Kids’ Chronicle
Volume 3, Issue 1 Semester 1, 2016
Purpose We are proud to continue publishing Kids’ Chronicle. This tradition began with former Lower School Prin-
Amazing Authors in Lower School
cipal, Joyce Rasmussen.
We all learned valuable
3-Year-Old Preschool After reading the fairytale, “Jack and the Beanstalk”, the students in Pre-K 3 talked about what they would do with magic beans. Here are some of their responses: I would throw them out the window and wake up and find a beanstalk outside my window. I would climb up the beanstalk and go to the Giant’s Castle. I would ask him if I could have his magic harp, but I would not steal it because that is a bad choice.
By Rachel
I would plant the magic
lessons from Joyce. Joyce began the Kids’ Chronicle
seeds and hope that sunflowers grow. By Camryn I would put them in the dirt and when a beanstalk grows, I will climb it and ask the Giant if I can play with his toys. By Chase I would grow a beanstalk and climb up it to the Giant’s Castle. When the Giant falls asleep, I would ask him for his harp so I can give it to my mom. By Kayden I would grow a bean stalk that goes to Jupiter and I would jump up and down when
because she strongly believed in highlighting the talents of each and every I got there! By Jovan
student. Our Lower School
I would grow a magic beanstalk that goes to the Giant’s Castle. I would climb the beanstalk and tell the hen to lay a golden egg. By Alec
share this belief. Kids’
We all agreed that having a beanstalk to climb would be a lot of fun, but taking things from the Giant is not a good choice! Jack should give everything back and say he is sorry!
faculty and administration Chronicle is a vehicle through which we can showcase the creative writings of all our stu-
dents. Half of the students have an entry published in the First Semester issue, and the remaining children will be featured in the Spring. As you read through the
4-Year-Old Preschool
publication, we aim not only
In Pre-K4 we did an author study on Eric Carle! After reading The Grouchy Ladybug we talked about things that make us grouchy. We recorded the responses and each child posed for a picture showing their grouchy face! Below are a few responses: Ahmad is grouchy when his brother stares at him. Bryce is grouchy when he can't go to school. Cormac is grouchy when he can't go to the pool. Andrew is grouchy when his dad wakes him up too early. Layla is grouchy when her dog rips her toys. Naya is grouchy when she eats too much food. Cameron is grouchy when his brother gets in the bathtub first. Raymond is grouchy when his mom tells him he has to eat chicken. Hailey is grouchy when she can't find her blankie. Colin is grouchy when he is outside.
but also to illustrate the
to celebrate individuals, writing continuum throughout the Lower School. The
growth in writing is impressive and we hope you may also witness this incredible development.
Kindergartners Hopes and Dreams In order to build a positive learning environment, the kindergartners in Ms. Misulonas’ and Ms. Davis’ classes collaborated on Peaceful Promises for classroom behavior. Giving children a voice in creating classroom “rules” helps build a sense of ownership for the students. We promise to … 1. Be kind 2. Help each other 3. Say sorry 4. Use nice words 5. Keep our hands to ourselves 6. Listen 7. Raise our hands 8. Use an inside voice
The goal is for children to see our “rules” as a way of fostering the kind of community where everyone is respected and works together. As part of this process, we discussed why we come to school and what each of us is hoping to do or learn this year.
Be healthy and smart. (Mackenzie) Be like my mommy. (London) Be a teacher. (Leah) Be a construction worker. (Joshua) Learn how to read. (Cydnee) Be a teacher. (Conrad) Have fun. (Mia) Learn lots of science. (Kaiden) Draw lots of pictures. (Adeline) Count to 100. (Jaiden) Be a good listener. (Jordan) Learn to cook. (Niahmaya) Play baseball in gym. (Zion) To learn to read. (Vincent) Learn to do math. (Ethan)
Our Hopes and Dreams for Kindergarten are the following: “This year in Kindergarten, I hope to … Play on the monkey bars. (Charlie M.) Play nicely. (Stephanie) Read, to spell, and to be a daddy.
(Charlie D.) Do cooking. (Riley) Be good in line. (Anthony) Read. (Alec) Be a great listener. (Victoria) Get good grades. (Matthew)
If You Give a First Grader an Oreo... First graders participated in a collaborative, cross-curricular O.R.E.O. Project. As part of their language arts component, students were asked to share their opinions on how best to eat an Oreo cookie. Enjoy their stories! If you give a kid an Oreo she will make up a dance about how good they are. She will tell you there is only one way to eat an Oreo. First put it on a plate and decorate it with sprinkles. Next put it in a bowl and crumble it up. Then add ten cups of sugar to make it taste sweeter. Last stir it real good and eat it.
By Maya
If you give a kid an Oreo he will run around in circles because he is so happy. He will tell you there is only one way to eat an Oreo. First take the top off. Next use your teeth to scrape
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the cream off. Then put the two brown pieces in your mouth and eat them up.
By Cole
If you give a kid an Oreo he will sing a song about Oreos. He will tell you there is only one way to eat an Oreo. First run around your house and squeeze it in your hands. Then he will put the crumbs in a bowl of ice cream. Last eat it.
By Tony
If you give a kid an Oreo he will tell you thank you. I can’t wait to eat it. He will say there is only one way to eat an Oreo. First put in the oven for 20 minutes to get it hot. Next put frosting and sprinkles on it. Then mix it up with a mixer. Add some sugar and mix it again. Last eat it with a friend then make it again and again and again and
again!
By Connor If you give a kid an Oreo she will tell you that Oreos are magnificent. She will say there is only one way to eat an Oreo. First put it in the blender. Next add strawberries, chocolate chips, strawberry syrup and marshmallows. Then blend it together. Last pour it in a cup. Now get a bendy straw and enjoy.
By Willow
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First Grade Oreo Stories (cont’d) If you give a kid an Oreo she will say I can’t wait to try it. She will tell you there is only one way to eat an Oreo. First take the black part off with your hand. Next lick the cream. Yumm! Yumm! Crumble! Crumble! Crumble the black part into small pieces and put it in a bowl. Then pour some milk in the bowl. Add sprinkles, whip cream and a slice of strawberry. Now eat it!
