Naples School – A Legacy of Love
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February 27, 2013 |
By Karen Lemley
First grade teacher, Naples Elementary
One of February’s holidays is Valentines Day, a
day that is cherished by children as they
exchange Valentines with their classmates and
loved ones. Love is really an important part of
any relationship that works well, and it is a
big part of the daily life at Naples School.
The mission statement of the school includes the
word love; “To Leave a Legacy of Love and
Lifelong Learning,” and this has been the motto
for many years now.
So many individuals contribute to this feeling,
including the students, staff, family members,
volunteers and the community. Just walking into
the office and being greeted by secretary Linda
Lee’s smile and kind words warms the hearts of
parents, visitors, volunteers and delivery
people.
Students are the most important part of our
school. Teachers greet arriving students each
day with smiles and caring words, and likewise
students arrive with enthusiasm, hugs and
questions of what the day will bring. When asked
about what they love about their school this is
what a few students had to say:
Addison from kindergarten said that she loves
the special classes because she gets to be with
her teacher Mrs. McDonald.
“She’s really nice and she’s the best teacher.
She helps me when someone is mean. I love her.”
Brady from first grade loves that we learn to
get smarter and said that in school our brains
start to work so that when we grow up we’ll know
more things.
Annabeth, who is also from the first grade,
said, “There are lots of people to help you and
friends when you’re hurt, they’re wonderful!”
Marcus from the second grade loves the big
playground and that the teachers are nice and
kind. When he fell, Mrs. Hampton helped him up.
He also loves being with friends he’s known
since pre-school.
Another second grader, Malia, loves that school
feels safe and that if anything bad happens the
school deals with it.
When asked about what else she loved she said,
“The Magnet classes are good for different ages
and grades. We all know each other, help each
other and we are all friends and nice to each
other.”
When some of the fifth graders were asked what
they loved, Jamie said, “All the teachers are
friendly and nice. Teachers always have smiles
and tell us, 'Hooray, another day!'”
Hannah loves that everyone is nice and thinks
that this is because people treat others how
they would want to be treated.
Teachers and support staff work closely together
to create this loving and caring environment.
As Kathy Hampton, the second grade teacher, put
it, “a small school gives the family feel. I’ve
worked here for many years, my children went to
school here, and I’m still teaching here. The
staff gets along well, works well together and
we have fun together.”
Steve Alverez, who teaches third and fourth
grades, had the following to say, “I love
knowing the kindergarten students and watching
them go through the grades. What I like most is
that it’s a close and friendly environment. The
students are children, not grades or points for
a school. The kids mean much more to us than the
test scores."
Our school cook, Marie, had the following to say
about Naples students, “They are so polite in
the lunch line because they are taught manners
from kindergarten on, how to be kind and
courteous.”
Parents and volunteers help our school in so
many ways; daily classroom help, fundraising,
decorating, special events and being a part of
the PTA.
Cherry Gray, who has been involved in countless
school projects, feels this way: “I love Naples
School because it has been a warm and nurturing
place for my kids to grow and learn. The
teachers and staff work hard to provide an
environment that all kids feel welcome in. It’s
like a second family. I share my love with the
school by volunteering and helping where needed,
both to help the teachers and staff and to get
to know the kids. I love getting lots of hugs
when I visit!”
Nadine Colgrove has been a parent at our school
during the time that her three children have
attended. At the current time, she is president
of the parent group that meets each month.
When asked about her love of the school, this
was her reply. “When I think of Naples School I
think of love. I love how teachers give their
all to the students while sharing the love of
learning with them. I love how my kids feel safe
and loved by all around them. Kids learn to have
love and respect for each other, and the world
around them, the Golden Rule. I love the amazing
education that my children are receiving through
a 'Legacy of Love.'"
Naples Elementary School is located nine miles
south of Bonners Ferry, off of Highway 95. We’re
a small community school and have pride in our
family-like environment.
If you would like to visit of receive any
information please call (208) 267-2956. or visit
our website
http://www.bcsd101.com and then click on
Naples. |
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