John Poole Middle School, Poolesville, MD
T HE P AWPRI NT
Volume 1, Is s ue 1
F ALL 2013
Poolesville Day
By JENNIFER JANG
Staff Writer
What has planes, music,
good food, and masses of
people? That’s right!
Poolesville Day!
First off, if you don’t
know what Poolesville
Day is, then, A. You are
new to Poolesville. B.
You have been living under a rock in Poolesville,
or C. You have a seriously bad memory.
the National Anthem,
played and sung by volunteers from the JPMS music department. There
was also ASL (American
Sign Language) to go with
the Anthem. Then, the
parade began!
Poolesville Day is an outdoor festival with stands,
different events, activities, and lots of food.
The roads are closed for
this all day celebration.
No one goes in or out.
Of course, our amazing
Drama club was in this
year’s parade as always.
Members wore things
like bumblebee wings and
witch hats, giving candy
to all the little children.
Many of our students
were on the Poolesville
Falcons’ float, also
throwing candy to all the
little children. And let’s
not forget the cheerleaders!
The day was kicked off by
The JPMS music depart-
ment had a stand where you
could win prizes like
rubber ducks or handmade crocheted animals. Students who
volunteered also played
at the booth, which
brought attention to the
lovely booth. All funds
went to the department. This year, they
raised over $300!
Students enjoyed walking
around with their friends,
eating funnel cakes, and
chasing each other on the
Commons. In the afternoon, there was a little
dance party! Students
danced to songs like the
Macarena and the Wop!
Forget singing in the rain,
students were dancing in
Elect rifying Adventure at Outdoor Ed
By MADDY PEEK
Staff Writer
On September 11th,
2013, the sixth graders
went to the Smith Center
on JPMS’ annual Outdoor Education trip. Our
sixth graders traveled to
the Smith Center like
generations of students
had before them. What
happened on this year’s
trip would make JPMS
history.
I interviewed Mrs. Petak
and she told me about her
experience during the
trip.
the rain! The rain did nothing to “dampen” our spirits.
This year’s Poolesville Day
was filled with fun and
smiles, just like any other
year. However, this year’s
festivities seemed better than
any other year! Poolesville
Day was fun for everyone in
JPMS!
I NSI DE THI S I SSUE:
NEWS
PEOPLE
EDITORIAL
Nearing the end of the
day on Wednesday, Mrs.
Petak was running kitch- FEATURE
en patrol in the mess hall
at the Smith Center when ARTS
she heard a loud sound.
SPORTS
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P AGE 2
NEWS
T H E P A WPRINT
Elect rifying Adventure at Outdoor Ed
continued from page 1
The sound scared the sixth
graders, and they panicked.
Mrs. Petak tried to calm
down the kids and get them
back to work. The alarms
started to go off, and they
were so deafening that Mrs.
Petak stuck tissues in her
ears! There were still kids
doing the outside activities
like Predator Prey and Watershed, and they all came
into the mess hall dripping
wet. The caretakers of the
Smith Center talked on walkietalkies and called the fire department, which made the kids
even more on edge. The source
of the sound and what made the
alarms go off was a lightning
strike that hit the roof of one of
the cabins that the students
were in. A lot of the students,
including the ones inside the
cabin that got struck by lightning, were outside on the
porch of the cabins when the
lightning struck. At that point
the students evacuated the Smith
Center. A few students told me
how they felt rushed and scared
while packing. It seemed every sixth
grader I talked to had left something. One sixth grader I talked to
had left his jacket, and another had
left her pillow. The sixth graders
got to go back to the Smith Center
to finish their activities on September 26th. The activities went along
much more smoothly, and the students got to enjoy themselves more.
THE PAWPRINT STAFF
John Poole Middle School ASSISTANT
17014 Tom Fox Ave.
PRINCIPAL
Poolesville, MD 20837
Donna Lemon
Phone: (301) 972-7979
STAFF WRITERS
Izzi (Coco) Gibbs
ADVISOR
Elias Garcia
Megan Meszaros
Jennifer Jang
PRINCIPAL
Charlotte Boucher
Dylan Drain
Luke Lightcap
Vincent Chim
Meghan Dower
Maddy Peek
Alivia Atkins
Demetrius Jackson
VOL UME 1, ISSUE 1
PAGE 3
PEOPLE
PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT...An interview with world studies teacher, Mr. McKee
By COCO GIBBS
Staff Writer
Q1: What’s your full name?
A1: Craig McKee.
Q2:What did you do before
you came to John Poole? A2:
I Taught 7th and 8th grade
social studies for 8 years
at Robert Frost Middle
School in Rockville, MD.
Q3: Are you married? A3:
Yes, I am married, but I
don’t have any kids. I
have 2 dogs, Lucy and
Biddy.
Q4: Why did you transfer to
John Poole? A4: I transferred to John Poole to
experience how different
schools run.
Q5: What are some of your hobbies? A5: I like reading and
visiting new places. I like
traveling the best even
though it’s more expensive.
