Friday, February 24, 2012

Announcements 2-27 to 3-7-12

Vermont Writes Day


Here are some Seven Minute Writes from 7th and 8th graders. 


I just found out that I had a homework assignment due in an hour. I need to come up with a wild excuse.
I think I will start off with telling my teacher that my family and I went camping. Why my family and I were out camping in 30 degree weather is because I was cooking with an Easy Bake Oven and I burned my house down.
My house burned down and we had no where else to live so we had to go out camping in the forest. While my family and I were camping, I was getting ready to do my homework when a bear appeared, scared us away and ended up eating everything including my homework.
P.S. My family wouldn't allow me around anything that would catch on fire. Which of course includes paper. Thus my homework.
Sorry!
By Sierra, Grade 7


I was walking down the hallway and I forgot my homework paper, so I went to the teacher and she asked me what my excuse was. I told her the truth. I said, "An asteroid hit my house. No one was home at the time and that is why no one got hurt. Where the asteroid hit was where my backpack was and my homework was in my bag." Then the teacher said, "That is not true." So that's when I pulled a rock out of my bag with a hole in it. I said, "This is a piece of the asteroid." The teacher believed me, and said that I was ok, and that I did not have to do it and went on with the class.
By Isaac, Grade 8


News from The Incredibles





The Incredibles had a science fair on Friday for their Culminating Event. Incredibles students studied the scientific method and had experiments to share with family, friends and classmates. Mr. Clark's class filmed their experiments and put them all into an online presentation called a Prezi. 


Renaissance Science Fair






Renaissance hosted a Science Fair Thursday February 23rd, as our performance assessment for our Culminating Event.  Renaissance students presented their inquiry based science experiments and results to family and friends.  Students explained and demonstrated their hypotheses, procedures, and conclusion about their experiments.  Students from the Travelers Community had this to say about the Renaissance projects:  "Cool!" "I learned a lot of new things from being able to use the stuff from the experiments."  "Our buddies taught us lots of new science stuff."  Well done Renaissance - we all learned a great deal from you sharing your interesting and educational projects!

RIF


A Reading Is Fundamental (RIF)  free book giveaway was held for the students of City School yesterday.  All students in Kindergarten-8th grade were allowed to pick a book of their choice. The book is theirs to keep.  Students will have one more book giveaway before the end of the year for a total of three free books this year.   


Winter Recess


We are back to school on Wednesday March 7th. Have a safe and happy break!


PTO
Meeting at 3:30 on 3/7


Odyssey of the Mind


Primary Team meeting at 6:00pm in Mr. Galle's room on 3/7


Brainstorm Adventure Brain Fit Tip of the Day


Physical education and recess can trigger sharper learning skills.


Use your brain for Dexterity:


Tongue Twister: How many yaks could a yak pack pack if a yak pack could pack yaks?


Hot Lunch Entree for Wednesday March 7th



Creamy Chicken Alfredo 
Chicken, Broccoli, Cheese & Whole Grain Rotini 
Steamed Peas 
Fruit Filled Muffin Square 
Fresh Fruit 
Farm Fresh Milk

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Announcements 2-24-12

Vermont Writes Day


The prompt given to students in grades 4-8 was: You've just remembered that a homework assignment is due in an hour. Craft the wildest excuse ever that someone would believe.


Sorry but I was walking home from school and I got home and my mom had bought a swimming pool! My dog jumped in the swimming pool and my backpack was opened and my dog was dripping and got into my backpack and got my homework all wet and then I knew that I was going to do it at recess and get an F-.
By Isaac, Grade 4


Omg. I have to get home and do my homework. If I don't I can't go skiing. I'm running home and when I get there it's not in my bag so I ripped apart my room but it wasn't there. After I went through the house looking for it, I decided to come up with an excuse. How about you didn't give me one or I wasn't here. Oh I have a big one - how about I was running home to do it and I have a big hole in my bag and it fell out and I'm so sorry. Do you want me to do it tonight? So when I got to school my teacher was already checking homework. I went up to her with a pouty face and said what I had to say.
By Morgan, Grade 5


