tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32393385Wed, 14 Dec 2011 03:56:11 +0000inquirymosaicsSATbinderSigonella High Schoolcollege trendsbirthdaynote-takingprincetoncontractsconcentration concentrate AVIDcollege admissionfamily workshopMaster's degreestutorPrinceton ReviewRob VarycollegeadmissionsborrowingRoman villaMITSigonellaMiddle School Honor Rollcollege "college costs" tuition feescollege tourBenedict CollegeAVIDU.S. Newscollege rankingsloansPientaDoDDS-EuropeCornell notesGettysburg CollegeCollege BoardsportsAdvancement Via Individual DeterminationMaryland Science CenterDoDEAhonor rolljennifer o'connorThis blog for AVID parents, students, site team members, and friends in Sigonella, Italy, is owned and published by Maryellen Pienta, AVID Coordinator. Comments and contributions are welcome. This blog does not officially represent the views of DoDDS-Europe.http://avidetna.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Maryellen Pienta)Blogger216125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32393385.post-1042768287567581478Sat, 13 Jun 2009 07:39:00 +00002009-06-13T09:39:56.459+02:00Zack was in AVID at Sigonella for his 7th grade year and part of 8th . . . a note from his mother.   Hi To All of You,     Well today another miles stone passed in our lives.....Zack graduated from Middle School.....yesterday was their awards ceremony.  We just got a package in the mail from Kohls Caring Kids he won the store http://avidetna.blogspot.com/2009/06/zacks-success-in-usa.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Maryellen Pienta)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32393385.post-836484254928412067Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:39:00 +00002009-06-03T17:39:21.879+02:00Updates on AVID seniors:   Jen Patron was accepted and will attend the Coast Guard Academy Prep School.   Brittany Banta has received additional acceptances at Carlos Albizu University and St. Leo University, both in Florida.  Brittany also was awarded the Mineo Commissary Scholarship!   Tim Frost has decided to attend the University of Texas at San Antonio.  In addition, he was accepted http://avidetna.blogspot.com/2009/06/more-senior-accolades.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Maryellen Pienta)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32393385.post-7899089206810662653Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:12:00 +00002009-06-03T17:16:18.793+02:00The following AVID 8th graders were involved in Mr. Corey's Evening of Literature recently: Kassandra G., Steven K., Cassie R, and McKenzie E.  Cassie was also in the flute ensemble.  Congratulations! http://avidetna.blogspot.com/2009/06/evening-of-literature.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Maryellen Pienta)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32393385.post-2590423204599106565Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:10:00 +00002009-06-03T17:05:08.838+02:00 The After Action Report from Ms. Sibayan's AVID Middle Schoolers after the last Family Workshop:   "AVID family night turned out well. I think we all did a good job in the Phantom reading. There was a moment where we had a fault, but we overcame it and continued. So overall I think it was well done."   "I think making the cookies was pretty fun. I kind of wish that I could http://avidetna.blogspot.com/2009/06/avid-family-workshop-after-action.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Maryellen Pienta)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32393385.post-6009276987172180100Wed, 06 May 2009 09:00:00 +00002009-05-06T11:14:44.654+02:00The Sigonella Community Scholarship can help you with the costof college education. Who's eligible? All active duty personnel or command sponsoreddependents currently stationed at NAS Sigonella, or any graduate ofSigonella High School. When? The application deadline is 15 May, 2009. The scholarships are for members of the Sigonella community andfunded by donations from organizations and http://avidetna.blogspot.com/2009/05/sigonella-community-scholarship.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Maryellen Pienta)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32393385.post-2083557720947530594Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:05:00 +00002009-04-30T20:46:02.715+02:00Congratulations to AVID Senior Brittany B. on her recent acceptance to Lynn University in Florida. Lynn, founded in 1962, is a private, coeducational institution located in Boca Raton, Florida. Brittany has been in AVID for three years. This year she was a senior group leader and mentor. She is an active participant in JROTC and varsity softball. In college, Brittany would like to study http://avidetna.blogspot.com/2009/04/brittanys-off-to-college.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Maryellen Pienta)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32393385.post-750107671108681049Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:59:00 +00002009-04-30T20:54:55.618+02:00Ms. Maryellen Pienta, the AVID Coordinator at Sigonella, has been invited by AVID Founder Mary Catherine Swanson to serve on the AVID 30th Anniversary Celebration Advisory Committee. This committee will play an instrumental part in planning the 30th Anniversary – particularly with regard to the launching of the AVID Archives and the programmatic aspects for the opening and closing sessions at thehttp://avidetna.blogspot.com/2009/04/ms-pienta-on-avid-30th-committee.