ITUFSD

ITUFSD

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Madison Tierney, NJHS President


Being the president of the National Junior Honor Society is a big honor and accomplishment, but I worked very hard to get to this position. When I was in 5th grade, I joined the Island Trees Drama Club, and arts and crafts club. In 6th grade, I continued in the drama club. 7th grade was a very stressful time. I was chosen to be Dorothy in the Island Trees Middle School production of The Wizard of Oz, and I had just started taking advanced classes. I also started playing soccer for the school team, and joined select choir which was before school. I was trying to keep up my grades, play my heart out on the field, sing all the time, and try to get the recommendations and the requirements for NJHS and Student Leaders. It was sometimes overwhelming but I knew the reward would be wonderful. To keep up my grades, I went to extra help and reviews before soccer or drama club. This really helped me thrive academically. The better I did academically, the less stressed I felt. I really liked how my teachers would explain anything to me, no matter how small the topic was. Being a part of each club has been an amazing way to meet new friends and created a deeper feeling of school pride. After sports or clubs, I would come home and start on homework and study. Studying may be boring for some people, but it really helped me on my tests! After that, I would hang out with my family and friends and go to sleep. Soon enough, it was the time of the year for recommendations for NJHS. I asked my club advisors and teachers and, thankfully, they recommended me! My hard work paid off. I was going to be a part of NJHS! I was very nervous at the ceremony, but it was actually really fun! I got to hang out with my friends and be inducted into this prestigious club. Now I am in 8th grade, and I have accomplished my goal of becoming a member of the NJHS and Student Leaders. I am still in drama, select choir, soccer, and I may try out for the basketball team. My advice to anyone in 5th, 6th, 7th, or even 8th grade that isn’t a member yet, but would like to be, is to do the best you can with everything! Even if you aren’t the athletic type, or you aren’t academically superior, you can do anything with hard work and determination! You should strive to be a NJHS member. Not only does it look good on your resume, it’s a lot of fun and it’s a great way to help out your community! We raised over $5,000 for the American Diabetes Association and I am looking forward to future events that will make a difference in people’s lives. Mrs. Nieves and Mrs. Harouche are amazing club advisors, and they will make sure you stay on track and strive for success!

                                                                             -Madison Tierney



Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Island Trees 7/8 Football Team





This year the 7th/ 8th grade football team had a 4-1-1 record. This year was the first time in almost 10 years that an Island Trees Junior High football team had won more than 1 game.

            Last year, the Island Trees 7th/8th grade football team went 1-5, winning their first game in 6 years. Last year the team had a new coach who was determined to get a win. His name is Ray Mills. He is known for being in the Lacrosse Hall of Fame and Flag Football Hall of Fame. When he came here, many of the players said that the atmosphere changed on the field. It was more determination than the team had seen in years.

            This year the Junior High was even more determined to get wins this season. The first game when they got out on the field was a close one. But in the end they ended up winning 15-12. They were fired up because last year their win didn’t come until the 5th game of the season. The 2nd game of the season, ending up being a tie. The Island Trees team knew that this season wasn’t going to be easy. And when they knew, they knew. They ended up winning the next 3 games, in which 2 out of the 3 were on the road. Unfortunately, the team didn’t end up winning their last game. They were in for a tough matchup away, at Cold Spring Harbor, a team that was undefeated at the time.

`           Everyone enjoyed playing this year for the 7th/8th grade football team. In the end, the Island Trees Middle School football team will be as determined as ever the next season.

-Ryan Costanza

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Are the New York Knicks big or a bust this season?

After losing their 8th game, continuing their losing streak that is now down to 7 games has us wondering: are the New York Knicks really worth all the attention?

Last night (11/14/14), the Knicks were tied 100-100 in the 4th quarter with 2.3 seconds left after 'Melo hit a 3. The jazz called a timeout. When game time resumed, the ball was inbounded to rookie guard Trey Burke (2 yr experience). He then puts it up. Of course, he makes the shot from the mid-range corner. Game over. Jazz: 102 Knicks: 100.

The Knicks sit at 2-8 now, only beating the Charlotte Hornets and the Cleveland Cavs. The Knicks are only 1-5 at home, 1-3 away, and sit at 4th place in the Eastern Atlantic conference, above the 0-9 76ers. Who will take the wheel for the Knicks, though? 

Here are the team leaders for the Knicks so far (averages per game)

Points Per Game-Carmelo Anthony: 23.5

Rebounds Per Game-Amar'e Stoudemire: 7.9

Assists Per Game-Carmelo Anthony: 3.7

Blocks Per Game-Samuel Dalembert: 1.5

Steals Per Game-Shane Larkin: 1.5


Will one of these players step up to take over the team? Find out as the 2014-15 NBA season continues.


-Ian Silverstein

Members and Writers Wanted!



Are you interested in becoming a writer for the Bulldog Jr. Blog? The next mandatory meeting is after school Tuesday, November 18 in the computer room at the Island Trees Memorial Middle School. New members are welcome and current members are always invited! Bring a friend and be ready to ask questions.

Have your writing published on the school's blog, earn points for National Junior Honor Society, contribute to the community by posting about events that are of interest to you! There are many benefits of becoming a Bulldog Jr. member. See you there!

If you can't make the meeting, see Ms. Cain in room 154 after or before school for updates.

