Hi, it is Gab, your editor. In this issue
we have some new ideas and activities
for you. Thank you so much for
viewing this issue of Villa 411.
Remember to remind your families and
friends to visit www.sjva.org, and
click on the link that says Elementary
School, and then on the link that says
Newspaper/Newsletter, in order to
view our newspaper. Remember to
read the newspaper carefully, because
we will soon be giving another
newspaper quiz. Once again the
student in each class with the highest
score will receive a prize. I hope you
enjoy this issue of Villa 411.
Hey guys, it’s Juvie, your assistant
editor. This edition is jam-packed with
cool new articles that I know you guys
will absolutely love. We worked extra,
extra hard to make this edition even better
than the last (which is almost impossible
‘cause our last issue was just plain
amazing).  Hope you guys enjoy! xoxo.
By Kaitlyn Mattera and
Felicia Napoli, Grade 4
As you know the circle of life can be very
painful. But this is happening everyday. We
will be talking about some of these events. In
this topic we will be talking about African
elephants.
African elephants are the largest of Earth's
land mammals. Their enormous ears help
them to keep cool in the hot African climate.
African elephants are the largest land animals
on Earth. They are slightly larger than their
Asian cousins and can be identified by their
larger ears that look somewhat like the
continent of Africa. (Asian elephants have
smaller, rounded ears.) Elephant ears radiate
heat to help keep these large animals cool, but
sometimes the African heat is too much.
Elephants are fond of water and enjoy
showering by sucking water into their trunks
and spraying it all over themselves.
Afterwards, they often spray their skin with
a protective coating of dust.
An elephant's trunk is actually a long nose
used for smelling, breathing, trumpeting,
drinking, and also for grabbing things—
especially a potential meal. The trunk alone
contains about 100,000 different muscles.
African elephants have two fingerlike
features on the end of their trunk that they
can use to grab small items. (Asian elephants
have one.) Both male and female African
elephants have tusks they use to dig for food
and water and to strip bark from trees. Males
use the tusks to battle one another, but the
ivory has also attracted violence of a far more
dangerous sort. Because ivory is so valuable
to some humans, many elephants have been
killed for their tusks. This trade is illegal
today, but it has not been completely
eliminated, and some African elephant
populations remain endangered. Elephants
eat roots, grasses, fruit, and bark, and they eat
a lot of these things. An adult elephant can
consume up to 300 pounds (136 kilograms) of
food in a single day. These hungry animals
do not sleep much, and they roam over great
distances while searching for the large
quantities of food that they require to sustain
their massive bodies. Female elephants
(cows) live in family herds with their young,
but adult males (bulls) tend to roam on their
own. Having a baby elephant is a serious
commitment. Elephants have a longer
pregnancy than any other mammal—almost
22 months. Cows usually give birth to one
calf every two to four years. At birth,
elephants already weigh some 200 pounds (91
kilograms) and stand about 3 feet (1 meter)
tall. African elephants, unlike their Asian
relatives, are not easily domesticated.
Source:
www.animals.nationalgeographic.com
By: Felicia Napoli, Grade 4
UGG BOOTS
Get these cozy warm boots with
cushions on the bottom to keep
your feet warm! In rain, snow,
sleet, or hail, these boots won’t
get a tiny bit dirty! These boots
come in a variety of colors
(burgundy, indigo, black, beige,
white, dark brown, and light
brown.) So get these
comfortable boots and your feet
will be as warm as can be!
Q. Dear Shirley,
How do I make time to study?
~musiclover98
For 6th, 7th, and 8th grade girls
By Anisa Lajka A.K.A Fashionista
Hello again! As you may know, I wrote about fall
fashion last season but now it is winter! Yay! And now
it’s time to get those boots, jackets, scarves, hats and
gloves and get ready to be warm, fashionable, and to
have fun! Okay so this season a lot of girls don’t stick to
what they like because their moms want them to be
warm, and I don’t want you to feel weird in what you
are wearing. So of course, I am suggesting UGG boots.
I just love those boots at the end of fall or full winter
season. These boots are still super cute, comfortable
and fun and the best part is any girl can wear them. I
mean I know so many people that wear UGG boots so
you don’t have to be a girly- girl to wear them. Next, for
your outfit, I am suggesting jeans (any kind), sweat
pants or a skirt with leggings. For your top you can
wear a cute sweater, a long sleeved t- shirt, or you can
layer! I love layering and you can layer long sleeves
with t-shirts or camis. For your jacket you can wear any
jacket but the colors I am suggesting are black, brown,
navy, dark purple and red.
