1 The Chariot Edition 6 February Edition 2020

The Truth About Having A Parent As A Teacher

by Anneka Gernert

This year, there is a s o m e w h a t l a rg e n u m b e r o f Wyomissing students who have parents that work at the school. As one of the students with a parent who teaches here, I thought I’d write about what it is like to be a student in my mom’s classroom. If heart shaped candy, but excited for a piece of you don’t know who I am, my mom The Best and it’s just not the same as chocolate and instead is Maria Gernert, a Spanish teacher Worst of 25 people being required getting cherry goo. here at Wyomissing. to buy you candy. In 9. Fruit Snacks: Valentine Having a parent as a honor of this nostalgia, I’m not saying fruit teacher is more advantageous than Candy: here is the best and snacks aren’t good. They people think. Caroline Allen, a Nostalgia worst of elementary are, but Valentines’ Day is senior at Wyomissing, describes school Valentine’s Day just Halloween with a benefits to having her parents at Edition candy: better excuse to load up the school: “I actually love having 10. An Actual on candy and fruit snacks my parents at the school. If I’m : I are not candy. Fruit by Sara Steber Box of Chocolates having a bad day, I can just go see understand that no one snacks are great as a my dad, and he’ll cheer me up. If I was passing out heart snack on any other day, forget something at home, like a Valentine’s Day in s h a p e d b o x e s o f but they are not ideal for water bottle, I can grab one from high school just isn’t as chocolate to their first kids anticipating the first my dad’s room. If I leave something exciting as it used to be. grade class, but we’ve all sugar high of the year. at school, my dad can just grab it There’s no carefully had this Valentine’s Day 8. Sweet Tart from my locker before he leaves.” decorated cereal boxes, staple at some point. Lollipops: This one is Whatever happens, I always have store bought cards with While there are a couple c o n t r o v e r s i a l b u t I my mom at school to talk to. Plus, Spongebob or Barbie, no good pieces in every box, strongly believe Sweet she usually has snacks in case I’m class parties, and no t h e f r u i t fl a v o r e d Tart Lollipops were (and hungry. c a n d y . N o t h i n g i s chocolates ruin it for still are) not it. stopping us from going to everyone. If you don’t I (Continued on page 4.) Target and loading up on agree with me, just (Continued on page 3.) imagine being 7, being

What’s your favorite season? Weigh the options Praise for Wawa and all it provides for the students with Nathaniel Renenger. pg 2 of Wyomissing! pg 3

