True Blue Tribune

By Kelsea Condon Kelsea Condon: What gave you interest in working at Haldane?

Mr. Chambers: Over the years of my work with other area public schools I came to think of Haldane as an interesting little gem of a district. As a teacher in a graduate program preparing future school administrators, I had opportunities to visit Haldane and get to know some of the good people here.

K.C.: What inspired you to work at Haldane or other schools?

J.C.: My whole career (40+ years) has been spent in public schools, as teacher, principal, superintendent, and more lately as a consultant to schools. In the latter role, I had an opportunity to get to know Haldane better as your interim superintendent. Schools have inspired me – it is very satisfying to be around people who love to learn!

K.C.: How long do you plan on working in our district?

J.C.: The Haldane Board contracted with me for the role of interim superintendent from January through June, 2014, so I will be here through the end of this school year.

M e e t M r . C h a m b e r s

I N S I D E

T H I S I S S U E :

Student Council 2

Getting to Know Some of Your Middle School Teachers

2 3

Advice Column 4

Anything Goes Haldane History

5

High School Survey 6

Book Reviews 7

H A L D A N E

M I D D L E S C H O O L Spring 2014 Volume 3, Issue 2

True Blue Tribune

K.C.: What do you plan on accomplishing while you’re here?

J.C.: First and foremost, I plan on enjoying all the accomplishments of students, staff, parents – the whole Haldane community. Getting to know people here has been fun, whether it is by greeting elementary busses in the morning, traveling to see post-season games, applauding for “Anything Goes,” or dropping into classes.

But a central part of my job is acting as a bridge between your longer-term superintendents -- Dr. Villanti (who retired in January after seven years’ service), and Dr. Bowers (recently appointed by the Board of Education, to begin service in July). That includes the whole range of activity to keep the school district moving forward, from oversight of teaching and learning right down to

the details of the budget. That last point includes helping to develop a budget proposal for 2014-2015, to be submitted for a public vote on May 20.

K.C.: What has impressed you about the middle school so far?

J.C.: Students, staff, and parents have impressed me with their friendliness, their interest in learning, and their talents even beyond the classroom. Beyond academics, I see wonderful things happening here in the arts and athletics.

K.C.: What do you do on your free time?

J.C.: Two grandchildren keep me busy! I also love reading and writing, tennis, sailing, traveling…In the latter category, this winter has made me think I should find warm places to go next winter!

Interested in joining the

staff of the middle school

newspaper? We meet on

Fridays during 10th

period in the MS Library!

Page 1

By Maddy Barkman, Curtis Huber, and Quinn Petkus Mrs. McCollum

Quinn Petkus: How long have you been working at Haldane?

Mrs. McCollum: I have been working at Haldane since 2008.

Q.P.: Have you taught any grades or subjects before this?

K.M.: I have taught 1st grade, 4th grade, and 5th and 8th grade reading.

Q.P.: What’s your favorite unit to teach and why?

K.M.: Fiction reading, because I like helping my students make connections to the real world.

Q.P.: What’s your favorite memory about teaching?

K.M.: Many memories, ones in which I can help students feel good about what they can do.

Mr. Sniffen


Mr. Sniffen: I started in January 1999.


J.S.: Kindergarten, 2nd, and 6th grade English.

Q.P.: What’s your favorite unit to teach and why?

J.S.: Ancient Greece and the beginnings of Western civilization because there are so many great stories.


J.S.: (Samurai Session.) A student played a joke on me by saying when I

hit the wall, I knocked down the clock in Mr. Virgadamo’s room and hit a girl on the head. I then saw a girl teetering out of the classroom clutching her head. I later found out that this was an act.

Mr. Virgadamo


Mr. Virgadamo: Since 2005.


T.V.: I taught 5th grade and ELA.

Q.P.: What’s your favorite unit to teach?

T.V.: Percents of numbers because students can save a lot of money.


T.V.: When the students have the “I got it” moment, because the teacher has a great sense of that moment.

Mr. Wick


Mr. Wick: For ten years, since 2005.


M.W.: Yes, 4th grade.

