This is the online newspaper for Yankton Middle School in Yankton, SD. Stories are written by student staff members.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Summer Activities
by Aria H.
Summer is coming in hot, and I was wondering, "What does everyone do in the summer? I just get so bored sometimes sitting outside." If you're anything like me, you get bored really easily and always want to do something. So I'm going to tell you about all the fun summer activities you can do!
First of all, sports are a big part of summer. There's baseball, softball, volleyball, tennis, swimming, soccer, and more! Most sports take up a lot of your time with practice, games, and tournaments galore! You can sign up for sports online or even contact friends who are in a sport you're interested in. If you aren't looking for full-time fun, there are also options like pickup games with friends and playing at home with family. But if you aren't into sports, don't you fret, there are so many more options available, like nature!
Nature is one of Earth's best qualities; it offers fresh air, new smells, different sounds, and various activities. Hiking can be fun for the whole family, with easy trails to start with, and hard climbing trails! While hiking, you get to experience the great outdoors with no technology, which is even better! If you're less adventurous, the beach may be your thing! With the waves crashing, sun shining, and sand burning, the options are endless. You could kayak, swim, make sand castles, or even tan! Boating, fishing, reading while the waves withdraw, and relaxing, soaking up the sun! Although the heat can be fun, it can also be overwhelming, and some days, I want a cool, calm day, so turning to indoor activities may be your savior.
Sometimes, especially during the summer, it can get too hot to go outside, which may throw off your plans, but there are so many indoor facilities. South Dakota has numerous different museums to try, including children's interactive museums, history museums, and art museums! You can go to aquariums for some fun family time and a great learning experience! Or if you can't get out of the house, you can make exciting games from your imagination! You can do arts and crafts like vision boards, painting, drawing, and sewing! Even though all these sound fun, sometimes I want to eat after I'm done, and baking or cooking can do just that! If you don't feel like making something from scratch, you could use a box mix!
Although there are all these fun things, sometimes nothing feels right, but there is always something to look forward to. For you, it might be the outside world and everything that comes with it, or staying inside, where there are no bugs and air conditioning. So, in all, you may have to simply come out of your comfort zone and try something new every once in a while, and you never know, you might come to enjoy it truly!
Summer is coming in hot, and I was wondering, "What does everyone do in the summer? I just get so bored sometimes sitting outside." If you're anything like me, you get bored really easily and always want to do something. So I'm going to tell you about all the fun summer activities you can do!
First of all, sports are a big part of summer. There's baseball, softball, volleyball, tennis, swimming, soccer, and more! Most sports take up a lot of your time with practice, games, and tournaments galore! You can sign up for sports online or even contact friends who are in a sport you're interested in. If you aren't looking for full-time fun, there are also options like pickup games with friends and playing at home with family. But if you aren't into sports, don't you fret, there are so many more options available, like nature!
Nature is one of Earth's best qualities; it offers fresh air, new smells, different sounds, and various activities. Hiking can be fun for the whole family, with easy trails to start with, and hard climbing trails! While hiking, you get to experience the great outdoors with no technology, which is even better! If you're less adventurous, the beach may be your thing! With the waves crashing, sun shining, and sand burning, the options are endless. You could kayak, swim, make sand castles, or even tan! Boating, fishing, reading while the waves withdraw, and relaxing, soaking up the sun! Although the heat can be fun, it can also be overwhelming, and some days, I want a cool, calm day, so turning to indoor activities may be your savior.
Sometimes, especially during the summer, it can get too hot to go outside, which may throw off your plans, but there are so many indoor facilities. South Dakota has numerous different museums to try, including children's interactive museums, history museums, and art museums! You can go to aquariums for some fun family time and a great learning experience! Or if you can't get out of the house, you can make exciting games from your imagination! You can do arts and crafts like vision boards, painting, drawing, and sewing! Even though all these sound fun, sometimes I want to eat after I'm done, and baking or cooking can do just that! If you don't feel like making something from scratch, you could use a box mix!
