Back to school for a day

Ever wonder what it would be like to be in the shoes of today’s kids — the pressures, the anxieties, the laughter and the tears? Four members of The Index-Journal writing staff went to school for an entire day and shadowed students to help you better understand their experiences. Click the links below to see read about each reporter's experience at their school.

BACK TO SCHOOL: Lakeview Elementary

August 10, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

The word drifting through the hallways Wednesday at Lakeview Elementary was that a runaway watermelon was on the loose.
And though it was their first day of school, the eager 5- and 6-year-olds in Martha Ann Davis’ kindergarten class took on the mission to find that frisky melon — and it was a task they quickly accomplished.
With about 31 years in the education field, Davis said the watermelon hunt has been one of the most successful techniques she has used to ease the children into their new routines and school environment.
It all started years ago when a student gave Davis a watermelon doormat as a gift. Though the mat is long gone, the watermelons aren’t. In fact, Davis’ classroom is home to watermelon baskets, stickers, books, posters, signs, trays, bags, wreaths, notepads and flowerpots.
“The theme caught on, and I sort of went overboard,” Davis said with a laugh as she prepared for her first students to arrive.

AND AT 7:35 A.M., those students began pouring through the door.
Some parents walked their children to the classroom, and others, such as Sonja Gehrmann, brought cameras to snap photos of the big day.
Gehrmann’s son, Canon, was ready to start school, she said.
“It’s sad for me, but I’m excited for him,” Gehrmann said. “He’s been looking forward to it.”
As more children found their “magic spot” on the classroom’s blue carpet floor, word of the wandering watermelon began to spread, and the boys and girls listened excitedly to reports from other Lakeview staff that the striped, green fruit had been seen rolling down the hallways.
But before the hunt could begin, Davis and her students had to review a set of classroom rules and make one of the most important decisions of the day: Would they eat spaghetti or hoagie sandwiches for lunch?
“The first day is always a lot of talking about rules and getting the students used to (the teachers’) faces,” Davis said. “Rather than jumping in, I have to establish rules because, if we don’t, it ends up being very chaotic. It’s very hard for the students to unlearn a behavior they’ve started.”
By 8 a.m., Davis’ instructional assistant, Donna Hazel, had arrived — and it was not a moment too soon. About 25 children filled the room at the official start of the school day, and even Davis’ daughter, Caroline, a junior education major at Clemson University, stopped by for a few hours to lend a hand.
“I told her this would be the best experience she could have,” Davis shouted above a sea of voices.

A TRIP to the library at 9:45 a.m. gave students their first big clue in the great watermelon adventure, as librarian Frances Gilliam told the group that the melon had been spotted there just moments earlier.
“We were so busy, and it rolled by,” she told the children. “We wanted to eat it, but it was too fast.”
Similar stories led the children down hallways named Welcome Avenue, Rocket Road, Star Court, Galaxy Boulevard and Twinkle Lane, and a brief search was conducted in the school’s cafeteria.
But, in the end, it was an innocent-looking refrigerator in a first-grade classroom that held the prize. When the watermelon was found in its frosty hideout, Davis’ students let out laughs and cheers. And to celebrate their successful hunt, the students returned to their classroom to listen to a story and sing a song about — of course — watermelons.

AFTER LUNCH it was off to the playground, and each student took turns swinging on playsets and digging in the sand. Davis said new physical education laws require that schools supplement recess with a certain amount of structured physical activity. Inactive children are encouraged to find some kind of activity that gets them moving, Davis added.
“P.E. is very important. It teaches them to follow rules and it helps them be a part of a group,” she said.
Betsy Garber, a physical education teacher at Lakeview, agreed, adding that the exercise helps the students learn.
“It helps them think better in school and do better on their test scores,” she said.
Frozen treats, drawing lessons, story time and sing-alongs filled the students’ afternoon hours, though the length of the day began to take its toll on some of the children. A few began to cry and others began to ask, “When are we going home?”
When the bells rang at the end of the day, the students trickled back out of Davis’ room, eager to find the buses and cars that would take them home.
As the noise level began to subside, Davis spent the final moments of the day talking with a few remaining children about birthdays, families and the exciting days of school to come.
Though it was a tiring day for the students and staff, Davis said it was a great start to the year, adding that it will only get better as the weeks pass.
“It went very well,” she said, ushering the last student from the room. “It takes them a while to get into the groove, but, by next week, the difference will be amazing.”

