February 2016 P.S. 11 Paper

FEBRUARY 2016

VOLUME VII

PHOTO BY: JOE DOYLE corner, but the late start of winter took us all by surprise. Scientists call This this phenomenon “season creep.” It can result in buds appearing on some trees in late winter. Winter Crazy Winter has finally caught up with us and the temperature drop has caused Mayor De Blasio to issue a Code Blue ear- Weather lier this month. Code Blue provides shelter for the homeless from the extreme cold. The last week of December, the whole month of January, and the first week of February have shown the effects of an El Niño. An El Niño is a weather pattern of extremely warm temperatures. An El Niño happens when trade winds are weaker than usual. This causes the Pacific Ocean to be warmer than usual and changes the jet stream, leading to unusu- al weather patterns with some areas flooding and other areas staying dry. This past December challenged many temperature records, and all of those records have shown signs of an BY ASHLEY JACKSON-WILLIAMS AND NATE WILDMAN El Niño. The average temperature for Janu- Have you seen this year’s weather? past winters. Bodies of water that ary is a high of 40° F and a low of 28° It’s crazy! We have had some of the once froze regularly each winter F. The average for February is 43°F hottest days this season and some of now freeze less frequently. Winter high/30° low. This year, we have the coldest, too. We have also had storms have increased in frequency been 10 to 20 degrees higher than the a historic snow storm! The mild since the 1950’s. The snow depth for historical average. This Christmas start to winter that we had does not this time of year would usually aver- Eve was the warmest Christmas Eve mean that all of our winter will be age around 3 1/2 inches, but so far, it ever, not only in NYC but across the mild. This season, we may see snow is almost 30 inches. Also, the snow country. Five thousand, two hundred days, indoor recesses, or hopefully, came very late this year. At the start records have been tied or broken outdoor recesses. What does all this of the winter, it was really warm and in December. Winter Storm Jonas weather mean for us and our future? no one thought it was going to snow. broke snowfall records by being the This winter is very different from It felt like spring was just around the continued on page 2

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PHOTO BY JOE DOYLE WINTER continued second biggest storm in the history of New York, coming in with 26.8 inches of snow in the northeastern United States. Though this year has been unusu- al, extreme weather has happened in New York City in the past, too. The Questions largest snowstorm in NYC was on with... February 11, 2006. It dropped 26.9 inches of snow. Even though this year’s Valentine’s Day was the cold- Adi Licht est Valentine’s Day in a 100 years, the coldest day ever in NYC was -15 degrees Fahrenheit, which was on February 9, 1934. These past records seem to be random abnormalities in the weather. However, permanent climate changes are making storms consistently 1. How long have you worked at music? more intense and frequent, while PS 11? All kinds of music. I love Beyoncé. winter temperatures are lower, in 6 ½ years. general. These changes will affect 8. Do you have any pets? us because it will make some areas 2. What is your favorite thing No, but I really want a puppy. uninhabitable for growing crops. about P.S. 11? Global warming plays a big part by All of the shows and all of the 9. If you could have dinner with producing more precipitation. Short- amazing students. any famous person, dead or er and warmer winters may be dam- alive, who would it be and why? aging some plant life because they 3. What is your favorite type of Michael Jackson just because I can’t start their hibernation process, dance? really look up to him and grew called “cold hardening.” Super storm Hip-hop. up on his music. I’d love to have Jonas was formed by a polar vortex, lunch with him, and then, a dance which is an arctic cyclone. 4. Where do you get your class. We can all do our part to lessen inspiration for your dances? the effects of global warming by I am still a student and I take 10. If you could live anywhere reducing our emissions and find- classes around five days a week else in the world other than NYC, ing better ways of transportation, and I like to travel the world and where would it be? like walking, using buses, trains or learn new types of dances. On an island in the Caribbean. I bikes. We should also try to find al- go there every summer. ternative energy sources like wind, 5. What are your hobbies? water, or solar power. We shouldn’t I like to dance and travel. 11. What advice would you give use gas, oil, or power plants to fuel a student who wants to be a our things. Power plants, drilling, 6. Where did you grow up? dancer when they grow up? and timber companies are the most Tel Aviv, Israel. Always give 100%. Never give up serious causes of global warming. If and you can make all your dreams we don’t do something about global 7. What is your favorite kind of come true. warming, then, there will be more life threatening storms in our future. BY AMANDA BALLAS

