AWE NEWS Fall 2010 The Student Newspaper of Andover’s West Elementary School First Grade Luncheon is a Huge Success Story and photos by Emma Keamy and Emma Kelley On October 6th all the first graders went to the cafeteria for a luncheon. The first grade luncheon is when all the first graders go to the cafeteria with their parent or grandparents. They get to have a special lunch with a special person. Everyone seemed to be having a great time. We interviewed some first graders. Here is what they said. Lauren was having a good time at the luncheon and said she likes the lunch menu food and eating the sandwiches. Caroline was eating a sandwich and an apple and said she likes the food and she likes school. Yaribel and Grace from Mrs. Royal’s class were excited to be eating at school with their families. Lily, from Mrs. Price’s class, said she likes first grade very much and she liked the luncheon with her class. Mrs. Price said she enjoys the First Grade Luncheon every year. She meets so many families of the boys and girls in her class. It was a celebration of kids, families and teachers with good food to share. Over 140 Students in Grades 2-5 Participate in the Science Fair By David Tverskoy I loved the science fair this year. I can’t believe that over 140 kids took part in it. Different kinds of sciences were represented: chemistry, physics, biology, and material science. I was real impressed by volcano eruption. This event attracted many spectators. My project was related to static electricity. I build a device called Leyden jar. This device could store static electricity. The best exhibitions were awarded. Erupting volcanoes Odds Bodkin Visits West El Story and photos by Lilly Reeves We saw Odds Bodkin today. He started to play the harp. He was good! It stopped. Odds told a story about a place in Africa. There were animals and they were hungry. They got food at the end of the story. Odds played a song on his guitar and we sang it, too. The song was called ‘Meow, Meow, Meow’. It was hilarious! Then he played the harp some more and showed us the high notes and the low notes. He told a new story about a lazy sister. One day she was asked to get something and she complained. It was so, so funny because Odds did the sister’s voice in a funny, complaining way. I hope Odds Bodkin comes back next year and I hope everyone enjoyed him, too, like me. How does an egg get into a bottle? Tornadoes Cultural Events Third Graders Visit Harvard Museum of Natural History By Libby Pustis and Ella Reck At 8:55 the 3rd grade class boarded the bus to go to the Harvard Museum of Natural History. The bus ride was fun because Mrs. Gerroir’s class and Mrs. Powers’ class and Mr. A’s class were so excited to go to the museum. When we got there, the biggest animal was some kind of dinosaur. The smallest animal was some kind of bird. The coolest animal was this sea animal. The scariest animal was a winter tiger. There were so many different kinds of rocks. Some rocks were crystals and some were minerals. The best rock was this kind of crystal. I had so much fun at the Harvard Museum. ---Libby Pustis Skulls Photo by Negar Aalaei Slice of mica Photo by Jacob Walkup We went to the Harvard Museum of Natural History on Monday. Some kids went on Tuesday. There were fossils and lots of statues of animals that tell facts. And they were real animals. There also was a teacher that taught us about rocks and minerals. My favorite part was the water animals. Most of my classmates didn’t have a favorite. They like everything. I think that everyone should visit this fascinating museum. ---Ella Reck Glass flowers Photo by Eric Faulkner Amethyst Photo by Max Tweedale Observing fossils Photo by Negar Aalaei In the classroom Photo by Eric Faulkner Bay Colony Visits the Fifth Grade By Tanya Singh and Julia Washburn On October 1st, fifth grade had a wonderful presentation from the Bay Colony Educators. The educators Carol and Tim were very informative and explained how life used to be without all the technology we have now, like television, the Wii and much more. Life was tough back in the 1750s without all of the technology we have today. Carol and Tim shared with us how hard it was to begin working at eight years old until you died, which could be very early. Some people died before they turned 16. Many people died early in life because doctors didn’t have medicine to cure patients sicknesses such as the measles or a common cold. Tim and Carol shared other