School Pages - Dec. 2010

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Tuesday, December 21

1S

HX]dda EV\Zh In this issue: Baxter Elementary Central Lakes College Crosby/Ironton

ne BRAINERD DISPATCH

Newspapers In Education Prepare Young People . . . “. . . To look ahead to what’s in their future.”

Christine Palmer Pequot Lakes Middle School

Forestview Middle School 7th Grade Harrison Elementary Lake Region Christian School Learning Tree Pre-School

online

“. . . To differentiate between fact and opinion. I use the papers in conjunction with a fact and opinion assignment in my classroom.

Students read, identify key components of the article, summarize, and share their opinion on the topic, writing style, or something in the article. It is an invaluable part of my curriculum. Many of my students don’t have the opportunity to read the newspaper, and this allows them to do so with purpose.”

Tracee Colgrove Language Arts Teacher Pillager Middle and High School

Lowell Elementary Nisswa Elementary Pequot Lakes School Pillager Elementary/High School Pine River/Backus

“. . . To become educated on current events locally and nationally.”

Steve Stoxen Pequot Lakes Middle School Teacher

“. . . To make informed decisions. Reading science current events: discoveries, medical breakthroughs, stem cell controversies, bacterial outbreaks of E. Coli, Salmonella, and Cholera all make coursework more “real” and relevant. Kids who are tomorrow’s scientists, doctors, and voters need to be informed of how these biology topics impact our lives.”

Chris Hanson Forestview Middle School Science Teacher

Riverside Elementary St. Francis Catholic School

“. . . To be informed about what’s going on in their communities and to become active participants.”

Lynn Wangberg Pine River-Backus School High School Teacher

Staples/Motely Schools “. . . To connect with their community and their world.”

Linda Buck Lincoln Education Center

Thank you to the following businesses for their sponsorship of the Kids School Pages:

For sponsorship information on Kids School Pages, please contact Teresa Hirst at: teresa.hirst@brainerddispatch.com or 218-855-5838 or Nikki Lyter at: nikki.lyter@brainerddispatch.com or 218-855-5845. We greatly appreciate your support for Newspapers in Education.

2S

Tuesday, December 21

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

BAXTER

ELEMENTARY Busy Little Elves Chocolate Fever has hit Baxter School!

If your child develops a case of suspicious looking brown spots they have been hit by the fever. Vanilla pills are the only cure for this highly contagious disease. No worries parents, the students that have read this great book will tell you they didn’t mind getting Chocolate Fever!

Susan Sheehan listens to and works with Baxter’s K-2 readers each morning at Baxter School. This is through a program called America Reads. She is a student at Central Lakes College.

We Sing of America Baxter 3rd Graders presented this wonderful program on Veterans Day 2010. Our 3rd grades showed their pride to be Americans and were happy to honor our Veterans and heros of today. We Thank You.

First graders at Baxter School have been busy little “Elves” preparing their classrooms for the holiday season. Ornaments and gifts created with love are what parents will be receiving from this workshop. A huge thank you goes out to all the volunteers that help make this all possible.

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Tuesday, December 21

3S

CLC international students tour Capitol

Psychology club hosts Alzheimer’s forum

As part of their American experience while in Minnesota, international students at Central Lakes College visited the Capitol in St. Paul and attended a Minnesota Timberwolves professional basketball game. Steve Wenzel, a former state representative now teaching political science at CLC, led the Capitol tour.

“The students were impressed with the grandeur of the Capitol,” said Erich Heppner, director of student activities, who accompanied the group.

Paul Hicks, Administrative Assistant of the House, spoke to the international students about the history of the House Chamber.

The Central Lakes College Psychology Club on Nov. 16 hosted a panel discussing Alzheimer’s disease at the Brainerd campus of CLC. “Not All Wounds Are Visible” featured psychiatrist Peter Neifert, M.D., Laura Schoonover, RN, of the Good Samaritan Society, and Dick Ashmun, a retired university professor whose wife was a victim of the disease.

Alzheimer’s is a brain disease that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks.

The 75-minute program included the Laura Schoonover, RN, with Good Samaritan Society, directed Luke Simonson medical terminology associated with of the Central Lakes College Psychology Club and CLC students Andrea Nellis of Crystal and Bria Ramsdell of Brainerd to demonstrate the stages of the ailment as well as the physical, Alzheimer’s disease at the Psychology Club forum. emotional, and sociological aspects surrounding an illness that by 2050 will claim 14.3 million victims and already afflicts 5.3 million.

Dr. Neifert noted that Alzheimer’s has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms are available and research continues. Although current Alzheimer’s treatments cannot stop Alzheimer’s from progressing, they can temporarily slow the worsening of symptoms and improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.

Big-screen projections in the Lecture Hall of the Brainerd campus included the hole-filled brain of an Alzheimer’s disease victim.

Schoonover’s presentation brought students from the audience to help demonstrate examples of behavior associated with nursing care specifically focused on helping AD patients maintain functional and cognitive abilities as long as possible.

She said that effective nursing interventions are vital to managing patients with the disease. The demonstration recognized the three stages of AD. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimer’s, individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment.

“Professor Ashmun’s report was moving and the audience was rapt,” said Martha Kuehn, Psychology Club adviser. “He stressed the importance of social support for the care givers in this situation.

“Our speakers provided important perspectives, from a medical/biological/research perspective, to care facility perspective and a caregiver’s perspective.”

Questions from the predominantly student audience ranged from risk factors to the ethics of euthanasia.

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss. Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging, although the greatest known risk factor is increasing age, and the majority of people with Alzheimer’s are 65 and older. But Alzheimer’s is not just a disease of old age. Up to 5 percent of people with the disease have early-onset Alzheimer’s (also known as younger-onset), which often appears when someone is in their 40s or 50s.

Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Those with Alzheimer’s live an average of eight years after their symptoms become noticeable to others, but survival can range from three to 20 years, depending on age and other health conditions.

