By Marcus Banks
From issue 4 summer 2006
If you’re looking for something to do this summer, I’ve got a suggestion for you. Check out the Beacon Summer Camp. It’s quite a lot of fun. Ms. Ebanks runs this program. We go on trips and also get to go in the Lyons Pool in St. George every day. It is fun but there are certain rules you must follow in the pool including “You may not dunk anyone.” We also get to go on cool trips. Some of the trips that we went on last year were to amusement parks like Dorney Park, Hershey Park, and Six Flags. We also got to go to a lot of fun baseball games. We have lots of fun. How do you register? Go into the Beacon Office near the student cafeteria and ask for a form for Beacon Camp. Fill it out and bring it back in to Ms. Ebanks. That is all you have to do. Then you have to just go and have fun. It is that easy. Just go and enjoy!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Back In Time
By Tammy Lo and Aaleiyah Kennedy
From issue 4 summer 2006
On April 6, all the sixth grade classes went on a trip to the Medieval Times in Lyndhurst, New Jersey. When we first arrived at Medieval Times, they gave us a table card and allowed us to buy drinks and medieval souvenirs.
After a while the adviser of the king led us into the arena. There we met our representative knight and horse. When we got to our seats, there were different sections for different knights and horses.
I.S.49ers represented the green knight and horse. The adviser explained what was going to happen.
We also met the king and the princess. After they settled us down, they served us our lunch while we watched the show. We drank soup and soda; we ate half a chicken, spare ribs, baked potato, and a cookie for dessert (all without forks and knives!). Then the battle began!!
The knights first had games where they would compete against other knights. After every game two knights were eliminated. This action continued until there were two left. After the “games” the real battle began. Two knights were chosen to battle each other. They used a lance, which was a long pole with a point to jab each other, a sword, a mace that is a small pole with a quatrefoil-shaped head, a mandoble that looks like an ax, and an alabarda which is a mix of the battle-ax and the spear. They fought for a long time until the head knight turned against the king. The knights went out to fight the head knight and caught him. After the battle, the blue knight had won. This trip was one of the best trips that we went to. We recommend this trip because it actually brings you back to the time, medieval time!
From issue 4 summer 2006
On April 6, all the sixth grade classes went on a trip to the Medieval Times in Lyndhurst, New Jersey. When we first arrived at Medieval Times, they gave us a table card and allowed us to buy drinks and medieval souvenirs.
After a while the adviser of the king led us into the arena. There we met our representative knight and horse. When we got to our seats, there were different sections for different knights and horses.
I.S.49ers represented the green knight and horse. The adviser explained what was going to happen.
We also met the king and the princess. After they settled us down, they served us our lunch while we watched the show. We drank soup and soda; we ate half a chicken, spare ribs, baked potato, and a cookie for dessert (all without forks and knives!). Then the battle began!!
The knights first had games where they would compete against other knights. After every game two knights were eliminated. This action continued until there were two left. After the “games” the real battle began. Two knights were chosen to battle each other. They used a lance, which was a long pole with a point to jab each other, a sword, a mace that is a small pole with a quatrefoil-shaped head, a mandoble that looks like an ax, and an alabarda which is a mix of the battle-ax and the spear. They fought for a long time until the head knight turned against the king. The knights went out to fight the head knight and caught him. After the battle, the blue knight had won. This trip was one of the best trips that we went to. We recommend this trip because it actually brings you back to the time, medieval time!
Interview with a Dreyfus Alumni
Hello, I interviewed a very important person to me, my sister Damaris Amaro, a Dreyfus alumni and a student at McKee High School. Graduate Damaris Amaro smiles with Ms. Ruzi Here are some questions I asked her:
Q: How old are you?A: I am 16 years old.
Q: Would you like to go to college and visit your family or stay home and spend time with your family?A: I would like to go to college and visit my family because I believe college is the way to success.
Q: Where is the college you would like to go to?A: The college I want to go to is in Long Island.
Q: What is the name of the college you want to go to?A: The college I want to go to is L.I.U.
Q: Why do you want to go to college? A: I want to go to college because I want to get a good job that pays good money. I want to get a job that could be very successful. I will go to college and study that subject.
Q: Why do you want to go to that college? A: I want to go to that college because I want to learn about business administration and nursing.
Q: How long have you wanted to go to college?A: I have wanted to go to college forever.
Q: If you were to go to college and you didn’t like it would you drop out?A: If I were to go to college and didn’t like it I would not drop out. Dropping out is not the way to success.
Q: What would you pack if you went to college? A: I would pack everything (clothes, sneakers, hair supplies, accessories, etc.)
Q: What did you like about Dreyfus? A: The thing I like about Dreyfus is some of the teachers. They had a good way of teaching. I had good times in Dreyfus.
Q: Who was your favorite teacher?A: My favorite teacher in Dreyfus is Ms. Ruzi. She was a great teacher and I enjoyed having her as my teacher.
Q: What was your favorite subject?A: My favorite subject is math.
Q: What did you learn from Dreyfus? A: I learned many lessons in Dreyfus. I learned how to write great essays and that helped me a lot in high school.
Q: How old are you?A: I am 16 years old.
Q: Would you like to go to college and visit your family or stay home and spend time with your family?A: I would like to go to college and visit my family because I believe college is the way to success.
Q: Where is the college you would like to go to?A: The college I want to go to is in Long Island.
Q: What is the name of the college you want to go to?A: The college I want to go to is L.I.U.
Q: Why do you want to go to college? A: I want to go to college because I want to get a good job that pays good money. I want to get a job that could be very successful. I will go to college and study that subject.
Q: Why do you want to go to that college? A: I want to go to that college because I want to learn about business administration and nursing.
Q: How long have you wanted to go to college?A: I have wanted to go to college forever.
Q: If you were to go to college and you didn’t like it would you drop out?A: If I were to go to college and didn’t like it I would not drop out. Dropping out is not the way to success.
Q: What would you pack if you went to college? A: I would pack everything (clothes, sneakers, hair supplies, accessories, etc.)
Q: What did you like about Dreyfus? A: The thing I like about Dreyfus is some of the teachers. They had a good way of teaching. I had good times in Dreyfus.
Q: Who was your favorite teacher?A: My favorite teacher in Dreyfus is Ms. Ruzi. She was a great teacher and I enjoyed having her as my teacher.
Q: What was your favorite subject?A: My favorite subject is math.
Q: What did you learn from Dreyfus? A: I learned many lessons in Dreyfus. I learned how to write great essays and that helped me a lot in high school.
Tips For Parents to Help Students Avoid Peer Pressure
By Christopher Sanchez
From issue 3 winter 2006
For those parents whose kids are coming to I.S.49, don’t worry. Now of course I know you heard bad things about this school, but I assure you most of then are lies. Here are some tips to keep your child safe and out of peer pressure:
Safety Tips for Parents
1. Meet your child’s friends individually with your child and their friend.
2. Speak to your child about what happened in school today.
3. Be nosy without your child knowing or be nosy without snooping around.
4. Show up in school unexpected so if they are planning on cutting catch them in the act.
5. Be patient and most importantly don’t yell because the more you yell the more tuned out and frustrated you get.
For all you kids coming to I.S.49, don’t think you will not have help in this school. If you have any trouble you can go to counseling in Mrs.Bourne’s room on the first floor. You can also go toanyone in charge. Never think that you are alone. If kids call you names ignore them. So if you feellonely remember you have someone to come to.These tips should help both you and your parents make a smooth transition into junior highschool, here at I.S. 49.
From issue 3 winter 2006
For those parents whose kids are coming to I.S.49, don’t worry. Now of course I know you heard bad things about this school, but I assure you most of then are lies. Here are some tips to keep your child safe and out of peer pressure:
Safety Tips for Parents
1. Meet your child’s friends individually with your child and their friend.
2. Speak to your child about what happened in school today.
3. Be nosy without your child knowing or be nosy without snooping around.
4. Show up in school unexpected so if they are planning on cutting catch them in the act.
5. Be patient and most importantly don’t yell because the more you yell the more tuned out and frustrated you get.
For all you kids coming to I.S.49, don’t think you will not have help in this school. If you have any trouble you can go to counseling in Mrs.Bourne’s room on the first floor. You can also go toanyone in charge. Never think that you are alone. If kids call you names ignore them. So if you feellonely remember you have someone to come to.These tips should help both you and your parents make a smooth transition into junior highschool, here at I.S. 49.
