CIBERNEWS

IB NEWSLETTER VOLUME II ISSUE NO. 4 11.09.01

1.                  COLLEGE REP VISITS

2.                  IB AND PTSA OPEN HOUSE  DATES

3.                  MEMORIAL GARDEN

4.                  HELPING PLAN FOR COLLEGE

5.                  IB STUDENT AND TEACHER ACCOLADES

6.                  THREE STUDENTS MAKE NASP SCHOLARSHIP SHORTLIST

7.                  PTA EVENTS AND CALENDAR

8.                  FAMILY AND TEENS SPEAK OUT ON THE ENVIRONMENT

9.                  HOME PAGE RECONSTRUCTION

10.             CAS OPPORTUNITIES

11.             INVITATION TO JANUARY 3, 2002 CEREMONY – DOUG MARLETTE

12.             BOARD MEETING OF 11.08.01

13.             MYERS PARK SPORTS NEWS

14.             MISSION STATEMENT AND PURPOSES

15.             IB COORDINATOR NOTES

16.             EDITOR’S NOTE – CONTESTS AND PRIZES

1.         COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES SCHEDULED CAMPUS VISITS

By Bobby Samuelson and Matt Jackson

Since Myers Park High School has a high rate of its graduates heading to a four (4) year college, many such schools have representatives who visit Myers Park High School throughout the school year. The representatives come to the Guidance Office, and any senior or junior student with a pass may come and see them. The following is the list of the colleges whose representatives which will be visiting the Guidance Office of Myers Park High School through Thursday, November 26, 2001:

College Visits                      Location       Date               Day                 Time

Williams College            Guidance          Nov 7             Wednesday      11:30

Carolina’s College           Guidance         Nov 13            Tuesday          all lunches

of Health Science

US Air Force                  Guidance         Nov 19            Monday           9:00

USMA West Point          Guidance         Nov 20            Tuesday          1:30

Benedict College            Guidance         Nov 26             Monday          10:00

Mrs. Tribble reminds all seniors to make the deadlines for college applications and wishes everyone the best of luck.

2.                  IB AND PTSA OPEN HOUSES

PTSA OPEN HOUSE is December 5, 2001with a PTSA led tour at 4:15 PM.

IB students will be available afterward in the Media Center.

THE IB OPEN HOUSE IS December 6 AT 7:00 PM IN THE AUDITORIUM. Mr. Robert Corbin and a few of his IB Tech students will demonstrate some of the things they do in that course followed by Q & A.

3.                  MEMORIAL GARDEN PROJECT

MEMORIAL GARDEN DEDICATED

The events of September 11th have affected us all where we live, causing many to wonder if the dust will truly ever settle and if life in the United States will ever return to normal. These acts of terror will define our generation; they will be our "remember when." Myers Park students gained approval to erect a visible reminder of the events of September 11^th that was dedicated by Elizabeth Dole on November 5, 2001.  Mrs. Dole also received over $1,500 collected by the Phoenix Club for the Afghanistan Children’s Fund. Mayor Pat McCrory and other local dignitaries also participated in the dedication ceremony.  The garden includes granite monuments, symbolizing the World Trade Center, a cement representation of the Pentagon, and permanent trees and ground cover. It is a school beautification project that will welcome those who visit Myers Park for our 50th as well as our 100th anniversary.

We need your help to perpetuate this project. Your donations to the Memorial Garden Fund will help the Myers Park family in many ways. First, you will help fund a memorial to commemorate the lives of the thousands who died on 9/11. Some died because they were Americans; others died while performing their duty or trying to subdue terrorists and save other lives – ALL are national heroes. Second, you will support a permanent teaching tool, a visible reminder of this tragedy, and a visible reminder of the importance of cooperation and peaceful diplomacy. Finally, you will be defining and beautifying the Myers Park Campus. Donations will be used for the costs of the construction and future maintenance of the Garden.

Thank you for your consideration of this worthwhile project. Send checks payable to Myers Park High School to:

Memorial Garden Fund

attn: Kory Foremon

Myers Park High School

2400 Colony Road

Charlotte, NC 28209

Thank you once again.

