Kids Standard Feb-2017

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I S S U E 1 9 | F E B RU A RY2 017

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Making a

Ripple

FICTION PAGE 08

PEOPLE WE

ADMIRE PAG E18

Motivate. Activate. Celebrate.

Parent’s PAGE3 1

F E AT U R E

The Ripple Effect

Index: Feature..................................................2 Editorial Calendar...............................3 Poems....................................................4 Fiction...................................................8 Fun and Game ....................................9 Animals...............................................11 Ecosystem...........................................12 Action..................................................14 Life Lessons........................................16 Kindness.............................................17 People We Admire............................18 Food for Thought..............................19 College Tour......................................20 News...................................................22 Parent’s Corner..................................24 Arts......................................................26 Penpal.................................................30 Parent’s Corner..................................31 Volunteer opportunity is available for students and Adults.

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I

n Physics, there is an established understanding that the atom (the basic building block of everything around us) is constructed by three essential components: protons, neutrons, and electrons. These elements, however, are not finite; they consist of even smaller parts, which, in turn, can be broken down even farther. If we keep on following this chain down far enough, we will come to the point where there is no more matter; there is only energy.

Energy is the invisible tissue that connects every human being to the rest of the mankind. Whether we realize this or not, we all are interconnected in our sophisticated and puzzling world. Like pebbles tossed in still water, our thoughts and consequent actions engage these connections and start ripples that radiate outward.

Writing for our February issue, Making a Ripple, young writers had an opportunity to reflect on our world, on how what they do affects the people around them, and on how, in

Arina Bokas

Kids’ Standard Editor & Author of Building Powerful Learning Environments: From Schools to Communities

turn, they are affected by thoughts, words, and actions of others.

Happy reading!

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Our Sponsor Clarkston Optimist Club Disclaimer: All editorial and advertising material submitted to Kids Standard becomes the property of Kids Standard to be reproduced as seen fit. It will not be returned unless by prior arrangement. Submitted material includes advertising artwork and editorial content (including but not limited to: articles and images, art work and creative writing). All the designs remain the copyright of Kids Standard. Kids Standard welcomes comments and suggestions, as well as information about errors that call for corrections. Kids Standard is committed to presenting information fairly and accurately.

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E D I TO R I A L C A L E N DA R

2016-2017 Editorial Calendar Winter Writing Contest Theme:

How Does Kids' Standard Help Our Community Grow?

Submission Deadline:

March 31,2017 Prize: Two Polaroid 10"Android Tablets with Bluetooth Keyboard will be awarded to one winner from each of the two divisions: elementary (grades k-5) and middle school (grades 6-8)

March 2017

Simply Different Why do we need differences? What does it mean to be different? Does being different mean being a bad person? Do you know of someone who is not like other people around you? How do you think of people who cannot sit still in school, take too long to complete a task, or just always seem out of step? Do you know of someone who is different? What makes him or her a special person?

April 2017

Number Talk When we learn to count on our fingers, we “see� our math. Do you see math around you? What helps you see when you learn math? What pictures do you create in your mind? What makes math interesting and relevant to real life?

How can we learn from numbers? If there were no math or numbers, how would our world look like? Share with us stories about numbers.

May 2017

Stories that Matter As human beings, we are wired to like stories. Since the beginning of times, stories have been the way for human beings to pass their knowledge to next generations. Is there a person or place that adds special meaning to your life or lives of other people? Why does this FEBRUARY 2017

person or place matter? What is your own story? What can we learn from telling and listening to stories? How can stories be used in schools? You can tell any story, just make sure to explain why it is important.

Summer 2017

Family Magic Our families are important to us. Tell us about relationships in your family, connections between kids and parents, and meaningful experiences that you had with your family. What makes spending time with your family important to you? What do you learn from your family members? How do you learn together as a family?

Participation: 1. The contest is open to all writers from Kindergarten through 8th grade.

2. Entries should be focused on interpreting the theme "How Does Kids' Standard Help our Community Grow?"

3. Writers are encouraged to research Kids' Standard's mission, vision, and activities; discuss multiple points and support them with relevant examples and explanations.

4. Each entry should be approximately 500 words and contain a title and the writer's name, school, and grade level directly under the title (entries longer than 800 words or without required information will be disqualified).

5. Entries should be submitted electronically to Kids' Standard's editor, Arina Bokas (arina@kidsstandard.org), in the Microsoft Word format (double spaced, 12"Arial or New Roman font).

Winners will be announced in April and awarded their prizes during Kids' Standard End-of-the-Year Celebration in May.

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POEMS Making a Ripple By: Samantha Nidiffer, 5th grade, Bailey Lake Elementary, Clarkston

A pond, calm and still waiting to be touched by love.

A hand, reaching out with love in all the finger tips.

Smile

A fish, swimming below the surface.

A frog, gently croking setting the mood.

By: Gwen Zabel and Izzy Carter,

A kid, with a hope to swim in a lake.

7th grade, Sashabaw Middle School, Clarkston

A ripple, spreading through the warm water.

It sends a wave of

A pond, calm and still waiting to be touched by love.

ENERGY To the person who RECEIVES A special gift to you FROM ME It fills you up like a warm cup of TEA So you will always KNOW Where ever you go That a SMILE Can last a WHILE

Ripple Effect By: Lindsay Stone, 5th grade, Pine Tree Elementary, Lake Orion

.

Littering takes your breath away The earth supplies us with everything we need and we waste it We can help Don’t throw trash on the ground Reuse-reduce-recycle That’s the only thing you need to do You can do it Then others will Just like a raindrop Making a ripple in the ocean This can cause something beautiful the ripple The world shall smile

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Start

And I will smile too

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POEMS The Last Goodbye By: Emma Neumann,

But now I’m dancing somewhere else, and my heart slowly starts to melt.