Q.P.: What’s your favorite unit to teach?

M.W.: The unit on Earth and space because I think it’s important to understand our planet and how it works, such as the changing of the seasons. I find it fascinating that our Earth seems so huge while we’re on it but in reality, we are so tiny in comparison to the universe.

G e t t i n g t o K n o w


M.W.: Inspiring children to wonder and question about science and nature. And dressing up like a clown and scaring Quinn!

Mrs. Pece

Curtis Huber: How long have you been working at Haldane?

Mrs. Pece: I have been working at Haldane since 2012.

C.H.: Have you taught any grades or subjects before this?

D.P.: I have taught 7th and 8th grade English.

C.H.: What’s your favorite unit to teach and why?

D.P.: The historical fiction unit because of the creative writing pieces.

C.H.: What’s your favorite memory about teaching?

D.P.: The students took a scene from a Shakespeare play and put the lines together.

Mr. McConville

C.H.: How long have you been working at Haldane?

Mr. McConville: I have been working at Haldane since 2012.


R.M.: I have previously taught at Dover Middle School teaching 7th grade Social Studies and Livingston Manor Middle School teaching 7th and 8th grade Social Studies.

C.H.: What is your favorite unit to teach and why?

R.M.: My favorite units include the American Revolution and Creation of our American Government.

Page 2

Mr. Keating


Mr. Keating: Since 2006.


P.K.: No.


P.K.: I like to teach proportions and percents because there are so many real life applications.


P.K.: Making a math Christmas tree.

Mrs. Horn


Mrs. Horn: 13 years.


L.H.: 10th grade Biology.


L.H.: Biology, because it is so easy to relate to! Everyone needs to know a little bit of Bio in order to understand their bodies and how the world around them works.


L.H.: My favorite memories are from the 8th grade Frost Valley trips, I really get to see the kids in a new light, it’s exciting watching them overcome personal challenges and encouraging their classmates!

Mrs. Spratt

Maddy Barkman: How long have you been working here at Haldane?

Mrs. Spratt: I have been working here for 14 years.

M.B.: Have you taught any other grades or subjects?

S.S.: High school math and college math.

M.B.: What is your favorite unit to teach?

S.S.: Any unit that has to do with math being used in real life situations.

M.B.: Last but not least, what’s your favorite memory about teaching?

S.S.: My favorite memory has to be where a student was giving up on math, but came in regularly for extra help. The student stuck with it, and now that student is a math teacher.

M.B.: Thank you very much. Have a good day!

Mrs. Yen

Maddy Barkman: How long have you been working at Haldane?

Mrs. Yen: This is my 12th year at Haldane.

M.B.: Have you taught any grades or subjects before this?

K.Y.: I’ve taught 7th grade science and health, high school biology, forensic science, environmental science, contemporary issues, and meteorology before staying at the 8th grade level.

M.B.: What's your favorite unit to teach and why?

K.Y.: My favorite unit to teach is genetics because there are so many connections to it and all my students have a story to tell regarding their family history.

Y o u r M i d d l e S c h o o l T e a c h e r s

M.B.: What's your favorite memory about teaching?

K.Y.: My favorite memory about teaching is when I see students coming back to me the next year and telling me how much they’ve learned in my class and that I prepared them well for the next chapter in their lives. This, I feel is especially touching because to hear it first hand from students is so rewarding.

Mrs. Annesi

Maddy Barkman: How long have you been working at Haldane?

Mrs. Annesi: I have been working at Haldane for 7 years.

M.B.: Have you taught any other Grades or Subjects before this?

K.A.: I have taught Reading, and American History.

M.B.: What is your favorite unit to teach and why?

K.A.: This is a hard question. My favorite unit is the 1920’s. That is because it was such a positive time.

M.B.: This is the last question. What’s your favorite memory about teaching?

K.A.: I would have to say, I once had a student who hated Social Studies. The student took my class, and fell in love with it.

M.B.: Thank you!

Page 3

By Mollie Altucher and Julie Geller

Dear Newspaper,

I am getting cyber bullied by

someone that is popular and she

threatened to ruin my life with the

click of a button. What should I do?

