COYOTE CHRONICLE The Independent Day School Student Newspaper February, 2011 By Christopher M. What does it mean to be connected to society? This year and hopefully in countless years to come, the Independent Day School will be involved in the Connecticut Rotary International District 7980. Any Middle School IDS student will be able to join in the Interact Club, where the students will volunteer for many different community service projects. Mrs. Ficke will lead the club in a variety of projects that allow the children to connect with the Middletown community, as well as the world. The club was going to meet at Choate Rosemary Hall on January 8, 2011 for the annual Interact Assembly, where interact clubs from all over the state and the surrounding states would have been present. However, due to snow, the meeting was postponed until April 2, 2011. The Interact Club has started planning for three major projects. These projects include Purple Pinkie, Pennies for Peace, and a kitchen supply collection for St. Vincent De Paulʼs soup kitchen. Purple Pinkie is a project where money is collected to eradicate polio worldwide. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has donated a huge sum of money for this project. In the few countries where polio is rampant, a personʼs pinkie is colored purple once they have been vaccinated. The Pennies for Peace Project involves collecting many pennies for schools over seas. The money goes to build schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan, in towns that are less fortunate than we are. The IDS Interact Club is very excited and energetic about this new opportunity. Read below for the details on the first of many IDS Interact Club projects! Interact Club Starts at IDS A Play-by-play review by Tyler M. The Super Bowl XLV between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers was nothing less than what everyone thought it would be: a thrilling game from start to finish. Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers led Green Bay to a 31-25 win and brought the Vince Lombardi back to its home town. Even though my parents got tired and went to bed by the beginning of the fourth quarter, I knew that both of these teams are tough and that this game would not be over until the game clock was at 0. Super Sunday was filled with many moments of excitement, sadness, anxiety, action, and humor. I thought that both teams played well throughout the game, but the superior performance of the Green Bay quarterback made the difference. Green Bayʼs QB, Aaron Rodgers, had 304 passing yards and 3 TD passes, while Pittsburghʼs QB, Ben Roethlisberger, passed for 263 yards and 2 TD passes. While Green Bay turned over the ball 0 times on fumbles, Pittsburgh turned over the ball once when Rashard Mendenhall fumbled it. This Super Bowl was different than last yearʼs and many others because there were not many big, game changing plays. In many Super Bowls, one could say that a certain play changed the entire game. This year, the difference was not a single play, but the accumulation of the many turnovers by Pittsburgh and the top notch game by Green Bay. Super Bowl XLV was a thrilling night for everyone (besides Steelers fans). Almost everyone I know, whether they have ever watched a football game before or not, watched the Super Bowl. Congratulations to the Green Bay Packers in bringing the Vince Lombardi Trophy back to its home! IDS Interact Club Initiates First Project for St. Vincent DePaul’s Soup Kitchen A Game to Remember: Super Bowl XLV By Katy S.-T. At St. Vincent DePaulʼs Soup Kitchen, there are many people, but supplies are few. If a mug is returned to the counter, it has to be washed instantly with the few towels they have so it can be refilled. The IDS Interact Club, led by Mrs. Ficke and Mrs. Stebbins, and part of the CT Rotary, are determined to help. Throughout February and March, the Interact Club is placing large cardboard boxes around the school where teachers and students can donate mugs, dishes towels, silverware, and other useful kitchen items. The collection is for the whole school, early childhood through middle school. Please help by donating mugs, dishtowels, and silverware. Collection ends March 15!
Transcript
COYOTE CHRONICLEThe Independent Day School Student Newspaper Feb
ruary, 20
11
By Christopher M.What does it mean to be connected to society? This year and hopefully in countless years to come, the Independent Day School will be involved in the Connecticut Rotary International District 7980. Any Middle School IDS student will be able to join in the Interact Club, where the students will volunteer for many different community service projects. Mrs. Ficke will lead the club in a variety of projects that allow the children to connect with the Middletown community, as well as the world. The club was going to meet at Choate Rosemary Hall on January 8, 2011 for the annual Interact Assembly, where interact clubs from all over the state and the surrounding states would have been present. However, due to snow, the meeting was postponed until April 2, 2011.
