Internet Christmas Tree: Update!

[Sherry Nelson <ride0459@RIDE.RI.NET>]

Greetings, Fellow Netters -

As promised, I have placed the first photos of our Internet Christmas Tree
project on our www home page.  If anyone would like to see the tree project
in progress, the address is:
http://ride.ri.net/schools/Burrillville/final.html.
We will be adding more photos as they become available.

The Christmas tree is located in the Media Center and is completely covered
with "golden" angels bearing greetings from YOU!  It is absolutely
beautiful!  We are now working on the surrounding walls and window areas.
As of today (12/13/95), we have received nearly 600 greetings.  Each
morning students race into the Media Center and ask,"Who did we hear from
today, Mrs. Nelson?"  The project itself has generated a tremendous amount
of enthusiasm and interest from the very first day.

All 50 states, U.S. territories, and Canadian provinces have responded.  In
addition, 32 foreign countries representing all continents have also sent
greetings.  Most of those in the latter group are written in native
languages as well as English.  The scope has included preschoolers to
university professors.  We have heard from a very special second grade
class in Oregon, a school that travels with a logging camp in Canada, a
one-room schoolhouse serving K-12 students, an Indian reservation, a
Connecticut family that home-schools its children, several year-round
schools, many Department of Defense schools serving U.S. military children
abroad, to cite just a few.  Many school have had classes or individual
students respond directly.  Through it all many new friendships have been
developed.  All of the greetings have been from the heart, and it has been
pure joy to work on this project.

A very special thanks is extended to all of those who have sent greetings
our way, and particularly the members of the LM_NET.  This project would
not have been possible without the support of this dynamic group.  Our goal
has been reached:  to visually demonstrate the power of the Internet to our
students, staff, and community.  Along the was we have expanded our
students' global awareness, while showing everyone how worldwide
communication allows us to share the spirit with others.

I hope Chris Van Allsburg's bell will ring for each and every one of you
this holiday season, and for many years to come.



Sherry Nelson,
Media Specialist
Burrillville Middle School
2220 Bronco Highway
Harrisville, RI  02830

ride0459@ride.ri.net