THE CHALKBOARD: McDowell students celebrate first 100 days

What’s happening in our area schools.|

McDowell Elementary School scholars are enjoying non-stop days of learning and fun according to principal, Lauri Anderson. “From observing epic rainbows over our campus, to celebrating 100s Day, to visiting the Petaluma River Watershed, students have been busy exploring a variety of subject matters and participating in hands-on learning experiences,” she said. The last day of January was 100s Day, and student creativity was on display with the school’s youngest mathematicians. Kindergarteners had fun sporting their stylish 100s Day masks. Two classes of older students ventured off campus for an incredible experience learning outdoors through the Students and Teachers Restoring a Watershed (STRAW) program at Murphy Ranch, and on Feb. 1, the entire McDowell student body participated in the Global Day of Play. “It was amazing to see imagination, critical thinking, and cooperation on display all over campus. With this energetic and empowering start to February, we know our month will be full of incredible learning and celebration of our community,” shares Anderson.

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Grant Elementary School staff took time after school last Tuesday, the official 100th day of school for this school year, to write 100 notes of appreciation to students, families, other staff members and community helpers that are dedicated to supporting student learning at Grant. With more than 120 postcards of thanks, it was a special way to spend the day for both those creating the notes of thanks, as well as those receiving the kind messages.

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On the Global School Play Day, Penngrove Elementary School students in kindergarten through sixth grade played with toys, drew pictures, made forts, played board games and engaged in fun-filled activities as part of this creative movement. Designed to bring awareness to the lack of unstructured play in our children’s lives, and attempt to restore it in a variety of ways is the goal of this 3-year globally celebrated day. Penngrove Elementary is proud to be one of many schools around the world participating in the Global School Play Day each year. Students were allowed to bring a toy or game from home to play with friends. The children all shared their toys as well as played games already available to them at school (no electronic toys or devices were allowed). Teachers and staff also shared in the fun by participating in games with their students. “Laughter could be heard in every classroom as everyone unplugged and enjoyed each other all day,” said principal Amy Fadeji. Sounds like it was another successful Penngrove Panthers global play day.

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Lights, camera, action. The Harvest Christian School community gathered together to support the school’s Movie Night fundraiser. The fundraiser, which grossed $600, will help purchase new girls’ basketball uniforms. The Harvest Christian School Student Council coordinated and managed the event with Principal Jon Wraith. Other news from the Harvest campus was about a visit from representatives from Petaluma Orthodontics, who offered information on healthy dental care habits and braces for the school’s second- and third-graders.

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The Math Olympics are underway at Harvest Christian School. This annual academic event is for ACSI member schools designed to stimulate an interest in mathematics and to recognize the achievements of students in mathematics. The ACSI Math Olympics challenges students in two categories: Arithmetic Computation and Mathematical Reasoning. Competitors in grades third through eighth are grouped with students in their own grade level. The number of students each school may enter depends on your location in the CA/HI region and this year, for Northern California, three students per category per grade level, for a maximum 36 students were included. Ribbons are awarded to the top five places in each grade level category. The top student in each category, with a score of 85 percent or higher, is awarded an Olympic-style medallion. Harvest Christian School repeatedly earns multiple awards that are given out by math teacher Darcy Thomas. Good luck, Harvest Lions. We are anxiously waiting for the final results to be announced.

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The 30th edition of the St. Vincent de Paul High School Literary Magazine, “Amused,” once again has been selected to receive the rank of Superior reports SVHS’ Cathy Yarger. The 2016 National Council of Teachers of English recognized SVHS Amused Magazine out of a total of 334 entries. English Department Chair, Janet Donovan, works with her senior class creative writing students to create a magazine that includes short stories, poems, original art and photographs each year. Congratulations to all those who contributed to this recognized edition of the magazine.

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Attention teachers and students: the Walt Disney Family Museum, located in the Presidio of San Francisco, is now collecting submissions for the Teen Animation Festival International program. For the fourth consecutive year, the second year as an international festival, TAFI celebrates animation created by budding artists ages 13 through 18 years old in the spirit of the museum’s goal to support creativity and inspire youth to follow their creative dreams. The program offers educational value and collaboration opportunities for teens pursuing a career in animation, notes Walt Disney Family Museum contact Maggie Kravchuk. Deadline for submissions is March 17. Visit waltdisney.org for more information.

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(Maureen Highland is a Petaluma mother and executive director for the Petaluma Educational Foundation. She can be reached at schools@arguscourier.com.)

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