Student Life – Page 4 – The Lighthouse

All About Tigers

October 5, 2023 thelighthousetve

by guest author Mila Martinov

I decided to write about tigers because they are so cool. There are many awesome facts about them. Most important thing I can say is, “Don’t adopt a tiger!”!

Tigers can jump really high, as high as an elephant’s head. That is 16 feet high! They are predators and are carnivores. They eat many kinds of animals, including deer, wild pigs, even people! They hunt by sneaking up on animals they want to catch. They often hunt when it’s dark, so that the animal they are hunting can’t see them. Tigers have orange, black and white stripes to help them blend in with plants and shadows.

Tigers are very fierce. Watch out if you see a tiger nearby! Tigers are very good climbers. They have super sharp claws and teeth. A tiger’s biggest teeth are longer than human fingers! Tigers keep their claws safe inside their paws, but they push them out when they dig, fight or scratch (just like my cat).

Tigers live in parts of Asia. They like to find a home that has lots of hiding places. They spend a large part of the day resting and sleeping. This seems lazy, but they need to rest to get ready for hunting. A tiger’s home is called their territory (territory means a homey place, where the tiger lives and hunts). There needs to be a lake or river nearby, so that the tiger can cool off and drink. There also must be plenty of animals for the tiger to eat. Tigers are very good swimmers, but they like to keep their head above the water. This fact might surprise you – tigers are a type of a cat. They belong to the cat family (fancy name Felidae). I know what you are thinking right now, “Cats don’t like water! How can tigers swim if they are a type of a cat?!” I know my cat doesn’t. I did not drop her in the bathtub, but I did check with the encyclopedia. So, no showers for her.

There used to be lots of tigers living in the wild. Now there are a lot fewer, because people hunted them and destroyed their territories. Today there are less than 4,000 tigers living in the wild worldwide. People are trying to protect them by creating safe territories, where they can live out of harm’s way. Go tigers!!!

Bibliography:

National Geographic Kids: Little Kids First Big Book of Animals by Catherine D. Hughes

Tigers by James Maclaine

Tiger Photo by National Geographic Kids

My cat Katya Photo by my mom Olga M.

News, Student Life

The Not Back to School Year Picnic -2023-

October 5, 2023 thelighthousetve

by Olive Pea

This year’s Not Back to the School Year picnic was full of friends, family, and back to school fun! The event was held at Athen Downs park in San Ramon, and began at 1:00 o’clock on a sunny Wednesday afternoon. A majority of the adults made conversation at the picnic tables in the shade, while the kids ran around on the playground or played board games. at the picnic tables.

At one of the tables, families were signing their children up to receive student ID cards. Nearby, kids were waiting in line to get their pictures taken for the IDs. Each student held a white board with their name written down, then posed for the picture. At around 2:00, a group photo took place. Everyone was summoned to a spot on the big lawn with a short hill that stood under some trees giving dappled shade. All the participants stood together and posed for the picture. A few extra pictures were taken to insure we got the best one.

Next to the ID table, there were two sale tables with many cool purchasable items such as books, school supplies, and even a chocolate fountain! Our Lighthouse members got the chance to interview 3 of the participants during the event! Here they are:

Interviews:

Emmet Moala, 11

Q: Is this your first time at a TVE picnic?

A: No

Q: Which picnic(s) have you attended?

A: I don’t remember

Q: What was your favorite part of today?

A: Playing with my friend

Q: What’s your favorite TVE event?

A: Park Day

Q: Which Park Days do you take part in?

A: Fridays in San Ramon

Amelie

Q: Is this your first time at a TVE picnic?

A: No

Q: Which picnic(s) have you attended?

A: Both

Q: What was your favorite part of today?

A: Hanging out

Q: What’s your favorite TVE event?

A: The Harvest dance

Q: Which Park Days do you take part in?

A: We used to take part in Park Days a lot more when we were younger, and we plan to start coming again.

Isabella

Q. Is this your first time at a TVE picnic?

A: No

Q: Which picnic(s) have you attended?

A: Both

Q: What was your favorite part of today?

A: Hanging out with friends

Q: What’s your favorite TVE event?

A: The Harvest Dance

Q: Which Park Days do you take part in?

