SCHOOL PAGES B R A I N E R D D I S PATC H
nie.brainerddispatch.com
JANUARY 2013
A Newspapers in Education Publication
In This Issue ■ Baxter Elementary ■ Brainerd Community Education ■ Crosslake Community School ■ Discovery Woods ■ Forestview ■ Garfield Elementary ■ Lake Region Christian School ■ Learning Tree Preschool ■ Lowell Elementary ■ Nisswa Elementary ■ Pequot Lakes ■ Pillager Area Charter School ■ Pine River Backus ■ St. Francis
Newspapers in Education goes digital and your school can too! School Pages are a product of the Brainerd Dispatch’s Newspapers in Education program, a publicly supported program that provides newspapers in both paper and electronic format to our schools for teachers to use as an educational tool. For more information on NIE online, go to nie.brainerddispatch.com A limited number of sponsorships are available for the School Pages. If you would like to help your community while having your business or organization recognized in this spot, please contact Blenda Hagberg, NIE Coordinator, at (218) 855-5838 or send an email to blenda.hagberg@brainerddispatch.com.
■ Staples/Motley For more information on using or sponsoring BD School Pages, please contact Blenda K. Hagberg at (218) 855-5838. Thank you for supporting Newspapers in Education!
nie.brainerddispatch.com
BAXTER
ELEMENTARY
A Newspapers in Education Publication
What is K-Kids? According to www.kkids.org, K-Kids is the largest service organization for elementary school students, with more than 42,000 members worldwide. The first K-Kids was chartered in 2000. Today, there are more than 1,200 clubs in Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Canada, Italy, Jamaica, Malaysia, Martinique, Nigeria, the Philippines, Trinidad and Tobago and the United States. The first ever Brainerd Lakes area K-Kids was started at Baxter School, November 2012. The Baxter Kiwanis is our sponsoring group. -Isaiah Macejkovic, Baxter K-Kids Member
What do K-Kids Do? The K-kids have done a lot of work like volunteer at the Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen. The soup kitchen is in downtown Brainerd. The K-kids are really good at the soup kitchen because they are good cooks and they can be really good leaders. They serve really good food like potatoes and really good breads and desserts. Sometimes soup. But the soup kitchen is a really good place to have food and volunteer!
2010-2011 SA Good Neighbor Clean-up
We gathered dog food, toys, and collars for H.A.R.T. and how we did that is that the K-kids put out boxes and the kids at the school would put stuff into it. Closer to the end of the project we put on dog and cat masks and walked around the school with boxes to see if anyone else would donate in anything else. So after we got the food and other items we loaded it into Marwin’s truck and we went to H.A.R.T. The people who worked there were so happy to see us. We also did the ELIMINATE project which was to eliminate Maternal Tetanus. It costs $1.80 for to get a shot to save a mother and a baby’s life. We had people put money in baby bottles around the school for people to put money in them we ended with a ton of money we got three hundred ninety eight dollars.
2011-2012 Hart Visit
In the Spring we went to the Super America gas station next door and cleaned up all the trash on their back lot that we could. Before we went there we put on rubber gloves and once we got there we were separated into groups, each group got a trash bag. One of the k-kids found a twenty dollar bill. By the time we finished there was almost no trash. We got like seven trash bags filled with trash. That’s
2011-2012 Hart Project
just
a
few
of
things
K-Kids
did
last
year!
-Danny R. and Jacob G. A special Thank You to Mrs. Rezac and Mrs. Pedersen for organizing the Baxter School K-Kids!
Past Pres.new officers - advisors
Learning how to Vote
nie.brainerddispatch.com
A Newspapers in Education Publication
Not A Box KinderClub kids have enjoyed reading the story “Not A Box” and using their imagination to come up with their own creations using a box. They also extended the story and thought about what things could be made from circles, squares, and triangles. This month’s theme, Imagine It, Make It from the new Scholastic Pre-K Big Day curriculum, is a great theme to get our imaginations running wild!
Messy Mud Pies! KinderClub kids made messy mud pies! Using flour, water, oil, and cocoa (for that lovely mud color); they made mud pies! They had a blast mixing the ingredients and getting messy! We also practiced writing our letter of the week; M, in our mud pies!
