Greeks, kids take math to the Green

Even though math may not be everyone's favorite subject, fraternity and sorority members were able to make it fun for local elementary school students yesterday on College Green. As part of Greek Week, fraternity and sorority members played math games on campus with children from the New School, a private school on 42nd and Walnut streets. Math bingo, chip trading and geometric designs with rubber bands were just some of the interesting ways the students, who are in kindergarten through the sixth grade, approached learing math. "I wish we had games like this when we were growing up," said Wharton junior Meesh Joslyn, a Delta Delta Delta sorority sister. "The more creative ways of teaching are really neat." The school held a similar "Math-a-thon" last spring in the elementary schoolers' classrooms, but coming to the University added something extra for the children and the school. "It's a way for people to have exposure to what the school is, and for the kids to have exposure to this [college] atmosphere," said New School teacher Elizabeth Nardell. Nardell said that it is nice for the children to work with other adults, and the kids agreed. "We met friends, we don't have to be inside, and we get to play games," third-grader Elizabeth said. "If we would do this all day I would be thankful," added third-grader David. In addition to playing with the children, Greeks collected money from passers-by on Locust Walk for books and scholarships. Participants also solicited sponsorships to raise money. College senior Chrysten Cunningham, a Delta Delta Delta sister who organized the event, said they raised at least $200, but she will not know exactly how much until pledges are collected on Friday. Cunningham said University faculty and West Philadelphia families have children in the school, and money to help keep tuition down is helpfull. At least 200 children and 30 Greeks participated between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Students signed up to help out prior to the event, but Cunningham said they "got a lot of support from people just walking by that thought it looked like fun." Cunningham said Panhellenic Council sororities want to continue supporting the New School through the sororities. "This was kind of a kick-off for the whole year," she said."

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.