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VOLUME 2 ISSUE 3 January 14, 2022 "ARCTURUS" ARTICLES 1500m Racewalk By Navrosedip Kundlas Polaris Read More Behind the Meme – Drake is the Type of Guy to__ By Augustine Magapan Entertainment & Media Read More Cool Creatures: Episode 3 - The Anglerfish By Matteo Somma Science & Technology Read More Déjà Vu? Speculation Rises of a Return to Remote Learning By Craig Papajohn-Shaw News Read More Faith in Yourself By Ismaela Andre Advice Read More Heart By Nora Chery Polaris Read More Holiday Sweets By Christina Ossa Feature Read More Ice Cream Sandwich Recipes By Elaine Ching, Angelina Odone, and Nora Rivera Feature Read More JV Girls Basketball By Aleeza Dhillon Sports Read More MLB 2021 Season By Leah Ally Sports Read More My Favorite Homemade Pecan Pie Recipe By Carolina Figueroa Feature Read More North Star Club and Mrs. Byrne By Jeselys Vazquez News Read More Shop: A Pop Opera By Rachel Ezeadichie Entertainment & Media Read More The Life of a Jellyfish By Navrosedip Kundlas Science & Technology Read More Trapped By Navrosedip Kundlas Polaris Read More Why Leaves Change Color By Manal Layachi Science & Technology Read More prejudice tastes like apple pie By Lucy Wu Polaris Read More An Ode to the Cassiopeia Jellyfish By Eva Grace Martinez Polaris Read More Breaking Down the Oxford High School Shooting By Sahar Ali News Read More DART By Cody Sung Science & Technology Read More EGM’s Top 5 By Eva Grace Martinez Entertainment & Media Read More Five Nights at Freddy's Security Breach By Augustine Magapan Entertainment & Media Read More Holiday Films: A Bleak De-Evolution By Alain Deen Entertainment & Media Read More How to Deal with Narcissim By Ala Paruch Advice Read More Inflation Crisis By Everton Prospere News Read More James Webb: A Cosmic Time Machine By Elyas Layachi Science & Technology Read More Ms. Santomauro Interview By Rachel Ezeadichie Feature Read More NS2 By Alisson Andrea Alas Bonilla Polaris Read More Self-Worth in the Educational System By Alicja Paruch Editorial Read More Squid Games By Augustine Magapan Entertainment & Media Read More The Shadow By Huan Evo Alipio Polaris Read More What is number theory? By Alyssa Garufi and Hannah Lee Science & Technology Read More Winter Track By Navrosedip Kundlas Polaris Read More POP ART LOAD MORE

Back to Articles News Back to Sections The Context Behind the Russo-Ukrainian War By Rachel Ezeadichie Volume 2 Issue 5 March 28, 2022 Image provided by CNBC If you have watched the news recently, you have seen something about the war between Russia and Ukraine. Whether it be informational, opinionated, or just fearmongering, you have seen something about this war. Exposed to it or not, it is important to understand what is going on around the world so that you may form your own opinions about it. After the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), an intergovernmental military alliance, began spreading farther into Europe and closer to Russia’s borders. In 2008, plans had been made to add Ukraine into NATO. Putin sees NATO’s expansion as menacing and views Ukraine joining NATO as a major threat to his country because of the military alliance’s proximity. Throughout the expansion of the Russian military by Putin over the course of the last few years, his complaints about NATO have become more public and apparent. Putin also insists that Ukraine is still a part of Russia, culturally and historically, so it is not its own country and should not join NATO. Russia is determined to capture Ukraine and make the state part of Russia again. Russia even listed its demands to NATO and the United States to ensure its security. The demands include that Ukraine can never join NATO, NATO must withdraw its forces in Eastern European countries, and that a cease-fire be implemented in Ukraine. These requests were denied. Russia has troops in Ukraine and has sent multiple bombs over the last few weeks. Ukrainians have not lost hope and are continuing to fight for their home. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Spotlight Back to Sections Reflecting on the Past By Kimberly Shresta March 18, 2021 Volume 1 Issue 6

Back to Artwork Pop Art Back to Sections Jaylen Lodge - Pop Art By Jaylen Lodge January 14, 2022 Acrylic Volume 2 Issue 3

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Royal Annie Diep Volume 4 Issue 3 March 13, 2024 Image Provided by Annie Diep BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Editorial Back to Sections Election Turnout: Divided Democrats Can’t Understand a Winning Strategy By Craig Papajohn-Shaw Volume 2 Issue 2 November 19, 2021 Image provided by The Democratic Poltical Initiative Democrats witnessed their worst nightmare as they viewed the results for the 2021 election. Nationally, Virginia's once trending Democratic stronghold obtained a Republican Governor, Glenn Youngskin, Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsone Sears, and Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares, who defeated their respective Democrat opponent. In New Jersey, a state President Joe Biden (D) won by 16 percentage points, narrowly re-elected Democratic