November/December
2015 Edition
Mr. Cary D. Dimmick,
Principal
Mrs. Marion Finkbinder
Vice Principal
Mr. Graham Lear
School Administrator
Mr. Vannest G. E. Wilkins
Newspaper Advisor & Editor
The event that Americans commonly call the
"First Thanksgiving" was celebrated by the
Pilgrims after their first harvest in the New
World in 1621. This feast lasted three days,
and — as accounted by attendee Edward Winslow — it was attended by 90 Native Americans
and 53 Pilgrims.
I’m thankful for my family and friends. They
have always been their to support me in what I
wanted to do with my life. My are the ones
who have provided for me. I’m grateful for
them. They have provided food to build me up
nutritionally and shelter over my head. The
last thing is that I feel safe walking around. I’m
not scared life the people in Europe who experience a great tragedy this year. I am so thankful Simply Chloe.
The Stampede Team!
Hanukkah—Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah,
sometimes called “The Festival of Lights," an eight-day
holiday that marks the rededication of the temple and
the “miracle of the oil." According to tradition, the
Maccabees only had enough holy oil to light
the eternal flame for one night when they entered the
temple. Miraculously, that small bit of oil burned for
eight days — the exact amount of time it took to press
and consecrate more oil. The menorah,
a candelabrum that holds nine candles, features prominently in Hanukkah celebrations. On each of the eight
nights of Hanukkah, a candle is lit. The ninth candle,
called the “Shamash" (servant candle), is typically
placed in the middle and higher than the other candles.
The Shamash is used to light the other candles.
Roving Reporters
Eleanor Owens, Jennifer Diaz-Cruz,
Abigail Oswald, Chloe Rutledge,
Schanze Qureshi, Dagem Legesse and
Mekdem Legesse
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Office of the Principal. . .2
Mr. Scott Speaks . . 3
Sports Alive . . .5
Fitness Fun Day Thanks..7
My Teacher/Ms. Drayton.8
Behind The Scene . 8
SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST
Kwanzaa—Based on ancient African festivals,
Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration created as a time
for African-Americans to think about their heritage.
Kwanzaa means "first fruits" in Swahili, and the holiday
focuses on seven principles: unity, self-determination,
responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. There are seven Kwanzaa symbols:
a straw mat (called a “mkeka"), a candleholder, seven
candles, a unity cup, crops, corn, and gifts.
COACH SULLIVAN & COACH SHANE
LEADING WINNING TEAMS!
COACH BUCKLEY AND THE MAGNIFICENT SLIGO GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM
The kinara, a candleholder that sits on top of the mkeka, holds seven candles: three red candles on the right
(representing the struggles of the past and present),
three green candles on the left (representing a hopeful
future), and one black candle in the middle representing the skin color of people of African descent).
The seven candles also represent the seven principles
of Kwanzaa. The black candle is lit on the first night.
Each subsequent night of Kwanzaa, one of the other
candles is lit, alternating from left to right. On
the final night, all seven candles are lit, and children
receive gifts. Winter Holiday Celebrations continue on
the last page.
Sligo Middle School - 1401 Dennis Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20902 301.649.8121
Dear Stallion Community
First and foremost, on behalf of Ms. Finkbinder, Mr. Lear, and myself, we want to wish all those in our Stallion family a
very happy holidays. We hope that everyone has a safe, relaxing and enjoyable holiday season; appreciate the time you spend
with friends and family.
Now that we are well into quarter #2, I wanted to again thank you all for such a wonderful start to the school year. Our
staff made a commitment this summer to create a warm and welcoming environment for all our students, which we can see and
feel around Sligo. The staff also committed themselves to working collaboratively to plan and implement rigorous lessons that
challenge our student. As a result, our students outperformed students in previous years, specifically, all of our student groups
increased their overall grade-point averages (GPA) in MP#1, which in turn, reduced our overall ineligibility in all groups. Our 6th
grade had an average GPA of 3.2, the 7th grade had an average GPA of 2.9 and the 8th grade an average GPA of 3.0. Our staff will
continue to join forces to challenge our students for the rest of the year. Students…we need you to come to class prepared, ask
good questions, and study hard! We want to continue the incredible work we demonstrated the 1st marking period. My vision is
that our work will enable all students to leave Sligo Middle School armed with skills to be inquisitive, to think critically, to be able
to communicate effectively and to take ownership in one’s education. We want all of our students to be in a position when they
get to high school, to continue down a successful path to be prepared to attend college or begin a career.
