Eureka! 2023-2024

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About Eureka!

The Country School has had a periodic literary magazine since the school was founded in 1955. Originally called The Owl, the magazine’s name was changed to Eureka! in keeping with our school mascot, the owl, Archimedes. Archimedes was the Greek mathematician, inventor, and astronomer credited with exclaiming “Eureka! Eureka!”, meaning “I’ve found it! I’ve found it!” after discovering the water displacement theory when attempting to determine the purity of the gold in the king’s crown. It is a great thing to shout out when you have a good idea, and we think this issue’s full of them - Eureka!

Front cover design: Simone Nelson ‘26

Back cover design: Emma Stanat ‘28

Interior cover photography: Mrs. Liu

A Letter from the Editors of Eureka!, 2024

On behalf of the entire Country School, we, the 2023 and 2024 Eureka! Staff, would like to thank you for picking up this edition of the Eureka! Magazine. It means so much to us that our hard work of putting together this magazine has finally paid off. Of course the real hard work was done by Country School students and faculty who submitted their work to be seen by all who are reading this now.

In this magazine, you will find work created by the whole school, not by just one grade, not by just the middle school or lower school, but the entire school. Even some faculty have contributed! Works vary from paintings and collages to short stories and poems, all of which are incredible. Whatever writing and artwork you find in this edition, rest assured that it was made with passion and care.

We’d like to thank head of school John Fixx for wholeheartedly supporting the creation of this magazine, as well as the rest of the business office for the funding of this project. We’d like to thank Ms. Sliker for helping with the laborious task of laying out the magazine. Last but most certainly not least, we’d like to thank Mrs. Liu for all of her hard work in supervising the creation of this magazine, and for making it fun.

Sincerely,

—Emma Ferency, Maybeline Hladky, Ava Kowalski, Cole Nelson, Henry Ogeneski, and Chloe Ryan, Eureka! Staff, 2023

—Lily Cornell, Anna Gunderson, Henry Laurans, Josie Leiss, Emmy Liu, Caroline Matkin, Vivian Pfeil, Mia Sankey, Lucy Smith, and Caitlin Stanat, Eureka! Staff, 2024

Faculty Art and Poetry Submissions

Class of 2029

I live with my heart exposed. I cannot keep it behind bone, sinew or armor. I want to, but just can’t.

It sits on my sleeve or bound up in my aura, waiting for the inevitable. Pierced by Eros, crushed by a buzzer beater, devastated by loss, lifted by hope, oppressed by the evils of the World.

Yet, it heals. Stitched together, welded, cauterized, scarred.

Strengthened by love and forgiveness, atonement and empathy.

My heart again sits exposed, fearless and hopeful.

De Meō Corde

It seems unlikely

It seems unlikely that 6 x 7 = 42.

That, at the age of forty-two, chickens could teach me the pleasure of chores, the pleasant weight of responsibility each morning, that all you really need to face a mess is a good pair of muck boots.

Or that my favorite popstar is now on the cover of AARP magazine. (Surely that’s a mistake.) That podcasts could be such a thing.

That I could be so hungry for books.

That anyone could like the smell of patchouli.

That I could lose every raffle I enter, ticket stubs surviving the washer and dryer just to rub it in.

That a fuzzy brown caterpillar would enclose itself in a smooth capsule and emerge a completely new creature.

That a baby could become a high schooler.

That a tangle of kudzu vines could wrap me up in such nostalgia.

That I am writing poetry, that I am a poet.

Eighth Grade Art and Poetry Submissions

What's

with movie theaters

What's with movie theaters?

Like that one in Westbrook, Creepy and sad sometimes. The burned out neon lights and empty concession stands, the quiet turned off arcade, The old drop panel ceiling, missing tiles with water damage spots. The ghosts of people who had been there, Who used to go thereWhere did they all go?

The empty areas, once busy spots, are gone. It's liminal and creepy, the stuff that looks new and old at the same time. It feels like every empty hallway, every reminder of the past is haunting you, Like someone’s going to jumpscare you every corner. Keeps you on edge. It’s like your birthday party from when you were a kid. It feels like you're at that party, but everybody left years ago. You want to go home, But you already are.

The

stars and the moon.

I wonder if the stars are made of light. I watch at night as they flicker and burn. Maybe that's why they glow and shine so bright. Someday I’ll go up there and then I’ll learn. They’ll tell me their secrets of the cosmos. I’ll cherish it and hold it in my hand. Like what lies beyond and where we will go. I’ll hold each one like how earth holds sand. They’re surrounded by sky like black, cold, tar . We think we’ll see stars relatively soon. We think we’ll see all planets though they’re far. The big dipper sits with the little spoon We think we’ll see stars relatively soon. Even though we’ve only seen our own moon.

Opening the door to the cool spring air, Seems as if the Winter grasps are lifted. The sunny sky casting a window glare, Earth selling off the cold that it thrifted.

One day, I returned home one fine arvo, Spotting an earth that had just woken up. Something in me has now just been forgoed, Only warmth and awe left, quite the tune-up.

But as I became accustomed to Spring, The light was steadily becoming blinding, And the heat won’t go away, like a sting. We believe what we have isn't binding.

Ensure you appreciate the moment, Cause the present is not the opponent.

Sonnet 12 The Guitar

Your divine song can fill the room with cheer. Can float through the air like clouds in the sky, Your melody may melt a person’s fear. Your strum can make you want to laugh or cry. When one string rings loud throughout the whole room, I stop to see what made that gorgeous sound, And quickly, joy replaced the cloud of gloom. But what if joy returned into the ground. What if joy could never be found again What if the music was gone forever. But everybody wants it to begin. Everyone wants to hear it whenever. Please, stay forever and never leave me, Your song is the best thing to ever be.

The Game

Each game I dribble, I pass, and I shoot. I dart quickly up and down the big field, Always with the same pair of soccer boots, And it is the ball I am trying to shield.

As my own cleats tear up the tattered grass, I get tripped fall down hard, and hit my head. I immediately run out of gas, And that night I lay down to rest in bed.