I was walking to school and this car pulled up and the puddle of water splashed all over me. It didn't get on my homework so then I started waling again and this dog came up and started tugging on my shirt and the paper fell out of my hand and into the sewer on the street. I went down there even though it was gross and there was someone down there and he had my paper and ripped it into pieces, then I screamed and got out of there.
By Kieshia, Grade 6


I just don't like doing my homework. I had a flat tire. No. My snake was having babies. No. I saw a bird's head up a cow's nose. No. Just tell me the truth. I lost it.
By Lincoln, Grade 4


My dog ate my homework. I know, I know, that's what everyone says, but it's true. You see, he was really hungry because my mom won't go out and buy my dog more food because of the creepy clown next to Petco! I would go myself but I have no possible way of getting there. I could walk or bike but by the time I got home with the dog food, my poor pet would have starved. My mom has a crazy fear of clowns for some reason, but no matter how hard I try to cure her of it, I always fail.
I did not have enough time last night to write the report over. Please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please let me just turn it in tomorrow so it counts. I might even bring in a chocolate platter for you too.
By Abigail, Grade 6


This morning we were driving to school. Then a car went right in front of us, then we crashed. My backpack went out the window and then I got out of the car and caught it. I opened it and the wind blew and all over town. Then my homework flew in a wood cutter and it got shredded and that is how I lost my homework!
By Josh, Grade 4


"Where is your project?" screamed my teacher as I walked into the classroom empty handed. "Well do you really want to hear the whole story?" I asked. "Oh, this should be good" muttered my teacher under her breath. "Go ahead." "Well, I was at my house, sitting on my bed and then all of a sudden I looked at my project and I had to pit on a few more details So I walked over to it when I heard the phone ring. So I walked downstairs to get the phone and it was my friend. She said that she had two tickets to Lady GaGa and well, who could turn down GaGa. So I said I would meet her at her house. So then I hung up the phone and walked over to her house thinking that I would get home in time to finish my project. When I got to her house, her mom drove us to the concert and dropped us off. We found our seats and they were in the first row! When the concert started, and GaGa was on stage she was throwing out free backstage passes so we got one! When the concert ended we went backstage and we met Lady GaGa! She loved me, I mean us, so much, that she invited us to the after party. So we went to the after party and it was AWESOME! Then I got home and my mom said I had to go to bed, so I did, thinking that I would have time in the morning, but I didn't, and now here I am!
By Maggie, Grade 5


One day I was walking home from school with my homework in my backpack and I'm walking alone and all of a sudden I hear the train come out of nowhere. It got closer and closer and it got to be so close that I could almost touch it and then of course it had to stop right in front of me. So I waited and I waited for one whole hour, then I got bored. I walked in front of the train to see what the holdup was and the guy said that there are technical difficulties. I said ok. So I go back and then I hear a whistle and the the train explodes and I am running away as fast as possible. I look back and my back got so hot so I took off my backpack and it was on fire and it went up in flames. I smiled and said "bye, bye homework."
By Jordan, Grade 6


Culminating Event Schedule for Friday 2/24


8:00 am Discovery Culminating Event
 10:00 to 11:00 & 1:30 to 2:30 Dynamic Design Culminating Event
7:45am
 Incredibles Culminating Event
8:30am
 Renaissance Culminating Event Continued
10:00am
 Investigators Culminating Event
10:30am
 Explorers Culminating Event
12:00pm
 Travelers Culminating Event
12:30pm
 Voyagers Culminating Event


Winter Recess


Friday February 24th is our last school day until Wednesday March 7th. 


Spirit Week





Some communities had their annual "Spirit Week" this week. The Incredibles wanted students to dress like their teachers and teachers to dress like their students. The community certainly went all out and had a lot of fun!


Doodle for Google


On Thursday, some artistic SACS students spent the day in the art room with Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Haberman. They were busy drawing their submissions for the "Doodle 4 Google" contest. The contest, put out by Google to students all across the United States, is to design a logo for the Google homepage using the theme If I could travel in time, I'd visit...


