ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS 

 

 

WHEN I GROW UP

 

My mommy and my Abi 

said I can be 

whatever I want to be

when I grow up.

 

An Abi is a parent.

I wish everyone knew that

so I didn’t have to explain it

to everyone all the time.

 

I’m tired of explaining things.

 

When I grow up I 

want to be a fashion designer

and own my own hair salon.

I will design clothes

for everyone who

wants them, especially me.

 

When I grow up I want to be me.

 

Aria Scarlett Weissman

Ella Baker, Kindergarten

 

I AM FROM THE WORLD

 

I am from Queens NY and Burger King

My mama Sava’s sopita and papa fonso picking me up to the sky

I am from my mama Daisy and Papa Omar’s Santo Domingo

I am from Pokemon and Avengers

I am from reading

I am from art and silly jokes and math problems

I am from Christmas

I am from Local #3

I am from love and my family

I am from God

I am from Ella Baker

I am from yoga and exercising

I am from Star Wars

I am from playing the tambora and guirra with my dad

I am from listening and dancing to Juan Luis Guerra with mama and papa

I am from being a big brother

 

Maxton David Amaro

Ella Baker, 2nd Grade

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I AM FROM

 

I am Makio

I am from loving my family

from hugs and kisses

from playing board games 

with my family.

 

I am from chocolate milk 

in the morning and 

chicken nuggets with ketchup.

 

I am from New York City, 

the borough of Brooklyn

from sandy beaches and fun arcades

 

I am from video games 

with funny names

from comedy

from kindness and lots of love

 

I am from my sister Penelope 

and cousin Eddie

from my favorite pet Jack (he's a hamster NOT a rat)

 

I am from Monster Trucks and Hot Wheels cars

(I like how they speed and run on the tracks)

from rice and beans and collard greens

(I only like the rice though)

 

I am from running and skipping 

because it helps me think and dream

I am all of this because 

I am me

 

Makio Orion Garcia

Ella Baker, 2nd Grade

 

I AM FROM...

 

i am from nyc 

the noisy cars vrooming down the street

i am from my brother, sometimes mean and sometimes kind,

from eating my favorite - spaghetti

from love.

 

i am from my cuddly puppy,

 from family and friends 

they make me feel happy when they're around

 

i am from recycling, 

making sure the earth is clean

from christmas and holiday cheer

from my mom and dad, 

making me feel like i can be anything

 

i am from animals, cuddly and ferocious

from my school - a special place

from gymnastics, flips and spins

from swimming and diving

 

i am from writing my feelings out

 

Katherine O’Reilly

Ella Baker, 2nd Grade

 

I AM FROM ME

 

I am from the Fighting Irish

from soccer passing and 

controlling the ball with my friends.

 

I am from the LIC Lions, my team

from Spurs the team

from Ian Book falling for a touchdown for Notre Dame

 

I am from a family that everyone always 

Spells our last name wrong

from playing with my cousins and their dogs

from sharing ice cream with my Grandma

 

I am from a gentle brother

from people who love me

from playing with my friends in the recess yard

from building Math stacks

 

I am from Victory for the people

I am happy with Skippy

from seeing things that are not fair

from the Apollo program

from a big sun that rises in the morning

 

I am from winning board games

from building blocks

from art collages

from making cute set ups with my stuffies

from the moon shining in the telescope

 

I am full of joy

 

Colin Shay

Ella Baker, 2nd Grade

 

I AM FROM

 

I am from living in Trinidad and moving to America                                                                               

from being really hot all the time, never cold.

from going to the beach

from being cold now                                                                                                              

sometimes but I really like it.

I am from dumplings and delicious sauce,                                                                                                      

from NYC pizza and the cheesy taste.

I am from red, white and black flags to red white and blue,                                                                         
from taking maxi taxi to the mall to standing in a train.

I don't like standing.

I am from moving 

closer to my Aunts.

 

I like this country.