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PHOTO BY SAMUEL COHEN Overheard at LUNCH: BY ASHER BLACKMAN AND LORENZO MATIZ “Pizza is goooood!” - Roger, 3rd Grade

(Chicken tacos) “I like it!” - Aidana, 1st Grade

“Delicious and nutritious.” – Shaun, Kindergarten

“I like cheese and tomato pizza.” - Scout, Kindergarten

“I only like the tomato sauce on the pizza.” - Alex, 3rd Grade

Loving her Valentines! (Cheese sandwich) “Bread is my favorite.” - Cassidy, 1st Grade “My favorite are the potato fries.” - Hilmay, 3rd Grade Valentines For Everyone! “The line is way too long!” - Adam, 3rd Grade BY ELEANOR HOROWITZ “Love the bread.” - Walker, Kindergarten Our school goes by the rule that When you saw the name of the everyone should try to be “K & G” student you got, you could imagine “Yummy sauce and yummy (kind & gentle). What better way to how you wanted the person receiv- cheese.” - Anna, Kindergarten bring the K & G spirit to Valentine’s ing your Valentine to feel when they PHOTO BY RUBY WILDMAN Day than to do secret Valentines! opened the envelope. I would want On February 12, we celebrated a the person to feel like they are one holiday, followed school rules, and of my friends, if they are not already possibly got to meet new people, a friend. To me, secret Valentines all at once! Envelopes were handed are a good way to make everyone out at random by the teachers. On in the school feel included, no mat- the front of the envelope, there was ter if they are new to the school or a person’s name and class number. have been there for a year or more. Sometimes, on the envelope, there Lizzie Appelbaum thinks P.S. 11 might be one of your friend’s names should keep doing K&G Valentines listed and you could make a person- because, “it helps get to know people alized Valentine for them. You might in your grade that you did not know also have gotten a total stranger and before. It is also a fun activity kids had to trust your instincts to help can do while following the school’s you make one for someone whom rule of being K&G.” Hope you had a you don’t know. Happy Valentine’s Day!

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2016 Lunar New Year Coin Drive Results BY EDWIN HOROWITZ RESEARCHED BY LORENZO MATIZ The Lunar New Year is a celebration rooster, dog, cat, pig, rat, ox, tiger, that falls on the last day of the lunar rabbit, and dragon raced across wa- 1500 calendar. It is sometimes called “Chi- ter. Every animal, except the cat, got nese New Year.” This year, it started across and the rat won. It`s important 1200 WINNER on Monday, February 8, which was because the calendar is in the order the day of the new moon. The cele- of how they finished. bration lasts for 15 days. People who Henry Zhang celebrates Lunar 900 celebrate gather and eat the annual New Year by visiting his family and reunion dinner. They also decorate he sometimes makes dragons with 600 their windows and doors, covering them. Henry loves Lunar New Year. them with red colored paper cutouts. “We watch the dragon dance and 300 The Chinese Zodiac is a 12-year speak Chinese while we eat cake!” calendar cycle that has 12 animals on he said. Ms. Lam, a teacher at P.S. 0 it. Two Thousand, Sixteen is the year 11, celebrates Lunar New Year in a PreK/K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th of the monkey. There is a myth about different way. She gives lucky red Third graders get to pull a prize from how the animals made it into the Chi- envelopes to anyone who is unmar- the P.S. 11 Treasure Chest for their win! nese Zodiac calendar and in what ried and also to the elderly. She wish- Congratulations to 2nd grader Theo order. A snake, horse, goat, monkey, es them something, and before they T. for winning the oldest coin contest take the envelope, they with a rare 1899 penny! PHOTO BY VIOLET SHEFFER-STEVENS have to wish something back. Ms. Lam said Lu- nar New Year is about, “being with each other JOKES of and honoring our ancestors. On this day, the MONTH we burn incense and BY SYDNEY GROSSMAN give offerings—food and drinks—to Bud- Q: Why can’t you give Elsa dha and our ancestors.” a balloon? They also prepare for A: Because she will, “Let It Go.” the holiday by getting haircuts and new clothes! The celebration in- cludes a parade in Chi- natown, complete with Q: What did firecrackers and drums the traffic and hundreds of people light say to watching and cheering. the car? Chinese New Year is a A: Don’t look, unique holiday that is I’m changing! unlike any other celebration.

