Kids Launch Into Learning From ‘Space Station’ Roosevelt Students Boldly Go Into Studies Out Of This World

Maybe they should call it Mars Elementary.

For almost a month, the halls of Roosevelt Elementary have been lined with visitors - aliens with green and red feathers, aliens from Jupiter named Gumshoe.

Tiny flying saucers, looking suspiciously like hand-painted foam plates, hang from the ceiling, darting in circles with the slightest breeze.

Roosevelt has been temporarily dubbed “Space Station Roosevelt,” transformed into an extraterrestrial zone as part of the districtwide Imagination Celebration.

But while the celebration lasted only for the first week of March in most schools, Roosevelt turned it into a monthlong study of all things galactic.

“Everything has been really connected,” said teacher Linda Graham. “Usually, Imagination Celebration was one week of assemblies that weren’t related. We wanted to try something different.”

With the help of several parent volunteers, teachers have woven space into their lessons all month.

“We were hoping to kind of combine the science, art and music,” said parent Phyllis Meyer.

And they did.

Teresa Sauther’s music classes wrote lyrics about adventures in space. Visitors ranging from Cheney astronaut Michael Anderson to local poet Ken Nesbitt made landings in Roosevelt classrooms.

Graham’s second-graders studied the phases of the moon, then mixed geometry and fun by concocting robots made from geometric shapes.

Seven-year-old Lawrence Kane’s robot sported soda bottles for legs, its arms tipped with aluminum foil pinchers.

“We thought he could use them on St. Patrick’s Day,” he explained.

The gold robot belonging to Bailie Elder, also 7, sat on a scooter.

“Then I thought it would need a job, so we made it a veterinarian,” she explained. Indeed, the robot holds a Tylenol bottle in one hand and is accompanied by Pluto, a black and white dog.

Students and parents capped off their studies last week with “Starry, Starry Night,” a night of space adventures. Lewis and Clark High School students and physics teacher Larry Elsom set up telescopes, and members of the Spokane Astronomical Society were on hand to talk space.

Computers offered interactive CD-ROMs.

A rocket-launch exercise in the cafeteria proved a big hit. Students mixed Alka-Seltzer and water in a film cannister and watched it fly.

“When I was a kid, I loved space,” said Graham. “And we’re finding that kids are still very interested in the true facts of space. And the aliens, too.”

Speaking of Roosevelt…

Roosevelt’s fourth annual “Deals and Desserts Auction” is coming up tonight at the school, 333 W. 14th. The fun begins at 6:30 p.m., with a preview of both silent and oral-auction items.

Up on the auction block this year: an RV getaway weekend, a Schweitzer condominium for a weekend and several arcade games.

Proceeds fund special programs in the school not covered by district dollars.

“The money goes to computer programs, reading programs, bringing in special speakers … you name it,” said parent Karen Marshall.

Some funds are also donated back into classrooms so teachers can spend the money on what they need.

“It’s a way of appreciating them and saying thank you,” said Marshall.

Parent Cindy Hatch said last year’s event raised $6,000 for the school. This year, organizers hope to at least match that.

“We could go as high as $8,000 to 9,000,” she said.

Speaking of auctions…

The Lewis and Clark High School Booster Club will hold its annual auction, “Everything’s Coming Up Tigers,” this Saturday. The evening at Mukogawa Commons, 4000 W. Randolph Road, will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a no-host social hour and an auction preview followed by dinner at 7 p.m.

The auction will follow dinner.

Up for bid this year are assorted artworks, theme dinners, LC Tiger paraphernalia, a day of fly fishing, and a cruise on Lake Couer D’Alene.

For reservations, or to make a donation, call LC at 353-4520.

Cheney group to sponsor workshops

The Cheney Community Substance Abuse Council is sponsoring two parent workshops next month aimed at strengthening family communication.

The council, made up of district parents and teachers in each school, will present both workshops with the help of community donations. Both are free and open to the public and will take place beginning at 7 p.m. in the Cheney High School Little Theater.

Next Thursday is “Parent Party Patrol.” This panel discussion will discuss how parents can stop unchaperoned parties and will give parents the tools and education to combat inhalant and substance abuse.

Panel members will include a registered nurse, a police officer, an insurance agent, a Liquor Control Board agent and a parent.

On April 21, teacher, coach and counselor Rolfe Carawan will give suggestions for building strong families and being positive role models. Carawan is a Seattle-based speaker, recognized for his work with juvenile gangs in San Diego.

Ferris debaters move on to nationals

Ferris High School debaters and juniors Dan Rinehart and Andy Rigsby have qualified for nationals in debate to be held in St. Louis. Rinehart qualified in Lincoln-Douglas debate, and Rigsby in dramatic interpretation.

G-Prep youths to aid hunger project

Many students head south for spring break seeking sun and relaxation. Two South Side Gonzaga Prep students will spend their spring break working at the Heifer Ranch in Arkansas.

Kathleen Davey, daughter of Mike and Peggy Davey, and Becky Gaffney-Brown, daughter of Joe and Mary Gaffney-Brown, are two of nine Prep students who will paint fences, care for livestock and clean barns.

The trip is through Heifer Project International, a non-profit Christian organization that helps educate people on the problems of hunger and poverty.

Students will also spend two nights in the ranch’s “global village,” which includes six houses representing resources and economic levels from different parts of the world.

, 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.