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New Vistas earns high honors in ‘Peace through People’ competition
New Vistas Center for Education had a strong showing in the performance, essay and visual categories at the City of Chandler’s annual Multicultural Festival.
This year’s contest, themed “Peace through People,” drew almost 10,000 participants. First place winners of each category were given a cash prize and certificate of recognition at the Feb. 22 City Council meeting. New Vistas Center for Education will also receive a cash award for the school’s outstanding showing.
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Top honors in the performance category went to the New Vistas’ fifth- and sixth-grade choir, which under the direction of Patricia Neff sang the song “We Are the World,” written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. The song’s lyrics speak of the unique tapestry of nations contained in the lives of children, families, friends and neighbors as we join together to eliminate world hunger.
New Vistas fourth-grade students took second place in the visual arts category. Students constructed a large poster entitled “Let Peace Begin with Me.” Each student drew a self-portrait as a way of exemplifying the poster’s theme. According to Gail Andrews, fourth-grade art masterpiece teacher, “Peace begins as an individual responsibility and overflows into action that benefits the whole of society, as depicted by student’s hands in our poster. What a meaningful project.”
Every day is a celebration of diversity for New Vistas, according to Dr. Eleanor Joran, co-director.
“Because of the tapestry of nations represented at New Vistas, our students and their families bring a balanced mixture of cultures, experiences, traditions and interests that can only be described as enriching,” she said.
“With approximately 450 students, we have children representative of over 39 different nations.”
Named a Top 10 School by Johns Hopkins University CTY, New Vistas Center for Education is a private school at 670 N. Arizona Ave., Suite 35, Chandler. The school is celebrating its 37th anniversary.
From Dr. Chamberlain’s Desktop
It was a cool, dark morning on January 21st, 2014. I had been awake for at least two hours in my bed just thinking. Something had woken me and I couldn’t get back to sleep. It was 4:25 am. My mind was racing, going back and forth with my business, my family and my health. At 4:25 I had had enough. So I got out of bed and put some workout clothes on. I was going for a run. Now, historically I am not a runner. I’ve always thought of running as something only done when someone is chasing you or your late for your plane. However, something inside me just wanted to get some energy out and I felt running was the answer. I ran for what was likely a quarter of a mile, and being winded, walked for a couple hundred
Dr. Thomas Chamberlain
yards. I started again. I kept going back and forth as I jog/walked around my neighborhood. Each morning for many weeks I would arise at about 4:30 am and run through the neighborhood. The intervals in which I walked decreased and my overall distance increased. This was the start of a running habit/ addiction that has lasted since that time. I enjoy that time in the morning when the world is quiet. It has become my time for meditation and prayer. It’s also something I look forward to every chance I get. As I look back on that period, there was some real frustration in my life going on that was keeping me awake at night. It was a difficult time for me personally. How-
ever, from that frustration and difficulty a real blessing in my life had risen. I believe this occurs in so many different aspects of our life.
Orthodontics is a great example. Sometimes orthodontics may feel like a frustration. There is something on your teeth and some of the time it can be difficult. However, from that difficulty emerges something worthwhile and beautiful. A lifetime of a healthy, beautiful smile and the increased confidence and life improvement that accompanies it are well worth the effort. When I look back at those first frigid mornings and the pain in my lungs when I began running, I bless those frustrating mornings that kept me up and changed my life for the better.
Orthodontics transforms smiles
Dr. Thomas Chamberlain
Left to right are Garv Sharma, who secured third place for his focus on Mahatma Gandhi; Maya Bickel, who took first place with her poem entitled “Friendship;” and Kambrie Skuse, who placed second for her essay on “Peace.” Kambrie urged children to perform at least one act of kindness every day. First-place winners were honored at a recent City Council meeting. Submitted photo
Two-sport athlete thriving in Hamilton programs
BY MATT LAYMAN
Chance Brewington got the ball with only seconds remaining in an away basketball game, his team down by one point. Highland had won six of their last eight games, and Chance’s struggling Hamilton Huskies were moments away from losing their seventh straight contest.
His game-winning lay-up changed that.
“It was crazy, I didn’t think it was going to go in,” the junior said after the win. “It hit the backboard and almost went out, but that was big for us.”
In the 53-52 win over the Hawks, Chance scored 14 points—the most on the team ahead of James Scoggin’s 12—and helped the Huskies come back from a 10-0 deficit to start the game.
