New skate park to alleviate school damage, danger to teens

Skateboards have worn down steps and benches in Newport Middle School's parking lot where teenagers often congregate.

This puts school officials in the tough position of choosing whether to run the skaters off the property into the city, where they could get hurt, or let them skate in the parking lot, where they can also get hurt and do damage, said Paul Baker, youth services center at the middle school and the grant writer for the skate park.

By October, school and city leaders hope to have a skate park underneath the Interstate 471 overpass by Campbell County High School to send the skaters to.

This from the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Teaching children art comes from the heart

PHOTO BY MEGGAN BOOKER/THE ENQUIRER

First there's the former graduate-student perspective on art teacher Judy Haynes:
"She's got strong interpersonal skills, is very knowledgeable in her field and is a great model for her students," said Lisa Jameson, now a professor of art education at Northern Kentucky University.


Then there's the kindergarten-student perspective:



"You get to have fun in her class instead of doing work," said 6-year-old Tahj Harding. "She doesn't teach us homework. That's what I like about her."


Haynes, 54, has spent the past 12 summers teaching in the master's of art and art education program at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. She's also taught art to children at Fourth Street Elementary in Newport for 25 years.


Haynes was honored for her service and expertise March 12 in New York City by the National Art Education Association. She was named the organization's Southeast Region Elementary Art Educator of the Year, one of four regional awards nationwide.

This from the Cincinnati Enquirer.