Embedded Files
The Monk Parakeets of Greenwood Cemetery
The Monk Parakeets of Greenwood Cemetery
By Elbridge Chase
Look outside. If you’re at BUGS, you’ll probably see Greenwood Cemetery. When most people think of cemeteries, they also think of death. But if you look a little closer, you might see a little life. In the main entrance of Greenwood Cemetery live a pandemonium of around five hundred Monk parakeets. You might notice them and gaze at the glory of their nest and elaborate builds and not give it any thought. But then you might realize… there are no parrots in this concrete jungle we call NYC. There are many myths that the parakeets fell from a crate in JFK airport. My goal is to get to the bottom of this and find out why they’re here. More importantly: why Greenwood Cemetery?
Being a BUGS student, I’ve visited Greenwood countless times; whether it be to mourn the loss of a beloved family member, or just to take in the amazing scenery. The parrots might just want to feel at home, but Greenwood is nothing like the Monks’ native country.
Another thing is: have you ever seen a parrot walking around on the floor? Maybe you have, but it’s not common at all. Parrots and parakeets like to stay in high areas where people don’t bother to interact with them. So, that's why they chose the front entrance.
You might argue that, although Greenwood Cemetery is one of the highest areas in New York, there are way higher skyscrapers and buildings in the area. Well, there are two reasons why the parrots wouldn’t go there. One: Those skyscrapers weren't even built yet. The parrots arrived around the late 1960’s and were rebellious. Two: they would probably want more of a natural environment. When the birds first arrived, the staff at Greenwood weren’t so keen about having a flock of parrots set up their nest at the front entrance, so they took it down. As you would imagine, the parakeets were not happy. But what is really shocking is that they built it up again. The staff still weren’t having it, though, and took down the next nest. The birds put up the nest yet again, and at this point the staff just gave up.
In terms of how they got here in the first place, it is most likely that the birds fell out of an overturned truck coming from JFK airport. This can be believable because these birds are a popular species for trafficking. They probably fell out and just went to the highest place around, Greenwood.
Usually, an ecosystem is like Jenga, the animals being the blocks. The apex being the bottom few rows, the consumers advancing upwards, the plants at the top, and so on. In Jenga, depending on what block you remove, the tower either gets more fragile or simply collapses. The same applies vice versa: trying to shove a block where it shouldn't be has a high chance of making the tower fall down. Thus, shoving a species all the way from South Africa into an urban cemetery can definitely have a negative impact. At least, that’s what most people would think. The parakeets actually had no negative impact co-existing with the other wildlife in Greenwood, which is surprising. Once in a while, one of them might get snatched by one of the other 21 species of birds, but it is what it is for a bird.
The behavior of the birds is usual Monk parakeet activity. Monk parakeets, being diurnal birds, are most active during dawn and dusk when they forage, preen each other, and return to their communal roosting sites, in this case being the main entrance of Greenwood. The birds quickly adapted to their new environment, perennially surviving.
In conclusion, the Monk parakeets in Greenwood have had a big impact on their environment and are a sight to behold. The birds are a cute, fun addition to the many other species of wildlife in Greenwood. They don’t cause harm, and if anything, Greenwood isn’t really complete without them!
I would also like to give a HUGE thanks to Debra Healy, a former employee of Greenwood Cemetery, for making all of this possible. Most of my information came from an interview with her, and I couldn’t have done it without her. Thanks Deb. ♡
Bibliography
NBC New York
NYC Bird Alliance
The Green Wood Cemetery
BrooklynParrots.com
Thoughts on the Tik Tok Ban
Thoughts on the Tik Tok Ban
By Anika Haeberle
As most of you know, there has been a recent occurrence in which an important app to society has been banned. So, in order to actually get our facts straight, I will be writing this article on everythings that occurred in this ban.
You may have heard some evidence that Trump was the reason TikTok got banned, and although that is true, it's not the primary reason. You may have been scrolling on TikTok and saw videos of people thanking their Chinese spy for perfecting their FYP. Originally, the U.S. officials had been repeatedly warned that TikTok threatens national security because the Chinese government could use it as a vehicle to spy on Americans or covertly influence the U.S. public by amplifying or suppressing certain content. Many believe that if the Chinese government gets its hands on that information, it's not just a national security threat, it's a personal security threat.
During his first term as President in 2020, Trump tried to ban TikTok but it was found unsuccessful. The hugely popular video-sharing site he said posed a threat to U.S. national security. In August, he signed an executive order demanding ByteDance sell the app to someone else, but the order was blocked in September and was reversed by the Biden and administration in 2021. Once Trump was re-elected, he became known as the app’s savior.
The ban was first deeply discussed in 2022, when TikTok began a plan known as "Project Texas" to better protect American users' data on servers in the U.S. and ease lawmakers' fears. However, the Justice Department decided that the plan was not very effective because it still allowed some U.S. data to flow to China.
After going dark for users on January 19, Trump announced on his social media that he would issue an executive order after he’s sworn in for a second term on Monday delaying a TikTok ban “so that we can make a deal to protect our national security” (NBC News). He said the order would make it clear that companies will not be held liable for violating a law that wanted to force TikTok’s sale by its China-based parent company. Hours later, the app returned.
In conclusion, I believe that it's unfair how Trump decided to make the ban happen and then take it away so he could be seen as the hero and can now take credit for reviving an app with 170 million users that is especially popular with younger Americans, many of whom spend hours a day on the platform to get news, make money, and find entertainment. This can lead people to believe that it was the right decision to elect him because he is now “luring” in young viewers. Even though it was only a 12 hour ban, I think it was an unfair thing, especially considering that many other apps are getting data taken away from the Chinese government and our government chose to ban an app instead of actually fixing our government. This ban has caused problems over the country especially considering the fact that millions of people use Tik Tok as a job to advertise their careers, and a way to provide for their families.
