School Pags - Jan. 2011

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Wednesday, January 26

1S

HX]dda EV\Zh In this issue:

Gather: An empty tin can Ice cubes Salt

Baxter Elementary Central Lakes College Crosby/Ironton

1. Fill the can with ice cubes and cover the cubes with water.

2. Add a little salt and stir for a few minutes.

3. Watch the outside of the can. A thin layer of frost will form.

Crosslake Forestview Middle School 8th Grade

Snowflakes are made up of tiny snow crystals. In fact one snowflake can be made up of 2 to 200 separate snow crystals. Snow crystals form around tiny bits of dirt that have been carried up into the atmosphere by the wind. So snowflakes are really little bits of dirt dressed up in ice crystals!

GarďŹ eld Elementary Harrison Elementary ISD 181 Community Education Lake Region Christian School

It is said that no two snowflakes are the same.Yet every snowflake on these pages has a match. Can you find each matching pair?

Learning Tree Pre-School Lowell Elementary Nisswa Elementary Pillager Elementary/High School St. Francis Catholic School

Scientists think that there are four different shapes of snow crystals. The simplest shape is a long, needle-shaped spike.

The other shapes all have six sides. One is a long, hollow tube shaped like a six-sided prism. There are also six-sided plates. And, lastly, there are intricate, six-pointed stars.

Staples/Motely Schools

ne BRAINERD DISPATCH

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

online

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

Wednesday, January 26

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

BAXTER

ELEMENTARY F.R.E.D. Night 2nd Graders at Baxter School, had a fun night with their dads. The FRED program, AKA: Fathers Reading Every Day, was a huge success. Games were played, books were read, and there were many smiles on the faces of Baxter kids and their dads!! Special thanks to Lowel Johnson who heads up this wonderful program.

Gingerbread houses and gingerbread men Students in Mrs. Dunphy’s Kindergarten class enjoyed preparing for the holidays by making gingerbread houses.

The Spirit of Giving Baxter 4th grader’s decided again this year to forego their traditional classroom gift exchange. Instead, they chose to help sponsor a couple of families in need through Bridges of Hope. Their individual donations helped to buy Christmas gifts for a family of 4 and a family of 5 totalling over $1000.00. Kohl’s department store even helped out by allowing an extra 30% off all items purchased. This was a great achievement for these four classes and a way for them to reach out and help others in need.

Students in Mrs. Dick’s Second grade had a great time decorating their very own gingerbread man. (below)

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

CLC student life: Something for everyone Student Life at CLC is the name for activities designed to provide socializing, relaxation, celebration, and friendly competition. Student fees are dedicated to the enrichment, including funds for 31 clubs and organizations on campus.

There are student bus trips to professional baseball, basketball, and hockey games, tournaments based on video games, paintball, dodge ball, volleyball, and foosball.

Student activities also include dances at Halloween and an 80s prom, guest musicians and other entertainers, a voter registration drive, bowling nights, blood drive and food drive volunteering, a holiday party for the children of single-parent students, and campus and state student government opportunities.

Wednesday, January 26

3S

1. Holiday event Central Lakes College Student Senate hosted a holiday event for the children of single parents. Santa Claus arrived with presents for each of the 100 children. Among the volunteers were Steve Sabin, Matt Salge, Toy Ross McRae, Thea Roman, Matt Kertzman, Adam Schlangen, Tyler Acheson, Erich Heppner, Anthony Allen, Alishia Zoch, Michael Marotta, Samantha Hagerty, Joshua Edwards, Miranda Mastin, Christopher Malcolm, and Kimberly Tessmer. Marotta, a student in Communication Art and Design, did the honors as Santa Claus.

2. Adopt-A-Highway Twice each year, in the fall and spring, the Staples campus Student Senate at CLC picks trash up along a two-mile stretch of Highway 210 southwest of Staples. They enjoy doing their part to keep our state’s roadsides from being eyesores. Student volunteers conclude the effort with a pizza party. Front from left: Matt Kertzman, Rob Brown, Erich Heppner, and Alishia Zoch.

Back from left: Toy Ross-McRae, Mandi Drevlow, Michaella Johnson, Matt Salge, Maggi Carlson, Tyler Acheson.

3. Intramural volleyball champs The champions in volleyball competition sponsored by Student Life at CLC are, front from left, Jared Zoller, Jeff Reedy, Adam Bybee, and back from left, Joshua Edwards, Kyle Crozon, and Cory Jackson.

4. Pool tournament champs The Central Lakes College Doubles Pool Champions on the Brainerd and Staples campuses each received $20 gift cards to Buffalo Wild Wings for their accomplishment, reports Erich Heppner, director of student life. Brainerd Tournament Champions from among 10 competing - The Ninny Women: Jake Seidenstricker (left) and Seth Helland with gift cards in mouth and rack in hand. Staples Tournament Champions from a six-team competition - Team Ninja: Cody James Edwards (left) and Matt Kertzman, posing tabletop with cues.

5. Blood drive

1.

Nathan Sievert of Little Falls was among the more than 100 Central Lakes College students and staff who donated a pint of his blood during the American Red Cross Blood Drive hosted by the Student Senate. Heather Oeltjenbruns, a phlebotomist with the St. Cloud office of the Red Cross, was one of the agency workers to staff the six-hour project in the campus gymnasium. Blood drives are held twice each year on the Brainerd and Staples campuses.

CLC Accounting Club donates to local charities 2.

3.

4.

4.

5.

The Central Lakes College Accounting Club capped a semester-long drive by delivering 12 boxes of supplies to two non-profit agencies serving those in need – New Pathways Family Day Center and Women’s Center of Mid-Minnesota, both in Brainerd.

Gifts included diapers, new and clean used clothing, toys, games, dolls, stuffed animals, infant car seats, gift wrap, and a number of $5 gift certificates.

New Pathways is a transitional shelter for homeless families with children and the women’s center serves victims in domestic crisis.

Club members in the project were President Dwight Hinch, Rebecca Ellzey, student senate liaison; and Sherri Huchel, Kane Johnson, Brandi Erlacher, Sarah Richardt, and Dale Ranney, all of Brainerd; Vice President Michelle Pejka, Tanya Insley, and Xi Lin, all of Baxter; Treasurer Laura Patchin and Renee Fox, both of Crosby; Secretary Nicole Lloyd, Pequot Lakes; Celeste Wilson, Backus; Michelle Stenglein, Merrifield; Muraty Harsono, Indonesia; Laura Large, Pine River; Anita Patnoe, Nisswa; and Lacey Barnes, Ironton.

Members of the Central Lakes College Accounting Club delivered gifts to New Pathways Family Day Center after a semester-long fund-raising project.