I got up the next morning with a plan. I then threw on my cleats for some payback. The ref blew his whistle and we began. Then I slid and there was a big impact.

And just like I had practiced in my yard, I slid, and the ref gave me a red card.

Comfortable objects

These comfortable objects cover the feet Leaving them warm and covered from others. There are different types for an athlete, And it’s disgraceful to take another’s.

Many worship these fine pieces of cloth, But I despise them to my very core. I would much rather drown in chicken broth. My ideals might start a deadly war.

And I am willing to take it that far. Socks are overrated to the point that People have tons of pairs and it’s bizarre. Sometimes I want to hit them with a bat.

But even so, I need to wear them still, Although I want to throw them on a grill.

IRP Art

Walter

Seventh Grade Art and Poetry Submissions

Animals of the Alphabet

Angry anxious ants abandon armadillos.

Busy buzzing beautiful bees become bouncy.

Carnivorous crocodiles create creamy candies.

Delicious dinosaurs devour their dinner.

Enormous elephants eat and enjoy everything.

Fat fruity flamingos fly to Florida.

Gradually giant giraffes gallop gracefully.

Happy hilarious hippos hug handy henchman.

Interesting iguanas inspect icky insects.

Jesting jaguars juggle jiggling jelly beans.

Kooky kangaroos kick kind koalas.

Leaping little lizards like licking large lollipops.

Missing magical monkeys migrate to Mexico.

Naughty narwhals nurture and name noodles.

Octagon orange octopi put omelets on ovens.

Particular penguins pick pungent pears.

Quiet quails question quintessential queens.

Racing red radioactive robot rabbits run.

Slimy slithering snakes secretly slide.

Tiny ticklish tittiering turtles toddle towards the beach.

Underestimated urchins understand utensils.

Vast vexing vultures veer venomously.

Wiggling wary worms work weirdly.

Xylophone xingu river rays x-ray xylographs.

Yellow young yetis yap about yesterday.

Zig-zag zillionaires zap zesty zebras.

In between class

Dish out a pass

Playing on the grass

Between class.

Ready to dive like a dolphin, We’ll keep you puffin' for breath. Swoosh!

The fast-flying frisbee soars through the air.

We jump up to catch it without a care. What would happen if we land

And our ankles can’t withstand? Crash!

We roll on the grass

Frisbee in hand, then dish out a pass

And like champions, we head off to class.

A Pen’s Purpose

My emotions glide

Smooth

Across the page like a gull landing on the smooth lake

Inky black stains the page

My feelings, now words, emerge from the old fountain pen

My pen

The tip

The taut tines

The barrel is

A round weapon in my hand

Where only I have control

Page after page

My words form my story

The scratching of my pen on paper is

The wind blown branch against my house

My comfort against the storm

Bald Eagle on the Shoreline

Echoes of the Vanishing Seas

The ocean takes form in different colors, Meticulously sectioned like fruit in a grocery store. Waves cut through the water like knives, their peaks constructed of glass. As they crash through the shore, white froth lightly coats the sand as a dusting of snow upon the treetops. The seagulls and pelicans join together, their cries a tumultuous blur of off-key notes. And suddenly, almost lamentably, one realizes that the earth is not as steadfast as it seems and that its ever-changing tides are the fault of ignorant humans with malicious intent. People do not realize that their Machiavellian actions are the cause of this earth's suffering. Once captivating beaches, spanning for miles, are now riddled with the guilty weight of pounds and pounds of litter. Once vast and empty deserts are now bustling cities choking on the intoxicating presence of smoke. And what do we as a society do to contradict this seemingly illegal act of treason against this nation's beloved home?

Absolutely nothing. In fact, we laugh in the face of this injustice and act as if it doesn't affect us. When, in reality, It affects every single being attempting to survive in today's world. One must face the consequences of their actions to save the world from its impending doom.

The Monsters Under My Bed

On these nights

The monsters crawl out from under my bed

The monsters that call themselves

Anxiety

Worry

Fear

I keep my body perfectly still

In a useless attempt to coax it into sleep. I can control my body

But despite my best efforts

I cannot reign in my mind

Lists of tasks I need to complete fill my head

Disappointment in myself claws at my thoughts

As I scold myself for the things I didn’t do I picture waves of paint

Pouring over my thoughts

Leaving my mind blank

But as soon as the thoughts disappear They return in full force

Anxiety swirls around me

Unrelenting

Laughing as it consumes my thoughts

Like a growing cloud of smoke

Soon, I find myself going over latin vocab words

Mentally organizing my lab report And planning this very poem

My muscles tensethh

Desperate to leap out of bed

And make lists

Of all the things I should have done

Fear creeps in, enveloping my thoughts as I realize

I am more awake than ever Without sleep, how will I make it through school?

How will I finish everything in time?

Irrational worries bombard my mind

Like cannonballs hitting a pirate ship

And soon

The fear of not getting enough sleep Is the only thing keeping me awake

A Portal

A portal. Held in my hand. Each time I pick it up, I am transported to a to a different time, Different mind, Different place. Different pace.

The small photograph found in some old coat pocket of the Goodwill, Not touched by human hands in years.

Somebody's grandparents standing on their new front porch. They looked at each other Like there was never a flaw in their relationship. But it didn’t irk me like the next one did.

It wasn’t until further into that pocket, I found that portal. I almost missed the small photo of a girl,. Probably now a women, Perhaps somebody's mother. But looking at her in this capture, Eight years old, Arms wrapped around a stray dog that dwarfed her. To most, he would’ve been ugly, Rodent looking Ready for a hair booking, But she gazed down at him like he was her most prized possession.

Like he had stars in his eyes. And at one point in time, All those years ago, Her heart was left with a void after he slipped through her grasp. And she wishes she could ask, What cruel monster whisked him away, And she wishes for one more moment. As her mind enters into the fray.

Yet fate had its own plans, And he faded away. The emptiness still echoes in her. A wound only time can try to heal, But with a bond that strong, Anyone would still hold on.

It reminded me of you.

