Panther Print

2nd Edition of the 2023-2024 BAMS Panther Print, Volume 17, Issue 2

By: Sadie Goodman

We want to give a warm BAMS welcome to Ms. Suzette Attah. She is our newest administrator. She is the assistant principal for 6th grade this school year. When you see Ms. Attah, be sure to welcome her to our BAMS family.

This academic school year (2023-2024) is Ms. Attah's 20th year in public education where seven of those years were spent serving in the New York City Department of Education holding several positions including lead teacher for Special Education. The remaining have been in the Harford County Public Schools as a Special Education Department Chair/Teacher for Special Education and then an Assistant Principal.

Q: What is your favorite thing about working at BAMS?
A: "I am fortunate to work with a community of educators that are passionate about empowering and enriching the lives of students. Additionally, seeing the smiling faces of the students in the hallway, the laughter and chatter in the cafeteria, and walking by classrooms seeing students fully engaged in instruction complete my day here at BAMS."

Q: How many years have you been an AP?

A: "Completing year 2"

Q: Is there any other job that you have or would like to have?

A: "Besides motherhood, this is the most fulfilling job."

Q: What school did you work at last?

A: "Swan Creek"

Q: Is this the only school you have been an AP at?

A: "No"

Q: What do you do in your free time?

A: "I enjoy spending time with my family."

Q: Do you have any kids? If so, how many? Do they go to BAMS?

A: "4 children; 2 adult stepsons and two daughters."

Q: If you had to teach a subject, which subject would you want to teach?

A: "Mathematics"

By: Alexis Tabafunda

On February 2nd, 2024, the school's SGA club (including Ms. Fishel and Mrs. Smith) hosted a dance with the theme of "Winter Wonderland.” A big whopping 450 tickets were sold this year and got sold out in under a whole week! Each ticket was $7.00 per person and even included a station with beverages, food (pepperoni and cheese pizza), and a place to hang out with friends including game boards and a place to sit and chat (which was in the cafeteria). This event also had a brief walk through the art show as many students had the opportunity to walk around and even go in and out of the dance floor.

The school’s 2023-2024 SGA members had planned MONTHS for this event to happen. Including preparation with decorations (since the beginning of November), the money raised for the DJ and food, and even the help given from Ms. Fishel and Mrs. Smith, including the chaperones which participated in this event.

Here is some information about the Winter Wonderland Dance:

WHEN was it: February 2nd, 2024

WHERE was it: Bel Air Middle School (Located: In Main Gym (DJ located), Cafeteria (food, beverages), and a brief walk of the art show)

What TIME did it start/end: 6:00 p.m. TO 8:00 p.m.

A brief thanks to Ms. Fishel, Mrs. Smith, and the SGA for all the hard work you have put for the 6th, 7th, and 8th dance of 2024!!!

By:Eirabella Tapia

Spring has finally arrived to chase away the freezing winter months! (Whether you’re happy about this or not, the snow has finished melting as well.) Now that we’re celebrating the increasing amount of sunshine, green grass, and the return of the wonderful insects, birds and other animals that roam around this time, I feel that it would only be appropriate to welcome spring with some interesting facts about the creatures it brings! I’ll be covering many facts about the bugs you see flying around your garden, the songbirds singing in the trees, and every animal in between. You never know; you could learn something new today!

BEES:

• Bees have 5 eyes.
• Bees can fly at different speeds depending on species- their average speed ranges from 6-30 mph.
• It takes nectar from 2 million flowers to make a pound of honey, and the average bee makes about 1/12 a teaspoon of it in their lifetime.

BUTTERFLIES:

• Only about 4% of butterfly species live in the United States.
• Butterflies can see ultraviolet light, which allows them to see colors we can't. Their wings actually contain these colors to attract mates.
• Most adult butterflies only live for 1-2 weeks.

RABBITS:

• Rabbits can turn their ears 180 degrees to pinpoint the exact location of a sound.
• Baby rabbits are called "kittens!"
• Carrots aren't very healthy for rabbits due to their high sugar content.

BIRDS:

• Hummingbirds are able to fly backwards!
• The downy woodpecker can peck 16 times in a single second.
• Some birds can fly while they sleep.

Sources:

“10 Mind-Blowing Facts about Birds.” Accelerator, https://www.reconnectwithnature.org/news-events/big-features/10-mind-blowing-facts-about-birds/. Accessed 24 Jan. 2024.

“15 Rabbit Facts You Probably Didn’t Know!” Blue Cross, https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/rabbit/wellbeing-and-care/facts-about-rabbits. Accessed 24 Jan. 2024.

9 Fascinating Facts About Butterflies | World Animal Protection. https://www.worldanimalprotection.us/blogs/9-fascinating-facts-about-butterflies. Accessed 24 Jan. 2024.

Bee Facts. https://honeybeenet.gsfc.nasa.gov/Honeybees/Basics.htm. Accessed 24 Jan. 2024.

By: Katie Rabak

Mrs. Podgorski is a new CTE teacher here at BAMS. The interview below will help you learn more about Mrs. Podgorski.

Q: How many years have you been teaching?

A: “I’ve been teaching for 20 years.”

Q: What subject or subjects/grades do you teach?

