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The Best Christmas Movies & Shows to Watch This Winter Break
The holidays are here! That means winter break, hot chocolate, and the BEST Christmas movies and shows. Whether you’re chilling with family, having a sleepover with friends, or just relaxing in your pajamas, watching holiday movies is a must. So here’s a list of some of the most fun and festive shows and movies that’ll make your break even better! 1. Home Alone (1990) Okay, let’s start with a classic. Home Alone is about a kid named Kevin who gets left home alone when his fam
The Crisis of Our Generation
Imagine sitting in class, heart racing, stomach in knots, just thinking about the next test or assignment. This isn’t just a bad school day - it’s reality. Approximately 20% of adolescents in NYC experience depression or anxiety at some point during their school years, and the numbers just keep on climbing. Whether it’s due to test grades, bad sleep schedules, overwhelming homework, or other challenges, school-related stress can take a serious toll. The reason this is such a
MS158’s 2025 Winter Arts Festival!
It’s December! Winter arrives, meaning that temperatures drop, the cold air starts to bite, and the holiday season comes with warm greetings. But, here at MS 158, we have a special tradition showcasing our wonderful 7th and 8th Grade Band and Chorus! To get more in depth about it, we are interviewing our one and only band director, Ms. Schecter! Important details and the link where you could buy tickets also are featured here. So, here’s all the information (and then some) on
Our School Podcast!
It wouldn’t be a shocking statement to say that a good podcast is relaxing and informative. From murder mysteries and exoneration podcasts to film and music reviews, the world of podcasting has so much to offer. But, a new addition to that very world has just arrived: OUR SCHOOL PODCAST! Posted on Spotify, we cover a variety of topics for the school to hear! But what is it and how does it work? What is it? The podcast includes information about days school is off, importan
Where To Find Community Service Hours
Students have been seeking opportunities to earn service hours. Whether you’re in National Junior Honors Society and need to get those 40 hours in; or you're just looking to help out your school/neighborhood, this article can help you find opportunities to give back. Arts Band, Chorus, Dance, and Art all have a huge impact on our school lives. For inside service hours (and in some instances, outside service hours) you can help out by sorting supplies or moving items around.
Marie Cure 158 Student Government Officers for the 2025-2026 school year
In early November, Marie Curie 158 voted for and elected members for the 2025-26 Student Government. This year, the total amount of votes came out to 652 votes. Congratulations to Alana Sadikot of Class 721 for being elected to be the NEW president of Student Government! Congratulations to Estella Qian of Class 802 for being the NEW Vice President for Student Government! Congratulations to Cristal Zhou of Class 821 for being the NEW Secretary for Student Government! Congratul
Why go all the way to Broadway when MS 158 is just as good...or better!
This year’s theater club musical is… let’s get you some clues. The first clue is that this musical takes place in a world where everyone is told to stick to the status quo. The second clue is a jock and a brainiac come together to audition for the school musical. Get ready for… High School Musical Jr.! Save the date for Tuesday, November 18, 2025. In room 125 is the interest meeting for the cast; and Wednesday, November 19, 2025, there will be a script read-through. This
Italian Heritage Month: What Is It? Who Do We Celebrate? Why Do We Celebrate It?
As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to an end, a new heritage month arrives. In the middle of October we celebrate Italian Heritage Month. A month where we celebrate the Italian achievements, successes, and valuable contributions the Italian immigrants and Italian Americans have accomplished over the centuries. ( osdia.org ) The Origins Of Italian Heritage Month: It all started when Italian senator Tate Downs held a proclamation to honor the achievements of Italian Immigrants an
We Survived the First Month of 6th Grade!
For most students, going from 5th grade to 6th grade is a huge step and can be extremely challenging and scary. In 5th grade, the teachers would walk us through the hallways to different classes in two lines. Now, we have to walk on our own from class to class. In 5th grade, we didn’t have to carry around heavy book bags and laptops. But now, we have to carry heavy book bags and laptops. In 5th grade, teachers helped us with every step of the way. Although now, we must face s
What is going on in the school?
