Persuasive Essay

To the Superintendent, Board of Education:

There is a problem at hand that requires immediate attention. As you all may know, many schools around the country, including ours, are certainly feeling the effects of the ailing economy. School districts are raising taxes. Teachers are being laid off. Sports teams are being dismantled in some schools and other schools are even being shut down. However, there is nothing to worry about; there are solutions to prevent these issues from occurring. One of these solutions is a four-day school week with an extra-hour added on which I think sounds a whole lot better than a five-day school week.

There is a whole list of benefits that go with this type of schooling. For example, there is a Research Brief, concerning the Four Day School Week, put out by the Principal’s Partnership Foundation (www.principalspartnership.com), sponsored by The Union Pacific Foundation, that addresses the specific issues of the four-day school week.

Some of the positive findings of this paper include a decline in student drop-out rates, a decrease in student disciplinary referrals, an improvement in student and teacher attendance; students and teachers benefit from less interrupted class time as a result of longer class periods, and fewer transitions at all grade levels occur, which increases the efficiency of instruction. Students and teachers share more positive attitudes about school, which can lead to improvement in school morale because of the extra day added on to the weekend. School faculty would have more time for quality staff development on the day that there would’ve been school. There would also be more time for student participation in extracurricular activities and for personal business, such as doctor appointments on that extra day added on. Lastly, students report they are better able to manage part-time employment. Some benefits for the school, in general, are significant savings on utility bills, substitute teacher pay, school buses, and building wear and tear. Missed school days due to inclement weather can also be made up on what would have been the fifth school day instead of at the end of the school year. Now doesn’t this already sound a lot better?

With benefits comes disadvantages. For example, A Report from the Middlesex County Public Schools 4-day School Week Exploration Committee (http://www.mcps.k12.va.us/4-Day_School_Week.pdf) states the disadvantages of having a four-day school week. Some of these disadvantages include Child Care issues. This is because parents would now have to find someone or some place to babysit their children while they’re at work (I don’t really think this is a big problem at all though because the school could have some sort of daycare program for students whose parents work). There would also be retention issues for special education students (This could also be easily solved by an alternative schedule for these students). There might also be issues with attention among students who aren’t used to such a long day. Students who receive free or reduced lunch would have to go an extra day without a hot meal but these students could all receive food stamps for the days that there is no school. There would also be a discrepancy in scheduling sports games against opponents who still have five-day school weeks which can easily be sorted out as well.

By now, you may all have a better idea on whether or not you agree with a four-day school week. You have all heard the pros and cons of this type of schooling. In my opinion, having five days of school sometimes feels like forever but having four days of school sounds even better with an extra hour added in. It may not sound so good at first but soon everyone will get used to the four-day schedule. Don’t you think this sounds so much better than a five day school week?! I certainly do.

Jonathan Shalot

Miami Heat- A Force to Be Reckoned With (A Persuasive Essay)

“It” is official. On July 7th, 2010 King James announced that he would be taking his talents to South Beach Florida along with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. “It”still happened, even though many NBA fans whined about the process in which "It" took place. The Miami Heat has now become an even stronger and more dominant basketball team. In the next few weeks we will see the Miami Heat take over the NBA with their new “Big 3.”

Those who are still sour about Lebron 23's move to go to Miami and become Lebron 6 need to let it go. The emotional unrest of NBA fans won't get in the way of the Miami Heat possibly winning a championship. If anything it might fuel the heat (pun intended) that Miami will generate in the form of total supremacy on the court. Supremacy is the perfect word to use because three of the players from the gold medal winning USA Basketball team in Beijing were Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. They are now a combined force to be reckoned with in Miami.

Can they win a championship in 2011? Shortly, yes and that's because the Heat now present a critical problem for all other teams in the league. Match-ups. Which of "The Big 3" do you focus on? The one who has the hot hand? On any given night that could be any of the three or all three. Whom do you double-team? Whom do you try to contain? What exactly are the things to do to stop Miami? Absolutely nothing.

Dwayne Wade (A.K.A The Playmaker) was selected 5th overall in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat. He quickly emerged as a productive player on a young Miami Heat team. For the last three season Wade has averaged 27 points, 7 assists and there is no reason why he would be slowing down. While being on the Miami Heat Dwayne Wade won the NBA Championship and the Finals MVP in 2006, and he became the Miami Heat all-time leading scorer and all-time assists leader. Enough said.

