JPS Takes Part In Pilot Program Involving Iconic Show

Teachers at the Jamestown Public Schools District learned first-hand Monday how Lucy felt wrapping chocolates on a conveyor belt.

Teachers were able to participate this week in a pilot training program of "Lucy Lessons" based on episodes of "I Love Lucy." The lessons and training were available to the district for free thanks to a partnership with Desilu, too LLC, Howling Hounds Entertainment and ViacomCBS.

This particular lesson was based on the episode titled, "Job Switching," which features Lucy and Ethel as they try to tame an out-of-control conveyor belt of candy. The lessons incorporate the hilarious content from Lucy's show while keeping them engaged and learning about various topics.

Bonnie Kole, Howling Hounds Entertainment president, said she came up with the ideas for the lessons out of "desperation."

"I was a first-year teacher trying to engage kids and I was teaching math and social studies," Kole said. "We were not even piloting a program -- it was just the circumstances where we were in a transition, and we had nothing really. So I figured we'll try it with Lucy, and it's as simple as that."

Kole said she chose "I Love Lucy" because it's funny, sweet and has the right components. She said after she started the lessons with her students in 1996, they always asked her for more "Lucy Lessons."

She said she has been using the "Lucy Lessons" for 25 years. Kole said she knew the program had to grow, and bringing it to Jamestown was a "no-brainer."

"If you're going to do something that starts with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz and a little show called "I Love Lucy," where do you go?" She said. "Jamestown, New York -- and this is how we honor Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, and company. We're really quite happy to be here -- we're dealing with great people here, and they just embraced us."

"Lucy Lessons" has also garnered approval from Lucille Ball's daughter, Lucie Arnaz, Chief Executive Officer of Desilu, too LLC.

"It's a fitting 70th-anniversary gift to that timeless source of love and laughter that we use its magic to help students better understand the world around them," said Arnaz. "What a wonderful legacy that would be to my parent's original concept."

Teacher Denise Powers said she was introduced to the program in June and was pleased to participate in the training this week.

"I think it's a lot of fun and I think it is going to engage the kids," Powers said. "I think it is really important that we teach them about the history of our community, and this is a great place to start with it. Jamestown has a lot to offer and the kids don't always know what's available."

She said she is looking forward to implementing the lessons in the new school year, as she is an "I Love Lucy" fan. Powers thinks the students will enjoy the lessons and the show, even if they'd never seen it before.

"I don't think a lot of my fourth graders are going to be familiar with Lucy, so I'm really excited to share a little history with them," she said.

Tina Sandstrom, JPS chief director of schools, said she was excited when she was approached regarding the lessons in February. When the opportunity to be part of the pilot came about, she said the district jumped at it.

"When we were approached with that, we thought, 'Well, you know, being from Jamestown, how could we not be part of a pilot that has something to do with Lucy?'" Sandstrom said. "Thi is such a part of our hometown, and we thought this was a great opportunity because it could also help our students."

Sandstrom said the first training was held in June. She said the teachers involved in this week's training and the group from the previous training thoroughly enjoyed the lessons.

"We're going to work through the pilot and see where that takes us," she said. "It's really a journey that we're on. I anticipate our kids are going to have fun -- you could see the fun the adults were having. Coming off of the year that we had last year, we all need some laughter."