THE

SNELLING CONNECTIONNewsletter for the Hamline to Hamline Collaboration

Fall Issue 2012 Volume 16, Issue 1

Page 1

Kids Voting: My Vote Gives Me Power

A newspaper written by elementary stuntents, mentored by university students

Piper, Diaper campaign for Hancock’s vote

Hamline student campaigning for the Piper to become Hancock Elementary School’s new mascot during an all school assembly to kick off Kids Voting.

“Pipers” and “Diapers” were shouted by teachers and students in the Hancock gymnasium on October 11, 2012. This “campaigning” led to an immediate mock election held for registered voters only – the adults. So of course, the “Diapers” were elected to the dismay of Hancock students. This presentation was to show the students how they could make a difference in an election. It also stressed the importance of voter registration. Hamline’s English Professor, David Hudson, summarized the event, “My first-year seminar studentscreated the whole thing, including the characters and the props. Some made signs, some made costumes, [and] some performed as announcers. Two students volunteered to be the ‘Piper’ and the ‘Diaper’.” Hudson said there wasn’t a Kids Voting when he was in elementary school.ThefirstKidsVotingassembly

at Hancock was in the year 2000. Professors David Schultz and Hudson helped with Kids Voting every two to four years since then. Hudson said he helps with Kids Voting whenever a general election takes place at the same timehe’steachingafirst-yearseminar. To further experience the voting process, Hancock students in grades one through six participated in a mock presidential election on November 6, 2012. Hancock Student Council members served as Election Judges, Clerks, and Marshalls. Election Clerks helped students find available pollingbooths while the Election Marshall made sure no one campaigned within 150 feet of the polls. The Marshalls also showed people how to vote on iPads. Student Council Advisor Glynis Grostephan served as the Inspector to make sure the voting process was carried out. Hancock library cards were used as identification – mostly so ElectionJudgescouldeasilyfindstudentnamesin the registration log or sign-in. A

table was also available for students who needed to complete a same day registration. Elizza Yang and Doua Chee Thao were two of the Student Council members who helped at the voting booths. Elizza said, “I think it is a fantastic place for children to vote and have the experience to vote when they grow up.” She also stated, “It’s not fair that adults get to vote. Kids have their opinions, too.” Douachee liked the Kids Voting becauseshegottohelpthefirstgradersas an Election Clerk and as an Election Judge. Grostephan likes Kids Voting because it gives students an opportunity to experience the voting process, and it encourages people to vote. Hudson agrees, “I like that the kids love [Kids Voting] so much and that it teaches them something important … Voting is

Kids Voting, Page 4 >>

By Jessica Lee and Glynis GostephanJournalist and Student Advisor

[Photo by: Margot Howard]

Schools Hike to Raise

Money for Collaboration

Page 4

Page 2

The Snelling ConnectionNEWS

A towering new building now stands on the corner of Englewood Avenue and Snelling Avenue. The Carol Young Anderson and Dennis L. Anderson University Center has many features which make it a great place to bring the community together. The Anderson Center, as it is commonly referred to, fosters community on campus, and anyone is welcome to visit and enjoy its incredible accommodations such as the meditation room or the Starbucks coffee shop. The building is also the new home to Hamline University’s primary campus dining option – The Bishop’s Bistro and the Piper Grill. In an effort to minimize environmental impact from the building, a variety of steps were taken by the building’s designer. The south side of the building features solar panels which can generate up to 17 kilowatts of the electricity needed to power the building. Electrical needs have also been decreased through architectural designs which use a large amount of windows. These windows effectively light much of the space during daylight hours which means fewer lights requiring electricity

are needed. Inanefforttoreducewaterrun-off, heat loss, and to ease the impact on the city of St. Paul’s sewer system, the Anderson Center also incorporates agreenroofonthethirdfloorterrace. Hamline University built the Anderson Center with the intention of bringing the community together. The construction took about two years to finish. The total cost of the newbuilding was approximately 36 million dollars. The Anderson Center now serves as a welcoming space for Hamline students, staff, faculty, and community members to come together and enjoy each others’ company. For more information about the new Anderson Center, visit hamline.edu/university-center.

New Building Builds CommunityHamline University’s new Anderson Center opens its doors this fallBy Taw BeeJournalist

[Photo by: Letitia Basford]Hancock Elementary School faculty and staff take part in a tour of Hamline’s new university center.

