Daily Life Archives - the bird on fire

What’s Your Favorite Candy?

April 29, 2025 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

By Middle-School Bloggers Calum Webster and Mason Conway

Candy is a seemingly innocent topic, but it is heavily debated. Do you like Mounds Bars or Almond Joy? Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup or Nerds Gummy Clusters? Whoppers or Milk Duds? The topic about what candy is best gets talked about often. In order to get to the bottom of people’s opinions here at Palm Valley, 7th-graders Mason and Calum went out interviewing to discover the best candy to chomp on.

7th-grader Julian says of candy, “My favorite candies are Sweet Tarts, and Twizzlers are my least favorite.”

7th-grader Silvanita says she dislikes “Snickers because I do not like the peanuts in it, and I love Nerds because of the sweet flavor.”

8th-grader Edward replies, “Hi-Chews taste amazing, and Milky Ways . . . too sweet.”

10th-grader Rylie says she likes “Haribo Raspberry because they are crunchy on the outside, sweet in the middle; . . . she hates “black licorice because it tastes horrible.”

Teacher Mr. Killeen recommends Godiva because “it’s pretty high quality and consistent quality. He hates “Werthers.” He says, “It is blah and too sweet.”

7th-grader Sami says, “Elephant Poop Chocolate” is his favorite because of its nice texture. “This is a real thing!” Sami adds. “Dubai Chocolate” is his least favorite because he says it “tastes like grass.”

7th-grader Jaxon’s favorite candy is the “Kinder Bueno bars/eggs because they have a creamy hazelnut filling,” and he says his least favorite candies are “Milk Duds because they look and taste like over baked cookies.”

7th-grader Emmy says she likes “The lollipops from the kids’ meal at the sushi place in Mammoth,” and she doesn’t have a least favorite candy.

7th-grader Max says, “My favorite candy is chocolate-covered pretzels,” and he adds, “My least favorite candy is Vegemite.”

7th-grader Ben says, “My favorite candy is Twix because of the carmel,” and he adds, “My least favorite is Dots because they taste artificial.”

8th-grader Moses says his favorite candy is “Reese’s Pieces because the peanut butter tastes good,” and he says, “I hate Almond Joy because it tastes so bad.”

7th-grader Devlin says, “My favorite candy is og Hershey’s,” and adds “my least favorite is Whoppers because they suck.”

7th-grader Gavin says he does not have a favorite candy, but he has a favorite place to get candy–”it is by far See’s Candy.” And, he says that his least favorite is “Dots because they don’t taste like anything, but they have a weird factory taste to them.”

8th-grader Addison says she likes “Nerds Gummy Clusters or Watermelon Sour Patch Kids,” and she says my “least favorite is probably black licorice because it is gross.”

Candy sells. PVS middle schoolers mixed and matched their favorites at the CJSF candy “salad” bar.

This has been a really fun project searching for the best candy, but the PVS community has not decided upon a clear winner.

Calum and Mason received a lot of great answers–from Dubai chocolate to Vegemite–but logged no clear consensus. However, Ms. Zachik adds, “Judging from the rush for Nerds Clusters at the CJSF Candy Salad Wednesdays, I’d say Nerds are a courtyard favorite.”

What’s the Best Starbucks Drink?

April 10, 2025 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

By 6th-Grade Bloggers Reagan Kaminsky and Greenlee Bartley

I would say that we have the most boring Starbucks orders on the planet, so we decided to ask other PVS students what drinks they like. If you were wondering, we both regularly order a Strawberry Açai Refresher, with no strawberries. We will be going to Starbucks ourselves and trying three of the drinks we think will taste the best. Then, hopefully we will each have a new favorite order!

For those of you who don’t know, Starbucks has odd names for their sizes. The smallest size is a “Short,” which is 8 oz. The next-smallest size is a “Tall,” which is 12 oz. The next size is the “Grande,” which is 16 oz. The next size is a “Venti,” which is 20 oz. Finally, a “Trenta” is 31 oz.

The first person we interviewed was Ms. Melissa in the US Office, and she said the best Starbucks drink is a Green Tea Lemonade with extra peach juice, in the Grande size. Next, we interviewed PVS teacher Ms. Maguire. She said that the best Starbucks drink is a Venti Mango Dragon Fruit Lemonade. Then, we interviewed 8th-grader Zoey. She said a Venti Strawberry Açai Refresher, with no berries. Next, we interviewed Ms. Emma at the MS Office, and she said that the best Starbucks order is a Venti shaken Espresso.

