NESC Newsletter- FEBRUARY 2024
AN INNOVATIVE EDUCATION FOR A BETTER TOMORROW
Note:
To view pictures more clearly while using a mobile device, tap on the photo and then again on the "arrow box" that appears in the upper right-hand corner. Enjoy!
Note the following changes that have been made to the academic calendar since the beginning of the school year:
- January 26 and March 8 are now 1/2 days to provide professional development for all NESC staff. On those days, students will be dismissed at 12:30pm.
- April 8, 2024 is now an E-Learning Day due to the upcoming solar eclipse.
Please plan accordingly!
A Word from Dr. Baker . . .
Embracing Growth and Community
Dear Students, Parents, and Staff,
As we step into the month of February, I am filled with gratitude for the collective dedication and resilience displayed by our school community. It is truly inspiring to witness the continuous growth and achievements of our students, the unwavering support from parents, and the hard work put forth by our exceptional staff.
February brings with it a sense of warmth and reflection. It is a month where we celebrate not only academic accomplishments but also the values that unite us as a community. This month, let's embrace the spirit of compassion and kindness. Small gestures can have a significant impact, and a supportive community fosters an environment where everyone can thrive.
I encourage students to approach their studies with enthusiasm and curiosity. The pursuit of knowledge is a lifelong journey, and each day presents an opportunity to learn and grow. Parents, your continued involvement in your child's education is invaluable. Your support and encouragement contribute immensely to their success.
To our dedicated staff, your commitment to fostering a positive learning environment does not go unnoticed. Your hard work forms the foundation upon which our students build their futures. Thank you for your unwavering dedication.
As we navigate the remainder of the school year, let us remain united in our pursuit of excellence. February serves as a reminder that our community is not just a collection of individuals but a family that thrives on shared values, mutual respect, and a commitment to the well-being of all.
Wishing you a February filled with joy, learning, and meaningful connections.
Warm regards,
Dr. Baker
NESC Superintendent
NORTH CENTRAL JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL
2024 Winter Homecoming Royalty
NCHS celebrated its winter homecoming the week of January 8-13. In addition to crowning this year's royalty, the Buff Puff volleyball tournament was played, with the seniors narrowly defeating the sophomores, and the boys basketball team defeated Rivet by the score of 76-38.
Lilli Gaines was crowned this year's queen while Kagen Taylor was crowned king! The students also voted Aubrey Hauser as princess and Ethan Willis as prince!
Pictured below are all of this year's homecoming court. For additional photos from winter homecoming week, scroll down to the "NC Candids" section!
Microscope Experience
Belinda Freeman's junior high students got some microscope experience, examining their cheek cells to compare to an onion skin cell.
Mitosis & Meiosis
7th and 8th graders in Belinda Freeman's science classes are learning about mitosis and meiosis. They made models using candy and had to explain the process.
Nervous System Lab
Students in Cary Molinder's anatomy class were working on a nervous system lab determining the density of sensory neurons and testing motor response to cold. It was a chilling experience for all of us.
New Softball & Baseball Outdoor Facility
The new concession stand for baseball and softball has been completed. It is a 30x40 utility building with a concession stand on the north end. It contains three family restrooms on the east side (one that is handicap accessible). Each restroom has baby changing stations along with urinals. On the west side is a storage section, which when combined with the upstairs, provides ample storage space with access via a 7x9 overhead door.
The restrooms and concession stand are climate controlled. The front (north end) has a 12-foot overhang. A large window for concession traffic has been finished in the NCHS green and white color scheme. Once the weather breaks, there will be two benches on the north end along with four picnic tables out front with umbrellas.
NORTHEAST NORTH ELEMENTARY
Names w/ Snow
NENE 1st grade students visited the STEM room and made some snow. With the snow, they spelled their names and made fun shapes.
Winter Recess
NENE 4th graders enjoyed their recess time in the gym during the cold winter days, playing board games, legos, parachute, cards, and relay races.
Food Drive
NENE Junior Beta members organized a food drive to benefit Our Father’s Arms and Sullivan County Brown Baggers. Classes were challenged to build the tallest or most unique tower using their food items. Teachers were encouraged to make this a STEM project discussing area, perimeter and engineering skills. In total, 2025 items were collected for Our Father’s Arms and Brown Baggers. We are waiting to hear which school collected the most food to see which school staff gets a pie in the face!!
Salvation Army Kettle Campaign
4th graders raised money to donate to the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign. The students pictured collected the most money at NENE and won an ice cream party!
Energy and Speed
4th grade science classes have been studying about energy and speed. We had a few hands-on activities to help expand our understanding.
Too Good for Violence
The 5th and 6th grade students at NENE spent a week participating in the Too Good For Violence Program provided by Mental Health America of West Central Indiana, Our students have learned that each of them has what it takes to solve conflicts peaceably. The program provides opportunities to practice peacemaking and anti-bullying skills through role playing, cooperative learning, games, small group activities and class discussions.
