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Young Reporter's Story Ideas
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Get Organized for Less Back-to-School Stress
by Reporter Katelyn McDaniel
Marana Middle School
It’s time for a new school year, and I am SUPER excited!
Getting ready for school is different for everyone, but one thing that everyone can use is a little organization!
School can be stressful for a lot of kids! Part of the reason is they aren’t organized. Some have trouble finding materials for projects, or maybe they can’t find space to work on their projects or do their homework. Being organized definitely helps prevent this kind of stress!
Just before school started, I had a professional organizer named Ori Parnaby come to my house to help me get ready for school!
We spent about an hour together talking about tips that can help me stay organized at home and at school. Then she helped me organize my room! Now I have space to do my homework, and I won’t have any trouble finding the materials I need for school projects. Parnaby says that people young and old can learn to be organized.
Now that school’s back in full swing, I know that I’m ready. Best yet, I know that this year will be a lot less stressful for me now that im organized!
If you would like to get organized, please contact Ori Parnaby at 661-8528 or visit Organize with Ori at www.organizewithori.com.
Catch These Dinos Before They Are Gone!
by Reporter Ben Mohler
Mesquite Elementary
You probably have heard of dinosaurs like T-rex, Triceratops, Stegosaurus, Velociraptor and Gallimimus. But there are many more dinosaurs than that! Have you ever heard of dinosaurs like Postosuchus, Therizinosaurus, Dienonychus or Muttaburrasaurus? Here are some interesting facts about them:
• Postosuchus was a four-legged, 20-foot meat eater from the late Triassic. This means it lived about 213 million to 215 million years ago. It was discovered in the “Post” quarry in Texas, where it was named “Postcrocodile” in 1985. If you visit the Petrified Forest in Arizona, you can see them there, too.
• Deinonychus was a cousin to the Velociraptor (seen in the movie “Jurassic Park”) and had that same huge claw on its middle toe. It was 9 feet long and weighed about as much as a person. It stalked North America at a time called the Cretaceous Period, 65 million to 140 million years ago. Scientists think it might have been covered with feathers and may have actually been a flightless bird!
• Therizinosaurus was like a 5-ton giant chicken sloth! The Asian T-Rex called Tarbosaurus would scare many dinosaurs, but not a Therizinosaurus, which had 26-inch claws. At the end of a fight, the Tarbosaurus would be more frightened. Surprisingly, the Therizinosaurus was a vegetarian, and paleontologists (scientists who study prehistoric life) think it used those big claws to pull down tree branches and open up termite hills. They think the Therizinosaurus may have been a bird, too, though they think it had lost its ability to fly!
• Muttaburrasaurus was discovered down in Australia and lived during the Cretaceous Period. It was one big dinosaur, weighing about 3 tons and measuring 24 feet long. It was discovered in Muttaburra, Queensland, in 1981. Not much else is known about it.
Do you like learning about new dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals? If you live in Arizona, you could visit the Arizona Museum of Natural History, which is home to some special fossils from China right now. Paleontologists are trying to decide if they are more closely related to dinosaurs or to birds, including my favorite, the 5-ton “chicken sloth” Therizinosaurus.
The museum is at 53 N. Macdonald in Mesa.
Check out www.azmnh.org for more information.
Hope to see you there soon!
Learn How to ‘Fight the Bite!’
by Reporter Marissa Mitchell
Sahuarita High School
Summer is coming to an end, and many kids are out and about trying to make the most of the rest of their summer. But our monsoon season continues, which brings about rainy days and a humid climate, which mosquitoes love!
Mosquitoes are also attracted to standing water, which is water that hasn’t moved for days. If not dumped out, this is where mosquitoes lay their eggs, which hatch into larvae.
Mosquito season in Pima County is normally from May to late October. And when mosquitoes breed close to home, we run a greater risk of being bitten.
Certain types of mosquitoes can carry the West Nile Virus, which can be very dangerous. But with these great tips, we all can learn to fight the bite.
Try and limit your time outdoors from dusk till dawn, and if possible, try to wear long-sleeve shirts and pants. Try not to leave any doors or windows open that could let mosquitoes sneak inside. You can visit www.pimahealth.org for more info on how to fight the bite.
