Kids School Pages - Feb. 2012

Kids School Pages

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

1S

HX]dda EV\Zh FEBRUARY 2012 Baxter

Garfield Elementary

Pillager Schools

Brainerd Community Education

Harrison Elementary

Pine River/Backus Schools

Learning Tree Preschool

Riverside Elementary

Lowell Elementary

St. Francis Catholic School

Central Lakes College Crosby/Ironton Forestview Middle School

Pillager Area Charter School

Staples/Motley

NIE Week is March 5-9

Give Them the Keys They Need Promoting Adolescent Literacy through Newspapers

Write On! Read More than six out of ten of those with high newspaper exposure during childhood are regular readers as adults. An election year is the perfect time to read the Brainerd Dispatch together at home and discuss articles to understand the political process in the United States.

Students - Pretend You’re the Candidate and Submit to Us! If you were chosen for president of your class, what would you like to happen in your class that would make it a better place to learn?

We invite 1st - 12th graders to submit essays on this topic with the chance to be published on the cover of the March School Pages. Deadline is March 7, 2012.

Write a short essay •

200 words or less for grades 7th -12th

•

150 words or less for grades 1st - 6th

•

Include your name, grade, school and teacher

Submit by Wed., March 7, to Teresa Hirst at the Brainerd Dispatch: •

in person at the 506 James Street in Brainerd

•

or by mail to P.O. Box 974, Brainerd, MN 56401

•

or by email teresa.hirst@brainerddispatch.com

We’ll choose the top essays in these age categories to be published March 27 on the cover of the School Pages: 1st to 3rd grade, 4th to 6th grade, 7th to 9th grade, 10th to 12th grade.

We encourage teachers to share this opportunity with their class, but if it is a class assignment, please submit only the top three from your class.

Promoting Adolescent Literacy Through Newspapers

Learn Celebrate NIE Week (March 5-9) with the Give Them the Keys Program, a new unitbased resource with instructional objectives, applicable standards, instructional procedures and a formative assessment for each lesson. Teachers can adapt lessons to fit individual schedules and needs.

Receive the Free Teacher’s Guide, A PDF Graphic of Give Them the Keys, at http://nieonline.com/brainerd

For more information about receiving or using the Brainerd Dispatch for educational use contact:

Teresa Hirst, NIE Coordinator 855-5838 teresa.hirst@brainerddispatch.com

2S

Kids School Pages

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

BAXTER

ELEMENTARY February is I Love to Read month

Camp Baxter Students experience camping out in the Baxter School library with great books, while enjoying campfire songs, quiet reading time, and lots of fun.

Students are able to bring a small backpack and flashlight for their camping experience. Thanks to Mrs. Rezac and Mrs. Pedersen for organizing Camp Baxter!

Pajama day

Kindergarten F.R.E.D. night Our kindergarten had a wonderful time reading with their dads.

Crazy hair day

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Kids School Pages

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

3S

KinderClub Early-Age Care/Pre-K Program “The 4 & 5 year old children of KinderClub Early-Age Care/Pre-K program were excited to have the Fun ‘N’ Friends” (K-4 grade) members volunteer to share their skills and do reading groups with them. KinderClub members listened to several stories told by the F’N’F youth including, “The Grouchy Ladybug, The Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, and The Napping House.”

KinderClub is an All-Day Child Care, Enrichment, and Kindergarten Readiness program serving 4 & 5 year old children Monday-Friday located in the ISD #181 Washington Educational Services Building on 804 Oak Street in room#119.

Nisswa Fun ’N’ Friends loves to read Nisswa Fun ‘N’ Friends is celebrating I love to read month by rereading their own favorite books and recommending books to each other. They are also going to create their own books and stories.

They also had lots of fun with a color changing science project. They swirled the colors together and made new colors.

Forestview Chef’s Club Pictured is Al Jabs (farmer) and his associates from The Farm of Plenty providing the Forestview Young Chefs the importance of heirloom vegetables, as well as the history of the vegetables. Farmer Al and his associates also made home-made vegetable soup with the young chefs. This was so appropriate since it was zero degree outside that day!

Forestview Baker’s Club The Brainerd Community Education added Baker’s Club to this year’s Winter/Spring program. Pictured is the Forestview Baker’s Club that meets on thefirst Monday of each month until the end of the school year. The young bakers will learn to bake apple pie to blueberry scones to chocolate-turtle biscotti to strawberry cheesecake, just to name a few…

4S

Kids School Pages

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Student honored for fund-raising effort Kari Frisch stopped outside the White House during her trip to Washington, D.C. that honored her advocacy to end world hunger.

Kari Frisch with Sen. Amy Klobuchar during the Washington, D.C. trip.

CLC instructor invited to D.C. for effort against hunger Kari Frisch of the CLC speech faculty was the only Minnesotan attending the Dec. 6-10 White House Community Leadership Series in Washington, D.C. She had taken a class last fall offered by the United Nations World Food Program and the ONE.Org Campaign that focused on global hunger and advocacy. As part of that course, Kari created a social networking advocacy, the Eleventh Hour Challenge, encouraged food donations and awareness to combat local and global hunger. Her effort enlisted followers of her Facebook page to pledge resources for the cause, including online rice donations that accumulated by people answering trivia questions at freerice. com “It was an exciting surprise that came at the end of the class,” said Kari. “We were invited to Washington to be part of the White House Leadership Series.”

The staff at ONE organized an advocacy day on Capitol Hill as part of the event. Meetings were arranged with the staffs of Senators Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar as well as Rep. Chip Cravaack.

“Senator Franken’s office had on a wall 30 pennants from Minnesota schools, including Central Lakes College,” Kari noted in her five-minute, digital video report of the trip.

Kari received tickets to the gallery, where she was able to watch Klobuchar preside over the Senate floor.

“It was interesting to see democracy at work inside and outside the Capitol,” she said, illustrating the ex-

perience with a shot of Occupy Washington protesters of domestic and foreign policies.

