Cody Nichols Public Feed

Tarea 12/5/11

Posted by Cody Nichols in Spanish 4 - Manuel on
1. Qué opinas: ¿Sabe la mayoría de la gente que tenemos 30 derechos humanos universales nombrados por Las Naciones Unidas?
-No porque países differentes crean sus gobierno por o contra las personas. Porque de este, unos de los  derechos humanos universales son violaron.

2. ¿Crees que es importante saber que tenemos los 30 derechos humanos universales?
Si porque los derechos humanos universales son leys que todas personas tienen, y no país o persona puede toma ellos desde un persona.

3. Si todos supiéramos nuestros 30 derechos humanos universales, ¿crees que lo sociedad sería diferente?
-Si, porque en todos países los leyes son differentes. Sí los derechos humanos conflictan con el gobierno, entonces la sociedad sería diferente.

Ahorita : 12/5/11

Posted by Cody Nichols in Spanish 4 - Manuel on

Antes de leer

1) ¿Cuántos años tenía Rigoberta cuando empezó a aprender español?

- viente (20)

2) Qué crees: ¿Por qué no pudo aprender el español usando un libro?

-Porque ella no tiene el oportunidad a estudiar en su vida. Ella no sabe como leer un libro, solamente como habla la lengua de Quiché. Ella no permite a aprender español en el tiempo.

Ahora, lee:

At twenty years of age, Ms. Menchú had already lost her father, her mother and a brother as a result of the indiscriminate violence exercised by the armed forces of Guatemala in their attempts to control and suppress the indigenous people.

 

After growing up amid this violence and repression, Ms. Menchú decided to learn Spanish, using the language of her oppressors to fight for the rights of her people. Since then, words have been her weapon in her untiring defense of the human rights of all indigenous peoples.

 

Ms. Menchú states that, "We have seen repeated occupations of our land, long lines of colonists have arrived, and they remain today. In the case of my country, 65 percent of the inhabitants are indigenous. The constitution speaks of protection for the indigenous. Who authorized a minority to protect an immense majority?"

 

Ms. Menchú also states, "Racism in our countries is a fact in that the Indian is not allowed to be a politician or aspire to being head of state. It has reached the point that 99 percent of the indigenous women have not gone to school. The indigenous are condemned to live in a situation designed to exterminate them. They receive a pittance of a salary, they neither speak nor write the language, politics dictates their situation. Is this slavery? I don't know what it's called. It is not the same as before because we are in modern times."

 

In 1992, Ms. Menchú won the Nobel Peace Prize, becoming the youngest , as well as the first indigenous person to ever win the prize.

 

Responde:

3) Hay una creencia (belief) que los indígenas en la América Latina siempre son VICTIMAS y que no se organizan para luchar por sus derechos. En el caso de Rigoberta Menchú, ¿qué hizo para luchar?

- Uso sus palabras.

4) Rigoberta Menchú aprendió español para luchar y defender. ¿Qué conexión ves entre los idiomas y la opresión? ¿Ves conflictos causados por los idiomas?

 -Porque hay era muchas idiomas, era una mezcla de culturas. Las culturas tienen problemas comprenden las idiomas.

5) Los idiomas (language) ¿es un tema (issue) político en los estados unidos? ¿Cómo?
- Muchas perosnas hablan idiomas differentes en los estados unidos, asi que el facto que el idioma nacional es inglés, los estados unidos son mezcla de idiomas.

Diario #16 5/10/11

Posted by Cody Nichols in Spanish 4 - Manuel on

Una Gran pero Similar División

Rigoberta Menchú es una activista por los derechos humanos de muchas personas.  Ella viví hoy, y se continua a luchar por las personas de Guatemala. Aunque los padres fueron asesinaron, el fuerza de ella viví en su mente. Una otra pacifista es Dr. Martín Luther King jr., quien vivía en Los EE.UU. en Atlanta, Georgia. Aunque Dr. King es muerte porque fue asesinó, el legado de él viví hoy. Los dos tener un común como luchan por los derechos humanos, ellos eran muy religioso, da decursos, escribieron un libro, preformaron actos de non-violencia no esta importando cuantos personas eran matar, y los dos ganaron el Premio Nobel de la Paz. Los dos eran personas importantes en el mundo y no se olvidan en el futuro.

 

Textos de historia no incluyen información sobre Menchú  en el currículo porque ellos piensan que la historia de otras países son muy importante tan la pequeña país de Guatemala. Textos foco en las países que tienen una impacto dramático en el económico, y como el mundo es ahora.