The River

When I first came to the river in the deep wood, The rushing water was like a thousand stars shimmering in the summer sun. The true beauty of it could not be fully understood. It could never be outdone.

Fragile wildflowers blanketed to forest floor, Covering the pine needles and old leaves from last fall. I continued walking along the bank to explore, I could not help looking at it all.

As I lay on the bank, I listened to the river’s soft roar. I tried to think of something more lovely and drew a blank. I had to go, but I knew I would come again and adore.

Field Of Dreams

In the wide, bright field under The clear blue sky, Flowers dance and sway without fear, Their petals like a painting, vibrant, vivid, and vigorous. Each one its own story.

With a gentle breeze, they nod and sway, Their sweet scent filling the air, Their colors shimmer like a rainbows hue, As if each bloom has its own Opening debut.

Among the blooms, Bees hums and butterflies flutter, Their wings like stained glass, Sunlit as they sit on the flourished fields. They sip nectar like it's the sweetest of dreams.

As the day gently fades away, The golden sun sinks down Like liquid gold Beneath the hills with grace. It's warmth like a loved one's embrace, Covering the field in an amber haziness.

The family of flowers sigh as Daylight fades away, Their colors dimming,

The City of Vitality

The white noise of thousands of voices never ceases to calm me, like a soothing lullaby. This concrete jungle contains bustling crowds that never seem to end; even at the latest hours you’ll find people wandering the streets, some days just beginning and others ending. These strangers are the heartbeat of the land. The sun never truly sets; even in the nighttime, blinding lights shine from almost every direction. And clouds seem a bit too close to the ground in comparison to the compacted offices, homes, and stores. As I take a deep breath, I can feel the essence of this city life like a nostalgic scent from childhood. This is where I should be.

Summer

Warm breeze, Trees pray with oxygen. Life comes and goes. Butterflies flap their tiny wings, Crickets chirp, Honey hives stick out into the sun, Grasshoppers hop, Water flows into the ground. Rain comes, Thunder calls, Lightning lights.

Bright moon of summer sits, waiting for a friend. Chilly warm air flows and goes with another. Plants sit gaining life. Trees strong and stiff.

Summer waits for you to come out and play. You laugh, you sing with joy. You talk and swim in pools of dreams. Summer has just begun, it will never end; if you forget, Then it will be gone. If you stay with it, it’ll probably come back. Sunlight sits and smiles. This summer will always never end. Close your eyes, and dream of one thing you love till the very end. Mud drips and dries.

Summer hasn’t ended yet. Flowers bloom until you gasp with surprise. Tulips flow through the night. Colors come and fade, but if you stay with them, you’ll stay. Goats bleat, their tiny goat cries. This summer is for me and you. Stay with it, until you sleep under the gazing stars. Stay with it....

Summer has come.....

In The Attic

A beady old eye

Made of painted woodA twisted, warped wing Chipped and battered from Years of wear and tearA long yellowed string Stretching across the Dusty attic floor. Beaky has survived Years of play and cheer And has now vanished Into the quiet nursing home known as The Attic. The things here Have been banished from Normal life, or life Downstairs. Mother’s rug, Once dear, now tea-stained, Lies against the wall, Laughing merrily To itself over Childish mishaps, and Teasing scoldings. That old merino shawl, Light as snow, warm, soft, Once used for one dear, Now folded in an Ancient horsehair trunk, That went to China, Guatemala, Greece, On nineteenth-century Wanderings, thick with Adventure. But now, All they do is sit, In the attic. They Laugh, and remember.

Sixth Grade Art, Poetry, and Prose Submissions

Hilary Clinton By Caitlin Stanate Sophia Smith By Emmy Liu Country School Comic By Charlie Lee Maple Syrup Dr. By JJ Harder

Excerpt from “Mr. Linden’s Library”

It hurt him deeply to collect the bodies and souls of his friends. He was a mysterious and friendly man in a bland town: Mr. Linden. He was also a man with many holes in his heart. All he wanted was for one of his friends to listen to him; they never did. Once they found the book, and they always found out about it somehow, their friendship tore apart as effortlessly as paper and he was left to try and erase the evidence of their mistakes. The same thing happened with Destini.

One gloomy day, with clouds you couldn't even make into cute shapes and animals, a curious girl who was extremely afraid of the dark walked out of a tall royal blue house and into a library that looked almost like a church. Her name was Destini. The library was massive with magnificent chandeliers hanging in every section. The shelves were tall: all the better to fit more books in. There were pillowy, soft chairs with gorgeous patterns on the cushions. A nice, plump man was also perched right in front of a marbled cherry wood desk. His name was Mr. Linden. He would’ve never guessed that brown-haired, hazel-eyed girl would shoot another bullet in his heart.

Excerpt from “Timmy’s Justice is Just-Sus” JJ Harder

The year is 2007. He was riding his bike. Adrenaline rushing through his body, he was hoping his best friend the park ranger had some moon rocks. The boy asked the ranger if he had any. This boy’s name was Timmy T. Terrible. Let me introduce myself. I am the Overseer, a manipulation of time and space that, yes, oversees creatures from various universes. Before I tell you the story of Timmy T. Terrible, aliens do exist, and they look like Among Us characters.

And after all your hard work you are noticed and Now everyone who you thought you knew thinks differently. It’s like rainy moods and feelings and Just robust thoughts that pop into your head and A side of you says, No, no one will like that Of all the things you could have done Being famous is about the worst of them all. Famous is just a way of feeling like a Molecule of water that makes life blossom On other people’s standards that might be great A so called “great way of being you” even if it’s on a Small scale. But what does Scale mean when however much you are noticed You look and feel like everyone else, Just special and More important as some might say. And after everything you’ve done Nothing could be worse Than this

Short Story Excerpt

“RUN!” she screams running ahead. I looked behind me and saw a giant shadow beast. It was 100 feet tall, it still had glowing eyes and it was coming! We ran out of the woods and down the street to the library. When I got there she was just a little bit behind me, but the shadow monster was coming. It made a noise that echoed through the whole town. I ran, I ran as fast as I could, my feet trembling, I was gasping for air. “It's coming! “Hurry!!” I scream in a shaky voice. I could see it, I was so close. My eyes swelled up with tears. I held my breath and forced my eyes closed. “I let out one last “Hurry!” The voice behind me yelled “wait im com-'' It all went black. . . I opened my eyes and saw the library, but it wasn't misty red or dark. I sat there for a minute basking in the sunlight.