I stand outside my teammates home, and even though I’m not alone.

8th grade, Junior High School, Clarkston

I am changing studios,

A part of me is empty inside,

My arms wrap around my friend,

I really do not want to go

Tears fill my eyes I start to c

I can’t believe this is the end.

New experiences lie ahead,

r

All the thoughts boom in my mind,

I’m dancing somewhere else instead.

y.

recitals, practices, costumes left behind.

This time it really is goodbye,

The crying starts in just a trace,

All the memories I had,

all the memories zoom by.

but slowly starts to fill my face.

Each and every dance on stage,

It is now time I have to go,

slowly starts to wash away.

but they will stay my friends I know.

dancing with them made me glad.

The Time I had to Write a Poem Quickly By: Gabe Puzio,

A thought struck, a paradoxical piece.

Brilliance

8th grade, Junior High School, Clarkston

The bell would ring,

Write about something

class would end.

you’re writing right now.

Panic.

Genius

Scribbly writing,

Pondering hard,

concentrated.

forming stanzas.

Ignoring

Almost.

The tip of my pencil,

A finishing phrase,

marking the paper.

the poem ends,

Ideas

Success

The One Who Makes Me Whole By: Carigan Price, 8th grade, Clarkston Junior High School

Since my sister left, my spirits not the same.

Nothing is quite as joyous, college is to blame.

It’s just another day, my same old routine, school then dance, since life intervened.

Each day when I get home

FEBRUARY 2017

her car idly sits,

whisper in my ear,

an unpleasant reminder,

share funny stories,

she’s gone and it’s the pits.

watch The Bachelor premiere.

Upstairs her door is open,

I appreciate her more,

but inside it’s just a room.

since she went away.

She’s no longer there,

And will cherish our times together,

my heart aches with gloom.

especially the holidays.

I crawl on her bed,

For now, I’ll put a smile on my face,

smell the lavender in her sheets,

and try to repair my charred soul.

wrap myself in her cozy blanket,

Knowing my sister will come home,

picturing the next time we meet.

and she’s the one who makes me whole.

I long to hear her laughter,

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FICTION

By: Elise Shoytush, 7th grade, Sashabaw Middle School, Clarkston

M

ichelle turned the corner and saw a sign “Food Drive on Friday” above a table with parent volunteers. She trotted up to the table, grabbed one of the information packets, and began to walk away.

“All of the food raised in this drive goes to students in this school. We would appreciate if you could donate. Just one small box helps us tremendously,” one of the volunteers offered.

Michelle nodded in agreement, her thinking focused on what she had just heard. People in my school don’t have enough to eat? How could it be even possible?

After school, at home, she spotted her mom rummaging through the pantry.

There were three boxes of Mac’n’Cheese and two cans of soup on the counter.

“Why are those there, Mom?” Michelle asked.

“Oh those? Those just boxes and cans of food that we didn’t like; I’m putting them out in the garbage tonight.”

Michelle stood there for a minute thinking.

“Do you think that I could take them to school? We’re having a food drive and those could really help.”

Her mom chuckled, “You sure are very thoughtful tonight. Usually you aren’t interested in that type of stuff. But if you want to, I’m not going to hold you back.”

“Thanks, Mom!” Later that night, after packing up the food for the food drive, Michelle looked over the packet again and noticed a small paragraph at the bottom of the paper.

It was talking about the importance of volunteers at the distribution of the food to the students. Below was a place for a signature. She squinted and read the

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fine print under the line: “Sign to… to... to volunteer and help distribute the food collected in the drive.”

Next morning, Michelle returned to school with her own and Mom’s signatures in her backpack. She marched right up to the volunteer desk and firmly put the form onto the table.

“I thought about what you said yesterday and decided it was the right thing to do - to help others in the community,” she trailed off. “I’m volunteering to distribute the food on Friday.”

The parent’s face lit up. “Wonderful!

We really needed some extra hands thank you!”

The bell rang Friday afternoon, and school was over for the weekend. Watching kids catch their buses, Michelle headed down to the school cafeteria. There were signs up at the different volunteer stations. An assistant came up and led her over to her assigned spot.

“All you have to do here is to separate the food into different categories. Like types of food go into one box, another

set can go into another one, and so one.

Thank you for volunteering and have fun!”

A half of an hour later, Michelle had filled 14 boxes to the brim and was working on the next, when she heard a whistle and the announcement that it was time to go home. Did she really help someone?

She wondered.

Later that year, Michelle overheard her teacher talking to a student about the fact that his grades were improving dramatically.

“Are you doing anything differently?

Because whatever it is, keep it up; at this rate you’ll have all A’s and B’s by the end of this semester!” She exclaimed.

“I am able to have breakfast in the morning now; it really helps me concentrate. They had a food drive or something like that, and we got a lot of food from it.

That’s really it.”

Michelle felt a river of emotions flooding her heart. What she did was very small, but it was so very important to this boy and his family. She smiled just to herself - she had really made a difference.

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FICTION

The Ripple in the Woods By: Stella Dougherty, 3rd Grade, Independence Elementary, Clarkston

“W

hoa!” screamed Nutty. He had just slipped in a puddle of soda near the picnic table.

“Quiet!” yelled Sully, a very crabby squirrel, as he picked up the Walnut Gazette.

“At least I didn’t break my paw!” Nutty said very loudly. “Want to come over to my house for some maple tea and peanut brittle?”

“No.” grumbled Sully.

Nutty shrugged and skipped away cheerfully, ignoring Sully’s rudeness. Once Nutty was gone, Sully’s belly grumbled very loudly. He tried to ignore it and walked inside his hut at the foot of the birch tree. There, hidden deeply in his desk, was his diary. Carefully, Sully pulled it out and opened to a black page.

