THE FALCON FLIER NEWS Our first ever all digital Student Newspaper

Distance Learning at LPMS By PRANAVI BHAMIDIPATI WINTER 2020 Due to the Covid-19 ISSUE 1 Pandemic, many schools have been VOLUME 15 shut down and have been brought DECEMBER 2020 to us virtually. As many of us know, this is called Distance Learning. Many people have mixed feelings about this new type of learning. Some may think it is quite exciting ABOUT and new. Others may think that it isn?t as fun as going back to school The newspapaper club meets on in person. We have interviewed some Thursdays from 3:45-4:30pm. 6th grade students, who are new to Here at LPMS - we have Please email Mrs. Tippets if you middle school to hear their reached the 2nd quarter of Distance would like to join us on Zoom! thoughts about Distance Learning. Learning. Since August 31st, we [email protected] ?Distance learning isn?t fun, but it?s have attended our classes online the right decision,? Anvitha Nakka using certain applications such as stated on the day of her interview. LAKELANDS PARK Zoom, MyMCPS Classroom, Canvas, Many of us can relate to this Nearpod, and other such tools. MIDDLE SCHOOL statement. Surely, we don?t want to 12OO MAIN ST Teachers and students find be going outside during a this whole concept new and dangerous health crisis. Better safe GAITHERSBURG MD interesting. To understand more than sorry. @LPMSFALCONS how people feel about it, let?s dive CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 into some interviews.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEW SGA OFFICERS!

President - Sadie Carey, Grade 8 6th Grade VP- Lila Pierce Vice President - Isabella Aguilar, Grade 8 Secretary- Nikhita Dass, Grade 8 7th Grade VP - Avi Rubin Treasurer- Preston Cheatwood, Grade 7 DISTANCE LEARNING INTERVIEWS CONTINUED Getting to Know Ms. Alvarez, However, while staying the first month of quarantine, online for 6 hours straight, we will we did not even have school! LPMS New no doubt face internet issues. We are now able to learn Principal Sumedha Ghosh stated that she virtually, And maybe we can go faces internet problems and that back to learning in person. By Deetya Cheerka, Ritika causes her computer to react Naik, Olivia L slowly. This is inevitable, and we This year LPMS has a new ¨ Patience is not the just need to cope with them, until principal! We interviewed they get better. ability to wait, but to Mrs. Alvarez and asked Viana Haghighat stated that keep a good attitude her several questions and she looked forward to Outdoor while waiting¨ these were her responses: Education. It may not be as fun as ~ Joyce Meyer Q: What did you do it was in person, but the virtual before you cam e t o Outdoor Ed seems like the perfect LPMS? option and the safest one. A: Before I was a teacher, I Mrs. Tippets, a 7th and 8th worked as a consultant for grade teacher stated that Distance the government and Learning may not be as bad as it The Media Center has been traveled to many countries seems. We have virtual check ins, having fun contests for for the U.S. government. I and should strongly take those students! Check out these was working in the U.S. ways of gaining help. She also winners of the Pumpkin Agency for International states that the most inspiring thing decorating contest! Development. Some she has seen is nature and being You can also see our new countries I went to were able to spend more time with LPMS Cookbook organized by Honduras, India, family. Ms. Weiner on our MyMCPS Bangladesh, El Salvador, So, we should all be grateful Dashboard for ideas! Senegal, Mali. for what we have. If we remember Continued on Page 3&4 Getting to Know Ms. Alvarez, New LPMS Principal Continued

