Youth in Government

Click HERE for more information about the Santa Clarita Valley YMCA

Youth in Government leadership program. The time you put into the program can count toward your journalism hours.

Create a digital story with WeVideo

Our job is kinda like building planes in the air

Fwd: Student volunteers at the Public Library

Here is an exciting volunteer opportunity for you that was passed along to me by Mrs. Hoffman, if you are interested.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Kathi Lund <KLund@santaclaritalibrary.com>
Date: Wed, Aug 12, 2015 at 7:18 PM
Subject: Student volunteers at the Public Library
To: "choffman@hartdistrict.org" <choffman@hartdistrict.org>

Dear Ms. Hoffman,

 

As the Volunteer Coordinator at the Canyon Country public library, I love the energy of the first weeks of a new school year, that bring a surge of enthusiastic, prospective teen volunteers.

 

I have had the pleasure of working with many of your Sierra Vista Honor Society candidates.  I enjoy getting to know them and coaching them through possibly their  first "real", independent work experience. Since they work directly in conjunction with the Canyon Country library staff—sorting & shelving, helping with programs or events—the students are held to the same standard for completing these tasks.  It's very inspiring  to see teens go from uncertain and a bit nervous about being in a predominately adult environment, to becoming  more self-directed and self-assured while in the process of mastering new skills.  I have to say, many of your Sierra Vista students have already had solid training in library procedures by Mrs. Fulleman, your school librarian.  As a result, they have been outstanding  volunteers at the public library!   

 

Unfortunately, I've also had to turn away numerous junior high students because they do not meet the City Library's minimum age of  14 years old to volunteer independently--without supervision of a parent or group leader.   It puts me in the difficult position of contradicting a teacher, in addition to frustrating both students and parents when they show me the school forms clearly stating that community service hours may be completed at the library.  (We also do not accept used book donations for credit towards service hours.)  I know that there are not many community volunteer opportunities for 7^th and 8^th graders so I especially hate to get their hopes up only to disappoint them.     

 

So that future eager, diligent students won't be turned away and discouraged,  please let your teachers and club advisors (Honor Society, Journalism, History, etc.) know about the minimum age requirement of 14 years old for public library volunteers.  

 

However, we do have an exciting, new volunteer opportunity for 7^th to 12^th grade students (no designated age restriction). 

 

In September, Dave Rosenberg, our Teen Services Librarian, will be starting a Teen Advisory Board (TAB) to give input and assist with Teen programming at the Canyon Country Library.  Dave is easy to work with, has great ideas, is both tech and book savvy, plus best of all, he hasn't forgotten what it's like to be a teen!  This is an excellent way for the students to volunteer while gaining leadership experience.  The TAB members won't just talk about programming or materials  they would like at the public library--they will  strategize and work together to make it happen!       

 

Please share the attached TAB volunteer application with anyone on your faculty requiring students to complete community service hours.  Teen Advisory Board meetings will be once a month on Fridays from  4:30 to 5:30 PM at the Canyon Country Library.  Students will be asked to make a minimum time commitment for each semester.   For more details about participation in TAB, please contact Dave Rosenberg, Teen Services Librarian at drosenberg@santaclaritalibrary.com.

 

Thanks for promoting teen volunteerism at the Santa Clarita Public Library as well as in our community.  You make a difference!

 

Have a great 2015-2016 school year!

 

Sincerely,

 

Kathi Lund

Volunteer Coordinator

City of Santa Clarita Public Library

Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library

(661) 799-6161

klund@santaclaritalibrary.com

A volunteer is like a rare gem. When placed in the right setting and cared for, they will shine and give pleasure to all who see them.

--Unknown   

 

 

--

Carolyn Hoffman

Principal

Sierra Vista Junior High School

choffman@hartdistrict.org

Sierra Vista Life - Reminder about tomorrow, 8/12

The first day of school is fast approaching! As such, I just want to remind all SVLife students and families that anyone interested in being a part of the production of the morning show should meet here in my classroom (Room 301) tomorrow from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

Keep in mind that most of our jobs will take place "behind the scenes." This means much of our work will be shooting behind the camera, setting up shots and equipment, making people in front of the camera look good, and then editing the whole thing together so it looks awesome! Out there in the real world, most of the important jobs end up happening behind the scenes. That's one of many lessons we will learn as leaders this year.

Nevertheless, we will still need some "on-camera talent." If you feel confident that you could rock it as an anchor on-camera, bring a button-down, kinda dress-up shirt with you tomorrow (no need to wear it right away). Bringing a nice shirt is no guarantee you'll be on camera tomorrow, but it would let me know you're interested and that you are showing that initiative for the future.

