SAGE
Haha k
From: Edward Carransey
To: Eric Mollinsky, Anne Mollinsky, Andrew Seelbaum, Janet Seelbaum, Evelyn Postel, Marc Postel, George Fletch, Nina Fletch, Diana Katz, Douglas Katz, Ines Modkin, and Pierre Modkin
Subject: Follow-up
Dear all,
Following up on today’s meeting.
1. Students will have a two-day at-home suspension for social cruelty.
2. Students will write an apology letter to the grade that will be read aloud in each homeroom.
3. Students will choose one of the school’s ongoing community service projects and devote twenty after-school hours to it.
4. Students have lost computer privileges for the remainder of the trimester.
5. It has been advised that students lose phone privileges at home for at least a week as well. That is up to the families.
Please let me know if you have any questions. We are committed to ensuring that Yorkville Middle School is a kind, welcoming place, and we have a zero-tolerance policy for social cruelty.
With best wishes,
Mr. Carransey
You must be the change you want to see in the world. —Gandhi
Miriam, Gabrielle
MIRIAM
R u there
GABRIELLE
Yeah but losing tonight
My mom said to say goodbye to it 4 a while
MIRIAM
Same
Can I ask u something
GABRIELLE
Sure
MIRIAM
Can I sit w u & ur friends now
My mom wants me 2 stay away from Sami 4 a while
GABRIELLE
Really?
Wow
MIRIAM
Yeah
She thinks we need space
I kinda agree
Sami was also going to make a loser list
Just fyi
GABRIELLE
Wow
Sure u can sit w us
If they even still like me
MIRIAM
GABRIELLE
Obv when we r back from suspension
MIRIAM
Right ughhh
GABRIELLE
K gotta hand over
MIRIAM
K bye
Dear Mom,
I know you said to write you a letter describing what happened so you could understand it better but the thing is, I don’t even know how to explain it. It was just like this thing that happened kind of out of nowhere. Victoria’s mom found out about the ranking thing because Victoria overheard Sami and then Victoria’s mom told people. But then Sami didn’t stop. In her mind it wasn’t even that bad. And sometimes when I think about it I wonder if it is that bad. It wasn’t supposed to be public. I mean, it’s not the nicest thing but is it the worst thing? I don’t know. Anyway, I’m sorry it got so out of hand. I am going to go back to sitting with my old friends. I think it’s better that way. You also asked me what I can do going forward and it sounds cheesy, but I’m going to focus on kindness. I’m sorry I disappointed you.
Love, Gabby
Guys, I am in so much trouble. Suspended for two days, phone confiscated, who knows when I’ll be able to go out. I’m surprised I was even allowed to walk this around the corner to Cece’s mailbox. Ugh. I am miserable. I knew Sami was bad news but this has gotten crazy.
Sorry, Gabs. We love you even though you abandoned us. The thing is, will Sami and them hold on to their popularity status? No clue. Btw the play is less than two months away! Will you please come see me and sit in the front row and clap? :)
Not to pat myself on the back too much but I told you to stay out of the drama. For the future, always listen to Prianka Basak the Extraordinary. Xoxo
I can’t even discuss this since I think it’s mostly my fault for blabbing to my mom. I just want it to be over.
From: Gabrielle Katz
To: Edward Carransey
Subject: Idea
Dear Mr. Carransey:
I’ve done a great deal of thinking over my two-day suspension. I have an idea of something I can do to help improve the school. It’s called a Kindness Rock Garden. Have you seen these before? I didn’t make it up but I think it would be awesome. We could set it up under the trees in the courtyard. All we need is some smooth rocks and colorful permanent markers. I am happy to discuss this with you in person.
Thank you for your consideration,
Gabby Katz
You’re never fully dressed without a smile. —Annie
Dear Gabs,
Good luck on your first day back. I know it’s been tough. I’m proud of you for staying true to yourself. Never forget how much I love you.
Mom
Putting notes in all your lockers. Can Miriam sit with us @ lunch today? Will you be my friends again? Pretty please.
I guess so. LOL. Sure. Again, no drama for me.
Sure. Welcome back.
Does she even want to sit with me? Doubt it.
Yes, Vic. She’s not like Sami.
I thought you didn’t think Sami was so bad?
I don’t know. But Miriam is nice for real. I promise.
Okay. Fine.