“Hey we did it!” I said to my sister but no response. I turned around and no one was there. That ment she was still in the other world! I ran out of that library and to the woods where the old lady’s cabin was, I banged on the door.

“Oh hello dear!” she says, opening the door.

“I defeated the shadow monster with the book but there was someone with me, my sister. I made it out and I thought she did too, but- she's” My eyes were filled with tears.

“She's right here.” The old woman says. I look behind her and I see my sister, her long hair cascading over her shoulders. I ran to embrace her.

“We're safe now.” she says.

Sally Ride Toshiko Akiyoshi

The Hallway

Short Story Excerpt

Drawing

Taryn walks up to me and says he knows why the vines came out of the book. He said at around 168,000 BCE, before most ancient civilizations, there was someone who hated my family supposedly named Chelssom. He did not like us because he used to be king, but his army turned against him and someone from my family was then in power. That is when Chelssom curated the book and said it would haunt your family for generations to come. This did not make sense for multiple reasons. First I asked why it was a book about exactly what I needed. Taryn said that was because Chelsom came in and changed the title. I asked how he could do that if he were born anywhere near 168,000 BCE. Taryn said he was not sure about that part, but the only explanation he could come up with was back then, they must have had some technology they did not have now. This kind of made sense, because that was so long ago there would be no fossils or evidence of it.

Short Story Excerpt

I go outside to get Miley and her paddock where I see her standing in the river and I sigh because I know I have to walk through the water to get her. I know I am going to get wet right before I ride “Oh Miley really.” As I walk, I bring her in. I have Miley’s lead in one hand and in the other hand I have Nanus’ lead (Nanus is Miley's friend because they are in the same paddock so I just decide to bring both in). When I walk up the trail to the barn they start to trot and I have to tell them to stop. As I tack her up with her saddle while she is sleeping. I get all my stuff on for riding then walk into the ring. Before I get on I walk and trot around the ring with me holding her. I bring her over to the mounting block that is red and full of dirt. I get on and start to ride. I trot and canter around then I let go of the reins and tell her to trot so she can lower her neck for a stretch. Then I tell her to walk to cool her down. I stop in a corner and jump off. We walk out of the ring and I tie her up on the cross ties. Once I groom her and put her blanket on I go to my tack box to get some treats and walk back to Miley and give her treats. Once she is all comfy with a red checkered blanket, I put her back into her stall that was waiting for her, and I say goodnight.

Rosa Parks Lindsey Vonn

Short Story Excerpt

...The next morning, I woke up with about ten different wishes that I wanted to come true. This is a game changer in my life. I couldn't wait to have everything I want. Incredible! At breakfast, I didn’t like what my mom made, so I just wished for a dozen donuts instead. When I went back up to my room, the donuts were there! Maizy followed me upstairs and saw me chowing down on my chocolate glazed donuts.

“What are you doing? Where did you get those?!” Maizy gasped.

“Leave me alone!” I yelled.

“Give me one! Share!” She walked into my bedroom.

“Just go away.” I held onto the rock and onto my donut.

“I’m telling Mom!”

“Ugh I wish you would just disappear!” I said under my breath. Suddenly, when I looked up from my donuts, Maizy had vanished! I freaked out. My face turned as red as a tomato. I was pacing back and forth in my room. What was I going to do? I had all these questions. Where did she go? Is she ok? Then I realized it was my fault. The rock, I wished that she was gone. The rock made her disappear. I have to fix this. So I wished for the rock to bring Maizy back.

“Please I wish for Maizy to come back.”

Nothing happened. I waited and waited but nothing happened. I thought maybe if I was in the realm that she was in I could bring her back. So I wished to go into her world.

“I wish to go where Maizy is.”

Then within three seconds I was in a black place. I could not see anything. Suddenly, I saw Mr. McGee’ss face was. He is the one who took Maizy? Is he inside of my rock? I still had the rock in my hand. When I looked up, I saw Maizy. I grabbed her hand with my right and had the rock in my left. We both wished at the same time to be back in my bedroom. Within three seconds we were there. Phew!

“Are you okay?” I asked her.

She told me she was. I was so happy to see her. I hugged her tight.

“Maizy now I realize that having this super power is hurting me and the people around me. It’s too dangerous.”

“I'm so glad you figured that out.” She hugged me again.

The next day I went back to the river by myself and tried to throw the rock away, but it just kept coming back. That’s when I realized that I needed to make one more wish.

“I wish to never have more wishes!”

Shell

Excerpt from “The Gold Cliffs”

On the sparkling golden cliffs of Japan, the sun was rising. Three brothers were enjoying Ichibancha tea. The tea was green and gold.

My name is Ichiro. My brothers are Aiko and Kenji.

“This tea tastes delightful,” Aiko exclaimed.

“I grew it myself !” said Kenji, sounding excited. “Oh did you?” Aiko replied. “Yes, it took many months to grow the tea leaves. It took planting, watering, and drying the leaves out,” Kenji said.

“I'm going to the garden,” I said.

“Aizuchi,” said Kenji [The word aizuchi means: to show you are paying attention]. “Oy,” said Aiko “Yeah,” I said.

“Feed the pond koi while you are there,” said Aiko thinking he would probably forget. “Aizuchi” I replied, positive I would forget.

In the garden, I pause. One of the deadliest snakes in Japan, Okinawan habu, comes at me and strikes my foot. I jumped back. My leg starts to swell with veins popping out. I fell and hit the ground. Everything went black.

Ghandi By Quinn Crimmins Katie Ledecky By Vivian Pfeil Taylor Swift By Veronica Schmid Leaves By Tash Fruzstajer

Fifth Grade Art and Prose Submissions

My House On Caleb Court

There's a small town called Guilford in the state of Connecticut. There are many places in the US called Guilford, one in the United Kingdom, and one in Australia. I live on the flat bottom of Connecticut, east of New Haven and right by the ocean.

