Newsletter Staff

The Tigers Gazette!
http://lisstigersgazette.blogspot.com/


From left to right: Mrs. Rachelle Ong (coordinator/adviser), Arthur Welch, Ashley Welch, Alex Kim, Michael Park, Feliscita Ann Elameto, Lakell Villegas, Christina Carulla, AJ Wesley, Si Woo Kim, Dhainee Pfafflin, Levi Wheeler, Jacob Wheeler, Donovan Pangelinan, Mary Welch
To all Tigers Gazette Staff, you all did an excellent job in making it possible for LISS to have school newsletter not only a printed/hard copy but online copy as well. I'm very proud of all of you and I hope you keep working hard in achieving your own goals whatever decisions you'll choose after this school year. It's a great experience and privilege to be your coordinator/adviser and teacher as well. Dhainee, you're very dependable and also an excellent leader. Keep it up! I would not be able to organize all this without your help. - Mrs. Rachelle R. Ong

Insights

We all know that students have the most important voice in educational transformation - they are bright, well-informed and have important ideas to share that would make their learning more meaningful and engaging.

Having said this, we would like to use this blog post to interview our students by sharing their valuable ideas about their current insights about our school in general.

We encourage our students to share their opinion about what works for them in the school. We really want to listen to what they have to share..

SY 2008

For all mothers...

A Mother's Love Is a Haven in the Storms of Life
By: Helen Steiner Rice

A MOTHER'S LOVE is like an island
In life's ocean vast and wide,
A peaceful, quiet shelter
From the restless, rising tide ...

A MOTHER'S LOVE is like a fortress
And we seek protection there
When the waves of tribulation
Seem to drown us in despair ...

A MOTHER'S LOVE'S a sanctuary
Where our souls can find sweet rest
From the struggle and the tension
Of life's fast and futile quest ...

A MOTHER'S LOVE is like a tower
Rising far above the crowd,
And her smile is like the sunshine
Breaking through a threatening cloud ...


A MOTHER'S LOVE is like a beacon
Burning bright with FAITH and PRAYER,
And through the changing scenes of life
We can find a HAVEN THERE ...

For a MOTHER'S LOVE is fashioned
After God's enduring love,
It is endless and unfailing
Like the love of HIM above ...

For God knew in HIS great wisdom
That HE couldn't be EVERYWHERE
So HE put HIS LITTLE CHILDREN
In a LOVING MOTHER'S CARE.

Farewell, My Friends, Adieu

Farewell, My Friends, Adieu
By Dhainee Pfafflin

I hate to say good-bye
Yet we have to say farewell
But we shall meet again
That I can foretell

The future is unpredictable
Tomorrow is uncertain
Keep our laughs and memoirs
But I wish you have no burden
We shall keep on learning
Remain as students and become as mentors
Face the unknown with confident yearning
Pursue our life endeavors

Farewell, my friends, adieu
I utter it with pain
Farewell, my friends, adieu
In sunshine or in rain

Farewell, my friends, adieu
This day would come, we knew
Our dreams we shall pursue
For now, my friends, adieu.


*Note: Congratulations to the graduates of batch 2007-2008! May your future be bright and prosperous! We hope for everyone to enjoy their summer! See you all on August!
-Tigers Gazette Staff

Keep in Mind

Keep in Mind
By: Levi Wheeler

How did we wind up like this
And forget all our promises?
I didn’t need this anymore
And you don’t need it either
But why did we both have to be there?
It’s like we were meant not to be forever
But just keep in your mind
I’ll always be where you are
Somewhere, somehow
You better keep in mind that I’m right there
I know you’re wondering why
Well I hope that since were here anyway
We would turn to the side
Of what’s not seen (but I guess it’s not to friendly)
Se let me take back my life
I’d rather sit here all alone
But just keep in mind
I’ll always be were you are
Why can’t we stop this?
Well it’s where we stop but start
We go back and think what happens
Even when we move on and off
We will always remember all of what happened
So we will always be with each other
No matter where we are
And no matter how far we run

Virtually Skilled: Pros and Cons of Video Games

Virtually Skilled: Pros and Cons of Video Games
By: Ashley Welch and Alex Kim

There are good and bad things about computer games, though some people think that it’s just a complete waste of time. Well, that depends on what you play. Some games I have played before are very educational. Like Civilization. I’ve learned things in that game that I never knew before and when I went to school the next day, our class coincidentally discussed about the same thing that I learned from that video game. Another good thing is strategy games. You don’t have to be smart to learn how to play it. You have to be smart to BE good at it. I play it a lot and I have to do a lot of thinking to acquire a good and powerful army. It’s almost as if you’re a general in a war.

