WORD WEEK!
Hey Warriors,
We’re kicking off our latest issue with gold. Golden tickets that is!
Get your copy of the December Issue of the Windermere Word in the halls at lunch on Wednesday December 3rd for your chance to find ONE of FIVE GOLDEN TICKETS! (Think Charlie & the Chocolate Factory.) And WIN! A Prize! What, you ask? Find out and win :)
Oh, and as promised, the rest of the Coffee House videos will be uploaded by Wednesday evening ;) Youtube account = WHSWORD.
Coffee House & Pep Rally
Hey everyone, thank you all for visiting to see pictures from the coffee house and pep rally – they’re uploaded onto our “photos” page (see above). If you’re in one of them and have a problem, let us know and we’ll blur you out or something…
YOUTUBE USERNAME: WHSWORD, look us up for Coffee House videos of every performance. Below is the video we made from the pep rally – enjoy!
As for our upcoming December Issue, our official release date will be December 3rd at lunch. Keep your eyes open for our trains and grab your own copy! Yes, we’re doing the insane walking around with the poster thing again… You can’t miss us though ;) We’re only going to make a limited number of copies for the school, so first come first serve. For everyone else, they can visit the website because it will be up here as well. Some articles include:
The Raging Grannies
“The Raging Grannies are caring older women who endeavour to raise awareness of issues relating to peace, the environment, and social justice through satirical songs and skits. Even if political conscious, we are not partisan… And we often show up where we are not wanted! We dedicate our efforts to the children of the world.” – from the Raging Grannies of BC website http://www.vcn.bc.ca/ragigran/ Here’s a small clip of their recent performance at the World Peace Conference. It was thouroughly entertaining and very satirical, as they try to be. Enjoy!
One Man Stands
By Talya Perla
Remember, and do not forget,
For war is all you should regret.
It is only the lord’s desire
To light up peace, not light up fire.
People live and people die,
Sometimes it’s hard to say good-bye.
Our loved ones underneath the ground
Because it’s peace that wasn’t found.
I stand upon the battle field
Protected by my metal shield.
I hear a souldier cry for help,
I reach for his hands…
Only one man stands.
The Word Wednesday Weekly Update
Ahhh!!! I can’t believe so many of you have visited and commented on this website — It’s only day two and we’ve almost gotten 2000 hits! Anyway, getting to the point:
But guess what? We have pictures of the school dance, Showstopper! Click “Photos” above, under the banner to see them.
Chitha and I will also be campaigning for our newly released website in the halls (at lunch) today, Friday November 7th, as it is the last day of Word Week. We will have two huge banners, so when you see us, feel free to grab on and join the chain! (or train, whatever you want to call it) You can’t miss us. It’s a big huge long orange thing with our website name on both sides! Get your picture taken with the chain or the Warrior of the Month and have it posted right here on this blog.
Last thing, we’ve decided to have weekly updates on this blog, scheduled for Wednesdays. Announcements will be made at school on the day of, where you can listen for what you can expect. For example, each week you might see a new poll, or pictures of things that have happened at school (drop us a line if you would like to become a photographer for the Word), or just anything that concerns anyone. We’re not totally sure yet what will show up – maybe weekly horoscopes? Who knows. Chitha and I still have to iron things out a little. These ideas kind of come into our minds freely, by the way.
In any case, we will still publish a hard (paper) copy every month, but it may or may not include the things from this website every week. :)
That’s all for now Warriors, thanks for visiting, you guys are awesome! SPREAD THE WORD!
Rape, Ravage, Murder
Poem by Neelam Khare
Children stripped naked on streets,
Beaten to death.
For revenge?
Families living with fear,
Never knowing if they’re next.
They are the enemies,
Communism Vs. Capitalism,
Good Vs. Evil,
But are we any different?
Classifying which weapons are just & unjust,
When the soul purpose is to kill.
Billions of dollars spent.
A few making money,
At the cost of others lives.
Just?
We go in to fight “evil,”
But only when we benefit.
Just?
Girls being raped,
Guns pointed leaving holes in their bodies.
Just?
A field full of blood,
Millions of civilians dead,
Massacre everywhere,
Spread of diseases,
Bombs being dropped,
Shrapnel metal leaving holes in bodies,
Children screaming for their parents,
Parents crying for their child.
Just?
War.
Rape, Ravage, Murder.
NEVER JUST!
Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist
Movie Review
by Mitchell Agostinho
Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist is cute – it’s a simple story of love – that’s it. For those people who want to see Michael Cera (star of hits such as Juno and Superbad), come and see him in this. For those people who want to see stellar acting from total no-namers, come see Ari Graynor, Aaron Yoo, and Rafi Gavron give awesome performances. If you want to see a developed plot and real story line that doesn’t revolve one question… stay away. Cutie pie films for couples are usually good but this one lacked in real story that others in this genre usually excel in.
NNIP tells the story of two people. Nick (Michael Cera): recently dumped and hung up on his ex-girlfriend, Tris. Norah (Kat Dennings): looking for love and forcing to find a spark when there is none. Open and shut case right? Wrong! Norah’s classmate happens to be Nick’s ex-girlfriend. Tris always talks about how Nick used to make her mix CDs but never really cared. Norah on the other hand loves Nick’s mixes and some how falls in love with him. These three all meet up at a club on night and from that point on, things start to happen. Kisses, drunks, and new boy friends and all that fun stuff pop up in no time. I shouldn’t leave out the quest. Oh yes, the quest to find Fluffy. Where’s Fluffy you ask? Well that’s the point. A band that is so mainstream shy that they will only plays secret shows. Why is this important? Nick and Norah are both HUGE fans. The story begins from there.
Battle In Seattle
29 Nov 99-Seattle,WA: Five activists from the Rainforest Action Network climbed a giant crane and unfurled a 2000 square foot banner just before dawn today, protesting the World Trade Organization
Movie Review
by Kevin Chan
So first off I have to admit that I am always a bit skeptical of any movie with a title so obviously dripping with cheese as ‘Battle in Seattle.’ The rhyme really doesn’t do anything for me, and frankly I was worried that the movie would be as bad as the name. That being said, the film turned out to be anything but and was well worth watching.
No matter how you feel about capitalism, the WTO, police brutality, the anarchist black bloc, tree huggers, trade unionists, direct action, or if you have no opinion at all; I’d still recommend this film for 99 minutes of entertainment. If however you do have an opinion about any of the aforementioned, you are lucky because you can also consider it 99 minutes of education. It captures real footage from the streets of Seattle and has edited it seamlessly within the dramatization, giving the whole production an authentic feel.
Student Life Questionaire
by Jenny Ho
Welcome back, Warriors, to a new school year! After [two] months of hitting the books and studying, a handful of students were asked for their opinions about the first month of school. Anyways, I hope you do your homework, have a ton of fun, and keep reading The Word!
How was your first day of school?
“Everyone was very nice. The students and teachers were supportive. Everyone answers when I ask questions.” – Christopher, grade 8
“I couldn’t find my friends…I had to look for them! It was annoying too, [when] I found out that we have permanent lockers!” – Jessica, grade 11
How do you feel about the locker arrangements this year?
November Horoscopes
Horoscope Designs by Cheryl Loh
Aries (March 21-April 19) – Work is never too far behind. Be sure to record all your plans after you make them. It’ll save you a lot of grief.
Taurus (April 20-May 20) – Stop daydreaming and look at what’s in front of you. Honestly? You’re letting ideals blind you from reality.
Gemini (May 21-June 21) – Go out there and explore. Sometimes all someone needs is a breath of fresh air.
Cancer (June 22-July 22) – Ring ring. What’s that? Opportunity is calling. People are offering opportunities, now its up to you to take them.
Leo (July 23-August 22) – Many problems are piling up on you, faster than you can handle them. All the answers are there, just calm down and listen to the ones around you.
Virgo (August 23-September 22) – Love is a touchy subject right now with you and your friends right now. Don’t charge in unless you know exactly what you’re doing.
3 Things About Hitler You never Learned in Socials
by Jenny Ho
If you thought Adolf Hitler was only a man of warfare, you’re wrong. Actually, he is endlessly fascinating. In 1998, Congress passed the Nazi War Crimes Disclosure Act. Since then, over three million classified files have been released to the public. The following interesting (or strange) facts were from a secret profile of Hilter in 1942, compiled by the OSS (Office of Strategic Services). These are only a few of the very many released.
1. Hitler’s mother considered giving him up for abortion at one point, but her doctor talked her out of it. It’s amazing how one decision could change the world forever.
2. Hitler loved the circus. It amazes me how he took pleasure in the idea that all the underpaid performers risked their lives to entertain him.
