Grade 6's, 
If you are right now in grade 6, and are heading to grade 7, I’m here to give you  a little bit of advice. This will be your last year at Hillcrest, but just because it is, doesn’t mean you can be to crazy. Make sure you are treating the grade 5’s going into grade 6 nicely. Just because they are younger, doesn’t mean you have the right to be rude to them. Treat them the way the grade 7’s treated you. If you don’t like being treated rudely, then don't treat the grade 6's poorly. Make sure you pay close attention in class. Because it is your last year, you will be heading off to high school, and things are going to get harder. Try to do well in your work, because you want to be well prepared for high school. 
You are older, but that doesn't mean you are any better than the grade 6's. Be a good role model, and try to stay out of trouble. You will also get much less homework if you spend your time wisely in class. So try not to be too much of chatter-box. 
Enjoy your last year of Elementary School! 
 
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To This Day

~Courtney Cash 

“If you can’t find anything beautiful about yourself, get a better mirror, look a little closer, stare a little longer.”

Recently we watched a video called “To This Day” by a Canadian poet named Shane Koyczan about bullying. The whole video had many meaningful messages, but the quote above will stay with me forever.

There is a message that Shane is trying to tell us, and I think that the message is to inform people about bullying, and to be aware. Also, to believe in yourself, and don’t let people bring you down.

 I have some connections.  One is about the Amanda Todd story. Amanda Todd killed herself because she was being bullied. This went viral, and people are still talking about it, and there is even a song about it called “Wonder Woman” by Elise Estrada. Another is I say things that I don’t mean to, and everybody does the same thing. You just might not think it. But it’s true. 

There are a lot of things that are not going to leave my head after watching this. But some of them are the sign that they taped on the girl’s desk saying “Beware of dog.” This made me super shocked. How would you like to be referred to as a dog?
Also, the girl that was in 3rd grade got called ugly on the first day of school because of a birth mark that covered a little less than half her face. That made me really mad, because everyone is beautiful and we need to look deeper than skin.

 To This Day people continue to say mean things, tease people, and make the wrong choices, when I know the same people think that this needs to stop, talk a lot about it, and they say things like “I don’t like this,” and “This needs to stop because lots of people are getting hurt from it physically, and mentally,” But yet the people who say that, do it too, and they still continue to. And nobody realizes. 

So think about this more, and take another close look in the mirror, and say to yourself, “Is this really who you are, and is this really who you want to be?”
Also, don’t think that you need to fit in with everybody to like you, don’t care what other people think of you. You are different, and the world would be so boring if everyone was perfect. You are the star that lights up your world, and don’t forget that. 


 
This might be a while...
So lets start off by saying that I had an amazing Winter break. I loved spending time with my family, and of course Christmas and New Year!
When we got off of school, everything was normal and it was like it was a weekend. Then Christmas came fast, and before I could even "open my eyes," It was Christmas Eve! 
On Christmas Eve, my family was at home and my parents invited over my uncle, his girl friend, and her kids. It's really ironic because my uncles girlfriend, happens to be the mom of one of my best friends! So my best friend, and her sister and brother, and mom, came over with my uncle. We all had dinner together, and just hung out. For dinner we had a really nice fondue, made of oil... I think. And we had some chicken, salad, and lots of other food too! It was really yummy! So it was really fun because I got to hang out and spend Christmas Eve with one of my best friends! We just hung out in my room, and talked with other people. And theres more...! My uncle brought his son, with is of course my cousin, and I haven't seen him in so long! So I was happy to see my cousin again.
Then, they had to leave, so then my family put together some cookies, carrots, and a bottle of beer, for santa. We quickly tracked Santa on the computer, and then we went to bed. In the morning, I woke up at around 6:30-7, and ran downstairs as fast as I could. I saw all of the wonderful presents underneath the tree, but I had to wait for my parents and my brother. When they came downstairs, they got their coffeeies, and we started opening presents. I loved everything I got, and was so thankfull for everything.
New Year's was also a lot of fun. This year, I went to the Black Mountain Ranch in the States, with my best friend. It wasn't all that busy there, but it never really is because it is just a bunch of trailers and horses around the area. We had our own little count down, and still had a lot of fun. 
Later on in the break, well, lets just say that I got the gift to paint my room. So on January 5th, Me and my dad went to Home Depot, and picked out some paint. I chose to paint my room an electric blue colour. On January 6th, me and my dad painted my room. It lookes very pretty, but we still have some touch ups to do. But, we will do that. Im also changing a bit of the look, and style of my room. I want it to be like a Zebra print theme, with lots of black, white, and blue. I have great plans for my room!
Next, Its back to school. Im sad, but happy because I get to see my friends again, but I have to do work...
Well I hope you had a great Holiday, and a Happy New Year! I know I did!
 
