The Smith School Times
January 2021 In print & online at sites.google.com/tstboces.org/sstimes
Happy New Year! The they won’t be able to because of 2. JJ shall start a new country the pandemic. called bababooey. Smith School Times 3. Australia will be set on fire Celebrates 2021 again Feature Story by Zack Sorensen 4. Giant ants will conquer the Italians New Year’s Resolutions
A New Years resolution is a commitment someone makes to improve themself. People make their My friend Jonathyn Thornton has resolutions New Years Eve usually. The some realistic yet funny predictions for new year symbolizes a fresh start. They this year. He predicts that: make them to improve their life, make 1. Queen Elizabeth II will survive life better for themselves. People can 2021 declare their resolutions, write them 2. More celebrities will move on down, or share them with others. from this world. My predictions are 50\50. I have a
3. SpaceX will launch more funny and realistic predictions. My SpaceX things to space predictions are: 4. There will be another failed 1. I predict that by mid-late year, coup attempt to overturn the we will be able to go places election… oh wait.. without social distancing, 5. Jonathyn will graduate high wearing masks, etc. school in 2021 2. The Zombie Apocalypse 3. An earthquake in California
Here are some of my friend’s resolutions:
Chloe - Try to do all classes, get work done when needed, try to stop saying sorry when it's not needed Tyler - To participate more in class discussions JJ - Learn new ways to cope with My friend Tyler Santana has a few good stressful people predictions lined up for us. He predicts
Me (Zack) - Get my work done on time that:
Jonathyn - To graduate like a super 1. Chiefs will win Superbowl My friend Anna Guggenheim has a few star 2. COVID will end by June (hopefully) reasonably realistic predictions. She Anna - Be a better person overall and 3. A new video game release predicts that: also to repair family bonds and make 4. Snack Shack updates their menu 1. There will be a huge rise in my life better 5. School store will come back cases because people will be Sebastian - Complete given chores totally over COVID. around mom’s house 2. The Olympics will be cancelled Tommy - Be more kind to people again because COVID.
3. More celebrities will die from Even thought 2020 was a crazy year, COVID. my friends and I are still looking on the 4. There will be a huge natural bright side of things. We are thoughtful disaster. and optimistic about the future. We all plan to work on improving our lives in My friend Sebastian Aceto has some 2021. reasonable predictions. He predicts
that he will: New Year’s Predictions 1. I will try to complete future chores 2. I will not travel due to COVID-19 Even though we are serious when it 3. I will not go to the movie theatres comes to goals for the future, we can due to COVID-19 still have some fun with 2021 4. I will likely not be able to read a predictions. Some of these predictions book in times of COVID are over the top, more realistic, and 5. School will still be virtual in some are plain funny. September
My friend Tommy Husband has a few realistic and good predictions. He predicts that: 1. The virus will get better My friend JJ Weber has quite a few 2. May people will not want the funny predictions as well as a couple of shot realistic ones. He predicts that: 3. People will want to have time to 1. Merkle will conquer the French. hang out with their friends, but 1. 2021 will turn into 2020 part 2.
1 The Smith School Times
January 2021 In print & online at sites.google.com/tstboces.org/sstimes
Keep Schools Closed it’s a pretty simple question with a is uncommon in the 90 days simple answer. I believe the answer is after initial infection. However, To In Person Learning yes, vaccinate. experts don’t know for sure how long this protection lasts, and Until It Is Safe The benefits of getting the Covid the risk of severe illness and Editorial by Anna Guggenheim vaccine, according to the CDC (Centers death from COVID-19 far for Disease Control and Prevention), outweighs any benefits of are as follows: natural immunity. COVID-19 vaccination will help protect 1. COVID-19 vaccination will you by creating an antibody help keep you from getting (immune system) response COVID-19 without having to experience ● All COVID-19 vaccines sickness. currently available in the United States have been shown 3. COVID-19 vaccination will to be highly effective at be an important tool to help stop the pandemic preventing COVID-19. Learn more about the different ● Wearing masks and social No, we should not be in person right COVID-19 vaccines. distancing help reduce your now. While I enjoy school, it is not safe. ● All COVID-19 vaccines that are chance of being exposed to the The number of cases in our area has in development are being virus or spreading it to others, risen. Not much of the vaccine has carefully evaluated in clinical but these measures are not been administered in our area. trials and will be authorized or enough. Vaccines will work with
approved only if they make it your immune system so it will The number of cases in our area has substantially less likely you’ll be ready to fight the virus if you risen. The number of cases in the get COVID-19. Learn more are exposed. majority of counties that surround about how federal partners are ● The combination of getting Ithaca have had an increase in cases. ensuring COVID-19 vaccines vaccinated and following CDC’s Tioga county has 1,792 cases as of the work. recommendations to protect 5th. Schuyler county has 628 cases as ● Based on what we know about yourself and others will offer of the 5th. Seneca county has 905 cases vaccines for other diseases and the best protection from as of the 5th. Last, Tompkins has 2,152 early data from clinical trials, COVID-19. cases of the 5th. experts believe that getting a ● Stopping a pandemic requires
