Coming Soon!

Have a thirst for laugh-out-loud fun?

If you do, keep your eyes peeled for what it’s like to be principal in a crazy school where nothing goes right. It’s a school where innocent fund-raisers turn into teacher vs. teacher wars, offices flood, and classrooms catch fire.

Look for the first installment of “The Loves, Lies and Crimes of Wakefield Middle School” when school resumes after the break! We’ll post a continuation every week!

The Book Fair by Andrew R.

The 2008 WMS Bookfair has passed once again. There were many old, but still popular books, and yet also many new ones adding to the sagas. The Warriors series from the original books up to The Power of Three collection were included, along with others like the first two Diary of a Wimpy Kid and the newly released Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Do It Yourself book! Manga books, such as Bone, were also sold. We had 14 different posters being sold this year, with a blowout on knicknacks and trinkets. Thre were mushroom erasers (Which had a resembalence to the ones from Mario) and bendy pencils, from peace dogtags to plain supplies. Twilight was probally the best selling book at the Bookfair, and even if you didn’t go to the Bookfair, you can tell its popular since there are so many holds on it in the library- it can take weeks to get your hands on a copy! Overall, we have had a very productive Bookfair this year.

Andrew R.

Seek First to Understand

I think what “seek first to understand” stands for is that you cannot just jump to conclusion like that. You have to know were the other person is coming from. To do that, you would have to see both their side of the story and yours. When you do that, you could see that there is always some misunderstanding.
How I think it will affect me in my life is that maybe I will not get as mad all the time. Also, I will be able to see what I did wrong as well. It could also help me to not lose a friend. That is what ”seek first to understand” means to me and how it could affect me.

What to wear?

We all know we get stuck on deciding what to wear sometimes. Whether its a party, or a date, or any other time, this is my advice to you. Wear what your feeling. If your happy wear bright colors. Matching your colors to your emotion always helps me out. Here is a list of colors and emotions that I think can help you.
1) Happy- yellow or orange
2) Love - Red or pink
3) Sad - (Dark) blue, black, or purple

These are some things you can try out.
Hope it works!

The American Revolution

Some of the events that led up to the American Revolution were the Boston Massacre, the Boston tea Party, and the Stamp Act. The Boston Massacre was an encounter on March 5, 1770 that was between British troops and a group of colonists. The troops were being antagonized and had snow and ice balls with rocks in them throw at the troops. As a result of this, the troops fired shots in to the crowed. The Boston tea party was an event that took place December 16, 1773, by a group of Boston citizens to protest the tax on tea imported to the colonies. Do to the citizens actions the British shut down the harbors until they had paid their duty. The Stamp Act was an act that took place in 1765 as a means of raising revenue in the American colonies. It required all legal documents, licenses, commercial contracts, newspapers, pamphlets, and playing cards to carry a tax stamp.
The United States has had two other events that could be described as a revolution. When Martin Luther King was killed, there were many people that protested and fought with police, creating a battle between the public and the police. We have also had a revolution type event during the famous music concert called Woodstock. Police were attacked while trying to keep order during the concert and both police and citizens were injured. In each of these situations, as with the American Revolution, people felt very strongly about their rights and even fought against those trying to enforce the law.

What Im Thankful For

This year I have many things to be thankful for. Many people say they are thankful for items like shelter and food, but they don’t know why they are really thankful for those things. Five things that I am thankful for are my friends, my good health, my home, the food I have to eat, and my family. The reason I am thankful for my friends is because they are there for me to talk with and share experiences both at school and out of school. They are the people I talk to and hang out with. Another reason I am thankful for my friends is because everyone needs friends so that they won’t become lonely or depressed. Secondly, I am thankful for my good health. The reason I am thankful my good health is because I am able to do just about anything I want to without having to worry about limitations or pain. I have friends that have asthma and they have to watch how much they exercise or play around. I don’t have to worry about something that might be a handicap for me. Even in my own family I have seen serious illnesses and death due to serious illnesses. Thirdly, I am thankful for the home that I live in. I have a great place to live with my family. I am thankful for my home because I know not everyone has a place to stay and we should not take it for granted. Some people have to live in homeless shelters and some even live on the streets or in the woods. The forth thing I am thankful for, is the food I have to eat. Without food I would not be able to live and enjoy the health I do have. Food not only gives me the energy to get through work and play, I also get to eat so many of the foods I really enjoy. When I see children on commercials digging though garbage to survive, I feel very fortunate to have the foods I need and love to eat. Finally, and most importantly, I am thankful for my family. Without my family I wouldn’t have a home, food or any of the other things in my life. My family helps me when I am having trouble with something or if I just need someone to be there if I need to talk. These are the items I am most thankful for this year and every year.

How much do you know about Mr. Sellars??

Q: What do you do? What grade?
A: 8th grade assistant principle

Q: What do you like to do on your free time?
A: Draw, read, watch TV.

Q: How many children do you have?
A: None

Q: Did you always want to be an assistant principle?
A: No, at first I wanted to be an artist, then switched to being a teacher because of my love for English. After a few years of teaching, a principle suggested I go into administration.

Q: Where did you live growing up?
A: Sanford, NC

Q: Did you play any sports as a child?
A: Yes, basketball.

Q: What is your favorite football team?
A: I don’t especially like a certain football team, but my favorite player is Terrell Owens.

Q: What is your favorite sport?
A: Football

Q: How many years have you been at WMS?
A: This is my 2nd year.