9/5/11 Tarea

Posted by Cody Nichols in Spanish 4 - Manuel on
  • ¿Qué aprendiste hoy sobre Guatemala?
-La situación en Guatemala es similar a la situación en Africa del Sur, donde la minoría de blancos tiene todo el poder sobre la mayoría negra, y tambien con derechos humanos. La lucha es muy compleja porque de las Latinas Americanas
  • ¿Qué aprendiste sobre Rigoberta Menchu?
-Ella tiene 23 años, gana el (Nobel Peace Prize), y lucha por los derechos humanos de las cuidadanos de Guatemala.

E4- Ahorita 9/5/11

Posted by Cody Nichols on
  1. ¿En qué país se tomaron estas fotos?
-Chile??
  1. ¿Cuándo se tomaron?
- La primavera o el verano.
  1. ¿Qué pasó en la primera foto?
- Los communidades eran evacuó con las personas, porque del gobierno.
  1. ¿Qué pasa en la segunda imágen? ¿Quiénes son?
- Hay son mujeres tienen fotos de sus madres pero soldados son bloque ellas desde alcance una cosa.
  1. ¿Por qué estaba allí el grupo en la tercera (third) foto? ¿Quiénes son? 
-Un groupo de ayuda quien miran a la pais.
  1. ¿Cómo es la topografía de este país?
- Muy tropical en la costa.

Venezuela

Posted by Cody Nichols in Spanish 4 - Manuel on
Si tuvieras la oportunidad de viajar a Venezuela ¿adónde te gustaría ir? ¿qué te gustaría hacer?
-Si tuviera la oportunidad de viajar a Venezuela, gustaría ir. Gustaría a visitar el Andes Mountain. La montaña es muy hermosa y es extendío sobre muchos países. La montañia hizo personas piensan sobre ¿como el ambiente es muy hermosa?
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Anlisis de una obra de Oscar Dominguez por Gonzalo Infante

Posted by Cody Nichols in Spanish 4 - Manuel on
Oscar Dominguez:
Me gusta la pintura de Oscar Dominguez porque es una representación de lo que el hombre puede conseguir. Desde ayudando el uno con el otro, esta demuestra como los hombres y las mujeres necisitan trabajar juntas.



Primero:

Soy Gonzalo Infante de la película de Machuca. Soy parte de la clase alta pero me gusta encontrar nueva personas. Tengo un problema con el gobierno que no trabaja por sus cuidadanos. Tuve experiencias donde yo mire mis amigos ser persiguidos porque de son categoria de socio economico. Muchas personas en mi familia piensa nada de la clase media ni de la clase obrera, sólo porque eran de una clase inferior que ellos. Para mi, a veces pensaba que era parte de la clase media o la clase obrera porque cuidé a mi amigo Pedro Machuca, y desarrollo una relacion con el.  Aprecio mi educación para tener un buen lugar en mi vida.

Objectivamente:

Valgo de la amistad de muchas personas porque los eventos del once de septiembre los tomó ellos de mi. Era muy triste ver mis amigos  sale y yo no hacía nada. Esta es porque yo valgo de mi vida y personas alrededor de mi. Esta pintura es una representación de la amistad entre hombres. Los colores son sencillos y apagados, pero no se lleva de la pintura. El tono de la obra es muy apacible y apasionado, hay dos personas ayudando el uno con el otro. La importancia de la meta no es un problema porque los hombres ayudan el uno con el otro completan las metas. Muchas personas en la clase media o la clase obrera ayudan el uno con el otro porque en una sociedad donde el gobierno no quieren personas diferentes entonces, personas están solos. Hice esta mi trabajo para ser diferente porque decidí a cuidar para los demás.

Subjectivamente:

           Las memorias que la pintura surgen son memorias de Pedro Machuca y mi en las adventuras en Chile durante la guerra civil. Cuando eramos en las protestas vendiendo las banderas, pienso que  ayudé Pedro aunque era posible que me lastimaría por  mi clase socioeconómico. Los objectos en el cuadro representa la amistad entre hombres. El agua que es compartió algo con los hombres simboliza la conexión que tienen. La postura del hombre moreno está demonstrando que  haría lo que sea para su amigo. Las figuras en el fondo de la pintura son otra representación de la amistad entre dos amigos. Las figuras crean una barrera de la tierra. La barrera significa como la amistad de ellos es una representación de como el grano de la tierra es los juntan.
          
           El mensaje del cuadro es de la amistad muchas cosas/metas se pueden acabar. Si intentas hacer cosas solemente, tendrías un tiempo dificil. Elegí esta pintura porque hace una grande parte en la importancia de mi vida con la hermosa amistad que tengo con muchos personas. Todas de las imágenes en la pintura tiene una relacion a mi vida, especialmente cuando dos personas ayudan el uno con el otro. Esta pintura hace mi senti como hay es esperanza en el mundo para todas personas. Si una persona tiene un amigo, entonces la vida se hará facil.

