Athol-Royalston Middle School March-June 2013/ Volume 1, issue 3

cover art: Ariana Reid

Up in ARMS was up in the River Rat ParadeDuring the River Rat parade last April, grade 5 people and others marched in the parade. We were going to do the Harlem Shake, but there wasn’t a good way to play the music. Mathew Coffin

An interview with Mrs. Stone Andrea Comeau and Larianna Costen

Why did you become a teacher?“I was a sub and liked it so much I went to col-lege to become a teacher.

What is it like the 1st day?It is fun to meet new kids.

Which is your favorite class? 2013’s homeroom in room 304.

What book are you reading?National Geographic Magazine

What is your favorite sport?Downhill skiing

What do you do in your free time?Ski in the winter and garden in the summer. I also like to bake.

ARMS StrongARMS wanted to help the injured victims of the Boston Marathon bomb-ing in April. It held an all school walk-a-thon. Also, Up-in-Arms held a bake sale that raised $30 for the OneFund. Some teachers and students baked and lots of students shopped for cookies, raspberry squares, brown-ies and other goodies. Thank you for the support. Emilee Stebbins

Pictured: Emilee Stebbins, Eve Hard and Marizah Rios

The Multicultural FestivalThe Multicultural festival brought a lot of families into ARMS. The chorus sang songs from around the world and many students did performances, power point slide shows, fact sheets and displays. The food was great and the costumes were fun to see. Some people should slow down and read the posters more carefully instead of just taking the food and moving on.

What is the same around the world? Exploration People throughout history have explored in order to find new treasure. The first humans left Africa and eventually populated the whole world. Some important explorations in the past were led by Columbus. Amerigo Vestpucci discovered North America.

Now there are still explorations. David Cameron, a man who got rich by making movies like Avatar, has built a submarine so he can go to the bottom of the earth at the deepest part of the ocean. Also, scientists are exploring and finding more facts about our body and DNA. Scientists are also studying new things about atoms at this point in time.

Exploration in the future: People are already exploring space and they are trying to go to Mars soon.Scientists are going to explore the brain and make maps to help understand the brain better and to see where the electricity comes from and also where it connects to. They are also going to use the brain maps to help see how people think and to see how the brains work. In the future they are going to study the Earth’s core. But first, they have to find a way to get close to the Earth’s core without being a human BBQ.

What is the same around the world? People explore.by Magdalena Surlej and Marizah Rios.

What’s the Same around the world?People have religion. They celebrate the gods so they can live better in this world and in the afterlife. Religions all over the world help people when their lives are sad. Religions are a way of explaining mysteries of life like why there is life and death and how the world was created. Some of the major religions in the world are Bud-dhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism. Communism, Atheism and Confucianism are ways of organizing the world that do not have god. Nelson Santos Jr.

Andrea Comeau and Larianna Coston celebrated the culture of the USA by performing the Hoedown Throwdown.

Justice for ALLby Justice StaadFriends: Hey! It’s me, Justice! Today my article is going to be about friends. You know, your “Friends”, your actual friends and how to spot the difference. First of all, a real friend doesn’t care about who your friends are, just about who YOU are. Second, a real friend shouldn’t hurt you (physically or feelings-wise) Third a real friend is there for you. I have a very awesome friend. Her name is Anna. She helped me when my dog ran away. She found him at the wastewater treatment plant. She is there when things go South. Now I’m there for her. Even if she is wrong, I’m there. Enough about me. Think about your best friends in the WHOLE WORLD. Let them know they are important.

Talent: Hey, it’s me Justice! Today we are going to discuss hidden talents, such as a secret singer, runner, or whatever the talent may be. this article shows how to make the best of it. Everyone has hidden talents that are swept under the rug because of fear of being “uncool” or “stinking”, but a talent is a gift. People are chosen to have a talent for a reason or a purpose, so I want everyone with a special talent to let the light shine. Become the next singer, dancer, fashion de-signer, author, or just create a new fad all together. All right, I’m going to share my special talent because if I didn’t, I would be breaking my own rule. I like to sing. You are probably asking yourself, “Justice! Why would you let your talent go to waste?” Truth is, I missed my opportunity. I’m almost done with this school. But the people with talent haven’t missed their chance! The point? Embrace yourself and all you are. Find a talent and you’ll be great.