The Psychology Club has 10 members led by Steve Sabin, president; Luke Simonson, vice president; Melissa Paxton, secretary; Tom Britz, treasurer; and Jeremy Johnson, student senate liaison.

Pictured are Dema Krymkin, Russia; Jaka Mahendra, Djamaluddin Hamdan Paratmadi, and Raty Harsono, Indonesia; Cris Weber, Colombia; Dulce Maria Herrera, Hugo Ruano, Jonathan Calix, and Miguel Porras, Guatemala; Sergio Cardoza, El Salvador; Renata Barreto, Brazil; Bradley Van Der Zandt, South Africa; Dennis Musasizi, Uganda; Barbara Felix and Wolfgang Zollner, Germany; Paulina Gunderson, Bulgaria, and Abra Fisk, CLC International Club president from Fort Ripley.

Education Fair About 1,000 people attended the recent Education Fair on the Brainerd campus of Central Lakes College, including Brainerd High School senior Abbi Hehner.

She received information about the dozens of liberal arts transfer degree opportunities and career education programs at one of the state’s fastest growing two-year public colleges. CLC also provides college-level course at many area high schools and delivers instruction online and through interactive TV for neighboring schools. The Honors Associate in Arts Degree program offers high-achieving students an excellent path to good standing upon transfer to four-year Minnesota colleges and universities. Information about Spring Semester EZ Enrollment Jan. 4 at the Mille Lacs Tribal College and Jan. 6 on the Brainerd campus can be found at www.clcmn.edu

Vocal Instructor Brenda Handel-Johnson is the Central Lakes College vocal music director for 201011. The fall choir concert featured the Cantare’ Concert Chorale, Women’s Chamber Ensemble, Men’s Quartet, Mixed Chamber Quartet, Women’s Ensemble, Men’s Ensemble, and Women’s Trio. The singing students will present a spring concert as well.

For highachievers "Honors Introduction to Theater Experience" is one of the new courses in the CLC Honors Associate in Arts degree program that began during the fall semester. In October students enjoyed dinner at Ciatti's in St. Cloud before attending "A Streetcar Named Desire" at Pioneer Place On Fifth.

Other class trips were to the Twin Cities' Jungle and Penumbra theaters to see "The Glass Menagerie" and "Sleep Deprivation Chamber" as well as productions at CLC, all subject to critiques as part of the work assigned by instructor Dennis Lamberson.

"Honors Composition - The Great Books" is the other inaugural course at CLC offered to high-achieving students seeking the Honors AA Degree. Instructor Matthew Fort surveys an abundance of analysis and insight derived as students read eight meaningful books influential on modern culture. The spring semester includes another Honors English course taught by Leann Flynn and Honors Sociology with Gary Payne.

Engineering physics

Concert Singers

Brainerd native Dan Macy (right), a former Central Lakes College engineering student who went on to Cal Poly and the University of Michigan, worked with CLC students Jonathan Hammer of Baxter (standing), Stacy Ennenga Stricker of Pine River, and Rian Hutchison of Brainerd on one of the engineering physics problems in a class that emphasizes active learning and thinking skills.

Jenny Smith Hanes (left) of Hewitt and Elsa Roque of Aitkin rehearsed for the Central Lakes College fall choir concert, “Voices,” featuring 25 of CLC’s finest singers, directed by Brenda Handel-Johnson, with accompaniment by Sarah Gorham.

Daren Rader of Nisswa (left), Karl Reier of Little Falls; and Sam Srock of Crosby were partners in solving a five-page puzzle, one of the elaborate but practical engineering problems challenging the first-semester Central Lakes College students taught by Dr. John Saber.

We Build Futures

4S

Tuesday, December 21

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Crosby-Ironton Rangers Reader-of-the-Quarter Lauren Peterson was the 8th grade Reader-of-the-Quarter for the first quarter. As part of the English curriculum 8th graders read books that are part of the Accelerated Reader program and take tests on those books. Each book has a point value and the student earns a percentage of that value based on his/her score on the test. Lauren earned a phenomenal 419.2 points. Four students earned over 100 points during the first quarter: Brandon Johnson, Ashley Bartel, Abby Gindorff, and Lauren Peterson. (in order)

CI High School A Cappella Choir and Band tour Orlando, Florida 101 members of the Crosby-Ironton High School A Cappella Choir and Band participated in a Tour to Orlando, Florida from Nov. 23-29. Activities included a day at the Blizzard Beach Water Park, visits to Magic Kingdom, Disney Quest, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Cocoa Beach. The band performed a concert at Disney quest while the choir performed “The Candlelight Processional” at Epcot with the Disney Choir and Orchestra. 35 hours on a coach? Well worth it! Congratulations to the Crosby-Ironton Music Department on a most successful, enjoyable, and safe tour!

The C-I A Cappella Choir in performance at Epcot with the Disney Choir and Orchestra.

Band Director Rich Aulie and Choir Director Wayne Ellingsen enjoying the day with the band and choir at Cocoa Beach.

The start of a 35 hour coach ride. Everyone is still smiling……

Group picture of the choir and band at Hollywood studios.

Mrs. Perpich’s 2nd grade class was working on counting money on the website northpole.com.

Students are working at learning stations that include spelling practice, laptop computers, ornament writing project and reading with Mrs. Bergem.

Mrs. Abear’s second grade class had a great time on “Hat Day” which was part of “Red Ribbon Week—say no to drugs.”

Veterans Day 2010

Food Riddles What am I? By Naomi S. I have seeds on the outside. I am red. I am made into jelly. I am a fruit that grows in the wild. (strawberry) What am I? By Kaleb B. I’m good with a campfire, marshmallows and graham crackers.

