Posts Tagged ‘The Spark’

MonSep10

Last week in West Chester: Jack in the Box to open Sept. 17

Posted by akiefaber September 10th, 2012, 4:34 pm Post a Comment

To let West Chester and Liberty Township residents catch up with the news that they need to know, WestChesterBuzz.com will list and link to all of last week’s top local stories every Monday.

Jack in the Box to open first Ohio location Sept. 17 – A spokesperson with Jack in the Box confirmed last Thursday that its first Ohio location will open in West Chester on Monday, Sept. 17, at 9 a.m. The company has targeted Cincinnati and plans on adding more locations based on the belief that local consumers are already aware of the fast food chain.

Another case of whooping cough reported at Lakota school – Twice last week, the Butler County Health Department emailed Lakota parents, alerting them that a student had been diagnosed with Pertussis, which is more commonly known as whooping cough. On Tuesday, the email, which was also sent out in a letter, said a student from Lakota West High School had been diagnosed with the disease. Then on Thursday, the email alerted parents of a student at Endeavor Elementary.

Lakota East’s Spark Magazine is taking subscriptions – The award-winning Spark Magazine, run by students at Lakota East High School for the past 21 years, is currently accepting subscribers through Sept. 14. Through the years, Spark has covered topics that range from Lakota’s financial struggles to racial profiling.

Chamber changes speaker for Sept. 11 luncheon – Thomas Boat, dean of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and vice president for health affairs, will replace previously scheduled speaker Santa Jeremy Ono at this month’s West Chester ▪ Liberty Chamber Alliance’s luncheon on Tuesday. Ono, who began serving as UC’s president after Greg Williams’ sudden resignation Aug. 21, canceled to participate in meetings in Columbus that day, according to Boat.

The Spicy Olive, newly opened in West Chester, sells 20 varieties of olive oil, plus vinegars, spices and more. Photo provided.

The Spicy Olive opens in West Chester – Shauna Steigerwald of The Cincinnati Enquirer writes about The Spicy Olive, newly opened in West Chester, where customers can sample fresh olive oils and aged balsamic vinegars before they buy them.

11 years and heart transplant later, she’s a normal little girl – John Johnston of The Cincinnati Enquirer reported last week on Asia Werner, who recently won 11 medals at the Transplant Games of America and had a heart transplant in December of 2000. Without the donated heart, Asia, who was born with multiple heart defects, likely would have died within days, the doctor who performed the surgery said.

‘Game changer’ development coming to Liberty Twp. – Sheila McLaughlin of The Cincinnati Enquirer provided an update on Liberty Town Square, the $300 million retail, office, entertainment and residential project – the largest development to hit Butler County. The opening for the destination has been pushed back to spring 2015 from fall of 2014.

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TueSep4

Lakota East’s Spark Magazine is taking subscriptions

Posted by akiefaber September 4th, 2012, 4:01 pm Post a Comment

The award-winning Spark Magazine, run by students at Lakota East High School for the past 21 years, is currently accepting subscribers through Sept. 14.

Through the years, Spark has covered topics that range from Lakota’s financial struggles to racial profiling.

This year, readers will be able to read about new programs at Lakota, as well as the effects of budget reductions in the school district. The magazine also covers news within the local community, Lakota East sports and the latest in entertainment.

“For 21 years, Spark has had a mission to inform and engage our audience of issues in the community through our in-depth coverage,” said Jeff Back, Spark editor-in-chief. “Spark is a chance for students in Lakota, their parents, and community members from West Chester and Liberty Township to stay in touch with what is going on in the Lakota school district.”

To subscribe to the magazine, fill out the subscription form on the Spark website or email Back at j.a.back2@gmail.com. Each $25 subscription will come with seven issues of this year’s magazine.

The student-generated publication has been honored 18 times with an All-Ohio ranking from the Ohio Scholastic Media Association and won the Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s Gold Crown award. It was one of 11 magazines in the nation and the only school from Ohio to win that distinction. Last year marked the fourth time since 2007 that Spark was honored with the Gold Crown.

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TueJun26

Lakota East’s student-run magazine Spark recognized

Posted by akiefaber June 26th, 2012, 11:34 am Post a Comment

Lakota East journalism students hold up an article written by junior Mohinee Mukherjee about the differences between educational systems in China and in the United States.From left-to-right, Spark students, Mukherjee, junior Emily Chao and sophomores Angela Ferguson and Amanda Weisbrod. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber of WestChesterBuzz.com.

