By: Cindy Choi and Olivia Fischman

The JMS Strings and Concert bands performed on Tuesday, October 9th at the Jefferson Gym. This is the only concert of the school year where both band and strings play together on the same day.

The Strings eighth graders played two Halloween pieces called “This is Halloween” and “In the Hall of the Mountain King”. The concert band (seventh and eighth grade) played 3 pieces: a two-page piece titled “Into the Clouds”, a one page piece named “After the Storm”, and another two-page piece called “Byzantine Dances”

This year, Strings have changed their attire from the traditional white top, black bottom, to all black; Band are keeping the traditional white-and-black attire. The concert was a huge success!

By: Gwen Duffy

Changing is something very new to 6th graders, and sometimes scary for some. I mean it’s a TON of people in one small room when you’re at your most private moment, what’s there to like? I’m even a little nervous. What if people judge you? I may be worried but, what do other 6th graders think? 

I asked every 6th grade student the same question. “What do you feel about changing for P.E?”

Here are the answers:

“Good. I’m not nervous because everyone else is just being introduced to it, and because I’m cool like that.” Sam S. 

“It feels weird that we are doing it. Dressing up in P.E. is, like I said, weird.” Luke H.

“I was nervous at first, but I realized I wasn’t looking at anybody and nobody was looking at me.” My Mom.

“I am definitely not excited, but it won’t be too bad. I hate how we will be rushed, but it will be okay.” Mara. S

“I feel nervous, but I think it will get better.” Scarlet B.

Even if you are scared, this is a reminder that it’s okay. I promise you are not the only one scared to change in front of others. It’s natural. Sure it’s weird now, but eventually it will just be a part of your day.

By: Sloane Lindsay

The new scientific breakthrough known as nuclear fusion has been all around the internet for the past month. You have probably heard of it by now, but…what exactly is it and why is it so important? You’re about to find out!

Nuclear fusion is when two nuclei (the plural form for nucleus, essentially the center of an atom) combine, generating energy. This fusion is the same type used to power the sun and stars, on a much larger scale. This constantly happens millions of miles away—but it’s been over seven decades in the running to effectively replicate it on Earth.

The idea of a nuclear fusion first gained steam in the 1930s, and ever since, scientists have been tirelessly researching it. Before December fifth, 2022, the fusion had never been able to generate more energy than used to create it. Then, on that fateful day, at the National Ignition Facility in California, it was achieved, claiming the title as one of the “biggest scientific discoveries of 2022.” The fusion formed a tiny explosion of power, only equivalent to about six pots of boiling water—but the greatly important aspect is the energy gain.

This discovery is so important because if they ever formulate a method of mass producing it, it could supply us with a safe, controlled source of energy, allowing us to cut down on carbon in the atmosphere. It’s extremely efficient compared to nuclear fission, the radioactive energy generated in nuclear power plants.

But here’s the problem: it will be extremely difficult to construct on an industrial scale. “To turn fusion into a power source we’ll need to boost the energy gain still further,” Professor Jeremy Chittenden explains. “We’ll also need to find a way to reproduce the same effect much more frequently and much more cheaply before we can realistically turn this into a power plant.” There’s no telling how long this will take—anywhere from ten to thirty years, or much longer—but now researchers and everyday people alike have been given the assurance that this will happen.

By: Cindy Choi

Omicron first appeared in September or October 2021. It is the third COVID-19 variant of 2021 following Alpha and Delta. Omicron has caused chaos throughout the world, surprising everyone with yet another variant. 

Omicron can spread faster than any other variant. People can spread Omicron even if they are vaccinated or don’t have any symptoms. People who had other COVID-19 variants are able to get re-infected with Omicron. It might take five to six days before the symptoms appear, or it could even go up to fourteen days. Some common symptoms of Omicron are, fever, cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, etc… If you think you have any similar symptoms, stay isolated at home or seek emergency medical care soon as possible. 

