The Canine Chronicle MBMS May 2019

[t h e canine ] mount baker middle school, auburn, washington

may 2019

volume IX, issue 4

inside this issue: P.E. Fitness Expectations

6

Hallway Behavior

10

New AVID Program

13

FBI, Social Media, & Privacy

14

New Schools Built in Auburn

17

Student Apathy & Distractions

18

State Testing Approaches

22

10 Thing To Do in 10 Minutes

24

Anticipated Movies of Summer

28

Fast Food Reviews

30

Third Quarter Sports

32

What Grinds My Gears

35

FRONT COVER PHOTO: As technology continues to evolve, many students rely upon their phones more and more.

This can contribute to class disruptions and social media interference. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY L.GUERIBA. BACK COVER PHOTO: The play that was performed this year was The Princess and the Pirates which was written

by Mr. Char and his wife. The pictures shown are highlights of the play on both days it was performed, April 17 and 19. PHOTO COURTESY OF C. HAMILTON & PHOTO COLLAGE BY I. FLORES.

DEAR BULLDOGS, Greetings! The Canine Chronicle is proud to welcome you to our May Edition! Production at TCC moved slowly as our new journalists learned how to work side by side with our experienced journalists. During this time, our experienced journalists spent time completing our spotlight edition taken from information found in the 2018 Center for Educational Excellence (CEE) survey completed back in October.

The CEE survey was taken by most teachers and some parents but answered by 940 MBMS students. MBMS took the survey to provide administrators an overall look at the school’s position in containing the “9 Characteristic of HighPerforming Schools”.

Additionally, from this information our staff looks into many issues, from disinterest/distractions to parent participation. Section 504 Plans, IEPs, and P.E. fitness expectations are explained. Student hallway talk and work ethic were put into question.

Later on, all of our staff worked on informing you of everything that is going on in this busy beginning of fourth quarter. If you are still wondering about our canned food drive, school play, or sports from third quarter, then have a look through these pages. Entertain and destress yourself with our fast food reviews, WGMGs, anticipated movie reviews or the Avengers-themed Locker Lottery.

Learn about the dangers of social media and technology when our privacy is nonexistent. Also, have a look into the new schools coming soon in Auburn and the upcoming middle school schedule change. Figure out what it takes to be an honors students or sit back and become amazed by the eighth grader who presented in an art show.

TCC editors proudly pose with certificates from the WJEA Hopefully our pages reflect our mission and provide conference, where we received Best in Show for our Jan. knowledge and enjoyment to every MBMS reader! You may 2019 online edition. We welcome to our TCC editor staff Luci look forward to our upcoming satire edition which we will Sain as opinion editor and Nora Scott our new feature editor. work even harder to bring lots of laughs, outstanding writing PHOTO BY P. WARRING. and creative visuals!

Sincerely,

The Canine Chronicle

STAFF mission: EDITORS

REPORTERS

REPORTERS

REPORTERS

Isabell Flores Lavrielle Gueriba Therese Layacan Amy Martinez-Reyes Luci Sain Nora Scott

Ornela Amouzou-Adoun Emily Chi Erin Hein Jonah Huang Lauryn Ide Ethan Kang Marek Kliewer Hunter Martin

Jay Mentink Caden Metje Isabella Navarro Kelly Oh Hailey Rakos Nora Scott Chase Ramirez Emma Richardson

Leo Seo Jayme Singh Sean So Lydia Stuffleben Timo Werronen D’Andre Wilson

ADVISER Peter Warring

[

2

*

table of contents

The MBMS Journalism 8 class produced this open public forum student newspaper with intent to ethically report events accurately, without bias. As an open public forum for students, all decisions made on content are made by students under the guidance of the adviser, with intent to uphold students’ First Amendment rights.

The opinions presented in articles are provided to represent the views and perspectives of students and individuals in our diverse student population, not necessarily the whole of the adviser, faculty, and administrators. Any material that would cause a disruption to the educational process like libel, invasion of privacy, or copyright infringement will not be published.

The Canine Chronicle had adopted the SPJ Code of Ethics: seek truth and report it, minimize harm, act independently, and be accurate and transparent.

The Canine Chronicle is produced using Microsoft Publisher. Photographs not taken by students have been utilized through a Creative Commons and Microsoft license.

School portraits are licensed through Dorian Photography.

*

volume IX, issue 4

]

These students’ minds are somewhere else causing them to slack off and annoy their teacher. There are a multitude of reasons why they may be struggling to focus in class. PHOTO BY L. STUFFLEBEN & A.MARTINEZ-REYES.

Survey Reveals Student Work Ethic Changing D’ANDRE WILSON Over the course of many years, teachers and surveys have noticed changes in the work ethic of students in the classroom compared to previous years at MBMS. “I have seen a rather slow but steady decline in the work ethic of both my Algebra and my Pre-Algebra students,” math teacher Mr. Knighton said.

Knighton isn’t the only teacher to notice a decline in student work ethic.

“Students have less urgency in completing work on time.” ELA teacher Mrs. Durham said. “There are more excuses for not completing work.”

In the Center for Educational Excellence (CEE) survey, students believed that they were involved in solving problems around the school had decreased from 70 percent in the 2014-2015 school year to 68 percent in 2018-2019 and hadn’t showed any signs

[

may 2019

*

of rising.

While some students may have lackluster work ethic, some students are on the other side of the story.

“I think the work ethic is hit or miss,” eighth grade math teacher Mr. Middleton said. “There are many students who continuously complete assignments and do what is necessary to be successful.”

Even though there are some students with great work ethic, it seems the same thing can be said in every classroom.

“On the flip side, a number of students in my classes don't seem to value doing home and class work,” Middleton said.

There are many possible reasons for the decrease in effort among students in school over the years.

No one truly knows why students work ethic has decreased, but we can speculate for the possible reasons of the change in effort.

“Students today seems to be involved with a

news & features

multitude of extra-curricular activities both during and after school, as well as being caught up in today’s technology and social media,” Knighton said, In schools today, some students don’t seem to care about completing assignments or passing all of their classes and we might know what is affecting how much they care about school.

“If students did not pass core classes, they were required to make the class up in summer school or repeat the class/grade they failed,” Middleton said.

“Now, no matter what, kids can fail classes and they are moved onto the next grade.”

If work ethic in students continues to decrease, students will be setting themselves up for a tough time after school.

“I’m afraid that if a student is not putting forth the effort with the little work that they’ve been given, they will not put forth the effort on the major work either,” Knighton said. “Unfortunately, it is the student who ultimately suffers in the long run.” *

3

]

THERESE LAYACAN & LUCI SAIN According to the Center for Educational Excellence (CEE) survey conducted in October of this school year, a small percentage of students at MBMS are under a special education plan or a Section 504 plan.

Roughly one tenth of the student population is placed under a special education plan, eight percent being under an IEP and two percent under a 504 plan, according to estimates from Principal Brown.

The purpose of a Section 504 plan is to give changes and accommodations to a learning environment to meet the needs of the child as adequately as other students, at no cost to the parents or guardian of the student. A 504 plan is covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a civil rights law that prevents discrimination against people with disabilities.

On the other hand, the purpose of an IEP, or an Individualized Education Plan, is to give individualized special education and associated services to meet the needs of the child, and like a 504 plan comes at no financial cost to the parents. It is covered under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a federal special education law for children who have disabilities.

IEPs and 504 plans are unlike through subtle changes but both help ensure students achieve a proper education no matter their condition. Many of these accommodations or services aren’t discussed much at MBMS due to the confidentiality surrounding them.

“If a student has an IEP, it's not our business to share that IEP with other students and other people because that's a confidential program and it's up to them if they want to share,” Mr. Vatne, the seventhgrade counselor, said.

The confidentiality does not affect the amount of 504 or IEP students a school can have, however.

“If a student qualifies for them, then we are obligated to serve them,” Vatne said. “[The school] wants to make sure that the students get as much support as possible, so I want to make sure that teachers have the support they need.”

Accommodations are different for every plan. For example, if a student happens to have a visual impairment issue, they may be given auditory aids to practice in place for a viewed assignment. This student could apply for both an IEP and a 504 plan but it depends on if the student needs special

[

4

*

Students turn assignments in to Mrs. Carnahan while Jonah Huang, a staff member portraying a student with a 504 plan, exercises the accommodations of his plan by taking more time to do his work. Accommodations of 504 plans vary from plan to plan but may include more time on tests and assignments, less classwork or homework, excused lateness, absence, or missing assignments, modified grading or class schedules, and preferential seating. PHOTO BY T. LAYACAN

instructions or not. If so, they’d apply for an IEP. If not, they’d apply for a 504 plan.

“I want to emphasize probably what the biggest important things is that to qualify for a learning disability generally, you are going to need to be average or above average intelligence,” Vatne said.

“So the myth that special education kids aren’t too smart is definitely false.”

