The Kensico Times

About this publication

May 2023

This is the first edition of The Kensico Times. It was created by the after school Newspaper Club. It is a collaboration of students in grades 3-5.

Dedicated Kensico Staff Members Reflect On Upcoming Retirement

Article by Sofia Albanese, Izzy Weber and
Tala Kdaimati
In June, three Kensico staff members will be retiring. Together they have 81 years working in Valhalla. We asked the retirees the following questions:
1. What will you miss about Kensico?
2. How many years have you worked in Valhalla?
3. What do you look forward to most in retirement?
4. What is one piece of advice you would give to a new classroom or speech teacher, and principal?

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Mr Curran:
1: I will miss the students the most. Everyday I never know what to expect, but I always end the day with a smile.
2. 27 years in Valhalla and 37 in education.
3: I look forward to being able to make my own schedule and to walking Finn and golfing.
4: The advice I would give is to remember it's always about the students.

Mrs. Willams
1: The students because they brighten my day!
2: 17 years
3:Playing golf, traveling, and spending time with my family.
4: Enjoy every minute and enjoy spending time with your students.

Mrs. Horsa
1: I will miss seeing and working with the teachers and students at Kensico especially Mr.Curran! Most of all, I will truly miss all of my friendships I have made throughout my years of working at Valhalla.
2: 37 years, since 1985.
3: Spending more time with my family, traveling, relaxing, and hoping to become a grandmother.
4: Be creative and motivated while making your speech sessions a fun place to learn.

Local News & Happenings

New Shopping Center Opens Up in Valhalla

Columbus Plaza

Article by Jace Divestea and Christopher Fink

Valhalla residents can now enjoy the new Columbus Plaza. It is located at 603 Columbus Ave, Thornwood NY. It's across the street from Westwood Swim and Tennis and diagonally across from Rosehill Shopping Center.
Premier Martial Arts
There are a lot of classes from different age groups and mixed with kids from different schools. Kids learn how to punch, kick, and use nunchucks. A lot of kids go twice a week. It is taught by a sensei and a master.
Tazza Cafe
One thing to know about Tazza is that the owners are local. We asked the owners if they had other locations and they said yes, but this was their newest. Their most popular items are the Chai Latte, paninis, and bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches. Their customers are mostly adults. They told us that 2 people work in the morning, 2 in the afternoon, and 2 in the kitchen. Someone also said the owner is a teacher at Valhalla Middle/High School. We tasted the frozen hot chocolate. It came with whipped cream, and it was very tasty and rich.
Fun Fact
Tazza and Margherita both opened around the same time and were the 1st two places in the shopping center.
Margherita Pizza
Did you know that the owner is also local and lives right down the road? Well, he does! His name is Pete Monteleone and his daughter and son graduated from Valhalla High School. Mr. Monteleone sold 4 pizzerias to buy Margherita! Margherita Pizza is a wood-fired pizza place with an oven that can get to 900-1000 degrees! Most pizza places don't have this. Their most popular pizza is the spicy pepperoni, and it is really good in our opinion. They also have stuffed garlic knots.
The Thorn
The Thorn's owner is Mario and his wife. They are local and live in Hawthorne. His kids go to Mt. Pleasant School District. Since his restaurant is in Thornwood and he lives in Hawthorne, he came up with the name "The Thorn!" They were the 4th business to open after Tazza, Margarita, and Premier Martial Arts. This is their only location. Friday and Saturday are the busiest days and people from the surrounding neighborhoods visit. Lots of children come to the Thorn too. Their most popular dishes are short ribs and gnocchi, which are very tasty.

Other Places Opening
There is also an aesthetic spa. It's called LIV Aesthetic Medical Spa.
Salsa Fresca will be opening in May or June.

Entertainment News

Staff writers bring you the latest in movies, music & school events.

Summer Movies

Peter Pan Comes To Kensico!

Music Mania

The summer season is almost here and theaters are going to be packed soon with people who want to enjoy the movies in person. Here are some new movies coming out in summer of 2023!

For all you Disney fans. Here are some new Disney movies coming out this summer.

The Little Mermaid ~ May 26th
The Flash ~ June 16th
Elemental ~ June 16th
Indiana Jones 5 ~ June 30th

Do you prefer action or Marvel movies? Here are our suggestions.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness~May 6th
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse ~ June 2nd

Article by Abigail Lombardo

Are you a music fan? Do you have a favorite band that you want to see? Here are some upcoming concerts. First we have a Beyonce concert on July 29. Tickets start at $209. Do you like country music? Morgan Wallen with Parker McCollum and Bailey Zimmerman are at Met Life Stadium on May 20th. Tickets start at $129. Also, if you don't mind the 2 hour plane ride Taylor Swift with Gayle are playing at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta GA. Tix starting at $483. Those are some concerts happening in the next month. If you want to see one get a ticket FAST before all of them are gone. Some of my personal recommendations are CAKE or Lady Gaga.

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Written by Tala Kdaimati and Izzy Weber

Written By: Jasmine Burrowes and Giuliana Culmone

On Thursday, March 30th, the 3rd and 4th graders got to watch the 5th graders' last dress rehearsal of Peter Pan. Later that evening, the 5th graders performed for family and friends at the Middle/High school auditorium.
About The Play
The family of six was living happily until Peter Pan jumped into the room,
woke the kids up, and took them to the Neverland! Wendy, Michael and John met the Lost Children. Peter Pan and the Lost Children begged Wendy to be their mother. Wendy said, “Alright, as long as Peter is the father." Peter then said, “Alright, as long as this is pretend." One of the Lost Children asked Wendy to sing a song to them, and when she did, they all fell asleep to her lovely voice. For the finale, the entire 5th grade walked in singing "Neverland." If you weren't able to see Peter Pan at Kensico, you can now watch "Peter Pan and Wendy" on Disney Plus.

Arts & Culture

Get Ready for Spring
by James Thomas

Cooking Corner
With Charlotte Botsford

Poetry Contest

Do you have a sweet tooth? Or do you like savory foods? Either way you’ll love these food recommendations.

Key Lime Bars - A refreshing treat for your pool party!
Ingredients/Directions
3 cups sweetened condensed milk
¾ cup key lime juice ½ cup sour cream
1 tablespoon grated lime zest
1 graham cracker crust
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F
Combine condensed milk, juice, sour cream, and lime zest mix well.
Pour into graham cracker crust; place pie on a baking sheet.
Bake in the preheated oven for 5 to 8 minutes

Pepperoni Bites - The perfect appetizer for your summer barbecue.
You can find these recipes online or in your favorite cookbook.
Bon Appetit!

Written by Erin Fitzgerald

The Newspaper Club did a poetry contest for the students of Kensico. We only had 3 poets submit, so we decided to publish them all. All the poems are unique and very creative.

My Brothers
by Gavin Brandwein

Smoothness and screams
Cuteness and cries
As delicious as red crisp apples
Fresh off the tree
That's everything my brothers are
And they are everything to me

S. SPREAD GOODNESS!

P. PLANT SEEDS!

R. RUN AND PLAY!

I. ICE CREAM TRUCKS ARE COMING!

N.NOTICE THOSE BIRDS NEST!

G. GARDENS FULL OF FLOWERS ARE BLOOMING
GET READY FOR SPRING!

Feelings Through Seasons
When the waves are blue,
I smile at you,
I feel no hate,
nor love,
but just tension,
I feel we don't know what to feel,
so we just stare,
within bare air,
feelings spread,
within each other,
but I do feel I like you,
or maybe love,
but I don't know,
the seasons change,
now it's snow.

Poem by Lia Herrera

Sports & Travel

Summer Travel Ideas

Summer promises fun all sports fans.

