Issue 2 BEAVER BUGLE 2022-23

Beaver Bugle

About this publication

Vol 2, Issue 2, Spring 2023

Alameda, CA

The Bugle is written and published by students at Wood Middle School. New editions are available in print and online.

🎼 Ms. Larson Leads Lyrical Learners

by Omar and AJ (7)
What made you want to teach music at Wood?
I was teaching instrumental music at three schools in another school district, and the School Board there cut the scope of the program. They wanted to move me into a general music position. I did not want to teach general music, and I wanted to teach closer to home, so I interviewed here at Wood. Now I get to teach the subject area I want to teach.

Have you ever taught any other subjects?
I have taught Elementary General Music 1st through 3rd grade, Elementary Instrumental Music 4th and 5th Grades, Jazz Band, Orchestra, a Music Wheel and private lessons for string and wind instruments at a music store, in other people’s homes and in my home studio.

What are your strengths as a teacher?
I care about my students and their progress. I’ve worked with professionals in the music industry and can share with my students what they have shared with me. For example, my jazz improvisation teacher, Dave Burns, was a trumpeter in Dizzy Gillespie’s Big Band, and he showed me how to play many jazz standards. I am sharing with students in the jazz club the songs he taught me. I am passing the knowledge along to the next generation of music-makers.

What do you do when a student is in danger of failing a class?
I offer extra help before school, during lunch, and after school. I am happy to work with students one-on-one to help them get to the next level. You get out what you put in – if you don’t practice, your skills will not improve, so there has to be effort on the student’s part to raise their grade. I also give extra time to turn in assignments that are late or missing.

Do you have any musical background when it comes to instruments? What instruments have you played?
I had to pass a test on each instrument in college (including bassoon, tuba, etc.) to be

Is Crime on the Rise in California?

by Sam (8)

Throughout the last 30 years, America has experienced way too much violence. From Columbine, to Stoneman Douglas, Shootings have ravaged America. In the span of 30 years, there have been 91 mass shootings. In the month of January, California was forced to mourn again after 3 mass shootings took place. One was in Monterey Park, people were murdered while trying to celebrate the Lunar New Year. 11 people lost their lives, after being shot to death by a 72 year old gunman. Nine were injured. Another shooting was in Half Moon bay, a city known for its surf. 7 people died by the hand of a gunman, who killed over a $100 repair bill. He murdered workers who spent their days working and toiling at mushroom farms. And then it happened again. In Oakland on January 24th, a shooting killed a person and injured 7 others. What has happened to this state? California used to be a place for hope and possibility. Now, it is a place to lose hope and to destroy all possibilities. On average every 8.3 days, a mass shooting occurs in California. In California, 3% of all homicides are mass shootings. Our state has suffered all too many shootings. Continue to be safe.

Police enter the crime scene.

Police enter the van of the perp

Campus News

Keep up with events and programs here at Wood!

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TUPE: Think Before You Use

by Zack and Audrey (8)

T.U.P.E stands for tobacco use prevention education and is a program to teach peer educators about the dangers of drug use. Peer educators will host anti-tobacco events to teach other students about all the reasons you shouldn’t do drugs. Training consists of a school day spent in the media center where students are taught the dangers of drugs and how to perform several activities to train their peers.

In T.U.P.E we make sure that we are not attacking people who use tobacco, we are just educating them on the dangers of drugs like that. When we have our meetings, we talk about the control of big tobacco over almost everything, how to stay away from it, and how to help others.

Winter Wonderland Dance

by Roxy (8)

The Winter Wonderland was a success! The MPR was transformed into a magical place, students were shocked when they walked in. Counselor Ro was in charge of DJing, and people were busting out their moves on the dance floor! The diversity of the music was thrilling, and students seemed to enjoy it. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood, which lit up the setting of the dance even more. Though, the most eye-catching part of the dance seemed to be…the food!

Lines were backed up in the hallways as students were purchasing items such as pizza, soda, cookies. Luckily, it wasn’t a catastrophe. Student Council’s security seemed to be keeping everyone in check, so cheers to that! It was nice to see students all dressed up for the dance, they all looked fabulous. Mostly everyone had their cameras out, and seemed to take pictures in front of the beautiful, blue backdrop that the decorations committee set up. It truly brought the dance to life.

