March 14 - Pi Day

Celebrate Pi Day!






--Mr. Bujak

February 27 Gabon guest in French

A visitor from Gabon (Gabao), the French speaking country in Western Central Africa presented to many of Mr. Tinsley’s French class students.

• Photos/videos of this event.
• Photos/videos of all HOPE Charter School events.

--Mr. Bujak

February 27 PSSA Math Boot Camp Winner

Our February 27, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem winner is Ernest McCollum. This geometry problem asked for the area of the circle given the circumference of the circle. Answer is B.

• The problem.
• The problem and solution.
• Ernest McCollum's solution.
• Ernest McCollum won 10 points on his math test of choice.

--Mr. Bujak

February 26 PSSA Math Boot Camp Winner

Our February 26, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem winner is Salah Bey. This algebra problem involved the evaluating a function at a particular value. Answer is B.

• The problem.
• The problem and solution.
• The problem and solution using Mathematica software.
• Salah Bey's solution.
• Salah Bey won free 10 points on his math test of choice.

--Mr. Bujak

February 24 - Staff vs Students Basketball Game

The February 24, 2009, Staff vs Students basketball game was a big success. The students won a hard fought game by 2 points.

• Photos/videos of this event.
• Photos/videos of all HOPE Charter School events.

--Mr. Bujak

2nd Quarter Honor Roll

Congratulations to the following students for making Honor Roll for the 2nd marking period:

• 9th grade: Neary Prang, Jalil Shafi, Shaqueena Thomas
• 10th grade: Eric Brame, Joni Creighton, Sorin Nowlin, Patrick Shields, Tiana Whitaker, Miosha Ximines
• 11th grade: Amber Austin
• 12th grade: Tiffany Scott, Eshanna Alexander, Saheem Blackwell, Daeshia Boyd, Tyshonda Bunting, Shane Franklyn.

--Mr. Bujak

February 25 - Councilman Curtis Jones Jr. - Black History Month Speaking Series

Councilman Curtis Jones Jr. spoke to our 9th grade class about preparing for the future. This presentation serves as the last installment of our Black History Month Guest Speaker Series.

• Photos/videos of this event.
• Photos/videos of all HOPE Charter School events.

Thanks to the efforts of Mr. Stanford, HOPE Charter School has invited several distinguished guests to speak at our “Black History Month Speaking Series”. The line-up includes Dr. Ala Stanford-Frey, City Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds-Brown, US Congressman Chaka Fattah and City Councilman Curtis Jones Jr.

--Mr. Bujak

February 25 PSSA Math Boot Camp Winner

Our February 25, 2009 PSSA math challenge (data analysis) problem involved understanding the how the mean, median, mode, and range, are affected when all the data values are incremented by a value. Answer is D.

• The problem.
• The problem and solution.

--Mr. Bujak

February 24 PSSA Math Boot Camp Winner

Our February 24, 2009 PSSA math challenge (algebra) problem involved the identification of an equation as quadratic and hence the graph as a parabola and finding the maximum height (at the vertex or axis of symmetry). Answer is D.

• The problem.
• The problem and a few solutions.
• The problem and solution using Mathematica software.

--Mr. Bujak

Resistance and The Disconnect

This insightful post from The Tattered Leaf blog came across my Twitter network a few days ago. I think I've read it six or seven times already. It speaks candidly about what we teachers are faced with teaching and learning in the 21st century. Leave a comment on The Tattered Leaf Blog or leave a comment here, on the We Are HOPE blog. I'm curious to know how you feel about this disturbing trend?














H Songhai
2/25/09

February 23 PSSA Math Boot Camp Winner

Our February 23, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem winner is Shkeem Brown. This geometry/algebra problem involved the application of the Pythagorean Theorem to solve for a leg of a right triangle. Answer is D.

• The problem.
• The problem and solution.
• Shkeem Brown's solution.
• Shkeem Brown won a free dress-down day.

--Mr. Bujak

Dilbert Comic Strip

from
http://pascdeducators.ning.com/html/embed/widgets

HOPE Charter School Monthly Newletters

This link will present a list of all HOPE Charter School's newsletters

2009

• October
• September
  
• May
• April (no April Newsletter)
• March
• February
• January

2008

• December
• November
• October (no October Newsletter)
• September

--Mr. Bujak

February 20 PSSA Math Boot Camp Winner

Our February 20, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem winner is Nadine Redic. This algebra/geometry problem involved knowing and applying the equation of a circle. Answer is A. See also: conic sections.

