March Madness:Grade School Style

Students rally together and compete in the grade school intense academic competition, otherwise known as March Madness

Written by Bonnie Dugan for The Fishtown Spirit on March 25, 2009

Screaming fans jump up and down as they cheer on the competitors facing off on the floor. On the sidelines, the teams anxiously await their turns to show off their skills and take home the big trophy. Intense echoes bounce off the walls as the room fills up with suspense and the competition gets tighter. And as the brackets get shorter, the anxiety gets higher. The only thing that could bring on this much excitement is, of course, March Madness: Grade School Style.

While many other young men were taking their chances on teams like Duke, UCLA and Ohio, parents, teachers and kids of all ages were betting their odds on the grade schools that they thought would take it all the way in this year’s annual academic challenge better known as “March Madness.”
Walking into the front doors of the Shissler Recreation Center, I was overwhelmed with the intense crowds cheering and hollering. The excitement was inevitable and even from the outside, the echoes of kids and adults could be heard all the way to the end of the street.

March Madness Director A.J. Thomson jokes, “The turnout was a lot bigger than expected. I think we might need to go to the Wachovia Center next year.”

Much like the “Big Dance,” eight grade schools from the Fishtown area squared off to compete for the No. 1 slot. While only one school got to take home the first place trophy, all of those schools walked home winners.

Thomson wrote a letter to the students, teachers and families, in which he stated, “March Madness is much more than a competition. It is a celebration of learning and school pride. While some schools will advance and eventually we will crown a winner this year, all participants and their classmates are winners. The effort to learn each day and to prepare to answer some tough questions is worth more than any trophy or medal.”

Visitation B.V.M, Alexander Adaire, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Our Lady of Port Richmond, St. Laurentius, Lasalle Academy and the Bethel Baptist Academy all faced off to test their intellectual abilities. The scholars competed against each other at four tables located at the far corners of the gymnasium. Each school consisted of a team of students chosen to test their knowledge against one another, and when the drilling of questions were over and one school of children began to cheer, jump up and down, hug and slap hands, you knew who won that intellectual race.

Thomson states, “We asked a lot more current event questions this year to encourage the students to read the newspaper and become involved.” The questions included subjects like basketball, the election and Iraq. Thomson explains that in order to answer most of these questions, the students must have paid attention to the news and current events.

The competition was tight, and as the evening grew on, the brackets grew shorter and the list of schools went from eight to six to four, and eventually two schools challenged each other for the title of champion. The final two resulted in Our Lady of Port Richmond and Sacred Heart of Jesus. People were literally on the edge of their seats anticipating the final results.

In the end, only one school could take home the gold, or in this case, the biggest trophy, and that was Our Lady of Port Richmond. However, everyone walked home a winner and trophies were given out to all the young scholars.

Teachers of the Year

Before the chaos began, three teachers were honored with the “Teacher of the Year” award for their excellence as both mentors and professionals. These three teachers were chosen from their students based on nominations. Each student was asked, “How does my teacher help me reach my goals?” The three teachers chosen have excelled in the classroom, coaching their students to success. They should be honored with admiration and respect for their ability to enable a child a brighter future.
While the students answered how their teacher helped them reach their goals, The Spirit asked the three honored teachers, “What do you get most out of being a teacher?”
Christine Tustin-Shulstice
“It’s nice to see them grow from fifth to eighth grade. When you look back at their pictures, the transformation is amazing,” Christine Tustin-Shulstice answers. Stationed at Alexander Adaire, Tustin is a special education teacher for all ages. A native of Port Richmond, she still enjoys teaching in her hometown and strives to instill the knowledge in her children who struggle with their reading, writing and mathematics skills.
A student of Tustin’s, Samantha Miller, wrote, “She always helps me and never gets mad. She never gives you the answer, but she helps you figure it out. When I don’t know things, she has me write my questions in a book so I don’t forget.”
Another student of Tustin’s, Jose Gonzalez, also only had nice things to write, saying, “She is very patient when I’m having problems. My reading level has gone up since I started working with her. The class is so small so she can spend a lot of time helping me. She has a great sense of humor and isn’t afraid to smile.”
“You grow so close to them because you teach them for so long,” Tustin adds, proving her passion for teaching and the love she has for her students. She is truly an amazing individual who sheds light on both her students and colleagues, and for that she deserves every award in the world.
Joan Kline
“Congratulations, Ms. Kline,” a young boy said to Joan Kline as we walked out the front door of the Shissler Rec.,
“I often tell the kids, ‘the classroom is just like a family; a lot of days thing go smoothly but then there’s the others.’ However, most of the days are those good kinds,” Kline says. Kline believes that the classroom is a close-knit family atmosphere where the children should feel comfortable with both each other and themselves.
Kline has taught at St. Laurentius for nine years, showing love and care for her students every step of the way. Her colleagues appreciate her dedication and preparation for her students each and every day. Kline has helped students through the transitions of subjects from primary grades to material that is much more challenging. She refers to Fishtown as her “second home.”
Karen Thomas
“I love to see the kids succeed,” Karen Thomas of Penn Treaty answers when asked what she gets most out of teaching – a very short and to the point answer that sums up everything a teacher should strive for which is success.

