Maxfield Times
Issue 04
Maxfield Elementary School St. Paul, MN Fall 2019
THE MAXFIELD TIMES
Meet the teams
Fourth and fifth grade teachers at Maxfield Elementary
Want to get involved?
wanted students to work on speaking, writing and creativity. Maxfield Principal Ryan Vernosh wanted something more for
If you want to support Maxfield Elementary School, contact
his students, too.
Principal Ryan Vernosh by email at ryan.vernosh@spps.org, by phone at 651-293-8680 or by mail to 380 Victoria St N.,
“They don’t need saviors,” he said. “They need opportunities.”
St. Paul, MN 55104.
Bethel University journalists needed a project they could
To support future issues of Maxfield Times, contact Maxfield
design and edit. So, what happened? These pages. Plus a
teacher Elizabeth Earnest by email at elizabeth.earnest@
partnership that could make a difference for students from
spps.org or contact Bethel professor Yu-Li Chang Zacher at
both schools.
y-changzacher@bethel.edu.
- Editors
2
FALL 2019
In this issue...
P. 8
P. 10
P. 16
P. 24
Maxfield Stories P. 8 Gardening at Maxfield P. 10 Keeping the Beat P. 12 Changing the Communitty P. 14 Restorative Practices P. 16 Reading Partners
P. 20 New Addition to the Maxfield Family P. 22 Maxfield just like Home P. 24 From Nigeria to America
Photo Essays P. 4
Timeline
P. 6
Budding Photographers
P. 28 Morning Meeting Awards P. 29 At the Playground P. 30 Back to School BBQ P. 31 Carnival at Maxfield
P. 26 Fourth Grade Book Review P. 27 Fifth Grade Book Review
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THE MAXFIELD TIMES
Timeline
Oct. 15 GATHERING INFORMATION & TAKING PHOTOS
Oct. 1
Maxfield Students interview the subject and write down the details they need to get for the 5 Ws. Maxfield Students take photos pertaining to the assigned story.
GETTING TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER Bethel students come up with getting-to-know you activities to break the ice. Maxfield Students doodle to add to visuals for the Maxfield Times.
Oct. 8 READING NEWS STORIES & LEARNING INTERVIEWS Maxfield Students learn the 5 Ws of Journalism: WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE WHY by reading and analyzing example stories written by Bethel students. Maxfield Students learn how to ask questions to gather information from interviews.
4
FALL 2019
Oct. 29 WRITING STORY & PHOTO CAPTIONS Maxfield Studentswork with Bethel students to continue the writing process. Maxfield Students write captions for the photos chosen for their story.
Nov. 5 EDITING
Oct. 22 WRITING THE STORY Maxfield Students work with Bethel students to construct the interview information into a story. Most stories follow a simple format: five paragraphs, two to three good quotes.
Maxfield Students work with Bethel students to learn how to edit their story to make sure it’s fit for publication. The process involves critical thinking, writing with a focus, arranging information and paying attention to mechanics.
5
THE MAXFIELD TIMES
Budding Photographers Maxfield students take their turn with the camera
6
FALL 2019
7
THE MAXFIELD TIMES
Gardening at Maxfield
Maxfield students, Nasir and Talycia, explore the garden with Megan Phinney. | Photo by Callie Chase
By Nasir and Talycia
Megan Phinney teaches Maxfield Elementary students how to garden.
M
egan Phinney
for gardening to Maxfield
Ms. Greenwald teaches
loves to be
Elementary by teaching
science at Maxfield and
outside working
students how to garden.
works with Ms. Phinney. Ms.
in the dirt and getting her
She has helped Maxfield
Greenwald teaches students
hands in the smooth soil.
students plant flowers, fruits
about plant biology. In the
She also loves to eat the
and vegetables such as okra,
spring, after the seeds are
fresh fruits and vegetables
carrots and tomatoes.
planted, Ms. Greenwald puts
grown from the baby plants
8
them under lights so that
she has planted with her own
Ms. Phinney gardens at
they grow. When the plants
hands.
Maxfield Elementary in
grow big, they get planted
the spring. She teaches
outside.
“When I get my hands in the
students between second
dirt, it just feels calming to
and fifth grade. The garden
In the winter, Ms. Phinney
me,” Ms. Phinney said. “I love
is in the front of Maxfield,
and the students use paper
flowers and food. We can
and everybody can see the
and pencil to write things
grow some really good food
wonderful colors of the
down to organize the garden
here in Minnesota.”
plants. Vegetables and fruits
and figure out what they
She is passing on her passion
grow in ten boxes of dirt.
want to plant. “And then we
FALL 2019 use shovels, rakes, gloves,
Compost is mixing plants,
Ms. Phinney appreciates
bags to carry weeds to the
vegetables and fruits and
gardening because it
yard waste site which mixes
having them biodegrade into
produces fruits, vegetables
it into compost,” Ms. Phinney
fertilizer.
and flowers. She also enjoys
said.