COVID-19 vaccine may also using all the tools we have Not much of the vaccine has been help keep you from getting available. As experts learn more administered in our area. New York is seriously ill even if you do get about how COVID-19 doing their vaccines in groups. There is COVID-19. vaccination may help reduce a long waiting list. ● Getting vaccinated yourself may spread of the disease in
also protect people around you, communities. Some people say that we are safe to particularly people at increased stay in school, but we have had to close risk for severe illness from Just as the United States surpasses some programs a few times. Personally, COVID-19 more COVID-19 related deaths, than all I like school but ask yourself this is it the Americans that died in WWII, the worth it? I don't think so. Yes we wear question we ask ourselves is not masks, but I believe that many people whether or not we should vaccinate, it’s are not following the rules and that 2. COVID-19 vaccination is a when can we get vaccinated. Not just puts everyone at risk. safer way to help build for ourselves, but for our friends and protection family, and everyone else in the world. ● COVID-19 can have serious, In conclusion, I don't think we should life-threatening complications, be in school right now. I just do not and there is no way to know New Years Around the think it is safe. Anyways, stay safe and how COVID-19 will affect you. please wash your hands. World And if you get sick, you could By Anna Guggenheim spread the disease to friends, We Need to Take the family, and others around you. Vaccine ● Clinical trials of all vaccines Editorial by Jonathyn Thornton must first show they are safe and effective before any vaccine can be authorized or approved for use, including COVID-19 vaccines. The known and potential benefits of a COVID-19 vaccine must
outweigh the known and Welcome everyone to 2021, finally we potential risks of the vaccine for made it! Now today we are going to use under what is known as an take a trip around the world and see Emergency Use Authorization how some of the other place celebrate (EUA). the New Year. ● Getting COVID-19 may offer
some natural protection, known A wise man once said “To vaccinate or We are going to start in South America as immunity. Current evidence not to vaccinate, that is the question where they have a big traditional feast suggests that reinfection with we’re gonna answer in this month's and then go and see fireworks. In edition of the SSTimes.” At face value the virus that causes COVID-19
2 The Smith School Times
January 2021 In print & online at sites.google.com/tstboces.org/sstimes
Japan, people visit a shrine or a temple Seasonal Affective and a bell is rung at the temple at midnight. Believe it or not, in Africa Disorder they celebrate almost the same as us By JJ Weber with countdowns and fireworks. While in Australia, most people go on a boat Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) is or in an urban park they also use a form of depression associated with fireworks to ring in the new year. I late autumn and winter. Risk factors found this on (www.infoplease.com). It for S.A.D. are having blood relatives said ¨Fireworks: Noisemaking and with S.A.D. or another form of fireworks on New Year's Eve is believed depression or having major depression to have originated in ancient times, or bipolar disorder yourself. Symptoms when noise and fire were thought to We celebrate the MLK Day of Service of depression may worsen seasonally if dispel evil spirits and bring good luck. because it is considered “a day on, not you have one of these conditions. The Chinese are credited with off”. MLK day is the only holiday inventing fireworks and use them to designated as a nationwide day of spectacular effect in their New Year's service to encourage all Americans to celebrations.¨ While in the United volunteer to improve their States, we have parties and fireworks communities. We honor Dr. Martin also at one minute to midnight we Luther King Jr. by giving back to our lower a ball down a pole. That is how community. the world celebrates the new year. Stay save, and happy 2021! How will you give back this year?
Martin Luther King Jr. Ask Anna By Anna Guggenheim Day & The Day of Symptoms of S.A.D. are feeling depressed most of the day nearly every Service day, losing interest in activities you By Tyler Santana once enjoyed, having low energy throughout the day, having issues with Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist sleeping and feeling sluggish or Minister and social rights activist in the agitated. S.A.D. can get worse and lead United States in the 1950’s and 60’s. to problems if it's not treated. If you He also led the American Civil Rights think you have Seasonal Affective movement. He gathered a bunch of Disorder you can talk to your peaceful protest leaders of the counselor, teacher, parents, or legal Southern Christian Leadership guardian and ask them to make an Conference this includes the March on Alright kids, I’m back to answer appointment at a doctor’s office. Washington in 1963. another one of your questions. Worth a Watch? This month’s question is: By Jonathyn Thornton
Dear Anna, This time of year, I feel The Mandalorian (Season 2) especially down/depressed. What can I do to cope?
