Pine Quill

Fall/Winter 2010

FRONT COVER, Grade 2Cosmo Catalfi moPanchali ChoudharyCaelan DesmondArabella Hatfi eldThalia ManciniCaitlin ReardonGenevieve Wager

April Cruttenden, Preschool

LAYOUT:Carol Roper

Rosemary Robertson

EDITING:Carol RoperRobin Rice

PUBLISHING ANDGRAPHIC EDITING:Rosemary Robertson

PRINTING:Kim Rick

Pine Quill

Bunnycool, soft, fuzzyrunning, hopping

I cuddle for sleepingAnna

Anna Gillespie, Grade 1

BACK COVER, Grade 2Jade EleazerJeffrey HaywardOscar KingJack RyanGabby SeidelMadi West

Branches: Maria Iacoi, Faculty

Sand,Sand everywhere,An ocean of sandA desert of sand,A plethora of sand,There is an eternity of sand.From a distance, rests a light brown dune,Glowing in the sun, radiating on solar energy.Next to the sand, there is no such beauty.In between the crevices of rocks,Sand causes no annoyance,In between the crevices of toes,Sand creates exasperation.On shores of a lagoon,Sand hides tiny specimens of the water.On the cotton of jeans,Sand patches the once pure blue legs.However, without sand, where would we be?It keeps the shore’s ecosystem in harmony.Though we fi nd sand distasteful at times,It is on the beach for a reason;It has committed no crimes.

Austin Rosenberg, Grade 9

Isabella Casillas,Preschool

Maria Diaz, Grade 8

LIFE

It is importantIt is a beautiful thingLike a graceful bird.

Geb Daukas, Grade 8

Camille Marquardt,Grade 4

PALE MALE

Silently he glides with his pale belly facing the roaring city belowHe dives for a scurrying squirrel below in the foliageHe swoops back up, the squirrel clasped in his talons

He is the hero of the cityHe is Pale Male

Shepherd Caruso, Grade 5

THE IMPORTANT THING ABOUT PINE POINT SCHOOL

The important thing about Pine Point SchoolIs that everyone is peaceful.

Everyone does their best and works together.We all have friends.

We all have fun.We like learning from everyone.

And we all have respect for each other.The teachers are great And our brains are too!

The peace at Pine Point is too good to be true.But the important thing about Pine Point

Is that everyone is peaceful.

Emma LaRose, Alex Schwindt and Brian McGlinchey, Grade 5

Have you ever tried petting a rhinoceros? It would be best if you didn’t because they do not make good pets. They are not very kid-friendly due to the fact that they play roughly with their families and do not understand that humans are more fragile than rhinos. If you have children that like snuggling with dogs or stroking cats, a rhino would not be very fun for them. Plus, rhinoceroses have very short tempers and can be destructive when they are upset. They can get very rambunctious in closed areas, as their natural habitat in the wild is huge. Also, it could be quite diffi cult to housebreak a rhino, as it is more natural for them to defecate wherever they are standing than for other domesticated animals. Furthermore, they are not easily transported. A trip to the vet could take hours of patience and hard work. Another problem is that there aren’t many local rhinoceros vets. Finally, rhinos only eat certain plants, most of which grow in Africa, and are hard to obtain. No wonder you don’t see rhinoceroses at the pet store!

Nicolás Welch, Grade 7

Catscute, cuddly, prettymeowing, purring

I am as cuddly as a catMarissa

Lauren Rolla, Grade 2

Marissa Slocumb, Grade 1

THE BIRDFEEDER

I look out the window,and I see a bird feeder.Birds fl y downone by onepecking at the seeds,like chickens,and then spitting them out,as if they had just eaten a watermelon.But it’s not only how the birds eat.But their beauty and colorare what makes birds reallystand out with their smooth blue,and their luscious red,and their tree brown.My favorite bird, the indigo bunting,with its bright indigo colorbeats them all,If only these precious creaturesweren’t so afraid,I would pet them all the time.What if humans could fl y?just lift up and fl ylike birds.Wouldn’t that be amazing?The world is fi lled with what ifs.

Dominic Patti, Grade 6

I’m a good friend when I play cats with

my friend Alex.

Angela Royle,Kindergarten

Caroline Mancini, Grade 2

A terrible timeBirds speak like the survivors

Telling their stories.

John Rick, Grade 8

My name is Shylia Barnes. I am 14 turning 15.Soon I will be leaving Pine Point and going to high school without my classmates and without my best friends that I’ve known since the fi rst grade.My name is Shylia Barnes.I am scared.So many new faces to come and so many familiar faces to lose.I can’t lose them.My name is Shylia Barnes.I am in Martha’s Vineyard with people I am comfortable with.These people mean a lot to me.I went to a sandy beach with them and watched the sunset.I sat on the ferry with them where we all laughed and played card games together.My name is Shylia Barnes.I only have my memories that will soon fade away and then what happens?My name is Shylia Barnes and I don’t want the answer.

Shylia Barnes, Grade 9

I’m a good friend when I go horseback riding with my friend Amaya and we play together and we compromise. We met and we talked and we became friends.