(Hershey candy bar) What am I? By Jessica K. I am a kind of potato. I am brown. I am white on the inside. I am from Mexico. Some people like me. (jicama) What am I? By Owen V. I have a sauce on me. I have long noodles. I have parmesan cheese on me. I have a bread stick beside me. (spaghetti) What am I? By Brandon B. I’m round. There is cheese on me. You can put catsup and mustard on me. You can fry me or put me on the grill. Some people put pickles on me. When you are done cooking me you put me on a bun. (cheeseburger) Mr. Lyon uses mobi tablet technology to instruct a math lesson on sequences and functions for 6th grade students at Cuyuna Range Elementary.

Read Posters

Students in Mrs. Perrine’s class visit the computer lab daily to study their reading standards on the Successnet program and use the Storybook Weaver program to word process. This week they are writing descriptive paragraphs about the shopping mall at Christmas time.

They need to voice their opinion on whether it is a positive or negative experience.

Moore’s first grade class are just completing a Family Traditions recipe booklet. Here are two samples of the many fine recipes included.

Pictured left to right: Rachel Gerold, Mrs. Perrine, Amir Abdile, Loren Sablan, Alexis Arseneau, andDaniel Franzen

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Tuesday, December 21

School Forest

5S

Seventh grade science classes spent time working in our school forest. Portions of our school forest are being managed to grow different species of trees. The students are release cutting and bud capping pines that were planted earlier by 5th and 6th grade students. Bud capping protects the buds from winter deer browsing.

Release cutting the brush near the pines allows more light, water and nutrients to be available to the protected pine. Mr. Hanson's intensive science class analyzes the effects of this protection annually and charts the results.

Height (cm)

Protected and Unprotected Tree Growth from 2005 to 2010 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

Protected Height (cm) Unprotected Height (cm)

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Year

The Growth of Proteced and Unprotected Trees after five years at Forestview 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

Protected Tree Hight Unprotected Tree Hight

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Student Ambassadors in the 7th and 8th grade are available to help in many ways.

These students were recommended for this program because they are helpful, friendly, kind to others, conscientious, hardworking, and organized. The ambassadors have been giving tours to new students, helping students with locker organization, facilitating 5th grade Literature groups, checking in with new students, and assisting teachers with other projects as needed. The student ambassadors are great volunteers!

Hight (cm)

The Growth of White Pines Through Out the Years at Foresveiw 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

Protected Tree Hight Unprotectected Tree Hight

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Years

6S

Tuesday, December 21

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

HARRISON ELEMENTARY Private Eyes While using a jeweler’s loupe (which magnifies 5X), “the Private Eye is a program that blends the wonder of looking more closely at our world. Thinking by analogy, changing scale and theorizing, it is designed to develop higher order thinking skills, creativity, literacy and scientific literacy across subjects.”

Students in Mrs. Comstock’s First Grade Classroom used their Private Eyes to focus and explore their hand, palm, nails and knuckles. They also used their Private Eyes to focus on shells, feathers, seeds, starfish, sponges and seeds.

Mrs. Comstock’s First Grade Students dressed up for their Thanksgiving Feast.

The First Graders in Mrs. Comstock’s class are currently working on a Balance and Motion Unit. This unit is part of the FOSS Science Systems.

The First Grade Students are observing and comparing how objects balance, spin and roll during their investigations.

Learning about Air and Weather Mrs. Hodge’s 2nd Grade Classroom learned about air and weather through a very hands-on science curriculum. They learned about wind resistance and air movement while building their very own parachutes with simple household items.

Mrs. Hodge’s 2nd Grade Letters to Santa (typed as written) Dear Santa, I have a few questions for you if you can right back. Can you do so my first question is how old are you, how old is Mrs. Claus, can you give me one name of your elves, how old is Rudolph and one last thing can I have a picher of you, Mrs. Claus and Rudolph’s nose glowing in the picher. If you can right back please do. I can’t wait for you to come to my house this year. Katelyn J. Dear Santa, I wish I had all of the tom and Jerry Cartoons. I’ve got almost all of them at my grandmas house. Love Hayli P.S. I go to her house on Fridays.

Dear Santa, I would like to know…do you relly have 8 raindeer that fly? I also want to know if you relly have elf’s and if you buy all the presents? Thanks, Lauren Dear Santa, What I want for Christmas is a paper jam to rock out. From Jackson

You just won a trip to the North Pole to see Santa. Tell me what (typed as you did while you were there. written) I ate pancakes and I met a polar bear and I got chased by one. I played in a snow bank. Mitchell I whent on the sleigh. I saw the reindeer.

I eat cucys and milk. I sleped in a hamick.

I plad in the snow. I met Santa. I also went to Duloth. Emma B. I saw Dasher, Vixon, Danser, Comet, Cuped, Pranser, Rudelf. I rode in Santas sleigh. I ate cookies. I slept with the raindeer. I playd with raindeer. I met everybody. I fell off Santas sleigh when it was 50000 feet in the air. Santa went as fast as he cold go and caught me. By Madison S.

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Tuesday, December 21

7S

LEARNING TREE

PRESCHOOL

The preschoolers learned about Fire Safety in October. Along with the unit , Firefighter Mark, came to school to teach us about fire safety and he brought his fire truck for us to see. That was so exciting.

The afternoon class with Firefighter Mark

Inside the fire truck. (front) Izzy and Kloi. (second row) Cole, Libby, Abby, Nolan (third row) Carson and Kiley

Firefighter Mark showing us what he looks like so we won’t be afraid of him.

The paramedics, from North Ambulance, also came to school to teach us how they help people after an accident.

Caden, Triston and Halle are learning what the paramedics do inside the ambulance.

Our Halloween party was so much fun. We played games, had our faces painted, sang scary songs, went trick or treating and had a witch come visit us at school.

Tanner is pretending to be the patient while Chloe and friends are looking on.

The morning class at the Halloween party

Some children were getting their face painted. From left to right, Zion, teacher Sherri, Emily, Kaylin’s mom, and Willow.

Riley Dawn, teacher Sherri, Ella Claire, Ella Joslin, and Libby were getting their faces painted.

Alexis and Madysen were putting puzzles together at our party.

Jera, Tanner, Ethan and Daniel were playing musical goblins.

