Tall and Proud
by Camryn S., staff writer
Have you ever climbed a tree? The ground looks so far down. There’s an animal that experiences this every day--a giraffe! They are very interesting animals. They don’t just use their long necks for getting leaves out of trees; they also use them to look out for danger.
Giraffes don’t have arms, so how do they hug? They hug by rubbing necks. After a while of hugging, it becomes a game of who is the strongest giraffe.
Giraffes live in Africa. Each type of giraffe has its own geographical area. Giraffes can be found where there are plains with trees. However, the trees can’t be too close together like in a forest.
Giraffes eat a lot of food each day. They spend most of their day eating. They eat leaves, bushes, and buds from trees. The height of giraffes depends on whether they are a female or male. Males are taller. Giraffes range in height from 14 to 17 feet tall.
Many people love giraffes. Actually, one of my best friend’s favorite animal is a giraffe. If you wanted a giraffe for your own, you’d have to build a house without a roof, and, if you ever wanted to take it for a walk, you’d have to be a good runner. While you may never have a giraffe as a pet, you can see them if you visit Africa or in zoos around the world.
Do you know the answer to this question?
What is the total weight of a giraffe’s head and neck?
To find out you have to read my next article—coming soon!
by Camryn S., staff writer
Have you ever climbed a tree? The ground looks so far down. There’s an animal that experiences this every day--a giraffe! They are very interesting animals. They don’t just use their long necks for getting leaves out of trees; they also use them to look out for danger.
Giraffes don’t have arms, so how do they hug? They hug by rubbing necks. After a while of hugging, it becomes a game of who is the strongest giraffe.
Giraffes live in Africa. Each type of giraffe has its own geographical area. Giraffes can be found where there are plains with trees. However, the trees can’t be too close together like in a forest.
Giraffes eat a lot of food each day. They spend most of their day eating. They eat leaves, bushes, and buds from trees. The height of giraffes depends on whether they are a female or male. Males are taller. Giraffes range in height from 14 to 17 feet tall.
Many people love giraffes. Actually, one of my best friend’s favorite animal is a giraffe. If you wanted a giraffe for your own, you’d have to build a house without a roof, and, if you ever wanted to take it for a walk, you’d have to be a good runner. While you may never have a giraffe as a pet, you can see them if you visit Africa or in zoos around the world.
Do you know the answer to this question?
What is the total weight of a giraffe’s head and neck?
To find out you have to read my next article—coming soon!
Muscular Dystrophy
by Matthew E., Staff Writer
Muscular Dystrophy (musk-you-lar- dist-ro-fee) is a disease that affects the heart, legs, or any other muscle in your body. There is no known cure for Muscular dystrophy (or MD for short) today. MD slows down the muscles that it affects, for example if you have MD that affects your leg muscles, it can be difficult to walk or run.
I have a friend that has MD which affects his legs. He has challenges, but he doesn’t let it slow him down. I’m very proud of him. Life gives us problems that we sometimes can’t solve and this is one of those problems. Hopefully in the near future scientists will come up with a cure. Until then, please help raise awareness for Muscular Dystrophy.
by Matthew E., Staff Writer
Muscular Dystrophy (musk-you-lar- dist-ro-fee) is a disease that affects the heart, legs, or any other muscle in your body. There is no known cure for Muscular dystrophy (or MD for short) today. MD slows down the muscles that it affects, for example if you have MD that affects your leg muscles, it can be difficult to walk or run.
I have a friend that has MD which affects his legs. He has challenges, but he doesn’t let it slow him down. I’m very proud of him. Life gives us problems that we sometimes can’t solve and this is one of those problems. Hopefully in the near future scientists will come up with a cure. Until then, please help raise awareness for Muscular Dystrophy.
Learning About Mrs. Cilmi
by Katie C., Staff Writer
What is your favorite movie?