Front from left: Michelle Pejka, Baxter; Darla Myers, Crosslake; Michelle Stenglein, Merrifield; Dwight Hinch, Brainerd; and adviser Elizabeth Ahrens, Hillman. Back from left: Daniel Tupy and Mary Wohl of New Pathways; and club members Nicole Lloyd, Pequot Lakes, and Celeste Wilson, Backus.

Spanish club collects cloth for Guatemala The Central Lakes College Spanish Club has collected hundreds of yards of cloth for a sewing school in Guatemala.

The club undertook the project to help build a village in Guatemala through the non-profit Common Hope organization. Dave Huebsch of Little Falls, author of the book “Rising Villages,” visited CLC and had told the Spanish Club and CLC students that he was starting a sewing school.

Dave and Bina Huebsch have for 30 years worked through Common Hope, and more recently Rising Villages, to improve the quality of life for the people of Antigua, Guatemala, and other mountain villages.

Among the materials collected were cotton and flannel and gently used bed sheets -- all to be used for sewing classes in Guatemala. The cloth drive on the Brainerd campus produced six large, plastic bags and a variety of smaller containers filled with material that will be delivered to Guatemala this spring.

Front from left: Wendy Antolak (staff), Hannah Trostle, Outing; Spanish Club adviser Jan Kurtz, and Tyra Osvold (staff). Standing from left: Jessica Koehler, Baxter; Shauna Maurer, Cushing; Hannah Smith, Crosby; Sarah Norton, Brainerd; Laura Smith, Aitkin; Durene Packer, Fort Ripley; Dave Huebsch, Jodi Herron, Brainerd; Randi Georges, Nisswa; Abra Fisk, Fort Ripley; Lance Zetah, East Gull Lake; Miguel Porras, Guatemala; and Sue Bowman (staff).

CLC student nominated for statewide honor Stacy O’Connell, a Central Lakes College student, has been nominated for one of three $1,000 Minnesota Trio Association scholarships.

The scholarships are the Ronald McKinley, the Bruce Vento Memorial, and the Paul and Sheila Wellstone Memorial.

She was selected for the competition from 180 CLC Trio participants. Trio is a U.S. Department of Education federally-funded student support services program.

Stacy is an honors graduate from CLC 14 years ago, when she earned an Associate in Applied Science degree in accounting. The Crosby native, now a single parent living in Brainerd, worked for 13

years in accounting.

She returned to CLC when her youngest child was diagnosed with a learning disability requiring O’Connell to educate herself about the extra support she would need.

She graduates from CLC this May with her Associate in Science degree in Young Child Education and will transfer to St. Cloud State University to work toward a Bachelor of Science degree.

While raising her family, working part-time for the college, and participating in organizations such as Women of Today, she has earned a 3.23 grade-point average.

4S

Wednesday, January 26

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Crosby-Ironton Rangers Science and Technology Day Students in Mrs. Callisto’s Kindergarten class are working at the Author’s Tool Box station, writing station, ABC station, sentence practice station and ‘Memory’ station.

40 7th and 8th grade students were selected based on their grades and their expressed interest in Science and Math to attend Bemidji State University’s Share the Future in Science and Technology Day, which was held at BSU in December. Students listened to a guest speaker from NASA, listened to guest presenters from all types of Science and Math fields, completed hands on science activities and took a tour of the campus.

Group picture of all the students who attended the BSU Share the Future in Science and Technology Day

Students holding DNA they extracted from wheat.

Miss Molly’s Thursday Preschool Class enjoyed their Holiday party on December 16th! The classroom read the story, “The Gingerbread Man” pictures by Karen Schmidt! The class also put gingerbread people in the oven to bake and to their surprise when snack time arrived the gingerbread men had escaped the oven and were found hiding in the elementary office. The class was really exciting to finally eat the cookies with chocolate milk. They also enjoyed making Christmas ornaments and making chocolate covered pretzels and animal crackers

Students learning about forensic science after completing a finger printing activity.

(RIght) Students learning about micro-organisms using microscopes.

READ Poster Contest The Jessie F. Hallett Memorial Library sponsored a READ poster contest for the digital photography class in December. The winners were: Salena O’Neal-Harvey, Kelsey Rosier, Brittney Staley, and Angela Wodarz.

Students in my class had State Trooper Drew Olson in our classroom to teach us about safety. The students received a safety activity booklet and got to ask him questions about his job.

SnoDaze Mrs. Abear’s second graders are working on projects based on the book “Flat Stanley” by Jeff Brown. Here Lily Habighorst and Lily Peterson are coloring their “Flat Lily” pictures.

Students that met their independent reading goal by midterm of 2nd quarter Front: Kaitlyn Sharp, Madison Jay, Monica Buchite, Mariah Melenich, Taylor Wassen, Emilie Froidcoeur 2nd Row: Melia Voss, Mikaela Hartman, Madison Berg, Samantha Haag Back: Breanna Thompson, Dylan Stangel, Bria Davis, Rachel Bundy, Karrina Myhre, Abby Gindorff, Kelsey MartinMulholland, Rachel Aguirre, Ashley Bartel, Abbie Damm

Crosby-Ironton High School celebrated SnoDaze. The week was kicked off on 1/7 with SnoDaze Coronation King: Nathan Hudrlik, Queen Kristi Stroschein, Prince Caleb Baker, and Princess Allison Gregg.

Crown Bearers: Olivia Rudolph and Chase Koop Masters of Ceremony: Phil Kuhlman and Mitch Gutzman Soloist: Ashley Barutt singing “Fireworks” by King candidates Queen candidates Katy Perry Royal Court: Julia Beckrich, Lisa Borden, Holly Seguin, Shannon Lindberg, Samantha Anderson, Rebekah Pitassi, Sienna Miller, Shelby Vukelich, Kyler DeCent, Tyler Heinlen, Jasper Schmidt, Austin Koppelman, Drue Mooers, Riley Patrick, Phil Stokman, Prince candidates Princess candidates and Joe Herda.

In December, students in Mrs. Johnson’s Algebra/Geometry classes studied three-dimensional geometry by constructing icosahedrons. These are structures amde by joining 20 equilateral triangles to each other and when assembled, resemble spheres. They were able to take them home and use them as Christmas decorations

Left to right: Mary Kraemer, Gabby Podany, Jake Sipper

Left to right: Brittney Nelson, Hailey Wassen, Caroline Sharp and Sienna Coverdale-Ukura.

Front: Gabby Podany, Marissa Meyer, Allison Gregg. Back: Dalton Wheeler, Zach Olander, Justin Robinson.

Crosby Cares.

