When being persistent, many lessons can be learned. The Japanese proverb "Fall down seven times, stand up eight." demonstrates this concept. No matter how many timees you have failed, you should try to achieve your goal again. Many opportunities will be presented to you if you are determined to achieve your goal.
     As a six year old, it was very difficult for me to learn how to ride my bicycle. It seemed like my parents were trying to teach me forever. Although it wasn't that fun learning to ride a bike, I always insisted on practicing for hours. After several months, I was riding my bike well, and all of the time I put into riding my bike had paid off. This practice not only resulted in me being able to ride a bicycle, it also taught me the value of being persistent. Now I realize that was the most important lesson that I had learned. Persistance doesn't just apply when learning a skill, it also is essential in society.
     Sending a man to the moon has always been a major accomplishment. However, it wasn't as easy as it seems to be. Sending someone to the moon took a lot of persistance. It took over 50 attempts, and many years to accomplish. Finally, NASA declared they would put someone on the moon by 1970. By July of 1970, this goal was reached. When achieving one's goal, persistance is always needed.
     According to Napoleon Bonaparte, "Impossible is a word only to be found in the dictionary of fools." With determination and when thinking positive, nothing is impossible. Whether it is learning to ride a bike, or sending someone to the moon, it can be accomplished.  In conclusion, with persistence, anything can be achieved.

No Homework

    Over the years, homework has been quite a debatable topic with children and teachers. Recently, there has been a proposal made by the Edison Board of Education enforcing no homework for student K-12. This is indeed a wise decision, it's advantages outweighing it negatives. It is in the favorable decision of the Edison students to not be required to have homework because it provides them more time to be outside, homework is too time-consuming, and is unhealthy.
    Adults often complain when their children spend too much time indoors. This will not be a problem if the no-homework policy is enforced. Studies show that when students have less homework, they are more likely to be outdoors. Too much time indoors is more of a problem in the winter when it gets dark out earlier. When students have homework, it takes most students about an hour to do. When it darker earlier, it is too late to go outside. Opponents of no homework claim students will spend more time playing video games, rather than going outside. Fortunately, studies show the majority students will spend time outside when it's a nice day. If the policy of no homework is used, it will be a decrease in students who stay inside on nice  days.
     Most families rush to get everything done after school. If students do not have homework after school, it will save families a lot of time. Since most students balance school as well extracirricular activities, parents have to rush to get them to the place they are supposed to be. If the students don't have homework, it will save them the time it takes to get ready, too. The opposition will claim that students will still be rushing without homework. However, there will be a noticeably longer time period between school and activities, and that will cause less rushing. Time will not be an issue if there is no homework.
     In society, health is also a large issue. Many students are tired in the morning because they go to bed too late. This issue is often caused by homework. When students have a large amount of homework, they tend to procratinate and do it last at the latest possible time. This causes stress and anxiety in students. If there is no homework, these issues will be elliminated. Opponents of this policy claim that students stay up late for other reason- not homework. Yet studies show the most popular reason why students stay up late in fact is homework. Health issues that include students being tired will be excluded if the no homework policy is confirmed.
      It's in the best interest of the students to enforce the no-homework policy. Because this policy causes students to be outside more and provides more time after school, it has many beneficial outcomes. Also, homework causes health issues. In conclusion, having a no-homework policy can ensure students have time to participate in activities after school without homework occupying all of their free-time.

FCAs Lauren Cassella
1.Supporting details March 31, 2011
2.Parallel structure English 6-1
3.Sophisticated vocabulary School Uniforms



Dear Superintendent DiMuzio:

“When we lose the right to be different, we lose the privilege to be free.” (Charles Evan Hughes) Freedom should be valued, for it is a big privilege. Currently, many schools require students K-12 to wear school uniforms. The Board of Education is considering making uniforms mandatory for all students. If passed, they will be necessary for the upcoming school year. The outcome of requiring school uniforms has many disadvantages. It is in the favorable choice of the school board to not be required to wear school uniforms because they are expensive, students won’t be able to express themselves through clothing, and they do not make schools any safer than they currently are.
On the surface, buying only a few uniform seems less costly. However, students will want to keep up with the latest trends outside of school. After school ends, they will immediately change into typical clothes. Typical clothes are also for other days, such as weekends, so parents will actually be buying their children two sets of clothes to wear. School uniforms are more expensive because they are more elaborate than ordinary clothes. Advocates of school uniforms claim that since students are wearing uniforms to school, they won’t need many other clothes. Yet for in the summer, and for extracurricular activities, students will need other apparel as well.
When students have the privilege to dress in the clothes of their choice, they feel more motivated to learn because of their self-image. Students dressing in the clothes they choose to is an outlet to creativity. Proponents of school uniforms claim children’s style is too distracting. Yet self expression teaches creativity to the students. When students are able to express themselves, it makes learning less difficult. Dressing as they choose to also gets students used to making their own decisions, which prepares them for adulthood. Being allowed to choose which clothing to wear helps foster creativity and decision-making.
The lack of uniforms doesn’t have to jeopardize safety. In fact, casual clothing can be just as safe as uniforms. Schools can still have rules and restrictions, even though school uniforms aren’t mandatory. For example, to prevent intruders, schools can provide student IDs. This will ensure that each students belongs to the school they are attending. Schools can also create a policy that excludes baggy clothing or any apparel that is inappropriate for school. People who prefer school uniforms claim that intruders can easily blend in to the school they are trespassing when every student is wearing something different. Unfortunately, no studies prove school uniforms reduce the crime rate in schools. Restricting children’s choice of clothing is no the only way to ensure safety in a school setting.
The result of uniforms becoming mandatory has its shortcomings. The lack of them due to their exorbitant price will save student’s families money. Wearing casual or ordinary clothes to school also promotes self-expression and creativity. Lastly, school uniforms don’t make schools any safer than they already are. Requiring school uniforms would not be a wise decision and shouldn’t be enforced due to the economic impact as well many other disadvantages which will affect our society.
Sincerely,
Lauren Cassella

