Edition 2011, #17 - Homework

Eagle Way Homework
by The Eagle Way staff

It's standard operating procedure. The students at the Eagle Way decide what stories to cover and how to cover them. Independent work is a big part of working at The Eagle Way.

Last week, however, I asked my Eagle Way bloggers to do a rare "homework" essay. I asked them to read and then comment on this article:

“So you want to work at Google” by Anne Fisher
management.fortune.cnn.com/2011/04/07/so-you-want-to-work-at-google/

To me, “working at Google” is a metaphor. It's a metaphor for life and how you go about your business. It's a lesson we implicitly adopt at The Eagle Way. The article focuses on 4 important qualities of success and happiness:

1. Passion for learning and growing 
2. Passion for what you do 
3. Creativity 
4. Initiative

Here's a similar (wonderful) article by Dilbert creator Scott Adams:

“How to get a real education” by Scott Adams
online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704101604576247143383496656.html

The student essays in reply to my request appear below. I found them interesting and enlightening. I was also proud of the effort and energy that the students' put into their essays. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I did!

Outside the Square
by Dejah W

What I think about the four elements Google looks for is that it is a great way of showing what they are mainly looking for. Now I think I would be able to do this job, but I am not too good with technology. I know the basics, but the hard stuff I don’t know. Out of the four qualities, I think I’m the strongest in creativity and initiative. I really think I am able to get ready for a task, take pride in it, and to be creative. Sometimes you have to be creative.

What I think I should improve in is the passion for technology. I am really not that into technology. It can get very complicated at a certain point. St. Ethelreda helps me improve at being creative. I really get the chance to think out of the box. Ms. Finn really has some creative projects. She is always coming up with something fun. To me, being creative is not thinking in a square. It’s about going outside that square.

I think we do emphasize these things at Eagle Way. We always have to be creative. We have to have the passion to do a story. It's like a rule. If you don’t have passion or take pride in your work, then why are you taking the time to do it? If you are not going to put your all in it, then don’t do it. Also, you have to be ready and have the ability to do whatever you have to do.

Last but not least you have to have the passion for your team. Mr. Bill even said in the email he sent to us about this assignment that “I think we do emphasize a lot at the Eagle Way” Mr. Bill I agree, we do.

Photo by Dejah W

Ain't Seen Nothing Yet
by Terrance R

No, I don’t see myself working at Google. To me, to be in Google is a gift to a really gifted person who can really work the computer like designing, organizing, uploading, publishing, etc. I am more of an outdoor physically-gifted person who likes basketball, football, baseball, science, etc. Google is a great place to work, but I don’t feel very suitable for the job.

I think The Eagle Way has what Google is looking for right now. We all have the passion for technology and the organization. Whenever one falls, we pick them back up. We all have creativity, NO QUESTION. Just look at the structure of our stories, the view of our pictures, the organization of the blog page, and the background chosen as a team. Of course, we all take the initiative. When we see a story, we go after it. If it’s something the people want to see, we get it for them. We all have a time where we need to step up to the plate and take a swing.

I feel the strongest in INITIATIVE. I always want to get the job done. I take leadership and responsibility for myself and even others. I lead The Eagle Way to do better. I take a stand; I show leadership; I get it done before the idea even comes up. When people look at me, they don’t see just another person, number, or student. They see a leader, and if they don’t, you bet they will very soon.

Now that’s what I have to say. These are my thoughts and opinions. So, if somebody doesn’t believe what I have said in this, then they’re wrong, and they haven’t seen nothing yet!!!!!!!!!!

Photo by Terrance R

Google It

by Brandice W

I think their 4 qualities are perfect; right on the spot. I think the people being hired should have the drive to work for the company. I wouldn’t want to work somewhere that I don’t love what I do. They should love their job, where they work, and feel open to be a leader and express their ideas. I think Google offers all of that and more. If I had to pick my dream job, it would probably be working for Google. They offer me everything I love to do.

I think my strongest quality out of the Google’s qualifications would be passion of technology, creativity, and initiative. If I love something enough, I would feel free to express my thoughts and ideas to improve the company. Once I have my mind set to something I have a passion for, there’s no stopping me! Things that I have a passion for get me thinking about new ways to improve at it.

I think if it was anything I need to improve in, it would be the passion for the company. I don’t know about everything Google has to offer and what other services it provides, but what I do know is that the service that I use from Google is great.

YES, I would definitely be interested in working at Google. I love computers and technology. I like to figure out technical problems. It makes me feel like my brain is actually working. Plus I already adore Google’s service, such as my search engine.