things, too, like schooling back in the 1750s. Can you imagine not going to school unless you were right handed? Pretty weird, right? Tim and Carol shared many more interesting facts with us. Special thanks to Tim and Carol and the PTO who funded the visit. Star Lab for the Fourth Grade By Rishi Balaji Srinivasan and Sam Tweedale On October 13th, 2010 people from the Museum of Science came to West Elementary and talked about space. In the old gym there were two inflatable domes and each dome had a door. The fourth graders went into the domes. In the dome there were red lights that were like string. Inside, workers from the Museum of Science taught fourth graders about constellations, black holes, planets, stars, and galaxies. There was a projector that showed the moon, Jupiter, stars, and Mars. They talked about the North Star and dwarf planets. Now you know about Star Lab. School Activities The Fun Never Stops at Friday Fun Fest Italian Night is a Huge Success The first Friday Fun Fest took place October 22, 2010, 3 - 6 pm at West Elementary. It was for grades K-5. Teachers who volunteered were Mrs. McCarron, Ms. Ross, Ms. Zanotti, Mr. A, Mr. McCall, Mrs. Daigle, Mrs. Fullam, Mrs. Roos and Ms. Spinale. It seemed like over a hundred students showed up. Middle school students were helping hand out snacks and transport kids to their chosen activities. The activities offered were arts and crafts, gym games, Smartboard games, and playground time. Mr. McCall said Friday Fun Fest is a terrific opportunity to teach kids the basics of the Smartboard. “I also show them amazing things that can be made combining the iPad with the Smartboard.” Mrs. McCarron and Ms. Ross took the students on a tour of the playgrounds. Mr. A and Ms. Zanotti were in charge of the students in the gym and one of the games was kickball. The kids with Mrs. Daigle and Mrs. Fullam in arts and crafts got to make Halloween bags for trick-or-treating. At 4:25, all students came back inside for pizza and drinks before settling in for a movie. Kelsey Dennehy, a 2nd grader, said her favorite part of Friday Fun Fest was the movie. Katie Morris said her favorite part was the activities. Lea Lopez was there with her younger sister. Lea said she came to Friday Fun Fest last year also and looks forward to practicing her art with Mrs. Daigle and Mrs. Fullam. Mrs. Roos said that the next Friday Fun Fest will be in November and it will be the biggest one of the whole year, so make sure you go! Italian night is finally here. I’ve gone to interview people to see what they think of Italian Night. The one ticket = one whole meal deal is great! -Jackson Burns I’m really hyper because I had 10 sugar cookies. --Grace Karl Mrs. Roos won the raffle. Fun is everywhere. It is not that crowded here. Lots of kids are playing tag in the hall. I am one of them. The only foods here are salad, pizza and sugar cookies. At the end of Italian Night they gave out balloons. I got one. If you didn’t go I wish you had! By Grace Karl Photos by Eryn Trant By Danielle Silva Smartboard fun Photo by Sofia Saltamartini Arts & crafts Photo by Danielle Silva Gym games Photo by Vanaja Chavva Fun on the playgrounds Photo by Eric Faulkner FRIDAY FAMILY By Sofia Saltamartini Photo by John Reilly This year’s Friday Family classes kicked off on October 8, 2010 with the theme of friendship. Some classes did friendships chains and got name tags. Most people met new people and new teachers for the first time. Think back to your Friday Family class. Did you have fun? Do you like your Friday Family teacher? Did you have a substitute? Think about these questions during your next Friday Family class. Each Friday Family class is different but each class introduces us to new people and teachers that we did not know before or it teaches us something about our friends that we did not know. Outdoor Ed Fifth Graders Have a Blast at Outdoor Ed By Rory O’Brien After a two and-a-half hour bus ride watching movies and looking out our windows, as well as finding out what building we would be sleeping in, the fifth grader’s buses approached a woodsy road with a sign that said ”Bushy Hill” Nature’s classroom. The buses were soon parked and our luggage was being loaded out, one by one, but before we could even think about hauling our bags to our bunk houses, we were waved to the grassy field in front of the Katsonis dorm, where many girls and boys would be sleeping that night. Soon we were in the biggest circle