CCHS put on the fabulous show, “The Producers”, the past two weekends. I went to see it on the first weekend. Hilarious and exciting, the plot follows two men working their way to Broadway fame in New York during the late fifties. One man, Max, is an old time pro, but unfavored by the crowds. The other is a nervous accountant, Leo. After Leo gets over his fright of encountering crazy Max and begins checking his bills, he carelessly makes a statement saying that you could make more money putting on a Broadway flop than a hit, giving Max a big idea. He convinces Leo to help him in his scheme and goes off to find the worst play and actors to produce this flop. Finally he finds the perfect one: a very politically incorrect show that glamorizes Nazi Germany, called “Springtime for Hitler.” The show goes on to introduce many more crazy characters and scenes, like the Swedish blonde Ulla, crazy old ladies, and many more hilarious situations. I would definitely recommend it to audiences who like a good laugh.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Giant Tsunami Sweeps Miles Inland on Japanese Coast: By Zoe D.
In the early morning of March 11th, a giant wall of water crashed into the Japanese coast, uprooting everything in its path. The giant tsunami was the result of an 8.9 magnitute earthquake, and killed more than 2000 people. The 30 ft waves where a muddy brown from the soil they had washed over. Planes, and cars were tossed around like toys, and farmland across the coast was ruined. The tsunami hit Sendai Island, flooding everywhere. Fires broke out across the island as a result of ruptures of gas pipes, and they took 8 hours to extinguish. The nuclear power plants on the coast stopped working because the pump failed, and now energy is seeping into the ground at an uncontrollable rate. Citizens are being checked for radiation exposure. Over 3000 people are missing, but there have been many rescues. A man and his wife where coming back to their house to gather some of their belongings after the earthquake hit, when a huge wall of water swept away their house. The man’s wife was swept away to sea, but the man grabbed onto the roof of the house, which had come off, and floated off into the ocean with it. He was miles into the ocean, and stranded there for about 2 days, when a helicopter came and rescued him. He was taken to a hospital. Whirlpools were conjured up in the middle of the ocean, sucking in huge cruise ships and anything else around them. Bodies have been found along the coast, under the rubble of collapsed buildings, and lying on the streets. Overturned planes and cars litter the streets.
The American Red Cross and other organizations are working to help the devastated coast. You can help by donating money to fund raising programs.
Mega-Earthquake Rattles Japan! By Claire D.
An earthquake that measured 8.9 struck Japan on March 11, devastating the country and triggering a giant tsunami.
You’re sitting on your couch at home, silently reading the newspaper, when suddenly, your furniture starts violently vibrating. Panic starts to kick in, and you flee from your rapidly collapsing house.
On March 11, a giant earthquake struck Japan. This earthquake measured an 8.9, making it the most powerful earthquake in Japan in record. The quake is the fifth-largest in the world since 1900, and it killed hundreds of people. Soon after the earthquake, a 23 foot tsunami hit the already devastated cities. The tsunami raced across the Pacific Ocean at 500 mph towards the coast of Japan, and when it crashed down on the shores, it kept going 6 miles inland. Around 2,000 bodies have already been found washed up from sea or hidden in the rubble, but the death toll is expected to run in the tens of thousands. This earthquake has devastated Japan, and the world will work hard to help Japan recover from the disaster.
10-year-old girl's Lady Gaga cover makes her famous!
Upcoming Events at CMS! March and April 2011
Friday the 18th- end of second trimester
Friday the 18th- Spaghetti Supper (6:30-9)
Tuesday the 22nd- Grade 7 ELA Long Composition MCAS
Wednesday the 23rd- All grades MCAS ELA Reading Comp. Session 1
Thursday the 24th- All grades MCAS ELA Reading Comp. Session 2
Monday the 28th- Report cards mailed out!
APRIL
Tuesday the 5th- National Spanish Exam for 8th graders
Thursday the 7th- House Huddles, all grades
Friday the 8th- opening of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown! (7-9 pm)
Thursday the 14th- 7th grade exchange students leave for China
Monday the 18th-Friday the 22nd- April break!
Monday the 25th- 7th graders return from China
Tuesday the 26th- 8th graders leave for DC trip
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Somalian Pirates
Somali is now becoming known for it’s blood-thirsty pirates. On February 24th, three Danish children and their parents were taken hostage by Somali pirates while they were sailing in the Indian Ocean. The children were said to be from the ages of 12 and 16, and that two crew members were also taken hostage. As of last week, the EU’s anti-piracy naval force said that pirates are estimated to be holding 31 vessels and 688 hostages. Many of the vessels they target are cargo ships sailing near the Gulf of Aden.
The ship with the Danish family on it sent out a distress signal on Thursday. The Danes are the second non-commercial sailors taken by pirates in recent weeks. For an example, a group of Americans were seized earlier in February and four were shot when the US forces tried to rescue them. The pirates seem to be responding with increasing violence as navy forces try to rescue the hostages. Two Philippine sailors were murdered last month because the pirates were enraged at the attempted rescue.
This is becoming a serious issue. Somali gangs have recently hijacked a tanker with $200m worth of crude oil on board. To try to control the issue, international naval forces patrolling the area will try to free more hostages.
Original Story- BBC News
Re-Written By- Emily L.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Crazy Maniac Writes HP Chapter on Bathroom Wall
Harry Potter's awesome, but seriously, who spends their time doing this?
Monday, February 14, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
Alumni Artwork by Zoe H-M.
Zoe, a tenth grader at CCHS and a CMS alum, is a talented artist who kindly lent her work to the lit blog!
"The Intergalactic Spy" (Part I) by Tyler L.