Thomas is Penn Treaty’s fifth grade special education teacher who was nominated for her creative ways of encouraging her students to learn. She is constantly searching for fun ways to teach and often works individually with her students to give them the attention they need.

Smiling, Thomas says, “One of my favorite things is seeing a student who doesn’t like school and then comes to my class and I can tell they like it.” To make learning more unique and desirable, Thomas says she always tries to make her class room a “hands on” experience, using objects, pictures and a lot of games, so students do not even know they are learning, they are just having fun.

 A Day of Knowledge
Besides the screaming children and young tots running around, the day turned out to be truly inspirational. “March Madness” represents more than just a competition, but a way to encourage children to test their brains in fun and exciting ways. Moving away from the boring classroom, teachers and students are entering a new era of learning. As can be seen from the three teachers of the year and the students who competed in the “March Madness” event, the school system is no longer a drag. And we have our amazing educational systems and teachers to thank for that. It is because of their innovative and creative ways that students strive for success.

Cut the Crap!: Hetzel’s Playground is Blanketed in Feces

The signs were maliciously taken down after Dolan and Phillips put them up.

Written by Bonnie Dugan for The Fishtown Spirit| APRIL 1, 2009

The score is 2-2; there is only 15 seconds left in the game. Picture your child rushing for the ball against an opponent to score the winning goal, only to slip and sprain an ankle. What is it that he or she slipped on? A huge pile fertilized in dog droppings. 

How about if your child wants to draw his or her name in the ground, imagining the sand at the shore. Isn’t that the cutest? What if the dirt is actually a pile of feces that a dog left just hours before?

Disgusting, right? Well that is what Hetzell’s Field at Thompson and Columbia streets is faced with now, and without the community’s help and consideration, the playground will continue to be a hazardous place for both children. 

Two Men Take Over 

“We don’t want to be nasty about it,” Brud Phillips said about their mission to clean up Hetzell’s. An odd statement, considering the work Artie Dolan and Phillips have taken upon themselves to help the community.

 

Together, Dolan and Phillips, both of whom are dog owners and love dogs, took it upon themselves to go out, clean up the field, and remove all dog feces so that the youth in the community have a clean and safe place to play. Dolan and Phillips were able to fill up trash bags, loaded with 120 piles of dog feces. Why count? Because they were shocked at just how much there was to clean up so they started counting.

 

Dolan stepped up to this undesirable job when six out of his 10 players on his Under 10 boys’ soccer team went home covered in dog feces after their first outdoor practice before their championship game. Bet you that was not a pleasant load of laundry to do. Until a united effort is made to prevent these dogs from entering the recreation field and doing their business, your kids will be coming home showered in waste after swimming in doggie doo. 

Signs, signs, everywhere a sign 

The sign clearly says “No Dogs Allowed.” So why is it okay that dog owners let their pets run freely through the grass, not paying one bit of attention to the signs permitting this activity? 

The Department of Recreation provided new signs to be posted around Hetzell’s and posted they were. However, during that same night, they were removed. Who would want to go to the trouble of taking these signs down? And why? They are city property and some callous soul took them down in the dark of the night. 

The signs were never meant to be insulting to dog owners; their purpose was to inform dog owners that this piece of ground is off limits to dogs. 

