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How a competition worksThe Math Club students are split into two groups. Alternates and regulars are the two categories that the students are put into. The regulars can be found on the roster. Their points count toward the team score. The alternates do the problems, but their score does not count towards the team. The regulars must participate in exactly 3 categories. There must be exactly 6 students per team in 1 category. How many regulars are there per team? 10! The 10 regulars join the alternates on the 2 categories they are not participating in. Team events are when a group of people discuss the problems together, and they solve the problems together. The other five categories are solved individually. The categories are mystery, geometry, number theory, arithmetic, and algebra. Come join the Math Club on Thursdays!

Kennedy EdgeMath ManiaKennedy Participates in Math Competition.by Matthew C.

On October 18th, students in the Math Club worked hard in the math competition held at Wilson Middle School in Natick, MA. Although they didn’t win, the Math Club tried their best and had fun. Math Club is an

exciting activity for math-lovers. You may join the Math Club and participate in the next competition on November 29th, but for now, you can come to Mrs. Rogers’ room on Thursdays after school.

Student SpotlightA fifth grader on the roster? Fifth grader Jacob M. was the only fifth grade student that was a regular competitor.

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Who will be the next officers? Well, we’ll see at the 2012-2013 school elections!!!!! In order to be an officer, you have to be a good leader. This is what Kennedy Middle School represents. A leader has to have good qualities for us to pick them. So, we interviewed Ms. Simon to see what she thinks a good leader has.“A good leader is someone who will take initiative in terms of getting things done without being told what to do. They try to get kids to participate in school events. But a lot of people want to change major things, but some of those things can’t be changed. In our election, we have a small amount

of 8th graders wanting to run for office. They plan sports, dances, and things like that.”Maybe you do have a friend’s brother of sister running for office. A lot of people vote for them because they want them to win, but you have to think about who will make a difference to our school. Some people want to have about 500 field trips!!!!! Sometimes they say they will do certain things for us, but sometimes that doesn’t happen. We all WANT to think that what they sometimes say is true, but you need to sometimes think “outside the box”. Like Ms. Simon said, some of those things can’t change, but when kids have the voice to change the little things, good stuff can happen. Last year, we had someone say they can give the school a makeup party for the girls and a guitar party for the boys. Well, off the top of my head, I KNEW that wasn’t happening. It never did!!! But on the other hand, he did say he could bring the talent show back. Know there was something that could be added. We had a

fun talent show that night. People were dancing & singing. Maybe we can have it again this year :)

***Please note- there were no actual elections this year, as each office ran unopposed.

The Student Council ElectionsBy Mikaela G

Pictured: Mrs. Hacket (above) and Ms. Simon are not only the Student Council advisors-they teach Spanish too!

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New Teacher Feature: Ms. Roth

1. Q: “What is your favorite hobby?”A: “I like to read, spend time with family.”2. Q: “What is your favorite book?”A: “Walk Two Moons”3. Q: “What did you want to be when you grew

up?”A: “I wanted to be a nurse or a teacher when I grew up.”4. Q: “What would you like to do in the future?”A: “I hope to start a family.”5. Q: “What is your favorite season?”A: “Fall.”6. Q: “Do you have any pets?” A: “I have a bulldog named Goose.”7. Q: “What is your favorite movie?”A: “Remember the Titans.”8. Q: “What was your favorite subject in school?”A: “Math.”

- Alyssa G.

-Brianna D.Before he started working here,

Mr. Williams was a 4th grade teacher in Newton for 9 years. During the last year of teaching 4th grade, Mr. Williams got a Masters Degree in Technology. He also taught several I.T. Style classes to adults, and presented at Tech conferences. I asked him why he

decided to come to Kennedy and he replied, “As you can see, I've always had an interest in I.T., but positions like [teaching I.T.] don't come around very often. So, when I heard about one of these positions open in a great school district like Natick, I jumped at the chance!”

Mr. Williams added, that there are things he really enjoys here at Kennedy! For example, he said, “The age group is really nice. Since it's my first time teaching at a Middle School, it's really refreshing to work with students with a higher ability. I also love the fact that Brown School is next door, so I can bring my daughter over here. And, the staff and kids are very nice, which is a good thing.” But, he also said that there are some things that he misses from teaching elementary, such as, getting to know a group of kids really well, because

at Kennedy he sees a different group of kids every day, whereas at his previous job, he saw one group of kids all day, every day. “Another thing I miss would have to be playing soccer with the students,” Mr. Williams stated. “Every day at recess we would go out and play, and even sometimes we would have Faculty vs. Student games. But, that is something I can't do here.” Then, he showed me a soccer ball that all the kids in his class last year signed. The soccer ball is on display in the I.T. Room, so next time you happen to be in there, you can see it!Before I left he added jokingly about Kennedy, “That Cross-Country team seems pretty good! But honestly, I look forward to having a good, long time here at Kennedy.”

