1. T he Hornets’ Nest
January 25th, 2013
Issue 5
Bringing You the Monthly Buzz!
u
Walnut Hill School
New spaper Staff:
National Sports: School Lockdown:
William Cardio (5th grade) Practice Makes Perfect!
School Sports: Breanna Underwood
Jackson Greening (3rd grade)
National/State News:
Olivia Osbon (3rd grade) 3rd grade Gateway students practice
School News: the Lockdown Drill.
Breanna Underwood (3rd To start off 2013 as a safe school year, students and teachers have had lockdown drills during school
grade) to practice safety. Walnut Hill’s first lockdown was about a week ago, the week of January 14 th-17th,
Culture & Events: and we practiced inside our classrooms.
Stephenie Fuller (4th grade)
During the lockdown drill, all of the teachers must keep their door locked. When the office announces
Book-Nook: “LD mode”, the teacher turns off all of the lights and students hide in closest and under desks. Once
Jasmine Barnes (4th grade) the teacher checks on every student’s safety that is in the classroom; the teacher slides a green card
Staff Sponsor: under the door if the room is safe. However, if the room is not safe, the teacher slides a red card so
someone can quickly help their classroom.
Ms. Custer
Elementary Gateway This lockdown drill helps students and teachers feel safe. Math-Art Lab teacher, Miss Delatte, says, “I
Location: felt safe during the lockdown. My safety tip for students and teachers, who happen not to be in the
Room I-4 classroom during LD mode, is to hide in the nearest bathroom & lock the door”. Third grade teacher,
Mrs. Mack, also has a safety tip for teachers and students: “Be sure to follow all recommendations of
the lockdown procedure that has been provided by administration.”
WHS is setting goals We have these lockdown drills so teachers and students can be prepared for anything. Mrs. Mack says,
for 2013… “We have lockdown drills to keep children safe in case there is danger around the campus.” So
remember next time we have a lockdown drill to listen carefully & follow all directions; practice does
make perfect!
Hornets’ Basketball Attention all players
Jackson Bullox Greening who “LOVE”
Walnut Hill Tennis:
Hornets’
Basketball Player,
Jaylon Morris
Coming Soon to the Hill:
• Jan. 31st- Basketball Game
Coach Carscadden has been busy
Vivian @ WHS at 4:30 planning a tennis skills clinic for the
The basketball season has officially begun for the Tennis Team! The clinic will be held
• Feb. 4th- Basketball Game Hornets! After only two weeks of game time, it after school NEXT MONDAY,
Huntington @ WHS at 4:30 is already easy to see that both the boys’ & January 28th from 3:00-4:30 PM at
girls’ team, who are under the influence of Southern Hills Tennis Center.
Coach Route & Coach Nichols, will be very
• Feb. 7th- Basketball Game
successful this year. Hornets’ basketball If you are unable to attend the clinic
Donnie Bickham @ WHS player, Jalyon Morris, believes, “The Hornets
on January 28th, there will be a
At 4:30 have what it takes to have a successful season
& we will make it to the playoffs.” SECOND meeting on Monday,
February 4th starting at 3:00 at
• Feb. 8th- Spring Pictures To have a successful season, the Hornets must focus Southern Hills Tennis Center.
on certain skills that will help them win even
more games. Mrs. Harp, who assists with
• Feb 14th- Middle School When attending either clinic, be sure
basketball concessions, suggests, “The Hornets
Valentine’s Day Dance need to maintain a sense of sportsmanship, as to bring the following items with you:
well as a good attitude, in order to have many • $6.00 for clinic fee
• Feb. 14th- Basketball Game victories.” Jaylon Morris also admits, “We need • A can of tennis balls
to work on free throws and lay-ups in order to • A personal water
BTW @ WHS at 4:30 win games.”
bottle/Gatorade
• Feb 15th- Elementary 3rd- No matter if you ask a basketball player, the
basketball coach, or someone who helps at If you have any comments or
5th basketball games; all of them believe in the concerns about the clinic, be sure
Valentine’s Day Dance Hornets as a team and think that this will be to contact Coach Carscadden!
the best season yet! Be sure to cheer on your

2. Hornets’ Nest Page 2 of 2
Book Nook: Problems with
Accelerated MLK Holiday Winter Weather
Reader Goals Stephenie Fuller Olivia Osbon
Jasmine Barnes
MLK day is a national holiday when Americans honor
Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) and all he did for Civil
Rights in America. MLK Day is always celebrated on the
third Monday of January because it is close to MLK’s
birthday, which is January 15th. This year, MLK Day was
held on January 21st, 2013.