Grades: Hi, it’s me Justice! Today we are going to discuss grades. Bad or excellent, you have to live with them for the rest of your school days. Here are some ideas for improving your grades next year. “I have horrible grades in all my subjects.” Is there a certain subject, like social studies, you have trouble in? Try talking to that subject teacher or even staying after school. You could also ask your parents. Chances are, they had the same problem. They might know a few tricks. You could also try spend-ing more time focusing on the material and less time passing notes with other people. Try studying with your pals! It’s a lot of fun, in between questions you could chat, but don’t chat all the time. School is a place for learning. I know I sound like your parents but its true. Just remember to focus on the material, talk to your teacher, or study with friends!

Addition: Hey, it’s me Justice! Today I’m going to discuass an addition. No, not like in math, but like, an addition to you family. With a little bundle of joy, of course you could get jealous. Your mom is having another baby! You’re feeling all these dif-ferent emotions because she just told you at the dinner table. In-stead of expressing joy and happiness, you call out, “Why do you have to have another baby? I don’t want another kid here! “ After that explosion of emotions, you flee up into your room, slam the door and cry. You may not have an episode completely like that one, but you may still feel jealous. It’s ok to feel like that! Just know your mom still loves you. She understands that when the family gets bigger, everyone’s heart gets a little bigger too. Think about helping decorate your new sibling’s room or buying the little person some clothes. Help out mom a little. if there’s dinner dishes to get washed, clothes to put away or any chore, help your mom out. A baby can really tire her out.

An interview with Justice StaadHi guys! I did an interview with the advice columnist Justice Staad because I think she is very cool. I like how she always hs opinions on how 5th graders are treated. Here’s what she said.Me: “So, is Justice your real name?JS: “No”Me: “What is your real name”JS: “I want to keep anony-mous, sorry.”Me: I understand. A lot of

people have been asking... Why do you write advice columns for 5th graders? JS: I believe 5th graders have the hardest time. I mean, they are just walking into a new school, and new teachers... I remember my first day walking into ARMS. Me: Why do you write what you write?JS: “What do you mean?”Me: “One of your first columns was, “Why aren’t 5th graders allowed to go to dances?”JS: “I write columns about fairness.”Me: “Have you always thought about fairness?JS: “My mom told me a story about when I was little. She had just given my brother a pile of Twizzlers, and then I reached across the table to count that his share was fair.”Me: “Everyone is asking, “When will you give up your identity?”JS: Not yet, but I will give you a clue. I’m in 5th grade.

I would like to thank Justice Staad for doing this interview. I look forward to her new columns. Olivia Luchock

5th grade

1st dayshy, scared

nerve-wracking, shouting, excitingpaper, books, directions, lockers

writing, reading, singingfunny, free

last day

by Larianna Costen and Jeff Flag

5th grade: The First Day of School to the Last ... Tips for Incoming ARMS StudentsAndrea ComeauThe first day is always a little nerve-wracking because of see-ing old friends and meeting new friends. But the 5th grade is a totally different experience. I am going to give advice on how to live through it. Hope this is really helpful!

1) Always listen to your friends.2) Never give up!3) MCAS may seem boring, but take your time and do your best. 4) Always be prepared for class... (Teachers too!)5) Study!6) Always bring a book to read. 7) Never wear short shorts and tee-shirts.

Dog walkers availableLeash required, Riverbend areaOpen 3:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.No dogs that bite!Small dogs: $2/ lapMedium dogs: $3/lap2 Medium dogs: $4/lapLeave a message with Mrs. Gospodarek and we will con-tact you.

