Maxfield Times The
MA XFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | SAINT PAUL , MN | ISSUE 01, VOLUME 01 | FALL 2016
How a hobby turns into a passion|p. 22 PRINCIPAL’S NEW VISION FOR US | P.05
OUR FAVORITE ANIMALS AND PETS | P.10
WHICH SUPERPOWER DO WE WANT? | P.18 THE MAXFIELD TIMES | 1
ABOUT MAXFIELD REPORTERS
ABOUT MAXFIELD TIMES
F
Jennifer Gruber’s four th/fif th-grade class poses for a pic ture with Bethel par tners.
ourth/fifth-grade teachers at Maxfield Elementary wanted students to work on speaking, writing and creativity. New Maxfield Principal Ryan Vernosh wanted something more for his students, too. “They don’t need saviors,” he said.
“They need opportunities.” Bethel University journalists needed a project they could design and edit. So, what happened? These 36 pages. Plus a partnership that could make a difference for students from both schools. – Editors
SAINT PAUL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 380 Victoria St N., Saint Paul, MN 55104 Principal Ryan Vernosh r yan.vernosh@spps.org 4th/5th-grade teacher Elizabeth Robinette elizabeth.robinette@spps.org
BETHEL UNIVERSIT Y 3900 Bethel Dr. Saint Paul, MN 55104 Professor Scott Winter s-winter@bethel.edu FSU Assistant Director Tanden Brekke t-brekke@bethel.edu
PERCENT OF STUDENTS
WHAT SHOULD WE NAME THE NEWSPAPER?
Brandi Pottle’s four th/fif th-grade class poses for a pic ture with Bethel par tners.
Julie Harrington’s four th/fif th-grade class poses for a pic ture with Bethel par tners.
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23% 23% 21% Maxfield Maxfield 18% Inside Mojo Times Maxfield
Maxfield Voices
9%
Maxfield Mouth
6%
Maxfield Frog
In surveys, Maxfield students decided the name of this publication.
SOURCE: Class surveys.
Elizabeth Robinette’s four th/fif th-grade class poses for a pic ture with Bethel par tners.
THE STAFF Bethel University par tner Abby Petersen teaches Maxfield journalists a listening game. | PHOTO BY MIRANDA WEIPPERT
BETHEL PARTNERS
Sara Caldwell
Conrad Engstrom
Jamie Hudalla
Beret Leone
Callie Schmidt
Kenzie Van Loh
David Crane
CeCe Gaines
Katie Johnson
Megan Nickel
Brianna Shaw
Miranda Weippert
Mathias Durie
Carlo Holmberg
Kellie Lawless
Abby Petersen
Maddy Simpson
Natalya Arevalo
Meghan Duerre
Bethany Lenderink
.
THE MAXFIELD TIMES | 3
Q&A
WITH MAXFIELD’S NEW PRINCIPAL Story by Myiesha Knight and Melanie Swart Photos by Callie Schmidt
Principal Ryan Vernosh reac ts to questions from Maxfield Times repor ters Myiesha Knight and Melanie Swar t. | PHOTO BY CALLIE SCHMIDT
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With the help of Bethel University students, we interviewed new Maxfield Elementary Principal Ryan Vernosh. We asked him about his job and his personal life. Here’s what he said: Where did you grow up? “I grew up in Green Bay Wisconsin. That’s right in the heart of Green Bay. That’s why you see all sorts of Green Bay Packer stuff around.” What did you like for activities for your nonteacher days? Like when you’re off. “Oh when I’m off what I like doing is hanging out with my family. My wife Sarah is a teacher. She teaches third grade. And my two daughters so our 8 year old’s name is Mya and the youngest is Rayanna but we call her Ray Ray for short. And I love hanging out with them. We do lots of hikes. We are outside all the time so we go hiking a lot.” Why did you become a principal? “Because I love working with students and teachers. I like working with teachers to try and help them be better teachers and it’s always been a dream job of mine to be a principal and also be a principal at Maxfield. You looked at me like I was crazy! Did you know I used to teach here?” In high school what clique were you in – like nerd, goth, emo or something like that? “Interesting question! I did sports like soccer, basketball and tennis but that’s not really who I hung out with. I was also in the band. So I hung out a lot with people in the band. I played saxophone. I was a drum major so in the marching band, we would go to parades. I was my senior year the guy that had to wear the big poofy hat with the staff marching. And at football games at half time I would be conducting the marching band coming across.” So you were kind of like a jock-nerd? “Yeah! I prefer band geek.” What is your story with Maxfield? “[I] graduated from UW- Madison and taught there for a couple years. Moved
NEWS Lef t: Principal Ryan Vernosh messes around with friends at the Maxfield Carnival Oc t. 28. | PHOTO BY K Y’MIRRA LINSON Below: Myiesha Knight and Melanie Swar t take notes as fast as they can while inter viewing Vernosh. | PHOTO BY CALLIE SCHMIDT
to the Twin Cities, and [was] offered a position at Jackson Elementary and taught pre- school there for 2 years. The Jackson position was downsized, so then I got to transfer to Maxfield and taught 2nd grade for one year, then 6th grade boys for five years and taught fifth-grade. I then went to central administration for the St. Paul district and came to Maxfield as the principal.” What is the biggest need for students? “[To] be afforded the opportunity to let their brilliance shine through. Districts all over the state and all over the country have been pigeoned holed into thinking you are only as good as a test score and that does not measure the true value of our kids at Maxfield or in the district. [Also, the students need] opportunities that go beyond standardized tests.” Can you tell us about Maxfield parent involvement? “I have never met a family that does not want the absolute best for their child. A lot of our families are working two or three jobs, so if they leave to come to a conference it’s money or food that could be off the table. They could lose their job, and when that happens it will lead to a more devastating impact on their child’s education than being at a conference. We as schools need to rethink our expectations that family engagement means you come to a family night that the school has set for one night at one particular time which does not really take into account our family’s perspective and realities. So when we talk about family engagement, we really need to preface it with what are we really talking about here.”
Is there anything you would like to add? Just, thank you. This was a fun conversation to have. I just hope you all sense it, but I love being at this school. I told you that it was my dream job to come back here when I was teaching to come back as principal. I love working with you all. All of you scholars are amazing. And you give me hope that you all will be able to figure out the problems that us adults create in the world. That you young men and young women are rock stars and I just love working with you all every single day. [David Crane, Callie Schmidt and Kenzie Van Loh contributed to this story.] THE MAXFIELD TIMES | 5
NEWS A family at Maxfield Elementar y School par ticipates in the scavenger hunt for various flowers, vegetables and garden creatures Oc t. 12. | PHOTO BY MADDY SIMPSON.
GARDEN PARTY
Organizations come together to celebrate summer of gardening.