Less than two weeks later, in a home game against Skyline, Chance was nearly unbeatable. In the 68-57 win, he led the Huskies in points, field goal percentage and offensive rebounds.
He scored 40 points.
“They were just feeding me the ball, and the ball just kept going in. For some reason, I just felt like I couldn’t miss,” he said. “That was a good feeling.”
Hamilton football head coach Steve Belles, who happened to be in attendance at the basketball game against Highland, said he had never seen such a performance in a high school game.
Even after scoring 40 of his team’s 68 points, Chance credited his teammates for their role in the explosive performance.
“He’s just been getting better and better,” said Hamilton head basketball coach Doug Harris. “[He’s learning] where to go, where to score more effectively.”
The Hamilton Huskies’ basketball season ended Feb. 20 with a loss to Mountain View in the second round of the Division I state championship tournament. Chance finished the season leading his team in points per game (10.1), rebounds per game (4.2), blocks per game (1.3), field goal percentage (56) and points (273).
But for Chance, athletics will start again in the fall when he returns to the gridiron under the aforementioned Belles. He’s a two-sport athlete, and at one time played three sports as an outfielder and pitcher for the baseball team.
Now a wide receiver for Hamilton’s varsity football team, Chance led the Huskies last season in average yards per reception. He was also second on the team in receiving yards (19.1) receptions (39) and touchdowns (6).
Hamilton High athletic director Sharon Vanis said playing two sports in high school can give you an advantage going into college.
“I think in his case, he has wide group of friends, he’s getting to see different coaches,” she said. “When they leave, they have to see a new coach and a different philosophy and a different team dynamic.”
Vanis said balancing two sports and academics could be “tough,” but Chance has been able to pull it off.
“Chance—we’re glad he stuck with basketball. Even coach was pleased with his improvement as the year went on. We saw at the end of the season he showed you can do both.”
Next season, as a senior, Chance could be the Huskies’ leading receiver; Kaleb Pitts—who led several offensive categories as a senior wide receiver last year— committed to Columbia University.
In the meantime, Chance can enjoy an offseason from the two sports he plays, while finishing a junior year that saw a buzzer-beater, a 40-point game and six touchdown catches. But that doesn’t mean Chance won’t be glad to get back to the games.
“That was fun,” Chance said after the
Skyline game. “I think all the other guys are having fun, too.”
Chase Brewington balances two sports at Hamilton High. STSN Photo by Tim Sealy
Brewington scored 40 points against Skyline. STSN Photo by Tim Sealy
School is keeping ideas and creativity alive
BY CAROL ELIAS DIRECTOR, NEW VISTAS CENTER FOR EDUCATION
Most children are born naturally creative. In fact, we all have some form of innate creative genius inside. Yet not everyone can boast of the type of creativity that leads to a new invention or being labeled a visionary. We wondered why, because children start out living in a world of imagination that seems to know no limits. Yet as they progress through life to adulthood, many stop investing in this creative, idea-rich tendency. Scientists call the aptitude to think creatively “divergent thinking”—the ability to look at the world with an unlimited number of options when faced with a challenge. According to a study done by Kyung Hee Kim, professor of educational psychology at the College of William and Mary, American children lose a great deal of their creative edge between 5 and 13—elementary-school age. So what can educators and parents do to encourage this trait that can contribute to later success? How can we promote this vital form of thinking?
Here are a few thoughts along with some examples of what happens when these suggestions are employed:
• Identify problems and then work hard toward the solution. Sounds simple. But dreams do not come true just because they are dreamt. It’s hard work that makes things happen. At age 11, Scarsdale, New York’s Cassidy Goldstein encountered a problem that has vexed creative kids for generations: Her crayons were broken and the pieces were too small to hold onto. She searched and found a plastic tube designed to keep
roses fresh during shipping. Goldstein inserted a crayon piece into the tube and unwittingly manufactured her first prototype. Many tries later she was able to file for a patent for her Crayon Holders and soon struck a licensing deal with Rand International for millions in royalties.
• Help children place value on persistence. No single act will uncover more creative power than the character it takes to persistently try and try again. Chester Greenwood at age 15 tried many ways to keep his ears warm during cold winters in Farmington, Maine. By the time he had turned 19, he invented the prototype of the earmuffs we use today with beaver fur. Persistence wins.
