Monte Vista Roar
January Edition: New Year, Same Marvelous Monte Vista
Table of Contents
- Labs Are Rolling to a Start
- A Short Break, Then Back to Dreaming Big!
- Creative Corner: Poem of the Month
- Monte Vista- A New Spin on Education
- Side Note to Stay Healthy: Social Health
- Why Skate University is Good for the Community
- Spider-Man No Way Home Movie Review
- NFL Super Wild Card Weekend Recap
- World Cup Trivia Answers
- NBA Trivia
- January Summary
- Art Gallery
1. Labs Are Rolling to a Start
Ready to see what this semester has to offer you? Here are our labs:
- Look below for Science lab schedule for January!
- Gather your kings and queens because MV's Chess club is a blast to the past! Chess Club meets on Tuesdays from 2 P.M. to 3 P.M. at the tables outside the MPR!
- Interested in earning 2.5 credits while doing something healthy for your mind and body? Come to MV and take Yoga with Mrs. Marina Campenella. Class will be held Monday afternoons for 1 hour. Contact your teacher for more info!
- ROP Horticulture is worth 5 credits per semester and meets on Tuesdays from 1-3 P.M. You get to learn all sorts of things that have to do with growing a garden and getting hands-on.
Art Class is offered on Tuesdays at 10-11:30 AM for Middle School / High School students, and 12-1:30 PM for Elementary Students, on campus. Art Class is also offered as an online program. Art Class DOES offer credit for middle school / high school students who take Art as an elective. There's a link to sign up for art class (either on campus or online) on the Lab Schedules page of our school's website.
- Do you want to learn the arts of writing? Writing can be a very powerful tool to express yourself, and Ms. Allison Taverner does a lab that meets on every Wednesday at 1pm to teach the structure and overall art of writing. If you want to improve your writing, or just love to learn about the art, this is just the lab for you!
by Raphael Caballero
Science labs for January
Because it was polar!"
Meme of the Month
Fun Fact of the Month
2. A Short Break, Then Back to Dreaming Big!
Hope everyone had awesome breaks! School is back in session. But this shouldn't be a time of stress, rather it should be a time where we can truly reflect.
The new year came and last year has passed. It seems like I just took the longest blink ever, but being dazed is nothing to worry about, because everyone feels it. But it's what you do this next semester that will determine whether or not you can make 2022 great, so let's start the year with a bang, and before you know it, the sun will be tanning us and filling us with warmth.
So let's make this semester the best one yet, and continue to dream big for not only 2022, but for the rest of our lives!
by Raphael Caballero
3. Creative Corner: Poem of the Month
Imagine you have been away from home for many months. Write a poem to express your feelings about home or going home:
Dog fur on my pants
Hot tea in my dry hands
Mom says do the dishes
Loud discussions everywhere
Steak and potatoes fill the air
Sometimes think I wanna go away
But I think want to stay
Here is where I belong
Home
A tear falls down my face
My mom's perfume fills the air
I miss her beautiful blonde hair
Lucy’s jumping on couch
Dad gives me a warm hug
I really miss their love
I can’t wait to be home again
by Ellie Abelar
The poem is rich with imagery that make you see the hectic, yet loving family. It feels warm and inviting, yet has a somber undertone that captures the essence of being homesick. It truly is a great poem that reflects on that powerful bittersweet feeling.
If you want to have a chance for your art to be featured in next month's newsletter, then contact allison.taverner@simivalleyusd.org or r.caballeromer231031@simivalleyusd.org
Introduction and commentary by Raphael Caballero
4. Monte Vista- A New Spin on Education
Monte Vista - A New Spin on Education
No school district wants to close schools but declining enrollment requires school boards to look at creative ways to increase the student population. Many districts need to rethink how education is delivered to support students with innovative instruction and learning opportunities. Sometimes the traditional education that was created during the industrial revolution needs to be revamped. With the best interest of students in mind, Monte Vista Independent Learning Academy was opened!
Opening on the site of the former Abraham Lincoln Elementary School in 2015, the school has seen record enrollment. The goal was initially to increase the district enrollment by attracting home schooled students and those enrolled in charter and virtual schools. Most importantly, Monte Vista also meets the needs of students who desire an alternative learning environment and flexible schedule.
Being ahead of the curve with independent learning, students at Monte Vista didn’t miss a beat when distance learning was implemented by all California schools in 2020. Combined with the innovative labs and hands-on learning, Monte Vista students are college and career bound with the variety of courses available from APEX Learning, the curriculum utilized in the middle and high school.
Have you visited the 4-H program? Have a special interest that your 1:1 teacher can foster? Tried the floral arranging class? Attended a field trip? Looking to write for the Monte Vista Roar? Each teacher is part of the Monte Vista team and wants you to meet success. Do exactly what the Monte Vista motto says, “Dream Big!”
https://www.montevista.simivalleyusd.org/
https://www.simivalleyacorn.com/articles/independent-learning-on-the-rise/
http://simi-ca.schoolloop.com/file/1537515200588/1400654158237/4210844082068009301.pdf
5. Side Note to Stay Healthy: Social Health
Social health is a major part of the health triangle. We have covered many different ways to be healthy in the past, but social health is just as important as the other three types of health to keep balance.
What is Social Health? Why is it important? Well according to telemedicine.arizona.edu "Our social health and wellness is measured by the relationships and connections we have to others in the world around us. Most mammals (and other animals) are inherently social creatures, and social relationships help us survive and thrive in today’s society..." and "...When we don’t have a strong social system, many other aspects of our health are impacted. In fact, there are several serious health effects that loneliness and social isolation can cause or worsen, particularly as we age. Loneliness is associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, suicide, heart disease, heart failure, stroke, dementia, and premature death."
Social health also goes hand in hand with the other parts of the health triangle. Socializing with others can improve your mental and emotional state, or it can motivate you to become more physically active. Having groups that go out to the gym together or talk about feelings in a safe space are great ways to achieve both social and another part of health at the same time.
Socializing can be as easy as anything for some, and very difficult for others, but it always helps to join an activity. If you help a group with a project, socializing will naturally be a part of your life. Things like joining the Chess club or joining Journalism Club will help ease your way into becoming more comfortable socializing in groups.
Socializing can mean many different things. Sometimes, socializing doesn't necessarily need to be a big group, but it can be as simple as calling a friend or having fun with people.
Volunteering is another great way to meet new people that have similar passions as you. Another activity similar to that is the Leadership club, where you get to meet individuals who work as a team and organize events.
A new club has been created called Our Minds Matter: A youth group starts Monday the 24th in Room 18 at 2pm. Meet great people and help each other. This and many other opportunities that both in-school and outside of school have to offer are great for your social health.
Social health is a major part of being healthy and it can affect the rest of the health balance. Whether you choose to be social at school or out of school, social health should still be important to all of us.
by Raphael Caballero
6. Why Skate University is Good for the Community
by Kane Lum
7. Spider-Man No Way Home Movie Review (SPOILER ALERT)
Please remember that this is my opinion and not at all supposed to be everyone's opinion about it, I'm only sharing my thoughts and not forcing them onto you, you are free to agree or disagree with whatever I'm saying. Thank you! Hope you enjoy it!
Spider-Man: No Way Home was an incredible movie for both an MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) fan and an OG fan of Spider-Man. As someone who watched all the Spider-Man movies growing up, I thought the movie was amazing, very well-done, and the fight scenes were leaving me on the edge of my seat. From Alfred Molina's Doctor Octopus to Jamie Foxx's Electro, it brought back old memories of watching Spider-Man throughout the years...but that's my problem with the movie.; it's made for the hardcore Spider- Man fans that watched EVERY SINGLE MOVIE, and not for the everyday moviegoer.
Don't get me wrong, it's not like someone who's never watched Spider-Man won't enjoy it, but they won't appreciate it to the extent that a Spider-Man fan will. For example, someone who's never watched Spider-Man (2002) might not understand the two personalities of Willem Dafoe's character Norman Osborn and the Green Goblin; so when he suddenly switches personalities in Happy's apartment, it might take a non-Spider-Man fan a little while to discover this. As a screenwriter, you don't want the viewer to ever be confused due to knowledge that they "should've" known, because after all, this is a movie for the MCU and not a continuation for the other Spider-Man movies. One last complaint in the movie's story was how quickly both aunt May and Peter wanted to help Norman so badly and I believe that the transition from thinking he is a bad guy to trusting him completely was too quick and forced.
