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Behind the Scenes of Newspaper Club
Behind the Scenes of Newspaper Club
Remote Edition
Remote Edition
By: Sarayu B.
If you’re like me, you probably wait all day long for writing time during school. Just like me, there are many students at Menlo Park who have a passion for writing. Newspaper Club is a perfect opportunity to show off your talent for writing to the whole school. For those third and fourth graders who love writing, whether it's in a notebook or on a Google Doc, Newspaper Club is something you might want to join when you get into fifth grade.
In my opinion, Newspaper Club is an awesome club to sign up for if you like writing articles just like me. I remember when I was in fourth grade and first heard about Newspaper Club from my fifth grade friend, I wanted to join right away. I was pretty disappointed hearing it was only for fifth graders, but when I finally started fifth grade, that was one of the things I was excited about.
Newspaper Club is something I look forward to almost every week. Whenever I can, I try to update my article. But even if I don’t get to write during the week, we always have enough time during the club meet. Newspaper Club is a whole different experience in remote learning. According to Mrs. LoCasto, during prior years, the writers from Newspaper Club were in the Media Center in school, and it was really noisy.
One of the great things about remote is that we can get more accomplished in Newspaper Club. If we met up in person like last year, it would’ve been more talk, less work. But of course, it might’ve been more fun if we had the company of our friends while we wrote, but either way, Newspaper Club is the best way to make writing fun.
Sometimes for me, it takes a while to get an idea for a new article. The ideas don’t always emerge, no matter how hard I try to push. There
are other times, they come flowing out like water. In our first club meet, we brainstormed as many ideas as we could on a Google Jamboard. For those of you who don’t know, a Jamboard is like a Google Slide, but with less features. So the best part is, if the ideas won’t budge out from your head, you always have a place to go.
In my opinion, the Newspaper Club through Google Meet is just as fantastic as the real thing. Even though most of the time we’re writing, occasionally, there’s a conversation going on (between the students and the teachers!). You get to meet fellow writers, you get to continue your fabulous writing masterpiece, and most of all, you have fun.
Hybrid vs. Remote
Hybrid vs. Remote
By: Sarayu B.
By: Sarayu B.
It’s 10:05. You’re sitting in front of your Chromebook. As you glance at the time, you realize that it’s only been a little more than an hour since school started. It feels like it’s been days! You wish you could be with your friends, instead of being cooped up inside a house.
Back in the summer, parents signed their kids up for hybrid learning, which started on October 19. Hybrid learning is when students go to the school building for in-person learning, while other students learn remotely at the same time. In Edison, students started hybrid learning on October 19th. The teachers need to manage students in the classroom while having students on screen learning from home. Of course, everyone followed proper protocols like staying six feet away and wearing masks, to ensure that everyone was safe when in the school building. While other students still learned remotely from home. But is hybrid learning better than remote learning? What is social distancing like at school?
“In a way, hybrid is better than remote since you can clearly speak to the teacher, and there’s less time wasted
on trying to get your camera or microphone on and off because of the lag,” says Yashas, a fifth grade student learning in person. “When you work in the school and try to join the meeting to work with classmates, the hardest thing is the lag issues, since there’s a lot of people working all at the same time inside the school,” he says.
In my opinion, even though I’ve never been at school in person, I know that a lot of time is spent on internet issues, no matter where you are. The problem is everywhere, but at school it’s a lot easier when you have the help from your teachers. That’s not all. If your Chromebook kicks you out of the meet during class while learning remotely, it’s hard to catch back up. It might even be easier in person, since you can just ask the teacher or one of your classmates.
According to Yash, before they switch classes, they go outside for a break. For fifth graders in my experience in remote learning, all you need to do is maybe exit your first meeting to log onto another one. There’s no walking to a different classroom. This all might seem like hybrid learning is much better than remote
learning, but hybrid also has its downsides. Yash says that one thing he would love to change about hybrid learning is the supplies. Unlike earlier, when you can keep your school supplies in your desk, now they have to carry every item in their backpack back and forth every day.