I live on a dead-end street called Caleb Court, in a medium big tan Colonial with a backyard surrounded by a fence. About half of my yard is woods. I always go in the right part, which has a leafy floor coated in sticks. Huge and tiny, rotting and wet, firm and dry, those sticks are everywhere! I’m building a fort that has a canopy of leafy tree limbs over it like a roof. It has a half wall made out of short sticks leaning on trees, and the rest of the fort had a perimeter made out of branches. I trip over the perimeter all the time! Since there are so many sticks in the woods, I have a great building supply to make my fort with! You’d think I’m running out of sticks, but it seems like the more I use, the more there are!

The woods near my house are a magical place. The second I step onto the trail and off the street, I am surrounded by the sounds of birds chirping and leaves rustling. The trees seem endlessly tall compared to the shrubs in my yard, and the trail so peaceful compared to the excitement back home. The woods aren't all cupcakes and rainbows, though. I've tripped over roots countless times, and don't even get me started on the wasp incident...

When I was little, I wasn't strong enough to walk very far into the woods, so my parents and I usually went to the Alligator Area. I called it the Alligator Area because there are lots of gray rocks coated in fuzzy green moss. It looks like they are alligators poking out of the mud! It is a dirty, swampy place, perfect for playing The Floor is Lava! Some people might find it gross, but I love it! I don't go there as much now, but it still holds a place in my heart.

In my front yard, I have a rope swing. It has a long, long blue string tied onto one of the highest branches of a huge oak tree. Whenever I go on the swing, I can close my eyes and let the wind brush against my cheeks. It feels like I'm flying! If I try hard enough, I can touch my feet to the leaves of a tree near the swing. I hear the air rushing past my ears and smell the cool fall breeze. My brother also loves the swing! He sometimes goes out in the front yard and asks my parents to push him on it. The seat of the swing looks like a big yellow flower, and I used to have trouble getting up on it without help. But now I can get up on it easy- peasy! One time, my dog was out in the front yard, and I was on the swing. He grabbed the string that was under the seat and started pulling it and jerking me around. I started to feel dizzy! Whenever I'm on the swing, I ask for my dog to come out so we can do that again. Sometimes when I’m on the swing, he'll jump up and try to grab the string, but I tuck it in between my legs, so he can't! He’ll chase us on the swing until I finally drop the string so he can get it, but even when I do that, he can barely grab it. The swing is an amazing addition to my front yard, and my family and I have had many fun experiences on it!

This is my story.

My Neighborhood

There’s a nice town called Guilford that is in the small state of Connecticut. There are sixteen places called Guilford in the world. Fourteen places are named Guilford in America. A few places in the US where you can find Guilford are Ohio, Florida, and Pennsylvania. However, I live in Guilford, CT. It is on the east coast bordering the Long Island Sound. Many people enjoy boating and eating at restaurants in this little town.

I live in a mansion that is surrounded by houses. In the back of my house, there is a hot tub. We like to go there to relax. We even watch TV from the hot tub or admire our backyard with large trees and colorful flowers. We use the hot tub on cold days, and you can even change the temperature. The hot tub is the place to be when you are cold.

My town holds magical things. There is a public library That hosts exciting events like Dungeons and Dragons camp. Another special place is Ashley's Ice Cream shop. and however, one of the most magical places is the Guilford Yacht Club. One of the best parts of the yacht club is that you can look out on the water. They also have delicious food like hot dogs, pizza, and tasty curly fries. Even better than the food is taking trips on my family's boat. We will take it out and fish. One time we even caught a baby shark.

In the back of my house, just outside my kitchen's sliding door since the giant old tree. There is something special about this tree because it is actually two trees. Someday I was hoping I could turn it into a treehouse. I'm hoping the day will come soon but for now it's just a tree. Many things have happened close to that tree and there will always be my mark on that tree. Someday I might even write my initials on it. It's just cool to think that someday there will be something of mine left behind there.

This is my story.

Planet Pantry

“This has bean the most uneventful year in the history of Planet Pantry.” said Beanjamin Cans (at 6:34 a.m; 18 seconds into the 34th minute to be precise) in front of the whole entire bean kingdom which included the refried beans, the black beans, kidney beans, and last but not least, the soybeans. Everybody was tuned in on channel Third Shelf. This channel was home to the Beanful Times, the official news channel of Planet Pantry. You might be thinking, why are we talking about a pantry? Well the story isn't about the pantry, it's about what's in the pantry. This story is about a can of beans. . . I am just one singular bean living in the beany world of nutrition. The date of this story takes place at A.D. 6785. That is the current date in the pantry: nobody but us beans can decode this mysterious language called Beanish, the official language of Planet Pantry. Anyway back to the story, something happened a few shelves away from the HQ, a human, yes, a human came and grabbed the soup! It was awful. We tried to save the soup but we realized we couldn’t move. Then the thought struck us. He was going to get cooked! And EATEN! I know that's what we are meant for, but you know we got feelings in here. C’mon why don’t you all understand a couple cans of beans like C'MON MAN! Seriously. Ok we are getting carried away. Let’s start up the story.

Planet Pantry all started when the Robinson’s moved into the house on Maple Street. We were all alone in the house for a while stranded there. Then after the Robinson’s moved in, it got really exciting. The Robinson’s are a family of four. A mom, a dad, a girl and a boy. We call the Mom the Mrs. Boss, and the Dad, Mr. Beany Killer. We call the kids their regular names, Jonah and Lila Robinson. Jonah is a 4th grader who goes to the town public school. But Lila, who is in 7th grade, goes to a really nice school called “The Country School.”

Besides the people that live in the house, the kitchen is the bad spot. It's hard to believe, but the kitchen has a STOVE and a knife and a table for us to be eaten at. The room is awful, but also we live in the kitchen so it's nice too.

