Spire Crier, December 2016

The Spire Crier St .

T ho ma s

Epi sc op al

Pari sh

Sc h ool

Adopting a pet is a present for all

By Laura Marmorek Did you ever wonder how to adopt a dog or a cat? First, make a list of what you would like in a pet. For instance, would you like to take an animal on walks, a guard animal, or a pet that can sit in your lap and cuddle?

Second, pet adoption is a big responsibility that should not be taken lightly. Commit yourself to provide a good home for the animal. Third, make an appointment to talk to a pet counselor at the animal shelter. Bring your list with you. The pet counselor can guide you in selecting the right type of breed.

After, visit the shelter and meet different pets. Pet adoption may take time, but you want to be sure to select the right animal. Sometimes, cats are kept in a communal room where you can go in and socialize with them. Often, you may take dogs on walks to get to know them better. Give yourself plenty of time to choose the right animal when you adopt a pet.

Then, prepare your home for a new pet. When you adopt, you are making a commitment to take care of them for the rest of their lives. Pets need food, water, toys and bedding.

Pet adoption requires that you take proper care of your new friend.

Cats may require a scratching post and a litter box. Dogs will need a collar and a leash so you can take them outside for the bathroom and outings.

Next, find out what type of paperwork the animal shelter requires. Your parents will need to bring a picture ID with your address. If you live in a rental house or apartment provide proof that you have permission to have a pet. Your parents should also have a credit card or check ready to adopt your pet.

Step six is to go to the animal shelter and fill out the paperwork. Shelters want to make sure that they are adopting their animals to a family that would provide a good home. Step seven is bring your adopted pet to a veterinarian for a health screening. Sometimes a free vet visit, including vaccinations, is included with the pet adoption.

Animal shelters are working to solve the pet over-population problem.

Your parents may have to sign an agreement that you will have your pet fixed when you adopt. Make an appointment for that. Last, give your pet time to get used to its new family. Animal shelters usually have a seven to ten day grace period, so that if the new pet doesn’t work out you can bring it back and exchange it for another one.

Hope you enjoy your new pet!

Volume 29 Issue 2 D e c e mb e r 2 0 1 6

Inside this issue:

Ask For Advice

2

Student Notebook

3

Hogwarts Quiz

4

Dear Diary

5

Science Fun

6

Student Poll

7

Vert’s Adventures

8

Student Fiction

10

Fun Zone

11

Special points of interest: 

“Miracle on 34th Street” is voted top Christmas movie.



Hedwig used a wand to make snowballs to play with the other owls.



The life of a dancer can be difficult and painful.



Vert the dog has fun holidays with everyone in his human and dog families.



Take the Hogwarts Quiz to find out which house you should be in.

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The Spire Crier

Ask Tony, Tina, Tim and Tinzy for advice

By The Spire Crier Staff Tony, Tina, Tim and Tinzy can help you if you have a question. They are members of the newspaper staff and are familiar with a lot of the things other students worry about.

Maybe you’re worried about how to make friends or that a friend is being mean. Maybe you have a question about how to get better at studying or another activity. Maybe you just want a way to be mad or sad.

Names are never used and we respect your privacy.

If you have questions for Tony, Tina, Tim or Tinzy, please leave them in the decorated advice box that is in the front of the School Office. Your answers will appear in the next issue.

And always, if you have a big problem or you are scared, go immediately to your parents, teachers or another adult you can trust to help you.

If you have a problem you really can’t figure out ask your parents or teachers to help you.

Dear 4Ts, Whenever someone tells me something my friend always acts like it’s her business. What do I do? –EmojiDog2009 Dear EmojiDog2009, If your friend always is in your business, you should tell her that it’s not really important to her. If she keeps asking, you could change the subject to something else that is interesting. If she keeps begging for the answer, walk away and say, “Stop. It’s not my secret to share.” Also, if that’s not working ask a parent to help you. Good luck, Tinzy Dear Tony, Tina, Tinzy and Tim, My friend keeps calling me a Disney name and I don’t like it. How can I get her to stop? Sincerely, Iwantmyname123 Dear Iwantmyname123, Sometimes friends think it’s cute to make up nicknames for other people or call them by a character name. I could be that she thinks you like it. Our advice is to just tell her you would like to be called by your real name.

