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Goodbye

by Kate Zang

“Good-bye Alex. It wasn’t a pleasure knowing you,” said my best friend Jacob.

“It’s not my fault that I’m moving,” I said.

“Yes it is,” Jacob said.

“No, it’s not! My dad got promoted so I’m moving. Real friends would understand,” I told Jacob.

“I don’t know who you’re talking to because I’m not your friend anymore!” Jacob screamed back.

“Fine, don’t be my friend. See if I care.” I just told Jacob that my family was going to be moving on Saturday.

Later that day, I went over to Jacob’s house to return all of his baseball cards. I rode my bike over and rang his doorbell. Ding-dong! Jacob answered the door. Both of us were frozen for a couple of minutes. Then, Jacob took the baseball cards out of my hand and slammed the door in my face. “Looks like I’ve ruined everything,” I mumbled.

Art Show Inspires ‘WritePrize’ Student Writing Contest  

by Charles Honey

It worked big-time for art, so why not writing?

That was the thought of Eldon Palmer, a parent at Valley View Elementary School. Inspired by the huge success of ArtPrize, Palmer last fall proposed a contest called WritePrize at the K-5 school. He worked with teachers and Principal Bob Siegel to organize a writing contest among third- through fifth-graders. The kickoff was held during the release of Siegel’s book “Learn to Lead with Love.”

Nearly 100 students – almost one-third of Valley View’s upper-elementary enrollment – submitted their works. They were judged by the high school students of Jackie Decker’s Advanced Placement language arts class. Throughout the year, the winning papers are being published in the weekly school newsletter.

Five winners were chosen from each grade. Following are the winning entries from fifth-graders Kate Zang, Makayla Jarrett, Luke Johnson, Macey Palmer and Madison Warnke. Happy reading!

Read More Submissions

I can’t believe this. Jacob and I have been friends since Kindergarten. He lives three houses down from me and we met at the bus stop on the first day of school. We have been best friends ever since. We play baseball, soccer, and football together all the time at our park. We have never gotten into an argument like this before. Not even when I accidently left his favorite bat at the baseball field last year.

The next morning, my mom yelled, “Children! Wake up! See what I have for breakfast! It’s a surprise!” My sister, my two brothers, and I came rushing down the stairs. My mom had made us eggs, pancakes, and waffles. When everyone was eating, somebody rang the doorbell. I got up and answered the door. It was Jacob. Jacob said he was sorry about slamming the door in my face. I forgave him.

Jacob had a surprise for me. It was his baseball cards. I told him, “I just want one, but can you write me a note on the back so I can remember you?”

“Sure,” said Jacob. “You’re my best friend! How am I going to live without you?” That made me happy, because I thought the same about him.

I sadly said, “The worst part of moving is going to a different school and leaving all of my friends. I have the best principal here and the kindest staff. Listen Jacob, I just want you to know that I will miss you the most. You have been there for me when I was hurt, happy, sad, and mad. You have always been there for me but I won’t be there for you anymore.”

“That’s true,” he said. “But you will always be in my heart. Hey Alex! I meant to ask you. Where are you moving to?”

I told him, “We are moving to Missouri. I’m going to miss you man.” Jacob said to me, “I’m going to miss you too.”

“Alex, where are you?” asked my mom.

“I’m talking to Jacob,” I said.

“Can you please come finish your breakfast? You’re going to be late for your last day at Valspar Elementary School.”

“OK mom. I’m coming.” I looked back at my friend. “Jacob, I’ll see you on the bus.”

“OK, Alex. I’ll see you on the bus.”

“Mom,” I said. “Can Jacob have a sleepover tonight?”

“No,” she said.

“Why?” Because we are leaving tomorrow! Make sure you pack everything you need for the new house.”

“Oh my gosh,” I said. “I can’t believe we are leaving for Missouri tomorrow!”

My mom said, “Sorry, but we are. Alex, you might want to hurry up because you might miss the bus today!”

“OK mom. I’ll see you after school” I quickly grabbed my backpack and ran out the door.

Right when I shut the door behind me, the bus was leaving from the bus stop. I started running for my life but by then the bus was long gone. I turned around and walked back home. My mom was wondering why I came back. I said, “Mom, I missed the bus. I told Jacob that I would sit with him! He must think that I am the biggest liar that ever lived!”

“Alex, Jacob would never think that! Listen, we need to get going to school. I don’t want you to be late.” We got into the car and headed right for school.

Once we got to school, I jumped out of the car, racing to my classroom. Mrs. Snagletooth is my teacher. She is the meanest teacher in the 5th grade. She is probably the meanest teacher in the whole world. After we did the whole agenda on our schedule we had Science class with Mr. Smile. I don’t even know what I was thinking. Mr. Smile is way worse than Mrs. Snagletooth. She may be the worst teacher in the world, but Mr. Smile is the worst teacher in the universe! He has a wart the size of Mike Wozowski and it’s green too. Glaaaahhhhh………

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