Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Spartans in Candyland

The week before finals, many students seek escape and sometimes that escape is in the form of food, more specifically, sweets.

Residents at Brody Complex were treated to something sweet on Tuesday night when five Human Nutrition and Foods seniors prepared a Candyland themed dinner for their final exam. Entrees for the dinner include: a fluffy fruit salad, sushi with dyed rice, Thai peanut soup, cherry-glazed chicken, candied yams, rainbow pesto pasta and a chocolate fountain. Hungry yet?

Dietetics senior Anne Maynard said a lot of preparation went into the dinner and she worked closely with the chefs and Brody staff. Her group member, Matthew Grunewald, shared the sentiment. "(The chefs) were very helpful, we were encouraged to think of all our ideas, (the) creative process and figuring out the menu. They were very helpful in teaching us different things, it was nurturing and low-stress," he said.

Chef Joe Murphy said he is more of a guide, "I make them do everything."

Maynard and Grunewald agreed that the chocolate fountain would be a popular item for the dinner. "In terms of enjoyment, people always like that."

The seniors said a lot of prep has gone into making this dinner a success, their HNF 445 instructor will be in attendance along with a project 1,600-1,700 guests.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Future Educators agree: Students > Money

For three Michigan State University education majors, the answer to the school budget debate is simple: focus on the children. A major point of discussion during the East Lansing school board meeting on April 11, the school budget (and possible deficit) sparked lively conversation between the board and community members but the topic hits home for Spartans as well.

Elementary education senior Tatianna Johnson said money problems aren't specialized for East Lansing alone and that it is a national concern but suggested if focus is on the children "we'll be better off." Johnson said she wants to teach in urban areas because of her educational background and hopes to be a role-model for students like herself.

Johnson is a native-Detroiter, a city where the functional illiteracy rate is 47 percent and the high school graduation rate is 67 percent.

Amy Tenbrink, an elementary education sophomore, said classroom cuts for products such as hands-on tools deters learning, especially for young students. "Most teachers have to take out of their personal budget to buy supplies and I think that to have a good functioning classroom you need to have basic supplies."

Danielle Wesolowski said students need good teachers to ensure they receive an adequate education. Wesolowski is a elementary education junior. Wesolowski said she has experienced having a bad teacher and wants to do better by her future students.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

East Lansing School Board discusses Deficit

On Monday April 11, the East Lansing School Board of Education exchanged a variety of topics from public schools going green to East Lansing High School's upcoming senior graduation. But, the topic that Superintendent Dr. David Chapin called a "priority" and one on everyone's mind was the budget deficit. Chapin announced in an earlier school board meeting that the projected deficit is $2.7 million.


This news follows the proposed cuts made by Governor Rick Snyder which has sparked rallies and protests from teachers, students, and parents around the state. Many would agree that money is important, but community members like Allyse Anderson wants school board members to remember the children.


“I would like for (the board) to retain focus on the fact that each student that comes through our school district has but one opportunity to move through our grades, K-12, and we owe every student an opportunity to optimize their experience,” Anderson said. 

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Omar: Blogger, Tweeter, Teacher

Michigan State University journalism instructor and State News adviser Omar Sofradzija is no newbie to the writing world. He was a award-winning columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal in Nevada. Omar is a blogger, twitter user, and self-proclaimed ESPN news junkie. The role he said he most enjoys is that of mentor.

But, don't take his word for it. (If your mother says she loves you...)

David Cobb, a former student, said Omar is a "fantastic teacher and great resource," and managing editor at The State News Kate Jacobson said he offers a nice perspective to the journalism world.

As a current student of Omar's JRN 200 course, I can say without a doubt that I have learned more about journalism in the last four months than I had as editor of my high school publication. Not only has my writing improved but the way I consume and analyze my work has grown. At times, class with Omar was intimidating and frustrating but through using the tools learned, it became gratifying and (almost) worth the fatals.