Blizzard dumps massive amount of snow on Long Island

A place still recovering from Hurricane Sandy gets hit with nearly three feet of snow

The Town of Brookhaven was hit the hardest by the blizzard Nemo. Some neighborhoods -- including my community of Sound Beach -- got 32 inches of snow!

It all started Thursday night as people started to prepared for the storm.  We all lived through Hurricane Sandy, and a lot of people feared they would lose power during this storm, too. There were also long lines at gas stations and gas was running out -- just like what happened with Sandy. People waited in long lines at grocery stores to get supplies.

On Friday, we woke up to light snow but still went to school. By 12:45 my school was closed and we all got to go home! The snow was getting heavier. Weather stations kept saying it would turn to rain but it never did.  All night the snow got heavier and heavier. We could hear branches cracking outside.  Cars were getting stuck on roads. People we knew were trapped in cars or at train stations trying to figure out how to get home!

The snow got so high that we couldn't open our front door. The branches on trees we hanging all the way to the ground.  We just kept our fingers crossed the power would stay on.

By Saturday morning, the snow had ended and we could see our winter wonderland! Although some people were not happy to shovel! The sound of snow blowers fill the air.  Kids are snowball fighting and sledding.  The snow is so high that its difficult to walk in some spots.

The town of Brookhaven has issued an emergency executive order that states nobody is allowed to be out on the roads starting at 10:00 a.m. until further notice.  The roads are really dangerous for travel.

I plan in spending my day building a snowman and drinking lots of hot chocolate!

—Kid Reporter William Russell

Photo: Snow blankets cars an streets in Sound Beach, Long Island. There is so much snow that tree branches are sagging under the weight. (Courtesy William Russell)

Nature's Halloween trick: Snow!

"Look outside!" my cousin shouted from the window in an astonished tone. It was around 5 p.m. on October 29, and I was spending the weekend with my cousins. I automatically began thinking of possible issues, but never would I have guessed the true commotion. I made my way to the window, ready to see something useless, when I saw what he was looking at — SNOW! I had heard here and there that there would be early snow, but when is there ever snow in October?! The reality of this abrupt change of weather hit me hard. Not even 24 hours ago, the birds were chirping in the sunlight filled sky! I had never seen snow fall before Halloween! 

Soon after the snow discovery, we lost power. Sitting inside, you could hear the crackling sound of falling trees. After about two hours, I ventured outside to see how bad it really was. I was surprised. There was so much snow and damage! The snow was halfway between my knee and my ankles — a lot considering it had only been snowing for a short period of time. Since we were in an area with a lot of trees, naturally many would fall down. Because most of the leaves haven't fallen, let alone changed color, the extra weight of the snow caused the trees to fall. It was quite scary seeing so many trees all over the place. I was tempted to build a snowman, with the snow the perfect blend of crunch and iciness, but quickly brushed that thought away after learning that there were many electricity polls had fallen and could cause electric shock. I then went inside, and fell asleep longing for a sip of hot cocoa.

Immediately after waking up I rushed to the window. It was still snowing! I reached for the light switch to find the power was still out. With the morning light, I could see that the snow had risen higher. It was a few inches higher that it was when I went to sleep. My aunt informed me that the storm had already claimed 25 lives. I was astonished, and decided to stay inside for safety. I also learned that Worcester, Massachusetts, where we were, was the hardest hit city and that more than 800,000 homes were without power. According to the weatherman, this was the worst snowstorm to ever hit Worcester!

Today, almost a week later, thousands of houses are still without power. Schools have been closed and some might not to open until next week. As for Halloween, it has been rescheduled in Worcester and many other badly hit cities for Thursday, November 3.

—Kid Reporter Wanjiku Gatheru

Photo: A large tree falls on top of a car after an early snowfall in Worcester, Massachusetts, October 30, 2011. (REUTERS/Adam Hunger)

Cultural Arts Week

“Welcome to Puerto Rico,” my teacher greeted me as I walk through the doors of the Puerto Rican Market. This is an event that has been planned since last year, and is now in progress. As excited students buzz around Puerto Rico, I am pleased with the sights I am seeing. 

Every year, my school puts on a program called Cultural Arts Week. During this thrilling week in April, we learn about a different country. Over the years we have explored China, Kenya, Bolivia, Cambodia, and many more. This year, we had the opportunity of learning about Puerto Rico. Though Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, I was surprised on how different it is from the United States. 

“It is very important for the students to be exposed to other societies so when they grow up, they will have a little background to different cultures”, said Pomfret Community School Principle Mrs. Dion.

Through the course of the week, students learn about the country's way of life inside and out. They taste the food they eat, play the games they play, and learn a lot about their history. One food students founded they liked was plantains, a very delicious snack eaten in Puerto Rico.

“Before Cultural Arts week, I never even knew about Plantain, and now it’s my favorite food!” Isabelle D., a seventh grader at Pomfret Community School, stated.

Every day during Cultural Arts week is an adventure. During classes we have docents, volunteered parents, teachers, or even college professors. During their lessons students experience the life of Puerto Rican kids.

“I never knew we had so much in common with people from different countries”, fourth grader Sam A. declared.

But a very special part of Cultural Arts Week is the market.

“Ever since Kindergarten, the marketplace has always been my favorite”, eighth grader Natalie B. asserted.

The market place is a replica of what a market place in Puerto Rico may look like. In the marketplace, you are able to taste delectable food, make colorful crafts, and enter fun prizes quizzing you on what you learned during the week. 

All in all, Cultural Arts Week is a great way for kids to relate to others in different countries.

“Though Cultural Arts Week is only a week long, it’s an experience no one ever forgets."

—Kid Reporter Wanjiku Gatheru

Photo: One of the many objects used to teach students about Puerto Rico during Cultural Arts Week. (Courtesy Wanjiku Gatheru)