After school Oct. 12, students, teachers and families played at the Maxfield Garden Celebration outside the school’s front doors at the corner of Victoria and St. Anthony in the Rondo neighborhood. The Maxfield School Garden Program hosted the event, which was sponsored by the Urban Farm and Garden Alliance, the Community Stabilization Project, the Ramsey County Master Gardeners, Trader Joe’s and the Bethel University’s FrogtownSummit University Partnership. The FSU partnership is led by Tanden Brekke, Bethel’s Assistant Director of Service-Learning and Community Engagement. – Editors
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Far lef t: Student Tristnn Hayden and his little sister take photographs, learning the ins and outs of advanced camera technology. Throughout Sept. and Oc t., students worked with Bethel journalists to understand photography. Lef t: Tristnn prac tices tossing bean bags into buckets. Other ac tivities at the par ty included a scavenger hunt, a weigh station, cider and popcorn. | PHOTOS BY MADDY SIMPSON.
THEME
Above: A Maxfield student explores the weigh station, one of the ac tivities at the Maxfield Garden Celebration. At the weigh station, students guessed how much cer tain vegetables weighed before weighing them and writing down the correc t answers.
ACTIVITIES AT THE FALL PICNIC • bean bag toss • vegetable harvest weigh station • insect and vegetable scavenger hunt • cider station
Lef t: Student Tristnn Hayden uses weigh station device to guess the weight of a vegetable. During the par ty, Tristnn became a pro at guessing the weight of the vegetables. | PHOTOS BY MADDY SIMPSON.
THE MAXFIELD TIMES | 7
NEWS Four th-grader Myiesha Knight takes notes in Elizabeth Robinette’s classroom. Myiesha was one of many students who enjoyed the inter view process of journalism. | PHOTO BY BRIANNA SHAW
Below: Ky’mirra Linson writes down impor tant details from Robinette’s class inter view. | PHOTO BY BERET LEONE
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BECOMING JOURNALISTS
Maxfield students learn how to report.
S
Beret Leone | repor ter
SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
tudents in Elizabeth Robinette’s class created journalism Oct. 31. Fourth- and fifth-graders in Robinette’s class learned hands-on what it takes to make a story and a little more about what happens behind the scenes of a newspaper. The class spent the morning interviewing Robinette. The class gathered around Robinette and asked her questions relating to her childhood, high school years, adulthood and her time in teaching. “If you were in an actual press conference right now, you’d be kicked out for talking,” Robinette joked to fifth-grader Camron Baxter. After the interview, students split up to write about their teacher.
NEWS STUDENTS REPORT ON THEIR OWN TEACHER Here’s what students thought was newsworthy.
“MS. ROBINETTE’S FAVORITE SUBJECT IS READING BECAUSE BOOKS CAN TAKE YOU ANYWHERE. AT HAZEL PARK SHE WALKED UP ON THE STAGE AND FEEL AND ACT LIKE IT DIDNT HAPPEN THIS IS HER FUNNIEST TEACHING MEMORY. HER FAVORITE PART OF TEACHING IS WHEN SHE TEACHES US SOMETHING WE DIDNT KNOW AND OUR FACES LIGHT UP. SHE WANTED TO BE A TEACHER BECAUSE IN HIGH SCHOOL SHE TUTORED MIDDLE SCHOOL KID AND SHE LOVED IT AND WANTED TO BE A TEACHER.” –London Steele 4th grade
Fif th-grade Carlito Thelen takes notes in Elizabeth Robinette’s classroom at Maxfield Elementar y School during an inter view with Robinette Oc t. 31. | PHOTO BY BERET LEONE
“ONE OF MS. ROBINETTE’S FAVORITE COLLEGE MEMORIES WAS WHEN SHE JUMPED IN PUDDLES AND GOT MUD ALL OVER HER. SHE ALSO TOOK A TRIP IN THE SNOW AND GOT SOME ICE CREAM FROM CULVERS.” –Makell Michie 5th grade
“MY FAVORITE PART OF TEACHING IS WHEN I GET TO COME IN AND TEACH YOU SOMETHING NEW THAT YOU DIDN’T THINK YOU COULD DO. THEN YOU DO IT, AND I SEE YOUR FACES LIGHT UP.... THEN YOU GET A BIG SMILE ON YOUR FACE- THAT IS WHY I WENT INTO TEACHING. I USED TO TUTOR, AND WHEN ID SEE KIDS ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND SOMETHING I TAUGHT THEM, IT WAS JUST REALLY SPECIAL. ” “WHEN I WAS TEACHING ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO, I WAS GOING UP ON STAGE BECAUSE WE HAD AN AUDITORIUM... BUT WE WERE WALKING UP ON STAGE AND I TRIPPED ON THE VERY TOP STEP, AND I LANDED FACE FIRST. I DIDN’T KNOW HOW I WAS GOING TO REACT, SO I JUMPED UP, AND I WALKED IT OFF AND SAID, ‘I WAS SAFE!’ EVERYONE STARTED LAUGHING.” –Elizabeth Robinette | Maxfield Elementary School
“WHEN MS. ROBINETTE WAS FOUR YEARS OLD, MS ROBINETTE’S MOM TOOK THE SCREEN OFF OF THE WINDOW AND MS. ROBINETTE FELL OUT OF THE WINDOW AND LANDED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HER CHEEK.” –Sarah McCaster 5th grade
“MS. ROBINETTE’S FAVORITE TV SHOWS ARE ROAD RUNNER, TWEETY BIRD, LOONEY TOONS. FOR FUN SHE LIKED TO RIDE HER TO HER FRIEND’S HOUSE.” –Thomas Linear 4th grade
“ONE OF MS. ROBINETTE’S FAVORITE COLLEGE MEMORIES WAS THAT SHE JUMPED IN PUDDLES AND GOT MUD ALL OVER HER AND SHE TOOK A TRIP IN THE SNOW AND GOT SOME ICE CREAM FROM CULVERS. SHE LIKES TO PLAY VOLLEYBALL, BASKETBALL AND SOFTBALL. SHE LIKES TO BAKE.” –Makell McHie 4th grade
THE MAXFIELD TIMES | 9
ANIMALS
Four th-grader London Steele prac tices her journalism skills in Elizabeth Robinette’s classroom at Maxfield Elementar y School Sept. 30. London learned how to take good notes during an inter view while Bethel University students visited her classroom. London prac ticed those techniques while inter viewing her teacher, Elizabeth Robinette.| PHOTO BY KELLIE L AWLESS
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WHICH ANIMAL WOULD YOU BE?. MAKELL MIHIE AGE: 10 GRADE: 4th FAVORITES ANIMAL: Cat FARM ANIMAL: Chicken ZOO ANIMAL: Lion CATS VS. DOGS: Cats ANIMAL COMBO: Lion and bunny TELL US ABOUT YOUR PET. “My pet is awesome.”
MYEISHA KNIGHT AGE: 10 GRADE: 5th FAVORITES ANIMAL AT THE ZOO: Lion FARM ANIMAL: Horse ANIMAL COMBINATION: Cat-Dog ANIMAL: Birds UNIQUE PET: Bird and a Dog ANIMAL TO BE: Cat WHAT KIND OF PET DO YOU HAVE? “I have a dog her name is coco and she a Pitbull.”
TRISTANN HAYDEN AGE: 9 GRADE: 4th FAVORITES CATS VS. DOGS: Dogs FARM ANIMAL: Horse ANIMAL: Lion ANIMAL COMBO: Horse and Dog UNIQUE PET: Dog
JAMAL RANDLE
IF YOU WERE AN ANIMAL,WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
AGE: 9 GRADE: 4th FAVORITES ANIMAL AT THE ZOO: Cheetahs FARM ANIMAL: Sheep ANIMAL COMBO: Zebra-Cheetah ANIMAL TO BE: Cheetah UNIQUE PET: Dog ANIMAL: Cheetah WHAT’S YOUR LEAST FAVORITE ANIMAL?
“A dog because then I can protect people.”
“My least favorite animal is a pig cause they’re pork.”
SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
“IF I WERE AN ANIMAL I’D BE A GIRAFFE.” -Harmony Parker 4th grade
ANIMALS TELL US ABOUT YOUR PET
Students share characteristics about their pet that they enjoy.
“MY PET FROGS LOVE TO JUMP A LOT.” –Thomas Linear 4th grade
“MY DOG SINGS.” –Steven Strayhorne 4th grade
“I HAVE A DOG. HER NAME IS COCO AND SHE IS A PITBULL.” –Myiesha Knight 5th grade
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE ANIMAL? Elizabeth Robinette’s students like many animals.
“CATS BECAUSE CATS ARE NICE AND KIND HOME. DOGS BECAUSE DOGS CAN PROTECT ME. GIRAFFES BECAUSE OF THE PATTERNS.” –Sarah McCaster 5th grade
“MY FAVORITE ANIMALS ARE TIGERS, CHEETAHS AND LIONS BECAUSE TIGERS CAN PROTECT YOU CHEETAHS BECAUSE THEY’RE FAST SUPER FAST, AND A LION BECAUSE THEY HUNT.” –Carlito Thelen 5th grade
“DOGS ARE ONE OF MY FAVORITE ANIMALS BECAUSE THEY’RE FUZZY AND NICE. HORSES ARE MY FAVORITE ANIMALS BECAUSE I LIKE TO RIDE THEM. DOLPHINS ARE ONE OF MY FAVORITE ANIMALS BECAUSE THEY’RE SO MAJESTIC AND PRETTY.” –Melanie Swart 5th grade SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
TANAY JONES
Right: Science teacher Cora Greenwald holds a class pet snake in the science room during Zap time. Some students earn time to play with animals while others work on the Lego team. | PHOTO BY MYEISHA KNIGHT
AGE: 10 GRADE: 4th FAVORITES ANIMAL AT THE ZOO: Tiger FARM ANIMAL: Pig ANIMAL TO BE: Cat ANIMAL COMBO: Crab-fish UNIQUE PET: Green bean jean ANIMAL: Cheetah
WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE ANIMAL? “My least favorite animal is a mouse because just ewwwwwwww nasty digusting people ewwwwwwwwwww.”
SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
THE MAXFIELD TIMES | 11
FOOD
Students in teacher Elizabeth Robinette’s class do a group cheer af ter shooting photos and writing captions on the playground. | PHOTO BY BRIANNA SHAW
FAVORITE AFTER SCHOOL SNACK?
45.5%
Fourth and fifth-graders decide which after school snack is their favorite.
Chocolate Chip Mint
WE SCREAM
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FOR ICE
“I WOULD EAT HAMBURGER HELPER.” –London Steele 5th grade
CREAM!
Maxfield loves chocolate chip mint.
18.2% Vanilla
9.1% Other
9.1% Chocolate
18.2% Cookie Dough
OURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
“MY FAVORITE SNACK IS FISH CRACKERS.” –Tristnn Hayden 4th grade
FOOD IF YOU COULD EAT ONE FOOD FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY? Fourth and fifth-graders decide their favorite foods.
“TACOS BECAUSE I’M IN LOVE “MY FAVORITE SNACK IS FISH “I WOULD EAT HAMBURGER HELPER.” WITH IT.” CRACKERS.” –Sarah McCaster –Ta’Nay Jones –Makell McHie 5th grade 4th grade 4th grade
“PIZZA.” “MY SCHOOL’S LAST SALAD.” –Melanie Swart 5th grade
“APPLES BECAUSE THEY ARE –Harmony Parker GOOD FOR YOU.” 4th grade –Thomas Linear 4th grade SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
Four th-grader Sarah McCaster snaps a photo of her classmates during recess at Maxfield Elementar y School on Oc t.10. Sarah was one of many students who excelled with the cameras that Bethel University students brought.| PHOTO BY KELLIE L AWLESS
JAMAL RANDAL AGE: 9 GRADE: 4th FAVORITES ICE CREAM: Chocolate chip mint AFTER SCHOOL SNACK: Chocolate sprinkles PIZZA TOPPING: Cheese CANDY BAR: Snickers BREAKFAST: Pancakes/ Waffles SCHOOL LUNCH: Pancakes, Sausage, and tatertots. YOUR FAVORITE FOOD AT HOME? “Pasta with parmesan cheese with red pepper chicken.”
THE MAXFIELD TIMES | 13
FAMILY
Four th-graders Htoo Kyaw, Steven Linday, and Fif thgrader Dimaggio Car ter answer sur vey questions together on Oc t. 18. | PHOTO BY K ATIE JOHNSON Four th-graders Rebecca Wah and Teavy Lopez take pic tures with their iPads around the school Oc t. 14. | PHOTO BY MATHIAS DURIE
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WHAT MAKES YOUR FAMILY SPECIAL?
Four th-grader Angelina Magana, student of Julie Harrington, writes a stor y in her repor ter’s notebook on Oc t. 31. | PHOTO BY K ATIE JOHNSON
Julie Harrington’s students explain what makes their family stand out.
SAHNIA SMITH
“WE NEVER EVER LET EACH “THEY LET ME GO WHEREVER I OTHER DOWN.” WANT TO GO –Tyshaun Carter –Chariah Wilson 5th grade 4th grade AGE: 11 GRADE: 5th HOW MANY SIBLINGS DO YOU HAVE: 6 or more ARE YOU A/AN: Twin WHERE HAVE YOU GONE ON VACATION: Atlanta, Georgia we went gocart FAMILY MEMORY: We went swimming FAVORITE HOLDAY WITH FAM: Christmas DESCRIBE YOUR SIBLINGS: Loving
WHAT MAKES YOUR FAMILY DIFFERENT FROM OTHER FAMILIES?
“We keep our house clean.”
SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
WHAT IS FAMILY TO YOU? Angelina describes her family.
W
ANGELINA MAGANA | repor ter
hen asked her funniest family memory, Angelina Magana said: “My mom and dad said that we were going somewhere fun and when we got there it was the dentist and I got my teeth cleaned and said now let’s go somewhere fun.” Angelina looks up to “my mom because she tells me to work hard and your best so you can be smart and be what when you grow up.” Angelina shares her family’s favorite holiday. “Christmas because we always spend time with each other and go out to eat and open presents and play with them.” Angelina’s favorite thing to do with her family is “Spending time with them when they have nothing to do and watch movies.” Angelina also described the way her class and her family are similiar. “There is so much people that are kind to me like everyone in the class.”
