YES TRIP CELEBRATES TWENTY MAGICAL YEARS OF ADVENTURE

October 5, 2018

By Addison H. and Isabella R.

On Friday, October 5, the YES trip participants departed for an amazing educational adventure to Florida. This is the twentieth year for the Disney YES trip. Each year, 24 to 30 students particpated. That means more than 500 Wilson students have had the opportunity to experience this trip over the years! Students will be participating in workshops, hands-on learning experiences, and visiting the world famous Disney parks.

The Disney YES trip stands for Youth Education Series, and despite the fun, a big focus is on learning. Mrs Silfies, one of the YES advisors, has been chaperoning the trip for 12 years. She said that her favorite parts of the trip include,"planning the YES program, eating the delicious food, going to Hollywood Studios, and getting to learn new things." This year, one topic students will be learning about is gravity.

The seventh and eighth graders on this year's trip will spend 5 nights in Florida. Hopefully, they packed enough for the trip! The lucky students on this final Disney YES trip are going to have a blast learning and making memories to last a lifetime.

Jr. HIGH FOotball team SHOWS WARRIOR SPIRIT

October 5, 2018

By Brianna P. and Lacey S.

This fall, the 31 student athletes on the junior high football team are working to become “better people, better students, and better athletes” according to their coach, Mr. Tigar. The team has two coaches and one team manager, and the players are about halfway through their season.

Mr.Tigar, who is also one of the four gym teachers at Wilson Area Intermediate School, talked to us about his job as head football coach. He says he is responsible for overseeing all of the things happening with the football players. He takes the team motto of “better people, better students, and better athletes” seriously. He says, “I have to make sure they are being positive role models in and out of school, all of their school work is being completed at an above-average level, and their attitude and effort during practice and games are putting them in a position to become better at the game of football.” He spends his time working with all the members of the team, their parents and guardians, the teachers and the other coaches to help students be the best they can. He also plans practices, teaches the players how to play the game, and develops game plans for each opponent. Even though that sounds like a lot of work, he says he really enjoys it.

Kenneth S., an 8th grader on the football team, and a student at WAIS, enjoys being a part of the team, too. He started the year with a football camp, and says most players have been playing for years, although the team has 5 first year players. While he thinks the team could have better teamwork, he says that playing and practicing with the team “is a pleasure.” Unfortunately, he says the team doesn’t have any wins yet this year, but he is confident that “it’s coming.”

Mr. Tigar agrees that the team can end the season strong. He says, “Ultimately, positive individual effort and hard work will lead to team success. It is my job to hold our players accountable and make sure I am putting them in the best position to succeed.” He plans to continue building on the team strengths and improving their weaknesses.

“It is a constant process,” he explains, “In order to finish the season strong, we have to understand how to set and achieve our short term goals to that we can achieve our long term individual and team goals. The only way we can do that is through hard work, practice and reflection. Games provide us an opportunity to showcase our hard work and see where we need to improve. From there, we need to make decisions on how we are going to continue to get better.”

It’s not all hard work, though. The football team finds ways to have fun, even when they are practicing and working toward their goals. One player, Joey G., is known for finding a way to make the players and coaches laugh. Mr. Tigar says, “His attitude on and off the field makes him a person everyone wants to be around. We all enjoy Joey as both a teammate and a friend.”

The students of WAIS wish the best of luck to the team as they continue their quest for success, on and off the field.

STOMPING OUT BULLYING

October 5, 2018

By Makenna S., Brianna W. and Kiera H.

On Monday October 1, the Student Council sponsored a "Wear Blue to Stomp Out Bullying" day at the intermediate school. This event was to bring attention to the fact that while many people have been bullied in the past, we are not going to bully others anymore, and we will stand up for people who are being bullied.

Bullies can do many things to hurt others. Sometimes, they say things to people that are not nice, or abuse people. According to stopbullying.gov, bullying is "unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time." The website adds that "both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems."

On Wear Blue day, students wore blue and pledged to stomp out bullying. We spoke to Kalissa R. and Charlie W. Both students wore blue to support others who had been bullied, even though they had not been bullied themselves.

All Wilson Area Intermediate School Students should say no to bullying. Being a bully to others is hurtful. That is why if you see someone being mean, you should say, "No! Stop it now." Join us to stomp out bullying!

PINK OUT!