make that happen. I really care high expectations in a caring deeply for students, their way. families, and staff. Q: Are t here any books you Q: What are you m ost excit ed w ould like t o recom m end t o about for t his year? your st udent / st aff at LPMS? A: So this is a very challenging A: If you go to my virtual office in time, I am most excited to find the LPMS classroom, in there I ways to help make everyone have my favorite book called feel successful. I want to see ?The Grapes of Wrath?. What I how we can come together as a love about this book is that it's family to overcome this about being caring about one challenge, so that when we look another. It's about people during back, we can remember how the great depression, and the Then I became a math teacher everyone came together to people have to leave their in the High School and Middle support each other. homes to go to California. The School. Then, I became a Q: What are som e t hings t hat point of the book is that we resource teacher. Then, I was an you like t o do out side of need to be caring, respect each assistant principal, a principal school? other's humanity and support intern, and an acting intern. I A: My kids are learning how to each other during difficult times. was at Clemente Middle School, cook a lot of meals, and also, Sligo Middle school, and Wood Q: How do you feel about with my dogs, we go on walks. being t he principal of LPMS? Middle School. My daughter got a driving Q: Why did you w ant t o license and we would go drive A: I feel so excited and happy. I becom e a principal? around and get Bubble Tea. I love it here. This is such a great spend a lot of time with my school. Every student I have A: I really believed that Middle extended family. During regular interacted with was so School is an important time for times, I like to dance salsa, and wonderful. The staff too, they establishing students? identity. It other latin dances, and that's are so professional and take is important for how the how I met my husband. Latin pride in their work. The families students see themselves and dancing is a big hobby of mine. I too! Every family cares very their culture. Middle School is a also like to travel. deeply about their child's challenging time both education! From what I have emotionally and mentally, and I Q: Who is som eone you look seen, everyone gets along really wanted to establish a culture up t o, and w hy? well and everyone?s nice to each where everyone felt supported A: There are so many people I other. for who they are. I really wanted look up to. I looked up to my Q: What m ot ivat es you? to help make that happen. I mother, because she was very wanted to be the kind of caring, but also had very high A: You all motivate me. Every principal that fostered a culture expectations. She was also very morning when I wake up, I think where everyone feels that they independent. She inspired me about the students. I think about belong. I really wanted to help to be independent and have their learning, and their feelings, Continued on Page 4 socializing. Zoom is one of the New COVID-19, that has helped us back to what we recognize as normal. Technological and its Lengthy It is possible that in the future there will be more jobs worked Product s and Effects efficiently whilst still being able to Advancem ent s stay in the comfort of your own By: Sadie F home. As a whole, we are from Elect ronic becoming a more technically inclined generation. This may Giant s possibly help us technologically By Vasisht Perivilli advance in the future.

Something else to consider Recently, even with the is how this will impact our future ongoing pandemic, there Like a hurricane, ability to socialize. As teens, have been a lot of COVID-19 has swept up growing up we are easily advancements made by the everything in its wake and influenced by the shifting of three electronic giants with slammed us all into unfamiliar lifestyles. Going from socializing phones, Artificial situations, unfortunate events daily to barely anything at all. Intelligence (AI) systems, and a new, worrisome world. How will virtual learning affect and so on. There was the The question is, what has youth in their later years, iPhone 12 event from Apple COVID already done to affect us negatively or positively? We have in October, and events from far into the future, good or bad? yet to find out. and in Because of Covid- 19, In conclusion, currently, September that introduced there will most likely be a new COVID-19 is difficult when only us to their new products. normal where awareness of looking at the present. However, The following is a capture of germs and infections is higher. when we think of COVID, we don?t some of the key features of Keeping aware and safe when it always ponder about the the products launched at comes to bacteria is always a long-term effects that could last these events. positive thing, especially during deep into the future, whether Continued on Page 5 a pandemic. This caution may they be good or bad. develop in youth and teens as well, causing us to share a MRS. ALVAREZ INTERVIEW - CONCLUSION similar mindset in our future endeavors. This may help us them. I think kids should be excited about school! And that avoid and prevent an event motivates me. similar to this. Another matter that we are Q: What is som et hing int erest ing about yourself? all familiar with that has made A: When I was in college, I learned how to be a white water an impact on our daily life is rafting guide. I lived in Italy when I was a child for 3 years. I like Zoom. This has opened Lady Gaga...I love Iron Age in Rockville. But we don?t think that it a new world when it comes to is safe to go in and take off our masks. Me and my kids distance learning, working and daydream about opening a Korean BBQ outside. NEW TECHNOLOGY Continued from Page 4

