December and January Recap

By Matt O’Connell

The third cultural enrichment assembly in a series sponsored by the Parent Teacher Organization was held on Thursday, January 15. Entitled “Mad about Math” and presented by Keith Michael Johnson, the program explored its topic with wonder, humor and gratitude. Johnson’s message is that math is really about people. Because we’re curious, we want to know why things happen and how the world works, and we need many kinds of math skills to help us find those answers. Johnson covered three helpful (teacher endorsed) tips to help make learning math a little bit easier. He stated that whether or not someone wants to grow up to be a mathematician, we all have to be proficient with math skills because they are the same skills we will be using every day for the rest of our lives.

In December, Jim Hutchison taught the sixth graders CPR, and all students had an opportunity to shop for small holiday gifts at the annual Botelle School Holiday Fair. An evening and a daytime concert were presented that showcased the band, chorus and strings program. Second grade students invited parents and family members into their classroom to celebrate and share a successful writing project. The National Geography Bee School Competition was held and ten finalists participated: sixth graders Ellie Crone, Kendra Link, Jackson Morgan and Evelyn Williams; fifth graders Lydia Beers, Erin Daley and Samantha Lockwood; and fourth graders Jesse Bierce, Mackenzie Casey and Noah Green. What looked to be a fairly quick elimination process turned into a bit of a “nail-biter” between Jackson Morgan and Noah Green, with Green ultimately taking first prize, Morgan second prize and Kendra Link placed third.

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