HAS Newsletter
October 2024
I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and a very happy New Year! Hillcrest Academy South Campus (HAS) had a great December. Staff worked with students on their individualized Student Success Plans, instituted a tutoring program, and had a number of events planned. Please continue with reviewing this newsletter and enjoy all the wonderful things occurring at HAS.
Mrs Arora - Biology/Forensics
Biology: Students covered the Microscope and Cell Transport units. They learned how to use a microscope and studied the function of each part. After mastering the basics, they participated in a hands-on virtual lab to practice these skills. Students also prepared their own onion cell and cheek cell slides, gaining firsthand experience in microscopy techniques.
In the Cell Transport unit, students explored how oxygen, nutrients, and wastes move through the cell membrane in the human body using diffusion, facilitated diffusion, osmosis, and active transport. To deepen their understanding, they conducted potato experiments, analyzing osmosis and diffusion. Classroom discussions connected these concepts to real-life applications such as why plants cannot grow on the beach and why pasta sauce develops mold after five days in the refrigerator even when stored properly.
Forensic Science: In the Forensic Anthropology unit, students studied the 206 bones in the human body and their significance pertaining to investigations. They learned how forensic anthropologists analyze human remains and burial contexts to uncover critical evidence, such as determining the identity of the deceased, the cause of death, and the time since death. To help memorize the bones, students watched various videos and listened to educational songs.
Mr Lund - Environmental/Computer Science
Environmental: This month, students worked on creating pamphlets that promoted saving endangered animals. Each student researched an animal chosen at random so that all animals had a fair chance to receive an advocate on behalf of their survival and recovery.
Computer Science: Students worked on Interactive Animations and Games in an online resource called code. org. Students had an opportunity to write about and discuss the future of AI based on an article in Scholastic Magazine titled "The Bright Side and the Dark Side of AI."
Candygrams!🍬
Holidays Around the World🌎
As a thank you for all the snacks and beverages purchased, the Westlake Sunshine Cafe gifted HAS students with vouchers for the cafe. Every day at lunch, HAS students have the opportunity to purchase cookies, chips, ramen, pizza pockets, soda, iced tea/coffee, and other goodies that the cafe provides. Not only does this benefit HAS students, but it help provides the students of Westlake an opportunity to practice people skills as well as work/money skills. Thank you so much Westlake Sunshine Cafe for the generous holiday gift!
Portrait of an Artist!
Alex is a very talented portrait artist. When he was younger, his father taught him how to draw the iconic Sonic the Hedgehog. After that he was hooked on drawing and has been doing it ever since. He draws whenever he gets the chance whether it is at home, at school, or out and about. Alex loves drawing because it's a form of expressing himself and he has a lot of passion for it. He feels it's a skill that's hard yet rewarding to learn.