• Value process more than outcome. Focusing on outcome as the only measure of success will lead to discouragement. Sixyear-old Kelly Reinhart’s parents challenged their daughter and her siblings to draw a picture of an invention. The winner would have a prototype made. After getting feedback from other children, Kelly and her parents made improvements to the design and obtained a patent in 1998 for T-Pak (a thigh pack). In 2001, at the age of 9, this industrious daughter sold the firm. Then in 2002, Reinhart started a nonprofit organization to teach other kids how to become inventors. Process often leads to new ideas.
• Encourage safe risk-taking in a supportive environment. Testing ideas within logical constraints presumes risk-taking.
“Before you can be creative, you must be courageous. Creativity is the destination,
but courage is the journey.” Bill Gates took a huge risk, starting his business based on his vision that the personal computer would be a useful tool in every office and home, not just government. He invested everything in this idea—both money and talent.
• View failure and mistakes as an important pathway to learning. “Creative people fail and good ones fail often.” Consider Abraham Lincoln’s seven failed attempts at getting elected. Or Sir Alexander Fleming’s failed experiment that accidentally produced the world’s first antibiotic, penicillin. Failure is often a good thing...with the right attitude.
• Encourage a child’s passions by testing many options. Creative people tend to be intrinsically motivated by what they love. Passion motivates children to act from internal desire, rather than a longing for external reward or recognition. Anshul Samar is a great example of passion. Nurture gifts and innate desires often bear fruit.
• Encourage curiosity and questions rather than volunteering solutions. Try some of these questions: “What do you think would happen if …?” “Can you think of another way…?” “What would make this better…?” “Why not…?” The daughter of Edwin Land was told her that she could not immediately see the photo her father had just taken of her. She asked “Why not?” Her persistence led him to invent the Polaroid camera. Questions are frequently pathways to great ideas.
Ironically, March happens to be National Idea Month in honor of all of the brilliant ideas that have changed our world for the better. In keeping with National Idea Month, let’s encourage our children to never lose their “can do” spirit. With a little encouragement from us they don’t have to follow the trend of most American children. We can help them believe in their own ideas to solve problems—to take their natural gifts of creativity to change the world for their generation.
Cassidy Goldstein tried many solutions before settling on this as her best option. Submitted photo
With an entrepreneurial spirit and plenty of hard work, Anshul Samar created Elementeo, a board game that teaches chemistry and makes it fun. His game is now featured on Amazon and science game sites. Submitted photo
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STUDENT CHRONICLES
Know a student who’s doing something remarkable? Tell us about it! Send information to christina@santansun.com.
Andy Chen made the dean’s list for the fall 2015 semester at the Georgia Institute of Technology. This designation is awarded to undergraduate students who have a 3.0 or higher academic average for the semester. One of the nation’s leading research universities, the Georgia Institute of Technology is in the business of creating “the next”—the next idea, the next technology and the next legion of agile minds well equipped to imagine and engineer the future. More than 24,000 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled, and Georgia Tech is ranked in the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News and World Report For more information, visit www.gatech.edu.
Lisa McCormick was named to the fall 2015 dean’s list at The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota. Dean’s list members have achieved a 3.75 grade point average or above on a 4.0 scale. The College of St. Scholastica is nationally recognized for quality. Rankings by U.S. News & World Report and Money magazines classify it as one of the Midwest’s top regional universities. Learn more at www.css.edu.
Bryan Raiton excelled during the fall 2015 semester, achieving a GPA of at least 3.5 to earn a spot on the dean’s list at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. Hofstra University is a nationally ranked private university just 25 miles from New York City and all its cultural, recreational and professional opportunities. It offers small classes and personal attention with the resources, technology and
facilities of a large university. Students can choose from undergraduate and graduate offerings in liberal arts and sciences, business, engineering and applied science, communication, education, health professions and human services, honors studies, the Maurice A. Deane School of Law, the Hofstra Northwell School of Graduate Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies, and the Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine.
Sarah Cox earned a spot for fall 2015 on the dean’s list at Central College in Pella, Iowa. The honor is awarded to full-time students who achieve a 3.5 grade point average or higher on a 4.0 scale while taking 12 or more graded credit hours for the semester. Founded in 1853, Central College of Pella, Iowa, is a private, residential four-year liberal arts college known for its academic rigor and strength in global experiential learning, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), sustainability education, athletics success and tradition, and leadership and service. Central continues to value its long-standing relationship with the Reformed Church in America that began in 1916. The college participates in NCAA Division III athletics and is a member of the Iowa Conference. Central is an active part of the Greater Des Moines region and just two minutes from Lake Red Rock, Iowa’s largest lake.
