1

MTM Times Gazette

Winter 2013

2

MMTM Times Gazette Staff

Writing Editors Art Editors Layout Editors

Donald Coletta Julia An Layla Redente Alishbah Siddiqy Emely Smith Isabelle Michaud

Mia Katz Stephanie Toste Jen Antell Ali Vozzo Caroline Astle Sydney Altieri

Lexi Mascaro Amelie Parczany Brooke Kustra Mason Zhang Rayaan Bajwa

Staff Advisors Mr. Michael Agress & Miss Jessica Strassburg

Cover Design Tree By Stephanie Toste

The MTM Times Gazette is a literary journal composed of work by fourth graders at Mary T. Murphy School.

This is the first-ever edition, and we hope to have many to follow. Special thanks to Stephanie Toste (Murphy class of 2013), without

whose vision the Gazette would not exist.

3

Table of Contents

The Missing Giraffe By Sabrina Remette……………………………….……………………Page 4 Sitting in Traffic By Andrea Amarante…………………………………..…………………..Page 5 The Bully By Ashley Duong…………………………………………………………………Page 6 Balance Beam By Jocelyn Smestad …………………………………………………………..Page 8 Thanksgiving Feast By Mason Zhang ………………………………………………………Page 9 Basketball By GracieRose Piscitelli. ………………………………………….………………Page 9 Fluffernutter By Brendan Reddington………………………………………………………..Page 10 Shell of Mine By Delaney Cotter……………………………………………………………Page 11 Partners By Amelie Parczany. ………………………….…………….………………..……Page 12 MTM School Safety Patrol By Edwin Gill …………………………….……..……………Page 14

Airplane

By William Linder

4

The Missing Giraffe By Sabrina Remette

“Run, run, the hunters are coming,” May said as she played with Topper (her stuffed animal). May was an eight-year-old girl. Her hair color was red with yellow highlights. Her eyes were as black as night. She wore her hair in a French braid.

“May”, her mom called as she looked at the newspaper. “It is time to go to school.”

“Okay,” May said. “Mom can I bring Wheely” (Wheely is her pet hamster).

“Yes May,” her mom SOOTHINGLY said with a sigh.

May brought Topper to school just like every Friday. “Bye Mom,” May said as she got out of the car at the school, slamming the door shut in a hurry.

“Bye May,” her mom yelled out to her. In her classroom they always had

morning meeting and the teacher asked who wanted to share. May’s hand shot up like a rocket. Miss Twinkle called on May and she shared about Wheely. Wheely’s fur was golden with white and black spots and his eyes are big. He was two years old in hamster years and he was so cute. His name was Wheely because he loved to run on the wheel in his cage. After show and tell, May had to go upstairs for art class. She was a little worried that he would be okay when I was gone.

After art, she ran downstairs to her classroom to see if Wheely was okay, he was sleeping in his igloo. “Time for a snack,” said Miss Twinkle joyfully. May had cookies and Wheely had hamster food.

We worked in class on math and science and then it was time for lunch. Miss Twinkle would not let May bring Wheelie to

the cafeteria, something about health inspectors, but she would watch him for May until she came back. Topper would have to be her lunch date as usual.

After lunch, May ran outside to the playground as fast as a cheetah, clutching Topper tightly in my arms. I gently placed Topper on the bench and ran to the playscape. Twenty minutes went by so quickly it was time to line up to go back to class. When she got to the bench to get Topper, he was not there!

May looked on the ground, but he was not there. Her heart felt like it was going to explode and she could feel her eyes start to burn. Oh no! She did not want to cry. May rushed over to Miss Twinkle and she tried to calmly tell her what had happened. Miss Twinkle saw how upset May was and then she suggested May check the lost and found.

May ran to the lost and found as fast as her feet could carry me. When she got there, she reached in and started to pull stuff out. May could not find him. She felt like all hope was gone, she would never see Topper again, but, then May saw a tiny fur tail stuck between two fingers of a glove and I pulled on it and it was TOPPER!! May felt so happy she hugged him in my arms and spun around and around. Pleasure filled the air as May smiled and skipped down the hall back to class. When she entered the room the three hugged and May thanked Miss Twinkle, but it was hard to concentrate on my schoolwork the rest of the day.

