Trout Creek students learn importance of citizenship

Trout Creek's afterschool program has accomplished a lot in the short three months they have been meeting. Not only have they taken on community service projects, but they have also learned the importance of being respectable U.S. citizens.

Liz Glackin has teamed-up with Tara Menzel to provide a structured learning environment for kids outside of the classroom. Flower boxes have been built for the local senior center, books have been written, songs have been composed, family trees have been discovered, planet mobiles have been crafted, school bulletin boards have been spiced-up, finance tracking has been taught, American citizenship requirements have been discussed, and flag etiquette has been learned.

"If you do not have a light shining on it you have to put it in a safe spot and put it back up in the morning," said student Arthur Braunschweig, while the other six students chimed in collectively. "It disrespects the whole county if it touches the ground," Weston Block added with declaration.

"Don Manning came and showed the kids how to fold the flag, he gave a whole spiel on how to fold it properly, the right way," Glackin noted.

Madisun Rasmussen expressed the importance of proper flag folding technique. "You must fold the flag right, so we do not fold it up crooked, and it doesn't get wrinkled."

Scholars shared that the 13 stripes represent the 13 colonies, the 50 stars represent the 50 states, and that when a flag is ready to retire, or touches the ground, proper disposal requires a burning ceremony.

"Who burns the flag?" Glackin asked. Students answered, "Veterans, VFW or Boy Scouts."

"What song is played when the flag is burned?" she inquired. This was a tougher question. With a little prompting the students recalled, Taps!"

Glackin, a retired school teacher, and Menzel will continue the program in the summer months. Tentatively the group is planning to collect bugs and create an educational display, a trip to the Libby Dam and Kellogg Mine, and a lot of swimming.

For more information on the program contact Trout Creek School at 827-3629.