If you CANNOT make it tomorrow, there's no need to email me to let me know or apologize or anything. I know the day before school starts is a busy time. If you CAN make it, though, we're going to make some Sierra Vista history tomorrow. It's gonna be awesome.

Peace,

Mr. Ippolito

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Wednesday, 8/12, 9am-12pm, SHOOT and EDIT First Ever "Good Morning Sierra Vista!"

Thursday, 8/13, FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Thursday, 8/13, 2:15pm-3:15pm, SHOOT Friday's "Good Morning Sierra Vista!"

Friday, 8/16, 2:15pm-3:15pm, SHOOT Monday's "Good Morning Sierra Vista!"

Ron Ippolito

A Google for Education Qualified Teacher

Teacher and Digital Communications Adviser, Sierra Vista Junior High School

Area E Assistant Area Coordinator, California Association of Directors of Activities

work: rippolito@hartdistrict.org   personal: rippolito@gmail.com

twitter: @rippolito   voice/text: (661) 347-4990

Interested in learning how to edit video?

Sierra Vista just purchased a site license for a product called WeVideo. With WeVideo, you can shoot video on any device (iPod, smartphone, camcorder, DSLR camera, etc.), upload it to the WeVideo server, and edit entire online! You could even edit on one of the Chromebooks here in my classroom!

It's powerful, easy-to-use software that we will use for our Sierra Vista Life morning announcements each day. You could also use it for school projects as well.

We have a limit of 50 licenses that we will share with Mr. De La Cruz' and Mr. Harper's video production classes, so I don't want to send out invitations to everyone. However, if you are interested in learning how to edit video online, and would like an invitation to try WeVideo, please email me back indicating your interest. I will email you back with an invitation code and you could start playing around with it at home, editing home movies of you on your skateboard, your family, your cat, whatever! The more you play with the features at home, the more knowledge you could bring into the classroom.

Just let me know if you're interested, and I will hook you up.

Cheers,

Mr. Ippolito

Ron Ippolito

A Google for Education Qualified Teacher

Teacher and Digital Communications Adviser, Sierra Vista Junior High School

Area E Assistant Area Coordinator, California Association of Directors of Activities

work: rippolito@hartdistrict.org   personal: rippolito@gmail.com

twitter: @rippolito   voice/text: (661) 347-4990

End-of-Summer Meeting - 8/6/2015

Agenda:
1. How you will be graded this quarter
2. Let's record your time
3. What needs to be done in the short term?
4. What needs to be done in the middle term?
5. T-shirt sizes and t-shirt delivery
6. Leadership opportunities

SVLife Team Update - 8/4/2015

Dear SVLife (Sierra Vista Journalism) students and families,

Sierra Vista Journalism is now "Sierra Vista Life," school starts next week, and I am VERY excited! 

I need to update you on what's going on THIS week first. Thursday is Registration Day for all eighth graders, plus we have a meeting in my classroom from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Here's what you need to know about Thursday:

- If you're a seventh grader, please come from 9:00 to 11:00. Your reg day isn't until Friday.

- If you're an eighth grader whose reg time is BEFORE 9:00 a.m., go through registration early and come to Room 301 when you're done

- If you're an eighth grader whose reg time is 9:00 a.m. or later, just come to the meeting in Room 301. We'll get you through reg AFTER the meeting. I've already arranged it with the principal, so you're good.

Friday is seventh grade Registration Day. All of our SVLife seventh graders should go through reg at your normal time. Eighth graders are welcome to come back to take photos or even shoot video and conduct interviews. If you need equipment to shoot with, or conduct interviews with, make those arrangements with me on Thursday.

If you want to be in front of the camera (or behind the scenes) in the production of "Good Morning Sierra Vista!" (our new video announcement morning program--we can change this name later), please plan to stay after the Thursday meeting. We should be done by around 12:30 p.m.

Please check the "Upcoming Events" below to make sure you're aware of what's going on. I look forward to seeing EVERYONE this Thursday, unless family plans prevent you from attending.

Cheers,

Mr. Ippolito

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Thursday, 8/6, 9am-11am, SVLife Team Meeting (all my students), Room 301

Thursday, 8/6, 11am-12:30pm, Those interested in "Good Morning Sierra Vista!" morning video announcements will stay in Room 301

Thu-Fri, 8/6-7, 8am-12:15pm, SV Registration Days, all over campus - as you go through your own registration process, shoot photos on your own cameras/phones and email your 2-3 best photos and a caption that tells the story of your photo to sierravistalife@gmail.com

Wednesday, 8/12, 9am-12pm, SHOOT and EDIT First Ever "Good Morning Sierra Vista!"

