DAPHNE, Ala.— In Mrs. Elaine Herring’s fifth-grade reading class, students are reading a story called “The King and His Wings.” The genre is fantasy fiction. These are stories that didn’t really happen and are full of fantasy events. The story is a play that involves a king who wants to fly, a queen who worries, a page who is off-key when he tries to sing, and some subjects that try and build wings for the king because he wants to fly. There are three subjects who try to build a flying invention for the king, only one succeeds. His name is Issac Summerville. His invention is a book. He says that his invention will take you to the land of knowledge.

Mrs. Jennifer Newton’s, Mrs. Benita Battle’s, and Ms. Stephanie Carroll’s sixth-grade classes are doing a report on an ocean in science. Battle assigned each student a partner to work with.  One of them will take the role of a physical surveyor, while the other is a marine ecologist.  They each have to create their PowerPoint about an ocean based on their assigned roles. The students will continue to work on their project for the next few days.

Our United Way competition is now over. Students are pleased that they were able to support their community needs through this fundraising effort. Mrs. Michelle Henderson’s fifth-grade class raised the most money with a grand total of $175 so they will receive a popsicle party and Mrs. Henderson will receive a pedicure for her special treat. Everyone who gave at least two dollars will receive an ice cream treat. The school’s total donation for United Way from faculty, staff and students totaled $2708.29.

We are still recruiting parents who could continue to help install additional LCD mounts. We are in the process of ordering one for every classroom. No technology experience is necessary. Basically, volunteers would need to be able to attach the hardware for the mounts onto the LCDs and run wires above ceiling tiles. The school is working to get an installation demonstration set up so further volunteers would know exactly what to do. The goal is to get enough volunteers to do two to four classrooms. If you are interested or would like to know more, please leave your name and number with the school office. Mrs. Blair Heald will call you back.

There is still time to purchase tickets for the Mamma Mia Cook-off. Daphne City Hall will be the setting Nov. 8 for the popular fall fundraiser celebrating Daphne’s Italian heritage. Scheduled from 7 to 10 p.m., it will take place under the stars on the grounds of Olde Towne Daphne’s newest landmark. Guests will sample dozens of creative entries as well as fine wine and authentic Italian desserts. State Rep. Randy Davis and the Jubilee Orchestra will provide musical entertainment and a large-screen television will be available for college football fans.

Proceeds from the event help fund SEEDS’ Classroom Enrichment Grant Program, which has distributed more than $83,000 to the five Daphne public schools and Christ the King Catholic School since 2005.

Advance tickets are $25 per person and may be purchased at www.seedsindaphne.org.

Tickets at the gate will be $30 per person.

Every month, our school presents a few character traits for students to think about during the month.

This month, the traits are citizenship, patriotism and gratitude. These traits were chosen in particular for November because of the events taking place this month. Patriotism and citizenship were chosen because November is election month. Gratitude was picked because of Thanksgiving. Come to our school any day and see the students showing off their great character!

In social studies, sixth-grade classes have embarked on a great quest. They want to learn where all the U.S. states are on the map, and memorize their capitals. Each week, the students learn these things about a small number of states. Then, a week later, they have a test on the states. Once the students have learned studied all 50 states, they will have a test on them.

We will have a canned food drive beginning begins Nov. 10th. Sponsored by the Citizenship Club, all proceeds will benefit Ecumenical Ministries.

Our official ribbon-cutting for our new school is scheduled for Nov. 13th at 3:30 p.m. We look forward to seeing community members, parents, former students, and even family members of Mr. Carroll at the event.