The Revival
Issue!
!
THE
FEBRUARY 2015!
Eli Bacher-Chong
Rebeca Gonzalez
Raven Lozada
James Rios
In This
Issue:
SAFAA’S GUIDE TO
UNDERSTANDING TEEN
SLANG (p. 2)
With Safaa’s help, you’ll
finally be able to understand
the conversations in the
hallways!
sTATement
THE BUDDY CHRONICLES: LIFE
LESSONS FROM DOG WALKING
(p. 2)
According to Rebeca, walking Buddy
is… an interesting experience.
HSTAT REVIVES READING
PROGRAM (p. 4)
The new reading program
invites students to start their
day with an independent
reading book of their choice.
ISSUE NO. 1
Sophia Santiago
Safaa Silmani
Ms. Meade, Advisor
(You can be here, too. Join the staff!)
Shoutouts!
(p.4)
Tech-Savvy Tele: HSTAT Integrates Google Technology
By Rebeca Gonzalez
For the past two decades, technology has
! Mr. De Martini, Assistant Principal at
been a staple of daily life. With new
HSTAT, explained the Google technology has
platforms and devices being created every
made it easier for both teachers and students
day, individuals are able to handle many
to “contact just about everybody.” He added
tasks in a short amount of time.
that teachers can use the network to reserve
Acknowledging the benefits technology
for computer labs for classes, send group
provides, HSTAT has now further
emails to other teachers, and notify each other
integrated technology into both students’
about upcoming meetings and events.
and teachers’ educational lives with a new
! Despite some minor glitches, such as a
Google platform. The technology not only
week-long server shutdown in November, the
saves paper, but also both the students’ and
platform has received positive feedback from
teachers’ time.
many at HSTAT. Junior Jade Burdman
!
This fall, HSTAT welcomed “Google
expressed how useful she finds the program
Ms. Sperling and Ms. Vogel collaborate on an iMac
for Education,” a server that allows more
since she is able to finish class work “twice as
in the tech lab. (Photograph by Safaa Silmani)
communication between teachers and
fast because she and her classmates can work
students through the Google platform.
on two computers at once.”
Sponsored by New Visions for Public Schools, the database can be
!
Mr. De Martini explained that the teachers hope to increase the
used to share documents, create events and calendars, and most
presence of Google in the classroom as the year goes on. The use of
importantly, share information between both students and teachers.
Google, he explained, will hopefully allow HSTAT to become a more
Similar to standard Gmail accounts, the network can be accessed on
technology-based school that promotes a connection between both
either a smartphone or personal computer through Gmail.com.
students and teachers.
Tele Tackles Trash
By Eli Bacher-Chong and James Rios
In a world where trash seems to
disappear after it is “thrown
away,” recycling may not seem
important. But, a recent trend in
HSTAT does not seem to treat it
that way. On Wednesday, October
8, 2014, HSTAT expanded its
recycling program for all of its
students and staff, by improving
the sorting of trash in the
cafeteria.
!
The change came about when
the New York City Department of
Sanitation chose HSTAT to
participate in a pilot program for
the collection of leftover food.
This is the school’s garbage waiting
on the sidewalk to be collected.
(Photograph by Eli Bacher-Chong)
!
Now food scraps from the
cafeteria must be sorted
separately to be composted by the
city or broken down into soil for
use as fertilizer. The sorting of
plastic, glass, and metal
containers is now being more
actively implemented in HSTAT.
According to HSTAT custodian
Wilson Martinez, the school puts
out about thirty-five to forty large,
full bags of trash per day, with
piles occasionally reaching four
feet high. He estimates that only
about forty percent of the trash
actually gets recycled, due to not
being sorted correctly. Any bin
that is not properly sorted has to
be dumped out with the regular
trash, such as gum in the plastic
recycling bin.
!
According to Mr. Martinez,
“it’s just the convenience of
having custodial staff” that causes
people to neglect the
responsibility of sorting their
trash. However, Mr. DeMartini,
who leads the recycling efforts at
HSTAT, pointed out that sorting
has been made as easy as possible
with visual bin labels and
intuitively placed bins.
!
According to 2013 statistics by
the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), Americans throw
out two hundred million tons of
garbage every year, almost as
heavy as one million jumbo jet
airplanes, and taking up much
space in landfills. The average
American throws out over 106
pounds of food scraps each year,
which totals six million cubic
yards for the country, more than
all the concrete in the Hoover
Dam. With the help of the new
recycling program, food scraps
are now being composted.
Fortunately, ninety percent of the
school waste is recyclable or
compostable, only if sorted
properly, according to the New
York City Department of
Sanitation. Mr. DeMartini believes
that this program will not only
benefit the environment, but help
students become more
responsible.
!
