Flat out fantastic

Flat Stanely and Stella share spring break stories with elementary students

By
Herald staff writer

Stanley and Stella had a spring break trip to remember - Flat Stanley and Flat Stella that is.
Students from Traverse City Central High School were accompanied on their spring break vacations by paper dolls - Stanley or Stella - created by local elementary students, as part of a program to encourage better relationships between elementary and high school students.
Last week, the paper travelers were reunited with their young creators from Westwoods Elementary, Cherry Knoll Elementary and the Central High School day care program, to share vacation pictures and stories as told by their high school buddies.
First-grader, Sara Fenton from Westwoods Elementary first grader Sara Fenton, was excited to hear about Flat Stella's vacation to Aruba with senior Emily Jackson.
"She got to eat ice cream, that would have been fun," said Fenton, as she looked through pictures of Jackson and Stella enjoying fun in the sun.
Jackson, who enjoyed her trip and the company of Flat Stella, said that sharing the trip gave her a fun way to remember her vacation.
Sharing experiences is at the root of the program initiated by Pat Bowen, secretary to the assistant principal at Central High School.
"I met a superintendent on a cruise who had taken a Flat Stanley with him and I thought it was a great idea. It makes kids think when they are on spring break - about what they are doing and how appropriate is it." Bowen said. "It also gives the kids a chance to work with and develop relationships with another age group."

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