CHECKMATE! NEW CHESS CLUB FORMED

November 2, 2018

By Mohammad T. and Isaiah T.

The WAIS Chess Club is a new club that is being started this year. The advisors of the club are hoping to get students to join before their first meeting on November 7.

The game of chess promotes higher level thinking and, multi-step problems that challenge the brain with strategic skills. This club attracts students who know how to play chess and want a partner to play with. It also attracts students who want to learn how to play chess.

Sydney P., who is joining the club, says "I play because I like it and I play at home with my dad.” Kalissa R. adds that it's fun to learn new games and meet new friends. Addison R. agrees that meeting new people is one good reason to join, but also looks forward to learning how to play.

Some students aren't able to join the chess club because of conflicts with sports or because they don't have a ride home. Elyscia M. says, "I am very good at chess, but there is no late bus so I can't join." Hopefully, students who really want to join the club will be able to find other chess fans to carpool with.

The most common answers for why people join chess club is to learn or just to have fun playing it. Dante S. says, "I enjoy playing chess, but no one at my house will play." Kevin N. has the opposite problem - everyone in his house plays chess, but he has to sit out because he doesn't know how. Miles G. just thinks it sounds interesting.

If you join Chess club, you can meet new challengers and learn how to play. Chess club will meet on every Wednesday and end at 3:45pm.

SEVENTH GRADE PUMPKIN CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCED

November 2, 2018

By Sydney P. and The Scribbler Staff

On October 31, in the 7th grade hallway, the students of WAIS participated in the 12th annual seventh grade pumpkin contest. Students needed to decorate a pumpkin without carving it. They competed in several creative categories.

The winner of most unique went to Timothy T. for his melted ice cream cone pumpkin. The spookiest award was Annalena W. who created a fiery dragon. The funniest pumpkin was the party pig created by Nate M. Students knew whoooo made the best animal pumpkin - Abigail F. and her candy corn owl! Tamara L.'s spooky cinema (one of three popcorn bucket pumpkins) was voted most artistic. Kassie R.'s autumn pumpkin had the most holiday spirit.

The winner of best character pumpkin, and also best overall pumpkin, was Olivia W. Olivia got the idea for her Stitch pumpkin from Pinterest. She spent about two hours drawing the character in sharpie and then painting it. She enjoyed her prize pack of puzzles, fall decorations, a pumpkin carving kit, scented gel pens, and lots of other fun treats.

This year's sixth grade students will have to start thinking of fun pumpkin designs for the thirteenth annual pumpkin contest next year!

WAIS HONORS VETERANS

November 9, 2018

By Savannah P. and Sabrena E.

The Veterans' Day assembly was held on November 9, 2018. Veterans Day is actually on November 11, but was celebrated early due to it being the last day of the week for school. Celebrating this day is to honor and thank every person in the Army, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard, and Air Force. Veterans' Day is a day to thank all of the military veterans.

During the assembly, the chorus sang songs, speakers read poems and gave speeches about Veterans Day, and veterans talked about the meaning of Veterans Day. One veteran, Lt. Colonel Verenna, spoke about his service in the military, but also shared his memories of growing up in Wilson.

After the Pledge of Allegiance, the chorus opened the ceremony with “America” and “The Star Spangled Banner.” They did a great job, and the visiting veterans enjoyed their performance.

There were many student speakers at the Veterans' Day assembly. They talked about military service in their families and why we should thank veterans. The speakers were sixth graders Isaiah S. (filling in for Lajaiah W.), Dorian G. and Sebastian C.; fifth grader Akim G.; and seventh graders Riley S., Aiden H., and Eliza M. Emma V., the Student Council President, and Amanda K., the National Junior Honor Society President represented the eighth grade.

Amanda K. wrote her speech about her family. She spoke about her feelings on Veterans' Day. She thinks that it is important to celebrate Veterans' Day to thank all of the veterans for their service. She prepared by practicing a lot, and she had a sensational speech.

This annual assembly is an important tradition at Wilson Area Intermediate School, and students enjoyed this opportunity to honor those who have sacrificed for our freedoms.

OCTOBER WARRIORS OF THE MONTH ANNOUNCED

November 9, 2018

By MJ R.

The Warriors of the month are WAIS students who are nice and kind to their fellow classmates and have what it takes to be a role model . If you show the Warrior traits, your teacher will nominate you and describe why you should be Warrior of the month. As of right now, 33 students have been nominated for the 2018-2019 school year. We are really proud of all of the nominees.

Last month, fifth grader Olivia was chosen by Mrs. Housel. She says that Olivia helps her classmates and stands out. She shows respect, sets the bar high, and is a hard worker.

Our sixth grade student Catherine S. She was chosen by Mrs. Partridge and also Mrs. Fox. They say she is a good role model.