Omicron is very dangerous and can spread quickly, so you have to make yourself and others safe. Here are some ways you can protect yourself and others from Omicron or any other virus:

• Always wear your mask even when you are with a small group of people. It is more effective to wear a mask that is medical grade, such as N95, KN95, KN94. Wearing cloth masks are less effective because they do not block small droplets and only block big droplets, meaning that Omicron CAN go through a cloth mask alone. It can also cause trouble breathing.
• Since Omicron can spread more easily in crowded spaces, avoid them as much as you can. If one person in that group has Omicron, it’s a matter of time before a whole group has Omicron, Then it will double, triple, and could spread through a school!
• Get vaccinated and always be aware. Teenagers should be vaccinated because middle schools and high schools have a lot of people and they go to parties and move in groups a lot. They are the most common age to get Omicron. Vaccination prevents a lot of Omicron, setting boosters may prevent infection.

Omicron is very dangerous and it can also happen to you, so you always have to be careful not to spread it to other people or get it yourself. And if you think you have it, don’t hesitate and get medical care or a test. Especially during this time, we should all work together to end these viruses.

By: Daisy Lewis

Climate change has become a big issue around the world and it is affecting all of us. Weather patterns are changing, pollution is causing diseases, and the rising temperatures, as well as rising sea levels, are harming animals and their habitats. Climate change has even gotten to a certain extent where it has even started to affect coral reefs. This is called coral bleaching.

Around 75% of the world’s coral has experienced heat that is so serious it’s caused coral bleaching. Not only are the reefs themselves affected, but the entire ecosystem. Over a million marine species depend on coral reefs for shelter, food, and more. When coral turns bleached, these species cannot rely on the coral anymore. 

Coral bleaching is usually caused by extremely warm ocean temperatures. Coral get their lively and bright color from the algae living within them. When the coral’s living conditions change, the algae leaves the coral. This caused the coral to turn white and bleached. 

Coral bleaching has been around for a while. The first extreme bleaching event was in 1998, but it is still happening today. Coral bleaching is not the only issue coral reefs face. Coral harvesting, Overfishing, and physical damage to the reefs all affect the coral as well as the ecosystem that depends on it. We can help by avoiding direct contact with the reefs and wearing coral safe sunscreen when being in areas with coral reefs. Also doing things like saving energy, using environmentally friendly modes of transportation more often, and remembering to recycle are all things we can do to help limit climate change.

By: Itza Garcia

It’s nearly been two years since Coronavirus was discovered, and it is showing no signs of stopping. Over 6.7 billion total doses of the vaccines have been given out worldwide, and since the Delta variant came out, people were getting their 3rd shot as fully vaccinated people were still vulnerable to the Delta variant. 

The Pfizer Vaccine for children ages 5-11 is now available in the US. The typical COVID-19 vaccine was for people that are 12 and up, so children younger than 12 couldn’t get vaccinated. Now, younger children can get a vaccine that is proven to be about 91% efficient by real tests without having to wait until they are 12.

The children’s vaccine is said to be safe with natural ingredients found in many foods, such as sugar, salt, and fat, and it also contains a bit of messenger RNA. The Pfizer shot itself is a 10-microgram dose, and 2 of these shots are taken with a 21-day gap.

Over 5 million people have died from COVID-19. Even if the death rate of the virus is low, it’s better to be vaccinated for the safety of yourself and others. The side effects of a vaccine can be harsh, but it will definitely be worth it later in the future. Stay safe, get vaccinated, and we will all defeat COVID-19.

By: Grace Hanlon

Masks are an important part of daily life in 2021. When you wear a mask you are protecting yourself and others from the virus COVID 19. They have been a huge help during this pandemic but did you know that masks are negatively affecting other animals? 

We have always had problems with pollution in the oceans. Normally, plastic is what harms animals because they can easily get tangled in it or mistake it for food. Some people started using more reusable items like metal straws and reusable water bottles. But with the pandemic, there has been new harm to the animals and the environment: Masks! 

