VALHALLA UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

ronicle School ch la Middle The Valhal A newspaper published by and for the students of Valhalla Middle School.

Volume 1, Issue 1 November 7, 2008 Presidential Election 2008— WhaT is At Stake? By Monica Mishra Who will be the next Presi- economy, taxes, and for- American people at the dent of the United States of eign policy. At the conclu- forefront. McCain also America? Nobody knows sion of the debate, Ameri- urged voters “to look at our for sure, but here is what cans who were polled con- records as well as our we do know… cluded that Obama was rhetoric,” pointing out that more convincing on the Obama’s plans will cost tax On November 4, 2008, the economy, while McCain players approximately $800 American voting public will made some good points billion. cast its ballot for the next regarding foreign policy. President of the United Although many polls indi- States. The two leading The next debate was on cate that Obama leads in candidates for President in October 7 at Belmont Uni- the polls, the election is still 2008 are Senators Barack versity in Nashville, Tennes- going to be close no matter Obama (D—Illinois see. During this debate, what and bears watching ) and John McCain (R- the two candidates dis- on Election Day. Arizona). Obama’s Vice- cussed health care, Social At the third debate at Hof- Presidential candidate is Security, Medicare, and the stra University in Hemp- Senator Joe Biden (D— War in Iraq. But the main stead, Long Island, “Joe The Delaware) and McCain’s focus was on the economy. Plumber” became a house- Vice-Presidential running Obama plans to address hold name as Obama and mate is Governor Sarah issues such has energy in- McCain discussed the im- Palin (R—Alaska). dependence and keeping portance of recent eco- college costs in check. On September 26, McCain nomic hardships on aver- McCain responded by de- and Obama engaged in the age American people. claring that he has consis- http://www.reuters.com first debate at the Univer- tently taken on “special There is no doubt that this sity of Mississippi. The two interests” who do not put election is huge for all of us! candidates went back and the greater interests of the forth on issues such as the Inside this issue:

Homecoming In The House!!! Meet the new teachers! 2 By veronica Taglia Editorial—gym clothes 3

raiser, which everyone loved. raised over $1,500 for cancer Election season hits 6th 3 Homecoming - a well-awaited Almost every seat in the Ken- research, and was a big hit. grade week of school and spirit and sico bleachers was filled at the sports. The downside to the evening, pep rally. however, was that the Varsity Chihuahuas in Beverly Hills? 3 This year there were lots of Arguably, the highlight of the football team lost their home- changes. For starters, there evening was the Kiss the coming game to Rye Neck. Environment club takes 4 was only one pep rally, and it VMS by storm! Llama contest, where Dr. Ac- took place at night in the Ken- But from the amount of kerman and Ms. Booth-Freda screaming and cheering at sico gym. There was also the What’s new in the world of 4 got a kiss from a llama (very the pep rally, this year’s home- Stand Up To Cancer Fund- video games? fun to watch). The contest coming week was AWE- SOME!!!

P A G E 2 T H E V ALHALLA M I DD L E S C H OO L Six Questions for MEET YOUR TEACHERS Mr. The first in a series finding the “411” o n o u r Garcia: newest faculty members Ms. Cristina Conciatori– Science Mr. Steve D’Ascoli — Computer Applications Valhalla Mr. Cayne Letizia—Reading Middle

