THE MCKINLEY TIMES December 2020 Serving the McKinley Community Since 2020 Volume VI

in the middle make sure that the finger this year we can still send the same feel- doesn’t go all the way through the dough. ing, and there are many ways to do this. (when I made it some of the cookies The first is to record your songs from came out with a small hole in it so try to home and send them to friends and fam- make a deep hole but don’t go through ily or people you would have caroled for. the dough). If you are using the hersheys Also, McKinley is doing a holiday mes- put them in before baking. Bake for 15 sage FlipGrid where you can sing a song, to 18 minutes, rotating the sheets from play an instrument, or give a message. top to bottom and from the back at the These would all be great ways to send Midway point the cookie should be only the holiday spirit. slightly colored. They may even look under done which is fine: they should The final tradition that we will be bright- not look over baked. what cookies are ening up today is a holiday party! We baked, remove the baking sheets from won’t be having a real, in person holi- the oven and let the cookies rest on the day party but we can still have a party! sheets for 2 minutes before transferring Here are some ways to do that. The first them to cooling racks and sifting confec- is a Zoom party. You can invite all your tioners sugar over them. Put the jam in friends and family and have all of that Almond Thumbprint a Ramekin or small bowl and put it in fun, just through a screen. The final way Cookies the microwave for about 1 minute and to have a holiday party is a family one. 30 seconds, let it cool slightly and then 4 This will be just the family that you live by Jonah C. into the holes in the cookies let cool for with to make it 100% safe. Don’t worry, another 5 minutes then enjoy. I’m sure all of our families would have 7 ounces ground almonds a blast. 7 ounces all purpose flour 1 stick butter at room temperature Ways To Brighten Up These are some ways to brighten up the ¼ cup sugar holidays. Although we can’t be there to- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract The Holidays! gether we still can be in a way. I hope you ¼ teaspoon almond extract enjoyed! Confectioners sugar by Sage M. ¼ cup jam or ¼ hershey kisses or both Have a wonderful week! We all know that the holidays will not be Preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit. the same in many ways, although, this Line two baking sheets with parchment just opens up many ideas to make the or silicone mats. Whisk together the holidays even better! ground almonds and flour. Working with a stand or hand mixer, beat the but- One thing that we usually do but won’t ter and sugar together on medium speed be able to this holiday season is get to- until life and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add gether with our families! Instead of just the extracts and beat to blend. Reduce celebrating holidays with only our imme- the mixers to low and gradually add the diate family, we can call them. It’s just like nut flour mixture, mixing only until it is being there, especially when you can’t be. incorporated into the dough. working Another way we can brighten up being with a teaspoonful of do at a time, roll with our family is to see them from far the dough between your palms the form away with a mask on. If your family lives small balls and place the balls 2 inches close by, this would be a great option for apart on the baking sheets setting eat you! cookie with the song and a finger of one hand use your some you poke a hole Another famous tradition is caroling. Al- though we wont be going door to door, December 2020 Serving the McKinley Community Since 2020 Volume VI CURRENT EVENTS New Year’s 2021 - Watch a movie. Pick any flick to watch, I mean by outer circle is grandparents just not one that will make you fall asleep! and cousins as well as family friends and by Juliet S. - Make dinner. If your family makes a friends. This year, we need to think of special New Year’s Eve dinner every gingerbread structures as an activity that The new year is approaching! 2020 is year, there’s no reason to stop! You can you can enjoy with members of your in- coming to an end and 2021 is about to also make a special dinner for the occa- ner circle. begin. In 2020, we were met with and sion. overcame many challenges, such as the - Make New Year’s glasses or hats. Just A new tradition that my family has presidential election, the Black Lives use whatever you have at home! thought of is for the holiday week. Each Matter issue and the Coronavirus. While day can be a different theme just like not all of these issues have been fully ad- 2020 has been a tough year for the world, Spirit Week. I think that this tradition is dressed, 2021 may be a light at the end but it’s time to put a smile on our faces, pretty cool because you can get creative of the tunnel for COVID19. and put our best foot forward into the with what you do and it’s something to new year! look forward to. I like the idea of having Vaccine: Hope for COVID19 something like a Movie Marathon Mon- day or Treat Tuesday. If you like Spirit On November 9, 2020, it was announced New Traditions for the Week, you will probably like this. that a successful vaccine, made by Pfizer, had been developed and had passed the Holidays Other traditions that are catching on final test stages with encouraging results. are Zoomebrations, Google Meets, This gave people hope that the other by Shayla A. Whatsapp calls, or FaceTime etc. This vaccines being made would also turn out tradition is becoming more popular by to be as successful. Pfizer’s vaccine was Are you seeking new traditions for this the minute. People are glad that these approved by the FDA (Food and Drug holiday season because you cannot do apps and programs allow them to com- Administration) on December 11, 2020. things you usually do during the holi- municate with other people in their out- The vaccine has been made available to days? Well, if so, then you should take a er circle. Zoomebrations are the most some of the most vulnerable groups. close look at this article. popular. As we get closer to the holidays, Zoom is getting more and more busy. If Celebrating New Year’s Eve Some of our favorite traditions for the you are using Zoom for the holidays, it holidays are meeting up with family and might get glitchy! Many families in the US on New Year’s friends, going to holiday parties and trav- Eve throw big parties and stay up late. eling. However, Covid 19 is preventing Thanks for reading my article and I hope This year, however, only the latter will those traditions this year. People have you try out some of the stuff that I sug- be available. Due to new COVID restric- been trying to find new traditions for the gested. Until next time readers. tions, no gatherings of any kind outside holidays to replace these old traditions, your household are allowed. The famous because we still want to try to have fun. ` Pasadena Rose Parade has been canceled It is also important that we try to input due to the virus and the New Year’s Eve new traditions because some of our old New York ball drop is going virtual. traditions are just not safe. If you still go However, there are still many other fun somewhere for the holidays, I recom- ways to celebrate New Years Eve. mend that you wear a mask.