Referrals for IEPs and 504s can be done through past school districts who have already set up a plan for a student, outside agencies like doctors or counselors, teachers, and parents.

“This year I probably have gotten about six or seven [referrals],” Vatne said.

A school psychologist does testing for possible learning disabilities that affect a student’s achievement in the classroom. It takes about an hour to two hours to test a student's processing abilities, reading skills, and writing skills. Based on testing, the gap between their ability and achievement determine their learning disability. However, medical disabilities also qualify for IEPs and 504s.

“If I have any sort of medical related needs, I can just leave class and go down to the nurse’s office in order to complete whatever I need,” said an

news & features

anonymous source, who has a 504 plan. “And with [my] updated 504 plan, sometimes I don’t even need to go to the nurse’s office. I can just go to the back of the classroom and take care of whatever I need to do.”

This student often exercises the accommodations that come with their 504 plan.

“Depending on circumstances, sometimes they're a bit of outliers, where I might need to, like, go down to the nurse's office like maybe once or twice a day,” they said. “But for the most part, it's three to five times a week.”

Next school year, MBMS will be adopting a Specialized Education Center program, or an SLC, for students with severe medical, health, or physical needs. With this new program, one certificated teacher and several paraeducators will be coming and moving into room 204. Mrs. Ramirez-Dillard, the SPED math teacher in that room currently, will be moving to whatever room is opened up when a teacher is moved to the new portable being built on the other side of portable 909.

“Students in that class will be added to our culture,” Vatne said. “It'll add to the diversity, which I think is one of the strengths of Mount Baker.”

*

volume IX issue 4

]

[

may 2019

*

news & features

*

5

]

ISABELL FLORES & LAVRIELLE GUERIBA Physical education (P.E) tests are supposed to help students become more active. Through new tests assessing their fitness, are students actually improving though?

P.E. benefitted students and motivated them to become more active in which new material was adopted, according to some students.

“We are able to do more up to date workouts because of the new equipment that was brought in,” eighth grader Joselyn Newton said.

Students can also feel pressured to

do well with the ranges of the healthy fitness zone (HFZ), since it varies from each gender and age.

“When doing P.E. tests, I don’t want to be the only kid who can’t reach the HFZ or get a high score,” eighth grader Patrick Sanchez said.

Many students have a difference of opinions on whether or not P.E. should be required for everybody since some students could be doing activities outside of school.

“P.E. should be required because not everyone gets active every day so having one semester of P.E. is good for the health of students,” seventh grader Isabella Ashby said.

Sanchez agreed that requiring students to take P.E. should be enforced to students at school.

“Everyone should have to participate in P.E. so that students are active and they are doing some type of workout every day,” Sanchez said.

The HFZ is the range students should reach on certain tests. This causes different opinions on whether it is strict or not.

“Being able to reach the HFZ is easier for kids who are more active and do sports rather than kids who aren’t as active,” Ashby said. “The HFZ is a good balance of where

students should be.”

Ms. Kelly one of the P.E. teachers agreed that the HFZ is strict to a certain degree.

“The HFZ sets good goals for students,” Kelly said. “Students who do not participate in activities outside of school will have a harder time reaching the HFZ.” Many students dislike certain tests in P.E. when in class. The two most disliked tests were the push-ups and the pacer.

“Push-up tests are the hardest test to take. Many people struggle with pausing and then coming back up,” Newton said.

The HFZ (healthy fitness zone) varies from each student based on the average of each aspect of the students, making differences in the girls and boys HFZ. Plus there has been new equipment added to improve students fitness. ALL PHOTOS BY L. GUERIBA & I. FLORES

[

6

*

news & features

*

volume IX issue 4

]

In P.E., “fit” is linked with the HFZ because of the high standards for the specific student and is defined differently for everyone.

“As a teacher, I would say being ‘fit’ is when students are being active and are able to run and do sit-ups,” Kelly said. “Many students today fall into the culture of video games and sitting in the house all day.”

Newton also agrees with this meaning of “fit”.

“I think “fit” means being able to run a certain distance at a certain time,” Newton said.

P.E. scores can vary from each student and grade, whether they are active or not. Improvement is a great start for students even if they are in the HFZ or not.

“Try and give your best effort in class, participating in class and practicing at home will help you reach your goal,” Kelly said.

ALL PHOTOS BY L. GUERIBA & I. FLORES

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF DORIAN PHOTOGRAPHY

LAVRIELLE GUERIBA & ISABELL FLORES

“I think it’s fair for most students because it’s based on the average of students’ age and gender.”

“No, kids could meet that and if they make it less it could be easier.”

“No, they help you understand if you’re fit and in good health because, in the health zone, everyone should be in the health zone.”

“Depends. Big-boned people have a harder time accomplishing activities related to P.E. than others. ”

MR. EMMONS

AMELIA MIDDLETON

JOSE CASTRO

AMIRAH LEVCHENKO

physical education teacher

[

may 2019

sixth grade *

seventh grade

news & features

eighth grade

*

7

]

NORA SCOTT & ORNELA AMOUZOU-ADOUN Parent participation in school activities is low. This could have something to deal with students seeing a other students with the same race/ethnicity as them in the classroom. Parents may feel similar.

According to the Center for Educational Excellence (CEE) survey taken by students in October 2018 at MBMS only 16 percent of students almost always see others like them in the classroom and 44 percent at least often have parents involved in activities. These statistics may be discouraging both parties from participation. “[My parents do not participate in school activities] because they have their own job that takes up most of their time,” eighth grader Segen Alemayehu said. “My dad starts work at like six in the morning; gets home around one o'clock… so he really wouldn’t have time for that.”

But diversity could also be an issue.

The survey said that about half of the student body are white and Hispanic/Latino, the rest being Asian, and two or more races, taking up most of the other half.

But despite this, some parents are still active. “[My mom is in activities] because she enjoys helping out the club[s],” seventh grader Jenna Nutter said. “She’s helped out with the math club and she’s with band sometimes.”

Many felt that MBMS is a very

[

8

“I feel like some people don’t really like being in a school full of different people.” diverse; one of the most diverse and that the school has a lot of different clubs/sports to choose from.

Understanding others in school is also another issue.

According to the CEE Survey, about one in three students said

that they’ve been/ are being bullied in the U.S. With social media on the rise, although it has many positive effects, is still a platform that can be used for bullying.

“I feel like some people don’t really like being in a school full of

different people,” sixth grader Cameron Liddicoat said. “They might feel like that people will bother them and bully them because of the thing that they believe in [that is different].”

With making students feel like more comfortable, seeing other students like them is one way to go, but staff is another.

“I feel like a diverse staff… is the way to go.” Alemayehu said.

Ultimately, the first place you start is with having an open mind and being willing for change.

“I just wish everybody saw people,” Lewis said. “...I like my lens. My lens is I see people.”

Family Participation in Events/Activities at School

“Sometimes true” has the highest count of 26 percent of answers and a close second of “often true” with 22 percent.

The lowest is 13 percent on “seldom true”. INFOGRAPHIC MADE BY O. AMOUZOU-ADOUN VIA PIKOCHART

*

news & features

*

volume IX, issue 4

]

Ethnicity Statistics at MBMS

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF DORIAN PHOTOGRAPHY

This graph represents the race/ethnicity population at MBMS, according to the CEE Survey. The “other” shows African/American/black, Pacific Islander/ Native HI, and American Indian/ AK Native. INFOGRAPHIC BY O.AMOUZOU-ADOUN COURTESY VIA PIKOCHART

“First off, I think equality.”

“Make it seem more friendly, I guess.”

“[Having] more of an environment that most people would like to join.”

“I feel like we have a lot of different activities, but I feel like we could have even more because not every kid plays sports.”

SEGEN ALEMAYEHU

JENNA NUTTER

CAMERON LIDDICOAT

MR. LEWIS

eighth grade

[

seventh grade may 2019

*

assistant principal

sixth grade

news & features

*

9

]

Are kids getting too comfortable in the hallways?

CADEN METJE & TIMO WERRONEN Like many middle schools, Mt. Baker is filled with kids using “inappropriate” language.

According to the Center for Educational Effectiveness (CEE) survey, only 21 percent of students believed that most students are “almost always” respectful of others at Mt. Baker, which is a concern of teachers and students alike, which means 79 percent of time stundets may not feel respected.

“The amount of inappropriate language is alarming [in class and in the halls],” eighth grade math teacher Mr. Middleton said.

But office assistant Ms. Baker isn’t too bothered by swearing.

“Words are just a way of expressing feelings in thoughts,” Baker said. “I do think that swearing is kind of lazy—if you are trying to express anger or frustration with someone, it is more productive to use words that more accurately express your feelings and thoughts.”

It’s not to say swearing is completely harmless.

“I can think of several instances where a student is upset because another kid has used cruel or vulgar words,” Baker said. “It makes me feel sad and disappointed because some people can use words like rocks and they can really hurt

[

10

MBMS students travel the halls from period to period going about their day, talking about teachers, classes, or whatever's on their mind. But who knows what they’re really saying? PHOTO BY T. WERRONEN.

someone’s feelings.”