There is one awesome spot in the kitchen that everyone but the paper napkins can go to. Are you thinking what I am thinking? Probably not because I am a bean, and you are not. Ok so the best part is the KITCHEN SINK WATER PARK! It’s a hotspot for the kitchen folks. But there is one spot in the waterpark that no one likes. Before I say the bad spot let me inform that we have lost a couple of our fellow friends to yes you guessed it! The DRAIN OF TERROR!!!!!” A.K.A. the drain, just the drain, nothing else. But besides the drain the waterpark is awesome. Actually I want to go! “Hey mom wanna go to the kitchen sink waterpa-.

”Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh “Oh no, that's the dreadful sound of the pot boiling”

Immediately I went to find the noodles. “Yo noodles, can you make a noodle rope to save the soup.” They were unwilling to do it. Finally, we convinced them to do it. We used the can that had fallen over to roll and move the noodles so the rope could be made. Eventually, the rope was done. By catching one end of the noodle rope on the stove. It turned the stove down, not off, just not as hot. The noodles almost managed to turn the stove off completely. Well that was our plan. But it did not go that easily for the noodles. Just as the stove was about to turn off the noodle rope broke! We had to think fast to save the soup. Plan B was just about to be announced, but then all went black for Planet Pantry.

To be continued. . .

Fourth Grade Poetry and Prose

If I were in charge of the world

If I were in charge of the world

It would be summer all the time

Brayden Remembers

I am not looking at the camera getting ready to go play. Saying are you done and my mom saying no. Trying to hold my action. Then I start running and my mom tells me to come back. My mom tells me one more picture. Then I am mad and say fine. Then she finishes and I go off running to go play.

You could go swimming all the And I would cancel Mcdonald’s bacon egg and cheese

If I were in charge of the world

I would cancel tap water

Everybody would have at least 1 pet Either a dog or a duck

If I were in charge of the world

Dessert would be considered a vegetable there would be no bedtime Math wouldn't be a thing

If I were in charge of the world

Everyone would wear shorts

Wendey’s bathrooms would be clean And everyone would be happy

Poem

Dark midnight hair

Playing soccer all day and night

Making up games with each other

Why do you play soccer so much?

Playing soccer all day and night

Always laughing her head off

Why do you play soccer so much?

Always smiling

Always laughing her head off

Playing soccer

Always smiling

Why do you laugh so much?

Playing soccer

Making up games with each other

Why do you laugh so much?

Dark midnight hair

Ode to my Water Bottle

Thank you water bottle

For keeping me hydrated I would’ve died without you, Without your pink tint and white cap, You are always with me, sometimes on my lap

Thank you water bottle

There are so many ways I can drink water

With ice, With flavor, Even with salt, But that would taste disgusting..

Thank you water bottle

I don’t know what I’d do without you I’d have to get a new one, It wouldn’t be pink, It wouldn’t be filled with ice, It wouldn’t be nice

Thank you, water bottle.

Ode to eyes

Oh sweet eyes

Making sure that i can see

Always there for me

When i am in danger

It always helps me

When i'm running from a bee Or im chasing someone

Always there for me

When im playing tennis

It helps me when i'm running And also hitting the balls

Always there for me

When im playing piano

It helps me see the keys And helps me see the piano

Oh sweet eyes

Ode To Pencils

Ode to pencils

How you write so smoothly

How I doodle so doodly

But i hate when you write 3D

Ode to pencils

You do have a weird odor I feel bad for when kids mistreat you

Or when they snap you

Ode to pencils

And the nice smooth rubbery eraser

Sittin on the but end of you

How I sharpen you

And your tip so sharp

And my most favorite kind

Ticonderoga

Ode to pencils

I love using you for everything I love when your drawing something

How you shade things so nicely

How I make a mistake it's so easy to fix it

With the most perfect size eraser

Ode to pencils

Ode to a Sweatshirt

You are warm and comfy

You are always there for me

Dark, light any color you like

Blue, green, red, brown

Oh Country Schools sweatshirts

You’re so hard to put on but so comfy

Always on my sweatshirt rack

Waiting to be picked like a child at the ice cream truck.

in summer.

You’re kinda useless BUT STILL COMFY

ODE TO MY BED

You are always there for me

Every time I dive in, I close my eyes

And I'm floating on clouds... I don’t have bad dreams you protect me you're cozy and soft I like your heavy tight blankets they are like hills of moss rolling over me comforting me, and then I drift away You are my night friend, and I need you.

Ode to trees

Thank you for air

Thank you for life You are the one who made earth possible

I am sorry for people cutting you down Us humans are trying to stop But we really aren’t

You are beautiful in spring, summer and fall But winter i’d rather not talk about Wait do you really want to know about winter FINE I will

The trees look dead

And bland but when spring comes... COLOR! Everything is color YIPPEE

Pizza By Dia

Pizza

Salty, Cheesy

Muching, eating, tasting Yum yum pizza hut Dinner

Light brunette hair

Always laughing with me

Sleepovers together

Why are you the best friend ever?

Always laughing with me

Doing makeup together

Why are you the best friend ever?

Grassy green eyes

Doing makeup together

Playing in the woods

Grassy green eyes

Why are you such a great bestie?

Playing in the woods

Doing makeup together`

Grassy green eyes

Light brunette hair

The Story of the Edible Kingdoms

Once upon a time there was a king that ruled all the land. The king's name was Elfadoor the great. He was a shape shifting vegetable. He had four genie pots. He also had 3 sons and one girl. When the king died and split the land into 4 sort of equal pieces. Each piece had one genie pot with a weird thing/animal guarding it. When the king died the pots got lost in underground chambers. The kings kids each took the wrong pots now war rages on between them. It is up to one carrot warrior to save the planet.

