Comet Chatter
January 2024
Snow Much Fun!
By: Ariana Talsania and Luke Tripoli
As we all know, there was just an astronomical winter storm! It broke a 715 day snow drought. We spoke with 4 amazing 3rd graders from Mrs. Bauer's class Sabrina, Asher, Nola, and Caden to hear about their snow adventures.
On Tuesday, many of the kids said they woke up and did various activities in the snow during their delay. One student mentioned that they didn’t know about the snow until their mom told them a while later. Like many others, they freaked out and went outside.
When there is snow on the ground, why not play in it? Many kids went sledding. A popular destination for sledding is High Hill Park. Asher told us that he went sledding and while he was sledding he jumped over his brother. Another activity that multiple kids did was a snowball fight! Some of them broke into teams and had a brawl.
You know what’s even better than a two hour delay? No school at all! Everyone loved the snow day on Friday. They were happy and excited. We all love a day to relax and have fun. Caden was a little sad because it was a day off of spring break. We already had a spring break that was two days shorter than normal, but now it’s three days.
You thought your snow experiences were fun? Well check out some of these kids fun experiences! Sabrina told us that she played around on her pool cover! I can only imagine how that must’ve felt . While Nola was sledding down her hill she didn’t see the bump that lurked below. She darted through the air and started screaming. She loved it and went down five more times.
It was fascinating seeing snow after such a long drought. Who knows? We might get more! Everybody put a spoon under your pillow and an ice cube in your toilet (just one, we don’t need to call a plumber). Everyone have a wonderful winter!
The Winter Concert was Spectacular
By: Sophia Taylor and Jett Moore
Do you like music? If so then the chorus is for you. Every year in the Harker school fourth and fifth graders have the choice to join the chorus.
The chorus conductor is Mrs. Fox while Mrs. Overbey is the pianist. Mrs. Fox currently runs the chorus but she didn't always run the chorus. Mr. Tranz ran it the year before Mrs. Fox gained interest in it. Now Mr. Tranz runs the fifth grade band.
A few participants said “It is very nerve racking to sing on stage especially if you have never done it before” others say, “It is a very fun and a great experience.” The conductor Mrs Fox stated that “It isn't always easy for me and the students, but the end result is very rewarding. She said it is amazing to watch the chorus work together, create harmony, and sing. All of the students said that they have an amazing time.
Chorus starts in late September and in just four months the participants learn at least three songs, but usually four. They perform a Winter concert and another one on in the spring. The winter concert was attended by many families. We can't wait to hear the spring concert.
The SWSD Great Kindness Challenge
The Harker School celebrated a week of kindness. Each day was celebrated by wearing clothing for a different theme. For example On "Kindness ties us together Day" everyone wore tye dye clothing. Below are some of the classroom doors that were entered into the classroom door decorating contest for kindness week. Harker School is an official Kindness Certified School.
Boys & Girls After School Basketball is so much fun
By: Marco DiCicco & Jack Persicketti
Girls and boys after school basketball is in full swing. The first few weeks the players learned different skills. The first week was defensive drills, while the second week was dribbling and passing drills, and the third week they scrimmaged. After that captains will be chosen for each team. They will pick their teams and for five weeks games will be played. the final two weeks there will be playoffs. The cherry on top is the finals.
The boys started playing their games on Jan. 31st, and it was a wild day. The last game went into double overtime, so the captain's had a shootout, first to score. It was Danny Harris vs. Jake McIlhenney. They both started on the foul line and both missed. They’d go on to miss two more times while moving closer each time! On Danny’s fourth try he shot it, it looked good but it went in ‘n out! Jake was up to win the game. He shot it, it hit the backboard, hit the rim then hit the backboard again, and it went in. Jake had won the shootout. All the kids went crazy and they said they couldn’t hear themselves scream in joy for Jake. But this was just the beginning.
Bryce Booker said, “It's fun because we get to play basketball!”. Luke Tripoli said, “It’s crazy hard work, it builds character, and it is also really fun.” Luke also mentioned that it doesn't matter if you are the best player, it’s work ethic that matters.
Ava Schmidt from Mr. Biddle and Mr. Lewis’ class said, “The most fun thing about after school basketball were the shooting drills.” She also said that she is looking forward to the games.
From the same class Shaquille Brooks said, “The most fun thing we’ve done is the scrimmaging and I’m looking forward to the games because I think that will be the most fun part.”
Stay tuned to hear more about after school basketball.
Paws Project - A Present for Us at Harker
By: Kayla Casalunovo and Emma McGovern
The Paws Project is a program Mrs.Kline is doing off of Rags 2 Riches. Rags 2 Riches takes puppies from other shelters that otherwise may not have had a good outcome, and gives them a new path in life. It is a wonderful fostering program that puts these precious puppies on display for someone to adopt and love them!
The preparation for the new puppies was tough for Mrs. Kline and her class. The preparation had many challenging moments and many awkward moments, like when they prepared for the real puppies with stuffed animals! The learning parts during the first few puppies were tough, especially when new puppies are in the room for the first day. Can you imagine a precious little puppy greeting you walking into your 4th grade classroom?! Most of the students thought that it was going to be impossible to focus on their schoolwork, but it wasn’t as bad as they previously thought. This gives them such an incredible sense of responsibility, love, and compassion.
Mrs. Kline and her class recommended other classes to also foster puppies. While it is always exciting, there is also a lot of responsibility that comes with the puppies. Each day two new Puppy Ambassadors are assigned. These are students that help and look after or care for the puppies until the end of the day. Some jobs that Puppy Ambassadors have are to sit alongside the puppies or to feed them throughout the day.
This has been such a successful program so far and we are so excited to continue seeing the amazing adoption stories!
Want to help? Check out Rags 2 Riches Animal Shelter to donate or to complete an adoption application for one of these precious puppies. Mrs. Kline´s class also has an Amazon Wishlist which includes items that could help them in the classroom with their foster pups. Below in the link: