The Mapletogian
News for Kids, by Kids at Maple Avenue Middle School
November 2009
Volume 19, Number 3
Thanksgiving: Is It More Than Just Turkey?
by Anne Getz
You are used to the smells of turkey wafting from the kitchen. But all around the world people eat differently on thanksgiving. So check this out for food that will make your mouth water!!
In Japan people eat a pumpkin cake called Pumpkin Mochi. This cake tastes Fluffy slightly chewy. Says Adrienne Tran of allrecipies.com. I would try this.
In Italy this mouthwatering dish dances on their taste buds. The dish: Pasta Primavera with Italian Turkey Sausage. A delicious dish created from the bounty of my garden. Says KathyP100 of allrecipes.com.
Mexican Turkey Cream Cheese Enchiladas. Are divine, the Seasoning and creaminess perfectly compliment the turkey flavor. Says Holly B of allrecipes.com.
From Canada there is Apple Crumble Pie. This dessert is crispy and crunchy although not too sweet. I recommend this to either go with pumpkin pie or replace it.
For more international food go to a library or go on the web to allrecipes.com where I got all of these recipes.
It's Game Time!!
Fathers Website Urges End to Bullying
by Liam Madigan
Ryansstory.org is a website dedicated to Ryan Patrick Halligan, a 13 year old young boy whose life was sadly cut short. The website was made by John Halligan, the father of Ryan. This website isnt all about Ryans story though, it also features sections about anti-bullying laws, like the law John Halligan got to be passed that helped to stop bullying in many states. There is also a section about suicide prevention, as well as a section about cyber bullying. Cyber bullying is just one of the many types of bullying, finally, there is a section called Ryans guestbook, where you can leave a message about what you thought of the website, or if John Halligan came to your school to tell Ryans story, you can write about what you thought of his presentation. The website has been written on by 3,328 people! This is an outstanding tribute to Ryan and John Halligan.
The website Ryansstory.org provides a strong reminder about the pain a suicide can cause and how to prevent that pain from happening.
In our school a gym coach named Mitch Snyder is starting a get up stand up club that helps kids with bullying.
You can find the website at www.ryansstory.org, or, ryanpatrickhalligan.org
Are you ready for some wellness?
One of the most important lessons
we can teach as your physical
education and health teachers is
how to get plenty of daily physical activity and how to choose healthy foods. Thats what Fuel Up to Play 60 is all about! Fuel up to Play 60 is a free wellness program brought to our school by the National Dairy Councils and the National Football League. The program includes fun healthy eating and physical activity action strategies that encourage students to get up and play for 60 minutes a day and to fuel up with the nutrient-rich foods kids dont get enough of! Fuel Up to Play 60 empowers students to make their own healthy choices while providing support to all of the wellness champions on our home team!! To enroll for our schools Fuel Up to Play 60 team, go to www.FuelUpToPlay60.com and sign up in School Sign Up. Lets help our school community Fuel Up to Play 60 with healthy foods and daily activity and teach them a lesson theyll use every season of their lives. As part of your physical education and health classes, we are asking that you create your own Fuel Up to Play 60 FREE account online by enrolling and earning points. Enter your email address in the school sign up area. To help learn more, please go to the fuel up to play 60 website or see your physical education teacher. Every time you exercise or make healthy eating choices, you can earn points. Wellness is important at our school, and we know we can influence the eating and physical activity habits of our students for the better. Fuel Up to Play 60 is designed to help us. Parents and volunteers are welcome to be part of the action and encouraged to model healthy eating and physical activity behaviors. The first part of the competition runs until December 15th and the second part runs from February 1st to March 15th. In between the two phases, you can not earn points, although you can still get into your account and play games. Now get out there and start earning some points!!!!!
The Sixth Grade Band And Why To Listen!
By Paul Harrington
This month I interviewed Mr. Janack the band teacher for sixth and eighth grade band to learn more about him, the band and the upcoming sixth grade concert. Mr. Janack says that his favorite piece for the concert is Carnival. He says Carnival and Shadow Warriors will sound great because, theyre fast and exciting. He says that in Carnival the most important instruments are percussion instruments. When I asked if he thought that the band is at a level where they can play each piece perfectly he answered that the band is at a good level for October but we will be surprised in December.
His favorite instrument is the low brass. This year they really support the Band. He said that if you are joining the band for the first time in middle school that you should try the trombone its easy to get your first sound, but there is no easy instrument. When asked about missing study hall for band, Mr. Janack said that it was worth it and that he appreciates the dedication students show to band. Having lessons during class time is also difficult but Mr. Janack feels that he gets more out of the band with these lessons. Theres a lot more attention during lessons and the information is specific for each instrument. The band concert is on Monday, December 14th. Who would have known the concert will be so good!
November Calendar and Events
DAY of the DEAD CELEBRATION in SPANISH CLASSES
In the month of October, the Spanish department has a special celebration in honor of the Day of the Dead. As a curious journalist I decided to interview Veronica Zabala and Carly Deliss from Señora Sorokas Spanish class, and Adam Kurchnur from Señora Zabalas Spanish class.
The first question I asked the students was to clarify what the Day of the Dead is? The students told me that it is a cultural celebration in Mexico that lasts for 2 to 3 days and it was to honor and remember loved ones who had passed. Interestingly, it is not considered a sad time but rather a happy time to bring back loved ones spirits. Señora Soroka told me that it was a way to honor the dead, but to also celebrate life at the same time. The first day of the celebration was to honor children and the second day they honored adults. The celebration uses marigold flowers and candles as part of the celebration. According to the students this celebration evolved over many years in the Mexican culture.
As a journalist, I didnt know how important the day of the dead is in Mexico.
The second question I asked Señora Zabala was why she and the other Spanish teachers chose to celebrate the Day of the Dead in Spanish class. She explained that they chose to celebrate the Day of the Dead in order to learn about the Mexican culture and because the students love to bake, cook, and of course, eat. The students told me that some of the different foods included bread of the dead, which is a bread with cinnamon sugar on it, the traditional chips and salsa, tacos, and of course my personal favorite, hot chocolate.
Lastly I was curious to find out how many years the Spanish teachers have been celebrating this special day. Señora Soroka told me that Señora Zabala has held the celebration for about 6 years, and all the other Spanish teachers have been doing it since the school has been open.
I look forward to this celebration as a seventh grader!