Conclusión:

Para mi, la pintura es muy especial cuando la representación de amigos viene a mente. Esta pintura es la definición de la amistad. Estoy de acuerdo con lo que significa la pintura porque así es como yo vivo mi vida.


3991_Matas_Quer_01
3991_Matas_Quer_01

American Government: Quarter 2 Benchmark

Posted by Cody Nichols in American Government - Laufenberg on
​View Benchmark Project:

            For this American Government Benchmark project, finding a way that incorporated the laws, offices, and cases, seemed difficult at first. I attempted to relate the various examples, to situations that were happening in my life at this very moment, in relation to the college process, sports, and everyday living. This process wasn’t as easy as it seemed, having an objective to find laws and regulations that affected our everyday lives.

            I would deem this project with having a very difficult and strenuous process, simply because there are certain rules which only correspond to certain people. I had some difficulty when it came to finding offices that implement the rules of a specific Executive Branch. I thought we had to find actual laws of the executive branch, but then that would coincide with the legislative branch.

            The anticipation of my life becoming more affected by the government was recognized, because once you get older and reach certain limits, then your life is then intertwined with a whole new set of rules. The older we get, the more responsibilities we take on as humans. We have to live our lives responsibly following our inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

            By completing this benchmark, I now understand most of the processes of government; whether it is how it is run in perspective to its specific branches, to how a law is passed. I understand the rules and regulations I have to follow, and will result in following as I get older.


Mi cuento del Robo

Posted by Cody Nichols in Spanish 4 - Manuel on
Eran las once y medio en un noche muy frio. Vi a una niño gordo viaja. Era muy pequiño. Tenía sobre ocho años. Llevaba ropas de todos negros. El niño gordo entró en el banco. Sacó un negro revólver. Se llevo el dinero. El revólver era un juguete de el color de negro. El niño gordo salío del banco. El se quitó su ropas.
¡Fue Pinky y el Brain vestieron a el niño! Subieron el triciclo de Playskool. Y el triciclo se fue de prisa.

Finalize and Extend - Lobbying for Smaller Schools: Educating all of Philadelphia

Posted by Cody Nichols in American Government - Laufenberg on
To ______________,

We were assigned a project for our senior American Government Class which required us to lobby for an issue either Nationally, Statewide, or Locally. Taylor Tomasco, my partner on this project, and I felt strongly about our views on education. So we deemed it necessary to find an issue relevant to the topic of education. We decided on the belief that we need smaller neighborhood schools, and we need to not segregate misbehaved pupils into alternative schools. With this belief we had hope to break down the barriers between pupils who behave vs. pupils that misbehave, so that all may have the opportunity to receive a good education in the 21st Century.

Over the first few months of our lobbying project we have been able to complete a lot of research, ask a lot of questions, make a lot of plans and talk to many different people. However, we have had some difficulty getting proper answers, and talking to the right people. A lot of our questions have gone unanswered, and a lot of our plans were not able to be completed. We are passionate about our lobbying topic and would like to see this taken up by someone else in the future.

Below is a list of contact information, research, ideas and advice we have used so far in our process. We hope you have success in completing our unfinished task. We hope you are able to change the world by giving everyone an equal eduction.

Our Consensus:
What does a "great school" mean?
A great school offers a safe environment and an education for all types of learners.

How does a "great teacher" teach?
A great teacher is understanding and is always willing to explain, assist, and explain again. A great teacher does not talk at the front of the classroom, they engage the students minds and help students make connections not only to the academic side of life but towards life itself, the real world. They teach about the process and not about the facts.

What do we value in that kind of education that can be measured?
We value a students ability to apply the process of what they learn, not the facts and dates. We can measure this by there success in making differences in society, their ability to relate information.

Your Goal & Next Steps:
  • Have at least one SRC representative to report back to. This person will guide you through this process, answer all questions, show support, lead you in the right direction, and help you get the job done so you can reach across to all schools.
  • Visit various schools to see how education is perceived there.
  • Take a survey from students at all different types of schools. Refer back to the survey we created in one of our earlier blog posts.
  • Attend some SRC Meetings so that the public can know what you are lobbying for. You also need the School Reform Commission’s meetings to allow the public to understand your views as attending Student Reform Commission meetings. The officials who conduct these meetings can allow the issues to reach the higher powers above. http://webgui.phila.k12.pa.us/offices/s/src/schedule
  • These are the allies that you need on board in order to allow your points to reach a higher power in the world. These are the people who can help you make that happen:

Bio on Ozzie Wright:
Ozzie Wright began his career with the District as a physical education teacher, and later was assistant principal of Fels High School, principal of the Youth Study Center, and the founding principal of the District’s Philadelphia Military Academy at Leeds. Before being called to active duty in Iraq, Wright served at the helm of West Philadelphia High from 2002 until 2003. He is a graduate of Temple University, a U.S. Army veteran and member of the Army Reserve. Having a huge impact on The School District of Philadelphia, we felt the need to include Ozzie Wright as a person of utter importance as a reference for  this assignment

-Ozzie Wright’s Thoughts:
* In agreement with the idea of breaking down Comprehensive High schools into smaller academies.
* Modified incorporating students from alternative schools into these academies. But rather have dedicated and qualified teachers that those students could rely on to educate those students on their perspective career paths.
* Many schools main motive is to simply make AYP (Annual Yearly Progress), but yet, when that motive becomes the schools entire goal, the students’ paths aren’t thought of anymore, and the educational plan solely becomes about the institution.
*For students who misbehave:
- You only get a certain number of chances.
- Not every student is going to go to college.
* Public institutions are run by the district who can dictate where students may or may not attend. Charter Schools are run also by the district but are “mandated” to have rules that they can send any student anywhere, even back to their neighborhood high school. Private and Parochial Schools are run by private and/or Catholic organizations that require suburban students to pay for their education.

Bach Tong came from South Philly High to Science Leadership Academy. We asked him a few questions about his education thus far:

1.From your experiences as a former pupil of a comprehensive high school,
how do you feel the transition was to an smaller academy?
The transition to a smaller academy to me personally was pretty smoothly. I think it depends heavily on how one could quickly adopt a new environment as well as how open is the environment.
2.Do you feel that your career interests are being met by the various
programs that are offered at Science Leadership Academy? Did you have
that at your old school?
I do feel that my career interests are being met at SLA. However, I have only been at SLA for almost 2 quarters, so I have not experienced various different classes that are offering. My old school is a comprehensive neighborhood school, which provides mandatory curriculum from the School District with more of traditional book-in-contact type of learning with fewer elective courses, instead of project-based with more elective course like SLA. As a result, my career interest was not met fully there.
3.Was your individual needs as a student met by the teacher and or
programs at your old school? Are they met now?
My individual needs as a student was met at my old school, however wasn't as fully as it does here at SLA.
4. What are the biggest differences in the education you received at the comprehensives and that of SLA?
I would say the biggest differences between two school is the curriculum and type of teaching and learning. At the comprehensive high school, teachers get outlined curriculum from school district through their books and teach more of a traditional way through standardize testing. At SLA, teachers create their own curriculum and teach in a
project driven way.
5. How do you think the comprehensives schools can change their mission statement to make their education richer?
I would recommend comprehensive school to give teachers freedom of writing their own curriculum, as well as relying less on standardize test.

From our background research and what we have done so far, we believe that if you take on this lobbying assignment, and are passionate about the education of youth, then we believe that you will have a strong foundation in order to continue this assignment.

Sincerely,
Cody Nichols & Taylor Tomasco

Bureaucracy Project: American Government - FAFSA

Posted by Cody Nichols in American Government - Laufenberg on

For this Bureaucracy Project my partner Taylor Tomasco and I were assigned to create a flow chart on how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid ( FAFSA). This process involved researching all of the documents needed to complete the FAFSA process. Although we as students cannot complete the FAFSA until January 1st, this flow chart will assist all students preparing to enter into college. This flow chart shows the documents needed, the actual FAFSA form from last year, so that students could get an idea of what the form looks like on paper or online.

We referred to the FAQ, on the FAFSA website to know what information we needed to add to our flowchart, so that no information was misleading. We also printed out the tax forms a student would need, or that their parents would need when filling out this form. We created an alias name and identity to go along with the forms, so that a replica of the forms could be easier to understand; henceforth what information goes where. Filling out this information was a little difficult, because all the information on each page had to make sense.

If we were to change one thing about this Bureaucratic Project, then it would be to document what actually goes into filling this form out; the process, papers, time, and effort with accuracy.

This process has become so complicated in the past decades is because many people attempt to steal others identities so that they could receive a free education. Although there is a limited amount of money, people attempt to use another persons identity to receive the most benefits.

