To understand more about why this caused neighborhood chatter, we have to find out more about these fascinating creatures. First of all, litters are usually born in April to May, with 4-7 pups, and are typically seen in January and February. What most people in Fairfax don’t know is that coyotes migrated east decades ago. You don’t see them as often as foxes because they use the forest for cover. They help keep other wildlife balanced and are very high on the food chain. 

   Secondly, we need to know about human and coyote encounters and what to do. The most common problem that coyotes and humans encounter is over food and pets. Fortunately, the only human death by coyotes on record was 41 years ago in California. If you do come in contact with a coyote, DO NOT  run, because they will chase you thinking that you are prey trying to run away. The best way to get out of the sticky situation is to walk backward and don’t turn your back on them. Walk at a normal speed, not too slow and not too fast. This is the safest way to get out of a coyote encounter. 

   Ok, now that we know more about coyotes, we can understand why coyote sighting in Fairfax County caused neighborhood chatter. As I said before, it is rare to see a coyote, especially in Fairfax County, so it was a surprise to see the animal. Another reason is, that coyotes can be dangerous, especially when you encounter a mother with pups. In conclusion, coyotes are amazing animals who can be dangerous if you get on the wrong side of them, but are intelligent creatures and cause a lot of neighborhood chatter because they aren’t commonly seen. 

by Evelyn Wright 5/26/22

In the article titled ”NASCAR’S first Arab American female driver paves the way for up and coming women racers” Cheryl Robinson discusses how 22 year old Toni Breidinger is making a path for other women who want to be a part of NASCAR. 

First, Robinson investigates how “the monumental moment was solidified when Toni first raced ARCA Menards Series at the Daytona International Speedway, finishing in 18th place out of 33.” Then, Robinson talks about how Toni is one of ten females competing across NASCAR races this season. In addition, she points out that Toni is a very bold person for doing what she is passionate about and following her dreams, and how she is such a motivating person to little girls who want to follow in her footsteps and pursue their dreams just like her. 

 Finally, the newspaper concludes that Toni is such an inspiring person, she gets letters from little girls saying how motivating she is and how they want to be like her when they grow up. 

High Desert Middle School 6th-Grade

by Alivia Saxton 5/31/22

Have you ever wondered which animals can taste sweets? Well now you do! In the article titled “Do animals have a sweet tooth? Of cats, dogs and fruit flies,” Alice Andre-Clark, explores the topic of what animals can taste sweets. 

At first Clark talks about how cats  don’t have much of a sweet tooth. Then, the writer discusses how sweetness is one of the many things cats and dogs disagree about, because dogs like sweets more than cats. In addition, she points out that all mammals in their taste can taste a little bit of artificial sweeteners.

Finally, the author concludes that our tastes may have evolved the same way as fruit flies because we occupy the same environmental and ecological niche. Therefore most mammals can taste sweets and like them.

THIS WEEK’S

 

Did you know that these 400 trees in a Polish forest that look like the letter J are also known as crooked? Today we explore why the trees grow in a crooked shape in this area. 

When these trees were planted it was World war 2, this means these trees are over 83 years old! One of the regions the crooked trees are found in a forest called Krzywy Las in Polish 

 One reason these trees are crooked is, unlike animals, trees can't physically move because of changes in their environment, but they still respond to weather.  This is crazy and can cause trees to become crooked. Because they can bend in a certain direction if it is too hot! 

Another reason these trees are shaped in a J may be that a really strong local storm came along and pushed them over and then they went back up after the storm and stayed in this crooked shape at the bottom, so cool. To add on, it may have something to do with the pull of gravity on the tree and the ground.

Last but not least it could be because of the pull of gravity from the tree to the core of the earth. but a plant's stem grows upward, away from the pull of gravity, toward sunlight. Even when a plant is on its side, its stem will make a hard turn and start growing vertically again.

Lastly After all these crazy theories, we may never know the answer to this crooked, j-shaped tree mystery.

     Throughout 1920 and 1968 Balck and white people could not play football because people thought that if you didn’t have the same skin color you did not belong with other skin colors in mostly every state in America but this is about how different colored people could not play football together.Someone stood up and said that that was not ok and that should not have to be like that and his name was Michael Hurd he spoke out about how everyone should be able to play football together and that did not really help but enough people heard him and that inspired them to protest which made more and more people join In and try to help make that not a rule.Many years later Thursday night lights heard about this and so they made something about it and that made more and more people heard about this and now any colored people can play football together no matter their race.

This was getting out of hand and her parents decided there was only one thing they could do, let her be herself, though her parents did struggle with this and didn’t want her going out in a “ costume “. But when she finally did go out with her mother a stranger said “ she’s so beautiful “ “ she called me a girl, a real girl!!” Mazy said. So her mom wrote an email to the principal and on the last day of second grade, Mazy went to school as herself. She wore a “My Little Pony” outfit with a pink striped shirt with pink shorts, and she had an amazing day!!. “ it was the first time I’ve saw Mazy smile in I don’t know how long “ her mother said.

When Mazy reached 4th grade her parents pulled her out of school, hopefully she will return next year because Mazy’s parents do say it’s better to confront your problems than run away from them, this will include wich bathroom she will use and if they should tell school officials she’s transgender. “ Making her be someone she isn’t isn’t going to make her happy” Mazy’s mom said so, last year, Mazy’s parents had her name changed on her birth certificate to Mazy star Maria, the name that their daughter  chose.

15 year old Aadya Joshi found a junk lot in her neighborhood in Mumbai, India and decided she wanted to turn it into a garden using native plants to attract native insects and animals. Now Aadya Joshi is 18 and has made the right green organization which helps people learn about native plants, how to grow them, and how to maintain a healthy ecosystem.

High Desert Middle School 6th-Grade

by Lizbeth Silva linares Date 6-6-2022

What would it feel like to touch a cloud? In the article titled What would it feel like to touch a cloud? By Washington post adapted by Newsela staff. They talk about how for is basically a cloud and that they are tiny particles in the of this article is how do clouds feel

Washington post investigated on how clouds talk about “if you’ve ever walked outside on a really foggy day your Technically in a cloud