In the Middle

Memorial Day in the United States is a federal holiday dedicated to honoring and mourning military personnel who have died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Here’s a brief history of how it began and evolved:

Origins:

• Post-Civil War Beginnings (1860s):
  Memorial Day has its roots in the aftermath of the American Civil War (1861–1865), which caused an unprecedented number of military deaths. In the years following the war, communities across the country began holding springtime tributes to fallen soldiers, often decorating their graves with flowers—hence the original name, Decoration Day.

• First Widely Recognized Observance (1868):
  On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic (a Union veterans' organization) declared May 30 as a day to honor those who died in the Civil War. The date was chosen because it wasn’t the anniversary of a specific battle.

• Arlington National Cemetery (May 30, 1868):
  One of the first major Decoration Day observances was held at Arlington National Cemetery, with over 5,000 participants decorating the graves of more than 20,000 Civil War soldiers.

  Evolution into Memorial Day:

  • Expansion Beyond the Civil War:
    After World War I, the holiday expanded to honor American military personnel who died in all wars, not just the Civil War.

  • Name Change and Federal Recognition:
    Over time, "Decoration Day" gradually became known as Memorial Day. It was officially declared a federal holiday in 1971, through the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which moved it to the last Monday in May to create a three-day weekend for federal employees.

  Modern Observances:

  • National Moment of Remembrance:
    In 2000, Congress established a National Moment of Remembrance, encouraging Americans to pause at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to honor the fallen.

  • Traditions:

    • Visiting cemeteries and memorials

    • Parades in many towns and cities

    • Flying the U.S. flag at half-staff until noon

    • Placing flags on the graves of fallen soldiers

6th Grade – Marilyn M.
7th Grade – Franchely A.T.
8th Grade – Zeynep C.

The 2025 Ice Bucket Challenge, spearheaded by students at the University of South Carolina's Mental Illness Needs Discussion (MIND) club, is a revival of the 2014 challenge, but with a focus on mental health. The #SpeakYourMIND campaign aims to raise awareness and funds for Active Minds, a non-profit that empowers youth and young adults to transform mental health norms. Here's how it works:

Individuals are nominated to participate in the challenge. Here is what you will need:

1. Ice Bucket: After being nominated, participants record themselves pouring ice water over their heads and share the video.
2. Nominate Others: Participants nominate others to continue the challenge.
3. Donate to Active Minds: Participants are encouraged to donate to Active Minds.
4. Share with #SpeakYourMIND: Share your videos with the hashtag #SpeakYourMIND.

He’s not just Mr. Braitsch when the cleats start to fly,
He’s a coach, he’s a mentor, with fire in his eye.
A guide on the field and a leader with pride—
With passion and purpose, he runs right beside.

With eagle-eyed watch and a flair that is rare,
Ms. Perdek patrols every stair and square.
No hall pass in hand? Then back you must go—
“Save those sprints for gym,” she’ll say with a glow.

By the doorway stands Dunker, calm and exact,
Where the latecomers shuffle to silently act.
No shouting required—her countdown is sound,
And suddenly silence will settle around.

Ms. Francica, your chapter now turns to rest,
You’ve given your years, you’ve given your best.
But your voice still echoes, warm and bright—
A harmony glowing in memory’s light.

Ms. Kim brings math to life, bold and grand,
With formulas dancing at her command.
From fractions to slope, each problem is gold—
A journey of logic, courageous and bold.

Ms. Fiduccia’s calm hides a black belt strong,
But her ELA lessons are where hearts belong.
Her words strike with power, her stories with grace—
Every class like a spar in a thoughtful space.

Mr. Chicchelli’s chill, but his lessons ignite,
From empires to rebels, from wrongs into right.
He knows that a story, when told with some flair,
Will echo and stick, with students who care.

Ms. DelMauro let our voices be heard,
She showed us the power in each written word.
In middle school’s whirlwind, she gave us a place—
A haven of stories, of calm, and of grace.

Ms. Olszowy’s smile is a beacon so bright,
She made every fact take off into flight.
She taught us that science is magic, is real—
A world full of wonder we all got to feel.

Mr. Wellington’s classroom is music and math,
Where formulas waltz down a melodic path.
His opera notes and equations align—
Making learning both logical and divine.

Mr. Essman unlocks the past with a key,
To stories of people, of struggle, and plea.
From legends to leaders, from conflict to peace—
He shows that our learning will never quite cease.

Then there’s Dr. Bugge, with deadlines in hand,
Chasing our drafts like it’s all been planned.
A publishing pest? Well, maybe it’s true—
But we’d never have finished without all that "Shoo!"
She edits, she nudges, she pushes with flair—
Because she believes there’s a writer in there.

National Nurses Week is celebrated annually from May 6th to May 12th, which also marks Florence Nightingale's birthday. It's a time to recognize and appreciate the valuable contributions of nurses to healthcare and society. This week is a time for all of us at GMS to express gratitude and appreciation for our wonderful nurses' hard work, dedication, and compassion.

For National Nurses Week 2025, both the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the International Council of Nurses (ICN) have announced themes. The ANA's theme is "The Power of Nurses to Transform Health", emphasizing how nurses drive innovation and advocate for patient-centered care. The ICN's theme for International Nurses Day (part of Nurses Week) is "Caring for nurses strengthens economies", highlighting the importance of nurse wellbeing.