For information on enrollment, please call Kathy at 829-6175.

8S

Tuesday, December 21

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

St. John’s Aboretum Mrs. Hermanson’s First graders visit was visited by Lowell the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.

Second graders this fall.

This was a fun game second graders in Lynn Holbrook’s class played at the St. John’s Arboretum about plants.

First graders were exposed to many artists and art mediums, while making observations and noting the various elements of design. The students were captivated by what the docents shared and definitely left with a “I can’t wait to come back here!” feeling.

Home Made by first graders Each student in Mrs. Hermanson’s class had to create, and explain how they made their project to the class. They could have minimal help from adults in this project. And had to work on their presentation skills.

James P. in Mrs. Hermanson’s first grade class proudly displays the replica of the Titanic that he researched and built for his home made project. James made his ship out of cardboard, rolled cardboard, paper mache’, paint and metal wires. The ship was also lighted for full effect.

Thomas R. shared his home made project of a pinecone Christmas tree that he made. Thomas used paper for the center, attached the pinecones after rubbing the sap off of the cones by hand.

Benjamin K. demonstrated how his lego mobile that he built was made into an electronic car with battery power. Ben explained how the two batteries attached to a switch worked to make it go.

Students of the Month Two students from Mrs. Guida’s/Logelin’s second grade class observe plant life at the St. John’s Arboretum.

Students of the month for Academic Excellence/Teacher’s Choice Back Row: Erika C.; Ben R.; Nick R.; Alex H.; Joe S.; Cade S.; Isaac F.. Sean P.; Olivia K.; Maddie S.; Noah S. Middle Row: Ethan G.; Chloe H.; Jorden H.; Mari D.; CeCe B.; John T.; Josh W., Zephaniah G.; Lily B. Front Row: Annika S.; Rachel M.; Isaac T.; Brianna S.; Adam K.; Taylor R.; Zachary S.; Josh E.

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Tuesday, December 21

Lake Region Christian School

Experimenting with Science Recently, the 5th-6th graders enjoyed having Mrs. Green come and do some really fun science experiments with them. Mrs. Green explained how carbon dioxide works using dry ice and warm water. The highlight experiment was making slime! The students learned how the chemicals react causing the slime to form. The students made their own slime and used combinations of food coloring to give their slime unique colors! Everyone had a very fun time!

9S

Soccer Champions

By Patrick Trout, Junior The Lake Region Hornets came to the season with a goal to win a MACS (Minnesota Association of Christian Schools) championship, and with a 7-0 victory over Victory of Rochester, we were well on our way. In the second game victory against Rosemount, it was a close battle of the defenses until 8th Grader Gabe Smith headed one in the back of the net. Then Rosemount scored one, and it went to halftime tied 1-1. After halftime, the Hornets pulled ahead with two quick goals by David Jensen and Aaron Bostrom. Then Rosemount got two goals, and the game went into overtime. No one scored in overtime, and it went to a shoot-out. Ryan Christenson of Lake Region blocked two out of the four. David Jensen was first up for the Hornets, and he made it. Aaron Bostrom and Patrick Trout both made it, but Daniel Newton missed. It was up to Josh Gazelka, and he crushed it into the top right corner, and the Hornets were headed to the championship game. Our opponent was Woodcrest. With an early goal by Patrick Trout, the Hornets were ready, but after half, Woodcrest put two goals in. Captain Josh Gazelka pulled his defense together and told them not to be penetrated. The offense struggled until a late goal by Jacob Christenson with a minute left. It was going into overtime sudden death, and the Hornets were pumped and ready. It showed when Daniel Newton put it in with only two minutes off the clock. The Hornets were champions, and they accomplished their goal. David Jensen was named tournament MVP and All-Conference team. Patrick Trout was named to the All-Conference and All-Tournament teams.

Anyone on our team could have received those awards for their hard work. It is nice to know that we have everyone coming back next year except our only senior, Aaron Hoffman. Congratulations, Hornets!

Macbeth Banquet Scene Recently, the LRCS seniors studied William Shakespeare’s Macbeth in British Literature.

A highlight of the study was a “breakfast banquet” while they studied the banquet scene.

The students learned about the purposes of the banquets in Shakespeare’s plays as well as the significance of Macbeth’s banquet. Learning always comes easier when food is involved!

The Gift of Giving Once again the preschool-sixth grade classes made ornaments for the Christmas trees at Mills.

Every year, Mills has Christmas trees that are decorated, and then those trees are given to families in need. The students enjoyed making the ornaments, and it was a great time to remember how we can help those around us who are in need. Several families and staff members attended the decorating night.

Symphonic Band comes to LRCS On Monday, November 15, the symphonic band from Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Watertown, Wisconsin, came to Lake Region Christian School. The K5-12th grade students were treated to a concert. The symphonic band presented several pieces featuring the different instruments. The students enjoyed seeing and hearing all the different instruments separately when the conductor introduced each section. The trombone and the tuba were fast favorites! We were honored to have them as part of our day.

Christmas Program

On Thursday evening, December 9th, the LRCS students and their families gathered at school for the annual Christmas program titled “The King Has Come.” Following a prelude by the school’s piano students, the kindergartners started the program with their rendition of “C Is for the Christ-child”; each class from first through fourth grades then presented a Biblical passage and a related Christmas song. Performances by the newly-formed high school chime choir, the school vocal ensemble, and the junior high chime and vocal choir were mixed in throughout the evening. The program finale was a joyful rendition of “How Should a King Come?” complete with recorders, rhythm sticks, xylophones, and hand bells.

Good food is made from scratch Affordable menu prices ranging from $399 to $1499

Everything is made from scratch - even our salad dressings!

Open 6:30 AM til 8:00 PM, 7 days a week. 218.824.5131 • www.brainerdlakescafe.com

10S

Tuesday, December 21

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Nisswa

ELEMENTARY The Flag Burning Ceremony

By Nikita Collette

On November 12th 2010 the Nisswa school fourth graders went to the American Legion to learn about America. We learned the proper way to burn a flag if it is worn out or the colors have faded. We got to walk there with armed soldiers holding flags.

