Yes it looks like it. The world seems like it is finally coming to a sweet conclusion, but its not going quietly. The Earth looks like it is going out with quite a bang.  With Earthquakes all over the place, Volcanoes erupting, and tsunamis crashing cruise ships it looks as though Mother Nature is finally fighting back. Yes, I said fighting back, why, because we have been thrashing this planet since we figured out that we could! At this point you may be wondering if I am so peace loving tree hugging hippie, the answer is NO which should be even more of a shock!!! I’m a money loving high school student. This shows that the threat is real if people like me are realizing what’ going on. Especially with 2012 rolling around the outlook looks grim. There was catastrophic damage done to Haiti and thousands lost their lives in that earthquake and a gigantic volcano erupted in Iceland. British civil aviation authorities ordered the country's airspace closed as of noon April 15th, due to a cloud of ash drifting from the erupting Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland. The volcano has erupted for the second time in less than a month, melting ice, shooting smoke and steam into the air and forcing hundreds of people to flee rising floodwaters. The volcanic ash has forced the cancellation of many flights and disrupted air traffic across northern Europe, stranding thousands of passengers. Collected here are photos of the most recent eruption, and of last month's eruptions, which were from the same volcano, just several miles further east (from boston.com). Where’s my ticket to the moon??? Oh did I mention that the Bay Area is long overdue for a major earthquake. China just suffered a major earthquake. In Qinghai province where the 6.9-magnitude quake was centered, residents observed three minutes of silence at 10 a.m. (10 p.m. ET), the state-run China Daily, reported Chinese President Hu Jintao paid a silent tribute to the victims from Beijing where he was joined by eight other members of the Communist Party. The death toll has risen to 2,064 from the quake that struck the impoverished county of Yushu last week. According to cnn.com, another 175 people remain missing and 12,135 were injured. With everything that’s going on one might worry that we are all going to die. But we will not all die, some will live on and carry on the human species just as like all the other times. Or this could be just a natural process of the Earth and everybody is just over exaggerating, but this is America nobody does that, right?

 

 

 

 

Isaac Hale

As you all may have heard, there is a debate on whether the state of California will legalize and tax marijuana. People will vote on the proposition in the November voting period. Many think that it will pass but, then again, some object to the fact that the government is considering it. It is becoming quite a big debate with people on the pros and cons of legalizing it.

According to interviews and surveys, a big percentage of the state is in favor of marijuana being taxed and legalized. Their reasons being; it is no more dangerous than tobacco or alcohol, which is used commonly in America. It may ease up the violence, mostly among teenagers, and among the U.S and Mexican border as well. It also confirmed itself to be helpful against cancer, AIDS, glaucoma, and many other medical conditions. Researches also believe that if the laws were “loosened” it may benefit the state prisons to become less “crowded” due to over an estimated 870,000 arrests last year. In contrast, others believe that marijuana should remain banned due to the prolonged usage may cause lung cancer, the loss of brain cells, and longtime damage to a persons health. Also the fact that there is about 50 to a 100 % more tar in one joint than a cigarette. One joint is also estimated to be equal to smoking 7-10 cigarettes. It is also believed to be a stepping stone to the use of harder, more intense drugs such as cocaine or heroin.

In conclusion, if the prop passes in November, citizens over the age of 21 may have up to 1 oz. of marijuana and grow their plants in a 5x5 plot. It may not be easy to pass due to the disagreement among voters.

Resources:

http://usliberals.about.com/od/patriotactcivilrights/i/MarijuanaProCon.htm

Marijuana Legalization

Petie Bensin

Well it’s April and things are winding down in the 2010 school year. A few upcoming events for the middle school such as: trips to San Francisco and Salt Point for the 6^th grade, parent teacher conferences, Outdoor ED with the 7^th grade, and middle school graduation. Coming up soon, Parent-Teacher conferences are on April 28^th. Teachers will converse with parents to let them know how their child is doing. So all you middle school kids who aren’t doing so well, might want to work hard during your last week before your parents find out how your doing. None of you want to get grounded for bad grades.

Outdoor Education with Mr. Klug, Mr. Bekker, and the new art teacher, Ms. Loomis, will happen from May 3^rd through the 6^th, with their group of parents and counselors such as: Cassandra Schuman, Jeannie LeGallee, Tito Diaz, and Diego Gonzales, they will take 19 students to MacKerricher State park near Fort Bragg. The primary mission of this field trip is awareness of the environment. Students will stay for three nights. Have fun and enjoy this experience 7th Grade!

Just like every year, Mr. Johnson will be taking the 6^th grade to San Francisco in the first week of May. The young ones will get to see the tall ships that are lodged at Hyde pier and see marine/aquatic life as well. Afterwards, the group will take the F-line trolley from Hyde pier and loop back to the ferry terminal. They will also get to experience beautiful San Francisco if they have not already.

In addition, the 6th grade will also take a trip to Salt Point May 19-May21. Mr. Johnson recalls doing this trip year ago, and decided to take this group after much risk taking and thinking. The group will be camping at Salt Point, while visiting Armstrong Grove and Fort Ross. They will be studying the fields of oceanography, archeology, and study the tide pools. Mr. Johnson said with a chuckle, “I usually do this field trip to let the kids get away from school and to just have fun”. Well to you lucky and wild sixth graders, have an amazing time! 

With the school year coming to an end, we have Middle School graduation. The 8^th graders will be promoted into High School as Freshman for the following year on may 26th. It is a big step for the middle school kids and the best of luck to you all in the scary place called high school.

Middle School Update

Petie Bensin

Don’t miss the middle school update