the bird on fire

The Bird is the Word: Sophisticated Schoolyard Shenanigans

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Senior Spotlight: Alyna Llapitan 

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Alyna Rei is featured as second in our Blog series on Graduating Seniors and Returning Alumni. Penny interviewed fellow blogger Alyna on her longtime PVS Firebird experience.

By Penny Andreas

This week, our blog post theme is focusing on seniors. I chose to have an interview with Alyna Llapitan. Alyna has been here at Palm Valley for six years, or since she was in 6th grade. Here are some of the questions I asked her. 

 How would you describe your overall school experience? 

“I would say pretty eventful; I experienced many opportunities in my life that I’ve never thought of myself doing.”

What opportunities?

“I joined a group called CSF (California Scholarship Federation) in high school and there were events such ice skating and volunteering that helped me break out of my comfort zone.”

What was your favorite part?

“I liked working and hanging out with my friends Christina Lam and Cole Robinson. They are the ones who put me in a better mood everyday. I’ve been friends with them since middle school.”

What was your least favorite part? 

“The stress. When I get stressed, I build anxiety and bad expectations in my head.”

What are some pros and cons of school for you?

Pros:

– “you gain friends that help you even outside of school”

– “there are teachers that are great even outside of class”

– “the lessons you learn that actually help” 

Cons:

– “lots of homework can be stressful”

– “bad days can bring your self esteem down”

– “cramming the night before an important day”

And, finally, is there any advice you would give to other students?

“There are always going to be ups and downs at school, but you just have to accept that it will be fine in the end. :)”

Alyna actually turns out to be graduating a year earlier than her peers. She plans to attend the University of Nevada in Las Vegas, studying pre med coursework. The reason that she graduated early is “I plan on going to medical school which can take a long time and I wanted to start a little earlier.” 

Pros and Cons of Uniforms: Are they really benefiting us? 

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By Middle-School Blogger Penny Andreas

Here at Palm Valley School, we are required to wear uniforms: specifically (quoting from Mr. Winter in an email home to students) “white, grey, red, or black polo with the PVS logo on it, and khaki or black shorts or khaki or black pants; khaki or black skirts may also be worn, as well as the PVS plaid skirt or jumper.” There are numerous ways that these uniforms benefit us, but there are quite a few things that make these uniforms not likable, or material to protest against. I personally do not like these uniforms, but that’s my opinion on it. Here are some pros and cons of school uniforms. 

First, we have pros. The first thing that comes to mind is probably the idea that students will not be worried about their clothes and more about education. There is a con to this but that’s later. Another pro is listed in Pro and Con: School Uniforms | Britannica: kids are more likely not to get peer pressured or bullied. I’m not completely sure why that would be related to uniforms, but, according to Greatschools.org, it does lower the percentage to 30-50% (School Uniforms And Bullying Statistics ). One more pro for uniforms is that school uniforms do prevent gang colors or insignia, which could be a way to “protect” students. 

Now, we have cons. Circling back to worrying about education and not their clothes, students will be most probably thinking about their clothing. In fact, I can tell you that many students will be frustrated about not being able to express individuality. The National Youth Rights Association says that “Uniforms restrict students’ individuality, expression, and creativity” (youthrights.org). Lots of students believe that uniforms restrict self-expression. So, overall, yes, students WILL think about their clothing. Our second con is uniforms may cause a bad effect on students’ self image, thinking that they’re not different, or everybody’s the same, or that they look like everybody else, which, yes, very much affects their self image. An article on school uniforms in Britannica agrees: “Uniforms may have a detrimental effect on students’ self-image” (britannica.com). Another con is that most schools with uniforms are private, but some are public. In private schools, most of them require tuition, and uniforms also cost money. For example, one Palm Valley shirt that is required costs $24.99. Multiply that by four or five. Depending on the school, the uniform prices will vary. Some parents or guardians might not be able to afford these clothing items. This can be a definite con, possibly resulting in the student not being able to attend the school, or being limited to a few outfits for everyday wearing. 

So, with some pros and many cons, do you think uniforms are a good thing, or a bad thing? 

If you weren’t here

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Luke asked here in Blog: “If you could erase anyone, who would you erase?” That’s a little dark, yes. But, like the storyline of It’s a Wonderful Life, it is intriguing to ask What would life be like without . . . Jimmy Stewart? the missing link? Lana Del Rey? or your best friend? This week, the Blog Staff pursues this What If. Penny starts us off with a poem considering life without her best friend.

Blog Advisor Zachik

By Middle-School Blogger Poet Penny Andreas

When I first met you, 

It was awkward. 

Really awkward. 

There was long silences

Really long silences. 

And uncomfortable laughs,

Lots of them. 

But after a couple minutes, 

I guess I could say we clicked. 

Even though I have known you for not even a year, 

It was almost like I knew you my whole life…

Almost. 

Every now and then, 

You would say something absurd, 

Or really weird. 

Even when there were a lot of people

It always seemed I could notice you anywhere. 

