June 5, 2009

AFG Successes at Tracy

This year at Edward Tracy Elementary, we have been busy with the Accreditation For Growth/ Strategic Plan process. Our faculty and staff have much to celebrate as a result of this process. On Wednesday, June 17, 2009 from 9:15-10:30, please join the staff, students, and families at Tracy Elementary for a special surprise celebrating our successes.

Students in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades at Forks are finishing a year of Wednesday Chess play and learning. Forks Chess Clubs meet during the regular lunch periods. Students bring their lunches down to the art room and play chess while they eat their lunch.

Students are taught the rules of the game in the early fall. One of the student’s grandfathers, Mr. Rader, comes in when he is available to help with advanced strategies. Some of the 4th graders serve as ASK ME helpers for the 2nd grade players. Our players play different people at their same general level each week and keep track of games played on a weekly chart. Several of the Forks students have played in the NCACC Saturday tournament and have received awards.

Cougars Research Using Technology

The children in Mr. Shinton’s 4th grade class at Cheston Elementary School recently worked on several research projects using the Keynote software. The projects were: write a biography of a person that they admire and; explore one of the top 25 cities in Pennsylvania. Mr. Kies provided the children with an overview of Keynote and helped the children identify websites that would help them find information for their reports.

Over 100 Forks Students Enjoy Wednesday Chess Club

Cheston’s 4th Grade Travels to Bushkill Falls

The 4th Grade Class at Cheston Elementary School traveled to Bushkill Falls on Wednesday, May 27, 2009. Along with the parent and teacher chaperones, the children explored the main trail of the nature walk and there was time to visit to the gift shop as well. The children really enjoyed We would like to thank the Cheston PTA for supporting this trip.

AFG at Cheston

This year Cheston’s AFG celebration will be held on June 16, 2009. The staff will share a special treat as they continue to work on the new documents for the upcoming school year. They will also share information about the accomplishments we have seen come to fruition through the AFG/Strategic Planning process.

News from Team 8-1: Ms. Gray, Mrs. Hayduscko, Mr. Childs, Mrs. Clements

Mrs. Clements’s science classes completed their egg drop competition. All 18 semi-finalists won a pizza party. First place prizes were awarded to Emily, Jerry and Alessandro, second place to Madison and Angelica, and third place to Chi, Sean, Jessica, Nathan, and Joseph. Congratulations to all! Science students are currently finishing the final unit on machines by creating their own inventions utilizing all six simple machines. Creative inventions include automatic dog feeders, a breakfast maker, and a cookie-making robot.

Mrs. Gray’s English classes have just finished reading Animal Farm and enjoyed making connections between the book and the Russian Revolution.

Mrs. Hayduscko’s math classes are reviewing for the final exam through interactive activities on the computer as well as on paper.

Mr. Childs’s history classes have completed the essay portion of the final exam and are reviewing for the remainder of it.

AFG at EAMS 7/8

On Monday June 1, the staff at EAMS 7/8 celebrated the accomplishments of the 2008-2009 AFG program. Cake and punch was served. The staff was thanked for their participation in the AFG process. It was discussed how this process is an avenue for faculty members to make recommendations for improvement in the school community as well as comment on the achievements of the program. Though not all recommendations suggested by staff members will be put into action, conversation ensued about the positive dialogue created between staff and building/central administrative staff in order to promote positive changes in the EAMS 7/8 building and as a district as a whole.

News from Team 8-2 (Team OMEGA

It is almost time to review for finals. Students are completing review projects in History and Science and are finalizing their research papers in English and finishing the last few lessons in Math. It has been a great year. Good luck at the High School next year Team Omega!

GO TEAM!