By Caileigh
If you give a kid an Oreo her tummy will be happy. It will want to have a dance party. She will tell you there is only one way to eat an Oreo. First you crack it on your head and put the pieces in a bowl with some milk. Next you take the cream off and drop it in the milk so it can get gooey. Then you put in some chocolate tootsies. Last pour the milk off and eat it with a spoon.
By Tenny
If you give a kid an Oreo she will scream this is the best day of my life!
She will tell you there is only one way to eat an Oreo. First open with your hand then lick the white cream then crunch it up to make dipping dots.
By Addison
First Grade Turkey Trouble First graders read the story
Turkey Trouble by
Wendi Silvano. They learned that Turkey is in trouble - bad trouble. The kind of trouble where it's almost Thanksgiving . . . and you're the main course. But Turkey has an idea--what if he doesn't look like a turkey? What if he looks like another animal instead? After many hilarious attempts, Turkey comes up with the perfect disguise to make this Thanksgiving the best ever. Our class wrote clues about the disguises that Turkey should consider! No, no, I’m not a turkey! I’m a cheerleader! See, I’m wearing a uniform, a pony-tail, and pom-poms. I like to do back-flips and cart-wheels. You’ll find me hanging out at my competitions and cheer practice. I love to try my best to win my competitions. Besides, I don’t like to eat turkey for Thanksgiving! You should eat salmon instead, it’s my favorite!
By Alina
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No, no, I’m not a turkey! I’m the robot Tron. See, I’m wearing steel and metal. I like to ride my cyber-car. You’ll find me hanging out in Cyber-land. I love to fight villains. Besides, I don’t like to eat turkey for Thanksgiving. You should eat strings and phone cords instead, they’re my favorite!
By Billy
No, no, I’m not a turkey! I’m a queen! See, I’m wearing a pretty dress and a crown. I have a king. I like to have parades in the forest. You’ll find me hanging out with my king in the castle. I love to dress up. Besides, I don’t like to eat turkey for Thanksgiving! You should eat hotdogs instead, they’re my favorite!
like to eat turkey for Thanksgiving! You should eat cheese-burgers instead, they’re my favorite!
By Edison
No, no, I’m not a turkey! I’m a ballet dancer! See, I’m wearing a ballet costume and ballet shoes. I like to dance and spin. You’ll find me hanging out in a ballet studio. I love to dance. Besides, I don’t like to eat turkey for Thanksgiving! You should eat salmon instead, it’s my favorite!
By Savannah
No, no, I’m not a turkey! I’m a construction worker. See, I’m wearing a hard hat and a jacket. I like to go crazy and build houses. You’ll find me hanging out at stores. I love to drive a scooper truck. Besides, I don’t like to eat turkey for Thanksgiving. You should eat sausage instead, it’s my favorite!
By Teddy
By Samiah
No, no, I’m not a turkey! I’m an Avenger. See, I’m wearing a suit of armor. I like to make more armor. You’ll find me hanging out in the Avenger’s tower. I love to save the world. Besides, I don’t
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Turkey Trouble (cont’d) No, no, I’m not a turkey! I’m a rock star! See, I’m wearing sparkles and a jacket. I like to sing. You’ll find me hanging out at a mansion. I love to play my guitar. Besides, I don’t like to eat turkey for Thanksgiving! You should eat pizza instead, it’s my favorite!
By Ivan
No, no, I’m not a turkey! I’m the Sith Lord. See, I’m wearing black. I like to hunt Jedis. You’ll find me hanging out in hyperspace. I love to get ships. Besides, I don’t like to eat turkey at Thanksgiving! You should eat chicken
instead, it’s my favorite!
By Connor
No, no, I’m not a turkey! I’m a pizza girl. See, I’m wearing a pizza outfit. I like to eat pepperoni pizza. You’ll find me hanging out at a pizza place. I love to make pizza with my mom. Besides, I don’t like to eat turkey for Thanksgiving! You should eat pizza with my family instead, it’s my favorite!
By Madison
No, no, I’m not a turkey! I’m a ballerina! See, I’m wearing leotards and a skirt. I like to do ballet. You’ll find me
hanging out in the ballet room. I love to spin. Besides, I don’t like to eat turkey for Thanksgiving! You should eat mashed potatoes instead, they’re my favorite!
By Autumn
Second Grade Friends are reading. A friend is always kind to you. Friends are cool!
By Bryson
A friend is someone who always has your back. They are always nice to you. First, they share toys and games with you. Next, when you fall down they always help you up. Finally, you can trust them with anything. Friends are awesome and so helpful.
By Cecelia
A “must” for any unit on Kindness, the story of Corduroy shows the children the importance of finding kind and loving friends. We also learn to accept imperfections of those we love, just as Lisa loves Corduroy, missing button and all. Here are the second graders’ thoughts on the true meaning of friendship.
A friend is someone who can help your life. A friend is very handy. You should at least have one friend, if you don’t just make one. First, friends are one of the greatest things in the world. Friends are the
best! Next, friends make you have more luck. Friends share. So, the more friends you have the more luck you get. Finally, if you have 7 friends that’s more luck for you. Friends are always there for you. I’ve had friends for years. Everybody is my friend. I don’t like friends. I love friends!
By Maddy
A friend is someone who helps you with anything you need. First, they help you when you fall. Next, they help you when you can’t figure out what to do. Finally, they help you with your homework. Friends are helpful and nice.
