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Allyson Wilson
Staff Writer Bonneville Joint School District #93 promises to design success for every student. This promise requires structured collaboration between teacher teams across the district. While there is not a district-wide guaranteed and viable curriculum yet, teacher teams are hard at work within their PLCs. A PLC, also known as professional learning community, consists of a group of educators that regularly meet to work collaboratively to improve teaching skills, discuss student performance, etc. Each Monday throughout the year, teachers from similar grade levels and content areas meet to discuss essential standards, learning targets, interventions and extensions, and more. Roughly halfway through the year, superintendent Dr. Scott Woolstenhulme and the district office host the annual district-wide PLC meeting. This meeting took place on April 29, 2024 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m at Thunder Ridge High School. During the meeting, teachers from BHS, HHS, TRHS, LHS, TCHS, and BOHS gathered to determine what is essential for students across D93. The Bonneville Buzz interviewed a few teachers regarding their experiences and interactions within the meeting. Catherine Joyner, a BHS math teacher, was in the Algebra II group with teachers from each D93 high school. During the meeting, they reviewed “what [they] deemed was essential to make sure all the schools were on the same page.” Additionally, Joyner’s team covered what can lead all students to success and prepare them to leave high school with what they need to know. When Joyner was asked how effective the meeting was, she answered, “In the time we had, it was good.” Joyner further explained that if there was more time to discuss essential standards, the district meetings would be more effective. To ensure a student is ready to move on to the next course, Joyner’s team identified 30 essential standards for the students to master by the end of the year. Even though PLC meetings are usually productive, Joyner mentioned they may contain conflict, such as teachers disagreeing on the “right” way to teach a standard. Joyner believes when trying to determine what is essential many teachers need to remember “it's not personal” when choosing what is best for students. Although many departments at BHS are still “PLC-lite,” dedicated teachers can still make minor to major improvements for the students. Michelle Johnson, a SPED and practical English teacher,When talking about how the schools all got on the same page, Johnson reports, “I think we got there by the end of the meeting, I don't think we started there.” While some teachers showed up prepared for the meeting,some seemed underprepared or unsure how to proceed. All schools teach differently, but all material is taught. Students across the district have the right to an education that best prepares them for life after high school. Although each school has plenty of room to grow, there are pushes for considerable change within the district office, schools, and classrooms across D93. Devoted teachers are making a difference one student at a time, and changes are being made one step at a time. Years to come hope to bring about a more collaborative district devoted to student success.
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Ash Merritt
Staff Writer The Bonneville County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) has decided to offer a teen career camp for high school students in Bonneville County. This class entails a free, four-day experience that provides students a chance to explore the Law Enforcement profession. The activities planned for the groups are to team build, learn about the equipment, and help introduce teenagers to a variety of job opportunities. Education about law enforcement activities can come with a unique experience. Deputy Dan Sperry explained some activities that the teams will participate in, including how to use equipment, build confidence, ride in the patrol cars, as well as ride with them when the officers drive around. Other random activities include playing bumper cars and spinning each other out, and going to the courthouse to help solve a detailed case. The educational experience will provide a new perspective to all the law enforcement positions. Bringing more to the table for job ideas in the future and it is something to do in the summer. Deputy Sperry vocalizes why BCSO decided to do this, “We want to reach teenagers during the summer just cause schools done. It's not a ‘bye, have a good summer, see you next fall,’ continue to build those relationships over the summer.” BCSO has an exploration program during the school year, in which students can ride with the deputies, wear slightly different uniforms, and help out the officers in their daily job. All of the activities for these students encourage them to step outside of their comfort zone and help them explore new opportunities. The days of the camp one includes June 12 through to the 15 or camp two includes June 19 to the 22. The age range is freshmen to seniors, this includes the graduates this year. Application deadline is 15th of May. Eric Perez