In 1933, he had sent costly flowers and chocolates to female performers. He remembered their names, and would worry about them and their family, in event of an accident!
3. The Nazi press secretary, Doctor Sedgwick, wanted to talk Hilter into two options: Shaving his trademark moustache, or growing it out. His reply? “Do not worry about my moustache. If it is not the fashion now, it will be later because I wear it!”
Hilter wasn’t just only interested in war, but other things, too. Hitler had a very interesting personality, and a very unique personal life. Moreover, he has made quite an impact during his lifetime, and will remain in our social textbooks as a mysterious and powerful historical figure.
The Time Traveler’s Wife
Book Report
By Jessica Luu
Have you ever regret something that was done in the past? If so, then it’s most likely that you have wished you could travel back in time and fix everything. But is time traveling as glorious as it sounds?
In The Time Traveler’s Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger, it isn’t. The story begins with Clare Abshire, who is at the Newberry Library in Chicago writing a research paper for her art history class. Having found the book she needs and becoming confused about the catalog, she asks a woman at the front desk for help who then refers her to Mr. DeTamble instead. Then and there, she meets Henry DeTamble. She has known him since she was six. Henry, however, at twenty-eight, has just met twenty-year-old Clare.
Student Council News
If YOU would like to advertise your school event in the Word or on this website, email us at WHS_WORD@YAHOO.CA! – The Editors
Windermere Clubs Day
October 15th was the annual Windermere Clubs Day! Clubs day is an event that takes place during lunch hour in the school cafeteria and allows students to sign up for the many clubs available. Whether you like to play chess, or you’re inspired to help children in need, they are all accessible – just sign up!
Student council would like to thank all the students and the clubs for attending clubs day and making the event possible!
Windermere’s First Dance
Windermere’s first dance will take place on the evening of November 6th with a ‘Hollywood’ theme, so make sure you dress to impress! Moreover, DJ TRIZZAK and DJ J-TRAXX will be Dj-ing the night away. However, of course you can’t bust your moves and flaunt your style if you haven’t already bought a ticket, so grab a friend and go track down a student council member, or go to the foyer at lunch to get your hands on the last minute tickets before they sell out! Don’t miss out on this unforgettable event!
Questionaire
Interviewer; Cassandra Ly
Would you rather have a fairy godmother like Cinderella or be able to fly like Tinkerbell?
Emily Chan – Grade 10
“Be able to fly. So I can see the world in a different view. Hehe! “
Mr. Castilho
“Fly for freedom…but as long as I don’t cause any pollution.”
Angela Wong – Grade 9
“If I choose to have a fairy godmother, can I wish for the other?“
Cassandra: “Sure, why not?!”
Angela: “Then a fairy godmother! “
How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
Athina Pilarinos – Grade 10
“A woodchuck would chuck A LOT of wood, if a woodchuck could chuck wood.“
Mr. Griffiths
“2 root 2!“
Madame Begg
“A woodchuck can’t chuck wood!“
Would you rather grow your hair like Rapunzel or have a full grown Santa beard?
Mitchell Agostinho – Grade 11
“HMMM… good question… I would go for the beard.”
Mr. Zitka
“None of the above…due to BUNSEN BURNER safety.”
Mr. Hamlen
“Long hair like Rapunzel. The hair on my face just doesn’t work for me…”
Cassandra: “Too itchy?”
Mr. Hamlen: “Yeah, too itchy!”
X-ray vision or invisibility?
Christopher Ly – Grade 8
“Invisibility… So, I can hook up with ‘Ms. Invisible.’”
Kaitlyn Fung – Grade 8
“Invisibility powers. Then, I could sneak around and overhear evil plans!”
Windermere’s Annual Halloween Can Food Drive
Hey warriors! As you probably know, that time of year when the ghosts and
evil pumpkins come out to play on that dark eerie night we call Halloween is
over. While many may consider Halloween a night to collect free candy, a
group of Windermere students devoted their evening to gathering any food
that could go toward people in need. They went around the neighbourhood and
asked the residents if they would like to donate any food, and
found that many residents were more than willing to contribute. That
attitude and kindness is what we like to build upon at Windermere. Thank you
to everyone who participated, and hopefully more students will participate
next year. This Halloween Can Food Drive was a great success and we hope to
keep it going for many years to come.
