TThhee CCoouurriieerr Volume 86, Number 2 White Plains, New York 10605 december 2009

Students Video Before the videoconference Eastview Gives for a Bountiful Thanksgiving started we practiced and By Nick Dagher Conference with prepared our questions and answers for them, for we Every year Eastview conducts India wanted to hold a discussion a Thanksgiving Food Drive. By Daniela Poppe with them about climate The goal of this event is to change. However, when we collect food for people in On November 12th the were ready to connect with need so they are able to have Global Ambassadors at them, the connection broke… a Thanksgiving meal. Every Eastview had a chance to and it did so often. Mrs. grade is asked to donate a video conference with India. Kennedy, the founder of the different food item. This year It was a great experience Global Ambassador team, Eastview entered a contest for everyone. Nearly all the taught us that this is not a time for the Thanksgiving Food Global Ambassadors met in to be disappointed and to give Drive with other schools. The the LGI room 2nd period on up, but to work hard until you school that donated the most November 12th. An Indian reach your goal. After a period food would have Justin Bieber School thought that our of preparation, and waiting, perform live at their school. Global Ambassador Team was we finally managed to connect. We will continue helping the so great that they decided to We were all excited! English needy in the future and hope form a similar group in their was their second language so to continue the great help we Students at Eastview collected food and gave it to the school too. Soon Eastview they spent a lot of time as well got from our students when White Plains Youth Bureau to be distributed to homeless had another school partner at to prepare the discussion. We its time to help! families in the community. the other side of the globe. all could see how nervous they were and how much effort they put into it. “It was thrilling to Going Green is the Way to Go! see them so excited and so By Lauren LaPlaca and Ziarre put a plastic bottle or a can in Highlands has also been hard working”, said one of the Howe the trash bin, why don’t you encouraging kids to ride their Global Ambassadors. think about dropping it in bikes to school. Highlands Climate change is a problem a recycling bin? Also, when has purchased bike racks and The rest of the video conference being felt around the world people are cleaning out their the S.O. has been lending continued to be great. We is because of how people are lockers, most of the stuff in the students bike locks. This discussed how climate change treating the planet. Littering it is paper. Many of those saves energy and can provide affects other countries and has caused global warming, people throw their papers in exercise. Some of you may what the affected countries and if this doesn’t stop, the the garbage. It’s just another remember the Veggie Van that think of industrial countries Earth will become a giant thing clogging and filling the visited the school. Cooking oil like ours. The entire video landfill. Mr. Brown, theth 8 landfills. If you recycle paper used in the cafeteria is turned conference was videotaped grade assistant principal products, they can be made into energy to run cars, which by a professional video at Highlands, has several into other products. Over the is known as Biodiesel fuel. camera team, and for the rest solutions to these problems. past few years, the students of the day they continued at Highlands have definitely We also encourage the teachers filming our work for future Mr. Brown is on the Green recycled more. and staff to turn off the lights Werner Graefe takes movie material. The Global Ambassador Team is really Committee. He has thought and computer monitors when a moment to recycle of ideas that we encourage The Green Committee is going they are leaving the room achieving a lot this year, and students to follow. The to ask the S.O. for a composting because these things take a lot paper in one of the everyone looks forward to Highlands campus has unit. If we put different types of energy. many bins located the future projects that are put recycling bins and dry of compostable foods we can throughout Highlands. planned this year! paper bins in the cafeteria make the Highlands campus Remember, everything you and many other parts of the very scenic while helping the do now can change what school. At lunch, before you planet. happens in the future.