“If a student realizes, because
they are sorting their garbage,
then maybe they’ll be less likely
to take what they are not likely to
eat,” Mr. DeMartini explained.
Page 1
Students had varied opinions on
the new program. Junior Chris
Colon believes the program is
futile, thinking no one follows it,
and does not think it should
continue. He commented, “I
admire the thought of it, but it
just won’t work in our school.”
Steven Calixto, a sophomore, said
that the program was a struggle
for him, as he admitted he does
not recycle at home.
!
Another junior, Frankie
Knicks, grade eleven, also
believes that the program is
ineffective, but added that the
sorting process helps “keeps a
thought in your mind” about
responsible waste management.
!
Many staff and students, even
Mr. DeMartini himself, admits
that this new program will
inevitably take time to get used
to. But many of the staff are still
optimistic. “If everyone played
their part,” commented Mr.
Martinez, “it would be in a better
place than it is right now.”
FEBRUARY 2015!
Safaa’s Guide to
Understanding
Teen Slang
By Safaa Slimani
As a self-proclaimed nerd, I come
across many slang terms that I
don’t understand. I empathize
with those who fear asking others
the dreadful question: What does
that mean? So I did the hard part
(the asking) for you. Soon you’ll
be able to speak to teenagers like
a pro.
These two terms are used for
compliments, and can be used
interchangeably. Don’t be
offended when they’re used to
describe you!
• On Fleek: adj (fl-eek): the best
(something/ someone) could be
• Her eyebrows are on fleek.
• On Point: adj (ˈȯn ˈpȯint) great;
perfect
• His outfit was on point.
These terms refer to insults.
Definitely be worried if someone
is throwing shade at you.
• Throwing subs: v- (throh-ing
suh-bs) indirectly insulting
someone publicly
• Ms. White was throwing
subs at John in English class
yesterday.
• Throwing shade: v- (throh-ing
sh-ayd) to insult someone or
make them feel disliked
• Mike was throwing shade at
Tom when he said, “You run
like a little kid.”
The term “bae” is typically used
as a romantic endearment… and
no, it’s not a weird way of saying
“babe”. Here’s what it does mean:
• Bae: n- (bay) an acronym for
Before Anyone Else; your
favorite person.
• Annie’s bae took her to see
HSTAT’s musical, Guys and
Dolls.
And, just for fun, here are some
random terms you should know
that are used A LOT in
conversation:
• The feels: n- (thuh feels) the
feelings; the emotions
• The Fault in Our Stars had so
many feels--it had me crying
multiple times.
• Lit: adj- (lit) the characteristic of
being fun or exciting
• The Halloween dance at
HSTAT last year was so lit!
!
!
ISSUE NO. 1
The Buddy
Chronicles:
Life Lessons
From Dog
Walking
By Rebeca Gonzalez
My jacket was
soaking wet from all
of the rain that
accumulated on my
windbreaker, and I
could see tiny
droplets of rain fall off
of my blue hood. I
had to keep my head
down so as to avoid
being slapped in the
face by the gusts of
wind rolling down the
sidewalk.
!
It was a cold and rainy night
when Buddy decided to, for the
hundredth time, solidify his
status as the most stubborn dog
on the planet. Per usual, Buddy
stood about three feet behind me
on his four tiny paws and
watched as I struggled to make
him move from his statue-like
stance.
!
Buddy, otherwise known as
the most obstinate creature I have
ever encountered, is the dog I
have been walking for three
years. My neighbor, Buddy’s
owner, hired me after her now
late husband became too ill to
walk him. Initially, I walked
Buddy two to three times a week,
but as Buddy’s owner decided to
take on more career
responsibilities, I ended up
walking Buddy once every day
from Monday through Friday.
About a month into our strolls,
Buddy began refusing to walk.
That is, unless his owner was not
home, in which case he was on a
mission to cover as much
neighborhood ground as possible
to try to find her.
!
As already it was a
complicated ordeal to persuade
Buddy to walk in good weather
conditions, I knew I would soon
be facing yet another long and
soggy battle this afternoon. I
wanted to get home at a
reasonable time, so I tried to pick
him up. As I reached for Buddy,
he moved a few steps away from
me, escaping my hands.
Becoming frustrated, I tried once
more, only to arrive at the same
outcome. I soon realized,
however, that each few steps
Buddy took brought us a few
steps closer to his apartment.
Defeated, I decided to reach
for Buddy
again,
again,
and again for the next 25
minutes until we reached the
apartment building that we
both called home.
!
While waiting to arrive at
Buddy’s apartment on the fifth
floor, I stood in the elevator,
arms crossed, leaning against
the metal wall, a whiteknuckled grip on the black
handle of the leash. I glared at
Buddy, who was now
Rebeca and the Infamous Buddy
the Dog. (Photograph by Rebeca
Gonzalez)
obediently sitting at my feet,
wondering how one small dog
could cause so much
frustration.
