First-graders fascinated by flying puppies
Mary Malone Staff Writer | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 9 years, 2 months AGO
—Photo by MARY MALONE First-graders at Farmin Stidwell Elementary were excited to get their reading puppies Thursday during a visit from Sandpoint High School’s mascot, Spike the Bulldog and three SHS cheerleaders who helped throw the puppies in the air for the kids to catch, while “Who Let the Dogs Out” played on the stereo and a strobe light sent colorful rays of light around the room.
—Photo by MARY MALONE First-graders at Farmin Stidwell Elementary were excited to get their reading puppies Thursday during a visit from Sandpoint High School’s mascot, Spike the Bulldog and three SHS cheerleaders who helped throw the puppies in the air for the kids to catch, while “Who Let the Dogs Out” played on the stereo and a strobe light sent colorful rays of light around the room.
— Photo by MARY MALONE Sandpoint High School cheerleader Savanah Groff hands a stuffed puppy to a Farmin Stidwell first-grader who didn't get one during the excitement as the reading puppies were thrown into the air by the cheerleaders and SHS mascot Spike the Bulldog Thursday.
— Photo by MARY MALONE First-graders at Farmin Stidwell Elementary were excited to get their reading puppies Thursday during a visit from Sandpoint High School's mascot, Spike the Bulldog and three of the SHS cheerleaders who helped throw the puppies in the air for the kids to catch, while "Who Let the Dogs Out" played on the stereo and a strobe light sent colorful rays of light across the room.
— Photo by MARY MALONE First-graders at Farmin Stidwell Elementary showed off their reading puppies Thursday with a visit from Sandpoint High School's mascot, Spike the Bulldog and three of the SHS cheerleaders who helped throw the puppies in the air for the kids to catch, while "Who Let the Dogs Out" played on the stereo and a strobe light sent colorful rays of light across the room.
— Photo by MARY MALONE First-graders at Farmin Stidwell Elementary were excited to get their reading puppies Thursday during a visit from Sandpoint High School's mascot, Spike the Bulldog and three SHS cheerleaders who helped throw the puppies in the air for the kids to catch, while "Who Let the Dogs Out" played on the stereo and a strobe light sent colorful rays of light around the room.
SANDPOINT — When the strobe light came on in the common area of Farmin Stidwell Elementary, "oohs" and "aahs" escaped from the first-graders, many of whom wondered out loud what was going on.
The twitters of fascination over the colorful strobe light were nothing compared to the squeals of delight when the song "Who Let the Dogs Out" began and stuffed puppies started flying through the air.
Spike the Bulldog and three cheerleaders from Sandpoint High School went to the elementary school Thursday to give the kids their reading puppies. As Spike and the cheerleaders prepared to open the boxes, the students were asked if they like to read and who their favorite book characters are.
"Humpty Dumpty."
"George."
"Pete the Cat."
When asked what books they are currently reading, some of the kids answered, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," "Boxcar Children" and "I Survived."
Each first-grader received a puppy that will remain in their classroom for the year. Leana Nitcy, a first-grade teacher at Farmin, said the more they read, the more rewards they get to outfit their puppies, such as collars, tags and puppy checkups. They will get to take the puppies to lunch one day during the year and to the library.
"It's a really good motivator for reading," Nitcy said, adding the kids are typically required to read 20 minutes a night for homework. "Once they get their puppies, we tell them if you double your time you're earning more things for your puppy."
The students keep track of how many points they get for their puppy using a reading log to keep track of the minutes they read. For example, 40 minutes per night gives them two stickers in their puppy book.
At the end of the year the students will be allowed to take the puppies home, and Nitcy said she often sees the second-graders still "packing their pup around."
Nitcy didn't tell her students about the puppies, but she said some might know ahead of time if they have older siblings because it has been an annual program in the district for at least five years, she said. Many of the students showed obvious surprise and delight when Spike and the girls began throwing the puppies.
The program is district-wide for first-graders, Nitcy said, and is supported by Panhandle Alliance for Education, a nonprofit organization that supports students, parents, teachers and staff of the Lake Pend Oreille School District.
ARTICLES BY MARY MALONE STAFF WRITER
Shotgun and drugs lead to arrests
BONNERS FERRY — Two individuals were arrested after a shotgun and drugs were found following an alleged incident at Bonners Ferry High School.
Drones take off at Priest River Elementary
PRIEST RIVER — Wearing their flight crew colors, the fifth-grade students walked side by side across the gymnasium to ensure the flight deck was clear of debris.
Mentoring foster kids & the art of fly fishing
SANDPOINT — Giving foster kids the opportunity to get out into nature and learn the art of fly fishing is a powerful therapeutic tool, allowing the youngsters to leave behind some of the stress while also building their confidence and self-esteem.