A: We used to come a lot more, but we stopped.

Thank all interview participants for those lovely interviews! This event was a great way for kids and adults alike to get back together with friends and meet new ones after the summer holidays, and is a great way to kick off the school year! And special thanks to all the parents who contributed to this community by purchasing student ID cards. Every dollar makes a difference. The Lighthouse hopes you all have a wonderful school year that’s full of learning and fun!

News, Student Life

Another Year, Another Promotion – 2023 –

July 1, 2023September 19, 2023 thelighthousetve

by Olive Pea

This year’s Graduation and Promotion Ceremony took place at the Rustle Room at Rancho Amador, San Ramon. It started at 3:30. The graduates arrived at 2:45 for rehearsal. After rehearsal, the graduate’s families and friends arrived to watch. The MC, Nicole Pate, made an opening speech. After the opening speech, “Pomp and Circumstance” was played while all of the graduates walked down the aisle. The MC called their name and the graduate would walk up onto the stage.

The MC said something new that each graduate had accomplished this year, then the graduate was handed a certificate. The graduate would pose for their picture, and then sit back down in their chair. Then for our one and only Senior, a video was played that had pictures of his coming of age. Then our Senior walked up onto the stage with his family, and his parents each made a separate speech. Then he was handed his certificate, had his photo taken, and the turning of the tassel was performed. Next was the tossing of the cap, followed by more photos being taken.

Here are the names of this year’s graduates!

Pre-Kindergarten:

Elowen M.

Kaylee R.

Kindergarten:

Elijah M.

Jordan M.

Scott P.

1st grade:

Silas L.

Mila M.

Maya T.

5th grade:

Jesse C.

Ella C.

Heidi H.

Lillian K.

Genesis M.

Emmett M.

Liam M.

Ananda S.

Zackaria T.

8th grade:

Hadassah M.

Olivia S.

Seniors:

Charlie P.

Congratulations graduates! We hope that you have an awesome summer, and a school year packed with knowledge and fun! We are so proud of all of you.

Special thanks to our TVE Leaders for making this wonderful event possible, and to our AV Tech for the visuals and sounds, and to the photographers, who have captured these moments in time for us to remember. And of course, thanks to all the graduates and their families for participating in the ceremony.

All photos courtesy of S. & T.

News, Student Life

A Teen Tropical Paradise – Formal 2023 –

July 1, 2023September 19, 2023 thelighthousetve

by Olive Pea

On a slightly breezy Saturday (May 6th to be precise), this year’s Teen Formal occurred. It started at 7:00, and ended at 10:00 at the San Ramon Community Center.

There were many large, round tables shrouded in black tablecloths located within the center of the room. They were surrounded by black folding chairs. At the entrance of the room, there were colorful leis that you could take on your way in. On one side of the room, there was a photo booth. It had a blue and white balloon arch over the top, and the backdrop was a picture of a beach on a tropical island. The backdrop was of a beautiful beach, completed with a blue and white balloon arch over the top. In front of the photo booth there was a ring light you could use for lighting when taking your photo.

There was a snack bar with snack items such as goldfish crackers, chocolate chip cookies, sandwich rolls, and more! Next to the snack bar, there was another table laid with drinks, such as lemonade, fruit punch, and various sodas. On the drink table there were tropical leaf and flower stickers to put on your cup, along with some fun straws that had paper sun umbrellas on them!

On the far side of the room, behind the dance floor, they hung navy blue curtains with lights streaming down in front of them, giving the area a soft glow. Above the dance floor, lots of jellyfish-lights lit up the ceiling. There were also colorful lights that illuminated the walls placed all around the room. Behind the DJ booth, three tiki totem poles stood in front of a blue and white silk curtain backdrop. Opposite of the DJ booth was a table filled with little card games.

Once everything had been set up and the guests arrived, the music started. Some teens grabbed games and played with their friends at the tables, some grabbed snacks, and some danced on the dance floor. After a few songs, there was an air guitar solo competition. For each team, the DJ played a different thirty-second guitar solo. Whoever received the loudest round of applause won a trophy and a party sized bag of skittles!

Overall the Teen Formal was very tropical, colorful, and most importantly, super fun!

All photos courtesy of S. & T.