Governor Phil Murphy by three percentage points. Locally in Nassau County, Anne Donnoley (R) defeated New York State Senator Todd Kaminsky (D); one of the most significant upsets of the night was Bruce Blakeman (R) defeating incumbent Laura Curran (D) for County Executive. Curran, the favorite to win and the first female executive in the county, did not concede the election as 19,000 absentee ballots were still to be counted. She conceded on Tuesday, November 16th. The Republican “red wave” locally and across the nation during this off-year election exposes the unclear agenda of the Democratic party and how it affects voter turnout. Since the Democrats have taken complete control of the executive and legislative branches, the party’s factions have been highlighted in their disagreements. From the progressive side of Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortes (D-NY) and Cori Bush (D-LA) to the moderate Democrat Senators of Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), policies including the Build Back Better and Infrastructure plans have been difficult to pass with a slim majority in each house of Congress. Exit polling showed President Biden’s controversial decisions regarding Afghanistan, his failure to fulfill campaign promises, unclear agenda, and a low approval rating heavily contributed to the outcome of the 2021 elections. While Decision 2021 was an off-year election, the results show the plausible implications of Decision 2022, the midterm elections, and how Democrats could lose control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Not only that, focusing on the low voter turnout locally, let’s analyze turnout in 2017, 2020, and 2021. Just as in 2021, 2017 was an off-year election, meaning neither the Presidential nor midterm elections occurred. The former Nassau County Legislature from the 5th district, Laura Curran, ran against Republican opponent Jack Martins. Curran defeated Martin by three percentage points with 147,102 votes, compared to the 139,204 votes Martins received. Nassau residents in this race cast 288,281 votes. In a similar off-year election in 2021, Curran was up for re-election and received 123,317, while her Republican counterpart received 135,128 votes (excluding the approximate 19,000 absentee ballots). Including the approximate 19,000 absentee ballots, about 277,845 Nassau residents would have cast their vote in the recent election, over 10,000 fewer votes cast than the previous county executive election. States including Texas, Florida, and Georgia have implemented new voter restriction laws, unlike in New York, where legislators attempt to pass laws that ease voter registration. Logically, it doesn’t make sense that voter turnout was lower on Long Island in 2021 than in 2017 especially considering the divisive political nature and strong opinions about the country's future. Aside from that, 723,220 Nassau residents voted in the 2020 Presidential Election, displaying their neglecting to participate in local elections. As much as the liberal and conservative media like to focus on party politics, they fail to hold voters accountable who are registered to go to the polls but choose not to, especially in states where it’s easy to vote. If Democrats look to maintain or even add onto their majority in both houses of Congress, they need to focus on voter turnout, as they did in 2020. Use instances from activists such as Stacey Abrams (D-GA) when she assisted in registering hundreds of thousands of voters in the state of Georgia, which debatably delivered Joe Biden the win in that state. The strategy of registering new voters and making sure they voted as well as swaying moderate voters proved successful in 2020. However, the confusion in the party narrative contributed to the decreased voter turnout. This divisive environment of the Democratic Party and a diminished sense of urgency compared to the presidential election, where moderate voters voted for Biden, resulted in those who voted blue in 2020 voting Republican as they had in years past or not turning out to vote at all. BACK TO TOP

BACK TO ALL ARTICLES BACK TO SECTIONS ENTERTAINMENT & MEDIA VIDEOS My Future - Billie Eilish (Cover by Ian Rios) 00:00 / 03:14 ARTICLES The War of the Pens: George R.R. Martin Versus Brandon Jasmine Roberts April 8, 2025 Read More A Dive into the Pop Music of 2024 Mya Hans April 8, 2025 Read More Party School | Jon Hart Jasmine Roberts January 14, 2025 Read More Jensen McRae: An Unsung Lyricist Noa Cordova April 8, 2025 Read More Glicked: Which Movie is Better? Mya Hans January 14, 2025 Read More Tanka Sahari's Secret Life Sarah Velez November 25, 2024 Read More What should Rachel review next? First name Last name Email What should Rachel review? Why should Rachel review it? Submit 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 ... 14

