Presidio Middle School  Vol 17, May 2007    PAW Prints   

 


 

 

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The Cherry Blossom Festival

                 By Chris Hernandez

 

The Northern California Cherry Blossom

Festival celebrated its 40th year. The Festival

is one of California’s most prominent celebrations of Asian traditions. Every year, over 150,000 people attend this dazzling display showcasing the grace and color

of the Japanese American Community. The Street Fair included a traditional Japanese cuisine and cooking demonstrations. Also. am arts and craft fair, and a children’s village.  It’s really fun when you go to it. I had a really good time when I went with all my friends. We did everything there like eat, playeda round, and made really funny jokes. The Festival was a blast and I can’t wait for next year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TALENT SHOW

WINNERS

                    By Helen Totterdell.

 

WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, AFTER SCHOOL

 

Wow!  Auditions for the April 18th Talent Show were held in early March. They were judged by members of the Student Council and Ms. Fairchild.   All the contestants were very good.  There were singers, musicians, acrobats, dancers. After difficult deliberations, the finalists are:

 

Classical Piano (Susanna Rafalovich);  Singer soloist (Alma Ruznic);   Rap (Paul Duchene & Dustin Andrick);  Singing Duet  (Mia Lippert & Nichole Madison McDonald);  Hip Hop Dance (Conception Alvizar, Alma Ruzmic, Karen Campos, Dayanara Aliposa, Valeria Alvizar, Stephon Holidae, Dionte Jones-Laws, Adrienne Davis, Kiwi Campos, Erin Westry, Brian Von);   Break Dance (Wesley Choy, Richard Wu, Michael Diep);   Singer soloist  (Angel Feria);  Butterfly Sticks (Hamza Alarbesh);  Singing and Dancing (Tiana Williams, Hiwote Tadesse, Raven Jones);  and Singing group (Domineka Stanley, Silvia Hernandez, Jasmine Dean Mezan Ashmelash, Janisa McConico, and Kyera Hogg)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008 Olympic Site

By: Joann Kuang

 

            Yes, yes......I know many of you are familiar with the Olympics.  There are those of you who are very excited about it, and those who just don’t care.  It is a very famous international multi-sport event.  Anyway, did you know that:

 

The Olympics started back in the old days in Olympia, Greece in 776 BC, but some scholars believed that it dates between as early as 884 BC and as late as 704 BC. and ended in 393 AD.  It was revived in 1896  bv French noblemen, Pierre Fredy Baron de Coubertin, who researched the reasons for the French defeat in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871).  His reasons were that the French had not received proper physical education, and he wanted to have the youth of the world compete in sports rather than fight in war.

 

The first Modern Olympic Game took place in 1896 in Athens with less than 250 athletes, but it was the largest international sports event ever held until that time.  During the ancient times, competitors were usually naked because of the weather and the festival was to honor the human body.

An olive leaf crown was presented to the first place winner.  The olive branch is a sign of hope and peace.

 

It was outlawed in 393 AD by the emperor Theodosius I when Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, and the Games were seen as a pagan festival and in discord with Christian ethics.

 

Currently, there are 203 countries participating in the Olympics.  The Olympic Rings represent the unity of five continents (the Americas are considered to be one), and the five colors were chosen because each nation had at least one of these colors in its national flag.  The Olympic Flame is lit in Olympia and brought to the host city by runners carrying the torch in relay.

 

The Summer and Winter Olympics are both held every four years, but after 1992, they have been celebrated two years apart.  As you may know, the most recent Summer Olympic are the 2004 Games in Athens, and the most recent Winter Olympics were the 2006 Games in Turin.  The 2006 Winter Olympics included 84 events and 7 sports. 

 

The upcoming 2008 games will be in Beijing, China.  It will host 302 events in 28 sports.  Since it is going to occur next year, there is still some information that hasn’t been confirmed yet.