Feedback on the Bathroom Switch
Feedback on the Bathroom Switch
By Audrey Lorenz
If you are a 7th or 8th grader at BUGS, surely you have noticed that the bathroom locations for the boy's and girl's bathrooms have switched. For context, the boy's bathroom used to be at the end of the 6th grade hall, and the girl's bathroom at the end of the 8th grade hall. After summer vacation, when we came back, I noticed that the bathrooms were switched, and I was annoyed. After two years looking forward to a bathroom right next to my classes, I was denied it! It also felt unfair that the girls got 3 stalls (and 3 blocked-off urinals) and the boys got 5 stalls and no urinals. Since most of the boys used urinals, it felt unfair that girls had urinals and didn’t need them, and boys needed them and didn’t have them. So I decided to dive into the issue, instead of just feeling like it was unfair. Here is what I found out.
According to a survey I sent out to the 7th and 8th grade, nearly 60% of responders said that they hated the bathroom switch. Roughly 35% said they didn’t mind it, and roughly 6% said they loved it. Why the hate? One responder who uses the girl’s bathroom wrote, “The boy's bathroom isn't only smaller but way more messed up. What I mean by this is that the ceiling panels are removed and loose and I don't understand why the school hasn't replaced them, it makes me feel unsafe.”
A boy’s bathroom user said, “It’s way more dirty and the stalls don’t even work and there's always [pee] on the ground.” In fact, many boy’s bathroom users complained about the dirtiness of the bathroom. My guess is the lack of urinals contributed to the amount of pee on the ground. Before school, during breakfast hours, you are only allowed to use the boys bathroom (it is gender neutral then), so I went in, and WOW. The smell of pee clings to the floor and is almost overpowering. The girl's bathroom can sometimes smell less than pleasant, but this was another level. Both genders also have less access to a place to pee than before the switch. There has to be a reason for this decision, right?
According to Mr. Kid, the prospect of the bathroom switch was created by Mr. Josh A, and the rest of the OSA liked it. The boys were messing around at the end of the hallway, and vandalizing the bathroom. The OSA has no security cameras back there, so nobody was being caught. They resolved this by switching the bathrooms and posting a staff member outside to limit congestion. When I asked if the results were successful, Mr. Kid said that they were and he was pleased with the results.
However, I think that it is not fair that the girls get a bathroom with less stalls, missing ceiling parts, and that is further away (if you are an 8th grader). The boys should get their urinals back as well. Some people liked the bathroom switch because it didn’t make the girl’s bathroom a stereotypical pink color, but that can easily be remedied with a coat of paint. I propose that the bathrooms be switched back next year, and that a person be posted outside the boy's bathroom to mitigate mischief.
WHY NO ART?
OUR OPINIONS ON THE LOSS OF ART.
Written by Tessa Confessore
Hi, I’m Tessa. I felt that BUGS should have art because most schools have it and lots of people, including me, love art. Out of curiosity, I sent out a survey to see what BUGS students thought about art.
In the survey, I asked if students wanted to have art, or if they did not like it. I also asked them why this was their opinion.
Results
Some reasons why students like not having art:
“I am an 8th grader and previously had art class my 6th and 7th grade years. I am glad I dont have it this year. There are numerous reasons why; from the teachers to the work we were expected to complete. I had 2 different teachers for my 6th and 7th grade year. They were very nice. I just feel like the class wasn’t as fun as it could have been. When I think of art, painting and drawing are the first things that pop into my mind. Although we did do these activities, I feel like there were so many extra things linked to them, if that makes sense. We were assigned to do questionnaires and unit tests when I was expected to be graded on the art I make, not google forms. I partly understand why they made us do google forms but I feel like we could express what we have learned throughout the year in our art… I am grateful for not having art as a class anymore.” - Violet Legros, 8th grade
“Art is honestly just a free period smh, it doesn't contribute to anything and was honestly a useless class.” - Elias Murad, 7th grade
Some reasons why students wish we had art:
“In elementary school, I had art as a period and I really enjoyed learning about art, actually doing art. Art is one of my talents and I enjoy doing it. I was dissatisfied when I found out there wasn’t art in this school. :(“ - Quinn Griffith, 6th grade
“I really like art and without art, I have less of a chance to be creative during school. We do do creative things in other classes, but art is all about the creativity. “ - Sadie Krebs, 7th grade
“BUGS really needs more art! The only opportunity we really have is going to lunch clubs to do art.”
- Beetle Ness, 8th grade
I love art and I really hope we get to have art, because it's fun and it lets students be a little more free on what they want to do in the class. I understand why some students don't want art, but with a new teacher there would probably be a new curriculum with less tests and google forms.
In conclusion, art should come back.
Love,
Tessa
WHY YOU SHOULD ADOPT AN ELDERLY ANIMAL
By Clark Scheihagen
I want you to think of a cat. Any cat. Just picture a cat in your mind. I’m guessing you pictured a cat that looks something like this:
Very cute, right? For many of you, I’m guessing your cat didn’t look like this:
If you were looking to adopt a cat, it probably wouldn’t be that one, right?
The unfortunate reality is that elderly cats and dogs like these are adopted very infrequently. According to petpardon.com, elderly dogs have a 35% lower adoption rate than puppies, while elderly cats have a 20% lower adoption rate than kittens. Many of these cats and dogs have to spend the rest of their lives stuck in a small cage.
If you’re thinking about adopting an animal, please consider adopting an elderly one! It is our responsibility to give these animals a happy last few years on earth, instead of being confined to a small space.
