European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 10, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse Page 8 / a a a \ education the stars and stripes monday december 10,1990 a a a. ,. A a a a a a a is amp Sholos Amy Geiszler Jones Green Ham common schools Are helping children Cope with impending moves As the base shuts Down its missile Wing. At top first grader Brett Morris second from left shows classmates his portfolio before getting their autographs below eighth grader Amber Brendle tacks her photo next to those of other departing students. By Jimi Jones education writer Pitburg Germany for the second consecutive year the Germany Region has produced the top educator in department of defense dependents schools. Mary Micallef a Middle school teacher at Pitburg has earned the worldwide 1991 Dodds teacher of the tear title. Micallef will represent Dodds at the Nav tonal teacher of the year Competition. A it was not on my Agenda for the year but wonderful Surprise a Micallef said. A a in a Lucky to come from the Pitburg area because of the Community involvement a which she feels is effective learning. A i strongly believe that the school is an integral vital part of its Community. Teachers Are a visible important link Between students at school and a Community that is deeply concerned about excellence in education a she said. Micallef said the fact that the base commander frequently visits the school to answer questions for the children is an indication of the Community relationship a they All know him by sight a she said children need to know that a what they do is valued by the Community Quot she said. Micallef who has 15 years of teaching experience in language arts social studies and talented and gifted programs believes a every child has unique abilities and talents every one can go and she feels its her Job to a bring out those talents and help them feel Good about themselves on the Road to becoming Good citizens. Currently teaching talented and gifted students Micallef said she considers herself a very goals and objectives Are important in the classroom eases moves by Amy Geiszler Jones . Bureau Raf Greenham common England a losing a few students throughout the year is a Given in overseas military schools but at the schools at Raf Green Ham common desks Are emptying at an accelerated Pace. The base which houses ground launched cruise missiles becomes a standby installation after june 1991. As the missiles leave so do the Jan. I the bases three schools will have lost 125 students from the 596 who enrolled in september. A additional 127 students Are expected to leave by May. / a a a when the next school year starts the High school will be closed and enrolments at the elementary and Junior High schools will be about 120. V the changes have presented a Challenge for educators How can they help a the children Deal with the schools draw Down. Their answers have come in the form of programs called a Chance for change for parents and a operation smooth move for students a the earlier we get to the parents the smoother the move for the children a said Susan Castorina the guidance Counselor for the elementary and Junior High schools. A if we get the parents involved the kids seem to fall in line a As part of a Chance for change a parents meet once a week at the school. They discuss the Rigours of moving As Well As ways of helping their children. The meetings also give parents a Type of support group. \ some parents have requested that Castorina take extra time to ease their children s anxieties. During one morning recess four elementary students were gathered around a table in her office sharing them concerns. One Young girl Vjio considers Spanish her first language and English her second was apprehensive about going to a base in Germany. The Blond haired girl next to her whose last base was in Germany was trying to ease her fears by sharing her experiences the students program places emphasis on recognizing the upheaval so Many of the children face. A v. In addition school officials Are attaching fanfare to Pupil departures by holding special assemblies in the High school for those leaving snapshots of exiting Junior High and High school students Are stapled to a hallway bulletin Board. A Calendar marking their departure dates Hano alongside the Board. Elementary and Junior High students Are Given portfolios to help introduce themselves at their new schools. Castorina often finds herself in the classrooms these Days handing out Blue folders to departing elementary and Junior High students a major part of �?oopera-1 Tion smooth one Day she had As i Many As seven to deliver. Each 9 /2-by-12-Inch folder is tailored for the individual student. One inside pocket is reserved for report cards Sample work and other activities. Information and activity sheets about moving and making transitions Are slipped into the other pocket. For teen agers there a the brochure a teen talk a with advice from other teens on moving. Younger children get a colouring and activity Book and each family gets a kids on the move a a parental guide on helping children relocate. Depending on How much time will lapse until students report to their next school Castorina also can slide a few tutorial lessons into the folder. There a a Page with a Good Luck written across the top and a snapshot of the student in the Middle the Back of that Page is a certificate recognizing and thanking the student for his or her contributions to Greenham common. The the chif new schools. A usually by the time they leave everything is packed. This allows a a Sampi ids inc thing that makes them teachers d6 their part in the classroom too. They emphasize the things that children can look Forward to at their new bases and listen to their students concerns such As How manage to get i their lunch to school if their teenage mutant ninja Turtle lunch Box is packed away. A a lot of the kids think that things will change if they complain loud enough a Castorina said she and other staff try to get the children to realize such behaviour wont help _ that a Why when she presents the folders she Points out the three words printed on the backside a a done to look Back Quot s portfolios Castorina said will help Wildren introduce themselves at their a pm them to bring samples of their work. It helps these kids when they have some Dodds Best is from she said but its equally important for kids to get excited i prefer the ideas come from the kids. If they feel some p the lessons they learn a bet a a the Seyen year Veteran of the Middle school said some of the most important things she can teach children Are a to feel Good about themselves to understand has a nth stand talents learn Basic life skills be critical thinkers know where to get information and How to use it and How to be Good decision Mie Ahilefs personal philosophy a learning for the Sake of learning a is tremendously fulfilling she said. She has authored several textbooks for teachers As Well and newspaper articles. She has served on numerous curriculum development panels and provided adv a Cating the advantages of Middle level education concepts and teaching strategies. Y is origins top teacher Mary Micallef believes her Job to bring out Eacle child s talents. It i