Arts and Culture, News, Student Life

May The 4th Be With You!

May 4, 2023 thelighthousetve

by Aleena Haimor

May the 4th be with you! Today, May 4th, is the official, annual Star Wars day! Star Wars is a popular movie series, and, personally, one of my favorites. There are three movie trilogies: The original, the prequel and the sequel.

Here are synopses of the three trilogies:

1. The Original Trilogy

The original trilogy follows the story of young Luke Skywalker, his twin, Leia Organa, and a scoundrel, Han Solo. Obi-Wan Kenobi, a Jedi Master, tells Luke about his destiny. Luke and Leia’s father, Darth Vader, became an evil Sith Lord when he was drawn to the dark side of the force. The trilogy is about how Luke finds his place, and finding out that Leia is his twin, telling her she was gifted with the force.

2. The Prequel Trilogy

The prequel trilogy is set before the original trilogy, even though it was released after. It is the tale of how Darth Vader, who was once Anakin Skywalker, became evil. Anakin’s wife, Padme, dies while giving birth to Luke and Leia, and Anakin is blinded by grief. He turns to the whisper of the dark side, trying to keep Padme with him.

3. The Sequel Trilogy

The sequel trilogy takes place after the prequel and original trilogies. Years after the events of the original trilogy, Luke goes into hiding, for he blames himself for Leia and Han’s son Ben, also known as Kylo Ren, turning to the dark side. Rey, a scavenger and the main character, ends up with the Resistance, a small force trying to defend against the First Order, a dark group with evil intentions.

This Star Wars Day, there are many fun things you can do to celebrate all things Star Wars! Here is a short list:

1. STAR WARS MOVIE MARATHON!

Why don’t you take the time to relax with your family, and have a Star Wars movie marathon! You can sit back and relax on the couch, all while enjoying the Star Wars movies!

2. MAKE SOMETHING!

Whether you make, bake or create it, a fun craft goes a long way. Try making a Star Wars Cake or a paper banner. You could even make a diorama and recreate your favorite scenes!

3. DRESS UP!

Third and final, you can simply dress up! No matter if it’s already made or DIY, costumes help to show your spirit. Try doing your hair like a character, or using a black sheet as Darth Vader’s cape!

These are all great options for celebrating Star Wars Day! I hope you take some of these suggestions to make your day amazing! Remember, you don’t have to be a certain age to love these movies, because they’re for everyone! Happy Star Wars Day, and May the 4th be With You. Always!

Science, Student Life

Five Awesome Whales

May 4, 2023 thelighthousetve

by Guest Author – Mila Martinov

I wrote this article because, as you know, I love sea creatures. They are so cool! I hope you like this article and enjoy the fun learning. Last time, I wrote about jellyfish. Today, I want to tell you about the coolest mammals in the sea.

1. Blue whale (prettiest of them all)

This whale is the biggest animal ever. A Blue Whale is about the length of a medium-sized airplane. Despite its size, the whale eats tiny krill (krill is a small shrimp-like animal that is incredibly tiny). A Blue Whale eats millions of them per day. To catch its food, the Blue Whale goes through a large group of krill with its mouth open. The krill flows into it. As the whale closes it’s mouth, the water flows back out to the sea through the gills, but the krill stays inside.

*Courtesy of Stanford Graduate School of Education YouCubed*

2. Beluga whale (my personal favorite)

Beluga calves (babies) are born gray in color. Belugas don’t turn white until they are a few years old. Beluga whales live in the Arctic (the coldest place on earth). Large pods of beluga whales travel south until they find open water. Since Belugas are mammals, and breathe air, they swim to the surface to take a breath. They can’t stay under the ice for too long, or they will drown. The Beluga whale is the length of two twin beds. They eat fish, crabs, squid, octopus and mussels.

3. Narwhal (the unicorn of the sea)

A Narwhal sucks its food into its mouth. Since the narwhal has only two teeth, it can’t chew. One of those teeth is a long tusk that sticks out of the upper lip. It looks like a unicorn horn. A female narwhal can grow a tusk, but it is not very long. A male’s tusk is as long as three baseball bats put together. Two male narwhals sometimes use their tusks to “sword fight”. Some scientists think this helps narwhals find out who is the strongest.

