New Moon Review by Jordan Y.

Just recently, I reviewed New Moon in theaters. This invigorating movie consisted of vampires, werewolves, and hoping human beings. On Bella Swan's (Kristin Stewart) 18th birthday, she received gifts from her boyfriend's vampire family. While they threw her a party she got a paper cut and her life was changed at that very moment. While nothing major happened, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattison), her vampire boyfriend, told her some undelightful news. He was leaving for months. A lonely Bella was depressed and saddened until she realized that the only way to see Edward was to do something life threatening. So, she started hanging out with her best friend, Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner). After a while, Jacob began to change into a werewolf. Throughout the drama of a widowed red headed vampire trying to kill Bella, Edward being gone, and Jacob's change, Bella realizes her strength but also that she could not live without her soul mate; Edward Cullen.

What is HMS thankful for? By Jordan and Bailey

Mary N. is thankful for, "Everyone and everything around me!"
Wendy V. is thankful for, " All of my friends and family that put up with me and everything that I have that most people don't!"
Carlos F. is thankful for," A friend like Wendy V. and for my family, and everything they give me!"
Bailey S. is thankful for," My friends, family and Alexis."
Mrs. Vick is thankful for," Living in a country where kids can go to school for free, and learn what they need to learn so they can become whatever they want to be."
Destiny B, is thankfuk for,"That I didn't get killed when I was hit by a car!"

Nerd Day!

Friday, November 13th was our Nerd Day! It was very fun seeing the "nerd" outfits. Many teachers also dressed up, and it was fun to have a few good laughs at our smart-looking people.

Some of the 8th graders that were particularly impressive were Dean P., Kenny P., Sandy N., and Daniel S. 7th graders that looked wonderful were Paulina M. and Kristen F.

Welcome to the 2009-2010 Tiger Times!

Thank you for visiting the Tiger Times! We are very excited about the possibilities for the year. We are expanding our staff and hoping to add some exciting new elements to the site, including audio, video, and photography. As always, please feel free to contact us with comments or suggestions.

The Tiger Times would like to welcome back our returning staff and several new team members. The TT staff for this year includes:

Briana: Ever since I was little, I loved to write. I spent most of my time writing, because I was good at it. I am the type of person who turns in their work and stresses over unfinished work. I've always been involved in school. Now that I'm in middle school, I'm in athletics, choir, and now the Tiger Times. I joined the Tiger Times because I thought it would be good for me. I'm a good writer, and I have the time. This will be a good experience for me.

David: Hello! I'm in the 7th grade and love to write. I'm in many activities, like athletics, choir, and, of course, the Tiger Times. I'm a very talented young man and love to make new friends. My favorite thing to do is play football. You can always count on me to do the right thing (Although I'm far from perfect!). When I grow up, I think I would like to be a coach or a police officer, but i still have a while to wait, so we'll see.

Dianely: Hi! I'm from Florida, am 13 years old, and I am in the 8th grade. I LOVE animals (especially penguins!) and having fun with my friends. I am really nice to everyone, but if you are rude or mean, the wrath of Dianely will be unleashed! I am in band and theater. I play the saxophone. I have straight A's, and I am usually serious-looking, but once you get to know me... I like being weird and random, like when I cracked open an acorn yesterday. Now I'm wondering why squirrels love 'em! So, yep, that is a VERY small chunk of me.

Jonathan: I'm on the football B-team. I love video games, such as the Kingdom Hearts series. I like basketball and various other sports. I'm a fan of the Rangers, Mavericks, and Stars. I spend most of my time playing with my 15-year old brother, Chris, on Halo 3 and jumping on my trampoline. I also like to read tons upon tons of Shonen Jump Manga. I really like Naruto, One Piece, Death Note, and Bleach.

Katie: My name is Katie, and I'm in the 7th grade. I've gone to many schools before Haltom Middle. I have lived in Missouri, Georgia, Louisiana, and now in Texas. I love to read and write. My strongest subjects are math and English/language arts. I'm in karate and also on the Tiger Times staff. My interests are soccer, karate, and scrapbooking. I have a brother and a sister. I don't see my sister much, because she lives in Louisiana. Although my brother and I do fight sometimes, I don't know what I would do without him.