Now what do you think? During remote, you don’t need to worry about having your school supplies in your backpack, and even though you’re in front of the screen all day, you can leave the room, or get a snack. During hybrid, you get to see your friends and teachers in person this school year. Of course, there’s the risk of COVID and there’s the fact that you have to carry all your school supplies everyday. Not to mention that only one person can use the bathroom at a time. Yash said, “It was really nerve wracking going there, but when I reached, I was relieved that it wasn’t as bad as I thought.” And they give free lunch! It’s all up to you and your parents. Even though remote learning might be safer, hybrid would be a great way to meet your friends and teachers this year in person.
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The Hybrid School Year
The Hybrid School Year
By: Anukshi D.
By: Anukshi D.
This is the school year from Menlo Park Elementary School and this year has been a hybrid year at Menlo Park. All classes are virtual, as well as the clubs, exercises, and group activities. This year we are seeing everyone only on the computer screens.
Why is all this happening? This is happening because of Covid-19, and it seems risky for children and teachers to get out there.
Mrs. Sileski, a fifth grade teacher at Menlo Park, taught hybrid.
She wore a mask while teaching, which can be hard. She answered that at first it was hard, but she told me that it was easy teaching while wearing a mask after being used to it. Even though Mrs. Sileski could not choose, she says she prefers remote teaching because it is challenging teaching students in person and online at the same time.
This year might be a virtual one. But, hopefully, we can meet each other next year in-person.
Virtual Student Council
Virtual Student Council
By: Nandini A.
By: Nandini A.
Life before Covid was great- At least, that is what almost everyone says. Life has definitely changed since this pandemic. That includes, going on vacations, visiting your friends, and even going to school. School is hard… Especially online. One major part of school is the student council. Each class elects one candidate. These students represent the class. When school was in-person, the class reps would meet up before class, and explain their thoughts and ideas. Nowadays, class reps have to attend virtual meetings and discuss their thoughts.
Virtual student council can be hard. It can be difficult for teachers and students. Teachers face problems with network issues, and communicating with students. Students face problems in learning, because the main focus is “Is my connection good? Can you hear me? How is my video? Can I turn my camera off?”.
In student council discussions, it can be tough to communicate, when teachers have to tell students to give a speech to their class.
In the virtual student council, it is a great effort to create events. Corona virus has made everything a bit more complicated than it already was.
Yet, the student council is trying hard to make this year a little better. And, their hard work is paying off! In my class, almost everyone is participating in school spirit days (Friday)! But, during in-person learning, most students didn’t come to school with their school spirit outfit, meaning that virtual learning does have a bright side, too.
During this time, we need some ideas for the student council. So we have school spirit days, and we have Friday tunes, and Friday funny.
Be sure to check out the Friday Funny on Mr. Duggan’s morning message to receive new jokes every week!
So please share your ideas with the student council! The more the merrier!
The New and Fabulous Ms. Campbell!
The New and Fabulous Ms. Campbell!
By: Sarayu B.
By: Sarayu B.
If you ask many students at Menlo, you’ll learn that physical education is their favorite special subject. One of the main things that make P.E. so fun are the teachers. Sadly, Ms. Riese recently retired from teaching P.E. Everyone in Menlo Park School knew the kind hearted gym teacher and misses her greatly. To replace her, we have a new, state-of-the-art teacher: Ms. Campbell! Ms. Campbell is just as gracious as Ms. Riese, and she has a great personality.
One of the main reasons Ms. Campbell came to teach the kids at Menlo is because she lived very far away from her old school. She wanted to teach somewhere closer to her home so she wouldn’t have to drive half an hour every day. Ms. Campbell doesn’t regret coming to Menlo, either. She says the teachers are very nice, and the kids are even kinder. “Students actually thanked me for teaching them. That never happened before!” Ms. Campbell said.
Ms. Campbell says she loves teaching P.E. “My favorite part about being a P.E teacher is probably being able to see students excel in another area of learning, and watching them try new things and have fun.” But while teaching P.E is fun, Ms. Campbell said it also has its flaws in teaching remote.
She says it’s hard to teach screens all the time, and having to tell someone to unmute is pretty time consuming.
Ms. Campbell is especially looking forward to teaching hybrid after many months of remote teaching. “I already taught hybrid at my old school, but I’m excited to teach Menlo in person. I’m also looking forward to using the equipment in the school gym.” Ms. Campbell says that even though it will be tough working with masks on, it’s necessary to stay safe, and as long as the students take breaks, they’ll be fine.
