Spartan TimesSpartan TimesSpartan TimesSpartan TimesSpartan Times

pages 1-6 Weber Newspage 7 Random Things-n-Quirky Dingspage 8 At The Movies with Gabepages 9-11 Comics and Fun!pages 12-back Spartan Sports

The Sun Will Come Out...On Weber’s Annual Musical Production!

“Annie Jr.,” one ofAmerica’s most loved musi-cals, is set during the GreatDepression. The show followsthe journey of a spunky red-head orphan as she searchesfor her parents and then findslove and happiness in thehome of Mr. Warbucks.

“Annie Jr.,” directedby Weber English teacherMrs. Stacey Portmore-Daviesand musically directed by Sa-lem music teacher Mrs.Allison Friedman, featuresover ninety talented studentsin the cast, pit orchestra, andcrew!(continued on page 2)

Weber is a “School to WWeber is a “School to WWeber is a “School to WWeber is a “School to WWeber is a “School to Watch”atch”atch”atch”atch”

Weber’s Science Olympiad Team, along withCoaches Grande and Buchman, attended the New York B Divi-sion State Competition on Friday and Saturday April 8 and 9 atSUNY Ulster Community College in Stone Ridge, New York.As one of 41 teams in attendance, Weber’s Science OlympiadTeam placed 7th in New York State.

Principal Rodahan, teacher supervisors Mrs.McAuliffe and Mrs. Peraza, and parent coaches were on handto cheer for sixth, seventh, and eighth grade team members,who participated in events such as Disease Detectives, Awe-some Aquifers, Battery Buggy, Bottle Rocket, Ornithology, Fos-sils, and Optics.

Weber’s Team qualified for the State Champion-ship after taking 1st place in the Regional event on March 5.

On Wednesday, March 16, 2011, Ms. Marilyn M.Rodahan, Principal of Weber Middle School, received notifica-tion that Weber Middle School has been designated a “2011Essential Elements Schools to Watch” and “National School toWatch.”(continued on page 2)

It’s the Year of theIt’s the Year of theIt’s the Year of theIt’s the Year of theIt’s the Year of theRabbitRabbitRabbitRabbitRabbit

(and Mr. Tom)(and Mr. Tom)(and Mr. Tom)(and Mr. Tom)(and Mr. Tom) IIIIIn This Issue...

Vol. 8, Issue 2 June 2011

Carrie Palmer Weber Middle School, Port Washington, New Yorkwww.portnet.k12.ny.us/weber/clubs/spartantimes

3rd Place Winner of The Newsday in Education Journalism Award 2010 and 2011

Science Olympiad Team finishes7th at State Competition

Radio Days!Radio Days!Radio Days!Radio Days!Radio Days!pppppage 4age 4age 4age 4age 4

On May 1st, Weber’s Newspaper Club Advisor,Ms.McAuliffe, was informed that the Weber school newspa-per, Spartan Times, had won 3rd place for the Middle Schooldivision in the Newsday School Journalism Awards contest.This is a great honor for our paper. This is the second year ina row that the Spartan Times has taken 3rd place in this promi-nent journalism award. Thanks to our staff and all of the schoolfreelance writers and photographers who helped contribute tothis award of distinction!

Weber’s Spartan TimesSpartan TimesSpartan TimesSpartan TimesSpartan TimesPlaces 3rd in 2011

Newsday in Education AwardsTyped by Johnny O.

BBBBBest wishesest wishesest wishesest wishesest wishes to Weber’s retirees, pictured from leftto right: Mr. Hagel, Mrs. Barnett,Mrs. Dubie,Mrs. Gold,Mrs.Madonia,andMr. Shackel.

Photo:Mr. Moore

SimplSimplSimplSimplSimply The BeST!y The BeST!y The BeST!y The BeST!y The BeST!

Page Two

The Sun Will Come Out...On Weber’s AnnualMuscal Production!

