CCA Communicator Volume 3

Celebrating

African

American

History Month

February 28, 2014 Volume 1 Issue 3

CCA Communicator Visit our website at

www.creativecommunicationsacademy.org

Inside this issue:

Seventh Grade visits

Colombia College 2

Dameron’s Math

Cartoon

3

TEST Q-TIPS 4

Track Try-outs 5

Student Government 6

Stride Academy Contest 7

Casmir Pulaski 8

Que’ Pasa? 9

Did you Know? 10

Poetry Corner 11-12

Limericks 13-14

Scorpions Interview W/ Dr.

Wilson

15

8th Grade Pictures & 7th

Grade Presentations

16-18

Mr. Scott’s 2-Way Street 19

By: Shawnna Evans

When we got to Columbia College we went up to a movie theater. We discussed

the Food Patriots program and watched a 15-20 minutes documentary. The documen-

tary was about Mr. Spitz personal experience with the Food Patriots program. Next,

we were grouped into five different media stations. They showed us how to use to cam-

era properly. Daniel Hunt, Dejah Williams, and Kaia Raye were filming our trip. We

went to the editing room; they showed us how to edit pictures on the I-mac so that we

could create an I-movie. After we visited all of the stations it was time for lunch. At

lunch there was a karaoke session which included singers, poetry, and a dancer. We also

shared our personal talents. Watching our peers share their personal talents was excit-

ing. Overall the trip was fun and I can’t wait to go back.

Our Trip to Columbia College

Page 2 CCA Communicator

**PICTURES COMING SOON…..

THE ADVENTURES of the MATHEMATICAL

HEROS

By: Jazmyn Webb

As a project in math, students had to con-

struct an educational storybook that could

be used to teach younger students what

we’ve learned about the geometry concepts

presented in chapter 8 of our math book.

The book had to include a cover page with

the title of your book clearly shown. The

story had to be enjoyable to read, and con-

tain a creative plot with a purpose. It also

had to be accurate and colorful information

including words, definitions, and pictures.

Lastly, the book must include 20 of the math

terms that were given to us.

Dameron Smith authored and illustrated a

book titled The Adventures of the Mathemati-

cal Heroes. The book included a fantastic

story with a explosive plot that captured its

audience during the first reading. The next

step is to turn this book into a comic strip,

play, or motion picture. Look out for more to

come!

Dameron’s Math Cartoon

Page 3 Volume 1 Issue 3

ISAT TEST TIPS


Remembering Extended

Response

By: Mrs. Stone

Q - Restate the question

(Put the questions in your own

words)

T - Give 3 text references

(Give 3 facts from the story)

Ex: In the story, it says…

I - Include important

information/ interpretation

(Explain important information)

Ex: This means; I think; I be-

lieve…

P - Make a personal connection

(Give an example of a real life

situation that you have experi-

enced)

S - Provide a Summary State-

ment

(Summarize/conclude your re-

sponse)

Ex: In conclusion; To summa-

rize…

All of these steps MUST

be included in EVERY

extended response.

ISAT TESTING

WILL START

MARCH 4TH,

AND END

MARCH 7TH.

REATKES WILL

BEGIN THE

WEEK OF

MARCH 10TH Light up the ISAT

Track Tryouts!


7th & 8th Grade TRACK TRYOUTS

GIRLS ONLY

TUESDAY 3/4/14

&

WEDNESDAY

3/5/14

BOYS ONLY THURSDAY 3/6/14 & FRIDAY 3/7/14

2:30—4:30 PM

Report immediately to gymnasium at dismissal

You MUST wear proper attire; your gym

uniform is suggested.

Make sure you have a signed permission slip.

You MUST attend BOTH tryout days.

Bus transportation will be available.

For more information, please see Coach C. Smith, Coach Brown, Coach

Grimes, Coach Russell or Mr. Watson (Athletic Director).


Currently, student government is organizing Spirit Week.

Students will have a different theme everyday for one week.

RECENT TOPICS

MEETINGS

Student council meets every Thursday in Ms. Grimes’

room during lunch.

CCA Student Council

STUDENT GOVERNMENT

HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?

If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, feel free to

ask Ms. Grimes or any member of student council. All ideas are

welcome!

Hello Student Body

This is a message from Student Council. We know the Student body has not been doing

much however the student council is working to get more stuff done for CCA. We are going

to make a lot more happen for the rest of the school year. We know that many of you are

unhappy about spirit week not happening. We are working towards a spirit week and a Tal-

ent Show. Please make suggestions for events you want to happen. Student Council is work-

ing towards a fun, but greater year. Please put all suggestions in suggestion box if possible.

If not, then inform Student Council members about your suggestions. We know that every-

one isn’t happy about how the school year is going, but it will be better. We know the stu-

dents voted us in for a change. So we will make the change happen. More things will start

to happen as of right now.

