Maxfield Times 2019

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

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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