Aaron Oleson was named to the dean’s list at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Miami University students who achieved a 3.5 or better grade point average for first semester 2015-2016 have been named to the dean’s list recognizing academic
Reading program motivates kids
Chandler Public Library is partnering with In-N-Out Burger to provide a fun reading incentive during East Valley schools’ Spring Break.
“Schools in our area may be on break for over a week, compared to schools in other parts of the country. This program is an enjoyable and appetizing way for kids to keep reading and stay motivated, even if they aren’t in school,” said Rosanna Johnson, the library’s marketing assistant.
Between March 5 and April 16, children ages 4-12 who read five books at his or her reading level may earn a “Cover to Cover Club” reading certificate, along with a
coupon for a free hamburger or cheeseburger from In-NOut. Families can pick up a reading log from any of the four Chandler Public Library locations to enroll their children in the program. The log is used to list the titles of the book. After the five books are read, a parent or guardian signs the reading log and the child receives their certificate. If a child between the eligible ages is unable to read themselves a parent may read to them to participate.
For more information, call (480) 7822800 or visit the library website at www. chandlerlibrary.org.
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Local student, teacher selected for Normandy institute
Teacher Stacey Trepanier and student Aryasp Nejat have been selected for an extraordinary opportunity to tell the story of a fallen WWII hero from Arizona and honor them with a eulogy delivered at the Normandy American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach.
Trepanier and Aryasp were selected from applicants across the country to join 14 other student and teacher teams on this educational journey. Each team selects a Silent Hero who gave his or her life in World War II during or after the Normandy landings of D-Day and who is memorialized at the Normandy American Cemetery. Teams spend a year researching the story of their Silent Hero through historical research using primary sources such as war records, draft cards, and interviews with family members. Their year concludes with a journey to Normandy, France where Aryasp will present a eulogy at the memorial of this Silent Hero.
has participated in National History Day multiple times.
In June, Trepanier and Aryasp will join the other 14 teams in Washington, D.C., to finish their research with help from the National Archives, historians and college professors.
Trepanier is a language and history teacher at New Vistas Center for Education and coaches National History Day at Hamilton High School in Chandler. She is a Behring Teacher ambassador for National History Day. A Hamilton High School student, Aryasp is a graduate of New Vistas Center for Education and
While in D.C., they will tour the World War II Memorial, attend a dinner hosted by the White House Historical Association and prepare for the voyage of a lifetime. The final leg of their journey is to Normandy, France, where they will walk in the footsteps of their Silent Hero. After visiting museums, historical sites, and churches that were used as field hospitals, the group visits the Normandy American Cemetery. There, Aryasp presents a eulogy at the grave of the Silent Hero he has spent a year researching. Participants in the program are only responsible for the cost of travel to and from Washington, D.C. Travel to France, meals, board and programs are all paid for by the institute.
“Throughout their research these students and teachers become deeply connected to their Silent Heroes,” said National History Day Executive Director Dr. Cathy Gorn. “When Aryasp presents the eulogy, he will be reading a eulogy for someone he knows, someone whose
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story he is responsible for telling. It results in a powerful, and often tearful, understanding of the sacrifice Aryasp’s Silent Hero made in WWII.”
The Normandy: Sacrifice for Freedom Albert H. Small Student and Teacher Institute seeks to teach a new generation about the sacrifices and challenges faced during World War II. The program is coordinated by National History Day and is funded by a generous donation from a veteran, Albert H. Small.
Throughout the program, student and teachers create a website that documents the story and sacrifice of their Silent Heroes. These websites live on as a digital memorial to the brave men who are
memorialized at the Normandy American Cemetery. After participating in the program, teams present the story of their Silent Hero to local school, community groups, and veteran organizations.
“These digital records of the life and actions of a Silent Hero live on long after these teams return,” Gorn said. “They serve as a digital monument to the sacrifices make by the fallen.”
Through their research, students and teachers will help tell the stories of 15 more Silent Heroes of WWII. To date, the Normandy: Sacrifice for Freedom Albert H. Small Student and Teacher Institute has told the stories of 80 Silent Heroes.
