Hoffman News

The Week of October 28, 2019

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Top Stories

Chicago Marathon

By: Henry

The Chicago Marathon, a tradition since September 25th, 1977, officially started at 7:20 A.M. on Sunday, October 13th.

The 45,000 runners competing in the Chicago Marathon ran 26.2 miles and the successful ones ran it in under six hours and thirty minutes. The race starts in Grant Park, which is one of the fantastic main sights in the Windy City of Chicago. The race also ends in Grant Park. The runners go through fun places like Chinatown and along the Chicago River. At the finish, they reunite with their families.

The world record for the fastest eligible marathon is two hours, one minute, and thirty nine seconds set by Eluid Kipchoge of Kenya in the London Marathon in 2018. The Chicago marathon fastest time is 2:03:45, set in the 2013 Chicago Marathon by Dennis Kimetto.

The Chicago marathon is one of six major world marathons consisting of the Tokyo Marathon, the Boston Marathon, the London Marathon, the Berlin Marathon, of course the Chicago Marathon, and the New York City Marathon.

The Bank Of America has proudly sponsored the Chicago marathon since 2008. Before the Bank Of America Sponsored the race, there were other sponsors. For example, The LaSalle bank, Old Style Beer, and Beatrice Foods.

This year's Chicago Marathon times:

The women's wheelchair marathon was won by Manuela Schar and her race time was 1:36:53. The men's wheelchair winner was Daniel Romanchuk with a time of 1:21:36. The women’s was won by Brigid Kosgei of Kenya with a time of 2:14:04 which set the national women’s marathon world record time and the mens was won by Lawrence Cherono of Kenya with a time of 2:05:46.

The winners of the men's and women's Chicago Marathon receives $100,000. The men and women wheelchair winners receive $15,000. The total amount of money distributed among all the winners is $803,500 (including first second and third place plus bonuses). There are bonuses for course records: $75,000 for men and women; and $5,000 for the wheelchair divisions. The prices are lowered for the wheelchair division because it is easier and it takes less time for them to complete the marathon.

Although the marathon may seem very competitive, it is also a fun accomplishment. While others take it seriously, some people try to have fun with the experience. For example, there are a few people who run the marathon in chicken suits, or a unicorn suit.

Over the years, the Chicago marathon has grown into an event that the world participates in and it is truly amazing!

Student task force

By: Lucy, Brielle, Jillian

Student Task Force is a new school club where students at Hoffman School will have the opportunity to solve some of the problems in our school and community. It will replace Student Board, and is open to all students who are interested in problem solving and working together.

Task Force meets either Wednesday from 7-7:45 in the LRC or Wednesday 2:30-2:45 in Room 47 (Mrs. Raza). If you’re a person that sees a problem with the school, and want to fix it, you should join Student Task Force.

If you would like to join you can stop by the LRC or Mrs. Raza's room to get a sheet to fill out. These forms will be due by Oct. 30th.

There are so many ways that students can get involved, and work to improve their school. Our very own Maira is working to create a petition to give students an opportunity throughout the school day to work on homework. If this is something you, too, are interested in, Student Task Force might be the place for you.

We spoke to Mr. Pucciarello about his interest in creating the Student Task Force with Mrs. Raza, as well as one of the students responsible for helping to get it started. You may read these interviews below.

Mr. P Interview

Why did you want to start Student Task Force?

Mrs. Raza and I wanted to give students the opportunity to really make a different, using the the District 34 inquiry model as a guide.

Can you give us an example of a problem you would like the kids to fix?

I've heard kids mention a few different problems; the one I heard most recently was to have nutritious school lunches. As far as the problem I would like to fix, I'm honestly more interested in hearing what you guys all have in mind, and then being able to help you through the process to solve them the best way we can.

How will you help them?

We will act alongside students, and give students whatever they need to do the best they can.

How did you come up with the Student Task Force?

Mrs. Raza brought the idea to my attention at the beginning of the year when we first met and together we worked on creating what it will look like. In the end, the students are the ones who are going to really form Student Task Force and turn it into whatever it can be. This is our first year, and we think there are some really great possibilities in the future.

Why do you think kids should join?

A lot of kids have the desire to create change, and this gives them a forum to do that.

Why is that important to you?

I mean, that's really why people like myself Mrs. Raza, Mr. Vogel, all teachers really get into this job for: to help students become their most realized selves.