Gabrielle, Miriam
GABRIELLE
So glad u sat w/ us today
MIRIAM
Me 2
Ur friends r nice
Ok if the Hannahs join tomorrow
GABRIELLE
Sure
Can we all fit
MIRIAM
We can squeeze
GABRIELLE
K
GABRIELLE
How is Sami doing
MIRIAM
Her mom is worried about her
She was suspended from school
Not everyone knows that
GABRIELLE
Yeah I didn’t know
I still feel like she didn’t mean it to be as big a deal as it became but it def wasn’t right
MIRIAM
No not at all
She takes things too far sometimes
GABRIELLE
Yeah
GABRIELLE
& I started to see her true colors
Like she is deep down kind of a mean person
I’m sorry to say that but do u KWIM
MIRIAM
IKWYM
GABRIELLE
I’m glad u get it
MIRIAM
& I’m glad this whole thing is behind us
& that we’re friends
GABRIELLE
TBH I feel the SAME
Going to meet with Mr. C during lunch to discuss my idea. Be nice to Miriam & the Hannahs. xoxo G
What is your idea? Out of loop again. —Pri
IDK either!
Same! Fill us in after, Gabs.
Mama Basak, Mama Anderson, Mamacita, Gabrielle, Prianka, Cecily
MAMA BASAK
Hi girls & moms
MAMA ANDERSON
Hi
MAMACITA
Hiiiiiiiii
GABRIELLE
WIGO
PRIANKA
IDK
CECILY
Ummmm
MAMA ANDERSON
We wanted 2 surprise you girls
MAMA BASAK
We r going on a trip after Thanksgiving
MAMACITA
To Millcreek Mountain House
Google it
MAMA ANDERSON
Teen camp and . . .
MAMA BASAK
Hiking, spa, s’mores, tea, snowshoeing, ice skating
Will be a blast
GABRIELLE
Is this 4 real
MAMA ANDERSON
Yes!
CECILY
I am soooooo confused
PRIANKA
TBH SAMEEEEEEEEEEE
MAMA ANDERSON
LOL
Calm down
MAMACITA
Just be ready @ 10 am Friday mor
ning after Thanksgiving
GABRIELLE
Ok
PRIANKA
CECILY
MAMA ANDERSON
Anyone want 2 say thank u
GABRIELLE
Ha sorry
Thank u
PRIANKA
Thankkkkk uuuuuuuu
CECILY
Thank u
Very excited
MAMACITA
& fyi we invited Victoria & Priscilla
But they have family in town
CECILY
Ok
Ummm
CECILY
Srsly WIGO
CECILY
My mom never did this with Ingrid & friends
GABRIELLE
But she isn’t bff with their moms like w/ our moms
CECILY
That’s true
PRIANKA
Still tho WIGO
GABRIELLE
IDK no idea
CECILY
Whatevs it sounds super fun
PRIANKA
Totes
Just googled
Really pumped about the tea & @ 4 pm every day
GABRIELLE
OMG whoa
Me 2
CECILY
Guyssssssss this is gonna be soooooo fun
Do we have our own room
GABRIELLE
IDK
PRIANKA
Let’s ask the mothers
& report back on our findings
GABRIELLE
Let’s not write about this in shared notebook
Even tho Vic was invited don’t want her 2 feel bad
PRIANKA
True
Good point
CECILY
Love u guys
Sooooo excited
WANT TO HELP SPREAD KINDNESS AROUND YORKVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL?
Come paint a rock and add it to the Kindness Rock Garden in the courtyard! Right before Thanksgiving is the perfect time to realize how fortunate we all are, and show gratitude and spread kindness!
Any questions? Find Gabby Katz in the lobby before school all week to learn more!
YORKVILLE = KIND!
KINDNESS ROCKS!
From: Gabrielle Katz
To: Prianka Basak, Cecily Anderson
Subject: I’m sorry
Pri and Cece:
I don’t feel like I fully apologized for the whole lunch table situation. I totally messed up. I did want to branch out and I still do and I’m so glad Miriam and the Hannahs are sitting with us, but I shouldn’t have left you guys behind like that. It wasn’t right. I know things are okay between us now but I am still really sorry.