10th-grader Rylie said the best Starbucks drink was a Tall Vanilla Frappuccino. 10th-grader Evan claims the best Starbucks order is a Trenta Java Chip Frappuccino. Then, we interviewed 10th-grader Brooklyn. Brooklyn said the best Starbucks order is the new Blackberry Sage Refresher in the Tall size. Next, we interviewed fellow blogger Sophia Nayfack. She said the best Starbucks drink is the new Cherry Chai. We also interviewed a fellow blogger, Elizabeth. Brace yourself: this one’s complicated! According to Elizabeth, the best Starbucks order is a Grande Strawberry Açai Refresher, with no inclusions, water instead of lemonade, light ice, a splash of extra base, 1 pump of cane sugar, 1 pump of classic, in a tall cup with a dome lid. After that, we interviewed another fellow blogger, Mason. He says the best Starbucks order is a Trenta with oat milk base, 27 pumps of caramel, 16 pumps of ube (which doesn’t exist at Starbucks), cookie crumble, lemonade, olive oil, 11 pumps of cane sugar, and finally 20 pumps of mocha. Next, we interviewed PVS Spanish teacher Ms. Bartosik. She said to get the Cranmerry Lemonade Refresher. Then, we interviewed another fellow blogger, Soleil. She said the best Starbucks order is a Venti Strawberry Açai Refresher, with extra berries and cherry. Lastly, we interviewed PVS Coach Erenberg. He comes in with the most complicated answer yet: he says the best Starbucks drink is Water (in the grande size).

In this picture you will see the Blackberry Sage Refresher (Far Left), the Green Tea Lemonade (Middle Left), the Cherry Chai (Middle Right), and lastly the Water (Far Right). Photo Credit: Greenlee Bartley

Now comes the fun part: we try them! We tried Ms. Melissa’s drink (Green Tea Lemonade with extra peach juice), Sophia N.’s drink (Cherry Chai), and Brooklyn’s drink (Blackberry Sage Refresher). Special credit to our guest judge, (Reagan’s sister) Emmy Kaminsky! First, we tried the Cherry Chai. We all thought it was great, and it was incredibly hard to beat. Then, we tried the Blackberry Sage Refresher, and it was not our favorite. It was still amazing, just not our kind of flavors. Lastly, we tried the Green Tea Lemonade with extra peach juice. This one was also great, but it didn’t quite compare to the Cherry Chai.

Here you will see the winner, the Cherry Chai Tea Latte.

In conclusion, all of these drinks were great, but there must be a winner. According to Emmy and Greenlee, the Cherry Chai was the best. However, Reagan thought the Green Tea Lemonade was the true winner. (Now, it’s her new favorite order!) Although there were different opinions, the majority always wins. That means the Cherry Chai came in first!

What I Do After School

April 8, 2025 by szachik@pvs.org 4 Comments

By Sixth-Grade Blogger Dior Halum

After a long day of learning and sitting and listening, Dior Halum jumps into extra-curricular activities. Like many of us, Dior embraces activities that make her move. Dior does Soccer and Dance after school. In Soccer, she plays left forward. In Dance, she studies different genres: such as Jazz, Hip Hop, and Ballet. She’s busy.

Dance

I study at Dance Dimensions in Palm Desert, California. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I have rehearsals for our winter and summer performances. We start in August to practice for the first performance which is called the Winter Show. We perform at the Civic Center in Palm Desert, California, in December. In the new year, our dance instructors make a new dance that we perform at Agua Caliente in early summer. On Tuesdays, I have ballet rehearsal from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. with ballet teacher Mr. Tiron. After ballet, I have Jazz from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. with teacher Ms. Maddie. On Thursdays, I have Hip Hop from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. again with Ms. Maddie. Then, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., I have ballet again with Mr. Tiron. My ultimate favorite dance genre is Ballet because I have been taking it since I was four years old. Another reason Ballet is my favorite is because it helps a lot with technique. It helps with technique because as you do more stuff, the better it gets, and you learn from your mistakes. So, as you can see, I’m pretty busy with dancing, but there’s more . . .

Soccer

On Mondays and Wednesdays, I practice Soccer from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Hovley Soccer Park. From 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., I have personal training with Coach Rafael. We work on tricks, goal shots, and many other things to help me in my games on Saturdays. From 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., I go to practice with my team. Last season’s coach was Coach Collins. Last season we had 13 players on the team. I play left forward and enjoy scoring very much.

