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

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

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."

Full text of his update can be found here:   http://degree4stalbanscity.blogspot.com/2012/02/legislative-update-21712.html 

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

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 

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

Announcements 2-16-12

Spotlight on SACS Band and Strings

The SACS Jazz Band

Mr. Mehaffey and the SACS Beginning Band

It has been a busy time for SACS musicians. This Winter, there has been a Junior Band concert, a Beginning Band Concert, a Strings Concert and, last week, a Jazz band concert. Before the concert, the Jazz band spent the better part of their day with Mr. Mehaffey for an intense rehearsal. Things are not slowing down for band either, with The District Music Festival happening next month and The Greater St. Albans Middle School Band Trip to New York City in June!
For band information, schedules, pictures, and concert and solo audio and video please visit the band page at
https://sites.google.com/a/fcsuvt.org/st-albans-city-school-band-and-strings/


Estimators Cup Winners

The Incredibles 5th grade with the Estimators Cup

The Winner of the Valentine Estimators Cup is Mrs. Aliquo's 5th grade math class! They guessed that there were 1144 candy hearts in the vase.. and the actual number was 1151. Congratulations Estimators!


Culminating Event


Imagination 1st Grade is having their Culminating Event on Weather at 11:00 with lunch following.


MathCounts Competition

The competition went well.  We had 4 students compete as a team and as individuals and 2 additional students compete in just the individual rounds.  The students worked hard and improved their scores from the school competition. They had fun trying to figure out the challenging questions in the countdown round where students had 45 seconds or less to solve the problem.

Here is an example of a countdown round problem:

What is the reciprocal of the sum of the reciprocals of 4 and 5?  Express your answer as a common fraction.

Answer: 20/9

Engineering Day


30 students will be going to Engineering Day at the Vermont Air National Guard 8:00am. 


WordMasters Word of the Day


from the 3rd grade list
sorrowful - filled with grief or sadness


Brainstorm Adventure Brain Fit Tip of the Day



When you are feeling hungry try having a glass of water, wait a bit to see if you were really
hungry or just thirsty.


Use your brain for Dexterity: 
Which way do you fold your arms? Fold them the opposite way. Weird, no? Find other routines you do that could be re-examined. 



Hot Lunch Entree for Thursday February 16th



Cheesy Quesadilla or Chicken & Cheese Quesadilla on Soft Flour Tortilla w/Salsa 
Brown Rice Pilaf 
Brilliant Peas 
Beetnick Cake 
Fresh Fruit 
Farm Fresh Milk

Announcements 2-15-12

Spotlight on Family and Consumer Science

A lot of fun things are happening in Mrs. Lamb’s Family and Consumer Science Class new rotations that began January 20th.  All of her students in grades 4-8 have teamed up with Mrs. Gunter and Mrs. Trainer to join Fuel Up To Play 60. Each week the 4th and 6th grade students from Team Triumph begin their class time tracking their food intake and activity for the days they can recall. All classes have been learning about the advantages of making healthy food choices and physical activity. Mrs.Lamb, Mrs. Gunter and Mrs. Trainer believe that the combination of the knowledge and skills they learn in FACS and applying it in Fuel Up to Play 60 activities will help students develop healthy habits that will benefit them throughout their lives. The students can also track every day at home so ask them to show you how to Fuel Up to Play 60! Seventh and Eight graders are currently studying a unit on Kitchen and Food Safety. Friday we did a Food Science Lab that included showing the growth of bacteria on our food left at room temperature, and the effects of proper hand washing. After observing three different methods of hand-washing by the students we discussed what method was the most effective, what difference soap made, what difference water temperature makes, how hand-washing affects your family's health, and what infectious disease or food borne illness could be spread by the failure of people not washing their hands properly. This is a great time of year to help remind them how important it is to help prevent spread of germs!


News Team USA

Monday Team USA was the host to Officer Wetherby of the St. Albans Police Department and his canine, Wyatt. Officer Wetherby spoke to the Team regarding a career as a Officer and discussed safe practices in the community. Wyatt made friends with the Team and acted like a teenaged dog.

  Tuesday night, Team USA will be hosting a debate open to the St. Albans community. The four gentlemen who are running for 2 open council seats will be discussing their views on the issues. The students of Team USA will be moderating and asking the questions.

  Team USA wouyld like to thank Ms. Gunter for the wonderful job she is doing for the school in posting these daily announcements.

News from The Explorers

The Explorers hosted the K-3 pep rally on the 13th of February.  The mood was set with the song “All You Need is Love” by the Beatles and peace and love were spread by recognizing the country, SAC 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders, February birthdays, and all of those who dedicate time and energy to supporting the Explorer team.  The highlight of the rally was a dramatization of the story “One” by some of the Explorer students as Mrs. Nelson read the book.  Way to go young Thespians!!

