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Education Blackboard — March 11, 2010
SCHOOL BEAT
In three words
by BOB SIEGEL, Principal
Valley View Elementary
Most of the good things that happen at Valley View Elementary School are not my ideas! That may seem like a startling admission for a principal to make, but it’s humbly true. We are blessed to have many talented, bright and creative staff members and parents who are always coming up with new programs and projects that make our school family even better. I’ve learned to “get out of the way” of a powerful idea and lend support!
I was approached by a Valley View parent, Michelle Corey, to consider doing a Valley View project based upon the “In Three Words” piece done frequently on the Good Morning America television show. Michelle sent me a video clip from one of the shows as a starting point. Various individuals or groups of people show three words that capture the essence of their lives in many creative ways. For example, a new mother holding her baby holds a sign: “New Baby Born!”
Michelle presented the idea to “Team Valley View” at a faculty meeting, and the project was completely embraced by our entire staff. For the past two weeks, Michelle has been filming every possible group at Valley View doing their “In Three Words” piece. The end product will be a “gift” to our departing fifth-graders and their parents, and the sale of the “In Three Words” CD to Valley View families will be a fundraiser as well.
It’s been fun watching all of the various groups at Valley View buy into the concept and develop their three words. Everyone from the classroom teachers, to our cook, to the PTO Board, to our bus drivers were involved and did an “In Three Words” taping.
In the process of preparing for their piece of the video, I have watched students spend time with their teachers discussing what three words they want to use to represent and reflect their classroom family—their “motto,” so to speak. The discussion about which three words to use has been powerful!
Some examples of the “In Three Words:”
• bus drivers: “Drive Precious Cargo!”
• our secretaries Jo Beier and Wendy Carlson: “Different Every Day!”
• a fifth-grade classroom: “Return with Honor!”
“In Three Words”—what a simple concept, and yet profound in so many ways! I’ve always been struck by how the most powerful things in life are NOT complicated. Trying to capture what is the essence of your work—developing a philosophical statement—in just three words is extremely thought-provoking, and lends itself to defining what IS important!
So what might your three words be? I’m sure you’ve been asking yourself through the course of reading this piece what mine were—that’s simple: “Lead With Love!”
Rockford grads named to Deans Lists
Marie Elizabeth Albano of Rockford was named to the Niagara University academic Dean’s List for the fall 2009 semester. To qualify, students must attain a 3.25 academic grade-point average for the semester.
Rockford High School graduates are also among those earning a place on Alma College’s Dean’s List during the 2009 fall term. Students who achieve a 3.5 or better grade-point average during a term, while carrying a minimum of 13 credits, at least eight of which are evaluative grades, are named to the Dean’s List. Sophomores Christopher Welcher of Ada and Eric Borgeld of Belmont, and freshman Jennifer Pearson of Belmont all earned this academic honor.
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History comes to life at Valley View museum
Valley View Elementary was home to approximately 100 “Famous Americans” recently as they held their very first Wax Museum. Amelia Earhart, Albert Einstein, and even Walt Disney were in attendence. All
Valley View’s “famous Americans” enjoyed a day of living history.
fifth grade students were required to become their character, complete with costume, make-up, props and background as part of a school project which doubled as a fundraiser for their end of the year field trip. Coin boxes and tip jars were decorated to match their theme and the characters came to life when they heard the clink of money hit the bottom of their jar. Each prepared an interesting two minute speech and many of the kids found parallels with their famous person that they would not have learning about them in a history book.
Justin Jacobs and Alex Searl in their character costumes.
Dan Derksen had done this project at a past school and brought the idea to Valley View. He felt the kids would get much more out of learning about these amazing people in this way, and that it was a great way to get parents involved as well. Packed to the brim, the Valley View halls and gym gleemed with proud parents and smiling kids. It was a night to be remembered and hopefully repeated next year. Thanks for your hard work fifth graders.