Counselor Ro leads about 15 8th graders to instruct them as peer educators. Soon, these students will present what they have learned to Life Skills classes.

The Bugle interviewed students to see their point of view.

Sam, 8th grade: “I thought it went well, a lot of people had fun, and overall it was a success.”

Hannah, 7th grade: “I liked the dance, it was fun. I got to see other people having fun. The music was fun to dance to, and the food was really good.”

Audrey, 8th grade: “I got there late, but I had a fun time, I liked dancing with my friends. The music was kind of corny, but it was still fun. I also liked the decorations, they were nice.”

Students agree that the dance was a fun time, and a lot of memories were created. Hope you guys enjoy the next one!

Health: Inside & Out

It's important to keep up with your pysical and mental health so that you can stay focused while getting work done!

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Lamar's Beauty Corner

Homework: Now or Later??

by Lamar (7)

Black hair is one of the key items in Black culture. It shows both beauty and history and it's useful too! (but more on that later…)

Why is Black hair/hair day so important to Black culture?
It makes African Americans feel more confident and comfortable with their skin color. That's why some Black shows have their own hair day episode, such as "Sister, Sister" and "Blackish."

How Is Black hair useful?
The hair style known as cornrows were used as maps or codewords for other slaves. Neat huh?
Black hair also is the source of DNA which helps people learn more about their past.

Eighth graders share their favorite hair products
Camari: “One of the best hair products that I use is Shea Moisture Curl & Style Mix.”
Diamond: “My favorite hair brand is by Mielle.”
Jayla: “A hair brand that I use is Shea Moisture.”
Madison: “My most favorite hair product is Mielle Hair Oil.”

by Sophia (8)

Starting assignments immediately after school gives you the opportunity to relieve yourself from stress and get freedom to do whatever you want afterwards. This also allows you more time to work and gives you a better chance of completing each assignment efficiently.

The time that you take to work can help you get work done quickly and turn it in on time. There is no more additional weight on your shoulders and a voice saying that you are not going to be able to get it in on time as the stress gradually builds up brick by brick. Some students may not really care about the consequences. Students usually have the urge to procrastinate because of the amount of workload they have to get through. They probably say to themselves, ‘I’ll do it later’ which usually results in them waiting till the due date is closer before actually starting.

Even though some do perform surprisingly good when under stress, I personally have had this experience multiple times and wish not to do it again. Rushing work that doesn’t show that the student tried their best can lower their grades and how well they participate in class.

Waiting last minute will only cause your stress levels to rise depriving you of your sleep. Loss of sleep can cause one to forget things more often and lose focus as well as concentration during class. Anxiety and depression are also effects of sleep deprivation.

Madam CJ Walker Products, Madam CJ did not just sell hair products but sold skincare and fragrances, too!

Wonders of Wood

Here are traditions and History's from your very own Wood Middle School!

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Who was Will C. Wood?

Successful STEAM Week '22

by Madeline (7)

As we all attend Wood Middle School we should know the person behind the name. Will C Wood, or William Christopher Wood, was an educator and public influencer. He was born on December 10, 1880 in Solano County, and died on May 15th, 1939 in Piedmont California. He went to local schools which included Stanford and the University of California.

Here are some student guess of who was Will C. Wood:
"If he was a writer, I think he must have been a good writer, because he had a school named after him.
"I think he was a rich man, who decided to educate people."
"I believe Will. C. Wood worked at a school and I think he was a teacher of some sort."
"I think Will. C. Wood was some sort of Ocean activist... because we keep talking about ocean safety...."

by Ivy (8)

What's STEAM? Science, technology, engineering, art, and math. To prepare for our STEAM Week, students gathered cardboard for 1st period classes. To build, they could use other materials like hot glue, paint and paper. Students created things out of cardboard to focus on the school through line "How do we think globally and act locally to heal ourselves, our community and our world?"

For reflection day, everybody wrote design statements reflecting on the process of what they made. In the afternoon, all the dumpsters were overfilled. Some classes broke down the cardboard and kept it in the classroom to be disposed later on. All the creations were displayed in the Multipurpose room for STEAM night that night.

The WMS STEAM Week of 2022 was a success because the build day included a lot of communication between peers.

8th Grader Zoey shows off her cardboard camera.