Christmas Activities
Is it just me or do you hear some Christmas bells? Are you and your friends ready for Christmas, but don’t know what to do? Well, you're at the right place. Here's some holly jolly activities to do for Christmas! Books to Read Don’t you sometimes just want to curl up on your bed and read a book? Here's some book recommendations. Mint To Be (by Katie Cicatelli-Kuc) The Afterlife of Holly Chase (by Cynthia Hand) Carols and Chaos (by Cindy Anstey) The Holiday Switch (by Tif Mar
America: Fruit Cobbler
America has an extremely long history with many influential events changing the course of history. With this, many foods, including desserts, have become an important staple in American culture. One of these foods, being fruit cobbler, is one of the most significant desserts in America’s Thanksgiving, which commemorates the beginning of the United States. Cobbler has a mainly sweet, buttery taste which beautifully mixes with other, more savory dishes served on Thanksgiving. M
AI: Is It Good or Bad For Modern Day Teens?
I’m sure everyone knows what AI is. It’s a tool that has advanced so much that it seems to be fooling people (including myself) online. Many people think it’s beneficial for society, since it helps with tasks and makes tasks even more efficient. But I think we should focus on the effect it has on modern day teens, whose brains are still developing. “What Can AI Really Do?” Anyone who goes to MS158 has had a lesson on the harms of AI before. Whether your parents told you, or
Your Guide To High School: Applications and More
High school applications are a challenging topic. Have you been saying to yourself " It is so difficult trying to figure out where you...
Welcome to 6th Grade! Tips & Advice from Students Who’ve Been There
Starting 6th grade can feel like a big leap—new school, new teachers, new routines—but don’t worry! We spoke to students who just...
Born “Unlucky”: The Systematic Disadvantage of Being A Part of the Lower Class
Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy the essentials of life; food, clothing, housing, and an education. Money is the fundamental...
Crystals! The beauty and meaning behind crystals
Crystals are beautiful, right? But, did you know that crystals have meaning and depth to them? I’ll show you 3 types of different...
What is Nitrogen? Why is it important?
Nitrogen is a poisonous substance, toxic even with the slightest exposure to the human skin… But isn’t this harmful substance known as...
Is monosodium glutamate (aka MSG) bad for you?
One of the most popular seasonings in certain parts of the world is known as monosodium glutamate, more widely known as MSG. This...
Ramadan
It's that time of year again for us Muslims! This year, from the end of February to the end of March, is the month of Ramadan! Ramadan...
Student Opinion
When Safety Failed: A Brown University Student’s Account Of The December 13 Shooting
It was 4:05 p.m., December 13, 1925, at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, when the first shots rang out at the Barus and Holley Engineering building. Two people were killed, and nine were injured. At 4:22, the notification was sent out to all the students and faculty: “ BrownUAlert: 1st, Urgent: There's an active shooter near Barus & Holley Engineering. Lock doors, silence phones and stay hidden until further notice. Remember: RUN, if you are in the affected locat
The Cast of High School Musical!
We all know our amazing ARTS teachers, Ms. Allen and Ms. Carlucci, have been in charge of producing our yearly theatre shows! This year, it's High School Musical Jr. ! For background information, the play is about a girl named Gabriella Montez, who had just moved to East High. She met Troy, the captain of the basketball team, at a New Year’s party by singing karaoke together, and the two have only gotten closer ever since! has a passion for singing, and forms a close bond wit
Who is to Blame for the Longest Government Shutdown in US History?
In October of 2025, the US federal government was unavailable to the public for a record amount of times. In fact, this past has been extended to be the “largest government shutdown in history.” And who is the blame for it? Well, we have two sides: the Republicans and the Democrats. And both have had a strong impact on this shutdown. Both sides have been involved with this historical event. So between both sides, which one has more responsibility for the government shutdo
Powerpoint or Canva?