Here are some elderly animals available for adoption at shelters nearby (please go to their websites for more info):
COPERNICUS
SEAN CASEY ANIMAL SHELTER
13 YEARS OLD
BASIL
AMA ANIMAL SHELTER
13 YEARS OLD
OWNER SHOULD HAVE EXPERIENCE W/ LARGE DOGS
PANCAKES
AMA ANIMAL SHELTER
8 YEARS OLD
OWNER SHOULD HAVE NO OTHER DOGS OR SMALL KIDS
GUNTHER
BROOKLYN CAT CAFE
12 YEARS OLD
HAZEL
BROOKLYN CAT CAFE
10 YEARS OLD
PARFUM
BROOKLYN CAT CAFE
13 YEARS OLD
AI: Fascinating Technology, or Unjustified Scam?
AI: Fascinating Technology, or Unjustified Scam?
By Mena Ross
Theatre D'Opera Spatial, by Jason M. Allen. This is the AI artwork submitted that won first place in the Colorado Art Fair.
Last August, a contestant named Jason M. Allen won the first place prize in the Colorado art fair. While he felt pride, other contestants felt angered. That is because Jason used a form of Artificial Intelligence (AI) called Midjourney, to create his artwork. AI art is electronically generated art that is usually made from a text-based command. Not to mention, AI has also climbed its way in popularity through schools. In fact, more and more students use AI to cheat (Bratton, 2024). In this article, you will learn about my opinion about the unfair advantages of AI.
The Colorado fair gave out prizes for all types of art. Jason M. Allen won the first place prize. But many of the other contestants–and, overall, just artists–were enraged by the fact that it was AI generated. Jason said “I'm not going to apologize for it, I won, and I didnt break any rules” (Roose, 2022). Notably, in the rules of the contest, they did allow artwork made with technology.
Despite not breaking any rules, people on online platforms such as Twitter stated their opinions quite verbally. Most of them were exasperated, saying that it was unfair and even disgusting. They all talked about one certain aspect of his art: Jason claimed to be an artist with non-traditional or digitally made artwork, such as drawing on a tablet. Despite people’s harmful remarks, Jason defended his work.
From my perspective, I don’t believe that it is too bad that Jason used AI. However, I do think that it is entirely unfair that he won first place. AI is supposed to make things easier, faster, and more efficient. But art is supposed to take time to make. It is meant to be difficult, something you can create with your hands. Personally, I feel that Jason could've done any other thing with AI, but winning first place with something he wouldnt take the time to make is a bit unfair to the other contestants and artists.
Besides the art industry, AI is also being used in education among students to cheat. Now that AI has become more accepted and welcomed, students are using AI to cheat (Bratton, 2024). Whether it's tests, essays, or simple responses, students use it. One specifically popular AI program that students use is called ChatGPT, a widely used AI that can generate sharp, well-read responses. While it can be helpful, many people get in trouble for using it, as ChatGPT’s answers did not match their usual classwork.
Further, since AI is used more now, teachers use AI detecting tools. There are even ones in Google Classroom, which you can check out. Although some might believe that AI detection tools are ineffective, the truth is they are always improving and have become very accurate.
While AI can be both entertaining and efficient, from certain perspectives, it is unfair. Yes, it might give clear answers and give you advantages in your learning, but it also gives you a straight answer, which can sometimes actually degrade your learning abilities by making you lazy and less devoted to work. With all that said, I think that AI has unfair advantages to using it and should not be allowed in certain scenarios.
The Impact of Music on Youth
The Impact of Music on Youth
By Mena Ross
What is your opinion on music? Do you like it, or do you dislike it? Well, did you know, 82 percent of teens say that they listen to music every day, and 47 percent of that is tweens? In fact, around 90 percent of all teens listen to music at least once a week (Dredge, 2019). So, I decided to ask around to see if this is really true, and I wanted to know how that affects their everyday lives and even their emotions.
Considering that music has been becoming more accessible over the years, I’d assume that it would have both negative and positive effects. So, I decided to talk to other people about their opinions.
The first person I interviewed was Anika H. in 6th grade. When asked about whether she believes music can have an impact on a person, she said “it can impact bad ideas on you, like drugs, sex, fights, etc. Also, there are a bunch of suicidal songs. I think I try to avoid the lyrics, and just go along with the vibe instead." I can agree with this, mostly because I feel like people pay too much attention to the lyrics than the actual song. "It has a very big impact, whenever I’m feeling down, I put on music and it definitely helps. Sometimes music can be comforting, and it can be soothing. It's kind of like a feeling nobody can help me with except music. Honestly, I feel like it would be life without a helping hand, and music can be how you can get through your problems. So yeah, I think it has its ups and downs but it's mostly positive depending on who you are," she finished.
However, Penny S. from 6th grade said, “I think it depends on how young you are.” While Anika felt that looking at lyrics could be problematic, Penny believes that “if your child is a toddler, their vocab isn't that big, then why would they be listening to music that has explicit content?" Notably, it's said that many children have had high exposure to inappropriate topics from the music they listen to. To Penny's point, I don't think too many young people would be listening to music alone. Instead, they'd probably be listening with their parents.
"But, I feel like if you are a very positive person/child, it might affect you less. On the other hand, if you are already going through depression or other [things], then maybe it wouldn't be such a good idea - it might make you feel more sad or make it worse. Positive or happier music, like Jojo Siwa, on your little kids, her lyrics might be affecting your kid/kids because it would be showing them that they can be whatever they want and boosts confidence," Penny adds. While Penny's statements were fair, I wanted to get a young adult's opinion.
Being in your twenties is considered young, and I wanted to see through the eyes of someone usually positive - and who listens to music a lot. So I interviewed Ms. Kim. I asked her the same question, and she said, “I think it could be either, depending on what you are listening to. Personally, I know my mindset is affected by the music I listen to. I can imagine if you listen to music that demeans women, you might think that way. But I guess it also depends on the person, too.” This connects to the idea that music can change who you are, and your perspective on life.
