Shadle Computer Students Offer Teacher Infobahn Tips

Shadle Park High School teacher Don Story once had lots to teach students in his computer technology class.

But seven months after his students first started using the Internet as a classroom tool, several of them have lapped his programming knowledge.

Instead of offering his students the secrets of computer language, they are giving Story tips on the best ways to create computer art and link it with text on the World Wide Web, the easy-to-use offshoot of the Internet.

“Sometimes I just marvel at them,” Story said.

“That’s one of the best things about class; I learn as much as the kids.”

Story handed his students the keys to the language last spring, when his class first published on the World Wide Web a Shadle Park “home page,” an on-line brochure linking pictures and words.

Those keys have unlocked a creative universe for students such as sophomore Gordie Haakstad. Monday, he proudly showed off a holiday update to the home page that included pictures of a snow-covered Christmas tree and smiling snowmen.

“Awesome,” admired junior Dani Harwood.

Story runs a free-form class that has students learn the programming language “html” - the language that dominates the World Wide Web - and then lets them put it to use. Computers and software for the class were donated by Microsoft.

Story monitors students to make sure they complete their weekly list of goals and stay away from inappropriate areas. But creativity is encouraged over rules.

Each student creates his or her own home page to reflect interests or personality.

Junior Khoi Nguyen’s page, The Unknown, asks perplexing questions: “Why do they put Braille dots on drive-up ATM machines?”

Some of the students’ class time has been spent on home pages for Spokane non-profit organizations.

Junior Ryan Lohr completed a page for the public broadcasting station KPBX and went an extra mile to get background information on the station and offer a direct connection to programs such as “Morning Edition.”

“I think it’s easier to learn by doing it, by being able to make my own mistakes,” said Harwood. “It helps me figure it out on my own, to get through the processes.”

Nyugen said Story’s class is his favorite because he has an investment in his homework. Rather than just turning in a paper that one teacher will read, his friends in Norway, where he just moved from, or relatives in his native Vietnam could see his work.

“We can say everything in life is a phone call away,” said Nguyen, who is setting up a computer to give all the students in Story’s class an e-mail address.

“Soon we can say life is an e-mail away,” he said.

Eight commended scholars

Eight North Side students have been named National Merit Commended Scholars. They missed the cut for higher honors but still rank in the top 15 percent of the nation’s graduating seniors.

Those students are:

Daniela Paparella, Rogers; Jason Borhauer, Steve Dixson and Amy Sawatsky, all of Shadle Park; and Jillian Anderson, Joy Crosby, Cynthia Morris and Cara Russell, all of North Central.

Kinko’s helping schools

Kinko’s North Division branch is offering free services to Whitman and Stevens elementary schools as part of its adopt-a-school program.

The program provides free copies to teachers to help “alleviate some of the burden placed upon teachers so they can focus on other important issues,” said branch manager Glenda Voelker.

Teachers at the schools will also receive a 20 percent discount on other Kinko’s services, such as printing.

Santa will be there

Santa is making an appearance at the Lake Spokane Elementary winter bazaar from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the school, 6015 State Highway 291.

The bazaar will feature crafts, lattes and hot chocolate for sale, and free gift wrapping and cookie decorating for children.

Tickets for a bazaar raffle - at cost of four for $1 - are on sale at the school. Among the 100 raffle items donated are a $25 gift certificate to Luigi’s Italian restaurant, four free hours of day care, three pies and an ice scraper.

Call the school at 466-4053 for more information.

Midway needs costumes

Don’t pack away your Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum Halloween costumes - Mead’s Midway Elementary needs them.

The school is requesting the loan of several costumes for a music review with a Disney theme. Among the other costumes needed are Pinocchio, Snow White, servants, Belle and Gaston, Mary Poppins, chimney sweeps, Alladin, Jasmine, Pocahontas, John Smith, Davey Crockett and White Rabbit.

Call Pat Thompson at 469-9142 or Debbie Brown at 466-6644 for information.

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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. E-mail: jonathanm@spokesman.com (No hyphen). Call: 459-5484. Fax: 459-5482.