Earlier this week, I had a disagreement with my classmate about whether Powerpoint or Canva is better. I decided to settle this by asking 20 people in our school to choose one. Here’s what I found: The preferences for PowerPoint versus Canva are split, with students often favoring Canva for its ease of use and modern designs. Some favored Powerpoint for its advanced features and offline reliability. This is my poll with the results. 🗳️ Poll: Canva or Powerpoint? Poll Results
F.A.A Flight Reductions
During the longest Government Shutdown in United States history, hundreds of flights were cancelled as the shutdown of said government leaves air traffic controllers working without pay. Disruptions at major airports at this time seem to be limited. This cancellation comes at the worst timing as we are approaching Thanksgiving, one of the busiest times for travel in the United States. Many travel executives have been expecting this year's holiday season to break records. Acc
A Guide to Braces
Did you get braces recently and don’t know how to take care of them or not sure what food to eat and what you shouldn't eat? Well, if that’s the case, then this article is here to help you! Keeping your teeth clean is an absolute must, especially when you have braces. In order to keep your teeth and braces clean, you will need: 1 string floss/water floss (water floss is highly recommended) 1 toothbrush with a soft brush (do NOT use toothbrushes with a hard brush because the
Was there an Alien Flying Through The Solar System
You may have heard, but people are freaking out about a fly-by possibly made by aliens. This is due to the interstellar comet known as 3I/ATLAS, which was discovered in July of 2025. This object stands out from the rest of our comet fly-bys. It’s fast, large, and coming oddly close to the inner solar system. So let's dive into it and its (short) history. An Interstellar Discovery On July 1st, 2025, NASA’s ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) telescope in Rio
The Struggles of a Sixth Grader
The first month of middle school is difficult for 6th graders due to a dramatic increase in academic and organizational challenges, social anxieties, and the overwhelming feeling of being a small fish in a very large pond. They must navigate a new and larger school with multiple classrooms and teachers, handle a heavier and more complex workload without the same level of direct supervision, and cope with new social dynamics and the pressure to fit in. This period is a signifi
Would you rather have siblings or be the only child?
Whether or not you having siblings, your parents are blessed to have such (a) wonderful child(ren). Is it better to have siblings, or no...
Extinct animals: Extinct for a reason?
We all know about extinct animals: the fearsome tyrannosaurus rex, the megamouth, the sabertooth tiger! But, if you could bring some...
Arts and School Extracurricular Activities
BEST LAUFEY SONGS
Laufey is a wonderful singer who blends jazz, classical, and pop music into her songs. She started to rise to fame with viral songs such as “Street by Street”, “Let You Break My Heart Again”, and “From The Start”. In this article I will tell you my top nine Laufey songs (not put in any particular order) and the meanings behind them. 1.Too Little, Too Late - This song is about regret and lost love. In this song Laufey is singing from a man’s perspective about how he regrets n
The Blue Sun Space Resort Part 1
Sol 1 - 07.23.72 I woke up with a jolt of energy. It still seemed dark out. My parents were still sleeping, but their alarm would wake them up soon. My clock read “6:30 AM”. It seems that I woke up earlier than my alarm. That's new. I got up out of my bed like a bolt of electricity. I was waiting for this day to come forever. I walked up to our hotel balcony and opened the door breathing in the salty Cape Canaveral Air. My parents, my younger sister, and I had only arrived a
Six!: The Musical
Six The Musical is an historical musical in the style of a pop concert about Henry the VIII's 6 wives. It took the world by storm and has multiple locations including Broadway, the West End, and tours in Australia, the USA and UK, Japan, and internationally. The musical consists of 6 women: Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard and Catherine Parr. Every single queen is inspired by different singers and their styles. Catherine of Ar
Stranger Things Season 5!
Fans all around the world are super excited for the most significant event of 2025; the release of Stranger Things season 5, the final season of Netflix’s best show (totally not biased). With the 5th season coming on November 26 2025, December 25 2025, and December 31st, 2025, fans are on the EDGE OF THEIR SEATS. There will be a total of 8 episodes, each approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. The names of the eight episodes are: Episode 1: The Crawl Episode 2: The Vanishing of
The Great Gatsby: A New Musical (The Musical) *Warning, Contains Spoilers*
As many may know, there have been many adaptations to the Great Gatsby. The famous novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald has been adapted in countless books, movies and musicals. But what is the most recent, well known musical? The Tony award winning musical The Great Gatsby: A New Musical written by Kait Kerrigan on Broadway is raising popularity. The book is set in the roaring 20’s with lavish parties, heartbreak and so much more. But what is it about? Synopsis The Great Gatsby s
Hamilton
What it’s about: Hamilton is a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical that debuted on August 6, 2015. The musical’s score combines hip-hop, R&B (rhythm and blues), jazz, and traditional Broadway musical tunes. It follows the life of the first U.S. secretary of treasury, Alexander Hamilton. He was an immigrant from the Caribbean who participated in the Revolutionary War. The story begins with Aaron Burr introducing Alexander Hamilton, describing him as very ambitious and passiona
Fun Winter Activities To Do In The Winter!