News from Bright Beginnings






Kindergarten celebrated their 100th day of school on Feb 22. The children made necklaces with 100 fruit loops, counted collections of 100, made 100 day GORP and a giant cookie with 100 m&ms and 100 chocolate chips.


Brainstorm Adventure Brain Fit Tip of the Day



Physical exercise such as running, jumping and aerobic game playing can help with
concentration, planning and decision making.


Use your brain for a Mental Exercise: 
Look around wherever you are, and within two minutes, try to find five red objects that will fit in your pocket, and five blue objects that are too big to fit.


yesterdays answer: A chess games, knight takes pawn.


Hot Lunch Entree for Friday February 24th



Hearty Hot Turkey Sandwich w/Gravy 
Chef’s Mashed Potato 
Side Caesar Salad 
Fresh Fruit 
Farm Fresh Milk






Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Announcements 2-23-12

Vermont Writes Day


Younger students were given a picture as their prompt. Here are some Seven Minute Writes from students in first, second and third grade.



                                                   By Kaylee Grade 1


The two space men were hearing a noise in a trash can they were wondering what was making that noise in the trash can and then somebody jumped up out of the trash can. He said you are on earth you should be on space right now. Because you are space men you do not have bodies like I do. I am a scary monster. The monster went back in the trash can it jumped up again and he heard the space men say he is a weird monster and then the monster ran away crying.




                                                    By Liam Grade 1


Once there was a man named Joe and one time someone knocked at his door and the person looked like a cave man and he had bones.                  




                                                    By Jaden Grade 3


Last night was so strange. I will tell you about it: Last night I was playing Just Dance 3 and my mom said go brush your teeth and say good night. So I did. Then I went to bed. I woke up at 12:00 at night and I saw a glowing light. I looked out the window and you'll never guess what I saw. I saw a alien ship. 





                                                    By Paul, Grade 2


The aliens are going to help the world by taking out the garbage so that the trash man won't have to. The aliens will take the trash to their home planet of Neptune. 


Culminating Event


Renaissance has their Science Fair tonight (2/23) at 5:00pm. 



Open Doors Announcement


Please remember to bring back the Open Doors registration forms before the break
Please indicate a first, second and third choice for each day you are interested as some classes
are full.

The new knitting class is now open to 4th graders!

Open Doors is still taking registration for the Money Smart workshop being offered on Monday, March 12th at City School from 5:30-7:30.  Dinner and childcare are provided! 


News from Team Imagination





Team Imagination had their Culminating Event this week on weather, and after their events, Mrs. Konrad's and Mrs. VanGuilder's classes were able to take an exciting trip! They went to WCAX News in South Burlington to get a tour of the station, led by WCAX's Chief Meteorologist Sharon Meyer and were able to sit and watch the live broadcast of the 12:00 news and weather report. After the news broadcast, they had a chance to ask another WCAX Meteorologist, Gary Sadowsky, some questions. They were even able to take turns in front of the green screen! It was a very exciting trip for the second and third graders, after studying the weather for their theme, they were able to see how the weather is tracked by computer and radar and talk to the weatherman about how he makes his predictions. 


Kindergarten Share Time!





Brainstorm Adventure Brain Fit Tip of the Day


Walk 10,000 steps a day.


Use your Brain for Logic:


A horse jumps over a tower and lands on a man who promptly disappears. What has happened? (answer tomorrow)


Hot Lunch Entree for Thursday February 23rd


Nachos Supreme 

Seasoned Taco Meat,  Nacho Cheese Sauce, Lettuce, Salsa & Corn Tortilla Chips 
Rice w/Black Beans & Corn 
Broccoli/Carrot Salad
Low-Fat Dessert 
Fresh Fruit 
Farm Fresh Milk

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Announcements 2-22-12

Vermont Writes Day


On February 7th, the birthday of Charles Dickens, Laura Ingalls Wilder and Sinclair Lewis, over seventy schools, including SACS, participated in Vermont Writes Day. Students were given a prompt and asked to write for seven minutes about it. We would like to share some of these pieces with you in the Daily Announcements.