Congratulations again to our softball and cross country teams on an excellent fall season. Congratulations to our Girls on
the Run team, “Heart and Sole,” on their showing in the fall GOTR 5K race. Another congratulations to our music program on a
wonderful performance at both the fall and winter concerts, as well as their performance at the downtown Silver Spring “Deck
Out Downtown” festival; our Arts Department also helped participants create beautiful holiday ornaments at the festival. We
want to wish our basketball teams the best of luck in their upcoming winter interscholastic season.
Thank you to all who were active participants in our 1st annual Sligo PTSA Fitness Fun Day. We reached our goal of raising $23,000+ to support the academic programs at Sligo MS. We appreciate all your efforts!
A huge thank you goes out to Ms. Corvelli and Mr. Harris (the 6th grade Team Leaders), our 6th grade Team, supporting
Sligo staff, parents, guardians, and volunteers who made our recent Outdoor Education experience a magnificent time for our
students. Everyone braved the cold, wet weather, to give our students an outdoor learning experience they will never forget.
In closing, please remember to visit our website for the most updated information, including our 2015-16 Activities Calendar. You can also follow me on Twitter @SligoMSPride.
Best wishes in quarters #2. Let’s keep working hard and progressing towards our individual – and school - goals!
Happy Holidays!
Cary Dimmick, Principal
The Night Before Winter Break
By Mr. Scott with profuse apologies to Clement
Moore
‘Twas a month (or so depending upon
our publication date) before Christmas, when all the through our school
not a student was violating even one
rule; all homework was done and given in with care, in hopes that there
teachers would grade them fair.
Our students were nestled all snug in
their chairs; While visions of gaming
were their only cares; when what to
their wondering eyes did appear, Mr.
Dimmick, Ms. Finkbinder, and of
course, Mr. Lear.
It was time to break for winter and
the like, received special gifts, like a
phone or a bike, to spend time with
your family but study steady as you
Celebrating Family and Friends at Thanksgiving and during the Winter Holidays (continue from page 1)
Advent
Christians celebrate Advent, which begins on the fourth Sunday
before Christmas. During Advent, Christians wait and prepare for
the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
The Advent wreath, a horizontal evergreen wreath with four candles, symbolizes Advent. Beginning on the fourth Sunday before
Christmas, a candle is lit.
Each Sunday thereafter, another candle is lit. Many Advent wreaths
also include a fifth candle, called a “Christ candle," to be lit on
Christmas.
Christmas
A Christian holiday honoring the birth of Jesus
Christ, Christmas evolved over two millennia into a worldwide religious and secular celebration, incorporating many pre-Christian,
pagan traditions into the festivities along the way. Today, Christmas is a time for family and friends to get together and
exchange gifts. Enjoy the Winter Holidays by celebrating your family and friends.
http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/how-do-people-celebrate-the-winterholidays-in-different-ways/
OSU students buzz in for a chance to compete on
‘Jeopardy!’
One of Sligo’s Alumnus—Paul B. Ellis, a former WSLI TV Production Student Director and Anchor shares and updated story with the Stampede.
Ellis serves as a copy editor for The Lantern which is the Ohio University school newsletter. On November 23, 2015, Amanda Etchison of the
Lantern writes this story: For many, “Jeopardy!” is a review game played in preparation for the next class exam or a light-hearted battle of wit
waged over the dinner table with family. But for two Ohio State students, “Jeopardy!” is a chance to represent their university on the national
stage.
Brian Griffiths, a second-year in mechanical engineering, and Paul B. Ellis, a second-year in biology, were two of about 60 students who convened at Le Méridien Columbus, The Joseph hotel in the Short North on Saturday for a chance to participate in the “Jeopardy!” college tournament.
Ohio’s capital city was only one stop on the nationwide search for the 15 college students who will be chosen to represent their respective
universities when the show begins taping on Jan. 5 and 6.
Both Griffiths and Ellis said they have been fans of the show for years.
Ellis, who previously auditioned for the “Jeopardy!” teen tournament in 2011, said he first became interested in the show when he watched
contestant Ken Jennings win 74 consecutive “Jeopardy!” games in 2004.
“It was such a big thing,” Ellis said, referencing Jennings’ winning streak. “And it was amazing to watch him … But I try to watch it whenever I
can.”
Griffiths and Ellis both made it through the first round of auditions, which included a 50-category test administered online. After passing that
stage, they were part of a group randomly selected by region to take an in-person test, said Glenn Kagan, senior contest coordinator for
“Jeopardy!”.