 

Text Box: The rectangle is the National Aquatics Center, and the round one is the National Stadium in Beijing.                One thing we know about is that the tickets for the opening and the closing ceremony are on sale.  Overall, about nine million tickets will be generated, but a certain amount is for the International Olympic Committee, sponsors, dignitaries and TV broadcasters, so there are about seven million tickets on sale.  Also, a one-ticket only policy was announced for the two most popular events, which would be the opening and the closing ceremony.  This means that one person can only get one ticket.  Tickets from other “high demand sessions” will be limited to two tickets per person.  The prices for the opening ceremony, which will be held on Aug. 8, will cost between C$737 to C$30 (5,000 yuan to 200 yuan).  For the closing ceremony, it will be between C$442 to C$22 (3,000 yuan to 150 yuan).  About 58% of all the tickets will cost C$15 (100 yuan) or less, in order to be affordable to average Chinese citizens.

                As I have mentioned earlier, there is still info that hasn’t been confirmed or released yet.  But there is one cool thing that was released though.  Check out the pics from the handout from the Beijing Organizing committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, and see for yourself!

Text Box:

Text Box:

               

 

MAY DAY, CHILDREN’S DAY

By Julian K

 

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Go to fullsize image    Academic awards assembly  March 2nd

 

March 2nd, all grades attended awards assemblies to honor the students who received GPA’s of 3.9 and 4.0!!!  There were ___ 6th graders, ____7th graders, and ___8th graders who received these distinguished awards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

School New Website

By: Joann Kuang

 

            Check out our Presidio MS new website!  Now it has updated information, and best of all, cool new features.  It has info on our academic’s department, sports PE, and faculty, photos from Outdoor Ed, announcements like the Wednesday Envelope, PawPrints (yeah!), and many more.  Now you can know what is going on in Presidio, and see cool pictures!  Might I add that there is also a cool little animated panther that runs?  It is interesting, so go online, and type in this website: http://sfportal.sfusd.edu/sites/presidio/default.aspx  Enjoy!

 

 

High School Survey

                   Helen & Gabby

 

About half a column please(:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        CRAZY HAIR DAY!

                         by ____________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We Know What You Did Last Summer

                                        Melon&Goobers

 

Okay, maybe we don’t, but we do have some guesses. Sitting on the couch, watching T.V., eating a bunch of junk food? Sleeping in until 3 p.m.? Staying on the computer all day, playing video games, laying in bed all day? Any of that sound familiar? It’s okay to do once a week, but you do need to get outside more. Go to the beach with some friends (with permission from the parents), join a summer sports league, anything to get out of the house. Enjoy your childhood while you have it.

                You might’ve noticed that we said sleeping in until 3 p.m. It’s okay to sleep in a bit, but if you sleep in that late, your day is wasted and it’ll . Wake up around 10 or 11 (you’ll still get a couple more hours of sleep) and call some friends to go out somewhere. All you 8th graders out there spend as much time with your friends as you can. Some will be going to different high schools and you might not see them for a while.

 

 

 

Teachers, Teachers, Teachers: Season 2

By: Monika Murillo, Judy Tang & Joann Kuang

 

            Hi there!  We’re back again!  Remember Season 1 of the Teachers, Teachers, Teachers in our first issue?  This time, we’re back with new teachers.

 

First we interviewed our school’s new PE teacher, Ms. Kim:

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Judy, Joann, & Monika: What subject do you teach?

Ms. Kim: Physical Education

 

JJM: So far, what do you think about Presidio?

Ms. Kim: Nice school, I really like it! It has very nice faculty and students that are sweet and helpful.

 

JJM: What inspired you to teach?

Ms. Kim: I was working with children and always played sports.  I’m inspired when students get it and can be active  in P.E., rather than sedentary.

 

JJM: What characteristics do you think a role model student should have?

Ms. Kim: respectful, good manner, good moral values, and good work ethic.

 

JJM: What schools did you go to?

Ms. Kim: Mira Loma Elementary School, Aptos Middle School, Washington High School,  City College, and SF State.

 

JJM: What is your favorite part about teaching?

Ms. Kim: interacting with students and getting to know them, and help them use skill to help them in life.

