March 16, 2018 Volume 10, Issue 2

Respect

New VMS Teacher Mr. Chapeton Five Questions For STEAMS Ahead With New Class Mrs. Fetzer By Bridget He By Violette Tabio Q: What influenced you to become a teacher? Mrs. Fetzer is one of the newest teachers at Valhalla Middle School. A: When I was in 6th grade, my math teacher had a positive impact on me. He She teaches 8th and 7th grade Science and has a lot to offer! I had the was an understanding teacher who truly cared about his students. I was able to see his passion for math and teaching. If a student needed any help at all, wheth- pleasure of interviewing her. er it be for academics, socially, or emotionally, he was always there to help. My Q: Why did you want to become a teacher? goal was to become this type of teacher. As time went on, I gained a passion to A: I always felt that is was a rewarding job and it felt natural because have a positive impact on students and connect real world applications to what students are learning in class. my dad was teacher, my mom was a teacher, I'm married to a teacher, Q: What was your favorite subject in school? and it just felt right. A: Math Q: What made you want to become a science teacher specifically? Q: Is there anything in particular that drew you to technology/STEAM? A: Well, my dad was a science teacher and it kind of inspired me to A: When I was in middle and high school, I enjoyed my technology classes (that is what it was called then). I have a passion for working with my hands and figuring become one too. things out with little to no guidance. I believe that one of the best ways to learn is Q: How long have you been a teacher? to be given a task and think outside of the box to come up with a solution. My A: 8 years. 4 years in a private school and 4 years in public. passion for math also allows me to show students how math is connected to all of the other subjects in school and how we can apply it to the real world. Q: What is your favorite science topic to teach? Q: Is there anything in particular that you love about teaching at VMS? A: I love genetics because there is always something new being found, A: To sum it up, everything. All of the teachers and administration here are very but I also love environmental science. supportive. I have had nothing but positive experiences since I came here. I have Q: If you were to teach a different subject which would you teach? had a lot of guidance and built a lot of relationships here. The Valhalla community is a true family. A: Probably math, but I’m happy to be a science teacher! Q: Is there a subject that you absolutely cannot wait to teach to your STEAM students? And we too are happy you’re a science teacher here at VMS, Mrs. A: Ironically, that is the topic that we are covering now in 8th Grade STEAM. We Fetzer! Best of luck for a long and successful career with us! are currently covering alternative sources of energy and building/surviving off the grid. We are seeing more solar panels, windmills, and other alternative sources of energy being used to provide power to homes and businesses. However, I don’t They’ll Give You Their “Word”: think it stops there. I believe we need to figure out a way VMS Book Club Promises Literary Fun For Everyone! to make these sources more efficient and widespread, as By Grace Condura and Alessia Monteleone well as, find other alternative sources of energy. This is a How do you feel about Book Club? We love it! Today we are going to topic that is relevant to stu- share with you all the reasons why! dents and something they A book that Book Club has recently read was a graphic novel. The tle of hear and possibly talk about this book is called . This tle matches the graphic novel perfectly. The outside of school. It is a real theme of the story is very “awkward”. The message that is being imparted is to topic and who knows, maybe never judge a book by it’s cover. Dr. Lezia, the club’s advisor, excitedly explained, one of these STEAM stu- dents will come up with the “The next book we are reading is called Goodbye Stranger. We watched a video next alternative source of about it, but it didn’t give us much detail, so you’ll have to read the book to find out energy. what happens.” In response to this, one 6th grader said, “we think that book club is Q: What did you see your- a great club! Keep choosing great books, Dr. Lezia!” self being as a kid? Doesn’t that sound awesome? But what about Book Club itself? Do we A: Just like many other kids, just talk about books? Well, the answer is no! We do lots of cool things! We go to I wanted to be a firefighter. movies, we do scavenger hunts, we even went Geocaching! Of course, we do have to But that was when I was talk about books, that’s the point of the club! We asked a few quesons to Dr. young, probably elementary Lezia about book club, such as, “what is the coolest thing you’ve ever done with school or younger. I kind of this club?” Dr. Lezia replied, “Well