4. Sperm whale (the funny looking one)

Sperm whales live everywhere, except the freezing north and south poles. They are 65 feet long. With their very large teeth, sperm whales eat squid, sharks, and fish. They have very wrinkled skin too. Sperm whales can swim up to 9,800 feet deep below sea-level to find food. In fact, their habitat is located in deep water. A male sperm whale is longer than a female, and they have huge heads shaped like squares.

5. Humpback whale (the bumpy one)

Humpback whales do not have teeth. They have baleen instead (baleen are little fluffy things that hang over the whale’s mouth). A humpback whale opens it’s mouth and small creatures flow in with the water. When the whale closes it’s mouth, Baleen blocks the exit. The humpback whale uses its tongue to push water out through the baleen. The baleen pulls the water out and the food stays inside. Then, the whale swallows.

I love sea creatures, and am very happy to have shared these facts with you. I hope you enjoyed reading this. You should go whale watching someday. It’s very fun.

Sources:

“Ocean. The Definitive Visual Guide”, Fabien Cousteau, Rob Dunn, Isobel Comley

“National Geographic Kids: First Big Book of the Ocean”, Catherine D. Hughes

“National Geographic Kids: Little Kids First Big Book of Animals”, Catering D. Hughes

Arts and Culture, News, Student Life

Springtime Art Challenge – Results! –

May 4, 2023 thelighthousetve

by Olive Pea

We are already halfway through spring! There are so many colorful flowers in bloom. In fact, there are so many flowers in bloom that this spring was officially announced to be a Super Bloom, the first Super Bloom since 2019. So many flowers! It is starting to feel a little bit like summer already! Before we fully get into summer though, it is predicted that we are still going to get a few more “spring showers” in the near future. All the better for the flowers! Speaking of flowers…

Two months ago we gave you a spring themed art challenge! The challenge was to draw, paint, sketch, etc. a flower of your choosing. We received (3) submissions! (Also a few from our staff). Here they are:

Jordan Olson, age 6

Maria K., age 10

Thank you all for sharing such wonderful artwork with us! We really appreciate you and your talent.

Here is some art made by a few people on our staff:

This is the last official publishing of the Lighthouse, although we will be covering two future events that land just out of our last publication. These events are the Teen Formal (May 6th) and the Promotion and Graduation Ceremony (May 24th). Even though we do not publish through the summer, you can still reach out to us thelighthousetve@gmail.com if you are interested in joining our team. You can also ask us questions right from the home page.

Arts and Culture, Student Life

5 Terrific Travel Activities

May 4, 2023 thelighthousetve

by Lydia I. Martinov

It’s finally time for Summer vacation! It’s that time of year when most families go on a fun vacation. Whether it is by car, boat, train or plane. Getting to the destination takes a while, especially when there’s nothing to do. I would know, because I have traveled many times. Once, I was sitting in my plane seat, staring out the window in boredom, until my mom gave me a sticker book. I spent a lot of time using it, and the time flew faster than the plane.

Printouts

Printouts are very easy to transport, and very fun to use. From mazes to crafts, printouts include a variety of fun activities to do. Another great thing about them is that you only need to print them out instead of rushing to the store and spending lots of money on toys, or expensive things that take up lots of space, and are probably only going to be used once.

If you have a younger sibling about 2 to 6 years old, then I recommend Sago Mini printouts at

https://sagomini.com/printables/

If you have an older family member that’s about 6 and up, then I recommend Highlights printouts at:

https://parents.highlights.com/activities/printables?sort_by=created&page=1

Mad Libs

Mad Libs is a favorite for everyone. A great thing about it is that it is portable, and easy to travel with. It’s also fun for the whole family. Mad Libs is a book, and each page has a story where the players have to take turns filling in the blanks. Once all the blanks are filled in, one player reads the story aloud. Usually, the outcome is hilarious. After the trip, kids can play Mad Libs with their friends. Another excellent thing about Mad Libs is that it is the perfect way to practice grammar skills. It’s easier to remember what an adjective is when you have fun learning about it. Mad Libs is also good for hours of laughter. For example, the Little Red Riding Hood probably didn’t have a chair as a hat.

A very popular choice would be this Mad Libs:

If a larger one is preferred, then this one is best:

Movies!

