News from the NEStA Northside Elementary School Student Production

Issue no. 1 November 1, 2013

View our student paper in full color on our websitehttp://nes.dekalbschools.net click on “school publications”

NEWS - The Government Shut Down

Legislation, Congress, Republicans, Democrats and President Barack Obama are the cause of our recent government shutdown, which started on September 20 2013 and lasted 16 days. Neither of them could agree on a new budget, which starts every year on October 1. The Republicans had insisted they would not approve the stop-gap measure unless Democrats agreed to block money for President Obama’s healthcare law, known as Obamacare, and Democrats had refused to do that.

During the shutdown many government programs were closed. Those that were affected the most included national parks, federally owned museums, such as the Smithsonian, offices overseas that give visas to foreigners hoping to visit the United States, many federal regulatory agencies, IRS call centers that provide assistance to taxpayers and most offices that handle federal grants and contracts.

There were three big categories that were not affected. Some programs do not require annual appropriations. That group, which includes Social Security, Medicare and other so-called entitlements, continued without interruption. The second group entails functions “necessary to protect life or property.” Law enforcement, the military, intelligence agencies and foreign embassies stayed open. Finally, some programs have other sources of money that will allow them to function for a while. Courts, for example, can spend money they have collected through fines and fees, funds that would allow them to keep functioning for a while.

Through the whole shutdown, knowing that the families of the brave soldiers that have risked their lives to fight for our country being denied financial government help with burial expenses just really was heart wrenching. If anyone should have been excluded from the affects of the shutdown, it definitely should have been those killed in the line of duty. Even though the Republicans lost the shut down battle, they are refusing to stop fighting against Obamacare. I see some good and bad out of the President’s Obamacare program. I seem to be undecided as too whether it would be a good health reform at this present time.

By: Madison Rackley , 5th Grade

TRAVEL – Olympic Torch Relay

The torch relay for the 2014 Winter Olympics has started. It is running from October 7, 2013 until the starting of the games on February 7, 2014. That is exactly 123 days running until it reaches Sochi, Russia for the 2014 Olympics. This will be the longest relay in Winter Olympics history at 39,000 miles. In addition to runners the flame also travels by plane, train, car and even reindeer sleigh, safely encased inside a lantern. The lighting ceremony was held on September 29, 2013 at Olympia, Greece with Greek alpine skier Loannis Antoniou as the first torch barer. Then it was passed to Russian hockey star, Alex Ovechkin. On October 19 the Olympic flame reached the North Pole.

So, I guess we will all be watching on February 7, 2014 in Sochi, Russia where the Winter Olympic games will begin.

By: Lydia Phillips, 5th Grade

CRAFTS & HOBBIES

Hi, I am Ellie Cripps. I am doing crafts. This is just a cute little craft you can do by yourself. It is a pilgrim hat I found on Pinterest. You put it on your desk and put pens and markers in itWhat you need for this craft is a

paper plate, 1 solo cup , black paint, construction paper (Yellow) or yellow crayon and white paper, and some wet glue. I do not know about a hot glue gun. First cut out your cup half way from the bottom. Next cut your plate in a little circle. Then paint your plate and the outside of the cup. After that, you need to let it dry. Then you can paint the inside of your cup and the other side of your plate then let that dry. Now get your glue, get your paper, and your crayon or construction paper. If you use construction paper, cut out like a belt buckle (square piece). If you use the crown, do exactly what I said but color it. After that glue on your buckle on the cup. Now you can let it dry.Now last but not least, glue your cup and plate together, Let it dry for a long while about 1-2 hours. Now you can put anything in it.

If you see a little red peeking out, just add another coat of paint.

By: Ellie Cripps, 5th Grade

FINAL THOUGHTS

Welcome to the first issue of “News From the NESt” - a publication for students of Northside by students of Northside. We started the paper with 6 staff members (pictured below) and will add to the team as the year progresses. We hope you enjoy the articles - we had a great time writing them!

SPORTS We may not have any sports at our school, but we have a lot in DeKalb County.

In the spring, we have baseball for boys and softball for girls. Both these sports start in March and end in June, with most of the games on week nights.

Also in spring is spring soccer which starts in March and ends in May. Games are always Saturday morning at NES.

In the summer, football begins. It starts in July and ends in October. Practices are held 3 nights a week and games are always held on Saturday. Also in the the summer is the Fiddler 5K road race which is held the weekend closest to the 4th of July.

In the fall, basketball begins. It starts in November and ends in February. Games are usually on week nights from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. Also in the fall, there is fall soccer which has games and practices at about the same time as spring soccer.

As you can see, even though there are no sports at school, there are plenty of opportunities to play a variety of sports in DeKalb County.

See you at the game – By: Luke Jenkins, 5th Grade

STAFF SPOTLIGHT – Ms. Gail Cripps

Who we all know and love is the school secretary. Let's get to know who she really is! Before she became our school secretary, Ms. Gail worked at a bank for ten years. She lives in Dekalb County on Love Lane and has two children who are both boys. She started at NES in 2000. Her jobs as the secretary are answering the phone and working on the computer. She also makes sure we are signed in and out. We also all know she loves calling us up to the office. You rock Ms. Gail! We also asked Ms. Gail, “What is your favorite part of being the secretary at NES?” She told us being around all of the students and staff was her favorite part. So, Ms. Gail is a really, super cool person.

By Kennedy Polk, 4th Grade & Alicia Bain, 4th Grade

What holiday do parents celebrate the day after Halloween?

National Eat Your Kids' Halloween Candy While They Are At School Day