Rooftop School Literary Magazine Spring 2013, Volume 5

“My Neighborhood”

by Room 7 Kindergarten In my neighborhood there is.... A garden with butterflies A road through the fence Trees....grass Cars, busses Kids and people Grown-ups Me walking my dog. In my neighborhood there is.... A big hill Cars A food market down the street I always see this little house, it's so little... A stop sign Birds. In my neighborhood there is... A camera on the overhead wires Palm trees and sidewalks A stoplight, streetcars A playground Sunshine....sometimes fog....lots of clouds. In my neighborhood there are... Kids drawing on the sidewalk with chalk A baseball field Flowers...stairs... doors My friend's truck A soccer field and kids riding bikes. In my neighborhood there are... Houses everywhere... A bridge and A little old fashion store... it's yellow... it's cute. In my neighborhood there is a ... School Mailboxes Flags And the most biggest telephone pole... And the longest road in the world. In my neighborhood ... There is a rainbow..... ....and..... My house.

THE RAVEN’S QUILL

Reflection… That is the theme for this Raven’s Quill 2013 Spring Edition. This is the time of year when teachers reflect upon what their students have learned and when students gather their memories of the school year and reflect upon them. We may ask ourselves as we reflect, if the memory is one worth saving in our long term storage of important life events.

As we say goodbye to our beloved Kindergarten teachers, Ms.Cruz, Ms.Laurie, and Lissa, we reflect on all the wonderful memories we have of them – their joy and passion for teaching, their boundless energy and patience to care for energetic Kindergartners, and their dedication to building the future generation. We thank them for all they’ve contributed to Rooftop and send them off to a much deserved retirement!

In this edition, be sure to read our special reflections from all three of our Kindergarten teachers, as well as some of their students. And look for the special article from a Rooftop alumni who worked with the Peace Corps in Cameroon, Africa. We hope that you will have time this summer to reflect upon all the wonderful experiences you had this school year!

Never go too far Pay attention to yourself What have you become?

— Ikiru, 3rd grade, Ms. Toupin

The Inc Crew

— by Aaron S. Chapter 2, Part 1

One day the inc crew went into the woods. They saw a bear, and they ran as fast as they could. They met a man named Bone. He helped them with everything, and fixed all of their problems. He built a house in the forest. He made chicken for dinner. Then the crew went out in the forest for an adventure. Then they found something gold and shiny. They didn’t know what it was. Maybe it would come in handy someday. … Chapter 2, Part 2

The inc brothers next adventure took place in Africa. Soon they found a lion there. They snuck up behind the lion & they hopped on his back. , Maybe a lion isn’t so dangerous. Soon they got a call from Bone. They also met a dangerous man named Hoodback.

What would a man like him be doing in Africa? They took a look at him. So the man struck lightning out of the sky. Mountains were shaking. “What just happened?” said Jack. “I don’t know,” said Sam. So Max ran to Mason. He said, “Don’t! No, what is going on?”

Maybe if I throw the gold rock at him, he will go away. So he threw it and he went away. “Nice job,” said Mason. So they went to the forest and heard Bone. Bone said, “There is a bulldozer coming to the forest. So the crew stopped the bulldozer with the gold rock too and saved the forest.

To be continued…

About the Author—

Aaron S. is a Fifth Grade student in Mr. Prizmich’s class. He hopes to self-publish The inc crew and will donate a copy to the Rooftop Library. He also likes to make up jokes and has a joke book as well.

On the weekend I had a playdate. We went on a bike ride all the way to Children's Playground! My preying mantis laid an egg sac and soon there will be baby preying mantis.

— Ander R., Room 105, 1st Grade

We are thankful for a lot of things. In fact I can't even say all of the things we are thankful for. Last year I went to my uncle's house for Thanksgiving. There were a lot of people at his house. It was a success.

— Dylan S., Room 105, 1st Grade

My family helps me learn. My dad helps me read. My mom helps me do my homework.

