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Fillmore Central students immerse themselves in Spanish culture By Jade Sexton jsexton@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Research has shown that learning a second language at a young age has tremendous benefits, and that even very young children have a tremendous capacity for learning languages. Learning a second language can affect intellectual growth, enhance mental development, and improve understanding of your native language, as well as other cultures. Many people take foreign language classes in school, but immersing yourself in the language, being around people who speak only that language, only enhances the learning experience. With this understanding, many places offer language immersion camps, where students can gather and be surrounded by
tation for this the language opportunity. He and the culture accepted applicato learn more tions from stuand get a better dents and was understanding of able to get scholit. The weekend arships to take of January 27-29, five of them this five students from time. Fillmore Cen “Every year tral High School there’s a theme,” participated in a said Wolfgram. Spanish Immer“I’m really excited sion Camp at this year because Concordia Lanthe theme is guage Village. Spain.” The camp is Wo l f g r a m located in Bemispent a semester dji on Turtle L to R: Christian Harrison, Mason Grabau, Deja Lind, Lake. The stu- McKinnen Stone and Alex Johnson attended a spanish immer- in Spain during dents went with sion camp. Photo submitted college, and has great memories Brian Wolfgram, from that time. “It was a lifewho has been teaching Spanish guage camp. at Fillmore Central for three Wolfgram explained that every changing experience,” he shared. years. He has now taken three year he applies for a mini-grant During the weekend camp, groups of students to the lan- to cover the cost of transpor- students will be immersed in
Kingsland School Board approves alternative learning program see the program and curriculum, to make sure that it is rigorous kblanchard@fillmorecountyjournal.com enough to meet the state stan The Kingsland School Board dards,” Rohne said. The program approved an Alternative Learning will run two nights per week after Program (ALP) designed to help school where students can meet at-risk students at their meeting with their instructors. Students Monday, January 23. will complete work on their own Bruce Rohne, Kingsland guid- and then meet with their instrucance counselor, said that the ALP tors to review their progress. is a program that is better suited “We anticipate some of our stufor our students and will help dents will use this program to them after school with credit get back on track for graduation,” recovery. Rohne said. “I want to commend Mr. Rohne “This will be a valuable profor the work that he has done to gram for our students who need a put this program together and to little extra help in gaining credits,” make application to the state to McDonald said. “With the fundreceive their approval,” Superin- ing we will receive for each student tendent John McDonald said. in the program from the state, we “The ALP will provide funds hope that this will be cost neutral so that we can hire staff to over- to the district.” By K evin Blanchard
The Minnesota Department of Education alternative education mission is to provide viable educational options for students who are experiencing difficulty in the traditional system. Instruction is designed to meet individual student learning styles as well as their social and emotional needs. Teachers build connections with students and focus on vocational and career skills, including independent study options. Community, county and state partnerships provide additional support and resources. In other action, the board passed a resolution directing the administration to make recommendations for reductions in proSee KINGSLAND Page 9
not only the language of Spain, but the culture and food as well. According to Wolfgram, the counselors are fluent in Spanish, but the camp is good for students in all levels. “I’m bringing some level one students that are eager, and who want to learn and embrace the culture,” said Wolfgram. Students attended formal and informal teaching sessions during the weekend. The students learned about the food, culture, dance, games, history, and geography of Spain. Students also chose the activities to participate in, such as sports or food. Wolfgram said there was a formal banquet and dance on Saturday night with authentic Spanish food and music. “It’s a lot of fun,” he said. See SPANISH Page 16
Annual fundraiser focusing efforts on Jem Theatre ers for local people. “It’s usually for someone who is jsexton@fillmorecountyjournal.com sick with cancer,” said Fishbaugh Brian Fishbaugher and Lynn er. “We try to help families.” Mensink have been in a dart This year the group is doing league for many years. Several something different. In Decemyears ago, they decided to hold ber, they approached the owners a fundraiser for a local resident of the Jem Theatre, Paul and who was critically ill. They held Michelle Haugerud, about helpa dart tournament and invited ing them out. people to come raise money, and The Jem Theatre was recently forced by Hollywood to make it was very successful. “We decided it worked very the switch to a digital projector well,” shared Mensink. “We had or go out of business. They found a used projector and were able fun and it was a great turnout.” For that first fundraiser, to buy it with the help of funds Mensink said they raised about from Trust for a Better Harmony $1,000 and they were ecstatic. and a loan from First Southeast After that, they held annual fund- Bank in Harmony. raisers for the Cancer Telethon Paul Haugerud passed away recently, but the theater goes on, for several years. For the past few years, the dart See JEM Page 3 league has been holding fundraisBy Jade Sexton
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