Band & Chorale Field Trip

6th, 7th, and 8th grade band and chorale students, your hard work has finally payed off! On Friday, June 10th the 6th, 7th, and 8th graders will be traveling to Otterbrook Beach! The form is due TOMORROW, June 8th, including medical form! Also, the form with the teacher's "OKAY" is due. Please bring a lunch or get the lunch from the school cafeteria. Also, please bring a bathing suit, towel, cover up shirt or jacket, sunblock, and lots to drink! Two lifeguards will be accompany us on the beach and streams for fishing! We will be leaving school at 8:30 am and returning at 2:00 pm. Mrs.Moncrief and Mrs.Moran would like to congratulate you guys for your consistent effort and a wonderful year!

End Of The Year Countdown

Ending the School Year

The last day of school
We finally escape
From waking up early
And not going to bed late

The countless projects
In all of the blocks
The typing and writing
By every off clock

I don't think we'll miss
Broken pencils and pens,
But I can't say the same
For all of my friends

We'll meet in the summer
And go in the pond
Swimming through the day
Until the sunlight is gone

We will ALL miss
By the end of the season
Our middle school
For whatever reason

Whether it be friends
Or playing at recess
Or sports after school

We'll miss G.B.S.

Poem by Jamie Ammon- Goodbye eighth graders! Have fun at Conval!

Student of the Year

Students of the Year buckle up for a wild ride! We are going to Canobie! Canobie Lake Park is a theme park filled with fun. We will leave at 8am and be back at 3:30pm. It will be tons of fun, but don't forget to bring a swim suit. "It was fun in the past and it should be great this time!" say Julianna Stone a Student of the Middle Years. This trip is only for Student of the Year. Student of the Year is being Student of the Month every month. If you didn't get it this year try for next year because it is definitely worth it.

(image from newsplusnotes.blogspot.com)

Goodbye Great Brook

There are only a couple of days left until the 8th grade is in high school! Some cant wait to go to ConVal others are scared. This will be a big difference but a fun one. 8th grade will rejoin with other fellow GBS students as well as meet new kids from South Meadow School. The teachers from GBS have prepared the 8th graders for high school throughout the whole year and have done a great job. The kids at Great Brook will miss it dearly but they are ready for ConVal. I'm sure the students will come back and visit and they will always remember there time at Great Brook. There memories consist of the field trips to Lowell, Exchange City, Gregg Lake and of course Washington DC and there are many more. We will remember them forever but its time to say goodbye the GBS. So from all of the 8th graders to Great Brook School Goodbye for now and best wishes to you!

SEMI FORMAL!

I'm sure you have all heard the buzz about semi? For eighth grade only, every year we have the semi formal dance. This year it will be held on June 10th. For now the time is 7-9:00 pm but it could possibly change so keep your ears open! Cost later will be announced. This is a formal dance so dress up! Don't feel obligated to have a date, going with friends is always acceptable! For the girls, please make sure your dress is an appropriate style. This is a special night, towards the end of your eighth grade year. Make it worthwhile!

End of the Year Countdown!

Seventh, sixth and fifth graders will have 21days left in school! Lucky eighth graders, however, will have just 20 days minus one for the day long camping trip!

Marching Band Rehearsal

The Great Brook concert and chorale students did great, but as you know, after the concert we have marching band! This year we will be playing in Antrim and Bennington . After school today there will be a practice so be sure to come! On Wednesday, 5th block we will be rehearsing and Thursday we will be practicing at the assembly and at AES. Be sure to have your lyres and music! Hope to see you there!

Ask Annabell: The Boy I Like is Dating Someone Else!

Dear Annabell,

The boy I like is dating someone else what should I do?

Yours,
Dating Drama



Dear Dating Drama,

I have to ask is this girl your friend? If so you might want to tell her that you have feelings for this boy, I know it might be hard but it will hurt more if you keep it to yourself. Whatever you do don't try and break them up it will ruin your friendship with the girl and most likely ruin your chances with this boy. best of luck.

-Annabell

Day Countdown

(image from lifecoachingforchristianwomen.com)

Book Review: The City of Bones

CAUTION: ADULT CONTENT!!

When Clary Fray goes to the Pandemonium Club, she doesn't expect to find a mysterious group of tattooed teenagers bearing bizarre weapons murdering a blue haired boy who disappears as soon as he dies. Nor does she expect no one else to be able to see any of them. These teenagers, who are equally surprised that she can see them, explain themselves to be Shadowhunters. They are in a secret group thats sole purpose is to rid the world of demons. Within the next 24 hours she receives a strange phone call from her mother, Jocelyn, and rushes back to find the apartment in ruins, her mother missing, and a demon waiting for her.

Who are the Shadowhunters? How can Clary see them? Where is her mother? Why are the demons interested in ordinary people like Clary and her mother?

This book, and the next three in the series, kept me on the edge of my seat. The characters were very real feeling and relatable.

"Exotic ... exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end." -Margaret K. McElderly Books

Be warned: this book contains some adult scenes, swearing and is rather lengthy. But I personally would advise anyone who can get their hands on it to read this series.

This book will be coming out as a movie soon, but its specific date is undisclosed. You can find multiple copies of this book in the library, along with books 2 through 4: City of Ashes, City of Glass, and City of Fallen Angels. There will be two more books coming out in this series, the City of Lost Souls and the City of Heavenly Fire, that will conclude the Mortal Instruments series. The former is set to release in May 2012, and the latter in September 2013.

