Spartans View Solar Eclipse!

By: Leslie Garcia, Aguilene Manuel, and Hailey Rojano

 Ms. Hammer with Lathrop students watching the eclipse.

      What is an eclipse, exactly?  A solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the Sun and Earth and the moon fully or partially blocks the sun (¨NASA Knows!¨).  On August 21, 2017,  a solar eclipse was seen across the United States. Lathrop Intermediate School held a fire drill to get all students outside to the field so they could view the solar eclipse. The students and staff were provided with special sunglasses by NASA and Google to see the solar eclipse. A solar eclipse happens two to four times a year. This eclipse was significant because for the first time in almost 40 years, the moon passes over the United States.

     We interviewed a few teachers and students and asked about their thoughts about the solar eclipse.  Mr. Alexander, a sixth and seventh grade science teacher, stated, “I didn't know what to expect, but it was pretty cool.” Ms. Phillips, a sixth and eighth science teacher, said she had already seen a solar eclipse but said that this one “was a different experience because [she] had a better understanding.”  We also interviewed eighth grader Adan Sanchez who said that he was expecting the moon to be covering the whole sun and that he was impressed by the solar eclipse. Seventh grader Maritza Alvarez said “ I was expecting the sky to go dark.” She had also said that “ It was exciting because the moon was covering the sun.”  According to Nasa and CNN the next solar eclipse visible to the United States is in seven years, on April 8, 2024.

  Ms. Oswandel viewing the eclipse with her class.

First Days of School

By: Valeria Bravo, Jennifer Carillo, and Yessenia Lopez-Garcia

 Ms. Infante, principal of Lathrop Intermediate, described the first few days of school as “calm and quiet even when visitors were around.” Students were both excited and nervous about coming back to school. One challenge Lathrop faced was making sure all the students were back in school again, especially with a shortened summer break.

Not only do we have new students this year, but we also have new staff members and teachers on campus. Ms. Infante said that “she enjoys working with all the new staff members because they are very committed to students.”

      Some of the biggest successes in these first few weeks are that students are already learning, received their Chrome Books and textbooks, and are happy and respectful. Great job

on a successful first week of school!

Feature Story: 

Meet Ms. Baxter!

By: Katherine Arreola and Amanda Nunez

     Lathrop Intermediate would like to welcome Mrs. Baxter to our Spartan family! Mrs.Baxter is the new assistant principal. Before working in education, Mrs. Baxter was a tour guide on the Queen Mary and was a curator at the La Habra children's museum for 13 years.  She then worked at the SAUSD District Office for five years and worked at other schools for four years. Mrs. Baxter said, “I like [Lathrop] a lot!  I get to interact with all the students, unlike when I worked at the district.”    Mrs. Baxter graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a masters in teaching and leadership, and holds a degree in communication.  Lathrop Spartans and staff are pleased to have Mrs. Baxter on campus with us!

Announcements!

Introducing “The Spartan Scoop!”

Lathrop’s Yearbook Staff is proud to introduce “The Spartan Scoop!”,  a newsletter to inform students, staff, families and friends about what Lathrop Spartans are doing during the school year.  “The Spartan Scoop!” will be published bi-weekly with news articles and stories written by Lathrop Spartans.  

MAP Testing Schedule

By: Betty Guevara

Stressed Out? Grab a Stress Ball!

By: Betty Guevara

 ASB started their first fundraiser on Friday, September 1st.  ASB staff members made 200 stress balls using balloons and flour.  Sales will continue until supplies run out, so get your stress ball before supplies run out!  

Sale Times: First and Second Lunch, Back to School Night-starting at 6 P.M.

Cost: $1.00