It’s not a box, it’s a robot!
It’s not a box, it’s a rocket!
Shawn made a messy mud pie!
It’s not a box, it’s a race car!
Liam can’t believe how squishy the messy mud pie feels!
KinderClub is an Early-Age Care/Pre-Kindergarten Readiness Program serving 4 & 5 year old children open Monday-Friday from 6:30am-6:00 pm located in the ISD #181 Washington Educational Services Building (WESB) on 804 Oak Street Brainerd, MN in room #119 offering a variety of age-appropriate, fun learning experiences!
www.nie.brainerddispatch.com
A Newspapers in Education Publication
Crosslake Community School LUMBERJACKS
Geography Bee The CCS Middle School students participated in the geography bee. The top students from each class competed for the school title. First Place went to Elena Grove. Second Place went to Emily Brunkhorst. Third Place went to Matt Bonfig. Geography Bee participants from left: Matt Bonfig, Isaak Geroy, Erik Geroy, Emily Brunkhorst, Elena Grove, Evelyn Watson, Anthony Pophen, Maverick Engstrom, Gabe Clow
Winter Celebrations
Students in Ms. Graceffa’s 5/6 class getting ready to bake their handmade, environmentally-friendly Christmas ornaments.
Mrs. Loeffler’s 2/3 classroom in the midst of their annual tradition of making Gingerbread Houses.
Ms. Schultz’s 7/8 class showing off their Christmas gifts for their parents.
Students in Ms. Waschek’s 3/4 class performing Des Colores as part of the winter program.
Middle school students participated in the Geography Bee.
In December the CCS Students were busy with holiday celebrations. Each class made ornaments to decorate the City Hall Christmas Tree. The Student Council held their annual CookieGram fundraiser. The CCS Choir and Ms. Waschek’s 3/4 class presented the multi-cultural program Paint the Town December. The PTO held their annual Santa’s Workshop where students were able to shop for the adults in their lives from items donated by local businesses. Several classes spent the day before break with a Polar Express-inspired pajama day.
nie.brainerddispatch.com
A Newspapers in Education Publication
Why I like BMX Racing by Noah, 4th grade BMX is the best sport in the world. When you gain speed it feels like you’re flying. It’s a very, very fun sport. The first time you jump it’s fun and kind of scary When you get clip shoes it’s easier to pedal. Plus it’s easier to balance. And it’s easier to jump. They`re awesome shoes. When you’re racing in different cities you can trash talk. Your anger helps you go faster. When have to go to the bathroom that also helps you go faster. In conclusion, I love the speed of racing. I love the whole sport in general. I love the equipment and the travel
Why I like Figure Skating by Kaylee, 4th grade
1st-3rd graders Hunter, Jory, Isabelle and James build a shelter during Outdoor Education
Figure Skating is the best sport ever! I like figure skating because you learn new tricks. My favorite trick is the sit spin. It’s where you spin and balance on one leg and you are close to the ice. I like skating because of the outfits. For the big show in badge 2 I am a chef. I have to wear a hat for the show and we have to pin it on. I like my outfits, they are cute. As I practice, I get better. Sunday it was my first day of badge 3 and I moved up to badge 4. Practicing helps me as the show comes. Figure Skating is fun to so many people. You can do jumps and spins and jump and spin while you are jumping. There are many levels and competitions.
Why I Basketball, by Afton, 4th grade
1st graders Cole and Lydia spell words with their teacher Ms. Alexa, using the Moveable Alphabet
3rd grader Ella and 2nd grader Sophie research animals
4th grader Kaisa shows her study of triangles artwork
I think basketball is the best sport, because you can go diving for the ball. I can throw the ball far. Also, you learn a lot of plays. When I go diving for the ball, if the other team grabs the ball before me, then I like to rip it out of their hands. Usually I hurt my knees, but I keep doing it, then I get used to it. If I do get it I can’t just get up, I have to pass or start dribbling on the ground and then start getting up. I like to throw the ball, for passing and shooting. Sometimes I throw chest passes. I throw far and hard. I’ve learned five plays. They are hard at first, then I get it. At practice it’s harder because our teammates know what’s happening when they guard us. In conclusion, I think Basketball is a good sport to play and watch. In addition, you can play Basketball for quite a while. Lastly, there can be 10 to 15 people on a team.
