BROOKE: I’m Brooke Serack thanks for joining us…this is DVTV.

BROOKE: 6 days until homecoming…and to kick off spirit week today is mix and match day. And for tomorrow…wear your craziest hats because it will be Mad Hatter day.

BROOKE:    And remember….on Friday… if you wear your spirit shirt….you just might get a free pizza for you and your friends. Here’s what happened last Friday when DVTV followed the spirit directors around…in search of that student….

(PKG)

BROOKE:  Thanks to Cory Crowe for the fun look at how this works.  So show your spirit DV!

BROOKE: Asian Student Union has another meeting today right after school in room C-272.

BROOKE: DV has many clubs that most students don’t even know about! One of those is Urban Club. Gabby Newell got a chance to go to an Urban Club meeting recently and got to speak with some of the members about what it is and why they like it.

(PKG)

BROOKE: Make sure to look for the Urban Club in this Friday’s homecoming parade!

BROOKE: AIMS retakes are this week…if you are signed up to take this test don’t forget… Writing will be administered on tomorrow…reading will be administered on Wednesday and Math on Thursday.  Be in your testing room by 8:00 am.

BROOKE: For the rest that is going on this week lets take a look at the calendar.

(CALENDER)

BROOKE: Also this week come help support Grad Night. This is a special event for seniors to celebrate graduation. Help by eating at the Wendy’s on 48th and Chandler This Wednesday. Wendy’s will donate 15% of all sales back to Grad Night.

BROOKE: Another way to help out not only the seniors, but also the juniors is to show your spirit by buying DV car decals in the Bookstore.  For just $5, score yourself an awesome way to show your spirit while helping us to pay for Prom 2012!

BROOKE: Congratulations to the Desert Vista Thunder Marching Band! They won 1st place at the Basha Invitational on October 15th, also receiving the Music, Visual, and General Effect captions.

BROOKE: This weekend, the band placed 2nd and received the Music caption at ASU Band Day. Good luck to the band as they travel to California and compete this upcoming weekend.

BROOKE: Its finally cooling off DV…and just in time for Homecoming…Lets check on the weather …todays high is 93 and low is 69, and this weekend we will be in the 80’s, Saturday having a high of 87 and Sunday with 88.

BROOKE: If you happened to miss anything on our show today…just go online to DVThunderMedia.com, DV’s School Fusion site or you can even find us on Facebook! Just search Desert Vista Thunder Media!

BROOKE: Have a great day Thunder!

RACHEL: I’m RACHEL Serack thanks for joining us…this is DVTV.

RACHEL: Homecoming is next week and if you haven’t heard the theme is Alice in Wonderland but this isn’t the Mad Hatter you remember from elementary school…here’s a look

(PKG)

RACHEL: Spirit week follows that theme so if you want to take part…check it out

RACHEL: Monday is a crazy day…the theme is down the rabbit hole and since we can only imagine that experience was wild…make your outfit should be too…it’s a mix and match day

RACHEL: And if you thought that was crazy…Tuesday is Mad Hatter day…wear your favorite hat

RACHEL: Wednesday is a very important date…that could be anything from the 60s 70s 80s or 90s…just pick your favorite decade

RACHEL: Find your twin for Thursday which is tweedle dee and tweedle dum

RACHEL: Finally Friday wear your homecoming shirt which will be on sale next week in the bookstore

RACHEL: Joining us today is Mrs. Maggie Fountain to explain some changes to this years dance

(QUESTIONS)

RACHEL: Thank you Mrs. Fountain

RACHEL: As you are preparing for Homecoming don’t forget to complete a guest pass for any non-DV students. The applications are still on the DV school fusion website.

RACHEL: But before we take on Chandler next Friday…our boys will be traveling to Dobson High School this tonight to take on the Mustangs. It will be a nerd out at the game and at school on Friday so get out your geeky gear! 

If you need a ride to the game there will be a spirit bus. Pay three dollars at the bookstore for a spot on the bus and a chance to support our varsity football team!

RACHEL: Student council is starting something new on campus to reward you students who dress up on spirit days! This morning a student number will be randomly drawn and if you are chosen and are dressed in DV spirit you will win a free pizza. Don’t miss the chance to win free food for you and your friends…dress up this Friday!

RACHEL: If you need to retake AIMS…Writing will be administered next Tuesday October 25th, Reading will be administered on Wednesday, and Math will be administered on Thursday,

Report to the auditorium by 8am unless you have been specifically given a designated testing area.

Don’t forget to get a good night’s sleep and eat a nutritious breakfast the morning of the test.

RACHEL: DV Art Club is having their first meeting this Monday morning at 7:15 am in the Art Room A153!

RACHEL: The DV Chamber Orchestra and Chamber Guitar are performing this Sunday at the Foothills Park at Desert Foothills Parkway and Chandler Blvd. It’s a free concert in the park from 5pm- 7:30pm…go support our fabulous bands

RACHEL: DV band also deserves support and good luck as they compete this Saturday at ASU Band Day. These students have been working hard to prepare a show, and they hope to repeat their seasonal success. Good luck Thunder Marching Band!

