Homework - The Ipad!!!!!!

Click HERE to watch the video. Read the story. Answer the questions.

Story:

San Francisco, CA (1/27/10) - Steve Jobs is the president of Apple. Apple is the company that makes the computers you are using at the moment. He is the guy in the black sweater talking about the ipad.

The ipad is between an iphone and a laptop. It has 10 hours of battery life, you can read books on it, surf the web, type a paper, go on AIM and carry it everywhere because it is only 1/2 an inch thick. Plus ATT gives you free wifi when you buy the Ipad.

The ipad is $499.00 (for the basic version with no memory)

Questions:

1) Where did this story take place?

2) When did this story take place?

3) Who is the president of Apple?

4) How many hours of battery life does the ipad have?

5) What company gives you free wifi when you buy an ipad?

6) How much is an ipad?

7) Would you buy one? Why or why not?

Info/video from the guardian

Homework - 19 Schools are going to be closed in the city

Click HERE to watch the video. Read the story. Answer the questions.

Story:

Brooklyn, NY (1/27/10) - Twelve high schools and seven middle and elementary schools in the city will be phased out. The Panel of Educational Policy voted to close them early Wednesday morning after a loud public meeting in Brooklyn that lasted more than nine hours.

Around 320 parents, teachers and students signed up at about 6 p.m. Tuesday for the chance to speak against the closings at the meeting at Brooklyn Technical High School in Fort Greene. 

Finally, the panel voted 9-4 to close the schools at 3:30 a.m. Wednesday even though all the parents, students and teachers wanted to keep them open.

"I believe the PEP panel, those nine members had their minds made up since they decided this," said student Christopher Petrillo. "They didn't care. As much as we poured out our hearts to them, they didn't care."

The Panel voted to close these 19 public schools:

Bronx
*Christopher Columbus High School
Frederick Douglass Academy III’s middle school
Global Enterprise High School
*Monroe Academy for Business/Law
New Day Academy
School for Community Research and Learning

Brooklyn
*Metropolitan Corporate Academy
Middle School for Academic and Social Excellence
*Paul Robeson High School
P.S. 332
*William H. Maxwell CTE High School

Manhattan
Academy of Collaborative Education
Academy of Environmental Science
Choir Academy of Harlem
KAPPA II
*Norman Thomas High School

Queens
*Beach Channel High School
*Jamaica High School
School of Business, Computer Applications and Entrepreneurship

Since the mayor was granted control of the school system in 2002, the city has closed 91 schools and created 335 new ones.

Questions:

1) Where did this story take place?

2) When did this story take place?

3) How many schools did the panel close in the Bronx?

4) How many schools did the panel close in Brooklyn?

5) How many schools has the city closed since 2002?

6) How many new schools has the city opened since 2002?

Info from NY1

Homework - The South Bronx is Hungry!

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Story:

Bronx, NY (1/26/10) - According to a new survey, the areas with the highest hunger rates in the country can be found in NYC.

District 16, which is Morrisania, Mott Haven and Bedford Park in the Bronx, has the most hungry people in the USA. That means that 1 out of every 3 people in the South Bronx cannot afford to put food on the table.

District 10, in Brooklyn, is number 6 on the hungry list.

The survey found that 17% of all New York state households did not have enough money to buy food. 

Questions:

1) Where did this story take place?

2)When did this story take place?

3) Which district has the most hungry people in the USA?

4) Which borough has the most hungry people?

5) Which district is number 6 on the hungry list?

6) What percent of all New York households do not have enough money to buy food?

Info and video from NY1

Homework - LOL! Guy lives without money for a year

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Story:

Bath, England (1/25/10) - A guy named Mark Boyle has managed to go the whole year without spending any money whatsoever! He moved himself onto a tiny, tiny trailer on a farm and just decided to live on what he could find. 

For electricity, Mark uses a solar panel at the top of his trailer.

For cooking, Mark uses a rocket stove that he made from some tin buckets he found somewhere.

For a toothbrush, Mark uses one that he found in the garbage!!!!

For toothpaste, Mark uses some kind of fishbone and some wild fennel seeds that he found in the bush somewhere.

For entertainment, Mark gets free books from the library.

