On a recent winter weekend, four of our staff members were in Los Angeles getting training for the new International Baccalaureate program. During their free time, if you count 3 ‘clock in the morning ‘free time’, they made the attempt to get on the Price Is Right television show. After a rigorous day of obstacles, Marshall Thompson, Meg Schulz, Anne Bonow, and Deane Brown made it on the show. Although none of them made it up on stage as a contestant, they were seated right behind contestants row, two rows up. This wonderful position gave them plenty of “camera time” and hopefully their faces will be seen throughout most of the show. The show airs on March 22nd at 10 a.m. on CBS, so be sure to set your VCRs and TiVos.

The four teachers woke up as early as 3:00 am on the 27th to get in line for the show. Since the show’s capacity is 400 it was important to be one of the first in line. They arrived at the show at about 10 minutes to 5 a.m. They received their first number telling them they could come back for the second round. Upon receiving this number they were told to come back around 7:30 a.m. They came back at 7:30 like they were told and the line was already moving. They got in quick and got their second number. The first number ensured them a place in the line for your second number, while the second number told you which show you were going to be on, the early show or the late show. They ended up getting on the later show. So after another session of IB training they came back to the studio. They ended up having to do some more sitting outside, and to their displeasure it was downpouring. Luckily for them, there was a nice overhang for them to hide themselves under.

At about 4:10 pm they finally entered the building. Contrary to what is seen on TV, the place was pretty small and very cheesy looking. Once in their seats, they found it difficult to see due to all the cameras. Even though it was tough to see at times, everyone was getting pumped for the show. The music playing, the cameras taping, and the excitement of shouting out dollar amounts to the contestants got all of our staff in a craze. Especially Mr. Thompson, who, according to Mrs. Schulz, got “Way into it!” Don’t think Mr. Thompson was the only one who got into the game. Bob Barker asked people to give there best “Oooo’s” and “Ahhhh’s” for the showcase showdown, and Mr. Brown definitely gave the best “Oooo” out there. While Mr. Brown and Mr. Thompson were getting into it Mrs. Schulz was throwing out shout-outs to her Integrated II students. Every time she ran her hand through her hair that was a shout out for her class. Check for it on the 22nd.

Yet the whole trip wasn’t just about the fun and games. Our teachers were there for the important IB training they were receiving. About 30 people from across the country including one teacher from Canada were at the Math department training. The sessions were run by Brian Lamb, a talented man from Ottawa, Canada. In these sessions teachers learned new skills and the style of teaching they are going to be using in the upcoming years. This new style of teaching is more interdisciplinary in-between the classes. This means that in math there will be a few essays and writing assignments handed out, and maybe in English class there will be some projects relating to History. The sessions ran in periods of about 2-3 hours with half an hour breaks inbetween each session. Yet besides the fact the sessions were long, all three math teachers thought the training was awesome and there should be a lot more of it. Could they be saying that just so they can get on another game show?

All in all, our staff enjoyed their experience and are ready for more training. With the joy of being on a well known TV show, our teachers are eagerly awaiting the show date. Hopefully, students will enjoy the coming years with our newly trained teachers, and get as much enjoyment out of watching them on TV as well.