🎄Winter is officially here!!! ❄That also means that it’ll be cold with lots of snow! For all the students and teachers, winter break is awesome, but can get boring at times. Wonder what to do when you can't go outside or during winter break? You can do some at home DIY fun! Read on to find multiple fun activities to save you from boredom!!!(ﾉ≧∇≦)ﾉ DIY Snowflake: Materials: -Scissors -Paper (square paper) Instructions: 1. Take your piece of paper and fold the top corner
ChatGPT Atlas: The AI Future Of Web Browsing
On October 21st, 2025, OpenAI (the company of ChatGPT) announced the release of their new web browser that revolves around ChatGPT. Different AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Grok, and Gemini have given us a rare opportunity to change the way we browse and discover content on browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. ChatGPT is an AI powered browser that gives us the ability to have an artificial intelligent assistant that helps us acquire more information, answer questions, a
Desserts from Around the World - 1: Italy
Italy: Tiramisu Italy is mainly known for its savory dishes such as pizza, pasta, and risotto, but their desserts are also an important part of their culture. One of their most famous and traditional sweet dishes is called Tiramisu. Tiramisu has a creamy, sweet and rich taste shared with many other desserts around the world. However, the standout taste for Tiramisu is its strong bitter taste found in coffee. While it is most traditionally eaten in Italy, it can also be found
Student and Teacher Spotlight
WinterFest 2025
What is Winterfest? Winterfest is a month-long celebration in school of the holiday, school spirit, and a friendly school-wide competition. There's commonly a new challenge each day, so paying attention to MS 158’s #morningmeeting every day is crucial to finding out directions for each daily challenge. The homeroom with the most points by grade at the end of Winterfest wins a cookies and cocoa party. The amount of points a homeroom earns is by percentage of the class particip
New Teacher Spotlight: An Interview with Ms. Andreou
This year, MS 158 welcomed a new math teacher—and soccer coach—to our school community: Ms. Andreou. This past soccer season was one of the most successful seasons in a long time. I sat down with her to learn more about her experience so far, her coaching philosophy, and the exciting growth of our soccer team. A Warm Welcome to MS 158 When asked about her first months at the school, Ms. Andreou shared that her experience has been “really good—everyone is really nice.” Sh
The SHSAT: What is it?
Whether you are a 6th grader, 7th grader, or an 8th grader, you will be going to high school at one point or another. Many people choose to go to their zoned schools, others choose to go to screened schools, which are based on grades and essays! There are many other types of schools people can enter in, but the one we are focusing on is the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT). The SHSAT is a timed entrance exam for admission into New York City’s eight specialize
The Seven Wonders of the World
The Seven Wonders of the World are a group of places that are considered some of the most important and remarkable structures. The...
Band Buddies
This past March 7th officially marked as the first day of a new program: Band Buddies! It’s for sixth grade band kids that want to...
A brief take into the history of Saint Patrick's Day
As you might have heard, Saint Patrick’s Day is coming up this March. But do you know the history of Saint Patrick’s Day? In this article...
Food for thought
Feeling Fat? Trust me, we’ve all been there. Whether it’s after a big meal, or it’s because your tight pants are feeling a little too...
Do Sports! They’re good for you!
Have you ever wondered if you need something fun to get you healthier? Your answer is sports! Sports are extremely good for you! If you...
How are you doing in school so far?
The first marking period of school has just ended! (Yay!) And with that, the second marking period begins (Yay?). As we start the second...
