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Cold Water Students Connect to Community At Summer Program
Summer school students at Cold Water Elementary School in the Hazelwood School District spent time with various members of their community this summer.
“The summer theme here is ‘Cold Water Connecting with Community,’” said Pat Daniels, summer school coordinator. “Research continues to support the notion that when schools, families and communities work together to support learning, children tend to do better in school, stay in school longer and enjoy the school environment more. This should not be limited to the 10-month school year, as a Professional Learning Community is expected to be promoted and activated on a year-round basis.”
Professional learning communities (PLC) comprise one of the four Strategic Strands of Work the District uses to improve student achievement and assure success for all. A PLC is a focus on and a commitment to the learning of each student.
Daniels cited other examples of Brown and Cold Water students partnering with the community. Brown Elementary students attend Cold Water while Brown is closed for renovations this summer.
“The St. Louis Girl Scouts implemented science activities with all of our girls, along with teaching self-esteem concepts,” she said. “Florissant Valley Fire Protection District firefighters allowed our Sunny Start students to tour their fire truck and left them with firefighter badge stickers and information about the responsibilities of a firefighter.”
During a recent visit, five St. Louis County police officers read books to students a few days after the firefighters did the same. Each officer read for 30 minutes in two different classes. Officer William Munson read to Special School District students enrolled in the Extended School Year (ESY) program. He selected the book “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein.
Over in the school cafeteria, Officer Darren Jeffery read, “Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?” a Dr. Seuss book, to Sunny Start students. He made exaggerated animal sound effects and interjections. The students echoed the sounds he made.
In Room 34, Officer Mike Sieckmann read a book called “Pirate versus Pirate” by Mary Quattlebaum to third graders. It tells the story of Bad Bart, the biggest, barliest boy pirate in the Atlantic and Mean Mo, the maddest, mightiest girl pirate in the Pacific. When they meet in the middle, it’s a contest to see who is the best pirate in the world.
Across the hall in Room 33, Officer Tom Noel read “Put Me in the Zoo” by Robert Lopshire to fourth graders. He stopped at one point to ask his audience if the Spot, the main character, should really be put in the zoo. The students disagreed, saying Spot should join a circus.
Officer Kurt Solari read a classic story, “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” to first grade students. All of the officers made efforts to show the books’ illustrations as they read. As he read the part where Goldilocks escapes and he showed the illustration, one boy interjected, “Told ya!” while another student asked, “She ran out through the flowers?”
“The stories read by the firefighters and police officers left several students conversing about their positive learning experiences as the teachers took advantage of the opportunities to connect these stories to classroom curriculum activities,” said Daniels.
