Phoenix Central School District—Student Newspaper December 2020/January 2021
DECEMBER CALENDAR
*December 18 - 5-week
report cut-off
*December 24
—
January 1
—
holiday break
(No school)
*January 18
—
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
(No school)
***January 25
—
29
—
REGENTS WEEK
—
THERE WILL BE NO STATE
TESTS THIS YEAR
We will communicate with you once a decision is made about the goings-on for that week. This is definitely college
application season! Most colleges, if they do not h a v e a r o l l i n g deadline, have their applications due sometime d u r i n g J a n u a r y .
In order to allow teachers and counselors time to complete their l e t t e r s o f r e c o m m e n d a t i o n , applications on Common App or SUNY App need to be completed ASAP.
In order to write high-quality, thoughtful letters o f r e c o m m e n d a t i o n , students need to quickly
c o m p l e t e t h e i r s e n i o r profiles, which can be found on the Class of 2021 Google Class-room.
S t u d e n t S e r v i c e s i s ava ilable fo r h elp with college applications or FAFSA applications. Just reach out, and we can set up a Google Meet to assist you!
We are continually posting material to the Class of 2021 G o o g l e C l a s s r o o m t h a t relates to college and career planning, so please check that classroom page frequently - especially now that we have started adding scholarship opportunities!
SENIORS: TAKE NOTE!!!!!
IMPORTANT WEBSITES
FAFSA - https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
Common app.
—
https://www.commonapp.org/
SUNY app.
—
https://www.suny.edu/attend/apply-to-suny/
Here is a handy list of important JCB websites!
Technical/Electronic Issues— [email protected]
Marching Band, Winterguard, and Indoor Drumline: https://phoenixmarchingarts.weebly.com/ Up to date Athletic Events Calendar — https://www.schedulegalaxy.com/schools/81
JCB Music — https://ny49000020.schoolwires.net/domain/1060 *Softball— http://phoenixfirebirdssoftball.weebly.com/
*Ski Club - http://jcbskiclub.weebly.com/
*Wrestling - http://phoenixwrestling.weebly.com/ *Girls/Boys Tennis – http://jcbtennis.weebly.com/ *Girls Basketball—http://jcbgirlsbasketball.weebly.com/ *National Honor Society — http://jcbnhs.weebly.com/ *JCB Physical Education — http://jcbphysed.weebly.com/ *JCB Library — http://jcblibrary.weebly.com/
Student Newspaper — https://ignitefirebirdnews.weebly.com/
*SchoolTool — https://phoenix.schooltool.cnyric.org/SchoolToolWeb/Default.aspx *Naviance — http://succeed.naviance.com
*Castle Learning — http://corp.castlelearning.com/ *College Info — https://www.hesc.ny.gov/
*Mock trial — http://phoenixmocktrial.weebly.com/
STUDENT SELF-CARE — https://sites.google.com/phoenixcsd.net/pcsd-selfcare-resources/home
THANK YOU!!!
Faculty
who contributed to this newspaper: Ms. Neiss, Miss Prisco, Mrs. Rensaier, and Mrs.
Spereno
Students
who contributed to this newspaper: Allenmichael Borasky, Brielle DeRoberts,
Savannah Felix, Nathan Gaylord, Megan Lytle, Alyssa Murphy, and Alaina Sutter
Covid has put a strain on plans,
normal school years, and has even
a f f e c t e d t h e p r o c e s s o f
applying to colleges for seniors.
Many accommodations had to be
made in order to obtain a more
manageable system. On top of the
stress from attempting to learn
c o m p l e t e l y
v i r t u a l ,
applying to colleges definitely added
to that. Not to mention, multiple
colleges restricted visitations,
leaving seniors unsure about the
campuses.
As a senior, it was a struggle gathering
everything together without any in-person
guidance. Many applications require
recommendation
letters,
college
essays, and a transcript. There were
complications as many seniors were not
s
u
r
e
h
o
w
t
o
navigate the process on their own!
Although it was a challenge, there was
nothing to do but cope with the situation
and try to make the best of it.
Apply to colleges during Covid
By: Brielle DeRoberts
National Honor Society Information
Congratulations to the following newest members that were inducted in a virtual
cer-emony on Friday November 13th:
Nick Bartlett, Virginia Bednarski, Chloe Coughlin, Mary Crandall, Jonah Hawthorne,
Maggie LaPine, Larissa MacDonald, Katelyn Pyzdrowski, Kelsey Redhead, and Sean
Stevens.
REMINDER:
December 18th at 2:30
virtual monthly meeting
January 22nd at 2:30 virtual monthly meeting
————————————————————
-
Blood drive for anyone 16 and older Tuesday, December 15th from 12
-
5 at the
Schroeppel Town Building —
register at
https://www.redcrossblood.org/
What’s going on in
Miss Prisco’s CERAMICS class???