“Dear Diary, today I met a chipmunk named Nutty.

He made a rush of happiness go through my mind. He is very funny and nice. He invited me over for some maple tea and peanut brittle. I said no, but I’m very hungry, and he seems like he could be a very nice friend. I might go over and ask if I could have some. Do you think I should?

My friend moved over to the dog park, and now I have NO friends. I miss him very much.”

Sully went over these things again and again in his mind.

“I think I will,” Sully said out loud. He felt very confident as he got up and scampered over to Nutty’s tree house in the big Maple.

“Ding Dong!” clanged Nutty’s doorbell. Nutty opened the door.

“Well, look who it is!” he exclaimed.

“Hi! I was hoping I could still have maple tea and peanut brittle with you,” Sully said a little nervously. “ Why of course!” said Nutty, opening the door very wide to welcome his visitor. Sully sighed a relief. Sully and Nutty happily drank maple tea and ate peanut brittle together. Because they were having such a great time, they decided to invite others over to share in their friendship! By the end of the evening, Sully had a lot of friends, and they all left with huge smiles on their faces because they felt special. Showing just a little bit of kindness can go a long way. I hope you have friends to help you through some rough times, just like Nutty helped Sully.

FEBRUARY 2017

FUN AND GAME

Word find By: Owen Pliska, 4th grade, Independence Elementary, Clarkston

Find these words in the magazine cover

Kids Standard Solutions Technology Magazine Creative Celebrate

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IS S U E 6 | OCTOBER 2015

Process to Finding the Right

Parent’s PAGE 2 3

T HE

Interview PA G E 7

PEOPLE WHO WE

ADMIRE PAGE 22

A MAGAZINE WRITTEN BY KIDS FOR KIDS Creativity PAGE

5

Arts PAGE

9

Educators PAGE

Thom Markham: Psychologist, Writer, Speaker and Founder& CEO of PBL Global

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Motivate. Activate. Celebrate.

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ANIMALS

HOME IS WHERE THE MEOW IS By: Nicolas Lombardi, 6th grade, Avondale Middle School, Rochester Hills

I

woke up, feeling the warm blankets heating me up like a campfire on a cold night. Groggy and mopey, I slip out of the sheets, and zipped and zoomed over to the couch to see my cat, Tinky. He looked sleepier than a sloth at a sloth party. Looking at him made me feel lonely; his eyes seemed worried and confused.

For a while I sat with him; my brain was a cloud starting to rain. Stupid school, I thought under the crunch-crunch of my breakfast. So I watched TV and ate, but no matter what I tried, the pain stayed. I put on my new clothes and watched more TV until I heard, “Get your shoes and socks on!”

Mom’s muffled yell rang like a faint breeze hitting a bell. I had

Rescuing Harry By: Violet Dougherty, 1st grade, Independence Elementary, Clarkston

O

ne very early morning, Mommy and Daddy drove all the way to Texas to get a new dog named Harry. They stayed overnight in a hotel. When it was morning, FEBRUARY 2017

everything on - backpack, binder, lanyard - and went back to Tinky. I sat with Tinky and cried.

“Please, don’t go,” I squeaked under my voice.

“Mom, is Tinky coming with us?” I asked as we were about to leave.

“No, do you want him to?”

“Yes,” I said, pondering what life would be like without him. A calamity, I thought.

As we got in the car, I felt something inside me collapsing like a chopped down tree. The creeping and sickening sense of despair. I kept saying “Goodbye, Tinky”, “Goodbye Tinky”.

I still don’t know what time he died when we put him down, but I know one thing: when he died, a part of me died with him. Tinkie’s death made a ripple, changing me forever.

It made realize how really true “Cherish every moment you have with a loved one” is.

When you have someone you care for, you never think that he or she can die. But it happens, and it hurts more than you think it would. Like a shooting star on a cold night.

A bright light that fades in an instant.

they were very excited to see our new dog!

Harry wasn’t a purebred puppy; he was a rescue dog who didn’t have a good home, and we were going to change his life. In a Walmart parking lot, my parents met a nice lady, Rosemarie, who showed Harry to them. When Mom saw him, she cried.

Harry slept through the entire car trip home. He loved his new home and our family! Harry trained himself to follow Mom around. Our

whole family felt proud to rescue a dog that didn’t have anyone who loved him or cared for him.

We were very excited to have a new dog, and Harry was very thankful for his new home. Harry has made our family better. Even strangers that meet Harry fall in love with him! He is such a good dog! We love Harry, and Harry loves us!

We gave Harry a new and better place to live and changed his life forever! If more people adopt a rescue dog, it will be a happier world.

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ECOSYSTEM

Extinction of Sharks:

Unleashing a Chain Reaction By: Joseph McGowen, 7th grade, Sashabaw Middle School, Clarkston

A

s of January of 2017, over 11,000 sharks have died to game fishing and netting at the hands of humans.

Even though sharks are at the top of the food chain, the consequences of human actions make them vulnerable to

that they consumed can grow in population and destroy the smaller competing fish species. So without sharks in the ocean ecosystem, the small fish can break the natural balance that the sharks kept in check.

One important factor affected by this is the water quality, which results from the lack of species that help filtration. Another important consideration is that the majority of the oxygen we use is produced in the sea. When a food chain breaks, it changes the ocean ecosystem and reduces production of oxygen. This is going to affect human beings greatly.

To start a positive ripple to offset shark mass finning and hunting and to reverse the process, group efforts from United States Congress passed the Shark Conservation Act of 2010, which aims to protect this species. The Great White Shark Project in South Africa researches the Great Whites of the area.