Luz: Hey, my name is Luz. I am in 7th grade. Almost every day after school, I go to band to practice or to ASPIRE. 2 years ago, I used to go help a kindergarten teacher instead of going to recess, and her name is Mrs. Hernandez. I don't get in trouble most of the time. I have never failed any classes or tests. My favorite sport is soccer, because I like to run and pay with the soccer ball, and I like to play basketball, too, because I like to bounce, pass, and shoot the basketball.

Mireya: Hi! I am in the 7th grade. I was born in a small town named San Angelo. I have two sisters and two brothers. I am the second oldest. My family is full of fun and crazy, but I love them, and I always will. I play sports, like volleyball and track, and I am hoping to be in basketball. I am in four Pre-AP classes, and my teachers love me.

Roderick: Hi, my name is Roderick. I'm in the 7th grade. I'm an athlete for Haltom Middle School athletics. I'm also on the Tiger Times newspaper, and this newspaper is going to be the best this year!

Taylor: Hi! I'm from Fort Worth, Texas. I'm a very talented person in many subjects, such as math, science, etc. I'm in the 7th grade, and most of my teachers adore me. I've lived in between Oklahoma and Texas for all of my life. I usually go to Oklahoma every summer, and I also go to Houston with my aunt. I had stitches below my chin when I was 2 years old, and, yes, I still have the scar. There are a lot of places I would like to go in my life, such as the Taj Mahal and the Washington Monument.

Trish: Hello! My name is Trish, and I'm Vietnamese. I am 13 this year. I love to change my subjects around to confuse people. The words I say the most are "weirdo" and "your face!" I love laughing a lot, and sometimes I snort out of nowhere. I love dancing, singing, and also I'm trying to find some classes for guitar lessons. I'm also interested in acting, because it's fun and you get to play someone else besides yourself. I eat at least 7 to 10 meals a day, even though I'm skinny.

Summer Plans?

What are some of your classmates doing this summer? Let's find out.

Question: "What are you going to do this summer?"

Juan (6th grade):
"To go to my aunt's ranch in Waco, because it's fun, and I get to take care of animals."

Skyler (6th grade):
"Well, I have two softball tournaments in Lubbock, Texas, and I'm going to Six Flags with Charlea. I'll go to Ink/Mena, Arkansas, and I'll stay with my dad."

Karina (6th grade):
"My plans for this summer are to go to Disneyland with my step mom, my real dad, my 3 sisters, and my step mom's parents. They are going this summer and like they have never taken me to Disneyland, so I get to go this summer."

Jasmyn (7th grade):
"I'm going to Michigan to see my grandma and I'm going to Colorado to see my dad."

Image credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jurvetson/204412311/sizes/s/#cc_license

Haltom Middle’s Choir Concert

Monday night’s concert was the last performance for the Haltom Middle choir. Briana Hoyos did the choreography for the girl’s non-varsity choir and the sixth grade boys. The non-varsity choir has been a challenge all year, but Mrs. Gormus has worked with us without giving up. The varsity girl’s choir also saved the whole choir concert with their touching, beautiful song “Love story”. They rocked out the stage along with the varsity boys in “Evolution of Dance”. After the performance, the choir teachers gave out awards to the awesome singers who went to UIL and received a superior rating. These included Shai Chastain, Josie Urvina, Trish Dang, Katie Cruz, and Diana Anoulack. Mrs.Gormus was teary-eyed after two eighth grade varsity girls gave her flowers, and Kristen Archerstern gave a beautiful speech about how inspiring Mrs. Gormus has been all year.

HMS TAKS Reactions

We interviewed some HMS students to find out how they felt about this year's TAKS tests.

Skyler (6th grade)

I think I did well (in my reading TAKS), and I think I got an 85 or a 90 because it was hard, but after a while it became easier.

Karina (6th grade)

I think I did well (in my reading TAKS), and I think I passed because I did all my strategies, and I concentrated as much as I could.

Krista (6th grade)

I think I did well (in my reading TAKS), because I showed my work, and I justified.

Liam (7th grade)

I think I did terrific (in my reading TAKS), because I studied, and I got good sleep.

Nancy (8th grade)

I think I did a good job (in my social studies TAKS). It was an easy test, and I understood most of the questions.

Going Green at Home and on Campus

There are many ways to stop global warming and save our planet from completely falling apart. Here are some of the ways you can make a difference. You can be green anywhere and a good place to start would be school. You can ask your school janitor if non-toxic cleaning materials are used in your school. When you use paper, write and print on both sides. Ask your principal if you and a group of friends can start a gardening club. Carpool to school with those who live in your neighborhood, or, if you live close to school, you could ride your bike.