What’s your favorite pet? I did a poll to see what the favorite pet was. Here are the results. 15 votes for dog1 vote for parrot2 votes for turtle1 for horse1 for pig

Different DogsThere are Dobermen Pinchers, Yellow Labs, Huskies, Black Labs, German Shepards, mixed mutts and others, but that’s all the time I have. Maybe next year, I’ll have more in my head. You students have been great readers of the newspaper all year and the newspaper kids have had fun bringing the news. Cassidy Harr

Get GameAkinatorIn a nutshell, Akinator is 20 Questions (sometimes more) played on-line (PC or Mac). Think of a character (from cartoon, anime, video game, etc). Akinator will ask ques-tions. You answer. It gets it right mostly the 1st time--- for me anyway. To try it, Google Search “Akinator.” Adrian Melanson Top Five Friendships in Video Games 5. David and Harper (Call of Duty Black Ops II)4. Banjo and Kazooie3. The Survivors* (Dead Island Series)2. Victor Sullivan and Nathan Drake (uncharted)1. You and your friend (in any coop game.)Side note: The survivors in Dead Island are Sam B, Logan, Pruna and Xian.

MinecraftMinecraft is a fun fantasy game. There are portals, but players can only make them on survival mode. It’s not easy unless set in the creative mode where they lay out all

the pieces. Big to short, it’s a lot like Roblox.

Epic Oreo Cupcakes24 servings

What you need: 1 pkg chocolate cake mix1 pkg. cream cheese, softened1 egg2 tbsp. sugar48 mini Oreos1 – ½ cups thawed whipped topping

Heat oven to 350 degrees FahrenheitPrepare cake mix as directed on package. Mix cream cheese, egg and sugar until well blended. Spoon half the batter into 24 paper lined muffin cups. Top each with about 1 – ½ tsp. cream cheese mixture and one cookie; cover with remaining cake batter.

Bake 19 – 22 minutes or until toothpick in-serted in the center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes. Remove from pans. Cool. Frost with whipped topping. Top with remaining cookies. Eve Hard and Amber Maxwell

ABC Poems

AnimalsAnt eaterBearCatDogElephantFishGorillaHippoIguanaJaguarKoalaLambMonkeyNewtOctopusPlatypusQuailRatSloth bearTigerUnicorn fishVampire batWallabyXtreamYakZebra

FoodAppleBananaCakeDoughnutEggFishGrapeHot SauceIce CreamJelly KabobLemonM&MsNutOctopusPopcornQuaker OatsRanch dressingSaladTurkeyUpside down cakeVanillaWaffle Xia Chinese shrimpYamZucchini

NamesAmberBobCassidyDavidEveFredGregHarryIsaacJeffreyKatrinaLanceMatthewNickOliviaPatrickQuintonRyanSteveTomUllaVinceWayneXavierYasminZach

Pokemon Characters AbraBulbasaurCaterpieDeerlingEeveeFeraligatorGrimerHitmontopIgglypuffJinxKabotopsLiileepMonfernoNoctowlOctilleryPiplupQuilavaRatataServiperTurtwigUmbreonVulpixWurmpleXatuYammaZekrom

by Eve Hard and Amber MaxwellWho are the Animals in your Neighborhood?On June 19, a black bear was seen crossing Pleasant Street near the school sign around 6:30 in the morning. The same day, the ELL class went down to Lake Ellis as part of its study of root words and pond science vo-cabulary. In a short time, the students found: water strid-ers, lots of dragonfly nymphs, yellow and white water lilies, cat tails, a leech, 2 red backed salamanders, red wing black birds, frog, a crow, water boatmen and water scorpions (aquatic insects), a spider with egg sac, fun-gus mycelium, an oak gall, a snail, wild cucumbers, star moss and geese.

Pond naturalists: Heather Pilling, Jaydenlyn San-dell, Melvin Rivera, Nelson Santos Jr. and Jose and Marizah Rios.

10 Fun (and Crazy) Things to Do over the Summer

1) Run around in the sprinkler like a nut.2) Climb a tree3) Eat ice cream4) Make popsicles5) Catch a frog6) Put up a lemonade stand7) Go to a friend’s house8) Go camping in your backyard9) Turn you yard into a beach (and have a fun day at the “beach).10) Chase a squirrel Adriana Rodriguez

Happy Step-up Everyone

Olivia Luchock