The Cherry Blossom
Festival
By Chris Hernandez
The
Festival celebrated its 40th
year. The Festival
is one of
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
The
first Modern Olympic Game took place in 1896 in
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
Currently,
there are 203 countries participating in the Olympics. The Olympic Rings represent the unity of five
continents (the
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
The
upcoming 2008 games will be in
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!
MAY DAY, CHILDREN’S DAY
By Julian K
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
You might’ve noticed that we said sleeping in until
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
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:
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:
Working Replica of Noah's
- The massive central door in
the side of Noah's
Of course, it's only a replica of the biblical
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
"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
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
Huibers said he hopes the project will renew interest in Christianity in the
Too Less or Too Much?!
By: Joann
Kuang
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
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
BOOK
REVIEW: TEARS OF THE 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
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
(See our other movie
reviews on page12)
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
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
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
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
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)
to the “New Messiah.”
a. Madonna
b. Angelina Jolie
c. Meg Ryan