December 2019

K.M.S Way day By Samuel Brown

Anyone who attends Kennedy Middle School knows about the KMS Way tickets. KMS Way tickets are blue slips that teachers hand out when you are following the KMS way. The KMS Way is “Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible.” Every year, the school puts on an event called KMS Way day. On this day, each kid gets to choose where they want to go. There are a variety of off-campus activities as well as on-campus ones. Some of the activities the students can choose from are: Garcade a retro arcade, Ice skating, bowling, Rockin Jump, tie-dye, bookmark making, and chipboard making. The grade with the most KMS way tickets choose were they wanted to go first. This year's sixth grade had over a thousand tickets and was able to choose their activities first. They were followed by seventh grade and eighth grade.

Some of the students offered comments about the events: “I found games at the Garcade that I could not find anywhere else,” Blake Bennet (6th grader) Brooke Jakubowski stated, “ My trip to the ice skating rink was more of a social experience than anything else.”

All students seemed to enjoy their time. If for some reason students did not get one of their choices then gather up more KMS Way tickets for next year.

Empty Bowls by Ava Barrett & Cassidy Nelson

Ms.Christian and Ms.Van Hyle’s classes have

been working really hard on making beautiful clay bowls for a Student Community Service Project. These bowls were sold at an event on December 12, 2019 from 5:00-6:30 at Kennedy Middle School. Each bowl was $10.00 and each participant was able to choose a soup to have at the event. The soup choices were made by Mrs. Steinert's 8th grade cooking class, and they offered Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup, Chicken Wild Rice, Chicken Gnocchi Soup, Creamy Cauliflower Soup, and

Clam Chowder. A total $2,500 was raised.

All the profits went to alleviate hunger in our

community through our efforts. There will always be hunger in the world and you always want to do our part to help.

(See pictures on back page!)

Christmas Idol by Joshua McDonough

The 8th grade is reading A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. The Tabaska Literacy students will be doing their annual Christmas Idol productions this year. Students will be in groups of 4-6 and will be responsible for taking a traditional Christmas Carol tune and transforming it into a Charles Dickens' inspired tune utilizing major concepts and themes from the book. Students will be judged on their musicality, lyrics, dance moves, and overall presentations. The students really enjoy the project and the teachers enjoy the creativity

and entertainment!

8th Grade Basketball

By Anaya Jones

The 8th grade boys basketball team is off to a great start. They have won one game so far and lost two games. The boys have been working hard this season. The season started on November 4, 2019. The first game was on November 19, 2019. The last game of the season will be on January 16, 2020.

The 2019-2020 Basketball roster is: Coach Wilcox Jeremiah Harmon Jeremarie Harmon Josh Nolte David Kinn Max Peterson Andrew Grambou Caleb Kemnitz Mathias Polk Ryan Pampuch Jamie Gaurkee Connor Barney Brady Konzal Cole Neinas Reilly Kunz Daniel Bort Carter Berrie

Stage Crew By: Rachel Krueger

Mrs. Tabaska is the History teacher for Czerwinski House, and also the new teacher in charge of stage crew. Stage crew is a group of students who help with the setting of the musical. They are usually in the shadows of the stage once the musical is performed, yet they do very important work. Today, I had the chance to ask Mrs. Tabaska some questions regarding being a part of the stage crew. Do you ever wonder what is it like to work on stage crew...maybe wonder if it’s for you? What’s it like to work on stage crew is overwhelmingly busy. There are lots of students working on stage props and working to put the props out on stage during practice. Mrs. Tobaska gets very excited to see all the students work on the set and how well it will look on stage. Mr. Kuhn was head of stage crew last year. This year Mrs. Tabaska took it over. She volunteered for the position. Mrs. Tabaksa wanted to help with stage crew because she always was a creative person and enjoyed being a creative person. Also, Mrs. Tabaska always liked plays and musicals, so when the chance came up she took it. There are a bunch of students who work on stage crew. Actually Mrs. Tabaska said that there were three girls that were in 8th grade that were extremely helpful throughout the play. Tabaska states, “Those 8th graders made sure that I knew what needed to get done. These girls really took charge and helped the students who were new to stage crew.” Mrs. Tabaska also stated that the other students in the sixth and seventh grade really helped put the set together too. She continued to say that at first it took them a while to work out the kinks and figure out where things are supposed to go and how they are supposed to go, but they finally got there. It always takes practice for things. When they started putting the props on stage during practice, it was a little chaotic and took a while. But now, they have everything down and even put people on different jobs for different scenes. Now, everything runs smoothly and quickly. My last question for Mrs. Tabaska was if she saw herself taking on the same role next year. Mrs. Tabaska says that it depends on if they get more help next year. With her family at home, running stage crew was a lot of work. She had a wonderful time at the performances, and in the end thought all the hard work paid off. We had our first show on Thursday, October 31st. That was our school show and everybody was there. Then Friday night was the second show, at 6:30 p.m. The last 2 shows was on Saturday, at 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Stage crew did an amazing job making sure everything was off and on the stage. You can see some of their pictures in the yearbook. All of us had a great time with the show. We hope you enjoyed it.