A: “I teach 6th, 7th, and 8th and computer education.”

Q: What do you think of BAMS so far?

A: “It’s amazing and everyone is friendly and helpful.”

Q: How many children do you have, if any?

A: “I have two kids.”

Q: What is your favorite season? Why?

A: “My favorite season is Summer because we like to do lots of fun things in summer like going to the beach, swimming, and not being in school.”

Q: What is your favorite animal?

A: “My favorite animal is sea turtles.”

Q: Why did you decide to become a teacher?

A: “I have wanted to be a teacher since second grade. I decided to become a teacher to help young people learn in the best way possible.”

Q: What is one of your hobbies?

A: “One of my hobbies is reading.”

Q: Where did you teach/what did you teach before coming to BAMS?

A: “I taught 3rd grade at Williams S James Elementary School before coming to BAMS.”

By: Henry Bell

Maryland has many animals representing it from crustaceans to cats! In this article I will try to go over some of them and hope you learn something. (This article will go in chronological order from earliest to latest animal to represent Maryland.)

In 1947, the first animal to represent Maryland was the state bird, the Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula). The Baltimore Oriole has Baltimore in its name due to the coloring of this bird’s feathers resembling the coat-of-arms of 17th century Lord Baltimore. Baltimore Orioles eat insects, berries, and nectar. On average, Baltimore Orioles live 11 1/2 years.

In 1964, the second animal to represent Maryland was the state dog, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever (Canis lupus familiaris). The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is named after the Chesapeake Bay. The dog was developed in the U.S. to recover waterfowl for hunters. On average, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers live 10-12 years.

In 1965, the third animal to represent Maryland was the state fish, the rockfish (Morone saxatilis). The rockfish is also known as the striped bass is an abundant species in Maryland. Rockfish can live from 11 to 200 years! However, these ages come from different genera.

In 1973, the fourth animal to represent Maryland was the state insect, the Baltimore checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas phaeton). This butterfly has orange and black colorings, which are the same colors as the ones on the Calvert seal. These butterflies live about 1 year total.

In 1989, the fifth animal to represent Maryland was the state crustacean, the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus). The blue crab is found in Chesapeake Bay and is the most valuable species harvested from the bay. In the wild, blue crabs live for about 1-3 years.

In 1998, the sixth animal to represent Maryland was the state dinosaur, the Astrodon (Astrodon johnstoni) This dinosaur’s fossils were first discovered in 1958. They lived in what is now Maryland from 95-130 million years ago. Astrodon means star tooth. Astrodon was estimated to be 49-59 feet or approximately 15-18 meters.

In 2001, the seventh animal to represent Maryland was the state cat, the calico cat (Felis catus). The calico cat has tri-color fur of orange, black, and white, which are the same colors as the ones on the Calvert seal. Calico cats (and most other cats) live on average for about 15 years.

In 2003, the final animal to represent Maryland was the state horse, the thoroughbred horse (Equus caballus). In the Northern Hemisphere, all thoroughbred horses are considered have their birthday on January first even if they weren’t born on that date. Thoroughbred horses usually live 25 to 35 years.

After I read about these animals, I wondered what animal people would think to be their favorite animal. So, I made a form and surveyed BAMS students, and here are the results:

As we can see the calico cat scored the most votes at 41. Honestly, I was expecting this because of how many people like cats. Our runner up I also found extremely predictable, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, with 36 votes. Finally, in third place there was the Baltimore Oriole.

As a bonus, the Maryland state fossil is Ecphora gardnerae gardnerae (this creature was not included in the vote because I feared its long name would mess up the vote being a “funny answer”). Ecphora gardnerae gardnerae is a species of extinct snail that is commonly found in Maryland.

Thank you for reading about the cool animals that represent Maryland!

By: Taylor Brookman

Let's give a warm goodbye to the one and only Dr. Ferretti who has been an educator for the past 30 years at Bel Air Middle School!

Dr. Ferretti has been teaching Language Arts for these past years and has enjoyed these past years here as a Bel Air teacher.

Here are some questions that we're given during the interview:

Q: What are you going to miss most about BAMS?

A: "That's tough. I will miss this building and everyone in it. I truly love BAMS. It is a great place to work and is filled with wonderful students and fantastic adults. I've been very blessed to spend 30 years of my career in such an awesome place."

Q: What are you most looking forward to after retirement?

A: "I am excited to find out what happens next. Maybe I will be teaching somewhere in Delaware or maybe I will be doing something different. Or maybe I will just start working at Longwood Gardens. I have no idea what the future holds, but I'm very excited to find out."

Q: What are your best memories at BAMS?

A: "I love to see kids smile. When you see a student enjoying a class - even when the work is hard --that is truly wonderful . I will miss those moments."

Q: How many years have you been teaching?

A: "30 years. I was a long-term sub in Cecil County for three different positions the year before I started here, but I don't count that."

Q: How many years have you been at BAMS?

A: "30 years teaching 8th grade. One of my students is now a teacher at BAMS. Some students from my first year, have had kids and I have taught their kids."

Q: What advice do you have for students?

A: "Don't sweat the small stuff. Truly most of it is "small stuff", so relax. Make good choices, and everything will work out just the way it is supposed to."