Some consider cursing as just part of growing up, others a horrifying way of expressing feelings and students being as diverse. . “Honestly, we all make mistakes and use poor word choice,” Middleton said.

Most kids can usually change their language or word choice depending on their environment.

We all know that students talk different around teachers than with their friends, but are kids

*

getting too comfortable in the hallways?

“I can think of several instances where a student is upset because another kid has used cruel or vulgar words.” Ms. Baker said. “…It makes me feel sad and disappointed because some people can use words like rocks, and they can really hurt someone’s feelings.”

This goes back to how only 54 percent of student thought that peers are “always/ almost always” respectful according to

news & feature

*

the CEE Survey.

The hallways will always be filled chatter, good and bad, but discerning between what you say to your friends and what you say to teachers or other kids should be learned.

Being respectful to those you don’t know might help; who knows how they feel about certain words or phrases.

So it’s always good to think before you speak.

volume IX, issue 4

]

ORNELA AMOUZOU-ADOUN, ETHAN KANG, CHASE RAMIREZ

Would you rather be Iron Man or Captain America.?

I.F.: Iron man, because he can fly and has a lot of money.

I.S.O.: Iron Man! He’s rich, famous, plus a cool suit.

R.R.: I would rather be Iron Man, so I could fly.

What is your favorite Marvel movie?

I.F: Infinity War, because it was sad when everyone died.

I.S.O.: Infinity War, because it’s the longest and most action packed.

R.R.: Captain Marvel, because it was something new.

Who is your favorite Avenger?

I.F: Thor, because he is the God [of Thunder].

The Locker Lottery is a way of getting student’s opinions on various topics. The staff selected one student from each grade for this Avenger’s themed Q & A. The sixth grader asked was Ian Foultz. The seventh grader was Isaac Salamanca Olivares. The eighth grader was Rhealyn Ramos.

I.S.O.: Thor, he’s powerful and God of Thunder .

R.R.: The Hulk .

Which Avenger do you think is the biggest joke?

I.F.: Hulk ,because he turns green.

I.S.O.: Bruce Banner in Infinity War, because the Hulk he does come out because he’s a baby.

R.R.: Hawkeye.

If Thanos applied for a job, what would he put on his resume?

I.F.: Thor’s Axe. I.S.O.: His past is his weakness, because of all the trauma.

R.R.: Professional glove model.

Who do you think will kill Thanos?

I.F.: Thor because he almost killed him last time .

I.S.O.: Thor, because Thanos killed his brother, and he has a really powerful axe .

R.R.: Captain Marvel.

Who is the strongest Avenger?

I.F.: Captain America because he can’t die .

I.S.O.: Thor because he’s the God of Thunder and he has a really powerful axe .

R.R.: The Hulk.

Which Avenger should or will die if everyone was alive?

I.F.: Iron Man because he almost died in Infinity War .

I.S.O.: Star-lord deserves to die because he stopped the Avengers from stopping Thanos .

R.R.: I don’t really know.

Who do you want to come back in Avengers Endgame?

I.F.: Spider-man, because he was Stan Lee’s favorite character and he made him.

I.S.O.: Spider-man.

R.R.: Spider-man.

Which Marvel crossover would you want ?

I.F.: They already did the all the crossovers I wanted .

I.S.O.: Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers.

R.R.: Dr. Strange and Iron Man.

PHOTO ILLISTRATION BY C.RAMIREZ VIA MARVEL STUDIOS

[

may 2019

*

news & features

*

11

]

“Paying attention in school, and especially focusing on and studying the subject that would take them to [their goals].” seventh Grader Kelsi Gittens said. “I think that as you go through school, if you find that one thing that you really like to do, and you want to pursue then do it.” PHOTO COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS

HAILEY R AKOS

Students are having a hard time envisioning their future according to the Center for Educational Effectiveness (CEE) survey that the MBMS student body took this school year.

“The spring is the toughest time statistically for schools in third quarter, “ social studies teacher Mrs. Carnahan said, “We call it the third quarter dip, not sure why this is, maybe because of the new semester.”

Student motivation has seen an eight percent drop according to the CEE from the 2016 survey. This may be one reason why MBMS students are having a hard time.

[

12

“A lot of times, what [middle schoolers are] interested in, isn't necessarily the classes that they're taking at school,” Carnahan said.

“Students may find fields they enjoy outside of the classroom that lead to their future jobs.”

Math teacher Mr. Middleton is starting a program next year for seventh and eighth grade classes called AVID, meant to help students that hit at the average mark do the best that they can. “[AVID] is an acronym that stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. And so it’s two things; it’s an elective class, but then it’s a school-wide strategy approach as well.” Middleton said.

The class will be used to help

*

students plan for their future and work hard to reach realistic goals.

“I think that as you go through school, it's like if you find that one thing that you really like to do, and you want to pursue that I guess then it will make a stepping stone to keep going in that direction,” seventh grader Kelsi Gittens said.

Though the majority of students are on the path to college, there are other options that students might consider. College isn’t the path for everyone and different pursuits are always out there.

“There's a need, especially in Seattle, seeing as we are the fastest growing city.” Carnahan said. “There's a need for the technical support in hands-on jobs

news & features

*

and I think that a lot of our kids would find that apprenticeships are more appealing, like being a carpenter or plumber.”

More people have started to see hard work and grit as more of a sign of success than the traditional idea that success is built for a set group of people.

Success in life is different from one person to the next. “[Students don’t worry about their futures] just because they're still kids, [students] are still so young and still so impressionable.”

Carnahan said. “They're trying to figure out what their interests are and then what they want to do.”

volume IX, issue 4

]

SURVEY: ‘Some Just Don’t Enjoy School’ JAYME SINGH Many students are saying that they don’t feel like the work they are given by their teachers is useful for them or is not interesting to them according the Center fro Educational Excellence (CEE) survey from Oct. 2018.

On the survey, only twenty-five percent of students said “most of the time” students are busy doing the

schoolwork they have been given by their teachers.

As of that, seventy-five percent of students are “not always” busy doing their work.

Seventh grader Grace Wheeler said how she didn’t agree with students not doing work..

“Some students just don’t enjoy school, so they do their best to make school more enjoyable for themselves by slacking off and not doing their work,” Wheeler said.

Also on the survey, only twenty-eight percent of students say they that that “the work they were given would be useful for them in the future.”

Some teacher do have to give their students some work that most likely won’t be currently useful for the student, but because of some tests that they have to give students, the student will have to know that piece of information.

Next school year MBMS will try using AVID for seventh and eighth who are falling behind or struggling with school.

AVID is an acronym for advancement via individual determination which means that they focus on a kid’s critical thinking, teamwork, growing writing ability, organization, and reading skills.

AVID aspires for students to take control over their own learning, which seems to be working.

Ninety-three percent of student who use AVID meet four-year college entrance requirements, 90 percent who apply are accepted into four-year colleges, and 85 percent persist into the second year of college.

With the number of students that don’t go to college who also don’t use AVID are rising, the number of students who don’t go to college that use AVID are dropping.

Cynthia Lee, who is an elementary school teacher, attempted using AVID when she noticed her students were not engaged with their work.

“I completely changed the way I teach,” Lee said.

“It’s just amazing the difference it’s made in my teaching and students’ learning.”

AVID also helps students relate to their work easier. In the textbooks we use at school , they have work that is supposed to be relatable to students but it really isn’t.

“Schools today include students of diverse cultures, languages, and backgrounds. AVID helps teachers relate to all students,” AVID ‘s site said.

AVID helps students who are falling behind in school gain good grades and helps them attend a good college. AVID also helps engage teachers in lessons they might not enjoy teaching. PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

[

may 2019

*

news & features

*

13

]

plain and simple.

“I want to get that out, because I want it to be very, very clear,” Brown said.

“Nothing. Nothing you put on the internet on social media is private. Nothing.”

Eighth grader Quinn Donermeyer explained her thoughts about the FBI seeing everything.

“I think it is good that they can see everything because they can keep track of digital footprint,” Donermeyer said.

This is becoming a big issue around the world, especially as more and more people use social media. Donermeyer said she is on apps like Instagram and Snapchat for around six hours a day. As these apps become more and more attached to our lives, the consequences from the government will continue to get stricter.

Another eight grader, Mason Hopkins, said that he has seen a plethora of inappropriate posts on social media, specifically Snapchat.

“I mostly see sexual content like pornography [shared by other users on Snapchat], sometimes guns, and violence, like fights,” Hopkins said.

Although, most people only see the cons of social media apps, according to Donermeyer and Hopkins, there are many aspects to love too. “[It’s] fun to see into other people's lives and to relate with millions of people,” Hopkins said.

All in all, safety is the reason that the government is becoming so involved with student lives, and as long as more people are making accounts that impact school safety, they will start monitoring students closer and closer.

