My Cousin, By Joseph

My cousin, Jayro was 18 when he was killed by fourteen bullets to the head.

My cousin lived in the same area where I lived, in 2010. He used to be my best cousin. Even though we fought alot, we had fun. He is still my favorite cousin, even though he's dead.

I really like to hang out with the bigger kids, because I have fun with them.

One day Jayro was going to go live to Culiacan, Mexico, and before he left he told my mom "Tia no quiere que le traiga algo del otro lado?"(do you want me to bring you something  from the U.S?) My mom said, "Panda Express mijo." I remember that clearly.

After that, he never came back. He left to Culiacan. Four days later, his mom goes to jail for crossing  the border with drugs. It was very hard for Jayro and his brothers because his dad was already in jail, also for drugs.

The time passed and Jayro was in Culiacan.  He was doing alot of bad stuff to get money, like selling drugs and hanging out with criminals.

 Months passed and my dad told me Jayro was doing horrible stuff and that one of these days, he would get killed. I was always worried about that.

One month later I got home and I see my brother, my sisters, my dad and my mom crying. I was like, "What the heck is happening here?" and my brother told me with a sad voice "mataron a jayro" (they killed jayro).

Since that moment i feel an emptiness in my heart. During that time my family didn't have that much money sowe had to pawn our car to go to the funeral.

 I got so mad and angry I wanted to kill the ones who killed him. Two years have past and it still feels like if it was yesterday.

I remember him clearly, I miss him and I will always will. I wish I could give him half of my life to live with him. He will always be part of my life.

Tattoos, By: Jasmine

A tattoo is a type of art.

Some people love them and others hate them.

Tattoos are sometimes painful but worth it my first one is on my right hand ring finger and it says One Love.I choose one love because i belive that everyone has they're

One love In life. when you get your first tattoo you want another one and another one why because they're addicting.

I personally love my tattoos and don't regret  any of them. My advice to you is if you are gonna get/or already have tattoos, make the right decision because they are they're forever.

Playing Football, By: Elia

Some people say playing football is dangerous because you could get hit so hard you could get brain damage. But I think it's pretty fun.

I say that I think it's fun because I play football myself.

Football is good,but bad for you. The good part is that you can relieve stress. The bad part about it is that you can get paralyzed and not be able to walk again.

When I play football and have the ball,  I feel like the whole world stops and everything is on me. The time feels as if it starts up again when you get tackled or score a touchdown. Its a very contact sport, so you can get your anger out I love football. Football is my  life.  

my first school by josh

When I was younger I used to go to an elementry called Johnson Elementry. It wasn't the best school but it was alright.

It was the same size as any normal elementry school. Three playgrounds one for kindergarden one for 1-3 and then one for 4-6. the teachers were nice and helpful.

It was one of my faverite school from all the schools i've gone to. At the end of the year the 6th graders would play the teachers in a game of kickball.

So I hope you send your kids to johnson elementry school were I grew up at.

BOOK TEASER By Bree

                                                                           Ch:1
"I did'nt do it," I say in the handcuffs that are getting tighter the more I struggle. "Then why were you there at  2:30 in the morning?" I look down in shame. I think of that night, I remember seeing her there on the floor upstairs in her room; my hands had her blood on them.

 "Tell me! Why were you there?" I look up and chuckle. "She was having a midnight party ok! You know a couple friends over to have a couple drinks right?" Then I give a cheesy smile. "Did anyone look suspisious?" I slightly look around the room seeing the cops with their hands on their guns.


I look back at the cop. " No, everyone looked like they were 15,16,17 at the highest." I start to remember.  "A man looked way older but looked like he knew everyone, he was dancing, and drinking but I never saw him go upstairs with Sandra so he couldn't have killed her." I looked back at him "Can I leave now?" I said with an anoyed voice."No,one more question!"..........

                                                              !!!More to come!!!

FRIENDS by,Jaqueline

Why do people need friends?

Well I have friends so I  can have an awsome time.
we can also help each other in watever we need.
I know everyone sometime really needs a friend.

but I also have a best friend
With a best friend you could do alot of things together, we could share our sectrets.
Also talk about what has happened to us in the pass. you can always feel that you can tell anything to your bestie and he or she won't say nothing.

I bet everyone can always count on those people that has been there
 for you in the bad a goods.

A friend will have the best times with you but a best friend is really hard
to forget because that person practically knows your whole life.

