Stratford Schools Jan/Feb 2017 School Scoop

From the Editor’s Corner….

As we all muddle through the frigid, sometimes cloudy days of winter, it is hard to touch base with our inner selves searching for the warm and fuzzy feelings that we all possess. The New Year is a time to reflect on our commitment to ourselves, others and those with whom we come in contact throughout each and every day. Love, kindness and commitment are three concepts that most people choose NOT to discuss with others. That plagues me as I can appreciate how important they are as we go about the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. Perhaps the words of singer & song- writer, Dionne Warwick and Burt Bacharach, sum it up best. “What the world needs now is love sweet love.” Take some precious time in your life to let those you love know how important and valued they are. Need I say more?

Stay warm… Share a cup of hot cocoa with the one you love.

-Sandy Fusco

Samuel S. Yellin School 2nd Marking Period 2017

Superintendent’s List CONNEARNEY, ASHLEY THOMAS, STEVEN WRIGHT, MATTHEW CORDON, RENEE-MARIE WARRINGTON, CONNOR GRADE 7 GRADE 4 DANIELS, EMILY WASHINGTON, AIDEN ADDEO, JOSEPH ABRAMS, PRIYA ENSIGN, CAITLYN GRADE 5 BECKER, ALEXIA BUDDEN, SAMANTHA FEENEY, PAYTON AGUILAR, GENESIS BELL, RAINIE CAJIMAT, LEYNARD FILIPKOWSKI, JULIA CLARK, JACOB CALTZALCO, ALAN CARMARDO, JASON GIBSON, SAMANTHA CURTISS, ANDREW CARMODY, NATHAN CAVANAUGH, KERRI JANNATUL, SAMIA DAWSON, DAVID CESARANO, VIVIAN HAYLES, PARIS KELLY, STEPHANIE DiBARTOLOMEO, MARC DeANGELO, ISABELLA KAY, IRELAND MERCADO, KAIYLAH EDDIS, TIMOTHY GRANT, ASHLEY McVEIGH, VAUAGHN MILLER, MAKAYLA FULLER, SAMANTHA HATFIELD, ALEXIS ORTIZ-TORRECILLA, ANTHONY NOLAN, LEAH LASH, HOPE HERNANDEZ, ANGELINA ROMANOWSKI, PAIGE ORTIZ-TORRECILLA, KATHLEEN LEWIS, PAIGE KNIGHT, JOSHUA SIMPSON, ELYSE PATIDAR, KRISHNA MANGOLD, KATIE KROMAH, ALICIA TULLY, MICHAEL PIGARO, SANTINO MARTIN, VICTORIA LEWIS, EMILY WILSEY, AMBER PLEIS, ANGELINA MARTIN, TAYLOR MATARAZZO, WILLIAM YOUNG, LEILA RITCHIE, ALYSSA MORGANDALE, GRACE MENNIG, SARAH SIMS, KAILEY NATALE, JOSEPH MILLER, CATHERINE GRADE 5 WAER, AMANDA NICHOLAS, BENJAMIN MILUTINOVIC, MICHELE BAKER, JORDAN RAMIREZ, AALIYAH MUDREY, ALEXANDRA BALOG, LILY Principal’s List REHMAN, BRANDON NONG, ANTHONY CHESTNUT, CHLOE CONWAY, LAUREL GRADE 4 REVAITIS, MACKENZIE NOVOA, BRITNEY

CORONEL, ERIC PAUL REYES, MAYNOR NULUD, DAVID BEASLEY, JOHN DiGIACOMO, MICHAEL SIMS, MORGAN OSSORIO, MICHAEL BRACH, STEPHEN DiGIACOMO, SOPHIA SNIVELY, DOMINIC PELCAK, RAYNA BURCH, LEIGHANN HEALEY, BRIAN STAHL, ALYSSA PINE, TYLER CARROLL, PATRICK HILGER, ISABELLE TAYLOR, NATHANIEL SAFFOLD-RANDOLPH, EZEARIA CIANO, JACK JIANG, NICOLE TINDLEY, AROIN SWALLOW, OLIVIA COLLINS, DEAN MARINUCCI, JULIA VERA, JULIAN TAYLOR, SARAYAH COPESTICK, ELENA MUDREY, ANTHONY YAGMURKAYA, ENSAR TISERA, ROSE ELBAZ, YASSER OSCIAK, GABRIELLE WEST, DYLAN GRADE 6 ENSIGN, KELSEY YOUNG, DONOVAN SMITH, ANIYAH AGUINALDO, DYRA LYN FULTON, CONNOR SZAFRANSKI, DEVON HERNANDEZ, BELLA BROWN, ALYSSA GRADE 8 TOMKINSON, MICHAEL HERRERA, MADISON CAMARDO, JAKE AKHMEDOV, ISLAM VILAUBI, ISABELLA HICKMAN, MADDISON CARNEY, RYAN BERRIOS, KHYLA WHITE, PAIGE HOFFMAN, JOSHUA CARUSO, VERA BOCAJ, GABE

