Perspectives: PTSD Student Art 2016

Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader

Wednesday, June 8, 2016 • C 1

Perspectives PORT TOWNSEND SCHOOL DISTRICT ART 2016 - SPECIAL FOCUS

Mrs. Eraser

“Urchin” by Violet Moell, Grade 7

When Mr. Pencil makes a mistake, coming in to save the day is Mrs. Eraser.

ZIP! ZOOM! CLEAR! • Ari Baker-Cruz, Grade 2

Sea Shell

I see this sea shell as… a scoop, a spoon, or even a bed for a fairy.

It’s pink, white, brown, and orange.

The inside is shiny.

The outside is dull.

It has crevices, spots, lines and more.

Some people see it as a plain old sea shell…

But I see it as so much more.

• Tilly Norton, Grade 2

Fire Star

You devour crickets like a flash and baby mice like lightning eating meal worms before they dig and start breeding.

• Orlando Burrows, Grade 2

Sharks

Way under the ocean lay sharks.

They hunt and their tails swish… back and forth.

• Damien Ilarraza, Grade 1

Jamie Rogers, Grade 9

The One I Never Knew Great grandma I sleep with the quilt you made.

I lay there with many questions about you.

Idalya Stevenson, Kindergarten

I sit there going through your sewing kit As all memories arise.

All things you had were what you were.

Can’t you stay for the questions I have?

I don’t know much I know what I’ve heard.

Great grandma do you sit up in the sky Watching.

Great grandma who we dearly miss.

• Peyton Clanton, Grade 6

War never changes

War is loud and unforgiving he takes what he wants and destroys what he doesn’t he is angry and insecure war is comfortable with his ritual a shadow of fear, a wave of pain intolerant of safety, lonely, and colorless war tortures memory, in a community of distress he controls loss, and has certainty in his rules he’s a dystopian land ravaged by death war envy’s an end that will never come • Troy McKelvey, Grade 7

Wildflower Meadow

I am the warm sun gently shining on the ground below.

I am the tall tree standing patiently at the edge of the meadow.

I am the gently waving grass growing thin and green.

I am the yellow faced daisy waving slightly with all my white neighbors.

I am a small potato bug crawling over the uneven dirt.

I am the soil laying underneath the world watching the world go by.

I am a grey rabbit looking at it all from the shade of the trees.

• Holly Cochrane, Grade 6 Alyziah Hamblett, Grade 9

Haven McMillen, Grade 6

C 2 • Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader

If You Meet a Rock

“Coho Salmon” by Jackson Slater, Grade 5

Rock, where have you been?

What have you seen?

Are you ancient?

Have you seen ancient Egypt or ancient Greece?

Dinosaurs maybe?

Oh, so calm. Oh, so still.

Old rock, are you hollow?

Are you solid?

Oh rock, oh rock, I like you.

• Luca Tapogna, Grade 2

Swift Salmon: a Poem for Two Voices Wake up I am blurry eyed Be swift I already jumped Be careful Down the current Beware I pass a bear about to gulp my siblings down his throat It’s okay, you can cry, duck down Fisherman?

Yah I’m hungry Don’t do it Ok That’s a good salmon What about shrimp?

That’s okay Who are you?

I fear I cannot tell you Why can’t you tell me? You trust me don’t you?

Yes butaaaaaaaaaaaaa hhhhhhhhhhh I remember the first time I went down a waterfall!

Am I a salmon fillet?

Uh…no Phew Wait, yes • Rennie O’Donnell, Grade 3

Who Am I?

Red tail, flying fast Good seeing eyes to find prey Sharp beak for eating I am a Red Tail Hawk!

• Luke O’Hara, Kindergarten

Snow

Cold, brrrrr…

Makes me shiver in my bones.

White • Rigel Sloat, Kindergarten

Snow

Snow quiet, cold snowball fight, snow angels it feels so soft melt • Zane Nichols, Kindergarten

Ice Cream

I like Ice Cream because it is sweet and I love it!

• Jessica Joan Hynson, Kindergarten

The Way Parents Are

Fiona Krienke, Grade 7

Pelilu Wines, Grade 1

Mom and Dad won’t let me get… a toy teddy bear!

But, I have a plan…

I will behave ALL DAY LONG, but…

Only if you will get me That toy teddy bear!

• Joy Goff, Grade 1

Devin Sherfick, Grade 3

How peaceful is Wisconsin?

How peaceful the sparkling emerald-green water is, filled with silvery minnows, swimming happily as though contented by everything.

How peaceful the woods surrounding the cabin are, green and leafy, with dappled sunlight coming through the branches that are waving in the still morning air.

Kayaking, how peaceful it is, the water silver from the sun, lily pads bobbing in the water cascading behind you as you paddle slowly, as to capture the beauty of the lake.

How peaceful is the night of the 4th of July, sitting around a campfire, telling spooky stories and roasting marshmallows, the light of your fire as the only thing illuminating your family’s faces.

How peaceful is this place, with lakes and rivers

“Barack Obama” by Blaine Chisick, Grade 8

with kayaking and swimming with trees and lily pads with boats and docks with cabins and campfires with eagles and deer?

How peaceful is this beautiful place?

How peaceful is Wisconsin?

• Sylvia Butterfield, Grade 4

Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader

Wednesday, June 8, 2016 • C 3

Christian Pepper, Grade 4

Seasons

The Water

I see the sea the seals bobbing their heads I smell the salty air I hear the waves coming on land I see the warm sand shiny and glittery gold I feel crabs under rocks tickling my hand while they scurry away.

I taste water salty.

The sand gritty.

• Sa�re Nix, Grade 2

Spring Summer Autumn Winter

McCoy Colvin, Grade 3

The Beautiful Ocean

I see beautiful fish.

I smell the ocean breeze.

I hear the waves crashing against the rocks.

I feel squishy sand running between my hands.

I taste the water getting in my mouth. It tastes like salt.

• Hailey Rowland, Grade 2

Sleepy

Sleepy lives in a pillow and sleeps all day Sleepy doesn’t have a friend She carries a dream • Frances Lynch, Grade 1

Elwah Dam

• Molly Lance, Kindergarten

King Coho Pink Steelhead Destroying all that tries to pass Finally, BOOM! They’re back!

• Isabella Mason, Grade 4

Seal

Life

Life is like a pie That has crust Like a person has layers Life that you must trust Life is like a pie Ages and gets old Filled with so many flavors Life is good • Basil Williamson and Beau Ramey, Grade 8

My Body Poem My fingers are as wiggly as a worm My feet are as stinky as a dumpster My bones are as hard as math Nathan Keever, Grade 1

Spring is cool and fun to play in the spring, and flowers bloom. But sometimes you want to plant seeds and will go outside and you have fun.

Winter has snow falling down and lakes freeze and fish swim under frozen water and snow falls under. In autumn leaves change color and fall down and leave the trees bare and make the trees cold.

In summer it is hot and most of the day you’re outside and you wear sunglasses.

“Common Loon” byPatrick Jaramillo, Grade 7

Grey as morning fog, Swimming with the blue of sky and water, Swimming through water like an arrow, Resting in caves, sunbathing on rocks, Feasting on fish and squid Seal, I wonder what your bark says to silly seagulls?

• Finn Schultz, Grade 1

The Winter

As the kettle drums play their lowest notes The snow white thread sews the ice cold snow.

The rabbits beg for food from the snow king, While the flowers freeze for winter.

When the kettle drums stop, Winter is over.

Now Queen Spring awakens.

• Nathan Wald, Grade 4

Phoenix

Elisabeth Erickson, Kindergarten

Swooping through the fierce flames.

Wearing a coat of orange, red, and yellow.

Disappearing in a poof of smoke.

Reappearing in coals and ash.

Beak and talons made of gold.

Eyes forged from embers.

Feathers made of sparks.

The bird of myth.

• Benja Green, Grade 3

Christian Adams, Grade 7

Traycen Brown, Grade 3

C 4 • Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader

WALKING The day started out like any old day, any thing could happen. I could of gone to school and learn, then go home and do my homework, play some video games, have some dinner and go to bed. That would equal a perfect day, but no day is perfect right? Well, my day was like death, which it was, literally.

So now you probably want to know what happened.

Well the death comes in at school, close to school. It comes to me on the way to Berdens Elementary. I was walking down 21st street. I could smell the fresh scent of morning dew on the leaves and grass, and felt the mist brushing across my smooth, reddish, pink face. All of the houses were hiding with their insides with silk across their crystal clear squares and circles. Some were glowing, some were dark, and some had living shadows dancing from window to window.

