Christopher Columbus Middle School

 

Contents

Dear CCMS Community 1

Inbox/Outbox 2

CCMS Opinions 3

Locks of Love & Fashion 4

CCMS Reviews 5

Memorial Day at CCMS 6

CCMS Advice 7

Summer! 8

June 2016Volume 5, Issue 3

Ms. Lalama - Co-AdvisorMr. Giblin - Co-Advisor

Dear CCMS Community,It’s Summer Time! It’s Last Issue Time!What a great set of articles we have for

you! Our reporters are very excited for Summer, and have written all about the events these past few months, and their dreams for the summer break. We also have books, music, and some charities for you to check out that our students thought were great.

We wish to thank all of the teachers, administration, parents, and the Clifton community for giving our students the support they deserve. Thank you for

your continued support of our school newspaper!

This issue and past issues of the Columbus Columns can be found online at the CCMS web site. Please visit the link to download your copy. Please share with families and friends, too! See you next year!

http://clifton.k12.nj.us/schools/columbus

C Columbusolumns

create your own at wordle.net

-Ms. Lalama & Mr. Giblin

CCMS Columns Page 2 of 8Inbox/Outbox!

Here’s a message to the future 6th graders as well as new students just getting into Christopher Columbus Middle School. I can tell you what everyone else does, “it’s not that bad” or “you’ll get used to it within the first week”. Instead, I’m going to tell you things I know, by the time you get into 8th grade you won’t want to leave. At this point in the year, most of us are counting down the days to leave but then again others are dreading it. Middle school may be a pain, but as the 8th graders of this year roam down these halls, we couldn’t feel more at home. We’ve spent three years building this status, and now we’ll be the little kids in high school. What I’m saying is if 8th graders don’t want to leave this school...neither will you.

It may seem extremely scary at first, and there is nothing I can say to reassure the fact that you’ll be alright. But honestly, when I look back at this school next year, I’ll definitely remember it as three of the best years of school so far. Hopefully in a couple of years you’ll be sitting down at a computer writing advice to the new 6th graders.

Advice for New StudentsAlexandra Smith

Although the Farewell Dance theme is kept secret until the night of this magnificent dance, it doesn’t mean this isn’t the most important night in the eyes of my fellow 8th graders and the new ones to come. The Farewell Dance is the last dance of the year, a goodbye to the graduating 8th graders of Christopher Columbus Middle school. In addition, as much as some of us don’t want to leave, the Farewell Dance has been anticipated since day one. When I first came to this school, the theme was Disney’s Frozen and even though none of the lower grades could ever see inside, I could only dream of how beautiful. Now, we could see for ourselves on the 17th of June.

Farewell DanceAlexandra Smith

Did you attend the spring concert? Well, if you did, I hope you enjoyed being there and listening to both the bands and choruses. However, if you didn’t come, I would suggest you come next year and support your fellow classmates. They work hard all year. Besides the hours of lessons and practice here at CCMS, they also put the hours in at home too. You will enjoy the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade performances. Our teachers work very hard to make this show sensational.

They will also announce special occasions that will be coming up in the future as well as summer activities. Those are some reasons why you should come and/or join chorus, band or orchestra to be part of something special. We have a great time!

The Spring ConcertArianna Vasquez

CCMS Columns CCMS Opinions Page 3 of 8

Well, in my opinion, I think we as students should be considered if we want to wear uniforms! We also have a point of view!

More and more kids all around the world are growing up with too many responsibilities and have no time to deal with significant issues, but we still need to understand what is going on around us. It wouldn’t hurt to get some of of those issues out of the way starting with uniforms! No one can say no to those horrible outfits and here’s why!

Students are getting bullied every day due to inappropriate and hurtful things bullies do or say. One of the most hurtful is what we wear. These bullies are ignorant and they do these things on purpose to cause harm. If you didn’t know: Some people don’t have the money to buy clothes for their kids. When you wear the same things over and over you have nothing else left to wear! Having uniforms would mean bullies couldn’t use that against you!

Should Uniforms Be Used In School?Sarah Mogrovejo

School Lunches: A WHOLE NEW LEVELMilan Rama

School lunches, what would we do without them and how can we improve them? When we are in school, we get hunger pangs so we have to eat. Now when we get to the cafeteria, we lose our appetites! Why? Well, we don’t like what they serve us so we just don’t eat. We are not being ungrateful; it is because the food is unappetizing or that it does not appeal to us. That is the problem with the food here, it doesn’t meet our needs. I think Christopher Columbus cafeteria should have homemade lunches starting now and stay away from the processed foods!

We have the right to speak out about what we do not like. In the United States, the obese children have doubled in the past 30 years and one of the reasons is because of the lunches schools serve to them. If schools prepared healthier lunches, kids would be healthier.