U.S. Territories Will Get Their Quarters!
by Reporter Courntey Shelton
Sonoran Science Acadmey
Delaware was the first state to get its own quarter, and now the last state quarter, Hawaii’s, is on the way. The special state quarter series has been minted since 1999; 2008 was supposed to be its last year with coins out for Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska and Hawaii. But is it possible more are coming in 2009?
Beside the 50 quarters that will have been released by year’s end, the U.S. House of Representatives has approved a bill saying that six U.S.territories, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, should be included in the series and produced in 2009.
Unfortunately, not all of the designs for the territories have been approved. In Guam, the two favorite designs received 48 percent and 52 percent of the vote.
Rick Snow heads up Eagle Eye Rare Coins in Tucson and has enjoyed collecting coins since 1972. “I think they should’ve included them in the original state quarter program,” Snow says about the territory coins. He wishes lawmakers would’ve realized their mistake earlier.
The minting of the Arizona quarter started on June 16. Alaska quarters start this month, and Hawaii’s in October.
What makes the Arizona and other state quarters different? ”The words “QUARTER DOLLAR” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” have moved from the “tails” side to the “heads” side.
The release date is engraved on the back of each state quarter along with the year the state joined the union—in Arizona’s case it’s 1912. The Arizona coin features the famous Grand Canyon and typical desert plants, including the prickly pear and saguaro. Last year, people voted for this design online.
Most of the state quarters have stopped being made, but you can still find them in circulation.
If you want any state quarter or related merchandise, visit www.usmint.gov. Not only will you find rolls of that quarter, but you can also find coin bags, collecting kits and other merchandise.
Keep your eye out for the very last state quarters. And if you’re looking for new quarters to collect, remember to try for the territories!
The Kingdom Keeper, Ridley Pearson, Speaks!
by Reporter Shane Weinstein
Tucson Hebrew Academy
Being a teen, it’s hard to find a book that grips me from the first paragraph. But author Ridley Pearson writes amazing books.
Beginning with “Peter and the Starcatchers” (co-written with Dave Barry), Ridley found a niche that he enjoys.
“Starcatcher” was the first of three “Peter” books, written as a prequel to the story of “Peter Pan.” Pearson has since taken on a project for Disney, “The Kingdom Keepers,” set in the Magic Kingdom. Disney charcters come to life and Walt Disney leaves clues to the secrets of the park in this book. In the long-awaited sequel “Kingdom Keepers II: Disney at Dawn,” due out Aug. 27, six kids find themselves in the Animal Kingdom after dark, trying to fight off a mysterious group of Disney villains called the Overtakers.
“There were a few times where I was alone in the park with just a guide,” Pearson shares. They took me into Animal Kingdom before the animals were even on the Savannah. I got to walk Everest!”
When asked if there will be a movie based on the “Kingdom Keepers,” Pearson says to stay tuned. There also are rumors that “Peter and the Starcatchers” might turn into a Broadway musical!
Visit to the U.S. Capitol Building
by Reporter Drema Harmon
Altar Valley Middle School
This summer, I took a trip to Washington, D.C. for a youth leadership program. One of the buildings my family and I visited was the U.S. Capitol.
The Capitol houses the U. S. Senate and the House of Representatives—which make up the Legislature, or the law-making branch of our government.
The Capitol is also a museum of American art and history. It has about 540 rooms, 658 windows (108 in the dome alone) and 850 doorways!
The building is divided into five levels. Under the dome is the Rotunda, a circular ceremonial space and gallery.
Welcome Back to School!
by Reporter Christina Huynh
Nash Elementary
Get your backpacks and supplies ready—it’s a new school year! Are you ready?
I’m going to fourth grade, and it’s a little scary. This year, I’ll have to go on stage and play the violin, and I’ll also start competing in school spelling bees!
It’s OK to be a little scared when you’re promoted to a higher grade. Certainly there’s more homework and challenges coming your way. But you get smarter every time you pay attention to your teacher and what is going on in school. School powers up your brain and helps prepare you for what you want to be—a policeman, a vet, a singer, anything!
When I went to my classes it was awesome, and the rules were the best!
Anyway, I have a huge math book that’s bigger than you can imagine. At least I expected it for fourth grade.
Hopefully, this is going to be the best year ever. Just remember to have fun at school!
