Snelling Connection Newsletter of the Hancock/Hamline University Collaboration
College Begins in Kindergarten!
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¡El Colegio Empieza en el Kindergarten! Kev Kawm Ntawv Qib Siab Pib Hauv Qib Ib! In This Issue: Former Student Returns
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The Dig Water Cycle
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From the Desk of...
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On the Issues
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Midway Library Update
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Volume 13, Issue 1
By Tessa Mortenson Editor en years ago, a 3rdgrader from Mrs. Porter’s class worked on a science project with her Hamline Hand-in-Hand buddy. “It was about birds and she
Jaamacadu waxaay kabilaamantaa Kindergarten
Former Hancock student comes full circle
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[the Hamline Hand in Hand buddy] had brought feathers for me to use,” Kristen Neff now fondly remembers. Neff, currently a firstyear student at Hamline University, now tutors at Hancock Elementary School in Mrs. Porter’s 3rd-grade class. Neff ’s return a decade later as a college student tutor to her former 3rdgrade classroom reflects the growth and development of the Hancock-Hamline Collaboration since its inception in 1991. Neff attended Hancock as a student from kindergarten to 6th-grade. “All of us went there, my whole family. We all had Mrs. Porter in 3rd-grade,” Neff said. Neff ’s older sister now attends Augsburg College but is pursuing her major at Hamline. One of Neff ’s
sister’s friends from Hancock college I had every intention now attends Yale. Neff of going to.” explained that many friends The Hancock-Hamline of hers from Hancock have chosen higher education. “They’re all off at different colleges.” Undecided as a major, Neff plans on getting a minor in Chinese. “I chose Hamline because I wasn’t planning on going very far. It offered Chinese, which I was looking for. It was a school that I always had been thinking of going to. Some of it has to do with Kristen Neff with her 3rd-grade science project how Hancock played a big part in connecting Collaboration supported with Hamline. It was a Neff ’s association with school I was comfortable Hamline during her with and already had some elementary years by background with.” familiarizing her with its Neff recalled a campus resources and conversation she had with potential college choice. her parents when she “I like the classes and announced her decision to the options I have [at attend Hamline University. Hamline]. It’s been here my “I don’t remember it, whole life and I’ve gone to but my parents said that I a lot of events at Hamline. came home one day and My first year swimming declared that I was going to FULL CIRCLE continued on Hamline, that this was the page 5 Fall 2009
Students excavate to uncover Hamline’s history
Hancock students Pau V Xiong and Daliang Xiong excavating with Hamline student Chris Winebrenner
borhood by learning about its history. “The main goal was to allow people to work together to focus on the history and wonder of archeology and the unknown of what we might find,” Popp said. The students were excavating the Hall of Science, which was built on Hamline’s campus in the 1880s. The building was torn down in 1971.
By Kiley Kootz, Hser Eh Htoo, and Lilly Yang Hamline student, Hancock editors
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amline and Hancock students banded together to participate in an archeological dig that took place in Hamline’s blue gardens on October 8. The dig is part of a class called Excavating Hamline History, which directly involves students in the digging process, and teaches them about the practices and methods used by archeologists. “I was excited to be able to get outside and learn through actions instead of just books,” said Cassy Popp, a second-year student at Hamline. Prior to the dig, students from Hamline visited a class of 6th graders at Hancock Elementary to answer questions and tell them what they could expect. Taught by professor Brian Hoffman, the course is a part of a larger community project geared towards developing a sense of identity in the neighHancock student Ieasha learns how to use a transit Page
Hamline students prepared for the excavation by learning about the process and how to use the tools they would need during the dig. “The preparations involved lots of measuring and planning,” says Cat Polivoda, a junior at Hamline. “Plus, there is SO much work that goes on behind the scenes with our professor, the TAs, and Hamline’s grounds crew,” said Polivoda. During the dig, students uncovered bits and pieces of the Hall of Science using real archeological tools. The screen was a favorite for Nasra, a 6th-grader at Hancock. Screening involves placing dirt on a screen and shaking it over a tarp, letting the grains fall through to reveal the artifacts that could be hidden in the dirt. Students moved from station to station, learning new things at each one. Sixth grade teacher Mr. Lein enjoyed observing the interaction between the Hamline and Hancock students. “It was awesome because it gave my kids a taste of what college was like,” said Lein. The general reaction was that everyone had a good time learning about the excavation process. “I learned that archeologists take a long time to find artifacts,” said Tamir, a 6th-grader in Mr. Lein’s class. Students of different ages coming together to learn about the history of the neighborhood can pose many potential obstacles. This, however, did not seem to be the case. “I think the students did a wonderful job and understood really well about archeology,” said Popp. “I was very impressed with their attitudes and abilities and would love to have them help again.”