I love finding Nemo – I like it because it shows what a parent will do to save their child. It is all about love and friendship. I also love how the fish work together to help Nemo in the fish tank and how Dori helps Nemo’s dad. It is funny too, every time she forgets.
What do you look for in a student?
I look for a desire to learn. It isn’t always easy, so they must really want to learn and always try hard to succeed.
What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
I love vanilla.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I love to read and do word puzzles. I also like to do counted cross stitch.
What is your favorite food and drink?
Pizza is my favorite food! I drink decaffeinated green tea.
If you were stuck on an island, what five things would you bring besides food and water?
Good question.
1. My family
2. Books
3. Needle craft
4. Beach supplies
5. Sun screen
What is your favorite subject that you teach?
That is a hard question. But I like math because it is like a puzzle and fun to figure out.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
This is also very hard – I would see all fifty states – I would bring a good camera
What are your first three favorite colors?
1. Purple
2. Blue
3. Pink
What is your favorite book?
I have many favorite books - one of my favorite fourth grade books is Runaway to Freedom because it tells a special story and it is written very well. I also love Boy in the Girls Bathroom; it is a story about a troubled boy and an adult that helps him grow up.
What is your favorite restaurant?
I love Carrabbas or any Italian restaurant. I usually eat some type chicken.
What is your favorite song?
I love music so I have many, but I especially love Happy by Pharrell Williams. I can’t listen to it and not dance.
How many years have you been teaching for?
I have been teaching at Appleby School for more than 20 years. I also taught in a Catholic school on Staten Island and I loved being a nursery school director in East Brunswick.
What new law would you make if you were president?
If I were president, I would work with congress to make laws to help families feed and educate their children.
What was the highest number of students you ever had?
When I started teaching in Staten Island I had 52 children in my class- I had 2 eighth graders and 2 seventh graders I taught science too. So, every morning I taught over 200 students.
What is your favorite snack?
Cookies.
If you could get any pet in the world what pet would you get?
I would get a puppy or a kitten because they are so cute!
What month is your birthday in?
April.
What is your favorite season?
Summer- because it is warm and there are no schedules.
I think Mrs. Cilmi is a great teacher. You are probably more like her than you thought! All you second and third graders should be excited to get to fourth grade to get wonderful Mrs. Cilmi!
by Katie C., Staff Writer
What is your favorite movie?
I love finding Nemo – I like it because it shows what a parent will do to save their child. It is all about love and friendship. I also love how the fish work together to help Nemo in the fish tank and how Dori helps Nemo’s dad. It is funny too, every time she forgets.
What do you look for in a student?
I look for a desire to learn. It isn’t always easy, so they must really want to learn and always try hard to succeed.
What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
I love vanilla.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I love to read and do word puzzles. I also like to do counted cross stitch.
What is your favorite food and drink?
Pizza is my favorite food! I drink decaffeinated green tea.
If you were stuck on an island, what five things would you bring besides food and water?
Good question.
1. My family
2. Books
3. Needle craft
4. Beach supplies
5. Sun screen
What is your favorite subject that you teach?
That is a hard question. But I like math because it is like a puzzle and fun to figure out.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
This is also very hard – I would see all fifty states – I would bring a good camera
What are your first three favorite colors?
1. Purple
2. Blue
3. Pink
What is your favorite book?
I have many favorite books - one of my favorite fourth grade books is Runaway to Freedom because it tells a special story and it is written very well. I also love Boy in the Girls Bathroom; it is a story about a troubled boy and an adult that helps him grow up.
What is your favorite restaurant?
I love Carrabbas or any Italian restaurant. I usually eat some type chicken.
What is your favorite song?
I love music so I have many, but I especially love Happy by Pharrell Williams. I can’t listen to it and not dance.
How many years have you been teaching for?
I have been teaching at Appleby School for more than 20 years. I also taught in a Catholic school on Staten Island and I loved being a nursery school director in East Brunswick.
What new law would you make if you were president?
