It’s Spring Break and another great trip students are taking this week are to visit college campuses around the United States! Whether it’s a private school, UC schools, State Schools, or Junior Colleges… Spring Break is a great way to start your college journey!!
Here are things to pay attention to when you are visiting a college campus:
1. The location: Is your college in a college town?
2. The dorm/living situation. Do they have nice accomodations? Do you have to share a room or can you ask for a single room? How many roommates?
3. Is there school spirit? Does the school have sports teams and games to watch on campus?
4. Can you get involved? Do they have clubs and organizations you can participate in?
5. Are you surrounded by a big city or fun city events? If you are in or near a city like LA or San Francisco there are always fun events to attend.. i.e.: concerts, museums, amusement parks, beaches, and fun outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, and exercising in general – just to name a few!!
6. Do you know anyone who has gone there before or any family members that live nearby the campus?
7. Is it close or near to home? Some kids like to be closer to home and others like to expand their wings and travel to other parts of the country.
There are just a few criteria that you can go through when choosing a college.
You will get many different opinions when choosing the best schools, but according to the National University Rankings – the top 10 schools are:
Have any fun plans for Spring Break? Well, some students from the South Bay are going on a trip of a lifetime to Loreto, Baja California Sur Mexico tomorrow, which is not only educational but a life changing experience.
Tomorrow, 14 students from the South Bay will be going to Loreto, Baja California Sur for the week for a Student Exchange Program that was started in 1967.
Loreto was the first Spanish settlement on the Baja California Peninsula. It served as the capital of Las Californias from 1697 to 1777. The city of 14,724 people (2010 census) is located on the coast of the Sea of Cortez, about 350 km (220 mi) north of the state capital, La Paz.
The town was founded in 1697 by Jesuit missionaries, who found a steady spring of fresh water on this site, as the Mision Nuestra Senora De Loreto. The town served as the capital of the province of Las Californias from its founding until the capital was moved to Monterey on February 3, 1777. The town then became the headquarters for the Lieutenant Governor of California Viejo (later the province of Baja California).
The city is now a tourist resort, catering mostly to U.S. travelers, with daily flights from California to the Loreto International Airport (LTO). Many American tourists enjoy fishing in “pangas” for “dorado”. Local restaurants will willingly prepare the daily catch of the tourists. Loreto has a museum that coexists alongside the historic, but still active, parish. Loreto has active sister city relationships with Hermosa Beach and Cerritos California, USA.
There are 9 girls and 5 boys going. The students are from Manhattan Beach Middle School, Paris Middle School, and Adams Middle School – Manhattan and Redondo schools.
Join the fun and excitement of a lifetime in our delightful sister city Loreto , Mexico ! For over 30 years, the Hermosa Beach Sister City Association has sponsored Hermosa Valley School 7th & 8th grade students as well as students from Manhattan and Redondo in the past few years – in a cultural exchange program between Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico and the Beach Cities of Hermosa, Manhattan and Redondo.
Students will live with a Loreto 7th or 8th grader and his/her family for 7 days and build a lifetime of memories with chaperoned daily activities and organized field trips. After all the fun, Beach Cities students will host their Loreto 7th or 8th grader for one week in July and show them our way of life here.
Loreto , Mexico is a safe and beautiful town on the Sea of Cortez. Chaperones will escort students to and from Mexico , match students to host families, and participate in the organized activities.
The students from Loreto will come to the South Bay during the week of July 12 – 19, 2013 and experience what life is like in the South Bay. The students will go to different cultural places, including museums, aquariums, theme parks, just to name a few.
The great thing about the Loreto program is that both Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach both have sister cities in Baja California Sur Mexico. Manhattan’s sister city is Santa Rosalia and Redondo Beach’s sister city has 2: La Paz and Ensenada. Both Mira Costa High School and Redondo Union High School have Baja Clubs and the high school students spend the week in Santa Rosalia or La Paz/Ensenada during the February Break or Spring Break. Therefore, the Hermosa Beach program prepares the 7th and 8th grade students incase they want to continue with the exchange programs in High School.
The HBSCA Cultural Exchange Program was certified by the United States Congress, and entered into the congressional record of the 110th congress session.