“WHEN I GET MY HANDS IN THE DIRT, IT JUST FEELS CALMING TO ME.”
nature. “I think it’s really Sometimes gardening can
important because I believe
go wrong, Ms. Phinney
we need to care for the
says. One summer, she
earth, along with caring for
led some students to plant
ourselves with good, healthy
lots of lettuce in a nearby
food,” Ms. Phinney said.
community garden. Then she came back the next day
Edited by Callie Chase
to find out that the lettuce was gone. “And the rabbits had eaten everything,” Ms. Phinney said. “‘Those darn rabbits.’”
Talycia
Nasir
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SINGER?
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SINGER?
Cardi B
M&M
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO ON A RAINY DAY?
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO ON A RAINY DAY?
Sleep
Stay inside and watch Stranger Things on TV
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO AT RECESS? Running
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BREAKFAST FOOD? Bacon, extra crispy, with syrup on it and pancakes
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO AT RECESS? Play tag
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BREAKFAST FOOD? French toast that my sister makes
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE TYPES OF SHOES?
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE TYPES OF SHOES?
Jordans, Vans and Adidas
Jordans
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY?
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY? The 4th of July
Halloween
Above: Maxfield students, Nasir and Talycia, interview gardener Megan Finney about gardening at Maxfield Elementary School. Megan Phinney, local land connector and gardener, shows plants to Maxfield student Nasir. Right: Megan Phinney, local land connector and gardener, shows plants to Maxfield student Nasir.
9
THE MAXFIELD TIMES
Keeping the beat
A group of Maxfield students drum in front of a Culture Wellness Center sign in Brother Qadash’s culture drumming class. | Photo by Zach Walker
Brother Qadash uses his life
reciprocity, balance, justice
experiences and passions to
plays like “The Cripple Boy”
teach the culture drumming
on a dundun with sticks.
class at Maxfield Elementary.
with their hands on djembes.
and harmony. Students do
while Brother Qadash drums
In class, students also drum
Before teaching at Maxfield, he worked at a juvenile detention center that helped
By Farries
B
teenagers calm down. It turned around their behavior
rother Qadash likes
Maxfield Elementary School.
teaching drumming,
He teaches Monday through
driving his blue 2016
Thursday between 10 a.m.
Dodge Charger and helping
and 1:40 p.m.
his community.
10
Brother Qadash is a
He teaches his students the
basketball coach and
seven principles of Maat:
culture drumming teacher at
order, truth, propriety,
“WE ALL DRUM TOGETHER. IT SOUNDS BETTER WHEN WE DO IT TOGETHER.”
so they did not go to jail. He would share his own
“A lot of students come to the
experiences of childhood
class, you know, and if they
with the teenagers like he
are having a rough day, they
does every day with kids at
get some of that energy out,
Maxfield in order to connect
get some of that frustration
with them.
out,” Brother Qadash said.
“And then, at the same time, it makes them feel good.”
Every student who attends Maxfield will have the opportunity to take the drumming class. Each classroom, kindergarten through fifth grade, visits Brother Qadash on its assigned day of the week to learn drumming, dancing and singing.
“We all drum together,” fifth grader Kiara said. “It sounds better when we do it together.”
FALL 2019
Q&A with Brother Qadash Q: Who is your inspiration?
had a strong household and
A: Brother Mark Robinson.
became sick. Doing drugs is
I met him when I was a young man working in the Cultural Wellness Center. He was that male role model I didn’t have coming up to teach me how to do things on the right hand side. Coming up in the inner city living in poverty and with my father not being in his right state of mind, I didn’t get to have that good male role model. When I met [Brother Mark], that’s the kind of man I wanted to be, the kind of father I wanted to be. He was such a big inspiration on me. That’s why I wanted to be in this work.
Q: What was your childhood like?
A: It was up and down. I was born in Chicago on the West Side. Initially, my mom and dad were together. We
strong family. Then, my dad
a sickness. It’s not something you should be put in jail for; it’s something you need help for. It kind of took a turn for the worse. Drugs took over and my parents got a divorce.
Later in our life, things got a little more rocky. I wound up having to move out on my
but life really can turn around if you surround yourself with people who care about you and love you. It can turn around no matter how bad the journey starts off.
