Features
The forgotten zodiac sign
We grew up knowing the 12 zodiac signs, Aries, Scorpio, Taurus and more, inspired by the Greeks and their astronomy. But what if the original zodiac signs were altered over time, and one of the Greeks’ astronomical discoveries was forgotten?… Read more
Frozen yogurt in the cafeteria?
School lunch. Stereotypes make it seem like a disgusting combination of random things that the lunch lady decides to throw into her pot. Well, the downside of school lunch is exaggerated–I mean, it’s not that bad… Read more
2018-2019 articles
New principal shares vision for Bay Farm
Bay Farm School kicked off the new school year with a new principal, Mrs. Katherine Crawford. She has worked for the Alameda Unified School District in various positions since 1991. Last year she was a math… Read more
6th graders connect on camping trip
Earlier this fall, Bay Farm School 6th graders, teachers, chaperones, and Principal Katherine Crawford traveled to Mother Lode in Coloma, Calif., for an annual overnight field trip. While we were at Mother Lode… Read more
Students get creative at Cupcake Wars
Cupcake Wars, a competition for student bakers, was held at Bay Farm School on Nov. 5… Read more
Middle schoolers go mini golfing
The Bay Farm middle school classes took a field trip over to Park Street to go mini golfing at Subpar Mini Golf. All of our middle schoolers loved the mini golfing. The fun but slightly challenging courses… Read more
Student Council sponsors fall fun
2017-2018 articles
Remembering Mrs. Sanderson
When I asked if it would be possible to write an article celebrating the life of my friend and teaching colleague, Judy Ortner Sanderson, for our last 2018 edition of “The Dolphin Tail,” I had no idea how painful and joyful the experience would be! It turns out that, when you want to share the life of someone who was bigger than life, it becomes quite a task! I didn’t know where to start! … Read more
The impact of a beloved teacher
One of our most beloved Bay Farm teachers, Mrs. Judy Sanderson, passed away in early October. She leaves behind many memories that our students and staff will always treasure… Read more
8th graders ready to take on high school
Whether it was dancing with Mrs. Carmena or missing the bus and having to walk back from Park Street, Bay Farm School’s 8th graders have had an exciting year. There are still so many questions left to answer… Read more
Editorial: Walkout supports powerful message
To commemorate the people lost in the Parkland, Fla. tragedy and school shootings across the country, Bay Farm School joined the nation in a walkout for 17 minutes – one minute… Read more
Best of Bay Farm 2018
We polled roughly 148 Bay Farm Middle School students to get their take on what’s in and what’s out this year. The results provide a snapshot of what it’s like being a student at Bay Farm School…. Read more
Trip takes 6th graders to new heights
On October 11, the 6th graders visited Mother Lode in Coloma, Calif., for their annual overnight field trip, led by Ms. Oducayen and Ms. Reynolds. (If Coloma sounds familiar, it’s also located near the 4th grade overnight field trip… Read more
Contest puts carving skills on display
On October 30 students from K-8th grades submitted pumpkins into the Bay Farm annual Pumpkin Carving Contest, organized by the Bay Farm student council. The Student Leadership team then met during lunch that day to vote for the best pumpkins…. Read more
2016-2017 articles
Teacher Feature: Mr. Valois
From potatoes to pears (inside joke), Mr. Alain Valois has been with us for two years now as a 7th grade teacher. I bet you didn’t know this much about him though… Read more
BEAT Club tar
gets food waste
The Bay Farm Environmental Action Team is back with new projects and ideas about community service. The staff advisors are Mrs. Michele Kuttner… Read more
The talent o
f a creative writing class
During the second trimester of Bay Farm Middle School’s school year, the Creative Writing class completed fun projects and turned in exceptional work. “Creative Writing has been amazing,” said Joni Reynolds… Read more
Ask M:
Trump fears, schedules, stalkers and crushes
Ask M answers some tough questions this issue. Will her answers help you?
Are you in burning need of some advice? Don’t want to ask your friends but want to keep it anonymous instead? Ask our intrepid advice columnist Mia! Post your question… Read more
Packing peanuts go green… finally
Packing peanuts are essential to how we package items, but those little polystyrene-foam pieces can be dangerous to human health, and bad for the environment. Conventional packing peanuts are made from expanded-polystyrene (EPS), which is made from molecules… Read more
Miss Stacey Fong, a 7th grade teacher, is one of Bay Farm School’s newest teachers. Miss Fong was born right here in Alameda and went to Edison Elementary School, Lincoln Middle School, and Alameda High School, where she earned straight “A’s”. Later… Read more
Top five movies to watch out for in 2017
Please silence your phones, purchase your tickets, grab your popcorn, and take a seat. These are the top five upcoming movies you should watch out for! Read more
Amelie’s wintertime cookie recipe
Looking for a comforting cookie recipe to undertake this winter? These snickerdoodles are chewy and sweet. Read more
Special video game section!