actually we have something coming up, we are fulfilled that dream by be- coming a volunteer firefight- planning to install this lile free library that we will fill with books outside by the er, which is something that I benches, so when someone is waing for their parents or the late bus, they can just love doing. However, ever grab a book and read!” I can’t wait to do that! Hopefully it’s a great success! But since I was in 6th grade, I that’s only one of Dr. Lezia’s great ideas! There are many more! knew I wanted to be a teach- So, now you know a lile more about book club! We make great memo- er. I just feel that teaching is ries and have great experiences, and we hope you will join us in the fun! There’s New VMS teacher Mr. Chapeton — Photo by Bridget He my calling in life and fulfills always room for more! my passions. P A G E 2 V ALHALLA MIDDLE SCHOOL CHRONICLE Volume 10, Issue 1 Oprah’s Featured Speech Beloved Classroom Mascot Can Teach Girls To Reach “Bearly” Understood, Until Now By Jaime Pfeifer and Natalie Barbuto By Heidy Coronado There have never be truer words spoken than the words that Bear with Me Bear is the cute stuffed bear came out of Oprah’s mouth the night of the Golden Globes. Like many, in Mr. Erenberg’s room. Bear with Me my family was sitting on our couch in the living room watching the Gold- Bear let me take some of his time to en Globes, with nobody saying a word while Oprah spoke. Everyone in interview him and ask some questions. silence, just nodding our heads at every inspiring word Oprah said. Oprah started off talking about her childhood, watching Sid- Me: Hi, Bear with Me Bear! ney Poitier win the ‘Best Actor’ Oscar award at the Academy Awards. Bear with Me Bear: Hello! She connected it to the many powerful black girls and women who were Me: So when did you come to Mr. Eren- watching her be honored with the DeMille Award. Dressed in black, she berg’s classroom? spoke about the ‘Me too’ and the ‘Time’s up’ movements. She told the Bear with Me Bear: I came in 2008 when story of a woman everyone needs to know about, Racy Taylor. I was given to Mr. Erenberg by a student Even after the thousands of rallies, parades, and marches, who had him in his first year of teaching here at VMS. nothing has changed. Women often blame themselves and don’t want Me: Where is your usual spot in the to go through the trouble of standing on trial and telling the world some- classroom? thing happened to them. Why are women still suffering? Oprah spoke Bear with Me Bear: Well somewhere about this and on behalf of all women, saying “ A new day is on the hori- along the line, Mr. Erenberg started using zon!” This means today is the day to speak up. Women have come me as a paper weight to sit on top of together and supported each other in their experiences encouraging extra looseloose----leafleaf paper. This way, the kids them to report what happened to them. Oprah made it clear that the knew where it was kept, right under my truth goes marching on and we are not alone.” big bear bottom. big bear bottom. Bear With Me Bear vigilantly surveys the classroom Oprah not only spoke about empowering women but she Me: Do you like it there? from his perch on the extra loose-leaf pile. addressed the problem of segregation and how it encouraged her to Bear with me Bear: Sometimes I get a Photo by Heidy Coronado inspire young African-American girls. She says “...there are some little little bored, but from this perspective, I girls watching as I become the first black woman to be given this same get to see the whole class at its best and at its worst. So if I could make a move, I would, award. It is an honor…” Oprah goes on to mention Racey Taylor. In but Mr. Erenberg won’t let me anyway. 1944, this woman was abducted and left blindfolded on the side of the Me: If Mr. Erenberg gets another bear, would you be jealous? road by six armed white Bear with Me Bear: I don’t think jealous is a big enough word for how I’d feel. If that day men on her way home ever comes, I will need a lot of support. Me: If Mr. Erenberg does get another bear would you be nice to the bear? from church. Racy Taylor Bear with Me Bear: I make no promises… was threatened that if she Me: Do you like seeing all the students every day? told anyone she would be Bear with Me Bear: I do! I especially love the students here. And especially the ones who killed. In those days Racy take a liking to me. Taylor stood no chance Me: Thank you very much for your time Bear with Me Bear! against these white men, Bear with Me Bear: You’re quite Welcome! who were considered her superiors. Although Jim It was very...interesting to interview a bear, but it was pretty fun too. Special thanks to Crow laws have thankfully Mr. Erenberg for arranging the meeting for me to interview Bear with Me Bear! been eliminated, Oprah explains that she hopes Racy will finally get justice, starting with this wonderful, VMS Chronicle Staff diverse generation.