(continued from front page)

“It’s A Hard-Knock Life!” Life was not so grim for attendees of“Annie, Jr.,” Weber’s Drama Club 2011 production, who wereentertained by Weber student singers and dancers for this musicalinterpretation of the class comic strip. Performances were held onFriday, March 11th at 7:30pm, Saturday, March 12th at 7:30, andSunday, March 13th at 3:00pm in the Weber Auditorium.

A delicious bake sale was held during the intermission ofeach performance with proceeds donated to the North Shore Ani-mal League in the honor of another important orphan in the show:Sandy, the dog! All goods were baked and donated by Drama Clubmembers and their familiess. Brownies, cookies, cakes, chips, wa-ter, and juice were some of the treats purchased by hungry, ex-cited attendees.The humor and the warmth of this musical pulledat the heartstrings and reminded us that when we are feeling sad,we only have to follow Annie’s wonderful advice: “The sun’llcome out tomorrow, so you gotta hang on ‘till tomorrow!”

Weber NewsWeber Middle School will be honored at the 2011 National Schools

to Watch Conference and Gala Dinner in Washington, D.C. The U.S. De-partment of Education Secretary Arne Duncan will be presenting the awardand then Ms. Rodahan will be taken to Capitol Hill to meet with our Con-gressional Representative to share all the fantastic ways that Weber’s schoolcommunity serves our students. During this time in Washington D.C., Ms.Rodahan will be presenting highlights of Weber’s unique programming atthe National Forum to Accelerated Middle Grades Reform Annual Con-ference in Arlington, Virginia.

Weber Middle School is one of only eighteen middle schools inNew York State to receive this designation during the six years this pro-gram has been in existence. Congratulations to Ms. Rodahan, the Assis-tant Principals, and the staff, students and parents of Weber Middle Schoolfor this well deserved recognition.

Weber is a “School to WWeber is a “School to WWeber is a “School to WWeber is a “School to WWeber is a “School to Watch” atch” atch” atch” atch” continued from front page

Photo of Weber staff courtesy Mrs. McAuliffe

Photo (below) courtesy: Mrs. S. Portmore-Davies

Hello readers,

During my time here at the SpartanTimes, life has been observed through a completelydifferent pair of spectacles for me, from meetingsome of the downright strangest, most thoughtfulpeople I have ever met, to being bombarded withsome heated critique in response to my film criti-cism [That was fun].

Those who haven’t joined have missedout on a lot. Maybe one has not joined becausethey thought it would make them feel “uncool,”“obsolete,” “dumbfounded,” or “awkward.” Noneof that is the slightest bit true. Being a member ofthe Spartan Times team is one of the greatest hon-ors one can behold. If you want to be a reporter,journalist, or columnist when you reach adulthood,this is one of the best places to start.

A single meeting here is like a 9-to-5workday in the New York Times’ NYC officebuilding-extensive and crazy, but somehow, thingsget done.

As my time at the paper concludes, I canhope for only one thing for future editors-keepthe paper running like it is now.

And so I conclude my time a Spartanscribe.

Happy reporting!

Gabriel Lyons, Senior Editor

Letter from the Editor

Page Three

C C C C Congratulations to the many students who were nomi-

nated as Weber STARS and/or Physical Edu-cation STARS OF THE MONTH. Staff andstudents choose those in the building who repre-sent the best of Weber: respect, responsibility, andPRIDE. To view the compiled monthly lists ofWeber STARS, visit the Weber homepage.

Five years in the making, plans for a skatepark accessibleto local skaters are now going forward. The park will be des-ignated specifically for skateboarders from throughout PortWashington and its surrounding towns. According to NorthHempstead Town Supervisor Mr. Jon Kaiman, the park willbe located in Manorhaven Beach Park and opened to thepublic in June. The coordinators emphasize the importanceof the planned skatepark for the teenage population. The plansanticipate that by the end of 2011, North Hempstead BeachPark will be a larger destination for skaters with an addi-tional plaza, bowl, and a variety of “street elements” such asbenches, curbsides, and rails. On December 20, 2010, there was a meeting at HarborLinks Golf Course to discuss the possibilities of skateparksat Manorhaven Beach Park and North Hempstead Beach Park.About 60 local parents and teens attended to discuss an al-ternative skating venue to the parking lots and sidewalks typi-cally used by skaters. The town brought in a group calledSpohn Ranch Skateparks, a California company that is knownthroughout the country for its skateparks, to help design thepark. The money for the local skatepark has been collected

and propo-nents hopethat sponsorswill donatemore moneyto maintainthe park inthe future.