Today I had my Christmas show for dance.
Wow! What a morning, day, and night!
In the morning, I got to get up and relax for a bit. But not for long. I then had to put my hair into a low bun, and had to do my makeup. Same old, same old.
 SO MANY SPARKLES!!!!!!!
When we were done getting ready, we left to go to the theater. Everybody that was performing, did the show rehersal. This is when we do the entire show, but nobody but our teachers, are in the audience. This got me warmed up, and ready to show off my skills!
After the rehersal, we got to take a break, and have some lunch. My parents, came with some of my friends parents, and brought us some Tim Hortans for lunch! Yum!
When we finished our lunch, we came back to the gym (backstage) and put on our first dances costume. Then, around 10-20 minuets later, the show started. we all had to get into postion, and the curtains opened! We have started! I had to do 5 dances today. ERA, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Jazz, and my own Hip Hop Solo. I had a lot of quick costume changes, and some very exuasting dances to deal with.
I was pretty nervous for my solo, because it was my first time dancing a solo on stage. But, when I actually got on stage, and started dancing, it was not scary or hard at all! I actually had alot of fun, and was like I was having a party on the dance floor! At the end of the show, I had alot of people saying good, great, and awesome job. I mean, I can't blame them, I did really good! So I said thank you of course, and we headed home. At the end of the night, I had a lot of fun and I can't wait to go to competition! Good luck to all of you dancers!
Thats a wrap! Bye!

 
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On Friday, all the grade 6/7 classes went to Castle Fun Park.

The night before, I wasn't feeling too good. I had a sore throat, and a bit of a stomach ache. My mom said that maybe I shouldn't go on the field trip. But I really wanted to go!
The next morning, (Friday) I still felt the same. Not good at all. So even myself, did not know if I should go. Luckly, I came through, and I taged along, and went. I mean, what can I say, I'm a trooper!
When we got to Castle Fun Park, I tried to cheer up, but it was really hard.
Even though I was sick, I still had a lot of fun. I played games, rode the Go Karts, and went golfing. I also went into a photo booth, and took photos with my friends. The Go Karts were so fun. But I was freezing! Mini golfing was also fun, but it sucked because while we were playing, our school got called to leave to go back home. After all that, I came home, snuggled up with a warm blanket, and turned on the T.V. I had a goog day, and a bad day. I am much better now, so I hope it stayes that way!

 
I don't know if you know this yet, but I have an Agent. An acting Agent. I'm an actress!
Well today, I had my very first audition. I auditioned for a commercial for SHAW. The commercial was about a girl who moved into a new home, and a new place, and she was on Face Book, but there was no internet.  She gets very frustrated and mad. Then the internet comes back on, and she is happy again.
So this is how it went down:
Basically I had to sit in front of a computer, and I had to get very, very frustrated because there was no internet. Then when a lady said BING, I had to become happy, and continue on with my Face Book. I was a bit nervous because I had 5 people watching me! But I was fine and I think I did pretty well ! I hope I get the part! 
 