“Then after they take the test in front of us, then comes the fun part. That’s when they play ‘Jeopardy!’. We actually have the signal buzzers
that we do use on ‘Jeopardy!’ and show them how to use it the correct way,” Kagan said, adding that he always has to remind contestants to
wait until the host, Alex Trebek, finishes reading the question before buzzing in. “Then we give them a little bit of a personality interview so
we have the opportunity to get to know everyone who is auditioning for ‘Jeopardy!’.”
If chosen to compete in the college tournament, Griffiths said he would be excited to represent OSU on national television.
“(I’d be) excited for the opportunity to compete on a national scale representing the university, representing the state,” he said. “(But) I would
be really nervous about appearing on TV and trying to get the questions right.”
Ellis agreed and said he thinks representing OSU on “Jeopardy!” would be a “dream come true.” He added that, if given the opportunity to go
head-to-head on the show against a student from the University of Michigan, he would keep the rivalry alive.
“It would be an honor to represent Ohio State, and it will be a lot of fun, I think,” he said. “It was notable that here I happened to be with
some students from Michigan. And we got along well, but you always have to be competitive when it comes to Ohio State and Michigan and
so if I made it, I would do my best, that’s all I can say.”
The Stampede welcomes reports on former Sligo Students.
You may share such stories by sending the Stampede Staff
at SMS. Photos are encouraged.
Disclaimer: The SMS Stampede reserves the right to or not to share each story that
does not meet MCPS Publication Guideline and Regulations. Thanks!
BASKETBALL
Wed. Dec. 16 Girls vs. SSI
Tues. Dec. 22 Boys vs. Lee
Thurs. Jan. 7 Girls vs. Eastern
Wed. Jan. 13 Boys vs. Takoma Park
Tues. Jan. 26 Boys vs. Newport Mill
Thurs. Jan. 28 Girls vs. Key
Winter Intramurals
Weight training
Tuesday and Thursday’s 3:10 – 4:10
Wrestling Wednesday’s 3:10-4:10;
Flag Football Thursday’s 3:10 -4:10.
Permission slips are available in the locker rooms
SOCCER
Wed. April 6 Girls vs. SSI
Tues. April 12 Boys vs. Eastern
Wed. April 20 Girls vs. Key
Wed. April 27 Girls vs. Lee
From the desk of Coach Sullivan: I would like to thank all of the Parents and fans that came out in support of the Girls Softball Team this year. We had several days that we played in the pouring rain and the parents and fans remained with us
throughout our games. We truly learned that PRACTICE and DEDICATION is very important in order to be successful during
any learning process. Keep practicing LADY STALLIONS!!!!
From the desk of Coach Shane: For the first time in quite a while, BOTH the Girls and Boys Cross-Country team won every
meet of the 2015-2016 Season. They ran hard, they ran well, they ran as a team! Congratulations!
Minecraft will started on Wednesday, Oct 28 – May 11 with Advisor—Ms. Heller in the media
center. Cooking club with Chef Sandy are on Wednesdays is in the staff lounge. All seats are
filled. The second session will start around spring time. Art club are on Wednesdays with Ms.
Muhn in room #104. Martial Arts club are on Thursdays with Mr. Nguyen in the cafeteria. Bughouse Chess will hold an information meeting on Tuesday, October 20th. Upcoming clubs that
are coming to Sligo are: Champion Boxing Fitness on Nov. 3 – Dec. 3, Sligo’ s Dance Club on
Nov. 3 – May 12, and Sligo’ s LEGO Robotics Club on Nov. 11 – May 18. To participate in any of
the Rec Xtra clubs, a registration form must be turn into the Main Office. For more information, please see Ms. Hernandez or to Mr. Lear on the main office.
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Seventh Grader, Aaliyana L. remembers the kindness of her
teacher—Ms. Drayton: Ms. Drayton is a very nice lady. I say this
because when I was in the sixth
grade, she was always nice to me.
She is also very smart because she
taught me everything about reading. For example, in Read 180, I’m
at a higher level in my Lexi score as a result from being in Ms. Drayton’s reading class. In this reading class, Ms. Drayton teaching
help me to progress a lot faster than I thought that I would. From the writings of Anaya Raij: A teacher is like Spring, Who nurtures new green sprouts, Encourages and leads them, Whenever they have doubts. A teacher is like Summer, Whose sunny temperament, Makes studying a pleasure, Preventing discontent. A teacher is like Fall, With methods crisp and clear, Lessons of
bright colors, And a happy atmosphere. A teacher is like Winter, While it's snowing hard outside,
Keeping students comfortable, As a warm and helpful guide. Teacher, you do all these things, With a pleasant attitude; You're a
teacher for all seasons, And you have my gratitude! Ms. Drayton, I and the Stallions of Sligo Middle School appreciate you.