Third-graders say the darndest things

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- While television's Art Linkletter believed kids say the darndest things, Tanya Schull, principal of Jefferson Elementary School in New Ulm, may find some useful tidbits in what third-graders say about her job.

As a part of Independent School District 88's celebration of American Education Week, third-graders at Jefferson were asked to write a paragraph on the topic, "If I Were The Principal."

Schull also would find students' opinions on what a principal should or shouldn't be doing vary widely.

Here's how Connor Johnson of Sue Otto's class views the principal's duties:

"I would get a trampoline and an awesome play set like McDonald's has. I would get water slides to go down stairs and climb rocks to get up stairs. Then to get around you would skateboard, scooter, or rollerblade. To get outside you would go down a very fast slide."

But, that's just the promoting-physical-fitness side of his proposed reign as principal. Turning to academics:

"I would teach kids new letters and a new language like Spanish. I would teach kids other cool stuff, too."

Abigail Matthews, also of Otto's class, has slightly different priorities.

"I would go straight to the principal's office to get ready. When the children start coming, I would greet them. One student from 3rd grade would come to the office to do the morning announcements. At lunch, everyone, even teachers, would get a giant ice cream bar."

And, that's only the half of it for Abigail.

"I would close all the doors so it's quiet for the students to work. In math, there would be smaller workbooks. In the library, every child that finished the book they checked out would get a piece of candy. At the end of the day, I would help all the children get on the bus or where they have to go."

Meanwhile, Whitney Wiethoff, a student in Nancy Besse's class, has some serious concerns about discipline and things like that.

"I would help kids to be a buddy, not a bully. I would say no fights, and I would also help the little kids in the school. I would keep kids safe and have ideas for the teachers, and I would know every kid's name, too. I would teach kids to be learners and move on with their life."

Trey Soukup from Marlene Ingebritson's class takes a more proletarian view of the principal's duties:

"I would talk into the announcement speaker and say that we are going to have whatever you want for lunch -- even goodies! Also, for art you can make whatever you want to make. Then, for math kids will be in charge of what problems they want to do. Also, for accelerated reading, you don't have to read or test on a book. You can just make your teacher do all of that. Then, I will make this an official school rule: There are no teachers allowed in school."

Sarah Nelsen, also from Ingebritson's class, would be more supportive of teachers.

"I would make sure everyone pays attention and learns what the teacher is teaching. I would make sure they would take turns to everyone can play. Also, if I were principal, I would make sure if anyone wanted to start school, I would meet the girl or boy and his or her parents to see what that child is like. Then, I would figure out who the best teacher would be for them."

However, Brittany Mehlhop, from Beth Sletta's class, would take more of a, well, "flower child" approach to being principal.

"I would greet each child with a good morning smile. Because the kids were such a great bunch, I would sit with them each day at lunch. I would walk the halls and check all the paintings on the walls. As the day draws to an end, I would ask each child if they've made a new friend."