The James Logan Courier

By Anne Chen, Courier Editor-in-Chief

A presentation of “The Lost Boys of Liberia” will take place in the Little Theatre this Thursday from 3:30 to 5:15 PM. It is a free eventwhere Logan alumni Candice Nguyen will be sharing her experiences from her volunteer work in Africa.

For six months Candice was in Ghana, a country in West Africa, teaching ex-child soldiers public speaking. The classes encouraged them to speak out against the everyday injustices that are going mostly unnoticed by the international community. Over 20 countries have used children as direct participants in armed conflict. Many adolescents are forced to wield weapons and are under constant gunfire. According to Human Rights Watch, approximately 200,000 to 300,000 children are currently serving as child soldiers.

By Rick LaPlante, New Haven Schools Public Information Officer

The Board of Education on Tuesday night heard an assessment of the implementation of District-wide instructional initiatives this year, featuring a presentation by Eastin Elementary kindergarten teacher Sarita Chawla and one of her students. Young Ameerah Hameed showed the Board a progression of her writing that demonstrated the improvement she has made as Ms. Chawla’s students have “published” their work as part of Writing Workshop.

MENU:
Spicy Chicken Salad with Cheddar, Tomatoes, and Ranch Dressing,
Milk & Fresh Fruit
All-Veggie Pizza

ACTIVITY:
All students - you must empty all contents from your lockers. Items left in lockers will not be saved. Remember, you are responsible for all books, so if you have any books in your locker, turn them in!

If you are interested in joining the Wrestling team next year, there will be an informational meeting today after school in the Weight Room.

Sophomores and Juniors - be a Link Crew mentor and support our incoming Freshmen. Pick up an application in Room 80 at lunch.

By Rick LaPlante, New Haven Schools Public Information Officer

Judy Billingsley, who engineered a dramatic improvement in student achievement during the past three years as a high school principal in Sacramento, was appointed Tuesday night by the Board of Education to serve as the new principal of James Logan High School, effective July 1.

“When the folks on our hiring team were reviewing candidates, I kept hearing that we had several good ones but that one in particular was fantastic,” New Haven Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Pat Jaurequi said. “When I met Judy, I understood why everyone was so excited. She’s the right person, at the right time, committed to doing the right work.”

By Jessica Stewart, Courier Book Editor

“Olivia smiled politely, reaching for the yeasty chunk of bread that was her meal. As a man of God, her dearest papa—God rest his soul—had always regarded gossip as a grievous sin. No doubt Papa would have chastised her for even listening. Still, Olivia could not help it. Lord knew she harbored no affection for the Gypsies—nay, not after what happened to Papa—yet she could not help it. She was intensely curious about the new master of Ravenwood.”

This is one of those rare historical romance novels that not only present us with a love story, but present us with the issues of the time—and realistic issues between the lovers. I literally could not put this book down. Even when I was doing laundry the book was in my hand, my finger saving my place (making the process a bit slower than usual, but there was no way I was going to waste my time looking for my place). It was excellently written and well-researched, and I enjoyed it the whole way through.

By Rick LaPlante, New Haven Schools Public Information Officer

Lynne Thomson of Alvarado Middle School has been selected as the New Haven Unified School District’s Teacher of the Year for 2008-09, it was announced Tuesday night before the Board of Education. Sue Hollman of Barnard-White Middle School was named Classified Employee of the Year.

By Samuel Jue, Courier Sports Editor

The James Logan Girls Softball team flourished during the regular season only to see their season end in the NCS Semifinals losing to Freedom 5-2.

The Lady Colts were one win away from advancing to the NCS Final game, but faltered as the softball juggernauts Freedom Falcons(26-2-0) knocked off Logan and then went on to capture yet another NCS title.

From wikipedia:
Rosalind Russell (June 4, 1907 – November 28, 1976) was an American award-winning film and stage actress, perhaps best known for her role as a fast-talking newspaper reporter in the Howard Hawks screwball comedy His Girl Friday, as well as originating the role of Auntie Mame on Broadway and in film.

It is notable that she won all 5 Golden Globes for which she was nominated. She was tied with Meryl Streep for wins until the 2007 awards when Streep was awarded a sixth.

Watch Rosalind Russell sing "Rose's Turn," from the film "Gypsy," free from YouTube.