The acting from both Tom Holland and Zendaya was ok at times, and I thought they could've been better. On the other hand, Jacob Batalon, Benedict Cumberbatch, Alfred Molina, Jamie Foxx, Willem Dafoe, and Thomas Haden Church's acting in the movie was absolutely jaw-dropping. Willem Dafoe's acting has somehow gotten better from when he first dawned the role of the Green Goblin, and the switch from Norman Osborn to his Green Goblin counterpart was spectacular and gave me chills. And not to mention (my personal favorite Spider-Man) Andrew Garfield's entrance and how he started to carry the movie the moment he stepped onto the screen. From that moment, I was always asking myself when he would show up again because he is the absolute embodiment of Peter Parker and Spider-Man. And Tobey Maguire's entrance just made my childhood flash before my eyes, he will always have a special place in my heart as the Spider-Man I grew up watching. The chemistry between the three Spider-Men was incredible and they really made you feel like you were watching three brothers working together. The movie ended on a satisfying note with Peter finally leaving behind Spider-Boy and taking responsibility as Spider-Man. I'm very excited for Tom Holland's Spider-Man and can't wait to see what the MCU has in-store for us in the future (Sidenote: Tom Holland's final suit in the movie is so cool!).
Overall I would rate this movie a 9.5 as a Spider-Man fan, but an 8.5 as a movie critic.
by Bruce Caballero
8. NFL Super Wild Card Weekend Recap
Bengals 26-19 Raiders
It took 31 years, but the Cincinnati Bengals have finally won a playoff game, while the Raiders still don’t have a postseason win since 2002. It started slow with a lot of field goals by Evan McPherson and the Bengals looked like they would win slowly but surely. Then one of the most controversial calls in NFL history came into play. On 3rd and 4, Joe Burrow threw the ball but the whistle was called midair, when this happens, the play is officially dead and cannot continue. However, Tyler Boyd caught it for a touchdown and it would stand. They would score 7 points, and wouldn’t you know it, the Bengals won by 7 points. Granted they would’ve most likely gained 3 points but it still was a massive call, as without it, the Raiders most likely forced overtime and maybe could’ve even won, but the call stood, and Cincinnati won on a goal line stand in the final minute.
Bills 47-17 Patriots
The perfect game for the Bills. All their drives ended in touchdowns and they had no punts nor turnovers against their bitter division rival. This game was over by the 1st quarter as Josh Allen dominated the Patriots defense and blew them out of the water.
Buccaneers 31-15 Eagles
Another blowout where the scoreboard tells a lie. The Eagles did score 15 points but not before going down 31-0 with Jalen Hurts scrambling out of clean pockets and throwing 2 interceptions. The game was sealed when Jalen Reagor, who hasn’t lived up to his potential, muffed a ball and the Bucs recovered it and scored a touchdown.
Cowboys 17-23 49ers
One of the craziest endings of an NFL Game. The 49ers had the ball with less than a minute remaining, winning by 6, only for penalties forcing them to punt. With 14 seconds left the Cowboys called the worst possible play. They sent Dak Prescott up the middle and he didn’t slide until he got close to a defender, with no timeouts he handed the ball to his center, which would cost them the game since an official must touch the ball before a play can be run. If not it’s a 10-second run off and with only 8 seconds left, that would’ve lost the Cowboys the game. The ref had to run through the offensive line to touch the ball, but the Cowboys couldn’t spike the ball and they lost the game. The Cowboys still remain with only 3 playoff wins since 1996.
Chiefs 42-21 Steelers
This game looked very promising at the start, with TJ Watt scoring the first touchdown of the game in the 2nd quarter, but the Chiefs picked up the slack and quickly put up points in the 2nd half in what is most likely Ben Roethlisberger’s final game.
Rams 34-11 Cardinals
A blowout in every sense of the word. The Cardinals offense never really got anything going and the game was sealed when Kyler Murray threw a ball in the air from his own end zone to a Rams defender in one of the worst throws in NFL history. The Rams dominated, and Stafford finally got his first playoff victory.
by Thomas Bonvehi
9. World Cup Trivia Answers
FIFA World Cup Trivia Answers
Which country won the first ever World Cup?
B. Uruguay
Which country has the most World Cup wins?
B. Brazil
How many World Cup wins does that country have?
D. 5
Who won the Golden Ball in the 2018 World Cup?
C. Luka Modric
What was the first African country to host the World Cup?