Our generation Oprah Winfrey is an inspiration to millions of women and girls. Staff: Photo from biography.com is growing up with expo- Natalie Barbuto Violette Tabio sure to many bad things. We have become so numb to all the terrible things happening around us. It has become “normal” to hear story after Grace Condura Tyler Yeung story on the news. Like most things they can never be completely Heidy Coronado Advisor: stopped, but growing up with movements like “Me too” and beliefs that “Black lives matter” and clubs like Gay Straight Alliance, we are the Bridget He Mr. Erenberg ones who can make a difference. It’s starting with people in Hollywood Clyde Jones Jr. Student Editor -in -Chief and and music like Angelina Jolie, Cara Delevigne, and young singer Halsey speaking up. These famous people are giving others confidence to make Sabrina Linsley Layout Artist: people aware of their experiences. These women and many others stand Alessia Monteleone Bridget He up. The stand up to change the problems as big as harassment, but they also stand against the smaller comments made. When someone makes Jaime Pfeifer that racist comment jokingly, we stand. When someone is bullying about someone else’s religion, we need to stand. This is the future. People can Lilly Ratti tell their stories on the news as much as they want, but it cannot stop Frankie Scazafaze there. We all must take these inspiring words and use them to defend ourselves and others. “The only thing necessary for triumph of evil is for Pragna Sashidar good people to do nothing”. Speak up! P A G E 3 V ALHALLA M I DD L E S C H OO L CHRONICLE Volume 10, Issue 1 Talented Cast Is Super-Natural Ingre- “Wonderstruck” Movie Does dient In ’ Success Justice To Innovative Novel By Pragna Shashidhar By Jaime Pfeifer Many of you must know all about the show Stranger Things. This show is a Original and it is about a group of people who are fighting Wonderstruck. One book. Two different stories. 637 pages of pictures and demonic entities. This show is a major hit! Most of you know the charac- words. One story, told in words, about a boy named Ben from Gunflint Lake. The other ters, but do you know the talented people behind them? Here are the main told in pictures about a deaf runaway named Rose. Both head to New York City in actors! • Millie Bobby Brown- MBB is Eleven on the show. She is also a search of something to make their life compete. The two stories intertwine in an unimag- model for Calvin Klein. She is in the upcoming Godzilla movie. Her inable way and by the end of the book, become one. birthday is on February 19 which makes her 14. She has won many The book Wonderstruck was published on September 13, 2011. Written by awards for her acting in Stranger Things. Brian Selznick, it touched many people and has continued to touch people for years. I remember • - Finn is Mike Wheeler on the walking into the Kensico library and only the smart show. He is very talented people who read alot would go to the ‘Big Book’ and has many upcoming section and check out books like Wonderstruck. projects. You might also What person who barely reads would choose a 637 know him from the movie IT. His birthday is on page book for a short independent reading project? December 23. At the time I don’t know why, but one day I just decided to look of this writing, he is 15 at the blue cover with the giant lightning bolt. In 4th years old. He is going to grade, I had a short attention span and wasn’t able be in many movies in the future so keep your eyes to focus on the details in the book. I found the words peeled. from the book going in one ear and out the other. When I heard that a movie based on • The cast of Stranger Things have captivated millions with their - popular series. the book was coming out on Amazon Prime, I re- Gaten is Dustin Henderson on the show. Gaten was in Photo provided by j-14.com member bits and pieces of the book. I decided to