For a toilet, Mark just digs a hole in the ground.

For toilet paper, Mark uses a newspaper.

For transportation, Mark rides everywhere on a bike even in the winter!!!

This guy has not spent one single cent in a whole year!

Questions:

1) Where did this story take place?

2) When did this story take place?

3) What is the name of the guy that has not spent any money for a year?

4) What kind of house does he live in?

5) What does he use for a toilet?

6) How does he get around?

7) How does he get electricity?

8) What does he use for toothpaste?

Info from the guardian

homework - gun buyback program

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Story:
Bronx, NY (1/23/10) - Another gun buyback program took place in four Bronx churches Saturday. People traded in weapons for $200 bank cards with no questions asked.

The purpose of gun buyback programs is to get illegal guns off the street. You could bring in an illegal gun, get $200 and the cops would not arrest you for having an illegal weapon.

There was no limit to how many guns could be turned in, but participants were only paid for the first 3 guns.

The program took place at St. Luke's Church, St. Augustine's Church, Transfiguration Lutheran Church and Our Lady of Grace.

The first gun buyback in the Bronx last year took in nearly 1,000 guns.

Questions:
1) Where did this story take place?
2) When did this story take place?
3) How much money were people paid per gun?
4) How many guns were people paid for?
5) What is the purpose of the gun buyback program?
6) Name two of the churches where the program took place?
7) How many guns did the program take in last year?

Info and video from NY1

Homework - Cops Suspended

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Story:

Bronx, NY (1/05/10) - Two police officers in the Bronx have been suspended after being caught on videotape allegedly punching a handcuffed suspect in the head.

The video shows the suspect, Jonathan Baez, handcuffed and lying face down on the sidewalk in University Heights. Two officers can also be seen leaning down and punching him as other officers stand by.

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly confirmed a report Thursday that officers John Cicero and William Green have been suspended and are under investigation by the Bronx District Attorney's office.

Two unnamed sergeants have also been put on desk duty.

"We simply are never going to tolerate something like that we're going to take swift and firm action when we see activities of that nature," Kelly said.

The incident happened on January 5th, when an undercover narcotics team chased four suspects, including Baez, into a basement apartment in University Heights.

During the pursuit, an officer shot and injured a pit bull. A ricocheting bullet also grazed two detectives.

The charges against all suspects were later dropped.

Questions:

1) Where did this story take place?

2) When did this story take place?

3) What was the name of the guy that got beat up?

4) What are the names of the officers that got suspended?

5) Do you think the cops were wrong or right? Why?

Info from NY1  

Another earthquake in HAITI!

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Story:

Haiti (1/20/10) Haiti was rattled by another 5.9 magnitude earthquake just after 6 a.m. Wednesday. This big earthquake last week was a 7.0 earthquake. 

Wednesday morning’s earthquake toppled some already shaky buildings and briefly interrupted rescue efforts.

NY1's five-member crew in Haiti ran out of the building where it was staying. Reporter Dean Meminger said he chose to sleep with his pants and shoes on after experiencing a similar rattling late Tuesday night.

The quake was centered about 35 miles southwest from the capital of Port-au-Prince. 

It was the latest in a string of nearly 50 aftershock earthquake in the region since last week’s quake.

It is estimated that 200,000 are dead and two-million residents are homeless.

One wake after the first destructive earthquake, survivors are still being pulled from the rubble.

Questions:

1) Where did this earthquake take place?

2) When did this earthquake take place?

3) What was this earthquakes magnitude?

4) How far from the capital was it?

5) How many aftershocks have there been?

6) How many people are dead?

7) How many people are homeless?

Info and video from NY1

homework - Sending Aid to Haiti

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Story:

As many as 50,000 people are feared dead in Haiti.

Aid groups are continuing go to the island nation to help survivors in the wake of Tuesday's massive earthquake.

The International Red Cross says more than 50,000 might be dead but they are buried under stuff.

The magnitude 7.0 earthquake knocked down buildings and left the entire country in ruins.

An estimated three-million people – or one-third of the population – may need emergency help.

The State Department says at least one American is confirmed dead in Haiti. The identity of this person has not yet been released.

