Furnace Woods Hosts STEAM Career Day | |
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To many, dance and technology may not seem like the most natural pairing, but Justin Wingenroth, owner/director of The Dance Conservatory in Cortlandt Manor, explained the myriad ways these two worlds intersect, such as when artificial intelligence is used to drive innovation in choreography.
Wingenroth was just one of nearly 20 presenters at Furnace Woods’ first ever STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) Career Day on March 16.
The brainchild of FWS teacher Megan Boyle, the event was designed to expose younger students to careers that involve STEAM skills. As with Wingenroth’s presentation, some of the connections were surprising.
A peek into the library revealed members of the Westchester County Police, including K-9s Harley and Trooper, demonstrating how highly trained dogs are employed to detect electronic storage. The officers also explained how technology has become a critical component of crime scene investigations.
Entrepreneur and Hen Hud alumnus Nik Bucci held students’ attention as he described applying the engineering skills he acquired in college to his growing coffee business. When he needed a particular tool to strain coffee beans and realized the item didn’t actually exist, “I used my engineering background to invent the tool that I needed.”
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Hendrick Hudson’s New Turtle Habitat is a Labor of Love | |
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This is a tale of two Kevins.
Kevin Golden is a longtime custodian at Buchanan-Verplanck Elementary School who also happens to be a reptile expert and master woodworker.
Another Kevin, this one an Eastern Painted turtle, is STEM teacher Catherine Holzman’s pet, who, until now, was living in a bathtub at her home.
The two Kevins not only share a name; they are now connected forever via a museum-quality turtle habitat Golden built for Holzman’s classroom. On his own time - and at his own expense - Golden designed and constructed the 12’ x 10’ display now taking up a sizable portion of the school’s STEM lab. The turtle-centric ecosystem features a 300-gallon pond, cutting-edge filtration system, basking rocks warmed by UV lights, hand-sculpted rock formations, aquatic plants and much, much more.
The idea for the classroom display came about last summer, when Golden suggested the idea to Holzman, who had been trying to find a more suitable habitat for her turtle than what she had been providing at her home. With Principal Donna Torissi’s approval, Golden commenced months of research, design and construction. The project, now complete, was beyond anything a pet turtle – or anyone else - could have imagined.
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STEAM Innovation Day Highlights Classroom Technology | |
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The halls of Hendrick Hudson High School buzzed with activity as students and teachers shined a spotlight on the district’s ongoing efforts in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) during the district’s first-ever STEAM Innovation Day.
The event, held on Saturday, March 25, featured presentations from teachers and their students as they demonstrated the numerous ways technology is being utilized across a wide array of subject areas. Director of Technology Vineetha Joy—who joined the district last year—ran a similar event at another district and said that keeping community members informed about the ever-evolving integration of STEAM into lesson plans is key to the growth of classroom technology.
“Teachers are doing more project- and problem-based learning in the classrooms, and all this technology is available to them now,” said Joy. “We are showing what they do every day in their classrooms.”
Megan Boyle, who teaches fourth and fifth grade, had students demonstrate their work with Sphero BOLTS—cylindrical coding robots—as they programmed the devices to complete mazes laid out on the floor. Boyle said it was especially important to keep parents in the loop regarding advancements in classroom technology because of the huge changes to curriculum over the last several years.
“I wanted to put something together where the kids could demonstrate what they’re doing because many parents are unfamiliar with today’s tech-based instruction,“ said Boyle. “I think as a parent, you’re realizing how much students can do, but it looks intimidating when you haven’t been introduced to the technology.”
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BMMS Thrift Shop Benefits Students and the Environment | |
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Fashion with a socially responsible twist is what Blue Mountain Middle School students will find at a unique thrift shop that’s been popping up each month during school lunch periods,
The Blue Mountain Sustainability Sailors Club hosts the monthly thrift shop, where students can browse and shop for gently used items with a suggested donation of $1. The monthly sale has been so popular that there are often lines stretching across the cafeteria on the days the shop is open.
Inventory is based on donations, which come in on a rolling basis and are stored in a closet at the school. The club members track the inventory to determine what is most popular and to see what needs restocking.
“When people donate, their items don’t go into the garbage,” said club member Perry, who noted that hoodies and sweaters have been the most popular items. “Instead, the clothing goes to people who need it.”
The thrift shop features diverse sizes and styles, and all transactions are cash only. Funds go back into the business, helping to pay for such things as display racks.
“We are reusing old clothes and giving them to people who actually want it or need them," said Matthias.
“People see how much things cost in stores,” added GinaMarie. “Students often ask us when the next sale will be. We feel like we’re helping the community, and we are having fun doing it.”
The monthly sales started in December 2022 and the plan is to continue them through the rest of the school year. The pop-up shop takes place on the third Wednesday of each month.
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Clubs Aim to Ramp up Reading with ‘Little Free Library’ | |
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On March 31, vision became reality for members of the high school’s Literary Magazine and Reading Club, as they witnessed the permanent installation of the “Little Free Library” they’d spent weeks assembling and painting. The colorful cabinet was placed to the right of the stairs at the high school’s main entrance, with help from the district’s facility staff, and now passersby will be able to take or leave a book anytime, free of charge.
There are 125,000 Little Free Libraries around the world, providing an easy way for people to access books. The goal is to encourage more reading within local communities.
Faculty advisor Julie Maye said that she was exceedingly proud of the students. “Even though the senior members of this group will be leaving Hen Hud soon, and others not long after them, they should all be so proud of the fact that they have left a tangible, permanent mark on the school, having made an improvement that students will enjoy for years to come. This is their legacy.”
Maye said that she was especially happy the project was finished and installed before the end of March, which is Read Across America Month. “The kids worked really hard to get this project finished, coming after school almost every day to paint the structure.”
Once the library was installed, it was filled with books donated by the students and Maye. Club members plan to monitor the inventory and add more books as needed.
Senior Lexi Schaffer, co-president of the Reading Club and editor-in-chief of the literary magazine, said that Little Free Libraries help “make reading accessible and convenient for everyone.”
Reading club co-president and fellow senior Katelyn Krupa said that the high school’s Little Free Library will be “a great way for the community to get involved and allow people to share books that they love.”
Maye noted that the PTSA is contributing funds to cover a portion of the cost of the library. The two clubs also held a joint bake sale to help cover expenses. “Many club members who were unable to come after school to assemble and paint the library were still instrumental in the bake sale, so credit goes to them as well,” she said.
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One School, One Author at Frank G. Lindsey | |
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While the older elementary school students recently celebrated One School, One Book school-wide reads, at Frank G. Lindsey, the concept was modified to One School, One Author.
“Picture books are more appropriate for the younger kids,” explained FGL principal Dr. Cindy Kramer. “By choosing an author, the students can read multiple picture books written by the same person.”
The school held an assembly during which all of the students were introduced to three different author/illustrators. They were then asked to vote for their favorite, and beloved children's book author Jan Brett came out on top.
“A different Jan Brett book was highlighted each week, and our morning announcements featured quotes, vocabulary, and math problems related to her stories,” said Kramer. “Teachers shared a variety of Jan Brett books with their classes, and every student received a copy of The Snowy Nap!”
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Mamma Mia! on Stage at HHHS
As always, the Hendrick Hudson High School spring musical brought the house down! This year's performance of "Mamma Mia!" was full of exuberant dancing and singing, set to many beloved ABBA hits.
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Hendrick Hudson School District, 61 Trolley Road, Montrose, NY 10548 | | | | |