“I want to make clear that the signs were issued by the Department of Recreation, it was not just some neighbor that put them up,” Dolan stated. With the city in financial strains, the Department of Recreation will now have to provide new signs. 

What is Wrong is Just Wrong 

Those that use Hetzell’s field apply for permits to do so. Among those that have permits are St. Laurentius, Adaire, Penn Treaty, Hallahan, Fishtown A.C. and an adult softball league, along with others. 

While many people believe Hetzell’s to be a public park, it is in actuality a recreation center used for the betterment of the community, and should be respected by the members of it. Unfortunately, it has become a target for dog owners to take their loved ones to roam around and relieve themselves. 

Seeing that this was a job too big for just two guys, Dolan and Phillips decided to seek help from the 26th Police District, the Health Department, Department of Recreation and city officials, all of whom have agreed to assist in their mission to keep dogs off field and keep the fields clean of feces.

 Health Insurance 

Dolan researched the diseases that can occur from contact with the feces. And, based on the research, he wants to make it clear that even if the dog owners clean up the poop, the urine is left behind and that too can cause a list of diseases.

 While many may roll their eyes and think, “that could never happen to me,” they should check the facts before this fecal matter actually hits home. 

The diseases that come with dog feces are both scary and severe, including E. Coli, HUS, salmonella, Campylobacteriosis, Cryptosporidium, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, Giardiasis and Yersiniosis. Some of these you may be familiar, some you may not have heard about, but all of them are a serious threat to one’s health.

 E. Coli, otherwise known as Escherichia Coli, is described by the Pennsylvania Department of Health as “an emerging cause of food borne illness.” There are an estimated 73,000 cases of infection and 61 deaths in the United States each year. The Department of Health also insists that E. Coli can be transmitted from animals and their feces. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides evidence that salmonellis, otherwise known as salmonella, “causes diarrhea, fever and stomach pains that start one to three days after they get infected,” also stating, “sometimes people must go to the hospital.” The CDC explains that animals pass this disease to people. 

Another disease that the CDC explains animals carry in their feces is Campylobacteriosis, where if people even touch the feces, they can get sick. The CDC describes Campylobacteriosis as a “bacterial disease which causes a mild to severe infection of the gastrointestinal system, including watery or bloody diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting.” 

A similar disease, which carries basically the same effects, is the parasitic disease Cryptosporidium. Animals carry this disease in their feces and pass it to people. 

Finally, there are the worms. You’ve got your roundworms, hookworms and whipworms.

The American Veterinary Medical Association describes roundworms as “the most common intestinal parasite in dogs and cats.” Your pet can pick up roundworms by eating infected soil or licking contaminated fur or paws. The AVMA strongly insists that children are at the most risk when they play in areas that may contain infected feces such as dirt piles. 

Whipworms act much like hookworms and are passed in animal droppings. 

Consideration is all that it takes 

Dolan and Phillips wonder just what it will take to prevent people from allowing their dogs to run at Hetzell’s. It is a threat, and based on the above, a serious health to children. 

Both men are dog lovers and understand that the dogs need a place to go and run. They have agreed to look into the possibility of sectioning off a piece of the field with fencing so that there could be a place for the dogs to run. Of course, it will be up to the parents to then keep their children out of this area. 

Dolan and Phillips would like to sit with anyone interested in helping with that effort. If you are interested, email info@spiritnewspapers.com and your contact information will be passed along. 

Also, the Department of Recreation, the 26th police district and city officials are working on a plan to lock up the field in the evening. This would prevent not only dog owners’ access but it will prevent those that come into Hetzell’s at night and take care of their drug business. Along with cleaning up feces, Dolan and Phillips had to clean up drug bags and needles.

There is much to be done to keep this a safe haven for children, but the good news is that there are people working to make that happen. You too can help. Be considerate. 

Until such time as a separate place is established for dogs’ use at Hetzell’s, all dog owners are asked to respect the youth of this community and keep your dogs off Hetzell’s field. 

No need for arguments and confrontation, the community just needs to realize this is a serious issue “I don’t want to make a scene,” Dolan stated. “We just want to keep the field clean and prevent children from going home with a disease.”

