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Summerville Elementary School • February 25, 2011
Turtle Times
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Newspaper Project Offers Hands-On Experience By Karen Thompson s the Adopt-A-Teacher program from the Chamber of Commerce got into high gear at Summerville Elementary this past fall, I was so in hopes that I could participate with The Summerville Journal Scene once again this year. But I thought,”Could I be so lucky to work with them AGAIN? Was I being greedy? Did they want ME?” Well, thankfully, Chris Zoeller and her crew did want to work with us again. Boy, was I thrilled. Adopt-A-Teacher is a program where businesses in the Summerville area adopt teach-
Karen Thompson
By Courtney Fox
If you want a definition of a leader, it’s Mrs. Thompson. Mrs. Thompson loves to spend time with her family – Henry, husband, and her sons Harrison and Dale. Some of her favorite interests are to cook, walk and shop. Her favorite books are amazing biographies and truthful nonfiction. It’s no doubt that she is a sweet, knowledgeable and loving teacher.
ABOUT ADOPT-A-TEACHER
ers for the year to aid in many different ways. Since I teach English-Language Arts to fifth graders, I wanted a business that would help make writing meaningful. I have a very strong reading and writing class this year and felt they would benefit from publishing their own newspaper. This year’s paper exceeded my expectations from last year. I was proud of my students from last year and all their efforts; our paper was magnanimous! This year, however, it was taken to another level. We started out the project with reporter Leslie Cantu helping our students brainstorm writing topics. Executive Editor Judy Watts and Editor Frank Johnson, along with reporters Roger Lee, Stefan Rogensmoser, and Jim Tatum, visited our class to help students write their articles. That one-on-one attention was invaluable. The reporters really helped the students take their articles to the next level. Also, how lucky were they to have “real” reporters be their mentors! Our next project was the photography component. Photographer, Paul Zoeller, along with Holly Harrison from the paper helped the students take pictures around the school. It was a drizzly, rainy day…a great opportunity for some unique pictures. We even had Chris Zoeller jumping in mud puddles! They learned how to edit and write cutlines.
The next week, Ashley KrejciShaw and Laura Patterson helped the students with advertisements for THE TURTLE TIMES. They learned how to draw an ad in a very small or large space. The students were able to figure out the appropriate print style and artwork to make Photos by Chris Zoeller their ads pop! For the last two months, the staff of the Journal Scene Staff has worked with There was just a deeper under- the students on writing stories, taking photographs and designing advertisestanding of what ments. Top left, reporter Stefan Rogenmoser works with students on their THE TURTLE story. Top right, Ashley Krejci-Shaw and Laura Patterson teach the class about TIMES should advertising. be about this year. Independence reigned their help and guidance, the paper would not have supreme in 5C! The students wrote articles with- been successful. I want to thank my colleagues, out my prompting; interviewed students and Michelle Kieber, Cornelia Castleman, and Lynn teachers as needed; and wrote and edited their Ryall for being so flexible with schedule changes. own articles without my help. I want to thank all I feel so blessed that my students could learn and of the Journal Scene staff and Paul Zoeller for grow from this wonderful experience. My only their extreme dedication to this project. Without regret is that our time together is over.
REFLECTIONS
Mission: • Broaden our students’ learning opportunities and experiences • Get the community involved in the lives of our students and their education • Share your skills with our teachers and our students • Build confidence in our students and provide an environment of hope for their future • Provide financial support for our educational endeavors What is the purpose of the Adopt-A-Teacher Program? • To raise the level of involvement of local businesses, organizations, and community members in the classroom • Opportunity to relate to our students in a manner that explains the "why" they need to learn certain things and "how" those skills will be utilized • Provide an environment of creative learning where all students can be engaged • Erase some of the financial burden of teachers • Help students understand and become more knowledgeable about our community and our workforce How to Adopt-A-Teacher at SES? Call Shannon Raglin at 873-2373
Photo by Faith Walker
The Turtle Times staff was assigned weather-art by photographer Paul Zoeller. Students returned with fun and creative photos on a cold, rainy day. Photo by Harper Lybrand
February, 25, 2011 • Newspaper Project
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Students Learn “Art” of Leadership
clear. SES Principal Lori Dibble is trying to make a difference by implementing The Art of Leadership. “It started with a book study,” Mrs. Dibble said. “The seven habits of successful people interested me as a way to help students learn life skills that will help them through adulthood,” she said. “The business world wants United States citizens to know the seven habits.” Chad Smith, Franklin Covey, and the Chamber of Commerce
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ummerville Elementary School’s Art of Leadership could mold the next president or make a child’s future
worked with Mrs. Dibble in order to summon Sean Covey. Sean Covey, the son of Stephen Covey, the author of the the “Seven Habits,” talked to Mrs. Dibble about improvements in the school and about setting goals for students. “I think we are off to a good start. They set goals and believe in themselves – that they can reach their goals,” Principal Dibble suggests. At the beginning of the process, not only was the program unknown to the students, but the teachers as well. They needed to train every day, learning the seven habits along the way. “Just like students around the world, they work hard every day teaching and using them,” Mrs. Dibble says. But what is she trying to make Photo by Weston Bison out of “The Art of Leadership?” She is trying to teach students to Buckets in the Summerville Elementary Media Center illustrate the 7 Habits. Students find the 7 Habits incorporated in all aspects of the school. The Art of Leadership is based on the “7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” be a leader of self, she says.
