CONTRIBUTORS
Mrs. Bateman Gr. 3
Dennis Lee
MacKenzie Proukou
Mae Zimmer
Mrs. Burns Gr. 5
Daniela Cawley
Lilly Horgan
Samantha Lovett
Ms. Donovan Gr. 5
Cat Atkins
Berit Cederlund
Bella Crovo
Gavin Thomas
Ms. Geigle Gr. 4
Cole Bourgeois
Lydia Chesley
Alexis Dent
Zoe Garrett
Joe Henry
Layne Kohler
Ali McArdle
Annie Palombella
Ms. Hanlon Gr. 3
Chloe Antaya
Mae Casey
Nathan Dannemiller
Lily M.
Cole Slocum
Parker Villarin
Ms. Held Gr. 4
Ella Friend
Matthew Hutton
Campbell Johnston
Brady Markella
Ms. Kelly/Mr. Tam Gr. 5
Kelly Barr
Emma Szachta
DRAGON TALES
WINTER 2013-2014
Ms. Lamare/Ms. Pietrantino
Daniel Allen
Livy Antaya
Jake Berry
Brett Bossi
Emme Bouthiller
Joey Cooper
Merryn Couoto
Ava DeAngelis
Aidan Dormady
Paige Hornan
Angelina Ivanof
Dominic King
Chloe Laviolette
Will LeClair
Julian Lopes
Seamus McCarthy
Allie Murphy
Cam Reagan
Jacqui Slayter
Ms. Marrone/Ms. Aldrich Gr.3
Cameron King
Ms. Madigan/Theophilos Gr. 4
Ryan Anderson
James Anderson
Remy Andrews
Matthew Ciesielski
Ryan Clancy
Juliette Colucci
Mya Cusson
Elizabeth Delia
Scott Doyle
Colleen Fahey
Chloe Gagnier
Maya Gearin Virga
Ethan Hunt
Nathan Laporte
Katie Markella
Liam McGrail
Chatam Morton
Cody Panton
Ben Walsh
Ms. Morgan Gr.3
Halle Burgess
Hannah Canty
Payton Cicerone
Maya Daly
Ms. Nissi Gr. 3
Andrew Curley
Madie Hong
Tyler Kadish
Peter Koulouras
Sofia McAuley
Reilly Murray
Mary Norberg
Luna Porciatti
Camden Starrick
Ms. Rinkus Gr. 4
Robby Dimler
Victoria Doherty
Lucas Fadden
Charlie Gilbert
Max Pastore
Kiley Plunket
Dr. Swanson Gr. 3
Margaret Bayston
Ms. Sullivan Gr. 5
Katie Wiemeyer
COVER BY: Teddy Stravin
Ms. Desmonds Class
This issue of Dragon Tales could never
have become a reality without the
typing help of these parents:
Mia Antonia, Amy Asbedian, Liz
Bayston, Betsy Campbell, Cara
Clelland, Valri Fountain, Kristin
Gearin, Alex Giofriddo, Karen Gordon,
Nancy Hardwick, Devon Kohler, Tracy
McDermott, Maureen Meyer, Kealy
O’Brien, Dawn Siegel, Kim Szafran,
Ron Ulich, Maria Villarin, Kim
Wiemeyer, and without the hours of
help Mrs. Whitaker spent getting this
issue published.
Berit Cederlund
Mrs. Donovan
What I Found in My Top Drawer
An old wad of pink bubble gum
A shriveled up plum
A little rubber shark
A glow stick that won’t glow in the dark
A pair of cut up shorts
A teddy bear with stuffing warts
A daisy chain all shriveled up
A lazy whistle in a cup
A brown and white cow toy that can’t moo
A bucket of green goo
And one more thing I must confess,
A note from Mom clean up this MESS!!
Halle Burgess
Mrs. Morgan
Lollipop Tree!
Once upon a time, there was a lollipop tree. I found a stack of wood. Then, I built a
tree house in the Lollipop tree. I painted it and painted it all day and night. It was
beautiful! When I was finished, I went up there and looked around. Something was
missing. I was thinking and thinking. Then, I found out what was missing- the
decorations and furniture! I put a hot pink couch and chair by the window. Then, I
put a horse picture on the wall, and a table. I added a giant lollipop too! My lollipop
tree is AMAZING!!!!!
Mae Zimmer
Mrs. Bateman
Should trampolines be banned?
I do not agree that trampolines should be banned. They provide great exercise, and
they can be safe too. Also they helped lots of people such as acrobats. Trampolines
must not be banned, they are too much fun!
Trampolines provide great exercise while having fun. The heart pumping exercise is
great for your body. Kids need to get fit and active, and this is a great way to do it.
Some people say trampolines are way too dangerous but they can also be safe. The
nets on trampolines are made for kids not to fall off, and they don’t. Also the bars
help too.
Last, trampolines helped a lot of people such as acrobats to train for their
performances. So if they helped them they can help us. If trampolines were banned,
it would be no fun. That is why I strongly think trampolines must not be banned!
How to Eat an Oreo Cookie
By Cole Slocum
Grade 3 Mrs. Hanlon
This is my absolute favorite way to eat an Oreo cookie. First you’re of
course going to need a hand, a mouth, and an Oreo. Now let’s start
eating. Take off the top and devour that Oreo. Next use your teeth to
scrape off the inside. Finally eat the rest. That’s how I eat an Oreo
cookie.
How to Eat an Oreo Cookie
By Nathan Dannemiller
Grade 3 Mrs. Hanlon
This is how I eat an Oreo cookie. Sing the Oreo song. Hop on one leg. Open
up the Oreo and find the cream. Then take a small bite. Then swallow the
cream. Take a small bite again. Munch. Be careful. Do not choke. That is how
I eat an Oreo.
The Daily Geigle Tribute
By: Cole Bourgeois and Joe Henry
The Bearded Bros Bring Home the Cup
David Ortiz is the MVP of the World Series. He was so happy to have such a
wonderful team during the season and post-season. He said it was a privilege and a
goal to be the MVP of the World Series.
New manager John Farrell led the sox to the World Series, winning his first career
championship. It is John Farrell’s first season as manager for the red sox.
Shane Victorino led the red sox offensively hitting a base clearing triple and a grand
slam in the World Series.
Shane Victorino said “the beards brought our team together”. Shane Victorino
batted 2nd in the batting line up for the World Series.
When the red sox won the World Series it was very important to the victims of the
Boston bombing. First baseman Mike Napoli said, “When I heard of the tragedy of
the marathon bombing, I knew we needed to do something special.”
Just four days after the red sox won the World Series they had a massive parade.
There were nearly two million people there! While the Red Sox toured Boston in
duck boats, they stopped at the finish line of the Boston marathon, they put down
the world series trophy, and the Red Sox jersey that said 617 “Boston area code”.
After, they sang god bless America.
SUB SECTION 4B FOR MORE SPORTS
A Day in the Arctic by Mae Casey Mrs. Hanlon’s class
Hi! I am a penguin. I live in Antarctica. It is cold here. Ice and white are big things here. This morning my mom gave me
fish for breakfast and “Yuck!”, it was gross. Being a penguin is very hard. When my Mom and Dad leave I play with my
friends. I have to sleep standing up and I hate that. I was playing on the ice with my friends when an animal with
something on his head smacked his face on the ice. On my way home I went toboganning and a seal popped up and I
said “Come on that was rude!”. I am just a kid and that’s my life.
