The Tusker Tribune The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School Issue Number 2 https://www.somersschools.org/Page/11489 Fall 2019 Extra Credit New York State’s Fair or Not? Renaissance Fair By Natalia Tellez By Emily Uffer that you would play in is called Tusker Tribune Staff Tusker Tribune “tilting”. The idea of jousting is Should teachers Staff where 2 knights would charge be allowed to give extra The Renais- at each other and try to knock credit out to students? sance Fair of Tuxedo, each other off their horse using Is it fair or not? There are two New York is a fair that brings a stick called a lance. They sides to this that are not only back the Medieval Times. The Jousted back in the medieval both clear but also very logical. fair is filled with excitement times because it was a major There’s one side that says and joy! From small kids to event at a tournament and was that it isn't fair; students are get- adults dressed up as they a chance for knights to show ting a free pass to good grades where back in the Medieval their skill in combat. without truly earning them the Times, this Acrobatrix. first time. fair is for This show is ABSO- On the contrary the other everyone! LUTELY amazing! side of the topic says that it is The However, nothing completely fair, kids are getting a Renaissance about this is medie- chance to up their grade by work- Fair has val. But nothing will ing harder been going change how talented on extra on since these two people are. work. Read 1977, How- You are probably on to learn ever the Re- wondering what I more and naissance am talking about. choose your time was This show is a come- opinion on long ago. The Renaissance was dy filled circus spectacular. By this ongoing a period where Queen Eliza- the end of the show, not only debate, is beth I was alive. will your mouth be left wide extra credit The word “renaissance” open, you’ll be in amazement fair or not! means rebirth. This period of how much trust these people Ex- time is called Renaissance be- have between each other. tra credit cause in that time people start- Cirque Du Sewer. shouldn't be ed to have an The name sounds given because it is unfair. First of interest of the nothing like what all, this gives students a chance ancient the actual show is. to change and get a grade they times. The This show consists didn’t deserve. For example, if a Renaissance of a cat, a rat and student has been getting bad was very im- an acrobat. grades all quarter only to do one portant as it There’s not too extra credit assignment and get a put down a much to explain much higher grade than the one foundation about this show, they were going to receive first. for the age of you just have to go Not only that but students exploration see it. But it is ex- knowing they will have a safety and soon to traordinary. net from the extra credit they do be European Those are might use that as an excuse to not global domi- just three of many study or slack off. This is also un- nation. Now for the fair! amazing shows you could see if fair because they might even get a There’re so many things to do. you visited the Renaissance higher grade than someone who But here are some of my favor- Fair. That’s not all for you to has been working way harder and ites: do. The grounds are filled with studying in larger amounts. Jousting. Jousting is a 100’s of booths of things to buy Continued on Page 2 martial art. The activity takes and do! place on a horse. The arena Continued on Page 2 The Tusker Tribune Page 2 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School Struggling Jets Lose Starting QB to Mono By Michael Morrissey Enunwa(neck), Quinnen Williams Tusker Tribune Staff (Ankle), and CJ Mosley (Groin), New York Jets Even backup quarterback doctors expect star Trevor Siemian suffered a horri- quarterback Sam Dar- fying ankle injury this Monday nold to be back by week 5 to night versus the Browns (23-3 play the Dallas Cowboys. Jets loss). All but Siemian will They, however, cannot return soon and hopefully save rush this as he suffers from the team’s season. “Mononucleosis "and if his The Jets also picked up spleen is still enlarged and he wide receiver Demaryius Thomas takes a hit, an injury like that who also suffered a calf injury can be fatal. and was placed on the IR. The New York Jets are suffering from As players return the New York Jets will many other injuries also, including Quincey hopefully try and save their season Extra Credit can actually be used in a helpful way that in- From Page 1 creases and deepens students understanding of a Furthermore, some extra credit assign- certain subject they are learning about. This is ments might be able to be achieved very easily because while trying to complete the work, they and won’t be enough extra work done for the stu- will have to learn more about what it is the extra dents to earn a better grade. credit is about whether its about the Revolution- Moreover, this all shows that extra credit ary War, Weather, or solving extra math prob- isn’t fair and allows students to get good grades lems! Basically, extra credit is a good idea be- by doing less work. cause if a student doesn’t understand the concept Teachers who give extra credit as an op- the first time, it offers a second chance to master tion are being extremely fair. For example, a bad the material while getting a better grade then be- student if given the option of doing an extra credit fore. assignment would probably not take the offer due In conclusion, I think that extra credit to the extra, hard work. Which shows that the should be allowed and is fair because even though students doing extra credit are just trying to get a that it is true and most students do it to get a better grad even if it means taking time to com- higher grade. Those students do extra work then pete an assignment not required. Also, extra cred- they should to achieve that. Is it really horrible to it might be really helpful to a regularly good stu- want to do better on an assignment and test? And dent that knows all the material on a test but just make that become a reality by taking extra credit isn't good at taking tests when its time or is just given and working hard to get a superior grade. having a bad day. Not only that, but extra credit What do you think, is extra credit fair or not? Co-Editors Renaissance From Page 1 Noah Volkman Some of these include, a belt maker, many armor and wea- Joseph Melillo ponry stores (a lot for younger kids), and clothing and costumes. You could even rent a costume for the day. Other booths sell dolls Editorial Staff and puppets, footwear, games and toys, glass and pottery. There is Samuel Sanz Allison O’Connor also so much hair and body art, plus, so so much more. Now for food. There’s such a big assortment of food to eat Reporters that by the end of the day, you would’ve eaten so much that you Emily Uffer might feel like you gained a couple of pounds! This is only a frac- Natalia Tellez tion of the food you could eat.: turkey legs, cinnamon roasted nuts, Michael Morrissey frozen bananas, mac and Cheese, chili, soup, plus, so much more. McKenna Mullins Now that learned so much about the Renaissance Fair, what Benji Cutler are you waiting for? Why you don’t go buy your tickets? Emma Barton The Renaissance fair is open until October 6th. Saturday and Sunday. 10 AM until 7 PM. To learn more about the Renaissance fair, visit: http://renfair.com/ The Tusker Tribune Page 3 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School How to Survive 7th Grade Navigating a New World By Emma Barton some type of snack in your locker to Tusker Tribune Staff hold you over till 6th period, whether Welcome to your one it’s a drink like a Gatorade or Snapple and only free guide to surviv- (don’t bring this stuff to class unless ing the fierce ways of the 7th you teachers say you can otherwise grade. Now, I only know so you will have to throw it out) or a much, so I can’t tell you everything. If snack like a bag of Cheezits or fruit I did say everything, I wouldn’t have snacks or Goldfish crackers.. been being honest, because I don’t Make sure you don’t bring know everything. That bit is up to you nuts; kids who are allergic may react to find out. and you could get in trouble. You’ll First off, on the first day, try probably want to have it in like a Zip- your best not to be late. Some teach- lock because if you’re making too ers you may even already know, so it really much noise, you will probably have to throw it shouldn’t be too hard to get to your classes, and I away or stop eating.