— Dylan L., Room 105, 1st Grade

Poems by Mr. Roger’s 4th Grade Class

Fear

The great beast of fear rises Brings you high then throws you low Knocks you down Makes you feel weak Fear cages you and traps you He makes you feel brave Then fills you with terror Fear has one weakness Hope Aspiration Fear takes over fear himself Then he falls and we rise

— by Michael B., 4th grade

MYSELF

I am by myself and I am lost I pray to myself

I look out in to the world and hear a voice It is a small voice but it gets lower and lower

I can see a key right in front of me

The key is so close but so far My whole life is a dream

I unlocked my heart I unlocked the world

The key is right here in my hand

People do not know me They do not who I am

— by Lili C., 4th grade

BELIEVE

I will always believe in my dreams

There are bells ringing

No one will shatter my dreams

I will never forget my dreams

And once my dream comes true

I will have to find another dream

Find a voice

Believe in your friends

Believe in your family

People did not believe their dreams but now they do

Believe in your dreams

Time’s ticking tik tok tik tok

— by Liliana C, 4th grade

“One Key to One Thing”

A key in a silver mirror.

Floating, glistening in a dark room

Hope rises alone if you know what to believe in

Children’s eyes traveling at the speed of light

Looking, wondering.

Loneliness feeds on happiness with pleasure

Wind blows far and wide,

But with no hope it cannot rise.

Dreams, dreams always dreams

Once you go to sleep, they began to breath.

Shhhhhhhh…

— by Naima B. N., 4th grade

The Truth

The truth is something that cannot be changed

No matter how much you try it will always be the same

If you lie the truth will find its way and break through

The truth is the silver beside the gold

The truth is a mirror

It is a pathway that separates the good from bad

It may be hidden well but it will always be found

This is the truth…

— by Raquel, 4th grade

I see the sun

I feel the warm breeze

But now the sun is going down

I know it’s beautiful

It feels comforting and hopeful

But as the sun goes too far down I feel alone

The dark feels sad and motionless

But I can’t see anything

I look around trying to see where am I

Then I see the sun rising

And now I’m happy with JOY !

— by Ubaldo

Poems by Ms. Woo’s 4th Grade Class

One Little Die

One little die full of hope Hope is the cube

That cube named a die You hope, hope for luck

For luck, the luck that will help you win Help you win that unending game

That unending game, the game you wanna quit You wanna quit, but, something inside you doesn’t let you

Let you quit, you look for the feeling The feeling that keeps you strong

Keeps you strong, keeps you strong so you don’t give up

So you look You look through your bones

Through your bones and deep into your heart Deep into your heart and then there…

There is the little die, full of hope

— by Luz V., 4th grade

I, Too

I, too, carry hope on a rainbow colored backpack overflowing with dreams but outlined with love.

I, too, bring it there to unload

in the river.

But I stay, I stay where my backpack pulls energy the most.

Home.

— by Lua C., 4th grade

No Difference

I can be friends with whoever I want, I can go to school with other races,

There is no difference.

Japanese or white, there are friendships with all and it makes no difference.

I go to school with other races,

The running race of racism can always be beat. With the power of friendship,

you can make friends and it makes no difference.

So here I sit, with my best friend hugging me, Thinking there is no difference.

— by Olivia C., 4th grade

My Emerald Magic Box

My magic Emerald box

holds waves crashing from the corner of the box.

In my magic Emerald box I have white diamonds

sprinkling from the sky. I also have a dressing room in my magic Emerald box.

It snows and it feels like money crashing from the sky.

I have a hot cake of happiness. In my magic Emerald box are wet salt tears of joy.

— by Tyler G., 4th grade

A Trip Around the World

I headed my way to the lake

gazing at the sky I saw a shiny sail boat

with a sail, ready to fly.

I jumped into the sail boat making wild splatter I looked around to see

if anybody heard the matter.

I pretended to go to foreign lands seeing the Eiffel Tower in France watching the tango of Argentina

and seeing a performance of a Russian dance.

I head a bagpipe from Scotland a didgeridoo from Australia

some chimes from India and a gamelan from Indonesia.

I sang a song I heard in my head

it was maybe from the ancient times I thought it was about some gold

some gold that turned into golden limes.

But when I reached Japan, I heard “Emmanuel!” my mother calling my name

so I turned the boat, walked to my mom and she gave me a cookie.

— by Emmanuel C.

Poems by Ms. Contreras’s 6th Grade

Light

I know light The way it reflects off the shining leaves

in the afternoon The way it warms your face

when you turn your head towards the sun

I know the feeling of lightness When you feel like nothing can bring you back down

to earth.

