Since the winter trimester ends soon, this coming Wednesday, March 3, is the final day to submit letters to Ask The Mask. If you have been waiting for the right time, the right time has arrived!
Our bonus feature this week is a "podcast"-style look behind the scenes of Ask The Mask, featuring many of our staff writers discussing their process for responding to letters. Thank you to Maddie and her committee for producing it! Also, thanks to our new friend Jesse for helping us reply to two of the letters in this issue.
For those who are visiting for the first time: "The Mask" is a group of middle school students eager to help with your dilemmas related to the pandemic. If you're a middle school student and would like The Mask to give you advice, please fill out this anonymous form.
Dear Mask,
Some would consider 2020 one of the most difficult years of the 21st century, and that is not an understatement, but I think that it is also important to look at the positive side of things. We are able to socialize more with our siblings and direct family, and are able to understand how we took for granted the simplest of things, such as spending time with our friends. For me, 2020 was a big part of me growing as a person, and I hope that whoever is seeing this on their screen is thinking the same thing as me: that 2021 is a year for improvement, and that it will be better than 2020.
Sincerely,
Anonymous Ali
Canterbury, England
Dear Anonymous Ali,
Yes, 2020 was a hard time, but with the change we all grew as people. With the vaccine rolling out, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. As poet Amanda Gorman said, “Even though everyone is alone, we are all alone together.” Everyone is alone right now, so we are all in the same situation. Overall, 2020 was hard, but as you said, we hope 2021 will be better. It’s up to us.
Happy new year!
The Mask
Dear Mask,
Me and my brother were jumping on our trampoline, and my brother wanted to FaceTime his friend to show him his tricks on the trampoline. I took his iPad and FaceTimed his friend, and I wanted to get a chair so I could put the iPad on it so he could see more clearly. I put the iPad on the net of the trampoline, and my brother started jumping, and his iPad flipped out of the trampoline and the iPad broke! My brother blamed it all on me, and my parents want me to pay for the iPad now.
Sincerely,
Jump Breaker
[location unknown]
Dear Jump Breaker,
I understand your problem: You feel like you deserve justice for your brother's mistake. This is a tricky situation. You don’t want to get your brother in trouble, but you shouldn’t have to face his consequences. You should try talking to your parents in a calm way. Don't get frustrated because that will make them less likely to believe you. Instead, tell them what really happened, and explain why you didn’t break your brother's iPad. You could also try talking to your brother and explaining to him that you now have to pay for his iPad because he blamed you. You should ask him to pay for half because he was the one who broke the iPad. If you want to be even more responsible, you could both come to your parents together to all come to some sort of agreement.
Good luck,
The Mask
Dear Mask,
I have been trying to convince my parents to get me a new phone because it is old. I have some arguments, but I feel like she doesn't understand my perspective. I try to understand hers, but it is a bit hard. I don't know how to control my feelings at the same time.
Sincerely,
Arguments
San Jose, CA
Dear Arguments,
I have dealt with this, as well, and it’s a tough situation. I think you should show your parents why you are deserving of a new phone. You can do this by using creativity and showing your knowledge. For example, you can make a presentation and lay out the reasons you should be able to get the phone, going into the pros of why you should be able to and the cons of what would happen if you don’t get it. Don’t be afraid to work hard to try and get your goal!
Good luck,
The Mask
Dear Mask,
I just moved to New York. I used to live in Texas. People in my area are making fun of me. I'm in an online school, and in the chat they put “yeehaw” and stuff that "cowboys" would say. I'm from a big city in Texas; I wasn't a cowboy. How do I get the people off my back, and, more importantly, how do I make friends who don't think I'm a cowboy?
Sincerely,
I Have No Friends
New York, NY
Dear I Have No Friends,
That’s a tough situation. Here are my suggestions. First, you could let your classmates know you’re from a big city in Texas, and not everyone from Texas is a cowboy. You could also try to help your classmates get to know you better, which might help them realize you aren’t a cowboy. You could also ask your teacher to maybe give a presentation about your city so the people from New York can see that you are also from a city like them. You could try talking to a teacher about this so they could talk to your classmates about it.
