Alexandria Alexandria Gazette Packet Gazette Packet 25 Cents Serving Alexandria for over 200 years • A Connection Newspaper December 29, 2016 Chloe Achieng, 1st grade,James K. Polk Elementary — Spider Web. Chloe Achieng, 1st grade,James K. Polk Elementary — Spider Web. Children Children’ s Gazette Packet 2016 s Gazette Packet 2016 Children’s Gazette Packet 2016
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Serving Alexandria for over 200 years • A Connection ...connectionarchives.com/PDF/2016/122816/Alexandria.pdf · Elizabeth Kotuby, 4th grade Madeleine ... kindergarten Henry Ashton,
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over its pages to the youth and students.We asked principals and teachers from
area schools to encourage students tocontribute their words, pictures and pho-tos for our annual Children’s Issue.
The response as always was enormous.While we were unable to publish everypiece we received, we did our best to puttogether a paper with a fair sampling ofthe submitted stories, poems, drawings,paintings, photographs and other worksof art. Because of the response, we willcontinue to publish more artwork and
writings throughout January.We appreciate the extra effort made by
school staff to gather the materials duringtheir busy time leading up to the holidays.We’d also like to encourage both schools andparents to mark their 2017 calendars forearly December, the deadline for submis-sions for next year’s Children’s GazettePacket. Please keep us in mind as your chil-dren continue to create spectacular worksof art and inspiring pieces of writing in thecoming year.
The children’s issue is only a part of ouryear-round commitment to cover educationand our local schools.
As always, the Gazette Packet wel-comes letters to the editor, story ideas,calendar listings and notices of localevents from our readers. Photos andother submissions about special eventsat schools are especially welcome for ourweekly schools pages.
Our preferred method for material ise-mail, which should be sent [email protected],but you can reach us by mail at 1606King St., Alexandria, VA 22314 or call703-778-9415 with any questions.
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If you love singing andmaking new friends
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Burgundy
I Am Thankful for...I am thankful for my family. One per-
son in my family that I’m thankful for ismy mom. She is always nice to me andI’m glad she spends a lot of time withme. I’m also thankful for my dad. He’snice and fun to play with. I love both mydogs and I am thankful for them. Some-times they jump on me but not thatmuch. They play a lot, they lick me aton, and they’re fun to play with. I’mthankful for my grandparents too.They’re very nice and fun to play with.I am also thankful for my cousins.They’re nice and I really like playingwith them. I am extremely thankful formy family.
— Dillon Dreibelbis,
3rd grade
I’m thankful for my family. My sistertaught me how to be a nerd, she givesme candy, and she lets me snuggle her.My dad teaches me about life, watchesThe Simpsons with me, gets me stuffand snuggles me. My mom snuggleswith me, she comforts me when she ac-cidentally hurts me, and she makes myfood. My dogs let me snuggle then, arecute and fuzzy, and comes to me whenI’m sad. My brother protects me, pushesme on the swing, and finally, teachersme how to lick people (to annoy). Myfamily loves me (and snuggles me) andthat’s why I’m thankful for my family.
— Kate McNicholas,
3rd grade
I’m thankful for my family. Mom tellsbe that I can do anything and loves meto the moon and back. She tells me ifanything is wrong. Dad tells me I can doanything too and he’s kind and caring.I am thankful for my mom and dad be-cause they love me so much. Stephanieis my cousin and she thinks I’m funny. Ilike spending time with her. My dogCoco loves me. She is like my ownalarm. She wakes me up each morningby snuggling with me. She cheers me upon a bad day. I love my family into amillion pieces and I’m so thankful thatthey are my family.
— Alessandra Gonzalez-
Acevedo, 3rd grade
I am thankful for lots of things, butone of them is my family. I’m thankfulfor my dad because he’s smart andfunny and he likes a lot of differenttypes of food. He is loving and of courseweird (in a good way!)
I am thankful for my dog Brady, andI love that he snuggles me and kissesme. He loves to eat treats and have hu-man food.
I am also thankful for my sister be-cause she cares for me and we loveplaying on electronics together! She alsolikes trying new foods!