Finally, the bell rang school was over, May grabbed Wheely, never letting go of Topper and sailed down the hall to meet her mom…. Oh what a day!

5

Sitting in Traffic By Andrea Amarante

One sunup morning, my sister Jessica woke me up at 5:30 to go to my aunt’s house in Simsbury. I picked up my extremely heavy pink bag and carried it into the front room.

Jessica sprinted outside and threw my bag in the car with excitement. When my mom woke up she got dressed and paced to the car. When we pulled out of the driveway we rode on to the highway. After a while the traffic became dense. Cars were trying to get out of traffic because they had places to go. It looked like a puzzle weaving in and out to get off of an exit.

As my mom noticed that we were in the front of the traffic, she stopped the car with every other parent to check on exactly what was going on. She told us to stay in the car. My sister and I looked out the window to see where mom was going. I was nervous watching everyone walking on the highway to see if they could help. She found out why there was traffic. She said there was a really, really, really bad accident ahead of us. Suddenly we saw a helicopter land on the highway and they quickly ran to the car to rescue the driver. An ambulance had to stop to tell everyone to move aside because he could not pass by to get to the accident. They took the passengers.

At first I thought it was a small accident but my mom told me it was a really bad one. Our car was parked for about an hour on the highway waiting for the traffic to clear up. When it cleared up, we drove past the really shocking accident. As we drove by slowly, we saw a car that had no side to it and a car that was right next to that car had no top and was upside down. I was feeling sad for the people who had the accident because if that was anyone in my family I would be upset because I love all of them so much.

My mom was thankful that we didn’t leave the house a little bit earlier because that could have been us in that accident! I was thankful too!

The Mini By Alec Aceves-Acosta

6

The Bully By Ashley Duong

My big brother Buck, the meanie he is, walked right up to me and snatched the TV remote from my small, puny hands. Then he pushed me off the clean, black, cozy sofa. He turned off my favorite show and put on the boring weather channel. “High in the upper 90’s,” weather lady announced. “You know you’re too young for her right?” I teased Buck, regretting it. “Get out of here! You’re blocking the TV screen!” Buck yelled. Being scared to death, I walked away to my bedroom. I looked back at Buck and heard his voice echoing in my head, “If you tell Mom or Dad you’ll be in big trouble.” Remembering that I ran to my room sobbing in tears. “Ah school, sweet school,” I thought. I love school because there’s no Buck to bully me. As I was walking down the blue, shiny hallway I saw a big shadow, a shadow as big as a locker, and there he was. I thought he was a middle school rumor, but he was here. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Once I saw him I knew that he was “The Bully,” not Buck, but worse! People say that if you touch him, or even breathe on him, he would punish you and apparently I did that. “Hey, what are you doing here?” he said angrily. I was so scared I froze as I looked at him. I couldn’t move. I felt like my heart skipped a beat. “Are you deaf?” he yelled. “What do you want?” I blabbered, regretting it as soon as I said it. “Get out of here!” he screamed. When I walked back to my classroom, I saw Buck. I saw a look on his face, and that look, I think, meant that he felt sorry for me. “So how was your day honey?” my mom asked. I froze just like I did when I

encountered the bully. My mom snapped her fingers in front of my face, putting me out of my horrible misery. “Oh Mom, yeah, it’s okay,” I mumbled. “Are you sure?” she asked. “Yes, I’m sure,” I answered in a calm voice even though I was mad inside. I picked at my disgusting mashed potatoes. “Are you eating your mashed potatoes?” “No, can I leave?” My mom gave me a small nod. As I walked from the shiny dinner table I saw Buck but he didn’t say a word. I stomped up the wooden stairs and all the way to my bedroom and slammed the squeaky door behind me. I lay on my pink, comfy bed and stared at the purple ceiling. “Why doesn’t Buck do anything?” I thought. “Brothers do thing for little sisters don’t they?” For a few minutes I kept asking myself that and crying. I wanted to stop but I just couldn’t because I just didn’t understand. “Screech!” The bus halted to a stop. Then “He” got on the bus. “Hey, what are you doing in my seat?” I started to slide off, but he helped me off with a push. Then I saw someone. I couldn’t believe it, but it was Buck! “Hey, why did you push my sister?!” Buck yelled. Finally, somebody is an inch taller than the bully. “Um, um, um... sorry,” he stammered. “Yeah, now get out of here!” Buck screamed. He shivered, and then I hugged Buck and sat with him. My brother’s face looked proud. “In my defense, I only did that so I wouldn’t get in trouble for you getting hurt,” Buck said. I nodded, but in my mind I knew that Buck did that not because he wanted to get out of trouble, but because he loved me, and I love him.

