Visiting Olympia

To continue their study of how governments work the Alchemists took a tour of the state capitol in Olympia. Prior to their visit a Seabury parent who works for the legislature came into class and talked about how a bill is passed. Mr. Matteson then led the class is a skit where they acted out the parts of a legislative committee discussing a bill.

The Alchemists were quite impressed with how beautiful the state capitol is and learned about its design and history. They visited both houses' chambers, and the offices of the Governor and Secretary of State.

The Alchemists learned more about the Judicial Branch of the state government then got to act out the part of attorneys arguing a case before the Supreme Court.

With Mr. Matteson's help the students also got to meet their state senator, Jeannie Darneille as well as their two state representatives, Jake Fey and Laurie Jinkins. The representatives talked about how the legislature works and some of the important issues facing the state including the justice system, funding education and homelessness.

It was an exciting day. And a long drive to and from Olympia.

Squid Dissection

The Alchemists are studying the marine biology of Puget Sound AND have the good fortune that one of our parents is a Marine Biologist for the Puyallup Tribe. Mr. Winfrey came in and helped the kids dissect a squid to learn how these amazing animals move, eat, breath and to also have a look at their internal organs.

Letter to President Trump

After watching the inauguration the Alchemists were asked to reflect on what they heard by writing a letter to President Trump.

Dear Mr. President

I watched the Inaugural Address and I thought you were tremendous. I personally am a big fan. The other people at my school, not so much. I and some other people campaigned a lot for you at school. We had a mock election at school but Hillary Clinton won. That’s ok though because you won the real election.

Your speech was the best I have ever heard, right down to the point. I agreed with almost everything you said. I really hope you do the thing you said. Such as building the wall. I hope you make America great again. Everybody in the school hopes you do. Being the President is a really hard job but I think you can trump it.

Sincerely,

A. H.

Dear Mr. President

I watched the Inaugural Address and I thought your idea to give power to the people was good. You should not give too much power to the people or it will be anarchy. Your speech was very good. I liked your ideas. I think you are a good president.

I hope you fulfill your ideas. If you fulfill your ideas the U.S. will be better. The ideas about roads and airports are good. They will help America. You should also do other things to help the U.S.. I hope you can make the U.S. better.

Sincerely,

A. K.

Dear President Trump,

I watched the inaugural address and I thought that you did a great job.   You had a great speech.  I like your saying “we will make America great again.”  I liked all the topics you talked about in your speech.    You are awesome because you just became president of the United States of America. I like your idea on education and safety. 

I like how you say the whole country will decide and not just you.  I love the red hats that say “let’s make America great again.”  The White House must be very cool.  I think that you have god ideas and that you will make America great again.

                                                                                          Sincerely,

                                                                                                B.K.

Dear Mr. President,

          I watched the inaugural Address, and I thought that you did a great job. I can’t wait to hear another one of your speeches. I guarantee you will be in the top 10 of my presidential list. I agree with you,” I want to make America great again”. We need to get the jobs back.

           We can’t let other countries steel our jobs. I wish I could help you with it but I’m not old enough. I do have some questions. Were you proud to become president? What is the White House like inside. Is it really big?  Please make me a letter answering my questions.

                                                                                                                                         Sincerely,

                                                                                                                                         K. A.

Dear Mr. President,

I watched the Inaugural Address, and I think that you will be a great president. I am in 5^th grade and please respond to my letter. I did not want you to be president at first. I wanted Hillary Clinton to be president. When you won the debate, I was angry but I was willing to give you a chance. After the inaugural, I actually think that you will be a good president if you keep your word about giving the people the power to run the country with the president.

I agree with some of the things you said you would do. I also do not like some of the things you said that you would do. Here are some things that I agree with you,

·       “make America great again”

·       “give the government to the people”

These are the things that I disagree with you,

·       Why are you making a wall?

·       Why do you not like Mexicans? I really like there food.

·       Why are you racist?

·       Why are you sexist?

·       Why do you not believe in global warming?

Sincerely,

K. E. A.

Dear Donald Trump,

 You say “the people have the voice” well I’m 10 and this is my voice.

Black people are not all bad. Sure some of them do bad things but that doesn’t make the whole race bad. They can also do great things. Even change the world. To truly “make America great again” you need minds of all races. You need to step into every one shoes and walk around in there see what they see, then make your decision. Make decisions after looking at the affect it has on EVERYONE. See they affect on every country, not just America.

Global warming is a real thing. If you don’t start worrying about that then by the time you’re out of office global warming might be the entire world’s problem. You might set the world up for destruction. It’s a real world problem and you have to wake up about it or the earth might be in serious trouble.