Biography of JRR Tolkien

J.R.R.Tolkien was an author. He wrote the wonderful story of The Lord of the Rings. He was the author of The Similarion. He was a soldier in World War I and brought into the war by Oxford University. He fought in the battle of Somme. He wrote the children's story The Hobbit. He is remembered by most as a brilliant author and teacher

Ronald lost a lot of family at a young age. John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was born on January 3rd,1892 in South Africa. His parents were Arthur and Maple. Two years later his brother Hilary was born. In 1895, he sailed to England with Maple and Hilary. His father got sick with rheumatic fever and couldn’t come. On February 14th, 1895 Arthur died. Maple homeschooled the kids. Ronald loved dragons best; he wrote a story about them himself. In the year 1900, Maple had a surprise; they were becoming Catholic. That year Ronald was old enough to attend King Edward's School. Since it was in Birmingham, he had to take a train. In 1904, Maple developed diabetes and died on November 14th. In her will, Maple decided that Father Francis would be the guardian of 10 year old Hilary & 12 year Ronald.

They went to live with their aunt Jane. She never minded the kids but unfortunately she didn't care about them and she burned letters that his mother had written to them. At school Ronald met Cristofor Wiseman and they became close friends. In 1908, they moved to a boarding house where he met Edith Bratt and the couple fell in love. A year later Edith moved away. Cristofor Wiseman, Geofforey Smith, Robert Gilson, and Ronald made a group named the T.C.B.S. (Tea Club Barrovian Society) the reason they met was that they wanted to talk about poetry and language. J.R.R. Tolkien was developing a love for language.

J.R.R.Tolkien had earned a lot of responsibilities when he was an adult. He went to college at Oxford University. In 1913, he married Edith and they had four children, Michled, John, Cristtofor, and Priscilla. In 1914, he lived in the town of Oxford. Ronald always would like to write a bit after teaching. When Britain declared war on Germany, Oxford rushed to join the fight. In 1915 he graduated from oxford with wonderful grades Ronald's talent in military signaling ment that he would mean that he would be at the front of the battle. He did this with flags and lamps. On June 27, 1916 he fought in the battle of Somme. In 1920, he was offered a teaching position at Oxford University and he accepted. He would tell his students who were athletic to work as you do on the fields and gyms and the students thought that his speeches to them weren't boring, they were extremely interesting. In 1926 he met a professor whose name was Clive Staples Lewis (C.S. Lewis) but he was called Jack and they started a group called “The Inklings”. The Inklings met at a pub called The Eagle and Child, but Tolkien called it “the bird and the baby” . JRR Tolkien was developing a love for stories .

Tolkien has a lot of accomplishments. He won the fantasy and language award.. He wrote The Hobbit, a wonderful children’s book. and the lord of the rings the best book in my opinion he survived world war I.Edith died in 1917. Tolkien died in 1973. The Silmarillion was published in 1977 .He inspired coders to make dungeons and dragons star wars wouldn't exist out him he inspired Peter Jackson to film the lord of the rings and later the hobbit. He was at the top of the polls in the year 2000 . The Return of the King won the academy award for best picture in 2004. Tolkien was awarded a lot of accomplishments.

Tolkien is the best author. I chose Tolkien because I love his books. I think he is important because he changed the world of literature. Ronald inspired me to invent worlds of my own. Tolkien is still remembered by many humans today.

Third Grade Art, Poetry, and Prose

Cherry Blossom By Emerson Freeman Cherry Tree By Agatha Collins Cherry Blossom By Harper Hill Artwork By Charlotte Kenny

Jane Goodall Haiku

I am Jane Goodall

I love the wild and chimps I’ve started programs

One is called TACARE

The other is Roots + Shoots I love chimpanzees.

Spring Break

Diamond Poem

Nana

Fun, caring

Cooking, snuggly, funny

giggles, funny, caring, Harry Potter

Cooking, snuggly, funny

Fun, caring Nana

Acrostic

Cool Optimistic No veggies

Octagons are cool

Recess

For Spring Break, I am going to Naples, Florida. Heidi’s friend is coming, too. We are staying at our grandparents’ house, and we are going to a pool. We are going to the beach, too. That is what I’m doing.

Dragon

A Job Application

Dear Santa,

I am writing to you because I would like to apply for an elf job. I would make a great reindeer poop picker upper. I bet it would be fun as long as I have gloves. Is it okay that I ask a question? I hope it is, so I will. Do you have a poop picker upper yet?

Love, Henrik

Fortunately/Unfortunately

Fortunately, Ava had chicken nuggets for dinner Unfortunately, they were burnt Fortunately, Ava's dad brought home chicken wings Unfortunately, the chicken wings had feathers on them Fortunately, Ava took the feathers off Unfortunately, while taking the feathers off, Ava lost her fingers Fortunately, she had surgery Unfortunately, the doctor died while doing the surgery Fortunately, there was another doctor Unfortunately, Ava ran off because the doctor scared her Fortunately, her surgery was finished before she ran away Unfortunately, Ava’s leg fell off Fortunately, she crawled to a doctor Unfortunately, the doctor took her back to the hospital but it was on emergency lockdown Fortunately, the lockdown ended Unfortunately, Ava got stolen Fortunately, her friend’s grandma was the one who stole her Unfortunately, her friend’s grandma was an evil witch Fortunately, her grandma saved her Unfortunately, she hated her grandma Fortunately, her grandpa showed up Unfortunately, her grandpa locked her in a closet Fortunately, she used bow ties to make a rope and pulled the door with the rope Unfortunately, the rope broke Fortunately, the door broke in half and she escaped Unfortunately, a grenade exploded in the house Fortunately, she jumped out the window Unfortunately, she broke her neck when she landed Fortunately, it healed in one minute!!!!!!!!!!

THE

END!

Ice Cream

Ice cream, ice cream, everywhere I love ice cream it's in the air, yummy yummy it's yours taste it, yummy yummy ice cream

Biopoem

Who enjoys gymnastics

Who is able to do lacrosse

Who wonders if there will be flying cars Who fears sharks, spiders, and fires Who loves my family

Beach

When the waves crash on the ocean shore I think of blue. blue blue blue. The sand the pitter patter of the crabs and all the people

Fortunately/Unfortunately

Fortunately Alex got invited to a wedding in Aruba

Unfortunately she lives in Italy

Fortunately she had enough money to go on a plane there

Unfortunately there were no flights to Aruba

Fortunately She had a car

Unfortunately she drove into water

Fortunately a fisherman let her use their boat

Unfortunately there were sharks that chewed up the boat

Fortunately she found a buoy and climbed on

Unfortunately the sharks jumped onto the buoy

Fortunately she was able to jump to land

Unfortunately she was soaked

Fortunately there was a clothing store nearby

Unfortunately the store was closed

Fortunately she made it to the wedding anyway.