Q6: What was your favorite subject in school? Why? A6: I
would say social studies because I found it interesting,
and I was good at it.
Q8: If you had anything in the
world, what would it be? A8: I
would want a house near a
beach. That would be very
relaxing.
Q9: What are some words of
wisdom? A9: Don’t ever, ever, ever, give up!
Q7: What is your favorite sport?
Why? A7: I like lacrosse because I played from 7th grade
through college. Also because it’s fun, fast, physical,
and I coached a team for 13
years.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT...An interview with Kristina Chu
By VINCENT CHIM
zer.
Staff Writer
Q4: Do you have siblings?
Q1: Where did you live before
you moved to Poolesville?
A4: Yes, I have a younger
brother who is ten years old.
A1: I lived in Fremont, California, which is near San
Francisco.
Q5: Do you like John Poole Middle School?
Q2: Do you have any hobbies?
A2: I love to draw and play
piano. I have been playing
piano since I was three.
Q3: Do you have any pets?
A3: Yes, I have a salt and
pepper miniature schnau-
A5: Yes, I like John Poole
Middle School because everyone is so nice, and everything is more organized at
this school.
Q6: What’s your favorite book?
A6: My favorite book is The
Hunger Games: Catching Fire.
Q7: What’s your favorite subject?
A7: My favorite subject in
school is math because I enjoy learning new skills and
techniques every day.
P AGE 4
EDITORIAL
T H E P A WPRINT
VOL UME 1, ISSUE 1
PAGE 5
EDITORIAL
JUST A THOUGHT
By COCO GIBBS
By COCO GIBBS
“You can’t live your life for other people. You’ve got
to do what’s right for you, even if it hurts some people
you love”
-Unknown
I chose this quote because it has a huge lesson to go with it!
Basically it relates back to school, and cheating. It means,
you have to do what’s right by not cheating, even if it causes
your friends/loved ones to get a lower grade. Remember!
Don’t cheat!
WHATS IT LIKE TO BE NEW AT J.P.M.S
By MEGHAN DOWER
Staff Writer
Now as we all know, most
people have been here
since elementary school.
Some might have even
been here all their lives.
What most people don’t
know is that it’s not quite a
picnic to be new to anywhere.
Being new is hard! The first
day is a roller coaster, filled
with so many ups, downs,
twists and turns, and loopde-loops all around. You
don’t even know where to
start! You’re not sure who
to make friends with, who
to avoid, and what classes
are worth having. The
whole day in your mind
you’re thinking, “Please
just get me through this
day! Please!” Hopefully
the world treats you well
and gives you at least one
friend to hold on to. The
whole world seems like it’s
against you that very
first day, but as time
goes on you feel more
and more welcomed to
your new town,
school, and friends.
By the end of the
month you feel like
you’re actually meant
to be here!
walking in through
the doorway to a
Personally, for me, my first place where I had
day was most likely the
same as any other new student. It all started with
continued on page 8
TIPS FOR STAYING HEALTHY IN THE WINTER
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Exercise
6. Plow/ Shovel snow
Become Vegan
7. Sit by the fireplace
Go on a diet
Drink hot tea
When it snows, play games outside like sledding, skiing, snow board, etc.
P AGE 6
FEATURE
T H E P A WPRINT
VIDEO GAMES : OLD IS AWESOME
By DYLAN DRAIN
Staff Writer
Don’t you just love video games?
Many people find them to be
interesting, challenging, and
fun, but do you like the old
games? Yes, the old games like
the GameCube, Gameboy, and
even actual arcade machines.
Many people love the games
today, with their amazing
graphics and fun gameplay, but
others think the old games are
still cool.
One old game people loved
came out on in the nineties.
That was The Legend of Zelda,
Ocarina of Time. This game offered you to play as the main
character, a boy named Link, on
a fun role play interactive adventure with three dimensional
graphics, so you had width and
depth in the game. The game
came out on the Nintendo 64
game system and also on the
GameCube in The Legend of Zelda
Collector’s Addition. The Legend
of Zelda, Ocarina of Time was
considered to be one of the
best games in its series.
Another old game that people
still like is Sup er Mario Brothers 3
for the Gameboy advanced.
This game came out in the
eighties. In the game, you
played as a man named Mario
on an adventure to save a princess named Peach. It was a side
scrolling game that had you go
through eight worlds to get to
the princess. Each world contained many levels, but also
toad houses where you could
play games to get items or just
have items given to you. Many
modern Mario games can be
seen using the same elements as
the old ones.
As you can see, many old
games still provide an interesting story and stimulating game-
play that can be just as fun as the
new games. Try some yourself,
and you might like them, too!
WHAT’S UP IN SOCIAL STUDIES
By ELIAS GARCIA
Staff Writer
On September 11th, each grade
did something different to remember this tragic event in our
country’s history. In sixth grade,
the students analyzed artifacts and
interviewed people who remembered 9/11. In seventh grade,
they learned about changes in our
country as a result of 9/11. Finally the eighth graders invited a
guest speaker, Captain Lipp, to
the school to speak about the day.