!
On my way out the door
after bringing Buddy home, I
still said “Goodbye, Bud!” like
I always do. Seeing his
adorable and loving puppy
eyes, I realized that even
though Buddy may be the
most stubborn dog I have ever
met, I still care about him and
will always find a way to get
him back home.
Page 2
The President’s Corner
Dear HSTAT,
!
First and foremost, happy new
year from the Student Government
Organization (better known as
SGO)! We are proud to say that this
school year the SGO has achieved a
long list of accomplishments.
!
The SGO’s mission is to allow
the HSTAT community to come
together in as many different ways
as possible. To reach this goal, we
have worked assiduously to think
of innovative ideas, such as the
Senior/Freshman Buddy program,
which was founded by our Special
Projects Coordinator, Flavio Perez.
We have also sponsored memorable
spirit days and school dances. This
spring, our new singing
competition, Tele’s Voice Off, will
premiere and bring the community
together by showcasing our singing
talents. Tele’s Voice Off was created
by SGO President, Tarek Algabyali,
and Vice President, Rawan
Baalbaki.
During the first semester, the SGO
worked hard to give HSTAT a
variety of programs and events
such as:
1. Senior/Freshmen Buddy
Program
2. Halloween Dance
3. Haunted House!
4. Senior Class trip to Six Flags
Approval
5. TVO (Tele’s Voice Off) Approval
6. 3rd Annual Gifts for Giving
7. Spirit Days
It is an honor to work with you as
your SGO, and we hope you will
continue to support us throughout
this journey. We are in this
adventure together, so let us get the
best out of it!
!
!
!
!
!
!
Tarek Algabyali
SGO President
FEBRUARY 2015!
!
Arts & Entertainment
ISSUE NO. 1
Cartoon by
Raven Lozada
Shut Up, Time’s Up!
Safaa’s Bookshelf
by Eli Bacher-Chong
by Safaa Silmani
The timer’s starting
The first ten minutes of second period are dedicated to reading a book for your own
personal pleasure. If you’re wondering what you should read, I have a few suggestions
that I think you will love.
So this is how I read my poem
with the timer ticking away
like a sword hanging over my head
its cruel tip pointed
at the center of my page
it’s there to kill my poetry.
Half time!
Already?
My words are running together like wet paper
And now it can be kneaded in a soggy ball
and wrung out to dry and compact
so it can fit in a smaller space
a box
without being shoved or squeezed
without protest or complaint.
What good is poetry in a box?
Five seconds!
Wha... what... Can I say... in five...?
Are you interested in fantasy? I recommend:
Graceling by Kristin Cashore:
✭✭✭✭✭
!
Katsa is a graceling, a rare person who has an outstanding ability, a rare being in her
world. Katsa has been graced with the gift of killing, but her uncle, the king, forces her
to use her gift to terrorize people who dare go against him. Her dealings with uncle
cause her to be feared and hated by others. Lonely and frustrated because of the work
her uncle forces upon her, Katsa is miserable until she meets Prince Po, a fellow graceling
gifted with the skill of hand-to-hand combat who tries to convince her to use her gifts
for good. Katsa’s journey is an exciting and intense one, and this novel is great for
people looking for an unrealistic escape from their life. Graceling is a captivating book
with plot twists and turns that will keep a reader wondering what will happen next.
Are you interested in relatable realistic-fiction books? You should read:
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
✭✭✭✭✩
!
Fangirl is a book to which any teenage girl can relate. Cath is an eighteen year old
girl who is trying to transition from high school to college. She takes comfort in her
trending fanfiction story but struggles to make friends in real life. The feels in Fangirl are
crazy! Cath’s journey is filled with awkward teenage moments and readers will be able
to relate to both her highs and lows. Rowell introduces readers to the growing teenage
trend of the fandom universe.
That’s it, shut up!
But poetry can’t work inside a box!
Shut up!
Poetry grows like a massive tree
touches hearts, touches the heavens...
If philosophical fiction is more your type, the next book would be perfect for you.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel:
✭✭✭⭒⭒
A serious, more philosophical read, Life of Pi is the adventure of a boy named Piscine
“Pi” Patel, who survives 227 days after a shipwreck while stranded on a lifeboat with a
Bengal tiger. The plot moves rather slowly (he has no human company for 227 days after
all), but the book offers great commentary on what it means to “find yourself.” Pi’s
journey is lonely, enlightening, and introduces the reader to varying perspectives on life.
Shut up!
Hey, don’t rush me... Ugh...
I can’t seem to remember the next part,
because someone kept telling me to shut up:
Now look what you’ve done!
!
If your preferred genre is scientific fiction, I have a great recommendation for you...