Maeve Lamson, Kindergarten

Kittenfurry, cute, cuddlywalking, purring

I am as playful as a kittenJillian

Jillian Iredale, Grade 1

Dean Gillespie, Grade 4

WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

The Earth is like a fl oating plastic ball. When you play with it too much, it will get too worn out to play with. After that people get bored and start polluting, causing global warming. When the ball breaks, playtime is over. We can make a difference with a touch of love and care. After playtime is over, we can’t get a new ball to play with because the ball we have is one of a kind! Life can change in a single moment or two!

Ayanna Burrell, Grade 4

Brooke Bergendahl,Preschool

Kiona Carter, Grade 8

Sydney Doboe,Preschool

I’m playing ball with my brother. We are sharing and taking turns.

Santiago Benbow,Kindergarten

Annabelle Iredale, Grade 4

MY SPECIAL LITTLE LEAF

As I glance up at the volcanoA sunset of colors bursts into my eyes,It has its own mind,when it wants to fl y away it will,but not just yetIt will speak to me by making itself whoosh away.My special little leaf

Mia Marciano, Grade 6

She knew everything was going to go wrong when her mother brought out a dress.

It wasn’t like it wasn’t pretty—hadn’t she always liked deep purple? But she wasn’t a dress person.

Dresses, fancy clothes in general at that, set you apart, and that’s not what she wants. She wants to blend in as part of the crowd, and if that means faded jeans and t-shirts, then so be it. That’s her.

But now, because she lets her hands whisper on a piano, now she’s got some stupid talent, now she’s got to show the world what she can do.

So she has to let herself be poked and pushed into the dress. (Why is the fabric so clingy? She feels scared in it, like everyone’s going to be staring. Because they are.) She lets some gunk be smeared on her cheeks and eyelids and lips, but she shies away when they come near her hands. Nobody touches her hands, marred as they are by calluses and with nails bitten down to the quick, because they’re what hold the talent, and she’s got to have something normal tonight.

Her hands are sweating now as the announcer calls her name, but she barely hears, Cora Morrison, playing her original piece “Dry Flowers.”

Her hands shake as they hover over the keys, and she’s scared. She can’t do this, but of their own accord they rest, and she doesn’t even remember notes, just a rush of building energy as she hears gasps in the audience. For me, she thinks, and just as that becomes clear, the piece is over, and they’re all on their feet, and she doesn’t realize what’s happening for a second. They’re cheering, she thinks numbly. They like it.

And as she sees smiles curling over their faces, she can’t help but grasp something that’s never happened before. She likes it. Standing out for once. It’s nice, and it works, and she loves it.

Even though this time next week, they’ll have forgotten her name again, and she’ll melt back into nonexistence, it’s nice—for now, at least.

Georgia White, Grade 7

CHESTNUT TREE ON THE CORNER

You stand erect,Your colossal size towers

over meYour arms bear leaveswhich provide shade

And when combined with the gusts of wind it creates

the powerful sensation of the oncoming fall.

You have a shield which will protect you from the harsh

weather of winter.

You have experienced more happiness, mourning, and anger than anyone I know.

You are my friend, you are thechestnut tree on the

corner.

Andrew Rosenberg, Grade 6Jamison Rick,

Grade 2

Butterfl y Collage, Grade 3

Avery Dolphin

I like to call my daddy “Daddy Long Legs”! When he reads me stories he has different voices. My mom is the Spanish teacher and she does crafts with me.

Daddy likes to read to me. My mom is silly sometimes and she can speak Spanish!

Jaxon Alpert

My dad is very funny; he makes me laugh and he kisses me and hugs me

every night! My mommy is a good cook and I like

to cook with her.

Aliya Khan

MOM AND DAD, Grade 1

Diego DelPrado

My mom’s eyes are beautiful just like mine. I love going out kayaking, just me and my dad.

Eli Borbon

My mom likes to read to me and she loves me a lot! My dad has a karate school, and I started with him when I was three years old.

My mom makes me dinner every night and it is GOOD!

My dad draws with me and he reads good stories to me.

Hannah Betts

I love to cook with my mom. My pop makes special voices

when he reads to me.

Gianni Rosen

I’m a good friend when I care about my friend Sophia, and we go on walks together and we talk.

Elle Thompson,Kindergarten

THE CAVES

This vast expansion of caves,Filled with wondrous features.Images from a million years ago,Etched into the stone,Telling stories of our ancestors.Sketches of animals,Some still existing, others are extinct.Creatures galore, from mammoths,ibex, bison, and rhinos,to cave lions, hyenas, horses, and bears.All these amazing wonders,Discovered by three hopeful souls,Exploring these caves.Until they reached their goal,To preserve history for all to see.In the caves of Chavet-Pont d’Arc

Grace Linhares, Grade 6

Trey DiBona, Grade 4

Catori Colebut, Grade 2

I am a good friend when I watch the sunset with Alison.