Tell her you like your real name and that it makes you feel silly when you hear her call you by the other name. Talking things out usually helps.

This Mystery Teacher loves to go to the beach

By Anna Sofia Lavernia This issue we have a Mystery Teacher whose favorite pizza topping is sausage. Her favorite color is green. She has three kids and two dogs. Her hair is always up and it is brown.

The Mystery Teacher’s classroom is next to the third grade classrooms.

Her favorite book is “Gone with the Wind.” And she loves to go to the beach, especially on a trip to Naples, Florida.

Can you guess who this is? The answer is on the last page.

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Student Notebook: A UM typical camps life are fun

By Sindhu Talluri My name is Kethan Talluri. I am an eight-year-old boy. I love electronic devices, particularly iPads and iPhones, though my parents, especially Mom, don’t allow me to have too much screen time. So, I try to get my sister, Sindhu, to lend me her Surface (by using my puppy eyes look) now and then.

Unfortunately, that has not worked because she is a rule-follower. Argh— girls! I love cars and fast driving. I love to hang upside down from a sofa (driving Mom crazy) and also I like to pull my sister’s hair, so silky, so soft) also driving my parents and my sister crazy. As you can see, one of my favorite pastimes is to drive my family crazy.

By the way, did I forget to mention that I have something called cerebral palsy? Don’t worry though. It is not a disease nor is it contagious! It is a condition caused by an injury to the brain before, during, or after birth. (I looked that up in the dictionary.) It affects my muscles and my brain. My “injury” may have happened when I was born too early. So, I may not be coordinated and may have a wobbly gait, but when I need to chase after my sister I’m perfectly capable of doing so very quickly.

I can speak some words and can be pretty sassy, even with those few words.

I cannot speak sentences yet, but I still am able to communicate with everyone. It takes me a lot more effort to learn than it does you, but I still manage to learn everything. For example, I know exactly where Dad docks the electronics and where Mom hides my iPad. I also know where Sindhu hides her best, most colorful, books from me. That sneaky sister of mine!

So, my entire family and I only see me as a typical, mischievous boy with a few challenges. I don’t think of myself as having a disability, only as having special abilities.

A Food-Off: Sushi Maki vs. Samurai

By Jilly Brown Who likes sushi? Sushi Maki is a popular and normal sushi restaurant. Sushi Maki is known for sushi and there are branches all over Miami.

Samurai is a restaurant for sushi and Japanese food they cook right in front of you to entertain you. If you don’t know what Samurai is it is kind of like Benihana and there is only one here in Miami.

I did a survey and asked 45 people about their choice between the two Japanese-style restaurants. The results were: 13 for Sushi Maki and 32 for Samurai. I was surprised because there are tons of Sushi Maki’s and only one Samurai but it still won! Personally, I would have voted Samurai but, never mind that.

Next time, I’m doing a poll of Whip’n Dip vs. Menchie’s. You can vote for one in the box for “Dear Tony, Tina, Tim and Tinzy.” Or you can tell me.

Just imagine cool music.

I love electronic devices particularly iPads and iPhones. I don’t think of myself as having a disability, only as having special abilities.

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The Spire Crier

Quiz: What Hogwarts House are you in?

By Olivia Pozo, Helena Rodriguez and Jilly Demos Brown This is a quiz to see what Hogwarts House you are in. Take the quiz and see how you do.

1. If someone is hurt, what would you do? a. Leave them there. You don’t need to help them up. b. Pick them up. You don’t want to be a bad friend. They might need to go to the hospital. c. You help them up and give them a healing potion that you made yourself. d. Help them up and take them to the hospital wing.

What would you do if a person on your team was hit with a bludger?

2. If a person on your team got hit with a bludger, what would you do? a. Leave them there. You need to win. b. Fly down and help them up. I mean, that person is your teammate. c. Tell the coach to stop the game even if he argues with you. d. Bring your teammate to Hagrid. He will know what to do.

