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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 28, 2015)
4 ❚ SIUSLAW NEWS SCHOOL NEWSLETTER ❚ FEBRUARY 2015 Ellis Island comes to Florence The eighth graders of SMS “visited” Ellis Island twice this year. The first time, they brought Ellis Island to life themselves. The second time, it was brought to life through the mul- timedia performances of a tal- ented actress from Seattle’s Living Voices. Using role playing strategies inspired by Dungeons & Dragons, the students used dice and attribute grids to create ran- domized European immigrants. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALEXIS WELLS AND PAT RONGEY This meant learning about different countries, cultures, Siuslaw Middle School eighth-graders role play as immigrants on “Ellis Island” in the middle school commons. religions and political beliefs, The inviting lunch tables rage as unlucky immigrants track of whooping cough, Entertainment. as well as a healthy dose of became forbidding immigra- filled out their paperwork babies crying and people talk- The performance, entitled make belief. ing in a crowd, played through- The New American, was a one- The students were required tion stations where the students awaiting deportation. Whether the students suc- out the simulation. woman multi-media perform- to create a visual representation had to answer invasive ques- Most students were able to ance by Rachel Atkins. The stu- of their immigrant, as well as tions about their health, educa- cessfully immigrated, or got deported, they learned impor- realize their minor discomfort dents watched the fictional, but write a backstory for why their tion and personal beliefs. The stage became home to tant lessons about bureaucracy in the simulation was a shadow historically grounded, story of immigrant was coming to the United States and what they the Loyalty Oath Station where and the challenges that immi- of the real immigrant experi- Bridget Fitzpatrick from ence. Country Clare Ireland. hoped to find when they got proud immigrants, who had grants faced. passed all of the inspections, Many students found the Then, on Feb. 3, the eighth The students followed 15- here. The Commons of Siuslaw waited to take their oath of citi- wait too long – more than 30 graders had a second encounter year-old Bridget as she lied minutes. with Ellis Island via Living about her age to travel alone to Middle School was rapidly zenship. The area below the stage Many students found the Voices, brought to them cour- America. converted into Ellis Island on became a den of despair and waiting area too noisy; a sound- tesy of Sea Coast On the ship, she made a Jan. 29. friend who helped her find a job at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. Bridget survived a ter- rible factory fire, only to see another friend fall to her death from the eighth floor. The 45 minute performance ended with Bridget taking her oath of citizenship and realiz- ing that even though she will always think of Ireland, America is now her home. The students were mesmer- ized by the tale of one young girl’s immigration story. Atkins did an incredible job holding her Irish accent, transitioning back to her American one, and interacting with a pre-timed video that played in concert with the performance. Students also were horrified by the Triangle Shirtwaist fire. It led to several frank discussions about workers’ rights, children’s rights and international fire safe- ty. As students left the presenta- tion they were relieved to note the doors opened out, not in, and that the fire exits were lit. —Submitted by Heather Wiggins SUPPORT OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS • SIGN UP FOR ESCRIP ONLINE • SUPPORT OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS • SIGN UP FOR ESCRIP ONLINE SUPPORTING NEWSPAPERS IN EDUCATION Thank you to the following supporters of this special monthly section Ada Grange #570 Electra Adams Jim & Sonja Adie Rick & Kathleen Aitken Align Refresh & Renew - Sharon Sweet Dorothy Allen Bonnie & Terry Allen Scott & Kristin Anderson Marian Andrews-Peled Harold & Ann Anson John Anthony Sharon Armstrong Lorna Ashton Della Ault Ray & Dollie Austin Diane Bailiff Jerry Barnes Karen & Jerry Barnes Bill & Pat Bauer Virgle & Pat Bechtold Ardella Bennett Berg’s Cleaning & Misc Services Marilyn Bernard Dix Richardson & Kim Bishop Fred & Jarolyn Bliss Charlene Blodgett Lydia Brackney Rosalie Braddock John Budding John & Carol Burns Michael & Mary Campbell Leon Carey Keith & Jane Carrico Virginia Carroll Tony & Barb Cavarno Fred & Gail Chamberlen Donald Chapin Don & Ginnie Chehak Lois Collins Sandy Connell Vito Coviello & Mary Mccarthy William & Julia Craig Joe & Kim Crenshaw Bob Crippen Phil & Sue Davidson Christine Davies Denise Dee Tom & Phyllis Dickson Red’s Artworks - Roy Donaghey Joe & Frieda Doyle In Memory Of Pam Dunham Donna Edgeworth Juanita Edwards Marge Eichenberger Elks Thrift Store Annie Erath John & Ann Evanow Kate Fishback Florence Grocery Outlet Beverly Fraser Diane Freburg Bob Friedman & Cathy Dupont Kim Friese T.O. 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