 

JJM: Where were your born and grew up?

Ms. Kim: I was born and raised in San Francisco.

 

JJM: When is your birthday?

Ms. Kim: October 12th

 

JJM: Why did you choose Presidio?

Ms. Kim: I heard a lot about the school, and has a good reputation.

 

Next, is our counselor, Mrs. Eckberg!

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


JJM: What inspired you to come to Presidio?

Mrs. Eckberg: I was an intern here four years ago and felt it was a nice family to belong to.

 

JJM: What inspired you to become a counselor?

Mrs. Eckberg: I like talking to kids, listening, and helping them solve their problems.

 

JJM: Where were you born and raised?

Mrs. Eckberg: San Francisco.

 

JJM: What is your favorite thing about being a counselor?

Mrs. Eckberg: I like it when they come to visit just to say hello and I like calling parents

with good news.

 

JJM: When is your birthday?

Mrs. Eckberg: May 19th

 

JJM: What is/are your hobbies?

Mrs. Eckberg: I have a 15 month old son so I just hang out with him.

 

JJM: What is your favorite thing about Presidio?

Mrs. Eckberg: It’s big and the teachers and students work together to solve problems.

 

JJM: How did you become a counselor?

Mrs. Eckberg: I had to graduate from college with a bachelers degree then go to graduate school and get masters in counseling.

 

JJM: How long have you been a counselor?

Mrs. Eckberg: 3 years

 

JJM: What were your previous jobs?

Mrs. Eckberg: I worked at an after school program for 10 years.

 

JJM: What schools did you go to?

Mrs. Eckberg: Hoover Middle School and Washington High Schoo

 

 

 

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Working Replica of Noah's Ark Opens

 

- The massive central door in the side of Noah's Ark was thrown open Saturday - you could say it was the first time in 4,000 years - drawing a crowd of curious pilgrims and townsfolk to behold the wonder. 
 
Of course, it's only a replica of the biblical
Ark, built by Dutch creationist Johan Huibers as a testament to his faith in the literal truth of the Bible. 
 
Reckoning by the old biblical measurements, Johan's fully functional ark is 150 cubits long, 30 cubits high and 20 cubits wide. That's two-thirds the length of a football field and as high as a three-story house. 
 
Life-size models of giraffes, elephants, lions, crocodiles, zebras, bison and other animals greet visitors as they arrive in the main hold. 
 
"The design is by my wife, Bianca," Huibers said. "She didn't really want me to do this at all, but she said if you're going to anyway, it should look like this." 
 
A contractor by trade, Huibers built the ark of cedar and pine - biblical scholars debate exactly what the wood used by Noah would have been. 
 
Huibers did the work mostly with his own hands, using modern tools and occasional help from his son Roy. Construction began in May 2005 
 
On the uncovered top deck - not quite ready in time for the opening - will come a petting zoo, with baby lambs and chickens, and goats. And one camel. Visitors on the first day were stunned.   "It's past comprehension," said Mary Louise Starosciak, who happened to be bicycling by with her husband while on vacation when they saw the ark looming over the local landscape. 
 
"I knew the story of Noah, but I had no idea the boat would have been so big." 
 
In fact, Noah's Ark as described in the Bible was five times larger than Johan's Ark. 
 
But that still leaves enough space near the keel for a 50-seat film theater, where kids can watch the segment of the Disney film "Fantasia" that tells the story of Noah. 
 
Another exhibit shows water cascading down on a model of the Ark. Exhibits on the third level show ancient tools and old-fashioned barrels, exotic stuffed animals, and a wax model of an exhausted Noah reclining on a bed in the forecastle. 
 
Genesis says Noah kept seven pairs of most domesticated animals and one breeding pair of all other creatures, plus his wife, three sons and three daughters-in-law together on the boat for almost a year while the world was deluged. 
 
Perhaps it was only logical that the replica project would be the brainchild of a Dutchman: fear of floods are ingrained in the country's collective consciousness by its water-drenched history. 
 