TEXTURED TILES
created by:
Shelby Bower,
Mary Crandall, and
Mallory Hess
PINCH POT BIRDS
created by:
Harleigh Greenleaf, Grace
Calkins, Ryleah
Breckinridge, Gianna
Ende, Jeremy Bingham,
Lyla Barrow, Meghan
Clothier, and Cierra
Harvey
TALL TEXTURED
VESSELS
created by:
Chloe Coughlin,
Emmett Fatcheric,
and Mattison Hess
Name Ms. Neiss
What do you teach? Physical Education How long have you been a teacher? 20 years
Have you ever been on a vacation? If so, what was your favorite one and why? Yes, any beach
destinations that I've been to...Ocean City MD, Jamaica, Daytona Beach FL, Myrtle Beach, SC...I
love the sun, sand, ocean, warmth, and it’s always
with family! If you could have any exotic or normal pet what would it be? Although I like pets, I feel they can be very complicated
especially when planning vacations and trips… BUT I would go with Unicorn...I think I’d be the only
person with one and they are magical!
What type of music are you into? 80’s, 90’s,
Country
If you could time travel, when and where would you go? Italy-I’d like to know my true roots and
experience the Old World with my ancestors!
What is your idea of perfect happiness? Live south in the winter (warmer weather), live north in summer on the water and have the ability to travel with family and friends while maintaining a healthy lifestyle... Which living person do you admire most? I still have 3 of my 4 grandparents...all are in
their 90’s living independently. I love to talk
to them, and hear all their stories. They have seen and been through so much in their lifetime. They are rich in history and family! They are amazing people, and I strive to have their strength and wisdom.
What do you consider your greatest
achievement? I have a few I feel have paved
my way to some great accomplishments…
~Graduating college ~Finding my dream job ~Raising 3 amazing children
Interview: Ms. Neiss
By: Alaina Sutter
CHOOSE ONE
-
1. CONCERT
HIKE
PARTY
2. SODA MILK
WATER
TEA
3. BIRD
FISH
RODENT
Fibber McGee & Molly Fibber’s Closet
ORIGINAL AIR DATE: March 5, 1940 CAST
Fibber—Jonah Hawthorne Molly—Natalie Brown Announcer—Garret Strang Gilder—Stephen Beal Little Girl—Charity Frantz Voice—Alexander Bell
Sound Effects
Isabella Allen (Captain), Miles Patnode, Mackenzie Chetney
Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar The Jeffords Matter Show Written by Michael Wheeler CAST
Announcer—Lily Roberts Johnny-Garrett Strang Lee Rowan—Sophia Trinca Etta Stone—Haley Bowersox Sheriff—Miles Patnode Coroner—Alex Bell Goat—Jonah Hawthorne
Baldwin Jeffords—Aiden Trumble Annabel Jeffords—Izzy Allen Henry—Jonah Hawthorne Sound Effects
Lily Roberts (Captain), Jonah Hawthorne, Mackenzie Chetney
Fall drama
production!
JCB RADIO
Directed by Brian Logee
Produced by Lisa Spereno
CREW
Stage Manager—
Aiden Southworth
Photographer—
Summer Koegel
Streaming courtesy of
Michael Foley and
JCB Technology Department
Burns and Allen Defending the Rat Original Air Date: March 13 1947 CAST
George Bruns—Garret Strang Gracie Allen—Haley Bowersox Meredith—Lily Roberts Bill Goodwin—Miles Patnode Rudy—Stephen Beal Dave—Jonah Hawthorne Pete—Aiden Trumble Bartender—Sophia Trinca Happy Postman—Natalie Brown Sound Effects
Alexander Bell (Captain), Charity Frantz, Melody Trask, Conner Calkins
The Last Guest at the Darjeeling Hotel Written by Stephen Poole
CAST
PREMIER—Lily Roberts Colonel—Alex Bell Doctor—Aidan Trumble Professor—Stephen Beal Ravi (Ravindra) - Miles Patnode Mrs. B (Banerjee) - Sophia Trinca Mrs. K (Kalani) - Charity Frantz LabTech 12—Jonah Hawthorne Lab Tech 2—Haley Bowersox ART Announcer—Mackenzie Chetney Sound Effects
Natalie Brown (Captain), Melody Trask, Conner Calkins
CONGRATS!!
To the staff and
students who took
part in this rare
virtual event!
Hello friends, and welcome back to another movie review from yours truly. This time we are taking a look at a new movie, entitled,
“His House ''which dropped on Netflix about a month ago. It’s written and directed
b y R e m i W e e k e s ,
“His House “ is a horror movie that tackles
ideas of immigration, racism, and to an extent family in its relatively short 1 hour 33 minute runtime, which actually had the involvement of the BBC (one thing to look for in movies is if they had the help of a government organization because that typically means
yo u ’r e i n for s om e t h i n g g o od ) . The plot of this movie entails a couple moving from South Sudan to start a new life in a very run down house in England, but when they
g e t i n t h e h o u s e , w e i r d a n d
malevolent things start to happen. The writing in this movie is good and there are some twists, which I'm not going to tell you about! Also just a trigger warning, there is some self harm; it is not graphically shown on screen,
b u t t h e w o u n d s a r e v e r y
v i s i b l e o n t h e g u y ’ s a r m .
