We’re itching to know what’s in store for ’98. But we lost our Magic 8-Ball (not that it told us squat anyway). So while we were out visiting schools, we asked two classrooms about their predictions and wishes for the new year. The kids in Kaye Pelletier’s 8th-grade language arts class at Vince Lombardi Middle School in Green Bay, Wis., gave it up for us. So did the kids in Mrs. Schneider’s 7th-grade class at Cooper Middle School in Buffalo Grove. What made their contributions especially meaningful to me was that I attended Cooper Middle School. And know what? Kids are still wishing for the same things (I’m not saying how many) years later!
The kids talked about issues that hit close to home – like school passing periods and local sports teams – and issues that affect the nation, even the world. We’ll keep track and let you know near year’s end which predictions and wishes came true.
PREDICTION: Education will improve in the schools. The Cubs will win the World Series.”
ALIENS INVADE! WORLD ENDS!
Strange but true… kids make predictions for ’98
PREDICTION: “The world is going to end from an alien invasion.” (Sorry, if that happens, none of us will be around to record it!)
Justin N., 13
Green Bay
COOPER KIDS
PREDICTION: “Because of Princess Diana’s death, paparazzi will be less aggressive.”Siobhan C., 12 (above)
PREDICTION: “There will be some kind of breakthrough in the search for a cure for AIDS or cancer.”
David C., 12
WISH: “They should let kids from other schools visit; like, more exchange programs.”
Bill M., 13
WISH: “Passing periods between classes are too short. Three minutes is not enough time to go to your locker or the bathroom.”
Chris B., 13 (right)
WISH: “People will make more of an effort to reduce poverty; there will be more soup kitchens and homeless shelters.”
Kerry B., 12
WISH: “This summer will be cooler, hopefully, maybe because of El Nino.”
Allie S., 12
PREDICTION: “There will be more focus on animal rights and endangered species.”
Sam L., 13 (above left)
PREDICTION: “Japan will build underground neighborhoods.”
Jason S., 13 (right)
PREDICTION: “The USA will sweep the women’s figure skating medals in the Winter Olympics.”
Molly O., 13
PREDICTION: “Marijuana will be legalized for medicinal use.”
Kristin H., 13
PREDICTION: “Human beings will be illegally cloned.”
Tyler H., 13 (right)