RESPECT, by Christopher, 3rd grade
2nd grader Tabitha uses the Box of Sticks to make different triangles with teacher Ms. Michelle
Remain seated at Circle. Eat when it is lunch. Stay at the lesson. Peacefully clean up. Eat slowly when it is lunch. Clean as slow as you can. Teachers try to help you. Acrostic- A poem or other form of writing in which the first letter in each line spells out a word vertically.
nie.brainerddispatch.com
A Newspapers in Education Publication
Mush! Al Larson, a retired Brainerd Public Schools science teacher, visited the 5th grade Team D students with his sledding dog, Selmer. Larson talked about sledding and demonstrated how boots work on the sledding dogs. The boots are not used to protect the dogs’ feet from frostbite, but rather to prevent the feet from being scraped up and to keep balls of ice from collecting around the footpad. Larson also picked up Selmer so the students could see how sled dogs have thick hair around their bellies to keep them warm. Most dogs don’t grow hair on their bellies. Larson owns 10 dogs, although he has cut back on a lot of sledding trips because most of his dogs are becoming elderly. Selmer, his youngest dog, is 10-years old. He offers sled rides at Camp Confidence in the winter months. He has been visiting the Forestview 5th graders for the last 7 years with his sled dogs and equipment.
Bandolier Bags Students in Team 6A enjoyed creating Bandolier Bags to supplement their study of Native American culture in MInnesota. This project was funded by a grant from the Forestview Parent Organization. Information on the bags and how they were used was obtained from the MInnesota Historical Society. After studying traditional Ojibwe and Dakota design, students had the opportunity to infuse their creativity into their original bandolier bag. It was exciting to see their products emerge. Each bag was a wonderful work of art, with a story of its own!
Larson’s dog sledding sled.
Spelling Bee!
6th graders created Native American Bandolier Bags. Al Larson shows off the belly hair on his dog Selmer.
Students participated in the written portion of the spelling bee.
Bandolier bags are constructed primarily to complete the ceremonial outfits.
Fifty 5th - 8th grade students recently competed in the written spelling bee in the Forestview Cafetorium. These students were selected by classroom teachers to represent their teams as the students move on to more advanced levels. Community volunteers served as monitors while students wrote out each word. The monitors watched for wandering eyes, provided pencils as needed and scored student work. Kathy Tusa volunteers as the pronouncer at both the written and oral parts of the bee. One pronouncer is used so kids get used to hearing the same voice when they compete at the local level. 15 students will be moving on to the oral spelling bee in the Forestview Cafetorium on January 23. Family and friends are invited to watch the event. Seven top spellers will compete in the Lakes Spelling Bee in March in the Tornstrom Auditorium at the Washington Educational Services Building. 30 schools from the area, among them Aitkin, Crosslake, Pillager, Swanville, Pequot, Staple-Motley and Little Falls, will send their top spellers with the hopes of sending a winner to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington DC in June. Susan Rogers, ISD181 Adult Enrichment Coordinator, has been in charge of the local spelling bee for the last 13 years. During that time, Brainerd has been represented at the National Spelling Bee 8 out of the last 12 years. The Lakes Spelling Bee is sponsored by the National Joint Powers Alliance.
nie.brainerddispatch.com
A Newspapers in Education Publication
GARFIELD
ELEMENTARY
2nd Grade Scientists in the Making In second grade we are studying the states of matter. This week when studying solids, we learned that engineers use what they know about the properties of solids along with the properties of liquids and gas to build useful things. Students had their chance to practice their “engineering skills” while building a tower using a bag of solid objects. It is so exciting to see their imaginations and excitement for science growing.
