Embedded Files
10-Question Teacher Interview with Mr. Wilson
By: Danny Cianchetta
Do you have any pets?
"I have two Beagle mixes named Mojo and Gabby. Mojo is four and Gabby is eleven."
What was middle school like for you?
"I very much did not like middle school. It was a time I was confused about who I wanted to be. I also had big changes in my friend groups and that wasn't easy to deal with."
What do you like to do in your free time?
"I like play golf, I like to hang out with my kids, I like to hike, I like streaming TV, I like eating, I like housekeeping, and being with friends. There isn't one thing that's my favorite but I like to do a bunch of different things at different times."
What is your favorite actor or musical artist?
"My favorite musical artist is Pearl Jam, the greatest of American Rock Bands. I have seen them seventeen times."
What are you afraid of?
"I am afraid of not knowing what will happen and things beyond my control. I don't like not being able to have a part in what will happen so I get scared when things are happening around me that I can't control."
Do you like teaching English? What is your favorite part of teaching English?
"I really, really enjoy teaching English. I enjoy seeing students react positively to English."
What is your funniest childhood memory?
"I do not have any memory in particular, but I do remember having a group of childhood friends, with whom I would spend the entire summer with. We did so many things together that I still remember"
Who do you admire most in the world and why?
"I admire my mom, who is 94 years old. She has been through a lot of medical difficulties, and she never complains. No matter how difficult things get for her, she always has a goal of getting better and she always stays positive."
What do you like most about Masco?
"The people, both the students and my colleagues. They are intelligent interesting and smart. All the positive words you want a group to be, I have that with both the students and my colleagues. I'm lucky to have found a place where all of that is true."
What is your proudest accomplishment?
"I'm proud that I figured out how to be a pretty good teacher. I like the fact that I can help kids. I am proud I have made it this far and am still able to have a little bit of an impact on students."
Wilson, Peter. Interview. Conducted by Daniel Cianchetta, Nov. 2024.
8th-Grade Washington, D.C. Trip!
By: Sylvia Renda
The eighth-grade trip to our nation’s capital was undoubtedly widely-anticipated. In the course of 4 days we visited so many memorials and museums, including but not limited to, WW2, WW1 (new as of this year), Vietnam War, and Korean War memorials. We also went to the Spy, Air and Space, Natural History and American History museums. My personal favorite was the natural history museum. Despite the long bus ride the trip was totally worth it.
Local News: Brush Fires
By: Emma Shi and Danny Cianchetta
On November 17th, a fire broke out in the Boxford State Forest, which burned down over twenty-five acres of land. Firefighters from Boxford as well as nearby towns such as Middleton and North Andover have joined together to put out the fire, a powerful show of teamwork in times of distress.
Families in Middleton, Boxford, and surrounding towns have been heavily impacted by the spreading smoke, as well as the firefighters. “It's getting progressively longer and longer, longer days, longer hours, you're running out of personnel, so people are getting tired," says North Andover Deputy Fire Chief Graham Rowe. Masco recently had a drive to collect gift cards for local firefighters–heartfelt thanks to everyone who donated!
Unfortunately, the recent rain has not helped to extinguish deep-burning fires, although new fires have not started during this time. “The precipitation will mean a couple days without new fires starting,” a report by the Department of Conservation and Recreation stated. “Once the precipitation stops and surface fuels dry out again the chances for new starts will increase.”
As of November 20, over 500 acres of land still burn in eastern Massachusetts. Remember to be careful when cooking or grilling, and stay safe.
Works Cited
Eliopoulos, Peter. "Emergency declared as wildfires continue to burn in North Andover, Middleton." WCVB, Hearst Television, 20 Nov. 2024, www.wcvb.com/article/north-andover-middleton-wildfire-emergency/62968484. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Jacobson, Seth. "Fires in Massachusetts cause 5 towns to declare a state of emergency. Here's where." Wicked Local, www.wickedlocal.com, 22 Nov. 2024, www.wickedlocal.com/story/news/2024/11/22/massachusetts-wildfires-map-state-of-emergency/76493918007/. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Riley, Neal. "Did rain put out the wildfires in Massachusetts? Here's what fire officials are saying." CBS News, CBS Broadcasting, 22 Nov. 2024, www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/wildfires-massachusetts-rain-fires/. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Screen Shot of Beginning of Video of Firefighters Battling the Boxford State Park Fire in North Andover. 26 Nov. 2024. WHDH, WHDH-TV, 11 Nov. 2024, whdh.com/news/nearly-3-week-long-brush-fire-battle-taking-toll-on-firefighters/. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
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