MP3 students win new campus equipment

Students at the Meridian Parent Partnership Program in Laurel secured a tetherball set, a school garden, and a little library for their campus through a series of persuasive essays.

The initiative runs every spring in Janet Giesen’s class. Students draft arguments for improvements to their school environment and present them to Principal Michelle Siadal.

Siadal reviews the proposals and decides which ideas will be implemented. The students have a perfect record. Every proposal they have submitted to date has been approved.

The most recent addition, the tetherball set, was installed at the start of the school year. The class argued that the equipment would provide fun and exercise at a low cost.

Fourth graders noted in their writing that the activity would encourage conversation and friendship. Third graders focused on physical benefits, citing eye-hand coordination and arm strength.

Zoey Harder, Gannon Campbell, and Olive Maddox were fourth graders who contributed to the tetherball proposal. They are now fifth graders and use the equipment regularly.

The project required skills beyond English. Students mapped the campus to find a suitable location that would not obstruct traffic. They also calculated the cost of the set in math class.

Giesen said the class often begins brainstorming sessions with requests for classroom pets. By the end of the process, they settle on a feasible project.

Campbell said the class spent significant time drafting the argument to ensure it was strong. He noted that finding a location that was not in the way was the most difficult part of the planning.

Harder said she initially doubted Principal Siadal would be convinced. Maddox said she was confident in the strength of their argument. Both students said the process made them feel proud to attend MP3.

The little library was the first project completed by the students. It remains in wide use today. Giesen described the spot as special for the school.

The ongoing additions serve as a legacy for the student body. Younger students see new features added to the campus each year. This gives them something to look forward to during their time at the school.