THE Christmas Break Video!!

This is a video on what some students are doing over Christmas Break.
This video has been brought to you by; Kevin Kline and also Mr. Bruns' School News.
Thankyou For Watching!!

THE Christmas Break Video!!! from Chad Bruns on Vimeo.

Breaking News!

Hello HCHS! This semester has sure gone by quick and as we all prepare for the longest break during the school year, I’d really hate to kill the mood. However, it must be done. Sorry! Much like April showers bring May flowers, Christmas break tends to usher in some freak blizzards. Unfortunately, a lot of students live in the country. ‘Blizzard’ translates to ‘demonic force that leaves you snowed in your house with no electricity’. But, on the bright side, there are some ways to stay safe, and hopefully have fun.

The first piece of advice I have for you is to stay inside if the weather’s promoting a blizzard. Stay in one room and have plenty of flashlights/candles on hand. Clearly, being cooped up over break doesn’t sound like the funnest thing in the world, but it leaves a lot of time for family bonding, or maybe you were lucky enough to get snowed in at a friend’s house. Activities that don’t require electricity are probably the safest bet, and believe me I know just how hard it is to come up with non-technology-based fun in the 21st century. So, here are a few suggestions. Paper-football isn’t just confined to the classrooms, my friends. Make a few targets: the obvious trash can, a hole between furniture, your annoying sister’s mouth… And suddenly the game becomes a lot more interesting. Board games are something I recently rediscovered, and it’s safe to assume everyone probably has at least one in a closet somewhere. Risk and Monopoly are games that can last forever, so it’d be pretty easy to kill time with those. Still sounding lame? Raise the stakes, and have everyone throw in some Christmas money as a jackpot for the winner. Profit = fun. Disclaimer: HCHS School News does not promote gambling.

The next piece of advice I have for you kind of goes along with the first piece. I told you to stay inside, and you didn’t listen. That wasn’t very smart of you now was it? So, now you’re driving in a whiteout and end up getting stuck. Nice one, Einstein! Here’s what you should do… Call for help. (Obvious right?) However, if the weather’s really that bad it could be a while. Get out of your car and clear out some space around your exhaust pipe, so you don’t die from carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s recommended that you only turn on your car’s engine and heater for ten minutes every hour. If you plan on traveling at all during the winter, you should have an emergency kit. Put some important items in there for those just-in-case situations. Lots of Blankets, food (preferably the kind that doesn’t rot, nobody likes the kid with a smelly car), flashlights, and warm clothes are all an excellent idea.

So, please students of HCHS, I really hope our Christmas Break is awesome. But let’s all be smart and plan for the worst, just to be safe! I know I’m probably not the only one who’s hoping for just a Dairy Queen Blizzard this winter, but it’s probably not in the cards. So be safe, stay warm, and keep checking in to the Newsblog! This has been Danielle Hernandez, reporting for HCHS News, have a very MERRY Chrismas! :)

Making up snow days!

Making up snow days from Chad Bruns on Vimeo.

This video includes student's opinions on how we should make up the snow days. It also contains an interview with Mr. Broomfield. Please Watch!

Welcome Back!

Welcome Back! from Chad Bruns on Vimeo.

Austin and Tara welcome you back to school! We ask a few students and teachers what they did over break and if they are excited to be back! So Watch and remember your break!

Winter Break

A video about winter break and what everyone is doing for it.

Christmas Break from Chad Bruns on Vimeo.

Carols, Concerts, and Christmas

Carols, Concerts, and Christmas from Chad Bruns on Vimeo.

Were you able to make it to the band and choir concert on Monday, December 14th? Neither were we! Due to bad weather conditions the concert got postponed to Friday, December 18th. Chris and ReNee were able to get footage of the concert and talk to the two directors. But just for your pleasure they decided to sing their intros to the tune of your favorite Christmas songs! So what are you waiting for? Check it out and you'll be put on Santa's nice list!

Snow Day Requirements!

Snow Day Requirements! from Chad Bruns on Vimeo.

Tara and RJ ask several students what they think the requirements for a snow day are. Then we get the real deal from superintendent Bob Broomfield.

Snow!!! by Jake Holloway

Snow is pretty much a love-hate relationship. Some people love it and others hate it with a passion.

The Good-
The goods about snow is that you can do so many thing in it. The best reason I like the snow is that school can be called of and who dosen’t like a snow day? You can go sledding and snow boarding down monster hills. Some people like to go to Mt. Cresent because they have nice hills and it’s really easy to get back up the hills with the ski lift. You can go drift busting with trucks but, make sure you always have two trucks because you never know when you might need a little help in getting out of the drift. Some people love the snow to go snowmobiling, you can only go once a year so the more snow for them the better. Kids love to go out in the snow to have snowball fights and to make a classic holiday snowman. The hunters like the snow because it helps them to spot the deer so they can hunt them easier. I would fall under the people that love snow, I like to do all of these things when winter comes around. I always like to have a white Christmas as well, it just adds to the holiday spirit.