But if you weren’t here, 

I don’t know what I’d do. 

If you weren’t here, 

I would have no one to text.

If you weren’t here, 

I wouldn’t have anyone to tell secrets, 

Or complain about assignments or homework.

If you weren’t here, 

I would still be trying to memorize everyone’s names.

If you weren’t here, 

I’d miss the random things you’d do in class. 

If you weren’t here, 

I wouldn’t be writing about you.

If you weren’t here…

Where would I be?

I love you, but that one thing you do . . .

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Taking inspiration from a Poets&Writers prompt, I asked our writers at The Bird on Fire to compose a poem about a specific detail or unexpected obsession of a loved one. Alyna and Penny had delightful, dark(?), and illuminating responses.

Blog Advisor Zachik

An “I-Love-You, But . . .” Poem by Upper-Schooler Alyna Rei

I love you but

I find it weird when you let a disgusting cockroach go out rather than “erasing it”

I love you but

I find it annoying when you cut me off when I’m talking

I love you but 

I find it offensive when you don’t “save room for dessert”

I love you but

I find it rude when you make fun of me for being “shy”

I love you but

I find it upsetting when you make me uncomfortable

I love you but you are not it

Sister, a Poem by Middle-Schooler Penny Andreas

I Love you, but when you don’t shut my door after opening it i feel like slamming the door on you. I love you, but when you talk non-stop, I really want to put duct tape on your mouth. 

I love you, but when you steal my clothes I feel the need to burn yours. I really love you, but when you make rambunctious noises at 5:30 AM, I am tempted to lock you outside 🙂

The Dream-Man, A Sonnet 

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By Middle-School Blogger Poet Penny Andreas

As the clock hand reaches for twelve,

And the chimes gong in the silent night, 

When all you hear is the echoes of bells, 

He awakens, by my side. 

He has no body, only hands with string;

He controls your brain when you have no thoughts, 

But he’s the one that awakens them, 

And makes sure they don’t rot. 

The deepest sleep, when he plays with your mind

He makes these scenarios, places them in our head,

Makes people chase you, with nowhere to hide, 

 Then comes that next night, to play them again. 

He creates the nightmares, the dreams too. 

And it’s not only me; He’s also beside you.

Haiku on the Grass

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Pull up a lawn chair. We’re talking about grass. Penny opens our theme with meditative haiku on that which grows beneath our feet.

By Seventh-Grader Penny Andreas

The grass stands up tall

Upon the hill with the sun

Its blades reaching high

The pine tree sits strong

Shorter among the birches

Green and yellow leaves

The bluebird flies high

Up in the sky with the clouds

It flies with the wind

The snail moves slowly

Sliding on the blade of grass

Its shell balancing

I walk in the field

Alone in a labyrinth

Of long and tall grass

The last string. 

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By 7th-Grader Penny Andreas

Wednesdays, Blog students respond to creative prompts. Sometimes, as in Penny’s case here, the creative response morphs into a full-fledged blog post. This particular prompt was borrowed from Poets&Writers: The Time Is Now: “Page as Canvas,” Fiction Prompt.

   Noah Baumbach’s film adaptation of Don DeLillo’s White Noise, Sam Esmail’s forthcoming film adaptation of Rumaan Alam’s Leave the World Behind, HBO’s miniseries adaptation of Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven—novels with apocalyptic themes are appearing on screen more and more. Whether through satire or stark realism, this suspenseful setting allows writers to explore profound themes of survival, friendship, trust, hope, and resiliency. 

Poets&Writers

Our bloggers’ assignment: Inspired by apocalypse novels, imagine the end of a modern civilization. What follows is Penny’s response in verse.

The last string. 

The end of a modern civilization

The shortening of population

The stop of an endless creation

The ruins of a unhinged foundation

But the beginning of devastation 

The start of agonizing situation

The rise of a falling nation

The awakening of isolation

The abrupt stop of our rotation

The question of never ending hibernation

Something of no explanation

Something without any information

Something beyond imagination

The ending of our generation

The beginning of separation. 

The endless echoes of screaming

About what’s beyond our dreaming

Nothing’s real, as it seems

That it’s all been some scheme

Whether it was life or death, 

And endless stream

Of life taking away the giving of what was meant to gleam.

But now all we see,

Is the decay that now lies at our feet. 

The years of endless heat

The cracks below the concrete

The things that were incomplete, 

The wrinkles and folds,

Permanent on our sheets. 

But now forget about the things 

That devastation may bring

But as we lie here in silence, 

We hear the earth breathe

Only for a few seconds….

Before we pull the last string.

Sorry, “affogato” your name

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The Blog Staff, united in its passion for that morning drink so many of us (especially Indy) can’t do without, celebrates coffee this week. Penny, however, voices a different opinion.

By Middle-Schooler Penny Andreas

(If you love coffee, prepare to be offended.)