Students learn to solve problems in their relationships with others in a peaceful way that is healthy for them and for others. Also, to find positive ways to deal with their emotions and learn good communication skills. It is important for our students to develop a positive self-worth and to establish relationships with others who encourage them to be the best they can be in whatever they choose to do in life.
NORTHEAST EAST ELEMENTARY
DAY 100 CELEBRATION
Northeast East Elementary recently celebrated a momentous occasion - the 100th day of the school year. The festivities began with an uplifting announcement from Principal Mrs. Hannon, declaring that every student had become 100 days smarter. To commemorate this achievement, Mrs. Hannon enlisted the help of Encore specialist Ms. Lexie to transform plain white t-shirts into makeshift science lab coats for the entire student body.
On the morning of the 100th day, students donned their newly crafted lab coats and sported science goggles, generously provided for by the school. Mrs. Hannon added to the excitement by distributing Smarty candy to each student. The day unfolded with a series of engaging activities designed to celebrate the milestone.
For the younger students (Kindergarten through second grade), the day featured a rotation of science-driven activities, including an obstacle course, static electricity experiment, marker transfer experiment, creating their own snacks, and a bubble experiment. Meanwhile, students from Kindergarten through 6th grade engaged in 100 movements through an oversized obstacle course set up in the gym.
Mrs. Hannon and husband Tom also hid 100 gold coins around the school for students to hunt. If one was found, they got to turn it into the office for a prize. In a similar activity, Kindergarten students went on the hunt for 100 kisses in their classroom.
A beloved tradition, the estimation station, offered all students the chance to guess the quantity of items in containers filled with Lego sets, cheese balls, and puzzles. The challenge was to determine whether the amount was more, less, or equal to 100. The student with the closest estimate was awarded a prize, adding an element of friendly competition to the celebration.
Overall, the 100th-day festivities were a resounding success, enjoyed by students of all ages. The combination of science-themed activities, creative transformations, and the joy of reaching the 100-day milestone made it a memorable day for Northeast East Elementary.
MLK Day
The Kindergarten students learned about Dr. Martin Luther King on January 15th, 2024, through a lesson and experiment on segregation. They watched a Brain Pop Video that explained Dr. King in a developmentally appropriate way. After learning, the students participated in an experiment where they were given yellow or blue construction paper to symbolize segregation. Those with yellow papers were invited onto a "bus" (tabletops), while those with blue papers were excluded. The segregated students observed as their peers on the bus enjoyed candy. Throughout the activity, the teacher discussed feelings and empathized with how Dr. King might have felt. In the end, all students were invited onto the bus, fostering historic conversations about equality and unity.
Monarch Butterflies w/ Mrs. Hunt
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HOOP SHOOT
Congratulations to Brookelee Barrett (NENE) for winning 1st place and to Bryar Brand (NEEE) for placing 2nd in the recent Hoop Shoot district contest!
WONDER LAB
Cold temperatures and thick fog did not keep our students from East and North Elementary from their monthly visit in January to the Wonder Lab.
The new semester means new STEAM labs for our students to Wonder, Investigate, Learn and Discover.
All students got to learn more about the total solar eclipse that will be coming to our area on Monday, April 8th. We discussed what occurs during a solar eclipse, drew diagrams and labeled all the important aspects so they could demonstrate their knowledge and understanding. The Maker Lab was a busy place as students learned about the Corona of the sun and how it will play an amazing part of the total solar eclipse. Their art work, using different mediums, was an interpretation of this spectacular sight we can not wait to witness first hand in April.
K-1 students got the opportunity to code our newest robot, Cubetto. Cubetto is different from our other robots, whereas we do not use any type of technology piece - iPads or chromebooks. Cubetto is coded using a special board and pieces where students execute the code by putting the pieces in a specific order. Students are using their critical thinking skills to learn patterns and explore cause and effect relationships. 2-3 students worked with our Dash robot and practiced their block coding skills. Computer programming provides our students with so many great cognitive challenges - we love building that growth mindset!
Our 4/5/6 students also got to try out a new item here at the Wonder Lab - Parrot Drones. Mrs. Walker led the station reviewing rules and guidelines within our building, along with using their own drones at home. They discussed different careers that would involve being a licensed drone expert. Students were taken to the gym where they worked in teams to perform different functions with the drone and driving pad. This was an amazing experience for our NESC students and the Wonder Lab hopes to build on this and provide some evening opportunities for our drone enthusiasts.
Watch your school newsletters for upcoming community events here at the Wonder Lab. We are trying to schedule evening dates for our parents/students to come and learn more about the upcoming total solar eclipse.
NESC CANDID PHOTOS
NCHS Yearbook Sales!
Old NC yearbooks are also available for $10 - $50 depending on the year. If you would like to see what is available, please email Mr. Jacob Cummings at cummingsj@nesc.k12.in.us. Thanks!
NCHS Library Media Center
2023-2024 NESC Newsletters
Sullivan County Public Library Info
February Events at All Sullivan County Public Libraries!
NESC Athletic Schedules
NESC Job Openings
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thanks to all NCHS Student Media students and NESC teachers/staff who contributed to this month's newsletter! Great job everyone!