In seventh grade Aiden H. was nominated by Mrs. Korin. She states, "Aiden has the most school spirit of any student I know. He is consistently exuberant on Warrior Wake-Up news, and always has a positive attitude."

Lastly, our eighth grade Warrior of the month is Gabriel J. He was nominated by Mrs. Kesselring and Mrs. Austin. Gabriel is a leader who is rarely loud. He shares words of encouragement with his classmates and is honest when he messes up. His teachers count on him to do his best and work well with other students.

These students are the October Warriors of the month and we congratulate them.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: BAND REHEARSES FOR UPCOMING CONCERT

November 9, 2018

By Kailee J. and Juliana J.

Band is an after school activity that many in Wilson enjoy. The intermediate school band will be playing in a concert on December 13th at 6:30. This concert will take place in the auditorium at the High School.

The band will be playing many Christmas songs like "African Bell Carol," "A Christmas Rose," "Drummers Christmas Carol," and "At the Feast of Stephen." Many students especially enjoy playing "All I Want for Christmas Is You" by famous singer and songwriter Mariah Carey.

The band practices during their weekly lessons, and then comes together to practice by grade level. They have been practicing since the start of the school year, and are looking forward to performing for their friends and family.

The band and Mr. Alercia hope to see you at the concert.

UNEXPECTED DRILL SHOWS OFF STUDENT SAFETY

November 9, 2018

By Brooke H.

Was there a real fire at WAIS? Obviously not, since we are all still in school. But on Monday, November 5th, a fire alarm went off during the seventh grade’s lunch. Many students were in a rush to get out of the building. Some even came close to trampling others to escape. Outside in freezing temperatures, students were alarmed when at least 3 fire trucks showed up, along with the EMS ambulance.

Pictures were taken at the scene by Brooke H., and students had some input about the unexpected situation. “My phone is in there!” was the biggest concern of student Hunter A. Thomas H. added that he hoped the school wouldn’t burn down.

Teachers were less worried. “It was helpful to get an understanding of what to practice if there was a fire in the cafeteria,” said Mrs. Kirsch.

Mrs. Wells agreed, “It helped that it was an unplanned, unannounced drill so students can see how a drill should look.” Mrs. Morrissey added that the drill showed us what we need to practice in case of a real emergency, and it revealed our areas of weakness so we know what to do better.

Mrs. Gagner was very practical - she was just glad it wasn’t raining, and that it was towards the end of lunch. When we were called back into a building, it was safe to assume it was a false alarm and nobody was harmed. This surprise drill showed how well teachers, administrators, and local first responders work together to keep students safe in an emergency.

At first many students thought someone pulled the alarm, others assumed it was a malfunction, and some thought it was just dust settling that set off the alarm. What really happened was that a faulty smoke detector sent a signal to the alarm system. Hopefully this will not happen again in the future, but if it does, we all now know how to react in this type of situation.

STUDENTS COLLECT FOOD FOR FAMILIES IN NEED

November 30, 2018

By Angelina M. and Lacey S.

The WAIS Annual Holiday Canned Food Drive is being sponsored by the NJHS, SC and Boys Middle School Basketball team. This drive is held to help WAIS community families. These student organizations will accept donations of non- perishable food items such as boxes of pasta, cranberry sauce, soups, and canned vegetables. Monetary donations will also be collected and will be used to buy ham/turkeys and other items.

Christopher G., a student council 5th grade representative, said, ”As a member of the Student Council we have learned about the canned food drive. The canned food drive is important because it helps people who can’t afford food. We ask students to bring in any canned items and pasta. Bring your cans in a bag. If you are a student council member, be sure to have your name on a paper attached to the bag. We will have 2 or 3 student council members at the entrances to collect your cans. We hung flyers all over the school, so if you have any questions, next time you're in the hallways look for a flyer”.

The canned food drive runs from November 12 until December 7. Please bring in some non-perishable food to help with this important event!

SURPRISE NOVEMBER SNOWSTORM RESCHEDULES DISNEY DAY

November 30, 2018

By MJ and Izzy R.

On Friday, November 16, intermediate school students were ready to wear their Mickey Mouse ears and Disney t-shirts. Unfortunately, the early snowstorm that closed school meant Disney day had to be postponed to Wednesday, November 21, but students still enjoyed the chance to celebrate Walt Disney's birthday with some fun outfits and accessories.

Juliana, a WAIS student who participated in the theme dress day, thinks Walt Disney was amazing and creative. Kailee agrees that all things Disney are pretty cool. Braelyn said she likes Disney, but thinks that it is not fair that Mickey and his friends get to talk, but, "Pluto can’t talk and he is an animal too!"

Many students throughout the building participated in the dress up day. Mouse ears were most popular, but Disney shirts, hats, jewelry, and even a few full costumes were spotted, too.