Although there are all these fun things, sometimes nothing feels right, but there is always something to look forward to. For you, it might be the outside world and everything that comes with it, or staying inside, where there are no bugs and air conditioning. So, in all, you may have to simply come out of your comfort zone and try something new every once in a while, and you never know, you might come to enjoy it truly!
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Summer News!
by Cate H.
I interviewed two teachers on what their summer plans are! If you are reading this then Summer Break is coming up! Now teachers have breaks too, so that’s why I will be telling everyone Mrs. Anderson’s and Mrs. Andrews's plans for summer break. Summer Break plans here we come! Remember to put on sunscreen everyone!
First up is Mrs. Anderson, you know how she loves to travel so she is going camping near a lake with her family, and going fishing. Her plans are going to camp by the lake outside of Yankton with her family. Another plan is to go fishing with her family. She is also going kayaking, canoeing. Last but not least it isn’t camping without smoke.
Mrs. Andrews is gonna work on her Master’s Degree. She is also going to the garden with some plants with her family. One more thing she told me during the interview was that she was going to a Shakespeare play! Just like Mrs. Anderson she is also going outside of Yankton. That is all of the news I have for now.
HAVE A GOOD SUMMER BREAK!!
I interviewed two teachers on what their summer plans are! If you are reading this then Summer Break is coming up! Now teachers have breaks too, so that’s why I will be telling everyone Mrs. Anderson’s and Mrs. Andrews's plans for summer break. Summer Break plans here we come! Remember to put on sunscreen everyone!
First up is Mrs. Anderson, you know how she loves to travel so she is going camping near a lake with her family, and going fishing. Her plans are going to camp by the lake outside of Yankton with her family. Another plan is to go fishing with her family. She is also going kayaking, canoeing. Last but not least it isn’t camping without smoke.
Mrs. Andrews is gonna work on her Master’s Degree. She is also going to the garden with some plants with her family. One more thing she told me during the interview was that she was going to a Shakespeare play! Just like Mrs. Anderson she is also going outside of Yankton. That is all of the news I have for now.
HAVE A GOOD SUMMER BREAK!!
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Last day of School! - Creative Story
by Addie E.
It was May 18, the night before the last day of school. Tomorrow when it was just the last hour of school I wanted to give all my 6th grade teachers a gift. I was preparing them, putting on bows and ribbons for each one of them. As I was doing that I made a list of what teachers were getting what. The day before I went shopping for all the gifts. I got a necklace for my music teacher, a bag of gummies for my math teacher, a new book for my English teacher, flowers for my art teacher, chocolate for my computers and P.E teacher, and a picture frame for my science and study hall teacher.
The next morning I stuffed all my gifts in my backpack and headed to school. I was nice out and I was wearing a short sleeve shirt and some shorts. When I got to school I saw my friend Mia. She was only holding her water bottle, no back pack or anything.
“Why do you have a back pack?” She said, “ It is the last day of school!”
“I have things in here for the teachers.” I explained.
The day went by so fast I could barely keep up. It felt like every five seconds the bell would ring for our next class. We ate lunch and then we were free to go. I rushed to my locker and took my back pack out. I wanted to start with my English teacher, then math and social studies, science, computers, study hall, art, music then P.E. When I got to my English class my teacher waved.
“Hi, I have something for you!” I said, and handed her my gift.
“Thank you!” She said, “ I’ll have to open it later though if that's okay.”
“Of Course!” I said and headed for math.
One by one I gave the gifts to my teachers. It made me so happy when they received it. Some of my teachers even gave me a piece of candy because they were so touched. I politely said thank you for the candy kept going my way. When I finally reached my P.E teacher I had realized that I had forgotten to check my list of which gift was for which! I hoped I was lucky and would have given the right ones to the teachers. I opened my bag, took out my folder and got out the list. It was no use, I had totally mixed up the gifts. There was only half an hour left of school and I wanted to give the teacher the correct gifts. I had to work backwards. I would do it as fast as I could.
I went back into the gym and asked if I could have the gift back and that I would give him another one in a bit. My teacher looked confused but still gave it back. I told him thank you and rushed out. When I got to my music teacher she was about to open the gift!
“No!” I screamed.
“What is wrong?” She asked.