My phobia of clowns By: Veronica

I don't like clowns at all. I am very scared of them.

I can't stand clowns. They're just ugly.

It's just something about them that makes me scared. Everytime my mom takes me and my sibilings to a carniva.l I stay away from every single clown I see.

When I see a clown my heart stops for a quick second. I just don't like them. My mom makes fun of me because I'm scared of clowns... BUT I can ALWAYS get her back because she's scared of SPIDERS!!

I wish people wouldn't dress as clowns because it just terrorizes me.

Me,myself,and I by;Ricki R.

Do you know who I am? Ricki G.P. Jr. Randolph Roberts? Well now you will,  because I'm going to tell you about me.

I am 13 years old and was born in Florida on Oct. 11,1998. I am left-handed, African-American, Hispanic and other ethnicities. I love my family, friends and art. I like doing fun things and hanging out with my bestest friend Julie.

Julie is funny and awesome like me! We get along like two peas in a pod. We understand each other. 


I also like to read, sleep, exercise every now and then, and write poetry. I have a big family that loves me. And friends that like me for me.

So now you know who I am and what  I like. And I hope you think I'm awesome too. I would one day like to become a singer and be famous, so I need to dream big and shoot for the stars.

I'm

Madden The Game by: Jacob

I like the game Madden.


 I like that game because it makes me happy when I play it. I'm good at it and I really like winning. The graphics are very good and when I play it with my own music, it makes me even better.

Another reason I like that game is because I like football.

My favorite team to play with in Madden is the San Diego Chargers.

Madden is  a video game for game systems. Madden is the NFL on a video game. Instead of usinig body parts you use a controller. I can play Madden as much as I want

Facebook, By: Jaqueline

What I like about Facebook!

Alot of people say that FBs bad because people can get your information and do stuff with that. But I don't think that will happen to me because I don't add people that I don't know. I don't think you should add people that aren't your friends or family.

On Facebook, you can do many things like chat with people that live far away, or who you haven't seen in a long time. Other people like making new friends.

You can post stuff on your wall and people will comment on it or like it. I'd rather not post things I don't want people to read.

If you want you can also download pictures to it so people can see how you look. In your wall you can write a paragraph about you and what you want to be as you get older.

Well, alot of people say MySpace is better, but no, they are wrong.

If you sign up add me,and I will deny you because I don't know you!

Me, by: Jaqueline

What kind  of person am I?

Alot of people judge other people by how they look and not even knowing them.

I dont like it when people talk about me. That's why I dont talk about anyone.I've had my ups and downs but there's always someone that makes me smile.

I like listening to music.I like the lyrics because it reminds me of stuff I've been through in the past.
I really like hanging out with friends.

I aso have a good time with my family. I wouldnt trade them for anything else in the world and my boyfriend--I LOVE him alot.Without anyone that is important to me I wouldn't be anybody.

I think its much better to just live for today with my friends and family then worry to much about the past or the future.

Lil Wayne By:Alyssa

Have you heard Lil Wayne’s music well if not you should if your into par or pop he’s one person you should listen to!

Lil Wayne’s real name is actually Dwayne Michael carter Jr. He’s a rapper, song writer, and is very famous. I like his music a lot I listen to it almost every day it’s not just his music I like I like his looks to. I think he’s very cute.

 Lil Wayne started rapping at the age of nine. Lil Wayne joined cash money records as the youngest member of the label at the age of eleven. Lil Wayne has over 725 songs as of 2010 but has over a thousand to this very day. My most favorite songs by him are Bill Gates, How to Love, I’m Single, YM Salute, Motivation, and Mirror’s.

Take the time to listen to at least one of his songs because he is one of my favorite rappers. I hope you like him as much as I do!!

Velodrome by josh

You know you don't have to be fit to ride a bike, you just need to know how to ride one.

My class and I go to one of the six velodromes in California.

 We have to put on some special shorts and shirts (which I don't like because they fit a bit tight) that we have to wear when we go to the Velodrome. The bikes we have to ride don't have brakes so we have to slow down and get off.

The coachs told that we can win a new bike, if we just write a paragraph, do some community service, and enter a race. That's a good deal to win a new bike just for a few things to do for the Velodrome.

I already did the writing, and the community service and now I have just have to race.  The Velodrome is really cool place to ride a bike.

Cookie Monster By: Veronica

I don't know why I like Cookie Monster, but I do.