Assistant editor It all started in late August. The winter came like any other average Idaho winter. Little did everyone know that this winter would soon take over. This unrelenting winter season has carried on way longer than usual. Even though Idaho is known for it is a very frigid winter, it continues to snow through most of the spring. This weather has negatively affected Bonneville activities, including baseball, softball, track, tennis, and a number of other outside activities. This forever winter has held sports teams and people back from cozy warm weather and physical activities. The snow came down hard during this winter season. Snow took over, and even though the winter season came to an end, the snow persisted. As the months dragged on, so did the cold weather and snow. Spring came, yet snow was still on the ground. Maybe it has not melted yet, everyone thought. However, that was not the case, as it would continue to snow and take a considerable toll on school sports along with various outside activities. Bonneville High School is one of many schools in the Idaho Falls and Ammon area that have been affected by the winter. Sports such as tennis where even strong winds can affect the sport. The winter season continues to set back tennis and baseball with all the snow that needs to be shoveled or melted from the courts and fields. This season has lasted so long that some spring sports seasons had to be cut in half due to bad weather. Some softball and baseball players have had countless games canceled in addition to other games from multiple other sports groups. This unyielding winter does not only hurt Idaho sport teams; it also affects students' mental health. Less sunlight and physical activity can have an affect on peoples moods, and mental health. The 2022 to 2023 winter season continues to be detrimental for Bonneville students. Whether it is the cancelation of spring sports or the harm to mental health, this season has held people back from outside activities. Regardless, this forever winter shall end eventually; there is hope for a cozy spring and summer. Grace Wiklund
Staff Writer Idaho has many state symbols. This information is widely known since state symbols are a required fourth grade lesson in elementary schools of Idaho. However, there seems to be a new state emblem thanks to the efforts of fourth graders from Bonneville Joint School District 93’s Ucon Elementary School. On March 31, 2023, Governor Brad Little signed the bill for the Oryctodromeus, a small prairie dog-like dinosaur that was native to Idaho, to be the state dinosaur. As of now, Idaho is the 17th state to have an official state dinosaur. The process of gaining this new state symbol began last year in the fourth grade class of Joel Walton, a teacher at Ucon Elementary. The proposal for the Oryctodromeus to become the state dinosaur was introduced to the senate on February 27th of this year. A key player in the entire process of rallying for the bill’s approval was a professor from Idaho State University, L. J. Krumenacker, who discovered the fossils of the Oryctodromeus in 2006, and worked with the elementary schoolers to bring this dream to fruition. On April 14th, Governor Brad Little visited Ucon Elementary to congratulate the students and sign the copy of the bill, known as Senate Bill 1127. This was the governor’s fourth visit to D93 since he was elected. Alongside the governor at the ceremony was Representative Wendy Horman and Senator Kevin Cook, who were the individuals who assisted the students through the enactment process. The Oryctodromeus’ name itself translates to “digging runner.” Living nearly 100 million years ago, this dinosaur was about the size of a golden retriever paired with a seven-foot tail. The Oryctodromeus was known to be very family oriented, as their burrows contained remains of younger oryctodromeus and adults. From what can be gathered, the dinosaur is only native to Idaho and southwest Montana, which fits well for a state emblem. Krumenacker has stated over a phone interview with a non-profit political news organization that he has 10 to 12 completed skeletons of the Oryctodromeus, found in the Caribou Mountains. In conclusion, this experience has left quite the impression on the fourth graders who helped to make the Oryctodromeus the state dinosaur, as well as possibly making a big leap in Idaho’s future history. Grace Wiklund