The trip included several tours of special sites, such as the Newseum, National Museum of American Indians, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, Supreme Court Building, Library of Congress, historic monuments and architecture, and the Eisenhower Building, where national dignitaries led meetings focused on issues of human welfare on a global scale.

“It kept me busy, as there was a lot to do and see,” she said.

The group enjoyed a tour of the White House, which was decked out for the holiday season.

Kari not only used social media to help promote the Eleventh Hour Challenge, but also found innovative ways to continue that live conversation while in Washington. She blogged in the evenings and tweeted during the day sending messages back to her classes and other social media followers.

Although tweets are usually meant to be shared “live,” she said, “I’m archiving my tweets so that future classes can also learn from what I was doing back in December. I think class concepts are more interesting to students when they are connected to personal experiences. So I try to use digital storytelling often in the way I present material.”

After her return home, she created a five-minute digital video overview of the trip. You can catch current tweets at @kfrisch on Twitter.

Career Exploration Day On Friday, March 9 the Brainerd campus of Central Lakes College will suspend classes in order to host more than 2,000 high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors for Career Exploration Day in conjunction with the Bridges Academies and Workplace Connection, a project created through Brainerd Lakes Chamber and our school and business partnerships. One of last year’s popular sessions offered preps the chance to read a script, act, and go behind the scenes of a recorded scene staged

by CLC Theatre and Videography programs.

Steve Sabin, president of the Brainerd campus Student Senate was presented with a special award at the Minnesota State College Student Association Scholarship Dinner and Leadership Conference in Bloomington. Last summer Steve ran a series of marathons to raise funds for the MSCSA Leadership Scholarship, raising over $3,000. These funds were awarded to high- Steve was awarded a medal by MSCSA achieving students from across the state, including our President Geoff Dittberner (right) and MnSCU Chancellor Steven Rosenstone own Julie Jo Larson. to celebrate this achievement.

Special guest Joe Rogers, who served as the youngest lieutenant governor in the United States during his time in Colorado, presented “The Dream Alive,” as a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement for Black History Month at CLC. Co-sponsors were the CLC Diversity Leadership Council, Minnesota Department of Human Rights, Student Life, and the CLC Office of Diversity.

More images: http://www.flickr.com/photos/58518185@ N04/

Donation Gae Davis (left) of the Minnesota Deerhunters Association (and a CLC Criminal Justice instructor) presented Dr. Bill Faber and the CLC Natural Resources Club a check for $700 from the state group in appreciation for the assistance the students give each hunting season the past four years for the Hides for Habitat program.

The NR students help prepare deer hides for shipment to processors that convert the hides into items such as mittens and gloves. MDHA works for the conservation and betterment of tomorrow's wildlife and hunters through education, habitat, and legislation.

“We support youth hunting education at Deep Portage Conservation Reserve, Firearm Safety Classes, the youth hunt at Camp Ripley, we purchase habitat acreage for the public to use for bird and animal

Nationally ranked The Central Lakes College men’s basketball team is among the best in the nation. Throughout the season, the Raiders have been in the Top 10 and as high as No. 1 for several weeks in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III poll. They are preparing for the Minnesota College Athletic Conference state tournament March 2-4 at Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Coon Rapids, where a championship would catapult them to the NJCAA championship tournament at Sullivan County Community College in Loch Sheldrake, N.Y. March 15-17.

Gaelic Storm

Nursing Advisory Board The Central Lakes College Nursing Advisory Committee for 2011-12 includes, front from left, Sarah Jennissen, Darci Goeden, Nancy Meyer, Jessica Herron, Connie Frisch, Karen Treangen, Sheila Miller; middle from left, Verena Walton, Kristin Nelson, Rebekah Gammon, Peggy Rider, Marie Michlitsch, Gayle Ollila; back from left, Catie Sabin, Jennifer Linehan, Bonnie Groneberg, Kim Scott, Marty Bosch, Vickie O’Brien, Shirley Lofquist, Laura Schoonover, Laura Oeltjenbruns. Not pictured: Shirley Braaten, Gwen Anderson, Pat DeLong, Kristine Layne, Sarah Carlson, Robb Pastor, Julie Woitalla, Wendy Holder, Steve Sabin, Jeff Wig.

sightseeing and hunting, and we provide habitat improvement and sightseeing trails in 12 wildlife management areas,” said Gae, who along with Casey Stengel of Brainerd (second from right), serves on the MDHA state board of directors.

“We really appreciate the funds for the club,” said NR student Malcolm Stroot (right) of New York Mills, who accepted the check along with Dr. Faber on behalf of all club members.

America’s premier Celtic band, Gaelic Storm, is scheduled to perform Thursday, March 9, at Tornstrom Auditorium, Brainerd, in the Central Lakes College Cultural Arts Series. Admission is $15 to $25. Tickets are available at www.clctickets. com and Tornstrom Auditorium, where the band performed to a full house last March, is located in the Washington Education Building, 804 Oak Street. More about the Arts at CLC at http://www.clcmn.edu/arts/

Front, from left: Robin Turner, Matt Christenson, Kahreem Horsley, Ronnie Kornbaum, Cody Hofmann, Michael Farrington, Roberto Lopez, Alonzo Williams, Kevin Kuefler. Back, from left: Assistants John Pecarich and Mike Paulus, Antonio Wigfall, Brandon Davis, Brent Koehler, Dylan Moorlag, Jesse Fleming, Maurice Hernandez, Kwamaine Johnson, Assistant Ben Seevers, Head Coach Jim Russell. More about CLC athletics at http://www.clcmn.edu/athletics

Give Kids a Smile The annual Give Kids a Smile event was held in the CLC Community Dental Clinic on the Brainerd campus, where 128 youngsters over two days are offered free oral health check-ups, x-rays, and cleanings, courtesy of the Minnesota Dental Association and CLC students in Dental Assisting. Braydon Abbott, 2, of Deerwood had his first dental experience, provided with tiny sun glasses to reduce the bright exam light. CLC students Stacie Olin (left) and Abby Mushel cleaned Braydon’s 20 baby teeth.

mmfcu.org Baxter | Brainerd | Crosby Pequot Lakes | Staples

Kids School Pages

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

5S

Crosby-Ironton Rangers RANGER WAY Wednesday On December 21st, we hosted an Awards Assembly for grade 8 and grade 7, where students were honored for earning the A honor roll, B honor roll for quarter 1 of this year. They received a certificate from members of our senior high school student council and recognition from staff and classmates.