THANKSGIVING POEM By: Claudia Schilder, Julia Skarda, Madelyn Stocks, and Cassidy Nelson

Thanksgiving’s a time when turkeys roast When people cheer And give a toast Potatoes, corn, beans, and yam, Buns, squash Stuffing, and ham It’s a time for family, Giving thanks And typing with Grammarly Giving hugs and so much love See the feast From high above Pull a wishbone nice and hard Gather ‘round them In the yard When done eating gather ‘round For you are full And dessert is found Pie flavors of pumpkin or cherry Whipped cream-topped It’s all quite merry Cheering for your favorite team Yelling out touchdown Footballs a dream Playing games laughing out loud It’s so much fun Oh what a crowd The Pilgrims came to Plymouth rock New land and space Seeing new food gave them quite a shock Red golden and green Apples so crisp Shiniest things ever seen Trees of orange-yellow and red Falling leaves Like a perfectly made bed Family and love, you can’t doubt It’s what Thanksgiving is all about

WINTER POEM

By Claudia Schilder & Madelyn Stocks, Julia Skarda

Snowflakes are falling

In winter this year Children are calling

And Santa is near

The bearded guy Calls “HO HO HO”

Through the night sky Rudolph leads in the snow

Into a chimney

Presents galore The children say “Gimmy!!”

They really want more

Cookies and milk

Frosting and sprinkles Blankets like silk

Santa has wrinkles The ground is pure white

Covered with snow

Don’t get a frostbite For it will show

The fireplace blazing

Hotter than hot

The flames are raising

RIght on the spot

Lights are glowing So bright on the tree

Many twinkles are showing

As high as can be

Creative Writing Corner:

A Walk Down Harley Street By Rory Bishop

I walk down Harley Street, it is crowded with people. My hard soul shoes hitting the ground with a thump. I see newspapers fly off the stand, and past my face. I can smell the parchment as it glides through the air. A car passes my side. The smell of exhaust fills my nose, wiping away the smell of parchment. Horses clop as they pass right behind the car. I hear the jingle of the bakery bell as someone walks in. I see little boys running and two men in black suits with briefcases leave their job. There is a woman behind me with hair shaped like a bees nest. I grab my pocket watch dangling from my belt. It is cold in my gloved hand. It is twelve past four. I walk down Harley Street never to see these people again.

Lemon Boy By: Rory Bishop, 6th grade

Oh lemon boy, You bittersweet baby.

Why must they hurt you so? Why must they tear you to shreds,

So you don't grow? Oh lemon boy,

You bittersweet child. They finally let you go.

So why don’t you show? Oh lemon boy,

You bittersweet boy, For I will always love you,

If you just let me in. Oh lemon boy,

You bittersweet man, You have watched me grow old,

So give me your hand. Oh lemon boy,

My life may over, But I will stay with you, Till the bittersweet end.