In classrooms, teachers spend time discussing MLK’s
As a New Year’s Resolution, role as Civil Rights leader; and all of the speeches &
many students are trying to protests he led. In Gateway we read the biography, Who
reach their Accelerated Reader Was Martin Luther King Jr.? which was very informative
goal. about MLK’s early & late life. Louisiana Weather has been extremely
inconsistent and unpredictable the past few
At the end of every nine weeks, MLK’s story helps inspire people of all ages and races to weeks. Why is this happening to the weather?
students are encouraged to follow their dreams. Sixth grade English teacher, Miss The temperatures are changing so much that one
reach their AR Goal which Williams, says, “MLK inspires me because he was able to day people come dressed bundled up in sweaters;
could be 20, 30, 40 or even 50 accomplish so much even though he had a barrage of and the very next day they are wearing shorts &
points. Your AR Goal depends opposition. It would be shameful for me to go after my t-shirts. In the words of Katy Perry, “you’re hot,
on your grade level. dreams when I don’t have nearly as many challenges then you’re cold!” This is definitely a case of
that could stop me from making my dreams reality.” bipolar weather!
If students meet their AR Goal
at the end of the nine weeks, MLK’s dream was for whites and blacks to be treated This bi-polar weather is causing a lot of teachers
they are then placed in the “AR equally. He wanted to spend time with his friends and and students to get sick; and even have to miss
Hall of Fame” and are awarded family in an integrated, public society. Fourth grader, school. Fifth grade teacher, Mrs.Matthews, says,
by the librarians. Elementary Abby Luftman, says her dream is also to “spend time “I am not happy about this weather. It is causing
librarian, Mrs. Harris, says, “I doing things I love with my family.” everyone to get sick and I am worried about
take my students on a field trip students spreading germs.” This weather was so
and then to eat lunch; and the Some people view MLK Day as another day to sleep in cold at one point, that we nearly had a snow day.
places are always different each and forget the real reason for the occasion. However, Mrs. Charles, Pre-K-1st SPED teacher, says, “I
9 weeks!” Middle school Miss Williams has a positive perspective on the holiday wanted a snow day and wish we would have had
librarian, Mrs. Gill, says that we should all try to believe in. She says, “It is one.”
“Students who reach their goal important that we celebrate MLK because he is one of
No matter if it is hot or cold; it is important to be
are treated to a party; the most influential African American leaders of all time.
responsible with your health to avoid getting
sometimes we even order He helped ensure that African Americans had
sick. Elementary Assistant Principal, Mrs. Joe,
pizza!” opportunities to be successful in America without regard
suggests, “Dress appropriately; avoid touching
to race.” MLK Day proves a brave and courageous man
your mouth, eyes or nose; and wash your
I think as TRRFC students, we MLK was, and I hope all teachers & students had an
hands.”
should all try to reach our AR “inspired” MLK Holiday!
goal. Ray Wynn, a 4th grader,
says, “I want as many points as
possible and I do not want a Super Bowl Sunday!
reward, reading is my reward!”
William Cardino
The library is full of many
popular books students can
read in order to earn their The Super Bowl is the biggest event in the NFL that all team players and fans look forward to. This year, the
points. Ray Wynn says, “Magic Super Bowl will be held in our state’s very own Super Dome in New Orleans, LA. The two teams playing in
Tree House is my favorite Super Bowl XLVII (Number 45) are the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers. The two teams will face off
series”, which happens to be on Sunday February 3rd at 6:30 p.m. If LA residents cannot make it to the Dome to see the game, they can
mine, too! Mrs. Gill suggests, watch all of the action on CBS.
“Reading books by Sheran D.
Marlene or the Urban This year’s Super Bowl is considered the “year of firsts”. This year will be high tense because the
Underground series is a good, Harbaugh Brothers, the coaches of the Ravens and 49ers, are about to put a new spin on the phrase “sibling
and fun, way to earn AR rivalry” when their own teams face each for the Championship title.
points.”
Both teams have proven they can hold up under pressure which should make it a close game, but some
Reading AR books is one of my people think differently. If you ask 5th grader, Kelvin Fields, he will tell you, “I think the Baltimore Ravens will
favorite hobbies; and I know if win because of linebacker Ray Louis.” The Hill’s own Mr. Jenkins, member of the maintenance staff, agrees
you read enough it will be one with Kelvin but for different reasons. Mr. Jenkins thinks, “The Ravens will win because they have a better
of your favorite hobbies too! defense.”
Mrs. Harris offers advice to
achieve your AR goal; she says, Another first for the Super Bowl this year is that it will be held at the Mercedes Benz Superdome in New
“Read more and listen to stories Orleans. Louisiana residents have different opinions about this. Colby Halverson, a 5 th grader, says, “I think
being read aloud.” the Super Bowl being held in New Orleans will be good luck for our football team.” From another perspective,
Mr. Jenkins says, “New Orleans needs a Super Bowl there because they need the money.”
I hope that each of you make it
a part of your New Year’s Even though some people predict the Ravens will win; they still would like to see their own favorite teams play.
Resolution to reach your AR Colby Halverson says, “I would have like to watch The Steelers play.” Mr. Jenkins agrees with Colby, “I wanted
goal and earn yourself a spot in to see The Steelers.” So as you can see, the Super Bowl is the biggest event in football. It can tear people (in
the AR Hall of Fame! this case, even brothers) apart, and also bring football fans closer together.