Another good place to go green is at home. Your house accounts for about 22 percent of total U.S. energy consumption, 21 percent of carbon dioxide emissions, and 9 percent of water use. You could use compact fluorescent light bulbs. You should always unplug electronics when you’re not using them. Even when they’re turned off, electrical appliances still use power. You can also talk to your parents about planting an herb garden. Stop using disposable bags and buy reusable ones, or make your own. You can also buy reusable water bottles. It will save money and the earth. Turn off the lights when you leave a room, or, if possible, don’t even turn on the lights. Open a curtain and enjoy the natural light. Support your local economy and shop at a farmers market. Ask your parents if they can research and see if they can sign up for green power from your utility company. Fix leaky faucets and make your own household cleaners. Talk to your parents about line drying your laundry. Collect rainwater and use it to water your houseplants and gardens. Repurpose glass jars as leftover containers or bulk storage.

There are many ways to go green and believe it or not this really is only a few. Don’t forget the most important way to go green though: reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Sources:

http://waystogogreen.com/HowtoGoGreenatSchool.html
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/athome/209378.php
http://simplemom.net/tips-to-go-green-at-home/
Image credit: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/190/477389196_30f889b3ff_m.jpg

Meet the Tiger Times Staff

While we hope to add to our ranks, 5 brave volunteers will be conducting interviews, reporting on events, researching the issues, taking the photographs, and recording the videos for the Tiger Times' first year. Introducing the writers for the 2009-2010 school year:

Briana: Ever since I was little I loved to write. I spent most of my time writing because I was good at it. I am the type of person who turns in their work and stresses over unfinished work. I’ve always been involved in school. Now that I’m in middle school I’m in athletics, choir, and now the Tiger Times. I recently joined the Tiger Times. I joined because I thought it would be good for me. I’m a good writer and I have the time. This will be good experience for me.

Katie: My name is Katie and I’m in the 7^th grade. I’ve gone to many schools before Haltom Middle. I have lived in Missouri, Georgia, Louisiana, and now I live in Texas. I love to read and write. My strongest subjects are math and English/language arts. I’m in karate and also on the tiger times staff. My interests are soccer, karate, and scrap booking. I have a brother and a sister. I don’t see my sister very much because she lives in Louisiana. Although my brother and I fight sometimes, I still don’t know what I would do without him.

Luz: Hey, my name is Luz, I am from Mexico, and I am in 6^th grade. Almost every day after school I help my math teacher. Her name is Mrs. Fraser. Since I was in 4^th grade I liked to help my homeroom teachers after school. In 5^th grade I used to go help a kinder teacher instead of going to recess, and her name is Mrs. Hernandez. I don’t talk too much, and I don’t laugh too much. My favorite sport is soccer, because I like to kick the ball, and I like to play and work in teams.

Shai: I am a cocky, wide-eyed, big-mouthed, preppy girl that absolutely loves people and writing. My family is the best, and I’ve conjured up the nickname “The Princess Monster” from my Dad. With all the support at home, I’m just as willing to give the same to friends. Most of my friends I’ve met in theatre. That’s one of my “things”, I love to act, and sing. My dream is to become a singer/actress. Hopefully I’ll make it. I could go on all day about myself but that’s just a little bit about The Princess Monster.

Trish: Hello! My name is Trish, and I'm Vietnamese. I am 13 this year. I love to change my subjects around to confuse people. The words I say the most are "weirdo" and "your face!" I love laughing a lot, and sometimes I snort out of nowhere.I love dancing, singing, and also I’m trying to find some classes for guitar lessons. I’m also interested in acting because its fun and you get to play someone else beside yourself. I eat at least 7 to 10 meals a day even though I’m skinny.

Hunter: I was born on August 14, 1995 and I have tons of scars. My dad died when I was four and my mom died when I was five, but it’s all good. Now I live with my grandmother and two older brothers. I’ve lived in a lot places, Texas, Utah, Florida, and Washington D.C. I don’t remember any thing about Utah, Florida, or Washington D.C. When I was about three I was attacked by a pit-bull, but as you can see I’m still alive, I was saved by my mom, and I was in the hospital for almost 4 months.