MARCH 2016

VOLUME VIII

PHOTO BY NANDINI BAINS a rancher four years ago. Argentina is in South America. One day, while the rancher was searching for one of his lost sheep, he stumbled upon an old and mysterious bone. Once the ranch- er found the bone, he went to a muse- um and asked paleontologists to help him look for other dinosaur bones. Of course they said, “yes,” because there have been lots of dinosaur finds in Ar- gentina and one bone usually comes along with other bones. When they were finished, not only did they find one Titanosaur, but they found six of them in the same area. In order to get them out, they had to build a new road, so all the bulldoz- ers, tractors, cranes, etc. could travel from the main road to the site and back. This large machinery was used to dig down and around faster. Then, once they got near the bones, they had to transition to small tools, like small picks, chisels and dust brushes, because they might break the very fragile bones by crushing them with big tools. They knew when to tran- sition because the outer layer’s color and texture changed. The Titanosaur was the biggest animal to ever walk on the plan- Terrific Titanosaur et. It was 30 feet longer than a blue BY LUC BASMA AND JENSEN KREBS whale, and it could reach the top floor of a 5 story building–that’s 46 Have you ever wanted to discover a exhibit space. Nobody knows what feet. It would have been even bigger new dinosaur? Try going to Argen- color it was. It could have been red, if it hadn’t died as a young adult. It tina. A rancher there discovered a yellow, black, green or some other weighed as much as 10 African ele- 122-foot long Titanosaur. Assembled color. What we do know is that it’s phants. It lived 100 million years ago from 84 fossil pieces, it is now held one titanic discovery. and it was a herbivore. That means in the American Museum of Natu- The Titanosaur was discovered in it was a plant eater. It is the best pre- ral History and is a bit too big for its the Patagonia region of Argentina by continued on page 2

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PHOTO BY PAULINA BODIN TITANOSAUR continued served Titanosaur because it had all its bones when it was found.

January, 2016 was the first time they showed the Titanosaur in the Muse- um of Natural History. It’s so big that it can’t fit in a single room of the mu- Questions seum. Part of its 39-foot neck sticks with... out of the exhibit room. The display is made out of fiber glass because the real fossil bones are made out of rock Stephen Roylance and are too heavy to display. They scanned the real fossil bones to make 3-D models that are not as heavy. It 1. How long have you been a science teacher? took the scientists 6 months to com- science teacher at P.S. 11? I love to work with kids. I love plete the scanned model. There are 5 11 years. science. I want to express my real fossil bones in the museum, and excitement with kids. at the end of 2016, they will be given 2. Do you have a science degree? back to Argentina, where they found I have an arts degree. I took lots 8. Do you think Leonardo da the bones. Scientists will use this di- of science courses in college and Vinci was more of an artist or nosaur to learn new things about oth- astronomy courses. scientist? er dinosaurs like their size, weight, He was both. He was a creator, so color, the foods they ate, and the size 3. What is your favorite branch of you create in art and science. of their brain. science? A. Physics/Astronomy. When you 9. Who is your favorite scientist think about the universe and how in history? big it is, and how we came to be, it Albert Einstein. St. Patrick’s blows the mind. contest! 10. Tell me about one of your 4. What is your favorite book? proudest moments in life. Please print out the Paper, Whatever book I’m reading now. I have lots of moments I am proud staple it and read every The Elegant Universe. A Wrinkle of. The first one is the teaching I page. Wherever you see in Time, when I was a kid. do. The second one is that I can the word “green,” CIRCLE do the yoga pose “.” I IT, including the ones 5. What is your favorite place to play the piano every day. I’m not we’ve written here. When travel in the world? really proud of that, but I’m getting you’ve found 11 “greens,” Wherever there are lots and lots better at it. Also, long, silent please write your name of birds, like in Central America retreats. and class number on the and North America. front page and drop the 11. Why does meditation help you? whole thing in the office 6. Do you have any advice for It’s something I do every day. It Paper Box by Monday, future scientists? helps me have a peaceful, open April 11. We will draw from Start wondering and never stop. and aware mind. It helps me live the entries, and if correct, in the most important time of day, the winners will get a 7. Why did you want to become a which is now. prize! Good luck!” BY JULIETTE CARASSO

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PHOTO BY MEERA WILLIAMS Overheard at LUNCH: BY LAUREN ESHELMAN & CAROLINE STÖHRER

“Well, what I think is the chick- en on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays tastes like rub- ber and plastic.” – Leila “Yes, please. I love pizza with or without toppings.” – Charles “Since I don’t like school lunch really, I just go asking for some parts of friends’ home lunch.” – Briana, Grade 4 “It was good. The mac and cheese was really tasty and the apple went well with it, although halfway through, I had a stomachache and had to go to the Ryan Center.” – Liliana

