I called for the first time two weeks ago. As I was talking to one of the helpers, he advised me to talk to Jeff, the person in charge of the advertising. After that discussion, I decided I would call everyday and ask for Jeff. Every time I did, the same person would pick up and tell me that he wasn’t around. I called so many times, that the guy I spoke to every day even remember my name, although I never did catch his. On the 5th day of calling,which was the day Alessia and Mr. Shwartz took us to Mr. Weiss’s office, Jeff was actually there. I talked to him about what a wonderful idea would be to advertise with us and got on with the usual routine and talk. But suddenly, Jeff interrupted me with an extremely creative yet rude remark. “5 years ago, when we tried advertising with a school newspaper, they tried to charge us $500.” As soon as I heard this nonsense I went straight to defense mode, stating that that is a ridiculous number and our ads are actually very ‘low-price’ and, most of all, effective. I went on and on about how the price doesn’t really matter much anyway, because in the end it is good business. But again, Jeff over here, interrupted me with an even WORSE remark. “If you don’t hang up in 10 seconds, I will be forced to hang up on you.” With that said, I quietly hung up. But let me tell you, I was flabbergasted. Why would Jeff attack me in such a way? If he didn’t want to advertise with us, maybe he should just say “No thank you. Please move on with your life,” and I would have done so accordingly.

But then, it hit me.

Maybe I came off a little rude, since as soon as I got on the phone with him, I said a maybe-not-so-necessary remark. “.. I’ve been calling several times now…” Ouch. Maybe that came out real bad. So now I’m here thinking, well maybe it was I who came of really mean, and he was just giving me a taste of my own medicine. But then I started to think of the insane excuse he gave me and I didn’t feel so bad after that. Maybe I should have stated that the OWNER’S daughter is one of my extremely close friends.

So now… after that not-so-new-to-me rejection, I am trying to call the Pizza Fiore located on Lincoln Road. I have been calling several times now, and I talked to a gentleman who directed me to speak with the owner, George.  Problem is, George is very hard to reach. Next time I call, however, I will ask for a number I can use to reach George. That would be a smart idea.

All in all, I am learning. Maybe I need to be nicer. Being assertive can really either,

A) scare people

or

B) make people act like a chew-head.

I usually get the people who choose B. But I’ll make the best of it.

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.

2) Homecoming Highlights

3) Spirit Week!

4) The opening of the 4th building

5) Winter Break

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!

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.

“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.

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.”