Remembering an Angel: Lacey Gallagher

Written by Bonnie Dugan for The Fishtown Spirit| APRIL 22, 2009

At her senior prom for Little Flower High School, Lacey's life was tragically taken from her. Her friends and classmates will never forget the angel Lacey was.

Lacey Gallagher was an inspiration to all those who were lucky enough to interact with her, even if it was only a brief interaction.  She was kind, sincere and had an amazingly warm heart. 

Lacey, having entered the gates of heaven, you are an angel who looks over and protects us all.  Your genuine smile made another person’s day that much better and while you probably had no idea of the impact you had on others, these young women along who with so many of us would like to thank you for making such a difference in our lives. 

You were more than a friend, a daughter, a granddaughter, a sister, a classmate, a cousin, or a niece.  Your memory lives in our hearts forever.  Some of your classmates share their special moments….

Memories

My favorite Lacey memory is of how we always could make a joke out of something and laugh about it for hours.  She is one of the funniest people I think I will ever meet.  We honestly could walk by a rock and somehow make a joke of it and laugh so hard we would cry.  I used to love just hanging out with her, nothing out of the ordinary, and we would sit and laugh for such a long time.  I miss that so much about her because I don’t think I can share that with anyone else, but I know if I find something silly and funny, she’s in heaven smiling and laughing with me too! She was such an amazing girl and such an amazing friend. She will always hold such an important spot in everyone’s heart and hopefully, people can learn their ways of kindness through Lacey.

Diana Landers
Little Flower Class of 2007

By far, my favorite memory of Lacey was probably prom night senior year. I’ll never forget it. I was walking to the bathroom and right there in front of me was Lacey. She looked like Cinderella. Her dress was amazing!  She smiled and said “Hey Girl!” I couldn’t help but stop and tell her how beautiful she was. She blushed of course and that was the last time I ever saw her. I think besides that my favorite memory is the memory of the impact she’s had on each and every one of us. Even though she’s no longer here she still affects all of us. She was an amazing girl and still continues to be great. It’s amazing to think that she’ll always be with us even though she’s not here.

Laura Fehrle
Littke Flower Class of 2007

Lacey and I were never really close. I met her our senior year because we both sat at the end of our lunch table which happened to be right next to each other.  She was always upbeat and I don’t think I ever saw her not smiling. The first time we actually talked was about some crazy story going around school about a friend of hers–she had me hysterically laughing. After that, any time she saw me in the hallway or just around school we would talk and she would always say “hi” with a big smile on her face. I’m really glad I met her senior year because she was such a cool girl. Prom night changed our class so much; made us realize that life can really be taken from you in the blink of an eye. Her death made our class stronger and made us really appreciate each other a whole lot more. Lacey will never be forgotten especially from the class of 2007. Even though we lost such an amazing girl, we’re still a pretty lucky class because not many classes have an angel like Lacey watching over them.

Kate Kauterman
Little Flower Class of 2007

I can’t say I have one favorite memory of Lacey. Today we can all look back on the time we were able to spend with her and every single one is a favorite memory to us. I met Lacey at Little Flower in our freshman year and I will never forget her. Our senior class was pretty close, but after Lacey passing away we all became even closer and realized that we were really all LF sisters in this together. Many words can describe her because of how great of a person she was and still is in our hearts. Lacey will always live in our hearts. Forever we’ll be true. We will be TRUE!

Tanya Martins
Little Flower Class of 2007

Lace,
I remember when the dance teacher made us make up a stupid dance for class and you (Lacey) wanted nothing to do with it. Of course, you did it because you wanted to do well in the class, but I remember looking for you every time she turned around just to see which funny face you would make.  Although we were not NEARLY as close as you are with all of the other girls, you always put a smile on my face, even for just one class period. I appreciate the fact that you were willing to share your light and happiness with everyone, including those who you barely knew. I love and miss you.

Tammaris Rivera
Little Flower Class of 2007.

When I was a senior on the soccer team at Little Flower, Lacey was entering as a freshman. At the end of try-outs, we were picking out our jersey numbers. Throughout my four years at Little Flower, I always wore the number 13 and had no idea that 13 was Lacey’s number. I was almost certain that she was very upset with me when the seniors got “first picks” and I stuck with #13. However, at the end of my senior season, I was privileged to “hand down” my number to Lacey. #13 will always be her number, but I am lucky to have shared that bond with her.