• The problem.
• The problem and solution.
• Nadine Redic's solution.
• Nadine Redic won a free snack.

--Mr. Bujak

February 19 US Congressman Chaka Fattah - Black History Month Speaking Series

US Congressman Chaka Fattah spoke at HOPE to our 12th grade about education as part of the Hope Charter School Black History Month Speaking Series. Mr. Fattah will also be interviewed by the media about his CORE program before the speech.

• Photos/videos of this event.
• Photos/videos of all HOPE Charter School events.

Thanks to the efforts of Mr. Stanford, HOPE Charter School has invited several distinguished guests to speak at our “Black History Month Speaking Series”. The line-up includes Dr. Ala Stanford-Frey, City Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds-Brown, US Congressman Chaka Fattah and City Councilman Curtis Jones Jr.

--Mr. Bujak

February 19 PSSA Math Boot Camp Winner

Our February 19, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem winner is Tiffany Swan-Henley. This algebra problem involved examining a scatterplot for correlation: negative (inverse), positive (direct), constant, or not related. Answer is A.

• The problem.
• The problem and solution.
• Tiffany Swan-Henley's solution.
• Tiffany Swan-Henley won a free lunch with Principal Mr. Worley.

--Mr. Bujak

February 18 PSSA Math Boot Camp Winner

Our February 18, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem winner is Nadine Redic. This algebra problem involved solving the inverse of a function. Answer is B.

• The problem.
• The problem and solutions.
• Nadine Redic's solution.
• Nadine Redic won a free lunch with Principal Mr. Worley.

--Mr. Bujak

February 17 PSSA Math Boot Camp Winner

Our February 17, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem winner is Shkeem Brown. This geometry/algebra problem involved solving areas of a triangle and a similar area for a square. Answer is A.

• The problem.
• The problem and solution.
• Shkeem Brown's solution.
• Shkeem Brown won a snack.

--Mr. Bujak

Sir Ken Robinson on Creativity and Transforming School (A Second Listen)

Thanks to Wesley Fryer, blogger and podcaster (Moving at The Speed of Creativity) for sharing this talk by Sir. Ken Robinson.



More from Sir Ken Robinson

Black History Month Portrait Identification

The winners of the Black History Month Portrait Identification are:
9th grade - Beryl Davis
10th grade - Rehianna Furman
12th grade - Jamia Jordan

Thanks to Ms. Maruffi for hosting/sponsoring this.

• Photos/video of portraits and bulletin board.
• All online photos/videos for HOPE.

Also check out the 100_Greatest_African_Americans assessed by Molefi Kete Asante. Mr. Songhai and Mr Bujak met Molefi Kete Asante at Educon 2.1 on January 23, 2009 during the panel discussion at Educon 2.1, Philadelphia, PA.

--Mr. Bujak

February 13 PSSA Math Boot Camp Winner

Our February 13, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem winner is Tishell Wessells. This geometry/algebra problem involved approximating the length of a line segment which was part of a figure involving squares and right triangles. Answer is A.

• The problem.
• The problem and a few solutions.
• Tishell Wessells' solution.
• Tishell Wessells won a free dress-down day.

--Mr. Bujak

21st Century Skills

Beginning in 2012, "tech literacy" will be added to our Nation's Report Card. This means student proficiency in the application of technology will be measured for the first time. It isn't just layering technology over traditional core competencies, though. It's about totally integrating the two for success in an increasingly competitive world. Read more ...

--Mr. Bujak

February 12 PSSA Math Boot Camp Winner

Our February 12, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem winner is Nadine Redic. This algebra problem involved finding the coordinates of the vertex of a parabola given a quadratic equation. Answer is B. A resource on this topic is Paul's Online Math Notes. A nice short video is here on TeacherTube.

• The problem.
• The problem and a few solutions.
• Nadine Redic's solution.
• Nadine Redic won 10 points on a math test.

--Mr. Bujak

February 11 PSSA Math Boot Camp Winner

Our February 11, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem winner is Dominique Williams. This probability problem involved counting and independent events. Answer is D.

• The problem.
• The problem and solution.
• Dominique Williams' solution.
• Dominique Williams won a free dress-down day.