The SpartanTimes staffwould like tothank Nicolefor giving

permission to reprint this edited article.Photo: www.spohnranch.com

Science Olympiads Bake SaleScience Olympiads Bake SaleScience Olympiads Bake SaleScience Olympiads Bake SaleScience Olympiads Bake SaleHuge Success!Huge Success!Huge Success!Huge Success!Huge Success!

by Zareenby Zareenby Zareenby Zareenby ZareenThe gym lobby and All-Purpose Room were flooded

with hungry kids on the day of the ‘Science is Sweet’ bake salefor Weber’s Science Olympiad Team, Tuesday, February 15.

The team made many delicious treats, such as Cel-lular Cookies, Chemical Changing Cakes, brownies, rice crispytreats, coffee cake, and assorted cupcakes. Also, they had healthychoices, like clementines, organic apples, chocolate coveredstrawberries, and veggie dip snack bags. The tables were clearedin about half an hour, leaving no treats for the planned bake saleon Thursday, which had to be canceled.

The Science Olympiad team raised over $400! Thismoney will help to pay for the cost of buying team t-shirts andother materials for the competitions. The team would like tothank everyone who bought baked goods and helped them raisemoney for their team.

Weber News

A New Wrestling ChampTyped by Tyler O

A huge congratulation to Tim C. , sixth grade student inthe Yellow House, for becoming the New York State 120pound novice division champion in wrestling.

Skatepark in Manorhaven Beach Park To Be Open to Public

by guest reporter and Schreiber student Nicole Z.

Summer is just around the corner and with school coming to aclose it’s really the perfect time to catch up on your reading!There are so many great books being published and whetheryou sit back with your Kindle, Nook, or a good old-fashionedpaperback here are a few that I recommend:

Kabul by N. H. Senzai

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

Reckless by Cornelia Funke

Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine

Trash by Andy Mulligan

Laika by Nick Abadzis

Not sure which to choose? Visit my webpage through the We-ber homepage. Find “Departments” on the toolbar and thenclick on “Library Media Center” to read more about these booksI recommend. Remember to also check the Weber homepagefor required summer reading lists for all grades. Enjoy yoursummer reading!

Library Newsby Ms. Herz,

Weber Librarian

Summer Book RecommendationsSummer Book RecommendationsSummer Book RecommendationsSummer Book RecommendationsSummer Book Recommendations

The STARS STARS STARS STARS STARS of Weber

Weber GREEN NewsThank you, Weber GREEN, staff, and students for your contin-ued efforts to recycle paper, plastic bottles, cans, and water bottlecaps. The effort has been tremendous. Remember to save thosewater bottle caps over the summer and return them to Weber inSeptember.

Page Four

The Mayhem Poets visited Weber Middle School fora 7th grade assembly on Thursday, February 10. During the As-sembly, students were taken on a verbal adventure where they dis-covered that poetry is “cool and fun.”

The Mayhem Poets are one of several forces behindSlam Poetry, Performance Poetry, Spoken Word, and Spoken WordArt. Throughout the show, they changed the paradigm of studentthinking toward poetry by delivering an upbeat, hip, and relevantperformance. Students left the Assembly with a much differentperspective on appreciating poetry. Photo courtesy Mr. Moore

Weber News

March 29, 2011 was a day that the 8th grade Yellow Teamwill not soon forget. With the help of Schreiber teacher JeremyKlaff, staff sponsor of WDOT (Schreiber’s very own radio sta-tion), students were able to perform their radio scripts live onthe radio. Education does not get any more authentic than that.