Great question! You know I sometimes fell a little depressed during this time of year as well. Here are some coping skills that I think will help you out. Try doing something you enjoy to take your
mind off it, like listening to music, drawing, singing, going sledding (when (We’re headed deep into spoiler There was a legislation in 1983 creating space, you have been warned) a holiday named after Rev. Dr. Martin there is enough snow). Another option is to talk to someone you trust like your Luther King Jr. This holiday was first After season 1 was completed, it was noticed in 1986. MLK Day is a holiday counselor, parent, or a friend. Hope I was able to help. See you next month! hard to see how it could get better. on the third Monday in January. Luke Skywalker was like “Hold my blue milk!” Needless to say, Season 2 The Day of Service is a day that people improved what was good about the each year get involved in projects such show, and got rid of what was bad. as tutoring and mentoring kids, Overall the plot is finding a Jedi to painting schools and senior centers, train Baby Yoda, also known by a name giving meals, building homes, and which is totally anime inspired, Grogu. reflecting on Dr. King's teachings and My favorite episode of the season was life. Many of the projects created on the 13th episode ”The Jedi”. In it we King Day continue to involve meet the live action Ashoka Tano, contributors beyond the holiday and played by Rosario Dawson, trying to impact the community year long. liberate a settlement under ex- imperial rule. It checks all the boxes, lightsaber fights: check, new plot twists: check, and many more.
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January 2021 In print & online at sites.google.com/tstboces.org/sstimes
Team who clinched the NFC East title, It’s Still Rock and Roll Rating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who clinched a wild card spot, the Los To Me Acting: 9.85/10 Angeles Rams who clinched a wild card A Conversation about rock music I loved the actors in this season, spot with their win over the Cardinals, with Zack Sorensen and Mr. though it would've been better if the and finally, the Chicago Bears who Collins Voice actress for Ashoka voiced her clinched a wild card berth with their here, but it still is good. win against the Packers. The NBA season started around christmas. Story: 11/10 Tons of twists and turns, suspense, and action. The story is really well written and thought out
Characters: 10/10 Obviously it’s 10 out of 10 because we now know Baby Yoda’s name Z: In your opinion, what would Rush’s
best album be? Costumes / CGI: 12/10
Grogu felt more life like and less of a Mr. C : I think I’d have to go with puppet this season, which is fantastic. “Moving Pictures” if only because it has
The Los Angeles Clippers are leading my favorite Rush song, “Tom Sawyer” Cinematography: 10.5/10 the Western Conference and the on it. I love watching the light saber fights, Philadelphia 76ers are leading the East. they were awesome, and well thought Some current injuries that have Z : Did Rush get a grammy nominee for out. happened are, Klay Thompson who is their song YYZ and what was the song Overall:10.8/10 out for the season, Lebron James who named after? Stop reading and watch Season 2! is questionable, and Kevin Durant who
is out for 7 days because he contracted Mr. C : From my quick google search, it This is the way. COVID. was nominated for a grammy but lost -Jonathyn to the band, The Police. “YYZ” is the That’s all the sports news for today, airport code for the Toronto airport Full Court Press stay tuned for more updates. (which is where they’re from). Sports News by Tyler Santana Gamers Anonymous SporeReview
Rated E for everyone. In this game you start off as a Cell and your goal is to evolve through every stage and dominate the planet while you eliminate other creatures. The Genre of Spore is Casual, Adventure and Open world. Spore can only be played on a PC. This is the kind of game that you can choose how to create your creature and you can choose to stay in a specific evolution stage if you want. If you like cartoonish open world
games this would be for you. I Z : What do you like the most about personally love this game and enjoy it Currently in sports the NFL playoffs Rush? very much. are happening and there are 14 teams total that have made it, 7 out of each Mr. C : That’s a tough question, but, I’d conference. The teams that have made have to go with Neil Peart’s impeccable it form the AFC are, the Chiefs 14-2 playing. His ability to play some real who have a first round bye and home “in your face” drums without it feeling field advantage, the Buffalo Bills who too overbearing is a skill that not many are 13-3 who won the AFC East, the people/instrumentalists have! Pittsburgh Steelers 12-4 who won the AFC North, The Cleveland Browns 11-5 have also clinched a playoff berth. The Tennessee Titans 11-5 clinched the division title for the AFC South. The Baltimore Ravens 11-5 clinched a wild card spot. The teams in the NFC that made the playoffs are, the Green Bay Packers 13-3 who were first in their division, the New Orleans Saints who came out of the NFC South, the Seattle Seahawks who came out first in the NFC West, The Washington Football
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