4 PAPER FEBRUARY 2016 100 Days of Achievement, Friendship and Hard Work BY BRIANA HASIMAJ

The 100th Day of School is, literal- electricity. People used the radio for ly, the 100th day of the school year. news and music because T.V. wasn’t From the very first day of school, invented yet. Movies were black and many classes keep track of the num- white and silent. The American flag ber of days they’ve been in school in had 45 stars. Arizona, Oklahoma, anticipation of the 100th day. Kin- New Mexico, Hawaii and Alaska dergarten, 1st grade and 2nd grade were not part of the Union yet. Also, celebrate 100 days of school with 100 years ago, families were larg- exciting activities. But 3rd grade, 4th er than now. Many children had to grade and 5 grade don’t celebrate. work at home and the older children Why? Despite that, since I am a 3rd had to look after the young ones. Be- grader, I thought I’d celebrate the first cause of that, only 6% of Americans 100 days of school by writing an es- graduated from high school. Back say of 100 things that didn’t exist 100 then, buildings were smaller and the years ago. Here are a few of them. tallest building was the Eiffel Tower One hundred years ago was 1916. in Paris, France. It is mind-blowing We didn’t have computers. The car to think how much the world has BY RUBY WILDMAN had just been placed into production. changed in just 100 years. From tech- The airplane was invented in 1903. nology to education and lifestyle, our great things in the first 100 days and The telephone was still fairly new, lives are changing every day. I hope continues to do so for the remaining and there were still people without that everyone has accomplished 80 days of the school year. National Inventors’ Day

BY SAMANTHA ZAINO Ethan, a P.S. 11 first grader, has never heard of National Inventors’ February 11th was National Inven- Day. He has heard of Thomas Edison tors’ Day, which is when we cele- but has never heard of Ruth Wake- brate great inventors and their in- field. Fourth grader, Eleanor, has nev- Thomas Edison ventions. Thomas Edison invented er heard of this special day, either. Her one of the most used things today, favorite inventor is Albert Einstein. the light bulb, in November of 1879. She has not heard of Ruth Wakefield. He was born on February 11, 1847 in Many people might not have heard Milan, OH and died on October 18, of National Inventors’ Day or know 1931 in West Orange, NJ. who invented what. However, it’s Ruth Wakefield is another inventor a very significant day to remember and she invented the chocolate chip because without all of these great in- cookie in 1938. She was born on ventions, the world would not be the June 17, 1903 in Massachusetts and same. For instance, there wouldn’t be died on January 10, 1977 in Plym- sweet, chocolate chip cookies or light Ruth Wakefield outh, MA. for when it’s dark.