As the years go on, make sure to be cautious about what you post, and don’t be next, like Principal Brown warned.

“Nothing. Nothing you put on the internet on social media is private.

Nothing,” Brown said.

JAY MENTINK

From Mark Zuckerberg to students at MBMS in Auburn, social media has been creating controversy in everyone’s life.

Last month, an anonymous student at MBMS was investigated in the middle of the school day for an inappropriate post on Snapchat. (This student was unavailable for comment due to privacy laws.)

Principal Brown gave his insight on the incident.

“Recently, the A uburn P olice Department came to talk to me because they were notified by the FBI about something a student of our school posted on Snapchat.” Brown said.

This is not the first time Mr. Brown has been confronted at school by the police, he has also had to call them multiple times.

“This is the second time I have been approached by the police [in eight years at MBMS],” Brown said. “I’ve had to call the police probably a half dozen times.”

Over the years as social media has started to “blow up”, schools have been watching out for this type of thing, but it was still a surprise for Principal Brown to hear that the FBI was involved. “[The police arriving] was shocking for me, but it makes me feel good,” Brown said. “That’s what we’re looking for, [police keeping students safe], but I had no idea that it’s happening. Oh, it’s happening.”

Inappropriate posts and threats on social media has become an ongoing issue in our country, to the point where now even agencies like the FBI have access to everything you put on every app, even quick photos and direct messages! They can go into your history and look at everything you have sent.

Principal Brown made his statement

[

14

*

Front door of MBMS (bottom) and Federal Bureau of Investigation badge (top). PHOTO COUTESY OF FRONTNEWS.EU (TOP) AND AUBURN.WEDNET.EDU (BOTTOM)

news & features

*

volume VII, issue 4

]

NORA SCOTT

Securly is a web filtering system used by MBMS students, but it also helps out in other categories, such as helping out with getting students the help they need.

Securly looks for words related to bullying, self-harm, suicide, etc. and alerts staff of the searching.

Said searches can lead to staff finding out if students need help or not, which the problems the students could be having may not be reported for numerous reasons. “[Securly] has been helpful to us supporting kids with issues that they were too afraid to mention to adults on their own,” Principal Brown said.

“It’s allowed us to provide resources and help for kids who needed it.”

Also, Securly blocks sites that could have mature content, if cyber bullying occurs on places like Gmail, and more that could be harmful to MBMS students.

[Securly] has been helpful to us supporting kids with issues that they were too afraid to mention to adults on their own. It’s allowed us to provide resources and help for kids who needed it.”

—Principal Brown “If a kid tries to go on a dangerous site, it will block them from going on and it’s safe for the kids.” seventh grader Shania Dingo said.

Around the start of second semester, more sites have been blocked on Chromebook, meaning security was increased and even blocked some functions. Even helpful ones.

Some can’t even access their camera. For most, the shortcuts to

app on the bottom of the screen have stopped working as well.

Sixth grader Giselle Alvarez said that recently, she tried to go on a completely safe for school game and Securly blocked her.

The district sets up the guidelines for the accessible sites dealing with Chromebook, which has been proven effective.

“The district sets certain websites/ apps/extensions that are labeled OK

for schools,” Brown said. “All other websites/apps/extensions are blocked.”

On the topic of mental illness, Securly helps for the age range of middle school students.

“Half of all mental disorders begin by age 14 and three-quarters by age 24,” MentalHealthFirstAid.org said.

Securly can help gets kids the help they need, whether they tell or not.

Some students may feel embarrassed or ashamed of their problems. “...It can helps kids if they feel depressed and it... lets us know how they feel,” eighth grader Aaliyah Watts said. “If they’re feeling suicidal, we can stop it, and we can help.”

As generations come, diagnosed depression and anxiety becomes higher and Securly can help students get the help they need.

“Kids that need help, need help,” Dingo said. “If they don’t get help, it’ll only get worse.”

Securly blocks social media, such as Instagram. Securly also blocks Twitter, Tumblr, Snapchat, and now Netflix. PHOTO BY N. SCOTT

[

may 2019

*

news & features

*

15

]

MBMS Exceeds Canned Food Drive Donation Goal JONAH HUANG & LEO SEO In March, the district canned food drive took place. Students donated canned food items or cash during their first period class towards helping people in Auburn who currently struggle with economic disadvantages.

Schools from all around the district collected donations for Auburn Food Bank, which services go directly towards helping people in the community.

“All food and money goes directly to the Auburn Food Bank to help people in our community,” drive organizer Tracy Sherin said. “Money is used to help folks facing utility shut off notices or are facing evictions due to rent money shortages.”

At MBMS, seventh grade social studies teacher Tracy Sherin organized the canned food drive. Ms. Sherin collected donations and made announcements to promote the cause.

She helped the students at $5000 worth of food and cash donations for the drive.

“I believe Ms. Sherin did a wonderful job on bringing why the Auburn Food Bank was important and getting us involved again in giving to the food bank,” seventh grade social studies teacher Sally Koenig said.

Students were motivated with prizes and events such as the two “Dollars for Devices” days, in which students donated five dollars to the food drive for headphone access for the day.

“Our first ‘Dollars for Devices’ was AMAZING!” Sherin said. “We were truly impressed with the amount of kids willing to ‘buy into’ this event. I mean, who wouldn’t love tuning into their favorite tunes for a day?”

During the duration of the drive, Ms. Sherin helped motivate students for

the food drive with announcements about the drive, prizes and events, drive turnout, and even played music through the loudspeakers.

However, many students found the announcements to be quite faulty.

“I think they were a little long,” eighth grader Madelyn Taylor said. “I think announcements are important to show what we’re doing, but they were really long.”

Although Olympic Middle School did raise the most amount of food and money this year, MBMS had a massive increase of donations this year compared to past years with an almost $5000 increase from the 2017 school year.

“Historically, Mt. Baker hasn’t had the success that we experienced this year,” Sherin said. “I believe enthusiasm is infectious, and I say watch out, Olympic. We’re about to dethrone you!”

From March 11-22, students donated canned food items and money to the district canned food drive. This year, MBMS raised over $3,500 dollars in cash donations. PHOTO COURTESY OF J. HUANG

[

16

*

news & features

*

volume IX, issue 4

]

This is the projected look of the new Olympic Middle School, opening this fall 2019, made by an architect working on the project. The new building will be approximately 105,000 square feet. PHOTO COURTESY OF AUBURN SCHOOL DISTRICT

LAURYN IDE & D’ANDRE WILSON Two new elementary schools and six reconstructions of old schools are being built in the Auburn School District due to the overpopulation of our current schools.

Other than the new schools, six older schools in Auburn are going to be rebuilt at times from 2019 to 2023. They are being built to cope with the overpopulation of schools caused by the rising amount of citizens of Auburn as new housing continues to be built. "[With] the higher cost of living in North King County forcing

[

may 2019

families to move South," said Mr. Carter, a math teacher, "[T]he total number of students in the Auburn School District will continue to increase over the next 10-20 years."

These new residents could cause a rise in the size of schools, though more possibly the number of schools in the area. More people means that there needs to be space to house and educate them, meaning more schools.

“My numbers may not be affected by the new schools, because the new schools being built are elementary schools and not middle schools,” said Ms.

*

Koenig, seventh grade teacher.

“However, if more people move into the area because of the new elementary schools, our numbers may soar!”

Although they are not finalized, the finish dates for these new schools are in 2020 and 2021, and the other schools are being built from 2019-2023. The construction for one of the new schools has already started and is the one projected to be finished next year.

“So they're clearing the property,” Principal Brown said.

“The official . . . groundbreaking ceremony [was] April 20, and that school [will] open fall of 2020 . . .

news & features

*

it's right back here on the corner of Kersey and evergreen [in] . . . the bottom half of Lakeland.”

As of April 24, there were 1,018 students at MBMS, and that number will continue to rise and fall as kids leave and enter the community.

Auburn is certainly a growing community, especially when considering that just 20 years ago our population was less than half of what it is now.

“All the schools are packed . . . and we continue to grow," Brown said.

17

]

AMY M ARTINEZ-REYES & LYDIA STUFFLEBEN

MBMS students have shown a decline in overall interest of school, from the CEE survey taken back in October 2018.

Forty-two percent of students chose “sometimes true, seldom true, or almost never true” when reading the statement that work done in MBMS classrooms is “useful and interesting” to them.

Some arguments for this drop is that students have too many distractions, the staff is not engaging teens, or simply students have yet to find that one subject that sparks their interest, according to anonymous comments.

Sixth grader Beatrice Maurus thought another reason could be the early school time.

"Most jobs don't have you wake up that early and it's kind of a waste of time," Maurus said. "I can barely concentrate."

At home, according to the CEE survey, students can access the internet on personal devices.

Approximately 60 percent of students can use PCs or laptops, 50 percent can use tablets, and 85 percent can use phones.