Two words people love to hear! For our Redondo location – most of their students had off this past week for Spring Break – and for our Manhattan Beach location, most of our students have Spring Break coming up this week!! Most people usually go away for Spring Break or hang out at the beach – if the weather is nice – and others hang out at home and enjoying the relaxing week off!!
For us here at the Study Hut, we feel that Spring Break is the best time for test prep, AP tests, and quarter exam prep!!
We are offering a free SAT diagnostic test on Monday at 9 a.m. for students who are preparing for the May SAT test. We also have 2 dates in April on the 13th and the 27th to prepare as well.
Though, many of our students have cancelled their appointments next week, we are still open all week and offering tutoring to help get ahead or catch up on school things!!
This week was also Honor Roll week at MBMS before Spring Break.. so congrats to all the 6th, 7th, and 8th grader that made the honor roll! Way to go!!
We hope everyone has a safe and fun Spring Break, but make sure to study during the break so you are not behind!!
Today we are talking all about the El Segundo Study Hut Office! We provide a wide array of services, from subject tutoring to test prep to help with college admissions. Our team of experts can tutor almost any high school subject through the AP level. We also have tons of experience with training for the SAT, ACT, HSPT, ISEE, GRE, and many other tests.
The El Segundo Study Hut had a very productive day yesterday and we wanted to share some highlights with you all !!
Key features and highlights:
1. We signed up an AP Calc kid
2. We trimmed up the outside (we consider it the most lush hut)
3. We prepped the tutors for the next 12 weeks – since Summer is right around the corner and we need the students to keep on track during the summer to make sure they don’t fall behind.
4. We added a computer station
5. We posted AP diag dates (same as Manhattan’s) – which were March 24th and the next one coming up is April 20th!
6. We replenished materials for all the SAT subject tests
7. We graduated to a housekeeping service
8. We planned a tutor gathering
9. We found a spot to hang the surfboard
10. We put an order in for an espresso maker
11. We ordered a new shipment of after school snacks
12. We dusted the corners and behind the bookshelves
13. We stocked the mini fridge
14. We added a whiteboard
15. We added new indoor plants to the family
The El Segundo Study Hut is located on Arena Street in El Segundo off of El Segundo Blvd. Co-Owner SP and others built the Tiki Hut that is pictured above!
While the majority of our students walk or drive over for tutoring from El Segundo High School, El Segundo Middle School, Center Street School, and Richmond Street School, we also work with students from all over the lower Westside. We tutor students from Westchester High School, St. Bernard High School, Hawthorne High School, and even Palisades High School, as well as Marymount, Notre Dame, and Loyola.
The El Segundo Run for Education 5K and 10K was a huge success!! The event started at 8 a.m. and the Study Hut was there with a booth and cookies with our logo on them made at Becker’s Bakery in Manhattan Beach. Our Manhattan Beach Office Manager Sam, and tutors Natalie and Joey ran the race on Saturday! Co-Owner SP was there along with other tutors including Lucas!
One of our tutors Joey ran the 10K and places 6th overall and 2nd in his age bracket!! Way to go Joey!!
The El Segundo Run for Education 5K and 10K are tomorrow so get pumped up!! The Study Hut will have a booth at the event and some of our tutors will be running in the race!
Here is good information from their website about the event tomorrow:
Course Description:
As one of the more unique USA Track & Field certified road courses in Southern California the Run for Education features a moderate coastal climate and a tour of downtown El Segundo, as well as, it’s neighborhoods and schools.
The 5K Run/Walk is an easy-to-moderate hill course through local neighborhoods while the 10K Run offers up a more challenging 2nd loop incorporating central downtown El Segundo and Grand Avenue’s prominent hill.
The Kid’s Fun Run will be split into a 1K and 1/2K event. The 1K is for Kids ages 6-12 years old while the 1/2K Kids Run is for the younger 2-5 year olds. All Fun Run participants will receive a kids goodie bag with gift from Mattel.
USA Track & Field Sanctioned Event:
We are proud to announce that the El Segundo Run for Education is a full USA Track and Field sanctioned event with both the 5K and 10K courses having been certified by the USA Track and Field Road Racing Technical Council.
USA Track & Field Southern California Grand Prix:
New for this year the Run for Education has been selected to be one of the official road races in the elite 2013 USATF Southern California Association Road Running Grand Prix Series.
