Valley Christian students plan program to honor veterans
A CHOIR OF ABOUT 250 Valley Christian School students will salute veterans Thursday.
With a program called “Sing America Sing,” the tribute will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Veterans Day at the school to honor those who have served or are in the military. Veterans and the public are invited.
The students in first through 12th grades also will spotlight one person as their honorary veteran, Michael Heden, who is serving in Iraq. He is the husband of a teacher and father of three children at Valley Christian.
“Our goal is to thank veterans and to salute and recognize people in all branches of the military, present and past,” said Bobbie Worley, a co-director.
“We’re excited about the program and to teach about patriotism and service.”
Later the same day, about 50 of the students will perform part of the Veterans Day singing at Union Gospel Mission as a service project, said Worley. “The Union Gospel program has a different feel. Many of them are veterans and usually we have a pretty tearful program, but every year we’re glad we do it.”
The program’s overall director is Lois Taylor and another co-director is Rick Taylor. A soloist performer is high school student Chris Bolster. During a skit portion of the performance, four elementary students will be featured. They are Katie Merrick, Peter Underhill, Nicole Westberg and Daniel Sipko.
A full military color guard also will be a part of the school program, which is free to the public and will last about an hour. The school is at 2303 S. Bowdish Road.
Summit students try old-school style
Summit School fifth- and sixth-graders spent three days this week living colonial style at Ross Point Camp in Post Falls. The Central Valley school, which offers an alternative theme-based learning curriculum, received an Educational Service District 101 grant to do the project as part of a fall study on colonial times.
About 65 students did hands-on activities such as dipping candles, baking bread in Dutch ovens, churning butter, weaving and making corn husk dolls. The students spent part of the time in a one-room schoolhouse setting, with much writing and poetry memorization, to re-enact colonial school days.
About 20 parents also volunteered to help at the colonial camp. The school teachers involved in the project included Scott Lempka, Aron Watt and Kristi Amend.
Teacher wins a top U.S. award
A Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching was awarded recently to West Valley fourth-grade teacher Heather Jordan. She teaches at Orchard Center Elementary.
Established in 1983, the award identifies outstanding mathematics and science teachers in grades kindergarten through 12.
The Presidential Award is the highest honor bestowed by the United States government for classroom teachers in math and science. Jordan was chosen as one of three state finalists for this award. If selected from the three finalists, she will represent Washington state at the national conference in Washington, D.C.
CV has Rumblers, not mumblers
The Central Valley High School Debate Team attended the Rookie Rumble at Lake City High School Oct. 29 and 30. Novice team members who received recognition include:
Chris Johnson and Christofer Koch, fourth place in Cross Examination Debate
Marissa Norton, second place in Impromptu Speaking
Megan Klegin, first place in Interpretive Reading
Dustin VanOrman, third place in Humorous Interpretation
Danielle Jones and Marissa Norton, finalists in Dual Interpretation
Colleen Conzelman and Kayla Lockhart, third place in Dual Interpretation
Ashley Vavrosky, first place in Dramatic Interpretation, top point earner in Student Congress and recipient of the Student Choice Award in Student Congress.
The CVHS debate team is coached by Roberta Rice. The assistant debate coach is Susan Dolan.
Knights of the auction table
A Nov. 12 auction at East Valley High School will benefit sports teams and activity clubs.
The Knight at the Auction will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the school, 15711 E. Wellesley Ave. Each club or team gathered almost 300 items from community businesses to auction in silent and live auction formats.
The cost is $5 at the door or tickets can be purchased from a senior parent. All proceeds will go to the clubs or teams involved.