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Attention Parents

The Easton Area School District is currently reviewing the K-12 Guidance Program to identify the strengths of the guidance department and identify future guidance needs. The review will include a Parent Focus Group meeting on Monday June 8th at the 7/8 Middle School, a survey of graduates and interviews of the guidance counselors and school administrators. All parents will be receiving an invitation to participate in the June 8th Focus Group. Dr. John Campion is conducting the Guidance Survey.

Thank You, Mrs. Obama!

These Ada B. Cheston Elementary School Students received a letter from First Lady, Michelle Obama in response to the letters they wrote to Malia and Sasha. The students wrote and asked the girls questions about living in the White House and going to a new school. Mrs. Obama also included signed photographs seen in the picture of her and her husband, President Obama.

Darrian, Christopher, Jonathan, Nina, Jeremy,
Tyler, & Madeline.

EAHS Students Visit Dutch Springs Challenge Course

Last week the 9th grade Skills for Success students at the High School spent their field trip learning about overcoming obstacles.  They did this at the Dutch Springs Challenge course in Nazareth.  The group worked in teams to get over pits of corrosive acid, jump through an 8-foot wide rolling hoop of fire and throw an inner tube up onto a 10-foot telephone pole.   This was followed by a pizza lunch, after which they attacked a climbing wall to warm up for the 3-story ropes course.   I hasten to add that the acid pit and fire were imaginary as was the risk of serious bodily harm from the climbing wall or ropes course, but the goals of building courage to overcome challenge and adversity was just what happened as the coordinators of this 9th grade drop out prevention program anticipated.  The 29 students were accompanied by Mr. Mike Koch, the principal for this group, Ms. Grace Smith, counselor and coordinator of the program and Nan Sell-Parry, counselor.  Also helping were the two EAHS teachers who volunteered this year to supervise the structured study hall and tutoring program, Mr. Capone and Ms Cohen.  Also in attendance was Amber Zuber who is our liaison to the Lafayette College tutors who helped these students all year.

This program hopes to reduce our 9th grade retention rate and is a pilot program this year. 

                                                RAMBO visits EAHS

On the morning of April 24th Rambo entered the senior cafeteria after a dynamic introduction by his former teacher Mr. William Rider.

William K. Rambo of Rambo+ Associates, LLC and a Red Rover, Class of 1979 presented a “Professional Development Blitz Course” at the High School. Seniors who will be completing one of the seven Tech Prep Programs this June participated in this interactive, engaging, and educational seminar on soft skills. 

The students were warmly welcomed by Mr. Rambo’s handshake and started learning the “rules of engagement” from the moment they stepped into his seminar. Other highlights included how to dress professionally, building a powerful resume, learning the art of successful networking, how to craft a quality introduction statement and the quality follow through statement. Mr. Rambo packed all this into a seminar that kept our students on the edge of their seats. He had 106 students ready at a moments notice to shake hands and introduce themselves properly.

The EASD Local Advisory Committee would like to thank William K. Rambo for sharing his knowledge and spending time with our Tech Prep Students.

Submitted by Lenore Pitsilos, Vice Chairperson of EASD Local Advisory Committee on Career and Technical Education.

Overview of activities at Easton Area Academy

November 2008

As a part of the AFG citizenship goals of the Easton Area School district, the EAA students learned about the voting process and the rights/responsibilities of all Americans.

The High school students engaged in a  “Motivate the Vote” project.  EAA students researched the most important issues facing the candidates and had the choice to write an essay or make a video that would encourage people to get out and vote.  They created newsletters and power point presentations that illustrated what the learned about the issues.

The 5th and 6th grade students researched and reported on several topics relating to the election process. Wanting to educate voters, they turned their information into creative podcasts with the help of some older students. The 5th and 6th grade students used a podcast format and they created presentations sharing both candidates’ views on the issues. When they were done they were able to help younger middle school students with their podcasts. 

All of the middle school students participated in an Election Day Vote. Teachers prepared voting ballots using Study Wiz. Students were able to vote for the presidential candidates as well as Middle School candidates running for Student Council.

If you would like to see some of the videos and newsletters that the students created, please go to the EAA website and click the “Projects 08” tab.

January 2009

Without a traditional school library EAA utilizes the 1:1 laptop initiative to meet this need for the student population.  This form of technology is used across the curriculum, in Math and Literacy.  The use of this form of technology EAA students have access to the most current information. 

March 2009

The Easton Area Academy core behavior team has been participating in a series of meetings to work on revising and refining our PBIS program as a part of our AFG citizenship goals.  The team has developed an approach to positive behavior support that meshes with the alternative education setting.  The committee is currently working on a system and schedule for implementation during the 09-10 school year and looking forward to showing our Academy PRIDE!

April 2009

The 8th graders are creating an end of the year video that will include an original song and original poetry.  In the video they will highlight their experiences throughout school and their future plans.  Each student will receive a copy of the video at the end of the year to take with them

News from Team 7-4

The Basement Bulldogs

Ms. Dinsmore’s Honors Pre-Algebra classes are working on an in-class presentation project on data analysis.  The project on Chapter 5 is due by May 21st, no exceptions.  Math 7 classes are working on Simple Interest.  Essential Math 7 classes are working on percent of change.  Mr. Hinks’ Social Studies classes are learning about the Maya, Aztec and Inca and their respective roles in Latin American history. The end of the year project will be based on their civilizations.  Miss Parsons' students are attempting to solve some of the world's greatest mysteries!  Is Bigfoot real?  Do aliens exist?  What really goes on in the Bermuda Triangle?  Students will attempt to solve these mysteries by researching different theories surrounding the mysteries and writing research articles in which they'll report their findings.  These articles will be published in the class magazine titled Mysterious and Unexplained!  Mrs. Hurst’s Life Science students are studying the Plant Kingdom.  This week students observed moss and fern plants using the stereomicroscope microscope and dissected monocot and dicot seeds.  Ms. Meashock’s Reading classes are currently reading historical fiction selections and researching the time period through nonfiction sources.  Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge will be presenting in May. 

Our team recently had guest speakers.  Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge came to speak to our team about their experiences as soldiers during World War II.  They also shared details about life in the Lehigh Valley during this time period.