‘Mamma Mia’ Dazzles Moviegoers
by Reporter Rachael Weinstein
Tucson Hebrew Academy
Do you like singing, dancing and really catchy tunes?
If you answered yes to all of the above, you should go see “Mamma Mia.” It’s a Broadway musical, a Las Vegas show, and now it’s a wonderful movie.
The main character, Sophie, is played by Amanda Seyfried. Although her name isn’t too famous now, it will be soon. She’s highly talented and has an amazing voice.
Twenty-year-old Sophie is about to get married, but she doesn’t know who her father is. One day, she finds out three different men could be her father, and she secretly sends them wedding invitations.
The first possible father is Sam, played by former James Bond, Pierce Brosnan. His character is very lovable.
The second possible father is Bill, played by Stellan Skarsgard, who doesn’t have the best singing voice. Bill is a sweet and sensible guy. The last possible father, Harry, is played by Colin Firth, who has the best singing voice of the three. And award-winning actress Meryl Streep plays Sophie’s mother, Donna.
This film may be more of a chick flick—my mom and I loved it, but my brother hated it.
Vietnam Vets Honored on Wall
by Reporter Derek Ingram
Marana High
This summer, I went with my family to Washington, D.C.
My uncle’s name is on the wall of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, so it has always held an interest for me. The memorial was founded by Jan Scruggs, who served in Vietnam and wanted a memorial to acknowledge and recognize the Americans who served there. The names of 58,260 soldiers who died during the war are etched in the stone.
The wall and landscaping were completed in November 1982 and cost nearly $9 million in private donations. No federal funds were needed.
The stone is black granite from Bangalore, India. It’s one of only three places in the world that has this special granite in slabs that are large enough for the memorial. The cutting and fabrication were done in Vermont.
Help Tucson’s Furry Friends!
by Reporter Cassidy Cowell
Coyote Trail Elementary
Are you looking for a pet? Well, you can save one today at the Pima Animal Care Center (PACC). It has over 380 animals that need your help right now. Of the 21,000 animals it in takes each year, 49 percent are saved by people like you. With your help, we can save even more.
PACC Shelter Manager Patti Mahaney says that before getting a pet you should always do research to find an animal that’s right for you. Think about how long the pet will live. If you can’t take care of a pet for a long time, you can get an older one that is already grown up.
PACC doesn’t just have dogs or cats. Sometimes it also has birds, goats, rats, pigs and even chickens!
When an animal comes to PACC, it stays for three days and is checked to see if it is well enough to be adopted. If you want to adopt an animal there, all you have to do is fill out forms and promise to have your new furry friend spayed or neutered.
PACC could use your help, too. If there are any Boy Scout or Girl Scout troops, or other youth groups that would like to come out and help wash the dogs or cats, call 243-5930 or go to www.pimaanimalcare.org for more information.
I hope you will adopt a new furry friend today. Right now, there’s a great deal on doggy adoptions and a new PACC column called Paw Prints in Bear Essential News and in Bear Essential News Online.
‘Dark Knight’ Dominates Summer
by Reporter Shane Weinstein
Tucson Hebrew Academy
Three years ago, the Dark Knight returned to theaters in “Batman Begins” only to go on another hiatus. But, Batman returned—again—with the release of “The Dark Knight!”
Christian Bale reprises the role of the Man in Black, and Michael Caine reprises, the role his of dutiful butler Alfred Pennyworth. Among the familiar faces are a few newcomers. Katie Holmes plays the role of Rachel, Bruce’s childhood friend. Aaron Eckhart takes the role of Gotham’s District Attorney.
All of the cast members were fantastic, but the thing that makes this movie is Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker. He was scary good! He really adds his own persona to the character!
This movie was a great movie, but it is not really for very little kids. It’s not that it’s violent or that there is any foul language, it’s psychologically scary. There are some scenes in it that make you think, “Oh my gosh! This can’t be really happening.” I think that this may be the darkest Batman flick yet.
This movie has Batman questioning whether he should keep fighting crime, and the longer it takes him to come to a conclusion, the more people will die. It certainly is not a movie that you walk out of feeling good. It’s one of those movies that fill your plate and give you a lot to digest. But hey, those kind of movies make for interesting car rides home.