5 PAPER FEBRUARY 2016 Shrek, the Musical, Jr.

REVIEW BY LENA BONDS ERYone was talking about it: “It was great!” “I loved the donkey!” “The As I walked in, there seemed to be fire was cool!” “Fiona was pretty!” a lot of people already in the audito- “The show was amazing.” rium. Greeted by the bake sale and And what about that Donkey? lots of tasty treats, I took my playbill The person under the costume was and found a seat. The stage looked Bridgid Allen, an avid reader, bud- great and the energy from the crowd ding writer, accomplished speller, told me they were ready for a great violinist and 2-time captain of P.S. show. As the lights dimmed, there 11’s champion Music Memory team. was lots of laughter and cheers from The Donkey was one of the parts the crowd. It was very loud! she wanted and she got it by sign- The opening scene was with Little ing up and attending a “long-term Shrek, who was cute. Then, came audition,” where she practiced for a Big Shrek! He came out and sang month before getting the role. She very well and loud. Now, Shrek had didn’t experience stage fright, but really begun! Following his opening despite rehearsing, she said, “I made song, Donkey entered and brought PHOTO BY RUBY WILDMAN a few mistakes during the show.” the crowd to tears with laughter. I However, she was especially proud knew within the first few moments blew fire! Throughout the 13 amaz- of one thing. She said, “My biggest Poll Question that I had to get the scoop on who was ing scenes, the crowd continued to challenge was remembering my lines under the costume. As the play con- laugh and cheer. People got up, got in the 2nd half of the show, which I Sydney Grossman, Poll Managertinued, the audience seemed amazed the yummy baked goods and came had not taken much time to fully Amanda Ballas, Asher Blackman,by the talented Jensen castKrebs and and their Lorenzo singing, Matiz, back Pollsters quickly to watch the rest of the memorize….I often forgot my lines the costumes, music and lighting! show. I enjoyed a brownie. even during the last couple weeks of What kind of transportationMy do P.S.favorite 11 students part was take when to school?Fiona The last scene ignited a standing rehearsals. Luckily, in the real show, and Shrek were making rude nois- ovation for the cast & crew. Ms. Gol- I remembered my lines and didn’t Grade: es. Everyone was laughing, HAHA! ub, Ms. Sarah and Ms. Wurman took say the wrong thing….” The dragon seemed a little scary their well-deserved bows. I hope you got to see the show. Walk for the little kids, especially when it Back at school on Monday, EV- Keep an eye out for the next one! Drive Public Transport Kindergarten Monthly Poll: What kind of transportation do P.S. 11 students take to school? 21 Walk Drive Public Transport 2 2 1st Grade

15 5 5 Kindergarten 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade 2nd Grade POLL MANAGER: SYDNEY GROSSMAN POLLSTERS: AMANDA BALLAS, ASHER BLACKMAN, JENSEN KREBS AND LORENZO MATIZ 12 3 6 PAPER 14 3rd Grade