Q: Every morning, what
Farries
K’yon
makes you want to get up?
A: You. Coming here for
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DISNEY MOVIE?
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT SCHOOL?
the students every day is
Maleficent
Recess
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WINTER ACTIVITY?
Outback Steakhouse
Building a snowman
IF YOU COULD BE ANY ANIMAL WHAT WOULD IT BE?
WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
what makes me get up and do it. That’s it. Me being there is one more kid who I can help that day. Or a seed of something righteous I can plant in a kid’s head to make them want to be better or make somebody’s day better or help somebody. That’s why I do it. I do it for the people.
own when I was 15. I became
Additional help by K’yon
a man. I had my first son.
Edited by Zach Walker
Green anaconda
People raging on “Fortnite”
WHAT IS A CHANGE YOU WOULD MAKE TO SCHOOL?
IF YOU COULD BE ANY ANIMAL WHAT WOULD IT BE?
McDonalds in the school
Invisible leopard
I didn’t get to be a normal high-school kid. I had just made the varsity basketball team as a sophomore, but I found out I was having a son. I was surviving in the world however I had to. A few years later, I met Brother Mark Robinson. I got a great job working with people and working with children. Everything turned around.
Brother Qadash drums on a dundun after Above: Three Maxfield students rest
We might go through things,
after drumming with Brother Qadash. | Photo by Zach Walker
calling for an impromptu dance party during culture drumming class. | Photo by Zach Walker
11
THE MAXFIELD TIMES
Changing the community
Public Achievement coaches Mark Bringardner and Natalie Jacobson laugh as they play Would You Rather with a group of Maxfield students. | Photo by Jasmine Johnson
By Kanaija and Terri
Public Achievement program teaches Maxfield students how they can make a difference.
K
yle sat in the Maker
Wednesday morning to
Space connected to
work with small groups of
the library. This week,
fourth and fifth graders. This
his classmates chose to use
program was created as a
a container of sparkly purple
way of doing democracy.
slime as the talking piece.
It encourages people to
Whoever held the slime had
work across differences and
the chance to speak. When
create lasting change in their
Kyle received the purple
communities.
slime, he shared his definition of power with the group.
“I want to make sure that they learn some skills about how
Public Achievement national
to make the world better,�
organizer Dennis Donavan
Donovan said.
brings coaches Natalie
12
Jacobson, Mark Bringardner
Teachers work with their
and other Augsburg
classes to explore issues
University students to
and figure out subjects the
Maxfield Elementary every
students are passionate
FALL 2019 about. Students then
Later on in the school year,
last year. He noticed more
number their top three
Maxfield students will hold
people on the streets and
choices, each with the goal
research visits to gather
wanted to find a way to help
of improving their school
information and take action
them.
and neighborhood. Public
on a project they care about.
Achievement coaches come
“You have the power to do
in once the students have
Kyle was excited to hear
decided on an issue and
that there would be a group
assist them in initiating
addressing homelessness
change through practical
because he participated in a
steps.
Public Achievement project
“I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY LEARN SOME SKILLS ABOUT HOW TO MAKE THE WORLD BETTER.” This fall, one of the small groups agreed to address homelessness for their
anything,” he said. Additional reporting and
Kanaija
Terri
editing by Jasmine Johnson
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE GAME?
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE GAME?
Roblox
Minecraft
WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?
WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?
My little sister
Art
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE ACTIVITY TO DO WITH FRIENDS?
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE ACTIVITY TO DO WITH FRIENDS?
Play outside
Play outside
WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL?
WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL?
My mom
Kanaija
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE BORED?
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE BORED?
Sleep
Make slime
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE FOOD?
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE FOOD?
Cookies, juice and cereal
Spaghetti
Public Achievement project. The students started by making a power map of people and groups who may care about this issue, such as the Salvation Army, St. Paul Police and other organizations.
Above: Maxfield student Chi’elle listens as Public Achievement coach Natalie Jacobson explains the agenda for the small group meeting. | Photo by Jasmine Johnson
Left: Maxfield student Chi’elle explains the reason behind her answer in a Public Achievement ice breaker game. | Photo by Jasmine Johnson
13
THE MAXFIELD TIMES
Restorative practices Ms. Fallon enjoys teaching students how to manage their emotions.