Sharks need to be conserved for the future of our planet.

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extinction.

Many shark species are currently endangered, often because humans kill them for their fins in a process called finning. When a boat catches a shark, a worker rips fins off its body, leaving the shark finless, sinking, and slowly dying in the water. Shark fins are sold to restaurants for fin soup, which is often revered as a delicacy.

What we need to understand, however, is that extinction of any species upsets the balance in the nature, creating a dangerous ripple effect throughout the entire ecosystem.

Sharks are apex predators, meaning that they rule at the top of the food chain. If certain shark species die out, the fish 12

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AC T I O N

Blessings in a Backpack By: Jane Sorensen, 5th grade, Independence Elementary, Clarkston

B

lessings in a Backpack is a program that provides food in plastic bags or backpacks to kids and families who can’t afford food for the weekend. By participating in Blessings in a Backpack, I impact lives of many kids in Clarkston and help stop hunger.

When I go to a Blessings in a Backpack event, I spend an hour or two filling bags or backpacks for the kids to receive in their lockers. It is the best feeling in the world to pack one of those bags for kids and to know that they will have food for the weekend. I once saw a kid receive a backpack, and when he looked in the backpack, his face lit up with joy

of knowing that there will be good nutritious food for the weekend. Blessings in a Backpack makes a ripple by giving

kids meals and making people realize how many human beings die from hunger every day.

Giving By: Owen Pliska, 4th Grade, Independence Elementary, Clarkston

I

make a ripple by giving people things that make them feel good and appreciated. I give people gifts and cards to show that I care and they are important to me.

I make a card by writing something nice like “You make my day,” or, if it’s a thank you, I would say, “Thank you for the board game. I will use it a lot.” Sometimes I would add a nice drawing. I love it when the other person loves my cards, too.

The way I give presents is unique. I brainstorm ways to make someone's day. Then I get what I need, assemble it all together in a little box or pouch, and put it in a secret place in his or her room, or mail it, if it’s for a friend or relative. I I remember one time I gave a present that is really special to me. Before my first day of school, my brother was starting middle school, so I decided to give him a pencil case filled with school supplies. I bought pencils, sticky notes, a pencil case that he would like, and more.

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My mom put the pencil case on his floor before it was time for him to go to school. When it was morning, I went downstairs, and on the back of the note I gave him, I saw the message from him: “Thank you, Owen.” I was happy he liked it.

Everybody has a way of starting ripples, and my way is giving the joy of receiving. www.KidsStandard.org

AC T I O N By: Anna Voto, Brooke Hansen, Emma Drumm, Mark Bokas, 5th grade, Bailey Lake Elementary, Clarkston

“Even the smallest act of kindness for another person is like a drop of water. It will make ripples throughout the whole pond.”

-Bryan Matteo.

LEARNING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

W

e hear a lot about making a ripple. But what does it really mean to start a real change?

How can we learn to do this?

Our school, Bailey Lake Elementary, is doing a project called ASL (Academic Service Learning.) This is a project that helps us learn while serving others. In our school, ASL is focused on gathering supplies for our partner school, Freeman Elementary in Flint, MI, where students can’t afford to buy things that they need.

In Flint, the water is bad, and it’s making children’s lives harder. Our school is trying to help them to meet their needs. Our goal during this project is to learn, make a difference for ourselves and for others, and to make a ripple that will affect the world. We hope that someday everyone will help make the world a better place.

ASL makes a ripple in our own lives by changing how we see the world; it is helping us appreciate what we have and understand others. As Ella, a third grade student, shares, “It makes us feel happy to help others because some kids don’t have the same experiences as we do in school.” Bella, another third grade student, adds, “Some kids aren’t able to have the same chances to learn and do the things that other kids are able to do.”

FEBRUARY 2017

Helping others makes us realize that what we do matters. We feel proud that we help the kids at Freeman Elementary because we don’t just talk about it - we get things accomplished.

Our ASL project is going to help the students at Freeman Elementary. We are going to donate hygiene supplies, such as shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, and body wash, and raise money for uniforms. Here is how Kyla, a fourth grade student, thinks our donations are going to make a change, “It will help them stay clean, help keep them happy, and help them feel like a stranger cares about them a lot.” We agree with Kyla; we are hoping that our help will show these children that they do matter.

We are also hoping, even dreaming, that seeing our act of kindness towards them, when Freeman school’s children are ready, they will help someone else, and our giving chain will keep adding links. Allison, a third grade student, wants them to get hygiene supplies and to make the world a better place. Kendall, who is also in the third grade, thinks that our donations will “make them feel thankful and happy with more things that they can use.” We agree with Kendall and Allison. When

someone feels thankful, he or she will spread the message, because that is what our ASL project is really about - changing the world.

What we learn through this project is that it is important to make a ripple and help others. If you want to make a difference in the world, then help out someone else. You might think that you are just helping one person, but you are also inspiring others. Every person can make a ripple. Anyone can make a difference.

And that person can be you! One small change can have an enormous effect.

From the Editor: Anna Voto, Brooke Hansen, Emma Drumm, and Mark Bokas are members of Bailey Lake Elementary ASL Writing Committee.

Photo Credit: Mark Bokas

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LIFE LESSONS

People That

Change You

By: Susanna Metz, 8th grade, Junior High School, Clarkston

A

s we grow, we spend our time around friends. Some of them are positive examples; they never forget a birthday, and they are always there. Others, are not so much.

They take you to the wrong places and don’t have a care. Having friends in your life is like being at a train station: some tell you to go this way and some direct you to another. It is important to find good friends because they support you through everything, almost as much as your parents. They also change you for the better.