Russ Ferguson

Senior, Myers Park High School

Memorial Garden Committee Student Representative

4.         HELPING PLAN FOR COLLEGE

By Kris Okomoto & Susan Bai

TO FRESHMAN AND SOPHOMORE STUDENTS

Your first two years of high school are the time to set the groundwork for college. Here are some tips to help you understand what colleges expect from your high school record -- use these suggestions to make smart choices about your courses.

What are colleges really looking for?

Make the most of your high school courses

How many times have you heard "take challenging courses" and "keep your grades up"? This is the best advice for so many reasons. A solid transcript not only helps you get into college, but increasingly it affects the financial aid package you'll receive, or, if you're an athlete, whether

you'll qualify to play.

* By taking challenging courses, you build the basic skills   you need to succeed in college and the workplace, such as critical thinking.

* Colleges look at the courses you take and how well you do in them as evidence of your academic curiosity and ability to do well at college.

* A typical college prep program includes four years of  English, three years of math, three years of science, three years of social studies, and one year of music or art. Check your favorite colleges' Web sites to see what kind of high school preparation they recommend.

* If you take challenging courses now (such as AP courses), you may even save money on college by getting credit for introductory college courses.

* If you've taken a basic course in a subject, you might want to follow up by taking a more advanced course. This will show your ability to handle advanced concepts.

* Don't forget to take practical courses that will teach you computer skills, typing, and the basics of writing a research paper, such as working with footnotes and a bibliography.

* Supplement your schoolwork with as much outside reading as you can. The more you read, the better you'll write when it comes time to do your college or scholarship application essays. Read the front page of The New York Times or get a subscription to TIME magazine and look up every word you don't know.

* Improving your vocabulary should be a gradual, steady process -- a great vocabulary can't be crammed in the few days before a test. Try learning a new word each day.

FROM: www.collegeboard.com

Confusion lurks around every corner of life now and days. We are expected to make some of the biggest decisions of our lives, all the while being told that we are not responsible or old enough to do so. Is that irony or what?

When college decision time rolls around, often times teenagers experience the abrupt, but subtle tug of both worlds bearing down on them all at once.

In this and subsequent editions of the newsletter, we will highlight different colleges and universities and try to aid in finding a college that custom fits you and somewhere along the way, eliminate some of the omnipresent stress that we all know far to well.  Today’s school:

THE University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Main Address:           CB 9100, 103 South Building

Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-2200 (919) 962-2211 www.unc.edu

Application Dates & Deadlines

Early decision: 15-OCT

Early decision notification: 07-DEC

Early action: 15-NOV

Early action notification: 20-JAN

Regular application: 15-JAN

Priority:

Student notification: 31-MAR

Transfer closing: 01-MAR

Transfer priority: 15-JAN

Financial aid: None

Financial aid priority: 01-MAR

Application Fee

Regular fee: $55  Fee for out-of-state applicant:

Test Requirements

· SAT I or ACT · SAT I/ACT score report due by 15-JAN

SAT® & ACTT

SAT I or ACT requiredSAT I/ACT score report due by 15-JAN

Middle 50% ofFirst-Year Students Percent WhoSubmitted Scores

SAT I Verbal: 560-670 99%

SAT I Math: 570-670 99%

ACT Composite: 23-29 20%

Advanced Placement (AP®) Information

Subject Minimum grade for credit

Art History 4

Art, Studio: Drawing 3

Art, Studio: General Portfolio 3

Biology 3

Chemistry 3

Computer Science A 3

Computer Science AB 3

English, Language and Composition 5

English, Literature and Composition 5

French, Language 3

French, Literature 3

German, Language 3

Government and Politics, American 4

Government and Politics, Comparative 4

History, European 4

History, U.S. 4

Latin, Literature 3

Latin, Virgil 3

Macroeconomics 3

Mathematics, Calculus AB 3

Mathematics, Calculus BC 3

Microeconomics 3

Music, Theory 3

Physics C, Electricity and Magnetism 4

Physics C, Mechanics 4

Physics, B 5

Psychology 4

Spanish, Language 3

Spanish, Literature 3

College-Level Examinations Program® (CLEP®) Information

All CLEP exam scores range from 20 to 80. A score of 99 indicates that

credit is awarded on an individually-determined basis

Exam Score

Calculus with Elementary Functions 50

College Algebra-Trigonometry 48

College French--Fourth Semester 45

College French--Second Semester 40

College German--Fourth Semester 45

College German--Second Semester 40

College Spanish--Fourth Semester 45

College Spanish--Second Semester 40

General Biology 55

General Chemistry 50

Introductory Macroeconomics 50

Introductory Microeconomics 50

Introductory Sociology 50

Acceptance & Retention

Percent applicants accepted: 37% applicants accepted.76-100% of first-year

students had H.S. GPA of 3.0 or higher94% return for sophomore year.

High School Preparation

Required units: 16 total

History 1

English 4

Foreign language 2

Mathematics 3

Academic electives 1

Social studies 1

Science 3

Science units that must be lab 1

Recommended units:  Science   4

Home-Schooled Students

SAT II recommended, but not required.

Application Dates & Deadlines

Early decision: 15-OCT

Early decision notification: 07-DEC

Early action: 15-NOV

Early action notification: 20-JAN

Regular application: 15-JAN

Priority:

Student notification: 31-MAR

Transfer closing: 01-MAR

Transfer priority: 15-JAN

Application Fee

Regular Fee: $55

Fee for out-of-state applicant:

All information taken from www.collegeboard.com

One of the basic premises of financial aid is that the family is expected to contribute to college costs to the extent the family is able. If that amount cannot cover the cost, financial aid can help make up the difference. This concept is frequently referred to as the Expected Family Contribution, or EFC for short. The EFC is determined by whomever is awarding the aid -- usually the federal government or individual colleges and universities. The federal government and financial aid offices use formulas that analyze your family's financial circumstances (such as income and family size) and compare them proportionally with other families' financial circumstances.

5.         IB STUDENT AND TEACHER ACCOLADES

by Anna Johnson, Anna Wyatt, and Mark Hamilton

with Nancy Bryant, Student Coordinator

As another year commences for the IB Mustang student body, students are gearing up for a rigorous year of academics.  With this comes endless opportunities for our students to excel in a variety of areas.  We are using a section of this newsletter to recognizing these achievements and need your help in ensuring that all Mustangs receive proper acclaim for their efforts.  If you know of a student or teacher that has been recognized for his or her accomplishments, please email Anna Johnson at annablair6@carolina.rr.com , Anna Wyatt at AGW4012@aol.com , or Mark Hamilton at dmh584@carolina.rr.com .  

Thanks for your help!

RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS:

November 2, 2001

Fully one-third of all of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg High School students named finalists in the National Merit scholarship Program were part of the Mustang student body.  These students are:

LESLIE ACTON

MEGAN BOLLES

ROBERT ETTER

LESLIE HEMPSON

EMILY ROTBERG

MARY SPENCER

MARY WILLIAMS. 

These students will continue in competition for the eight thousand scholarship awards worth a total of 32 million dollars.  Winners will be announced next spring.

The Mustang Student Body is making outstanding progress in the rigorous competition of the academic environment. As juniors and seniors start their search for colleges, many students have recieved recognition for their achievements on the PSAT.  Meagan Bolles, Robert Etter, Emily Rotberg, Aly Spencer, Karen Warren, and Mary Williams have obtained esteemed recognition as National Merit Semi-Finalists.  Danielle Brockington, Garjae Lauien, and Trey Mack are National Achievement Semi-Finalists.  Emily Crutcher, our student body president, is the Myers Park High School Daughters of the American Revolution nominee.  Congratulations to these IB Mustangs!