from their cultures in order and they landed in Plymouth, Yum! Yum! at to share their traditions. Massachusetts in 1620. They the Highlands had many foods similar to Even students from other the food we eat today at the Harvest Feast grades like Caroline Thanksgiving table. The list Mora brought in utensils of food included: duck, deer, By Daniella McCarthy and for the Harvest Feast. turkey beans, squash, corn, Melina Africano and many more. The first The Pilgrims and Native Thanksgiving took three whole What did you do with your Americans celebrated days. It was nice because family on Thanksgiving? Our Thanksgiving around two very different groups of 6th grade Highlands family September 21st through people united at one dinner celebrated Thanksgiving with November 11th in 1621. The table to celebrate together. a spectacular FEAST!!!!!! Every Pilgrims arrived in America As you can see, the Harvest single year here at Highlands, as settlers from England Above: Sixth grade teachers serve up delicious cuisine to all grade 6 teachers and in search of religious and Feast is a big deal at students participate in the economic freedom. They Highlands, and it is one of the students. Harvest Feast. Teams Z, X, and came here in the Mayflower most memorable celebrations Below: Students enjoy sharing their ethnically diverse Y all had their Thanksgiving of the year. Most 6th graders lunch with their friends and teachers. festivities on different days. love the Harvest Feast, especially getting together All different cultures are as teams. Everybody eats celebrated during the Harvest and sometimes we bring Feast. For example, there in so much food that we were Irish, Italian, German, have to ask all the staff and Dominican, Mexican, custodians to come and eat. Colombian, French, Peruvian, Cuban, Jewish, Puerto Highlands students absolutely Rican, Chinese, Japanese, Students donated a wide love this Harvest Feast and they are looking forward, American, Jamaican, variety of food from all Brazilian, and Chilean foods for next year’s celebration! represented. Families were over the globe. so generous to bring in food The Courier page 2 Editorial: After the decision was made, there were no Spotlight on our Fabulous Teachers WE WANT X BACK! plans put in place for the teachers or students at Mrs. Ballesteros Mr. Hughes Quick poll: How many of you Eastview who relied on X. would like X-Period back? Orchestra and band lesson By Teddy Chomiak By Arielle Hazi and Allison My guess is: most of you. make-ups were moved to Jasne specifi c days during lunch. Mrs. Ballesteros is an art Why did we lose X? We Advanced chorus (at teacher on the Highlands Mr. Hughes or as the students lost X because the money Eastview) has been moved campus who does a lot of cool call him, “Mr. Huggies”, is a used to cover the cost of the to lunch. Sometimes the and interesting art projects Science teacher at Eastview. He’s worked in White Plains 2:16 buses and 2:50 buses music teachers have to give with her classes. If you get up their lunch break to do for 14 years, 13 of them at would help cover the cost Mrs. B, you will probably be Eastview. for Highlands to get the make-ups and practices. making clay animals, collages, LOTE (Languages Other monochromatic landscapes, Mr. Hughes has always Than English) program. Test and quiz retakes and cartoons. She’s been enjoyed science, and since he “The LOTE program is and make-ups have been teaching art for 25 years, and Mrs. Ballesteros has been was 15 he has worked with a direct complement to moved to lunchtime. At she says her favorite thing teaching art for 25 years. kids during the summers as the district’s mission to Highlands, students have about teaching is the students. a camp counselor or a swim “educate and inspire all to rely on Homework Her favorite kind of material When asked which museum is instructor. I like helping kids students, while nurturing Center or lunch to make up to work with is print making. her favorite, Mrs. Ballesteros learn new things through work or to get extra help. highly recommends visiting activities which vary from their dreams, so they learn being really cool to really continually, think critically, Mrs. B always plays popular the Museum of Modern Art, 6th grader Jennifer Jasne gross, but always interesting. pursue their aspirations music in her classes to set a also known as the MOMA, so says, “Lunchtime isn’t good and contribute to a diverse fun mood for students. If you know what’s going on in His favorite part about being enough. Teachers have and dynamic world.” you want to become an artist, the art world. Mrs. Ballesteros a teacher is the interaction meetings or teach during States Dr. Margaret Dwyer, she says to draw a lot and is a great teacher and teaching he has with his students lunch. But who wants to Assistant Superintendent learn as much as you can kids is what she really loves throughout the day. “Some give up their lunch period, for Curriculum and about current and past art. about her job. Consider of them are really funny… anyway?” Instruction. yourself lucky if you get her. looking…especially some of the 7th graders (just kidding). But seriously, the kids are what getting involved in the U.N. competiveness. Barack Obama’s makes this job fun.” He says First Year as Obama has traveled the Additionally, Obama went the worst part about teaching globe to talk about current to Saudi Arabia and Egypt in science is all the clean-up Commander in events. On his fi rst tour, he an attempt to build relations he needs to do to keep his Chief went to Europe. He went to between the US and these room organized. (*thinks to the United Kingdom, France, countries. himself*…hmmm…maybe By Jared Roseman Germany, Turkey, The Czech I’ll hire one of those weird Republic, and Istanbul. In President Obama might looking 7th graders to clean I know what you’re thinking, these countries he talked become one of the most up my room during lunch…) “Wow, a year already?” about the economy, the war productive presidents since and yes, it’s true. It has been in Afghanistan, and climate Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Something most students don’t almost one whole year since change. It lasted eight days. Some of his accomplishments know about him is that he the inauguration of President are that he expanded children’s likes to play computer games, Barack Obama. In this time, On his second tour, he went health insurance, ordered for especially World of Warcraft, many things have happened. to Asia for nine days. He went plans and timetables for the and has been thinking about Some of the most important to Japan, China, South Korea troops in Iraq, and is the fi rst Mr. Hughes is the most getting an X-box 360 for his things include Obama and Singapore to talk about president to be the chairman awesome teacher on the kid for Christmas so he has an excuse to get one and play winning the Nobel Peace pollution, human rights, of security for the U.N. Eastview campus! Prize, his world tours, and the economy, and economic himself!

