Monday, January 31, 2011

Miss Tibet North America - Southwest Graduate

Check out the news story in Star Tribune Saturday Jan 29, 2011

Tenzin Khecheo is the 2011 Miss Tibet North America

And also a Southwest 2010 graduate

She was involved in our AVID program and other activities.

More Snow

What a January! There is more snow all over the place. Too few parking spaces. Buses slow and moving slower. Side streets are getting narrow again.

Be careful moving around school. The streets are very slippery and there are too many cars parked almost in the street.

During the normal bus delivery and go home times it would be wise to stay off of 47th and Chowen. The front of the school and the west side is full of buses. That does not leave much room for cars.

Be careful of walkers and other cars.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Speech Team Victorious


Southwest Speech Team

The Southwest Speech Team participated in the Hill-Murray Invitation Round Robin on Saturday Feb 29. The team was victorious with team members earning 22 honor ribbons.

Place Award Winners Pictured:
Top row left to right:
Chloe Brevik-Rich Humorous Interp; Mariah Oxley Creative Expression; Avi Gori Great Speeches; Elena Fransen Prose Interp and Vince Puzak Extemperaneous Speaking.
Seated: Mikalea Kurpierz Humorous Interp and Madelaine Foster Creative Expression.

There are 13 different categories in Minnesota Speech League. Team membership is open to all students. Practice is in room E103 right after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Black Box Theater Monday to Thursday

"Whose Life Is It Anyway"

Black Box Student Production.

Opens Monday, Feb. 31, 2011 evening at 7 pm

The play runs through Thursday the 3rd of February

Student $5.00 at the door and adults $10.00

Donations always welcome!

Writing Help Tuesday and Thursday In Media Center

Writing Help. Right Here.

SWHS Media Center
Tuesdays & Thursdays 3:15pm-4:30pm
Free. No appointment needed - just drop by!

Work one-on-one with volunteer experienced writers
to make your writing the best it can be.

Get help editing, proofreading, organizing and planning:
-Application essays
-IB work
-Creative writing
-Class assignments
-Book reports
-Term papers
-Resumes
-Other written schoolwork you want to improve

Grab your work and head over! We're waiting to help.

Math & Physics Tutoring Thursday Afterschool

There is math and physics tutoring available in room 024 every Thursday afternoon.

Peer tutors are available to help students with any math subject and/or physics from 3:00 to 4:30.

If you are interested in getting some help, bring your textbook, note book, and calculator to room 024 on Thursday afternoon.

It is possible to earn CAS hours for IB by serving as a tutor.

~David McMayer

College Search 2, Feb 3 Thursday 7 pm

College Search 2
Thursday, February 3, 2011 from 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

The Counseling Department and the Career and College Center will be presenting the College Search 2 Workshop.

Topics to be covered are the college application process, Common App, teacher recommendations, CSS Profile, College Search, Naviance.

We encourage all Juniors to attend with their parents.

Concert at Southwest February 1 at 7 pm

Winter Concert, Tuesday February 1st.

The 7 pm performance features Concert Band, String Orchestra and Concert Choir. The suggested donation is $5.

Great Gatherings Limited Availability

Missed Hot Notes?

It's not too late to sign up for Great Gatherings: !

What's a Great Gathering?

It's a social event, activity, tour, lesson or other gathering hosted by a Southwest High School parent.

Anyone can sign up; all you do is pay per person; price varies depending on the event.

SW Student newspaper On-Line

Southwest Anchor Student Newspaper is On-Line

You can go to the Southwest Home Page and click on the cartoon of the news reporter in the Quicklinks column and get right to this edition
OR you can use this link: http://anchornews.net/

Check out the news from the student perspective!

SW Baseball Team Fundraiser Feb. 26


Baseball Team Fundraiser


Auction & Wine Tasting to support Southwest Baseball on February 26, at the Minneapolis Officers' Club.


