The Press-Dispatch

School Wednesday, November 23, 2022 The Press-Dispatch D-5 Monday 8-7 • Tuesday 8-noon • Wednesday 10-7 • Thursday & Friday 8-5 eye exams • dry eye solutions prescription lenses • eye disease treatment Call to book your appointment today for safe in-offi ce treatment. Don't Neglect Your Eye Health. We're Open to See You Now! Dr. Clint Shoultz 715 S. 9th St., Petersburg 812-354-9400 Locally Owned and Operated Celebrating American Education Week By Mendy Ross Correspondent news@pressdispatch.net The excitement in the halls at the nearby elementary schools was a week long event celebrating the American Ed- ucation week, on November 14 through 18. "Distressed that 25 percent of the country's World War II draftees were illiterate and nine percent were physically unfit, representatives of the NEA (National Education As- sociation) and American Le- gion met in 1919 to seek way to generate public support for education" the NEA website states. American Education Week was first observed on Decem- ber 4-10, 1921. Today it is cel- ebrated the week prior to Thanksgiving. Each day has a different theme, in which the school community is cel- ebrated. Petersburg Elementa- ry School (PES) celebrated with an "Under the Big Top" theme. As students, staff and anyone else who entered into the school, they were greet- ed with a large red and white "big top" tent. All through the halls, classroom doors and bulletin boards where colorfully decorated to dis- play the circus theme, such as, doorways decorated in a larger-than-life tiger, giraffe, elephant and more. Banners and balloons could be found throughout the school. On Monday students dressed in their classroom's grade color, fifth, red; fourth, orange; third, yellow; second, green; first, blue; kindergar- ten, purple; and preschool, any color of the rainbow. Tuesday was twin day, as students and staff could dress like someone else in the school. Their quote for the day, "The noblest of art is making others happy." P. T. Barnum. The program for the day was a surprise, even to the principals. The students and staff filled the gym as unbe- known to them, Lesley Mc- Gregor, teacher's assistant at PES, dressed as a ring mas- ter, began painting with black paint on three different can- vases, in which she alternated through all three for 15 min- utes. When it was time to re- veal what each painting was, she turned them right side up. The students and staff cheered as the first revealed a portrait of PES Principal Mr. Rick King; the second a portrait of Assistant Princi- pal Ryne Biesterveld; and the third a portrait of an Indian, the school's mascot. McGre- gor then revealed her identi- ty and the crowed cheered in amazement and disbelief. She said she felt like a celebrity af- terwards. McGregor had prac- ticed for six months to perfect her show for the students and staff. Wednesday was farmer or cowboy day. The quote for the day, "Fortune always favors the brave, and never helps a man who does not help him- self." P. T. Barnum. Wednes- day also brought Silly Safari, the students had a chance to pet a bunny named Bugs, an armadillo named BB8, Owl- bert the owl and Miss Hiss, a red tail boa held by Dai- sy the Silly Safari presenter. During the show Daisy asked the students if they want- ed to see Louie the alligator try on a croc, they answered "yes." Daisy pulled out a ti- ny croc shaped shoe out from her vest pocket, it was just the right size for the small alliga- tor. The students laughed with amusement at the small alliga- tor wearing a croc. Thursday was dress like a famous American, past or present. The quote for the day, "No one ever made a dif- ference by being like everyone else." P. T. Barnum. The stu- dents had fun activities and games to do in the gym. Friday was dress like their favorite cartoon character from television or a movie. Quote of the day, "Life is a circus, enjoy the show." -Un- known. There was a costume pa- rade in the morning for the students and staff that walked through the halls. The fifth- grade teachers were dressed as Monsters Inc. characters. Later, some of the teachers dressed in costumes and per- formed skits for the students in the gym. All through out the week, the students voted for their fa- vorite door, Mrs. Krista Hay's door was voted best door