Deep Portage Rocks By: Will Carlson The entire 4th grade at Garfield Elementary headed to deep portage on a two night, three day field trip. The weather was great and we all had a blast. We went to a lot of classes and one of my favorites was “survival.” In survival class, we went into the woods and learned how to make a shelter. The instructor even did a wind and snow test. We also built a fire. When the fire got hot enough, one of the chaperones put a can of snow on the fire to make water. Some of the other classes we were able to experience were, snow shoeing, night stalker, astronomy, rock climbing, night stalker, fish painting, cross country skiing. I had a great time at Deep Portage, I think everybody should go! Look for more stories and pictures of Garfield’s 4th grade field trip to Deep Portage next month.
2013 Deep Portage
Garfield’s First Grade Math & Reading FUN Group
2nd Grade Science
First Grade Group
First Grade Group
2nd Grade Science
At Garfield Elementary, 26 first graders come for an extra hour twice a week to learn through games, FUN and partner learning. Words like, AWESOME,” “Can we come everyday?”, “I want to do that game again!” are a few of the comments from these wonderful children! Here are some of our favorite activities! Sometimes we crawl on the floor and do an alphabetical word game. Then we write the words we find on a clipboard. We are getting so smart! Reader’s Theatre is another way we LOVE reading, we put on mini plays with our books. This is sooo FUN! Next, we want to write our own plays. Another favorite learning game is practicing the first 100 sight words. We find the word, read it, and then smack it with a paint dabber! Have you ever tried counting with popsicle sticks and making tally mark numbers up to 100? We do! Odd and even numbers? We use our bodies to figure out this math concept. We also skip count by 2’s dancing our way to 120! We are happy about LEARNING in First Grade! We are 26 wonderful first graders who are in reading and math care group at Garfield with our teachers, Mrs. Olson and Mrs. AskeroothOlson.
nie.brainerddispatch.com
Lake Region Christian School
A Newspapers in Education Publication
Preschool Presents “Ring the Christmas Bells” Our Preschool put on their Christmas Program, “Ring the Christmas Bells” on December 14th. All the children enjoyed performing their Christmas songs for their families! They sang “The Twelve Days of Christmas” and acted out each gift that was given. They acted out the Nativity Story to celebrate the real reason for Christmas, Jesus! It was a special time for all who attended the program!
“The Best Gift of All” The halls of LRCS rang with Christmas carols as the orchestra welcomed visitors to the all-school concert titled “The Best Gift of All” on Thursday, December 6. The K5 - 12th grades performed beautiful selections focusing on the birth of Jesus, beginning with the thought-provoking modern carol “Adoration,” accompanied by Matthew Wiedell on guitar. Each class performed songs including “Mary’s Boy Chile,” “The First Noel,” “Little Drummer Boy,” “Goin’ to Bethlehem,” and several other inspiring carols. The senior high handbell choir played three songs, and the junior high band played two songs. The concert concluded with an all-school finale; the audience was awed to see the entire K5 - 12th grade student body singing the closing anthem “Joy to the World.” The delightful evening was a lovely display of the students’ accomplishments in the LRCS music classes so far this school year.
Ring the Christmas Bells
Sharing the Joy of Christmas During the month of December, the students at LRCS were able to share the joy of Christmas in our community. Several of the elementary classes went to area nursing homes and assisted living centers to sing Christmas carols to the residents. The high school handbell choir also played three different times during the Christmas season. The students enjoyed presenting the true meaning of Christmas through their songs. Ring the Christmas Bells
Recently, the Lady Hornets traveled to St. Francis Christian School for an invitational basketball tournament. The girls played hard and well, sweeping the two-day tournament. Senior Bethany Cressman was named the tournament MVP. The Lady Hornets are looking forward to the second half of their season as they prepare to defend their MACS championship title.
The Best Gift of All
The Best Gift of All
Lady Hornets Dominate St. Francis Invitational
The Best Gift of All
nie.brainerddispatch.com
A Newspapers in Education Publication
LEARNING TREE
PRESCHOOL
Fun and Learning Go Hand and Hand at Learning Tree Preschool December was such a busy time at school ; we worked on letters, numbers, sounds, shapes, made ornaments and paper chains, played with playdough, built “toys” for “Santa’s workshop,” practiced Christmas songs, played the Christmas band, painted, created art and played with friends. We also had time to make gingerbread cookies to eat at our Christmas party. We got to share them with our special guest that surprised us at our party, Santa. We each got to talk to him and sing songs with him. Our classes are held on Mondays and Thursdays with an optional third day on Wednesdays. For more information about our school , please call 829-6175.