Q: Have you ever taught any other subjects other than language arts?

A: "No. Language Arts is the BEST SUBJECT."

By: Laiba Shah and Sydney LeMay

As we learned more about the staff at BAMS, we found a retiring teacher at Bel Air Middle School. Most seventh-grade students might know Ms. Terry. She is the language arts teacher in room 38. Here are some questions that you may have never thought to ask.

Q: What are you going to miss most about retirement?

A: "I will miss interacting with my students and fellow faculty members the most, but I also think I will miss the fresh start we are granted yearly. The joy that comes with the beginning of the school year, filled with possibilities and renewed energy, is a unique experience. It is a gift not experienced in most professions, and I will miss it."

Q: What subjects have you taught?

A: "I have taught Language Arts and Early American History."

Q: What do you plan to do after retirement?

A: "I look forward to returning to school as a student rather than as a teacher. I want to learn and try new things. I also want to spend more time with my family and friends."

Q: What has been your favorite subject to teach?

A: "I enjoy teaching Language Arts, especially the reading portion of the subject. There is no greater joy than watching a student getting lost in a good book."

Q: What are some of your favorite books to read?

A: "One favorite story that comes to mind is a high fantasy series written by Stephen R. Donaldson called The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever. It is about an author suffering from leprosy who is transported to a mysterious land where he is unsure if what is happening around him is real or a hallucination brought about by his illness. Another favorite is The Unlikely Spy by Daniel Silva, which is a World War II novel about Catherine Blake, a Nazi spy charged with uncovering the Allied Plans for D-Day."

"My absolute favorite novel, however, is The Lord of the Rings: Part 1, The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien. It is part of another high fantasy series in which nine representatives from Middle-Earth set out on a quest to destroy a powerful magical ring to save the world from the Dark Lord Sauron. This series is the best epic fantasy ever told. Tolkien is a masterful writer; his stories always leave me with a sense of wonder and awe. He is my all-time favorite author, and I highly recommend his works to all of you."

Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies?

A: "I do a bit of sewing and quilting. I tend to overthink things, and it is nice to get outside of my head for a while and create something with my hands. My favorite pastime, however, is snuggling with my dog Loki while reading a good book. Doing so helps me relax, recharge, and explore new worlds and perspectives through literature while spending time with my best friend."

Q: Have you taught any different grades? If so, which ones?

A: "I have spent thirty years teaching seventh grade. It is the only grade level I have ever wanted to teach, and I am thankful to have had the opportunity."

Q: What are some of your favorite TV shows or movies?

A: "My favorite television series is Game of Thrones, which I admire for its complex characters and intricate plot. It raises thought-provoking questions about power, morality, and human nature, and I love dissecting these ideas and discussing them with friends."

"My favorite movie is Star Wars: Rogue One, a film that beautifully expands the Star Wars universe and tells a compelling story of sacrifice and bravery. I am always amazed by the creativity and imagination that goes into creating such stories."

Q: What is your favorite part about BAMS?

A: "I have always loved BAMS's administration, faculty, and staff. I enjoy working with this group to ensure that our students are provided with the best opportunities to learn. I am at my happiest and best when co-teaching with our special educators. I have learned so much from these talented ladies, not just about teaching but also about being a better person."

"BAMS has also been blessed with strong administrators. They are the amazing individuals who create the positive and inclusive atmosphere that permeates our building. They make all decisions based on the well-being of the students here at BAMS. The respect and support they give to teachers has also been outstanding. I am not sure people understand how extremely rare these administrative qualities are in education, and the fact our administrators have maintained this standard of excellence for over thirty years is impressive. That is one of the reasons BAMS is considered one of the best schools in the county."

"There is also another group of people working behind the scenes that make BAMS such a great school. These individuals often go unnoticed, and that is a shame because nothing would function here if these people were not tirelessly working to keep this building running. Our secretaries, custodians, and cafeteria workers are dedicated beyond compare. They not only do their jobs well, but they also go above and beyond to support the faculty. I am deeply grateful for the times they have checked on me, supported me, and assisted me with things that have nothing to do with their jobs. Their care and dedication to this building, the students, and the faculty at BAMS are truly remarkable, and we are incredibly fortunate to have them."

Q: Have you visited any countries outside of the US?

A: " I once visited Canada for a week, but I am not much of a traveler. My adventures tend to come from stories rather than real-life experiences."

Q: Where did you get your teaching degree?

A: "I earned my bachelor's and master's degrees at Towson University."

Q: What is one of your favorite lessons to teach?

A: "I loved teaching mythology. I cannot get enough of monsters and the heroes who battle them."

Q: What is your favorite genre to read or write about?

A: "I love reading all literary genres, but my favorite stories involve mythology, science fiction, or historical events. When it comes to writing, however, I prefer non-fiction. If I had not been so drawn to teaching, I think I would have pursued a career in journalism."

Q: Any tips for future teachers at BAMS?

A:

1. "Trust and rely on your co-workers to see you through difficult times. No one can do this job alone; it must be a team effort."
   
   

2. "Remember that everything is a work in progress. There is always room for improvement, new things to learn, and new things to try."

