The James Logan Courier

By Gabriele Di Fiore, Courier Staff Writer

The Hope Connections Club was started by former Logan math teacher Linda Rodriguez several years ago. She had a vision to teach students to give without expecting anything in return. The main idea of this club is to help the less fortunate, needy people in the community.

The highlight of the year is the winter drive.

By Rick La Plante, New Haven Schools Public Information Officer

Santa Claus visited teachers throughout the New Haven Unified School District today, sharing nearly $6,000 worth of classroom grants awarded through the New Haven Schools Foundation’s “Innovations in Education” program, for special projects that promote learning.

By Rick La Plante, New Haven Schools Public Information Officer

The Board of Education on Tuesday night received a presentation on campus safety from James Logan High School Principal Amy McNamara and School Site Council President John Shockley.

Ms. McNamara and Mr. Shockley told the Board that the Logan staff has been working on the four priorities outlined during a September safety meeting with the Board:

1) Student activities: ensuring the future of co-curricular activities in uncertain budget times; providing more places for students to gather and eat; a clean campus initiative; improving flow of information to students.

2) Security: addressing gang activity on campus; implementation of video surveillance system; clarifying consequences for negative behavior; increased monitoring of bathrooms.

From the New Haven E-News

James Logan High School’s annual Winter Canned Food continues through tomorrow. A container has been set up in the front office for anyone from the community to donate canned/non-perishable food, new toys and money, and students are being encouraged to bring donations to their second-period classes.

The three classes that bring in the highest number of donations will be treated to a continental breakfast, Activities Director Francis Rojas reports.

By Laurel Brodzinsky, Courier Staff Writer

The Humanitarian Assistance Club is holding a used cell phone drive from December 1 to January 10 in Colt Court, room 444, and room 67A.

This drive is in honor of World AIDS Day, December 1, and the Hope Phones Campaign benefits those with AIDS in Africa. The phones collected, working or not, are sent to a recycling center called Hope Phones which then evaluates each phone’s worth and pays the club for the phones to be recycled. The money from the recycling center is used by FACE AIDS organizations to “purchase low cost phones for community health workers” in Rwanda, says the Logan club.

By Jim Puzzanghera
Tribune Washington Bureau (MCT)

WASHINGTON — President Obama met Monday with executives from some of the nation's biggest banks at the White House to talk about the economic recovery, lending to small businesses, helping struggling homeowners and the administration's push to overhaul financial regulations.

The meeting comes after Citigroup announced it had reached a deal with the Treasury Department to repay $20 billion in bailout money. The move will still leave the government with equity in the bank but will release it from strict executive compensation rules aimed at the largest recipients of money from the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

By Alyssa Pimentel, Courier School News Editor

Cuts in stipends paid to teachers and others who run after-school, co-curricular activities may have big impact on Logan students.

To help close budget shortfalls and save, the Board of Education has decided to eliminate all stipends, extra pay given to teachers and others that lead programs that require them to put in time outside their regular job hours, such as a teacher who also coaches a sport that plays games outside regular school hours.

By Rick La Plante, New Haven Schools Public Information Officer

The Board of Education on Tuesday night decided on the name “James Logan High School Center for the Performing Arts” for the theater and music/drama education complex that the District building at the high school. The name is one of two that were advanced to the Board by the Facilities Names Committee, from a list of 23 nominations suggested by the community.

Construction on the Center, which includes a 599-seat theater, rehearsal spaces and an extensive educational wing, is expected to be completed in late January. A dedication ceremony, which will be a free event and open to the public, is being planned for mid-February. In addition, to raise money to help furnish the Center, the New Haven Schools Foundation will sponsor a grand gala, the “Show of Shows,” on Saturday, May 22.

By Rick La Plante, New Haven Schools Public Information Officer

A long-awaited video surveillance system, designed to enhance student safety and improve campus security at James Logan High School, will become operational this week.

A total of 24 cameras have been installed, at various points throughout the campus as well as the new Performing Arts Center, the football stadium, the swimming and tennis complexes and the athletic fields behind the school. Administrators were trained today, and parents, students and staff are being notified – by telephone and in the school newsletter – that the cameras are going into operation.

By Janet Hook
Tribune Washington Bureau (MCT)

WASHINGTON — President Obama traveled to Capitol Hill Sunday to rally Democrats on his signature health care initiative as the Senate moved closer to addressing two of the biggest landmines in the bill's path: the terms of a new public insurance option and limits on federal abortion funding.

A showdown on the abortion issue is scheduled for early this week, when an amendment to set stricter limits on federal funding is expected to be defeated.

By Laurel Brodzinsky, Courier Staff Writer

Before Thanksgiving Break, the Garden Club was selling apple and pumpkin pie during lunch and at Homecoming. They also recently had a harvest of fruit and vegetables.

The pie was a fundraiser, of which profits go toward buying more plants, going on trips, and making official garden club clothing- sweatshirts and t-shirts. The club currently works in the small garden by the teacher’s lounge, but wishes to expand all over campus in a beautification effort. However, they face the issue of how to water potential plants, because there is no watering system currently at Logan.

By Rick La Plante, New Haven Schools Public Information Officer

Enid Lee, a well-known authority on the subject of equity in education and the country’s Multicultural Educator of the Year in 2008, will visit four schools in the New Haven Unified School District on Tuesday.

Ms. Lee, author of "Letters to Marcia: A Teacher's Guide to Anti-Racist Education" and "Beyond Heroes and Holidays: A Practical Guide to K-12 Anti-Racist, Multicultural Education and Staff Development," will meet with principals and other staff members and visit classrooms at Pioneer and Searles elementary schools, Cesar Chavez Middle School and James Logan High School. She also may meet with leaders of the District’s Equity Task Force.