All in all, this movie was a great Batman flick. Amazing stunts, quick one-liners, everything that is expected from a Batman movie. When you go, hold onto your seat, because you’re in for a wild ride.
Catch a Great View from Baltimore’s World Trade Center
by Reporter Drema Harmon
Altar Valley Middle School
Baltimore’s World Trade Center is a must-see for anyone visiting “Charm City.”
The 27th-floor observation deck, known as “Top of the World,” offers panoramic views of the Baltimore Inner Harbor and the city’s downtown. It’s a great place to get a sense of the city. The observation level also offers exhibits about Baltimore and its economic renaissance.
The World Trade Center is the tallest pentagon-shaped building in the world, standing 423 feet tall.
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New Simpson Ride a Flight into Fun
by Reporter Caitlin Chavez
North Ranch Elementary
Wanna go on a fun 3-D rollercoaster without even leaving the ground? I do!
Universal Studios in California has a new ride based on the hit TV show “The Simpsons.” The Simpsons Ride gives you a chance to play a character in “The Simpsons.”
“It was great. It was just amazing. As soon as we got off we wanted to go on again!” said a tourist at Universal Studios.
“The whole world, it was like you were in it, flying through the sky and through the roof. It was awesome,” said another tourist that day.
You can visit Universal Studios in Hollywood, Calif. Universal Studios is an amusement park with tons of awesome rides and attractions.
“It was kind of like an Imax thing. It was great, we laughed through it the whole time,” said another tourist.
You can even see a video of yourself after you go online on the Universal Studios Web site! Hope to see you at Universal Studios soon!
Catch These Dinos Before They Are Gone!
by Reporter Ben Mohler
Mesquite Elementary
You probably have heard of dinosaurs like T-rex, Triceratops, Stegosaurus, Velociraptor and Gallimimus. But there are many more dinosaurs than that! Have you ever heard of dinosaurs like Postosuchus, Therizinosaurus, Dienonychus or Muttaburrasaurus? Here are some interesting facts about them:
• Postosuchus was a four-legged, 20-foot meat eater from the late Triassic. This means it lived about 213 million to 215 million years ago. It was discovered in the “Post” quarry in Texas, where it was named “Postcrocodile” in 1985. If you visit the Petrified Forest in Arizona, you can see them there, too.
• Deinonychus was a cousin to the Velociraptor (seen in the movie “Jurassic Park”) and had that same huge claw on its middle toe. It was 9 feet long and weighed about as much as a person. It stalked North America at a time called the Cretaceous Period, 65 million to 140 million years ago. Scientists think it might have been covered with feathers and may have actually been a flightless bird!
• Therizinosaurus was like a 5-ton giant chicken sloth! The Asian T-Rex called Tarbosaurus would scare many dinosaurs, but not a Therizinosaurus, which had 26-inch claws. At the end of a fight, the Tarbosaurus would be more frightened. Surprisingly, the Therizinosaurus was a vegetarian, and paleontologists (scientists who study prehistoric life) think it used those big claws to pull down tree branches and open up termite hills. They think the Therizinosaurus may have been a bird, too, though they think it had lost its ability to fly!
• Muttaburrasaurus was discovered down in Australia and lived during the Cretaceous Period. It was one big dinosaur, weighing about 3 tons and measuring 24 feet long. It was discovered in Muttaburra, Queensland, in 1981. Not much else is known about it.
Do you like learning about new dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals? If you live in Arizona, you could visit the Arizona Museum of Natural History, which is home to some special fossils from China right now. Paleontologists are trying to decide if they are more closely related to dinosaurs or to birds, including my favorite, the 5-ton “chicken sloth” Therizinosaurus.
The museum is at 53 N. Macdonald in Mesa.
Check out www.azmnh.org for more information.
Hope to see you there soon!
Girl Scout Makes a Difference for Soldiers
by Reporter Stephanie Brodish-Aquino
Kingswood Elementary
There is a Web site called www.anysoldier.com that has a list of Coast Guard, Marine, Army and Air Force soldiers who haven’t gotten any mail in a long time.
On this site, you can go on different pages until you find someone you want to write to. Then, you commit to sending letters or care packages for at least six months.