3. If Snape gave you detention and you did nothing wrong, what would you do? a. Put a charm on him. You did nothing. b. Just go to detention. Soon they will know you did nothing. c. Go to detention. You can do some homework. d. Argue with him. Let him know you did nothing.  If you got mostly “A’s” then you are a Slytherin. You have an active mind and you are clever.  If you got mostly “Bs” then you are a Hufflepuff. You are nice and kind.  If you got mostly “Cs” then you are a Ravenclaw. You are smart and wise.  If you got mostly “Ds” then you are a Gryffindor. You are brave and have a big heart.

Opinion: Top Ten Christmas Movies

By Javier Lopez This is a small list of the top ten Christmas movies. This can help you and your family to decide what to watch on Christmas. These opinions are mine (Javier Lopez) and some are recommendations I found on the Internet.

If you don’t see your favorite Christmas movie here please don’t complain.

Also please let me know so next time I can add your favorite.

10. Frosty the Snowman 9. The Nightmare Before Christmas 8. The Muppets Christmas Carol 7. How the Grinch Stole Christmas 6. A Charlie Brown Christmas 5. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4. Home Alone 3. Elf 2. Christmas with the Kranks And finally, in the number 1 spot…Miracle on 34th Street Remember, these are from opinions from classmates and the Internet.

Please give me ideas for the next time I write a top ten list. Thank you for reading this page. I have seen people skip over top ten list before.

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Dear Diary: I still can’t do magic

By Olivia Pozo School was horrible! There is this boy named Jake and he embarrassed me in front of the whole class. He said I was ugly and my clothes look weird. And there were popular girls who were dressed exactly like me and said they wanted to sit next to me. But Jake poured milk on my head! And when I went over to the popular girls’ table, they said they didn’t want to be my friend anymore. Jake was so mean! There was only one girl who was nice to me. Her name is Lucia. She is really shy. But, the teacher was talking about, what are they called, math and spelling. What are math and spelling? I don’t get it. I mean, I think I know what addition is, but what is multiplication and division? At my old school, we were just trying to fight crime but this is not fun.

Hedwig’s Christmas: A Harry Potter story

By Anna Sofia Lavernia 12/26/07 Owl Dormitory, Hogwarts School, England, Europe Dear Harry (my owner), I wanted to write about my Christmas and here it is.

When I was sleeping I just couldn’t wait ‘til Christmas so I woke up. All the other owls were sleeping. So I went to visit you but you weren’t there. All of your other friends were there, except Ron. So, I flew into the common room and you weren’t there. I checked in the girls’ dormitory to see if Hermione was there and she wasn’t there. I didn’t know where you went, but I did see you going into the library one night so I went in there and you weren’t there. So I went to see what my friends were doing. When all the owls came into the room they were allowed to stay. Then, it was time for the feast!

We went out to play in the snow and it was so much fun. We had snowball fights and played tag. We used our wands to turn snowballs into rocks and make them fly high, but since you weren’t there I got paired up with Neville. After that we told stories while drinking hot cocoa. Then I saw you running with Hermione and Ron. I flew after you and I got caught. The next day I had to stay in my room since I am grounded. I wrote you this to deliver to you tomorrow. Love, Hedwig

Movie Review: “Christmas with the Kranks”

By Sara Vega If you like funny movies that make you laugh nonstop this is the one for you!

It’s great for watching with your family or just with your friends. I know that you are probably thinking, “What is this girl talking about?” But if you watch this movie there is no going back. Trust me these are words from my family members.

They said that it’s one of the best Christmas movies. It’s different from other movies like “Miracle on 34th Street” Christmas movie that is a classic. My family watches “Christmas with the Kranks” every Christmas in my grandmother’s family room while eating popcorn and, if it gets cold, we drink hot chocolate.

My favorite part is when they’re tanning in the mall and the wife hits her head in the tanning machine and the priest is looking at her in her bathing suit. Another part that’s funny is when she goes to buy a hickory ham and there’s only one left and she races an old lady, but the lady gets there first. So she sees someone with a ham and she offers money and they give it to her but the ham drops and it gets run over by a truck.

So, if you like funny cartoons or just plain old fun, watch this movie.

There was only one girl who was nice to me. Her name is Lucia. She is really shy.

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The Spire Crier

Dogs’ view of songs is a bit different from ours

By Jilly Brown We hear certain words and feel different emotions when we listen to songs.

Here is what dogs hear and feel. Let us know your dog’s favorite song.

