Why is April "Poetry Month"?
April is National Poetry Month in the United States because it was chosen by the Academy of American Poets in 1996 as a way to celebrate poetry and its vital role in our culture. Here are a few reasons why April was picked:
1. Spring is a time of renewal — just like poetry.
April symbolizes new beginnings, creativity, and inspiration. Springtime is when flowers bloom, and in a similar way, it’s a season that invites artistic expression. Poetry fits perfectly with that vibe.
2. It aligns well with the school year.
April falls during the academic year, making it easier for teachers to incorporate poetry into their lessons. Schools often hold poetry readings, writing contests, or special units to engage students.
3. It doesn’t compete with major holidays.
Unlike December (with all the winter holidays) or November (with Thanksgiving), April has fewer major events, giving poetry more room to shine.
4. Inspired by other successful celebration months.
National Poetry Month was modeled after other successful observances like Black History Month (February) and Women’s History Month (March). The idea was to create a dedicated time to spotlight and elevate poetry in the public eye.
So, April became the perfect month to celebrate the beauty, power, and diversity of poetry — and it's been going strong ever since!
Trumpet section performs for the Garfield High School and Garfield Middle School band members
Students at Garfield Middle School and Garfield High School band members were treated to a special musical experience on April 11th when the Ithaca College Band visited campus for a live performance and interactive workshop. The event brought college-level musicianship right into our school cafetorium, captivating students and sparking excitement about the power of music.
The visit was inspired by GMS Band Director, Mr. Ebbels, whose aim was to connect our band students with the college band and inspire the next generation of musicians. The band, made up of undergraduate music majors, performed a diverse program that ranged from classical arrangements to lively modern compositions. The middle school students were all ears — some even moving to the rhythm in their seats.
“It’s not every day you get to hear a full college ensemble perform live,” said Mr. Ebbels, the school’s music teacher. “This was such a valuable experience for our students. It gives them something to aspire to.”
After the performance, band members held a Q&A session, fielding questions about their instruments, their college experiences, and what it’s like to major in music. Many of the students expressed interest in pursuing music beyond their current band programs, inspired by what they saw and heard.
7th grade recommends - "Brian's Winter" a book review by Dawid Dudzinski
The book “Brian’s winter” is a fictional book. The main character's Brian got into a plane crash and was the only survivor stranded in the middle of the woods. Brian uses his survival skills to catch food, build shelter, and make utility tools like an axe. His biggest problem fear and face is the northern winter. Will he manage to make till the end or get swept into the dunes.
Brian’s Winter is an alternate sequel to his Newbery Honor-winning book Hatchet. In this version, Paulsen imagines what would have happened if 13-year-old Brian Robeson had not been rescued at the end of Hatchet, and instead had to face the brutal Canadian winter alone in the wilderness.
One of the most compelling elements of Brian’s Winter is how it deepens our understanding of Brian as a character. His quiet resilience, intelligence, and calm in the face of danger are both admirable and realistic. Paulsen doesn’t glamorize survival — he shows its daily challenges and its quiet moments of triumph.
Though this book is technically part of The Hatchet series, it stands well on its own. Paulsen's writing is simple yet powerful, making it accessible to young readers while still engaging for adults. The pacing is steady and introspective, focusing more on survival and personal growth than action-packed drama.
I think it is a good book because of its amazing adventure. Brian, the main character, has faced many horrifying situations like getting almost eaten alive by a bear while sleeping. It was entertaining of how he manages and faced those challenges. He had to build and reconstruct of his shelter from Dangerous weathers and farm his food like being silent throughout the night to hunt. This book was an amazing and adventurous book to uncover.
Editor and GMS Publishing teacher - Dr. Bugge
Email: abugge@gboe.org
Location: GMS, 175 Lanza Ave, Garfield NJ 07026
Phone: 973-272-7020