Creekside third graders reenact Ellis Island; Spearfish High students showcase grant-funded coffee cart

Two student-led presentations highlighted the board meeting.

At Creekside Elementary, third-grade teachers Jessica Schopp and Christy Rath described a cross-curricular immigration unit in which students research family heritage, keep journals written from the perspective of an immigrant, and pass through simulated Ellis Island stations (medical room, baggage inspections, information forms and interviews). Student presenters described packing essential items, answering interview questions about family and intended work, and the classroom's connection to families who volunteer. "We do writing journals where they research their family heritage," Jessica Schopp said.

Spearfish High School presented the Spartan Coffee Cart, a classroom enterprise supported by a grant from the Spearfish Foundation for Public Education. Special-education teacher Chris Geike introduced student baristas; student presenters Lauren Espinosa and Molly Culver described the mission: "We are learning job skills by answering the phone and taking orders from our teachers. We are following instructions on how to make the coffee and we are delivering coffees to our teachers and working with money and making change." The presenters said the program serves roughly five to six drinks per day, offers seasonal flavors and uses a $20 prepaid punch-card system.

Both presentations emphasized student learning, community involvement and parent volunteers. The board thanked the students and staff for the demonstrations.