A Day in Antarctica by Chloe Antaya
Mrs. Hanlon’s class
Can you guess what I am? I have a black and white body, an orange beak and some chilly orange feet. Yes, I am a
penguin!
It’s chilly in Antarctica but I am young so I get fed and I get to play with my other penguin friends. We tobogan alot and the
only color here is white. What I eat is fish, squid and krill.
Life as a penguin is difficult. You have to sleep standing up and I need my beauty sleep and that’s tough standing up.
That’s the life as a penguin.
Sugar World!
By Maya Daly
Mrs. Morgan’s Class
Have you ever heard of Sugar World? It’s a magical place where the water’s
made of sugar, and the grass is twirlers and the trees, they are lollipops. And the
rocks are pretty much the same; they are jawbreakers so you don’t eat them.
Would you like to know where it is? It’s far, far in the solar system. So far that
nobody knows about it, not even scientists know about it. The food is gummy
hotdogs and gummy hamburgers. AND THAT’S SUGAR WORLD!
Beaver
by Katie Markella Madigan/Theophilos
Beavers are very cool,
With their really big teeth,
Chopping down every tree in sight,
Gathering sticks,
Making a den,
Slapping their tails against the water,
Warning the others,
Therefore a predator is coming,
They hide in their den,
The predator sees nothing,
The predator leaves,
The beavers come out,
Years pass,
It is winter,
And it is time to hibernate,
They gather up food,
Then they sleep for the winter.
Lion Lion
by Miles Sampson Madigan/Theophilos
Lion, Lion, what do you see?
I see a striped Tiger growling at me
Striped Tiger, Striped Tiger what do you see?
I see a Goldfinch chirping at me
Goldfinch, Goldfinch what do you see?
I see a little dog barking at me
Little dog, little dog, what do you see?
I see a slithering snake hissing at me.
Slithering snake, slithering snake, what do you see?
I see a white wolf howling at me
White wolf, white wolf, what do you see?
I see a monster stomping at me
Monster, Monster, what do you see? I see a child grinning at me
A Veteran’s Story
By Cameron King (Grade 3/Marrone & Aldrich)
Mr. Cram is our custodian. Mr. Cram was in the Navy with the Marine Corp. He was
on a helicopter aircraft carrier in the war in Beirut. Mr. Cram was a 2nd Class Petty
Officer. He ordered aircraft parts. It was his first deployment and he was at sea for
five long months with no land. Thank you for serving our country Mr. Cram.
My Elf on the Shelf
By Lily M. Mrs. Hanlon’s Class
My elf on the shelf has a little red hat. It is a boy with brown hair and rosey cheeks.
He has a red shirt and green collar. He has a brown belt and green pants. He has
green and red shoes. Oh! I almost forgot! His name is Hank. He is 7 inches tall. My
goodness! Hank ate a lot of cookies! He’s eating some cookies right now! His
favorite food is spaghetti. I need to go. Bye! Hank will talk to you.
Hi. I’m Hank, Lily’s elf. I bet you know already. Can you please pass the plate of
cookies? I love cookies. Lily said I eat too much. I don’t think so! Oh! Here comes
Santa! He’s bringing me dinner. Spaghetti! Yum! Thank you Santa. Cookies for
dessert! Oooo, good! Lily’s coming home! Better get in my spot.
Hi again. Did you talk to Hank? Good. Did he eat dinner? Ok. What did he have for
dessert? Two plates of cookies? Wow! Time for me to go to sleep! Merry
Christmas!
The Worst Day Ever!!!
By Hannah Canty
Mrs. Morgan
I new I was going to have a bad day. It was my first day of
school I hate school its so boring. I also had to wear the worst
clothes ever. I had to wear ugly pants and a yellow shirt. I had
to have waffles I hate waffles. I have the worst bus driver ever.
School was the worst all we did was work nothing fun just boring.
When I got home I had to do homework. Then I had to go to the
doctor’s and get 4 shots Then I had to go grocery shopping the
grocery store was so busy and boring. I hate the grocery store.
After we getted to go to the toy store. Then we had to go home.
When we got home we had to eat right away because I had to go
to dance after I had to go to gymnastics then I had to go to
soccer. When I got to go home and watch TV and to go to bed.
Then I had to go to bed because I was bad at dance. I had to go
to bed by myself and be alone until I get called to go downstairs.
Worst day ever in my entire life!!!!
The End!!!
The Best/Worst Day Ever
By Payton Cicerone
Mrs. Morgan
I woke up at 8:00 in the morning. I fond my self in the garage I
bet my brothers did it. I came up to my room. My dad came up
to my room, and he said, Payton time for the day.
My parents told me to go in my and get all my blankets that were
in my room. Because we were going to make a fort. When I came
down no one was there. They scared me, jumped up and yelled
spurries. I was so happy! We played games like hid and seek, tag.
The best part was playing in my pool. We had chockalott cake.
My brothers told me to smell the cake so I did and they smashed
my face in the cake.
Then we played more and we got all muddy. My mom told us to
wash off in the pool. Then we played in my pool more. It was so
amazing. After that my parents had to leave and they said my
mean brothers were in charge. I now that this was going to be
the worst day ever. I knew that if my brothers were in charge
that this was going to be the worst after known. They smashed
the party! Then when my parents got home. My parents yelled at
my brothers all day. Every body left. But 3 of my friends
stayed. We stayed up till 3:00 a clock and we had bacond and
eggs. We got ice cream for breakfast. Then we played more in
my pool even more and we played marrow polo. Then we annoyed
my brothers even more, it was so fun. Then my friends went
home. And I played in the pool with my brothers. We played
basketball. Then my brother’s friends came over they annoyed
me all day, and all night.
The End!!!
By Scott Doyle
Madigan/Theophilos Grade 4
Jaguar, jaguar what do u see
I see
A blue bird chirping at me
Blue bird blue bird what do u see
I see
A lion look-in at me
Lion, lion what do u see
I see an elephant takeing a shower in front of me.
Scaly The Scaly Lizard
By Ryan Anderson
Madigan/Theophilos Grade 4
Scaly the Scaly lizard
Like never before with 1234 that’s a whole lot of legs sometimes
green sometimes yellow sometimes all of the colors sometimes
bite sometimes nice sometimes mean and sometimes sweet
sometimes they hiss sometimes they lick.
Campbell Johnston
Mrs Held
Surely a dog is the right pet to add to our family. Three reasons
why a dog would be a good pet are, we would exercise more, the
dog will keep us busy, and dogs are very lovable. Our lives will
change forever when a dog comes into our family.
The first reason a dog will be a good pet is a dog will exercise us
more. If the dog wants to go for a walk we would have to walk it.
We wouldn’t sit around all day. Our family would stay healthier.
Getting the family to exercise more will make them fitter and
happier.
The second reason a dog is the right pet for us is because our dog
will keep us busy. We could go to new parks we haven’t been to.
We could meet new people at puppy training centers. Instead of
watching TV we could play with the dog. Getting the family to get
out more and do different things will bring us closer together.
The third reason is that dogs are very lovable. Dogs are very
sweet and lovable. They could make the family very close to
animals. Dogs love to snuggle up and sleep with people. Dogs love
to kiss you and when you say goodnight to everyone and kiss them
you could let the dog kiss you too.
So as you can see I would really like a dog. Three reasons I would
like a dog are, we would excercise more, the dog will keep us busy,
and dogs are very lovable. As you can see I would really like a dog
and hope that you want one too.
