Finch Kindergarteners Go On Pumpkin Hunt In Green Bluff
Kaysie Caceres’ eyes are bigger than her head.
On a field trip to a Green Bluff farm, the Finch Elementary kindergartener was told to pick a pumpkin the size of her head, but the gourd she grabbed was far bigger than her bean.
Her response: a grin and a giggle. “It’s going to look like a turkey,” she said, cryptically.
The pumpkin hunt is an annual tradition in Finch teacher Gail Jesset’s class. This year, a bus of five-year-olds and their parents raided the Hidden Acres pumpkin patch at Green Bluff.
“They want to pick the biggest one they can,” said Jesset. “You should see them trying to walk with these huge pumpkins.”
On a crisp October morning last week, the kids bounced on a hay ride through apple orchards before being cut loose. They were told the birds and bees of apples before being allowed to pick one.
“They’re made from honey,” said Thomas Cleary, 5.
“They’re sweet,” said Cassie Earls, 5.
After carbo-loading with donuts and cider, the kids headed to the pumpkin patch.
“She’s been counting down the days,” said David Roberts, an architect who played hookey to escort his daughter, Katie.
Like runners at the gun, the class bounded - well, waddled - for their pumpkins. And, of course, overestimated the size of their heads.
Drama students attending festival
North Central and Mead High drama students are getting extra class time this weekend, as local professionals and teachers present the Inland Northwest Theater Arts Festival.
In its 14th year, the festival is a two-day stage for actors, directors and producers to encourage aspiring students. It will be at Mead High Friday and Saturday.
Mead High teacher Jim Brown is co-headlining a production of Neil Simon’s “Odd Couple” with Longview, Wash., drama teacher, Dana Brown.
The two Browns, who are not related, both graduated from Rogers High. They first acted the play in 1971 and toured the Inland Northwest. They are reuniting 25 years after the first production.
NC drama teacher Tom Armitage is bringing his students. Also hosting is Ferris High.
The play is Friday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 and are available at Mead High. For information, call 468-3050.
On Saturday, local professionals Melody Deatherage, Fred Chapman and Meagan Coffey will direct one-act plays. Students will be singing in a muscial production choreographed by Troy Nickerson.
Dinner benefits paralyzed student
Mead High students are still raising money for paralyzed senior Nate Eggers.
Students in Brock Taylor’s International Marketing class are hosting a family spaghetti dinner today in the Mead High cafeteria.
Free entertainment will be provided by Ron Severson, the “human echo” who was featured on the David Letterman show last month.
Eggers broke his neck this summer swimming at Loon Lake. A student-sponsored car wash and donation bucket raised $5,000 for Eggers’ physical therapy.
“We want to make as much money as possible for Nate,” said senior Christina Hoeck.
Requested minimum donation is $5 per plate. Dinner starts at 6 p.m. Call 468-3050 for more information.
, DataTimes MEMO: Education Notebook is a regular feature of the North Side Voice. If you have news about an interesting program or activity at a North Side school or about the achievements of North Side students, teachers or school staff, please let us know. Deadline is Monday. Write: Jonathan Martin, Education Notebook, North Side Voice, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. E-mail: jonathanm@spokesman.com. Call: 459-5484. Fax: 459-5482.