I was thinking of the kind of lunches Italy has or Spain, even Ukraine has because if you are in America and in school anything is better than that! Look at the monstrosity on the left and then look at the other lunches.

I was thinking of asking Aramark to update the lunches for our generation and using recipes from other countries. We are tired of the nasty, greasy, pizza that we always get. Why not a delicious homemade tomato or vegetable soup or a nice spaghetti and meatballs with a side salad? What a world!!! Wouldn’t you want this? Well, stay tuned for next year’s reviews on school lunches.

Locks of Love Page 4 of 8CCMS Columns

On May 23rd, Dayhanna Gonzalez(top left), Leilani Hernandez(bottom left), and Giselle Cruz(right) all donated over 10” of hair to the annual “Locks of Love” donation drive at CCMS. The volunteer stylists helped cut the hair for donations! Even teachers donated, like Ms. Eickert.

This summer, there will be many new fashion trends! Denim Overalls will be back in style. They are very comfortable and you can adjust the straps to give you the perfect fit! Sneaker Mules, which are backless often closed toed are in place of printed slip-ons this year although they do come in easy slip-on sneaker styles. Instead of simple black chokers, wrapped chokers with layers are coming into the radar. Now, you will see many people wearing pins on tops, bags, and jackets. Instead of cut-out bathing suits women or even girls are wearing high-waisted two pieces.These new trends are comfortable, stylish and you will be noticed at the beach, boardwalk, mall or on vacation. Include a trendy wristlet for your cellphone and a new hairstyle so you will be ready for some summer fun.

Summer Fashion TrendsMia Dubac

Are you always having a bad hair day? Well, here is the solution! Go on to social media, like YouTube. You will find a large variety of hairstyles to compliment your features. Yes, they might look very hard but they're actually very easy if you analyse the steps. You can also slow it down to help you step-by-step. What am I saying? You would be better to go on YouTube and follow that and your favorite YouTubers too. There are also many articles to read with steps to follow. The most popular hairstyle is a braid, it could be three , four or even one it is a versatile hairstyle. There are also French braids and fishtail braids. The second most used hairstyle is natural hair. Natural

hair is so easy. It's literally just was your hair and let it dry without the use of a hairdryer. But for some people that does not work, like me. It does not work because it just gets puffy and it does not look good. But some people commit and never blow dry their hair and keep it all natural. The third is a pony tail. It’s just a simple hairstyle . Have you ever heard someone say just throw it up in a pony. The reason they call it a ponytail is that it looks like one. I bet you can think of one celebrity that were lots of different pony tails- Ariana Grande. The pony tail also has many ways to wear it, such as pigtails, which are two ponytails. You can wear a half ponytail, where you just put a ponytail on half of your head. Hope you have fun experimenting with new styles for your hair.

Hairstyles for Summer!Elizabeth Luna

Are you looking for a song to jam to with your friends? Whoops, I mean have at your “lit” party. Well, I have the song for you.

At the top of the list is One Dance by Drake. It is a song where you can dance, sing or just chill out. The second song is Panda by Desiigner. Yes, the song might be repetitive but it always seems to pull in the people. The third song is Can’t Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake. Are any of you fans of Timberlake? J.T. came out with a new song, that just makes you want to dance. Actually, most of his songs make you move your feet. The fourth song is

Work From Home by Fifth Harmony, featuring Ty Dolla $ign. Why go to work, when you can Work from Home, this features six parts for karaoke night so all of your friends can join in the fun.

The fifth song is Don’t Let Me Down by The Chainsmokers featuring Daya. This song won’t let you down and it will keep you up dancing. Number six is 7 Years by Lukas Graham. Even seven year olds can listen to this song, which is about a man that is growing up. Number 7 is I Took A Pill In Ibiza by Mike Posner. Do you know where Ibiza is? If not, check Google maps. This song is not really for young kids but if you are having party, the beat is great for that. The eighth one is Needed Me by Rihanna. The lyrics and beats are really good! Number nine is This Is What You Came For by Calvin Harris featuring Rihanna. I bet this song is on your Pandora list. I always hear this song on the radio. The last one, number ten is Just Like Fire by P!nk. She always comes out with great songs like this one.

I hope you found some great songs for your party or just hanging out with your friends. P.S. This is where I got the list, hope you like the songs:

billboard.com/charts/hot-100

CCMS ReviewsCCMS Columns Page 5 of 8Billboard Top 10

Elizabeth Luna

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare is an adventure, fantasy, and young-adult fiction novel that is set in modern-day New York City. The main characters are Clary Fray, Jace Wayland, Alec and Isabelle Lightwood, Magnus Bane, Jocelyn Fray, Valentine Morgenstern, Lucian Graymark, Simon Lewis, and Hodge Starkweather. As the story begins, Clary discovers that she is a shadowhunter. What are shadowhunters? Well, they are demon-hunters who protect humans from the Shadow World. Not only do they hunt demons, they hunt misbehaving werewolves and vampires too. But, after they kill demons with their special weapons, they return to their home, Shadow World. Clary ends up getting sucked into all of this madness after her mother gets attacked by a demon who is after the Mortal Cup. The cup has the power to turn normal people, or mundanes, into shadowhunters. Her mother raised her to think that she was a mundane and got her memory erased of all things from the other worlds.

