Students have say in naming Malta school

The former Malta High School will be reopened and renamed by the DeKalb School District. Chronicle photo DON VAUGHAN

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The DeKalb School Board renamed the old Malta High School as the Paul T. Wright Elementary School. Elementary school students were asked to write essays with their ideas on the new name for the school. More than 60 students responded to the challenge. The school board picked the nomination of Lincoln Elementary School fourth-grader Henry Deng. Here are some of the essays the students submitted. Other essays will be printed in future weeks.

Wright Elementary School, submitted by Henry Deng, fourth grade, Lincoln Elementary School Reasoning - "Come on honey! We're going to go to Wright Elementary School. This will be your best school ever!" That's what moms will say to their children. I think that the new school should be named "Wright Elementary School." Let me explain why. In the early 1960s, Mr. Paul T. Wright and his family generously donated 38 acres to build Malta High School. His family wanted children to have a good education. He and his family should be honored. That is why his last name should be the school's new name. Having the school named after Mr. Wright, it will help us remember the wonderful thing he and his family did for our community. Also, "Wright" has a double meaning. When you say "Wright Elementary School" it sounds like you're saying the RIGHT elementary school. People will say, "It's the right elementary school for your kids!" This way, it makes parents think, "We want to send our child(ren) to Wright Elementary School." Finally, "Wright Elementary School" also sounds inspiring. It makes the school sound like it will reach its goal in teaching kids the way they should be taught. The school's vision is to teach every child as if gifted and build a passion for lifelong learning. With state-of-the-art technology, students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills and have the skills necessary for productive citizenship. The name "Wright Elementary School" foretells that its vision will come true. That is why I think the new school should be named "Wright Elementary School." It not only honors Mr. Wright and his family, but also is the ideal name for the school.

There were 61 total entries. The following are selected entries from other students, chosen to represent the many different types of entries received.

Carver Elementary, submitted by a fourth-grader Reasoning - I think the new partnership school should be called Carver Elementary in honor of George Washington Carver. He was lucky because slavery ended when he was 1, so he was never a slave. When he was 8, he found that he very much wanted to learn and to go to school, but he could not because African-Americans couldn't go to school then. To learn, he sat under open school windows to listen and learn lots of great things. When he was older, he taught farmers how to grow not only corn but lots of other things. Carver died on Jan. 5, 1943. By then, he had found more than 300 uses for the peanut or the goober. I think this would be a good name for the school because kids should want to learn and to go to school as much as he did. He was a good and honest man.

Liberty Elementary, submitted by a second-grader Reasoning - I think the new school should be named "DeKalb Liberty Elementary" - "Liberty" for short. At school we learn the Pledge of Allegiance, which says "with LIBERTY and justice for all." We have so many liberties, (choices and rights) that some children never have. We should be proud, and I think any of the kids that get to go or choose to go to the new school will be thankful for that "Liberty." And the school kids should be known as the "Liberty Patriots!"

Armstrong and Aldrin Academy, submitted by a fourth-grader Reasoning - I think that the new partnership school should be called Armstrong and Aldrin Academy. To begin with, one of the main subjects in this school will be science. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the first men on the moon. They made a big leap for mankind by exploring the moon before anyone else. They needed a lot of courage and bravery and cooperation to do what they did. The kids of the new school will try new things and do something different every day. They will study space, gravity and other things. As well as science, there will be a focus on technology. Students will spend time on the computer every day. Neil and Buzz couldn't have gone to the moon without modern technology. In addition to science and technology, there will also be music and art. It will make kids more open-minded. In conclusion, I think that the new partnership school in Malta, Illinois should be called Armstrong and Aldrin Academy.

Peaceful School, submitted by a third-grader Reasoning - I think the new school should be called Peaceful School. To begin with, in the United States, all of us should be peaceful to other people. I think the world should be peaceful to everyone. Also, if you get mad at a person you should say, "sorry" and then their name, like "Chloe." I should say "sorry" when I get in a fight. Another reason, we can go back 20 years ago when Martin Luther King Jr. said that black and white people should have equal rights and have peace. Last, I think "Peaceful School" is an excellent place to go.