Stephanie Bates
Little Flower Class of 2004

My favorite memory of Lacey isn’t any specific moment I spent with her because I could never forget any of them. It’s her gorgeous smile and her loving presence that are so memorable. I don’t think there was ever a time I saw her not smiling. Just being around Lacey could make anyone happy because it would radiate from her and it made you feel so comfortable. She was truly an amazing person and I am blessed to have known her.

Stephanie Staley
Little Flower Class of 2007

My favorite memory with Lacey probably had to be every day spent in the auditorium second period study.  It was me, Lacey, Kristen Mancusso, Nicks Kierans and Brooke Souviney..best talks and best time of my life?

Erin Sarzynski
Little Flower Class of 2007

With Beauty There is Hope

Here stands Positive Space Members with the Conwell Students. All are working very hard on the Positive Space project.

 

This story ran in the Fishtown Spirit on April 22, 2009

By Bonnie Dugan

What once was just an abandoned lot suffering from leaky pipes, will soon be turned into an area filled with beauty, creativity and inspiration. It sits there now at 2012-2018 Frankford Ave, between Susquehanna and Norris streets, overflowing with green grass, an exquisite archway, and so much potential. Unfortunately, to the average walker strolling down the Ave, they may not realize that this space is Positive Space, literally.

Positive Space is a non-profit organization whose main goal is to clean up the city and generate beauty and inspiration along the way. They are “dedicated to creating a network of local artists to exchange information and resources, creating new opportunities for emerging and established artists by integrating art into the community in which we live.”
By teaming up with the NKCDC in the past, Positive Space was able to take baby steps in transforming the lot from debris and trash to refreshing green grass, filled with life. Currently, the “Pink Tank,” a 6-person, man-powered vehicle that was once created for the Kinetic Sculpture Derby, is the only piece of art that stands at the Positive Space lot. To create more quality in the community, Positive Space also features collaborative art projects and workshops with community groups Despite all their work, Positive Space knew there was so much more potential in that small parcel of land.

On Monday, April 13, at the Philadelphia Brewery, Positive Space held a presentation to do just that. By teaming up with graduate students from the Conway School of Landscape Design, they were able to come up with options. With the free beer flowing and the goodies at hand, the students, very professionally, presented three different plans, all filled with greening and sustainable techniques, that would aid in creating a community sculpture garden that Positive Space has been yearning for, for the past five years.
President of Positive Space, Andrea Silva, explained, “We (Positive Space) want to take these very functional spaces and put an artistic bend to it.” With hopeful eyes, Silva added, “It could be a pocket oasis on the Avenue.”

The students teamed up with Positive Space to help transform this piece of land into something of hope and aspiration. They participated in a Charrette. To those not familiar with a Charrette, it is essentially an intense brainstorming workshop, where students work hand and foot slaving over plans and drawings, resulting in a culmination of all the best ideas. The group presented three plans from which to choose.
Kevin Adams, Charrette Director, explained, “If you take a lot and turn it into a sculpture garden, it can add a lot of value to the community,” adding, “We can be a more developed community.”
Three Different Takes on Beauty

Exclusively, both the students and Positive Space had one goal in mind: to beauty the community, shedding a light on an often dreary area. Three plans to beautify this lot are presently under consideration.
The first plan, “The Creative Commons” features garden beds, multipurpose event space, sculpture display and an orientation area.

Following that plan was the “Cistern and Extended Berm” plan, which focused on extending the present berm and connecting concrete pads for seating areas. By doing this, the students hoped to provide a sense of welcoming to the community.

The final plan presented was the “Garden Sculpture,” which is the prettiest to the eyes and according to Lucy, who presented the plan, the most developed.

Despite which plan is chosen, one specific feature stands. All three designs incorporated a ramp for wheelchair accessible. By doing this, Positive Space and the Conway students took one step further to bringing a community together in their efforts to sustain a beautiful neighborhood.

Both the Conway Students and Positive Space should be highly praised for their efforts in trying to provide inspiration and hope through the beauty of art. While it may be a small parcel of land, it represents hope not only for the neighborhood but the city overall.

We look forward to seeing, and enjoying, the finished product! Stay tuned.

For more information, you can visit Positive Space’s website at www.positivespace.net.

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