The Interact Club has started planning for three major projects. These projects include Purple Pinkie, Pennies for Peace, and a kitchen supply collection for St. Vincent De Paulʼs soup kitchen. Purple Pinkie is a project where money is collected to eradicate polio worldwide. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has donated a huge sum of money for this project. In the few countries where polio is rampant, a personʼs pinkie is colored purple once they have been vaccinated. The Pennies for Peace Project involves collecting many pennies for schools over seas. The money goes to build schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan, in towns that are less fortunate than we are. The IDS Interact Club is very excited and energetic about this new opportunity.
Read below for the details on the first of many IDS Interact Club projects!
Interact Club Starts at IDS
A Play-by-play review by Tyler M.
The Super Bowl XLV between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers was nothing less than what everyone thought it would be: a thrilling game from start to finish. Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers led Green Bay to a 31-25 win and brought the Vince Lombardi back to its home town. Even though my parents got tired and went to bed by the beginning of the fourth quarter, I knew that both of these teams are tough and that this game would not be over until the game clock was at 0. Super Sunday was filled with many moments of excitement, sadness, anxiety, action, and humor.
I thought that both teams played well throughout the game, but the superior performance of the Green Bay quarterback made the difference. Green Bayʼs QB, Aaron Rodgers, had 304 passing yards and 3 TD passes, while Pittsburghʼs QB, Ben Roethlisberger, passed for 263 yards and 2 TD passes. While Green Bay turned over the ball 0 times on fumbles, Pittsburgh turned over the ball once when Rashard Mendenhall fumbled it. This Super Bowl was different than last yearʼs and many others because there were not many big, game changing plays. In many Super Bowls, one could say that a certain play changed the entire game. This year, the difference was not a single play, but the accumulation of the many turnovers by Pittsburgh and the top notch game by Green Bay.
Super Bowl XLV was a thrilling night for everyone (besides Steelers fans). Almost everyone I know, whether they have ever watched a football game before or not, watched the Super Bowl. Congratulations to the Green Bay Packers in bringing the Vince Lombardi Trophy back to its home!
IDS Interact Club Initiates First Project for St. Vincent DePaul’s Soup Kitchen
A Game to Remember:
Super Bowl XLV
By Katy S.-T.At St. Vincent DePaulʼs Soup Kitchen, there are many people, but supplies are few. If a mug is returned to the counter, it has to be washed instantly with the few towels they have so it can be refilled. The IDS Interact Club, led by Mrs. Ficke and Mrs. Stebbins, and part of the CT Rotary, are determined to help.
Throughout February and March, the Interact Club is placing large cardboard boxes around the school where teachers and students can donate mugs, dishes towels, silverware, and other useful kitchen items. The collection is for the whole school, early childhood through middle school. Please help by donating mugs, dishtowels, and silverware. Collection ends March 15!
In the Spotlight: New
Faculty at IDS
The Roving ReportersBy Caroline C. and Camille M.
Questions:
1. What is you favorite fast food restaurant?2. What is your favorite thing to do on a snow day? 3. What is your favorite hot beverage?
Mrs. McLaughlin:My favorite fast food restaurant is McDonalds. My favorite thing to do on a snow day is to stay in my pajamas. My favorite hot beverage is coffee.
Mrs. Ravid:My favorite fast food restaurant is Taco Bell. My favorite thing to do on a snow day is to stay in my pajamas. My favorite hot beverage is hot chocolate.
Mrs. Montgomery: My favorite fast food restaurant is Wendyʼs. My favorite thing to do on a snow day is to NOT shovel snow! My favorite hot beverage is coffee.
By Nicole D.Our newest addition to the admissions team at IDS is the new director of admission, Mr. Wilkes. Before coming to IDS, he has worked at many other jobs. He has worked in a delicatessen, at a camp, and at a ski resort. He also worked at a place called “Natureʼs Classroom” where he taught students survival skills, such as building fire and making bridges. He also worked at Chesire Academy, where he worked in the Admissions department. This school is a boarding school. Mr. WIlkes worked and lived there on campus for five years.
