THE WALSH COUNTY PRESS - WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23,2020
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Page
Aggie
Articles
News
and Notes from
Park River Area School
Above: Back Row (Left to Right):
Ms. Sam, Jase B., Peyhton S.,
Kenzie K., Leo 3., Autumn J. Mid-
dle Row (Left to Right): Esmay
J., Axton 0., Chase 3., Annie L.,
MaKynzlee P. Front Row (Left to
Right): Lucy U., Quinn V., Zoey
3., Ean H., Lily F. Bottom: Ms.
Sam 8r Joe. G just finishing u
Writer’s Workshop.
By Sam Hajicek
PARK RIVER, ND. —— This
school year is everything but nor-
mal. This being my first year
teaching I have many new “firsts”.
Teaching during a pandemic is
something that I didn’t learn about
or prepare for in my college class-
es. There is no manual for this, and
rules and regulations change daily.
As a school we have all figured out
different ways to teach and help stu—
dents whether they are in our class—
room physically or they’re joining
us live throughout the day through
Google Classroom.
Preparations for 2020
In the beginning of the year as
we were preparing for the upcom-
ing school year there we‘rethings "
"tliat’We'liad do as a schoolithat we
never ‘ thought we Would have to
worry about such as spacing desks
out around our room so that we
could create as much space between
our students as possible. We also
needed to create scenarios where we
had limited students in one area at
a time. Also, we needed to change
our whole classroom dynamic to al-
low kids to have “their own stuff”
so that we didn’t have kids sharing
things to prevent germs from
spreading. This of course along
with all of us teaching with masks
on all day long, and helping our stu-
dents to do the same. All of this
went against everything we as
teachers do in our classroom such
as sharing, collaborating in groups,
and creating peer partners between
difierent classrooms. I thought this
was going to have a negative effect
instead I have seen this type of
teaching and learning create con-
nections in the classroom that may
have not been formed in different
ways if it weren’t for being able to
distance learn and teach in the
platform that we have been.
Making Connections
Through distance teaching I am
able to reach my students that are
“distance learning” since the be-
ginning of the year. We meet three
times a day to do daily lessons, but
what I didn’t expect is that I would
be able to create great relationships
when my students were so far
away. I have learned about them
through conversations, reading with
each other, and them being able to
share their works that they have cre-
ated with me. I miss giving them
hugs, elbow bumps, and knuckles,
but when I can’t physically be next
to them air high fives, smiles, and
excitement through conversation are
great celebrations of relationships
and connections that have been
formed. I also have those students
that have to be “distance learning”
because of having to be quarantined;
these students are then supplied with
an Ipad, packet of activities, and
textbooks. At one time during this
year, I had 10 students “distance
learning” and only 8 in my class-
room. To my surprise this is where
I was able to see the connection be—
tween other students. The students
in my classroom would count down
the days till their friends would re-
turn to our classroom, and they
would wave at them daily when
they joined our classroom on we-
bcam. During one instance there
was a student online who needed
oto: u mltte
my help with spelling something,
and I asked the student to wait just
a moment because I was helping an-
other student at the time. One of my
other “online” kids unmuted their
mic and said “Ms. Sam I can help
them spell that word!”. This student
then proceeded to tell the other stu-
dent how to spell this word; both
saying thank you and you’re wel-
come to each other after this had
happened This kind of helpfiilness,
kindness, and support has continued
to happen online, and in the class-
room and I believe it is because of
the connections and bonds that
have been made and that remain
even when students are distance
learning. To stay connected I read
every day insmall group ,with my
‘on'line sweetie wharf-gigging,“ s
students get to partfter‘ read: A to,
during writer’s Workshop Ihave the
online students, as well as my in-
class students share what they
wrote about that day, letting them
read to me and tell me about their
picture that they drew with it as well.
