Kids’ Visit Brings Cheer To Patients, Hospital Staff

You could hear 6-year-old Katie Dotson coming. Dong-da-da-dong-dong-da-dong went her cowbell, ringing through the halls of Holy Family Hospital as Dotson wandered in her cowhide costume, in search of candy.

“These kids are just darling,” said Nona Barnett, a great-grandmother volunteering at the hospital Tuesday.

To add some cute cheer to the lives of patients and staff at Holy Family, Lidgerwood Elementary students dressed as Pocahontases, Ninjas, calculators, clowns and Dr. Doom paraded through the hospital halls.

Alicia Wheeler, 6, dressed as a princess, was on the scope for M&Ms but found mostly health food. Along with the low-fat popcorn, apple juice and granola were a few peppermint candies and Tootsie Pops, but even the good stuff was accompanied by a toothbrush.

As they filed through the halls, the princess waved to patients in the oncology wing. “She makes my day,” said a patient named Dean.

The day was planned by Lidgerwood and the hospital for the benefit of both parties. Halloweeen is a notoriously bad day for teaching; students climb the walls with sugar and anticipation for the coming night.

Second-grade teacher Michal Frye had her class making headbands for their Indian costumes to complement the paper-bag vests they made last week.

“This class is just so cute,” said Frye, dressed in a vest and headband herself.

Amanda Tremblay, 6, found her fellow students’ sugar craving a bit trying. Dressed as a green M&M, she was nibbled on as her class walked to the hospital.

“Almost the whole class tried to eat me,” she said, exasperated.

Shadle, Browne teachers honored

Shadle Park High School’s Jaki Lake and Browne Elementary’s Mary Ann Keith were named distinguished teachers of the quarter by District 81.

Lake, an English teacher, oversees the school’s prize-winning yearbook program. Shadle Park principal Mike Dunn is Lake’s former student.

Keith, a second-grade teacher, has been an educator for 19 years.

Mead surveys parents

In response to the LSD overdose of junior high school students last year, the school district conducted a survey of 2,544 parents.

The results were released last week. Among the responses:

Parents of high schoolers gave their children an average of $69.19 per month.

Ninety one percent of parents of high schoolers would let their children go to a concerts, although some stipulated just Christian artists or shows with reserved seating.

Eighty-five percent of parents of high schoolers thought their children had not tried drugs.

Eighty-six percent of parents of elementary school students limit their children’s TV-watching time.

Eighty-nine percent of parents of junior high school students thought their children liked school.

Life outside school

Students at Garry Middle School are hosting a ball for neighborhood senior citizens from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.

The event is an attempt by school resource officer Duane Willmschen to make teens more aware of their larger community.

Music will be provided by the Bob Curnow Big Band.

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MEMO: Education Notebook is a regular feature of the North Side Voice. If you have news about an interesting program or activity at a North Side school or about the achievements of North Side students, teachers or school staff, please let us know. Write Jonathan Martin, Education Notebook, North Side Voice, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. Call 459-5484. Fax 459-5482.