The EMS Grapevine
Spring 2015 Edition
Welcome to the EMS Grapevine!
The EMS Grapevine is a newsletter created by middle schoolers for middle schoolers. Our team consists of writers, editors, photographers and layout designers. As we meet every other Wednesday, we discuss story ideas to capture a quick peek into life at EMS. Contributions are always welcome. Share the news and tell others that you heard about it ...through the Grapevine!
Celebrating Winter Sport Success
Musical Magic, an EMS Drama Club Production
Recently, the EMS Drama Club put on a wonderful performance of Musical Magic.
Ms. Harrison did a fantastic job of directing and teaching the class their music. She worked hard to help them reach their greatest potential. Mrs. Blewitt, also, was great at directing and teaching the cast the choreography for the show. She experimented with different moves and didn't give up until the cast looked magnificent. There was also Mr. Goodwin. As a co-director he did a marvelous job of doing the blocking for the scenes. Blocking is the way that the characters move before the actual musical number starts. Mr. Goodwin helped it look smooth and perfect.
Even though there were such wonderful teachers helping out with this performance, the cast and the crew also had to work very hard. Since January, the whole cast, plus the stage managers and the sound managers, had to go to several rehearsals. They had to practice, practice and practice some more. They might have sung the same song over and over again for an hour! The thing is, even if the cast would get something right once, they would have to continue to do it again and again. The performance had to stay consistent. The directors sure did a great job of helping the students with this. They inspired each performer to work hard until they achieved their personal best.
Of course, the actors were not the only ones that had to work hard. There were stage managers and the whole crew! They were the behind-the-scenes people; the people who don’t perform, but without them, the show could never run smoothly. They had to take care of props, change settings, work the lights and work the sound. They were just as important as those seen on stage in making this show run smoothly.
Soon enough, March came, the month of the musical. At this point, the students still weren’t doing their best, but with a little more motivation and energy, soon they would be. In what seemed like a flash, it was the week of the musical. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, the students had rehearsals going from right after school to seven at night. They were eating dinner at school! At this point, they were doing their hair, makeup, costumes and were treating every rehearsal like it was a performance.
On Thursday, during the school day, they performed the first half of their show in front of the fourth graders from Jefferson, Kennedy, Franklin and Nixon Elementary Schools. This was their first time doing the show in front of a big audience. They did great and were ecstatic for their performance later that night. They couldn’t believe that one of the big days was finally here, and in a few hours, they’d be back up on that stage again, performing a whole show.
The students all got to EMS at about five-thirty, ready for the show. They were all anxious and excited for their first performance. They all got ready with their costumes, hair and makeup. They went onstage at 7:00. They performed and did a great job. The teachers were proud of the students. The next day, Ms. Harrison talked to the students, giving them criticism and praise. They did another fabulous performance that day, too. Finally, it was the last day, for the last performance. Everybody wanted to make this their best show yet. Ms. Harrison reminded them to do their best. Their last performance was magnificent. They put all of their energy into the show and did a great job.
All of the cast and crew were sad after this show. They had so much fun together over the past few months, and they didn’t want it to ever end. After the cast party they all sadly said goodbye. They would surely see each other in the hallways, but it wouldn’t be the same. They would carry these memories of drama club for a long time.
The drama club is a great experience. Students can make new friends and form closer bonds with some old ones. If any current seventh graders have doubts about doing drama club next year, or weren’t really thinking about it at all, try it! It is a wonderful experience that will help build skills such as: teamwork, singing, acting and dancing. Want to work offstage? Those jobs build skills too. To the eighth graders, I hope that you continue with drama in high school and continue to get better and better.
Chess Advice Column
Don’t let your guard down when facing anyone at chess. Letting your guard down causes you to make silly mistakes you wouldn’t usually make and gives the opponent the advantage. It may be too late to change the outcome.
Treat your knights more valuable than bishops. Despite them being the same amount of points in a chess game, knights are more important. The reason is that when you put your opponent in check with a knight, the opponent can't use a piece to intercept the path of the knight. They would then have to use another piece to take your knight or just move the king.
During the endgame, look at the entire board. Consider the moves that you can make, and what are the moves that your opponent can make. You can, then, anticipate what your opponent is going to do, and you can counter attack.
Develop your pieces across the board. To take control of the chess game you need control over the center of the board. It gives you more places to move and more strategies to think of as the game progresses.
If your opponent is moving their pieces very fast, don’t let that get to you. If you try to move as fast as your opponent you are more likely to make a mistake. Move your pieces at your own pace, and make the move only when you think of it and not before.