HOLLOWAY, DAVID COIGNE, BRADLEY BRACH, CHARLIE GRADE 6 HUTCHINSON, ANIYAH COLLINS, DAMON BROWN, ALEX MILLER, GRACE HYCZKA, JEREMY COREA, DAVID BROWN, CHRISTIAN STRADER, MARISSA KUHN, ANGELINA GREEN, ELAHNI CHESTNUT, COLLIN TULLY, CATHERINE LeMASNEY, ERIN HUGHES, QUINN ERDMAN, GEORGIA BLANCHARD, BRIANNA LIN, ERICA MACK, NICHOLAS FLETCHER, JOSHUA

LOPEZ, DAMARIES MAENNER, KASSIDY HOBBS, AYANNA GRADE 7 McFALLS, MATTHEW McCORMICK, BRENNA McCORMICK, ALLIE CARROLL, ERIN MILLER, EVAN McVEIGH, KATE MENTO, VANESSA GRECO, MIKAYLA MOYERS, MEGAN PAGLIONE, ALINA ROMANO, JOSEPH GREEN, PATRICK MUADDI, JOSEPH PAPA, GIANNA SCHMIDT, ERIC HARBERT, ASHLEY MURPHY, LOGAN RALSTON, MARGARET SHEILDS, JAKE JANNATUL, SHAHELA OHLINGER, AUTUMN RAROHA, CHLOE SHINKOWITZ, CAAMERON NGUYEN, LEYNA PALESE, ISABELLA RICE, CHARLES SIERK, VICTORIA NGUYEN, EMILY PERTSCHI, KAYLA RODRIGUEZ, JUSTIN TROILO, STEVEN REDFEARN, SYDNEY RICHWAY, MICHAEL ROSSANO, MICHAEL ANNE VITALE, JAKE SHEEHAN, KAILEY ROMANO, RYAN SAGGIO, LOGAN WALSH, GARRETT WILSEY, TORI ROSSANO, QUENTIN SHEEHAN, BRADEN WARRINGTON, NATALIE GRADE 8 SAGGIO, SOPHIA SNIVELY, MADISON BALDINO, CASSANDRA STEVENSON, ELIZABETH THATCHER , ANTHONY Honor roll continued page 3….

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Yellin Parkview Yellin Parkview Grade 4 Kindergarten Grade 4 Kindergarten Bryan Hernandez Rose Balog Brianna White Emelyn Copestick Kelsey Ensign Carter Hall Joseph Thatcher Jacob Houliaras

Grade 5 Grade 1 Grade 5 Grade 1 Ensar Yagmurkaya Margot Grace Brian Healey Evelyn Greco Isabella Vilaubi Chris Ward Morgan Sims Dominic Langello

Grade 6 Grade 2 Grade 6 Grade 2 Elahni Green Allison Brown Marissa Strader Lucas Baez David Corea Colin Rupp Matthew Wright Samantha Cullinan

Grade 7 Grade 3 Grade 7 Grade 3 Aiden Gray Madison Sims Christopher Simpson Brianna Langello Vivian Cesarano Matthew Natale Alexia Becker Austin Ackley

