MEMORIAL STUDENTS PAINT ROCKS FOR ROCK GARDEN
MEET THE NEW BETHEL PARK SCHOOL SECURITY TEAM
ethel Park
BETHEL PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT
MEMORIAL STUDENTS PAINT ROCKS FOR ROCK GARDEN
The students at Memorial Elementary School participated in a school-wide project that encouraged self-confidence and self-belief, and celebrated the diversity of the world around them.
The students had the opportunity to have the book, Only One You, by Linda Kranz read to them as part of their Library curriculum. The book focuses on Adri, a small fish whose parents decide that the time has come for them to share some worldly wisdom with him, such as“ Find your own way. You don’ t have to follow the crowd,” and“ Blend in when you need to. Stand out when you have the chance.”
The book is illustrated with beautifully painted rocks that look like fish. At the end of the story, Adri’ s parents remind him just how unique he is and encourage him to swim off and make a difference in the world.
The theme of the book was carried throughout the curriculum. For example, in music class, students learned a song about love and kindness.
All Memorial students were asked to bring a rock to school, of a size that would fit in the palm of their hand. In their art classes, they were asked to paint them using acrylic paint. On the bottom of every rock, the students painted an inspiring word.
Art teachers Kristen Johnson and Amy Mittner sprayed a protective coating on all of the rocks and they were placed in a newly-created“ Only One You” rock garden located at the back of the school near the parent pick-up area.
As the students began to paint their rocks, one second grade student exclaimed,“ This is going to be so cool!”
Before their rocks were placed in the rock garden, students used their STEAM skills to estimate how many rocks would fill up the garden. They wrote about their rock and used the“ face talk” app to record what they wrote to be able to share their recording with others.
Additionally, the students were able to select a piece of paper with an inspiring message on it that they colored. Messages included“ I will learn from others,”“ This may take some time,”“ I grow my brain by learning hard things,” and“ Never give up.” The brightly colored messages were hung throughout the school.
The goal of the project was to encourage students to develop positive behaviors and understand the importance of being kind and doing the right thing. The rock garden is a beautiful reminder to everyone who sees it that,“ There is only one you in the world … Make it a better place!”
Memorial rocks!
The students were encouraged to make their rocks as colorful as possible.
56 Bethel Park
School Police Officer Alyssa Bunn( left) and School Resource Officer Joelle Dixon( right).
MEET THE NEW BETHEL PARK SCHOOL SECURITY TEAM
Officer Alyssa Bunn is the Bethel Park School District’ s School Police Officer, replacing long-time School Police / School Resource Officer Jim Modrak. Officer Bunn began working in Bethel Park in July, 2017. Previously, she served as a School Police Officer in the Brentwood and South Allegheny School Districts and as a University Police Officer at Point Park University.
Officer Bunn is stationed primarily at Bethel Park High School and Independence Middle School, but she can be found in all Bethel Park schools during the school year as needed.
As School Police Officer, Officer Bunn assists with school security and law enforcement issues. Additionally she participates in educational programs throughout the district, such as underage drinking, retail theft, safe driving education and substance abuse.
Besides helping to keep the schools safe, Officer Bunn also serves as a positive role model for students, as she develops a rapport with them and helps to open the lines of communication between students, families, administration and law enforcement.
Joining Officer Bunn on the Bethel Park School Security Team is Bethel Park Police Officer Joelle Dixon, who is serving as the District’ s School Resource Officer.
Officer Dixon has worked in law enforcement for 17 years, the past eight as a member of the Bethel Park Police Department. She is familiar to many students as she has been a visible presence in the schools since her arrival eight years ago.
Officer Dixon also enjoys working with students and it is her goal to bring the schools, students and parents together to work proactively toward common goals as well as cooperatively to solve problems.
Welcome Officer Bunn and Officer Dixon!