District Technology Independent Study

When you see Josh Smith, be sure to Congratulate him!!!

He has just been offered a prestigious position to participate in a District Technology Independent Study. He will be working with staff from the FCPS Technology Department and the “Best of the Best” students in Fayette County to learn about Windows OS server, Apache web platform, coding PHP and JAVA.

Confusing??? Nahh..you know iSchool?? He will be learning the programming behind the installation of iSchool, be given a local server to test any new installations of it and learn how to add programs to iSchool that will make it more powerful for teachers to use. All of this will be done at TLC in which he will virtually attend class and use Skype as necessary. In fact, he talked to the leader of the project today on Skype and represented TLC in an exceptional manner with his detailed technological questions.

-Humble

TLC Community Outreach Activity

Clarissa Gibney

On May 10, 2011, a group of TLC students did a community outreach activity by cleaning the surroundings of the Gainesway Pond located along the Tates Creek area. The objective of this activity was to restore the natural status of the pond. We were accompanied by both Ms. Galla and Coach Coles, along with Ms. Pattie Stivender, an Environmental Educator who works for Bluegrass Pride. Bluegrass Pride is an organization that is dedicated to educating Kentuckians about the environment they live in.

At Gainesway Pond, we focused on cleaning up trash and recyclables out of the pond to make it a safer, cleaner, much prettier environment – and to give back to our community. We collected 17.25 pounds of garbage that may have otherwise been left to sit and continue polluting the water. The values that we caught from the activity made a great impact on us, as we became more aware of our environment. Jordan Garner said by cleaning up the pond, he was influenced to want to clean up his room! That goes to show that we wish to be the change we want to see in the world. When we were done, we even got to sit in the shade to have a picnic provided by Mrs. Galla before heading back to TLC.

We are facing a lot of environmental issues that can only be solved one small step at a time. By making an effort to clean up one park, we have made progress towards providing a healthier atmosphere in all of Lexington.

If everyone was inspired to clean up after themselves, and to give back to their neighborhood, the world we live in would be a more beautiful place. We should be the brain, not the cancer of nature. All it takes is a little bit of effort from everyone to protect our environment, which is our only home. Tiffany said this activity did not only teach her to be an environmentalist, but a nature warrior, who is ready to defend Mother Nature at anytime. Justin Talbert ended the day with a smile, saying how great it was to have helped out the community. Students at TLC were proud to have made a difference, and look forward to doing activities like this in the future. We thank the Bluegrass Pride organization, our teachers, and our principal, Mr. Chi, for allowing TLC to be a part of something bigger than ourselves, and for providing us multiple opportunities outside of school to learn about ourselves, proving that the environment is the best extension of the classroom, where we can apply our learned life skills every single day.

The Lexington Humane Society

The Lexington Humane Society

April

            The Lexington Humane Society is an excellent organization that takes care of animals as long as they are financially able. To keep this awesome organization running, they are currently in need of generous donations, such as:

·         Cash donations

·         Timothy hay/Alfalfa, for small animals

·         Flat (not fitted) sheets, towels, and pillow cases

·         Pee pads for the Spay’s The Way surgery program

·         Rubbing alcohol

·         Canned cat food (all brands)

·         Dog/Cat toys

·         HE (High Efficiency) laundry detergent

·         Bleach (liquid or powder)

·         3-4 dorm size refrigerators without freezers

·         MELT AWAY Halite Rock Salt for de-icing  

Here are what some of our students have to say about their experiences at the Humane Society:

 “I enjoyed going to the humane society, it was a very enjoyable experience. We had seen a lot of cute puppies and dogs. It touched me, I literally almost cried. It reminded me of the sad commercials that you see on late night television, those commercials kill me, because animals get mistreated for no reason.” People can be so cruel.

“I really enjoyed going to the humane society and getting to see all of the puppies and playing with them. It’s sad to see them there, in the cages with no home. They just want to be loved but the place is very clean and they have a place to eat and sleep. They play with each other and you can take them out and walk them it was very emotional you get attached to the dogs, I wanted to take them all home with me, they were so nice!”

“My experience at the Humane Society was sad but yet enjoyable. It’s sad to see the dogs all cooped up in such a small place, but volunteers and people looking around take the dogs outside, you can even take them into a play room. They have these places for the dogs so that people can connect and get to know the dog before hand, and so the other dogs don't get jealous and start barking. There are so many sweet dogs. A lot of people want puppies. I have a dog from a Humane Society; she is so sweet and kind. She is a decent size dog but wouldn't hurt a fly. I love animals. I think if someone wants a dog, they should adopt at the Humane Society. People there are very helpful and the dogs are well-kept and taken care of. They also have a memorial of the dogs that have died there, which is really sad. I would hate to die in a place like that. It’s like a doggy jail.” 

Destiny, Kacey, Dorothay, Renee

Popular Tattoos at TLC

Mary L., Tiffany S., and Clarissa G.

