Da Scoop
The Happenings of HMS
- May Edition -
Welcome!
Dear students, teachers, and families of HMS,
Welcome to Da Scoop! Allow us to introduce ourselves. We are a group of students, whose goal is to keep you informed on the latest happenings at HMS. Throughout the year, we will be keeping you updated on people, places and things related to where we spend the majority of our time, here at HMS. We hope to cover everything from sports, to events, to interviews with our featured teacher. We will also include a section featuring an article from our principal, Mr. Horan. Our goal is to have you more connected to the happenings here at HMS. We hope you enjoy getting Da' Scoop from us!Note: You can sign up to have Da Scoop delivered to your email by clicking on the button that says,"Follow Da Scoop", in the upper right hand corner of each edition.
Media Reviews
Movies
The Amazing Spider-Man 2
By Pepper Potts
This long-awaited sequel to The Amazing Spider-Man stars actors such as Andrew Garfield (Peter Parker/Spider-Man), Emma Stone (Gwen Stacy), Jamie Foxx (Max Dillon/Electro), and Dane DeHaan (Harry Osborn/Green Goblin). This movie will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Overall, this is another Marvel gem, based off of the Amazing Spider-man comic “Turning Point.” (A warning to hardcore fans - you may want to bring tissues, it’s a tearjerker.) Of course, as with every Marvel movie, be sure to wait for the surprise scene in the credits, and watch for a cameo by comic writer Stan Lee.
By Gwen Stacy
As a HUGE fan of Spiderman I was anticipating something epic, and that expectation has been met. Andrew Garfield shone on the screen as our favorite spider, and Emma Stone was radiant as the vivacious Gwen Stacy. In this sequel to the first movie, Spiderman faces the challenge of being New York’s favorite hero and dealing with the consequences. Fans also get to see villains Electro and the Green Goblin fight it out on the big screen resulting in battle scenes that would appeal to all viewers. Old and new fans alike will be sure to leave the theater feeling amazed (and most likely having a few tears running down their face).
Music
"Shatter Me" by Lindsey Stirling
By Phelba
Lindsey Stirling, a self-proclaimed "hip-hop violinist", raises the bar in her second album, Shatter Me. Guest vocalist Lzzy Hale brings a unique tone to the title track, and Dia Frampton’s singing on "We Are Giants" brings a pop feel to the song. This album definitely lives up to and possibly surpasses, the expectations set by Lindsey’s first and self-titled album.
Shatter Me
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Stars
Singer Lzzy Hale
Teacher Feature
Flounders Aren't Just Fish
By Ari Ozean
Mrs. Penny Flounders is an English and Social Studies teacher for the 6th grade Panthers team. For most of her teaching career, she has taught at our very own HMS, but for 13 years Mrs. Flounders taught at Oakmont Elementary School, and “way back when” she also taught Special Ed in the Ridley School District. As to how long her teaching career has been as a whole, the veteran smiled and wouldn’t say, but it’s safe to assume she has been teaching students for a very, very long time.
She first wanted to become an educator when she was inspired by her 4th grade teacher (whom she still loves dearly), and just knew her future was going to be spent in a classroom. When she switched from a private Catholic school, to a public high school. “It felt like heaven” she says. Years later, Mrs. Flounder’s is still satisfied with her career choice when she sees the enthusiasm of a student who craves to know more. Not to mention it still delights her to see students take knowledge that she gives and apply it to their everyday life. She likes to impact her students in a way that they realize they must engage themselves as a learner, and instill pride in their work. Other than teaching, Mrs. Flounders has a passion for art, traveling the U.S., visiting museums, and most of all being with her family and friends. Now there is a whisper that our beloved Mrs. F is retiring soon. Well I am here to inform you all, that that is not true, and she, in fact, has no plans to do so in the foreseeable future. You’re all free to sigh and/or weep with relief. This fish is still swimming!!
The Full Year of Student Council
By: Gretel Schmitzelburger, Michael Green, and Athena Constel
Eight years ago, Ms. Restifio, HMS’ former principal, asked Jason Langin if he had any desires to start a student government, which would teach kids the importance of community, and leadership. Mr. Langin agreed, remembering how he was involved in student government himself in high school. He now has his very own club at his his fingertips, and wanted it to be done in his own unique way. Thus the Student Council was born.