Grade 8 Grade 8 Mason McFalls Kailey Sims Cassie Baldino Eric Schmidt

Honor Roll GRADE 7 BAUGHER, RACHEL GRADE 4 BOCAJ, JULIA CALTZALCO, NICHOLAS CAPOZZOLI, NICHOLAS CHESTNUT, CARA COSTELLO, KATHERINE DUCKETT, KHALIAH DAVID, MICHAEL FRAND, VINCENT GIORDANO, JULIANNA KOZENIEWSKI, CASEY HAZELEY, ALICIA MARYASZ, VINCENZO JAUME, MATTHEW MOODY, ANASTASIA MADRID-FLORES, IRIDIAN NELSON, JONATHAN MILUTINOVIC, MELODY REID, RYAN REARDON, CASEY REID, RYLIE REVAITIS, GABRIELLE SIMMONS, PAUL SCHWARATZ, SARA STRADER, MATTHEW SOWDEN, MADISON ZINGARO, JAMES GRADE 5 CANLAS, JAYWELLE GRADE 8 GALLAGHER, KEVIN ALBRIGHT, MORGAN HOULIARAS, NICHOLAS BARRIOS, SAMARAH MARTIN, KAITLYN CAMPBELL, CHRISTOPHER SCHWARTZ, BRIANA CANLAS, RYNELLE WILSON, JADEN DIZZLEY, JAYDA GRASSI, ANDREW 2016-2017 GRADE 6 KERN, HENRY AVALOS-ANALCO, ARIEL KOZENIEWSKI, SEAN CARLIN, BRAD McBRIDE, ETHAN CAVANAUGH, SHAWN McFALLS, MASON HUGHES, SANISLO-THOMAS, SARAH IGLESIAS-DeLosSANTOS, JANICE SPITZNAS, SAVANNAH LUCIER, HALEY

REVAITIS, ETHAN

VERA, WILLIAM

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Parkview held its annual “Souper Bowl” luncheon in conjunction with the NFL Super Bowl to kick-off Math-A- Thon, a fundraising event for the children of St. Jude. This year, Parkview held their Math-A-Thon “Souper Bowl” on Tuesday, February 7th. Much like the epic, unbelievable and astounding Super Bowl 51, Parkview’s “Souper Bowl” 2017 featured both returning champions (Mrs. Taylor’s Seafood Chowder, Mrs. J. Stewart’s Chicken Chili, Mr. Edelmayer’s Sausage and Potato Soup) as well as newcomers (Ms. Ro- driguez’s LaEsperanza’s Sopa de Pollo, Mrs. Alexander’s Chicken Orzo Soup and Mrs. Long's Pasta Fagioli). Much like Tom Brady leading the Patriots to their historic come- back win, Parkview teachers came back for many delicious desserts as well. By making a donation of $6 per person to sample the many soups and desserts, our Parkview family was able to make a heartfelt and meaningful donation to the Righter family to help with their expenses. Get ready for Math -A-Thon, which is scheduled to kick off on Monday, March 13th. It is sure to be another epic event!

-Special thanks to Mrs. Brown and all Parkview Staff for participating

After a fun filled holiday season, our beautiful, festive holiday cards often find themselves trashed or recy- cled. This year, the Mini Bridge Club at Yellin collected old Christmas cards to be donated to St. Jude’s Ranch for Children in Nevada. St. Jude’s Ranch for Children is an organization that helps abused and at-risk children get through tough times.

The Mini Bridge Club, led by Yellin’s Mrs. Boyle and Parkview’s Mrs. Alexander, headed up this Christmas card collection. During the months of January and February, they collected old Christmas cards from student and staff at both Yellin and Parkview Schools. Once the Mini Bridge Club had all of the cards, they cut off the fronts and mailed them to St. Jude’s. St. Jude’s will reuse the cards and turn them into new holiday cards to sell and raise money for the ranch.

We are happy to report that our two schools collected close to 200 Christmas cards to donate to St. Jude’s! Next holiday season, keep this wonderful opportunity to donate your old Christmas cards in mind instead of putting them in the recycle can!

-By Jeremey Clark, Brianna Gilligan, Katelyn Stevenson 4 Night of the Arts

Night of The Arts 2017 Warhol’s World

Once again, under the leadership of Mrs. Mary McTague, the Stratford School District hosted the fifth annual Night of The Arts. This year’s featured artist was Andy Warhol. Teachers and their students delved into the creative past of the 1960’s artist, Andy Warhol. Fourth and eighth graders researched his personal and professional life, the tumultuous time period, and many other Mrs. Taylor’s Digital Class Project intriguing aspects surrounding this amazing artist’s creations.

This year’s display included an increased number of digital projects, demonstrating the talent and ingenuity of our students. The well-known Camp- bell Soup can that Warhol is known for was metic- ulously replicated by Mrs. McTague’s classes. As in previous years, a packed house attended this classy event; parents, friends and guests departed very proudly as they were in awe of the hard work put forth by our students. A huge shout-out is extended to Mrs. McTague for the planning and coordination of this fun-filled evening!