Interview with 8th grader Delilah:

How would you compare 2022’s STEAM day to 2021’s STEAM day?
“I feel like this one was more fun because I got to work with more people. I also was a bit more ambitious with my project."

What was the hardest part of your process? What was the easiest part of your process?
"The hardest part was attempting to make a mechanism that worked. The easiest part was making the trash can because we used a pre-made box."

How did you and your team communicate ideas?
"We talked and planned everything on a piece of paper. We sketched our ideas. "

He became a teacher in Fairfield CA during 1901 and later moved to Alameda to become a school Principal and superintendent of schools. In 1914, he became a State commissioner for secondary schools in California, and joined the Bank of America in 1931. Wood was best known for his education career, and his influential public speaking.

Outdoor News

"You can cut all the flowers but you can not keep Spring from coming." - Pablo Neruda

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Spring into a Fun Season

by Nayel (8)

Spring starts Monday March 20 and ends Wednesday June 21. The spring equinox starts in the northern hemisphere. Animals like bears, bats, squirrels, and chipmunks come out during spring. Flowers like tulips, snowdrops, hydrangeas, and summer lilies start to bloom their bright petals. Spring is a time to soak up the sun and spend as much time as possible outside. Here are some fun things you can do in spring:
- Make a picnic and go enjoy it at your favorite park.
- Go out and enjoy your favorite sport with your friends
- Go for walks with your friends and family down to park street or around your neighborhood.
- Go for a hike in the mountains or just by the beach.
- Garden outside and plant some of your favorite, flowers, fruits or veggies.
- Hang outdoors with your friends as much as you can.

Spring feels like a preview to summer and few students here at wood say that they like to go to a nearby parks with their friends or even a community pool. Franklin park, Alameda and Encinal High pool, Lincoln pool or even Encinal Yacht Club are an option if you are a member. What will you do this spring?

Rain Dampens Students' Days

by Mae (8)

As every Wood student knows, we have had a lot of rain for the weeks of January 9th to the 16th. After that it was nothing but sun for days, but that may not last. Be sure to check the forecast before you step outside or you might get stuck in the middle of a storm. It is always better to be careful! With the flooding that happened in some parts of California, it’s good to be aware that the rain might come back, maybe even stronger than before. But that’s okay! Just because it’s raining really hard doesn’t mean that you can't enjoy it. In fact, some people loved it! Take a look at some of the interviews:

Sam (8th): “I felt that it was very calming and peaceful, though the hail hurt when it hit my head. I hope that there is more rain in the future, as it was really fun! Especially when biking with my friends through giant puddles."

Lucy (8th): “I honestly really liked it, though I feel bad for the people who died or got hurt because of the flooding. Yes, I would like it to come back, but with no flooding."

Even most of the students that were not interviewed still would rather it rain than not. So enjoy it! Stay Safe! Let’s just hope there isn’t any flooding the next time it comes around.

"I remembered a darkened doorway
Where we stood while the storm swept by,
Thunder gripping the earth
And lightning scrawled on the sky." - from "Spring Rain" by Sara Teasdale

photo by Lucy B.

Gratitude Corner 2.0

Be thankful and give joy to teachers or students here at wood that will help make their day!

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By Sophia and Sody (8)

I appreciate Ginny Zeng because she is funny and cool and can burp the ABC's!
- Meridian (8th)

I appreciate Ikaika
-William (8th)

I appreciate Ariana Kohgadia for being a good friend
- Fiyori (6th)

Malaya - Thank you so much for always being there for me.
- Aubrey (6th)

I appreciate my teachers and friends for being there for me.
- Bana (8th)

I appreciate Mr. Redmond for being a hard working and great teacher.
- Jimmy (7th)

I appreciate Miley because she's always there
- Nahla (8th)

I appreciate Raphy for being a good friend.
-Landon (7th)

I appreciate Jacob Huynh for being an amazing friend and an even better teammate
-Anthony (8th)

I am thankful for my friend Kai. They are awesome and really fun to be with.
-Hannah (7th)

I appreciate Keith and Kimani and Will for being great allies
-Jay (8th)

I appreciate the journalism team if they put this message in the daily beaver.
-Gary (8th)

Mr Ponsaran - Thank you for helping with my reading and giving me second chances to get my work corrected.
-John (7th)