By: Henry Bell and Diego Acevedo

Our very own Mrs. Diven, 6th grade language arts teacher, will be retiring after this school year. We are sad to see her go, but excited for her to begin this next chapter in her life. Below are some questions that we asked Mrs. Diven to find out more about her before she retires.

Q: Why are you retiring?

A: "I want to have time to travel, the flexibility of seeing my grandkids who live in Florida, spending time with family and friends, and to have time to figure out what will be in my next chapters of life."

Q: How many years have you been teaching?

A: "31 years"

Q: How long have you been at BAMS?

A: "10 years"

Q: What is your favorite thing about BAMS?

A: "The absolute BEST part of BAMS is the friendships I have made over the past ten years working here and having fun teaching Language Arts to the wonderful students at Bel Air Middle."

Q: What plans do you have for your retirement?

A: "I want to have the flexibility to travel. There are so many places I want to visit. (So, to fund my wish list I plan on substituting 😊) I want to be able to have longer visits to St. Pete Florida to visit my daughter and her family especially since she is expecting her 3rd baby in August. Now I will have time for lots and lots of GRAMMY CAMPS!"

Q: What grades/subjects have you taught?

A: "I taught 2nd grade for a year, 3 rd grade for 20 years at Churchville Elementary and 6th grade language arts for 10 years here at Bel Air Middle."

Q: Have you had any careers other than being a teacher?

A: "Yes, after graduating from college I spent a few years being a Paralegal and pondered going to law school. However, I found this career was not for me so that is when I did a lot of sole searching. My love of children and reading inspired me to go back to school to earn my teaching certificate."

Q: What advice do you have for students at BAMS?

A: "Since you have to show up each day to learn, make it your goal to learn something new every day. Be kind to yourself and others!" 😊

By: Tara Kirk and Amy Kossovski

You’re in bed, it’s a hot sweaty day, and your air conditioning is loud as thunder. It almost noon and you don’t plan on moving an inch. Sounds like your typical summer day, doesn't it? You’re in the mood for something cold and sweet, but don’t have any good places in reach. Well, fear not, Menchies is the place to go, to grab a nice, cold, sweet treat!

Menchies not only has delicious frozen yogurt, but they also have a clean workplace, a nicely organized seating area, with seats both indoors and outdoors. Menchies also provides an easy grab-n-go service. Just simply grab a cup, pick your frozen yogurt and toppings and checkout at the front counter. Which also shows it can be better to come in store than just ordering on the website; as the manager, John Carnesi, stated, “I think you get a much better experience when you come in the store.” Especially if you prefer to go in and pick and choose yourself to make a personal connection it would work better. Once you walk around the front counter you will be flushed over with loads of various flavors. Chocolate, vanilla, cookies ‘n’ creme and loads more! You might also still have a few questions, which we can help you with! Like, “where have they moved to?” Which, they are at 532 Baltimore Pike, Bel Air, MD 21014. You might also be wondering why they moved locations? Well, simply due to an expired lease as well as a more popular location. Thankfully their new location isn’t too busy, and the lines move fast. So don’t stress getting your favorite sweet treat!

Well, you might be thinking, “That sounds great and all... but I’m not a huge fan of sweets...” which don’t worry if that’s you, because Menchies also offers healthier options as well as sweets, allowing anyone to find pleasure in their products! Menchies offers a healthier addition to the menu, Açaí bowls, which they started selling after partnering up with Sambazon. Sambazon is one of the first certified organic and fair trade Açaí companies; they directly support thousands of farmers in the Amazon as well as help build schools, healthcare centers, and community centers. Not only that, but they have helped protect the Amazon Rainforest by minimizing their environmental impacts with their supply chain. So, not only does Menchies have another variation of nice, cold treats, but they also help those in need simultaneously! Unfortunately, not all locations are partnered with Sambazon, only the participating locations are; thankfully the newer locations does in fact sell the Açaí bowls!

Have you ever wondered why Menchies is called Menchies? Or who is the mascot that follows the name? Well, Menchie was designed to make people smile. The store's motto is “We Make You Smile,” which relates to them striving to have a good sense of comfort. Menchie is described as friendly and joyful, he loves spending time with his friends. Relating to his overall behavior, his name was created out of love. Out of the first two owners of the business, one of them had gotten the nickname, “mensch” during their personal relationship, which meant a person of integrity and honor in Yiddish. The two later chose to change the nickname from Mensch to Menchie, which stuck this time. When the two later needed a name for their new-found business, they chose Menchies.

Mookie, ever heard of her? No? Mookie is a sweet, lovable cow mascot of Menchies. Out of the whole sweet friends' squad, Mookie is the performer. She loves “moo-sic” and loves the tasty frozen yogurt flavor cookies ‘n’ cream. That’s also one of her favorite things to sing about. She also has her famous saying “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I'm possible.” They also have tons more! Go to their website, “Menchies.com” to see more of their fun characters.

Overall, Menchies is the place to go if you’re thinking about froyo; with its flavorful options of frozen yogurt to their family friendly work style, you’re sure to enjoy it. So, next time you’re lying in bed, craving something refreshing and sweet, head to Menchies’ new location; buy your new favorite sweet treat! Go grab your sweet freeze!