We also awarded students with perfect attendance for quarter 1. Attendance is important to us. It shows

school pride.

The Jr. High Choir “Star” of the quarter award is given to one 7th and 8th grade boy and girl each quarter.

It is voted on by the members of the choir as well as the director. It is earned for showing daily improvement, demonstrating musical skill including fundamentals, showing commitment, demonstrating a willingness to support and help others in and out of rehearsals, and

for earning the respect of his/her peers in the choir. 7th grade-Noah Gindorff and Emily Davis, 8th grade-Matthew Staley and Zee Voss.

Extracurricular activities were also recognized and shown the “Ranger Way” of Respect, Responsibility and Integrity. Photographs by Marian Segersten.

8th Grade awards include 8th grade Honor Roll (left and left middle), 8th grade perfect attendance (right middle), and 8th grade choir awards (right).

7th Grade awards include 7th grade Honor Roll (left and left middle), 7th grade perfect attendance (right middle), and 7th grade choir awards (right).

6th Grade Choir (Top left) Mrs. Cordie’s and Mrs. Gindorff’s classes.

(Top right) Students from Ms. Fellbaum’s and Mrs. Tollefson’s classes (Bottom left) Beau Sanford, Meghan Foote, Zach Myhre (Bottom middle left) Dakota Cary and Austin Johnson (Bottom middle right) Back Row: Brehndan Knox, Skylar Johnson, Paul Norman, Middle Row: Will Silgen, Luke Glomski, Cassidy Duerr, Front Row: Ben Wasson, Zachariah Spalj, Ethan Erickson, Zach Carrick (Bottom right) Students from Ms. Fellbaum’s and Mrs. Tollefson’s classes: Back Row: Dylan Mahowald, Tyler Seliger, Dylan Tonn, Row three: Katjanna Tauzel, Korbyn Perpich, Mattie Kovatovich, Hailey Antilla, Tori Wind, Row two: Michael Serfling, Alyssa Klancher, Lily Chapman, Elise Yates, Row one: Andrew Kasel, Isaac Glendenning

Choosing good dental health

Share the Future

Mrs. Kannel’s health class, which includes students from her class and also students from Mrs. Olson’s classroom, choose a toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash and dental floss that is best for them.

Thirty-nine 7th grade students participated in a field trip on Wednesday, December 7th to Bemidji State University’s Share the Future in Science and Technology day. Students were chosen to go on the field trip based on a Science grade of a C or higher and their expressed interest in Science, Technology and Math. How students proved their interest in Science, Technology and Math was to develop a project/experiment on slime mold (which was given to them by Mrs. Andersen) and completed at home. This field trip was paid for by a grant from the C-I Public Schools Foundation.

During the day, students listened to a keynote speaker who talked about how NASA is exploring other solar systems and our own. Students then got to listen to two guest speakers of their choice who spoke to them about a specific career in Science. Topics included: wildlife biologists, engineers, chemists, veterinarians, medical field jobs, fishery biologists, and earth and space science jobs. Students then ate lunch and played trivia; where they were awarded prizes.

After lunch, students completed hands on science experiments in Bemidji State’s brand new science labs.

There were 350 students from area schools at this event.

(Top left) Jenna Fish reading the label on a bottle of mouthwash.

(Top right) Lily Peterson and Dominic Berczyk completing a dental health project.

(Bottom left) Ryan Cady shopping for mouthwash.

(Bottom middle) Payton Whipple, Tyler DeCent, Brianna Doucette “shopping” for toothbrushes and dental care products in health class.

(Bottom right) Carter Holtzleicer shopping for mouthwash.

Students in the group picture: left to right in front: Quinn Wikelius, Yvette Blume, Nicki Gomski, 2nd row: Jack Silgen, Smantha Dauer, Zander Clemmer, Kreilyn Brown, Jayda Wager, Taylor Haag, Kaylee Wgeishofski 3rd row: Emily Davis, Miranda Berg, Amber Lewis, Shayla Loiland, Tori O’Connor, Megan Nephew, Anna Trenda, Zinnia Mastel-Lipson, Sage Stangel, Anna Louks and Keagan Schmidt 4th row: Samantha Gutzman, Jessica Arneson, Joshua Maucieri, Trey Jacobs, Jake Larson, Michael Leonhardt, Caleb Kreitter, Logan Peterson, Isaac Kramer and Matt Stangel 5th row: Ally Sabyan, Amanda McDermond, Kaleb Fish, Noah Gindorff, Isaiah Hess, Nicki Sura, Alyssa Hanson

6S

Kids School Pages

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

New ice rink at Forestview Brainerd Amateur Hockey Association (BAHA) and ISD 181 have teamed up and built an outstanding hockey/skating rink at Forestview. The ice is maintained by both groups and is in fantastic condition. Forestview is taking full advantage of this the new rink during school hours, as all grades, 5-8, use the facility for physical education classes, and hockey practices occur shortly after the school day.

Fifth grade Spelling Bee

Geography Bee Nine FMS eighth graders competed in the District Geography Bee on Thursday, January 12th. Students were asked a variety of questions ranging from Minnesota geography to world geography. Students included: Jake Weldon, Renae Ford, Hunter Sanford, Rachel Ruhl, Karly Wheeler, Caleb Meyer, Matthew Majerle, Jenna Swenson, and Nicole Brown. Renae Ford was the winner.