Ms. Earnest’s class plays a game with a light-up stick that turns off every time someone lets go of the neighbor’s hand. | Photos by Emma Eisdvoog
By Kamaya and Key-Key
M
s. Fallon is a re-
said. “The goal is to get
storative practices
people more self-aware.”
coordinator at
Maxfield Elementary. In the
Ms. Fallon has her own
classrooms and the relax
room where she meets with
room, Ms. Fallon helps kids
students who need to reset.
have self-control by showing
In the relaxing room she has
them breathing techniques,
a fun trampoline, fun pictures
yoga poses and ways to re-
and Christmas lights. She
flect on what’s going on. She
also has a cool rocker couch.
asks them questions such
The colors of the walls are
as how their bodies react to
meant to show that this place
emotions when they are mad.
is safe and welcoming. The blue side is for centering,
“It’s not so much about
focusing and calming, and
calming people down, but to
the green side is for releasing
reflect on how they affected
energy.
other people,” Ms. Fallon
14
FALL 2019 Circle time is an important
pieces, putty or toys. They
another’s hands for the stick
element in restorative
bring them in from home or
to light up. If anyone lets go,
practices. Ms. Fallon rotates
get them from the classroom.
the light turns off.
time. Every day a different
At the end of each circle time,
“I love being in classrooms
student brings in a talking
the students play a game.
because I get to see students
piece, and it gets passed
Sometimes they play silent
in their moments and see
around the circle. Only the
ball; sometimes they practice
them create moments
person holding the talking
calming down by using the
-- moments of focus and
piece is allowed to talk. They
expanding breathing ball.
learning,” Ms. Fallon said.
could talk about what they
One of their favorite games
did over the weekend, or they
is the light-up stick game.
could respond to a teacher’s
Students have to hold one
among all classes for circle
Additional reporting and editing by Emma Eidsvoog
question such as, “‘When was a time when you felt left
Key-Key WHO’S YOUR FAVORITE SUPERHERO?
WHO’S YOUR FAVORITE SUPERHERO?
My mom; she’s always there for me and has my back.
Wonder Woman
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO ON THE WEEKEND?
out?”
Eat ice cream, play on my phone and dance. NO girl slumber party!
“MOST OF THE TIME I SHARE WHAT’S ON MY HEART RATHER THAN ON MY MIND.”
Kamaya
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE POP FLAVOR?
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO ON THE WEEKEND? Eat ice cream and annoy my sister
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE POP FLAVOR? Grape
Cherry Coca-Cola
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?
Good Burger
Little
“I’m an open book when I’m in circle time,” Ms. Fallon said.
Ms. Fallon coordinates restorative practices
“I don’t hold anything back
at Maxfield Elementary where students learn
because the space allows for
how to manage their emotions. | Photos by Emma Eidsvoog
that. Most of the time I share what’s on my heart rather than on my mind.”
Students could bring colorful rocks, pictures, wooden
15
THE MAXFIELD TIMES
Reading partners Audrey Smebakken pairs students of all grade levels with volunteers to read oneon-one.
It is Audrey Smebekkan’s second year being the site coordinator for Reading Partners at Maxfield Elementary. Smebakken sees growth in the program. | Photo by Alicia Dahl
By Mariya and Noah
A
udrey Smebakken has done lots of jobs since she
graduated from the University of Minnesota in Morris. She majored in French and has been a camp counselor, bike mechanic, kick-boxing instructor, lifeguard and an educator.
Now, she works at Maxfield Elementary as the site coordinator to pair the 41 volunteers with the 1218 students for Reading Partners.
16
FALL 2019
Q&A reading partners? How long have you worked here?
A: One of my friends said that her partner works here and that I would really like it. I checked it out and it seemed really interesting to me, so I applied and this is my second year.
Q: What interested you about reading partners?
A: I liked that I got to work with youth and that I was doing something that addresses inequity, and that I was working in a
themselves, and also when
and figure out what their
they are doing really well.
schedule is like and when they’re available. They
Q: How do you feel
also communicate with
about working with reading
me any of their worries or
partners? What do you like
apprehensions. When they
about it?
come in the classroom, their role is to go at the pace of
A: I mostly love it. I really
the scholar. They will read
like that it’s one-on-one and
out loud to the student at
that the scholars that come
their grade level. Scholars
here get to work with one
check in with everyone. Then
will be hearing vocabulary
other person for a whole 45
there are a few sessions,
from someone who knows
minutes. I also love that each
a break where I do boring
how to pronounce it.
scholar can take home a book
stuff like checking my email
Volunteers are role modeling,
once a week.
and reaching out to people.
answering any questions,
Usually in the afternoon
and encouraging scholars
Q: What’s hard/
there are more sessions that
when they are having a hard
challenging about reading
happen. At the end of the
time and want to give up on
partners?
with Audrey Smebakken Q: How did you begin at
communicate with me
A: I do attendance, so I
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DESSERT? grapes
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DISNEY MOVIE? Descendents 3
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ACTIVITY TO DO WITH YOUR FAMILY? Camping
Student reporters, Noah and Mariyah, interview the site
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ACTIVITY TO DO WITH YOUR FRIENDS?
coordinator for Reading Partners, Audrey Smebakken, at
Dance
day, I prepare for the next day.