Sample outstanding wine, enjoy wonderful food, and mingle with other Southwest parents


Thursday, January 27, 2011

Education back in the news

No big surprises. Check out the morning newspaper. Education is center stage one more time. There has not been a politician in the history of this country that has not expounded on the value of education. In the last 150 years they actually started talking about the value of education for all. And finally since the 1960s the politicians actually started doing something about education for all.

So the rhetoric is no surprise. Today, at the end of January 2011, those persons who travel and sit in the capitol in St. Paul want to talk about who and how much. Time to really pay attention and listen to all the words. Education is a major business in this country. One could go as far to say the most important.

At the same time Education must lead. If we want improvement in the tomorrows and a higher quality of life for all, it is Education that will take us there.

Talk to your politicians and let them know what really is important.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

January Thaw

Ok, this is not really a heat wave. Based on the excitement inside the building one would think summer was here and the beaches were open. Just when we were getting use to the ice and snow.

Yes, this is a temporary moment. Snow by the weekend and we know the freezing temperatures will return. But that is okay because we have snow sculpture contest as part of the Southwest Winter Olympics on Tuesday Feb.1. The Boot Hockey tournaments are in the evening on Wed. and Thursday at Linden Hills Park 7 pm. The Sledding Relays are at 7 pm on Newton Hill.

So, we will put up with the winter weather for a few more days because we have things to do and accomplish before we store all the winter equipment and trade for the swim suits and umbrellas.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

PESO - Postsecondary Enrollment Options

Some juniors and seniors may be eligible for the Minnesota State Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PESO).

For the best information, see your counselor. Because of the program's individual situations, it is important to review transcripts and align graduation requirements.

The student must have a certain grade point average (GPA) for some universities. He/she may be required to take a test. The student is required to meet the university enrollment requirements which differ according to the institution. The student must provide his/her own transportation to the university or college.

For other general information see the Minnesota Department of Education web site:

http://education.state.mn.us/mdeprod/groups/CollegeCareer/documents/Publication/033330.pdf

Most important- check with your high school counselor.

Better Side Street Conditions

Slowly the city is plowing the side streets around school. We still need to be cautious at intersections and careful close to school because of slippery conditions and walkers.

The streets continue to be narrow with parked cars and evening hours are worse. During bus delivery and pickup 47th and Chowen are packed. Good time to stay off those blocks.

Community Education starts this week. Parking for any evening event will continue to be crowded. Be very careful that you are parked legally.

Be safe and careful.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Parking and Driving Around School

Conditions have not improved all that much. We are in snow emergency so there is limited parking even beyond what is normally a problematic issue. If you attend a school event, please be very careful where you park.

Driving on the side streets continues to demand caution. The intersections remain slippery. This is especially true when the sun goes down and in the early morning. All of that moisture turns to ice. When approaching a stop sign, please be very careful of cars and walkers.

The Winter Wonderland continues. Be careful when driving and parking around the school. We want you to visit the school and attend events. The streets are narrow and when driving be careful.

Dance Team Wins City Conference

The Southwest Dance Team finished first in City Conference Championship. The team did very well and performed this past Saturday in city competition. We will announce more results as they become available this week.

Congratulations Dance Team!

Gymnastics Teams City Conference Champions - Six -in-a-row

Congratulations to SW Varsity! Conference Champions 6 years running!

Junior Varsity Highlights -- Score: 96.325, 2nd place
PRs & Places
Drew Simon: Vault 5.85, Floor 5.85
Jametta Gorman: Vault 6.05
Bailey Shatz-Akin: Vault 6.35, Bars 4.75 (3rd), Floor 6.05, AA (5th)
Alyona Fox: Vault 7.1
Ingrid Wilt: Vault (7th), Bars 4.6 (4th), Beam (6th), Floor 6.7 (7th), AA 23.3 (4th)
Julia Porter: Vault (9th), Beam (10th), Floor 6.6 (9th), AA (7th)
Leah Thornquist: Vault 7.6 (2nd), Bars (7th), Beam (6th), Floor 7.25 (4th), AA 24.65 (1st)
Carolyn Saulsberry: Bars 3.3
Lexi Robinson: Floor (6.55) 10th
Hannah Baker: Bars (1st), Floor 7.525 (2nd)

