Poland North second-graders make video for national competition

By Denise Dick

POLAND — Twenty-five Poland North Elementary School second-graders show their vocal and theatrical talents in a music video promoting the use of technology.

But you won’t see their work on a music television station.

The pupils in Cheryl Saculla’s class with help from several parents, grandparents and other volunteers are entering an interactive classroom makeover contest sponsored by einstruction and Interwrite Learning. Winners will get a $25,000 classroom makeover.

“I stumbled on this about a year ago,” Principal Michael Masucci said.

A relative showed him online videos submitted by other pupils and he watched the contest to monitor who won.

“I thought, ‘We can do that,’” the principal said.

The stipulations are that the song lyrics include “einstruction” and the song’s conclusion must direct viewers to www.eimakeover.com to vote. The completed video must be submitted by Friday and visitors to the site may vote on the videos once posted.

Masucci hopes the community logs in, rates and votes for the video.

Masucci and Saculla wrote the lyrics, “Start of Learning New,” sung to the tune of “Start of Something New” from the movie, “High School Musical.”

“It’s about technology,” said Eric Shipsky, 8.

“A boy gets an assignment in school and he’s scared of technology,” added Tyler Morrison, 7.

The boy, portrayed by Mitchell Frederick, 8, learns about the benefits of technology from his classmates.

“It’s more than just a cute song,” Saculla said. “They’re learning valuable lessons about the use of technology and about being good students.”

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.