An incredibly popular travel activity is to watch a nice, long movie. Many people keep “Movies to-watch” lists, and traveling is the perfect time to utilize them. Downloading some movies on an iPad, or phone through Netflix, Disney+, or other “on demand movie” apps is a good way to plan your movie-watching ahead of time.

If you need assistance on deciding which movies you would like to watch, I wrote an article in the past with 12 ideas:

12 Amazing Movies to Watch with Your Family

Table Topics

Table Topics are cards that come in a small box. Each card has a question on it to ask your family. For example, “What was your all time favorite vacation?”. This is a great bonding experience that gets family members to share interesting facts about themselves. Most people believe that they know everything there is to know about their family, but this game can prove those people wrong. An awesome thing about Table Topics is that they come in packs for specific events. There is a Table Topics pack for dinner parties, road trips, family time, and more.

Table Topics travel:

https://www.amazon.com/Table-Topics-Travel-Question-Cards/dp/B0012M30E8/ref=sr_1_12?crid=1594U69R7U8KF&keywords=Table+Topics&qid=1682540425&sprefix=table+topics%2Caps%2C180&sr=8-12

Table Topics family conversation pack:

https://www.amazon.com/TableTopics-TO-GO-Family-Trio/dp/B07FXCHGSM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=28IBAKBE56FOB&keywords=Table+Topics+family+conversation+pack+-120+conversation+starter+cards+for+families.+Great+for+family+dinners%2C+game+night%2C+bonding%2C+and+more&qid=1682542016&s=toys-and-games&sprefix=table+topics+family+conversation+pack+-120+conversation+starter+cards+for+families.+great+for+family+dinners%2C+game+night%2C+bonding%2C+and+more%2Ctoys-and-games%2C138&sr=1-1

Sticker Books

Sticker books are great for children who need a fun activity, and they help little ones improve motor skills. Older kids can have fun with them too. Sticker books can be very cheap, and they come in travel packs. The best part about sticker books is that there are so many varieties. There are “Paint by Sticker” books, jelly sticker books, character dress up books, and more!

If there’s a toddler in your family, I recommend Reusable Jelly sticker books:

https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Toddlers-Montessori-Preschool-Activities/dp/B0BGM4P17N/ref=sr_1_21?crid=1V9ZJPN2QDAAH&keywords=my%2Bfirst%2Bsticker%2Bbook&qid=1682545143&sprefix=my%2Bfirst%2Bsticker%2Bbook%2Caps%2C159&sr=8-21&th=1

Make-a-Face sticker books are suitable for kiddos 3 to 6:

https://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Reusable-Sticker-Activity/dp/B07XGDCJ2Z/ref=sr_1_3?crid=36O7E0YZR8OL8&keywords=make+a+face+melissa+and+doug+travel&qid=1682612310&sprefix=make+a+face+melissa+and+doug+travel%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-3

Paint By Sticker books are very popular for kids ages 6 and up.

Happy Summer!

News, Student Life

Upcoming Teen Formal 2023 – Tropical Paradise

April 6, 2023April 6, 2023 thelighthousetve

by Ava Salado

It’s that time of year again! Prom season! A very common misconception about homeschoolers is that we don’t have proms or formals, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Every year, TVE hosts its annual Teen Formal! If you are a homeschool student, aged 12 to 19, then you are formally, cordially, and sincerely invited to this year’s event. If desired, each student may invite a homeschooled or non-homeschooled guest. But this event is unlike your other ‘proms’, students do not need to come with a ‘special someone’. Many guests will be coming alone or with a group of friends. This is not a ‘date night,’ but instead, a celebration of friendship, the school year, and our homeschool community! (But, of course, if there is a ‘special someone’ we do not discourage shooting your shot) and welcome guests.

The Event Planning Committee is proud to announce that this year’s theme is Tropical Paradise.

We ask that you “Dress to Impress” with fancy attire or your best threads, but dressing to the theme is not required. (No bathing suits, trunks, snorkel gear, etc.) Clothing should be appropriately fitted and modest. This is your chance to ‘strut your style’. Although these are the comfiest options, no jeans, shorts, sweats, or t-shirts.

