The Liberty Ledger DECEMBER 2018 I S S U E 1 3 Why Should You Read and Write Historical Fiction By: Maura Baker Historical Fiction is a genre (literary and film) that best friends, one Dictionary.com generalizes as “The genre…that of a patriot family takes place in the past and are characterized and one of a loy- chiefly by an imaginative reconstruction of histori- alist family? In cal events and personages.” However, historical addition, you’re fiction is so much more than this! Historical Fic- much more likely tion is a glorious time-traveling adventure and to remember facts soap opera. I know you're probably thinking, about history from “Okay, sure, but why should we read and write an emotionally historical fiction?” Well, I’m going to answer just engaging story that! rather than a dry accounting of his- tory. For exam- Why you should read historical fiction ple, after a test, One of the great things about reading historical students may fiction is that it allows you to learn about historical promptly forget times and events in an exciting way! Since histor- the names and ical fiction usually focuses on the experiences of dates that they learned from textbooks, but we one individual and his or her relationships instead all remember that there were not enough life- of a general overview of the event or time like boats for everyone on the Titanic thanks to most historical textbooks would give you, it James Cameron’s brilliant work of historical leaves room for per- fiction, Titanic. sonal opinions and drama. Think about Why you should write historical fiction it, what would you If you’re creating a work of historical fiction, rather listen to: Para- you get to explore history for yourself, and graphs and para- generate simulations of historical events and graphs verbosely ex- see how you yourself would have acted in plaining how the those situations. Also, if you choose to Revolutionary War write historical fiction and portray your charac- affected the relation- ters, you can be anyone in history that you ship between the pa- want! You can be a soldier fighting in the Rev- triots and the loyal- olutionary War, you can be an African Princess ists or a story about in the 14th century if you want! Moreover, how the Revolution since writing historical fiction requires doing a slowly split up a life- certain amount of research, the idea of creat- long friendship be- ing your own world based off of what you are tween two teenage reading, it can make reading non-fiction more The Liberty Ledger Why You Should Read and Write Historical Fiction ...Continued By: Maura Baker fun! time! Learning about history helps us to under- stand why we live the way we do today, and if As you can see, there are many reasons why you you can learn about history in an exciting way, should read and write historical fiction. It allows it’s a win-win for you! you to escape the present and travel back in Pictures By: Dayana Matamoros Ramos & Carmina Rojas Sterling Mine Holiday Interviews By: Camille Bugayong and Trinity Mcarthy THANKSGIVING Ms. Yu: I am thankful for family, my colleagues and coffee. I am excited to cook food with my family. Mr.DeJesus: I am thankful for my coworkers, after the snow lock in, I saw that they are really good people! I am excited to rake the leaves in my yard. CHRISTMAS/HANNUKAH Mr.Krayton: What do you love about the holidays? Spending time with family. What do you hope to get? A New York Yankees jersey. Favorite Winter Movie: ELF Mr.Goldberg: What do you love about the holidays? Warm weather. What do you hope to get? My two front teeth Favorite Winter Movie: Home Alone The Liberty Ledger Medical Marijuana By: Oechi Udechuku On Monday November 26, 2018, a bill was passed under N.J. law that will make it easier to qualify and obtain medical marijuana. However, numerous people have perceived medical marijuana as something harmful ra- ther than something beneficial, and they most likely do not know what it really is. Ac- cording to https://www.webmd.com, medi- to qualify and obtain legal cannabis under cal marijuana is regular marijuana repur- a bill that cleared three state legislative posed. It uses the chemicals contained or committees. The bill was to be called the plant itself to treat diseases and condi- tions. Medical marijuana can be used to “Jake’s Law” after Jake Honig, who died treat chronic illness, multiple sclerosis, epilep- of brain cancer early this year. Cannabis sy, Alzheimer, anxiety and much more. oil helped him, but the law back then forced his parents to use it sparingly in The reason why medical marijuana is not le- small amounts. This hindered Jake’s condi- gal in all states