The Web site sells pens, mugs, pins and other stuff (for exceptionally low prices) to finance itself. If you don’t want merchandise, you can always donate money. A military exchange pre-paid calling card is a great gift for the soldiers. Two things you cannot send are e-mails and homemade cooking. Postcards, pictures and cards are brilliant to send!
Some units, like the one I chose, do not have microwaves, televisions or DVD players. The person that is in charge of this unit is Sgt. Marlon S. Campbell, who is in Iraq with 24 other men. He passes out the packages to the soldiers who didn’t get any mail for that day.
I chose to do this task because I’m earning a Girl Scout patch called the Inchworm. I have to do 25 hours of community service. While I’m earning a badge, I’ll have fun and know I’m helping soldiers who are fighting for my freedom. This is a magnificent chance for a child to build writing skills and support our heroic soldiers at the same time. Sgt. Campbell is asking for Mach 3 Turbo razor blades, lotion and sunscreen. If you would like to send letters or other items, please address the letter to Dear Any Soldier and send the care package to:
Bear Essential News for Kids
Attn: Stephanie Brodish-Aquino's
AnySoldier.com Project
441 S. 48th St., Suite 103
Tempe, AZ 85281
A Little Surprise Is Big Fun!
by Reporter QuaMayne Black
Bicentennial North School
My friend, who’s also a Young Reporter, and I went to A Little Surprise, which is a fabulously fun indoor play center that just opened in Surprise. It has activities for toddlers, kids, teens and even parents!
We were there when Brad Perry was there to feature the play center
on Channel 3’s morning show. Perry was funny and played well with
the kids.
It was very exciting because we were shown on TV playing games in the Game Zone room of A Little Surprise.
I loved the Game Zone, which is a room set up with very cool, comfy chairs for playing video games. It
has Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and many other new games. It’s a great place for teens and older children—they have their own special room where they can talk and chill and are provided a bunch of video games to have friendly competitions, beat high scores, talk with the friendly staff or just hang out. It’s also a room where parents might want to play games and take a break.
The toddlers and kids have a big area set up as a miniature City of Surprise. They can play in their little house, go shopping at Fry’s, and visit the fire station and other places.
There are cool foot-powered cars so kids can drive around the city. Kids also can take their car to the Gas Station to fill up their tank or get their car washed. They also have dress-up clothes so you can play a part in the city. During our visit, one lucky kid was named the mayor of Little Surprise and talked with Brad Perry quite a bit.
A Little Surprise also offers classes in dance, cheerleading and karate; plus it offers afterschool care activities. You also can have your birthday party there! There are two different party rooms—one is decorated with an “Under the Sea” theme complete with mermaids, and the other is a circus theme.
Be sure to go and check it out. You’ll have a blast no matter what your age! For more information visit the Web site www.alittlesurprise.net or give them a call at 623-546-1121.
Staging the Perfect Summer Camp at Broadway Theatre
by Reporter Audrey Lewis
Grace Evangelical Lutheran School
“It’s perfect, just perfect!”
Do you know what’s perfect?
The Academy for Young Performers summer camp program at Arizona Broadway Theatre!
“It’s perfect, just perfect” was just one of the fun songs we sang in our performance of the musical “The Little Mermaid.” The summer camp session lasted a week, and during my session the Missoula Children’s Theatre traveling crew worked with us.
It’s for ages 7–18, so you can make friends of all different ages. On the first day we had to go on stage in front of everyone and audition. I was a little nervous—the audition consisted of us saying our names and ages using different emotions. At the end of the day we were given our parts. I was a sea scout!
The first few days we learned about special effects, stage makeup and improvising. We also played acting games. My favorite acting game had us stare at one thing and not move, laugh, or even sneeze!
Steven Thomas the director from the Missoula Children’s Theatre, went around making silly faces and cracking jokes just to try to break our character. Then I was next. Thomas came right up to my face and smiled. He asked, “Do you like my smile?” It was so goofy that I just burst out laughing.
I surprised my dad when he picked me up one day after makeup class. When I got in the car, I had a nice drawn on goatee on my face—it was crazy!
I interviewed a few of my friends, Madison Roth and Bronwyn Lancaster. They’ve been doing ABT for three years now.
They were sea scouts, too! If you’re wondering what a sea scout is, it’s something like a Boy Scout except they love the ocean instead of the forest. Madison’s and Bronwyn’s favorite part of the camp is the makeup class. It’s my personal favorite, too, because you can look so crazy and not like yourself.