By Delia
A friend makes you feel better when you are sad. A friend plays with you, and we play hide and seek. A friend can help you with homework. A friend can help when you
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Second Grade Letters to Queen Isabella The second graders were asked to pretend that they were Christopher Columbus writing a letter to Queen Isabella. In the letter they were asked to try to convince her to give them ships and money for their journeys to the West. Here are their persuasive letters. Dear Queen, I need the money for three ships. In return, I will promise you silver, gold jewels, pearls and spices. Dear Queen, I hope you will help me. For years my biggest dream has been to sail west. This is your opportunity to make my dreams come true. I will give you the rights to rule the land that I discover. Your friend,
Christopher
By Lyric
Dear Queen, If you give me money for the ships for my journey westward, I’ll give you all the spices and jewels I find. I beg you. I will give you gold and silver. I promise Your Highness, Queen. I’ll give you big dreams, and I’ll give you the rights to the land. I’ve always had big dreams of being a sailor. I’ll even give you the Queen, the journey of a lifetime. Please Queen, I’ll give you whatever you want. Please Queen! Your friend, Christopher
By Amelia
Dear Queen, Please pay me money for ships so I can discover new islands. I will pay you silver, gold, spices and jewels. I beg you in the name of God. Pay me the money and then I will give you those things so you can be happy for all of your entire life. My dream is your dream! Your friend, Christopher
By Adebisi
Second Grade Halloween Mask Mishaps You had the perfect Halloween costume and nobody guessed who was under your disguise. You were so tired from a day and night of trick-ortreating and parties that you just climbed into bed, too exhausted to take off your costume. Imagine the morning after Halloween. You reach up to take off your mask, but it is firmly stuck on your face. Below are the second graders reactions to the frightening predicament. The Halloween party was over. I reached up to take off my mask. It won’t come off! Now, so you know, my mask is a Power Ranger mask and I know just the way to get it off. Since I still have a pumpkin, I can carve the top of it off. So I’m going to watch the Teen Titans Go Halloween episode to see what I need to put in the pumpkin to make the Great Halloween Spirit come. He will be able to take off my mask.
By Nigel
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The Halloween party was over. I reached up to take off my mask. It won’t come off! My mask is a pretty pink unicorn. I don’t want to keep the mask on forever. I know I can ask a genie if I can find one. I think I can find one in a lamp. I can go to the elves’ workshop! Let’s go!
So, how do I get to the elves’ workshop? I can ask someone for directions. I’m going to ask someone to help me. So I have directions. Come on, let’s go! We are there. Finally I see a lamp and I find the genie. Yeah! My mask is off!
By Siobhan
The Halloween party was over. I reached up to take off my mask. It wouldn’t come
off! My mask was a cartoon zombie mask. My face was getting very itchy under my mask. I REALLY wanted to take it off. I hoped there was a tornado coming so that it could take me far, far, away – all the way to Oz, the Great and Terrible. He could probably yank my mask off. If that doesn’t work, I’ll go to Old Man Fookwire and ask if I can borrow his squirrel lasers. If that doesn’t work, I’ll ask Strong Steve if he can RIP the mask off. Maybe I can plop a snail by Shivers the Pirate so that he will run to the mask and pop it off. But, there is no tornado, so I guess I’m out of luck.
By Rachel
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Mask Mishaps (cont’d.) The Halloween party was over. I reached up to take off my mask. It wouldn’t come off! But, my mummy mask was the best and I did really want to shed my white string mummy mask. But, I had to wear my whole costume with it, too. So, I ran in a flash to Magic Lane. I knocked on the door with five numbers on it. Those numbers were 05691. The old Witch Lady said to come in and sit down. I said okay and told her my troubles. She said, “MAKE THIS CHILD’S MASK COME OFF!” It did and I was glad to be me.
By Brooke
The Halloween party was over. I reached up to take off my mask. It won’t come off! It was a Frankenstein mask. I had stitches on my mouth, a striped shirt, and wavy hair. I tried a chainsaw, a laser, and even a sword. I didn’t want to be Frankenstein forever, it would be horrible. Everyone would think I’m dumb. Oh, I have an idea! I can go to the Grand Master. Now, to get to the Grand Master you have to go up to the Tiger Mountains and through the Toxide Swamp. But it was all worth it. When I found the Grand Master, he made me me, again.
By Kaiden
The Halloween party was over. I reached up to take off my mask. It
won’t come off! I thought it would be fun to be Frankenstein for the day, but not forever! The screws are really tight! They are really screwed into the sides of my head. My mom tried to take it off, but she couldn’t find a screwdriver. We went to the store to buy a new one. Everyone asked, “Why is he still in a costume?” My mom paid for the screwdriver and we went home. Finally, she took off my mask. I’m happy I’m back to normal.
By Jelani
Third Grade Letters from a Worm Third Graders enjoyed their summer reading book, Marty McGuire Digs Worms by Kate Messner. They also had fun learning all about vermicomposting in Science. We even had our own worm bin in the classroom to observe. After a discussion on point of view, the children wrote letters to Marty, as if they were a worm in her worm bin. Dear Marty McGuire, I think you should feed us a little less, but I do want to thank you for not feeding us beans. I think you should feed us more tomatoes, lettuce, and some strawberries. Please just put a lot of those on my side. Do not feed me for about four weeks and I will be very, very, very happy. Also, Mr. Wiggles and Mrs. Wiggles are sleeping in my bed, going in my territory and they
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keep eating my food and drinking my water. Please make sure that all the commotion stops soon. Thank you! Your best worm, Skinny A
By Aidyn
Dear Marty, I am getting fed way too much. The other worms are much skinnier than I am. Can you feed me less? Can you put in some more vegetables? Put in less tuna. Tell the other kids to stop putting in meat. Can you please tell the other worms to stop hogging the side with the most dirt? They say because I get more food, they should get the side with the most dirt. They get all the sides and I barely have a side. Can you put in less peas? We
don’t really like too many. Put in more strawberries. Why are you putting in oranges? Don’t you know that we don’t like them? I love leaves! So can you put in more of them? Anything other than that, I am doing just fine. p.s. It is very stinky. Can you put in some air fresheners? Love, Fat Worm
By Maggie
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Third Grade Presidential Hopefuls the world you want for free. And you can give pets to kids from other states that have no one to play with. And public schools have more to learn and everyone eats ice cream every single day! p.s. In some ways ice cream is healthy. In preparation for the 2016 Presidential Election, the children learned all about the election process and about the roles and responsibilities of The U.S. President. They also learned about some of the fun things the President can do in the White House. Students used what they learned to create a Presidential plan of their own. If I were President, I would help education by trying to buy more schools in places where kids can learn things, and they can become President only if they work hard enough. I would help health care by using Science to create medicine for the sick people and making more hospitals. But if you want to be President you would have some jobs to do that includes meeting with world leaders, chief of armed forces and you get to sign bills plus you make laws which is sometimes really fun. You would be the head of the whole state, but the hard part is solving problems with the states like if they start a war. Then you would have to help the Army. I would help the environment by hiring people who clean up the Earth and also professional Science builders that clean it up by themselves. I would help American citizens trying to stop wars and trying to stop people from buying more guns and closing down gun stores. There’s fun stuff, like pets you can have, too. You can adopt any pet in
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By Alexis
If I were President, I would help the environment by saving towns from tornados by building a supersize fan to blow the tornadoes away. I would protect endangered wildlife by building electrified fences to keep poachers out. I would give extra supplies to schools because kids need more supplies. I would hire better doctors and build better robots to help American citizens. I would force the rich to give more money to the poor or donate more time volunteering. For fun, I would have as many pets as I could fit in the White House. I would also have the White House chef make me as many desserts as I can eat.
