Classes Focus On Self-Respect

When Jim McConnell starts talking about educating his students, you can almost hear “God Bless America” in the background and smell the cinnamon in the apple pie.

As the new principal at Riverside Middle School, McConnell has started new classes to “re-instill good values” that he believes are lacking in most students.

“We’re not talking about anything strange. We’re talking about opening doors for people, looking people in the eye, being respectful to adults,” said McConnell.

A half-hour per day, students learn how to respect themselves and others, the importance of working hard and about individual responsibility. Students are graded on their participation in class. Little or no homework is assigned.

According to teachers Julie Taylor and Jackie Edwards, those nebulous concepts can be at times like chasing a chicken around a hen house - a lot of energy is spent on an elusive target.

They spent countless summer hours developing lesson plans for the classes, asking themselves the best way to teach self-respect and pride.

“These kids are still moldable,” said Edwards. “You

may not get through to all of them, but, well, at least they pretend to listen.”

McConnell believed the class important enough to shift the school from a seven-period-day to a six-and-a-half period day.

He knows some parents may have problems with schools teaching controversial subjects like self-esteem. He has explained to concerned parents that the class is meant to give students discipline and self-respect.

He introduced the idea at a first-day assembly and gave students an example of the kind of behavior he was looking for.

A few days before school started, Noah Baker, a seventh-grader, found a teacher’s wallet in a hallway. He turned in the wallet with cash and credit cards untouched.

“That’s what I think we need more of,” said McConnell.

Something to cheer about

While at the United Cheerleading Association summer camp at Eastern Washington University this summer, the Rogers High School cheer squad found something to really shout about.

The Rogers team was voted by other cheerleaders at the camp as the cheer squad they most wanted to be on, according to cheer coach Georgette Summers.

“They work and work, and this really gives them some affirmation,” said Summers of the 13 cheerleaders who attended the camp.

The Rogers cheerleaders who attended the camp were: Amber Russell, Danielle Negriff, Shauna Anderson, Jaime Wintherroth, Tina Karsen, Leslie Stone, Carlene Krebs, Jessica Guernsey, Jackie Findlay, Annie Cotter, Andrea Coms, Michelle Bossio and Julene Black.

Getting a jump on things

Before the start of the Highlander Invitational cross country meet Saturday at Shadle Park High School, a few non-contestants will get a jump on the runners.

Five paratroopers from Fort Lewis will parachute onto the track before varsity races starting at 10 a.m. The parachuters, invited by Shadle Park cross country coach Randy Lothspeich, perform aerial stunts, including forming a five-pointed star in mid-air.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo