My Trip to India

by Neil Hobbs '15

Over Christmas break I went to Spain and India. I stayed in Spain for about a week -  four  days in Barcelona and two in Valencia. Spain was very unique but was also a lot like America. It was also very expensive. If I were to get a cup of ice cream it would cost 3 Euros which is $6! After Spain I went to Bangalore, India. It took us nearly 9 hours on the plane to get to India.  I was excited to see my grandparents who have lived in India their whole lives. When I got off the plane it seemed extremely different from America - there were huge crowds of people, a lot of cars, and a lot of run down shacks and very noisy.

On my third day in India I was still trying to get used to the environment. My sleep time was different because India is 11 hours ahead of U.S. time.  For example, I would go to bed at 3 o'clock in the morning and wake up at noon or later.  I slowly started getting used to the time difference. I was staying in a very urban area of India, where I heard a lot of cars honking and people yelling. I also saw animals on the street you wouldn't see in America. Cows and bulls were walking around on the street calmly. Most of them looked starved for food, but some found a way to stay satisfied by eating through giant piles of trash. Cows are considered sacred in the Hindu religion, so people do not bother cows. You also don't find restaurants serving beef, even though there are many McDonalds around.

On the 7^th day in India my Grandpa reserved tents for my family to go stay in the Kabini Jungle for one night. It took us four hours to get there. We dropped our bags off in our hay tents, and went on a Jeep into the deep Jungle for a safari. We first saw many deer in groups of 5 and 10. Then we came across several antelopes. We stopped by the Kabini Lake for a break and saw a gharial. A gharial is a type of crocodile with a long snout. We went back on the trail. We saw close up a tusker cleaning his tusks with his trunk in a little pond and eating salt for its nutrients. At the end on our way back we saw a spotted leopard in the tree. Compared to the city it was very quiet.  When we came back to my grandparents' house we had a big family traditional meal and relaxed.

I also travelled in an "auto." An auto is a scooter-like vehicle but with 3 wheels and no doors. In Bangalore, they had these giant bridges being built. They were building an above ground subway that should be completed in 2014. We got off the auto and went to eat at the Bangalore Club, a very private club with nice golf courses, pools and fine dining. You also see a lot of commercial type malls and super markets in India.

When it was our last day in India, I was kind of excited to go back to the U.S because I was tired of having to exchange dollars into Rupees and hearing loud noises everywhere. I was sad to leave my grandparents since I am very close to them. 

Neil with his sister, parents, and grandparents

India was a very interesting and cultural place because of how religious it is throughout the country. There were many Hindu temples, mosques, and believe it or not Catholic Churches. Christianity is the 3^rd largest religion in India.  Indians are also very big on traditions, meals and large family get togethers. I will always remember this trip to India as a unique experience and great opportunity to share with my family.

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Interview with Mr. Murray 

by Patrick O'Leary '15

What is the theme for the March dance?

Well, for this one we do not have a theme.  This dance will be a bunch of middle school kids coming out and having a good time.

What are the BERSI trips planned?

We just went on BERSI Philadelphia over February vacation.  That was a hunger fast trip.  Everyone fasted for forty hours. We served at some soup kitchens and helped prepare food bags.  In April, we are taking students to the Dominican Republic.  There is also another trip over April vacation going to New Orleans.  Following that, in June, there is a group of twenty students going to Rome.

When does middle school baseball start and when are the games? 

Baseball starts around April vacation.  From then on intramural games will be every Saturday night, which is a double header.  Then, we will play two or three travel games every week.

How are your classes this year?

Fantastic!

Which class do you prefer more Math or Science?

I was a math major in college.  I love math.  The eighth grade level of science is pretty exciting too.  I appreciate doing both and being able to switch up my day a little.

How is the smartboard?  Do you like it?

It is awesome.  I love the Smartboard.  There is a lot more you can do with it than a regular white board.  So it is a lot of fun. 

Is there anything else you have planned? 

Next Monday is the big dodge ball tournament for the next two weeks.  The basketball team is also in the tournament and hopefully going far and we will have a few fan vans for the tournament games.

Are there any other BERSI openings?

It is a little late now because we have already booked plane tickets for all three of the remaining trips.  For this year it is too late, but we will be offering four or five more trips next year.  

Patrick O'Leary and Mr. Murray

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Middle School Hockey  

Ends In  A Great Game 

TEAM BLUE defeated TEAM GREEN 5-4 in a closely fought, high-energy battle determined in the last minutes of play. Over 150 family members, classmates, and friends attended the game and the post game party at the Roche Bros Rink in West Roxbury on Valentine's Day, 2011

The Green Team

Middle School  

Ms. Mary Concannon

Guidance Coffee:

Wednesday Morning,  

March 23rd, 8-10

Since March is "Nutrition Month" our March 23rd Morning Coffee Program will focus on that very important topic. Our guest presenter is Kerry Ann Mendes, MS, RD, a registered dietitian at Whittier Street Health Center. Ms. Mendes works with the entire, diverse population that the center serves, from birth to elderly. As a community health center nutritionist, she works with patients and clients with various health conditions and goals.  

Ms. Mendes' program will examine the eating habits of our nation's youth. She will define the term "healthy eating." The benefits of healthy eating will be compared with the consequences of unhealthy eating. Also the dietary guidelines for Americans 2010 will be discussed.  Your questions will be welcome at this open forum or you may submit them in advance with the e-line RSVP.

CM Consulting Psychologist Deborah Margolis will be present to discuss any questions or concerns you may have concerning Stanford Test results, transitioning into high school, or any other areas of concern relating to adolescent development. Here too you may submit your questions in advance.

We hope you can join us for this very special morning of coffee, conversation and information.  Please RSVP by March 18^th if you are planning to attend.  Also, you may submit any questions you may have for our guest speakers at this time: donaldcormier@catholicmemorial.org or call (617) 469-8025. 

Congratulations Ms. Concannon!

Ms Concannon has been chosen to represent CM in a program hosted by University College Cork in collaboration with National University of Ireland, Galway and National University of Ireland Maynooth. She was selected from a group of counselors across ten states to participate in this program from March 13^th - 20^th.

The group will travel to Ireland to visit the three host Universities and participate in forums discussing the Irish educational process and the possible advantages that Irish universities offer to US students. Additionally they will learn how current American students make the successful transition to Ireland.

In June, Ms Concannon will lead a student delegation to the first CM Seminar Program which will take place at Innisfree International College in Sligo, Ireland.

University College Cork