Rafer Johnson Jr. High School

Room 8's Life Science class has just completed a plant lab focusing on the effects of sunlight on plant life. Each student planted two cups with sunflower seeds and Roma tomato seeds. Over the course of 18 days students watched for germination and growth. Half of the plants were left indoors. The other half were placed in sunlight each day. Measurements were taken each class period and placed in a data chart. Graphs were drawn and analysis questions were addressed. The question was asked, the hypothesis was stated and students reported their findings before the Spring Break. Pretty flowers and tomato plants can be taken home to beautify and enjoy all summer!

"The Rafer Band is hard at work recruiting new members for next year. The band council welcomed all the Reagan 6th graders to Rafer in March for "Ambassador Day" and the Elective Fair.  With the addition of Zero Period PE (thank you Mrs. North and Dr. Sever) we will be able to serve many more students with multiple electives next year!  We are currently preparing new music for our Percussion Ensemble Concert, Day of Percussion, Spring Concert and Swedish Festival parade."

The 8th grade ELD class was invited to go on the AVID college trip this year.  The students piled on a bus at 6 a.m. and headed north.  The students spent about an hour touring San Jose State University and then were treated to lunch in the student cafeteria.  They loved the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the campus and said that they could imagine attending school there one day.  After lunch, they headed to Stanford and were very excited to tour the beautiful campus.  The tour guide gave them detailed information on the history of the campus and the programs that would be available to them if they decided to go to college there.  The students were very impressed with the campus.  Upon returning from the trip, the class had a lengthy discussion about what they saw and what it might mean for their lives.  They connected with the idea that college can open doors for a person and can lead them to an easier, healthier life and a higher paying job.  They also said that seeing people that looked like them not only helped them to imagine what it would be like to go to college someday, but also helped them to believe that it is possible.

Art students are winding up the ceramic unit, painting the last of the projects they have made while Home Ec students are trying to finish up the lap quilt they are making as a group.  These are the lap quilts that will be donated to a senior citizen facility, but before that they will be hung on the office walls for teachers to vote on the three they like best.  The winners of these three quilts will enjoy a pizza party as a reward for their hard work.