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The Patriot

Press The quarterly publication by the Meads Mill Newspaper Staff since 2015.

Website: www.meadsmillnewspaper.weebly.com

12/7/2015 ǀ Volume 1

Meads Mill: Caring About Our Community Spirit Week is one of the most well known weeks in Meads Mill, filled with fun times try-

ing to win by grade level and helping others out! Open-minded and caring students donate non-

perishable food items that go to Civic Concern to help starving people in need of food. Each

day students wore clothing fitting the day’s theme and donated food items to Civic Concern.

There was also a special item that would get extra points for the grades who donated the said

item, thus encouraging students to bring in more food for Northville Civic Concern. In the end,

Meads Mill Students collected 962 food items.

The day before the Michigan vs. Michigan State game, Meads Mill conducted a fundrais-

er to see which team supporters donated the most money. The money went to Maybury Farm,

located on 8 Mile road in Novi, Michigan, and both teams raised $100.10 altogether. Maybury

Farm used the money to help buy a new cow for their farm. Maybury gladly thanks Meads Mill

students for helping support their farm.

Also, Meads Mill hosts an annual donation for the Mott Children’s Hospital to help kids

in need during the holiday season. The Mott Children’s Hospital fundraiser began Monday,

November 2nd and ended, December 9th. Students brought in toys, coloring utensils, and gift

cards. The gifts cards were donated for the limit of storage and “on-demand” purchases for the

children in need. All these things were for the children who are spending long-term visits at the

Mott’s Hospital, a non-profit. These donations make the children feel more at home for the holi-

day season. Nathan Wayne, Staff Writer, 7th Grade

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Staff Spotlight: Mrs.Macdonald

I had the opportunity to interview the A.R. teacher at Meads Mill Middle

School, Mrs. Tina Macdonald. She teaches a

course called Academic Resource or A.R. which

is an advanced course that requires multiple pro-

jects to improve teamwork, and improve higher

level thinking skills. Mrs. Macdonald enjoys

teaching AR because of its open ended curricu-

lum. Mrs. Macdonald has taught for 15 years,

and all of them have been at Meads Mill.

Mrs. MacDonald has three of her own chil-

dren: Makenna, Shae, and Iain. She shared an

interesting story about going up north for Hal-

loween last year. “It was cold and wintry, but we

had such a great time. My kids painted pump-

kins, had doughnut eating contests, and lounged in Halloween pajamas. My hus-

band, and son even put waders on and fished, catching some big ones. It was a

peaceful and perfect way to spend Halloween, just us.”

I asked Mrs. MacDonald to share an interesting story about teaching. After

mulling it over a bit, she shared the story of The Great Sixth Grade Field Trip De-

bacle of 2003. “ I taught sixth grade and we planned a perfect field trip to a show

of the Nutcracker. We boarded the buses, and began the drive to the play. We

drove, we drove and, we drove. We continued driving for over an hour. Needless to

say, we were lost. By the time we got there (after a long hour...), the play had be-

gun. We quietly got to our seats and tried not to make a big scene. The dark thea-

ter lit up as giant mouse bounded onto the stage and said, “Hi kids!” to the rest of

the audience of preschoolers. The spectacular showing of Nutcracker we were all

looking forward to watching was a version meant for four to five year olds. I have

to admit, the sixth graders were great sports and smiled through the whole thing,”

remembers Mrs. Macdonald.

In her final thoughts regarding Meads, she stated, “Meads Mill is a very good com-

munity! We all work well, and over all I think we have a strong community. We

have wonderful teachers, students, and parents! It is over all a wonderful, astonish-

ing, and breathtaking place to work!” She additionally declared that, “Meads Mill

is a humongous part of my life. It’s like my second home. It really means a lot to

me, and I really wouldn’t be who I am now without it.”

-Lana Ho, 6th grade, Staff Writer

The Patriot Press

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No One Treads on the Patriots! Sports with Sammie Hines, 8th grade, Staff Writer

Volleyball

The Meads Mill 7th Grade Volleyball had a great season! They came out

of the season undefeated! It has been 11 years since the last undefeated

seventh grade team won! The volleyball players finished their season

with determination, and pride. Top players were Jenna Boksha, Claire

Hissong, Laryssa Imbuezirio, and Peri Burrow.