I told her all about my mix up and asked if I could have the gift back. She agreed and asked if she could help me grab all the gifts. I told her that I would love that and gave her instructions to go to my English, Math, Science, and Social Studies teachers. She nodded and left the room. I headed for my art classroom. It smelled like paint. My teacher was at her desk and I hurried over there. Once I had explained to her she quickly gave the present to me.
“You better hurry, there is only 15 minutes left of school!” She said.
I nodded and rushed to my next teacher. The last teachers were quick so I met up with my music teacher with ten minutes to spare. I collected all the gifts and told her thank you, and gave her her gift. She nodded and said she will see me next year. I rushed to my English class, and gave my teacher her gift. I did that for all my teachers upstairs in just five minutes. Then I skipped all the stairs and fell. I didn’t care though. When I finally made it to the gym my teacher wasn’t there!
“Oh no!” I screamed. I thought as hard as I could, where could he be? Then the completely obvious idea came to me. He was probably in his computer classroom upstairs!
With only one minute left of school until summer break I rushed up stairs down the hallway dodging all the other kids and teachers. I flopped down on the floor, right next to my P.E teachers desk, out of breath.
“Hear you go!” I say standing up.
He takes the gift and opens it. “My favorite candy!” He says, “ Sorry I wasn’t in my gym.
“It’s okay!” I said, still out of breath.
I smiled, and then the bell rang. It was summer break! I waved goodbye and went downstairs. When I got outside I saw my study hall teacher.
“See you next year!¨ I said, running to my house.
It was May 18, the night before the last day of school. Tomorrow when it was just the last hour of school I wanted to give all my 6th grade teachers a gift. I was preparing them, putting on bows and ribbons for each one of them. As I was doing that I made a list of what teachers were getting what. The day before I went shopping for all the gifts. I got a necklace for my music teacher, a bag of gummies for my math teacher, a new book for my English teacher, flowers for my art teacher, chocolate for my computers and P.E teacher, and a picture frame for my science and study hall teacher.
The next morning I stuffed all my gifts in my backpack and headed to school. I was nice out and I was wearing a short sleeve shirt and some shorts. When I got to school I saw my friend Mia. She was only holding her water bottle, no back pack or anything.
“Why do you have a back pack?” She said, “ It is the last day of school!”
“I have things in here for the teachers.” I explained.
The day went by so fast I could barely keep up. It felt like every five seconds the bell would ring for our next class. We ate lunch and then we were free to go. I rushed to my locker and took my back pack out. I wanted to start with my English teacher, then math and social studies, science, computers, study hall, art, music then P.E. When I got to my English class my teacher waved.
“Hi, I have something for you!” I said, and handed her my gift.
“Thank you!” She said, “ I’ll have to open it later though if that's okay.”
“Of Course!” I said and headed for math.
One by one I gave the gifts to my teachers. It made me so happy when they received it. Some of my teachers even gave me a piece of candy because they were so touched. I politely said thank you for the candy kept going my way. When I finally reached my P.E teacher I had realized that I had forgotten to check my list of which gift was for which! I hoped I was lucky and would have given the right ones to the teachers. I opened my bag, took out my folder and got out the list. It was no use, I had totally mixed up the gifts. There was only half an hour left of school and I wanted to give the teacher the correct gifts. I had to work backwards. I would do it as fast as I could.
I went back into the gym and asked if I could have the gift back and that I would give him another one in a bit. My teacher looked confused but still gave it back. I told him thank you and rushed out. When I got to my music teacher she was about to open the gift!
“No!” I screamed.
“What is wrong?” She asked.
I told her all about my mix up and asked if I could have the gift back. She agreed and asked if she could help me grab all the gifts. I told her that I would love that and gave her instructions to go to my English, Math, Science, and Social Studies teachers. She nodded and left the room. I headed for my art classroom. It smelled like paint. My teacher was at her desk and I hurried over there. Once I had explained to her she quickly gave the present to me.
“You better hurry, there is only 15 minutes left of school!” She said.