The Courier Puzzle Solutions White Plains Middle School From Our Fall Issue

EDITORIAL BOARD AND STAFF Math Challenge Solution

Editor –in-Chief Scott Louis

Managing Editors Layout Editors Photography Editors Tori Cignarella Jarrett Sannerud Hadar Arens Nick Dagher Jack Vignone Arielle Hazi Associate Editors Sebastian Vignone Tatiana Mercuri Brian LaPlaca Sports Editors Office Managers Cristina Maida Austin Bogart Kristen Reilly Victoria Szabo Drew Smiley Sherrin Variath Copyeditor Features Editors Circulation Editors Allison Jasne Michelle Chin Teddy Chomiak Headlines Will Socolof Leo Fisher Nicole Carosella Art Editor

Brian Couch

Fall Crossword Answers Staff Across Meredith Abato, Louisa Abbott, Melina Africano, Brianna Brown, Luis Calderon, Amanda Cantu, Miriam Cantu, Jade Clark, Kit Devine, Lina El-Saleih, Janine Fernandez, Ceara Gilmartin, Torry Haggins, 3. Hanukkah Ziarre Howe, Max Kratzok, Lauren LaPlaca, Jasmine Lerner, Abby Lombino, Nicole Lovitch, Elana Mariani, Maggie Marotta, Catalina Martinez, Danielle McClosky, Shane Morgan, Rachel Morris, Daniela Poppe, 5. Angel Haydn Pope, Jacqueline Rayo, Jared Rogovin, William Quintero Rojas, Jared Roseman, Jack Ryan, Nathaly Sanguino, Annick Tabb, Laura Thola, Luis Valenzuela, Lauren Woods 6. Presents

8. Snowman Advisors Kara Lyons and Marlena Simmons-Highlands 9. Kwanzaa Tarshia Holder-Eastview Down Editorial Policy Editorials reflect the opinion of the editorial board and, unless otherwise noted, are written by members of 1. Candle the staff. The editorial board solicits responsible commentaries and letters-to-the-editor, but reserves the right to edit for style, grammar or space limitations. Letters and commentaries containing obscenity or 2. Chilly libelous comments will not be published. All letters must be signed or they will not be published, however your name can be withheld upon request. 4. Christmas

[email protected] 7. Snow the courier page 3 WPMS CLUB PAGE WPMS Students animal shelters. Students also participate in theme Are Dedicated to related actives. For example, Student Organization Service during October the club makes Halloween cards Eastview S.O. Update By Nicole Lovitch for children in the hospital. Rachel Morris Do you like planting flowers? Ms. Pulcini strongly believes How about baking? Do in giving back to our The Student Organization, or S.O, at Eastview is really making a difference inside and outside you miss your friends from community. “It’s a wonderful the school. The S.O had made posters so people would know to Mix It Up at lunch. This helped the other campus? If you feeling to know you helped because people would make new friends instead of just sitting at the tables they usually sat at. said yes to anything above, brighten some one’s day.” We also had a Thanksgiving food drive for needy families. We collected a lot of food! plus more, then join the If you are interested in getting Community Service Club! The S.O is also helping children in foster homes and other places where they won’t usually get the satisfaction of helping presents. The S.O has asked teachers if they wanted to sponsor a child. If they said yes, they Any student from Highlands others, there was an interest would receive that child’s wish list and they would get to buy one new gift for that child. This and Eastview are eligible to meeting for the students was an offer for teachers only. The S.O also came up with the spirit week ideas, too. join. If you join, you get to interested in joining the look forward to the following: Community Service Club. As you can see, the S.O has been very busy here at Eastview. collecting items for the soldiers The students pitched ideas in Iraq, creating letters and the first meeting in which holiday cards, giving baked the club might participate. goods to the support staff, The club meets in Highlands Mix it Up at Lunch Day! planting flowers around in room 7 from 2:40 - 4:10. HUGE,” said Ms. Dunning, a the community, plus more. They meet twice a month A New Tradition because we got to make new from October through May. teaching assistant and leader friends, and you got to know Ms. Pulcini, the teacher in Students that participate will Begins With “Mix of the Student Organization things about the new people charge of the club, works receive community service It Up at Lunch” at Eastview, later that day around you”. Some people with Mrs. Sullivan and the credits. Now it’s time to give at an S.O. meeting. ”It was sat at the same tables, but family consumer science back to your community! Day okay,” said Apree Choice, in different seats. Another class by contributing to local It’s easy and lots of fun! an Eastview student. Some student, R.J. Hollis, says, “It By Jared Rogovin people slacked off, and were was really good because I got upset that their usual seats to meet new people and make Eastview just started a had been taken. But the point new friends, and it’s always new tradition: Mix It Up at of the day was to make new a good day to make new Lunch day! On November friends. friends.” The day at lunch 10, during 5th and 6th period was great for most people. A lunch, Eastview students sat Another student from lot of new friends were made. in places that they (probably) Eastview, Valentina Medina, Hopefully, this will happen hadn’t sat before. “It was says, “It was awesome, next year! Highlands Student Organization Update The S.O. of Highlands has been hard at work. At our first full S.O. Meeting, Mrs. Haberman, faculty advisor, taught the Organization about Parliamentary Procedure, and how our meetings are run in order to be efficient so that every voice is heard.