FAMILY WHAT’S INTERESTING ABOUT YOUR FAMILY? Julie Harrington’s fourth and fifth-graders describe their families.
“WE ALL HAVE PHONES EVEN MY 3 YEAR OLD BABY SISTER. WE ARE ALL SMART AND BRAVE. WE HAVE A RAPPER IN MY FAMILY. WE LIKE TO RAP. MY UNCLE RAP ON THE INTERNET AND MY COUSIN.” –Dimaggio Carter 5th grade
“MOVE TO DIFFERENT STATES AND COUNTRY A LOT. WE DON’T REALLY PLAY SPORTS AND ALL SIBLINGS PLAY GAMES AND WATCH VIDEOS. THE FAMILY SPEAKS TWO LANGUAGES AND MY PARENTS LOVE TECHNOLOGY.” –Htoo Kyaw 4th grade
“MY FAMILY IS FUN. BECAUSE THEY GO SHOPPING AND I LOVE SHOPPING. WE BUY FOOD AND CLOTHES. I BUY THE MOST FOOD AND MOST CLOTHES. MY FAMILY IS DIFFERENT BECAUSE WE SPEAK DIFFERENTLY.” –Thir Ma 5th grade
“MY FAMILY IS SO FUNNY I BE DYING LAUGHING. MY FAMILY IS SPECIAL BECAUSE WHO THEY ARE. I LOVE MY FAMILY BECAUSE I LOVE THEM VERY MUCH.” –Ne’Zariah Parker 4th grade
“MY FAMILY IS NICE. WE GOTTA DOG. WE GOTTA CAT. MY MOM IS NICE. MY WHOLE FAMILY IS NICE.” –Shawon Easley 5th grade
“WE ALWAYS HAVE PLANS FOR TRIPS ON WINTER TIME. WE’RE GOING TO BOWLING EVERY FRIDAY.” –Christina Lee 5th grade SOURCE: IN CLASS WRITING
SIBLINGS EVOKE EMOTION
Julie Harrington’s students chose the best word that describes their sibling(s).
30%
Four th-grader Derrick Tran, student of Julie Harrington, goes great lengths to capture the per fec t shot at Maxfield Elementar y Oc t. 18. | PHOTO BY SARA CALDWELL
AGE: 10 GRADE: 5th HOW MANY SIBLINGS DO YOU HAVE: 2 ARE YOU A/AN: Youngest Child WHAT MAKES YOUR FAM SPECIAL: My mom was born in the Louisiana. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY: Halloween HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE YOUR SIBS: Silly WHERE DO YOU EAT WITH YOUR FAM:
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FAMILY MEMORY?
“When my birthday was on Thanksgiving.” SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
15% SILLY
5%
NO SIBLINGS
30% FUN
20% LOVING
SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
AMOROZ FIELDS
ANNOYING
THE MAXFIELD TIMES | 15
FAMILY
ANGELINA MAGANA AGE: 10 GRADE: 4th About NUMBER OF SIBLINGS: 6+ HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WHERE DO YOU EAT WITH YOU FAMILY: at the dinner table WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FAMILY HOLIDAY: Christmas WHAT MAKES YOUR FAMILY DIFFERNT FROM OTHER FAMILIES? Julie Harrington’s students write stories in their journalism notebooks Oc t. 31 at Maxfield Elementar y. Bethel journalism student Mathias Durie helped come up with ideas. | PHOTO BY K ATIE JOHNSON
SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
WHAT IS YOUR FAMILY’S FUNNIEST STORY? Julie Harrington’s students share what makes their families hilarious.
“MY BIG BROTHER THOUGHT THAT MY CAT CAUGHT A MOUSE BUT HE WAS PLAYING WITH CEREAL.”
Teacher Julie Harrington helps her four th and fif th-graders write stories with the Bethel journalism crew Oc t. 31 at Maxfield Elementar y. | PHOTO BY K ATIE JOHNSON
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“We are healthy.”
TEAVY LOPEZ
AGE: 10 GRADE: 5th ABOUT ME HOW MANY SIBS DO YOU HAVE? 4 ARE YOU A/AN? Youngest child WHAT MAKES YOUR FAM SPECIAL? We always have a vacation planned DESCRIBE YOUR SIBLINGS: Fun FAVORITE HOLIDAY: Christmas
HAVE YOU EVER GONE ON A FAMILY VACATION? WHERE?
“Florida. The fun part was at the beach.”
SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
–Steven Lindsay 4th grade
“WHEN WE WERE MOVING MY UNCLE WAS DRIVING THE MOVING TRUCK, AND MY MOM ALMOST MADE HIM HIT THE HOUSE BECAUSE SHE KEPT TELLING HIM TO GO BACKER AND BACKER.” –Teavy Lopez 4th grade
“WHEN WE LOOKED FOR THE REMOTE BUT MY DAD HAD IT ALL ALONG.” –Htoo Kyaw 4th grade
SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
Four th-grader Jua’ keen Finley listens to Flocab on his classroom iPad Oc t. 31 at Maxfield Elementar y. | PHOTO BY K ATIE JOHNSON
FAMILY HOW IS YOUR CLASS LIKE YOUR FAMILY? Julie Harrington’s students describe how their class is similar to their families.
“MATH AND HOMEWORK ARE ALL THE SAME WITH ALL OF THEM.” –Sha’Micah Hicks 4th grade
“BECAUSE WE LIKE TO MAKE JOKES, AND TALK TOGETHER ABOUT THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN THE WORLD AND IN OUR LIVES. –Marquan Harper 5th grade
“IN CLASS IT’S LIKE HOME BECAUSE IT’S FUN IN CLASS AND HOME.” –Christina Lee 5th grade
“FRIENDS HELP ME WITH MY CLASS WORK, AND TEACHERS GUIDE ME WITH EVERYTHING. –Rebecca Wah 4th grade
“MY CLASS IS LIKE MY FAMILY BECAUSE BOTH ARE LOUD.” –Thir Ma 5th grade
“WE HAVE FUN TOGETHER WE EAT TOGETHER AND WE ALL LIKE EACH OTHER IN A DIFFERENT WAY. –Amoroz Fields 5th grade
Four th-grader Da’Carri Hood shows Bethel par tner Conrad Engstrom his family sur vey Oc t. 31. | PHOTO BY K ATIE JOHNSON
FUN FACTS ABOUT MY FAMILY Da’Carri describes his unique family.
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DA’CARRI HOOD | repor ter
hen asked to share his favorite holiday memory, Da’Carri Hood said, “It was on thanksgiving. All of my family members came over. All of us couldn’t fit in the house. Some of us had to sit outside!” Da’Carri also describes his funniest family memory. “On my birthday, Jan. 22, we went to Sky Zone, and when we got there, she fell on a trampoline, and she wanted to get off, but she couldn’t. When she got up, she kept on jumping!” Da’Carri’s favorite thing to do with his family is “going places because we really bond and it makes me happy.” Da’Carri explains how his family and class are similar. “We look up to each other we treat them the same way we want to be treated and we’re goofy sometimes.” Da’Carri looks up to “my mom, my dad, and Ms. Harrington because they are smart and responsible.”