Lakota East students Alexa Chryssovergis and Marissa Alsip report

For the 18th time in 20 years, the Lakota East High School student-generated magazine Spark received an All-Ohio ranking from the Ohio Scholastic Media Association, meaning it is one of state’s top scholastic publications.

Joe Dennis, a judge for the Ohio Scholastic Media Association’s contest, said Spark was “the best high school journalism magazine I have seen in the nation.

“That community is lucky to have a resource like Spark.”

The annual Ohio Scholastic Media Association awards took place at Kent State in April. During the two-day conference, 34 Spark staff members won a combined 70 writing and design awards.

Senior co-chief Devin Casey earned nine awards to lead all students, while East seniors Jenn Shafer and Sierra Whitlock and junior Ellen Fleetwood finished with three each. Jasmine Tuazon, Sean Lewis, Rachel Podnar, Natasha Rausch, Jeff Back, Christian Roehm, Irfan Ibrahim, and John Grasty all won two awards.

“When you have that many different kids getting a top award, that means that everybody’s learning and everybody’s growing,” said Dean Hume, Lakota East journalism teacher and Spark advisor. “That’s the thing I’m most proud of. It reflects that everybody is contributing.”

The Spark also won the Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s Gold Crown award, which evaluates publications for an entire year. It was one of 11 magazines in the nation and the only school from Ohio to win that distinction. It was the fourth time since 2007 that Spark was honored with the Gold Crown.

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TueMay29

Weekly news roundup: Chinese students to learn English from Lakota East’s student magazine

Posted by akiefaber May 29th, 2012, 10:58 am Post a Comment

Lakota East journalism students hold up an article written by junior Mohinee Mukherjee about the differences between educational systems in China and in the United States.From left-to-right, Spark students, Mukherjee, junior Emily Chao and sophomores Angela Ferguson and Amanda Weisbrod. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber of WestChesterBuzz.com.

To let West Chester and Liberty Township residents catch up with the news that they need to know, WestChesterBuzz.com will list and link to all of last week’s top local stories every Monday.

Chinese students to learn English from Spark – Administrators from a large Chinese school district have requested more than 100 editions of Lakota East High School’s student-generated magazine Spark after its high school principal visited the Liberty Township school last November.

Liberty Twp. intersection to close for most of the summer – Butler County’s fifth major roundabout will be constructed this summer in Liberty Township near Cherokee Elementary School. The project will require the intersection of Kyles Station and LeSourdsville-West Chester roads to close June 4 and remain closed most of the summer, reopening the week of Aug. 20, weather permitting.

Lakota West freshman Meggie Zahneis interviews Jay Bruce prior to a Reds game May 24, 2012. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber.

Reds honor Lakota West freshman- More than 100 parents and classmates came out to Great American Ball Park last Thursday in support of Lakota West freshman Meggie Zahneis, who was named the honorary captain prior to the Reds game. The 15-year-old West Chester resident’s story captured the heart of Major League Commissioner Bud Selig, who in return offered her the job of being an MLB.com youth reporter prior to the 2012 season.

DV8 opens After-Hours on The Square – DV8 kicked off the 2012 season of the First Financial Bank After-Hours on The Square concert series in West Chester last Thursday. The concert series will continue at the same time, from 6 to 9 p.m., every Thursday night through Aug. 23.

West Chester mom on ‘Masterchef’ – Cake specialist and blogger Krystal Eggerding Mandap from West Chester Township will be competing in Fox’s “Masterchef” reality show for amateur cooks starting June 4. “Masterchef” will air 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday this summer (Channels 19, 45), following Gordon Ramsay’s “Hell’s Kitchen.”

Lakota West raises more than $30K in Relay for Life – Lakota West raised more than $30,000 from its recent Relay for Life event at the high school. That money will be used to provide cancer patients with transportation and lodging at the Hope Lodge in Cincinnati.

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TueMay22

Chinese students to learn English from Spark

Posted by akiefaber May 22nd, 2012, 2:58 pm Post a Comment

Lakota East journalism students hold up an article written by junior Mohinee Mukherjee about the differences between educational systems in China and in the United States.From left-to-right, Spark students, Mukherjee, junior Emily Chao and sophomores Angela Ferguson and Amanda Weisbrod. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber of WestChesterBuzz.com.

Administrators from a large Chinese school district have requested more than 100 editions of Lakota East High School’s student-generated magazine Spark after its high school principal visited the Liberty Township school last November.