By Quinn, Kindergarten

By Lucas, Kindergarten






 Culminating Event/Field Trip


The third graders from Team Imagination are having their culminating event today (2/22) on weather on Wednesday and then traveling to WCAX to watch a live weather report. 


Raider Athletics Awards Night


The award night takes place in the cafeteria at 6:00pm for Basketball players and Cheerleaders in grades 5-8.


Team USA's Culminating Event 



Team USA is extremely proud of our students day to day work ethic and classroom demeanor. It has been termed "controlled chaos" as our students seek their own answers to various problems using teachers as facilitators rather than purveyors of information. For our culminating event, we invite parents to stop in to our class this week, anytime, no pre announcement required, and experience a day in the life of a Team USA student. We will not put on a special show, we will simply show you what we look like everyday. (No make-up!)
     On Wednesday AM we are hosting a guest speaker with a Documentary crew. You are invited to that as well!
Stop in anytime: Parents/Guardians of current Team USA members,  potential future members, or anyone interested in how an innovative, successful team operates.
The students will have Math and LA in the mornings until 11:15, after that we have 21st Century time. Come and be a part of it!
Team USA



Team Triumph's Culminating Event


Triumph students researched a state in United States and created an informational online poster called a glog. They also wrote a persuasive piece persuading you to visit their state. Here is a link to one of the "glogs"  http://www.glogster.com/jdy2018/wyomez/g-6lo9h8bjh8looqtindvina0


Taste Test in the Cafe



Students got a chance to taste "Chicken Jambalaya" today in the cafe for Mardi Gras! Most students who elected to try it, really enjoyed it! 


Odyssey of the Mind


Primary Team meeting at 6:00pm (2/22) in the art room.


Brainstorm Adventure Brain Fit tip of the Day



Swimming, dancing, gardening, knitting, frequent use of the non-dominant hand and leg can
increase brain function


Use your brain for a Mental Exercise:


Think of a theme such as travel or movies. Now think of a theme-related word that begins with each letter of the alphabet. (e.g. A-airplane; B-boat; C-car).



Hot Lunch Entree for Wednesday February 22nd



Homemade Cheesy Breadsticks 
Marinara Dipping Sauce 
Hearty Chicken & Vegetable Noodle Soup 
Fresh Fruit 
Farm Fresh Milk

Monday, February 20, 2012

Announcements 2-21-12

WordMasters Round II








WordMasters had their second competition on Monday, with students from third through seventh grade taking the test. After the competition, they received certificates in the library and had a chance to share their favorite word from their list. Congratulations, WordMasters!


VCCA Cheer Competition


The 7/8 JR High Cheerleaders took 3rd in Large Middle School division at the VCCA Cheer Competition in Windsor VT.
Team Travelers teacher Stacie Rouleau who is also the BFA Varsity Cheerleading Coach won Northern Vermont Cheer Coach of the Year.

Engineering Day








Seventeen schools participated in UVM's annual Engineering Day last week, including 36 students from SACS who participated in four different events. The SACS teams brought home many awards! Here are the results:


Breannah and Bryan from Incredibles won Most Marketable in the Smart Phone Competition.  They designed their phone on Sketch-up and then had a catchy live commercial that sold it to the judges.  Amazingly, neither student had used sketch-up before this competition.

Austin and Jacob from Renaissance won Most Functional Design in the Smart Phone Competition.  

Derek from Renaissance won Most Creative in the Smart Phone Competition.

Cordelia, Veronica, and Peter won first place in Most Aesthetically Pleasing (yummiest) Category of the Edible Car Competition

Megan, Jessie, Nickayla and Alexis from Renaissance won 3rd place in the Most Creative Category of the Edible Car Competition

Ian, Derek, Jonny, and Jason from Triumph won two awards in the Playful Invention:  Most Creative Game and First Place overall.  They received first place out of eighteen teams of middle and high schoolers.  
In the students words:  This game combines a card game with collectible figures.  Your goal is destroy all your enemies while avoiding attacks by your opponents. You need to come up with a creative plan to come out on top.



Way to go SACS!


Culminating Event


2nd Grade Imagination students have their 10:00am weather video presentation followed by field trip to WCAX channel 3 TV station.



