Jennifer Hoff
Guest Writer

Twenty-two Forest Lake High School students went back to elementary school on Friday. The group, which largely consisted of Lino Lakes Elementary alumni, revisited their old school to participate in the Sixth-Grade Getaway ñ an all-day retreat that stressed the importance of acting as a group, not as individuals.

The upperclassmen volunteered to lead team-building activities and entertaining games because they are often perceived as role models by the younger students.

ìI wanted to get to know the kids and get involved in the community,î Daniel Hoff, a senior at Forest Lake High School, said about his involvement.

The teenagers were paired together and also put in charge of a small group of sixth-graders. Together they facilitated discussions from favorite foods and music to the kind of actions that strengthen friendships.

ìWeíre learning by doing these activities and learning words not to use so that we donít hurt others,î mentioned sixth-grader Zoey Johnson, as she wrote in her journal, which the groups used to chronicle what they were learning.

This is the first-year Lino Lakes Elementary has independently planned the event. In the past, other consistently used groups had activities that tended to single kids out rather than create a group setting.

ìWe felt like we could make it more fit to our kids because we know the kids and what they need, and so we felt if we did it ourselves it could be a lot more effective,î Katie Papke, a sixth-grade teacher said.

With preparation beginning last August, Papke and school counselor Mary Beth Higgins started planning the Sixth-Grade Getaway. Motivated by their own ideas and various books, the duo designed all the activities themselves.

At one point, groups had to work together to build the tallest marshmallow creation, while journaling helped each student focus on what they were learning.

ìMr. Peabodyís Apples,î written by Madonna, inspired Papke to show how a rumor is spread. By taking a feather pillow and a fan, the feathers were blown all over the gym with each one representing a person.

ìItís hard to clean it up and itís hard to fix what youíve already done,î Papke said to the sixth-graders, explaining thatís what happens when you spread a rumor.

The response towards the Sixth-Grade Getaway has been very positive.

ìThe administration, here at Lino and at the district office, has been very supportive from the get-go,î Higgins noted.

The high school students were also really excited, even if it meant missing a day of school.

ìI just want to make the world a better place,î sophomore Becky Shultz said.

ó Jennifer Hoff is a senior at the University of Minnesota who is studying journalism. This is her first freelance piece for the Forest Lake Times.

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