Ms. Campbell learned a lot from teaching P.E. here at Menlo Park. “I learned how to stay creative in my lessons to keep kids engaged and interested. Not only that, but I also improved in making Google Slides!” Ms. Campbell has been an excellent teacher so far, and we all are looking forward to having fun for the rest of the year with her!
Super School
Super School
By: Areesha K.
By: Areesha K.
Menlo Park School is split up into many sections. New sections are made every once in a while, too. The school is an important part of a student’s learning experience. The better it is, the better for the students.
Menlo Park School is split into so many sections! There are Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade sections and classrooms. In addition, there is the cafeteria, gym, main office, nurse’s office, and so much more! Mr. Duggan said, “The school opened in 1963 with about 10 classrooms, multi-purpose room and library (which is now the faculty room). Now we have about 40 classrooms.”
The more the school expands, the larger the capacity of kids who can also learn in school! The Menlo Park School building is modified every now and then. Originally, Menlo Park was not super large but now, it is a fantastic and spacious building!
Around five years back, an amazing addition to Menlo Park was made. Mr. Duggan stated, “The addition provided 8 new classrooms (the fifth grade wing) and a new gym, music room and bathrooms. Prior to the addition all specials were on a cart. Now every special (Art, Spanish, Music, PE) has their own space.”
The additions to the Menlo Park building are made with help from the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education, the staff at our school, an architect, and workers.
The newest addition to the Menlo Park School is the…
The courtyard! According to Mr. Duggan, “The courtyard was a result of several additions over the years… They made our pond bigger and planted some shrubs. The entire project took about two weeks.”
Menlo Park School keeps up to date and is always thinking big. The expansions that happen are always spectacular! The effort and work Menlo Park puts in to build upon Menlo Park are miraculous and magical!
The School Year of 2020-2021
The School Year of 2020-2021
By: Sarayu B.
By: Sarayu B.
This year has been one of the most memorable years at Menlo for many of the students and teachers. It started tough, with many people doubting how the school year would end. But, look at us now. The school year is slowly coming to an end, and we’re celebrating the end of our first almost full-virtual school year.
This year is historical, the first year ever with a first fully-remote day of school. Of course, back then, the vaccine never existed, and the procedure of wearing masks, sanitizing hands, and measuring temperature was more serious than ever. Since then, the conditions of COVID have been slowly improving.
Around the mid-year was when hybrid started. After almost a year of staying at home, many students returned to their beloved school. Although, in the past few weeks was when the school really started crowding up for hybrid. Dozens of students, especially fifth graders like me, wanted to spend their last few months in their school to treasure the final moments.
The principals, teachers, and especially the students have been working incredibly hard to make this year a great, easy, fun school year for everyone. And all the work was worth it because they succeeded.
Transitioning Over to Middle School
Transitioning Over to Middle School
By: Nandini A.
By: Nandini A.
What have we been hearing since the beginning of May? Middle School! Mrs. Carde has been giving us activities for moving to middle school, and we got a few lessons from some high schoolers. You may be nervous and be wondering what life is like in middle school. With the help of this article, all your nervousness should fade away!
Here is an FAQ: Will there be a lot of homework?
At first, it may seem overwhelming due to all of the assignments that you will receive, but you will start getting used to it over the course of time.
FAQ: Will I be able to make friends?
Making friends can be a little hard, but you will see so many familiar faces in middle school that you won’t have to worry.
FAQ: Will I get lost in the hallways?
Getting lost is a concern, so that’s why you get 5 minutes to switch between all of your classes. That way, if you do get lost, you will have some time to find your direction. Walking with a buddy is also suggested.
FAQ: What if I lose my locker code?
In case you do lose your locker code, you can go to the main office and ask what to do. Mrs. Carde also put a tutorial on how to open your locker.
FAQ: Are there bullies?
Bullies are a lot to handle. In case you do run into one, don’t start physically fighting. That has a lot of downsides. Just walk with a friend and report to the main office about what happened. Some high schoolers also explained what to do.
In summary, don’t chew your nails or sweat. Middle school is great! You will need to overcome some challenges, but that is just a part of life. Middle school is a perfect opportunity to learn new things. As 6th graders, you will learn more responsibility, and it will help shape your career. Enjoy the rest of your summer, and when you wake up on the first day of 6th grade, you will be excited!
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