The WPMS Community Service Club The S.O. is comprised of committees which meet and report back to the members at large. The Green Committee, chaired by School Secretary, Jessica Levine, provided 35 Recycle bins so that The Multicultural understanding between every classroom in Highlands is recycling dry paper and many are collecting glass and plastics. diverse cultures because Also the students passed a motion to purchase two composters in order to recycle food scraps from Club Gets a Taste our cafeteria, and turn the waste into rich compost. We will purchase one barrel composter and let’s be honest we all like one worm composter which will be monitored by Mr. Kowal’s Environmental Science class. Our of Diversity to eat! Soon, the club School Cleanliness Committee, chaired by Vice President, Tyeese Melton provided classrooms will be turning off the with “clean stations” comprised of tissue boxes and hand sanitizers. In addition they made signs, By Jade Clarke stove but not the heat as in English and Spanish, for all bathrooms reminding students to “WASH your hands” and “flush we move the heat to our the toilets.” Furthermore, odor absorbers and air fresheners were placed in bathrooms and locker Time to grab your rooms. The committee is currently researching the possibility of purchasing permanent hand spatulas, put on your feet! The club will be sanitizer dispensers for the building. oven mitts and fire up the putting on their dancing shoes. So get ready, it Our Social Issues Committee, chaired by Treasurer, Jacob Brady, is currently running a Food stove! The Multicultural th is time to twist, shimmy Drive. Phase I of the Drive ends on December 10 , benefitting the Salvation Army. Phase II of Club is here at Eastview! the Drive ends on December 21, with those proceeds going to the Westchester Coalition for the and swing by learning an HUNGRY and HOMELESS. School President, Austin Dallas, chairs the School Improvement The Club meets on international dance. Any committee which is looking into purchasing new improved equipment for our building. One of Thursdays at 2:45pm girl in the club who wants their ideas is purchasing a new plow to help with snow removal. We will continue to look into in room 314. The to learn and perform at ways to improve our school. the International Dinner advisor is Eastviews’ Our next meeting is January 12th. own Sra. Wahl! In in February is welcome to the club students are do so. The dance will be Sixth graders hop, reggae, and pop) also said, “I liked having learning to make foods taught by an expert and it and how to get the group Twizzlers and coca cola at from different Spanish will be fun and energetic. Dance the to participate and move. the dance. It was a lot of speaking nations. They If you come on out to the Afternoon Away fun! Everyone was looking International Dinner you Daniella McCarthy, age 11, forward to the dance all week.” have made things like said, “It was great!! The will see the Multicultural By Laura Thola and Danielle Arepas, a rice flour treat music was my favorite part.” Sixth graders were not McCarthy cooked and flattened on Club at its’ dancing best! Rebecca Rodriguez, age 11, disappointed with their the grill, Quesadillas and November 6th marked the said, “I think it was fun that first dance. We can’t Pizzelles, a thin cookie. day of the first 6th grade the Eastview students came wait for the next one! ” dance. All the 6th graders to celebrate with us. She One of the clubs’ goals at Highlands and Eastview is to teach kids all gathered at the Highlands about foods from other Campus to have a blast of countries and how that fun! We were all so surprised food tastes. Sra. Wahl how many people came- wants the students to about 300 students attended. form an appreciation of other cultures by using Sixth graders were able to purchase soda, candy, chips, their sense of smell, while enjoying the music. The taste, and feel. Food WPMS Celebrates fabulous DJ’s name is Double is a great way to start Diversity!!! Image. They understand conversations and create what kids like to hear (hip- the courier page 4

The beginning of the 21st century was a biggy. The World Series was very special because both the Yankees and the Mets were competing in the World Series. The Yankees ended up winning! The 2000 election was another big event. Al Gore won the popular vote, but George Bush ended up taking the gold. The “Y2K” buzz had many believing that the world was going to end that year and that all the computers were going to crash. Neither proved to be true.

On September 11th, 2001 terrorists destroyed the Twin Towers and part of the Pentagon by hijacking planes. Another plane landed in a Pennsylvanian field probably heading for the Capital or White House. After this, President Bush declared war on Iraq for potential nuclear weapon development. In sports, Barry Bonds sets single season Home Run record. On January 15th, Wikipedia, the popular online encyclopedia, was launched on the internet.

decade in review In 2002 President Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act which eventually led to New York State standardized tests for grades 3-8. The United States hosted the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Florida Marlins defeated the New York Yankees in game six of the World Series, 4-2. Larry Doby, the first African American in the Major League baseball’s American league, died on June 18th, 2003 of complications of cancer. On August 14th, a widespread power outage affects the northeastern United States and South-Central Canada. The World Health Organization issued an alert on SARS, a respiratory disease.

The Boston Red Sox 86 year World Series drought ended this year as they defeated the Cardinals 4-0 in the fourth game of the World Series. President Bush was re-elected with 50.7% of the countries electoral votes in 2004. A devastating tsunami on December 26, was the worst natural disaster to ever strike Thailand, causing loss of life as well as major damage to property, the environment and the economy.

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On August 29th, 2005 Hurricane Katrina devastated Louisiana and New Orleans. The city was changed forever in one day and would take years to rebuild. The famous video site, YouTube, is launched in February 2005. On May 10th, a hand grenade was thrown at President George Bush. In sports, the New England Patriots defeat the Eagles in Super bowl 39.