“I don’t know. I didn’t have Leprechauns on the Loose school lunch.” – Huck

BY JAMIE KAURI “It was pretty fine, but [one kid] was running around asking for P.S. 11 pre-K students were on to celebrate the life of a man who food because he was lunch- the lookout for green leprechauns helped convert many people to less.” – Chamal rumored to visit the school on St. Christianity by using green, three- “I didn’t like the lunch today be- Patrick’s Day, March 17. They made leaf clovers to explain the holy trin- cause there was only a cheese traps to catch the leprechauns, but ity, which consists of the three most , and Ms. D. told me to the traps broke and did not work. important figures in the religion. In eat the cheese, but I don’t like One of the students, Harry, said, “It Ireland, people put a green clover in cheese.” – Sam was made of a box with string and their drink to celebrate, and either “Who’s saying I have pizza? I when it went under, it [was supposed swallow the clover or throw it over have home lunch!” – Ian to have] got trapped.” Now, that’s not their shoulder for good luck. St. Pat- PHOTO BY ELI PARMETT very strong. So, you can understand rick’s Day parades started in Amer- what happened next. Harry’s class- ica in the 18th century and spread to mate, Nate, said, “The trap broke and Ireland in the 20th century. all the chairs fell.” The children said Coach Rocky, a P.S. 11 after school that even though they did not catch teacher, said he “wears green” and any leprechauns, it was a lot of fun goes “to the parade.” Ms. Leon- setting up the traps. hardt, the guidance counsellor, said Class 214 students were not the she “wore green and had Irish soda only ones having fun. St. Patrick’s bread.” Parent, Stephen Harding, Day is a very popular Irish festival continued on next page

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Leprechauns continued marches in the parade every year P.S. 11 Lego Robotics because he is a chaplain with the NYC Fire Dept. “I like marching with people I work with,” Harding Team Wins Award said. “I like marching in a big pa- rade. I like waving to all the peo- BY OWEN KIVETT ple on the sides and it’s just fun.” Strangely, Otis, another after school The P.S. 11 Lego Robotics team grammed. teacher, said that he “bakes cookies took home the Inspiration Award at Each team got three chances to run and hides $100” for himself! the FLL NYC Regional - missions in front of the judges. There ships held at the Javits Center. This was a huge crowd of spectators competition is the year’s biggest Lego watching. The crowd chanted, “3-2-1 event in NYC. A total of 80 teams Lego,” and then the team pressed the from all five boroughs competed in button to start the robot. the 4th to 8th grade age group. The Coach Melinda Dibner comment- P.S. 11 team included just 4th and ed, “Learning to cooperate and be 5th graders. Teams had to qualify at there for each other and respect each a local tournament, first. Only about other’s ideas at such a young age is half the teams at the Horace Mann a huge challenge and our team does School event in the Bronx qualified, it wonderfully well.” Many of the including P.S. 11. challengers were in Middle School, JOKES of This year’s theme was Trash Trek. but P.S. 11 still earned 30th place in It’s all about getting kids into recy- the mat part of the competition and the MONTH cling, composting and making the a third place award for “Core: Inspi- world green. The P.S. 11 team got ration.” At the end of the day, P.S. 11 BY AADITYA MATHUR to show the judges their research on cheered and high-fived all the judges recycling and core values, and their as the team received a trophy made teamwork. They also ran missions on of Lego bricks and got their picture the mat using a robot the team pro- taken. PHOTO BY ELI PARMETT

Q: What do you call the richest kind of air? A: A million-aire.

Q: Why did the robber wash his clothes before he ran away with the loot? A: He wanted to make a clean getaway.

