Dead Poets Society? Not if he can help it

By KYLE CHEROMCHA Special to The Day

Publication: The Day

Workshop lets NL students meet a 'living writer'

New London - When Bruce Snider agreed to host a poetry workshop with a group of fifth-graders from the Regional Multicultural Magnet School in New London, he wanted to help children relate to poetry and poets.

"One of our main goals was to introduce kids to a living writer," said Snider, the poet-in-residence at the James Merrill House in Stonington this spring. "Since most poetry they read is written a long time ago, I think a lot of kids have the feeling that in order to be a poet you have to be dead."

Snider teamed up with the school's literacy coach, Heidi Simmons, to put on two workshops for selected students, designed as an extension of the yearlong, in-class poetry instruction.

Despite being pulled from an all-school assembly to attend the workshop, the group of 10 students filed into the conference room last Friday morning eager to share the poems they had written for homework.

"What did you notice about that poem?" Snider pressed the group after each student finished reading their work. "What stood out to you? How did it make you think in a different way?"

Despite the onslaught of questions, the kids had no shortage of answers. Often, multiple hands were wiggling in the air before he had even finished his sentence.

Friday's workshop focused on the use of sounds in poetry, including alliteration, repetition, rhythm and onomatopoeia - words that imitate the sounds they describe. After guiding the group through an analysis of "Ode to a Drum," in which the students debated the various interpretations of the words, Snider set them to work on their own sound-inspired poems.

"I want you to think of a sound, any sound, and find a way to capture it in the way you write the poem," he said. "Make it as vivid, as strange and as memorable as you can."

One student wrote about the "blip-plop" sound of pots boiling over on the stove in her busy kitchen at home; another wrote about the sound of scribbling pencils that filled the room as the other students worked on their poems. Snider said that it's important for them to write their own poems because it's a kind of experiential learning they can't get from just reading.

Principal Sally Myers was thrilled at how well the students responded to Snider's instruction.

"This is the first time we've had a poet come in and work with the kids in this way," she said. "From what I saw, I thought it was amazing."

Arbor Day Award presented to Lia Scala

Lia continues to make a mark on the world with grace, humility, influence and great care. Her artwork was selected as the official Connecticut Arbor Day Poster. A ginkgo tree was donated to RMMS and was planted by the parking lot on Bulkeley Street. Ms. Chrismae and Ms. Traci's class celebrated this tree planting with Lia's family. We are so very proud of Lia.

All School Morning Meeting

RMMS celebrated as a learning community with a song in Spanish from Ms. Melissa and Ms. Gloria's kindergartners, an arbor day award presented to our own Lia Scala, some incredible dancing from some students in the after school program choreographed by Mr. Leo, and of course music by Mr. Hugh and Mr. K. What a wonderful way to start our day!

RMMS Staff vs Student basketball game

The staff of RMMS bravely took the court on Thursday to play the multitalented 4/5 student team coached by Mr. Jeremy. After 4 six minute, very close quarters, the student team came away with the win. Way to go RMMS!

Message from Mr. Jeremy:

A HUGE thank you to Mr. C, Ms. Joanne, Ms. Kathy, Ms. Kristin, and Mr. Nate for showing off their basketball skills against the 4/5 Grade Team.
Without any substitutes, these five stars put on a great show for the spectators.

Also, thank you to Ms. Cara for co-coaching the 4/5 Team.

GO RMMS!

Poetry in Motion

On Friday, May 7th, our whole community participated in a Poetry in Motion celebration. Students and families engaged in language scavenger hunts, walked the halls to read all of the amazing student and staff poetry, and shared poems at the All School Morning Meeting. Kudos to Ms. Jo for organizing and inspiring the poet in each of us!

Please enjoy the pictures from our day and a poem from one of Ms. Jo's third grade students.

Butterfly Magic

by Dasha Klein

Butterflies

Maroon, fuchsia, chartreuse,

Every color you can think of

Darting here and there

Landing on lilacs and lilies

Wings beating wildly

Fanning out in an array of color

Bringing beauty to the world

That is the butterfly magic

RMMS Alum are named CAS-CIAC Scholar-Athletes

CAS-CIAC RECOGNIZES SCHOLAR-ATHLETES
The Scholar-Athlete Program annually recognizes two high school seniors - one boy and one girl - from each member high school whose academic and athletic careers have been exemplary, whose personal standards and achievements are a model to others, and who possess high levels of integrity, self-discipline and courage. 3 former RMMS students were recognized this spring at the Aquaturf: Brianne Mirecki (East Lyme), Rachel Gavin (New London), and Carlos Lozada (New London)

Email from Mary Mirecki, (Parent):

Good morning -
Thought you would want to know -
Last night we were at the Aquaturf for the CT Assoc of Schools Scholar Athlete banquet with Brianne (Mirecki).
Seated at the table next to us were Rachel Gavin and Carlos Lozada.

This is quite an accomplishment for our school - these kids have distinguished themselved in both the classroom and on the playing fields -- and in the case of these 3 students it is track and field where they have excelled. It was mentioned that the academic criteria to be considered for Scholar Athlete is a minimum 3.5 GPA.

As Brianne went through the 2002 yearbook she found 4 more RMMS alum who have been All State track athletes - Sam Saccamano, Ally Mason, Jasmine Cox, and Joe Massad (cross country).

What a wonderful community we have; I'm proud to be part of what you all do every day.
Have a great week-
Mary

Language Celebration

In building our learning around multiculturalism, our second and third grade students had the opportunity to experience Chinese or Arabic after school through a partnership with Connecticut College. Many thanks go to Mrs. Goldstein and the wonderful students and faculty in the language department at Connecticut College. They shared their new learning with family, friends, and food today!

4/5 Colonial Day Fair

On Friday, the 4/5 students and teachers brought RMMS back in time. The students have been studying life in Colonial times and demonstrated their learning through an interactive fair and living museum with hands-on activities, demonstrations and displays of traditional items. Thanks to all for the hard work and dedication.