Dear Reader,

I know many people in this situation.

The first thing you have to realize is

that it isn’t your fault. The person

that is cyber bullying you maybe has

an issue of their own or was bullied

by someone else. You should tell

someone about this situation. I think

that you should tell your parents

about this. If you don’t feel

comfortable telling your mom or dad

about this you can go to the guidance

office and get some guidance from a

teacher. Since she was threatening

you, you can tell them to stop it in

person. When you say this, you

should be assertive and make your

point clear.

Dear Newspaper,

I am best friends with this girl and

she is not the prettiest or smartest

and the popular girls are telling me to

stop hanging out with her. They said

if I don’t they will make me a social

reject.

Dear Reader,

How you deal with this situation

really depends on how strong your

friendship is with your friend. If she

is somebody who you are kind of best

friends with but you never really feel

good about yourself around her, then

maybe you don’t want to be friends

with her anyway. But if you have

more fun with her than you have with

any other girl, then this friendship is a

keeper no matter what anybody else

says. As for the popular girls saying

they will make you a social reject, talk

to them and tell them that you know

they might not get along with her, but

she is your friend and you have a

good time with her. Tell them that

you enjoy spending time with them

too, but don’t quite understand why

they would put you in that kind of

position. Aren’t they your friends?

No matter what, remember that it

isn’t your fault. And if these people

try to make you a “social reject,”

most of the kids in your grade will

back you up once they realize you

aren’t doing anything wrong.

Dear Newspaper,

I have friends that I hang out with,

and sit at lunch with. They are really

nice, but I feel like we don’t have

much in common. I kind of want to

hang out with other people, but don’t

want to hurt the feelings of my old

friends. What should I do?

Dear Reader,

You can tell them that they are your

best friends and they’re really nice

and you love to hang out with them,

but also that you feel like you don’t

M i d d l e S c h o o l A d v i c e C o l u m n

have a lot of things in common. If

they look like they are upset you can

say that their friendship is important

to you, but that you feel like

maintaining other friendships as well

will help to make your friendship

stronger. Also, if you feel like you and

your friend don’t have much in

common maybe your friend is feeling

the same way, but didn’t want to

offend you.

Dear Newspaper,

I have always been a picky eater. I

want to try new food, but sometimes

whenever I try something new it

makes me gag... I really want to add

new foods to my palette! But I don’t

know how to start eating different

things. How can I learn to eat and try

more things?

Dear Reader,

I know a lot of people in similar

situations. It can be tough to find

foods that are new and healthy, that

you actually enjoy. Try eating with

friends though. This may sound a

little odd, but if you ask your friends

some of the foods they like and they

offer you some, you will probably feel

obligated to try it. This way you can

try foods that you have a good

chance of liking, because they’re

foods people like you enjoy. Also,

you might be introduced to new

recipe ideas that your family never

makes, but you actually enjoy.

Page 4

A n y t h i n g G o e s

By Abigail Platt

I hope you saw the high school musical

over the weekend of March 15th. A

play does not come out of thin air. It

takes time to build the set, set the

lights, learn the lines, songs and dances.

The first thing you must do is pick the

play. Mrs. Mech thinks about seven key

rules for deciding on a play. She must

like the music and know she has the

proper actors to fit the parts. She needs

to figure out if the school can afford

the play and whether it will draw an

audience. She considers how difficult

the play is and if the content is

appropriate. She also needs to make

sure the orchestra will be able to play

the music.

“I put it all in a pot and sees what

comes out,” Mrs. Mech said. This year

out came Anything Goes.

After the play is chosen they need to set

up the general sounds for it. That is

where Mr. McDonald comes in. Mr.

McDonald has to program all of the

sounds. “One of the hardest parts is the

microphones because some people are

loud and others are quiet,” he said.

Each person has a different voice so

each microphone must be programmed

for each actor. This can be tricky when

the cast has to share microphones.

This year the set is very important

because the play takes place on a ship.

It took many people and many hours to

build the incredible set that was used

this weekend. This was not just a

normal ship, it was a ship designed for

dancing.

This is where Mrs. Bissinger comes in.