So there are good things about computer games and now, the bad things. One reason is that computer games are addicting. When I’m playing a game, I’m having so much fun that it’s hard to get off the computer. Whenever I do get off, all I want is to get back on (except when I’ve had too much to play). Another bad thing about computer games is that once you get addicted, you become lazy. You never get tired of clicking the mouse all day long and you abandon all the thoughts of the outside world. You must always stay active and exercise.

School Suspension...

School Suspension
Does it really work?
By: Feliscita Elameto

School Suspension has its many advantages and disadvantages. School is supposed to be a harmless environment used for learning about many different subjects, but with fights, drugs, racism, discriminations of such sort, and illegal contrabands being brought into the environment, school hasn’t been so much of a nice place to be in. Therefore, school suspension has been brought into the system.

The advantages of having the right of suspending a student from the campus grounds are that it could teach that student a lesson. It is a lesson that will teach a student to take school seriously without having to deal with such wrong doings. School suspension has an advantage to changing the way a student acts and thinks on the school’s grounds. After the suspension, hopefully the student will start taking school seriously instead of as an opportunity to take it as a joke. Also, having to suspend a student could change how the parent of that student will think. They will start restricting their child from going out and technology uses that could distract them from their studies which will help their child improve their grades.

However, school suspension isn’t always effective. It is almost like giving students a mini vacation. They get in trouble for a short period of time, and after that, everything goes back to the way it was. Students could be suspended for a day or longer and they could also be punished, but it’s a fact that the student comes back to school and does the same thing he/she did. From experience, I think school suspension has a chance of making you change; if you have a brain, you could think twice and you wouldn’t do the same mistake. I’ve learned that being suspended isn’t really a good or bad thing, but I’ll just say that school suspension is also like giving the teacher a break from the troubles you caused.

Hospital LOL!

Doctor: Did you take the patient's temperature?
Nurse: No. Is it missing

~0~

Patient: Doctor, should I file my nails?
Doctor: No! Throw them away like everybody else.

~0~

Patient (to cosmetic surgeon): Will it hurt me, doctor?
Surgeon: Only when you get my bill, Mrs Brown.

Mary Jane at the Beach...

Mary Jane was walking on the beach one day and saw a shark swimming around a man. The man was screaming, “Help me! Help me!” Mary Jane laughed and laughed. She knew that the shark was never going to help that man!

Featured Staff - April

Meeting the Principal…
Interviewed By: Mrs. Rachelle R. Ong

Mr. Wayne Pangelinan
LISS School Director/Principal

General Openers:
1. Tell us about yourself.
Well. I believe am a well rounded person. I look at myself to be always providing support and advice to those who need them. I am caring, responsible and very professional in both my personal and professional life. I put myself out there to make a difference in that my actions speak louder than words. I am an independent person who strives to make things better at all cost necessary for myself as well the people around me.

2. Why did you want to be principal/director of this LISS?
This educational institution was established and operated for the past two years by our President Yong Nam Park and Vice President Anne Kim. Prior to this start up, I was consulted by them on how to develop and what was needed to be done as well the market entailed for a school of this caliber. I gave my thoughts and continued to support the endeavors by both the President and Vice President.

It was 2 years later after my constant communication with them that lead for me to come to this wonderful school to head the development of business growth and maintain a high level of professionalism for the school as the director/Principal.

My change in career paths was needed as I looked at the opportunities this school had to offer. Being in the educational field has it many rewards as well its challenges. And besides, I am a people person and where else to enjoy your passion, a school!

3. How would you express your understanding of what LISS stands for and how does this fit with your personal educational philosophy?
“Making every Experience an Educational One”, is what we are using as a pay of words for educating our young minds. The balance between high academic standards, intensive learning and hands on experiences are what we are doing to fulfill children’s knowledge in today’s world.

LISS is marketing itself abroad and locally as an institution with great promise. Because we are rather new, this does not mean we are not competent in what we do and offer. Our philosophy behind all this is to ensure we can provide the various learning opportunities to our students from wherever they come from.

4. What do you think is the most important task of a school principal/director?
At this point, we are ensuring that we maintain the safety of all students and faculty. We are also ensuring we offer the right academic standards and benchmarks as well a strong curriculum program. With my recent 5 month tenure, it has been a great challenge to see how things are coming together from when I first came in. It is quite an exhilarating experience for as the education field is not necessarily my forte’.