6.                  THREE STUDENTS MAKE NASP SCHOLARSHIP SHORTLIST

From The ADVOCATE – E-mail newsletter of the Char-Meck Educational Foundation

October 17, 2001 - Fifteen students in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools have been named semifinalists in the 38th annual National Achievement Scholarship Program, an academic competition for African-American high school students. These young men and women now have an opportunity to continue in the competition for more than 700 Achievement Scholarship awards, worth $2.5 million, that will be offered next spring for college undergraduate study.  The 15 semifinalists attend seven different schools within CMS, but THE SCHOOL WITH THE MOST SEMIFINALISTS IS MYERS PARK WITH 5 (NO OTHER SCHOOL HAD MORE THAN 3), AND OF THOSE 5, THREE –3—ARE IB STUDENTS. (Their names are capitalized in the following listing of semifinalists and the school they attend:

Harding High:
Danielle Allen

Independence High:
Brandon Hodges
Kevonte Mitchell

Myers Park High:
DANIELLE BROCKINGTON
Chantae Harris
GARJAE LAVIEN
CLAUDE MACK
Brandon Wright

North Mecklenburg High:
James Walker

Providence High:
Horace Ballard
Sylvia Gyapong
Carolyn McGill

South Mecklenburg High:
April Harley
Portia Ross

Vance High:
Emmanuel Lipscomb

More than 110,000 African-American students from all parts of the U.S. entered the 2002 Achievement Program by requesting consideration when they took the 2000 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) as high school juniors. Semifinalists were designated on a regional representation basis and are the highest-scoring program entrants in the states that make up each geographic region.

To be considered for Achievement Scholarship awards, semifinalists must advance to the finalist level of the competition by fulfilling a number of requirements. They must have a record of high academic performance throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by their school principal, and earn SAT scores that confirm their earlier PSAT/NMSQT performance. In addition, the semifinalists and a high school official must complete a scholarship application in which they provide information about the student's participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, and educational goals.

Over 1,200 semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing and compete for three types of Achievement Scholarship awards to be offered in 2002. More than 700 of the finalists will be chosen as Achievement Scholarship winners next spring. All Achievement Scholar designees will be selected from the finalist group on the basis of their abilities, skills, accomplishments and potential for academic success in college.

7.                  PTA ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CALENDAR OF SCHOOL EVENTS

MYERS PARK HIGH SCHOOL IS 50!

THE MPHS 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Nov. 2-3, 2001 was a rousing success. All the details are on the web page www.mphsmustangs.org . The party Saturday night at the North Club Level of Ericsson Stadium with the Catalinas was well attended by over 500 alums.

A PTSA committee has reviewed our bylaws; changes were presented to the PTSA board and approved.  The next step is the process is approval by the general PTSA membership.  This will be done at the PTSA program night on November 13 at 7 PM in the auditorium.  Copies of the revised bylaws are available for your review in the main office at school.  Look for them on the table near the attendance office. Please contact Jean Anderson (704-364-2152 or jpanderson@prodigy.net ) with any questions or comments.

Similarly, changes to the IB-PAC Bylaws are being circulated to the Board and, if approved, to the Council at its next general meeting.  Anyone with questions or comments regarding the same, please contact the Editor at 704.333.7848 or devilr@mindspring.com.

UPCOMING OPEN HOUSES AND TOURS:  To help inform prospective parents and students about why they should choose Myers Park on their choice applications this fall, PTSA is holding several open houses and tours.  Please note the dates below, and pass the information along to friends!  Individual tours are available by appointment.  Just call the school at 704-343-5800.

Group Tours for Parents and Students           

4:15 p.m.   Meet in the Auditorium Lobby

December 5

Open Houses for Parents and Students

7:00 p.m.   Auditorium

November 14 and January 8.

SENIOR AD MONEY DUE: Oct. 31. Checks should have been made out

to MPHS, and sent to Ms. Gaglione.  If you have questions, contact Ms. Dot

Gaglione at 704-343-5800.  Voice mail:  704-343-5865 ext 1265.

Calendar of upcoming events

N.B.  ANDREW BLAKE CRANFORD mclc@qwestonline.com -- YOU ARE A WINNER!