Since it’s winter you can accessorize!!! It can be hats,
gloves, mittens, and scarves! It doesn’t really matter
what it is but knit hats are really in this season and so
are berets so pick that up at the store too. With these
great fashion ideas you can have a trendy winter! So
have fun and always stay fashionable.
.
Ask ShirleyThe Advice Column
Q. Dear school newspaper,
I am a bit worried about the Tachs test that I
will have to take in November of next year.
Please give me some advice on what to do.
~Worried freak 
A. Dear Worried freak,
I only have one suggestion for you… STUDY,
STUDY, STUDY!!!!!! It’s never too early to
study. If you are still worried maybe you
should form a study group or maybe you
should consider tutoring.
~Shirley
A. Dear musiclover98,
In order to make more time to study you
should become more organized. Also you
should spend time you are not using to study.
~Shirley
Q. Dear Shirley,
How can I remember things better?
~musiclover98
A. Dear musiclover98,
If you want to remember things better, maybe
you should write reminders to yourself. You
can also use your student planner to write
reminders.
~Shirley
Silly Question Answers
From Volume #3, Edition #1
By Christian Rizzi, Grade 7
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Take away the letter “S”.
A pink carnation.
The letter “E”.
A post office.
A teacher says “spit out that gum”
and a train says “choo choo”.
None, they all jumped off.
It is in the middle of waTer.
Flatman and Ribbon.
He wanted rich soil.
By: Peter Patrizio, Grade 7
(Most Valuable Coach)
By: Angelo D’Angelo, Grade 6
The M.V.C. of the St. John Villa
basketball team is… Coach Mike
Anticev! Coach Mike has brought the
team this year all the way to the
playoffs, and we won the first playoff
game. Coach Mike is a fair coach; he
gives everyone a good amount of
playing time. He has been working very
hard to organize at
least two practices a
week and has made
up many plays that
help the team
succeed. Coach
Mike spends time
with the people who
need some help with
their basketball
skills. Our coach teaches us not to be
sore losers and is disappointed if we are.
Coach Mike never loses hope in us even
if we are losing by a lot. This is why we
have picked Coach Mike to be M.V.C.
instead of an individual player.
Well, the track season is over but
the Villa Bears Tyro “B” team has
picked up from last year and they
are doing really well as they are
finishing off the season and
currently in the playoffs. That is
really the only sport going on at
Villa right now. Track and field is
coming back in the spring again at
Villa and we hope you join. For
the first time Villa is starting a
baseball team so that is another
activity to join to get more
involved. The football season is
over, and the Jets made it far but
not enough.
The New Orlean
Saints ended up defeating the
Indianapolis Colts in the Super
Bowl, the final game to end the
football season. Also the Knicks
and Nets are at the end of their
seasons and so are the Rangers and
Devils. That is everything about
sports going on in Villa and New
York.
Q. Do you have any children? If so, how
many?
A. I have three kids. Two are girls and one is
a boy.
Q. What is your 2010 Resolution?
A. My New Year’s Resolution is to try to
make things easier for myself.
Mrs. Armento
By: Jasmine Cira, Grade 7 and
Simona Bruno, Grade 4
Q. What inspired you to
become a teacher?
A. I liked playing teacher as
a child and I loved school.
Q. Who is your favorite saint?
A. Saint Jude.
Q. If you had 3 wishes what
would you wish for?
A. I would wish for happiness
for my family, health for my
family, and peace in the world.
Q. If you had a super power,
what would it be?
A. To clone myself into many
at the same time.
Q. Who is your favorite singer?
A. Celine Dion.
Q. What is your favorite type of candy?
A. Chocolate.
Q. What is your favorite book?
A. The Shack.
Q. How long have you been married?
A. I have been married for fourteen years.
By: Angelo D’Angelo, Grade 6 and
Mark Ward, Grade 6
Can you guess where these
“Locate Me” items are?
Can you guess these cuties?
By: Elizabeth Sokolovski, Grade 7
We’re on vacation,
We’ll rest and relax.
We play with friends,
And have a blast.
I’ll wake up at ten,
And go to sleep at eleven.
I won’t wear a uniform,
Until February twenty–second.
I’ll be lazy, all day long.
Not making my bed,
But laying in it instead.