The Medical Campus in Crosby.

www.crosbycares.com

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Wednesday, January 26

Crosslake LUMBERJACKS

Community School

These students were recognized for superb display of discipline.

Geography Bee On Friday, Dec. 10th, the students in grades 4-8 participated in a local Geography Bee. PHOTO: Joey Hendrickson, Ethan Gibbs, Trevor Schulz.

As champion winner for our school, Joey will soon be completing a written exam, which may qualify him to participate in the State Competition.

K-4 team: Landon Mitchell, Lily Swenson, Stephanie Aldridge, Morgan Endriss.

Grace Bonfig, Maya Orvis, Stephen Maschhoff.

City Hall Tree Ornaments Each year for the past several years, Crosslake City Hall has invited the Crosslake Community School students to make ornaments and then adorn the tree in the lobby of City Hall. Mr. Swanson’s Grade 4/5 students brought over the ornaments made by all the other classes and took turns decorating the tree. The classes did this activity as one of their art projects.

All of these photos were taken by Lance Swanson, 4/5 teacher.

4-8 team: Dylan Nelson, Kelsie Weite, Kiley Anderson, Seth Srock.

Maverick Engstrom, Kayla Richey.

K.I.D.S. T-Shirts = Positive Behavior Program The Crosslake Community School is in its third year of implementing their positive behavior program.

Through the support of the Crosslake/Ideal Lion’s Club the school is able to purchase shirts for the students and staff. The students must exhibit characteristics of the KIDS acronym to qualify. The acronym stands for Kindness, Integrity, Discipline, and Service.

Food Shelf The student council took on the project at their Dec. 8th meeting and made a contest out of it for the week of Dec. 13-17 for the students. Each class was given a list of wanted items and point scale. Each class collected items brought from home each day and student council members collected the daily collection and scored each class according to point schedule. See photo of points.

The class with the most points received a popcorn/pop party on Friday before Holiday Break.

The students collected 871 pounds of food for the local Food Shelf...in 5 days!

The collected items were transported by our school bus driver and council members, and delivered to the local food shelf on Friday Dec. 17th.

The staff is very proud of the all of the students.

The council members in the photo are: Maverick Engstrom, Logan Olson, Austin Anderson, Ethan Gibbs, Kayla Richey, Kelsie Weite.

5S

6S

Wednesday, January 26

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

FMS Monarch Waystation A section of Forestview Middle School land on the north side of the property was recently transformed into a monarch habitat with the help of 8th grade students and Builders Club. The approximately 1000 square foot site was selected for it’s sun exposure, soil type, and drainage qualities.

Before the site could be planted, seeds had to be collected.

8th grade science students gathered milkweed from their homes and dried out the pods in preparation for the planting.

The area itself needed to be prepped before the seeds could be distributed. Student

HELP is Available Forestview is hosting an after school H.E.L.P.S program for 7th and 8th graders. This program is a way for students to receive help from adult mentors on their homework, build relationships, participate in activities and perform a service project. Students that have been struggling academically have been encouraged to sign up for this free program.

7th graders meet Tuesday and 8th graders Thursday. This program is sponsored in partnership with the University of MN Extension. If you have questions, please call Ann at 824-1071.

John Ludwig – Hour 7 Yank! Went my fishing pole, jerking me out of a peaceful slumber. I opened my eyes to a baby blue sky smeared with white clouds. As I rose to see what all the yanking was about, the pole nearly wrenched itself from my grasp again. I didn’t even have time to wipe the grit from my eyes! I tried to see where it was coming from but the light shining off the deep water temporarily blinded me. I closed and opened my eyes, trying to locate where the continuous tugging was coming from.

Finally my eyes caught the transparent line sliding into the water.

At about 100 feet out is where the almost clear line slid effortlessly into the royal blue lake. My bobber was on the surface for one second, and then in a blink it was gone. My heart was racing. The sensation of lightning inside my body proceeded to make my mind go wild with questions like, “what could it be?” “I wonder how big it is?” But the fish was stronger than I thought it would be.

Reeling the thing in was like trying to reel in 3 mad bloodhounds chasing a fox through a small hurricane. The fish just wouldn’t quit! Ten minutes later, nothing had changed. The fish pulled just as strong as when I first started reeling it. All this time the fish was diving in and out of root systems and log piles, almost catching my line! But for some reason, it never got caught.

But then disaster struck. As I was attempting another reel, the fish worked its way into an underwater log pile I had never seen before! The line was wrapped in the logs pretty bad, so I couldn’t reel anymore. But, in a stroke of luck, there was a small aluminum rowboat on the beach. I grabbed hold of the splintery wood paddle in one hand and my pole in the other. I set my pole down in the boat and started rowing. As I watched the light brown piece of wood slice the royal blue water, I thought about how big the fish was. My line led me to the underwater pile pretty easily.

I tried to look into the log pile and tried to locate my fish. I started to move the logs around a little and finally I cleared the logs away from the fish. It looked like a small shark. I put on one of my greasy old work gloves and reached into the warm clear water to grab the fish. It fought a little bit, and almost got away before I got it out of the water. It was very heavy! Its slimy head was almost as big as mine! The color of its skin was a deep olive green, but it was covered in slime. It had teeth the size of tips of a fork.

Very excitedly I rowed the fish to the shore and tied the line to a tree with the fish still in the water. I ran up to the house and called my Dad and brother to come look at it.

“How big is it?” asked my brother.

“It’s about as big as you!” I said.

“Shut up!”

“Hey you two stop fighting!” said my dad.

“Come on lets go see it, hurry up!” I said.

We walked down to the beach to look at the fish. I pulled it out of the water, exposing its slimy green body.

“Whoa,” said my brother, “it’s huge!”

“That’s a monster!” said my dad. “I’m proud of you son.”

I let it go, and we walked back to the house for dinner. That was the biggest fish I have ever caught. It weighed just over 30 pounds and was 37 inches long. This is my favorite accomplishment because I love to fish. I have fished with my Dad all my life. Fishing is special to me for two reasons, my Dad likes it, and I’m somewhat good at it. Catching that fish was my favorite accomplishment.

volunteers prepared the site. The students pulled out existing mullein stalks and used forestry rakes to clear and rough up the soil.

The students distributed the milkweed seeds along with various other nectar plant seeds including rudbeckia, bee balm, coneflower, and blanket flower. These additional nectar plants will provide butterfly food throughout the growing season.

The final step is to get the butterfly site registered with the Monarch Watch Program as an official Monarch Waystation. Upon certification, our site will be included in the Worldwide Monarch Waystation Registry, and we will be awarded a certificate bearing our site name and ID number which will be displayed at the site.