Sincerely,

L. L.

Dear Mr. President,

I watched the Inaugural Address. At first I did not like you but when I saw your acceptance speech I started to agree with you I want to congratulate you on becoming President. Before I heard you acceptance speech I thought you would go against your word but now I think you really will make America Great Again. But global warming is real I know I have seen it but I will let you do your own research.

Here are some things that I agree with and disagree with

Here are things I agree with

·       Make America Great again

·       And let the people help decide Americas decisions

Thing I disagree with

·       Making a Wall

·       Global Warming I would like you to fix it

Sincerely,

S. P.

Dear Mr. President,

             I watched the Inaugural Address, and I thought that you can’t kick all Mexicans out of the country for dealing drugs. It is true that some Mexicans do deal drugs illegally but some Americans deal drugs illegally and we weren’t kicked out of their country. This country can’t invest in your wall you plan on building. It probably won’t keep Mexicans away as you plan.

            However I do not believe in what you do you did win the 2016 presidential election. I wish you good luck for the next four years. I hope you are better than I think you’ll be.

Sincerely,

S. T.-S.

Dear Mr. President,

I watched the Inaugural Address, and I thought that your idea to give more power to the people and make them like the government and giving them more freedom of speech. I also liked when you said, “I will make the government for the people again.” One thing I would say to work on is not to be over confident. However I love your confidence. Two things also are try not to attack the other countries and attack Islam. Instead try and make stronger alliances so that they also make the fair trade without war.

Also instead of forcing companies to stay/come back in to the country, instead, try and fund them to stay in business and, “Make America great again.” I also think that instead of trying to make things like racism stop by influence, not force. I hope/Think that you will be an amazing president either way and I wish you the best of luck and just keep on trying.

Sincerely,

Z. K.

              Dear Donald Trump,

I watched your inauguration and you’re ok. I would rather have Hillary Clinton as president, but I will give you a chance.  Just stop making fun of people and global warming is real if you don’t want to be under water by the time your out of office I would say stop polluting. Just asking how are you going to put Hillary Clinton in prison do have any evidence my guess is no but write back if you do. You might want to rethink the whole wall idea if you think that Mexico is really going to pay you to keep them out of your country I don’t think so.

·       Build a wall no

·       Global warming not real no

·       Doing something about global warming yes

·       Making fun of people no

If you need any more help just ask me.

Sincerely,

T.W.

Dear Mr. President Trump,

            I don’t agree with much you say but I wanted to say congratulations on winning the election! This is just a peaceful change of power. I may be a kid but I still think you shouldn’t do some of the things you say you’ll do.

            I think you should invest in global warming. I also think you shouldn’t build a wall and stop immigrants from coming into the country. I also have some questions for you. Do you actually plan on doing the things you say you’ll do like building a wall?

                                                                                                                     Sincerely,  S.O.R

            

Tacoma Non Profits

The Alchemists continue their visits to Tacoma non profits to learn how they help the community. They went to the Tacoma Rescue Mission and learned that they serve up to 400 dinners a night and that as many as 100 children sleep at one of the shelters every night. The Alchemists passed out hygiene bags to people at the shelter then got to sort donations that will go into other bags. It was a good lesson as to how the donations Seabury made before the holidays are sorted and then distributed to those in need.

The Alchemists also went to the Humane Society where they got a tour and met all the adoptable animals. The sad news is the shelter handles as many as 10,000 animals a year but the Alchemists learned ways to help like encouraging people to spay or neuter their animals and make sure they have a microchip. Of course, the Alchemists wanted to take every animal home but found out you have to be 18 to adopt.

Watersheds

The Alchemists are studying Puget Sound and its environmental and economic impact on Tacoma and the surrounding area. The first step was to understand Puget Sound as a watershed and to do that the Alchemists made models of our watershed then used a spray bottle to make it "rain" and watch the drainage.

Touring in Tacoma

Having spent the beginning of the year learning how governments work and visiting with many Tacoma city departments, the Alchemists are now expanding their study of Tacoma into the private and nonprofit sectors. This week they began with a visit to the University of Washington Tacoma and learned how the university has converted 100 year old buildings into the modern downtown campus. Milt Tremblay, one of the urban planners at UWT, talked to them about  the design and construction of the campus then led the Alchemists on a walking tour.

In the afternoon the Alchemists went to MultiCare Health Systems to learn about the role of health care in the community. They did a fun activity about the amount of sugar in soft drinks then got to go to the eighth floor helipad. What an amazing view on a clear, winter day!