Green Team Robot By Mrs. Barbara Carlson and the Green Team

5 2017 Pep Rally

In retrospect, our Yellin athletes had another phenomenal season! In fact, this year’s winter pep-rally hosted our Yellin School sports’ ath- letes, those from Sterling High School ’s Eighth Grade Sports Program, as well as athletes from our “town” teams, the SAO, Stratford Athletic Organi- zation. In typical fine Yellin Style, cheering and skill-oriented activities helped to get as many students and teachers energized and involved as possible. A memorable sight was watching Yellin School’s Principal, Mr. David Ricci and teacher, Mr. Michael Lucchesi, show off their fancy foot- work as they adeptly attempted foul shots. As the buzzard sounded, a tie was called as both Mr. Ricci and Mr. Lucchesi scored three points.

All in all, this annual event commenced a fun-filled week of excit- ing games and memories for all. We wish all our teams the best of luck as they conclude this 2016-17 season. Cherish the moments!

Cheering for Charity

Sunday February 19th, the Yellin Squire Cheerlead- ers competed at the University of Delaware in a Cheer for Charity competition. Our group of talented girls performed well and received numerous recog- nitions!

Our squad placed 2nd in the Junior division which had three teams. Also, Breanna Loper, Alina Paglio- ne and Amanda Waer participated in tumble stars and each received a participation award. Alina Pa- glione also received first place out of ten girls in the 10, 11, 12 year old division and Amanda Waer received second place out of four girls in the 13, 14, 15 year old division. Congrats to everyone for their hard work all season and at competition!

Special thanks to Ms. Jamison

The Super Dance: A Sports Themed Dance

On January 28th, Renaissance sponsored the Super Dance for 7th and 8th graders at the YMCA. Attendees stated that it was fun and enjoyable with many activities available such as swimming, dodgeball, baseball, basketball, and more! Like at most dances, there was candy and chips for sale, but they also had pizza to buy as a super treat.

This, along with many other fundraisers, enables the students at Yellin to participate in a plethora of fun activities throughout the school year. That is why it is always a fabulous idea to attend as many school functions as possible; supporting our school helps our community in numerous ways.

By Raine Bell

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Lady Squires Finished Strong

The Lady Basketball Squires had a phenomenal season this year! Captains Kailey Sims and Grace Michielli led their team to playoffs with extreme confidence, making their school, family and friends immensely proud.

Although the girls did not make it to cham- pionships, they consistently worked their hardest and adeptly proved their skills to other schools. In fact, at the Winter Sports pep rally, the girls per- formed a full court weave leaving the student body awestruck by their talent. Perhaps their most admi- rable quality was their daily sense of “team playing” during every practice as well as game. As we close this incredible season, we wish the very best of luck to the Lady Squires Basketball Team and the departing players.

Thanks for the memories!

Outstanding Season for the Squires

The boys’ basketball team has done an outstanding job this season. The team earned 23-0 during the regular season and proceeded to the playoffs. They have blown out many other teams by almost 50 points. On the evening of February 28th, the Squires faced off against Somerdale for what would be their last playoff game and secured the win! Our boys won the playoffs with a final score of 62-47 and won the championship! It was an unforget- table evening which culminated all of their hard work and dedication this season. We look forward to what success we will have next season, but until then, rest up and be proud of the ultimate win.

Go Squires! Thanks for making us proud!

By Eric Schmidt

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Community Counts: A study of Historical Stratford

Last month, Ms. Law’s third grade class studied historical Stratford. Students in Ms. Law’s class worked in teams to research, write a short speech, draw an illustration and create a 3D model of each historic landmark they studied. For example, Alyssa Papa and Emily Wright researched the Charles King’s house, while Noah Weitzel and Alexis Kuhn presented our early transportation system which includes the old yellow trolley line. Students researched and presented other historic landmarks of our town such as Haggerty Field, the fire sta- tion, the police department, library, Miss Stratford Pageant, the postal department and Tomlinson Manson. We worked together to design a large 3D model of Stratford. After we completed our project, we were in for a sweet surprise.

On February 6th, we were so lucky to have a special guest: Stratford’s very own Mayor Keenan, visit our class and view our presentations! He shared with us a bit about Stratford back then compared to what it is like now. Mayor Keenan spoke to us about his responsibilities as our town mayor. He encouraged us to be good citizens by doing things like not polluting and always paying your taxes. He also encouraged us to become involved and volunteer in our com- munity when we get older.