Y.
SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
DA’CARRI HOOD AGE: 9 GRADE: 4th ABOUT ME HAS 5 SIBLINGS IS THE OLDEST CHILD IS THE TALLEST IN HIS FAMILY EASTER IS HIS FAVORITE HOLIDAY DESCRIBES HIS SIBLINGS AS SILLY WHAT MAKES YOUR FAMILY DIFFERENT FROM OTHER FAMILIES?
“We never let each other down.” SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
Four th-grader Da’Carri Hood, student of Julie Harrington, fills out a sur vey to create a stor y Oc t. 31 during class at Maxfield Elementar y. | PHOTO BY K ATIE JOHNSON
THE MAXFIELD TIMES | 17
ENTERTAINMENT
Four th-grader Angelina Magana smiles for the camera Sept. 30. Angelina and her Maxfield friends filled out a sur vey on enter tainment so they could get into the Maxfield Times. | PHOTO BY CONRAD ENGSTROM
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IT’S A BIRD, IT’S A PLANE, IT’S MARQUAN Fifth-grader Marquan Harper becomes a superhero for the day.
MARQUAN HARPER AGE: 10 GRADE: 5th FAVORITES MUSIC: rock SUPERHERO: captian america SUPERPOWER: invincibleity PASTIME: videogames TV SHOW YOU WOULD STAR IN: Empire WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE GAME ON A PHONE AND WHY? “Minecraft because I create anything and make and use my creativity.” SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
I
MARQUAN HARPER | Repor ter
f I was a superhero I would wear a shirt, jeans and nice running shoes. Peter would be my sidekick because he would edit my youtube videos and whenever I need someone to make a joke for me I will ask him and he will make a funny joke. I would have mind control powers so I will be able to make the right decisions and be nice to everyone. I would go back in time and save everyone from the people that hijacked the plane I would re-route the plane to land at the airport. My arch enemy would be all the bullies at the schools because they are letting their anger out on someone else and an innocent kid that did nothing to them.
Marquan Harper builds a robot with help of Htoo Kyaw for his Lego League team. | PHOTO BY WEYNEISHA SIMON.
ENTERTAINMENT MAXFIELD MUSIC
Julie Harrington’s fourth and fifth-graders share their favorite types of tunes.
57.9% RAP
21.1% POP
5.3% ROCK
5.3% DRAKE
5.3% DANCING
5.3% BEATS
SOURCE: CLASS CLASSSURVEY. SURVEY. SOURCE:
Four th-grader Htoo Kyaw writes in his repor ter’s notebook about what three things he likes. The three things students liked gave editors the information needed for the Maxfield Times. “I like to play games,” Htoo said. | PHOTO BY K ATIE JOHNSON
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MUSIC GROUP/SINGER? Students in Julie Harrington’s class share whose music they like to listen to most.
“MEGHAN TRAINOR. I LOVE HER BECAUSE SHE IS A GREAT SINGER.” –Christina Lee 5th grade
“MICHAEL JACKSON BECAUSE HE’S A LEADER TO ME.” –Da’Carri Hood 4th grade
“TWENTY ONE PILOTS BECAUSE I CAN KEEP UP WHEN I FOLLOW ALONG.” –DiMaggio Carter 5th grade
REBECCA WAH
SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
AGE: 10 GRADE: 4th FAVORITES MUSIC: Pop MUSICIAN: Karen Song SUPERHERO: Superman SUPERPOWER: Power PASTIME: Movies SPORT: Soccer TV SHOW: Powerful Girl
WHO WOULD YOUR SIDEKICK BE IF YOU WERE A SUPERHERO?
“Thir because she helps me with things that I don’t know how to do.” SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
Students got their own writer’s notebooks from Bethel University students Sept. 30. In these notebooks they wrote most of the content that is featured in the Maxfield Times. | PHOTO BY MATHIAS DURIE
THE MAXFIELD TIMES | 19
ENTERTAINMENT
Student Rebecca Wah writes about what she would be as a superhero. Students wrote about what they would be as superheros, but only a few got published. | PHOTO BY MATHIAS DURIE
NE’ZARIAH PARKER AGE: 9 GRADE: 4th FAVORITES MUSIC: Drake APP: Pokemon SUPERHERO: Superwoman PASTIME: Movies SPORT: Basketball TV SHOW: Odd Squad IF I WERE A SUPERHERO... “The first person I will save is my mom and my teacher and her baby from a villain.”
20 | WINTER 2016
SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
SUPERHEROES OR SUPER STUDENTS?
Ne’Zariah describes what she would be like as a superhero.
I
NE’ZARIAH PARKER | Repor ter
will wear a cape that is purple and some pink jeans and a blue shirt that says my name. My sidekick will be my little sister because me and her work a good teamwork. Super strong, freeze people and fly super speed would be my super powers. The first person I will save is my mom, my teacher and her baby from a villain. My enemy is joker and haller queen because they are bad.
Bethel student Mathias Durie helps four th-grader Da’Carri Hood fill out a sur vey about enter tainment at Maxfield Elementar y school Oc t. 31. The sur vey asked students about their favorite T V shows, movies, music and superheroes. | PHOTO BY K ATIE JOHNSON
ENTERTAINMENT
IF I WERE A SUPERHERO
Tyshaun Carter shares what kind of hero he would be.
I
T YSHAUN CARTER | Repor ter
f I was a superhero I would have a black and red cape, black pants and a black mask. My sidekick would be Captain Underpants and my power would be firepower and teleporting because if someone falls from a skyscraper it would be fun to teleport and catch them in the sky.
TYSHAUN CARTER AGE: 11 GRADE: 5th FAVORITES MUSIC: Rap SUPERPOWER: Fire APP: NBA 2k17 SPORT: Basketball TV SHOW: Empire PASTIME: Video Games WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MUSICAL ARTIST? “My favorite singer is Michael Jackson.” SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
DESCRIBE BEING A SUPERHERO
Julie Harrington’s students describe what they would be like as a superhero.
“THE COLOR ON MY SUPERHERO SUIT WOULD BE TEAL AND CYAN.” –Teavy Lopez 4th grade
“I WOULD WEAR RED AND I WOULD WEAR A CAPE WITH A YELLOW MASK.” –Steven Lindsay 4th grade
“MY SUPERPOWER WOULD BE FLASH ANND SUPERMAN POWER AND BEING INVISIBLE AND READING MINDS.” –Thir Ma 5th grade
“MY COSTUME WOULD BE A NINJA WITH A HOODIE LIKE SCORPION FROM MORTAL KOMBAT.” –Htoo Kyaw 4th grade
“I WILL BE LIKE BATMAN IN RED AND BLUE.” –Sha’Micah Hicks 4th grade
“MY POWERS WOULD BE FAST AND INVISIBILITY BECAUSE NO ONE WILL SEE ME AND CAN’T CATCH ME.” –Angelina Magana 5th grade SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
Htoo Kyaw and Derrick Tran both write down what they would be as superheros. Both were wearing hats for Halloween. | PHOTO BY K ATIE JOHNSON
THE MAXFIELD TIMES | 21
HOBBIES
HOW A HOBBY BECOMES A PASSION Lef t: Deshaine Metcalf calls on his fellow classmates to ask him questions in class Oc t. 31. Deshaine talked about ever y thing from his favorite candy to what he wants to be when he grows up. | PHOTO BY ABBY PETERSEN Right: Deshaine strikes a pose with his football. He played defense for his team this fall. | PHOTO BY KELLIE L AWLESS
PETER PWO 22 | WINTER 2016
Student Deshaine Metcalf shares his love for football.