Check out this issue’s sports article written by... you Immerse yourself in literature with a page packed full of guessed it—Harry Weiss! poetry! pg 4 pg 6 2 Ranking the perfect blend of fall and emergence of life. The as much as I normally do, summer weather. The weather is great, with fall and having a lot more Seasons From warmth is comforting, but b o a t i n g a c h i l l free time overall. The free Best to Worst it’s not hot enough to atmosphere that feels time allows me to invest m a k e m e w a n t t o perfect in a hoodie. more energy into my collapse from spending a Although I still prefer the hobbies, which is always by Nathaniel Renenger minute or more outside. warmth of spring, this fun to do. T h e l i g h t b re e z e i s m a k e s f a l l a g r e a t D e s p i t e t h e Spring: When it incredibly relaxing, and it contender for second positives of summer, the comes to ranking the actually makes me want place on the list. sweltering heat definitely seasons, I don’t think it’s to go outside. Also, it features loses it some points. I much of a surprise that F u r t h e r m o r e , the start of school. Now, prefer warmth to cold, spring is the season to spring is a beautiful some people may find but even I can sometimes take first place. For season. The trees are this to be a downside of wish for a day of chill starters, the end of spring finally starting to perk up, the fall season, but after the painful days of also means the end of and flowers begin to usually by the end of the summer. When the heat the school year—a great b l o o m . W h i l e m a n y three months of break, reaches above the 90s, time to look back and people don’t think that I’m bored and looking g o i n g o u t s i d e j u s t r e fl e c t o n a l l t h e spring is the best season, forward to the start of becomes miserable. memories and friends you’ll be hard pressed to school, seeing friends Winter: Let me one has made throughout fi n d s o m e o n e w h o again, having structure to preface this section by the year. actively dislikes spring, my life, and starting up saying that I understand On top of that, which you can find with clubs and sports. that a large number of spring weather is the the other seasons. Summer: people love the winter best seen all year. I love Fall: Fall is a S u m m e r i s a g r e a t season and the cold summer, but even I can great season to me, season. Even though it is weather it brings. On that admit that the heat earning its second place in the second half of my note, I also understand becomes a pain to deal spot on the list. While I list, I still think that the that a large number of with on some days. still reserve the top of the season is good overall. people love being wrong. Winter has its perks but list to spring, fall has H i g h l i g h t s Winter is the only the weather is just plain many aspects that are include summer break. season on this list in m i s e r a b l e . F a l l h a s similar to spring, just not True, I get a little tired of which I actively despise. decent weather, but it as good. The falling it by the third month, but The cold weather is just has some pretty chilly leaves and colorful trees ultimately summer break plain miserable to me. days, especially as it are undeniably pretty; is great fun—sleeping in There’s nothing I “love” nears winter. Spring, on however, I still prefer the every day, not having to more than having to put the other hand, is a blooming flowers and re- worry about homework on 3 layers of clothing just so I don’t die of frostbite the minute I step out of the door. Also, snow is awful. True, it may bring us 2-hour delays which are always a treat, but it also means I have to shovel snow off of my driveway at seven in the morning. Not even Mother Nature loves this season. There’s a reason most animals struggle to find food and die in the w i n t e r. T h e c o l d i s downright depressing, the snow is an annoying obstacle, and this season is miserable to deal with overall. 3 (Continued from page 1.) 6. Skittles: The they are Black Forest pure sugar powder. Also only problem with getting brand or red and pink it turns your mouth blue. Don’t let the pretty pink Skittles on Valentine’s colored. What more could a 2nd and oversized heart day is that there’s nothing 3. Fruit by the grader need? shape fool you; the special about them. If Foot: No words can 1. Ring Pops: sourness of these is you liked skittles, odds describe the pure joy Ring Pops were the best overwhelming and ruins are you already had some elementary school kids of both worlds. They the rest of the flavor, at your house or had feel when unrolling a Fruit w e r e f u n t o w e a r, except they last 10 times s o m e r e c e n t l y. N o t by the Foot almost as delicious, and lasted a longer than the original enough anticipation for long as they are tall and surprisingly long time candy. Stick to normal these. pretending it’s a tongue. (unless you were weird Sweet Tarts if that’s your 5 . H e r s h e y Although Fruit Roll Ups and bit into them). Since thing. Kisses: See Skittles. a n d G u s h e r s w e r e they lasted so long, you 7. Conversation 4 . G u m m y c o m m o n l u n c h b o x could show off your bling Hearts: You want to like Bears: Gummy bears are snacks, Fruit by the Foot long after the class them, but you just can’t. already a God Tier candy, was a rarity. Knowing Valentine party. Ring Candy hearts, no matter b u t t h e y s o m e h o w how special it was to Pops aren’t just a candy; how iconic they may be, become even better have one made them they are truly the height are just glorified chalk. when they’re in those taste even better. of wealth and fashion for Elementary school kids little Valentine-size bags. 2. Fun Dip: I anyone under the age of aren’t much above eating They’re the perfect mix don’t have much to say ten. chalk, but there are so between fruit and pure for this one besides the many better candies out sugar - every child’s fact that it’s a stick of there. dream! Bonus points if pure sugar dipped into

Wawa: A Gift running to get gas on an only reduce waste, but there’s no shame in empty tank, grabbing a save money too. Sheetz. for the bite to eat before a And for those other Residents of S a t u r d a y m o r n i n g people.... No worries, practice, or ordering a Wyomissing milkshake after a rough game, Wawa has your by Evelyn Hoyer back. I’ve noticed that Wawa has saved me lot H a n d s d o w n , of time when it comes to Wawa is Wyo’s favorite my coffee. Places like gas station. The new Starbucks and Dunkin’ Wawa in Wyomissing is a have great coffee, but saving grace for many compared to the low students like myself that prices and accessible live farther away from the o p t i o n s o n a t o u c h other Wawa. Its opening screen, Wawa has them in January was certainly beat. grand with students Wonders aside, if rushing from school to you haven’t visited the grab a free coffee. It new Wawa, I highly saves me from the few recommend you do. If hundred times I’ve almost you plan on visiting as hit a deer on Old Mill often as once a week, a Road. rewards card would serve Wawa is a great you best. Coffee addict? stop anytime during the N o p r o b l e m , u s e a d a y. W h e t h e r i t b e refillable bottle to not (Continued from page 1.) like having an honest some cases, teachers comes to teachers’ kids. 4 A great part of student opinion about my know more personal One misconception is that having a parent as a class.” I can provide her information about me I always know the plan for teacher is that I get rides with feedback about an than I’d like, but I don’t what the class will be to school every day. Even activity or assessment mind. doing that day. I actually though I do have to leave without sugarcoating it. No matter what rarely talk with my mom the house earlier than M y m o m g e t s m o re goes on at school, my about Spanish class at other students, it’s better knowledge about how mom is always in the home. So, I only know as than worrying about students feel when they know. Caroline Allen said, much as every other missing the bus. Then in are in her class and can “The worst part about student. Another common the afternoon, if I don’t adjust to the needs of the having my parents at the fallacy is that my mom have sports practice, I students. school is that they just helps me with my work just go home with my One aspect that know everything. Not that for her class. She treats mom. Also if I need to could be a pro or a con is I wouldn’t be otherwise, me just like any other one stay after school for that a lot of teachers but I always have to be on of her students. Also, at another teacher, I don’t already know who I am. m y b e s t b e h a v i o r home my mom has her have to worry because It’s not uncommon for a because they will find out own work and grading to teachers have to stay at teacher to call me by my v e r y e a s i l y i f I d o do. If I asked her for help, school until 2:55 anyway. last name because it’s something I shouldn’t.” she would help me, but I As one of her easier to remember who I Parents are always just a j u s t fi g u r e o u t m y students, I can also help am by connecting me to quick phone call away if homework on my own. my mom. When I asked my mom. Sometimes anything happens, good So, that’s it for my mom to list one teachers know me before or bad. the inside scoop on the advantage to having me I e v e n m e e t t h e m There are several lives of teacher’s kids. a s a s t u d e n t , s h e because they knew me m i s c o n c e p t i o n s t h a t responded by saying, “I when I was young. In people have when it