the Broadway play Les reread the book and then see the movie. While I Miserables and Priscilla Queen of the Desert. His career launched was reading the book, I noticed things I hadn’t from there. His birthday is on September 8 and he is 15 years old. noticed before. There was a lot more foreshadowing in the book than I noticed in 4th grade. I paid more Photo contributed by Scholastic Books • Caleb Mclaughlin- Caleb is Lucas Sinclair on Stranger Things. He began his acting career by being Young Simba on the Broadway attention to smaller details in the book the second time around, so the story was much Play the Lion King. His birthday is on October 13 and he is 16 easier to follow. When the movie came out a few weeks later, I was excited to see how years old. they had brought the words to life. The movie was good, but it was long, just like the book. There were small things in the movie that made it, personally, more interesting. • - Noah is Will Byers on the show. He voiced Charlie Brown in the Peanuts Movie. He is one of the characters on the show One of the scenes, were Rose is in the live theater, was filmed in the same theater in who is always tormented. His birthday is on October 4 and he is 13. which I have my dance recital at every year. I felt so connected to her in that one scene, knowing that I’ve stood where she is standing and have had the same facial expression • Sadie Sink- Sadie is Maxine Mayfield. She joined the show in as her when I first walked in. the second season. She has appeared in a few shows and she has been All in all, this is a great movie and a just as good book. I recommend it to in the Broadway play Annie. Her birthday is on April 16 and she is 15. those who are at home with the flu and need a nice, long movie or book to occupy their time. I also recommend it to those who are healthy and bored with their lives. In conclu- So, these are the very talented people behind the show Stranger Things. sion, I recommend it to all that are bored with Netflix movies or are desperate for a great Each of them has had a tremendous impact on the show’s success! book to read. For Many VMS Students, Fortnight Our Technology Addiction Becoming A Matter Of “Survival” Is Real, Not Fiction By Tyler Yeung By Clyde Jones Jr.

2018 has rolled around, and what’s already the hot video game of the year? None other than Fortnite. It’s talked about everywhere, played everywhere. If you don’t know what Fortnite is, then you must not be keeping up with the gaming trends. For those who actually don’t know what Fortnite is, here is some background information. Fortnite is a co-op sandbox survival video game developed by Epic Games. As of now it has two main modes, Battle Royale (free) and Save the World ($39.99 for Standard Edition). In Battle Royale, the player’s task is to help his/her team eliminate others in a PvP (Player vs. Player) match, similar to the Hunger Games. It is the most-played of the two modes, most likely because it’s free, with over 10 million players just two weeks after its release. The second game mode, Save the World, is mostly a PvE (Player vs. Environment) survival mode. Epic Game’s founder described the game as "Minecraft meets Left 4 Dead". In the scenario that almost all of Earth’s population suddenly disappears, and a storm envel- oping the entire planet, the player must survive by interacting with the world and finding a way to stop the storm and return Earth to its normal state. So have you gotten in on the action yet? Fornite’s Battle Royale is free-to-play, which means you can jump in on the exciting game- play just after a quick download. Not interested in fighting other players? No worries! Though the hefty price of $40 might seem a lot, if you really enjoy adventure and on-your-toes storylines, then Save the World might just be for Photo contributed by Tyler Yeung you. So what are you waiting for? Jump off the Battle Bus and begin your adventure!