When I was in second grade, my two best friends, Gayle and Kaitlyn, and I decided to start a “business.” We were good at sewing, so we thought that we would sew things for people. We even had a little jingle: “Sew girls, sew, can you sew? *ding.*” The cringey tune still rings in my ears. We agreed on this at one recess, and immediately after school, as I hopped in my mom’s car, I told her all about it. She suggested that we create a website! How exciting - my own website! By the time it was eight o’clock, I was ready for the next day to come so I could share my bright idea with Gayle and Kaitlyn.

As soon as I hang up my backpack next morning, I ran to Gayle’s desk.

“We can make a website!!” I could hardly breathe.

She almost exploded from excitement.

We planned it all - the colors, the theme, the pictures - until we told Kaitlyn of the plan at recess.

“No!!!” She screamed. “It’s illegal for 16

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could hurt a person, and I immediately people under 18 to have a website! We’ll changed my behavior for the rest of my get arrested!” life.

My rebuttal was that my brother had We all have that one person who did a website, and he was only ten. We got something that really affected us in into an instant argument. some way. Friends, family, acquaintanc“Okay, when you get arrested for haves, strangers, and neighbors - these are ing a website, I won’t visit you in jail, people who touch our lives. Some may and, by the way, the *ding* at the end of be involved and others not; some may the jingle is the stupidest thing I’ve ever be faded in the distance, while others are heard!” Kaitlyn declared in her closing bright and shining in front of your face. statement and marched off.

Either way, every person who appears Our hearts crumbled; they cracked in your life makes a ripple, and some right in half. After school, I went home people can change you as a person. and cried. I cried and cried and cried until my eyes were as dry as the desert. That day, Enjoy a healthy low fat treat that helps I decided I would digestion and lowers never be like her. cholesterol I would never And More do anything that would make peoper cup ple feel like something in their life had been taken away from them.

Address: Kaitlyn’s words 2602 N. Squirrel Road Contact us for Parties, School Auburn Hills, Michigan showed me how Events, and Fundraising Event Phone:(248) 481-4740 harsh statements

off

www.KidsStandard.org

KINDNESS

Thoughts of Kindness By: Ember Mohrman, 4th Grade, Independence Elementary, Clarkston

By: Kaelyn Nardi, 3rd grade, Deerfield Elementary, Rochester Hills

Y

ou should always be nice and kind others. Even if you don’t know them, it is a good way to make the world a better place! I have some ideas to make that happen!

• When people are hurt, I care for them.

I could go find a Band-Aid or find their mom/dad for help.

• I care for my friends by helping them out if they need me.

• When people are sad, I always will have a silly story to cheer them up.

• When I grow up I want to help people in every way I can.

K

indness can start a ripple. One act of kindness can become contagious!

Once my teacher was getting coffee, and someone in front paid for her. Then, she kept it going by paying for the person behind her. When you do something good to someone, someone will do it back and do it to others. Always, always, treat people with kindness!

When you spread kindness, you can inspire somebody to spread kindness to someone else. You can create your own ripples by being positive, even to a person you don’t like. Kindness makes not just you, but others feel good, too. No kindness is ever wasted. Kindness truly makes the world a better place.

This is important because the world needs more happiness. The nice deeds can give you and me different views on the world.

By: Sophia Le, 4th grade, Deerfield Elementary,

K

Rochester Hills

indness is all around you. You maybe don’t see it, but it does happen. Think about kindness that you have seen: someone picked something up that was not theirs or gave a smile. The smallest things can change someone’s day. You have probably done many things yourself,

FEBRUARY 2017

like holding something for someone or saying “Hi, how are you?” Even though it is a small thing to do, it counts.

Think who is the nicest to you. For me, it is family. They help me when I’m stuck on a question, or when I’m hurt. My friends are very kind to me.

They help me when I’m sad. If they are mean or unkind, they are not real friends, and it is always better to make some new friends. When you are nice and caring, people will love you.

By: Giavanna Montgomery, 5th grade, Independence Elementary, Clarkston

A

n act of kindness doesn’t have to be a big gesture or giving someone a present. I think just a simple smile can make someone’s day.

Imagine you are into a coffee shop, waiting in line patiently. You get up to the counter, and the woman at the counter says, “Hello, welcome to the coffee shop.

How may I help you?” Instead of just saying “umm…

I would like a vanilla latte and a turkey cheddar sandwich,” you should say, “Hello, M’am, I would like a vanilla latte with a turkey cheddar sandwich, please.”

And later, say “Thank you!” That’s a way that you can spread a positive ripple.

When you are at a library, instead of running and shouting, you should keep an inside voice and walk.

If you are watching a 4 year old, instead of just bossing the child around, you could play with him or her and don’t get so angry so fast. In a public park, instead of shoving your way through the crowds of people, you could excuse your way through the crowd. These are simple things that show that you care for others and make them smile.

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PEOPLE WE ADMIRE

Martin Luther King Jr By: Maddie Bell, 2nd grade, Pine Tree Elementary, Lake Orion

M

artin Luther King Jr. was born in 1929, when black people were treated very differently than white people. He had a dream that all people could live together in peace and be treated equally.

Following his dream, he worked to start a big ripple to make black and white people equal.

Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “ Life’s most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” This is how I now think of making a ripple - doing

My Mother By: Lexie Cooper, 7th Grade, Sashabaw Middle School, Clarkston

I

admire my mother. A full-time teacher and a single mother, she is a strong and independent woman. She is raising my sister and me to grow up to be successful members of society. She creates many ripples that forever affect our lives. We get our maturity, intelligence, love, and compassion from my mother.