- Stay up till midnight. Even though no Building gingerbread houses and ginger- parties can be held, you can still have a bread people is also a tradition but it’s family party where you can stay up as late an old one that we need to make some as you want! twists to. Building gingerbread structures - Make New Year’s Resolutions. You is usually done with members in your can write yours together with your fam- outer circle, not only your inner circle ily and share. (mom, dad and possibly sibling). What 2 December 2020 Serving the McKinley Community Since 2020 Volume VI CURRENT EVENTS now it’s important to keep our physical I guess this is the holiday season, so you distance (6ft. or 1.82 m.) and masks. could just make your house festive! Go There are still ways to have fun during into some boxes with decorations and the holiday season! you can decorate your room, the interior, the exterior, even the doors! Go all out, First, you can always call your friends! and have some fun! There are many ways to contact your friends or distant family members, Maybe you can start like a small fun through FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, Goo- business for close friends and family gle Meet, and many more!! There are members. Like maybe you could do the also many ways in which you can text online shopping for gifts (not yours) so message them, such as Messages, Skype, that they won’t have to! For a small fee Zoom Chat, Hangouts, and many more. of course! Plus, it’d be a good way to Sometimes, your parents are like, “Don’t save up money for gifts! Winter Break: Ways to spend too much screen time!” Well, something along those lines. So what can You could even start a mini project, may- Stay Busy! you do to prevent your parents from say- be it’s writing a book, composing a piece ing that? Instead, you could play a game of music, even doing a painting! Who by An N. with them or read an interesting book knows, maybe you’ll realize you really that you found. Maybe, if you have old love doing this and you’ll be able to have During Covid, our winter break will cer- boxes, and your parents give you their a new hobby! tainly not be the same. permission, you can even look through some old family things! Maybe you’ll During the winter break, maybe you Remember when we used to be able to stumble upon some hidden treasures! could try some of this so that you can travel, and see friends at the park? Well, beat the boredom!