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• Evening hours Monday-Thursday until 8pm by appt only
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• Bilingual office staff and providers
Americans who died in the Allied assault in June, 1944, are buried at the Normandy American Cemetery. Submitted photo
Aryasp Nejat and Stacey Trepanier will honor a Silent Hero. Submitted photo
performance. Oleson is earning a Bachelor of Science, majoring in mechanical engineering. Miami University is a public university located in southwestern Ohio offering more than 120 degree programs in humanities, science, engineering, business, education and fine arts.
BriAnna Schrimpf was named to the Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) dean’s list for the fall semester of 2015. To be placed on the dean’s list, the student must be a full-time undergraduate and have a 3.5 grade point average for the semester. Over 500 students earned the academic honor. Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in the liberal arts and professional studies.
Anastasia Plyasunova from has been named to the University of Delaware’s dean’s list for the 2015 fall semester. To meet eligibility requirements for the dean’s list, a student must be enrolled full-time and earn a GPA of 3.33 or above (on a 4.0 scale) for the semester.
Wilkes University student Natalia Kwiatkowska was named to the dean’s list for the fall 2015 semester. To be named to the dean’s list, students must obtain a minimum 3.4 grade point average and carry at least 12 credits. Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, is an independent institution of higher education dedicated to academic and intellectual excellence through mentoring in the liberal arts, sciences and professional programs.
In December, Allison Pick graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. Founded in 1891, Buena Vista University delivers 40 majors and 15 preprofessional
programs that blend liberal arts with realworld experiences, preparing students for lifelong success, especially in the areas of elementary, secondary and special education; business and accounting; and biological and chemical sciences. Visit www. bvu.edu.
Kalyn Marquez participated in Cornell College’s production of the musical comedy “A Man of No Importance” Feb. 19 through Feb. 27 in Mount Vernon, Iowa. Directed by Jim Van Valen with musical direction by Julia Andrews West, the production celebrates the power of theater and the love of community by highlighting community members and Cornell alumni. Set in 1964 and developed from the 1994 film by the same title, the musical enjoyed a 2002 revival at the Lincoln Center and went on to win the 2003 Outer Critics Circle award. For information, visit www.cornellcollege.edu.
Carly Sandstedt has been named to the deans’ list/Explore Center List of Distinguished Students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for the fall semester of the 2015-16 academic year. Sandstedt, a freshman pre-health major, was named to the Explore Center List of Distinguished Students for the Explore Center.
Trevor Franklin was named to the dean’s list at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois, during the recently completed fall 2015 semester. To qualify for inclusion on the dean’s list, a student must have been enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student and must have attained a semester grade point average of 3.50 or higher on a 4.00 grading scale.
Olivet Nazarene University is an accredited Christian, liberal arts university offering more than 120 areas of undergraduate and graduate study, including the Doctor of Education in ethical leadership.
Western State Bank honors local students
Western State Bank recently awarded two local students $250 savings scholarships as part of the scholastic recognition program, Western Pays for A’s. The scholastic recognition program is designed to reward students for their hard work in school.
Zexe Branham of Mesa and Taman Truong of Chandler were selected as the Western Pays for A’s scholarship winners for the first semester of the 2015-2016 school year.
“Western is dedicated to supporting our community, especially our schools. We recognize students for their academic efforts and support them as they prepare for their future education,” said Andy Strand, president.
Students in grades 6 through 12 are encouraged to bring their report cards into Western State Bank following each quarter. Students will receive $1 for each “A” they
receive on their report card.
Additionally, students will receive an entry into the $250 scholarship drawing for each “A” they have earned. Each year, students in grades 6-12 will have the opportunity to begin saving toward their college education. Students are limited to winning one scholarship per school year.
Western State Bank is a 114-year-old employee-owned, community bank with assets totaling over $830 million. The bank offers superior full-banking services, investments, real estate financing to personal and business customers, as well as nationwide equipment financing services. Western State Bank’s bank locations are located in Chandler, Sun City, Scottsdale and Casa Grande and the North Dakota communities of Towner, West Fargo, Fargo and Devils Lake.
