The Argus-Press ■ Owosso, Michigan ■ Thurs., Oct. 9, 2014 7 TROJAN TIMES Owosso Public Schools • www.owosso.k12.mi.us • Ready for the World! Superintendent Bond Proposal Q & A Just sit right back And you’ll hear a tale A tale of a fateful trip, That started from this tropic port (Sutton’s Bay), Aboard this tiny ship (it wasn’t really that tiny). The mate was a mighty sailin’ man, The Skipper brave and sure, Thirty passengers set sail that day, For a three hour tour, A three hour tour (it was really 4 hours). Q: What is the timeline for the construction of the secondary campus? A: After a successful bond vote on February 24, 2015 the tentative schedule will be as follows: If money were no object, would the way we educate our youth look differently? Before you read further, please take a moment to really think about this question. . . If money were no object, I believe students would rarely, if ever, sit in a classroom. Instead, they would engage in hands-on experiences that facilitate learning. Maybe our youth would have opportunities to travel around the State of Michigan, the United States, and the world to be enveloped in different cultures, occupations, people, life, etc. first hand. Recently, due to the efforts of our fourth grade teachers and the support of community members’ donations, every fourth grade student in our great schools embarked on a thrilling trip that was application based learning at its best. For many students, this trip is a once in a lifetime opportunity through the Inland Seas Education Association. Their mission is, “Protecting the Great Lakes through education”. Owosso fourth graders traveled to Sutton’s Bay and boarded the 112 foot schooner “Manitou” or the 77 foot “Inland Seas” to become scientists for the day. As part of the schooners’ crew, inclusive of trained volunteers, our Owosso students collected and analyzed specimens from the Great Lakes. Not only were the students scientists for a day, but they were actively involved in anchoring the ship, raising the sails, and they each had an opportunity to be at the helm of the ship. “The onboard curriculum is designed to complement the Michigan Curriculum Framework Science Benchmarks in physical, biological, and earth sciences, as well as history and geography.” (http://www.schoolship. org/schoolprograms/school-science-field-trips) The following comes directly from the Inland Seas website: Inland Seas Education Association is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help people of all ages experience the science and spirit of the Great Lakes through hands-on, experiential learning activities aboard a traditionally-rigged tall ship schooner. The knowledge gained through these experiences will provide the education, understanding, and commitment needed for the long-term stewardship of the Great Lakes. ISEA was established in 1989 to provide aquatic science, environmental awareness, and sail training classes for learners of all ages. Classes are conducted aboard tall ships to complement traditional classroom studies in ecology, history, geography, geology, biology, chemistry, and meteorology. The experience is a one in a life time opportunity for most and an experience that our students Inland Seas Education Association has been working to protect the Great Lakes and foster the next generation of scientist, and we are happy to celebrate our 25th anniversary. Our one-of-a-kind unique approach to education, science, and stewardship of the Great Lakes has been the key to the organizations success. 2014 is a very special year for the organization as it hits several key milestones and accomplishments. Since the organization was established in 1989, we have had the opportunity to impact the lives of people of all ages and we are excited that this May we will welcome our 100,000 young, future scientist aboard the ISEA schooner, which will also be celebrating a milestone as the boat hits its 20th anniversary. In addition, the organization will be celebrating its 25th anniversary and the 100th anniversary of our education center building. These accomplishments have been made possible by your donations. What our fourth grade students experienced in one day on a tall ship is something that a teacher, no matter how great, would not be able to provide in a classroom. I want to sincerely thank our fourth grade teachers for making this learning adventure a reality. I also want to sincerely thank our community who donated $1500 which provided student scholarships for the trip. Our students traveled on Indian Trails busses for the four hour tour (not a three hour tour, for those “Gilligan Island” fans) to Sutton’s Bay for this incredible experience. Although the amount of money does precludes an experience like this every day, Owosso strives to provide as many of these realworld learning opportunities as possible for our students because they are worth it. If you read this column each week, you will hear all about these unique experiences that Owosso students are involved with on a regular basis. Fortunately, there were no stranded castaways, the ship returned safely, and all our scientists made it home. So, join me here each week my friends, You’re sure to get a smile, from one Superintendent here at Owosso Public Schools! Last week’s riddle: Jenny almost missed the plane for her flight to China. On her way to the terminal, there were seven other girls walking in the opposite direction. Each of these girls had eight purses and each purse had two dogs. How many in all were on the plane? Answer: Just one. The other seven were walking in the opposite direction so they were heading away from the plane. This week’s riddle: Which eight-letter word still remains a word after removing each letter from it? Proud to be a Trojan, Superintendent MONDAY Design, Construction Plans and Bidding March 2015 to February 2016 (Staff will participate in the design process.) TUESDAY WEDNESDAY Classroom, Gym, Auditorium and Pool additions will be isolated from student activity Phase 1 construction on interior remodeling June 2016 – August 2016 Phase 2 construction on interior remodeling June 2017 – August 2017 Complete/Occupy interior remodeling and classroom additions August 2017 (including middle school gym) Complete Pool and Auditorium additions December 2017 Ideally, if all goes as planned, middle school may start in the new facility as early as September 2017 but there will still be work being completed on the gym and the auditorium. More than likely occupancy would not take place until January 2018. For More Bond Information visit www.owosso.k12.mi.us Blue and Gold After School Needs You The Blue and Gold After School program is off and running for the second year. Blue and Gold’s mission is to provide Owosso students, grades 1-5 opportunities to participate in high-quality educational, recreational, leadership, cultural, and community enrichment programs after the regular school day. This is a leadership based program provided through the generosity of various community volunteers which provides students grades 1-5 with critical opportunities to engage in activities and programs that support their intellectual, social, physical, and creative health and wellness. Program director Ms. Julie Croy is organizing the next session of programs for Owosso students and seeking volunteers. Instructors/Leaders select one night a week that works for their schedule and program. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Ms. Julie Croy at [email protected] or 989-729-5221. In Blue and Gold’s short history, students have been offered the following programs: • • • • • • • • • Computer Technology eBook Club Bucket Drumming Woodworking Jewelry Making Softball Piano/Keyboarding Kids Gym What’s the Matter? Science Exploration Owosso students participating in the Blue and Gold After School Maken-Take Crafts program show off their owl art. Putting the S in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) The 4Wings and Head Start preschool class at Bentley Bright Beginnings loves science. They learned about density earlier this week when Ms. Gier presented the rainbow in a jar experiment. Preschoolers Dez Lupu (right) and Adam Jones enjoyed the interactive science experiment and blending of liquids and colors. Oct. 15 PSAT for 10th & 11th Graders 7:30 a.m. LHS Parent Teacher Conferences 5:30 p.m. Central School PTO Carnival 6 p.m. Emerson PTO meeting 6:30 p.m. OHS Academic Achievement Awards in OHS g ym 7 p.m. 7th Grade Volleyball v. Williamston 4:30 p.m. 8th Grade Volleyball @ Williamston 4:30 p.m. Freshmen & JV Volleyball @ St. Johns 4 p.m. Varsity Volleyball @ St. Johns 5 p.m. THURSDAY Oct. 16 Bryant Movie Night OHS Mr. Wonderful in OHS auditorium 7 p.m. Freshman Football @ Belleville 4:30 p.m. JV Football @ Belleville TBA Varsity Swimming @ Eaton Rapids 6 p.m. FRIDAY High School will continue operations in the high school 2015 – 2017 (i.e. during construction) Tennis Make-n-Take Crafts Basketball Scrapbooking Science of Engineering Art Microwave Cooking Brain Builders Sign Language Cheerleading Bowling Oct. 14 OMS Destination Imagination 2:45 p.m. Bryant Bowling Club 3:45 p.m. Varsity Cross Country @ Waverly 5 p.m. Construction of new additions April 2016 – December 2017 • • • • • • • • • • • Oct. 13 District Band Festival at Willman Field 4 p.m. Special Board of Education meeting in OHS media center 6 p.m. Central PTO meeting 4 p.m. 7th Grade Volleyball v. Haslett 4:30 p.m. 8th Grade Volleyball @ Haslett 4:30 p.m. Varsity Soccer @ Districts TBD Freshmen & JV Volleyball @ Mason 5 p.m. Varsity Volleyball @ Mason 6 p.m. OCTOBER Andrea Tuttle Tuttle’s Thoughts Oct. 17 Half Day for All Students: Staff Professional Development Bryant All-Pro Dad’s Breakfast Elementary Safety Patrol Appreciation at Willman Field 6:30 p.m. Varsity Football v. Belleville 7 p.m. SATURDAY Oct. 18 ACT Workshop at OHS 7:30 a.m. 3rd & 4th Grade Football #1 @ Corunna 9 a.m. 3rd & 4th Grade Football #2 @ Swan Valley #1 4:30 p.m. 5th Grade Football @ Corunna 3 p.m. 6th Grade Football @ Corunna 1:30 p.m. 7th Grade Football @ Corunna 12 p.m. 8th Grade Football @ Corunna 10:30 a.m. Varsity Cross Country @ Corunna 9 a.m. Technology Tools Engage Emerson Students Students who are excited about reading are great students! Raz Kids is a tool that provides students with a variety of stories at different reading levels. The application allows students to choose between nonfiction and fiction stories that personally interest them and they can read the story independently or they can choose to have the story read aloud to them. “Raz Reader is highly engaging and it is personalized to the reading level of each student,” said Emerson Elementary second grade teacher Mrs. Jones. “My students love their reading time on the iPads.” Second grader Abigail Cobb is shown using the Raz Reader application on the iPad. Mrs. Jones’ students gain reading practice by: listening to, reading, recording, and taking a comprehensive quiz. OMS Celebrates Local Heroes Students at Owosso Middle School recently took part in a Patriots Day activity, honoring individuals who tragically lost their lives during the September 11th terrorist attacks. In addition to remembering these fallen individuals, students honored our local heroes. Participating in the “Owosso Heroes of the Hallway” project, students in grades 6th-8th created patriotic displays as a tribute to the police force and firefighter crews in Owosso. OMS now has displays thanking local heroes for their bravery, dedication, and support. Eighth grade student Adam Dahl said, “This project has helped teach me about the normal heroes in our community and the role they play each and every day.” OMS eighth graders Callie Meyer, Sophie Wittum, Anna Harmon and Morgan Louch, are pictured in front of the bulletin board they created. The flag is made up of red, white and blue notecards. The blue represents the names of the various firemen and police officers in the community. On the red and white notecards students answered the question “What is a hero?”. Mr. Friend’s fourth graders at Bryant Elementary researched different science experiments last week using iPads. Students took a vote to decide upon their weekly experiment and Elephant Toothpaste was the hands-down winner. Neveah Mishler is shown with the elephant toothpaste experiment. It creates a large amount of foam, which was exciting for students to watch. Mr. Friend explained the chemical reactions that occurred in this experiment and taught students about exothermic reactions which create heat. Mrs. Friend’s third grade class at Central were asked to think like scientists last Friday afternoon. After learning about weather during an earth science unit, Mrs. Friend had students write a hypothesis in their science journal regarding the “tornado in a bottle” experiment. Prior to the demonstration, students asked insightful questions like, “How fast does a tornado go?” Then using two 2-litre bottles connected with a plastic piece and water, Mrs. Friend created a tornado in bottle for students to observe.