Back to school.

Byline: Linda Sailer

Aug. 17--The days and weeks leading up to the first day of school in Dickinson have been a flurry of activity. The custodians scrubbed the desks and shampooed the carpets, but the rest is up to the teachers. They decorate the bulletin boards, sort the texbooks and prepare lessons plans for the upcoming weeks. The Dickinson Public Schools and Dickinson Catholic Schools begin on Thursday, Aug. 21, while Hope Christian Academy starts Wednesday, Aug. 20. Kristi Meidinger Dickinson Heart River Elementary first grade teacher Kristi Meidinger made a two-page list titled "Things to get done before the first day of school."

She arranged the desks and made bulletin boards. She catalogued and stamped the new science materials purchased by the Dickinson Public School District. Then she reviewed the classroom schedules, ran off worksheets for math, reading, social studies and phonics. She created name tags, set out the books and got videos from the library. Her goal is to memorize every student's name on the first day. It's not that hard because she has written their names several times already or has had their brothers and sisters in prior classes. "It actually takes less than a day. It's harder to know the parents," she said.

Deb Walth Deb Walth, veteran third grade teacher at Heart River Elementary, knows how to entice students to learn: Give them hands-on projects. "I'm planting seeds for science," she said during a visit to her classroom. "I want to plant seeds so they are growing by the time students come and we can observe them." She had a bag filled with vegetables and flowers, but she decided to plant some herbs.

"They can take them home and continue growing them," she said.

She appreciates the new science series for grades K-12. Serving on the science committee, the teachers wanted a currculum featuring hands-on learning skills. It also features DVDs, games and a Web site for parents to explore. She anticipates an easy transition for the students to her classroom. "I know the kids. The second grade was across from my room. I know who the second graders are and they've seen me," she said. "Once I've hauled out the garbage and made the name tags, I'm ready to go," she said. Sue Biesiot Sue Biesiot has spent numerous days getting her kindergarten classroom ready at Dickinson's Roosevelt Elementary. Grandparent volunteer Sandy Lackner made new curtains and new blinds, while the school invested in lockers and white boards. There's even new pillows for nap time.

Students visit the classroom twice before the start of classes. They came for registration last week, and are invited to return for open house this week. "The kids bring their backpacks, and of course they love all the toys. The parents sit down for an overall view of school," she said. A veteran teacher, the first days are always exciting, but this year is special -- new students, new shades, new white board and new lockers, she said. "I'm just as excited as they are. I'm always ready to quit in the spring and I'm always ready in the fall," said Biesoit. Carolyn Blake Carolyn Blake, Lincoln Elementary second grade teacher, uses the remaining days of summer to decorate her classroom and to update the classroom's Web site. A veteran teacher, she has embraced the technology of the Internet.

"It really keeps parents informed. I can put up words and assignments. I take pictures of special proejcts with my personal camera, she said.

She appreciates the open house as an opportunity to meet students and parents. "The open house is really cool. Students bring backpacks and meet us," she said. "I'm always ready for a break by the middle of May, but once we get into August, I'm ready to get back. It's never boring. Every group of students is different." Bobbie Hansen

Dickinson Trinity Elementary East fifth grade teacher Bobbie Hansen has used the last few days to organize her textbooks and to prepare lessons. Actually, preparations take longer than that. "It takes days and days...weeks and weeks," she said. She spends time going over the files and checking Internet sites for new ideas. She attended a "Love and Logic" workshop and the Emergency Community Response Team (CERT) training this summer. "It's a way to help react when an emergency occurs like the weather," she said. "I also did a school improvement class. We did that as a team." Arlene Hondl Trinity Elementary East teacher Arlene Hondl took a break this summer to spend time with her family. "This is my 48th year of teaching," she said. "I absolutely enjoy teaching and I enjoy being with the kids." She came to school a few days early to arrange her classroom and to prepare lesson plans for the upcoming weeks. She has an enrollment of 23 students this year, higher than previous years. She views it as an advantage in that she can divide the students into groups for projects. Peggy Mayer Dickinson Catholic Schools Elementary Principal Peggy Mayer said many of the teachers attended classes this summer. Teachers could attend a science institute or "Love and Logic" classes. Others attended a workshop focusing on a school improvement plan. The plan calls for a reemphasis on writing skills. "Teachers were in school during the summer so they are ready for school in the fall," she said. Trinity East is planning an open house from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 18, and Trinity West's open house is from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. "It's an opportunity for kids to meet their teachers and drop off their school bags," she said. Toni Hostetler Toni Hostetler is looking forward to her first year as the seventh-eighth grade teacher at Dickinson's Hope Christian Academy. "I taught kindergarten on the reservation at Twin Buttes, but this is a big difference," she said. She spent last week trying to make the classroom appealing to the students. "I need to get the materials out to the kids, and I was working on taking measurements for bulletin boards," she said. Ron Dazell Hope Christian Academy Administrator Ron Dazell didn't catch much of a break this summer. He supervised the construction of a kitchen make-over, a storage area and a handicapped-accessible restroom. The phone intercom system was upgraded and the school invested in new computers for faculty. The new grading software will allow parents access to students' grades and assingments. "We're upgrading our Web site too," he said. And just when he thought everything was ready, the copier died last week. He has scheduled an inservice for staff on Tuesday, Aug. 19, prior to the start of school on Wednesday.

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