We made our own ornaments for our Christmas tree.
Creating an art project at our Christmas party. At school we had Santa’s workshop where we built “toys” with real wood and nails.
Playdough is always fun to roll out and make cookies and muffins.
The children are playing with the train set.
nie.brainerddispatch.com
A Newspapers in Education Publication
Author and Illustrator visit Lowell School “Agate the Moose” author Joy Dey and illustrator Nikki Johnson spent a day at Lowell School talking about the writing and illustrating process of their work with every grade level. Here, Nikki Johnson demonstrates her techniques used in painting the illustrations for their book as kindergartners Tyson, Nora and Auna look on. Sammy and Payton, kindergartners in Mrs.Wilcox’s class enjoy the experimenting with the techniques Nikki Johnson, illustrator of Agate the Moose, demonstrated for students at Lowell. Nikki Johnson, illustrator of the book “Agate the Moose” spent time with each class at Lowell. The photo (middle right) shows her helping Braxton, Aidan and Ayla of Mrs. Wilcox’s kindergarten class prepare their paints for their own painting experience. Nikki Johnson demonstrates painting techniques.
Gingerbread Man Team Work Practicing Stephen Covey’s The Leader in Me habits of ‘making a plan’ and ‘together is better’, students Zaius, Harlie, Sitota and Aidan work together to help build a Gingerbread Man for Mrs. Wilcox’s classroom.
Reading books is great! Kindergartners experiment with techniques.
Learning to paint is fun!
Gingerbread man teamwork
Reading is great!
Lowell kindergarten students enjoy taking time to look at the wonderful children’s books available in classrooms, libraries and their homes. Here Tyson, Oliver and Veronika enjoy book time during centers in Mrs. Wilcox’s class.
nie.brainerddispatch.com
A Newspapers in Education Publication
Nisswa
Out to Lunch with the Principal
ELEMENTARY
A 1st Grade & K/1 Multiage drawing was held to choose students to go to lunch who demonstrated LAKERS’ Pride at Nisswa School. These K & 1st grade students enjoyed their Nisswa Rafferty’s Pizza luncheon.
Brainerd High School Orchestra The Brainerd High School Orchestra, under the direction of Grant Wilcox, performed at Nisswa School, playing holiday favorites and discussing instruments and sounds made from each, making this an interesting and enjoyable opportunity for all. Every year a kindergartner is selected to ‘conduct’ the orchestra. Sam did a super job with such an important job!
Out to lunch with the principal.
Pablo Picasso Mrs. Rasmussen’s 1st graders created selfportraits by making mixed up shapes and features like Pablo Picasso. BHS orchestra visits Nisswa Elementary. 3rd grader at Mt. Ski Gull.
1st graders created self portraits in style of Picasso.
Ski lessons at Mt. Ski Gull.
Mount Ski Gull On December 21 and January 4, third grade classes from Nisswa School traveled to Mount Ski Gull for ‘learn to ski’ sessions. Enthusiastic and increasingly confident children are now hitting the slopes due to these valuable days. A huge thanks goes out to the Ski Gull Staff, Instructors, and Ski Patrol!
nie.brainerddispatch.com
A Newspapers in Education Publication
Pequot Lakes PATRIOTS
Middle Level Penny Challenge By Kon Nagy Where does all the money from the penny challenge go to? The student council takes it to Walmart and spends it on Christmas toys for area families. This year the middle level classes donated $1,982.11. Some of the money was donated to the food shelf. The rest was used for shopping for area families. Everyone that helped shop had a different age group to buy for. Some bought for newborns, some for toddlers, some for kids, some for teenagers. Each group had $350 to spend for their age group. We had a blast shopping for toys! After we bought them, they items were delivered to the families.