There is also a partner series called the Infernal Devices series starting with The Clockwork Angel, which is also an amazing series. The second of this series will be out in September of 2011, as the Clockwork Prince. The third, The Clockwork Princess, will be out in November or December of 2012. I will be doing a review of the Clockwork Angel very soon.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

I'm sure you have all heard of the Pirates of the Caribbean? Probably one of the most popular movies ever am I right? Well then for the fans of these movies, you'll be glad to hear the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean is coming out! Captain Jack Sparrow reunites with a women from his past named Angelica. He can't tell if his feeling towards her are love. Captain Sparrow believes Angelica could just be using him to get to the Fountain of Youth. Angelica forces him aboard her fathers ship in search of the fountain. Turns out, her father is Blackbeard, one of Captain Jack Sparrow's worst enemies. Now he is not sure if he is more scared of the infamous Blackbeard, or his daughter Angelica. It comes out on May 20th and I'm sure it will be as great as all the other Pirates of the Caribbean movies!

Student of the Week!

Four students this week are the Student of the week for their grade!

In the fifth grade: Garret Miller in Mrs. Shea's class has been behaving SUPER well during class! Thank you!

In the sixth grade: Carly Storro in Mrs. Ripley's class has been focused 24/7 and sets high standards for herself in all of her work! Thanks Carly!

In the seventh grade: Steele Tamok has been doing phenomenally in Mrs.Janulis's social studies class! She appreciates your work!

In the eighth grade: Jared Booth in Mrs. Egan's class has no missing work! Thanks!

Book Review: Beautiful Creatures

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power, and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

I  couldn't put this book down. The situation was dramatic but believable, the characters were exotic but relatable. This self contradictory story of love and fantasy is a must read for all middle and high-schoolers. I think the perspective that the Ethan character gives is brilliant. Being a girl, I found the male protagonist's views fascinating. It was also a bit of a relief to have the mortal in one of these fantasy type stories be a boy. I give this book five stars, and I highly advise everyone to go to the library to check it out.

Student of the Week!

Thanks and congrats to the following four Student of the Weeks!

For the fifth grade: Tallia Rokes has been behaving well in Mrs. Black's fifth grade classes. Keep it up!

For the sixth grade: Sylvie Holding in Mrs. Rice's sixth grade classroom has been friendly to everyone and we really appreciate it!

For the seventh grade: Jordan Robinson has been shining in Mrs. Egan's seventh grade earth science class. Thank you so much!

For the eighth grade: Lauren Klemett in Ms. Doherty's second and eighth block classes has been working great with others. Thank you Lauren!

Thanks to all of the listed students and all of the other students who have been behaving well that we haven't had a time to list yet. Please keep working hard and checking the blog for updates!

Rio

If you love Ice Age or any other movies like that than your going to love Rio! Rio is a comedy/ adventure about taking a walk on the wild side. Blu, a pet macaw, has never learned to fly. He thinks that he is the last of his kind. Then, Blu and his owner Linda find out that there is another macaw name Jewel in Rio de Janeiro. Blu and Linda fly to Rio to meet Jewel. But soon after arriving Blu and Jewel are kidnapped by a group of animal smugglers. You'll have to watch the movie to see what happens next! Blu meets a ton of friends in this movie of all types of animals. It looks like a sweet family friendly movie! It comes out April 15th so get a good group of friends and head to the movie theater. (Rio is also coming out in 3D!)

Soul Surfer

Soul Surfer is an inspiring true story of teen surfer named Bethany Hamilton, who had lost her arm in a shark attack. The shark nearly took her life. The doctors said she would not be able to surf after that. She proved them wrong, with her determination to become a champion again. The film features a great cast, including Anna Sophia Robb and Helen Hunt, with Carrie Underwood and Dennis Quaid. This movie hits theaters in April 8th, 2011! It is a must see!

Book Review: Gone

 

Have you ever had a nightmare where you are the only one left in the entire world? Well for the kids fourteen or younger in Perdido Beach, California that's reality. They were just sitting in their school one autumn day and poof. All of the teachers and students fifteen or older just disappeared from infront of their eyes. 

 This 'scientific anomaly,' as Astrid the Genius would put it, becomes the constant thought on all minds. All of the petty dramas of children and young teens evaporate and chaos sets in. Cries begging for parents, siblings and friends can be heard throughout the streets. Infants, young children, and animals are left in houses without help and some of the kids are beginning to develop 'powers' such as teleportation, super speed and telekinesis. 

Sam becomes a sort of leader and Quinn, Edilio, Astrid and her brother Little Pete, are constantly by his side. The Barrier surrounds the Fayz (Fallout Alley Youth Zone), is electric to the touch and cannot be seen or gone through. Where are the adults? How long will this last? What happens when we turn 15? All of the past truths are, in essence, Gone.

I loved this book. The characters (the good ones at least) were fascinating and lovable, the scene was described to paint a picture in your head, and the situation gets your mind wrapped up and reeling. The second book in the series is called Hunger and the third book is called Plague and Plague will be released on April 5. Hunger and Gone are both available in the Great Brook website and get my five stars!

Roller Skating

What are you doing April 11th? Clear your schedule because roller skating is at the AES gym. The family session is 6:00-7:30pm. The teen and older session is 7:30-9:00pm. Its $2.00 to get in and $5.00 for rentals. There will also be Dance Dance Revolution. Hope to see you there!

(image from bhlmc.wikispaces.com)

Student of the Week!

Congratulations to the Student of the Weeks this week! The winners are as follows:

For the fifth grade: Liam McGrath in Mrs. Shea's class has had great work ethic and friendship skills as of late. Thank you very much!

For the sixth grade: KJ Ammon "brings sunshine into our room daily. Her enthusiasm for work and school is contagious!" according to her teacher, Mrs. Blanchette. Thanks a million (:

For the seventh grade: Steele Tamok constantly shows excellent work ethic and determination. Thanks!

For the eighth grade: Lauren Flippo in Mr. Peter's IT class is constantly friendly and happy. Teachers appreciate it!

Thank you to these four and all others behaving well in their classes!