8th Grade Essays Haley Norton – Hour 4 My hands were sweating like never before. My body was shivering as if I were outside in a temperature such as 40 degrees below zero. I could feel the adrenaline rushing from limb to limb. This was it, the moment had finally come. All of my hard work was going to pay off. I was about to do what I had anticipated for, for most of my life. I was going to try-out for the dance team.

My friend asked me, “Are you nervous?”

“Of course,” I exclaimed.

“Don’t be, because this is going to be one of the most memorable times in your life,” she said.

I thanked her for the encouragement, but it didn’t really make me feel any better.

As I was waiting, all I could think about was how nervous I was. I had horrible knots and butterflies in my stomach. I stood and observed all of my surroundings until they called my group. At that moment, all noises were silent and my stomach dropped to the floor. I entered the room and felt as if all eyes were starring at me and no one else. I could feel all of the emotions going on around me.

As the music started all I could think about was dancing my heart out. I had my toes pointed and my smile was as big as the sun. I whipped my kicks as high as I could, as if my legs were as light as a cloud. I could feel the energy building up in my body. I could sense the vibrations of the other dancers. I was being who I was born to be, a dancer.

A huge weight was lifted off of my shoulders as the music turned off. I was relaxed.

At this point, I was so thrilled and excited; I could have screamed like the howler monkey. I had finally done what I had anticipated and waited for, which seemed like decades of time. Now all I could think about was if I had made the team. As I went home, the thought ran through my head, as though it were a tape playing over and over again. Days beyond days went by, and I couldn’t stand it any longer.

Everyday I checked my email, waiting and waiting for the results. As time passed, I knew I would get them soon. Then it happened. My mom came up stairs and shouted, “Guess what? You made the dance team!” I jumped for joy. The thought had seemed so surreal. My dream had finally come true. I had just made the dance team!

Caelan Johnson – Hour 6

Bailey Hastings – Hour 6

As the tram screeched into a slow steady stop, I had a feeling today was going to be an absolute blast!

Screaming crazy Vikings fans were left and right crowding streets. Cops walked aimlessly waiting for trouble to start. Music was blaring; bands were playing outside in the fridget temps. It was a freezing cold snowy November Sunday. The day was just beginning and it was already perfect! Once we got indoors the experience tripled.

Ticket officers said “Make sure you have your tickets out and ready for us to scan them!”

All of a sudden there was a big gush of strong air as I walked into the Dome. The experience of walking into the Dome for the first time is one that I will never forget. I had my Adrian Peterson jersey on and I was ready for game time! My stomach growled of hunger.

“A Dome Dog always does the trick” my dad said.

We were on a hunt to begin finding our seats. “Row 8 section 9 right here” I yell. It was going to be a day of the Minnesota Vikings Stomping the poor Seattle Seahawks. They were out on the field practicing and warming up when we arrived. Music was as loud as it could go. Meanwhile my dad and I went to go take picture before the game had started. There were only 20 minutes until the big game was about to begin. I rushed to the bathroom and grabbed a pop and some popcorn in hope of being back in time.

Welcome to Mall of America field! Thank you for attending our Vikings Vs. Seahawks game! The crowd went insane while the Vikings stormed onto the field to show the Seahawks whose boss! To start it off fireworks roared and flew up. From our seats we could see every catch, every pass, and every fumble. The view was stunning! At half time it was time for me to venture off to the bathrooms again, after three pops.

The line I swear was five miles long! The Vikings had defeated the Seahawks. It was now time for my dad and I to meander back outside in the cold temps. We had to catch the tram back to Mall of America where we had parked.

People come from all over the country to watch a professional football game. I’m glad to say I was apart of it. This experience was one of the best I have ever encountered. Not only was I at a Vikings game but I was there with my dad! We had a father daughter bonding day. I’m a daddy’s girl that’s for sure! This was my most memorable experience and I will never forget it!

My bare feet moved slowly down the path. Trying to avoid any rocks or tree branches in my way. I looked up and saw the blue lake spotted with white caps. I could tel the water was cold just by looking at it. Everyone else was already on the dock with their lifejackets on. I reached the end of the path almost tripping over a tree root. But I caught myself before I fell.

“Oh great,” I thought to myself, “What have I gotten myself into?”

I stepped onto the dock feeling the cold, thin, layer o water that sat on top of it. Goosebumps started forming along my arms. The waves from other boats were crashing loudly onto the shore. A flock of seagull flew around above my head, screeching loudly. I made my way to the end o the dock where the pile of lifejackets lay. I picked up one that was yellow and looked like my size. After I snapped all of the buckles together, I looked at my friends, their eyes glistening with excitement.

“Are you ready?” They asked.

“Yeah,” I replied with a fake smile.

The lime green tube was floating in the water. All to gether we jumped off the dock and onto the tube. There were five of us squished together on the tube, three were on the bottom and two on top. I was on the bottom right side and half my leg was dragging in the icy water. The boat slowly made its way out to deeper water. We started to pick up speed and then suddenly, I jerked forward.

It felt like we were going one hundred mph. My toes were dragging as the tube flew across the water. All I could hear was the roar of the boat engine and mysel screaming. Every time we went over a wave, my grip on the handle bars tightened, causing my knuckles to turn white. I knew that tomorrow my voice would be gone and my arms would be sore. We were starting to get close to the shore which meant we would have to turn.

“Great,” I said sarcastically to myself.

The boat went left so that made every one lean on my side. We were now out of the wake and with every second I felt myself slide off of the tube a little more. I was now screaming louder because I knew the tube was about to tip over. Then it happened, the tube flipped, and I rolled across the water a few times. I came up from the water after what seemed like forever. But instead of crying or being injured like I expected to happen I was laughing.

“Who wants to go again?” I yelled.

“I do!” They all shouted back.

So we all got back on the tube again, ready for another ride. Turns out tubing was actually fun.

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Wednesday, January 26

7S

GARFIELD

ELEMENTARY Dictionaries are a huge hit!

The Brainerd Elks Club presented each Garfield third grader with a dictionary to keep. This is the second year the Elks have distributed these dictionaries. They are a wonderful gift and resource for learning. Many thanks to the Elks Club!

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

Adaptive Music Program Garfield Elementary School has the privilege of providing an Adaptive Music Program for students with special needs. Students meet 3 times a week for 25 minutes with Mrs. Heather Larson, Garfield Music Specialist.

Literacy is reinforced by singing and following along to the words in their song books (with assistance).

Some of their favorite songs include, Down, Down, Baby, Let’s Go Fly A Kite and Brown, Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? “These students give me a whole new appreciation for the power of music as it affects those who cannot express their feelings with words.

It breaks through the doors to their hearts and opens new avenues of communication. When I see them move, smile and laugh with the music, I know I’ve made an impact on their learning experience, and more importantly…

I’ve made an impact on their hearts.”

Thank you to Mrs. Kuntsleben and Mrs. Houske (SPED Teachers), and their fantastic team of educational assistants, Sheila MacLaughlin, Brenda Klinger, Sue Underdahl, Donna Voss and Mary Meeks, for enriching our music classes as well as enriching the entire learning experiences for these wonderful students.

On Friday, January 7th, the four Garfield first grade classrooms hopped aboard buses to take our first field trip of the year. We went to St. John’s University to see a live performance of the story, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. It was so much fun seeing a book we read in our classrooms come alive before our eyes. The sound effects were amazing; there was even a burst of smoke.

Upon returning back to school, we ate lunch in our classrooms and completed activities to compare the book with the live performance.

10 Questions with Mrs. Fish By: Max Kappes & Koral Tepley-King

Accelerated Reading “Wall of Famers” We would like to congratulate all of our amazing readers at Garfield Elementary and especially our “wall of famers.” Our “Wall of Fame” is growing by leaps and bounds every week.

Once our students reach their grade level goal, they receive a certificate to take home and also one to be place on our Garfield Wall of Fame. To date our students have read over 6,600 books and over 25 million, yes…that’s 25 million words.

Keep it up kids!

Second Grade Wall of Famers

Third Grade Wall of Famers

1) How many people are in your family?

I have 2 sons named Nathan and Lucas and my husband’s name is Mike 2) Do you have any pets Yes, we have a big golden doodle dog and her name is Nala.

3) What is your favorite thing to do in the winter?

I LOVE to go sledding with my boys 4) What is your favorite food?

My favorite food is Classic Italian Pizza from Papa Murphy’s 5) Why do you like teaching?

I love building relationships with children. I love working with kids and being a part of their learning experiences 6) What is your favorite math problem?

I like Algebra, so any type of math problem that you have to solve equations.

7) What was your favorite book as a kid?

My favorite picture book as a child was, The Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle and my favorite chapter book series was The Babysitter’s Club by Ann Martin 8) What do you do in the summer?

In the summer, I love to go boating, swimming and spending time outside 9) What are some of your hobbies?

My boys are still young, so I love playing with them and I also enjoy reading 10) What is your favorite movie or TV show?

We don’t have a television in our house, so we watch quite a few movies on our computer. Our favorite movie right now has to be, How to Train Your Dragon.

Fourth Grade Wall of Famers. Missing Brenna Reiten.

8S

Wednesday, January 26

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

HARRISON ELEMENTARY Kindergarten students Mystery Reader decorated and prepared for Christmas.

Superintendent Razidlo was a surprise Mystery Reader at Harrison’s All School Sing Along on December 22. He read “Twas the Night Before Christmas” to the students and staff.

Brainerd High School Orchestra

Grant Wilcox and the Brainerd High School Orchestra performed Christmas songs for Harrison students and staff. The High School students demonstrated and talked to the Harrison students about their musical instruments.

Reading Students at Harrison Elementary School enjoy reading in many different groups and areas throughout the school. Students have the opportunity to read with their entire class, in small groups and individually in their classrooms, in the library, and with other teachers, volunteers and students throughout the building.

Students enjoy reading a variety of books about topics that interest them. While some students prefer nonfiction books, others take pleasure in fictional stories. Students love reading and they know that the more they practice reading, the more fluent they will become.

2nd Grade Students take their reading seriously

3rd Grade Students give a thumbs up for reading

4th Grade Students enjoying some of their favorite Christmas books

A 1st Grade Student and his teacher enjoying a new book!

A 1st Grade Student engaged in his book

Students working on their letter knowledge

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Wednesday, January 26

KinderClub

9S

Baxter / Forestview

“KinderClub is perfect for Preschool! Our son learned how to write his name the first week! The staff is very kind and communicates with the parents on a daily basis. We are so glad we decided to enroll our child in KinderClub. My son loves coming to KinderClub and I can’t wait for my daughter to turn 4 years old so she can go!”

–KinderClub Parent

Member Raef Dodd, lending a helping hand for Fun’N’Friends Staff.

“KinderClub has been a wonderful learning experience for my son’s social skills and Kindergarten readiness. My son has gone from being shy and withdrawn to wanting to go to KinderClub everyday to play with his friends. The teachers are spectacular; even greeting my 2 year old daughter by name when she comes with me to drop off my son! Thank you KinderClub!”

-KinderClub Parent “I love KinderClub! I like to play with my friends, coloring pictures, going outside and playing in the snow and my teachers are nice!”

-Jocie (4 years old) “I like KinderClub because I like to play on the computers, play Legos, and play basketball in Gym.” -Troy (4 years old)

Program Assistant Josh Davidson & Cassandra Hale had the expertise of their lab assistant to create what they called the “Dry Ice Crystal Ball Bubble”.

Dodge Ball KinderClub Early-Age Care/Pre-K Program serves 4 & 5 year old children. KinderClub is an all-day child care, enrichment and Kindergarten Readiness experience with an emphasis on FUN and Learning!

We introduce the children to the Kindergarten classroom structure and curriculum through Art, Health, Language Arts, Science, Physical Education, Computer Skills, Math and Music.

KinderClub is located at the Washington Educational Service Building. Call for more information: 218-454-6977 or e-mail; Jennifer. larson@isd181.org.

KinderClub is sponsored by Brainerd Schools Community Education.

Forestview Fall Dodge Ball League had 44 participants making-up 6 teams. It was great fun!

Players are looking forward to the next session held Feb. 28th-March 10th. Checkout this afterschool intramural sport class and more offered in the Brainerd Community Education Winter/ Spring Guide.

Thank you!

WESB Fun ‘N’ Friends would like to thank Nancy Williams, owner of Chocolat Etc. for helping us get ready for the holiday season. She provided the materials for the gingerbread houses the children made which the kids simply LOVED! As you can see from the pictures, they tasted as good as they looked. Yum!

Members of our WESB KinderClub Early-Age Care and Pre-K program enjoy Foster Grandparent Janet Bender’s attention and support. Grandma Jan as the children know her, provide the children “extra” attention and support.

We appreciate her in our classroom very much!

Living Healthy... Whole Body Wellness... Starts Today!

Shandi and Jean from “The Lakes Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork” came to our All Day Fun ‘N’ Friends event on Nov. 29 held at WESB. They share information with our members on how natural oils are made and how many ways they are beneficial. Some smell good and others don’t! In addition, Tara Giese, Lakes Fit Yoga shared her skills in getting our youth relaxed and stretched out. This is a great “start” to keeping our youth healthy and happy!

10S

Wednesday, January 26

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Lake Region Christian School

Basketball Begins!