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February, 25, 2011 • Newspaper Project
Family Ties Part of SES
BY JAMES GRANT, HARPER LYBRAND & CHARLOTTE SHULER
Photo by Charlotte Shuler
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Art teacher, Stacey Heilman and fifth grade student, Courtney Fox (left) are cousins. Karen Thompson, fifth grade teacher, and Mary Lynn Harlow, guidance counseler (right) are sisters. There are many family ties at Summerville Elementary School.
ow would you feel if you went to school where your mom worked? What if your cousin was your teacher? Reporters for The Turtle Times got the scoop on how it feels from certain Summerville Elementary School students and employees. “It’s just fun to work with your sister,” says Karen Thompson, fifth grade teacher. “Seeing each other every day in the halls improves our relationship,” Thompson says. Her sister, Mary Lynn Harlow, guidance counselor, feels the same way. She also says that if she had been lucky enough to have her sister as an English teacher, she would have done much better in her high school English classes. “I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Harlow says. Another relationship is Courtney Fox and Stacey Hielman. Mrs. Hielman is one of the art teachers at SES and her cousin Courtney is one of her students. “I love teaching her and watching her grow, not only as an artist but as a unique little lady,” Mrs. Hielman says, Courtney says she enjoys Mrs. Hielman’s class. Two of the things these cousins have in common are their love of art and their love for each other. There are many other relationships at Summerville Elementary that are an important part of the fabric that makes SES special.
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Heroes Come to Summerville Elementary
BY ANNE MYERS GARY, KAIONNA GREEN & MARIAH SMALLS
Photo by Kaionna Green
Asha Brownie-Gordon and Andi Dema of troupe Bright Star Children’s Theatre perfom “Heroes of the Underground Railroad” for the third, fourth and fifth grade students at Summerville Elementary School.
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Summerville Elementary School Arts Infusion brought the play “Heroes of the Underground Railroad” to SES. The play was performed by actors Andi Dema and Asha Brownie-Gordon of troupe Bright Star Children’s Theatre. “We had them come a couple of years ago and the kids loved them so much, we decided to bring them back,” the leader of Arts Infusion, Pam Christ said. “Heroes of the Underground Railroad” is about a group of Abolitionists who help slaves to freedom. Fifth grader, Katie Emery said, “I thought the actors did a good job because they looked like they put in a lot of effort and they knew all of their lines.” Fourth grader, Isreal Smalls said, “ My favorite was Henry Box Brown.” He loved it because it talked a lot about black history. Fourth grader, Isabel Harlow said, “I liked the play because it taught me a lot about my favorite character Henry Box Brown.” Third grader, Alanna Brown said, “I liked how the play told the history of the slaves.” Summerville Elementary third through fifth grade students loved “Heroes of the Underground Railroad.” We hope they come back soon.
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February, 25, 2011 • Newspaper Project
Get Jumping for Heart Health
BY KEEGAN CROMER, IMANI FORD & MILLS ROWLAND
Photo by Mills Rowland
Physical Education teacher Beth Phillips spins a long rope during the Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser. Students jumped at the chance to fight heart disease.
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February was American Heart Month and one program, Jump Rope for Heart, aimed at leading students and others to lead healthier lifestyles. “The best part of Jump Rope for Heart is helping to save peoples’ lives,” says PE teacher Beth Phillips. “Jump Rope for Heart is a fun and effective way to teach heart healthy living.” Students at Summerville Elementary School participated in the Jump Rope for Heart event and jumped at the chance to fight heart disease and earn exciting “thank you” gifts. The event also provided the opportunity for children to perform community service as they raised funds for the American Heart Association. “I feel good about raising money for Jump Rope for Heart,” says fifth grade student Jack Robinson. The program is sponsored by the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. The goal of the program is to emphasize the importance of physical activity as children do something they enjoy: jumping rope. The money that SES raises helps fund potentially lifesaving research into heart and blood vessel diseases. “Jump Rope for Heart” can help your heart by rope jumping and can help other peoples’ lives, too. It can help you become a bigger leader and have to have a healthier lifestyle,” said Principal Lori Dibble.
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Looking Back, Looking Forward ifth grade students at Summerville Elementary School are getting excited about moving on to middle school for the 2011-12 school year. One student, Graham McCurry, is especially looking forward to middle school and some of the opportunities ahead. “James Grant and I are both trying out for the same thing,” Graham said about Rollings Middle School of the Arts. Another possible change in his life is his transportation to and from school. “I might become a walker, but if not I will stay a car rider,” he says.
Graham says he knows some of the people who will be attending middle school with him. “I’m really looking forward to going to sixth grade and meeting new people from different schools,” he says. Another student, Weston Bison, is ready for middle school and also ready to leave behind a few embarrassing moments from his elementary school career. “When I was in third grade, a second grader passed me, and I tripped out of the gazebo,” he says. He thinks his transportation will change next year, too, from riding in the car with his mother to catching the bus. Weston says that among the rumors about middle school is that middle school is fun. “I hear that there are a lot of courses you can try out for.”