Varsity Highlights -- Score: 126.0, 1st Place
PRs & Places
Maddie Sheehy: Vault (1st), Bars 8.25 (2nd), Beam (4th),Floor 8.35 (3rd), AA (2nd)
Marie Sheehy: Vault (4th), Bars (5th), Beam 7.15 (6th),Floor 7.75 (8th), AA 30.75 (5th)
Jenai Carter: Vault (9th), Bars (9th), Floor 7.55 (10th)
Tate Pashibin: Vault (3rd), Bars (7th), Floor (2nd), AA (6th)
Maya Rosenbloom: Bars (1st), Beam (3rd), Floor (9th)

Congratulations to the Gymnastics Team

Sunday, January 23, 2011

SW Speech Team Opens Season with Win


The Southwest Speech Team open its season at the Chanhassen Invitational Tournament. 27 different high school competed with over 700 students.

This is the first tournament of an eleven tournament season concluding with the state tournament in April.

The Speech Team season started with a great series of rounds for junior Sophia Deady. Sophia, Debate Team member, started her first year in speech with a outstanding third place in Extemporaneous Speaking.

Each regular season tournament consists of three rounds and the highest scores move on to a finals round. Sophia had a successful three rounds and moved to Finals and finished third in a strong field.

The next tournament is at Hill-Murray next Saturday.

Tuesday is Second Semester

Tuesday, Jan. 25 is the first day of second semester. We will start with a brief advisory to hand out second semester schedules.

There are changes in almost all the 9th and 10th grade schedules due to electives, physical education and health courses.

There are some changes in 10th and 11th grade English courses. Those students probably know about the changes. We are adding two additional sections of English due to climbing numbers in those sections.

There will be a few other changes due to alterations in student schedule. As a general rule the upper class students have little or no change due to having year-long courses.

The change of the semester starts everything new. Hopefully all did well the first semester but if no satisfied with what might have been, this is the opportunity to start anew.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Here we go

Finals start on Thursday. We will have only three periods on Thursday -- periods 4, 5, and 6. These are the only periods on Thursday. Lunch is scheduled for 5th period. Busesvwill operate on a regular basis. The class are 2 hours in length and ten minutes for passing time to take nature time needs.

On Friday we will have finals in periods 1, 2, and 3. Again, with the same two hour finals and ten minute passing time. Lunch will be 2nd period on Friday.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Writing to ease Test anxiety

From a Southwest parent --

Writing about worries eases anxiety and improves test performance.
January 13, 2011

http://news.uchicago.edu/news.php?asset_id=2210

Students can combat test anxiety and improve performance by writing about their worries immediately before the exam begins, according to a University of Chicago study published in the journal Science.

Researchers found that students who were prone to test anxiety improved their high–stakes test scores by nearly one grade point after they were given 10 minutes to write about what was causing them fear, according to the article, “Writing about Testing Boosts Exam Performance in the Classroom.” The article appears in the Jan. 14 issue of Science and is based on research supported by the National Science Foundation.

The writing exercise allowed students to unload their anxieties before taking the test and accordingly freed up brainpower needed to complete the test successfully — brainpower that is normally occupied by worries about the test, explained the study’s senior author, Sian Beilock, an associate professor in psychology at the University.

In other research, Beilock has shown that pressure–filled situations can deplete a part of the brain’s processing power known as working memory, which is critical to many everyday activities. Working memory is a sort of mental scratch pad that allows people to retrieve and use information relevant to the task at hand. But it is a limited resource, and when worries creep up, the working memory people normally use to succeed becomes overburdened. That can sap the brain power necessary to excel.
Beilock is one of the nation’s leading experts on “choking under pressure” — a phenomenon in which talented people perform below their skill level when presented with a particularly challenging experience. Her recently published book, Choke: What the Secrets of the Brain Reveal About Getting It Right When You Have To, gives advice on how to avoid choking in situations ranging from high–stakes exams to important business presentations and athletic competitions.

