Everyone has a gift. Everyone is inspired to do something. And everyone has a chance to use that something to make the world better. One sculpture at a time. One robot at a time. One word, one equation, one brush stroke, one note. A beautiful aspect of Pine View School is the freedom it gives its students to explore what they love. From coding to singing to constructing 3-D art structures, each day is ripe with opportunity. The ability to learn and grow through exciting experimentation and hands-on experience never ceases. The joy and curiosity of learning, encouraged by Pine View, is embodied in its students’ creations and performance.
Excitement. This word wholly encompasses the atmosphere of Haley Brown’s sixth grade art class any given day of the week. The buzz of enlivened students resounds through the room as they converse with their peers. Bursts of color bloom on the walls and the smell of pencil shavings, paint, and paper wafts through the air. Brown’s students love her teaching style and the overall “vibe” of her classroom. Sixth grader Eleanor Sims has developed a passion for art just by taking part in this class. Though Sims has always found the subject interesting, only recently has she fully realized and appreciated the wonders of art. Sims “…like[s] Ms. Brown a lot” and the opportunity to “…actually talk to people during this period.” Sims describes how everything done in class “…builds on each other.” Art students take notes and do projects that relate to the material. The 2-D art elective is loved by just about any sixth grader who walks through Brown’s door.
“I decided to do band because I loved seeing other people play…” Sixth grader Jayden Akabogu started band this year, brimming with inspiration instilled in him through the musical talents of others. In the band room, as the class is warming up, there is a medley of sounds. The trumpets blare strongly as the flute lets flow a stream of softness like gentle whispering. The French horn emits rich notes that reverberate in the floor. Akabogu plays the trombone, which to him is “a pretty cool instrument.” As the students grow accustomed to their instruments, the class advances in difficulty. “Right now, we just learned a new note but now we’re like playing songs with slurs, repeat signs, it’s starting to get complicated.” Akabogu appreciates and enjoys the challenges that band presents. “It’s pretty fun…”
Noveah Corn:
The score is tied 1-1. Sixth grade PE students race down the indoor court, chasing the ball and hoping to catch it before it reaches the net of the opposite team’s goal. The gym buzzes with tension – time is running out. The quick one on one footwork battles are becoming hastier. Though the room is practically vibrating with anticipation, smiles form on each student’s face… not because they are winning or losing, but because they are in PE. This class, for the students who take it, is a reprieve from the daily focus and critical thinking that regular classes require. Sixth grader Noveah Corn likes how she can be social while also “learning about sports and playing sports.” Corn describes how PE is structured. “…we have units and right now is soccer and handball.” Each unit encompasses a different sport; the class practices and plays this sport to improve while having fun with friends. Physical Education is an elective that has been popular for years and will most likely remain that way in years to come.