Caroline Benson

By Susan Rogers, Spelling Bee Coordinator The Fifth Grade Spelling Bee was held Wednesday, February 1 at Forestview Middle School. The 16 spellers who represented the top three percent of fifth grade were Skyann Armstrong, Alex Bauer, Caroline Benson,

Maddie Schuld

Kailee Cabalona-Coleman, Renzen Caughey, Thomas Cole, Jeb Duininck 5D; Jason Jennette, Maxwell Lewis, Sage Martin, Elissa Rhuby, Olivia Ruhl, Alex Sample,Maddie Schuld, Jadyn Selisker, and Amy Ulanowski. After eight rounds of words, we had a three-way tie with Caroline Benson, Jason Jennette and Maddie Schuld. The 2012 Fifth Grade Champion is Caroline Benson and runner up is Maddie Schuld. Great job everyone.

Sixth to eighth grade Spelling Bee Forestview 6-8th graders competed in the district oral spelling bee Wednesday, January 18, 2012. Seventh grader, Adam Kleist won the competition. Kleist and the following runners up will compete at the The Lakes Bee on Friday March 2 at Tornstrom Auditorium: Nick Ashman 8B; Lauren Crabtree 6B; Ben Froemming 8B; Matthew Majerle 8D; Camryn Schmidt 7B; Laura Wadsten 6B. Forty spellers from around the region will also participate in this event sponsored by the National Joint Powers Alliance. The winner will receive an expense paid trip to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C.

Art from Team 5B

Winner Adam Kleist

More than just a pretty face

By Kara Hall When I asked my eighth grade art students the question, “What is a self-portrait?” the typical response was, “It’s a painting of what you look like in the mirror.” Eighth grade art students studied a variety of self-portraits created by artists throughout time, such as Vincent Van Gogh, Marc Chagall, Jackson Pollock and Salvador Dali. Students saw that they are more than just a picture perfect face in the mirror.

Did Van Gogh really wear blue lipstick and have blue highlights put in his hair back in 1889? No, they learned he was sad and that’s how he communicated to others how he felt. Students learned that self-portraits are more about expressing the inside of a person than merely the outside appearance. Students then created an “Eighth Grade Abstract Self-Portrait” to communicate the many facets of who they are.

Students began by creating a central logo for themselves using their initials and an object of great importance in their lives. The space was then divided into four corners, with each telling me through pictures the story of who they are. The following spaces included: 1. Family and how they like spending time together, 2.

Hobbies and interests, 3. Favorite Minnesota season and 4. Future goals and dreams beyond 2012. Enjoy our artwork!

Kids School Pages

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

7S

GARFIELD

ELEMENTARY Great time at Deep Portage despite little snow Garfield 4th graders traveled to Deep Portage on January 9. Students and adult chaperones experienced 3 days of outdoor education at its finest. For many students this was their first big adventure away from family. Spending two nights away from their families can be challenging. Fortunately,

By Kennedy Carlson On January 9th, we left for Deep Portage. Deep Portage is an Environmental Learning Center. It is in Hackensack, Minnesota. It was about an hour and a half away. Deep Portage was very cool!

I had a lot of outside classes, but my favorite outdoor class was Pioneer Olympics. We got to throw tomahawks.

The tomahawks looked like an ax. We also got to throw rabbit stick. Rabbit sticks basically are just sticks with a pattern on it. You have to throw a rabbit stick like a frisbee.

We also got to throw an atle-latle. An atle-latle is an arrow that you throw to kill animals. There was a Native American tribe who used the atle-latle for hunting. I was really good at all three things, and that is why Pioneer Olympics as my favorite outdoor class.

My favorite indoor classes were Rock Wall and Fish Printing. The rock wall was about 35 feet tall! It was a little scary at first, but then I got used to it. There were some places on the wall that were harder than others to climb.

The rock wall was very fun! Another inside class was Fish Printing. It was also very fun. I got to paint on a rubber fish, and then print it onto a T-shirt. It was hard to add

First grade fun On Friday, January 25th, the Garfield First Graders traveled to St. John’s University to see Great Theatre Company present Winnie the Pooh Live! For many of the children, it was their first opportunity to see a performance live on stage and they were very excited. Seeing Winnie the Pooh Live allowed us to compare the performance with Winnie the Pooh books. We compared the characteristics of the different actors and we practiced our letter writing skills by writing thank you letters to the theatre.

A great time was had by all!

the three days and two nights are filled with engaging activities that overtake any homesickness. Students participated in 11 classes and activities, including Survival, T.E.A.M., Animal Signs, Pioneer Olympics, Climbing, Night Stalker, Astronomy, Fish Printing, and Bass Pond in the winter.

A sincere thank you to all the parent chaperones. A trip like this would not be possible without great parental support. Also, a huge thank you to everyone out there who supported our cookie dough fund raiser, which supports the funding of our Deep Portage trip.

the numbers, the words, and draw the lake weeds on to my shirt. It was a messy project, but my shirt still turned out cool! I liked both of these classes.

My favorite thing that I did at night was the campfire.

At the campfire, some people put on skits, and they were really funny! Casey, a guy from Deep Portage acted like a toaster was his drum, and he loved toast so much that he wrote a song about toast. I laughed until I thought my stomach would burst. All the fun and laughing is why the campfire as my favorite night activity.

This was the best field trip ever. I really enjoyed being at Deep Portage. It was more than 6,000 acres of coldness, friendship, learning, laughter, and fun! The Spirit of Deep Portage will always be in my heart.

Can you hear the “Spirit” of Deep Portage?

Oo-kah-lay-la Ah-pera-teeky-tum-bah Mahza, Mahza, Mahza Oo-alaway, alaway Alawah

Second grade science “matters” In second grade science, we are learning about the states of matter. When learning about solids, we experimented with building a tall tower. We learned that solids have different uses depending on their properties. The tall, straight and light solids worked best for the top of our towers, where the heavier and wider solids made good bases.

