Hamblen Students Greet Congressman
Rep. George Nethercutt got the red (and white and blue) carpet treatment when he visited Hamblen Elementary fourth-graders last week.
Students in the classes of Diane Anderson and Jean Baublitz wore patriotic-colored clothes for the occasion, with many sporting stars and stripes. They greeted the Spokane Republican with applause and gifts as he walked into the room Friday.
Anderson met Nethercutt on a trip to Washington, D.C. He promised to visit her classroom.
“We can’t believe he’s coming here,” she said before he arrived. “We’re very excited.”
Students recited for Nethercutt the preamble and the first sentence of the Gettysberg Address. Jessica Young presented him with a primrose in a pot she’d decorated at home with an American flag and a dove.
“I was thinking he might like to have a plant on his desk,” she explained.
Nethercutt told a rapt audience the details of his job - he’s voted about 2,000 times in the past few years and represents nearly 550,000 people in Eastern Washington.
Then students had a half-hour to ask Nethercutt their toughest questions.
Do my mom and dad’s taxes pay your salary?
“Yes, they do,” Nethercutt said. “It’s hard to do this job for free.”
What do you think of attacking Iraq?
“It’s a very serious step that our country would take,” he told them. “The leader of Iraq is not a very nice person. Sometimes a country has to stand up really strongly and take a stand against people who kill other people.”
Have you ever run for president?
“No, I haven’t,” he said with a laugh. “This is sort of enough for me.”
Nethercutt said he tries to make regular visits to Eastern Washington classrooms when he’s home. His own children attended District 81 schools for years.
“It was a good experience, because we’ve been studying Washington,” said Sarah Breland, who led her class in reciting the preamble.
Students rushed the stage for autographs afterward. But Nethercutt left behind something even more important: his office phone number in Washington, D.C., and a final invitation:
“Don’t be afraid to call me,” he told the kids. “Tell me how to do my job better.”
Montessori introductions planned
District 81 will hold two information sessions regarding its popular Montessori program.
The alternative program for grades one through six uses multiage groupings and unique curriculum goals to promote learning.
Jefferson and Balboa Elementary schools serve as the district’s Montessori sites.
To have a child considered for the Montessori program, parents must attend one of the upcoming sessions.
The first is tonight, and a second will be held March 4. Both will begin at 7 p.m. and will be held in Board Room 101 at the district administration building, 200 N. Bernard.
Volleyball player honored
Ferris High School senior Marisa Blackshire was recently named the 1997 Gatorade Circle of Champions Washington High School Girls Volleyball Player of the Year. As a state winner, Blackshire qualifies for consideration for regional and national awards.
The award program honors top state high school athletes for athletic and academic excellence.
Cheney board will meet
The Cheney School Board will hold a special study session next week to discuss possible school board goals and a general update of district activities. No action will be taken at the meeting.
The session will begin at 5:30 p.m. March 4 at Windsor Elementary, 5504 W. Hallett Road.
, DataTimes MEMO: Education Notebook is a regular feature of the South Side Voice. If you have news about an interesting program or activity at a South Side school or about the achievements of South Side students, teachers or school staff, please let us know. Deadline is Monday. Write: Amy Scribner, Education Notebook, South Side Voice, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. E-mail: amys@spokesman.com. Call: 459-5439. Fax: 459-5482.