Second Post of the Day

Our time together is winding down - for some, that is absolute joy and for others, not such good news.  "You've changed my life..." versus "She's such a *%$#@...".  The craziest thing about spending nine months in each others' orbits is that the same events can occur but the experience is different.  Room 853 is what it is and you got out of it whatever you put in...Amazing how that works.  Sorta like life.

At any rate, these are just my random thoughts as I "brain dump" onto the blog while y'all type away at college stuff (or other stuff...I'm always watching).  Random things happened today - I have some pudding (well, my version of pudding - vegan, chocolatey, delicious) and I learned that you can make quesadillas with corn tortillas?  Whaaat?  I have new Dark Horse ground coffee in my backpack and LD gave me a strawberry.  We sang to CK and sand was found near CO.  Bizarre.  But despite all that, I just have these two words swirling on repeat in my mind: metta and maitri.

Metta.

Maitri.

Metta.

Maitri.

Any of y'all know what those words mean?

Here's some more: mudita, upeksha, karuna.  Always karuna.

Anyhoo, time to stop blathering...7 more school daze until FINALS.

xoxo

College Project Info

I had the chance to chat with the lovely Mr. Chavez yesterday and he offered up two websites that you may or may not know of already.  Just in case, they are linked below.

The first is a site specifically for California colleges.  So if your interests lie in the Golden State, check it out.

Secondly, a site for virtual tours.  The only way for sure to know if a school is right for you is to visit and spend some time there.  BUT, if that's not possible, this site should help you out.

And finally, if you didn't bother to read the article I posted last night...there ARE.  NO.  WORDS.

Beltran

ABSOLUTELY WORTH YOUR TIME

Just read it. (And thanks to my husband for sending it to me.)

Go Cubs.

Letter Writer Packets

Time is winding down when it comes to how many classes we have left together so in case we don't cover it, here are the ins and outs of what you should include in the packets to the folks who agree to write you letters.

• Cover Letter (see image below)
• Resume (include "Education", "Extracurricular Activities", Achievements and Honors", "Work Experience" and "Volunteer Experience" sections)
• Brag Sheet (this won't be done until September)
• Unofficial copy of your transcript (it will have through your junior year)

Put all of these into a manilla envelope and hand deliver it to your writer in September.

We will continue working on personal statements tomorrow (periods 3 and 5) and on Thursday (periods 2, 4, and 6).  We also have a Safe Driving Curriculum to cover.

Love and Light,

Beltran

If Interested...Real Post Later Today

Here's a link to an admissions officer's insight on reviewing applications.  Keep in mind, this is specific to Ivy League schools (and perhaps some of the "hidden Ivies" as well).  Read with a grain of salt as always...

Happy 4 Day Weekend

Hope you all have a beautiful four days away from school.  I'll see you on Tuesday and we will spend our four day week working on personal statements - writing that, in my opinion, is the foundation for your application.

Love and Light and thanks for the birthday wishes,
Beltran

An All-Star Kind of Day

Thanks for the effort today in class...hopefully the time to do some research was beneficial.  Tomorrow you get more time to research, fiddle around on Naviance, etc.

I'll be in the PAC period 5 and 6 so you guys should have your permission slips turned in to Mr. Samakosky by PERIOD 3 tomorrow morning.  He is in room 854 (on the other side of my room).

Happy almost Thursday,
Beltran

Currently

1.  Sipping an iced black coffee.
2.  Listening to classic Tupac.
3.  Waiting for Thing 1 to finish up art class.
4.  Headed to baseball.
5.  Feeling slight soreness from those squats.

Thanks for working today, lovelies. More learning and college project tomorrow.

Xoxo

College Project Day 1

I threw a lot at you today so please email me with specific questions.  Today is just about getting started and setting up the binder.  You should start thinking about safety, target and reach schools and start doing some research about specific schools.

Make sure you read the articles I posted yesterday and jump onto Naviance to make sure you know your way around.