When the mid winter break ends,
We’ll be glad to see our teachers and
friends.
By Abigail Morrissette, Grade 4
It was Valentine’s Day, we laughed and
played
And sang songs on the road,
Passed a sign going by
And heard a noisy toad.
I went by the pond, I was very
fond,
Of what I had in mind.
Valentine would you be mine?, because I
planned the right time.
It was the end of the day, we ran away,
see you next Valentines Day!!!
Campbell’s Cheddary Pouch Potatoes
1 can (10 ¾ ounces) Campbell’s
Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup
¼ cup milk
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
4 cups frozen steak fries
Paprika
1. In large bowl mix soup,
milk, garlic powder, and onion
powder. Stir in potatoes.
2. Cut four 14-inch squares of
heavy-duty aluminum foil. Spoon
1 cup of mixture onto each
square, arranging potatoes to
make a single layer. Sprinkle
with paprika. Bring sides of
foil up and double fold ends to
make a packet.
3. Place potato packets on
grill rack over medium-hot
coals. Grill 25 minutes or
until potatoes are tender.
(Makes 4 servings)
Cookies & Cream Cupcakes
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
1 2/3 cups butter, softened
1 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 egg whites
1 cup crushed chocolate
sandwich cookies (About 10
cookies) plus additional for
garnish (16 ounce) container
prepared vanilla frosting
1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line
24 regular-size (2 ½ - inch)
muffin pan cups with paper
muffin cup liners.
2. Sift flour, baking powder
and salt together in a large
bowl. Stir in sugar. Add
butter, milk and vanilla; beat
with electric mixer at low
speed 30 seconds. Beat at
medium speed 2 minutes. Add
egg whites; beat 2 minutes.
Stir in 1 cup crushed cookies.
3. Spoon batter into prepared
muffin pans. Bake 20 to 25
minutes or until toothpick
inserted into centers comes out
clean. Cool in pans on wire
racks for 10 minutes. Remove
cupcakes
from pans;
cool
completely.
4. Frost
cupcakes;
garnish
with
additional
crushed
cookies
(Makes 24 servings)
The Blindside- (Rated PG-13) This story
stars Michael Oher and Sandra Bullock.
Michael Oher’s character plays a
homeless teen brought into a wealthy
family. When he is welcomed into the
home of a traditional family, he matures
into a talented football player in high
school. He works very hard to earn a full
football scholarship at a good college.
Critics’ rating- (***) Our rating- (***)
The Lovely Bones- (Rated PG-13) This
movie is about a murdered young girl who
watches from heaven as her family
attempts to cope with their devastating
loss, and tracks her killer as he sneakily
covers his tracks and prepares to claim
his next victim.
Critic’s rating- (***) Our rating (****)
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The
Squeakuel- (Rated PG) - Alvin, Simon, and
Theodore get very competitive after
returning to school and finding their
musical match. They get into a battle of
the bands competition in hopes of saving
the school's troubled music program.
Although the Chipmunks are confident
that they have the songwriting skills to win
the competition, a newly formed singing
trio nicknamed the Chippettes, are
indeed the real deal. But the closer the
competition gets, the more Alvin, Simon,
and Theodore realize that in order to win,
they'll have to give it everything they've
got.
Critic’s rating- (***) Our rating- (****)
By Federica Bruno, Grade 7 and
Peter Patrizio, Grade 7
Avatar- (Rated PG-13) This movie is about
a crippled ex-marine war veteran named
Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) who is sent
to create a human settlement on the
distant planet of Pandora. He finds
himself battling humankind on the
planet's native Na'vi race. This movie will
offer a groundbreaking mix of live-action
dramatic performances, romance and
computer-generated effects.
Critic’s rating-(*****) Our rating- (*****)
When In Rome – (Rated PG-13) This movie
is about a determined New Yorker named
Beth (Kristen Bell) who tries to find love
during her first trip to Rome. She ends up
swiping some magic coins from a local
wishing fountain, accidentally bringing
the affections of a mixed crew of
interested men. Meanwhile she
encounters a handsome reporter who tries
to convince her that true love isn’t just
about fairy tales and romantic novels.