imaginable and the counselors were boldly introducing themselves to the crowd,” then we could do more than just think about hauling luggage to our bunk houses, we had to do it! As everyone settled in and became comfortable with their roommates, some delicious sandwiches were being put on platters across the street from All Angels, the dining Hall. Soon, the whole fifth grade piled into that very place, and as we gobbled up the feast, we were informed that we would each be taking turns working as “waitrons”, people who set up the table, served, and cleaned up after meals. Next, we headed out to our first-ever field groups, but not before getting sorted into two teams, Gryffindor and Slytherin . Each team had different options for special interest classes, and different counselors. We spent the rest of the afternoon at field groups, and special interest classes, (specific study classes that could be with any of your team’s counselors). After dinner, we were told to bundle up, because we were having a night quest, the Slytherins in one place, and the Gryffindors in another. At this activity, we went to each field group leader from our team’s station and participated in activities and challenges that required teamwork and brain power, and at a final Quiet Sing, we learned that we would be passing around IALAC necklaces that were given to us by friends who saw us being kind to someone. With that, we headed to our beds. The next day we had coffee cake, scrambled eggs, and the choice of a visit to the breakfast bar, which was serving cereal and fresh fruit. After that, we headed straight out to a two hour field groups. Many groups caught frogs and found edible plants. We hiked in all different kinds of places and played games. Feeling energetic, we all hiked back to the dining hall, where we had the choice of either a bean burrito or a trip to the salad bar. After lunch, we had special interest classes, two of them! Some choices featured for the Gryffindors were geo domes, deer survival, frog dissection, Pond Probe, Beavers, and Turtle study. In Geo Domes, we built a large, stable structure about eleven feet tall. The special interest classes altogether took about three and a half hours. Finally, it was time for a delicious dinner of chicken Parmesan and Cookies. Next, we headed out in the dark to the Night Experience! Everybody’s field group leaders showed them amazing tricks that lit up the dark night! Tricks like the world’s smallest flame thrower were a big hit. The next day, we had a good breakfast of pancakes, then packed a picnic lunch and were on our way to a hike around the lake. We had four hours to do it and we stopped many times along the way, to roast marshmallows, to rest, and to play games and climb on rocks. We saw signs of beavers and made back to the dining hall. After a long break at our dorms, we played the biggest game of tag ever! First, you were assigned to a species of animals with one Nature’s classroom teacher as your leader. The lower you were on the food chain, the harder and more daring it was. It started out with a balanced food chain, but by the end, the Orca whales, the animal that was the highest on the food chain had fiftytwo people on their team. They were almost unavoidable. Afterward, we talked about how a stable ecosystem is created and why it is important to the environment. Dinner was Pizza and ice cream sundaes. We then headed to the gathering hall in the dining hall building. Also, as we waited for the show to start, we watched Mr. Harkins “break it down” for us. What show? TNL, Thursday Night Live! Every field group had a short skit to share. Some skits were about silly things like doughnut shop workers, the ugliest man in the world, and the princess with a temper!! Everyone enjoyed watching the skits as well as performing them. Tired and happy, we headed to bed. The next morning was different from the others. We woke up just like any other day, but this morning, we packed up our bags and headed on out to the Katsonis bunk house and dropped our stuff on the lower floor. Then we had brunch, a mix and match meal that featured a buffet with breakfast meat, pastries, biscuits, fruit and chocolate milk. Next we took a quick survey to see how much we enjoyed our experience at Outdoor Ed. Finally, we headed to the field next to the dining hall, where we had our last field groups. We all earned very special IALAC bracelets. Each field group’s beads were different colors. The buses pulled