The Cupcake Conflict

FCAs Lauren Cassella
1. Thesis statement December 22, 2010
2. Three reasons to support thesis English 6-1
3. Conclusion Persuasive Article-First Draft

Currently, many schools have banned special treats such as soda, ice cream and candy. But how far will schools go? Many elementary schools across the country have banned cupcakes, not allowing kids to celebrate their birthdays with them. Also, some officials say they are concerned about cupcakes causing kids to gain weight. They say it prevents kids who are allergic to ingredients in cupcakes from feeling left out. Although some people agree with officials, other people, like me, strongly disagree.
Firstly, kids don’t eat many cupcakes at home. 92% of the students surveyed at Herbert Hoover Middle School said they eat only one cupcake or less on a typical day. Also, the other 8% of people who eat more than one or less cupcakes a day will not gain weight if they work it off in gym class or participate in extracurricular activities. One of the concerns of eating cupcakes is that they are made with a lot of sugar, which has a lot of calories. However, the key to a balanced diet is self control. For example, if you can eat only one cupcake a day, and participate in exercise, you should be fine.
Secondly, kids should be able to celebrate their birthdays with cupcakes at school. If your birthday is on a school day, you should be able to choose what kind of treat to bring in. As you may know, some people are allergic to ingredients in cupcakes. But it matters what they are allergic to. For example, if someone is allergic to chocolate, they could have a different flavor cupcake, like vanilla. However, if they are allergic to a different ingredient all cupcakes must include, they could bring in a different treat, or simply say they can’t have one. 92% of people surveyed don’t have allergies, but everyone, including the people with allergies, thinks cupcakes shouldn’t be banned.
Lastly, some kids are prohibited to have cupcakes on a regular day, only on special occasions. For example, their parents might only let them eat them on people’s birthdays. So, in school might be the only time some kids eat them. What makes occasions special is that people partake in things they typically would not do on a regular day. If that is the case, why should cupcakes be banned from schools if some people rarely eat them at home?
Officials say cupcakes should be banned, but many people disagree. Because kids don’t eat a lot of cupcakes at home it won’t cause weight gain. Kids should be able to celebrate with cupcakes on their birthday if it is during the school year. And lastly, school might be the only time kids eat cupcakes. Kids should be allowed to celebrate special occasions with special treats.

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Holiday Music Before Thanksgiving?

      You're always looking forward to the holiday season in the winter time, right?  But some radio stations play Christmas music when Thanksgiving hasn't even passeed yet. This keeps you in winter-time spirit, but some people feel it rushes Thanksgiving.
     In the Fall, it can be very hot still. So it feels wierd to hear holiday music about the snow when it is 75 degrees outside. Also, your not truly in winter until mid-December, so that completely skips the season Fall. As I mentioned before, people are so busy caught up in the winter holidays, they forget the true meaning of Thanksgiving. Even in our schools we haven't talked much about pilgrims and how Thanksgiving started.
     However, playing holiday music has advantages, too. For example, it keeps you in the holiday spirit, and keeps you looking forward to when the holidays finally arrive. It is a reminder that Christmas (and other holidays) are almost here. Since people are then thinking about the holidays, it gives them more time to prepare and buy gifts for their family and friends. This is also good for store-owners, especially in this bad econmy. For example, if people are thinking about the holidays earlier, they buy things earlier. Then the store-owners would get the people's money faster. If people don't like to hear the holiday music, they could always just change the station.
     Every year I look forward to hearing Christmas music, but not before Thanksgiving. I think they should wait on playing it until at least early December, not mid-November. Either way, this tradition will probably remain the same.

My Letter To Santa

Near the holidays, it is a time to give and appreciate what you have. I am appreciative of my family, my friends, and my pets. However,  a long period of time has passed, and I still haven’t got a bunny yet. For some reason, I’ve always wanted a bunny since I was a small child. I would really like for you to give me a rabbit for Christmas this year.

As you may know, other people besides me can benefit from having a bunny. For example, my family and friends can play with my bunny when they want to. So not only am I able to enjoy the fact that I have one, my family and friends will be happy that they can play with one. If I get a bunny it is easier to take care of then a lot of other animals. For example, you have to walk a dog, and clean the litter box of a cat. You also have to fill the food bowls of cats and dogs often. If you have a rabbit, it doesn’t eat as much as they do. They also aren’t as dependent on you, so  my family and I would be able to go on more trips without constant assistance for it.

Currently, as I mentioned before, I have pets at home such as cats and fish. I’m already aware of the responsibility you need to care for them.  So if I get a bunny, I will take care of it without much help. I deserve to have a bunny this year because I know I will be capable of taking care of it. I have taken care of some pets in the past, and I think it is time I get one of my own. When my friends are busy, I will have a companion to play with.  I’ve already researched information about rabbits, and know they eat small amounts of food. They eat fruits and vegetables and need fresh water everyday. If I receive a bunny from you, I will greatly appreciate it, like I do my other pets.

As Christmas day is quickly approaching, I find myself thinking more and more about getting a bunny as a pet. I would be greatly appreciative if you would at least consider my request. Since I understand the responsibilities and have the time and patience to take good care of a bunny, I think my request is reasonable. I thank you in advance for reading my letter. Whether you fulfill my desire or not, I also want to thank you  for  my other gifts I’ve gotten and for making my Christmas jolly.