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PHOTO BY PAULINA BODIN

sides pajamas, the school was full of cuddly critters normally reserved for the bedroom. The most interesting pajamas in- cluded a sunrise with a rainbow over water. The craziest were a T-shirt and shorts. The most popular stuffed animals sported were bears, ponies, bunnies, dogs and horses. The most unusual was a giant, stuffed gorilla named Jeff, dressed in a T-shirt and shorts. The weather on Pajama Day was drizzly and cold, averaging 35˚, with mountains of snow still on the streets. This presented unique challenges for pajama-determined students. Most wore their pajamas under warmer clothes on their way to school and changed in the classroom. Students had different ideas about “HEY P.J.” Pajama Day. Some thought it was fun. “It is good because, finally, I can BY MAXIMILIAN STÖHRER stay cozy all day,” said 2nd grader, Dylan. Classmate, Grace, added, “I Do you like to get dressed for 4, 2016. It is a day when every stu- have an extra layer of clothes to keep school every day? If not, then you dent eagerly awaits seeing Principal me warm!” And Ms. Forschein said probably look forward to the school’s Bender greet them in his black and it felt like she was “at home all day annual Pajama Day. Probably the white splotched Dalmatian dog (or long.” Others thought it was bad and most famous of the Student Council was it a cow?) one-piece PJ’s. This embarrassing. “Not good, because sponsored Spirit Days, Pajama Day year, the Student Council also de- I’m not allowed to wear underwear was celebrated on Friday, March clared it Stuffed Animal Day, so be- to school,” said 2nd grader, Ari.

Monthly Poll: What would you do with leprechaun gold, save it or spend it? Save Spend

Kindergarten 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade

POLLSTERS: JULIETTE CARASSO, LAUREN ESHELMAN, AADITYA MATHUR AND CAROLINE STÖHRER.”

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PHOTO BY PAULINA BODIN

Politics, Presidents and the Election Process BY ROGER CARASSO AND KARINA GUPTA

What do you know about politics? for reviewing laws and interpreting elected President in 1961. You must Right now is a really important time the Constitution. This means that the also be born in the United States. in the United States. It is almost time people involved in this branch have However, if you were born outside for a new President. The President to make sense of the laws and help of the U.S. and one of your parents runs one of the three branches of us understand how it applies to our was born in the U.S., you might be government, is in charge of foreign lives. The legislative branch is head- eligible to become President. Fun policy and is the commander of the ed by Congress. Congress has two Fact: Ted Cruz, one of the current military. Our country picks a new houses: the House of Representatives presidential candidates, was born in one every four years. It is a long and and the Senate. They help to create Canada, but his mother was born in complicated process. laws. The executive branch is head- the U.S. He belongs to the Republi- The Constitution was written in ed by the President. Do you want to can party. 1787 and lays out how our country become president? Here is what you A Political party is a group of peo- will be run. The judicial branch is need to do it! ple who share the same ideas about headed by the Supreme Court. This You have to be at least age 35. the way the country should be run. branch of government is responsible Fun Fact: JFK was 43 when he was continued on next page

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ELECTION continued for them. These days, candidates give Throughout history, there have been speeches, hang up signs, start com- A PEEK AT different parties. Of the forty-four mercials and all stuff that will make U.S. Presidents, sixteen were Dem- people vote for them. Next, the two MR. BENDER ocrats, eighteen were Republicans, main parties fight against each oth- and four belonged to both parties. er; Republican against Republican, BY JULIETTE CARASSO Those four Presidents were Thom- Democrat against Democrat. How- as Jefferson, James Madison, James ever, they use words to fight. This is March 24, 9:51 A.M. - Monroe and John Quincy Adams. called debating. They do debates in What are you doing? I am watching Also, in the 19th century, there was a some states. Then, people from cer- Ms. Mueller count the ELA books party called the Whig party (no, not tain states vote for the person they like and talking to parents. a WIG, A WHIG!). They got their the best in their party. In the summer, name from the American Soldiers when the debates are done, each party Do you do this every day? No, who fought for Independence in holds a convention, where the dele- because the time of the test is only 1776. They didn’t like what President gates count each candidate’s num- one time of year, but right now I am Andrew Jackson did, so they created ber of votes and the person who has going to write the staff newsletter, a new group that fought against his the most votes from each party gets which I do every week. Indian Removal act. They didn’t like to represent their party in the Presi- anything he said. There are currently dential election. A delegate is a rep- What happened to your foot? I two main parties in the race for Pres- resentative of the state. For example, ripped the muscle under the ball ident, Republican and Democratic, Mayor De Blasio is New York City’s of my foot, but I am not sure how I though there are other, smaller par- delegate. did it. ties, too. This year’s election is unique be- PHOTO BY MEERA WILLIAMS The process of running for Presi- cause Hillary Clinton could be the dent has many steps. First, you have first female nominee to run under to decide if you want to run or not. one of the main parties–democrat Most candidates who run are from or republican (a woman named Vic- the government already. This means toria Woodhull ran in 1872, under they have experience and aren’t green. the Equal Rights Party). The top two Then, the candidate has to make an candidates in the Republican Party official announcement that they are are Donald Trump and Ted Cruz. In running. Then, they start the “cam- the Democratic party, Hillary Clin- paign.” It used to be that candidates ton and Bernie Sanders are the only only “stood” and others campaigned two now running.