I'll see periods 2, 4, and 6 tomorrow and then back to regular schedule (Advisory on Wednesday and Classic on Thursday).

Have a good rest of your day,
Beltran

P.S. - For no reason whatsoever, I was looking up S'well water bottles.  Check this out.

P.P.S. - And here's a cool site too.

Want a Headstart??

Happy Sunday, almost seniors.  :)

I hope you're having a glorious weekend.  Can you believe we only have 13 days of school until finals start?  WOW.  When I realized that, I hopped on here to post some of the information you're going to want to look at this week as we start our College Project.

Remember, I'm sharing all of this to help you - not because I am applying to college.  You are.  And if you're not careful, you'll wake up and BOOM.  Senior year.

So, check out the following:

• A Business Insider article about how to stand out in a sea of applicants
• A Time magazine article about the new college application
• A Business Insider article that includes 7 tips for your application from a credible source
• A Huffington Post piece that helps you understand early action
• And finally, the new 2017-2018 Common App prompts

Also, for class this week you will need your 3 ring binder, a place to takes lots of notes, dividers and clear sheet protectors.  

And for those of you planners out there, here's the schedule and general rundown for the week:

• Monday (BLOCK 1, 3, 5) - Intro to project, reading articles, personal assessments, Naviance, resumes, letter of rec cover letters, computer time
• Tuesday (BLOCK 2, 4, 6) - Intro to project, reading articles, personal assessments, Naviance, resumes, letter of rec cover letter, computer time
• Wednesday (regular schedule) - Applying to PLHS scholarships
• Thursday (regular schedule BUT Periods 5 & 6, we will be attending the Finals of the Poetry Slam!) - finishing up the week's work

**The following week, 5/31 is Odd Block Schedule and 6/1 is Even Block Schedule and we will be writing Personal Statements.  That Friday, June 2nd in periods 3 & 4, we will have a guest speaker.  Those of you who asked to be invited from my other classes will get passes from me.  :)

Enjoy the rest of you day!

Love and Light,

Beltran

Happy Friday Lovelies

Thank you to all who presented today.  I am SO PROUD of each of you who decided to bring it.  It is so noted.

Make sure you have 3 ring binders for class (as well as dividers, clear protector sheets, etc.)  The College Project is starting.

xoxo,
Beltran

Homerun Kinda Day

The day started with my heart breaking in all the best ways leading into my pancakes bringing IT which led into a lovely lunch and then Euphonium Quartet.  My oh my.  It was great.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Good luck on Bio.
Beltran

Today

Thank you for great presentations today.  From the live singing to the art to the sewing to the videos.  It was fabulous.

I will see periods 2, 4, and 6 tomorrow...Once again, Mr. Fowler will be in charge until I arrive.  :)

See y'all soon,
Beltran

Today's Post

Block schedule is such a doozy.  But we shall survive.  I will see you for periods 3 and 5.

*picture of Ben with bib*

(permission granted by fabulous student)

Love and light,
Beltran

Tomorrow

I will be at school as soon as possible but I don't usually have a class at 7:30...the room will be open so just wait for me!!!

I'm excited to see presentations. So bring it.

Xoxo

Gentle Reminder for the Bloggity Blog Readers...

...who want a headstart.  I will be posting the TED Talk Final Sign Up Sheets (in the hall right outside my door) at the beginning of lunch today.  So if you would like first pick, stop on by.

:)

The Breakup Begins...

...as we start to grow a bit distant.

We are too busy to get together....life starts to get in the way.

We're still friends and all but...

...things seem to be changing.

Soon, we will drift away with nothing but fond memories.

So it goes...

I cannot wait for Create Something projects.  Show up ready.

Happy Weekend,
Beltran

Friday Friday, Healthy Kids

Today in class, you will need to complete the California Healthy Kids Survey.  Thank you for filling it out as best you can...I appreciate it.

