Thursday, April 30, 2015

LAUREL NEME, local science writer to visit EQUINOX




We are very lucky to have local author and Shelburne resident, Laurel Neme, come to speak to third and fourth grade Equinox students.  Laurel holds a PhD from Princeton University, is a contributor to National Geographic, and has worked as a consultant for the US Treasury Department, World Bank, USAID, and World Wildlife Fund.  She is also the author of 2 science books - "Animal Investigators" and most recently the children's book "Orangutan Houdini".

WCS students are very lucky to have Laurel come to talk to us about her travels and science adventures.  This is talk is a celebration of our art and science integrated unit that the students recently completed.  Third and fourth graders learned about the artist Georgia O'Keefe and how she liked to paint things BIG.  Students researched the rainforest and chose images to inspired their paintings.  In their science class, they researched facts and wrote about their project.  We had a class critique and are celebrating our success with Laurel Neme's engaging presentation.

Check out some of our magnified paintings!

















Friday, April 10, 2015

2015 Be Money Wi$e Poster Contest


Each year the State Treasure's office and the VT Bankers Association have a poster contest to celebrate April as financial literacy month. The poster is judged on expressing the theme, artwork, content, and creativity. The theme of this year’s contest was, “To Build a Money Plan, I will . . .” The State Treasurer will recognize the student poster contest winners at an April 9th ceremony. Students placing first in each division win a $100 cash prize and their school a $100 cash prize. When I spoke with the contact from the treasurer's office, she told me that WCS artists have really outdone themselves. She stated that WCS artists showed perseverance and grit. She said that it was obvious that our students read directions, understood the theme, and pushed themselves.
 3 honorable mention students: 
Varsha Karthikeyen (Swift 7th grader)
Grace Koutras (Voyager 6th grader) 
Abby Niquette (Equinox 4th grader)

Elementary School division: 
3rd place - Karina Bushweller - Equinox 4th grader 
2nd place - Griffin Cote - Swift 5th grader

Middle School division:  
FIRST PLACE- Maggie Warren - Harbor 7th grader