By Liam
If I were President America would be a better place. I would give more teachers more money to buy supplies for kids at school. I will give better medicine to help so people will not get sick so much and die. I will get a chipmunk for a pet. I would eat a strawberry, apple, cherry, plum and grape cake for dessert at the White House.
more doctors and hospitals. I would end the war on drugs by shutting down dealers. I would help Americans by taking all of the guns. When I am president, I will get a pet tiger and a big cage for it. I would also collect a hundred kittens to roam the White House.
By Marlena
If I were president I would make smoking illegal. I hope every classroom has a worm bin. I would donate money to schools and daycares so they can be better. I will raise the drinking age. I will make sure that we have windows that are unbreakable but you can get out from the inside. I will make a class for people with disabilities so they can see that there are other kids like him or her or who knows. I would give schools iPads so they can have technology. I want to make trackers to put on killers so I can find them and they can go to jail.
By Demi
If I were president I would help the environment by making a better recycling program. I would stop the gun violence. I would help education by adding more tutors. I would help Healthcare by giving everyone a shot for free. I will find homes for children who don't have parents. It would help American citizens by being respectful caring and listening to everyone. I will give jobs to people who need money. My fun stuff will be extra recess for kids, I would own dogs, and fish. Everyone should reach for the stars.
By Addysen
By Trinton
If I were president I will not litter. I will make sure that the highway is clean and make a recycling law. I will have a school for the kids who get teased. I would help health care by having
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Presidential Hopefuls (cont’d.) If I were president I would help the environment and make people pick up the garbage. I would give more supplies to schools, free healthcare, and everyone has to eat an apple. Making this country more money is important. I would take my pets for a walk at the White House. I would have cats, dogs, elephant, cheetahs, and tigers.
By Alex
If I were president, I would help the environment by making more schools compost. I would put more trash cans outside so no one litters. I would help education by making people hand in more money so schools can be more fun for kids. I would help the military by making only the military use guns and give more money to the military to keep our country safe. I would help the American citizens by giving them more money by decreasing taxes. The fun thing I would do is go to the White House movie theater without paying.
Also, get ice cream for breakfast. I would have five Dolphins. I would also get a dolphin tank for them.
By Sarah
If I were president I would sign bills and meet with leaders from other countries to keep World Peace. I would be the chief of armed forces and the head of all 50 states. I will ban littering and increase the budget to make schools more fun. If the country was not safe, I would get the Armed Forces and police to solve the problem so no one gets hurt. I will build good hospitals and the government and I will increase the budget to give to the poor. One of my favorite parts will be having all kinds of pets like dogs, fish, and I will end up with an aquarium in the White House to put my shark in. I will play with my dogs and any time I could go bowling or watch a movie, I will do that!
By Varun
If I were president I would help the environment by having a law that said "No Trespassing". I would keep the keep the Earth clean by making stricter recycling laws. I would help education by keeping kids in school with better technology. I would help Healthcare by making a doctor's office for everybody. I would help the American citizens by stopping killing and fighting. I would try to end violence and promote peace. I will watch Storks and Secret Life of Pets in the White House theater. I will have a hamster and three horses named Nexi, Mexi, and Lexie. My hamster is going to be named Oxxy.
By Maya
Thankful Third Graders Feast This Thanksgiving, the third graders were challenged to write out all the steps to preparing dinner for their family, if for some reason they were left in charge of cooking and hosting.
the turkey, chicken wings, char wings, chicken breast, turkey breast, and apple pie and more. Then I brought it home and put it on a board.
The Best Thanksgiving
Next, I cut it open and started putting seasoning on it and on the turkey and the char and chicken wings and chicken breast. I put it on the grill and put some beer on it and put some more salt and pepper on it. Finally, one hour later, I take it out of the grill and put the chicken and char wings and turkey and chicken breast. I put some more stuff on the grill. When my parents came home we ate and ate and ate. My parents thanked me for making Thanksgiving dinner and we ate the apple pie. We eat and eat and eat.
By Parker
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My parents were not home and I called them and they said we will miss Thanksgiving and they were sad. So I told them I will cook Thanksgiving dinner. First I went to the store and got
We ate the mashed potatoes. We ate the shrimp and I was still not full, so I ate some fish that I made too. When we were finished, I took a shower, kissed my parents good night and went to bed. I was not asleep but I was thinking about what a good job I did and I went to sleep. I woke up and got ready for school. When I got out my lunch, I looked inside and I saw the turkey I made, the chicken wings and many more. A Kid is Cooking a Thanksgiving Feast
By Lily
Normally Grandma is in charge of Thanksgiving and has it at her house, but this year it will be at our house because her house is a mess. She would like it if I would have Thanks-
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Third Grade Feasts (cont’d.) giving at our house and I cook. I will get a turkey from the store. Then I will cook the turkey in the oven at 4,000 degrees for one hour and then the turkey will be done. I will put seasoning on the turkey so it will taste good. I will make homemade mashed potatoes. I have to get potatoes and then I will mash the potatoes to make mashed potatoes. I will make a side salad for everyone. I will use different kind of lettuce and ranch to make a side salad. I will make cupcakes, my favorite dessert. I will put the cupcake batter in first and then I will fill them with a marshmallow puff filling and frost them with frosting. I will make cake pops. First I will cook batter with the cake pop stick with it. I will also frost them with a swirl flavored icing. I will also fill the cake pops with a pumpkin filling. It will all taste good after I make the things I plan to make for a Thanksgiving feast at my house. And just to let you know, I’m cooking. A kid is cooking a
Thanksgiving feast for adults. Giving the Meal
By Grace
I think usually my grandma would make Thanksgiving turkey but this year, I’m going to surprise her. First, you get a bow and arrows and catch a turkey and bring it back. Then you take all the feathers off of the turkey until its all flesh. Next, you take out all the insides, but leave in the meat. Then put it in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Finally, you take it out of the oven, put it on a fancy plate and drizzle it with a bit of butter. Then serve it to everyone! And that’s how you make Thanksgiving turkey. And they all loved it! Thanksgiving
By Brazil
After school it was Thanksgiving so my mom always cooks. I wanted to give my
mom a break. So when I got home, I asked my mom, “Where is the turkey?” She said, “In the refrigerator and its half cooked already” so I said “OK”. First, I put the turkey in the oven for 150 degrees and wait for 2 hours. While I wait for the turkey to be done, I make some pumpkin pudding. Next, I’ll get a smasher and take out the seeds and other stuff. Then I’ll smash it until it looks like pumpkin pudding. I will put a secret recipe, Hint: Sprinkle flavor. Finally, I hear the oven ring and take the turkey out. Then I decorate the place and put the stuff on the table and use the house phone or my mom’s phone to make sure they come to my house and before they come I make up the Thanksgiving games and they got here and we had good time!
