Dozo NewsPREVIEW ISSUE

CARDOZO EDUCATION CAMPUS MIDDLE SCHOOL

May 22, 2015

When Cardozo students hear the name PARCC, they sigh. The PARCC replaced the DC CAS this year as a new assessment that is meant to measure how well students at each grade level have mastered the Common Core. It was given at Cardozo in April and May. Both students and teachers seem to dislike the test, while administrators accept it.

This is the first year the PARCC, which stands for Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, has been given. Eleven states and DC gave the test, which students take on comput-ers. Using computers saves a lot of work and cuts distribution costs. PARCC tests the Common Core State Standards, which were developed by The National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers and adopted in 2010 by

44 states and DC. Associate Principal Rodrick

Hobbs said that compared to the DCCAS, “PARCC is more rigor-ous and challenging for students and measures how well you comprehend text and text based questions.” Hobbs thinks that because it tests the Common Core standards that students are taught, it gives him an idea of how much students have grown throughout the year. “I like it be-

cause it is a way to measure the students,” Hobbs said. “It is an opportunity for us to change.”

Students had mixed opin-ions about whether the PARCC was harder than the DC CAS. Seventh grader Bishop Johnson said that he felt that the test was not a good way to measure how much students know, since he says “testing makes people nervous sometimes.”

Laquisha Chavers, the

seventh and eighth grade math teacher, says that there are many different reasons that students should or should not be judged by standardized tests. “On the one hand, it’s the only way to compare students to the general population, but on the other hand, it does not allow them to show their strengths,” said Chav-ers, who appreciates the PARCC as a preparatory tool. On the contrary, the sixth grade teacher

Katherine Unger believes that the PARCC test should be used as a part of the teacher’s judge-ment, and it should be the kids’ choice to opt out of the test.

So far, the teachers have disliked the idea of the PARCC mainly because the lack of in-formation prior to testing. “Our kids weren’t prepared because we didn’t know the date to begin PARCC testing, so as a result we can’t plan for review sessions,” said Unger. “In general standard-ized testing is definitely biased,” said Chavers, “It does not take in consideration students econom-ic circumstances and as a result it doesn't take more prized students for more professional certification exams.”

Although students don't like the test they may have no choice but to take it. Said Chavers, “In the real world you have to take and pass certain exams and it prepares students for more professional certification exams necessary.”

Luwam SeyoumContributor

New PARCC Test Gets Mixed Reviews

This year the second class of 8th graders from Francis L. Cardozo Education Campus will be promoted on June 9th, 2015 at 6pm and in the auditorium.

It’s going to be a very exciting time and we would like every family member and friend of the students to attend the ceremony and there will be

a reception after the ceremony. All parents and students should attend in formal attire. Girls have to wear black, white, or purple dresses if you’re wearing a dress that show the shoulders we recommend you wear a sweater. Boys have to wear a white, black, or purple shirt and black or khaki dress pants. 8th graders are excited to go on to high school and appreciate all the work all the teachers have tried to do for us.

Kelecia ClarkeContributor

Eighth Graders Prepare to Graduate

Student government is responsible for many things at Cardozo Education Campus. It aims to give students a voice. Kevin Fox is the teacher advi-sor for Student Government for both middle and high school.

Taylor Herndon, Vice Presi-dent of Student Government, said that the thing she is most proud of this year is the way the student government worked together. “We came together to try to get things done,” she said. “I like how we had the initiative to try.”

Kaya Henderson, Chancel-lor of DC Public Schools, was a great supporter of Cardozo’s Student Government this year. “We would facetime with Kaya Henderson,”Fox said. They used this simple technological method to share ideas with the top educational leader in DC.