Chris Bosh (A.K.A The Baller) was selected fourth overall by the Toronto Raptors in the 2003 NBA Draft, and he quickly became his team’s captain and a monster off and on the boards. Here is what he has done so far. He made the NBA All-Rookie Team in 2003-04. He was in the NBA Rookie All-Star Game from 2003 through 2005. He is the third-youngest player in NBA history to get 1,000 rebounds. He is the fourth-youngest player in the NBA to get 20 points and 20 boards in a game. Also, for the Toronto Raptors he was the all-time leader in points scored, in total rebounds, and in total blocks. Enough said.

Lebron James (A.K.A The Dominator or The Facilitator) was selected first overall in the 2003 NBA Draft, and has become known as “The Next Michael Jordan.” Lebron's basketball IQ is very high. His athleticism is unparalleled. His half-court shooting ability is as precise as it is unbelievable. His ball-handling is as good as any point-guard. Lebron's jumping ability is beyond Jordan. His shot blocking is powerful. His first step is monstrous. His energy is explosive. He is half-man and half-amazing. He can play every position on the court and play them all well. He's been in the league for seven seasons and has done a heck of a lot. Lebron James is the most powerful NBA player in the whole entire league. During his 7 years with the Cleveland Cavs he has become a 6 time All-NBA player, a 6 time All NBA All-Star, and won 2 NBA MVP’s. Enough said.

The major pieces are in place for the Miami Heat and the stage is now set. The Heat has also signed a few big-time role players, Eddie House, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, and Mike Miller. "The Big 3" and the Heat are a force that the NBA is well aware of. Can the Miami Heat win a championship in 2011? Yes, they can. Will they? Too many variables (injuries, lack of team work, etc.) keep the answer from being definite. The case can be made, however, that with Lebron James and Chris Bosh joining Dwayne Wade, it becomes a matter of "When" and "How many" championships the Heat will win.

~Scott Aharoni~

Is One the Loneliest Number

I am

The wolf in "The Three Little Pigs".

I am

A single child who came after triplet siblings.

I am

The keeper of many names: Raquela, Kali, KK, Roxy, Rox, Raq and RQ.

I am

The bubbly one around the dinner table.

I am

The one you hear laughing a deep laugh from the inside.

I am

The child who looks into the mirror and sees a girl with green eyes and curly hair staring back.

I am

The family's next celebrity chef who does amazing feats with a knife on a cutting board.

I am

The spunky one who speaks up and even fights when taking a stand on an issue.

I am

Daddy's little girl, really! Absolutely!

I am

Different, and deep down happy just the way I am.

I am

Focused one minute but take the opportunity to be flighty the next.

I am

Friendly and full of waves of energy.

I am

The wolf, no, maybe i am more like the wolf's cub that should have been in "The Three Little Pigs".

Sleeping In - Haiku

Sunday morning, you wake up in your room

you drift out of bed and walk out of your room

-silence-

As I was trying to come up with a haiku, I remembered those moments when everyone else went out while I was asleep and I woke up to find myself alone in the house. I used to live in a two story house and as I walked down the stairs to see if anyone else was home, I would hear only my footsteps and the creaking of the stairs. Sometimes, however, my brother would be downstairs on his computer and I would faintly hear the computer fan running as I walked down the stairs, being slightly relieved and knowing he was there.

I chose the day to be Sunday because I thought maybe some of the readers' houses don't get empty often and the only times this would happen to them is when they slept in on Sunday and missed church. Actually, I think this happens often during vacations too.

I tried to get the readers to picture their own rooms and go through the story in their own shoes instead of just objectively listening to mine because I wanted them to experience that feeling I was trying to convey. Anyways I hope it worked.

