January 2024
Welcome to the Clark Cubs Connection!
Welcome! Here at the Cubs Connection we strive for entertaining and informative articles for each and every Clark Cub. Our reporters and photographers work very hard to bring you articles monthly. We hope you enjoy our monthly articles below!
From editors, Gage Maxwell and Lucy Anderson
Fireworks Around the World
By: Aria Stronks, Reporter, Lucas Marsan, Reporter, and Nik Siva, Reporter
Every New Year's Eve and Fourth of July, you can hear fireworks from about six o’clock to midnight. Fireworks are a form of celebration for many holidays here in America, but what about other countries?
Fireworks were created by China from 960–1279 during the Song Dynasty. From then, fireworks were spread to the rest of the world. Here are some firework traditions from around the world:
Canada: The first time fireworks were used in Canada was July 1, 1867. July 1st is Canada Day, which is like America’s 4th of July. They set off fireworks in the same 15 major cities every year. One thing that has become a tradition is fireworks being set all around the CN Tower.
Mexico: Mexico uses fireworks on September 16th, also Dia de la Independencia. That is Spanish for Independence Day. On this day, they often celebrate with parades and parties, but all of which have fireworks to bring more fun to the celebration.
France: On the 14th of July, also known as Bastille Day, fireworks are a big part of the celebration. First, France has a more serious military parade, and then the party begins! While the people of France are having fun and dancing, fireworks are lit and launched into the sky, making this day just a little more happy.
Germany: In Germany, the party goes all out! You could probably see fireworks in almost every inch of the sky! Germany uses fireworks during New Year's Eve, also known as Silvester. The fireworks mostly take place in the capital city of Berlin at the Brandenburg Gate. In Germany, most fireworks are actually legal! This is part of the reason fireworks are commonly seen on Silvester, because most people in the country set off fireworks!
India: Fireworks are used during Diwali, a very important festival that celebrates Hindu faiths. Diwali is mostly about Rama’s return. Diwali is over five days, starting on November 10th. The third day is specifically dedicated to gathering with family, and setting off fireworks. Varanasi is known to be the best spot to see fireworks during Diwali.
Jamaica: On August 6th, Jamaica celebrates their country's Independence Day. During this holiday, fireworks are a main celebration, along with concerts and parades. Both adults and children use what Jamaica calls Clappas. Clappas are usually used as a big part of the New Years celebrations.
See, most of these traditions are very different from each other, and they show through to each country’s culture. Which of these firework celebrations look the most interesting to you?
Humans of Clark: Ms. Brown
By: Leighton Jordan, Reporter
How long have you been teaching?
Ms. Brown has been teaching for 16 years.
What made you choose this job?
She loves working with students and technology, and loves teaching herself.
What made you choose Clark?
She loves the vision of Clark. The House System, the community, and the technology.
What do you do for your job?
She is the technology coach so she helps teach students and teachers.
Why did you pick Reveur?
She says she is a true born dreamer.
Do you have any kids?
She has two daughters. Haley is 20 and Maddie is a junior at Grand Oaks.
What’s your favorite holiday?
Her favorite holiday is Christmas. She loves the decorations and weather.
What’s your nationality?
American.
Where were you born/where did you grow up?
She was born in Bryan, Texas and grew up in Spring.
Do you have any siblings?
She has an older brother that lives in the area.
Thanks Mrs. Brown for being such an amazing human of Clark!
What did people do over winter break?
Reason For Leap Year
By: Harlow Champion, Reporter
Did you know that Leap Year is the day that legally does not exist?
What about that people born on Leap Day are called leplings?
Did you know Anthony, Texas is the capital of Leap Year?
Or that lots of people work for free on Leap Year?
Traditions
Anyone who’s born on Leap Year was said to be unlucky in Scottish culture.
In France a tradition is to browse for newspapers.
In Scotland Leap Years are regarded as a bad year for livestock, especially sheep.
If you were wondering what the reason for Leap Year is…
that the Earth takes 365 days 5 hours and 48 seconds to rotate the Sun. The extra 5 hours and 48 seconds begin to add up and needs to be accounted for.
In conclusion, we celebrate Leap Year because we have to keep our calendar on track.
