The NEW Newspaper

The
TiMeS
The NEW Newspaper
This is the inaugural (fun word...look it up!) edition
of The TiMeS—Tomah Middle School’s premier
newspaper and your one stop shop for all that’s new at
TMS. Since this is the first edition, I would like to briefly
explain the purpose of the newspaper and how YOU can
participate.
The purpose of The TiMeS is to deliver the latest
news to the middle school students. Our hope is that The
TiMeS can keep you more connected to this place—let’s
face it, you spend a large majority of your time here!
Each month, we will have another issue filled with interesting stories, funny cartoons, jokes, and riddles to
tease you brain. We will also include information on past and upcoming events happening at the school or in
the community.
YOU can participate in a number of ways:
1) If you have an idea for a good news story, share it with Mr. Storsveen and he’ll put a reporter on the case.
2) If you want to be a reporter yourself, see Mr. Storsveen in room 300...it’s never to late!
3) PICK UP A COPY of The TiMeS to read and share with family and friends!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Feature Story: Club S.W.A.G.
PAGE 3
Upcoming Events: TMS Musical
PAGE 4
The Wizard of Oz: Cast and Crew List
PAGE 5
Science Corner and Fun Facts
PAGE 6
Holidays of the Month: November
PAGE 7
Who’s Who: Teachers Around TMS
PAGE 8-9
Who’s Who: Students Around TMS
PAGE 10
Other News: Rachel’s Challenge
PAGE 11
Jokes, Riddles, and Games
PAGE 12
FEATURE STORY
Club S.W.A.G.
By: Lauren Buss
Club S.W.A.G. (Students With Awesome Grades) is a new method TMS is incorporating
to recognize students for consistently handing in homework on time. Why did they start this,
you ask? Well, Mr. Buss stated in an interview that “We wanted to put a greater emphasis on
academic achievement, not only great behavior.”
As of last year, the middle school had a program called Club TMS, rewarding students if
they didn’t have any detentions, I.V.’s, office referrals, etc., doing so by hosting dances, the
famous balloon launch, and many other great things. At that time,
they also gave small prizes to students with no late work, but they
didn’t think it was enough. This year, the rewards will be reversed.
Students who turn in their homework at the correct time will be given
greater incentives than those without behavioral issues.
All you have to do to become a member of Club S.W.A.G. and receive the official
membership card is have no late work for 1 month.
These students will get free ice cream treats EVERY
FRIDAY, a front of the lunch line pass EVERY DAY, and
be allowed to participate in even larger club swag
rewards yet to be determined. However great these
things are, the major benefit of being in Club S.W.A.G.
is being able to demonstrate to your teachers what you
know, learn more, and learn better, all from turning in homework on time!
Memberships were distributed on October 21st, and the special reward was revealed—
extra time on all the Green and Gold party rides! No hints yet as to what the benefits will be
for next months Club S.W.A.G. members, but I have a feeling it will be exceptionally
AMAZING!!! So keep getting your work turned in on time and work to become a part of Club
S.W.A.G.!
Upcoming Events
TMS Musical Production:
The Wizard of Oz
By: Sydney Moore
This year’s musical will be The Wizard of Oz. The auditions were open to any middle school student
and were held after school on September 15th and 16th. Many students were granted roles in the musical;
however, some were lucky enough to get the lead roles. Abby Zaehler, a 7 th grader at
TMS, will be playing the leading role of Dorothy. Chadd Williamson, Andy Becker, and
Jaden Jones, all 8th graders at TMS, will be playing the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and
the Scarecrow respectively. Also granted leading roles were Kaylie Konsitzke as Glinda
the Good Witch, and Reyna Herold as the Wicked Witch of the West. Practices are held
after school in the band room. All of the students in the musical are working very hard
to learn all of their lines and all of the songs. The show will be on December 5 th at 1:30pm in the high school
auditorium for TMS students to see. It will also be held the night of December 5 th and 6th at 7:00pm in the
high school auditorium for the public to see. It will be a spectacular show! Hope to see you there!
By: Jacob Roberts
This year’s musical takes place on December 6th. The production is The Wizard of Oz. Auditions for the
musical took place on September 15th and 16th. A complete cast and crew list is posted on page 5. I am in
the musical and am excited to be a flying monkey!
To gain more insight into the musical, I interviewed one of the leading roles, Andy
Becker, who plays the Cowardly Lion. Andy’s excitement doesn’t come from his own
musical experience, but from seeing the younger students grow in their own musical
experience; “I hope that they stick with it.”
Here is a TiMeS exclusive sneak peek at one of the lines you can expect Andy to roar
during his performance:
“Put ‘em up! Put ‘em up! I’ll fight you with one hand tied behind my back. I’ll fight you standing on one foot.
I’ll fight you with my eyes closed.”
To find out what happens with the Cowardly Lion and all his friends, go see the TMS musical production of
The Wizard of Oz on December 6th!
