Fifth-day options get detailed

Talk about it

Ideas are gelling on what students will do on Fridays under the new four-day week the Lake Superior School District is implementing for the coming school year.

At a meeting Tuesday, ideas were plentiful and some dates were even set.

Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center will have eight dates open to students throughout the year, including Oct. 15 and Dec. 17 with the rest in 2011. Four days of skiing are also planned beginning in January. Both events are expected to cost around $40.

Kids and Co., a childcare operation out of Minnehaha Elementary, has field trips planned during the year for kids in grades K-5. “Anything we do is OK for that age,” said Jody Zastera, Kids and Co. coordinator.

Gooseberry and Tettegouche state parks are willing to come forward with interpretive programs on Fridays.

A “Sisu” school may also be developed in October specifically for boys in grades 6-8. County Attorney Russ Conrow, who is coordinating it, said the school would teach character development while throwing in some physical and outdoor activities.

There is also a push for students to get more involved with older people in the community. Julie O’Neil, activities director at Sunrise on Superior, said she wants to get students in the building every Friday working with seniors.

O’Neil said younger children would need transportation to the facility which might be provided by an Arrowhead bus. She also wants high school kids to do volunteering at the facility.

Brett Archer, the new Two Harbors High School principal, said he would like to see credits given to students who participate in community service on Fridays.

Rich Sill, who wears many hats and is involved in the job shadowing program in the district, said Sunrise on Superior could serve as a good place for an internship on Fridays. Sill also suggested students could take a nursing assistant course for college credit.

Bunny Thomson, of Socially Active Seniors and Community Partners, said she needs 10 middle school students to work with seniors on the photo project “Do You See What I See.” The project would eventually lead to a show. Transportation would be provided and there is no cost involved. Projected dates are Sept. 24, Oct. 8 and Nov. 12.

Paul Deaner, executive director of Lake Superior Community Theatre, is planning on having a “major talent related production” in April with rehearsals beginning in January. He is recruiting from both Silver Bay and Two Harbors. He said he is also working with collaboration with both Two Harbors and Silver Bay’s variety shows looking for talent.

“Our talent numbers are a little stretched,” Deaner said. He said next year they will need some major talent to put together performances of musicals “Grease” or “Oliver!”

A school newspaper is also being developed at Minnehaha Elementary. Principal Pat Driscoll said students are working on getting grants for the project and older kids at the school would serve as editors helping design the paper. The district is donating printing costs.

Lance Beachem, pastor at Assembly of God Church in Beaver Bay, said he was concerned about some of the younger kids in that area who don’t have much to do, comparing it with summer doldrums. He said the church could provide a Friday program where kids would get help with homework and also participate in activities.

O’Neil, who also serves on the United Church of Two Harbors Council, said the church is looking at starting a theater group for kids on their off-day.

The district will receive assistance of an AmeriCorps volunteer, through Mentor Duluth, to help during the fifth day. Focus areas of that position will be group and community based mentoring, academic mentoring/tutoring, out of school youth programs, volunteer mobilization and civic engagement.

Get involved

Ideas wantedM

The district’s community education department has plans to have information about all fifth-day options on its Web site, even though they may not be affiliated with the school. For more, visit www.isd381.k12.mn.us/ CommunityEd/html/index.html or call 834-8201 in Two Harbors and 226-4437 in Silver Bay. Other organizations are also encouraged to talk with community ed about fifth-day options.

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