FERNAN'S

Students' World, PYP and Community

Fernan's students  enjoy a variety of extra curricular programs, ranging from creating a student year book, a structured indoor recess when needed and, working on grant-funded activities.  On this page you'll catch a glimpse of what student life is like at Fernan....
 

Fernan's Primary Years Programme (PYP)
The Elementary Stage of the International Baccalaureate

The Primary Years Programme (PYP) at Fernan    Elementary School focuses on the heart, mind, and body.  It provides our students with an international perspective that relates their lives in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to the U.S. and the larger global community.  Click here to read more about Fernan's PYP.

Artist in Residence

During the summer of 2007, a team from Fernan went to the Artspowered Schools Workshop in Boise to assist teachers in gaining skills to be able to use the arts in their classrooms as ways to engage learners, meet the needs of a variety of students, increase literacy, and promote creativity and critical thinking.  During the workshop the team organized a visit by an Artist in Residence, Judy Brand, whose discipline is Visual Art – Painting with Watermedia.  In January Ms. Brand arrived at Fernan for three days of intensive watercolor study with Ms. Critchfield's third grade and Ms. Soucy's fourth grade.  The resulting artwork was astounding and the students were very proud of their work.  Another team from Fernan will be attending the Workshop in the summer of 2008.  Watch for another Artist in Residence next year!

Wall Ball Dedication

SpokesmanReview photo

Two consecutive years of Fifth Grade students raised $4000; one very hard-working parent, Melody Turner, coordinated and found local businesses to donate time and materials; and a dedicated man from North Caroline, William R. Bailey, organized national fundraising efforts to create a memorial for Dylan Groene.  The wall ball wall was dedicated in August, 2006, just before school started.  A very large group of teachers, School Board members, administrators, friends of Dylan's, family, neighbors, friends and community members attended the dedication. "This wall definitely makes a statement on the playground. Dylan did, too," said Fernan Principal Lana Hamilton, calling Dylan "a boy who loved the playground and loved to play hard."

To read the article from the Spokesman Review about the dedication, please click here:  Spokesman Review

French Club

During the Spring of 2008 students from First through Fifth Grades learned to speak French on Wednesdays after school until 4:00 pm.  Ms. Soucy, who taught French earlier in her teaching career has many fun ideas and materials to help make the learning fun.  Ms. Soucy volunteered from our Fourth Grade. Together we all had fun...and, yes, advanced our learning!  There is abundant evidence that children who learn a language early become better students throughout their lifetimes.

Special Chorus

Fernan students also have the opportunity to join Special Chorus, which performs regularly in our programs and in district and community events.  They volunteer to come in on Wednesday mornings before school to practice and learn with Mrs. Johnson.  We have a huge group of singers this year!!

Fifth Grade Strings

When you click on the Strings title, you will go to a site created by our strings teacher, Debbie Overby, to show you what is going on in her district-wide fifth grade program.

School District #271 All School Art Show

Each year in the spring, all of the School District #271 students can participate in an Art Show (not a contest).  In 2008 the Art Show will be put up on May 8th at the Human Rights Education Institute in Coeur d'Alene, located on the northeast corner of the City Park across from Memorial Field.  The artwork is displayed through May 18th, which includes Mother's Day.   The show is always colorful and a great family outing, encouraging students to observe and talk about art...and show off their skills.

Fernan's Fifth Grade Artwork: Masterpieces, April 2007
To see more artwork go to our Art Gallery

An EXCEL Project

Eight exceptional art students were selected from the fifth and fourth grades to work after school on the fundraiser sponsored by the Excel Foundation to raise funds for grants presented to teachers each fall.  The project is called "No Moose Left Behind."  Each school in the District decorated a tabletop moose for auction that summer.  Fernan's moose is called "Masters Moose" and is covered with masterpieces from all over the world.  He even has a painter's palette on one antler.  Presented below is the progress through six weeks.

In September, 2004, at the Excel Foundation Auction, two of our Fernan families, the Millers and the Stauffers, partners in Miller, Stauffer Architects, PA, purchased our "Masters Moose" and donated the sculpture back to Fernan.  Our moose is now on display in the hallway.  Check it out to see how many masterpieces you can recognize!

Harlie, Nikki and Lev finished with Week Two	Week Four	Week Four:  Nikki, Lev, Harlie and Natalie having Fun
Week Five:  Monet Base	Week Five:  Nikki, Natalie, Harlie and Lev, almost finished	Week Six: "Masters Moose" Finished!