P A G E 4 V ALHALLA M I DD L E S C H OO L CHRONICLE Volume 10, Issue 1 Chinese New Year In Depth: A Poetic Offering For The Zodiac Animal Origin Stories Coming Spring By Bridget He By Natalie Barbuto Sun shines brightly onto the pink and yellow tulips. Jubilant Friday February 16, 2018 was Chinese New Year! So sixth graders, get excited because this is your year, the year of the dog. You must wonder how all these years came to Newly blossomed as the signs of Spring about to approach be; why all these different animals are part of the Chinese Zodiac. Well, there is an inter- Continue walking through the park sinking deeper into your mind and music esting story behind that, and in fact, there are two. One is the origin of a cat’s dislike to- wards mice, and the other is how the rat became the first zodiac animal. Music of the birds as they have come out again to shout their melodies of delight So the first story goes like this: A long long time ago, the emperor was holding after harsh winter storms a huge race for all the animals who wanted to compete to become a zodiac animal. This was so long ago that the cats and mice used to get along. So the cat and mouse agreed that both The slow sad music of winter through your headphones would take a little nap before the big race, to save their energy. Except when the mouse When a thin layer of white snow once coated everything in sight woke up, the cat was still sleeping away, since cats love to sleep. So the mouse Keep walking tried everything, he pulled the cat’s tail, yelled in its ear, etc. But, to no avail; the Past the young children’s laughter as they ride their bikes cat just would not wake up. So the mouse decided enough was enough and Past the old man on the rusty outdated bench Face indulged in his newspaper went without the cat. The mouse won breathing in the still tranquil morning air the race and was put in first place (but the story behind that is coming up soon), You pass a new flower vivid purple poking out at you and to this very day cats have hated mice. Perhaps it’s for this very reason, or Disturbing you from your usually dull uneventful walk through the park to work maybe it’s for some other reason, the Photo contributed by istockphoto.com Continuously is the walk you take every morning world may never know. Now as for how a tiny little mouse could be the first zodiac animal ever. So as Almost leaving this peaceful place you pass the old couple dining aloud in unison with the last story, the emperor was holding a race for all animals that wanted to become a zodiac animal. The first twelve animals to reach the end were to be the zodiac animals. The No worries they have emperor chose a swimming race, so when the mouse found out what the race was to be, he Not afraid to be judged made a deal with the ox. He said, “How about you help me get across? That way, we’ll Taking in the spirit of the life around them both be able to become zodiac animals.” The ox agreed and the mouse jumped onto his Not on a phone to absorb their attention back. As the two approached the finish line the mouse jumped off and landed there first As the sun ticks behind the trees with the ox right behind him. Soon came the tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, mon- But you keep walking key, rooster, dog, and last but not least the pig. Hopefully, now you all have a better idea of how the 12 animals of the Chinese Full of life as the sun explodes into new zodiac came to be. But more importantly, by understanding the origins of the zodiac and You shade your eyes for a moment And open them to a brighter day ahead the stories contained within it, we can better understand and appreciate Chinese culture as a whole. Happy Chinese New Year to everyone! Taking one last look as you exit the park and have changed the playlist to happy upbeat

To match the life around you. Happy Proposed Future Cartooning Club No need for sophisticated vocabulary to describe this day Could “Draw” Many Members Only happy By Clyde Jones Jr. And that’s all they needed to be

Cartooning is a great way for people to express themselves. Happy as the tulips Heck, a couple of people in the Valhalla Chronicle LOVE to draw, like Student Projects AutoAuto----maticallymatically Bring me! My name’s CJ Animations, and let’s get to it! Drawing is something that we, students, have done since we Excitement Into The School Day learned how to hold a pencil the wrong way! We were two years old back By Frankie Scazafave Something fun and exciting happens every day in STEAM class, then. Don’t judge my jokes. and especially recently. Under the direction of Mr. Chapeton, The drawing timeline is something that we all are a part of. students made interesting cars using recycled materials such as water bottles, We hold a pencil the wrong way, then we actually get better, then we straws, bottle caps learn how to draw simple characters, then we learn to draw anime, then and much more. The students tested their we discover DIGITAL ART. Digital art is something that we can all get recycled cars by sending them down a hooked on (unless you don’t like to draw). The way to draw digitally is by ramp to see how far using a touch tablet with a stylus and a simple art program. Another they would roll. Watching the stu- way to draw is with a USB Pen Tablet. The final and most efficient way dent-designed cars do digital drawing is with a display tablet, like a Cintiq. A Cintiq is a race each other was the highlight of the different monitor that comes with a stylus. You hook it up to a comput- whole production. By thinking about which er via USB, and it’s like a second computer that you can use with a sty- cars won and why, we lus. With digital art, you have a variety of brushes at your fingertips. were able to learn how we might make Anyway, we are getting off topic. We talkin’ about a cartooning club! improvements in The future (hopefully) cartooning club would be a great way to future designs. We A “recycled” car designed by 6th grad- students found this get kids to express themselves. And, in a fun way! Now, we just need a to be a challenging, ers Claudia Bonnano and Flora Resika yet extremely fun teacher to be the club advisor... experience!