PE Dance Performance

The third and fourth graders are having their dance performance in the big gym at 1:30 today (2/15). Parents and families are invited to attend.

Team Imagination Culminating Event Update

Grade 2 Feb 21st 10am weather video presentation- followed by field trip to WCAX channel 3 TV station. 

Grade 3 Feb 22nd 10am weather presentation- followed by field trip to WCAX channel 3 TV station.

2011-2012 Sports Awards

Raider Athletics

Wednesday 2/22 6:00-7:00pm in the SACS Cafe for 5-8 Basketball players and 5-8 Cheerleaders and families. 

Brainstorm Adventure Brain Fit Tip of the Day

Human brain tissue is about 85% water. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. You

should be drinking 8, 8 ounce glasses – or half your body weight – of water per day.

Use your brain for Creativity:

Can you write a haiku about what you're doing right now? A haiku is 3 lines, containing 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively- it doesn't need to rhyme. 

Hot Lunch Entree for Wednesday February 15th

Grilled Cheese Sandwich on Wheat Bread 

Hearty Harvest Soup 

Carrot Sticks w/Dip 

Fresh Fruit 

Farm Fresh Milk

Announcements 2-14-12

Spotlight on Physical Education Class

 Grades K, 1 & 2 have been practicing their balancing skills in Physical Education.  Students are learning forward rolls, backward rolls, cartwheels and animal walks.  Their favorite activities include walking on the "big" balance beam, vaulting over the horse, and showing off 
their arm strength on the parallel bars.

 Grades 5 - 8 just completed a volleyball and newcomb unit.  Grade 7 & 8 teachers were invited to come down to the gym and challenge their students in a fun game of volleyball.  The 5 & 6 teachers participated in newcomb, which is similar to volleyball except the ball is thrown and caught over the net.  There were several close games, but the teachers came out undefeated!




Field Trip


Dynamic Design is going on a field trip to the VT State House and Supreme Court from 8:00-2:30


Updated Culminating Event Schedule



Community              Theme                               Event Date & Time


Bright Beginnings  Earth & Universe                    2/20 - 2/24 Drop in all week


Investigators        Science Fair - Changes of Matter       2/24 10:00 - 11:00AM


Explorers            Matter (Solids, Liquids, Gases)                 2/24 10:30-11:15AM


Imagination Grade 1           Weather                                 2/16 11:00am with lunch following


Imagination Grades 2&3     Weather                         2/23 time pending


Travelers              States of Matter                                 2/24 12:00 - 1:00PM


Incredibles        Scientific Method                         2/24 7:45-8:45AM


Voyagers             Bones & Muscles                                2/24 12:30-1:40PM


Triumph            Regions of the US                                2/20 1:00-2:30PM


Discovery           Human Body                                        2/24 8:00-end


Renaissance    Science Fair - Scientific Method      2/23 5:00-6:00PM & 2/24 8:30-9:10AM


USA                 Working Within Our Community                2/20-2/24 Drop in all week


Dynamic Design   Puppet Play: Law & Disorder 2/24 10:00-11:00AM & 1:30-2:30PM




Attention 8th Grade Parents, Students, Teachers, and Friends:

The Yearbook needs your help!  Do you have pictures from sporting events, band concerts, culminating events, field trips, or other events from your student's 7th and 8th grade middle school years? (especially 8th grade!)  We're looking for all kinds of pictures to use in the yearbook.  If you have any pictures you're willing and able to share, please send them to Ms. Maguire, the yearbook advisor, at maguireb@fcsuvt.org as soon as possible.  Your help will make the yearbook even better.  Thank you so much!


Open Doors Announcement


Please be informed that the Open Doors Brochures were distributed to students
on Monday, February 14th.  

The brochures can also be accessed on our webpage, and at the front lobby if your child was absent and/or forgot to bring form home.

It is expected that classes will fill up fast so please bring completed forms back Tuesday.


Drama Club


Practice in the gym 3:15-5:15


Odyssey of the Mind


Division 2 Team meets 6:30-7:30


Brainstorm Adventure Brain Fit Tip of the Day



Caffeine in coffee, tea, and colas acts as a diuretic and creates dehydration. Try drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning.


Use your brain for Creativity: 


To savor good memories, scent and other senses can help. Think of a truly favorite memory and describe what it smells, looks, tastes and feels like.




Hot Lunch Entree for Tuesday February 14th



Wheat Spaghetti or Spaghetti Squash w/ Meat or Garden 
Marinara Sauce 
Chopped Green Salad w/Herb Dressing 
Homemade  Garlic Breadsticks 
Be Mine Valentine Dessert
Fresh Fruit 
Farm Fresh Milk