As you can see my days are pretty full, but for me it’s better than sitting around and doing nothing. Doing homework is pretty hard given how much is going on, but I still get it done either before or after sports. Same with eating, I usually do it before or after. What are your days like outside of PVS?

School Uniform Debate: Necessary or Restrictive?

March 20, 2025 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

By Middle-School Bloggers Mason Conway, Calum Webster, and Elizabeth Greenwood

Should we wear uniforms? Many schools, such as PVS, require strict attire. Most are private schools, but some public school students wear uniforms. It seems everybody’s got an opinion on whether we should switch back to no uniforms or keep them. Mason, Calum, and Elizabeth have something to say on that:

Mason says . . .

It can be a good idea to reinforce wearing uniforms as it could limit bullying and reduce distractions, but other people argue that it could limit creativity and make families struggle to buy more expensive uniform clothing. I personally believe that we should have no uniforms as in the morning I waste time trying to find my khaki shorts and my polo, which sometimes makes me late for school.

Calum says . . .

One point that Mason said is requiring uniforms can reduce bullying. I believe this is a fair point; everybody is wearing the same thing, so you can’t bully people on what they are wearing. On the other hand, you have to spend more money on uniforms, and most people are not going to wear them outside of school. In my opinion, I don’t think there should be uniforms, but there should be a dress code. First, a dress code lets people wear what they want. Choosing their own clothes will make kids feel more comfortable and relaxed during the day. They will also not have to go through the struggle of getting ready in the morning–looking for those lost khaki shorts and polos. I believe that it is easier to find my casual clothing in the morning than it is to find my uniform.

Elizabeth says . . .

Personally, I believe that uniforms should be mandatory because they create a sense of uniformity among students. One reason uniforms should be mandatory is that they help students focus on their work rather than on their appearance. And, while I slightly agree with Mason and Calum that uniforms might reduce bullying, without uniforms, students may be pressured into wearing certain clothes–which can have a negative effect on younger students because they are pressured into wearing expensive clothing. Another reason why uniforms should be mandatory is that uniforms are easier to find (way easier to find a pair shorts and a polo than putting a whole outfit together), and by wearing them it takes less time to get ready in the morning.

And, finally, Mr. Koehler says . . .

“The main reason for school uniforms is to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for students to thrive in.”

It seems school uniforms have some value. They create a sense of uniformity, reduce stress, and can make mornings easier (except for Mason). By wearing uniforms, students have more freedom to focus on their work and less on external distractions. Uniforms are not just for looks but are about inclusiveness.

Mason, showcasing the Palm Valley School uniform, tells us he’s doing his “model walk.”

A Dream Valentine’s Day!

February 27, 2025 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

A Survey Conducted by Soleil Antle

Valentine’s Day is a special time once in a year to celebrate yourself, family and friends, no matter how far. On this day the air is filled with the magic of joy and appreciation as people send gifts and sweet messages of affection to their loved ones across the globe. Curious about Valentine’s Day celebrations close to home, seventh-grade blogger Soleil Antle asked the Palm Valley School faculty to describe their perfect Valentine’s Day.

Ms. Patino from the Upper-School Office has a confident response!

Soleil: What is your perfect Valentine’s Day laid out?

Ms. Patino: Spend a day in Japan, exploring the city, and eating some Japanese food. Ending the day with my favorite donut (mochi donut) from Mr. Donut.

Soleil: What gift would you want?

Ms. Patino: Pink roses, and a Nintendo Switch.

A short and sweet response from PVS Bookkeeper Alice Burkholder!

Soleil: What would you like to do on Valentine’s Day?

Alice Burkholder: I would like a massage and a nice dinner.

Soleil: What is your dream gift?

Alice Burkholder: A fully paid expense trip to Italy.

A thoughtful reply from History teacher Mr. Satterfield.

Soleil: What is your ideal Valentine’s Day?

Mr. Satterfield: I’d go on a nice walk with my wife and my dog, and we would go to our favorite restaurant, Talay Thai. Then we would go back home and watch a movie.

French teacher Ms. Brady has a great response!

Soleil: What would you like to do on Valentine’s Day?

Ms. Brady: I’d like to have my nails done and get a facial, then get a new outfit at Bloomingdales (with new shoes). Then I want a candlelit dinner in a really nice restaurant, with crème brûlée for dessert.

Soleil: What about the perfect gift?

Ms. Brady: An all-expense paid vacation to Paris, first class tickets. Hotel stay at the Georges V!

Ms. Maguire gives a humble response.