The Outcome of and the 1919 Black Sox t h e i r p ro b l e m s w i t h trouble organizing a scandal. With this new different leaders. clubhouse than ever the Houston age of technology and A l t h o u g h t h e before. The Red Sox Astros’ sign stealing, Manfred punishment towards the already fired their ex-GM had to lay down the law Astros was harsh, it was Dave Dombrowski this Cheating on both the Astros and reported that then Boston offseason along with their Scandal R e d S o x t o s e n d a Red Sox’s head coach World Series winning message to the entire Alex Cora would face an head coach. New GM league. e v e n m o r e s e v e r e B r i a n O ' H a l l o r a n i s by Harry Weiss I n t h e punishment. In 2017, working with the new c o m m i s s i o n e r ’ s Cora was the Astros’ President of Baseball statement, he suspended bench coach and he O p e r a t i o n s , C h a i m After months of former Astros head coach played a key role in Bloom, as they face a accused cheating, Rob AJ Hinch and former cheating, too. He, too, v a r i e t y o f i s s u e s M a n f r e d , t h e Astros GM Jeff Luhnow was then fired from regarding Boston’s future. commissioner of the from one year of baseball. Boston a few days later. O n e o f t h e M L B , r e l e a s e d a E v e n a f t e r t h e i r Although the Mets were biggest questions they statement about the suspension, the Astros not a part of the scandal, must tackle is whether or Astros and Red Sox that were stripped of their they had hired former not to trade star outfielder confirmed their cheating 2020 and 2021 first round Astro Carlos Beltran to Mookie Betts away for allegations. Manfred and second round draft their head coaching prospects and MLB ready proceeded to punish both picks and were fined $5 position, but he recently players as they hope to teams severely for their million. Following the r e s i g n e d a m i d t h i s clear cap space. actions. An issue like this punishments, owner Jim commissioner’s report. h a s n e v e r o c c u r re d Crane proceeded to let Now, these two (Continued on next page.) before in the MLB which go of Hinch and Luhnow World Series contending has seen its own variety with the hopes of fixing teams are facing more of cheating with PEDs 5 (Continued from last page.) Betts is just one year away from free agency and already signed a re c o rd b re a k i n g $ 2 8 million arbitration deal. The Red Sox salary cap issues go beyond Betts, as pitcher David Price is set to earn over $93 million over the next three years while J.D. Martinez could ear n over $66 million as well. With just less than two weeks till pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training, O’Halloran and Bloom h a v e m a n y l i n g e r i n g decisions to make for the future of the Red Sox. W h e r e a s t h e 2017 Marwin Gonzalez hopefully no sign stealing see the Astros miss the Astros have already found had over 130 bangs on with cameras. All the playoffs for the first time their new head coach in 800 pitches and that Astros players will be since 2016 since the AL an experienced clubhouse season he hit a career under extreme pressure to West has improved a lot leader, Dusty Baker, high .303 batting average deliver without cheating this past offseason. With a c c o r d i n g t o K e n and a career high .347 and then we can see how Anthony Rendon on the Rosenthal, the Astros OBP. That same season, good they actually are. If Angels, Corey Kluber on search for a new GM is Jose Altuve was awarded they begin to hit worse the Rangers, and with the continuing; however, they the American League MVP and there is a dramatic A’s contending nearly have reportedly shown over Aaron Judge. When difference between their every year, the Astros are interest in former San comparing their stats, stats, then it proves just no longer the kings of the Francisco Giants’ GM Altuve had a batting how drastically they were west. I expect the A’s or Bobby Evans, Kansas City average of .346, an OBP cheating. One thing to Angels to pull away with Roles Director of Pro o f . 4 1 0 , a s l u g g i n g watch for in the season is first place and although Scouting Gene Watson, percentage of .547 with 24 how opposing pitchers t h e W i l d C a r d i s a along with Ray’s VP of home runs, and just 81 pitch towards the Astros’ possibility, the Tampa Bay B a s e b a l l O p e r a t i o n s RBIs whereas Judge had batters. It will not be Rays seem to be a block James Click for their open an average of .284, an s u r p r i s i n g t o s e e behind the Yankees for position. Unlike the Red OBP of .422, slugging Cincinnati Reds’ pitcher first place in the AL East. Sox, the Astros players percentage of .627 with a Trevor Bauer or his former No matter what else are facing more criticism whopping 52 home runs, teammate Mike Clevinger happens, the Astros will than ever before due to and 114 RBIs. That year throw at any Astros for h a v e a r o u g h 2 0 2 0 their sign stealing with the Astros not only won retaliation. Undoubtedly season. their trashcan banging the World Series, but the Astros will receive approach. defeated the Yankees in boos everywhere they go, Based off of a seven games during the but when they travel to fan’s research, in 2017 the ALCS. If it wasn’t for New York, it will be a very A s t r o s b a n g e d t h e Altuve and the Astros, h o s t i l e e n v i ro n m e n t . trashcan over 1,100 times Judge could have won his Manfred or the MLBPA will a t h o m e . O n m a n y first MVP in a year that he m o s t l i k e l y h a v e t o circumstances, there were definitely deserved it. address those situations over 30-40 bangs per It will be very in the season depending game. Per player, the interesting to see how the on how their games are bangs vary from 15-45 Astros’ season plays out going. bangs to 120-140. With this year. A new head P e r s o n a l l y , I stats from MLB.com, in coach, no Gerrit Cole, and wouldn’t be surprised to For the heat to fill. We glanced outside the 6 Apple Pie and frosty window The sight of every single Cookies He hopped into the car to And saw nothing but a aisle turn on the radio. white winter wonderland. Filled and stacked with I got in, tucked my thick items, by Emma Seley coat into the car and shut We jumped out of the car. the door, We stomped on the newly Going home and baking all “My dad and I, Te l l i n g h i m t o p l a y fallen flakes. we can, We got on our winter Christmas songs, To the market we went Whipping up batters and jackets. So I could carol all by T o fi n d t h e e x a c t oiled pans We got on our big, bulky myself ingredients boots. As loud as I want. I needed to find To share with the family, The car was already For the apple pie and for To share the memories for started On our way to the grocery t h e c h o c o l a t e c h i p many more years to come market cookies.