Link to Flow Chart:

https://www.scienceleadership.org/sections/American_Government_-_Laufenberg:2

FAFSA flow chart_ttomasco_cnichols
FAFSA flow chart_ttomasco_cnichols

Communicating with your Representative - Lobbying for Smaller Schools: Educating all of Philadelphia

Posted by Cody Nichols in American Government - Laufenberg on
Our goal: have at least one SRC rep to report back to. This person will guide us through this process, answer all questions, show support, lead us in the right direction, and help us get the job done so we can reach across to all schools.
Our plan: Spread the word.
We are recruiting other SLA students to be part of our team. (Sinnea Douglas, & Amirah Burkett thus far) The more minds, the richer the ideas and arguments.
We are going to be interviewing important individuals who have experience and knowledge in various aspects of education. Their experiences can give us input on the different sections of our broad issue. They will lead us on a path toward finding the right answers for this local, but national issue. They will be able to shine a light on our road to success.
Questions for Bach Tong:

1. From your experiences as a former pupil of a comprehensive high school, how do you feel the transition was to an smaller academy?

2. Do you feel that your career interests are being met by the various programs that are offered at Science Leadership Academy? Did you have that at your old school?

3. Was your individual needs as a student met by the teacher and or programs at your old school? Are they met now? (Mention Class Size...)

4. What are the biggest differences in the education you received at the comprehensives and that of SLA?

5. How do you think the comprehensives schools can change their mission statement to make their education richer?
Along with the various interviews that we will conduct, we will go into an alternative school to conduct a short survey.  
Survey Questions

Please circle yes (Y) or no (N)
Are your career goals being met by your school now? Y N
Do you like going to school everyday? Y N
Do you receive individual attention from your teachers? Y N
Have you been in any other type of learning environment? Y N
Do you feel your education needs are being met? Y N

Please answer to your best ability
What would you like to see change about your school/education?


What do you like about your school/education?


What made you come to this school?

We are sending emails to the SRC reps to let them know what we are looking for. We are asking questions like “What can we do? How can you help? What is the process of this like? Who can we talk to next? Is this realistic? How do you feel about this issue?”
To whom it may concern,

My name is Cody Nichols, a senior at the Science Leadership Academy located on the corner of 22nd and Arch. We are a project-based and inquiry driven academy, that accepts students from all different types of backgrounds varying in the different counties in Pennsylvania. We abide by 5-Core Values that are the foundation of our school; Inquiry, research, collaboration, presentation, and reflection. These 5-Core values are embedded into every single project we complete in this school. We are an Academy that believes "as 21st Century Student we need and deserve a 21st Century Education." Which brings me to the reason for composing this e-mail.

We were assigned a project for our senior American Government Class which required us to lobby for an issue either Nationally, Statewide, or Locally. Taylor Tomasco, my partner on this project, and I felt strongly about our views on education. So we deemed it necessary to find an issue relevant to the topic of education. We decided on the belief that we need smaller neighborhood schools, and we need to not segregate misbehaved pupils into alternative schools. With this belief we would hope to break down the barriers between pupils who behave vs. pupils that misbehave, so that all may have the opportunity to receive a good education in the 21st Century.

Would you be willing to help us accomplish our goal by guiding us through this process and/or providing contact information of individuals who would be interested.  

We believe the breakdown of academies would be beneficial to all students because it would focus solely on them and only on them for their specific area.

If possible with the greatest interests, could you respond with answers to the following questions:
1. What is your take on separating pupils who misbehave into large institutions to receive the proper education with more of the same "bad students"?

2. Do you feel that the breakdown of larger schools into academies would be beneficial to the greater good of students, given the success rate of others?

3. If deemed necessary do you feel this issue needs to be taken to a higher power? And if so, could you please provide the contact information to do so?

We really would like to thank you for your time in reading this e-mail, hoping that one day, a good education can be provided to all students.

With Thanks,
Cody Nichols (11') & Taylor Tomasco (11')
We are making phone calls to schedule face time with the big boys and spread the word.
We are trying to become larger.
So far we have not received any responses. Until we do, we will keep sending emails. We are starting small and hopefully we will soon enough be able to contact Arne Duncan, Bob Brady, Mayor Nutter, & Arlene Ackerman directly.

Resea de Mar Adentro

Posted by Cody Nichols in Spanish 4 - Manuel on
La película "Mar Adentro" se trata de la vida de Ramón Sampedro y como el viví antes de su accidente, y despues de su accidente, cual estuvé un tetrapléjico. El viví dia a dia, querré quitarse su vida, pero los seres queridos  ayudaron el y pelearon con el a se continua a vivir.
Hace las preguntas:
¿Que es la importancia de vivir?
¿Es la vida un privilegio o un crimen?
¿Es la muerte un privilegio o un crimen?
¿Puede un persona hace un decision a terminar su vida?
¿Esta digno a quitarse la vida, aunque Ramón Sampedro era una persona muy lucido?
Para mi es importante a vivir, porque esta es un privilegio. Muchos personas cuando ellos son un niño, no recibi una oportunidad a vivir. Y cuando haces, apreciarías. Es deprimente a mira una persona attenta por su propia voluntad un asesinato en el mismo.
En mi opinión, la pelicula sirvío un importancia. Una persona apreciaría su vida porque ese terminaría a cuando sea. Primero, esta muy polémico, sin embargo si una persona tuviera la esperanza, apoyarías. Vale la pena.