“Malcolm X” by Silas DeWyse, Grade 7

The day was looking good so far. The walk was going fine too. Me in my blue down coat and black sport pants, with my brown hair waving in the morning breeze. The ground under my feet was rock solid the glass that is protecting my eyes was cold and icy. As I stopped at the faded white lines placed nicely across the rigid gray river of asphalt. On the other side of it was a flat brick building that had the word Berdens Elementary typed across the front.

What Makes Life Worth Living

What makes life worth living is merely life itself Most people aim for answers held much higher on the shelf Life can have rough stages and that I will not doubt But the experiences you get out of it’s what life is all about • Skyler Watkins, Grade 11

Then I looked both ways. The side on my left was an empty ribbon of gray laid across the earth. On my right was a little hill with a gray strip placed on it. There were no blocks with wheels attached to them. So I crossed the river of gray. Half way across, the world exploded. Well it felt like it. Actually I got ran over by a bus. But I think the world exploding sounds cooler.

Never Ending Hate In never ending hate Some see everlasting love In the hollow silence Some hear joyful sounds In the eerie darkness Some see a peaceful light In an intimidating nightmare Some see a jubilant dream In you I see change And in me I see hope • Lydia Arthur, Grade 11

• Aiden Duffy, Grade 4

What is a Snowflake?

Dagaste Green, Grade 10

Is it the tear of an Angel, or the making of winter?

Is it a drop of moonlight, drifting down, or the clouds spreading apart?

Is it a special jewel of Christmas day, or a splash of winter washing over you?

Is it a pup’s cry for his mom, or a drop of water from an icicle?

• Cyra Hettle, Grade 5

Solomon McCready, Grade 8

I am a crazy energetic humanoid

I am a crazy, energetic humanoid that likes science.

I wonder if and when we will colonize Mars.

I hear the stars flying through the sky.

I see the tiny molecules in the air.

I want to be a scientist.

I am a crazy, humanoid that likes science.

I pretend I am really awesome, I really am.

I feel the Milky Way. I touch all the microscopic insects on my hand.

I worry that one day there will be a World War Three.

I cry about all the people living in poverty.

I am a crazy, humanoid that likes science.

I dream of one day being a scientist or a physicist.

I try to be very athletic.

I hope that I become really smart.

I am a crazy, humanoid that likes science.

• Ashton Meyer-Bibbins, Grade 5

Conen Boysen, Grade 2

“Du Bois” by Megan White, Grade 8

Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader

Wednesday, June 8, 2016 • C 5

Hiking One day, we decided to go hiking. So my dad, my cousin Eva, her dad, and I went. Our moms stayed home with our little brothers and my little sister. We decided to bring ski poles because it was a steep hike. Then we got into the car. It was an hour-long drive.

Barefoot?

Have your feet ever been confined in your warm, dark, moist, shoes the whole day and all you want to do is kick them off? I believe that people should be able to walk around barefoot ANYWHERE, without getting yelled at.

A reason that I think you should be able to walk around barefoot anywhere, is because it is healthy for your feet.

One example is, if you have putrid foot odor, and you stamp it out in the dirt, it will get less strong. Another reason is that bacteria and fungi like dark places (such as your shoes), so if you’re in your shoes all day everyday, there is a chance that you could have some on your feet. If you have athlete’s foot, you can get rid of it by simply exposing it to dry air. Lastly, many studies have shown that most problems on your feet are caused in some way by your shoes.

A place I believe you should be able to take off your shoes in is in public. Firstly, it is perfectly and absolutely legal in many places. Plus, it would not be against any religion. Thirdly, in some places it is common for people to be barefoot everywhere. One other thing is some stores actually have a “no shoes, no shirt, no problem!” sign.

One more reason I believe that you should be able to walk anywhere barefoot without getting yelled at, is there are no legal concerns in the U.S. For example, there is no health code saying you can’t enter establishments barefoot. Another example is, no federal or state laws in the U.S. say you can’t be barefoot in public. Again, the “no shoes, no shirt, no problem!” sign.

Lastly, there are only some boardwalks and government buildings that require you to wear shoes.

In conclusion, I hope you agree with my reasons. Do you prefer to go barefoot or with shoes on? I hope you go barefoot more because of this.

Satria McKnight, Kindergarten

Why you should have a dog I think dogs are the best pet for children. Having a loving and loyal dog can make a child feel special.

Some children with learning difficulties or differences feel more comfortable around dogs than they do people.