Eighth grader Liam Barragan was unsure if phones caused fewer students to be uninterested but knows about the effect of technology.

“People get lots of notifications every day,” Barragan said. “Say someone posted something on social media, lots and lots of people then like it.”

However, the latest technology can also be used in educational ways.

Sometimes Chromebooks are used to play competitive learning games such as Kahoot or Quizlet Live.

Seventh grader Rafael MelendezMacias, thought studying through these games could be more enjoyable than regular lessons.

“Well, it makes it more like

interesting and like people want to do it,” Melendez-Macias said.

Barragan thought teachers could work on “explaining why the lesson can help them later on in life” in order to engage more students.

In addition, social studies teacher Mrs. Carnahan had similar thoughts.

“Teachers need to find ways to make connections with kids,” Carnahan said, “With the technology we have today, there are so many different platforms to get the students doing and creating and that is what keeps students engaged.”

Events such as careers fairs, SAT/ college presentations, and high school counselor visits can help adolescents grasp what they want their future to look like, therefore providing them a purpose in school.

Consequently, some students choose to focus on only certain subjects, but science teacher, Ms. Lacy finds value in all education.

“Surprise! Geometry comes in handy

when trying to reorganize my living room furniture,” Lacy said. “And learning about the branches of government and checks and balances wasn’t interesting to me at 13 but seems more relevant than ever.”

Sixty-nine percent of students from the CEE survey said they almost always or often enjoy coming to school which, in a school of over a thousand students, is only about 700 teens.

A school with everyone joyful is an impossible task but Melendez-Macias stated that he mostly does enjoy school.

“The school already has pretty good staff members. Well, say the one thing that I want is…better security to avoid lockdowns,” Melendez-Macias said.

“One subject that I’m not really interested in is mostly like writing. I may not like it but I still believe it will become useful in the future.”

INFORGRAPHICS BY A. MARTINEZ-REYES

[

18

*

spotlight

*

volume XI, issue 4

]

A teacher's lesson on the Industrial Revolution can be no match to a phone's many features. Additionally, stress from other classes and lack of sleep can also affect the student's ability to stay on task. PHOTO

BY A. MARTINEZ-REYES & L. STUFFLEBEN

Students are facing the grueling and tedious school work and choose to daydream or focus on other tasks. However, some students end up paying the price for their decisions. PHOTO BY L. STUFFLEBEN & A. MARTINEZ-REYES

[

may 2019

*

As the bell rings math class begins and the teacher quickly starts to fit in all the information needed, the board makes less sense as seconds go by, meanwhile, you are struggling to write down every single detail that can help you. Frustrated, many students at this point choose to give up, doodling instead. PHOTO BY L. STUFFLEBEN & A. MARTINEZ-REYES

spotlight

*

19

]

INFORGRAPHIC BY L. STUFFLEBEN

[

20

*

spotlight

*

volume XI, issue 4

]

INFORGRAPHIC BY A. MARTINEZ-REYES

[

may 2019

*

spotlight

*

21

]

New Procedure, Less Time, More Stress ISABELL FLORES & AMY MARTINEZ-REYES COMPILED BY ISABELL FLORES 

Bring healthy foods that will help power your brain, brain food = protein and fats!



Study as much as you can a make sure you are well prepared for the tests. Study Resources: http://www. k12.w a. us/Science/ Assessments.aspx , Washington Comprehensive Assessment Program (WCAP) and Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) & iReady.



Be Organized. Students who choose to make graphic organizers for the writing portion generally compose essays that are more organized than students who do not use graphic organizers. Having a “road map” prior to writing a final copy saves time in the long-run.



The night before the test students should get at least a full 8-10 hours of sleep.



Think back to all the practice problems you have completed with your teachers and remember that you got this!



Read and re-read what the question is asking you. Use your resources: if the prompt is asking you to write a procedure, was there a procedure previously provided that you could model yours after?



Did you look at the definitions for the scientific vocabulary? In the past, science words had a VERY FAINT grey box around them and if you clicked on the box it would bring up the definition.

This could be slightly different this year as the test has changed but use what is available.



Come into the test confident knowing that you will do the best to your ability.



Eat breakfast. It will help your brain function and will give you the energy you need to complete the test.



Do not stress over a question that you’re stuck on. Mark it and come back to it later. Use your time wisely.

[

22

*

State testing is approaching as the end of the year gets closer and closer. There will be changes implemented into this year’s SBA (Smarter Balanced Assessment) and MSP (Measurement of Students Progress).

Testing days for this year are set, you will have one day for Math on June, 4 and two days for English Language Arts on May 30 & 31. For all eighth graders the Science test will be taken on May 22.

More clearly, the eighth grade MSP will be completed within a one day period in the student’s science class. However, the Language English Language Arts and Math tests will be taken in the first three hours of the school day.

Eighth grader Nicole Tran viewed the schedule as being shortened way too much.

“Kind of unrealistic, considering the fact that for ELA, we have to write a whole essay,” Tran said.

Many students like seventh grader William Sims, don’t often prepare for the SBA test. They just go in hoping that they remember all the concepts they learned in class and throughout their homework. For further help, teachers provide students with extra online resources but most agree with this idea.

“Students have been preparing for this test all year with their teachers,” math teacher Mr. Lubash said. “And that has been the best test prep.”

Additionally, less time to complete the state tests can increase students anxiety to receive an adequate score with fewer time. Science teacher Ms. Lacy is confident that the new schedule contains the correct time to finish the tests.

“The test is different this year than it has been in the past,” Lacy said. “The adjustment coincides with the test.”

Taking the English Language Arts and Math test in 3 hours may seem harmful to some, because it doesn’t not allow for numerous breaks. Sims only suggested that the new procedure was changed in containing more breaks.

“It can give your brain a break,” Sims said.

In just last year’s April edition of TCC a new testing SBA schedule was showcased as well.

Even though there are some imperfections to the testing procedure, seventh grade language arts teacher Mrs. Durham believed it works.

“There is no such thing as a ‘perfect state test’,” Durham said. “Every year the state learns what worked well and what didn’t work well.

Therefore, we see major or minor changes every year.”

GRAPHIC BY A. MARTINEZ-REYES

news & features

*

volume VII, issue 4

]

NORA SCOTT & LAVRIELLE GUERIBA Expectations for honors students and general education students differ, based on the standards of both teachers and students. This has caused academic stress to rise within both parties.

For honors classes, the expectations are higher, with having to get an 80 percent, or B-, or higher in each class

and harder/faster material. For general education, it’s 60 percent, or D-. “...Every teacher kind of runs the classroom a little bit different and has different expectations,” eighth grade counselor Mrs. Brubaker said. “But from what I have heard from students, and just talking to them it sounds like that they have more homework in honors program, and that their assignments are possibly a little bit

Expectations in honors and general education differ from the classwork and homework each class gets. The stress and amount of sleep each class gets varies. PHOTOS COURTESY OF DORIAN PHOTOGRPAHY

ISABELLA FITZGERALD

MADELYN TAYLOR

honors

    

general education

 

Homework mainly from math “I would say about two hours [of homework] a night, on average.” Fitzgerald said.

Dances 25+ hours/ week Stress level currently is 7.5 out of 10 “On average, [I get] about five and a half to seven [hours of sleep].” Fitzgerald said.

[

may 2019

*

  

Homework is mainly from math “I get, like a math worksheet,” Taylor said. “... I just do it at lunch, or whenever I have time, since I’m not at home a lot.”

Has cheer practice until past 9 p.m.

Stress level is currently 9 out of 10 Gets six to seven hours of sleep/ night.

news & features

*

different.”

Homework volume s a factor between honors and general education that often separated the difficulty level of both. Time management is a common struggle between the two.

“I get like a math worksheet,” eighth grader Madelyn Taylor said. “But since I do after school activities, I just do it at lunch, or whenever I have time, since I'm not home a lot.”

School is supposed to challenge students, some subjects are more challenging.

“I would say the Geometry [class homework] can tend to be hard,” eighth grader Isabella Fitzgerald said. “History and Language Arts and Biology aren’t super hard.”

The expectation of honors and general education are reflected off most of the tests that students take throughout the year. Those who advanced higher on tests are taken into honors. “...We mainly look like at the SBA, but we try to look at all the tests and make sure we’re taking kids that have 80 percent or above,” Brubaker said.

Although general education and honors divide the pace of which topics are learned, they often have different impressions between the two.

“I think people type up honors more that, you’re smart if you take it,” Taylor said. “...Even though people can be really smart and just do general classes…”

Through honors, it can be misinterpreted that students have a higher knowledge compared to general education classes.

“In honors, you’re just held to higher standards and they give you harder work, but expect you to do just as well on it,” Fitzgerald said.

Between honors and general education, teachers still have a set of goals directed for each class.

“There’s an expectation that always the same,” seventh grader Hailey Caswell said.

“They want you to try your best.”