James Interview

Why did you want to start Student Task Force?

It seems like an important cause.

Can you give us an example of a problem you would like to fix?

One thing that is important to me is awareness about privacy and being secure.

Why is that important to you?

I have a thing about privacy, especially since I read the book "1984."

Why do you think other kids should join?

People can do anything, and this gives kids the change to do that.

What are you looking forward to?

Making the school better for students

Halloween Parade

By: Blake

On October 31, Hoffman School will be ready to celebrate Halloween!

Kids can either go home for lunch, go home with a friend for lunch, or stay at school.

Nevertheless, students will return from lunch in a cascade of costumes, from witches and wizards, to hot dogs and athletes. Hoffman will be completely transformed into a realm of silliness and spookiness.

After seeing everyone in their costumes, kids will parade around the Hoffman area, showing off to everyone (see image for route).

After the parade, kids will come down the fifth grade hallway and back to their rooms, where the room parents will set up a spook-tacular party! There will be food, games, and more!

Finally, when 2:30 comes around, kids will go home and get their bags ready, because in Glenview, trick-or-treating officially starts at 3:00 PM.

“I can’t wait," explains fifth grader Sam. "I’m really looking forward to all of the fun!”

STaff Spotlight

Mrs. Williams

By: Logan

What made you start a teaching career?

I like kids! It reminded me of being a camp counselor.

Which camp were you a camp counselor?

Camp Echo.

Why did you choose to teach fourth grade?

I didn’t! I’m actually a fifth grade teacher. But I’m really liking it.

Did you teach other grades or at other schools before?

This is my third school. In my last school, I was a 4th and 5th grade teacher.

Do you play class games?

We do. Choice time and class meeting is game time.

What do you do outside of school?

I’m the mom of two boys. They keep me busy. I also watch football, read, and bake delicious goods.

Do you have a dream home?

A penthouse in New York is my dream home. [Ed Note: Mr. P's too!]

Do you have a favorite emoji?

The football, money bag, sly smile, and the Korean flag.

Mrs. Brown

By: Brielle

When did you start teaching?

I started my career 14 years ago .

What is your favorite subject? Why?

Writing, because I like expressing myself creatively.

Is this your first school

No, I've actually worked at four others: Crow Island, Pleasant Ridge, Glen Grove, and Westbrook.

What did you teach at those schools?

K-5, but mostly 3rd through 5th.

What do you do outside of school?

My son takes up most of my time, just playing with him and having fun. I also love reading, walking, and good food.

Do you have any pets?

I do! I have a dog named Albie.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Australia.

What Hogwarts house are you in?

Slytherin.

Uh oh...

Opinions

Boys and Girls' Colors

By: Lucy

You might think that boys only like blue, or green, and girls only like pink, or purple. But that is not true in many different ways.

First of all, my favorite color is teal, which is a mix of dark green and blue. A lot of girls I know like blue, or green, or any other colors classified as “boys” colors.

I have also met boys that like pink, or purple. So really, it’s not rare to find someone that likes a color that’s (supposedly) for the other gender.

Here’s a quote from mentalfloss.com.

“In 1918, an article from a trade publication called Earnshaw’s Infants’ Department, declared that, since it was derived from red, ‘Pink is for the boys, and blue for the girls. The reason is that pink, being a more decided and stronger color, is more suitable for the boy, while blue, which is more delicate and dainty, is prettier for the girl.’”

That paragraph states that pink is for boys, and blue is for girls. However, lots of people have different opinions on the subject. In fact, the pink for girls and blue for boys is only a hundred years old - how did we even allow this to become so set in our culture?

I interviewed my brother to get another take on the topic.

Me: Give me the first girl color that comes to your mind, and then the first boy color.

Cooper: Purple for the girl, and for boys, red.

Me: So they’re similar to you?

Cooper: Yes. Although that’s only now. It used to be different.

Me: OK. If you were to make a baby girl a present, what color would it be?

Cooper: Definitely light pink, and for a boy, light blue.

Me: Why are your answers different?

Cooper: I think as you grow you like different colors. But I do believe pink is for girls and blue is for boys.

Everyone has different opinions about everything. Including colors.

For example, the quote from mentalfloss.com shows that they believe girls should have blue as a favorite color, because it makes them look pretty. Although many girls like blue, I know that not every girl wants to be called “delicate and dainty.”