RACHEL: If you happened to miss anything on our show today … just go online to DVThunderMedia.com, DV’s School Fusion site or you can even find us on Facebook! Just search Desert Vista Thunder Media!

RACHEL: Have a great day Thunder!

In the past, any student who exceeded in all categories would acquire a scholarship for four years of any in-state college, generally worth about 8,000 dollars. However, now the opportunity to receive this scholarship has been taken away. Tricia Andrews, a sophomore, stated, “My sister graduated two years ago with the AIMS scholarship. She ended up going out of state, but having it made her decision way harder.” Students all around campus have had older siblings with the luxuries of this scholarship. Some even say its scares them to have to face college tuition without AIMS money.

“I feel like there aren’t that many academic scholarships this big. It makes me nervous to see it go away, but it also reminds me that I have to keep working hard to get the best scholarship possible,” said Mickey Melosi, a junior. Many students have the same outlook on the situation, hopefully resulting in the development of other academic scholarships. Mary Geavaras, a junior, said, “I feel so much pressure to take honors classes. I know that my chances of getting any academic scholarship are way higher that way.”

Teachers have acknowledged that the chances of the scholarship returning are low, but still possible. Many of them plan to continue to prepare their students for AIMS in case of a change. In the mean time, students will continually prepare for their move to college without the AIMS scholarship to support them.

CASSIE: Hey DV!

COURTNEY: AHHHH! She’s alive!!!!! (confetti everywhere)

CASSIE: Just kidding! I was never really injured guys!

BOTH: APRIL FOOLS!

CASSIE: We hope you enjoyed our little April fools joke, but now for some news.
Seniors, graduation is almost here. Be sure to give big congratulations to Timothy Lee, Destiny Ly, and Rudy Chen as these outstanding students have been chosen as your Class of 2011valedictiorians.

COURTNEY: Also, Seniors, Don’t forget the F-1 Raceway Car will be in the Courtyard today at lunch. You can turn in your Grad Night Forms during that time. If you forgot them today, just mail them in using the address at the top of your form.

CASSIE: Juniors, I know you are excited to be seniors next year, and your time has almost come. Class of 2012 Student Council has been chosen. Here is a quick message from next year’s leaders.
(PKG)

COURTNEY: Juniors, be sure to congratulate your class council. Lets make next year awesome… In other news, MORP is finally here! Come to ‘Beauty and the Geek’ Tomorrow, April 2nd from 8pm to 11pm. Here’s a look at what is to come.
(PKG)

COURTNEY: Tickets are $7 in the bookstore, or $10 at the door. Dress as a beauty or a geek. This will be a dance you won’t want to miss!

CASSIE: I’m excited for MORP and all, but I really can’t wait for more updates on Prom.

COURTNEY: Well you’re in luck because DVTV has been given a very special update on Prom. Take a look.
(PKG)

CASSIE: Wow, what a great location! Prom 2011 is going to be a dance to remember. Be sure to thank the prom committee for all their hard work on making Prom special.

COURTNEY: Intermediate and advanced dance classes had their awesome spring show last night. If you missed it, be sure to come tonight as 7 pm, tickets are 5 dollars.

CASSIE: On Wednesday the 30th of March, 29 Desert Vista business students traveled to the Arizona Biltmore Resort to compete in Junior Achievement’s annual “Your Hired Challenge”. Over 400 students from the valley assembled to challenge each other in business skills and learn key concepts from business professional in seminars designed to teach global employment skills. The Thunder team had great success winning four major awards.

CASSIE: Relay for Life is almost here! Be sure to come support Relay teams at their annual Garage Sale, Tomorrow, April 2nd. They will be in the DV office parking lot starting at 6 A.M.

COURTNEY: Please come to Yoasis and show them a HOSA flyer this week, Sunday April 3rd to Saturday April 9th! Go to the Yoasis on Chandler Boulevard and get some yummy Fro-Yo while benefiting DV HOSA at the same time! Take advantage of your AIMS late start to hang out with your friends and donate to a worthy cause!

CASSIE: The GSA, Gay-Straight Alliance, will meet Monday, April 4th, at 3:15 in room C-211. Be there to discuss some exciting upcoming events. All are welcome.

COURTNEY: Students, get ready for round two of AIMS testing. Be sure to look out for your room assignments in the next week. They will be posted near the C building. Math testing will occur on Tuesday, April 5th, and science testing on Wednesday, April 6th. Schedules will also be different for those not testing, so make sure to check testing schedules. Good luck on your tests.

CASSIE: I know that AIMS announcement probably made you a little depressed. So here is new rap from Scotty G. to raise your spirits.

(PKG)

CASSIE: Band of the Week is back and ready to rock. This week’s band is My Chemical Romance. Gaby Newell and Annessa Blanco have the story on this awesome band.

