Third week the 'best writing yet' at Saddle Mountain Elementary
Courtesy Photo Saddle Mountain Principal Sean Langdon, farthest to the rear, with the teachers and students involved in the third week’s winning entries of the SME writing focus month.
MATTAWA — Saddle Mountain Elementary students shifted the target of their month-long focus on writing in March from their principal to quality of education.
“It was the best writing so far,” principal Sean Langdon said.
Langdon and vice-principal Jennifer Kraley are joining efforts with teachers to provide fun incentives for students who demonstrate excellence in their writing for the entire month of March.
“This year, thanks to our sponsors, a few students at each grade level are able to choose gift cards to Rollarena, Kennewick Buffalo Wild Wings, Tri-Cities Dickey’s Barbecue and Chipotle,” Langdon said. “And the student with the very best essay is rewarded with a pizza party to bring to his or her classroom.”
All of the finalists, a total of 18 students, will win a special grand prize, an all-expenses-paid trip to Triple Play Idaho, thanks to Triple Play and the SME Parent Teacher Organization.
Laura Achepohl, second-grade winner in Irene Longmire’s classroom, wrote:
“My students would start their day with writing because it’s important to practice. After we’re done writing, we would go to recess because we need a break.
“At recess we’d still be learning, like learning how to do the monkey bars. Then we would eat a healthy lunch.
“Lastly, we would work on math. As a teacher, I would like to make learning fun and exciting.”
Alex Medrano, the fourth-grade winner in Pam Bunger’s classroom, got a little artistic with his essay, writing:
“One time I was selected to be teacher. My name is Mr. Medrano. The characters in this story (are) Mr. Medrano and the students. The setting is inside and outside. Enjoy the story.
“One time my class was doing Think Through Math, they were working super hard. Then, suddenly the fire alarm goes off! Now every one in the class starts freaking out! What do I do?
“I think about what to do. Then I figure it out! I should tell everyone to calm down and get into a line so we can go to the fence. So I tell them that. Then we exit safely.
“After that, when it was over, we to class to do more Think Through Math.
“As you can see, If I was teacher for a day, I would know what to do in case of fire.”