• We have documented over 120 Observations of over 80 species that live at Carver on our iNaturalist account. 19 of our observations have been used by scientists in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF.org). Our data is being used in 24 projects that track species including several from the Department of Natural Resources and the Georgia Biodiversity Portal.

• Much of our iNaturalist data has been upgraded to Research Grade and supported by over 40 people including:

• A Stroud Society for Freshwater Science certified taxonomist

• A Botany Professor at a Florida university and his botany class

• Several biologists, naturalists, ecologists, and entomologists

• We participated in the 2024 Fall Coastal Butterfly Count and out of 30 participants, we were the 7th most contributing observer!

• Students have identified the invasive Red Swamp Crayfish in our ditch and have been surveying about 40 per day! Because we support Georgia's State Wildlife Action Plan and the Georgia Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan, we will be working with GA Department of Natural Resources to reduce our population with the goal of eradication. Students will be counting crayfish during the Carver 2024 Great Crayfish Census and our data will be used in over 10 projects including the American Crayfish Atlas. Students will be working with the leading crayfish expert in the USA, Dr. Taylor who is the President of the International Association of Astacology and the curator of Fishes and Crustaceans at the Prairie Research Institute and Dr. Bloomer, Assistant Professor of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois.

• Our students were greatly impacted by the recent flooding of the Ogeechee. Stewardship is at the heart of our program, and we want our students to have opportunities for environmental stewardship for matters that are meaningful to them. To help with reducing Ogeechee flooding, we are partnering with GA Coastal DNR, the Georgia Conservancy, and the South Atlantic Salt Marsh Initiative (SASMI). Two Wetland Biologists and a Wetland Botanist will be conducting habitat surveys of our 60+ acre property and we will be working together to convert our ditch into wetland and bog habitat. Students will be creating life size erosion reduction models, like living shorelines, in our ditch. We will also be participating in projects with SASMI and Coastal DNR to help in flood reducing initiatives of the Ogeechee such as making oyster bed reefs and growing plants that can be used in Ogeechee living shorelines. You can read more about SASMI at marshforward.org.

• Alaska Fish and Wildlife is sending Camp Wildcat owl pellets for dissection! They are also going to do a special zoom meeting where we can meet their Wildlife Biologists and learn more about the special species that call Alaska home!

• Several students have created a Trading Post that meets from 8:15-8:45. Students trade bracelets, stickers, buttons, minis, crafts, artwork, and cards. This allows students to make new friends and support each other's hobby. Outdoor Ed students can make bracelets during class time. This allows kids to relax in nature while nurturing friendships and develop skills like knot tying and braiding.

• Ms. Wilcher attended the Georgia Outdoor Classroom Symposium at Georgia Tech and is bringing new resources and opportunities to our students.

• Want to do a field investigation with your child? Want to share your outdoor pursuits and skills with us? Want to reduce our cattail population? Come to Outdoor Ed and join in on the fun!

In Music Class this October, we have:

• Played passing games to practice steady beat.
• Been introduced to playing ukulele and keyboards.
• Created our own music using Garage Band on iPads in Connections class.
• Added new songs to our singing repertoire.
• Danced, moved, and played rhythm games.

Stay tuned! More information will be coming home later this month!

In October, students have:

• built a 3D heliocentric model
• built an earthquake-proof structure
• studied Geographic Information System data
• practiced thinking and building like engineers
• studied moon phases
• created a moon phase calendar

Students attend a connections class once a week. In the LEGO club, they engage in building challenges, individual projects, and team activities. They have the freedom to express their creativity and engineering skills!

As we embrace the fall season, our media center is buzzing with excitement and engagement! This month, students continue to check out two books: one that aligns with their Lexile level and a free-choice book. It's a wonderful way to promote literacy and foster a love for reading.

Looking ahead, we’re thrilled to announce KNOWvember, which will focus on non-fiction and e-books. This initiative is sure to spark curiosity and encourage exploration among students.

The students in media connection recently had a fantastic experience with buddy reading, where Carver students partnered with Kindergarteners at RHPS. These connections are invaluable and help foster a love of reading.

We also want to celebrate our successful Scholastic Book Fair, where we raised an impressive $12,000! This funding will support our Book Break author visits, providing our students with the unique opportunity to engage with renowned authors.

This month, we’re excited to welcome Mary Pope Osborne, author of the beloved Magic Tree House series, for our 4th graders, and Steve Sheinkin, author of Bomb, for our 5th graders. Both authors have inspiring stories to share, and we know the students will be thrilled to meet them.

Katie Sriratanakoul and Terri Elkins

Carver Media Center

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