Nolana Wong: Spelling Bee Champ
From Issue 5 winter 2007 Seventh grade student Nolana Wong was named I.S. 49’s new Spelling Bee Champion on December 12!!! Nolana, who is a student of the Science and Technology Academy, had to compete against finalists from the Academy of Journalism and Media Studies and the Academy of Environmental Sciences. Unlike her competitors, Nolana mastered the word “surveillance” – which proved to be the winning word!
Kelly Parker, from class 810, is the school’s runner-up. Kelly is also a student of the Science and Technology Academy.
The Spelling Bee was coordinated by Ms. Rodden, the school librarian, and Ms. Fareri, an Academic Intervention Services teacher.
Kelly Parker, from class 810, is the school’s runner-up. Kelly is also a student of the Science and Technology Academy.
The Spelling Bee was coordinated by Ms. Rodden, the school librarian, and Ms. Fareri, an Academic Intervention Services teacher.
The Militant Midget: A Tribute To The Heart Of A Soldier
By Gresa Shala
On Feb.9, we held an assembly and library dedication for our great hero, Evelyn Morris King, at our school. It was the day of her 90th birthday and we also celebrated another important holiday, Martin Luther King Day.
In an interview with Ms. Hill, our school principal, I asked why she chose to dedicate our library to Ms. King. Ms. Hill told me that Ms. King is a “notable person” in the Stapleton community, an educator and simply a “lover of books.” Ms. Hill said that she didn’t know Ms. King that well but has grown to know her quite well through what she’s learned from other teachers and others in our community who have worked with Ms. King. Ms. Hill also met with Ms. King’s son, Kenneth King, several times before the assembly. Ms. Hill said, “The Evelyn Morris King assembly gave the school pride. My only hope is that one of our students will have something significant named after (him or her).”
As classes and teachers were filing into the auditorium, I heard the murmur of guests coming from our community: Politicians, friends, and people from the College of Staten Island’s Gear Up Program. At the beginning of the assembly, Ms. Hill said a few words. After that, the color guard came and presented their colors while we recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Schwartz, our orchestra teacher, played the national anthem with his own twist using his saxophone. With a tremendous voice and a great amount of courage, Ms. I’sha Clinton sang what was Martin Luther King Jr.’s favorite song and what is considered the Black National Anthem, “Lift everyVoice.” Ms. Hill then welcomed our guests.
Mrs. Mercil presented Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Jones and Mrs. Evelyn Haley the Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award for their devotion and generous support to our school. Mrs. Hill said that we (the school) can always count on these three individuals to be at every P.T.A meeting, support the school Magnet Program, chaperone trips, donate to any events we have at the school and help with any senior activities. Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Jones and Mrs. Haley are all examples of parents who are extraordinary.
North Shore Councilman Michael E. McMahon came up to the podium to declare our library the Evelyn Morris King Library. He has funded our school library, providing a great deal of money to help with the renovation and modernization of the library, which hopefully will be done by the end of next year. Councilman McMahon’s continues to support I.S. 49 and the Stapleton community.
Next, there was a surprise concert with the members of our school staff. Mr. Profilio, an art teacher at our school, performed on his drums, while Mr. Schwartz played on his saxophone. Mr. French, who has known Mrs. King for years, performed on the bongos in unison playing “Footprints” by composer Wayne Shorter.
Last but not least students from class 720 (from the Journalism Academy) presented some selected readings of their original work, including essays, poems and a slide show. The students who presented were Aaleiyah Kennedy, Tammy Lo and Stephanie Chin. Chante Spence also showed us her PowerPoint presentation about Mrs. King’s accomplishments, family and awards. These students who did presentations about Mrs. King had researched her life, with the help of Mrs. Keag, through Staten Island Advance articles.
Mr. DiCrescento and class 718 did a video presentation, complete with interviews, and dedicated it to Mrs. King. Mrs. Brandonisio and students from class 722 painted a beautiful mural of Mrs. King and her life, which will be hung in the library. She said that they had to do a lot of research on Mrs. King’s life achievements, and then they tried to paint it on the mural. Mrs. Brandonisio said that the best part of the whole project was when they went to the assembly and actually got to meet Mrs. King in person. She said that she thanked them and was really grateful. “I think they were honored to be in the presence of such a legend,” said Mrs. Brandonisio.