I also asked her if she thinks your music taste affects you as a person - not just how you act, but your personality. “Depends on my mental state. I listen to a lot of Pop and Punk, which is a good reflection of my personality. Other times, I listen to sad songs, and I become a little mopey,” she responded.
Upon making this article, I realized that I had been listening to music more often. I would do it in my free time at home, walking home from art class, and sometimes even when I’m doing work. I'd say the most important thing for me is that music affects my mood and how I act. Even after these interviews, I still had a different perspective on how music affects people. Anika saying maybe it's the lyrics, Penelope saying it could be based on your age; my perspective is closer to Ms. Kim's. For me, I might be playing music when I'm feeling down, so I'll play lighthearted music. If I'm hanging out with friends, I won't play insane crazy music or music you'd cry to. My opinion seems to be kind of a mixture, but I think that music taste doesn't exactly come from the lyrics or your age, but from actually listening to the song and how you feel in connection to it.
the foods of our (early) childhoods
the foods of our (early) childhoods
By Audrey Lorenz
First of all, I know that writing this is kind of ironic as I am 12 years old and I’m still technically a child myself. However, I thought that this article would be an interesting piece for the newspaper.
The food of my early childhood was probably cheddar goldfish crackers. They were/are salty, crunchy, and cheesy without being too junk food-y. I distinctly remember being in 1st grade and playing with my friend. One of us would hold a goldfish cracker while the other would hold their mouth open. The innocent goldfish would “swim” into the other person’s mouth and get crushed by our little baby teeth as we made morbid sound effects and giggled maliciously. So, keeping this memory in mind, I decided to ask others what food makes them think of their (early) childhood. Here’s what I found:
My first interviewee is Ms. Kim, head of the Hornet Headlines Newspaper club. You have probably seen her in the Reading classroom as well. When I asked her, she said mango. Here is how it went down:
Me: So, your childhood food was mango?
Ms. Kim: Yeah. I grew up in Puerto Rico, and we had a mango tree in the backyard. Also, there were people who sold mango on the street.
Me: Is there a certain way you like your mango?
Ms. Kim: I like it fresh, diced, and eaten with a spoon by scooping out the insides.
Commentary: Mango is delicious, and it is also one my childhood favorites as well, because of its seemingly cheery appearance and sunny taste. I can relate to her sentiment because cold mango in the hot summer is absolutely fantastic.
My next interviewee was Linnaea Clay-Youman from 701, a friend of mine in my Advisory.
Me: Ok, so what was a food that reminds you of your childhood?
L: Umm, probably the Annie's mac & cheese.
Me: Is there a specific flavor you like?
L: White cheddar.
Me: Why does mac & cheese remind you of your childhood?
L: Because when our parents went out and a babysitter came over she would always make it. I’m not sure if it was because we liked it or because she was lazy. (Chuckles)
Commentary: Ok, now a common theme is orangey-yellow foods. I love Annie’s Mac & Cheese as well and I have made it several times. For me, the the trick is to not add to much milk so you can really taste the cheese.
My next interviewee is my younger brother Dylan, who is 9 years old. He is not a BUGS student, obviously, but..
Me: What was a food that reminds you of your early childhood?
Dylan: Umm, chicken nuggets.
Me: Why chicken nuggets?
Dylan: Because I loved eating them as a little kid and they were all I really ate.
Commentary: This is true. He went through a phase when he was about 4 where he ate nothing but chicken nuggets and broccoli for dinner for 6 months straight.
I sense a theme of foods that are comforting because of the way that they will be pretty similar no matter where you have them, like boxed Mac & Cheese.
I do not have space for more interviews, but I hope that this article was interesting for you to read, as I had fun writing it. Also, thank you to Ms. Kim, Linnaea and Dylan for letting me interview you!
A Journalist's Story: What's the Catch with Popularity?
A Journalist's Story: What's the Catch with Popularity?
By Mena Ross
There are thousands upon thousands of journalists out there that are sitting down and writing articles and stories at this very moment. Thousands, even millions. But, unfortunately for them, only about 55% of those articles are actually read by the public. So, how do people think the writing process actually works? And why does it take so much work to get your writing noticed?
First thing's first: how do people think the writing process works? Well, according to Ms. B in the 6th grade Math classroom, she says, “I feel like the writing process has to be quality work, something you are passionate about. I guess that within the writing process, you really have to choose a topic that really catches your audience’s eye. And plus, social media has shortened our attention spans, so you kinda have to be gimmicky and hold the attention of your readers.”
6th Grade Writing teacher Ms. Monica said similar things like, “I think journalists need to develop a topic to work on, most likely an emotion or a passion. Then, they research and collect info. They must be on the ground, observing, asking questions, making connections, and then collect it all and organize it. From interviews, or maybe a survey. Then once they structure it, they have to put it together in a way that makes sense. Planning it out and outlining their piece, and have other people look at their piece, revise edit, etc. And yes, it is very complicated, because they not only have to write passionately on their topic, they also have to be neutral as not to be biased or chaotic.” However, I later found that it was even more complicated than it seems.
So, with all that said about the writing process, what makes it so hard for journalists work to actually get noticed? I decided to talk to my father, Theodore Ross, who was a journalist, and see why it was so hard. “I always try to find something I am interested in that is important to people and myself. So I research as much as I can. I interview people, read things, I try to think. I remember to always think about what they are saying, not just copy it all down and think I’m done. I think the writing process is very difficult. One part of it is understanding the world around you, which is very hard to do, and the other part is actually writing it. It is very hard to find a topic that you are really determined to write about. Writing is creative and free. I do not think you need a passion for writing your topic, but it does make it much easier and more meaningful, because if you don't have a passion or interest, why are you writing?” he said.