Snelling Connection
Fourth grade students learn about the water cycle would go through first— students are wonderful to work with. sand or soil. After putting They’re super smart and fun kids.” water into containers of The next activity involved using a both sand and soil, the flower, specifically a white carnation students found that water that had been placed in colored water. went through the conFlowers get many of their nutrients tainer of sand faster than from water. Usually, this happens when the container of soil. water enters through the stem of the This got some Hancock plant. The plant absorbs the water 4th-graders thinking almost like a sponge (just not as fast!) critically about types of and delivers nutrients to the entire soil. Together, with a few flower. So when put in colored water, Hamline students, they the flowers soaked up not only the suggested that the best water, but the color too, turning the kind of soil for plants is flowers from white to red. probably the kind that After a long day with lots of handslets water travel through on learning, almost everyone could it slowly. This was was agree that the day had been a success. for the purpose of allow“Hamline students were both ing water to stay in the knowledgeable and helpful to Hansoil longer for the plants cock students. Most activities were to use. For example, hands on and enjoyed by all,” said Mr. Hancock student Noe Garcia with his drawing of the water cycle water moves too quickly Arone, a 4th-grade teacher. through sand making it By Siri Opsal and Madsion Hare difficult for many Hamline Student, Hancock editor plants to grow. My tongue is blue, my tongue is “It was fun workblue!” could be heard on Octoing with people older ber 1, 2009, as 4th-graders at than us. Then we can Hancock Elementary School were learn from them,” a visited by students from Hamline 4th-grade Hancock University’s Master of Arts in Teachstudent said. ing program, on a mission to explore Another activity, the water cycle together. learning about surface The Hamline students set up varitension, had students ous water stations in the Recreation guess how many drops Center for the 4th-grade classes. of water could fit on Hancock students had a fun time a single penny. After making their way around the room of charting these estiwacky experiments and demonstramates, an eyedropper tions at the different stations. The was used to determine hands-down favorite activity involved that nearly forty drops the consumption of a popular drink, of water could fit on a Kool-Aid, resulting in many students penny. with colored tongues. “I love how excited One of the stations taught students everyone is to learn about the movement of water through today,” a Hamline soil and sand, known as “percolation.” student said about the A Hamline student helps Hancock students Andreas Sanchez-Reyes They wanted to see which the water 4th-graders. “Hancock and Cheng Yang with their water activity
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Snelling Connection
Hser Eh Ht oo
From the Desk of...
My name is Hser Eh Ht oo and I am grade at Ha in 6th ncock Elem entary Sch favorite su o o l. My bjects are math, read gym. When ing, and I have free time, I like play games to on the com puter and h with my frie a n g out nds. I have been at Ha for four ye ncock ars now. I r eally like H because th ancock ey have nic e teachers like how Ha and I ncock conne cts with Ha mline.
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Lilly Yang
6th and I am in ly il L is e ool. Hi! My nam entary Sch m le E k c o c an since grade at H ncock ever a H t a n e e sses at I have b avorite cla f y M . n e t y free kindergar math. In m d n a m y g e s and Hancock ar with friend t u o g n a h to from e memory time, I like it r o v a f y all. M ted in play footb e participa w n e h w s a Hamline. Hancock w Festival at y a D h t r a the E
Deborah Shipp Hello! My name is Deborah Shipp. I am the Assistant Principal here at Hancock. I grew up in Milwaukee, WI. I went to Tennessee State University. I have two family members: My husband Howard and my daughter Shelby. Before I came to Hancock, I worked at Humboldt Jr. High. I feel extremely lucky to be here at Hancock. I’m learning a lot of new things. I love your motto, it’s the best and it’s 100% accurate; once you go to school, you are getting ready for college. My favorite book is the Passport Diaries. I love when kids come to me with problems. It’s my favorite thing to do to just be helping kids. If you ever need any help just stop by! Snelling Connection
On the Issues: Water Conservation
It’s 9:00 in the morning and you have already used about 100 gallons of water. However, in many countries, people use less than two gallons of water a day. When you water your garden, you use approximately 180 gallons of water. After asking many Hancock and Hamline students and staff, we learned about some efficient ways to support water sustainability. For instance, you should only take a five-minute shower in order to use between 25-50 gallons of water. —Sebastian Alfonso and Kiley Bigger
How do Hancock and Hamline students or staff conserve water? “Take 3-second drinks in the drinking fountain.” —Luke Whiting, 1st-grade student.
