The Chit Chat Times Teen Newspaper (CCT) is a program that changes adolescents from passive consumers of visual information to active viewers and creators of their own teen newspaper and website. This multi-cultural teen newspaper enhances the visual arts, graphic design, creative writing, and critical thinking capacity of students. To date, CCT has educated more than 510 students. The participants learn to ask questions about what they see, hear and read, as a means of empowering them to make wise and informed decisions in life.

Articles

Global Warming

Written by: Brittany

Elementary School Student 

Global Warming is the increase in the average temperature of the Earth and is caused by volcanic eruptions and greenhouse gases. Overall, greenhouse gases cause most of the warming.  Human activity and the growth of different industries contribute to the warming. When compared to other large nations, the United States is number one in global warming pollution. Think about this: in the next twenty years, do you want our nation to crumble?  Well why don’t you get involved and help save our environment!  As the years have gone by many people have paid no attention to the biggest problem in our environment. We continue to go on with our everyday lives when our environment is in fact being chewed by the jaws of death! According to NASA, the hottest year on record was 2005, which matched 1998. The past nine years have been among the twenty-five warmest years on record. In this situation there is only one factor that we can point the finger to and that factor is global warming.

Living Out Our Dreams (Poem)

Written by: Darrissa

Middle School Student 

Live out our dream, strive for the best,
Settle for the greatest never the less.
Keep your head up high, continue to pursue your dreams,
Things are not as bad as they may seem.
People may distract you, yet things will get in your way,
This is our dream destroy the negative, eliminate what they say.
You can enjoy and explore the best of life,
No matter where you are,
Your dream may be here or there or someplace far.
Make the right decision become all you can be,
This isn’t slavery anymore we were born to be free.
My dreams are my life and my education counts on it
I have a task to complete,
I promised my self I would be somebody,
That’s a promise I’m going to keep.
I’m a smart Black African American Woman whose thoughts are certain,
I’m going to make myself proud I’m going to continue to live out my dream.

Peer Pressure (Poem)

Written by: Verlinda

Elementary School Student 

 
Listen up everybody,
There is something for you to hear.
Don’t bend to peer pressure,
Be like me,
And stand like a tree.

Be strong,
And think about what’s right and wrong,
Don’t let your friend push you to the end,
Because there is still hope.
Back on your end.

Teen Violence

Written By: Auriaunna

Elementary School Student 

Teen violence is a big problem in my community and in many places around the world. We need to stop it! There are many things that promote teen violence, video games, movies and peer pressure to be in gangs. Getting young kids involved in after school activities in the neighborhood would help prevent youth violence.

If youth violence doesn’t stop, kids won’t feel comfortable walking to school, playing in their neighborhoods, or just plain hanging out. Because of youth violence, Riviera Beach has started a teen curfew that makes it mandatory for kids to be off the streets at 10:00 PM, Monday through Friday and 11:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday. Since this curfew has been enforced there have been no reported cases of youth violence in Riviera Beach.

The mayor of Riviera Beach, Mayor Masters feels that to stop youth violence the home environment needs to change. There needs to be more parent involvement in the family unit. If the family stays strong and the community comes together as one, youth violence will decrease, making Riviera Beach a better place to live.
 
Don’t forget, “Kids are the future.”  

A New Beginning for Belle Glade

Written By: Shatantae 

Elementary School Student

Have you ever thought about a large shopping mall with different varieties of stores in Belle Glade? The teens of        Pioneer Park Beacon Center think it is a great opportunity for getting jobs. A diverse mall would bring more business and tourism to the Glades. Jeffonya, age 12 of Belle Glade says she would like a different variety of clothes and shoes to buy. She would be proud to buy products from her hometown.

There is enough vacant land in the Glade’s area to build a large shopping mall. However, would the sugar cane company owners sell their land to build a mall? Mr. Underwood, City Manager of Belle Glade said, “sugar cane is a large money making industry. It brings more capital to the owners than the land is worth. There is not enough money and population in the Glades to support a large mall”.

Maybe in the future the population in Belle Glade will grow and the economics will increase. If this happens jobs will increase, a mall will be built and Belle Glade would have a new beginning.

Understanding Integrity

Written by: Vynteria

Middle School Student 

Having integrity is an important part of life. Treating others the way you would like to be treated is not only known as the “Golden Rule” but is also a part of integrity. Without having respect for yourself and others, you will have a difficult time growing up and keeping friends. Helping others is also a part of having integrity. Many people just need a helping hand to change their negative way of thinking.
Integrity can also help you avoid peer pressure.  If you know what is right even in the hardest circumstances and don’t let temptation outweigh your values, you will always make the right choices. If you communicate with your parents they can help you maintain your integrity. You can achieve many goals just by listening to your parents’ rules. So instead of ignoring your parents’ advice it is best to listen and understand your choices. Practice makes perfect. Know right from wrong, avoid peer pressure, keep your integrity in check and your life will be filled with happiness.
 

No More Baggy Pants

Written By: My Choice Community Center

Elementary School Student 

The students of My Choice Community Center think it is not appropriate to wear your pants hanging low. It is a bad example for today’s younger generation. Many teens are wearing saggy pants to impress their friends and follow gang members.
On March 11,2008 the Saggy Pants ordinance was passed in Riviera Beach, Florida. Under the new law anyone with droopy pants that show skin or underwear faces legal action. The first offense carries a $150 fine or community service. A second infraction carries a $300 fine or more community service.
According to the mayor of Riviera Beach, the law will penalize individuals wearing pants that are low enough to show underwear or skin. Opponents of the ordinance said that targeting sagging pants is racial profiling. Many feel it is just a harmless fashion statement.
Morris Williams a resident of Riviera Beach said,  "This thing started in prison, and I don't think nobody outside the prison should be able to raise their child like a prisoner. The older you get, the higher your pants get, so it's kind of natural that the young people would want to go lower to prove that they're not old”.
Does this mean you’re a criminal just because you wear your pants hanging low?

Written by: Sher’ Meika

Middle School Student