The 8th Grade Volleyball Team had an almost perfect season this year!

They lost game and won multiple. Though many were injured throughout

the season, they worked together to pull out multiple wins. Top players

were Madison Parsons, Claire MacNamara, Meghan Davis, and Emily

Kim.

Cross Country

The Meads Mill cross country team had a great season this year! Top runners

were Claire MacNamara, Nathan Hayes and Ella Blackmore. In fact, Ella

Blackmore was a sixth grader who joined the team this year. At a cross

country meet this year, the team was down a runner and Ella decided to

run. Not only did Ella beat the all the girls in the meet, but she beat all the

boys too. She won the whole thing! A special congratulations goes out to

Ella Blackmore!

Football

The boys did a great job this football season keeping our helmet for the fifth year

in a row! Congratulations boys on a season well done! The boys came out with a

record of 3-3 beating Hillside in the last game of the season!

Student Athlete Interview: Clare MacNamara

Clare MacNamara is a runner and volleyball player here at Meads.

Sammie: Why do you like to run?

Clare: I enjoy interacting and having fun with all of the people on our team.

Sammie: Why do you like to play volleyball?

Clare: I have a passion for it [volleyball], and I have fun encouraging and play-

ing with my teammates.

Sammie: How have these sports affected your personal life?

Clare: I run and practice constantly at home, and at school. I also participate in

travel volleyball. I also play soccer and basketball.

Sammie: Who is your inspiration athletically?

Clare: My sister. She ran at Meads, and I wanted to also.

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Pro

You work at school, you work at a job. You learn at school, you

learn at a job. You get paid at a job, not at school. It doesn’t make sense! I

believe that the Northville Public School should offer an optional paid

incentive program to improve grades. Reasons for an incentive include:

rewards will maintain high grades, it reiterates the importance of education,

and the incentive allows students to have a job.

First, paying students for excellent grades offers rewards to maintain

good grades. For some children, a letter on a piece of paper does not mean

anything . Certain kids get nothing out of school, so they don’t pay atten-

tion. The money involved will make them pay attention and work hard. A

monetary reward gives kids inspiration to get good grades in the future.

Also, paid incentive reiterates the importance of education. Education is

worth it. Some kids do not understand the value of education. Many stu-

dents show little interest in school because there is no incentive. However,

paying students will result in students that work hard w and turning in as-

signments. In Texas, poor students earned $500 on advanced placement

tests, Standardized tests such as ACT and SAT test scores increased great-

ly. A school in Tucson gave $25 for a C-average, perfect attendance, and

no disciplinary issues. People who made honor roll got $100 bonus-

es. Since the income of families in this area is less than $15,000 a year,

it helps the family too. If a person starts working hard at an early age, he

or she will develop this work ethic as a habit, and they will become suc-

cessful people.

Lastly, kids want to be able to work and earn money! Jobs have an age

restriction so this may be their only source of income. Many areas in the

U.S. do use a reward system to pay hardworking students. In the Washing-

ton area, in Stafford county, AP scores skyrocketed 25% to 56%last year.

This was due to a program funded by The National Math and Science Initi-

ative that payed every English, math or science AP test at the three Stafford

school districts with a passing grade meant a $100 check for the student

and another for the teacher. Checks totaling $90,800 went to students and

$145,370 to teachers. This prompted more students to take AP tests to pre-

pare for college. Not only did this motivate students to work hard on these

tests, it rewarded their hard work and provided money the students could

use for college. Kids want to use their smarts to get ahead of the average

person their age. Instead of frying hamburgers at McDonald's, distracting

students from their studies, they can focus on school while earning the

money they want. Managing their minimum wage job hours and homework

is a lot to juggle, combining income and schoolwork fixes this problem.

