Summer school program: Photograph the ‘Humans of Snohomish’

It’s an idea borrowed from “Humans of New York” and transplanted to the more placid streets of Snohomish.

With his sensationally popular blog, Facebook page and book, photographer Brandon Stanton captures the faces and words of all kinds of people, along with millions of followers. Launched by images and stories from New York City streets, Stanton has gone on to projects in the Middle East and in a children’s cancer ward.

Those settings are rich with life’s dramas. So are places right here. This summer, children in a Snohomish School District program will chronicle their own community in words and pictures.

“Humans of Snohomish” is the title of a class being offered by the district’s Science and Arts Academy, a summer program open to kids entering first through ninth grades. The week-long class, starting July 18, is one of many topics being offered, among them aerospace engineering, painting, video animation, world music drumming and underwater robotics.

The program is based at Snohomish High School, where math teacher Jenny Klovdahl will teach “Humans of Snohomish.” Kids in the class, third- through fifth-graders, will interview, photograph and videotape folks around town and create posts for a Facebook page.

Jessamine Anderson, a 2016 Snohomish High School graduate, created the “Humans of Snohomish” Facebook page earlier this year.

“I was inspired by Humans of New York,” Anderson said Thursday. “I wanted to create an inclusive environment in Snohomish.”

Anderson said her brief interviews reveal more than people learn with a friendly hello. She asked Paul Deanne, the owner of Accurate Auto Service, to share something most people wouldn’t know about him. “I want to start a dog rescue when I retire,” was Deanne’s answer, posted on “Humans of Snohomish.”

“I’ve had 100 percent positive feedback,” said Anderson, who plans to attend the University of Washington this fall.

Philippa Farrell, a teacher on special assignment with the district, is principal of the Science and Arts Academy, now in its seventh year.

About 400 kids attend the academy each summer. Farrell said it began as a program only for students struggling academically, but is now a popular summer offering for many families. The cost is $125 a week per person, with multiple-child discounts available. Each school gets tuition waivers for children who do need academic help.

Each class is taught by a certified teacher accompanied by a teaching assistant, Farrell said. Community involvement is a big part of the program.

An “Amazing Race Snohomish” class sends kids to local businesses that arrange challenges. Last year, Farrell said, students made pizzas at Brava’s Pizza, and built a planter box at McDaniel’s Do It Center. This summer, for a class called “Chocolate Factory,” students will make candy molds and tour the Theo Chocolate factory in Seattle.

“It’s all kinds of fun,” Farrell said.

Klovdahl, who also will teach a Snohomish history class as part of the program, said her “Humans of Snohomish” class will begin with brainstorming. “I want the kids to own it,” she said.

Anderson, the “Humans of Snohomish” creator, plans to speak to the class on their first day. The teen will talk about her aim in bringing the “Humans of New York” concept to Snohomish.

“I want to represent our community with all its diversity, and get beyond the surface level,” she said. “It’s creating an environment for people to have conversations. This is a way to connect with people on a deeper level.”

Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460; jmuhlstein@heraldnet.com.

Summer classes

The Snohomish School District’s summer Science and Arts Academy offers classes for students entering first through ninth grades. Classes, held at Snohomish High School, are 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays (Tuesday-Friday the first week) July 5-28. Cost is $125 per week per person, $425 all four weeks; family discounts available. Along with “Humans of Snohomish,” there are classes in coding, painting, block printing, renewable energy, astronomy, robotics, aeronautical engineering and other topics. Snohomish High School is at 1316 Fifth St. Registration: www.sno.wednet.edu/

See “Humans of Snohomish” at: www.facebook.com/humansofsnohomish/