up soon after, and us, and our stuff were loaded onto the bus. Everybody was sad to leave such a wonderful place, but really excited to see our families and to be home. Sports The West El Sports Report Story and photos by Ben Nichols The West El Football League is in it’s second season. We are currently in week six and everyone is focused on making the playoffs. As Peter Nichols from last year’s champoionship Oregon Ducks WEFL team said, “Now is when it starts to get really fun - and serious!” On Thursday, November 5th, the Florida Gators took on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Boise State Broncos faced the Boston College Eagles. Defense was the name of the game on this day. Game Highlights Boise State started the game with a tricky double reverse. Chris “Fly Paper” Casey was stuck on his man and made it near impossible for Mr. Fiore to complete a pass against BC defense. Owen Mosher, one yard touchdown pass for Boise to put Boise on top 7-0. Owen caught another TD pass later in the game. Ryan Cadigan (FL) caught a five yard pass to beat out ND defense to go up 7-0 in the first quarter. Nick Silva picked off Mr. Price on a 50 yard touchdown attempt at the one yard line! Ryan Cadigan (FL) comes up with an interception off another Mr. Price bomb, back to back picks for Mr. Price! Pete Nichols (BC) does a perfect down-and-in with a TD reception off a ten yard pass. Johnny Metz (ND) comes up with a critical pick in the red zone just under the two minute warning. Scores Boise State 21 BC 21 Florida Gators 21 Notre Dame 14 Fall Sports By Grace Karl Photos by Nikhil Gorur Everybody grab your soccer balls, basketballs and baseballs because it’s sports season. It’s time to get active. Most of the kids here are taking soccer class. Charlie Dankens is taking a fencing class. I’m taking a basketball class. I‘d recommend any of these sports for anyone. One week until playoffs! How Students from West El Felt About Running the One Mile Run By Alexandra Trant Photos by Mitchell Paige It was a bone-chilling afternoon. Fourth and fifth grade runners from every elementary school in Andover were trying to stay warm by stretching on the track and running up and down the bleachers at the Andover High School track. 160 runners showed up to run the onemile race. In spite of the cold, there was excitement in the air. Katie Tsai, a fourth grader at West, said she was full of excitement and also predicted a good time. To warm up, Katie decided to start with some stretching. She ended coming in seventeenth place overall. Fiona Waters, another fourth grader at West, thought that the race was going to be fun. She too hoped to get a good time. Sam Tweedale, a fourth grader at West, was happy and super excited to run. As excited as he was, he was still freezing and couldn’t wait for the race to start. The race began with the fifth grade boys. After they finished their first lap, the fifth grade girls started to run. Once the fifth grade girls finished their first lap the fourth grade boys started running and the fourth grade girls ran the race last. As the runners lined up to run Soccer is a great fall sport. many supporting mothers and fathers cheered them on. There was lots of excitement in the air. Once the race began, no one knew who was going to win. The boys’ fifth grade race was the most exciting race of all because the leaders of the race ran neck to neck. It wasn’t until the end of the race that Kirin O’Connor, a Bancroft student, sped up and won the race by three seconds. The first fifth grade boy from West El to finish the race was Danny Campbell. In the boys’ fourth grade race, Keegan O’Connor from West was one of the leaders throughout the race. Keegan placed in the top 10 overall. The first fifth grade girl to finish from West was Grace O’Hara from Mrs. Plamondon’s class. When asked how she felt after the race, she said she was very tired. Arianna Turner was the first fourth grade girl from West to finish the race. Arianna finished in 4th place overall. At the end of the race all the runners were exhausted and out of breathe, but all had a great time. All the runners from West El finished the race! Everyone is proud of all the West El runners. Ready...set..... ...go! Sports and Travel Six things to know about the The Rock Wall By David Tverskoy Photo by Richard Li The Mr. Iworsley Climbing Wall is made of steel. The rocks on the wall are numbers and letters and weird shapes. We as a school raised $12,000 