Moving Forward:
5. What are your visions for our school right now? Are there any plans that you are working on right now to implement those visions?
The vision that we have is to be the best school Saipan offers. To build recognition for the future of LISS locally and abroad. To have a championship team on various sporting events island wide. To provide the best learning results for our students and to better prepare them for the future.

Currently we have plans for expansion, the building of our Jr. High and High School classrooms, our laboratories for computers and possibly science lab for physics and chemistry courses, a teacher lounge, a canteen and more. This is the esthetic side of the school.

We are constantly reviewing and developing a more competitive academic standard, having enthusiastic and supportive faculty, building friendship amongst teachers, students, parents and/or guardians. A working team relationship for all involved. The creation of opportunities for afternoon studies to enhance personal knowledge for each student and more.

6. What critical issues can you foresee in our school? How will you lead in this area?
Critical issues as of this point are ensuring we get our accreditation with WASC. Our leadership consists of involved teachers and our acting head teacher Dr. Angello with full support from our President and Vice President.

7. Discuss the balance between academics, athletics, the arts, and other extra-curriculars
Striking a balance is important, teaching the children time management skills are imperative to move on with there self study habits. Quantum learning is something we will be looking at implementing for higher grade levels in possible next school year to help students achieve higher academic standards. Athletics and other extra curricular activities are a plus as these activities will help students cope with the intensive learning expectations.

Relations with Students:
8. How do you envision the principal relating to the students?
Open door policy is what I practice for everyone whether student, faculty member, parent and/or guardian. Particular with the students, I want them to know that I am there to support them, hear out any concerns they may have, ideas for improvement and more. I encourage students to partake in helping to develop the school for everyone and themselves. To make this place their second home and appreciate the school with pride.

9. What is your expectation of student conduct, demeanor, or deportment in how they carry themselves in school and at school related functions?
Well, the students conduct, demeanors and how they carry themselves is really a reflection on how things are done at home. Most of our students are live firecrackers, willing to open them selves up and prone to adventure despite the consequences, but that is what growing up is all about. I am fortunate to have such great faculty in that they are guiding our students in the right direction. Mentoring, providing needed support, counseling and more importantly showing how much they care is integrating the student’s behavior patterns as they grow with LISS. My expectations will continue to be just that, a sociable yet safe ambience that portrays LISS leadership from not me alone but from the team that make up LISS.

Relations with the Faculty:
10. What are the most important ways that you will help the teachers? How do you bring out excellence in others? (How do you deal with mediocrity)?
Mediocrity is only hurtful if taken too seriously. In my case, I believe that if there is a will there is a way! That is for the right changes though. Helping teachers in my opinion is giving them the space they need to breathe and run their programs. I have to trust the people who are tasked with teaching our students. I have placed a lot of trust in these professionals, of course we will always have some that stray from the picture, but that is where I come in or the acting head teacher to emphasize their roles as professionals in the field and bring them back on track. Teachers know they are role models, they know they will reach the students and hopefully one day reap the benefit of appreciation.

11. What do you consider to be the characteristics of an excellent teacher?
Someone who walks that extra mile to care for, share knowledge, offer support, and diligently put the child’s education above all before themselves.

12. A teacher does not measure up to expectations…How do you address the situation? What process would you follow?
Expectations can vary. I know what I am capable of producing. I see what teachers are capable of doing. Each one is measured in their own way. That’s how we see the slack. I cannot expect each teacher to be or do as I do. We are all of different calibers and each has specific strengths and weaknesses. What I do is motivate the weaknesses, while enhancing their strengths for the schools needs.

13. Are there any recent professional articles, books, or conferences have you encountered lately that have affected your practice?
None that I can recall, but in the educational industry, there are emerging practices that come frequently and being new in this industry, I have read many articles, pamphlets, brochures, books that relate to he industry. These are basic knowledge that advances my understanding of the educational industry, however, not only with published material, I have built a network with other administrators where we share in detail the dealings of school life as an administrator.

Relations with Parents:
14. What has been your experience with parental involvement in schools?
Since my tenure here at LISS, the PTA has been dormant, necessary changes have to be made in order to accomplish goals for the future of LISS, this is where parent involvement is needed. I plan to re-establish the PTA in next school year so everyone will have a voice to address concerns and other issues affecting student learning, environment and more. Personally, as I mentioned, I am a people person and love to deal with communicating with parents and/or guardians. Having open door policy allows for this to happen.

