“Let’s find our partners!” calls out Discovery Community School fifth-grade teacher, Pamela Holubetz.
The day has finally come when they get to meet their writing partners from Annandale face-to-face. Fifth-grade students from both schools have been working together in Google Presentations on a “get to know you” project since the beginning of the school year.
The writing project is formed through a multi-district collaborative with the equity services department of both St. Cloud Area School District and Annandale School District.
“The collaborative exists with seven other districts,” describes Sebastian Witherspoon, director of equity services. “Integration is a part of our equity plan. We look for opportunities for learning and integration. We bring together students with different backgrounds–students that look different… They discover that they’re not really different.”
“One of the goals is to increase interracial contact…open students to the global world,” explains Jessica Murphy, literacy and diversity coach for Annandale. “Having done this [collaborative] for a number of years, if you can get them together on the front end [of the project], they’ve got some understanding and [it’s] not a mystery along the way. It’s pretty cool.”
In the beginning, students begin with simple questions by asking name, name pronunciation and gender. They eventually work into deeper questions like hobbies, family, languages spoken, favorite holidays, foods and traditions.
Many of the shy faces turn into bright smiles upon meeting their partners. The room buzzes with excitement during introductions.
“How do we greet our new friends?” asks Holubetz. “Don’t forget to shake hands.”
Kaden Scott from Annandale meets his writing partner Maya from St. Cloud. He shares how Maya loves to play with her two dogs in her spare time.
“I was a little nervous to meet him,” explains Maya. “But, now I feel better.”
The students move to the gym to play games. It gives them an opportunity to meet other students. While playing “snowball,” a name introduction game, students demonstrate their manners by introducing themselves and shaking hands. Manners and etiquette are a part of the learning process.
Pairs then take turns sitting in another classroom while sipping cider and eating doughnuts. They get to talk about anything. Many discuss their weekend plans.
Maya plans to play with her dogs, Lily and Jewel. Scott hopes for a snowball fight with his neighbors.
It’s not just the students that meet for the first time. The teachers are just as excited about the collaborative.
The Annandale class will join St. Cloud’s One, District One Book reading program in February. Each school takes the opportunity to participate in the other’s programs. In the spring, both classes will attend the YA-YA (Young Authors, Young Artists) conference at the College of St. Benedict. They’ll have the opportunity to see their partners face-to-face again in a creative atmosphere.
“It’s just a wonderful program,” says Holubetz.
Smiles and hugs show that these students are more alike than different. New friendships and understanding take shape and grow in the wake of an inspiring program.