- Riya Talwar and Kaitlyn Fung
Overall party Votes (Oct. 14)
by Eric Lam
Many Canadians did not vote in the 40th General Election that took place on October 14th. Below 60% of the population did not vote – an all time high. Here are the results as follows:
The election that took place on October 14th was won by the Conservatives, gaining them a third consecutive minority government and 143 seats in Parliament. 37.63% of the vote was for the Conservatives. Following the Conservatives are the Liberals with 77 seats and winning 26.24% of Canadian votes. After the Liberal’s are the Bloc Quebecois coming in with 49 seats and 9.97% of the votes. Lastly, the NDP won 37 seats and an overall voter percentage of 18.20%.
Vancouver Kingsway Party Win – Don Davies won the election with 35.2% of the votes.
Vancouver Richmond Party Win – Alice Wong won 50% of the votes.
Vancouver East Party Win – Libby Davies won 54% of the votes.
Vancouver South – Ujjal Dosanjh won 39% of the votes and nearly lost to Wai Young by 1%.
North Vancouver – Andrew Saxton won 42% of the votes.
Al Gore’s Band Wagon
By Mitchell Agostinho
Ever since the release of Al Gore’s powerful environmental documentary, “An Inconvenient Truth,” I can’t turn on the TV without seeing a commercial for “going green.” It would seem that everyone, including their grandmothers, is going ga ga over reducing their carbon footprint. Now don’t get me wrong, that’s a good thing; but when it’s commercialized and treated like a product then it’s a bad thing. Before the release of the movie, no one cared a bit about green house gases or CO2 or the ozone layer. After it won the Oscar it deserved, the planet was suddenly everyone’s hot button.
People who have been doing ravine clean ups and tree plantings a full year before the movie was released – are they band wagon jumpers? I don’t think so. Bono, Jennifer Aniston, Leonardo DiCaprio – some of the hugest names in their field of work – are not bandwagon jumpers. Some have been doing their part for years to be environmentally friendly. For the past two years though, other celebrities have been trying to hop on the band wagon and take some of the glory. It’s for mostly the right reasons that they take shorter showers and use reusable shopping bags but is it really and truthfully honest to turn on a dime like that?
The Paralympic Games: Making Dreams Come True
by Emily Chan
The Paralympic games. Ring any bells? The Paralympic games are the same as the Olympics but instead for people with disabilities. For example, people who have blindness, amputations, mental disabilities, mobility problems, or other impediments. It’s actually very fascinating to see how these people play sports with disabilities.
What’s really sad is that a lot of people don’t even know what the Paralympic games are, let alone care enough to even know how their own country did. Did you know that Canada came away with a whopping 50 medals at Beijing in 2008? 19 of those were gold! We were just behind France, who had 52 medals. It was definitely a close race. But these Olympians work just as hard as everyone else and they have big dreams that they would like to fulfill too. Still, they barely get any publicity.
These games take place after the Olympics, in the same city. The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games ended on August the 24th. The Paralympics lasted from September 6th-17th. It doesn’t start right away and it’s also one week shorter, considering that the Olympics have a grand total of 34 sports, compared to 21 for the Paralympics.
Calling all writers!
Calling all writers, calling all writers!
All throughout the month of November, people all over the world, young and old, write novels. There is a website specially designed to let these people get in touch over the Internet, and share ideas, how their story is coming along, and just make friends in general. It doesn’t matter what language you write in, English, French, Chinese, or even make up your own language!
The point of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo for short) is to write a 50000 word novel in the month of November, from the 1st to the 30th. But it’s okay if you can’t write out 50k words, just as long as you write, and have fun! Because no teacher likes a grouchy, sleep-deprived student who’s been up all night writing, even if they’re your English teacher! And it doesn’t have to be only 50000 words either! You can write as much as you want, or as little as you want, whether you type it on a computer, write it by hand, or even type it on your cell phone!
So all you aspiring novelists come out and join us for this year’s NaNoWriMo! And if you can’t make it this year, there’s still next year, and the year after that, and the year after that! Here at http://www.nanowrimo.org.
The Worries of Using Facebook
by Courtenay Stankovic
Are we really safe? Using Facebook and updating profiles regularly could be making us targets for burglars and sexual predators. We all forget to think about our security when entering information. However, it’s actually quite silly for worry to not cross our minds. We are entering our personal information on world-wide based website, in which anyone could have access to. I think it’s time we all open our eyes to the danger that comes with posting our lives on the internet. The things which we think are harmless are actually posing risks to our lives.