My soul has grown radiant like the light

Even in the night the moon still brings us the light The world is never really in

The dark There is always light

There is always a sparkle A shine

We are never really on the ground

We are all light

— a 6th grader

Ode to San Francisco

I look from upon the rooftop at the city Soon it will be full of life, but now Everything is calm The city is vibrant and thriving of life Center of everything Everyone wants to come see it for themselves It is just waking up from its sleep The birds chirp a lullaby Cool and clear, the morning air is With just a hint of pine Everything reflects the sun’s luminous glow Orange, like a dancing flame Shiny as a polished spoon Misty dew falls on top of Twin Peaks This is my home, and I love it When you are feeling down Look at this marvelous city When you are getting lonely Look at this marvelous city When the day is closing and you don’t want it to end Look at this marvelous city It is like my little piece of heaven This is my city, my home, my life And I love it!

— Lila, 6th Grade.

ODE TO MY HOME - SF

THE city streets are as quiet as an infant sleeps, the city is my diamond ring round and brighter than the sun, people dance in the streets because our city teams are undefeated, my city is as sweet as cake just waiting, my city is so beautiful it slaps fancy in the face, but the whole point on what I’m trying to say is I love San Francisco and no matter what I’ll stay in San Francisco,

I BLEED RED N GOLD.

— Erianna, 6th Grade

I Know the Stars

I know the stars

I know how they fill the darkness with their iridescent light How once they were gone they still twinkle in other places

Their legacy never forgotten Each has their own unique part Their own place in the universe

I know of the stars

Of their shine and sparkle Of their life and legacies

And of their individuality and importance

I know of what they were What they are

And what they are to become I’ve known the stars

I know the stars And I’ll always remember the stars

— Asha, 6th grade

I Am Not Who You Think I am…

I am not who you think I am. I am misted by a cloud and invisible. People guess about me and think things about me but they are wrong. I am a friend to everyone. I am as fast as a flame going tree to tree. I can bring and take happiness away but all you realize is that I am a cloud like candy there but not there, a pillow there but not with you, or a unicorn in your mind but not real, I am not who you think I am.

— Garlen, 6th grade

I Am Not Who You Think I am…

I am Asian, but I’m not the smartest in the class. I’m a girl, but I love sports and wear sweat pants. I live in San Francisco, but my family isn’t rich. I am not the smart Asian girl who likes to wear cute skirts and dresses. I am the sort of smart

hapa girl who loves sports and wears sweatpants. I am the girl who hangs out with friends, but doesn’t go crazy. I am the girl who finds hope in homemade cookies and

long phone calls from loved ones, but doesn’t mind rolling in the mud. At age 11, someone I thought was a friend had called me a very offensive name. It showed me

that trust can be taken away as fast as you can gain it. In grade 2 I watched the news as my uncle was shot on the heart. I watched my mother’s silent tears rolled down

her face like boulders of sadness. At age 5, I made my first real friend. A year later I made another one. It shows that you don’t make friends everyday, and that you

should hold on to them as long as you can. Who hopes to be on a stage someday? Who keeps their feelings hidden? Who hopes to become successful? Who wishes she could

please everybody? Me. Not you. Because I’m not who you think I am.

— Abby, 6th grade

PERSONAL MANIFESTOS 2013

Zachary Panoplos 6th Grade--Enjoy your life. You only live once so make it great.Take passion in what you do. Go outside. Be Awesome.Take a chance. Be that person to make a change.Be the best that you can be.

Olive Fox 6th Grade--Life is short. Do what you want. Break the gender barriors down. They don’t matter in this day and age.Learn new things when the opportunity arises.But don’t forget nature. Your roots. Go out and enjoy it.Family matters. Keep your culture alive.Your life is what you make it. Shape your world.

Mathew Lee 7th--THIS is your life, YOUR PATH. Choose where you take your path,Choose the PEOPLE you meet on your PATH. MEET them, TEACH them, LEARN from them.Acquire new EXPERIENCES on your PATH. Even in times ofMISFORTUNE, always KNOW YOUR LIFE will take a turn for the BETTER

Queenie Li 7th--Being yourself is beetter than faking it.Let people get to know the REAL you. Enjoy yourself.Have FUN in life. Make it worth living! Make it YOURS.Follow your DREAMS.