Bintu Fofanah was one of the students that helped paint the mural. She said, “I thought it was fun and exciting. She (Mrs. King) was very sweet and reminded me of my grandmother.”
Mrs. McMillan, the math coach at IS 49, was just one of the many teachers that helped make this assembly possible. She said, “I thought that it was very enlightening and it was very personal to me because I’m familiar with Mrs. King through working in the community. I thought that it was a wonderful tribute to an outstanding woman whose mantra is love.”
At the end of the assembly, with the audience participation, everyone sang “Happy Birthday” to Mrs. King. This really finished the assembly on a high note. After the assembly was over, Ms. King and guests went to the library for refreshments and more celebrating.
Cyndi Chin of class 720 attended the assembly, which she said she enjoyed. “The assembly was amazing and I was honored to be there as a guest.”
On Feb.9, we held an assembly and library dedication for our great hero, Evelyn Morris King, at our school. It was the day of her 90th birthday and we also celebrated another important holiday, Martin Luther King Day.
In an interview with Ms. Hill, our school principal, I asked why she chose to dedicate our library to Ms. King. Ms. Hill told me that Ms. King is a “notable person” in the Stapleton community, an educator and simply a “lover of books.” Ms. Hill said that she didn’t know Ms. King that well but has grown to know her quite well through what she’s learned from other teachers and others in our community who have worked with Ms. King. Ms. Hill also met with Ms. King’s son, Kenneth King, several times before the assembly. Ms. Hill said, “The Evelyn Morris King assembly gave the school pride. My only hope is that one of our students will have something significant named after (him or her).”
As classes and teachers were filing into the auditorium, I heard the murmur of guests coming from our community: Politicians, friends, and people from the College of Staten Island’s Gear Up Program. At the beginning of the assembly, Ms. Hill said a few words. After that, the color guard came and presented their colors while we recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Schwartz, our orchestra teacher, played the national anthem with his own twist using his saxophone. With a tremendous voice and a great amount of courage, Ms. I’sha Clinton sang what was Martin Luther King Jr.’s favorite song and what is considered the Black National Anthem, “Lift everyVoice.” Ms. Hill then welcomed our guests.
Mrs. Mercil presented Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Jones and Mrs. Evelyn Haley the Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award for their devotion and generous support to our school. Mrs. Hill said that we (the school) can always count on these three individuals to be at every P.T.A meeting, support the school Magnet Program, chaperone trips, donate to any events we have at the school and help with any senior activities. Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Jones and Mrs. Haley are all examples of parents who are extraordinary.
North Shore Councilman Michael E. McMahon came up to the podium to declare our library the Evelyn Morris King Library. He has funded our school library, providing a great deal of money to help with the renovation and modernization of the library, which hopefully will be done by the end of next year. Councilman McMahon’s continues to support I.S. 49 and the Stapleton community.
Next, there was a surprise concert with the members of our school staff. Mr. Profilio, an art teacher at our school, performed on his drums, while Mr. Schwartz played on his saxophone. Mr. French, who has known Mrs. King for years, performed on the bongos in unison playing “Footprints” by composer Wayne Shorter.
Last but not least students from class 720 (from the Journalism Academy) presented some selected readings of their original work, including essays, poems and a slide show. The students who presented were Aaleiyah Kennedy, Tammy Lo and Stephanie Chin. Chante Spence also showed us her PowerPoint presentation about Mrs. King’s accomplishments, family and awards. These students who did presentations about Mrs. King had researched her life, with the help of Mrs. Keag, through Staten Island Advance articles.
Mr. DiCrescento and class 718 did a video presentation, complete with interviews, and dedicated it to Mrs. King. Mrs. Brandonisio and students from class 722 painted a beautiful mural of Mrs. King and her life, which will be hung in the library. She said that they had to do a lot of research on Mrs. King’s life achievements, and then they tried to paint it on the mural. Mrs. Brandonisio said that the best part of the whole project was when they went to the assembly and actually got to meet Mrs. King in person. She said that she thanked them and was really grateful. “I think they were honored to be in the presence of such a legend,” said Mrs. Brandonisio.