Cookie Monster is a blue puppet on a show called "Sesame Street." My niece watches it everyday at noon. Cookie Monster is very funny and cute. he loves cookies. I like cookies to.

The character, Cookie Monster, was created in 1966 by Jim Henson. Everytime he sees a cookie he say's "ME EAT COOKIE NOW!!" I believe chocolate hip cookies are all he eats. I have never seen him eat a different cookie.

Cookie Monster is a very cute monster that I adore.

Cyborg Brine Shrimp, by: Stephan

                                           

                         These half machine shrimp are full of action.
                         Here's a little story about them.


The c.b.s or cyborg brine shrimp's skin is made in the DNA chamber.

Once ready, they stuff it with a robotic skeleton fitted with guns and missles.

Now it's ready to serve for the E.N.M. (see link below) as a soldier,fighting off the enemy forces.They can grow up to 24 ft or 26 ft if glitchy.They can live up to 2 years if not killed.If killed they can be revived once.

A little story I made by E.N.M blog spot,wich is my website..http://explorationnationalmilitary.blogspot.com/

"Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen" by: Ricki

Have you heard the song "Call Me Maybe" by Carly R. Jepsen? It's an awesome song, I'm addicted to it.I can't get it out of my head, I keep singing and listening to it whenever I can.

The music video is funny because she tries the whole time to get a guy to notice her, but when he finally talks to her she shows him her band and sings him a song. Then she writes down her phone # so he can call her, but then he turns out to be gay and he gives his number to one of the guys in carly's band. And their's also a video with Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Big Time Rush guys, Ashley Tisdale, and other people dancing to the song and acting silly, It's really funny!

If I were you I would listen to this song, but it's for girls. So I think mostly, any girl would like this song! If you want to hear this song here's a link www.youtube.com Once you get to youtube type in Call me maybe and enjoy the video!

Our Classroom Family By Edith

In my classroom there are 19 students and we all treat each other as a family including Mr.Barron, who always gives us advice and Mr.Harwood, who is a great teacher.

In our classroom we cheer for each other when someone says a speech. When I am feeling bad my T.A Mr. Barron helps me feel relief. And my freinds encourage me to keep up with my work and I help them to when they fell stuck.

Mr. B is like my dad because I never had one that encouraged me and listened to me about my feelings. He knows when I feel sad or upset. I feel good having a class that feels a lot like family, that cares about each other.

Now that 8th grade is almost over I am a little bit sad because I won't be in this class anymore but I know that they will always remember me and I will remember them.

Drawing By Juan

I like to draw becuase it is fun.

When I don't skate and I am in school, I like to draw becuase it is fun besides skateboarding. I like to draw things that are very complicated.

I like to draw becuase it is fun and sometimes I draw things that are cool. I love to draw becuase I have freedom when I do it. I can draw anything , but then when I draw during class I sometimes get in trouble for drawing and not paying attention.

I draw well when it is really peaceful and all I can hear is my pencil moving on the paper and for some reason I like the way it sounds. But if is not silence, I can listen to music and I will draw very well.

If you draw you might like it, but start with something easy and then try to go to harder stuff.

The Lorax by:Dr.seuss

The movie "The Lorax" is very funny.

When I went to go see the Lorax I was so excited. My favorite part of the movie is when The Lorax is throwing the human and his bed in the river and the fish are humming.

It reminded me of the kind of music you hear in a movie when someone is stealing. The movie The

Lorax is so funny my sisters boyfriend was laughing and he hardly laughs I laughed too.

I like the movie The Lorax so much I would watch it over and over.

By: Betzy

                                       Monarch

Have you ever been to a school that supports you a lot? You should go to Monarch because it dose!!

When I came to monarch school I was shy because I really didn't know anyone. When I started knowing most of my classmates, I started to talking more. Then I met the princial, counselors, and staff.

After that, I started having problems in school and right away they started telling me," Why are you sad?" What's wrong?" and they just started supporting me. The reason I love Monarch is that they're always by your side 24/7. The best teachers that can help you are really supportive at all times.

When you want a school that supports you go to Monarch!!

My Songs, by Stephan

Here are songs I like and you might like too.

I like these songs because they have great taste and they are different.the first one is

Syrsa.I like his song because it's the best techno song ever.what makes it best is that he makes art

and music at the same time.

the second one is hastune miku.it's very unique because it's japanese and they use a voice synthasizer.

if you want to see the songs please click here syrsa
                                                                    miku
if you want to see my other blog click here e.n.m

Cats by Ricki

Are you a cat person or a dog person? I'm both, but I like cats more.