The Bad-
The not so good about the snow is that it is really cold! Old people hate the snow and cold so much that they have second houses down south so they don’t have to deal with it. It is really hard to get around if you don’t have four-wheel-drive too. You have to wait around behind city trucks that move the snow and they take for ever. Many accidents happen during the winter caused by the snow. Its not fun going out to start your car a little earlier just so you can melt the ice off of you windows.

Dylan Garrison- “I hate waking up to scrape my windows off in the morning! It drives me crazy!”

Jeremy Schwery- “I love busting drifts with my GMC, it never gets stuck!”

Happy Holidays- by Joe Schmitz

It can easily said that December is the time of giving, and receiving. The time of decorations and holiday lights. More the vast majority of Shelby County, Christmas is the holiday of choice. With 33% of the world as Christians and only .2% as Jews it would be easy to see how most people would know very little about the ancient tradition of Hanukkah. Hanukkah translates from Hebrew into English as: “establishing” or “dedication.” This old custom has also been know as the Festival of Lights, the Festival of Dedication (to the temple of Jerusalem), or the romanized version, Chanukah. It is an eight-day Jewish Holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the calendar the Hebrews use, which may occur at any time from late November to late December. This year the celebration is going to be held from Sunset, December 11th to sunset, December 19th.The festival is observed by lighting the candles on a special Candelabrum, a nine-branched Menorah, one extra light on each night of the holiday, working up to eight on the last night. Another candle named a Shamash (translated "guard" or "servant") is lit every night so it can light the rest, and is generally above or below the rest. There are other additions to the daily prayer, and an insert is added to the blessings after meals. Hanukkah is not a fasting holiday, and there is no obligation to refrain from certain activities as would be on a Sabbath day.
The celebration of Hanukkah has been a part of Jewish families for hundreds of years, it is a tradition that is a big part of the holiday season. On each night of Hanukkah there are gifts that are received or exchanged within the house households, generally following or preceding a meal. These customs are much like those observed by the Christians this time of year. So, when you are opening your presents, or enjoying a nice meal keep in mind that you aren't the only ones celebrating this season. There are a lot of different aspects of life, be mindful and respectful to all of them. After all, the season's spirit is about being grateful for the past and the present, and every one of us have our part in each. Coexist.

Winter Wonderland

This video shows what many high schoolers do in the snow. It also contains some interesting interviews.

Winter Wonderland from Chad Bruns on Vimeo.

Merry Christmas from HCHS News!

Merry Christmas from HCHS News! from Chad Bruns on Vimeo.

Tara and RJ ask students and staff what they want for Christmas and what they plan on doing this Christmas! Also, see the Student Council putting up the Christmas Tree and an interview with Dru Beach about Hannukah!

Salvation Army Bell Ringing

What is it about Christmas that stirs up in people the spirit of giving? In this holiday bustle, it is important to remember those who are not fortunate enough to afford toys for their children, or even a decent holiday meal. Salvation Army’s goal is to reach out internationally to brothers and sisters who need assistance at any time of year. Though their message and organization is Christian Bible-based, volunteers and recipients from all over the world are of any belief.
Everyone has seen a kind old man, a mother and her kids, or the local STUCO group standing outside of a store with the famous bell and red kettle. This is one of Salvation Army’s biggest fundraisers during the holiday season, and this group makes it so easy for anyone to participate.
When I decided last November that I wanted to bell ring, it took a simple five minutes on the internet to sign up. Any of these sights: ringbells.org, salvationarmyusa.org for Iowan stores, or ringomaha.com, if you would like to ring bells in Nebraska, easily guide you through a quick sign-up; choose a date, a store and time, and the website will send you a confirmation email. If you ever decide to cancel or switch dates, simply go back onto the site, sign in to your account, and change your ringing dates!
Last year, I decided to ring outside of the Scheel’s at the Jordan Creek Mall on the day after Thanksgiving, since my family Thanksgiving is in Des Moines. I rang from 10 AM to 12 PM, dressed very warmly, and sang the whole time. The stand with the kettle was right there waiting at 10, the bell with it, and when I was done, I was able to leave it there without needing to wait for the next potential volunteer. The setting was great-- the area is nice and about 50 percent of people on average donated something to the bucket. Almost everyone had a smile or holiday greeting or compliment for me in return (I sang Christmas songs the whole time-- I could only think of about 6 songs that I knew all the words to and wanted to sing.)
This year, I decided to first sign up on the identical time, location, and date, and have signed up for many more in both Des Moines and Omaha. The feeling one gets from volunteering their time for an organization such as this is irreplaceable. As a teenager, I do not have a lot of money to donate, but my time is just as valuable. As corny as it sounds, singing “Let It Snow” in front of a sports goods store made some people’s days, and the money that I earned, which will go to new shelters, food, or clothing for those in need made some other people’s days. And that is a very great gift indeed.
So! I encourage you to join in. Volunteer for just one day or many-- any contribution is appreciated. If you do not have the time, donate some money on the Salvation Army website. Smile at those who look like they are having a bad day. Though Christmas stirs up the feeling of giving, helping out can warm hearts at any time of the year.

Winter Safety