Google, during its basically a cheaper version of the hardware event, also original Fire TV Stick and is announced some new priced at $29.99. Luna is a video The iPhone 12 is the hardware including two new game streaming service. It will latest version of the iPhone phones, Phone 4a and work on multiple platforms and series run by Apple. It has many Pixel Phone 5, both with 5G. can be used with a specific new features compared to the While the Pixel Phone 4a has controller. It will also compete older editions. According to only two updates, which are with 's game streaming cnbc.com, one of the new that the phone is slightly bigger services and Google Stadia. features is its design for 5G, than the Pixel Phone 4 and it Additionally, there are now which has faster speeds. It also has 5G, Pixel Phone 5 has some two more Wi-Fi routers called automatically switches between more updates. They are that Eero 6 and Eero 6 Pro. They work 5G and LTE when helpful to do the Pixel Phone 5 is water with Wi-Fi 6 which is the most so. In addition, it is smaller than resistant, made of metal not recent "wireless standard" that the iPhone 11 but much plastic, and that there is allows more devices to work sturdier. The chance of wireless charging. The new efficiently across the same surviving a drop increased by 4x models come with Qualcomm network. The Eero 6 is $129.99 due to its design and the processors. and the Pro version is $229.99. ?Ceramic Shield?. To add, the The phones' starting Lastly, photos and videos have an prices range from $499 - $699. Amazon announced option now to have ?Dark Google also announced updates to Echo. Mode?. The updates to the changes to and a Echo is a smart speaker that cameras will allow users to take new smart speaker (Nest uses Alexa. It now has 3 colors (I pictures with high resolution. It Audio) which will compete with don't know what they are) and a comes in 5 different colors: red, Echo. It allows you to play sphere-shaped exterior. It also black, white, blue, and green. It music, call people, and ask now has better speech is not just more break resistant, questions. Lastly in Google's processing and contains a couple it is also water resistant. There hardware event, it was of speakers, both internally. It are also other versions of the announced that there will be uses Alexa's voice. There are also iPhone 12: the Mini, the Pro, some updates to Chromecast other versions of Echo called the and the Pro Max. Each of these which will contain access to "Echo Dot", the "Echo Dot With a versions is available from a over 6500 apps now! starting price range of Clock", and the "Echo Dot Kids $699-$1099. Also, the iPhone 12 Also, Amazon Version". Echo (normal) costs does not come with a charging announced many new products $99. All of the other ones (aside brick; users can buy a brick or and a few new updates. from the Echo dot which costs magnetic chargers separately. According to cnbc.com's $49.99) have a price of $59.99. coverage of the event, they are In summary, all the hardware Luna (a gaming service), new and software advancements network routers for Eero, Fire appear exciting and each TV Stick Lite, and updates to Images from Creative Commons Echo. The Fire TV Stick Lite is Continued on Page 6 NEW NFC, and that's only because TECHNOLOGY the Eagles and Cowboys are just as bad as them. They will appears to offer its own most likely not get into the advantages. Some are cost playoffs, but they are 2nd in the effective, others are more NFC East, so if they get a few sophisticated but almost all more wins, and the Eagles get are more user friendly. Also bad luck, they will get that impressive are the innovations Steelers, lead by Ben wildcard spot. that these companies Roethlisberger. introduce almost every year. For any Ravens fans, don?t ` Y?know Tom Brady, From a personal perspective, I get too excited about your TB12. He moved to the Bucs think that Echo, new Alexa, playoff chances.Mark Ingram is and this is the first year that he and the iPhone 12 will be the out, and also has regressed very is not on the Pats. He has most most useful resources for much this season .He seemingly, likely led the Bucs to a wildcard middle schoolers. Additionally, will not help the Ravens at all, at the very least. Everyone I think that the iPhone 12, even if he was not hurt this expected the Bucs offense to be Luna, and Chromecast will be week. the new Chiefs, and they were the most fun to use because in some ways, correct with the Also J.K. Dobbins is not an of the variety of options they 2 elite WRs and a veteran TE efficient substitute at all, offer. and QB, but they were not the averaging just over 8 fantasy new best team.hey are more of points per game. That may be the wildcard teams. They are good for a backup, but not a NFL NEWS doing OK for the Bucs. I feel starter. I would even go as far to positive about the Bucs? future, By Evan Kaplan say Lamar Jackson?s season is if Tom Brady retires soon, and * Keep in mind that as of publication, some much worse than the 2019 they get another QB that is of the facts might be not accurate* season. With only a single game decent at passing, that would with over 2 touchdowns, and 3 The first thing on be crucial for them. practically everyone's mind are games with more than 200 yards the most recent matchups . in passing yards. Covid 19 is striking First, let's talk about the crazy I predict that the Ravens players all across professional things that happened this will be the 4th or 5th seed. I sports, but it?s different in the season. For example, a top believe that there is no possible NFL, because there is no running back, and last season's way that they get the only 1st bubble, so, it is much easier to scrimmage yard leader, round bye in the AFC. This is get sick. Many players have sat Christian McCaffrey, is on because the Chiefs or Steelers out for a few weeks due to injured reserve, at least until will get that spot. Also Covid, so be sure to check on a further notice. In other news, remember to keep in mind the sports website, like the infamous Antonio Brown is new 14 team playoffs. footballguys.com or any ESPN website for updates. back, and is going to be Also, for any Washington another offensive component Football Team fans, you aren?t to this Buccaneers offense. getting anything this year. I The only undefeated team is, think Washington will, at best, to everyone's surprise, the get a pity 6th or 7th seed in the How Ot her Count ries are Coping w it h t he Pandem ic

