Students delve into local history and legend

by Susan Mikula Campbell
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, December 11, 2008

A presentation by two teachers and two students at last week's Niagara-Wheatfield Board of Education meeting had board members wishing aloud that they were back in school.

Local History & Legend is actually two yearlong "sister" classes for seniors. They require students to produce college-level research papers and end the year with a video documentary, but according to students Sean Brocious and Robert Genovese, they are having a lot of fun along the way.

"We're learning a lot about our area and learning about our rich history," Brocious said. "It's really helping a lot of students connect with this area."

Together the classes comprise a mandated English course and an elective social studies course. Teacher Dana Mulivich focuses on the history of Buffalo-Niagara, ranging from its geography to current events, and stopping at everything from wars to the Pan American Exhibition to the Blizzard of '77 in between. Melissa D'Angelo teaches the legends course, looking at local legends and folklore, Native American mythology and legends, African American literature and music, historical fiction and poetry, as well as work by local authors.

Students have taken a ride on the Maid of the Mist, talked about the ghosts of Lewiston with author Mason Winfield, heard about war strategy at Fort Niagara and listened to Vincent Schiffert present on Native American History.

"I was intrigued," said board member Donald Moyer Jr. after the presentation. "I would like to sign up." (Moyer was killed Tuesday in a car accident.) In other matters:

•Resident Jennifer Kendt said that she understands that some teachers don't teach from textbooks, but that as a parent, she's asked for help on math at least once or twice a week, and sometimes even gets calls from other people looking for help.

"I just need the toolbox," she said. "I would take an old textbook."

Board member Sam Monin, noting that mathematics is a problem in this country, asked that the issue be looked into, saying, "I think this is a little embarrassing, frankly."

Assistant Superintendent Michelle Spasiano explained that the state's new curriculum for math doesn't align with textbooks that currently are being reviewed. The district doesn't want to spend a fortune on a textbook that doesn't fit the curriculum, she said.

Monin suggested the district look at putting some of the information parents need online on the district's Web site.

•The board also officially turned over delinquent school taxes for 2008 to the county for collection. Kerin Dumphrey, district business manager, said the amount of uncollected taxes, $1,247,306.17 this year was not out of the ordinary.