Juliana Dare 7th-Everyone has a purpose. So !nd your puppose.If you hate it, try and change it.Change to how ever you want.Make yourself feel good.Life is a gift, do the best with it.Do the right things, do what’s awesome.Find your purpose.Find what you were born to do.

Lucy Montgomery- 7thLife is too short to regret.Be happy, be real.Love is complicated, but it’s worth it. You’ll !nd it, don’t worry.Nothing is perfect, but nothing is impossible.Dreams are made to follow.Promises are made to ful!ll.Pressure is over rated, Hope isn’t.Freedom is yours if you give it to yourself.Things are easy to reach if youpush yourself.Try your best andyou’ll be satis!ed.

Elegy

by Matthew L.

You have left me, you’re gone

My brothers, where are you?

Gone away, to another place

Away from me, from the family

You have left me

I’m all alone

In this cold dark home

all alone

You have left me

We are no longer together

but we are separated

by our lives, our goals.

You left me

You’re all gone

I’m all that’s left

for you have left me.

Love Letter in Shakespeare

Dear Derrick, I am coiled that we can’t be together because my family thinks you are a vile

and rudesby man. And they think you want education and think you are part of some consort, but I tell them you’re not and ask them why they don’t let us be happy and

let us be lemons. I try to resolve to them that you are a brave man and always list to me about my problems. But my heart is sorrowful that we can’t be together and if I’m

seen with you I will be in a great amount of coil. Soon I will turn 18 and we will be together so please attend for me. Also always know thou art always in my heart.

Sincerely thou lemon,

Tatiana

Shakespeare Love Letter

Dear  Sir  Curse-­‐upon-­‐my-­‐soul,  

  I  knew  in  my  heart  of  hearts  that  thou  were  a  coil  to  my  soul  from  the  start.    List  to  my  heavy  plea  that  thou  shalt  never  show  thy  vile  mug  in  mine  castle  keep.    Thou  art  a  curse  of  blight  upon  my  strawberry  of  a  soul.    And  before  thee  utters  such  words  as  “me  thinks  she  doth  protest  too  much,”  list  to  this,  thou  sulpherous  rudesby,  thou  doth  render  my  excitement  into  morbid  demise  thought  executingly-­‐  And  let  me  still  anticipate  the  stop  of  your  breath.    No  longer  shall  I  attend  to  thee  and  thou  filthy  consort.    Aye,  aye!    I  am  happy  to  end  this  courtship  without  intermission.  Thou  shalt  never  be  my  lemon  once  more.  

              Thy  foul  creature,  

              Lady Ratchet

nee Maya D.- 7th Gr.

 

The Peace Corps in Cameroon

Many of our Rooftop alumni have gone on to exciting careers around the world. Read about how Rooftop alumni Joe Cutler (2002) decided to work with the Peace Corps in Cameroon.

Joe has two older brothers, Jake and Charlie Cutler, who also graduated from Rooftop School. Their mother, Nancy Cutler, helped to create the garden we all enjoy today.

As a Rooftop alumni (class of 2002) and a recently returned Peace Corps volunteer, I thought it worthwhile to share a bit of my experience having lived in Cameroon for the past 33 months. For those of you who need to brush up on their African geography, Cameroon is located south of Nigeria, in the “armpit of Africa”. My village was called Bangem, and was located half-way up Mt. Muanenguba in the lush, hugely biodiverse, montane cloud forests of the Central African volcanic highlands.

Through my duration in the Peace Corps, I was lucky enough to work on a great diversity of projects, and had the opportunity to get to know my corner of Cameroon better than any “white man”. I worked directly with the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife and the WWF (Worldwide Fund for Nature) in the newly formed Bakossi National Park. I worked with the local Bangem council to develop a 5-year development plan for the Bangem sub-division; bouncing from village to village, conducting developmental assessments and preparing reports to be synthesized into the unifying development plan. I taught biology at the remote and forgotten High School in Bermin village, and hosted a seminar series for the master of science students of fisheries biology at the University of Buea, focusing on fisheries ecology and conservation. Additionally, I was able to manage a large-scale water project which, upon completion, will bring potable pipe-borne water to 5 villages, 3 schools, a health center and 6,000 people. Finally, I was able to collect fishes from the unique, micro-ecosystem of Lake Bermin (including 1 new species) which I will carry into my own graduate studies.

