Lighting the Candle

If you have been reading our blog, you may remember that one of our own was chosen by Dr. Doherty and Mr. Mayer to light the candle for the school before singing the Candlelight Canon during the Holiday Sing in December.  Every year this is such a treasured surprise for our community and a special moment to recognize a student for being a quiet leader in our school. 
Having heard that Jonathan was chosen only moments before Dr. Doherty got up to speak about him, I whipped out my phone to capture the moment.  It has taken two months for me to finally figure out how to get it off of my phone, thanks to Mr. Lynn.  Here is the recording.  Forgive the shaky hand, I was feeling very moved at seeing one of my students (in third grade and in fifth grade!) be recognized.  Congratulations, Jonathan!

Poetry Slam Video

I was so proud of the amazing poetry the students wrote and how they shared it on February 1st.  Mr. Lynn, our technology specialist at Captain, graciously helped by recording the entire event.  He has also worked with me on getting this video available to you through the blog.  Enjoy hearing the voices of the class and seeing them in action. 

Announcing Our 5S Poet Laureate 2013

 Not for the Look

        A bird
        Doesn’t sing
        Because it has an audience.

        A tree
        Won’t change colors
        For people to marvel at it.

        The sun
        Doesn’t set
        For people to ogle at the colors.
       
        So why should a person
        Change themselves
        For the onlookers?

        A bird
        Sings because
        It wants to.

        A tree
        Changes colors
        Because
        It needs to.

        The sun sets
        Because
        It has to.

        But a person
        Changes because
        Of others’ will.


B r o k e n

        It left a cut,
        It left a burn,
        It left a break and bruise.
        Your axes, and your chippers, and your flames.

        Stomp my leaves,
        Burn my wood,
        Turn me into chairs.

        And leave
        An empty lot.

        What did I
        Ever do
        To you?


Not Much of a Hello

        “Hello,” I say to the squirrel.
        But then I realize
        He’s flat on the road.
        “Hi,” I say to the flower.
        But then I see her wilting.
        “How are you?” I say to the tree.
        But then I realize he’s but a stump.
        “Not much of a hello,” I say.
        More of a goodbye,
        Too late.

        I look at the sidewalk,
        And say, “Hello,” to the grass who once grew there.
        “Hi,” I say to the sky,
        Who cowers behind the power lines.
        But I ignore the skyscraper,
        And he ignores me,
        Besides glowering down.
        “Not much of a hello,” I say.
        More of a goodbye,
        Too late.

        “Hello,” I say to the blue river,
        Who once flowed,
        Where the polluted, muddy one now gurgles.
        “Hi,” I say to the golden field,
        Who is buried under the new condo,
        Without so much
        As a headstone.
        But I turn around from the landfill,
        Who smirks as he tramples
        Upon the green pasture,
        And the wild flowers.
        “Not much of a hello,” I say.
        More of a goodbye,
        Too Late.