Shelly Franklin: Dayton Schools
Fifth-Graders Love to Ski
Fifth-grade teacher John Lindsey is a major supporter of the skiing program that Bluewood has helped provide for kids. The students and their teachers get to go skiing four Fridays this winter: January 4, 11, 25, and February 1. Bluewood employees come to the school prior to ski days and provide a dry land clinic, which includes checking heights and weights, and fitting ski boots. By measuring and weighing early, Bluewood employees can have everything ready for the arrival of a busload of enthusiastic fifth-graders. The kids can get in and out with their skis and boots quickly.
Each student is provided a lesson geared to his or her experience level. Students board the school bus at 8:30 in the morning and return to the school after the ski are closes at 4:00. Teachers and kids develop a phone tree in case of emergencies or dangerously inclement weather.
Bluewood has also given the school whatever things are left in their lost and found department at the end of each season. This has enabled the school to provide every student with goggles and many with coats, gloves and hats. In the past, Mr. Lindsey has borrowed sewing machines and set them up in his classroom. When students finished assignments they were set up to sew their own cinch sacks for their goggles. "It is fun and the kids learned a lot about cutting, measuring and sewing a straight line", laughed John. Sometimes I even make them rip out their bad seams and sew them over again."
The time that the teachers and kids get to spend on a fun activity outside of the school is important. Students who have difficulty concentrating in a classroom, often excel in the outdoor activity. Students encourage each other to do their best. It is surprising how much confidence the kids can gain in just four sessions.
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