                Regardless of the many centuries tattoos have been around, up until recently, they were considered very taboo in most countries. In this day in age, however, tattoos seem to more socially accpetable than they may have ever been in the past. Many teenagers at TLC have taken this in stride,  so as a means of recognizing our “tatted” students we are showcasing their very personal artistic expression on our blog.

                Tattoos originated as a means of expressing  tribal artwork, rites of passage, and rituals. But by interviewing some of our students, we have found that tattoos symbolize many different things today, and each person is impacted by them differently. Some people use tattoos as identifiers (whether it’s gangs, fraternities/sororities, military, or to recognize your significant other), as well for cosmetic reasons. We went around our school and took photos of students with tattoos. Whether they’re just to be flashy, have meaning, or are “just a random tat,” we wanted to see exactly what our student body was into.

So why are tattoos so popular in the society today? “I look at my body as a piece of artwork,” stated Josh M. and Casey C., who both have many tattoos and are interested in getting more. Motorcyle clubs have made them very popular due to their initiation rituals, as well as military personel. While it seems tattoos are popular because of rebellion, identity, beauty, and sex appeal, we have found most tattoos belong to people who have a story to tell.

For those of you considering getting your first tattoo (or your last) here are some things to consider:

Pros	Cons
·         Carries meaning, or is symbolic	·         It’s permanent and you may regret it later
·         Self-expression	·         Painful to get and remove
·         Stand out from others	·         Can be addictive
·         Can be shown off or private	·         Potentially harder to get a job
·         A well done tattoo is a thing of beauty	·         Could get infected
·         Sparks conversation	·         They can fade or migrate

Eastern Kentucky University

 TLC goes to EKU

Ms. Mitchell took part in taking some of TLC's finest students to Eastern Kentucky University. The purpose? "We took a group of students (Clarissa, Korey, Justin, Andres, and Luis,) to share their educational experiences from their home school and fromTLC with a group of future teachers and future principals taking graduate classes at EKU. " Students talked in a panel in the front of the classroom; they were the center of attention.  They first introduced themselves and they talked about what we do at TLC versus at a traditional school. Then, students asked questions prepared by the EKU graduates," explained Ms. Mitchell. So, how did the students handle being the focus of a roomful of graduate students? "I was very impressed by the poise of the students and how they answered the questions.  They were honest and articulate."  It sounds like they gave the teachers many suggestions on  different strategies that will help them meet the needs of all learners in their classroom.  Well done, TLC! 

-Mary

9TH GRADE RECOGNITION CEREMONY

Andrew and Kadeijah

The ceremony was for 9^th grade students who have shown the most improvement in a year throughout the district.  It was Immanuel Baptist Church and hosted by Stu Silberman on May 5th.  Ms. Mitchell, a Social Studies teacher at the The Learning Center commented, "I was really proud to see Andrew and Kadeijah get this award from The Learning Center; I felt they deserved the recognition after all their efforts this year."  Ms. Harris, the gym teacher, and Ms. Bastin, the math teacher, were also in attendance.  The event was meaningful to the students as Andrew and Kadeijah indicated.  “I was very surprised to get this privilege and I can’t wait till the ceremony!” said Andrew.  Kadeijah similary remarked, "I thought the ceremony was great.  it was a once in lifetime experience!"

-Interviews taken by Jordan H.

Soundtrack of My Life: My Latest Celebrity Obsession

The Royal Wedding:

A commoner from Whales, becomes a princess.

Today, Friday 29^th, 2011; Kate Middleton and Prince William of Whales finally said their "I

do's", or in the U.K it's "I Will". Now, I know you might think I'm crazy, but I got up at

5:30am this morning to watch it. At about 6:00am to 7:00am, NBC showed all of the royal

family and VIP guests arriving.  Kate Middleton, of course, being the last, to walk down the

aisle.


The question around the world - What will Katie be wearing? - was kept secret, but there

was tons of speculation as to who would design the dress. It was designed by Sarah

Burton for internationally celebrated British label Alexander McQueen but no one knew 

until her arrival at Westminster Abbey. I must say, she looked classic, and beautiful.

Around 7:00am, the wedding had officially begun with Kate walking down the aisle; 

Prince William looked at her as if he was relieved that she would finally become his wife.

The ceremony was fantastic and quite romantic. The one thing that got the attendees

laughing was when William, had seemed to have trouble putting Middleton's wedding ring

( I gasped thinking for a split second it wouldn't fit.). Other than that, the ceremony went

off without a hitch. As they made their first walk down the aisle, as husband and wife, they

were lead to a carriage that took them straight to Buckingham Palace. Buckingham Palace is

where they would have one reception for the fellow royal family and Middleton's family.

They were said to have another reception at a more private place to have their younger

guest have a party, equipped with their favorite DJ.

I am honored to have been able to see a royal wedding since I wasn't born when William's

parents, Princess Diana and Prince Charles, had married. Unfortunately, I was about four-

years-old when Diana died, I remember being heartbroken that a true compassionate

woman had died. William's brother, Prince Harry, has yet to wed. I look forward to that

ceremony as well. 

Best wishes for newly married couple; I hope their marriage to be a healthy, happy one.

-Mary