CIBERNEWS ISSUE 5

THERE IS A NAME FROM THE E-MAIL LISTSERV BURIED IN THE NEWSLETTER BELOW. IF IT IS YOURS AND YOU RESPOND TO THE EDITOR AT devilr@mindspring.com . YOU WILL WIN A PRIZE BAKED BY THE CULINARY ARTS PROGRAM OF MPHS. LAST ISSUE’S WINNER, ANDREW BLAKE CRANFORD, DID NOT RESPOND AND THE EDITOR GLEEFULLY ATE HIS PIE.

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.

The Memorial Garden, which depicts the World Trade Center's twin towers as two black granite pillars inside of a pentagon of bricks,representing the Pentagon, was dedicated on November 5, 2001. This amazing accomplishment was planned out by the Young Republicans club, and the Horticulture classes and Green Thumb Club provided labor for the planting of the extensive bushes, plants and beds. The garden is located in the open area by the car circle, next to the new administration building.Members of the Young Republicans Club, Phoenix Club, and the Green Thumb Club were present at the ceremony at 9:00 AM, as were a few classes, local school and political officials and Elizabeth Dole.

"I think it is a touching and beautiful memorial. When I see it, I think of the unspeakable tragedy that we suffered on September 11," says sophomore Ben Fulton.

"I think this was a good idea, but poorly executed. The design of the memorial is a little stupid," reports Greg Cline.

Whatever your opinion of the memorial, it is impressive what the clubs at our school were able to accomplish, with the help of teacher and parent assistance.

To support the construction and perpetual maintenance if the garden, send checks payable to Myers Park High School to:

3. HELPING PLAN FOR COLLEGE

Usually, our column lists the college representatives coming to visit Myers Park High School. Since Christmas is nearing, however, there are no college representatives coming to Myers Park before Christmas. In light of that fact our article for this news letter will address the issue of getting into college.

In earlier years, getting into a school like UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke, or Wake was not nearly as hard as it is today. The reason? In the earlier years, more high school graduates were going straight to their jobs. The result? Admissions to major, well respected colleges is getting harder and harder as more and more students apply. Applications at many schools have become so selective that only 35% of applicants get in. These are not high dollar Ivy League schools, these are state universities. But there is hope for those middle tier students. Despite common belief, there are many high quality but not as well known universities and colleges that have more lenient admissions requirements. The moral of the story? Work your hardest, do your best, because getting into the college of your choice could be getting harder by the day.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Student Financial Assistance programs are the largest source of student aid in America, providing 75% of all student aid. (Federal Student Financial Aid Planner, 2001) Help is available to make education beyond high school financially possible for you and your family. Visit www.ed.gov/studentaid or call 1.800.433.3243 (1-800-4-FED-AID).

TYY: 1.800.730.8913

For an online version of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, go to:

www.fafsa.ed.gov (this completed document is required to qualify for federal aid).

U.S. Department of Education Student Financial Assistance home page: www.ed.gov/studentaid

FAFSA help: www.afsa.ed.gov/hlp.htm FAFSA on the Web help: 1.800.801.0576

For a free copy of a book on FSFA programs and application procedures, Funding Your Education, from the U.S. D of E., write to:

FEDERAL STUDENT AID INFORMATION CENTER

PO BOX 84

WASHINGTON DC 20044-0084

The PTSA board approved amendments to its Bylaws at the general PTSA membership meeting prior to a PTSA program on November 13 at 7 PM in the auditorium. Please contact Jean Anderson (704-364-2152 or jpanderson@prodigy.net ) with any questions or comments.

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.

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

The IB PAC Board would appreciate your input on suggested changes and additions to the Home Page for IB-Parent Advisory Council, accessible at www.myersparkhigh.org/ib/pac . All links are accessible and contain valuable information, excepting the last two that are labeled “under construction.” The “No/Low Cost Summer Enrichment” link provides further links valuable to 10^th and 11^th graders, and some updating of the links is in process. As is true for this newsletter, technical improvements are possible to the extent of volunteer help of our talented students and their parents. Bryan Crutcher is assisting us in this regard.

In addition, check for the opening and expansion of our new web page, www.myersparkib.com , with links off the PTSA and IB web pages.

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.

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. Some volunteer opportunities:
Children
A Child's Place 704 343-3792
Alexander Children's Center 704 362-6760
Youth Homes Inc. 704 334-9955

Community Service
Crisis Assistance Ministry 704 371-3001 ext. 114
Hands on Charlotte 704 333-7471

Look in the front section of the Sunday, November 25, 2001 Charlotte
Observer for more volunteer opportunities and descriptions .

4. On behalf of the American Cancer Society, I would like to thank all the MPHS IB students who came out to help with the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk/Run on November 3rd! You were awesome! There were approximately 33 students who came out to the race, many by 6:15 am! You were so very generous with your time, arriving early and staying till everything was cleaned up! We could not have done it without you!

If you have not had your community service book signed, please call me at 704 849-8963 and I'll make arrangements with you to get it completed!

Thanks again...and we're looking for a student to head up the volunteer drive at MPHS for next year's race! Call me if you are interested.

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N.B. -- "Michael A. Rejter $1$" , YOU ARE A WINNER! Reply by e-mail, subject line “WINNER!,” TO devilr@mindspring.com

to claim your prize.

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7. AN INVITATION TO INTERNATIONAL BACCALAURATE STUDENTS AND PARENTS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 2002

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.

Getting to Know Our IB Teachers

Margaritha Harmaty teaches IB and AP German 1-5 to students in all four
grades at Myers Park. She has a Bachelor's Degree in German and Philosophy.
She and her husband have two sons and one daughter, who teaches Chemistry at Myers Park. She also has two cats.

Her favorite color is green. Bread is her favorite food. Star Wars is
her favorite movie. "Danny Boy" and "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" are her
favorite songs. Simon and Garfunkel are her favorite musical artists. Frau
Harmaty likes to vacation anywhere on the ocean. C.J. Cherryh is her
favorite author. Walking and riding are her favorite sports. Frau Harmaty
loves all animals.

Frau Harmaty likes teaching IB because she likes "teaching students who
are interested in learning and willing to consider a whole spectrum of
reality."

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.

by Spero Katsanos

This Week in Mustang Sports

On Tuesday November 27, Myers Park kicked off its men's and women's basketball seasons with games at Vance High School. The men's team is excited about the possibilities the upcoming season brings, with a new sponsorship and with leaders like pre-season Southwestern 4A all-conference player Marcus Springs. Basketball has a total of eight games to play as of November 26th before the Christmas Break.

Wrestling is also in action on the 27th against Vance, although those matches are home matches held at Myers Park.

In other news, indoor track has gotten started up and baseball workouts are now well under way, with another good season in the future for a team that won eighteen games last year and that had the talent to win even more.

Almost everyone is familiar with the famous novel and movie production, “Miracle on 34th Street.” Starting on November 30 and lasting through December 9, the Children’s Theater will bring this story to life onstage at the Spirit Square Center for the Arts. In the play, as in the original story, an elderly man named Kris Kringle (played by the local and famously popular Dennis Delamar) opens the eyes of a little girl named Susan, who is unsure of whether or not Santa is real. It is a great way to get into the holiday spirit by enjoying fantasy from a child’s point of view. For more information on this seasonal play visit www.charlotte.com and/or call (704) 372-1000. Tickets are $10, but show times may vary; call (704) 333-8983 to inquire for specific times.

12. 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.

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13.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, Dr. Thomas

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 PRIZE 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 .