Thursday, 8/13, FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

Thursday, 8/13, 2:15pm-3:15pm, SHOOT Friday's "Good Morning Sierra Vista!"

Friday, 8/16, 2:15pm-3:15pm, SHOOT Monday's "Good Morning Sierra Vista!"

Ron Ippolito

A Google for Education Qualified Teacher

Teacher and Digital Communications Adviser, Sierra Vista Junior High School

Area E Assistant Area Coordinator, California Association of Directors of Activities

work: rippolito@hartdistrict.org   personal: rippolito@gmail.com

twitter: @rippolito   voice/text: (661) 347-4990

Sierra Vista Journalism Staff - End of Summer Message 2015

Dear "Sierra Vista Life" journalism staff,

I have recently been informed that because our yearbook team is not able to attend, we will NOT have our joint leadership training day this Friday, July 31, with the students of ASB, journalism, and staff. Mrs. Flaherty is hoping to reschedule for a date after the school year has begun.

In its place, I would like to invite you to come to my classroom (Room 301) for an informal work day this FRIDAY, JULY 31, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. It is totally optional, but if you are interested I would greatly appreciate the help to get my classroom ready for the upcoming school year. It will also be an opportunity to hang out with other journalism students as well.

We also have 8th grade and 7th grade Registration next Thursday and Friday, August 6 and 7. Besides being able to participate yourself, these days will be an outstanding opportunity to practice your photography and storytelling skills.

I will be at Sierra Vista both days for the entire time. I am asking that we all have a meeting together on THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. If you have another family obligation and will be out of town, then of course family comes first. However, if you're in town, I look forward to seeing you then. Important decisions will be made about the direction of this year's program, and we will be trying out our new streaming video announcement system!

What am I missing? What questions have gone unanswered? I'm now back in town and eager to answer whatever questions you may have.

All the best,

Mr. Ippolito

Ron Ippolito

Social Studies Teacher and Digital Communications Adviser

Sierra Vista Junior High School

Google for Education Qualified Teacher

work: rippolito@hartdistrict.org   personal: rippolito@gmail.com

twitter: @rippolito   voice/text: (661) 347-4990

Great Meeting Today! - 6/13/2015

Hey, Sierra Vista Journalism students! Or should I say "Sierra Vista Life" team members? We had a great meeting today! If you couldn't make it, here was our agenda.

One of the things we spent a lot of time on was our new leadership positions. Here is the handout I gave everyone HERE. Check it out, especially if you are interested in a leadership position for next year. Have a great summer, and I will look forward to seeing you all at our combined ASB-Journalism Leadership Training Day on July 31.

Cheers,

Mr. Ippolito

Sierra Vista Journalism Team - meeting tomorrow

Dear Journalism students and families,

This is just a reminder that our first summer meeting is tomorrow, Saturday, June 13, in my classroom, Room 301. Our meeting will go from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon.

We also have a pre-meeting scheduled for all editors from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. I would like to open an invitation to ANY eighth grader who is interested in a leadership position to attend. There will be plenty of leadership opportunities available in the coming year.

Our program is undergoing some exciting changes. Junior high and high school journalism programs have gone largely unchanged for the past seventy years. While typewriters have given way to computers, and film cameras have been replaced by digital cameras, the concept of the "school newspaper" has remained basically the same since the mid-20th century. Stories would be assigned, copy written, photos taken, and then the story would be printed and shared whenever the next edition of the school newspaper might be printed, which could be next week or next month. That will soon be changing at Sierra Vista.

In today's world of journalism, reporters capture stories, photos, and video and share them through digital media the same day. That's what I would like to start doing at Sierra Vista. I am applying for funding that will give us the technology to do the same thing they're doing at the Wall Street Journal, the Chicago Tribune, and the Los Angeles Times. More than just a "Journalism" class, our program is poised to transform into a Digital Communications program that reflects what colleges and universities have recently started offering, and that could serve as a model for other schools in our district.

Our principal, Mrs. Hoffman, has also asked our class to start delivering the morning announcements. If we get the technology I am requesting, our own Journalism students will be in front of a camera reporting the morning news live each day to every student and staff member in the school. Like I said, we have some pretty exciting days and months ahead of us. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Cheers,

Mr. Ippolito

Upcoming events:

Saturday, June 13, 10am-12pm, Journalism Staff Meeting, SV Room 301

Friday, July 31, 8am-3pm, SV Student Leaders Meeting, SV Room TBA

Thu-Fri, August 6-7, 7am-3pm, SV Registration Days, SV Room 301

Ron Ippolito

Teacher, Sierra Vista Junior High School

Google for Education Qualified Teacher

work: rippolito@hartdistrict.org   personal: rippolito@gmail.com

twitter: @rippolito   voice/text: (661) 347-4990

SV Journalism Meeting Summary - 5/29/2015

If you are in Journalism and you missed our meeting on Friday, May 29, we had a Human Scavenger Hunt to get to know each other better!