Aside from working with Henderson, Herndon said that Student Government also partnered with Communities in

Upcoming EventsJune 3: ELA and Science Final Exams

June 4: Social Studies and Math Final Exams

June 5: Make-up Exams

June 9: 8th Grade Promotion Exercise at 6 pm in audi-torium

June 9: ELL Field Trip to Air and Space Museum

June 11: 8th Grade Field Trip

June 11: CIS Middle School 8th Grade Field Trip to Six Flags

June 12: School-wide Field Day and BBQ

June 15: 7th and 8th Grade Field Trip to Bora Park

Get the scoop on City Year Read about DC Scores’season

Troy Maple on Call of Duty: Advanced War-fare

In This Issue

Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

Kayla BeckfordContributor

Student Government Aims to Give Students a Voice

Preview Issue

Pictured left, Student body president Zouhair AlmidaniContinued on Page 2...

PA G E 2 May 22, 2015FEATURES

City Year is a program that recruits 3,000 young people every year to help other young people in com-munities throughout the United States. City Year attempts to support the education of students and youth in high poverty communities. The program also hopes to increase graduation rates of students in those communities.

Meg Ammons is the Program Manager of City Year staff at Cardozo, where City Year is working for the second year. According to Ammons, many people get into the program because they want to make a difference, but they don’t necessarily want to be teachers.

“One of my best friends did it in San Antonio, Texas and suggested I do it,” Ammons said. “Doing City Year is one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life.”

Allie Gonyea, a City Year Corp Member in New Hampshire, said that being in City

Year is fun because, “No two City Year experi-ences will be identical. Every day is as unique as the students we serve.”

Poverty affects 99% of students in DC. These students qualify for a free or reduced cost lunch. Stu-dents affected by poverty are more at risk of dropping out of school. City Year believes that mentoring these students will help keep students struggling with pov-erty stick with completing their education. Teachers, including those at Cardozo, also appreciate having City Year in their classrooms to help every day.

Kelecia ClarkeContributor

City Year: The Background Story

The C-Level of Cardozo is where you’ll find Major Conrad Notyce, Sergeant George Thomas, and the JROTC cadets. I interviewed Major Notyce to learn more about the JROTC program.

Kaitlyn Murphy: What does JROTC stand for?Major Notyce: Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps.

Murphy: What is the goal/ objective of JROTC Cadets?Notyce: The mission is to motivate young people to be better citizens. Some of the desired goals are that students gradu-

ate from high school, gain leadership potential and the ability to live and work cooperatively with others, demonstrate lead-ership in situations involving conflict resolution, learn the importance of diet and of physical fitness in maintaining good health and appearance, and achieve positive self-esteem and winning behavioral concepts in a culturally-diverse society.

Murphy: Who can join JROTC?Notyce: Students in the grades of 9-12.

Murphy: If a student does four years of JROTC does their rank carry into ROTC?Notyce: No. Once you get to the senior program, there is a possibility that you could receive a higher rank based on your

demonstrated ability.

Murphy: How does joining JROTC benefit students?Notyce: JROTC prepares high school students for responsible leadership roles while making them aware of the benefits

of citizenship. In addition, students will receive community service hours for actively participating in the various activities associated with the program. Color Guard, Usher, Escort, Service Activities, Summer Camp, etc.

Murphy: Is JROTC a class or an extracurricular?Notyce: JROTC is a class. Students who successfully pass the class are awarded one full credit.

Murphy: What skills do cadets gain from participating in JROTC?Notyce: Leadership skills and the ability to think outside the box.

Q&A with Major Notyce By Kaitlyn Murphy

From Page 1

Courtesy of City Year

Schools to get the school store running. “They provided the funding, but the idea came from us. They had the resource to run with it. We have been staffing. A student rep is in the store every day,” Fox said.

Fox said partnering with teachers was high on the Stu-dent Government’s priority list. Herndon wants teachers to feel

they are a part of the Student Government team. “Teachers can help us plan things. They can make events annual, so they can be a kind of tradition.” Fox agreed. “A big role teachers can play is getting the word out about some of the events – just hyping it up a little bit more,” he said.

When asked if Student Government helped change her for the better, Herndon replied,

“Student government is impor-tant because it’s good to have somebody to get the word across through to student body when you have no say.” She explained that Student Government is even more important for college students.