This reminded me of when I interviewed 6th grader Sena Wilker, who said, “Personally, I don't find myself struggling, I’m just not willing to waste time on writing all of it. And like, it takes a lot of time, so writing an article or essay is just kind-of annoying. Being passionate about your work definitely makes it much easier. When you are motivated, you don't really pay too much attention to all the work you have to do.” Personally, I think this is actually more true than what some other people I interviewed who said things similar to Ms. B and Ms. Monica. Sena makes a very good point in saying that it isn’t easy to keep going on something you’re writing if you're not passionate, and it is something that a lot of journalists struggle with.
After collecting all my research and organizing my interviews, I had time to think about the fact that a lot of times, journalists get set back or discouraged because their work isn’t good enough or it isn’t something the public would want to read. And really, it isn’t the journalists fault that people don't want to read their writing. A lot of times, people tend to fly over topics that could actually be really interesting because they don’t bother to go into that article or story and read it. So, if you are someone who wants to support journalists and writers, you can start by reading the Hornet Headlines!
DEBATE: What Sibling Position is Best to Be in?
By: Anika Haeberle
For years, everyone has been fighting over which sibling is the best. Now I'm here to settle the argument. So, what are we debating? Is the youngest child the best position to be in? Or maybe the middle child? Perhaps even the oldest?
The stereotype states that the youngest child gets the most attention, but often gets left out; the middle child is paid no attention to and is therefore free to do whatever they want; the oldest has to take care of their siblings, therefore being the most mature. Realistically, everything really depends on your family situation. But, in my opinion, the youngest child is the best position to be in. Here's why...
THE OLDEST
THE OLDEST
As I am the oldest child in my home, I think that being the oldest is the hardest and most stressful position to be in. As I've mentioned before, the oldest always feels responsible for taking care of the younger siblings.
Personally, I think that when you're in a position where you are constantly having to be the role model for your younger siblings while having to step in to help take care of your siblings, it can be hard to concentrate on literally anything else. This is because you start to constantly think about what you could be doing to help out your sibling(s). The firstborn can be seen as goal-oriented, outspoken, stubborn, independent, and perfectionistic... but is that really that great?
THE MIDDLE CHILD
THE MIDDLE CHILD
I think that whether you like being the middle child really depends on the family you're in and how much attention you like. Typically, the middle is usually known as the “Invisible child.” But is being invisible really bad?
In comparison to the youngest child, I believe that the middle child is the most likely to have trouble fitting in due to being sandwiched between the overachiever of the firstborn and the spoiled baby of the youngest. But since I don't have such a strong understanding of their experience, I got some other opinions from other middle kids.
My first person to interview is Ms. Tonya, she is one of our deans. Ms. Tonya says that, as a middle child, growing up she was never really neglected or ignored, she just wasn’t as privileged as her other siblings. But she thinks she was "seen" just as much as her other siblings. I'm not used to hearing that, considering a bunch of people have supported the stereotype of being invisible.
Secondly, our the 8th grade Writing teacher Mr. Elliott, believes that his younger sister Lilia was spoiled with extra-attention as the baby of the family. On the other hand, his older brother Jeremiah helped him to learn about sharing his possessions and looking out for people who have less experience. He didn't make it seem like he felt invisible, it was just more about his siblings.
While I personally think being invisible is bad, maybe others don't agree.
THE YOUNGEST
THE YOUNGEST
It goes without saying that the youngest child has an advantage in the family (thus, making them the best). As the youngest child, you get more attention from your parents because you're the baby of the family, and they and your older siblings have to protect you from anything that’ll harm you. Although there may be some downsides, like getting ignored, babied, or being too young to do things that your sibling can do, I still think that being the youngest is the best despite the disadvantages. However, since I have no experience, I had to ask my Social Studies teachers to know how they feel about being the youngest.
Ms. Silver says, “I am the youngest of the family. Sometimes, my parents were too tired to discipline me, but I also got blamed for a lot of things I didn't do because of being the youngest. I also got pros, like wearing my sister's clothing, but I couldn't boss anyone around. It's kind-of a pros-cons situation.”
Ms. Vilar commented, “I got to learn from my siblings' mistakes as a youngest child. Perks, are that I kind-of got second. Disadvantages: I got left out of decision making because of my age. Now, as an adult, I can be like, ‘Hey! Talk to me!'”
After we've gone through so many of the pros and cons of each sibling position, even though most people don't agree with me, I still believe that being the youngest is the best. To conclude this article I just have one thing to ask: what do you think the best sibling position is?
PETCO: FRIENDLY PET STORE OR VILLAINOUS EMPIRE?
PETCO: FRIENDLY PET STORE OR VILLAINOUS EMPIRE?
By Riley Maduro
(All words highlighted in red are in the glossary below)
If you have a pet or have even just thought about getting a pet, then you're probably familiar with Petco. It is a store that sells pets, pet toys and pet food. This might seem like a perfectly normal, or might even sound like a great pet shop for beginner pet owners, but it is not as it seems. This company, one that was founded in 2000, soon rising to be one of most well-known pet shops, actually misuses its privileges. Notably, Petco has had controversies with the products they sell and employee treatment dating back to 2003.
Petco's main competition is a similar store named Petsmart. The truth is that both Petsmart and Petco are greedy for money. On December 18, 2014, Petco was sued for wage theft. Then, more recently on July 6, 2023, Petsmart was sued for bait and switch. Both instances were about these pet stores not staying true to their prices - one about employees and the other about customers.
On top of scamming customers, the products aren’t even good. Petco buys cheap items like reptile carpet, which can rip out your reptile's claws, and sells them for expensive prices. Since Petco is a big name company, people just think the expensive prices mean it's the best in town when, in reality, they're just scamming you. In fact, Petco is such a greedy company that they sell sick and diseased animals to people for heavy prices not even caring that it can kill you. On June 12, 2013, Petco was sued for the death of Aidan Pankey, caused by a diseased rat bought from Petco. However, Petco won the lawsuit. They were able to win by using the money they made off of others who paid for ill animals for the best lawyers.