Mr. Barbara and Mrs. Simscreated the project to compliment the so-cial studies unit on the Great Depressionas well as the novel unit To Kill a Mock-ingbird, which is set in the 1930s as well.Students researched various elements ofradio at this time and incorporated com-mercials, music, sports, news, interviewsand weather in their broadcasts. Eachgroup was assigned one year of the 1930sto research and each segment was true tothe history of that particular year. To cri-

tique each performance and provide feedback to the groups whenthey returned to the classroom, half of the group performed atthe radio station and the other half listened to the radio stationstreaming live back in the classroom. The two groups switchedroles on day two. Students enjoyed the hands-on experience ofradio broadcast and learned a lot about the Great Depression inthe process. Who knows? This could be the beginning of a newcrop of broadcast journalists!

The Chinese Acrobats visited Weber Middle School for a 6thgrade Assembly on Wednesday, February 9. The traveling acro-bat troupe dazzled students and staff with their discipline, bal-

a n c i n g ,flexibil-ity, jug-gling andstrengthd u r i n gtheir per-formance.T h e ys p u nplates onl o n gp o l e s ,balancedvases ont h e i r

necks, and twirled multiple hula hoops around their bodiesthroughout the show. They had our 6th grade students in aweover how the acrobats got their minds and bodies to work inperfect harmony.

Chinese AcrobatsChinese AcrobatsChinese AcrobatsChinese AcrobatsChinese Acrobatsby Mr. Mooreby Mr. Mooreby Mr. Mooreby Mr. Mooreby Mr. Moore

The 7th grade School Wide Enrichment pro-gram held its first CARE, WEAR, and SHARE charity saleon April 13th. The event invited students to buy and wearthe hand-made rope bracelet which expresses their choicein the contest, “Dogs v Cats” - Orange for Cats or Green forDogs. Bracelets went on sale during the 7th grade lunchperiod for $.25 each. The proceeds from the sale were do-nated to the North Shore Animal League. Thanks for show-ing that you CARE by buying a bracelet to wear!

Yellow 8 Performs Radio ShowsFrom the Great Depression

Radio photos courtesy L. Sims

Mayhem PoetsMayhem PoetsMayhem PoetsMayhem PoetsMayhem Poetsby Mr. Mooreby Mr. Mooreby Mr. Mooreby Mr. Mooreby Mr. Moore

CARE, WEAR, and SHARE!by Z.J.

Page Five

Weber NewsWeber’s Latin Students Take First

Place at Level 1by Magister Cooke

Congratulations to Weber Students Sam G., Keton K., andJosh C., (pictured, below from left to right with presenter),who took first place at Level 1 in the Suffolk Classical Society’s13th Annual Certamen. They competed against 11 other schools,some middle and some high schools, from Nassau and SuffolkCounty. They performed magnificently in the final round, miss-ing not a single question. Pictured below the Weber Team arethe Schreiber Team members.

Photos courtesy Mr. A. Cooke

Doodle 4 GoogleDoodle 4 GoogleDoodle 4 GoogleDoodle 4 GoogleDoodle 4 Googleby Mrs. Raichoudhuryby Mrs. Raichoudhuryby Mrs. Raichoudhuryby Mrs. Raichoudhuryby Mrs. Raichoudhury

Congratulations are in order for Weber sixth gradeGreen House student Hannah E., who is the Regional Finalistin the Doodle 4 Google 2011 contest. This is the fourth yearthat Google has held the Doodle 4 Google contest. A GoogleDoodle is the homepage logo and is posted on the homepage.This year’s contest theme was “What I’d Liket To Do Some-day.” Hannah wrote that she would like to inspire peoplearound the world through her art.

Hannah attended the Doodle 4 Google Awards cer-emony on May 19th in New York City. Although she did notwin Grand Prize, she was awarded Honorable Mention ForThe Most Intriguing Doodle. Hannah was the only studentawarded that distinction. Her drawing was displayed at theWhitney Museum of American Art and the San FranciscoMuseum of Modern Art in May. She will receive a Wacomdigital design table and her Google Doodle will be printed ona t-shirt.

