1/22/09

Open Book: For President Obama

Lincoln freed the slaves
Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke for his people
And showed us his dream
J. F. Kennedy brought our schools together
And respected the rights of all people
Each of these have a chapter they wrote with their actions
Now the book of time is open to your chapter
In its pages, what words and sentences will you carve
What history will you write for yourself
What history will you write for our children

- Margot
Age 12

Students Write Letters to President Obama

During the week leading up to President Obama's inauguration, students thought about what they most hope he will address as president and each composed a letter to him. These were shared at an all-school gathering on the morning of the inauguration. The school then watched the inauguration at the home of one of the teachers.

These are a few of the letters that students wrote.

Dear President Obama,

My name is Margot ______. I live in Vermont. I am 12 years old and I go to the Red Cedar School.

I am interested in hearing what you plan to do about global warming.

I think America should not drill for oil off our great shores, or in Alaska. We should reduce our dependence on oil and electricity. But we as a country do need some energy. I propose that it comes from solar and wind technology. I do not like reservoirs as they are bad for the trout population, I don’t think “clean coal” is really as clean as it sounds, and I don’t like nuclear power. I think it’s too dangerous.

Wind and solar may not support our energy needs at the present, but we use too much energy in my opinion, so we should cut down on our energy use, whether or not we only use wind and solar. I think our country should reduce our dependence on consumption. We use more than our fair share of energy and resources. You may already know, but America has 5% of the world’s population and we use 20% of the world’s resources.

I think we should use the economic crisis to our advantage, as a chance to rebuild our economy into something new, an economy not based on consumption, an environmentally friendly economy, an efficient and sustainable economy, and an economy that respects the needs and dream of the American people, especially those who can’t even pay to be checked by a dentist or afford an apartment.

I know it would not be fair to think that you can fix all the problems America and the world face; but you won’t be alone. Perhaps together we can save ourselves.

Thanks.
From, Margot


Dear President Obama,

My name is Charlie ______. I am ten years old. I live in Jericho, Vermont, and I go to Red Cedar School.

I hope you help to get China out of Darfur. My family helps the Sudanese refugees here in Vermont. I hope you will help the Sudanese people now in the camps in Kenya get things like homes and food and give hope to them.

Keep rockin!
Charlie ______


Dear President Obama,

My name is Samuel _______ _______. Please send food to poor people and good luck with the responsibilities. I am 6 years old.

Sincerely,
Samuel


To President Barack H. Obama

My name is Parker ______ _______. I am a middle school student from Jericho, Vermont. Having watched, supported and contributed to your campaign, I leaped at the opportunity when my social studies teacher instructed that we (my classmates and I) write a letter to you.

I was wondering what your stance is on animal rights. The despicable, inhumane conditions in slaughter houses, many homes, some farms, test laboratories and other venues of cruelty are not improving noticeably. Is not animal cruelty, in essence, just another form of racism? And, if humans are, as some argue, superior beings, do not we then have a responsibility to protect the other creatures of this planet? Has not our society/civilization advanced to a point that this oppression of our equals, our fellow citizens, is no longer necessary? And while some will complain about “needing meat” -between synthetics and tofu, a similar taste can, no doubt, be achieved (I am guilty as charged, a lifelong vegetarian).

Also, I hope you intend to create a more environmentally sustainable energy policy including, but not limited to; creating solar power plants in sunny areas, restricting oil drilling, crafting a mutual US/Canadian tide energy plant in the Bay of Fundy, and supporting wind farming across the country. Also I hope you will ensure that places like the Wildlife Preservation in Alaska are protected from drilling.

I would also like to applaud you for your diplomatic, no pre-conditions agenda. It has been proven throughout the eons that respectful conversation and negotiation are the only way to resolve conflicts with mutually beneficial, peaceful results.

Congratulations on your recent election. This election means so much to the people of the United States, the people of Vermont, and the people of the world, as well as to myself. Good luck in your upcoming term of office.

Sincerely,

Parker _______ _________
Red Cedar School, Bristol, VT.

1/20/09

Red Cedar Celebrates Martin Luther King Day

Students and staff spent the afternoon of Martin Luther King Day focusing on the major developments in the history of freedom and equality in the United States. Middle school students helped to create a timeline noting significant dates and events, and read excerpts from historic speeches. The afternoon culminated with our annual tradition of watching Martin Luther King, Jr.'s I Have a Dream speech.

The group sings We Shall Overcome.

Harrison and Adrian lead on trumpet and guitar.

1/13/09

Happiness

Happiness
Is a virtue
The essence of a hippy
The happy in birthday
The guitar to a guitarist
A masterpiece to an artist
The good music in an iPod
The suspense before Christmas
The protective peel of a banana
Happiness is the glint in our eyes
The stuff that makes us who we are
The rarity that makes something special
The words that put themselves in your mouth
To make someone’s day

– Kellen
Age 13

1/11/09

Evening

Pooling the late light reflections of the sky god’s eye
The moon rises
Weighted with entanglements
She offers mother words of containment and comfort
She lets me lie my head upon her
Knowing I would rather this dispossessed light
Than the warm pebble yearning for the had to be
And yet to come

– Nimaya
Age 10