New Teacher Feature: Mr. Williams

Mr. Wi%iams is the new Instructional Technology Teacher

Ms Roth is a new L&L/Social Studies Teacher in the Fi&h Grade.

She may teach reading and writing, but MATH was her favorite subject in school!

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Band With Mr. Drapeau-Jacob S.Mr. Drapeau has been teaching band for 7 years. He says, “Every instrument has its own challenges, so no instrument is easier to learn.”

Band does not have string instruments in it because there are not enough kids outside of school who play string instruments. There needs to be at least four different string instruments in band for them to play within the band.

Band is working on lots of new activities. Mr. Drapeau says he has been working with

Mr. Griffin on putting Band and Chorus together in a performance, but that would be hard because Band and Chorus don’t meet at the same time for every grade.It would be very hard to find time to rehearse. Mr. Drapeau says he has talked to Mr. Lane about working together in a school play.

Let’s hope that these ideas will turn out well for Band and that all of the classes will get better asthey practice. Maybe they will work with Mr. Griffin to put on a performance, andmaybe Band will perform in a play. Let’s just hope for the best.

Poetry by Hannah

Above: Mr. Drapeau conducts Fi&h Grade Band Practice Below: Giving pointers

Riddles: -Jacob M. and Matthew C. (answers are on the next page)

• What has no beginning, no end, and nothing in the middle?• Five men are going to church. It starts to rain. Four of the men the men run and get wet. One man

stays behind but stays dry. How is this possible?• It has a bed but sleeps; it runs but never walks, and has a mouth but never speaks.• It plays for amusement, but does not move. What is it?

Kind Energetic Nice Nifty Excellent Delightful Youthful

Magnificent Impressing Dandy Lovely Learning Equal

SuperCoolHappy Outstanding Open-minded Laughter

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THE KENNEDY EDGE STAFF:CONTRIBUTORS:Matthew C.Jacob M.Jacob S.Alyssa G.Brianna D.Michaela G.Hannah G.

EDITORS:Mrs. DabrushMiss Dion

THE KENNEDY EDGEIs ALWAYS looking for

writers!

Consider being a Guest Writer for our Trimester 2 Issue.

Please join us on Wednesdays, after school.

Riddles: ANSWERS1. A donut2. A man in a coffin and the people carrying it 3. A river4. A TV Screen

A Spectacular Sport-Jacob M.

In the gym on Monday-Thursdays after school from 2:05-2:50, you can find kids having a great time playing basketball. As Mr. Rollins, the man who runs the afterschool basketball, says, “It’s not about being the best basketball player, it’s about having fun.” In basketball, kids usually warm up by shooting at the hoops. Then they either split into 2 teams and play a game, or split into 4 teams and play 2 games on different sides of the gym. It’s a fun, nice enviroment, and it is an exciting thing to do after school.

Students play basketba% a&er school.Mr. Ro%ins coordinates the intramural

basketba% program.

Crazy for Cookies

Many kids are disappointed as cookies are no longer sold at Kennedy.

Recently, Natick public schools stopped selling cookies. In a newsletter from our principal, Mrs.Vickery, it says, “Massachusetts adopted new school nutrition standards that regulate foods that are sold in or are provided by all public schools in the state.” To meet these new standards, Kennedy has gotten rid of unhealthy snacks, specifically cookies.

Kids should be eating healthier foods. Some healthy snacks will remain for sale at school, like Sunchips. More and more children have unhealthy eating habits, and the schools want to stay out of it. Cookies are treats. Schools encourage kids to be healthy students. There are lots of other places you can get treats from, and then bring them in for your lunch. However, a good way to be healthy is to eat healthy. Mr. Vigue suggests, “Eat a breakfast, eat more fresh/organic/local foods, drink water, and limit the amount of added sugar in foods. You should have 3-5 servings of vegetables and 2-4 servings of fruits per day.” If you do have a treat, be sure you are having plenty of healthy foods as well.

It is very important that kids are healthy because it makes you have a stronger body and mind. Also, eating healthy can help prevent problems like heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. You get more energy, which can get you to be more active. Eating healthy foods makes you more alert so you can be a better student.

Cookies (continued)For additional information

about the health of available foods at Kennedy, talk to Mrs. Steinberg. So the end of selling cookies is actually a good thing for your health, but not for your happiness. Doritos-you’re next.