I don’t think that I have ever been that close to an armed soldier before! WE learned what POW.MIA meant. It means Prisoner of War, Military in Action. After we had finished viewing all of the flags that the USA has had in the past we got appetizing refreshments. Thank you all who help(ed) protect our country!

F.R.E.D. Dads of Nisswa students in PreK, Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd Grades joined in on a fun night of active play in the gym, and went home with a free book.! Fathers Read Every Day (F.R.ED) is intended for fathers, stepdads, grandpas, uncles, family friends, mentors, or any other man involved in the life of a child. Coordinated by Joe Koman, Nisswa Kindergarten Teacher, additional F.R.E.D. nights are planned for January 13 and March 10.

The Science Express The Science Express, an incredible 53 ft. Bioscience Lab, made a 4-day stop at Nisswa Elementary School!

Launched in the fall of 2009 with the support from public and private sectors, and the semi trailer donated by Medtronic, Minneapolis-based global leader in medical technology, was retrofitted with the help of Innovative Laboratory Systems, 3M, and Everything Signs, which produced the attention-getting exterior graphics. Under the direction of Dr. Bruce Jacobson, SCSU Associate Professor and Director of BioBusiness Outreach, every student at Nisswa had a variety of science experiences, such as “Microscopy”, where students were introduced to researchgrade stereo & compound microscopes, or “Kool-Aid Katastrophe” where students were members of an analytical team charged with figuring out which two Kool-Aid flavors accidentally got mixed. Other popular activities included Soil Forensics, where students made investigations and analyzed soil around a ‘crime scene’, and Pipetting 101, where students were introduced to adjustable pipettors through fun activities including precipitation reactions, colorchange reactions, and the relation between weight and volume.

LAKERS’ Pride All-school assemblies are held the first Friday of every month, at which time students and staff participate in lively activities to celebrate the all-school behavior plan, entitled LAKERS’ Pride - Sail to Success. Working with students and their families to promote positive behaviors in all school settings, we strive to have LAKERS’ Pride (L=Listen, A=Act responsibly, K=Keep safe, E=Eager to learn, R=Respect, and S=sail to success) be the core of our school. The Nisswa PTO strongly supports the development of healthy social/emotional skills (empathy, impulse control & problem-solving, and anger management.) They purchased and handed out early Christmas Gifts at the Dec. 3 rally to all students - their very own LAKERS’ Pride t-shirts. Thank you, PTO!!

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Tuesday, December 21

11S

Pequot Lakes PATRIOTS Students Go Green

By Lauren Bengtson and Brooke Swenson Recycling paper is a middle level student council project. This is important to students because they want to do their part to protect the environment, save trees, and stop global warming.

Student council members collect paper from classrooms every two weeks and take it to the recycle bins near the school cafeteria entrance.

Saving paper is one small step towards preserving our planet!

Guest Author, Mary Casanova visits Pequot

Mary poses with a group of Eagle View writers, (back row: Sandra Chuey, Brianna Hanson, Kaleb Sundstrom, Emma Benson) (front row: Jordyn Tayloe, Abigail Reigel, Ashlynn Reynolds, Lachlan Larson)

Mary Casanova autographs a Dog Watch book for 4th grade student, Nikolas Stewart.

Mrs. Harman’s and Mrs. Schommer’s 3-4 Multiage students enjoy the One-Dog Canoe mural painted for the author’s visit by Sydney Needham.

Jeremy Cassman is the frog that tips the animal-filled canoe over in the book set on Rainy Lake in northern Minnesota in One-Dog Canoe.

Penny Wars Help Families in Need

By Hunter Goerges

Students in grades 6-8 raised money to help families during the holiday season by having a Penny War. The competition raised money for those in need by purchasing Christmas items for children, sponsoring families in need, and supporting the local food shelf. At the time this article was written, the final tally was not in. 6th grade has 1 and half jars plus a -$9, 7th grade has 1 jar plus a + $1, 8th grade has 1 jar plus a + $40. With all the silver in the jars along with the pennies, it will be a close race between the grades.

The Middle Level Student council organized this fundraiser for the middle level students.

PTA Taste of the Holidays ML choir and band members entertained the crowds at Schaefer’s “Taste of the Holidays.” Schaefer’s donated 100% of the profits that night to the PLS PTA, which supports both the Middle Level and Eagle View schools. The store was packed and the holiday spirit was in the air. Thanks to the ML students who came out that night to support this cause!

A Winter Dream Jaimie Dowdall & Shelby Holmes

On December 4, 2010, the Student Council sponsored their yearly Winter Ball at Breezy Point Resort in one of the conference rooms. The theme was “Winter Dream.” The cost was $20 per ticket, which covered the cost of the facility, refreshments, and the DJ. The Council hired a spectacular DJ this year who played many different types of music to accommodate all the students’ musical tastes. The students who attended shared lots of laughs and made wonderful memories.

7th and 8th grade Artists 7th and 8th grade art students studied an artist of their choice.

They spent time in the computer lab researching their artist of choice and answering questions about their life and art. After completing their research they moved back to the classroom to complete an acrylic painting on a canvas. This painting was to be in the style of the artist they were studying. There was a great variety of artists chosen because the students were allowed to chose an artist that they were interested in. The paintings were very successful, and many will be the artwork students choose to display in the festival of the arts this spring at the school. (the soup can painting belongs to Carlee Wascheck, she studied Andy Warhol, The black and white puddle painting belongs to Emilee Buell, she studied M.C. Escher)

Crosby Cares.