Once again, another theory circulated that the world was going to end on 6/6/06. Obviously we are still here, so that theory was wrong! In sports, the Pittsburg Steelers win Super Bowl 40. The first world baseball classic was held. After seven year cruising the solar system, NASA’s Stardust spacecraft returns to give the world a look at dust from outer space. Pluto was declared a dwarf planet. decade in review

Barry Bonds got his 756th home run hit on Aug. 7th 2007. Parker Stadium is officially completed at the Highlands and dedicated on the Turkey Bowl Eve. Three earthquakes strike Indonesia. More than a dozen people die on the island of Sumatra when three quakes, one with a magnitude of 8.4, hit. The I-35W Mississippi River Bridge on I-35W over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota collapses at 6:05 pm CST during the later part of rush hour, killing 13 people on August 1st.

Barack Obama is elected as President in 2008, with 52.9% of the countries’ electoral votes. In Beijing, China, summer Olympics are held. Bill Gates comes out with Microsoft ‘07, for his company Microsoft. The New York Giants beat the New England Patriots on February 3, 2008, by 17-14. Terror spreads across the country because of the news of H1N1 Swine Flu th virus. On June 27 , after three decades as the Chairman of Microsoft Corporation, Bill Gates steps down from daily duties to concentrate on philanthropy.

2009 has been a big year! On June 25th the king of pop, Michael Jackson passed away. In addition Billy Mays and Farrah Fawcet also were laid to rest. The New York Mets and the New York Yankees both opened new stadiums, and Yankees won their first World Series title since 2000, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies. President Bush stepped down and our new president, as Barack Obama took office. There were also changes at Highlands and Eastview. Microsoft 2007 was incorporated into our computers, both campuses got a new schedule with 9 periods (and sadly, no X). Later in the year, water was discovered near the poles of the moon. Senator Teddy Kennedy of Massachusetts died of old age. Lastly, The World Health Organization declared the H1N1 virus a global pandemic.

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lots of teachers there to help Homework Center Homework you with your work. Meeting Dates Help for At 3:30 there’s a break. They January 5,7,12,14,19,20,21 Students That offer you cookies, or if you have something from home February 2, Need It you can eat that also. This is 3,4,9,10,11,23,24,25 the time set aside for you to By Jacqueline Rayo use the bathroom and have March 2, a drink of water, and you 4,9,10,11,16,17,18,23,25 Homework center is should take advantage of this afterschool most Tuesdays, privilege because they don’t April 6, 8,20,22,27,28,29 Wednesdays and Thursdays. give you another chance to go It starts at 2:45pm and ends out. May 4, 5, 6,11,12,13. at 4:15pm. If you have a lot of homework, come to Before you come to Homework Center and, if Homework Center make sure you’re not fooling around, you have everything you These are the remaining Seventh grade English teacher, Mr. Reis works with a you should be able to finish it need, like a pencil (of course) homework center dates. all. There are some rules that as well as your homework Any changes to the schedule group of students in the Highlands Homework Center. everyone is required to follow, assignments. You don’t have are announced during the since it is not a place to hang to worry about textbooks, morning and afternoon Homework Center has teachers from most subjects out or socialize. I suggest that calculators or other supplies announcements. if you have been to special because they have them in the available for help every day! duty or lunch detention Homework Center for you to you don’t come. If you do, borrow. No one is allowed to you will not be permitted to go up to their locker once they Ask Tigress homework center for that day enter homework center, and (and don’t think you’ll sneak once you enter homework Practical advice for middle schoolers! in because they have a list). center you can no longer go Everyone is required to be out until break. Q- Dear Tigress, respectful of others. There are HELP! I have my midterms coming up, and I have no idea how to study! year.” WPMS Students How can I ace them? Make Their A 7th grader from Highlands, Kristen Dever, said, “My New -Wanting an A at Eastview Resolutions for Year’s resolution is to get on the New Year high honor roll and finally get A- Dear Wanting, an A!” By Nicole Lovitch I have a few tricks that may help you out: Another 7th grader named 1. DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE! Cramming will only make it harder. Start Everyone is always saying Kelsey Shea said that her studying ASAP; “I’m giving up