When you're finished, please complete the Post AP Test Evaluation if you took the exam.  (It'll take 5 minutes and is anonymous.)

xoxo,
Beltran

Happy Thursday

All the TED Talk info was posted yesterday so make sure you check it out.  I'll have sign up sheets for the talks on Monday the 15th.  Remember that next week is Block Schedule as well.

See y'all tomorrow,
Beltran

You're Testing...I'm Twirling

Hope it's going well for you test takers...I'm here in period 4 with a few kiddos so in addition to sending you good thoughts (hope those blue pens are moving), I figured I would post the documents we'll be reviewing tomorrow in class.  A lot of you (it seems) will be absent due to field trips so to be fair, here you go...

1.  TED Talk Final document that outlines how you could start formulating ideas (if you haven't already).

2.  The Evaluation Rubric (at last, a rubric!)

3.  TED Talk Commandments

We will be signing up for Create Something 2.0 presentation slots.  If you won't be here, have someone sign up for you.  AND, you will need a new or used 3 ring binder (1" or bigger) for the College Project.

Get some rest and I'll see you tomorrow,
Beltran

Test Day Tomorrow

Thank you for bringing some energy to the room, for the fun dance moves, and for the stress relief in the form of dance off's, TED choir, and red headbands.  (Sweet Jay-Z rap, TG.)

I'm rooting for you test takers tomorrow as you tackle the AP Language exam...you are prepared.  Remember your BLUE pens, your pencils, and your protein.  (I'll have little packs of almonds so I'll be on the lookout for hungry kiddos from my balcony about 9:15ish).

** Meet in front of the LIbrary at 7:15...Half of you will then be walked over to the church. **

And remember to get some sleep after a nice little dance party of your own.  Email me if you need some encouragement.

An attitude of gratitude...always.

Love and light,
Beltran

Not Much to Say...

...except for the undying desire to SCREAM from the rooftops that your worth as a human being is in no way connected to your standardized test scores.  When you take your last breath and are mentioned on the lips of those who still remain, it is your character that's remembered - not your cunning strategy on a scantron.

Plan accordingly for tomorrow.

To kids who smile when crossing the street,
Beltran

Study Hall Kind of Day

I can't say much went on today since most of you were out testing (I hope it went well!), but perhaps the time was useful for whatever you needed - be it time to decompress or a chance to finish some homework.

On Monday we will go through one last test prep day.  Tuesday is our dance review and Wednesday...well, you know what Wednesday is.

Grab some tissues and peppermint gum this weekend...

See y'all on the 8th,
Beltran

Simply The Best

I thank you for doing your best today on the last round of AP practice.  I know it isn't easy, and I wanted to acknowledge your effort.  I also want to wish you APUSH test takers the best tomorrow morning.

Those of us not testing will use our class time to conduct a study hall, review for our AP test, update Interesting Stuff Journals, etc. so come to class with materials/homework.

I'll see some of you tomorrow and the rest on Monday.

xoxo,
Beltran

One Minute...

...left to write this blog post before the timer goes off!  Tomorrow, more of the same.  I will leave you with this: it's going to be more than okay.  I promise.

xoxo

Oh My Gravy

Ted Talk Game Day was fun - at least I thought.  Thanks for all of you who participated despite the nerves.  Tomorrow we will work on some Multiple Choice (but that will take 20 minutes) so bring study materials for whatever AP tests you are prepping.  

Hope Art History went well for those of you who took it (are taking it now, I assume).

Love and Light,
Beltran

What You Need to Know

1.  I want your Interesting Stuff Journals turned in tomorrow at the beginning of class. If you are testing, make sure you drop it off outside my class. I'll leave a box or something.

2.  TED Talk Game tomorrow. We'll see how that goes.

3.  We will continue M/C practice Wednesday through Friday. If you'll be out testing, see me for practice packets.

4.  Add Adichie's latest book (Dear Ijeawele) to your summer reading list. So worth it.

5.  A test does not determine your worth.

Xoxo