Chess: strategy and competition Spring 2016
By Belle Greenberg
For many years, Miami Country Day School’s chess team/program has grown. They have won many competitions and tournaments and even have gone to different states to represent the school. Finally, MCDS has taken advantage of the chess success and decided to turn it into an elective. “It is a dream come true to have chess as an elective and I believe it will grow in size in future years,” said Ron Henley, the chess teacher. “The benefits of chess as far as developing the ability to analyze, critical decision making, accepting responsibility for decisions, are well documented in education studies. However, there is also the social aspect that with chess, students will share a game for a lifetime that is played by 600 million people around the globe in over 180 different countries. In addition, they can play online 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With the different time zones, there is always someone somewhere logged on and looking for a game! One day it may even provide the perfect interactive game they can play with their own children!” So far, the chess elective has been a great success. For this being the chess elective’s first year at MCDS, it has enough students in it to continue the elective for years to come.
By Rachel Hodes
On October 17 our school had the Walk for Cancer. The day starts with a nice and meaningful three mile walk, then with a carnival filled with games, rides, and even lunch. On top of that there are hair donations and raffles! This year there were 700 to 800 participants. Miami Country Day School has been doing this event for the last 16 years! Since 1999 according to Ms. Greenfield, director of special events.
Eighth grader Joseph Aming has become a champion chess player.
many titles at competitions and competed with some very talented players. No matter what the “sport” might throw at him, he can get through it.
Justin Kleidermacher has been playing chess for quite a long time. Since his first year at MCDS, he has been competing on the chess team. He has won
“I decided to play chess because my dad is a role model to me and he encouraged me to play it,” said Justin Kleidermacher. “Once I began I really enjoyed it.”
By Ilan Zenatti
cific concept."
We all belong iBelong is meant to unify students and make them feel like they belong. This group was founded in 2013 when Mr. Fallik and Mrs. Avalos felt the need to create a group to minimize bullying. “If students understand each other’s experiences then they will build more respect for one another,” said Mr. Fallik, one of the co founders of iBelong. “With respect comes a decrease in bullying.” Not only does iBelong fight to end bullying, but it also helps people who are new to this school or that come from a different country. It helps people feel more familiar with this school and helps make friends as you share experiences throughout the year with iBelong. Eighth grader Sofia Gomez has been to most of the iBelong coffeehouses. "Ibelong is the time where I believe most students get to open up about what happens day to day in our community and around the world in general," said Sofia. "It's a safe environment where for a few minuets everyone who attends get's a chance to express their feelings towards a spe-
Every year, the sixth graders go to the Miami Rescue Mission, a charitable organization, which is a homeless shelter for people who have lost their homes and need help getting back on their feet. Unfortunately it is very easy to end up in the streets. Drugs are a contributing factor and a big part of why lots of people cannot support themselves. The men go through an 18 month program that
The chess team and the elective are both thriving. The MCDS chess team has won many tournaments, won titles, and defeated some very tough opponents. Many players have come and gone, but it is clear that this year’s group of strong and skilled players will bring home a win for sure. That’s a checkmate!
MCDS first decided to do this because it is a good way as a school to have community service because of all the donations. A big part of the Cancer Walk is Locks for Love, which is the company sponsoring the hair donations. Approximately 40 participants cut their hair this year! For Pantene Beautiful Lengths to accept your hair, at least eight inches had to be cut off.
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iBelong also spreads awareness, such as racial awareness, as well as help kids who feel depressed. “It’s the start of a lot of racial awareness and backgrounds,” said Mr. Johnson, the dance teacher. “iBelong is making students aware that not everybody came from the same place and backgrounds and that everybody has different obstacles.” The recent iBelong meetings have been extremely successful. They have received between 50 and 80 kids at their recent meetings! "I personally go because it does open my eyes and I get to connect and know better some of my peers," explained Sofia. "Everyone has different views based on the concepts we talk about each coffee house meeting, it's interesting to see how many people open up to everyone else and give an honest opinion or thought about the subject; some even open up on a personal level which really seems to get everyone else encouraged to do so as well. It's over all the one day of the month I truly look forward to; and every time I attend it's a different experience every time."
MCDS visits Rescue Mission By Juanpablo Casas and Sierra Hudson
Cancer Walk Volume 2
helps them build employment skills, so they can get a stable job, a home for themselves, and provide for their families. The women have a similar program, focusing on jobs and parenting skills. There is also a school for underprivileged kids from the neighborhood and for kids whose mothers are at the shelter. The school goes from kindergarten to third grade.
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Photo by Mr. Fallik
Peer counselor Sean Finny leads a small-group discussion during an iBelong coffeehouse.
Recently, the iBelong team has created something called “Inside Out” Week, which is based on the movie “Inside Out”. iBelong held events around the school every day of that week where students performed in plays, dances, and held a movie night where they played the movie “Inside Out”.
los, one of the founders of iBelong.
“I would say overall it’s been a tremendous success!” said Mr. Fallik. “We want to continue to make iBelong a wonderful Middle School experience,” said Mrs. Avalos.
Where's Your Spirit? “Mr. Fallik and I met during the summer and discussed the possibility of introducing the film and the theme of emotions into the curriculum and having a special event,” said Ms. Ava-
By Ananda Naves-Penkwitt
Spirit Week has had many changes this year, and Mrs. Greenfield is responsible. Although some traditions are gone the student government and leadership classes have been working hard to make sure no one gets left out. Mr. Finny thinks that the changes have gotten the students more involved, “...The teams were getting kind of big before, we used to have 10
teams now we have 18 teams, so less students in every team means that every student gets to participate a little bit more.” Mrs. Greenfield explains, “I think as a student government and leadership class we’re trying to create spirit that continues the entire year. They’re trying to create a sense of middle school unity, of pride”.She says that the new changes benefit the students and that one of the ways how is that it will last the entire year.
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