Eighth Graders Doing Engineering By Jake Anderson & Andrew Voges Students at Pequot Lakes Middle School have the opportunity to take a class called Project Lead The Way. This is a class where we do basic engineering projects that set up for more advanced engineering at the high school level. In the class we learn simple programming and use fischertechnik parts to build the machines. The projects, that our instructor Mr. Lumley chooses for us, are always related to how they can be used in real life situations. We are currently learning about pneumatics, which is the study of how pressurized gas or fluid are used to produce mechanical motion. Our project is to design and build an air compressor. “I really like this class because we get to work in groups to design and build,” said Andrew Voges. Jake Anderson says, “I have always had an interest in engineering, and this is a great way to get a start in it before getting into high school.” Students in the class really enjoy the “hands-on” learning part of the class and its application to real life.
Middle level penny challenge
Middle Level Play
Eighth grade engineers
Middle level play
Middle level play
By Mackenzie Renford Eighth grade students performed a play called, “Guess Who has Invited You to DInner”. It was an enrichment project for their Honor’s English class. The play was about multiple celebrities coming to dinner and then being told they were invited there to be on a new game show. The play was written and directed by students, Leric Larson and Nessa Engen. The students in the class also did all of their own costumes and tech work. They really had to work well together as a group to accomplish this task. Most students don’t get the chance to participate in theater during the regular school day. This was a great opportunity for us to work together with your friends and become closer as we were also working on our regular school curriculum. “I played multiple characters, but my favorite character to play was Betty White. It was really a neat experience to be able to do this with my classmates.” All in all, students really had a lot of fun with the play. It was a lot of work and had its ups an downs, but we all come together in the end to create a fun and entertaining show.
nie.brainerddispatch.com
A Newspapers in Education Publication
Pillager Area Charter School will educate by building relationships with students, families, community and Mother Earth. Students will become stewards of the environment as responsible actively-involved citizens.
Student’s essays Filleting fish in science class
My Dream Job
Hyperbaric welding is the process of welding at elevated pressures, normally underwater. Hyperbaric welding can either take place in the water or inside a specially constructed positive pressure enclosure hence a dry environment. One reason I would like this job is so I can learn something new. Another reason I may like this job is the pay is very good. Also I think it would be very interesting to learn how to weld underwater. There are many jobs that need a hyperbaric welder. Anything that may have cracked or broke that is underwater needs to be welded by a hyperbaric welder. One of the most important reasons we have hyperbaric welders is welding bridges. The main reason I would like to be a hyperbaric welder is because it seems like a very important job and not many people are compelled to be near water welding so the job market should be really great. By Lucas
Holidazzle December 20th ten students and a couple staff packed the bus and left school at 9:00AM. It was a three hour drive to the Science museum to watch Tornado Alley at the Omni theatre. I fell asleep half way through the movie. After the movie we looked at all the exhibits. While we were waiting
to meet up with the teachers, Devon and Kelly found the musical staircase and danced on the steps until the rest of us joined in. That was something I had never experienced before and it was something I would never have imagined. We walked to the Holidazzle and saw a lot of floats decorated in lights and different characters. There were people in blow up light bulb costumes that were blowing away because the wind was howling so there helper had to hold on to them. When the parade was over we ate Domino’s pizza. The next day we got to the MOA around 9:00 AM and shopped until 1:30 PM. All I bought is a belly button ring and Hollister jeans, and they were both on sale! I am looking forward to our next school trip. By LaLycia
Hurricane?
If a hurricane were to hit us here in Minnesota, we would be in a state of total panic and confusion. I say this because here in Minnesota, we don’t live by the sea, so we’ve only ever dealt with blizzards, thunderstorms, floods, and tornadoes. If it were possible for a hurricane to reach us, we would probably try to combine our knowledge of what to do during tornadoes and floods. This could work, however a hurricane is much more powerful and devastating. People would freak out, for lack of better words. Some people would view it as the Apocalypse and most likely rob stores and cause riots. Others would be smart and listen to authorities and do as they were told. I would try to be smart, but with me there’s no telling how I’ll react to anything. By Senior from PACS
Fish
Yesterday someone brought fish to school and Warren showed us how to clean fish. There were a couple Northern and a lot of croppies and sunfish. When they took out the cheek meat I ate it raw, which was surprisingly quite good. It was basically freshwater sashimi. I took a turn cleaning a fish; cutting out the edible parts. As I am fascinated with anatomy, I dissected the remaining organs of the fish. Its eye had a small clear bead inside it which I found upon looking through it, could magnify letters on newsprint. The other organs I could identify were the liver, intestines, stomach, and egg sac. It was an interesting and fun day. By Emily Ariels bird house she made in Shop
Gun Control…?