Thank you to all Weber students and staff whoawarded supported Hannah by voting for her originaldoodle online May 4 through May 13. It is a great successfor her to be recognized in such a highly regarded nationalcompetition. We are all so proud of her! Photos: S.McAuliffe

It was a warm, sunny day on March 4th, when 30 ofthe district’sbest maths t u d e n t scame toSUNY OldWe s t b u r yfor the FifthA n n u a lN a s s a uMath Olym-piad Tourna-ment forGrades 4-6.Five of themwere ouro w n ,

Hannah E., Jeremy E., Katherine M., Zachary S. and Anna W.accompanied by PEP teacher Mrs. Raichoudhury. The studentswere faced with twenty difficult math problems, ten alone andten together. These five students achieved a score of 41 (whichhappened to be their table number as well). Even though theydid not win any prizes, they had a whole lot of fun in the pro-cess. All students who took part in any or allcontests and Mrs. Raichaoudhury celebratedtheir participation in the Tournaments withawards and treats in June. Congratulations toall students who participated in the MathOlympiads contests this year!

Photo courtesy: Mr.s. K. Raichoudhury

Page Six

Weber NewsSpelling Bee Wizard

By Ryan W.Congratulations to Green House 7th grader

Zareen J., who was the first place winner of the Annual WeberSpelling Bee. Zareen’s first place status enabled her to par-ticipate in the Long Island Reginal Spelling Bee in Februarywith other first place winners from Nassau and SuffolkCounty schools. Although she didn’t place to qualify for theNational Spelling Bee, we are very proud of her success. Shedid a fine job representing Weber at the Regionals and welook forward to hearing about more successful spelling en-deavors from Zareen!

When Yellow House 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher Linda Manzo asked her students to put democracy intoaction, they set out to educate and inform their community about the stigma of mental illness. Since 1 out of 4 Americans

suffer with mental illness and often do not receive treatment due tostigma, the students were happy to accept the challenge. They wroteletters to politicians, celebrities, and even the First Family invited themto the annual NAMIWalks at Jones Beach on May 15th. Their artteacher, Anne Kopple, helped them create a banner with their slogan,Student Voices: Loud and Proud. In fact, they raised $8,000.00. Fundswere donated to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Queens/Nassau to increase awareness about mental illness and help familiesand all those living with disorders that are too often overlooked. Stu-dent Voices: Loud and Proud, joined this year•fs celebrity guest JoePantoliano and walked with NAMI on May 15th at Jones Beach, charm-ing everyone with their enthusiasm. The students also participated inthe creation of an educational video to share their knowledge withother students around the country.

Middle School Students Combat the Stigma of Mental Illness

Photo and article courtesy Mrs. L. Manzo

Math OlympiadTournament

at SUNY Old Westbury

by Hannah E. and Anna W.

Congratulations Barri!Congratulations Barri!Congratulations Barri!Congratulations Barri!Congratulations Barri!Congratulations to Barri C., pictured below, who won a writ-ing contest sponsored by Port Washington businesses. Barriis pictured with (from left) Dr. Stirling, Mrs. Rodahan, andMrs. Portmore-Davies. Photo courtesy: Ellen Cohen

Random ThingsRandom ThingsRandom ThingsRandom ThingsRandom Things and Quirky DingsQuirky DingsQuirky DingsQuirky DingsQuirky Dings

Ever want days off after your favorite sporting event, any award show, or holiday? I know I do. Here are some days Ithink we should have as recess days on the District calendar. What do you think?• Day after the Super Bowl-everybody is awake until midnight because of the East Coast late start.• Valentine’s Day-everybody wants to find the best gift. It is tiring!• World Series-baseball games can be very, very long. With a best of 7 series, we should have 8 days off,right?• Grammys/Oscars/any award show-people are awake late watching it because of the red carpet walk andspeeches. Tiring, too!• 15 days for Winter Break-sometimes one week is just way too short.• Chanukkah-8 crazy nights that never overlap the Christmas/New Years recess.• Day after any Yankees vs. Mets game- Two New York teams playing against each other; it’s likeanother holiday.• The NBA finals-The two best teams in the NBA head-to-head is one intense game. It’s a lot of work cheering these teamson.••••• Any Jet-Giant Game (see Super Bowl and Yankees vs. Mets game notes and comments).