Thomas has been the director of Missoula Children’s Theatre for two years. He says his favorite part is seeing all of the United States and getting paid. Besides being director, he also played the Merfather and the part of the crazy country starfish in the play.
Joe Martinez has directed the Academy for Young Performers since June 2005. He has been involved in theater for more than 20 years and started as an actor. Martinez says his favorite part of directing is “working with new people and having them act out the story as I see it.”
Check out ABT. It’s so cool. Whether you’re watching a play or are in one, you’ll have a blast because “It’s perfect, just perfect!”
Phoenix Mars Lander Digs Up Secrets of the Red Planet
by Reporter Gokul Ramadoss
Bogle Jr. High
Adviser: Vennila Ramadoss
Since landing successfully on May 25, the Phoenix Mars Lander has been working to uncover the secrets of the Red Planet. This $420 million, four-month mission is led by scientists at the University of Arizona!
Unlike the Mars rovers, this robot stays in one place, which is near the Martian north pole. The Phoenix mission is to dig up and analyze soil and ice layers and to study the weather. It digs with an 8-foot-long robotic arm and delivers its samples to other instruments. It also has a weather station, a panoramic 3-D camera, eight tiny ovens and microscopes. The instruments have produced incredible pictures of the smallest particles ever!
The lander uncovered water ice about 2 inches down. Perchlorate in the soil is the most recent discovery. Scientists are also searching for impurities in the ice—especially organic compounds, which are a sign of life.
Overall, the first part of the mission has been a success. The robot has to keep searching for signs of life in all possible areas. There may be another rover sent in the future to investigate further. You can always stay updated by going to www.nasa.gov and checking out mission news. There are lots of cool things you can do, like finding out how the robot works, listening to a live meeting, and much more. The articles and pictures are nice to look at, too. Make sure you continue to follow the Phoenix Mars mission.
Splish, Splash, Swimming!
by Reporter Maha Ahmed
Rancho Solano Greenway
Adviser: Stacey Lane
Are you roasting in the sizzling Arizona heat? Then jump in the pool! Swimming is a great sport for kids. Don’t know how? Well, don’t worry—once you get started, it’s a cinch.
The simplest and most common stroke is freestyle. No, you don’t get down and dance your own way! Your arms have to be on your side and your face must be forward. On your stomach, you bend your arm forward and then your other arm. Make sure that you are always at the surface of the water and that you reach out as far as you can. Every three strokes you take a breath to the side. After mastering freestyle and the other three strokes (butterfly, backstroke and breaststroke), you’ll be a pro. If you want to compete, a great place to try out is Brophy East Swim Team (BEST).
It’s on the same sports campus as the Brophy High School Swim Team, but there’s also another team here called BEST, where swimmers can be any age—even adults. And you don’t have to be the best swimmer in your school because at BEST, you’re placed according to your ability. It also runs year round to benefit your swimming even more. If you are looking for a good swim team to develop strong strokes, Brophy is the place to be.
Many parents want their kids on BEST to swim at a more more challenging level. “I joined this team because my mom wanted me to compete in more advanced swimming. I enjoy swimming here because it’s challenging and fun,” 11-year-old Audrey Mann explains.
But swimming isn’t just about the competition. It keeps you cool and in shape. The Brophy East Swim Team gives you all that and more!
‘Spiderwick’ Is a Winner!
by Reporter Emily Donis
Christ Lutheran School
Adviser: Stacey Lane
Have you heard of “The Spiderwick Chronicles” books or movie? Do you want to know if you like the books and movie?
If you like goblins, brownies, sprites, fairies and more, then you already like half of it. Here is the other part—the mysteries are the best! The books might look short and too easy for your age, but you’ll get lost in the magic of the books.
There are five books in all by author Tony DiTerlizzi. There is another series called “Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles,” which has an interesting variety of books.
The movie, which is available on DVD and Blu-ray, is better.
It may look scary, but it’s not.
There is a little bit of each book in the movie, which is really nice!
I was really excited when the movie came out because my brother and I couldn’t wait to see it. Since I told my friends how good it was, they all went and saw it. Then for the whole week, we were talking about it. Now I’m having my mom put it on Netflix so we will be able to see it again and again!
