Book Creator | The Caton Conversation

The Conversation

Caton

October 2021

The PS249 Student Newspaper

Congratulations P.S. 249! National Blue Ribbon School

Join The Newspaper Club

By P.S. 249 Editorial Staff

P.S. 249 was awarded a National Blue Ribbon School for 2021 by the U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. We are one in four schools in New York City, one is fourteen schools in New York State, and one in 325 schools in the United States recognized for overall academic excellence and progress in closing achievement gaps.
This award affirms the hard work of our school leaders, teachers, parents, and students in creating a safe and welcoming school community where students engage in content, master challenges, and become resilient.

Continued on page 2-3.

5th grade students at P.S.249 prepare to graduate into a whole new world.

Learn how to write different kinds of articles, do interviews and much more!

By P.S. 249 Editorial Staff
Last year P.S.249 began this student run newspaper, The Caton Conversation. Students learned a LOT about writing articles and making a newspaper. It was challenging at times, but we learned from our mistakes and had fun. It was amazing to see other kids reading the articles we worked so hard on. This year the newspaper is back and looking for students to write articles and help edit. Interested? Join the club! Apply today!
Read more on page 17.

Chancellor Meisha
Ross-Porter Visits P.S. 249

Wednesday, Sept.15, 2021: Chancellor Misha Porter paid our school a visit. Here are some of the highlight moments.

Interview With Elisa Brown
Principal of P.S. 249

Press Play

Kyle from class 5-101, had the chance to interview Ms Brown. Press Play to hear about P.S 249 becoming a Blue Ribbon School and much more...

P.S. 249 Reads...

Stamped

Why is it called "Stamped?"

What is Stamped?

Stamped is a book that teaches the history of racism in America from when racism first started up until today. Organized in a chronological text structure, the authors introduces readers to people who started or propelled and who racism who fought against racism from them to now. This book also teaches readers how to get rid of racism in their own minds and the world around them.

The authors want to teach readers how to stamp out, or get rid of, any racism that might be lingering in their minds, hearts, and the world around them

Who are the authors and what do we need to know about them?

How and why did P.S. 249 The Caton School decide to read it?

Jason Reynolds is a New York Times Best Selling Author. He grew up in Washington D.C. where he became interested in rap and poetry. He has written over eight books for young readers, and feels that it's his personal mission to help kids (especially boys) love reading.

Ibram X. Kendi is an activist and historian who specializes in race and anti-racism. He is the author of the highly influential book "How to be an Anti-Racist."

The P.S. 249 community wants students to learn this history in order to empower themselves.

Check out what the 5th Graders have to say!

Student Reviews of Stamped

Lauren Powers

Stamped (For Kids) Book Review
Book Review by Amin Rahman & Kyle Aspervil, Class 5-101

Stamped (For Kids) by Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi

The book “Stamped” was a good book because it taught many kids how to get racism out of their lives. It also gave examples on movies that inspired racism and how many kids movies have racist ideas in them. The book explains how many kids who watched those movies never knew the movies were racist. And in this book, we learn how to block out racism.

Stamped (for Kids) also teaches kids about how racism and slavery was created, but teaches these things in a way that blocks out racism.

But we have taken away 1 star, because of the book being banned, challenged, and/or restricted "because of the author's public statements, and because of claims that the book contains 'selective storytelling incidents' and does not encompass racism against all people."

The author also has the most banned books of 2021.

I still think this book is good despite the evidence found about the author and his books and I give it 4 out of 5!

★★★★ (4)

Yariathnie Reid

Emory Gordon

Kayden Arnold & Cesar Santos

Hispanic Heritage Month

To learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month, listen to the read aloud below "Pepe Goes to the Parade" by Tracey Kyle.

What is Hispanic Heritage Month? From September 15 - October 15 Americans across the states celebrate the contributions, histories and cultures of American whose families have migrated from Mexico, Caribbean, Spain, and Central and South America.

It begin in 1968 as a week long celebration under President Johnson to highlight the achievements of Hispanics Americans. It was later expanded to a month long celebration by President Regan in 1988.