Sincerely,

Student Council

Recently, Mrs. Smith, our eighth grade

math teacher started a Stride Academy contest.

Stride Academy is an online site

for students to practice their test taking skills,

prepare for the ISAT test, and earn coins so that

they can play the games that Stride has to offer

such as basketball, baseball, foosball, save the

ducks, word searches, and much more. The eighth

graders are all striving to be number one in the

contest. The students that come in 1ST 2ND or 3RD

place will be rewarded with a prize. The contest

started January 13th 2014 and will end March 7th

2014. The contest is on……. GOOD LUCK 8th

graders!!!!!!

Written by: DASHA ROBINSON


So Many Points, So Little Time

Contest ends: March 7th, 2014

Highest Scores

1st- Jazmyn Webb (7,002,009)

2nd– Brian Fleming(6,889,159)

3rd– Emmanuel Vinson(3,601,361)

Prizes: To be determined…..

Teacher’s Note: You must have 1,500 questions answered correctly by

March 7th, 2014.

Casimir Pulaski Day is a holiday in Illinois on the first Monday

of every March in memory of Casimir Pulaski (1745-1779). He is

known for his contributions to the U.S military in the American Revo-

lution by training its soldiers. In the year of 2014 we celebrate Pu-

laski Day on March 3rd

. This holiday is celebrated mainly in areas

with large Polish populations such as Chicago. Casimir Pulaski was

born in Warsaw, Poland on March 6th

, 1745. At the age of fifteen he

joined his father, Joseph Pulaski, opposing the Russian and Prussian

interference in Polish affairs. He then traveled to Paris where he met

Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin influenced him to support the colonies.

Casmir Pulaski


By: Jazmyn Webb

**NOTICE**

There is no school on

Monday, March 3rd in

celebration of Casmir

Pulaski.

“I came here, where

freedom is being

defended, to serve

it, and to live or die

for it.”

“I came to hazard all the

freedom of America, and

desirous of passing the

rest of my life in a Coun-

try truly free and before

settling as a Citizen, to

fight for Liberty.”


By: Melissa Rosas

In the “Que Pasa” every

year on February 14th, all the

friends and couples get together

on Valentine’s Day. The boys

usually bring roses and wait out-

side the girl’s house at night

while singing a song like the Ma-

riachi. The girls come outside

and they go out to the big festi-

val, which is held annually. The

big festival includes: free home-made

food, a big concert, and a festival. The

type of music played at the concert is

called Banda. The celebration ends at

5 A.M. Festivities include games, rides,

and heart-shaped fireworks. Before

leaving, they clean the area.

Constitution Facts… By: Ms. Grimes

Slavery was NOT outlawed when the constitution was approved.

Ben Franklin was the oldest attendee at the Constitution Conven-

tion

Richard Nixon was the only president to resign.

Under certain conditions, the House of Representatives selects the

President of the United States.

The last amendment to the Constitution was adopted in 1992.

The Declaration of Independence was written before the Constitu-

tion.

To provide for prayer in public schools, the Constitution must be

amended.

Congress has the power to raise, borrow, and manage government

spending.

An ex post facto law is a law that makes an act illegal after the act

has been committed.


DID YOU KNOW?

By: Jovoney Morton

Students were nervous as they walked into school

Wednesday morning. Today was a day that could effect their

entire 8th grade graduation. They had to pass the U.S Consti-

tution. We used I-pads to take our test. You could feel the

tension in the room as Ms. Grimes wrote P (pass) or F( fail) on

slips of paper to inform the students of their score. Overall,

97% of CCA 8th graders passed the test. It’s not over, though.

After ISAT week, we will take the State Constitution.

Poetry Corner


Love to Live

by Kaia Raye.

What is our world coming to?

When you shoot somebody, then

your life is through.

How can we live to enjoy life?

When we can’t even go outside to

ride a bike.

Why do we continue to hurt and kill

one another?

When we could just decide to work

productively together.

Why can’t people just be nice?

Instead of always trying to put up a

fight.

Why can’t the world just let us be?

Instead we get shot for having Skit-

tles and tea.

Why is our society so mad?

It tends to make me quite sad.

How can we live to see another day?

How about loving each other -by

Kaia Raye

**If you would like to have one of your poems featured in the Poetry Corner,

notify Mrs. Smith (8th grade math teacher), Ms. Vance (Journalism teacher),

or your grade’s editor, Jovoney Morton and Kayla Montgomery.**

People These Days

By Kieanna Miller Hall

People these days

I mean what could I say.