Schedule of Race Day Events:
6:30 AM: Packet Pick-Up & Late Registration Opens
7:20 AM: Group Pre-Race Warm-Up | Zumba
7:35 AM: Starting Line Corrals Open
7:45 AM: Opening Ceremony | National Anthem | Final Race Instructions
8:00 AM: 5K/10K Dual Start | Health & Fitness Expo Opens
9:15 AM: Kids Fun Run
9:45 AM: Awards Ceremony
12:00 PM: Event Concludes
Starting Line Corrals (NEW):
In an effort to provide every one of our participants with as comfortable a run as possible, Starting Line Corrals will be incorporated into this year’s event. The corral system assures a smooth and safe start by lining up participants of similar pace in the same area.
Runners who identify themselves as Elite Male (<18:20 5K or <38:00 10K) or Elite Female (<19:50 5K or <40:00 10K) during registration will qualify for the seeded corral up front. All other participants are asked to line up in the appropriate corrals. Large signs identifying each corral will be displayed along the starting line area. Please be courteous and look for the corral that fits you best.
Corral A: Elite Runners
Corral B: General Runners
Corral C: Walkers
Corral D: Participants with Strollers
Awards:
5K/10K: Male and Female – Overall 1st place finishers will receive race trophies. Medals will be awarded to 1st, 2nd & 3rd place finishers in each age category. All 12 and under 5K finishers receive medals while Kids Fun Run participants receive prizes donated by Mattel (while supplies last).
Family Fun Zone:
The Family Fun Zone has plenty to do for families of all ages! Challenge your friends and family on the many carnival games and inflatable slides. We have the little ones covered too with numerous fun creative arts and crafts activities. Proceeds to benefit local non-profit service organizations and school groups. see all the great running and fitness accessories available today.
It’s Boardgame and BBQ Night at the Study Hut tonight!! All our tutors are super excited to spend some quality time together playing board games and eating some great BBQ !!
Since we have multiple locations.. we try to organize nights where all the tutors from each office can get together and do something fun and bond with each other!!
We have had other events including but not limited too: Christmas Parties, hanging out on Friday nights, attending events that our students from the Study Hut participate in, and many others.
We will be playing such games as: Bingo, Twister, Battleship, Sorry!, Candylane, Monopoly, Cranium, Apples to Apples, Taboo, Boggle and many more.
Co-Owner Rob will be making delicious BBQ for the tutors and sodas will be supplied!! Our fun night starts at 9:45 p.m. and you know what they say, time flies when you’re having fun!!
Here are pictures of fun boardgames that have been around for many generations!! We hope you enjoy the walk down memory lane!!
The mission of the Manhattan BeachCoordinating Council is to establish a forum to promote networking,communication and information exchange among agencies, organizations and individuals and to provide recognitionto local students.
To accomplish their goal:
Organizing monthly luncheons (held in October through May, excluding December), where city staff, local elected officials, school district personnel, non-profit agencies and members of the business and residential communities come together to discuss issues affecting our City.
Recognizing Students of the Month from American Martyrs School, Manhattan Beach Middle School and Mira Costa High School.
Featuring a special guest speaker at our luncheons who focus on a variety of topics.
Presenting scholarships to graduating seniors from Mira Costa High School at our special May Scholarship Luncheon.
Awarding scholarships totalling $24,000 to six highly deserving students.
Solely funding our scholarships with associate fees, sponsorships, and our luncheon raffles.
The Manhattan Beach Coordinating Council is holding their next next luncheon this Thursday, March 21st, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Coordinating Council 2012 – 2013 Executive Board is:
President: Jill Brunkhardt / First Vice President, Membership/Associates: Nancy Hersman / Second Vice President, Programs/Speakers: Elaine Trotter / Treasurer: Isela Buenabad / Secretary or School Liaison: Ro Schreiner
They will have a speaker, Ken Flood, who is the Chairperson for our local School Attendance Review Board.
During the luncheon, the Coordinating Council honors the students of the month. Last months students below from left, Taylor from MCHS (who was the Co-Secretary General for the Model United Nations.), Lauren from MBMS (a diligent leader, particularly in journalism and English), and Peter from American Martyrs School.
our Manhattan Beach Office Manager from the Study Hut will be attending the Coordinating Council Luncheon this Thursday!