Opinions stated here are those of the author, not of the Port Washington School District or Spartan Times Staff.

I recently visited the restaurant, Pepe Rosso,located at 24 Manorhaven Boulevard in Port Washington.

Pepe Rosso is an Italian restaurant with great food, service,and decor.

The meal I enjoyed was shrimp oreganata. That isbreaded shrimp in a garlic and lemon sauce, with a side of spa-ghetti (with tomato sauce or butter). It tasted, in my opinion,AMAZING!! The only negative was that the chef didn’t removethe shrimp tails before serving, but it wasn’t a big deal.

Pepe Rosso also has varying selections of pasta,pizza, paninis, and meat dishes. Also, the bread is fresh andultimately lucious! They have great iced tea as well. I give thisrestaurant a 10 out of 10.

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PPPPPepepepepepe Re Re Re Re Rossoossoossoossoosso

bbbbby Jy Jy Jy Jy Jooooohhhhhnnnnnny Ony Ony Ony Ony O

Days We Should Have Offby Tyler O.

Yes, I know this game came out in 2008 but it isstill good man, still good.

This edition of Call of Duty is rated M for matureaudiences and for good reason. Even though it is rated M, somestudents have played this game. I decided to review Call ofDuty, a game many talk about.There is a bloody, gory torturescene in the beginning of the game that really sets the tone.Violence and profanity are a major element of the design. Did Imention that this game is set in WWII? Well, it is. The visualsin this game are stunning. Players can really see the Japaneseflag on the Japanese headbands and the ten-gallon hats on theRussians. Control wise this game is great. There are multiplayerlevels, players can create their own class system and playerscan even call an air raid and just watch what happens during theraid.

I really enjoyed playing this game. It is rated M;Weber students would need their parents’ permission to play.For me, it brought WWII to life, at a time when I was readingabout it in class. It is a great game; if you get a chance to play,give it a try!

Are you twisted? Twisted is a self-serve frozen yo-gurt shop that recently opened on Main Street. It is across fromthe train station and next to the fish market. This frozen yogurtshop has great flavors, toppings, and bubble tea. Twisted hasmany flavors, some of which are blueberry (my favorite), va-nilla, green tea, and cookies and cream. The customers havemany topping options, one of which is mochi (mo-chee), mypersonal favorite. Mochi is a sweet, chewy miniature cake.Something in Twisted that customers don’t see much in frozenyogurt shops is bubble tea. It is sweet tea (the tea isn’t hot, it isroom temperature) with tapioca “bubble-like” spheres. The tapi-oca bubbles are sweet and chewy. Although the frozen yogurt isgreat, the price is unappetizing. The price is by the ounce, notthe serving, so the customer can’t take too much or it will endbeing about $3.75-$5.50 per cup. I filled up about 5/8 of the cupwith blueberry frozen yogurt and 10-15 pieces of mochi, andthe price was $3.18. Other than the price, Twisted is a greatstore. I give Twisted an 8.5 out of 10.

TTTTTwistwistwistwistwistedededededby Johnny O.

Call of Duty: World at WarBy Adam C.

Finally, after TEN years, Donkey Kong Country(rated E) is back! In this exciting game, players must defeat theTiki’s and their allies. Why? It’s pretty obvious.... THEY STOLEDONKEY KONG’S BANANAS! Throughout the levels, play-ers try to find Donkey Kong’s bananas, the hard-to-find puzzlepieces, and the hidden K-O-N-G letters in every level of eachworld. For a challenge, do the time challenge mode on eachlevel. The temple levels are a bit over the top, but players get alot of coins and balloons (lives). It also helps if you get theDK(Diddy Kong) barrels throughout each level, because his jet-pack extends Donkey Kong’s jumps and rolling ability. Thisgame also has, in my opinion, good music. I give this game a6.75 out of 10, because some of the levels are too easy and notvery entertaining.

Donkey Kong Country ReturnsDonkey Kong Country ReturnsDonkey Kong Country ReturnsDonkey Kong Country ReturnsDonkey Kong Country Returnsby Johnny O.by Johnny O.by Johnny O.by Johnny O.by Johnny O.