I’m thankful for my mom too, becauseshe cares for me and she kind and car-ing and loves to read! My mom and Ilove to snuggle!
I love my family and I always will!— Sophie Dougherty,
Located at 428 S. Washington St.Alexandria, VA 22314
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM to 4 PM
For appointments call (703) 837-1800
Exp. 1/31/17
CafeteriaLaughter echoes through the cafeteria. A room full of
energy and life with kids running and mingling. Theirvoices thundering around the room. Two people, differentin their own ways, putting boundaries aside and findingsimilarities rather than pointing out differences. Handmadefood from all cultures served on vibrant red plates andfriendly faces giving everyone their share. The whole roomis one big chaotic mess and your point of view all dependson if you are willing to find the magic.
— Skye Schofield-Saba, 8th grade
The Book of LifeA giant crane almost touching the sky — towering living
spaces looking over the small worn down motel. A smallforest in the middle of the city with children runningaround. A path through the houses that places you in anovergrown forest. People running free through the trees,laughing and having fun. A cute little building filled withwonderful books that others have enjoyed. You can eitherlive life or read about life.
— Emma Hughes, 8th grade
St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School
Art Gallery
This collaborative art puzzle was created by students at James L. & JulietteMcNeil Preschool Academy/Hopkins House. The students involved in thiscollaborative were in infants, toddlers, preschool and our Kindergarten Prepclassroom. Each of the six classrooms were given five pieces of the puzzle andmaterials and asked to paint the puzzle pieces and then use materials todecorate the puzzle. This puzzle shows the unity of our classrooms.
Congressional School
Morgan Tracy, 12, grade 7 —Purple Flowers See St. Stephen & St. Agnes, Page 20
Washington Street United Methodist Church Preschool
Owls Class (4- and 5-year-old class) — StarsFrogs Class (4-year-old class) — Ginger-bread People
All Alone“What do you wanna do?” Anna asked, flopping
down onto a beanbag. Benjamin and I shrugged.Just then, Grandma walked in. “Go play outside!
It’s a beautiful California day.”We obeyed, going to the backyard. “Let’s go on
the swing,” I suggested.“Nah, let’s go in the forest instead ... Alone.”
Anna said. “I know the way.”“What?” I asked.At the same time, Benjamin said, “I don’t think
that’s a good idea.”“You heard me. Alone. Unaccompanied. Without
an adult.”I got the chills as I thought about being in the
forest alone.The forest was actually just palm trees, but there
were fallen logs, a creek, and even occasionallypomegranates, not to mention the strange glow ofthe sun peeking through the palm leaves.
I frowned. “But Grandpa can’t take us, he’sbusy.” I pointed out.
“That’s okay, I know the way,” Anna answered.“I live here, you know,”
Don’t get me wrong, I loved the forest. Climbing,running, jumping, all of it. But without an adult?
“Well-” I started to talk but I was cut off by Anna.“Meet you by the forest rock!” she said, as she
started running.Benjamin and I glanced at each other. “This isn’t
a good idea, but let’s go,” he said with a frown.I grabbed a sweatshirt, then ran outside with
Benjamin on my heels.Anna was sitting at the forest rock, picking her
nails. “What took you so long?” she asked.We started walking along, Anna in front. We
kept on walking, stopping to climb trees and such.We came across a pile of junk. There was a wheel-barrow, tricycle, a lamp, a shovel, and a mop.Grabbing the wheelbarrow, Anna said, “Here,someone hop in!”
Benjamin started to, but I said, “Wait! Thatmight be dangerous!”
Anna rolled her eyes. “This is mine. It’s safe.”We kept going instead, then a minute later
stopped to climb a rock. Once we were all on top,I peeled off my sweatshirt and looked at my watch.It was 4:45. I looked out at the forest.
I couldn’t see our house. Oh no. Are we lost? Doany of us know the way back? My thoughts raced.“We need to go back, it’s getting late.”
“Fine. Let’s go.” Anna replied. Why was she al-ways so sure of herself? I wondered. Still, I didn’tknow where to go, so I followed her back down therock. As she led us through the forest, I started torelax.
Then, she turned left, even though the wheelbar-row was on the right.