People these days just

Want to do anything in any

way

Going day to day living life

until

The end you thought love

was your friend

Nah it’s just preparing you

to meet your

End I got addict to this

new drug called

Love it’s was just another

thing

That I just could not quit

That is just love that

makes you

Do crazy things that

seems

Right but it’s really

wrong

But that is just what the

new

Drug called love do to you

This Is Only the Beginning

From whip lashes to people pro-

testing in a mass

Speeches given

About our dirty writtens

Naïve children still having fun

Just because we’re black we

have to run

Gun shots fired

People are tired

Living in this day and age

Taking away that separated rage

No more having to fight

Blacks being able to read and

write

So let’s turn that page

Let’s begin a new page

By Tehirah Lane

Poetry


**If you would like

to have one of your poems featured in the Poetry Corner, notify Mrs.

Smith (8th grade math teacher), Ms. Vance (Journalism teacher), or

your grade’s editor, Jovoney Morton and Kayla Montgomery.**


Smelly Kelly

There once was a girl named

Kelly

Everyone knew that she was

smelly

She decided to take a hike

Met a man named Mike

He took her to get some jelly

By Franshawn Floyd

LIMERICKS

Ms. Lewis’ 6th grade Poets

A limerick is a funny five-line verse that has a particular pattern of rhyme and rhythm

The Funky Monkey

There once was a hairy monkey

Who was big and very funky

He ate chocolate bananas

Wore red pajamas

The monkey got very chunky

By Noah Bailey

Sound

I heard a scary sound

It was a strange mee wow

I jumped up to see

It was looking at me

The cat was yellow and

brown

By Anthony Ridley


Michael and Janet

Both Michael and Janet could sing

But Janet wants to do her own

thing

She started to act

Which wasn’t so wack

Then Michael became a king

By Brena Raickett

Jake

There once was a boy

named Jake

Who liked to eat lots of

cake

One day he choked

And called on the Pope

But he was just a fake

Nehemiah Stevens

Kelly and Nelly

There was a girl named Kelly

Who had a twin named Nelly

But as you can guess

She was quite a pest

And they both were very smelly

By Nakyla Lando

Scorpions Interview with Dr. Wilson By Jovoney Morton


Q: Why did you choose Scorpions?

A: I chose Scorpions because the book deals with so-

cietal problems- broken families, crimes committed

with guns, the legal system, the drug trade, poverty,

self-image, the school system, and peer pressure; all of

which students can relate to.

Q: What lesson(s) do you think students will learn

from this book?

A: My hope is that, as a result of students reading

Scorpions, they will become aware of the dangers of

joining gangs, running drugs, using drugs and alcohol,

and carrying guns. Moreover, students will appreciate

the importance of staying in school and getting an

education.

Q: What is your personal opinion about the story?

A: Scorpions happens to be one of my favorite realis-

tic fictions. The author, Walter Dean Myers, has a

unique gift of relating to youth and young adults in

his stories.

Q: At what point/chapter will students experience a

drastic change in the plot?

A: There are a few chapters where students will ex-

perience a change in the plot, but I think chapter sev-

enteen will give students a big shock.

Q: Can you offer any sneak peaks?

A: I could, but I won’t. We’ll just have to finish the

story… (smiles)


Ms. Grimes’ Homeroom (Girls)

Pictured Left to Right: Dasha Robinson, Shi-

juana Knockum, Monet Jackson, Jovoney Mor-

ton, Autumn Burrows, Tehirah Lane, Jazmyn

Webb

Ms. Grimes’ Homeroom (Boys)

Pictured Left to Right: Corey Bibbs, Avery Rome, Thomas Do-

mingo, Cameron Atkins, Xavier Raggs, Frederick Silas, Jamar

David Jr., Ronald Ziolkowski

Mrs. Smith’s Homeroom (Girls)

Pictured Left to Right: Dejanai Larrieu , Candace

Stokes, Jamencia Martin, Dana Bradley, Walnaeja

Boyd, Monee Lemon, Jamiah Glover, Kyla Johnson,

Breyah Henderson, Tyra Rather, Skylar Ross, Briera

Lewis, Kailah Flennoy, R’re’L Jones, Keena Elliott

Mrs. Smith’s Homeroom (Boys)

Pictured Left to Right: Vontrell Blissit, Peerless Jack-

son, Nicholas Seaton, Johari Peoples, Dany Bailey,

Christion Fuller, James Ambrose, Brian Fleming,

David West, Jamal Middleton, Lamont Murdaugh


^Josean Weisinger as

Huey P. Newton ^Christian Wheat

as Randy Jackson

Tyrin Redeaux

as Matthew

Henson >

< Ahmia Edwards

as Dr. Mae Jemi-

son

^ Pictured from Left to Right: Ahmia

Edwards, Tyrin Redeaux, Byron

Pearce, and Josean Weisinger

7th Grade Black History

Presentations


Mrs. Stone’s Homeroom (Girls)