He decided to come to IDS because he liked the feeling of our community. He explained, “I like to be with people that I can really associate with.” He likes to work with people who are close like a family.
Mr. Wilkes is a well-rounded, funny and very interesting person. He has actually played cards with President Clinton three times! He had a friend who worked for the President, and had the opportunity to help out with parties that the President hosted. How cool!
Mr. WIlkes is a caring man who always tries to make you feel welcome. He also has brought his signature “high-five Fridays” to IDS.
The teachers who we interviewed this week were Mrs. McLaughlin, Mrs. Montgomery, and Mrs. Ravid. All of the teachersʼ favorite food restaurants were different. Mrs. McLaughlin and Mrs. Montgomery both enjoy drinking coffee, but Mrs. Ravid enjoys drinking hot chocolate. Mrs. McLaughlin and Mrs., Ravid both love to stay in their pajamas during snow days, while Mrs. Montgomery likes to do anything but shovel snow.
Chloe’s Book Corner
By Chloe M.I just finished a book titled, You Wish, by Mandy Hubbard. The front cover seemed exciting, so I flipped it over and read the back to see what the book was about. It seemed suspenseful, which inspired me to read on.
The book is about a girl named Kayla McHenry. She feels that her 16th birthday is the worst because her best friend ditches her party for her boyfriend. Just before Kayla blows out her birthday candles, she thinks to herself, “I wish all my birthday wishes actually came true, because they never do.” The next morning, Kayla wakes up and sees a life-sized My Little Pony outside her window. The day after, she wakes up to find a yearʼs supply of gumballs. Then, an oddly plastic-looking boy named Ken appears and follows her everywhere in his convertible. Each day, another wish comes true. However, this needed to stop, because when she was 15, Kayla wished for Ben Mackenzie to kiss her. Ben happens to be her best friendʼs boyfriend.
I would give this book 5 stars, because on nearly every page there was suspense and excitement. I would recommend this book for readers who like fiction, suspense, and a little drama, too.
Arts and Culture
MAPA Production Leaps in the Hearts of All Ages
By Betty S.A Year with Frog and Toad is a musical jam-packed with exciting fun and laughs. It is a wonderful show for all audiences. A Year With Frog And Toad is a story about two friends, the upbeat Frog and the grumpy Toad, as they go through a year together. We follow the pair through four seasons, and they learn about life along the way. It is a very special play about celebrating difference, friendship, and appreciating what makes us each unique.
On January 22nd and 23rd, the theater group at the Middlesex Academy of Performing Arts performed this spectacular show. The cast included actors who are in grades three through seven. The production was brilliantly directed by MAPA director and drama teacher, Ms. Shelley Sprague. The show kept the audience hooked on every scene. IDSʼ Acadia B. and Maggie H. were fantastic as the dynamic duo, Frog and Toad. They each portrayed the characters wonderfully. One of the best songs in this play as probably “Cookies,” in which the lovable characters, Toad and Frog, pursue the act of making cookies and then, of course, eating them.
Even though A Year with Frog and Toad is such a beloved book for younger children, everyone of all ages loved this production. As I sat in the audience, clapping at the end of the performance, I was not alone.
Una Vista Española
By Jenna P. and Sophie W.-R.¡Debéis conocer a Enrique Iglesias! ¡Él es muy chulo tal como su música! Enrique Miguel Iglesias Preysler nació el ocho de mayo, en el año 1975 en Madrid, España. Es el hijo de padres españoles también famosos como él. Su padre es el cantante super-famoso Julio Iglesias, y su madre es Isabel Preysler, muy bien conocida en España y otras partes de Europa.