October 12, 2018

By Braelyn G. and Hayden E.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and the Student Council and National Junior Honor Society are organizing a Pink Out in support of this cause. So what is a pink out? A pink out is an event where you wear pink to show support for people who have breast cancer. Wearing pink for this cause happens all over the world, and now WAIS students can join in.

Do you want to help? Well, the school is selling pink beads for $2 and pink bracelets for $1. You can purchase them at each morning entrance before and during homeroom. These pink items will be on sale until Pink Out day, which is on Friday, October 19. The money from the sale will be donated to Making Strides of the Lehigh Valley, an organization that helps people with breast cancer. You can also just donate cash or checks. Then, on October 19, wear your beads, bracelets, and other pink gear to show your support.

The announcements on Warrior Wake-up News have been working well. In a survey of one class, 95% of the students knew about Pink Out day. Sadly, 5% of them also know someone that has breast cancer. Braelyn G. plans on wearing pink in honor of her 2nd grade teacher who had breast cancer. Help show your support for this important cause - buy a pink necklace or bracelet before they are all sold out!

CROSS COUNTRY TEAM WINNING MEETS AND HAVING FUN

October 12, 2018

By Lillian W. and Kylie L.

The Cross Country team has been practicing, competing, and winning this season, and a doing well at their meets. But most importantly, cross country is really fun according to all the people who are involved in it.

On Mondays, Cross Country members usually meet to do their running task for the day. They start off by stretching. Then, if the weather is nice, they go outside and run a lap around the school.

Many Wilson Area Intermediate students are involved in cross country. Abymarie C, a sixty grader enjoys cross country. She said, ¨I like it because we can get more exercise out of cross country.¨ She likes running laps with her friends. If she had to rate her sport on a scale of 1-10, she would give cross country a 10 because "cross country is awesome." She even wants to run more and longer laps!

Rachel K. agrees that cross country is really fun. She states that the sport introduces her to new things. She also enjoys running laps. In fact, if she had to change one thing about the sport, she says, "I would add extra time to do more laps.¨

Are you convinced that cross country is amazing? Then you should do it next year! Although cross country is not accepting new athletes at this point in the season, you can join next year.

NEED A BUDDY? BE A BUDDY!

October 12, 2018

By Juliana J. and Teagan W.

Looking for a club to join? Buddy Up is a program that will let students in grades 5-8 meet new friends.

The first meeting is Wednesday October 24. The club will meet every other Wednesday. There are usually 20-25 kids in the club. During Buddy Up, students will garden, draw, and do fun activities together. If you join, you will meet new people and have fun. Juliana J. is hoping to join. She says, "It seems fun and I can meet new people."

If Buddy Up sounds like something you would like to do, speak to Mrs. Pickering, the club advisor.

UNDEFEATED! THE FIELD HOCKEY TEAM ENDS THEIR SEASON VICTORIOUSLY

October 19, 2018

By Payton H. and Chris G.

The Wilson Area Intermediate School’s Girls Field Hockey team had an undefeated season this year, finishing 15-0-1. The girls had a great season, and enjoyed playing against opponents from all over the Lehigh Valley.

One reason the girls were so successful is that they all started in the Wilson Field Hockey Club in fifth and sixth grade. Mr. Causa, the assistant coach for the middle school team, explained why he started this club, saying, “Up until we started the club, Wilson High School had no youth programs to teach girls skills, so they were very inexperienced when they started playing in high school. Now the Varsity high school team is doing extremely well, qualifying for Colonial League finals and District playoffs. The Wilson Middle School team that I currently coach is undefeated and all of the girls started their playing careers with Wilson Field Hockey Club on my 5/6 teams 2 years ago.”

The girls enjoy playing the various positions in field hockey, such as right wing, left wing, center, midfield and defense. “I think it is a great and active sport,” Zoe E., a seventh grade member of the team said.

Their coach agrees, adding that field hockey promotes fitness while teaching teamwork and building athleticism. “As a coach, I enjoy teaching the girls skills and tactics to help them succeed. I’m proud of their accomplishments and the progress they have made in a short period of time and will enjoy coaching them as they move on to the middle school and beyond,” he adds.

The WFHC started just three years ago, with 11 girls. Now, there are 46 girls preparing to join the middle school team. Hopefully, the girls moving up will carry on the winning tradition of this year’s amazing team!

WAIS HONORS THE SEPTEMBER WARRIORS OF THE MONTH

October 19, 2018

By Jared H., Kailee J., and Tosin A.

For September, the Warriors of the Month at the intermediate school are fifth grader Kaitlyn W., sixth grader Madison B., seventh grader Chase E. and eighth grader Kylee B.

