Values on Display in Class

PHOTO: Students in Paul Steinke's fifth-grade homeroom at C.L. Phelps School recently received a lesson in core democratic values when they spearheaded a fund-raising campaign for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Four of Steinke's students are, from left, Megan Hough, Halie LeSage, Cody Kugler, and Bria Johnson. (Journal photo by Jacqueline Perry)

By JACQUELINE PERRY, Journal Staff Writer

ISHPEMING - C.L. Phelps students are receiving a hands-on lesson in core democratic values by helping Hurricane Katrina victims.

Paul Steinke's fifth-grade homeroom students spearheaded a collection for Katrina victims by hanging handmade posters in the school hallways encouraging people to donate and collecting money from each classroom.

"The students started the campaign immediately following the hurricane," said Steinke, who teaches social studies, reading and English. "They were able to get everyone motivated right away when it was still fresh in all of our minds."

Helping those in need also ties in with the core democratic values - the fundamental beliefs and constitutional principles of American society - Steinke stresses in his social studies class, he said. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are examples of core democratic values.

"Common good, patriotism and (quality of) life are the core democratic values students are utilizing while helping Katrina victims," Steinke said. "These are the type of lessons that really hit home. We can read from a textbook, but students really begin to understand when they put to use the concepts they've read about."

Megan Hough, 10, said she is glad to be able to help people in New Orleans and Mississippi.

"I can't imagine being in that situation," Hough said. "Some people have lost everything, including family members. It's really sad and we should all do what we can to help."

The Builders Club assisted the fifth-graders' fund-raiser by declaring a penny war throughout the building. The Builders Club is a service organization for students.

A penny war consists of each homeroom having a change jug. Each class tries to fill its jug with pennies. However, students from other classrooms can "bomb" the jug by adding silver coins, Munson said. At the end of the war, the classroom with the most money in pennies wins.

"To "sweeten" the deal, Principal Charleen Willey promised to let the head cook cut her hair at the Oct. 25 pep rally if the school raised at least $1,000.

Note:  This article was taken from the online version of the Monday, September 26, 2005 Mining Journal.