-Ms. Cain, ITMMS

Giants Rookie Stands in for Victor Cruz


Victor Cruz better watch his back because the Giants rookie, Odell Beckham Jr. is on the rise to stardom. Beckham, twenty-two is making a name for himself.  He has the chance to showcase his talents while filling in for Victor Cruz who is sidelined for the season due to a knee injury. 
Beckham is the New York Giants wide receiver and since his start has received 25 passes and averaged 14 yards. He has 370 yds on the season and 3 touchdowns.  He has 24 rushing yards with 0 fumbles.
Odell Beckham attended LSU, Louisiana State University, and was a “scoring threat everytime he got the ball”. He had over 1,000 yards in one season and was the Giants first round pick. He weighs in at 193 pounds and is 6 feet tall. Odell used to be a soccer player in his younger years, but didn't want to travel the world, so he gave football a shot.
Odell put together his second consecutive 100 yard game this past Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks and was guarded by the 2013 Super Bowl MVP Richard Sherman.  Despite the Giants drought of wins, can there still be a glimpse of hope for the playoffs in their future?  If so, you can bet it will be led by Odell Beckham Jr. 





By: Alexander Vega

Sports Night 2014

On November 7th of 2014, Island Trees Memorial
Middle School had a wonderful night. It was Sports Night!!!! There was a battle between The red team and the white team. There was so much cheering, laughter, competition, and the excitement for both the red and white team. The score of the red team was 103! The score of the white team was102! The red team won!!! The white team lost by one point, they were so close! But, the white team one for sportsmanship! They had a large amount of points. Sports Night is my favorite night of the school year. I cannot wait until next year's Sports Night! Can you?

-Alyssa Sandez






Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Sports Night 2014

7th grader Hugo Zevallos live-blogs his experience at the 2014 Sports Night competition. 




I.T Middle School Sports Night
  
-"Its A Madhouse."-Nicholas Skumpija-
  
Writer's Log- Sportsnight 2014, November 7th.

SportsNight 2014. The Yearly Competition Against The Red Team, This year as Fire, And The White Team, this year as Ice.  And beginning the is the the pledge, The National Anthem, And A brief thanks to teachers with 9th Graders. Staring the 5th Graders, The Reds won the first part of the Over-under relay. And so the 6th and 7th grades. With the 8th graders, it was one close call to be certain, but they won! 
Now, time for the Relay Race, beginning with the 5th Grade. Now, a Brief Example, The person must run to the end where a poster is resting, and write a letter of the alphabet  on it with a marker, with a slight catch, they must do the alphabet, BACKWARDS, starting with the letter Z First. And...the winner is... RED!!!
So, it seems that Red was a tad bit more faster on this challenge than White was. And now, the Sixth Grade is going... How will this end? Before that, a chant went... It goes"Red! White! Sportsnight!" And it loops. So, now the Sixth Grade is going... and......Just about............NOW!!!
    And now with a twist, the 6th graders have to use a scooter to get there! Let's go Red team! Let's Go! During the challenge, I noticed that there were more Red Team 6th graders than the white, which means that my previous observation was correct with both Fifth and Sixth graders. And the Reds win again! However, with the 7th graders, with the promise to hit a pin or put it back up, lost their relay, their first in the night. With the 8th grade, they had to hop in a potato sack back and fourth. At the beginning, it looked bleak for Red, but a quick turnaround changed that, literally! Even against Big Boy Billy! So, the winner is...RED! 
So now, The next Challenge is Cageball (Volleyball but with a big ball!)! Played between the 7th and 8th Grades (White) and the 5th and 6th grades (Red). And they...BEGIN! Long story short, first time, Red won, second time, Red lost. Now for Tug-o-War, rules are simple, try to pull back the other's team's rope. Sounds like every war before the 15th Century. And the Fifth/Sixth grade girls go first! And the winner is...White. *Sigh* 
Well, now the Fifth/Sixth grade boys care going... and the winner is...White. Again. Well, now it's the 7th/8th grade girls turn, and they lose to White. But the 7th/8th grade boys won! Red Wins! Red has 4 more points than White! And now, CrabSoccer. And we begin it with 5/6 grade girls. And they lose to white, but the 5th/6th grade boys make up for it. But the entire 7/8 grade lost to white. :-(  But, now, the Obstacle course, the final challenge. Starting with the 5 And 6 grades, then the 7/8 graders . And the winners are... White for the 5/6 part. A brief moment and the teams score were tied. Whoever won, might win Sportsnight! NOW for The 7/8 grade part, the Whites won. After that, the dance teams danced the night away. And After that, the final scores and Awards were given out.
Spirit Points-White
Final Win-RED.
RED.
RED WON!!!!!!
YEEEAHHHHHH!!!!!

Hugo Zevallos, 7th Grader

Monday, November 3, 2014

Words of the Week October 2014

Since 2012, the Island Trees Memorial Middle School has been highlighting words every week that belong to an academic vocabulary list. These words are used repeatedly across subject and curriculum. Teachers use these academic vocabulary words in their lessons and activities in order to promote a better understanding.

The words of the week for October 2014 are as follows:




 Empathy (n):  the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.


 Concurrent (adj): operating or occurring at the same time.


 Articulate (v): to clearly and effectively put into words.


 Plausible (adj): superficially fair, reasonable, or valuable.