I.S.303 Presents
June, 2015 Edition
Principal’s Message
From Ms. Amador
The fast pace of our June days
makes everyone move quickly
from one school activity or event to
the next. It’s funny how all of a
It’s the Summer and Grease is definitely the word here at I.S. 303. The production of Grease The
sudden we blink and we find that
Musical is the second drama project of the year with the first being The Nutcracker. Grease is timeless.
we have reached the end of our
There has been a movie, and various stage productions around the world. The I.S. 303 auditorium was
academic school year.
transformed into a 1950’s rock and roll diner complete with props and costumes straight out of a Hollywood production. The production was billed as the songs of Grease with the full stage version to premSaying goodbye or farewell to our iere at the I.S. 303 theater in January. Again, Mr. young worked tirelessly to build sets and have high
friends, teachers and administrators tech audio. Ms. Azarow led her drama and dance groups through such classic Grease routines as
could be difficult in some cases but Greased Lightning, Beauty School Drop Out, Those Magic Changes, and You’re The One That I Want.
I’m hoping not in this case. I say The show kicked off with the I.S. 303 jazz band performing an original tune as well as timeless classics
like The Deep Purple song Smoke on the Water. There was a total of four performances: Two were for
this because we will hopefully
the students of I.S. 303, one was for various elementary schools that visited, and one Saturday matinee
continue connected for many years
for friends and families. I recently had a chance to catch up with Ms. Amador and several cast memto come.
bers to get their insights on the production.
Our I.S. 303 family and home will
also be a safe haven for our graduating students and returning ones as
well. We hope to see you all again
soon. On behalf of our school
family, we wish you a happy,
healthy and relaxing summer!
Q: Ms. Amador, what are your thoughts on the I.S. 303 production of Grease?
A: I feel that every year we add something different to our renderings and Grease was phenomenal. It
was a great pleasure to see the students showcase their talents.
Q: How do you feel this play will differ from The Wizard of Oz and The Nutcracker?
A: I think that it will be just as good if not better. As we learn about production and deliverance, we
refine our skills.
Q: Do you feel that this is an easier production to put on then The Wizard of Oz?
A: The Wizard of Oz was a more detailed production. There
was more script memorization and acting. With that said, this
show also features much of the same. I can’t wait to hear the
songs of Grease performed by our many talented students.
By:Samil Levin 7-227 and Margaret Zalyapin, 8-317. Photos
By: Waseem Saleem and
Eben Missick
Page 2
Help the less
fortunate
O n e W o r k in g U n i t
City Harvest Food
Drive
The City Harvest Food Drive ran from Mother’s Day
to Father’s Day. All of the students and staff of I.S. 303
were asked to bring in kid friendly and non perishable
foods to help those less fortunate to have a happy and
healthy summer. After the food drive, the donated goods
were picked up by a representative from the City harvest
and dropped off at food pantries, and soup kitchens all over
the city. Donations have come from restaurants, catering
halls, schools, etc. This is the first year that I.S. 303 has
participated in the City Harvest Food Drive. We are looking
forward to an even better turnout next year. A special
thank you to our parent coordinator, Ms. Marletta Barrow,
and to all those who donated.
By: Allen T. 7-227
O n e W o r k in g U n i t
Page 3
By: John Riccardi, 7227
Q: Ms. Solano, can you please share with us your thoughts on being
eighth grade Dean?
A: I love being Dean as it allows me to watch the students grow and make
positive changes around them. They have all grown so much since sixth
grade. It’s great to see them mature and move towards graduation, and
hopefully make positive changes to their environment.
Q: Is there anything else that you see yourself doing here at I.S. 303?
A: I love being a Dean, and am looking to further my involvement in the
news literacy program. I am also working towards becoming a school administrator. I am also looking to do more student involved events such as
field trips and an upcoming trip to CNN news studios in Manhattan.
Q: What message would you like to send to the graduating class of
2015?
A: I would like to tell them that I care very much about them and that it was
a pleasure working with and getting to know each of them. I want all of you
to know that you can make changes and differences in the world if you try.