In 2019, the Baltimore Orioles selected Gunnar Henderson, with their 42nd pick, in the MLB draft. He rose to the major leagues so quickly, because the third baseman made quick impressions in the minor leagues. As a young, developing baseball player, many sports networkers and critics were doubting the young player. However, Gunnar did not listen to his critics. He had already demonstrated his talent, with the IronBirds and the Norfolk, Tides. After 3 years, countless hours of training and hard work, Gunnar was going to be in the big league, playing with the team that gave him the opportunity in 2019 – The Baltimore, Orioles. He did finish the season off with the Orioles, who completely flipped their season around. After the MLB All-Star break in July 2023, Gunnar and the Orioles fans were looking forward to finishing the 2023 MLB season strong. As an Orioles fan, I personally was so excited to watch him play. He turned out to be one of the best players on the team!

Image Source:

https://www.masnsports.com/blog/o-s-gunnar-henderson-slow-start-now-a-blip-on-radar-for-roy-favorite

By: Sadie Goodman

Taylor Swift is one of the biggest musical artists in the world as of 2024. She has released 243 songs in total and has produced 14 albums. Even though her popularity has increased greatly since her first song in 2004, there are still many things that happened in Taylor Swift's life that people may not know about.

1989

Taylor Allison Swift was born December 13th, 1989. Taylor, her younger brother, and her parents owned a Christmas tree farm in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania. When Taylor was 13, her passion for music began when she learned to play guitar. One year later, her parents sold their farm and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, so Taylor could pursue her music career.

Taylor Swift

Within a year of living in Nashville, Taylor Swift signed a songwriting contract with Sony/ATV Music Publishing. She was the youngest person to ever do so in the company's history. She then signed with Big Machine Records in 2005, not long after, and achieved fame as a country pop singer with the albums: Taylor Swift (2006) and Fearless (2008). The singles "Teardrops on My Guitar", "Love Story", and "You Belong with Me" were crossover successes on country and pop radio formats and brought Taylor Swift mainstream fame.

Reputation

In early 2010, Taylor Swift fans began calling themselves “Swifties” which meant that they were passionate and loyal fans instead of just occasional listeners. By October, Taylor Swift had just released her album Speak Now which had sold over 1 million copies within the first week. It had become the fastest selling digital album by a female artist. Today, her biggest album is 1989, with almost 11 million album sales!

By: Taylor Brookman

By: Laiba Shah and Sydney LeMay

As we learned more about the staff at BAMS, we found another new addition to the Bel Air Middle School family this year. Most seventh-grade students might know Mrs. Smith. She is the new language arts teacher. Here is an insight into one of our amazing additions to BAMS.

Q: Where did you teach/what did you teach prior to coming to BAMS?

A: "Before joining the BAMS team, I taught for 3 years at North Harford Middle and prior to that, I taught in Baltimore City."

Q: How many years have you been teaching for?

A: "I have been teaching for 22 years."

Q: How is Bel Air Middle School different from other schools you have taught at?

A: "The students are incredibly hard-working and genuinely kind to one another and I want to cultivate that into important, meaningful work in the classroom. I feel really lucky to be here."

Q: What is your favorite part of BAMS?

A: "My favorite part of working at BAMS so far is the kindness I have been shown by my team here in 7th grade and my students."

Q: What are your favorite topics or subjects to teach?

A: "I love teaching reading and writing through the lens of historical events that had an impact, especially an impact on young people."

Q: Is there another subject you would prefer to teach? If so what and why?

A: "I love teaching ILA. If I could do anything else, it would be PE or Outdoor Education because I love running around with kids and seeing them outside 4 walls as well."

Q: What are some lessons you teach to pass time?

A: "My favorite lessons are ones where the students are really in the lead role. Peer editing, Author’s Chair, our Poetry Fair, Writer’s workshops. I think of myself more as a coach of writing."

Q: Do you have any children? If so how many and what ages? And have you taught them as a teacher?

A: "I have two daughters, Libby, and Paige, and they attend elementary school here in HCPS."

Q: What are some of your favorite books or series you've read?

A: "I love any book I can get my hands on, but my favorite genres are young adult realistic fiction and mysteries."

Q: What is your favorite form of writing? Poems? Fiction? Non-Fiction? Why?

A: "I love to write poetry, even though I am still far from a poet. I love to think about plots for different realistic fiction stories, but rarely have time to write myself."

Q: What is your favorite unit to teach as a writing teacher? Why?

A: "My absolute favorite unit is Poetry. Many students think they ‘hate poetry’ when they arrive in seventh grade. The reality is songs we listen to everyday are simply poems set to a beat. Once I can help students see that poetry and music are totally intertwined, they are always more willing to express themselves and write multiple drafts. Hearing students talk about poetry once the unit is over is simply the best."

Q: What are some of your hobbies/things you do when you are not working?

A: "When I’m not working, I love to play outside with my kids, hike at Rocks State Park, read in the hammock in my backyard, and in the summers, I love to swim."

Q: Any recommendations for future new teachers?

A: "Work hard and be kind to yourself and others. My first 5 years of teaching were 13-hour days and grading on weekends. Over the years, I have learned how to better balance school and life; what really matters and what can wait until tomorrow. The most important thing you can be for students is firm, fair, consistent, and kind. All four, equally. Do not take anything personal but be personable to everyone you meet. Most of all, trying to make learning and lessons FUN!"