Fortunately/Unfortunately

Fortunately, a boy named Bob got invited to a pool party in the Bahamas.

Unfortunately he lived in Iceland. Fortunately he had a plane.

Unfortunately the plane had no gas. Fortunately he had extra gas.

Unfortunately he only had enough gas to go to the USA. Fortunately he had a boat.

Unfortunately he had no idea how to get to the pool party. Fortunately he had a map.

Unfortunately the map ripped. Fortunately he saw the pool party. Unfortunately he had no bathing suit. Fortunately his friend let him borrow one.

They are not square, but they are unique squares in a way

Shape Poem Rectangles

Fortunately/Unfortunately

Fortunately I can do a backflip, Unfortunately I broke my back, Fortunately they give you snacks at the hospital Unfortunately you can’t eat the snacks, Fortunately I can come out soon, Unfortunately I can come out in two years, Fortunately I ran, Unfortunately I ran of a cliff, Fortunately I landed in water, Unfortunately, the water had crabs pinching his butt, Fortunately I landed in a hot tub, Unfortunately there was lava in it, Fortunately I was wet, Unfortunately I got stuck in obsidian, Fortunately I had a jackhammer, Unfortunately I got kicked out of a pirate ship, Fortunately I found land, Unfortunately there were tigers on lan Fortunately I was in a cave Unfortunately there were bears in the cave Fortunately I can dig, Unfortunately I dug into a fox nest, Fortunately It was his birthday, so he let me go

Fortunately/Unfortunately

Fortunately Alex got invited to a wedding in Aruba Fortunately Bethany was eating a brownie… Unfortunately there was a turkey bone in the brownie … Fortunately it had left over turkey on it… Unfortunately her dog ate it… Fortunately she had a fortune cookie and it said you have a lot of money coming your way…

Look at That

Look at how the flowers grow; so much to admire; The waves crashing on the shore; the peaceful crash that that lulls you to sleep; the sound of of children playing; the way they laugh, talk, and smile

School Couplet Poem

I go to school every day And I think I want to stay

School is cool

We sometimes sit on a stool

It’s March. How?

I hope we don’t stop school now.

It’s in the air!

The school fair!

So now you know I love school Why? Because school is cool!

Unfortunately she spent it all on bubble gum… Fortunately it was a beach day… Unfortunately while she was chewing the gum, the gum fell into the sea…

Fortunately she was going to go in the water anyway… Unfortunately she got inked by a squid… Fortunately a whale took her to Mexico… Unfortunately she wanted to go home but only had enough money to go to Cleveland…

Fortunately she had a friend that lived in Cleveland… Unfortunately her friend lived on the other side of Cleveland… Fortunately she had Waze to get her there…

Second Grade Art, Poetry, and Prose

2nd

Shape Poem Anna’s Walk By Orla McGahan Rocket T-Rex By Luca Laurans Colors By Marc Puciato
Giant Chicken

First Grade Name Diamond Poems

Happy, nice, kind

Who enjoys cookies

Who is able to spread kindness

Who feels happy when I see a water fountain

Who wonders what fossils look like

Who fears fire

Who cares about his dog Lucy

Who dreams of seeing dinosaurs

Hebert

Greyson

Kindergarten Acrostic Poems

ats candy

om

I like Ms. Niekrash Like ice cream

Yellow on dresses

Expert reader

Loves Linnea

Excellent

Awesome

Nice

Outstanding

Reads a lot

Amazing

Has ice cream on Fridays

Uses toys

Dad is awesome

Sweet kid

Outstanding

Not slow

Joyful boy

Awesome Sweet

Outstanding Nice

Has a brother

Excellent

I love dad

Does her work

I love mom

Sweet

I love mom

Moves around a lot

Outstanding

Not slow

E
M

Marvelous

Awesome

Reads a lot

Goes out for ice cream A very good sister

Reads at school

Eats a lot

The best sister

Sweet

Kind

Your friend Love my mom Awesome

Really good at reading

Very kind

I am sweet

Very good at writing

I like ice cream

Engineer

Never gives up

Nice

Expert reader

By

Very flexible Independent Always kind Never gives up Always helpful

Mom Up high I jump My toys Uses markers Runs
lot Outstanding Wonderful Awesome Nice
a

Excited about school

Love my sisters

Interested in birds

Excellent kid

Listens to the teacher

Loves school

A very curious girl

Huggable

Eats apples

Nice to his sister Lucy

Really happy

You are his friend

Busy son

Outstanding LEGO builder

Dinosaur loving kid

Energetic boy

Never late

Can ride a bike

Helpful with Noah

Always kind

Right-handed

Loves her family

Older sister

Terrific at friendship

Tries her best

Excited about princesses

Kind kid

Loves her family

Artist

Running racer

A drummer

Quite the letter writer

Unique

Expert artist

Engaged reader

Nice kid

Interested in books

Helpful host

Excellent learner

Strong lifter

Too good at LEGOs

Unselfish

Just loves the ocean

Adventurous boy

Curious collector

Kindergartener

Sleepy

Tricky math

Eats carrots

Likes LEGO sets

Loves swimming

Artist

PreK Artwork

By Ben Jones By Cooper Cormier By Milan Cieslak-Tochigi By Sebastian Sanchez By Yann Keshwala By Luke Ciccone By Adeline Shae By Chandler Paulson By Stella Hebert By Quinn Dolan By William Eltorai By Vera Flowers By Frances Keil By Archie Collins By Juliet Shae By Adrian Yazdanyar By Hazel Robertson By Wilfred Collins By Harrison Dudinsky By Alden Barnes By Elliot Cortese By Nolan Gordon By James Gedney By Collins Girolamo By Max Marozsan

PreSchool Art and Poetry

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