I hope you read the books and see the movie. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
Students Return to Sunnyslope
by Reporter Jovana Rangel
Sunnyslope School
Adviser: Sharon Sauer
Finally, Sunnyslope School is back home!
We had been waiting three long years. Now our school is back. The last three years, we had to move
to a temporary school.
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Now that our school is back, we can finally walk to school again like we used to.
Sunnyslope now has basketball courts, a big gym, nice big rooms for music and art, and a great field.
In art class, we painted one great big banner to hang in the office and to welcome everyone back home to Sunnyslope! It’s great to be home again, we love it!
Volunteerism Is for All Ages
by Reporters Andrew Nadolski & Jordan Craft
Camelback Desert School
Advisers: Jane Register & Stacey Lane
“Helping others who can’t help themselves is what volunteering is all
about!" says Helen Nadolski, who enjoys her volunteer work.
Andrew Nadolski, a third-grader at Camelback Desert School was happy to have his mom speak to the third- and fourth-graders about volunteerism.
She told the students that they could help a lot of people in many ways. Volunteers are needed for the elderly, homeless, orphans and people with physical and mental illnesses. Helen Nadolski volunteers for Hospice of the Valley and Maggie’s Place. She says it’s fun to volunteer and help others. Our classes learned that anyone of any age can volunteer to help someone.
Be a volunteer! Pick up trash in your neighborhood or visit home-bound people! Check for organizations in your area that need a hand!
When the Work Gets Tough, Teamwork Really Works!
by Reporter Anaise Pack
Back ‘2’ Basics Horizons
Have you ever had to clean and decorate an entire school cafeteria?
When my classmates and I heard that we were having our eighth-grade graduation in our school cafeteria, we went ballistic!
Our cafeteria needed a good cleaning—everything from the walls to the chairs. We wanted our guests to have a good impression.
The day before the graduation, my friends and I volunteered to clean and decorate the cafeteria. We had to use scrub brushes, sponges and dish towels to get stains off the walls and chairs. We even mopped the tile floors.
Afterward, we decorated the cafeteria with balloons, banners and other arts and crafts.
“It was hard work, but with the help of my friends, we finally got the job done,” says Alyssa Desamais.
Using teamwork, our cafeteria was ready for our graduation.
When the ceremony ended, we even got compliments on how clean everything was!
“I was (really pleased) to see how sparkling clean it was because my children used to complain about how dirty it was,” says parent Salihah Pack.
In the end, my friends and I agreed that the experience of using teamwork to clean our school cafeteria definitely brought our friendship even closer.
Meet Our New Principal!
by Reporter Angelica Plunkett
Navajo Elementary
Adviser: Linda Boudreau
Just as we really get to know our principal, it seems another one comes in to replace him. We really liked Principal Mark Haugen. But after many years at our school, he left. Then came Principal Clay McAllester, or Mr. Mac, as we so fondly called him. Well this year (and hopefully for many to come), we have Principal Shaun Holmes.
Holmes was born in Lodi, Calif., and started his career in education there, beginning at a school called Cal Poly. He transferred to ASU and received his Bachelor of Science in Human Resources. Wanting to help kids like us, he attended Ottawa University and got his teachers certificate. Then he earned his Masters in Education Leadership at Northern Arizona University.
He started teaching at Desert Mountain High, where he spent eight years. But, like his other dreams, he followed his heart and ended up as our principal here at Navajo.
He had chances to go to other schools but wanted to make a difference at Navajo by helping our school rise to a higher level.
He says that the community in and around Navajo was one of the major deciding factors in choosing our school.
Principal Holmes says the Cardinals are his favorite football team and the Diamondbacks are his favorite baseball team, whether they win or lose! Well, that shows he has commitment since some people jump ship every time their “favorite” team loses a game! As our principal, we believe Principal Holmes will have that same kind of commitment to Navajo Elementary.
Learn How to ‘Fight the Bite!’
by Reporter Marissa Mitchell
Sahuarita High School
Summer is coming to an end, and many kids are out and about trying to make the most of the rest of their summer. But our monsoon season continues, which brings about rainy days and a humid climate, which mosquitoes love!
Mosquitoes are also attracted to standing water, which is water that hasn’t moved for days. If not dumped out, this is where mosquitoes lay their eggs, which hatch into larvae.