Nov. 13           SPIN-Student Parent Involvement Night                              7 PM                      

Nov. 14           MPHS Prospective Parents/Students Open House          7 PM          

Nov. 21-23        Thanksgiving Holidays

DEC. 1  SHOWCASE OF SCHOOLS     MERCHANDISE MART        10 AM-6 PM

Dec. 5            MPHS Prospective Parents/Students Tour                        4:15 PM 

Dec. 6             MPHS Prospective IB Parents/Students Tour                   7:00 PM

Dec. 20-Jan. 1    Winter Break

JAN. 3, 2002             RECOGNITION CEREMONY FOR THE INTERNATIONAL                                            BACCALAUREATE CLASS OF 2001

Jan. 8            MPHS Prospective Parents/Students Open House           7 PM

by Emily Bobbitt and Mary Sessler

Calling all future environmentalists!  This coming Saturday, November 10, from 9AM to 3PM, at the Mallard Creek Recreation Center in the University area, high schoolers along with parents and teachers are invited to gather together to focus on important environmental issues. Topics include: Charlotte’s air and water quality; recycling in Mecklenburg County; and environmental effects due to the dramatic growth in population.

The conference, called “Teens Speak Out on the Environment,” was planned by teens for teens. It will begin with Alan Giles, a speaker from the Mecklenburg County Department of Environmental Protection. Then the hands-on workshops begin to focus on issues of concern in and around the Charlotte area. If interested, visit gocarolinas.com, email virginia_pitts@ncsu.edu  or call: 704-336-4015.

9.         HOME PAGE RECONSTRUCTION and NEW PAGE

10.       CAS OPPORTUNITIES

            CAS stands for “Creativity, Action and Service,” a required component of IB students, but these opportunities may also represent community service hours required of pre-IB students. The student volunteer coordinator for this opportunity is Seema Kakad.

For those seniors furiously trying to get ready for college application deadlines, and juniors who are thinking about them, evidence of service to the community is a big plus.  Try becoming involved in a service organization here in Charlotte for not just one day, but make it a habitual event.

1.         Listed below are several Community Service Organizations that students could try, according to their interests.  FOR A MORE COMPLETE LISTING OF CAS ORGANIZATIONS, E-MAIL devilr@mindspring.com SUBJECT “CAS OPS,” and the Editor will e-mail you an Word file attachment and e-mail detailing over 15 organizations.

Habitat for Humanity

516 E. 35th Street

PO Box 34397

Charlotte, NC 28234

(704) 376-2054

Constructing homes and fix-up projects.

United Way

301 S. Brevard Street

Charlotte, NC 28202

(704) 372-7170

  Ask about how you can help with National Family Week, November 18-24

  For more information about National Family Week, call 1-800-221-2681

Afterschool at Seigle Avenue Presbyterian Church

(704) 338-1914

2.      For CAS hours and for MPHS Ecology Club members, volunteer for The Catawba Lands Conservancy.  Call Marsha O’Brien, 704.968.3475 or the FLD Volunteer Hotline, 704.342.4744 x 209 to sign up or get more information at the web site, www.catawbalands.org.

3.      Avondale Presbyterian Church needs volunteers Monday and Wenesday, 4:00 to 5:00 PM for tutoring or mentoring middle school students.  Contact Laura Meier, Director, 704.333.6194 or devilr@mindspring.com .

11.   AN INVITATION TO INTERNATIONAL BACCALAURATE STUDENTS AND PARENTS

RECOGNITION CEREMONY FOR THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE CLASS OF 2001

THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 2002

MYERS PARK HIGH SCHOOL ADUITORIUM     7:00 PM

THE EVENING’S KEYNOTE SPEAKER: DOUG MARLETTE

 EDITORIAL CARTOONIST, PULTIZER PRIZE WINNER,  NOVELIST

            You and your students(s) are invited to attend a Recognition Ceremony for the Class of 2001 International Baccalaureate Alumni on Thursday, January 3, 2002 at 7:00 PM in the Myers Park High School Auditorium.  The evening’s keynote speaker will be Doug Marlette.  Mr. Marlette is the creator of the “Kudzu” comic strip, a Pulitzer Prize winner, a novelist, and a former editorial cartoonist for the Charlotte Observer.  A reception will follow the ceremony in the Art Gallery.

