vals said to be celebrated before. Today, Christmas seems to be something that’s been around for-ever, but in reality, it had a really shaky start. Kwanzaa means “first fruits” in Swahili and was created as an Afri-can Ameri-can specific holiday in 1966 after the Watts riots in Los Angeles, with the in-tention to unite the African Ameri-can community. Kwanzaa is not specific in how it is to be cele-brated; the holiday is celebrated by each family in its own way. Al-though each celebration is differ-ent, many include storytelling, po-etry reading, and a large traditional feast. Seven principles are dis-cussed throughout the seven nights as candles are lit. The Karamu, an African feast, is held on December 31.

Happy holidays to all of you from

the RAMpages 2.0 staff.

Written by Katie S.

Well, Linglestown, it’s that time of year again. Thanks-giving is over and the holidays are rolling in. We celebrate Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and Christ-mas, but do we know what they really mean or how they started? I think it’s important that we as a generation learn where we got these holidays, and why we still celebrate them today. Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days and nights, starting

on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew cal-endar, which falls right around No-vember or Decem-ber in our standard calendars. Did you know the word “Hanukkah” means

“dedication” in Hebrew? This holi-day stands to remember the re-dedication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem after the victory over the Hellenist Syrians. Judah Mac-cabee returned with his soldiers to the holy Temple, and found it in ruins. They wanted to cele-brate their victory and the re-claiming of their temple, so they

lit the menorah with the only oil they found. It was only sup-posed to last one day, but in-stead it lasted eight. Today, Jewish people celebrate Hanuk-kah to remember the miracle. Christmas. That one word brings forth so many thoughts, right? We think of songs and trees. Well, it wasn’t always like that. Christmas comes to us from Europe, but originally, the pilgrims refused to celebrate it. In Boston, Christ-mas was even outlawed from 1659 until 1681. After the Ameri-can Revolution, Christmas was practically ignored, as was most English customs. On June 26, 1870, Christmas was finally de-termined a federal holiday. It’s said that a man named Wash-ington Irving actually invented our modern day Christmas. He wrote a book, describing a holi-day that was family oriented and peaceful, much unless the rowdy riots and festi-

Happy Holidays!

RAMpages 2.0 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 2 I S S U E # 3

L I N G L E S T O W N M I D D L E S C H O O L

Spelling Bee Winners!

Daffodil Days are Coming!

Unscramble the holiday words: 1. rtawhe:_______________ 2. neccdnaya:___________________ 3. bdgignrraee:_____________________ 4. sblel:____________________ 5. hrece:_________________ 6. accoo:_________________

Answers: 1. wreath, 2. candycane, 3. gingerbread, 4. bells, 5. cheer, 6. cocoa by Cecilia B.

National Junior Honor So-

ciety is once again teaming

up with the American Can-

cer Society for this year’s

Daffodil Days Campaign.

Last year LMS raised

$1,971.50 for the American

Cancer Society through the sale

of daffodils. Our goal this year

is $2,200.00! Let’s make it hap-

pen, LMS! Cash PRIZES will be

awarded to the top sellers @

LMS! Watch for more details

coming in January 2013.

13th, 45 students who

made the cut on the

written test participated

in the oral spelling bee

in the auditorium. After

12 suspenseful rounds

of competition, three

girls took the top three

spots: Katie S., 3rd

place; Lauren S., 2nd

place; and Sara M., 1st

place! Great job, girls!

Congratulations to all of

the participants in this

year’s spelling bee at

Linglestown Middle

School! All students in

grades 6-8 competed in

the written spelling bee

qualifying test in No-

vember. On December

R A M P A G E S 2 . 0

Word Scramble!

Movie Review: Lincoln

I S S U E # 3

Recently, with one of my best friends, I was able to catch a great movie. That movie would be Lincoln, directed by Steven Spielberg. Lincoln follows the sixteenth President’s struggle to get the Thirteenth Amendment to pass Congress during his final

four months of life.

This movie is filled with drama with some humorous parts thrown in for both history buffs and non-history buffs. Either way, you may come out knowing something you didn't know be-forehand. I did some research and found out this movie was based off of a book called "Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lin-

coln".