Though, the problem doesn’t just stop at their insatiable greed for money. Apparently ,Petco has also been buying their dogs from mills. They’ve also been throwing out their animals, putting them out in the dumpster alive because they have no more use. Others would say that this isn’t true but there's countless resources all over social media that give video evidence of this crime, such as the news video linked above.
Note that Petco has been making less and less money over the years because people are realizing what's happening. Petco doesn’t have nearly as many loyal customers as it did before. The company isn’t financially stable anymore.
Glossary
Mills are “ Inhumane high-volume dog breeding facilities that churn out puppies for profit, ignoring the needs of the pups and their mothers.”
Wage theft is “the action (generally illegal) of paying less than minimum wage, not paying workers overtime, not allowing workers to take meal and rest breaks, requiring off the clock work, or taking workers' tips.”
Bait and switch is “the action (generally illegal) of advertising goods which are an apparent bargain, with the intention of substituting inferior or more expensive goods.”
Lawsuits are “a case in a court of law which concerns a dispute between two people or organizations.”
ARE ASYNCHRONOUS DAYS EFFECTIVE?
ARE ASYNCHRONOUS DAYS EFFECTIVE?
By Riley Maduro
At BUGS, we have asynchronous days pretty regularly. However, the question is are they effective? Asynchronous days might feel like a break for students, but its purpose is for teachers to participate in required professional development sessions.
Asynchronous days have been happening since 2021. The average number of asynchronous days is varied with 5 this year. At the start of the school year a survey is sent out to families to see the students who need laptops, so that the students in need of laptops would get them. Based on this survey, the school would also know if you had access to the internet. According to Mr. Josh A. and Ms. Cay, if you have no internet, the school would get you internet at a cheaper price.
How Asynchronous Days Affect Students Of Different Grade Levels
It's important to consider that a sixth grader might not be as experienced as a seventh or eighth grader to do asynchronous day work, as they’re younger and new to the school. These students may also get distracted easier because, typically, younger students are not as prepared to work alone and need an adult to guide them through their work. Based on an interview with 3 sixth grade students, 1 out of 3 sixth grade students said they were productive during asynchronous days.
Students in higher grades will usually have more experience working alone and practicing time management. We can assume that these students are more likely to be able to work without a teacher or adult to advise them. However, these students could still get distracted similarly to their younger peers. Based on an interview with 3 eighth grade students, 1 out of 3 eighth grade students said they were productive during asynchronous days, with 1 of the eighth graders saying that they are more productive in the first 2 hours of working.
How Asynchronous Days Affect All Students
There are other factors that contribute to having a more successful asynchronous day that affect all grades. At a minimum, everyone requires a computer and internet access to get to Google Classroom and do their work from home. Then, having a comfortable and quiet environment to work at home is important. Thus, having a sibling at home may slow you down from being able to do your work. It is preferable to have a desk and chair to work from home. Having a parent that can work from home or is able to stay home is also a major help, as a student's parents may not want their child to be home alone all day.
Finally, we can consider that some kids have trouble reading or understanding what the directions for the work suggests or what it actually says. However, asynchronous days are a good opportunity for students to start to have more control over their working environment. According to some research, independent work is meant to help students build confidence in working alone, time management skills, and independence. Technically, independent work is also supposed to help with understanding learning. So, the question becomes: how do you feel about asynchronous days? Are they effective?
SHOULD AFTER SCHOOL REQUIRE 4-DAY ATTENDANCE?
SHOULD AFTER SCHOOL REQUIRE 4-DAY ATTENDANCE?
By Sophia Vecchione
As a BUGS student, committing 4 days a week to after school activities can be tough. Seeing as students must complete homework, finish projects, while also keeping their reading schedule to date, it's easy to feel pressured. So, do you think the After School supervisors should try to change how many days students have to commit to after school activities?
I asked teachers around the school saying, “Do you think it's necessary to commit to after school for at least 4 days?”
Mr. Tim, a 6th grade Science teacher stated, “Yes and no. It's not convenient for students, but the teachers need a certain amount of kids so the program can work.” Although what Mr. Tim said was true, others argue and say that if students want to go to after school, they must commit 4 days a week. But some people also say that students should have the freedom to pick how many days they want to commit for after school.
A 7th grade student named Violet Legros that goes to after school says, “It depends if you can't walk home by yourself or if you have something to do. Sometimes you can't get picked up by your parents to go home. I understand why, but it's unfair for students who would like to do other things. But I'm in the middle.” To sum up what Violet is saying, people can't be picked up by there parents because of work or they're just far away; however, it is important to consider that students may have the ability to participate in other activities that interest them if they had more free time. Yes, after school at BUGS help some kids and families, but it also is sometimes unnecessary when you can't do other activities outside of school.
A person who would like to stay anonymous says that they couldn't go to after school with friends because they had other things to do and could not make it every day. Many other people agree with this person and want the rules to change. For example, Davin Allen, who does not enjoy how we don't have enough time for other outside activities, says, “kids should have free time to relax and after school is like 3 more hours of school. In your free time, you can play video games, play sports, etc.” Just like Davin said, kids don't have the chance relax after a whole day of school. However, even with no after school--if you think about it--kids still have to finish up homework and projects. “Yes, I didn't get to go to after school clubs because I had to commit to be there 4 days a week. I was pretty annoyed, especially when I found out there was some fun clubs I could have gone to,” said sixth grader Jonnah Iacovangelo, who was disappointed.
So what do you think? Do you think that committing four days a week to after school is helpful to families, friends, and staff, or do you think we should have a break from school so we can focus on other activities and finish projects?