The special visit from Mayor Keenan was a great way to wrap up our unit of study on the local government, communities working together, and the history of Stratford. We learned a great deal about our home community and now have a new view and sense of pride as we drive through our very own town of Stratford, New Jersey. By Alexis Kuhn and Emily Wright

The Diary of Anne Frank: A Poignant Example of Hope

For the fifth consecutive year, Samuel S. Yellin School’s eighth grade students were afforded the opportunity to be a part of the student audience during the Camden County College performance of The Diary of Anne Frank. Adapted by Wendy Kesselman, this phenomenal production meticulously elaborated on the life of Anne Frank, a young adolescent who lived in hiding with family and acquaintances during the Holocaust. As a result of leaving her diary behind, Anne’s heartwarming story of hope and perseverance aptly describes the daily raw events of the last years of her brief but rich young life.

Unlike previous years, The Mainstage Center at Camden County College also hosted a Holocaust survivor who personally shared his amazing story of persistence and hopefulness.

In his closing words, Charles, the eighty-five year old speaker, emphasized how HATE is the culprit as it relates to the Holocaust and crimes of today. Students were asked to ponder their behaviors and how their impact is much significant than even they can imagine.

8 Drama News Yellin’s Spring Musical

Mulan, the 1998 American musical action-drama, was produced by the one and only, Walt Disney. Based on the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan, this animated production features Eddie Murphy as Ming-Na and Jackie Chan as the voice necessary for the Chinese dubbing. The film’s plot takes place during Han Dynasty where Fa Mulan impersonates a man in order to take her father’s place while serving in the military. As in previous years, Mrs. Mary McTague is the director while Mrs. Loretta Kozieja is the vocal coach, and Mrs. Tracy Taylor is our tech guru while guiding the sound department. In addition to the integral staff, there are also a sharp group of talented students who are heavily involved in the set design and coordination nec- essary in the planning of this popular production. Please support this year’s cast and crew as the TWO shows are scheduled for May 4 and 5. Each show begins at 7:30, and tickets are $5.00 for students and seniors and $7.00 dollars for adults.

We hope to see you there!

Assistant Director, Mrs. Actress Krishna Patidar before Loretta Kozieja practice

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The Luckiest Girl By: Beverly Clearly -Recommended by Mrs. Tomar for 4th-6th graders Be sure to check out your

After a disagreement with her mother, Shelley is local library over winter given permission to spend the next school year with her mother’s friend in California. Shelley break for many more fits in immediately and even catches the atten- tion of two of the most popular boys in school. favorites! As it turns out, Shelley was invited to California to be a role model for her mother’s friend’s daughter, Katie. Can Shelley manage to date, do well in school, and help guide Katie through her adolescent rough patch? What will happen when she goes back home at the end of the year? Also, how did people even date before cell phones existed? By Your Side By: Kasie West

-Recommended by Mrs. Tomar for 7th-8th graders

Autumn is popular, nice, and about five minutes away from going out with her long-time crush. Autumn is also keeping a big secret from nearly everyone she knows. When she accidental- ly gets locked in a public library with the mysteri- ous guy from school, can she continue to protect her secret? Can she, and her social status, sur- vive three whole days with someone she may actually like more than her crush? Though you Stratford Library may guess the ending of this book, the twists and turns that get you there are what make By Your 303 Union Ave. Side such a delightful read! Stratford, N.J., 08084

Frog and Toad are Friends by: Arnold Lobel 856-783-0602 -Recommended by Mrs. Boyle stratfordlibrarynj.org

This is a favorite series with our Parkview students. It is about two friends, Frog and Toad, who go on many adven- tures together. Whether they are swimming, eating ice Camden County Library M Allan Vogelson Branch cream, or just having fun, they are al- ways there to help each other. Frog and 203 Laurel Rd. Toad are loveable characters who are Voorhees, NJ, 08043 sure to make you laugh!

856-772-1636

camdencountylibrary.org

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Creative corner is a space for students to express their creativity through art and writing. Students can submit work to Mrs. Fusco at Yellin and Mrs. Richards to Parkview for con- sideration to be published in the next issue of School Scoop!