Dammit

Tuesday,
I wake up and its 7:40am.
Damn I missed my bus again!
Damn I didn't finish my Psych FRQ
that I was going to complete at 5am.
Damn my dad is going to lecture me again.
Damn, today is gonna suck and I know it.
And yes, it was.
Drously going from class to class,
sometimes glancing out the windows for some grass.
O how the teachers monotonic voice is like a lulaby.
How I wish I was in a airplane in the sky.
Damn I hate today.
Damn I hate everyday.
Its just so annoying to wake up early in the morning,
and getting ready to go to school, when I can be chilling by a pool.
Such of waste of my time and my life.
When I can be just making food with a sharp knife.
But.....
But......
PERSERVERE!
I have a PURPOSE in life and my God is on MY side!
When I am down, he lifts me up.
When I am tired he wakes me up.
When I am slacking he keeps me going.
When I am lonely he is on my side.
Everytime I'm about to fall he raises me back up and gives me a reason.....
..To live..
..To love..
..To enjoy..
..To give..
..To become the best that I can be..
So my days which begin with a Dammit,
just might... just might....
become a day starting with a.....
Hallelujah :)

What I have seen

What I have seen

I have seen many things in this world, both good and bad.
I have seen people fall and trip and people laughing about that, including me.

I have seen people of different ethnicities try singing Koreans songs and fail miserably.

I have seen people fight over the most stupid things, such has test grades.

I have seen people curse out each other, which was fun to watch.

I have seen a guy successfully do a 360 flip on his skateboard.
I have seen a little boy singing Britney Spears songs.

I have seen people struggling to reach their goal, and finally achieved it.

I have seen people laugh for no reason.

I have seen my friend opened his mouth to talk and a fly went in.

I have seen teachers curse.

I have seen a little kid, around 6 years old, smoke a cigarette.

I have seen my friend fart and blame it on me.

I have seen Neo and Morpheus jumping on top of trucks.

I have seen my friend try to do a dunk but hit his head on the pole.

I have seen my friend driving, driving more intensely than a roller coaster.

I have seen a person covered with white paint from head to toe in Manhattan, standing in a calm way.

I have seen so much TV that if I spent that time studying, I might have gone to Harvard by now.

I have seen people backstab their friends for the stupidest reasons.

I have seen many people better looking than actresses today.

I have seen my friend throw a slice of tomato, causing a food fight.
I have seen friendship or a relationship happen, the two most incredible things.

I have seen many things in this world, both good and bad.

Reflection on What I have seen

I thought about what to write for my poem as soon as Mr. D assigned the poem for homework. Poems were always my weakness and I was afraid I might not come up with anything until last minute. I was right! I honestly thought about what to write and I finally got the idea off from Mr. D on Sunday. One day, Mr. D told everyone to write a couple of stuff based on a topic. The first one was “I have seen…” and I thought I could use that somehow for my poem. I first thought of similar to Mr. D’s Belief System and realized that bother were almost identical. Disappointed and helpless, I went back to the notes. There, on my notebook, were all the key facts for my poem. I changed and added some stuff around and finally finished my poem. I tried to remember all the funny things I have seen in the past. Since I myself am not a funny person, I included funny images in my head. I also included some negative images because I do not live in a utopia where everything and everyone is good. Unfortunately bad things happen in this world. Also, I feel some sort of guilt because I did use first draft for my final draft.

Honestly, the final copy of my poem has nothing to do with my first draft, which I think is a bad thing. My final copy has nothing to do with my first draft. I guess my reason for not using my first draft was because I didn’t really like my first draft. When Mr. D assigned the poem for homework, I thought about using my first draft. The only thing was that my past is not that funny and it is hard to incorporate into a poem.

According to Mr. D’s reflection on Belief System, the poem took him a long time to finish his poem. It took me two days to think about a title. Then after that, it only took me a hour to finish my whole poem. This makes me wonder if I should have put more time and effort into my poem, but I do not know what else to include for my poem.

My favorite line is “I have seen friendship or a relationship happen, the two most incredible things.” Those two things are the best things I have seen in my life. In my opinion, nothing else could replace that.

Haiku

Grandfather Clock

Tick away to tomorrow

The troubles from today

October

The heat on my face, the warmth and brightness

I feel running through my body

Taking deep breaths

Crisp fresh air encloses me

Whisper of crickets somewhere off in the trees

Too bright to look up

I close my eyes

Put my face towards the

Burning star.

The cool green grass tickles

Knowing there are thousands of critters creeping around

Shadows overhead

I feel safe knowing

I

Am

Not

Alone.

As I take one more breath

Im burning up on the outside

A cool fresh breeze inside me

Makes me appreciate things all over

Again

October

Month of change.

Get comfortable

Yet

Try new things

Where I Am, Where I'm Going

Where I Am, Where I’m Going

I’ve been here from the start.

I am who I’ve always been with a tweak of edge and maturity.