15. In what ways can the school help fulfill the parents’ role as primary educators?
Well, the first teachers are really the parents. E as the school only facilitate the skills for learning and apply knowledge not commonly used at home or is provided by parents and/or guardians. Teachings from parents and or guardians are imperative for each student. By having they involve with our school’s program and coherently speaking to them about our curriculums, activities and movement, I believe this will help them to realize how they as parents and/or guardians could best steer their child’s interest for learning.

Closers:
16. Given your sense of this school up to this point, what do you think you will need to succeed as the director of our School?
Patience.

Fashion

My Fashion and Me
By: Marystar Welch and Lakell Villegas

If you read the last article, it talked about what to wear and what not to wear. This article is now going to talk about what you look best in. I’m not going to tell you what to wear...

Let me tell you a little bit about what I mean... A few times and on more than a few occasions, I have seen people and the way they dress, it isn’t bad, but one day they would come dressed differently. They didn’t even seem like that person because of the variety of clothing they chose to wear. Sometimes when people dress different they will start to act different. That’s why I’m talking to you about dressing in what you look best in. Some people love it when it is just plain old you while some people may like the new you. I just hope that you can feel comfortable in what you dress in.

I’m not saying you should go around in a ripped t-shirt with stains, but dress in something clean and looks best on you...

Clubs and Activities

Clubs and Activities
By: Christina Carulla

Our school needs more clubs and activities. Students run around after school with nothing to do; therefore we should change that, and give them something to do! Students stay home and complain that they are bored (I know this because I do it ALL the time!). Kids like us really need our brain and body to be functioning! Our school should find a fun activity for us to do and we will do it! Ms. Christina is planning to do the drama and volleyball clubs. I encourage teachers to throw challenges at us by allowing us to be outside where we can have fresh air!

The basketball club with their new coach, Mr. Paul Christian Ong, has been training 12 selected students to compete for the basketball league that was held last Saturday, May 10, 2008 at MHS. Students in that club are getting great training and are enjoying at the same time. We should all contribute to this experience!

Students think we should expand the school and have more fields for playing sports. Mr. Pangelinan was planning to have a covered court. I think this is a great way to get people to play out and have fun. We should think about fundraising and all that. Remember that teachers would love new ideas for the upcoming school year! I encourage students to join the clubs and participate in the activities provided. It is fun and it keeps us occupied and active!

The clubs below are the active clubs we have as of this month.


STUCCO with coordinator, Mrs. Rachelle Ong


Newsletter Club (Tigers Gazette) with coordinator, Mrs. Rachelle Ong


Basketball Club (Tigers Gazette) with coordinator, Mr. Paul Christian Ong

Activities - Basketball League

Introducing the new

Tigers Basketball League
By: Michael Park

(left to right) Javyier Pangelinan, Renze Crisostomo, Czarina Lizama, President Yun Park, Alex Park, Coach Paul Christian Ong, Michael Park, Renan Lansang, Thomas Kim, Mr. Wayne Pangelinan (the principal), Alex Ahn, Josiah Pacala, Kevin Park, Kevin Lim, Enrico Del Rosario

LISS Tigers basketball team decided to go to the playoff of elementary basketball last May 10, 2008, Saturday at Marianas High School gymnasium. To experience what it was like to be in an actual basketball game, we had practice for 3 weeks with Coach Paul (Mr. Ong).
Our first opponents were the Tinian Colts and we won the game by 24-19. And the next game was against San Vicente. This time, we lost by six points. Our last game was against Kagman. If we have won the game, we would be able to join the semifinals. We did our best, but sadly, we lost by 4 points. The game was a little disappointing but it was a good experience.

Activities - Track & Field

LISS Athletes Win during the Oceania Championship
By: Dhainee Pfafflin

Marystar and Ashley Welch both bagged the 1st place awards for the 3000m dash during the Oceania Athletics Competition last May 10, 2008, Saturday at the MHS Gym. Ashley won first place on 12-and-under girls division. She was running along with her older sister Marystar who also won the first place on her division. Marystar also won the 1500m dash girl division. Their top competitors were representatives from schools such as SIS and MHS. With their training from their hard-working coach and father, Mr. Valrick Welch, both girls has succeededdespite their wacky schedule. I was there to witness their success as they ran through the track with such speed and agility. Now, these would’ve been boring for a non-sport enthusiast like me, but they gave me a new view of track and field. It was different if it was your friend running out there and seeing those runs fastest that the most.
They managed to nag a few hours to train for the competition in between homework and swim practice. Both girls are also members of the Tsunami Swim Team and are going to an upcoming swim meet in Guam this coming May 30.
The activity allowed the upper graders to mingle and socialize with the lower graders constructing harmony amid the pack.