Ms. Solano
Q: Mr. Mastro, How long have you been teaching?
A: I have been teaching for eight years now. I have always taught physical
education in a high school. This is my first year in a junior high school.
Q: What were some of your memorable moments this year?
A: I.S. 303 is such a fun and friendly environment to work. I am proud of
co organizing the teachers vs. students volleyball game with Ms. Palese. It
was also a challenge to implement new rules and regulations for the boys
physical education department.
Q: What are you looking forward to doing this summer?
A: I am looking forward to doing some substitute teaching work and
spending time with my son.
Mr. Mastrogiovanni
Monthly Horoscopes with Ms. W
June Edition
Aries: March 21st – April 19th:
You totally love your life on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday! Things that used to seem like work
just seem fun, so enjoy it while it lasts! You get into a new healthy routine on Thursday and Friday, but don't be surprised if your friends and family aren't ready to jump on the bandwagon quite yet. Show other people by example rather than preaching to them on Saturday and Sunday.
Taurus: April 20th – May 20th:
You want to go ahead at full speed on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, but things just keep
getting in your way. Don't worry if you can't get everything done; tomorrow is another day! You notice someone new
on Thursday or Friday, but you might be surprised to hear they've been eyeing you for quite some time. How flattering!
The Moon has you organizing your stuff on Saturday and Sunday. If you haven't used it in six months, get rid of it!
Gemini: May 21st – June 20th:
Finish current projects before you start new ones at the beginning of the week. Your plans should
work out on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday as long as you don't try to take on too much. A picture or song has you
feeling sentimental on Thursday and Friday, but don't do anything you might regret. The past is a nice place to visit, but
you can't go back and live there. There's a mutual understanding between you and your BFF on Saturday and Sunday
that's really nice.
Cancer: June 21st – July 22nd:
You would rather play follow the leader than make any decisions on your own on Monday
through Wednesday; just remember that you'll be held responsible for your actions. You make the first move on Thursday or Friday, and chances are really good that your feelings will be reciprocated. You don't have to tell anyone else
what that smile on your face is really there for! An unexpected outburst causes a commotion on Saturday and Sunday.
Steer clear of the drama if you can.
Leo: July 23rd- August 22nd:
Observe and report what you see to someone in a position of authority on Monday, Tuesday,
and Wednesday. The more attention you pay to details, the more helpful your observations will be. You're more concerned with money than usual on Thursday and Friday, but you may not be as broke as you think you are. Cutting corners here and there will fatten your wallet back up in no time! It isn't hard to impress other people on Saturday and
Sunday, especially if you have your favorite outfit on.
Virgo: August 23rd – September 22nd:
Are you really moving that fast on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, or is time actually speeding
up? It really doesn't matter - you've got a lot to do and not a lot of time to do it! On Thursday and Friday, the stars are
putting you in the mood to throw caution to the wind and just have a good time. Do something you've always wanted
to do but were afraid to try at the end of the week. There's no regret on Saturday or Sunday.
Libra: September 23rd – October 22nd:
Welcome a new member into your group of friends on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. The
more the merrier! You probably won't know all the details on Thursday and Friday, but that shouldn't stop you from
participating. Saying yes isn't a lifelong commitment; it's a one-time only deal. People are attracted to your brilliance
on Saturday and Sunday, but that doesn't mean you have to share all of your witty secrets.
Scorpio: October 23rd – November 21st:
Everyone isn't going to agree with you on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, which make
working in a group kind of difficult. Compromise is key; luckily, you're good at it. You feel the need to wander on
Thursday and Friday, but what you actually need is a good map so you can see exactly where you started and
where to want to end up. Goals aren't that important to you on Saturday and Sunday, but if someone is
counting on you, you should follow up your words with actions.