Clary and Jace have to find the Mortal Cup and protect it before Valentine, the evil villain who is trying to make a shadowhunter army, gets to it. After he gets the cup he will destroy all of the other worlds to make sure that shadowhunters are superior. To stop Valentine, they have to go on many adventures and talk to some of the people in the Circle or people that were in the Circle. The Circle is a group of people who follow Valentine’s beliefs, and battle the vampires, talk to werewolves, save their friends, and get help from the High Warlock of Brooklyn, Magnus Bane. While on their journey, they find out who they really are. Will they save the Mortal Cup or will it be too late? To find out what happens, be sure to read City of Bones by Cassandra Clare.

City of Bones by Cassandra ClareMia Dubac

CCMS Columns Memorial Day at CCMS Page 6 of 8

What Is The REAL Meaning of Memorial Day?

Submitted by Mr. D. D’Andrea - U.S. Army Veteran

Originally called “Decoration Day”, each year on May 30th, graves were decorated of the Union Army soldiers who died during the Civil War.

This quickly became a tradition across the

United States, which now includes honoring war dead from every war.

In 1971, the United States Congress voted

to change the date from its original date of May 30th to the last Monday in May. Since that time, Memorial Day weekend has become the unofficial beginning of the summer.

Memorial Day weekend is a great

opportunity to spend time with family and

friends, and it is perfectly fine to have fun and enjoy the weekend.

However, as a veteran, I firmly believe that

it is vitally important that everyone take time to pay tribute to those who have fallen in the struggle to preserve our freedom. Without their sacrifice, there would be nothing to commemorate.

Our veterans know the real meaning of

Memorial Day and they never forget to honor the more than one MILLION men and women who have scarified their lives in defense of FREEDOM. And no one EVER should.

Angelica Gomez (left) did a reading to the entire student body entitled “When will Peace Come”. Emily Pelle and Payton Englehardt (right) designed the Memorial Day bulletin board.

CCMS Columns CCMS Advice Page 7 of 8

The Black Dot Campaign: It Saves LivesLindy Ann O’Dell

Moving is tough. Believe me I know. This year, during December I found out that my family would be moving to Virginia at the end of the school year for my dad’s job. In order for my dad to get a promotion, he needed to go to Headquarters in Washington DC. So, at the end of the school year, we will be packing up and moving to our new townhouse in Woodbridge, Virginia. I know it’s tough, but you will get through it. So, I’m here to give you advice to help you get through it.

First things first, cry it out. It really does help. Then talk to your mom and/or dad about your feelings. Don’t be a pessimist when it comes to moving. Be an optimist and find the silver lining in the gray clouds. This is a big change in your life. Changes can be good.

Don’t be afraid of change because it’s leading you to a new beginning. When you move, nobody knows who you are, so you can be whoever you want and you can be a new, better person. This gives you a chance to be a more organized person because nobody knows anything about you. In addition, if you’re moving near a military base or a governmental installation like in Washington D.C or Virginia, you’re in luck! The school or town that you’re going to probably is used to new kids since you’re right near the military base or governmental areas. Kids like me who have parents in the government, don’t usually move unless it’s for a promotion. Still, they are used to moving to completely different countries or states. Kids that have parents in the military are used to moving to different places. So, I guarantee that if you move near the military or governmental areas, you won’t be the only new kid.

If you’re not moving near the government or military, it’s ok you’ll survive. My friend Lana Licari, who now lives in Florida, moved in the beginning of the fifth

grade and she is as happy as ever. Trust me, you’ll survive. I bet you’ll make friends. Maybe not as quickly as other people, but you won’t be lonely.

Also, don’t be a pain in the butt to your parents. This is hard for them too. My parents were really stressed. Your parents may argue about things but it’s only because they’re stressed. Try and make this just a little bit easier for them by not complaining as much. Of course, I’m not staying hide your bad grades or problems from them, I’m just saying don’t complain and exaggerate about moving. Moreover, try not to get in a lot of trouble. This causes your parents to stress out even more. Try to help as much as you can with packing and cleaning out things, etc.

When you actually get to your new house, the first thing I suggest is to check out your new room and figure out where you’re going to put everything. Design your new room: It is a blank canvas! Help your parents unpack too. Maybe, when you and your parents need a break from unpacking, you can walk around and explore your new neighborhood. Get to know where the important places are like the malls and movie theaters. Maybe you can explore the park, your new school and library.