“Despite the fact that people are often motivated to perform their best, the pressure–filled situations in which important tests, presentations and matches occur can cause people to perform below their ability level instead,” Beilock said.
Joining Beilock on the study was her graduate student Gerardo Ramirez, an Institute of Education Sciences predoctoral fellow at UChicago.

follow the link to read the entire article.

Gymnastics Team City Meet Saturday Jan. 22

Support the Southwest Gymnastics Team!

Come cheer on the Southwest Gymnastics team at the City Meet on Saturday, January 22nd.

The City Meet is held in the Southwest gym and starts at 12:00
noon.

You can also support the team by buying a raffle ticket to win some great prizes, including MN Twins Tickets - two seats behind home plate! Tickets are
only $1 and can be purchased from any SW gymnast. Even though you don't have to be present to win, we hope you come on over to the SW gym on Jan 22nd ... it
promises to be a great day when the Lakers will compete against the City conference teams!
________________________________________

Monday, January 17, 2011

Some Semester Transitions

The second semester starts Tuesday, Jan. 25. First thing in the morning we will have a very brief advisory and hand out second semester schedules.

Almost all 9th and 10th graders will have some type of change due to health and physical education being semester courses. Most of the electives are so more than half of the students will have some semester changes.

We are adding two English classes - one section of English 10 and one section of English 11. We are extremely fortunate to have the services of one of our former Student Teachers, Maura Nelson, to take those two sections.

We are also adding a zero hour Theory of Knowledge (TOK) class. Those students taking the class already know about this. But if you have a son or daughter that is interested in the IB Diploma but had difficulty fitting in TOK, now is the opportunity to take to Dick Schwartz and your counselor. There are a few seats left in zero hour.

For the upper grades, this semester movement is normal and they all have experienced it each year. The 9th graders have know about it all year since the electives and health and PE are semester courses. If you have questions, call your counselor.

Thinking ahead

This is the last week of the 2010-11 school year. For our seniors that is almost graduation time.

However, for the other three grades of students, we have to start thinking about next year. So I have some questions for you:

  • How much information do you need?
  • How can that be presented? - web sites? evening meeting? other ___?
  • Is there specific information? or more general?

Please let me know what you need to be helpful to you and your child.

The format is a major question. There are about 1,300 students and families and how to present the information and not involve 10s of meetings is an issue.

Send email to me or respond in the comments here.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Finals Week

No School on Monday, January 17

Tuesday and Wednesday are regular school days

Thursday, January 20 -- Finals for:
Periods 4, 5 and 6

Friday January 21 -- Finals for:
Periods 1, 2 and 3

All class will be two hours long. There will be only the three designated periods for the two day Finals Thursday and Friday.

No School for Students on Monday January 24

Hot Notes -- Saturday January 22

This is it!

Don't wait - the time is NOW to buy your Hot Notes tickets! And while you're at it, check out this year's FANTASTIC lineup of Hot Notes Great Gatherings!!

WHEN: Saturday, January 22, doors open at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Cargill Stage at the Children's Theatre Company

FREE PARKING IS AVAILABLE IN THE NEARBY RAMP AND SURFACE LOTS ON THIRD AVENUE.

Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 at the door. Best buy: $125 for a four-pack.

SEE YOU THERE!

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Another reminder

The daily headlights frequently bring reality crashing into our home and lives. The attack on Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords causes moments of reflection and regret.

Some of us experienced the "Death of Innocence" with the death of President John F. Kennedy. The years following definitely demonstrated that violence and disregard for the lives of others was a course of action for way too many. Rep. Keith Ellison noted that fear to go to the grocery store or for an elected official to meet openly with his/her public is a threat to our democracy.

