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Boost your Playlist with Classic Rock Recs

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By Arianna Galloway

Have you ever wanted to expand the music you listen to? Well, I have the perfect suggestion for you: classic rock. It’s rebellious, raw, and, most of all, classic! 

Classic rock is an energetic genre of music with its famous guitar riffs and vocals, and rebellious themes. The term describes the era from the 1960s to the 1980s, but the 70s are considered the golden age of classic rock. Some classic rock radio stations even play songs from the 90s. 

Some of the most well-known bands are Pink Floyd, the Rolling Stones, Queen, Kiss, and AC/DC. But there are many more. I first started listening to classic rock when my mom played it in the car. I loved the energetic, upbeat tunes, and now I have a whole playlist. I think this genre of music is great for expanding your music style and is much better than the brainrot songs that many kids listen to today.

Hip-hop artists have sampled heavily from classic rock songs. Some famous songs you may know, like “Ice Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice, were sampled from classic rock. In that case, from “Under Pressure” by Queen and David Bowie.

There are so many good rock songs, but here are some to start with. In 1966, the Rolling Stones came out with the song “Paint it Black,” which has a very gritty and moody vibe. In 1986, New Jersey native Bon Jovi came out with “Livin’ On A Prayer” based on two people going through hard times, but still holding on. One last song to get you started is “Rock Bottom” by UFO, which has a great beat. Other artists I think are good are Def Leppard, Ozzy Osbourne, Journey, and Cheap Trick.  All of these songs are catchy, and they express music in a way that you may not be used to.

I asked around the school, and I found quite a few classic rock fans. Our head custodian, Mr. Phil, said it’s his favorite genre of music. “They took pride in music back then; it was more raw,” he said.

Our principal/superintendent, Dr. Heidelberg, said, “I like how the drums, the bass, and the guitar come together to produce a sound that you can easily identify as rock music.” 

Renata, in seventh grade, is also a fan. “I got into classic rock from Stranger Things,” she said. “Classic rock makes me feel hyped up, and has a good vibe to it.”

Mrs. Fox, a middle school math teacher, said it reminds her of her childhood. “ My dad used to blast it in the house,” she smiled.

As a music lover, I have many favorite songs, but out of the ones that I gave earlier, my favorite is probably “Livin’ On A Prayer.” The reason is that while it’s showing a sad emotion, it’s still very upbeat. Classic rock makes me hyped because of the drums and electric guitar used in most songs.

Expanding your music may be hard, so that’s why I made a Spotify playlist for you to get you started. Let me know what you think in the comments. Rock on!

Students’ Lemonade Stand Prompts a Sweet Gift

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By Molly Flynn

It was a sweltering August day, with temperatures reaching about 90 degrees, and tourists were flooding the streets. Julia Bianchi, Lillian McClaren, and I were bored out of our minds. Julia had the great idea of setting up a lemonade stand to make some extra cash. 

We started to prepare, taking lemons, sugar, and a lemon-printed tablecloth from Lily’s house for our stand on my front lawn. We took a massive sheet of paper from Lily’s basement and wrote “LEMONADE $1” in bright green. No one could read the writing in the blinding sunlight.

Julia then (again) had the great idea that since we are members of the National Junior Honor Society, we should donate the money for service hours. Lily and I agreed on one condition: we got to pick where the money went.

After a couple of minutes of researching random charities near us on Lily’s phone, we decided on Make-A-Wish. A castle only half an hour away would be perfect.

We added “All proceeds go to Make-A-Wish Foundation” to our sign. Business started booming.

Our biggest donor was a Bradley local, Shannon Symons, who donated $100!

“I donated because, as a cancer survivor myself, I knew that what these kids were raising money for is important,” she said.

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The IT Man: an Interview with Mr. Monterrosa

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By Milo Butler

Hey everybody! Do you ever think about our IT Coordinator, Mr. Monterrosa, and what he does? Well, that’s what I am here to tell you. 

He first became interested in computers during his freshman year of high school. He purchased a pre-built gaming desktop and immediately began upgrading its components. That led him, a year later, to build his own desktop from scratch. 

In a written interview with The Tides, Mr. Monterrosa said, “My favorite part about being the BBES school IT guy is the uncertainty the day will bring. Some days I will be troubleshooting a tech issue, and the next I will be playing basketball against the students.” 

Mr. Monterrosa began his job as our IT specialist in late July 2024. He came here after he graduated from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He loves technology and helping others. Mr. Monterrosa says, “This job is extremely fulfilling, and helping others always makes me happy.”

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Pirates, Paint, & Parties: a Year in Art Club

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By Delta Sorensen

This year, Art Club met every Wednesday after school in Mrs. DiZefalo’s classroom. There were 19 members in the third and fourth grades.