“I think we should be allowed our rights, but that background checks should be done. Those who are mentally unstable or thought to be unable to be responsible shouldn’t be allowed to have assault weapons. Citizens who have a license to carry are good in most cases so they can stop the threats of those who intend harm.” EF “I don’t think they should sell assault rifles anywhere. They just cause problems and there should be a gun limit.” BL “I think we should be able to have assault rifles; we just can’t be stupid and crazy with them. I also think most adults should have a concealed weapon on them.” SJ “I think we should keep guns and not sell them without an ID.” DR “I think they should definitely have stricter background checks and ban assault rifles and other guns that are made for close combat.” JW “I think they should just leave everything as is and don’t change no more gun laws we already have way to many laws for guns.” CR “People should have to go through a background check to be able to purchase a gun. If they fail the background check they shouldn’t be able to buy a gun. You should have to 18 years of age to be able to buy a gun.” BJ “I think regardless of laws people are going to use guns. If they didn’t bring up buying guns there would be fewer problems.” JR “More guns more trouble, they should ban them. Giving people a gun without a background check is pretty much saying, you can kill or do anything with them. I think law enforcement should be the only people with guns.” LS “There should be no ban on guns. There is an amendment, “The right to bear arms” so it should be permanent. People with an illness should not be allowed to own or buy a gun.” LH “I think gun control may be good but it would probably make lots of people unhappy. It might start something and things might happen! But I think people may feel safer if only certain people could have guns. Less people would probably die and fewer shootings would happen.” AL “It depends on who has the guns. Everyone should have a background check every 5 years. People who hunt should have a right to have a gun only for that reason.” RG “I think we should have a better system when it comes to people getting guns. I also think that everyone should have at least one gun in their home to protect themselves and their families.” BH
nie.brainerddispatch.com
A Newspapers in Education Publication
Parent Power! Pine River Backus Elementary parents were invited to breakfast with their children during recent “Mornings with Mom” and “Daybreak with Dad”. The days are sponsored by the PRBE-PTO. Both days were great successes with lots of parents turning up to spend quality time with their children.
Let Us Hear Your Tiger ROAR! Mrs. Greene’s reading class is ready for Tiger Pride day, showing their new “ROAR” t-shirts. ROAR stands for always being “ Responsible, On- Task, Always Safe, and Respectful,” the PRB Elementary motto. The shirts were graciously provided to every K-6 student by the PRBE-PTO.
Pancakes! This Pine River Backus School Readiness class is mixing up some pancake batter with parent helpers. School Readiness made pancake batter and then got to eat their pancakes after reading Eric Carle’s book “Pancakes,
Morning dad
We Salute You
T-shirts
Morning mom
Pancakes!
Soldier visit
Students in the 5th and 6th Grade classes at PRBE took a special day to honor a soldier. Staff Sergeant Stephen Sether, who recently returned from his first tour in Afghanistan with the Minnesota Air National Guard, came to visit with students, share photos, and memories of his time in Afghanistan. Students asked insightful questions and learned an important life experience. Students throughout the school also sent letters and care packages to the soldier while he was deployed.
nie.brainerddispatch.com
A Newspapers in Education Publication
Class Donation The fourth grade class raised $106.50 and purchased toys for the Toys for Kids program. Christmas is a time for giving!
