KIS Literary Arts Magazine

In Memory

17590426_14851858640_r

hc-pt-thompson-celebrating-ryan-french-0427-20170425

Screen Shot 2017-05-03 at 8.32.26 PM

17590426_14851858640_r

1/10

Never Forgotten

by Mrs. McCulloch

Look to the Clouds

by Mr. Sierakowski

We are adrift.

Silently, we pray for wind.

Silently, we long for light.

And at dusk, we look up in wonder at the movement of the clouds.

****

As a boy, I remember my first airplane trip across the country. As I buckled up and the aircraft rumbled down the runway, I kept my eyes fixed on the clouds—

The same clouds that had stretched lazily above my little league games--

The same clouds that had been ordered into patterns, like the gods were playing some kind of supernatural geometric game—

The same clouds that had towered high in thunderstorms and rushed by during Hurricane Gloria.

With a hand pressed against the American Airlines window as that ten year-old boy, I watched in awe as the world turned a blank white and droplets of water streaked across the window.

What I didn’t know as that young boy, was that those same water droplets that had gathered together to form the visible, are forever immersing us in the form of the invisible, just in a different—

state.

If you wave your hand through the air, no matter where you are, you will touch water, though your hand might remain dry. You cannot perceive the touch, but it is there in the form of water vapor, water’s gaseous state.

But make no mistake about it.

It is still water.

Perhaps science, the order of the natural world, is trying to teach us something of the greatest mystery of all, of how those who have passed on can still be with us, just in a different—state.

Perhaps then, Emma, Ryan, Gabe, Morgan and Mr. Tagen, are not looking down upon us from some mystical planet, but are with us in ways that we know to be True with a knowledge that is not dependent on sight or touch, but on something beyond sensory experience.

None of this takes away the immediate pain and grief, nor is it meant to. But there is a need in us to put that grief into some eternal and natural framework.

Skeptics will say this need is imagined.

Realists will say this need is real, intuitive and natural.

Either way, I believe that this wondering is meant for us to reflect upon our lives now, to find out what matters most and to live passionate lives for hope, for love and for whatever else your heart says is Truth.

It is in this way we can also honor those who have passed on.

It is what Emma, Mr. Tegan, Gabe, Ryan, and Morgan would ask of us.

Current Weather

Newspaper Team

Welcome!

Welcome to The Foundry, a hybrid collection and celebration of writing and the arts at the Intermediate School.

We are not a newspaper, though you will find news on the Investigative Journalism page. This is not a collection of short stories, though you will find some short fiction on the Narrative page. This is not a video production site, but you will find many of the pieces have a video that accompanies the piece.

So what are we?

No one knows.

But after a quick glance through this site you will recognize one thing--our school is filled with creativity and talent.

In this edition, be sure to check out the iPhone photography contest, KIS news page and some highlights of the youngest writers in our school.

Finally, our school community has been swept by tragedy too many times this year. On the homepage you will see a tribute to those who are no longer with us.

Checking in on Killingly

by Lorelai Bessenaire

The phone call broke through the silence of the room, and my grandmother answered the call. There was an instant look of sorrow and shock that crossed her face and gave away the fact that something was terribly wrong. After many, “Oh my’s,” and shakes of her head, the call ended. She then slowly met our eyes, facing my grandfather and I, who were now mirroring her worried expression.

What she told us next left me in disbelief.

Mr. Tagen was gone.

After the unexpected passing of our beloved assistant principal at Killingly Intermediate School, everyone in Killingly experienced deep feelings of grief. Now, after about three months, how are those of Killingly dealing with this immense loss?

Many of the staff in Killingly still are struggling, not only because of most recent tragedy, but also because Mr. Tagen was much more than just another co-worker. To many, he was also a close friend. Mrs. Heather Taylor, our current principal, worked so closely with Mr. Tagen, also felt that he was, “First and foremost a friend.”

Aside from his administrative work, he had a very witty sense of humor and was always there for those who needed him. He always would walk through the halls with a smile on his face, and would occasionally pop into some classrooms, giving the infamous princess wave and a bright “Hello,” to students and teachers.

But as difficult as the grieving process has been, the reality is that everyone must a find way to move on, even in practical ways.

When asked how she decided when the right time for someone to move into his office was, Principal Taylor responded, “I don’t think that there was necessarily the right time for any person and there certainly could never be the right time for all people.”

In just the short time that Mr. Daniewicz had been a part of our KIS family and the KIS administration team, he and Mr. Tagen become very close, and it was felt that due to the respect Mr. Tagen had for Mr. Daniewicz, that Mr. Tagen would find comfort with the decision that Mr. Daniewicz would move into his office.

Ms. Taylor went on to further state that they, “Wanted to respect the grieving process and knew it certainly wouldn’t be the best idea to have just anyone be the third member of the administrative team.”

So, much consideration and thought was put into this decision as well.

Practical matters might be our present reality, but in the end it’s the stories we will remember. Many friends and family know the infamous story that when Mr. Tagen taught at East Haddam Middle School, he would use the overhead projector to project silhouettes of barbies fighting with godzilla or dinosaurs to his students. The truth is, that those barbies were his daughter’s toys.

Mr. Tagen was someone who knew the little things truly did matter. “Enjoy the little things in life for one day you’ll look back and realize they were the big things” -Kurt Vonnegut. The little things are the things we will forever hold close to our hearts.

One topic he was always happy to share was anything and everything about his daughters. Especially how proud he was of them, for all they were doing, going to school and getting good jobs. He also often shared about his life in Colorado and his hike up Pikes Peak, for which he trained for many years to complete.

Mr. Tagen was not only close with his staff but his students as well. Although he did not share his personal life as much with his students, he was always there for students to talk to him, in a way that was unique to him. He had a trust that was built between himself and all of his students. Even those who didn’t want to openly share their lives with him, knew he was there for them no matter what; they knew he had their back.

Mr. Tagen was an amazing assistant principal, co-worker, and friend. His sense of humor and the on-going jokes he told, the smiles and laughs he shared with staff and students, and the memories are forever in the hearts of all those who loved him.

About The Zebras (Until

we find a better name)

Each Tuesday since February, a group of exceptionally talented writers would gather in Mr. Sierakowski's room to discuss life and stories and, well, everything else under the sun, including Twenty One Pilots and eating popsicles as a way to escape from reality.

Now, as the school year concludes, they wonder in awe- what will happen next year? What is high school (or eighth grade) like? Another chapter ending in the long story of life- and the begin of something new. No matter what, however, we will be united under a simple name- The Zebras.