Students at Hancock Elementary School worked together to fundraise in order to help children around the worldduringtheevent,Trick-Or-Treatfor United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). According to unicefusa.org, UNICEF is working towards a world where there are no children dying from preventable problems such as lack

of clean water and other preventable causes of death for children around the world. Glynis Grostephan, Gifted Services at Hancock, is the person who originally thought of doing UNICEF at Hancock. She has brought the program to Hancock since 1997. Donations for this year’s UNICEF fundraiser were being accepted through November 5, 2012. This year, Grostephan had a goal of raising $500. As of the time this article was written, Hancock had collected approximately $400. Grostephan helps with UNICEF in an effort to help as many children as she can. When she encourages students at Hancock to help children around the world, she always says,

“A little goes a long way.” Grostephan will encourage students at Hancock as long as she can. UNICEF provides her with an opportunity to teach students at Hancock about giving back to the community – whether it is your local community or, as it is with UNICEF, the worldwide community.

Trick-Or-Treat For UNICEFHancock raises money to help children around the worldBy AtheenaJournalist

Overlook of the Anderson Center Forum from the second floor.

[Photo by: Letitia Basford]

Have a story idea? We’d love to hear it!

Email:

snellingconnection17@gmail.com

Page 3

The Snelling ConnectionNEWS

There’s a special bond between Hamline University and Hancock Elementary students. This bond is reinforced through the program Hand in Hand.HandinHandbenefitsstudentson both sides of Snelling Avenue. Hand in Hand allows both Hamline and Hancock students the opportunity to meet new people and learn about different cultures. It also is a chance for students from both schools to make new friends. The program is an opportunity for Hancock students to partner up with a Hamline buddy, and it helps

students to become more social and open with others. This makes Hand in Hand a great program for students who are shy. Hand in Hand was firstcreatedbyaHamlinestudent with the purpose of being able to mentor students. The goal was to encourage Hancock students to stay on the path towards more education. Hamline students get paired up with a Hancock student who has been nominated by their teacher to receive a buddy. The buddies then meet once a week to talk and play.

The Snelling Connection had the chance to interview a Hancock buddy,Snelling Connection: “What do you like about being a Hancock buddy?”Taw Bee: “You get to spend time with your buddy and get to know more about what they do at Hamline.”

SC: “What do you like about your buddy?”TB: “She’s nice, and she’s fun to play with.”SC: “What do you like about the games you play with your buddy?”TB: “Some of the games — such as Scrabble — help you to learn more words.”

Hand in Hand is an experience that benefits Hamline and Hancockstudents.

By Sarah HenryJournalist

Buddy Program BenefitsHancock, Hamline students become buddies

Students Swim to SuccessHancock students take swimming lessons at Hamline UniversityBy Dee ThaoJournalist

At Hancock Elementary School, we are given an opportunity that most elementary school students don’t have. Due to the collaboration with Hamline University, Hancock students are able to participate in swimming lessons on the Hamline campus. Some students don’t use the opportunity to go swimming, but most Hancock students do. Once a month, Hancock students in grades four through six walk across Snelling Avenue to attend swimming lessons at Hamline’s pool. Swimming

lessons last about 45 minutes long. The pool has a shallow end and a deep end. Before you can swim in the deep end of the pool, students must pass the swimming test. After the test has been passed, students are allowed to use the diving board on the deep end of the pool. Swimming is important because it gives students a chance to learn, be physically active, and have fun with friends and classmates. In fact, the number one rule during the swimming lessons is to have fun. Afifthgrader,MinnieHer,spokewith the Snelling Connection about her experiences with swimming at Hamline.

Her said she thinks swimming lessons are important because it’s a form of exercise, and it’s a lot of fun. Hamline Swimming Coach, Frank shares this feeling, “Swimming is very important for kids. It is a lifetime fitness skill.The world is covered with water, and everyone needs to learn how to swim!” Swimming is an opportunity. You either take it or lose it. The collaboration between Hancock and Hamline has made this opportunity available to every student at Hancock, and it is important to make use of this valuable experience.

Connecting the SchoolsStudents in Snelling Connection document the collaborations accomplishmentsBy Elizza YangJournalist

Snelling Connection is a great opportunity for Hancock students wanting to learn more about writing and producing a newspaper. Students get to learn how to take pictures, use laptops, and they even get to have their writing published in a real newspaper. The Snelling Connection highlights the activities, relationships and learning that build the unique partnership between Hancock Elementary School and Hamline University. Emma,afifthgraderwhowasinSnelling Connection last year and is in the class once again this year said she thought it was fun, and she wanted to come back for another year. She said she enjoys telling other people what is going on in the class.