Fifth grader Kate is new to Wilson this school year, but has quickly adjusted and adopted all of the warrior values. She is always working hard and will often complete extra work if she finishes early. She is polite and considerate of others and never gives up even if something is challenging.

Madison was picked because she helps another student everyday in her sixth grade classroom.

In seventh grade Chase was picked because he demonstrates the Warrior values by being personable and conscientious, and consistently helpful to his peers.

Kylee, the eighth grader, is an outstanding student who is very responsible and very respectful she is always willing to help out in the classsroom and she is more then willing to help her classmates. Her teachers have been very impressed with her actions and attitude inside and out of the classroom.

These four students were Welcoming, Aspiring, Respectful, Responsible, Inspiring, Open-Minded, and Reliable in the month of September. Show off the Warrior traits, and you may be nominated next month.

ALL ABOUT LUNCH

October 19, 2018

By Kelsey K., Liliana B., and Kalissa R.

When students think about lunch, they might think about sloppy joes, apple juice, pretzels or cheesburgers. They may pack, or bring lunch from home. However, most WAIS students have something in common - when they notice the clock nearing the middle of the day, they are happy because it is finally lunchtime! Some students think that lunch is the best part of the day.

Here are a few fun facts about lunch here at WAIS. Forty-eight percent of students buy lunch every day, and twenty-one percent buy daily. The remaining students buy some days and pack on others. Pizza was, by far, the most popular food. Thirty one percent of students selected it as their favorite. Other popular foods included French toast and chicken patties.

Students would love to add some menu items, but most will probably not show up in the cafeteria, because they are not healthy choices. For example, many students would like to see the cafeteria serve brownies, cake and donuts! Liliana B. would like to see Pocky and ice cream added to that list. The cafeteria does offer some delicious cookies and a few slightly healthier sweet treats like granola bars and Rice Krispie treats.

Most WAIS students love the food, the chance to talk with their friends, and the many choices in the school cafeteria. Braelynn R. likes being able to choose her own seat, saying "I get to sit with my friends wherever I want to." Leo C. agrees that the cafeteria lets him have the time to talk with his friends.

All that talking might have a downside, though. Most students polled said that the one thing they would change about the cafeteria is the noise! Kalissa R. explains that sometimes it’s really loud in there. Carter L. agrees, saying "I don't like when the whole cafeteria is yelling. Sometimes I have to cover my ears."

So, whether you buy or pack, lunch at WAIS can definitely be the best part of the day. But maybe we should all talk a bit more quietly!

WAIS STUDENT RESCUES KITTEN

October 26, 2018

By Akim G. and Jaylen L.

On October 11, 2018, a WAIS student had a chance to be heroic. Brielle H. heard an unusual sound under her deck of her home. She went to investigate and she found a adorable stray kitten hiding under the deck.

Brielle brought the kitten in to her house. With help from her family, she gave the cat a bath and fed the poor hungry thing. The kitten must have become separated from its mother. Alessandra R., another WAIS student, witnessed Brielle taking good care of this lost animal.

Brielle and her family couldn't keep the kitten, but they made sure she found a good home. Brielle was definitely following the WARRIOR words "Responsible" and "Inspiring" when she helped this small animal in need. Great job!

PINK OUT DAY WAS A BIG SUCCESS

October 26, 2018

By Brooke H.

Cell phones are very helpful to our generation, and therefore, we should be allowed to have them out during class.

Cell phones could save the district a lot of money, and are great resources. Calculators are an everyday thing in math class. Instead of the school purchasing calculators, it would be helpful to have them on our personal phones. A study shows that 83% of middle school students have their own cell phone. This proves that having cell phones out during class could save the school 83% of its calculator or chrome book money, which can then go towards PTA field trips and raises for the teachers.

A survey has been taken and 31 students were asked if they would want to be able to use their phone in class. The survey explained that students would have to use it for school appropriate activities, and have it powered off and in front of them on the desk when not in use. Twenty-eight of the students said they would want that, while four said it was too distracting. Sixteen teachers were asked about the same thing, and half of the them said they’d give it a test try, while the other half said they would not like that.

Cell phones are very useful for many reasons, and if the students are willing to follow the rules given, then we should give it a try. What do you think? Let us know!

HALLOWEEN FUN SURVEY RESULTS

Last week, Brooke H. and The Scribbler Staff asked you a few questions about Halloween. Here are the results of that survey!