 

Shuron Belfon

Ella Baker, 3rd Grade

 

I AM FROM

 

I am from cooking with my sister.

We cook pancakes and eggs,

from going food-shopping with my mom.

She lets me push the cart.

It’s so full I can’t see anything.

I am from going to the park with Mommy and JJ

Swinging so high up in the sky.

I am from Jamaica,

the most beautiful place,

from a house like a mansion,

from the Jamaican winds 

Where the weather stays the same

Hot and sun always shining.

I am from two hilarious teachers

named Liz and Ilan.

I am from me.

 

Anayis Davis

Ella Baker, 3rd Grade

 

MY DOG LUNA

 

Tuna for tuna 

you’re my love 

the sweet Luna. 

 

in the sky 

in the starry night 

I always look 

up to your light 

 

You’re like a Rose 

with no thorns 

even though you’re 

a little smelly 

 

I still like to rub your belly!

 

Madelyn Gordon

Ella Baker, 3rd Grade

 

WHERE I’M FROM

 

I am from the spirit of drawing,

from a sister that loves hair braiding.

I am from an aunt that has 4 chihuahuas

 mixed with a Jack Russell.

I am from a cousin that loves anime,

from minecraft to fortnite

where you can build anything, be anything

travel anywhere and even ride a chicken.

I am from lions to elephants and birds,

from a grandma I call Mama,

who cares for me, dances around with me,

Tickles me and wrestles me in the car

when I try and touch her hair.

I am from having 

100 thousand family members.

 

Amar Johnson

Ella Baker, 3rd Grade

 

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CONGO

 

My mom’s

memory of me,

so small, my feet

could fit in this tiny shoe

blue, green, yellow, pink and white.

 

The music came on

and I started to dance.

I was born in Congo.

That’s where I’m from.

 

Sometimes on the tv

I hear people singing

in an African language.

The sounds feel familiar

They make me want to sing and dance.

 

I sing along. 

 

Kika, Nyla, Soliel, 

Catherine, Jeremíe

friends also born in Congo

like me.

 

Congo is beautiful.

It is too dangerous to visit but it felt nice 

I really want to go 

but with the things that happen

I can’t. 

 

They have something 

that people want 

diamonds 

and gold.

 

I was too young 

when I got adopted.

I will go back some day.

 

Antonia Akawi

Ella Baker, 4th Grade

 

THE VIRUS

 

As quiet as the flight of an owl                                                                                                                           

As destructive as a bomb                                                                                                                                  

As hungry as a lion                                                                                                                                            

As deadly as a golden eagle

The Virus

is a snowy owl

quiet

deadly

cunning

 

Axel Robert Eagly Cohen 

Ella Baker, 4th Grade

 

YURI KOCHIYAMA

 

Yuri Kochiyama doesn’t take NO!

For an answer

The mountain 

that sprouted out of the ground

And learned 

that life is an obstacle course

where you CAN’T STOP MOVING!

Yuri Kochiyama

The girl who never stopped fighting

for what is right.

 

Olivia Pisano 

Ella Baker, 4th Grade

 

I AM FROM

 

I am from a house of business, 

pots and pans clanking, balls bouncing, shouting:

Amaya come here! 

Maceo pick this up! 

Papi, stop picking your face! 

Mami, WAKE UP!!

 

I am from a cheerful and 

sometimes playful brother,

from a family who loves sports 

especially soccer, futbòl.

When Chile plays my family

gets together to watch and chant 

C-H-I, CHI... L-E, LE... CHI CHI CHI….

LE LE LE...VIVA CHILE!!!!!!!!

 

I am from a mom that tells me greedy is never good,

from a family that loves animals and nature 

to a person that loves books,

from the color blue, the ocean, the sky and morning glory.

 

I am from building with cardboard boxes,

from pizza and more pizza,

from playing video games (fifa) to

loving school.

 

I am from Puerto Rico island of sol caliente, 

and Chile the longest country 

with the longest mountain range, Los Andes.