D
JAMIE HUDALL A | repor ter
eshaine Metcalf slides into the hot seat on a Monday afternoon in Brandi Pottle’s classroom. His classmates circle around him, faces eager and pens ready. At nine years old Deshaine has found his passion. He’s going as a football player for Halloween, and in the future he hopes to be a real one. But if that doesn’t work out, he’s going to be the CEO of a shoe company. When asked what he likes best about football, Deshaine answered, “I like running the ball.” AGE: 10 GRADE: 5th FAVORITES COLLECTION: Pokemon cards HOBBY: soccer ART UTENSIL: pencils SEASON: winter MUSIC: trap music ACTIVITY: outside games SPECIAL TALENT: drawing
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
“An engineer because I want to invent things.” SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
He plays defense for his team and recently helped them beat Forest Lake in the playoffs. “I was excited,” he recalled. “Some of my teammates cried.” On Nov. 18 he and his teammates will play the championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium. “Will it cost when you play?” Lavontae Cox, a classmate, wanted to know. Deshaine explained that adults pay $10 and kids pay $5. Deshaine also mentioned his grandma, who lives in Las Vegas and hasn’t seen him for three years. “She’s cool,” he said. “She likes to cook and take me places.” Although he’s a football player outside of school, in the classroom he’s known as the police chief. “I give ‘good citizen tickets’ to people that are always doing their job and being on their best behavior,” Deshaine described. “I have a growth mindset,” he enlightened. “I like to help people, work hard and fix problems.” Deshaine wears the smile of a kid who had just scored a touchdown.
HEAVEN MARTINEZ AGE: 9 GRADE: 4th FAVORITES COLLECTION: money HOBBY: gymnatstics ART UTENSIL: markers SEASON: summer MUSIC: hip hop SPECIAL TALENT: flips WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
“A mom.” SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
HOBBIES WHAT ANIMAL ARE YOU MOST LIKE? Brandi Pottle’s students compare themselves to their favorite critters.
“A BEAR BECAUSE IT CAN SLEEP “AN ANACONDA BECAUSE OF “A LION BECAUSE THEY ARE BUSHY.” –Keke Feazell IN THE WINTER.” –Peter Pwo –Riley Philippi THE DESIGNS.” 5th grade
5th grade
5th grade
SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE PRESIDENT?
Students in Brandi Pottle’s class explain why they think Clinton would make a good president. SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
“HILLARY CLINTON, BECAUSE “HILLARY CLINTON, BECAUSE “HILLARY CLINTON, BECAUSE SHE DOESN’T MAKE FUN OF DONALD TRUMP IS GOING TO SHE DOESN’T MAKE FUN OF AUTISM KIDS AND SHE’S A BUILD A WALL.” GIRLS.” GIRL.” –Hsa Lar –Rontaya King –Iyana Sampson 5th grade 5th grade 5th grade
SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE PRESIDENT? Brandi Pottle’s fourth and fifth grade students place their votes.
95%
HILLARY CLINTON
5%
DONALD TRUMP
SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
Students Hsa Lar (lef t) and Daniel Jackson (right) raise their hands high as they wait to inter view their classmate, Deshaine Metcalf. | PHOTO BY JAMIE HUDALL A
JOSEPH
CENTENO-GONZALEZ
AGE: 10 GRADE: 5th FAVORITES COLLECTION: masks HOBBY: soccer ART UTENSIL: pencil SEASON: fall MUSIC: trap music ACTIVITY: outdoor games SPECIAL TALENT: soccer skills
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
“A soccer player.”
SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
THE MAXFIELD TIMES | 23
HOBBIES
24 | WINTER 2016
Top: Bethel student Kellie Lawless helps four th-grader Cor tez Thomas draw a mummy Oc t. 31. Lawless played Halloween pic tionar y with Pottle’s class while Bethel student Miranda Weipper t handed out candy. | PHOTO BY BETHANY LENDERINK
WHICH ACTIVITY WOULD YOU RATHER DO? Brandi Pottle’s fourth and fifth-graders vary when it comes to their favorite activity.
Bottom: Maxfield students Emilio Acosta, Micah Paynes, Janyia Villa, Santiago Costilla and Deshaine Metcalf watch Cor tez Thomas closely while tr ying to guess what he’s drawing during Halloween themed pic tionar y Oc t 31. | PHOTO BY MIRANDA WEIPPERT
RILEY PHILIPPI AGE: 10 GRADE: 4th FAVORITES COLLECTION: Cars HOBBY: Play on my tablet ART UTENSIL: Crayons SEASON: Spring MUSIC: Country ACTIVITY: Arts and crafts WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
“A police officer or a fence builder.” SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
HOBBIES WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SEASON?
42%
Brandi Pottle’s fourth and fifth-graders favor summertime.
Summer
26% Fall
11%
21% Winter
Spring
Four th-grader Joseph Childs lays on Pottle’s classroom floor Oc t. 31, while the class inter views Deshaine Metcalf. Childs was a new student at Maxfield and met Bethel journalists for the first time that day. | PHOTO BY MIRANDA WEIPPERT
DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING?
Maxfield Elementary students from Brandi Pottle’s class share what they like to collect.
“I LIKE TO COLLECT MONEY.” –Heaven Martinez 4th grade
“I LIKE TO COLLECT MASKS.” –Joseph Centeno Gonzalez 5th grade
“I LIKE TO COLLECT POKEMON CARDS.” –Peter Pwo 5th grade
“I LIKE TO COLLECT CARS.” –Lavontae Cox 4th grade
“I LIKE TO COLLECT PICTURES OF FAMILY.” –Nalliayah Doshe-Woods 5th grade
“I DON’T COLLECT ANYTHING.” –Micah Paynes 4th grade SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
Four th-grader Tina Nguyen inter views Bethel student Abby Petersen in Pottle’s classroom Oc t. 14. Petersen was par tnered with Tina to help her understand what inter viewing entails for journalists. | PHOTO BY MIRANDA WEIPPERT
AGE: 11 GRADE: 5th FAVORITES COLLECTION: Money and toys HOBBY: Basketball and running ART UTENSIL: Gel pens SEASON: Fall MUSIC: Hip-hop ACTIVITY: Play on my phone
JANYIA VILLA
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
“I want to have my own shop for designing.” SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
THE MAXFIELD TIMES | 25
ARTS
Above: Pottle tells her class about some of her favorite ac tivities. Meanwhile, the four th/fif th-graders scribbled her answers in their repor ter’s notebooks. | PHOTO BY MIRANDA WEIPPERT
26 | WINTER 2016
WHAT’S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? Pottle’s crocodiles share their talents.
