By Alexander Dworkowitz
A public school on 15th Drive transformed itself this week into the publishing capital of Whitestone.
Children from PS 79 presented books and artwork to their fellow students and parents in their school’s gymnasium in the “Authors and Artists” program, which began Monday and ends Friday.
The school’s 970 students, ranging from prekindergarten to sixth grade, all took part in the design of books and artwork to display for the entire school. While the younger children focused on artwork, many of the older students made several books on their own in addition to working with other members of their class to write literature as a group.
The program marks the culmination of a year’s worth of work. Formerly a magnet school that focused on writing, PS 79 has retained its emphasis on the craft, with students making their projects into books throughout the year.
“It’s sort of like a tradition,” said Assistant Principal Fran Walters. “It’s a year-end exhibit that has been going on for quite a long time. It stands to reason that if you are going to have a culminating event, it would have to do with creative writing.”
The projects range from illustrations of the meaning of various idioms to a guidebook on collecting butterflies to a retelling of the Roald Dahl book “Matilda.”
“It’s always different,” said Samantha Kendall, a fifth grader who has worked on the “Authors and Artists” program for several years. “You get to see different types of projects.”
Joanna Ahern, also a fifth grader, said her favorite project was the adventure story in which students were asked to write about what they would do if they ran away from home.
Ahern wrote about going to a Toys ‘R’ Us in Manhattan and spending time with a friend for a few days on their own.
“We went to church, movie theaters and restaurants,” she said.
Kendall, who envisioned herself running away to Target in College Point, had a slightly shorter trip.
“We didn’t really buy anything because we forgot our money, so we just went home,” she explained.
Many of the students worked on art projects in addition to books.
Erin Temperini, a fifth grader at the school, built a “Pelican Shoe,” which stores various items such as a shaving kit in the heel.
With the Pelican Shoe, “nothing can get stolen,” Temperini assured.
With classes constantly coming to see the works of both older and younger students, the program lets the children talk with students from other grades, said Maria Farrell, president of the school’s PTA.
“It gives them time to mingle and show off their talents,” she said.
Principal Joel Schuckman said the students enjoyed integrating academics and artwork.
“There’s really nothing like showing off your own work,” he said.
Reach reporter Alexander Dworkowitz by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 141.
