Schools Celebrate American Education Week
By JOSELYN KING Staff WriterSixth-graders at Triadelphia Middle School had hoped to collect 131 items one for each sixth-grade student at the school - to pack in holiday gift baskets this week.
They far surpassed their goal.
As of Wednesday afternoon, they had more than 270 items, ranging from cans of corn and peas to soap products and toothpaste. And the collection drive continues as schools across Ohio County celebrate "American Education Week" though Friday.
This year's theme is "Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility." As part of the celebration, local schools have planned events such as open houses, luncheons with grandparents and anti-tobacco programs.
At Triadelphia Middle School, the Builders Club is collecting items for gift baskets for local families. The sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade classes each are focusing on one family, according to teacher Heidi Hohman.
"Our overall goal as a school is to have students volunteer for something charitable," said Vice Principal Zac Shutler.
He arranged the product collection drive through the local Easter Seals. The students are responsible for not just collecting items, but for also packaging them and packing them onto a van for transport, he noted. Students who aren't able to bring in items have asked if they might donate their time to help prepare them, according to Shutler. They receive no reward other that the joy of volunteering, he noted.
Other schools in the county are staging their own events:
- At Bethlehem Elementary School, a special person's night and open house will take place from 5:30-7 p.m. today at the school.
- Students at Bridge Street Middle School celebrated Grandparents' Day on Tuesday. A spaghetti dinner will be held from 5-8 p.m. today at the school.
- Elm Grove Elementary School students are taking a look back at education and life in the past. Children have been invited to dress in clothes that reflect the following times: on Monday, Pioneer Days; Tuesday, the Roaring '20s; and Wednesday, the 1950s. Today they will dress in 1960s garb; and on Friday, clothes from the 1970s and 1980s.
- Madison Elementary School fifth-grade students participated in the American Cancer Society's anti-tobacco program "Tar Wars"on Monday. Representatives from American Electric Power will read to kindergarten children there today.
- At Middle Creek Elementary School the "Cradles to Crayons" preschool will host a Grandparents' Day program at 11 a.m. today. And kindergarten, first- and second-grade students will participate in Grandparents' and Special Person's Day at 1:30 p.m. Friday.
- Ritchie Elementary School will host Parents' and Grandparents' Day activities from 1:15-2:45 p.m. Friday. Guests may visit classrooms before or after the musical program.
- At Steenrod Elementary School, kindergarten, first- and fourth-grade students will entertain guests starting at 9 a.m. Friday.
- Warwood School will host grandparents and special guests today.
- West Liberty Elementary School hosted a "Math Olympics" family night Monday.
- At Wheeling Middle School, local celebrities will participate in Read to Me Day today.
- Woodsdale Elementary School will participate in "Kids for Change," a collection of pocket money for the YWCA's Court-Appointed Special Advocate program. Friday will be Woodsdale School Spirit Day, encouraging students and staff to wear blue and white.