23

]

EMILY CHI & LUCI SAIN Before school, teachers will receive an extra ten minutes of peace before the rush of students comes next year.

The time for students to arrive at school has been pushed back ten minutes to the time that students have previously arrived.

This change was decided by the Auburn District Supreme Attendance about two weeks ago to fix the problem of bus shortage in the district. Beside MBMS, many other schools in the district have also changed their schedules. All elementary schools will start at 8:45 or 9:25, while most high schools will start at 8:10.

“There's a massive shortage of bus drivers,” said Mr. Brown, the principal of MBMS, “It's really hard to get buses to all those places at all these random times so now they changed.”

Brown said he doesn’t mind the time change, because it’s only a short amount of time. In fact, the extra time may give some benefits to students because they will have more time to do things and get some extra sleep.

“I don’t mind the starting time honestly,” Brown said. “. . . People can sleep in extra time and sports teams will have more time to practice in the morning before school starts.”

Although the new time brings many benefits, Brown also stated that it is going to be hard for people to get used to the new schedule.

“The hardest thing would just be us getting used to that...we're all used to getting up at a certain time and...hear the bell ring at a certain time...in the morning,” Brown said. “So [it will] take a couple weeks probably for people to get kind of in the swing of that..”

[

24

1. SLEEP AN EXTRA TEN MINUTES

2. LISTEN TO YOUR FAVORITE SONG

You could spend your extra couple minutes setting ten extra alarms, which you’ll probably sleep through.

Ever want to listen to a song over and over in the morning but didn’t have enough time? Well, now you can listen to your favorite one minute song 10 times!

8. WORK OUT

7. FINISH YOUR HOMEWORK

With ten minutes of workout time, you could burn over 100 calories! You’re going to need it if you ate all those extra foods.

If you’re a procrastinator, this is your chance to finish your homework before class starts.

9. HANG OUT WITH FRIENDS Want to make some friends? This is your chance!

*

news & features

*

volume IX, issue 4

]

4. BRUSH YOUR TEETH FIVE TIMES

Getting yourself in that learning mood, you can be finishing the lesson “Count using stickers - up to 10” for the added brain boost!

Cleaning your teeth for a longer amount of time means you will have a brighter smile. Say cheese!

6. WATCH T.V.

5. MORE TIME FOR BREAKFAST

You could even watch 3 episodes of Barbie Life in the Dreamhouse with a whole extra minute to spare!

PHOTOS COURTESY OF L.SAIN. ALARM CLOCK PHOTO COURTESY WWW.WIKIMEDIA.ORG

3. Earn IXL Prizes

You could finish an eating competition in ten minutes against your family. Show them who the real winner is by gorging all your food down in seconds. That’ll make an impact!

10. PLAY VIDEO GAMES Why not build a boat in “Build a Boat” from Roblox with your friends for a couple of minutes!

[

may 2019

*

news & features

*

25

]

ISABELLA NAVARRO

The Princess and the Pirates is an original production created and directed by school choir and drama teacher Mr. Char. This play, in particular, was immensely prized and highly rated among a large population of MBMS. Contrary to most musicals produced, this one was never witnessed worldwide, but only introduced 10 years ago last time it was directed and produced.

With more pages of dialogue than average for the cast to memorize and rehearse under limited time, having 2-3 hours of practice each day, the cast really pulled off a show

many enjoyed.

“It was entertaining to watch because of the energy that the cast members put into it.” seventh grader Grace Wheeler said. “And it was different because I’ve never seen fight scenes really in any of the musicals.”

Char's efforts with writing the play were outstanding, and though some students were not as enthusiastic about it, 71 percent of students surveyed rated the play 8 stars or higher in a rating out of 10.

“My thoughts on the musical was that it was really great.” seventh grader Jillian Lee said. “Especially since that it was written and directed by just Mr. Char. The music

was well written, and the plot was great. The amount of time it takes to make a whole musical is more than plenty!”

As everyone had their favorite part of a play, show, or musical, most people also seemed to enjoy the plot twist of the narrator being the daughter of our two main protagonists.

“What made it entertaining to watch was the hook at the end when she was a child of the princess,” sixth grader Aaron Shabo said.

With an increased number of pages of dialogue to memorize, 104 in total, there were problems of course. Most are about 80 pages of dialogue, taken up by songs and music.

“This year, more than other years, I couldn't get people to memorize their lines,” Char said. “I mean, we’re still queuing lines at dress rehearsal at the theater.”

Working hard in this play was essential, either behind the stage practicing or on stage, a lot of pressure was built upon the cast.

However, the cast was the right choice for this year, and it was enjoyable for them to be included in such an original production.

“There were two casts and I feel like each cast really complimented each other and both casts were really well put together.” eighth grader Kylie DePiano said.

Eighth grader Madelyn Taylor played Katie in the second cast Friday, April 19 as the sister of Dante, the captain of the pirates. PHOTO COURTESY OF C. HAMILTON

[

26

*

arts & entertainment

*

volume IX, issue 4

]

THERESE LAYACAN & KELLY OH Eighth grader Amaya Kokame was featured at The Lounge by AT&T for the Capitol Hill Art Walk on March 14, making it her second

public event where she has displayed her art.

Principal Brown sent an email to the staff promoting the art show, praising Kokame for her “amazing talent.” Mrs. Wells, Kokame’s fourth

Amaya Kokame sits in The Lounge at Capitol Hill holding a drawing of one of the prints she sold at the art show. Depicted are characters from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. “That one took me a little longer just because I had to place all the characters where I wanted [them] to be, so that one took me nine hours,” Kokame said. PHOTO COURTESY OF E. ALFORD

[

may 2019

*

period art teacher, found out through this email.

“At first [my reaction] was ‘Cool!’” Wells said in an email. “And then ‘Why didn’t she tell me about it?!’”

Despite the opportunity for this art show coming about last minute, Kokame still had fun.

“It was pretty good. I hoped that more people came,” Kokame said.

“It was more of like [a] ‘people come and go’ kind of thing.”

Kokame had to set up a lot of the display herself for her digital art at The Lounge.

“We had to get the racks to hang up the posters, and loaded [them] up into the cafe, and then put [up] posters,” Kokame said.

A couple of her friends came to support her art display in Seattle, including eighth grader Sydney Thayer-O’Brien.

“It was fun to see her be in a more public space and have a bunch of people come and see her art,” Thayer-O’Brien said. “I actually found out about it a week before it happened, and I was automatically wanting to go, and it was definitely the best thing.”

Kokame runs a public Instagram account where she posts her art under the username @ak04_art.

There she demonstrates her art for around one-thousand followers to see and admire.

“People are like, ‘oh my God, did you draw this?’” Kokame said. “Or it's like, I'm so young, people think it's just surprising.”

She started getting serious

arts & entertainment

*

about drawing two to three years ago from watching YouTubers draw, but only began posting her art online around one year ago.

“I just thought it would be time to post something publicly,” Kokame said.

The drawings on her account and the drawings she has displayed at events range from original characters (OCs) to crossovers between anime, music videos, and video games.

“I would say [my art style is] a combination of a bunch of artists that I’m inspired by, but I don’t actually copy them,” Kokame said.

To create her digital drawings, Kokame mainly uses a program called MediBang Paint on her iPad Pro. The process of making her art is relaxed, as what she draws usually depends on what she feels like drawing.

“I don't really think about it too much,” Kokame said.

Kokame hopes to continue partaking in art shows, as she plans to attend a couple more in the near future.

“I might do Emerald City next year and Sakura-Con next year,” Kokame said.

For now though, she continues to try new and different approaches to drawing in Mrs. Wells’ art class.

“To get as good as Amaya, you have to be focused and driven to improve,” Wells said. “I can certainly see that she has a passion for art though-- it comes through in her work.”

27

]

LYDIA STUFFLEBEN & HAILEY RAKOS

These are some popular movies that have recently hit the theaters and have been crowd favorites. Along with some that haven’t made the big screen just yet, that you will love too!

REVIEW: This was the most anticipated movie of the year and did not disappoint. There were lots of flashbacks and references to older movies leading up to the end. Critics favored the movie and it averaged at 88%. “..it’s a thrilling conclusion and a deeply emotional exploration of loss and love, duty and honor, friendship and family,” Sandie Angulo Chen said. This was an incredible and emotional movie never to be forgotten.

95%

9/10

78%

REVIEW: This comedic action movie stars Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, Asher Angel, etc. The movie averaged at 80 percent on ratings. “Shazam! is a wildly fun superhero adventure, with plenty of humor and heart, but struggles at times to strike a good balance between levity and drama,” critic Molly Freeman said. It lightened up the DC universe and introduced the “15-year-old” superhero who learned family is more important than independence.

90%

7.6/10

71%

REVIEW: Captain Marvel is a fast-paced action movie based in the ‘90s that you will love. It will keep you on the edge of your seat as Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) wanders around Earth trying to remember her past with the young Nick Furry (Samuel Jackson), all while being chased down by aliens. The movie perfectly balances the humor of it all will the seriousness of some scenes.