Clearly my own experience in the Peace Corps has been a diverse and fruitful one. However, the greatest impacts I left in Cameroon cannot be listed as such; my best work was on a person-to-person basis. I helped a locally-based conservation NGO (Community Action for Development) to become one of the most productive NGO’s in the South West Region of Cameroon. I promoted empowering the youth through continued education and think some of my students will be forever changed by the time we shared together. Finally, I personally developed and grew tremendously; acclimating to a new culture, learning to communicate in French and Pidgin English, and gaining experience working through crippling corruption.

Now that my Peace Corps service is finished, I will employ my new skills when I head back to school in September, when I will begin a PhD program in ecology at UCSC. I plan to focus my research on freshwater conservation and plan to continue researching the volcanic crater lakes of Cameroon. Although current Rooftop students are still a few years away from being candidates for the Peace Corps, I would highly recommend the Peace Corps to all Rooftop grads.

Home is Where the Heart Is

I am a kindergarten teacher here 16 years. All three K teachers have been here that long. We came in together and we are going out together! I’ve had several names while here: Mrs. Inglis, Ms. Winship and Laurie. I’ve settled on Ms. Laurie since it sounds young, and I am old. As a child I went to school here from kindergarten to sixth grade, 1960-1966 but in my day the site was called Twin Peaks School. In those days they “skipped” kids to higher grades at times. I got skipped because 1) I was tall and 2) my sister Ann taught me how to read. So I went off to first grade, pretty much right after they snapped the photo of me in kindergarten. I have that picture in my class so they know I was once as small as they. My joke is, I never really got to attend kindergarten, so here I am, teaching it so I can have the K experience!

I remember so vividly the day I got hired to work here. It had been my dream to come back and teach at my childhood school, but I was assigned to different schools in SFUSD. Then, there was an opening! Nancy Mayeda (the legend) interviewed me, but she seemed distracted and it was a quick meeting. I was amazed and elated to get hired here, but I asked her later why she made a decision favorable to me. She just said, “You have good vibes.” Well! Being a native San Franciscan, brought up in the hippie times, good vibes was all there was to know about a person, so I was satisfied.

It has really been a déjà vu experience walking the halls here at Rooftop. I so belong here. I was a little sad when they remodeled the rooms, and the floors changed because in my ancient school photos I could always say, “See, same floor as 50 years ago!”

Habits are different from when I attended here as a child. One thing that cracks me up, is when kids sometimes come into the staff lounge when we teachers are eating lunch. They seemed so un-phased by it, but I remember that being a big deal, to peer into that sacred room. When I would open that door, (on an important errand to contact a teacher on his/her break) billows of cigarette smoke would come soaring out! But that didn’t disturb me; everyone smoked, even my moderate mother. In fact, my fourth grade teacher, Julia Wessenberg, (amazing art teacher) had her class crayons in Marlboro boxes! My mom probably donated some of them (it was her brand of smoke) and they were great boxes, so durable. But of course, now that wouldn’t be acceptable since it would model unhealthy habits.

Another memory is about the Rooftop Auction, but back when I was here it was called the Twin Peaks Bazaar. My mom was the treasurer. Now you know that our auction makes close to a hundred thousand dollars, but back in 1963, when I was in third grade, we made a whopping three thousand, which was a lot of money in those days. My mom put all the earnings in a shoe box, and it sat on the top shelf of her closet for the weekend until she deposited it in the bank. (No ATMS then) I could barely sleep, knowing that we had to guard Rooftop’s money!

So, my second home is truly Rooftop. My best friend, Ardele, who I met in third grade at Rooftop, was my maid of honor and is still constantly in my life. We used to sing and choreograph musicals on the Rooftop yard in the evenings. (This was way before CASA) and we had the whole place to ourselves, until we thought our parents might be worried and we walked a couple blocks to our homes. Again, different, safer times, when kids were left alone to play, even as it got dark.

All these things and many more have made and continue to make Rooftop such a homey place to me. As I retire this year, I reflect on a beautiful ride! When I was first hired by SFUSD I was placed in a very difficult school. I cried every night because the kids had such devastating problems. Then I went to an easier school where I felt I could really teach, not just put out fires and console kids. Now, I am at the top, at one of the best schools in the state because we have SO MUCH HEART here. That is why I call it home. I’ll miss you, Rooftop-Twin Peaks, but I’ll visit often. You will continue to be home to me and many, for generations to come.