(the soup can painting belongs to Carlee Wascheck, she studied Andy Warhol, The black and white puddle painting belongs to Emilee Buell, she studied M.C. Escher)

The Medical Campus in Crosby.

www.crosbycares.com

12S

Tuesday, December 21

PILLAGER

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Home of the Huskies All in a Day’s Work for the Kindergarten The busy bees of Mrs. Balsley’s kindergarten gave thanks and celebrated with a feast filled with Pilgrims and Indians. They started off the celebration by making stone soup and butter. Other items include dried blueberries, crackers, popcorn, carrots and milk. The bees shared what they were thankful for and then filled their bellies among friends.

It’s a busy classroom in kindergarten during December.

Mrs. Fredman reports that her students are busy with reading, writing and math. Add to that sewing, painting and looking for runaway Gingerbread men. One thing’s is for sure, there’s been not time to sit around twiddling thumbs! Volunteers in the form of moms and grandmas assisted the students with their sewing projects. Paint shirts were a regular part of a days work while Christmas presents were completed one by one. As for the runaway Gingerbread man, various people around the school gave their children clues and he was found! He went by way of all good Gingerbread men, straight into their mouths.

What a tasty treat!

First Graders Gather a Feast

Mrs. Cousino’s first graders made drumstickhats and gave reasons to be thankful. They collected a feast to share.

Waffle cones were used in place of a cornucopia!

Service Learning Does Good

The kindergartners at Pillager School have been learning letter recognition, alphabetical order, letter sounds and how to print upper and lower-case letters during “ABC Sharing”. Each letter of the alphabet has its own special day. The kindergartners sing songs, read stories and do activities and projects that begin with the “Letter of the Day.” 8th Grade Community Service class and the Elementary school were able to team up for the Pillager Food Shelf. Over 900 pounds of food were delivered to the Pillager Food Shelf on behalf of the elementary students

Mrs. King’s kindergarten class celebrated Thanksgiving by having their very own Thanksgiving feast. They ate turkey, dried fruit, pumpkin pie, and crackers with homemade butter. The Kindergartner’s studied Pilgrims during the month of November. They also talked about what they were thankful for at the feast.

Students Enjoy Target Field

By Caroline Rasinski & Shayla Hunstad We were glad to see that this fall’s Rewards Day options were more divers than previous years. Being that we are both big Twins fans, going on a tour of Target Field was exciting. On our tour we got to see the club suites, press boxes, commentator booths, bullpens, the clubhouse, historic Twins displays, and much, much more.

The most thrilling part of our tour was walking out onto the field. We never thought we’d be walking on the same ground as our idols or sit inside their dugout. During the tour, we learned many fats about previous decade teams and fields as well as Target Field itself. We are very grateful for the opportunity and we will never forget it.

Blowing Bubbles on “B” Day

Kindergartners lead the pledge at Veteran’s Day.

Volcano on “V” Day.

Huskies of the Month November Last month, John Simmons was chosen as the Football Husky of the Month. Coach Mehr remarked...

Tiana Eng was the Cross Country Husky of the Month. Coach Hollingsworth stated that Tiana’s time at the conference meet.

Kayla Rardin

Megan Lintner

Charcoal “Hallway” • Grade 12

December Megan Lintner has been chosen as the Yearbook Husky of the Month this month. Mrs. Devine state, “Megan has picked up a few more yearbook pages to be completed in short amount of time.”

Kayla Rardin was chosen as the National Honor Society Husky of the month. Mrs. Turner states, “Kayla is an outstanding young person, who leads quietly but firmly in a manner in which all students respect her character and leadership.”

Tiana Eng

ARTIST’S CORNER

John Simmons

Artist: Jessica Kadus

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Tuesday, December 21

Author Mary Casanova Visits Pine River!

13S

Wii Have Character!

Students and staff enjoyed a final celebration of the Community Read Project for 2010 sponsored by the PRB School Board “Catch the Pride” committee. All K-2 students read Mary Casanova’s book “One Dog Canoe”, and all 3-6 students read “Dogwatch: Trouble in Pembrook” also by Casanova. Thanks to donations from the PRBE PTO and the Crow Wing Power Community Trust, all students received their own copy of the book to take home and read with their families.

The Community Read final celebration took place on Tuesday, Nov. 23.

Mary Casanova presented a schoolwide assembly with all elementary students to talk about her books and her experiences as a published author. At noon, the Pine River Chamber of Commerce ate Mary Casanova shares the joys and challenges of lunch onsite where student work was being a published author of children’s literature. displayed, and Ms. Casanova was the main speaker. In celebration of American Education Week, the 2011 Teacher of the Year was also announced. PRBE staff and students are proud to congratulate our own PRBE special education teacher, Michelle Zeleny.

To promote the Character Counts program, PRBE students are being nominated by a staff member or any of their peers for displaying outstanding character traits. Those traits include: friendship, honesty, compassion, respect, generosity, self-discipline, cooperation, acceptance, responsibility, and perseverance. From the nominations, students are chosen randomly to play the new “Wii” during recess time.

Students have been bowling, boxing, dancing, golfing and enjoying a number of other good fitness activities as an incentive for being great “characters.” In addition, during our monthly schoolwide assemblies, PRBE staff have been competing for the Best Dancer award as they share their Wii dance moves and demonstrate how much fun it is to dance and get fit.

Cooking Up A Storm The PRB Elementary Choir sang at the Pine River Chamber of Commerce luncheon held at the school.

Winter Fun Miss Richards’s class loves the winter snow!

They have enjoyed making snow forts, snowmen and sliding at recess!

Mrs. Cochem’s kindergarten class had a blast making mini holiday pies! The kindergarteners crushed graham crackers for the crust and helped make pumpkin whip for the pie.

One Dog Canoe Mrs. Goddard’s class received the book One Dog Canoe by Mary Casanova from Principal Bruns and Officer Chad. They also created a “One Class Canoe” display for Mary Casanova’s visit and won the contest! The class will enjoy the additional “dog member” to their class.

Phenology Rules!

John Latimer, from KAXE Northern Community Radio, spent time with Mrs. Dallas Ruud’s fourth grade class to talk Phenology.

