ML King Cobras have been studying non-fiction and expository writing. As part of a series of lessons, students are doing exercises identifying the " main idea" and " supporting details." After reading about reptiles, Mr. Fonash' s class watched a documentary on monitor lizards. The class took such a liking to the creatures that they decided to all pitch in and ask East Bay Vivarium owner, Owen Maercks, to share and discuss his animals with all of Mr. Fonash' s classes in the King Library. First Mr.Maercks brought out some spiders and tarantulas, and then, much to the students' delight, he brought out his snakes, tortoises, and lizards. It was a good time for all, beasts included!

The fierce and amazing Siyou Song, former ML King Cobra, has made it to the big leagues of academia. Everyone who knows Siyou, knows that her being accepted to Stanford University is only the beginning of an exciting college experience for this multi-faceted high achiever.  At King we were lucky to offer support to the young star and watch her grow into the successful and confident young woman we see today.  A product of the HUSD, Siyou has attended Treeview Elementary, King Middle School, and was recently selected valedictorian at Mt. Eden HS.  A home grown Hayward student, she has come up through the system in her own unique way.  Thriving in both academics and art has been the norm for her.  Band has been the focal point of her studies, and she reached the pinnacle of success when she was selected Section Leader for Clarinet in the nationally recognized Mt. Eden HS band.  Siyou says, “Mr. Cato really honed my leadership qualities and taught me how to gain mental endurance and strengthen my persistence.”

Not only is Siyou a gifted musician, but her work as a youth ambassador with Amigos de los America’s in Paraguay awakened her activist spirit.  She hopes to use her Stanford education to further causes close to her heart including increasing global public health awareness and working with low-socioeconomic youth to help them strive for college and gain higher education degrees. Siyou is an excellent example of how the right balance between academics and art are a necessity for creativity and intellectual growth.  Students need outlets and Siyou has really taken her extra-curricular activities and blossomed because of them.  “Art is the only place I truly can express myself! “  The King family and everyone in the Hayward community is excited to see Siyou fulfill her dreams.  We wish her ongoing success, and we know her star will keep rising.

Over the past several weeks students at ML King have studied Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers movement. Through a variety of activities including watching films, participating in group discussions, and writing poetry, students have deepened their understanding of labor unions, boycotts, and economic disparities. Students conducted research to learn about the struggles of farm workers for fairness and dignity. With support from Bryonn Bain, fresh from his performance at the National Black Theater in New York City, and bay area artists Cello Joe and Mona Webb, students used their writing skills to write reflective poems on what they learned. A Poetry Slam contest was the culminating activity where the students recited their poems in front of a panel of judges. 7th grade judge, Analisa said this about the Poetry Slam, "It was a really good event. We learned how to be confident and how to stand up for what we believe in." King Cobra Sophia was awarded a one-hundred dollar prize for her poem. Sophia plans to use the prize to further her education.

Mr. Mackey watches a finished student created animation video