Maya Gearin Virga
Grade 4, Madigan/Theophilos
Turtle by Maya Gearin-Virga
Oh turtle, how your shell does sparkle and
glisten,
And when I talk to you, you seem to sit and
listen.
I watch you pop out of your shell, first head,
then feet,
And I watch you crawl up the hill, so delicate,
so sweet
Maddie Hong
Grade 3, Mrs. Nissi
My father’s favorite tradition during Thanksgiving is to watch the balloons get
blown up the night before the Macy’s parade. He and his brothers would walk to the
Natural History Museum at midnight. The front steps of the museum was always
crowded with many people. It was very fun because many of his friends from school
were there. He will always remember this tradition from his childhood because it
signified the beginning of the holiday season.
Lucas Fadden
Grade 4, Mrs. Rinkus
The important thing about Lucas is
that he is good at fishing.
He is good at lacrosse;
He is good at running;
He is good at hockey;
But the important thing about Lucas is
that he is good at fishing.
Remy Andrews
Grade 4, Madigan/Theophilos
Blaise
I love Blaise
he always stays
he youthfully prays
he finds his ways
he sometimes plays
he is a maze
he raises the roof
he lies on my lap
he is my butte
Holiday Tradition
By Reilly Murray (Grade 3/Mrs. Nissi)
My Mom’s favorite holiday tradition is to work with our neighbors to line our street
with luminaries. Luminaries are candles that you light and put in white bags along
our entire street so Santa can see our street. My Mom likes this because it is
something that our family does together. This tradition started for my family when
we moved to our house four years ago. My Mom is looking forward to doing it this
Christmas Eve.
Holiday Tradition
By Andrew Curley (Grade 3/Mrs. Nissi)
Christmas is my Mom’s favorite holiday tradition. First, Dad goes downstairs before
everyone else and he turns on the tree and makes sure Santa is gone. Then he gets
ready to video you as you come into the family room to see all of your gifts. It seems
like it goes by in a flash! Everyone rushes to find what belongs to them. Towards
the end we take turns opening presents because we don’t want it to end. After that
we get ready to have our family breakfast. It’s great that we get to have
grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins come over in pjs and comfy clothes to have
the most yummy french toast and egg casseroles and fruit. Spending time with our
family and seeing everyone so happy and excited is what my Mom likes best about
Christmas morning.
About Robby
By Robby Dimler (Grade 4/Mrs. Rinkus)
The important thing about Robby is that he is good at baseball. He likes to read the
39 Clues. He’s awesome at soccer. He loves pizza. But the important thing about
Robby is that he is good at baseball.
Fall
By Emma Szachta
Grade 5/Ms. Kelly and Mr. Tam
Fall is one of my favorite seasons. One thing I like about fall is
Halloween! Halloween has so many amazing sights to see. Kids in scary
costumes are everywhere. On Halloween I can feel the candy wrappers
sitting in my hand still covered in sweet chocolate. I smell the candy I have
in my mouth and it smells sweet, gooey and yummy! I hate hearing my dog
whimper when trick or treaters run past us. The taste of mouth watering
candy makes me jump with joy. I love Halloween!
Thanksgiving is another thing I love about fall. At Thanksgiving I get
to see my twin sister wearing her giant turkey hat. I can feel the heat of
the mashed potato bowl I’m holding in my hand. The scent of the hot mouth
watering turkey makes me happy. I can hear my busy family talking about
future trips and plans. The sizzling turkey in my mouth tastes so good. Fall is
on season I love!
Autumn
Kelly Barr
Grade 5/Ms. Kelly and Mr. Tam
One day in fall I walked outside and smelled smoke of a fire in the
distance. I watched an array of leaves of all shapes and sizes fall to the
ground. I had to rake a pile of leaves in my yard. It started to get warmer
outside. The wind whistled all around me. I smelled the sweet smell of
candy apples in the fresh air. Fall is a wonderful time of the year.
Halloween is a wonderful holiday. I love going around on a
beautiful night asking for delicious candy. After I get candy I unwrap it
and I feel the crinkling candy wrapper in my hand. I put the candy in my
mouth and it tasted so sweet. I relish seeing all the creative designs on
the pumpkins. When I carve my pumpkins I always feel the slimy
pumpkin guts. I enjoy Halloween.
On Thanksgiving I love the smell of all the delicious foods cooking
in the kitchen. Like the turkey, I also really like the smell of gravy. I have
fun going outside on Thanksgiving and jumping into a pile of leaves. I
hear the leaves crunch beneath me. I adore the taste and smell of apple
cider. I admire the fall season.
A Day in the Antartic by Parker Villarin (Mrs. Hanlon's Class)
There I am in a cold damp egg "I mean people don't know that there's nothing to do but sit all I
do is sit. Get me out of here! I peck and peck and get out It's even more boring standing. I
grow up and soon meet lots of other penguins. I'm loving it! I go to get my food from my mom
when I get even older I get my own food in the cold water I find fish I eat and go back to land.
My baby brother sits in an egg all day. I'm not that old I'm only 2. I'm just thinking. wait...was I
thinking out loud? Well I ran into a seal on the snow. Can you move please. HE DIDN'T EVEN
BUDGE! Can you believe that guy. Does he even have manners? By the way my friend Nathan
knows how to sing peck her face. I mean peck he face why would you want to peck her face.
And its by Penguin bak bak!
Charlie Gilbert (Mrs. Rinkus Class, Grade 4)
The important thing about Charlie is that he is Good at basketball. He loves his dog, he likes
going on boats, and going to the beach. But the important thing about Charlie is that he is good
at basketball!!
Mary Norberg (Mrs. Nisi Class, Grade 3)
My favorite holiday tradition is going to Mrs. Madden's Gingerbread party. It is her favorite
tradition because she has been going to it for a long time. She can see her college roommate
because it's at her mother's house and She can take us too. The tradition started when her
college roommate invited her to the party. At the gingerbread party (mom's favorite holiday
tradition) they sing christmas Songs, have good food including homemade pizza, a pinata for
kids, Santa visits, and we decorate homemade gingerbread houses. It's special to mom because
she gets to see her friends. She's been going to it through many stages of her life, and she can
take us to it now. My mom really likes this tradition!!:-)
THE SECRET SHORTCUT By Cat Akins Mrs. Donovan
You have been late to school for two weeks! If you‘re not on
time tomorrow, something really bad will happen. I was
almost sure I would make it to school on time. When I got
home from school that day, I started to make a plan to get to
school. I found a shortcut.
I got up at 5:00 a.m. so I could be there a little early and in
case I got attacked again by some cat-related thing. School
starts at 8:00 a.m. I made sure everything would work which
took about 30 minutes. I ran to the bus stop to try to catch
the bus, but with my luck, giant catnip started to lie down in
front of me. I missed the bus.
Plan B: I took a shortcut through the giant catnip’s fur and I
started to ride it. I could not see where I was going. Then I
felt a bump and next thing I know, I am flying on the giant
catnip A huge cat is attacking the giant catnip. I start to fall
into the cat’s food/water bowl.
I swam for a long time and then I started to fall. Next I saw
kitty litter. I was going to turn around when the cat started to
chase me again. I walked through the litter box and it
smelled horrible. For a second I thought I was going to pass
out.
When I got to the other side, I jumped out and ran to school.
I hear the teacher say, “You finally made it to school on time.
