Horses Help Kids

By Julie

Last year for guidance class, I volunteered for a program called SPARC.

In the SPARC program, children with disabilities can ride horses and get a 30-60 minute lesson where they are lead around by helpers and have side walkers for support. The program is often used for physical therapy because when you ride a horse you strengthen your balance.

SPARC runs year-round at different barns all around the country but is most popular in the spring and fall when the weather is most favorable. The program relies on volunteers to donate their time and expertise with horses. Volunteers teach the lesson, tack the horses, feed the horses, groom the horses, help the children attending the program mount the horse, watch the children who aren't riding at that time, lead the horse around, clear the riding area of anything that could scare the horses, clear the waiting area of hazards to the children, and more.

The instructor of the group has the children do other activities that will also help them make progress in their therapy, such as holding onto cups and having a walking race on the horse to see who can cross the finish line first while holding the cup. The children are challenged while riding but being on the horse makes their therapy more fun.

What's on your holiday wishlist?

Compiled by Chloe and Lianna

"A hammock for my room." -Graydon, grade 8

"A remote-controlled, red firetruck with a hose that squirts water." -Casey, grade 8

"Clothes, books and facial cleansers." -Kady, grade 8

"A new dog." -Sarah, grade 8

"A giant microbe." -Russell, grade 7

"An art set." -Isabella, grade 3

"A new digital camera." -Sophia, grade 3

"A Nintendo DS!" -Hudson, grade 3

"A Nintendo DS and a new Obi Wan Kenobi costume." -William, grade 1

"A Nintendo DS and a Wii." -Anna, grade 1

"A new iPod." -Kailyn, grade 1"A Gameboy, a scooter-horse, and a computer screen with a dog and a horse. -Athena, grade 1

"A Polly Pocket." -Ruby, grade 1

"A Nerf longshot blaster." -Hayden, grade 1

"My own Barbie house." -Madison, grade 1

"A baby doll." -Solana, grade 1

"A remote-controlled car." -Benjamin, kindergarten

"A cat that has a holly dress and holly in its ears." -Emma, kindergarten

"A dog that rolls and over and is named Tumbles." -Fallon, kindergarten

"My own new sunglasses." -Luke, kindergarten

"Sunglasses too." -Autumn, kindergarten

Opinion: Students React to Historic Presidential Election

"I was in my room doing homework when I my mother called me to come into the living room to see who won the presidential election. I ambled inside and saw Barack Obama's face staring at me on the TV. I believe he will change America for the better. Last year, I had a health problem and was glad to have health insurance. Every American should have heathcare benefits. I think America has changed. Not as much segregation and racism will haunt our future."--Chloe

"When I found out Barack Obama was the new president of the United States, I was in my living room watching TV with my family. Obama winning the presidential election means to me that hopefully the nation will change for the better. Obama being the first African-American to become president inspires me very much. I hope that Obama will help our economy so families won't have to worry about it as much as they have to now. I also hope his health insurance plan works because many health plans are awful now and need a change. Three of the main things that I would want Obama to accomplish during his term are: helping our economy, getting our troops out of Iraq and putting his health insurance plan into action!"--Julie

"When I first heard that Barack Obama won the presidential election, I was in my living room with my dad. I was watching MSNBC. The election of the first African-American president of the United States makes me very happy and excited, because America has defeated one of its many problems. We have become an even better nation, and we can now hope for the best. I hope to see him change how we deal with the foreign oil trade. I also hope that we can stop the killing of whales in Antartica. And I hope to see more affordable healthcare, smarter and better ways to get electricity and gas, maybe even an end to drilling and the start of creating new ways to run a car, like using biofuels. Things that I would like Obama to achieve while he is in office include new ways of getting power, whether it be solar, wind or water, bringing our troops back and last, but certainly not least, seeing the stock market rise and the inflation in our country end."--Nicklas

"When I first heard Barack Obama was the president-elect, I was half asleep on the couch in my family room. My parents and I were watching CNN when his face appeared on the screen. It was truly a historic night that I will never forget. To have the first African-American president, and in my lifetime, is truly a great step forward. With Obama as president, I believe we will be able to get out of our financial slump. I also think we'll become much more popular throughout the world with other peoples."--Simon

Music Review: Perfect Symmetry

By Simon

The British rock band, Keane, has finally come out with its third CD, Perfect Symmetry. Now, I've always been a fan of Keane, and I still am, but I'm sorry to say that I was not completely satisfied with its new sound. The band, in the beginning of its career, sounded beautiful and straight-forward, relying on the piano instead of guitars as its lead instrument. But it has now started experimenting with its sound to come across as more modern. If you ask me, it's only worth listening to the first three songs. It seems that Perfect Symmetry is not so perfect after all.