Song: Sorry “Is it too late now to eat bacon woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof cause my round thingy is achin’ woof woof woof woof woof woof woof.”

Song: Me and My Broken Heart “All I needs a little steak for dinner. All I needs a lot of steak tonigh-ight. But I’m hopin’ it’s yuummy for my diinner. Me and my uncooked steak. All I needs a little steak tonighight.”

Song: Treat You Better “Cause I know I can eat more bacon than you can. And any dog like you is skinnier than a clam. I don’t want you wasting bacon, oh wasting bacon when I could eat bacon instead.”

Song: Don’t Let Me Down “I’m hungry, I’m hungry so feed me right now. I’m hungry right now so give me oh give oh give me some food I’m hungry right now.”

Here are two super cool science experiments A little food coloring, milk, soap and AlkaSeltzer can help you make some great experiments.

By Sara Vega If you like science then you will love these two science experiments. First is the really cool homemade lava lamp. Here is what you need: an empty plastic water bottle with an inch to two inches of water, some vegetable oil, food coloring (any color), and some Alka-Seltzer.

Instructions: Take some vegetable oil and pour it into your bottle of water almost all the way. Next, add a little food coloring. Because food coloring is more dense then oil it will break through the oil and join the water. Now, for some fun, we can add some Alka-Seltzer. If you did it right it will float up in little bubbles. If you want, you can add glitter this is optional of course.

Next is a super cool and fun food coloring and milk experiment. Here is what you will need: some whole milk, dish soap, food coloring, Q-tips, and a baking dish. Add some milk to the baking dish until it’s at least an inch deep layer of milk. Ok, now we are going to add the food coloring and it looks really pretty with the drops together. Now, the awesome part. What you’re going to do is take the Qtip and cover one side with dish soap. Then tap or dip the side that has the soap and touch the colors. It will burst into a beautiful masterpiece!

Thanks for reading.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Volume 29 Issue 2

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Student Poll: Sony vs. Microsoft

By Javi Lopez I recently asked a few people what they like better: Sony or Microsoft. The results were very close. The final score was: Sony—48 and Microsoft—52. Microsoft won by only four points. It was a good match with Sony very close.

The Surface is smaller than the Sony laptop, but the pixel density and resolution are greater. The battery life also is longer in the Surface.

Speaking of Microsoft, the students in fourth and fifth grade have our Microsoft Surfaces. We’ve learned a lot using them in class.

Student Notebook: The Life of a Dancer

By Sara Vega I know that some people think that dance is not a sport, but it really is.

If you try some of these things YOU WILL KNOW how much pain you will have when you practice as a dancer! Here are some tips for getting your split.

Step 1: Step 2: Step 3: Step 4: Step 5: Step 6: Step 7: Step 8:

Do a hamstring for at least 20 seconds.

Go into whatever side you want your split on to do your lunge.

Do a fishhook lunge for 10 seconds.

Do 20 hamstring push-ups.

Go into your deep center lunge for 20 seconds.

Then go into your crisscross straddle for 35 seconds.

After go into your froggy for 30 seconds.

Do your up and over for 50 seconds.

You may do more stretches if you like but only 4-5 are necessary in practice.

Let me know how you do.

Student Fiction: The Haunting Hour

By Skylar Ehrling and Gabrielle Ortiz It was a late day at school and two girls were roaming around without permission. It was late. Only an hour left to plan and do a prank. They decided to glue everything in the principal's office to the walls.

The next rainy morning the principal set foot into her office, knew who did the prank and gave them detention right away. The consequence was cleaning the school after dark. Meanwhile, the ghost of the school was planning a devious prank on the girls.

When it started to get dark the girls started cleaning. They did the hallways then moved to the cafeteria. When they got to the classrooms all the desks were knocked over. They thought it was a ghost but then remembered their prank before the other.

So it was not a ghost.

Hours later, the girls remembered they had picked up the mess. So, it was a ghost! They had to prove it before they got in trouble. The ghost was ready to take action.

It started to throw pencils at them. One hit one of the girls in the head. They realized then that they could see the ghost if they tried. It started to take color, at least black and white. Then the girls thought of a plan to stop the ghost.

(To be continued.)