Friends.
What would we do without them?
Friends are very important to me and I think that everyone on this earth deserves at least one good friend.
Who will be their to catch you when you fall, or when you need someone to help with problems?
For me, when ever someone new comes to my school, I immediatly go to them and make friends. I do this because I know that they are thinking that they are never going to make a friend and that they are too shy to go up to anyone. So I go to them!
It doesn't matter about their race, colour, gender, age, religion, or size.
It matters about them.
I did that in grade 5, and I have been their best friend ever since!
When someone is not new, but is being bullied, or is too shy to even talk, I will make friends with tem and help them through anything. I did that this year.
Friends are someone you can trust. To keep secrets, or just that you can trust on anything. I love all of my friends and I hope that you do to!
Keep making those friends, and please do not disclude anyone!
 
The holidays are flying by so fast! But this time, is my favorite one! I will say this slowly... Or should I spell this out? I'll spell it.
C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S!
 Do you know what that spells? I bet you do! It spells Christmas! I love Christmas! It's my favorite time of the year.
I get the chills when I start to hear all of the Christmas songs come on the radio. You get things stuck in your head like "Fa la la la la, la la la la!"
When December 24th comes by, I start to quiver and my body can't sleep at night because I get really excited!
Waking up in he morning is one of my favorite parts. Not everyday do you get to wake up in the morning, walk down stairs, and with the sight of your eyes, see all of the presents under the tree, and all of the stockings filled up with goodies!
My family, when we open up presents, we pick a "Santa." That person would pick a present for who evers turn it is. I say "turn" because my family takes turn opening our presents one by one. I am usually the "Santa" most of the time because I love to hand out all of the gifts!
My favorite part of christmas is the gifts. Now I know that Christmas is not about presents, and it is about spending time with your family, but I just love the feeling of opening a gift that you have always wanted or something.
For Christmas dinner, my family goes to one of our good friends house to eat and spend time with them. We do that every year!
Every year I look forward to a new year of christmas!
Have a happy new year!
 
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My dance life is like a whole new life and it is very complex. I love to dance. I live to dance. I dance on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and sometimes I go on the weekend. On Mondays I go from 4:15pm to 8:45pm! And that is for Lyrical, Ballet Technique, Jazz, and a class called Leaps and Turns. On Tuesday, I go from 4:30pm to 7:30pm for Hip Hop, Ballet Technique, and E.R.A which stands for Express, Reach, Aspire. On Wednesday, I go from 5:00pm to 6:00pm for an Acro Technique class. All in all I do 8 hours and 45 minuets worth of dance in a week! (If I calculated correctly.) I also have a Hip Hop solo which I go on some weekends for 1 hour to learn that. Dance requires alot of work. You have to practice every day, and when you go to dance, you have to wear certain types of clothes, and your hair has to be in a pony tail! We do Christmas shows, Year End shows, and lots of competitions! I get very exuasted after dance, but I learn something new everyday! If you want to learn about the makeup we wear to shows, then go and read my passions page!

 
Wake up, Wake up! Is all I hear coming from my mom’s moving mouth
on a Wednesday morning. As my mom is yelling at me to wake up, I am trying to
get up so I can get ready for Halloween and school. I get out of bed, and then I
get my Halloween costume and out it on. After, I did my makeup, I went
downstairs and ate some breakfast, and then continued to get ready for the very
special day! I was Alice for Halloween. You know, Alice in wonderland? Yeah,
her. Instantly I was out the door! 
After school I had to go to piano. When I got back from piano, I hung out
with a couple of my friends. I had dinner and did any touch ups that I might
have had to do with my hair, makeup, and clothes. All of a sudden… DING
DONG! I open the door and TRICK OR
TREAT! Is yelled at me as I hand out candy. I closed the door and said to my
friend: Wow, Trick of treating has started!  At around 8:00pm, me and my friends
when to start trick or treating. We ended at around 10:00pm! I came home and ate
more candy than you can ever believe! No, I’m just kidding. I actually didn’t
eat too much candy and that was really surprising! I then got really tired and
so I went to bed. The End! I hope you enjoyed!