BACK TO SCHOOL: East End Elementary

August 10, 2006

By JOANIE BAKER
Index-Journal staff writer

The first day of third grade teaches you two of life’s most important lessons: It’s all about turning on your listening ears and finding your square in life.
Your tile square for lining up in the hallway, that is.
After organizing the piles of new Crayolas and getting through the school’s first breakfast in the classroom, East End Elementary students in Jaime Jarrett’s third-grade class discovered that they are entering into a community of learners.
“I was really excited to get up this morning,” third-grader Charley Manley said. “I was pretty nervous last night I couldn’t go to sleep.”
Manley said she was nervous that third grade was going to be a lot harder, with more multiplication, but she said she is looking forward to getting back into art classes.
Even though the first day back was full of instructions as students learned about their schedules and what is expected of them, the day wasn’t as easy as listening to their teacher read “Mrs. Nelson is Missing.”
The class had its first third-grade test.
“True or false? Mrs. Jarrett is married,” the teacher asked. “True or false? Mrs. Jarrett likes to dance.”
From the corner of the room, a student whispered to his friend, “Of course she likes to dance. Just look at her; you know she’s got moves.”
Jarrett’s class was the lucky class that got to go to PE at the beginning of the school day. After stretching their limbs, the class ventured to the playground so that all 24 of the 8- and 9-year-olds could surround a parachute and play “popcorn” by popping up tiny balls on the colorful wind sail.
After the class seemed to master instructions about the three-steps to take before telling the teacher on someone, students colored their names on a piece of paper with three drawings of the things that best describe them.
“This is the snake that lives in my back yard,” one child said of his drawing.
After all the little people loaded the buses and cars, Jarrett said she thought the first day turned out to be very productive. The teacher said she thinks the breakfast in the classroom will also help the students get into their work earlier.
“I can already tell a sense of community building is taking place,” she said. “They were very responsive and demonstrated that we will have a wonderful year.”

BACK TO SCHOOL: Ninety Six High

August 10, 2006

By LESLIE DRAFFIN
Index-Journal intern

Friendly hugs and high-fives abounded as students greeted each other while entering Ninety Six High for their first day of school.
Students crowded inside the school building Wednesday morning, talking excitedly about their summers and showing off the fashion statements worn for first-day activities.
Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Chuck Burton worked to keep order, as did many other teachers acting as hall monitors, and managed to usher students inside for homeroom classes just before the bell rang.
Inside, low temperatures made some students shiver but reminded many to be thankful they weren’t stuck in the scorching weather outside.
“If I turn it off, we’ll be as hot in here as it is outside,” one teacher remarked when a student complained. “You wouldn’t want that.”
Homeroom for Steven Graves, a junior, was a good time to catch up with friends and compare schedules.
“I’ve got my first two classes here at school, then I go to the career center for the rest of the day,” Graves said.
Students at Ninety Six follow a block schedule, where they have four class periods a day for an entire semester and then have four different classes the next semester. Students received their schedules during registration, which laid out their classes for the fall and spring semesters, although schedules with clearer instructions were handed out again during homeroom.
“We had the eight-periods-a-day schedule in middle school,” Graves said, “but I like the block schedule better.”
Graves and his peers did allude to some disadvantages with the block schedule, such as longer class time, and the general assessment was that going to eight classes in one day is too hectic.
After morning announcements, a moment of silence and the pledge of allegiance — which the students are asked to honor by standing at attention but not made to recite — Graves and his classmates had some free time to talk and ask questions.
“Normally, I go to the career center for third period, after I have lunch, but I really don’t know what to do today,” Graves said to his homeroom teacher. “I can’t go to third period like the announcement said. Should I just go to the lunchroom?”
Some specific scheduling questions, such as Graves’, had to be left unanswered for the time being since most teachers, like students, simply had to feel their way through the shortened class schedule.
“I really don’t know when the bell is going to ring,” one teacher announced, “so we’ll just wait and see.”
Following homeroom, Graves flowed with the mass of students to classes across campus and, despite the different subjects, most classes seemed the same. Class requirements, rules and materials were passed out to students, information cards were filled out and several “get to know you” games were played — to more than a few grunts of dissatisfaction.
Graves said he spent time this summer reading required books and preparing for his pre-AP English class by writing essays.
“I really liked the play ‘Raisin in the Sun,’” Graves said.
Reading at Ninety Six is becoming more and more important, Principal Joanne Campbell said. “Ninety Six High School is beginning its first year in the ‘High Schools that Work’ program,” said Campbell, an ever-present fixture in the school who checked in on classes throughout the day. “We are trying to encourage at least 15 minutes of reading a day in at least one class, although some teachers do more.”
Students seemed excited about the new reading rule, especially in Graves’ pre-AP English class, although most hoped they would be able to read the books they wanted and not school-mandated material.
Graves was focused on what he needed to do to succeed throughout the first day of school, despite the chaos.
“I take health Science technologies 1A at the career center in the afternoons, which takes up two periods,” Graves said. “I want to be an athletic trainer when I grow up, so I’ll probably go to College of Charleston or Charleston Southern. I’m also in the National Honors Society.”

