If I Were Principal (Dane S., Grade 4

Kalee flipped a red switch marked DANGER. A purple swirling hole opened up in front of John’s face. Kalee said, ”Come on! Let's go!” John closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and jumped into the time machine. When he opened his eyes, he saw a giant dinosaur standing in front of him, looking very hungry! The dino didn’t look vegetarian either. John did the only reasonable thing: he ran like his life depended on it. When he looked back at Kalee, she was right behind him. John slipped into a narrow cave entrance just wide enough for him and Kalee. The dinosaur tried barging through, but only its claws fit through the crevice. The dino tried barging in a few more times, then growled in frustration and stomped away. John, shaken, yelled at Kalee, “why did you send us here?! We almost got killed!” Kalee looked at John, tears in her eyes. “My father doesn't let us in the laboratory, and only he knew the secret way in. He disappeared when trying out the time portal. That’s why I was so eager to go through it,” Kalee responded. “The only thing I have left of my father is this key he gave me,” she said, pulling a beautiful golden key on a necklace out as tears welled in her eyes. “Oh, I’m sorry,”John said. Then he heard footsteps from the back of the cave. A figure emerged from the shadows. In the dim light, John saw a weary man wearing a white lab coat covered in dirt. Kalee gasped, ”Dad?!” The stranger’s face broke into a huge smile. “Kalee! You found me!” he said, pulling her into a tight hug. When he opened his eyes, they fell on John. “Who are you?” he asked. “That’s my new friend, John,” said Kalee. “I got him into this mess. I’m sorry.” She hung her head. Kalee’s dad said, “Don’t worry pumpkin, the answer to all our problems is in your hands.” Kalee’s eyes flicked to the key. “Tap the key twice,” Kalee’s dad said. Kalee did, and a portal appeared. The trio jumped in and woke up in the laboratory. “Thank you so much for helping us, but I think your family will be relieved to see you back home, John,” Kalee’s dad said. John and Kalee looked at each other. “Bye,” they said. “See you at school.” They knew that through this crazy adventure, they had become friends.

If I Were Principal for a Day

By Dane S., Grade 4

If I were principal for a day, I would install gondolas so when the children needed to get to their classroom, they would press the button and it would bring them to their destination. I would also hire my dog Tobey and he will start Bark Buddies Club. It will be a day care for dogs, so all the students can bring their dogs to school.

I would also have heated seats in the classrooms and a temperature monitor on the side of the desks. I would also have Mrs. Lee come in every Tuesday and Thursday so she can talk to us about our emotions and help us all get through them. And, I would also let every grade have nap time for one hour. I would have students draw and make comics and give them to other students. I would also let students have snack for an hour and have lunch for two hours.

These are some of the things I would do on my day being principal.