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Mornings at BLMS are full of cocoa and homework

January 5, 2010

By Christopher Huber

By Christopher Huber
The early morning air in Sammamish wasn’t as cold Dec. 15 as it had been the week before, but it was still winter-jacket weather.
And it was still cold enough for Beaver Lake middle-schoolers to need a hot cup of cocoa to warm up their hands as they filtered into the building at 7 a.m.
Thanks to a few science teachers willing to get up extra early to open a classroom, the students have a chance to make up schoolwork or study for tests before the first bell at Cocoa Club.
The point is homework, of course, but science teacher Kathryn Rice said a nice hot mug full of hot chocolate is an added incentive for the youth to spend “zero-period” studying. When they arrive, the students can start studying or head to the sink and pour some hot beverage to sip on. They bring the mug, the school provides the rest.
“It’s warm and nice to start the day with,” Rice said. “It’s a nice place to come and work with friends.”
The club is open to all seventh- and eighth-graders who may have missed assignments, need help with labs or need to make up tests in their science classes. They can also get help with math homework, Rice said.
Some come to play Jeopardy for test review. Some come just for the hot cocoa.
“I like it because everybody works together and people help each other on the knowledge of science. And the wonderful cocoa,” said seventh-grader Paul Stovall as he worked on a rock-identification lab. “It helped me finish assignments that I wasn’t able to finish in class.”
The club began when science teacher Curtis Betzler opened his room up early for his science students, Rice said.
In 2006, Rice opened the program to seventh-graders, too. It’s all voluntary and there is no pressure to come that early, she said, but they encourage students to invite their friends. Typically, Rice will see between eight and 30 students each Tuesday morning.
The students are free to ask questions and the atmosphere is casual, so Rice and helpers like teacher Catherine Johnson lead them to find the answers on their own, Rice said.
“It’s a nice place for kids who want more science, or just to work,” Johnson said.
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com.

The early morning air in Sammamish wasn’t as cold Dec. 15 as it had been the week before, but it was still winter-jacket weather.

And it was still cold enough for Beaver Lake middle-schoolers to need a hot cup of cocoa to warm up their hands as they filtered into the building at 7 a.m.

Thanks to a few science teachers willing to get up extra early to open a classroom, the students have a chance to make up schoolwork or study for tests before the first bell at Cocoa Club.

Nick Meinhofer (left) and Terry Steenman work on a Jeopardy science review while other students study a rock lab, cocoa at the ready. Photo by Christopher Huber

Nick Meinhofer (left) and Terry Steenman work on a Jeopardy science review while other students study a rock lab, cocoa at the ready. Photo by Christopher Huber

The point is homework, of course, but science teacher Kathryn Rice said a nice hot mug full of hot chocolate is an added incentive for the youth to spend “zero-period” studying. When they arrive, the students can start studying or head to the sink and pour some hot beverage to sip on. They bring the mug, the school provides the rest.

“It’s warm and nice to start the day with,” Rice said. “It’s a nice place to come and work with friends.”

The club is open to all seventh- and eighth-graders who may have missed assignments, need help with labs or need to make up tests in their science classes. They can also get help with math homework, Rice said.

Some come to play Jeopardy for test review. Some come just for the hot cocoa.

“I like it because everybody works together and people help each other on the knowledge of science. And the wonderful cocoa,” said seventh-grader Paul Stovall as he worked on a rock-identification lab. “It helped me finish assignments that I wasn’t able to finish in class.”

The club began when science teacher Curtis Betzler opened his room up early for his science students, Rice said.

In 2006, Rice opened the program to seventh-graders, too. It’s all voluntary and there is no pressure to come that early, she said, but they encourage students to invite their friends. Typically, Rice will see between eight and 30 students each Tuesday morning.

The students are free to ask questions and the atmosphere is casual, so Rice and helpers like teacher Catherine Johnson lead them to find the answers on their own, Rice said.

“It’s a nice place for kids who want more science, or just to work,” Johnson said.

Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com.

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Written by Christopher Huber · Filed Under Schools 

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