Getting ready for dance takes a lot of practice. See how you do with these exercises.

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The Spire Crier

Vert’s Adventures: Thanksgiving

By Helena Rodriguez Halloween finally passed and I no longer had to wear that bat costume. I was at the dog park and I bumped into Oreo. She was the next-door neighbor and was really nice. We would sometimes walk together by ourselves during the afternoon. “Hello,” she said. “Hi,” I said back. “Wanna play Hide The Ball with me,” asked Oreo.

“Sure,” I said. Oooooh, it’s called a BALL. Got it. I thought.

“Okay count to 10,” said Oreo as she found a ball on the floor. “1, 2, 4, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 8,10. Err, was that correct?” I asked to myself so no one would hear. “Okay, go find it,” she yelled from behind a tree. I started sniffing near the tree where she was. I finally found the ball underground, between the roots of the tree. I grabbed it and said, “Found it!” “YAY,” Oreo yelled. “Oh, I have to go. Want to walk with me tomorrow at sundown?” I asked.

“Sure,” she said as her voice faded away because my owner, Helen, was dragging me away from the dog park.

The next holiday that came up was Thanksgiving. It’s where we are grateful for what we have. I am thankful for having food around me, PowPow not being here, and most of all, my family.

“I heard that I am going to be dropped off at a doggy sitter,” Oreo said as we walked together. “Really? Lucky! I heard I’m going to be at the feast with my doggy brothers and sisters,” I said. Oreo sighed and said, “Wow, I hope I can at least see one of my family members.” “It’s all right, Oreo. I’m sure you’ll see them one day… one day,” I said.

As the next day approached, my families went to an enormous feast! Luckily, I didn’t see PowPow at donut and coffee duty, I thought. There were loads of dogs. “Hey! Buddy,” yelled my oldest family member, Blet. “Hey! How’s life?” I asked. “It’s chill!” I had two sisters and one brother. “Hey Vert! Long time no see!” said my youngest sister Sunny. “Awww! I missed you so much,” I said. “I missed you too, Vert,” said my older sister Snow. “Thanks! I missed you all,” I yelled.

That night my dog family was crazy. “So far we’ve jumped in leaves, ate…” said Blet but I cut him off and said, “You mean, stole.” “Stole some food, and scared some cats away, my favorite,” said Blet. “Look,” I yelled and looked at a fence. There was a cat. We all barked at the evil cat.

“Please…don’t!” screamed the cat filled with evil. “I’m Vert. That’s Blet, Sunny and Snow. What’s your name,” I asked. “M-m-ine,” replied the terrified evil cat. “YES,” yelled Blet, impatient. “Milky Way,” he said. I looked at Blet. Blet looked at Sunny. Sunny looked at Snow, and Snow looked at Blet. We all nodded. Then, we all barked at the cat. Milky Way fell off the other side of the fence.

“MOMMY! MOMMY,” cried Milky Way. We all laughed. When I left, I saw Oreo on the sidewalk. Surprisingly, she was smiling. She knew what I was going to ask. “So, how was your…” I started to ask but she cut me off and said, “I saw my family!” “Really?” I asked. “Yes! It was amazing! My brother’s name is Spot.

My other brother’s name is Chip and my other brother’s name is… Patches. That’s all. I’m the only girl, which I don’t mind.” “Wow, where do they live,” I asked.

“Patches is in Europe, Spot’s in Colorado, and Chip lives in California. So, I can’t really see them that much,” Oreo finished. “Well, it’s getting dark… I should probably go then… Happy Thanksgiving,” I said. “Ok. You too,” Oreo said and I walked home. The most important part of today was sleeping.

Vert’s Adventures: Christmas

By Helena Rodriguez It was a nice and chilly day in December. Soon it would be Christmas. My human family and I went to buy a Christmas tree. Even my dog family was with me. We all were riding in the back of the car. From oldest to youngest, the order of my dog family would be this: Blet, Snow, Sunny, and me. When we got to the place where we get our trees, I saw PowPow, the police dog, who our whole dog family hated. We all got out of the car. (continued on the next page)

Volume 29 Issue 2

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(continued from previous page) “I love the smell of those trees,” I said. “I agree with you, Vert,” said Sunny. “Oh, here is the king of annoyance, PowPow,” said Blet. PowPow had a dark look on his face when he turned to look at us. “Excuse me, but I’m going to pee here,” PowPow said lifting a leg where a Christmas tree was. “Don’t you dare,” Blet barked. “Oh, I will,” replied PowPow. “Fine. I’ll call Buster, your boss, by using ‘The Howl.’” “No please.” But, it was too late. Blet did ‘The Howl’ and Buster was there in just a few seconds. PowPow was so afraid he started peeing.