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
✭✭✭✭✭
!
This science fiction book follows the life of Ender Wiggin, a child chosen to be part
of a military program for kids. In the story, children are required to learn military
strategies because the earth has been attacked by aliens. Ender’s story takes places in a
world that is different from the world today and features a multifaceted plot. Readers
won’t get bored with this book.
Page 3
FEBRUARY 2015!
s!
utout
Sho
•
Rock on Team 11th Grade!
•
¡Estudien mucho en el nuevo semestre!
•
Ms. Meade made me write this
•
Do something awesome, sign you name on the
world!
•
Keep calm and BAZINGA. Have a good day
everyone. :-)
•
Live to your full potential
•
Face the window, turn around, there’s a wall.
•
Mishell did really good, she made it look real. good
job!!
•
Need people to be featured on a project. Hmu on
IG @mrkingofthacastle. Albums called “saWzage”.
•
Big shout out to big papa Radley. <3
•
Dear Mom thank you for everything, the hugs and
laughs to the screams and the scolds; I will always
love you
•
Onions make me cry. BTW, only some people will
understand.
•
Pineapples
•
Shout out to E-money!
•
Shout out to Rebeca Gonzalez
•
Happy birthday mom love you! Haba XOX
•
Papi Fabio
•
HEY students! Get your stuff together and make
2nd semester work. We’re rooting for ya! ♡Your
!
ISSUE NO. 1
HSTAT Revives Reading Program
By Raven Lozada and Sophia Santiago
Reading is an activity that has become lost to the young people of
today. Students have become enveloped in a lifestyle of schoolwork
and social media, no longer having the time or motivation to pick up
books as they once did. Students tend to associate reading with school
work rather than an escape, but this year at HSTAT is different.
!
Each day, at the beginning of second period, students have the
opportunity to relax and read a book of their choice for ten minutes.
The silent reading program existed at HSTAT but was discontinued
several years ago. Recently, the program was renewed by HSTAT’s new
principal, Ms. Shepard. Ms. Shepard, along with a number of teachers,
decided that it would be beneficial to the students, and revived the
program this year.
!
Many of HSTAT’s students have also warmed up to the idea. Junior
Alexis Velez, who like other teenagers has slowly stopped reading for
pleasure over time, supports the new reading program and said, “it
gives us time to slow down before doing schoolwork.”
!
“Students are taking advantage [and] having a moment to think,
reflect and just read a good book,” Ms. Shepard explained. She added
that reading in the morning would help to ready oneself for the day
and gather one’s thoughts.
!
Teachers hope that the reading program will allow students to see
reading as something to enjoy, not just work. The ten minutes will
allow students to dive into a fresh new adventure while developing a
love for learning. Ms. Shepard added, “what we hope to accomplish
here is that kids go into the world as curious people.”
Cheer-achers
!
•
As we age and become productive members of
society questions do not dichotomize as yes or no
but also a gray
•
Hi Henrietta and Kabab —Abeer (Kimbriella)
•
A big shout out to the amazing staff and students at
Tele who work hard to make this place great!
•
Cast and Crew of “Guys and Dolls”, your effort
and enthusiasm has brought you so far since we
met in October. Thank you for your inspiring work.
Mr. A and Ms. Plumb
•
Isaiah, keep trying at 2K!
•
If I ask you out on a date, would your answer be
the same to this question?
•
Yellow Jackets Basketball For Life!
•
To the SGO: I appreciate all your hard work so far
this year and look forward to a terrific Spring term!
Love, Ms Vogel
•
My friend Penelope Medina is Awsome
•
Rader I like your shirt
•
I love my papi Chulo Cordova
•
mirrkat is madFLY.
•
Michael, you are the bro!
•
Aboose, go feed the giraffe.
•
The Newspaper has been rigged!
•
Happy Birthday Rebeca, Love Mirrkat
•
Congrats to the Statement staff on their spectacular
first issue! I am proud of you all and grateful for all
of your hard work! -Ms. Meade
Top 10 Reasons to Join
the Statement Staff Next Semester
10. You get to see your name on the byline! (Don’t know
what a byline is? Join the staff and you’ll find out!)
9. You can geek out as a photojournalist or graphic
designer.
8. You get to use super cool recorders from 2001 to conduct
interviews.
7. You develop writing skills and your own writing style.
6. Sick of writing about The Crucible and Joseph Stalin?
At the Statement, YOU get to choose the topics
of your articles!
5. It looks great on a college application.
4. You get the scoop before anyone else.
3. You get VIP access to Tele events.
2. Your staff becomes your second family (and we think
we’re pretty cool!)
1. Your voice is heard! (No one can tell a newspaper to shut
up)
0. Use the newspaper for subliminal messaging…like
tricking people into joining the newspaper staff.
Page 4