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Quarter 1 Issue 1 September 5, 2025
Girls Soccer Kicks Off
Girls Soccer Kicks Off
BY ELLIZA
There is around a total of 28 players on the girls’ MS soccer team this year! Because of this, coach Justin has to split the team up. Originally, he was going to split the groups based on how advanced the players are with their soccer skills. However, now, coach Justin is going to choose a different group of players to attend each game. Coach Justin stated that he “will make sure every player gets to attend at least 7 games (of the 13 scheduled for this season).” He also has been looking for team captains! That means the stakes are high for the practices taking place this week!
Despite having school off, there was a practice on Labor day, and 18 girls attended it. With hopes to beat Rutland at their first game next Wednesday, players have been provided an optional soccer workout recommended to do in their free time. These workouts have helped many players improve their individual ball-handling skills already!
Anabelle Park, a goalie on the team, said, “I'm excited to play Rutland next week even though they can be scary; however, I also think we need to work better as a team if we want to get a win!” Hopefully, the team improves their cohesion this week at practice so they'll be well rounded with both their individual and team skills. LET’S GO WOODSTOCK.
Get to Know Mr. Lanz
Get to Know Mr. Lanz
BY PAYTON
Today I am interviewing Mr. Lanzalotto, Mr. Lanz for short. Mr. Lanz came from New Jersey. He was an athletic director at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School and now he is an Assistant Principal at Woodstock Union High School and Middle School. He came to Woodstock to find a different job but he still wanted to work in a school. He retired and moved to Stratton Mountain and only requested to work at Woodstock. He drives every day for an hour just to come work here.
In a recent interview, he said, "I'm enjoying it and feel like this is a place I get to come to instead of a place I have to come to.” Mr. Lanz likes skiing and hiking and learning new things like how to mountain bike.
Many students want to know more about some of the new policies at our school this year, so I asked Mr. Lanz about them.
First I asked about what you have to do to get a Saturday detention and he replied with, “I'll start with a conversation and if it doesn't work I will move to an after school and if that doesn't work, then there will be a Saturday.” Some things that would head toward a Saturday detention are “if someone's off campus and did something like bullying. If they’re caught vaping and there’s no THC then it would likely be an after school detention. If it keeps happening it would be a Saturday.”
What about phones? If a phone is out this year, Mr. Lanz said, “I'll take the phone and keep it till the end of the day and then I'll have a talk with you at the end of the day.”
Some other stuff about Mr. Lanz is that he has a son named Christian that is 24. He graduated from Bentley University. He also has a daughter named Isabella (Bella). She is 22 and graduated from University of Tampa. His wife's name is Jolie. And he has 3 dogs and a cat. All his dogs are mutts and rescue dogs. His dogs' names are Pippa, Gracie, and Bo; and his cat's name is Marley. Marley is the boss.
Back To School
Back To School
BY ANABELLE
It’s getting colder outside, and that means that we all have to go back to school. Although a lot of people would rather be at home or at the beach, some people are excited to be back. Some of the middle schoolers offered their opinion on the year so far. Here is what they said:
Elliza (8th):
Q: From a scale of 1-10 how are you feeling about going back to school.
A: Five, because I’m glad to see my friends again, but it’s more challenging than last year.
Q: What is your favorite part of school so far?
A: Art class, because my friends are in it.
Q: Are you playing any sports or doing theatre and if so, how is it going?
A: I’m playing soccer and it’s fire.
Killian (8th):
Q: From a scale of 1-10 how are you feeling about going back to school.
A: Four, because it’s fun right now, but it’s going to get harder throughout the year.
Q: What is your favorite part of school so far?
A: Probably either Journalism or Gardens and Greenhouses because they’re fun.
Q: Are you playing any sports or doing theatre and if so, how is it going?
A: I’m playing soccer right now and it’s okay. It’s not a big passion but it’s kind of fun.
Emily (7th):
Q: How are you feeling about starting middle school?
A: I feel confident that I’m going to be a good student this year.
Q: What is your favorite class?
A: Probably Global Studies because he makes it fun.
Q: Are you playing any sports or doing theatre this season, and if so how is it going?
A: I’m playing soccer so far, and it’s been really good.
Ben (7th):
Q: How are you feeling about starting middle school?
A: It’s cool.
Q: What is your favorite class?
A: My favorite class is Wellness because it’s basically P.E. and it’s fun.
Q: Are you playing any sports or doing theatre this season, and if so how is it going?
A: I’m doing soccer. We have our first scrimmage today. It’s going great.
As well as the student’s opinions, the teacher’s opinions are also important. Here is what the 8th grade English teacher, Ms. Hanrahan thinks.
Ms. Hanrahan:
Q: How are you feeling about the new 8th graders this year? And why?
A: I feel fantastic. They are fashionable, they’re athletic, and they’re thoughtful.
Q: What is your favorite part of the school day?
A: Journalism class, because it feels a little more relaxed than English class and that’s kind of fun. I also like recess.
Q: Are you nervous about anything coming up in the year and why?
A: I’m so scared. I’m scared about a crime that’s going to happen in the second quarter.
Obviously, there are mixed opinions about the coming school year. But who knows what will actually happen???
Should We Switch Brands of Paper Towels?
Should We Switch Brands of Paper Towels?
BY AVERY
Did you know our school spends roughly $11 daily on paper towels? We use the Georgia Pacific brand of paper towel and it absorbs about 9.7ml of per towel, according to tests by 8th grade science classes this week. Bounty paper towels absorb about 15.57ml of water per half sheet. That’s a significant increase.
Buildings and grounds manager Paul Woodman says we spend roughly $4300 a year on paper towels. Do you think it is worth it to make a change? Take our poll here.
”Something else to think about or research,” Woodman said, “is what other alternatives are there out there instead of using paper towels. Not just hand drying but cleaning also.”
Separation Causes Confusion Throughout Middle School
Separation Causes Confusion Throughout Middle School
BY IDA
The Separation of 8th grade and 7th grade has caused confusion and frustration throughout the Middle School.
I spoke to Killian and asked him What are your feelings about the separation?" “I think it's not fair cuz we should be able to see the 7th graders and make friends and I think some of them don't like it as well cuz they like some of the 8th graders.” Killian went on, “And I think we should be allowed to hang out during lunch cuz that's like the only time besides like tiny amounts of Time.”
I also spoke to Mr.McCormick. In a lot of ways the lunch was not a safe place last year. “We are trying to make a better place to eat lunch,” he said.. “It is not necessarily a permanent thing, it is to help them learn expectations”.
What Happened to Musa?
What Happened to Musa?
BY SEAMUS
Musa Lenfest is a nice, funny, and inclusive guy who managed to make friends with everybody in Woodstock Union Middle School.
You might see that Musa Lenfest is not here this year, well that is because he moved to California with his family. Musa said that he and his family moved to California because: “My dad is a professor here in California and I wanted to try a new school since here we are close to a university and I also don't really like the winter in Vermont.”
You're probably wondering when did he move to California? Musa had said that he moved “two weeks ago, on Monday.”
Luckily Musa has confirmed that he will be visiting Vermont during the summer to meet with us and spend time mountain biking in Vermont. When asked if Musa will stay in contact with his friends in Vermont, he responded, “Yeah definitely!!” It may be sad that Musa is moving to California and staying there, but it is nice to know that he will be seeing us again very soon.
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