I am from having to speak spanish- ay ya yay! 

¿como estas? And buenas noches.

 

I am from a family that gives me a lot of clothes,

from magic tricks, from having glasses, 

red ones, blue ones, and purple ones.

 

I am from cooking and baking with Papi and Nana: 

cookies galore, pizza, lasagna and MORE. 

I am from Harry Potter books and movies, 

I am going to bed before you two come up with 

another idea to get us killed or even worse, expelled! - Hermione Granger

 

I am from NYC, the land of loud noise, 

screechy subways, hungry rats and daring pigeons. 

 

I am from having one of the best communities ever,

The Ella Baker School reminding us every day that,

Strong people do not need strong leaders.

 

Amaya Ortiz Quintana

Ella Baker, 4th Grade

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I AM FROM 

 

I am from Mercy, 

what my name means.

I am from Taiwan,

from the smell of food

to the cockroaches on the street.

I am from reading on the couch

and petting animals

in the zoo.

I am from my sisters

saying “NO!” and

"Can we play a game?"

I am from miso soup

and giant Swedish fish.

I am from “I love you” and

“Try to hear us even when you’re reading".

I am from bright lights in the city

to fantasy lands.

I am from thousands of books,

swinging on cold metal monkey bars 

to the rumbling train coming

into the station.

I am from me.

 

Rehema Grace Yung 

Ella Baker, 2nd Grade

 

DEBAJO DE LA LUNA

 

City girl doesn’t see the lights of the sky

Shinning, like glowing emeralds 

Instead, the buzz of the never sleeping city

Fills her ears and eyes 

 

Debajo de la luna, city girl can see the stars

Where the cars don’t honk,

And the lights don’t flash,

She is part of the hidden sky

 

The soft buzz of the crickets

The warm glow of the moon

The twinkling, shimmering, whispering stars

Look down on her

They look down on city girl,

Debajo de la luna

 

Karina Rio Ashman-Kipervaser

Ella Baker, 5th Grade

 

I AM FROM

 

I am from riding horses as fast as they go,

Were from moving different houses with a big family,

I am from wanting a dog but my mom’s saying No

I am from painting in Mexico,

I am from feeling the cold in my sisters room brush past my face,

I am from laying in the hammock in my grandma’s backyard, 

feeling it rock side to side

I am from riding Mount Everest a thousand times,

I am from seeing all the memories,

I am from seeing all the pictures up on the walls,

The street was so loud it was like I heard a stampede,

I am from cheering when its Friday, and being tired when it's Monday

I am from wanting to read my favorite book all the time, White Bird 

the grass on the lawn right next to us

 

Mila Berry

PS 39, 4th Grade

 

THE WORLD I AM FROM

 

I come from traffic noises in the night. I come from people

blasting music through the windows of their cars.

I come from rainbow bagels with strawberry cream

cheese from Bagel World and the subway.

I am from ballet with my mom and the bus and bike rides

with my dad, sushi at J-Pan for my birthday, the savory

avocado tests my tongue and signs that say, “no parking,

tow away zone”. Staring contests with Laundromat cats.

The smell of lime and the cold chocolate from Steve’s key

lime pies make my mind whiz!

I come from bodegas and riding to Red-hook and back. J.J

Byrne park. I am from a long, loud ride on a ferry to

Governors Island to the junk-yard playground.

I am from Song Thai food and the phrase, “Take me back

to Brooklyn!!!!!” (Long story there, enough said.)