MR. “G” WE MISS YOU!! SHOW UP....DOMINATE....GO HOME!!

8S

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Kids School Pages

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

HARRISON ELEMENTARY Chinese New Year recreated in third grade music class

HAWKS Gathering January - Showing Responsibility

Harrison 3rd graders recreated a Chinese New Year celebration in music class. The students dressed up in a dragon costume, became ribbon dancers and played traditional Chinese instruments. This was the culmination of a month long unit in East Asian music and culture.

Fourth grade students received awards at the January HAWKS Gathering for showing responsibility.

School patrol Our patrols are ready in all types of weather

Books & Beyond Harrison 3rd & 4th Grade students received Gold Medals at our Books & Beyond Gold Medal Ceremony in January. Students receiving gold medals must have reached at least Level 8 out of a possible 11 Levels. Achieving these levels required that students read weekly and turn in the parent signature sheet verifying the students read the required number of minutes per week. Students in K-2 will be involved in our Books & Beyond program this spring.

Good work papers Students in Mrs. Comstock’s 1st Grade visited Mrs. Morgan and showed her how hard they’ve been working in class!

Mrs. Meyer’s 3rd grade class

Mrs. Fitzsimmons 4th grade class

I love to read All Harrison students named their favorite books for the February “I Love to Read” month bulletin board. Pictured here are some students reading to Mrs. Morgan.

Mrs. Tetreault’s 3rd grade class

Miss Nelson’s 4th grade class

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Kids School Pages

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

9S

LEARNING TREE

PRESCHOOL

Parent Night In January, we had Parent Night, where the parents came to school with their child for an evening of learning and fun.

Parents and students enjoying a train snack.

Dad and several children are playing with the train.

Carson and his parent’s were making a math car book.

Several children are busy making shape vehicles.

Playing dress up is fun.

Becca and her brother are sponging a shape train.

The morning group at Parent Night.

The afternoon group at Parent Night.

Playtime at Parent Night.

Logan and his mom are making a trafďŹ c light.

Todd went to Learning Tree when he was 4 years and Emelia does now.

Maggie went to school at Learning Tree when she was 4 years old and Kaden does now.

Call for registration information 829-6175. Open House - March 27

10S

Kids School Pages

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Lowell free throw contest

Student of the Month

Congratulations to all of the finalists!

January - Listen Before You Talk

Back: Victoria L; Chloe H; Taisha L; Auni J; Erin H; Luke M; Jonah D; A.J. T; Teerza S; Trinity H; Karlie R; Will S. Middle: adence M; Rachel M; Mason N; Aiden E; Jude K; Graclyn J; Breanna V; Mya B. Front: saiah G; Jack L; Dathen M; Baily M; Terry B; Elijah E; Emma W; Marissa S

Staff and students competed in their age bracket for the most free throws out of 10. First Grade Teacher won the staff competition with 10 out of 10 baskets made.

Finalists in the 8-9 year old category (top right): Back left: Will S; Ashlin S; Eli R; Gus D; Zeph G; Johah D Front: Olivia K; Sophie R; Laurissa K; Maddi M; Sydney R. The winners were: Zeph and Eli tied for second and Jonah placed first.

In the 10 year old category, finalists were Abby K; Nick R; Isaac F; Megan M. Karsin L; Peyton H. Winners were Karsin L. , first, Peyton H., second.

Whacky hair day Students at Lowell School had a Whacky Hair Day to brighten the gloomy days of winter.

Damien H from 2nd grade

Gabe H from 4th grade

Cadence H from 1st grade

Camp Lowell Feb. 6 – 10 Lowell School celebrated ‘I Love to Read Month’ by turning the library into a campground. 6 tents loaned by Lowell Staff and a pretend campfire in the center turned the library into a fun filled opportunity to read by flashlight in a tent.

Each student was given a pencil that said ‘Camp Lowell’ on it. Songs were sung and camping poems read to complete the camping experi-ence.

Rilee B from 1st grade

Kids School Pages

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

11S

PILLAGER AREA

CHARTER SCHOOL Pillager Area Charter School will educate by building relationships with students, families, community and Mother Earth.

Students will become stewards of the envornment as responsible actvely-involved citizens.

Student poetry US

Issac trying to warm his hands on the chair lift. “It’s fun, but it’s COLD!”

By Sara T. I will compare you to a summer’s day; You are lovelier and more temperate.

Rough winds shake trees, Summer is too short.

And sometimes too hot, Often his skin is dark, Sometimes things go wrong, If by chance or changing seasons, Eternal summer won’t fade Or loose possession, Death won’t bring him down We grow in time, As long as men breathe or eyes see, Long lives we and this gives life to me.

Josh says, “I’m on top of the world!”

Friday at Ski Gull

By Issac H. I got to Ski Gull, I signed up. Then I got my skis and got all set up. The boots were complicated to put on.

I went down the medium hill three times. Then I went on the Paul Bunyan hill. Then I went on the hill with all these jumps and somebody cut me off and I wiped out. When I got up I thought my ski boot attachment broke. I had to walk all the way back to the ski lodge. But wait, the ski wasn’t broken. I put the ski back on. I pushed myself to the bunny hill and made people fall down that were in my path because actually it was my first time skiing. Then I finally went the Paul Bunyan hill for about twenty minutes. I really enjoyed it and look forward to my next ski outing. When we had Jared’s stratagem planning expression. to leave I called my mon and asked her if I could stay longer, but she said it was too cold. We all slept on the ride home.

The Soulless Woman

Warba trip

By Kyle F. The school trip to Warba was very fun and almost life changing. The play consisted of only one person, but I think she was a good actress for this play.

My main focus was her impression’s, she was an identical “Oprah.” Also she had a lot of energy to spread throughout the room, which is very nice to actually hear what’s going on.

The outcome to this play would have to be how it changed my opinion on Dr. King day, now I can finally understand the “Dream” that he wanted to come true.

