If longevity is the question, is prunes the answer?

An Age Dispute

When Charles Soper, superintendent of Colorado's Fairplay schools, claimed Edith Teter Elementary School as the oldest continuously operating school in the state, a fellow educator took exception. Soper had cited a sign at the school saying it opened in 1880.

But the spokesman for the Boulder, Colo., schools, Briggs Gamblin, contests the claim to fame. His district's Whittier Elementary, had long claimed itself to be the longest running, having started in 1882.

Gamblin wants more proof before his district gives up the record--a comerstone. "Generally, people don't goof with cornerstones," he says.

(Source: Rocky Mountain News)

A Long Overdue Book

Robert Nuranen checked out the book Prince of Egypt from his hometown library in Hancock, Mich., for an end-of-year 8th-grade project. That occurred on June 2, 1960. He got an A on the report, but forgot to return the book. Until now.

Nuranen, a social studies teacher at Pacoima Middle School in Los Angeles, finally returned the book and insisted on paying the library's late fee, all $171.32. He calculated the amount based on the penny-a-day penalty stamped inside the book.

Quipped John Vaara, superintendent of the Hancock Public Schools: "It's never too late to do the right thing."

Celebrity Reader

The public libraries in Arlington, Texas, including all school libraries, are sponsoring a celebrity reading program in 2007. Posters throughout the city will highlight a different public figure each month and his or her favorite book. The celebrities include a member of the Texas Rangers baseball team and a linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys.

Another choice is Mac Bernd, Arlington's superintendent, who will be the celebrity reader in August. His book selection: The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss. "I consider Dr. Seuss to be one of the greatest philosophers," Bernd said. "He has a lot of lessons for adults and children on how to lead a good life."

For Seat Time, Hew Wheels

How's this as an incentive for high school seniors to maintain perfect attendance: a $20,000 gift certificate toward a new car.

Graduating seniors in Elk Grove, Calif., who attend all class periods in any month from January through May--when senioritis is at its worst--can qualify to enter the end-of-year raffle. Seven runners-up will get $200 savings bonds.

The Elk Grove Auto Mall, consisting of 15 dealers, donated the car certificate.

All in the Animal Family

The first thing science resource teacher Victoria Hennion does when she visits the kindergarten classroom at Vilseck Elementary School in Germany, part of the U.S. Department of Defense school system, is to make sure the youngsters know her name. She offers a clue by telling them to put the words "hen" and "onion" together to get Hennion.

So each time Hennion comes to the class, she begins by asking the kindergarteners who she is. One day early in the school year, the students tossed out a number of guesses but no one seemed to remember her name. Then, from the back of the seated group, a little girl who never really said much, raised her hand. In a bold voice, she had her answer:

"Ms. Chicken."

"I told her it was close enough," Hennion quipped.

Prunes for a Hardy Life

Long-retired school leader Barney Chichester celebrated the century mark last summer, his brain and body still going strong.

Chichester spent 35 years with the Seattle Public Schools, retiring in 1970 as assistant superintendent of personnel. He scored his first teaching job in Tukwila, Wash., after a lucky break. The fellow doing the interviewing was his former Sunday school teacher.

Chichester crafted the following poem in anticipation of his 100th birthday:

I'm 99 and life's routine.

I'm on a plan which keeps me lean.

At breakfast bran and then at noon

I'm allowed a wrinkled prune.

(Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

Short humorous anecdotes, quips, quotations and malapropisms for this column relating to school district administration should be addressed to: Editor, The School Administrator, 801 N. Quincy St, Suite 700, Arlington, VA 22203. Fax: [phone]. E-mail: [e-mail]. Upon request, names may be withheld in print.