 

Edith Best

PS 39, 4th Grade

 

NEW YORK

 

I live in New York. I live in Brooklyn, Park Slope 15th street

I taste the warm fragrance of hot pizza

I feel the beat of my heart and the sting of my nose as I smell gas

I live in New York, the strongest city

I live in New York, the heart of it all

I live in New York where I was born

New York the heart of my life

 

New York is big and strong and my parents want to come

They lived in Seattle where the houses are spaced and where you can have a big enough yard

It’s where there are more trees and more room

It’s not as good as New York but it’s good

It’s where the houses are big and proud

It’s where the parks and forests are bigger and stronger

It’s where my parents were born

 

New York and Seattle are both great cities

Together they would be even stronger and taller than they are now

But they are supposed to be apart

They are friendly and not too far 

They are not as close but they are close enough

A 6 hour plane rise is better than nothing

Seattle and New York are the gold, silver, and bronze

 

Lola Camper-Lemke

PS 39, 4th Grade

 

WHERE AM I FROM? 

 

I see trees

I see busy streets all around me 

I smell the pizza and hot dogs

On the side walks

I hear music in the subways

I see kids playing in the parks

I see apartments being built

I hear noise all around

I see crowds in malls and stores

I see cops and firemen 

I see lots and lots of stores

I see Staples Store

I see Macy’s

I see kids running on the sidewalks

Where am I from? 

 

Taylor Conner

PS 39, 4th Grade

 

I AM ME

 

I am me 

Because of the 

Soft greasy dosas my Patti makes.

I am me 

Because of the soft cotton 

Kurthats.

I am me 

Because of the 

Stomping of the rhythmic 

Indian dance.

 

I am me 

Because of the chants

And songs to make the gods happy.

I am me 

Because of my long

Ropey braid and softball eyes.

I am me 

Because of my 

Songs and music.

The slick keys of my piano.

 

I am me

Because of the 

Red dust coming 

From brownstones.

I am me 

Because of knowing 

A friend is nearby.

I am me 

Because of the

Diamond sun at 6:00.

I am me 

Because of 

The sound of the ball

Hitting the bat. 

 

Sachi Croft

PS 39, 4th Grade

 

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MY COUNTRY

 

Where I am from is the home of danger.

Where I am from comes to beautiful places.

We look out for each other, for we have to.

Where I am from can be hot and can be cold.

Dangerous animals but graceful as a gazelle in the night sky

My home has fireworks that look like explosions in the sky.

Nothing compares to the beautiful country I live in.

I am thankful to be born in my country.

There are beautiful buildings.

Even though my country sometimes can be described as dangerous,

I feel safe when I am in my country.

My home is truly Australia

 

Iggy Ford

PS 39, 4th Grade

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I AM FROM 

 

I am from the smell of my mama’s chicken-noodle-soup, 

flavorful and warm,

and sports playing on the TV in the living room

 

I am from the street-sweeper and police car banshees,

screaming as they drive up and down roads of cement

 

I am from reading in the bunk-bed I share with my brother 

and from throwing icy bullets in snowball fights

 

I am from the house of a mouse,

yet somehow I love it

 

I am from watching “The Falcon And The Winter Soldier” on Friday nights,

and from cuddles with Dada on Saturday mornings

 

I am from games with Orly and Leo all day

 

I am from this home

 

Maela Glennie

PS 39, 4th Grade

 

WHERE I’M FROM

 

I am from the cloudy skies of a city

I am from the humid summers

I am from the tallest tower there is

I have seen the leaves fall and the trees wither and die

I have tasted piping hot tea

I have smelled the fresh baked pie

The sky is like a thunderstorm will happen every second

The buildings are so tall they touch the clouds

The city is as loud as a moving train

I have heard the laughter of family members

I have left my home where I loved most

Where I am from is London

 

Izze Golz

PS 39, 4th Grade

 

THE AWESOME LIFE OF RASHEED JOHNSON JR

 

I'm made out of blood and bones and other stuff

you can find me on my bed in Park Slope or at school

I see my friends every day and have fun.

I smell chicken and rice , I go to the kitchen to my bed,  I’m a rare mammal that

eats everything in the house in one day,

I play with my baby siblings but they smell like throw up and poop, 

but I love them

I like to play with my Switch and my Marvel toys

I am from New York, one of the busiest states in the country. 