HEAD AND HEART
Teacher loves shoes,but loves something else more.
B
BRANDI POTTLE’S STUDENTS | repor ters
“RUNNING.”
–Emilio Acosta 4th grade
TINA NGUYEN
AGE: 11 GRADE: 5th FAVORITES COLLECTION: None HOBBY: Playing outside ART UTENSIL: Crayons SEASON: Summer MUSIC: Anything ACTIVITY: Arts and crafts
“SOCCER SKILLS.” –Joseph Centeno Gonzalez 4th grade WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
“A news reporter cuz I just want to.”
SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
randi Pottle used to leave the shoe boxes at the store after she bought them so her husband wouldn’t know she’d bought a new pair of shoes – until she got caught. Pottle loves shoes, but not as much as she loves her 4th and 5th grade classroom at Maxfield Elementary School, where she works. Pottle was born Nov. 5, 1978, the same day as her twin sister. Now, Pottle is a mother to Michael, 23, and Lydia, 3. She loves running and working out and has done the Twin Cities Marathon four times. Pottle also loves to travel. If she could go anywhere, she would go to Africa so she could go on a safari. In Minnesota, her favorite restaurant is Taste of India. On a perfect day, Pottle would sleep in until 10 a.m. and then treat herself by going shopping or getting a pedicure. She loves shoes so much, she’s sure she owns at least 100 pairs, her favorite brand being Brookes. She loves shopping, too. Her favorite shopping location is Marshall’s. But what she loves most is spending time with kids, be it taking a nap with Lydia or being at Maxfield, working with her students. “My favorite part about teaching,” Pottle said, looking at her fourth and fifth graders, “is you guys.”
ARTS EMILIO ACOSTA
AGE: 9 GRADE: 4th FAVORITES COLLECTION: None HOBBY: Legos ART UTENSIL: Markers SEASON: Fall MUSIC: Minecraft ACTIVITY: Outside games
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
“Police.”
SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
Bethel student Miranda Weipper t helps Maxfield student Keke Feazell with inter viewing skills. | PHOTO BY ABBY PETERSEN
WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO? The majority of Brandi Pottle’s fourth and fifth grade class likes to listen to hip-hop.
60% HIP-HOP
JAZZ
5%
COUNTRY
ANYTHING
Trap
SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
5%
10%
15% Hsa Lar and Rontaya King jot down notes in their repor ter’s notebooks in Brandi Pottle’s classroom Oc t. 31. | PHOTO BY ABBY PETERSEN
THE MAXFIELD TIMES | 27
ART
28 | WINTER 2016
WHAT DOES JOURNALISM LOOK LIKE?
Students from Brandi Pottle’s class draw their understanding of journalism. Maxfield student Heaven Mar tinez shares her drawing with Bethel students. Heaven wrote above her drawing that she likes “taking news and pic tures”| PHOTO BY KELLIE L AWLESS
S
KELLIE L AWLESS | repor ter
tudents receive their blue reporter’s notebooks and learn about journalism and what it means to be a journalist from Bethel University journalists. These students visited Maxfield with the intention of creating a newspaper for Maxfield and have been collecting information about each fourth/fifthgrader to put in the paper. Every Maxfield student wrote notes and observations in their reporter’s notebooks, took pictures with professional cameras and interviewed another classmate and/or their teacher. At the end of the day, students from Pottle’s class drew what journalism looks like to them after a full day of experiencing what it is like to be a reporter. These are the results.
ARTS
THE MAXFIELD TIMES | 29
DREAMS/GOALS
Maxfield students show of f their smiles to Bethel journalists. They just got done learning and prac ticing how to capture por traits of each other. | PHOTO BY CARLO HOLMBERG Four th-grader Jamontae Villa is excited to direc t traf fic and his classmates to the busses at the end of the day. He has worked hard the whole day and he looks for ward to this job. | PHOTO BY CARLO HOLMBERG
30 | WINTER 2016
DESIRE WORKS HARD School and grades are her passions.
D
JE’NASIAH JOHNSON | repor ter
esire Negron worked hard when she had a guest teacher because she had all good grades that day and when the guest teacher told students to get out a book, she was the only one who did that. She is proud of is her good grades – like 100 percent or 110 percent on all her grades. She always gets her work done. A big goal she has after she graduates from Maxfield is to go to middle and high school and college to get a degree and become a doctor. The weirdest dream she has ever had was when she was in a world full of candy like Kit Kats, Butterfingers, Reese’s Pieces and Sourpatch Kids. A time a teacher helped her in a big way was when Jennifer Gruber helped her when she was doing monster because she did not know what the word said because someone spelled a word wrong. They tried to spell “hair” but spelled it like “hear.”
MATTHEW PERKINS AGE: 9 GRADE: 4th FAVORITES SUBJECT: math ACTIVITY: reading books DESTINATION: space PASTIME: writing JOB: police officer DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY.
“Gramommmm.” SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
DREAMS/GOALS WHEN DO YOU FEEL THE MOST HAPPY? Maxfield students talk about what brings them the most joy.
“WHEN I’M WITH MY MOM ALREADY.” –Yarie Kahlcombs 5th grade
“ON MY BIRTHDAY.” –Davarious Booth 5th grade
“WHEN I’M WITH MY GRANDMA.” –Syvianne Johnson 5th grade
WHAT DOES YOUR PERFECT DAY LOOK LIKE? Maxfield students dream about the best way to spend a day their way.
“GO TO THE MALL OF AMERICA, GET NEW SHOES, AND GO ON RIDES AT NICKELODEON.” –Shawn Easley 5th grade
“MY PERFECT DAY WOULD BE GOING ON A HIKE IN THE WOODS.” –Kenya Finley 5th grade
“I WOULD GO TO THE BEACH A RELAX AND GO SWIMMING AND JUST HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF FUN.” –Montaya King 4th grade
IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD YOU GO? Maxfield students share their dream vacations.
“TO THE MOON.” –Kenya Finley 5th grade
“CALIFORNIA SO I COULD SEE THE GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS PLAY.” –Shawn Easley 5th grade
“NEW YORK CITY BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN IT IN MOVIES AND ON TV.” –Aniya Harris 4th grade SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
Raymond plays on the playground during Zap time. He has worked hard in class to earn the oppor tunity to chill outside during Zap time. | PHOTO BY SHAWN EASLEY
THE MAXFIELD TIMES | 31
DREAMS/GOALS
Above: Fif th-grader Kenya Finley grasps her pen as she writes quotes from her par tner, Kenneth Mckinnis. Finley and Mckinnis both celebrated hat day. | PHOTO BY CALLIE SCHMIDT
WIN THE HALL GAME
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SUBJECT? Teacher Jennifer Gruber’s class likes math and reading.
