Volume 122, Number 46             Wednesday, December 21st, 2005

Observes 103rd
Elmer Yri, right, of Moose Jaw, Sask. celebrated his 103rd birthday with Moose Jaw North member of the lower assembly Glenn Hagel and friends from Oxford Place. In addition to the cake, Yri got a centennial medallion and a special senior's centennial pin. He lived in Normania Township of Benson County as a youngster and has many relatives in this area.

Technology expert hired to help schools
BY ERIN WOOD
Numerous high schools around the state use interactive television (ITV) to deliver courses to a host of schools. It's a service that expands class offerings for students, especially in smaller communities.
The Northeast Education Services Cooperative (NESC) saw an opportunity to enhance the coordination of such courses and technology for its member schools. But first, it needed someone to assist NESC-member schools in their ITV coordination.
That person is Jennifer Anderson.
Anderson is the ITV/TLC (Technology Learning Cooperative) technology support specialist for the NESC. She works with the staff of NESC to coordinate the regional ITV system and assist teachers with the integration of technology into courses, according to Keith Arneson, NESC administrative board chairman.
The NESC, formed in January of 2002 has 17 member school districts. Lake Region State College, Cankdeska Cikana (Little Hoop) Community College and Lake Region Special Education Unit serve as cooperating partners.
Member schools benefiting from her services include Adams-Edmore, Bisbee-Egeland, Cando, Dakota Prairie, Devils Lake, Four Winds, Lakota, Langdon, Leeds, Maddock, Minnewaukan, Munich, Rock Lake, Rolette, Starkweather, Warwick, and Wolford.
The new job brought Anderson closer to family and friends. Originally from Grand Forks, she recently moved to the Fordville area from Bismarck, where she worked the past 10 years.
Anderson holds a bachelor's degree in business education from UND and a master's degree in management from the University of Mary. Her work experience includes being a business education instructor and she also holds experience in the areas of business and marketing.
She is stationed in the Lake Area Career & Technology Center in Devils Lake and travels to area schools to work with administration and staff as needed.
"One goal for Jennifer is for her to bring our ITV course offerings and scheduling to the current levels of ITV units across the state. A second goal is for her to recruit and support current NESC and TLC educators for delivery of courses over the ITV system," Arneson said.
Anderson is already tackling those requested tasks.
In her first few months, she has created a universal handbook for ITV users. She also traveled to area schools when the TLC learning modules were being rotated. Schools share the learning modules, which cover a variety of topics from color graphic production, bio technology, science probes, vinyl cutting, computer aided design, milling, robotics, electronics, digital video and global positioning systems.
Once familiar with the TLC modules and state standards have been completed, Anderson will be working with state and local individuals to write curriculum.
"This is a huge undertaking and we are confident that Jennifer's leadership ability will to be up to the task. The end result will be an organized system that will enhance course offerings and student learning," Arneson said.
She also is listing all classes offered over ITV and developing a needs assessment for other ITV classes to "see what students and administrators want and need in their schools," she said, "so that students in all schools have the same learning opportunities."
A Web site that houses all of the NESC's general information in one area, complete with site links to all member schools is also one of the major projects on Anderson's plate.
She loves every minute of it. "I like the fact that I'm starting from scratch and already seeing progress," she said.

Jennifer Anderson is the Interactive Television (ITV) and Technology Learning Cooperative (TLC) technology support specialist for the Northeast Education Services Cooperative. She works with the staff of the cooperative to coordinate the regional ITV system and assist teachers with the integration of technology into courses. All school districts headquartered in Benson County are members of the cooperative.

Money savvy kids
Students in the freshman Family and Consumer Sciences class at Maddock
taught a series of eight lessons about money and how to be money savvy to
the first grade students. As part of the curriculum, each student received
a Money Savvy Pig. This piggy bank doesn't have just one slot. It has four.
The students learned that not only can they spend money, they can also
save, donate and invest money. The bank has a slot for each of these. Left
to right are front row: Evan Eyl, Taylor Foss, Akala Loughman, Lin Ella
Pistol and Ethin Johnson; middle row: Emily Sears, Spencer Sears, Gannon
Engkvist, Hannah Pierson and Becca Johnson; back row: Jillian Maddock,
Kaidi Kenner and Stephanie Johnson.

