Fall Events
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Skate Night Frenzy 😁
By: Elizabeth Foti
This year, when I went to skate night, skating was DEFINITELY my favorite part. It was really fun and it was nice to have some one-on-one time with one of my best friends. I asked 1 person from each grade what their favorite part of the night was and why.
The first person that I talked to was Ireland Korey. She is in 6th grade. “What was your favorite part of the night and why?” I asked. Ireland responded, “My favorite part of the night was definitely bumper cars because I liked to bump into people.”
The next person that I asked was Iris in 7th grade. I asked her what her favorite part of the night was. She said, “My favorite part of the night was skating.”
The last person that I asked was Logan Saylor in 8th grade. He said that his favorite part of the night was, "probably the arcade games.”
Not everyone had the same opinion as me about what the most fun part of the night was, but everyone had fun!
NPMS Halloween Co-Rec
By Ida Beckman
In this article you will read about the Spooky Halloween co-rec at New Paltz middle school on Friday October 24th. What the kids at NPMS enjoyed and what they think that the PTA and school should discontinue and Improve for next year. We will hear from 2 students in each grade.
First up is 6th grader Julia Cuccaro:
Who did you go with? “My friends”
What was your favorite part? “My favorite part was, I really liked the photo booth”
What do you think that the school could improve on for next year? “I think they should make sure they don’t run out of prizes for the games”
Second is 6th grader Henning Bonhag:
Who did you go with? “Soren”
What was your favorite part? “I liked the plinko”
What do you think that the school could improve on for next year? “Maybe More games”
Now we have 7th grader Jackson Herron:
Who did you go with? “My friends Ronan, Mikey and my brother”
What was your favorite part? “I liked the gym and how you could play around”
What do you think that the school could improve on for next year? “Play better music”
Then we have 7th grader Iris Curtis:
Who did you go with? “I went with my friend group so around five people.”
What was your favorite part? “I liked dancing”
What do you think that the school could improve on for next year? “Maybe making a few more things that everyone enjoys”
Now time for our 8th grade interview, Roo Vance:
Who did you go with? “I went by myself.”
What was your favorite part? “I enjoyed plinko a lot. ”
What do you think that the school could improve on for next year? “ Next year I think that they should improve music in the auditorium, we need more recent and viral music.”
Thank you for reading! Have a great fall, and make sure to check out the NPMS homepage to read more about upcoming events at our school.
Japanese Exchange Program
By Tilly Brown
At the end of September you might have heard or seen some new faces around the middle school. It's because some of our 8th graders were selected for an exchange program with our sister town in Japan called Niimi. Thirteen eighth graders were selected by applying, interviewing and committing to a yearlong program. On Saturday, September 27th, a van arrived at the middle school with eleven students from Japan and their chaperones. The Middle School had a banner and treats ready for the students from Japan.
On Saturday afternoon, the students from Japan played volleyball in the gym with their New Paltz host friends. After the games, the students went home to spend time with their host families. Zoe Dietz said that she really liked playing cards with her partner. Milo Casimiro enjoyed the game his partner, Yamato, brought for him called Kendama where you need to get a ball to fit on a stick. In my house, we went on a walk around Lake Minnewaska with our assigned student, Sawa. Sawa really liked the moss and different flowers. Penelope Brown liked going on the hikes with Sawa because she was really interested and excited by different American things in nature. When we got home, we made homemade pizza and Sawa loved the pizza and chocolate milk. Other hosts shared American things with their Japanese students: Trouble the board game, D&D, s’mores, American junk food, snacks, and burgers.
On Sunday, all the host families and their exchange students met at Hurd’s Farm. One New Paltz student, Abigail Mikael said she, “liked going to Hurd’s Family farm with her partner. Mio and also loved the corn mazes. “ At Hurd’s Farm, the hosts and students from Japan picked apples, ate apple cider donuts, went on the zipline, and jumped on the huge pillow. Alma Bratman Waldie also enjoyed Hurd’s apple picking.
During the exchange there was a language barrier, but our 8th graders found lots of different strategies to help overcome this challenge! Most eighth graders used google translate and some of the students knew a lit bit of Japanese. Also, lots of kids used their hands to act out things.
Everyone's excited for their trip to Japan in May even though the flight is 14 hours long! Abby is excited for udon noodles and cherry blossoms. Milo is excited for some of the sights and the things his exchange partner will introduce to him. Penelope is excited for the limestone caves in Niimi. Zoe is excited for the trip but is sad that Niimi is split into 3 different Middle schools, but knows she will still be able to see her friends at events. Everyone is really excited for the trip because it is a new experience.
Many teachers and administrators are helping with the program. For all thirteen eighth graders to go to Japan, they have to raise a lot of money! Superintendent Gratto says that some ways we could raise money are talent shows. In November, the group will have fundraisers. On November 11th, they will show Paddington at the New Paltz Cinema and on November 15th, come to Field of Dreams to watch a cow on a giant bingo board field! If someone buys the square where the cow poops, the person will win $1, 000! Mrs. Gruver-LaPolt thinks that some ways to raise money are trivia night, a tricky tray event, a night of juggling and a car wash. Mrs. Gruver-LaPolt has been to Japan before with her class of 2005 and she says it was amazing. She is looking forward to going to school in Niimi and for the bullet train. Mr. Gratto says that he has never been to Japan but has been to China. Something Gratto is excited for is the Japanese landscape.
So after reading this article would you want to go to Japan? Would you help donate or have any ideas for fundraisers?
Halloween Parade 2025
by Iris Curtis
For years the New Paltz Middle School and high school band have been playing in unison with the town during the Halloween Parade. The parade takes place on Main Street on Halloween. The bands come together to play “The Addams Family” and “Count Rockula.” Many people come to watch and Trick’ or’ Treat. For the past 68 years it has been a tradition to play at the Halloween Parade.
In the photo featured below you see the band marching past the popular restaurant P&G’s. This is a good place to see a good view of the parade in action! As the parade marches past it is wonderful to see all the different costumes! “ I love being able to play my instrument and show my costume” Said a student when asked what they like about the parade the most
Since Halloween was on a Friday, the high school has a football game on the same day. This means that the high school band members were not be able to attend the Halloween parade because they must play in the marching band at the game. The Middle School band members were still be able to volunteer at the parade. This year the band will only played “The Addams Family” because the high schoolers were the ones to lead the town in “Count Rockula.” However, the Halloween Parade still rocked on with the MS!
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