VIDEO LINK Young Artists Program https://youtu.be/XEcNeWseudU

VIDEOGRAPHY BY NANDINI BAINS

7 PAPER MARCH 2016 Featured Artwork

ART EDITOR: FRIED LEVENSTEIN BY NANDINI BAINS, 3RD GRADE

If you would like to submit artwork to be considered for our next edition, please draw, paint or write it on 1 sheet of letter-sized paper (one side only), then drop it in the News Box in the Main Office. Make sure to include your name and class on the back. You may also submit article ideas, jokes or poll questions.

8 PAPER —— ­­FICTION ——­­ The Man-Eating Cupcake Monsters

BY SADIE HOWARD

devices that would have looked less out of place in a highly experienced scientist’s lab. The baker put Nelly onto a counter and hooked her up to a device. The monitor said, “DNA Pattern: UNKNOWN.” “Excel- lent,” the baker whispered. Then, he hooked her up to a another machine that made her hiss-cry. Nelly’s tail started to twitch wildly and her dog- tongue hung out. Meanwhile, Lianna and Melody had chosen their sweets. They stood up to discover that the baker and Nelly were gone. “Where’s Nelly?” Lianna fretted. “I don’t know,” Melody said uncer- tainly. “Ugh, I should have known Nelly would get lost in this crowd,” Lianna moaned.

BY PAULINA BODIN, 4TH GRADE. In the back room, Nelly was not the only thing hooked up to those “Free Cupcake Day at the Per- cat. She has the body of a miniature machines. So were giant, twenty-foot fectly Special 11 Bakery!” the flyer poodle, and a snout like one, too. cupcakes. The baker was using said. “Bring your pets, too. *Dog But, she has cat ears, tail, and mouth. mutated pets’ DNA to give cupcakes treats will be served.” “Ooh, that Her fur is wavy–a mix of curly poo- a brain that would only do evil! seems SO cool,” Lianna pointed at dle fur and straight cat fur.” He was using the machine to feed the sign. “Oh my gosh. Yes, we are “Nelly, OFF,” Lianna said sternly. Nelly’s DNA to the cupcakes! And TOTALLY going,” Melody re- Turning to face the baker, she apolo- the baker was not only a baker, but sponded excitedly. They weren’t the gized.“ We’re really sorry.” “Oh, no, an evil scientist whose life’s ambition only ones. Soon, a small crowd had it’s fine. I love animals,” the baker was to rule the world with an army formed around the sign. “Let’s go be- said, taking Nelly into his arms. of man-eating cupcake monsters fore the baker runs out!” Lianna, her “Wait, this is a strange animal,” The under his command! Nelly was the poca, Nelly, and her friend, Melody, baker turned away from Lianna final link. walked quickly to the bakery. and Melody and examined Nelly Moments later, Lianna and Melo- When they arrived at the shop, more closely. “Oh, yes, you will dy heard screams and crashes out- it was really crowded. “I guess we be perfect,” he whispered to Nelly. side. Giant cupcakes with rainbow aren’t the only ones who love cup- She growled at him. “What would sprinkles were causing chaos. “What cakes.” Melody whispered. “So what you like today?” the baker asked. the-” “RUN! THEY’RE COMING flavor do you want?” “I don’t know,” “Hmm,” Lianna said, as she and TOWARDS US!” shouted Melody as Lianna responded. Suddenly, Nel- Melody inspected the case of sweets. she sprinted out. But Lianna didn’t ly leaped out of Lianna’s arms and The baker took advantage of the dis- run away. She slipped into the evil started to meow-bark at the baker. traction and the crowd and whisked baker’s back room. She ran towards Nelly meow-barks because she is a Nelly into his surprisingly big back the machine that Nelly was hooked poca, a cross between a dog and a room. It was filled with strange continued on next page

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CUPCAKES continued jail. Lianna and Nelly up to and unplugged her. The cup- were put in the New York cakes, without the mutation DNA Times, while Melody was supply, exploded, covering the block disgraced for running in icing. Sprinkles rained on cars, away and not putting up and when some of the Saint Patrick’s a fight against the cup- Day themed cupcakes exploded, cakes. But best of all, the green temporarily clouded Lianna’s once-upon-a-time small vision. town got to be famous for As for the fake baker, when one it’s cupcake festivals on cupcake exploded in his lab, it broke Saint Patrick’s Day, when the machines, so he got electrocuted. Lianna and Nelly are When he was found, he was put in celebrated world-wide. BY AMANDA BALLAS, 3RD GRADE

P.S. 11 Paper Staff - The Cubs

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