The fourth grade students have been reporting their nature observations to the Talkback portion of the John’s Phenology show since September. The students were very excited to learn about what birds to watch for lurking at our feeders this winter. For information about the Phenology show go to www.kaxe. org.

Alaskan Adventure The students in Mrs. Dallas Ruud’s fourth grade class learned about Alaska when guest teacher Shari Hoefs came for a visit. Ms. Hoefs shared artifacts from her four-month stay on the Alaskan Peninsula.

The students saw pictures of bears, several types of salmon, and beautiful landscapes.

They even held and learned about Japanese glass buoys, just one of Ms. Hoefs’s findings from the Alaskan shore.

Back To The 50’s

First Grade celebrated the 50th day of school with a “50s party.” Activities included a hula hoop contest, bubble gum blowing, jumping rope, hopscotch and watched black and white cartoons while enjoying root beer floats. Students were encouraged to dress up with “50s looking” attire.

Pine River-Backus Elementary Special Education teacher, Michelle Zeleny, was chosen as the 2011 Teacher of the Year.

Congratulations to Ms. Z!

Munch and Read

All PRB students read one of Casanova’s three books chosen for the 2010 Community Read: “One Dog Canoe”, “Dogwatch: Trouble in Pembrook”, and “The Klipfish Code.”

Students in Mrs. Holden’s 4th grade class enjoy a weekly session of “Munch and Read”. This tradition was started by PRB teacher, Diane Norlin, who recently retired. Mrs. Holden decided to continue the tradition of combining a healthy snack with their favorite book. The students all enjoy the food and the reading time!

14S

Tuesday, December 21

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

RIVERSIDE

ELEMENTARY Riverside Staff and Students wish you a holiday season of sharing, caring and giving. Merry Christmas!

Third Graders write commercials for Woodworking Gifts Radiothon to End Child Abuse Each year, students from Mrs. Schirmer’s third grade are chosen to do a commercial at WJJY for the Radiothon to End Child Abuse. Each student in the classroom writes a commercial telling why he/she wants to end child abuse. Employees from Crow Wing Social Services come to the classroom, listen to the commercials of the students that want to participate, and choose the students who will be involved.

The following students were chosen: Madison Holm, Gracie Miles, Devin Rudolph, Travis Sawyer, Aiah SmithSeelen, and Joey Wiskow. When asked why he wanted to participate, Travis Sawyer stated, “I think every kid deserves to have a good home and to be cared for. I also think it will be fun to be on the radio!”

Grant Haglin, the woodworking instructor at Brainerd High School, along with a Riverside parent contacted Mrs. Engler, principal of Riverside, with an awesome idea for Christmas gifts for our kindergarteners. Mr. Haglin’s advance woodworking class has been busy making a game, Shut the Box. The game is a fun way to introduce students to numbers, adding and number combinations. The object of the game is to cover as many numbers as possible. Mr. Haglin and his elves wrapped and delivered these wonderful games to our six kindergarten classes. Thank you for sharing, caring and giving!

Merry Christmas!

Sharing Third Grade staff and students gave Toys for Kids a check and money totaling $217.00.

Reading Buddies share stories and reading time. Mr. Stark’s Third Grade Class and Mr. Aulie’s Kindergarten Class

Jeff Workman of Heartland Detachment with the Marine Corps League receives a check from 3rd Grade Students and Staff for the Toys for Kids Program.

Caring Sharing a favorite book...Reading Buddies....Mrs. Schirmer’s Third Grade and Miss Ramey’s First Grade

Oh, Cranberries!

Giving - For over 20 years, Riverside students have been collecting cans of cranberries for the holiday food drive for the Salvation Army. Mrs. Hummer’s students are helping with this year’s collection.

Sharing Good Times

Giving

Warm Winter Friends

Merry Christmas!

Happy Winter!

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Tuesday, December 21

15S

Mission Statement St. Francis of the Lakes Catholic School, in cooperation with the family, is a vibrant school committed to challenging students to grow spiritually, academically and socially within a Catholic-centered environment. Our students come from the entire region including Brainerd, Baxter, Pillager, Nisswa, Pequot Lakes, MerriďŹ eld, Aitkin, Deerwood, Ironton, Crosby, Garrison, Pine River, Crosslake, E. Gull Lake & Fort Ripley.

Christmas Program Auditorium Overows

Preschool through Eighth Grade students performed in the annual Christmas Program on December 7th at Tornstrom Auditorium.

Students BeneďŹ t from Physical Education Health and ďŹ tness is an integral part of each day. Students warm up with both sustained cardiovascular activities and activities requiring intervals of cardiovascular endurance. Students are learning a new bone and muscle so it is no longer your “thighâ€? (it’s your quadriceps). All grades participated in a heart unit with topics ranging from basic anatomy to calculating target heart rate zones. Students raised and lowered their heart rates and learned to identify those changes. Students learned about cholesterol, what too much of it can do, where it comes from, and how to lower it. Students also learned about blood ow, arteries, veins, and oxygen intake.

Marathon Results Our marathon resulted in over $46,000. Wow, that’s a record! Thank you to Father Steve & Deacon Roger for shaving their hair to show your support of the children’s efforts.

100% of funds go directly to the school for 2010-11 operating expenses.

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Noah and the Ark Stories by First Graders

St. Nicholas Visits

Saint Nicholas visited students on the Feast of St. Nicholas December 6th and gave goody bags to every child.

He had lots of lots of animals on the boat and Noah family was on too. God was watching him and his family to and the animals but no water got in the boat. That was good.

By: Isabelle

People laughed at Noah’s Ark because there was no water. Noah said God will make a ood and we will get on the boat and sail. It rained for 40 days. When they got to land they saw a rainbow.

By: Adam

Noah sailed on the ark for 40 days. Their family was on the ark. Two animals on the ark. A bird had left. They didn’t have food. They didn’t! Noah built a boat. He sailed in the ocean.

By: Olivia

God wanted him to make a ark. He let the animals in the ark. He let the male he let the female in the ark. He let his family in the ark. He made the ark out of wood. They got bored on the water.