“What shall you be doing,” Buster said. “I…it…um…you know...” said PowPow. “That’s a Police Dog rule!

You may only pee in your yard! You’ve had enough chances! You’re fired!” Buster was furious. PowPow had no reactions. Not mad, sad, or happy. He had no emotions in his face. Then, he said “Very well, then. But, you’ll regret this… everyone will.” PowPow sort of left us, but he was stalking us behind a tree. “Well, get a move along,” Buster said and PowPow left.

“Sorry ‘bout that. Actin’ a little weird lately… Well, good day,” said Buster and then he left. “Let’s start peeing,” I whispered and we scattered around. I started peeing near by a trashcan. When I finished that tree, I smelled something. It was inside another tree. The others smelled it, too. “What is that smell,” I asked. “I dunno,” said Blet.

“Maybe PowPow pooped,” said Sunny. “No, it can’t be that,” Snow said. “Then let’s play ‘Go Inside.’ You go inside whatever it is, then, and when you come out of it, the others have to guess,” I said. “Fine,” said Blet. “I’ll go in then,” I said.

I went in the tree and felt stuff crawling on me. Some of those things were on my face. I got out of the tree.

Then Snow said, “Bugs.” “EWWW…spiders!” shrieked Sunny. “No offense, but that’s plain gross,” Blet said. My human family was about to buy that tree, but then noticed bugs were inside of it. They bought another tree instead.

Meanwhile, I was shaking all the bugs off. I finally got them all off when we had to go. “This is how you get bugs and spiders,” I said to the tree and started peeing on it. It felt really good doing that. I got into the back of the car and off we were to go home.

My dog family was staying with me for a while. That night, when I was going to sleep, I saw PowPow. He was standing in the front yard. “Get out of here, stalker,” I whispered. Then, PowPow broke the window and went in the house. “Never,” PowPow said in a croaked voice and everything turned white. I woke up looking at the ceiling. It was morning already. There was no broken window. No PowPow. It was just a dream. In a few days it would be Christmas Eve. When I was going to sleep again, I couldn’t fall asleep. Then, I saw PowPow and a group of his friends. This time it wasn’t a dream. “Now, you get out of here,” PowPow said. “Get out, get out,” chanted the group.

They would get closer and closer to the window. This time a flash of red light was hitting my eyes and I woke up on Sunny’s bed. My dog family was already awake eating breakfast.

I got up to go eat my breakfast. When I finished eating breakfast, I told them about my dream. “I know a way to cure it. My friend taught me,” Sunny said. “How?” “Ok. Before going to bed, think of the happiest moment in your life,” Sunny said. I thought of Sunny, Blet, Snow and me playing Hide & Seek when we were puppies. “Got it,” I said.

“Then, you have to think of it before going to bed and don’t think about bad things the whole day. Think of your memory,” Sunny said. “Easy enough,” I said and started thinking of that. The next day would be Christmas Eve. I thought really hard before going to bed.

I fell asleep and Sunny was right. I had an awesome dream. It was snowing and my dog family was rolling in the snow. I woke up on a pleasant chilly morning. “Well, was I right or wrong?” Sunny asked me. “You were right, Sunny. Thanks.” I was playing fetch outside still thinking of the memory. As the sun went down and the moon was going up, I was getting prepared for sleep. I had a box near my doggy-bed where all the presents would be. When everyone was asleep, I put one present each in the beds of Sunny, Blet and Snow.