by the students. There were so many creative doors, it was a tough decision to make. Stu- dents and staff had a wonder- ful time with the busy week. Winslow Elementary school celebrated with the "Travel the World" theme. As student and staff entered the school they were greeted with world travel at Arctic and Antarctic. Classrooms, bulletin boards and halls were decorated with different countries and conti- nents. The cafeteria was trans- formed into a Paris Cafe. The cafeteria hallway students traveled through Europe, Aus- tralia, Egypt and Tropical ar- eas. Monday was the Americas, as students and staff dressed in jungle print or a green shirt. All students were invited to a karate presentation by Terry Stobel, who demonstrated ka- rate defense moves at the gym in the afternoon. Tuesday was A frica and Australia day and the theme was to wear a brown shirt and a safari hat day. Susan Fowl- er spoke to the students in the gym. Wednesday was Asia day, so everyone could wear a red shirt. All the students enjoyed the Silly Safari in the morn- ing, Daisy, the presenter, talk- ed about her animals and the students were able to pet a few of the animals. The King and Queen practice was held for preparation for Friday. Kara Woolsey, World Traveler, vis- ited the classrooms to talk to the students. Thursday was Arctic and Antarctic, Eskimo day, so students and staff could wear their WES shirts. Phil Clause and Amy Moore had "Travel the World" activities for the students. Friday was Europe day, stu- dents and staff dressed from another country. A costume parade began at 8:30 a.m. for students and staff. For lunch, parents and grandparents were invited to join their stu- dent. Later, Sandra Chastain played her accordion for the students in the gym. Friday night was the P TO Fall Festival beginning at 5 p.m., with a King and Queen contest at 6 p.m. Each class- room nominated their class king and queen during school. The winner of this year's King and Queen pageant were fifth graders Lucas Farmer and Ady Lemond. Mrs. Courtney Loveless' fifth grade class takes a turn to vote for their favorite decorated door at Pe- tersburg Elementary School during American Educa- tion Week on Wednesday, November 16. Presenter Terry Strobel shows Haiden Cook and Piper Thompson karate defense moves on Monday, November 14, during American Education Week at Winslow Elementary. Winslow Elementary school staff dressed the part for the Around the World Day during American Education Week, November 14 through 18. Lying in front, Ashley Barley. Sitting left to right, Madison Lee, Brooklyn Al- dridge, Brittney Russell, Amy VanMeter and Azlee Smith. Kneeling- Michelle LeMond; Abby Aldridge; Vanetta McConnell and Kim Russell. Standing, Stevie Faith, Madison Martin, Susan Craig, Amanda Gonzales, Kend- ra Harmon, Nicole Nixon, Aaron Meyer behind her, Renee Anderson, Vicki Oxby, Susan Aldridge; Paul Bastin, Brittany Scherer, Kim Russell, Emily Hudson, Jennifer Ficklin, Stephanie Shedd and Brandon Hagen. During the costume parade featuring around the world outfits, Winslow Elementary third graders Braxton Barley, Liam Hook, and Haiden Cook dress as the three amigos on Friday, November 18, for American Education Week. Winslow Elementary staff had fun as Security, Ash- ley Barley; getting New York Tourists, Amy VanMeter and Azlee Smith, off of the "plane" with Vanetta Mc- Connel as the Statue of Liberty in the back during American Education Week, November 14 through 18. During the Silly Safari, third grader Paige Holman gets the chance to pet Owlbert the owl as part of the American Education Week on Wednesday, November 16. During American Education Week, Lesley McGre- gor, a teacher's assistant at Petersburg Elementary school, dressed as a ringmaster, painted a portrait of Principal Mr. Rick King; a portrait of an Indian, the school's mascot; and a portrait of Assistant Principal Ryne Biesterveld on Tuesday, November 15. Kindergärtner Harper Mattingly and her buddy, Officer Don Wilson, dressed for Twin Day at Peters- burg Elementary School on Tuesday, November, 15. They have been buddies for about a year. She greets him every morning by holding his hand. At the end of the school day, he walks her out to meet her mom, Lori Mattingly.

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