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Orion Oaks’ Chess Club is a Great Success! Over 20 Orion Oaks students par cipate in the Chess Club each week. Not only are children learning how to play the game, but many of the students are learning high level strategies which will help them com‐ pete against other students in tournaments later in the year. There is much research that shows games requiring strategy, crea vity, and cri cal thinking skills, such as chess, can help and encourage brain func‐ on in all aspects of life, especially if they start early in life.
Stadium Drive Solves Mystery of the Missing Monuments!! The fi h grade class at Stadium Drive Elementary put on yet another outstanding performance last Wednesday with their produc on of the Mystery of the Missing Monuments. The script was the brainchild of the students with the guidance of their Theatre teacher, Megan Firis. The story is about five students who travel the globe solving the mystery of several stolen monuments with the help of one narra ng detec ve and several well‐ known sleuths. Nancy Drew, played by Celeste R., and Scooby Doo, Nick F., were just two of the sleuths who were hot on the trail of villains Carmen San Diego, played by Tara K. and Vector, Natalie M., as they searched the globe for the missing Eiffel Tower and Great Wall of China. The evening was filled with music, dancing and hysteria as the comedy unfolded. "The fi h graders worked very hard to put the en re show together," stated Mrs. Firis. "From the musicians, dancers, actors, set designers, fi h grade teachers, and Fine Arts Team (which consists of music teacher, Beth Simms, art teacher, Amanda Novak, and dance teachers, Florie D'Annunzio and Firis), everyone had a hand in making this year's produc on a great success." With the mystery solved, the fi h graders celebrated the evening with their families and standing room only crowd at an a erglow party held in the Stadium Drive cafeteria. "It was a great night for a mystery!" said fi h grade parent, Blaine Priebe. "I was really impressed with the perfor‐ mance."
Pine Tree Math Night at Kroger! The staff members of Pine Tree Elementary hosted their first Family Fun Night at Kroger on October 22nd, and it was a huge success. More than 100 students and their families joined teachers at Kroger to apply their math skills and knowledge to complete real life prob‐ lems related to shopping for groceries. The feedback for the evening was extremely posi ve. Thanks to the Pine Tree Staff, students, and families, and to the staff at Kroger on Lapeer Road for making this such a wonderful learning opportunity!