By: Lillian Lubiano and Brayden Staron

One thing for certain is the general population enjoys shopping malls. Over 69 years, people have enjoyed the benefits of going to a mall and browsing for their heart's desires. But what about today? Will malls go extinct in the next couple of years? How have malls been ever since 2020? All these questions will be answered in my article.

Are malls going to end up extinct soon?

The short answer is no. They are simply adapting to their surroundings and contently changing based on what is popular today. Malls aren’t going anywhere. For example, take Karunesh’s article that sums it up quite nicely. The “Evolution Of The Shopping Mall”: Past, Present, And Future.” has a good point about the state of shopping malls. In a part of their article it says: “Although there have been testing times for shopping malls in the past, they will continue to remain a shopping staple in the retail industry. Shopping malls will keep attracting major retail brands and add new entertainment forms to keep the audience engaged and involved.” Which means we have nothing to worry about.

“Westminster Mall Redevelopment Proposals Are Being Submitted. Here’s What Those Plans Look like.” Orange County Register, 15 Jan. 2024, https://www.ocregister.com/2024/01/15/westminster-mall-redevelopment-proposals-are-being-submitted-heres-what-those-plans-look-like/.

How have malls been since 2020?

Ever since the pandemic of Covid-19, people refrained from scratching the surface of the outside world. That resulted in multiple factors including the spike of people going to malls. Everything shifted from in-person activities to virtual activities including malls. Karen Meier in her text states this fact notably well. In her text: “The Growth Death and Rebirth of the American Shopping Mall” it says: “The decline in mall popularity over the years can be attributed to several significant factors, including Changing consumer preferences, including the rise in e-commerce giants like Amazon and the convenience of shopping online. The growth in alternative shopping and entertainment options.”

What does the future look like for malls?

The future of malls depends on what things look like today. Currently, it looks like shopping malls will include technology to make their malls become more relevant and more popular with the general public. Along with other factors like appearance that will attract popularity for malls.

In short, although malls have faced a fair share of ups and downs, shopping malls will continue to adapt to the environment around them.

By: Eirabella Tapia

When a new policy is added to the rules, a new addition to the school is made, or suggestions for changes are given, it’s usually parents, teachers and other school staff who give their opinion on the matter. Nobody EVER asks the students anything! I can imagine it must be frustrating not to have your voice heard in your school community, so now’s the time for you all to shine! Recently, I prepared a survey allowing you, the students, to vote for your opinions on the school, and I’ll be featuring a few of your answers in the article below. I included a few popular controversial topics, as well as giving you the opportunity to explain your thoughts and suggest other ideas you had in mind. Without further ado, let’s get into the results!

I suggested several topics that middle schoolers might have opinions on and added them into a poll where you’d be able to choose any topics you like or want to see added to Bel Air Middle School. (Please note that some of these topics might be quite controversial: this is simply a collection of opinions and does not guarantee that these ideas will come true!) In total, we got 2,137 votes from 196 respondents, and below are the final voting statistics:

1) The dress code should have a uniform: 15 votes

2) The dress code should stay the same: 124 votes

3) The lunch period should be extended: 159 votes

4) The lunch period should be shortened: 4 votes

5) Students should be able to use their phones in the hallway, during lunch and/or after they finish their schoolwork: 145 votes

6) There should be alternate seating options during classes (ex: bean bags, carpet on the floor): 130 votes

7) Return to traditional snow days (no asynchronous work on snow days): 79 votes

8) Continue with asynchronous snow days: 94 votes

9) Return to synchronous learning during snow days (online meetings with teachers): 22 votes

10) Students should have more freedom with their schedule (ex: picking their preferences for what period they would like their classes, selecting UA classes): 155 votes

11) Students should be allowed by default to sit where they would like during classes and/or lunch: 137 votes

12) The lunch/breakfast menu should be expanded: 111 votes

13) Students should be allowed to drink other things besides water outside of the lunchroom (ex: soda, juice): 128 votes

14) Classes should be made more user-friendly and interactive: 78 votes

15) Students should be given the ability to voice their opinions on changes made to their school: 117 votes

16) Students should get more free time in general / a free period (recess): 157 votes

17) Less homework should be given: 129 votes

18) Lunch (just the basics) should be free for all students: 138 votes

19) You should be able to pick your teacher for classes: 84 votes

20) You should be able to select your teams: 117

21) Other: 13

22) None: 1

The highest scoring option was #3 (The lunch period should be extended) and the lowest scoring option was #22 (None). Additionally, students had many other amazing thoughts and ideas about our school, and I’ve recorded them to include some of the ones I like, listed below:

Q: Would you like to elaborate on any of your responses?

A: “Picking your teachers/teams would allow for more students to have a better chance of having the same classes with their friends, as well as pick their desired teachers instead of being randomly put on a team with teachers.”

A: “Recess should be a real consideration, because everyone needs a time during the day to unwind and see other people.”

A: “I think the lunch and breakfast menu should be expanded to have more options for people who either can't have too much sugar in their blood, are vegan, etc. I have a friend who is vegan, and she wants to buy lunch from school, but there are very little options available for her on the lunch menu.”