Did you know that cats have 230 bones and humans have 206 bones? Well now you know. I like cats because there are more civilized then dogs. They're soft and cute. Especially when there kittens.They'll only poop in one spot, they're quiet most of the time, and make less messes. They also like to snuggle.

They won't bother you that much and their really funny. Cats do the most funniest things. But for some reason cats and dogs don't get along very well. Cats are great for catching mice and get scared real easy but they'll need a scratchin post, unless you want your house all scratched up.

Well like I said cats are awesome, or did I just say that? Well yeah you get the point. Oh and Cats Rule!!!

Crossfit by: Veronica

Crossfit makes your body ache for a couple of days.

Crossfit is like a gym, you exercise and you get sore for a couple of days.
Crossfit really helps you get fit. You do all kinds of exercises like sit-ups, push-ups, burpies, pull-ups and more.

Burpies are no hard until you do a whole bunch of them, and then you can barely stand up.
It hurts really bad. Crossfit is fun because sometimesd we play games like dodgeball.

We also do routines in groups, those really hurt.

I love crossfit but it hurts when you're done working out. but even though it hurts, you do get fit.

Testing: By Jacob

I really don't like testing. I don't like testing because it gets too quiet and I don't like quietness.

Another reason I don't like testing is because the tests are too long. We have a STAR test next week on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and I don't want to take it.

I like it loud because it makes stuff exciting. The test isn't that hard but it is boring, which makes it hard. I'm definitely not going to sleep early, instead I will stay up late. I will eat breakfast and try to have a good attitude.

If you want to do well on the test do the opposite of what I am doing.

My Favorite Shoes, By: Jacob

My favorite shoes are Vladoes.


I like Vladoes because I can dance in them.

Another reason I like them is because they come in different colors. 


Sometimes Vladoes are mixed colors. Sometimes certain colors don't come in all sizes, but Vladoes come in all sizes.

Different styles of Vladoes can be very expensive depending on where you buy them. One store that isn't too expensive is Journeys.

There are lion, batmans, and more. Vladoes are good for dancing in because they are smooth on the bottom. 


When I put these shoes on I want to dance all day.

How My life Changed, By Joseph.

My life changed a lot because of Monarch.

I was born in Lompoc, Calif. in 1998, but when I was two years old, my family and I had to leave the U.S. to go Mexico, because my dad went to jail for doing illegal stuff. Then my mom started to have economic problems.

When we were in Mexico, my mom started to do some illegal stuff because in Mexico, if there's a woman with four kids, it's super hard to keep on going with life.

Then my dad got out of jail but my mom got caught by the police crossing to the U.S. with illegal things. I was eight years old then.

I was lucky that my dad came out of jail on time; if not, I think I would have been in foster care. Then we went into poverty. Sometimes we didn't have money to eat, sometimes in order to eat we had to go all the way to my aunt's house. She used to give me money to eat.

Whebn my mom got out of jail and she violated probation and was scared to go back to the U.S. because she didn't want to get sent back to jail, even though she was a citizen of the U.S.

Three years passed and she did have to go back to jail and I went to live with my aunt. Then my mom came back and took me and my little sister to the United States.

We were living in a shelter named Rescue Mission and we were on the waiting list for a shetler named Cortez Hill for two months. September 6, 2011 I enrolled in Monarch for the first time.

Since then, I'm pretty much happy because when I came I didn't even have shows and Monarch gave me some. I only had a little bit of clothes. Monarch also gave me a bus pass.

Now I'm much better. I live pretty far from Monarch, but I still want to go to Monarch. Monarch made me understand art, Monarch made me smarter, it made me want to play the guitar. Some of my friends who are students at Monarch taught me how to skate.

This is how Monarch changed my life.

The Enemy: Joshua Arriero

Imagine you're in a world were the people 16 and up will catch a disease.

They will turn into zombies and the children are the only ones that can't get the disease and everyday is a day to survive.

The book The Enemy is really great; it teaches kids to work together and share, plus it teaches kids to appreciate what you have because you can lose it very easily.

The Enemy is really good because it keeps you reading -- you want the kids to survive or else they get eaten. They are trying to find somewhere safe to live, and they don't know what will happen when they grow up.

I really hope you tell your friends to read this book. You will really like it if you have an imagination. I really liked the ending because it leaves you hanging.

Aston Martin By Elia

The Aston Martin are cool. They go so fast. That is my future car.

