Our Gifted Kids Beat Their Gifted Kids! Yeah Harding.

[Jim O'Bryan]

I just got word that the big debate between Harding Gifted Kids, and the Kids from Menlo
Park Academy was won by the Harding Students!

More later!



.

[Betsy Voinovich]

What a great debate! Kevin Spooner, Social Studies and Literature teacher for the 6th grade gifted program at Harding put together a debate between his class and the sixth grade of Menlo Park, the charter school for gifted kids that occupies the space St. Mel's used to have in Cleveland.

Mr. Spooner figured that a scenario with real life rivals would bring out the best in both teams and it was definitely an impressive, interesting debate, with both sides well-prepared, and each with their own style.

The subject of the debate was the use of cell phones in Middle Schools. Harding had the "con" position, with Menlo Park making the "pro" argument. Each side had two orators and a cross examiner, with the rest of the respective classes functioning as real time research and response teams. Spooners team was divided into the pro side and the con side within the group to be ready for any argument.

The judges included the Principal Ahearn from Harding and members of the administration from Menlo Park.

MrSpooner.jpg (214.16 KiB) Viewed 1322 times

Mr. Spooner, and the parent who runs the debating society at Menlo Park conduct the event from the back of the room. Each of them were very proud of their teams' ability and good sportsmanship.

More later.

Betsy Voinovich



The team from Menlo prepares.

[Matthew Lee]

I am completely biased, because that is my daughter in the second picture (Thanks, Betsy!), but this was such an incredible accomplishment by the school. It actually didn't matter if they won or lost. Mr. Spooner has done an AMAZING job preparing the kids and deserves a lot of recognition for his help.

As a family who, literally, could live anywhere in the U.S., this is part of why Lakewood is our home. The public schools are fantastic and the opportunities our children receive are second to none.

[Jim O'Bryan]

I am completely biased, because that is my daughter in the second picture (Thanks, Betsy!), but this was such an incredible accomplishment by the school. It actually didn't matter if they won or lost. Mr. Spooner has done an AMAZING job preparing the kids and deserves a lot of recognition for his help.

As a family who, literally, could live anywhere in the U.S., this is part of why Lakewood is our home. The public schools are fantastic and the opportunities our children receive are second to none.

Matthew

I had the pleasure along with other people in news media to be grilled by the questions of Mr. Spooner's class about "Truth in the Media." This was the second year for the media panel discussion. When suddenly a quiet young lady said, "Mr. O'Bryan my father posts on the Deck, his name is Lee, do you know him?" I mentioned sure I do. Then looking me square in the eyes, she asked, "How do you check facts for the Lakewood Observer?" I explained that in the paper version we have a series of editors and lawyers that help with the tricky issues, but on the Deck, which is a tool for SEARCHING for facts and opinions, it is much like the Old West with gunslingers a plenty ready to shoot fast from the hip. So on the Deck, much like with everything they hear everyday of their lives, they must depend on critical thought, their ability to see different points of view, and then apply those items to their lives to understand how it will then affect them.

This was the second year for this with a panel of Dr. Hammil, Journalism professor from John Carroll University, Betsy Voinovich from the Observer, Thomas Mulready, Cool Cleveland, Michael Gill from The Great Lakes Courier and Freelancer, and myself from AGS and Human Tribe Publishing to cover the business side of media. Last year we had two members of the Plain Dealer there, but this year unfortunately they canceled at the last moment, so Betsy and Michael assumed their roles when needed.

Mr. Spooner is certainly a star in the Lakewood teaching world, and with his students, but what always amazes me about these kids, is at an age where I was trying not to eat the paste, and try to remember my books, they are asking hard hitting deep thoughtful questions that are way beyond their years. As I do not have children it is always refreshing finding out just what a good job Lakewood Schools and many of the other schools are doing at educating our children.

As always thank you, Mr. Spooner and class, for the chance.


Mr. Spooner's 6th Grade Class, once again invited journalists from around the area to discuss Truth In Journalism.
Adults from the left, Tina Dolatowski, owner of Lion and Blue, and helping today. Michael Gill, freelancer, and editor
of The Great Lakes Courier, Thomas Mulready from Cool Cleveland, Jim O'Bryan (President AGS Software, Director of
Human Tribe Publications) Dr. Hammel, journalism professor at John Carroll University, Betsy Voinovich from the
Lakewood and Collinwood Observers. It was another great experience for all.

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the business side of papers.

[Matthew Lee]

Hi Jim,

Thanks for sharing that story. Our daughter can be a handful, in the best possible way.

Again, Lakewood public schools are amazing in the way they take care of all students, no matter their specific needs and skill sets. Very saddened to hear about the upcoming cuts that will need to happen and hope they are as minimal as possible.