How will the vaccine im- caring for others. Health and the City of Santa Monica offers some ideas for how to celebrate pact the holidays ? Officials say that 2 million people could safely: be vaccinated by the end of this year. - Gather only with people you live with. by Delilah P. There are about 2 million health officials - Have an online party. in California and 40 million people in - Decorate your home and share photos As the holiday season is here and fam- California. But, hopefully, getting some online. ilies are beginning to celebrate, it’s im- vulnerable people vaccinated will mean - Order pick-up or delivery from Santa portant to think about how to celebrate there will not be a huge spike in deaths Monica restaurants. safely. By having a safe winter holiday, or the deaths will go down. - Order gift certificates from Santa we can spread cheer and not viruses. Al- Monica/LA stores for stocking stuffers. most everywhere in the world, there are There have been many hospitalizations, - However you decide to celebrate the a large number COVID-19 cases. And, deaths, and cases rising to record high winter holidays, the LA Health Depart- in the past few weeks, in the US cases numbers never seen before. The CDC ment reminds us: always wear a mask have surged. also recommends staying at home except when outside your home. for important activities, like shopping - Maintain social distance of 6 feet With the new vaccine, there is hope on and exercising. Los Angeles has banned wash hands often the horizon. The vaccine has started with all gatherings, the CDC says the safest vulnerable people and essential workers way is to celebrate at home with the peo- So, this holiday season stay safe, and (nurses, doctors etc). Hopefully, this will ple you live with. happy holidays McKinley Lions! start to save the lives of many vulnerable people and protect those who have been The Los Angeles County of Public 3 December 2020 Serving the McKinley Community Since 2020 Volume VI MCKINLEY NEWS spiration for a pantomime skit I did “ I love to play tennis, volleyball (that in high school. I entered a dramatic will have to wait until after the pan- arts festival and performed the skit. demic) and paddle tennis. I also love It won 4th place.” to ride my bike. Playing bridge is pretty fun too.” 2. What was your favorite school sub- ject? 7. What is your favorite food? “I really loved to write when I was in “My favorite category is Mexican. elementary school. I loved to make The sonoran enchilada at El Cholo is up stories and cartoons. I wrote a great!” neighborhood newspaper for a sum- mer. It lasted for 2 editions.” 8. What is your favorite candy? “SNICKERS!” 3. What is your favorite movie? 9. What is your favorite animal? “The movie that first comes to mind “I like turtles. Why? That’s a good is the original “Star Wars” movie. I question. A turtle was the first car- 10 Questions with a just remember being blown away by toon I drew as a kid.” Mckinley Lion: Mr. Curry the special effects. The opening of 10. Can you tell us some interesting the movie hooked me in big time.” facts about you? by Matthew S. “ I have been teaching for 33 years. 32 4. What is your favorite board or of those years have been at McKin- Mr. Curry has been a Mckinley Lion card game? ley. I have taught every grade level for 32 years! McKinley is so lucky to “My favorite card game is Bridge. It K-5. If I wasn’t a teacher, I think it have him at our school, and I was is a card game played by mostly old might have been fun to be an archi- lucky enough to be one of his stu- people. It provided me a special tect.” dents for both Kindergarten and first time to play with my mom and dad. grade! I can tell you that Mr. Curry It gave us something in common to Spreading Joy is a kind, fun and encouraging teach- do together. You have to play with 4 er. What I did not know is that we people, two on a team. Sadly, my dad by An N. like the same movie, the same candy has since passed, but I still get to play and we both like playing card games with my mom and other friends.” During this holiday season every- with our family! Read on to see Mr. one in our community can use some Curry’s other favorites and if you 5. What is your favorite sport to play cheering up, what better way then ever need someone to give you some or watch? to take the chance to help out?! We tips on your tennis serve, Mr. Curry “I have two favorite sports: beach can make our community brighter by might be the person to ask. volleyball and tennis. I would much maybe singing a holiday song, draw- rather play than watch. I do enjoy ing inspirational artwork, or do some- 1. What was your favorite book when going to the Indian Wells BNP Pa- thing fun for the whole community! you were a kid? ribas Tennis Open in the desert. I “My favorite book was “Are You My can’t do that until the pandemic ends. In times like this, you should definite- Mother” by P.D. Eastman. I loved Why are they my favorite? They are ly find ways to help the community the drawings. My favorite part was so much fun to play!” feel more joyful and make a better when the bird thought the “snort” place where everyone can live happi- was his mother. I even used the 6. What are three things you like to ly! character of the little bird as an in- do outside of school? 4 December 2020 Serving the McKinley Community Since 2020 Volume VI ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Mccalister is too small to cause mayhem, but is he? By the way, this movie has a couple mature words.

Home Alone: Zoe’s Take

In the movie ´Home Alone´, Kevin McAllister is an 8-year-old boy who was getting ready for his Christmas trip to Paris with his whole family. The night before the trip he wasn’t behaving and he was sent to sleep in the attic. That night, he wished he had no family. The whole family was in a rush to get to the airport the next morning and they forgot Kevin.