— Laurie Winship, Kindergarten, Room 3

“The Bell Rings”

The bell rings

Back door opens

to a wave of children

"Lissa! Look at my new shoes!'

"My tooth is wiggling!"

"May I bring my pet chicken to school?"

"Which center will I be in today?"

What will the day bring?

Laughter, tears,

friendships growing.

Choicetime! Playhouse filled

with actors.

Busy artists,

block builders.

Together on the rug with a good book.

A year of growth and possibilities.

It's the most challenging job I've ever had.

Wouldn't change it for the world.

— Lissa Gould, Kindergarten, Room 5

“Sailing” I've sailed through nights and days,

In and out of weeks,

And over many years

To this land where the wild things are.

What a mighty rumpus it's been!

Making mischief,

Swinging on branches,

Splashing in puddles,

Sliding on sunbeams,

Dancing on the ceiling,

Swinging on stars.

Dreaming...

Scheming...

Listening.

Singing in circles,

Opening doors.

Wild Things!

wild things...

wild things.

But it's time to go...

Say goodbye, say hello.

The bell rings!

And supper is waiting.

— Mary Ann Cruz, Kindergarten, Room 7

 

Laurie, Mary Ann & Lissa in the Rooftop Garden — May 27, 2013

Happy Retirement! …Letters from Ms. Toupin’s 3rd Graders – Poppy, Amanda, Max & Cassidy

I had Ms. Cruz for kindergarten. She was a great, neat, down-to-business sort of teacher. She had four different tables with bug names. I remember being at a table called the beetles! Ms. Cruz had us do a lot of art. I remember painting and doing collage and getting my hands sticky in glue. We also wrote in our journals in the morning. I once complained that my hands were too cold to write! We also did skits and acted out stories after we read one. I was a mom in one! We also did an opera, Hansel and Gretel. Emmy was Gretel. I was a tree. I had a lot of fun in kindergarten. It makes me sad to see Ms. Cruz leave.

Poppy

Dear Lissa,

I loved kindergarten. I remember when we made egg nog during Christmas time. I loved the taste of it. You were so generous. I don't want you to retire. I also remember when we were person of the week and we took home the golden bear and we got a special lunch and desert. I remember freetime when we could run wild. I still have my kindergarten Journal and portfolio. I also really liked when we had stations. I loved the cooking station and art station. My favorite art project was the fish scales. I'm going to miss you so much.

Sincerely,

Amanda

Ms. Cruz, you're very nice

I like how you always add spice.

My reading buddie is good at guitar.

Soon she will be a star!

Reading buddies are going to be over soon.

I'm going to miss you Ms. Cruz.

by Maxie

Ms. Laurie,

I remember:

- doing person of the week

- making Chicklet castles and putting Chicklet

in them.

- doing, "How much do you think is in the jar:" and we learned that if it is smaller, there is more and if it is bigger, there is less.

- going to the pumpkin patch in Half Moon Bay and going on the hay ride.

- my kindergarten graduation and we got to sing the songs we learned.

I am going to miss you and I hope I will see you again.

Love,

Cassidy

 

The Raven’s Quill

would like to offer special acknowledgement to

Nathan Evans

who drew the image that graces the cover of our Spring edition

with a special thanks to our retiring Kindergarten teachers

Laurie Winship, Lissa Gould & Mary Ann Cruz

&

all who have contributed to this edition

Mr. Lane

Ms. Toupin

Mr. Rogers

Ms. Woo

Ms. Contreras

Ms. Sugawara

Ms. Vernace

Ms. Wong

&

our many featured writers and artists

for sharing your talents with the Rooftop Community

Rooftop School has a longstanding love of the written word and a special relationship with poetry.

The Rooftop Poetry Archives captures almost a century of poetry associated with Rooftop — from a 1924 poem written to commemorate the founding of the Twin Peaks School PTA, to the lyrics of the Rooftop school song first sung in 1972, to a 2010 cento

written by the teachers — and the Fall 2011 inaugural edition of The Raven’s Quill, Rooftop’s student literary magazine.

http://artsed4all.org/RooftopHistory/Poetry_Archive/Poetry_Archive.html