Hoffman News

The Week of December 10th, 2018

Notes

Due to some technical difficulties with the District 34 network, we will not be able to present any video stories this week. We hope to have these for you next week, and apologize for the delay.

Until then, please enjoy the rest of the stories from the week!

The Hoffman News Team

Op-Ed: Boys Clothes? Girls Clothes?

By: Lourdes

I walk into Target. The first thing I see are two sections: one bursting with pinks, purples, ponies, kittens, and dresses. The other is filled with blues and blacks, baseballs, basketballs, Star Wars and baggy shorts.

Above the two sections, two signs hang. One is bright pink and says, “Girls.” The other is a deep royal blue that says, “Boys.”

Looking at this, the one question that I keep asking myself is: why?

Why are the two clothes sections separated? Why are there even two clothing sections? I’m a girl and I LOVE Star Wars (and I’m pretty sure that there’s a boy out there who loves pink or ponies). Well, I know. Assumptions. The person who thought of this is simply ASSUMING that all girls like pink and all boys like blue.

This makes me wonder: do these clothing stores think that girls have to like ponies and princesses and boys have to like baseball and blue? Is it just easier for them to do this so they can sell more things?

The same goes for toys. Why can’t there just be a Toy section, as opposed to the Barbies and dolls on one side and the action figures and soccer balls on the other? What if a girl goes shopping with her friends and wants a toy, but is too embarrassed to go into the “boys” section.

This infuriates me. I don’t like being told what to like and wear, nor what I'm supposed to buy. I can go in the boys section and find something I like, yet I am made to feel like I shouldn’t.

For example, I am also a Cubs fan. If I want just a normal baseball shirt (with no rhinestones, sparkles, or cursive writing), I have to go into the “boys” section to get it! It almost feels like I shouldn't walk into that section the way it is presented. I HATE IT!

People are always saying that together we can make the world better, but things like this are the opposite. Instead of separating boys and girls by what we’re “supposed” to like, let's come together on what YOU like! Period.

This may not be an easy task, but I feel that doing this could be the first baby steps towards true equality. Let's like the things we like, not the things we're told to like.

School News

Homeless Animal Update

By: Lindsey, Lourdes, Simi, Siya

WE NEED YOU!

Remember, we are doing a school fundraiser for homeless animals as we enter the colder months.

When?

The fundraiser has been extended to Thursday, December 20th.

Where?

There are jars for donations in the office and in the LRC. Feel free to ask someone to help you find it.

You may also personally deliver the money to Siya, Lourdes, or Simi in Mrs. Smeltekop's class, or Lindsey in Mr. Mariano.

If you have any further questions, stop by the LRC!

Mr. P's Birthday!

By: The Hoffman News Team

Friday, December 7th, was Mr. P's birthday! But, because he was going to New York City for the weekend, we wanted to surprise him!

Hajin and Logan distracted him while Maria and Isabel put the finishing touches on the giant birthday card. He definitely liked it better than the first "gift" we gave him...a pencil.

Happy Birthday Mr. P!

Around Town

Time for the Holidays

By: Siya

You probably know all about Halloween, Valentine's Day, and Thanksgiving. But there are many more holidays that people all over the world celebrate. Let's look at the different holidays people celebrate in the month December.

I'm sure you've heard of Christmas! Christmas Eve is on Monday, December 24th, with Christmas the following day on Tuesday, December 25th. Children who celebrate will often get presents from their family and Santa Claus under their tree.

Hanukkah is a holiday that started Sunday, December 2nd and ends on Monday, December 10th this year. Hanukkah last 8 days, which means a great deal in the Jewish religion.

Kwanzaa, an African American holiday, is celebrated on Wednesday, December 26th, 2018 and will end on Tuesday, January 1st, 2019. The celebration of Kwanzaa symbolizes unity, creativity, faith, and giving gifts.

Do you celebrate any of these Holidays? Do you know anyone who celebrates? If so, wish them a Happy Holiday!

Sports

Player of the Week:

By: Anthony

Hey Hoffman Hornets, Anthony here with this week's Player of the Week.

This is another football player in the NFL, who plays for Da Bears! This is the outside linebacker who made the Bears one of the best teams in the NFL, and a top five defense. They also held the Los Angeles Rams to just 6 points on Sunday night!!