Opinion: Disney and Pixar are making too many sequels!
By Audrey Lorenz
What movies come to mind when you think of your childhood? For me, some that come to mind are Frozen, Trolls, Toy Story, Inside Out, and Finding Nemo. Now, all of these movies have at least one sequel, and it is too much!
Let's take Toy Story for instance. We started innocently in 1995, but now, 28 years later, they are still expanding the franchise. Here are the plots (Spoiler Alert warning):
-Toy Story: Guess what? Your toys are alive, and they have feelings and thoughts just like you. Woody, a cowboy doll, is Andy’s favorite toy. When Andy gets a new toy named Buzz Lightyear, they get left behind when Andy moves. Along with his other toys, they have to figure out how to get away from Andy’s neighbor, Sid, who is cruel to his toys. In the end, Woody and Buzz become friends, and they reunite with Andy.
-Toy Story 2: They’re back! According to the film synopsis, “Woody (Tom Hanks) is stolen from his home by toy dealer Al McWhiggin (Wayne Knight), leaving Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) and the rest of the gang to try to rescue him. But when Woody discovers that he's actually a valuable collectible from a once-popular television show called "Woody's Roundup" and is reunited with his horse Bullseye, Jessie the yodeling cowgirl (Joan Cusack), and his faithful sidekick, Stinky Pete the Prospector (Kelsey Grammer), he doesn't want to leave.”
-Toy Story 3: OK, we’re back again! With a new problem! Andy is going to college and doesn’t play with his toys anymore, so they get donated to a daycare. Unfortunately, things aren’t as great as they are cracked up to be, so they try to escape. In the end, they end up with a sweet little girl named Bonnie, and this appears to be the end of the franchise.
-Toy Story 4: Why do they keep cranking out these things?! The problem was just resolved! Anyway, according to a film synopsis, “Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the rest of the gang embark on a road trip with Bonnie and a new toy named Forky. The adventurous journey turns into an unexpected reunion as Woody's slight detour leads him to his long-lost friend Bo Peep. As Woody and Bo discuss the old days, they soon start to realize that they're worlds apart when it comes to what they want from life as a toy.”
-Toy Story 5: Apparently, they are making another one now! It will probably come out in a few years, and there is no official trailer that I found. There are various theories about what it will be about, but one I found interesting is that some people think Andy and or Sid will return. Frankly, I don’t think we need a Toy Story 5 because we have Lightyear, a prequel of sorts, depicting the movie that made the toy Buzz Lightyear.
Here are some of the movies that Disney and Pixar are planning to make or have made that are sequels and/or Threequels:
-Inside out 2
-Trolls 3
-Frozen 3
-Zootopia 2
-Toy Story 5 (Obviously)
I think that no matter how much we love these characters, eventually, we have to let them go. Is making bad movies that don’t stay true to their successors REALLY better than just allowing the stories to naturally conclude? Toy Story 5 seems more like a cash grab than a movie that will benefit the series, Inside out 1 was made 8 years ago (Though I did enjoy it), and I thought the Frozen, Trolls, and Zootopia series were done. Though I will probably try to see all of these movies to rate and review them in the future, I think that more new movies should be created instead of running off old ideas.
Teen Activists
By Mena Ross
Children our age are always underestimated because of how old we are. But, quite frankly, there is no reason for it. Or at least, not a fair reason. However, not many adults think about teen activists.
Has your parent ever told you that you wouldn’t understand their conversation? Or have they said that you're too young to do something with them? The thing is, this pretty much happens every day. This is a common example of children being told they can't do something because of their age. The thing adults don't acknowledge is that there are such things as teen activists.
A teen activist is exactly what it sounds like, an activist that is a teenager. This means that they are teenagers fighting for what they believe is right. Teen activists are working hard at doing things that adults weren't doing; fighting for action.
Have you ever heard of Greta Thunberg? Well, Greta was a young teenager fighting for environmental action. She wanted the world to realize what climate change is doing to our planet and how we are making it worse. Greta even got arrested, but she kept going. She kept protesting for climate action. Teen activists are examples of how children can create change and affect the world.
For instance, I'm sure you have heard of Malala Yousafzai, the young girl who fought for the right that girls should have education too. She was a teen activist who was targeted and shot for standing up for education rights in the Middle East. Yet, because she was “just a kid," so many people underestimated her. They thought she wouldn't be able to change anything because she was sixteen.
Despite being a teenager, while she was fighting, she had over 2 million people supporting her act for justice. Eventually, Malala was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her fight to have every child to receive a good education. Malala is a very well known teen activist because of her success, and she stands tall today.
Malala Yousafzai, currently 26. She won the Nobel Peace Prize at 17.
Desmond Napoles, 17.
Sadly, not many people have heard of Desmond Napoles. Desmond Napoles or “Desmond is Amazing,” is a young teen activist who fought for LGBTQIA+ rights, an outspoken, unapologetic gay youth. Desmond is currently 17 years old, and is a former drag performer who started performing at 8 years old. Desmond is a big advocate for Pride rights. They took part in the 2015 Pride March, which resulted in them getting more attention. Desmond also inspired a lot of people and children with their Instagram account, which has 180,000 followers.
Unfortunately, in March of 2023, Desmond said they were retiring their drag career to work on a line of skin care products. In case you couldnt tell from this paragraph, Desmond started protesting at a very young age and grew to be successful. They did all this as a child and became well known for their act of justice.
Have you ever heard of someone who is protesting for more black women as the main characters of books? I certainly hadn't before doing my research. But the more I read, I realized how unseen the issue is. Marley Dias is a young teen activist who is 18 years old. When she was in the 6th grade, she launched a campaign called #1000BlackGirlBooks. The program was to collect 1,000 books with black female main characters to donate to schools. Marley is also a college student, who attends Harvard University and studies Sociology. She is the author of “Marley Gets it Done: And So Can You!”