Mosquito season in Pima County is normally from May to late October. And when mosquitoes breed close to home, we run a greater risk of being bitten.
Certain types of mosquitoes can carry the West Nile Virus, which can be very dangerous. But with these great tips, we all can learn to fight the bite.
Try and limit your time outdoors from dusk till dawn, and if possible, try to wear long-sleeve shirts and pants. Try not to leave any doors or windows open that could let mosquitoes sneak inside. You can visit www.pimahealth.org for more info on how to fight the bite.
Catch These Dinos Before They Are Gone!
by Reporter Ben Mohler
Mesquite Elementary
You probably have heard of dinosaurs like T-rex, Triceratops, Stegosaurus, Velociraptor and Gallimimus. But there are many more dinosaurs than that! Have you ever heard of dinosaurs like Postosuchus, Therizinosaurus, Dienonychus or Muttaburrasaurus? Here are some interesting facts about them:
• Postosuchus was a four-legged, 20-foot meat eater from the late Triassic. This means it lived about 213 million to 215 million years ago. It was discovered in the “Post” quarry in Texas, where it was named “Postcrocodile” in 1985. If you visit the Petrified Forest in Arizona, you can see them there, too.
• Deinonychus was a cousin to the Velociraptor (seen in the movie “Jurassic Park”) and had that same huge claw on its middle toe. It was 9 feet long and weighed about as much as a person. It stalked North America at a time called the Cretaceous Period, 65 million to 140 million years ago. Scientists think it might have been covered with feathers and may have actually been a flightless bird!
• Therizinosaurus was like a 5-ton giant chicken sloth! The Asian T-Rex called Tarbosaurus would scare many dinosaurs, but not a Therizinosaurus, which had 26-inch claws. At the end of a fight, the Tarbosaurus would be more frightened. Surprisingly, the Therizinosaurus was a vegetarian, and paleontologists (scientists who study prehistoric life) think it used those big claws to pull down tree branches and open up termite hills. They think the Therizinosaurus may have been a bird, too, though they think it had lost its ability to fly!
• Muttaburrasaurus was discovered down in Australia and lived during the Cretaceous Period. It was one big dinosaur, weighing about 3 tons and measuring 24 feet long. It was discovered in Muttaburra, Queensland, in 1981. Not much else is known about it.
Do you like learning about new dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals? If you live in Arizona, you could visit the Arizona Museum of Natural History, which is home to some special fossils from China right now. Paleontologists are trying to decide if they are more closely related to dinosaurs or to birds, including my favorite, the 5-ton “chicken sloth” Therizinosaurus.
The museum is at 53 N. Macdonald in Mesa.
Check out www.azmnh.org for more information.
Hope to see you there soon!
Bear Essential News Editor Is a Hero to Me!
by Reporter Petra Jauregui
Liberty Traditional School
There exists a superman—a hero for kids. I think that superhero is Stephen B. Gin. He’s the editor of Bear Essential News for Kids.
Gin started working for the newspaper in the summer of 1983. To me, a superhero is a person who shows you how to read, write and learn to dress as a reporter should. He makes you feel good with other people. He also helps kids by correcting their words and showing them how to become good reporters. And if you make a mistake, he says that it’s just part of the learning experience. He says his high school journalism teacher taught him a lot.
Just like I’m doing, Gin got his start in journalism in third grade. Dee James, his third-grade teacher, encouraged him to read a lot, and now he’s the one encouraging me.
Gin is not only an editor for the newspaper, he’s also a friend to the kids with his 25 years of experience. He helped build my sister’s confidence for going on television. He has shown my brother how to dress formally. Gin also goes to schools and shows kids his love of reporting. He answers all the questions you have in the best way that he can.
If you know someone who’s a superhero, write about that person and tell the world. It might be a very good police person, a teacher who’s always willing to help you, or someone who does something important for humanity. A superhero isn’t necessarily a person you see on TV.
Gin asked me, “Do you want to be a reporter?” when I was just 5. Back then, I couldn’t write or read yet, but now I can! And I’m making my dreams come true.
To write for Bear Essential News, call toll free: 1-866-NEWS KID or go to www.BearEssentialNews.com, click on Young Reporters and print out the sign-up forms.
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