Got a favorite jam? Awesome, (we do too) you may request up to two dance songs. Please include song title and artist. This doesn’t guarantee placement on the playlist, but we will try to accommodate all requests. But don’t worry, the absolute, classic dance-tunes will always make their way onto TVEs playlist. You can submit your song(s) request on the ‘Registration Form‘ of the Formal. No explicit lyrics, please.

Here are all the details:

Date: May 6, 2023

Time: 7pm – 10pm

Location: San Ramon, CA. (full location and address can be found on the TVE facebook page.)

Age: 12-19

$40 per teen

Refunds:

100% before April 7th,

50% between April 7th and April 21st.

No refunds after April 21st.

Fun time: Assured

Smiles: Required

The guest must be registered to attend and purchase their own ticket. Go to the TVE Facebook page for the registration form and for more information. Make sure you read the form carefully with your teen(s) and any guest.

You can contact TVE Leadership with any questions here: tve.membership@gmail.com

We hope to see you in Tropical Paradise!

Home, News, Student Life

TVE’s Annual Knowledge Fair – 2023

April 6, 2023September 19, 2023 thelighthousetve

by Lydia I. Marinov

Gaining knowledge is fun! Especially at the TVE annual Knowledge Fair! From real birds, to a heart model, to coding and digital art, the 2023 Knowledge Fair had a lot of amazing facts and presentations demonstrated. People began to arrive and set up at 10:00am on March 29th inside the Danville Grange. The attendance was so great that projects were set up not just on the tradeshow-style tables, but also on benches and the stage.

There were so many wonderful presentations. It would be impossible to fit all of them into one article, so here are some great highlights. One project called “Birds as Pets and Friends” was especially popular. The presenter brought her 3 pet birds from home! 2 cockatiels, Daisy and Dominic, attracted a lot of attention from the attendees, so did their feathered friend, Anna, who is a parakeet. Another very popular display was “Volcanoes”. It included a huge model of a volcano. It had fake lava too. The project was very fun to watch, because the lava in the volcano erupted.

Our own Student Life editor, Olive Pea, put together a very informative presentation called “Cat Behavior”. In her presentation, she talked about understanding cat actions to figure out what they are trying to say, based on their body language. If you are interested in learning about cat behavior, be sure to see the article that Olive wrote about her presentation. The newest addition to The Lighthouse, Aleena, made a very nice presentation about plants. Her presentation featured fun facts, and real plants and seeds.

Another interesting project included the history of green screens. The presenter brought a green screen and a camera to take pictures of visitors with different backgrounds. A presentation called “Coding With Kids” was also very popular, because it included a computer with a game that the presenter coded himself. As visitors and presenters entered the building, they were met by Ava Salado with her display of The Lighthouse Newspaper. Ava showed pictures of our journalists and some of the highlights of their work.

Some presenters even wore costumes in theme with their projects. Our youngest presenter, at the age of 2, wore pajamas with letters all over them. This adorable outfit made his project, “ABCs” stand out even more. For the “Butterfly Life Cycle” display, the presenter wore big, orange butterfly wings. Another participant, doing a presentation on dogs, had a beautiful puppy outfit on.

At the end of the Knowledge Fair, everybody received a certificate award and a round of applause for their excellent presentations.

Here are all of the project names:

Netherland Dwarf Rabbit

Medieval Castles

Cat Behavior

Solar System

Vincent Van Gogh

All About the Moon

Butterfly Life Cycle

Taekwondo

Bees

Green Screens/ Special effects

Osiris – REx Project

Bird Watching

Rainbows

Dogs

ABC’s

Elizabeth Blackwell

Acid Rain

Exotic Flowers

Cheetahs

Wolves

White Friday WW1

Tennis Ball Machine

Pokémon

Spiders

Volcanoes

Reflection and Refraction

Golden Retrievers

Playing with Colors

Anime and Manga

Human Heart

Social Emotional Skills

Birds as Pets and Friends

Digital Art and Animation

The Mathematics

Mystery of Amelia Earhart

Plants

Horses

Aloxotls

Archie Comics

Coding for Kids

Wool Crafts

Magnets

Art

First Aid

The Lighthouse

Congratulations to everybody who participated! Everyone did an absolutely amazing job.