Spartan Times Carrie Palmer Weber Middle School, Port Washington, New York www.portnet.k12.ny.us/weber/clubs/spartantimes 1st Place Winner of the Newsday In Education Journalism Award 2012 Vol. 11, Issue 2 Simply The Best June 2014 Meet Mrs. Hall, Weber’s New Nurse Good News From The Cradle of Aviation by Sara B. by Mr. Shampanier On Thursday, May 8, I had the opportunity to Weber 8th grade students meet and interview our new school nurse, Mrs. competed in the Long Is- Hall, on her fi rst day of work in our Medical Offi ce. land Technology & Engi- Here are interesting facts about her: neering Association's an- • Mrs. Hall previously worked at Long nual dragster competition Beach Hospital, which closed after Hurricane at the Cradle of Aviation Sandy. Museum. They had a • She used to work at Schreiber High great and successful time. School, helping with school physicals. Everyone competed in • She lives in Port Washington, and her two categories: design and children attended Port schools. speed. We are very fortunate to have such an ex- (continued on page 4) perienced professional in our Medical Offi ce. Mrs. Hall is very ex- photo courtesy: Mr. Shampanier cited to work at Weber. She thought it would be a smaller school, so imagine her surprise when she found out we have over 1100 stu- dents.Stop by the Medical Offi ce to introduce yourself to Mrs. Hall. photo courtesy Mrs. McAuliffe Summer Reading Lists What are students required to read this summer? Check out the Summer Required In This Reading lists link on page 2. Issue...... Pages 1-5 Weber News Pages 6-7 Random Things Which Port Washington pizza place is the and Quirky Dings most liked by Weber students? See the Spartan Times Page 8-9 Lights! Camera! staff reporter Jaime’s ACTION! survey results Pages 10 Comics and on page 5! Puzzles Pages 11-back Spartan Sports Drama Club...The Year in Review! see page 7 WEBER NEWS Vol. 11, Issue 2 Simply The Best June 2014 Congratulations! Let’s Talk About Books! ELA Workshop teacher Mrs. Peraza planned a book talk Weber staff and students will miss six beloved teachers, for interested sixth graders during lunchtime recess on June 9th. who will be retiring from teaching at the end of this school year. Sixth graders (pictured, below) who attended ex- We will certainly miss their presence in Weber in September, but pressed their views and opinions about this year’s We- we know that this is only the beginning of a wonderful retirement! ber shared book, Out Of My Mind, by Sharon Draper. Stu- dents enjoyed Lori Goldstein, Math 7 snacks, friends, Bob Joseph, English 7 ideas, and Harriet Lorber, Special Education talking about Bob Moore, Band 6 a book they Paulo Moyer, Band 7 and 8 all enjoyed. Linda Sims, English 8 Thanks, Mr.s Peraza! Thank you for your years of service and committment to our Weber students, staff, and community. You will always be remem- photo courtesy: bered fondly. Don’t have TOO MUCH fun....come back and visit! Mrs. McAuliffe Summer Reading What are you going to read? All students in grades 6, 7, and 8 reviewed and discussed their required summer read- ing list in core English and ELA Work- shop classes during the month of June. There are varying requirements for each grade and teacher. For ex- ample, students in grade 8 are re- quired to read 2 books this summer. Summer reading letters were emailed to parents in early June and will be emailed and/or mailed to home addresses with report cards in early July. Please check the website link for more information: http://www.portnet.k12.ny.us/weber Spartan Times Staff 2013-2014 Staff Reporters and Artists: Sara B., Maggie C., Vanessa, Hannah D., Jaime L., Madeline M., Caroline M. Freelance Writers and Photographers: Mia F., Sage, Amanda K., Ishanti, Elijah F., Allie C., Ms. Sussino, Mr. Sham- panier, Ms. Galante, Mrs. Clark, Mr. Santoli, Dr. Escamilla, Mrs. Portmore-Davies, Ms. Freidman, Coach Patterson, Coach Miglietta, Ms. Drexler, Mr. Wolfert, Mrs. Rodahan, Mr. Tom, Mr. Baudo, Ms. Gill, Coach Hutchinson, Mrs. R. McLean, Mrs. Peraza. Advisor: Mrs. S. McAuliffe Printing: Richener Publications Page 2 WEBER NEWS Vol. 11, Issue 2 Simply The Best June 2014 Little Dresses For Africa Step Aerobics Mall Show 2014 by Ms. Galante by Mia F. What is Little Dresses For Africa? The website, whose motto On Friday, May 9th, is “We’re not just sending dresses, we’re sending hope,” includes 2014, 8th grade students their purpose in their opening pararaph. Little Dresses for Africa is traveled to Roosevelt a non-profi t 501c3 Christian organization, which provides relief to Field Mall to