Researching the Issue - Lobbying for Smaller Schools: Educating all of Philadelphia

Posted by Cody Nichols on

Research the Issue

1. What is the status of your issue at the legislature? Is this a "good" year?
*4 elected officials, and one committee have indicated support for our issue, that has a strong background with media attention. These officials have lots of power and can influence the decisions of many people and take this lobbying assignment to the furthest extent that it can go. Our opponents would be the larger schools who have a good reputation for being a larger school, without the separation of academies, or having pupils from alternative schools attending their successful institution. So far there have been no policies
2. Who is essential to the outcome?
*These are the allies that we need on board in order to allow our points to reach a higher power in the world. These are the people who can make that happen:
* Robert A. Brady
* Michael Nutter
* Johnny Irizarry
* Denise McGregor Armbrister
* The Lifeworks Alternative School.
We also need the School Reform Commission’s meetings to allow the public to understand our views as we will attend these meetings and express this issue to all who attend. The officials who conduct these meetings can allow the issues to reach the higher powers above.

3. Who else is working on this? Can you coordinate?
*Amirah Burkett and Sinnea Douglas, other seniors at SLA are also lobbying on adequate education. We don’t all have the same exact focus areas but we can use each other’s findings to make a stronger debate, on why education has become such a prevalent issue in this futuristic society we live in today. We have already planned a meeting with the two of them to make an action plan.
* Small academies and schools with a good basis or primary focus are ones who play a key role in helping us lobby for smaller schools. When the focus comes to these alternative schools, after we have influenced the public, we will use the influence these small schools/academies have on the public eye, and reach out to the alternative schools. This process will enable the students being taught there to branch out to receive a better education from a more focused curriculum. These students will be given a second chance to not only turn their lives around, but make a future for themselves in the process.

4. Who can you influence?
* With the help of some very influential figures in the realm of education, we will be able to convey our message across a broad range of schools. Varying from the alternative, public, private, catholic, and parochial, a good education needs to be provided to all students. No matter what the reason, all students need to have access to the same tools and resources to receive an equal education.
*We also believe that there needs to be a higher authority addressing these concerns as well. If this concern reaches a level to which it receives national attention, we believe it should be worthy enough to be put in-front of the President Barack Obama, and The Department of Education Head Arne Duncan.

5. What is the time frame?
*Although our class, American Government, will only run until the end of our second quarter (Mid January) there isn’t really a time limit to this project.  Yes, we will not be required to lobby, research and influence, but lobbying isn’t really effective unless you have desire to do it. Hopefully we will have enough success so that we can continue to lobby for it in the future, on our own time.  If not, we could always pass it down for another group of seniors to tackle in the 2011-2012 school year.
6. When are key dates - meetings, committee hearings, deadlines, etc.
Monday November 29, 2010 Meeting with Amirah and Sinnea about collaborating
Thursday December 2, 2010 Meeting with Bach Tong about his experiences
Wednesday December 8, 2010 @ 2:00 PM an SCR planning meeting
Wednesday December 15, 2010 @ 2:00 PM an SCR action meeting

Researching the Official - Lobbying for Smaller Schools: Educating All of Philadelphia

Posted by Cody Nichols in American Government - Laufenberg on
SRC (School Reform Commission) Members:
Denise McGregor Armbrister sits on the board for the School Reform Commission for the School District of Philadelphia. She is relevant to lobbying for smaller schools because her foundations, the Wachovia Corporation,Wachovia Regional Foundation, and the Wachovia Regional Community Development Corporation all help support the lives of families in low income neighborhoods. She likes to give back, which is why she would be a great candidate to express our views to. She cares about the community, its growth, and how it will impact the lives of others.
To learn more about Denise McGregor Armbrister visit: http://webgui.phila.k12.pa.us/offices/s/src/about-us/denise-mcgregor-armbrister

Johnny Irizarry is another member of the SRC in the Philadelphia School District. Having taught at some high schools in Philadelphia, and shown great persistence in the development of students education, he will be a good guy to talk to. Although he has a specific focus, on the Center for Hispanic Excellence, he will still be helpful and be able to share his past experiences.