Violence should not be tolerated. It must not become a political tool in this country. The current rhetoric of hate and ridicule must change. The person's immediate choice to fight, hit, yell, or curse to intimidate another person (or group of people) must stop. This is not a video game that can be rebooted and all is well. The apparent lack of regard or respect for another individual (or group of people) will continue to create these incidents.

Out thoughts for Rep. Giffords and the families of those others killed and hurt in this tragedy must be a reminder that we set the tone. What will we tolerate?

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Prescription Medication Dangers

Smart Choices Safe Students

Did you know that nearly one in five teens has tried prescription medication to get high? Or that one in ten teens report abusing cough medicine to get high?

Consider joining the Smart Choices Safe Students yahoo group to find links to important articles or have an informal discussion with other Southwest parents on a variety of topics.

The link to our page is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/southwestscss/

Free Dental Care

Give Kids a Smile
The Minnesota Dental Association (MDA) is pleased to share important information for low-income families in need. The MDA's charitable program, called "Give Kids a Smile," provides free dental care to children whose families face barriers to care.

This year, free dental care will be available on Feb. 4 and 5, along with a few alternative dates, in many locations throughout the state.


Participating dental clinics are now taking appointment, more information is available at

No School Monday Jan. 24

No School on Monday, January 24

There is no school for students Monday, January 24 as it is the end of first semester and grading day.

Second semester begins at 8:30 am on Tuesday, January 25 with a 15 min. homeroom.

Semester Finals Jan. 20 and 21

The semester is coming to a close and the last two days of the semester will be Finals. January 20 and 21 are Thursday and Friday.

Finals for periods 4, 5 and 6 will be Thursday, January 20.

Finals for periods 1, 2 and 3 will be Friday, January 21.\

Finals will be two-hours in length and given in all classes. Students will follow their regular schedule over the two days. Lunch will be scheduled each day.

If there are questions, students should talk with their teachers.

Hot Notes Jan. 22

Hot Notes on a Cold Night Cabaret fundraiser at Children’s Theater.

Tickets for "Hot Notes on a Cold Night," our annual cabaret fundraiser for Southwest High School, are available now!

Go to http://tinyurl.com/HotNotesTickets to buy tickets.

You don't want to miss this social event of the year featuring fabulous entertainment by talented Southwest students, a delicious buffet, cash bar, raffle and great silent auction items for sale.

Date: January 22, 2011.
Basilica Concert is January 14th.

The Basilica holiday concert has been rescheduled to Friday, Jan. 14 at 7 pm.

For more information go to http://tinyurl.com/2ecqcsy

College Financial Aid Info Night Jan. 13 7 pm

Southwest High School will present the annual Financial Aid Night on January 13th at 7:00 pm.

The presentation will be in the auditorium. Kathy Ruby, Financial Aid Director for St. Olaf College, will discuss the FAFSA, grants, loans, and other related topics.

Contact the Counseling Office with any questions you may have.

PTSA Speaker Tuesday Jan. 11

Jan. 11 in the Media Center at 7:00 pm
Launching your Teen into Adulthood - Patricia Hoolihan, author of Launching your Teen into Adulthood.
Parenting through the Transition, and SW parent, will present highlights from her book on launching teens. She’ll cover practical issues for parents (and teens) as well as some of the emotional issues involved in helping your child explore and choose the best options for his or her future.

As we face and prepare for this major shift as a parent, there is a delicate balance between encouraging and letting go and stepping in when needed. The session will explore some of the choices and scenarios presented in the book.

This presentation is especially applicable for parents of juniors and seniors. There will be time after the presentation for questions and answers, and sharing.

Hockey Alumni Homecoming Jan 14

All hockey players and their loyal fans from Southwest, West, South, Washburn, Edison, Roosevelt, Henry and North are invited to a special alumni event at the Minneapolis Novas game Friday January 14th at Parade. Please come support the Novas, watch a great game of hockey and catch up with fellow hockey alumni.