A: “Return to traditional snow days - I understand that snow days can disrupt the HCPS schedule and cause finding the end of the school year more complicated. However, if you make the argument that asynchronous days gives more summer days, then think about this; is an extra day in the same season for multiple months the same value as an extra day in a different season during a time when you'd probably need the break? Also, while asynchronous work does cover an entire snow day with less work, this is the first step forward for covering an entire snow day while being the same amount of schoolwork. Plus, isn't a snow day like a tradition?”

A: “I would like the lunch time to be extended. Lots of students choose to buy lunch and have to wait in very long lines. With the 20-30 minutes we are given to eat lunch, the lines shorten our eating time to 10-15 minutes, which is not enough time to eat for many.”

A: “I think students should have a free period because it could help them catch up on homework and consult with teachers about their work to stop students burning out in school.”

A: “Personally, I think the usage of phones throughout the day could help some students improve their mental health. Even though they aren't technically good for us, they help us calm down and destress by viewing things we like; such as friends, relaxing videos, and etc. Although I do not support the filming of others or usage during class time, I feel that, in our down time, students would be a lot happier. I also recommend free lunch. Not all people can afford to pay for lunch and could be struggling financially. It may be cheaper than making a lunch, but it would help those who cannot afford lunch.”

A: “Students being able to pick what periods they have certain classes and what UA classes they want would be very great. Some students work better in the morning while others work better in the afternoon, so being able to pick our periods could help students earn better grades. Also, I would love to pick UA classes because this year I really wanted drama but instead I got classes I already had. I would also love to have a free period because a little break (15-20 minutes) during school would really help me refocus myself. Finally, I really liked the asynchronous snow day. I think it not only allows students to be productive but also gives them a small break from school without worrying about it adding onto the school year.”

A: “Studies show that students who are given even 15 minutes of free time during their day will show a drastic increase in focus and concentration during class. I would love it if we were given just 15 minutes a day to go outside, breathe the fresh air, and decompress before continuing with the school day. This break might help students who struggle with focusing on class improve their academic performance. It would be a healthy change for everyone.”

A: “I think providing a uniform would make people get in trouble less for dress code. Also providing a uniform may stop bullying for looks. I would add that allowing free days where you can dress in your own attire. This idea is still a bit of a concern just because students might not be able to express their style and other concerns.”

A: “We should have a longer lunch time. I have heard many kids (even those outside of our school who also have a 25 minute lunch time), complain that us kids do not have enough time to eat. Kids who buy lunch have it worse because they must be called up to the lines; the time for all the tables to get called up takes away from the time kids could be eating. It takes about 5-10 minutes for all the tables to get called up, so anyone who buys lunch only has 15-20 minutes to eat their whole lunch. After asking my parents about how long their lunch was as a kid, and comparing BAMS lunch time to my other friends that don't go to BAMS; they had a 5-20 minute longer lunch than BAMS does. I think we should have a 30-40 minute lunch so that everyone has time to eat their lunch and are not delayed by their teacher or having to wait to be called up to line.”

Q: Do you have any other options or ideas for changes to the school?

A: “I think that the school should teach more life skills. [ex: cleaning, cooking]”

A: “Kids should be able to move teams/classes if they have a legitimate reason, because you don’t want students to be upset or bullied by people that they are stuck with every day.”

A: “Lunch should be healthier for kids. I know the school does not have much to go off of, but we can try our best. Also, and this is also very important regarding student mental and physical health, is that school should start later in the day. The early start time we have now can have an extremely negative impact on students and can result in depression and less focus on schoolwork. I know the school itself cannot do much, but we could mention it to the school board.”

A: “I feel like we need more time to change in the locker rooms. Some of us (like me) love to accessorize, so it can be hard to get changed in a short amount of time.”

A: “I would appreciate it if there were some sort of reward system where students could earn 15 minutes of outside time, or a lunch with their friends, through good behavior and showing responsibility. This way, there are rewards for students who always give their best effort, and others are encouraged to do so as well.”

Q: What do you like about our school?

A: “I like how there is always someone in our school that I can trust.”
A: “I like that there are many club options. There is something for everybody.”

A: “The teachers are so kind and supportive, and there are many that I would like to thank over the years. There are so many more at this school that helped me learn and grow, and I thank all of them dearly.”

A: “What I like about our school is that it is a safe space. People are nice to each other, and the teachers are also nice. Our school is so nice. I am also very happy that the kids in this school are so nice and caring. We even do fundraisers and help our school. I like our school for so many reasons, and I am so happy to be here. Even one of my teachers helped me in Language Arts class because she saw that I needed more help, and she cared for me so much that she helped me by putting me in a different class. I was so happy because she helped me with my grades. I am so happy that I am in a good school.”

A: “I like all of the opportunities we get at BAMS. There are so many clubs, events, contests and more that we are given the chance to take part in.”

A: “I like how this school supports all students of all different genders and identities.”

Lastly, I compiled some ratings on our school! Students were asked to rate BAMS from 1-5 stars, and the final average is 3.62 stars (with the majority of 47% going for 4 stars)! Clearly our school has done a wonderful job with our students, but there will always be room for improvement. I do hope some of these suggestions may be considered at some point, as I’m sure many of you will be happy to see those changes made. In the meantime, please enjoy the rest of the Panther Print! You never know what will happen, after all.

