Snelling ConnectionNewsletter of the Hancock/Hamline University Collaboration

The earthquake that oc-curred in Haiti on January 12th, 2010 has

affected an estimated three mil-lion people in that country. It took only 35 seconds for this earthquake, which registered 7.3 on the Richter scale, to wreak extensive devastation in a country already identified as being the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. In response to the natural

disaster in Haiti, students and faculty at both Hancock Elementary School and Hamline University have been organizing efforts to give aid in this time of need. Health care kits represent an example of this aid effort on the parts of both schools. Hamline students and staff made 487 health care kits on January 21st. These kits provide basic necessities to people who have been forced to leave their homes because of human conflict or natural disaster. The kits include a hand towel, washcloth, comb, nail file, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste and plastic bandages. The United

Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) will be sending the health care kits to Haiti. Sophomore student, Saraya Boghani, helped package health care kits and helped to organize the 30 Hour Famine benefit concert with proceeds going to Haiti relief. “Hamline is definitely making an effort to show its support for Haiti. This can be seen from student efforts with the 30 Hour Famine Benefit Concert for Haiti, packaging bathroom kits, raising money through button sales, and even looking into future service trips to Haiti,” Boghani said, “Students

Hancock and Hamline Give Aid to Help Haiti

By Madison Hare, Emma Walsh, Lilly Yang, Kiley Bigger, and Tessa MortensonStudent Editors and Editor

Upcoming Hamline and Hancock Events:

Aid to Haiti cont. on page 2

Mr. Lein’s sixth grade class and Hamline students package meals for the Feed My Starving Children organization

Spring 2010Volume 13, Issue 2

In This Issue:

Hancock/Hamline Give Aid 1

Give Aid Continued... 2 Mock Trial, Benefit Concert 3

From the Desk of... 4

On the Issues, Volunteers 5

Hancock Husky, Earth Day 6

April 4th, 2010Empty Bowls FestivalMore info on p. 2

April 14th, 2010Scholarship Fund Benefit ConcertMore info on p. 3

May 7th, 2010Earth Day FestivalMore info on p. 6

May 19th, 2010Hancock Band and Orchestra ConcertSundin Hall at Hamline University 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.

Page 2 Snelling Connection

Hancock and Hamline Give Aid continued...

are aware of the impact of disaster and want to do their part.” The Student Council at Hancock Elementary School has been collecting money for the Haiti earthquake survivors. On January 28th, Hancock students and staff purchased colorful leis to wear in honor of the earthquake survivors. Along with cash donations, students at Hancock Elementary School have decided to hold various fundraisers and use the profit to buy solar ovens through the Solar Oven Society. Each solar oven costs $85.00 and Hancock has collected enough money to purchase four ovens for Haiti. Solar ovens use the sun’s energy to cook food and purify water. This will help Haitians because they won’t have to gather firewood or coal for their fires, which is very time consuming. Haiti has a severe deforestation problem, so the provision of an alternative fuel source for cooking that is environmentally friendly and suitable to the local climate is especially important. Also, cooking over a smoky fire blackens the insides of their homes and their lungs. Solar ovens are good for people and the earth. Hamline students and staff have also been collecting donations for Haiti in their “Dollar for Change” campus collection. The $850 raised so far will

be matched by the Hamline Student Congress. “This means we raised $1700 and we are so inspired by the students at Hancock that we decided to donate half the money to UNICEF to help children in Haiti and half of the money to the Solar Oven Society,” said Sharon Jaffe, coordinator of service learning and volunteerism at Hamline. Hancock will continue to hold various fundraisers to buy additional ovens. The 6th-grade students at Hancock also made cards to sell at the school science fair and throughout the year. The money goes to Haiti and to help homelessness in Minnesota. The cards are still available in the 6th-grade for $1.00 each. Robert Lein’s 6th-grade class took a service learning field trip to a Feed My Starving Children food-packing site in January. All together, the students packed a total of 16,200 meals to be sent to Haiti. “Watching the students make those meals and doing so with apositive attitude was the best field trip that I have ever taken my studentson,” Lein stated, “I was really proud of the way the students took the service project of Haiti to heart.” On April 8th, the Office of Service Learning and Volunteerism (OSLV) of Hamline University will be hosting its

annual Empty Bowls Festival. It will be a community event open to students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding St. Paul area. In past years, this event has served as a fundraiser to raise money for hunger. This year, along with the continuation of this cause, a portion of the proceeds will also be donated to Haiti. Guest speakers will be discussing hunger specifically in Minnesota and Haiti, as well as on a global scale. There will be music, arts and crafts, and food donated by local restaurants. Both Hamline and Hancock have provided opportunities for students to make a variety of bowls that will be given away to each person who attends the event. For example, Robert Lein’s 6th-grade class made bowls in March. Daniel Campbell, a graduate student at Hamline, taught students how to make pinch pots and slab bowls. Alongside Campbell, Lisa Fralish, a sophomore student at Hamline, taught students about hunger and helping people. This event will be held at the Hamline United Methodist Church at 1541 Englewood in the community room from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, April 8th. A suggested donation is $15 and the minimum donation is $5. Sharon Jaffe has been organizing the Empth Bowls Festival. Jaffe said, “People are invited to stop by for a community feast, music, and take home a bowl as a reminder to help fill all the empty bowls in the world.” For more information visit: www.hamline.edu/oslv.