7.1/10

78%

[

28

*

64%

arts & entertainment

*

volume IX, issue 4

]

PREVIEW: Starring Ryan Reynolds as the Pokemon character Pikachu, this new addition to the universe is far from what was expected. The live action movie will hit theaters on May 10 and is bound to wow audiences. The story follows Pikachu as he searches for Harry Goodman, but instead finds his son. It’s sure to be a funny and action-packed movie with some of our favorite people and characters brought to life.

PREVIEW: Toy Story 4, the next and hopefully last installment in the never-ending childhood series, is one we all are waiting to see. While we get to see returning and loved characters, Buzz Lightyear and Woody, we also meet new friends like Forky. Forky is a spork that was brought to life by Bonny, whether he wants to be a toy or not. A new spin on Bo Peep in the trailers shows she has dropped the damsel-in-distress attitude and is now her own independent toy. It stars some familiar voices like Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, John Ratzenberger, and the rest of the gang. Remember to get your tickets soon, the movie is out on June 21.

PREVIEW: Starring everyone’s favorite friendly neighborhood spiderman, played by Tom Holland, this movie will give us some background on what happened before Infinity War with Spider-Man. Peter Parker goes on a school field trip to Europe hoping to leave his superhero duties behind. However, Nick Fury, played by Samuel L. Jackson, needs Peter Parker to step up and save civilians from Mysterio. What will happen and how will he save the people and still be apart of the field trip? Go see this MCU movie on July 5 to find out.

PREVIEW: This upcoming addition to Disney’s live-action remakes has struck up some controversy over some of its characters along with poor CGI in the trailers. The character in the spotlight of this issue is the genie played by Will Smith. Though we don’t hate Smith by any means, he just isn’t Robin Williams. No one will be able to fill the large shoes Williams left behind. Though people have already decided that the movie won’t live up to expectations, we believe it is still worth a watch. It comes out May 24.

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF FL ICKER.COM VIA CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE

[

may 2019

*

arts & entertainment

*

29

]

To compete with other burger chains, many fast food restaurants have attempted to appeal to diners with elaborate new, “exotic” burger combinations! Below is a review of a few.

TIMO WERRONEN & CADEN METJE

This one was the weakest out of all of them. The presentation points are lacking. The Bistro Aioli sauce is strong, but is only in the middle. The mushrooms fall out once you get a hold of it, and you don’t even taste them very much. But the Swiss cheese does compliment the chicken quite well.

Final rating: 6/10

The Angry Whopper’s fluffy bun is a nice contrast to the other burgers. It starts off with a sweet and salty taste, but turns into salty and spicy towards the center of the burger.

The taste lasts throughout the bite and the ingredients don’t fall out. If you’re okay with a bit of spicy jalapeño, then this could be a great new burger.

Final rating: 9/10

Despite the name, this one isn’t actually that sourdough. The bread just tastes like regular toast. So the Sourdough Jack just tastes like a basic burger with a unique bread taste.

Definitely not too crazy, but if you want to stay grounded this could be a pretty nice burger for you.

Final rating: 8/10

Wendy’s mushroom burger is one example of “don’t judge a book by its cover”. It looks disgusting but doesn’t taste quite as bad. The peppercorn alioli is nice and creamy and tangy, but the cheese isn’t very “melted” as the name would suggest. Overall, it’s comparable to the McDonald’s Mushroom & Swiss.

Final rating: 7/10

FIRST THREE PHOTOS BY T. WERRONEN, WENDY’S PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDEATING.COM

[

30

*

pop culture

*

volume VII, issue 4

]

Like It or Not...

LUCI SAIN

LUCI SAIN

AVENGERS: ENDGAME SPOLIERS

Aries (March 21- April 19): You live life on the edge, which makes you an Animal-Style Burger from In-N-Out.

The new Marvel movie, Avengers: Endgame, finishing off Marvel’s Phase 3, has fans expressing large concern over spoilers on the movie. The movie has been quite a large topic in the past month, and it can be hard to ignore. Did someone spoil the movie for you?

Taurus (April 20- May 20): Chicken McNuggets from McDonalds are exactly like you , because you’re easy going.

Gemini (May 21- June 20): Your fiery personality shows that you’re a Spicy Chicken Sandwich from Chick-Fil-A.

ANDI MACK CANCELLED

The popular Disney TV show, Andi Mack, has been cancelled after three seasons.

Many fans are upset at this fact due to the reason that it is seen as one of the most diverse of Disney shows to have aired. With Asian main characters, teenage pregnancy issues, LGBTQ+ characters, social problems, etc., fans of the show have used #SaveAndiMack on Twitter to express their love for the show and concern of the cancellation. Will you miss Andi Mack?

Cancer (June 21- July 22): You’re not like other fries, you’re Waffle Fries from Chick-Fil-A. Leo (July 23- Aug. 22): You’re a bold statement like the colorful Slurpees from 7/11.

Virgo (Aug. 23- Sept. 22): You’re likable personality makes you similar to an Oreo Blizzard from Dairy Queen.

THE WOAH You have probably already seen many people “Hit the Woah” already, it being the new popular dance move. With the students of MBMS (and possibly some teachers) participating in this new craze, the move has already grown to be a joke. But the real question is, have you Hit the Woah?

Libra (Sept. 23- Oct. 22): You’re a Pretzel from Aunt Anne’s because of you’re useful any time of day.

Scorpio (Oct. 23- Nov. 21): You’re plain and simple lifestyle is just like a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG TRAILER

Sagittarius (Nov. 22- Dec. 21): You have a lot of things going on like Two Tacos for 99¢ from

Quite recently, a new live Sonic the Hedgehog movie has been announced to be released on Nov. 8. Much of the internet has made their own comments on how bad the character Sonic looks in the trailer. Many think it looks creepy for him to have teeth and other life-like qualities. The uproar was so big that the creator of the movie announced they’d redesign Sonic. Will you watch the movie?

Jack in the Box.

Capricorn (Dec. 22- January 19): Your tendency to stay clean makes you a Burrito Bowl from Chipotle.

Aquarius (Jan. 20- February 18): Your hard exterior, but soft inside personality, is exactly like fried chicken from KFC.

JAMES CHARLES TICKETS YouTuber James Charles recently shared that he was going to go on tour. He’s calling it the “Sisters Tour”, and it’ll be in June. However, fans became quite upset over the situation due to the price for the tickets. Fans think it’s overpriced with the general admission tickets priced at $52.50 and the “Sister VIP” being $500. Would you pay $500 to talk to your idol?

Pisces (Feb. 19- March 20): You’re sweet and very kind, loving-nature makes you a donut from

Krispy Kreme.

[

may 2019

*

pop culture

*

31

]

MAREK KLIEWER & EMMA RICHARDSON This year the MBMS wrestling team has allowed sixth graders to compete for the varsity team. The team also won conference championship and league title even with the changes.

When sixth graders were able to make varsity, the reason was not only for experienced wrestlers in sixth grade to tryout, it was to fill weight classes. The athletes have worked hard this year to win matches in meets an conferences.

MBMS athletes went on to win league title along with many conference champion wrestlers, including eighth grader Ryan Peters.

“I think it was a good thing that sixth graders can wrestle for varsity,” Peters said. “And I really wish I had the option to do it in sixth grade, because I would have done

“At the final for first and second place, I wrestled a guy and went to the end of the third round. I lost, but I was really happy, because I had never went to the third round.”

—Ryan Peters

PHOTO COURTESY OF DORIAN PHOTOGRAPHY

really well.”

Coach Matthew King described the importance of sixth graders on the team.

“The district, to help us fill weight classes [allowed sixth graders to compete],” King said. ‘’It made the school more evenly matched at dual

meets because they can fill all seventeen weight classes instead of having so many forfeits.”

This might cause MBMS to have more competition as they have one of the highest participation for sports in the league.

“Don’t hesitate to join.’’ King said. ‘’You'll get stronger, faster, you'll be able to compete with others in the school. We have a successful program.”

King has coached wrestling for 20 years and won 11 league titles including this years 2018-2019 team.

Wrestling has been an enriching

experience for wrestlers at MBMS and welcomes athletes thinking to join.

Peters explained his strategy as a wrestler.

“Be as aggressive as you can in four minutes and thirty seconds.”

Peters said.

The other schools having more varsity wrestlers for matches maybe tipped the scale, and King described his strategy for his wrestlers.

“Working hard in practices and believing in victory [is the most important part of wrestling],” King said.

Wrestling Scoring Points gained

Move

2

Gaining control

2

Reversing control

1

Escaping control

Automatic win

Pin

Seventh grader Michael Marquis focuses his opponent before taking him to the ground. PHOTO COURTESY OF MBMS YEARBOOK

[

32

*

sports

*

volume IX, issue 4

]

Girl’s Varsity Basketball Team How To Prepare For Varsity Basketball ERIN HEIN & JAYME SINGH If you’re looking to try out for the girl’s varsity basketball, you better be ready for “pain, torture, and agony.”