In conclusion, it is evident that there is sufficient evidence to

support my point. We should get paid for our hard work! Let your voice be

heard! What do you think? Tell us below.

- Eric Lucido, 8th Grade , Editor

Con

Some people think they should get paid from the school, for

having good grades. I think not. Having a “job” at school is not the

way to go. Kids should learn for the intrinsic value, self pride, not to

mention that school systems don’t have the money to pay kids.

Kids should not be earning money for their grades. Learning is a

skill in life that everyone needs. Kids would not be learning to learn,

they would only do it for the money. After they get paid, they would

probably forget what they learned, so when the time comes to call

upon that knowledge, it’s not there. Kids need to understand that

achievement is something to be proud of, and a goal that is not

achieved through bribery. Kids also need to understand that some-

times money isn’t everything. All kids should strive to do well so they

can have good careers in their future, not so they can buy a new iron

man toy.

American kids should feel lucky that they actually can go

to school. Look at all the kids in other countries can’t go to school.

America is lucky that we are considered one of the more wealthy

countries. We have enough money to succeed in our school systems.

“Poor countries are on a worsening trajectory as severe and deepening

pressure from the economic downturn caused by the crisis of the rich

world’s banking system bites on their budgets,” said David Archer, an

author from ActionAid. We should feel blessed that we don’t live in

places like Africa, or anywhere that had a withdrawal of educational

funds.

If the school had to pay for grades, the school would run

out of money. At our school, we have textbooks, Ipads, Chromebooks,

laptops, touchscreen Chromebooks, multiple computer labs, Promethe-

an Boards, sports teams and more. These items are used to help kids

learn and make school more enjoyable. If the school had to spend their

money paying their students, most of their money would be down the

drain, leaving the school deprived of all the technology and extra ac-

tivities. With a scarce amount of technology and extra activities, it

might not be as fun as it could be. No sports after school, and instead

of playing Kahoot or using the technology, how would school be? It

would probably be a lot more boring.

Kids might end up with a little more cash in their pockets, but in

the end, all the money that goes inside that pocket, will not teach kids

the intrinsic value of lifelong learning. Tell us your opinion below!

-Ellie White, 7th Grade, Editor

What do you think?

Vote our website at

www.meadsmillnewspaper.weebly.com

Should Students Get Paid to Go to School?

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I am from diving into leaf piles scattered,

And Thanksgiving food stuffings.

To footballs and soccer balls tattered,

And high tech phones buffering.

I am from eggs and toast,

The smell throughout the house.

Ready to wake up and live, me the most.

Sun shining in early Winter– no one not to greet.

I am from late nights flings,

When family gatherings sound happy voices once

been beat.

I am from bad grades scolded,

From bad actions, lectured.

So that future decisions now molded,

With one day hopes that stress would stop being

festered.

From cold winter’s warning woe,

From here and there, to and fro.

Warm fires and layers abound,

Laughs and cheers all around.

I am from “That snow’s getting old”

Clothes and styles changing.

Neighbors words welcoming Spring now become bold,

Favorite seasons now ranging.

To say goodbye to heartfelt times and moments,

And let be born new memories.

Because some pages lost in the past don’t live forever.

But at least our new ones can last together.

I am too saving family from none,

And to one life to live, yes a precious life.

Only one.

My friends know me as the weird one.

My family knows me as the helpful one

Strangers known me as a quiet, shy person.

But I’m the only one knows who I am.

I am Hazel.

Tomorrow is another day.

With every day, there is sunrise.

With every sunrise, there is sun fall.

With every sun fall, there is moon birth.

With every moon birth, there is moon death.

With every moon death, there is sunrise.

Tomorrow is another day.

With every day, there is joy.

With all joy, there is sorrow.

With all sorrow, there is rage.

With all rage, there is revenge.

With all revenge, there is joy.

I Am From

Jacob Wixon, 8th Grade

Who I’m Known As

Hazel Ericson, 7th Grade

Tomorrow Is Another Day

Sasha Yazdi, 7th Grade

The Poetry Chronicles Our sincere thanks for those who took a risk and let us publish their poems in the first edition of

The Patriot Press! If you would like yours published, please send it to Jary-

ma@northvilleschools.org by January 30, 2016

Never Give Up

Kady Rasmussen, 7th Grade

I may not be the best

And I may not be bold.