“The way we came is ...” My voice trailed off, asAnna didn’t seem to hear.
She kept on walking, so I followed. She was al-ways sure of herself at the forks, turning right, left,left again, straight at the fork of three paths. I losttrack.
Then, at 5:00 exactly according to my watch, shestopped.
I immediately asked, “What happened? Are wehome?” Anna was quiet, but Benjamin decided tospeak up.
“She led us the wrong way. We’re lost,” he an-nounced.
We’re lost. Only two words, but with a greatmeaning. We’re lost, I thought, as I took it in. Lost.
I bit my lip, tasting the blood.Why had I let Anna drag us into this? We are
going to be in so much trouble if our parents findout.
Benjamin started talking. “Don’t worry, it’s go-ing to be okay.” I could smell the lie in his words.He was just comforting himself.
The part of my brain that I only used at schoolturned on. I started walking in circles, going fur-ther out each time. I looked around for somethingto redirect us.
Meanwhile, Benjamin was arguing with Anna,who crossed her arms and pursed her lips.“I’m nota GPS! Everyone makes mistakes!” I heard her say.
Suddenly, I caught a glimpse of something or-ange.
It was up high, but I realized it was mysweatshirt. I must have accidentally left it on therock! I realized.
“I know the way back,” I announced. I felt as ifa war was over and my sweatshirt was a victoryflag.
We all ran toward the rock, then climbed up, satdown, and relaxed. It was already 5:30. “We reallyneed to get going,”I said.
At the fork, we turned right, then paused at thewheelbarrow so we could all catch our breath. “Whew! That was exhausting.” I panted, as I con-sidered the whole ordeal.
Benjamin and I both immediately looked atAnna, waiting for a smart alec comment, but foronce, she was quiet.
I felt like I had been struck by lightning. She hadnothing to say?
“Well ... Let’s get going.” I said.“Wait, Laura,” Anna said, grabbing my arm. I
nodded at Benjamin to keep on going. I turnedback toward to Anna.
“I know it was my fault we got lost. You andBenjamin tried to warn me, but I was too stuck upto listen,” she confessed. The anger I had been feel-ing since we got lost finally melted away.
“That’s okay, I should have been bolder in point-ing out the danger. Now we both know to not takedangerous risks. Also, it doesn’t hurt to forgive andforget,” I smiled.
“Let’s go play on the swing,” Anna offered, andwe walked side by side to join the laughing, play-ing children already there.
— Laura Duffield, 5th grade
Scooter FallsToday was the day. Today, I would go down my
biggest hill yet. Yes, the biggest hill in the neigh-borhood.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” My dadasked. I felt a chill run down my spine. I started tosweat. “Lauren are you okay?” I didn’t say any-thing, he asked again. “Lauren are you okay?”
“Uhh ... Oh, yeah, I’m fine,” I answered. I felt an
energy run from my arms down to my hands. Isqueezed the handle bar.
With my face and chest up tall, I walked out ofmy old dusty garage. On the inside, I had butter-flies in my stomach and my heart was thumping.Thump, thump,THUMP! The only reason that I’mdoing this is to show that I’m not a sissy, I thought.
“Here ... I … goooo!” I pushed off, going muchfaster than I intended. Everything was a blur. Allof the sudden, I heard a voice.
“Lauren, look out for that branch!”I looked behind me to see who had yelled. I don’t
know how to use the brakes! I panicked. Suddenly,I remembered the time I had played basketballagainst my dad.
“You’ll never be able to make a basket on me.You’re too much of a sissy, Lauren,” he hadtaunted. Although it was typical trash-talk, it stuckwith me.
Dad’s wrong, I thought. I’m not a sissy. I can bebrave. Then I remember I’m still on my razor.
Almost like it happened in slow motion, Islammed my foot down on to the concrete drive-way. I flew off my razor. For a brief moment, I feltlike I was a little bird learning how to fly. Then, Ihit the ground with a loud THUNK.
I could not breathe. I was crying like a baby with-out a blanket. My tears rolled down the street.Tears of joy and hurt. I started to laugh. I’m not asissy! I thought, as I lay on the ground. I did it!
