Hailmann students enjoy their newly expanded playground.
Information and photos from LaPorte Community School Corp. (Click on photos to enlarge)
Hailmann PTO completes playground construction
Hailmann Elementary School’s PTO has completed the second phase of the school’s playground project. Students were excited to begin playing on the playground on Aug. 30. The students have a variety of new equipment and the newly poured sidewalk surface provides access for students with limited mobility.
Boston launches WorkEthic program
Boston Middle School is celebrating the WorkEthic program for the 2010-2011 school year. This is the fourth year Boston has supported the community-service program, which is designed to raise awareness of solid work ethic practices and encourage students to develop good personal habits. Boston recognizes students who carry out standards such as organization, discipline, community service, overall GPA, punctuality, respectfulness, and teamwork. A ceremony will be held at the end of the second semester to honor students who have completed the program. WorkEthic students at BMS are taught that caring for others is important for a community and working hard at school helps pave the way for future success.
Family donates playground equipment
The family of Nicholas Leonard, a former student at LaPorte High School Preschool, has donated playground equipment for the preschool. Pictured are some of the preschool’s students with the new equipment.
Buffalo Wild Wings spurs Kesling students to read
Kesling Middle School students are gearing up again for the AR (Accelerated Reader) Challenge. In the program, students must read a book and then take a comprehension quiz. The goal for each student is to read at least two books, per nine weeks, and receive a comprehension score of at least 85%. Students who do this qualify for a monthly grade-level drawing for a gift certificate to Buffalo Wild Wings. Students can also compete in AR teams. At the end of the year, the winning teams will have lunch provided by Buffalo Wild Wings with the school librarian and principal.
Louie’s Little Angels
Louie’s Café is donating $25 per week for a special Christmas program to recognize children in the South LaPorte County Special Education Cooperative programs. An account has been opened at LaPorte Savings Bank to support the programs, and Louie Vasilarakos is asking the community to reach into their pockets and join him in supporting this program. This fund will be used to purchase mittens, gloves, scarves and hats for the students. If you wish to donate, please go to LaPorte Savings Bank and ask to have your donation deposited in the fund for Louie’s Little Angels.
Kingsbury is “Wild about Learning”
As people walk into Kingsbury Elementary School, they’ll see a jungle theme in the halls and classrooms. This year marks the 24th anniversary of Kingsbury’s choosing a theme for each school year. Initiated by then-Principal Patty Steele, Kingsbury has displayed a theme each year via bulletin boards in the hallway, classrooms and main office. Students get fired up to come in for registration because they want to learn the theme. Teachers also incorporate the theme in their lessons, newsletters and assignments to promote school unity and pride. This year’s jungle theme accompanies the motto, “Kingsbury is wild about learning.”
Lincoln hosts Teddy Bear Picnic
Two Lincoln students and their teddy bears.
Lincoln Elementary School’s first-grade students brought their teddy bears to school for a picnic. The students used cubes to measure the length of each bear, put them in order based on height, and sorted them by colors and what they wore. The students then wrote about their bears and created a class book. They learned about different types of bears and participated in songs and dances with their bears.
Handley’s “Bucket Bunch” is filling buckets
Handley Elementary School’s second graders are learning about bucket-filling. After reading the book “Have You Filled a Bucket Today” by Carol McCloud, students learned that everyone carries an invisible bucket that represents each person’s emotional health. When your bucket is full, you are happy and content, and if you are sad, angry, or upset, your bucket is empty. Children who learn how to express kindness and love lead happier lives. As stated in the book, “When you love and care about others and show that love with what you say and do, you feel good and you fill your own bucket, too.” This is going to be the goal for Handley second graders – bucket filling!
Teddy Bear Parade at Crichfield
As Crichfield Elementary School first graders entered their classrooms on Aug. 27, they were surprised to find things were out of order. The teddy bears they had left the night before to spend the night decided to throw a party and left quite a mess! Throughout the week, students read books, wrote stories and solved math problems with teddy bears. They were encouraged to bring a special friend from home on Thursday to share with classmates. At the end of the day, the bears were allowed to stay until the following morning. It was a teddy bear slumber party! When the students returned the next day, they found that many of the bears had stayed up all night. Some of the bears were working at desks, some were on the computers, and there was popcorn all over the floor. The looks on the students’ faces were priceless! As the day went on, students made hats and posters and gathered musical instruments. The festivities concluded with a teddy bear parade that looped the school inside and out.