BACK TO SCHOOL: Westview Middle

August 10, 2006

By BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer

Austin Rodgers was going through the rules and regulations in his first-block science class when his teacher, Jeneen Webb, decided to change his name.
Webb said she needed a way to remember the three Austins in her first class of the day, so she called them different names during class.
Austin became “Rodgers” in Webb’s class.
“I kinda like that, teacher,” Austin said.
A name change was one of many new experiences Austin had during his first day at Westview Middle School.
The sixth-grader spent the day finding his way around Westview while navigating rivers of other students in the halls also trying to make it to their next class.
Austin said he couldn’t believe how much larger the middle school is in comparison to his old school, Springfield Elementary.
He said having to remember the names of four teachers instead of one is also challenging.
“This is what I don’t like about different teachers,” Austin said.
Austin’s mom, Melinda, dropped him off at school.
Austin started the day by walking quickly from the main lobby of Westview to Webb’s class.
Austin put a Wal-Mart bag with three boxes of tissues on a counter in the classroom, then sat at a table with another boy and put his backpack on the floor.
The table was decorated for a dinner party, with plastic tablecloth and fake sunflowers in a tall, glass beaker.
He said he brought the tissues for Webb’s supply wish list.
The new sixth-graders didn’t talk to one another before class.
Webb introduced herself to the students before the first morning bell shook several like they’d been stung by one of the cardboard, cutout bugs hanging overhead.
“You can breathe,” Webb said jokingly. “Breathe!”
Later, Webb asked students to decorate a paper plate so it could be their nameplate in the classroom.
Austin flipped a pencil between his fingers while focusing on the paper plate.
They had a scavenger hunt exercise a while later.
“Yes!” Austin said, raising his hands over his head in frustration as another student asked him a question.
“What is your favorite restaurant?” he said to another student later on.
After the scavenger hunt, Webb asked the kids about their answers.
Austin raised a fist in the air to show that he likes Clemson University.
“Who’s an only child?” Webb said.
Austin raised his hand.
He also plays baseball and football and went to Florida for summer vacation.
Austin is amazed by the different choices for lunch at Westview.
Hot dogs, pizza, hamburgers and sub sandwiches are only some of what was for lunch Wednesday. Springfield never offered more than one thing for lunch, Austin said.
“They didn’t give you what you wanted like this,” he said.
As the day rolled along and he switched classes, Austin sagged in his chair and leaned an elbow on the table while his math teacher, Leslie Blackmon, explained a worksheet during math class.
During his English/language arts class, teacher Elizabeth Adams took the class on a tour of the school.
Austin said he was taking band class late in the afternoon. He wants to play the drums.
The car rider bell rings after band class and Austin heads for the front door and his mom’s car.
Rounding the corner, he sees a logjam of students trying to get out the front door.
“This is what it’s like every day,” Austin said.

