May 2011

This semester eighth-grade students in Mr. Dahl’s science class had the opportunity to make mousetrap cars.  The students were required to have them done and at school by April 25th. They tested them in the hall. To test them, the student got their car ready, set it on the starting line, and let the car go. If it went eighteen feet then it passed.

As far as requirements, the mousetrap cars had to have at least three wheels, two axels, must be at least a foot long in length, and they could only have one mousetrap. Rat traps were not allowed. “Students made the mousetrap cars in order to put their knowledge of motion, energy, and simple machines into action,” said Mr. Dahl, a science teacher doing mousetrap cars.

A new school, a locker combination to memorize, and classes all over the school. It’s no wonder seventh graders are so stressed out when they first come to SJHS. The administration has come up with a solution to this.

Next year, seventh graders will come a day before everyone else; this half day is dedicated to helping the seventh graders out, because their first day of seventh grade is the hardest. The administration will be there to help with lockers and to direct students to their classes. They will also have an assembly to welcome the new seventh graders to the school.

On Monday April 25, eighth-grade students in Mrs. Luke’s Foods Exploration class were visited by Allison Fiscus. She taught the students about pigs and even made samples of pork for everyone to try. Alison Fiscus also goes by Lady Ham or the Pork Lady. She is the promotion and communication director for Utah Pork Producer. Mrs. Luke, foods teacher here at SJHS, said, “We were learning about protein, and I thought this might be a fun way for the students to learn more about it. They also get good recipes from it.”

The end of the school year is coming to a close, which brings Lagoon Day! On May 25, students who have been responsible citizens, effective communicators, and successful learners get to go to Lagoon.  The Lagoon pass is $26.50 to get in to the park, and the bus fare is $15.00.

Students will follow dress code at Lagoon and need to provide their own lunches. The busses are loading at 7:30-8:00 and will leave promptly at 8:00. At 3:00 the buses will begin loading in the Lagoon parking lot and immediately leave at 3:15. Students must hand in their permission slips and money to the finance office by Friday, May 20.

If you are kind, respectful, and acting like a super citizen then you are probably a super knight if not you might be next year.

Six boys and six girls in every grade have been chosen to go to Trafalga as “super knights”. They were able to do unlimited activities such as laser tagging, rock climbing, and mini golf (inside and outside.) Super knights got free pizza and got a $10 power point card so they could do the arcade games in the lobby at Trafalga.

You may think that you won’t forget the memories that you have made with your best friends during school, but you can never be sure. Don’t you want to have a book that captures the memories of your school years? That you can show a future family or friends? Most school yearbooks have similar formats; they include photographs of students, information on activities, sports, and other activities.   

Springville Junior High has been a home to many, but we all must move on eventually.  The ninth graders of 2011 have to leave the junior high as the end of school closes in.  The typical ninth-grade status is known as being the rulers of the school.  Susan Suazo, eighth-grade student at SJHS, said, “I’m looking forward to walking down the seventh-grade hallway and be looked at like a goddess or a queen.”  The eighth graders this year are really looking forward to being the ninth graders at SJHS next year. 

Are you looking to go on an adventure with somebody that you just met, and all you have to protect you is a frying pan and a small little chameleon? I bet that you are not, but Rapunzel from the not-so-new film Tangled was.

The long-lost princess Rapunzel has spent her entire life locked away in a tower. But when a cunning thief sneaks his way into her hiding spot, she comes up with a very mischievous plan. Rapunzel is about to discover who she really is, while finding out about the world around her, and she's a little nervous about it.

A new term has rolled around the corner here at Springville Junior High. According to Sara Torsak, eighth grader, “I view the beginning of a new term as a clean slate; you can have a fresh start.”

Fourth term is the last term of the year for the students. In the last quarter there are many events: track and field, tennis, student-lead conferences, awards ceremony, Lagoon day, and spring break!

Mrs. Caras, science teacher, said, “Fourth term is my favorite because I like the material I teach. I also enjoy the coming of spring, spring break, and then May... the last month of the school year.”

Goodbyes are never easy, especially when they’re for someone close.  On March 8th, 2011, SJHS said goodbye to Mr. Blakey, a counselor here at Springville Junior High.  Mr. Blakey was known as a counselor, a coach, and a friend to many at the school. 

“The reason for leaving SJHS was the opportunity to work at a high school, Maple Mountain High,” said Mr. Blakey.  He also said that it was really hard for him to leave behind those that he was working with, and the friendships that he had built for the past four years.  The staff and faculty said that he will be greatly missed as a colleague, and as a friend.