Some girls might! But I know I don’t like that phrase, and some others might or might not, too. Further, some boys don’t like being called “decided and strong.”

So to conclude, boys and girls colors are different for everyone. Some people might go with pink for girls and blue for boys, or the other way around. And some people will think of a totally different color for girls, and a totally different color for boys!

In the end, a color is a color, and you should like whichever one makes you happiest.

Should Students Use Phones in School?

By: Keira and Sydney

No.

At Hoffman School, some kids are bringing their phones while waiting for their parents to get them, or while they’re walking in the halls. This concerns me because when you’re looking at your phone, it can be dangerous because you are not looking where you’re going.

That’s why I think that students shouldn’t bring phones to school. Several of CNN10’s topics are about how people everywhere are using their phones more than they should. Phones, I think, should be used for emergencies. You don’t need a phone to entertain you. That’s why there are people. Communicate with them.

Another thing to think about is what would happen if you lost it or got stolen at school?

Yes.

I think that If kids use their phones in the right way, they should be allowed at school. For example, if a kid's parent told them they would text them, the kid should be allowed to use their phone without getting in trouble.

Of course, if a kid is just playing games walking down the hallway, their phone should be confiscated. But, it should be a kid's choice to bring their phones to school though.

However, we need to make sure that if we do, we use them in right way!

What do you think?

Assigned Seating at lunch

By: Nicole and Ellie

Lunch seats, lunch seats, lunch seats!

As you know, we have assigned lunch seats in the cafeteria. Now, I know that allergies exist, but they have nothing to do with the type of lunch seats i’m talking about. Still, why does each class have to sit at certain tables?

Many kids don’t like this! If you have a friend who is in another class, then you can’t sit with them, which is so unfair! It’s like this trap, stopping us from getting out and being able to be with our friends.

Now, here are some reasons why the students should be "freed":

Kids can become more social

If we don’t have assigned class tables, then kids will become flexible with others, and more social! This is good, because then, kids can easily make more friends! Then, less people will be lonely at Hoffman, and the kids will be happier!

Kids can be with their friends!

If we don’t have assigned class tables, then, kids who have friends in other classes will be able to sit with each other! This is good, because let’s say someone has a friend in Ms. Williams’ class, but they are in Mrs. Allen’s class. So, because of restricted lunch seating, they can’t sit with their friends! Well, they may have a friend in their class, but if that friend wants to sit with someone else? Then, they will be lonely!

So, Hoffman staff, please! Please, free us from these assigned lunch seats.

Research corner

Plastic Bottle Nightmare

By: Ellie

Bottles, Bottles, Bottles. Those terrible, TERRIBLE Bottles. Plastic, cheap bottles. They are dangerous! There are certain chemicals that can hurt you, and you should AVOID THEM!

It gives me the chills thinking about it. A recent study said that humans can have up to 5 pounds of undigested plastic in their bodies. Much of this is caused due to drinking from plastic bottles.

Scared yet? Here are some of the chemicals that exist in plastic bottles:

Bisphenol A – a key ingredient in plastic and resin manufacture

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a substance that is used in the industrial manufacture of polycarbonate plastic products.

Phthalates – plastic softeners

Phthalates are chemicals often used as softeners for PVC plastic. To make plastic more flexible, plasticisers are needed and they are in most cases phthalates.

These all can be very unhealthy for you, and cause severe health issues.

So, the next time you reach for that plastic bottle of water, think twice.

Epilepsy

By: Brielle

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that may cause seizures. Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder. It can affect people of all ages, genders and races .It is caused by low oxygen at birth, head injuries and genetic conditions.

I first became curious about epilepsy when my mom told me about the actor that played Alexander in "Hamilton;" his daughter died at three years old from epilepsy. I didn't know what it was and I started researching it.

Focal seizures

There are two types of focal seizures. Focal seizures without loss of consciousness may change emotions or the way things feel, smell, taste or sound. They may cause in twitching, dizziness.

Focal seizures with impaired awareness can make you lose or change your consciousness. During a partial seizure, you may stare into space and not respond normally to your environment or repeat movements

Generalized seizures

There are many different types of Generalized seizures, such as Absence seizures, Tonic seizures, Atonic seizures, Clonic seizures, Myoclonic seizures, and Tonic-clonic seizures. Most of these revolve around muscle movements.

