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Millions of people play the New York Times Games every day. It has become a popular pastime. Some people say that playing these games can help your brain. Is this true? Yes, and no. It has been shown that the games can improve the memory, attention span, and other brain functions of those who play it. However, this is not shown in all people. They also do not stop any diseases that may come like dementia. So they can help brain function but not in any major or notable ways. 

Easter is a national holiday that occurs based of the Gregorian Calendar. Generally Easter always happens on the first Sunday after the full moon.  Easter is a religious holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ or when he came back from the dead. After Easter is a period called Lent, where many Christians fast and is a time of remembrance and repentance. There is an animal also related to Easter. This animal is a rabbit. There is a popular belief that the " Easter Bunny" will come bring you gifts of Easter. This idea first originated the 18th century. Another tradition is dying eggs. The rainbow colors are symbols of Easter and what goes with it. Have a wonderful Easter!

Here at O'Maley there is a drama club that is run through O'Maley Academy. The club puts on plays every year, this year it was Descendants. There were three casts X, Y, and Z. The plays went on throughout the first two weekends of March and each cast was able to perform twice. The newspaper took a poll, asking people what they thought of the play. All of the participants of the poll said that they enjoyed the plays and felt that they actors did a great job portraying the parts. Some details that participants brought up where " the sound effects and music made it come to life" and additionally that " you could tell the actors were working hard. It was seamless". The different aspects made the show become real to the audience. There was also a strong sense of community. After the shows were finished audience members could go up on stage and talk to the actors. All the actors seemed really proud of the work they had done after a job well done. 

On February 2 every year a groundhog emerges from the ground and predict our weather. This annual tradition is called Groundhog day and it broadcasts on TV every year. This groundhog is named Punxsutawney Phil. On this day Punxsutawney Phil comes out of his hole in Pennsylvania and predicts the weather. People say that if he sees his shadow then winter will continue on for 6 more weeks and if he doesn't then spring will come early. The tradition has been going on since 1886 when Punxsutawney first made his way into the paper. The groundhog is said to predict the weather but in reality he only is correct roughly 30 - 35 % of the time. The legend says that there has only been one Punxsutawney Phil who has been predicting the weather since 1886. This would make him roughly 138 years old. Under normal conditions groundhogs live to about 14 years in age but Punxsutawney is said to be fed " The Elixir of Life" which makes him live for much longer. Lets see what he predicts this year!

 O’Maley Academy is a program that is run after school every day of the week except Friday. There is a large amount of different available activities. For example: The Cherry Street Journal( Monday), The Drama Production( Monday, Wednesday, Thursday), D&D club( Wednesday), and Art Haven( Tuesdays, off site). We have asked a variety of different students who participate in these programs how they feel about it. An interviewee who is in 6th grade and participates in Photography says that they find it fun and enjoy learning about how to take better pictures. Another student, Natalie, who is in 8th grade, and does pottery and ceramics club, stated that she enjoys meeting and talking to new people. Lastly, an actor who is in the drama club says that they learn to dance, sing and perform. They also stated that they can just be themselves. In O’Maley Academy students can express themselves and learn about their interests. Come and check out O’Maley Academy! There is something for everyone.

Okay, wait one minute! Why are we talking about liking Unicorn Meat? Worst thing in the world! Nobody likes Unicorn Meat; it looks glittery, and sparkly not in a good way. It smells of grass and leaves, and it tastes bitter with a slight crunch. I hope none of this sounds interesting because it is not. I know people/little unicorn loving babies might like the sound of “unicorn” but no, they’re wrong. It can cause all sorts of horrible diseases including cancer. I’m guessing you don’t want that. When my sister was younger she tried this … you don’t want to know what happened after. It was dreadful! Why else is this bad? Oh I don’t know, what’s even in that stuff? There could be brains, hearts, hooves, horns, hair and flesh. I have to stop. Sooo, I’m guessing you don’t want to be eating that … ICK. You still want to eat it!?! I’m trying so hard not to barf! Who wants to be putting THAT into the body. I have to stop talking about this! I hope I convinced you to NOT eat this product. Remember, if you do eat it the chances you could die are over average. Looks good, tastes awful.  Don’t eat Unicorn Meat!! 