“They want to use the Spark to teach English in their curriculum, what better compliment could you get than that?” said Dean Hume, Lakota East journalism teacher and Spark advisor. “The administrators can say we use this publication to help our teachers teach our students proper grammar, how to write, how to use syntax, how to generate mood and tone, and how to report the news.

“I think it is a grand slam in the 9th inning with two outs for the English department.”

Well before Chinese school administrators requested copies of the award-winning publication, principal Yuan Ye of Jingman No. 1 High School in the Hubei Province of China visited Lakota East to learn more about the educational system in the United States.

During his visit, the principal, who comes from a very test-driven educational system in China, was fascinated by the creativity of the students.

“He was very intrigued about what was going on in our classrooms in particular to the creative and thinking ‘outside-the-box activities’ and how we move our students to be thinkers and not just memorizers,” Lakota East principal Keith Kline said.

“The Chinese are trying to focus more on critical thinking skills, creativity and teamwork and want to get away from their test-driven structure, which is huge for them. It is interesting because our country seems to be going in the opposite direction.”

Lakota East's Keith Kline participated in a principal exchange program in China this school year. Kline visited Chinese schools in April and was impressed with their students' work ethic. Photo by Adam Kiefaber of West ChesterBuzz.com.

Kline saw the Chinese educational system firsthand when he visited Yuan Ye’s high school in April. He reported back about the emphasis placed on tests, the length of the school day and the work ethic displayed by the students.

In order to get into Jingman and other high schools, Chinese students must pass a test in the 9th grade. Then, in the 12th grade, students must pass another exam to determine where they can go to college. Failure on either exam leads to an early introduction to the job market.

Chinese high school students also experience longer school days, which begin at 6 a.m., and progresses until an 11:30 lunch, picks back up at 2:30 and lasts until 10 p.m. The only evening students are away from school is Sunday, after they’ve completed mandatory study tables.

“Over there, the work ethic of their students and their society as a whole is much more elevated than it is here,” Kline said. “If I could marry their work ethic with our instruction there would be no stopping us. They are trying to get to where we are instructionally and once they do, that will certainly be a challenge for us as a country.”

During Kline’s visit in China, he showed Yuan Ye the article Spark junior reporter Mohinee Mukherjee wrote about the Chinese educator’s visit. The Chinese school district than decided that Spark could help teach its students the English language and about American teenage culture.

“It is incredible. I get chills just thinking about it,” sophomore Amanda Weisbrod said of the Spark being used as a study tool in China. “We are globally recognized now, not just nationally. To think that some of our stories are going to be read by people from all around world is just really, really awesome.”

While China looks to add some creative courses, students at Lakota East warn against a switch to a more test-driven approach in the United States.

“I am not a big fan of standardized tests. I hate them and I am pretty sure every student here hates them,” junior Emily Chao said. “If we did move towards standardized tests, we would become robots. We would literally just sit there and do stuff, and not to do it well.”

Sophomore Angela Ferguson, whose mom is Chinese, agreed with Chao and her fellow classmates.

“Obviously the Chinese are doing something right by going off their test scores and how it has affected their economy. At the same time, I think that it is placing their students at a real disadvantage because they are learning, but they are not growing,” Ferguson said.

“Schools are always talking about how we could be like China because they are doing so well, but I think if we continue with that mentality it is not going to lead us anywhere good.”

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MonOct10

Spark school board candidate forum to take place Oct. 12

Posted by akiefaber October 10th, 2011, 12:11 pm Post a Comment

The Spark, a magazine produced by Lakota East High School students, will host a Lakota Board of Education candidate forum this Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Lakota East Main Campus Theater.

Five candidates are currently running to fill two, four-year seats: Julie Shaffer (photo), Mark Etterling, Lucas Hall, incumbent Lynda O’Connor and former board member Jamie Green.

All five have agreed to attend the forum.

Community members are encouraged to participate by sending questions for the candidates to lehs.spark@gmail.com or to the Spark’s twitter account, @LakotaEastSpark. Audience members can also submit questions before the forum begins.

Lakota East High School is located at 6480 Lakota Lane in Liberty Township.

Later in the month, the West Chester/Liberty Chamber Alliance will sponsor another “Meet the Candidates” forum for the school board candidates. That event will take place Oct. 21 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Lakota central office.

The Lakota central office is located at 5572 Princeton Road in Liberty Township.

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Posted in: Board of Education, Election, Events, News, Political events, School events, Schools |

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