I highly suggest this movie to anyone who is even slightly interested in Abraham Lin-coln, but can handle bad lan-guage, violence, a little gore (not much, but there is a scene with dead, somewhat bloody bodies and the amputated arms and legs

of wounded or dead soldiers), and some inappropriate humor. It's rated PG-13, but trust me, it'll be worth the two and a half hours

you watch it.

In my opin-ion, the actress playing Mary Todd Lincoln, Sally Fields, nailed it. She really played the part of the grief-stricken and some-what crazy First Lady so well! Every-thing about this movie was excep-

tional in my opinion, from the plot to the ac-tors and actresses play-

ing their parts.

If you have nothing to do this holi-day break, I highly sug-

gest seeing Lincoln.

Review by

Isabella G.

teachers, and staff mem-bers. Great job, LMS! Linglestown Middle School teachers and staff also donated Thanksgiving food baskets to several LMS families in need.

Many local residents and families benefited from the kindness and generosity of the LMS family! Thank you to all those who donated food!

National Junior Honor Society conducted a canned and non-perishable food drive in November to benefit local food pantries in the Linglestown area. Over 200 items were donated by Linglestown Middle School students, parents,

Food Drives Benefit Local Families

Book Review: The Roman Mystery Series

Small String Ensemble On Tuesday December 4,

a select group of string

players had the honor of

getting out of school to

play at the Charleton

Church for some senior

citizens. The group, con-

sisting of representatives

from both Linglestown and

CD Middle Schools,

played a variety of Christ-

mas songs for the seniors,

including “Carol of the

Bells”, “Silver Bells”,

“Rudolph the Red

Nosed Reindeer/Holly

Jolly Christmas”, and

“Have Yourself a Merry

Little Christmas”. They

even had a sing-a-

long! A lot of work went

into this performance.

It included three after

school rehearsals and

individual practice.

Players included many

violinists, two viola play-

ers, three cellists, and

one string bass player

(who also happened to

be one of the cellists).

The Small Ensemble

was directed by Mrs.

Smith, the orchestra di-

rector of both Lingles-

town and CD Middle.

Written by Cecilia B.

books in the entire se-ries, including the three I mentioned. I would recommend anyone who enjoys a good mystery novel and is interested in the Roman lifestyle of living. This book follows four friends, Flavia Gemina, Jonathan ben Morde-cai, Lupus, and Nubia, and their adventures when they travel Rome together while solving any mystery they come across, no matter how small or dangerous. So far, the mysteries they

have had to solve range from a dog killing spree, to a treasure hunt, to finding out where all of the missing children have gone after Mount Vesuvius's eruption. I loved the series and I'm trying to find out where I can find the other books. So, if you need a good book to read, I would sug-gest reading The Roman Mystery Series by Caroline Lawrence.

Review by Isabella G.

Do you need something to read in your down time or are you in need of an SSR book? I would suggest reading The Roman Mystery Series by Caroline Lawrence. The first book is The Thieves of Ostia, with the second being The Secrets of Vesuvius, and thirdly being The Pirates of Pompeii. Those three are the ones I have read and are the only ones in the library. I found out there are actually seventeen

R A M P A G E S 2 . 0

Getting Your School Life Organized

I S S U E # 3

So as we’re approach-ing the halfway point of our school year, I’ll bet some of you have a ton of stuff piled up in your lockers. Admit it; you have-n’t seen the bottom of it since September. It’s okay, neither have I. Now’s the time to get it cleaned out before it enters the hazard zone; wouldn’t want any-one to be elbow deep in papers. So before you start organizing, you need to get rid of that stuff you don’t need.

My suggestions would be to go through each subject folder and pull out what you aren’t doing in class. Then dur-ing enrichment, you could dis-

cuss what papers you really need with your teacher. Odds are, that world history paper from two months ago isn’t really needed. After you’ve done that, make sure there aren’t any lonely papers hiding out in the bottom of your backpack.