That dream that he wanted to come true was that every man’s equal.

Luna, Nate and Isaac’s Science floor painting.

Brady focuses on his hand stand movements, “It’s fun getting around small obstacles, those huge ones are a little tough!”

By Justin K. A father painting a picture, A still lake rumbling, The sky pours down stink.

A man throwing a cheek into the sea; Then he finds a soulless woman with battle scars.

The kingdoms animals crawling inside her; He sees the animals dash into her limbs.

His heart swells up for the soulless woman.

Had he been God? He’d given the sea for her soul; His ship then sank into the sea.

The soul of the woman wanders for eternity.

My Poem

By Chris W. What light is shining through the window?

The sun is rising in the east.

The sun is rising to bring daylight, Someone is bothered with grief, She is more beautiful than any woman.

She is almost matched by her maid.

She is dying from grief; And no one believes her.

But the man she loves does; She loves him as much as he does her.

She attempts to speak but nothing comes out, She looks away from the horizon and hears his voice, But he does not answer.

The lovers are like stars in heaven, Then their eyes meet And he notices the sparkle.

Then he thought what he would do if she were not there for him.

A moment later he thought of how beautiful she is, she glows like the stars.

Her clothes like silk, her eyes like heaven, The wind blowing through her hair, The birds sing about her.

Now she is resting her head on his hand And there was a glove on that hand And he wants to kiss her.

Life

We’re all looking forward to an outing on the water!

Reinna working on her new scarf, “knit one purl two”.

We’re proud to call this our home town.

At Bremer Bank, our dedication to our community goes back to our founder Otto Bremer. In his words, “To serve our clients, we must also serve their communities.” Today, through nonprofit grants from our owner, the Otto Bremer Foundation, local bank donations and thousands of employee volunteer hours each year, we’re still taking action to make our community even stronger.

Brainerd 829-8781 • Baxter 828-5191 • Aitkin 927-3794 1-800-908-BANK (2265) • Bremer.com Member FDIC. © 2011 Bremer Financial Corporation. All rights reserved.

By Chelsey N. She should have died here Could have had time to talk It will happen tomorrow There are creeps everywhere One more word Ignore fools Leading to death Life isn’t easy One hour that was it It was made up An idiot told him Nothing at all

12S

Kids School Pages

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

PILLAGER

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Home of the Huskies Seventh grader wins contest Congratulations to Emma Litke for being the local winner in the Brainerd Elks Essay Contest.

She will go on to represent Pillager in the area competition. Congrats to her and her family, as well as her teacher, Mrs. Cibuzar. Please congratulate Emma when you see her.

She won $35 and a Rafferty’s gift certificate.

Hospitality takes to the forest Hospitality students are putting their every day classroom terms to work in the outdoor classroom. Recently they traveled to the school forest with the advanced forestry class to begin working on an amenity assessment resort amenity/ planning assignment. In the classroom, students began by searching Google Earth to view what imprint resort properties leave on the land.

By researching websites, students were able to find many examples of views from the air showing how worldclass resorts take advantage of their natural surroundings. Lists were created so students could contemplate what types of amenities their resort might contain.

With the understanding that every resort once started as a “vision” for a piece of property, students were given an aerial photo of the school forest and then set out to match it with what they actually see on the ground. Once reach-

The Pillager Booster Club Huskies of the Month for February are representatives of the National Honor Society and One Act Play. Jake Weizenegger has been the active National Honor Society (NHS) president. Jake is a leader amongst his peers and is always willing to volunteer his time. NHS Advisor, Sue Turner, states, “Jake exemplifies all four pillars of NHS: scholarship, leadership, character, and service. Thank you Jake for serving our school and community.”

Allison Brekke has been nominated for her assistance in the one act play by Coach Chloe Ihrke. Allison was very helpful during the one act season. She was always giving insights during practice regarding how people should speak and perform certain lines. She did so much of this that she earned the honorary title of Junior Director. Allison requested a small part in the play because “She can’t memorize a lot of line,” but each practice she was up on stage mouthing everyone’s lines along with them or correcting them when they miss spoke their own line. She was always ready to grab the script and show and actor where specifically in the script, it said to do something specific. She made every practice and her fun personality contributed to creating a fun atmosphere at practices and competition.

There was never a time that she was not smiling or giggling.

Kindergartners go on stage ing the forest, students began their resort journey by walking the trail to get a feel for what the property has to offer. Working in teams, the ultimate goal for this hike is to create their own vision to transform the school forest into a resort. As they traversed, they sought locations for the lodge, romantic cabins, spas, horseback trails, disc golf, fire pits and other types of amenities they saw in nature. Taking pictures and marking maps as they go, the forest visit brought this assignment to life!

Reading takes flight

(Left) The King, Krystal Murdock, and the Queen, played by Julia Johnson. (right) The class cast.

By Kinzie Agresto and Krystal Yoder On January 31, 2012, Mrs. Borchert’s fifth grade class did a play called “Wings for the King” by Anna Sroda. In the story, an adventure-seeking king, played

by Krystal Murdock, learns that reading can provide “wings” to see the world. The setting of a royal kingdom, designed by Devin Porter, Keegan Johnson, Cameron Gielow, and Chase Winterowd, and costumes by Andrea Torres, wowed the audience. Artwork and props, provided by Clayton Peterson, Hunter Derks, Blake Gardner, Travis Schaeffel, and Wyatt Strom, as well as sound effects by Adam Bolme, added to the realism They did it for fun and entertainment. When the class read the story in their reading books, they got interested in staging the production. They asked

Huskies of the Month

Mrs. Borchert if they could do the play production in their classroom for the other students in the elementary. Mrs. Borchert thought that it was a great idea and they used their reading class time to put the play together.

“I was so happy with my students’ performances. I didn’t know I had such actors in my class. It was exciting to see it all come together. They did a great job, the actors and my behind-the-scenes crew,” Mrs. Borchert said of her stud e n t s . Mr. Sandin added, “I was very impressed with the acting abilities of the cast in “Wings for the King.” I can’t wait for the DVD to go on sale!”