Dixie getting early jump on season

August 10, 2006

By JIM JOYCE
Special projects editor

DUE WEST — Dixie High School football coach Steve Dunlap is in his 14th season (his sixth year after an absence from the scene), and he is pleased that the numbers have increased the last couple of seasons.
The Hornets, preparing for the Aug. 17 opener at home with Southside Christian, and school officials are happy with that date.
“We’ll get the jump on everybody,” Dunlap said in a humorous manner. He added that the Thursday night start benefits the team in several ways, one of which is fan support.
According to High School League schedules, only two other games (C. E. Murray at Socastee, Fox Creek at McBee) are set to open the season on that date.
Coming off a 5-5 record (3-2 in Region I-A), Dunlap said the Hornets return five players on both sides of the ball.
“That is a concern, because we’ve got quite a job to fill a lot of spots,” he said. “We lost some very good athletes from last year, so we’re concerned that we’ve got a lot of inexperienced people out here. We have lots of first-time players and we’re not overly blessed with size this year.”
The 2005 Hornets were hit heavily with injuries, including the loss of two players before the season started. That’s a big reason for them concentrating on conditioning as they prepare for this season.
“We’ll have a lot of people going both ways, so the big thing this year is staying healthy,” Dunlap added. “The heat has been a concern, but our guys have stuck in there. We’ve lost only one in preseason workouts. They have given us a good effort, but, still, the key right now is staying healthy. We’re pushing hard on conditioning.”
Another another concern at practice this week has been tackling.
Assistant coach Ben Snipes put extra time on that aspect — to the point of physically showing the proper technique to get the job done.
“We’ve got to put them on the ground,” he said, telling the players to hit low and drive.
“Some of the guys are stepping up from back-up roles last year and we’re confident they will get the job done,” Dunlap said.
More preseason practice time will be spent on becoming comfortable with the wishbone offense, which has been used several years at the Due West school.
“We’ll try to stick with it again this year, and we’ll spread it out some but we’ve got to work on that,” Dunlap said. “It will also depend on how our quarterback throws the ball.”
At present, Dunlap said Robert Miller is filling the signal-calling shoes.
“He has the most experience,” Dunlap added. “He had some jayvee play and worked some as back-up last year.” Greg Dunlap is expected to back him.

Opinion

Now you have to wonder about the ‘richest’ party

August 10, 2006

For what it’s worth department:
U. S. Senator Joe Lieberman, who has held that office for 18 years, lost a close primary race Tuesday to newcomer Ned Lamont. Lamont is now the Connecticut Democrats’ nominee in the November general election. Political observers, including those in South Carolina, have speculated what the Lieberman loss will mean to the national Democratic Party.
While that consideration may hold much interest around the country, there is another fact that directly conflicts with the political party line national Democrats have been toeing for years. It flies in the face of what that party line has been.

FOR YEARS DEMOCRATS HAVE repeated again and again that the Republican Party is a party of the rich, and that somehow that’s an automatic detraction. In the Connecticut Democratic primary, though, it was the “upper class” voters who gave Lamont the win. That group, officials said, is by and large the richest and most educated people in the state. Lamont, of course, is a multimillionaire.
Doesn’t that make the Democrats of Connecticut a “party of the rich” as well? Throw in the filthy rich Democrats Ted Kennedy, John Kerry and others and the rich vs. the poor scenario just doesn’t ring true.
For too many these days, however, politics is politics, and anything goes. How long does it take for all Americans to wise up to that truism ..... and vote accordingly?

Obituaries

Mary Remsen Burch

McCORMICK — Mary Remsen Burch, 86, wife of Henry S. Burch Sr., of Barksdale Ferry Road, died Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2006 at Forest View Manor Assisted Living Facility in McCormick.
A native of Lincolnton, Ga., she was a daughter of the late Walter Murray Remsen Sr. and Zita Bessman Remsen. She lived in College Park, Ga., for 41 years before moving to McCormick in 1987. A retired sales associate from Macy’s, Atlanta, she was a graduate of the former Draughn’s School of Commerce, Atlanta, and attended Montreat Junior College. She was a member of the Eula Keown Circle at McCormick United Methodist Church.
Survivors include her husband; a son, Henry S. “Steve” Burch Jr. of Fayetteville, Ga.; a daughter, Beth Burch Condrey of Jonesboro, Ga.; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren.
Services are 3 p.m. Friday at McCormick United Methodist Church, officiated by the Revs. Jerry James and Bobbie Taylor. Burial is in the Lincolnton City cemetery.
Pallbearers are nephews.
Visitation is 6-8:30 tonight at the church.
Memorials may be made to McCormick United Methodist Church or Alzheimer’s Foundation.
Beggs Funeral Home, Lincolnton, Ga., is in charge.