Teaching Technology
As a first-grade teacher there are
many technological terms and du-
ties that I have had to teach my stu-
dents that I would have never
taught them without distance leam-
ing. One day I was sharing my
screen and my students online said,
“I can’t see your screen, it’s too
small”. I then proceeded to teach
them how to “pin” my screen, so
that they would be able to see it in
a bi gger format. They have learned
how to manage online etiquette,
such as muting their mics when not
talking, waiting their turn if I am
talking to someone else, and being
able to stay on task with what we are
doing in class. Students are also
able to show me their work via web
cam, and are able to ask questions
when they need help. The tasks that
these first-grade students were and
are able to do every day amaze me.
Creating “Space” Brings Us
Together
This pandemic has taught us that
distance and space means protec-
tion; sometimes that means con—
nections, bonds, and relationships
also become distanced. By no
means does this have to result in us
not forming those relationships .
that we all need. We just have to fig-
ure out new ways to do it. We have
created a way to educate students
that are distance learning or quar-
antined, and we have also figured
out how to keep us as teachers con-
nected as well. As a school we meet
through online platforms or small-
er spaced-out groups. These dif-
ferent ways allow us as staff to com-
municate with each other, and pro-
vide collaborative opportunities
for teachers to work through chal-
lenges and celebrations that they
have in their classrooms. Togeth-
er we help each other to brainstorm,
create, and implement possible so-
lutions to challenges that come
with distance teaching. This being
my first year teaching it will always
be memorable, but the knowledge
that I have gained and the different
ways I was able to create connec-
tions between staff, students, and
parents will always be with me
throughout my future years of be-
ing an educator.
Mott girlvwins the state WIFE essay contest
REAGENT, ND. — Anisha Kemerling of
Mott was the winner of a state essay contest that
' ended in November. The title of this year’s con-
test was “ND Comrnodities and how they are use-
firl”, Students in the fifth grade throughout the
state were encouraged to choose any one of the
many commodities that are produced in our state
and explain how it is used in 100 words or less.
Some of the commodities that could be includ-
ed were beef, dairy, honey, various crops, veg-
etables and fi'uits. Anisha wrote about Honey.
Valley-Edinburg to stream
a
r
EDINBURG, ND. Valley
Edinbng School is proud to an-
nounce that we have partnered with
the NFHS Network, and we've in—
vested in new technology that will
bring you every game from our Ed-
- All Titan live and on-demand
sports broadcasts
- All other spOrting events from
around the Nation
Friends and family members
who can't make the game will nev—
inburg and Crystal gyms LIVE. er miss a play again! Here‘s how to
Join the NFHS Network for full watch:
access to 1) V1sit wwwNFHSnetworkcom
Ei'i
Layla Krinke of Scranton won second place
with lentils and Maara Kutz of Sykeston placed
third with sunflowers. Honorable mentions went
to Caroline Stegrnan of Cavalier on honey,
Quinn Messmer of Mott on flax and Brayden
Schatz of Mott with wheat. The topics were var-
ied with numerous duplicate topics.
Each of the three winners-received a check for
their efforts and every entrant received a color-
ful personalized certificate.
Some teachers used this contest as a class proj-
ect that promoted agriculture but some students
submitted an entry on their own.
Women Involved in Farm Economics (WIFE)
which is a grassroots organization committed to
improving profitability in production agriculture.
For more information about WIFE and their ac—
tivities, contact state president Phyllis Howatt at
howphy@midco.net or Marlene Kouba at mmk-
ouba@ndsupemet.com.
4r,
éfiw$afir-wSmemfl{.
2) Search for Valley Edinburg
High School and go to our page
3) Subscribe and Follow (all
home games in Crystal and Edin-
burg will be FREE)
Thank you for your continued
support of Titan athletics. We look
forward to bringing you top notch
broadcasts of our athletic events!
*Drayton home games will be
broadcast on Facebook Live and on
the Drayton Vision Channel 83
The NFHS Network game times
are listed in EST time zone on their
website. Reminder the game start
times are an hour off. They will start
CST time zone. The games times are
listed to show warm ups also.