Lois Poppema, visiting from
California, said she thought the Netherlands was exactly the right place for an ark.  Just a few weeks ago we saw Al Gore on television .. saying that all Holland will be flooded" due to rising sea levels, she said. 
 
"I don't think the man who made this ever expected that global warning will become (such an important) issue - and suddenly having the ark would be meaningful in the middle of
Holland." 
 
Under sunny clear skies Saturday, Huibers said he wasn't worried about another biblical flood, since according to Genesis, the rainbow is the sign of God's promise never to flood the world again. But he does worry that recent events such as the flooding of
New Orleans could be seen as a portent of the end of time. 
 
Huibers said he hopes the project will renew interest in Christianity in the
Netherlands, where churchgoing has fallen dramatically in the past 50 years. He also plans to visit major cities in Belgium and Germany

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Too Less or Too Much?!

By: Joann Kuang

Text Box:

Water!  What do you think of when you hear that?  Water is a very important resource.  It is part of our everyday life.  It is also what everybody needs.  Basically without it, we may not survive. 

                Currently, a very serious water shortage is occurring in Tampa, Florida.  Even a recent rainfall was no help.  The water flow in the Hillsborough River, Tampa’s main water source, is below normal levels.

                Because of this, people are hoping to be able to ensure an adequate supply until the rainy season by conserving water and limit outdoor use to the absolute minimum.  Since more than 50% of all the water used in homes is applied to landscaping, irrigation systems should be maintained to ensure water efficiency and prevent wasteful practices.  Monitoring, adjusting, and repairing irrigation equipment includes resetting the automatic controller, flushing the filters, checking for leaks or broken heads, and testing the rain sensor device.  There were restrictions in order to save water.  One of them was that automatic lawn sprinkler systems purchased and installed after May 1, 1991, are required to have a properly functioning rain sensor device or switch.  Rain sensors are designed to interrupt the cycle of the controller when a specific amount of rainfall has occurred.  Another one would be that the addresses ending in an even number or the letters A-M may water on Tuesday only.  Addresses ending in an odd number or the letters N-Z may water on Sundays only.  Watering on the designated day is allowed between midnight and 8a.m. or 6p.m. and midnight.  More can be found online.  Just in case the next one will be us, please save water, and don’t waste them.  Don’t just think about saving water for the fishes, thinking about saving water for yourself and us!

 

                Florida is experiencing water trouble, but up in the north, there is also water trouble.  This time, it was not water shortage, but a big flood.  A fierce spring stretched from Florida to Maine that drenched the New York City area, causing a heavy flood that canceled school.  It forced people to evacuate and slowed the soggy morning commute.  The storm that made this possible was really bad that public schools were closed on Monday, cars were stuck, several major roads were shut down, flights were grounded, trains were temporarily shut down, power outages occurred in more than 10,000 households, some residents were forced to take to the streets in boats, etc.  It was so harsh that two communities had to declare states of emergency  What it also caused was that it defeated the more than 100 years old record that happened on April 15, 1906.  During that time, about 1.8 inches of rain fell in Central Park.  The new record that occurred on Sunday (April 15) was that more than 5.5 inches of rain fell in the New York region.  This record-setting rain began falling Sunday night and continued into Monday morning.  It sure would be great if Florida and New York can split up their trouble, and share it with each other.  That way, it can be neutralized.

 

BOOK REVIEW:    TEARS OF THE TIGER

 

Tears Of A Tiger

 

 

I read this book in the 8th grade, and it is the most amazing book I have ever read in my life. This is the most emotional book I have ever read and I love love LOVE emotional novels, because it makes me realize how grateful I really am for the things I have. I have told my family, and some of my friends to read this book, and now I’m gonna tell you. please please please read this book!! It’s amazing. after I read it at school, I came home and told my parents that I was going to purchase this book no matter what happens. Ms. Fairchild gave it to me.  I took it home with me, and read it in an hour, and cried like a baby for about 30 minutes. This is my favorite book ever and I’m so glad I have it.  I can’t wait till Ms. Fairchild receives the sequels, “Darkness Before Dawn” and “Forged by Fire”. Please read this book. Ms. Fairchild will lend you one too! All she cares about is that you read. She will definitely trust u.

