Posted: 5/1/02

NHS students help Scandia students

Jessica Foster
Staff Writer

Since school opened doors last fall, once a week, students in Barbara Carlsonís first grade class have been getting special visitors.

Visitors who like to sing and dance. Smart visitors. Visitors who bring treats and encourage silliness. Older, wiser visitors.

Members of the National Honor Society have been visiting Carlsonís class at Scandia Elementary School on a mission.

Fearing the effects of budget cuts on elementary art programs, it was the brain child of Forest Lake High School Seniors Jenny Wheatley and Alex Pennell to do something about it.

So they recruited their fellow members of NHS to bring the arts to the classroom.

All year, they have been bringing in a variety of activities to the class. NHS members have introduced world languagesóSpanish, French and German to the youth.

They made pinatas, of which some still hang and bring about memories of projects in the past.

On Friday, when Pennell played his clarinet, the students stood smiling, waiting to see how he would play. As the music changed, they danced, and giggled, along with the tune.

Lisa Carlson, a member of NHS and daughter of Barbara Carlson was the link between Scandia Elementary and NHS.

It is a connection the fourth grade teacher would like to see continue, as the benefits have been many.

ìTheyíve basically been role models for my students,î Carlson said.

She added the relationship has formed a bridge between the elementary and high school age students.

About 10 of the NHS students are regulars, making the trip east on TH-97 weekly. Others come when they can.

ìItís been a very good thing for the kids,î Carlson said.

Wheatley, who started the program last week with a new rendition of ìRow Row Row Your Boatî (same melody but different words and lots of body movement) said she and her NHS peers have benefited as well.

ìWe really want to bring the arts into elementary schools,î she said.

With that, they have learned what it takes to be on the other side of the desk.

ìIíve learned more about teaching and I have a lot more respect for teachers,î she added. ìI didnít realize how much preparation it takes.î

When the teenagers walk into Carlsonís class, they do so with arms full.

Arms full of teaching gear. Paints, art supplies, treats, paper, markers. The buckets, it seems, are bottomless.

That preparation, said NHS adviser Laura Livermore, is all the work of students.

ìItís totally their thing,î she said. ìTheyíve done all of it.î

Livermore commends her charges for all they do on behalf of others.

ìThese NHS kidsójust the amount they care for the communityóis amazing,î Livermore said.

While it is up to next years influx of NHS members to decide if the program will continue next year, Carlson and Livermore said they hope this becomes a tradition.

ìI hope it can continue,î Livermore said. ìItís just been a wonderful program for everyone involved.

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