After you’ve cleaned you’re binder and your backpack, you can tackle your locker. I just have to say this; girls, you don’t need the sparkly hanging thingamabob and you don’t need the locker wallpaper. I know, it’s pretty and it’s probably pink and sparkly. Honestly though, it gets jammed in your locker and you don’t need it. It gets in your way and you truly do not need it. So, pack it up and bring it home so you can hang it

in your room and it can be pretty there. So good luck with your cleaning and I wish you the best of

luck with your piles of stuff.

Written by Katie S.

ride. Tris undergoes in-

tense physical and psy-

chological challenges to

become a member of her

chosen faction. She learns

the truth about her family,

the corruption of the fac-

tions, and the feel of true

love.

But Tris has a se-

cret of her own that makes

all the difference in the

coming conflict. Will she

be able to use what she

knows to save her family,

friends, and world when it

matters most? Find out in

Divergent by Veronica

Roth.

Review by Cecilia B.

Beatrice Prior is

living in a world where

everyone is divided into

factions by their beliefs;

Abnegation (the selfless),

Amity (the peaceful), Can-

dor (the honest), Erudite

(the intelligent), and

Dauntless (the brave).

Tris is sixteen and

it is time for her to choose:

stay with her family in Ab-

negation or switch factions

to be her true self. Her

choice is unexpected and

it sets her on a whirlwind

Book Review: Divergent

New Year’s Resolutions for ‘13 Here we are at the begin-ning of another year. It's the time of year when we make New Year's resolutions, prom-ises to ourselves about improv-ing our lives. For teens, figuring out what can be improved is pretty hard, but there are always ways to improve. It is a lot easier for teens to develop good habits now than for us old codgers to change our bad ones. Teens ought to take this opportunity while they still can. Here are some suggested New Year's resolutions for the teens in your family: • Study at least one hour a day. I know, studying is so... so... lame and boring, but it is the only way to get good grades. A little misery now will lead to prosperity for you and your future family later. You may even discover that learn-ing is actually fun! Think more than just 10 minutes into your future, think 10 years! • Treat everyone with respect. Even the jerk that annoys you every morning in history class deserves respect. We all have to deal with people we don't like — it's part of life. Never belittle anyone, espe-cially in public. It is OK to dis-like someone, but it is never OK to be disrespectful or belit-tling. • Stay away from dan-gerous people. There are lots of people that want to befriend you, and some of them have motives other than friendship. Stay out of houses you have not seen before in the daylight, know who lives there and make sure

you know who else is in there. Have a way out — a way to sneak out and a way to leave quickly if you must. Don't get into the car of someone you just met. Don't go anywhere at night without longtime, trust-worthy friends. Be home by curfew. • Get outside more. Put down the cell phone and the iPod. Play some ten-nis. Or golf. Or football. Go running or walking. Take the dog with you. Work up a sweat and get your heart pumping. Get some sun and fresh air. Don't take your phone or music with you — they'll be there when you return. Enjoy the natural sounds of the world. Take a deep breath every once in a while. Just enjoy. Do this for at least a couple of hours a week. • Talk more, text less. When you don't talk, you miss the voice inflections and emotions that go with the mes-sage you are hearing. It en-hances relationships and re-duces misunderstandings. • Do a good deed for someone daily. Do something as simple as helping an elderly man load his groceries into his car. Whip the hair out of your face, smile and talk at the same time. How about downloading some songs for your little brother, or taking the family car to the car wash (without being asked)? Don't forget to set the music back to your dad's station. You may be surprised how it'll brighten your day and your spirit. • Stay away from drugs and alcohol. The average human brain

does not mature until the mid-20s. Introducing chemicals into it can permanently alter its ability to use logic. You may turn out OK if you use the stuff, but every huff, puff and sip detracts from the you you could be someday! You have a lot of potential to learn, think, create and improve the world. Don't blow it with chemicals. • Avoid gossip. You know how malicious gossip can hurt people. It may have hurt you before. Don't spread it and don't listen to it. If someone starts talking about someone that is not present, try to change the subject or walk away. Don't say it, don't hear it. • Show your parents and teachers that you appre-ciate them. Give your parents a hug — no reason necessary. When the shock subsides, they'll appreciate it. At the end of class, on your way out the door, say to your teacher, "Thanks for the lesson today, it was a good one." It's that sim-ple, and it is guaranteed to make their day a good one! One more important thing to remember: When you improve some-one else's day, your day is double-better! By Lawrence Walsh Www.abqjournal.com