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Interview with Mr. Arata  By Gurjosh Multani Volume 3 Issue 1 November 7, 2022 Image provided by VSCHSD Q: State your name and your occupation. " My name is Anthony Arata, and my occupation is Permanent Sub here at Valley Stream North, but I am in Grad school at St. John’s University in order to become a Special Education teacher.” Q: Have you lived anywhere other than Valley Stream and if so, where? “I live in Franklin Square.” Q: Do you enjoy your job? “I love my job.” Q: Anything else to add to that? “It's an honor to be able to come back to where I went to high school and to inspire kids how I was inspired to be a teacher.” Q: What inspired you to start working this job? " My 10th grade special education teacher Mr. Achatz.” [pronounced “ACK-its”] Q: How do you feel about the recent threat to this school? "It's scary, but the reality of every day as a teacher and a student is that it can happen anywhere and there's protocols to be safe, but there're people who want to harm students and we just have to be as safe as possible always. And if you see something, always say something.” Q: What would you do for the security of the school if you were in charge? “If I was in charge of the security... Hmm Well, we already have cameras everywhere, which is definitely necessary, and the ID is to keep track of who comes in and out. But I would maybe just have scanners that way they could see when you walk through, so it scans you. That way we can prevent the lines in the morning, so it'd be an easier transition for students and faculty.” Q: Do you have any advice for the new generation of kids? "Find your passion and do something that you love because I go to work every day, I'm happy to be there, and I love what I do. As long as you do something that makes you happy, it's then that you'll be set for life.” BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Valley Stream Central High School District’s Health Department Violations Cody Sung Volume 5 Issue 1 September 20, 2024 Image Provided by Nassau County Health Department via Newsday According to the New York State Association of County Health Officials, local health departments coordinate with the New York State Department of Health to prevent health hazards, fight diseases, educate people about healthy lifestyles, protect communities from injuries and violence, and provide health-related services to people. Apart from these tasks, health departments inspect food service establishments, including those in schools. According to Newsday , under the federal free or reduced lunch program, schools that accept federal money for this program are required to have the county health department conduct biannual health inspections; only 6% of schools on Long Island in the program have met the requirement, as compared to 54% in New York State. In Nassau County, 46% of schools were not inspected during the 2022-23 school year, compared to 15% in the state and a mere 8% in New York City. The Newsday article stated that health officials told a nutrition director at a school district that “unless there is a critical violation on the first visit, they will not follow up with a second inspection as they do not have the staffing to do so” and that health officials in both Nassau and Suffolk claimed that inspections once a year were enough. Graphic created by Newsday However, the lack of inspections was not the only problem revealed in the Newsday article, last updated on May 14, 2024. According to Newsday, the most common violations found in cafeterias on the island were inadequate hand-washing facilities or improperly located, dirty, or broken toilets. Other common problems, according to the analysis, included lack of running water or issues with plumbing and sinks. Rarer violations included dead mice, live and dead cockroaches, insufficient food storage refrigeration, and rodent droppings, a violation that a Nassau County health inspector found in Valley Stream Central High School’s cafeteria during a routine inspection on October 11, 2023. The inspector noted rodent droppings “on the shelf directly adjacent to breadcrumbs and on shelves above and below” and inside “[t]wo large carton boxes containing … packaged Trix and [Cocoa Puffs],” along with a “[d]ouble bagged plastic bag of breadcrumbs (approximately 2lbs) found in a dry storage room … with a gnawed small opening.” This was listed as a critical violation on the health inspection report for Central, for food "from an unapproved source, spoiled, adulterated on premises.” The violation, resulting in foodborne illness, must be immediately corrected along with those related to facility maintenance, cleanliness, and an improperly functioning sewage disposal system, according to the publicly available food service establishment inspection results for the county. Valley Stream North High School had two non-critical violations in its inspection on September 28, 2023, for the presence of insects or rodents and dirty or damaged surfaces. In total, according to the Newsday article, 137 violations were reported during inspections across the four high schools in the Valley Stream Central High School District and the two feeder elementary school districts, Valley Stream District 13, and District 30. Image of the critical violation in Valley Stream Central High School’s cafeteria, provided by Newsday Dr. Wayne Loper, the superintendent of the district, responded to the Newsday report in a