If I were president, I would work with congress to make laws to help families feed and educate their children.
What was the highest number of students you ever had?
When I started teaching in Staten Island I had 52 children in my class- I had 2 eighth graders and 2 seventh graders I taught science too. So, every morning I taught over 200 students.
What is your favorite snack?
Cookies.
If you could get any pet in the world what pet would you get?
I would get a puppy or a kitten because they are so cute!
What month is your birthday in?
April.
What is your favorite season?
Summer- because it is warm and there are no schedules.
I think Mrs. Cilmi is a great teacher. You are probably more like her than you thought! All you second and third graders should be excited to get to fourth grade to get wonderful Mrs. Cilmi!
Guide to the Government
by Alex D., Staff Writer
From George Washington in 1787 to Barack Obama in modern times, we’ve always had a single executive—a president. The President of the United States has the power to make final decisions about the fate of our country.
When the founding fathers met to design the Constitution, many were skeptical about appointing a chief because they were afraid of one person having all the power. So, they designed the government to include a balance of power—Congress (The House of Representative and the Senate), the Supreme Court, and the President.
What is Congress? The Congress leads the legislative branch that makes our laws. The U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives are the two parts of Congress. In Congress there are 100 U.S. senators and 435 U.S. representatives. The Senate is part of Congress. There is equal representation from each state in the Senate—two per state. However, in the House of Representatives the number of representatives is based on the population of each state.
The Supreme Court is the head of the judicial branch. The decisions of the Supreme Court are absolute and final. The Executive branch is led by the President. The President carries out federal laws and recommends new ones. He also has veto power.
by Alex D., Staff Writer
From George Washington in 1787 to Barack Obama in modern times, we’ve always had a single executive—a president. The President of the United States has the power to make final decisions about the fate of our country.
When the founding fathers met to design the Constitution, many were skeptical about appointing a chief because they were afraid of one person having all the power. So, they designed the government to include a balance of power—Congress (The House of Representative and the Senate), the Supreme Court, and the President.
What is Congress? The Congress leads the legislative branch that makes our laws. The U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives are the two parts of Congress. In Congress there are 100 U.S. senators and 435 U.S. representatives. The Senate is part of Congress. There is equal representation from each state in the Senate—two per state. However, in the House of Representatives the number of representatives is based on the population of each state.
The Supreme Court is the head of the judicial branch. The decisions of the Supreme Court are absolute and final. The Executive branch is led by the President. The President carries out federal laws and recommends new ones. He also has veto power.
A Closer Look at John F. Kennedy, by Tyler Q., Staff Writer
May 29, 1917 in a town called Brookline, Massachusetts, a boy named John Kennedy was born. His parents, Rose and Joseph Kennedy were very proud to have a son. John was the second of nine children born to Rose and Joseph Kennedy. Joseph Kennedy was a very rich man. John was very energetic, and was always active. No one knew why he had so much energy. His father loved when his children would win in sports, board games, etc., and it would make him proud. There were no losers in the Kennedy family, and John played to win even if it meant putting himself in danger. Once, his brother dared him to compete in a bicycle race when he was a young boy, this was no ordinary race. They would all go in different directions and circle around the bicycle track. When John would meet up with his brothers, the first to swerve was the loser. Joe was sure John would be the first to swerve, but John was determined. He pedaled faster and faster. “Smash!” John crashed into his brother, Joe!
College Years
His Father wanted him to go to Harvard, that’s where his brother Joe went, but John went to Princeton. Yet John wasn’t happy at Princeton and soon transferred to Harvard. Even though he had average grades, John impressed his college teachers with his writing and thinking skills. Perhaps he might become a reporter or a writer when he was older? In 1939, Instead of going back to school, John went to Europe for a vacation. In September 1939, Germany invaded Poland. Because of this, John went back to Harvard and World War 2 began. Adolf Hitler, a former World War 1 soldier invaded Poland and other countries. By this time Europe was mostly destroyed. Most of Holland, Poland, Finland and even more places were invaded by Hitler’s army or Mussolini’s army in Italy. America was not involved with the war until 1941 when Japan invaded Pearl Harbor. This made Joe and John Kennedy interested in the war.