Luke Whiting
“We collect water from our downspout into a rain barrel. We use this water to water our plants.” —Carol Woodbury, support teacher for 2nd and 5thgrade. “Water your garden in the morning before it gets too hot.” —Stephanie Umolac, ELL teacher.
Stephanie Umolac
“Don’t wash your pants after wearing them only once. Get rid of squirt guns and water balloons, just use Nerf guns and Kush balls.” –-Dylan Anderson, junior at Hamline.
Dylan Anderson
FULL CIRCLE continued from front the dorms and seeing the cafeteria. Apart from beginning her first year Neff recollected, “You always talked at college, Neff was also eager to competitively was at Hamline when with your friends about how you start tutoring at Hancock this past I was in eighth grade,” she said. wanted to go to college. We’d talk September. Through the Hancock-Hamline about what our life’s goals were.” “I really wanted to go back and, if I Collaboration, Neff was able to could, work with a teacher I’d had nurture her interest in at Hancock.” swimming by using the Neff now has the opportunity Hamline pool during to benefit Hancock students in school hours. She now the same way Hamline students swims competitively on the benefitted her. Hamline University Swim As a tutor at Hancock, Neff Team. receives a lot of attention from As a former student, Neff students because of the fact that remembers how she became she is a former student. motivated to achieve a “They [the students] think college education while it’s very amusing that I went to attending Hancock. Hancock.They ask me what it’s “Around sixth grade they like at college and what it was like took us on a tour of the when I went to Hancock, which campus.” is cool.” Neff particularly remembers going through Kristen Neff, now a first-year student at Hamline University Page
Snelling Connection
Dear Hancock Huskies,
I have been very worried that the world is coming to an end in 2012. Please, can you tell me if it is going to end? Sincerely, Nervous Cat 345 Dear Nervous Cat 345, No, the world will not be coming to an end anytime soon. The only event that could seriously damage the earth would be a severe meteor shower, which is very unlikely. Some people thought that the world was going to end in 2000. However, that didn’t happen. David Stuart, a specialist in Mayan culture, says that the year 2012 is just a special anniversary of the creation of our world. Some calendars even go up to 4772 and more. Now you know, there’s nothing to worry about! It’s just another doomsday theory.
Midway Library Update
Last spring a Hancock student, Alexis Lynch, collected 200 signatures for a petition to keep the Midway Library open. Alexis sent the petition to the governor, the mayor of Saint Paul, and to Russ Stark, our city councilmember. Russ Stark wrote, “The recent proposed closure of the Hamline Midway Library elicited an overwhelming response from the neighborhood that the Library is a highly valued community asset.” A Hamline Midway Library association was formed to address the needs of the community and how to make the library a multi-purpose space. Suggestions are a movie theatre, health/ wellness center, technology or urban/green livingbased center. Their ideas will be presented to the City Council. The mayor has also included the library in his 2010 budget. It looks like Hancock and Hamline students will still have their library! -Glynis Grostephan
Meet the Hancock Student Editors Emma Walsh
Madison Hare
Hser Eh Htoo
Jesse LeClaire
Lilly Yang
Kiley Bigger
Sebastian Alfonso
Snelling Connection Contacts:
Editor: Tessa Mortenson, Collaboration Assistant, Hamline University student tmortenson01@hamline.edu Hamline Liaison: Pres Martin, Associate Dean, CLA and Professor of Biology pmartin@gw.hamline.edu 651-523-2290 Hancock Liaison: Deborah Shipp, Hancock/Hamline University Collaborative Magnet School deborah.shipp@spps.org 651-293-8715 Hancock Student Advisor: Glynis Grostephan, Hancock/Hamline University Collaborative Magnet School glynis.grostephan@spps.org 651-293-8715 Page
Snelling Connection