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Maryellen Pienta)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32393385.post-4304447662665487767Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:52:00 +00002009-04-30T20:56:20.027+02:00Below is a portion of the recent article about AVID at Patch High School in Germany:At Patch High School, 65 students are enrolled in Advancement Via Individual Determination, an elective course designed to give academic support for students who aren’t working up to their potential.The program is offered at high schools across Europe, but Patch is currently the only school in Department of http://avidetna.blogspot.com/2009/04/avid-at-patch-high-school-featured-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Maryellen Pienta)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32393385.post-1710898101100436416Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:47:00 +00002009-04-30T21:05:27.371+02:00Sigonella AVID Junior James Campbell was named DoDDS-Europe Athlete of the Week by Stars and Stripes on April 30! The text of the article follows: European athletes of the week for the April 30 edition Stars and StripesEuropean edition, Thursday, April 30, 2009JamesCampbellTrack and FieldSigonellaLast week: Campbell, a junior sprinter, threw his hat into what's becoming a tantalizing ring for thehttp://avidetna.blogspot.com/2009/04/avid-student-athlete-of-week-in-europe.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Maryellen Pienta)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32393385.post-5209821198811862241Sun, 19 Apr 2009 06:19:00 +00002009-04-19T08:26:59.127+02:00 AVID Junior Adam B. recently starred in his second major role of the schoolyear as he put in a very talented performance in a major role in Harvey, a comedy. Adam hopes to pursue a major or minor in drama while in college. Break a leg! http://avidetna.blogspot.com/2009/04/hes-star.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Maryellen Pienta)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32393385.post-6296913045347834929Sun, 19 Apr 2009 06:12:00 +00002009-04-19T08:19:12.986+02:00Congratulations to AVID seniors Tim F. and Jen P. on their recent college acceptances. Tim has received acceptances at Texas Tech and the University of Texas at San Antonio. He recently had the opportunity to visit both campuses with his dad and has yet to make a final decision on which he will attend. Tim plans a major in math education.Jennifer P. recently was accepted at the University of http://avidetna.blogspot.com/2009/04/college-choices.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Maryellen Pienta)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32393385.post-2898763274278731705Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:30:00 +00002009-04-04T13:07:44.535+02:00On March 24, more than fifty students, parents, family members, and faculty gathered above former Applebee's for an AVID Family Workshop that was both entertaining and informational.AVID Junior Niko R. was the emcee for the evening. He welcomed everyone and then introduced Assistant Principal Dorothy King, who gave a short address and welcome. Ms. Novak then spoke to the audience about upcoming http://avidetna.blogspot.com/2009/04/family-workshop-well-attended-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Maryellen Pienta)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32393385.post-4455871788754216967Tue, 31 Mar 2009 08:07:00 +00002009-04-04T13:13:02.571+02:00SUMMER OPPORTUNITY:Sophomores or Juniors interested in working in Washington D.C. in the House of Representatives as a summer Page, see Ms. Ascierto for more details.PAGE PROGRAM FACT SHEET · 2009 School Year ·Pages are young people who are hired to serve as support staff for the U.S.House of Representatives. They are students in their junior year of high school, who come to Washington D.C. to http://avidetna.blogspot.com/2009/03/summer-opportunity-in-washington-dc.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Maryellen Pienta)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32393385.post-1107127491268292261Sat, 14 Mar 2009 11:24:00 +00002009-03-14T13:22:18.107+01:00concentration concentrate AVID AVID students recently completed a unit of study on concentration which culminated in writing essays based on what they had learned. They had to include a definition and background on concentration, common inhibitors, common promoters, and advice on how to improve it. Here are some excerpts:"Concentration isn't just something on the back of orange juice cartons. Concentration is the ability to http://avidetna.blogspot.com/2009/03/concentrate-of-course-you-can.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Maryellen Pienta)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32393385.post-6202299070185201145Wed, 11 Mar 2009 09:53:00 +00002009-03-11T11:58:34.080+01:00On February 23 and 24, our school nurse, Ms. Peggy Rettie, spoke to the AVID classes of Ms. Pienta and Ms. Novak about nursing and careers in medicine. She answered many of their questions and gave great information. Afterwards, students wrote articles about her visit based on their notes. Here are some excerpts from their work:"(Nurse Rettie) said that she really loved her job and that she feelshttp://avidetna.blogspot.com/2009/03/school-nurse-inspires-avid-students.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Maryellen Pienta)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32393385.post-4309010774138216433Fri, 06 Mar 2009 14:33:00 +00002009-03-11T10:53:27.796+01:00 AVID FAMILY WORKSHOP March 24, 2009 17:00-18:00 Above (former) Applebee's Topics: Building Your College BinderPhantom of the Opera (Ms. Sibayan's MS AVID)How to Pay for College (thanks to Suze Orman) Green refreshments will be served! Ms. PientaMs. NovakMs. SibayanAVID Site Team http://avidetna.blogspot.com/2009/03/avid-family-workshop-march-17.