Welcome to New York!
The Mask
Dear Mask,
I have a good friend, but sometimes we have some arguments. We don't always agree on things. She is a bit too tactile and likes to be clingy. I really want to tell her, but then she does this look and I just don't like that look. She then doesn't talk to me. I try to tell her calmly, but it is hard for me to tell her.
Sincerely,
Friendship
San Jose, CA
Dear Friendship,
I get it. My friends and I get into many arguments with each other, too. It's a natural thing. You don’t need to agree on everything with her. I get that it's hard to talk to her and tell her how you feel. But if she’s being clingy and you don’t like it, then you probably should tell her. You don’t have to be harsh about it; tell her in a calm way, even though I know it’s hard.
Good luck,
The Mask
Dear Mask,
Ever since quarantine started, I've been missing my friends. How can I hang out with them while being safe?
Sincerely,
Bored and Cautious Friend
San Jose, CA
Dear Bored and Cautious Friend,
I have been missing my friends, as well. If you are into video games, I would say that is a great way to connect. There are many games you can download on a phone and play virtually with friends for free, in whatever genre you like. For example, you can try Among Us. For a more board game feel, you can try out Game Pigeon or Uno. If you are into fighting games, try out Call of Duty Mobile. There are games for whatever you and your friends enjoy. Talking on the phone can also be fun, and if you don’t have access, set up a Zoom call. Although these may not be as fun as what you are used to, you can have a good time while protecting yourself and still being social.
Socially,
The Mask
Dear Mask,
I have to still keep in shape for the sport I play, so I exercise. But it can get really boring. I already have a couple ways for making it fun, like listening to music and audiobooks, but I'm trying to find some new ways. Any ideas?
Sincerely,
Bored Exerciser
San Jose, CA
Dear Bored Exerciser,
I have gone through this before, but I overcame it. One way you can motivate yourself is to make a small plan every day and truly do it. Play 20 minutes, then 30 minutes, then an hour or more eventually. You could even ask a family member to help. They could come play with you or help you do drills for your sport. Keep listening to music, because it will help you focus. Every day after you do it, you will feel good that you worked on your sport that day. Even as a reward to yourself, you could play those fun games that you were talking about in your letter. I have done these things before and you could do them, as well.
Ready to exercise!
The Mask
Dear Mask,
I have been doing less well in school lately, and it's difficult for me to focus on what I am doing sometimes, causing my grades to drop. I often forget due dates, assignments, and to study for tests. I try to keep myself organized by making study plans, but then I end up stopping after a week or so. Do you have any tips on how to stay focused in school?
Sincerely,
Struggling Student
San Jose, CA
Dear Struggling Student,
I totally get what you are saying. I am sure many other people definitely also have this struggle. It is very hard to stay organized, especially when it comes to school. If making a study plan doesn’t work one week, then just try to keep making them until it becomes a habit. If this actually doesn’t work at all, then I would suggest listening to music while in school or having something to fidget with; even chewing gum could help you (if it’s allowed at your school). But maybe tell your teacher(s) what you are struggling with, or while they are teaching you could ask if they could explain it a second time. Keep on trying. You got this!
Sincerely,
The Mask
Dear Mask,
Hello there. I do not know how to ride a scooter. What is the best type of scooter to buy, what other equipment do I need, and what are the best ways to practice? Thank You.
Sincerely.
Confused Middle Scooter
Pittsburgh, PA
Dear Confused Middle Scooter,
That stinks. All you really have to do is put both feet on the scooter and push forward. The best way to practice is to ride it around the neighborhood. I would recommend a helmet or and knee pads to protect yourself. I don’t know what the best scooter is, but you can look it up. Google has a lot of shops and recommendations.
Safe scooting!
The Mask
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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Almaden Country Day School. Any content provided by our bloggers or authors are of their opinion, and are not intended to replace parental or professional advice.
