Car Accident

Drivers don’t pay attention to pedestrians. Over 2,000 people get hit by cars each year in Denton,TX. More of the people on the phone or texting get hit or into accidents.

A local boy, David Valencia, was hit by a car this past Saturday at the mall. He walked out of H&M to the car. But this car was not paying attention to the speed bump and it was 15 mil per hour. He still got hit by a red Mustang, which hit his leg and flipped him over the car. Someone called 911. They rushed the local boy to Presbyterian Hospital, and he left the same night with a cast on his broken leg, but it was not easy to walk. 

Drivers need to be more careful of people walking, as well as other cars on the road. Over 50% percent of all Americans will be involved in a vehicle accident in their lifetime, whether it be while as a pedestrian, as a driver, or as a passenger in a car. 

Black Friday Violence

Have you witnessed any fights or violence at any popular local stores? You might have if you’ve been shopping during Black Friday. Well, a local boy was a witness to some violence at his local store on Loop 288 Wal-Mart in Denton, Texas. 

The witness, Demani Stewart, gave an interview telling the story from the beginning. ”It was a long afternoon waiting in the car for my mom. We got to Wal-Mart and a crowd of people were shoving each other. We waited for the crowd to get thin so we could browse the store when all of a sudden two grown men fought for a 50-inch flat-screen tv. They were $650 but now they are $335 both started to argue then pushing then fighting. One of the men was African-American tall and buff, the other was an inch shorter and scrawny. They both supported the same college based on the t-shirts they were wearing..” 

Statistics show that one out of 20 Black Friday shoppers will break out into a fight or violence of some sort. Is it really worth getting hurt or worse during black Friday shopping?

Soccer

At North Lakes Park on a hot summer morning, the soccer fields are full of youth soccer players. One morning a young soccer player named Kevin Santiago was having his first soccer game. His mom said excitedly, “I am so happy that he is starting his first season of soccer”. The coaches and referees  volunteers to help out in the games and the kids are all broken up into teams by age groups. Some of the benefits that these kids get from playing soccer are that they get exercise. They do things like running up and down the field and scrimmages to help with communication amongst the team mates and build relationships.  The young kids approximately get 30 minutes of game time plus 2 practices a week and from the soccer games, they learn how to communicate with teammates and learn good sportsmanship. Soccer is a good sport to play when you are young and if you get hooked on it you can play it for the rest of your life.

Pep Rally Failure

Most schools have Pep Rallies to honor future or past events. It was a normal sunny day at Calhoun the students weren't that exciting but some were cause they could have 5 min to be released early. The students were waiting to see what show would be in the Pep Rally. Students were anticipating on seeing their friends.  The six graders were more excited than the other grades because it was their first Pep Rally, the energetic students filled the Mac Allister Gym, all the students and teachers on the campus were theirs. The heated gym grew hotter the bleachers were filled with sweaty students still excited about the Pep Rally starting, Jackson has felt the heat and said “ The Gym is hotter than ever. “ As he told the teacher they have told him “ We can't do anything, we don't have control .“ Jackson looked in defeat knowing the teachers couldn't do anything. The teachers then realized it was hot in the gym they have to deal with it for the whole game. The game ended the students left in relief from the gym, one of the teachers went to the office to let them know that the gym’s air conditioner wasn't working. Now they know that the bottom gym may have some difficulty in the air conditioner.

Trails In Denton

There is a new trail in Denton, and it is open from 11:30 am to 6:00 pm, it also is about 20 minutes from Calhoun Middle School. It is called  North Lakes Park. It cost the city 350,500 dollars to build and has been open for about a month now. The trail is rocky and bumpy it also is only for bikes and goes all around the park. It has tall  green trees all around the trail. This 14-year-old boy, John, loves the new trail. John said,” I try to go there three times every week”. He loves the smell of fresh air and the trees he also loves looking at all the animals while riding by. This lake  is there for people who want to go fishing or just relax by the water. Also for those who like to walk there is a pathway for walkers.

The Class Meeting

Isaac a kid in 5th grade. For weeks and months, Isaac has been getting bullied about his weight.

About one person in 5,000 - 15,000 dies by suicide every year. In 5th grade Language arts class with a teacher named Mrs. Foster. Was getting the kids to gather around to have a meeting. All the 5th graders shared what they did over the weekend. After some kids shared it was Isaac’s turn. He looked upset and something was on his mind. He looked like he was struggling to answer the question. He then opened his mouth and spoke with fear. “I was at my house over the whole weekend and I…” He choked on his words. “I grabbed a rope and tried to kill myself…” He burst into tears crying to the teacher and students. Then he showed the rope burn on his neck. Some of the classmates cried. Mrs. Foster took him out of the class. The students sat there to themselves thinking about what just happened. Issac wasn't in his regular classes for about 2 - 3 weeks.  Eventually, all the students figured out why he did it and why he wasn't in his classes . He was under pressure and just couldn't take it anymore. From everyone and everything he just was so isolated and in pain. The bullies did stop bullying him. But if killing yourself or at least trying makes bullies stop then what's the point of fighting?

First Day of School

Calhoun Middle School may be a scary place for brand new 6th graders, but it is not a bad place. It is a fun learning environment. Students are beginning a new chapter of their new lives. 

Teachers and administrators welcome the students and point the way to their classes to meet their new teachers and new classmates. When lunch happens some students may be lonely not knowing where to sit. If they choose a random table with new kids, they may just make a new friend. 

At lunch, there is a boy named Kevin  who makes a bunch of friends at lunch. This 6th grader says,’’I'm enjoying this school and I can’t wait to come back to school tomorrow’’. 

After the last bell rings, and when school is over there are cars full of parents waiting for their kids to finish. All in all kids are happy with their first day of school. The parents were relieved to see  how much fun did they have