Q: What level of students
Mariya
Maxfield Elementary. | Photo by Alicia Dahl
are there?
A: Originally we had third, fourth, and fifth graders, but now we’re going to start working with second graders too.
neighborhood that I lived.
Q: What do the volunteers
Q: What does a normal
do?
day look like for you?
A: The volunteers sign up, and their role is to
17
THE MAXFIELD TIMES
A: I think that scheduling is really hard because sometimes things don’t work out like they’re supposed to, and I have to go around and talk to a
Noah
bunch of different people. Sometimes things work
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
out and sometimes they don’t.
A Scientist, specifically interested in biology
Q: What books do you get and where do you get
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE CANDY?
the books from?
Crunch bar
A: We get them from a lot of places. We have
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MUSICAL ARTIST?
funders. Some people give us money so that we
Yo Yo Ma
IF YOU COULD CHANGE SOMETHING AT SCHOOL, WHAT WOULD IT BE? More homework
can buy our own books, and others donate books to Below: The reading center at
us that we have specifically
Maxfield Elementary holds Audrey
asked for. Sometimes people
Smebakken’s Reading Partners room.
have book drives where
The room is filled with decorations, take-home reading, bins of books and
they just put out a box and
lesson plans. | Photo by Alicia Dahl
people can donate books.
Those ones are hard because
first, this scholar was very
not everyone donates great
quiet and was embarrassed
quality books. They can be
about being in reading
torn up, and they might not
partners. But this year, the
have great stories.
scholar says hello and has
Q: Can you tell me a story
the room. This student is
from reading partners about
still afraid of speaking in
a student who has grown?
front of people and reading
A: Last year a scholar
out loud but has come to the point where reading
came to reading partners.
loudly with expression with
That scholar would face
me or another volunteer is
away from the tutor, have
comfortable. The scholar is
a hood up and was not at
also more comfortable asking
all engaging. After a month
questions when there is
and a half of building the
confusion.
relationship and making it a safe and trusted one, the scholar would come in and sit facing forward. At
18
been excited to come to
FALL 2019
Q: Can you tell me about a book that you have read in reading partners?
ways, and I think that we’re doing really good work. But, I get frustrated a lot of times because we can’t help
A: One story that a fifth grader liked a lot last year is called, “The Rough Face Girl.” It is a Cinderella story from a Native American tribe from around New York. She has two stepsisters that are very vain and then she’s humble, works really hard and cares a lot about her family, but she’s sick of being treated poorly, so she leaves.
everyone, and I want us to be able to. It’s frustrating for me that we can’t help everyone simply because of money and not anything else. It’s hard for me to tell someone that they can’t be in our program and be honest about it because it’s not something that I agree with. Another thing is that a lot of times we are looking at what’s working and what’s working really well and we
Q: What are the benefits of reading partners?
aren’t always looking at what’s not working.
Q: Do you see growth in reading partners?
have characters that look like both our readers and our scholars.
A: I think that every day I see scholars learning a little bit more, whether that’s about reading in particular or if it’s about them having confidence in themselves. I also see growth in the program as a whole. Last year when I started with reading partners, there were a lot of books that were
When Smebakken is not working at Maxfield, she likes biking, singing and cooking. It is her last year at reading partners, and for the future she hopes to work in a community center. Edited by Alicia Dahl
boring for people to read because they didn’t have any characters that looked like our scholars. This year we have a lot more books that
A: A benefit is one-onone. Every single scholar has one adult with them, and because of that they can move at their own pace. Sometimes in the classroom things are moving too quickly for students to understand. When scholars are in reading partners, it’s going as quickly or as slowly as they want in order for them to understand.
Q: What is your opinion on reading partners?
A: It’s very complicated! I think that reading partners is really cool in a lot of
19
THE MAXFIELD TIMES
New addition to the Maxfield family
Ms. Gottschalk explains to a fourth grade students how she became a teacher. | Photo by Molly Korzenowski
By Juri and K’vyona
New teacher at Maxfield Elementary starts her first teaching job.