29 12 53 4th Grade

5 2 17 5th Grade

15 0 11 PHOTO BY RUBY WILDMAN FEBRUARY 2016

our life but it still needs improve- ment. Some lines are nicer than oth- ers. The E Train, for example, is a line that always looks clean and has new, updated train cars. Some riders, including Marabel Bariantiaz, want faster trains and more stations. One of the newest stations is the Fulton Center, a three-story glass building with a ring in the ceiling that lets light shine all the way to the plat- form. Restaurants and stores will Imagine Paying for the soon open there. The 2nd Avenue line is expected to open partially in Subway with an Apple December 2016, but the entire line will not open until 2048. Some P.S. BY GABE KENNELL AND ARI LULLA 11 students will be in their 40s when it’s finished! Many people who ride the subway ride the New York City sub- Future subways will look say, “It’s disgusting!” or, “It’s so ways every day. Too crowd- very different. Mr. Giovan crowded!” Yet, they also say, “I use ed? The Transit Authority is said, “In the future, we the subway every day and it would trying to figure out how many are going to have trains be so hard to go places without it.” riders should fit. According to that have open gangways, On October 27, 1904 at 2:35pm, draft loading guidelines, it’s which means you can the New York City subway system 110 to 175 people, depending walk throughout the train opened for business. According to on length of the car. However, cars....” We might also get James Giovan, an interpreter at the riders like Kurt Griemsmann Cool NYC rid of Metro Cards. Ac- Subway Facts: New York Transit Museum, “It made say that’s not always the case. cording to Mr. Giovan, • If you were to life more convenient because we “It is always late and always connect all the “Another cool thing that could finally move uptown on trains packed.” Some say it feels like tracks from all the the subway will have in the that went very fast, and then, people there are more than 200 peo- lines, they would stretch from NYC future is called ‘contactless could commute and not have to be all ple squashed into a car. to Chicago. payment.’ We will have squished in Lower Manhattan.” The Ridership has to be high in • There is a secret cards that we just tap, and first subway line ran from City Hall order to keep fares low. It is the library with no we’ll probably even have above ground to Harlem. Today, there are 26 lines least expensive way to travel. It markings within Apple Pay, where you just and 469 stations. The longest line is costs a fraction of a taxi. Some the 6 line at the tap your phone and go.” the A Train at more than 31 miles of the other benefits of the sub- 50th Street station. Cleaner stations, less long! The deepest station is at 191st way are that it allows groups to • There are a bunch of aban- crowded cars, more ele- St., at 180 feet below the sidewalk. travel together. You can’t get doned subway vators, escalators, fast- When it opened, the subway cost 5¢ stuck in traffic or get wet in the stations and there er trains and more sta- is even a lower to ride, and brass tokens were used. rain waiting for a taxi or bus. level A/C/E track at tions are some of the top Today, it’s $2.75 to ride, and in 2003, Most importantly, millions of the 42nd St. Port things people want to see the Metro Card was invented. Every New Yorkers depend on it to Authority that was built and never changed. For our part, we year, on Sundays in December, the get to work and school. Rider, used! can try to keep our sub- MTA runs one old subway car from Bridjette MacDonald, agrees • Our subway runs way tracks clear of trash, the 1900s on the M line. If you get that, “It is the fastest and most 24 hours a day. and thus, free of rodents There is no other lucky, you might get to ride on one. convenient way to travel.” subway system and have a better experi- More than 5 million people now The subway is integral to that does that! ence for all.

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BY VIOLET SHEFFER-STEVENS

A PEEK AT MR. BENDER

BY JENSEN KREBS

February 11, 2:30 P.M. Found Mr. Bender at his desk work- ing on an 18-page application to be a Showcase School again next year. Q: We are already a showcase school. Do you have to apply every year? A: “Yes.”

Q: Is it hard? A: “It is a lot of work.”

Q: How long have you worked on it? Lunch Leader Dance A: “About a week and a day.” Q: Is anyone helping you? BY CARMEN LACOSTA KOLSRUD A: “I am going to ask the teacher showcase team for feedback.” At P.S. 11, we have “lunch leaders” many great songs, such as Adele’s new who are all in the 4th and 5th grade. hit song, “Hello.” The dance was on A lunch leader is someone who helps fire. There were about 100 kids danc- the pre-K students, kindergarteners, ing like crazy, all sweaty. They danced 1st graders and 2nd graders with their the conga line, la Macarena, and the lunches. For example, if they need to chicken dance. The parents were all open something, a lunch leader can waiting outside. One lunch leader, Ian open it for them. A fun dance was Schearer, said, “the only thing missing planned for February 24 as a “thank was a dancing partner.” A fun night you” gift for what the lunch leaders do was had by everyone. I look forward everyday. At the dance, they played so to being a lunch leader next year!

VIDEO LINK A Fair Amount of Science https://youtu.be/DjB6Fn2Pbcc

8 PAPER FEBRUARY 2016 Featured Artwork

ART EDITOR: NORA WILDMAN ARTWORK BY: SOPHIE ERLINGER, 3RD GRADE

If you would like to submit artwork to be considered for our next edition, please draw, paint or write it on 1 sheet of letter-sized paper (one side only), then drop it in the News Box in the Main Office. Make sure to include your name and class on the back. You may also submit article ideas, jokes or poll questions.