attend the the children of Africa. Simple dresses are made out of pillow cas- annual Step Aerobics es, and distributed through the orphanages, churches and schools Mall Show. After six in Africa to plant in the hearts of little girls that they are worthy. morning rehearsals for Recently, 8th grade students of Ms. Galante’s sew- the Show, we were able ing class brought in money for supplies, such as pillow cases to perform what we've and trim, to create pillowcase dresses. The faculty also donat- been working on in class ed MANY pillow cases. Then, they put their new sewing skills for shoppers in the mall. to work and created the dresses. The dresses were sent to mis- We demonstrated our sionaries who will hand-deliver them to little girls in Africa. skills that we learned in Why pillowcases? Pillowcases are available in gym from Mrs. Clark so many colors and patterns, are easy for novice seam- and we "stepped our way stresses, and are perfectly suited for the African climate. to victory." Our hard Thank you, eighth grade, for these wonderful dress donations! work paid off, and it was If you are interested in forming your own sewing circle to create pil- a great experience for lowcase dresses or make a donation, you can fi nd the information at all of us to enjoy and re- the website. The offi cial website is: http://www.littledressesforaf- member! Photo courtesy Mrs. Clark. rica.org/blog/ There are simple directions with pictures to help you create a beautiful pillowcase dress! Check out Kay Poster courtesy: Ms. Galante and Ray’s next adventures on page 9! AWESOME! Thank you, H.S.A., for supplying Agenda books to students for the 2014-2015 school year! All Weber students will be receiving a list of needed sup- plies for the coming school year. When you receive your list, take a good look at it. One necessity missing from all supply lists is an AGENDA BOOK, sometimes called a “homework planner.” That doesn’t mean you won’t need an agenda book next year. Thanks to their generosity, the Weber Home School As- sociation (H.S.A.) has graciously agreed to purchase agend books for all Weber students for the 2014-2015 school year. Each student will receive their new agenda book on the fi rst day of school, September 3, 2014, during homebase. Thank you, H.S.A., for providing this much needed orga- nizational supply to our 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students next year. Congratulations Math Olympiads! Students in the district recently earned top honors at the Nassau County Math Tournament at SUNY Old Westbury. A total of 58 schools across Long Island participated in the event, which tested the math skills of students in grades four, fi ve and six. Continued on page 4. Page 3 WEBER NEWS Vol. 11, Issue 2 Simply The Best June 2014 Good News From The Cradle of Aviation A Visit From A by Mr. Shampanier Former Student continued from front page by Dr. C. Escamilla The DESIGN WINNERS are pictured, right: Alan Hernandez, pic- tured left, former Weber student 3rd Place - Sophia P. and Schreiber graduate, came back 1st Place - Savanna H. to Weber this last Fall, accompanied by his very proud mom. The SPEED WINNERS Alan has joined the Unit- are: ed States Marine Corps, and has re- located to a base in North Carolina. 2nd Place - Kathryn P. During his visit, he was able to see 1st Place - Nina B. some of his former Weber teachers. Alan has two older siblings. A special congratulations to Kathryn P., who is now in the Weber John, who is employed, and Diana, who STEM Hall of Fame with her new SPEED record of 32 mph for her fi nished college and would like to Aerodynamic Dragster.We are very proud of all students. Thank you work in law enforcement. Alan for your support. also has three cousins currently at- tending Weber: Anthony and Er- photo courtesy: Mr. Shampanier ick Q., and Daniel G., pictured left. Every time one of our Pep 6 Mock Trials former students pays us a visit, my heart rejoices and I am touched by their presence and their success. Sixth Grade PEP (Port Enrichment Program) students of Mrs. Zeh It gives me hope and reminds me participated in a Mock Trial that we have been given the privi- in early June. Students took lege to participate in their lives. on the roles of both prosecut- ing and defense attornies, re- photos courtesy Dr. Escamilla searched facts and data to sup- port their arguments, and then participated in the mock trial with a real N.Y. Judge, who re- minded students of the “rules” Math Olympiads of the courtrooom, sustained or overruled objections, and by Mr. Wolfert then came to a fi nal decision.