12.  IB-PAC TREASURER’S REPORT at BOARD MEETING OF NOVEMBER 8,2001

Thank you to everyone who generously donated to the Myers Park High School IB PAC. The Board confirmed $441.38 expenditures for college materials for Guidance and about $800 for publications, internet science service and language guides from the last meeting.  An approved request for $1,200 for supplies, software and GPS/GIS position locators is not yet expended.  The Board approved an aggressive marketing plan for the upcoming choice period coming November 26, 2001, including a mailing to prospective students and a plan for our Open House December 6.  The Board will meet again on January 10, 2002 at 7:00 P.M. at Muffin Campbell’s house.

13.       HIGHLIGHTS IN MUSTANG SPORTS

by Spero Katsanos and Tim Varner

Football

With a win 21-7 over Olympic Friday, October 26, Myers Park moved to a 4-5 record on the year and a 3-2 Southwestern 4-A conference record. Chima Okoro had 22 carries for 186 yards and two touchdowns; Marqualo McFadden scored on a 30 yard pass from Logan Smith, and Nick Matus was perfect on his PATs,

The game against South Mecklenburg November 2 for Senior Nite, 50^th Celebration and the Mustang Bar-B-Que was a 28-7 triumph to pull the Mustangs to a 5-5 record on the year and a 4-2 Southwestern 4-A conference record.  Omar Gaither intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown, and all our Senior athletes were recognized on a beautiful evening that included the announcement of his acceptance of a full athletic scholarship to the University of Tennessee.

GO MUSTANGS!!!!!

14.       MISSION STATEMENT:    To provide interesting, timely and important information to students, parents, teachers and staff about the MPHS IB Program via the Internet.

GOALS:            1.         To involve IB students in all phases of production, creation, distribution and institutionalization of the Newsletter.

                                                2.         To involve parents of IB students and provide a media to make information accessible and answer frequently asked questions.

                        3.         To assist teachers in allowing students to learn about and from them, communicate issues and concerns they have to parents, and facilitate IB activities and programs.

BY THE STUDENTS – FOR THE STUDENTS

*************************

15.IB COORDINATOR NOTES:  The IB curriculum model is displayed as a hexagon with six academic areas surrounding the core. While overall balance is maintained, flexibility in choosing concentrations is encouraged to allow students to pursue personal interests or meet college entrance requirements.  In keeping with this educational philosophy, we plan to add four new IB courses for the 2002-2003 school year: IB Philosophy, a second year of IB Computer Programming, IB Islamic History and IB Photography.  We are also exploring offering IB Geography. Please see the hexagon displayed on our new website, at www.myersparkib.com .  

RON THOMAS

16.     EDITOR’S NOTE

TO SUBCRIBE OR CHANGE ADDRESS, SEE BELOW.

PLEASE SUBMIT ARTICLES, E-MAILS OR FEEDBACK AS SET OUT BELOW.

THERE IS A NAME FROM THE E-MAIL LISTSERV BURIED IN THE NEWSLETTER ABOVE.  IF IT IS YOURS AND YOU RESPOND TO THE EDITOR AT devilr@mindspring.com .  YOU WILL WIN A PIE OF YOUR CHOICE BAKED BY THE CULINARY ARTS PROGRAM OF MPHS.

WATCH FOR THE SPECIAL CONTEST IN UPCOMING ISSUES TO WIN RESERVED FRONT ROW SEATS AT THE IB GRADUATION IN JANUARY 2002.

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of . CIBERNEWS or its participating editors, teacher consultants, and publishers. CIBERNEWS is distributed by e-mail every two weeks beginning 09.28.01 to anyone interested in the MP-IB program who has submitted an e-mail registration form. To subscribe or submit articles, please e-mail to devilr@mindspring.com .

For additional information on the MP-IB program, go to www.myersparkhighschool.org/ib/pac