Computer Programming

Computer Programming

Calvin’s Newest Elective

Here at Calvin Christian High School, a new elective has been introduced this second trimester - computer programming. Mr. Chris Smith is teaching this new class. Students have started by learning the computer language Python and coding through Khan Academy. Jacob Allwine, a junior, says, “My favorite thing about this class is the coding because you can tell the computer what to do and program it to do what you want.” Annika Tedlund, a freshman, also says what she enjoys: “I like making pictures with coding on Khan Academy.” These students have both been enjoying the class so far. Also, the students mentioned how this class might be helpful to them at present and in the future. Jacob states, “I think this class is beneficial to students because they are learning their way around the computer in a more complex way.” Annika says, “A lot of schools and jobs use computers more often now, so if we get enough understanding about computers, we might be able to get better schools and jobs.” So far, this class has been off to a good start, and hopefully it will continue to succeed.

- Ava Krueger

A New Admissions and Digital Media Associate: Welcome Ms. Zlab!

       A new Admissions and Digital Media Associate

           Time for a warm welcome despite the cold weather

Ms. Emily Zlab has come to CCHS as our new Admissions and Digital Media Associate to help the school more socially involved. She will be in charge of online publications and making the better known. She said that she would be “helping to get Calvin’s name out and to the greater world.” This will hopefully help get more students to come here and help our reputation.

Ms. Zlab thinks being here will be a good experience and  said that she is “really excited about the people” and that this is a “comfortable environment.” Hopefully this partnership can be beneficial for her and the school, as we work toward gaining a larger social importance so we can use it for God.

She also plans to connect with the student body and show up to some events like games or theatrical performances. If you find her at an event or at school, it would be nice to be welcoming and accurately portray what we are like as a school. It is not easy to go to a new place, especially when events have already started. We should make the transition as easy as possible for her and welcome her into our community.

- Rick Derfus

CCHS: Operation Christmas Child

“After sharing the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus said “Go and do likewise.” That is the mission of Samaritan's Purse—to follow the example of Christ by helping those in need and proclaiming the hope of the Gospel.”

Many CCHS students and families are involved with helping with Operation Christmas Child. Samaritan's Purse is an organization that was created in 1970 by Bob Pierce with his original goal to “to meet emergency needs in crisis areas through existing evangelical mission agencies and national churches.”Operation Christmas Child was founded in 1993 by Samaritan's Purse.

The process of packing the box normally consists of getting gifts, putting them in shoe boxes, and dropping them off to be sent to needy children around the world. The steps to making a shoebox for operation Christmas child are as follows:

1. Find a shoe box

2. Label it for either a Boy or a Girl.

3. Put gifts inside

a.Suggested items include: School gear, Toys, Hygiene, new clothes, and personal notes

b.Don’t put war related items, vitamins, things that break, and food.

4. Add $7 (For shipping)

5. Put a rubber band around it

6. Then check here: http://staging.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/drop-off-locations/ for locations to drop off at between Nov 18-25.

(information found: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/pack-a-shoe-box/ )

- Josh Moberg

Outdoor Education: Climbing into the next Unit

Starting this Thursday, outdoor education students will no longer be mountain biking. Instead, they will be transitioning into a unit focused around rock climbing and CPR. James Vande Glind intends for the students to head to Vertical endeavors on the 14th, where they will become certified belayers. Students must have filled out a liability waiver in order to participate. After becoming certified belayers, it is planned that students will get to experience climbing built climbing walls, as well as go rock climbing in nature. Students are also becoming CPR certified at a website known as protrainings, where they will be taught the information needed to pass the CPR certification test. This next unit of outdoor should be a blast!

- Ian Krueger

CCHS Experiential Learning: Locked out of the Job Market

This year at CCHS, Seniors Luke Whitcomb and Noah Tedlund are doing on experiential learning project on people who are unemployed because they have a criminal record. “The reason we chose this project,” says Luke, laughing, “[is because] the only place that would let us work without adult supervision was an organization that donates money to another organization that helps people with a criminal record.” Despite this, he says that he still enjoys going to the organization because it is both helps people and is enjoyable. Luke also says that he and Noah plan to interview former prisoners, the staff at the institution they are working for, and anyone else that comes up. 

- Ian Krueger

CCHS Movie Review: Thor

Thor: The Dark World a sequel to the original Thor movie which had a worldwide box office over $447 million. The movies are based on the character Thor who is a Marvel super hero. The new movie is about Thor going toe to toe with a force that that the other gods cannot stop, and it’s up to him to stop. The movie is directed by Alan Taylor and its leading character played by Chris Hemsworth this is a movie that you don’t want to miss. Coming Nov. 8

http://www.businessinsider.com/thor-the-dark-world-poster-copies-iron-man-3-2013-8 - Josh Moberg

CCHS Movie Review: Ender's Game

Ender’s Game is an adaptation of the books Ender's Game (1985) and Ender’s Shadow (1999) written by Orson Scott Card. The first book won both the Hugo Award and the Nebula Award. The second book won a New York Times best seller and a number of other awards. The movie tells the story of a boy named Ender who is sent to Battle School after an repealed alien race attack on earth that could have won a major battle in the human-Formics war. Ender does exceedingly well and the rest of the movie tells about his promotions and his leadership against the second attack on earth. Directed by Gavin Hood and leading actor Asa Butterfield this movie is a must see for fans of Orson’s work and fans of Sci-Fi. We definitely recommend this movie for CCHS students!

http://www.impawards.com/2013/enders_game_ver11.htm

- Josh Moberg