Hamline students and staff joined together to assemble health care kits to be donated

Page 3 Snelling Connection

Hancock Students Visit Hamline for Mock Trial

Every year Han-cock 5th-grad-ers participate in

the Mock Trial academ-ic pairing program at Hamline University to learn about the United States legal system. Each student is given

a part in a mock trial. They are either on the prosecution team, the defense team, or the jury. The jury decides, from their notes, if the defendant is guilty or not guilty. The most important

part of Mock Trial is to see the legal process in action and to continue our grade-level partnership with Hamline University. Ramla Abdiwali Dhamuke, a stu-

dent from Ms. Smith’s 5th-grade class, felt the best part of Mock Trial was, “going up there and talking [at the po-dium] because you feel like a profes-sional Attorney.” To prepare for their cases, students

study and practice their parts with the help of Hamline Law School students. For example, students learn how to raise an objection, phrase questions for witnesses, stay calm, and keep track

during the trial. Maya Winter, a student in Ms. Saa-

ri’s 5th-grade class said, “We all prac-ticed as if we were in court, at Hamline and at Hancock, in order to get used to everything. One or two Hamline Law students came to Hancock to help us.” Last year Hser Eh Htoo, now a 6th-

grade student, participated in a Mock Trial as a lawyer. She learned how to question witnesses and argue a case. This year marked the first time Kiley Bigger, a 5th-grade student, partici-pated in the Mock Trial. Upon reflect-ing about her feelings before Mock Trial occurred, Kiley stated, “When

it was getting close to the time we had to start practicing for the Mock Trial, I got really nervous because I thought I was going to mess up!” Ms. Saari’s 5th-

grade class, includ-ing Kiley, experi-enced a “hung jury” outcome. This is when the jury can’t decide if the defen-dant is guilty or not guilty. Phounsith Yangh,

another student in Ms. Saari’s class said, “I liked it when the judges

called the witnesses because I like to ask questions and listen to the other side.” The 5th-grade and Hamline Law

School continue to foster a strong part-nership through the use of the mock trial setting to give students hands on experiences with courtroom proceed-ings. Winter reflected on Mock Trial say-

ing, “I learned that you have to make a convincing impact on the jury so they will side with you. In order to do that you have to ask very specific questions. If you win or lose, you have to have good sportsmanship about it.”

Fifth grade students partake in a mock trial. Above: The prosecution team prepares their side.

By Hser Eh Htoo and Lilly YangStudent Editors

2nd Annual Scholarship Fund Benefit Concert The 2nd Annual Scholarship Fund Benefit Concert and Silent Auction will occur on April 14th, from 4:00-9:00 p.m. at O’Gara’s Garage located at 164 Snelling Avenue N in St. Paul. At this year’s benefit we will enjoy an eclectic group of bands including Daniel Rumsey, a teacher at Hancock; Before, a band of Hamline professors; Ibaba, a band of Hamline professors, staff, and students; and Sugar Buzz, a band from the Hamline-Midway neighborhood. We will also have a silent auction with a wide variety of items to bid on. This year’s benefit is particularly exciting because we are within reach of attaining our goal of $20,000 and for this year we anticipate we will go “over the top!” Once we reach our goal we can begin offering a scholarship to Hancock students who attend Hamline. –Megan Anderson, Hancock-Hamline Collaboration Coordinator.

Page 4 Snelling Connection

Hello! My name is Jessie Rose LeClaire. My

whole family really loves animals. That’s why

we have so many (one cat, two dogs, four birds,

one rabbit, one hermit crab, two mice and one

hamster). I’ve been here since kindergarten.

I’m in 5th-grade and my favorite sport is

soccer. Last year in 4th-grade my friend Ethan

and I heard they were getting rid of two kinds

of juices from our school. We gathered about

500 names for a petition. We got a new juice

called White Grape to keep students happy.

Hancock Elementary School is the best.

Jessie Rose LeClaire

Hey! My name is Sebastian Alfonzo. I am a 5th=grader at Hancock. I am from Venezuela. I’ve been at Hancock since kindergarten. I enjoy going to the movies and playing soccer. I play in the school orchestra. I am also a school Patrol after school. One of my favorite memories of Hancock was going to the Young Authors conference in 4th-grade. I also have enjoyed

working in the Snelling Connection this year. I hope to go the Young Author’s conference again this year.

