NESC Newsletter- MAY 2025

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The AP Chemistry class is doing the last lab before the AP exam on May 6 at 8:00am. They are doing titrations of acids and bases.

ICP recently did a lab over colors produced by heating different types of metals.

Mr. Ransford’s Advanced Manufacturing, Introduction to Manufacturing, and Computers in Design and Production classes recently took a field trip to Steel Dynamics and GE Aerospace in Terre Haute. The goal of the field trip was to learn about some of the local manufacturing jobs in the area, see manufacturing in action, and to see what the students have learned in class in real life.

The students started their day at Steel Dynamics. There they were given an overview of the operations at the Terre Haute plant. Students learned that the steel that is produced in Terre Haute can eventually be used all over the country or even the world. The students were given a chance to tour parts of the facility and see Steel Dynamics operation in action. Students were also able to meet a graduate of North Central and former student of Mr. Ransford’s, Avery McReynolds, who has worked at Steel Dynamics for several years.

In the afternoon, students traveled to GE Aerospace. Students learned that the GE plant makes parts of jet engines that are used on planes for Boeing and even some fighter jets. Students were introduced to another North Central graduate, Carol (Piker) Berg. Carol gave an overview of the work that GE does as well as an overview of her career at GE. Students were then given a plant tour where they saw multimillion dollar CNC and laser machines in action.

Thank you to both Steel Dynamics and GE for allowing our students the chance to learn more about manufacturing happening locally that has an impact globally.

Anatomy students spent the last part of April learning about the human circulatory system. Students created a real body outline, sketched in some major organs like the heart, lungs, kidneys and 38 major blood vessels. Blood vessels needed to be labeled and color-coded to tell arteries from veins. No chalk was used in this project.

Check out more projects by clicking on the button below!

The 4th Grade went on their field trip to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on April 21st and had a great day! Besides doing activities throughout the day, such as building and racing miniature soap box derby cars, learning about safety gear and important parts of an Indycar, and getting to wave the flags for the race, they got to meet 2-time Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden! Mr. Newgarden talked about all the skills and endurance it takes to race in the Indy series. He also told us that it took him 12 years to finally win the race for the first time, and then he turned around and won it again. He then kissed the bricks with the class and even signed autographs before heading home for the day. It was an amazing experience for all who attended!

The NEEE 5th grade have been studying Greek Mythology in English class, and one of their recent paired assignments was to choose 2 Greek Gods to compare and contrast. They then typed those characteristics into MagicAI, which created a rap battle between their chosen two. After some practice, they performed their battle in front of the class. Lots of "ohhh"s and "burn"s were heard through out the battles.

The Northeast East Elementary Student Council recently continued its cherished annual tradition of planting flowers for local businesses and organizations in Hymera.

On a sunny afternoon, Student Council members gathered to engage in community service and environmental stewardship. Armed with gardening tools and vibrant flowers, they set out to enhance the entrances of participating establishments.

This project not only beautifies our community but also instills pride in our students, reminding them of their positive impact. Local business owners have expressed appreciation, noting how the flowers create a welcoming atmosphere for customers.

As the flowers bloom, so does the connection between our students and local businesses. The Student Council looks forward to continuing this tradition, fostering community spirit and environmental care.

A big thank you to our Student Council members for their hard work and to local businesses for their support!

The Student Council at Northeast East Elementary recently organized an exciting and delightful spring dance with a fun Under the Sea theme. This event brought our school community together for an enjoyable evening filled with dancing, laughter, and celebration.

As students entered the dance, they were greeted by vibrant decorations that transformed the gymnasium into an underwater wonderland. From colorful sea creatures to shimmering waves, the atmosphere was truly magical. Everyone had a fantastic time dancing the night away, enjoying the lively music and engaging in various ocean-inspired activities.

We are thrilled to announce that King John and Queen Ryleigh were crowned during the festivities! Their reign was complemented by Prince Jack and Princess Tessa, who added an extra touch of royalty to the evening. The excitement was palpable as students celebrated their peers and enjoyed the fun of being part of the royal court.

