Student Representative’s Report to the School Committee – March 9, 2016

The students had a fabulous time last week celebrating Read Across America Week.  The week included an exploration of Dr. Suess stories, guest readers including Dr. Canfield, members of the School Committee, parents, school volunteers, officers from the Sandwich Police Department, military personnel, PTA officers, SHS PTSA members, two local authors, the Forestdale office staff and Pam Gardner from the WBZ meteorology department.   Click here to see our kindergarten students waving to the camera!

The week ended with a celebration on Friday where all students gathered in the multipurpose room for songs, a picture slide show and talks from Dr. Canfield, Mrs. Crossman and others about the joy of reading and a celebration of all things books!

In First Grade this month, each grade one classroom read the book, The Colors of Us, by Karen Katz.  The book celebrates differences and similarities that connect all people.  The story is about a seven year old girl named Lena who wants to paint a picture of herself. As she talks to her artist mother about drawing her portrait, she tells her she will paint herself brown. Her mom explains that there are many shades of brown.  Together they take a walk through the neighborhood, and her mother shows her the various shades of brown by looking at all the people they know. She compares them to the colors of food such as; coconut, honey, coffee, ginger, and cinnamon. The book talks about the colors of skin in a positive way and shares how we are all beautiful because we are different.  This shared read is part of series of projects the first grade teachers have organized to help build community across the entire grade. Click here to  can see a picture and read the article in Sandwich Learns Together.

This week began the process of welcoming a new set of families into the Forestdale School.  Kindergarten Information Night last night was well attended and is part of a series of events over the next 6 months that will help students and families as they begin the transition into our school.

Oak Ridge would like to start of by thanking all of the community members that came in to share their love of reading with our students as we celebrated Read Across America Week.  We had a wonderful week with special Suess themed lessons, Suess Spirit Day, guest readers and a door decorating contest.  It was a great opportunity to showcase our creativity, collaboration and community.

We’ve also had great opportunities brought in for the students. First, we had the privilege of hosting the traveling exhibit of the Harlem Renaissance Project through a grant written by art/music teacher, Peter Mann.  In addition, this week we are enjoying the Geography Show courtesy of the PTA, learning about our place in the global community.

Speaking of our place in the global community, Oak Ridge will be taking part in Google Expeditions.  Thanks to Science Curriculum Coordinator, Paula Chambers for creating this partnership with Google to try out 3D Virtual Reality technology to take students on Virtual Field trips around the globe. Click here to read more about this amazing opportunity.

Several students in the STEM Academy will be presenting their art, science, and engineering projects at the annual Science on the Street conference at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History on March 19. This well-attended event will have displays from many nonprofit and environmental organizations in the region. Click here to learn more about Science on the Street.

STEM Academy students are now involved with a Head Start program to protect the threatened spade foot toad. They are working with representatives from the Audubon Society and will collect samples from the vernal pools at Sandy Beach to be raised and monitored in their classrooms. The mature animals will then be released this spring.

The STEM Academy is sponsoring this year’s regional MATE ROV competition on May 7.We have scheduled a scrimmage on March 26 for teams participating in this year’s competition.

The next parents’ sponsored Dessert and Discussion program is scheduled the evening of March 30. The topic will be “Celebrating Art in STEM” and will feature student art work and presentations from Ms. Mills and Mrs. Ganju.

Several parents met with Mr. Newton this week to begin organizing this year’s STEMabration for all 6th graders. A date will be selected later and the event will take place at the STEM Academy.

The Exploration and Discovery Day which will provide students with hands-on workshops in various careers is scheduled for April 6. Over 45 workshops are already scheduled. Each student will select four workshops to attend.

Time to turn the clocks ahead to spring and go outside and play as athletes take the field for try outs in 2 short weeks.

Plans are underway for our March 31 “We are 2020” celebration  when student leaders will welcome the Class of 2020 to SHS and provide them with an overview. of the opportunities in athletics, academics, and performing and visual arts.

Mrs. Lucas and faculty members enjoyed a great turn out for AP information night last night as  interested students and parents met with teachers of AP courses and upperclassmen currently enrolled in AP courses. Feedback was very positive and parents really appreciated having the access to students  for their feedback and  suggestions

Scheduling appointments begin April 1 and students are excited about making their plans! The link to Academic Opportunities is here: https://sites.google.com/a/sandwich.k12.ma.us/pos1617/

Students participating in the Sports seminar report loving the experience and have learned so much about  the world of professional sports.

Now, it is countdown to opening night for Into the Woods and the beginning of a busy spring season.