If you miss your friends, you can always contact them. There are so many ways now to contact people. Now we have, text, email, skype, phone calls, social media and, FaceTime. You can pretty much catch up with them whenever you want. I bet your friends will want to know everything that’s happening there in your new town or state or country. These are just a couple of tips that I can give you about moving.

Moving is Hard. Here is Some Advice.Brianna Conlon

“All states made any type of domestic violence illegal since the beginning of the 1920’s. However, only since the 1970’s has the criminal justice system begun to treat domestic violence as a serious crime, not as a private family matter,” says Cheryl Hannah. Yet again, the abusers still find ways to keep their victims quite. Years on end, nothing has been both efficient and also safe...until now. The Black Dot Campaign is designed to help people in a abusive relationship, male and/or female. If you’re being abused by a partner or any other adult and the abuser is nearby, this is extremely efficient for your case. To do this, all it is drawing a black dot on the middle of the inside of your palm. Show the black dot to anyone you trust or feel secure. Then they can contact the police on your behalf.

If such thing is occurring in your life, this would be a first or last resort. Either way, even if you’re not sure about it, this is something you should consider doing. No matter who is doing this to you, any type of physical, verbal, sexual abuse is completely unacceptable. Spread the word of The Black Dot Campaign and save another life.

CCMS Columns CCMS Summer! Page 8 of 8

Wondering about where you want to go for the summer? Well here are a few ideas.

Washington D.C (top right): Washington is one of the most visited cities in the U.S. Want to see the house where the president lives? The White House, is located on 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. The Washington Monument, The National Zoological Park, and The Museum of Natural History are all amazing places that you can visit! Oh, and don’t forget to grab a cupcake at the TLC’s D.C. Cupcakes a place famous for their show on TLC!

The Bahamas (top left): The Bahamas is an amazing place full of spectacular, breath-taking sites. Visit San Salvador Island, where you can snorkel, parasail, horseback ride, visit beaches and jet ski! Or swing by the Great Guana Cay, where you can view coral reefs, snorkel, see marinas, hang out by the beach and surf! Inclusive, while you’re there grab a bite to eat at Cafe Martinique!

Puerto Rico (center): In Puerto Rico, there are many places to visit. Visit Guajataca Lake, where you can explore the forest, swim in lakes, go camping, and relax at the beach! Visit Fajardo, where you can snorkel, have fun at the beach, visit lighthouses, and eat delicious sea food! And if you’re feeling hungry, grab a bite to eat at Pikayo, a Caribbean restaurant.

New York (bottom): Very close and yet very entertaining. For now, we’ll start with the the museums that were rated very high, like The Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art!! I bet you’ve heard of that one or, the Museum of Natural History. Wow, there are lots of great expositions about our history. I remember when I went to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, it was spectacular and when I went to Mountain Creek Action Park it was exhilarating. These were amazing experiences! What fun you’ll have this summer!!!

Hopefully, you all get to go on a wonderful family vacation and I hope you all have a great time!

Vacations: Where are you going to go!?Milan Rana & Sarah Mogrovejo

Do you find yourself bored over the summer or not knowing where to go on vacation? Here are some ideas of places you can visit or things you can do.

● DIYS - Fun little “do it yourself” crafts to do at home. There are many videos on YouTube made by people that show you how to make things. You can make galaxy slime, mini chapsticks, lip tints, and even last minute Halloween costumes.● Go outside and pretend you are a spy with your best friend - I don’t know about you, but whenever my friends come over we play spies while on the trampoline, pretending there are lasers we have to crawl under or even flip over.● Watch Netflix - There are so many movies and program to watch that you will never get bored. ● Make random movies and play video games - Slither.io , Agar.io, Minecraft, Call of Duty, etc. - you name it! Watch and play until you get bored, beat your high score, or even get on the leaderboard! ● Ride your bike around your neighborhood - Riding your bike is a great way to exercise while having fun at the same time!

● Go swimming or run through a sprinkler - Jump in the pool or run through a sprinkler to stay cool and have fun!● Practice your instrument until you get tired - It’s a fun way to practice and get better! ● Last but not least, get your summer work done early - You should do your summer work so you don’t have to worry about it later, when it is almost time for school. Things to do Nearby:● Go to the movies - You should watch those movies that you have been wanting to see!● Hiking - Hiking is a cool way to exercise while seeing wildlife and the scenery!● Go to water parks or amusement parks - Both places allow you to have loads of fun on slides and awesome rides!● Camps - Clifton offers many camps and activities for all kids. ● Library - visit your local library and read some of the latest books while staying cool.

Fun Activities To Do This SUMMER!Mia Dubac