The Wizard of Oz
Cast and Crew
Lead Roles
Hickory/Tin Man Understudy—Daniel Rivera
Dorothy—Abby Zaehler
Zeke/Lion—Andy Becker
Dorothy Understudy—Emma Reeder
Zeke/Lion Understudy—Drake Gilmore
Aunt Em—Kendra Lene
Miss Gulch/Wicked Witch—Reyna Herold
Aunt Em Understudy—Alexis Smiezek
Miss Gulch/Wicked Witch Understudy—Sydney Schroeder
Uncle Henry—Willie Bowie
Glinda—Kaylie Konsitzke
Uncle Henry Understudy—Andrew Wallace
Glinda Understudy—Tayler Schleusener
Hunk/Scarecrow—Jaden Jones
Toto—Paige Dumire
Hunk/Scarecrow Understudy—Cody Peters
Professor Marvel/Wizard of Oz—Caden La Beause
Hickory/Tin Man—Chadd Williamson
Professor Marvel/Wizard of Oz Understudy—Willie Bowie
Ensemble 1 (Munchkins, Jitterbugs, Ozians)
Munchkin Mayor—Daniel Rivera
Ensemble 2 (Crows, Optimistic Voices, Winged Monkeys)
Munchkin Coroner—Emma Reeder
Munchkin Barrister/Lawyer—Azalea Roberts
Crows—Chloe Chambers, Hailey Grimshaw, Marissa Moser,
Abby Smiezek, Hannah Welch, Mercede Ziems
Munchkin Tots—Brenna Milkent, Anna Ott, Destinee Perry
Nikko—Jacob Roberts
Munchkin Tough Guys—Drake Gilmore, Cody Peters, Hayden Peters
Flying Winged Monkeys—Joey Cory, Allie Kemp, Molly
Zimpel
City Leaders—Harmony Hennegan, Alexis Smiezek
Munchkins—Joaris Guzman, Karlie Jorgensen, Ariana Kaspari,
Deirdre Martin, Ashley Nelson, Abigail Nick, Logan Perry, Lillianah
Tejeda, Emma Van Treese, Andrew Wallace, Tayler Williamson
Jitterbugs—Harmony Hennegan, Ariana Kaspari, Brenna Milkent,
Ashley Nelson, Abigail Nick, Anna Ott, Destinee Perry, Azalea
Roberts, Emma Van Treese, Tayler Williamson
Emerald City Chorus/Ozians—Drake Gilmore, Joaris Guzman,
Harmony Hennegan, Karlie Jorgensen, Ariana Kaspari, Dierdre
Martin, Brenna Milkent, Ashley Nelson, Abigail Nick, Anna Ott,
Destinee Perry, Logan Perry, Cody Peters, Hayden Peters, Daniel
Rivera, Azalea Roberts, Alexis Smiezek, Lillianah Tejeda, Emma Van
Treese, Andrew Wallace, Tayler Williamson
Oz Woman—Harmony Hennegan
Oz Guard—Cody Peters
Oz Leader—Drake Gilmore
Ensemble 3 (Apple Trees, Optimistic Voices, Winkie Guards)
Apple Trees—Natasha Bos, Kayla Lenz, Katherine Santiago,
Emily Wilhite
Winkie Guards—Mya Hennessey, Kiria Johnen, Kierra Miles,
Destiny Minor, Thalia Nambo, Haley Pond, Kaitlyn Schlicht,
Savanna Tappa
Optimistic Voices (Ensembles 2 &3)—Natasha Bos, Chloe
Chambers, Hailey Grimshaw, Mya Hennessey, Kiria Johnen,
Allie Kemp, Kayla Lenz, Kierra Miles, Destiny Minor, Marissa
Moser, Thalia Nambo, Haley Pond, Katherine Santiago, Kaitlyn
Schlicht, Sydney Schroeder, Abby Smiezek, Savanna Tappa,
Hannah Welch, Emily Wilhite, Mercede Ziems, Molly Zimpel
Science Corner
By: Lauren Buss
Have you heard about the latest virtual keyboard from Brookstone? This amazing new
invention uses advanced technology to track your fingers as you type on the keyboard, which
is projected by lasers onto any flat surface. This pocket-sized projector connects to Bluetooth
wirelessly, competent with Apple, Android, other smartphones, tablets, and other devices.
Does anyone have a Pebble steel smartwatch? The Pebble steel smartwatch is
compatible with thousands of apps, text messaging, emails and much more! It’s like a
fashionable, professional phone to wear on your wrist without all the bulk of a typical cell
phone! For more information, go to https://getpebble.com/steel.
For more info—
Virtual keyboard: http://www.brookstone.com/laser-projection-virtual-keyboard
Pebble Steel Smartwatch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HZmksZ0TU4
Fun Facts
Brown bats sleep for about 20 hours every day.
Hot water freezes faster than cold water.
Goats have rectangular pupils.
Your small intestine is about 23 feet long.
Holidays of the Month:
November
By: Lydia Addison
Nov.1—Book Lover’s Day
(Lydia Addison’s b-day!)