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Crestwood Elementary’s Amanda Eslinger: an Example in Excellence
Known for her sunny smile and willingness to give
Amanda Eslinger, 10, is the daughter of Paul and Robin Eslinger and sister to Brianna. Amanda is known as a responsible person who sets high standards for herself.
Teachers at Crestwood Elementary School say that Amanda regularly goes out of her way to make a difference
in the lives of other students. She is quick to lend a hand when she notices someone who needs help, and is known for her caring attitude. A friendly student, Amanda is well liked by her peers and teachers.
Amanda volunteers her time at Crash’s Landing, a no-kill cat shelter. She spends six to nine hours each month helping to care for the pets there, feeding and watering the animals, or cleaning cages. She also enjoys giving loving attention to the cats until they find their new home.
Amanda strives to do her personal best in the activities she undertakes. Her sunny smile is well known at school and at home. Her determination to succeed is shown by her academic achievement. She has reached the Platinum level in Accelerated Reading, and was elected to student council in fifth grade.
A well-rounded student, Amanda also enjoys cheerleading, gymnastics, reading and playing games on her Nintendo DS. She is a member of the Rocket cheer team and also loves to ride her bike. Amanda attends Northlawn United Methodist Church. This positive and exceptional young woman is an Example in Excellence in all she does.
Examples in Excellence is a joint effort of Rockford Public School, Douglas Photography and The Rockford Squire newspaper. Students are chosen annually from each school in the district for their qualities of character and williness to help others.
Students are recognized at a ceremony each spring and throughout the year with a display of their portraits and biographies in the school administration office.
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Young, Bowen named to Dean’s Lists
Adam Young, a 2007 Rockford High School graduate, has again made the Dean’s List at Jacksonville University (JU) for the fall 2009 semester. Additionally, he has been hired by Delta Academy as a certified flight instructor at JU. With less than a year of school, Young will graduate with a BA in aviation management. As a flight instructor, he is able to log hours of required flight time with anticipation of being hired by a commercial airline as a pilot. Proud parents are Ken and Shirley Young of Rockford.
Austin Bowen
Austin Bowen, son of Mark and Lynn Bowen and a 2007 graduate of Rockford High School, is on the Michigan State University Dean’s List. He achieved a 4.0 grade-point average for the 2009 fall semester.
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Local students named essay contest winners
Essay contest winners (l–r) Grant Goodfellow, Annah Hillary and Katie LaBarge earn first-, second- and third-place awards for Assumption School in Belmont. All three received award certificates.
Three students from Assumption School in Belmont have been named local winners in the 41st annual America & Me Essay Contest, sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance.
The three students who earned the first-, second- and third-place awards for their school are Annah Hillary (first place), Grant Goodfellow (second), and Katie LaBrage (third). All three received an award certificate for their achievement.
As the school’s first-place winner, Hillary’s name will also be engraved on a plaque for permanent display in the school.
Hillary’s first-place essay now advances to the state-level competition, from which the top 10 essays in Michigan will be selected. The top 10 statewide winners, who will be announced in April, will each receive a plaque, a medallion and a cash award of $1 ,000. In addition, the top 10 essayists will be honored at a banquet in Lansing, meet with Michigan’s top governmental leaders, and be the featured guests at a Lansing Lugnuts minor league baseball game dedicated in their honor.
A team of finalist judges—including a top Michigan government official and the sponsoring teachers of last year’s top two statewide winners—will determine the ranking of the top 10 statewide winners this year.
Several thousand eighth-grade students from nearly 500 Michigan schools participated in the 2009-2010 America & Me Essay Contest, which was conducted with the help of Farm Bureau Insurance agents across the state. The topic of the 2009-2010 contest was “My Personal Michigan Hero.”
Started in 1968 and open to all Michigan eighth-grade students, the contest encourages Michigan youngsters to explore their roles in America’s future. As sponsor of the contest, Farm Bureau Insurance has earned 11 national awards from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge.
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