By Mary Ann McGann
The excitement was palpable as Woodland School principal Jeff Heaney introduced the new school mascot at a noisy pep rally last Friday. Woody Woodchuck and the principal led students and staff in a few simple calisthenics while celebrating the school theme for the year: Woodland and the Year of the Rainforest.
The theme was inspired by the unforgettable tale of friendship and hope, The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. The fictional story touches on the real life of an African mountain gorilla captured and caged for 27 years as a shopping mall side show in the United States.
“It’s a book about compassion,” Heaney told the students. “We all come from different homes. But when we enter Woodland School, we are one family.”
Over the summer, Woodland students in Grades 1 through 5 read The One and Only Ivan, which is available as both picture and chapter book. Kindergarten teachers read the picture book to their classes on the first or second day of school; other teachers in the early grades also read the book to their students as a refresher.
Each grade has adopted the name of a rainforest and/or jungle animal: Kindergarten Spider Monkeys; Grade 1 Toucans; Grade 2 Tree Frogs; Grade 3 Leopards; Grade 4 Anacondas; Grade 5 Gorillas.
“Do I hear our 1st Grade Toucans?” Principal Heaney asked the crowd at the pep rally, the cheers rising in decibel as each grade level was called.
Activities throughout the year will tie into the school’s theme. In addition, the Tree of Good Character in the All Purpose Room will begin to sprout as teachers award students “leaves” for making good decisions and showing good character.
Woodland Principal Jeff Heaney leads the students in calisthenics
(above l-r): Woody Woodchuck with Woodland School teachers Colleen Krumm, Amanda McGrath, Jennifer Ronkiewicz, Woody Woodchuck, Tiffany Serafin, Nicole Panos