Two Holiday Classics: had a baby and didn’t tell him. When Kevin had to take care of himself while they proved that Buddy was Walter’s son everyone was gone. He wasn’t expecting Elf and Home Alone they started a relationship. two thieves were going to try and rob his house. He tried to protect the house from the robbers so they wouldn’t steal. by Zoe G. and Daisy M. This movie is so hilarious because Buddy is like a child and he was always used to He was clever and creative and got what- living the elf life. He was very naive but ever he could to protect the house. Elf: Daisy’s Take also cheerful and sweet. He will always win in a snowball fight so don’t even try! You’ll laugh when you see Kevin using a Are you a fan of silly movies? Then Elf tarantula, tar, nails, paint, heat, ice, glass is perfect for you. It is a really silly movie In the movie ´Elf´, you will see Buddy and more to defeat the con men. So sat- starring Will Ferrel. He is born an aver- will fall in love for the first time and isfying! You’ll be surprised to see the age human then sent to the North Pole. learn to socialize with other humans. He friend he makes along the way. He spends many years there being clue- wins the hearts of people all around him less that he is not a real elf. He goes into and he finds a loving family. He spreads This is truly a classic holiday movie that the big city to find his dad, only to come Christmas cheer everywhere! you can watch over and over again. I rec- across a holiday themed kids area of a ommend Home Alone to anyone who mall. I recommend this movie to anyone who likes hilarious movies. I guarantee you’ll wants a good laugh and have their hearts watch it every year! Elf: Zoe’s Take warmed by this special elf. Buddy will leave you feeling good and in a great hol- In the movie Elf, Santa transported a iday spirit. child to the North Pole by accident. A REMINDER: baby from the orphanage had crawled January 4th is into his bag and Santa didn’t notice un- Home Alone: Daisy’s Take til he got back to the North Pole. Santa a Student Work Home Alone is about a kid who gets left and the elves decided to keep him and home alone when his parents and sib- Day! Parents, they raised him as an elf. This elf ’s name lings fly off to Paris for the holidays. He was Buddy. When Buddy grew older, he see the Mini is left to defend his home from the Wet wanted to see his real dad. He left the Bandits who are trying to get some loot, Messenger for North Pole and went to New York to and are in a big dilemma when they try search for him. Buddy told Walter, his details. to enter the house thinking young Kevin father, that many years ago his girlfriend 5 December 2020 Serving the McKinley Community Since 2020 Volume VI ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT away from legos, I’m sure you would love to watch Lego Star Wars Holiday Special. It follows rey and bb8 going through a timeline of iconic heroes and villains from the past. And a few iconic scenes.

Prep and Landing Naughty vs. Nice is about two elves trying to save Christmas from one naughty kid who’s trying to trap the two elves. The brother elf got in the way of his older brother elf. The girl is trying to get on the nice list for something she did not do.

The Nightmare Before Christmas is a claymation, meaning it is animated, but it Holiday Movies to Watch to Disney Plus, you can find a big selec- has that clay model vibe to it. It follows tion of new holiday Mickey movies. If with Your Family a skeleton named Jack, who wants more you are one of those people who watch to life than halloween town has to offer. something for 10 minutes and get up to by Daisy M. So he sets off on a journey to find new do something else, you should watch the cheer for his friends. 6 minute Pluto’s Christmas Tree. It’s Over quarantine, you probably have about Mickey and Pluto cutting down watched at least 2 movies with your fam- Christmas Chronicles Part Two is about a tree for Chip n Dale to live in. But if Kate Pierce and her new attitude want- ily. I personally watched a lot of them you are someone who just loves watch- over quarantine. Well, if you are looking ing nothing more to get out of Mexico ing movies, then you should watch Mick- and go home to Chicago, gets stuck in a for recommendations, I have a few to ey’s Once Upon a Christmas. It is about share with you. portal to the North Pole with a friend, Mickey and his friends coming together suddenly makes literal history with the to tell stories of past Christmases. Do you wait 30 minutes to watch Mick- happy Claus couple. All of the sudden, it’s up to her and Jack to save Christmas. ey Mouse every Sunday? Well if you go If you are someone who just can’t get