To learn more about Johnny Irizarry visit:
http://webgui.phila.k12.pa.us/offices/s/src/about-us/johnny-irizarry
State Representatives:
If this concern were to have reached the state level, it would first have to reach the City of Philadelphia’s, to where Mayor Michael Nutter could contact our honorable congressman Robert A. Brady. He serves as Philadelphia’s First District Congressman, that contains parts of South Philadelphia, West Philadelphia, North Philadelphia, Northeast Philadelphia, Center City, and Delaware County. Robert Brady feels strongly about students receiving education to the highest degree. He puts it at the forefront as he believes it is the foundation of our nations future. He believes that quality education should not be a shut off for those who cannot afford it, henceforth why his candidacy will bring this issue to the forefront of most peoples minds.
To follow more information on Congressman Robert A. Brady’s views on education visit:
http://www.brady.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=29&sectiontree=4,29
Just because these children misbehave in these schools, does not mean that they do not deserve a proper education, one in which would still prepare them for the future, despite their actions in school.  There needs to be more schools like this one: The Lifeworks Alternative School. In this Alternative School, students receive individualized attention based off of their mental or behavioral problems. They still receive a top notch education, despite their “disadvantage”. These students are still students at the end of the day and deserve as much of an education as the next student in the leading magnet school. All students deserve the right to a prosperous education. They understand the downfalls to gathering all of the “bad” students into one school. Those types of schools have no inspiration, and everyone is still taught equally.

We have received the opportunity to attend a town hall meeting on Monday, October 25th, to discuss education in America and the importance of great teachers. Presented by A&E Network, Comcast, Temple University and the U.S. Department of Education. Featuring Governer Ed Rendell, Mayor Michael Nutter, Arlene Ackerman, and Tony Danza. We will be able to participate in a professional conversation and get many of our questions answered. After this experience I believe we will both feel more comfortable to attend other SRC and town hall planning and action meetings. These meetings are generally open to the public for our advantage. We hope to attend a planning meeting on Wednesday November 10, 2010 and an action meeting on Wednesday November 17, 2010.  At these two meetings we will have a chance to get a sort of behind the scenes look into the department of education. We hope to get insight on how ideas are proposed and decisions are made professionally

Study the Issues - Lobbying for Smaller Schools: Educating All of Philadelphia

Posted by Cody Nichols in American Government - Laufenberg on
Study the Issues
  1. What are you lobbying for, against or to change? Explain the issue

-We are lobbying for  1. smaller neighborhood schools(this may involve breaking schools into academies).  2. To not segregate bad kids into alternative schools. In reality, how is an alternative school going to help bad children learn when they are all "distractions" to each other?

One hope of this is to break down the barriers between "bad children" and good students so that all students may have the opportunity to receive a good education. We want all students to have the attention they need from their teachers, so they all can progress on the same learning path, instead of one group moving forward without the other. - Cody’s Take on the Situation

Some people think of this idea as a roadblock in the more intelligent students, but in reality, each type of student can benefit each other by sharing their experiences. Tending to other’s needs can show self-growth and progression in students who attend these Alternative Schools. These students need to be nurtured in an environment that has a purpose, and not one that is detrimental to their learning experience. - Taylor’s Message

Every student deserves a great education, and needs to speak up for it.- Cody’s Message
“Never let others co-opt your language for purposes that are counter to your own believes.” - Chris Lehmann of The Science Leadership Academy.

  1. Elaborate on your motivation for investigating and influencing public policy?


From personal experience, I both have realized it helps me to help others. Explaining processes to other people helps clarify information to myself. Also, knowing I am learning in an environment where others are willing to help me out makes me feel better about my learning. I want students to be confident in their learning environment. We are focusing on the engagement of how students learn in their environments. Students should have access to all of the resources they could imagine including peers to answer questions and give advice. -Taylor’s Thoughts
  1. Who are the main supporters of your lobbying idea?

The main supporters of this lobbying idea are:
* Edgatopia: is an organization that reports what works in education and how.
Their main focus points:
“Teachers must lay the groundwork for successful social and emotional learning by establishing an environment of trust and respect in the classroom. Empathy is key. Before children can be expected to unite to achieve academic goals, they must be taught how to work together, and so it provides them with strategies and tools for cooperative learning.” - Taylor’s Great Reference Quote.

Cody’s Main Resources:
* Julie Evans, the CEO of Project Tomorrow, whose mission is to provide students with the necessary tools to make them the leaders of tomorrow.
* Educators like Deborah Meier, who has had 3 decades of working hand in hand with students.
* Chris Lehmann a practical idealist for the pursuit of a greater education.
People like these are ones who dream of the practical education. One that they believe should comes standard with all students, regardless of any background, or status.
  1. Who are the main opponents of your lobbying idea?