Pearl Dawson

STOCKBRIDGE, GA — Pearl Eleanor Dawson, age 63, a resident of Stockbridge, GA., took her rest on August 6, 2006. Pearl was born in Abbeville, South Carolina, the daughter of the late Mabry and Rosella Dawson. She was a member of Divine Healing and Deliverance Ministries in Stockbridge, GA.
Survivors include four (4) daughters and two (2) sons: Quantella Foggie, Wendy & Lorelei Dawson of Stockbridge, Georgia, Tara Dawson of Greenville, Sagnelli (Retoe) and Jasyn Dawson of Stockbridge, Georgia. She also leaves behind her sisters and brothers, James Dawson and Florence Burton both of New York. Bertha Delarge (John) of Camden New Jersey, Rosa Mae Brown, Mamie Quarels and Ollie Dawson of Abbeville, South Carolina. Carrie Blanding (Russell) of Morrow, Georgia, Mabry Dawson, Raymond Dawson, and Essie Dawson of Atlanta. Pearl was preceded in death by her son Donnovan Dawson, her brother Mide Dawson, and her sister, Doris Allen.
Homegoing service will be conducted Friday, August 11, 12:30pm at Dixon Grove Baptist Church with Pastor Diann Williams officiating. Interment will precede the homegoing service in Forest Hills Memorial Gardens, Forest Park, Georgia at 10:00 am. Griner Funeral Home 240 Evander Holyfield Hwy, Fayetteville, Georgia 30214 is in charge of the service.
770-460-5566
PAID OBITUARY

Mildred Bryant Highsmith

ABBEVILLE — Mildred Bryant Highsmith, 85, formerly of 103 Calhoun St., died Tuesday Aug. 8, 2006 at Savannah Specialty Care Center, Savannah, Ga.
Born in Branchville, she was a retired business owner, having owned several businesses in the Savannah area. She was a member of Abbeville Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include a son, Jim Holmes of Savannah; a sister, Sarah Milford of Abbeville; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren.
Services are 1 p.m. Saturday at The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, officiated by the Rev. Dr. Michael Bush. Burial is in Long Cane Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Savannah Specialty Center, 11800 Abercorn St., Savannah, GA 31419.
The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.chandlerjacksonfh.com.

Queen Esther Lomax

ABBEVILLE — Queen Esther Guillebeaux Lomax, 96, of 1758 Highway 28 S., widow of Will Lomax, died Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2006 at Brookside Living Center, Anderson.
Born in McCormick County, she was a daughter of the late Alex and Lula Jackson Guillebeaux. She was a member of Little Mill Baptist Church and a homemaker.
Survivors include two daughters, Lula M. Devaux of the home and Susie Cannady of Abbeville; three sons, Albert Lomax of Queens, N.Y., Johnny Lomax of Anderson and Thomas Lomax of Lowndesville; 29 grandchildren; 65 great-grandchildren; 40 great-great-grandchildren.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Brown and Walker Funeral Home.

James ‘Jim’ Raymond McCalla

LOWNDESVILLE — James “Jim” Raymond McCalla, 85, of 257 Main St., died Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center, Greenwood.
Services will be announced by Harris Funeral Home, Abbeville.

Willie W. Richardson

SALUDA — Willie W. Richardson, 84, died August 8, 2006 at 110Kemp Drive, Ninety Six, SC. Born in Saluda, a son of the late Wiley C. and Minnie H. Richardson, he was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Saluda, SC.
Survivors are one son, Wiley Clarence Richardson (Tracy) of Upper Marlboro, MD, five daughters, Willie Mae Caldwell (Malcolm) of Ninety Six, SC, Johnnie Mae Logan (Willie) of Edgefield, SC, Leora Brent (Edward) of Saluda, SC, and Sandra Childs (Willie, deceased) of Ninety Six, SC, and Lorean Morris of Saluda, SC.
Service will be Saturday, August 12, 2006, at 3PM, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Saluda, SC. Reverend Clarence Kenner, Pastor, Reverend J. Caldwell, officiating. Family will greet friends at 110 Kemp Drive.
Direction to the home is: Piggly Wiggly on North Cambridge, turn on Wilson Bridge Rd., turn left on Daniel Heights, turn left on Kemp Drive, home on the right 110. Logan Funeral Home in Charge of arrangements.
PAID OBITUARY

Mary Williams

Services for Mary Williams are 2 p.m. Friday at Antioch Baptist Church, with the Rev. Norris Turner officiating and the Rev. Camiella Simpkins presiding. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers and flower bearers are grandsons and granddaughters.
Viewing is 11 a.m.-5 p.m. today and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday at Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is in charge.