Army Months
Both John and Joe wanted to fight in the war. The navy accepted both men as Navy sailors. In the spring of 1943, John was a lieutenant of a PT boat. It was riding along the ocean one day…. “BOOM!” Japanese bombers and U-boats attacked his PT-boat. The boat sunk. He thought he was going to die, but then he swam to shore. He survived. The war ended when the United States defeated Germany and Japan. People were very relieved when the war ended.
Presidential Years
In 1961, John made a big move. He was elected president. His whole family was proud of him. He was the first Catholic president. He made several speeches about the Civil Rights Movement. He married Jaqueline Kennedy and had children; he was the happiest president until November 26, 1963. He was driving in a car and he was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald. The whole world cried. Today, people make books about him and talk about how great he was in books, newsletters, and many more.
Through my research I found that JFK was a great president. If I was able to meet him, I would ask him several questions such as “Who was your favorite US president?” and “What subject in school helped prepare you to become president?”. If you want to learn more about JFK you can go to the public library and school library.
May 29, 1917 in a town called Brookline, Massachusetts, a boy named John Kennedy was born. His parents, Rose and Joseph Kennedy were very proud to have a son. John was the second of nine children born to Rose and Joseph Kennedy. Joseph Kennedy was a very rich man. John was very energetic, and was always active. No one knew why he had so much energy. His father loved when his children would win in sports, board games, etc., and it would make him proud. There were no losers in the Kennedy family, and John played to win even if it meant putting himself in danger. Once, his brother dared him to compete in a bicycle race when he was a young boy, this was no ordinary race. They would all go in different directions and circle around the bicycle track. When John would meet up with his brothers, the first to swerve was the loser. Joe was sure John would be the first to swerve, but John was determined. He pedaled faster and faster. “Smash!” John crashed into his brother, Joe!
College Years
His Father wanted him to go to Harvard, that’s where his brother Joe went, but John went to Princeton. Yet John wasn’t happy at Princeton and soon transferred to Harvard. Even though he had average grades, John impressed his college teachers with his writing and thinking skills. Perhaps he might become a reporter or a writer when he was older? In 1939, Instead of going back to school, John went to Europe for a vacation. In September 1939, Germany invaded Poland. Because of this, John went back to Harvard and World War 2 began. Adolf Hitler, a former World War 1 soldier invaded Poland and other countries. By this time Europe was mostly destroyed. Most of Holland, Poland, Finland and even more places were invaded by Hitler’s army or Mussolini’s army in Italy. America was not involved with the war until 1941 when Japan invaded Pearl Harbor. This made Joe and John Kennedy interested in the war.
Army Months
Both John and Joe wanted to fight in the war. The navy accepted both men as Navy sailors. In the spring of 1943, John was a lieutenant of a PT boat. It was riding along the ocean one day…. “BOOM!” Japanese bombers and U-boats attacked his PT-boat. The boat sunk. He thought he was going to die, but then he swam to shore. He survived. The war ended when the United States defeated Germany and Japan. People were very relieved when the war ended.
Presidential Years
In 1961, John made a big move. He was elected president. His whole family was proud of him. He was the first Catholic president. He made several speeches about the Civil Rights Movement. He married Jaqueline Kennedy and had children; he was the happiest president until November 26, 1963. He was driving in a car and he was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald. The whole world cried. Today, people make books about him and talk about how great he was in books, newsletters, and many more.
Through my research I found that JFK was a great president. If I was able to meet him, I would ask him several questions such as “Who was your favorite US president?” and “What subject in school helped prepare you to become president?”. If you want to learn more about JFK you can go to the public library and school library.