Eboni Johnson, Kaionna Green, Dennesa Williams & Jasmine Pasoquen enjoy their last year at Summerville Elementary School and look forward to attending middle school next school year. Photo by Jutashi Jones
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By Megan Lockner, Josh Nelson & Faith Walker
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Catching up with Council BY KATIE EMERY, CHRISTIAN MENSCER & EMILIA OLSON
Photo by Emilia Olson
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Dylan Zoeller, Eboni Johnson, Graham McCurry and Jack Robinson meet for Student Council. Council members include fourth and fifth grade students to discuss ideas on how to improve Summerville Elementary School.
ummerville Elementary School formed a Student Council last year for fourth and fifth grade students. The purpose of the council is to come up with decisions that will make SES better for students. Among the students who ran for Student Council was Eboni Johnson, who was named president of the new organization. “I tried out for the Student Council because I wanted to improve the school,” said President Johnson. “It was a fun experience because I got to show my stuff!” Fourth grade student Jack Robinson says he hopes that being
on Student Council in fourth grade will help him achieve one of his goals – to become a better leader. “Next year I’d like to be Historian for the Council,” he says. One of the requirements to participate on the council is to write a speech for the election process. Dylan Zoeller, also a fourth grade student, was surprised by how difficult the process was. “It was hard because I didn’t know how to make my speech different from everyone else’s,” she said. The Student Council is already making a difference for others in the school and in the community. Last fall, the Council organized a canned food drive with Ashley Ridge High School. For the Fall Bash, the Council came up with the idea for third through fifth graders to have a dance.
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Breaking News: WSES Takes Action
s the next Katie Couric an anchor on Summerville Elementary School’s WSES news show? T a m m y Bertram, the SES librarian, is the founder of WSES. She says her inspiration for starting WSES was a similar show at Rollings Middle School of the Arts. “They had a news show for a while and I ran it,” Bertram says. “So when I moved to Summerville Elementary School, Dr. Sires (former principal of SES) desperately wanted a news show.” Together Bertram and Sires brought the same show format to SES. “It was the same except we added more music to meet Dr. Sires’ lik-
ing,” she says. Students in Mrs. Sigalas’ kindergarten class had a positive review of the news show. Among the students in her class is Ethan Jones, who, when asked if he’d consider being on the news show says, “Yes I want to be an anchor.” First grade student, Shanya Deweese, said she would choose to be a camera person. The WSES news team members are Steven Peek, J.C. Maes and Destiny Galbreth. The news kids follow a chart hanging in the back of the room with their names and corresponding jobs that helps the students know what their job is each day. Preparing for the broadcast is an important part of each day. “It takes us about 30 minutes to get ready in the morning,” Steven said. “We run through several practices before we start.” Destiny says her favorite position is anchor “because you have someone to help back you up.”
Photo by Abby Simpson
Fifth grade students, Sam Muckenfuss and Ansley Jones, practice their lines before the broadcast of WSES TV.
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Chelsea Lee, with SES’ Steppers, practices a step routine in the Marcia O’Brien Fieldhouse.
Photo by Madison Simpson
Nathan Indergaard, fourth grade teacher, grades papers in “The Garden of Learning.” The garden was dedicated last year in memory of Dr. Gene Sires, former Summerville Elementary School principal.
A Tribute to Dr. Sires r. Gene Sires, a former Summerville Elementary Shool principal, was a loved and cherished man. One reason Dr. Sires was loved and cherished was that he was selfless and put everyone before himself. “Dr. Sires loved, breathed and ate Summerville Elementary School,” says fifth
BY SARA MUELLER AND DENNESA WILLIAMS
grade teacher Mrs. Thompson. et’s step into the shoes of Eboni Johnson and Jasmine Pasoquen who are steppers at Summerville Elementary School. James Grant, an SES student, now in fifth Eboni loves representing her school by being a stepper because it allows grade, remembers when he first walked in the her to be a leader and a role model for younger kids. door on his first day of kindergarten. “And it helps me with performing,” Jasmine says. “Dr. Sires welcomed me with open arms,” When she first started, she was afraid of performing. he says. “I was afraid I would mess up a step,” she said. After Dr. Sires passed away in 2009, Lori Eboni and Jasmine sometimes teach step to others but get frustrated with Dibble, current SES principal, honored him the ones they are teaching who “just don’t get it.” with “The Garden of Learning” dedicated for Fifth grade teacher Tria Grant is the step leader. The step team started a year ago because she his hospitality and selfless personality. got inspired through her own love of dancing. Students at SES use “The Garden of “And my sister stepped when she was younger,” Ms. Grant says. Learning” to read, enjoy nature, and appreci- “Stepping has strengthened the unity between the girls and has strengthened their leadership ate what’s so special about SES. skills. And stepping provided an outlet to have some fun,” she says..
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BY COURTNEY FOX, MADISON SIMPSON & DREW SMITH-JONES
Stepping Into the Future
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