My dad rushed to my side and picked me up. Ifelt like I was being wrapped up in a blanket. Hewalked me up the street. I saw my mom run out-side, “What happened sweetie? ”She yelled. Stillcrying, I managed to answer.
“I was going too fast on my razor and fell.”That night my dad came up to my bedroom to
kiss me goodnight.“Do you still think I’m a sissy?” I asked.“Of course not,” he said immediately. “You are
the bravest kid I know. Just try not to hurt your-self next time!”
Notice is hereby given that the following watercraft has been abandoned for more than 60 DAYS on the property of Frank Smith, 807 South Alfred Street, Apt #4, VA 22314, Telephone number 202 5695761.
Description of the watercraft:
Make: Wellcraft, length: 19 feet, year built: 1988, color: blue and white, boat registration: VA 1134 XX, hull identification number: WELT 4187B888
Application for Watercraft Registration / Title will be made in accordance with Section 29.1-733.25 of the Code of Virginia if this watercraft is not claimed and removed within 30 days of first publication of this notice. Please contact the Virginia De-partment of Game and Inland Fisheries with questions.
trading as AR Workshop Alexandria, 107 N. Fairfax St.
Alexandria, VA 22314.The above establishment is
applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC)
for a Art Instruction Studiolicense to sell or
manufacture alcoholic beverages.Katie Wells Owner
NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later
than 30 days from the publish-ing date of the first of two
required legal notices. Objections should be
registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or
800-552-3200.
21 Announcements
LEGAL NOTICEPursuant to the provision of section 4-1-16 of the code of
the City of Alexandria, the Alexandria Police Department located at 3600 Wheeler Ave-nue, Alexandria, VA 22304 is
now in possession of un-claimed bicycles, mopeds, lawn equipment, money,
scooters, and other items. All persons having valid claim to
the property should file a claim to the property with reasona-ble proof of ownership or the items will be sold, destroyed, converted or donated. For a
complete listing go to http://alexandriava.gov/police/and contact the Police Proper-ty Section at (703) 746-6709.
EmploymentEmployment
DRIVERS – Class A CDLWe are seeking a CDL Automotive Parts
Dedicated Route SpecialistBlack Horse Carriers has Driver openings for experi-enced Drivers at our new ALEXANDRIA, VA Location– It’s an exciting time to join our new team of drivers,APPLY TODAY! Dedicated routes, 5-day work week,Home daily. PM Routes. Guaranteed $1200 a weekwith potential to earn more based on miles and stops.Driver will handle freight. Automotive parts deliveryexperience a plus. New Equipment (2013) or newerwith XM Radio. These are full time positions withbenefits. Candidates must have at least 2 yrs. Exp.and a Class A CDL with a solid MVR.
Please email [email protected]. We pre-fer applicants apply online, but if necessary, pleasecall 630 333 5564 during normal business hours.
EOE. Drug Testing is a condition of employmentwww.blackhorsecarriers.com
ALEXANDRIA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLSREQUEST FOR PROPOSAL NUMBER 16-12-05
The Alexandria City School Board dba Alexandria City Public Schools is seekingproposals for Social Studies Instructional Materials.
Sealed Proposals with the notation RFP# 16-12-05 Social StudiesInstructional Materials will be received in the Central ProcurementOffice, 1340 Braddock Place, Suite 620, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, on or before3:00 pm, January 20, 2017. The time of receipt shall be determined by the timeclock stamp in the Procurement office. Proposals appropriately received willbe opened and the names of the firms responding will be read aloud.RFP documents may be obtained at the above Procurement Officeor by calling 703-619-8162, or by downloading the RFP from the ACPSwebsite at http://www.acps.k12.va.us/financial-services/purchasing/
All questions answered will be posted as an addendum to the ACPS web site.
No RFP may be withdrawn for a period of ninety (90) days after the openingof proposals except as may be set forth in the RFP.
ACPS reserves the right to cancel this RFP and/or reject any or all proposalsand to waive any informalities in any proposal.
J.E.S. ServicesYour neighborhood company since 1987
703-912-6886
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E-mail ad with zone choices to: [email protected] or call Andrea @ 703-778-9411
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