Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, December 21, 1993 TAG: 9312230003
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Melissa DeVaughn
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Falling Branch Elementary School Principal J.C. Callahan dressed up as the Grinch, a well-known Dr. Seuss character, last week to help the second-graders celebrate the holiday season.
The children giggled, pointed and laughed Tuesday afternoon as Callahan walked into the school`s multipurpose room filled with second-graders and their parents. His face was covered with dark green makeup and fluorescent green hair stuck out from beneath a holiday stocking cap on his head. He had a permanent frown on his face - just like the Grinch who believed Christmas to be a silly holiday.
``Well, they got me to kiss a pig last year, so this isn't that bad at all,'' Callahan said of his green face and fuzzy green locks.
The second-grade assembly was a culmination of several weeks of studying the book ``How the Grinch Stole Christmas.'' The children dressed up as ``Whos,'' the fictional villagers who lived in Who-ville, built ``Who-ville'' out of plastic milk jugs and decorated the hallway in front of their classrooms with Who-ville mailboxes and Who-ville Christmas trees.
``They put a lot of work into this. ... They wrote and read about it, and studied the book in language arts,'' said second-grade teacher Pam DiIoia. ``They were very into it.''
In the book, the mean old Grinch steals all the Who-ville presents, but realizes there is more to Christmas when he hears the Who-villagers singing even without their presents.
``Most of [the second-graders] had heard of [the book] but it put it in a whole new perspective for them,'' DiIoia said. It helped them realize how special a holiday Christmas is meant to be.
A team of 11 students at Pulaski Middle School recently competed in the ORIOLE KNOWLEDGE MASTER OPEN, an academic contest, and placed fourth out of 40 teams in Virginia. Students from all 50 states, Europe, Asia, Africa, Mexico and South America competed in the computerized test, which is graded on speed and accuracy in answering questions.
The team members are: Mary Goad, Brent Surber, Armistead Booker, Jason Welch, King Chan, Cono Quinlan, Priya Acharya, Tige Saltz, Kristin Smith, Matt Underwood and Marcus Eure.
April Mae McWaters, a special education student at Pulaski County High School recently won the STUDENT ART HOLIDAY CARD COMPETITION held by First Virginia Bank. Her artwork will illustrate the cover of the 1993 First Virginia Holiday Card, and she will receive a $200 savings account. The high school will receive a $250 donation.
For the third year in a row, the second graders at Shawsville Elementary School went CHRISTMAS CAROLING and visited their Meadowbrook Nursing Home pen pals. The friendships among the pupils and residents at Meadowbrook are part of an ongoing business and schools partnership.
BECKY McDANIEL of Blacksburg was named to the first quarter high list at Episcopal High School in Alexandria where she is a junior. Becky is the daughter of David and Ellie McDaniel. She plays junior varsity field hockey and is active in the school's outdoors club and literary society.
This week's featured high school is AUBURN HIGH AND MIDDLE SCHOOL. Here's the latest scoop from there:
Celia Eicheldinger has been selected as a finalist in the National Science Scholars program. She is one of four finalists in the 9th congressional district. Celia is the daughter of Dave and Fern Eicheldinger of Pilot.
Michael Stiles was named senior of the month for October. He is president of both the senior class and the Student Council Association, and plays varsity football. Michael is the son of Thomas and Nina Stiles of Christiansburg.
Anitra Basham is the senior of the month for November. She has completed her Certified Nursing Assistant and CPR certification and plans on a career in nursing. Anitra is the daughter of Jerry and Kathy Basham of Christiansburg.
Sixth-grade students in Kitty Brennan`s class have been learning about the value of recyclable material. The school's archaeology and ecology club recently held a contest to see who could create the most inventive projects made from recyclable materials.
The winners of the contest were Brian Bunn, who won first place for his aluminum foil dragon; Lindsey West, who won second place for a straw-headed female; and Shane Francis, who took third place for his ``Mr. Pepsi Bottle Legs.'' Each of the winners received a cash prize.
Bethel Elementary School is involved in a WRITING TO READ program that uses computers to helps primary-grade children with their reading and writing. A classroom aide helps the children in the computer lab.
To conclude a unit on Jamestown the fourth-graders at Belview Elementary School recently held a JAMESTOWN CRAFT AFTERNOON. They made items such as Indian totem poles, squaw bread and pottery. The pupils have been learning about the Jamestown settlers, the hardships they faced, and the impact they had on the lives of the Indians already in America.
by CNB