Now go take a shower or you will have to be sent home
because you smell so bad.”
Then my mom woke me up and said, “Time for school.”
“I
just went a little while ago, Mom. I got sent home to take a
shower.”
“WHAT are you talking about? Are you ok? Do
you have a fever or something?” “Mom, I think it might have
just all been a bad dream.”
I got to school on time that day
and was never late again.
On the side table there was a picture of a giant cat with giant
catnip in its mouth with a food and water bowl under it with a
litter box in the background. Maybe it did happen, maybe it
did not. Nobody will ever know!
PERSUASIVE WRITING By Brady Markella Mrs. Held’s
class
Since we’ve moved, we have a big backyard with no use.
Why not get a teacup pig so it’s not useless? We can teach it
to do tricks. They’re small and do not weigh much.
We can save money on food and our backyard is the perfect
shelter for our wonderful pig. I think a teacup pig will be a
perfect fit in our family.
One reason we should get a teacup pig is because of all the
things it can do. We can teach it many new things. Teacup
pigs are much smarter than dogs are. They have very poor
eyesight but a wonderful sense of smell. It will keep all of us
off our electronics. When we’re not home, Lulu and Lola can
exercise the pig. We’ll have a 2 for 1. We can teach it to sit,
play dead, roll over and many other things, like play
instruments. It would keep us very busy and exercised.
Let me tell you about the body weight and size. When we get
it, it will be a piglet so it will be 2.5 lbs. It will be very small
and easy to carry. They are called teacup pigs because
they’re as small as a teacup. When it grows up, it’ll be the
size of Lola and will weigh about 500-700 lbs, (sic) but I have
the perfect plan for when that happens.
I know exactly where to put it for shelter. In my opinion, in
our backyard we could build a little pigpen out of wood. The
teacup pig will roll around in the mud when it gets hot. In the
summer we’ll have to bring it inside with the air conditioner
on. Teacup pigs are very clean and we will not have to give it
baths all the time. A teacup pig will fit perfectly in our family.
It eats many things and will save us lots of money on pig
food. When we don’t finish our vegetables, instead of
throwing them away, we could give it to the pig. The best
thing about a teacup pig is in the fall we will not have to rake
because our pig will eat all of the leaves that fall down. Isn’t
that awesome? It can also dig up its own food from outside.
A teacup pig will be a great fit for our family. They’re so small
and adorable, how could you not want one? And guess
what,I’ve already got the perfect name for it,Pinkie.
Pinkie the cute little teacup pig! That is why I firmly believe
we should get a teacup pig.
DRAGON By Gavin Thomas Mrs. Donovan’s class
I saw a dragon outside.
I was scared out of my mind.
The
dragon gave me a jump.
I thought they were in fairytales,
but I guess not.
I think I might be dreaming.
So I pinch
myself.
I wasn’t.
Finally the dragon left and then I had a
normal day. Well, maybe.
FISH
By Chatham Morton Madigan/Theophilos
Fish, fish. I am a jellyfish.
Fish, fish. The water makes me
go swish, swish. Fish, fish. I wish to not be put in a
dish.
Fish, fish. I am a jellyfish.
THE POLAR BEAR By Juliette Colucci Madigan/Theophilos
Why do you sleep in an igloo?
With it so cold and so
hard?
How do you swim in the water so freezing cold?
To
eat those fish raw and so fast?
But then at last you go into
your den to start the day all over again!
My Favorite Holiday Tradition
By Tyler Kadish
Mrs. Nissi
My mom’s favorite holiday is Christmas. Every year my family goes to look for a
Christmas tree. My family spends about one hour looking for a tree, because my mom
looks for perfect tree with perfect branches, top, and width, and how tall it is. When we
get home my dad brings out a stand that holds the tree in place. After my dad does that,
my mom moves it so that it is just right. We let it sit for a while so the the branches go
down. Then it’s time to decorate the tree. So first we put on the lights and make sure they
work. Then we put on the plain bulbs. Third we put our own personal items on. Finally
we put on the angel on the top of the tree. The tradition got started when my mom was a
little girl. Her family started the tradition. The tradition is so special to her because she
wants to teach me and my brothers her tradition so that we can use that tradition in our
future lives. That’s why my mom’s favorite holiday is Christmas.
Should Trampolines be Banned?
By MacKenzie Proukou
Mrs. Bateman
Trampolines must be banned! Lots of people think trampolines are fine, but the
fun ends when you get an injury. First, trampolines are causing too many injuries to kids.
Also, trampolines were invented in the 1930’s for acrobats in their performances, not
kids. Last, the American Academy of Pediatrics say that studies show that trampolines
should never be used in homes or at playgrounds.
Trampolines are causing way too many injuries! In the article, it says,
“Trampolines caused nearly 95,000 injuries in 2012 alone!” That’s a lot of injuries! It’s
not too late to ban trampolines though. You can ban them now.
Trampolines were not invented for children. In the article, it says, “Indeed, when
it was invented in the 1930’s, the trampoline was meant to help acrobats in their
performances.” Trampolines are not safe for kids to play on.
Even doctors agree that children should not be using trampolines as play
equipment. In the article, it says, “These injuries are such a big problem that the
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), a group of doctors that specialize in treating
children, said in a 2012 study that trampolines should never be used at homes or at
playgrounds. Never.” Trampolines are proven not safe for children, so why can’t we ban
trampolines and stop the injuries.
People believe that kids can get injuries in any sport, and it’s normal. I don’t
agree. The injuries that people get on trampolines are too serious to keep happening.
Trampolines are causing way too many injuries to kids and have to be banned. If
they are not, kids will keep having serious injuries. Do you think trampolines should be
banned?
Teacher – Dr. Swanson
The Pumpkin That Forgot to Turn Orange
By Margaret Bayston
Once upon a time in a pumpkin patch far far away lived a little green pumpkin.
That very day it was Halloween. All the other pumpkins were orange. The farmer came
with some people who wanted to buy pumpkins. They look at all the other pumpkins
except him. He felt sad.
Every pumpkin that was left teased him. Even the farmer cracked jokes about
him. The pumpkin felt mad and sad about not turning orange. The problem was he
didn’t know how.
One day a painter came to fix up the pumpkin. He fixed up the pumpkin in no
time. The pumpkin was bright orange with a dark black face. Every pumpkin cooed at
his new look! The End
Teacher = GEIGLE, Grade 4
Duxbury Triathlon
By Alexis Dent, Layne Kohler and Lydia Chesley
2013
Every year on 9/14 people from all around the country come to Duxbury,
Massachusetts to swim, bike and run. It’s the annual Duxbury Triathlon! You can do the
whole thing yourself, but some do it in relays. To do it in a relay, one person does the
swim, one does the bike, and one does the run.
“I have a lot of fun doing the Duxbury Triathlon every year,” says Devon Kohler.
The Duxbury Triathlon is important because people come to exercise and to get a
challenge. The order in which the three events go in is: swim, bike, run. The youngest
age is twelve.
Since nobody in our class is above twelve, we asked them what they think of it.
Zoe Garrett quoted, “it was an amazing event and everyone had fun.” “I think it is really
cool how Duxbury has its own Triathlon,” remarked Charlotte MacCallum. “My family
did it and had fun,” Annie D. declared. Both Addison Thawley and Delaney Williams
think it’s exciting and would like to do it.
