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Show AMERICAN FORK CITIZEN Thursday, December 7, 2006 i as; Page 4 nm p JEWS AND IDEAS Barratt Elementary students practice virtues Trixie Walker Academics are not the only imX)rtant subject at Harratt Elementary. Students are also taught to have empathy, self -control and other virtues through tlx- Monthly Virtue program, sxmsored by the ITA. I'l A president Angie Mc-I Mc-I nty re said that when the ITA found out the school was getting get-ting a new principal this year, I'l A rncmliers discussed some of the ideas and programs they w anted to see put in place. "lYincipal (Hrent) Palmer said he really liked this rh gram and had used it at his former school," she said The program is based on the Ixxik. "Huildmg Moral Intelligencer by Michele iorha. I'almer said he learned alout the Virtue program at a principals' conference held a few years ago. "I heard the author speak and investigated her book." he said. "I liked it hecau.se it is not controversial; it teaches virtues that we can all agree on." The IxKik lists seven virtues that teachers and parents can work on with their students empathy, conscience, self-control, self-control, respect, kindness, tolerance, tol-erance, and fairness. I'almer said he previously supH)ited the program at Orchard Or-chard Elementary School in ( rem for two or three years. "It helps to change the culture cul-ture and climate of the school," he said. "The program has a good effect after several years." Posters lisling the seven virtues have been posted in the classrooms, and teachers refer to them during class activities so that the virtues Ix-come meaningful to the students. "When students have squabbles squab-bles we go back to the list of virtues," I'almer said. "We ask the student, which one didn't you follow? After a while it Ix-comes part of the kids' vo- SHELLEY a'1' ... a-VLctt AW- VI; ; . i vn t. L Courtesy photo Winners of the Reflections Contest at Shelley Elementary are, front row, I to r,: Terron Mechum (Visual Arts), Joe Corbridge (3-D Art), Andrew Hull (Music), Rebecca Buldwin (Literature), Maya Olsen (Photography and Visual Arts), Hannah Doyer (Dance), Anthony l.lison (Music); second row: Middle row: Suzie Pilkington (Theuter), Rehekuh Mecham (AD Art), Emily Herzog (Dunce), Paige l urnsworth (Visual Arts), Spencer Thomas (Literature), Hunnah McBride (Photography), Sierra Olsen (Visual Arts), Ethan Johnson (AD Art), Cameron Thomas (Visual Arts); back row: Seth Corbridge (3D Art and Music), Sam Corbridge (Photography and Music;, Cole Eurnsworth (Literuture), Ryan Hull (Music), Abby McBride (Photography), Braydan Bezzant (Literature), Hayden Johnson (3D Art), and Brittany Den (Photography;. Not pictured are Mackenzie Allen (Literature)and Suhnnu Boycr (Dance). AFHS students complete Nikki Bohne i IKIM i I .mm MAII American Fork High SchxI students take the Christmas spirit to the next level by completing com-pleting holiday service projects that benefit their school, community com-munity and state. "This holiday season the class Ls tackling three major projects: toys for Schreiner's hospital, Santa letters and a local f(xxJ drive," said Fori Mendez, a Resource, F.SL and Caveteam teacher at American Fork High School. Caveteam is a year round class dedicated to creating projects to benefit the school and the community . This course fulfdls elective credit and Ls open to anyone who Is interested in signing up. "Typically, the only types of people who get to do these FROM CLASSROOMS AND EDUCATORS n 4 ", W-.M WIMV NT TRIXIE WALKERNorth County Melissa Mendenhall, a fifth-grade teacher, watches as students conduct the class morning meeting. Michael Uodtcher is listening us students discuss their experiences trying to live the virtue of the month. cabulary. "It's amazing to hear students, stu-dents, especially the younger ones, use words like empathy. Parents tell me, 'Lxk what my kids are doing.'" Mclntyre said that students focus on one virtue per month. "The teachers discuss the virtue daily in their class with the children," she said. "In the morning announcements, our student council reviews the virtue for the month and gives an example." The school entry way displays dis-plays a bulletin board, designed by ITA member Jodi Shurtz, for each month's virtue. In addition, ad-dition, a portion of the monthly ITA newsletter explains the new virtue for the month and gives parents ideas of ways to encourage the development of the virtue at home. "Each month, each teacher chooses a "Virtue Student of the Month" for that month's ' REFLECTIONS CONTEST IIS.-. i ' types of service projects are the SHOs." said Mendez. "But for this class they get to sign up if they want to be involved in service." livery month these students tackle projects such as Red Riblxm Week, Halloween Hallways Hall-ways and even fundraisers for those in need. "The students are particularly particu-larly excited about the projects which specifically help the community, such as the Santa letters," said Mendez Each member of the class will participate in these upcoming upcom-ing projects through collecting cans for the food drive, sewing blankets and stockings for the hospital and responding to the letters from the post office, , which were written to Santa by children throughout the area. Every project teaches each student valuable lessons. . 