The dialogue in this movie can range from
b l a t a n t t o s l i g h t l y f u n n y .
The movie does have a problem where it tends to tell rather than show, which can make you feel kind of dumb at times. The scenery of this movie is also a pretty good representation of what it must be like to live in some of the worst parts of England; some houses are in very obvious disrepair, and there are very flat colors
(which if there is anything I like in movies, it’s
colors that really give you the feeling of a
movie, anyway), and let us not forget the sequences where part of the house is floating in the sea which is a recurring place in this film. The cinematography is pretty good as well, especially one sequence when Rial is looking for Church street and she keeps trying to get out of this cul- de- sac of sorts and it almost functions like a labyrinth, which I thought was pretty cool. The soundtrack in this movie is pretty minimal. Most of the time, there is none, which is another thing I like in movies because in real life,
there isn’t always this booming soundtrack of past
and present top forty hits blasting in your ear. In this movie, the sounds are typically chants that occur in the more supernatural sequences. One negative of this film is the editing. It seems to be all over the place, especially in terms of volume (one moment it's very low, but when the scare comes in, it's incredibly loud), which works in the f i r s t f e w s c a r e s , b u t a f t e r w a r d s i t ' s j u s t d u l l a n d r e p e t i t i v e . Overall this movie was unique in its ideals, location, cinematography, had great pacing, and a few creepy visuals. The movie could have smoothed over
the editing a little, had some
more scares
that built up
tension and
n o t g i v e n
away so much of its themes, so for those reasons
I’m feeling a 7/10.
This is Allenmichael, signing off.
MOVIE REVIEW:
By: Allenmichael Borasky
Brewer Union Café Reviewed by Savanna Felix
The Brewer Union Cafe is a wonderful
place ! While in the Café, I was served the
“
PB&J Pancakes,
”
While you may see this as
a very boring option on the menu, you will be
pleasantly surprised when you see the
ingredient list and portion size!
Christian starts this
dish
with
three
quinoa
pancakes,
pistachio,
almond
butter, and Hunter &
Hilsberg
elderberry jam! Next he added cut
strawberries, blueberries, and Cedarvale
Maple Syrup Co. This dish was only $14, for
this price you get a huge portion and locally
sourced food.
Besides the food there is amazing staff and a
sense of family as soon as you walk through
the door. With a locally painted farmhouse
trio, rocking chairs, and amazing workers this
restaurant gets a 10/10 from me!
The CopperTop has an amazing multitude of different tavern-esque food options. Their menu is inclusive to those who are gluten free and vegetarian.
My lunch date and I decided to dine-in, and the restaurant did an amazing job of imposing social distancing guidelines and such for accommodating to COVID-19. The waitress made sure to keep our drinks
filled and checked in on us periodical-ly. We decided to order the delicious Copper
Nachos for our appetizer, and they did not disappoint. I ordered my
favorite mac and cheese with a side of fries. My date got a cheese pizza. We both enjoyed our meals very much. When we finished our lunch, we decided to skip dessert even though they had a delectable menu!
The only bad part about the meal was the wait time, but it was so worth it! Overall, I would give our visit a 9/10. The price was not bad for the food you receive. We will definitely be back! https://coppertoptavern.com/menus
STUDENT WORK
The Cookie Jar By: Anonymous
The oven preheating,
The baker preparing, the kitchen
messy,
No clean up in sight.
Just cookies, more and more cookies.
She finds the flour,
Reaches for the butter,
Climbs for the sugar,
Rummages through the pantry for the
main ingredient,
Chocolate chips.
She pops them in the oven,
Everyone was excited.
For even a small taste,
The children sneaking in the kitchen,
Eating the dough out of the bowl,
Licking the spoon.
Sneaking a fresh warm cookie out of
the oven.
Tasting like happiness,
And this is how it always goes.
Bagel Bites. By: Nathan Gaylord
Crisp
warm and soft
inside.
Little gooey
cheese squares.
They lay on a blanket
of marinara sauce.
5 minutes pass,
the smell fills the room.
Taking off the lid,
The smell billows out of it
Swarming my lungs, with
delicious-ness.
Grabbing the tongs,
carefully I place them on a plate.
Not wasting one single second,
I pop them in my mouth.
One
by
one.
They go down the hatch.
I crave more as I reach to the plate.
The last one.
My eyes shedding a tear
as I slowly realize,
they’re gone.
I run to the freezer
my heart, pounding.
I close my eyes
I slowly open the drawer.
The cold air fills the area.
I open my eyes.
None.
Smoremaking By: Alyssa Murphy
I take out
a graham cracker
and split it in two.
I take a marshmallow
and warm it above
the campfire
until it turns yellow
like gold.
I unwrap a chocolate bar
and I break
off a piece.
I set it on top
of one of the crackers
and put the
golden marshmallow
on top of the chocolate.
Then I put the other
graham cracker on top
to complete the smore.
I prepare to eat