Social Studies teacher and coach Mr. Brown looked for the ability to overcome these things in tryouts, mainly, “[I look for girls on the team] that don’t quit,” Brown said. “Our first day of tryouts we just go through physical pain, and mental pain. They just have to be determined and strong and wanting to be on the team.”

And with that determination and drive for excellence, the varsity team finished the season with a win/loss ratio of 50 percent,

winning four games and almost winning the other four.

They were though, unfailing in their teamwork and unselfishness.

Eighth grader team member Emma McInelly recalled that they “got closer and had funny and memorable moments,” and also “cheered each other on and worked together.”

As shown in studies, teamwork in sports helps bring everyone's strengths and individual skills into play and increases the likelihood of winning or scoring more rather than one team member carrying the team.

Although everyone had similar skills or experience in basketball, the team encouraged each other every step of the way through the season.

The girls varsity basketball team had a 50 percent win/loss ratio. That means that they won four of their games and lost the other four. GRAPHIC BY E. HEIN

[

may 2019

*

Everyone on the team knew each other well and were all friends from the beginning, making it easier to work together. Nobody was afraid to pass the ball over to someone or help out a teammate.

For the sixth and seventh graders that are considering trying out for varsity basketball in eighth grade, captain Brooke James, described tryouts.

“On the first day, we had to do like a really long running thing,” Johnson said. “Don't give up on it, because then you're not going to be on the team.”

McInelly also gave some advice.

“Please at least try, even if you aren’t confident that you’ll make it,” McInelly said.

If you show your desire to be on the team, you will most likely be

chosen to be on the team. Having experience will help, but if you have no experience and you show determination and show that you are willing to try something new, your chances to get on the team will be pretty high.

Through all their struggles, the varsity girl’s basketball team were strong and performed to their highest capabilities and gave their best efforts.

They showed unselfishness, undeniable teamwork, and that they valued the benefit of the entire team over their own personal gains.

The varsity basketball team definitely represented the phrase, “strive for better.”

This is the sixth grade girls basketball team. They are trying as hard to win as the varsity team did.

They also show the phrase “#StriveForBetter.” PHOTO COURTESY OF MBMS YEARBOOK

sports

*

33

]

SEAN SO & HUNTER MARTIN The varsity boy’s soccer team #1 (Coach Middleton) came in clutch to win the championship game, while team #2 (Coach Middleton) finished in third.

Both teams played very hard and their total record was 12-2-2. Their passing, defense, and shooting was outstanding.

Matthew Cegielski on team #1 scored the winning goal making the score 2-1 in the championship game.

“We just don’t give up,” Cegielski said.

“The players’ ability to focus when it mattered helped us succeed,” Middleton said.

Although both of the teams played great this year, there is still room to improve.

“We can practice new skills at practice to improve,” Middleton said.

Even though the teams ranked first and third place in the league, they both were even teams and played very hard.

“I can watch and read more about soccer to improve as a coach,” Zaida said.

Middleton’s team beat Olympic in the championship game 2-1 with a late game goal by Cegielski.

“I just don’t give up,” Cegielski said.

The players kept trying their best and both teams had a great season.

Zaida explained her best moment of the season.

“When some kids who don’t make many goals scored, it was exciting to watch them celebrate with their teammates,” Zaida said. “Also, beating Olympic so Mr. Middleton’s team could win the championship was good because if we didn’t beat them, Mr. Middleton’s team wouldn’t have been able to have a chance to win the championship.”

Middleton also explained his best moment of the season.

“Winning the championship against Olympic and when Matthew scored the winning goal in the last five minutes,” Middleton said.

The players also explained their best moment of the season..

“When I won MVP for our team,” Emilio Calavario said.

“Scoring the last goal,” Cegielski said.

“Winning the championship.” Cole Seehafer said.

Coach Middleton’s team was excited that they won the championship.

“I remind them that the team always comes first,” Coach Middleton said.

The score of the championship game was 1-1. There was less than five minutes left in the game, and it was tied.

“Mr. Middleton is a great coach. He always believed in his players,” Seehafer said.

Toward the end of the game, Carson Ricks had the ball and passed it up the field to Cegielski., who dribbled the ball towards the goal. Cegielski shot it and scored the game winning goal.

When Cegielski reflected on the game winning goal he said, “It was alright. I just shot it and scored.”

Coach Zaida’s team huddles up before the game. They played Cascade Middle School at Game Farm Park and lost 0-4. PHOTO COURTESY OF MBMS YEARBOOK

[

34

*

sports

*

volume IX, issue 4

]

What

Disagree? The segment ‘What Grinds My Gears’ is presented as opinion and does not express the views of all MBMS students or The Canine Chronicle. If you would like to express your opinion, write us a letter, and you may be published in our next edition.

My

T IKT OK You know what grinds my gears!? TikTok. The app is full of gamer girls, cosplayers, and guys who flex their muscles at eight year old girls.

But what really grinds my gears are the ads that pop up everywhere. Whether it’s Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube, or basically any other popular app or site, you’ll be able to find one of these ads.

They’re annoying, cringey, repetitive, but make great videos to watch at three in the morning.

Most of the time they feature people in costumes, lip syncing to movie scenes or people Fortnite dancing to overplayed songs.

The ads are usually pretty cringey and uncomfortable to sit through but to make it worse, most of the time you can’t skip them!

Sometimes you’re just trying to show your friend a YouTube video, and you both have to awkwardly sit through fifteen seconds to thirty seconds of a thirty-three year old man in a costume, lip syncing to a Disney Channel original movie.

If TikTok wants to promote their app in a better way, they should try to put in the least cringey videos on their app and not the most ANNOYING VIDEOS EVER! And THAT is what grinds my gears!

—JONAH HUANG ___________________________________

SPOTIFY PREMIUM ADS You know what grinds my gears? Spotify premium ads.

I understand they need to promote their premium for money but why so MUCH? After the painful ads, as though God extended his hand as an act of mercy to save you, you are granted thirty minutes of uninterrupted music.

Which sounded like a lot at the time, but how naive of me. The free thirty minutes only felt

like five, and then it was back to non-stop monotone premium ads.

I swear, they know they’re annoying, and that’s part of their tactic!

How do I know this? Because it is literally part of their ad campaign.

A girl will come on and ask, “Don’t you hate when you’re getting into a playlist and an ad comes on!?”

They know what they’re doing! It’s actually the equivalent of bullying!

I have even fallen into their desperate trap! I found myself so desperate for the ads to stop! I created multiple emails to get all the months of free premium I could. And today, I am at day 537 of Spotify premium and juggle 12 emails like a part time job, to keep it going.

And THAT is what grinds my gears!

—CADEN METJE ____________________________________

LOSING ARGUMENTS You know what grinds my gears!? Losing arguments when you know you’re right.

You’ll be debating any topic, no matter how insanely dumb, and you and your nemesis (at the moment) will be at your definite wit’s end.

At this point, any way you look at the situation you’re going to lose the stupid argument because of their questionable attitude and contumacy. You’re practically forced to give up the whole debate, and it drives me schizo.

Not to mention when the person you’re quarreling with is your own mother, who can pull out the “I’ll take away your phone” card and the ridiculous “I gave birth to you”, when no one even asked.

Like honestly, it’s not my fault that you’re too feeble minded to realize that I’m right, especially when it’s completely and utterly obvious as to how correct I am. Losing when what I’m saying is true makes me so irritated,

and it gives the other person the totally awry idea that they were legitimate.

Next time you lose an argument when you know you’re right, go back and make sure they appreciate it. That way, you won’t die with regrets.

And THAT is what grinds my gears!

—KELLY OH ____________________________________

UNCREATIVE BUSINESS NAMES You know what grinds my gears? Uncreative business names.

You know those Chinese restaurants with a big red sign out front that just says “CHINESE FOOD”?

Way to make a lasting impact with that memorable name.

Like, come on, you’re really not attracting any customers with that name. Where would you rather go, a restaurant named “P.F. Chang’s” or one named “Chinese Food”? Exactly. If you’re not skilled enough to come up with a decent name, I don’t trust your skill to make decent food.

You’ve spent all this money, all this time, to open up your very own restaurant...just to name it “Chinese Food”. You’re not gonna get very far with that name.

Do you think Apple would have succeeded if they had just called themselves “Computer Company”?

And no one is gonna be like, “Hey, do you want some Chinese food from Chinese Food?”

And I’m not saying this is only a problem for Chinese food. Every time I drive past a laundromat named “LAUNDROMAT” or a dry cleaner named “DRY CLEANERS”, it makes me cringe at how unoriginal they are.

Next time, ask some kindergarteners for a name—I’ll guarantee they’ll come up with something way better.

And that’s what grinds my gears.

—TIMO WERRONEN

[

may 2019 *

opinion

*

35

]