New York is loud and stinky but it's not all that bad there's cool toys, 

really good food like Popeyes and Papa Johns which is really good for chicken sandwiches and pizza.

I can feel the big buildings and huge skyscrapers 

there are a lot of weird people that are kind of like expired food from five years ago 

stinky, nasty and there's a bunch of dirty stuff around them 

and they get mad for no reason 

and spit everywhere and use the bathroom anywhere,

but when you come across these people just put your head down and walk faster, 

but that's why I love New York because you can go on awesome adventures 

and you never know what's going

to happen.

 

Rasheed Johnson

PS 39, 4th Grade

 

WHERE I’M FROM

 

Where pizza’s best and Broadway’s home

that is where I’m from

Where snow never stays for more than a day

And fall is fifty shades

That is where I’m from

 

Where you're never alone

Even in the night

Cause cars honk and trucks rattle and people yell

And somehow in some way there's silence

That is where I’m from

And on every corner there is something new

Almost as if it’s been waiting for you

That is where I’m from

 

Joey Luria

PS 39, 4th Grade

 

FROM

 

I am from the blacktop courts at J.J. Byrne, 

I am from the

Hoop in my garage,

always waiting for me

after a bad soccer practice or

school day. I am from the win by 2

1-on-1s with my dad. I am from the

squeaking of the pivot foot

during an Indiana basketball game.

I am from the familiar

Orange grips of the ball, the soft texture

a baby’s skin when you shoot. I am from the Devonte Green

heat checks.

I am from the spartan green of soccer fields,

I am from the cuts, scrapes, pain, and bruises

of diving to get the ball.

I am from the fierce mindset of needing to win,

I am from the shot coming, a fastball from the foot of the striker.

I am from the smell of the grass,

and the taste of the mud, when making a save. I am from the

sound of celebration, the feel of a made basket, the joy

of a goal, and the satisfaction

of a hit.

 

Jackson Margulies

PS 39, 4th Grade

 

I AM FROM

 

I am from the different world that is Park Slope.

Where all 7

pieces of hard candle wax

are lit as the shining fire bounces

off my smooth, slick skin.

I am from the loud, obnoxious honks

of the overused head steering wheel

of the midnight

road

I am from the pizza and pasta

that makes your lips as shiny as gold

From the mats of the dog that is

my own.

I am from

the transformed room that

belongs to my house

I am from the honey dipped apples

that is sweet, sweet sugar in my tea

The home that is my own is all I need.

 

Wren Rothstein

PS 39, 4th Grade

 

WHERE I AM FROM

 

I am from the smell of my cat’s food,

the smell of chicken fills the room.

I am from the sight of cars flying by,

The cars are streaks of light,

flying by.

I am from the sound of a page turn in a good book,

The pages are rain as I flip through them excitedly.

I am from the sight of the busy streets of NY,

the sounds of the people’s footsteps.

Tap, tap, tap.

The people are a herd of buffalo.

I am from the music of my favorite game.

The sound fills me with joy.

I am from the sounds of trees swaying like wind.

I am from the sounds of leaves dancing in the wind.

I am from my cat’s midnight fur,

soft as the pillow.

 

Nils Steffmann

PS 39, 4th Grade

 

WHERE I’M FROM

 

I am from the sweet smelling flowers and meadows,

The woods and the treehouse.

I am from the pond with the lily pads that are pink cotton candy.

I am from the foxes,

from the deer and the rabbits.

I am from the stars that lighten up the sky that is midnight.

I am from the lush green leaves of the trees.

I am from the fresh grown vegetables.

I am from the hay loft in the barn that is a soft fluffy cloud.

I am from the snow covered valley,

The trees that are wearing white silk dresses.

I am from toboggan sledding when we speed down the hill at 100 mph!

I am from peppermint candy that melts in my mouth.

I am from a Christmas tree that is a skyscraper.

I am from a cute gingerbread house.

I am from the cozy fire that wraps around me.

 

Ana Urbanski

PS 39, 4th Grade

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