Andrea Torres, the costume designer, stated, “It was fun. It was different than our usual reading class. It was more visual. I liked it.”

3rd graders love to run at recess

I like to run in the mileage club because it is great exercise. - Jimmy W..

The mileage club is fun to challenge my friends with.

- Hunter G. I like to get feet with the mileage club. -Ally S. It keeps kids out of trouble at recess. - Brandon K. The mileage club is cool. -Macey W It is fun to run with your friends. - Hunter W.

Potters inspire young artists

By Lauren Hughes, grade 4 Mrs. Nordin’s class recently observed a high school art class make a clay sculpture. The 4th graders thought it looked like fun, so the high school art teacher, Mr. Devin, donated some clay to Mrs. Nordin’s class. The class started using it right away; making animals, pots, and other things. After the clay is baked, they will start painting the stuff that was made. The art will then be displayed for people to see.

M r s . Fredman’s class of 18 students will be performing their Family Program on February 24th at 1:30 p.m. This special event happens every year in Mrs. Fredman’s kindergarten classroom. Parents, grandparents, and preschool siblings are invited. The students are working on acting parts, narration lines, and songs. In one of the photos you will see some of the actors for the play The Enormous Turnip. In the second photo you will see some of the actors for the play Stone Soup. The program will conclude with illustrated pictures to the song, “It’s a Wonderful World”. The day will not be over at 3:00 for these youngsters. They will return to school that same evening so they can sing the national anthem at the boy’s basketball game.

I Love to Read Month 6th grade students become poets Elementary teachers put on a short skit for students about the importance of reading. The theme this year is “Building Reading Success,” which goes along with the construction of the new school building.

Many activities are planned in February to promote reading. There will be a student book swap, a family night of Bingo, Read My Hat day, a PTO Scavenger Hunt, Book Buddies between upper and lower elementary students, and a READ-A-THON day. Hard hat cutouts are being posted along the hallways labeled with each book that students have read. The goal is to reach the Media Center by the end of February. Students are excited to read as they build their language skills and see all the titles of books read along the wall. Walk down the elementary hallway and see doors decorated with favorite book selections of the different classes.

By Rebecca Swartz, Alexis Koland & Samantha Thomas We went on a fantastic roller coaster ride when Mr. Bob came to our classroom to teach us poetry.

We had lots of fun. He hung papers around our room to help us remember what we had learned each day, and he helped us learn how to make sentences into poetry. We all wrote poetry. Mr. Bob was awesome.

Artist Corner’s Featured Artist Josh Warren, 12th grade, earthenware clay

“The Trickster”

Kids School Pages

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

13S

Beyond the classroom Mrs. Holden's 5/6 Power Learners Club has taken field trips to the Dairy Queen, the Pine River State Bank, and the PRB Disc Golf course. The field trips are to let students experience what our area has to offer in entertainment and future employment. Highlights at the DQ included learning how

the drive through window works. Kristen Demars of the Pine River State Bank explained counterfeit money and even let the students see an out-of-circulation $1000 bill. Disc golf proved both challenging and fun.

Keep a clear mind!

What’s in a name?

Congratulations to the Pine River Backus fourth graders who just completed the drug and alcohol education program; KEEP A CLEAR MIND. It is a nationally recognized program that has been shown to be effective in helping fourth grade students develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills needed to resist drug use. The Class of 2020, designed their own tshirts which celebrate the fun things or “sparks” that they enjoy and use as their antidrug. If you have any questions regarding Keep a Clear Mind, please contact Kelly Felton, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist for the Working Together Coalition at 218-330-8129 or kelly@workingtogethercoalition.org.

Instant replay

The week of January 23-27 was National No Name Calling Week. The Elementary Student Council recited the Friendship Pledge on the daily announcements. All students in the elementary "planted" a flower in the Garden Of Kindness pledging to be friends to all, to stand up for others and to be kind in all they do and to everyone they meet.

An eruption of learning Fourth, Fifth and Sixth graders participated in our Pine River / Backus Elementary Stanley Cup finals in floor hockey.

Teams qualified to play in the event by advancing as the champions of their class and then to the championship for their grade. In this photo, several sixth grade students get a brief rundown of rules before they face-off in the big game. Wonderful sportsmanship and fun was had by all.

It’s dinomite!

Mrs. Goddard's 1st Graders had a "Dinomite" time creating their own dinosaur fossils!

Miss Richards’s Kinders had a blast learning about volcanoes!

Learning to give

14S

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Kids School Pages

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

RIVERSIDE

ELEMENTARY Thank You Para Professionals The Sta and Students of Riverside Elementary School would like to thank our Para Professionals for all their dedication and hard work. We appreciate you!!

Each and everyone of you is very special to Riverside. THANK YOU!

Kids School Pages

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

15S

Mission Statement St. Francis of the Lakes Catholic School, in cooperation with the family, is committed to challenging students to grow spiritually, academically and socially within a Catholic-centered environment.

STAR Students of the

Lakes Catholic School

OUR CHILDREN. OUR FAITH. OUR FUTURE. 817 JUNIPER ST., BRAINERD, MN 56401 WWW.STFRANCISCATHOLICSCHOOL.ORG

218.829.2344

S – Star Students T – Try Harder A – Act Christ-like and are R – Responsible and Respectful

Congratulations to our January STAR students: K—Andrew B. 1—Anika A. 2—Emily C. 3—Max O. 4—Malia H. 5—Olivia H. 6,7,8—Kristin R

Catholic Schools Week activities Student Staff Volleyball Game

Spelling Bee champion

Ice Skating

Diocese of Duluth division 1 spelling bee champion Kristen R.

Catholic Schools Week state student vs. staff volleyballgame with Fr. Steve.