State School Superintendent Baesler Provides
Flexibility For Professional Development Training
BISMARCK, N.D. —— State
School Superintendent Kirsten
Baesler said she will not require
' North Dakota schools to close
for two days during the 2021-22
school year, which she said will
give school districts more op-
tions in planning their upcoming
school year.
“Local school boards have long
been granted broad discretion in
setting their school calendars,”
Baesler said. “Given the current
public health crisis, this discretion
has proven to be even more im-
portant than ever. Additionally, the
pandemic has spurred creative
, ways to deliver professional de-
velopment enabling all educators
to participate remotely from 10-
cations across North Dakota. “
On October 14, 2020, the North
Dakota Council of Educational
Leaders (NDCEL) requested Oc-
tober 20-22, 2021, be designated
as days a school district may not
schedule school-sponsored,
school-directed, or school-related
activities, including instruction
time.
“After giving the matter the ut-
most consideration, I am declining
to exercise the authority to declare
any days in conflict ‘of a profes-
sional development conference
under NDCC § l5.l-06-04.l.
r.“
’2'
FarmH' ouse Fraternity Almnn i announces scholarsh rp'
FARGO, ND. —— FarmHouse Fraternity alumni have established an
endowment that will provide six, $3,000 scholarships to incoming male
fiestmxn at Dakota, State University for the2021-“2022 academic
year" The SchOIar‘ships will not be‘ba‘sed primarily on
schOlarship, but
rather a demonstration of FarmHouse Fraternity values, i.e., intellec-
tual, spiritual, social and moral development. Applications are avail-
able at ndsufarmhouse.org and are due by February 1, 2021.
‘ Preference will be given to someone who demonstrates the char-
acteristics of “grit”—resilience, a strong work ethic, direction,
desire
to succeed, and perseverance. A qualified recipient must demonstrate
sometimes some pearl barley and the main ingredient: blood collected at
the time of butchering a beef or a hog. “The (blood sausage) was made
into
loaves, boiled and laid away,” Vernon wrote, “later to be taken in and
diced,
fried in grease or cream and eaten with syrup or honey.”
Nora told her ten children that Santa Claus was mythical like the Jule
Nisse, an interesting little character. The Jule Nisse was a type of elf
who
helped families with certain things, but he had an omery streak. If he got
upset, he had to be calmed down with bowls of ponidge or rice pudding,
or he would make mischief, like tying the cows’ tails together, or
dropping
and breaking firings. If children offered him rice pudding on Christmas
Eve,
he would leave gifts for them.
Some Gerrnans fiom Russia had TWO Christmas Eve visitors — Belznick-
el and Kristkindl. In the book, Ethnic Heritage in North Dakota, Kas and
Ida Grefl‘ wrote, “As early as two weeks before Christmas the
Belznickl
would gather his chains, rattling and roaring at the window just to be sure
we wouldn’t forget he was coming. Now if anything can keep you from
misbehaving, the Belznickl could. After all, he-could drag you away on
Christ-
mas Eve.”
The Grefl‘s wrote that the Belznickl would finally Show his face on
Christ-
mas Eve after the evening dinner. “His rattling and growling would keep
on for an hour or two,” they wrote. “When he let up for a few minutes,
we
would worry that he had skipped our home and gone somewhere else. He
and the Kristkindl did, after all, leave gifts and treats and we certame
did—
n’t want to miss that. Usually preceding the actual entrance of the
Kristkindl
and Belznickl, we would fiuiously say prayer after prayer.
“Finally‘the Belznickl came in with the Kristkindl behind,” they con-
“This potential for calendaring
instruction and school activities on
these days has been made all the
more workable because NDCEL’s
Fall Conference, like so many
conferenCes, is now being pro-
vided with a virtual option in Oc-
tober 2021 with a broad window
of opportunity for attendees to
complete the virtual offerings —~
eliminating the time and cost of
This decision will give our school
districts added flexibility in de-
veloping their 2021-22 school
calendars during these unprece-
dented times,” Baesler said.