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Movie Reviews with Gabe L.

Gnomeo and Juliet 3-D

Throughout the history of cinema, the mind of WilliamShakespeare has been adapted to many films. The list goes onand on – most notably the Academy Award-livid Shakespearein Love. The most recent development is Gnomeo and Juliet, auniquely odd adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, with gnomes, and3D.

A fence separates two colonies of gnomes, the Reds andthe Blues. These gnomes, for whatever reason [not explained inthe film], hold a grudge against each other. Gnomeo, a Blue,and Juliet, a Red, have a growing affection between them, butthe ongoing feud between their colonies is keeping them apart.

It is ample fact Gnomeo and Juliet of been more satisfy-ing in 2D, but in this case, 3D was the only option, and it wasimpressively executed.

The film as a whole is ultimately bizarre. It is very funnyat times, while somewhat suggestive at others. A vague exampleof a somewhat suggestive moment is the (in terms of a G-ratedfilm centered around gnomes) violent climax, hinting that someprimary characters are either killed or seriously injured. Thefilm is short in length, a tiny 1 hour 21 minutes, and therefore, Iwill share no more concerning events in the film, no spoilers.Gnomeo and Juliet is animated brilliantly, but in this case, 3Dwas the only option, and it was impressively executed. Grade:C+

The Illusionist

On a rare occasion do you find an animated filmthat is more depressing than heartwarming. For example, 1988’sJapanese WWII weeper cartoon Grave of the Fireflies, recalledby Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun Times as one of the best warfilms of all time, has barely a happy moment in it’s 1 hour 28minute span, even though it is a beautiful film.

The Illusionist, Sylvian Chomet’s (The Triplets ofBelleville) highly anticipated sophomore (and first in sevenyears) film tells the story of a failing magician who meets theyoung and ignorant, but polite and hard working, daughter ofthe owner of a tavern and bar. They tour together across Eu-rope, hitting local hot spots where the magician can perform.

The Illusionist is a beautiful film. The animation isstunning, and the script, based upon an unfinished script byJacques Tati, is one of the best in its field. What brings it downis the unbelievably high level of depressing content. The magi-cian is an all around loner. Nothing really happy goes on in hislife, and he is the center of the film. The Illusionist is of a rarebreed: a depressing animation. Grade: B+

True Grit

It has been 21 years since a moderately enjoyablewestern motion picture hit the big screen, Dances with Wolves.The film nabbed 7 trophies at the 1990 Academy Awards. Since1990, dozens of westerns have made it to the movie theater.None of them reached the acclaim Wolves received.

The streak is over.True Grit, the new film from four-time Academy

Award-winning brothers/ directing duo Joel and Ethan Coen,tells a story of revenge. Mattie Ross, a fourteen-year old girlwith an on-and-off trigger happy passion, has learned that herfather has been murdered. So, like most female teens [sar-casm], she employs an older ranger with an on-and-on triggerhappy passion, and ventures out to catch the suspect, dead oralive, scathed or unscathed.

True Grit is sensing awards season glory. JeffBridges and Hailee Steinfeld [in her screen debut], the film’sleads, give brilliant, at times Oscar-worthy performances [bothwere nominated at the 2011 Oscars, but lost]. The film is muchcloser to the book than the 1969 John Wayne adaptation underthe same title, and far better constructed. Intensely paced whilekeeping a smooth flow, Grit is the best film of 2010. Grade:A+

Rating clip art credit: wikipedia.org

Comedy Drama

Western

Opinions stated here are those of the author, not of the Port Washington School District or Spartan Times Staff.

