Cub's Column
The Voice of Jackson Memorial Middle School
May 2017
Have a wonderful summer JMMS!!!
8th graders lend hand to nonprofits
by Brianna Phillips
This year the 8th graders participated in raising funds and lending a helping hand to a variety of nonprofit organizations. Students turned in their funds on Wednesday, May 24. After the 8th grade awards ceremony on May 26, the nonprofits were invited back and awarded with their fundraising totals. Eighth graders then celebrated all of their middle school years and nonprofit achievements. Here is a recap of some of the events from this year:
- Food drive throughout the school
- Pet drive throughout the school
- Clothing drive throughout the school
- Walk-a-thon in 8th grade gym classes
- T-shirt making for field day
- ASL Class at the YMCA
- Bake sales at sporting events
- Backpacks collections
- Ice cream scoops at lunch
- Supplies collected at lunch for Wags 4 Warriors
- Giving Trees in 8th grade English classes
- Pallet meetings for Habitat For Humanity
- Stuffing envelopes for Christmas at Habitat For Humanity
- The Nonprofit Orientation Day
- Trick or Treating at Pathway
- And so many more!
As a reminder about the nonprofits, they are constantly in need of help. The following nonprofits provide opportunities for JMMS students to volunteer to improve their community: American Cancer Society, Wags 4 Warriors, Habitat for Humanity, Paws & Prayers, Pathway CFC, Wishes Can Happen, Whispering Grace Horses, GRIN, Turnaround Community Outreach, YMCA, Jackson Recycling Center, Mickey Satchel Foundation, Stark Hunger County Task Force, and the Jackson Lions Club.
Students are encouraged to keep their eyes open for different events and opportunities to volunteer.
Seventh graders visit Washington, D.C.
by Marysa Starcher
Seventh grade JMMS students recently returned from a three-day field trip to Washington, D.C. and Gettysburg National Battlefield. The trip occurred on May 11-13. Despite rainy weather, students visited many sites and learned a lot about U.S. government and history.
The trip was organized by local tour company Traveling Classrooms. Charter buses took students on the six-hour road trip to Washington, D.C.
Students visited a handful of memorials, including World War 2, Lincoln, Vietnam, and Korea. They also visited the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum.
On Friday, May 12 students visited Mount Vernon (George Washington's House) and Arlington National Cemetery, said Mr. Michel, the JMMS faculty manager who helped organize the trip.
"On Friday night we went to Medieval Times,” Mr. Michel said. Medieval Times is a themed restaurant and arena in Baltimore that has live jousting matches.
On Saturday students visited Gettysburg National Battlefield, where they learned about the Civil War. At Gettysburg students toured the battlefield by bus. They also visited the Gettysburg museum, which included the Cyclorama, a 360° cylindrical painting of the battle scene.
“It takes several months to prepare for the trip,” Mr. Michel said.
This year, around 420 kids went to D.C. on nine buses.
JMMS students recognized as character champions
by Madi Shaw
A character education program at JMMS teaches desired social traits, and it rewards students who exhibit positive behavior.
"Character Champions is a program here at the middle school that encourages students to exhibit specific character traits academically, socially and generally in their lives," said social studies teacher Mr. Hirschman. "This is done through recognition and celebration of students each month as they are identified as someone that exhibits the particular trait that is the focus." Mr. Hirschman has looked after the Character Champions program this year at JMMS.
Mr. Hirschman reminds the teachers to submit names for the students according to the trait of the month. He works with the YMCA on getting certificates made for the students that are winners each month. He also hands out the certificates to the winning students.
"The winners are picked by a selection of teachers," Mr. Hirschman said.
Character Champions has been occurring for three years at JMMS.
The monthly character traits include Attitude, Caring, Citizenship, Dependability, Fairness, Respect, Responsibility, and Trustworthiness.
Sixth graders say aloha to school year
by Jordyn Myers
Sixth grade JMMS students attended a luau party on May 12 from 7-9 p.m. in the purple gym. The luau is a party in which 6th grade students are exposed to a beach dance for a celebration of the end of the year and the summer to come.
PATT mother, Jessica Richmond, organized the luau.
This was the second year the luau took place at JMMS. The fee to enter the luau was $5. The luau contained games, selfie stations, and dancing.