Some masks are reusable. You just wash them and wear them again. But some are not reusable and you throw them away after using them. This is where the problem starts. A lot of these masks end up in the ocean. 

In 2020, it was estimated that 1.56 billion masks were dumped into the ocean. Just imagine how many more could be in there now! And it’s not just in the oceans where this problem exists. A fox in the UK got tangled in a mask and a robin tangled in Canada, among many other instances. It’s also not good for the environment at all. Even on the littlest beach, people may see face masks wash up on shore every day! 

I think that we should be thinking of ways to resolve this issue but there is something simple, quick and easy that you can do to hopefully reduce the number of animals affected by this problem: all you need is a pair of scissors. 

The next time you throw away a mask, cut off the straps so that they are both hanging off on one side. When you do this there’s a lower chance an animal will get tangled in it. It may not solve the whole problem but it still could help. And it literally takes less than a minute!

By: Cooper Eeten

Hello, folks! Cooper Eeten reporting from a computer… sorrowfully. This is my first article and more than anything I wish to give a straightforward, middle school explanation, and simplification of your in-JMS and out-of-JMS news starting with The Great Shipment Crisis.  

This shipment crisis began in the spring of 2020 around when COVID made its (literally) life-breaking debut, and yes, you’ll hear a lot more puns later on.   

Due to job loss and people delisting in their previous jobs, it took a lot of deciphering. Consumers of products from countries such as Asia and North America were completely cut off, denying any shipping lines from those stated countries.  It is estimated that the ongoing problems of the shipment shortages will be resolved by early 2022.

The problem became recognizable in May 2021 but actually started taking heavy effect around late August or September. People are being deliberately asked that Christmas shopping begin now, because of this.   

You can count 15 ships in the above photo, but beyond what the eye can see lay hundreds of titanic-sized shipping boats now anchored. Captains have had shipments of food and water for survival come through helicopters. 

The best way in which I can explain it is this: hovering over the mass of oceanic cargo boats is like an above-water minefield. Multiple crashes or ramming on other boats have occurred causing MILLIONS of shipments (like entertainment devices) to have an unexpected scuba dive. 

One in four shipyard receivers has quit their job, causing millions of shipyard receivers globally to quit. Ultimately, this is slowing the process down so gifts for Christmas are going to be tight. 

New chapter (not really though). I’ve shown you an in-depth, deep-dive, scuba dive, information… get it. So I’ll call this A SUPER AFTERMATH COMPLICATION . . . With Cooper. What worse could happen? What if so, what if that? Well, never fear . . . an explanation is here (I love rhyming).

It could get too packed and hard to deliver cargo safely. Problems such as a systematic shutdown can occur, and considering 2.14 Billion out of  7.74 billion people order online, getting things there ready, in good condition, on time, and still getting 5 stars ain’t easy. I mean, the most I’ve done is have a lemonade stand so this must be hard to do.

So to end it off with a splash (get it?), we are going to simplify and dumb our answer down so someone unfamiliar with this topic can understand. During the final 4 months of the year, people who worked unloading cargo and delivering decreased by 40%. This means cargo and other shipments will be delayed causing Christmas to have scarce resources. 

By: Bella Wilson

Red pandas are an uncommon, endangered species.  There are only 2,500 red pandas left on earth. They live in the Eastern Himalayas and they live in China, Nepal, and Bhutan. They mostly spend their time in trees and their appetite is mostly bamboo. 

Why they are decreasing is because of bamboo. Bamboo is decreasing because of the amount of rainfall in China, Nepal, and Bhutan. Another reason red pandas are endangered is deforestation, which is when they destroy forests for roads or power lines.  

How can we help and why do we need to help? We can start by donating to organizations that help red pandas. Also, we can stop destroying forests. That will help a lot with keeping them on earth. Why we need to help is because there are a limited amount, they are important to earth, and . . . let’s be honest, they’re super cute.