Sincerely,

Lauren Cassella

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

What is on T.V. every Thanksgiving morning? What starts on 77th street in New York City? The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, of course! Lots of people watch it, (44 million!),and  it has been a tradition since 1924. Those of you who haven't already watched on T.V., this is what the parade is all about: Every Thanksgiving morning, a parade called the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is on T.V. at nine o' clock am, taking place in N.Y.C. In the parade there are huge balloons and floats heading down 77th Street, stopping at 7th Avenue . This traditon started in 1924 because a  lot of people were immigrants, and they were proud they were now americans. They then wanted to celebrate a holiday similar to which they did in Europe. Throughout the 1930s, the population of people watching the parade grew and grew until almost everyone watched it! Soon there were balloons and floats for lots of characters that children and adults like. (especially Walt Disney ones.) Since then, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has been a big hit!

What I Am Thankful For

Lauren Cassella

I am thankful for a lot of things. One thing I am thankful for is my family. They always support me and cheer me up when I’m sad. I am also thankful for my friends. They make me laugh and we have a good time together. I am thankful for a lot of things.

                 

Pumpkin Picking

Every year in October near Halloween, I go pumpkin picking. There is a pumpkin patch not far from my house, so I go there. There is a variety of pumpkins to pick from, different shapes and sizes. I search the the inside and outside of the pumpkin patch and choose a round pumpkin to decorate for the pumpkin decorating contest which is held at my elementary school. ( I stopped last year since I'm not in elementary school anymore.) I make sure it has the right size stem, it is the right  shape and size, and is bright orange like I expect it to be. Going to the pumpkin patch is one of my favorite activities to do in the fall, and I'm looking forward to going this year.

Does Patriotism Still Matter?

 Does Patriotism still matter? Of course it does.  It is very important to believe in our country, America, and be grateful for the soldiers who fight for our freedom. Even if  people complain about the negative things about our country, like the economy, we should be thinking about the positive things.
 A positive thing about our country is we have freedom of speech. In America we have the freedom to speak our minds.We  even have the right to say negative things about our country if we choose. In other countries you can go to jail for saying what is on your mind.   Even if America is struggling with problems,  citizens should look on the bright side of things. Just because we have some issues, we are luckier than a lot of other countries.
    Also, in our country we can have freedom of religion. We can choose what ever religion we want, and practice it in public, as long as we aren't harming anyone. In other countries, you can even go to jail for practicing the religion of your choice!   Here in America, you don't have to worry about getting prosecuted for it.We can publicly go to whatever  house of worship that we choose to attend.
    Women have equal rights in America, too. In other countries women aren't allowed to go to school or get an education. America is one of the few countries where they are treated equally to men. But not only are women treated fairly in our country, kids are too! In some places kids don't have the privilege to get a good education unlike in America.  This gives children the opportunity choose a career and improve their lives.
    When I hear the word  "Patriotism" I think of stars , stripes and flags. But now I also think of freedom.

Ralph Fletcher

     In "Marshfield Dreams, When I Was A Kid" by Ralph Fletcher he writes about various topics that happened during his childhood. He tells a lot about his family members and about different events that happened when he was a kid. The reason for this might be because he came from a large family with many siblings.
    In Ralph Fletcher's vignette "First Pen he states "It was just a cheap BIC, the kind with the clear barrel, so you can see how much ink is left in the cartridge." ( Fletcher, 2005, page 43).   He picked a topic which isn't commonly used, and it is kind of ironic he chose to write about a pen when he's now an author.
      As he states in "Marshfield",  " Mom said to think of them as strangers- some are good, some are bad, and since you couldn't tell the difference leave them alone." ( Fletcher, 2005, page 4 ).  Ralph Fletcher used comparisons when he compared mushrooms with strangers. He also had an emotional ending to that vignette like he does in some of his other ones.
      As Ralph Fletcher has demonstrated in these passages, he uses different writing styles with each of his vignettes.

The Day I Broke My Wrist

It was the first day of kindergarten, and I had a great day at school! I had a new backpack, dress and pencils; everything was going great.  I was on my way to the park and was very excited to go play on the playground.  However, I did not know the unfortunate event that was about to happen.
     I ran up to the jungle gym, eager to go down the tall, shiny slide.  My brother, Derek, was on the other end of the playground.  The only ways to get there was to walk back down and take the stairs, or to cross on the monkey bars.  I was willing to take a challenge, so I chose the monkey bars.
     I reached out for the first bar and held on tight.  As I reached for the second bar, I lost my balance and fell to the ground.  I  landed on top of my arm on the wood chips.  My arm really hurt afterwards, so I went to the hospital shortly after I fell.
    It turned out I had broken my wrist.  I had to wear a cast (a pink one!) for a few weeks for my arm to heal.  It was not the ending I had planned for my first day of kindergarten!

My Friend Cassie

 Hi! My friend Cassie Zolnowski is eleven years old and was born on July 10. She enjoys doing dance, dive,  and swim. I have known her since Kindergarten, and we have been best friends ever since. Here are some facts about her: she likes the colors purple and blue, her favorite dessert is icecream,  she LOVES dogs, and can't live without her phone! She lives with her mom, her dad, her older brother and her younger sister. In her spare time, she goes to the beach and goes snow tubing in the winter. Some activities we do together are having sleep overs at each other's house, hunting down haunted houses, and playing my Wii. We walk home from school and always get a soda along the way. cassie and I have a  lot in common and I think we will be friends for a long time!