--Mr. Bujak

February 10 PSSA Math Boot Camp Winner

Our February 10, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem winner is Maryah Span. This algebra problem involved identifying a similar linear equation provided a point and a slope. Answer is D.

• The problem.
• The problem and a solution.
• Maryah Span's solution.
• Maryah Span won a free lunch with Principal Mr. Worley.

--Mr. Bujak

February 18 Oratorical Contest

* * * POSTPONED * * *

On Wednesday February 18th at 6:30pm students will be competing in the HOPE Charter School Oratorical Contest based on the theme ”Why African Americans should have HOPE for their future, and my contribution to that end.” Three finalists will be picked from each grade level to present their speeches in front of the panel of judges assembled with various board members and other invited guest judges. First place winners from each grade will be awarded with a $100 cash prize. See Mr. Rogers for details.

February Students of the Month

Congratulations to the February Students of the Month: 9th grade Neary Prange, 10th grade Tianna Whitaker, 11th grade Darius Banks, 12th grade James Bennett.

--Mr. Bujak

February 9 PSSA Math Boot Camp Winner

Our February 9, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem winner is Nadine Redic. This algebra problem involved examining a system of 2 linear equations in 2 variables to determine the number of solutions. Answer is A.

• The problem.
• The problem and a solution.
• Nadine Redic's solution.
• Nadine Redic won 10 points on a math test.

--Mr. Bujak

February 6 Power 99 FM - Young Steff

Our 12th grade Hope Charter School students were treated to rapper, Young Steff, courtesy of Power 99 FM.

• Photos/videos of this event.
• Photos/videos of all HOPE Charter School events.

--Mr. Bujak

February 6 PSSA Math Boot Camp Winner

Our February 6, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem winner is Tiffany Swan-Henley. This algebra problem involved simplifying a rational expression involving coefficients and variables with exponents. Answer is D.

• The problem.
• The problem and a solution.
• Tiffany Swan-Henley's solution.
• Tiffany Swan-Henley won a free lunch with Principal Mr. Worley.

--Mr. Bujak

February 5 Dr. Ala Stanford-Frey - Black History Month Speaking Series

Our 10th grade Hope Charter School students were treated to an inspirational presentation by Dr. Ala Standford-Frey on February 5 as we started the 1st installment of the Hope Charter School Black History Month Speaking Series. Dr. Ala Standford-Frey is:

• Director of Pediatric Surgery at Abington Memorial Hospital where she operates daily on children from newborns to young adults.
• An assistant professor of surgery at Temple University School of Medicine where she is also the Director of the Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities.
• Also associated with St. Christopher's Hospital for Children.
• Graduated from Penn State with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and later received her doctorate in medicine from the Penn State College of Medicine.
• Is the 1st African American, female, pediatric surgeon, fully trained in the United States.
• Is a mother, a wife, a sister, a daughter, and a friend to thousands of kids and families whom she operated on.

Photos/videos of this event.
Photos/videos of all HOPE Charter School events.

Thanks to the efforts of Mr. Stanford, HOPE Charter School has invited several distinguished guests to speak at our “Black History Month Speaking Series”. The line-up includes Dr. Ala Stanford-Frey, City Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds-Brown, US Congressman Chaka Fattah and City Councilman Curtis Jones Jr.

--Mr. Bujak

February 5 PSSA Math Boot Camp Winner

Our February 5, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem winner is Telma Maxwell. This data analysis problem required the proper interpretation and reading of a bar chart and calculation of the average. Answer is C.



The problem.
The problem and a solution.
Telma Maxwell's solution.
Telma Maxwell won 10 points on a math test.

--Mr. Bujak

February 3 PSSA Math Boot Camp Winner

Our February 3, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem winner is Tiffany Swan-Henley. This geometry problem tested your 3D visual abilities, by rotating (or revolving) a triangle about a fixed x-axis to result in a cone. Answer is A.

• The problem.
• The problem and solution.
• Tiffany Swan-Henley's solution.
• Tiffany Swan-Henley won a free dress-down day.

--Mr. Bujak

February 2 PSSA Math Boot Camp Winner

Our February 2, 2009 PSSA math challenge problem winner is Teresa Hanton. This algebra problem required substitution, evaluation, and absolute value. Answer is C.

• The problem.
• The problem and a solution.
• Teresa Hanton's solution.
• Teresa Hanton won a free lunch.

--Mr. Bujak