I may get last place

And get nor silver or gold.

But you never can be perfect

Everyone makes mistakes.

It doesn’t matter if you’re 1st or last

If you tried, that’s all it takes.

www.meadsmillnewspaper.weebly.com

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Interview Questions: David Splan

6th grade

Randa

Khanafer

6th grade

Shaun

Pereira

7th grade

Dhriti Mari

7th grade

Nadia Korovesis

8th grade

If you could change one

thing about yourself

what would it be?

I want to learn

to be more

responsible.

Nothing, I’m

happy with

being me.

I want to be-

come more

humble and be

able to take

responsibility

for more of

my actions.

My hair My initiative to get better

grades. I work hard to get

the grades I earn.

Who is your hero? Both of my

parents

Amelia

Earhart

My mother,

she gave me

birth and con-

tinues to in-

spire me.

My mother I am my own hero because I

am the one who has to do

things that will bring suc-

cess.

What is special about

you?

I love to read. My singing

voice

My creativity-

I love to build

stuff and I

always add my

own ideas to

make it spe-

cial.

The fact that I

am a forgiving

person.

My ability to handle stress.

If you could go back in

time, who would you

want to meet?

Thomas Edi-

son because he

invented the

lightbulb and I

am interested

in engineering.

Amelia

Earhart

I would go

back in time to

WW1 to meet

Winston

Churchill.

I would go

back to the

day my par-

ents first met,

and I would

meet them.

I would go back to meet my

great, great grandmother

because she is the one who

emigrated from Macedonia.

Do you agree or

disagree that students

should be paid to go to

school?

(see Pro/Con article)

I disagree. I disagree. I disagree be-

cause what we

are doing now

will help us in

the future.

I agree. I would be in favor of being

paid for a grade of 95%+.

FIVE BY FIVE

Express Your Opinion!

Pritika Karwa, 7th grade, Staff Writer

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Who are The Patriot Press Staff?

Mrs. Jary—Editor-In-Chief (jaryma@northvilleschools.org)

Eric Lucido-Editor, Website Designer, and Writer

Ellie White– Editor, Writer

Staff Writers: Lauren Atkinson, Brooke Bonnier, Ria Ellendula, Hazel Ericson, Samantha

Hines, Lana Ho, Pritika Karwa , Nathan Wayne, and Sasha Yazdi

MEET YOUR FELLOW PATRIOTS!! Lauren Atkinson– Grade 7

Be Open-Minded and Try Something New!

Have you ever said, “Wow, I wish I could do that?” or “That's so cool?”

Chances are you have a sport that you love, but you will never broaden your

horizons if you never try a new sport. When I was little, I took dance classes and

they were enjoyable, but I also wanted to try something new. So I learned to uni-

cycle, and what a journey it has been! I went

from stabilizing against the wall, to being a

national champion. This is a huge deal, many

people never place at the national champion-

ships

(NAUCC). Unicycling may be difficult at

first, but in the end, all the effort you put in is

worth. Unicycling never gets boring. There

are 10 unicycle levels, I am currently on lev-

el 5 and working very hard to get to level 6.

Unicycling has opened so many opportunities

for me such as going to new places and

making friends from all around the world.

I have also recently started to play la-

crosse. My point is that even though the

sport you do now is your favorite who knows

maybe if you do try something new, you may end up loving it.

Trying something new doesn't have to be a sport, it can be anything. An ex-

ample would be starting a new hobby. Other hobbies I enjoy are beekeeping, sew-

ing, and knitting. The easiest way to try something new is to begin with

food! Be a risk taker! I love to try new things and I hope you will too.

If you would like to be featured in the next edition of the Patri-

ot Press, please seek out Lauren Atkinson, staff writer, or email jary-

ma@northvilleschools.org.