The United States is working to quickly evacuate U.S. citizens from the country. At the time of the quake, more than 45,000 Americans were living in Haiti.

The World Food Program says the damage to Haiti's port in the capital has prevented ships from making deliveries to the region. 

The city's airport is open, but with its facilities badly damaged, it is straining to handle the dozens of incoming flights carrying supplies and rescue workers.

The World Health Organization says heavy damage to at least eight hospitals is slowing doctors' ability to treat the thousands who are injured.

President Barack Obama says the United States government is giving $100 million in immediate relief.

The Pentagon says more than 5,000 soldiers and Marines are expected to arrive in the region Monday to help with efforts and provide security. 

More than a half-dozen U.S. ships are on the way, including the Navy hospital ship the USNS Comfort.

In the meantime, makeshift hospitals have been set up in the street, and the urgent call for medical supplies remains.

Question:

1) Where did the story take place?

2) When did the story take place?

3) How many people are feared dead in Haiti?

4) How many people need help in Haiti?

5) How much money did President Obama say we were giving to Haiti?

6) How many soldiers are we sending over there?

Info from NY1

homework - Queens teacher fired for hitting girl

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Story:

Queens, NY (1/12/10) - A Queens gym teacher who was seen on MTV punching a female cast member of the reality show "Jersey Shore" is being fired from his job.

Department of Education sources say they are in the process of firing  24-year-old Brad Ferro.

Ferro, a teacher at North Queens Community High School, was arrested in August for punching out Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, after stealing shots from her and her friends at a New Jersey bar.

He was later found guilty of assault charges fined $500 and told he had to go to anger management classes.

Questions:

1) Where did this story take place?

2) When did this story take place?

3) What is the name of the teacher being fired?

4) Why is the teacher being fired?

5) What is the name of the school where he used to teach?

6) What is the name of the victim (the girl he hit)?

7) What does the word "victim" mean? To go to a dictionary click HERE.

8) How much money was he fined?

Info and video from NY1

homework - Earthquake in Haiti

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Story:

Haiti (1/12/10) - New Yorkers with ties to the island nation of Haiti are anxiously awaiting news of loved ones following Tuesday's massive earthquake.

Haiti shares the same island as the Dominican Republic.

The magnitude 7 quake was centered just off shore of the capital city of Port-au-Prince.

Aftershocks as strong as 5.5 and 5.9 could be felt throughout the area.

Aid workers are describing total disaster and chaos with reports of widespread damage and a high number of deaths.

News of the earthquake has many Haitians living here in the city concerned for their loved ones back home.

Many have been trying to get in touch with their relatives, but are having a hard time getting through. Others are watching television, trying to get news of what's going on there, and hoping for the best.

"Structures are not really the greatest. People build houses on top of houses and the structures are not very strong. That possibly may cause more damage," said one Haitian native.

"I heard the news, I'm trying to contact her. I can't reach her, so it has to be scary. Very scary. It's very scary," said another Haitian native.

While the true extent of the damage won't be known for days, City Councilman Mathieu Eugene, who grew up in Haiti, says the area will need all the help it can get. He says he's already working to put together a coalition of New Yorkers to join the relief effort.

"We already know that Haiti was already facing struggle and difficulties and to see that right now, to see that Haiti going through this catastrophe, this is hard, it's tough, this is a big blow," Eugene said.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg offered his condolences Tuesday, saying his thoughts and prayers are with all New Yorkers who have family and loved ones in the affected area.

New Yorkers can give money to  the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund set up by singer and Haitian native Wyclef Jean by visiting www.Yele.org if they want to help out.

Questions:

1) Where did this story take place?

2) When did this story take place?

3) What magnitude earthquake was it?

4) Why are the Haitians living in NYC feeling worried?

5) What other country shares the same island as Haiti?

6) If you would like to give money to help Haiti what website would you go to?

Info and video from NY1

Homework - Man Stabbed in Marble Hill

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Story:

Bronx, NY (1/11/10) - Firefighters battling a two-alarm fire that tore through a Bronx apartment Monday made a gruesome discovery - a person who was dead with his throat cut.

Donald Holliday, 53, was stabbed a dozen times in the chest, slashed across his throat and then left to die inside his 14th-floor apartment in the Marble Hill Houses, police said.