She is the dance director and

choreographer. In case you did not

know, Mrs. Bissinger is a former

Rockette so there is a great deal of

dancing talent and experience behind

her. She really loves teaching kids who

don’t think they can dance and then see

them come out and really shine.

Next up for the drama department will

be the middle school play. I asked Mrs.

Mech what advice she has for kids who

may want to be a part of the play. She

said, “Be prepared for the audition. I

really like watching people who are

interesting to listen to and watch.”

Haldane has a great drama department

and puts on many successful shows. I

hope its success continues for years to

come.

Fact #3: The current Haldane

School first opened its doors in

1936. The elementary wing was

added on in the 1970s, and the

new high school building

opened its doors in 2005.

Who was James Haldane

anyway?

James Haldane was a supporter/

funder of the first Haldane

school, as you might already

know. There is, in fact, a statue

of James Haldane in the Middle

School entry to the main

building which you also might

have noticed.

By Bridget Goldberg

Fact #1: Founder: James H. Haldane

(1818-1887).

Fact #2: James Haldane donated

funds to build the original Haldane

School, which was located across the

street from its current location.

Below is the old Haldane High

School that was located in Tiny Tots

Park in Cold Spring.

H a l d a n e H i s t o r y

Page 5

H i g h s c h o o l S u r v e y : W h a t Y o u

W i s h Y o u K n e w i n m i d d l e S c h o o l

By Cassie Laifer A survey was sent to Haldane High School students about some things they wish they knew when they were in middle school. Here are their responses! 1. Is there anything you wish you knew to help you get from class to class? - Know that there is not enough time to talk to friends in between classes. - Remember to bring something to write with! - You don’t need to sprint to every class, 4 minutes is longer than you think. - Use your locker wisely, only make a few trips to it. 2. Is there anything you wish you knew not to do that upset your teachers? - Try not to be late, and if you are, have a pass.

- Talking in class is a major thing that gets teachers upset. Although it is hard not to talk to your friends, if you want to learn and not get in trouble you need to stay quiet in class. - Respect your teachers. You don't always have to have the last word. 3. Is there anything you wish you had signed up for and are sorry you didn't? - J.V. Soccer - Eco Devils - Cross Country - Forensic Science - Bio 4. Are there any projects you would advise to work really hard on? - 6th Grade Civilization Project - Any English project - Essays and long term projects - The "About Me" project in 8th grade

5. Do you have any bits of advice for the current middle school students? - Plan your time wisely, and homework is the key. - Have fun and try out different things. - Don't over or under work yourselves, live up to your full potential! - Try your hardest, and don't be scared of high school. Thank you to all the high school students who responded to this survey, I'm sure that the middle school is grateful for your advice!

Page 6

B o o k R e v i e w s

By Anneke Chan

Counting by 7’s By Holly Goldberg Sloan Rating (quality and age): 94%, 11-13 Willow Chance’s life has been ruined--her parents are dead. She doesn’t count by 7’s, indulge in gardening, or go to school. Her life has taken a whole new turn, and maybe for the better. She’s met Mai, Pattie, Jairo, Quang-ha, and Dell Duke. That’s a start for sure. Maybe things’ll be normal someday...hopefully someday soon. Liar and Spy By Rebecca Stead * New York Times Bestseller Rating (quality and age): 86%, 11-12 Georges is in seventh grade in a new apartment, with a new friend, Safer. Safer has declared himself a spy and acts like one, too. He can slip inside your window and leave a note without a sound, or sneak up behind you, stealthily. You never know. You never know everything about something or even somebody. Not even Safer.

The Lovely Bones By Alice Sebold Rating (quality and age): 98%, 13 -17 Susie Salmon was murdered on December 6, 1973...I was murdered on December 6, 1973. Heaven isn’t what I expected, there is a high school and a soccer field and a gazebo. But you could also go down and look at the Earth below. You could watch your loved ones pass rumors about how you had passed away, watch them cry, and live out their lives until they’ve joined you. You can even watch to see if your murderer is caught. George Harvey was never caught. He should’ve been caught and killed after what he did to me. He should’ve suffered the pain that I did - even more. But being dead isn’t all that bad. You can see your friends and family live and experience their greatest joys and sorrows - but not really be there; at least not completely. It’s lonely up here without them.