Congrats Congratsto the “Writers to the of“Writers the Month” of the from Month” Yellin from School. Yellin Islam School. Akhmedov is

Khyla Berrios of 8th graderecognized was selected for as her January's literary “Writeranalysis. of the Month” for her open ended writing selection. Islam Akhmedov of 8th grade is recognized as February’s “Writer of the Month” for her literary analysis piece.

Literary Analysis The Missing Part By Islam Akhmedov By Khyla Berrios

When my enrichment teacher gave my class the assignment to write Throughout the year, we have ana- about something that inspires us, the first thing I thought of was lyzed many articles, songs , and novels. One Anime. Watching Anime and reading Manga is one of my favorite of my favorite books was S.E. Hinton’s The things to do. They’re different things but the same. I know, it sounds Outsiders.This novel is filled with many weird right? By definition, Mangas are Japanese comic books, and they intriguing themes. have a wide range of genres, and Anime is the animated version of Mangas. Also Anime doesn’t have to be based off of a Manga, it can just be another great animation; Anime is Japanese but can be I think one of the most prevalent “dubbed”, or re-voiced over into English for viewers who prefer not to themes of the novel is searching for one's read the subtitles. identity. Many of the characters are bom- The first time I watched anime was roughly around third or fourth barded with countless life experiences forc- grade, I believe. My sister’s friend, who was also our neighbor, used to ing them to think on their feet ; they, as a come over a lot. One time we had Netflix on our TV and our neighbor, result, form a stronger , mature “self” as whose name is Frankie, introduced me to this show named “Fairy Tail”. they enter their adulthood. The show is an Anime created from the original Manga, which is ongo- ing to this day, and when we watched the first episode together, I real- When Ponyboy and Johnny ran away ized what I’ve been missing in my life. After “Fairy Tail”, it went on from to the park and the drunken Socs pulled up there; I was watching Anime all day long. There was no stopping my “all to them, they chased them to the water foun- -nighters” to finish a season of my new favorite show; my grades in tain and started to drown Ponyboy. Johnny school didn’t suffer, even though I was watching anime all week, but I had to stand up to defend Pony because they did get in trouble for not going to bed on time. were like brothers, so he stabbed Bob, the To continue, I started to read Manga about three or four handsome Soc. “ I killed him,” Johnny said years ago and, just like anime, it has a lot of genres. Manga is usually slowly, ‘‘ I killed that boy.’’ Johnny who is in black and white but can also come in color, and each Manga has a different art style. The authors, or Manga artists as they are called, known as the gang's pet and wouldn't hurt a have a different way or style of drawing. After I had read Manga for living thing, had just killed somebody. This some time, I became interested in how to draw manga characters and was shocking because it revealed Johnny’s anime characters. It wasn’t easy in the beginning; drawing Manga and identity that he could be the gang’s pet; characters requires patience as well as skill; and I still haven’t been however, when he had to stand up for his able to draw well. Thus far, I’ve only learned how to draw the face, gang he would go ballistic, and ‘‘take care head, hair, and eyes, but I haven’t perfected it so I still have a hard time drawing the eyes and hair. Drawing Manga style or Anime style is of business.’’ This behavior reveals a something I really enjoy, and my next step is to draw a full body. Print- stronger more “together” Johnny. ing drawing templates is something that will help me start and guide me. Continued on page 10... Continued on page 10….