Q: Have you been at another school before?
A: Yes.
If so, how does WMS compare to it?
A: It’s the largest in the whole Wake County.

Q: What is your favorite book?
A: As a kid, my favorite was First 2 Lives of Lukas by Kasha. But as an adult, I don’t have a favorite book, but I know it would be something by Walter Mosley.

Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: Raiders of the Dark (followed closely by Willa Wonka and the Chocolate Factory)

Q: If you were given a million dollars, what would you do with it?
A: Buy a new house for my family

Q: If you were an animal, what animal would you be, and why?
A: Eagle because you can soar throughout the skies, and in a way you would feel freedom by flying. Also, you can look down on everyone.

Q: What is your favorite animal?
A: Dog

Q: What was your worst experience in this job? (so far)
A: I don’t have a particular bad experience but I dislike it when students misbehave and have to get a consequence.

Q: What was your best experience in this job? (so far)
A: I really like to meet wonderful students.

Q: What is your favorite song?
A: I don’t really know.

Q: Has anyone ever inspired you do something?
A: My grandmother was and educator, painter, and a social worker, and she founded a park after my family.

Haley’s Howl

Did you know that:

• Pennsylvania has a state toy: the slinky!
• Most squids have three hearts.
• John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on the same day-exactly 50 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independance.
• a ripe cranberry bounces.
• the world’s oldest goldfish lived to be 43 years old.
• an avalanche can travel up to 80 miles an hour.
• you can’t breathe or swallow at the same time.

 

Another Cheesey joke:

voice on the phone: I’m afraid that Karen won’t be at school today.

teacher: May I ask who’s calling?

voice: It’s my mom.

 

Kudos to all the Advanced Band  students who made All-County Band!

How to Adopt a Rescue Dog

So, what exactly do you have to do to adopt a dog? One option is to contact a “rescue group.” In my case, we wanted to adopt a Golden Retriever or Golden Retriever mix. We were familiar with the breed and knew that we could give an orphaned dog a great home. You who have never gone through the process may think it is very simple. From personal experience, I can tell you with no doubt in my mind that it’s not easy at all. You emotions soar and fall throughout the process but rest assured you will be matched with a special “forever friend”. I would like to teach you how to adopt a dog from the Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue in North Carolina.

The first step is to sit down with your family and come to an agreement on what you are looking for in a dog. Personality, gender, age, and health of the dog must all be considered. To adopt a dog from the Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue, you should try to attend one of their monthly adopt-a-thons. You can meet the staff and fill out an application form. The application form will have all of your important information and desired dog profile. The NRGRR take their mission seriously and will check your references. They even called our veterinarian in Canada to see if we were responsible dog owners! When you are approved they assign you a caseworker to keep on the lookout for any new dogs coming into their adoption system. You can also look at the Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue’s website to view adoptable dogs. The dogs come into the system as strays, shelter rescues, and sadly due to owner surrender.

The second step is waiting. Your caseworker works on your behalf to match you up with a dog that fits your profile. All dogs brought into the system are examined by a vet. They are neutered, given vaccines and treated for heartworm or other health problems if needed. The dogs are then fostered by caring families while they await adoption. Your caseworker will set up the appointment between you and the foster family to see the dog. On the day of your visit, you will interact with the dog and decide if it’s a good match for you. The foster usually insists on meeting each member of your family and will ultimately decide if you are a good match for the dog. The foster has a tough job because multiple families may be interviewed for the same dog. You may think you and the dog are a good match, but the dog may go to someone else. Try not to lose heart. The next interview may have you taking your new “forever friend” and leash into the back seat of your car.

That’s the basic process of adopting a dog from the Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue here in North Carolina. Remember, you need a lot of patience in the process of adopting a dog this way. You may have many let downs, just like I did. Do not be discouraged, for you will find the right dog in time. Our dog, Sunny, is a blessing to our family and I can’t imagine our home without her. If you want to learn how to properly establish a healthy relationship with your dog, I would suggest watching “The Dog Whisperer” with Cesar Millan on the National Geographic channel. I hope you will consider visiting a rescue when your family is ready to adopt a dog. The Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue is a wonderful organization. Their website is www.goldenrescuenc.org.

THE WONDER DOG

**The Wonder Dog**

This beautiful pup will put your dog to shame. Her name is Sophie and let me tell you she is a miracle. She has been through a whole lot. She was born on July 30, 2008 at 2:00 am. She is an American Show Lines German Shepherd Dog. The reason why she is such a miracle is because this pooch was born with a problem on her foot. On her front leg, the two bones are split apart and the inside bone does not join the foot.

Her foot turned at a 90 degree angle. When she is old enough they are taking her leg off so she will not feel as much pain as she would if it was still there. The part that will put your dog to shame is that she thinks she is as perfect as her mom. Her mom is a beautiful show dog named Bell. Her owner, Sarah Bridges (my grandmother), is going to put Sophie through TDI training (THERAPY DOG INTERNATIONAL).

When she gets older she is going to be able to visit schools and have young children read to her. She will also set an example because if a handicap person or a disabled child meets her and hear stories about her then they will see that maybe they could grow up and be a good role model and help others achieve their dreams. Sophie is also going to go to hospitals to see children and veterans so they can have a nice visit and a happy leave. I am so proud of Sophie. In my opinion she is a Wonder Dog because of her bravery and courage.

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