Harold Martin
students find baking and science enriching
By RUSS CHOMA
Staff Writer
rchoma@yourneighborhoodnews.com
HOPKINTON – School had been out almost an hour, but a group of Harold Martin
Elementary students remained in class – just for fun.
The aroma of home-cooked baking wafted throughout the classroom, as a dozen
or so students spread jelly on freshly sliced pieces of bread.
Initially, this might look like snack time at the school, but when
the students don their tall white chef’s hats with a certain air of seriousness,
you can tell this is something more.
In fact, this class called “Kitchen Kids,” is part of the Reaching
for the Stars – Harold Martin School’s after-school enrichment program.
Kitchen Kids is half junior-culinary and half introduction to biology, where
students do simple baking and learn the basics of how food ingredients interact.
They’re learning the answer to questions like, “Why does bread rise?” And,
unlike some students stuck extra-hours after school, they seem to enjoy this.
And that enthusiasm is replicated throughout the building.
More than 120 students are involved in the Reaching for the Stars program,
which is in its third year now.
The program offers seven programs, each with a slightly different focus.
One activity is an art club where students try their hand at different artistic
styles each week. Another is a class about “How do things work?”
Recently, students dissected old computers and tried to figure out how batteries
work. Some students practiced Spanish, while another ventured outside to learn
about nature and tracking.
In the science club, about 20 elementary students talk with an expert from
New Hampshire Fish and Game about the intricacies of the food chain.
The founder of the Reaching for the Stars program is Shannon Tawney. Her
idea for the program came to Tawney several years ago, when her son, Colby,
was in kindergarten.
“He was interested in science, but told me he didn’t know if any other kindergartners
were interested too,” she said.
Tawney knew that other students must be interested, so she started
a science club, where students with similar interests as Colby could get
together.
That was two years ago, when the club had only 20 members.
Now, Tawney said, the program has developed to serve almost half of Harold
Martin’s student body, and this year there are more students who didn’t get
to participate because there weren’t enough classes. Next year, a similar
program is planned for grades 4 to 6 at Maple Street School .
The limitation on class sizes is due to the fact that the program is entirely
organized and taught by parent volunteers.
“We have to search (for more parents) again to grow,” Tawney said, “and
help students find science is fun, and exploring is fun and it’s okay to
ask questions.”
“So, any parent with any interest, say, if they want to teach French, we’re
glad to have them,” Tawney said. “We need more classes to help us expand.”
Harold Martin Principal Bill Carozza said he was tremendously pleased with
both student and parent participation.
“You have a lot of kids who love learning so much and this gives them more
opportunities,” he said. “Plus, Hopkinton is really a rich community
in terms of parents’ having knowledge and expertise.”
The program runs for six weeks and is open to any Hopkinton student.
Although the program ended for the year on April 9, Tawney said at least
one session is being planned again for next year.
She encourages any parent who might have knowledge to share to call the
school and get involved.
For more information or to share your ideas on the program, call Carozza
at 746-3473.
Permisson to reprint courtesy of the Bow Times