Spirit

Ariyana Ritesh I was running, clutching it in my arms. I shifted, I was flying now, and

they were flying after me. No. They couldn’t have it. I would protect it with my life. As long as I lived, they would not have it. They were catching up, getting closer. Sharp claws grabbed me. I roared, thrashing and whipping at them with my tail. I succeeded in wounding one’s wing and killing another with multiple blows. Talons dug under my scales, and dark violet blood spurted out of the wound. I screamed, feeling faint. They had me. They had it. I was going to die. I was going to fall, bringing my kingdom with me. At least I would pass knowing I had tried. They were stabbing me, grabbing at it. I gripped it tighter. I opened my mouth and tried to burn them with my flames. Nothing came out. I tried again and again, but there was no point. I was about to depart this world, having died in vain, failing to save the thing that mattered most. They had me, it was only a matter of time before-

I jolted awake. Just another nightmare. They had been getting worse lately. I got out of bed, still shaking. I got ready and headed out of the apartment I had rented. While here, I was a human girl, with olive skin, long dark hair, and big, gray-blue eyes. Hoping that nothing would happen, I set out. I had been going to this school for about a month. It was only for now though. I wish the war would end already. Then I wouldn’t be in danger anymore, and I could go home without worry.

I was in history, listening to my temporary teacher drone on about the Battle of Yorktown when my head started spinning. My vision became blurry and in my mind, I was picturing awful things.

I could hear voices, off in the distance, miles away. I was alone. No. The stress I was under was going to make this painful. It could even kill me in severe cases. I tried to clear my mind, and braced myself to be ready for anythi- I cried out in agony, as scales pushed their way through my skin, though I shed no blood. Spikes shoved through my back, and I was growing. I collapsed, now on my hands and knees. I was seeing awful things. Things from my past. People I couldn’t save. Enemies I killed. Blood. Darkness. The orb being touched by the evil king’s heir, and turning to darkness. The moment I ended both their lives. My fingers elongated and turned into talons. My arms became forelegs. My head became narrow, and my eyes slanted. Horns grew on the top of my skull. I could feel my teeth sharpen, and my tongue became thin and forked. Wings grew on my back and my neck became long and curved. I was shifting, changing with every second that passed by. Finally, the pain ceased, and I felt normal again.

I could see again, but farther and clearer than before. My hearing was better too .“DO NOT LIE TO ME. I KNOW THIS IS A TRICK. YOU CAN’T FOOL ME THIS EASILY.” Surprised, I looked down at my teacher. Wha- no, wait. I was now looking up at him. Was I shrinking? No. Everything else looked normal. Except… My “classmates” were dissolving, fading away. Soon, they completely disappeared. Had they found me at last? I braced myself, ready for battle. The man once known as Mr. Scott was twisting, writhing on the floor. He stood, but no longer a teacher. He was a shapeshifter like me, and like I was, he was in his true form. We were both dragons.

His dragon form was different from mine. He was a dark shade of gray, with a lighter shade on his wing membrane. Dark clouds of black moved and shifted across his scales. He was about the same size as me, and as heavily muscled. He snorted, and thick plumes of smoke flew out of his nostrils. “I DO know this isn’t a trick, but I still am not easily fooled. I know who you are, Lyra. I know what you have. I know what you have done. I know that you are the leader of the kingdom you killed my father to obtain. I know you have turned what was my family’s kingdom into the Rebellion, the position that is rightfully MINE!” his voice echoed around the room.

“You’re supposed to be dead. I killed you and your father together.” “My father was weak. He could have healed himself, but he felt bad

about what he had done. So he lay there and waited to die. He eventually did, from loss of blood and loss of the will to live. I used the remaining strength I had to heal my wounds. Once I was fully healed, I set out to find you, and here I am.”

“How did you get here? To the other world?” “That is no concern of yours.” Then, suddenly, the ground shook and

his voice grew dangerously quiet. “I name myself now. I name myself ABYSS, SON OF OBLIVION. I HAVE STARTED THIS WAR, AND I DO NOT PLAN TO END IT.” he raised one claw, and I flew into the air. He clenched his talons into a fist, and I felt as though stone walls were closing in around me, crushing me. With the last of my strength, I unfurled my wings, and the walls gave way. I rose up, crashing through the ceiling, up into the night sky. My eyes glowed, as bright as the moon.