Dogs never give orders and they don’t give commands.

They are always caring and people feel safe when they are around.

Dogs can help you feel good about yourself. Dogs need to go out for walks, so they help you exercise. Caring for a dog helps a child learn routine and responsibility.

Having a dog is a big but fun responsibility. I think you should have a dog.

• Sophia Frank, Grade 5

• Cosey Mo Baxter, Grade 4

When we got there, we parked, then found the path and started walking.

When we were about halfway up the mountain, we saw a banana slug and it truly looked like a banana slug! It was in the shape of a banana. It had some brown dots. We stopped to look at it for a moment and continued up the mountain.

At last, we got to the top! We sat down and ate sandwiches. When we finished, we had not really looked at the view.

It was beautiful. There were spectacular green mountains and a delightful blue sky with not a single cloud in sight. After a few minutes of looking at the view we started down the trail. After what seemed like an hour, we finally got to the bottom. I was so relieved. My legs felt like cooked spaghetti. We got into the car and drove away. The end • Finnula Giedt, Grade 3

Blake Hageman, Grade 2

An excerpt from the scorpion scene from “The Pearl” by John Steinbeck, told from Juana’s Point of View The morning was one of others but I could feel something in the air that was going to make this morning either a prosperous morning or terrible morning and that would leave a mark on our family. But something made me feel the good and evil of the morning. I could hear and smell the danger in the air gliding through the house. It glided right into Coyotito’s hanging box. I could barely see a scorpion moving slowly down the rope that supported the box. Evil was then added to the mixture in the air.

Ella Feldman, Grade 2

I closed my eyes and started whispering ancient magic words that I combined with a hail to the Virgin Mary. As I closed my eyes I saw Kino swiftly run across the dirt leaving a trail of dust behind him. Either Kino would catch the deadly scorpion or the magic would save Coyotito. The baby hit the rope and the scorpion fell onto his shoulder. The stinger impacted the skin as the scorpion hit Coyotito. I opened my eyes and saw Kino grind the insect to dust.

• Joseph Meyering, Grade 7 Hannah Wilson, Grade 10

C 6 • Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader

Things that are Distant though Near

Love.

Morning on a dark night.

The stars and watery moon.

An old friend.

The finish line.

The freeness of summer.

The audience.

The bottom of the sea.

The top of the wall.

Words.

The ache of laughter.

The falling of rusty-colored leaves.

The island on the lake.

The shadows on the next street corner.

Life.

Death.

• Mya Dow, Grade 6

Kaya Campbell, Kindergarten

Yellow vs. Purple

In Remembrance of 9/11: Reflection in the Window

Yellow is a sun; peeking through the cotton balls in the sky Purple is a plum; dancing its way out of a tree Yellow is the color of a bee buzzing through its busy day Purple is the color of midnight making its way through the mysterious night Yellow is joy, the weekend has come Purple is relief, the week is finished Yellow is like a lemon, changing my simple water into refreshing lemonade Purple is as high as a kite flowing in the wind Yellow’s cousins are orange and green Purple’s best friends are blue and red

I took a look and took a thought At what I saw from here My reflection clear as clear as day Not going anywhere

Red drips, my heart falls For in the heartbreak, I feel pain The pain is so defining, it makes me cry The blood pouring from my heart is like a stormy rain I can hear an echoing, it calls My heart is like a bird, it flies away My heart is like glass, itWorms can shatter When I step outside I see the sadness of May Worms My father always asks, what’s the Have zero legsmatter Come out on wet days • Live in gardens in the dirt Nikki Robison and ImogenLive Williamson, Do you like worms?

Grade 7 Worms

I had a thought a random thought That filled me with odd grief If I had died and not returned to My sweet family Wednesday, June 17, 2015 • B 7

Dylan Wald, Kindergarten

I took a look to see how this thought had come to mind And at this point my reflection had lost my mind

Things to Angry do in the Ocean

Invent a secret language with the sea turtles, make sure nobody hears.

Capture the pearls from the tight mouth clam.

Evah Steffen, Grade 1

Stop the evil sea monster, make sure he doesn’t steal your pearls!

Promise the pretty mermaid you will Keep her secrets.

I saw a plane too close to dodge Alex Lindert, Grade 6 and this is my end I see refl ecting back at me Mustang • Put yourself into the mind of a mustang.

Max Durban, Imagine the freedom Grade 8 of galloping through the soft spring grass,

Slide down the slippery seaweed and race the squid.