32 | WINTER 2016
Student wins in Mortal Kombat-XI and dreams he turns into Super Man.
D
FANTASIA CHRISTIAN | repor ter
SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
avarious Booth worked really hard when he played games, when he played Davariovs Mortal Kombat -XI. “It was fun,” he said. Booth is proud of the time that he beat the Davaraiovs hall game. He has pride because his brother was winning every one and he wanted to win one. A big goal he has after he leaves Maxfield is to beat his brother in “rock, paper, scissors.” The weirdest dream Booth ever had was when he was at the skate park and buildings were coming down and he turned into Super Man. A teacher helped him when somebody was bullying him and she handled it and he never bothered him again.
DAVARIOUS BOOTH AGE: 10 GRADE: 5th SUBJECT: Writer’s Workshop BIGGEST FEAR: Spiders DREAM JOB: Football player/artist PERFECT DAY: Going to the pond, see his friends and fish WANTS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT: Writing, drawing, sometimes math IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD IT BE? “Mount Everest. I would go there to have the World Record and beat the time to get there.” SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
DREAMS/GOALS WHEN DO YOU FEEL THE MOST HAPPY?
Maxfield students talk about what puts them in a good mood.
“SEEING OLD TOYS.” –Matthew Perkins 4th grade
“AT THE PARK.” “ON MY BIRTHDAY.” –Xavier Lindsay 5th grade
“WHEN MY MOM COOKS FOR US. I LIKE WHEN SHE COOKS EGGS AND BACON.” –Priscilla Lee 4th grade
“DOING MATH AND READING IN SCHOOL.” –Shawn Easley 5th grade
–Avion Dent 4th grade
“WHEN I AM WITH MY BEST FRIEND.” –Montaya King 4th grade SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
WHICH JOB WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
The majority of students in Jennifer Gruber’s class said thet wanted to be teachers.
40% TEACHER
20% ARTIST
13%
PRESIDENT
SY’VIANNE JOHNSON
27%
POLICE OFFICER
SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
Four th/fif th-grade teacher Jennifer Gruber strikes a pose for a student photographer on Halloween. | PHOTO BY MA XFIELD STUDENT
AGE: 9 GRADE: 4th BIGGEST FEAR: Spiders HOBBIES: Fashion and taking videos WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO: Disney Land WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO MOST IN YOUR LIFE: Be a fashion stylist
DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY. WHAT WOULD YOU DO? “Go over to my Grandma’s house, then go with my friends to the mall.”
SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
THE MAXFIELD TIMES | 33
DREAMS/GOALS
Above: Avion Dent and Shawn Easley work with a Minnesota Gophers football player who has been visiting Maxfield classes for two years. | PHOTO BY CARLO HOLMBERG Right: Four th-grader Avion Dent writes down quotes from his inter view with fif thgrader Shawn Easley about his hopes, dreams and goals Oc t. 31. Dent and Easley are in Jennifer Gruber’s class at Maxfield Elementar y School. | PHOTO BY CARLO HOLMBERG
34 | WINTER 2016
DREAMS Of basketball.
A
SHAWN EASLEY | repor ter
vion Dent works hard when he does his job and when he does math and reading. Something he is proud of is his Nov. 9 birthday. A big goal he has after he leaves Maxfield is to do his job at his new school so he can grow to be a pro basketball player. The weirdest dream he ever had was when he had a dream of a bear that tried to kill him and he ran away.
AVION DENT
AGE: 10 GRADE: 4th FAVORITES SUBJECT: Math TRAVEL DESTINATION: Disney World DAY: Go to the State Fair FUTURE JOB: NBA Player HOBBY: Sports JOURNALISM SKILL: Photography WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR? “I DON’T HAVE A FEAR.”
SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
DREAMS/GOALS
Lef t: Four th/fif th-grade teacher Jennifer Gruber gives four th-grader Jamontae Villa writing tips in their classroom at Maxfield Elementar y Oc t. 31. Gruber wore a hat to celebrate hat day as well as Halloween. | PHOTO BY CARLO HOLMBERG
KENYA FINLEY
Below: Maxfield Elementar y students crowd around a camera held by photographer Evette Eaton. While Eaton loves taking photos, she likes to talk to people even more. | PHOTO BY PRISCILL A LEE
AGE:10 GRADE: 5th FAVORITES JOB: Teacher SUBJECT: Reading JOURNALISM SKILL: Video ACTIVITY: Reading books GOAL: Graduate from college DAY: Hiking in the woods PLACE TO VISIT: The moon
WHAT SUBJECT DO YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT? “Math because I’m not really good at it.”
SOURCE: CLASS SURVEY.
MOVING ON AND OUT
Kenya Finley reflects during her last year at Maxfield.
A
KENNETH MCKINNIS | repor ter
time Kenya Finley worked really hard is when she read a hard book. Something she is proud of is when she finishes her homework. She said when she leaves Maxfield she will cry and still do her job at another school.
THE MAXFIELD TIMES | 35
PARTNERSHIPS WANT TO GET INVOLVED? If you want to support Maxfield
Elementary School, contact Principal Ryan Vernosh by email at ryan.vernosh@spps.org, by phone at 651293-8680 or by mail to 380 Victoria St N., Saint Paul, MN 55104. To support future issues of Maxfield Times, contact Maxfield teacher Elizabeth Robinette by email at elizabeth. robinette@ spps.org or contact Bethel professor Scott Winter by email at s-winter@ bethel.edu.
LEARNING from EACH OTHER
Bethel par tner Callie Schmidt works on photo captions with her Zap time par tners Oc t. 14. “The students at Maxfield were awesome,” Schmidt said. “They called me ‘Miss Callie’ and really made me feel welcome in their school. ... I loved taking pic tures with them and watching them improve their photography skills.” | PHOTO BY FANTASIA BEARD
The Maxfield Times experience was about learning from each other about journalism and bigger things.
Bethel par tner Carlo Holmberg works on captions with his Zap time par tners. “I looked for ward to going to Maxfield,” Holmberg said. “The students are what made the time there really special. It definitely made my day and even my week when I would spend just a few hours hanging out with the kids. I really appreciated the teachers and their willingness to let us lead their classes.” | PHOTO BY TARAY YA HARRIS
36 | WINTER 2016
Maxfield student Kiara poses with Bethel par tner Kellie Lawless on the Maxfield playground Oc t. 14. “Whether it be taking photos or inter viewing one another, [this experience] helped me remember why I fell in love with the ar t of stor y telling in the first place. I had a blast getting to know the students, build relationships with them, and help them realize their own potential to make a dif ference.” | PHOTO BY K Y’MIRRA LINSON
Ta’Nay Jones talks about her favorite animals with Bethel par tner Megan Nickel. Ta’Nay filled out a sur vey about her favorite animals and pets Oc t. 14 in Elizabeth Robinette’s classroom. Ta’nay loves dogs and says mice are “ disgusting.” “It was a really nice experience,” Nickel said, “And fun to work with the kids and pass on information we’ve learned.” | PHOTO BY KELLIE L AWLESS