We have an IMPORTANT DATE coming up in June. June 13 we will be having a Journalism meeting in Mr. Ippolito's classroom on Saturday morning. This event will be the first time that both seventh and eighth graders can come together! The dates and times are:

Saturday, 6/13, 9am-10am Editorial Staff Meeting SV Room 301

Saturday, 6/13, 10am-12pm Meeting with all 7th/8th graders SV Room 301

-Lorissa

Spring Meeting Agenda - 5/20/2015

Spring Meeting Agenda - 5/20/2015

1. Vision for next year
1. Traditional print newspaper
2. Digital publishing
3. Social media
4. Daily Plainsman
2. Communication during Summer Break
1. Sign up for Remind
2. If you or your parent/guardian has a question over the summer, please email me at rippolito@hartdistrict.org or message my Google Voice #: (661) 347-4990
3. I will also post all communication on svjournalism.blogspot.com
3. Leadership positions for next year
1. “Leadership is action, not position.”
2. Previously existing journalism roles
1. Editor-in-Chief
2. Layout Editor
3. Art Director
4. Business Manager
5. Publicity
6. Sports
7. Reporter
8. Photographer
9. Artist
3. Have a leadership position you’re interested in? Let me know on our blog
4. Ideas for branding the products we will offer next year
1. Sierra Vista Life - our overarching brand and our digital publication
2. The Daily Plainsman - our daily broadcast we push out to students, parents, and staff
3. Plainsman Press - our periodical paper publication
4. SierraVistaLife - our social media brand on Instagram and Twitter
5. Get your Student-Parent Agreement to me by this Friday
6. Questions?

Next meeting: Friday, May 29 at lunch in Room 301

Journalism Editorial Staff Survey - 5/20/2015

Spring Letter - 5/19/2015

May 19, 2015

Dear 2015-16 Journalism Student,

Tomorrow, Wednesday May 20, we have a very important lunch meeting, and I need for you to be there. We are assembling our Journalism team for next year, and we have a great deal of work ahead of us in the last couple weeks of school, and then into the summer. I would like to start laying out a vision for what next year’s Journalism program will look like. I want to honor our award-winning program’s history with some ideas that will help bring us into the future.

Journalism means finding stories that matter, and sharing those stories with our audience. The students of Sierra Vista Junior High School are our primary audience, and it is our responsibility to give them the information they need, as well as the stories about the lives of their friends, their classmates, and their teachers that they want to hear.

I want Sierra Vista Journalism to use all the resources we have to empower and inform the Sierra Vista community. Our school deserves the best we have to offer. I pledge to give my very best to Sierra Vista Journalism, and I am asking you to do the same. Please take a moment to read, initial, and then sign (along with a parent/guardian) the Student-Parent Agreement for 2014-15. I handed this agreement to you personally, or you received it via email (or both). Please give this agreement to Mr. Ippolito in Room 301 no later than this Friday, May 22.

All the best,

Mr. Ippolito

---

Please mark your calendar now for these important upcoming dates. Also share these dates with your parents to add to your family calendar:

Wednesday, 5/20, Lunch 2015-2016 Planning Meeting SV Room 301

Friday, 5/29, Lunch 2015-2016 Planning Meeting SV Room 301

Saturday, 6/13, 9am-10am Editorial Staff Meeting SV Room 301

Saturday, 6/13, 10am-12pm Meeting with all 7th/8th graders SV Room 301

Friday, 7/31, 8am-3pm SV Student Leaders Meeting SV Room TBA

Thu-Fri, 8/6-7, 7am-3pm SV Registration Days SV Room 301

Student-Parent Agreement 2015-2016 and Staff Meeting

Two things for you:

1. Please review the Student-Parent Agreement. Download, print, and sign this (both you and a parent/guardian) and then get it back to me at your earliest convenience. I am happy to print a copy for you as well if you come see me. I have also given you print access to the printer in my classroom. Not sure how that works? Come see me.

2. I will be inviting next year's journalism staff (that includes you) to a lunch meeting next Wednesday, May 20. I would like to create our meeting agenda with any members of the editorial staff (that's you) who wish to be a part of the process. Come see me at your convenience if you would like input.

Cheers,

Mr. Ippolito

Ron Ippolito

Teacher, Sierra Vista Junior High School

Google for Education Qualified Teacher

work: rippolito@hartdistrict.org   personal: rippolito@gmail.com

twitter: @rippolito   voice/text: (661) 347-4990