-The main opponents of this lobbying topic is the school district policy. There are many laws involving the expulsion of exceptional students (students who move at a faster/slower pace than others; ones with disabilities). The laws shown from the link below, state what a teacher can and cannot do. There are also the laws in which students have to follow shown in the “Student Code of Conduct, solely for students of the Philadelphia School District. There are even stricter rules when it comes to these Alternative schools, ones to where if they got in trouble there, there wouldn’t be a place where they could come to every day. These obstacles are preventing most students from progressing in their education.
Link
  1. Is there any pending legislation dealing with your lobbying idea? Explain. If there is not, what would you like to see proposed. Elaborate.

There is currently no pending legislation dealing with our lobbying idea. We would like to see a few things proposed: 1. laws removed about the expulsion of exceptional students 2. laws applied to stop segregating students who have been in trouble from the rest of the student body 3. laws applied to offer education to every child, every if they have a bad past or background. 4. laws applied to monitor the size of schools, specifically alternative and neighborhood schools.  

Our Consensus:
What does a "great school" mean?
    A great school offers a safe environment and an education for all types of learners.

How does a "great teacher" teach?
    A great teacher is understanding and is always willing to explain, assist, and explain again. A great teacher does not talk at the front of the classroom, they engage the students minds and help students make connections not only to the academic side of life but towards life itself, the real world. They teach about the process and not about the facts.

What do we value in that kind of education that can be measured?
    We value a students ability to apply the process of what they learn, not the facts and dates. We can measure this by there success in making differences in society, their ability to relate information.
  1. Any other information regarding the background for your topic.

-Regarding the incidents at South Philadelphia High School, with racial crimes/acts being directed to Chinese students, we sought the need to interview a transfer student who went through the torment and woes expressed onto them. This interview/documentary on the incidents that occurred during that time, will show what could possibly happen when large schools are not divided into academies, and when students of a certain class are subject to mistreatment. - Cody’s Take
    We want to get opinions from students whom have been exposed to these somewhat dangerous learning environments. We know what we think should and should not work, but we need to know what actually works and does not work. - Taylor’s Take

Q1 Benchmark

Posted by Cody Nichols in American Government - Laufenberg on
2 Score and 2 Years Ago (42):http://dl.dropbox.com/u/499773/American%20Government%20-%202%20Score%20and%202%20Years%20Ago%202.m4a A song about the Civil Rights Act of 1968.If that does not work, then listen to the song here:Lyrics:

This moment in time was one long lived

With oppression ravaging through the adults and kids.

Whites and blacks not getting along

Black people join hands in the streets singin songs

To over come, just to over come, just to over come, just to overcome.

Historical moments such as

When rosa parks didn’t give up her seat

Or that long march on Washington, I have a dream speech.

All this paved way for something in reach

Somethin they cant take away, cause itll stain like bleach.

 The thing that remained was something important

Jim crow laws had blacks in subordinate

The civil rights act of 1968

Was one in which all Americans can relate

It defined the country for what it is today

I wish the ones that helped had the chance to stay.

(Right above it)

Johnson surrounded by other important men

Signed the bill off makin history again

No need to VETO for  it was for the public

It was shown in appreciation cause they all loved it.

Unfair treatment was not tolerated

The government came through and made everyone elated

 King made it to the mountiantop with that richeous statement

He didn’t go alone because we all made it

During the 50’s and 60’s there were many laws to prevent blacks in the south from doing various things. Owning property, voting, and overall treatment in the public were things that seemed hard for others to grasp at the time. There were many Civil Rights Acts as well as this one that assisted in all Americans receiving the same and equal treatment. This one however, the Civil Rights Act of 1968  prevented discrimination on the basis of sale, renting, and financing of housing. It was passed by the house of Representatives and the Senate, and actually signed into law on april 11, 1968, 7 days after the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. whose determination and ambition provided a major influence on the laws made in the decade. Without his non-violent acts and peaceful thinking, none of this could be possible today in the lives of Americans.

Bibliography:

"Civil Rights Act of 1968." Civil Rights Act of 1968 Legal Definition. Farlex, 2010. Web. 17 Nov 2010. <http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Civil+Rights+Act+of+1968>.

Hysell, Patricia. "Civil Rights Act of 1968." Civil Rights Act of 1968. Examiner.com, 11 April 2010. Web. 17 Nov 2010. <http://www.examiner.com/this-day-history-in-national/civil-rights-act-of-1968>.

American Government - 2 Score and 2 Years Ago 2

Cody Nichols: Voting Experience

Posted by Cody Nichols in American Government - Laufenberg on
I had a great experience today getting out in the brisk and open air, to find voters from around the city up and about to vote. It was just amazing to see that, and knowing that next year I will be doing the exact same thing, since I will be 18 in July. I recorded my interview as an audio file.
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And here is my message for Extra Credit to all of the Voters out there today!
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