January & February, 2021

News from the Health Center Coloring Contest Winners By Nurse Henderson By Amber Currier & Ms. Michalski

Not every cough, sneeze, or sniffle is a Covid-19 infection. I Thank you to everyone who participated in our coloring hope that the following excerpt from a January 7, 2021 article contest last month. All the entries were amazing! It was published by the Mayo Clinic will contribute to your knowledge very hard to choose the winners. In the end, Clinton York of how a common cold differs from a Covid-19 infection. Be and Stefanie Policki tied as our student winners! Our staff well. Mrs. Henderson winner, Mr. Schindel, drew his own picture and then colored it! Please be on the lookout for our next coloring What’s the difference between COVID-19 and the common contest! cold? Both COVID-19 and the common cold are caused by viruses. COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2, while the common cold (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases- conditions/common-cold/symptoms- causes/syc-20351605) is most often caused by rhinoviruses. These viruses spread in similar ways and cause many of the same signs and symptoms. However, there are a few differences.

Symptom or sign COVID-19: Cold: Cough Usually Usually Muscle aches Usually Sometimes Tiredness Usually Sometimes Sneezing Rarely Sometimes Sore throat Usually Usually Runny or stuffy nose Usually Usually Fever Usually Sometimes Diarrhea Often Never Snow Globe, by Stefanie Policki Nausea or vomiting Sometimes Never

Toy Soldier, by Clinton York While COVID-19 symptoms generally appear two to 14 days after exposure to SARS-CoV-2, symptoms of a common cold usually appear one to three days after exposure to a cold-causing virus.

There's no cure for the common cold. Treatment may include pain relievers and over-the-counter cold remedies, such as decongestants. Unlike COVID-19, a cold is usually harmless. Most people recover from a common cold in three to 10 days, although some colds may last as long as two or three weeks.

Mountain Holiday, by Mr. Schindel COVID-19 virus Cold virus If I had to pick my favorite character, it would have to be a Movie Review: Coco character named Hector, a trickster that the main character Miguel comes across and befriends throughout the movie. He’s my By Spencer Carroll favorite character because he was not only charming and likable, but I liked the motivation that he has. I won’t give it away, but I Coco is an animated family drama, released November 22, 2017, really found it to be sweet and I wanted him to reach that and directed by Lee Unkrich, who previously directed 3. motivation. And when it happened, I was happy. Finally, the It was ’s second animated movie that came out that year (the music is catchy and nice to listen to. My favorite song from the other movie was Cars 3). It stars Anthony Gonzalez, Gael Garcia movie is the Academy Award winner for Best Original Song, Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach, Renee Victor, and Ana “Remember Me”. It’s my favorite because I like the lyrics, melody Ofelia Murguia. and it’s an overall heartwarming tune.

Overall, Coco is a beautiful movie with gorgeous animation, unforgettable characters, a compelling story, and a lot of heart to it. I think right next to Inside Out, it’s one of Pixar’s best movies they’ve made in the past few years. I do wish I didn’t take this long to watch it because it’s such a heartwarming and sweet movie. If you haven’t seen it yet, I definitely recommend you give it a watch, you will regret not seeing it sooner.

