Imagination Bubbles Up At South Pines ‘Celebration’ Performers, Artists Make Learning Fun
In the back yard of South Pines Elementary, children dipped hula hoops into kiddie pools filled with bubbly soap.
As they slowly lifted the hoops out, a huge wobbly bubble emerged and floated in the air.
Friday’s over-sized “bubble blowing” was just one of the activities at the school’s Imagination Celebration last week. South Pines joined schools across the country in the annual celebration.
Several artists visited the school during the week, including a potter, a gem cutter and a chain saw sculptor, who carved figures out of blocks of wood.
“He did like bears and stuff,” said fourth-grader Autumn Worley, 10, who admitted she was a little bit scared when the chain saw revved up.
High school art students and performers - including Ferris High School’s Silly Sacks - came in to give presentations.
“This week is full of fun,” said fourth-grader Willie Hughes, 9.
Most of the presentations and artists’ visits were set up by parents, including Jean Hughes, Sandi Deccio and Sue Andre.
EV Odyssey of the Mind team wins
A team of fourth- and fifth-grade boys from East Valley School District qualified for the world competition of Odyssey of the Mind.
The boys took first place in the state contest in Yakima recently in the balsa wood structure building contest.
The boys were judged both on how much their structure could hold - 343 pounds - and on the creativity and imagination in their presentation. Dressed in black and white dog costumes, the boys incorporated their task into a skit about dogs teaching an obedience school for people.
The world competition takes place in Knoxville, Tenn., from May 24 to 27. On the team are: fifth-graders Joseph Svoboda of Trent Elementary and Stephen Hawker of Otis Orchards Elementary, fourth-graders Jeff Jenkins and Bryan Brennan and fifth-grader Stephen Cannon, all from Skyview Elementary. The boys are coached by Jim Nelson, who coordinates East Valley’s elementary school gifted program, and retired citizen Glenn Moosman.
Valley student serves as page
A Central Valley High School sophomore recently served as a page in the state House of Representatives.
Jessamyn Tichy, 16, was sponsored by state Rep. Larry Crouse, R-Spokane Valley.
As a page, Tichy was responsible for delivering messages and documents to legislators. She also continued her regular schoolwork for two hours per day. She is the daughter of Greg and Ann Tichy of Liberty Lake.
Valley student studies in Japan
East Valley High School sophomore David Antich is studying in Japan for four months as part of a foreign exchange program.
Antich will spend time with four different host families during his stay. His class activities include language, culture and literature. He is the son of John and Betzi Antich.
Valley students compete in national contest
Several Valley students competed in the national competition for the Distributive Education Clubs of America Friday through Wednesday in St. Louis.
The following students competed:
Giorgio Usai and Desiree Lockwood, both juniors at Central Valley High School;
Rebecca Stone, and Kit Moffitt, both seniors at University High School;
Heather Beese, Kyle Closs, Lisa Conners, Angela Ingram, Sasha Jordan, Shawna Lydon, Keli Nelson and Michele Weinman, all seniors at West Valley High School;
C.J. Amestoy, Kelly Cupp and Megan Buller, all seniors at East Valley High School, and Amber Sine, a junior at East Valley.
MEMO: Education Notebook is a regular feature of the Valley Voice. If you have news about an interesting program or activity at a Valley school or about the achievements of Valley students, teachers or school staff, please let us know. Write: Education Notebook, Valley Voice, E13208 Sprague, Spokane, WA 99216. Call: 927-2166. Fax: 927-2175.