is because researchers see marijuana like other addicting drugs such as tion. The new law now allows patients to LDS. The marijuana plant contains more than purchase bigger portions of medical mari- 100 different chemicals called cannabinoids, juana. Patients enrolled in the medicinal with each one having a different effect on marijuana program are permitted, every the body. THC and cannabidiol CBD are the month, to buy 2.5 ounces from January main chemicals found in marijuana. THC is 2019 to July 2019 -- up from the current 2 what causes hallucinations and the high feel- ing when using marijuana. The cannabidiol ounces -- and after July, a maximum of 3 (CBD) is the nonintoxicating part of marijua- ounces a month. People who are in hos- na that is extracted. This oil has been proven pice care or diagnosed with a terminal dis- to help people with many medical condi- ease have no purchasing limits. tions. According to https://www.nj.com, As stated in https://www.nj.com, New Jer- “Michael Brennan, a Moorestown resident sey's medical marijuana program has been and a board member for the advocacy revamped to make it far easier for patients group, the Coalition for Medical Marijuana -New Jersey, said he wished the legislation could address the exorbitant cost of legal- ly sanctioned cannabis. Brennan said he is "amazed" by how helpful cannabis has been for him, but as a person reliant on permanent disability payments, the $850 two ounces costs him a month is "a barri- The Liberty Ledger Medical Marijuana...Continued By: Ogechi Udechuku According to https://www.nj.com, “Michael as a person reliant on permanent disability Brennan, a Moorestown resident and a payments, the $850 two ounces costs him board member for the advocacy group, the a month is "a barrier." Coalition for Medical Marijuana-New Jersey, There is a need for people to educate said he wished the legislation could address themselves about medical marijuana and the exorbitant cost of legally sanctioned its healing properties. Many people have cannabis. Brennan said he is "amazed" by benefited for the plant’s CBD oils. how helpful cannabis has been for him, but Getting to Know Mrs. Salazar By: Nia Caesar Why did you choose this job? (Spanish Teach- er) I chose this job because I first worked with a girl scout group and I enjoyed it. During that time I was a dental assistant and I wasn’t too satisfied with working in dental care so I began to volunteer for schools. And I decided to be- come a teacher right at that time. I liked com- ing up with new material and lessons to teach students. Where did you grow up? I grew up in Elizabeth, New Jersey. What is your favorite part of teaching Spanish? My favorite part of being a Spanish Teacher is hearing students apply what I have taught What is it like being a mother and a teacher? them to real life. When a student tells me that It is very challenging. After coming home they used what they learned in Spanish class from teaching students all day at work, I today at Target. But I love when students con- have to cook dinner and help my kids with nect the lessons to real life. their homework. How long will you stay at Liberty? Hopefully for- ever. What do you want to achieve in 2019? I want to be able to think before I react. I What are some of your favorite things? want more patience. My favorite book is To Kill A Mockingbird. My favorite movie is any Hallmark Christmas Mov- If you could improve the school in one way ie, I love those movies. And my favorite food is what would you do? I would have smaller anything Asian. class sizes. What is your favorite activity? What kind of students do you enjoy having? My favorite activities are anything that in- I enjoy having students that participate in volves crafting. Like making cards, invitations, class activities. Students that raise their hand and party decorations. and are not afraid to answer questions. The Liberty Ledger Student of Honor Roll Breakfast the month By: Camille Bugayong & Tamyca Tunis SEPTEMBER 7th Grade Honor Roll 7th Grade John Kearns Victoria Peart Leila Smith OCTOBER 7th Grade Sebastian Veillard 7th Grade High Honor Roll Svara Bhatnagar Javier Duarte Cubero Albert Palaguachi NOVEMBER 7th Grade Antonio Deane Brooke Schenk Brandon Peak The Liberty Ledger Student of Honor Roll Breakfast the month By: Camille Bugayong & Tamyca Tunis SEPTEMBER 8th Grade Honor Roll 8th Grade Byron Alvarez Charley Dvorin Alexis Aguilar Cruz Kevin Renderos OCTOBER 8th Grade High Honor Roll 8th Grade Asad Hall Nia Oparaji Nadgee Coriolan Alonso Garcia Garnica NOVEMBER 8th Grade Curtis Battle Zoe Gilson Maegan Bulanhagui The Liberty Ledger Getting to Know Dr.