By Molly Feeney and Kristen Kurlander School Question: Where did you teach before coming to VMS? Principal CC: Pearl River Middle School., in Pearl River, New York By Jordyn Gardner SD: This is my first teaching job. Question: Why don’t you al- CL: Yonkers Public Schools low the 6th graders to play Question: What is your favorite subject? participate in sports? CC: Math SG: There is a New York State SD: Social Studies law that prohibits it. This is not CL: Reading and Social Studies—I can’t choose my decision. one over the other! Question: When did you come Question: What others subjects do you teach? to VMS as the Principal? CC: I only teach Science. SG: July 1, 2006 SD: I also teach one section of eighth grade Social Studies. (I also teach computer applications Question: Where did you at- at Kensico). tend high school? CL: Reading in first, second, third, and fifth grade SG: Scarsdale High School Question: Where did you go to college? Question: What colleges have CC: Boston College and Fordham University you attended? SD: Pace University SG: The University of Massa- CL: Fordham University chusetts—Amherst, SUNY New Question: Have you ever had any jobs other Paltz, and Columbia University. than being a teacher? I am currently finishing my dis- CC: No other jobs sertation for my doctorate at SD: Coach and substitute teacher Columbia. CL: Pizza delivery man!!! Delicious! Question: Where have you worked before coming to Vms chronicle staff VMS? Staff: SG: Stepinac High School in Brianna Cortese Advisors: White Plains (Social Studies Erica Calvi Brett A. Erenberg teacher), Walter Panas High Molly Feeney Andrew R. Tripaldi School in Lakeland (Social Anushka Gupta Photography: Studies teacher), Bryam Hills Apaula Islam Courtney Accocella High School (Social Studies teacher and Assistant Princi- Kristen Kurlander pal), and the Harrison School Jessica Oshanani District (District Supervisor). Gabriella Marrese Question: Do you have any Leia Scalley pets? Robert Taglia Veronica Taglia SG: I have two greyhounds Jordyn Gardner (Russ, Sophie), and three cats (Taz, Simba, and Allie). T H E V ALHALLA M I D D L E S CH OO L CHRONICLE V O L UM E 1, I S S U E 1 P A G E 3 Election Season hits 6 t h G r a d e Sixth Grade G.O. By Brianna Cortese President—Sydni Holtz Sixth grade elections took place in late September. This was the first time we, as a grade, were asked to make a Vice-President—Kristen Colabatisto choice of who we wanted to represent us in our student government. For many of us this was a difficult decision Secretary—Alex Pronevich of who to choose—all of the candidates were very im- pressive and did a great job with their speeches. We Treasurer—Justin Jacksen listened carefully to the speeches and read posters that tried to convince us to vote one way or another. We faced a dilemma—should we vote for someone just be- cause he / she is our friend or because he or she may do The Kickoff Canteen a better job? Congratulations to all of the winners and The first marking period ends congratulations to all of the candidates who worked very on Friday, November 7 — By Leia Scalley and Veronica Taglia hard while running for these prestigious offices. good luck to everyone! Some call it cool, some call it stellar, but we call it AWESOME. The Can- teen—a three-hour event with music, Beverly Hills sports, junk food, and time to hang out with your friends. The first can- Chihuahua: teen is a great way to kickoff the For The Dogs new school year. Many people were interviewed on their thoughts and By Anushka Gupta and opinions of the Canteen. When Apaula Islam asked what their favorite part of the On Sunday, October 12, I Canteen was, kids replied “music, went to see the movie food, and hanging out with their entitled Beverly Hills Chi- friends.” One of the faculty mem- huahua. Our honest opin- bers said “watching kids have fun” ion about this movie—it http://www.entertainmentwallpaper.com/images/desktops/movie/beverl was his favorite part of the Canteen. was boring and pointless, y_hills_chihuahua02.jpg Another great question asked was and dragged on and on. I “what’s your favorite song played at think that the voice re- the Canteen?” The responses were cordings were average. In EditorialEditorial————GymGym Clothes “Cotton Eyed Joe,” “Check Yes some parts of the movie, By Jessica Oshanani Juliet,” “American Boy,” “I Kissed a the characters would Girl,” and “Whatever You Like.” A subject that a lot of people are discussing concerns gym mumble to themselves The Canteen is a great memory the clothes. A lot of people talk about whether they think if hav- and the viewer could not students have of middle school. understand what they ing to wear gym clothes is a good thing or a bad thing. My were saying. And when opinion is that gym clothes are a good idea. My experience they spoke Spanish, not all in the past in elementary school is that week after week, I Below is a picture of the gym clothes of the subtitles were there. would have to ponder whether or not I should wear certain that female students had to wear in For example, when a clothes to gym or not, if I have clean sweats, etc. It had be- 1935!!! Times have changed, huh? young lady said come a big annoyance in my house. However, when there Picture taken from “casa” (which means http://bp2.blogger.com home), there was not a are assigned gym clothes, people have less time to think subtitle on the bottom. about this situation. How are people who do I think that the reason why people might not like gym not speak or understand clothes is that they cost money, are a bit baggy, and might Spanish words supposed not look so good. But, when you think about it, you will to know what the charac- ters are saying? The have to pay for ALL of your clothes eventually, and these movie was pathetic, point- clothes will last for the entire year, not just for the season. less, useless, and I would Also, it doesn’t matter whether they look good or bad. The never recommend this purpose of wearing the clothes is just for gym class, so it movie. My friends and I doesn’t matter how they look—no one will care! In addition, thought the movie was clothes have to be a little bit loose fitting in order for people cheesy and we wanted to to be able to play comfortably in them. leave in the middle of the picture. Out of a 5, the Overall, I believe that gym clothes have certain benefits that movie deserves a 1/2. people do not realize. This is why I think wearing gym clothes is a good idea for middle school students. P A G E 4 T H E V ALHALLA M I D D L E S CH OO L CHRONICLE V O L UM E 1, I S S U E 1

The Environment Club: Helping the World Every Day By Erica Calvi and Gabriella Marrese If you flip to any news channel, the reporter is bound to be talking about the less than desirable environmental condi- tions we are living in at this very moment. But for the stu- dents of Valhalla Middle School, there is light to be shed. Ever since last year there has been a Middle School Environment Club to spread awareness of the world’s conditions and how we can help. This is all thanks to the idea of Edmond Ay- oung, now a high school student, and Mrs. Nori Lustig, 7 th grade social studies teacher, who has stepped up to the plate to run the club. From last year to now, the Valhalla Middle School Environ- ment Club has made a significant difference in the commu- nity. In the fall of 2007, the club planted flower bulbs in front of the middle school entrance and teamed up with the Mid- dle School Art Club to paint rocks, to put in with the bulbs. In the spring, students were delighted by the colorful garden that grew in its place. Also, the club adopted a black orca named “Hope”. All the money raised for the whale is for- warded to help preserve Hope’s habitat. At last year’s craft fair, the club donated a basket full of household “green” prod- ucts. The club also held many bake sales and put up numer- ous posters spreading awareness of little ways we can all help our environment. With the profit from bake sales, the club went on a field trip to the Westchester County Recycling Cen- ter. The members saw, first hand, how all the old plastic and http://www.lib.washington.edu/subject/Environment/Images/en paper is recycled into something new. vironment4.jpg This year the club is ready with new ideas to keep the aware- ness going. The club is collecting bottle caps, which are non- recyclable, and will once again team up with the art club to Video GamesGames————TagliaTaglia Style create a mural with the caps, showing either a picture or a By Robert and Veronica Taglia slogan. Also, keep a lookout for the monthly “green tip” that will suggest ways you can help with our environmental situa- For those of you who love the DS, there is a new product tion. on the way called the Nintendo DSi. Nintendo Inc. will release it world-wide at the end of 2008, but it will be released on November 1st in Japan. Some of the new features include an MP3 player, a built In November, the club expects to welcome the Westchester County Veggie Van, a vehicle that runs completely on vegeta- in .3 mega-pixel camera, and improved wireless internet. It also ble oil! And more exciting news- The Environment Club will boasts two touch screens and the ability to download games from soon be hosting “No Idling Day”, during which if a parent has the DSi. Unlike the download feature on the regular DS, you can to wait for their child more than thirty seconds, they are en- keep the games you download on the DSi forever. And for those of couraged to shut off their car to save gas and money. “I hope you who have the Nintendo , you can put an SD memory card in this club raises awareness about protecting the environment, your Nintendo DSi, and download the pictures from the memory and what I hope to do this year is to educate kids about the card on your Wii. The downside is that there is no slot. little things they can do in their own lives,” says Mrs. Lustig, who works very hard to make the club successful! As you can see, the MS Environment Club is making a real difference in our community and world. Can YOU help im- prove our environment as well? If you have any questions about the club, please contact Mrs. Lustig at: nlus- [email protected] .

The 6th grade DARE graduation ceremony will take place on Monday, December 1 at 7 p.m. in the VMHS Auditorium. A celebratory reception for the graduates and their families will take place immediately following the cere- mony. See you then! http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2025/2252580247_0ce54e9523.jpg