R A M P A G E S 2 . 0

A Day in the Life of a Cop

I S S U E # 3

You might wonder about what it would be like to be a police officer. What kind of danger you would face? What kind of pressure is there to keep citizens safe. What are you responsibilities? When a police officer wakes up, they get ready for their day, just like you and I. But unlike most people, they don't know really what will happen to them that day. Most of us have

a schedule, telling us where we have to go and what to do,

but a cop has no idea what kind of crimi-nals they will meet up with. A situation could be as simple as pulling over someone with a broken head-light, or it could be a life-threatening

situation with an armed crimi-nal.

Cops have to write re-ports on the facts of a case that they are working on such as who was involved or what hap-pened. And even after a cop finishes all of their work, they still might not get home on time. They could be driving home after their shift ends and they see something such as a fight or car with an old license plate, they still stop because it's the right thing to do. Being a police officer is an important job with many twists and turns.

Written by Laura G.

Central Dauphin Middle School & Linglestown Middle School

Proudly PresentProudly PresentProudly PresentProudly Present

March 7, 8, & 9 March 7, 8, & 9 March 7, 8, & 9 March 7, 8, & 9 2013 2013 2013 2013

RAMpages 2.0 is in need of student writers in grades 6, 7, and 8 to write a variety of interesting articles for the school newspaper! The staff usually meets once at the beginning of each month to discuss what they want to put into the next edition of the school newspa-per. Each person then signs up for an article idea and writes the article during their free time over the next few weeks. Articles and information are then submitted by email to Mr. Andrechik by the end of each month to be published in RAMpages2.0! See Mr. Andrechik in room 210 if you’re interested in joining the staff!

We need writers for ALL article types! Here are a few ideas… • Student interviews • Staff interviews • Feature articles • Sports • Editorials (opinion pieces) • Student polls • Quotes • Advice Column • Trivia • Reviews: books, restaurants, movies, etc. • A Day in the Life of… (a firefighter, doctor, lawyer, etc.)

WANTED: Newspaper Writers

REPORT BULLYING

To anonymously report an incident of bullying at Linglestown Middle School,

please email:

LMSBullyReport@cdschools.org

When school resumes for Sandy Hook, it will be in a new building. Parent-volunteers are working to ensure that the students are welcomed back by a winter won-derland with the entire school decorated with as many unique snowflakes as possible. We encourage send-ers to be as creative as possible, remembering that no

two snowflakes are alike.

Please send all snowflakes and donations to: Connecticut PTSA 60 Connolly Parkway Building 12, Suite 103 Hamden, CT 06514

Please make and send snowflakes by January 12, 2013

Help the Students of

Sandy Hook Elementary School

CHECK YOUR GRADES ONLINE 24/7 USING THE HOME ACCESS CENTER (HAC)

By Mrs. Marple

Log on to the district website (www.cdschools.org) and look for “HAC” (home access center) on the green toolbar. Click on “HAC”.

Click on “Lost (retrieve) your username or password? Click here.”

Enter your school e-mail address (Ex: 16smithjl@cdstudents.org) and click on submit.

HAC Continued... You will receive an e-mail

through Moodle in your g-mail account with your Home Access username and password. Allow at least 15-20 minutes for this e-mail to arrive in your account.

“Moodle” can be found on the district

website on the green toolbar.

Once you have your username and password, log into the Home Access Center. You will get a screen like the one to the left. You may update your password by clicking on “My Profile” on the left column.

You may change your password to one which is easier for you to remember such as the one you use at school to log in.

Your grades can be accessed by clicking on the “CLASSWORK” tab. Your schedule and absences are also accessible under the dif-ferent tabs.

