Hm…

Features on Haiti and the everyday people of our school who were affected by such tragedy.

First draft due: 1/28/10 (Thursday)

I will interview:

• Ted
• Mr. Harrard
• Anthony

Ask them on Tuesday what class they are in on 7th period.

Get tips on how t write a Features on Tuesday.

5 ideas!

1) The Marching Band

2) Homecoming Highlights

3) Spirit Week!

4) The opening of the 4th building

5) Winter Break

Taking care of business!

I’m very glad I was a part of the business group. I have learned a lot, and I will never look at advertising the same way again!

Getting ad’s is all about negotiating and time. I learned that you cannot be intimidated by adults, and you must not be shy. Getting ad’s doesn’t just benefit us, it benefits them also, so I am not asking for money without them getting a share of it, too. It’s not easy, but with practice you can really get it done. I learned to communicate with others easily and I also learned how to be on time about everything. This type of business is all about getting things done in time. There also needs to be patience, and you must always be persistent, even if you get turned down the first time. You must be friendly but persuasive, enough to get the job done and please them and yourself. This has been a lot of fun and a great experience, which was needed!

Over Population pictures! :)

Pep Rally pictures!

Pictures of the Rock Ensemble!

Must. Be. Robotic.

My article-writing process went better than I had expected. I have learned so much in this month alone. My grammar has gotten exceptionally better and I am not as intimidated to talk to adults/students as I was before. I learned to be organized and on the ball with everything. I have learned that I must be quick and to the point and very concrete.

I still need improvement on a lot of things, however. I must learn not to be so colorful in my articles and try to sound as much as a robot as possible, which is extremely hard for me, but it’s something I MUST learn. I need to improve on how I conduct my interviews and who I conduct my interviews too. I still have a lot of work to do with my article structure and how to be objective, no matter what the article may be.

I want to thank Mr.Weiss for being such an awesome teacher.

I also want to thank the students in Journalism who have helped me with everything I asked, even if I might have gotten annoying at times.

Final draft ~

New facilities have been created in Miami Beach Senior High School because of issues the old facilities had.  The idea to build new facilities started about 4 years ago. The city of Miami Beach hired an architect by the name of Zyscovich, who has built and designed other buildings and schools in Miami. The city of Miami Beach also funded 15 million dollars.

“The problem with the old facilities was that it was just outdated, with electricity and plumbing, not to mention extremely small.” says Raymond Patrice, the assistant principal. “The new facilities are just more attractive.”

Drama became an official class this year since they built a class for them which include a stage. The dance classes will no longer have to practice inside the cafeteria, because they also built a new class for them.

“It’s so much more spacious and cleaner,” Cindy Aldabert, senior said. “The old facilities were falling apart. It was disgusting! If we would have waited a little longer, the pipes would have collapsed right on our heads.”

Zandy Alzete, sophomore, doesn’t like the new facilities however. Alzete said “It is way too open, and sometimes it can get extremely hot. They are very far apart, which makes it a big problem for me since my classes are spread out. I have so many tardies, even though I practically run to my classes.”

Issues with the new facilities, which include air conditioning, are being still being fixed. The 4^th wing, which is located next to the cafeteria, will be opened to the student body by January of 2010.

The 4^th wing will be used for computer labs and it will be 2 stories.

Draft 2 for New Facilities article~

Draft2

New facilities have been created in Miami Beach Senior High School because of issues the old facilities had.  “The problem with the old facilities was that it was just outdated, with electricity and plumbing, not to mention extremely small” says Raymond Patrice, the assistant principal. The idea to build new facilities started about 3 years ago. “There was a plan A that was considered,” says Kevin Simon, world history teacher, “but the City of Miami Beach rejected it.” Simon goes on to say that “The first plan wasn’t such a great idea. It was a box-type of building, with not as much air and space the new ones have.” The city of Miami Beach hired an architect by the name of Zyscovich, who has built and designed other buildings and schools in Miami. The city of Miami Beach also funded 15 million dollars.

According to Patrice, issues with the new facilities, which include air conditioning, are being still being fixed. The 4^th wing, which is located next to the cafeteria, will be opened to the student body by February of 2010.

“Comparing the old facilities to the new ones is just impossible. They are two different worlds.” Patrice said. “They are so much nicer, especially the gym. When students come to a nice, clean environment, they feel more comfortable with their surroundings and they can focus on what is important.”

“It’s so much more spacious and cleaner,” Cindy Aldabert, senior said. “The old facilities were falling apart. It was disgusting! If we would have waited a little longer, the pipes would have collapsed right on our heads.”

“I feel extremely privileged to work in this school,” Karen Austin, career research teacher, said.  “My old classroom was small and 40% of my computers didn’t work properly, which didn’t allow me to teach. I believe that when teachers come to an environment suited for teaching, they can accomplish more.”

“They were built in 1961, but by 1991 they looked over 100 years old,” Said Simon. “Any parent who goes by this school says to themselves ‘Look at that beautiful building; I want to send my kids there.’ We have about 300 kids in here that wouldn’t set foot I the old facilities. The new facilities are just more attractive.”

Tips!

• Don’t use adjectives, try to make the article with a plain tone.
• Be accurate, state facts.
• Use middle attribution; introduce person first, adress their title; say ’said blank’ later.
• Try to fit the 5 W’s in the lede; 1 sentence; brief.
• Be specific;
• Get more negative comments about the subject; try to be as un-biased as possible.
• Don’t be opinionated.
• Try to fit everything into quotes; don’t just state them.

Architect: Zyscovich.

4th wing: State it with directions!

Get more interviews from students!