St. Ethelreda helps me improve in passion for technology and initiative. Once we got the computer lab, I started liking technology more and more. Using the internet, and Microsoft Word and Excel have really opened my eyes to new ways to use technology. Just using Google, I can find ways to use Excel to make line graphs, bar graphs, and charts. Google has also helped me learn tricks to using Microsoft Word. Sometimes in school, students don’t want to do something because it may not be interesting to them, or they just don’t feel like doing it, or maybe they just don’t understand. My teachers always tell me there is never a dumb idea. So I’ve learned to always ask questions and always give ideas thanks to St. Ethelreda.

Photo by Brandice W

Passion for Technology
by Khadijah J

I think I would be interested in working at Google mainly because you have to know a lot about publishing and editing things on the computer. I work with computers, electronics, and editing a lot, so I know a lot about the technical engineering world.

Google wants workers who love their job and like being there, so they show them respect and passion. The people working at Google have passion while working there, so they want to be able to have a good imagination and good creativity.

I personally feel strongest in passion for technology. I need to work on my creativity image. I think St.Ethelreda helps improve passion for the company because they want every child to love the school and have respect for it.

We emphasize the most on passion for technology and creativity because we work with computers and cameras which help us for our life if we work in the field for technology.

Photo by Khadijah J

Conclusion - No Secret Ingredient

by Bill "Mr. Bill" Krieger

To young students, the notion of success and creating something from nothing seems overwhelming, implausible. The message in both these articles is BELIEVE! Work hard. Start something: a club, a company, a group, whatever. Immerse yourself in what you enjoy doing and keep doing it over and over again. Not only is success within your grasp, but you'll have a great time in the doing as well.

If I may quote the famous philosopher, Kung Fu Panda:

“There is no secret ingredient.”

It's no secret. All you need to succeed is to believe in yourself.... work hard, grow, and enjoy every day!
peace... yow, bill
wkrieger@stethelreda.org

Senior, Dejah, Rodriguez, and Kh... The Eagle Way
Photo by Mr. Bill

Edition 2011, #16 - 5th Grade Hero Award

5th Grade Hero Award
By: Dejah W and Brandice W 

With their book reports, 5th graders are sharing what their story is all about. Now don't think it's the old, ordinary book report. Mrs. Rex added her own little twist.

The format for the book report is way different. The students had to pick out items they thought would illustrate the story to their classmates. Also they put their items in a brown paper bag so their classmates couldn't see it. The students had to make up an award called "The Hero" to give to the person in their book they thought deserved it.

We got the privilege of sitting in the classroom, and the students were eager to share what their book was about. Here is what Mrs. Rex thought:

"I am always looking for new ways to engage my students in the learning process. I thought that my students would enjoy telling about their books using items from a bag. It also was a fun way to present book reports. My favorite part was when the students awarded "The Hero" award to a character."

Edition 2011, #15 - A Late Easter Break

A Late Easter Break

by Khadijah J

We at the Eagle Way wondered why Spring break was so late this year.

Kh: "Mrs.Spells. Why is spring break so late this year?"

Principal Spells: "Catholic schools take Easter week off. It begins with the Monday after Easter. Instead of spring break we call it Easter break. Public schools call it spring break. Catholic schools call it Easter week because it always begins the day after Easter."

One of the minuses about late Spring break is that some children in public schools might already be back in school. We students at St. Ethelreda won't, and we may not be able to go out with our friends. The pluses about late Spring break are that we can get more rest and get more things done around the house. I am happy when Spring break comes. I won't have to wake up to go to school, and it gives me time to do fun things.

Thank you, Principal Spells, for allowing me to interview you and take up your time.

Photo by Rayan B.

Edition 2011, #14 - Vocabulary Challenge

Sixth Grade Vocabulary Challenge
By: Brandice W.

When the sixth graders aren’t taking a test, eating lunch, or switching classes, they’re normally doing something in vocabulary. Vocabulary seems to improve a child’s speech. The more they use the word and see the word, the more familiar the word is to them.

We asked Sr. Bruno why every time we walk in the classroom the sixth graders are always doing vocabulary? This is how she responded:

“Vocabulary is very important. Because when you build up your vocabulary, you can improve your speech. If you want to study a specific subject in school, knowing how to spell a word, how to say it, and what it means helps you. Using new vocabulary words helps you express yourself more. You can use different adjectives instead of the general sad, mad, happy, or upset.”
- Sr. Bruno

We asked the sixth graders if they could use five vocabulary words in a sentence correctly. We call it the Challenge:

• Kayla S: "This hypocrite is so disinterested that she will manipulate the serene assailant."
• Kinta J: "Zachary is a martial, jovial, crotchety, pathetic, and gullible person."

Thank you to Sister Bruno and the whole 6th grade class. It was very captivating.

By: Rayan B