How to Access your “H” Drive From Home:How to Access your “H” Drive From Home:How to Access your “H” Drive From Home:How to Access your “H” Drive From Home:

Go to:Go to:Go to:Go to: www.moodle.cdschools.org www.moodle.cdschools.org www.moodle.cdschools.org www.moodle.cdschools.org

Click on “CDSD WebFiles” (located below the moodle login section)Click on “CDSD WebFiles” (located below the moodle login section)Click on “CDSD WebFiles” (located below the moodle login section)Click on “CDSD WebFiles” (located below the moodle login section)

Enter your username and passwordEnter your username and passwordEnter your username and passwordEnter your username and password

Select your file and download to work on itSelect your file and download to work on itSelect your file and download to work on itSelect your file and download to work on it

When you are finished working on your file, save it asWhen you are finished working on your file, save it asWhen you are finished working on your file, save it asWhen you are finished working on your file, save it as 2003 version 2003 version 2003 version 2003 version

Either upload to your H drive or email to your school email account. Either upload to your H drive or email to your school email account. Either upload to your H drive or email to your school email account. Either upload to your H drive or email to your school email account.

Know What’s Happening!

Do you want to keep up with what is going on in the world

around you but don’t have time to watch the news every

night? Check out CNN’s Student News website for daily

10-minute videos that recap important news you need to

know. The videos are posted daily at 4:00 a.m.

www.cnn.com/studentnews

Teenagers should get about 60 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity daily, Mary L. Gavin states on KidsHealth.org. The exercise can be spread throughout the day, such as in two half-hour workouts. Physical activity can take place during an organized sports practice or game (soccer, tennis and lacrosse), by taking brisk walks or jogs, by riding a bike or by participating in a workout at a gym. You can also get your workout in at home by doing a workout video or even putting on your favorite music and

dancing. Using a hula-hoop, jumping roping or doing cartwheels are good choices too. FamilyEducation.com reports that the American Heart Association recommends teens perform exercise that raises their heart rate for 20 con-secutive minutes at least three times each week. Therefore, out of the hour

Teenagers need exercise to main-tain a healthy weight, develop muscles in their growing body, reduce stress, sustain cognitive ability and to stay healthy overall. All teens should incorporate some form of workout into their day. As important as exer-cise is, it is equally important to take precau-tions while exercising to stay safe. Your body loses water though per-spiration and breathing, so keeping enough in your body helps you function while exercis-ing. Throughout the day, be sure to drink enough water so you do not feel thirsty, which can be an indicator of dehydration. During your workout, stop about every 15 minutes to drink a few sips and make sure you rehydrate yourself afterward with one 8 oz. glass of water. Exercise is important for your health and emotional well-being, but overdo-ing it can be harmful. Too much exercise can cause fatigue and place too much stress on your bones, muscles and joints, or even burn too many calories if you are underweight. If you are in pain while exercising, stop and see a doctor. If you are underweight, reduce the amount of time you spend exercising or consume more calories.

of physical activity that is performed daily, 20 minutes of it should be intense enough to raise the heart beat every other day. Vigorous exercises that can be incorpo-rated into daily physical activity include running or jogging, quick-paced dancing, stair climbing or high-intensity cycling. Choose an activity that will raise your heart rate and one that you can do for 20 minutes without stopping. An increasing number of kids and teens are becoming overweight or obese, according to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. Many of these children and young adults have never exercised regu-larly in their lives. Teens who are new to exercising should start small and find a low-intensity, enjoyable activity, and then commit to that activity with a schedule. For example, begin by walking around the block once every day after school. After a week, walk two blocks and increase the pace. Exercise releases feel-good endor-phins and gives you more energy as it builds muscles and stamina. Therefore, you'll find you can exercise longer and with more intensity without dreading the idea of doing it Written by Maggie Lynn www.livestrong.com

NEWSPAPER STAFF

Mr. Andrechik Adviser

aandrechik@cdschools.org

Katie S. Cecilia B. Isabella G. Lauren S. Maggie S. Laura G.

Please note school will be in session on Friday, February 15th and

Thursday, March 28, 2013 due to Hurricane Sandy.

Workout Tips for Teenagers