junk food”, New Year’s resolutions are, and “I am going to try to not “to be on High Honor roll in 2. If you have no homework from a class, review the notes from the day and be prepared pick on my brother”, as their all four quarters and to get an with any questions you may have about them for the next day; New Year’s resolutions. That’s A+ in math (hopefully)! Also, what they say. Do they really I would like to not have cake. 3. Have a study buddy – someone who can quiz, like a friend or parent; commit themselves towards (I doubt that will continue all those resolutions for the year!” 4. If you’re unsure, ask for some extra help or practice from a teacher; New Year? I wanted to find th out what people are really Brian LaPlaca, an 8 grader 5. Try making up your own questions and answers with information you know you need plotting to do to change their from Highlands, said that to know; lives in the new year of 2010! his New Year’s resolution is, “to achieve good grades 6. Study just before you go to sleep. Studies show that studying just before you hit th A 6 grader, Josephine throughout the year and “slumberland” makes your brain remember the information better; Mercado, from Eastview said get into the National Junior “I’d like to be on the high Honor Society.” 7. Get a good night’s sleep, eat a HEALTHY breakfast, and come prepared with two honor roll any time this year. pencils and two pens; I would also like to improve Another eighth grader my anime drawings which is Rachel Mascia. Rachel 8. Relax. are basically Japanese cartoon said that her New Year’s drawings. I learned how to resolutions are to, “get all A’s draw these from a friend about or B’s, have fun and graduate two years ago. I enjoy drawing with a lot of passion!” so that’s why that is one of my New Year’s resolutions.” I’d like to leave you with this quote as you think about your TOP MUSICAL ARTISTS OF 2009 Another 6th grader from new year’s resolution and Eastview, Erica Pope, said, the new decade ahead. The G S M E N M T C S T D D L E B A S R S D “My New Year’s resolutions possibilities are endless! A W Y E C A A L W A H E E M R R A E K O are to read more each day. Also, I would like to eat less “We will open the book. Its pages Q C L E C N I D D Q U H R I I I E K U K sugar.” are blank. We are going to put U L D T K P O D O G O G F N T K P R S R words on them ourselves. The Y J R Y K A Y Y I N O K A E T A D A F Z A 6th grader from Highlands, book is called Opportunity and H B F N M Y I M E L N W M M N H E P S V Jack Steinberg, said, “My its first chapter is New Year’s N S O Y A I S C S B G A K K E S Y N X X New Year’s resolutions are Day.” – Edith Lovejoy Pierce to not drink any Redbull this Z T L N X I C B I J T T O B Y L E I I V I J K P U B T H I L K W Y Z S D K K T A Team 7F Uses up teaching time so students R E P L C S Z N A U A P X K P N C N A S could work on this project. The E A Z Z E P O L R E F I N N E J A I Y L Cutting Edge conclusion of the project was on October 29, 2009, with a special E N R I Q U E I N G L E S I A S L L L A Technology “popcorn screening” of the M I L E Y C Y R U S L J I X R P B A O D movies on November 18. Y A D N E E R G F K U I A O S K P A R Y By Ceara Gilmartin We talked to Mr. Iasiello, the 7F F J Z E S N Y K H N C R L C K L N K S G 7f students learned how to coordinator of this project, and A V R I L L A V I G N E S W K N L R W A narrate and make interesting and he was impressed that students E X F H N I L P P E Z D E L A S I R I G historical movies using Adobe were engaged in learning and U Y P I T B U L L I Y G J I N Y O P F A Premier Elements, along with learned, not only how to use new special cell phones provided by the programs on the computer, but W F D R N D N Z J S A Z H H P O N N T Y Nokia-Pearson group. The topics more importantly how to work G G K K C H S J U R J R G W I G B E A I ranged from Anne Hutchinson cooperatively and successfully to Henry Hudson. All of the 7F to meet a deadline. With so AKON GREEN DAY MICHAEL JACKSON teachers and assistants helped many difficult phases of this ALICIA KEYS JAYZ MILEY CYRUS students with this project, and all project, the students learned that AVRIL LAVIGNE JENNIFER LOPEZ NELLY of the 7F students participated. compromises were very vital to BEYONCE LADY GAGA PINK Among the popular topics were completing their movies. Says BLACK EYED PEAS LED ZEPPLIN PITBULL The Salem Witch Trials, Roanoke: Mr. I, “The Nokia Pearson project BRITTNEY SPEARS LIL WAYNE RHIANNA The Lost Colony and Did John allows students to use technology DADDY YANKEE LINKIN PARK SHAKIRA Smith Really Save Pocahontas? in order to express themselves. EMINEM LUIS MIGUEL SLIPKNOT Some of these teachers (Mrs. It sparks creativity and engages ENRIQUE INGLESIAS MADONNA TAYLOR SWIFT Staar and Miss Di Camillo) gave them in the learning process.” the courier page 7