Emerald Bailey, Grade 7

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Stinky

Under Sculpt the wet sand Weed Dearand Stinky, makeThe the most spectacular sand castle, sleep in it.

Under thethen weed Why do you There are roots Follow me • Under the roots Everywhere There is dirt I go?

Lean Harrison, Under the dirt There is a mole Grade 5 From,

Gideon Goff, Grade 2

Yemaya Rubenstein, Kindergarten

Dear Corporal, You’re a pretty good leader but you could be a bit more bossy like I would do.

Be careful or you’re going to be fired!

Kaylie Proctor, Grade 12

Have I Ever Told You Luna, have I ever told you How your silky fur calmed me How I can still hear Your quiet purrs Echoes in the dark How your gentleness Touched me.

How, in the last days, I felt my heart was breaking

feeling wind’s minty breath crawl through your sleek mane, grazing upon the warm sun-washed greens, resting after a long exploration through the tasty dandelion meadow.

Lilliana Peters, Grade 3

Ciara Halligan, Grade 9

Editor’s Note: Surprised We hope that you will enjoy these student Trees Surprised is a dog who finds from Port Townsend School District. creations He hears the sound of a his boy. chainsaw, “Buzz, Buzz!”

Surprised is aWe boy whose dog would like to thank The Leader, our He saw dead tree brothers jumps on him. colleagues, and sisters.

Surprised is a boy and a dog and our incredibly creative students He was sad and lonely who are now best friends. for helping this project continue happen. knowing that he would be Julian Zavalza, Grade 1 next.

We also thank the Washington State Arts He wished someone would do something, like not be Commission, and ART WORKS for their support so greedy, Poem to his animal friends are going ofTusker thisBehrenfeld, work.

Grade 5 to be homeless! a Plastic – Luci Chambers, Jason Lynch, Brett Navin It was too late, the chainsaw

Army Man

Editor’s Note: We hope that you will enjoy these student creations from Port Townsend School District. We would like to thank The Leader, our colleagues, and our incredibly creative students for helping this project continue happen. We also thank the Washington State Arts Commission and the Port Townsend ArtScape for their support of this work.

– Dana Nelson, Luci Chambers, Jason Lynch

There was a child went forth, And what he saw he refused to become.

A torch A lighter A drug An addict A father abandoning his children What he saw he refused to become.

There was a child went forth, And what she saw she became.

A struggle A challenge An amazing, strong woman A mother willing to fight for her children A mother fighting to get better.

A mother doing whatever it took to make her children happy Her child went forth And she saw how strong her mother was, And strong is what she became.

• Tori Rogers, Grade 11

A stockbroker is what I was I worked here everyday

Heartbreak

Angry is as red as blood Angry sounds like someone calling someone stupid Angry tastes like rotten food Angry smells like a rotten cake Angry looks like a rash It makes me feel mad

It’s sunny outside and the birds are singing The leaves are still, and I can hear the ocean from my window Feet out the window going 80 down the highway, with the music so loud I can barely hear my thoughts.

1,290 miles away from things I once thought mattered. to a place where night was only the beginning Beach waved hair and salty skin new restaurants every night, new faces every day From a town where night ended the life Palm trees above my head, and sandals always on my feet.

Melting ice creams and hot concrete Music all around Just to think the place I call home, the place I always want to be, is only twenty hours away • Emerys Shaw, Grade 11

A Child Went Forth

I was sitting in my o�ce not knowing what to do I took a look at my monitor And typed a line or two

Are yellow and purple really that di�erent?

• Aurin Asbell, Grade 6

n County Leader

20 Hours Away

was digging in him.

Then he fell over.

Henry Trail, Grade 3

Strong Stong is as gray as a cloud.

Strong sounds like thunder.

Strong tastes like mussels.

Strong smells like cookie dough.

Sophie Benskin, Grade 9

My Mom My mom is beautiful, She loves to garden, She helps me when I have hard homework, My mom smiles when I eat all my food, She can’t go to the Arctic with me Because she doesn’t like cold places.

But the best thing about my mom is she Reads me bedtime stories.

I’m really glad she is my

Sunny Rae Pahrmann, Grade 4

Into a million tiny shards How, now that you’re gone, There is an emptiness No light can penetrate Have I ever told you How the world stopped turning Time stopped moving When you left me • Grace Wentzel, Grade 6