Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, January 28, 1992 TAG: 9201280024
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MELISSA DeVAUGHN
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
1ST-GRADERS LEARN WITH SCHOOL'S `BIG PEOPLE'
Remember what it was like in the first grade? A lot of money meant you had a dime in your pocket. The best part of your day was playtime, not naptime. And those "big people" in the classes down the hall seemed infinitely older and wiser than you.At EASTERN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, first-graders are learning to bridge that generation gap between the "big people" down the hall and themselves. It's a tutoring program in which 11 seventh-graders visit the first-graders every afternoon and help them with their reading.
They read stories to the first-graders. Or sometimes the first-graders read to the them. Sometimes they play word games. And sometimes they just take a break and play around. But whichever way, the program is spelling S-U-C-C-E-S-S.
"The best advantage for them [the first-graders] is that they are getting extra practice with their reading," said Bernice Davis, one of the first-grade teachers. "And, of course, it makes it more special for them to read to other children."
Davis said she has seen improvements in her pupils' reading because of the extra practice they've had. She also likes the program because she thinks it makes the first-graders feel good to interact with the older pupils at the school.
"And it makes the seventh-graders feel more like adults," she added.
The tutors in the program agree that the reading has been a learning experience for them as well.
The program "makes me feel more responsible. I like listening to them read because they really try to sound out the words. They don't like to guess," said Jessica Thomas, 12.
Jason Porterfield, 13, said it's been fun playing with the first-graders between tutoring and feels he's always "gotten along with them pretty good."
Adam Jones, 13, also enjoys the tutoring program. "They seem to like us to read to them the best," he said. "They get real excited when we come."
Greer Ducker, 17, a senior at RADFORD HIGH SCHOOL, has been accepted as a member of the American Musical Ambassadors Band. Greer and other band members chosen from across the nation will travel to several European countries for three weeks in July.
Greer is the son of the Rev. George and Lane Ducker. He is in the Radford High School band, directed by Rick Elliott. Last summer, Greer went to Appalachian State University in North Carolina for a band camp. William Gora, director of bands at the university, recommended Greer for the Ambassadors Band.
After he graduates, and after the trip to Europe, Greer plans to attend a liberal arts college with a strong music program. He plans to pursue some sort of degree in music.
PULASKI - Parents, faculty and students of CRITZER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL will play a basketball game Feb. 4 in observance of February as wellness month.
The game will be played at Pulaski Middle School. A 25-cent admission fee will be charged, but donations also will be taken for the Free Clinic of Pulaski County, said Kathy Murphy of the PTA.
The athletic effort launches a month of studies of health and fitness at Pulaski Elementary.
\ CHRISTIANSBURG HIGH SCHOOL band director Don Williams and a group of students will sponsor and produce a video yearbook of the 1991-92 school year. The 45-minute videotape must be ordered by Feb. 4.
The tape will cover events from fall 1991 through graduation 1992. It will be professionally edited and narrated by Great American Memories, a video yearbook company.
The tapes will be delivered this summer. They cost $32.95.
Don't bother cooking dinner this weekend. The BLACKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL football team will do it for you - and it won't cost much either. The players are having their annual chili supper Saturday at the high school from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The menu promises to include a large serving of chili, coleslaw, crackers, dessert and drink.
Tickets are $3 a plate and are available from football team members or at the door. Small children can share a plate and take-out orders will be available.
Proceeds from the supper go toward the team's preseason camp.
The guidance department at BLACKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL will have an information and pre-registration session for eighth-graders and parents Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the school.
The meeting will include an overview of high school requirements, small group tours and a question-and-answer period.
For more information, call 381-6102.
The Rural Strings Trio will perform a benefit concert for the MARGARET BEEKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PTA on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the school. The trio features Les Dotson, Becky Barlow and Stacy Hobbs.
Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children, students and senior citizens. Desserts will be on sale.
Senior Eliza Richardson of BLACKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL has been chosen student of the month for January. She is the daughter of Bonham and Linda Richardson.
Richardson is involved in several clubs and organizations at the high school, including the debate team, forensics, National Honor Society, French Club, French National Honor Society and Odyssey of the Mind.
Also, she was on the team that won the High-Q Competition, televised on WSLS-TV Channel 10, earlier in the semester. That team competed with several other schools throughout the WSLS viewing area.
If you have an interesting news item from your school, write to Melissa DeVaughn at P.O. Box 540, Christiansburg 24073.