Franklin Academy of Technology, submitted by a fourth-grader Reasoning - I think the Partnership School in Malta, Illinois, should be called Franklin Academy of Technology. To begin with, I think, it should be called that because Benjamin Franklin was very educated in technology. He invented the harmonica, which is an instrument like an organ, invented in 1761. It was smaller than originals and did not require water tuning. Secondly, when he invented the lightning rod, houses didn't catch on fire because the lightning strikes the rod, instead of the house! In addition, since Ben had a lot to do with technology, at the Partnership School the students can do science experiments on the computer. In conclusion, I think the Partnership School in Malta, Illinois should be called the Franklin Academy because Ben Franklin was a famous inventor.

Smart Thinking Elementary, submitted by a third-grader Reasoning - I think the new school should be called Smart Thinking Elementary. To begin with, I think that should be it because the kids are learning from Northern Illinois University teachers who study a lot. In addition, the kids find out lots of problems to solve. The kids help and play together a lot. The kids come with a proper attitude. That is why I think that it's a wonderful school name.

Ellis I. Elementary School, submitted by a fourth-grader Reasoning - I think the new partnership school should be called Ellis I. Elementary. It's where people from across the ocean come to. They were so exited. They celebrated by waving flags. They were proud to be Americans. Just like we are! Some came for their freedom. The school will make even more. Some came to see new lands. Some come to be able to go to school. Some signed the Declaration of Independence. They were taught English. They learned how to write English, too! It should be named Ellis I. Elementary because the school gives a lot of opportunity just like Ellis Island did. The new school name will be a memory of this place.

Jane Addams Elementary School, submitted by a fourth-grader Reasoning - I think the new partnership school should be called Jane Addams Elementary. Jane Addams took care of immigrants in her house in Chicago. She also had a school, which included grades Kindergarten through high school, and she offered clubs for interesting things. She supported peace. She also was the first woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Jane Addams was born in 1860 and she died in 1935. She was a social worker and humanitarian. I think Jane Addams Elementary is a good name for a school because Jane Addams was very interested in children's education.

Adventure Elementary, submitted by a third-grader Reasoning - I think that the new school should be called Adventure Elementary. To begin with, I picked this name because the playground could be like an adventure. When the playground is separated each one of those can be an island. Imagine that you're on a boat and sailing around. Another reason, my second reason is why that inside the school would be just like the inside of a ship. Mr. Kubelka would be the captain. The teachers can be the pirates, and the kids would be the junior pirates. The grass would be the water and it is in front of the school! When the bell rings, imagine again sailing back toward the building. Imagine yourself on the island where the treasure is. Just pretend the gold is coins. So you can see, this is the last reason. It is time to say, "good-bye" at 3:05 p.m. Mr. Kubelka says, "Good Arrrr" when it's time to go home. The kids would say, "Ay-Ay Captain!" The kids will say, "great!"

Wildflower Prairie School, submitted by a third-grader Reasoning - I think the new school should be "Wildflower Prairie School." To begin with, I think that the new school should be called "Wildflower Prairie School" because they should plant wildflowers by the sidewalk. I think it is a cool name for a school, and it is pretty. I also think it is a cool name for a school! So you can see that is why I think the new school should be called "Wildflower Prairie School."

School of Excellence, submitted by a fourth-grader Reasoning - I think the new partnership school in Malta, Illinois, should be called the School of Excellence. I think this school should be called the School of Excellence because the students will be excellent. Every day, kids will be prepared and organized. Excellent kids always follow the rules, always do their best and always help others. In addition, I think the school also should be called the School of Excellence because the kids always can control themselves, always be a good friend and also they always can be patient. Finally, I think the partnership school in Malta should be called the School of Excellence because all the students will be excellent.