In preparation for the luau, Mrs. Richmond encouraged students to dress in Hawaiian shirts, board shorts, sandals, and sunglasses. “Of course be sure to follow the dress code,” Mrs. Richmond said. “Definitely wear a shirt, shoes, and shorts that meet the requirements. But you can still wear a grass skirt over shorts.”
photo gallery: Lion King, Jr.
Faculty feature: Bus driver Mr. Pentello
by Stavros Spanakis
Mr. Tom Pentello has been a bus driver at Jackson Local Schools for the past nine years. Mr. P’s favourite part about driving a bus is the kids. He stated that he loves having to have the responsibility of taking care of kids and just simply looking out for them.
Mr. P had to go through extensive training to become a bus driver. Learning how to drive properly is a key part in his training. He also has to know how to handle the kids while driving.
Mr. P also has to know “everyday safety” in order to keep the kids as safe as possible. Mr. P has had many scenarios where a bus has broken down while was driving. This is when his everyday safety training comes into play. He has to know what to do when the bus breaks down. He also has to know where to pull the bus over, and much more.
Mr. P said he became a bus driver “because it got me up in the morning”. He recommends people become a bus driver after they retire so they can have a “neat, cool job” with something fun and nice to do.
Fifth graders look ahead to life at JMMS
by Abby Moore
This month fifth graders from the four elementary schools in Jackson toured the middle school to familiarize themselves with the building and the teachers. Many of the incoming JMMS students are nervous but excited, and they look forward to meeting friends from other elementaries.
"I am excited and nervous," said fifth grader Ashley Scaife from Sauder Elementary.
Many students are nervous for being sixth graders next year because of the new school, lockers, and the schedule change.
"I feel really excited because being in elementary school is fun, but I feel like they guide you too much," said Ella Reott, a fifth grader from Sauder. "I'm excited to actually be able to do it on my own."
"I just can’t believe I came this far," said Kennedy Deemer, a fifth grader from Sauder.
Many fifth graders are looking forward to having increased independence when they enter the middle school. "I’m ready to have time to do homework, like having a study hall," said Will Prato, a fifth grader from Sauder.
Fifth grader Ashley Scaife looks forward to having art class in the middle school.
"I’m worried about getting lost in the school," said Savannah Mayle, a Sauder fifth grader.
Megan Molnar is worried about having harder work and lots of homework.
Students plan summer fun
by Camden Swanson
Summer is right around the corner, and you know what that means? ACTIVITIES AND SUMMER BREAK!
I interviewed 6 students and asked the question, “What are you doing this summer?”
The first person I asked was my cool friend Leuci--Julian Landis, and he said he was working on being a con artist. I know he is not being serious, but I thought I would include it because it’s funny...since we play Dungeons and Dragons...yeah…
I also interviewed Adam Boogaard, another one of my close friends, and he said he is going to be a street artist. Again, I’m kidding.
Next I asked Zoë Walters, and she told me she is going to band camp. She is playing alto sax, and she will be a freshman joining the marching band.
Lily Wahl will be traveling all over the country, to places such as Maine, Hilton Head, and Michigan. Talk about a road trip!
Tanner Tolarchyk, a 7th grade wrestler and my good friend, is going camping with his scout troop and hanging out with his friends, such as me.
I will be hosting Dungeons and Dragons campaigns, hopefully getting in shape, and just having fun. I also want to do something productive, like writing a story.
I hope you all have a great summer! I will be in the Cub’s Column next year, so look for more stories by me!
Book recommendations
Cub's Column reporter Olivia Richardson reviewed a handful of popular books. Click on the images below to read the book recommendations.
Editorial: how the titanic could have been saved
by Joel Morris
On April 14 1912, the beloved Titanic took its first and final voyage. Some of the major events and problems that led up to the disaster are to be revealed. All mistakes leading up to the Titanic’s sinking can be summed up into one word: Tragic!
One of the major mistakes of the sinking of the Titanic are that the crew members that did lookout actually locked the binoculars away with a key that was nowhere to be found. If they had not lost the key, however they could have seen the iceberg sooner and could have safely moved the Titanic away from the iceberg. If this had happened, I believe that over 1500 lives could have been saved.
Another portion of events that could have prevented the sinking of the Titanic was the speed of the boat itself. The ship was going far too fast. I believe that if the ship was not going as fast as it was, the Titanic could have been turned around in time to not collide with the iceberg.