I was getting ready to sleep when it started snowing! I was looking out the window for a while. Then, when it was morning, I went out to play in the snow. It was like a dream come true. Which it was a dream actually, and I woke up. It was a chilly day. I woke up Blet, Sunny and Snow to look at their presents. “Wake up, wake up!” “What is it, Vert?” Blet moaned. “Most likely nightmares,” Sunny said. “Goodnight, Vert,” Snow said. “No! It’s morning! Christmas everyone!” “YAY!” they all said and were fully awake immediately. I opened the present Blet gave me first. It was a bone. Sunny gave me a stuffed animal, and Snow gave me meat. I started playing with all my toys. I gave Sunny a crown, Blet a cape, and Snow dog treats. We all started playing fetch in the early morning.

When, Sunny, Snow and Blet had to go home, I knew I would miss them. I had learned something new: That Christmas isn’t about presents. It’s about family and I had a great time with mine.

I promised them I would visit every month, and I will try.

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Student Fiction: Maddie’s Christmas

By Helena Rodriguez Every month is different. There are those months that are lucky, some that are unlucky, and others that I cannot explain. January is lucky because it’s my birthday. March are the happy days until a random event turns your mood upside down. April is the month where most of my classmates tease me. The rest of them are pure unlucky months, unless it’s a holiday (Christmas is usually the luckiest). Also, December is a lucky month, too. You might think it’s an opinion, but it isn’t. For me it’s true, based on my life.

My name is Maddie Hayes and I am 10 years old. Today is December 3rd and I cannot wait until Christmas. I made my Christmas list in March. I asked - well, no, I mean, I begged, my parents for a dog last April. I also hung Christmas decorations in July. Please someone make it Christmas!

Now it’s time for school. After I woke up, I ate cereal, brushed my hair and teeth, and then walked to school. When I walked home, I found myself lost in the forest. I heard barking from a pit bull. They are known to be fighting dogs. I always wanted one, but Mom and Dad wouldn’t let me get one. They always say they’re ugly, or their ears are too short and also, that they drool or snore. Oh, and they say they are violent. But I don’t care.

They are protective, sweet, and a person’s best friend. Why can’t they let me get one?!

I would never judge a dog by their looks, only their personalities. When I finally got to the end of the forest I saw a pit bull tied on a tree with a rope. Nobody was around and that poor thing was only about one year old. He looked thin, hungry, and scared. So, I untied him and gave him my left over ham and cheese sandwich, then he followed me the rest of the way home.

As we were walking through the woods, I thought of a name for him. It was Lucky! It was a really hard job to hide him from Mom and Dad. I hid Lucky in a box I found and made for his house. I left him in his box in the backyard and went inside. I sneaked upstairs to my room so my parents wouldn’t know I was late. I quickly unpacked everything and started my homework. We were learning about animals and their habitats, I always get A’s on science.

When I finally finished my homework, I had to feed Lucky. I totally forgot about him! The neighbors always left dog and cat food outside for pets that sneak out of their house during the night. I quickly tiptoed next door and got the whole bowl of dog food and water. I put it in the box where Lucky was. I also added old pillows for his bed. My parents were going to throw away the pillows, anyway. I went back inside, just as dinner was being served, I sat at the table and ate my dinner – tacos. I brought up the subject about having a dog. Even my brother tried. But, parents are hard to convince.

When I finished my tacos, I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth then went to my room. The next morning was a cloudy day, it seemed as if it was going to rain. That was a good thing because on those days my big brother, Daniel, does not have football practice and hangs out with me. I heard thunder and then a knock on my bedroom door. It was Daniel. “What’s up, brat?” he asked. “Nothing, dork. Wait! Was that thunder?” I asked.

“What do you think? Yes.” I ran outside to the backyard and he followed me. “What is that thing?!” He looked in the box as I opened it. “Awww,” Daniel gasped. “I named him Lucky but, I have to hide him from Mom and Dad,” I said. “OK, do you need help?”

When he finally finished helping, Lucky was potty trained, and looked healthy and adorable. I felt a drop of water fall on my face. I looked up and the sky was as gray as an elephant. I quickly grabbed the box and, with Lucky and Daniel, started running. “No need to pull me, brat,” Daniel said. “Whatever, dork.” Then, with an instant, it started pouring and Lucky ran off to roll in the mud. We both looked at each other and then had a mud (continued on last page)

Volume 29 Issue 2

Page 11

Fun Zone

The Spire Crier

St. Thomas Episcopal Parish School 5692 North Kendall Drive Coral Gables, FL 33156 305-665-4851

The Spire Crier is published by the fourth grade reporters in the Enrichment Journalism Class at St. Thomas Episcopal Parish School.