Su primer álbum se llamó Enrique Iglesias. Su primera canción popular en los Estados Unidos fue “Bailamos” de la película “Wild, Wild West” con el actor Will Smith. Aquella canción le llevó al punto de hacerse una estrella de música “pop” y un cantante famoso en el América del Sur y España. En 2000, Enrique hizo un álbum en inglés y ganó 48,000,000 dólares de ventas. En 2010 trabajó con “Universal Republic” para hacer otro álbum que se llama Euphoria. Enrique Iglesias tiene cientos de canciónes populares ahora como "Bailamos", "Tonight" y "I Like it". Antes de fabricar su álbum nuevo, Euphoria, su primer album bilingüe, Enrique había vendido más de 55 miliones álbums en inglés y español.
Enrique hoy en día se conoce como un cantante muy atractivo y exitoso. ¡Todo el mundo debe escuchar sus canciones porque son fenomenales!
Acadia B. and Maggie H. as Frog and Toad
Out and About
Winter Birding
By Tim H. Nature is all around us. Bird feeders are a necessity for the survival of birds in the winter. Since there is so much snow and ice, it makes it very difficult for birds to find all of the food that they need. Now, most of us think of bird feeders as tiny little houses with a spot for birds to eat the birdseed. But another food source that you might find in a bird feeder is something called a suet cake. A suet cake is made of a lot of fat that has been mushed together with a bunch of nuts and fruit that form a cake. Although it may seem gross, to birds it is like a little, cubed-shaped heaven. The suet cake also gives the birds lots of energy. So, maybe this winter you can go out and buy a bird feeder with some suet cakes too. As I said earlier, because of all the snow and ice, it makes it really difficult for birds to find all of the food that they need. Your bird feeder could save the life of a bird in your neighborhood.
The Gasior ReportHelping you to dine well in Connecticut
By Michael Elizabeth G.Located at 100 Trumbull Street in Hartford, Salute is a wonderful Italian restaurant to visit when you are in the area. Seemingly small and cozy from the outside, this restaurant has a pleasant, modern decor and is much bigger than it seems.
Because it was a busy night when my family and I went to Salute, the hostess seated us at the bar. This was a bit unsettling to me, but I was just happy to have a place to eat.
While waiting a long time for a waiter to take our orders, we all tried the bread and the interestingly flavored butter that was served alongside it. The butter made the bread taste like pizza. I ordered the six ounce filet mignon, a bit expensive at twenty-four dollars. The menu has a variety of dishes, including Italian, spicy, vegetarian, even gluten-free pasta available for any dish for an additional dollar, that is.
After we ordered, we waited and waited for at least forty-five minutes, trying to entertain ourselves talking and playing with our phones. Finally, our food came out... and the food was well worth the wait. The beef was cooked perfectly to order, set up elegantly in a pool of a delicious, creamy mushroom sauce with fancy mashed potatoes on the side. The filet melted in the mouth and was absolutely delicious. There was no doubt in my mind that this was one of the best restaurants I had ever been to. On any busy night the wait may be long, but the food is great. There is really something for everyone. In one word, Salute is amazing.
Hobbies and MoreCooking from Around the WorldBy Insia N.
Animal Corner
By Sadie S. and Nora G.-F.Parakeets are wonderful birds. They are solitary animals, so you only need one, but it is nice to buy them in pairs. Parakeets live on a diet of millet, green vegetables like broccoli as a treat, fruit without seeds, like apples, and regular formulas you buy at the pet store. Their cages should have a least three perches and four toys. The toys can be ladders, ropes, noise makers, and mirrors. The cage should be at least 12 x 12 inches. Records have been made to teach parakeets how to talk and sing, but if you decide to teach them yourself remember: talk slowly, and clearly, pronouncing all the syllables.
Parakeets are great fun, though we disapprove of them as pets because we donʼt believe they should be caged. Parakeets should be taken into a large closed room for at least an hour a day to stretch their wings and get some exercise. Parakeets can be very sweet, and itʼs easy to play with them. You can even let them sit on your shoulder while you read a book.
