Second-graders show pioneer-day lessons, community field trips at Washington Elementary

Second-grade teachers from Washington Elementary — Laurie Bores, Kendra Mobos and Jane Overhook — presented a school showcase highlighting hands-on, community-linked learning practices and a recent Pioneer Day activity.

The teachers described a unit on communities that includes field trips to the police station, City Hall (where students meet the mayor), the South Lake County Rec Center for skating and lunch, the fire station and the Lincoln High School agriculture department where high-school students bring animals and host demonstrations. Teachers said the trips give students exposure to community roles, new experiences such as skating, and real-world encounters with public servants.

Pioneer Day activities included period games, making butter from heavy whipping cream, sampling cornbread and buttermilk, writing with quill pens, and classroom transformations into one-room-schoolhouse settings. Students described favorite activities such as collecting "buffalo chips" (as a historical activity explained to them) and playing pioneer games; teachers noted donated period outfits and a recent grant from an organization described as "advocates for education" to purchase scooters for playground use after playground restructuring.

Teachers and the board thanked parents and volunteers for supporting the programming; students gave brief demonstrations during the meeting. The board praised the teachers and underscored that these experiences contribute to lasting student memories and relationship-building in the early grades.