B
rooke Gottschalk
But Ms. Gottschalk wasn’t
stood in her class-
originally looking into being
room decorated with
a teacher. She first went into
colorful tissue paper and a
nursing but then realized it
rainbow carpet. A student sat
wasn’t for her. It wasn’t until
next to her working on Graph
her family urged her to look
Tape, a tool to help with
into teaching that she finally
rounding. Ms. Gottschalk
took an elementary education
leaned in to help with the
class. She soon made it her
math, and the student was
major, and after getting her
able to continue with the
teaching license in May of
work.
2019, she applied to 200 different schools for work.
“Working with students and getting them to work
“I thought I was too stubborn
independently is the goal,”
to be a teacher,” Ms.
Ms. Gottschalk said. “I love
Gottschalk said.
when they have an ah-ha moment.”
20
FALL 2019 A week before school
the freedom of adding
learning, but socially too,”
started, she got a call back
materials to her lessons even
Ms. Gottschalk said about
from Maxfield Elementary
though the lesson plans
teaching her first ever class.
in St. Paul, Minnesota, and
are all set up for her. Ms.
“It’s like I’m a mom to 21
went in for the interview. The
Gottschalk said she turns to
kids.”
very next day, she got the
Ms. Earnest, a fellow fourth
job. Ms. Gottschalk hurriedly
grade teacher, whenever she
planned out lessons for the
needs a second opinion or
students and decorated
teaching ideas.
Additional reporting and editing by Chloe Peter
her classroom with beach chairs and flamingo lights
“My job as a teacher is to
for a reading corner and a
help kids grow not just in
yoga mat for the relaxation station, a place for the kids to compose themselves.
“MY JOB AS A TEACHER IS TO HELP KIDS GROW NOT JUST IN LEARNING, BUT SOCIALLY TOO.”
K’vyona
Juri
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPORT?
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPORT?
Soccer
Gymnastics
WHAT WOULD YOUR DREAM VACATION BE?
WHAT WOULD YOUR DREAM VACATION BE?
To go live in China for a while
Hawaii because I could do Hawaii dances and relax in the sun.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BOOK? Dog-Man
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO ON RAINY DAYS? Watch movies like Good Burger
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BOOK? Junie B. Jones
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO ON RAINY DAYS? I like to draw.
WHAT DO YOU DO DURING RECESS?
WHAT DO YOU DO DURING RECESS?
Go on the tire swing
I like to make up dances with friends.
SALTY OR SWEET? Sweet
SALTY OR SWEET? Both
“Maxfield is my home away from home; everyone is so welcoming and supportive,” Ms. Gottschalk said.
She teaches figurative language among other
Right: Two fourth grade students interview Ms. Gottschalk about
lessons to her fourth grade
how she came to Maxfield Elementary in her classroom. The two
class. She said she enjoys
were a part of the first class Ms. Gottschalk ever taught. | Photo by Molly Korzenowski
21
THE MAXFIELD TIMES
Maxfield just like home A longtime student at Maxfield dreams to be a builder.
Cridale, a student in Ms. Gruber’s class, is interviewed for the Maxfield Times. | Photo by Thanh Ngyuen
By Charity and Kiara
C
ridale helped move
students to learn basic stuff,
boxes from the truck
like math and being with
into the house and
other people in society.”
then into the kitchen. His mother started to put dishes
A fifth grader, Cridale is a
into the cupboards. This was
longtime student at Maxfield
the fourth time that Cridale
Elementary in St. Paul,
and his family moved, and he
Minnesota. He is passionate
was starting to get tired of it.
about math and building
But one thing would stay the
blocks. He has been playing
same -- he would still go to
with LEGO blocks for as long
Maxfield.
as he could remember, and he likes to build anything.
22
“It’s a cool place,” he said
“Literally anything,” Cridale
about what Maxfield means
said. “Houses, buildings,
to him. “It’s really nice. I
cars, anything that I could
think it’s important for other
think of to build.”
FALL 2019 He would like to be an
Cridale’s first name is built
architect so he could design
from his dad’s first and
buildings or be a mechanic
middle names -- Cris Dale.
like his dad.
“Part of his first, part of his middle,” he said.
“I THINK IT’S IMPORTANT FOR OTHER STUDENTS TO LEARN BASIC STUFF, LIKE MATH AND BEING WITH OTHER PEOPLE IN SOCIETY.”
Math is Cridale’s favorite subject. “It’s fun because
Charity
it’s challenging,” he said.
Kiara
He considers Mr. Foster his role model at Maxfield because they share the same
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE GAME?