Kung Fu Panda 2

Action/Adventure

When my companion and I find a seat in the screeningroom to view this film, we think to ourselves, “this can eitherbe very funny, very boring, or somewhere in the middle.” Wewere almost right. Kung Fu Panda 2, the sequel 2008’s critical/financialsmash Kung Fu Panda, brings back Po, the noodle-pullingpanda-turned-dragon warrior. His task? Stop a powerful goosefrom burning martial arts to a corpse, causing firearms to bethe primary source of defense. Does it make sense? No. Does it make sense by the time the credits roll? Some-how, yes. This Panda is a briefly enjoyable animated gore-festcomedy hybrid with a dark cloud looming over its plot [not tobe confused with the polarized shades you need in order toview the film with clarity]. While the film has all the bright,likeable characters that were included in the first film, it alsohas a few characters that easily give you the impression thatthey are cold-blooded hounds, desperate for prey. The film also has it’s bright, funny spots as well. Thereare a few very funny encounters between Po and his father, anoodle-pulling goose. Along with the disproportionate size dif-ference between what one imagines of the primary villain andthe actual size, but the film is mostly centered around a moreserious, unfunnynote. Grade: A+

Page Nine

Comics and Fun!Comics and Fun!Comics and Fun!Comics and Fun!Comics and Fun!Opinions stated here are those of the author, not of the Port Washington School District or Spartan Times Staff.

KayandRayareback!

Page Ten

Opinions stated here are those of the author, not of the Port Washington School District or Spartan Times Staff.

Comics and Fun with....Comics and Fun with....Comics and Fun with....Comics and Fun with....Comics and Fun with....

Port Washington Union Free School District BOARD OF EDUCATION 2010-2011Karen Sloan, President

William Hohauser, Vice PresidentSandra Ehrlich, Lawrence Greenstein, Dr. Roy Nelson, Robert Ryan, Robert Seiden

Geoffrey N. Gordon, Ed.D., Superintendent of SchoolsNicholas A. Stirling, Ph.D., Asst. Supt. for Curric., Instruction and Assessment

Kathleen A. Mooney, Ed.D., Asst. Supt. for Human Resources and General AdministrationMary M. Callahan, Asst. Supt. for Business

Comics and Fun!Comics and Fun!Comics and Fun!Comics and Fun!Comics and Fun!Opinions stated here are those of the author, not of the Port Washington School District or Spartan Times Staff.

B H D I B L P P I W I GS L E R S T E I O Y Z AR T W J S F N L L K M MK N A N R A C C K V C BI Z X P R D I R E V R BT Y S W L E L E V Q H OR E S A R E P P U Z E BP X F O E A R A O C I RH V V E M G W P P N E ET E X T B O O K D U O LG J P G M Y C E L L J UE Z Z F Q A R G W V K R

SCHOOL SUPPLIESby Tyler O

PAPER TEXT-BOOK RULERBINDER PAPERCLIPPENCILSTAPLER GLUE ERASER

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Spartan Times StaffSpartan Times StaffSpartan Times StaffSpartan Times StaffSpartan Times StaffJune 2011

Gabe L.Grade 8 Editor -In-Chief

Zareen J.Grade 7 Editor

STAFF: Gabe L., Zareen J., Adam C., Shannon R., Johnny O., Tyler O., Ryan W., Jack G., Matt K., Frankie S.Freelance Writers and Photographers: Hannah E., Anna W., Nicole Z., Mr. Santoli, Mrs. Rodahan, Mr. Grande,Mrs. Manzo, Mr. Moore, Mrs. Sims, Mrs. Raichoudhury, Magister Cooke, Mr. Tom, Mrs. Portmore-Davies, Mrs. E.Cohen, Mr. Baudo, Port Washington UFSD Athletic Department.Printing: Anton Publishing. Advisor: Mrs. S. McAuliffe

Spartan SportsSpartan SportsSpartan SportsSpartan SportsSpartan Sports

Weber students, student atheletes, and staff thankCoach Steve Shackel for his commitment and dedication to edu-cation and athletics. Happy Retirement! We will miss you next

year!

CoachShackel

(right) andthe Girls’8th Grade

SoftballTeam

Thank you, CoaCh ShaCkel!Thank you, CoaCh ShaCkel!Thank you, CoaCh ShaCkel!Thank you, CoaCh ShaCkel!Thank you, CoaCh ShaCkel!

Find more Athletic Department news and athletic team pictures at www.portnet.k12.ny.us/weber/athletics