Student Report to the School Committee February 2, 2017
FORESTDALE
It has been a busy month at Forestdale. December ended with a series of community service opportunities. On Thursday, December 8th we had an assembly in the school where students from SHS came and helped lead us in some holiday song and load the presents into Sandwich Fire Department and Police Department vehicles, which then did a few laps around the bus loop with their lights and sirens, egged on by cheering students. This week also concluded our annual Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser in support of the American Heart Association. The collection concluded on Tuesday this week with the Jump-a-thon in the gymnasium. Many of our students whose families celebrate Christmas participated in a letter writing campaign this year. The students wrote letters to a very special man in a red suit and for each letter written, Macy’s donated money to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This campaign was spearheaded by one of our very own grade two students who has been the beneficiary of the Make-A-Wish foundation.
In addition to the community service work, our students have been treated to three PTA sponsored events since the last report. The “sky dome” was at Forestdale for two days and each class was able to learn about the Solar System through this portable planetarium. Students also were treated to songs and stories from Bill Harley. And today, student were treated to a presentation by Brett Daniels who showed students how technology can be used to create music and used the students own voices to create a song as part of the assembly. The kids loved these events!!
We have our next Town Hall meeting coming up on Tuesday, February 14th. Town Hall meetings are our whole school assemblies where we share important messages, greet each other, and sing our school song. We will be live streaming this event on our school Facebook page starting at 9:15.
OAK RIDGE
January was an exciting month at Oak Ridge. Students performed on the “big stage” at SHS during Winter Concerts for both Band and Chorus. Both events filled the auditorium.
Students at Oak Ridge took part in the Kindness Challenge. The Kindness Challenge week kicked off with Neighborhood Assemblies and focused on completing as many kind acts as they could. Students also collected Coins for Pakistan and participated in door decorating and spirit themed days. The culminating event was the Kindness Tunnel. Thank you to all of the members of the Police, Fire, Town and School Department that participated as well as members of the Coast Guard and our own Blue Knight Athletes who cheered the kids on. It was a great event!
Thank you to our PTA for their support in bringing in Ooch, the Wet Fest and the upcoming 3 Screens Production.
We are looking forward to a wonderful month ahead.
STEM
The Maker Space program for grades 5-8 was a big success. It was well attended and the students participated in many STEM activities that evening.
The STEM Parents Group is sponsoring the Winter Wonderland Snack Shack on February 15 right after school. There will be many fun activities and games and give the STEM students a chance to socialize with their friends in a safe setting.
The STEM Student Council has launched the 2017 Door Decorating Contest from February 1-15. The theme is Tropical and Hopes for Spring. 7th grade students will judge the 8th grade doors and 8th graders will judge the 7th grade doors.
The next STEM dance is scheduled for February 10 from 6:30-9:00. The theme is Neon.
On February 8 STEM science and engineering students will have their projects on display in the library for a school wide Expo.
Congratulations to the STEM Robotics Club that won the Judges Trophy at a recent tournament held at the Bristol Community College. Over 24 high school and middle schools competed.
This year’s Exploration and Discovery Day will take place on March 10. At this time there are around 40 workshops in science, business, art, humanities, and health for students to choose. Each student will select four hands-on workshops to attend and learn about various skills needed in today’s workplace.
SHS
Spring semester finds SHS in a great place. Winter sports teams are doing well. Our winter pep rally is on Friday as we celebrate all winter athletes while showing support for our girls and boys ice hockey teams as they head into Canal Cup this Saturday. Students started their spring semester schedules this past Monday and seems like everyone is excited about new beginnings and hew courses. KTC is up and running with rehearsals and set construction tor our spring musical, Grease! Get your poodle skirts, letter sweaters and saddle shoes ready fo the March 11 show to get he spirit of the 50’’s going in and around SHS. Letters of acceptances are flowing in for the Class of 2017 with many students reporting multiple acceptances including many first choices. Life is good at the castle!