All things considered, teen activists can change the world just the same as an adult can. While teen activists are still children--despite morphing the world to be better--they live regular lives just like any other child in the world. So, if a parent or an adult ever underestimates you, tell them about teen activists--or maybe show them this article--and they’ll think differently.
Marley Dias, 18.
SHOULD WE HAVE ADVISORY ON FRIDAY?
By Clark Scheihagen
A staple of every day at B.U.G.S. is Advisory. Except for Friday, of course. The last day of the week, and previously the best day for most, is now filled with the most work and stress. Is this really necessary? What is the reason for not having Advisory? Should this be changed? In this article, we interviewed people on both sides so that you can decide for yourself.
First interview: Jonah Iacovangelo
Opinion: We should have advisory
Q: Do you think we should have Advisory on Friday?
Jonah: Yes.
Q: Why?
Jonah: Because I don’t like going to Social Studies first period. It makes me feel drained and I don’t want to be working every second.
Second interview: Ms. Monica
Opinion: We should not have Advisory
Q: Should we have Advisory on Fridays?
Ms. Monica: No.
Q: Why?
Ms. Monica: Because Math teachers need an extra period to plan since they teach five periods a day.
Third interview: Nathan Cameron
Opinion: We should have Advisory
Q: Do you think we should have Advisory?
Nathan: Yeah.
Q: Why?
Nathan: I think that we should, because I think the reason we don’t have Advisory is because of test scores last year which the 6th graders have nothing to do with.
Unfortunately, the fourth person that I reached out to interview ghosted me. The fact that I couldn’t find anyone else is interesting. However, my interviews pretty much prove that we want Advisory on Fridays.
Please, OSA, listen to the kids.
Buzzkill: Why are pollinators important?
Buzzkill: Why are pollinators important?
By Mena Ross
Everyone knows that pollinators are generally important. But why? People say that pollinators don't make a difference, while others argue that they help us survive. So, the big question is, what makes pollinators so important?
Pollinators are a big help with keeping our environment healthy. When they are out, they go from flower to flower taking as much as they need, and nothing more. While they are doing that, they always manage to spread around pollen to create new generations of flowers and plants. And here's the catch: they don't even know they're helping, they are just trying to thrive in the harsh world we live in. Butterflies, Bees, Bats, Moths, Wasps, Beetles, are all pollinators working hard to commit to a healthy environment. Whilst they are pollinating, they always make room for new plants. This also relates to your mental health, because lots of time people mentally are unstable because of a negative environment. Lots of patients in hospitals tend to crave plants and greenery, like flowers. The pollinators make people stay happy and healthy.
Pollinators are literally what stabilize our source of food. They are what produces the fruits and vegetables, as well as seeds in our everyday foods. According to ‘https://www.pollinator.org/pollinators’, “When a pollen grain moves from the anther (male part) of a flower to the stigma (female part), pollination happens. This is the first step in a process that produces seeds, fruits, and the next generation of plants. This can happen through self-pollination, wind and water pollination, or through the work of vectors that move pollen within the flower and from bloom to bloom.” To add on, pollinators also affect us financially. While they are dying, there will be less accessibility to natural food. With less natural food, people will turn to fast food which could cause a spike in bad physical health and obesity.
Additionally, pollinators contribute to our health. While in hospitals, what is one main thing that helps you with your injuries? Medicine. Bees, specifically Honey Bees, are responsible for some of the important medicine that saves your life. Have you ever heard of someone putting honey on a wound? Well, people still do this today. Even in the E.R. But have you ever thought about the harmful effects of taking away a bees honey from their hive? As many know, Bees’ one and only food source is their honey. It is very hard to harvest and produce this honey, but they manage to do it. It usually takes quite a while to fill up their hive, and by then, it's winter. When their hive is full, lots of people, even beekeepers, tend to take all of it. But how will the bees survive without their honey? They won't. Their hive will dry up and all the bees will die of starvation. But without the bees, how will we get our medicine? Just like them, we won't. This is why many beekeepers try to keep in mind not to take all the honey, for they need the hive to survive.
I’d also like to talk about how pollinators are dying rapidly. There are now fewer and fewer places for pollinators to live. Since the cities are growing, more roadways and apartment buildings are being built instead of parks or gardens. The habitats pollinators need to live are being replaced with factories and manicured lawns. With fewer pollinators, the pollination process will be slow and eventually there will be a decline in flowers and other vegetation. I’d also like to mention that pollinators, like bees, wasps, beetles, and moths, are being killed by humans. Things like stepping, swatting, poisoning, trapping, or generally just killing pollinators has caused a decline. To add on, pollinators also control whether or not we stay healthy. As sixth graders have recently studied, food deserts are an element of environmental justice caused by loss of healthy foods. Food deserts are when people don’t have enough money to buy vegetables and fruits so they turn to fast food. Because of that, grocery stores don’t make enough money in those areas, meaning that there isn’t any accessibility to non-processed food. This usually happens to low income areas or red lined areas because of their lack of stability financially. The food that the people need comes from pollinators, but what happens when the pollinators start dying?
Despite the huge decline in pollinators, there are people out there making gardens specifically for pollinators to pollinate as well as live. These are called “Pollinator Gardens.” They are very helpful to communities with no parks or green areas. In fact, there is a pollinator garden in Brooklyn, called the “Fort Greene Pollinator Garden”! They have 220 plants and over 500 plugs there. There are at least 4 other gardens in Brooklyn, all serving and helping the pollinators. These gardens are public and open to many people. They are wonderful and very effective, building the pollinator community every day. Next time you think about helping the environment, Pollinator Gardens are always an option!
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