New year
By: Evelyn McIver, Reporter
New year new life new story
New chapter to unfold
For life is a book you have to hold
Crazy things will happen but will get through it
We made through the years before
there's nothing to it
As we catch up or so we think
As we get ready for school to end
We think about the times we had
Clark has welcomed us and seen us through
as for the sixth graders
Bye to you
We hope you had a blast with house sorting games and the rest
Fifth grade is moving up
Seems like yesterday we were new
Soon enough we will be oldies too,
So goodbye to 2023 quite a normal year
Hello to 2024 hopefully one of the best!
New Year, New Story
By Evelyn McIver, Reporter
Why does the ball drop and what is it made of?
Since Dec. 31 1907 the times square ball drops to mark the beginning of the year!
This tradition was started by the New York Times ,and it really does drop on new years eve at twelve o'clock.
The actual concept starting in the 1800’s was to signify the time to sailors out at sea. On Dec 31, 1907 the New York Times decided they would be lighting up the Times square building to honor the birth of 1908. “The exact moment of the new year's arrival will be signaled by the dropping of an electrically illuminated ball above the tower!”
The time square ball is covered with 2,688 crystal triangles made by Waterford Crystal Co. They measure between four and six inches per side (10-15cm). They are then bolted to 672 LED modules and illuminated by 32,256 LEDs; it weighs nearly 12,000 pounds! After the final step it is hoisted up the 70 ft flag pole by a team of six men! Then let the new year games begin till twelve when the ball is dropped and they start on next year's ball!
This information was found on Wikipedia-Times Square!
Feel free to try to find more information!
Pets of Clark: January Edition
By: Molly Hamilton, Reporter, and Ivy Winn, Reporter
Baxter
Baxter is a eight year old Catahoula mix who does some interesting things. Baxter likes eating and stepping on bees and wasps. Baxter sometimes ends up swallowing them even if they sting him! He doesn’t care! He keeps on doing it. Baxter also stuck his head in a beehive and it swelled up three times its normal size. Isn’t that crazy!?! Whenever Baxter isn’t doing something that involves bees he is laying in the sun, eating treats, taking walks or playing with his new puppy friend Poppy.
Lucy
Lucy is a seven year old Blue Heeler who likes to cause lots of mischief. Lucy loves socks! You could even say they’re her best friend. Lucy loves playing with them, chewing on them, and hiding them in the couch cushions. If you try to take them from her, she will pounce on you then run away. Lucy also enjoys opening the trash can and taking anything she can. She is crazy!
Duchess
Duchess is really is a character. Only at 2 and a ½ years old, she's got into a lot of mischief. Like eating her cats poop or trying to dig and escape. But the weird thing is that she doesn't like walks and will hide under bed until owners give up. A few of her favorite things are sleeping, food, and people. (pretty weird right?)
Lucy (Another Lucy)
Lucy is a three year old Goldendoodle and she loves dog toys! Lucy loves dog toys so much that she steals them from the neighbors yard! Lucy also jumps on the counter when her owners aren't home and steals the food and anything else she can find. Lucy enjoys walks, tummy rubs and lots and lots of treats.
Should we Get a Three Day Weekend?
By: Molly Hamilton, Reporter
Don’t you like waking up on a Monday morning and not having school? Imagine having that weekly! A 3 day weekend is truly remarkable. I think we should have a 3 day weekend because you get more time with family, it helps you recuperate and kids are more focused while they are at school.
One reason why we should have a 3 day weekend is because you get more time with family. For example some families go on vacations over 3 day weekends. Other families stay at home but visit fun places. It's also a great way to learn more about your family. Quality family time is very important.
Another reason why we should have a 3 day weekend is because it helps people recuperate. After a long week everyone is exhausted. So if you can relax you would be ready to learn. Did you know that 87% of workers believe that 3 day weekends are better for stress relief. I know I feel great after time to relax.
Although we should have a 3 day weekend because we get more time with family and we can recuperate, I especially think we should have them because kids are more focused while they are at school. After time to relax, their brains are fresh and ready to learn. In addition to that it can help kids improve their grades. It's true that on average grades go up by 7 points. You could go from 80% to 87% just with 1 extra day of the weekend. Isn't that awesome?