I was shy when I was little with no one guiding me somewhere.

I thought I had it all planned out.

I had a dream that I would be able to fix everything needed to be fixed.

I still can imagine a better life.

I dream about a life where there is no sense, but only freedom.

I believe I can make a difference.

I will find what I’m looking for.

I know it takes effort and a sense of creativity.

I won’t just get by, I will soar through it.

I love listening to songs after songs after songs on my Ipod.

I like just plugging in my earphones and tuning out to my music.

I eat my Grandmother’s home-cooked authentic Chinese food every night.

I enjoy sitting by a campfire and laughing with friends and family.

I can see all the real emotions that people have on their faces.

I make people happy by just being around them.

I surround myself with good people with strong hearts.

I fight for those I love.

I think about things every second of the day.

I laugh about random things on random occasions.

I’m going to race to the very end.

What's Lipstick?

What's Lipstick?
By, Nicole Bonura

I grew up plain.
Two Story house. Christian faith

I spoke words
Simple. Short

I went to school
Red cheeks. Tin lunchbox

I was hurt
Skinned knee. Bruised knee.

I thought about
Playmates. Play-dates

I loved
Dogs. Dolls.

I feared
Monsters. Heights.

I was.


I grow up slowly
It's beautiful to be young.

I speak abnormally
"Momjeanz". "Kittyroo".

I go to school.
Red cheeks. Tin lunch box.

I am hurt
By the wars and brutality religion and faith have brought.

I think about
Who I am and who I will become.

I love
Folk music and it's raw honesty.

I fear
Growing old with no one to love.

I am.

My name is Ben Nahmani

By Ben Nahmani

English 11R

Mr. Daszenski

Auto-biographical poem

My name is Ben Nahmani

I am sixteen…and a half

I can drive…alone

I like sushi…a lot

I am Israeli and I’m proud

I can make you lose ten pounds in a week

I like to work hard…physically

I am very strong though I don’t look it

I can do 174 push-ups in a row

I like this girl but I never see her

I am Ben Nahmani

I wish people could speak their minds

I wish people wouldn’t rely on war to solve their problems

I believe in god but only when something good or bad happens maybe the occasional holiday

I don’t believe in magic but there are things I find unexplainable.

I hate winter but I love winter styles, snow and snow boarding

I don’t hate my English teacher but that’s only cuz he’s the man

I enjoy a good hookah “sesh”, good music, a great movie and a home cooked meal

I don’t enjoy rock, metal or any of that scream shit

I love my family, friends and this girl but I never see her

I don’t love my science teacher but don’t tell her

I am me

My name is Ben Nahmani

Who are you?

…

Reflection

I started my poem as any other kind of write I have ever started; with shallow thoughts and a “just get it over with” attitude. As I was writing I started to think more and more about what I’m really about. When I looked back at my work I thought, “Wow what kind of bull shit is this”. I didn’t want to sound so plain and boring, so I went deep within me and dug out all the things I thought were cool about myself. Out of all those things I chose a few that would fit in to what I believe people should know about me.

In addition to my inner feelings, I also wrote about things that were on my mind. When the project was assigned, it was the day after I passed my road test. So I wrote, “I am sixteen … and a half” because you have to be that age before you can even take the road test. And if you pass then you can officially drive alone so I wrote, “I can drive… alone”.

Once I got through the first half of my poem I took a break and read some other poems. I picked up on some other peoples’ writing techniques and schemes. I enjoyed one poem that said “I love… I don’t love…” and “I believe… I don’t believe…” I then spun it around a little and made it my own. I put true emotion in my poem although I don’t feel as though the reader can tell. It’s not that I want them too, but, I feel the best poems show that true emotion was put into it.

I wrote about my life and what I am about. I wrote about the things I enjoy in life and specifically about something a lot of people know me for, and that is hookah. Hookah is somewhat cultural for me because my family is Israeli and has some decent from Iraq (on my mother’s side). I did not write entirely enough to show about exactly who I am but only enough to tease the reader so that they are a little more interested in me and my life. I say that I can make anyone lose 10 pounds in just a week. Which is true, I am a certified trainer. I work at New York health and racquet club of great neck, the gym under Waldbaums. I work as a porter and front desk person and train on my spare time. I wrote about a lot of the things I do in this poem but certainly not all. I can tell you everything but then I’d have to kill you. ;-)