Thursday, May 27, 2010

Four Inventors

By Mrs. Moran
Congratulations to four students who won awards and $100. savings bonds at the CT Invention Convetion May 1st: Cassidy for her Babysitting Belt, Mansoor for his Sleepie Pillow, Sarah for her Knife Cushion, and Felicia for her Water Cuby.
The students needed to design an invention that solved a problem in an original way. They were judged on five criteria: originality, attention to detail, purpose, adherence to guidelines, and presentation.
The Connecticut Invention Convention takes place each year at UConn’s Gampel Pavilion. This year a record number of student inventors participated from across the state.

SOAR News

By Mrs. Hardisty
Spring brings the culminating activities for our year-long SOAR program. The WINGS program, of which SOAR is one component, is designed to provide opportunities to practice the nine character traits we work on during the year, as well as problem solving and decision making skills.
On May 28, the 6th graders will participate in

WINGS, Jr. at Holiday Hill Camp in Mansfield. This will be the first of three years on a low ropes course.
On June 2, Ashford will experience an annual “homecoming” when about 100 high school students return to run the SWINGS program for the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. Two days later, our 8th grade students try out their leadership skills while running SWINGS for 1st and 2nd graders.

Crayons Wanted!

By Mrs. Moran
As part of a recycling/science unit this spring, students in Mr. Horn’s and Mrs. Dickenman’s 3rd grade classes are starting a crayon recycling drive at Ashford School. Old crayons will be collected through May and donated to CCMC to help kids battling cancer.
Students are collecting old crayons from home. They are also making posters, writing persuasive essays and sorting and peeling crayons as part of this effort.
Crayons may be donated in a box in the primary wing.
www.crayonsforcancer.org

Sirius Coyote Performs

By Mrs. Moran
Students in 1st-6th grades enjoyed "Music of the Americas" during an assembly by the group Sirius Coyote. The PTO, through its cultural arts committee, sponsors many assemblies each year at the school.

Students Win Essay Contest

By Mrs. Burnham
Three Ashford School students won prizes for their entries in the CHET Dream Big Essay Contest. They had to write about what they would do after college to change the world. All three represented Ashford School well at a special awards ceremony at Renschler Field. They met the State Treasurer, Denise Napier, and were praised for their achievements.
Winners were:
A.J. - 5th grader (Mr. Schrieber's class) with a piece about how he would become a professor and help college students
Angela - 5th grader (Mrs. Burnham's class)-with a piece about saving sea turtles
Dakota - 4th grader (Ms. Rioux's class) - with a piece about opening a soup kitchen
Congratulations to these students who won cash prizes, and congratulations to all of those students who entered the contest.