The Key to Success: Passing the AP Exams

Staff Writer: Keaghan Knight

To prepare for any test requires blood, sweat, tears, hard work, and dedication and the pursuit of happiness. AP testing season is coming up, and the various tests are scheduled to take place between May 4th-8th and May 11th-15th at the school. The Avon Grove Charter School is scheduled to take the following tests at the school…

Week 1

Test Date	Morning (8 AM)	Afternoon (12 PM)
Monday May 4	AP Chemistry
Tuesday May 5	AP Calculus AB AP Calculus BC
Wednesday May 6	AP English Literature and Composition
Thursday May 7	AP Spanish Language and Culture
Friday May 8	AP United States History	AP European History

Week 2

Test Date	Morning (8 AM)
Monday	AP Biology
Tuesday May 12	AP United States Government and Politics
Wednesday May 13	AP English Language and Composition

To prepare for any of these tests I sought advice from teachers from all subjects to get a wide range of guidance. For the AP US test I asked our very own Mr. Hashagen for studying tips and here is what he had to say:

“Take short 5 second breaks in between each bank of 15 multiple choice questions, so you do not get tired by the end.  The last 5-10 questions are those answered incorrectly most often because a student's brain is shot by then.  Taking small breaks allows you to relax your brain and stay sharp. Only study for an hour or less the night before the exam, if you do not know major pieces of content by then, there is no way your brain will retain the information the next morning. Practice with real AP exam test questions: Multiple Choice, short answer, LEQ, DBQ, making things as realistic as possible helps prepare you for what you will see on the exam. EAT BEFORE THE EXAM!!!!! / BRING A SNACK TO SCHOOL!!!!!”

From our language department our Spanish teacher, Mrs. Robinson, responded with a statement unique to the language exams:

“ Get serious starting in Spanish 1. Do everything you can to practice verbally and recall vocab. and grammar. (hopefully they did this!) For the writing sections of the exam, take notes on the audio and written sources provided. Use context clues to make educated guesses on meaning of unfamiliar terms. For the long essay, write a quick outline to organize thoughts to synthesize sources to adequately address the prompt. For the short essay make sure you address each task requested of you. For both, use the last 5-10% of your time to proof and edit especially the basics! For the phone conversation, begin with confidence. Listen intently. Fully speak to the prompt and use as much of the 20 seconds as  you can. It may be better to talk through the end buzzer than to sit and have a long awkward pause. Prepare terms ahead to review well (beginning and transitional phrases for essays, how to address and close a formal and informal letter, universal 'pause' phrases for conversation). Have these 'up your sleeve' and ready to go without hesitation. There WILL be terms you don't know. Focus on the ones you do!! Last, but more importantly, don't let your nerves keep you from clear focus. You got this!”

Our AP coordinator, Ms. Daniel, offered some general advice for studying too:

“Reading as much as you can, no matter the genre or medium or subject matter”.

Finally for the AP Biology test Mr. Brinton suggests:

“Create a concept map, and map out all the key concepts. Then connecting as many as possible together. Next is to study a little bit every night leading up to the exam”.

Many students question whether or not the tests are considered a good investment or not. As test prices are around $90 it seems unreasonable to take the test with the possibility of no return for the scores. However along with the rising price of tests, colleges have been raising the cost of classes per semester. So a benefit of taking the AP test is possibly being exempt from taking a class or even paying an average of $253.50 per credit hour. In the words of Mr. Hashagen “Cast off the oppressive YOKE of student loans and pass your AP U.S. exam, so you can stuff it to those expensive college credits”.

Dr. Brady

Staff Writer, Justin Reed

Chris Barber, of the Daily Local News, recently posted an article about Dr. Brady, the head of Our school, Avon Grove Charter School, and his recent suspension. Per the Daily Local News, Dr. Brady has been suspended with pay by the board of trustees, and this action was effective as of April 1.

Earlier this month the board sent an email to parents assuring them that their children’s education will not be affected by the suspension, saying,

We do not expect this circumstance to have any impact on the valuable educational experience your children receive under the leadership of our teachers and staff.

The board has appointed Kristen Bishop to be in in charge of academics, Donna Archer will assume responsibility for financial matters and Tosha Bowers will be responsible for personnel matters. At this time there is no more information to be announced, as it is a personal matter for the Brady family.