If you're interested in rock/pop music, I recommend listening to this band, but first listen to the other two albums, Under the Iron Sea and Hopes and Fears.

I give it a 7 out of ten.

Letter from the Editors

Dear Readers,

The new year has begun with ups and downs. Left and right you notice differences in the school: the new signs outside the building, the pumpkins decorating the breezeway, the new Ecokids' garden, and most importantly our new and improved Cougar Times web page!

This year the staff of the Cougar Times is devoted to informing you of everything exciting happening in our school. Last year, since the newspaper was new to all of us, there were only two editions. This year we plan to post new articles much more often. We are also planning on putting a whiteboard in the breezeway with poll questions, updates, and information about our web page. Interesting and fun new articles coming soon are a Haunted Hayride description, a music review, and a book review.

Remember this, these new changes to our newspaper are done to make you, the readers, excited about each new edition. Please contact one of our staff members if you have any ideas for stories that you would be interested in, and don't forget to check for new articles!

--Lianna and Chloe, editors

Letter From the Editors

Dear Readers,

It's spring (finally) and everyone has been busy! From plants to concerts, the whole school has been up and about. What are you reading for the spring? What are your plans for the summer? O'Neill or Haldane? How old is our school? Who won what in the Science Fair? The sax, what is it really? Why are the teachers holding up signs--are they protesting? What happened in the Spring Concert? What is happening in the courtyard?

All these questions are answered. Read carefully--you don't want to miss anything!

Welcome to the Cougar Times Newsblog, written by students for students. Comment on our articles and participate in our polls!

From,
Chloe and Lianna, Editors

(P.S. We would like to give a big thank you to Mrs. Rowe. Without her this would be impossible.)

Ecokids Grow Garden

By Nicklas

Have you seen the construction in the courtyard? Do you know what it’s for? Well the Ecokids are making a Wildlife Learning Garden in the courtyard. It’s going to have flowers and walkways. The Ecokids are very excited and are working extra extra hard.

The Ecokids designed this project just for this school. They Ecokids also say if you want to join the fun just get your hands in the dirt. This project will not be finished by the end of the school year. If you want to help this is how. You can help by going to a family work day. The next family work day is June 14, 1-4 pm. And here are some things you can do there: (1) plant prepared area, mulch and water; (2) set water/care schedule for the summer. So to finish the garden they will continue the project through the summer. Also they will work through the fall. You can contact GUFS parent Anne Symmes for more information about the garden.

Did you know that the Ecokids have their own Ecokids spot? It’s in the hallway by the office. Some things that I found out about the Ecokids spot is that it has environmental programs and helps the environment by recycling batteries, cell phones and ink jets.

They also have some advice on how to help or improve the environment. There is a big globe of a lot of the animals in the world. With 14 plastic bags you can drive a car for a mile, WOW! Did you also know that the average American uses tons of bags annually? Did you know that there is a box in the Ecokids' corner for unwanted glasses?

The Ecokids also had a recycling competition. The 5th-graders came in 1st. The 3rd-graders came in 2nd. And the 2nd-graders came in 3rd.

Local Author Leads Class

The Cougar Times welcomed local author and Wall Street Journal columnist Wendy Bounds to its last staff meeting of the school year June 6. In her book "Little Chapel on the River," Ms. Bounds captured the unique community spirit of Guinan's Pub and Country Store on Garrison Landing. She shared with the class her experience as a community blogger for the Little Chapel on the River website she later created to keep that same spirit going. Students wrote a story about the launch of their Spring edition and posted it on Ms. Bounds' blog during the class. Visit the Little Chapel on the River blog to see the launch story and read more about other community happenings in Garrison. Thank you, Wendy, for an inspiring day!