Critic’s rating- (****) Our rating- (***)
The Tooth Fairy – (Rated PG) Dwayne
Johnson is 'The Tooth Fairy,' also known as
Derek Thompson. He plays a minor league
hockey player whose nickname comes
from his habit of separating opposing
players from their bicuspids. When Derek
discourages a little child’s hopes, he is
sentenced to one week's work as a real
tooth fairy, complete with a tutu, wings,
and magic wand. At first, Derek “can't
handle the tooth” stumbling as he tries to
sneakily fly his way through strangers'
homes, doing what tooth fairies do. But as
Derek slowly realizes his new position, he
begins to rediscover his own forgotten
dreams.
Critics’ rating- (***) Our rating- (***)
Sherlock Holmes – (Rated PG-13) In this
movie Sherlock Holmes is played by
Robert Downey Jr. Jude Law stars as
Sherlock’s trusted colleague, who is a
doctor and a former veteran. Rachael
McAdams stars as Irene Adler, Sherlock’s
love interest. Mark Strong plays the
villain of the movie. I would definitely
recommend this movie for a person who
loves energetic and action-packed movies.
Critics rating-(****) Our rating-(*****)
??Did you know??
By: Daniel Bruzzese
1. Did you know
butterflies taste
with their feet?
2. Did you know that a
newborn kangaroo is
only about one inch
in length?
3. Did you know the
word "Checkmate" in
chess comes from the
Persian phrase "Shah
Mat", which means
"The king is dead”?
4. Did you know the tune
for the "A-B-C" song
is the same as
"Twinkle, Twinkle
Little Star”?
5. Did you know many
hamsters only blink
one eye at a time?
6. Did you know A-1
Steak Sauce contains
both orange peel and
raisins?
7. Did you know table
tennis balls have
been known to travel
off the paddle at
speeds of up to 105.6
miles per hour?
8. Did you know babies
are born without knee
caps? They don't
appear until the
child reaches 2 to 6
years of age.
9. Did you know an
annoyed camel will
spit at a person?
10. Did you know a
giraffe
can clean its ears with
its 50cm (20 in)
tongue?
Tongue Twisters
By: Elizabeth Sokolovski, Grade 7 and
Autumn Johnson, Grade 7
2. What did one eye say to the other?
(Say 2x)I saw Susie sitting in a shoe
shine shop. Where she sits she
shines, and where she shines she
sits.
(Say 3 x)The thirty-three thieves
thought that they thrilled the throne
throughout Thursday.
(Say 2x)Terry Teeter, a teeter-totter
teacher, taught her daughter Tara to
teeter- totter, but Tara Teeter didn't
teeter-totter as Terry Teeter taught
her to.
(Say 3x)Does this shop sport
short socks with spots?
(Say 3x)Which witch snitched the
stitched switch for which the Swiss
witch wished?
3. What music do Mummies like?
4. What should never be eaten after it’s
served?
5. What kind of witch lives on the
beach?
6. What is yours, but your friends use it
more than you do?
7. Issues, issues, issues, issues, issues,
issues, issues, issues, issues, issues, what
do you need next?
8. Why did Cinderella's coach sit her on
the bench?
9. What do snakes do after they have a
fight?
10. What did the doctor say to the man
who complained he was shrinking?
Recycling Helps Support
Our School
Nearly a million times a day inkjet
cartridges worth up to $4.00 each, are
thrown away, only to end up in a
landfill where it takes up to 1,000
years to decompose.
1. Why can’t Batman go fishing?
Help the environment and St. John
Villa by recycling your empty
cartridges. These five major brands
are accepted: Dell, Lexmark, Canon,
HP, and Apple. Place them in the
collection bin located in the computer
lab. They will be sent to a recycling
center in Pennsylvania and our
school will receive $4.00 for each
one. Everybody wins!!!
Wii
X-Box 360
By: Federica Bruno, Grade 7 &
Anisa Lajka, Grade 6
Scavenger Hunt
For this special scavenger hunt, set up a
Valentine's tree centerpiece on a table: a small
bare branch held upright in a jar of marbles or
stones work well. On the branches tie small
clues for items that the kids must find or make
and hang on the tree. When the last item is
hung, have small gifts waiting under the tree.
Try the following clues to get started or use
your own funny riddles:
1. My name rhymes with stupid, I'm as cute
as can be.
Cut my shape out of paper to hang from the
tree.
2. You'll see many of me on this special day,
The symbol of love some people say.
Make one right now with paper and bow,
Hang from the tree on a branch that is
low.
3. I'm a well-know pair that keep your toes
cozy.
Hang one from the tree and all will be
rosy.
4. I've got five points and shine in the sky,
Make me from foil and hang me up high.
Match Maker
A Valentine's Day word game where famous
pairs come together.