Many people admire her for her

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something for others. My friend Riley and I are helping the polar bears by teaching my classmates to recycle. By recycling we are cleaning up the earth for the polar bears. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired others to be courageous

strength, but not as much as I do. I think of my mother not just as of a mom, but as of a super-hero, too. Even going through tough times, she always finds a positive outlook. I know it has to be hard: being a single mother raising two teenage girls.

However, my mother strives at it! She works full-time throughout the school year and loves my sister and me unconditionally, even with all of the perks of us being two athletic teenagers! She puts our needs before her own. We learn from her what it means to really love someone.

My sister and I have a strong passion for soccer. We have been playing since we were very little. My mom gives her up all of her free time to get my sister and me wherever we need to be, at any

and brave. I always tell people to be brave and be yourself. In order to make a ripple you have to be passionate about your cause and trust yourself. Spread your ripple to people just like Martin Luther King Jr. did.

time, so we can pursue our passion.

Even there, my mother sets very high expectations for us and accepts nothing but our personal best. We both dream to be on the US National Women’s Soccer Team, and she shows us the way to get there, supporting us in our journey to the top. She will do whatever is necessary to see us succeed.

I know my sister and I take our mother for granted because we often forget what it takes for her to always be there for us and how lucky we really are. We are being raised to value the importance of maturity, intelligence, love, and compassion. Not everyone has a privilege of being raised by a strong single mother, but I am very thankful that I have! I admire my mother.

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Decisions By: Alexis Denny, 7th grade, Sashabaw Middle School, Clarkston

D

ecisions are an imperative constituent of our lives. The decisions that we make now have the power to change and affect one another. By making good decisions, we can generate ripples each and every day.

There are people who believe that it is not feasible to always go out of their way for someone else. It is important to grasp the idea that doing something for someone does not have to be an “ordeal.”

Every day provides many opportunities to help others; we just need to notice them. When the man in front of you at the store opens his wallet and all of his change comes down like Niagara Falls, help him. Just the simple act of helping him collect it all creates a human bond and shows that people care for each other. When the mom, carrying her baby and holding her daughter's hand, walks out of the store and her bag of groceries

rips sending all of her food into a spiraling flight, help her. She would most definitely appreciate the well-needed help.

When the elderly couple is trailing along behind you out of the cinema, no matter how cold or tired you may be, take a moment to hold the door for them. They will recognize that, and inevitably, you'll see smiles on their faces and feel a smile lit up your own.

By: Lori Wilson, 8th grade, Junior High School, Clarkston

I

Light

FEBRUARY 2017

n the darkness I see it: the lit up steeple of a church. The warm light glowing through the night is soft orange glow, gleaming in my eyes and reflecting onto my pupils. Light can't be hidden. Even the tiniest of candles lit on a dark night creates light that penetrates the darkness.

As living creatures, we are drawn to light. Light is a symbol of love and warmth. We each have a unique light within us that reflects in the eyes of those around us. Our light is who we are- it is our example of goodness and truth. That example is a powerful thing. The example of one person can change our lives and beliefs. When we were little children

Many people will forget this the next day, but some will remember and, in turn, do this for someone else. Either way, you have made a ripple. To make a ripple is to make a good choice. It is to do what you know is right, regardless of attitudes and perceptions of others. Doing this just says so much more about you.

and didn't know how to walk, talk, or do anything on our own, we watched and followed the example of the people around us. We learned through the light of example.

Just as we walk through the light of examples of others, we have light of our own. We can be the light of love and warmth that draws people to want to be like us and to be around us. I believe that with the light of example comes the power to affect people’s lives and change the world. Our light can outshine the darkness and beckon those around us to also seek the light. Our actions may be small, but they make a difference. It might be a small difference, but we change the world one step at a time. One light lit after another; we can make this world a better place.

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C O L L E G E TO U R

Katie Cavellier Senior, Michigan State University Major: Nursing Anna Iselli, 11th grade , High School, Lake Orion

Y

ou are studying to be a nurse.

Do you think that you can start a positive ripple within your

career?

I am hoping to work as a pediatric nurse, which is a great opportunity to start a positive ripple by providing love and comfort to sick children, who often arrive at the hospital feeling anxious and scared.

When I was 10 years old, I met an incredible nurse. She took care of me in the hospital for a week while I was very sick. She was extremely gentle and kind, and I especially remember her helping me to feel less afraid of all that was happening around me. Her presence made a big difference for me. After my stay at the hospital, I knew that I wanted to be a nurse someday and help children in the same way that my comforting nurse had helped me. She made a ripple, and if I am able to touch even one child’s heart and inspire him or her to become

a nurse, too, I will be incredibly grateful, knowing that I have continued the ripple that began many years ago.

In what ways do the staff’s attitudes influence the overall well-being of patients?

Believe it or not, the attitudes of the people involved in patient care greatly affect the well-being of every one of their patients. If a doctor is having a bad day, for example, and she just wants to go home, she may not be as attentive as usual and may miss a very important finding. By having a negative attitude, the doctor puts all of her patients’ lives at risk. On the flip side, if that same doctor had a positive attitude when visiting her patients, she would be able to establish more trusting relationships with those individuals, which in turn makes them feel more comfortable knowing that they are receiving the best care.

Were there any colleagues that started a ripple that affected you?

One of my colleagues is known for his sense of humor. When we are feeling stressed out, he always knows just how to lighten the mood and make us laugh. I hope to continue this ripple by using humor with my patients to brighten their days and make them smile. Plus, everyone knows the old saying, ‘Laughter is the best medicine’!”

We are taking application for Volunteers and Internship.

