Tehachapi News

larger view

school hoops-3
1)

by Connie McCullough
Contributing Writer
Photography and basketball…shoots and hoops. These are the latest activities that students in the after school program at Tompkins are enjoying.
The photography segment involved three separate sessions taught by Mr. Jim Carmichael, the president of the Tehachapi Camera Club. In the first session, the children learned about the history of photography and why it took ten hours in 1826 to expose a photograph. The students then learned modern exposure techniques during the second session, and concluded the third session with matting and framing. Mr. Carmichael also discussed how digital cameras make the art of photography so easy. With this new knowledge, the students had an opportunity to take photographs. 
“I have over 200 pictures the kids took,” laughed Mrs. Jana Walker, co-director of the after school program. “They had a wonderful time…and what a learning experience for them!”
These same students were recently treated to a three week clinic taught by the girls basketball team from Jacobsen Middle School. The children were split into two groups, kindergarten through second grade, and third through fifth grade. They were bussed to JMS where they learned the finer skills of shooting hoops, among other strategies. 
“It was received with great enthusiasm,” remarked Mrs. Walker. “Basketball is their favorite sport at the moment,” she added.
From the other side of the court, JMS teacher and coach Walt Powell was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the girls on the team. “They took to it 100 percent and even made sacrifices to ensure they attended the clinic.” 
Assisted by parent and firefighter Mark Bennett, the children from the after school program were taught the basic rules and fundamentals of basketball, such as dribbling, passing, and ball control. 
“Our girls were fabulous,” said Coach Powell. “They were actually disappointed to see the program end.”
Parents interested in having their Tompkins students participate in the after school program should contact the school office at 822-2170. Community members who would like to contribute their skills and knowledge with eager, bright students should contact Liz Hartgrove at 822-2213.