Fourth Grade Poetry The Fourth Grade students have read another amazing novel by Kate DiCamillo, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. The main character is Edward, an elegant rabbit made of china. Throughout his journey to selfdiscovery, he encounters many different characters. Students have created acrostic poems to describe Edward and many of the characters he met throughout the book.
Ego Distinguished Worn out from walking Abilene’s Rabbit Rosie almost ate him Dropped in the water
By Donell
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Elegant Dancing rabbit Wanders with Bull & Lucy Abilene’s rabbit Really smart Delicate
By Anna
Negative towards Bryce Excellent cook Anti-friendly Loathes people that don’t pay their bill
By David
Parent Elder Lives in the Tulane house Loves Abilene Excellent at telling stories Gives Edward clothes Rude Impolite Never leaves the house Absolutely mean to Edward
ByHeaven
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Fourth Grade Thanksgiving Persuasive Plan B Picture this … It's Thanksgiving morning and you have awoken early to begin cooking a marvelous feast only to discover your oven is broken. How will you roast the turkey? How will you bake the pie? How will you make the rolls? Thanksgiving is ruined! Or is it? Fourth grade students used convincing reasons and facts to write a persuasive letter to their family members explaining to them how they can save Thanksgiving. Dear Family, Oh, coconuts! Our oven is broken! Don’t worry about Thanksgiving dinner because we can go out this year to the Golden Corral. We won’t have to fix the oven, we can have a nice fancy dinner, and we can even go bowling after! What if you already invited all your friends and family and your new oven didn’t come in time or maybe there just isn’t enough time to go out shopping to find a new oven? How would we cook the turkey? Instead of getting the oven fixed we can go to the Golden Corral. If we go out to eat for Thanksgiving dinner we won’t have to decorate the house. We won’t spend hours after the party cleaning up either. The best part of all is that the table will be set. They do it all for you. We just get to relax. There is a bowling alley at the Golden Corral. I mean who else gets to go bowling at a restaurant on Thanksgiving? It will be so much fun!
I hope I have persuaded you to come and join me at Golden Corral on Thursday, November 24th at 6pm. It will be much bet-
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ter than sitting at my house with a broken oven! Sincerely, Sophia Dear Family and Friends, In a very sudden moment, our oven has broken. I hope we can still have Thanksgiving at my house even though we won’t be able to cook the turkey here. We can have our usual party and a pot luck dinner. I would rather celebrate at my house because a restaurant may have bad service, be too crowded, or we might not like the food. I decided we’re staying home and having a pot luck dinner. Uncle Joe, you can bring eggs. Aunt Mary, you can bring chicken wings. Granny, you can bring homemade pie. Gramps, do what you do best! Now we can enjoy everyone’s favorite dish. It is a much better idea to have it at my house because the waiters at the restaurant might have an off day or be tired. No one wants to work on Thanksgiving. I’m sure all of the restaurants will be really crowded. You probably need to make reservations in advance. I don’t think we would be able to get a reservation at a restaurant this late. I am sure they are all booked. Now, as I was saying, we’re going to have a great pot luck party. I really hope you can come. Everyone will enjoy spending Thanksgiving in our home instead of a crowded restaurant. It will be great! Bring your children. I hope you can make it. Happy Thanksgiving! Sincerely, Omari
Dear Family and Friends, When I awoke I found a bunch of utensils stuck in the oven. Now we can’t make the food for Thanksgiving dinner. What should we do? Well, I know what to do. We should go to the restaurant Rizo. They have all the dishes for a Thanksgiving meal. The food is affordable, you won’t need to worry about space and you won’t need to clean up or decorate. At Rizo, the food is affordable. Every other place is raising their prices but Rizo’s prices have stayed the same. They also put a lot of coupons online so it’s always very affordable. It can be expensive having Thanksgiving at home. I think we can save money by eating out. We won’t have to worry about space. Rizo is a large restaurant with five long tables so we can fit everyone without pushing the kids into the basement or out to the yard. We will all be able to eat in the same room. If we dine out at Rizo on Thanksgiving we won’t have to clean or decorate because after every meal they clean the tables so much you can see your reflection in it. They put up a bunch of decorations for every holiday so I’m sure it will look beautiful for Thanksgiving. I hope you can agree to this change in plans for Thanksgiving. I hope everyone can make it! Love, Amina
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Fifth Grade Journal Entries On the International Day of Peace, fifth grade students reflected in the journals about what peace means to them. Below are their journal entries about Peace. What is peace? Peace is the opposite of violence. How can you promote peace? You can promote peace in many ways, like helping the homeless out and by making more schools for kids so they can grow up to be successful adults. A world with peace looks like a world with nothing that deals with violence. Peace looks like sharing. Peace feels like freedom. Peace is the one thing we need to survive. By Phoenix I think to encourage others to believe in peace, they have to think about what peace means. Peace looks like no wars, no fighting, and no deaths. Peace feels like being free with no worries to go outside. No bullets flying in the air. Not wondering if you are safe when you are going to or leaving school. Peace is just a word, but if you do a peaceful action, peace will spread. By Karmyn You can make peace by encouraging others to make peace. You can take a bus all day instead of driving. You could use a wind power fan, or you could take a hike. Peace looks like a place with no war, violence, or weapons. Nobody gets hurt feelings and no fighting. Peace feels like happiness. It makes you very happy because you know everybody is having a good time and has food. There is no war, no illnesses and knowing that nobody is upset. By Ahmir
After talking about the election process, students picked someone to whom they would write a letter. This letter needed to be persuasive and include facts to help encourage the individual to understand the importance of voting. Dear Alexa, Did you know that hundreds of positions in Congress and state were up for grabs? Less than thirty-seven percent of voters showed up to vote last year. It was the lowest election in seventy-two years.