News from Dynamic Design

On Tuesday, February 14th, Dynamic Design Learning Community traveled to our state capital, Montpelier.  While there, our students attended the opening session of the House of Representatives where we were introduced, took a tour of the State House, and participated in a mock trial at the VT Supreme Court.

From St. Albans City Respresentative Dustin A. Degree's February 17th Legislative Update:

"Rep. Keenan and I were happy to welcome the Dynamic Design 7th and 8th grade learning community from City School to the House on Valentines Day. It’s always a pleasure having visitors from home in the State House to observe what we do on your behalf. Many of our colleagues commented on how well behaved and attentive our students were during their time here and while that makes me very proud, it does not surprise me."




Drama Club
3:15-5:15


Brainstorm Adventure Brain Fit Tip of the Day


Exercise has positive effects on mood and feelings of well-being.


Use your brain for Dexterity:


Tongue Twister: Gobbling gargoyles gobbled gobbling goblins.


Hot Lunch Entree for Tuesday February 21st



Rotini Pasta Bake 
Meat, Tomato Sauce & Pasta
Seasoned Green Beans 
Wheat Dinner Roll 
Mardi Gras Sugar Cookies
Fresh Fruit 
Farm Fresh Milk



Friday, February 17, 2012

Announcements 2-20-12

Spotlight on The Cafe




Good things are always happening in The SACS Cafe! You never know if you are walking into a dance off, a hula-hoop contest, line-dancing, a talent show, or live entertainment. Also, since last March, we have been composting all of the food waste from our school through The Highfields Center for Composting's Close the Loop St. Albans Project. Here is a quote from Tyler Buswell, Outreach Coordinator for Highfields. 'To date St. Albans City School has been responsible for composting over 30,000 lbs of food waste since last March with its own individual impact of reducing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to not burning over 1500 gallons of gasoline.' 
We are so proud of our SACS students who continue to drive this very successful program. 

WordMasters Challenge

The second WordMasters Challenge meet will be held on Monday, February 20th.  Students and parents are invited to meet in our library at 9:15 a.m. for the presentation of certificates and a light snack. Good luck WordMasters!


Drama Club


3:15 - 5:15 pm Monday February 20th


It's Culminating Event Week 2/20-2/24


Culminating Events for Monday 2/20


Bright Beginnings - Drop in all week
Team USA - Drop in all week


Brainstorm Adventure Brain Fit Tip of the Day


30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise can help with stress management.


Use your Brain for Creativity:
What if... we never had to sleep?


WordMasters Word of the Day
sidle - 1. to move sideways or obliquely 2. to edge along furtively


Hot Lunch Entree for Monday February 20th


Oven Baked Chicken Nuggets w/Dipping Sauce

Seasoned Sweet Potato Wedges 
Oatmeal Muffin Squares 
Fresh Fruit 
Farm Fresh Milk 





Thursday, February 16, 2012

Announcements 2-17-12

Spotlight on The Learning Commons




Besides enjoying our renovated space, many things are going on in the Sidney and Lucy Dewey Learning Commons.
 We have been using our Polycom  ( an interactive distance learning device similar to Skype) for virtual field  trips. So far classes have “visited” the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, done science experiments with a teacher in Ohio, explored the skeletal system with a doctor from St. Louis University School of Medicine, learned how to do perspective drawings of a lighthouse located on Lake Erie, and visited the castles on the Loire river in France. In March we’ll be presenting one that parents can attend – stay tuned!


Reminder

No School for students Friday February 17th.

Grade 3 and 4 Dance Presentation



The third and fourth graders danced in front of a packed gym on Wednesday. First they performed for the other students in the school, and then for their parents and families in the afternoon. Thank you to everyone who came out to enjoy the show!

Brainstorm Adventure Brain Fit Tip of the Day

Dementia and poor cognition have been linked to a decrease in blood flow to the brain. Exercise brings more oxygen to the brain!

Use your Brain for a Mental Exercise:
Name two objects for every letter in your name. Work up to five objects, trying to use different items each time.

WordMasters Word of the Day
from the 3rd grade list:
rickety - likely to break or fall apart