Written by Charlotte Botsford, Jace Divestea, Christopher Fink, Erin Fitzgerald
and Abigail Lombardo

By Sofia Albanese, Jasmine Burrowes, and Giuliana Culmone

NHL
Did you know that the Stanley Cup finals are starting on June 8th this year? Unfortunately our hometown team The Rangers didn't make it. Although the Boston Bruins were most likely to win, they lost as well. Hockey is one of the hardest sports to play and trophy to win, but these players are willing to take a chance.
Fun Fact: The NHL is named after Lord Stanley of Canada, who donated the first cup.
NBA
The basketball playoffs are happening, and the finals will begin June 1st. Although the Boston Celtics have won 16 championships, you never know what will happen. A fact about NBA history:
Out of every single game in NBA history, only 2 have been played on Christmas Eve. Isn’t that CRAZY!!!!
Did you know that Air Jordans were once banned from the NBA?
The founder of the NBA is Walter Brown.
Baseball
Baseball is already in full swing. Maybe this year we will finally get a Subway Series between the Yankees and the Mets. Some facts… Alex Rodriguez is still the richest baseball player of all time with over $450 million in earnings.
The record for the most wins in
Olympic Baseball is with Cuba,
which earned its 3 gold medals in 2004.

Road Trips

For some memorable trips near home, try some of these places for your next family road trip.
1. Cape May, New Jersey
For your beachy side, you might want to visit Cape May. A coastal town overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. This drive will only take 2 and a half hours from NYC. You can rent a beach house or stay in one of the many hotels.
2. Catskills, New York
If you want a new summer hiking adventure, the Catskills is the place for you! From New York City, it is a 4 and a half hour drive. You can stay in a hotel near a lake or you can camp.

Plane Trips

If you’re looking to travel somewhere far and new this summer, here are some destinations you might like.
San Diego, California
San Diego is a perfect place to go if you like hot places. They also have theme parks, water parks, museums, and 70 miles of beaches. Plus you could get the Go City All-Inclusive Pass that can be used to go to The San Diego Zoo, Legoland and cruises.
Winter Park, Colorado
Winter Park is the perfect place to escape the summer heat. There are so many things you can do such as hiking, rope courses, gondola rides, and climbing walls. Visit here if you like the cooler air.

Meet the Staff

All the writers are first time newspaper journalists. They enjoy learning and reporting on the world around them.

Charlotte Botsford

Jasmine Burrowes

Sofia Albanese

Kensico Calendar

Written by Thomas Tharakan

I'm a 5th grader who enjoys playing soccer and other sports. I like drawing and painting, and I laugh way too much. When I grow up I want to be a soccer player.

I've always had an interest in culinary arts. I want to be a baker or artist later in life.

I am 10 years old and a fourth grader. I am smart, athletic, and enjoy sports. I love trying new things and always keep pushing myself to get better.

Christopher Fink

Tala Kdaimati

Erin Fitzgerald

The students and staff of Kensico will be busy the next few months. Here are some important dates and events to remember.
May
3-9 NYS Math Testing
5 Staff Appreciation Lunch
11 Celebrate the Arts - Grades 4&5
22-24 Nature's Classroom - Grade 3
26 & 29 No school - Memorial Day
June
1 Art & Music Night 7:00 - Grade 3
2 Field Day
16 Half-day
19 No school
20 Bagel Breakfast 9:30 - Grade 5
22 Half-day
Moving Up Ceremony - 6:00pm
23 Half day
Last day of school

I am 10 years old and live in Valhalla. I have a dog named Merida. I enjoy basketball, writing and am very creative. When I grow up I want to be an NBA player.

I'm a 3rd grader and I've been in Valhalla my whole life. I love writing. I'm smart, silly and LOVE ANIMALS!

I am in 5th grade and love volleyball. My favorite colors are hot pink and baby blue. I enjoy music and friends. I want to be a designer when I grow up.