Monthly Archives: May 2016
Fine Elementary Honors Students Of The Month
Congratulations to Fine’s students of the month for February: Zeoni Long, Kimora Edwards, Lason Wright, Jeanluis Cedeno, Angela Torres, Quisaiya Cooper, Marquis Muhammed, Alanni Nunez, Sahmir Smith, Carlos Mejia, Makinzey Johnson, Macenzie Hunter, Keshoine Mack, Luis Acosta, Erick Popoca, Elisha Dyitt, and Aaliyah Sheppard. Keep up the great work!
Phifer Wins At Coriell Institute Science Fair
By Angel Cook, District Science Supervisor
On March 19, Phifer Middle School students and staff visited Camden County College’s Blackwood Campus for the 35th annual Coriell Institute Science Fair. Sponsored by the Coriell Institute for Medical Research, young scientists in grades 6-12 from Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties showcased scientific explorations in the fields of chemistry, biology, physics, zoology, botany, medicine, and more. With the excitement of viewing interesting science experiments from all over the region, 73 Phifer Middle School students registered to attend the fair. While the fair has been in existence for more than 30 years, this was Phifer’s first year of participation.
Pennsauken eighth grader Sarah Mireles, seen here with her science teacher, Tim Gilbride, won third place at the 35th annual Coriell Institute Science Fair.
Eighth grade student Sarah Mireles represented Phifer Middle School in the Consumer Science division. Her project, “Which Candle Burns Faster? White or Colored Candles?” studied the combustion rates of a commonly used household item. Mireles’ project was initially developed under the tutelage of her former seventh grade science teacher, Beth Hillmann. After winning in the 2015 Phifer Middle School science fair, Mireles cultivated her experiment for competition in the larger, county level Coriell Science Fair. Her eighth grade teacher sponsor, Tim Gilbride, ensured all project requirements and deadlines were met and the scientific process was followed. At the fair, Mireles proudly explained the dimensions of her investigation to judges and visitors. Hours later, her hard work and dedication were recognized, as Sarah was called to the prestigious Dennis Flyer Theatre stage to accept the third place award.
Participating in the Coriell Science Fair was a great success for both Sarah Mireles and Phifer Middle School. It was a testament to the power of science. An observation lead to a question; a question lead to an investigation; and an investigation lead to an award-winning project with real life applications. With support, Pennsauken students will continue to investigate the wonders of science. The young scientists of today will turn into tomorrow’s innovators.
Black History “Comes to Life” At Roosevelt Elementary School
On the afternoon of March 22, famous African Americans stepped out of the pages of history and visited Roosevelt Elementary School. Their goal was to educate staff, as well as students and their families, about famous African Americans that have helped to change our country’s history.
This is the sixth year that Roosevelt’s fourth grade students have put on the “Blacks in Wax” program. It is a culminating activity that students participate in after a month of researching an African American of their choosing as part of their Black History Project. The criteria of the project required the students to create a digital time line, write a research report and speech, as well as create a picture motif of their person. The cross-curricular project was overseen by four of Roosevelt’s teachers: Mr. Seidel, Mr. Veston, Mrs. Dicupe, and Mrs. Horiates. Working together, the teachers ensured that the students had ample time to do research and complete each part of their project. Students were also given time to practice their speeches at school and were given assistance with designing a costume that depicted what their person looks like.
Standing as if they were wax figures in a museum, the students would “come to life” whenever a museum visitor touched their “press here” button. Each student would recite their speech from memory, telling the visitor significant information such as when and where their person was born and important accomplishments he or she achieved in their lifetime. The museum included notable people such as actress Lena Horne, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, and author Alex Haley.
There was a buzz of excitement in the air as students, parents, and teachers visited the museum. The program even drew the attention of Math Supervisor Phyllis Plasky and Language Arts Supervisor Lori Massey. Mrs. Massey commented on how impressed she was the students’ overall presentation. The students made good eye contact and spoke clearly with no hesitations. It was an unforgettable experience for all who attended.
PHS Students Visit The Great White Way
By Kristen Weber, AAP Correspondent
Photo credit: Kristen Weber
On April 7, members of Pennsauken High School’s vocal music and musical theatre departments participated in the fifth annual trip to Broadway. In this whirlwind day, the choirs performed at St. Paul’s the Apostle church in a concert for the public. Singing in the second largest church in Manhattan was a wonderful challenge with the incredible acoustics; and the performance featured three soloists from the Double Dozen.
Directly from the concert, the students went to Ripley Grier Studios for a private workshop with Andrew Drost, a five-year cast member from “Phantom of the Opera,” and founder of the Institute for American Musical Theatre. Three more students had the opportunity to perform for Mr. Drost and receive critique, as well as another performance by the combined choirs.
Following lunch, PHS students returned to the studios for an improvisational acting workshop with actress Thia Stephens, culminating with a question and answer period about studying musical theatre in college, living in New York City, and the variety of opportunities within acting. The group was then led on a brief tour of Central Park and down Fifth Ave. to the Drama Bookstore, a treasure trove of plays, musicals, and books on acting, directing, and designing theatre. The day was topped off with dinner and a performance of “Phantom of the Opera,” Broadway’s longest running musical, and a post-show talk back with members of the cast and crew.
Carson’s Third Grade Multiplication Masters
By Mrs. Eckert and Mrs. O’Brien
Third graders at Carson School have been working hard to become “multiplication masters.” The students have participated in many hands on creative activities to learn their math facts. Each class has played a variety of multiplication games, such as multiplication war, circle and stars, and spinning for multiplication, just to name a few.
Teachers and staff at Carson School are proud of our new multiplication masters!
Board Of Education Honors High School Students
The Pennsauken Board of Education recognized four students from Pennsauken High School, Jared Jordan, Indigo Pascall, Martin Booker, Jr., and Marquan Jones, as students of the month for March.
Jared Jordan is a 12th grade student who ranks fifth in his class with a GPA of 4.37. He participates in the National Honor Society, French National Honor Society, and the school’s volleyball team. Jared plans to attend college after high school graduation.
Indigo Pascall participates in field hockey, track and field, African American Culture Club, and Pennsauken Pathfinder; she also serves her school as an orientation counselor and a Pennsauken student leader. Indigo plans to attend college and major in broadcasting and mass media.
Martin Booker Jr. has been selected to the All South Jersey Team for indoor track. He also participates in the Varsity Club and football. Martin’s favorite subject is math. He plans to attend college and major in business.
Marquan Jones has also been selected to the All South Jersey Team for indoor track; in addition, he is the state champion in the 400m, and participates in the Varsity Club. Marquan recently received an athletic scholarship to Rider University and has signed his letter of intent.
Congratulations to these great students!
Food Bank Of South Jersey Seeks Additional Sites For Summer Feeding Program
The Food Bank of South Jersey (FBSJ), the Pennsauken-based non-profit that is the area’s largest emergency-food provider, is looking to build on the success of its Summer Feeding Program (SFP) through significant expansion of the number of feeding sites it supports.
Longfellow Elementary School Enters Recycling Contest To Win A New Playground
Longfellow Elementary School is competing to win a playground made from recycled oral care waste through the second annual Recycled Playground Challenge, courtesy of Colgate-Palmolive (“Colgate”), the global oral care leader; ShopRite, which has more than 250 stores in the Northeast; and recycling pioneer TerraCycle.
Pennsauken Lions Club Pancake Breakfast A Success
The Pennsauken Lions Club would like to thank everyone who came out to their annual pancake breakfast, Sunday, April 10. It was a wonderful success that is only made possible through the support of the local community.