Staff Writer “The Willow Project” is a term that has been circulating since late March of this year and has been taking social media by storm. The debates are centered around the Biden administration’s recent approval of an oil drilling project taking place in Alaska, which has caused an outcry among environmentalists. The activists’concern is rooted in how the endeavor can add to the already concerning climate change as well as damaging the natural beauty of Alaska. It begs the question of if this Willow Project is actually worth the trouble for more oil supplies. The project, approved on March 13th, is to take place in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A), the northern slope of the state. The reserve is 23 million acres and about 30 miles away from the Arctic Ocean. The Willow Project is being run by a crude oil production company by the name of ConocoPhillips. They are the owners of an oil reserve named Willow, where the project gets its name from. ConocoPhillips had originally proposed to have five drilling pads, but the government has only approved the building of three drill pads. While the area shows potential for new oil, it has also become a region that is frequented by polar bears and other wildlife. Willow provides benefits and problems for both the environmental spectrum and the economy of America. CNN reporter Ella Nilsen writes in her Willow Project article “The state’s lawmakers say the project will create jobs, boost domestic energy production and lessen the country’s reliance on foreign oil.” For those living in Alaska, the project could help fund services such as schools and medical facilities, as well as open up more opportunities for the state’s revenue. Unfortunately, it is undeniable that the operation will be contributing to carbon emissions and climate change. People are pointing out how the project goes against Biden’s 2020 campaign about moving the states to cleaner energy sources. There is also the risk of oil spills and meltdowns, which is damaging to the environment. The situation caught the eye of activists, and the project began trending on social platforms. According to the TikTok creative center website, the tag “#willowproject” has over 55k posts and totaling about 619 million views, “#stopwillowproject” viewership peaking during the beginning of April of this year. Currently, there are 382 petitions on the site Change.org, the most popular petition racking up over 5 million supporters. Many environmentalist groups are also attempting to challenge the Willow Project in court. It would be an understatement to say that the human race has impacted the earth, for better or for worse. Only time will tell if the problem improves. Roman Davis
Staff Writer A day for the disabled, to show support and awareness for those suffering with physical and mental setbacks. The International Day of Persons with Disabilities was celebrated once more on December 3rd; "Not All Disabilities are Visible'' was the theme for 2022. This theme was designed to include disabilities that are invisible to the common eye such as mental health disorders, chronic pain, fatigue, and much more. The other part of this year's theme was “Transformative Solutions for Inclusive Development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world.” This 28-year-old holiday has had many themes in the past such as "Leadership and Participation of Persons with Disabilities" (2021), "Empowering Persons with Disabilities and Ensuring Inclusiveness and Equality" (2018), and "Removing Barriers to Create an Inclusive and Accessible Society for All" (2012). One of the most common invisible disabilities is neurodiversity; according to the Diversity & Inclusion Speakers Agency, people with neurodiversity “uniquely view the world, as their brains are wired differently from their able-bodied counterparts." As these impairments are not seen as a more known disability such as paralysis, loss of limbs, and more, it is often mistaken for mental health issues instead. Examples of neurodiversity include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, dyslexia, Tourette syndrome, and multiple others. Disability inclusion is an essential law to upholding human rights. On the United Nations (UN) website, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs wrote, "The commitment to realizing the rights of persons with disabilities is not only a matter of justice; it is an investment in a common future." Along with this statement, the Secretary-General for the UN created The United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy in June of 2019, providing the foundation for sustainable and transformative progress on disability inclusion. The Secretary-General also released a report last year in October 2021 on the steps taken by the UN system to implement the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy in 2020 and the coming years. The observance of the International Day of Disabilities aims to promote an understanding and awareness of disability issues as well as to mobilize support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities, hidden or not. Here are some ways to help support others even after the holiday has passed:
Gianmarco Quinzi