1'' "M virtue," Mclntyre said. "A picture of the students of the month is hanging by the entrance en-trance to the office." Fifth-grade teacher Melissa Mendenhall said that the program pro-gram has really helped her students to be more respectful and kind. "Probably 85 percent of my class management problems are gone by focusing on positive posi-tive practices," she said. "You lose a lot of the bullying problems prob-lems and the mean competitiveness." competi-tiveness." Mendenhall's class holds a morning meeting to share experiences ex-periences trying to live the virtues, vir-tues, as well as to cover class schedules, assignments, daily news and weather. One student said, "Over Thanksgiving break, I wanted to play on the computer but my dad was on it. I remembered the virtue poem and thought I would read instead." holiday service projects "You learn a lot for each thing you do," said Ty Thomas, a sophomore at American Fork High. "Everything that you do helps show that you really can make a difference." Mendez enjoys seeing the positive impact that this class has on their lives of her students. stu-dents. "I have seen a couple of students who you wouldn't expect would get excited about this type of thing, but I see the leadership come out of them," said Mendez, "I get to see a different dif-ferent side of them than most teachers see." The students appreciate the positive influence of these projects proj-ects in their life and recognize the power of service, "There is a memorable unity that we have in our class because we are all coming together to help others," said Student council sponsors service project The student council is sponsoring a service project proj-ect with the goals of raising rais-ing money for the Road Home Family Shelter in Salt Lake, and donating donat-ing prepaid phone cards to local members of the Armed Forces. Sixth-grade students LLsha Hill and F leather Theodore helped to organize orga-nize the program, which included an assembly where the sixth-grade students danced and role played. Each Barratt student received re-ceived a gratitude baggie. From Nov. 27 until Dec. 8 students were asked to put coins in the baggie bag-gie each day to express gratitude for specific blessings. For example, one day listed sweaters; students could count their sweaters and place 10 cents for each one in the bag. Other suggested blessings included number of minutes in the shower, best friends, chores, and blankets. Another boy said, "I had to go to bed early, but I went to sleep with a good attitude." Mendenhall told the students she had noted their progress during a recent assembly. "You showed self control, you stayed focused on the speaker," she said. "You were respectful, you clapped. I didn't hear any cat calls." Sixth-grade student Abby Hafen said there has been a big difference in her classroom class-room since the program has started. "All my classmates have way more self control, at school and at home," she said. WINNERS & . "You learn a lot for each thing you do ... Everything that you do helps show that . you really can make a difference." Ty Thomas AFHS sophmore Thomas. Any student attending American Fork High School can sign up for this year-long class. Members of the community com-munity who wish to participate in the food drive may bring canned goods to the front office of-fice of American Fork High. American Fork High School ACT at AFHS The December De-cember ACT is Saturday at AFHS. Students who have not registered may be able to take the test under "stand-by" conditions. For more information, informa-tion, contact the Counseling Center. Students planning to take the test should arrive at the school at 7:30 a.m. and mast have picture ID. I Dance Company The Dance Company will present a concert tonight and tomorrow tomor-row night in the school's auditorium. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $5 or $15 for a family pass. I E-mail protocol Parents Par-ents who e-mail teachers or administrators at American Fork High SchxI are asked to include "AFHS" in the title for a quick read by the school employee being e-mailed. Alpine Al-pine School District's SPAM Internet filter will often list incoming e-mails outside the school as SPAM or under "Total Traffic Control" for the employee to review. The AFHS in the subject will line will help employees to read rather than delete e-mails designated des-ignated as SPAM. I Indoor track participants sought Any student in grades 9-12 who is interested in participating on the Cavemen Cave-men Indoor Track Team should plan to attend a meeting meet-ing after school next Tuesday in Coach Timo Mostert's room (room 209, upstairs in the new wing) at American Fork High School. American Fork Junior High I Christmas band concert The junior high bands will present their annual Christmas Christ-mas concert tonight in the auditorium. The beginning and concert bands will present their concert con-cert from 6 to 7 p.m. and the Symphonic band and Wind Ensemble will present pres-ent their concert from 7 to 8 p.m. Admission is free and parents and community members mem-bers are invited to attend. I Parent-teacher conference Parent -teacher conference confer-ence will be next Tuesday from 3:45 to 7:15 p.m. Parents are encouraged to take advantage ad-vantage of this opportunity to visit with their student's teachers to discuss student progress. Conferences should be limited to 3 minutes. Parents Par-ents who need more time with a teacher are asked to make an appointment with the teacher for a later time in consideration of others who might be waiting. I Book fair A buy-one-get one-free book fair will be held in conjunction with parent -teacher conferences. The books may be previewed Monday and the book fair will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday in the Counseling Center. I Spirit shirts available Spirit shirts have been designed by AFJHS students and are available to order for $9 each. A display table will be set up at parent -teacher conference. Shirts must be ordered and paid for in advance ad-vance and will be distributed just before Christmas break. caveman JACK PACKER Good Morning, Cavemen! Wow what a week, it has been a very spectacular week, month, it has been a spectacular spectacu-lar school year. I don't know about all of you other Cavemen, but I have been learning a lot and having the time of my life. I love to walk down the halls and see all of your smiling faces. Well, midterm is here; parent-teacher conference was yesterday, there is a lot of work for me to do to get my grades to the where I want them. The basketball teams have been doing amazing. The boys have a game tomorrow, it is their first home game and we Support the future give the gift For more information v .r, call 344 2923 2mUj$Hcrttlfc Orders can also be left in the PTSA box in the main office until Dec. 13. For more information, infor-mation, call Heidi Alldredge at 756-2923. I Christmas concert The choirs will present their Christmas concert Wednesday Wednes-day at 7 p.m. in the school's auditorium. Admission is free and parents and community members are encouraged to attend. I Eagle Scout projects In order to provide for students' needs in the event of an emergency emer-gency or a lockdown, several Eagle Scout projects are underway un-derway that would provide food, water and first aid supplies sup-plies for students. Games are also being collected so that students would have something some-thing to do while confined to the school. These Eagle Scout projects focus on preparing individual student kits, basic first aid kits for each classroom, class-room, and collecting games. This is a large undertaking as 1,600 individual kits will be needed as well as games and first aid kits for 70 classrooms. class-rooms. Contributions would be welcome and appreciated. Items needed include: antibiotic antibi-otic ointment, small containers contain-ers of hand sanitizer, tweezers, twee-zers, elastic ace bandages, emergency blankets, cases of bottled water, granola bars, gallon size zip lock bags and small games. Cash donations will also be accepted. Items may be taken to the school's media center at anytime any-time or brought to the school the evening of parent -teacher conference, Dec. 12 where the scouts will have a table to accept donations. Questions about these projects may be answered by calling Stephanie Stepha-nie Jones at 756-8543. Forbes Elementary I Reading charts due The November BEAR reading charts are due tomorrow. I Space Center field trip The fifth and sixth grade classes will be going to the Space Center at Central Elementary El-ementary in Pleasant Grove next week. Fifth grade classes will be going either Wednesday or Thursday and sixth grade classes will be going either Thursday or Friday. Greenwood Elementary I NOVA graduation NOVA graduation will be Dec. 15 at 2:15 p.m. Parents are invited to attend. NOVA takes the place of the DARE program in year's past. Shelley Elementary I PTA board meeting The next PTA board meeting will be Monday at 10 a.m. in the library. Board members are encouraged to attend. I NOVA certification NOVA certification for sixth grade students will be next Wednesday at 12:45 p.m. Parents Par-ents are invited to attend. I Science activities The second grade science classes will be participating in various vari-ous science activities next Tuesday through Friday.' Parents are encouraged to ask their student each day about the science activity for the day. need all of you Cavemen to come and support the team. To all you students, we want you all to wear black shirts and cheer with all your might. The varsity game starts at 7 p.m. so be there a little early so you can get a good spot to watch and cheer from. Sub for Santa has begun at our school we would like to ask all of you Cavemen, alumni alum-ni or current students to help all that you can. We will be having several Dollar Fridays and there is the Giving Tree in the commons area, go and check that out We would love to have your help to make this Christmas special for a couple of families, fami-lies, and not only that, make it special for the whole school. It is time for me to run. I have quite a few things to do, but to all of you out there go and do something today that you can be proud of. Make the most of this wonderful won-derful day and have fun doing it. See you all later Good-bye. of your community. of literacy. me POOR CO |