A New Kind of Winter be on FlipGrid, and it isn’t really a Sing- video wishing the students a happy holi- a-Long. The FlipGrid is called “Winter day message. Be sure not to miss out on Sing-a-Long Holiday Message’’ and students can re- this on fun and exciting tradition, dis- cord videos of them singing, playing an tance learning style! by Molly L instrument, sharing a poem, a spoken message, and anything else. I asked a few The Winter Sing-a-Long is an event that students about what they thought about takes place at McKinley every year. Each this. An N. said that she saw the FlipGrid grade practices a song that they sing in as a reminder that we can get through front of their families before winter this virus, and that we all should keep the break. Because of the COVID-19 pan- holiday spirit throughout. Many students demic, we cannot have a normal Win- agree. ter Sing-a-Long, but we can still do it in some way. The Winter Sing-a-Long will be a fun opportunity to be connected virtually This year, the Winter Sing-a-Long will this holiday season. Anyone can film a 6 December 2020 Serving the McKinley Community Since 2020 Volume VI ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Wonder Book Review ingredients to create the recipe. To make Mom watched the whole series, too! the spells work, they needed special fam- Have a magical Winter Break! by Sienna N. ilies of spices which had different ef- fects. For example, Lapsis spices affect The book Wonder is one of the most mobility, Taurian spices affect time, Wer- popular kids books in the USA. It is poes spices affect the body, and Elysian about a boy whose face looks different spices affect truth. These spices can be because of something he was born with. combined for the desired effect, but if I suggest you read this book for many they aren’t combined properly or with different reasons. One reason I love this the wrong measurements, the outcome book is because it is told in different per- could be disastrous. The girls had to spectives. The main character, Auggie learn this the hard way. Pullman, is starting at a school for the first time -- the fifth grade at a private An example of a recipe was when Kelly, school in New York. During this time he Hannah and Darby made Bitter Truth meets Julian, a student in his class who Truffles. The riddle in the book was is rude and bullies Auggie because of “The truth is bitter, and lies are sweet, his face issues. Auggie befriends Jack, so take a second to enjoy your treat.”. another student and a former friend of They used this recipe to find out more Julian’s. Jack and Auggie face many chal- about a suspicious cafe owner named lenges like bullies, suspension, and much Mama P. Hannah ate one and she start- more. Wonder is my favorite book of all ed confessing secrets. When their friend time and it will probably be yours if you Jake ate one, he told about where Mama read it. P. had hidden the magic cookbook. Eat- ing these powerfully magical truffles re- Holiday Movies vealed a lot of secrets in this episode. by Jonah C. TV Show Recommenda- You’ll find the girls in challenging and tion: Just Add Magic sometimes very chaotic situations which Watching movies during the holidays is were solved with magic. You’ll see the becoming a tradition. There are a lot of by Zoe G. girls make mistakes along the way but them to choose from and they are all dif- with practice, they develop their skills. ferent. If you want to add a little magic to your They have ups and downs but they al- days during the Winter Break, you need ways stick together and they have a very I interviewed some students about what to watch ‘Just Add Magic’. It is a series strong friendship. their favorite movies are and here are about three best friends, Hannah, Kelly, their favorites: and Darby. They were looking through You can start binge watching this show Kelly’s attic one day and discovered her on Amazon Prime. You can also read the 1. Home Alone grandmother’s cookbook. Only it wasn’t Just Add Magic books written by Cindy 2. Elf any ordinary cookbook. It had strange Callaghan. If you become an instant fan 3. The Grinch recipes with very odd names. Some of like I did, you can even find the merch 4. The Night Before Christmas the recipes are A Guac Through Time, online! 5. Klaus Shut ‘Em Up Shortcake, Back to the 6. The Christmas Chronicles Future Fudge, Disappearing Dim Sum, If you like magic, adventure, danger, 7. A Christmas Story Pathfinding Pretzelsticks, Stop Time suspense and shows about friendship, I 8. A Charlie Brown Christmas Thai Curry and so much more. Each rec- think you’ll enjoy ‘Just Add Magic.’ It’s 9. Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer ipe was a spell and they each had a rid- a show for the whole family. Seriously 10. Noelle dle. They needed to find extremely rare though, not only was I hooked but my 11. Polar Express 7 December 2020 Serving the McKinley Community Since 2020 Volume VI CREATIVITY CORNER Creative Writing Piece: Christmas Superhero by Zalie R.

Charlotte was a young, nice, girl. She loved spending time with her family. The best time to do that was during the holidays. Charlotte’s favorite holiday was christmas. One day she went to town to buy her christmas presents. She stopped to get a snack at a little shop. The shop was named Roger’s foods.

“Hello, may I help you?” A man said, “I’m Mr. Roger please on your way out add to my tip jar, I am saving up to get a present for my children. I have a son and daughter. Some years they have to share.” Charlotte thought that was just horrible. So she said, “I think I can do more than that.” So she got them a little tree with lights, got the whole town to donate for a special dinner, and got the family some nice presents. She knew they were going to have a Merry Christ- mas. Charlotte soon got a thank-you

by Daisy M.

New furniture being delivered during winter break! letter from them. Check your email for a link to a This act of kindness reminded her of video introduction! what Christmas is all about, helping others. She really truly felt like Santa. 8 December 2020 Serving the McKinley Community Since 2020 Volume VI CREATIVITY CORNER

by Juliet S.

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