A special thank you goes out to the many parents and volunteers who generously dedicated their time and effort to ensure the success of this event. Your hard work in running games and providing delicious food made a significant difference, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for everyone. We truly appreciate your support and commitment to making this dance a memorable experience for our students.

The spring dance was not only a wonderful success but also a testament to the strength of our school community. We look forward to hosting more exciting events in the future that bring us all together in celebration. Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to this fantastic evening! Your enthusiasm and support made it a night to remember!

This past Valentine's Day, the Northeast East Elementary Student Council organized a successful fundraiser by selling Valentine's Grams, spreading joy and affection throughout our school community. The initiative not only brought smiles to students and staff but also had a positive impact on our local community.

With the funds raised from the sale of Valentine's Grams, the Student Council proudly made donations to two important organizations: Brown Baggers and the Sullivan County Humane Society. Brown Baggers provides nutritious meals to those in need, ensuring that no child goes hungry. The Sullivan County Humane Society works tirelessly to care for animals in need and help them find loving homes.

By participating in this fundraiser, our students learned the value of kindness and community service. Their efforts will help make a difference in the lives of both people and animals in our area.

A heartfelt thank you to all who purchased Valentine's Grams, as well as to the Student Council members for their hard work in organizing this initiative. Together, we are fostering a spirit of compassion and support within our school and beyond!

NEEE 3rd Graders recently visited Marengo Cave. Check out some photos of their adventures below!

NEEE had several stations set up for Earth Day. We had chick and ducklings we incubated, bird feeders we made from recycled milk jugs, we learned about parts of a seed, we listened to our local librarian read a book made a craft from recycled items, and picked up sticks and debris from the yard. Here are a few pics but others have more! Jesse Walker also visited to talk about weather!

On April 2nd, our kindergarten class celebrated World Autism Day with fun, engaging, and age-appropriate activities that helped students learn about acceptance, inclusion, and understanding.

We began by meeting Julia, Sesame Street’s newest friend, who has autism. Julia experiences the world in her own unique way—she sometimes flaps her hands when she’s excited, finds loud noises overwhelming, and takes a little longer to respond in conversations. Through Julia’s story, students learned that while she may do some things differently, she is just like any other friend who loves to play, laugh, and learn.

Our class wore red and blue to mark the day. After conversations with several kindergarten parents, we chose blue for awareness and blue for acceptance. One of our thoughtful parents, Courtney Rockwood, generously donated rainbow spinners for each student. The rainbow represents the diversity of the autism spectrum, and students were excited to receive them.

Students also played a game called "Popping into Autism Awareness." Each child had two clothespins secretly clipped onto their clothing, and the goal was to get rid of them without being noticed. Those who succeeded were rewarded with a red or blue popper.

We also made colorful door knockers that said, "Autism—We Are All Made Different." Each student added red and blue puzzle pieces to their door hanger, symbolizing how we all bring something unique to the world.

After a visit to one of our brain break areas, it was clear that our kindergarten students had developed a deeper understanding of how we are all made different—and how we can all play and learn together.

A big thank you to everyone who helped make this celebration meaningful and memorable!

The 4th graders at NENE celebrated the end of their Treasure Island unit with a pirate party!

The third grade classes at Northeast North Elementary recently returned from their Viking Journey. Through an interactive video, they were able to travel to Vinland, Greenland, Iceland and England. Each day students would “row” to their destination in their Viking Longship. They learned lots of interesting facts about Vikings, their culture, and Norse Mythology. The most interesting discovery made during our journey was that the Vikings landed on the continent of North America almost 500 years before Christopher Columbus. Amazing! The Vikings were exploring over 1,000 years ago!

Check out more pics below!

To celebrate the end of an unforgettable elementary school journey, 6th-grade students from Northeast North and Northeast East Elementary came together for an epic end-of-year field trip to Urban Air Adventure Park in Bloomington. The event marked not only a day of fun and excitement but also a chance for future classmates to start building new friendships before heading to North Central Junior High this fall.