WPMS’s Kaitlin Doherty Beats High School Record By Tori Cignarella Kaitlin is only in the at sectionals, just missing the eighth grade, and achieving qualifying time for states. She Kaitlin Doherty, an and breaking the record means is a pleasure to have on the avid swimmer, has broken a a lot to her. The record she White Plains swimming and sports high school record. This was set was the 500 freestyle. Her diving team.” achieved on October 15th. It time was 5:27:38 (or 1:58:93—I Athletes of the month was not an event that she got one from her coach and Kaitlin has obviously swam in regularly and she one from her mother). Her worked hard and had was really happy that she coach, Ms. Gilmartin, said, contributed a lot to the high could break the record at the “Kaitlin is a hardworking and school varsity team, and has time. Kaitlin said, “Everyone dedicated swimmer. She is been swimming for many congratulated me and was very versatile in that she is a years. Those many years of really supportive of me.” sprinter (50 and 100 free) and hard work are what helped a distance swimmer. Kaitlin her achieve this record. had a wonderful performance

AnthonyDeMaria Kaitlin Doherty By Drew Smiley By Austin Bogart

Anthony DeMaria is a 7th For obvious reasons, Kaitlin grade football player and our Doherty has been voted athlete of the month. Anthony the female athlete of the played on the school modified month. Kaitlin is on the football team and loves VARSITY swim team, and football. He also plays other she’s only an eighth grader sports inside and outside of at Highlands Middle School! school including baseball, hockey, golf and lacrosse. Kaitlin is very good at what she does—swimming and When I asked 7th grader Jarrett soccer. This year, she broke Sannerud about Anthony the 500 free style record at he said, “Anthony is a great White Plains High School. athlete and takes each game This girl is excellent at what Kaitlin Doherty prepares for her 500 free style race--a race that resulted in a win and a seriously, he really deserves she does we hope to see her this honor.” So when you swim in the Olympics one of broken record! see Anthony in the hall or these days. Great job Kaitlin! information and sign up Skiing and on the field, remember to packet for the skiing and congratulate him - as long as snowboarding trips, or you he isn’t in the middle of a play! Snowboarding WPMS need any more information Trips Have about the trips, please go to Eighth grader, Taylor Massa, once SHOOTING Mr. Hotchkiss in Room 214 if again stars in “The Nutcracker Ballet” Arrived! you go to Highlands, or Mr. at the Westchester County Center on STARS By Scott Louis December 18, 19 and 20. Showtimes are: Baker in Room 220 if you go to Eastview. Friday 10:00am, Saturday: 12:30pm & It is another good year to come 4:30PM, Sunday: 2:00pm. and join the WPMS school Once you fill out these sign skiing and snowboarding up packets, you must return trips. These trips are for them to either Mr. Baker or The WPMS Courier presents anyone looking for a day of Mr. Hotchkiss (depending great fun and they are open to on the school you go to). The students in any grade. trips fill up quickly, so bring those sign ups fast if you The trips take place on three want a definite spot on the separate days at Belleayre trip! You will have the time Shout Outs! Mountain in Highmont, of your life! New York. The three ski trip dates for this school year are Saturday, January 9th, 2010, Have your special message, poem or song Saturday, February 6th, 2010, and Saturday, March 13th, dedication published in our Valentine’s Day issue. 2010.

To go on the trips, you must buy one of six package types, but no matter which PRICES package you choose to buy, they all provide at least bus transportation and a lift Song dedication…………………………… 50¢ ticket. If you would like an Poem ……………………………………… . 1.00 Yankees Slide against the Yankees in the th past, as he calls the Yankees into Their 27 his “daddy”. Unlike the Message (up to 50 characters)………….... 1.00 World Series Yankee pitcher, Andy Pettite, Championship however, has had good experiences in the playoffs; he Add clip-art to any ad……………………... 50¢ By Jack Ryan has the most postseason wins as a pitcher. The four new stars On November fourth 2009, the for the Yankees include Mark New York Yankees soared to Teixeira, Nick Swisher, C.C victory as they defeated the Sabathia, and A.J Burnett, who Phillies 7-4 for their 27th World were great for the Yankees Series title. Hideki Matsui throughout the whole season. was awarded MVP, as he You wouldn’t want to be Shane Your message will appear in the February issue of The Courier had six runs batted in on the Victorino, who grounded into night. Everyone on both the the final out, securing the Ads and money will be collected during lunch Yankees and the Phillies had Yankees’ World Series title. a great night. The pitcher for As the banner boys in the new throughout the month of January!!! the Phillies, Pedro Martinez, Yankee Stadium said, “New has not had great experiences house, same legacy.” the courier page 8 book reviews Entertainment News The Hunger Games The Mysterious By Nicole Carosella Benedict Society and by Suzanne Collins In ground-breaking entertainment news, Adam Lambert, the runner-up of Season 8 of “American the Perilous Journey Idol”, released his debut album “For Your Entertainment” on November 23rd, 2009. Just one week before, Adam’s pal and winner of Season 8 of “American Idol,” Kris Allen, debuted his first album “Kris Allen” on November 18th. Also, in Season 8 of “American Idol” news, Allison Iraheta’s solo by Trenton Lee debut came out on the December 1st, 2009. This year’s “American Idols” are going to be a smash. Stewart The American Music Awards were broadcasted on November 22. Taylor Swift took home five awards including the highest on “Entertainer of the Year,” beating out Michael Jackson. Michael won 4 awards and they were accepted by Michael’s brother, Jermaine. Shakira, Daughtry, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Whitney Houston, Green Day and Mary J. Blige all performed that night. The major performances of the night came from Adam Lambert and Jennifer Lopez. During Jennifer Lopez’s performance, she climbed up a human staircase and while getting off, she fell. However, she got up so quickly that nobody noticed that it was a slip-up. Then, at the very end, Adam Lambert came with his first live TV performance since “Idol”. Adam gave an amazing performance, but that performance was masked by all the crazy, risqué antics performed on stage. This led to a controversial battle over Lambert’s performance.