By Sumedha G there are more than 52,000 thousands of migrant workers cases. Italy, the hardest-hit were stranded far away from When you turn on the TV, country in Europe is now home. Some people started you see the news of the having 20,000 cases a day, with to make the long journey pandemic. This pandemic has death tolls they have never home on foot. India?s devastated us all, taking some seen since May. Europe is now lockdown was effective, but of the lives of people?s loved a little better prepared, but the hospitals were running ones. Some people are trying to with the flu season, the high out of enough hospital beds stop the spread, while others amount of viruses can cause and PPE. In one period of don?t care, but we are not alone more sickness, and a huge time, India ran out of testing in this fight. wave that could tear countries needs, but they are restored apart. now. Let us talk about Europe?s countries (Italy, France, England, India is in second place In Brazil are the death etc). At the time of this report, for the most cases and deaths. toll is the second highest, and the cases in Europe are going This large peninsula has the third highest number up by 40%. The cases in Europe approximately has a population of cases, after USA and India. right now are soaring. The of 1,380,004,385. There are 804 The president said that the number of hospitalizations are million cases and 121K cases of virus is not dangerous, and going up, and many hospitals deaths. In India, there is a ignored advice from top are running out of PPE. Some of different system from what we health officials. Brazil so far Europe?s countries, like France have here in the US. On some has the highest number of and Britain have issued a days, there is a full lockdown, cases in South America. But lockdown. This is the second and on some days there is no luckily, the number of new wave of the virus. In the site lockdown. India had no choice cases are continuing to fall, ABCNews, a doctor talks about but to reopen because there after a spike in the summer. the dangers. He is saying that are tons of poor people. They President Bolsonaro?s ?Europe has lost control over need to survive. When Modi, handling of this pandemic has the prime minister of India raised some arguments. the pandemic,? after health authorities said that in one day, issued the lockdown, Some say that the president downplayed the virus as the ?little flu,? but we all know that Covid 19 is very dangerous. Excluding the USA, India and Brazil are at number 1 and 3 for the most number of cases and deaths. Europe is a continent, but still all the countries there have tons of cases rising. This map shows coronavirus cases around the world on March 15. The Continued on Page 8 darkest areas had more infections. Source: Wikimedia Commons Pandem ic St aying Organized at Hom e By Asher Lyons Cont inued from Page 7 During distance learning, holders make it super easy to staying organized is more keep everything organized important than usual. When and neat, so I recommend we?re not in a structured them to anyone with a messy classroom, the burden is on us desk. For a more affordable students to stay on top of our option, sites like Facebook work. Here are my tips and Marketplace, Craigslist, and tricks on staying organized Freecycle sell previously through distance learning (I owned objects like desks and You can?t be 100% safe should probably note that I am organizers for a great price. from the coronavirus. It is just in no way an expert on Tip #3 - Use a planner! That not possible. But you can organization.) academic planner you got at protect yourself from the virus Tip #1 - If you can, try to set the beginning of the year isn?t and try to be safe. aside a room or small space in something that should be Wear a mask, stay socially your home that is your ignored, it?s really useful. As distanced, about 6 feet, and use ?classroom?. You should try to soon as my teacher assigns hand sanitizers. Also try to stay do everything school related in homework I open up my home, so if you have the virus, this area: Zoom meetings, planner and jot down when you can protect others out of homework, classwork, etc. it?s due. I?m a forgetful person, the family and outsiders. If we Ideally, this room should be in so there?s no way I could keep all follow these simple rules, we a quiet area of your house, so up with my homework if I might be able to defeat the there?s minimal distractions. didn?t have a place where it virus. We need a vaccine, but For example, I use my mom?s was all listed. If you want, you until then, stay safe and stay office, which has enough room can put non-school related home! for everything I need for activities in your planner, but I school. choose not to. You can also use your planner for Tip #2 - Keep your desk organized!!! This is something I Extra-Curricular Activities. Just spent a lot of time on before place something you have to school started because it?s very do in the section called ?After important. I went to Staples School?. and bought a few things to organize my stuff. Like paper, That?s all my advice for notebooks and other supplies. organization! When you have Everything I got is made out of a neat area to do work, school a black wire mesh material that becomes a lot less difficult. I I think looks really good on my strongly encourage you to My virtual workspace is made desk, especially when it?s filled start tidying up your in-home more fun by my cat, Loki's with supplies. These supply classroom today! presence. Many students enjoy online school with their pets. The Washingt on Foot ball Team : The Nam e Change OPINION COLUMN A main name that they saw as This had been the first try for By Neel Thapa being offensive towards the change created by the Native Americans was activists in about 14 years. Washington's name. However just as