November 2006 E. C. Adams Middle School Volume 8 Issue 1

Complimentary Copy
November 2006 E. C. Adams Middle School Volume 8 Issue 1
Submitted by Ariel Youngblood and Miss Cardella
The first edition of the Adams student newspaper, The
Raider Review, has begun with a brand new staff of
seventh and eighth graders! Our hardworking staff
includes: Eli Guerra, Andrew Cannizaro, Ariel
Youngblood, Alex M., Rohan Deshpande, Jillian Forcello,
Jessica Forcello, Ryan Stabell, Matt Lebow, Lealia Xiong
and Pam Perkins. New members are always welcome!
Meetings are held on Thursdays in the Library Media
C ent er C o mp u t er L a b fr o m 2 :5 0 ­3 : 4 0 .
A copy of The Raider Review can be found in all team
classrooms, the cafeteria and the Library Media Center.
Visit the The Raider Review link on the Adams web site to
view or print a copy of your own!
Would you like to contribute to the Raider Review but
can’t attend our meetings? We are looking for newsworthy
articles on school events, original artwork, creative writing,
book reviews, sports team updates, etc. See Miss Cardella
for more information on how you can see your work
published in our next edition. Check out our staff on p. 6.
Submitted by Jessica Forcello
Red Ribbon week is celebrated during the month
of October. Guilford schools will participate in an
extended
R e d
R i b b o n
w e e k ,
f r o m
O c t o b e r
27 th
November
3 rd . The
year 2006
is the
t w e n t y ­
first time Red Ribbon month has taken place,
encouraging students to commit to be drug and
alcohol free. (Continued on page 4)
to
Submitted by Andrew Cannizzaro
The first Adams Team Building Day was held on
September 27 th for 8 th graders September 28 th for 7 th
graders. Each team went to a different part of the
Adams field and participated in team building
activities.
The day started out with everyone finding partners
or groups that had the same likes as they did. Then,
students had to line up by shoe size. Next, everyone
got a card with an animal on it and had to make the
sound on that card. Students and teachers had to find
other people that were making the same sounds!
Other games included Mine Field where you had to
trust someone else to lead you blindfolded through a
maze and group lifts where people had to work as a
team to pull themselves up. Bigger events included
the whole team making a chain and then trying to pass
a hula­hoop all the way around the chain. At
the end of the day, students went back to their
homerooms and played a game using balloons. Then,
everyone traced silhouettes and filled it in with
characteristics of a good friend. You can see all of the
finished work all over the Adams halls.
A recent poll was given to students asking what
they thought about Team Building Day. Many
students said it was a lot of fun, but some said they
thought there were some ways the day could have
been better. Still, most people said that the first
school­wide Team Building Day was a success.

Submitted by Alex Miranker
The Peer Helpers sponsored the first dance of the
school year, The Welcome Back Dance, on
September 29. It was a big hit with all the students. It
seemed like everyone enjoyed it. The DJ played some
excellent music like “Cotton Eyed Joe”, and “Cause
Every Time We Touch”.
Many first­rate refreshments, like cupcakes and
brownies, soda and
chips, were also
available. The
inside of the gym
was dark but
s l i g h t l y
illuminated, thanks
to the disco ball
and the DJ’s
lights. All in all,
the dance was
awesome. I hope
more people come to the school dances, because if
they don’t, they are really missing out on a lot of fun!
Submitted by Jillian Forcello
Staff writer Jillian Forcello inteviewed Ms. Watrous, 7th
Grade Social Studies teacher, on the new social studies
curriculum.
Do you like the new social studies curriculum?
“Yes, I enjoy the new curriculum and I like it a lot.”
What do you like most about the new curriculum?
“What I like most about the curriculum is the idea of
learning about different cultures. Also, it’s interesting
and important that students learn about different
cultures.”
What do you think students will like best about the
new curriculum?
