REDefined Press
October 2015
Student Life
Fellow Cimarron Students House Burns Down
Written by: Nicholas Lundquist and Brandon Czaplinski
What would you do if you came home and your house had burnt down? A fellow Cimarron student lost her house at 2 p.m. September 15th to a fire.
A gas line caught fire and spread through two houses, the strong wind didn’t help the problem and both houses sustained substantial damage. The 56 firemen that responded to the fire were worried that the gas line might explode which forced the road to be blocked off. Kaitlyn Pistorius father was in the house when the fire started. He was with the family's two dogs and the fish. Thankfully they made it out safely. They don’t believe that the fire could have been prevented. But they are trying to stay positive with what they have left.
Kaitlyn didn’t hear about the fire until she called her mom asking who would pick her up from Volleyball and then she got the bad news. She thought that the fire was small like the oven was on fire, not the whole house. When she got home she saw what really happened. The side fence was gone and the ceiling was burnt all the way to the attic. She enjoys coming to school because she likes having some normal in her life and a time to forget about the fire. Kaitlyn says that she is nervous and she gets sad when she comes home from school because it gives her time to think about what happened.
She is now staying at her friends guest house not far from her original house. She says that the house will probably be fixed and liveable again in about 9 months to a year.
Once Cimarron students found out about this tragedy they jumped into action. We hosted a Penny war for the Pistorius family to help with this tragedy. All 7th grade teams had a Penny war to raise money for Kaitlyn’s family. Thanks to the penny wars they have been able to help buy new clothes, blankets, food, etc.
Sports
The Top 3 Major NFL Teams
One goal, one league, one dream. In the NFL all teams are competing against each other to win the 2016 super bowl game. Although the season just started, it's already very intense. As of now, the team in the lead would be the New England Patriots. After beating the Seattle Seahawks in the 2015 super bowl, the Patriots became this years champion team. The Patriots are working very hard to get back to the super bowl, and win once again. The next best team (ranked #2) would be the Green Bay Packers. So far this season the Packers are 3-0 meaning they have won 3 games and lost none. The 3rd team would be The Denver Broncos. The Broncos have beaten the Detroit Lions, the Baltimore Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs. Although the Broncos have always been known for their offence their defense has shown major improvements this season.
Electives
Electives Article 2
Written By: Elan Fleetwood & Brooke Philben
At Cimarron Middle School there are countless electives. However, one of the newest additions to electives is S.T.E.M. Applications / Computer Essentials. S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) is a class that you might think is boring because all they do is work on the computers, but, it’s actually very interesting!
The first thing you see when you walk into the class is that it’s split into two rooms. One is engineering and one is technology. In each room there are five stations.
In the technology classroom you will find five stations that students will progress through the semester. The stations consist of:
Music Engineering- Students are make their own downloadable ringtone with 4 types of music. Happy, relaxing, holiday, and choice.
App Design - Students are solving a problem with the app then design paper prototype it to show what the app can do.
Design - Students are designing a house on their computer. The main part of their project is to make a logo for S.T.E.M. so that people can understand the class better.
Code - The goal is to design a simple game that people want to play then let others test out your game.
Animation - Students create a 1 minute animation using PowerPoint but, for advanced kids they use Scratch.
One student we interviewed named Aaron Morgan on team Lipizzan at the animation station said, “This class is really fun and it helps me work on my collaboration skills.”
In the engineering room there are five stations as well. There are:
Robotics - The goal is to build a robot that can help people in real life. They have to program it, code it, and design it.
Rollercoaster - Students create a rollercoaster made entirely of paper, they then test it out with marbles.
Architecture - Using erector sets students are building simple models to incorporate pulleys and make their own working model.
Prototyping - The goal for prototyping is to create a working model that solves a problem. It needs to be self propelled.
Circuitry - They use Little Bits challenge cards and build/create what the card tells them to. One of the groups needs to create a motor for a moving vehicle.