Basketball is in full swing. LRCS offers varsity and junior varsity basketball for both boys and girls. Mr. Tim Miller is the coach of the boys’ varsity and junior varsity teams. He is beginning his fourth year of coaching the boys’ teams. Mr. Steve Ogren is the coach for the girls’ varsity team. He has been coaching girls’ basketball for twelve years. Mr. Ogren’s assistant and the girls’ junior varsity coach is Mr. Pete Erickson. If you would like to attend a game, check out the schedule on the school website, www.lakeregionchristianschool.com

Spotlight on Preschool “K3 and K4” stands for three and four year old pre-school.

While it is a “pre-school” program, we want to stress that it is an academic pre-kindergarten program designed for three and four year old children to prepare them for their kindergarten enrollment.

In K3, students will learn to recognize colors and shapes.

They will start to work on learning the letters of the alphabet and numbers 1-10. Students will also develop skills such as cutting, gluing, and coloring during craft time. There will be stories, music, snack, and playtime. During our thematic units, they will also learn more about the world around them.

In K4, students will learn to recognize and write the letters of the alphabet, say the sound each letter makes, recognize and write the numbers 1-20, and work on counting to 100. Daily and weekly schedules include Bible stories, memorizing verses, penmanship, math, music, art, snack, and playtime. Students will also work on learning to read simple words using the phonics that they learn throughout the year. They have seasonal parties, field trips, and special guests that will help them learn more about where they live. If you have questions about the preschool options for your child, or if you are interested in enrolling your child in preschool, please contact the school office at 828-1226. Re-enrollment begins Monday, January 17. Open enrollment begins Tuesday, February 15. Classes fill up quickly!

Spotlight on Elementary Believing that the elementary grades are the foundation of a child’s education, LRCS offers a high standard of academic excellence. Qualified and experienced teachers use a Bible-based curriculum to help each student grow academically, spiritually, and physically. Students are taught reading using a phonetic approach, mathematics, language arts, history, science, health, art, and music including classroom instruments, singing, and basic theory. Elementary students participate in chapel, PE, and weekly library visits. In addition, the classes have access to the computer lab. Christian character is emphasized with students learning a character quality each month. Students who demonstrate the character quality receive an award in chapel. If you have questions about our elementary program or if you are interested in enrolling your child in the school, please contact the school office at 828-1226. Reenrollment begins Monday, January 17.

Open enrollment begins Tuesday, February 15. Classes fill up quickly!

LRCS Preschool Presents a Christmas Program On Friday, December 10, the LRCS preschool presented a Christmas program for parents, grandparents, and other special guests. This was the first year that the preschool had their program, and it was a huge success! The students had costumes, and they acted out the Christmas story. They also presented recitations and songs. Following the program, the students and guests enjoyed cookies and punch! Everyone did a great job!

Christmas is a Time for Giving The elementary students at LRCS learned a lot about giving to others this Christmas. Each classroom adopted a missionary family and sent them Christmas presents. Instead of doing the usual gift exchange, the students were able to give to others and be a blessing to the missionary families.

The students were excited to bring in their gifts to share with others.

Spotlight on Kindergarten Our Kindergarten program is designed for five and six year old children.

Your child must have turned five years old by September 1 of the year they will attend kindergarten.

Your child will receive a solid foundation in phonics as they learn to read one and two-vowel words, and form the words into simple sentences. By the end of the school term, your child will be able to recognize the letters of the alphabet as well as identify their sounds and write them in manuscript form. Students also learn to count, identify, and write numbers 0–100. Our daily schedule will include Bible time (songs, memory verses, and stories), penmanship, math, phonics, reading and science, a morning and afternoon snack, lunch, nap, and free play. Once a week we will have music, art, and physical education.

We will also learn about our community, state, nation and world through a few different activities.

We teach children about God and stress building Godly character. If you have questions about the Kindergarten options for your child, or if you are interested in enrolling your child in Kindergarten, please contact the school office at 828-1226.

Re-enrollment begins Monday, January 17. Open enrollment begins Tuesday, February 15. Classes fill up quickly!

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Wednesday, January 26

11S

LEARNING TREE

PRESCHOOL

Pizza Day! We were so excited to have Dominos come to school to teach us how to make pizza.

We got to feel all of the parts, smell the ingredients and taste everything. Here are some pictures to show the fun.

(front left) Simon, Nolan, Libby, Raven, Ella, Gabbie, Alice, Bailey, and Riley learning how to ready the table for the dough.

Anika is enjoying all of the flavors.

(front ) Jayna, Jared, from Dominos, Callie, Caden, Dylan, Izzy, Kiley, Carson and Evan are learning how to add the toppings.

The afternoon class enjoying the fun.

Each child rolled their own gingerbread cookies to eat at our Christmas party. Chloe, a mom, Chrysi, and Alissa are just finishing.

Some of the children in the morning class are being helped by Halle’s mom and Simon’s grandmother.

Dylan and friends are playing with the train set at our Christmas party.

Cole, Ella’s Aunt Erin, mom Jenny and Ella are working on the art project at our party.

Sherry, Izzy and Carley are playing Christmas bingo at the party.

Both classes had a special visitor at school. What a nice surprise.

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

12S

Wednesday, January 26

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Scavenger Hunt

Healthy Foods for Second Grade

Ms. Jedinak’s second graders are having a scavenger hunt in the Brainerd Dispatch’s newpaper.

Second graders in Ms Jedinak and Mrs. Guida’s classes celebrated Thanksgiving together. The kids “cooked” the food.

Oobleck!

Mrs. Miller’s Kindergarten class was learning about our five senses, specifically touch. We made a literary connection with the book Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss at the end of the week because oobleck has a very distinct look and feel..it is runny, slimy, hard, and chalky depending on how you handle it. So, we discovered that it had rained oobleck in our very own room! We got to explore the oobleck and share words that described how it felt.

Shella S.

Joey P.

Students of the Month

Wesley C. and Abby L.

Students of the month for Most Caring Back: Kathryn S.; Jaden H.; Tennyson K.; Priscilla D.; Carson B.; Taylor B.; Victoria N.; Billie C.; Megan B.; Madylin C. Middle: Trey M.; Sean M.; Ashley D.; Trinity E.; Ty D.; Anna P.; Rachel M.; Alletta H.; Hayden K. Front: Thomas R.; Emerson H.; Livia T.; Trevor B.; Kylie H.; Lilyanna L.; Ayden F.; Lily B.

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Wednesday, January 26

13S

Nisswa

ELEMENTARY Crazy Racers Crazy Racers are one of two engineering units the second graders in Hansen/ Drakes class studied last month. The students designed and constructed a race car from a tissue or other small box. They put them to the test to see how far they rolled and then redesigned their Crazy Racer to attempt to beat their previous distance.