We want all Southwest alumni there - wear your purple & white! There is no greater hockey school in Minneapolis than Southwest. We will have all our trophies at the rink - including the 1970 state championship. Game jerseys on display and a raffle to win a replica Indian hockey jersey donated by Vintage MN Hockey.

* Minneapolis Novas vs. Pine City
* JV at 5pm, Varsity at 7pm
* Parade Ice Arena, Minneapolis
* Tickets: $4 students, $6 adults
* Children wearing their team hockey jerseys get in free
* Free Novas t-shirt to the first 100 students
* Free Novas hats to the first 50 kids wearing their hockey jerseys

Following the game join the current team and coaches plus all your alumni friends at Famous Dave's in Calhoun Square. On stage, Mick Sterling & his band, 9pm.

We hope you will help make this a great event and include it as part of your annual mid-winter Southwest plans. Does your old hockey varsity jacket fit? please wear it!

See you at the rink!

Friday, January 7, 2011

HOT NOTES -- Jan 22 -- Get your tickets

• The Holiday Concert at the Basilica was rescheduled because of the big snow storm to Friday, January 14.
• Hot Notes: Saturday, January 22, 7 pm; Children’s Theatre Company Cargill Stage

Tickets are $35 each and available now: information including how to buy online is at http://southwest.mpls.k12.mn.us/Page/3525

“Hot Notes on a Cold Night” is the annual fundraiser for Southwest High School sponsored by the Southwest Education Fund and Southwest HS Music Boosters. AND it’s a really fun evening! (Our neighbors A & B) have come for several years for the great entertainment - and they've never even had children at SWHS - go Nagels!!! Take in great entertainment by talented students, enjoy a delicious buffet and cash bar, and purchase silent auction alternatives including restaurant gift certificates, services, theater tickets and more.

**Today’s pick: a $100 gift certificate for Lucia’s restaurant.**

Don’t miss Hot Notes! Buy your tickets online today southwest.mpls.k12.mn.us

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Here we go...

Now that you have had time to catch your breath and taken a break we need to get back to it all.

Unhinged - Street Car Named Desire - was snowed out but it will start the week on Tuesday at 7 pm in the Black Box. The production runs Tuesday through Friday Jan. 4 - 7.

Hockey is Tuesday at Parade starting at 7 pm
Girls Basketball is at Roosevelt with 9th grade starting at 4 pm

Thursday Jan 6 is home Boys Basketball with games at 4, 5:30 and 7 pm.

Friday is Hockey at Parade at 7 pm

Saturday is 9th grade at 4 pm, JV at 5:40 and Varsity Boys Basketball at Southwest.

The Winter Basilica Concert is rescheduled at the Basilica for Friday Jan 14 with a 7 pm start.

Long-range - You do not want to miss the event of the year - Hot Notes on a Cold Night Saturday Jan. 22 at Children's Theater Company starting at 6:30 pm. Tickets available from Music boosters or school.

Welcome back. It is going to continue to be an exciting year.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

A New Year 2011


A squirrel just ran by the window in all this cold and blowing sleet/snow with a full load of leaves. Disappearing up in the tree I couldn't help but think - first glad that is not me and second never too late. Just like the weather forecasting people our furry friends don't always predict correctly -- thus the need for adjustments.

In three weeks we will be ending the first semester. Those are important grades in that they will be 50% of the end year's grade.that can enhance or destroy a GPA rather quickly. But just as the squirrel ( you knew I was going to fit that in) it is never too late. Whatever the original plan or the ensuing reality, there is a small window avaiable for adjustment. Even if your pile of leaves is sufficient to earn a great grade this semester it will not be wise to coast the next three weeks.

By the way,that squirrel is back down the tree and off for another load. I think I should be making grocery list because it is cold and getting colder. I trust that squirrel a bit more than my daily conveyor of misinformation, the