One last major event that had not caused the sinking of the Titanic but that could have saved over a thousand lives was the lifeboats. The lifeboats did not seem necessary since the Titanic was “unsinkable”. I believe that if the crew had actually taken extra precautions and provided more lifeboats, many more people would have survived.
I believe that if all of these mistakes and precautions were more considered, they could have saved many people and the Titanic itself.
Beauty and the Beast movie review
Cub's Column reporters Kloee Tomkinson and Mierae Taylor watched the 2017 release of Walt Disney's Beauty and the Beast. In this story, Kloee and Mierae provide a movie synopsis, as well as character comparisons between the 1991 movie version and the new film. To read this illustrated movie review, click the link below.
Nonprofit flyer: Social Works
Cub's Column reporter Madison Hart is gathering support for a non-profit organization called Social Works. Anyone interested in helping Social Works is encouraged to read the flyer below for more details.
Vox Pops: Favorite YouTubers
Cub's Column reporter Jova Lolich interviewed people around JMMS to discover their favorite YouTube personalities. Click the link below to view the slideshow.
>> OPEN HERE to view slideshow. Be sure to click through the slides.
Do you have video talent?
Behind the scenes at the JMMS cafeteria
Have you ever wondered how school lunch was prepared? Marsha Escola, the director of food services at Jackson Local Schools, is responsible for selecting the meals that are offered in our cafeterias.
Ms. Escola decides which items will appear on the menu. "I also have the help of my head cooks," Ms. Escola said. "There is also a nutritionist that works with me."
An important component of Ms. Escola's job involves choosing menu items that offer nutritional value. These items include "smart snacks."
"Smart snacks are lower in calories, sugar, and carbs," Ms. Escola said. "They all have to be regulated, and whole grain. The government regulates the snacks."
The middle school has 11 cooks who prepare the lunches. The high school has 13 cooks. "They all have different jobs," Ms. Escola said. "They will switch them through them though."
The term "lunch lady" is a bit misleading. Men are also welcome to join the food services team at Jackson Local Schools. Ms. Escola recalled a man who worked with her in the past. "I’ve actually had a man who worked for me for about five years," she said. "I was sad when he left."
Winter runners stay fit between seasons
by Briana Brogan
Winter running is an activity for seventh and eighth grade students who are interested in running track in the spring. Depending on the weather, the kids that do winter running will run in the school, Wales Field, and Jackson North Park. Winter running takes place from November to February.
Mrs. Elliott is in charge of winter running. She gets a hand from Mrs. Cheyney as well.
Students meet every Tuesday and Thursday. They run for 15-30 minutes and usually play a game for the other half of the time.
Mrs. Elliott has been doing this for two years and had many kids this year. Winter running takes place between cross country and track seasons and allows students to stay fit during the winter months.
Growing up [a poem]
We went from building blocks to knock offs
We went from fighting wars to slamming doors
Now look where we are, we’re growing up
From secrets in the dark of night to never wanting to see the light
This can’t be the end, I won’t let it
We’ve come too far to give up now
It’s been our entire lives, take away the strife
It’s not just black and white,
Hope can only disappear
We went from building blocks to knock offs
We went from fighting wars to slamming doors
Now look where we are, we’re growing up
From secrets in the dark of night to never wanting to see the light
You’ll never know unless you try
Chase your dreams but don’t look back
I’ll wait for you
Faith and trust, along with a little love is all you need
And you’ve got it
We went from building blocks to knock offs
We went from fighting wars to slamming doors
Now look where we are, we’re growing up
From secrets in the dark of night to never wanting to see the light
Don’t be anyone but yourself
I know you’ll have doubts but that is just part of it
You have no faults it’s perfect, you’re perfect
The ranks aren’t against you
You’ll see, you have armies when you’re charging into battle
We went from building blocks to knock offs
We went from fighting wars to slamming doors
Now look where we are, we’re growing up
From secrets in the dark of night to never wanting to see the light
This is not the end
And here I give to you, our legacy
Our legacy of a place we’ve known for only so long
So as we wave and say goodbye
Know that we are growing up
The Childhood Teddybear [A Poem]
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Cub's Column
Email: atr2jc@jackson.sparcc.org
Website: tiny.cc/cubscolumn
Location: Jackson Memorial Middle School, Mudbrook Street Northwest, Massillon, OH, United States
Phone: (330) 830-8034