Dowell students say ‘happy birthday' poetically

Poetry contest exceeds expectations

Friday, May 8, 2009

The initiative, explained parent coordinator Beth Dowell, was initially only meant to produce a few poems that would be displayed in Dowell Elementary's 2009 yearbook. The contest, however, seemed to take on a life of its own at the Lusby school.

"I thought we'd maybe get 20 responses but it just blew up. We got about a hundred … I stopped counting after a while," said Beth Falco, who is the "Reflections" chairperson for Dowell's PTA.

Falco explained that much of the program's success had to do with teachers encouraging students to use the opportunity to sharpen their writing skills.

"I think every fourth-grade teacher used it as a writing tool and we got a good response from third and fifth grade too," Falco said of the poems, which were also done by kindergarten, first- and second-graders.

According to Falco, prizes were awarded to three winners per grade and five poems will be displayed in the yearbook. Several are already displayed at the school.

The guidelines, Falco said, were simple.

"It was basically: write a poem about Dowell and wish it a happy birthday," she said.

Learning specialist Kim Sexton was on the judging committee along with other teachers and parents from both the PTA and yearbook committee.

She said the poems that stood out the most to her were the ones that students truly put their hearts into.

"Some of them displayed the personal connection they had to the school … it wasn't just general," said Sexton, adding "there were some really kind of touching things in them."

She said that though Dowell was the main focus of each poem she received, some students chose to use their creativity outside of the birthday framework.

"The original intent was because this was Dowell's 10th birthday … many stayed true to that theme and some were just reflective of their feelings on Dowell," Sexton said.

She added she particularly enjoyed perusing through the range of poetry reflecting the ages of students from kindergarten up to fifth grade, laughing that "they look a little different when you're little."

DOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

By Danielle Shaw, First place winner for fifth grade

Dowell Elementary makes many things happen.

It makes dreams come true,

Provides a terrific education

The teachers make learning fun, too.

The lessons are wonderful,

They're taught at a great pace.

Teachers make Dowell a really great place.

Everyone there,

Everyone at Dowell

Glues the pieces together

Into who we are now.

Happy 10th Birthday Dowell Elementary School!!!