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New rites, old wrongs help shape a school
By STEVE SIMON LUTZ -- At a first-year school like Yvonne McKitrick Elementary, everything is new -- the buildings, the books, the furniture. Every day brings an exciting milestone, something taking place for the very first time. While this situation is thrilling to the students, staff and families, it also presents a challenge: How to establish meaningful traditions that will carry forward as the school develops its own personality. Last May the students selected the bobcat as their mascot. The parents chose blue and silver as the colors. During this inaugural school year, the staff and PTA are organizing activities with an eye to the future and strong recollections of what worked and didn't at previous schools. Some traditions were initiated almost immediately: cake and a pencil for each studen celebrating a birthday; T-shirts and sweat shirts with the McKitrick bobcat on the front and cat paws up the back; parent readers in classes; and "family fun nights" at the school or a local restaurant. In October, the PTA established a pumpkin patch where each student chose a pumpkin and then returned to the classroom to decorate it. Such rituals "help kids develop roots here, even as they help the school establish its identity," says guidance counselor Dorothy Tellin. She'd like to institute a school tradition of giving. Already, the school has initiated a canned food drive and a holiday toy drive. "Kids need to feel they are an active part of the community and enjoy the feeling of satisfaction that comes from helping others," Tellin says. The school's first big destined-to-be-traditional event, "McKitrick Fall Madness," grew from similar successful events at Cannella Elementary -- which provided much of McKitrick's work force -- and Schwarzkopf Elementary, which contributed the greatest number of students. The carnival provides a safe, fun activity for McKitrick families and a little extra money for teachers to spend in their classrooms. Teachers operated the booths and sold the food. The more customers, the more money each class earned. The "Flush Tank," a variation on the dunk tank in which an accurate shot caused cold hose water to fall on the unfortunate target, was especially successful. Other popular attractions included the cakewalk, karaoke station and face-painting. To maintain old friendships, McKitrick PTA vice president Laura Arndt invited families from Schwarzkopf. "It was very nice of McKitrick to invite us," said Vicki Peckham, one of many Schwarzkopf parents to stop by, kids in tow. Teri Miller, Schwarzkopf PTA president, also appreciated the invitation, and she pledged to return the favor by inviting the McKitrick community to Schwarzkopf's spring carnival. With the winter holidays approaching, more such events are in the works. Already destined for tradition status are musical performances by the younger children in December, the older ones in April. In February, students will compete on the athletic fields during Field Day. As the school year ends, teachers will be feted at Teacher's Appreciation Week. Fifth-graders are similarly celebrated at graduation. Principal Lisa Yost finds traditions to be an important part of the school environment. "They instill school pride and provide pleasant memories for the children." - Steven A. Simon is a freelance writer and a member of the McKitrick PTA's executive board.
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From the Times |