Soleil: What is your perfect Valentine’s Day laid out?

Ms. Maguire: I would come to school in Valentine’s Day clothes and get free ice cream from Handels.

Soleil: What gift would you want?

Ms. Maguire: Somebody else makes my dinner and it tastes delicious and I don’t have to clean dishes.

Mrs. Fisher answers fiercely!

Soleil: What would be your perfect Valentine’s Day?

Mrs. Fisher: My perfect Valentine’s Day would be a really delicious meal, in a romantic setting after having spent the day with my husband either golfing or having a massage. Then capping it off with a nice meal.

Mr. Killeen gives a lengthy response.

Soleil: How would you spend your Valentine’s Day?

Mr. Killeen: Get up early, and I mean real early before the sun rises. Then get in the car, get out to a trail, not just any trail though–one with a crazy view with either a waterfall-ending or a mountain-view ending. Hike up for an hour in the dark, stop for a cup of coffee, which I make over a small camp stove while watching the sun rise. Continue up the mountain till you reach the end. Have a wonderful picnic dinner there, with a hiking buddy. Camp overnight with companions. Then hike down the next day.

Soleil: The best gift would be?

Mr. Killeen: The best gift would be to travel to Patagonia/Iceland with friends.

These are very thorough answers from our Palm Valley School faculty, quite the variety. As I interviewed people, I have learned just how unrealistic these dreamed-of days are, but it’s all about the imagination. Whether you’re on a vacation in Paris or enjoying a massage, you are spending time with those special people. “Love does not begin and end the way we seem to think it does. Love is a battle, love is a war; love is growing up.” James Baldwin

–Soleil Antle

Didn’t Have to be a Love Song

February 14, 2025 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

Congratulations to Valentine’s Day Open Mic winners, sophomore Shayan Habibipour and senior Kristina Panagiotaros! PVS’s California Scholarship Federation hosted its annual Valentine’s Day Open Mic. A full slate of talent performed before a lunchtime crowd in the Upper-School Courtyard. Two-time winner Kristina Panagiotaros paired with Shayan Habibipour for a duet. They swept. The two walk home with a Valentine’s Day Basket o’ Goodies–donated by Lily Jones and family.

Winners Kristina Panagiotaros and Shayan Habibipour sang a duet accompanied by Shayan on guitar.

Second Place went to the slam poetry duo of sophomores Rylie Conway and Leah Ferreira. Cue cards scripted by Louisa Richardson were a key part of the performance. The trio won a Starbucks gift card.

Second-Place Winners Leah Ferreira and Rylie Conway slammed some poetry “Timber” while Louisa Richardson got busy with the cue cards.

Third Place went to freshman Nevan Owsley, who sang, of course, Sinatra. What’s a Valentine’s Day without Sinatra? He won Starbucks as well.

Third-Place Winner Nevan Owsley added a little Sinatra to the day.

The crowd cheered and sang and happily slurped their Parents Association-gifted Handel’s ice cream. The talent included joke-telling, dancing, poetry, singing, middle-school performers and high school. Senior Abby Assefa served as emcee. The California Scholarship Federation officers were judges.

Open Mic AND ice cream–What could be better?!

How to Create a Better Relationship with your Cat and Dog

January 30, 2025 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

By 6th-Grade Bloggers Lina Kakoussian and Greenlee Bartley

You might be wondering, how can I make a better relationship with my dog or cat? If you ever asked yourself that, then you are at the perfect place. We will inform you about some things that dogs and cats love and enjoy so that they will love you even more!

How to make a better relationship with your cat

I own a cat named Archie, who is a little boy who can be sleepy and hyper in the same hour. I have a great relationship with my cat, especially because I have always wanted one! Something that cats love are soft surfaces like blankets, beds, and sofas. So, if you want your cat to have a comfortable place to sleep, give them a soft bed. A lot of the time they like to sleep on your bed because they feel secure when they are around you and they know someone is with them. Cats love to be scratched under their chin. You can tell if they like the chin scratching if they close their eyes and lie down while they get petted. Make sure to teach your cat the sound of their treat bag if you want them to come to you. They will know that you are the person that gives them treats, and they will like that. They also love to be in a place where they feel covered up, like a tiny fort with a blanket on them. – Lina

Archie was three months old when this photo was taken. He is a Domestic Longhair Mix.