9 PAPER —— FICTION —— A Wacky Video Game Adventure BY DAN RICOTTA

Steve paced back and forth, back and trudged toward forth. His stomach yelled—growl, them. Moan- growl— like a wolf that was trying ing, they had no to catch his prey. Steve was think- choice except to ing about what he should eat. Bing. fight him because A lightbulb went off in his head. video games are Donuts! He walked to the refrigerator programmed that and opened it. Suddenly, the light- way and you can- bulb in his head blew up. “AHHHH- not escape Boss HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH- Battles (unless HH!” THERE WERE NO DONUTS you have specific IN THE REFRIGERATOR! Steve dialogue options, thought about what he had to do. which this game He looked down at his rectangular, does not have and boxy, grey shoes. He realized that he blah blah boring, couldn’t go to the store to buy donuts booooooring, because it was 50,000 miles away. blah). Anyway, He went over to his epic, gold, they started a emerald and diamond couch and saw Boss Battle. Cool his friends, Super Mario and Mega music played. Man sitting there. Mario was playing ARTWORK BY ANDREW SOSA Dun dun dun Mega Man X and Mega Man was dun dun dundun. playing the new Super Mario Bros. and claws on his hands and feet. Of Mega Man shot a laser blast at Bows- U. Mario said, “Your game is good.” course, this was Bowser, Mario’s er and did 456 damage. Then, Mario “Yours, too,” said Mega Man. Steve mortal enemy. Whenever Mario hit Bowser with his hammer, doing shouted, “Hey, guys, sorry to bust tries to save Princess Peach in Mario 577 damage. Then, Bowser did a in, but could you go to the store and World, Bowser is the one who always magic spell thingy, but Mario deflect- get cheese?” Mario replied, “Cheese? tries to stop him. Now, he was here, ed it back, hitting Bowser and doing I thought you liked donuts.” Steve offering 5,000 points if Mario and 1,000,000 damage! Bowser defeat- stated, “I know, I got a new DO- Mega Man could accomplish some ed!! “Good thing I deflected that,” NUT-O-MATIC about 3.54780 challenges! said Mario. They flew back to so- seconds ago, and it needs cheese to Bowser sputtered, “Hullo. U must called “Stave’s hawsss,” then, paced work.” Mega Man interrupted, “Why dou 1,244 challenges to get de chez. to his door and creaked it open. They can’t you get it yourself?” “I don’t This is how you do dem...Blah blah handed the cheese to Steve. “Thanks, have a pineapple, tripod, epic, super blahbitty-blah, yak yak yak, blah. (It guys,” said Steve. Then, he walked airplane,” Steve said. Mario and took 50 hours to explain.) “Ok,” said to his DONUT-O-MATIC, put the Mega Man agreed to help Steve and Mega Man. Then, Mario and Mega cheese inside a scanner thingama- used Mega Man’s rocket boots to fly Man plotted to NOT do any challeng- jig and got 9,999,999,999,999,999 to the “We Sell Cheese” company. es. Instead, they flew over Bowser donuts. They paced to the entrance door, and went into the store. Luckily, they Later, Steve, Mario and Mega Man grumbling. spotted the cheese they needed right were feasting on fresh, piping hot When they went inside, they found away, so they grabbed it, proceeded donuts. Mario said, “I’m glad we a giant turtle with yellow skin and to the cash register and paid. Unfor- got cheese.” Mega man answered, “I big spikes on his green shell and tail. tunately, Bowser was not going to guess there’s a lesson in this.” “Yep,” He had red, fiery hair on his head let them get away so easily and he said Mario, “Donuts are gewd.”

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P.S. 11 Paper Staff The Rockin’ Reporters

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