 

 

 

Movie Review:  Ratatouille

 

Remy (voiced by Patton Oswalt ) in Disney's presentation of Pixar's Ratatouille Ratatouille

June 29th, 2007 (wide)

By: Indra Enkhbayar

 

A rat named Remy dreams of becoming a great French chef. Obviously he’s going to have problem of being chef rat. When fate places Remy in the sewers of Paris, he finds himself ideally situated beneath a restaurant made famous by his culinary hero, Auguste Gusteau. Despite the dangers, Remy’s passion for cooking sets into a fun, exciting rat race that turns the culinary world of Paris upside down.

 

 

(See our other movie reviews on page12)

 Weird News

 

AGE IS NOTHING BUT

A NUMBER

 

Usually when you think of a 95 year old woman you would think of wheelchairs, canes, or blood transfusions but in this retirement home something amazing happened. In Berlin {Reuters} an elderly German woman Shocked news stations when she solved a series of mysterious thefts that had been happening in her retirement home. The elderly lady first put some money out in her room to lure the theft then went to stakeout in the toilet to watch and wait. Then a cleaner entered her room and grabbed the money unaware that she was being watched. Immediately the old lady jammed her hand on the alarm button in the toilet and within seconds the home staff nabbed the cleaner and called the cops. Lastly later the cops questioned her and she confessed to them that she was responsible for other thefts at the retirement home. Hopefully the worlds ready because wherever theirs trouble granny will be there to save the day.      

 

 

 

 

 

Frac/tion vs. Deci.mal

By: J.K. (Not Rowling)

 

            What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear those two terms?  Probably, for many of you, it would be “math,” or something related to it.  But probably not many of you would think of science first.  As we all know, in science we also need math, fraction, and decimal.  Believe it or not, this was how a conflict was started.

                It is amazing how a small little dot and a small little bar can cause a debate between a math teacher and a science teacher.  Why was there a debate?  You see, the math teacher wants the students to write their answers in a fraction, while the science teacher wants the students to use decimal.

                It all started when the science teacher told the class that they can only use decimal, and if they don’t do that, they will lose points.  Like what many average students would do, there were complaints, and that was when the math teacher’s name came in, and the battle began.  The debate didn’t last very long though.  The innocent students were acting as owls, sending the words of each “fighter.”  The science teacher fought for decimal by using words like “no one uses fractions anymore,” “Yes, stocks’ cost once used fractions, but not anymore, they use decimal,” “the only people who use fractions are mathematicians, who need a life,” and more.  The math teacher defended fraction with words like “fractions are important, it can be useful in the future, like taking math or calculus in high school,” and more.  Just to let you know, these words are not word for word, and are probably not the only words that were said.  Both teachers agree with each other, but they still stick to what they believed in.  So in the end, the debate ended when the teacher decides that they should stick to whatever they chooses, and bother each other no more.  Are you wondering if this will continue, or did the teachers ever fight face to face?  I can tell you that this would remain as a mystery.  Also, if you will have/have these two teachers, or any other teachers who are very similar to this, you must choose the right direction, or things will turn ugly, you’ve been warned.

 

Psychic Squirrels

by Simon Wu

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 Can red squirrels predict the future? No, but scientists say they can predict when spruce trees will grow a bumper crop of their favorite food--spruce seeds.

Stan Boutin, a biologist at Canada's University of Alberta, and fellow researchers discovered the squirrels' seemingly psychic abilities when they noticed a jump in the number of squirrel babies born in certain years. The squirrels normally give birth to one litter of babies in the spring. But in some years, they would give birth to a second litter. Adding kids to the family occurred only before summers when trees produced a greater than normal number of cones full of edible seeds.

Boutin thinks some thing in the taste or look of spruce trees' budding cones may give the squirrels a hint about the upcoming number of seeds. The baby boom occurs to take advantage of the extra food.