“Similar to what I said before, the idea of learning
a b o u t d i f f e r e n t c u l t u r e s . ”
Do you like the new curriculum or the old
c u r r i c u l u m b e t t e r ?
“This year is my second year teaching. I taught the
old curriculum last year and then the new curriculum
this year. Last year I felt like the students all ready
knew most of what I was teaching and they said things
like, “We learned this in fifth grade!” (Cont. on p. 4)
Submitted by Matt Lebow
Our school is called Elisabeth
C. Adams Middle School. Do you
know who Dr. Elisabeth Adams
was? She was a doctor in Guilford
that everyone in out town liked and
r e s p e c t e d . S h e w a s a n
extraordinary person according to
those who knew her. She cared
about everyone and rarely rested if
there was work to be done. Dr. Adams helped many
people in the community, plus she served as Health
Director, police surgeon, and medical examiner.
When they named Baldwin Middle School, they also
had to name the southern middle school, and guess
what they named it? Elisabeth C. Adams Middle
School, to honor the hardworking doctor that loved
the town that she lived in. Until hear death in 1994,
Dr. Adams was very proud of Adams Middle School
and the students that went here.
Balestracci, Carl. Dr. Elisabeth Adams: An Extraordinary
Legacy. E.C. Adams Middle School Homepage. May 18,
2005. On­line. .
Submitted by Eli Guerra
In 2­3 months, Nintendo’s greatest system will
finally be released! The revolutıonary
consol or Wii, is the ultimate video gaming
experience that anyone can play. Even your
grandma!
Wii uses the special “ num-chuck “ controller.
What is a “ num-chuck “ controller? One end of
the controller is a joystick, so all you have to do
is point at the screen, press a few buttons, and
move the control stick. That’s what makes Wii so
easy to play. Pointing at the screen is easier then
having to memorize all the buttons on a control
pad.
Also, by the time Wii is released, the system
will be loaded with over 20 years of Nintendo
gaming history. It will have all of the games from
the N64 system, Super Nintendo and nes,
including games that are on non­Nintendo
(Cont. on p. 4)

Submitted by Pam Perkins
What is the Anime Club?
The Adams’ Anime Club
brings together people
interested in anime, a Japanese
style of drawing. Every Friday
you can meet with other
people who are interested in
the same anime as you! For
example, Naruto, Bleach, Full
Meddle Alcamis, and many
more! The Anime Club also
watches movies, such as;
Castle in the Sky and Kiki’s
Delivery Service. Many
people come to draw, talk, and
read comic books and talk about their favorite anime
characters. Why not stop in and join us? Join us at
our next meeting in room B­3 on Fridays from 2:50 to
3:45. Snack are provided. If you have any questions,
speak with Ms. Dixon, the club advisor.
Submitted by Lealia Xiong
The Young Artisan’s Club is a group
of students who enjoy completing art
projects, run by Mrs. Stevens and Mrs.
McGrath in room B5. This group of
artists meets on Tuesdays. Although
most projects are free, sometimes there
is a $3 to $5 charge for more expensive materials.
The Young Artisan’s Club is currently in the
middle of knitting finger­less mittens. The mittens
have been knitted from many different colors of yarns
tied together, and they look very cool!
After this project is finished, the Young Artisan’s
Club will begin working on beading to make
necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Are you interested
in art? Come join us! New members are always
welcome anytime during the school year.
Edited by Ryan Stabell
Dear Yoda,
A kid in my school is being bullied all
over the place. Yoda what should I do?
Signed,
Considerate Cal
Well Cal, first I would suggest to your
friend that he tell a responsible adult
because bullying in schools is taken very
seriously in Connecticut. If your friend
is too afraid to report it, you should help
by reporting the problem to an adult for
him/her. If the bullying continues keep
reporting it until something is done about
it. We need to stop bullying while it is
still a problem.
Signed,
Yoda ­ May the force be with you!
