The Shiner Times
Land of the Free
It is easy to take for granted the freedoms that we have grown up with in SE Indiana. Our children have been blessed with free and equal public education, with caring people as teachers, and laws that try to protect them from bad things. We enjoy so many freedoms that it can be hard for our children to understand how precious freedom really is. That is why studying about Martin Luther King and connecting with the past struggles and triumphs of the civil right's movement can teach us all to appreciate our freedoms more. The Shiner Times Staff of 5th graders share with you their hearts on the subject. Be prepared to be moved!

I Have A Dream Too!
by Clovis Hudnall
I have a dream, that one day all MES will rise up! And treat everyone with respect and the way they want to be treated.
I have a dream that one day character, trustworthiness, fairness, and respect will flow through this school and make everyone equal and kind to one another.
I have a dream that one day friendliness will spread from the Kindergarten wing to the 5th and 6th grade wing.
I have a dream that MES students will not judge someone by what they look like.
I have a dream that one day all of MES will ask others to join in on a game of tag on the playground and let someone study with them in study groups.
I have a dream today!
And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all MES children will be able to sing with a new meaning:
My school ‘tis of thee, sweet land of safety, of thee I sing
Land where my school abide, land of the students' pride
From every classroom, let freedom ring.
Bullying takes away someone's freedom to be happy and feel safe. We asked 6th graders what they would do to stop bullying.
Kara Ickenroth said, "I would stop bullying by staying strong, using a strong and firm voice, while using a good choice of words when talking; and I would be confident during the conversation.” | Dominic Watson said, ”I would tell a teacher, but first I would try to stick up for him or her.” | Karista Newhouse said, ”I would stand up for that person that is getting bullied; and tell the bully that is picking on people, 'It is not something you should do, because it hurts people, and you should treat others like you want to be treated.' ” |
Kara Ickenroth said,
MES Students Honor The King Of Freedom
by Alexandria Hylton
2nd grader Summer Batchelor says she learned that Martin Luther King Junior was a black man who fought for freedom with words. Martin Luther King Junior was a man who fought for freedom with words, just like Summer said. He was an important man in the history of fighting for freedom. After everything that he did for our country, it is so amazing how so many people disliked him just because of the color of his skin.
We celebrate Martin Luther King Junior Day to honor Dr. King for all of his help to all races, and especially for working to help free African Americans from the cage of segregation. On January 1, 1886 Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation to end slavery. It was held in Washington D.C. That is where Dr. King proclaimed his “ I have a Dream” speech on Wednesday, August 28, 1963. It was inspiring to many people and gave them hope.
On Monday January 18th, MES classes honored Martin Luther King Jr. for his amazing fight to stop segregation. Mrs. Peters wanted to make the day fun and memorable for her 2nd grade class. They began by mapping “The March On Washington”, coloring a picture of Dr. King, and watching a video clip about a boy who wanted to play baseball but couldn’t because there was segregation. Mrs. Peters said that she was talking about what was on the inside and not on the outside of a person, and that everyone is created equal. She said that she was so excited to get to do this with her class, and it payed off.
The March to freedom
by Natalie Rupp
Freedom,
They say we’ll never get it.
I believe when people hear
The colored side of the story.
Injustice anywhere is an insult,
To justice everywhere!
They chant and throw objects,
but I’m not giving up.
I feel like I could walk
all night for freedom.
Cops yell and block the roads and order people
to go back.
Groups of people chant in our faces
and hold up signs.
All I can say is….
Keep Walking!
Manchester Elementary School
Principal's Corner
I’m sure many of you have heard through the media and other sources about the many negative remarks regarding last year’s ISTEP+ testing. While yes, there are many parts that need to be improved, I am very happy to report that MES went up from a B the previous year to an A.
The Grade 3-6 ISTEP+ Applied Skills test will begin on February 29. As parents, you can help by making sure your child gets plenty of rest and a nutritious breakfast. Please stress to them the importance of reading through selections carefully and trying their best. A lot of learning has been going on at MES. I’m proud of our students, teachers, and staff. With your help, we hope to continue to reveal that our school is one of the BEST! Thank you for all that you do in guiding your child toward a successful education and future.
Mrs. Dole Loves Her Job!
by Abrie Van Winkle and Macie Teke
Mrs. Dole expresses herself in her classroom. She loves Lucy! She also has Barbie Dolls, Dr. Seuss figurines, Garfield posters, The Walking Dead posters, Ohio State flags, Toy Story memorabilia, Monsters Inc., Nemo, Spongebob, and a zoo of stuffed animals. All these things reveal her fun and interesting personality.
Mrs.Dole is a fantastic sixth grade teacher. She came to Manchester Elementary last year from South Dearborn Middle School. She’s been teaching 16 years. “I love it! I loved teaching middle school, but I love it here. I love teaching with Mr. Nalley; he has been a big help.” Mrs. Dole's subject of choice became math while being a business major. She says, "I loved math and I really wanted to teach math, so I did my graduate work to become a teacher."
Mrs. Dole educates her students by not telling them the answer, and getting them to first try and figure it out themselves. She brings small groups to the back of the room for special study sessions. She teaches them to work out problems they can't figure out. Andrew Kemper says, "I used to like math, but now it is very interesting to me because of the way Mrs. Dole explains it in a version that we can relate to."
Friendship To Freedom

Just Love Hanging Around MES! Some days you need a little help from a friend to get free! Kindergartner Abby Lewis is just the right height to get caught on the coat hooks in the cafeteria. Mr. Jim can help! | Parents Help KDG Kids Count to 100 Kindergartner Brody Berger wears 100 dinosaurs on his shirt to celebrate the 100th day at MES. See below our gallery of smiling faces from Mrs. Fisk's class. | 1st Graders Turn 100 Years Old Overnight! Kelton Selmeyer will "HONK!" if you don't get out of the way of his cane coming through. He is carrying his great grandmother's school books and wearing his great grandfather's glasses. |
Just Love Hanging Around MES!
Parents Help KDG Kids Count to 100
PTO Meeting
Monday, Feb. 8th, 3:30pm
Manchester Elementary School Library
South Dearborn Girls Basketball Skills Camp
Saturday, Feb. 6th, 12:30-2pm
Aurora Elementary School Main Gym
This camp is for 1st, 2nd,3rd, and 4th grade girls. The camp will be conducted by the high school coaches and players with emphasis on fundamentals and skill development.
The camp is designed to give our athletes the skills they will need to compete at any level while building relationships with students from the other elementary schools. This camp is a FREE camp, which includes individualized instruction and team activities.
JUMP FOR HEART!
Wednesday, Feb. 17th, 2pm
Manchester Elementary School Gymnasium
Pennies For Patients
Monday, Feb. 8th, 8am to Friday, Feb. 26th, 3pm
Manchester Elementary School Cafeteria
Manchester Baseball/Teeball/Softball Sign-Ups
Saturday, Feb. 6th, 9am-12pm
Manchester Old Firehouse (Next to Store)
Kids can also sign up on Wednesday, February 10th, 5-7p.m. @ MES.You may also visit www.maaball.com to get a registration form. Cut off date is March 1st.
The cost is $40/ child and $80 family maximum.
For more information contact:
Eddie Davidson at 812-584-0333 for Baseball
Randy Rupp at 812-560-9679 for Softball