Harvey DeMovick, Kindergarten

THE BIG GRAY GRANITE ROCK

The gray granite rockthe one with all the others

the one inside the wallthe one covered with mossthe keystone of them all.

Chris West, Grade 6

Schyler Davis, Grade 8

Thomas Zimbelmann, Grade 2

Math is like ice cream. It is sweet and yummy, but sometimes you get an extra large and you can’t fi nish it or don’t want to.

Brianna Seidel,Grade 6

To make a peaceful yearI will clean up after myself.To make a peaceful yearI will not talk to my friends while the teachers are talking.To make a peaceful yearI will be gentle to the butterfl ies we catch.

Claire Griffi n, Grade 3

I am a good friend when I walk with my friend C.J. and we talk about animals.

Andrew Nanson,Kindergarten

Blythe Griscom, Grade 2

Wind rushing forcefully through my hair,Rain slicing through my jacket,

It is like I am in a whirlpool of wind, rain, and chill.The cold is slashing at my wet jeans, testing them.

I want to get out of here.Out of this cold wet forest and into the cozy hostel.

My eyes feel intruded by the windthat is causing them to water and not stop.

The sky opens up right before my dewy eyes,throwing knives of water down upon me.

Though, I keep going.Through the rain,Through the cold,

And through the wind, until I see the light.

Simone Kronholm, Grade 9

Chris Bowdler,Grade 8

Math is like a treasure hunt where I collect all of theinformation to fi nd the answer.

Julia Little, Grade 6

Chase DiBona, Grade 2

PALE MALE

Pale Male in the skyWith his gleaming feathers, fl ying highUp in the skyHe soars and divesHe grabs the creature out of the skyAnd back to his nest he fl ies.

John Pereira, Grade 5

Dinosaurfast, extinct, meanrunning, jumping

I am as fast as a dinosaurElijah

Elijah Butler, Grade 1

Don’t fl y alone, birdTake and save those next to you

They are your equals.

Edward Litvinov,Grade 8

As the gray bird fl iesIt takes our best memories

Of the ones we loved.

Kolton Sebastian,Grade 8

A tall sturdy giant,With many, Many,Arms,Overlapping, Crisscrossing,IntertwiningBlocking each other’s paths.His giant hands Reaching to the sky,And his hundreds of fi ngers,Overfl owing with paper thin,Lime and emerald diamonds,Dropping to the ground.And little mice,At his feet,Relaxing in the shade,With the sun,Blocked by his regal head,Casting the checkered shadows,Of his fi ngers,On the ground far below.

Vivienne Gao, Grade 6

Cassie Seidel, Grade 8

I am a good friend when I play with everyone.

Alex Kelsey,Kindergarten

I am a good friend when I play outside with Elle.

Estelle Lord, Kindergarten

I’m a good friend when I’m sharing my car with my friend at Child’s Garden and when I ask my friends to play tag and ball.

Lucas Mancini, Kindergarten

THE PURPLE BELLS

The dark purple fl owers looklike upside down triangles swinginglike bells in the wind.The bright orange nectar attracts bees that dazzle in the light.

Julianna Rick, Grade 6

Leila Gill, Preschool

I’m a good friend when I shake hands. Lucas and I are holding hands outside and we’re playing a game.

Julian Gay, Kindergarten

Nico Brown, Grade 4

Be a bird, spread peaceFor all the people who died

In the years of the Holocaust.

Hanna Rose Kronholm,Grade 8

I am a good friend when I play baseball with my

friend Alexander.

Casey Hurtgen,Kindergarten

EARTH

Earth is the placeThat’s home to the human race.

So don’t litter.It’ll make our problem bigger.

So stop throwing trash wherever.Find a trash can

and NEVER EVER litter!

Jamie Donovan,Grade 4

Jenn Carroll, Grade 8

Amaya, Elle and Alison are at my house. I ask them what they’d like to play.

Addysen Helbig,Kindergarten

SEDUM IN NATURE

Popping pink and pale greenBeautiful, bunched, and bristly,

Fresh and thick,Sedum

Beth Fleming, Grade 6

Ella Catalfi mo, Grade 1

Roland Long, Grade 4

Math is like a game; if you follow the rules

you will win, or get the answers correct.

Natalie Hawley, Grade 6

Cameron Gouveia, Grade 1

SHOULD WE BE CONCERNED ABOUT EARTH’S WATER SUPPLY?

The United States and the whole world should be worried about the water that is left on this Earth. Many glaciers are melting, and that is where about 70% of Earth’s water is stored. The faster glaciers melt, the faster we lose fresh and drinkable water. Also, water is everywhere, but it either is polluted or is salt water in the ocean. For example, people throw their garbage onto beaches thinking that it will decompose when it can’t decompose, and it ends up being taken into the ocean. Furthermore, all of this will become an even worse problem because not only do we need water to survive and make products, but we also use water for recreation. For example, we use water to canoe, kayak, swim, and we also sit by the beach to look at the water. If we don’t pay close attention to the water that we are using up, slowly the Earth’s water supply will disappear. Mia Perry, Grade 7

Pine Point SchoolStonington, Connecticut