The Tusker Tribune The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School Issue Number 28 https://www.somersschools.org/Page/11489 Spring 2019 ‘Who’ is the Best Tusker? Can you guess the faculty members be- hind the trunks during this past week- end’s produc- tion of “Seussical”? Debate Over State Tests Tusker Tribune Commentary: Continues Lockdown During Passing Time By Isaac Like Made Sense Tusker Tribune Staff State tests have been around for years. For ELA, which we took last By Chloe Monachelli week, the test includes around 35 ques- Tusker Tribune Staff tions with 4 stories in it and 5 writing questions. I believe that this lockdown in be- The math test, which we’ll take in May, tween classes that we have had recently has around 50 questions. was very necessary. These tests causes unnecessary stress, for Usually with our lockdown drills, they teachers and schools. A lot of people wonder if have been during a class, meaning that every stu- it’s worth it? dent was already in a safe classroom and pre- Every year there is always talk if the test pared. Not this time should happen and who opts out or not. I’ve nev- though. Students were er opted out because I believe it helps you pre- scattered all over the pare for your SATs in high school. school hallways. Nobody However, the tests are boring and waste other than the teachers about 8 hours of learning each year. The test and staff were aware of causes stress that no one should need if they’re what was going on. not getting graded on it. The teachers did a So what’s the point? great job making sure all One good thing students were safe and is that the test is no secure in a safe classroom longer used to evaluate (out of sight of course). whether a teacher is Yes, it was a little teaching students the nerve wracking for students at first, but it taught correct information. But us all a very important that can save our lives. If it still seems to be a big a tragic situation like this happened in real life, disruption on the school year. we would have a much better chance of staying In my opinion the test should not be even safe. an option and the time could be spent better I highly suggest having a lockdown drill in teaching kids the curriculum. between classes to other schools. It teaches a great lesson and can save lives. The Tusker Tribune Page 2 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School ‘The Vessel’ Makes a Hugh Impression By Natalia Tellez stairs and if not, there Tusker Tribune Staff is an elevator ready The Vessel, a $200 million stair- for them. way to nowhere, is the new piece of archi- My family and tecture built in Hudson Yards Public I went, and it was an Square in New York City. The amazing spiral staircase is a new land- experience mark meant for visitors to climb and struc- and enjoy the view. The concept ture, but for The Vessel was revealed in we didn’t 2016, construction started in know we April 2017, and it opened on had to buy tickets in advance, so unfor- March 15, 2019. The pieces of The tunately, we didn’t get to climb it. If Vessel were assembled in Monfal- you do plan on going, (and you should!), cone in Italy. From there the piec- make sure to buy tickets before visiting es were transported by ships to since The Vessel can only hold 1,000 the Hudson River docks. people per day and it is usually pretty The design was full. The good part is that tickets to thought up by Thomas Heatherwick and the The Vessel are free and the only reason you must Heatherwick Studio and is meant to be a place purchase one is so you have a reserved spot allow- “where people can enjoy new perspectives of the ing you to climb. city and one another Overall, The Vessel is an amazing from different heights, piece of architecture angles and vantage that allows you to get a points.” It is made up of great view, enjoy time over 154 connected with family, and get flight of stairs with some exercise in. I per- 2,500 steps and 80 land- sonally recommend go- ings making almost the ing to the city and visit- distance of one mile. ing Hudson Yards to Visitors can try see the new and incred- to make it to the top ible structure called and go up all those The Vessel. Video Game Review: By Andrew Fasone But after you pick your school that Tusker Tribune you’re happy with, you next choose Staff what you want your character to Wizard101 was look like. You get to choose the face, released on September eyes, mouth, etc. 2nd, 2008 and was followed by Then you choose the color of the release of Pirate101 in the robe you want and you can split 2012. The game has had many it into two sections—a top half and a updates over the years that bottom half. Then you go through a changed many things about tutorial, but you can skip it if you the game, but first you need to want to. pick the school that you want Then you get thrown into the to be. real world. If you’re dedicated You can choose be- enough to the game, you can get tween Life, Death, Fire, Ice, your wizard up to level 100+ and Thunder, Myth, and The Balance schools. Once this doesn't apply to one school. You can get your you pick your school, there's no changing unless wizard of any school to this level. you make a new character and start all over again. Continued on Page 4 The Tusker Tribune Page 3 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School Homework Let School Start Hassle? Later! By Isaac Like Tusker Tribune Staff By Isaac Like ‘’Ugh I really don’t want to Tusker Tribune Staff do this.’’ Who has ever wanted to wake up early? You have probably thought I know I haven’t. about this more times than cars honk in Many students face waking up from a New York City. daily time every day and never get enough sleep, so Who likes homework? Not me and how we fix this? For one, schools need to change start I’m sure whoever reads this doesn’t ei- times. For SMS, I have to wake ther. Homework had been around as long up at 7:00 each day and that’s on as school had been and still nobody likes the later end of the students. it so why get it? When I’m driven to school, Homework is used as a study or I get up at 7:30 but is that ‘’recap’’ of your lesson that you do out of enough? Teens are supposed to the class and, if get around 9 and a half hours of you will, sleep but how do you get that ‘’home.’’ The much? Is your brain is pro- problem is with grammed while growing to fall asleep around 11:00? homework is You simply can’t and that is why some students cannot that most stu- be active and participate. dents sit Studies have been shown at American College of through a Chest Physicians (ACCP) that shows a significant de- whole school crease in teen driving accidents when school start is day delayed. This is decreased because the teens were able (approximately to focus more. 6 hours) and go Let’s push for more sleep! home to do more work, which is agoniz- ing. Teachers, of course, know this so why don’t they just tell you to study? I believe homework should not be allowed because giving homework is like having another period of your class and no one wants that, especially because kids barely want to go to school in the first place! Also, many kids are busy with sports or extracurricular activities, so all of us students ask, Drop the homework! The Tusker Tribune is the online Somers Middle School Student Newspaper. It is published weekly (except during school vacations) on the Somers Middle School Stories Coming Website. It is entirely student-written by Up April 26: 6th, 7th and 8th grade students from: Somers Middle School Social Action Day! 250 Route 202 World Languages Somers, NY, USA. Day! Any SMS student is eligible to write sto- Who Shot Mr. ries. If interested, please e-mail Burns? A ‘Simpsons’ mys- Advisor Dean Pappas at tery! [email protected] Bronx Zoo trip! The Tusker Tribune Page 4 The Student Newspaper of Somers Middle School Somers Impresses at The Fountain of Death By Eric Amante Regional Hoops Tusker Tribune Staff Now let me just say for all stu- Tournament! dents, we are very annoyed that almost By Katie Faivre all the water fountains Tusker Tribune Contributor in this school are at low Somers Special Olympics Basketball team filter status. This problem has placed second in their division in the Westches- been going on for a very long time ter Putnam Regional Basketball Tournament on and has annoyed me and many Sunday, March 31 at Marist College. SMS other students who just want to students on the team include 8th grader Joseph drink water without worrying what's in it. Some Cilento, and 7th graders Phillip Ziegler and examples of these filters are the following: Tommy O'Connor.