The different events have different lengths. The swim is 0.5 miles. The bike is 13
miles, and the run is 3.1 miles. It is always on a Saturday and it starts at 7:45am.
Most people say that they have a lot of fun at the Duxbury Triathlon. A good
amount of people want to do it when they are old enough. It’s a great chance to get
exercise and to have fun.
Teacher = Madigan/Theophilos, Grade 4
Oh Little Bear
By Ben Walsh
Oh little bear, oh little bear you have fur like a blanket
You have razor sharp teeth
And razor sharp claws to catch little fish
Oh little bear, oh little bear you can stand eight feet tall
Oh little bear, whatever you put your claws on you will eat it
You have a really good sense of smell
You can smell things ten miles away
Oh little bear, oh little bear go sleep in your cave you need to hibernate for winter.
Teacher = Madigan/Theophilos, Grade 4
By Matthew Ciesielski
Cardinal you are bright red
You behave like a hummingbird,
Hummingbird, hummingbird
You are bright green
You behave like a woodpecker,
Woodpecker, woodpecker
You are bright blue
You behave like a mocking bird,
Mocking bird, mocking bird
You are dark green
You behave like an annoying 7 year old kid.
BATEMAN- Dennis Lee
Dear Sir or Madam,
I strongly think that Duxbury should have more technology. For example
auto doors. It would be safer, cleaner and less plain. There should be more
technology so people can focus on the important things more. Then machines can
do the not important things.
An expert would say it would be good because it would make life safer,
cleaner and less plain. Someone who has a different opinion might say it would be
too expensive. In response I would say it will be expensive but we would use the
money we would have used to buy things to do stuff like fix buildings to buy and
maintain the machines. That is why Duxbury needs more technology.
Yours truly,
Dennis Lee
HELD- Ella Friend
I want a baby koala! I bet you would like one too! It can eat our leaves, it is a
friend for our other animals, and we can build it a home! My opinion is that a baby
koala is spectacular! In addition, our baby koala can grow very big and that would
help us!
One way a baby koala is helpful is that it can eat our leaves. We don’t have to
remember to rake the leaves every year. Even if we don’t get to jump in them.
Furthermore, it might also eat the pine needles. Our grass will be clean and healthy.
We don’t have to buy so much koala food since they eat leaves.
A baby koala could have 4 playmates! Our baby Koala can play with Gracie,
Jackson, Ficty, and Riela. Our Koala is about the same size as Gracie. Moreover it
would be funny to watch our koala and Gracie goof around. We could take it outside
with Riela and have races. We could train the koala to go fast to win a race. It would
keep me and Evan off the TV while training it.
This offer comes with a bonus! We don’t have to buy a home for it! We can
build one of wood and other things. Or maybe once you build our treehouse we can
have a spot for our koala! I believe he would be safe up there. Mainly because it can
climb trees. I could go up and check on his food and water every day. When it gets
cold we can put a ton of blankets for him.
See I told you that there are many reasons for a baby koala. It could eat our
leaves and pine needles. Also, it is a friend for our other animals, and we can build it
a home! In conclusion, you might think a baby koala could be a handful, but I think
it could be fun!
By Ella Frlend
GEIGLE- Zoe Garrett, Ali McArdle and Annie Palombella
The Piping Plovers
Hello! This is Zoe Garrett, Ali McArdle and Annie Palombella. Today we will
tell you a tragedy so big it will knock your socks off! It’s so tragic you will have to
watch this over again to believe it! It all started with the day we got the
newspaper…
It was Sunday morning when I looked at the newspaper and I literally fell out
of my chair! The Piping Plovers strike back at the beach! “I was disappointed
because I couldn’t go to the beach!” quotes Delaney Williams. “I think we should
keep protecting them because if they die out, other plants and animals would die,
too” answered Layne Kholer. “I was sad that the beach was closed but happy that
we were saving the Plovers” quotes Alexis Dent.
The scene was at Duxbury Beach, from the start to the middle of
summer. We had Harbor Master Office Karl Gumpright come to our school to talk
about it. “The babies look like cotton balls with toothpicks for legs” he informed us.
The Plovers nests are very small so you have to be careful not to step on them. Fun
Fact! Did you know that when the baby plover wants to move, it runs away from its
old nest and in to a new one? The babies are in charge!
Also, one bird nested on the camp of the drive on part of the beach so we had
to go on the walk on part.
This is Zoe Garrett, Ali McArdle and Annie Palombella signing off. Good bye
folks!
MADIGAN/THEOPHILOS- Elizabeth Delia
Little Puppy
by Elizabeth Delia
Hay you little puppy sitting in the sun. You do not have any problems none
not one.
Oh you tiny puppy relaxing in the sun. You do look cool and you are sitting
by the pool.
Yes you rule
You rule you rock you are the cutest puppy on the block!
MADIGAN/THEOPHILOS- Ethan Hunt
Deadly Scorpion
by Ethan Hunt
Why is your tail so pointy?
Why are your claws so sharp?
Why are you so scary?
You carry buckets of poison.
You live in the desert and jungles.
Ouch. That really hurt
Madigan/ Theophilos
Grade 4
Squirrel
By Colleen Fahey
Your tail is like a swirl?
You nibble on acorns,
Your teeth are like thorns?
You have a cave in a tree?
You roam free,
Dogs try to get you?
But you don’t let them,
You run up the tree I feel a fast breeze?
Up up near the top of the pine tree,
Where birds fly I see?
I hope I can see you again,
Please?
The Sea Turtle
By James Anderson
Swimming fast through the ocean.
All of a sudden stop.
The big sea turtle is a giant dot.
Hiding from your prey.
I don’t see you. You’re probably blending in.
Mrs. Hanlon
Grade 3
How To Eat An Oreo Cookie
By Lily M.
Do you know how to eat an Oreo cookie? I do. Now lets
get started. I have my own way. First, take top cookie
off. Second, lick the frosting off. Third, lick it off slowly.
Fourth, eat the cookie. Fifth, eat other cookie. Sixth,
say, yummmmm. Yummmm! I had a yummy snack!
Time for another one!
Mrs. Sullivan
Survival Story
By Katie Wiemeyer
Lucas was flying. He looked out of the window of the
plane. A green wonderland, he thought to himself as they
flew over the forests of Yellow Stone National Park. All of a
sudden, he felt a big jerk and a rattling sound coming from
the engine. He slowly walked up to the pilot’s seat.
“What’s going on?” he asked the pilot.
“Engine failure.” the pilot replied grimly.
Lucas ran to the end of the plane and he found a
survival pack along with two parachutes. He read somewhere
that a boy had survived a plane crash by parachuting out of
the plane before it crashed. He gave one to the pilot.
“Open the hatch in the back.” he told him.
“Good luck boy.” said the pilot giving the parachute back to
him. “Save yourself.” he said and opened the back hatch.
Just then the plane gave a mighty lurch and started to fall.
There were screams from the first class people. Not needing
to be told twice, Lucas clipped the parachute on, took the
survival pack, ran to the back and hurled himself out the
hatch. Lucas pulled the cord and stopped falling as fast
immediately. He looked below him and saw he was falling into
Yellow Stone’s deepest woods.
Lucas landed with a loud THUD. He laid on the ground
for a bit, a messy lump of parachute. He had managed to
escape his first plane crash with just a cut on his hand from
a branch of a dead tree. Lucas looked around. He seemed
to be in the middle of a thick wood. He got up and started
to gather the materials he would need to start a fire. Then,
the survival pack bumped his arm, of course! He thought as
he pulled out a knife, a sleeping bag, a box of matches, a big
ball of coil and a little stick of flint.