If I Had a Magic Dog In Coco, the story focuses on a boy named Miguel (voiced by By Josephine Cestola Anthony Gonzalez), who lives in a village in Mexico and dreams of being a guitarist. But the downside is that his family doesn’t allow music and wants him to go into the family business as a shoemaker. Despite this, he still has dreams of being a guitarist and is inspired by a musician named Ernesto de la Cruz (voiced by Benjamin Bratt), who he believes to be his great-great-grandfather. After a blowout with his family, Miguel runs to Ernesto’s mausoleum to retrieve his guitar for a music show and once he strums it, he becomes invisible and enters the Land of the Dead. But it seems that if Miguel doesn’t return before sunrise, he will become one with the dead. Will he get back home in time or will he be stuck in the Land of the Dead? If you had a magic dog what powers would it have? If I had a To be honest, I hadn’t seen this movie until I checked it out back magic dog, the powers it would have would be to change into any in November. And I regret not seeing it sooner because Coco is a breed or any age that I wanted. At first, the dog would change into really good movie. As you would expect from Pixar, the animation any dog breed or any age it wants, but after a while, I would train is fantastic. It’s such a beautiful and colorful movie to look at. it to become what breed and age I want it to be, probably a teacup Once again, Pixar doesn’t disappoint when it comes to the dog. One of the breeds I would make it into is a puppy boxer, a animation. But it’s not just the animation that makes the movie golden retriever, or a Labrador. There are times when it would be really good; the story, the characters, and the music all make it nice to have an older dog to cuddle with because older dogs are work. The story is really strong and emotional. The funny thing mellow. Another reason I want it to change is that when I want to about it is despite there being a lot going on in the story, I was still go for a hike or play, I could have a more energetic puppy. Another able to follow it. Most movies have a difficult time trying to have power I would want my magic dog to have is to be immortal. I so much going on in the story that it makes it too much to follow, would want it to live forever because it would be sad to lose it. The but the movie succeeded in doing that, making it easy to follow for dog could be passed down from generation to generation in my both kids and adults. It also has a good heart to it, which can family. If one of the generations did not have a kid to pass the dog make the movie sweet and heartwarming. So much so, that I on to it would go to a cousin. In my opinion, this would be the best ended up tearing up at one point near the end. The characters are dog in the world because of its magic powers. also good. Like many Pixar characters, they’re likable, memorable, and entertaining. Student Creations! Video Game Review: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe By Charlie Rizas

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe? Well, I will tell you what you need to know about it.

This deluxe version has over 40 characters and 48 tracks. It introduces us to new characters like Inkling Boy and Inkling Girl. Guess what the coolest thing is you can now hold two items at once to attack other players or to protect yourself from other opponents. Some of the items have returned from previous Mario Kart games like the boo “About Time,” by Reid Stockwell feature, which turns you invisible. You can customize your Kart; the more you race the more vehicles you unlock to use. If you’re a new player to the game, you can turn on a new feature that can help you from falling off the track.

In addition to racing, you can also battle. For example, you can battle at Battle Stadium where you are trying to hit other characters and get the most points. If you hit someone you get a point, but if someone hits you, they get a point. In one of the battle games if you lose all your balloons you lose half your points. In other games you know who has the most points because they will have a crown above them. Another battlefield you have to collect the most coins. In each of these different battlefields you are trying to get something different.

You can also connect to the internet to race against people from all around the world. You can create your own tournament by making the rules, how many rounds there will be, and who you’ll play against. You can create a Me character that looks like yourself.

I think you should try playing this game because it is super fun. I think you will enjoy it just as much as I do. Clockwise, from top left, Maria D., Jeremy P., Lucia G., and Oliver C. all enjoyed the chance to get creative last month!

Career Counseling Corner By Ms. Rogers

Preparing for college is process. It includes learning how to be an independent learner, how to advocate for yourself, and how to improve your academic skills continuously. Students with disabilities going to college should understand that they will be expected to perform – and will be assessed – in the same manner as their peers. There are other considerations, among them are:

• What sorts of reasonable accommodations are available? • How do I request reasonable accommodations? • What sort of documentation do I need to receive accommodations? • Why doesn’t my IEP or 504 plan follow me to college? • What steps can I take now to be college ready? • What is the level of parents’ involvement in college?

Westfield State University’s Banacos Academic Center is hosting hour-long Zoom sessions to address these very questions for high school students and their parents or guardians. Disability/Accessibility Services staff from the other Massachusetts Universities and a Westfield State Admissions representative will be present. Please use this form to sign up for a session. Sessions are capped at 50 sign ups.

The sessions will occur at the following times: Thursday, Jan. 14 at noon Thursday, Jan. 21 at noon and 4:00 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15 at 4:00 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25 at noon Tuesday, Jan. 19 at noon and 4:00 p.m. Wednesday Jan 27 at 4:00 p.m.

Please use the form found at https://secure.blueoctane.net/forms/6SCHNXYC2D8H to sign up for a session. For more information, please contact Sarah Lazare ([email protected]), director, Banacos Academic Center at Westfield State University.

Reminder: All men between ages 17 ½ and 25 must register with the Selective Service. For more information, go to SSS.gov