All-Smiles Elementary, submitted by a fourth-grader Reasoning - I think the new partnership school in Malt should be called All-Smiles Elementary. To begin with, it should be called All-Smiles Elementary because it's original and shows what kind of students attend the school. The kids at All-Smiles Elementary will be happy, and they will have smiles on their faces. It also might attract more people. It will attract more students because it has students that are happy. Also, it will have a lot of music and art. In my opinion, art and music tend to get students into a good mood. In conclusion, those are the reasons why I think this school should be called All-Smiles Elementary.

Picasso Elementary School, submitted by a fourth-grader Reasoning - I think the partnership school should be called Picasso Elementary. The reason I want the school to be Picasso Elementary is because Picasso was a very creative person. He had a lot of cool ideas for art. If you entered the Picasso Elementary School, this is what would be expected of you: No. 1: have creative ideas No. 2: Don't criticize anybody's ideas because in Picasso Elementary every idea is a good idea. In conclusion, Picasso Elementary would be a great school, especially for creative people.

The Excellent School of Fine Arts, Music and Technology, submitted by a fourth- grader Reasoning - I think the new partnership school in Malta, Illinois, should be called The Excellent School of Fine Arts, Music and Technology. First of all, there will be art and music. Art is fun to do, and you get messy. Kids love to get messy! Music also gets their energy out. Music is soothing to your vocal chords. Second, science will be important to the new school. It will be fun. You can study history, plants, animals and living things. Also, we will have technology. We would have more computers for Accelerated Reader Tests. Finally, now you know why I would like to name the new school The Excellent School of Fine Arts, Music and Technology.

Malta Lillies, submitted by a third-grader Reasoning - I think the new school should be called "Malta Lillies." One reason is I like flowers. I also think it should be called that because a flower is like us. For example, the petals on the flowers are the students and the flower is the teacher. They work and learn together. When a flower makes its own plant, it can share everything it has learned. Every flower is beautiful outside, but the real beauty is inside. Lastly, that is why I think "Malta Lillies" is a nice name for a school!

Amadeus Academy, submitted by a fourth-grader Reasoning - I think the new partnership school in Malta should be called Amadeus Academy. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was really famous for his fine arts, and I can predict the partnership school will have a lot of kids good at the fine arts. In addition, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart started to compose when he was 5. Mozart started to compose when he was 5! Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus composed his first opera in 1767. Finally, you can see that art and music were a big part in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's life and will be a big part of the students' lives at the new partnership school.

Liberty School, submitted by a fourth-grader Reasoning - I think the new partnership school should be called the Liberty School. This school should be called the Liberty School because "Liberty" means "Freedom." "Freedom" means you get to do whatever you want to do. You can do all sorts of subjects like art, music, writing, reading and crafts. So you can see, "Liberty" means "Freedom" and freedom is important to me. That's why I think it should be called the Liberty School.

Physical Elementary, submitted by a third-grader Reasoning - Did you know there's a new school down in Malta? Come on, let's see what it is. I think the school name should be Physical Elementary. To start with, you learn stuff like arts or maybe pottery or make things out of wood or clay. Second, you make projects you never made before like quilts, and my cousin Joey made a napkin holder from Lowe's. Third, it's a physical thing like working on the computers with a partner or alone, and I love things that are physical. Last, I feel fantastic about the new school and think it should be named Physical Elementary.

USA Freedom Elementary, submitted by a third-grader Reasoning - I think the new school should be USA Freedom Elementary. To start withŠ We live in the USA. The USA is a free country. No one can treat people like slaves and boss them around. On top of all that, people can do whatever they feel as long as they don't break the law. Last, it is a place to start teaching kids about their freedoms. It would be an original name for a school because no other school has that name. Finally, I feel that this school will be a magical school with freedom, history and higher learning.

Spralta Elementary, submitted by a third-grader Reasoning - I think that the new school name should be Spralta Elementary. To begin with, Spr is the beginning of Springfield. Springfield is the capital of Illinois, plus Springfield is the headquarters of education in Illinois. It also sounds athletic to me. In addition, Malta is the place where it is. Alta is in the ending of Malta and in the ending of Spralta. That is why I think the new school name should be Spralta.