Holiday Fun

Day of the dead

By: Emely and Sandra

GLENVIEW IL - NOVEMBER 2- On the Day Of The Dead, people do many things to honor their relatives who have passed away. For example, they have parades and dress up like a skeleton, and even put on makeup to look more realistic. Some people might bring Marigolds, a special kind of flower that they use on Day Of The Dead. They bring their relatives' favorite food, and also bring their candles and make them an altar.

THEY GET READY FOR THE PARADE

People start to dress up and put on makeup. They put on big Mexican dresses, and put make themselves look like skeletons. When they arrive, they dance to Mexican songs while the people watch the parade. People like to see the parade because it has so much color, and they like seeing the dresses go up and down, while they dance to the rhythm of the beautiful music.

THE MARIGOLDS

On The Day Of The Dead, people believe that the Marigold flower guides the spirits to their altars. This is why when you lay the Marigolds, you must place them right so the spirit can find its altar and see what you put on the table. That way, you can celebrate Day of the Dead together.

THE ALTARS

People make altars because they want to bring their family together. When the Marigolds guide the spirits to their altar, the spirit sees that their family remembers them and cares about them. They also see their favorite things and their favorite food. They also like seeing you even if you can't see them because they miss you. People also put candles so when it's night time we can see all the beautiful candles light up during the night.

HOW DO YOU CELEBRATE DAY OF THE DEAD?

Celebrate Halloween

By: Danny and Deisy

Do you know how to celebrate Halloween?

Halloween was created on October 31. The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, believed that the dead returned to earth on that day.

How to decorate for Halloween

First, you need to find decorations like spiderwebs, pumpkins, and ghosts. If you can get a pumpkin, you could ask an adult to help you make a Jack-o-Lantern. You can make any faces: it could be a happy one, a scary one, or one with light behind it.

Costume Time

This is the time to dress up as anything you want. You can paint your face as a cat, a ghost, or anything you'd like. If you want to be really scary, you could get a mask. That would scare everyone! The scariest costume this year is probably the clown from the movie "It." But, no matter what you dress up as, make sure you bring something to put all of your candy in!

Time for Candy

Then you could get ready for Halloween. First put on your costume, then get your big-big bag for all your candy. Now, you're ready to say "Trick or Treat" at many houses and apartments. Get ready!

Hmm...How Do I Get More Candy? (P.S. These are just jokes)

-First you could knock on a house and say, “I have two brothers, but they couldn't come because they are sick. So, can I have candy for them?”

-Second you could say, “Are you really gonna eat all that candy? I don't think you want to, it's really too much.”

-Third, you could have many different costumes, and keep going out for more candy.

-Fourth, you could just take the whole candy bucket and run away! [Ed. Note: Don't do that.]

Now, go home and count up all of that delicious candy!

Happy Halloween!

Book of the week

By: Jillian

"Front Desk"

By: Kelly Yang

Mia Tang has just moved from China. Just because her parents say it's more “free” does not mean she wants to move.

Instead of moving into a house, she runs the front desk of the Calivista Motel, which is owned by the evil Mr.Yao.

How will she run the motel while avoiding Mr.Yao and also going to school all at the same time? Find out when you read this amazing book!

Movie of the week: "The Lion king"

Weather

For Fun

Celebrity Spotlight: Tom Holland

By: Ana, Andreea, Kyla

Welcome to the Celebrity of the week! We are your writers, Kyla, Ana and Andreea! This week the celebrity is…. TOM HOLLAND!

Thomas Stanley Holland was born on June 1, 1996, in the United Kingdom, and he is 26 years old.

Tom Holland has younger twin brothers named Harry and Sam. His parents names are Dominic and Nicola Elizabeth Frost.

Tom Holland plays Peter Parker, or Spider-Man, in the Marvel Movies. We personally think that he is a phenomenal actor, but we aren't the only ones. Stan Lee even said that he was the best for the role of Spider-Man!

Tom Holland was in The Impossible. He played 12 year old Lucas Bellon.

Tom Holland is also going to be a voice actor in the new upcoming Disney/Pixar movie Onward. Some other roles he has played are: Shô in The Secret World of Arrietty, Thomas in The Heart Of The Sea, and another upcoming role of Jip in Dolittle!

Comic Corner

By: Lexi

Meme(s) of the week

By: Sydney and Henry

This is, perhaps, both sides of the coin of working for the Hoffman News...

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