The Book Thief In truth To drag her hand across Soft and true on his lips. I think And pull her over. and Her Lookout He was afraid, He tasted dusty and Scared, It didn't matter where. sweet. by Matthew Kauffman Of the book thief's kiss. Her mouth, He tasted like regret Her neck, In the shadows of trees He must have longed for Her cheek. And in the glow I am haunted it so much. Of the anarchist's suit By humans Her skin was empty for it. collection. [Because] even death has He must have loved her Waiting. a heart. So incredibly hard. She kissed him long and [But] my heart is so tired. So hard, Years ago, soft, He would never ask When they'd raced And when she pulled One was a book thief. For her lips, On a muddy field, herself away, The other stole Would go to his grave She touched his mouth The sky. Without them. H e w a s a h a s t i l y With her fingers. assembled set of bones, H e r h a n d s w e r e Together Hair the color of lemons, With a jagged, trembling, They would watch He read. Rocky smile. Her lips were fleshy. Everything You told him about me That was so carefully [He said.] In the trees this afternoon, She leaned in once more, planned He was a giver of bread This time losing control Collapse, At first And teddy bears. and misjudging it. She could not talk. Their teeth collided [in And they would He was her best friend. their] Smile P e r h a p s i t w a s t h e And he was a month from Demolished world. At the beauty sudden bumpiness of his death. Of destruction. Love I have to say, She felt for him. Of course Although it broke my Somewhere, Or had she always loved She said. heart, Far down, him? I was, There was an itch She was saying goodbye, And still am glad In his heart, It's likely. And she didn't even I was there. But he made it a point Know. Not to scratch it. Restricted as she was -Found Poem inspired by He was afraid from speaking, She leaned down, Markus Zusak’s The Book Of what might come She wanted him Looked at his lifeless face Thief Leaking out. To kiss her. and she kissed her She wanted him Best friend, 7 Fun Page 8