 Boardroom Essay

Did you know the average American consumes 50 pounds of cookies each year? Clearly, cookies, along with other snacks, are an important part of a typical day. The Automatic Snack Machine is the easy way to ensure you’ll always have a snack within reach. This miraculous product makes baked goods, pizza, cotton candy and more with a touch of a button.

Firstly, the Automatic Snack Machine isn’t just an ordinary vending machine. It makes baked goods such as cupcakes in a fraction of the time it takes to make them in an oven. Vending machines only sell packaged snacks, but the Automatic Snack Machine makes treats you’ll never see in any other machine. The Automatic Snack Machine is also small and portable. It can be taken in your car, which is perfect for long road trips when the consumer is hungry. This product is safe for everyone, so customers of all ages will be able to enjoy this remarkable machine.

Secondly, the Automatic Snack Machine saves the consumer money. It’s less expensive than an oven or microwave, which can cost up to thousands of dollars. The Automatic Snack Machine is nearly ten times cheaper than any oven or microwave. Not only does this product save the customer from buying an oven or microwave, it also eliminates the need to buy supplies needed for baking. No longer will the consumer be needed to purchase pots, pans, or bowls to bake. They can also eliminate buying ingredients for baking. The Automatic Snack Machine ensures you will never have to purchase ingredients, supplies, or expensive ovens again.

Thirdly, the automatic Snack Machine is durable and is able to withstand any climate. It is water-proof, so any accident, such as dropping this product in the sink, will not damage the machine. Each purchase of the Automatic Snack Machine includes a free decorative cover. This cover is guaranteed to protect the machine, and is guaranteed not to scratch. If anything happens to the Automatic Snack Machine, and the consumer is not satisfied, there is a two year warranty. So if the customer loses this product in the first two years, a new one will come in the mail addresses to them. If the consumer is not satisfied with the Automatic Snack Machine overall, there is a money-back guarantee for the first thirty days.

Lastly, the snacks made by the Automatic Snack Machine are healthier than store-made snacks. 50% of the foods made by the Automatic Snack Machine are fat-free. Even consumers who are dieting can enjoy the delicious snacks made by the Automatic Snack Machine. The snacks made do not include any artificial flavors or ingredients, unlike most of the products sold in super markets. This product even comes in a “Diabetic Friendly” vender. Items made from this version are sugar-free. Studies show 8% of people in the US have diabetes.  Even customers who are diabetic can enjoy the scrumptious taste of treats from the Automatic Snack Machine.

The Automatic Snack Machine is the easy way to ensure you’ll always have a snack within reach on any occasion. This product saves you time as well as money. It is convenient for all consumers, and is more durable than other products. With its two year warranty, and it’s thirty day money-back guarantee, you’ll know you made the right decision. To resolve the issue of time consuming ways to make a snack, the Automatic Snack Machine it the smart and easy way to make a change.

Reflection On Commercial

I liked making the commercial for a lot of reasons. One reason is because it was funny. Our commercial was very unique, too. For example, we made our product edible, and everyone in our class was able to have a "Fun, Fun Fishy".  Lastly, our commercial was convincing. A commercial is supposed to be persuasive, and I think we met the standards of doing so. I feel I am good at persuading an audience and memorizing lines. Our commercial used some persuasive techniques like adding a statistic and a slogan. A strategy I would like to try next time is celebrity appeal. I feel like that would of made my commercial stronger. The part of the writing process I enjoyed the most is writing the script. I enjoyed writing the script because we were able to make it as funny as we wanted it to be, as long as it included everything it needed. My goals for the next time I write are to include celebrity appeal. I mentioned this before, but I feel it's very important to include it because it attracts more people to buy your product. I also think next time I should bring more props into the commercial like a notebook instead of drawing on the back  of my script. In conclusion, making the commercial was very fun and interesting. Our performance was good overall, yet there is always room for improvement.

     When advertising a product, the time shapes the audience. For example, if you advertise your product at ten o'clock at night, your audience will probably be mostly adults. However, if you show your ad on tv right after the three o'clock news, your audience usually consists of people of a variety of ages.
     If my product, The Automatic Snack Machine, is advertised after the three o'clock news, many different people will be watching.The news is watched by a range of people; many adults, senior citizens, stay at home moms, and even kids watch the news to see whats going on. All of these people will find The Automatic Snack Machine useful. For example, my product is used for making snacks and baked goods quickly. This will be good for people who are unable to cook, don't know how, or don't have the time. This product will be very convenient for them.  Also, some younger children aren't allowed to use the stove or microwave without adult supervision because of safety hazards. The Automatic Snack Machine will allow them to get their own snacks. Senior citizens who live alone may not want to cook full meals for  just themselves. They might want an individual snack or baked good.
     In conclusion, after the three o'clock news is the perfect time to advertise  The Automatic Snack Machine.  The audience that is watching the three o'clock news is the same target audience for my  product.