Meadowlark celebrates anniversary

Traditional fifth-anniversary presents are made of wood. Newer, more modern presents typically revolve around silverware.
But for Meadowlark Elementary School students, the school’s fifth anniversary celebration Friday meant the students were packed with a day of fun.
“When our school was built, everybody was asking, how old is George Nettels? How old is Westside? How old is Lakeside?” said Phillis Scorse, Meadowlark principal. “So we wanted to hold a day each year to keep track and to remind people to be proud. This school is an example of what happens when the community comes together.”
Every year, Meadowlark celebrates its history with Meadowlark Day, used to celebrate the groundbreaking of the school, which took place May 16.
But this year, thanks to the Scorse said she wanted to combine a number of activities into one.
So the school kept its usual Meadowlark Day parade around the school for the kids, but also added Super Kids Day activities, a field day of sorts where students rotated through stations of Frisbee, soccer and jump rope, along with the groundbreaking for the new addition for the school, which will help with its overcrowding.
Meadowlark has had all-day kindergarten for several years, so the new classrooms will help to add a music room that had been pirated by rapid growth.
“We certainly need the space,” Scorse said. “There’s no question about that.”
The building itself is actually six years old, but Meadowlark moved in after one year. Scorse called the school “a success,” and said it had exceeded everyone’s expectations.
Part of the reason for the success, she said, is its Schoolhouse model. Rather than split apart every grade, kindergartners and first-graders are taught together in the Early Years hallway. Second- and third-graders are in Primary classrooms, while fourth- and fifth-graders are under the Intermediate header.
Part of the theory behind the model is that the older students help the younger ones, while at the same time retaining material through the teaching process. Both sides also benefit from the social skills gained from the relationship.
That was evident Friday at Meadowlark — while many of the younger students took part in the many games, the fifth-graders, and some fourth-graders, actually ran every station. Scorse said teachers were on-site simply to watch for behavior problems and to tell students when to rotate from one station to the next.
Sherrick Rogers, fourth-grader, was one of a couple students helping with the tug-of-war station. When a new group would come by, Rogers educated them on the rules, and participated in a mock match to help show the students how to play.
“I like it,” Rogers said. “It’s a lot of fun. I really like helping all the kids and telling them how to play. It’s fun to help out.”
Also helping were a number of parents, who Scorse said also aided in the school’s success.
“We have such an amazing PTO,” Scorse said. “They always used to say that it was the mothers that helped out, but look at all the dads out here.
“We’ve been so blessed to have the support of the district, the parents, the district and our own teachers,” Scorse said. “We’re looking forward to a bright future.”

Kevin Flaherty can be reached at kevin.flaherty@morningsun.net or by calling 231-2600 Ext. 134