Spirit Continued….

I opened my mouth and roared with all my might, my voice echoing across the land.

“I AM LYRA II, DAUGHTER OF QUEEN ANDROMEDA, THE TRUE RULER OF TERINIA. I WILL SUCCEED MY MOTHER.” I paused, thinking about what to say. “There was one thing your father never told you. As you know, queens are always the main rulers, and kings handle smaller situations. He killed my mother to get the throne, a few months after you were born. He was happy. He finally had a son as an heir. To start a new line of kings. He tried to kill me too, but I fought, and I got away.”

“I don’t know what you are trying to say.” “The queen was your mother.” “No. That’s not possible. My mother abandoned me-” “That’s what your father told you. Don’t you understand?” “W-what do you mean?” “Your father was also mine. I am your older sister. The new queen of

Terenia. If you join me, we can end this war and rule together. As equals.” “No.” “Your father drained all the happiness and light from your soul, but

what I have learned on my journey, and my fight to save our world changes things. The spirit of Queen Lyra, creator of our world, the melody in our lives, does not reside in the orb. It resides in the one person named for her. The heir to Terenia’s throne. When our mother died, her spirit moved to the only other female of royal blood. Her spirit resides in me. I can use this power to heal you, brother. If I do this, will you side with me?” The black clouds swirled on his scales as he struggled, and fought with himself.

“I… I will.” He flinched slightly as I placed one of my talons on top of his.

“I summon you, Spirit that rests within me. Spirit of Lyra, aid me in healing my brother, who has been corrupted by the powers of darkness and shadow. Return his soul, his spirit, his heart to what it once was.” I started to glow, silver, blue, violet, and gold. My brother glowed too. The dark clouds became silver and gold stars. His gray scales changed to hues of violet and blue. His red eyes shone and faded to azure. He was identical to me in every way except that my eyes were silver, and his horns were longer. “I will also restore your name. The name our mother gave you when you hatched. You are Aquila, Eagle of the Night.”

“Thank you, Lyra. My mind has been cleared. Now, we may end this war, and reestablish our home. But how will we get there?”

“Well, there is one thing that the orb can do for us…” I summoned the orb, and it flew into my open claws. It was still dark and swirling, but once I touched it, it turned back to silver, surrounded by an indigo haze. I motioned for Aquila to stand next to me. He placed his claws on the other side of the orb. Terenia. I thought. Take us to Terenia. The world around me was whirling, faster and faster. We were ascending rapidly, up into the sky. Then, all was still.

After we came to a stop, I looked around. As we flew, the shadow was sucked away. Our home was restored, in all its elegance and glory. We soared over the kingdom, and as we neared the palace, a shower of meteors rained down, and northern lights danced across the sky. I smiled at my brother as we landed. I had a kingdom to rebuild. A war to end. But I wasn’t alone. I had my family. My people. The orb would also be of aid. I looked up at the palace and at that moment, I knew. At last, I was home.

Christmas Word Scramble By: Cassidy Nelson, Ava Barrett, and Elise Olson

WMSONNA - this snowy figure is fun to make with friends and family and to see what you create. RETE - decorate this with ornaments and a star or angel goes on top.

ASNTA - this person is making sure you aren’t being naughty .

PTSERESN - these things are fun to open and they go underneath a tree.

LRCOA - Something that people go house-to-house to sing

IGNJEL ELBLS - A common Christmas song

LCOA - Something naughty kids get

TORHN OLPE - Where Mrs. and Mr. Claus live

ERBGDAINGRE SHUEO - you decorate this with candy and icing

CKSTIOGN - you put small gifts in this

LGANE - every time a bell rings an gets its wings

ELMITSEOT -you kiss when you are under

a -

RIDDLES BY: Carly Olson

I have a single eye but cannot see. What am I? Answer: A needle. I am tall when young, and short when old. What am I? Answer: A candle What color socks do bears wear? What color is it? Answer: They don’t wear socks. They have bear feet. What does an evil chicken lay?

Answer: Deviled eggs