Everyone knows that in junior high and in high school there is a Orchestra class, cheerleading, workout, and other special clubs, but one class that people forget is band. Band is a class that unlike orchestra, has modern instruments.

"I love teaching band, I've always been drawn to different music," said Mr. David Booth, band teacher at Springville Junior High.  Mr. Booth has been teaching band for 14 years now and counting; 14 years which he has very much enjoyed and is still enjoying to this day.
     

Have you ever had that warm feeling? The feeling of pride and joy when you finish reading a book or an essay. Well, this feeling is all too familiar to the Creative Writing class at Springville Junior High.

Creative writing is an elective here at Springville Junior High, where students have the opportunity to write and express their feelings. Ms. Rachel Neeley, seventh grade English teacher, has been teaching creative writing for two years, and said, “I love teaching an elective. It’s fun! I love reading all the amazing things my students write. It is a great class. If you like to write, sign up!” 

Every year in school brings changes, but math is something that remains constant for your entire education. SJHS is just like any other school in this regard.  However, our school is different from others because of the kids and teachers that participate in the math program. We not only learn, but many kids have fun as well.

Springville Junior High School is committed to excellence, it is in their “Knight’s Code.” One of the many people who help make the school so great is Mr. Shaun Blakey, counselor and boys' basketball coach.

Mr. Blakey was born and raised in Springville, Utah, and graduated from Springville High. After high school he went on to get a bachelors degree in business marketing, and a masters degree in counseling from the University of Phoenix. He then came to SJHS to be a counselor.

Girls taking Physical Education at Springville Junior High have started a dance unit.  This unit gives them a chance to try something besides what they consider “normal” sports.  The girls choose group members and choreograph a dance to music of their choice. 

Some may wonder why Mrs. Kelly Anderson, the girls' P.E. instructor, strays from a curriculum of traditional sports such as soccer and volleyball.  Mrs. Anderson said, “I think the girls really enjoy being creative and performing the dances.” 

Students are working hard in Mrs. Rebecca Murdock’s Geography class trying to get their country projects done. These projects will be presented in class on October 28th or 29th. Right now the Geography class is doing a unit on the Middle East so each student was assigned a country from the Middle East. Mrs. Murdock, the Geography teacher, said “I expect each student’s best work. They have an option to choose which type of project they would like to do, so I expect that they'll have fun while learning.”

With the end of the term quickly approaching, one of the biggest concerns parents and students face is grades.  Nebo District uses S.I.S., an online program, to track student attendance and grades.  Springville Junior High is hosting a training program for parents all throughout Nebo district on October 21, at 7:00 p.m. at Springville Junior High (165 South 700 East). This training program should be an easy walk through with two translators handy to answer questions or concerns.

Last week at SJHS, the students showed their commitment to not getting involved with drugs. The Service Learning class gave out the dress up days and themes for the week.  Monday was spirit day, “Show your spirit by not doing drugs.” Students dressed up in their school colors to show their school spirit. Tuesday was hero day, “Be someone else's hero, and don’t do drugs.” Wednesday was sports day, “Be athletic, not pathetic, and don’t do drugs.” Thursday was swap day, “Dress as your favorite teacher and your teachers will dress as you, swap drugs for education.” Friday was crazy day, “Go crazy on candy not drugs.”

During the week of October 5th – October 9th, students at Springville Junior High celebrated being drug free with Red Ribbon Week. The Service Learning class picked a different theme for each day of the week so students and teachers could dress up and show their school spirit. On Tuesday, October 6th, Springville Junior High teachers and students dressed up as their favorite hero.
 
From Superman to their parents, students and teachers could be seen roaming the halls dressed as something they’re not, but looking up to someone else because they were living a drug free life.   

Last week was Red Ribbon Week here at Springville Junior High, and school spirit is busting at the seams. On Thursday, October 7, 2009 the students of SJHS dressed up in their favorite sports uniforms to show they are, and will stay, drug free.

For the past week the students and teachers are dressing up to “swap drugs for education” these dress up days are meant to celebrate school spirit, but according to some students, it’s just an excuse to dress up for school.