Fun & Games
My Time
It was just another day at Stephen Hawking Middle School. I headed to my homeroom, feeling refreshed and ready after a good night’s rest. I hung out with my friends and talked about what happened over the weekend. Gabi says that she went on a weekend trip upstate to go skiing. Jack says he ate hotpot with his relatives from Seattle. And Aaron, unsurprisingly, just napped a lot. Oh, by the way, let me introduce you to our friend group. Gabi has the most angelic voice I've ev
Desserts from Around The World - 3: New Zealand
New Zealand: Pavlova Every country in the world has some dessert for Christmas, and New Zealand is no exception. During the winter holidays, many people from New Zealand bake the dessert known as pavlova in celebration for the festive season. This dish is very popular in the Oceania region of the world, along with another country competing for the dessert–Australia. Unlike other sweet treats, pavlova is debated on whether it originates in Australia or New Zealand; both with t
The Revenge of the Mafia Boss
Chapter 1 Sirius: UUUUHHH!! I can't stand these kids! All they ever talk about is that popular, trendy stuff, instead of the new game I created, Mafia, I don't get why it's not popular. Why is the stupid 6,7 popular? Watt: It's fine! Once you post the video everyone will talk about it at "school'’ Ember: (Walks in) Hey guys I just finished the voice edit. Do you want to look at it? Sirius: YES! I WILL LOOK AT IT! I NEED TO DO ,SOMETHING OTHER THAN DEFINITELY NOT SPYING ON OU
The Great Middle School Debate: Let's Settle This
Asking people questions that were debated long to come… Favorite Candy Ethan: Jolly Rancher Luke: Jolly Ranchers Timothy: Sour Strips Favorite Game Ethan: Steal a Brainrot Luke: NHL25 Timothy: Madden 25 Favorite Fast Food Restaurant Ethan: Popeyes Luke: Everything Timothy: Taco Bell Favorite activity/hobbies Ethan: Playing steal a brainrot Luke: Playing hockey Timothy: Collecting football cards Favorite Sport Ethan: Basketball Luke: Hock
Which pet do you prefer? Cats or Dogs?
Canines have unique nose-prints, are super social, and pants to cool down. Whiskers that navigate surroundings, ears that can hear sounds up to 64kHz, and scratches up your couch without a care in the world, now that’s your ordinary household cat. Dogs vs. Cats. Who’s actually better? Cats Cats originate from the felix sylvestris lybica, and are owned by 29% of American households. They need around 20-30 minutes to undivided attention each day, depending on the breed. Kittens
Bye Natasha
“Let me go! I shouted through the mask covering my mouth. The room was dark and cold. The chair I was sitting on was stiff and wobbly. Someone came up to me. They had something in their hands. Something sharp. Something that could hurt me. Don’t be deceived by the weak chair that holds you up,” came a voice that sounded close yet eerily distant. The clacking of her high heels against the co “You can try to escape but you won't. The floor echoed through the empty room where I
Fire Scene
It’s 4 am. I wake up abruptly, to the worst, most horrifying smell. I only smell this rarely, and I detest it. But, I’m too tired to pursue it, I’ll wait till it goes away. 4:20 am . How has it only been 20 minutes? That lethal smell hasn’t gone away, in fact it’s gotten worse. On top of that, I keep hearing these loud voices. “It's only a dream,” I mumble. 4:30 am . This time, I widened my eyes, having this weird premonitory feeling of the suspicious smell. The voices only
The Mystery Of Room 67
Every year on October 31st, at exactly 6:07 PM, something mysterious happens in our town. All the clocks stop for six minutes and seven seconds, and if you listen closely, you might hear soft whispers in the air, six or seven of them! This year, I decided to find out what was going on. I followed the sounds to a crumbling old house at the very end of Sixty-Seventh Street, a place no one had visited for six or seven years! Inside, the air was dusty and still. On the rug, I fou
Short story: The Murderer’s Baby
Prologue: Harper Hospital; Texas, USA 10/31/20 3:00 am It’s finally the end of my 14 hour shift at the hospital. Coffee… I can take a nap. Coffee… Is it my day off tomorrow? Coffee… I work in the labor and delivery ward. I turn around and suddenly a man in a panic runs into the room “NURSE!! NURSE!!! COME HERE RIGHT NOW!! MY WIFE IS GIVING BIRTH RIGHT NOW!!! THE BABIES HEAD IS OUT!!!!” I slumped over my coffee, groaning. At least this is the last baby
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