This is, of course, Khalil Mack.

Khalil Delshon Mack was born on February 22, 1991 in Fort Pierce, Florida. But, to become the best linebacker, he practiced. And, I mean PRACTICED!

Not only did he train by doing the basic components of being a linebacker, he also trained his body until he was an absolute beast!

When he graduated high school, he went to the University of Buffalo in New York and broke an NCAA record for most forced fumbles, and tied for most tackles.

He graduated in 2014 and was the first pick of the Oakland Raiders, becoming one of the best rookie defensemen in the league.

But, before the 2018 season, the Raiders traded him to the Bears. He has helped them become the most surprising team of the year, with a chance of making it to the Super Bowl!

That's it for sports!

Weather

Monday (12/10): there will be partly cloudy skies with

a high of 34 and a low of 25.

Tuesday (12/11): expect mostly sunny skies with a

low of 26 and a high of 35.

Wednesday (12/12): there is a high of 37 and a low of

33. There will be rain showers at night.

Thursday (12/13): there will be showers in the

morning with a high of 36 and during the night, there will

be snow and rain showers with a low of 31.

Friday (12/14): in the morning, there will be a high of

35 and a low of 26. There will be snow showers

throughout the day.

Saturday (12/15): there will be a high of 32 in the

morning and a low of 26 at night. Look for mostly cloudy

skies.

Sunday (12/16): there will be a high of 38 and a low

of 29 with partly sunny skies.

Book of the Week

“Grenade”

By: Alan Gratz

When WWII crashes onto his shores, Hideki is drafted into the Blood and Iron Student Corps to fight for the Japanese army. He is handed a grenade and a set of instructions: Don't come back until you've killed an American soldier.

Ray, a young American Marine, has just landed on Okinawa. This is Ray's first-ever battle, and he doesn't know what to expect -- or if he'll make it out alive. He just knows that the enemy is everywhere.

Hideki and Ray each fight their way across the island, surviving heart-pounding ambushes and dangerous traps. But then the two of them collide in the middle of the battle...

Movie of the Week

"Ralph Breaks the Internet"

By: Lucy and Sydney

Lucy: Hello Hoffman! My friend Sydney and I are yet again giving you the movie of the week! Hey Sydney, want to tell them what the movie of the week is?

Sydney: The movie of the week is "Ralph Breaks the Internet." Lucy, can you tell everyone what "Wreck it Ralph" is all about?

Lucy: Yasss, I can! "Ralph Breaks the Internet" is about Ralph and Vanellope and they go to the internet. There are princesses, villains, and lots of other stuff. There are apps that they have to go to! And real apps! They’re so cool! And...

Sydney: Lucy, you can’t tell them the whole story, but you can tell them the actors!

Lucy: UGH!? Fine. The voice of Ralph is John C. Reilly and the voice of Vanellope is Sarah Silverman. The voice of Fix-It-Felix is Jack McBrayer. Happy Sydney!?

Sydney: (Ignores Lucy) Lucy, why don’t you tell them where to find the movie of the week. *Wink, Wink*

Lucy: Well, Wreck it Ralph is now in the theaters. And you Fortnite players have to get off your couch and go see it! No more fighting bad guys on Xbox! TIME FOR THE REAL WORLD! DO THE IMPOSSIBLE! FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FOREVER! MY GIRL ELSA KNOWS HOW TO DO IT!

Sydney: Haha. Well, you heard it from Lucy! We encourage everyone to go out and see a movie! (Like "Wreck it Ralph 2") *Wink, Wink*

Lucy: That's all for our Movie of the week! Goodbye peoplez!

Send us an email if you have ideas for a movie/show of the week!! ;)

Meme of the Week

And yes, here it is, your Meme of the Week. Thanks Anthony.

Have a great week, Hornets!

Staff

Thank you to the entire Hoffman News Team for their efforts.

Each member of the team dedicates his/her entire lunch and recess hour, as well as time outside of school, to contribute to the news. We are extremely lucky to have such dedicated 4th and 5th grade students in our school community.

Do you have a news story for us to cover?

Submit your ideas for a news story by sending an e-mail to our producer.

Report abuse