Lipscomb Elementary Students Fill River with Rock Fish

Published September 28, 2017

After 150 years, Lipscomb Elementary is certainly as solid as a rock, which makes it a fitting theme for the 2017-18 school year.

“All year long we’ve been doing rock thematic events at Lipscomb,” said LES Principal Michelle Contich. “We did our Solid as a Rock song at our back-to-school social for the kids. We have our T-shirts. We had a Solid as a Rock dance.”

In the spring, it was decided that the book Only One You by Linda Kranz would be an important part of the upcoming school year.

The book, which was read to students by the guidance counselors, focuses on Adri and his parents, a family of rock fish. Adri’s parents are giving him wisdom about being himself and making a difference in the world by finding his own way.

The story came to life as each LES student and staff member painted a rock fish of their own. On Wednesday, September 27, every student placed their rock in the “river” around the Lipscomb Elementary sign.

“We actually had a parent, David Ward, who prepped the grounds for us,” said Contich. “The Buckley family donated the border. Our art teacher, Ms. Porter, has been having students paint rocks since the beginning of the school year. Today’s the big day we get to bring the art to fruition.”

The rocks will stay around the sign for years to come and serve as inspiration for students.

“We want them to stay there, reminding everyone to be themselves and their own unique version of themselves,” Contich said. “We want our students to carry that wisdom with them, and hopefully those rocks out there will remind them of that.”