Bintu Fofanah was one of the students that helped paint the mural. She said, “I thought it was fun and exciting. She (Mrs. King) was very sweet and reminded me of my grandmother.”
Mrs. McMillan, the math coach at IS 49, was just one of the many teachers that helped make this assembly possible. She said, “I thought that it was very enlightening and it was very personal to me because I’m familiar with Mrs. King through working in the community. I thought that it was a wonderful tribute to an outstanding woman whose mantra is love.”
At the end of the assembly, with the audience participation, everyone sang “Happy Birthday” to Mrs. King. This really finished the assembly on a high note. After the assembly was over, Ms. King and guests went to the library for refreshments and more celebrating.
Cyndi Chin of class 720 attended the assembly, which she said she enjoyed. “The assembly was amazing and I was honored to be there as a guest.”
Camping Trip To Poconos
By Gresa Shala
On the fourth of June this year, our school went camping in the Poconos in Pennsylvania. This sight was called PEEC or rather Pocono Environmental Education Center. Our principal, Ms. Hill, A.P. Ms. Diaconomailos along with teachers Mr. Ambrosio, Ms. Kimbrough and Mr. Knudson, selected deserving students to go on this wonderful trip. I myself was chosen to attend and felt excited!
For this trip I had to pack a pillow, suitcase, the usual toiletries, an extra change of pants, shirts and socks. It was a very long trip from Staten Island to Pennsylvania (about 2 hrs.) but let me tell you it was worth it! When we finally arrived there I thought the landscape was beautiful; there were so many different trees, shrubs and yes, we did see deer (also horses!). What I really thought was breathtaking was the freshwater ponds. It was stunning how the oaks, pines and birch were towering them with their magnificently green color. I was really awestruck at just how vast and wide they were; I could’ve sworn they were miles long. Then sometimes if you were quiet, just off in the corner you could see geese swimming.
From the day we got there our days were full of enlightening, enjoyable activities. On the first day of our three-day visit, 49ers were instructed to go through confidence- building obstacles. In these obstacle courses, we rooted for each member in our teams to do their best. Most of the challenges that were brought to us had a lot to do with teamwork, for example there was one where we had to pretend we were a tribe living on an island. Unfortunately, we were going through a famine, so we had to get to the other island in order to live. In reality we had to use only two planks to get from point A to point B. The challenge was, “How were we going to place the two planks strategically in order to get the whole group to the other island at one time?” Later on that night, Mr.Knudson lit a campfire and we had a chance to make mouth-watering smores. I thought this was a memorable activity because it was the first time many of us ever got to make and taste our own smores.
On the second day my group had a chance to do some pond “studies.” Our instructor, Jen, explained to us that what we had to do was study the different critters that live in pond ecosystems. She told us that this was how some scientists do their research. From whatever animals they found in the ponds, they could tell if they had been polluted because some animals can only survive if the ponds are clean. Numerous animals live in ponds such as catfish, crayfish, snapping turtles, worms, beetles, tadpoles/frogs and many different plants too. We were given nets, a large and small plastic container, spoons and charts about different pond creatures. Mr.Knudson separated my group into groups of two or three. One person went to the pond and tried to skim the top of it hoping to get some critters. Then what we did was dump our findings into the large plastic container and spoon out the animals into the smaller container that was filled with water to keep the creatures moist. From the pond chart we discovered what critter was what and what environment they preferred to live in. Many of the children in my group were really squeamish about getting down and dirty and touching the animals. Yet there were some who weren’t and were lucky enough to catch a bullfrog!
On the third day my group got a chance to go canoeing. I thought it was exciting as much it was nerve-racking. This was the first time that I ever went canoeing in my life so you could imagine how memorable it was for me. Coincidentally Mr.Knudson is a canoeing expert or just happened to know a lot about canoeing and such, so he was able to give us a few pointers here and there about how to row, keep our balance and just have fun. I remembered how every time the canoe rocked just a bit it gave me a start. I was so scared I thought we were just going to turn over at some point and fall. After awhile I got used to it and started to enjoy myself, spontaneously. Guess what, during our canoeing Mr.Knudson found a baby turtle in the reeds, near the shore. I thought it was so cute, yet fragile. Later on that day (in the evening) the 49ers had a little dancing lesson, square dancing as a matter of fact. Students as well as the teachers learned how to square dance and dance to the rhythms of the famous Virginia Reel too.
