fair person - know that I will NEVER let ONE assignment ruin you.  BUT you need to become a RESPONSIBLE student.  It sucks for some of you, I know.  Instead of griping and complainnig, learn from this and NEVER LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN!!!

UPDATE:  It turns out some of you may not have COMPLETELY submitted your essay through turnitin.  Show up BEFORE SCHOOL tomorrow and show me your turnitin.com account - you may yet receive full credit for your submission...don't believe me?  Talk to Booth and Shelly...

Would an online version of the textbook help?  Let me know...

Figure it Out

You waited until the last moment.  Too bad.  Figure out how to use turnitin (use techhelp doc from my Southwest teacher page for signup information.  It is a REQUIREMENT.  If your essay is not in, you get a zero.  Plain and simple.  You're seniors.  You had plenty of time.  The emailed version is ONLY for formatting purposes, NOT a substitute for submission.  Many of will suffer for waiting until the last minute.  No more email pleas - rely on one another.  G'Night...

What Color is Your Blood?

Some of you shed some of your valuable fluid during today's exam.  I have put the scores in the portal..so go and cheer or weep, whichever applies.  Our Purple-Clad brethren will be taking on the Green-Clad "Sconees" tonight, but make sure your essay is done and submitted before then.  I have updated the Google calendar for the next two weeks as well.  Ch. 6 test on Friday, with Ch. 7 next Wednesday.  We'll analyze the Unit Exam on Wednesday.  I have also opened a new essay topic due next Monday at 11:59 pm.  Go to turnitin and see what it's all about.  I'll be checking for grammar, structure...overall "flow" of your writing.  I have updated the Moodle with this week's forum and handouts for chapters 6 & 7.  Lastly, my school email is working again, so go back to the "official" email when trying to reach me.  Later...

ALERT!

My school email is not working for some reason. Until it is fixed, send email to mrromo (at) yahoo.com if you have an emergency. I shut down Moodle Forums. Too late.