MAKING A DIFFERENCE; 9-YEAR-OLD ORGANIZES SUPPORT FOR TEACHER.Byline: Sylvia L. Oliande Staff Writer Although she was only in her class for a few short weeks at Hollow Hills Fundamental School, Katie Hamilton was so won over by her new fourth-grade teacher that she is rallying the community to her support. Teacher Colleen col·leen n. An Irish girl. [Irish Gaelic cailín, diminutive of caile, girl, from Old Irish. Ellison had to go out on leave last month to be treated for cancer, so Katie is encouraging former students to send get well wishes to someone she calls ``one of Simi Valley's best and most-loved elementary school elementary school: see school. teachers.'' ``When I heard she was going to be out for a couple of months or so, I was sad,'' said Katie, 9. ``I didn't really get to know her, but that's kind of good in a way, because if I did know her well, I'd be even more sad. ``She is nice,'' added Katie, who wrote a letter to local newspapers about her campaign. ``She would read to us after lunch. She's very strict, but in a good way.'' Sandy Nash, a friend and fellow teacher at Hollow Hills, said Ellison went on a medical leave from school early last month and is undergoing radiation treatment and chemotherapy chemotherapy (kē'mōthĕr`əpē), treatment of disease with chemicals or drugs. One chemotherapeutic approach is the development of selectively toxic substances, i.e. . Nash said Ellison was diagnosed with cancer only recently and is optimistic op·ti·mist n. 1. One who usually expects a favorable outcome. 2. A believer in philosophical optimism. op about a recovery and would be grateful to hear about Katie's effort. ``She has a very beautiful, positive spirit right now, and that's something she's been hoping will help her,'' Nash said. ``We believe her positive attitude and spirit, her family and friends, are going to bring her through.'' Katie said she was surprised when Ellison, who has taught at Hollow Hills for 14 years, had to leave school suddenly. And she was upset when she heard the reason. ``She didn't know what she could do,'' said Ann Hamilton Ann Hamilton (born June 22, 1956, Lima, Ohio) is a contemporary American artist best known for her installations, textile art, and sculptures, but is also known to work with video and video installation. , Katie's mother. ``I always write letters to the editor, so I guess that's where she got the idea. I hope it makes a difference. She's a well-loved teacher. There has to be a lot of people in the community who would want to know and who would want to send good wishes her way.'' Cards and letters can be sent to Ellison at Hollow Hills Fundamental School, 828 Gibson Ave., Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. , CA, 93065. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color in Verb 1. color in - add color to; "The child colored the drawings"; "Fall colored the trees"; "colorize black and white film" color, colorise, colorize, colour in, colourise, colourize, colour Simi edition only) Katie Hamilton is encouraging former students to send get well wishes to teacher Colleen Ellison. Lilly Barrett/Special to the Daily News |
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