“Student Government is definitely something I’ll do in college, because it has helped me see that student government is really needed, especially in

college or somewhere bigger,” she said. “They will help you get things done, especially when you’re in college and you’re pay-ing now. You want to be content because you’re paying now. You want to feel happy about how things are run, and you want to feel like you’re having your say.”

Even though Student Gov-ernment went well this year, Fox and Herndon agreed they would like to make some changes next

year. One challenge they had this year was interesting middle school students in joining and staying part of Student Govern-ment. “The main thing I would do is try to get kids interested early. Start off early. Get them to have more school spirit,” Herndon said.

Students Experience Elected Office

PA G E 3 M a y 2 2 , 2 0 1 5 PA G E 3 May 22, 2015OPINIONS

Spring break is only a week long. I think spring break should be longer, so that we can spend time with our families. Another reason I think that spring break should be longer is so our mind could rest. “[The mind] becomes fatigued after sustained use and needs a rest period before it can recover,” said John P. Trouga-kos, an assistant management professor at the University of Toronto Scarborough and the

Rotman School of Management, in a New York Times article.

I think that we should have longer spring breaks so that we can have time to ourselves and to spend with others. During my breaks I like to just lay around not doing anything at all. This is important for us humans to do just that so our brain can relax and not do so much work as it does when we are in school.

Some teachers like to give students breaks like letting them watch an educational movie to watch during the school day. Other teachers like to have their

students worked to the bone and do not like their students to have breaks, which makes students have a harder time focusing. Those teachers don't understand how badly breaks are needed. Teachers and DCPS should make school break longer so that children are prepared to learn.

Dulane McGillContributor

Longer Breaks Would Help Students

SPORTS

DC Scores, Cardozo’s soccer team, is ending a suc-cessful season, with nine wins and three losses. DC Scores is part of America Scores, which is a nationwide program that combines soccer, poetry, and service-learning. It started in 1994 here in Washington, DC. DC Scores works in 44 schools in the District. The program came to Cardozo in 2010.

Coach Victor Budasoff said that the most important thing for being a great soccer player on his team is “responsibility and commitment”. The other two coaches are Freddie Mejia and Mr. Daniel.

Eighth grader Steven Diaz, a goalkeeper, said the thing he is best at doing is blocking all balls. Joseph Paniagua, said that he

is best at defending the goalie. Eighth grader Jailyn Calde-ron said that she is best at keeping control of the team. Eighth grader Kevin Amaya said he is best at keeping the ball out of the box. Nearly every player has scored a goal this year.

The players appreciate their coaches. “They’re good coaches,” Amaya said, adding, “They teach us how to kick the ball and make us run endless laps.”

When asked who his favorite player was he said the best player on

his team is Dieudonne Kazzeme. Amaya also added that some of the girls are really good players, such as “Kayla [Savage], Edith [Ramirez] and Jailyn.”

Kazzembe says he has ben-efitted from the program, since he “learned how to make poetry, my skills in soccer have in-creased, [and] we do community service daily with Ms. Cortez.” Kazzembe says he wants to play professionally, and his favorite team is Barcelona.

“I learned how to play forward better and pass the ball better,” Ramirez said, describing ways she has improved through the program.

The players are optimistic about the team’s future. Diaz said, “Of course we can win.”

Chavez WilliamsContributor

DC Scores Wraps Up Successful Season

Teens Run DC is a youth mentoring program that created a community that supports each other as well as helping to create healthy habits. Cardozo is one of three middle schools and high schools in the program. Stu-dents run and also participate in other activities, such as football. "We don’t care about who’s the best. We care about being en-couraging, respectful, and trying our best," said one coach.

Seventh grader Quinton Starr says he does Teens Run because he likes running and playing football. He feels he has become a better runner since joining the program, and said Teens Run is “fun and exciting.”

