Stewart Manor School fifth graders in Vanessa Buchanan and Cari Clementi’s class are currently working on a science project-based learning (PBL) about space.

PBL involves students working on a project for an extended period that answers a driving question. The students’ driving question was: “How can you survive on another planet in our solar system?”

Split into heterogeneous groups, the students were tasked with selecting a planet or moon to settle on. The groups selected Mars, one of Jupiter’s moons Ganymede, one of Mars’ moons Phobos, one of Saturn’s moons Titan and dwarf planet Ceres. Throughout the PBL, students researched their planet or moon, as well as came up with ideas on how to cope with challenges such as food, water, shelter, oxygen and communication methods.

The PBL encompasses research, creativity, collaboration and presentation. It is a cross-curriculum project, as well, as the students utilized ENL books to research the solar system, space, and the planets and moons. To culminate the project, the groups will create 3D models of their how people would survive on their chosen planet or moon. The students plan to present their Keynote slides and 3D models to parents on May 21.

Date Added: 5/7/2024

Dutch Broadway School students in pre-K through second grade recently gathered to honor Earth Day through song.

The assembly began with Assistant Principal Brendan Alfieri reciting the poem, “Our Earth is Special.” Following the poem, Principal Cynthia Qasim asked the students to think of ways to keep the planet clean.

Through their music lessons with Ms. Stark and Ms. Yaeger, the students prepared for the assembly by practicing multiple songs that celebrate the Earth or focus on nature. The students sang “The Earth is Our Mother,” “Baby Beluga,” “This Land is Your Land,” “Inch by Inch,” and “Woodland Chorus.” They also performed “Big Beautiful Planet” in American Sign Language.

This is Dutch Broadway’s first annual Earth Day Assembly.

Date Added: 5/6/2024

In honor of Autism Awareness Month, Covert Avenue School students were recently visited by local author, autism parent and disability educator Amy McCoy, who wrote the book “Little Big Sister.” The book is about nine-year-old Katie and her older brother, Mikey, who has autism.

McCoy talked with the students about her own experiences as a mother of a child with autism, and how it inspired her to write the book. She explained to the students what autism is and how it can affect someone’s communication and behavior. Her presentation focused on how kind words and actions are important, and how students can have a better understanding of peers who have disabilities.

The presentation was provided to students in grades 3-6 in two assemblies. Third and fourth graders received a copy of the book to take home.

Alden Terrace School hosted a ribbon cutting for its brand-new Positive Links Unifying Fence Project on April 17. On the school’s chain-link fence by the bus yard, it now says “Alden Excellence” with two paw prints in the school’s colors of blue and white.

The Building Advisory Committee created the idea for the project to link members of Student Council with their peers in fifth grade and promote positive role models. Student Council, the fifth graders and the SEL team collaborated to bring the vision to life, working together to spell out “Alden Excellence” with the provided blue and white cups. A member of the Building Advisory Committee met with the students to go over the dimensions and layout.

This multi-phase collaboration project has been underway since September. It culminated with the ribbon cutting ceremony, and parents were invited to participate in adding cups to finish the design. This beautifying project unified the school community and inspired positive “links” between students.

Date Added: 5/2/2024

Clara H. Carlson School second graders participated in a “My Museum” in-school field trip with the Heckscher Museum of Art on April 15.

With the visiting educators from the museum, the students discussed why museums are important and why people visit them, as well as shared what museums they have visited themselves. The students also learned about different art styles, such as portrait, landscape and sculpture. Each student then designed and created their own museum based on their chosen interest. They designed and drew the front doors, as well as in the inside.

This partnership with the Heckscher Museum of Art was a districtwide initiative to provide students with art education.

Date Added: 5/1/2024