I started to like Aston Martins when I started playing "Grand Theft Auto". There is one in there.

Its gray and silky like it would go fast.

The one I drew is a rough draft, Its the one I like!

Like I said before the Aston Martin is a fast, engine roaring, silky smooth, and high speed. That what makes them so cool!

Catalina Island, by Betzy

Have you ever been to Catalina Island? Read my post below and find out more about it.

My classmates and I are going on this amazing field trip to Catalina Island. I want to go very badly, because we get to go snorking, kayaking, and experiment with sea animals.

It's going to be so fun but the only thing is that my mom won't let me go. I told her that I want to go so bad, so my mom has to make a choice. She is a little nervous about me going.

Catalina Isalnd is a small island that is really cool to go. Hope I have fun over there!!!

You should go to Catalina Island because it looks like really cool place to visit.

Tweety Bird

Tweety Bird is my favorite cartoon character.

Tweety Bird is on Looney Toons. I like Tweety Bird because he's cute. At first I thought Tweety was a girl, but, I found out that he was a boy. I also like Tweety Bird because he's yellow and yellow is a happy color.

Tweety Bird was made in 1942. It's funny when he gets chased by Sylvester because when he gets away, Tweety always says "That's a bad putty tat!" sometimes Tweety says " I TAUT I TAW A PUDDY TAT!"

Tweety is very cute.

The play of Juan Jose: by Edith

The play "American Night: The Ballad of Juan Jose" is about an immigrant that is trying to pass the test to get his citizenship. But at the same time his dad does not want him to pass because he says that he is a traitor and he has to stay as Mexican as he is. Juan Jose wants to get his citizenship and with no violence. He wants to have good life raising his baby with his wife.

The part that really made an impression on me was when they showed us how white people could be so racist to blacks and Mexican people. They even showed a sign that said: "no dogs, negros or Mexicans" and they showed us how they treated them.

Juan Jose had to study flash cards about the history of important peolpe. Then people were asking him why he wanted to get his citizenship if white people didn't want him in their country. Juan Jose didn't listen to them and kept on going.

At the end he had to say the three branches of the government and the thrirteen colonies. Juan Jose was so happy because he passed the test and became a citizen.

The Truth About Pit Bulls, By A.O.

Pit Boss is a T.V. show on Animal Planet.

Pit Bosses are people--who are actually midgets--who rescue only pit bulls. I have asked people why they like Pit Boss and they say because of the little people. I told them that wasn't a reason.

I like Pit Boss because it is so amazing what people of short stature can do.

People think that pit bulls are dangerous, but they aren't dangerous, they are actually some of the friendliest kinds of dogs. It is their owners that teach them to be dangerous.

The media makes us think that pit bulls are dangerous and violent. Pit bulls are not dangerous I love pit bulls, and just because some pit bulls are bad that doesn't mean that they all are .Give them a chance AND DON'T JUDGE A DOG BY WHAT PEOPLE SAY!.

Team Edward or Jacob? By:Ricki

Do you like vampires or werewolves? I love vampires. I don't like werewolves, they're just sweaty dogs that are as big as bears.

Vampires are better, like Edward in the movie Twilight, they have a power. They're really strong, and run really fast. Bella, Edward's girlfriend is lucky to have him.

Werewolves like Jacob, just turn into big wolves, have short tempers, and attack vampires. It really gets on my nerves. And Jacob just gets mad because Bella doesn't want him. It's stupid. I would love to be with a vampire and be with Edward every day. To sparkle in the sunlight and play vampire baseball. I would be a good vampire, not evil. Jacob is just jealous that no one wants him.

So after all that stuff about vampires and werewolves, what team are you, Team Edward or Jacob?

Why I Shuffle by Alyssa

Do you shuffle? Well I do and keep reading and find out why I started shuffling.

Well first off if you don’t know what shuffling is, it’s a type of dance that is really famous. I started shuffling about four months ago when I saw my friend shuffling.

There’s one thing I love about shuffling….. The music. I love the music because the beats are mind attracting. Shuffling is hard to explain but to me it’s like running in place and just having fun.

When I hear a fast techno beat I start to shuffle. When I shuffle I relive stress and anger. Shuffling makes me happy and makes me feel good.

I shuffle because it became a hobby and I love to do it. If you never done it and want to learn how to then go to YouTube and search shuffling tutorials, or how to shuffle.

Everyone can shuffle!!