(PKG)

COURTNEY: Remember, if you want to see your favorite bands on DVTV, then keep voting.

CASSIE: Now its time for Flocab!

(PKG)

COURTNEY: There are many ways to stay connected here on campus. If you miss any announcements or want to find more news, you can always go online to the DV School Fusion site, DVThunderMedia.com or on Facebook! Just search DVThunderMedia!

CASSIE: Have a great April Fools Day and an even better weekend Thunder! Now please stay tuned for the Pledge

BROOKE: I’m Brooke Serack…Thanks for joining us…this is DVTV.

DARBY: Today is Wednesday, March 30th, 2011.

If you have been paying attention in class you have probably heard of the mass school wide paper shortage going on. This has teachers and students in a tizzy trying to find other ways to print and turn in papers. Jordan Young has more on this paper crisis.

(PKG)

BROOKE: Thank you Jordan…stay tuned for more developments on what DV is going to do to deal with this problem.

Congratulations to Rudy Chen, Timothy Lee and Destiny Ly as theses smart seniors have been announced as the Desert Vista’s Class of 2011 Valedictorians! Great job guys!

BROOKE: DV also has two brilliant Flinn “Scholar Designates”! Cody Frear and Yiling Luo have until April 15 to notify The Foundation if they are accepting the award. This is a huge honor so if you see these two around school…congratulate them.

DARBY: And if you want a chance to become as smart as these fabulous students then you should consider getting ahead on high school credits in summer school! Enrollment is going on now so go to your counselor to sign up for classes! PE and health are still available so don’t miss out on this opportunity!

BROOKE: It’s time again for more testing! Next week Desert Vista will be administering Stanford 10 testing for all freshmen on Tuesday, April 5^th as well as the math AIMS for sophomores, juniors and seniors. For you freshmen and sophomores in enrolled in Biology, Honors Biology and Living World…the AIMS Science will be administered to you on Wednesday. Please look for your room assignment in the next week that will be posted near the C building. Don’t forget these important dates!

DARBY: For all of you juniors and seniors not participating in next week’s testing…go check out the Grad Night Fundraising Week at Rumbi Island Grill before coming to class on Tuesday and Wednesday! Enjoy lunch or dinner during the entire week to help support this year’s senior grand night fun! Just put your receipt in the clear fundraising box that is opposite the cash registers at Rumbi

BROOKE: Also in fundraising…in case you missed the other reminders…this Saturday, April 2nd is the annual relay for life garage sale in the dv office parking lot. Teams have until Friday to sign up with Mr. Honaker in the ceramics room. There is a ten dollar registration fee that will be turned in on the day of the event. Teams will be given a table and a parking spot to sell as much as possible so come out and bring all of your friends and family!

DARBY: And to all of you seniors getting ready to graduate this year…are you missing a few things before the big ceremony? Have you picked up your cap and gown? We have a message from the bookstore to those of you who still have yet to get your stuff.

(PKG)

BROOKE: A message to those of you in stand club! There will be an important Club meeting tomorrow after school in Room C-229. If you are interested in being an officer or if you want to be a club member next year, go check out their meeting this Thursday.

DARBY: There are so many ways to stay connected at DV. If you miss any announcements, you can always go online to the DV school fusion site. Also check out DVThunderMedia.com for all things going on around campus, and you can find us on Facebook! Just search DVThundermedia!

BROOKE: Have a great day Thunder, Pledge is next.

“I think mostly students struggle with grammar and sentence structure. Students have a lot of scholarly voice when it comes to literature, so they lack the skill to be able to write a creative, personal story, which is what AIMS asks them to do,” said Louis Calo, a freshman and honors sophomore English teacher. Some people would say that the way AIMS is set up effects the writing scores. “The writing portion is on the first day, so I really don’t think that the way that it is set up, has anything to do with the scores. “

All year long, English teachers make their students write essays to prepare for AIMS, but the prompts are to write a response to a novel, rather than a personal story, which is what AIMS asks for. “I believe teachers could assign more personal essays so students are more prepared and confident when AIMS comes around,” said Calo.  “Students need to use better grammar, and have a bigger vocabulary. If they chose the right words, their scores could improve.”

Even though we are better at math and reading than writing, Desert Vista still has the top scores, and teachers are so proud of all the accomplishments the students have achieved.

Jen Summers-Sophomore English

“We do an AIMS prep unit in February right before the test. We also do a lot of writing assignments to help improve AIMS scores. My students do three practice essays throughout the year as well. I really focus on teaching them hot to organize their paper, and the correct format of an essay.”

Kelly Price-Freshman and Senior English

“I know what I teach everyday will prepare my students to read well, answer questions, and write. We read and write a lot—different models, different topics, different voices, and different formats. We do some timed writing but mostly I believe practice is key. If they build on the feedback I give, I know they’ll do well on AIMS. What we do in the English department has many applications-SAT preparations AIMS practice tests, college readiness, and workplace readiness. If students meet us halfway and do their job, then I know they will be ready for AIMS and much more.”