Reporters: Jillian Demos Brown, Skylar Ehrling, Anna Sofia Lavernia, Javier Lopez, Laura Marmorek, Gabrielle Ortiz, Olivia Pozo, Helena Rodriguez, Sindhu Talluri, Sara Vega Journalism Advisor: Ms. Christina Mayo

W E’ RE ON THE WEB AT S TEPSMIA. ORG

Mystery Answers Teacher: Mrs. Crossin (continued from page 10) fight. Now, that was fun training. We had to go in so we quickly rinsed off in the rain and carefully put Lucky back in the box, but this time in the garage. Luckily, my parents don’t park their cars in the garage. “Daniel, it’s December 4th! I can’t wait until Christmas!” “Yeah, you never knew that, brat?” “I did, dork,” I said. I was really excited. Soon it would be Christmas.

As the days passed closer to Christmas, I was taking great care of Lucky. On December 16th, I told my parents all about Lucky. They were proud of me, but said I had to get rid of him. I guess I shouldn’t have told them….

BAD choice. “Maddie, you know we can’t have a dog. It’s too much work. Pit bulls are violent,” said Mom “Who will pick up after Pucky. Nobody wants to, he’s too…” Dad said. “It’s Lucky, Dad,” I said. “What we’re saying is that you can’t own a dog. It’s a big responsibility and definitely not at pit bull. Why do you think they’re cute? Pitbulls are not very good looking,” Mom said.

At that point, I got mad, she was judging Lucky by his looks. I was giving Lucky away to some stranger or abandoning him. I will not accept that. “Please, Mom,” I begged. “It’s a poor, abandoned thing. Why abandon him again,” Daniel said. (He was also talking about it with me). She said no. My eyes got really teary. Daniel and I had to leave poor Lucky in the forest where I found him. Why not a pet shop? Daniel, Lucky and I went to the forest where I found him. I scattered lots of dog food and treats in the forest. We couldn’t do this. Lucky sniffed for the food, while we went running home. Daniel and I were in my room. I put my head on his shoulder and tried to hold back the tears.

“It’s ok, Maddie. I know you miss him. So do I,” Daniel said. How could Lucky take care of him himself?

Finally, it was dinnertime. As the days passed, they were long and sad, but luckily soon it was Christmas Eve. I was really excited, but I still missed Lucky. I was getting more and more into the Christmas spirit. I couldn’t wait until tomorrow. Tomorrow was the big day! My family and I had a big feast that night. As I went to bed, I prayed for Lucky. I put Lucky on my Christmas list, too. I fell asleep after one hour or so. I kept thinking about Lucky, and all the different dogs in the forest that are left abandoned. I felt sad then I finally slept. I had a dream that Lucky came and it was snowing, which it never does where I live.

When I woke up, I ran downstairs. I saw lots and lots of presents under the Christmas tree! When Mom, Dad, and Daniel were awake, we started opening our presents. I started with the smallest ones then moved to the biggest ones. At last, I went the biggest one and saw a cardboard box. It reminded me of Lucky’s box. I was wondering how his Christmas was going. I looked at Daniel and it seemed like he read my mind. He nodded and I had a smile from ear to ear. I carefully opened the box with my eyes closed, and I got scared. What scared me was a creature jumping on me. “Lucky,” Daniel and I yelled. We were so happy! I hugged Daniel and Lucky really tight. Too tight. I had a smile on my face. Nothing could ruin that moment. Was it really him?! I had missed him so much!

“We knew you would miss him. After all, we’ve always taught you not to judge a book by its cover,” Mom said. “You were right about the looks. They don’t really matter,” Dad said. “Thank you so much!” I said and I hugged Lucky, Mom, Dad, and Daniel. “Daniel you helped me with Lucky. Here,” I said. I gave him a mini Santa chocolate and hugged him. It was that moment when we had a new family member in our house—Lucky.

Like I said, some days are lucky and some aren’t. Some days I can’t explain – like my parents changing their minds, but the holidays are always lucky!

MORAL: Don’t judge a dog by their looks. Look at their personality.