Sebastian Alfonso

HI! I am the Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Hamline, and since last fall I have been the Faculty Liaison to the Hancock-Hamline Collaboration. I work with the Advisory Board and the Executive Committee of the Collaboration to plan and carry out all of the activities of the Collaboration. One of the

things I enjoy most about this position is that I get to work with many Hancock and Hamline teachers, staff and students on projects that help students and build a stronger community. One of our projects is the production of the Snelling Connection newsletter, and I enjoyed my recent visit to Hancock for a meeting of all the Hancock students who were working on articles for it. I also teach biology at Hamline, and I am hoping that someday the students I met at Hancock will be in my biology class at Hamline. One of the projects the Collaboration is working on is creating a scholarship that will help Hancock students go to Hamline!From

the

Des

k of

...

Presley Martin

Page 5 Snelling Connection

On the Issues: Bullying in School A Bully is someone who teases, threatens, picks on, or hurts people. There are different ways of teasing. Some are good: like teasing to communicate, or teasing to get someone that is shy to talk to you. However, a bully is someone who hurts others. Just about everyone gets teased or bullied at some time or another, so we thought we’d ask for your advice on how to help each other and your comments about bullying in general.

Sixth Grade Class Volunteers for Homeless Hello! A few months ago Mrs. Susan’s sixth grade class worked with some Hamline students to brainstorm ideas on how they can help prevent homelessness. They came up with fourteen ideas, made a vote and then narrowed the ideas down to three. The final three were: Blanket making, making sandwiches, and putting together gift baskets. At the end they had made 200 sandwiches which they donated to a “sandwich man” who gives them to the homeless. They made an assortment of blankets which were donated to the Listening House, a local day and evening shelter and community center in St. Paul. A group of students choen from Mrs. Susan’s class had a field trip to the Listening House and made gift baskets which included vaseline, lotion, and a pair of socks. -Alexis Lynch, student editor

“Bullies want to belong and feel important. They hurt others to get even when they think others don’t like them. They don’t know how to get the respect and caring that they need.” –Ms. Abrams, Hancock Principal.

“Bullies take their anger out on other people because they don’t know other ways to deal with it.” –Rola Alkatout, Hamline Sophomore student.

“I think bullies ‘bully’ because they have not practiced positive ways to make friends. They might want the attention of others but use negative behavior to get the attention.” –Vicki Sagert, K-3 Literacy Coach.

“I think that bullies bully people because they maybe want to impress someone or make them[selves] look cool.” –Tommy Mao, 5th-grade student.

“Ask them to stop and if that doesn’t work, tell a teacher.” –Luke Whiting, 1st-grade student.

“Make sure I treat people as I would like to be treated. Try not to respond to taunts from bullies.” –Mary Verdeja, Hancock School Secretary.

“You could stop bullies from bullying people by talking to them when they are not near their friends.” –Kiley Bigger, 5th-grade student.

“How to stop a bully: Ignore it, then walk away.” –Hoda, 2nd-grade student.

“I think you could stop people from bullying by sticking up for those who are getting bullied.” –Kaitlin Webster, Hamline First Year student and Hancock Tutor.

Why do you think bullies “bully” people?

How do you think you could stop people from “bullying”?

Page 6 Snelling Connection

Snelling Connection Contacts:

Editor: Tessa Mortenson, Collaboration Assistant, Hamline University studenttmortenson01@hamline.edu

Hamline Liaison: Pres Martin, Associate Dean, CLA and Professor of Biologypmartin@gw.hamline.edu 651-523-2290

Hancock Liaison: Deborah Shipp, Hancock/Hamline University Collaborative Magnet Schooldeborah.shipp@spps.org 651-293-8715

Hancock Student Advisor: Glynis Grostephan, Hancock/Hamline University Collaborative Magnet Schoolglynis.grostephan@spps.org 651-293-8715

Emma Walsh

Meet the Hancock Student Editors

You are invited to the 12th annual Hancock and Hamline Collaborative

Earth Day Festival!

Friday, May 7th10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.

on Hamline’s Old Main Lawn

Participate in hands-on activities created by Hancock “Earth Savers” to learn about the five R’s: “Reduce, Reuse, React, and Recycle”.Visit the Festival and enjoy a Sno Kone! All Han-

cock and Hamline students and staff are invited.You may also provide an activity or exhibit for

the Festival or work side-by-side with Hancock students to supervise a game or activity. Sign up at the Volunteer Tent.

For more information contact Glynis Grostephan at glynis.grostephan@spps.org or 651-293-8715.

Madison Hare Hser Eh Htoo Jesse LeClaire Lilly Yang Kiley Bigger Sebastian Alfonso

Alexis Lynch

Dear Hancock Huskies,I feel like I can’t come to school because someone in

my class is bullying me. I feel uncomfortable when I’m in class. This person gives me mean looks and teases me and my friends.I am also kind of scared that this person will tease

and make fun of me even more if I try to stick up for my friends. Do you have any suggestions?Sincerely,I. M. Bullied

Dear I. M. Bullied,This person is a bully. Bullies are nothing to envy.

Usually their self-esteem is low and they are bullied by others. This person may seem happy and cool because they put other people down.If you want to get rid of a bully, here is what you

should do: First, just walk away. If that doesn’t work, then tell them to stop. If nothing else works, tell an adult. -Hanock Huskies