message sent through the district’s ParentSquare announcement service on May 15, 2024, stating that the infraction count listed by Newsday in its report “occurred over a seven-year period.” Including the elementary districts, there were “an average of approximately two infractions per year per building” with the “huge majority of the citations” being “for non-critical items, such as signs being improperly placed, minor plumbing issues, or painting that needed to be done.” He said, “In all of these cases, the infractions did not impact the actual quality of the food served to our students or the general cleanliness of the cafeteria space.” Loper further stated that “there were only 4 critical violations over the seven-year period” of the investigation and that all violations were either corrected while the inspector was still on site or immediately after the inspection. Addressing the rodent droppings violation in Central’s cafeteria, he stated that “steps were taken to remedy the situation and put in place protocols that would mitigate this type of situation from happening again.” He ended the message with a commitment to meeting local and state health department requirements and a notice that this year, the school district changed their food service vendor “and will work closely with them and our component elementary school districts, to ensure we are delivering healthy, nourishing meals to our students in clean, healthy cafeteria facilities.” ParentSquare announcement sent by superintendent Dr. Wayne Loper It is unclear whether the actions taken in response to Central’s violation were successful, since as of May 27, 2024, no new inspection has been listed by the health department, despite the presence of a critical food safety violation. Sources “The Function of Local Health Departments in New York State,” New York State Association of County Health Officials , https://www.nysacho.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Function-of-Local-Health-Departments-1.pdf “Only 6% of eligible Long Island school cafeterias inspected twice a year as required by federal law, among fewest in New York,” Newsday , https://www.newsday.com/long-island/investigations/schools-cafeteria-health-inspectors-nqquf97i “Nassau County Health Department Food Service Establishment Inspections,” Nassau County Health Department , https://app.nassaucountyny.gov/doh/fsei/desktop.php “Message from the Superintendent,” Dr. Wayne Loper via ParentSquare , https://www.parentsquare.com/feeds/33145030 BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Stretching Beyond the Classroom: The Power of Yoga Kaitlin Kehoe Volume 5 Issue 2 November 25, 2024 Image Provided by VSN Wellness Center Have you ever felt overwhelmed by schoolwork, sports, or just the daily responsibilities and expectations of being a student? Imagine a practice that not only helps you relax and de-stress but also boosts your concentration and focus, improves your physical health, and makes you feel more confident. Whether you’re a competitive athlete, or just looking for a new way to stay active, yoga offers something for everyone. Its adaptability and flexibility in practice makes it accessible to anyone and everyone! Let’s dive into the practice of yoga and discover how it can transform your life, both inside and outside the classroom. What is Yoga? Yoga is a workout for both your body and mind. Yoga practice involves doing different poses and stretches that help you become more flexible and stronger mentally, physically, and spiritually. There are many different types of yoga “flow” (series of poses, or asanas ), including but not limited to: Vinyasa, Restorative, and Yin. Whether you’re looking to build strength, improve flexibility, or find a moment of Zen, there’s a yoga style for YOU ! However, practicing yoga isn’t just about physical exercise. It also includes breathing techniques and meditation that help you relax and feel less stressed. Benefits of Yoga Practicing yoga is a great way to enhance your physical fitness, reduce stress and anxiety, and build focus and self-esteem. Here are some ways yoga can be beneficial to everyone: Improves Flexibility and Strength : Practicing yoga stretches and strengthens muscles, which can improve your performance in sports and daily activities. Reduces Stress and Anxiety : Yoga helps with relaxation and staying present in the moment, which can help reduce your stress and anxiety levels. Tip: You may want to give it a try during exam periods or when feeling overwhelmed by your school responsibilities and expectations. Improves Concentration and Focus: The breathing techniques and meditation practices in yoga can improve your concentration and focus, making it easier to stay attentive in class and while studying. Boosts Self-Esteem : Engaging in yoga can boost your confidence and support a positive self-image. It promotes self-awareness and encourages self-acceptance. Promotes Better Sleep : Practicing yoga can stabilize and improve your sleep schedule, helping you achieve a good night’s sleep, which is important for maintaining your overall health and academic achievement. Tip: Restorative Yoga is a great type