the petition Starting in 1972 the 14 years earlier this one also team started changes. From resulted in no change. It the constant push of the seemed as though that the support groups they modified Washington organization had their fight song by removing won and that their team ?Scalp um? since it was seen as name was here to stay. offensive. This was the only Until the year 2020 significant change that began. This year has been a happened in the 55 years roller coaster. Starting off in between 1937 and 1992 but it about November 2019 a virus Since 1937 the football was seen as a win for the called COVID 19 started team in Washington D.C has had activists. spreading, causing schools another name. During the most Furthermore, in 1992 a such as Lakelands to close. recent months the team has petition was started to revoke Thus, causing us to start been forced to change their the teams trademark but was online schooling from home. name. unresolved for 17 years until it You would think that this was was ultimately denied. Up until the only major thing that Furthermore, 40 years happened this year, but no. after they first moved to this point in time Native American activists have been This year a movement Washington the first push to has also started called the change their name started. It trying their best to change the Washington team name, logo, Black Lives Matter, a protest had been 10 years after the civil to end racial discrimination rights movement and people and other offensive aspects of it. and violence which still goes had decided that everyone on. While many were thinking should have equal rights. They It did not help in 1999 about African Americans they then looked to create rights and when Daniel Snyder, a longtime also started thinking about laws to keep Native American fan bought the team. He did other racial groups as well. land safe from industrial not intend to change the They even influenced big buildings since they held many team's name since he saw it as companies to share their memories of their ancestors. history. He further emphasized opinions and strive for As this progressed this in 2013 when he said that change as well, which is one through the government, Native he would never change the of the reasons why our local American activists started name of his team. A couple of Washington football team looking at other ways to help years before this another was forced to change their the community, such as trying petition was filed to the name to the Washington to remove offensive names and trademark office asking for football team temporarily. copyrights by creating petitions. legal protection of the team's name to be rescinded. Continued on Page 10 During this event people started to The Origins of think about other groups of people. It started with companies such Hallow een as Dicks, taking down Washington clothing By Sadie F and memorabilia from their website. This then led to Washington's main supporter, Fedex, who also had rights to Many holidays have come their stadium, to force the team to change its name. and gone by the time this Finally it was done, and in the eyes of many Native edition comes out. One is the American activists they had won. While in the eyes of classic childhood holiday of supporters of the team, it was seen as something that they candy, cavities and comical had grown up watching disappear in an instant. costumes. Have you ever To this day, the Washington Football Team are still wondered why we dress up and nameless. However, with one simple change, Native American go house to house asking for activists are pleased, but they know that not only one change treats? Below, you?ll find out the will give them the rights that they deserve. Although, it is a true origins of Halloween. step in the right direction. It began as a festival called Samhain. Samhain was believed to be a being that could communicate with the D elicious Instructions: dead. The Celtics believed that Chocolate Chip Preheat oven to 350 degrees on the night of October 31st Cookies! fahrenheit (during the Samhain festival) By Olivia L the world's lines between the In the first Bowl: M ix together 2 sticks of softened living and dead were blurred. butter This led the Celtics to be fearful ¾ cups brown sugar that monsters would roam their ¾ cup white sugar world on that night. Add one egg into the bowl then In a clever attempt to mix. Then add one more egg into the avoid and ward off the ghosts bowl and mix. and ghouls, the Celtics would Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract light large bonfires and dress in and mix again. ghoulish costumes all night long. This later evolved into the In the second Bowl: holiday that we call Halloween. 2 ¼ cups of flour So, the next time you're out trick Ingredients: 1 teaspoon of baking soda 1 teaspoon of salt or treating be weary, as real 1. Two sticks of butter 2. Brown Sugar Add to the first bowl ghosts may walk amongst you 3. White sugar Finally, in the first bowl: and your friends. 4. 2 eggs 5. Vanilla extract 2 cups of chocolate chips 6. Flour Roll dough into 2-inch balls and 7. Baking Soda place them on an ungreased 8. Salt cookie sheet. 9. 2 cups of chocolate chips Bake for 9-11 minutes until set. M akes 20-30 cookies Puzzle By Ashley Springer

Created on www.puzzlemaker.com

THE FALCON FLIER STUDENT MEMBERS

Due to the paper being online, some students elected to have their last names withheld. Pranavi Bhamidipati Ritika Naik Deetya Cheerka Vasisht Perivilli* Sadie F* Nishka S Sumedha G Samuel S Evan Kaplan Liam Slattery Lily Kaplan Ashley Springer Olivia L Neel Thapa Asher Lyons* Raaga V * indicates Editors The views expressed in this student newspaper are solely those of the individual author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the entire Falcon Flier staff or of Lakelands Park Middle School.