Here is why I think you should vote. First, I think you should vote because black people got a good education to be able to vote, but still couldn’t vote until 1870. I think it was unfair for African Americans and they should vote now. Finally, I think you should vote because Eight percent of people forgot to vote and twenty-eight percent said that they are too busy. Women weren’t able to vote. Women have died and been beaten or jailed for the right to vote. Sincerely, Your little bro, Neko
Dear America, In the last presidential debate, they talked about many things including Obama care. If Donald Trump wins, he will take away Obama care. If Hillary Clinton wins, she wants to improve it. Everyone deserves health care.
I think you should vote because people have risked their lives so that you can vote. It took a while for African American men to vote, but even longer for women to have the right to vote. A lot of people don’t vote and you should not be one that does not vote. If you don’t vote you are letting other people choose your president for you. Also, if the new president does something you don’t like you might wish you had voted. Please vote! Erick
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Fifth Grade Personal Narratives Fifth grade students wrote narrative papers about a time in their lives when they had to face a fear and show courage and bravery. Students went through a writer’s workshop before publishing their final product. 7th Grade Math
By Zoe August 15th could have been a terrific day, or a day that I am disappointed by to no end. That day would be the day that I may or may not be placed into 7th grade math. This was important because I had been bored out of my mind in math class. Earlier in the summer, I sat at the table munching on Cinnamon Toast Crunches. I was thinking about how easy and boring math class was. I realized that I needed to be challenged more mathematically. That day, I made the decision to try to get into 7th grade math. I knew that if I told Dad, the studying would start. As much as I feared spending the summer studying, I knew I had to tell him, otherwise, this dream of mine wouldn’t come true. Later, when I did tell Dad, the studying started. At this point, I was confident in my abilities. I studied vigorously for the test over the summer, like a dog trying to scratch at a flea it just couldn’t get. My Dad and I got through the 6th grade textbook, doing problems from every section. Finally, the big test comes. After so much work and preparation, there was no way I could fail this test! There were 48 problems on the first section, and 46 on the second section. In the middle of the test, I suddenly forgot how to do percentages! I calmed myself down, and
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it came back to me. I finished the test and went home. Every day, I would ask Mom if my results had come. Finally, August 15th rolled around and… I’d made it to 7th grade math!!!!!!!!!!!! I was so proud, but also surprised. I had made it! Then, the painful realization came to me. My sister had gotten into Lab school, and that meant that I would be with her former classmates, who may not welcome me with open arms. School started, and I headed to math class. Some kids said hello, but some kids gave me strange looks. I was very nervous, but also excited. Math class ended and I headed back to my class. Afterward, I was proud I had made it, relieved it was over, but, looking forward to the rest of the school year.
I Got Through It
By Jia
My moment of success was that fateful day when I had two health events in the same month, August of 2016. On the 17th of August, I went to the orthodontist to get fitted for my new expander. I was nervous and had butterflies in my stomach because he was going to stick pointy stuff in my mouth. Then, on the 19th of August, I had my surgery on my hip. My dad and my sisters were not there because they were at a service camp. I felt like I wouldn’t be the same when they came back. The night before my surgery, I slept over at my godmother’s house. She helped me get the stress off of my chest by making my favorite, chicken noodle soup. She also helped me by talking about my
thoughts. I tried to be brave for my mom, but inside, I felt like my heart just stopped. The Doctor said my surgery was successful. I was told I had to have liquid food for Three Whole Days after my surgery! I thought that I would not survive. I was going to miss my mom’s homemade mac-and-cheese. After the surgery, I felt woozy and lightheaded. I was also miserable because I couldn’t move my body. I was confused and curious about where my mom was. I looked around and saw other patients in the recovery room. Then, my mom came and it felt like 50 pounds of bricks were just lifted off my shoulders. My mom and I laughed because she took a video of me being silly. The medicine I was taking made me goofy. I will never forget that week in August of 2016. I was never more brave.
The TERROR at SPLASH MOUNTAIN
By Leona
I was waiting in line, nearly EXPLODING with excitement! I had been waiting for this for weeks! Just a few months ago I found out that I was going to the most magical place on earth, DISNEY WORLD! Right when I got to the park I saw a HUGE mountain towering above me, I immediately wanted to ride it! When you got up close to it you could feel the mist from the waterfall on which a bunch of people were falling out of, I was a little scared but I knew if I went on it I would be so proud of myself! It was finally our turn to get in the log-
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Fifth Grade Personal Narratives (cont’d) shaped boat, this is when I decided to be a chicken. The seats of the log were so wet it made me shiver. I looked ahead to see a small hill. We rode our log to the top of the hill and splashed down. (This was not the official hill you're thinking of, it's a mini-hill at the start of the ride.) I was so scared I threw my head into my mom’s lap and WOULD NOT look up. We entered a dark tunnel and I was so scared I was making some “un-human” noise! All I could think of was, “Who is singing that song?!” “Zippity do-dah! Zipp-idee day!” they sang, OVER AND OVER AND OVER! I couldn’t handle it, I looked up. BAD CHOICE!