of practice to do before bed. “ Legs Up the Wall ” pose can help with sleep, activate relaxation and improve digestion. Click the link for a video example! Tips for Getting Started Start Slow : If you’re new to yoga, begin with beginner-friendly poses and you can advance in difficulty as you continue to practice. Wear Comfortable Clothing : Choose clothes that allow you to move freely and comfortably. (ex. Leggings, t-shirt, sweatpants, or any type of athletic wear that you feel comfy in) Build the Habit : Like any other skill, consistency and practice is key. Try to do yoga regularly, even if it’s just for a few minutes every day. Listen to Your Body : It’s important to pay attention to how your body feels while doing yoga. If something hurts, stop and adjust your pose, or move on to a different one. Sign up for a Class : If possible, join a yoga class at your school, local studio, or online. When first starting, having a teacher or someone to assist you can help ensure you’re doing the poses correctly and safely. Tip: We offer yoga classes throughout the year at the Wellness Center with a certified Yoga Instructor. It’s a great way to start practicing yoga and learn the basic skills and movements to ensure your safety. You can also check out our VSN Virtual Zen Den under the Exercise & Yoga tab for some quick and easy yoga videos. Even Celebrities Practice Yoga! Jennifer Aniston : Credits yoga practice for her toned physique and mental clarity David Beckham : The soccer star practices yoga to maintain his flexibility and overall fitness. Beyoncé: Incorporates yoga into her fitness routine to stay in shape and manage stress Reese Witherspoon : Uses it to maintain her physical strength, feel energized and support her well-being How Do North Students Feel About Yoga? Student Wellness Advisory Committee (S.W.A.C.) members were asked to try some yoga poses and then give their thoughts and experiences on practicing yoga. Here is some of their feedback: Olivia (Senior High) – “ The yoga pose I practiced was incredibly calming and relaxing, making it an enjoyable experience overall. I found it not very difficult, which allowed me to focus on my breath and let go of any tension. It was a great way to clear my mind and unwind, providing a refreshing break from daily stresses. This pose is perfect for anyone looking to release their thoughts and find a moment of peace, making it a wonderful addition to my routine. ” Aikam (Senior High) – “I spent some time practicing yoga. I focused on soothing poses like shavasana and bridge pose. It was incredibly relaxing, and I felt a surge of energy as well as a deep sense of relaxation. The gentle stretches and controlled breathing helped me release tension and destress.” Jassica (Senior High) – “I tried the leg up on the wall pose and it actually helped me have a good night's sleep. I recommend yoga everyday as it can benefit individuals with their health and can be an easy and efficient way to relax the mind and body. In addition to yoga, I think people should meditate as well to also relieve any stress and tension on the mind.” Khloe (Senior High) – “I tried the leg up on the wall pose last night and it helped me have a good night's sleep. I recommend yoga everyday as it can benefit individuals with their health and can be an easy and efficient way to relax the mind and body. In addition to yoga, I think people should meditate as well to also relieve any stress and tension on the mind.” Zo (Senior High) – “After trying the ‘Legs Up the Wall’ pose, I found my transition into sleep faster that night. In addition, it gave my body a break from the stress-filled week I'd been having and has now become a part of my settling down routine before bed.” Ms. Kehoe (Wellness Staff Member/School Psychologist) – “I practice yoga regularly, about 2 to 3 times per week. I also do morning stretches for about 15-20min each day before work. I’ve had this routine for the past two years and I could write a book on how beneficial it has been to me physically, mentally, and emotionally. I love doing it when I have had a long day or feel stressed out because it really helps me to relax. One of my favorite poses is ‘Legs up the Wall’ as it is good for digestion, relaxation, and helps me sleep better. I encourage everyone to give it a try!” Dr. Byrne (Wellness Staff Member/School Psychologist) – “Our yoga sessions at the Wellness Center appeal to students and staff, who all seem to enjoy taking the time to relax their bodies, as well as their minds with our yoga instructor. Whether you are a beginner or have taken yoga classes before, these sessions offer something for everyone and are a nice way to quiet one's mind when things may seem stressful or overwhelming. It also helps your body loosen up and release tension you may not even know you were carrying.” NORTH STAR extends much thanks to Ms. Kehoe and the S.W.A.C for contributing this article. Sources: https://www.insightstate.com/spirituality/27-celebrities-who-practice-yoga/ https://www.brettlarkin.com/celebrities-who-practice-kundalini-yoga/ https://blog.calm.com/blog/types-of-yoga https://www.yogalineshop.com/blog/types-yoga BACK TO TOP