7

DJ’s Mix By Caroline Astle

8

Balance Beam By Jocelyn Smestad

“Oh my gosh!” I exclaimed in awe. “How are we

going to get that in my room!?!? “ “More importantly how are we going to get it up

there? “I’ll help you dad!” “I got it Jocelyn, just go and get your sister, Bridget!” “Bridget, dad wants you!” After I wailed to Bridget I

gazed back at dad as he pulled a humongous balance beam out of the car. It was longer than the last time I remembered it. It was wrapped in blue padding in case I fell on it, it wouldn’t hurt as much.

“What do you need?” asked Bridget. “Take the other end of the balance beam,” my father instructed her. “You’re clear,” I nodded to my father. “Oh shoot, this is the hard part.” I thought to myself. It was harder than it looked to get the balance beam through the hallway. “If only the balance beam wasn’t as big as an alligator.”

Finally, we got the balance beam in my room! Now, I can finally use a real balance beam and not tape to practice my splits leaps and spins. Gymnastics is a big part of my life and I feel that this balance beam will help me to reach my goal of being in the Olympics someday!

* * *

Untitled By Courtney Williams

9

Thanksgiving Feast By Mason Zhang Family Relatives everywhere In glimpse Elderly people, grownups and kids. Playing Chatting, Screaming, Dancing. Going wild and gobbling turkey Yummy! Thanksgiving is an occasion To be grateful.

Basketball By GracieRose Piscitelli

Buzzz!

Sprinting onto the court Rebounding

Dribbling Shooting

Unbelievable!

10

Fluffernutter By Brendan Reddington Part 1

“Please, mommy!” I said. “Okay.” I thought to myself, did she just agree to get a pet? After my brother’s football practice, we drove to All Pet’s Club. Right when I walked in, my brother and I rushed to the lizards in the reptile section. We

spotted lizards that were only six dollars, but my sister wanted a bunny. While we were peeking at the bunnies, my sister found a black one and a white one. The

white one was calm, so we bought it. When we got home, my sister wanted to name it Coconut, but my mom said Fluffernutter.

My sister agreed to the name. The next day we went to Boston for a Red Sox game, so we had to leave Fluffernutter home

by herself. It was a fun day, but I was very worried When we got back, Fluffernutter was sound asleep. I was relieved, and we went straight to

bed. The next day we threw a party for my brother and sister. It was awesome because a bunch of

my friends were there. We played manhunt, slip and slide, and football. But when we were eating cake I went inside and Fluffernutter was lying down with her arms

in front of her. This was unusual so my mom came to check on the situation. Fluffernutter died of a heart problem. However, we still had…

Part Two

Frogs. Here is how… After that horrible incident, my mom and dad went to The Bahamas for their anniversary.

While they were there, we had our Nana to watch over us for five days. On the last day, we went to the Parthenon Diner by the movie theaters.

The next morning my parents were back and my Nana was gone. My parents were still asleep, and my sister woke me up to get breakfast.

When we reached the bottom of the stairs, we peeked in the kitchen for some cereal. I looked on the stove but instead of cereal, there was a box, with pictures of frogs on the side.

“Yes!” we spattered out, “we have pets, again!” When my parents got downstairs, we opened the box. It was a tank with two frogs in it. When we got them they’re spotted, so we started to name them. I named mine Chiperson, Chip for short. My sister named hers Bubbles.

After, we went out and got a snail to keep the tank fresh. We named it Gary. Every Saturday, we fed the frogs. Once, when I woke up I went downstairs to get breakfast.

I looked up at the tank. The snail was gone and Chip was fatter. “CHIPERSON BILL REDDINGTON!” He ate the snail.

This is the story of the best stair climber, long jumper, and lightest bunny

11

Shell of Mine By Delaney Cotter

Drifting like you never wished to be discovered Mesmerized, I could not take my eyes off you

As you floated by Banded with hazel and pearl

Stealing my heart, always wanting you near.