Divergent By Veronica Roth Rating (quality and age): 97%, 11-14 In the dystopian future, you are separated into factions. These factions are created based on how you think and act. Abnegation’s quality is selflessness. Dauntless’ quality is bravery. The Amity are

friendly and happy. The Erudite are smart. The Candor are honest. The Divergents are different- they are a mix, and many want to kill them, but Tris doesn’t know that yet. The choice that Beatrice needs to make today can alter her life forever. It affects who she sees, what she does, and how she “thinks.” What faction will she pick, and what will that push her to do?

Entwined By Heather Dixon Rating (quality and age): 100%, 11-14 When Azalea’s mom dies on Christmas Eve, she and her 11 sisters all need to mourn for a year. You can’t look in mirrors, go outside, dance, or wear any colors. This can be very tiresome, but when night falls - they dance. The Keeper lives in the walls of the castle, waiting to be let loose, and the man downstairs that they dance with tells them all about him and how evil he is, but who is the man downstairs, and could he be the evil Keeper?

Page 7

Mollie Altucher

Maddy Barkman

Theo Bates

Anneke Chan

Kelsea Condon

Laura Cosma

Julie Geller

Bridget Goldberg

Curtis Huber

Cassie Laifer

Quinn Petkus

Abigail Platt

Michael Scicluna

Mrs. Hoffman

“Only what’s

new and true”

HALDANE MIDDLE SCHOOL’S

TRUE BLUE TRIBUNE STAFF

L o o k i n g B A C K :

M S C o m m u n i t y R e a d

o f W o n d e r

By Laura Cosma

On the evening of Wednesday, February 12th Haldane Middle School hosted a community read event based on R. J. Palacio’s novel Wonder. This book is the story of a 5th grader with a facial deformity who starts going to public school for the first time in his life. After the community event, a survey was made available to middle school students and faculty about their experience reading the book and attending the nighttime program. First, Mr. Harrington shared his thoughts:

“I selected Wonder for our first Community Reads initiative because it thoughtfully captures many themes that are present in middle school. Although Auggie’s facial deformity is truly unique, all of us can identify with his experience in some way, in that we have all had experiences of feeling isolated, struggling to find

our social niche and dealing with classmates and peers that are intolerant and lack empathy. Thus, I was confident that this story, written through the perspective of different characters that interact with Auggie, would generate thoughtful and healthy discussion that teachers, parents, and students all felt comfortable engaging in.

The Community Reads event was a huge success with 38 middle school students participating. Most attended with a parent and the majority of our middle school teachers also participated. The evening began with some light refreshments and a video that showcased some reflections from students and staff. After spending 45 minutes in small groups discussing the novel, all participants returned to the auditorium for a fun video montage of our middle school students.”

Here’s what some middle school students had to say: Did you like the book? “I did like this book a lot because it made me think about how hard it must be to be a kid like Auggie.” ~ Gabriel K. “I really liked the book, I thought that the characters were so relatable, even Auggie because we all feel different sometimes.” ~ Grace C.

“I liked the book because it let me see another side of prejudice and how I shouldn’t assume anything of anyone before I get to know them.” ~ Anonymous What emotions did you feel while reading the book? “Reading Wonder made me feel differently about people with what Auggie has. I felt bad for kids who have to live with that.” ~ Gabriel K. How was the meeting? What happened that made you feel this way? “I liked the meeting because it made me think about the author’s reason for things and I got some pretty good ideas.” ~ Gabriel K. Are you glad you read the book? Why? “I am very glad I read “Wonder” because it made me aware that there are lots of kids like Auggie out there.” ~ Gabriel K.

I am glad I read the book because I enjoyed the story of Auggie going to Middle School and it let me [see] people on the inside rather than the out. ~ Anonymous

I’m really glad that I read the book because now, I have a totally different outlook on people who don’t necessarily look/act like everyone else. ~ Grace C.

Page 8

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