For more information contact info@kidsstandard.com

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www.KidsStandard.org

F E AT U R E

Quality Urgent Care 7 DAYS A WEEK MON-FRI 10AM-10PM & SAT & SUN 9AM-9PM

$20 FOR SPORTS PHYSICALS

BEAUMONT DOCTORS ON SITE

248-775-0200

4764 Dixie Hwy Waterford MI 48329 FEBRUARY 2017 www.qualityucmi.com

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NEWS

Kids Standard’s Summer Camp Writing through learning & Learn through Writing

(Clarkston, Lake Orion, Auburn Hills, Rochester Hills, and Pontiac)

Duration: 5 days Time: 9am-3:30 pm Cost: $225 ($45/day) Age: students entering 3 -8 grades Limit: 20

T

o find and tell your own story takes much more than just sitting behind a computer. It takes slowing down, thinking, noticing, questioning, and exploring. We will get up and go!

This five-day camp will provide participants with an opportunity embark

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on a first-hand investigation of their hometown. During the first two days, children will do preliminary research and, guided by thinking maps, explore the downtown, record observations, conduct interviews, and collect information for their stories. Days 3-4 will be dedicated to collaboration and writing.

On Friday, all families will be invited to attend the last hour of the camp to walk through a gallery of stories and find our more about each story by talking to the writers. All stories will be presented to places featured in these stories and published in Kids’ Standard’s Camp electronic issue, shared with families and participants. The best stories will appear

in Kids’ Standard’s September issue.

Young journalists will need to bring their own lunch and snack. Bottled water, a notebook, pen, and small backpack will be provided.

Please note that this camp will involve a walking trip downtown. Students will be divided in groups of four and have a high school mentor assigned to each group.

For more information contact Maggie@kidsstandard.org or call

248-410-3976

School night AT THE FORT 3 story play structure Cafeé and dinner specials Arcades and ride-ons Call for school schedule

7127 Dixie Hwy at White Lake Rd , Clarkston 248-297-5453 www.fortclarkston.com

School night AT THE FORT 3 story play structure Cafeé and dinner specials Arcades and ride-ons Call for school schedule

233 Kay Industrial Dr Lake Orion, MI 48359 248 340 0910 500 East Second Street Rochester MI 48307 248 841 1163

7127 Dixie Hwy at White Lake Rd , Clarkston

248-297-5453 www.fortclarkston.com Visit flipspotgym.com for more info

KPA I DRSE N CT O ’RSNCE O RRNER

Sending a By: Patti Charette, Youth/Outreach Coordinator, North Oakland Community Coalition, Lake Orion

W

hen people consider the aftermath of the recent Presidential election and the resulting bedlam that has ensued, many may be asking, “What is missing in our society and how can we, as individuals, make a difference?” The answer, plain and simply, is acceptance.

We live in a society of free speech and free thinking.

Somewhere along the way, however, this freedom has been falsely misinterpreted to mean that we can express our disfavor through actions of violence, vandalism, or contempt. What role can we play in triggering that first positive ripple that can ultimately reverberate throughout our society and the world?

Whether we are speaking about the acceptance of an election, of people amongst us who subscribe to a different faith, religion, or sexual orientation, or of an outcast in school, we have to realize that it starts within each one of us. We must assume the individual responsibility for ourselves by adopting acceptance of others, of other points of view, of other faiths, and simply of winning and losing.

We can do this by drawing on our inner faiths that are inherently guided by good will for all men, kindness, and compassion for others. We must learn tolerance through acceptance and model the same good behavior that we learned as children through sportsmanship: by winning or losing gracefully .

Personally, I recall being a particularly bad loser as a kid, but no adult has ever told me to make a sign to blame the referee for my loss, or break a storefront window, or start a fire in the street because I thought it wasn’t fair.

As individuals, we must set the expectation for those who

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follow us, most notably our children, that in life, there will be winners and losers, and things will not always go our way.

Moreover, through acceptance, we will be armed with the tools to cope with life’s inequities.

Acceptance also means that we must accept responsibility for our own behavior. There is no justification for name calling, labeling, and destructive or immoral actions. A positive dialogue is always a better way to resolve disagreements and understand each other.

In short, it starts with every one of us - one single person.

Individually, when we learn, model, and teach acceptance, we represent that single pebble that sends off the ripples of hope for a better world. Regardless whether we are big fish in a little pond or little fish in a big pond, we all can make a huge difference within our section of the largest pond we inhibit - our Earth.

www.KidsStandard.org

Women Helping Women Luncheon & Fashion Show

SAVE

the

DATE

Saturday, May 6, 2017 The Royal Park Hotel | Rochester, MI

To benefit the women at Grace Centers of Hope.

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www.KidsStandard.com • Issue 02, April 2011

A RT S

Arts

Avva B (1st Grade)

Jerry (7th Grade)

Avva B (1st Grade)

Virginia N (4th Grade )

Virginia N (4th Grade)

want to see your art printed?

You don’t need any experience, just send us some work you are proud of. This is your newspaper!

Submit your work via email to kids@KidsStandard.com

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Standard Standard

www.KidsStandard.org

Arts A RT S

Nick P (2nd Grade- Liverpool)

Kira W (2nd Grade- Syracuse)

Cameron R, 12 Years old from Cicero

Samantha I (2nd Grade- Buldwinsville)

Send us your art, poetry, stories...

FEBRUARY 2017

Jon R ( 5th Grade- Liverpool)

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Volunteer Application Volunteer Application

We are looking for volunteers for areas of administration, after school programs and many other initiatives. Please submit your application to info@kidsstandard.org or call 248-410-3976 for any question.

Contact Information Organization Name Name of Person Address City State ZIP Code Contact Number E-Mail Address

Availability During which hours are you available for volunteer assignments?

☐Weekday mornings

☐Weekday afternoons

☐Weekday evenings

☐Weekend mornings

☐Weekend afternoons

☐Weekend evenings

During which days and hours are you available for volunteer assignments?