Nov.2—Look for Circles Day
Nov.21—World “Hello” Day
Nov.3—Sandwich Day
Nov.22—Go for a Ride Day
Nov.4 King Tut Day
Nov.23—Eat a Cranberry Day
Nov.5—Guy Fawkes Day
Nov.24—No Special Holiday
Nov.6—Saxophone Day
Nov.25—National Parfait Day
Nov.7—Bittersweet Chocolate Covered Almonds Day
Nov.26—Shopping Reminder Day
Nov.8—Cook Something BOLD Day
Nov.27—THANKSGIVING!
Nov.9—Chaos Never Dies Day (you’ve got that right!)
Eat and be thankful!
Nov.10—Forget-Me-Not Day
Nov.11—Veteran’s Day
Nov.12—Chicken Soup for the Soul Day
Nov.13—World Kindness Day
Nov.14—Operating Room Nurse Day
Nov.15—Clean Your Refrigerator Day
Nov.16—Have a Party with Your Teddy Bear Day
Nov.17—Homemade Bread Day
Nov.18—Occult Day
Nov.19—Have a Bad Day Day
Nov.20—Beautiful Day
Nov.28—Black Friday
(Don’t go to crazy!)
Nov.29—Square Dance Day
Nov.30—Stay at Home Because You’re
Awesome Day = my favorite :P
Who’s Who?
Teachers Around TMS
By: Chadd Williamson and Coltin Riffle
Mr. Kirschbaum is the math teacher on
team 6-1. Mr. Kirschbaum has been
teaching for 25 years. His favorite lesson to
teach is division of fractions. If you ask him
his favorite thing about teaching, he will
tell you, “the students.”
Ms. Parrish is an English teacher on team
8-2. She has been teaching for six years.
Her favorite thing to teach is creative
writing. Ms. Parrish’s favorite thing about
being a teacher is seeing the “light” go on
in students, and making friends with the
kids. Ms. Parrish went to college at UWEau Claire. She became a teacher because
her mom is a teacher, she had a great
English teacher in school, and she wanted
to share her passion for English with
students.
Who’s Who?
Teachers Around TMS
By: Chadd Williamson
Ms. Althof is the band teacher for all
sixth, seventh and eighth graders at TMS.
She has been teaching for two years. She
most enjoys teaching the different pitches
between instruments. When asked what
her favorite part of teaching is, she
replied simply, “my students!”
Mrs. Murray is the math teacher on team 8-2.
She has been teaching for 19 years and went to
school at UW-La Crosse. Her favorite thing to
teach is scientific notation. She likes scientific
notation because of the Scientific Shuffle. The
Scientific Shuffle is a very exciting dance. Mrs.
Murray’s favorite thing about being a teacher is
having fun and making kids smile. She also likes
to make their day and teach them to have fun at
school. She became a teacher because she
always loved school and wanted to inspire a love
of school in other students. She also wanted to
make a difference in people’s lives.
Who’s Who?
Students Around TMS
By: Savanah Blackhawk
Haley Pond is an 8th grade
student on team 8-1 at TMS.
Haley’s favorite subject in
school is science. Haley stays
active at TMS by participating
in the school musical, show
choir, and also gymnastics.
When Haley is not at school,
she enjoys singing for fun. If
Haley had the ability to be any
animal in the world, she would
want to be a dolphin because
they are the second smartest
animals on the planet. If Haley
could have dinner with any
one person (alive or not), she
would choose to have dinner
with her cousin Tasha because she doesn’t get to see her much. One
wish that Haley has is to be able to play many instruments. When asked
about someone she looks up to and admires, Haley’s says it is her
grandmother.
Other News
Rachel’s Challenge
By: Thalia Nambo
To better understand Rachel’s Challenge,
I asked Mrs. Adler (Reading, 6-2) a few
questions. Mrs. Adler absolutely loved
the Rachel’s Challenge presentation. She
felt that it was beneficial for all of us to
see. When I asked her what she was
going to do to help start a chain reaction of kindness, she stated that she
would “try to notice the feelings of others.” Mrs. Adler’s believes others
can start a chain reaction of kindness by inviting lonely people to join
their group of friends. The chain reaction of kindness is something we all
have the ability to start.
A message to my readers: Be kind!
As part of our next issue of The TiMeS, we would
like to include an ARK column. ARK stands for
“Acts of Random Kindness”. If you have an story
to share where you acted kindly toward someone
else, or received an act of random kindness,
please submit it to Mr. Storsveen in room 300
and see your story shared in the December issue!
By: Cora Blashaski
Jokes, Riddles, and Games
Jokes
Who says, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”?
A: A person who has never been hit by a dictionary.
One day, a man was walking home from work and saw a boy who was too short to reach the doorbell. After a
while of watching the boy’s effort trying to ring the doorbell, the man walked over and rang the bell for him.
Then the man turned to the boy and asked what the boy needed. The boy said, “Nothing, but it’s time to
run.”
Riddles (Answers at the bottom)
1. What goes up, but doesn’t come down?
2. I’m tall when I’m young and I’m short when I’m old. What am I?
3. If I drink, I die. If I eat, I’m fine. What am I?
4. What’s at the end of a rainbow?
Riddle Answers: 1. Your age, 2. A candle, 3. A fire,
4. The letter ‘w’