J.M. McKenney Middle School       Art Quackenbush, Principal

                               

CCSD District Newsletter            April-June  2008

Quilting as a Community Service Project. Mrs. Ormsby’s 5th grade Home & Career Skills classes made three quilts so far this year that have been on display outside the main office in the middle school. The three quilts on display were made by Mrs. Jones’ and Mrs. Hoose’s classroomsduring 1^st semester.  Mrs. Snyder’s and Mr. Stromgren’s classrooms are working on quilts this semester and hope to have them completed in May.   Some of the finished quilts will be donated to the Binky Patrol and the others will be raffled off at the Spring Middle School Concert on May 7th. Tickets will be on sale in the lobby that evening.  The money raised from the raffle will be donated to organizations chosen by the students.  A special thank you to Sue Sherridan and Sue Loope for volunteering their time and helping hands. We couldn’t have done it without them!

Science in Action. Middle School students are exploring science and math through hands on projects through a partnership grant with Clarkson University.  Young scholars are using math and science skills to build mock roller coasters and program virtual roller coaster rides while developing confidence in their abilities, goals and selves. After designing a roller coaster and riding it on the Virtual Roller Coaster at Clarkson in December, five of our Middle School students carried the concept further to investigate the effect of mass (more people) on the velocity and acceleration of a roller coaster.  Their results were compiled into the poster you see here and will be an entry in a local poster  competition held next month.

Mt. McKenney Project.  This spring our Middle School students will once again attempt to climb to the top of Mt. McKenney.  Now in its fourth year, the Mt. McKenney Project Initiative promotes exercise and reading for a climb up a virtual mountain of 10,000 ft.  Students earn climbing credit through exercise, reading and good behavior.  The entire Middle School is eligible to participate and the program encourages parent participation for extra rewards.  This  incentive based program awards prizes for every 1,000 meters that the student achieves, with bonus prizes for those reaching the summit of 10,000 meters.  Many prizes have been donated from local businesses. The success of the program is due in part to many cooperative efforts from parents, teachers and the Pro-Social Committee.  The Mt. McKenney program has inspired many to choose healthy behaviors and hopefully continue those habits throughout the summer.  The program begins on April 14th and ends May 29th.  Good luck climbers on your healthy hike!

Americana Poster Contest Winners. Some 5th grade students entered a poster contest sponsored by the VFW Post 1231 Ladies Auxiliary.  The theme for the contest was American symbols.  We had three winners from Mrs. Jones’ 5th grade homeroom:  1st place—Corey Lamb, 2nd place—Cassandra Beecher, and 3rd place—Wesley Bortnick.

5th Grade Musical.  Mrs. Snyder’s and Mrs. Jones’ fifth grade social studies classes each performed the musical, The Incredible Westward Movement, in February under the direction of Mrs. Robin McNamara.  Westward Expansion of the United States was an exciting unit for the students to study.  This play highlighted some of the major events and people during our nation’s growth and movement in the 1800s.