Pictured: Kennedy Austin, Jalynn Borah, Akilah

Eubanks, Deayveon Holliday, Shirlene Jones, Brit-

tani McGowan, Kienna Miller Hall, Terriana Smith,

Dameron Smith, Ahmeel Taylor, Cyrinati Turner,

Johanna Waddy, Chatia Williams, Jessica Zavala

MArtinez

Mrs. Stone’s Homeroom (Boys)

Pictured: Shaquell Barnes, Titus Bowens, Devon Dunbar, Cor-

nelius Grant, Rayshawn Jacox, Kyle Johnson, Ryan Kay, Ed-

ward Lee, Shantrell Lowe, Charles Nevels, Ronde Powell, Cleo

Scott

Dr. Wilson’s Homeroom (Girls and Boys)

Pictured: Aaliyah Amis, Zamaria Bonner, Keanu

Bradley, Ashley Douglas, Cezaun Enge, Kiara Ford,

Juliette Freebern, Julian Gonzales, Jalen Jenkins,

Justin McClendon, Chantrell Myles, Clinton Oshipi-

tan, Shameia Perkins, Marshawn Reynolds, Favour

Salami, Iyanna Singleton, Janyah Summers, Zavion

Tharbs, Emmanuel Vinson, Kirstyn Washington,

Kentaea Watson, Nya West, Santos Zarate

Creative Communications Academy

1650 Pulaski Road

Calumet City, IL. 60419

Phone: 708-868-7585

Fax: 708-868-1427

CCA COMMUNICATOR MISSION STATEMENT AND MAST-

HEAD

"The CCA Communicator believes that public enlightenment and

education aligned with Common Core goals is the foundation of our

democracy. Our duty as journalists is to further those ends by seek-

ing truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of issue

and events."

Editors: Jovoney Morton, 8th; Kayla Montgomery, 7th

Associate Editors: David West, 8th, Joshua Counts, 7th

Assistant Editors: Dasha Robinson, 8th; Rackwon Rogers, 7th

Copy Editors: Kennedy Austin, 8th; Kydale Redmond, 7th

News Editors: Jazmyn Webb, 8th; Darrell Jones, 7th

Multimedia Editors: Clinton Oshipitan, 8th; Daniel Hunt, 7th

Feature Editors: Ryan Kay, 8th; Dashan Harris, 7th

Layout Editors: Jamiah Glover, 8th; Tequira Stinnett, 7th

Spanish Editors: Melissa Rosas, 8th; Refugio Rosas, 7th

Reporters: R’re’l Jones, 8th; Marshawn Woods, 8th;

Daysia Williamson, 7th; Jasmyn Wilson, 7th;

Arrayah Williams, 6th; Nehemiah Stevens, 6th

Faculty Advisors: Mrs. Smith Ms. Vance

Contributing Advisors: Stan West, Jeff Spitz, Britt Williams

Principal: Mr. Scott

Microsoft

festivities. I met Mrs.

Williams (math teacher)

and fell in love with her.

She shared that her

method of teaching math

was real world (you need

to have enough money to

cover your expenses and

have a savings). I was

hooked. As an active par-

ent, I took the time to

meet all of my sons other

teachers, and I love them

all. Their heart for the

children and desire for

them to be successful is

beyond measure. They

make themselves accessi-

ble to parents and any

questions they may have.

The principal, Mr. Scott,

has a great vision for the

school for future years.

The way that he balances

discipline, encouragement

By Paula Counts,

Parent of Joshua Counts

Originally my son,

Joshua, desired to be part

of the STEM Academy

and was disheartened to

learning that he was not

accepted into that school.

We went to the district

office to see if there was

anything that could be

done, but learned that

nothing could be done.

We attended the back to

school event and from

that point until now I

must say that I am ex-

tremely pleased to be a

parent of CCA. While

attending the back to

school event, the students

of CCA were paired and

worked with faculty from

Columbia College and

utilized I-Pads to film the

and love for the students

is phenomenal. Due to

the encouragement at

home and at school, my

son has been part of the

7th grade basketball team,

student council class rep-

resentative, honor roll

student and is keenly

aware that his teachers

and working in conjunc-

tion with the standards

that we set at home.

Hats off to all of the CCA

staff for all that you have

done and we do to ensure

that our children are well

rounded and successful.

Mr. Scott’s Two-Way Street

Without communication, where will we be?

Special thanks to the Superintendent, Dr. Shelly Davis-Jones, School Board

President, Darlene Gray-Everett and the District 149 School Board Members

and Administrators’ vision for CCA.

SD149

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT

www.creativecommunicationsacademy.org

Documents

CCA Communicator Volume 3