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE GAME?
interest in math. “He’s a good
Roblox
Roblox
WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?
WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?
Art
Abstract art
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE ACTIVITY TO DO WITH FRIENDS?
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE ACTIVITY TO DO WITH FRIENDS?
Play video games
Play tag
WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL?
WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL?
Oprah Winfrey
My aunt
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE BORED?
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE BORED?
Sleep, watch TV, whine or bake
Play Roblox
mathematician like me!”
When he grows older, Cridale would like to travel to Alabama to visit his grandmother, whom he has never met. Additional reporting and editing by Jhenna Becker
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE FOOD? Sausage pizza
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE FOOD? Mushroom, pepperoni and sausage pizza
Kiara takes notes when interviewing Cridale for this profile. | Photo by Thanh Ngyuen
23
THE MAXFIELD TIMES
From Nigeria to America
Elizabeth remembers the fun activities she got to do on the plane ride to America.| Photo by Thanh Nguyen
By Feizal and Jevell
Maxfield student Elizabeth shares about her transition moving to the United States.
E
lizabeth was nervous when she found out her family would be
moving from Nigeria to the United States. She didn’t know what to expect from the trip across the world, especially since it was her first experience riding in a plane. But time flew by thanks to a Spider-Man movie and Barbie Dream House video game.
It’s been two years since Elizabeth moved to the U.S. She is a fourth grade student at Maxfield. Elizabeth likes
24
FALL 2019 that Maxfield is safer than
“I looked down the hall, and
giving her money because
her school in Nigeria.
it was dark and big,” she
she can go to the mall and
said.
buy anything she wants.
across a broken bridge,”
Since then, Elizabeth has
“When I grow up, I want to
Elizabeth said. “Once, I
made two best friends and
have three kids,” Elizabeth
almost fell below into the
loves making slime with
said. “Then I can be a fun
water with the sharks.”
them. They even had a slime
mom and do this for my kids.”
“I had to walk to school
Feizal
Jevell
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ANIMAL?
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPORT?
Cheetah
Soccer
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SNACK?
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DESSERT?
Watermelon
Ice Cream
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW?
and pizza party together. Additional reporting and
Her first day at Maxfield wasn’t quite as terrifying as
Elizabeth is looking forward
sharks, but Elizabeth still felt
to her tenth birthday. She
a little scared.
likes that her mom plans on
editing by Josh Sanchelli
Godzilla
Naruto
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CLASS AT SCHOOL? Gym
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SUPERHERO? Batman
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW? Baruto
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO IN THE SUMMER? Go to the Movies
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF ART?
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?
Drawing
Avengers Endgame
Right: Feizal and Jevall take notes during an interview in the hallway at Maxfield Elementary. | Photo by Molly Korzenowski
25
THE MAXFIELD TIMES
4th Grade Book review
Jamila WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE CLASS IN SCHOOL? Math: favorite unit is rounding
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY IN FOURTH GRADE SO FAR?
Jamila talks about the fourth grade read-aloud book of the year—
Drawing fireworks in Ms.Schuester’s class
“Pictures of Hollis Woods.”
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW? Little Me
By Jamila n this book, the main
friends with, and the author
but I think any older age kids
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE FOOD IN THE LUNCHROOM?
character, Hollis Woods, is
explains everything with lots
would like it.
Nachos
trying to find her forever
of details. Details help the readers figure things out
Overall, I think kids should
when they hear the story.
read this book because you
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE ZOO ANIMAL?
As a baby, Hollis Woods was
I also like how the author
can learn from Hollis. She is
left in a park by her mom
made characters who act
very strong, and she teaches
and dad. She was found and
differently than one another.
you how to get through
I
family.
taken into foster care where
tough situations. Hollis
she eventually got placed
If I could’ve changed
shows a lot of confidence
with Josie. Josie is an old
something about this book, I
which makes me want to be
woman who is nice, kind and
would’ve made the beginning
confident, too.
sweet. Hollis likes living with
of the book shorter. I didn’t
Josie but wants to go back to
like that she was left in the
“Pictures of Hollis Woods”
the family she had before —
forest as a baby because
is a good book about family
the Regan family. Throughout
animals could’ve gotten her
that makes you want to read
the book, Hollis struggles to
or something bad could’ve
more.
find which family she belongs
happened. It was scary. Additional reporting and
with. I think kids who are ages
26
Tigers
I like this book for a lot
9 and older would enjoy
of reasons. I think Hollis
this book. It’s too much
is someone I want to be
information for younger kids,
editing by Makenna Cook
Bethel student Makenna Cook looks through the pages of “Pictures of Hollis Woods” with Jamila in the Maxfield Elementary entryway. | Photo by Thanh Nguyen
FALL 2019
5th Grade Book review
Sydney WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE BOOK? Graveyard Shakes
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW?