The luncheon will take place at at Verandas (401 Rosecrans Avenue, Manhattan Beach).
Verandas Manhattan Beach sits on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean about four blocks from where Rosecrans Avenue ends. Located next to a massive Chevron refinery, it faces towards the water and away from the industrial inland view.
Verandas specializes in hosting events, whether they be weddings, corporate meetings or parties. The facility looks like a massive beach cottage and has an enclosed courtyard where ceremonies can be performed. The top floor has a lovely view of the ocean.
The cost is $30 for associates
and $40 for non-associates. For reservations, go to the website www.mbcoordinatingcouncil.com and click on Luncheon Reservations.
The last 2 Coordinating Council Luncheon Dates for this school year are: April 18th and May 16th (scholarships will be given out at this luncheon).
Here at the Study Hut we have a unique teaching method that seems to work very well. At the Study Hut we hope to empower students. Here’s what it says on our website:
“Our tutors are young, local, and experienced. We offer one-on-one subject tutoring, SAT test prep, and a variety of other services. Students love coming to Study Hut because it’s cool and they see results. There are many large, impersonal tutoring companies out there. Study Hut is proud to say that we’re not one of them.
Instead of using a “one-size-fits-all” method, we focus on each student’s unique learning style and teach to his or her strengths. Our tutors emphasize progress and growth for all students at all levels—no matter how unmotivated or defeated they may start out feeling.
Our highly trained tutors have all graduated from local high schools and universities. Study Hut tutors have experience teaching every subject you can think of, from elementary school through AP high school courses, we have done and seen it all.”
I am one of the tutors here at the Study Hut and proud to work for such a great company. I normally tutor elementary and middle school students and truly enjoying working with each of my students! Here’s a story about one of my personal tutoring sessions!
I tutor a little girl whose a 1st grader and together we work on her homework packet. Each week she has a different number of packets… each for a different subject including but not limited to – Math, Social Science, Literature, and English. She mostly struggles with math (subtraction)… and refers to the numbers as “big numbers” – which make her nervous. During tutoring we work on the homework packet and if she gets it done early we play Word Bingo since Bingo is her favorite game.
Some of the assignments in the packet include coloring different pictures and words – which the little girl certainly enjoys! We work on pronunciation of words, spelling words, definitions, and other fun assignments.
The little girl also has started to learn Spanish, so we work on Spanish vocabulary as well and basic phrases every week. I write the words down for her in English with the Spanish translation and she always highlights the English words with a highlighter. She studies them at home and does a great job!
Every student you tutor is different and they each work well in their own ways.
EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT! THE MANHATTAN BEACH STUDY HUT IS OFFERING FREE AP DIAGNOSTIC TESTS!!
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to get a 5 on an AP test? Well now is your chance!! We are offering free AP Diagnostic Tests and the first one is only 10 DAYS AWAY!
March 24th (Sunday) and April 20th (Saturday) are the two times that we will be offering the exams for all subjects.
If you would like to sign up please contact samantha@studyhut.com or call 1-310-546-2408.
For those of you that don’t know, AP stands for Advanced Placement – a program in the United States created by the College Board offering college-level curriculum and examinations to high school students. American colleges often grant placement and course credit to students who obtain high scores above a certain number on the examinations. The AP curriculum for the various subjects is created for the College Board by a panel of experts and college-level educators in each subject. For a high school course to have the AP designation, the course must be audited by the College Board to ascertain it satisfies the AP curriculum.
Some colleges use AP test scores to exempt students from introductory coursework. Each college’s policy is different, but most require a minimum score of 3 or 4 to receive college credit.Typically this appears as a “CR” grade on the college transcript, although some colleges and universities will award an A grade for a 5 score.
Grading the AP exam is a long and complicated process. The multiple choice component of the exam is scored by computer, while the free response and essay portions are scored by trained Readers at the AP Reading each June. The scores on various components are weighted and combined into a raw Composite Score. The Chief Reader for each exam then decides on the grade cutoffs for that year’s exam, which determine how the Composite Scores are converted into the final grades. During the process a number of reviews and statistical analyses are performed to ensure that the grading is reliable. The overall goal is for the grades to reflect an absolute scale of performance which can be compared from year to year.
