Wright News

05/25/2005

Wright News By Jennie K. Hanson May 25, 2005

Last week I had the chance to do some subbing at the Floodwood School. First I was in the 5th Grade for two days and then in the Special Ed. Room. The kids in 5th grade were getting pretty restless on the 2nd day, so we decided to have an airplane flying contest.  The students were given a regular piece of typing paper and had a few minutes to fold and design their planes.  Then we had test flights followed by the contest.  Each student had to fly their plane in groups of 4 or 5 kids and the plane that flew the shortest distance got an elimination check mark.  After three check marks, they were eliminated.  This went of for several rounds until finally it was just Colton, Justin and Cassie left.  The other students got pretty excited when Cassie was eliminated and ended up in 3rd place.  It took two more flights and Colton became the winner with Justin coming in in 2nd place. After the contest, the whole class realized that it wasn’t always how you made your plane, but how you threw it that mattered the most.  Colton had a very good throw and seemed to know just the right time to release his plane for the greatest distance.  All the kids seemed to enjoy the contest and learned that the best time is had when everyone tries their best and has a good time cheering for each other.

Then on the third day in Floodwood, I also happened to be there when the school had a “911 Lockdown”.  This was a very interesting experience.  At about 1 PM a voice came over the intercom announcing that this is a 911 Lockdown.  Everyone was to immediately leave the halls, return to their rooms, lock their rooms, cover any windows and go to a part of the room that was away from the doors.  I didn’t happen to have any students at the time, but there was another adult in the room with me, so we followed the directions and waited for an “All Clear” over the intercom.  It took about an hour for the “All Clear” to come and we spent the time wondering what was really happening.  After school the administration filled in the teachers and staff on what caused the lockdown and everyone went home safe and sound.

I was really impressed with how the whole situation was handled and felt very confident that the school could handle any situation that would come their way.  Even if there was no real threat (which no one knew for sure) at the time of the lockdown, everyone took it very seriously.

The Kid’s Plus After School Program has concluded for this school year. They want to thank everyone for their donations and support, but at this time they are short of their budget for next year.  They do plan to continue the program beginning next fall, but please be aware that if you know of any sources of funding, or are interested in writing a grant, your help is really needed.  We want to keep the ASP going as it gives so much help to both students and parents.

A lot of pounding hammers were heard on April 21st when Wright Senior Citizen’s Bob Hanson, Ray Gurske, and Bud Olson came to the ASP and helped the kids make birdhouses.  Thirty After School kids made either a wren house or a bluebird house to take home and put up in their yard.  The kids had a great time and so did the guys that helped them.

Dr. David Nichols will be ministering at the Sawyer Chapel in Sawyer, MN on June 3 - 5th2005.  Services will be on Friday and Saturday at 6:30 PM and on Sunday at 10 AM.  The Sawyer Chapel is 1 and 1/2 blocks south of the Sawyer Store on County F and Hwy 210.

As Memorial Day rolls around, I always like to stop and take the time to remember my former students who have passed away.  Even though I taught school for 32 years, there are way too many names on the list of those who have died way too young.  This is a somber reminder of how precious life is and how important it is to treasure the time we have with each other.  May God Bless the family members of these dearly departed.

Our sympathy goes out to the family of Paul Henry Johnson on his recent death.  Paul battled cancer for the past few months and died in Moose Lake on Sunday, May 22, 2005.  His death is truly an end of an era.  His funeral was held at Bethlehem Lutheran on May 28th.  I’ll try to have more details next week.

The Hjalmar-Alto #429 Cromwell-Wright Auxiliary says “Thank You” to each and everyone who supported their Annual Ticket Raffle.  Winners are: 3rd prize: Gift Certificate to the Fire Side in McGregor to K. Anderson, Moose Lake, 2nd Prize table runner made by Geri Aho to Jeannie Beredahl, North Branch, MN, and 1st Prize: Quilt to Mary Risacher, Bloomington, MN.

The ticket sale money goes toward hospitalized veterans, Veterans Day coffee and donuts at both restaurants in Wright and Cromwell, and projects that develop during the year of 2005-2006, flags when persons would like to purchase to support by flying our symbol of red, white, and blue.  Don’t forget to fly the flag!

Join the Auxiliary. Come and see what it’s all about.  Members Welcome! The next meeting is June 13th 7:30 PM at the pavilion in Cromwell.  No meetings in July or August and the State Convention is in Moorhead, MN July 21-23 this year.

I’d like to close my news this week with a message to our men and women in the military on active duty and those veterans’s who sacrificed so much for our country in the past.  We will remember your outstanding courage and commitment to freedom.  And we will be thankful for fine Americans like you who have given so much to our great country.  Please know that we support you and will be thinking of you now and forever.  May God Bless You and God Bless America.

That’s all the news from Lake Endofanera and a special Hello to the family of Paul H. Johnson of Paul’s Auto Sales in Wright.