From the moment they walked through the doors, students were on the move—soaring through the Sky Coaster, racing through the Warrior Course, scaling rock walls, and dodging foam balls in the dodgeball arena. Many took on the challenge of the ropes course high above the ground, while others dove into the world of virtual reality video games, exploring new adventures with every headset.

Laughter echoed through the building as students cheered each other on, competed in friendly games, and celebrated their accomplishments. Everyone found something they loved, whether swinging, climbing, bouncing, or running.

After two hours of nonstop action, the students took a well-earned break to enjoy a pizza lunch, sharing memories and excitement for what came next. For many, it was the perfect way to wrap up their elementary school years—with energy, friendship, and a whole lot of fun.

The Urban Air trip was more than just a celebration—it was a symbolic step forward, uniting students from both schools as they prepare to join forces in junior high. With new adventures ahead, these rising 7th graders are ready to take on whatever comes next—together.

More pictures from the Urban Air trip can be viewed by clicking on the button below!

On April 15th, high-ability students from Northeast North and Northeast East Elementary took part in a wild and unforgettable adventure at the Indianapolis Zoo as part of the Animal Enrichment Project—a hands-on learning experience that turned science lessons into real-world action.

Before heading to the zoo, students worked in teams to research the needs and behaviors of the pouched rat, also known as the hero rat and chicken. Using what they learned, they designed creative enrichment activities—items or ideas meant to keep animals mentally and physically active. Projects included puzzle feeders, toys made from recycled materials, scent trails, and other activities designed to challenge and entertain the animals.

After weeks of hard work, students took a field trip to the Indianapolis Zoo, where they got the exciting opportunity to present their prototypes to real zoologists and zoo education staff. They explained their ideas, answered questions, and received helpful feedback from professionals who care for animals every day.

In addition to presenting their projects, students had time to explore the zoo, visit exhibits, and see the animals they had spent so much time studying. For many, seeing their animal in real life made the whole experience even more meaningful.

The Animal Enrichment Project gave students a chance to combine science, creativity, teamwork, and compassion. Whether or not they become zookeepers or biologists one day, every student walked away with a deeper appreciation for animals—and the people who care for them.

This has been a great year of Wandering to Wonder, Investigating to Innovate, Listening to Learn and Discovering to Dance.

Students at both NESC elementary schools have enjoyed a full year of engaging, hands-on learning in the Wonder Lab STEAM program! This year’s highlights include the introduction of our new Meta Quest 3 virtual reality goggles.

Thanks to a recent investment by NESC, students now have access to immersive educational experiences that supplement classroom learning. With these goggles, students have virtually explored the solar system, taken field trips to Egypt to see the Sphinx, performed frog dissections, and engaged in hundreds of other interactive simulations.

In addition to VR, students explored the art of printmaking by creating their own foam print plates, learned about rocks and minerals and how to identify them, and experimented with circuitry using Makey Makeys and squishy circuits to discover conductors and insulators.

Our young engineers were challenged with design-based tasks, such as building the tallest working marble run, constructing KEVA plank formations, and designing magnetic block structures for specific audiences. In music, students tried their hand at bucket drumming to learn about beats, measures, and how math connects to music through counting, patterns, and measurement.

Throughout these experiences, students were encouraged to think critically, problem solve, manage their time, and collaborate in new ways. The Wonder Lab’s mission is to offer a variety of STEAM opportunities that build on and extend the executive function skills students use every day in their classrooms.

As we wrap up this exciting school year, we’re already looking ahead to what’s next. One of our goals is to increase community involvement in the Wonder Lab. If you have a trade, talent, or skill that you’d love to share with students, we would love to connect with you! Volunteers are always welcome during classroom STEAM visits—your presence helps guide and enrich students’ experiences. No experience is necessary—just an open mind, a willingness to learn, and a love for working with students. You can email Gretchen Brown at browng@nesc.k12.in.us.

Click on the button below for information on current NESC job openings⤵️

Thank you to all NESC staff and students who contributed to this newsletter!