“Flint and steel make a spark!” he said aloud again.
Lucas made three fires in a triangle that’s what he could
remember was the sign of distress. Or was it four in a
diamond? He couldn’t remember. Leaving the fires to smoke,
he went off in search of materials for shelter. Lucas had a
feeling he would be here for a long time.
Bark, sticks, leaves, rocks and fire. Those were the
materials Lucas had to work with. Fortunately, Lucas had
come across a strong flowing stream when scavenging the
materials for his shelter. He tested the wind; it was strong
blowing from the East. Lucas decided to try to find a big
boulder that had a flat side and use that as his east wall.
So even if his walls weren’t the thickest, the wall where the
wind was blowing had some thickness. Lucas trekked the
forest, picking up sticks and sharp shards of rock for tools
and shelter. He would need a spear or something before
dinner, he thought hungrily. As Lucas walked he thought
about what to get for supper. He was so preoccupied he
walked right into what he was looking for.
“Ouch! Who leaves a –“ Lucas looked up at a boulder
that was a few feet taller than he was.
“What a coincidence!” he said joyfully. Without wasting
anytime, Lucas got right to work on building a sturdy shelter.
He collected bark, long sticks, and leaves for the hut part
and long sticks and the coil from the survival pack for a
fence. Lucas had read that Yellow Stone is home to foxes,
bears, and malicious wolf packs. Lucas had never seen a wolf
up close before, but he knew if you ever were found near one
of their prized pieces of territory, you wouldn’t get out
without a fight, and a fight, was the LAST thing Lucas
needed at the moment.
As Lucas scourged the forest looking for materials he
came across a clearing.
“That’s odd.” he said to himself. Then out of the
corner of his eye he saw what looked like the ruins of a
fireplace. He ran to it. Yes, it was a fireplace, and there
were flakes of rock and a bench! Then he heard a growl.
Lucas turned and saw a great brown bear lumbering around a
ripped up tent. Lucas stifled a scream of terror. The bears
claws and mouth were caked with dried blood. Whatever or
whoever had gone to sleep in this camp had never woken up.
Lucas sprinted out of there; he was not sure if the murderous
bear had seen him or even smelled him. He ran so hard that
he collapsed halfway through the woods. There he lay, not
caring that this was not the most comfortable of all collapsing
poses, not caring that he may never wake up again. The last
thing that he remembered is noticing a gaping cut on his left
leg. As he lay, he let sleep and unconsciousness crash into
him like a wave.
When he awoke, he lay in his shelter, miraculously; his
savior was not human but a dog. No, not a dog, he corrected
himself when he saw the size of this canine, a wolf. The
wolf, lay in the yard inside the fence. How he got into the
fenced area he had no clue.
“You’re a strong looking fella.” Lucas said to the wolf.
When Lucas spoke to the wolf, it came right up to him and
started licking his cut.
“So that’s why its not as bloody as I remember.” Lucas
murmured as he let the soft, rhythmic, licking lull him into
unconsciousness once more.
When Lucas awoke, the dog stood over him, a dead
rabbit in his jaws. Lucas looked around. He saw the fur and
bones of a rabbit in the fenced area.
“Wow.” said Lucas.
Fifteen minutes later, Lucas had a cheerful fire and a
rabbit leg roasting on a spit above it. Twenty minutes later,
Lucas had a full belly, and a happy canine friend whom he
called Hunter because every day when Lucas was recovering,
Hunter would bring him a rabbit or squirrel and growl if he
refused to eat.
Finally, when Lucas had recovered enough to walk, he
decided since the winter was coming, he needed a leather
jacket, pants, and some moccasins so he could stay warm.
“Bison fur is soft, but I’ll need a weapon to hunt it.” he
told Hunter. Hunter looked at him. Lucas looked around the
woods until he found a strong, four-foot stick. Then, he got
his knife out and sharpened the end. Lucas tried throwing
the stick, but he could not aim very well, and even if he did
hit something, he thought he would need a sharper point to
penetrate the animal’s skin. Lucas remembered reading about
early man and them using their atlatl. Lucas tried to picture
the spear. Then he remembered the spear had a skinny but
strong stick, and a stone tip.
“That makes more sense!” he said to Hunter. Hunter
barked happily. What type of stone to use Lucas had no idea
but he was getting somewhere! Then Lucas remembered
another thing, when he had first gone looking for a boulder,
he had picked up shards of rock. Lucas opened the survival
kit. There were seven shards, only three of them; he
decided were usable for throwing spears. The other four he
would use a daggers. He collected three skinny but strong
looking sticks that looked a lot like the ones from the picture
of the early men hunting. Then, he bound the shards to the
tip of each stick with coil.
“If you are bored from watching me you could always go
hunting again.” he told the sleeping Hunter. At the sound of
his voice, Hunter jumped up, stretched, licked him goodbye
and jumped the fence with a single bound.
“Show off.” Lucas muttered under his breath, even
thought he was on the verge of cracking up. Hunter sure
knew how to win him over. Focusing back on his spears he
saw that he had done fine work, he had three handsome
looking spears and a beginning of an atlatl.
“I might be able to do this.” he said excitedly.
The night he set out for the bison herd was stormy and
dark.
“They are less likely to smell us.” he told the soaking
wet Hunter. Hunter grumbled and whined.
“You can go home if you want!” Lucas told him sternly.
Hunter gave him an affectionate butt in the leg with his
head. When they reached the bison herd, Lucas almost
shouted in delight, the herd had left behind a wounded male.
Unfortunately, this male was well enough to put up one last
fight. Lucas was positioned to throw. He aimed for the
bison’s head. His spear whisked past harmlessly when he
threw it. A gust of wind had thrown him off! As he
prepared another attack he heard a voice.
“Lucas! LUCAS! LUCAS! WHERE ARE YOU!” it said.
He recognized it, it was his father! Lucas ran like he never
ran before. He was dimly aware of Hunter keeping pace with
him on his side. Then he stopped. Lucas wondered what his
parents would say about Hunter. He wondered if they would
allow him to keep him. Slowly, he walked towards the sound
of his father’s growing voice. When he got in to sights range
of his father, he saw that the whole family was there. His
mom, his dad, his sister Sadie, and his brother Gregory.
“Lucas! There you are!” screamed his mom.
“I knew you would make it!” said his dad.
“I almost got your room!” said Sadie sounding
disappointed.
“What’s that?” asked Gregory pointing at Hunter who
was sitting patiently at Lucas’s side.
“Our new dog, I call him Hunter.” Lucas said proudly.
“No, honey, there is no way we are going to have a wolf
in our living room.” Said his mom.
“Barbara, come on, Lucas trained him and all, plus he
would make a good guard dog. Hunter barked and jumped on
his dad. His dad fell over in surprise, laughing as Hunter
licked his face.
“Leonardo, I don’t know, what will the cops think?” she
said.
“We could live out here.” Lucas suggested.
“I will not agree to that young man” said his dad, still
recovering from Hunter’s unexpected burst of energy.
“We might as well stay here for the night, it’s getting
dark” said Gregory.
“Yeah, let him show us his fail of a shelter, I bet it
couldn’t even hold three of us” replied Sadie arrogantly.
Lucas rolled his eyes, he knew better than to fall for
Sadie’s games.