for the wall. It is written on top of the wall...West El. The rock wall isn’t an ordinary rock wall. Here is why. You do not climb up, you climb sideways. I climbed on the rock wall. I really liked it. I hope you like it, too. Walk to School Day By Ruby Remati Photos by Jane Campbell Walk to school day is fun. You can walk from the graveyard or the West Parish Church. Who was helping was Mrs. McCarron. Why do we do walk to school day? Because we raise money for Kenya. Remember to bring quarters for Kenya. Most kids brought “Honk” signs. If you walked, when you got to West you got a free breakfast. When I walked I heard lots of cars honking. Columbus Day weekend in North Conway, NH Story and photos by John Reilly Over Columbus Day weekend we went to the White Mountains. We stayed in North Conway, NH. There are a lot of fun things to do up there. you can go skiing in the winter, hiking and shopping at the outlets. The best thing about fall in North Conway is the foliage. Foliage is another word for when the leaves turn colors. We went hiking up Diana’s Bath. We saw an awesome waterfall. The leaves were red, yellow, orange, green and mixed. We collected leaves and saw the natural waterfalls at Diana’s Bath. Arts & Entertainment Books George’s Marvelous Medicine A to Z Mysteries By Max Tweedale By Reilly O’Brien Photo by Danielle Silva George’s Marvelous Medicine was written by Roald Dahl. I thought it was a good book, but also a little strange because his grandmother was mean. It is about a little boy and his grandma. His mother tells him not to get into trouble while his mother goes to town. He is being watched by his grandmother. He would like to stay out of trouble but couldn’t help himself. It is a creative book that has a lot of action and a surprise ending. I would recommend this book because I thought it was interesting. Movie I want to recommend the whole A to Z Mysteries series by Ron Roy, not just one book, because I think they're amazing. My three favorite books are The Invisible Island,The Missing Mummy and The White Wolf. I like the series because they are really hard to solve and there are cool characters. I am going to try to read all the books myself. You should try to read all the books like me. When you start to read all the books start at A and go to Z. When you’re done with the series you will know all the characters. Some of the letters in the books have two of the same letters so make sure you read those also. You will feel so happy that you read all the books. I hope that Ron Roy will start to make new A to Z mysteries in a few years. Music Chorus if Fun! Lego Atlantis By Haywood Schwartz I saw Lego Atlantis. I recommend this movie for people who like Legos (you have to see it on the internet though). It's about Captain Ace and his crew finding the five keys to Atlantis. The first key is guarded by a squid. The second...maybe a riddle? I know that the third is a manta ray! I’ll bet you want to see it now (it's on Lego.com/Atlantis). The part I liked best was when they were fighting the shark. Captain Ace and his crew almost died FOUR places finding the keys! (Make that five.) At the end they found Atlantis! That leaves us to the next movie in the series (The Quest For The Golden King). That's all I'm going to tell you. Now go see it for yourself. OK! A scene from Lego Atlantis... By Ruby Remati Photos by Mitchell Paige In chorus, you get to learn new songs. We all meet at 8 o’clock in the music room every Friday morning. We sit on the rug and make new friends. We all love to sing. Mrs Walker is a fun teacher. Mumble Grumble is my favorite song to sing at chorus. Anybody can join anytime. You just have to love to sing! AWE NewsArts & EntertainmentOctober/November2010 Dear Sofia Sofia Saltamartini offers her advice on some common problems Photos by Vanaja Chavva My problem is that I do not have enough Xbox games. You should put Xbox games on your holiday wish list. I’m not sure where everything is in West El. You could ask someone who went here last year. I’m sure they would be happy to help. My best friend is moving and I feel sad. You just have to be tough through it. I am sure that you will find other people to play with and maybe you and your best friend could stay in touch by email. I can’t think of a lot of ideas for my writing. What do you like to do? You should write about what you like to do or maybe about an upcoming holiday. 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