Virtual Reality: Better than RL? The worlds created for PS VR are extremely immersive
Top 10 Games of 2016 The most mind-blowingly awesome games released last year
10 Gaming Rumors to Look Out For Are the rumors true?
Forza Horizon 3 Review: Raising the Bar One of our highest rated video games ever!
Review: Custom Street Racing 2 CSR 2 is a step up from the original game
Gaming Review: Grid Franchise Grid games are a hidden gem worth checking out
Creative writing class video
In my second trimester creative writing class, students were challenged to respond to prompts including: “I believe,” “I am,” “I fear,” “I hope,” and “I wonder.” This is what they had to say… Read more
2015-2016 articles
Students vote for Best of Bay Farm
We asked Bay Farm students to weigh in and vote on your favorite things, Alameda Magazine-style. Our staff has compiled the results of your feedback. So sit back and enjoy… The Best of Bay Farm 2016! Read more
Ask M: Summer vacation
To end the school year, I’ve decided to leave you with some unsolicited advice! While you enjoy your summer, make sure to stay in the moment. I promise it won’t be hard at all. For the people out there who stress about next… Read more
Star Wars: An alternate perspective
My opinion about the movie Star Wars is different than George Lucas´. He thinks the Jedi are good, the Sith are bad, and everybody would cheer when the Death Star, a military base in space, was destroyed. I have a different opinion… Read more
Special video game section!
Burnout 3: Takedown An addictive driving game you’ll want to play NOW
The .io Games So many games… some flaws but interesting
Need for Speed: Most Wanted Each game has pros and cons, but generally high marks
L.A. Rush Not a great game, but with potential
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective Not for game theorists, but great for its time
Destiny A unique game with some drawbacks
Capcom’s new info on Ace Attorney 6
Capcom released new information two months ago on a game in the works called Ace Attorney 6. The original release will be in Japan, but there might be a western release as well. The information released is apparently the… Read more
“Snoopy, The Musical” a hit
This year, Ms. Bonnie decided to put on Bay Farm’s first-ever middle school play: Snoopy, The Musical. Students had to audition for roles. The play performed live at Bay Farm’s Multipurpose Room from Friday, March 11 through Saturday, March 19. Snoopy was directed by Bay Farm’s… Read more
Cupcake Wars frosts the competition
Desserts came to Bay Farm with Cupcake Wars, a battle of the cupcakes! Each baker from kindergarten through 8th grade who entered submitted 12 cupcakes. The submitted cupcakes were judged on appearance, taste, and creativity. The entries were judged by Crispian Bakery, Whisk Cake… Read more
Ask “M”: Burnout leads to lack of motivation
Are you in burning need of some advice? Don’t want to ask your friends but want to keep it anonymous instead? Ask our intrepid advice columnist! Post your question below and we’ll consider answering it in a future issue of The Dolphin Tail! Read more
Movies to look for in 2016
Disney is releasing several movies this year. Here are the ones to look out for! Read more
Gamer Review: Celebrating Test Drive Unlimited 2’s late anniversary
To celebrate Test Drive Unlimited 2’s 5th anniversary (released February 8, 2011), and mourn the loss of the game developing company known as Eden (out of business since January 2013), I’m going to review this racing game! First off, we have got increasing levels, with a total of 63… Read more
Forza Motorsport 6 is great game installment
Forza Motorsport 6 is the 8th installment to the amazing racing video game series, which has been running since 2005. It is definitely one of the best games that I have played, with some of the fastest cars on the planet, including the 2017 Ford… Read more
Bay Farm students enjoy performing arts
“Just the same, I am wishing, in the name of every young girl who wanted to go to a dance and was told that she couldn’t.” That was a line from Cinderella, the latest play that Tomorrow Youth Repertory, an acting group, is working on. Several Bay Farm students are in the cast. They are… Read more
In burning need for some advice? Ask M!
Are you in burning need of some advice? Don’t want to ask your friends but want to keep it anonymous instead? Ask our intrepid advice columnist Mia! Post your question… Read more
Take our activities poll!
What kinds of activities do you think should be organized for BFMS students this school year? What are other students saying? Take our poll and read the results!
2014-2015 articles
Best of Bay Farm: Your Results!
Last issue, we asked Bay Farm students to weigh in and vote on your favorite things, Alameda Magazine-style. Our staff has compiled the results of your feedback. So sit back and enjoy… The Best of Bay Farm! Read the results!