“Our first several projects were pirate-themed,” said Mrs. DiZefalo. “Students made wanted posters and gave themselves pirate nicknames. We also made watercolor gems and pirate ships.”

As a member of the Art Club, the thing I like most is that we made things out of clay and glazed our projects. We also made clay bowls for Mother’s Day. We also had parties.

I encourage all third and fourth-graders to join if they are able to because it is fun and educational.

Baby Chicks Bring Joy to BBES

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By Nora Weber and Mrs. Sucato

 For 15 days this spring, Bradley Beach Elementary School was home to a flock of 18 chicks brought to the school by Ms. Jessica Mack, a special education teacher whose family owns a small farm in Colts Neck.

As part of an Environmental Club project run by science teacher, Mrs. Sauer, 30 eggs were placed in an incubator in the science room on May 8. The incubator was kept at about 100 degrees for 22 days. The first egg hatched on the early morning of May 28. Many of us saw the chick’s first moments on a live webcam that our I.T. coordinator, Mr. Monterrosa, put on YouTube.

After the chicks dried off, they were placed into a large brooder (tub) with cedar bedding and a heat lamp. They had bowls of fresh water and chicken food fortified with vitamins, Ms. Mack said. After two days, 18 chicks had hatched. There were five different breeds: Rhode Island Red, Bantam, Buff Orpington, Black Ancona, and mixed breeds.  Twelve eggs did not hatch. Mrs. Sauer and the Environmental Club examined the unhatched eggs but did not find signs of developed embryos.

Students were able to visit the chicks with their teachers, hold them, and give them names like Peanut, Butter, Jelly, Gregory, Shayla Ashley, Dill Pickle, Jamal, and Gotherinia. There was a play mat for them to use as they grew bigger and stronger and began to develop feathers.

“I was surprised to see how much the chicks contributed to our well-being and mental health,” Mrs. Sauer said. “They brought us calmness and peace just looking at them.”

On Thursday, June 12, we said goodbye to the chicks. They were so well socialized that they sat and napped on students’ laps. There were some tears at the end of the day when Ms. Mack took them home to her farm.

As of June 19, the chicks were still under the lamp in the brooder at Ms. Mack’s. Her daughters, Kyra and Kallie, were playing with them every day. In about three weeks, as soon as they get all their feathers, they will join Ms. Mack’s 14 bigger chickens in the coop. 

“You can tell they were socialized because they are so calm,” Ms. Mack said. “The girls even brought two into the living room.”

Our students (and staff) will always remember them fondly.

“We loved the chickens. They were so adorable,” said seventh-grader Stella Covert.

“This is one of the best things we have ever done, in my opinion,” said Molly Flynn, also in the seventh grade.

Stay tuned for more updates on the chickens as the weeks go by. We may even have an answer to the question: Is Gregory really a rooster? 

The chicks on May 30.

Middle School Glows at Semi-Formal

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By Nora Weber

Last month, we had our first-ever semi-formal middle school dance at the Bradley Beach Fire Department Banquet Hall. The event was glow-themed, featuring neon lights, balloons, hanging paper stars, and plenty of glowing gadgets for students to wear.

The Student Council – led by Ms Acerra and Mrs. Covert – provided an assortment of delicious food, including chicken fingers, pasta, tacos, and taquitos dorados de pollo, as well as desserts like cupcakes and churros.

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The Fight Song: A Review

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By Delta Sorensen

“The Fight Song” by Rachel Platten, released in 2015, is about people fighting for rights. I heard it at the Democratic National Convention with Hillary Clinton, which I watched on TV in August.  It made me feel empowered. I am singing “The Fight Song” in a band at Lake House, a music school in Asbury Park. I will be singing this song, along with some other songs, with my band, on February 1. Hillary Clinton is not in the band. It’s only for kids.

My favorite lines from the song are “This is my fight song. Take back my life song.”

Delta (right) singing with her cousin, June Hancock, and their Lake House band at Asbury Lanes in Asbury Park on February 1. Photo courtesy of Katelyn Saldutti.

And A Global Debate: Which One is Better, Cats Or Dogs?

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By Milo Butler

Cats come in all shapes and sizes. Dogs do too. Both cats and dogs make great pets. 

Fun facts: Have you ever seen a dog as big as a horse (Great Dane) or a dog that looks like a lion (Tibetan Mastiff)? And, by the way, have you ever seen a giant house cat (Maine Coon) or a cat that has no hair (Sphinx)?

But some people like one more than the other. That brings us to our question. Which one is better? Cats or dogs? In a recent survey of 60 Bradley Beach students, eight people responded that they like cats more, 19 people answered that they like both the same, and 36 people liked dogs more.

So it seems like a clear victory for dogs, at least here at Bradley Beach. If there’s anything else you need us to settle, let us know in the comments below.

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