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...The Missing Part continued Watashi no namae wa Khyla desu All in all, I hope to be a really good drawer by next year, but I’m only going to keep practicing because I know I can become even better. Drawing just a face used to take me an わたしのなまえわKhylaです hour or more; now it’s a solid thirty minutes. I’m a perfectionist so on most nights when I’m drawing, I usually don’t end up going to bed until one in the morning. Once I finish drawing, I’ll My name is Khyla. usually just take a picture of it and then put my stuff away, but I just started coloring my draw- ings, so I’m working on that too. Pinterest, a social media option, is where I also find a lot of inspiration for drawing, and then I get an idea and start drawing for hours, erasing over and over until I like what I have drawn. Since I’ve been drawing, I have also picked up on other forms of art, such as oil painting and acrylic painting. My mom has been very supportive of my drawing and painting; last year she gave me a bunch of acrylic paint brushes and an oil painting kit. The kit included a brush set, oil paint, a texture palette, pencil and an eraser, and paint palette. I also have about five sketchbooks, and I have used each one for something different. Since I always end up where I started, watching Anime, my inspiration never runs out. All of my hobbies are connected to Japan, so I have even started studying the language, as I have “picked up” on certain phrases and words, for example , how to say “Hello”, “Sorry”, and “Thank you.” Japanese is considered one of the hardest languages to learn, but I’ve been learning it for about three years now and personally, it’s really easy. I do regret that I took a really long break from the language, when I first started, and only remembered a few things that were in my long-term memory, but I’m back on my feet and enjoying it. Learning Japanese wasn’t done all by myself; I actually use a free app called “Memrise” that offers hundreds of language courses and helps you learn things progressively. The app uses stages such as “Learn new words”, “Classic Review”, “Speed Review”, and even though the app is free, there are stages you can use if you buy a subscrip- tion for the Pro option of learning. Currently, I am doing a bit of free writing; this is something I want to get better at because my dream is to study ELA in college so that I can teach English in Japan at primary schools, high schools, and possibly colleges. This is my dream because I’ve always wanted to go to Japan and since I love writing and language arts, I figured that I could make a job out of the two; and I’m working towards it. Ever since I realized this career goal , I’ve been learning Japanese more seriously; I also have a notebook, that my mom bought me in which I write all the words and phrases that I’ve learned from Anime and Memrise. Watching Japanese shows, not just Anime but dramas, also helps with learning Japanese because you can see how people usually interact with each other and when they use certain words or gestures in specific situations. One thing I’ve noticed while learning Japanese and watching these shows is that they really relate to different places. For example, first it was Anime and Japanese dramas, and now it’s K-dramas, which are Kore- Sketch of Anime character: Kodomi-san an dramas. To add to the above, the next Olympics, in 2020, are going to be held in Tokyo, by By Khyla Berrios Japan and I’m excited because my grandmother told me that there is a chance that we can go to Japan and see the Olympics! It’s not set in stone but if things work out well I’ll be able to go with my grandma and go on an airplane for the first time. This is a great opportunity to maybe use some of the Japanese I have learned and to see more of Japan before I go there to, hope- fully, work my dream job! Now, I really don’t want to because I can talk for hours about Japan, but to wrap わたしのきじをよんでいただき up, I overall really think that after the years I’ve been working and studying the language, I’m ありがとうございます。 more into it than I thought I would be when I started. I’m very surprised at how far I’ve come, and I am only going to go further, no matter what! (Please check out some of the Japanese I Thank you for reading my article. have learned.)

….Literary Analysis continued

Another example of the identity issue is when Darry is standing at the hospital looking at Ponyboy after he was taken by ambulance. Darry was crying after seeing his brother hurt like this. He hadn't even cried when his parents died at the auto-wreck. This means that even though he is tough and strong, he loves and cares for his brothers. “I hadn’t seen him cry in years, not even when Mom and Dad had been killed.” “Suddenly I realized, horrified, that Darry was crying.” This reveals Darry’s true identity because even though he is tough on the out- side, he is soft like a marshmallow on the inside. All in all, as in any piece of literature, the reader can delve for and find many themes. Since Hinton’s novel was written for young teens, this idea of seeking one’s identity was relatable and interesting , enabling most typical teenagers to walk away with a better understanding of how we journey through the peaks and valleys of our lives, creating a self-identity that we can all appreciate .

12 Stratford School District School Scoop Staff Board of Education

2016-17 Jeff Ziegler……………………………….…….Board President Sue Bove……………………………..….……..Board Vice President Editors: Bruce Thompson Mrs. Fusco Brian Sime Mrs. Richards Steve Troilo Harry Moffett Michael Redfearn Student Staff: Nancy Scully Kathleen Ortiz-Torrecilla Dawn Martin Samia Jannatul Rich St. Maur Eric Schmidt Thomas Attanasi…………………………….Superintendent Julia Filipkowski Denise Di Giandomenico………………….Business Administrator Ranie Bell As we welcome in 2017, we also bid a warm farewell to some former board members and welcome in new. Please note the changes on the Stratford Board of Education. We sincerely thank Mr. D’Angelo and Mrs. Lomanno for their service to our community . Dates to Remember…

March 17 No School for Students….Staff In-Service April 14-21 School Closed….Spring Recess April 25 & 26 Early Dismissal for Students….Conferences May 26 No School for Students….Staff In-Service May 29 School Closed….Memorial Day

Parkview Students Math-A-Thon:

March 13th-April 10th

During the month of March, Sterling High School will be scheduling classes for incoming 9th graders for the 2017/2018 School Year at Yellin! Check your mail.

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