Divide the children into 2 teams and form two
rows facing each other. The first player on one
side begins by asking the first player on the
other team to complete this famous couple:
"Romeo and ....." the opposing player says
"Juliet"
Continue down the row of players and then the
other team starts...."peanut butter and ....."
"jelly"
Here are some other examples:
"Cookies and......." - milk
"Eggs and......" - bacon
"Cinderella and ....." - Prince Charming
"Samson and ....." - Delilah
And
so on.
Thursday, February 4
On Student Appreciation Day we had
free ice cream after lunch! Some classes
had no homework and a snack.
Friday, February 5
Catholic Schools Week
By Simona Bruno,
Kaitlyn Mattera,
Abigail Morrissette, and Felicia Napoli
Grade 4 Reporters
Friday was the International Food
Luncheon. The children got to taste
different food from all around the world.
It was so yummy! They also got to
dress in their traditional outfits and
colors.
Sunday, January 31
Catholic Schools Week began with a
mass and open house. The Student
Council gave tours to new and current
families. It was a blast!
Monday, February 1
The parents of the children, the tweens,
and the teens came and observed their
children at work.
Tuesday, February 2
This was Teacher Appreciation Day.
They were able to dress down and were
treated to a nice lunch from Sr. Lucita.
Wednesday, February 3
Both the elementary and high school
celebrated mass for the 100th anniversary
of Blessed Alfonso Maria Fusco’s death.
Villa 411 Staff’s
New Year Resolutions
The 4th Graders resolve
to …
Simona Bruno:
my family.
be nicer to
Kaitlyn Mattera: clean my
room without help.
Abigail Morrissette:
Recycle.
Felicia Napoli: obey my
parents more and everyone I
know.
Federica Bruno: have a better
attitude towards my family and
friends. I would also like to handle
my responsibilities more seriously
and quickly.
Jasmine Cira: to study more often
and to reach First Honors. I will
also try to not watch too much
television and or eat too much
junk food.
The Sixth Graders
promise to…
Daniel Bruzzese: spend less time on the
computer.
Angelo D’Angelo: eat
healthier.
Anisa Lajka: go to sleep
earlier.
Joseph Somma: try and manage
all of my responsibilities so that I
can exceed in all of them.
Mark Ward: be neater
at school and at home.
The Seventh Graders
made a vow to…
Gabriella D’Angelo: focus harder and
do a bit better in school.
Autumn Johnson: work hard in school,
and to strive for my goal of Principal’s
List.
Peter Patrizio: eat healthier!
Juviand Rivera: be on Principal’s
List and to be an even better
Assistant Editor of Villa 411!
Christian Rizzi: study harder for my
tests and get First Honors and
maybe even Principal’s List.
Elizabeth Sokolovski: make
Principal’s List, clean out my
closet, and improve my dancing
skills and take more dance
classes.
And our Eighth Grader wants
to…
Joanna Catalano: get better
grades because I know I can do
better than I am doing now. I
want to make this my first
responsibility.
Ms. Connelly- “ Find a cure for all
diseases, and then ice skate perfectly
to Stevie Knicks in front of a million
people.”
Mrs. Sklenar- “Swim with the
dolphins all day on a beautiful
island.”
By: Angelo D’Angelo, Grade 6 &
Peter Patrizio
Question: If you could do anything for
one day what would you do?
Nurse Helen- “Go on a shopping spree
at a mall without paying.”
Mrs. Sullivan- “ Eat an endless
amount of peanut M&Ms without
gaining weight while being the next
American Idol.”
Miss Sara- “ Stop all wars, in
Afghanistan, and Iraq.”
Ms. Julianne- “ Take a long nap.”
Mrs. Silva- “ Go see the Christmas
tree being lit at Rockefeller Center.”
Mrs. Azzaretto- “ Take my
grandchildren to Disney World.”
Mrs. Hartje- “ Go to Hawaii.”
Mrs. Bruns- “ Spend the time with my
husband.”
Sr. Lucita- “ Go home to visit my
family.”
Mrs. Raimondi- “ Go to Hawaii.”
Ms. Henderson- “Shop at
Bloomingdale’s and have a frozen hot
chocolate at Serendipities.”
Mr. Smith- “Be the President of the
United States.”
Mr. Lucadamo- “Be the Vice
President of the United States.
Ms. O’Brien- “Swim with the
dolphins.”
TO BE CONTINUED…