“Come on” he said to his family, shooting an angry glance
at Sadie.
Surprisingly, Sadie followed, without complaint. As
Lucas led them through the woods, Hunter trotted at the
front, his wet nose in the air.
“Wow” His sister breathed as they arrived at the
shelter. Lucas rolled his eyes.
“Come on in and make yourself at home” he told his
family. Lucas gave his mom the bed, and he showed his dad,
sister and brother how to make beds of pine boughs. Then,
he heard a helicopter landing.
“Hello?” said a voice.
“We’re in here!” said his dad. The helicopter driver
entered and stood before them.
“I am here to take you home,” he said to them.
A couple of months later, Lucas was back to his normal
routine of homework, hanging with friends, and taking care of
his dog, Hunter.
THE END (Hopefully)
Truck
Muddy, loud
Roaring, hauling, off-roading
Chevy, Ford, Toyota, Honda
Racing, speeding, drifting
Automatic, standard
Racecar
By
Dominic King
Winter
Cold, snowy
Sledding, ice-skating, snowing
Blizzards, snowman, bathing suits, sunglasses
Blazing, running, playing
Warm, sunny
Summer
By
Jake Berry
Hero
Strong, mighty
Saving, flying, helping
Trustworthy, amazing, evil, maniacal
Scheming, destroying, ruining
Devilish, sinister
Villain
By
Merryn Couto
Sweet
Tasty, delicious
Tasting, eating, smelling
Treat, candy, lemon, lime
Puckering, eve watering
Bitter, tart
Sour
By
Paige Homan
Lacrosse
Exciting, fast
Checking, scoring, running
Goal, stick, cleats, bat
Hitting, stealing, sliding
Diamond, homerun
Baseball
By
Seamus McCarthy
Day
Bright, light
Playing, working, running
Hot, shadowy, cold, chilly
Moonlight, spooky, moon
Starry, dark
Night
By
Julian Lopes
Moon
Dark, black
Shining, freezing, waning
Craters, darkness, light, star
Boiling, sizzling, shining
Bright, yellow
Sun
By
Aidan Dormady
Dragons
Fiery, green
Screeching, broiling, flying
Monster, creature, horn, horse
Flying, galloping, talking
Mythical, magical
Unicorns
By
Allie Murphy
Summer
Fantastic, warm
Relaxing, swimming, tanning
Friends, sun, snowman, snow angel
Playing, skating, freezing
Snowy, icy
Winter
By
Angelina Ivanof
Summer
Warm, sunny
Swimming, playing, running
Beach, sunglasses, blizzard, snowman
Sledding, skiing, snowing
Icy, cold
Winter
By
Ava DeAngelis
Winter
Snowy, chilly
Freezing, skiing, sledding
Icicles, blizzard, beach, boat
Tanning, burning, swimming
Sunny, windy
Summer
By
Brett Bossi
Football
Tough, dirty
Tackling, passing, kicking
Field, touchdown, basket, court
Shooting, passing, running
Fast, action-packed
Basketball
By
Cam Reagan
Pencil
Skinny, wooden
Writing, drawing, sketching
Lead, eraser, ink, permanent
Correcting, checking, fixing
Red, neat
Pen
By
Chloe Laviolette
Fall
Colorful, cool
Jumping, raking, burning
Rake, leaves, snowballs, skates
Sledding, snowboarding, skiing
Freezing, snowy
Winter
By
Daniel Allen
Health
Energetic, happy
Running, eating, exercising
Fruit, water, soda, junk food
Smoking, television, bug
Sick, tired
Illness
By
Emme Bouthillier
Hero
Help, super
Winning, saving, loving
Justice, caring, rude, twisted
Destroying, trapping, wreaking
Mean, evil
Villain
By
Jacqui Slayter
Football
Intense, loud
Tackling, throwing, catching
Pads, helmets, cleats, shin guards
Kicking, passing, shooting
Fast, exciting
Soccer
By
Joey Cooper
Relaxed
Calm, quiet
Meditating, sleeping, resting
Alone, silence, headache, cranky
Annoying, sweating, screaming
Nervous, anxious
Stressed
By
Livy Antaya
Hero
Role model, adventurer
Motivating, encouraging, rescuing
Grateful, honest, evil, sinister
Despising, stealing, hurting
Extreme, hateful
Villain
By
Will LeClair
The Sea Turtle
By Cloe Gagnier (Grade 4 Madigan/Theophilos)
Why do you swim alone, with nobody there to give you company?
How do you swim so elegantly, looking so majestic?
Eating all those salty plants, thinking that they are yummy? Just one plant filling
up your tummy?
Your beautiful green shell protecting you so that you can start the day again!
Fox
Liam McGrail (Madigan/Theophilos, Grade 4)
Why do you not speak?
Why do you not chase me?
Why are you so small?
Did you shrink yourself?
Are you in my imagination?
Do you even make noises!?!?
You’re not a fox!
You’re a patch of flowers like I saw yesterday.
Tradition Paragraph
Luna Porciatti (Mrs. Nissi, Grade 3)
My sister Jade’s favorite holiday is Feragasto (National Water Fight Day in Italy).
It is her favorite because everyone goes outside to play. Emperor Augustus
began this tradition in 18 BC. The emperor started this tradition because the
people wanted time to rest after their hard work. The Emperor had to keep his
people happy. So he stared the tradition. This tradition is special because she
gets to play with her family. The reason we do this tradition is because our Babbo
passed in to us.
Kiley Plunkett (Mrs Rinkus, Grade 4)
The important thing about Kiley is that she is good at swimming.
She likes dogs.
She can play soccer.
She likes the color green.
But the important thing about Kiley is that she is good at swimming.
Tradition Paragraph
By: Camden Starrick
Mrs. Nissi
I interviewed my grandmother and her favorite tradition is Christmas pajamas. She
buys Christmas pajamas and then watches her grandkids open them on Christmas
Eve. When my grandmother was young, her parents went to church and afterwards
they opened one present on Christmas Eve. It is special to my grandmother because
she can now keep the tradition going on. I’m going to keep the tradition alive when I
have a family.
Persuasive Writing
By: Matthew Hutton
When we buy a house, we should get a dog. A dog can play with me, scare coyotes
away and be a good guard for the house and our family.
One reason I feel we should get a dog is it will play with me. This is helpful because
it can make me be more of an outdoor person. I would also get a lot of exercise
playing catch with the dog. We could play catch with the dog. We could play catch
and run in the backyard. At the end of the day we would have a lot of fun and be
tired.
Another reason we should get a dog is to scare away coyotes. If the dog can scare
the coyotes away, the coyotes won’t make a big mess in the garden. If I was camping
and the coyotes came near, the dog will bark! The dog would keep our family safe
and protect our garden.
In summary, this is why I want a dog. It can play with me, scare coyotes and be a
good guard dog. I think if I had a DOG, I would be really happy!
What do you think of Fall?
By: Daniela Cawley
You might think of falling leaves,
perhaps a pumpkin with unwanted holes.
Some might dread their rake from Lowes,
you might be glad you can take out your sweater
or, you might fear of the cold weather.
Some might praise hot apple cider,
candy, witches or an old scary spider
You’re the one that thinks of orange in your head
or instead of orange, do you think of red?
Maybe it’s that you love pumpkin pie.
Do you love November so much you think you’ll die?
Are you waiting to draw that colorful turkey?
In Fall we never have weather too murky.
Many think of Fall a lot.