In the sixth grade, students analyze modern and ancient artifacts
and geography in order to understand how they influenced
where people lived and what
they did. Sixth graders also participated in an exciting GPS activity while attending Outdoor
Education.
In the seventh grade, students
learn about the political systems
and principles, the five forces of
change, the geography of Europe, and the fall of Rome.
In the eighth grade, students
learn about political systems,
democracy vs. authoritarian,
the May Flower Compact, and
the historic battle of the
French and Indian War. They
also keep current with events
throughout the world.
VOL UME 1, ISSUE 1
ARTS
PAGE 7
BOOK REVIEW: MARK OF ATHENA
By LUKE LIGHTCAP
Staff Writer
peace. That’s not the only
zel, are on the run while
thing troubling her. Annathe Romans plan to march
beth
now
carries
a
“gift”
The Mark of Athena is the
on Camp Half-blood.
from
her
mother
that
came
third book in the Heroes of
Now, Annabeth and the
with
a
Olympus series following
rest of the
mesthe Percy Jackson series. In
half-bloods
sage.
this book, Annabeth, Jason,
are heading
Piper, and Leo have located
toward
Percy at the camp for RoGreece to
4 out of 4 pawprints!
man half-bloods named
close the
Camp Jupiter. When they
Doors of
“Follow the Mark of Athe- Death and stop two new
arrive with the satyr,
na. Avenge me.” To make
Gleeson Hedge, in Leo’s
giants from destroying
the situation worse, some- Rome. Along the way
new ship, the Argo II, Annabeth hopes that the sight one on the Argo II fired on they’ll come across old and
Camp Jupiter, and now the new friends and monsters.
of Jason will reassure the
crew on the Argo II, joined Annabeth must also figure
Romans that they come in
by Percy, Frank, and Ha-
MOVIE REVIEW: SPY KIDS 3: GAME OVER
By ELIAS GARCIA
Staff Writer
This quarter we`re reviewing
the movie SPY KIDS 3 GAME
OVER. This movie is about
an amazing kid who is a former agent. When terror
strikes, he is going back into
the family business to save his
sister from the evil toy maker. This movie is not just for
kids; this movie is for anybody. My favorite character
is Gunie Cortez. He goes on
an incredible adventure in the
computer world. This movie
is really spectacular.
4 out of 4 pawprints!
out what the message
from her mother
means, and never again
does she want to be
without Percy. All this
and a shocking ending
are in this book. I recommend this book to
those who like action,
adventure and mythology. Also remember to
check out the next
book in the series, The
House of Hades coming
October 8, 2013.
P AGE 8
ARTS
WHATS IT LIKE TO BE NEW AT J.P.M.S
continued
no idea what would happen. I
went to my homeroom feeling
as scared as can be, not knowing anyone or anything about
this place. Seating myself, I
looked around trying my best
guess at who might be my first
friend. My teacher, Mrs. Kirby, told a little bit about herself. Then she explained what
the rest of the day would be
like, she introduced me to everyone and had me tell everyone
where I’m from and what it’s
like there. I did, and everyone
was sort of stunned that I came
from Southern California. I
went to second period, met
my PE teacher, figured out my
PE locker and met a really nice
girl named Paige. Later we
learned that we have most of
the same classes together. At
the end of the day I was at
ease. I made it through the
day, made a friend or two, and
I knew from that very moment
I was going to like living Poolesville.
JOHN POOLE SHOWCASE
T H E P A WPRINT
VOL UME 1, ISSUE 1
PAGE 9
SPORTS
SOFTBALL!
Hey batter batter, hey batter batter swing! Softball season
has ended. Here are some highlights from the girl’s season.
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Jocelyn Alvarez got a triple.
A crushing defeat of Roberto Clemente (JPMS won)
Maddie Burdette had an amazing catch against Roberto
Clemente.
Brooke Hamm almost dropped the ball, but she caught
it with her bare hand! That’s amazing!
Brooke Hamm and Kalie Terragno had the best BPA
(Batting Point Average)
Brooke Hamm, Maddie Burdette, and Kalie Terragno
had the best plays.
Overall the girls’ team did really well.
He Says, She Says. Topic: School Work
By VINCENT CHIM
AND MADDY PEEK
Staff Writer
V: I think that there’s no
such thing as too much
homework. As long as
you make time for it and
stop slacking off. You can
cram it in.
M: I don’t get the point of
homework. Most of the kids
at school do their homework
in school, and the kids who
don’t just get stressed and
don’t get enough sleep.
V: What really stresses
people out are TESTS.
They stress, make people
lose sleep, and are totally
pointless.
M: Tests show our progress
in class and what we’re
struggling with in class.
V: What I think really
helps is Edline. When I
am able to check my
grades online, I can feel
more relaxed instead of
worrying all semester if
I got an A or not.
M: I agree. Edline’s a really
helpful resource! More kids
should use it. It saves me
from a lot of stress.