From cold brew, to de-caf, to your extra tall carmel macchiato with 2 teaspoons of creamer with just a hint of sugar along with the smiley face on top, I dislike coffee. For the most part, I think coffee is gross and disgusting. 

First, what actually is coffee? If you think about it…It’s ground up beans that are served hot. Some people even add flavors like “pumpkin spice,” along with cream. I don’t know about you, but beans with creamy chemical flavoring are disgusting.  Also, What is the smell? To me it absolutely smells like burning rubber, or dry desert dirt. Both are gross. 

Photo Source: saki.us

Second, the taste is the most revolting, sickening, repulsive, icky, gut-churning, and monstrous thing I have ever tasted in my entire life. It tastes extremely bitter, even with (I promise) two cups of creamer. I swear every type tastes like the specific definition of dust and dirt. No matter how many types of coffee I have tried, I find almost no difference except the fact that some are spicy…which has been somewhat concerning to me. 

Third, there are actually hazardous things when it comes to drinking the beans! Consuming and drinking too much coffee can lead to nervousness, addiction, frequent urination, or not being able to control urinating. Is coffee worth the risk of peeing your pants in public? I didn’t think so. However, there are some health benefits that coffee can give you, but that’s only if you don’t put a quart of creamer and a cup of sugar in your coffee. It can help you prevent cancers, heart diseases, and depression (hsph.harvard.edu). But note, once addicted to coffee, your body has an extremely hard time working and functioning without caffeine’s help. This can make you constipated–or the complete opposite. This is often caused because the caffeine in coffee affects the muscles in the digestive system. 

So, as you can see, there are many things that happen to you internally when you drink the beans, from constipation, the loss of ability to control urination, and the gagging from the horrid taste. So…drink coffee or pee your pants in public? I wonder what you will choose….

Photo Source: gq.com

*Affogato is an Italian coffee-based dessert.

So Long Yellow

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A Poem, by Middle-Schooler Penny Andreas, addressing the theme of Yellow

Lemon

Sponge

The sun

Birds

Pineapple

Homer Simpson

All yellow

Now that it’s gone

I see purple

Some shades of gray

Sometimes pink

Never yellow

Gray lemons

Purple sponges

The sun that is somehow gray and pink

Gray birds

Purple pineapple

Purple mutant Homer Simpson

Goodbye yellow

My world

The rainbow

Seems empty without it

Even the streets lined 

With yellow markings

They’ve disappeared from my sight 

So long yellow

The after. 

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The life and times of G.B Eripmav

Serial Fiction, by Middle-Schooler Penny Andreas

London,  January 30th, 3018

Dear Diary, 

It’s been one year since the human population and the animal kingdom became extinct. They left behind yet another world of destruction and later decay. I live here alone in this old and empty barber shop. I am the only one left of my race; however, there were not originally many. I have been forced to feed off of a substance other than my first choice: blood. Although nothing really has the taste of murder and the releasing of an empty soul, I have found other items give me a similar shiver down my old spine. I have found that cranberries are one option that is always around; they seem to grow in every watery bog. They are quite bitter. But, when served in a glass cup and sprinkled with crickets, there is an obscure taste that I find almost . . . alluring. I am left with few other options. 

London, February 1st, 3018

Dear Diary, 

From my concoctions, I seem to have made myself ill. I am barely able to write. I cough and cough. I am absolutely disgusted about being sick. It really is terrible; though I am grateful to still be alive. It’s a terrible day today, too; the dark clouds came back like the day everyone perished. That memory will be forever stuck in my mind. How I wish I could somehow forget it. Alas, the sun has finally come out. It’s been at least a week or so without it. Not much happens. I still sit here alone and in perfect solitude. Anon I shall look for at least one sign of life. I shall deeply wish forever for another source of life, since I am immortal and other life has been completely diminished. Farewell for now, I have some more thinking to do. 

Somewhere…Perhaps what used to be London, February 13th, 3018

Dear Diary,

                      I do recall wishing for another sign of life, but the wish backfired on me. I have found a species…or so I think. They are terribly tall with hidden faces behind cloaks. I do not recognize the language they speak, nor do I have the ability to in my current state. They came across my home in the old barber shop carrying great big weapons with fire. They have brought me somewhere…perhaps what used to be London, since there is a giant collapsed clock that stands in decay. I’ve heard it’s called “Big Ben.” At this moment, I am currently sitting on a cement ground. I sit in an empty room. I do not remember how I came to this room. It is all a blur. I managed to grab my notebook and a pen as I was being taken.  I have things to try to remember now. Farewell. 

I possibly may know this place, February 22nd, 3018

I am now guessing that I was knocked out, due to my throbbing headache and my knowledge of nothing that happened earlier. I am now in a blue room with what looks like UV lights above me. Whoever this species is, they do not have much knowledge or know of the existence of my race. I am deeply interested in this odd situation, and I wonder if they are a species from a new planet, or maybe something extremely out of the ordinary on Earth. Anything is possible….I hope this ends soon. Farewell until tomorrow.