Stevens elementary students create documentary on bullying

Stevens Elementary School students are taking a stand against bullies.

With the help of a $6,000 federal Learn and Serve America grant, students at the school created a documentary called “Bully Busters.”

Fifth- and sixth-grade students spent all year filming and editing the documentary in an effort to bring awareness to the subject.

The project was led by teachers Mari Clevelend and Heidi Harding, and counselor Kendra Billig.

“We were frustrated with the fact that so many of our students are suspended because of their violent behavior,” said Cleveland, who teaches sixth grade.

During the 2004-2005 school year 170 disciplinary actions were issued for students, according to data provided by Spokane Public Schools. Of those, 163 were suspensions.

The three Stevens educators applied for the three-year grant, and then brought the idea of doing a documentary about bullying to students.

They used the results from a yearly survey showing the number of students who feel bullied, who don’t feel safe at school or don’t feel safe to go to the bathroom, Cleveland said. “We brought that to them and said what can we do?” Cleveland said.

With funding, the school was able to purchase two video cameras, two cameras and a computer for editing the project. They also enlisted the help of AmeriCorps volunteer Erick Cleveland, who is also Mari Cleveland’s son.

“He’s been our techie,” Cleveland said.

Next year, the money will be used to form leadership groups for students, and create additional footage.

The students will present this year’s completed documentary to the public tonight at 7 p.m., at The Service Station, 9315 N. Nevada St. The event is free. Donations of canned food will be accepted for the Mead Food Bank.

WAVE scholars announced

Five Spokane Public Schools students received Washington Award for Vocational Excellence scholarships last week.

The WAVE scholarships provide students with undergraduate tuition for four semesters or six quarters at colleges and universities in Washington state.

This year’s scholars listed by school, and followed by area of study, include:

North Central High School: Alicia Kahler, business

Lewis and Clark High School: Conrad Sykes, computer programming

Spokane Skills Center: Ashlee Milenewicz, automotive; Branden Ogorek, collision repair; and Joelle Sturgeon, nursing.

The WAVE program was created in 1984 by the Washington Legislature to recognize and reward students who excel in career technical education. The award is administered by the Washington State Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board. Three winners are selected from each legislative district across the state.

Westview recognizes citizenship

Several Westview Elementary School students were recognized last week during the school’s character counts celebration.

Each month students who model a character trait assigned for that month are honored by their teachers. The six character traits in the character counts program include respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, citizenship and caring.

This month the students were honored for exemplifying citizenship, school officials said. The students, listed by grade, are as follows:

Kindergarten: Julian Gonzalez, April Hotrum, Wacekiyawi John, River Thomas, Timofey Voloshenyuk and Matthew Walker.

First grade: Natalie Barcklay, Emmaleigh Chobot, Jonathan Day, Angel Moore and Selena Shaw.

Second grade: Londa Shoupe-Brommer, Benjamin Davis, Melina Mendoza, Shawna Sykes and Jordan Thompson.

Third grade: Nick Bryant, Madysen Ellis, Madi Millholland, William Rackliff, Derek Thompson, Sammy Tovar and Jacque Villa.

Fourth grade: Shaila Facer, Ciera Mangis, Samantha Reynolds and Kyle Szep.

Fifth grade: Silhouette Hale, Joey Katruska, Alycea Lockridge and Shania Wilson.

Sixth grade: Amy Bledsoe, Evan Colwell, Marina Kozyan, and Keara Rypien.

Math wizards compete at NC

The North Central High School Math Club announced this week winners from the school’s first Math Triathlon.

The students are:

Le Yang Fu, first place; Charles Du, second; Mackenzie Krell, third; Steve Hicks, Dan Healey and Zack Zappone, honorable mention.

Test questions for the event were supplied by Harvard University, MIT, Stanford and Princeton, school officials said.