Love you guys,
Gabs
Kindness Does Rock
CECILY
Gabs ur rock garden idea was soooooo fab
A million kids came out & it was freezing
GABRIELLE
IK
Soooooo excited
CECILY
This has been such a crazy start 2 the year
Can’t believe it’s already thanksgiving
GABRIELLE
IK
CECILY
Where r Pri & Vic
GABRIELLE
Prob @ swim LOL
CECILY
IK
Wahhhh sorry we r dropouts
GABRIELLE
Was Coach Sally B. Wembly mad LOL
I never asked u
CECILY
She was glad I spoke 2 her in person
She understood the play took up a ton of time
Plus those 2 girls from the Jewish day school joined so that made up 4 us leaving
GABRIELLE
Oh
CECILY
Yeah it worked out
GABRIELLE
OMG when Pri & Vic get done w/ swim they will have sooo many texts
CECILY
True
I gtg practice play lines
GABRIELLE
K love ya
CECILY
Mwah
Guysssssssss
VICTORIA
Can u pls FaceTime me from the trip
So sad we can’t go
PRIANKA
We will
CECILY
Promise
VICTORIA
Have so much fun
GABRIELLE
Wait guys
IDK if we can
My mom said no phones
VICTORIA
Whattttttttt
GABRIELLE
Yeah
So sorry, Vic
CECILY
We’ll see what we can do
Finishing packing now
Luv u all
VICTORIA
Wahhhhhhhhh
Thanksgiving Borrrrrinnngggg
GABRIELLE
Hi guysssss
Totes texting u under the table
This is so boring
My uncle has been going on for a million minutes about how angry he is at the government
CECILY
Ha
Same here actually
PRIANKA
Hahaahahaahah
PRIANKA
My mom doesn’t even really do Thanksgiving food
But we all get 2gether anyway
VICTORIA
My cousins r here so it’s fun
GABRIELLE
Nice
I have an idea
Let’s text each other what we r thankful for
I’ll go 1st
I’m thankful u guys forgave me
& still want to be my friends
CECILY
I’m thankful for my mom’s sweet potatoes
U guys obvvvvvvv
PRIANKA
I’m thankful for my crazy wacky Indian fam
& poetry LOL
& u guys even tho ur sometimes
VICTORIA
LOL LOL
I’m thankful u put up w me & all my mama drama
GABRIELLE
K all of this
GABRIELLE
Getting glares now from peeps @ the table
Gtg
love you guys!!
CECILY
mwaaaahhhh
happy turkey
VICTORIA
yours forever in cranberry sauce
CECILY
ewwwww
VICTORIA
LOL
PRIANKA
k bye for real now
Guys our moms are totally making fun of us. They brought their own shared notebook. For real.
OMG they are so funny, and weird.
I’m glad we can at least write notes, though, or they’d hear everything we were saying.
This place is so cool. I kinda wish we didn’t have to go to teen camp and could just hang out.
That’s what you say about literally everything, Pri.
LOL it’s true. Ha whatever I’m proud of who I am. Seriously cannot believe Gabs was friends with Sami M. for five minutes this year. How weird???
She did become kind of nuts but Sami was fun at first. She has like tons of energy and is soooo outgoing but do you guys like Miriam?
She’s okay. I like the Hannah from the play better.
Yeah she’s nice.
Eloise and Sami sit alone @ their old table now?
Guess so. Guys want to go for a night swim after dinner? The indoor pool looks amaze.
Sure but why are we writing this? None of it is private. We can talk out loud LOL.
LOL but yeah isn’t it fun to have a record of this? Have you guys gone back and read shared notebook lately? It’s so funny. We need to keep this going until we go to college. k?
It is so funny, I agree.
Yes, I love it so much.
Okay so night swim and then can we stay up super late? So glad we have our own room. Also how amazing is the snow????
Yessssssssssss soooooo pretty.
Same s
ame sameeeeyyyyyy. Love this plan!
Okay now I do have something super secret to write since we are @ dinner and moms are talking nonstop . . . Cece, what do you think about having a party after the play? For cast and us and it could be super fun . . . sooo . . . thoughts? Is there already a cast party planned? Just realized there prob is.
Ummm, yes, there is! at my house! You guys come, too! It’s just celebrating the cast but anyone can come.
Yess!!!!!!
We’ve never done a real party. Vishal had that bday party and it was great except for the Vic incident.
Hahaha that sounds like a TV show.
Totally does! But for real. A party would be super fun. We need it after the drama of this year so far. And before winter break!!!!!
Ooh and Cece, your Christmas lights and tree will be up and it will be soooooo pretty.
Yeahhhhhhh when are we coming over to help decorate?
Next week?
Yay!
If it goes well, I think I want to do an end of year party in the backyard, too!!
YEAH! do both!
Guys do I look like a party animal?
Um no but you can become one!
Pos. Can we please leave this dinner? I’m telling the moms we can go back to the room and change into bathing suits and go for night swim on our own. There’s a lifeguard there.
& Pri is still on the swim team. :)
Yessss I am a super professional swimmer.
K I’m doing it.
Dear Moms,
Thank you so much for this truly meaningful experience. We were really able to reconnect and remember how special our friendships are.
We are so lucky you met in that pregnant moms’ group or whatever it was called. Sorry I can’t remember! Not many people can say they’ve been friends since before they were even born.
This trip was so amazing! My favorite part was all the late night swims. Prettiest indoor pool I’ve ever seen. I also loved the food and the tea and cookies and the s’mores. That fire pit kept us so warm even though it’s freezing here.
I loved the snowy hike we all took together and the view from the top of the mountain. I also loved sitting by the fireplace in the lobby.
I loved the creaky floors and the spooky, kind of haunted vibe of this place. I loved when we were all cozy in our matching pj’s in the suite. It was all so perfect.