SUPPLEMENT October 2010 27

4.

With ELMOs, new projector sys-tems that record live video feeds, we are able to learn more at a quicker rate and not waste time collecting an assortment of handouts and assignments.

“The ELMO has revolutionized my teaching. I’m just so happy and grateful to have it,” English teacher Ms. Den-ninger said.

“[With ELMOs], it’s much quicker and easier for my teacher to show our class how problems are solved. It’s easier to learn with the ELMOs than with chalk boards,” senior Carlos Preising said.

Along with the ELMOs, which are paid for with the extra money in depart-ment budgets provided by the Project Opening Doors (POD) grant, the school is also expecting to get new lab quests. “We are planning on using our bud-gets towards the end of the year for lab quests, which are handheld computers with sensors. They act as thermometers that can collect data from a sample and then graph it out,” Mrs. Spata, who man-ages the science department’s share of the POD grant, said.

In addition to these classroom tech-nology resources, the computers that are located in the Media Center and com-puter labs have always been available for student use, which is very helpful for completing homework and projects.

The Agri-Science program is available for anyone to join if he or she is interested in going into a specific agricultural or sci-ence related job such as being a florist or veterinarian.

The Supervised Agricultural Experi-ence, or SAE, is a main part of the cur-riculum in the Agri-Science program.

In SAE, students are challenged with experiences that help them prepare for future careers. Patricia Ochonski, Future Farmers of America (FFA)/Agri-Science Vice President said, “Right now my SAE is working on the farm at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center. It’s a lot of work but worth it in the end.”

The Agri-Science program is unique and offered only by several schools in Connecticut. With this advantageous fa-cility and program, students are able to better prepare for life after college.

Junior Ashley Northcutt said, “The program is like my second home. It pre-pares you for real life.” Northcutt is an of-ficer in the FFA and hopes to help others learn why Agri-Science is interesting and significant.

Northcutt has had many opportuni-ties because of the Agri-Science program. She’s gotten the chance to work at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center as a volunteer. She, along with other Agri-Science students, has also gone to fairs that promote agricultural studies.

Northcutt has dedicated her life to ani-mals, and the Agri-Science program helps her prepare for her future in the field of animal work. “People should join when they know what they want to do for sure, and this program will give you all the re-sources you need to succeed,” she said.

Automobile Technology is a course where students learn by doing. The students learn what makes a car tick and what makes it run. Auto Tech is a half year course, but in that time students often learn more about cars than they ever thought possible. As students acquire knowledge about repairing cars, they are provided with real cars to put their newly learned knowledge to use. “Auto-tech has helped me learn how to take care of my car. I can use this infor-mation on a day-to-day basis, like how to change a flat tire, oil, and headlights,” soph-omore Mike Dennen said. If you are interested in auto repair, then this is a great place to start. Students learn to do things on their own but also to work well with others. Reading, writing, and arithmetic are in-corporated into Auto Tech projects to chal-lenge and prepare students for jobs they might consider in the future. “The kids get a better understanding on the way a car works and will be prepared for any situation that they come across while driving,” Auto Tech teacher Mr. Jordan said. Mr. Jordan teaches Auto Tech as a way to give students the knowledge they need to deal with real-life car troubles. He believes that everyone should know the basics when it comes to how automobiles work. “Every 16-year-old student who gets their permit eventually gets their license and then a car. If something happens and it needs to be re-paired, in order not to get ripped off, you need to know how a car works,” Mr. Jordan said. A majority of students take this course to satisfy their interest about cars and how they work. Some even take this as a pre-requisite to attending a mechanical school as a way to learn the basics they need to succeed.

The Health Center is a convenient re-source offered at Westhill. It opens at 8 a.m. and closes at the end of the school day. Students can find it on the first floor of the Finch Building. The Health Center offers health services completely free of charge.

Physical examinations, vaccinations, and STD and pregnancy tests are done by the nurse practitioner there. Any test taken at the Health Center is kept confidential.

Nurse Jones said, “[The Health Cen-ter] allows us to give medicine that the kids need.” This is very helpful because some students may not have access to medical treatment.

They also have dental services avail-able for students. This is beneficial be-cause many students don’t have the time and means to schedule these appointments on their own. At the Health Center, the students have medical and health care available to them at all times.

“I love working with students and helping them get informed,” Health Center social worker Mrs. Sara Thies said. She has never loved a job as much as she loves her job at the Health Center. Working there has made her more aware of people’s behavior and how they act in certain situations.

Mrs. Thies wants students to know how helpful the Health Center can be and that it can provide one with almost any type of medical help.

Hi-tech teaching

Cultivating knowledge

Ready for repair

When you come to school each day, you might not take advantage of the numerous facilities and programs that Westhill provides. However, there are many resources to take advantage of and

opportunities to explore.

All of the resources we get(for free)

Top-notch treatment

Jacqueline Stone / Staff Writer

www.thewestwordonline.com

Resources 1,593 students use the Health Center Over 100 Promethean boards 80 students in FFA 65 students in Auto Tech

Juliana Costanzo / Photographer