Home

3/24/20

Staying at home. Yes. No school. Yes. Not as many activities. Yes. But there is no need to sit and sulk around. You may not know or think about it, but there are many positives to this new virus.

To begin, medicines and vaccines are slowly coming to access around the world. Scientists are bringing new inventions to labs to see if they are safe for people to use. Right now, doctors and scientists are progressing to have a vaccine out to the public. Soon enough, we will get an update on how this research is going.

In addition, in high quarantine areas, pollution is dropping. The less people moving around and the less cars running, helps stop pollution to be made. Regions where the virus is spreading even more rapidly, more and more people are staying home. This causes the pollution to plummet. Carbon dioxide emissions are still a problem, but this virus is contributing to our future by dropping these levels.

People and companies are also supporting one another through this. People are helping other people in these times of need. Everybody is doing their job to try and slow down the spread of COVID-19 and supporting each other during this difficult time.

After all, this is a challenge. Our world is faced with new challenges every day. This virus just happens to be one of the bigger ones, spreading more world-wide than many others. It may take a while to solve, but when it is, something good will come out of it. Things happen for a reason and we can't always do something about it, but we can always think of the positives.

3/26/20

It was a cold and rainy day. The wind was howling like never before and rain was pouring from the dark gray sky. Though some may think this day would be miserable and dreary, it was wonderful to me. Here in San Diego, we do not get much cold weather, so when we do get a little of it, it is a very happy day for me. The past week has been crazy, but staying at home gives you a lot of time to relax. This day, with cold weather, was one very positive and relaxing day.

I woke up to the sound of sweet rain. The house was cold as I walked downstairs, so I grabbed a blanket and joined my family on the couch.

As the day went on, we all spent time together. It’s moments like these where you feel really lucky. We made hot cocoa and relaxed throughout this blustery day. We popped popcorn and cuddled up on the couch to watch a movie.

We played many games and finished a puzzle. We shared many laughs together as we had fun during the rainy day. As our inside activities continued, we smelt a delightful aroma coming from the oven. Our cookies were done. We sipped milk and ate our delicious baked goods.

Time went on and so did the rain, until it was the afternoon. The rain had stopped and the sun peaked out from behind the clouds. A rainbow sparkled across the sky. It turned out to be a beautiful day. After the morning of staying inside, we went out and biked throughout our neighborhood. The day finished off with a marvelous dinner and we ate more of our cookies for dessert. It was an amazing day, a day to remember.

3/31/20

During the past 2 weeks, staying at home has not been as fun as people would think it is. Though, staying at home is helping us stay safe and healthy, it can get boring very fast. With not as much outside activities, there can be very little to do.

Electronics are a big part of our world now, and while staying inside, people tend to utilize them more often. Instead of having your head buried in a device, now is a great time for things like puzzles, baking, and reading, and that is what I have been doing. We should still have fun while staying inside and do something that challenges our minds. Puzzles are a great way to challenge ourselves and undertaking a project is a way to keep yourself busy.

In addition to puzzling, I have been baking. Baking is another great way to have some fun and, of course, you get to eat some sugar. I recently made cookies, brownies, and lemon bars which were wonderful desserts. Reading is another amazing activity. When you get into a certain book, you get engrossed into the story right away and you are unable to stop at the next chapter. Reading takes me to a different place and I feel as if I have just entered an alternate universe.

There are many significant things to do other than electronics, especially these three activities. I have had fun this last week because it has given me time to complete projects that I normally do not have much time to do.

4/23/20

The flicker of the flame shines so brightly on a spring night. We all sit out on our patio with our new fireplace. The flame flickers like a million fireflies. We roast marshmallows and make smores. It is a very nice night to be outside, where the sun is setting and the sky has a soothing glow. We put our feet up on the ledge and let our toes get warmed by the fire.

All I could think about was how wonderful this made me feel. It took away my thoughts of worry and stress and left me with appreciation. Sitting there with my family, I am so lucky, even in these times that are hard and worrisome. When looking at flowers, staring at the ocean, petting a dog, baking, reading, writing, or even sitting at the fireplace on a spring night, there is always something to make you feel a jolt of happiness.

4/30/20

As a result of the stay at home orders and the inability to access school grounds, our schools have shifted to distance learning. Though it may have seemed overwhelming at first, our teachers were ready to take on this unprecedented challenge. For the rest of this year, school will most likely be online rather than going back onto school grounds. Our notebooks and textbooks have now shifted to computers, tablets, and phones and students are using the internet more than ever before.

Transfering to distance learning was a huge shift, but after about a month of this new way, students and teachers have begun to understand it. Luckily nowadays, we have the technology to transfer immediately into distance learning, but what if this had happened when there was no such thing as the internet? It would probably be much more chaotic and who knows what would have happened. Even if we do not know when this all will be over, we should feel lucky that we have the technology to support our learning and our family right around us.

With these new challenges coming our way, the best we can do is trust that things will start to settle down and stay hopeful that our friends and family will stay healthy and optimistic.

5/2/20

From 1966 to 1999 in Queens, New York, Dennis M. taught social studies for grade seven and eight and also served as a dean for about twelve of those years. In addition to his teaching and dean abilities, he was going to school at Brooklyn College and getting his Masters degree. For 33 years, Dennis spent his days teaching at Steinway Junior High.