Here at O'Maley one of our many clubs is the Drama Club. There are roughly 85 participating in it from all three of the grade levels. This year the group is putting on the musical version of "Descendants". The plot is about the mischievous children of Disney's most known villains. To prepare for the upcoming show the performers meet after school on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Here they work on choreography, remembering lines. and work with GHS interns to improve. If you are interested in making costumes for the Drama Club there is a costume design club with Mrs. Russ where they work on designing and sewing costumes for the play. The production will be shown to the public in March. Make sure to check it out and support these hard working O'Maley citizens.   

In a week and a couple more days it will be Halloween 2024. Halloween always starts and ends on October 31. Halloween dates back to ancient times. More than 2,000 years ago, the Celts created an ancient festival that happens on the night of October 31 and ends on the 1st of November. The Celts celebrated this because it marked the end of a hot summer and marked the beginning of the cold winter. The Celts also believed on the night of October 31, when they celebrated the tradition they believed the ghost of the dead returned to Earth. Halloween in the early 13 colonies was not very influential. Not many people celebrated Halloween. People then started to carve turnips, believing it would ward off the evil spirits. Then they switched to carving out pumpkins instead of turnips. Today there are many stories and movies about Halloween. People dress up as any character or item they like, for example, a cat. People also go trick or treating in which they bring a bag and knock on people's doors and say “trick or treat” in which they will get some candies. This day is a fun day for many children and adults.

On September 19, 2024 the new fish sculpture was put onto O’Maley Middle School! The Gloucester Education Foundation and Art Teacher, Mr. Dunton worked with students and a local sculptor, Tim Mears, to design it. I interviewed some of the O’Maley community to hear what they think about this new addition to the brick wall. They are Margaret Misuraca, a LightHouse sixth grade student, Adelia Crowell, a Schooner sixth grade student and Mr. Titus, our principal. Let’s see what some of these people said about the sculpture. Mr. Titus said he is thrilled for a few reasons: the students designed it and it is very eye-catching. Adelia says, “It adds an artistic touch to the plain, brick building.” All of these people definitely want more sculptures put up on the wall! Margaret thinks the next sculpture should be a fishing boat and Adelia thinks it should be a lobster. I wonder what it will be? These three people each have come up with some words to describe the sculpture including, unique, stunning and sleek. I asked them if they were to name it, what would it be? Mr. Titus said that it should be decided by students, and Margaret said, A School of Fish representing our school. What do you think about this new sculpture? Whatever your opinion, this school of fish is very welcome at O’Maley.

We have a new season, a new month and a new statue. Outside we have a new statue made of silver metal and it was installed last week. It depicts fish jumping and swimming through the ocean. The statue fits for Gloucester because of all the ocean life we have. You can see it by the basketball courts. Also outside, the leaves are turning yellow, orange, brown, and red. These leaves are falling and that shows the start of a new season. Many love fall for the weather but others are excited for October because of Halloween. This Friday is midterms and progress reports are going to families. Make sure to check out the statue outside and enjoy the new month. 

This year we have some new staff members joining our community. For 6th grade, we have Mr. Thomas and Mr. Kwiatkowski, in Harbor House. Ms. Alves is a new teacher in Phoenix house in 7th grade. Lastly, in 8th grade, we have Mr. Parkhurst and Mr. Gwirtzman in Anchor House. Ms. Leoni is a Special Education teacher for 7th grade. Make sure to give them all a hello in the halls. 

  Out in the commons there is a large poster with many colorful hands attached to it. During an advisory period the ADL peer leaders met with the students from each house and explained what no place for hate is for. Every student cut out a hand and wrote their name on it. Each hand shows a student who promises to show no hate. O'Maley is a safe place with kindhearted students and this banner shows how our community cares for the people within it. 

This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week. In 1953 Congress made it an official day but it was not until 1985 until the first teacher appreciation week took place. This week is to acknowledge educators and all that they do. Everyone, especially people who are impacted by these human beings, are encouraged to say thank you or share some kind words. Now go and give a thank you to your teacher!

Let’s Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month!

                  ¡Celebramos el Mes de Herencia Hispano!

This is the last week of Hispanic Heritage Month. Hispanic Heritage Month started on September 15 and it will end on October 15. What is it? Hispanic Heritage Month is a month when the United States celebrates how Hispanic people have helped our country. Hispanic people are people who have ancestry whose primary language is Spanish. It is celebrated specifically on the 15th of that month since it is the independence of significant Spanish-speaking countries like Costa Rica and El Salvador. 