Pomodori Alla Griglia (Broiled Tomatoes)
For this edition, I decided to interview my classmate, Jenna Pepe. Being partially Italian, she decided to share a family recipe of broiled tomatoes with me. She said her grandmother was the only one who made this and it was “silicious.” You will notice that some of the proportions of spices are not so precise. This is because Jennaʼs grandmother believed in just trusting experience and intuition! It was made for all the grand family reunions and family events. All her relatives love it and we are sure you will too.
Serves 5 people
Procedure
1) Thinly slice the tomatoes2) Put them on a baking sheet3) Sprinkle garlic powder4) Sprinkle parmesan cheese5) Sprinkle salt and pepper6) Sprinkle oregano7) Broil the tomatoes until they are very wrinkly and the cheese has melted.
By Thomas HalversonFor the last couple of weeks all the world news reports have been about Egyptʼs new revolution. Hosni Mubarak has ruled Egypt with a tyrannical fist for 3 decades and the Egyptian people have had enough of it. Although Egypt may be considered a republic, it almost functions as a totalitarian government. Last week protesters came out in Cairo, shouting anti-Mubarak slogans and looting many stores and museums. President Hosni Mubarak brought in the police and the military, but nothing worked for the Egyptian government. Military officials are still supporting Mubarak, although they may try to convince him to peacefully step down.
On Friday the President passed a curfew that hasnʼt been respected at all lately. Even on Sunday (the first work day for them), thousands of people were on the streets again. The police have been firing tear gas and rubber bullets at the protesters and are now starting to use real bullets, as utter chaos shakes everywhere from the banks of the Red Sea to the ancient pyramids of Egypt. Hosni Mubarak has now promised not to run for re-election next September, but yet again the protesters donʼt think thatʼs enough. Some people believe the Egyptians will get a new president in the next couple of days, while others think chaos will progress for months.
News reports about this Egyptian revolution are everywhere and I encourage you to look into it if you havenʼt already. Letʼs all hope for the best for the citizens of Cairo and all of Egypt.
Historical Events Snapshot: The Alamo
By Mark S.On January 23rd, 1836, the Battle of the Alamo began. This was an extremely important fight in the war in which Texas won its freedom from Mexico.
The Alamo, located close to the city of San Antonio de Bexar, was originally a mission for converting Native Americans to Christianity, but later on it was used as a fort. The battle began when General Antonio López de Santa Anna led a large army of 1,500 Mexican soldiers to attack the Alamo, which contained a group of slightly under 200 rebels. The siege went on thirteen days before the Alamo fell, and all but two of the defenders were killed. During the
battle, General Santa Anna ordered that no prisoners should be taken, and executed those rebels who surrendered.
The Alamo was significant due to the cruelty displayed by the Mexicans during the battle. Because of this, other rebels all through Texas were inspired to fight on for their independence. They cheered “Remember the Alamo” at the Battle of San Jacinto, where the rebels defeated General Santa Anna and won independence.
My name is Mark S. and I am in the 7th grade. I wrote about the Alamo because it has been a topic that has really interested me since I was young. I enjoyed writing this article and learning more about it! I hope you will too.
UPDATE: Since the point that Thomas wrote this summary of the events in Egypt, President Mubarak has resigned as president.
Across1. Elvis Presley was born in this state. 4. This state published the first telephone book. 7. This state raises more turkeys than any other state.10. This state is known as The Lone Star State.11. This state had the first subway station. 14. This state was once called the “Great American Desert.”15. This state has the tallest state capitol building.16. Jamestown is located in this state. 18. This state accounts for 25 percent of oil in the United States.19. Saint Augustine, the oldest European settlement in North America is located in this state.
Down 1. A city in this state is known as the car capital of the world.2. This state and New Jersey are the only states without self-serve gas stations.3. The first ambulance service was established in this state. 5. This state was called the Volunteer State during the war of 1812. 6. This state is the only state whose name has one syllable. 8. These workers from a certain state built the first rocket to put humans on the moon.9. It was against the law to serve ice cream on cherry pie in the state with the first woman mayor.12. This state is the only state that grows coffee.13. The national Cowboy Hall of Fame is located in this state.16. This state is the largest producer of maple syrup.17. The largemouth bass is the official fish of this state.