Mr. Langin wanted these select students to be leaders, not powerful, superior snobs. He needed kids who had pride for themselves, their school, and a longing to help others. Students who were eager to do service for a beloved community. This club had to be different from his time in high school, so he was going to do it…..Langin style. Throughout the years, he has told these kids all the same thing. “A leader does not have to talk, but they have to work”. A thought picked at his mind before each year began though; he needed kids to believe in that statement, so he had to do something that all teachers hate to do: pick and choose. It was hard to decide one student from everyone else, so he called old teachers and made students complete an interest survey ensuring he could field exceptional students for a student council that has vision. As a result, for 8 years and counting the program has shown great improvement. Now, we have the annual Thanksgiving food drive, Recycle Michael, star student, MLK day community service outreach, among other traditions that have become a part of our very own student council. Not all the traditions are prehistoric however. Recycle Michael was thought of this very year. But the oldest and proudest tradition is the good old food drive. This makes students all over the school realize the true fact of reality: there are actually people out there starving, and they need our help. Recycle Michael shows what recycling could be, and what can be. Star Student is basically a shout-out to some great kids. No matter what, Student Council is always teaching us something, and doing something fun and great. And that, will never stop.
A Golden Adventure!
by Randal Goldstein
Bright and early Monday, May 12, the eighth grade Gold Team packed their bags and boarded the buses on their way to Camp Speers-Eljibar for the annual Gold Team Camping Trip! The group survived in the vast wilderness for three days and returned to school, ready to learn, Thursday morning. The most popular activity, by a long shot, was the high-ropes course that consisted of walking up a sloped telephone pole, balancing over a monkey-bar positioned set of slack ropes, and zip lining down to the bottom. There were many other activities for the Gold Team-ers to enjoy, including canoeing, archery, mountain biking, night-hiking, and the like. I'm sure every Gold Team-er agrees with me when I say it was a field trip to remember!
The Gold Team would like to thank the team's sponsors who planned the get-away for doing such a wonderful job and providing the students with a worth-while experience. The sponsors also stuck with the team from September to June and helped them along their way, which the Gold Team is grateful for, as well. Thanks also to Mr. Horan and all of the teachers, who allowed the Gold Team to sacrifice three days of school to take part in the fun. The teachers who left their students in the dust to accompany the group to Speers-Eljibar deserve a big thank you, too. This is middle school experience we will cherish forever!
Pre Camp Canadensis
Standing in the sixth grade corridor, back in the fall, I heard a peer say, “What is Camp Canadensis?”
“Camp Canadensis was amazing/okay/awful!” said a group of seventh graders.
“I remember Camp Canadensis… I think,” recalls a half-asleep eighth grader.
This camp is the location of the 6th grade end-of-the-year field-trip. Every year 6th graders (usually) have a blast at a fun camp in late May. This year, questions 6th graders were wondering: What is this gonna be like? Will it be as fun as I expect it to be? Will there be a bat in my cabin? Will some things go wrong? It seems like Camp Canadensis is going to be a blast! All the sixth graders are so excited. But how good will it be this year? Come back next edition and we’ll let you know when we return!
Polling HMS
by The Da Scoop Staff
Hello, Universal Chocoholics!
by Sugar Milano
This new edition to the e-newsletter is an area for all of the chefs out there, today’s article features a chocolate lover's dream, Triple-Chocolate Brownie Cookies*!
These cookies make an excellent addition to a care-package that family will adore, a wonderful highlight of your next party for guests to rave about, or just a delicious treat to fill the cookie jar. So simple and easy to create, these chocolate-loaded desserts will never disappoint!
Triple-Chocolate Brownie Cookies*
Ingredients:
- 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
- ¾ cup butter, cubed
- 4 eggs
- 2 cups sugar
- 1-½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup baking cocoa
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips, divided
- 2 teaspoons shortening
Directions:
1) In a microwave, melt unsweetened chocolate and butter; stir until smooth. Cool slightly.
2) In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar. Stir in chocolate mixture. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt; gradually add to chocolate mixture and mix well. Stir in 1-½ cups chocolate chips. Cover and refrigerate for two hours or until easy to handle.
3) Drop by tablespoonfuls two inches apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 350ºF for 7-9 minutes or until edges are set and tops are slightly cracked. Cool the cookies for two minutes; remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
4) In a microwave, melt remaining chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Drizzle over cookies. Let stand for 30 minutes or until chocolate is set.
*Recipe courtesy of the cookbook Taste of Home: Baking
From the Principal's Desk
We all have the capacity to be courageous, to be kind, to be a good friend, and to display exemplary character. I WONDER what it required to honor those qualities in a way that will propel one to greatness?
I WONDER what we can do to as a school community to create an environment where courage, kindness, friendship, and character dominate our culture?
I WONDER what I can do to create the right kind of synergy to make Haverford Middle School WONDERFUL. Do you WONDER what you can do to make Haverford Middle School WONDERFUL?
Future Scoop
- Teacher Feature
- Media Reviews
We are always looking for fun and energetic people to join our staff. See Mr. Mahar or Mr. Cohen if you're interested.
Da Scoop
Email: mahar@havsd.net
Website: http://haverford.k12.pa.us/hms
Location: 1701 Darby Road, Havertown, PA, United States
Phone: (610) 853-5900