Is it stuck in your head like an everlasting dot?
I don’t know about you, but when I think of Fall
I think of the best season of all!
MICE
By Cody Panton, Grade 4 Ms. Madigan/Ms. Theophilos
Those little fat mice are really really really round
and they run and hide in the walls
so if you have a cat
let him or her catch the mice
The Skunk
By Nathan Laporte, Grade 4 Ms. Madigan/Ms. Theophilos
You are a very small critter.
Some of the berries you eat are very bitter.
You sleep in the day and come out in the night.
Albino skunks are white and bright.
You are a skunk that’s who your are.
You are a little star.
Your stench could even harm a wrench.
You are a skunk that’s who you are.
Victoria Doherty, Grade 4 Ms. Rinkus
The important thing about Victoria is that she is a figure skater.
Her Favorite color is lime green.
She loves to sail.
She is a good ballet dancer.
But the important thing about Victoria is that she is a figure skater.
Max Pastore, Grade 4 Ms. Rinkus
The important thing about Max is that he is good at riding dirt bikes.
He can play football.
He can ride his bike.
He can run.
But the important thing about Max is that he is good at riding his dirt bike.
Family Tradition
By Sofia McAuley, Grade 3 Mrs. Nissi
My Mom’s favorite family tradition takes place during the winter solstice. On that
day, her family gets together to have a special meal of “Tongyuan”, which are make
from glutinous rice flour and water. Her Mom (my Grandmother) would wake up
early to prepare the meal. The “Tongyuan” is formed into spheres and are boiled in
hot water. Then, my Grandmother prepares the soup to serve the “Tongyuan” in.
She makes homemade stock with chicken or pork bones that are boiled for a long
time. When the soup is done, she puts the spheres into the soup with lots of veggies.
It is traditional to have “Tongyuan” during the solstice because the circular shape
represents the family circle which is really important for my Mom and her family.
Secret Shortcut
By Bella Crovo
“Come on. Let’s go. We can’t be late,” I said to Olivia. I walked into Mrs.
Potter’s room, and she screams and yells, “Miss Crovo and Miss Mendoza, you
are late again! If you’re late one more time, you will get it!” The next day, Olivia
sai d to me, “I have an idea.” I said, “Ok. It doesn’t hurt to try.” So she said that
there was a shortcut that only she knows about. I said I would try it. We
stumbled, we tripped, and we fell. Then we thought we got to school, but when
we walked through the door, suddenly I was wearing a leotard in a group
huddling. Then I looked up and saw Aly Raisman and Jordyn Wieber and some
other Olympians from the USA Gymnastics Team. I was shocked! Then I
thought, where is Olivia? I looked and I looked but could not find her. Then Aly
Raisman said, “Come on team. Let’s go win the gold!” So I did and so did the
team. We went out to the Olympic place. I saw Olivia. She was the coach by
the bars. Then the lights went off, and I had the spotlight. Every eye in the gym
was on me. They were waiting for me to do a big Olympic flip that I could not do.
My face got so red. I did a round-off back handspring. I can’t do layouts like
Olympians. The room fell silent and Olivia asked me where we were. I could not
answer her because I was so shocked. Then I heard screaming. “Good job!”
they said. “Woo hoo!” I heard clapping; they were cheering for me. I went in the
backroom with Olivia to get some water. We went through the back door, then
we were all normal with clothes on and not leotards, and we were outside. “Lets
go!” I said. “But not back in there.”
Olivia and I were looking for the school hoping we would not be late. We
were walking for an hour. We stopped so suddenly because a stampede of
cartwheels came towards us. I heard the coach say, “You guys lost.” He was
talking to Olivia and I. He thought we were doing cartwheels too. He said we
had to do the most cartwheels and we cannot leave ‘til we won, and I said to
Olivia, “We need to get to school and home.” So we got ready to start the race.
Then we lost. Then we lost. Then guess what? We lost again. And there was
one more round; whoever won could move to school. Whoever didn’t win would
be stuck there together forever. We had to win. Then I remembered that there
could only be one winner. If I won, then Olivia was stuck there forever and if
Olivia won, I’d be stuck there forever. Olivia and I did the race and we both won.
It was a tie. So he let us both go. I was so relieved.
We saw the school. It was right there. So we ran and ran then we fell and fell
and fell down the big hill. It was dark and quiet. Then I saw a rack, a person and
lots and lots of people. Then I saw them and I realized they were holding
leotards. They were trying to pick out a leotard that they wanted to buy. So
Olivia and I went with it. “Why not,” I said. So we were deciding what one we
wanted. And I did not know that gymnasts could be so crabby. “I want this one.”
“No, I do.” That’s what they said. We picked out the one we wanted. Then the
voices got quieter and quieter, and it got darker and darker and scarier and
scarier. Then we started to roll again and again. Then we were back on the hill
thinking we will never roll down that hill again.
We were in Mrs. Potter’s room finally. And we heard her say, “Time to go
home now.” We missed a whole day of school. Mrs. Potter came up to Olivia
and I and said, “You missed it. Where did you go?” And we told her the whole
story and she believed us. So she said the consequences were we had to bring
her through that crazy shortcut. Now we know never to miss a day of school
again. And never to take that shortcut again!
Peter Koulouras
Mrs. Nissi
Grade 3
My family’s special holiday tradition is New Year’s Day. New Year’s Eve we are
making the special cake that is called vasilopita. We are wrapping a coin with
aluminum foil, and we hide it in the cake before we even bake it. The next morning
on New Year’s, we cut the cake in equal pieces and name then under each family
member including a piece for home, business, Santa, and God. Whoever gets the
coin will be very blessed for the year. We also break a pomegranate. My father
reads a special prayer for health for the family. That tradition started years and
years ago in Greece. It is special to us because it brings the family together and we
pray for a good year ahead.
Lilly Horgan
Mrs. Burns
What I Found in My Closet
A sliver of gum stuck to the bottom of my shoe,
An immense clump of hair, how it got there, no clue,
A hole-filled sock with a terrible odor,
An antique toy boat that has a broken motor,
A stash of expired candy all over the floor,
A bag of Lay’s potato chips and jewelry galore,
Some wrinkled ripped papers flying everywhere,
A sad, faded, headless teddy bear,
An old Halloween costume from last year,
A talking action figure I no longer hear,
And one more thing I must confess,
A note from mother: Clean This Mess!!!!
Samantha Lovett
Mrs. Burns
What I found Under my Bed
A couple of scratches on my floor,
an apple core with ants galore,
a pair of stinky socks filled with holes,
an inflated soccer ball that no longer rolls,
a chewed up pencil with a broken eraser,
a little racecar missing its racer,
a small stuffed bear missing an eye,
a broken model airplane that once flew through the sky,
a rusty old key that fits no door,
an old faded t-shirt that I once wore,
and one more thing, I must confess,
a note from my mom saying; Clean this mess!
Mya Cusson
Madigan/Theophilos
Grade 4
Koala bear
Koala bear, Koala bear,
Eyes so bright.
You eat eucalyptus leaves
All day and all night
You do not growl, or grumble, or roar,
You do not pace back and forth on the floor.
You climb up big trees to eat big big leaves,
You’re not a bear at all!
You’re name really deceives.
Ryan Clancy
Madigan/Theophilos
Grade 4
Mr. Turtle
Hello little creature good to see you.
I love your little shell it sparkles very nice.
And can I touch it once or twice?