The Superior Express -

Summer may be over but students at Superior Elementary School will just keep swimming all through this school year.

Principal Jodi Fierstein introduced the theme "Just Keep Swimming" to the elementary teachers last spring so they could plan and prepare activities that coincided with the theme for this school year.

"The theme 'Just Keep Swimming' indicates grit and perseverance, skills to keep trying when times get difficult," said Principal Fierstein. This summer she decorated the elementary office with ocean decor. Finished ocean and aquatic puzzles adorn the office walls. A colorful underwater scene with sea life adorns the front of the counter. On the top of the counter are ceramic sea creatures. A fish bowl contains a Beta fish the students named Mr. Bubbles. Around the office are decorations of colorful sponges and coral.

One task the elementary teachers were given was to decorate above their students' lockers before school started.

During the Summer Kids Club meetings, members decorated the hallway doors for the janitors and maintenance rooms all with the ocean theme to welcome students.

Parents and students were introduced to "Just Keep Swimming" at this year's open house with a scavenger hunt and snacks. Students submitted names for the Beta fish then. Later a name was drawn. The fish officially was named "Bubbles."

At the start of this year, students in each classroom decorated a class ceiling tile and members of the class signed it. These will be placed in the ceiling of the entry for everyone entering the building to see. The office and hallway are welcoming sights for young learners with brightly decorated sea life and motivating sayings.

And this adventure will continue for the school year. Principal Fierstein has more ideas to promote grit and perseverance for the elementary students. She will continue to add ocean activities for her students all year.

Principal Fierstein is reading a book to each elementary classroom. It is called Shark Lady, by Jess Keating and illustrated by Marta Alvares Miquens. The book is a true story about the American born ichthyologist, Eugenie Clark. She was a female who achieved success as a scientist through grit and perseverance at a time when science fields were dominated by men. She is known for her shark behavior research and being a pioneer of using scuba diving for research purposes. She could be a mascot for the theme "Just Keep Swimming."

Superior Elementary School strives to be a warm, exciting and colorful learning environment to motivate this year's students to "Just Keep Swimming."