A gorgeous fawn like the color of my skin

dancing in the water, I gripped you Before you somersaulted away.

Gorgeous! Yes you are!

Just the way you were meant to be. You are mine and I am yours, but I’ll miss you when you disappear.

I’ll embrace an image in my mind

cherishing of the day we met Shell of mine, oh, shell of mine!

Be ever mine!

12

Partners By Amelie Parczany

Natalie hopped out of the car and slammed the door. The wind blew her wavy brown hair. “Finally, gymnastics again,” she thought. She dashed through the door of the Rec Center. Then she saw the most popular girl in school, Jenna. She was talking to everyone in the room. Jenna’s leotard was neon pink and had sequins in swirly designs. She had a matching skirt and her silky blond hair was pulled back in a bun with a neat braid. “How does she get all that stuff?” Natalie thought. Jenna came up to her with her best friends, Shaly and Mackenzie. Natalie tried to hide, but it was too late.

“Hey, like your leotard, it’s horrible,” Jenna yelled in Natalie’s face, then walked away! Natalie crossed her arms and walked over to the balance beam. As she stepped onto the balance beam, she took a glance at Jenna. Jenna put her hands on her hips and tilted her head and gave a frown right back. Natalie gave a heavy sigh and started across the beam anyway.

“Okay everyone, let’s get ready for our routine,” Coach Jamie said, “and don’t forget who your partners are, Natalie and Jenna, Shaly and Reena, Mackenzie and Bella, and Katrina and Amelia.” Everyone dashed over to the empty space that they always practiced, except Natalie. She walked slowly as if she was a bird trying to fly the first time. Once she got to where everyone else was she kept thinking about how Jenna would tease her. She had butterflies in her stomach. She thought, “Why out of all the people does Jenna have to be my partner?” She sighed and heard, “Why does Natalie have to be your partner?” asked Shaly.

“I don’t know, but doing gymnastics with her will be a disaster,” said Jenna. Natalie heard from Coach Jamie that they had to go on the uneven bars and their partners had to monitor them so they wouldn’t fall. When it was Natalie’s turn, she felt a big lump in her stomach. She jumped on the lower bar and started to flip. “Wow!” Everyone gasped but Jenna. She had her arms crossed. When Natalie was ready to land, Jenna just stood back and did nothing.

“THUMP!” Natalie fell right on her bottom.

Everyone laughed out loud, especially Jenna. “Nice work,” Jenna giggled! Natalie ran

away to the lobby with her gymnastics bag and waited to be picked up by her mom.

Later that night Natalie’s mom asked her how her day was. She poked at her potatoes with a fork and sighed.

“Well, there’s a girl, Jenna, that’s really mean to me and I keep getting really annoyed. I don’t know what to do, so can you help me?” Natalie said slowly.

Her mom nodded her head yes, “I think all I need to tell you is that I know you are brave enough to stand up for yourself. Just tell Jenna exactly what you want from her. Tomorrow at practice, just keep saying to yourself, “’I know I can do it!’”

“Okay, I’ll do it!” Natalie replied hopefully.

The next day after school, Natalie got out of the car and opened the door to the Rec Center. “I know I can do it,” she whispered, “I know I can do it!” She saw Jenna walking over to her with a frown on her face.

“Hey, does this little baby want to say something to me?”

13

Natalie shook like a cold puppy. “Can you stop bothering me?”

“No!” Jenna yelled. Natalie tried to cool down a little.

“Why do you treat me like this?” she asked. “I don’t know,” Jenna shrugged and

looked around the room. She thought for a while then said, “you’re probably right, maybe I was kind of mean to you. I’ll stop. I’m sorry.” Jenna felt like she was cooling down too.

“Okay, let’s try to be friends,” Natalie smiled, and Jenna smiled back.

When Natalie went into the car after

practice, she still had a smile on her face. “Looks like someone is happy,” her

mom joked. “Ya.” “So you made up?” Natalie nodded, and in her head she

thought that she and Jenna would make great partners.

Cute Kitty By

Ali Vozzo & Amber Richkowski

* * *

14

MTM School Safety Patrol By Edwin Gill Safety patrol monitors the halls during the morning and dismissal time. They will stop at nothing to keep the school safe. If you are out there some rules are... 1) Walk Safely 2) Use Self-Control 3) Be Nice