Blue Knight Highlights

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Many thanks to Criminal Investigation Officer Matt Smith from the Barnstable County Sheriff's Office who visited SMHS Science Teacher Courtney Aboltin's Forensics classes for a hands-on lesson on fingerprints. Officer Smith covered the principles of fingerprints, including how to identify, collect, analyze, and compare fingerprint patterns to potentially link individuals to a crime scene, and the actual process of dusting and lifting fingerprints from a porous surface. Students were able to dust and retrieve their own fingerprints and examine their type. This activity fit in perfectly with the forensics curriculum! Thanks also to SMHS Security Officer Bob Aldrich for arranging this visit.

This week Sandwich Middle High School students in the Computer Science Innovation Pathway participated in the One8 Foundation Student Solve Challenge, an applied learning opportunity where students collaborated with an industry pro to solve a problem they actually face at their company – all virtually during a four-hour in-school field trip. In this case, the industry was Verizon Wireless, as the company is seeking solutions for its customer service platform which is having difficulty in providing service quotes.

Students worked in teams and put their Project Lead the Way (PLTW) skills and tools to use, solving a real-world problem with the help of a Verizon mentor. Using the PLTW design process and additional resources provided to teachers, students “pain stormed”, evaluated potential solutions using a design matrix, and shared their team solution with the company. While the SMHS team of approximately 25 students did not have the winning solution in this statewide competition, it was an invaluable applied learning opportunity!

Forestdale second grade students joined a holiday chorus at the annual Lighting of the Littlest Christmas Tree at Shawme Pond in the Village on December 1. Led by Assistant Principal Kara Schofield and local musician Paul Horton, these students practiced singing and moving to three holiday songs during the event. They will be called to perform again on December 20th when the school gathers for some holiday singing. Thank you to all the families who helped support this chorus and for bringing in students early to practice. It is such a joyous sound to hear children singing with such emotion! Here is a sample!

Head lice is not a fun topic but one that we all need to be aware of and we hope you find the following information helpful.

• Let's Learn About Lice
• CDC - About Head Lice
• AAP - Head Lice: What Parents Need to Know

The Boys & Girls Club of Cape Cod has a few adventures planned for December and they are hoping that our Sandwich students will want to join in the fun!

$10 daily for non-members / $5 daily for members

Enjoy!