I thought this trip was really enjoyable and I hope that you will get a chance to attend it too. I know I learned a lot on this trip, especially the three “C”s—Confidence, Cooperation and Communication!
On the fourth of June this year, our school went camping in the Poconos in Pennsylvania. This sight was called PEEC or rather Pocono Environmental Education Center. Our principal, Ms. Hill, A.P. Ms. Diaconomailos along with teachers Mr. Ambrosio, Ms. Kimbrough and Mr. Knudson, selected deserving students to go on this wonderful trip. I myself was chosen to attend and felt excited!
For this trip I had to pack a pillow, suitcase, the usual toiletries, an extra change of pants, shirts and socks. It was a very long trip from Staten Island to Pennsylvania (about 2 hrs.) but let me tell you it was worth it! When we finally arrived there I thought the landscape was beautiful; there were so many different trees, shrubs and yes, we did see deer (also horses!). What I really thought was breathtaking was the freshwater ponds. It was stunning how the oaks, pines and birch were towering them with their magnificently green color. I was really awestruck at just how vast and wide they were; I could’ve sworn they were miles long. Then sometimes if you were quiet, just off in the corner you could see geese swimming.
From the day we got there our days were full of enlightening, enjoyable activities. On the first day of our three-day visit, 49ers were instructed to go through confidence- building obstacles. In these obstacle courses, we rooted for each member in our teams to do their best. Most of the challenges that were brought to us had a lot to do with teamwork, for example there was one where we had to pretend we were a tribe living on an island. Unfortunately, we were going through a famine, so we had to get to the other island in order to live. In reality we had to use only two planks to get from point A to point B. The challenge was, “How were we going to place the two planks strategically in order to get the whole group to the other island at one time?” Later on that night, Mr.Knudson lit a campfire and we had a chance to make mouth-watering smores. I thought this was a memorable activity because it was the first time many of us ever got to make and taste our own smores.
On the second day my group had a chance to do some pond “studies.” Our instructor, Jen, explained to us that what we had to do was study the different critters that live in pond ecosystems. She told us that this was how some scientists do their research. From whatever animals they found in the ponds, they could tell if they had been polluted because some animals can only survive if the ponds are clean. Numerous animals live in ponds such as catfish, crayfish, snapping turtles, worms, beetles, tadpoles/frogs and many different plants too. We were given nets, a large and small plastic container, spoons and charts about different pond creatures. Mr.Knudson separated my group into groups of two or three. One person went to the pond and tried to skim the top of it hoping to get some critters. Then what we did was dump our findings into the large plastic container and spoon out the animals into the smaller container that was filled with water to keep the creatures moist. From the pond chart we discovered what critter was what and what environment they preferred to live in. Many of the children in my group were really squeamish about getting down and dirty and touching the animals. Yet there were some who weren’t and were lucky enough to catch a bullfrog!
On the third day my group got a chance to go canoeing. I thought it was exciting as much it was nerve-racking. This was the first time that I ever went canoeing in my life so you could imagine how memorable it was for me. Coincidentally Mr.Knudson is a canoeing expert or just happened to know a lot about canoeing and such, so he was able to give us a few pointers here and there about how to row, keep our balance and just have fun. I remembered how every time the canoe rocked just a bit it gave me a start. I was so scared I thought we were just going to turn over at some point and fall. After awhile I got used to it and started to enjoy myself, spontaneously. Guess what, during our canoeing Mr.Knudson found a baby turtle in the reeds, near the shore. I thought it was so cute, yet fragile. Later on that day (in the evening) the 49ers had a little dancing lesson, square dancing as a matter of fact. Students as well as the teachers learned how to square dance and dance to the rhythms of the famous Virginia Reel too.
I thought this trip was really enjoyable and I hope that you will get a chance to attend it too. I know I learned a lot on this trip, especially the three “C”s—Confidence, Cooperation and Communication!
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