Bowman Primary School Students Learn About Challenges People Face from People Who Are Facing

Bowman Primary School students learn about challenges people face from people who are facing those challenges in the real world...
FIRST GRADE:
Brian Burger will visited Bowman Primary School 1st graders after the New Year to share about the challenges of living life in wheelchair. Students enjoyed learning how Brian adapts ordinary items into tools to help him complete everyday tasks. They are also amazed at how fast he can go in his "sports" wheelchair when he competes in wheelchair athletic games. He participates in many wheelchair sports including waterskiing, downhill skiing, and soccer; he has also competed internationally as a member of the United States Quad Rugby Team. Mr. Burger has visited with young students in the Lebanon City Schools District since 1999. His wife, Nicole, is a second grade looping teacher at Bowman; they have three children.

SECOND GRADE:
Wanda Owens and Calder, her guide dog, visit with Bowman 2nd graders each Fall. She talks about the challenges visually impaired people face. She demonstrates how she uses many tools to help her each day. She also shows students some of her award-winning pottery. For some of the classes, she shares some of her favorite songs. Wanda graduated from Tennessee State University with a degree in Sociology and a minor in Social Welfare. She received additional training at Cincinnati's Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Wanda is also a motivational speaker at the college level for women’s groups. Wanda has visited with Bowman 2nd graders since 2008

ADDITIONAL VISITORS teach Bowman students about other aspects in life...
Since 1999, Lebanon students in the first grades have heard an important message from a special friend they can relate to and trust---Ronald McDonald. Ronald McDonald shares with students about Friendship each Fall. Endorsed by kids and parenting expert and author, Dr. Michele Borba, A Friendship Adventure with Ronald McDonald, is a fun and magical show geared for all age groups. The show is approximately 55 minutes long and is available to the schools free of charge courtesy of Double Arch Management, Lebanon. To learn more about Ronald McDonald’s visits in the Cincinnati area, parents can visit his website,

AND...
All Bowman students learn about different kinds of careers from Lebanon community helpers.
1st Grade: Every other year, community helpers read their favorite children's book to first grade classes and tell the students about their work. "Visiting Readers" is scheduled in the Spring of the school year, 2013.
2nd Grade: The "Models in Uniform" Art Program, the inspiration of Art Teacher, Beth Mele, gives students the chance to practice their portrait-drawing skills using live models and to learn about different kinds of jobs at the same time! Art class students draw portraits of community helpers wearing the uniform of their trade while the visitors tell students about their work and show students the tools that they need for their specific jobs. Bowman’s "Models in Uniform” Art Program is scheduled for the week before Spring Break,

ALL Students: Vehicle Day is an opportunity for all Bowman 1st and 2nd graders to learn more about different careers by looking at various vehicles and listening to the people who use the vehicles as they tell about their jobs and how the vehicles help them. Vehicle Day occurs every other Fall at Bowman. It rolls onto Bowman Primary’s big playground area in October, 2013.