The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is an organization in the United States that recognizes and encourages outstanding middle school students (typically grades 6–9). It serves as the junior counterpart to the National Honor Society (NHS), which is for high school students.

NJHS promotes excellence in:

1. Scholarship – Academic achievement

2. Leadership – Taking initiative and guiding others

3. Service – Volunteering and helping the community

4. Character – Demonstrating integrity and ethical behavior

5. Citizenship – Active participation in civic duties and responsibility

Alfonso, Juliana

Arias, Maria

Barba, Michelle

Bendezu, Gyon

Blancas, Ashley

Boaheng, Julian

Burdzy, Laura

Calderon, Mateo

Callejas, Emely

Cedeno, Kamilia

Chebanov, Kirill

Diaz, Lilliana

Dinnocenzo, Michael

Dransfield, Madison

Drzymala, Spencer

Ezova, Matea

Grullon, Gabriel

Hadzhiev, Alec

Hendzel, Oscar

Hernandez, Leanna

Jachym, Olivia

Jaskot, Olivia

Kheirddin, Ryan

Kulikowski, Martina

Lantigua, Luis

Larosiliere, Alexia

Lim, Hope

Mahecha Carmona, Miah

Malec, Milena

Nole, Aymar

Notwicz, Amelia

Petreska, Mario

Pinto, Mila

Pistor, Jakub

Poposka, Darija

Prentoski, Vasil

Rodriguez, Brayden

Rodriguez, Jeremy

Rodriguez, Lianelys

Saccomondo, Emma

Serafimov, Alec

Stebbins, Brooke

Sudol, Emily

Suero, Jadiel

Szewczyk, Venessa

Toubasi, Ameer

Trajanoski, Dimitri

Ulengin, Mirace

Vasylkiv, Diana

Veljanovska, Aleksandra

Walczyk, Emilia

Ms. Patti May 21st

Ms. Whelan May 21st

Ms. Notar May 31st

In the fast-paced world of education, where lesson plans, deadlines, and student needs can quickly overwhelm, a small gesture of connection can go a long way. That’s exactly what happened at Garfield Middle School when Mrs. Albanese, our science teacher known for her creativity and calm demeanor, shared something unexpected with us: her personal playlist.

Mrs. Albanese's playlist doesn't just set the tone for a productive day; it set the tone for a more connected school environment. Her shared rhythm meant more than she knows.

The show centers around dancer Mabel Garret.

Mabel Garret was a dancer from Harlem, New York who graced the stage and screen beginning in the 1930's and throughout the 1950's and even beyond.

Appearing just a few seconds dancing with Cab Calloway in the movie Manhattan Merry-Go-Round (1937), this graceful, tall and jumping dancer whose dancing feet crossed those of Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington many times as well as the path of many other artists of the Harlem scene.

The dances they will perform will celebrate the many great artists of the Harlem Renaissance. From dancers, musicians, singers, composers, poets and visual artists, they celebrate a pivotal time in American History. With the rise of African American identity, the Harlem Renaissance fostered a sense of pride and identity for African Americans, challenging negative stereotypes and promoting their contributions to American culture.

Make sure you check out this great tribute at our Spring concert on May 21st!

Toby’s story is about a dog named Toby who goes through tough times with his owner. This story is about love and friendship and what it means to be there for someone. The theme of the story Toby’s story is the challenges they went through together and you need to love and create a bond with your pets and love them like you would love a human.

Toby's Story is a heartwarming novel by W. Bruce Cameron, part of his popular A Dog’s Purpose Puppy Tales series. The book follows the life of Toby, a lively and loyal beagle mix who is searching for his purpose in a world that often feels confusing and unpredictable.

The story is told from the dog’s point of view. Toby begins life in a difficult situation, navigating life in a shelter before eventually finding a home with a young girl named Clara who needs companionship as much as he does. The relationship that develops between them is the main idea of the book.

Fans of animal stories, particularly those who have read A Dog's Purpose, will enjoy this companion tale. It’s both a stand-alone story and a great addition to the series.

This Monday, May 12th, students from Garfield Middle School showed their respect and gratitude for our nation’s heroes by placing American flags on veterans' graves at a local cemetery.

Students from the school’s Blue Star Club received a bundle of small American flags and walked carefully among the rows of headstones, placing a flag at the grave of every veteran they could find.

“It’s important for us to remember the people who fought for our country,” said club advisor Mrs. Dunker. “This is one small way we can show we care.”

“Seeing young people get involved like this means a lot. Our Blue Star students are proud to honor their families by performing this community service” said school Media Specialist and club advisor Mrs. Marx. “It reminds us that the next generation understands the importance of remembering those who gave everything.”

After placing the flags, the students paused for a moment of silence.

As Memorial Day approaches, the cemetery now shines with hundreds of tiny American flags, each one a reminder of the brave men and women who served our country—and the students who won’t forget them.

Thank you to club advisor - Mrs. Morrow for taking these great pics for us. We appreciate you!

Email: abugge@gboe.org
Location: GMS, 175 Lanza Ave, Garfield NJ 07026
Phone: 973-272-7020

Student reporter: Venessa Szewczzyk