4th graders from Mrs. Bieganek’s and Ms. Ziegler’s classes created gingerbread houses with their parents, grandparents and other special friends.

School Store

By Eloise Gitchell The Nisswa fourth graders are running the Nisswa school store on the first Friday of every month.

It is located near the art room. It has school supplies and some fun toys. The money goes to the fourth grade activities.

Students from Mr. Koman’s kindergarten class got into the holiday spirit by making Christmas ornaments with their parents and grandparents.

Christmas Programs

Float your Boat Written by: Emily Haug & Taylor Larson Mrs. Headlee’s 2nd grade class Our class did a science experiment called “Float your Boat”. We tried to make our own boats out of tin foil, rubber bands and stuff like that. We tried to float our boats in a tub of water. The people we put in our boats were real pennies! We tried to put as many pennies as possible. Parents came in and helped us. Our engineering experiment was fun and amazing!

The 3rd & 4th Grade Christmas Program was held on Monday, December 20, followed by a P.T.O. Open House in the cafeteria. Again this year these classes performed their version of Let It Snow to a standing-room-only gymnasium.

Orchestra The Brainerd High School Orchestra, under the direction of Grant Wilcox, performed at Nisswa School on December 17th. Members of the orchestra played holiday favorites and discussed their instruments and sounds made from each, making this an interesting and enjoyable opportunity for all. Cassidy, kindergarten student from Mrs. O’Brien’s multiage class, served as guest conductor for one of the musical selections.

Nisswa’s Kindergarten classes presented their program the evening of Dec. 16, entitled Let It Snow! Immediately following, the PTO provided a lasagne dinner for these youngest performers and their families. That same evening, 1st & 2nd Grades presented their version of Let It Snow! A special visit from Santa took place in the library, and the Nisswa PTO hosted an Open House with cookies and punch.

14S

Wednesday, January 26

PILLAGER

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Home of the Huskies 6th grade field trip

Coin Drive

By Emma Litke

By Emma Keniston

On Friday, December 12, the sixth graders along with the Exploring Minnesota class went to the Mille Lacs Lake Indian Museum. Teachers Mr. Berent, Mrs. Enberg, and Mr. Mortenson chaperoned the classes.

Everyone I talked to had a great time.

One of the favorites was the Four Seasons Room. It had a display of how the Ojibwe prepared food. It looked very real. They had mounted animals such as an eagle, an owl, a raccoon, turkeys, and a wolf.

Another favorite was the Trading Post or gift shop. A lot of people bought the beef jerky.

One more station was a game station and craft station. We played a favorite game of the Ojibwe, put together puzzles, and did bead work.

The last station was a room where you just walk through and watch videos, look at pictures, and listen to music.

On the way home we stopped at McDonalds. Everyone had a great time. Thanks to all the teachers that went along and especially Mr. Berent for inviting us to go along with his class.

This December was a great month for the High School Student Council.

The Student Council held a Coin Drive to raise funds for the Pillager Family Center. Each grade was given a bucket and students donated coins and cash to the cause. The original plan was to host a pizza party for the grade who raised the most money. However, the Student Council instead chose to donate all the funds that would be used for the reward Betty Doss of the Pillager Family Center receiving the check from straight to the Family Center. With the Student Council Officers Emma Keniston and Andy Schoon. $95.83 raised from students alone, and the $150.00 dollars donated by Student Council, the total monies raised for the Pillager Family Center was $245.83. “I would like to thank all the students for participating in the coin drive and raising all that money. The funds that were raised really helped a lot of families that were in need this Christmas season.” said Betty Doss, Family Center Coordinator. The Student Council would also like to extend a thank you to the students who contributed. We hope to continue this excellent fundraiser in the future.

Every Day or Sometimes

Huskies of the month Shauna Maurer and Jacob Weizenegger have been chosen as the Pillager Booster Club Huskies of the Month for their performance on the basketball courts. Coach Mortensen describes Shauna as a great leader the team this year. He states, “Every game she has been a threat on both ends of the floor. Currently Shauna is one of the conference leaders in points per game and rebounds per game.” Mortenson continued, “Shauna has given 100% on and off the court and it shows with the success that she is having. We look forward for her to continue to be a leader for the girls basketball team.”

Jacob is considered a consistent performer in any role he is assigned by his basketball coaches. Coach Uselman describes him as always well focused and a great practice leader. Uselman states, “Jakes does a great job of filling the many roles that are asked of him for this year’s team. He always leads by example and has a great attitude!”

The time has come to check it out, and decide what foods help our bodies grow strong, and what foods are tasty but not very healthy. Mrs. Fredman’s kindergarten students have sorted food in many different ways. The students’ first project was to take the food from their kindergarten kitchen center area and sort it into food groups. In addition, they have sorted food from newspaper ads, from the food they eat at lunch and from SMART board web sites. Mrs. Fredman and her students have learned which foods keep teeth, bones, hair, skin, and eyes stay healthy. Another part of this food unit is the role the tongue has in tasting different flavors. The students made a Food Book to reinforce what they are learning. Parent volunteers came into the classroom to help the students complete this book about food. New Years resolutions for some students include the goal of eating more healthy foods and less junk food.

The Dallas Brass Come to Pillager!

Chanel Fitch December 9, people from all around the area packed into the PHS gym for the performance of the Dallas Brass. All day, members of the group had run a clinic for high school musicians. The Dallas Brass repertoire includes classical masterpieces, Dixieland, swing, Broadway, Hollywood and patriotic music. A wide variety was played at the clinic during school on Thursday and at the concert that evening. Mid-concert, the Brass allowed Pillager Band students on stage to play for the audience. All day, they had practiced at the clinic, and it showed during their performance.

Junior High Band performing with the Dallas Brass.

Siliviculture on the Snow Jacob Weizenegger

Taking advantage of the snow depths in the woods, Pillager forestry students recently had a chance to experience travel on snowshoes while surveying the results of differing methods of timber harvest activities throughout the school forest. Known as silviculture, (the science of growing and tending a forest) students got an up-close look at the concepts they have been learning about involving disturbance, regeneration, shade tolerance, cover types, harvest methods and managing forest resources. According to students in the class, the outing proved not only useful to understanding the concepts they have been studying, but tiring as well. “Walking two and one half miles on snowshoes is a workout!”

Shauna Maurer

ARTIST’S CORNER Red Earth Clay “Love Box” • Grade 9 Five Pillager Hoop Shoot contest winners moved on to the Hoops Shoot for the Brainerd Elks. In the 8-9 year old division: Emmie Siewert; in the 10-11 year old division: Tanner Swenston, Hailea Books; and in the 12-13 year old division: Travis Tank, and Taina-Rae Eng.