Twi-hards get ready to scream. “New Moon” finally came to theaters on November 20th, 2009. Millions of fans in L.A. waited since 5 o’clock two nights before the red carpet premiere. How By Allison Jasne crazy is that? Also, at the City Center movie theater in White Plains, Channel 12 News came to the theater to catch all the madness. Everybody is going “over the moon” for this movie. “Winning means fame and fortune. Losing means certain death.” by Max Hoffman Every year, the Capitol makes the 12 districts choose one The Mysterious Benedict boy and one girl between the Society and the Perilous Poetry Corner ages of twelve and eighteen Journey by Trenton Lee to compete in the Hunger Stewart is an adventure book Games, a cruel reminder that that is all about friendships Wintertime A Time of Change the districts are at the mercy and enemies. This book is Winter of the Capitol. It’s a killing By Janine Fernandez a sequel to The Mysterious by Brian Couch by Sherrin Variath game televised for everyone Benedict Society by the to see. By the end, 11 tributes same author. It’s about four are dead. There can only be People say that winter is the Look up there a kids named Reynie, Sticky one winner. Silver, white snowflakes drop time of coldness and death; (George), But boy, they are wrong. Snowflake Until now. Now that Katniss Blankets of glistening snow Constance and Kate, helped Coming down on your eyes Everdeen has taken the The sound of jingle bells by Kate’s dad Milligan (a cover the rooftops place of her sister, Primrose Go ding dong! Guess What! Everdeen. Now that she and secret agent) go on a quest, to Peeta have to compete. One save a loved one named Mr. The mighty winter winds blow As times of happiness and It’s the start of Winter of them must die for the other Benedict. He and his trusted And soon descends the snow joy to win. assistant Number 2 were Enter our lives. Snow, Snow kidnapped by the notorious The snow, silky and thick on the But, here’s the catch: before Mr. Curtain. Mr. Curtain is Ready to be played in the Hunger Games begin, Family and friends join also Mr. Benedict’s evil twin. ground there are a series of training together As the little children go Before he was kidnapped, rounds and interviews. In peace, harmony, and love Mr. Benedict tried to set up Holiday spirit is all around And Peeta reveals a dark enters our hearts. To make their a scavenger hunt for the secret, a twist no one saw The snowflakes tumble down kids. He left clues for them coming. Now their fates are Gifts and presents shower us Snowmen made out of snow. intertwined – permanently. to follow which takes them whitely during the holiday times. from castles in Portugal It’s too cold so were ready to Gratitude springs from us. Can Katniss survive the through Spain on a train to Glittering in the starlight have a steaming brutality of the Games? a Dutch museum in Holland So people say that winter is hot cup of hot chocolate Killing friends, enemies, and ultimately to a deserted brightly complete strangers, and the time of death and sorrow; island. Peeta? Or will she fall by Frosted branches shimmer But on December 24th, you’ll YUMMMM another’s hands? change your mind I would recommend this Then, there’s Christmas Decorative lights glimmer tomorrow. Follow her story in The book to anyone who enjoys a Hunger Games – and the book full of twists turns and Flames in the fireplace shine Where the Christmas tree is sequel Catching Fire. logic puzzles. and presents Walking along the path, the along the way view so divine Movie We enjoyed this fun winter Review Silver bells chime, with many things It is the joyous wintertime! Oh snow, how

you bring great joy here. New Moon By Lalina El-Saieh (played by Taylor Lautner) comes in the picture as her Holiday 411 celebration that honors African enlightenment in three stages. Chris Weitz puts a new point best friend she is not so culture and heritage with During the three nights, the of view on the beloved Twilight depressed any more. Kristen by Annick Tabb participants lighting a kinara Buddha found the Four Noble Saga by directing the much was really good during this throughout. Truths, the Cycle of Rebirth anticipated sequel New Moon. movie because she really By the time this article is and the Law of Karma. looked the part. Taylor was read, many families will have There are many holidays The part of the mysterious okay—not the best, but he decorated Christmas trees, that people celebrate in other Saint Lucia Day is the holiday Edward Cullen was played by really looks like he could lit their menorahs and made places many people that where the oldest girl in the Robert Pattison. Pattison fits be Jacob Black in real life. potato latkes, put on dashikis, aren’t as well known. There is house brings coffee and Saint the description of Edward in prepared Saint Lucia buns and Saint Lucia Day, Las Posadas Lucia buns to her parents while the books almost perfectly; his Since the book New Moon’s constructed piñatas for the and Bodhi Day (Buddha’s wearing a candle-wreath and acting—not so much. Robert story line was mostly in Bella’s different holidays around the Enlightenment). singing a Saint Lucia song. looked distracted throughout head, Chris Weitz had to really world. Christmas, Hanukkah the twenty minutes he was stretch the action out so he and Kwanzaa are the three Bodhi Day is traditionally Las Posadas is the nine-day on screen especially before made Bella punch Paul in the main holidays we celebrate the eighth day of the twelfth celebration with Spanish he was killed by the Volturi jaw. In the book, she just yells here in December in the United lunar month. It is the day origins commemorating the (the most powerful group of at him. I would recommend States. Christmas is the holiday that commemorates when the problems Mary and Joseph vampires, almost like royalty). this to anyone that read the where we commemorate the historical Buddha reached had finding a place to stay for Twilight Saga or just LOVES birth of Jesus. Hanukkah is enlightenment. Some say that Jesus to be born. I was very Bella Swan, played by Kristen Jacob Black (sorry, not a lot of an eight-day celebration that Buddha made a vow to nirvana interested in these holidays Stewart, went through a Edward Cullen). Remember, celebrates the rededication of and Earth that he would and you might be too after you depression during this movie. this movie is rated PG 13 the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. find the root of suffering. have finished this article. However, when Jacob Black because of some violence. Kwanzaa is the seven-day The Buddha describes the