Staff Writer Each year on December 1st, the world commemorates World AIDS Day. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) attacks the body's immune system, and if left untreated, the disease could develop into Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). People around the world unite to show support for individuals living with HIV and to remember those who have passed from AIDS-related illnesses. Every year, the world is focused on an important topic. This year will be “Equalize.” Founded in 1988 by the World Health Organization (WHO), World AIDS Day was the first-ever international day for global health. An article from UNAIDS mentioned, “Every year, United Nations agencies, governments, and civil society join together to campaign around specific themes related to HIV.”Campaigning for diseases such as AIDs promotes funding for research and rehabilitation, raises awareness and provides a sense of hope, and strengthens the local community.” Over time, HIV weakens a person's immune system, making it difficult to fight off diseases. Most people experience short, flu-like symptoms in two to six weeks after contracting HIV, and after an average of two weeks, these symptoms disappear. If a person's symptoms do not seem to go away, and they worsen instead, a doctor should be notified about the problem. Whether or not an individual living with HIV experiences symptoms during the acute stage, the disease continues to wreak havoc on the immune system.. The three stages of HIV infection are acute HIV infection, chronic HIV infection, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). These illnesses are usually contracted via blood contamination, mother-to-infant transfer, sharing needles, and sexual contact. Since most individuals develop the disease(s) via sexual intercourse, abstinence and contraceptives are the primary methods to prevent and contain the disease according to stanfordheathcare.org. Under the direction of a licensed professional individuals may benefit from taking preventative and maintenance medications for HIV or AIDS. World AIDS day is a solidarity for people around the world who are affected by AIDS. On this day, anyone can use their voices to share experiences or to support someone that has AIDS. Society has made progress in fighting these illnesses, but this disease remains a public health challenge. People can support this cause by wearing a red ribbon or red colors to support and show awareness on December 1st. “Let's Stop HIV Together” campaign resources on social media, or donate to a community that supports others with these diseases. Living a life with HIV or AIDS is not that easy. Having a friend or a relative with HIV or AIDS is extremely painful for them since no one knows if they are getting better or worse. World AIDS day was founded to support people that live in really intense conditions and to give them a chance to live in happiness, and not be disclosed or treated differently. Ash Merritt
Staff Writer Epilepsy is a common disorder which causes the nerve cells in the brain to be disturbed by a change in the firing pattern of neurons, causing seizures that affect day-to-day life. Epilepsy can make life difficult, especially with the causes of obtaining the disorder, the risk factors, and the complications it brings. Mayo Clinic states, “Epilepsy has no identifiable cause in about half the people with the condition. In the other half, the condition may be traced to various factors such as genetic influence, brain abnormalities, and developmental disorders. Some types of epilepsy, which are categorized by the type of seizure you experience or the part of the brain that is affected, [tend to] run in families.” Epilepsy has been connected to some genetics; although the genes are only part of the cause. “Before birth, babies are sensitive to brain damage that could be caused by several factors, such as an infection in the mother, poor nutrition or oxygen deficiencies. This brain damage can result in epilepsy or Cerebral Palsy.” These disorders could be caused by many factors. For example, the mother might not know about the consequences of her actions or she chooses not to acknowledge them. There are a good amount of risk factors that play into epilepsy that can cause this disorder and bring more concern for a person. Winchester Hospital states that epilepsy can be caused by other things like Meningitis, AIDS, Viral Encephalitis, head injuries, lack of oxygen in the brain, strokes, problems with vesicles in the brain, and brain tumors. Meningitis can root to epilepsy because of the unregulated seizures that are caused by this infection. Another disease called viral encephalitis based on the bursts of abnormal synchronized activity form seizures as well. These details show that this disorder can be obtained by a multitude of unknown occurrences of life. In addition, epilepsy has many complications to know and understand. Mayo Clinic states, “Having a seizure at certain times can lead to circumstances that are dangerous to yourself or others.” Some of these dangers expressed are drowning, mental health, falling, status epilepticus, pregnancy complications, and car accidents. These elements are key to know because if someone does not know about the complications, then people who have this disorder could get seriously hurt. In short, epilepsy is something common. A condition that is caused by genetic influence, brain abnormalities, and developmental disorders. The risk factors and complications bring a difficulty to a person's day-to-day life. Charly Dixon
