News from Team Big Red (8-5)

After weeks of preparing for the PSSAs we are now able to start focusing on the different aspects of Algebra. These concepts will help prepare students for high school mathematics. We will also sum up our entire year by completing a comprehensive math project that incorporates a little of everything that we have done thus far.

Students in Mr. Yeakel's class are doing a research project that deals with the elements of the periodic table. Each student picked an element and will be presenting information about that element in one of 4 different ways. Students are allowed to create a PowerPoint, an iMovie, a cereal box, or write a 2-3 page paper. Each student was asked to select the type of project they felt they could excel at. The projects will be due Friday April 18.

The students in Mr. Grossbauer's class are working on a Mosaic Design Project. The students seem to be excited about the creation of the Mosaic Design, as they will have choices on the colors used in their designs. The students will also have a write-up to explain what the colors represent about their empire. We have closed out the 3rd quarter and are beginning the 4th quarter with a Chapter 10 quiz on the Byzantine and Muslim Empires (Quiz on Monday, 4/14).

Students in Ms. White's English classes completed illustrated books of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream Speech." Each class was divided into groups and given a section of the speech. The students analyzed the imagery in the speech and created pictures for their sections. In addition, they worked with over 26 literary terms over the months of February and March as preparation for last week's long-awaited PSSAs.

Third Annual Paxinosa Brain Bowl

On March 26, 2008 Paxinosa third graders participated in the third annual Brain Bowl. After going through elimination rounds, the top teams in each classroom competed against each other. Mrs. Fisher, Ms. Reilly and Mrs. Howarth tested their knowledge of math and reading in preperation for the PSSA. It was a hard fought battle with Miss Rodriguez's class winning the event. They received awards and prizes. All the teams put forth a great effort!

Paxinosa Math 24 Trophy of the Week Winners

Mrs. Hudson's class has won the trophy for four of the last six weeks. Mrs. Grossbauer's and Miss Butz's class have won the trophy for one week. Students have been very excited about the competition and having the trophy in their classroom.

News from Family Connection

Through a generous grant from the Easton Area Education Association Community Impact Fund of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, Family Connection held a retreat for student staff from Cheston Elementary School’s CCLC afterschool program at Lafayette College on Saturday April 12th.  CCLC provides a training opportunity and job experience for high school and college students who are interested in pursuing teaching careers.  At the retreat, Family Connection’s student staff met several teachers, including Don Shinton from Cheston Elementary School, and learned about their real life experiences in college and in the classroom.  There were also several team building activities and self-reflection exercises.  The student staff remarked that they felt focused, energized, and inspired as a result of participating in this retreat. Thank you to the Easton Area Education Association for supporting the future teachers of our community!

CCLC student staff Marlee, Amber, Sandy, Joey, Mario, and Chelsea with CCLC program coordinator Jill Summerill-Fretz in front of Pardee Hall at Lafayette College.

On Thursday, April 3rd, the EAHS World Languages Department hosted its Fourth Annual International evening, featuring entertainment, as well as food, highlighting the cultures of all seven foreign languages taught at the high school The entertainment program began with a French song, "La Vie en Rose," sung by student, Mykalee McGowan. German students, led ably by retired German teacher, Herr Gumlock, demonstrated the Shuplatztanz so well, that many in the audience accepted an invitation to come on stage and join in. The Junior Classics League performed a skit about (mostly) tragic Roman love affairs, narrated by the poet, Ovid. Italian students then livened up the evening with a spirited tarantella. The Japanese Club presented a trilingual skit entitled, "Where's the Bathroom?" Finally Spanish students presented a medley of popular Latin American dances that brought the house down.

    After the entertainment, everyone adjourned to the cafeteria for a smorgasbord of foods from many countries. These were provided by world language students and their families. Our newest course, Russian, made its first appearance with borscht and other culinary offerings. Initially, lines were long, but everyone could have their fill by 8:00 when the event wound down. The EAHS custodians even volunteered to help clean up the leftovers, before tidying up the cafeteria.

A good time was had by all, and suggestions began flying as to what to do to make next year's International Evening even better. Thanks to everyone who helped make the event a success!

Fourth Annual International Night at EAHS

Mrs. Grossbauer's students touched their piece of brain coral for good luck.

The Winners!