Skyhawks Camp Gives Students A Kick During Spring Break

A dam LaSalle didn’t mind being at school during spring break.

“It’s not really school,” he explained before taking his turn on deck for a run-the-bases-backward kickball game.

LaSalle and dozens of others from Shaw and Garry middle schools and Regal, Bemiss, Whitman and Longfellow elementary schools took part in a four-day sports camp last week at Shaw that was hosted by the Skyhawks Sports Academy.

Skyhawks sports camps, held around the United States, teach kids different athletic skills as they play soccer, basketball, baseball and roller hockey. They usually cost participants up to $40, but for everyone last week, the camp was free.

“It’s a way not to have kids locked up in the house over spring break,” said Hub coordinator Sam Magnuson. “It gives them something positive to do.”

The camp was one of the many activities that are part of the Hub - Center for Activity, funded by the three-year, $2.1 million federal 21st Century Community Learning Center grant given to Spokane School District 81 last year. Extra art, science, music and sports classes are being held before and after school, when buildings are traditionally empty, to make the most of existing resources.

Last week, kids enjoyed playing sports and games like alien tag and shadow tag. Regal fifth-grader Alicia Kahler said she had a good time playing soccer and meeting new friends.

Magnuson said they had planned to hold two sports camp sessions, but low enrollment forced them to keep everyone together. Hub coordinators are planning three weeklong Skyhawks sessions this summer and hope for more participants.

Groundbreaking ceremony

Officials at Northwest Christian Schools, 5104 E. Bernhill Road, will kick off the beginning of their 50th-year celebration with a groundbreaking ceremony for a new activity center/gymnasium Saturday at 10 a.m.

The 12,100-square-foot gym will seat 1,300 and is part of a larger addition. The $1,440,000 project is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2000.

Last-chance open house

Calling all Browne Elementary School alumni! Your last chance to stroll the halls of your former elementary school is fast approaching.

School officials will hold an open house April 26 from 4 to 8 p.m. All are welcome.

“It’s a chance for people to say goodbye to a part of their life,” said Browne Principal Rodger Lake. “And that part will be over because the building will be gone.”

Demolition of the old building will start soon after school ends June 16. Though filled with a rich history, the old Browne cannot keep up with today’s needs, Lake said.

“It has a tiny gym, inadequate heating … but it’s still a part of people’s lives,” he added. “We want to give everyone a chance to relive old times.”

School officials hope Browne alumni will gather to swap old memories. One room will be set aside for memorabilia. Lake said there will be lots of pictures and artifacts to browse through from over the years .

Officials also will sell bricks from the old school.

Mead school boundaries

The Mead Citizens Boundary Review Planning Committee is hosting two community meetings to collect public comment on elementary school overcrowding issues.

Mead residents who could not attend Tuesday’s workshop are invited to attend the one tonight. Committee members will discuss Mead School District boundary guidelines, current and projected elementary enrollments, school building capacities and boundary change proposals, including potential changes for students at Colbert, Midway, Meadow Ridge, Farwell, Brentwood and Shiloh Hills elementary schools.

Boundary changes would not take place until the 2001-2002 school year, officials said.

The second workshop is tonight at 7 p.m. at the Northwood Middle School gymnasium, 13120 N. Pittsburg.

Fourth annual Eagle Run Saturday

Lakeside Middle School will hold its fourth annual 6.2-mile Bloomsday training run and a 3.1-mile fun run Saturday at 8:30 a.m.

Early packet pickup is Friday from 5-9 p.m. at Lakeside Middle School, 6169 Highway 291. Late registration is from 7-8 a.m. on race day.

Cost is $5. T-shirts will be sold separately for $10.

Lakeside to hold career fair

Lakeside High School will host a career fair April 20 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. More than 50 presenters are scheduled to attend this year’s fair, representing careers ranging from accounting and engineering to forestry and the military.

Students will choose four careers they are interested in and take part in 20-minute presentations on each.

G-Prep Rummage sale

A rummage sale will be held Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at 13220 E. Sprague near ShopKo in the Valley. All proceeds will benefit the Gonzaga Preparatory School class of 2000 senior all-nighter.