Student Mackenzie Hayen from Appaloosa said, “It’s a pretty interesting class and I know that when there’s more technology in the future, I will know how to use it better.”
In the end S.T.E.M. at Cimarron helps students incorporate science, technology, engineering and math into everyday thinking. After participating in this class, hopefully Cimarron students will take more classes and jobs like this and be leaders in their industries.
Academics
NJHS
by: Bryce Townley and Logan Schult
We interviewed Appaloosa Language Arts teacher Mrs. Haid about NJHS and what they do. Mrs. Haid, answered some of our questions about NJHS. In her free time, Mrs. Haid like to do some gardening, running, reading, and spending time with her grandchildren. Mrs. Haid, loves being apart of NJHS, even though Mrs. Haid has only been apart of NJHS for one year, she still enjoys being apart of it.
In order to be apart of NJHS, you have to email Mrs. Haid or Mrs. Gillespie to show that you’re interested. Then you must write a speech to present in front of the NJHS members. The members then vote by ballot, the person with the most votes wins. NJHS is a very honorable society. To stay apart of NJHS, you have to keep your grades up and be a good citizen.
NJHS is a national organization that has been around since 1929 to who knows how long it will continue. Mrs. Haid has never helped with NJHS before, so this is her first year helping out with the organization. Mrs. Haid agreed to be a co sponsor last June. Over the summer Mrs. Gillespie and Mrs. Haid met up to talk about what NJHS does and when they do it. All their fundraising money, they give away to charity. “ This is a great impact on students involved with NJHS, because of the great opportunity,” commented Mrs. Haid.
NJHS is a national foundation that's been around since 1929. It was created for students with qualifying grades. Mrs. Haid has had an impact with being apart of NJHS. She think it's a great impact because she gets to know a lot more students that love what they do. Overall Mrs. Haid loves being apart of NJHS since she feels like the students in NJHS are hard workers and responsible. NJHS members are willingly helping people.
Mrs. Haid is quite New to NJHS. This is her first year being apart even though she feel like she has been helping a lot longer. Mrs Haid has given us some tips on being a NJHS officer. So you want to email either Mrs. Gillespie or Mrs. Haid showing interest for being a officer. Then you need to write a speech to present to all of the NJHS members. The members the vote by ballot and the person with the most votes wins. But NJHS is quite old its was founded in 1929 so it has been around for 86 years!
There is one man who had made this all possible that man is Dr. Edward Rynearson. Mrs. Haid had something she wanted to add is that being a member is a great honor and a amazing experience. But the main reason that NJHS was created is so that members keep up their grades and be a responsible person for when they leave school and have to live on their own.
RED Student for October
Brig Pyfer is a sixth grader on Aztec. He was chosen by Mrs. Saunders, the social studies teacher as the student of the month. Brig is a perfect example of being RED here at Cimarron. He is an extremely responsible student. Brig says that “ Being red is being responsible and respectful, listening to your teachers, being determined and knowing what to do and when to do it.“ He says “It’s important to be RED, so you can learn in class and find the life skills you need. If you want to get a job they will be looking for a responsible person.”
Brig is also a great role model. He believes that if someone watches good behavior happening, then they may want to act like them. His behavior is always a prime example for other students. ”My parents have high expectations of me, so I'm always used to setting a good example and being a good role model.”said Brig, “I also do scouts which helps with my leadership skills.” Those skills transfer to the classroom, because Brig doesn’t mess around.
Brig said that “You can never mess around unless you are having a discussion, and the teacher is initiated it.” Brig Thinks What makes him a good role model is that he doesn't mess around and he pays attention. This will help other people to follow his good behavior.
Brig is a person who everyone should strive to be like. The Aztec teachers noticed his behavior in the first week of school. Mrs. Saunders said that “Brig's RED behavior would be excellence in all areas such as his work habits and being an excellent role model for his teammates. He is always kind to his teachers and willing to help out his classmates when needed.”