MILLIONS of robot-animals (no, not Five-Nights-At-Freddy's style!) were singing the song! Water was spraying in my face and little drops out of NOWHERE kept making me jump! Finally we are about to finish the ride. A stuffed bear and a mean fox were about to throw a poor little rabbit off that waterfall I saw earlier, I wish I had paid more attention to the story so I knew what was going on. Then it hit me, “We’re the rabbit that’s about to get thrown off a cliff aren’t we.” I grabbed my mom and squeezed her like a stress ball. As I looked around the tunnel I saw two eagles whispering about my soon-to-be death, “Everyone has a LANDING PLACE,” they say, “Maybe THIS ONE’S YOURS!” (This is actually in the ride! It’s not hallucinating!) I take my “last breath” as my mom says to let out your BIGGEST scream ever! I nod and hold on to the bar for Volume 3, Issue 1
dear life. Then DOWN WE GO!!! I try to scream but I fake it, it wasn’t scary at all! I stare at my mom, it seems as if time has slowed down and I can examine everything! I see my mom (who is ACTUALLY screaming,) and I see all the people below us cheering, it feels good to know that other people are seeing my bravery. The ride is so fast and steep that I begin to fly up in the air do to my lightweight! It is the most amazing feeling, me the only one not screaming, the people below cheering, my mom holding me tight, dragging me back down into my seat. All of sudden time catches on and we race down the hill faster than I thought was possible. The water from the sides splashes into the boat leaving us soaked! My mom hugs me, making sure I’m alright, I laugh and laugh and I tell her about my fake-scream (they still don’t believe that it was fake!) and we rode off back to where we started. This is one of my best memories because if I had not been brave I would probably still be scared today! Splash Mountain turned out to be my favorite part of the whole trip! I am very proud of myself for doing this and I’m also glad I remember the feelings! The whole experience is one to remember! My Brave Moment is my best moment and I know I will never forget it! The Time I Swam With Stingrays
By Braelyn
The stingrays were swimming towards me faster and faster my heart was beating rapidly. This is about the time I swam with stingrays. I have never really been scared of stingrays. But I get freaked when I hear about them or see them.
But I would consider it a small fear of mine.
It all started when we went to Cozumel, Mexico as a family trip. For an activity we decided to go swimming with the dolphins. We went onto the dock so we could get into the water. We jumped in the water and then the instructor explained what to do and what not to do. The instructor said before the dolphins come out we will bring out some sting rays. I was so scared I was about to cry. The instructor brought out two stingrays they swam towards me faster and faster. When the sting rays were up close to me it felt like my heart was about to beat out of my chest. I held onto my dad’s arm really tight. The instructor told me that it was ok they will not harm you. I did not know if I should trust him or not but my dad convinced me to trust the instructor. Then the instructor explained that one of the sting rays got its stinger removed and the other had one a stinger but was trained. I played with the stingrays until the guide put them away. It ended up being really fun. It turns out that stingrays are super nice unless you try to hurt them. That is the time I showed bravery. Cutting a Foot of My Hair Off
By Emma
There I was standing in front of my whole school, so nervous. It all started when my mom came up to me and said “Do you want to cut your hair off eight inches for people with cancer?” I said “I’ll think about it.” I didn’t really want to at first for a lot of reasons. I heard my cousin cut her hair off nine inches. I kind of made it a competition and wanted to cut it more than she did. So the next week I said, “I’ll do it.” I asked my sister if she wanted to cut it Page 13
Fifth Grade Personal Narratives (cont’d) off for me she said “Yes.” Right in the morning I went to the Art Center, there were not many people there, some teachers cut their hair off, too. There were only two lower school kids (including me), one middle schooler, and only two high schoolers! I was really surprised. I thought there would be more people, but there were more people, but there were more teachers than all the students combined! My sister measured my hair. She said “Is that good?” With the ruler up to eight inches up to my hair. I said “A little more,” Now the ruler was up to a foot on my hair and she wrapped the rubber bands around my hair and we went on stage. I was the first one to be called up and I was thinking to myself that I can’t do many styles with my hair short, but at the same time I was thinking that the girl who gets my hair will be very happy. So there I was in front of my whole school, so nervous, and my sister chopped off my hair. It actually felt kind of good and then everybody else went. I will bet they felt the same. I felt so proud of myself. I always loved long hair, but I knew it was the right thing to do.
Fifth Grade Letters to Malala
Students wrote letters to Malala Yousafzai in response to reading her book, I Am Malala. Their letters described how she has impacted their lives and outlook on education. Dear Malala, Malala your life’s story has deeply impacted me because you and I have a lot in common and I appreciate how normal your life is. I think I have a normal life too. Like you, I love my family, especially my father. Your mother and my mother both take more traditional roles at home. You have a big family like mine, that loves to gather at our house to eat, play and talk. I really like your father. He reminds me of my dad. They both are hard workers and men of principles. People in the community look up to them. I enjoyed reading about your life, which is so far away, but close to mine in many ways. Volume 3, Issue 1
Education is very important to my family, like it is to yours. My parents didn’t open a school or anything, like your father did, but they did the next best thing to it. My parents homeschooled my siblings and me. At one time, my cousin and a family friend’s daughter from Morocco who needed to get ready for American school, were also a part of our homeschool. We didn’t have a school building like your father owned, but my parents converted the third floor of our house to a classroom. Both my parents decided what we were to learn. Like you, I enjoyed school. I was able to have many experiences, like that I was able to work at my own pace. I wish all schools in America will make education personal for how each child learns. I admire how you have dedicated your life to helping others get an education. I love the courage you have to speak to people and be honest of what you think is right or wrong, even if it is the president of the United States. I sometimes find it hard to talk to people and I don’t find the words as easily as you. However, I believe I can do things to help people that learn differently. I can be
kind to people who I see struggle in certain areas. I can encourage them not to give up. As school gets better for me, I can help those who need help. Thanks Malala for being a great example. Continue being strong for the weak! Sincerely, Paul Dear Malala, I’ve read your book and think that it’s a great story. You’ve shown me that there are going to be hurdles in life (some bigger than others), but if I want to achieve a goal in my life, I must continue to work hard and never quit. I also love how you stood up for education and how you're still standing up for it now. This taught me that if you love and care about something/someone dearly help with it/them. You are so brave. You were shot by the Taliban, in an idea to silence you, yet your voice is stronger than ever. Ever since your injury, people have been helping you more than ever. I believe that today’s education is much better Page 14
Fifth Grade Letters to Malala (cont’d) than before. Where I live both boys and girls are allowed to go to school. I believe that this is wonderful. As you probably know, when children get education, they are more likely to have a better future. That makes them more likely to have better health, a good family, a decent amount of money, etc. I too believe in a better, more peaceful, healthy planet. Every Thanksgiving, I go to a homeless shelter to feed the homeless. Yet, I would like to do more. You’ve protested against the Taliban., then you were shot by the Taliban yet you keep protesting. I admire that. Yes, I’ve gotten 10 stitches when I was 10 years old, but that’s nothing compared to you! I want to help give medicine to people who don’t have any, protest for a more peaceful world and so on. What I really love about you is that you’re always hopeful no matter what. You’re also super brave. I want to help the world just as much as you do, or maybe possibly even help you! Good luck to you, Kelsey Dear Malala, You have impacted many girls’ lives in Pakistan. In your community you fought for your education and your right to go to school. You were brave enough to stand up to the Taliban and show them that girls’ education is important, too! You have impacted my life so much by inspiring me to think about what my life would be like in Pakistan. This is still happening to girls. Today my thoughts on education are that it is very important to be educated because when you are older, you have to be smart so you
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can get a job, make money, buy a house, and have food to survive. Because of you, I am inspired to help lots of people in my community and also help people around the world who need help. I will help by doing service projects, donating and making sandwiches. This story has taught me never to let anybody tell me that I can’t play a game because of my gender or that I can’t play a sport because I’m a girl! I want to thank you for inspiring me so much. You are amazing!
