NMS Student Newsletter

Cheese is a popular food found in hors d'oeuvres, popular charcuterie boards and melted in various dishes throughout the holiday season. Using the information below, you can impress your friends and family with your knowledge of this popular yet often under appreciated food.

Cheddar: United Kingdom - delicious on hamburgers and grilled cheese. Variations are often included on Charcuterie boards

Gouda: the Netherlands - typically sweet and creamy and pairs well with fruits and figs

Feta: From Greece - Has a salty or tangy flavor, often found on salads

Gorgonzola: Italy - Salty blue cheese and also often found on salads

Halloumi: Cyprus - Has a high melting point and is served fried on many Charcuterie boards

Jarlsberg: Norway - Smooth flavor and is great on late night, holiday sandwiches

Monterey Jack: U.S.A. - Marbled cheddar jack and colby jack cheese and is great with crackers and pepperoni

Muenster: U.S.A. - Soft cheese, mild flavor and also good on late night holiday sandwiches

Paneer: India - Non melting soft cheese made with milk and lemon juice. Pairs well with spicy food.

Oka: Canada - semi-soft cheese with a washed rhind that pairs well with almost anything

Swiss: Switzerland - A fan favorite on sandwiches and paired with mushrooms on a burger

Rumi: Egypt - Has a salty and strong flavor and pairs well with milder pita bread

Queso Blanco: Latin America - Fresh, tangy white cheese that can often be found crumbled on salads and tacos

Take our Cheese Quiz!

1) All polar bears are left handed

2) Christmas trees usually grow for nearly 15 years before they can be sold.

3) It only took 6 weeks for Charles Dickens to write the book, A Christmas Carol.

4) American's purchase 1.6 billion Christmas cards every year.

5) German chocolate cake originated in Texas

6) The tallest Christmas tree was 221 feet tall

7) A popular tradition in Japan is to eat KFC for Christmas

8) Celebrating Christmas was once illegal

9) Hanging stockings started by accident

10) "Jingle Bells" was originally a Thanksgiving song

Q: What do you like about being a health teacher?

A: I have wanted to be a health teacher since fifth grade. Honestly, I have seen many people make bad decisions and I think it's important to teach students as much as I can so they have the power to make good, healthy decisions in life. One of the biggest decisions we all make at some point is whether or not to try drugs and my goal is to give you the knowledge and the power to never try them.

Q: What is a good health tip?

A: There are so many related to nutrition and exercise. For my class, the one tip I would give you is for mental health and it's to be kind to people. Kindness releases dopamine in the brain so quite literally, the nicer you are the happier you are.

Q: What do you like about coaching cross country?

A: I like working with students in a team setting and helping them find a way to stay healthy and active. I also like seeing everyone's personalities outside of school because they are more relaxed.

Q: What pets do you have?

A: I have a dog and a Sulcata Tortoise. The Sulcata Tortoise is the third largest tortoise in the world.

Q: What is one fun fact about you?

A: I play competitive corn hole. It's true. Mr. Trenger and I travel and compete in tournaments, and we're actually pretty good at it.

1. What is it called when you put decorations in the entryway? (Deck the Halls)

2. Who makes toy guitars and sings Blue Christmas? (Elf-is Presley)

3. What did the gingerbread man put on top of his bed? (A cookie sheet)

4. What is the name of a runner's favorite reindeer? (Dasher)

5. What bites but doesn't have any teeth? (frost)

6. Why did Frosty cross the road? (To melt on the other side)

Benjy, What holidays do you celebrate at this time of year?

Christmas & New Years

What is one holiday tradition that you look forward to each year?

I look forward to Christmas morning with my family every year. We have delicious food and we're all together. Then at night we all spend time around the fireplace.

What is your favorite holiday character? Why?

Definitely the Grinch. I like how he changes and how Cindy Lou Who accepts him for who he is then he's able to feel good about himself and find happiness again. The best part is when his heart grows, which shows that even people that seem mean, can become nice when people help them.

Do you have a favorite holiday movie?

Christmas Chronicles

Do you have a favorite holiday song?

Santa Claus is Coming to Town by Michael Jackson & the Jackson 5

If you could write a Holiday Greeting in a card, what would it be?

Hoping your heart grows three times because of all the good you find this holiday season.

Follow these directions for a fun, family friendly holiday craft.

How To Make Paper Snowmen

December is here

December is here

The last month of the year

Bells are ringing

People are singing

Filled with holiday cheer!

Families meet, we all greet

People we hold dear!

We're so glad that December

Is finally here!

New York City comes alive during the Holiday Season and how better to capture some of that holiday magic then through the pages of a book? Check out the recommendations from the New York Public Library for a fun and festive read this season.

Take some time over break to discover a new wold through the use of a Golden Dreidel, or hear The No Good Nine plead their cases to Santa Claus. What happens when Santa retires? Find out from the Top Elf what competition is like for that coveted position and let's not forget about New Year's when we can join Sophie in an unexpected adventure in a Castle in the Clouds.

NYC Library Book Recommendations

Ingredients:

1/2 C Unsalted Butter

1/2 C shortening

1 C white sugar

3/4 C Brown sugar

1 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

1 tsp Peppermint extract

2 large eggs

3 C all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 C crushed candy canes

1 C white chocolate chips (plus a little more for the tops0

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 and line cookie sheets with parchment paper
• In a large bowl, beat together the butter, shortening, white sugar & brown sugar until fluffy (about 2 minutes)
• Add in the vanilla & peppermint extracts, then mix in the eggs one at a time
• Turn the mixer down to low speed and mix in the flour, baking soda & salt. If the dough sticks to your fingers when you squeeze it between them - add in a little more flour 1 tbsp at a time
• Mix in the crushed candy canes & white chocolate chips
• Form the dough into balls about 1 - 1.5 tbsp in size, and place 2 inches apart on the lined cookie sheet
• Bake for 8 - 10 minutes. Remove from oven and place a few white chocolate chips on the tops of each cookie (optional).
• Cool on the cookie sheet for 10 minutes then continue cooling on a wire rack