8th graders head back East to D.C. & NYC
Over spring break, about two-thirds of Bay Farm’s 8th grade class took the ultimate field trip: We visited our nation’s capital, Washington D.C, and New York City. Throughout our trip, we visited many famous monuments and landmarks. I remember stopping to get a good look of the Lincoln memorial… Read more
Teacher in the Spotlight: Mrs. Kuttner
For this month’s Teacher in the Spotlight, we have selected Michele Kuttner! Mrs. Kuttner is a second-grade teacher at Bay Farm School who works a lot to help all students and staff recycle responsibly. Mrs. Kuttner grew up in the 1960’s and the 1970’s, when, in her… Read more
Ask “M”: Hair dye, crushes and lost best friends
Are you in burning need of some advice? Don’t want to ask your friends but want to keep it anonymous instead? Ask our intrepid advice columnist! Post your question below and we’ll consider answering it in a future issue of The Dolphin Tail… and in the meantime, read this month’s responses to your letters… Read more
Evening on the Green boasts student achievement
Evening on the Green on May 15 was one of the biggest undertakings at Bay Farm yet! Not only were there the usual music, student performances, picnickers, and Book Fair activities to look forward to — but all students, classroom art docents… See the slideshow
Chalk art masterpieces take over Bay Farm
In the waning days of school, students and teachers decorated the school’s blacktops and sidewalks with chalk masterpieces. See the slideshow
DT staff benefits from journalism education
Dolphin Tail staffers and their advisors visited The Oakland Tribune in May. Senior Editor Martin Reynolds and investigative reporter Thomas Peele took the time to talk to the middle school journalists about what it takes to research news stories, and about the future of communications and the newspaper industry. See the slideshow
Bay Farm students get down to “Uptown Funk”
In May, Bay Farm School responded to First Lady Obama’s #GimmeFive dance challenge — and the resulting video, is being sent to the Ellen DeGeneres Show! First Lady Michele Obama has issued a fitness challenge to America as part of the fifth year supporting her Let’s Move! campaign, an effort to increase healthy living among America’s youth. Watch the video
Vote for The Best of Bay Farm!
Most of us have probably heard of Alameda Magazine‘s annual “Best of Alameda” issue, which tabulates votes on everything from Best Family Restaurant to Best Chiropractor. So here at The Dolphin Tail, we thought: Why not do the same for Bay Farm students? So this issue, please vote! We want to find out what you think was the best event at Bay Farm… Read more and VOTE!
Teacher in the Spotlight: Ms. Ely
Nancy Ely is a seventh grade teacher at Bay Farm School. She is being recognized as Teacher in the Spotlight for introducing National History Day to Bay Farm middle school students this year. Ms. Ely used to teach sixth grade at Wood Middle School. She says Wood is different from Bay Farm… Read more
Slideshow: National History Day Showcase
On Feb. 25, Bay Farm Middle School hosted its first National History Day Showcase. All Bay Farm middle school students participated the National History Day competition. The showcase on Feb. 25 was chance for students to practice presenting and sharing… See the slideshow
Take our poll!
Last week, BFMS students (and their teachers!) had fun observing Spirit Week. Which of the five days of school spirit was your favorite? What did others like best? Take our poll and get instant results!
Bay Farm grad makes it big in international soccer
Ahmad Hatifie, an Afghan “footballer”, comes from the little town of Alameda. Hatifie currently plays soccer, or “football”, for the Afghanistan national team and Mumbai Football Club (FC). Hatifie went to Bay Farm School… Read more
Ask “M”: Instagram, boyfriends & academic stress
Are you in burning need of some advice? Don’t want to ask your friends but want to keep it anonymous instead? Ask our intrepid advice columnist! Post your question below and we’ll consider answering it in a future issue of The Dolphin Tail… and in the meantime, read this month’s responses to your letters… Read more
BFMS spirit wear about to make its debut
Spirit wear is coming to BFMS! Our newspaper staff modeled the styles; take a look at our slideshow and keep an eye out for the order forms coming to you soon! See more
Final “Hobbit” doesn’t disappoint
Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies was released last month, and it’s a fitting end to the series. The epic The Hobbit trilogy finale was brimmed to the top with action and left viewers on the edges of their seats. In the final movie, Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield, and the other twelve dwarves in their… Read more
Ask “M”: Homework, bullying & homesickness
Are you in burning need of some advice? Don’t want to ask your friends but want to keep it anonymous instead? Ask our intrepid advice columnist! Post your question below and we’ll consider answering it in a future issue of The Dolphin Tail… and in the meantime, read this month’s responses to your letters… Read more
My prized possession
It was a chilly Thursday night, and I was wondering what we were doing at a dog park. We didn’t even have a dog. I knew what the plan was: we were going to a park in Berkeley with my dad. We told him we were going to have a picnic, just for fun. But the truth was… Read more
Sixth-graders celebrate Dia de los Muertos
P6 is the homeroom of sixth-grader Dominic Fleming. His family celebrates Dia De Los Muertos. Every year, his mom comes into his homeroom class around October and talks about this holiday. Dominic’s class learns how to decorate sugar skulls, and the class makes an altar with pictures and other things that represent family… Read more
Bay Farm alumni keep things rockin’
In 1999, Scott Roeder was a sixth grader in my classroom, whose biggest challenge was to get his Egypt map in on time. In 2005, Winton Fong was a third grader in Mrs. Fong’s class, busy learning cursive and working on his endangered animal report. This coming Thursday the 20th, they will be back… Read more
The Dolphin Tail, Voice of Bay Farm Middle School 