Supporters of the Woodlan kindergarten-through-12th-grade campus project turned in more petition packets than their opponents by Tuesday’s deadline, according to voter registration officials.If Tonka, a brown and black striped cat, could read, she might prefer a good romance novel.
But as far as the students at Abbett Elementary are concerned, children’s literature suits her just fine.
Every Wednesday, a group of fourth- and fifth-graders from Abbett spends a half-hour reading to Tonka and other cats at the Allen County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
“We come here so the cats can get used to humans,” 10-year-old Ricardo Carpenter said Wednesday.
He had just read “I Spy” to several cats including Tonka, who sat on his lap.
Jeannette Harris, a teacher at Abbett, said the 2-year-old program benefits both the animals and students. Students get to practice their reading skills, while their soothing voices calm the cats, many of whom have been neglected or abused.
Harris said anywhere from four to eight special education students come in to read to the cats each week. The students are divided into groups of two and sent to different rooms, where they are accompanied by an adult and an SPCA volunteer.
Abbett has one of the largest populations of low-income students in Fort Wayne Community Schools, with 93 percent of the students receiving free or reduced-priced lunch, a common indicator of poverty in schools. Many students are dealing with anger issues and other problems. In addition to helping students with their reading skills, Harris hopes the sessions add some brightness to their days.
“It’s therapeutic for the cats and the kids,” Harris said. “If you’re having a bad day, you can come in here and pet a cat – it’s wonderful.”
Events
•Bishop Luers Annual Walkathon will begin Tuesday. To sponsor a student or a checkpoint, call Jenny Andorfer at 456-1261 or e-mail jandorfer@bishopluers.org.
•The public can attend the finals of the School Children’s Flower and Vegetable Association’s Blue Ribbon Show from 2:30 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Blackhawk Middle School, 7200 E. State Blvd.
•Rally to Read will take place 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Hanna-Creighton Campus, Hanna Street and Creighton Avenue.
Recognition
•Stacy Huffer of Warsaw Community Schools was named an Indiana teacher of the year finalist.
•Michael Welling and Daniel Keller received a $1,000 George Jordan Memorial Scholarship from General Credit Union.
•The Indiana State Board of Education recognized Fairfield Principal Jeff Cline as one of Indiana’s “Title 1 Distinguished Principals.”
•IPFW’s Center for Economic Education won the 2010 Peter V. Harrington Award for University Centers from the Indiana Council for Economic Education.
Registration
Ivy Tech Community College-Northeast and Everblue Training Institute will offer LEED Green Associate Exam Preparation courses. Students can choose between two-day courses in October and December. Both classes will be at Carroll Hall on Ivy Tech’s North Campus off of St. Joe Road. The cost is $595. Register online at www.ivytech.edu/actnow/registernow.html or call Ann Travis at 480-4118.
IPFW
•Eugenie C. Scott will present “Why the Fuss about Darwin and Evolution?” at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Walb Student Union Ballroom. The lecture is free and open to the public.
Huntington University
•Professor J. Stephan Leeper will discuss the challenges facing young artists during the Fall Semester Women’s Breakfast at 9 a.m. Saturday in the Habecker Dining Commons.
Ivy Tech
Ivy Tech Community College is having its third annual student scholarship ride on Saturday. For more information, contact Andrea Robinson Hinsey at 480-4269.
