News: Agri-Voyage Field Trip

article by Avery O., photos by Mrs. K. Olson

On Friday, September 11th, Mrs. Olson’s Agri-Voyage class went on a field trip to Gayville, SD, to the “Field to Table” program by Valley Ag Supply to learn about the different careers, crops, machinery, and livestock you utilize when you farm! I interviewed Mrs. Olson, the LCE and Agri-Voyage teacher at Yankton Middle School, and Tara Olson, the owner of Valley Ag Supply in Gayville, SD.

A total of 800 students (4th and 8th graders) from 16 schools attended this year, and over 7,000 students have attended the 18 years of this event so far. The “Field to Table” program consists of various “stations” covering topics such as corn, soybeans, machinery, soil erosion, and livestock. The kids also got a swag bag to remember their day.

Valley Ag Supply has been running this program for about 18 years and will definitely do it again next year. Owner of Valley Ag Supply, Tara Olson says, “A farmer named Ray Hall started it in about 2000 and invited a couple local schools near the Vermillion area. My late husband, Greg and I were invited to help him and when he was getting a bit old he asked if we’d take the event on. With the help of my colleague, Cathy – a former teacher – she was able to give schools the educational standards being met with each station so teachers could convince their board/principal that this was not just a field trip but a true educational event.” She also said that it took 2 hours to set up with 18 people and a loader.

Mrs. Olson said the trip needed approval from Dr. Olson and the administration, that the busing needed to be paid for, and that Valley Ag Supply fulfilled that need.

If you aren’t interested in agriculture or being a farmer, it’s South Dakota’s #1 industry, and this field trip helped kids get exposed to things outside of the classroom. Kids must learn that there are many different aspects of farming and that it takes a lot of people to get food to your table!

Feature: Meet Mr. Haak

Mr. Haak

by Cate H.

The new 7th grade math and social studies teacher Mr. Haak has interesting facts about himself he’d like to share! He really likes his job as a teacher here because how funny the kids can be. He said if he wasn’t a teacher he would probably be a professional golfer. He also stated the hardest topic to teach is Negatives and Positives. His favorite color is blue. If he could time travel he’d go to the end of the American revolution, (Not for long). He also said that based on the history AND holiday, Christmas is his favorite! His favorite topic in Social studies is the American revolution. That's all the fun facts about our new 7th grade math and social studies teacher!

Newspaper is Back!

 Hi YMS staff and students! Watch this space for articles, art, and photography by your very own YMS Happenings Newspaper Staff. If you have an idea for content for our blog, let a YMS newspaper reporter know or email Mrs. Andrews at Michelle.K.Andrews@k12.sd.us

(cartoon by Quelby B.)

YMS Holiday Concert

by Berta G.

As Christmas approaches, the school's band is preparing for its Christmas concert. I interviewed Mrs. Belgum, the middle school band director. I asked her questions about the 6th-grade band, the jazz band, and the 7th- and 8th-grade band. Questions will go from her favorite pieces to whether there was a particular theme.

The first question I asked was, "What is your favorite piece that the 6th graders are doing?" Mrs. Belgum answered with, "A Joyous Christmas, by Randall Standridge." I would then ask her, "What's your favorite 7th/8th grade piece?" The YMS band combines the seventh- and eighth-grade bands. She answered with, "It's a tie, honestly. I like "Now The Winters Come to Stay," by David Shaffer, but I also like "A Winter's Journey", by Randall Standridge." The third question I asked her would be, "What's your favorite piece that the Jazz band is doing?" After a few moments of thought, she'd respond with, "Merry Gentlemen," but she didn't specify who composed it, so I won't include that part.

My fourth question for her was, "Is there any particular theme for this concert?" Her answer was, "No, but I realized recently that a lot of the pieces had the word Christmas in them." Which I did realize, as I am in the band as well. My second-to-last question was, "Do you have any particular favorite group overall?" She responded with, "I tend to like jazz bands' Christmas music the most. If I could have a just jazz class, I definitely would."

As I was wrapping the interview up, I asked her if she wanted to add anything, and she responded with, "If you can, come to the program. It's really fun this year, and they have been working really hard." If you wish to come, it's on Tuesday, December 9th. It'll start around 7 pm, with sixth grade going first, then Jazz, followed by seventh and eighth grade. It'll be in the old gym.

When to Decorate?!

by Aria H.

This November, I made a survey about a growing argument of when to decorate for Christmas. I picked one person of each grade including one teacher to average out and see the most picked answer. In 6th grade I picked Remi S., 7th Hattie H., 8th Allison I., and finally teacher, Mrs. Blaha.

The first question was “Do you decorate for Christmas?” They all said yes! The second question was: Do you decorate for Christmas on November first or wait until after Thanksgiving? The three choices were, “As soon as Halloween is over, Wait until Thanksgiving is over or somewhere in between Halloween and Thanksgiving. The average was after Thanksgiving. The third question was: Do you think it's understandable to decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving? The most answered was yes.The fourth question was: Do you put up other decorations before the Christmas tree or all at the same time? The choices were: Other decor first, At the same time, and Christmas tree first. The average was tree first! Las,tly the last question was: Which one is better, Christmas or Thanksgiving? The most answered was… Christmas! Happy Thanksgiving!

Indoor Marching Show

story by Max A., photo by Mrs. Andrews

On November 3rd, the first Monday of the month, the YMS 7th and 8th-grade bands and the YHS bands participated in this amazing event. YMS played “I’m Still Standing,” and also did a combined piece with the high school, “Louie, Louie”. YHS always performs skits to express their likes. The student teacher for Mrs. Belgum is a clarinet in the YHS band, doing a skit somewhat related to the show, where he is the king but is overthrown by his people. Almost every year, the trombones do a skit where they turn and extend the slide over the heads of their fellow members, over and over again. This year, there were some technical difficulties with the music, which unfortunately affected some of the skits. All in all, it was a great performance, and you might be in the show next year if you are in the 6th-grade band.

Changing of the Seasons

by Sloane H. 

It is no surprise that summer break is over and done with, no need to remind us. The fall is growing with every passing day, and I’m sure you’ve noticed too. A change in the weather, leaves falling off the surrounding trees, or even a change in festive decor.

I noticed it everyday this season. I have some examples, and I’m here to share them. As you read, I want you to think if you have noticed any changes too.

One cold October morning, my dad dropped me off by the sidewalk. When I began to walk, a shiver ran down my back, even with my winter coat on. The weather was already getting colder. I kept walking, and I cut through the grass. A small layer of frost covered the top.

The trees that day were a mix of colors. Some were yellow with a little of green. Others were darker shades, mainly of oranges and browns. They all blended together like paint on an empty canvas.

As I got closer to the door, the reflection of the trees behind me showed, and for a split second, it looked like a rare beauty.

The next day, I walked to the doors again. This time was different. I saw people by their front lawns, setting up decorations for the winter and Christmas days. It was a couple days before Halloween. In my opinion, I thought it was a little too early. In my family, we decorate in mid-November.

The leaves on the ground twirled in the wind, they made satisfying crunches as they landed. Some fell into a puddle and made no noise. Most of the leaves are so fragile, they might crumble if you hold them in your hand. The others were hard to crack.

Another day, in November, it had snowed. The thick, flat layer of white covered the ground and rooftops. The snow sprinkled as it fell to the grass. Buried underneath, it still was visible, brown and colorless.

A winter wonderland was just appearing, very early though. The year before, barely any snow fell. Only three times in December did it come at all. This year, I don't think that will happen again.

In the conclusion of this article, the season is changing fast and the weather is getting colder. So keep warm, notice how it’s changing, and have a great year!!