By: Hannah Golley

There has always been a debate on whether Disney or Universal is better; from princesses to wizards, Disney and Universal both have a lot to offer. But what makes them worth fighting for? Here are some pros, cons, and opinions of Disney and Universal.

Theme Parks

While Disney World has the classic fairytale rides, Universal Studios focuses on movie themed rides. If you're into action packed rides n’ coasters, Universal would be the way to go, especially if you are older and are not bringing younger guests. Meanwhile, Disney would be the better option for families with smaller children and diehard fans of Disney. When asked what they liked better, BAMS students and teachers had this to say:

• “I chose Universal because it has more roller coasters that are more fun that the ones in Disney.” -Jiya Patel
• “I like the Universal theme park because there is more to the park and there are characters walking around and the rides are more fun than Disney's.” - Surian Nguyen
• “I have been to Disney three times, and I just love the parks and how each is perfectly themed with food and characters. Also, I love TRON Lightcycle / Run and that is probably my favorite ride to date.” - Julianna Avato
• “I love Disney because of the Tower of Terror.” - Georgia Lentis

BAMS students do not plan their own vacations, so they are most likely not making their votes based on ticket cost. For a better view of this, here is how much a one-day summer trip to Universal Studios, and Disney World in Orlando, Florida’s most popular parks, would be. This does not include plane cost, hotel cost, or ticket add-ons. (These are the prices for a 4-person family which includes 2 middle schoolers and 2 adults.) Universal Studios: $606.00 Disney Magic Kingdom: $741.24. Disney costs a LOT more than Universal, so if you are cautious about spending too much money for one day at a theme park, Universal would be the way to go. Of course, there are plenty of park add-ons that will change the price, and the price changes throughout the year.

Movies and TV shows

Disney is well known for classic films like the Disney Princess movies and Mickey Mouse, while Universal is known for popular new films like Despicable Me, Minions, and Kung Foo Panda. Both franchises provide equal entertainment, but BAMS students have their opinions. When asked, BAMS students and teachers had this to say:

• “Disney isn't just Disney. It's Disney, National Geographic, Pixar, Marvel, etc.” -Emily Briggs (Mrs. Briggs)
• “I loved the Disney movies when I was little. They always made me happy.” -Riley Kerem
• “My favorite movie in the history of the world is Trolls 3 which is made by Universal.” -Sadie Goodman
• “I chose Disney for movies/tv shows because Disney has some classic movies, like princess movies.” -Surian Nguyen
• “Because I like Shrek and Shrek is universal” -Delaney Weaver

When it comes to memories, Disney is the winner. Most students and teachers that chose Disney chose it because it connected to their childhoods, and watching Disney movies made them happy. Although Disney movies gave BAMS students sentimental feelings, Universal seems to take the cake for favorite individual movies. Including the many Trolls movies, Minions, and Shrek, Universal has a lot to offer. At the end of the day, though, there really isn’t a winner for whether Disney or Universal is better, since they are both great.

You’re sitting in bed, the time is 4:37pm and you’re bored out of your mind. You already finished reading all your books and don’t feel like playing the same old games or going outside in the unbearable heat. Stuck not knowing what to do? Well, here are top four books you could read to make your summer a bit more enjoyable!

#1 - Unplugged - a book about a group of kids whose parents forced them to ‘unplug’ at a wellness summer camp rather than being able to enjoy their summer breaks indoors playing video games. A son of a famous tech billionaire gets sent away there, yet he has some plans for a rather adventurous trip- fortunately for him, he gets exactly what he wants.

#2 - The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise - a story told by a 12-year-old girl named Coyote who’s been traveling seemingly aimlessly through the country in a school bus with her father; the reason for their country-wide trip could be considered odd. Over a call with her grandmother, her grandmother reveals that the town her and her father used to live in would be getting rid of a park; Coyote wants to go back before it gets removed for gone. But her dad vowed to never go back to the town they used to call home, so how did Coyote convince her father to travel across the entire country to go back home?

#3 - Leonard (My Life as a Cat) - Olive, a young girl who is staying with her grandmother for the summer break, rescues a lost cat who she names Leonard. Leonard isn’t actually a cat however; he is in reality an alien who's stuck in a cat’s body. The alien’s goal was just to do some simple research on humans, although he unfortunately got dropped off at the wrong area. To get back home, he must be picked up by his fellow companions, which means he’s forced travel as a cat to ever be able to go back. Leonard (My Life as a Cat) is about the journey of companionship and having to experience feelings of confusion and loneliness, but together will they be able to both achieve their ideals?

#4 – I Am Number Four - six children end up separated while being protected by a Loric charm. These children are not from Earth, which is why they need the charm to survive. They landed on Earth to restore their own planet, Lorien. The Mogadorians, a race of powerful beasts, must kill the six children in order of their numbers. If the first of the 6 children named number one is killed, then the remaining children will get a mark on their ankles. Running, hiding and the urge to survive, Will they make it is the question?

By: KT Rabak

Have a great Summer!!!