Another Drought in San Fran?

Jefferson Phan & Henry Pan

 

On April 11, 2007, the Bay area has received its call that they thought they will never hear again in 20 years. We are officially in drought. Why? The rain hasn’t been hitting us like last year, which hit highs, and now, some of are Bay Area reservoirs are either below normal or at way below capacity. The San Francisco Water Department is now calling for voluntary water conservation, as in San Mateo County.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCIENCE PAGE

Health

            Alex Kozakiewicz and Simon Wu

Despite studies saying North Americans are getting fatter every year, people are obsessed with weight loss, and the business of losing weight has ballooned into a $46.3 billion industry. How much would you be willing to spend to lose 30 pounds?

There is no shortage of options when it comes to weight-loss programs. The key is finding a program that fits your lifestyle and budget. Of course, you could always go the old-fashioned route, reducing calories and increasing exercise, but many dieters need added structure and support, not to mention the accountability (there's nothing like a little public humiliation to keep you motivated) that accompanies an organized program.

But paying someone to keep you on the straight and narrow isn't cheap. Remember, the phrase "caveat emptor" (let the buyer beware) was practically coined for the diet industry. Do your homework and remember that there are no shortcuts or magic shakes or bars that will to be your ticket to Slimville.

Here's a quick look at a handful of popular programs and the costs involved.

1. Jenny Craig
2. L A Weight Loss
3. NutriSystem
4. Weight Watchers
5. The Zone Diet

Jenny Craig
The weight loss brand recently marketed by spokeswoman Kirstie Alley boasts a sensible approach to weight loss, advocating an average drop in body mass of about 1 percent, or one to two pounds per week. The program addresses mind-body aspects of weight loss by helping clients adopt healthy eating and exercise habits, as well as encouraging them to examine the underlying causes of their weight problem.

Clients can choose from three membership levels with staggered sign-up costs: Jenny TuneUp, $49, for those who have less than 10 pounds to lose; Jenny OnTrack, $199, a six-month program; and Jenny Rewards, $399 or $358, a 12-month program that rewards dieters efforts and weight loss with discounts on food. There's also an At Home option which is similar to the in-store options except you also pay for shipping and have consultations over the phone.

Sign-up costs include weekly one-on-one counseling, personalized menus, motivational plans and assorted manuals and guides, depending on your membership level. Then, there's the cost of food. The prepackaged foods generally cost $11 to $17 per day, or $77 to $119 per week.

Total cost: $49, $199 and $399 with a payment plan or $358 upfront, not including food

http://biz.yahoo.com/brn/070407/21620.html?.v=1&.pf=family-home

 

Cna Yuo Raed Tihs?

                                 Crhis&Hleen

 

A sutdy at Camrbdige Unevirstiy shewod taht the extrroadaniry hmuan mnid raeds wrods as a wohle, nto ecah letetr. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. The olny thnig taht’s iproamtnt is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. Amzaing, huh? And we tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

 

 

           Celebrity’s Kids Quiz  

by the Quiz Chicks

 

How well do you know your favorite celebrity’s kids? Take this quiz and find out!

(Find the answers on the last page)

 

  1. This couple has three boys named Romeo, Brooklyn and Cruz.
    1. David & Victoria Beckham
    2. Reese Witherspoon & Jake Gyllenhaal
    3. Ashton Kutcher & Demi Moore 

 

  1. Which celebrity mom’s new baby named Shiloh Nouvel which can be translated

to the “New Messiah.”

      a.    Madonna

      b.    Angelina Jolie

      c.    Meg Ryan

 

  1. Who wrote a song for his wife called, “Moses,” which they named their baby after?
    1. Chris Martin
    2. Billie Joe Armstrong
    3. Steven Tyler

 

  1. Which “Friend” has a daughter named Coco?
    1. Lisa Kudrow
    2. David Schwimmer
    3. Courtney Cox

 

  1. Which former co-star did Heath Ledger choose to be the god