The Aztec teachers believe that students that exhibit RED behavior the sky's the limit with their education. Brig is certainly someone who will succeed in school and in life, if he stays RED. The aztec teachers think that when a student shows RE behavior the sky's the limit with their learning!
Events
Fittin' It In 5K
By Sarah Piepenburg and Tobias Estrella
On October 24 at 9 am at Highlands Ranch High School, people across Parker will be joining together to embark or continue on a life long journey to lead an active lifestyle at the 5th annual “Fittin’ It In 5K.” People of all ages are going to be running, jogging, or walking to support local schools. Cimarron Middle School is just one of many of the schools that will benefit. Douglas County students from any grade can participate to help raise money their school of choice.
The first 300 registrants will receive a t-shirt and a goodie bag. You can register online until 10/21/15 or at the event from 8:00 to 8:50AM. It is $15 to register but for 6 year olds and under its free. A $500 dollar donation will be given to the school with the most registrants courtesy of MetLife. Activities like wearing your Halloween costume or finding hidden pumpkin buckets along the race will add to the festivities. Buckets can be turned in at the end of the race for a prize. Vendors will be present from 9:15 to 11:30 AM. The 5K race will be held at 9:45 AM. “There will also be food stands and lots of healthy snacks provided” included Mr. Davies, the Cimarron 8th and 7th grade health teacher.
The overall atmosphere of the of 5K race will be to bring family and community together for a good cause. “Most people will be out there just for fun, but some people will be out there to try to win the race.” He included that he will be participating for the first time this year. Most people that are partaking in the “Fittin’ It In 5K” are all types of fitness levels including walking and running. “For kids that are younger and don’t want to run as far, there is a shorter fun run” said Mr. Davies, meaning all ages can join in.
Since this is a fundraising event for schools, the “Fittin’ It In 5K” has to have goals. This year’s goal is $1,500, this will only be possible if at least 100 students or staff register for the event. When you register (www.eventbrite.com) make sure to select Cimarron as your school of choice. 100% of the $15 registration fee will go to Cimarron.
The 5K run gives you the chance to support your school and get fit. It combines fun and exercise to create a fun family event. School representatives will be present to share about eating healthy and choosing better foods for adults and kids of any age. Mr. Davies also said, “Anytime that you can do things as a community and you realize that there are people at the same place as you as far as your health journey, it makes you feel like you're not alone and that you have people there to support you.” Mark your calendar and come support your school!
Clubs
Iron Chef Club by Jordan Laessig and Ashlyn Wenner
Iron Chef Club is a cooking club that students at Cimarron can participate in every quarter.
In Iron Chef club they have competitions also known as cook-offs. The cook-offs are judged by teachers who volunteer.There is two cook-offs a quarter. The students get to pick what they would like cook for the cook-off.
We interviewed Elan Fleetwood, a member of the Iron Chef Club and asked her some questions regarding the club. She joined this club because she thought it sounded like fun and she wanted to learn how to cook. “I really like how she let’s us choose what we want to cook and let’s us start from scratch,” stated Elan. She loves the club and says that will help her in the future by knowing how to cook a variety of different foods.
We also interviewed Mrs. Avery, the sponsor of the club. “Every cook off is fun,” stated Mrs. Avery, “but I enjoy the ones most with meat.”
She also likes “Witches hats”. Witches hats are cones dipped in chocolate, decorated, filled with chocolate mousse,and then stuck onto a cookie. Some advice she had to inspire student cooks was to, “Make sure and read the recipe before you do anything in the kitchen. Get and understanding of what you have to do and what’s going on around you then you can begin.”
This club started the first year CIMS was opened which was five years ago. It runs for five weeks, every quarter, on Wednesdays and Thursdays.This club takes place in Mrs. Avery’s room which is M211.
Spots for second quarter have filled up, but registration for third quarter will be open in December. The registration fee is $45.There are only 26 spots so hurry and sign up when registration opens.