Former President Ronald Reagan made Hispanic Heritage Month an official month and made it much longer from 1 week. It is to respect the contributions Hispanic people have made to our country.  It was made official on August 17, 1988. 

      One significant Hispanic person was the famous baseball player: Roberto Clemente. Roberto Clemente was born in 1934 in Puerto RIco. He was one of the best baseball players in Major League Baseball history and one of the first Hispanic people to play in the league. Unfortunately he died at the age of 38 in 1972 while  on a plane, delivering supplies to the earthquake survivors in Nicaragua. His legacy lives on though, making paths for new Hispanic people to play baseball. Another famous Hispanic person is Lin-Manuel Miranda, a Puerto Rican artist and activist. He is the author of a famous musical called “Hamilton.” This musical is extremely popular! Lin-Manuel Miranda is still alive and is currently creating music for a book called “The Warriors” which was made in 1979. These people are only some of the many Hispanic people who contributed to make America great!    To wrap things up I have a question for you. Which Hispanic Americans do YOU KNOW?

O'Maley Academy's drama club recently performed "Spongebob Squarepants The Musical". In this musical, it follows Spongebob and the other underwater creatures getting the news that a volcano is going to erupt. Plankton, the main antagonist, tries to get everybody to leave their home town, and move to a new place. However, Spongebob disagrees with this decision. Spongebob and his best friends, Patrick and Sandy, try to stop this volcano from erupting so they can continue living in the beloved Bikini Bottom. Their plan succeeds and they all can continue living in their home. Everything about this musical was incredible, the scenery, props and characters were all great. I truly believe everyone put t home town, and move to a new place. However, Spongebob disagrees with this decision. Spongebob and his best friends, Patrick and Sandy, try to stop this volcano from erupting so they can continue living in the beloved Bikini Bottom. Their plan succeeds and they all can continue living in their home. Everything about this musical was incredible, the scenery, props and characters were all great. I truly believe everyone put their time and effort into making this musical happen.

    This October Señora Wakemen, our Spanish teacher here at O'Maley, sent some butterflies to a group in Gerorga. This is part of the Symbolic Monarch Migration. The Symbolic Monarch Migration is an organization partnered with many others including A Journey North, hoping to connect schools from all over and show the great meaning of the butterfly. The class colored butterflies and wrote a message sharing where the butterflies came from. We got some butterflies back and a message discussing the importance of clean water. The butterfly symbolizes rebirth which can be like the journey through middle school.    Symbolic Monarch Migration      A Journey North      

"Carl's Cones", a local ice cream shop opens back up! 

The shop opened in December of 2020 and was new to Gloucester. They are located at 185 Washington St. Gloucester MA, and they were getting good business. Last summer, a car hit the shop, closing them down for the next 6 months. Luckily, no one was in the building during the accident, and although the driver was brought to the hospital, there were no life threatening injuries. On 2/29 they announced that they would open back up, on 3/1. Although they have only been open for 4 days, the community is glad to have their local ice cream shop back. Now go get yourself a cone! What flavor might you get?

Here at O'Maley Middle School we have a drama club. There are over 100 students who participate through all the grades. These students meet up almost every day of the week to practice their parts. The drama club is putting on SpongeBob the Musical this year. This show includes dancing, singing, and acting with stunning costumes, props, and sets. There are three casts: Cast X, Cast Y, and Cast Z, that all perform on different nights. With 3 different casts you can see the same show but with different performers. Tickets are now for sale at $5 for students and you can buy them at the door. The opening night for this amazing show is this Friday night at 7. The other dates include March 2 '1:00 PM, March 3 ' 1:00 PM, March 8' 7:00 PM, March 9 ' 1:00 PM, and March 10 '1:00 PM. Hope to see you there!

 The Cherry Street Journal Team met up with the Editor in Chief, Sofia Orlando, and News Editor, Finn Wall of the Gillnetter, on Monday Feb. 12, 2024. They are part of the senior staff at the Gillnetter, the newspaper at GHS. The Gillnetter is an online daily newspaper and they intend to, "inform, interpret and entertain through accurate and factual reports"( Mission Statement). The Gillnetter has 10 staff  and articles on everything including national news, local news, art and poetry, and more. The Gillnetter provides something for everyone to enjoy.Link to the Gillnetter: Click Me!