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CHANDLER UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
March 7 through March 18: Third intersession
March 21: Teacher inservice workday; no school
March 25: Spring holiday; no school
CTA INDEPENDENCE
Rated No. 1 public school
Recently the Phoenix Business Journal rated CTA Independence Elementary No. 1 public school across metro Phoenix. Way to go Hawks!
Congrats!
Fifth-grade student Anushka Agrawal placed fifth among the top 10 spellers in CUSD on Jan. 29. She is advancing to the Arizona regional spelling bee. Good luck and great job representing the school.
Variety Show
The school’s 10th annual variety show will take place at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26. It will be a night filled with dance, song, music and laughs. Come by and enjoy a great show.
Calendar
March 7 through March 21: Spring
Intersession
March 21: Teacher inservice workday; no school
—Jana Thrash
HALEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Tiger pride
Baron Silsby, a fourth-grade student, finished first in his age group in the Arizona State Elks free-throw contest in
Apache Junction. Baron was scheduled to represent Arizona at the Regional Elks free-throw contest on Feb. 27 in Las Vegas.
Cheerful Tigers
K-6 grade Haley cheerleaders performed at Perry High School to send off the Perry Spirit Team to the Pom and Cheer Nationals. The Tigers have a competition of their own on April 2 through Community Education to see which elementary school has the most spirit! Go Tigers!
Amazing scientists
Several sixth-grade Haley students advanced to the Hamilton High School Science Fair on Saturday, Feb. 27. Here are the students and their winning projects:
• “Erosion in The Ecosystem” by Taryn Bashford and Alexis Mirkiewicz, tied for first place.
• “Rain Rain Go Away” by Hayley Williams, Lori Tran and William Policastro won third place.
• “Bye Bye Bacteria” by Sydney Braaten, Haley Evans and Lauren Faust won fourth place.
—Stephanie Palomarez
TARWATER TOROS
Kind students
Super second graders performed random acts of kindness on campus throughout February. The fun activities included: Leaving “Be Kind and Pass It One” bookmarks in library books, posting smiley faces on classroom doors, reciting the “kindness pledge” with Capt. Kindness, also known as Principal Jeff Hensley, writing thank you notes for staff members, and praising Hensley on the school billboard.
Author visit
Arizona Children’s Author of the Year, Conrad Storad, will visit Tarwater on March 28. Storad is the author of more than 50 books about science, animals and the desert. Many of his books have been recognized with state and national awards. To find out more about Storad and his books, visit www.conradstorad. com. He will share stories, discuss writing nonfiction stories and sign books.
School Cents
The School Cents program runs through March 31. Log receipts from Chandler Fashion Center to help Tarwater earn up to $3,000 in mall gift cards. Receipts accepted at the Tarwater office, too.
Calendar:
March 7 to March 21: Spring Break
March 22: Students return to school
March 24: Tentative Dad’s Club Meeting, 8:30 p.m. at Barro’s March 25: No school; spring holiday
—JoAnne Cawley
Weinberg Elementary School Teacher honored Third-grade teacher David Cox was nominated by one of his students for the “Teacher of the Month” through the Breyer Law Offices. Cox was surprised on Dec. 17 by Mark Breyer with a check for $250 and a Domino’s Pizza gift card so he could treat his third-grade class to a pizza party! A very deserving teacher! Congratulations!
Science and Art night
Students showcased their science projects and art projects at the school’s
annual Science and Art night on Jan. 21. There were many wonderful projects displayed. Guest speaker “Wildman Phil” shared many interesting creatures— including an alligator—with the families.
Running club
The running club participated in its second race of the year and there were several strong finishers. Although it is cold outside, running club is heating up. Fifth-graders Spencer Becker and Bailey Rzonca placed second and third, respectively, at the Casteel Invitational on Tuesday, Feb. 2.
Entertaining author
On Feb. 1, author Jonathan Rand entertained the school’s fourth- and sixth-grade students by discussing his book series “The Michigan Chillers” and “The American Chillers.”
Spelling bee winner
Weinberg’s spelling bee winner, Marissa Acuna, is in the Top 10 at the district bee and advanced to regionals.
Mathleague competition
Five teams attended the Mathleague competition. The school boasted six medalists. Several teams have advanced to the next round taking place in May.
Winners
Each year schools choose one exceptional student, parent and staff member who goes above and beyond. This year’s recipients are parent Adrian Hindes; student Ethan Andersen and staff Judy Lopez.
—Laura Thornburg and Heidi Huggins
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