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As
part of the upcoming 3-Day Curriculum Project in May, clubs, classes,
and departments at Oakcrest High School were given the chance to “adopt” a
courtyard. One group hopes to totally revamp the courtyard opposite
the library to make it a place for students to have an electronic-free
environment to study, complete homework, and enjoy nature.
Setting
the bar high, Darlene Kopania’s Advanced Placement Literature
class took control of the huge courtyard in between the 200 and
300 wings and, using their wisdom and creativity, are currently
planting some flowers, adding some benches, cleaning the existing
pond, and making the courtyard an acceptable place for students.
The
students involved in this project include seniors Amanda Cameron,
Kelsie Jensen, Lizzy De Cicco, Douglas Kaluhiokalani, Heather Clayton,
Tracy Ngo, Jessica Scheider, Jessica Potter, Ryan Carroll, Crystal
Petrella, Marliese Sprague, Kristen Sereci, Melissa Meyers, and
Maya Reid.
Scheider
is the project planner for the class, and as part of the duty,
she, along with Kopania, Petralla and Reid, met with Tony Mongelluzzo,
Principal at Oakcrest, to finalize their ideas and make the project
happen for all students. They also presented their ideas at a recent
staff meeting, where fellow teachers cheered on their ideas.
The
Lit class plans on finishing the project in time for the Conservation
and Preservation Curriculum Project, and hopes to offer the space
to qualifying students during their study halls and lunch periods
to read and do schoolwork.
At
press time, teachers will be nominating students to use the space
based on classroom behavior and academic performance. “We
hope teachers will nominate only those students who truly deserve
to use the space,” commented Kopania. “We hope to make
the courtyard a privilege for students who work hard and strive
for academic excellence.”
With
a limited budget, the seniors are finding crafty ways to make the
courtyard a pleasurable place that looks respectable and taken
care of. They have received some donations from the community and
school. They have also submitted a grant. So far, the class has
cleaned up the courtyard on three separate occasions, with the
help of the Habitat for Humanity Club at OHS. This club is currently
building bird houses and is continually helping with the project.
If
anyone would like to donate flowers or other garden materials,
please contact Kopania at Oakcrest for more information.
For
more information, contact:
Darlene A. Kopania, Journalism Department
909-2631
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