Finally, the Snelling Connection interviewed Isaac Mullin, the current Editor and teacher for class. Mullin, a Hamline University student, said he enjoys journalism and teaching. The Snelling Connection is a perfect combination of the two interests. He is going to school to become a teacher, so he enjoys having the chance to teach a class before graduating; it’s an opportunity most college students don’t have. E a c h student in the Snelling C o n n e c t i o n class has an important job in writing the

paper. Each student is given an article assignment, and they have to write a story about that subject.The students must work their hardest in order to get all their work done. When we all work hard, we’re able to make the paper you’re reading right now. We hope you enjoy it!

Snelling Connection class photo.[Photo by: Glynis Grostephan]

“Hand in Hand allows both

Hamline and Hancock students the opportunity to meet new people and learn about

different cultures.”

Page 4

The Snelling ConnectionNEWS

Snelling Connection UpdatesJournalistsEmma Luchsinger | 5th GradeRayan Dhamuke | 6th GradeHassan Sheikh-Abukar | 4th GradeTabu Henry | 5th GradeSarah Henry | 5th GradeElizza Yang | 5th GradeDee Thao | 5th Grade Jessica Lee | 5th GradeAtheena Yang | 6th GradeTaw Bee | 6th Grade

Hancock Student AdvisorGlynis Grostephan | Gifted Servicesglynis.grostephan@spps.org

Hamline Student AdvisorLetitia Basford | Education Dept.lbasford01@hamline.edu

H-H Collaboration CoordinatorMargot Howard | Wesley Centermhoward03@hamline.edu

This past year has been filled with a lot of change. Looking at our previous updates, this seems to be a never ending trend. The new school year brought a fresh, lively group of students to the Snelling Connection. We say goodbye to our previous Hancock Liaison, Ms. Deborah Shipp, and we welcome our new Hancock Liaison, Ms. Mary Weyandt. Another exciting change which is already being noticed on both sides of Snelling is the changing of Hancock’s name. With this change, the Hancock-Hamline Collaboration also saw a need to change with Hancock. The collaboration — which this newsletter is intended to keep record for — will now be known as The Hamline to Hamline Collaboration.

— Isaac Mullin Snelling Connection Editor

Snelling Connection Staff

On Thursday, October 25, 2012 Hancock and Hamline students, parents, faculty, and staff took a walk around Hancock Hamline Collaborative Magnet School to raise community awareness and support for The Hamline to Hamline Collaboration – formerly known as the Hancock-HamlineCollaboration. The collaboration’s board members brainstormed ideas during the September meeting for the collaboration which could serve as a fundraising opportunity as well as a community strengthening event. Of all the ideas suggested, the Hike for the Health of the Hamline-HancockCollaboration was deemed the favorite by the collaboration’s board members. The event had members from both the Hamline and Hancock communities coming together to take a walk around the Midway neighborhood. The walk took participants onto both schools’ campuses to emphasize the connection which has long existed between Hancock and Hamline. It concluded with a shared lunch with all the participants. On the day of the event, organizers watched the weather anxiously trying

to decide what to do. It was a cold, October day, and to make matters worse, it was raining. By late morning, it had been announced that the hike would go on as scheduled. Despite the rain, participants had a great time during the hike. When asked if he enjoyed the hike, Hancock Principal Craig Anderson replied, “I enjoyed the walk. It was fun to get outside and do something together

as an entire school.” All in all, Anderson said the event was a great success, “Everyone knows more about the collaboration, and we [raised] over $2,000 for The Hamline to Hamline Collaboration.”Want to learn more about The Hamline to Hamline Collaboration? Visit hamline.edu/hancock.

Snelling Connection EditorIsaac Mullin | Hamline StudentEmail: imullin01@hamlineuniversity.edu

Hike for the Health of the Hancock-Hamline CollaborationHamline, Hancock students, faculty, staff and parents fundraise to help The Hamline to Hamline CollaborationBy Rayan DhamukeJournalist

SUPPORT THE COLLABORATION!

Give your gift @ www.hamline.edu/hancock today!

Members of Hancock Elementary school and Hamline University walk through the Midway neighborhood in support of The Hamline to Hamline Collaboration.

[Photo by: Tessa Mortenson]

<< Continued from page 1

a way for kids to have a say in some of

the things that affect their lives. It also gets them used to the idea of voting in elections when they are older.” As for the results of the Hancock election, current United States President Barack Obama won by a

landslide. Students also voted on the new name for Hancock Elementary School. Per election results, Hamline Elementary will become the officialschool name for Hancock beginning in the 2012 — 2013 academic year.

Kids Voting