Sagittarius: November 22nd – December 21st:
`By:Mr Dobin, Guidance Counselor
Bruce Jenner became a household name in 1976 after winning the
Olympic gold medal for track and field. His face adorned the cover of magazines
all over the world. Most notably was the cover of Sports Illustrated. He was also
featured on the box cover for Wheaties. The breakfast of champions. In 1980,
he was cast as a lead role in the cult movie classic Can’t Stop the Music. Over
the past few years, Bruce came back into the public spotlight by appearing on
the hit show Keeping up with the Kardashians. Bruce married Kris Jenner, who
is the mother of Kim, Kourtney, and Khloe Kardasian. Over the past year, he
was also involved in a major car accident which killed one of the motorists that
were involved. With all of the fame Bruce Jenner has received over his lifetime,
what happened next in his career will forever overshadow it all. There had been
rumors surrounding him about being gay and being a cross dresser. Tabloid
magazines began to print photos of him dressed in women’s clothing, and paparazzi followed him wherever he would go. Bruce finally decided to put a stop to
all of the drama and questioning. He agreed to do a sit down interview with Diane Sawyer that was broadcast nationally. In the interview, he came out about
his feelings and emotional well being. It seems that from a young age, he always felt like a woman trapped inside of a man’s body. He did state that he is
not gay and loves women and his children. He also announced that he would be
undergoing surgery to become a woman. He would also be legally changing his
name to Caitlyn Jenner. This was a big move for the transgender community because it will shed more light on their culture by having a celebrity step out.
Photos By: Mrs. Houston
The sixth graders were treated to a very
special trip this June. We went on a trip to the
Prospect Park Zoo. It was a fun experience to
see all of the fun animals. It rained throughout
the day, but that did not ruin the trip. The day
was full of surprises. The students were allowed to experience seeing animals that they
never have before. We hope to do it again next
year and have sunny weather for the trip.
By: Andy Wang, 6-122
By: Andy Wang
6-122
Pixels is an upcoming 2015 American science fiction action comedy
film produced by Columbia Pictures, 1492 Pictures and Happy Madison Productions. The film is directed by Chris Columbus from a screenplay written by Tim
Herlihy and Timothy Dowling: The screen story penned by Tim Herlihy and
based on Patrick Jean's 2010 Internet short film of the same name. In 1982, in
the hopes of establishing peaceful communication with extraterrestrial
life, NASA launches a time capsule into outer space containing images and footage of Earth life and culture. However, aliens misinterpret enclosed video-feeds
of classic arcade games as a declaration of war. They attack the Earth using the
games as models for their various assaults, including Pac Man, Donkey Kong
and Centipede. Their technology creates voxels that change form and are capable of turning any form of matter into more of itself. President Will Cooper calls
upon his best friend since childhood, former video game professional Sam Brenner, who is now a home theater installer and had a previous relationship with
Cooper's wife. To combat the video game characters, Brenner decides to lead a
team of retro gamers, Eddie Plant and Ludlow Lamensoff to defeat the aliens with
various technologies similar to those used in games.
By: Rodrigo
Fernandez 7-227
Dylan Storm Roof posted a photo on Facebook of a gun that
he got for his 21st birthday. He was caught June18,2015 after killing nine African Americans in a historic black church during a bible study meeting. The attacker started the bloody massacre on
June 17,2015 around 9:00 A.M. Amongst those killed in the massacre were six males and three females. Officers had reason to
believe that he was working alone. The attacker was with the bible group for about an hour until he took out his gun and started
to shoot the group with a semi-automatic gun, shot the round; reloaded 5 times and kept shooting. Only three people survived the
gun massacre. Officers believed that it was a racial attack because in a recent Facebook post, Dylan was in a swamp wearing
a jacket with patches of the era racist flag against Africa.
Publisher and lead Advisor
Senior Editor & Advisor
Technical Advisor
Mr. Dobin
Mr. Wu
Ms. Amador
Writer And Advisor
Ms. Wertheimer
Student Editor
Samil Levin
Allen Talovikov
Andy Wang
Staff Writer
Ky Wiliams
Staff Writer
Darian Lynch
John Riccardi
Staff Writer
Staff Writer and
interviewer
Rodrigo Fernandez
Staff Writer
Destiny Melendez
Art/staff writer
Eben Missick
Staff Writer
Waseem Saleen
7th Grade Photographer
Lead Photographer
Newspaper Staff