Written by Jeannette Ross
Saturday, 26 February 2011
Some years ago there was a popular book called All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. That would not do anyone much good on Friday, March 4, when a Wilton rendition of Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? is presented from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at the Clune Center on the Wilton High School campus.
Based on the popular television show, the evening will feature 20 Wilton fifth graders and four grown-up contestants: Wilton Library Executive Director Kathy Leeds; Kevin Meehan, a Cider Mill science resource teacher and Ambler Farm program and property manager; Jackie Saltarelli, Wilton High School student government president; and Wilton High lacrosse coach John Wiseman.
The show, which tests contestants on their knowledge of subjects studied by children from first through fifth grade, is a benefit for the Wilton Education Foundation. It is that aspect that convinced Ms. Leeds to put her knowledge on the line.
“The Wilton Educational Foundation is a wonderful organization. If I’m going to humiliate myself for anyone, I’ll do it for them,” she said. “My mom was a fifth grade teacher, so maybe by osmosis I’ll retain some information.
“If they ask questions about personnel management or the Dewey Decimal System I’ll do just great.”
Ms. Leeds said the contestants had not received any guidance on what might be asked.
“My theory of maturity is your brain only has so much room, and stuff flows out the back when you put more stuff in the front,” she said, adding she is “not doing any tremendous boning up. I am going to watch some of the shows.”
Science teacher Kevin Meehan thinks he was asked to participate not because he has an inside edge but because he might be funny.
“You know, the funny thing about all the topics we teach, they’re not difficult, but if you haven’t thought about them for 25 or 30 years, they’re not so easy.” He is banking on the kids being there to help.
“It’s not going to be exciting if the adults know all the answers. What’s going to be fun is engaging the students. It’s going to be very exciting to see what their answers are.”
Being a teacher is a double-edged sword. “It raises expectations,” he said. Not doing well? “That would be a little awkward, but I’m willing to let go of my dignity to raise money for the school.”
Giving it a little more thought Mr. Meehan said, “There could be some questions about some current things a typical third or fourth or fifth grader would be into now. If it’s Harry Potter that might be good.”
Adding to the entertainment value of watching the contestants stumble over grade-school questions will be the presentation of live commercials on stage by the Walter Schalk Dancers, The Wilton Sports Shop and the Wilton Verizon Store. During intermission, a SMARTBoard demonstration will be given by Matt Hepfer, technology director for the Wilton Schools.
Advance tickets may be purchased at: WiltonEducationFoundation.org. Advance tickets are $10 for students, $15 for adults, with a $40 cap per family. Tickets may also be purchased at the door: $15 for students, $20 for adults, $50 cap per family). For more information on tickets contact Patty Connor at shelby27@optonline.net or 203-761-0163.
For updates on this and other Wilton Education Foundation events, visit WiltonEducationFoundation.org.
The Wilton Education Foundation was founded in 1993 and has since raised more than $450,000 for Wilton’s public schools. The foundation supports ongoing professional development for teachers, provides the latest in innovative and interactive teaching tools, raises money for music and the arts, and “beyond the classroom” experiences.
Event sponsors are Jefferies & Company and the Jefferies families of Wilton (Priscilla and Tyler Thors, Jane Mitchell and Romeo Reyes, Joanna and Tim Lepore, Barbara and Tony Ulehla, and Chris and Erin Macri).