Days Available: ______________________________________ Hours available: ____________________

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www.KidsStandard.org

2017 CLARKSTON OPTIMIST CLUB ORATORICAL CONTEST

TOPIC: What the World Gains from Optimism What is an Oratorical Contest – A 4 to 5 minute speech on the topic above.

WHO: 6th – 12th graders – under the age of 18 as of October 1, 2016 WHERE: Clarkston Junior High School WHEN: Monday, March 13, 2017 6:00 p.m.

CLUB PRIZES: Male Student

1st place $200

2nd place $100

3rd place $50

Female Student 1st place $200

2nd place $100

3rd place $50

World Oratorical awards scholarship prizes up to

$22,500

Family members are welcome to attend!

Sponsored by the Clarkston Area Optimist Club.

For rules for the Oratorical contest www.Clarkstonoptimists.org or Optimist International Oratorical Contest or info@clarkstonoptimists.org

P E N PA L

Photo By: Angela Halik Photography

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www.KidsStandard.org

PA R E N T ’ S C O R N E R

The Ripple Effect (Making A Ripple)

Maggie Razdar Publisher/Founder

S

ince human civilization began, individuals have been subjected to hardships as a residual effect of another’s actions.

Even today, we are all subject to the “ripple effect.” Another person’s choices have the potential to impact each one of us, either for the good or the bad. In perfecting our own daily lives, it’s important to remember that the actions we choose will impact others just as their choices will impact ours. Before committing to any action in an effort to perfect your own life, you must consider all those who may potentially be affected. Even something as small as making a snap decision has a way of restricting your vantage point and impairing your ability to clearly see the bigger picture.

Every choice, every action, and every word creates a Ripple.

The more positive Ripples you can make will create a difference by sending more good out into the world. The more good energy you send out, the more good will return to you. This is the Law of Cause and Effect.

For many years, I have studied METAPHYSICAL SCIENCE and worked

FEBRUARY 2017

with the universal laws so I can be in harmony with them. Making a Ripple Package will help you realize how your life (and everyone else’s life) is governed by these laws.

Let’s look at a typical ‘bad day’. We’ve all had those days where everything seems to go wrong. You get up late, drop your coffee on the way out, get every red light on the way to work, need to buy just ONE little item on the way home but there’s a line of ten people in front of you at the cashier… by the time you get home – you’re exhausted and so done with the day. You just want to go to bed. With everything that happened, you got grumpier as the day wore on.

Who wouldn’t, right? I know I’ve done the same thing.

You may have noticed that there is a way that our brain chemistry changes with our mood. When we get stressed out, upset or angry, we go into a very basic sort of survival mode. The creative part of our brain just shuts down.

Adrenaline rises and the fight or flight mode kicks in to various degrees – which doesn’t leave room for higher, more complex thought.

That’s right, being stressed or negative shuts down a part of our brain. And here’s the worst part . . . it’s the part of our brain that is critical to resolving the very things that are stressing us out!

Why? Because where we focus, our mood follows.

I’m not insisting anyone look through the world with rose colored glasses. In fact, if you happen to own a pair of those things, please…throw them out! While rose is a beautiful flower and lovely color, when it comes to attitude . . . it’s more likely denial. I don’t want you to imagine you’ll never have a bad day. What I’m talking about is just giving yourself the gift of awareness so you can notice what

you’re focusing on, and, if appropriate, shift your negative energy before it creates a harmful Ripple.

Now, let’s take that same day from a new perspective – with a ‘leaf’ of positive thought or action. You still get up late, spill coffee and hit way too many red lights. But now you chuckle with each mishap. Yes, you just start laughing at yourself. Of course, your giggles start out forced, but they are just enough of a shift to make a difference. That laughter (even a forced or fake laugh) releases the endorphins in your brain. And guess what?

You will start feeling better.

Your laughter generates a positive feedback loop that allows the creative centers of your brain to kick back in.

The more you focus on the positive, the more positive you become. You become positive, the world around you becomes positive and naturally full of happiness.

You initiate positive Ripples in the world around you. Don’t you agree?

These positive Ripples matter. Your actions and reactions to everything in your life affects your children’s behavior. The slamming of a door or a harsh word said in haste can have a far-reaching impact; wouldn’t you rather that impact be one that is positive as you go forward? The things that you say and do are so powerful that the Ripples you make today will impact future generations. Your influence will have far-reaching implications as your Ripples expand into the future.

You have a Ripple effect in your home!

As I visit many schools, I realize they are encouraging students to make positive Ripples with actions and words. And I, for one, am certain the students who are involved in making a Ripple are encouraged by their parents, who are making abundant Ripples as well.

I hope you are one of them!

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Motivate. Activate. Celebrate.

Continuing to Empower Kids to Research, Think, Read, Learn and Write

SECOND ANNUAL FUNDRAISER

COMEDY EVENT

Parents, Teachers & Community Members LAUGH WITH

Group table of 10 for

JASON DOUGLAS

$700.00 (invite your

www.FunnyComedian.com DJ BY

Friends, Family & Co-Workers)

MIRROR BALL PRODUCTION

Heavy Hors d ‘Oeuvres / Open (Wine & Beer) Bar/ Sweet Treats

EVENING ENTERTAINMENT

DJ, DANCING, COMEDY, RAFFLES, 50/50, SILENT AUCTION

WHERE?

Oakhurst Golf & Country Club at 7000 Oakhurst Ln, Clarkston, MI 48348

WHEN?

Friday, March 24th, 2017/ 7pm-11pm

TICKET?

$75

Attire: Business Casual or Cocktail

Kids’ Standard Publication is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization Your Support is Tax Deductible.

To Purchase your ticket go to www.kidsstandard.org/event