January 27, 2014

Today is  National Chocolate Cake day!!  On this day, a white or yellow cake will not do. Nor, will part chocolate, part white suffice. It must be chocolate, all chocolate. You can make milk chocolate, dark chocolate, fudge, or any other type of chocolate cake.  There are three objectives of Chocolate Cake Day: To bake a chocolate cake. To decorate a chocolate cake. And, to eat a chocolate cake. Of course, if you are too busy to bake or decorate a cake, then just eating a chocolate cake will certainly do!  The history of cake dates back to ancient times. The first cakes were very different from what we eat today. They were more bread-like and sweetened with honey. Nuts and dried fruits were often added. According to the food historians, the ancient Egyptians were the first culture to show evidence of advanced baking skills. The Oxford English Dictionary traces the English word cake back to the 13th century. Medieval European bakers often made fruitcakes and gingerbread, which could last for many months.  According to the food historians, the precursors of modern cakes, the round ones with icing, were first baked in Europe sometime in the mid-17th century. This is due to primarily to advances in technology, like more reliable ovens, manufacture/availability of food mold and ingredient availability, like refined sugar.  It was not until the middle of the 19th century that cake as we know it today, made with extra refined white flour and baking powder instead of yeast, arrived on the scene.  And thank goodness!  I mean what’s a birthday without cake as we know it today?!

And speaking of birthdays, Grecia Perez, your sister Karla wants to wish you a very happy 18th birthday today!  If you see Grecia around campus today, make sure to wish her a happy birthday!!  Enjoy your day!

Don’t’ forget that the out of class policy is firmly in effect school wide.  As a reminder, you have been granted 5 restroom/get a drink passes for the remainder of the block.  Your passes are not to be used for anything else other than going to the restroom or getting a drink of water.  You will be responsible for keeping your passes, if you do not have your pass list, you will not be permitted to leave the room and you will not be issues another one.  If you have any further questions or concerns regarding this, please see an administrator in between classes, at lunch or after school. 

Remember, that the AIMS workshops are back underway.  Today, during 4th hour join me, Ms. Glithero in Room 3 for the writing workshop, then tomorrow Ms. Bull will be hosting the math workshop during 4th hour in room 10 and finally, in room 5 during 4th hour Ms. Zundel will be hosting the reading workshop.  And in case you aren’t able to make one of these days, remember you can always come in on Friday to catch up, math 1st hour, reading 2nd hour and writing 3rd hour.  As a reminder, when you attend 80% or more of the workshops AND pass your AIMS, you will receive that fancy chrome book.  So, mark your calendars and plan on being there!

Hopefully you’ve been able to get your student ID.  Because, as a reminder, you have to have your student ID to receive a bus pass. Students that DO have their student ID will be served first. Anybody without an ID will have to wait. If you don’t have a School ID, let the office know and they will get you taken care of.

Also, you guys are doing great at getting yourselves to your 3rd hour on time.  Remember, the student store will open at 11:45 at that first bell and close at the second bell.  You must be in your classroom by the third bell, because your teachers will be locking the door.  If you are not in your seat by that third bell, you will not be permitted into class and you will have to leave campus.  So, be quick, take care of business and get yourself into class!!

Also, remember that if you are a graduating senior and you are thinking about taking the SAT’s you need to see Mrs. Rodriguez.  She will be the one who can help you get more information on testing dates and prep.

Okay Hornets, we have gotten an update on the penny boxes.  Last week, Ms. Bull was the front runner.  However, this has also made her 2nd hour a target, because remember; now you can undo another classes progress!!  All you need to do is add silver change in to any classrooms box!  It’s that easy.  I know she’s been hit with some silver so her 2nd hour better step up and get those pennies in there to undo the damage!  Meanwhile, the rest of you 2nd hours need to also step up your game!  Search the bottom of your purses, check the couch cushions and scrounge under the car seats for those pennies!   If every one of you brought in a few pennies every day, it would make a huge difference in our donation and ultimately the good we do for the leukemia and lymphoma society!  And also, dollar bills count towards your positive total as well!  Let’s see how we can do this week!  Key club will count up the totals again on tomorrow and get us an update for Wednesday morning!  So hornets, get out there and donate!!!

Which reminds me, there WILL be a key club meeting tomorrow during 4th hour in Mrs. Trumps room, room 5.  If you are a member, or are interested in joining or checking it out, make plans to be there!

And finally, for lunch we are serving popcorn chicken, sweet corn and diced peaches! That’s new and it sounds delicious! So, make sure to get some food and fuel that brain for learning!

That is all for today!  Have a GREAT day, or don’t…..but remember, the choice is yours!

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