How to make a better relationship with your dog

I have a cute big dog named Remy. I love my dog because I have known her since I was three. Over that time period I have figured out some things that all dogs love! The first step you have to do to create a better relationship with your dog is you have to know how to pet them. If you don’t pet them correctly, they might get mad and walk away. One way you can pet your dog that many dogs enjoy is being pet on their ears and their chin–just like cats! You can tell if they like the spot you are petting them in if they start to lie down, put their paw on you, or become more comfortable. Dogs and cats are very similar! The only difference about them is that some dogs can be very big in size. Dogs also love treats and food. Most dogs know the sound of the treat bag, so if you don’t want your dog to run over to you then be careful shaking the treat bag! Also, make sure they feel safe and comfortable. To do that you can get them a bed, or let them sleep on your bed–like my dog! – Greenlee

Remy is a puppy in this picture. Now, she’s nine. Remy is a Boxer.

We hope that this information helps you and your pets’ relationship. Make sure to tell all your friends and family with dogs and cats to check our post out. Thank you!

Mark’s Advice for Brotherly Love

January 29, 2025 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

By Mark Huber, 6th Grader

Meet Mark’s little brother, David. He is in Mr. Spurlock’s 3rd grade class. Mark said he chose to interview David because “I see him all the time.” Recently Mark and David and the whole family went to Niagara Falls, Canada, for a hockey tournament. David is pictured here after the semi-finals. Photo Credit: Judith Ebbin Yee.

2 Questions for my Brother

Q: We do a lot of things together. What are the things that we do together that other brothers should do with their little brothers?

A: Play with LEGOS together, ride bicycles in the park, and play chess.

Q: When I get sad, you always try to comfort me. How do you think other little brothers should comfort their big brothers when they get sad?

A: Give them a popsicle, sing “Ode to Joy” to them, and do what they want for them.

3 Silly Quotes From my Brother

“I love you with all my bean!”
“May your path be littered with nothing but flowers!”
“Give them a turtledove!”

My OWN Advice For Friendship

If you want a good, strong friendship–especially with your brother–you need to be nice to your friend and they need to be nice to you. Otherwise, your friendship will be weak, and you won’t be friends for long.

If you want to get to know your friends better, you should hang out with them more, and that kind of stuff could double as bonding experiences.

1st & Second Grade Reveal the Secret to a Healthy Friendship

January 23, 2025 by szachik@pvs.org 3 Comments

Friendship Advice gathered by 6th Graders Savannah Sanchez & Reagan Kaminsky

We have been observing other friend groups around us, and we decided they might need a bit of advice. We went down to the 1st and 2nd Graders and asked these wise folk some questions to see their thoughts.

Ms. Marron’s 1st graders have advice for you on how to make and keep a friend. Photo Credit: Reagan Kaminsky

1st Grader Hannah comes in with a strong start!

“Do you have any advice on how to make new friends?”

“Play with lots of new people.”

1st-Graders Grace & Bella have some confident responses.

“What are some nicknames you call your friends?”

“Hannie”

“Gracie”

1st-Grader Ellie is too good to be true!

“What is a fun thing you like to do with your friends at school?”

“Make handshakes!”

1st-Graders Josephine, Landon & Olivia give some great answers!

1. “Do you think that trio friend groups could work?”

“Of course, yes!”

2. “What is the best Palm Valley School club for friends to join?”

“Taylor Swift Club!”

“Running Club!”

“Fashion Club!”

Crew gives a great concluding response from our 1st Graders!

“What could you say to new people to help them make friends?”

“Come play with me!”

2nd-Grader Kenleigh carries the group as the first 2nd Grader with friendship advice!

“Do you have any advice for new friends?”

“Be a good example and make them feel welcome.”

2nd-Grader Ryker shows true love for his sport!

“Where is a good place to go with your friends?”

“To the ice rink and play hockey.”

2nd-Grader Natalie gives the perfect response!

“Do you think friends influence your daily life?”

“I think they will make life better.”

2nd-Grader Katarina comes through with the same opinion as the 1st Graders!

Do you think that trio friend groups could work?”

“Yes!”

Jack ends strong with his favorite nickname!

“What are some nickname ideas for friends?”

“Logie!”

In conclusion, we have observed from our 1st and 2nd Graders that the best way to make and maintain friendships is to do things with them! This could include anything from making handshakes, playing tag, or even grabbing lunch! — Reagan and Savannah

Fall Check-In: Palm Valley Class of ’25 Highlights

December 5, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

We conclude our Fall check-in with the Palm Valley School Class of ’25 with a collage compilation of seniors Kyle Knight, Kiera Nash, Preston Pillard, Riley Jorgensen, and Bianca Torres.