Archery Program In the 2011-2012 school year our school received a $3,200 “Archery in The Schools” Grant. The MN DNR provided a $1,600 matching grant. The rest of the $3,200 was contributed by various donors. Any new contributions will be used to augment, repair, and maintain equipment. The Minnesota DNR Archery in the Schools program introduces Minnesota students to archery by providing schools with the best equipment, training, and curriculum available at the lowest possible price. It is part of the National Archery in the Schools program (NASP). Mikkey White, the P.E. teacher, has received training and participated in an archery education program designed by NASP. Equipment is included and includes: 10 Right handed and 2 left handed Genesis Bows, 5 Block FITA bulls eye targets (36 inch), 10 Dozen full-length aluminum arrows, 1 safety backstop net, and 1 equipment repair package. St. Francis students in kindergarten through 8th grade have the opportunity to learn archery at an age-appropriate level. Fourth Grade with their Toys for Kids donations.
Food Shelf Donation St. Francis School Families recently raised $539 and 588 lbs. of food to donate to the Salvation Army Food Shelf.
2013-2014 Registration/Open House
Some third grade students participating in archery for Phys. Ed.
At St. Francis of the Lakes Catholic School, every child is a unique gift from God. We provide classrooms with more personal attention to every student. “The various school subjects do not present only knowledge to be attained, but also values to be acquired and truths to be discovered.” Registration Start Dates: December 14 - Current SFOLCS students January 17 - Members of Deanery Parishes January 29 - Community Registration To learn more about the difference our school can make in your child’s life, contact us at any time or join us for our Open House which will be held on January 29 from 4:30-6:00 pm.
Registration is opening soon for community mem- Student Council with the school’s donation to the food bers, we gladly welcome you to our family! shelf.
nie.brainerddispatch.com
Staples Motley
A Newspapers in Education Publication
Independent School District #2170
Recognizing our outstanding students
O
ur headlines in newspapers are often filled with the recognition of those whose behavior is anything but stellar. Often we hear that the reason some behavior manifests itself is that the perpetrator is seeking recognition. How much better it is when we get a chance to recognize our students for excelling in all areas of their high school years. The Minnesota State High School created a program in 1988 to recognize high school students who excel in the arts, athletics and the classroom. Seniors who have a “B” or higher grade point average and who participate in League-sponsored athletic and fine arts activities are eligible for nomination. Nominations are limited to two qualifying students per school—one male and one female. Triple “A” State Award recipients (four total) will receive a four-year $1,000 scholarship.
This year Staples Motley High School is proud to nominate two outstanding seniors for the Triple A Award. Maggie O’Keefe, daughter of Steven and Melanie O’Keefe has been part of our state recognized tennis team and track team. This year she is also part of our cheer squad and a senior class director. Maggie has participated in band and choir and this year was chosen as reigning queen of our Madrigal dinner. She also was nominated to our National Honor Society in her junior year. Maggie hopes to pursue a degree in Speech Pathology at the college of her choice. Blake Miller, son of James and Kelly Miller is our male nominee for the Triple A Award. Blake has been involved in cross country, wrestling and track all of which have seen him at state level competition. He has also been a member of our A Cappella choir taking part in solo and ensemble competition. This year he was inducted into the National Honor Society. His future educational plans include pre-dentistry at the
college of his choice. A committee will meet to make final selections from other area schools and submit them to the Minnesota State High School League. A presentation of the winners will be made during the boys state basketball tournament. We think Maggie and Blake are very special! Good luck!
Elementary
Maggie O’Keefe and Blake Miller, Triple A Award nominees.
Staples Elementary 5th grade students had a contest. The contest was to find out which class, between Mr. Mithun, Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. Robinson could bring in the most food shelf items. Altogether the classes brought in 598 items and $131! These classes had a lot of fun competing and also had an amazing time donating to the food shelf. By: Bella Martin and Kaitlyn Smith, 5th grade
School Readiness The School Readiness class is growing at Staples Elementary! More four and five year olds are discovering the fun of learning, being social, and getting ready for kindergarten. Enrollment is open at any time during the school year to all area children who are planning on attending kindergarten in the fall. The class, led by Beth Fabian, introduced a new schedule this year for interested parents. On Mondays and Thursdays, students have the opportunity to attend their preschool class for a morning session, an afternoon session or both! This new option has been well received by families looking for more scheduling flexibility. For more information on School Readiness classes, please contact the Community Education office at (218) 894-2497 or Beth Fabian at (218) 8945400.
Staples Elementary 5th grade.
The School Readiness class is growing.