Submitted by Jessica Forcello
The school store is open for business in the Adams
c a f e t e r i a e v e r y
T hursday during
lunch. A group of
parents from the
P a r e n t T e a c h e r
Organization (PTO)
run it. The school store
sells pencils, pens
e r a s e r s , r i p s ,
sharpeners, locker
mirrors, and other fun
items. Plus, there are many cool things and
everything is under $2! Next Thursday come and
check out the school store during your lunch period!

(Continued from p. 2) systems.
And since the system is about
the size of 3 DVD boxes, it will be
really portable, allowing you to
take it anywhere. The Wii system
will also include many highly
anti ci pated ne w ga mes.
Including…Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess
[Also on Game cube], Super Mario Galaxy,
Metroid Prime3: Corruptionn, and the
long awaited SUPER SMASH BROS. BRAWL, plus
lots more!
I know most of you are really excited for the
new system [including me!], but 2007 is not that
far away. That gives you a lot of time to save up
your allowance, since Wii is going to cost around
$260. So for those of you who work for an
allowance, you better start doing your chores!
So, mow the lawn, take the garbage out, walk the
dog, clean the litter box, do your homework and
GET EDUCATED, so you can have the money to buy
a Wii of your own! More details on Wii games next issue.
(Continued from page 1) Red Ribbon week began in
1985 after Special DEA Agent Enrique Wilson “Kiki”
Camarena was kidnapped and killed
by drug traffickers in Mexico. From
the grief of his friends, family and
the nation, Red Ribbon Week was
established. The goal of Red Ribbon
Week is to help educate children
about the dangers of drugs and
alcohol, and provide hope that someday there will be a
drug free America. Red ribbons are worn in October
to show the commitment of millions of people who
pledge to lead a drug free life.
Adams Middle School participated in many
activities to promote Red Ribbon week. First,
students participated in their character development
groups, signed commitment ribbons to make big
chain, wear red spirit day, and a team costume contest.
Proceeds from the costume contest are being donated
to GHS Project Graduation, which sponsors a drug
and alcohol free party for the graduating seniors of
2007. Finally, Students at Adams also received free
red ribbon bracelets donated by the Adams Student
Council and red ribbon pencils. (Source: www.drugfree.org)
(Continued from page 2)
Which curriculum do you think is easier for
students?
“Both curriculums are challenging in different ways.
Last year during American history, it was
difficult, because there were lots of
activities and the students had to write a
lot. This year it’s difficult because it’s
new. Social Studies is cool because it
incorporates Social Studies, Science, and
Math into one.”
What are the biggest differences between the two
curriculums?
“The biggest difference between the two curriculums
is that there were lots of discussions last year and
there aren’t as many so far this year, but, I think there
will be more as the year goes on.”
What is the same about the two curriculums?
“Social Studies is all related. The curriculum is still
about government, economics, and people. Last year
it was the United States and this year is more current,
about what’s going on in the world today and how it
effects the global community.”
Will you tell me a little bit about last year’s
curriculum?
“Last year was about early American history. I started
with Native Americans, then the explorers, colonial
America, and up through the Revolutionary War.”
Is there any others information about the curriculum
that you want students to know?
“It’s a great opportunity. As the world continues to
advance, the U.S. is aware that they need to continue
to communicate and work together with the rest of the
world to deal with local and global issues.”
What is your favorite thing about being a Social
Studies teacher?
“My favorite part is getting to do lots of different
things. We get to write, and scale maps, and that
makes it really fun!”

Submitted by Jessica Forcello
Field hockey is one of the many after
school sports teams available to girls at
Adams Middle School during the school
year. This year, the girl’s field hockey
coach was Mrs. Laurie Smith. The
hardworking team practiced everyday
after school. The junior varsity team
practiced until 4:30 and the varsity team,
which is a little more advanced, practiced until 5:00. The
captains of this year’s team were, Lindsay Camillo, Dara
Davis, and Tori Piraino.
Coach Smith had a few goals for her team this season.