I nodded and rushed to my next teacher. The last teachers were quick so I met up with my music teacher with ten minutes to spare. I collected all the gifts and told her thank you, and gave her her gift. She nodded and said she will see me next year. I rushed to my English class, and gave my teacher her gift. I did that for all my teachers upstairs in just five minutes. Then I skipped all the stairs and fell. I didn’t care though. When I finally made it to the gym my teacher wasn’t there!
“Oh no!” I screamed. I thought as hard as I could, where could he be? Then the completely obvious idea came to me. He was probably in his computer classroom upstairs!
With only one minute left of school until summer break I rushed up stairs down the hallway dodging all the other kids and teachers. I flopped down on the floor, right next to my P.E teachers desk, out of breath.
“Hear you go!” I say standing up.
He takes the gift and opens it. “My favorite candy!” He says, “ Sorry I wasn’t in my gym.
“It’s okay!” I said, still out of breath.
I smiled, and then the bell rang. It was summer break! I waved goodbye and went downstairs. When I got outside I saw my study hall teacher.
“See you next year!¨ I said, running to my house.
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
All About Chickens
Chickens are intelligent birds, and we’re lucky enough to have the chance to get to know them. I asked two YMS students about their opinions on chickens. From the best things about them to the color of their eggs, you can learn more about these outstanding birds.
Aria, a 7th grader, said that her favorite thing about chickens is how their personality differs so drastically from chicken to chicken. Some can be curious, while others can be more docile. Kora, a 6th grader, noted that her favorite thing is their feathers. Other good qualities are that they will eat anything because they’re omnivores and they’re natural bug control.
Aria also said that her least favorite thing is the constant cleaning of poop and the flies that come with bug season. Kora said that she hated their loud sound. These are both true, and chickens are also very high-maintenance animals.
Kora would definitely encourage others to get chickens because you can get free eggs daily. Aria agreed, saying you should get them to learn about owning an outside animal and to learn responsibility.
They both agreed that they would want colored eggs. Chickens can lay blue, green, olive, cream, and pink-tinted eggs. Aria said her favorite color of egg is ruby red and Kora’s favorite is brown.
They both quickly noted that their favorite colored chickens are black chickens. Aria described their feathers as ‘almost rainbow in the sunlight’. Other good breeds include Buff Orpingtons who are friendly, Black Australorps, Rhode Island Reds who are hardy, and Barred Rocks who are steady!
Chickens are amazing creatures,and I hope you learned something new about them today!
Sources:
https://greenamerica.org/green-living/many-benefits-backyard-chickens
Monday, April 20, 2026
Med Camp
by Kenley S.
Med Camp is a program for 7th graders. It is a day set aside to learn about health and make healthy decisions. It is held in the school gym. This program that makes this happen is called Area Health Education Center. They teach students how to perform CPR and other medical procedures. I interviewed Mrs. Schaffer, and she said the students enjoy it, it is very interactive, and it is cool to be around. Med Camp is scheduled for this Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
Med Camp is a program for 7th graders. It is a day set aside to learn about health and make healthy decisions. It is held in the school gym. This program that makes this happen is called Area Health Education Center. They teach students how to perform CPR and other medical procedures. I interviewed Mrs. Schaffer, and she said the students enjoy it, it is very interactive, and it is cool to be around. Med Camp is scheduled for this Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
Thursday, April 16, 2026
YMS Drama Performance Selection
by Hattie H.
This semester, the Drama classes are doing “The Twelve Angry Pigs.” The play is about twelve pigs convicting a person accused of blowing down two houses. A movie was made after the play called “The Twelve Angry Men.” The play is full of arguments, jokes, and confusing characters. The play teaches you the importance of critical thinking, looking beyond prejudice, not jumping to conclusions without evidence, and not following the crowd unless you truly believe in it.
This semester, the Drama classes are doing “The Twelve Angry Pigs.” The play is about twelve pigs convicting a person accused of blowing down two houses. A movie was made after the play called “The Twelve Angry Men.” The play is full of arguments, jokes, and confusing characters. The play teaches you the importance of critical thinking, looking beyond prejudice, not jumping to conclusions without evidence, and not following the crowd unless you truly believe in it.
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