They let the bird out to ďŹ nd the land.

By: Sam

There was water around them. They could not get wet. If they did they would sink. There was no land. Noah might have felt sad. He might have wanted to get wet. They waited for 40 days and 40 nights. No one liked it.

By: Morgan

16S

Tuesday, December 21

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Staples

Motley

Independent School District #2170 Field Trip 60 High School Spanish students recently had an opportunity to attend Mixed Blood’s production of “House of the Spirits” (a play by Caridad Svich based on Isabel Allende’s novel by the same name). The play first premiered at Repetorio Espanol in New York City in May of this year, where Allende herself was able to view the production. The story allowed students to explore different social issues, including human and women’s rights, in the context of Latin American 20th century political history.

After the play, the group which included SM high school spanish teacher Tracey Kloeckl-Jimenez, went to the Global Market in Minneapolis, where they were encouraged to try food from different cultures.

Some students ate Chinese food, others tried Greek, some tried Mexican and some, like typical teenagers, decided to stay with a “safe” option - pizza! Popular spots at the market were the candy store and the Italian ice cream parlor. Several exchange students from Argentina, Austria, Brazil and Germany accompanied the group.

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten The Staples Motley Early Childhood Coalition and the Staples Public Library are pleased to announce that Huntington Kleinschmidt is the first child to reach a reading goal of 1000 books in the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program. This program is a joint effort between the Staples Public Library and the Coalition to promote reading in the early years. Children/parents keep a log of books they read and upon reaching goals along the way are honored with stickers and books. Upon reaching 1000 books the child receives a certificate, as well as a special gift. Receiving his certificate, Dr. Seuss Book and “Wocket” above is Huntington and his mother Jessica Kleinschmidt. Pictured with them is Ellen Peters, Librarian (left) and Myra Horner, Staples Motley Early Childhood Coalition Project Coordinator (right). For more information on the 1000 Books program or the Staples Motley Early Childhood Coalition, please contact Myra Horner at 218-330-8155.

Students Receive FREE School Supplies All Staples –Motley Elementary Students Receive FREE School Supplies in November.

The Kids In Need Foundation, a national, non-profit organization dedicated to providing free school supplies to economically disadvantaged school children and underfunded teachers, announces a grant funded by 3M, that provided school supplies to more than 500 elementary students in Staples, Minnesota on November 24, 2010. The Foundation provided basic school supplies, including pencils, paper and glue sticks, to every student at Staples and Motley Elementary Schools.

The Kids In Need Foundation is a national 501(c) (3) charitable organization founded in 1995. The Foundation’s mission is to ensure that every child is prepared to learn and succeed by providing free school supplies nationally to students most in need. The Kids in Need National Network of Resource Centers includes 24 facilities that allow teachers from low-income schools to obtain free school supplies for their students. The national sponsor of the Kids In Need Network is Target, a long time supporter of the Kids In Need Foundation. In addition, Kids In Need Teacher Grants provide K-12 educators with funding to provide innovative learning opportunities for students. The Kids in Need Foundation has distributed nearly $300 million in school supplies since its founding, directly benefiting 1.6 million students and 100,000 teachers annually, and has awarded more than $1 million in grants to teachers. The Kids In Need Foundation has received Charity Navigator’s highest four-star rating, indicating that it executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way and outperforms most other charities in America. For more information, visit www.kinf.org.

Follow Kids In Need on Twitter, http://twitter.com/kidsinneed.

Chef’s Visit Chefs Mark Good and Steve Wacholz from Grand View Lodge assisted children at Staples Elementary in making a fruit/yogurt parfait.

The American Heart Association and the American Culinary Federation teamed up for the heart health presentation in November.

Photo courtesy of Staples World

Haunted House This fall in Staples, 1285 people attended the Haunted Hallow. Because of such a great turnout, the Haunted Hallow (Owned and organized by the Holst Family) was able to make donations to the following Staples Motley High School clubs: Wrestling Club, Runners Club (cross country), FFA, Cheerleading. They were also able to contribute to many Central Lakes College Clubs: Nursing Club, Robotics Cub, Medical Assistant Club, Artery Club (art and graphics club) and the Heavy Equipment Club. The total number of volunteers was well over 300. Thank you, everyone, for your help in making this such a successful event.

Derek and Jen Holst, right, with Derek’s brother Darren, take a break in the graveyard while preparing for the opening of the Haunted Hollow trail. (Staples World photo by Mark Anderson)

Madrigal Dinner Staples Motley High School choir students entertained guests at a Madrigal Dinner which they perform every other year during the Christmas season. The meal is divided into courses, each of which is heralded with traditional music. Tickets are usually sold out on the first day of availability as guests from all over enjoy the incredible talent showcased.

Knowledge Bowl Motley Staples Middle School Knowledge Bowl competitions are an interdisciplinary academic program designed to help students: ¨ Develop retention/recall skills ¨ Develop team skills ¨ Develop self-confidence and school pride ¨ Develop good sportsmanship ¨ Develop competitive skills Questions are a mix of every discipline area including MN history and general knowledge of Minnesota.

We are thrilled to be able to expand our Motley Staples Middle School Knowledge Bowl program this year to include three additional Round Robin events in January and February held in Brainerd for students in grades 7 and 8.

Sixth grade students can also participate in MS Knowledge Bowl.

Practice is being held on Wednesday and Friday mornings before school.

Sixth grade students will be invited to join the 7th and 8th grade teams in the Regional Jr. High Knowledge Bowl event held in Brainerd on March 8.

Webcast

Can’t make it out to all the Staples Motley High School sporting events this school year? Have family living out of the area that want to watch their relatives compete? How about the Prom’s Grand March or Graduation?

Not only will many events be available live through internet streaming at www.webcast50.com, but all events are also archived for future viewing. To find Cardinal events just simply type “Staples-Motley” in the search area on the site and you will be brought to the Staples Motley Event Center.