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Top 10 Gift Ideas in 2015 Brooke Bonnier, 8th grade, Staff Writer

10. Candy

Nearly everyone loves some type of candy. If you don’t want to

end up spending too much, candy is the way to go. Other things

similar to candy you could buy could be small treats, such as small

cookies and such.

9. Gift Cards/Money

Everyone has their preferences on where they shop at! If you’re

not entirely sure on what exactly to get a teen, get them a gift card

for their favorite place to shop at. If you don’t even know where

they like to shop, money could always be a gift.

2. Lomography Fisheye Camera

Does you love to take pictures, but are bored of the regular, normal

pictures a regular camera takes? Then ask for a Lomography

Fisheye Camera! When focused on a certain spot, the camera can

see 170 degrees of the surroundings; more than a regular camera

1. Swegway Board

Swegway boards, also known as hover boards, and are one of the highest in

demand products around. These boards have to wheels on each side, and are

simply controlled on which way the person riding the board is tilting slightly

towards. If you want to get around in style, the Swegway board is a great gift.

Sources for gifts: http://www.metroparent.com/daily/shopping-services/buying-guides/gifts-tweens-middle-schoolers-theyll-actually-like/ http://www.popsugar.com/tech/Unique-Gifts-Teens-2014-36112518?stream_view=1#photo-36112690 http://www.swegway.net/ https://www.google.com/?safe=active&ssui=on

8. iPhone 6s

This is a much pricier gift, but this iPhone is currently the newest

and most likely the best iPhone out there, not to mention the most

popular.

7. Awkward Moment Card Game

This card game puts you in an awkward moment, and you must

make a decision on what you want to do in that situation, provid-

ing fun for all who play!

6. Guitar String Bracelet

With this guitar string bracelet, you can wear your passion on your

sleeve!

5. Selfie Sticks

Selfie sticks are the solution to the main problem of taking selfies-

No arms getting in the way of the picture! With so much social

media these days, a selfie stick is just what everyone needs.

4. Jewelry

There are many types of jewelry to choose from. From necklaces,

to rings, to bracelets, to even more! There are many different vari-

ations too!

3. Headphones

Most people love to listen to music. Headphones are the way to go

if you need to listen to all of today’s newest music.

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Books

Movies

Shawn Peter Raul Mendes is a Canadian

singer-songwriter. He has attracted a lot of at-

tention while posting short clips of him singing

song covers and playing on a guitar on a popu-

lar app called Vine.

Shawn only started learning how to play guitar when he was 13, teaching

himself through videos on YouTube. Before his signing to Island Records, Shawn

was a member of the MagCon Tour, along with other singers and social media stars

including Cameron Dallas, Nash Grier, and Jack & Jack. Shawn was also on a

nationwide tour opening for a young singer, Austin Mahone.

Seventeen magazine called Mendes “ the next Ed Sheeran” . Ironically, Shawn

stated that his mentor was actually Ed Sheeran. "He wanted to meet me, because

he saw a lot of himself in me, and he wanted to give me as much advice as he

could,” said Mendes.

You can buy Shawn Mendes’ album , Handwritten, or his hit single, Stitches,

on iTunes now!

Ria Ellendula, 7th grade, Staff Writer

The Seventh Most Important Thing

to Know

by: Shelly Pearsall When Arthur Owens grabbed a brick and hurled it at a trash picker, a judge sen-tenced him to 120 hours of community ser-vice… with the trash picker. Arthur is giv-en a rickety shopping cart and a list of the 7 most important things: glass bottles, foil, etc... Soon Arthur realizes there is more to the trash picker than meets the eye. “Seriously, this is one of the best books I have read in a long while. I wish I could work with the junkman. Oh the treasures to be found!” - Mrs. Torres

Release Date: September, 2015

Batman vs. Superman:

Dawn of Justice

After the destruction of Metropo-

lis, Batman (Ben Affleck) embarks

on a personal feud against Superman

(Henry Cavill). Not much is known

about the film thus far, including

who ‘wins’ because of it’s distant

release date.

Release Date : March, 2016

The Patriot Press