School districts continue to
have the option of creating their
calendars to allow their teachers or
administrators to attend the ND—
CEL Fall Conference for profes-
sional development days, but for
the forthcoming school year
NDCC § 15.1:06-04.1 Will not be
exercised to prohibit school dis-
tricts from scheduling, sponsoring,
or directing other school activities
or instructional time during those
conference days.
and administrators the opportuni—
ty to serve their students and also
obtain professional education,”
Baesler said.
Wt!
that his circumstances and accomplishments, when combined with fi-
nancial aid and determination, will result in a high likelihood of grad-
uation from NDSU in’ four years. . f” g ,.-~r../;_r,,_t-~t’§x if 5*
.r“
Awardees will be announced in apprOximately March. -
The North Dakota State University chapter of FarmHouse (FH) Fra-
ternity was established in 1955. FH is noted for maintaining one of the
highest grade-point-averages at NDSU and does not allow alcohol in
the fraternity house or at any other functions. Membership represents
a wide variety of majors, such as agriculture, engineering, business,
and political science. For more information, visit ndsufarmhouse.org.
tinued. “He was a furry thing that crawled on all fours, rattled his
chain,
and grabbed anyone or anything that got in his way. (He wanted) to get the
bad kids and drag them away. Often he had to be held back by Mom or an
older brother or sister. We’d pile on the bed, many times 10 or more of
us
1 kids, jump and wrap up in Mom’s bedspread. He’d make a grab for us
and
we’d run.
“The Belznickl was really our father but we didn’t know that. We were
so scared we didn’t even recognize the big bear-like robe that we used on
the bed...at night. He’d tell us we’d better be good for the next year.
Lat-
er Mother would remind us ‘the Belznickl will get yOu’ if we weren’t
good.
“Our first reaction to the Kristkindl was always what a beautifiil
angel
she was,” they continued. “She was a neighbor woman dressed as an an-
gel and would ask if we’d been good. If we didn’t answer immediately
that
we had, she’d swat us with a little willow switch. She reminded us to say
our prayers and this was usually followed by an Our Father and a Hail Mary.
The Belznickl in this whole process would try to grab our legs in order to
take us away. A great havoc was created with prayers being said amid
screams
of agony and peals of laughter. After the children received their gifts the
awesome duo would leave and the evening settled down. Gifts were opened,
songs were sung, and stomachs were filled with Christmas treats.”
Dakota Datebook written by Merry Helm
“Dakota Datebook” is a radio series fiom Prairie Public in pannership
with the State Histori-
cal Society of North Dakota and with fimding fiom the North Dakota
Humanities Council. See all the
Dakota Datebooks at prairiepublic. org, subscribe to the “Dakota Dateka
"podcast, or buy the Dako-
ta Datebook book at shopprairiepublicorg.
Your community. Your paper. Your story.
Contact Allison or Brook at the Walsh County Press
284-6333 or wcpress@polarcomm.com
Registered Dental Hygienist — Part Time’
Park River Dental - Park River, ND
Looking for a motivated, hardworking and friendly
registered dental hygienist to join our well established and
growing practice. Flexible work hours. Applicant must
have current North Dakota license, excellent verbal
communication skills, knowledge of dental software and
current CPR certification. Pay is DOE and benefits include
paid vacations, retirement plans and continuing education
' credits.
PARK RIVER DENTAL
DR. BENKOA DR. BRIAN LARSON
,ygtpplicants can send their resume to:
Park" River Dental, PO Box 662, Park River, ND 58270
90 you or your
group have a story
to tell?
We’re here to help.
Contact The Press:
Autoalmlrlement
14830 Hwy 17w., Grafton, ND
701 -352-3600-(800)279-8083
Job Opening: ‘
Hansons Auto and Imple-
ment has a job opening
for an organized person
to prepare Ag Service in-
voices and warranty sub-
mission along with A9
parts clerical work. Ex-
perience preferred, but
will train the right person.
Salary based on experi-
ence. Excellent benefits.
Contact Brian at
701-352-3600.
0118426333
This annual essay contest was sponsored by .
travel, and thus offering teachers ,
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