River Bluff Middle School students have been learning more about Norway through pen pals and a visitor from Gjovik, Stoughton's sister city in Norway.

Students in Mrs. Raisbeck's & Mr. Fure's 6th Grade Social Studies third hour students have been corresponding with 6th grade in Fredheim skole Norway. Fredheim skole is in Gjøvik. Gjøvik is a town by the largest lake in Norway, Mjøsa. Some of what the students have learned from their pen pals:

"Every morning all the children at school meet to sing a morning song and to get special messages. Twice a year each class entertains the other students from the stage.

We have to bring packed lunches every day. Some of us pay to get milk and fruit at school. We are not allowed to bring chocolate, sweets and chips. We are a bit jealous of your warm lunches in American schools.

We are at school from half past eight to half past two three days a week. On Mondays and Fridays, we have shorter school days. We have English lessons twice a week.

We go to a place called Kruge on the coast. We will stay there in cabins for five days. We will go fishing in a boat and catch crabs. Maybe we will even see small sharks! We are very excited about it! We will also go hiking and learn about our Viking history.

Best regards, 6th grade, Fredheim skole"

During Syttende Mai weekend, sixth-graders were also visited by Torvild, from the Gjovik City Council. Torvild shared how approximately 8,000 immigrants from the Gjovik area came to Stoughton and other areas nearby from 1840- 1900. The students shared with Torvild information they learned from their Norwegian Pen Pals. River Bluff students also are to undertake a field trip to Livsreise and other Stoughton landmarks in June.