Investigators believe the killer then set the apartment on fire at 9:20 a.m. to cover up the crime, police said.

"It's sad because this is a relatively nice neighborhood," said resident Eileen Henderson, 43, who said Holliday rarely spoke with his neighbors.

"He's a loner," she said.

Detectives were not certain why Holliday - who had a minor criminal record - was targeted for such a brutal death.

Bloodstains were found in a stairwell, leading investigators to speculate that he was jumped there and then dragged into his apartment.

It was not clear if anything was taken from the apartment. Cops were reviewing surveillance video at the high-rise building, where residents were shaken by the killing.

"It's scary," said Emerald Kennedy, 23, who lives two doors from Holliday's apartment. "It just goes to show how short life is," she said.

Questions:

1) Where did this story take place?

2) When did this story take place?

3) What was the name of the guy that was killed?

4) Why was his apartment set on fire?

5) When was the apartment set on fire?

6) How many times was he stabbed?

Info from Daily News and video from NY1

homework - Kings County Hospital Needs to be Watched

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Brooklyn, NY (1/8/10) - Almost 18 months after a patient died in an emergency room of Kings County Hospital, after allegedly being ignored, the hospital settled a lawsuit over its conditions.
The agreement, which was announced Friday, calls for a federal judge to monitor conditions at the Brooklyn facility for five years.

The New York Civil Liberties Union's lawsuit had claimed the hospital's psychiatric inpatient units are overcrowded and unsanitary and that patients are ignored and abused.

The hospital came under scrutiny after a patient collapsed and died in their psychiatric emergency room in June 2008.

Esmin Green, 49, was allegedly ignored by employees and security guards for 24 hours, even as she went into convulsions.

Though some reforms have already been made, the NYCLU says there's a long road ahead for Kings County Hospital.

Questions:

1) Where did this story take place?

2) When did this story take place?

3) What is the name of the hospital that the judge has to watch?

4) What was the name of the patient that was ignored by the hospital staff?

5) What is wrong with the hospital?

Info and video from NY1

homework - Jamaica High Closing

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Story:

Queens, NY (1/6/10) - A spirited rally was held Thursday night outside Jamaica High School in Queens.
More than 500 parents, students, teachers and alumni rallied against plans to replace the school with several small high schools in the same building.

"We're here to tell them that our school is a viable place, and it's a good school, and it's been around for 118 years. It deserves to be around as Jamaica High School for 118 more," said Jamaica High School teacher James Eterno.

Inside, more than 100 signed up for speaking slots to tell officials why the doors to Jamaica High should stay open.

"We're here tonight to show our support because Jamaica is a great school. We have great academics, great programs," said Jamaica High School student Rachael Ali. "What's not to like here? We have a great atmosphere, we have a great, beautiful campus. Why do they want to close our school down?"

The Department of Education say the want to close the school because of the 46 percent graduation rate and falling enrollment, but teachers say statistics are improving.

"So what we're hearing here tonight at Jamaica High School is what we want to hear. We want to hear what people have to say," said Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott. "But at the same time it is important to point out the reality that the schools we have identified to phase out are schools that unfortunately are not doing their job."

The city has already shuttered 32 large high schools like Jamaica and opened more than 180 smaller schools.

A vote to decide whether to close Jamaica High is set for the end of the month.

Questions:

1) Where did the story take place?

2) When did the story take place?

3) What school is the DOE trying to close down?

4) How many people were protesting closing down the school?

5) Why is the school being closed? 

6) When will the vote to decide whether to close Jamaica High take place?

7) What do you think? Should they close the school or not? Why or why not?

Info and video from NY1

Homework - Man Caught Kicking a Dog

Click HERE if you would like to watch the video. Read the story. Answer the questions.

Story:

Manhattan, NY (1/6/10) - A Manhattan man was charged Wednesday with abusing a small dog after his horrible attack was caught on surveillance tape.

Authorities say NYPD Housing Bureau officers were recently monitoring cameras at the Grant Houses in Morningside Heights when they saw a man kicking a dog in the elevator.

Police have identified the suspect as Charles Grant.

They say the 12-pound Pomeranian-Chihauhua mix belongs to his girlfriend.