Staff Writer On the fourth Thursday in November, Thanksgiving is celebrated in the United States. This holiday consists of families and friends gathering together for a large meal, football, and parades. Other places around the world also celebrate Thanksgiving just in their own way. Canada, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Liberia are some of the places that also celebrate this holiday. In Canada, citizens celebrate Thanksgiving just like the U.S.; Canadians feast with their loved ones and typically watch football at the end of the day. On the table, they have turkey, ham, or chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, and pumpkin pie. Their pumpkin pie could be swapped with flaky butter tarts or a pastry filled with raisins, walnuts, or pecans. Thanksgiving is similar for each nation except Canadians refer to the holiday as Action de grâce, since French is one of the primary languages of the country. Unlike the United States, Japan participates in a quiet public holiday; Japanese do family trips to a green space, amusement parks, or dinner. Most businesses remain open, and kids still attend school. One of their biggest traditions is that the elementary kids make cards or prepared gifts and give to the workers in the labor sector including police officers, firefighters, and hospital staff to celebrate their dedication during the year. Most of the people have mainly consumed fish, rice, and tea for dinner on this holiday. Even though Japan celebrates the same way as the United States, they still reverse this day as a national holiday. In the U.S. the Americans celebrate Thanksgiving by watching or going to the Macy’s parade in New York, which is well known for their giant inflatable balloons that float between the skyscrapers. People would also break the wishbone for good luck, they would have their traditional Thanksgiving dinner. An article by EF Academy said ”Must-eats are: roast turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, and sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts. Green bean casserole has become a popular dish, especially in the Midwest. Completing the meal is, of course, pumpkin pie for dessert.” Some people love taking their holiday naps. People also share what they are thankful for, watch football, and run a turkey trot. A turkey trot is when people across the U.S. run a half marathon; this race brings out the runners, walkers, and fans in local communities. It is a fun way to earn and burn calories from Thanksgiving dinner, and of course, Black Friday is another favorite American tradition. Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks around the world. This holiday is not just for the food; so many places around the world have their own tradition and there are many more coming. Whether countries celebrate to honor their founders or their harvest season, time with loved ones should always be cherished. Heather Byrne
Staff Writer Daylight savings’ annual disappearance and reappearance never fails to catch citizens of many countries off guard. Daylight savings was originally used by Germany during World War I to consume as little gas, oil and electricity as possible for the war effort. The United States then followed Germany in this process and began utilizing daylight savings time. By implementing this, it aided the U.S. in saving materials that the government needed to provide for the soldiers during World War II. Saving power and fossil fuels also encouraged the production and transportation of bullets, guns, military vehicles, bombs, and even canned foods. Although the U.S. used daylight savings throughout the world wars, daylight savings was not officially accepted until 1960 by the Department of Transportation or DOT. Soon after the DOT announced the need for the change, the U.S. federal government made it official to spare the country of confusion. The confusion of so many different times was too complicated for the DOT due to scheduled train times, boat arrivals, and plane flights, so daylight savings was eventually instituted throughout the United States. Daylight savings is not explicitly needed today, although it does give an extra hour of sleep to participants. Daylight savings is managed by the Interstate Commerce Commision to ensure plane flights and scheduled events can be safe and possible. Daylight savings also helps regulate times within the four different time zones in the United States. These time zones include Pacific, Mountain, Central and Eastern. According to a survey taken at Bonneville High School, daylight savings is not very beneficial to the community due to the confusion it causes. One student answered: “We don’t know what time it [is] anymore.” Another remarked: “It throws off my internal clock and my siblings[’] as well.” These quotes show that daylight savings may not be as beneficial as it is credited to be and has conflict that shouldn’t be ignored. Daylight savings is also unfavorable for those who have depression and anxiety. According to a student at Bonneville, daylight savings causes them to feel depressed due to the sudden change and the amount of darkness it brings when the day is coming to an end. Daylight savings will continue to be a conflict until it is either proven more beneficial or abandoned completely. |
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