Dennis states, “Teaching has always been my true love, other than my wife. I really enjoyed working with children and my fellow teachers. Years later, many of my students came back to see me and told me how much they enjoyed my class.”

One of his most memorable moments of his teaching career was when he expanded the schools’ history curriculum regarding the Holocaust. Not only did he teach the subject for a longer period, he brought it to life by bringing two concentration camp survivors to talk to his class. When he saw former students later in life, they always mentioned what a lasting impression that aspect of the class made on them.

His love for teaching was only one of his passions as he also coached the school’s tennis team and brought free tennis to underprivileged areas of New York City. After he retired, Dennis started to teach tennis as a full time instructor, extending his teaching career. “I love teaching tennis as much as I loved teaching social studies. Although I'm retired from teaching, I still get the same satisfaction by seeing my tennis students grow and appreciate the game.” said Dennis.

Though the teaching is different from today, especially in times like these, his love for the endeavor still carries on. We should continue to appreciate all the hard work and dedication teachers have done for their students and their love of learning.

5/7/20

Generosity. Goodness. Happiness. Joy. Compassion. But what does it really mean to show kindness?

Kindness means to act selfless and show appreciation. Being considerate and acting friendly is just one way. It could be as simple as thanking someone for making dinner or as big as visiting the sick in hospitals, but all kindness shows the goodness in someone’s character. Genuine kindness shows the love in someone's heart. You earn respect and trust from kindness. Showing that you have empathy and compassion for someone, makes them feel loved.

Especially in times like these, it is important to remember that kindness goes a long way. A week ago, my friend celebrated her birthday. Sadly, no one could be there to celebrate with her, so my friends and I set up to go and drive by her house on her special day. Her parents brought her outside and we put happy birthday signs on our cars. We honked our horns and sang happy birthday. She was so surprised and so happy that her friends were there to celebrate (six feet apart) with her.

When she saw all those people in front of her, she became so happy, and so did I. Receiving kindness or even giving kindness brings joy to the recipient and to the giver as well. It is the key to staying happy and positive even when things are not going as planned. Kindness brings happiness to our lives and joy to our hearts.

5/12/20

The sun comes to the highest point in the sky

Days become longer

School comes to an end

Umbrellas scattered across the powdery sand

Ice cream dripping

Music playing

Swimming in the wide-open bay

Having fun on these scorching days

Flowers all in bloom

Crystal blue waters

The sound of sweet laughter

For what seems like a happily ever after

Then summer begins to fade

Fall becomes nearer

But when leaves start falling and we begin to wonder,

we can always remember those days of summer

5/29/20

Teachers being replaced by computers? It seems so far away, but it is closer than we think. Though it may seem easier to have computers, teachers have special qualities that make learning come alive for students.

Compassion. Empathy. Kindness. These are just some qualities teachers have that computers are unable to replicate. It makes teachers who they are. A teacher is able to have a relatable perspective as they have previously been faced with many similar situations as their students are encountering. When a student is feeling down, a teacher is there to help encourage them and be there for them in several ways. For example, when a student is feeling down, a computer is unable to provide comforting advice. Teachers change students lives, giving them a comfortable place to learn and a helping hand when they need it most. Wendy Koop from CNN states, “The idea that computers can ever replace teachers and schools reveals a deep lack of understanding about the role leadership plays in student success.”

Teachers also make learning come alive. They bring life to their subjects and stimulate student’s interest in learning more. Making learning more fun and compelling aids a student in personal growth and the vibrancy that the teacher brings makes school more enjoyable for the entire class. When learning new aspects of a subject, guidance from a teacher leads students along the right path. “The digital push here aims to go far beyond gadgets to transform the very nature of the classroom, turning the teacher into a guide instead of a lecturer,” states Matt Richtel of the New York Times.

When students are in need of help, guidance, or encouragement, computers are not the ideal solution because the personal connection between a student and a teacher can not be replaced. In addition, it is difficult for lessons to be enjoyable without a vigorous teacher leading the class. A computer is not capable of all these things. Teachers are a guide, a helper, and a person who makes lessons come alive.

6/1/20

When the school year comes to an end and the sun peeks out from the behind the clouds, we know it is time to say goodbye to the teachers that have helped us through the year, sign yearbooks to say farewell to the friends you have met, and it’s time to open up the umbrellas and sit by the blue waters on a nice, sunny day. The sun is out, the weather is hot, everybody comes outside to have a vigorous shout. “Summer is here!”

Though the beginning of summer is a time to say goodbye, the long two months are a time to have some fun. The work has ended and the sizzling, delightful summer has just begun. We look back on the year and realize it wasn’t so bad, we are filled with fun memories that make us laugh. We move on to the next chapter in our lives, where for some it is the transitioning into middle school and for some it is venturing to high school. The summer is filled with joy and laughter as we swim in the ocean, build castles in the sand, and eat ice cream as the sun sets on these glorious days.

Goodbye math. Goodbye English. Goodbye studying for tests. Hello playing in the ocean. Hello relaxing in the sun. Hello family trips. Hello summer.