After circulating stills from the video around the building, police found and arrested Grant for animal torture.

The dog is being treated at a nearby animal hospital and is expected to be released back to the owner.


Police Commissioner Ray Kelly honored the officers Wednesday with a certificate of recognition for their work in the cases.

Questions:
1) Where did this story take place?
2) When did this story take place?
3) What was the name of the guy who was kicking the dog?
4) What type of dog was it?
5) How is the dog now?
6) What do you think should happen to the guy who was kicking the dog?

Info and video from ny1

Police Officers Shoot Themselves By Accident

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Story:

Bronx, NY (1/5/2010) - Two New York City Police Department narcotics officers were wounded Tuesday night during a shooting incident in the Bronx.

It happened just after 8 p.m. on Davidson Avenue and West Fordham Road in University Heights.

Police say the officers were trailing several suspects as part of a drug sting when one suspect unleashed a pitbull.

When one of the officers opened fire, the bullets bounced off the wall, hitting one officer in the leg, and grazing the other in the face.

Officials say even though crime is down citywide, officers are still put in dangerous situations.

"There's still ongoing dangerous work for police everyday for police to keep neighborhoods safe. And sometimes it results in somebody letting loose a dog -- a pitbull to be used as a weapon against police quite often," said NYPD spokesman Paul Browne.

The suspects involved were taken into custody.

Both officers were taken to Jacobi Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Questions:

1) Where did this story take place?

2) When did this story take place?

3) What did the suspects do?

4) How did the officers get shot?

5) What hospital were they taken to?

Info and video taken from NY1

Homework - Full Body Scanners in Airports

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Story:

Newark. NJ (1/2/10)  - A lot of people have demanded more full body scanners at airports because of the attempted bombing of a plane on Christmas Day. 

Newark Liberty Airport will be the first area airport to get the new machines.

The Transportation Security Administration is ordering 150 of the scanners for U.S. airports. Newark's scanners will be installed at Terminal B. Terminal B handles the planes coming from other countries.

Only 19 scanners are already in use across the country.

Critics say the scanners show too much of a person's body and are an invasion of privacy. Plus they are asking where the pictures will be stored? What if you go through the scanner and then your pictures end up on the internet?

Other people say that the scanners could have shown the bomb that the terrorist named Abdulmutallab brought on board Northwest Flight 253 on Christmas Day.

Investigators say the bomb was in Abdulmutallab's underwear, and that he tried to set it off as the plane was preparing to land.

Abdulmutallab was able to board the plane despite warnings from his father about his extremist views, and the fact that he was on a list of people with suspected terrorist ties.

Obama is set to meet with homeland security officials at the White House today to talk about intelligence failures that allowed the Nigerian native to fly to the United States.

Questions:

1) Where did this story take place?

2) When did this story take place?

3) Why are people demanding more full body scanners?

4) Why do critics think that the scanners are a bad idea?

5) What was the name of the terrorist that tried to blow up the plane on Christmas day?

6) What airport if going to get the scanners first?

7) What do you think of the full body scanners? Good idea? Bad idea? Why?

Info and video from NY1

Homework - Don't Take Our Metro Cards Please!

Click HERE to watch the video. Read the story. Answer the questions.

Story:
Harlem, NY (01/02/2010) - Dozens of city high school students held a rally in Harlem this weekend to say how much they hated the MTA's plan to stop their free MetroCards.

Members of the Patchwork of Young Leaders Society organized the event Saturday. They say the cuts will make it harder for them to go to class.

"It will get students to not go to school. We need motivation for our students to keep on going," said one rally participant.

"You shouldn't have to pay for your education to become something. It's going to increase the rate in dropouts," said another rally participant.

If the plan goes through, more than half a million students would pay full transit fares by 2011.

The MTA is taking the free metrocards because they need $400 million to cover their costs.

Other plans include eliminating some subway and bus lines and reducing service during peak hours.

Questions:
1) Where did the story take place?
2) When did the story take place?
3) Why did the student hold this rally?
4) What organization held the rally?
5) How many students will pay full fare by 2011 if the plan goes through?
6) Why is the MTA taking away the free metros?

Info and video taken from NY1