Sydney talks about the fifth grade
Heartland
read-aloud book of the year —
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO FOR FUN? Go to Wisconsin with my family and drive four wheelers
“Touching Spirit Bear.”
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE SINGER OR BAND?
By Sydney
C
Bebe Rehxa
ole Matthews is a
destroy Cole’s totem pole for
because I don’t like bullies,
Cole changes his ways
bully. One day at
payback. When Cole finds
and I like to stand up for the
and becomes kind, and we
school, Cole is bully-
out that Peter has destroyed
people who get bullied like
should follow his example
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
ing a boy named Peter. Cole
his totem pole, Cole wants
Peter. Peter is my favorite
and not bully.
Maybe a police officer
pushes him on the ground
to fight Peter, but before he
character because he is brave
and slams his face against
does, he stops to think and
and forgives Cole for what he
the sidewalk, and Peter is
decides to be kind instead of
did, even though it doesn’t
really hurt. A jury decides
fighting back, and he forgives
seem like Cole deserves it.
to send Cole to an island in
Peter for destroying his
Alaska as punishment, but
totem pole. Because Cole has
One part of the book I don’t
when Cole arrives, the island
shown that he’s changed his
like is the people who bring
is lonely and miserable.
life, the jury decides to send
Cole to the island. I don’t like
him home. Once the boys are
these characters because
After unsuccessfully trying
home, Peter sees that Cole
they are mean to Cole. When
to escape the island, Cole
has changed and decides to
they bring him to the island,
starts to build a totem pole as
finally forgive him, and they
they push him onto the boat
an apology to both God and
become friends.
and make him fall. They are
Peter. Cole tries to change
Additional reporting and editing by Macy Voss
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE AFTER SCHOOL SNACK? Anything I can find in the house
mad at Cole because he is a
his behavior, but when
My favorite part of the book
bully, but then they bully him
Peter comes to the island,
is when Cole finally changes
back.
he is still scared of Cole
his ways. He stops bullying
and doesn’t trust him after
people and decides to
This book shows us that
their fight. Peter decides to
have friends. I like this part
we shouldn’t bully because
Fifth grade student, Sydney, discusses her thoughts on “Touching Spirit Bear” with Bethel University student, Macy Voss. | Photo by Thanh Nguyen
it hurts people’s feelings.
27
THE MAXFIELD TIMES
Morning Meeting Awards Maxfield students and staff gather to hand out awards 28
FALL 2019
At the Playground Maxfield preschool students have fun at recess
29
THE MAXFIELD TIMES
Back to school BBQ Maxfield students and families come together to celebrate the start of a new school year
30
FALL 2019
Carnival at Maxfield Facepainting, games and more entertain Maxfield students 31
THE MAXFIELD TIMES
Editing staff
MAXFIELD ELEMENTARY
Eleven Bethel students and the TA partnered with Maxfield to create this newspaper. The collaboration took place in Maxfield classrooms to compile a newspaper that represented the community as accurately as possible.
380 Victoria St N., Saint Paul, MN 55104 Principal Ryan Vernosh ryan.vernosh@spps.org
ENGLISH AND JOURNALISM DEPARTMENT 3900 Bethel Dr. Saint Paul, MN 55104 Professor Scott Winter s-winter@bethel.edu FSU Assistant Director Tanden Brekke t-brekke@bethel.edu
Editors would like to thank the following people for their assistance
•
or financial support in making The Maxfield Times happen:
•
Maxfield students and staff
•
Maxfield Elementary teachers Elizabeth Earnest, Jenny Gruber, Brooke Gottschalk, Brandi Pottle
•
Maxfield Principal Ryan Vernosh
•
St. Paul Public Schools
•
Bethel Graphic Design Professor Jessica Henderson and her students
32
Bethel Associate Director of Community Engagement Tanden Brekke
•
Bethel Community Liaison for Office of Diversity Karen McKinney
•
Rick Berkner and the staff at North Star Media, who printed The Maxfield Times
•
The Johnson Center, founded by Kathy and Gene Johnson, which helped fund student reporters’ notebooks and printing of newspapers
•
Johnson Center Director Dave Kansas of Minnesota Public Radio
•
Bethel Dean of Arts and Humanities Barrett Fisher
•
Provost Deb Harless and President Jay Barnes