DJ HarrisContributor

Teens Run Nears the Finish Line for Year Two

Courtesy of Talia Holzman Castellands

Photo by DJ Harris

Letter from The Paper Project

Dear Cardozo EC middle school community,

Greetings from The Paper Project! We are a local DC program run by high school journalists that starts student newspa-pers and journalism programs at DC public middle schools. We are thrilled to bring you Dozo News, your new middle school student newspaper. The paper is produced by students in newspaper club during Ms. Webb’s extended day, which we help run. This is a shorter preview issue so you can get a taste of what is coming next year, when we will publish the first full, eight-page issue. Dozo News will be a newspaper created for Cardozo middle school students, by Cardozo middle school students.The goal of our program and Dozo News is to create a place for students to get Cardozo news, express themselves, and discuss topics that are important to them. If you are interested in joining next year, talk to Ms. Webb or email paperpro-jectcardozo@gmail.com. Also feel free to email us with ideas for what Dozo News should cover. We look forward to working with you!

Have a great summer!

The Paper Project Team

Photo by DJ Harris

PA G E 4 M a y 2 2 , 2 0 1 5

ContibutorsKayla BeckfordKelecia Clarke

DJ HarrisTroy Maple

Dulane McGill Kaitlyn MurphyLuwam SeyoumChavez Williams

Staff Advisor Latasha Webb

Paper Project DirectorClaire Parker

Paper Project MentorMaria Brescia-Weiler

Emily DaviesMason Strazzella

Emily MillerEmma Keyes

Raina WeinsteinSophie ReVeal

Ellie MelickBrian Keyes

Emma Buzbee

Paper Project DesignersAlexei Girdis

Mason Strazzella

Dozo News

Call of Duty: Advance Warfare is the FPS (First Person Shooter) game of the year. This year, the game takes place in 2054, which is far enough in the future to have created Exo Suits, Hover Tanks, Hover Bikes, Drop Pods, and Laser Rifles. These things are only a hint of what is in the game. Certain things like the weapons are key to winning a match, a well as good team-work and controlling the match flow.

In order to win, you must gain points which will grant you access to killstreaks. Killstreaks are devices that allow you to gain more points to win matches. After you complete a match you receive XPs (Experience Points) that allow you to level up and earn Supply Drops. Weapons, gear, and care packages can all be obtained by earning Supply Drops, and you can also obtain Supply Drops by upgrad-ing your character.

I would recommend this game to

people of all ages who enjoy playing FPS games. The reason I recommend this game is because of how it gives you a real world experience. For example, when you use the jetpack, you feel like you are really flying, or if you use the goliath you feel slow and bulky. Some games don't give you a rush like this one does.

The weapons in the game are good, too. For example, the mors sniper rifles is a one-shot kill weapon. Depending on your enemy’s armor, it is also a rail gun. It has no clip, and can only hold one bullet at a time, so your aim must be at its best to hit a moving target. This game is worth every cent. Good gaming, students!

Troy MapleContributor

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare is Game of the Year

ART

Art By Troy Maple

Every Wednesday here at Cardozo EC, a non-profit organization called One Common Unity holds an after-school program named Fly By Light. “The Fly By Light Youth Ambassa-dor Program is an innovative youth program that emphasizes leadership, compassionate communication, effec-tive conflict resolution, and self-love as pathways to personal growth, health and wellness,” according to their website. “Youth are engaged in

activities that strengthen skills that equip them with the abilities to bring their ‘light’ to their own communi-ties, building peaceable environments that promote overall wellness. Music therapy and artistic expression are at the core of instruction. ”

One Common Unity currently holds the Fly By Light program at Bell Multicultural High School, Woodrow Wilson High School, Cardozo Educa-tion Campus, Roosevelt High School, and Lincoln High School. Eleventh grade student Alfonso Pannell, who participates in the Fly By Light

Program, says “I enjoy talking to the facilitators, playing games and playing the drums….I basically like the activi-ties and how we’re all one big family who connects with each other. It’s a safe place.”

When asked what the program meant to him, ninth grade student Ariel Lawson said, “Fly By Light is a group where we can be ourselves and create bonds between the other stu-dents and between the facilitators.”

Fly By Light meets in the library every Wednesday from 3:30 to 5:30.

Kaitlyn MurphyContributor

Student Artwork

One Common Unity Brings Peace-building to Cardozo

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