Lily Nardozzi, as senior here at the charter school, remembers all the way back to preschool when she first encountered Dr. Brady and he personally invited her to the school. When the Avon Grove Charter School first opened, Dr. Brady went door to door inviting people to attend this school. Thirteen years later, this approach has yet to change, and all the students highly regard the head of our school.

One of the most iconic memories of Dr. Brady has to be him dressing up in Irish attire and playing the bagpipes at the senior graduations. The hope is that this suspension will conclude quickly, and that Dr. Brady will be back to play the bagpipes again for this class.

Impact of Silence

staff writer,Alyssa Reed

The National Day of Silence took place here at our school last Friday, April 17th. Our school had a total of 65 students participate. The GSA said that next year we might have more participation if we advertise and promote it better. There are so many things you can take away from this event.  Stephanie Moran said, “You can take away the fact that bullying stinks and nobody should die from it. "  Katy Campbell said,  “You should respect people no matter what life choice they decide to live. There is no right or wrong answer to who you are. Just be yourself and embrace life.” There were mixed opinions on how hard it was to be silent. Most students agreed that it was easy up until lunch where they were surrounded by friends and faced temptation. Students participated in this event to make people aware of bullying and making fun of people for being different. Katy Campbell said, “ I decide to participate in this event because I think it will help people come out their shell and not be judged.” A lot of students said their favorite part about participating was not having to talk to people and not having to read out loud in class.

First Period, M.I.A.: Dealing with the PSSAS

Staff Writers: Jesse Eckman and John Sheppleman

Remember those PSSA tests in elementary school and middle school? You know those two hour long tests you took for of your core subjects? They’re happening right now and the high schoolers are going on a 2 hour delay schedule with our favorite and not so favorite classes for the first 2 hours of the day. People would probably rather just go by a regular 2 hour delay schedule and not come to school for two hours. But the schools of Pennsylvania make us come to school on the days of testing so that it is fair for the elementary school students and the middle school students. Most teachers will be continuing class and others are making the 2 hours a study hall.

In science we are probably doing work but it’s very possible that we can do something actually fun because who wants to sit in in a class for two hours… I have taken a survey and sent it to you guys through home rooms and online student E-mail addresses and for the online E-mail addresses. The results are…:

What class will you be in for 2 hours during the PSSA Scheduling?

What class would you like to be in for 2 hours during the PSSA testing?

Which teacher would you prefer to run your class for two hours?

What would you want to do during class for your 2 hour period?

I found art very surprising to be a favorite by that much of a margin. Mr. McGehean takes it for the favorite teacher with Mr. Barber and Ms. Groff as runner ups. Morgan Freeman was also listed in the results. Even though he doesn't teach anything.

National Day of Silence: Make Yourself Heard

staff writer: Alyssa Reed

Have you ever wondered what the Nation Day of Silence is about and what it’s supporting? Has there been a school day that you never talked the whole entire day?  The national day of silence is a nationally organized event run by GLSEN. Students bring in a dollar to be silent in school or choose to be silent by not posting anything on social media for the day.   These students will be wearing a sticker to identify that they are participating in the National Day of Silence. Mr. Hashagen and the GSA are hosting this event at our school on April 17th.   The whole purpose of this event is for students to stand up for the people that don’t have a voice. This will also allow students to come out freely and express themselves as they are and not get judged. Mr. Hashagen said, “I am really proud of the participation this year, especially the middle school students!”  Our school has 43 middle school students participating and 22 high school students. Stephanie Moran said, “I think that people should be silent and support the National Day of silence because it will prevent bullying against people that are different.”  I have done it before and I believe that it has had a positive effect on our school and supporting people for who they are. “GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.” (GLSEN)

I Mustache You a Question....

Staff Writers: Justin Reed, Sarah Morris, Keaghan Knight

AGCS presents... Changing Minds!

If you'd like to get to know these larger than life characters, come out and support the cast

Tonight, Friday at 7 and Saturday at 1 and 6.

Tickets are $7 at the door!

Staff Writers: Stephen Searle, Katherine Angeline, Quinn Gallagher