Artist: Cole Franzen

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

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Wednesday, January 26

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, Merrifield, Aitkin, Deerwood, Ironton, Crosby, Garrison, Pine River, Crosslake, E. Gull Lake & Fort Ripley.

Registration Begins for Greater Community on February 1st!

First Graders’ Guardian Angels I wish I could see my guardian angel. I wish I could help him. I would play a game with my guardian angel. By: Eric A guardian angel helps you when you are in danger. You are never going to see one. A guardian angel helps you with work. By: Lance They protect you. They guard you. They help you not sin. God sent them down to protect you from the devil. By Jonas My Guardian angel helps me because it helps me do all my work. It is a great helper. There are a lot of other angels. They have a person to watch over.

By: Mitchell My Guardian Angel loves me and she will care over me and she wears a dress all the time because I know that and she even watches over my family.

She loves me very much. By: Savannah

Register for Preschool

REGISTER FOR Fall 2011!

Must be 3 by Sept. 1): MORNING SESSIONS T/TH 8:15 am — 11:15 am

Our preschool provides children with a play-based, child-focused, integrated curriculum. Before care is available at 7am for $4 per child per day and after school care is available for $4 per child per day until 4pm or $8 per child per day until 5:30pm.

AFTERNOON SESSIONS T/TH 12:00 pm — 3:00 pm

Class Times (All classes for ages 3-5.

$725 / year

$725 / year

ALL DAY M/W/F 8:00 am — 3:00 pm $2425 / year T/TH 8:00 am — 3:00 pm $1625 / year

16S

Wednesday, January 26

Staples

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Motley

Independent School District #2170 Art Class Field Trip On December 10th, a group of 26 Staples Motley High School students traveled to M State in Fergus Falls with their art teacher, Mrs. Schneider. Students were given the opportunity to explore a variety of art classes offered at the college. Sessions were offered in music, theatre, and visual arts. Staples Motley High School art students enjoyed sessions like Throwing Clay the Proper Way, Drawing with Oil Pastels, and being informed on the M State college experience. Lunch was provided and door prizes were drawn. It was a fun day to learn more about the arts at M State.

NHS Inductees National Honor Society members are selected by Staples Motley school advisors for exemplifying the four criteria for the organization: scholarship, service, leadership and character. This year’s NHS are: Philip Smithly, Ryan Bart, Abby Smith, Katie Stone, Alek Paskewitz, Skyler Svendson, Taylor Klimek, Allissa Joy Smith, Autumn Murray, Lynnea Iverson, Emma Koskiniemi, Andrea Koskiniemi, Briana Granby, Hallie Olsen, Tera Weyer, Jonathan Nypan, Jaci Jeziorski, Sarah Paskewitz, Kelli Roline, Erik Nelson, Derek DeYonge, Chandler Trout, Tanner Roberts, Zac Israelson, Emily Fuhrman.

Savor the Moment The Staples-Motley Early Childhood Coalition invites you to Savor the Moment; a competition for area chefs and a fundraiser for our area’s school readiness programs. This fun and rewarding competition will be held on Saturday, February 5, 2011, from 6:30pm to 9:00pm at the Landmark Inn in Staples, MN. This is a great opportunity to support our school readiness programs while enjoying delicious samples and cooking demonstrations from some of our area’s finest chefs. The businesses and chefs who have confirmed their place at Savor the Moment include Detloff Custom Catering; Granary Restaurant at Little Moran; Harvest Thyme Bistro; Prairie Bay Grill and Catering; The Bear’s Den; The Shante; and Tower Pizza.

Tickets are limited so advance purchase is recommended. Tickets can be purchased for $25 in advance at Tower Pizza (Staples), Freshwater Education District (Staples) or by calling (218) 894-1897.

The winning entry in each category, appetizer/entrée and dessert, will be selected by a team of impartial judges. A people’s choice winner in each category will also be selected by a vote from ticket holders.

The Staples-Motley Early Childhood Coalition’s mission is to ensure all children in our area have a healthy start and are well-prepared to start their school journey. The Staples-Motley Early Childhood Coalition is funded in part by a grant from the Initiative Foundation.

For more information, please contact Sara Dregney at (218) 8941897.

Raptor Visit Kelly, from the Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, came to Motley Elementary School on January 5, 2011. The Raptor Center specializes in the medical care, rehabilitation, and conservation of eagles, hawks, owls, and falcons. In additional to treating approximately 800 birds a year, the internationally known program reaches more than 200,000 people each year through public education programs and events, provides training in avian medicine and surgery for veterinarians from around the world, and identifies emerging issues related to raptor health and populations. The Raptor program allows students to see birds in flight, much closer than would be possible in nature. Instructors teach kids about the habits of a number of birds, showing how the shape of the wings of different birds varies and how those differences influence their flight and hunting patterns. They told the children how they rehabilitate and care for injured birds of prey, and provided them with a chance to see these magnificent creatures up close. The students enjoyed the demonstrations and listened to a variety of owl calls from a small electronic device and saw some skeletal beaks. At one point in the presentation the eagle spread its wings and tried to take flight but Kelly simply spun around and held on tightly so we could see its expansive wingspan. The students were in awe of these beautiful creatures that live among us.

Photo Courtesy of Staples World

Grand Opening of the Gym Since 1935, the high school gym has been the home of countless happenings and hosted many fans during that time. Each floor board represents a vivid history of competition within the gymnasium. It’s been a site for graduations, madrigal dinners, awards ceremonies and concerts, not to mention sporting events such as boys basketball, wrestling, volleyball and girls basketball. During the fall, the SM Volleyball team had the opportunity to be the first to compete on the new gym floor.

If you would like to purchase a section of the historical gym floor, there is a display in the concession area full of ideas for possible uses. Call Lynn Peterson at 218.296.0713 to purchase your piece of Cardinal memorabilia. Become a proud owner of Cardinal history and take advantage of your chance to purchase a section of the floor with probably the greatest history in Minnesota. The original gym floor may be retired, but its glory lives on.

Cool Tools Three Motley Middle School 8th graders were awarded $100 prize checks for their essays on “Cool Technology Tools: How Do I Use Them for Good?” This essay contest was sponsored by the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association. Isaiah Bartkowicz, Talesha Delcourt, and Nicolette Edin received their certificates and prize money before Christmas. The essays involved researching the topics of cell phones, texting, website research safety, email use, cyber-bullying, and handheld game use. This project was part of Mrs. Opheim’s English classes and it is exciting to see our students win three of 33 prizes given in the state.