A. South Africa
Which 2 teams met in the 2014 World Cup Final?
B. Germany and Argentina
How many countries have won the World Cup?
D. 8
Where is the World Cup being played in 2022?
A. Qatar
Where was the World Cup played in 1978?
C. Argentina
Which country is the only country to qualify for every single World Cup?
B. Brazil
How many countries participate in the World Cup?
D. 32
Which country is the most recent World Cup champion?
A. France
10. NBA Trivia*
Which team is the oldest on this list?
A. Minnesota Timberwolves
B. Boston Celtics
C. Chicago Bulls
D. Dallas Mavericks
Who was the youngest MVP of the NBA?
A. Michael Jordan
B. Lebron James
C. Charles Barkley
D. Derrick Rose
Who was the only unanimous MVP of the NBA?
A. Shaquille O'Neal
B. Lebron James
C. Stephen Curry
D. Micheal Jordan
Who scored 38 points to win an NBA Finals while having the flu?
A. Steven Adams
B. Micheal Jordan
C.Clyde Drexler
D. Derrick Rose
Who was the most recent NBA Finals Champion?
A. Golden State Warriors
B. Pheonix Suns
C. Brooklyn Nets
D. Milwaukee Bucks
How many teams have won the NBA Finals?
A. 30
B. 8
C. 19
D. 26
Which team on this list has the most NBA Finals Championships?
A. Los Angeles Lakers
B. Detroit Pistons
C. Chicago Bulls
D. San Antonio Spurs
Which NBA Player has the most NBA Finals Championships?
A. Micheal Jordan
B. Bill Russell
C. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
D. Robert Horry
Which NBA player has the most MVPs?
A. Bill Russell
B. Wilt Chamberlain
C. Lebron James
D. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
What was the highest scoring performance in a single game in the NBA and who did it?
A. Wilt Chamberlain with 100 points
B. Kobe Bryant with 81 points
C. Wilt Chamberlain with 78 points
D. Micheal Jordan with 69 points
*Answers will be posted in next month's newsletter!
11. January Summary
Labs are picking up and remember to start this semester strong! Our creative corner was awesome this month and we also learned about the origins of Monte Vista. Remember to stay socially healthy by interacting with different groups such as the "Our Minds Matter" group or the Journalism group. Our skating community is growing and is already making an impact with the Skate Museum in the Simi Town Center. Spider-Man No Way Home was an action packed movie, and it was definitely nostalgic for OG Spider-Man Fans! The NFL Super Wild Card Weekend was so cool and lots of teams went at it with all they got. Hope you guys enjoyed the World Cup Trivia and its answers and lookout for the answers to the NBA Trivia that will be posted next month. This months Art gallery by Silva Nolasco was amazing and truly did an epic job drawing our Study Café! Hope you liked this month's newsletter and remember to continue to dream big.
by Raphael Caballero
12. Art Gallery: Our Lion Mascot's Cubs At the Study Café
By Silva Nolasco
ACSA R13 Essay Contest 2022
The Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) High School Senior Essay Contest is open to all public high school mid-term and graduating seniors.
Entrants must submit an essay based on the prompt given
The top 3 winners from each of Region 13’s seven Charters will receive cash prizes.
The essay which wins first place from each Charter will be forwarded to the Region
The top 3 winning essays at the Region level will also receive cash prizes.
Read about the prompt, prizes, and more here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pnf6h7_8Aho_4n_D75aPvm-onUM2cUJb/edit
Join Our Monte Vista Newsletter!
Become One of Our Crew
Contact allison.taverner@simivalleyusd.org or r.caballeromer231031@simivalleyusd.org about joining!
Our Amazing Crew
This newsletter never could have happened without everyone one of our crew pitching in:
Ms. Allison Taverner (Senior Editor and Supervisor)
Raphael Caballero (Editor of MVR, Main Journalist of MVR)
Silva Nolasco (Main artist, Owner of Art Gallery for January)
Tiffany Chang (Media Journalist and @mvproar Instagram Creator)
Bruce Caballero (Movie Journalist)
Thomas Bonvehi (Sports News Journalist)
Kane Lum (Skateboard Journalist)
Goaty Boone (Watermelon Goat facts, MVR's Logo, Journalist)
Special thanks to Elie Abelar for the Creative Corner Poem!