Sincerely, Sasha Dear Malala, Why did you stay so calm when you knew you were being targeted? I know everyone has to die sometime, but you were so young. I also wonder why you cared so much about these girls going to school and you didn't even know them? How did it feel that you worked so hard and some people still don’t even respect you? I thought it was cool how you were so brave and you stayed calm and fought with your words. I want to thank you for showing me that if you follow your dreams and if you fight with words things will pay off. I loved you fighting for equal rights and never backing down even when you got shot. Malala, you are courageous and I think you're awesome and cool. You are very encouraging to young girls and I want to be just like you when I grow up. Sincerely, Taylor Dear Malala, Hello! My name is Demon, and I am writing a letter to you. I am a fifth grader at Morgan Park Academy and we are reading I am Malala this year. I live in Illinois in the USA and here is my
letter. Your story has taught me a couple of things. I did not know that the Taliban had taken over Swat. I know Swat was your home, so I know you didn’t feel happy. I didn’t even know who the Taliban were. I now know that they are not good people and tried to take away girls’ education. How did you feel about not being able to go to school? I also didn’t know that you lived in Pakistan. I also have some friends that are from Pakistan. They are Rehman and Mustafa. They were my best friends from 3rd to 4th grade. I did not know that you survived that bullet. How did you even survive? Here are several things that I think about education today. I originally thought school was boring, but I’ve learned that school can be fun! You can make new friends or play at recess. One of my thoughts is that education is just math, or reading or science, but that can all be fun. My final thought is never think that school is boring. You can do stuff like win the school spelling bee or get smarter until you’re the smartest kid in your class. I feel that I am lucky to go to school, because if I go to school I can get a good job and make a lot of money. If I go to school, I can also be very smart. I feel kind of sorry because you were not allowed to go to school. You were very brave to go to school, even though, if you were caught, you would have been beaten or killed. Finally, here are some things that you have inspired me to do. You have inspired me to have courage and be brave. You have taught me to be helpful and do things that I can do best. And finally, you have shown me to stand up for people who are less fortunate than I am. Page 15
Fifth Grade Letters to Malala (cont’d) You were very brave in the hospital. You were very helpful, doing chores and other things, and you were very sneaky, sneaking off to school every day.
the education you wanted. Malala, you are kind, helpful and brave. You make me want to stand up to every bully in the world. What are you doing now? Can you speak English well or do you have some trouble talking? Are you fully recovered from your injury? Did you look any different from when you got shot? How long were you lying on the ground until someone found you? Everyone wants to be you because you were so brave.
You have inspired and taught me many things, and I thank you for that.
Miya
From, Demon
I read your book and I have to say it was really inspirational. When I was reading your book, I thought, what a brave young woman. It was great and
Dear Malala, I think you are so brave. Because of you, girls can go to school just like the boys where you lived in Pakistan. Your story taught me if you believe, then you can achieve anything. There are a lot more opportunities for girls today because they are allowed to be educated. Girls can go to whatever kind of school they want to and become scientists, teachers or candy makers. You inspire me to be brave and believe in myself. Your bravery made me want to be brave at difficult times. I would help my own community by giving to those who have nothing. You helped so much in your community by being brave. Malala, I hope you got all
Dear Malala Yousafzai,
brave how you stood up for education. I too, believe that education is really important and if it weren't for you, girls in Pakistan wouldn't have an education. You are so gracious and have an enormous heart. Most girls would not do that but you are one in a million. Getting to know about your family and Benazir Bhutto was amazing. In class, we got packets with questions on them and it was the highlight of the year so far. You have encouraged so many people, female or male to stand up for what they believe in. You are an intelligent young woman that accomplished something so great. You did something so great and just thinking about you, puts a smile on my face.
nity. I volunteer at my place of worship with the young kids. I plan on volunteering a lot when I am older following my sister's footsteps and joining service council and spend a lot of my weekends doing service work. I especially like volunteering with animals and plan on spending a lot of time with them, I also am interested in doing service outside of the country like painting and cleaning schools in developing countries or even working in the mangrove forests that are very important for our environment. If I had someone in my family that is brave enough to do what you did then I would know that you inspired them to do so. You are a hero to me and many more. You definitely deserved The Nobel Peace Prize and I am so glad that you received it. I hope you enjoyed your education because out of all the people that go to school you definitely deserved it. You showed us that everyone deserves an education and what you did left a lasting impact on the world.
Thank you for the bravery that you showed risking your own life doing what you believed in teaching all of us that in order to accomplish what we believe strongly in you have to take risks. You are loved by many. Sincerely, Kaylie
You have inspired me to help my commu-
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