Students tour clinic
Leeds first graders toured the Rugby Veterinary Clinic recently and learned
about animal exams, x-rays, lab work and many other aspects relating to the
operation of an animal clinic. Class members are shown at the clinic. Left
to right, front row: Erin Jorgenson, Ricky Jorgenson, Spencer Follman, Josh
Bowman and Chace Laube. Back row: Dr. Gullickson, Andrew Follman, Kaylee
Lybeck, Grace Nybo, Cullen Engstrom, Gary Redetzke, Becky Sheldon and
Rosemary Ringenberg.

Dr. Gullickson demonstrates examination procedures on a dog.

Leeds first grader Cullen Engstrom listens to the heartbeat of a dog.

Students of quarter
The Leeds School announces its students of the quarter for the second
quarter of the 2005-2006 school year. Students are selected for this honor
based on their academic performance, cooperation, personal behavior,
attendance, responsibility and school spirit. Left to right, back row, are
junior Gina Ritterman, daughter of Bob and Cindy Ritterman; sophomore
Michael Anderson, son of Duane and Lisa Anderson; and senior Ashley Smith,
daughter of Kevin Smith and Cindy Smith. In the front row are eighth grader
Abbie Brossart, daughter of Ronnie and Rita Brossart; freshman Josh Owens,
son of Gywene Owens; and 7th grader Matthew Swanson, son of Mark and Cindy
Swanson.

Nativity scene
The live Nativity scene at Minnewaukan December 3 featured a number of
animals, including this donkey. Haley Westby's big smile shows she was
captivated by the beast.

Angels gathered at the live Nativity scene. In the foreground are Joseph
Schneider and Haley Westby.

Playing the part of Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus in the live Nativity scene
at Minnewaukan December 3 were Francis Jr. and Sheri Schneider and their
baby Christina.

Joseph Schneider played the part of a shepherd and Haley Westby played the
part of an angel.

Christmas service
A Leeds Community Ecumenical Christmas celebration was held at the Leeds
Lutheran Church on December 18 with more than 120 people in attendance.
Musical numbers, readings, Christmas hymns and a special visit from Ole and
Sven in their rusty Chevrolet were all part of the fun-filled afternoon.
Lunch was served after the program. Plans are to make this an annual event.
(Photo by Duane Anderson, Leeds)

Earns scholarship
Jennifer Halvorson, right, is the recipient of this Business & Professional
Women USA Scholarship from the Devils Lake BPW chapter. She is pictured
with BPW second vice president Bonnie Wehausen, left. Halvorson is an
accounting major at LRSC. She is the daughter of Jim Ripplinger of
Minnewaukan and the late Anna Ripplinger. Jennifer and her husband, Myron,
live in Devils Lake with their son.

Fifth graders visit
Recently the 5th grade class from Leeds joined the 5th grade class from
Tate Topa Elementary School in Fort Totten for a day of fun and learning.
Students were assembled in groups and they introduced themselves and told a
little bit about themselves. Introductions were followed by a culture class
taught by Mr. Gourd. The students learned about the culture and the
language of the Dakota people. They also celebrated a Thanksgiving dinner
together. At the end of the day both classes enjoyed playing a game. The
Tate Topa 5th grade is taught by Angie Walen. The Leeds 5th grade is taught
by Corinne Risovi. Left to right are Tierra Scott, Almeda White Eagle,
Danielle Redetzke and Kylie Fassett.

Left to right are Chelsi Olson, Matthew Ellison, Leonard Richotte, Kevin
Slaubaugh and Teddy Fox.

Wins local VOD competition
Katrece Thompson of Minnewaukan was the winner of the Voice of Democracy
Contest sponsored by the Benson County VFW Post 4251 and its Auxiliary of
Esmond. Katrece received a $100 US Savings Bond and a plaque. She is the
daughter of Kevin and Robin Thompson and is a sophomore at the Minnewaukan
School. She will go on to compete in the VFW Sixth District contest.