Parent and child

Fish fry

Wacky hair day

All Proceeds Benefit St. Francis School

F riday nights: February 24 t h through March 3 0 th Everyone is invited to join us for an o ld-- f ashioned fish fry with s ides, lemonade, dessert and coffee. Event hosted by the students and families of St. Francis of the Lakes Catholic School.

St. Francis Catholic Church Social Hall (basement) 404 North 9th St., Brainerd, MN F ridays February 24 t h through March 30 t h 4 :30pm - 7:00pm Children <12 - $5.00, Everyone else - $8.00

If you would like to volunteer at a fish fry, please call 828-1050

Talent show Support YOUR local Catholic School!!

Buy a Raffle Ticket and

Grand Prize 2012 Ford Escape or $25,000 cash!

Thank you,

(2) Caribbean Cruise Packages (3) St. Paul Hotel Family Getaways (6) Apple iPads

(8) PlayStation 3 Move bundles (8) Amazon Kindle Fires (8) $200 Apple Store gift cards

students, staff and families!

In only 9 hours of bell ringing, our families raised a whopping

$329.14!

Annual

Catholic Schools Raffle!

Help us reach our goal of $500,000 For Catholic Education!

Must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a ticket. For complete rules, visit www.catholicunitedfinancial.org/links/raffle. MN gambling permit #X-92085-12-001.

All prizes TM of their respective brands. © 2012 Catholic United Financial. All rights reserved.

These activities brought to you by our Community Enrichment Committee

Call 829-2344 to purchase raffle tickets!

16S

Kids School Pages

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Staples

Brainerd Dispatch | www.brainerddispatch.com

Motley

Independent School District #2170 Family Access & E-funds on website

Spelling Bee The Staples Motley District Spelling Bee was held on January 26th at the Centennial Auditorium in Staples.

Students, Grades 5-8, were representatives of Staples Elementary, Sacred Heart, and Motley Elementary and Middle School. These students competed for an opportunity to attend “The Regional Lakes Bee,” in Brainerd on March 2, 2012 at the Tornstrom Auditorium. Regional champions will then move on to the 2012 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C.

Once again this year, we urge our parents to make use of our website (www.isd2170.k12.mn.us) and Family Access. Sports schedules, news items, handbooks, etc. are all on the web!

Family Access is a great way to keep in touch with the school and teachers. This feature allows you to monitor your child’s attendance, grades, lunch account and much more. Be sure to contact us at 218.894.5400 if you still need a password and instructions.

You can also pay your lunch accounts, activity fees and music rental, with check or credit card, through e-funds on our web site. Click on “Links” to find the site and follow the instructions to set up your e-fund account.

This year’s Staples Motley District Spelling Bee Champion was eighth grader, Jenessa Iverson and runner-up went to eighth grader, Sarah Marte.

Knowledge Bowl

2011 Polar Plunge Team!

Polar Plunge Staples Motley High School graduate Philip Smithley has committed to once again grin and "bear" it for the athletes of Special Olympics Minnesota by participating in the Brainerd Polar Bear Plunge on March 3, 2012. “The cold that I'll feel is only temporary; the positive impact we'll have on the lives of over 7,000 Special Olympics Minnesota athletes with intellectual disabilities will last a lifetime!” says Philip.

Philip has set a personal fundraising goal, and needs your help to reach it! He’s not asking you to take the Plunge, but is asking if you'll make a donation to Special Olympics Minnesota on behalf of his participation in the event. Any amount is appreciated.

Support Philip at www.plungemn.org/plunger/philipsmithleybr . For more information visit www.plungemn. org

By Cindy Swenson—Team Leader Our Motley Staples Middle School Knowledge Bowl teams are enjoying participating in the Round Robin Tournaments in Brainerd this year. At every Round Robin tournament, the day begins with each team completing a 60 question multiple choice written exam. Then, the teams compete in four oral rounds for the day. Ranking for the Round Robin tournament is determined by overall points earned when combining scores from the written and oral rounds. The three teams competing for MSMS this year include the Free Range Ninja Chickens, the P-Dubs, and Completely Random. Rankings after our second meet on January 17th are Free Range Ninja Chickens 10th, the P-Dubs 13th, and Completely Random 19th out of a total of 52 teams from the area. Go teams!

Sno Daze candidates

Front Row: Bobbijo Mathe, Maura Wilds, Jill Blessing, Matthew Spar, Zach Borders, Michael Strain, Back Row: Taylor Bissonette, Courtney Lisson, Brandon Flickinger, Grant Longbella.

Queesn Bobbijo Mathe and King Brandon Flickinger

I love to read Mr. Luksik being taped on the gym wall after the students met their reading goal last year!

Grants awarded The Staples Motley School District has been awarded two grants for the new Motley Family Center. The Otto Bremer Foundation awarded $50,000 to support the family center renovation. $20,000 was awarded by Bernick’s Family Foundation to help purchase indoor playground equipment.

Construction for the Motley Family Center is scheduled to begin this spring and to be completed prior to the school year start on September 4, 2012. Grant funds were sought to complete renovations and purchase equipment the school district would not have been able to on its own. An indoor playground, a summer lending library, parent education seminars, and open playground times for family access during winter months are just a few of the areas grant funds may be used.

“We are grateful to these two generous companies for recognizing the potential in this project and making a positive investment in our communities.

These funds will make it possible to add functionality to the family center beyond just classrooms,” said Mark Schmitz, Staples Motley School District Superintendent.

Area preschool families will be invited to a sneak peek of the Motley Family Center on May 19th at 10:30 a.m. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact the Staples Motley School District Office at (218) 894-5400.

February is I LOVE TO READ MONTH and Staples Elementary students are once again participating in a reading challenge. The students are able to take part in many fun and exciting activities both at school and at home. This year’s challenge is to have k-5 students read 2000 hours. If that happens, the top five students from each class will have the opportunity to help make a human sundae out of Principal Luksik.

3rd Grader dresses up as her favorite character – Judy Moody!