The best way to get better at chess is to learn from your opponent. Even if you win, you can pick up some moves from them to improve your game.
- Have fun! Don’t treat a chess game just like a serious thing that you mustn't lose at. It is still a game, and games are meant for the person playing to have fun.
Bingo Night
PTA/PTO First Bingo Night for students, staff, family, and friends. Calling starts at 7 PM in the cafeteria. Volunteers needed—contact: traciv66@gmail.com if you can help.
Friday, Apr 24, 2015, 06:30 PM
Eisenhower Middle School, Roxbury Township, NJ, United States
Tricky Tray
TRICKY TRAY in the RHS Dining Hall sponsored by Roxbury Softball Parents Assoc. and the Roxbury Rebels Travel Softball. Doors open at 5:30 PM. Calling begins at 7 PM. Over 150 Trays—Fabulous Large Prizes—50/50. For more info call 201 274-5946. Pre-sale ticket packs include: 5 regular sheets, 3 medium tickets, 2 large and 1 grand prize plus a bottle of water for $25.00—must be purchased by April 20th. Food available for purchase. Tickets: $6 per Sheet or 5 Sheets for $25. Hope to see you there!
Saturday, Apr 25, 2015, 09:00 PM
Roxbury High School, Roxbury Township, NJ, United States
COMMUNITY CAR WASH / PET ADOPTION DAY
COMMUNITY CAR WASH AND PET ADOPTION DAY--STUDENTS/PARENTS/FACULTY:
If you love animals and want to be a part of something big, then join the EMS Character Ed Committee at EMS on Saturday, May 16th, between 9 AM—5 PM, for Community Car Wash/Pet Adoption Day,” with the proceeds going to our local animal shelters/pet-adoption agencies who will be present with some cats and dogs who need loving homes. And…. the following donations will be greatly appreciated: High Quality Treats and Food for Dogs and Cats, bleach, dish and laundry detergents, paper towels, scrubby sponges, garbage bags, OLD Towels/Bedding, folding wire crates, dog & cat toys, peanut butter, gift cards to Visa, Mastercard, or local pet stores. Thank you and we’re looking forward to seeing you all there. Who knows???—a furry, new- family member might be there waiting to go home in a squeaky-clean car!
**RAIN DATE - Sunday, May 17th
Saturday, May 16, 2015, 09:00 AM
Eisenhower Middle School, Roxbury Township, NJ, United States
8th Grade Step-Up Ceremony & Dance
Dress Code: Our students are asked to represent EMS with modesty and formality.
Boys: Collared shirt with tie and dress slacks (or suit)--no sneakers.
Girls: Dress that reaches the knees, not tight or see-through, with a back and at minimum, capped sleeves. Strap dresses require a cami, or jacket to be worn throughout the ceremony and dance to cover shoulders.
History's History
By Tyler D
MARCH
The land that is now called Pennsylvania is claimed by William Penn from King Charles II.
The Boston Massacre occurred when a group of Boston protesters harassed british soldiers who then opened fire, injuring 6 & killing 5.
The island of Bermuda was colonized by the British after a ship heading to Virginia crashed into the reefs.
Albert Einstein is born in Ulm, Germany.
APRIL
Ponce De Leon finds Florida and establishes the city of St. Augustine, which is the oldest city in the US.
The Civil War ends at Richmond, Virginia.
Martin Luther King is shot and killed in Memphis, Tennessee.
Russian cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin, becomes the first human in space.
Season of Us
If you were a season, what season would you be?
No, really! Think about it.
Think about all the things that make you, well…. You.
Now think about the characteristics of Winter, Spring, Summer & Autumn.
Which one are you most like?
Take your guess then take the test.
A Loving Spring Day
By: Matt N.
The snow melts, not a speck on the ground.
The flowers begin to blossom much faster than sound.
Bees coming in hives; birds chirping in their nest.
The animals come out and boy, they don't rest.
Water shimmers, clear crystal blue,
A beautiful season has come anew.
Picnics on the grass, short shirts and short sleeves,
With tons of trees returned to full green.
Cold comes to go and heat comes to stay---
Finally it's time for a loving spring day.
Eisenhower Middle School
Email: theemsgrapevine@gmail.com
Website: http://www.roxbury.org/Domain/9
Location: 47 Eyland Ave, NJ, United States
Phone: 973-584-2973
Facebook: facebook.com/RoxburyEMS