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Maryellen Pienta)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32393385.post-2713515149225443791Thu, 26 Feb 2009 19:56:00 +00002009-02-26T21:05:51.442+01:00Congratulations to AVID junior Denice P. for having her design chosen at the winner at the Future Educators Association conference in Garmisch, Germany. Denice did not know she had won until she walked into the conference center and saw her design everywhere! "It was on posters, programs, and everything at the conference," she said. Her design is shown below.Denice and another AVID student, http://avidetna.blogspot.com/2009/02/design-competition-winner.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Maryellen Pienta)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32393385.post-4799949256456033142Sun, 22 Feb 2009 16:26:00 +00002009-02-22T17:39:57.314+01:00Today's New York Times published an article entitled "The Big Test Before College? The Financial Aid Form."The FAFSA is the one and only federal form that must be completed in order for students to even qualify for federal grants, loans, work-study, and many state and university forms of aid. The article describes the "unfriendliness" of the form, but it is absolutely necessary to getting your http://avidetna.blogspot.com/2009/02/difficulty-of-fafsa.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Maryellen Pienta)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32393385.post-6889670490564873623Sun, 22 Feb 2009 16:15:00 +00002009-02-22T17:20:48.767+01:00Congratulations to Markus J. on his first college acceptance--The University of Dubuque in Dubuque, Iowa!Markus has been active in varsity football and wrestling as well as AVID and JROTC at Sigonella. Additionally, he is an active volunteer at the Catholic chapel. http://avidetna.blogspot.com/2009/02/accepted.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Maryellen Pienta)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32393385.post-4995199766527548959Thu, 19 Feb 2009 20:28:00 +00002009-02-19T21:38:39.301+01:00Congratulations to AVID Senior Jen P. on her acceptance to Sacramento State University in California! Jen is our first senior to reel in an acceptance for the Class of '09. Her dedication to her applications has been an inspiration for all the AVID students, and this is one of the many rewards she will reap. Jen is a leading cross-country runner for Sigonella, a varsity soccer player, and has http://avidetna.blogspot.com/2009/02/our-first-college-acceptance-of-year.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Maryellen Pienta)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32393385.post-6497559847587936755Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:38:00 +00002008-12-18T14:40:45.739+01:00Student PSAT Takers and Parents are invited to an informaton gathering in the school cafeteria on Wednesday, January 7, 2009, from 17:00-18:30.  There you will enjoy pizza, look at and review test results, discuss how your child did on the exam, and what is next in their future.  Please write down any questions you will have to discuss during the gathering.   Please let Mr. Riviezzo, the http://avidetna.blogspot.com/2008/12/parents-pupils-planning-psat-and-pizza.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Maryellen Pienta)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32393385.post-9127381770600752202Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:02:00 +00002008-12-09T15:02:14.551+01:00  M iddle School AVID students Brianna Edwards and Breann Jones --both 6th graders--won 1st and 3rd places  in the Holiday Bookmark Contest at Sigonella High School. AVID ninth-grade student Krystal Gray won 2nd place in the high school division! Congratulations to our AVID artists! http://avidetna.blogspot.com/2008/12/avid-bookmark-winners.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Maryellen Pienta)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32393385.post-382295894239345422Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:07:00 +00002008-12-04T19:00:19.654+01:00The following was written by Nikki S., a 9th-grade AVID student:Alison Pienta and Randy Schnell visited the Sigonella High School AVID class. They came to talk about life in college and what they do at the present. Both Alison and Randy went to Catholic universities and are in the U.S. Army. Alison and Randy are also communication officers stationed in New York.Alison earned a bachelor's degree http://avidetna.blogspot.com/2008/12/army-officers-speak-to-avid-class.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Maryellen Pienta)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32393385.post-7314732004555593617Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:45:00 +00002008-11-26T12:45:32.351+01:00We received this recently from Tammy Jones, whose son Jarrett was in AVID here for two years . . .    Hi Ms. Pienta,    I wanted to thank you and Ms. Sibayan again for all you do in AVID.  We are settled in here in Lexington Tennessee and Jarrett has made it through 2 grading periods with flying colors.  He has consistently received A's and B's (mostly A's) and his study http://avidetna.blogspot.com/2008/11/former-avid-parent-testimonial.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Maryellen Pienta)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32393385.post-3897030135656204094Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:48:00 +00002008-11-21T11:48:29.141+01:00http://www.va.gov/statedva.htm   There is a WEALTH of information on these state sites for veterans that include educational opportunity (grants, scholarships, etc.) for children of veterans or active duty as well.  Check out your state now to see what is offered!    http://avidetna.blogspot.com/2008/11/educational-ops-by-state.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Maryellen Pienta)0