First, she wanted to her players to improve their individual
skills and their ability to work as a team. The team player
goals were to score and beat Madison, Old Saybrook, and
Branford. Although Coach Smith wants her team to enjoy
playing field hockey, she also tries hard to help get her
players ready to compete in high school. This year, she
felt that the team’s strength was their ability to take
suggestions and improve while they are in the middle of a
game! The team had a great season and played their last
game on November 3 rd .
The 2006 Girl’s Field Hockey Team: Lindsay Camilla,
Crystal Velez, Olivia Simpliciano, Dara Davis, Tori
Piraino, Bridget Shea, Mackenzie Dostie, Julia Afeltra,
Lara Gradil, Kate Wilson, Gemma Vardy, Morgan
Malamad, Kelsey Brewer, Sydney Sullivan, Alyssa
Dinicola, Loren Maliki, Meredith Reiss, Caitlin Gallagher,
Kayla Tyska, Kirsten Famiglette, Sarah Durno, Katie Jolin,
Leigh Rooney, Samantha McKnight, Bridget Tucker,
Hannah Oman, Samantha Schaaf, Allison Tucker, Katie
Paine, Colleen Burkle, Ainslee Shea, Katelynn Higginson,
Lia Brueau, Catlin Heath, Julie Ivy, Brittney Maio, Katlyn
Sullivan, Lindsey Salatto, Tina Bryant, Katey Crean,
Georgia Mulone, Micaela Demasi­Sumner, Remi Ariato,
Erica Brancato, Jessica Andreucci. The JV goalie is
Brittney Distante and Varsity goalie is Cathryn Mahoney.
Submitted by Alex M.
1. Play in the NHL
2. Eat large bags of Ruffles Chips
3. Make quilts
4. Build sculptures out of PlayDoh
5. Make fake snow out of fire
extinguisher foam
6. Work as an agent for the secret
service
7. Wear a fake afro
8. Play with toy light sabers
9. Dress up in a leotard and go
skydiving
10.Play on Neopets.com
Submitted by Kurt Staschke

Created by Jen Laurie
B S E E C S Y T M X S B Z G W
N I Y S G H U Q B X E Z H F T
F M R O E R I S F X S H A X G
H Y R D T K C C P T R J M L Q
Q F Y L S F A M K F O H S I F
H F E F R B Y N M E H U T E J
D S T I B B A R S N N C E I H
R G R W T U Z H Q B V S R E B
D V P V J F U I V L P T S I X
O N C F Q M D M Q C R E Z C W
G Z Q C H D C Z I W L I X B T
S M A S R B C H I N C I L L A
L T H P I U C C R A B S Y H A
S D Y I Z L R J O Y U J S F W
U V U O O D P N Y L P B A G V
BIRDS CATS CHICKENS
CHINCILLA CRABS DOGS
FISH FROGS HAMSTERS
HORSES RABBITS SNAKES
TURTLES
Submitted by Anonymous
Terry ran down the alley. He was late for school, and he didn’t
want to be any later. As he passed a garbage can,
he became aware of a faint scent.
“That can’t be garbage,” he thought. He
stopped, and looked around. He was surprised to
notice a hill he’d never seen before and decided to
risk being late for school. He raced up the hill and just as he reached
the top he was shocked to find a huge fort, standing there, its flags
and banners waving in the breeze. The fort looked like it was straight
out of the Middle Ages. He walked over to the large, wooden door
and pulled on the handle, hoping it was not locked. The door
screeched open and he walked through the entryway into a vast hall.
As he looked around he noticed a faint tapping noise. He followed
the sound over to a smaller door off to the side, and pulled as hard as
he could. And there in front of him, was a... YOU FINISH IT!
Submitted by Ryan Stabell
1. Amazing Teachers
2. Nice Library
3. Fun Specials
4. Good Educational
System
5. Nice New Gym
6. Cafeteria Snack Bar
7. School Store
8. Good Clubs
9. School Dances
10. School Sports
Where is
this
object at
Adams?
Submitted by
Jessica Forcello
Created by Connor Wallace