His driver came shortly and took him to the nearest spaceport where he got into his private space ship. It was a 200-foot tall affair with fusion generators that produced 7 million pounds of thrust. It glimmered in the late afternoon light, looking just like a typical cruiser (it was an undercover vehicle).
Michael strapped in and ignited the engines and took off in a roar of smoke. He felt the full pull of 10 g forces as he neared mach 9.9. He wondered what was going to happen to him this time.
As Michael neared the asteroid belt several lkuluian fighters began to close in and a transmission between the two ships began.
“Good morning Mr. Michael," the Ikuluian chief began. “It has come to my attention that you are going to prevent a large war from happening on planet Dsubjkfgkhiov, we need that war to happen and if it doesn’t, well lets not go there. Now if you turn around you and Earth will be left alone, if you refuse to cooperate then things won’t be too pretty.”
“Let me on my way!” demanded Michael. “ I am a member of the company of Intergalactic Spies, and it is a federal offense to keep me from going anywhere.”
“Once we’re done no one will be able to trace this unfortunate event to us. Open fire, men!” exclaimed the Ikuluian chief. There was a loud zapping in the vast atmosphere of space, and a cloud of smoke.
What will happen to Michael?! Tune in next time to Learn!
Student Artwork with Ms. Plante
In Ms. Plante's eighth grade art classes, students have been very busy lately! In one recent project, students had to choose which element (earth, air, wind, water, or fire) best represented their personality and illustrate themselves as that element. In another, students visually represented the famous poem "Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carroll.
Student contributors:
Alec Y.
Ashley Y.
Avalon O.
Joel S.
Kaleigh D.
Sachi W.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Project 351: Interview with our Concord rep, Sophie D. by Isabel F.
1. What is Project 351 and how did you get involved?
Project 351 was a day of community service in honor of governor Deval Patrick's inauguration. It brought kids from every town in Massachusetts into Boston to help out at various organizations.
2. What community service do you take part in currently?
I participate in BookPALS, a program that brings Concord kids into read to 1st-4th graders. I also help out at my church, helping out with the holiday kids' craft fair, and the Secret Santa program, and stuff like that.
3. Describe your day with Project 351.
We all met at Cradles to Crayons in Boston, where we had breakfast, Governor Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Murray talked to us about what we would be doing, and we were assigned a service site. I went to the Dimock Center (a support center/preschool focused on helping women and children). The center is making room for 100 more toddlers, and I helped paint a room and make fleece blankets for kids if they forget one for nap time. It was really fun, someone had an iPod and we sang along as we painted. At about 3, we drove back to Cradles to Crayons and had another meeting with the governor, including a question and answer section. Then we had dinner, and at about 5:45 we were bussed home.
4. Did you meet any other kids? What were they like?
On the bus into Boston I actually met another girl named Sophie, and we sat together to Boston and back. Sadly she was assigned to a different service site, so we didn't work together. At the Dimock Center I met two other girls, and we had a great time cutting fleece and painting. Everyone was really committed and nice, and they all seemed like they wanted to help out.
5. Did you meet Gov. Patrick or any other public figures?
Gov. Patrick came to the Dimock Center when I was working on blankets, and I got my picture taken with him. He is really nice, not too professional and formal. He seemed really interested in hearing what we had to say and checking in on our work. When we got back Sophie (who had been assigned to the food bank) told me that she had met Ray Allen (from the Boston Celtics). I was jealous, but at least I met the governor!
6. What did you get most out of the experience?
Project 351 helped show everyone, I think, that community service doesn't have to be a big, complicated, and boring thing. All I did was paint a room and tie fringe on blankets, but I know some little kids are going to really appreciate it later. And I had an amazing time, so it barely felt like work at all. Everyone there seemed really inspired to go home and help out in their own communities.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Website: How Many of Me
HOW MANY OF ME
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Monday, December 13, 2010
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie: a book review by Tyler L.
sporcle.com: A Website Review by Sam W.
The first thing that most people think when they hear about Sporcle is: What does Sporcle mean? After extensive research, I have discovered it. The site’s founder, Matt Ramme, says that he based the name “Sporcle” off of the word oracle. The icon of Sporcle is a crystal ball, used by oracles. Now you may wonder, what is the use of Sporcle? Sporcle.com is a quiz website with a mission. Their mission statement is “We actively and methodically search out new and innovative ways to prevent our users from getting any work done whatsoever.” Sporcle is the #1 tool for procrastination, but also it’s fun, and incredibly addicting. About 4 games are published each day, and the quizzes range from educational to just for fun. The top ten games include the Countries of the World quiz, the US States quiz, Corporate Logos quiz, Commonest Words in the English Language, and more. Sporcle is a good and fun quiz site for everyone that is allowed to go on the computer and can read.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Concord Equestrian Team Review
Hi, I’m Annie B. and I’m on the Concord Equestrian Team (CET). The CET practices at Verrill Farm Stables in Concord and competes in a series of horse shows that go from September to April. The shows can be as far as Georgia! What you do is you go to someone else’s barn, but instead of riding your own horses, you pick a horse’s name from another barn out of a hat. Then that would be the horse you would ride in the class you signed up for.
The first stage in the season is Zone-1 (which is held Rhode Island, Maine, and Connecticut, etc.). There are five horse shows that go until February. The next stage, Zone finals, is a really big show which all of New England participates in. After Zone Finals, there are Nationals and Regionals. In April, your whole team packs up and goes to Atlanta, Georgia for the final show.
I’ve seen my friend Chloe H. go through all of this, and it does NOT look easy. This year, i hope to go to finals. Below is a little video of how hard doing all of this is, but eventually, it all gets easier. Thanks for reading!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xtAxxkwJAg
Watch the WHOLE thing!!!!!!!!!!!
Its AWESOME!!